//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: Ten Seconds of Sunrises // by Opium4TmassS //------------------------------// Excerpt from SkyFire -End of the Golden Age. Final days of the Princesses:...The origins of the rebellion have been lost through time. It wasn't economic, or social inequalities that have brought about the Princesses downfall. Equestria was a land of plenty during this golden age of Celestia and Luna. Of course their was strife at times, but that's a normal part of being a pony. As long as you have more than one pony their will always have conflict. It has been theorized that Prince Blueblood was the one who initiated the coup. Having ascended the throne after his aunts self-imposed exile. Many historians believe that is was he who created the rebellion in an attempt to seize power away from the two sisters. Their are several pieces of evidence that support this, most notably him not being present at the palace when the revolution happened. But I am still skeptical. From what we know of Prince Blueblood he was many things. He was a materialistic pony, obsessed with the finer things that is true. but responsibilities or power was not his suit. Proceeding to bask in the comforts that was available to the upper classes than to deal with the daily politics and running of the kingdom. And the mob had surrounded Canterlot, demanding to see the princesses, demanding that they (the princesses) give to them what was rightfully theirs. My own theory was that growing dissatisfaction of the ponies seeing their princesses not as their rulers and bringers of the sun and the moon, but as possessions, a toy they could take out of its box whenever they wanted, and what they wanted was the power of the Alicorns for themselves, seeing their rulers as "HAVES" and themselves as "HAVE-NOTS". And so the princesses with little choice, not wanting to see pony hurt pony left the throne. Leaving Equestria forever. Their is speculation that some of their most trusted subjects followed the two sisters out into the unknown. It is believable, but I cannot find any records of who these ponies were or when did this happened. I could postulate that this probably happened right after the coup, but as we.... Excerpt from Candy Apple-Memoir of a Palace Serf:... When the rabble broke through the castle gate me and my friend Morning Dew cowered in the corner, listening to the screams and cries of anger from the rabble, demanding to be heard and to get what was rightfully theirs. The both of us were too scared to flee with the others. I remember her crying in fear what they would do to us , but they ignored us for the time being. As they were too engrossed in the looting and destruction of Celestia's and Luna's beautiful castle. The poor fountain in the center seemed to have taken the worst of it. As bricks were thrown, and ropes were tied around the wonderful statue in the center that me and my friends used to spend our free time. Enjoying each others company. Pulled down and destroyed. I felt my own heart fell and turn black as I was too astonished, too stunned as to comprehend as to why this was all taken place. That was the first time I have ever felt hate in my heart. I remember it the blackness inside of me, watching the ponies destroying something beautiful, just for the sake of destroying something beautiful. Even after all these years I still feel the hate twisting and turning inside me, wanting revenge on those foolish ponies that have done all of this. I do remember seeing some figure in the background heavily urging them on. He was cloaked from hoof to head standing behind the others. Using hateful words like "Justice for all!" and "Overthrow the Tyrants!" I think he might have been the ringleader, but I couldn't get a good look at him because of all the ponies surrounding that one. Who knows what they would have done to us if not one of the palace guards in an act of charity grabbed both of us and pulled us away. I found my strength returning to me and together with that brave guard we helped Morning Dew get away. The poor dear was in such a state of shock as we dragged, and carried her away from them. It was a stroke of luck for us they were preoccupied with breaking down the huge doors that lead into the throne room. Giving us the time we needed. Unfortunately we didn't make it far when our world turned upside down again. The mob of ponies had just broken down the door, while the three of us stood their in the shadows of the corridor too afraid to leave. And afraid once they spotted us, what they would do. Fearful what would happen to our beloved rulers once they got their angry hooves on them. I remember a bright flash of light, blinding everyone, including us three, followed by a thunderous sound, like a storm. I couldn't see anything for a few moments, but when my vision finally returned. Our beloved Princesses left the throne, and had left Equestria. As we looked out the window I saw something that looked like two stars one bright like the sun, the other dark like the moon. I knew in my hearts of hearts what it all meant. The princesses left the throne, left Equestria, and more importantly left us ponies. All three of us started crying as the realization of what just happened hit us all hard. Our beloved Princess Celestia and Princess Luna left the throne, left Equestria, and more importantly left us all. But they haven't completely abandoned us. Even as I write this so many years in the future. With my now greying mane, and my wrinkled body, and fading eyesight aged so much from that day of the nightmare event. The sun still come up, and so does the moon. I feel, more likely I pray that they are still out their watching us, I hope that one day they will forgive us from our terrible mistakes..... Newspaper Ponyville Gazette-Western tribes repelled by a new weapon GUNPOWDER!! In an astonishing victory against the western invaders that have been plaguing Equestria since the self imposed exile of the Princesses hundreds of years ago. Blackblots Technologies has created a new and dangerous new mobile weapon called a cannon capable of decimating enemy troops from far away. Also they have developed a smaller cannon capable of being hoof held, which their creators have named a gun. These new weapons are powered by gunpowder, or black powder which causes an explosive chemical reaction to propel an object at high speed towards its target. Composition is the same as the fireworks we normally use for special occasions: sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate (saltpeter). With sulfur and charcoal acting as fuel and the saltpeter as the oxidizer. The effects were witnessed first hand by this journalist on the battlefield watching the enemy repelled easily, as they once again sought to penetrate our land, much more effective than anything magical we have ever thrown at them. Even unicorn magic. It is in this humble writers opinion that this new ultimate weapon is the bees knees, never have I seen such a complete decimation of our enemies with such few casualties on our part. The most notable was when one of our cannons malfunctioned and exploded. It resulted in five hurt ponies, one of them fatality. But other than that small hiccups, field test of these new weapons was an outstanding success. I personally witnessed our enemies scattered across the land as our heroic soldiers defended us once from such an oppressive foreign threat... Newspaper Canterlot Times-Final Bloodline of Royalty ends. Prince Blueblood XXIV forcibly adjudicates throne: With a vote of no confidence. Prince Blueblood XXIV the last in line who is directly related to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna was expelled and exiled from the land of Equestria today, forcibly escorted out in chains from the palace with a mixture of supporters, and opponents surrounding the disgraced prince. Prince Blueblood was know for being the most dynamic of the royal line since the two princesses held the throne. While as ruler he was most outspoken opponent of the technological growth taken place all over Equestria. Calling the continued growth a "Ugly wound on our bright land. We are doing and creating machines without proper planning or control, or even understanding of the outcome. Without qualified planning and vision, who knows what future destruction we may create as we blindly continue forward doing more harm than good." "Nonsense!" said Mr. Orange Peel, spokehorse for Blackblots industries. "It is unfortunate it has come to this, but all he is doing is trying to steer us away from the real issues. Namely his inefficiencies as ruler of Equestria. It truly is a shame." Mr. Orange Peel was also quoted as responding to Prince Bluebloods accusation as completely untrue. "We at Blackblot industries, as well as all other companies are very concerned about what we are doing for future generations. We take the utmost caution as we march forward to better and brighter things." Also their were the charges of embezzling funds to.... Equestria Journal of Medicine-Mysterious new disease:Black Mouth as it is being called appeared in the coal mining shanty town Grey Water about five months ago with three cases appearing, and as of the writing of this report it has risen to twelve cases of infection. Although infection doesn't seem like the right word as it is neither bacterial nor viral. Environmental causation seems to be the culprit, but so far we are unable to uncover the reason for contracting of this sickness. Symptoms of Black Mouth have been described as infection of the saliva glands in the mouth, coating the tongue, and inside of the mouth with a black tarlike substance hence its name. In more advanced cases the excretion is observed discharging from the eyes, and ears as well. Other symptoms are excessive fatigue, blinding headaches, nausea, fever, dizziness, acute weight loss, and loss of mane hair and furr in patches. Internally the foreign substance has been found in the patients bloodstream, traveling through the body, clumping in the internal organs slowing killing off said organs depriving them of oxygen and nutrients necessary for continued well being. It is a mystery as to how the subjects have been contaminated. Food and water continue to test clean of all impurities, while living accommodations still continue to show nothing that can or have created the causation behind all of this. The order to evacuate, and quarantine was once enforced but repealed after Braums mining incorporated. The owner of the mine, the workers and the shanty. Cancelled the proceedings citing unknown origins of the disease, making impossible to assess exactly were did this come from. "With over two-hundred workers coming from all over Equestria is it impossible to state with any certainty that the ponies contracted this here." claimed a spokepony for Braums mining. Deciding instead in isolating the infected ponies away from the rest of the workers. Since the mine has been in operation for over ten years their has been no reports of any illness like this. As doctors and researchers work round the clock to find out more of what we can, we are perplexed by everything about it. Its point of origin. What exactly is this black ooze? And why here of all places. We are thankful of one thing, the outbreak has occurred in a isolated area of Equestria, giving a low probability for exposure to the rest of the land... Ponyville Gazette-Blackblot Industries moves to Ponyville. Changes name: During a small honoring at the town square of Ponyville, celebrating visiting representatives from Blackblot Industries. Making official what many had already suspected. That Blackblot Industries was relocating to Ponyville, even more they are officially changing the name of their company. As of the time of this writing it will now be under a new name International Information Technologies or I.I.T. "We are branching out into new avenues." said Mrs. Dawnpollen Public Representative of I.I.T. "Were once we supplied the latest in military and law enforcement industrial equipment. Our reaserchers are now moving onto other areas that are promising new and exciting creations that I'm sure will benefit all of the ponies of Equestria." When asked to expand on just what new and exciting creations she meant. Mrs. Dawnpollen was not hesitant to show off some of their newest creations. The first was what she has described as a prototype for thinking machine called a computer. Capable of storing and processing data. the first one jokingly nicknamed Discord for its instability, or chaos in its higher functions. Was an impressive sight taking up the size of two rooms. demonstration a simple act of playing a song "Mary had a little Lamb." much to the laughter of us all. "Don't be fooled." said Mrs. Dawnpollen, "This massive machine wasn't just created to perform little ditties to the amusement of us. Discord can and will be able to perform hundreds, maybe even thousands of calculations from plotting a course of a ship at sea to calculating the prices of the Manehatten stock exchange for the next two weeks." Another invention that was introduced was what they called a telephone. Which they claimed is capable of talking to another pony a great distance away. With another demonstration of having a conversation with the Head of International Information Technologies who was unfortunately not present. Who gave an impressive speech from this new invention the telephone. Of which he called the "Vision for the Future." and "Paving the way for the benefit of All." Other demonstrations were advertised, as I.I.T... Excerpt from the brochure-Save the Everfree Forest:...About eighty percent of the Everfree forest has now vanished in the wake of our exploitation for resources as we continue to log and strip mine. Leaving nothing behind as our constant push forward destroys everything in its path. Along with the rapid vanishing of this great an ancient forest, the animals that have resided since the dawn of time have been forced to either flee, or starting to vanish or even worst. Timber wolves, the hanging spider, the five spotted leopard , the selkie are just a few of the species that have been official declared extinct, and as we still push forward who knows how many more will be gone in a few generations. But it doesn't have to end like this. Petitions and funding have been set up were you can add your voice to stop this destruction and tell the companies to create a sanctuary for the remaining forest. Keeping the forest alive should be our number one priority as we move into the future, and you can help us preserve it for future generations... "Fillydelphia Journal Tribune-First Cybernetic Implant Success!:Today marks the beginning of the future. At the Fillydelphia University of medicine and science Dr. Whooves and assistants made medicial and scientific history today by implanting a supported cybernetic skeleton into a volunteer subject, whose name had been withheld pending the full outcome of the autopsy. The procedure which is very simple in itself. Inserting nanobytes into the paitents bloodstream removing a molecule of bone and replacing it with a molecule of metal over and over again until the skeletal structure has been entirely replaced. The whole operation took a total of five hours from start to finish. As the volunteer regained consciousness the pony was fully able to move and converse around normally but with a very stiff movement, and a sluggish and heavy slurred speech. But he did stay and spent a short time answering questions before being wisked away for more studies. Dr Whooves on the other hand spent a lot of time talking with us and explain the process. When asked about the sluggishness of the patient he responded that due to the weight of the new steel structure, which he called it a living steel, or smart steel capable of processing blood, nutrients, oxygen, and other vitals the body needed to survive. He also stated that the body will be implanted with nanobytes as well to help adjust the body. Dr. Whooves also went on to say that this was only the beginning with muscles and other tissues being reconstructed to created a better, faster and stronger pony. When asked about the Black Mouth problem he unfortunately said no. "This is not a cure. It can't get rid of a problem that no one has an answer for." Unfortunately the volunteer died nine days later from his body rejecting the implants. We suspect the nanobytes malfunctioned when... "Ponyville Tribune-Fact or Fiction did the Princesses Exists?A whopping Sixty-Five percent of foals and fillies polled in the Equesterian schools, does not believe in the existence of the princess, As one student polled called it. "A complete fabrication of the golden age. Everyone knows the story. How the greed and jealously of us ponies caused the rulers to flee Equestria to parts unknown. Its an old story and well told with different versions. One you have the princesses leaving to protect the population from hurting each other. Another version is that the princess were wicked and cruel and were ousted by the people. And other that the princesses fell in love with a mortal pony and both left the throne to become mortal. I just find it all very hard to believe. I'm not saying their isn't some truth to the story. But alicorns? C'mone! Were a little too old to believe in fairy tales." "It is not surprising. This trend has been continuing for a few generations." stated Professor Featherweight of Ponyville college. "As we move on the better and brighter things we are leaving the old relics of the past, specifically those that have weighted us down. And what is a bigger weight than the story of the alicorn." "The Princesses are an important part of our history, our culture." countered Professor Lilly Bloom of the University of Manehatten. "Our future isn't as bright and better as some would like to say it is. Black Mouth is silently killing us, unicorns are losing their magic, pegasus can't fly, and earth ponies have almost lost their affinity to the earth. And lets not go into the cutie mark phenomenon. I'd say now more than ever do we need to hold on too these antiquated relics of the past, as I know some have stated. What we have created. What we have done, isn't the grand Utopia that has been promised. Sure we have created many things that were unconceivable, since the Golden Age. But has that made us better as a society? Or even each individual pony? I think not." Their also been talk or removal of the Princesses from the school curriculum. As a lot of schools already have. Since the funding of our educational system comes from businesses like I.I.T. They always have had final say to what shouldn't or shouldn't be taught. And it seems most are starting to regard Celestia and Luna as unimportance to the growth of our young... Advertisement from Trans Equestria Creative: Be the pony you have always dreamed. T.E.C. can create what you desire with our unique packages. From Cosmetic to fully functional. Even to your very own unique style just for you. Our easy payment plans can give you what you want. Pegasi, Unicorn (unicorn horn cannot create magic,), even Alicorn packages available. 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We are standing by waiting for you to embrace the future. Forward from the book- Wheelbarrows on Rockets the rise of Technology: Since the Fall of Canterlot the ponies of this great land of Equestria have experienced growth unimaginable in Equestra as well as other parts of the world. Outshining magic, brute force, even armies that have posed threats from time to time. Where other civilizations were content to just throw a couple of blocks together and call it a house. We have built skyscrapers that have pierced the very sky, fantastic machine for everything from transportation, to construction, even assisting in the most delicate of surgeries. Equestria has been the forefront of cutting edge advancements, the edge of tomorrow actually. Everything the world has benefitted from was created or invented here. Computers, planes, vehicles, plexiglass, cybernetics, genetic research, robotic technology, I could write whole books listing all the creations that have come from Equestria and have spread throughout the world. Benefitting not just us who are living in Equestria but also those who don't. We have single handedly altered the course of the world around us. As I sit here writing this for the opening of this very fine book. I think about how far we have come, and i wonder if we had even surpassed the princesses. Becoming more that what they could have ever achieved. Even more I wonder what great things are being thought up now in our laboratories and companies. I can't begin to imagine what tomorrow will bring us. From:Mrs. Orchid Lagoon PHD. Chief Liaison for C.D.F.E. Center for Disease Free Equestria To: DR. Cobalt Sky Surgeon General of Health and Wellness for Equestria Subject: Summary of Last Census This is in response to your query of the results of the last census that was taken a month ago. Please note that the results are still being analyzed as of the writing of this report. So I suggest you take that in to account as you read this. Inaccuracies are in all probability, and updates to all conflicting data will be sent to you posthaste as we find them. Also I would like to point out, as you probably know that the confidentiality of sharing this or any information gathered. And the civil and criminal penalties that can and will happen if it is found that you have broken the trust in the distribution of this report to anyone. This is intended for your eyes only, and will prosecute under the fullest extant of the law if you are found in violation of said trust. Now then. Earth Ponies are by far the group experiencing the largest exposure to diseases, illness and deformations with about sixty-three percent are suffering from some kind of affliction, which is three percent increase since the last census taken. Although the unicorns are still the least tolerant of the three species, the earth ponies are the group were it seems that are the most susceptible. Also our studies has observed a rise in S.I.D.S related deaths of around thirty-three percent of all newborn colts and fillies being stillborn or dying within a few days after conception. which is up by two percent from last census. With an increase of physical or mental deformities up to 12 percent, which is an eight percent increase as well. AV5 or Black Mouth as it is more commonly called, is up by almost twelve percent, a rise of three percent, So in totality it is estimated that thirty-nine percent of the earth pony population has contracted Black Mouth and it is our assessment that before the taking of the next census that the total will rise to a forty-four percent. As well as Black Mouth, earth ponies are also experiencing a rise in other problems kidney failures, lung problems, Bone deterioration, as well as problems with sight, hearing, muscle loss and in increase aging. It is noted that now the average earth pony's lifespan, is expected to live up to fifty-seven years of age. Which is a harsh drop from the first census taken which placed them with a lifespan of up to the mid eighties. According to the data we have collected. Eighty-five percent of unicorns cannot use magic, and of those who still can, only three percent can still use magic to any useful degree. We are projecting that in two to three generations magic will disappear entirely from the unicorn species. Unicorns while only the slowest growing of pony groups, in regards to contracting diseases, and or the spreading of such diseases, only about eighteen percent of the Unicorn population has been diagnosed with Black Mouth, with only a one percent rise since the last census taken. But of all the groups they are the ones that are the most vulnerable. The Average lifespan after contraction of the disease is estimated to be less than a year. Which compared to earth ponies of about six years or pegasus which is around three or four years, is very shocking indeed. But more concerning is the rise of mental disorders. Around twenty-three percent of the unicorn population is experiencing some form of mental handicap, schizophrenia, dementia, psychosis, mental impairments the list goes on. With a six percent increase of Alzheimer cases to the unicorn population as they age. Pegasus cases of Black Mouth is up eight percent from last census bringing the total of twenty-three percent. Also we have found that sixty-eight percent of Pegasus are incapable of flight, due to the deformity of their wings. The most common cause is the disorder Osteogenesis imperfecta or brittle bone were the bones, specifically the bones in the wings become too brittle, breaking easily, and unable to heal properly. Another common disease is Proteus syndrome, were their is uncontrolled growth specifically around the wings, of blood vessels, skin, bones, muscles, fatty tissue and lymphatic vessels. Like the earth ponies the pegasus have a higher than average cases of newborn problems up twenty-three percent, with the birth defects and S.I.D.S. rates following as well. Another problem I feel we need to address is the cutie mark phenomenon, or rather its absence. An alarming rise of ponies being born, growing up, and eventually dying without ever having gotten their cutie mark. We cannot say for certain if this is a cause or symptom to these problems. But it is estimated that sixty-six percent of the pony population do not, nor will they ever get their cutie mark. They way things are continuing on we feel that around five generations ponies will no longer have their cutie marks. Again I must reinstate that we cannot tell if this is a causation of all that is going wrong or a symptom of it instead. More research into the matter must be made. Like Black mouth, we feel that their is no one point of origin to all of this, we cannot simply point our finger at any problem and say AHHA! this is what we need to fix. We feel the problem is a result of many things that have gone wrong for a long time. Environmental, Social, technological, and of course physical and mental detriments have played, and are still continuing to play a part in all of this. In Summation we at the C.D.F.E. feel that we are reaching a critical point in Equestria. As events are breaking down and are continuing to break down, All our efforts I feel are like placing a Band-Aid over a gaping hole of a wound. Again I would like to reinstate the classification of this report for your eyes only, and the penalties of any attempt to distribute this report and share this information. But in this ponies opinion I would suggest we all pray. Pray for something, pray for change. We are all dying and if things continue on this way their wont be an Equestria left. Sincerely Orchid Lagoon Chief Liaison for C.D.F.E.