> Equestrian Origins > by Key_Chains > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Prologue - Preparations, a call for chains > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- About two thousand years ago long before Ponyville and even Canterlot was founded. A great war riddled through the land that would later be known as Equestria. The pre-equestrians were a mixed group of earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasi led by a pair of very powerful alicorns known as Celestia of the Sun and Luna of the Moon. Today we know them as the two sisters who rule over the land of Equestria. Back then they were known to be fearsome warriors with strength that went unmatched until renegade groups began to appear with mysterious weapons using artifacts that they had discovered. These artifacts would later become the elements of harmony, but in the wrong hands they had become great weapons of war. Each stone had powers that rivaled even the pair of alicorns, some with the ability to bend and fold space. Others had the power to raise the undead. The next few centuries would lead the sisters to many trials that would shape them into the queens they are today. This story takes place with a makeshift town without a name. Ponies gave up naming their settlements after so many had been attacked, burnt down or raided. The two sisters realized that they themselves were the target of most of these attacks and so they built a castle deep in the Everfree Forest with the help of Starswirl the Bearded and Melvin the Manticore. This was the Castle of the Two Sisters. A trap riddled Labyrinth filled with an impressive armory and dozens of well-trained soldiers that were hoof selected by Celestia herself. Luna had her own small army that were used for scouting and stealth missions. One unusual addition in Luna’s troops, was a young Unicorn with some unique abilities. “BRING US CHAINS IMMIDIATELY” Boomed the voice of the dark blue alicorn, rattling the armor of the guards standing outside and caused many candles lighting the room to extinguish inside of the sister’s tower. “You do know we don’t always have to speak with the royal voice sister…” calmly stated Celestia as she relit the extinguished candles with a glow of her horn, her ears still ringing. “BUT WE REQUEST TO” a small stool is cast towards Luna. “WE REQUEST THAT WE” several pieces of the carefully organized weaponry were levitated and formed a circle around the deep blue Alicorn. “WE SEE *cough*, we see your point dear sister. You mustn’t to go such lengths for your request. We merely feel that we must speak of important matters with a commanding voice.” Luna said smiling softly at her sister. Celestia carefully levitated each weapon into its respective mount on the wall before trotting over to her sister, giving her an affectionate muzzle. “I understand Luna but my hearing is also important. At least don’t use it indoors if you can help it, I can’t remember the last time I was able to have a vase on the shelves without it shattering when you shout.” Celestia said with a small though playful frown. “But we are immortal, surely your hearing cannot be damaged as it would heal almost instan-mpph” Luna’s muzzle was violently pomf’d with a large pillow surrounded with a light orange glow. “It was a joke Luna, lighten up” Celestia said with a chuckle as she tossed the pillow back onto the large mattress. “No offence sister, but when it comes to light we believe that is your department”. Celestia was about to scold Luna for being so serious once more but was interrupted as the guards came back with several feet of the noisy metal ropes. “THAT IS NOT WHAT WE M-“a fierce glare from Celestia reminded Luna of their earlier talk. “WE *cough* we meant to say bring us Chains the unicorn. We request an audience with him.” Luna said speaking much softer towards the two guards geared fully in thick armor. “I told you she was talking about the unicorn” one of the guards said as he slapped his hoof against the back of the opposing guard’s helmet causing it to slide down over his eyes. “You were the one who grabbed the chains you dumb buck!” Countered the guard with his eyes covered, pushing his helmet back to glare fiercely at the accuser when his vision caught site of Luna who looked quite frustrated at this point. “Forgive us Luna of the Moon, we will return immediately when we have found him.” He said as he lowered a hoof and grazed his muzzle close to the stone walkway. The other guard followed suit once he caught sight of Luna’s scowl, quickly bowing as well. His plated hooves clicked against the pathway as he lowered his chest to the ground. “We will forgive your mistake” said Celestia soothingly, “but this matter is most important so please make haste in your retrieval” the warrior of the sun spoke as her ever flowing mane rippled behind her. “YES M-SIR….YES S-‘AM…..YES CELESTIA” The guards said after stumbling over their words in unison before righting themselves and galloping off towards the un-named town. As the two guardsmen rushed off to fetch the unicorn, the two sisters continued to discuss proper voice etiquette while confined in small spaces ---- Meanwhile in the un-named town, earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasi were traveling back and forth between buildings. Some Looking to trade goods, others were trying to repair some damage from a recent attack on a few of their houses. One unicorn helping the repairs oversaw the work being done, making sure things were locked down tight so that future attacks would be less successful. His horn began to glow as he began to conjure magic. Several links of metal began to form and bind together, seemingly coming from the tip of his horn as Chains began to bind walls together that were nearly falling apart. He was just about done helping with the repairs when he saw two guardsmen approaching rapidly. > Chapter 1 - Bearded sisters > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The sun slowly rose up over the rolling hills of Pre-Equestria. Its light spilled over the land revealing a crude little town with a hooful of buildings. There was an armory that had an ever-burning forge. It was stocked with an assortment of armors and weaponry to defend the town against the constant barrage of attacks and raids from different factions across the land. In the center of the town was a crudely built bell tower, used for emergencies when the citizens were in danger or when a town meeting needed to be held. There were ambitious ponies who had their own homes, almost constantly needing to repair holes in the roof or burnt down doors that hung off their hinges. Other ponies lived in large dens since it was easier to maintain the building with several ponies at the cost of one’s privacy. In most homes, furniture was of poor quality. It was uncommon to have a table or chair that wasn’t unbalanced. Dishes were flat slabs of wood that were sometimes carved into bowls that easily held a hooful of berries or a couple fruit. For the most part though, life was decent. This was a rare peace that had been brought by the efforts of two unicorn sisters and their personal mage Starswirl the bearded. They had been wandering across the land of pre-Equestria in search for a new beginning when they came across the small pony-filled village. Even though they had been recently raided when the sisters arrived, Luna and Celestia were surprised to find out they had been attacked several times since most citizens could even remember. When asked why they don’t just leave, most ponies give a tired, warm smile to the sisters and respond in their own way. “This is our home, where I grew up and hopefully will spend my life raising a filly or colt that will grow up here as well. Every day is a new challenge, every night is a new threat. Tomorrow though, we’re all stronger because of it.” It had been nearly four years since the sisters had settled in the town, determined to be their own personal guards. To see so much potential in common ponies was something the sisters knew in their hearts that this place needed their presence. Starswirl, seeing the sisters resolve, couldn’t help but stick with them in their duty. He had been with them for nearly two decades now and couldn’t be any happier. He thought back when he had first met the sisters… --- “NEXT” Shouted Luna, the dark blue unicorn shouting out over a dozen ponies standing in line. An earth pony, who just moments earlier was clumsily flailing around a sword in an attempt to impress the sisters, had a look of defeat as he stepped off to the right. “Honestly sister, they are right in front of us. I’m fairly certain that they can hear us from this distance” Celestia said to her sister while not looking up from her clipboard. The two sisters lived in the hidden city called Polympus. There was no war, food was plentiful, and many equines walked around day to day with a bright smile on their muzzles. For Luna and Celestia though, it never felt like they belonged there. Things were too perfect, too calm for the young restless mares. Once they caught word that the outside world was still riddled with war and struggle, they knew they needed to go out and find what they were meant to be. Immediately they created and sent out fliers across the city, trying to find ponies with skills to aid them in their quest. In a town of nearly three thousand colts and mares and hundreds of fliers posted, the sisters were disappointed that only about twenty or so ponies showed up. Half of the turn ups stormed off when they realized this wasn’t some sort of vacation the council had created, and the other half were a mixed group of ragged ponies with barely any talent let alone combat experience. “And what is your name little one?” Celestia said with a warm smile as a young colt stepped up to the pair. “Um, my name is um…tongue twister and I think I should go with you!” Said the pale red pony who didn’t even reach their chest in height. “Sister this is a waste of time, there is no way that I’m going to let some young co-“ Luna was interrupted as a large cushion was forcibly shoved into her face surrounded with a light orange glow. “Please continue dear” Celestia said, her face returning to a warm smile after casting a nasty glare at her blunt sister. “U-um okay” The colt began, slightly put off by the sister’s behavior. “Poly ponies preen their purple primary prings er-wings!” he finished, sticking his chest out proudly after performing such an impressive feat. Meanwhile the two sisters sort of just deadpanned towards the pony. “Was…that all young one?” Luna asked, impressed simply by how remarkably un-impressive this particular audition was. “Oh! How could I forget” The colt said lifting his hoof to his head and grimaced “The big finale!” he said before slowly inhaling and closing his eyes in concentration. The two sisters were intrigued by his un-characteristic concentration and leaned closer together to see what he was about to do. The red colt fixated his vision upon the two sisters, inhaling his breath until his small lungs could hold no more air before slowly exhaling out of his nose. When his breath ran out, it happened. Celestia’s jaw dropped in forced amazement while Luna rolled her eyes and groaned “You have GOT to be kidding me” The deep blue mare said, shaking her head in deep disappointment as the young colt in front of them had stuck out his tongue and began to twist it back and forth outside of his muzzle. “Ta-baaa, I tolb-yew ib waau impreffive” he said before pulling his tongue back into his muzzle, his tail wagging back and forth happily. Celestia offered the colt a warm applause, clopping her front hooves together while giving a warm chuckle. “That is one of the better auditions so far I have to admit Luna” she said looking over to her sister who returned a non-verbal stare saying she was full of sh- “However” she continued. “That isn’t quite what we are looking for unfortunately. I will have to decline young one” “Awe…” The colt lowered his head and drooped his ears, his tail sagging between his legs. “I tell you what though” Celestia instructed the colt who lift his head a little. “Keep practicing your tongue twisters, I have a feeling that is something you are quite good at” “Oh! Um okay! Thank you!” He said with a refreshed smile, trotting away to practice more of his tongue twisters in hopes to impress the sisters one day. “That wasn’t so bad Luna, I really think he could have helped us on our adventure” Celestia said, trying very hard not to crack a smile as tears built up in the corner of her eyes. Luna stared at her sister very unamused, scoffing at her before turning attention once more to the small crowd. “NEXT” she bellowed with frustration in her voice. A light grey, clean shaven, unicorn approached the two at a calculated speed, not fast enough to seem eager nor slow enough to seem reserved. His eyes slowly studied the sisters for quite some time before finally speaking. “My name is Starswirl, I may be interested in joining your adventure but I’d first like to know why a couple of blank flanks are interested in leaving such a peaceful city.” This immediately put the sisters on guard, their smiles and playful nature were replaced with a surge of mixed emotions. No one knew they were blank flanks, neither sister had told another soul. They had cleverly used magic to make their own symbols on their- “Illusionary magic is a bit more advanced than the average unicorn’s typical abilities. Though if you know what you are looking for, you can see when magic is being cast by the user.” He said as his eyes stared directly at each sister’s horn, seeing the nearly translucent glow of magic used to upkeep their appearance. The sisters looked at each other, cautious and put off guard but more importantly, they were curious. They had never met a pony who showed magical knowledge at a scholar’s level. “How… did you-“ Luna began but was cut off by Starswirl. “Ah -ah -ah” he said, pointing and shaking his hoof lightly. “I haven’t been answered my question first. Why do a couple of young mares want to explore outside of this city and presumably find trouble?” “Hmph- very well” Luna said looking a bit irritated. She glanced over to her sister, letting her make the call. “We have out reasons why we want to leave” Celestia said carefully. “Our blank flanks, as you crudely stated, may be part of that reason but the rest is something we cannot explain ourselves. We just feel we need to” Starswirl took several more moments to think about what she said, nodding his head every now and then when he seemed to resolve each section of his thoughts. “Very well, you may ask a question now” he said with a warm smile. “How did you-“ Luna was once again cut off by Celestia this time. “Why are you interested in joining us?” she looked at the unicorn curiously, seeming to relax slightly once she began to get used to his personality. “I’m glad you asked that” he said warmly, “I’ve spent a lot of time in these walls and I feel like I’ve hit a ceiling. There isn’t anything more I can learn magically from the citizens and I’ve read most of the literature in the libraries. It’s time I expanded my horizons and I just so happened to come across one of your flyers” He said, holding his hoof out as a flash of light materialized one of the sister's fliers in his grasp. “How did you- “ poor Luna grew red in the face as she was interrupted again. “What separates you from the other auditions?” asked Celestia. Even though she was already somewhat impressed with his magical abilities, it wasn’t anything the sisters themselves couldn’t do without a bit of practice. “What other auditions?” asked Starswirl, looking up at the pair with genuine confusion. “The ones right behind you?” Luna stated as she glanced up and over Starswirl only to drop her jaw in shock. There wasn’t a soul in sight, dozens of ponies just…gone! “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH THE CITIZENS” Luna bellowed, glaring down at Starswirl “Those were illusions, there have only been the three of us this entire time” Celestia stated calmly, looking at the light grey unicorn in front of them with an intellectual smirk “Oh?” Starswirl looked at Celestia with interest “How can you tell?” he said, stretching out and cracking his neck a bit. Luna stared carefully at the grey unicorn. “Because your horn is glowing” she said confidently, smirking triumphantly once she saw through his rouse “Actually Luna, that is another Illusion” Celestia said without pause. The dark blue mare glanced at her sister curiously and back at Starswirl, at least the spot where he once stood. “But… I don’t understand” Luna stated, tilting her head in confusion. “That’s because you aren’t focused” Said a voice behind the sisters causing Celestia to smile more once she confirmed her theory. Meanwhile Luna screamed and stumbled forward, completely losing her professional presence as she fell muzzle first into the ground. “Before we allow you on our adventure Starswirl, is there anything else you’d like to show us?” Celestia said, looking over her shoulder at the light grey mare who stepped forward were Luna once was. “Hmmm…there is just one more spell I’d like to show off.” He said before closing his eyes, concentrating quite hard on his summoning which made his horn glow a bright green hue. The light began to grow so intense that each sister winced and closed their eyes before hearing a loud *pop* and the rustle of hair. Luna slowly opened her eyes, her vision slightly blurry from the intense light. She looked up to her sister to see if everything was alright. Once her vision began to clear, tears started to form at her eyes as she made a few awkward choking sounds. Celestia hearing her sisters light sobbing perked her ears up immediately, looking down at her sister and opened her eyes to try and clear her vision. What she saw was something she hadn’t seen in a very long time. Luna, was struggling to breathe and her chest heaved with each forced inhale of breath. Her hooves clutched at her stomach in pain while shrill laughter pierced the vacant area surrounding the three unicorns. “Si-hahaha-SISTER! Your-haha-Your F-FFFFFAACE!” Luna’s cheeks were stained with tears that continued to roll down and drip off her muzzle. “What exactly…did you do?” Celestia said, looking at Starswirl with renewed caution. That’s when she noticed her muzzle felt a bit heavier…and itchy? Even in Luna’s blurred vision, to the present day she has never forgotten the sight of her older and wiser sister with a full grown mustache and beard that sagged to the floor.