In an alternate verison of Equestria humans and ponies once waged war. Now many years into the future a summit of peace has been called. Yet an evil lurks in shadows ready to strike.
This is a high fantasy tale of drama, mystery, action and romance. This story will be much like Dragon Age, Lord of The Rings and Witcher in terms of story.
In an alternate verison of Equestria humans and ponies once waged war. Now many years into the future a summit of peace has been called. Yet an evil lurks in shadows ready to strike. Our story follows a young knight by the name of Douglas Williams fresh to order that is attending this summit.
Little does he know he will have deep ties to Princess of The Sun.
This is not the Equestria that is known. This is an alternate version of a story that is well known. We must go back to the beginning….when this world was still young. When the world was ruled by the father and mother of Celestia and Luna. These beings were known as King Cosmos and Queen Galaxia. They were Alicorns. One of the first and few that existed. It is not known if they were the first of the pony kind but they were the oldest.
Under their rule ponies of all kinds thrived and scholars of magic rose from their rule. The queen gave birth to two beautiful daughters but, on the same day they were born. Something else came to Equestria. No one knows where they came from, not even the King and Queen. Strange beings known as…..HUMANS.
At first the Ponies were welcoming even if the humans weren’t peaceful. They were scared of the pony’s magics and their ways of thinking. Peace was tense but manageable. That was until the humans began to understand…MAGIC. They made their own mage and some even developed their own forms of magic unseen by pony kind.
What came next….well it depends on who you ask. The ponies say that there is no greedier creature than a human. They claim humans attacked first wanting more power. More land and more magical secrets. The humans say that it was the ponies that shed the first blood in fear of the magic they had seen. No one knows the truth. Only what came after.
WAR.
Ponies had superior magic and some even stronger bodies yet, the humans had something as well. NUMBERS they outnumbered the ponies 5 to 1. For this reason alone the war raged on for years. Blood was spilled upon the magical ground that called forth something from the darkness. Something from the darkest umbra of the universe.
DEMONS.
Hellspawn from the realm of darkness summoned by the rage and blood of war. They didn’t care who they attacked. Demons would simply kill and devour any being that was in their way. Even this didn’t stop the fighting. The war had made everyone bitter. It was only when both parties began to suffer serious loss was the idea of peace even brought up.
King Cosmos and Alexander Lionheart The First king of the free men met on a dead battlefield alone one winter’s night. A deal was struck that night. Alexander agreed to help the ponies destroy the demons in exchange for supplies and boats to cross the great sea. He would move his people to the other side of the world away from all of this. King Cosmos accepted this deal.
Ponies and humans once again worked to purge the land of darkness. Once the demons were slain the earth ponies alongside humans began to build massive ships. The humans pack up their lives and set sail across the great sea. Vanishing from Equestria and its ponies. In the years to come the nation recovered quickly, becoming peaceful once again. Celestia and Luna were raised from little girls to strong rulers. King Cosmos and Queen Galaxia left Equestria for the stars to expand their minds and souls. Leaving their daughter in charge until they returned. Celestia and Luna face many challenges during their rule but they became heroes among their people facing off against the likes of The Mad God Discord. They always triumphed in the end. The ponies knew peace.
Meanwhile the humans found a new home, settling the land from monsters, demons and other magical beasts. Alexander showed great leadership and his noble house remained in power to this day. He formed a holy order of knights known as the Golden Order. The golden circle is curved into the armor of these knights to show unity and will of humanity even in the face of the unknown. Mages rose within the noble ranks creating schools for the gifted. The strongest of the mages and man who had unlocked the secret of immortality was known as Galwin The Grey.
He was an advisor to Alexander and his sons. In Equestria another mage rose to fame among the ponies known as Star Swirl the bearded. These two mages were on paths of crossing destinies; they both at same time set out on journeys to discover the world around them. Many years later they would find themselves staying at the same inn. Both weary from travel. Both mages of course were skeptical given the history between their races but, soon they found they had much more in common then they thought.
Both men shared stories and ideals with each other. In the days to come they would both laugh and compare notes about the world. It became a yearly meeting spot for them. The mages without knowing so soon began to develop something unexpected ... .Friendship. This friendship soon stirred up ideas about uniting the races once more.
At first Galwin laughed off the idea knowing the hearts of men were not easily changed and hatred ran deep. It was a fault of his people. Star Swirl however, was committed to the idea that ponies and humans had the strongest kingdoms in lands. If they were to unite the world may yet know peace.
In secret they sent each other letters until finally going to their respected leaders with ideas. There was much push back, Alexander Lionheart The Fifth knew the scars of that war ran deep and Celestia herself unlike her younger sister knew the horrors humans could commit first hand. Having seen it first hand as a child. Yet, the mages were cunning and patient, slowly but surely wearing their leaders down.
Celestia was the first to break given she wanted to rule with peace and friendship. Star Swirl tales of friendship with a human broke down her walls of fear. She sent an ambassador aka Star Swirl with a proposal of unity. The pony then came along to courts and nobles of humans. He met with caution and low tones. The king however, took the message and after MANY MANY days of debate with leaders of the kingdom. He agreed to princess terms.
This is where our story begins. An event to be held at Canterlot Castle where King Alexander and The Golden Order now sail too. Led by Galwin The Grey in hopes to unite the two races in peace yet, an ancient evil lurks in the shadows and has been waiting for this moment to strike. The hero of our story is not a man of noble birth or a pony of high magic but a simple man by the name of Douglas Williams. A novice to The Golden Order. A lowborn, the son of a farmer given his status through skills with a blade. Galwin The Grey sees much in the boy even if he doesn’t see much himself.
One thing is certain….Equestria will never be the same.
Burning in a sea of blood, screams filling the space all around him. Darkness holds the sky as if it has swallowed the moon. A silhouette of a figure stands in this burning sea. The figure rests atop the burning sea, in a flash they close the distance and begin to speak in an unknown tongue.
Douglas awakens from this nightmare, his breath lost to him. His eyes scan the room seeing that it is late in the morning. The rays of sunlight peeking behind the curtains. This hotel ballroom was made into a makeshift barracks filled with cotton beds for the men to sleep on as they awaited the meeting of royalties.
Douglas' hand rose to meet his face. He rubbed the sweat from brow with the leather of his gauntlet. He had slept in his armor the night before. He had been doing that since he had gotten to Equestria. A lot of men in his platoon had doubts about the ponies' true intentions. Douglas had felt something off since he got here. He couldn’t place it. These dreams had been plaguing his mind for the last few nights.
He reached for the greathelm beside his bed putting it back on his head. He was dressed in the traditional armor of the Golden Order. White full plate mail with a golden circle on the chest plate. His armor was nothing special, only the basics of enchantments had been placed upon it. He was only one year into the order after all. Especially given his only real talent was that with a blade. He had not mastered or had much talent with the divine arts or mage craft. Those were usually what raised you in ranks of the order.
The only reason he was here was because of Sir Galwin. Mage and Advisor to the king himself. Douglas didn’t know why but, the mage had always taken an interest in him. Galwin had always told he had seen something within him, a spark of greatest he called it. Douglas always laughed off not wanting to call one of greatest mages of all time a lie but, he was just son of a farmer. Still it had been a dream of his to be knight of the order and serve the kingdom.
He sat up from the bed putting his feet on solid ground. This alone was enough to ground that shaking feeling. It was just a bad dream. He put his face into his hands to cover the eye holds of his helm to steel himself as a voice broke the silence of the room. A familiar and annoying voice that haunted him more than his dreams.
“Morning sunshine. We were starting to take bets to see if you ever wake up.” The smug voice exclaimed.
Douglas lifted his head from his hands peeking over at the door frame. Leaned against it was his friend Emilio. Amber colored skin painted his face along with hazel brown eyes and black curly hair that expanded out into a small afro. A scar hung at the top of his lip and he was dressed in the same armor as Douglas other than helm of course.
“Well some of us actually do work during the day and have trouble sleeping at night. Though I doubt you’d know anything about that.” Douglas remarked.
Emilio walked towards the bunk with a smile plastered across his face. “You're right I wouldn’t know anything about not sleeping. I sleep like a man who conquers the night and beauties in it. I doubt YOU’D know anything about that Amigo.” Rolling his tongue as he spoke.
Douglas sighed. Emilio was one of the few friends he had made within the order. Most of the order was filled with noblemen who got positions because of their family’s name. Emilio was one of the few who didn’t come from a pile of money. He was born on the streets as urchin and worked his way into an audition. His skills with a blade and skills at offensive magics won him the day. They bonded over horror stories of the slums and farm work.
“You do know you don’t have to wear that all the time right? You barely take it off. I know the captains say you should wear your helmet all time in case of danger but, come on. Ya face isn’t as beautiful as mine but, ya never gonna get a woman like that.” Emilio spoke, putting a hand on Douglas' shoulder.
Douglas shrugged him off and stood up. “It makes me feel more comfortable, man. I like wearing it. Maybe if you followed the code a little more you won’t get into so much trouble with our commanding officers.” Douglas reached behind his bunk after speaking, pulling out a sheathed blade. A two handed blade known as a claymore. The standard weapons of a knight of the order was usually a longsword and shield but Douglas preferred the power of heavy blade rather than the protection of a shield.
He placed the blade upon his back, the hilt sticking out behind his left shoulder. He turned back to his friend who was smiling ear to ear.
“Look at you huh? A real image of the kingdom. They should put you on one of those posters back at home. Ya know ones that say: Try out for the Order, the kingdom needs you.” He said as he acted out all the pomp and circumstance that came with his tone.
“Very Funny ... .So where is everyone and what are we doing today?” He asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Oo well you are in for treat Amigo. The great princess Celestia has finally made time to speak with the King. Cleaning up whatever business she had that kept us here. The King can finally make whatever deal they have to and we can go the FUCK home. Though before we leave I really do need to show this one place I found. The ponies may be a little uptight but, I found this wonderful place that sells some food with some real kick to it. We just have to be at the castle in our positions later on this evening.” Joy was laced within his tone as he stated this.
“Ooo by the creator it’s finally happening. We can go home. That's the best news I have heard all week.” Douglas said with relief. When they got here in Canterlot the princess had sent word that she would need some time to prepare for this meeting. Their only interaction with the royalty of this land was Princess Luna speaking with the King and apologies for the wait. This wait had turned into a week. Granted the King was staying in the royal suite but it was beginning to cause unrest in everyone. Some began rumors that this was all some elaborate trap of revenge by ponies and their royalty.
“Ooo yeah and Sir Galwin is waiting for us. He told me to come get ya up.” Emilio uttered casually.
Douglas' whole demeanor changed as he stomped past Emilio. “WHY DIDN’T YOU START WITH THAT?” Douglas shouted as he raced towards the hallway.
“Cause you didn’t ask….and it’s funny.” He shouted back, quickening his pace to follow behind Douglas.
Douglas narrowly dodged a cart being pushed by an old earth pony maid. That would be Gertrude, one of the few ponies Douglas had interacted with during the trip. She was an earth pony in a long dressed maid outfit with silver and black hair in a tight bun. Douglas almost bashed into her cart on his way out.
“Sorry Gertrude in a hurry.” Douglas exclaimed as Emilio chuckled behind him.
“NO RUNNING IN THE HALLS.” Gertrude shouted as she barely kept a pile of dirty towels from spilling onto the floor with her hooves.
That request fell on deaf ears as Douglas was a man on a mission. Galwin had always been there for him and gave him a lot of advice that got him through his training. He felt like he owed the mage for all he had done. Galwin was not a prideful man and usually played down his role in everything but, everyone in the kingdom respected him. Even those who didn't look fondly on magic gave him respect.
As Douglas burst through two sets of red double doors he found himself in a familiar hotel plaza. It was mostly empty other than a white Unicorn concierge who was not too happy with his upclass hotel being invaded by these…humans. But, Douglas' vision did lock eyes with his target.
Galwin stood by the entrance to the hotel. Over the years his appearance never changed. He was tall. Taller than most then. Yet his frame and face were softened by age. He wore long gray robes that covered all the way to his feet. A long gray hat with a wide brimmed hat covered his head. White long hair flowed from the bottom of the hat. This hair was matched by a long white beard that stretched down to nearly his stomach. In his right hand was an old black cane that curled in on itself at the top.
Douglas rushed up to him as he did Emilio quickly hook his arm around Douglas shoulder getting a word out before Douglas could.
“One sleeping beauty as promised.” Emilio spoke.
“You have my thanks Emilio, effective as always.” Galwin said his voice was deep yet gentle.
Douglas tossed him a glare at Emilio. As Emilio smirked back and patted his metal chest removing his arm from around his shoulder.
“Whelp, I am off to score me some much deserved Lunch. You two talk about whatever weird stuff you have to talk about. I will see you for dinner Douglas then we will go to Castle.” Emilio exclaimed, giving Douglas some finger guns as he made his way through the revolving doors of the hotel.
“I will never understand that man.” Douglas stated.
Galwin laughed. “He is a little strange but those are the best kinds of people and it is always good to have other perspectives in your life. He could learn to be more careful but, you could also learn to be a bit more carefree.” He offered a smile with those words.
“We have a big evening ahead. I just wanted to check you. Emilio said you've been having trouble sleeping.” Galwin’s blue eyes pierced deep as he said this as if they were searching for something.
Emilio and his big mouth that’s all Douglas thinking at the moment as he chewed on what to say. “It’s……nothing Galwin. I just have felt a little off since we got here.” Douglas replied.
“Off? In what way?” Galwin stated curious as ever.
“It’s just…something in the air doesn’t feel right. It’s hard to describe it almost as if the air is…thick with something. Something I can’t place and…I just have been having some bad dreams lately.” Douglas said his own words, feeling strange to him.
“Dreams? What kind of dreams?” Galwin's face twisted into something more serious as he replied.
“N-nothing Galwin, I promise. I think I've been cooped up for too long. I need to get some air today. I am sure that will clear everything up.” Douglas said with some vigor in his voice.
Galwin's face melted back into a warm smile. “Very well. Try to relax and make sure you are at the castle on time or your captain will have your head…and possibly mine.”
Douglas laughed as he nodded. “Will do.” Speaking with some pep in his voice as he made his way to the door.
Galwin watched him leave the building, narrowing his gaze upon Douglas for a moment. Was this an ill-omen?
