Lol the changing in sizes and fonts is kinda frustrating. 

  Weak sunshine filtered through a grey sky. The wind wheezed over a stretch of yellowed grass, 

  A blackbird, flapping its large wings, alighted down on the grass. Its beady eyes darted back and forth, 

She stared at him blankly. "You're not supposed to be here."

The colt shuffled his hooves self-consciously. "Can't we play for a little bit? 

  Lightning struck, more and more in quick succession all around her. A single bolt struck her directly, turning the world to white. 

Beneath her hooves, the grass tore away, turned to ash under the pulsating, powerful bolt. It dug deep into the dirt, revealing bare mountain stone.

Energy and adrenaline charged every muscle and vein. Panting, she raised her glowing eyes, as the stone cracked below her. 

  A scream ripped its way from her throat, as the sky-bolt grew thicker and brighter, boring it's way into the mountain. The mountain burst, thick slabs of stone exploding outwards. 

Flurry wouldn't mind that, she supposed. Dahliah seemed to be the only one who trusted Flurry not to turn her inside out with her magic. The kindly librarian had befriended Flurry Hearts a few years ago, comforting her when she'd accidently blasted a hole in the side of Canterlot Castle. Her presence was extremely calming, and she'd offered to read a story to Flurry. Since then, every time Flurry and her mother visited Canterlot, Dahliah found the time to read more stories to Flurry in Twilight's reading garden. 

(Brainstorming purge)

Pegasister Initiation Ceremony 

Anything related to anything else fan-made is either on purpose (as a reference), or is purely coincidental. My Little Pony belongs to Hasbro Studios. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Flurry Heart's original talent.

When someone is angry, she can see a swirl of dark red. Where this anger is directed determines the direction the energy flows. If they are angry at themselves, she can see it move inward. If they are angry at someone else, it rolls off the angry one. 

When an emotion is strong and sharp, it sparks off the pony. When it is deep, it rolls like waves. Uncertainty and fear cause distortion and ripples. 

The brighter and lighter a color, the more happy and optimistic the pony is. 

Sad colors are dark and muted. 

Cool, pastel and neutral colors are calming. 

Strong, bright colors are energizing. 

Colors:

Pink: Youth, romance, sweet, charming.

Red: Passion, love, anger, danger. 

Orange: Vitality, happiness.

Yellow: Laughter, hope, sunshine

Green: Refreshing, health, ideas, inspiration.

Blue: Safety, relax, calm, cold, sadness

Purple: Mystery, creativity, 

Black: Darkness. This can tinge other colors, darkening them. If black is the only color one can see on a creature, they have been swallowed by evil.

White: Purity, light.

Grey: Null, deadened emotion.  

Several ponies demanded to know why they were brought before the king, who declared that every foal should step forward. If they were not compliant, they would come by more harm.  Parents tried to keep their children close but Sombra insisted, stating it was for the good of the Empire, and his soldiers forced the young ones forward. When they all stood in a small huddled group, a crystal cage ensnared them. Pandemonium ensued as their parents rushed forward, intending to save them. A small group Sombra had suspected was planning something attempted to charge him, but was quickly beaten down by the soldiers. Thus distracted, the group did not notice the larger wall of crystals growing around them until it was too late. 

A single trail of shadowflame streamed down from the top of the castle, and entered the cage through the top.

The soldiers stood by, emotionless. Nearby earth ponies cried out and cowered, covering their ears. Those still hiding in their homes, even on the edges of the Empire, could hear the distant wails of agony coming from the center. The screams and lamentation swirled together with the howling of the harsh winter winds just outside their prison. It was a day they would never forget.

Sombra reveled in their despair and sent his soldiers down to escort the revolters. They were put in chains and made to bring him materials he could use to craft better armor. As he sat upon his throne, he recalled the young princess, who was still missing. No matter. Once every single pony was under his control, she would soon be found. 

He heard something. A strange tinkling sound, coming through the castle. A tiny cloud of sparkling magic flew through the doors of the throne room and swirled before the king. It manifested itself into -- a letter. 

He tilted his head in curiosity. As much as he despised ponykind, their magic intrigued him more and more. He took the letter and read it. 

Someone wanted an audience with the present rulers of the Empire. They vaguely implied concern, which amused Sombra. They didn't know the half of what was happening inside his walls of fire. Included in the letter was a detailed description of how to perform the spell to send back a reply. He did so, granting the writer of the letter audience with him in a few days time. He opened a window and sent the letter out, watching it swirl through the air and fade from sight near the towering walls of shadowflame.

---

Celestia and Luna arrived at the Empire at the appointed time. From a distance they could see a strange haze. Soon they stood in shock before the barrier surrounding the Empire, unable to get close to the searing heat. 

The flames rippled and parted like a hoof pushed through a waterfall. Rows of soldiers stood on the other side, forming two lines that the sisters walked through. The crystal castle was dark and imposing, as were all the houses they passed on their way to the castle. The only ponies in sight were the soldiers escorting them.

When they entered the throne room, they saw a dark grey stallion sitting upon the throne. Metal plates covered his forelegs and chest. A red cape was draped across his back. Green light surrounded his red irises. 

Sombra's face darkened as he watched them approach. He asked who they were, and why they had requested an audience. Warily Celestia introduced herself and her sister. They were concerned about the state of the Empire. Sombra implied that perhaps they should keep their noses out of other's business. As they could obviously see, he was doing a fine job of running his Empire. 

After the final destruction of Brywood, Celestia and Luna took the remaining villagers and built a new home together -- the Castle of the Two Sisters. Celestia became the princess of the sun, and Luna of the moon. Unbeknownst to them, they were followed by Moon Spark's shadow, which lurked just out of sight within their new home. 

The dragons fled across the eastern sea, which was later renamed to the Celestial Sea, in honor of Celestia herself. The north and south oceans were named after Luna. The battlefield of the Dragon War became what is known today as Rambling Rockridge. The memory of Brywood faded with time...along with Andromeda, the forgotten sister.

The Crystal Empire had slowly been flourishing in their little corner of the world. Houses made of crystal dotted the grounds around a magnificent castle that pierced the heavens with its sharp spire. Equestrians were integrated into their society, though Alicorns were revered above all others, and given the status of king or queen. 

The mysterious little unicorn filly rescued from the Frozen North, was adopted by the reigning king and queen of the empire, Tanzanite and Alstonite respectively. She was named Nebula, and raised with much love from her adoptive family. As she was being raised, a unicorn colt was training under attendants to the king and queen, to become an attendant himself. Nebula grew up carefree, feeling things quite deeply. Coal was more down to earth.

The two grew up as friends, with Nebula trying to get Coal to have more fun, and Coal trying to keep Nebula from causing trouble with her antics. Over the years the Crystal Ponies began to take notice of the growing cold, and one year marked an unusually cold Crystal Faire. Spirits were low, and some suspected that the power of the Crystal heart was failing. But Nebula discovered that the light and heat of the Crystal Heart could be strengthened through the unity of the Crystal Ponies. Through this discovery Nebula earned her wings, and was decreed to be the successor of the king and queen. 

But Nebula was unsure of herself, having never imagined herself as one day ruling an empire. So Coal comforts and supports her, knowing it is his duty. 

 -☆-

When Sombra had found himself broken and dying in the Pass, someone else found him too. Moon Spark, who had been recovering from the immense energy she had put out destroying half the mountain, found something gleaming under a pile of rubble. She dug it out, producing a massive ruby crystal heart. 

The Nightmare Forces hold some of Lorelei's knowledge and memories, and through this Moon Spark understandood that the heart could be used as an enhancer, a conduit. She took a chunk for herself, and set out in search of more magic to feed upon. 

She came to central Equestria, where Celestia and Luna were building a new home for their new subjects. On the prowl, she lurked on the edges of the growing kingdom, terrorizing the subjects. Star Swirl went out to investigate, finding evidence of something stalking them. He wanted the Equestrians to feel safe in their new home, so he reassured them that there was nothing to fear, and set out to deal with the threat himself. 

What he encountered was a creature unlike any pony he'd ever seen, with ragged hair that floated about her face like a stormcloud. Her round green eyes stared, wide and piercing, right into him. After he gave her his name, she then revealed that he was the brother who left her family behind in those cold mountains, right after she was born. 

She made her move, attempting to steal the magic of the princesses. Luna was heavily exposed to her dark magic, but Star Swirl was able to stop her, and turned her into shadows. 

The Pony of Shadows.

 -☆-

The ponies of Equestria spread themselves out, starting new colonies of their own in different corners of the continent. A trade route was opened with the Crystal Empire. A particular trip from the Castle of the Two Sisters, brought a small trinket to the Empire. The royal family took a fancy to it, and Moon Spark's amulet entered the Crystal Palace. 

Nebula was being prepared for leadership, and in a year or two would be ready to assume control. She was quite nervous at first, and often sought out Coal for his grounded disposition and advice. 

When Coal touched the ruby crystal, the room changed. 

He found himself floating in an endless void, tinged a smoky red shade. When he turned around, he found himself face-to-face with the massive red dragon, King Sombra. He had been trapped here when Moon Spark took a piece of his heart, and had no concept of time passing outside his prison. When he first sees Coal, unfathomable rage fills him, and he attacks the unicorn. But despite himself, he senses an opportunity to return to his former glory. 

He convinces Coal to keep the amulet, 

 -☆-

Celestia and Luna traveled to the Crystal Empire, to meet with the royal family. They had heard stories from the few ponies who'd ventured there, and finally found an opportunity to pay a visit themselves.

But when they arrived, they found their expectations to be far from the truth. Sombra had assumed total control over the Empire, declaring himself king once again. The earth ponies were forced to mine crystals to satisfy his enormous appetite, and some worked night and day with no rest. Others were trained as soldiers, wearing helmets that controlled their will and made them obey Sombra's every command. 

Thus began the battle for the Crystal Empire. Sombra sent his mindless soldiers to defeat the princess, and though they were formidable opponents, even dying in their quest to stop the sisters, they were no match for the power of pureblooded Alicorns. Working together, the sisters overthrew him, and he was turned to shadow.

 -☆-

(quotes from Fallen Tree)

I thought she could help the wizards.

"That's not the only reason, is it? You miss her."

"You don't know where she is. Or if she's even still alive. But the village is, and you can help them, here and now."

(Sombra's backstory)

Alicorns from the distant kingdom of Alidia traveled to Equestria, where they encountered the dragons. They killed Sombra's wife and took her crystal heart, and built the Crystal Empire. Sombra swore revenge against them and all ponykind. He attempted to kill the three alicorn sisters, but when he was defeated, he turned mad. His own subjects violently cast him out, and as he lay dying, he was found by a young unicorn sorcerer named Moon Spark. 

She took the remains of his own crystal heart and placed them in a special amulet. She then hid the amulet in a secret chamber in the throne room of the Crystal Palace, promising Sombra that he would one day be released by one of the Crystal Ponies. 

King of the dragons, until killed by his own subjects due to his bloodthirsty rule. Came back when he possessed Coal.* Came back again a thousand years later, and was defeated. Came back AGAIN, but with much more power -- and was defeated once and for all. Finally. 

Actually NOPE, HE JUST KEEPS COMING BACK, LMAO XD

(Moon Spark's backstory)

She was conceived during the migration to Equestria, and born after the Split that left a group of ponies (including her parents) alone in the Crystal Mountains. 

As a young filly, Moon Spark was isolated from the other ponies in the small mountain village and frequently abused by her parents. There, a piece of the Nightmare Forces found her and chose her as a host. Her parents had not taught her how to use magic, but D) Star Swirl was her brother, and she shared the same raw magical abilities. All the Nightmare Forces had to do was draw upon her unused stores of magic and expand itself. This turned Moon Spark into an unstoppable whirlwind of chaos magic. Lightning destroyed the mountain she once called home, and the Broken Pass was created. This would later be used extensively by modern-day Equestria when traveling to or from the Crystal Empire. Moon Spark herself fell into a deep sleep, to restore her energy. 

When she awoke, she set out into the world, the goal of the Nightmare Forces now her own; to abolish all life. 

In the early stages of her ascension, she found A) King Sombra dying alone. She took the remains of his crystal heart and created the Dragon Amulet, as a means of enhancing her own magic.

The six wizards, including Star Swirl, tried to use Liliane's guidance to restore the sun. And it worked, but was very taxing on the unicorns.

So their time was spent raising and lowering the sun and moon, and taking care of their three small charges.

Celestia, the elder sister, was a mischievous early bird with a love for sweets. 

Luna, the youngest, was more of a trouble maker and could be moody, staying up well past her bedtime. 

Andromeda was the middle foal. She was quiet and sweet, becoming the one to keep her sisters in line, and driven by a strong desire to help others.

When the sun returned, the village knew the dragons would too. So they began training able-bodied stallions, and formed the village guard, to protect the villagers from the viscous dragons. One of these was a unicorn named Fallen Tree, who was stationed at the wizard's home. A joking, charismatic type, he entertained the three sisters and made sure they were well protected. He formed a close bond with Andromeda, who admired his (quirky nature lol)

 -☆-

(NEEDS UPDATING)

Celestia and Luna were learning how to raise and lower the sun and moon. Andromeda felt left out, and these feelings were increased by the longing to see her mother again. So one day she decided, she would set out to find her. Her sisters had duties, and she would not get in the way of that. 

She left a note for them to find, explaining her intentions and asking them not to follow her. But Fallen Tree, whose duty was to protect the sisters, knew she needed someone to follow her. 

She traveled through forests and fields, under clouds that dripped with rainbows, til the Crystal Mountains rose before her. A daunting obstacle, as well as a rumbling one, but she steeled herself and continued on. Fallen Tree was not far behind, and caught up to her as she was venturing up the mountain.

Andromeda had to accept that her mother might never be found. Fallen Tree comforted her, and the two formed an even closer bond than they had before. 

When they finally returned to the village, their arrival was met with joy. But on that same day, the five wizards lost their strength trying to raise the sun, and could no longer perform the task. Celestia and Luna stepped forth, Luna lowering the moon and Celestia raising the sun. Their Cutie Marks now emblazoned on their flanks, they assumed full responsibility of the celestial bodies.

Fallen Tree went to Star Swirl, as the main guardian of the three sisters, and asked for Andromeda's hoof in marriage. Permission was given, and the two were wed.

A long life together they might have had, but something dark loomed on the horizon once more.

-☆-

When the first ponies of Equestria had journeyed from their first home to find a new one, they traveled through the Crystal Mountains. This place was dangerous, and some of their group was separated and became lost in the mountains. The ones who made it out formed the first village of Equestria. The ones who didn't tried their best to survive in the harsh climate, eventually forming a small town that could only just shelter them. The years went by slowly for this small community, especially for a small unicorn filly, daughter of a secluded couple. They had been separated from their son, who had gone on without them to Equestria. The stallion was an abusive sort, discontent with his lot. His daughter Moon Spark was born during the Migration. He mistreated her and she grew up stunted, unable to use magic. She developed a habit of taking things apart and putting them back together, oftentimes creating something new, albeit sinister. 

It was here that the Nightmare Forces, product of Lorelei's dark and wild magic, found a host for itself. Having traveled many leagues across the land, its form was small and weak. But within Moon Spark it sensed the potential for destruction. Once it entered her body, she too, sensed untapped potential within herself.

This was unleashed upon the unsuspecting members of her town, in the form of massive lightning bolts raining down from the sky. Her power was so great, it shattered the mountain, leaving no one but herself alive.

Ironically, this created the Broken Pass, a safer passage through the mountains that would later be used extensively by modern day Equestria. But no one knows the true history of this passage, or the destructive force that created it. 

 -☆-

Negotiations were scheduled between the growing village of Equestria, and the dragons who continued to plunder. But King Sombra, whose anger and hatred towards ponykind had been simmering for years, would not hear what the ponies had to say. He made his move that day, killing the envoys who had come to negotiate -- Princess Platinum, Commander Hurricane, and Chancellor Puddinghead. The Dragon War began. The village guard was expanded and trained to fight against the dragons, and they held out bravely in the face of their fearsome adversaries. With Celestia and Luna's help, they held longer than anyone would have expected. But the dragons were strong, and Sombra's wrath was stronger still. The village could not stand forever. 

Evacuation began on the (time time, like maybe a couple weeks later), as flames consumed the first village of Equestria. The brave guardians, along with Celestia and Luna, held back the nearly unstoppable tide.

Andromeda went with the remaining villagers, along with her husband, and her three barely weaned foals. 

But as she fled, she knew her sisters would not last long against the dragons. Her desire to help them overcame her, and she left her three young daughters and husband.

As she reentered the battle field, Sombra was about to hit her sisters with a massive wave of fire. Flying as fast as she possibly could, all muscles strained to fight gravity, she reached them before the tide of flame, and when it struck her, the battlefield was engulfed in a ball of white.

Celestia and Luna found themselves in a white void, which slowly faded into the real world as their senses came back. Sombra lay on the battlefield before them, wounded and gasping. All the other dragons had fled or perished. Andromeda was nowhere to be seen. 

 -☆-

The dragons fled across the eastern sea, which was later renamed to the Celestial Sea, in honor of Celestia. In the west, the north and south oceans were named for Luna. The battlefield of the Dragon War became what is known today as Rambling Rockridge, and Celestia and Luna started a new home for the remaining villagers, the Castle of the Two Sisters.

But for Fallen Tree and his daughters, they would not get to see this new home. After Andromeda's sacrifice, King Sombra pursued the unicorn and tracked him all the way to the Broken Pass where he collapsed, dying from his wounds. Fallen Tree carried on, meaning to make it through the Frozen North to a safe place, despite being severally wounded himself. He meant to find the empire his wife had briefly mentioned, but could not find it. Unbeknownst to him, one of his daughter slipped out of the protective wrapping he'd placed all three in, and she was lost in the blinding blizzard that forced Fallen Tree to move on. 

The Empire had been closer than he knew, and after he passed by, a platoon of Crystal Guardians surveyed the area. They had much experience with snow, and were making continued investigations of the area after the explosion in the Crystal Mountains. They soon located the tiny lost filly, right on death's door. Using warming spells, they saved her life and brought her to the Crystal Empire.  

Scrapped the Frozen Village

Ancient

In the Frozen Village of the Crystal Mountains, the parents of Star Swirl have another child.

After the mother goes into labor, the father and a small portion of the Migration stays with her, and they are subsequently trapped in the mountains after a fierce storm and an avalanche. Fortunately for them, they were the group tasked with transporting most of the rations, and use these to survive in the mountains far longer than would've been possible otherwise. They cannot leave, for the magic of the few Unicorns present isn't strong enough to break them out of their prison. (This was well before magic began to advance astronomically.)

Ultimately, she wants to free Queen Chrysalis from her prison and change her back. Even if it means manipulating her other sister in order to make that happen.

Queen Lauren's name has been changed to Liliane.

Scrapped original lament:

Woefully, though I observe,

I cannot impede

Wishing for peace does naught

I know this will end

~∆~

One way or another, tears will flow

Blood will spill

Hearts will break

Inevitably, and I would weep for them

~∆~

But tears cannot be shed

My blood already spilled

My heart, broken and mended

~∆~

How does life do this,

This endless circle of change

Are we naught but specks here,

Drifting endlessly through clouded skies?

~∆~

But I see, we are more

I must tell them, but will they hear me?

And what of the blind ones?

Can their eyes be opened?

Will they open their hearts?

Time will tell

~∆~

Through storms of chaos may we ride

From beneath the hills of burden

To fight the rising evil

Together

(ORIGINAL HISTORY SUMMARY)

In Portmanteau, home of the Alicorns, three types of foals can be born.

Unicorns must earn their wings, and are generally stronger magic wielders.

Pegasi must earn their horn, and are usually stronger physically. 

True Alicorns already have both. The birth of an Alicorn is rare, and they are revered by all Portmanteans. 

Once they are weaned, they are taken to the Crystal Garden, where other true Alicorns tend to the crystal trees, and control the sun and moon.

Lorelei was one such Alicorn. However, as she grew older, she became consumed by greed and the desire for power. She stirred up discontent among her fellow keepers, causing some of them to leave. Lorelei then attempted to assume control of both the sun and moon. This created an eclipse that looked like a giant, blood red eye staring down from the heavens, and was observed by all living creatures everywhere. However, she was stopped by the Mantle; the six leaders of Portmanteau, and they resumed control. 

She was stripped of her magic and banished from her homeland. An Alicorn with no magic, all alone in the desolate plains outside Portmanteau, never survives. Lorelei was no exception. 

Since raw magic cannot be destroyed, her magic was sealed in a jar and stored in the caves beneath the central building of Portmanteau. But her magic was terribly powerful, and slowly grew beneath the hooves of the unsuspecting Alicorns. 

The remaining Crystal Keepers were no match against the dark tide that rose from beneath them. Their death marked a dark day across the entire world, for there was no one to raise the sun. The rest of Portmanteau soon succumbed to the unforgiving darkness. And so, the once mighty race of Alicorns was all but lost.

-☆-

The Crystal Keepers who had left due to Lorelei traveled far away from their homeland. They had been shut in their entire lives, always tending to the trees, never once going outside. Now they could see everything, and went where they pleased.

They found a colony of dragons in the midst of a large stretch of land. It was a little chilly, but the dragons kept it warm with their flames. 

The Alicorns had read about dragons, and knew they were fierce in battle, but had not won any against the Alicorns. So they drove the dragons out, claiming the land for their own. Even the great dragon king, standing almost two hundred feet tall, was unable to defeat the invaders. And he was unable to save his wife, who fell in the brutal battle.

So the dragon king and his subjects fled, leaving the Alicorns to their newly claimed land. But without the dragon's fire, they would soon be swallowed by winter winds. They knew dragon hearts, made of pure crystal, were natural conduits for heat. So they built themselves a home made of crystal left over from the dragons, and took the heart of the dead dragon queen to drive away the cold. Thus was the birth of the Crystal Empire.

 -☆-

Before the Fall, a female Alicorn named Liliane took her three daughters and left Portmanteau. Not believing her children were safe there anymore, she intended to find a new home for them.

She arrived in central Equestria, where a large village was slowly growing near a very tall mountain. She met young Star Swirl, an aspiring wizard with great potential. She began to teach him all she knew about magic, leading him to become one of the greatest wizards in Equestrian history. 

But when the dark day came, Lauren knew it could only be because something had happened to the Crystal Keepers. And if they were in trouble, so was the rest of Portmanteau. 

She taught Star Swirl how to raise the sun and moon, and left for her homeland, leaving her three daughters in the care of the Equestrians. She had to go, even if Portmanteau was beyond saving. 

"I came here to deliver my children to a place of safety. Now I must ask that you care for them in my stead. For I go now to battle the darkness that threatens us all, and I will not return. Remember my teachings, for only with them shall the light return."

Five other unicorns came to help Star Swirl, and the females cared for the young fillies. 

-☆-

Sombra, king of the dragons who were driven out, took his subjects to central Equestria. Finding the tall mountain at the center to be very hospitable, they took up residence there. The large village near their new home was far enough away to not be a bother. But most of the dragons, Sombra included, were still sore from their lost battle against the Alicorns. Little by little, they began attacking the village, pillaging and setting houses aflame. The villagers were not happy, and began fighting back. All hostility ceased during the dark day, and the dragons scurried back to their mountain home. 

• If Nebula is Chrysalis, queen of the Changelings, then who are the Changelings? (Answer: They are the result of her being cursed by Sombra.)

"Hi Aunt Twilight," she said, grinning from ear to ear. She peered around her to where Spike was standing and waved hello.

Dahliah was assistant to the head librarian-- who was Twilight. So when Twilight was busy being a princess, Dahliah was basically head librarian. She was almost the complete opposite of Flurry Heart; quiet, reserved, somehow able to sit still for hours at a time. Flurry couldn't sit still for two minutes. But as much as she disliked the utter silence of the library, she liked it when Dahliah read to her, and Dahliah was her friend.

Peeking over Dahliah's shoulder, Flurry Heart saw a large, flat stone held in one hoof.

"What's that?" she asked, tilting her head to the side. 

Dahliah set the stonedown on the table with the utmost care before answering. "Did you hear about the archeological excavations in Rambling Rockridge?"

"No."

"Well, some archeologists went digging in the area. Y'know what they found?" (Other less substantial remains were found, then digging began, to discover more.)

"What?"

"Remains of an ancient village."

"Really? Wow, what kind of village?"

Dahliah laughed. "You know, just a village, silly." She touched the book in front of her with a hoof. "They found this while they were digging. Here, look closely." 

Stepping closer to the stone, Flurry Heart saw strange lines crisscrossing the surface. "What's that?" she breathed.

"That is Old Ponish. I volunteered to translate it." 

"Can you read it to me when its done?" Flurry asked.

"We'll see," Dahliah said with a smile, settling down in a chair. "If it's an undertaker's journal you'll have to ask your parents first."

Flurry Heart's eyes widened, and she gazed at the stone with newfound curiosity. Her right ear twitched down, then up, and her left ear mimicked the motion. She leaned closer until she was peering down her nose, which was practically touching the stone. Beside her, Dahliah raised a single eyebrow, then reached out a hoof and gently pushed the young mare back. 

"Go on Flurry, I'll let you know when it's done. Go spend your energy outside."

"So go *back* outside. Okay, but tell me when it's done!" Flurry raced out the door, throwing the last words over her shoulder.

"I said I will!" Dahliah called after her. She shook her head and resumed reading.

"I finished the translations. Want to read it with me?"

"Is it interesting?"

"It's very interesting, and quite old. I believe this dates back to when Equestria was first founded. "

"No way!"

"It's also a little dark, but it's up to you if you want to hear it."

"Dark? Well just skip the parts that are too scary, ok?" 

"Let's sit down here, it's near the window. You ready?"

"Uh huh, go ahead."

"Okay." Dahliah sat down carefully in a chair with the stone slate. "I couldn't figure out who wrote this, but it had to have been an inhabitant of the village. It's called "Del Darken Marung," which translates to "The Dark Morning."

I write this by the light of mine own horn. A calamity is upon us. The pale face of the moon has turned dark, the sun nowhere to be seen. Why does it slumber still?

We've but only just arrived, nary but a few dwellings erected in this land. 

Nay...I behold the sun with mine own eyes, but tis red, red as newly spilled blood. It rises beneath the moon. Everything is stained red. Tis an eclipse...the sun and moon stare down from the heavens akin to the divine eye of some most awesome beast, as if judging us all. 

Seven days have not yet passed since the Red Eye, and woe, the sky is dark once more. May this be an omen? Art we be trespassers in this land?

Six wizards have joined together. I know not yet what is is they plan to do, but I hope it is for the good of all of us. 

They are combining their magic. There is a light over the horizon...the sun has risen.

Some believe we should not be meddling in what should be outside of our control. But the young Star Swirl expressed that is was Liliane's desire that this be done. He was taught by her. Indeed, he seems to be surpassing the magical abilities of almost everypony in the village, even Clover the Clever. 

Nopony has seen The Pony of Shadows for some time, but this blessing is tainted by the disappearance of the Pillars. They swore they would protect us from evil. Now who will our saviors be?

I inscribe the name of the day I began this documentation, and bury it so it may be safe in days to come. Time walks on without us, we are already lost in the past. 

A day is but a drop falling into the sea of time, and we are all caught in that single bead.

"Star Swirl is in there?"

"That's right. I could hardly believe it myself when I translated his name."

"Who's Liliane?"

"I don't know. Maybe a mage in the village. It doesn't really go into detail about the other inhabitants."

"Wasn't Star Swirl taught by Clover the Clever?"

"That's what is written. If we ask him, not only will it determine the validity of this tablet, it will call into question what we think we know about history."

Flurry Heart gaped openly at the stone tablet. 

(og)

When Coal blinked, the room changed. He was no longer standing before the shelf that held the gemstone.

Instead, he found himself floating, and all around him was an endless void tinged a dark, smoky red. Indeed, the air seemed to be made of smoke, for Coal's eyes began to water and sting, and he coughed on the choking air. 

He felt a hot rush of air from behind, whipping his mane forward into his eyes. Brushing it away with a hoof, he turned around, and found himself looking into a large, black oval. Around it was a pattern of reds, oranges and yellows, creating a brilliant sphere that stared menacingly at him. It blinked, then rose up into the smoke, higher than a stones throw, higher than a pegasus could fly. A second one joined it, bathing the stallion in an unnatural yellow glow. He sensed an enormous presence before him, which rumbled and heaved.

The two eyes stared, and Coal felt his whole body trembling. A rumbling started in front of him, traveling all the way up towards those eyes. Then it came out.

"A pony," came a voice, vibrating Coal's inner ear. It was low and powerful. "In my domain. Where did you come from?"

Coal's voice quavered as he attempted to speak. "Uh, ahem -- I touched your gemstone, and now I appear to be -- here."

The blazing eyes blinked slowly, regarding him with disdain. "Gemstone, you say?" The creature seemed to contemplate something for a moment, then a look of anger narrowed the eyes. (Sombra realizes he can see through Coal's mind into the outside world. What he sees is a room probably, in which is the chunk of his heart. ) "It has been decimated...who is responsible for this?" 

Confused, Coal drew his hooves up before him protectively. "What has? What do you mean?"

"It's you ponies again. Always meddling and taking what does not belong to you!" The eyes sped towards him, and a huge mouth came through the mist, opening wide to show huge teeth as long as Coal was tall. Terrified, he cried out and rolled to the side, and the jaws slammed shut mere feet from where he floated before. The air rumbled as the jaws slid backwards into the darkness.

"You cannot escape me. This is MY domain, trespasser." He looked up into those terrifying eyes as they blinded him.

"I don't know how I got here! I did not mean to trespass, I'm sorry!" Coal pleaded desperately with the enormous creature. 

Original synopsis for TLOTCE. 

Why are none of the Crystal ponies willing to speak about the time they were ruled by King Sombra? Trying to find out frustrates Twilight so much, ‎she doesn't question the mysterious pony who finally gives her what she wants.

What would Moon Spark's father do for a living? He's a rude bastard, obviously. Moon goes out while a storm is raging (stupid, I know), and does something...why do I keep thinking about sheep...why would her father herd sheep...FINE, HE CAN HERD F***ING SHEEP.

Ah, no. They're eking out an existence on top of a frozen mountain. His occupation is rude bastard.

Lorelei is the only one who knows the decay spell.

I think the dragons and ponies would be courteous towards one another, until they find reasons to hate.

It was during one of these lessons that the other five wizards lost their magic completely, and were unable to raise the sun. 

Little Celestia stepped up, ignited her horn, and brought the sun over the horizon, earning her cutie mark.

Luna soon followed suit, taking control of the moon.

Andromeda bridged the new gap between them. Celestia was now the only one up for whole days, while Luna stayed up all night. Little Andromeda was up for half a day, and was asleep half the night. Sunset was now the one time all three of them were together. 

-☆-

Now that the sun had returned, life went back to normal for the rest of the village. Anticipating the return of the dragons, the village guard was formed, training some of the young able-bodied stallions to keep their home safe. One such stallion was Fallen Tree, a unicorn. Friendly and entertaining, he was stationed near the wizard's home and immediately tried to make friends with the three young mares living there. He and Andromeda took a liking to each other, and ye olden word for "hung out" whenever possible. 

Andromeda confessed to him that, though the memories were hazy, she missed her mother and desperately wanted to see her again. This desire had been festering for some time, until Andromeda finally decided she wanted to go and find her. Fallen Tree tried to talk her out of it, but she was going to go on her own if she had to. 

(Andromeda goes with her sisters) 

She told this to her sisters, and Celestia was immediately interested. Luna was a bit wary, so Andromeda suggested they ask Fallen Tree to come along. When they tell him what they want to do, he agrees to go with. Since he's not the only one guarding the house, and he is specifically in charge of the mares, he figures its his duty to accompany them.   

 Andromeda left a note for their caretakers, explaining where they were going and why. The four ponies left in the middle of the night, when they were less likely to be discovered. They set off in the direction Andromeda had seen Lauren last -- towards the Crystal Mountains. 

Andromeda, along with her sisters and Fallen Tree, set out to find Lauren.