The Birth of Ponyland

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I know many of you have seen "Rescue at Midnight Castle" (aka "Firefly's Adventure"), and therefore, know that the Moochick gave Megan and the ponies the Rainbow of Light to defeat Tirac, but just exactly how did The Moochick end up with it? That's basically what this story is. Also, Enchantra, Claudius Nelson, Fleur-Di-Lis, Camille, and Tara are my characters, for those of you who might get confused.

Many a story had been told about Ponyland. Some were about little ponies themselves. Some were about legends and lore of Ponyland. There was even a legend about four golden horseshoes. But there has yet to be a story about how Ponyland and the Rainbow of Light came to be. This is that story.

It was a beautiful day. The Moochick was walking along a path, looking for a place to call home, and to practice his magic. He came from a long line of wizards, and he was always looking for an opportunity to practice his magic.

The Moochick walked along the path, looking at the lush, green hills of this land. Flowers were everywhere. Birds were singing, and the sky was blue. The sun was shining, and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. Well, with the exception of a couple of the white, puffy kind, but other than that, it was a beautiful day. This land seemed to be the perfect place to make a home for himself. It was lush and beautiful, but a bit empty. That didn't matter to the Moochick. He liked it that way. He walked into a forest and found a patch of giant mushrooms.

"Ahhh," he sighed. "Now this is the perfect spot to settle. Yes indeed, indeed!"

The Moochick climbed up on a giant mushroom and looked around. Yes, this was the perfect spot for him to build his home. All he had to do now was figure out how to do it. As he was pondering it, he heard some rustling in the bushes. He jumped off the mushroom, and went to find out what it was. He pushed the bushes away and saw a young man with black hair, gathering mushrooms.

"The things I do just to get it right," he mumbled. He had a thick, southern drawl. He plucked another mushroom out of the ground, and then walked off. The Moochick followed him.

The young man stopped in front of a big, black bubbling cauldron, and dumped the mushrooms in. Then he opened a small box, and took a pinch of something out of it, and put it in the cauldron. Then he waved his hands over it, and chanted something under his breath. The Moochick couldn't make out what it was. The cauldron bubbled ferociously, and then died down a few minutes later. A bubble flew out of the cauldron and into the air. It popped, resulting in a little bluebird.

"Perfect," the young man said. He went over to his bag and pulled out a book, an inkwell, and a quill pen, and began writing something down. "I'll have this valley populated in no time."

"How do you plan to do that?" the Moochick asked. The young man turned his head and looked at the Moochick.

"The power of creation," the young man said. "You saw how I created that little bird."

"You can't create every single living creature here."

"Oh, I don't plan to. When I got here, this place was dark, dank, and dreary, so I figure I fix it up a little. And once I fix it up, people are gonna come on in and live here."

"Well, now, well now, well now. That's an interesting goal to strive for, young man."

"Whoa, buddy, watch who you're callin' young. I make you look like a spring chicken. I happen to be six hundred and fifty years old."

"You certainly don't look it."

"That's the thing with some wizards. Some of us grow older, but our bodies don't. And some of us age along with our bodies. But one thing's for sure. We all live forever. Besides, if I can get this place lookin' shipshape, they'll be creatures as far as the eye can see."

"How do you figure, Mr . . . . ."

"Nelson. Claudius Nelson. But I'm not a formal person, so you can call me Claudius. And I figure because you're here, Mr . . . . ."

"Moochick. They call me the Moochick. I was just following a path, when I happened across the green fields and hills."

"My point exactly."

The Moochick didn't respond. He just watched Claudius write in his book. Finally, he put the book away and turned to the Moochick.

"You thinkin' of settlin' here?" he asked.

"Yes, I believe so," the Moochick said. "I just need to find a way to make a home, you know."

"I'll give you a hand."

Claudius and the Moochick began to gather things to help the Moochick build a place to live. A lot of the work came from the magic wand Claudius pulled out of his bag. They created a cottage in the middle of the woods. Claudius took his book out of his bag, along with his pen and his inkwell. He began writing.

"What are you writing?" the Moochick asked.

"I always write up my latest magic tricks in my book," Claudius replied. "And I'm makin' a map. I call this place Dream Valley."

"Why do you call it that?"

"Because livin' here would be a dream."

"I see. What are you going to call the land on a whole?"

"I don't have the slightest idea. I'll come up with somethin' though. In the meantime, I think I'll call this place the Mushromp."

"Why the Mushromp?"

"Check it out, Mr. Moochick. You got all kinds of animals rompin' around the mushrooms. Mostly rabbits, though."

"Ah yes, I see, I see. Well, this will make a nice home."

Claudius nodded, and put his book away. Then he started to walk off. The Moochick followed him.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"I'm goin' to look for others," Claudius replied. "I mean, you and I can't be the only two people in this valley!"

Claudius was right about that. There was another person coming into the valley, but she wasn't coming to Dream Valley to live. She was coming to Dream Valley to destroy it. Her name was Enchantra, and she was a powerful sorceress, who dabbled in black magic, whereas Claudius dabbled in white magic, and used it for good, while Enchantra used her magic for evil. She came into Dream Valley, riding a giant, green lizard with wings. An entire fleet of them were behind her.

"Now Strattadons!" she shouted. "Destroy this valley!"

The Strattadons screeched, and began to tear away all the trees and plants and bushes.

"Oh no," Claudius groaned. "This is not good."

"What can we do?" the Moochick asked.

"There's only one thing, Mr. Moochick," Claudius said. He pulled up his magic wand. "I know how Enchantra works. We went to the same wizard's school together. She was always a bad apple."

Claudius waved his magic wand and a bright light flew out of it. Enchantra screamed and tried to shield her eyes.

"The light! The light!" she moaned.

If there was one thing about Enchantra, it was she couldn't stand bright light. She dwelled in Midnight Castle, which was past a dark forest Claudius had yet to explore. Enchantra hated the light, and anything the light brought, which was why she wanted to plunge the world into eternal darkness. She would start with Dream Valley, but Claudius always seemed to have the upper hand.

"Strattadons, retreat!" Enchantra shouted. "You haven't won yet, Nelson! One day, I will be victorious against you!"

"Eh, your mother rides a feather duster!" Claudius shouted, as Enchantra flew towards Midnight Castle with the Strattadons close behind her.

"Who was that?" the Moochick asked.

"Enchantra," Claudius practically growled. "She's about as powerful as I am, but only she uses her magic for evil and nothin' but. I've spent years fightin' with her, tryin' to keep her from destroyin' my valley, and from sendin' us all into darkness."

"I see."

"Come on, Mr. Moochick. Let's take a walk around Dream Valley so I can continue mappin' it out. Maybe we'll discover some others."

The Moochick nodded, and he and Claudius began walking around.