Quest for Suncastle

An epic tail of miniature proportions

By Sundrop


-Sunvalley-
Find it high up in the mountains;
-Suncastle-
Hidden from sight and all sound;
-Sunvalley-
Fly through the mists and the meadows:
-Suncastle-
Little ones,
Look what you've found!


-From the Archives of Majesty, Queen off the "Larger" Ponies
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Sundrop had made a decision.
She had made it quickly, realizing that there was little time left to argue or discuss the matter, and that only action could solve her problems. There was no reasonable alternative.

Sundrop had made a decision.
She had decided after the events of the past week, events that left little choice in her mind, events that would change her future and the future of her subjects-
Forever.

Sundrop had made a decision.
Sundrop was leaving the country.

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Magic Star banged her hoof down hard upon the meeting hall table, amid loud voices and shouts and the stomping of hooves. "Citizens!" She cried. "Listen!! Citizens of Ponyland!!! Listen to Sundrop!!" But her voice was drowned out. A hundred ponies were arguing in loud tones, whinnying, snorting, and yelling across the meeting hall.

"CITIZENS!!!" cried Magic Star again, and she leaped up upon the table, tossing her mane and bringing both hooves down hard with a crack that echoed to the rafters. "LISTEN TO YOUR LEADER!! Have you no civilization? Are you colts frolicking in the meadows, or are you the honest, QUIET citizens of Ponyland?!? Answer me that, for the love of the Sun!! BE QUIET!!!"

The ponies looked wide-eyed towards the front of the hall, stunned into silence.
Having restored order, Magic Star climbed down from the table. "It's all yours, Sundrop."

"Thank you, Star," said the queen of the little ponies, and stepped into her place to address the assembly.

Every pony in that room regarded Sundrop with admiration, and it was easy to see why. From golden hair and pale fur to the symbol of the royal-purple crown that adorned her rump, Sundrop was every inch a leader, and all of her subjects loved her dearly. However, the petite citizens of Ponyland were in an argumentative mood. Many recent meetings had been disbanded because of "discussions" that got out of hand, and unfortunately, the little ponies had many things to discuss, because they were in quite a lot of trouble.

"Mares and Stallions all," began Sundrop, and although her voice was not loud, each and every pony in that room could hear her speaking. "I am sure most of you all know of the trouble that we are in at this time, but some may not, so I will relate to you once the events of the past week.

"You all know that, as petite ponies, each one of us is about one-twelfth the size of a 'normal' pony. And you also all know that this has created many problems for us. Petite ponies are constantly getting into trouble – many times we are not seen by the larger ponies. Being so small has caused countless small injuries to each one of us. We must constantly stay out of the way of the larger ponies, although we are forced to work and shop and eat at the same places. I do not wish to say that I bear them ill will, but our population is suffering.

"For many months I have puzzled over solutions to our problem. But I am afraid that the events of the past week have made my decision an obvious one.

"Here I come to the part of this story that many of you have not yet heard about."
Sundrop bowed her head briefly.

"Three days ago, before the setting of the sun, a tragedy descended upon our community. One of the larger ponies, by the name of Streaky, was pulling a cart through the streets of the city. She was delivering bundles of firewood to the ponies living in the surrounding neighborhoods, in preparation for the autumn chills. But she was behind schedule, and was rushing from house to house in a great hurry.

"One of our fellow petite ponies, a mare named Singer – I am sure many of you have met her – was in the area, paying a visit to a friend around teatime. Unfortunately, she was on her way across the street when Streaky rounded the corner with her firewood cart. The larger pony was in such a hurry that there was little chance for her to brake." Sundrop paused for a moment, and the gathered ponies waited in suspense as she gathered the courage to continue.

"The cart could not stop, and Singer stood no chance against the iron shod wheels. Although Streaky saw what was happening, she was powerless to stop it. Little Singer was crushed beneath the wheels of the cart."

The assembly of ponies gasped in horror, and Sundrop's eyes flashed as her voice grew louder.

"Because of this tragedy I have come to my final decision. There is no choice for us but to leave Ponyland, because each one of us is in very real danger. We will begin our journey at the turning of the season to autumn, and we will travel to a place where our ponies can live in peace! There will be no more tragedy, there will be no more accidents, there will be no more sacrifice! We will live out the rest of our days happily and so will our children and our children's children and on until the end of time! So be it, for the love of the Sun! WE MUST LEAVE THIS PLACE!"

With these words, Sundrop reared and cracked both hooves down hard on the floor. Ponies cried out in protest, arguing loudly between themselves, stamping and tossing their manes about. The room was once again plunged into conflict. Each pony was divided between the need to go and the will to stay - not one wished to leave home, but many could see no alternative. Arguments broke out all over, and the hall again echoed with whinnying, snorting and the clomping of hooves. Sundrop lowered her head, exhausted.

"I have nothing more to say." she whispered, and left the meeting hall in silence.

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At the dawning of the first misty day of Autumn, Sundrop, as promised, was ready to leave. The petite ponies gathered behind her, silent for once as she made her final speech to the assembled "larger" ponies of Ponyland.

"I want to thank you all for your understanding," she said, looking upward at them, "And I am sorry that our situation had to culminate in this decision. I know that nobody ever meant for Singer's death to happen. I do not fault Streaky for what took place, but I feel that action is the best solution.

"My subjects and I are going to find ourselves a home. Your Ponyland, I am afraid, is not the safest place for us, and we feel there must be someplace better. I, on behalf of all the petite ponies, wish to thank you for the love and friendship you have shown us. We will always remember you! May the Sun shine upon you always, my friends!"

And as the petite ponies began to file off through the mist, Majesty, the queen of the larger ponies, stepped forward to meet Sundrop.

"And may the Sun shine upon you too, Sundrop, queen of the little ones." she said, bending down to touch noses with the tiny pony.
"Good luck."

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Sundrop took the lead in the small army of ponies, heading northeast towards the distant mountains that bordered Ponyland. She strode out strongly through the gathering sunshine, a look of determination on her face. A few of her best friends walked right behind her, traveling for the most part in silence.

"Do you know where we're going?" whispered one of the foremost ponies to Magic Star.

"I have no more idea than you do, Victoria, I'm sorry," Magic Star whispered. "I don't think Sundrop even knows. She wanted to get out of there so quickly she made plans without much of a plan." Magic Star looked sideways at Victoria, who was wearing the royal crown. "Don't you think you should take that off? It's getting pretty warm out here..."

Victoria drew herself up regally. "I don't think so. It looks lovely on my pink mane, don't you think? Besides, this is the best way to keep it safe, and that's my job. Sundrop appointed me as Crown Keeper."

Magic Star rolled her eyes, and looked back up at Sundrop, who had not slowed down once since dawn.
"I hope you know what you're doing," she muttered.

They traveled across the well-kept agricultural fields of Ponyland, crossing irrigation ditches, passing farmhouses and fruit stands. Sundrop led the little ponies without stopping all morning, until the sun reached its zenith and sweat broke out upon the little ponies' backs. They traveled through the afternoon, with Sundrop goading them on, not letting them stop until evening came. By the time the sun started to fall behind the hills, complaints began to be heard echoing up from the back of the procession. The fillies and colts had spent part of the journey riding on the backs of the older ponies, but eventually the exhaustion had taken its toll on them all. Sundrop finally called a rest at the foot of a small hill, and most of the ponies immediately collapsed on the grass, panting with exertion.

Magic Star struggled up to the top of the hill, where Sundrop stood gazing off into the distance.

"Hello, Star," said Sundrop without turning around.
"Sundrop, this is impossible." Magic Star stumbled up beside her. "There are young ones in the herd, there are old ones as well, and even the stallions cannot travel this way for very long."

Sundrop turned towards Magic Star slightly.
"I'm sorry, Sundrop, but it's unreasonable. I'm in no way questioning your authority, I'm-"

"Questioning my sanity." finished Sundrop, and Magic Star shook her head.
"No, I-"

"Magic Star, I understand what you're trying to tell me. I know it's hard, and perhaps we should slow down a little. But Star, you have to understand my side of things. I love each and every pony down there," she nodded towards the foot of the hill, "and I have to get them far away from the larger ponies, who live scattered all the way across Ponyland's Valley. The sooner we can cross those mountains the better. I have to try, for the sake of every last petite pony, I have to try! Star, I know there's someplace out there waiting for us, and I know – don't ask me how – I know that it has something to do with those mountains. It's written in the line of the Sun, the Sun will guide us through. Please believe me, Magic Star. We must cross them. Please believe me."

Magic Star nodded. "I believe you, Sundrop. And – "

Sundrop looked at her as she paused.

"I believe in you, too."

Victoria joined Magic Star as she descended to the foot of the hill, and together they looked up at the figure standing on the ridge. And as the sun set, the colors reflected off of Sundrop's golden mane and pale fur, and lit up the fires in her eyes.

And at that moment, every pony that saw her knew that they believed in her too.

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After five days of walking, hiking through lemon orchards, passing around the outside of Ponyland's villages in order to avoid the larger ponies in the town squares, and wading through brooks and streams, the petite ponies reached the limit of civilized Ponyland. The last field of lettuce and the last irrigation ditch gave way to rolling fields of grass, filled with wildflowers and plants with tiny little burrs that clung to the fur around the ponies' hooves. One final day of miserable trekking brought them to the edge of a dark, thickly carpeted forest, and the little ponies stopped by the fringe to rest in the waning afternoon light.

Victoria, the keeper of Sundrop's crown, sat miserably away from the rest, picking burrs from her hooves and chunnering away to herself. "My hair's a mess and my tail's covered in dirt and dust and grime and these stupid little burrs won't come out of my beautiful sea-green fur and the wildflower behind my ear is wilting and this stupid crown's beginning to hurt and why oh why did Sundrop take us on this stupid journey? Stupid stupid STUPID EVERYTHING!!!"

Sundrop stepped out from behind the little pony and knelt down in the grass beside her.
"Victoria..."

Victoria gasped and looked up, quickly removing the wilted flower from behind her ear.

"Oh, hello Sundrop! I'm afraid I didn't see you!" She smiled weakly.

"Victoria, I'm sorry." The sea-green pony widened her eyes in surprise. "You're sorry?"

"I'm sorry," repeated Sundrop, smiling. "I'm sorry that I've put you through all this, and I'm sorry about this whole idea."

Victoria picked another burr from her hoof, lowering her head.
Sundrop continued. "I just think it's going to end up all the better for us. I honestly do. It's not safe around here, Vicki, try to understand that. I don't mean to make any of this unpleasant. I believe I am doing what's right, can you see that?"

Victoria nodded.

"Look up at the Sun, Vicki, the Sun will guide us through. You just have to believe." Sundrop touched noses with her and got up.

"I'm sorry, Sundrop, " said Victoria as she left.

When Sundrop was gone, Victoria sighed tragically.
"But I still have dust in my tail."

The next morning at the crack of dawn, their journey through Ponyland Forest began. Sundrop once again took the lead, with Magic Star close behind her. The ponies traveled single-file, in awe of the vast silence of the forest, something they had never encountered before. Fillies buried their noses in their mother's flanks, scared of the oppressive darkness, and the stallions covered the back of the procession, nostrils flaring at the new scents. The soft loam muffled the sound of their hoofbeats, and not one pony dared to say a word in the silence.

Suddenly the harsh caw of a raven cracked through the still air, and the spell was broken. The trees became alive with dark shapes, flapping and cawing until the forest echoed with the noise. The first crow dived down upon the procession, and a mare screamed as beak and talon raked her haunches.

"RUN!!" screamed Sundrop, breaking into flight, "FOLLOW ME!!"

Hooves pounded the loam of the forest floor, churning up mud and leaves. Dirt clods flew in all directions as the ravens flapped along behind them, eager in their quest for a meal. The ponies' breath grew ragged in their throats, and they gasped frantically for air. The stallions at the back of the line lashed out furiously at the crows, and many of the dark birds fell victim to the lashing out of sharp hooves. But the crows were evenly matched with the little ponies because of their size, and inflicted many wounds upon the fighting stallions.

Then a foal stumbled.

A little red filly, the niece of Singer – the pony who had been killed in the village – tripped upon a rock and fell. The line passed by her quickly, her mother did not notice her absence in the mad rush through the forest, and the little pony fell into the claws of the foremost raven. She screamed, and a stallion with a blood-red mane reared up from the back of the line, dashing to her aid. He rose up on his hind legs, slashed at the crow flopping awkwardly towards the nearest tree. The crow squawked in agony as the stallion ripped at its feathers, and dropped its catch to flap into the tree above. The little red filly collapsed on the soil, and the stallion quickly threw her up on his back and dashed back to join the fighting ponies. The stallions had defended the path against the crows while the mares and little ones dashed towards the far end of the forest. But by the time the red-maned stallion carried Singer's niece to the other fighters, the crows had beaten a hasty retreat and the forest was once again silent.

The mares and young ones, led by Sundrop, finally found the farthest edge of the forest and collapsed at the fringe, fighting desperately for air. While Sundrop stood counting them, a pink pony staggered up to her, gasping. "Sundrop, my little filly is gone! She must have been left in the forest! She must have fallen while we were running! Please, Sundrop! She could be killed! Help her! Sundrop, please!"

Sundrop whirled around to face the path they had beated through the woods, and dashed into the undergrowth. But before she could walk two steps the stallion carrying the little red filly rounded the corner and made his way to the grass, depositing the wounded foal next to its mother. "She is injured," he told the pink pony, "take care of her." The foal's mother dropped to her knees beside her little one and began to lick the wounds.

Sundrop led the stallion to one side. "What is your name?" she asked him.

"My name is Topper," he replyed, bowing his head and catching his breath.

She looked over at him, wondering. The stallions of the petite herd were not known for their kindness. In fact, she had never known a stallion that would risk his life merely to save a little fallen filly. "Why did you save her?" she asked, stepping around to face the crimson-haired pony.

He looked up into her face. "She's my niece," he replyed. "I was... Singer's mate." He looked away. "Before she died."

As he turned away Sundrop stopped him. He looked back towards her, but she paused for a minute. "Thank you," she said finally. "The whole herd owes you for your bravery." He nodded, and made his way towards the pink mare and the little red filly.

Sundrop turned away and saw Magic Star, who was standing a little off to one side and smiling at her. "What are you grinning about, Star?"

"Look up, Sundrop." Wondering what on earth Magic Star could mean, Sundrop looked upwards. What she saw above her made her gasp in awe. They were standing at the foot of a hill, and beyond that hill huge grey mountains rose up into the sky above them. Mists and snow shrouded their tops, and rocky crags jutted out from the sides. The entire scene seemed like something from a dream, gray and foggy and magical. Magic Star looked over at Sundrop. "Welcome to the northeast mountains of Ponyland."

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The mountains took the ponies eight long days to climb. There were more and more rest stops as the hills got steeper, and nights were spent shivering together in bleak caves hollowed out of the mountainside. Ridges and cliffs were scaled in silence, each pony aware of the danger they were in and focusing only on clearing the next ridge, the next mound of rock. Many ponies were injured in the trek, some falling off of ledges, some getting hooves caught in cracks, some stumbling on loose rock and shale. Only from luck were none killed. The fourth day saw the beginnings of a snowstorm on the lower peaks of the mountains, and even the thick coats of the ponies were insufficient to protect them from the temperatures that dropped below zero. For once in their lives they found themselves in danger of freezing – the cold held more danger for them than to possibility of falling down the mountainside. No plants grew this far up the mountain. They had crossed the timber line on the evening of the fourth day, and now there was nothing more to eat. So in desperation the ponies battled onward. They scaled frozen rockpiles, scraping hooves and knees against stone, and many got their tails caught in cracks in the rock. But they pressed ever forward, following their queen faithfully.

Finally, on the evening of the eighth day, Sundrop reached the top of the highest ridge.

Magic Star gasped as she looked upward and saw the queen balanced precariously upon a ledge of rock, wind lashing her snow-laden tail furiously against the side of her body.

Sundrop looked far out into the distance, oblivious of everything but what she saw reflected in her imagination. Her fur seemed to spark with some hidden force of electricity, turning the air into bright flashing gold that sparked off the mists surrounding her. Raising her head towards the shrouded sun, she screamed her call like a wolf into the howling wind.

"AAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!!!!"

The echoes of her voice reached Magic Star, who shivered and turned to Victoria in despair.

"I can't believe this has happened to us, Vicki. I feel like I'm living in a dream."

The crimson-haired stallion, Topper, materialized out of the mists.

"Perhaps we are."

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But after sixteen long days of wandering, Sundrop had finally found the perfect place.

She sighted it from her perch on the mountaintop, by the rays of the sun that streaked through the clouds. And she was sure it was the answer to everything they had been through.

She gave the ponies one day to rest, and on the seventeenth day led them over the peak of the mountian. They stood on the other side, gazing downwards at what she had found.

"It's beautiful..." sighed Victoria, and every pony in the herd silently agreed with her.

A second ridge of mountains lifted up across from where they stood. But in between the two ridges lay a flat rift, like a tiny valley. It was below the frostline of the mountains, and its rolling green fields glistening bright in the sun. Although the ponies were high above it on the mountaintop, they could see that it was green, and sheltered, and the perfect size for little ponies. To the "larger" ponies it would be barely large enough for a single village, but their tiny figures would make the building of an entire kingdom possible.

As the little ones looked down in awe at the sight, Magic Star began to cheer, and soon the ridge resounded with a great shout of joy that echoed through the little valley and bounced off the far mountains. The masses of petite ponies began to run down the mountainside, cheering and laughing and bounding through snowdrifts. And for once Sundrop was last in line, smiling down at her subjects in their joy.

"Sunvalley," she whispered to herself. "Because the Sun shines upon it and the Sun brought us here."

She raised her eyes to the sky.

"Thank you!"

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From that day on, the petite ponies made Sunvalley their home. They built a huge castle in the farthest corner, calling it Suncastle and unanimously electing Sundrop their ruler. Sundrop appointed Magic Star as her partner, and under their joint rule the little valley flourished. The little ponies planted fields of strawberries in honor of Topper, the heroic stallion with the crimson mane, and after a few years the Sunvalley strawberries became famous through Ponyland and the surrounding countries. Topper became the head of agriculture in Sunvalley, for he wanted nothing more than to live a peaceful life, and his little red-colored niece grew up as his apprentice. Victoria, the vain little sea-green pony, became Treasurer and Keeper of the Royal Jewels, a job she was happy to accept.

Together, the little ponies built themselves a kingdom, and it was forever ruled by Sundrop and her children and her children's children. So even to this day, out in the Land of Magic, across the fields of Ponyland, over the northeast mountains and under the sun, lies Suncastle, legendary home of the petite ponies.