History Speculations... And massive spoilers.

With the newest episodes coming out, my brain went into overtime, and I spun out... well, something epic. I have posted this over at RPG.Net, but I should have a place for it where it won't get lost. Spoilers, for those of you not caught up, but I give you... a plausible History of Equestria.

Remember, Spoilers!

Okay. The first period we are certain of is the Palaeopony period. This may or may not coincide with Discord's reign. I'd point toward yes because... Cutie Pox.

At some point, the alicorns arrived, appeared, or were born. They either discovered or created the Elements of Harmony, defeated Discord, and brought about a semblance of harmony.

~10 - 1 BNM (Before Nightmare Moon) = It is entirely possible Starswirl the Bearded was defeated by Lord Sombra at some point, proving that one pony alone, no matter how powerful, could not defeat him, leaving his student to go on without him.

~1 BNM = The alicorns defeat Lord Sombra, and the Crystal Kingdom is cursed. Ponies from outlying farms, villages and the like become wanderers, trying to find a new home. They later (~5-10 ANM) settle in intermediary lands, fearing the unicorns (remembering Lord Sombra) and the pegasi (just because).

The Year of Nightmare Moon = Not all of Sombra was destroyed, however. As his aura infected the lands of the north, creating new twisted creatures, so too did some part of him infect Princess Luna. It ate at her, for months and months, manifesting as depression, unhappiness, and eventually, hatred. It fed on this turning Luna into an abomination, Nightmare Moon. Being far less powerful than Sombra, Princess Celestia was able to use the Elements alone to exile her, but the Elements themselves rebelled from such an action, and, afterwards, she found herself unable to use them.

~1-20 (?) ANM = Celestia teaches the combined unicorn population how to raise the sun and moon, gets affairs in order, and self-exiles. She travels, without a home for some time. The "crystal ponies" (now little more than new earth ponies) stir up the local earth ponies against the unicorns and the pegasi. Dissent enters the Valley. A new creature, spawned by the hate of Sombra, finds its way south. The Windygos have arrived.

~20 ANM = The Year of Fell Winter = Conflict comes to a head. The three pony races split up, trying to find another land not affected by the inexplicable winter. The new land they find nearly falls to the same foe, but the power of love, which had formerly defended the Crystal Empire from Sombra's wrath, now defeats his creations. Equestria is founded.

~ after 20 ANM = At some point, Celestia returns and, seeing the ponies have survived such horrors, yet are still in danger, decides she cannot pity herself. Instead, she takes over raising the sun and moon, and focuses on protecting the new land and its inhabitants. In addition, she begins the programs to find someponies who might take over the Elements of Harmony, and defeat the lurking evils of the world permanently.

Some time between The Year of Nightmare Moon and 1000 ANM (AKA The Year of Sisters Reunited) = A new force comes from the North. Twisted, broken out of shape ponies which feed on love itself. The Changelings have arrived.