(Newspaper article, Equestrian News, Headliner, "The Sun Returns!")
Open your windows, remove your barricades, dance in the sun! The whole five years of pain and devastation, agony and death are now finally over! "I am overjoyed to announce," Said Celestia, earlier this beautiful morning, "that today marks the end of the Dark ages, and now the beginning of an Equestrian Renaissance!" You heard her, unlock your doors, open your shops, water your flowers, today is a new, spectacular day! The Golden Age! Nopony is sick, no pony is contagious, the only fever going around is the return of happiness!...
I couldn't help but laugh at this single sheet of newspaper in front of me. It was like one big run-on sentence divided only by exclamation marks! It was blissful and cynical, especially with marking the end of five years of... well... it's not called the "Dark Ages" for nothing. It was dark.
Four separate events make up the Dark Ages. The first was Equestria defending itself against it's greedy neighbors; Yaks, Zebras, Saddle Arabians, Gryffons, and Dragons. The second tore the nation in two, radicals fighting each other, under the flag of either Celestia or Luna. The princesses themselves had to call off the attacks, announcing that they promoted neither side. The third was a side-effect of the first two. A great famine after many of Equestria's resources were diminished. Finally, a Plague came through the nation, wiping out a great deal of the population. Today, they still have an inaccurate number of ponies who died in total, but it's said it's around a million.
So, this was the little harbinger of the Golden Age? One sheet of newspaper with nothing on it but "come on out, the sun is warm!" and "It really isn't that bad now!". Seems... silly. Foal-like. I was six when this single folded piece of paper came to every doorstep in Equestria. The ironic thing is that that day was still pretty dark and bleak, though, of course, not as much as the day prior.
Being a pegasus, I naturally love air travel. But nothing beats travel via airship.
I was born with wings larger in proportion to other pegasi, probably because I was born to an unnatural alicorn and a pegasus. My older sister and many of my cousins also had over-sized wings, but none of them stuck quite like mine. On one hoof, they give me the fastest vertical lift of the entire regiment, and even faster than most Wonderbolts; plus a satisfying "boom" when I hard land. On the other, when I try to fly straight it looks like I just drank a full bottle of whiskey. Even now, I have trouble with flight.
But with all my difficulties in personal flight, I am eternally thankful for airships. Giant balloons with room for a hundred ponies and built for both transportation and combat. They give a beautiful view of Equestria, have wonderful rest quarters, and they are simply magnificent. They also are unfortunately faster than I am. And they fix the age-old question that unicorns and earth-ponies ask themselves every day, "Why can't I fly like pegasi"? Well, blimps are the answer.
I was just sitting in the rest area, near the front so passengers can have a gorgeous view of the world ahead. I loved it when ships had these, even when it's just a view of unending clouds. I heard the common chatter of folks on board, along with an orchestra of clanging plates and cups of tea and coffee. A lovely experience to behold.
"Sir, we are nearing Canterlot," My Royal escort said.
"Very good, old sport. Very good," I responded, still watching the endless expanse of clouds as he marched away. He was escorting me from a trip to the Ponyville Officer School. I was getting the last of my homework, seeing how I am completing school from home. I won't get to it anytime soon, seeing how I would have something else holding me back.
"Fillies and Gentlecolts, we will be approaching Canterlot soon. Thank you for flying with Cumulus," Said the announcer over the loud-speakers.
I managed to pry my eyes away from the rolling clouds to go to my other vantage point. I walked by my guard and, without command, he followed me. I trotted through wooded, carpeted halls decorated with fancy lights and paintings towards the starboard side of the airship. After a while of walking, I met a metal door I have seen at least a dozen times this trip. I walked up to it, and it opened with a reassuring kling kling kling. Within was a small metal room with another, similar door on the opposite side. Airlock, for precautions sake, Luna's order.
"Stay out here. If anyone calls for me, bring them out," I told my guard.
"Yes, sir," He said, instantly taking up his stalwart post.
I faced the room again and entered, the door klanging closed safely behind me. A moment later, the door to the outside klanged open, and I received a big blast of refreshing air. I walked on the balcony and toward the railing. I threw my front hooves over it, taking a closer look at the world ahead.
What a sight. The clouds rolling over themselves. A sea, held in the sky. The airship no more than a vessel, traveling atop the ocean defying gravity. It was something I could watch for years. It was then interrupted by the golden spires of some city lost to the sea reemerging through the endless expanse of clouds.
Canterlot.
I heard the gears of the door open as I heard my bodyguard.
"Sir, you should come back in before we begin our final descent,"
I took a moment to take in my surroundings before I responded, "Yes, I should. Thank you, old sport,"
I began my trek in to pack for landing. It was smooth as always, and the shuffle out was calm and orderly as per the norm. Everyone was lugging around heavy luggage or having difficulty keeping it all afloat with their magic. I carried all my stuff in two saddle-bags on either side of me. I led the way as my escort followed in close pursuit.
"Thank you, but I think I'm good for the rest of the trip home," I told the guard as we touched solid ground again.
"Are you sure sir? These are dangerous times. I wouldn't want you to get hurt," Said the guard, clearly concerned.
"No, I think the roads are safe enough in Canterlot. I'll be fine," I reassured.
"O...of course, sir," he gave a salute and started toward the barracks.
That was the first time I have seen a Royal Guard hesitate from a direct and mundane order, and it won't be the last.
The trip to my house was quick and uneventful. The occasional group of kids playing in the street, ladies chatting about their stallions out at war, gentlecolts boasting the same about their mares, and trucks full of those soldiers rolling by; nothing unusual for a Canterlot evening. I reached my house, the giant version of my cutie mark (a black hoof-print on a purple shield with a flurry of six four-pointed stars around it) hanging above my door as always. I entered my home and I instantly felt a blast of fatigue. The trip to the castle and back was peaceful and calm, but the tensions of war were overwhelming me. People asked "Where will Sombra strike next?", "what is keeping them from destroying us completely?", and the big one, "why isn't Celestia getting any better?"
I don't like being reminded that war is at our doorstep.
Before I chose to hit the hay, I thought I would check the office to see if everything is as it was when I left. When I flicked the light on, I saw the place was still as glorious a mess as it used to be.
I almost flicked the lights off and walked away when I saw an army of small, red cylinders staring at me from the suitcase
Audio cylinders. Records messages much like a record holds music.
I walked over to the suitcase and took a peek at the cylinders to see what was written on their unhallowed side.
Nothing of interest, but I was nonetheless intrigued.
I should be going to bed, but this is so important to me. I need to sleep, but this is so cool.
I didn't care, let's see what this box of goodies holds. I have more than a whole moon to do so.