//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1 Getting Acquainted 
// Story: The Solar Stallion 
// by Ghostreet 
//------------------------------//

Celestia raised the sun like every day, sadness could be seen in her eyes. One year has passed since the gryphon invasion, passing his gaze trough the street of Canterlot, seeing Gryphon guards marching through the streets, guarding several buildings and his own castle, she thought to herself, “how this happened?, how could she been so blind to see this coming?”, sighing she lay in her bed, shackles and chains covering his regal form, she could make them disappear with her magic, but this has been part of the surrender accord that she and her sister had signed with the gryphon king, allowing him to take control of Equestria with the condition to no hurt their beloved ponies.

Since she and Luna needs their magic to raise the sun and the moon, the Gryphon’s allowed them to use their magic, not knowing of the telepathic spell that the sisters knew, her horn started to glow for a moment and allowed her to talk to her sister. 

“It’s been a while since we talk Lulu”. She said in his mind, ten seconds of silence passed until his sister´s voice echoed in his head. 

“It’s nice to hear you again dear sister, since we aren't allowed to see each other”.
Luna said so saddened as her sister.

“I know Luna but remember, there’s always a glimmer of hope in the darkness an…”. Luna could hear a spark of confidence in his sister's voice, unable to hear more she blurt out his concerns.

“But how?, how we can have hope when a year has passed and our subjects lost hope!” ending the last sentence with a cracked voice.

Celestia has taken aback by his sister's response and with a calm and motherly voice trying to comfort his sister, said. 
“Luna remember when we fought against Discord?, how we lost our hope, until we found the Elements of Harmony and then we defeated Discord, not only one time, with the help of Twilight and his friends, we have been in worst”.

Leaving a loud sighing, Luna replied.
“I know Tia, we have been in worst but it’s just that I can’t stand seeing our subjects suffer because of our errors”.
“We´re going to make our best effort to repair our faults, but now it’s time to rest sister, sleep well”.
“You too sister”, then Celestia ended the spell allowing herself to rest a couple of hours, thinking in a way to free his people of this endless pain, his vision began to blur and fell unconscious.




On the other side of the ocean, in the little nation of Neigphon, alone Pegasus stood, seeing the sea below him his black mane and tail contrasting with his white fur, his blue eyes have blue as the sea, entranced watching as the waves hit the rocks, unfurling his two large wings, letting the wind pass through them, lost in his thoughts until a deep voice take him out of his trance.

“Err… Wing Blade Sir?” said a brown Pegasus with a black mane.

The Pegasus isn't opening his eyes and not moving his site or wanting to open his mouth only made a humming noise.
“Hmm…”.

Not wanting to make mad his general, the brown pony rapidly said.
“Sir, everything is ready as you said”.

Turning his head to see at his soldier, while the brown Pegasus only could stare at him with a hint of fear and forcing a weak smile, Wing Blade replied putting a comforting and warm smile.
“Well son that's good news, what’s your name?”.

The brown Pegasus relaxes a bit, but remembering his military training, stood still and with a salute and an energetic shout said.
“Private Quick Flash, messenger of the second battalion Sir!”.

Wing Blade with a chuckle, returning the salute and trying to know more about his troops said.
“No need to formalities son, anyway, tell me do you have any family?”
The Pegasus lowered his ears and with a saddened voice said.
“Yes sir, they… they are in Manehatten”.

Frowning at his wrong choice of words and thinking in a way to raise his mood with a serious tone and putting a hoof on his shoulder replied.
“Don’t worry son, we´re going to free Equestria and you will be again with your family”

Lowering his head and dragging the dirt with his hoof, the private said.
“Sir, but the Gryphons has defeated our army one time, what make this different?”

Grabbing the inexperienced soldier by his shoulder, with a proud voice and motioning to the other side of the land said.
“Because this time we are ready”.

The view was one worthy of remembering, thousands of tents aligned in several rows, in the center were a massive tent surrounded by three more, around the camp stood a fence made of wood, with stakes facing outside the perimeter, and in each corner a tower.

Some ponies doing his patrol duty, others making armor and weapons, some unicorns draining his magic on shooting targets and Pegasus surrounds the camp and learning defensive and offensive attacks.

This kind of organization, speaks of a disciplined leader, a true strategist who is confident but knowing of his weakness, a pony who takes the risks when is necessary, that’s some of Wing Blade features, but some of his most royal officers know his temperament and how sometimes he’s carried away by his emotions, he’s young and although he has much to learn he’s a good leader.

Without removing his eyes from the camp, Wing Blade said.
“See son, while there are ponies willing to fight for his home, Equestria will continue fighting, every stallion or mare back home count on us”.

“But sir, how I can make a difference?, I’m just a messenger” said the brown Pegasus.
Wing Blade remained silent, trying to choose what words to say, he always has been bad in this situations.
“Do you know what your job is, soldier?”

Raising his head and seeing his commander the Pegasus said.
“We, messengers have the duty to send the orders from the commanders to the battalions”
“And what will happen if one of the battalion’s doesn't receive his orders?”.

Thinking the words his commander said to him he replied.
“… There will be… disorder?”
“And what happened if disorder reigns?”
“The battalion will be weak” said the Pegasus quickly

“See, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, that’s why even the most little pony has an important role, if you can´t bring the orders to the officers, they wouldn´t know what to do, just remember your training and you will know your role in this war”.

Closing his eyes and remembering what his trainer told him, “you need to be fast, faster than anything in this world and have your senses awake all time”, and he then could see, all the days spent building his endurance, his dodges skills, his velocity, to bring the orders to the officers, to make sure the disorder doesn´t spread and with a smile he said.
“I think I know now sir and I promise to make my best effort to perform my duty”

“Glad to know soldier, now go to rest” and with a salute, the soldier ran downhill to the camp.
Returning, he sighted to the sea and at the now descending sun, and murmured “resist Princess, just one more day” and closing his eyes, again he tried to return to his trance, just to be distracted again by a familiar voice.

“You know that is suicide to go there alone” said a big earth pony, with black mane and green fur, his name Steel hoof, best friend of Wind Blade and commander of the third battalion.

Sighing Wing Blade replied.
“I know but if I can rescue the Princess then we can lift the morale of our soldiers”.
Putting a hoof on his chin and thinking for several minutes, Steelhoof replied

“It´s True, just be careful”, he’s always has been a pony of few words and making honor of his title, turned around not saying another word and walked to the camp.




Wing Blade Camp five hours later

The moon glowing in the sky, bathing the camp with his light, making all kinds of motionless shadows in the night, but just one shadow remained in movement, passing from tent to tent, hiding from the patrols, making his way to the end of the camp and to the night sky, but in the last moment when this shadow was going to take flight, a cough made this shadow jump. 

“Going somewhere?” said Steelhoof at the shadow.

The shadow took off his mask, revealing a surprised Wing Blade, with hesitation he said.
“How do could you see me In the night?”.
“Because I did know this plan of yours and I know that you were going to leave in the night” Steele replied coldly.
“You know that I need to do this and if you try to stop me, I’m not going to hesitate to fight back”. 
“I won´t stop you, but what I’m going to tell to everypony, when they notice your absence?”
With a smile on his face Wing replied.
“Tell them that I’m going to bring them a surprise” and putting on his mask, took flight with direction to north and to Equestria.




Canterlot Eight in the morning

After raising the sun, a pony servant entered the room putting her breakfast on the bed and bowing he left the room, Celestia took his breakfast in silence, a simple salad and some fruits, after finishing his breakfast, she went to her balcony and sat on the floor, seeing how his little ponies passed on the street until his eyes met with those of a white Pegasus with blue mane and tail, smiling at her, she stood there, for a second only to smile back the Pegasus, until a guard moved behind him and shoved him, motioning him to move, gazing a death glare to the guard but not wanting any problem the Pegasus looked again at the princess and smiled again, then he made his way through the crowd of ponies.

Walking to his bed she lay down, Celestia tried to take a nap, but she could not sleep, his mind wandering about this white Pegasus, why he was smiling? She thought, after how Equestria ended in the claws of the gryphon’s, what was his reason to be so happy, surrounded by oppression and suffering.

But after of going more further in his thoughts, his eyes felt heavy and in a moment she fell asleep, dreaming about the Pegasus. (Not much to do when one is imprisoned :S)




Canterlot Nine in the night

Celestia was awoken by a loud conversation outside of his room, she approached to the door, so she could hear who was talking on the other side. 

“Halt.”
“What happened with the other servant?”. She could distinguish those voices, gryphon guards. 
“He's sick, and I'll be his replacement, it's there any problem?”. This third voice sounded different, a male pony.
“We haven´t been informed of such replacement and we cannot allow you to pass”.
“Why not?, I’m just going to deliver her meal and make the clean, it’s all, but if you prefer we can discuss this with your officer”.

Hearing the sound of hooves moving away, one of the guards said.
“Wait, you can pass, but do it quickly”.
“As you wish”.

Moving away from the door, she lay down on her bed, looked who came into his bed-chamber, it was the same Pegasus who stood smiling at her this morning, but before she could say something, the Pegasus put the meal beside her and lifted the dishes.

Celestia could see a note on her plate, she grabbed the note, the note said “want to put your mind for a talk?”, seeing the note, then the Pegasus and back to the note, she understood what was implying and with a quick glow of his horn,  connected his mind with the Pegasus.

Without further delay, she said. 
“Who are you?”. 
“Wing Blade your highness”.
“And what are you doing here?, the last time I spoke with the other servant he was fine”.
“I came to release you, your highness”. 
“WHAT!?, you can´t do that, if they know that I fled, they will hurt my ponies.”

“I know that, Princess, but you need to trust me please, everything will be fine, but there is no time, and I need you to teleport yourself right now to the Everfree forest and wait for me, if you don’t trust me, then I will understand and I will not bother you again”. Then the Pegasus turned his head to the Princess with a confident smile.

Million of thoughts passed through Celestia head, she wanted that to be true, that everything was fine and seeing that smile, she shut his eyes tight and with a flash she was gone.
Seeing the light emerge out the cracks of the door, the guards violently entered into the room, shouting.

“WHERE IS SHE!?”

“She’s… she’s gone, she told me that she could not see his ponies suffer anymore”. Replied Wing Blade with tears in his eyes, “She abandoned us” and then he fell to the ground crying and sobbing.
One of the guards lifted him and told him to leave, running through the corridor crying, he could hear a guard shouting “AND DON´T TELL ANYONE!”.




Everfree Forest one hour later

Celestia stood sitting behind some trees, ringing his hoofs against the floor.
“Why did I do that?” She was asking for herself.
“What if it was a trap or a test?”
“What will happen to my subjects?!”

Her train of thoughts was cut, when she heard a rustle on a nearby brush.
“Who’s there?” she said in a loud voice. 
“Shhh, Princess please be quiet, there are several patrols on the area”.
“Sorry” she whispered, “but why are you doing this, my army has been defeated and scattered through Equestria, nopony has hope and there is nothing that I can do” finishing the last sentence with sadness in her voice.

“That’s not true, Princess, I still have hope in you, and your loyal servants too, and if you allow me, I want you to follow me to your highness but first you need to tell your sister that she needs to act as she didn´t know about your disappearance and that she need to raise the sun and moon.”
“What!?, why?”.
“To make your disappearance be believed”.

After twenty min talking telepathically with his sister she was ready and was walking alongside Wing.
“Where are we going?”
“To Neighpon and that’s all I’m going to say, it’s a surprise for you too” he said with a big grin, remembering what he said to SteelHoof.

The Princess was seeing Wing Blade with a quizzical look, thinking about his sanity, but she dismissed that thought when he took the fly and flapping her wings she followed him.



Eternity´s Crossing at thirty minutes of Neighpon

The six hours of travel Wing Blade hasn’t said a word and Celestia, had problems keeping with Wind, in the corner of his eye he could see this, and lowering his speed, he stood flying alongside with Celestia.
“Princess I know this has been a long trip but you need to keep flying, we’re almost there” 

Celestia said nothing, using all her concentration and will to keep his wing flapping to not fall into the sea to a certain dead.

Twenty five tortuous minutes after she could see land, she has never been so relieved to see land and when they landed, turning her head to see Wing Blade, making a weak smile she collapsed on the ground.
Wing rushed to her side putting his hoofs on her head lifting out of the dirt, called her name, Celestia could see his lips moving, but can´t hear what he was saying and with a final yawn she fell unconscious.




Wing Blade Camp midday

Celestia awoke, with a sun ray over her eyes, she opened them, but rapidly shut them because of the light pierced across the tent, when she finally could open them without pain, she found herself in a tent, on a wood bed, just big enough for her, scanning the tent, she could see a desk, with a few maps and letters on it, and behind the desk a bookshelf full of books of several sizes and colors,  aside the bookshelf an opening to another room, on her right side, a nightstand with a glass of water and a dandelion sandwich, she hesitantly took the glass of water with her magic and drank all the water in one gulp, before she could reach the dandelion sandwich a familiar Pegasus entered the tent. 

“Good day your highness” said Wing while bowing. 
“Raise Wing Blade” she said with a commanding voice and scanning the tent again she said.
“Where am I?”.
“Well um… you're in my… tent” said Wing blushing a little.

Seeing him blushing and letting her be herself said with a teasing voice.
“So this is your bed?”. 
“Um… yes well you know, you were so tired and I thought you needed to rest well and I didn’t try anything and I waited outside since you were sleeping”. Wing was talking so fast and his face was so crimson and Celestia couldn´t contain and let out a giggle. Despite how good he was as commander or a fighter, he never has been good at talking like this with mares. 

“Calm down Wing Blade I'm just messing with you” said Celestia, still giggling.
Relaxing and letting out a nervous laugh Wing replied. 
“I’m sorry Princess, I never had a Princess sleeping in my bed”, “or a mare” murmured, scratching the ground.
Celestia saw how embarrassed the Pegasus was, changed the subject.

“So... How are you going to help me and my little ponies?”, she had forgot that, she was so exhausted and forgot about his little ponies back in Equestria.
“Pardon?”. 
“Well don´t get me wrong, but just one Pegasus can´t fight against an entire army”. She replied coldly

Arching an eyebrow he replied.
“What happened to the Princess that believed in his subjects?”.
“She stops believing in them, since she stop believing in herself first”. Celestia lowered her head and had teary eyes, she closed his eyes trying to stop the tears flow on his muzzle, she was sobbing and shaking but then she felt something on his shoulder, when she opened her eyes, Wing Blade was in front of her with a warm smile and his hoof was on her shoulder, after a moment he said.

“That’s not true Princess, I still believe in you and them too”.
“Them?”. Said Celestia with a confused look.

Nodding he replied. 
“First finish your meal Princess and then we can go outside”. 
He took the chair from his desk and putting it next to his bed he stared at the Princess while she was eating, he couldn´t believe what he was seeing, the Goddess of the sun, his Ruler, he stood there admiring her white fur, her flowing rainbow like mane, her delicate jaw and lips and her beautiful purple ey… “She´s looking me!”, Celestia has a –What are you looking at- glare then he realized that he has been seeing  the Princess for several minutes, looking away blushing, cleared his throat. 

“Um… Princess if you finished your meal, I need you to follow me”. Wing said, motioning to the exit and he walked there not making eye contact with her.

Celestia raised from the bed, followed him to the exit of the tent.
Standing in front of the exit he said.
“I need you to wait here your highness”.
“Celestia”.
“Pardon?”. 
“Just call me Celestia, no need to formalities between us”. Said Celestia with a wink.

Wing was blushing and with a nervous voice replied.
“Okay Prin… um… Celestia”. Then he exited the tent.

Celestia only could hear some rustling outside, “maybe some friends of him?”, she thought “or maybe a few soldiers”, someone coughed and then she could hear Wing Blade saying.
“Dear friends thanks for waiting, I know you have questions and doubts but…”
“WE THOUGHT YOU ABANDONED US!”. A shout interrupts Wing speech, followed by a loud “yeah”.

Returning to his speech he continued.
“Yes it's true, this last month has been very… difficult and we´re close to move to the next step of our plan, but for now I have a surprise for you”.
Then opening the tent door, he said to the Princess with a big smile
“Ok, now you can go out Celestia”.

Stepping out of the tent the Princess jaw drooped, in front of her, wasn´t just a few soldiers but thousands of ponies, zebras and even a few diamond dogs in battle gear, roaring and cheering.

Wind Blade whispering with a smirk said to Celestia, trying to make her pay for her teasing. 
“Too bad we will not be just us two”.

Celestia arching an eyebrow looked to Wing and whispered something that made him turn as red as a tomato and taking a step, she cleared her throat and said.
“It’s good to see that my subjects has not lost their hope and still fight for their home, I want to thank you all, not just ponies, but zebras and diamond dogs, together we can win this fight!”.

The mass of soldiers erupted in a unison roar, stomping his hooves and paws on the ground.
Wing walked alongside Celestia and said. 
“Alright everypony return to your duties, commanders I need you all in my tent in ten minutes”. Indicating to Celestia to follow him into the tent, they entered and everypony continued with their job.

Ten minutes later, Celestia was in the other room, before exit the tent she peeked on another door revealing another room, this room was much bigger, which was used for meetings, on the right side of the hall stood a big circular table, with six chairs, on the left was two couches with a small table, several armors adorned the hall and in the left corner behind one couch stood a lances shelf.

Around the table was Celestia, Wing Blade, Steelhoof and two unknown ponies, a Pegasus and unicorn, after some minutes that seemed like hours, Wing Blade spoke.

“I’m happy to see you, as you can see, the Princess is back and we need to update her with the latest news, but first let me introduce you to commander Steelhoof”. Said Wing, motioning the big earth pony.
“Glad to see you here, Princess”. Replied Steelhoof with a nod. 
“Thanks”.
“He´s Light Feathers”. Pointed Wind to the gray Pegasus with red tail and mane
“Princess”.
“And last but not least Fire Spark”.
“Your highness, it’s an honor”. Said an old unicorn with blue fur and gray mane.

They chatted about several issues, like how Princess Luna was and his commanders told her a bit about them, Wing was reading some letters and notes, vaguely contributing to the talk and he lost track of time, after two hours he interrupted the conversation tossing some notes in the middle of the table. 

“As you can see gentlecolts… and ma´am, we have now at our disposal fifteen thousand earth ponies, ten thousand Pegasus, seven thousand unicorns, a thousand zebras and four hundred diamond dogs, distributed in three camps, still need more armors, weapons and ships and I want all ready in five months”. Commanded  Wind Blade.
“Five months!, there is no time for that, we need to send our army now and take Equestria back!”. Shouted Celestia, slamming a hoof on the table.
“Princess we know the situation in Equestria, but we can´t precipitate our plans and make an error”. Replied Fire Spark.
“And we still need to train the new recruits”. Added Steelhoof. 
“But, you don´t see how our people are suffering, my own sister its there, how can you know this and don´t do nothing?, if your families were there, wouldn´t you do anything to avoid them suffering!”.

“I know what you feel Celestia but… “. Wind Replied.
“How can you know what it feels like, you are here, while we were chained and locked, losing our loved ones, tell me!”. Celestia was letting flow the emotions she had kept locked for one year.

Wing Blade stomped his front legs on the table and replied angrily. 
“BECAUSE!… Because I lost my father in the invasion and my mother died trying to defend my little sister”. Wing Blade said coldly and was now fighting back the tears, to not appear weak before his officials.

Everypony was silent, Celestia eyes were wide open and was trying to say something.
“I…. Excuse me”. She got up from her chair and walked to the other room.

Clearing his throat Wing Blade said.
“I’m sorry everypony, we will discuss this other day”.

Everypony walked to the exit, but Steelhoof, turned to talk to his friend.
“You need to talk to her”. Said Steel pointing to the room, full of sobbing and crying noises.
Breathing deeply and lowering his head Wind replied.
“I know, that’s why I ended this meeting”.

Before turning around and leaving, Steel tried to tease his friend to lift his mood.
“So… Celestia?”. 
“Oh shut up and leave, you idiot!”. Replied Wind with a weak smile, hurrying his friend out of his tent.

Turning to see his room door, he could hear Celestia crying and sobbing, frowning he thought, “good job Wind, you made the Princess cry”. Sighing, headed to his room, revealing a Princess with his face buried in the pillows.
“Celestia?”.
The Princess looked to Wind, revealing her bloodshot eyes and a wet muzzle, and lowering her head, she softly replied.
“Go away”.
Sitting on his bed beside her, Wing replied. 
“Prin… Celestia I’m not mad with you”.
“Why not, I just insulted you and your family, and you just wanted to help me” Celestia said with a tearful voice.
“I shouldn´t speak before thinking, but has been a year of seeing my little ponies suffer”. Added Celestia.

Lifting her chin with his hoof to meet his eyes, he said.
“I know how you feel, most of my soldiers have family in Equestria, but you must understand, if we rush our plans, the result will be the same”. Lowering his hoof he continued “just be patient, give us more time and I promise you that I will do everything I can to save our home”. 

Just after finishing his last words, all of a sudden Celestia lunged him with a hug with tears flowing from her eyes and quietly said.
“Thank you”.
Taken by surprise, Wing remained stiff and after a few seconds, he relaxed, patting his back and with a soft voice replied.
“It's okay”. Looking through the door, he could see the sun lowering. “The moon is rising and you need to rest”. Getting up the bed Wind was stopped by Celestia asking him.

“But if I’m on your bed, where are you going to sleep?”.
“I will take the couch, there´s water on the meeting room”. Replied Wing with a smile and exited the room.