//------------------------------//
// Prologue 
// Story: Solar Eclipse: The Messenger 
// by The Lunar Samurai 
//------------------------------//

	Celestia looked to the western sky as the day began to fade. Her horn glowed as she lowered the flaming sun behind the clouds that were gathering in the distance. The shadows of the trees stretched as the vibrant red rays of the dusk bloomed and began to fade. As the last slivers of the yellow disk slipped below the horizon Celestia let out a sigh. The day had been one of the most bittersweet she had known. It was the day of the official commemoration of the Element Bearers’ memorial, one year after their passing. Her eyes closed as she recalled the times she had spent with them. A tear formed a path of emotion on her cheek and fell to the cold stone balcony. The emotion that gripped her heart was peculiar. Many ponies had come and gone in her centuries of ruling, but the Element Bearers were more than just her allies, they were her friends. And when they passed away, part of her had passed with them.
She opened her eyes to the shadowy world before her. The first stars were just beginning to show themselves amidst the blackening sky. The lights of the cities were just starting to flicker in the windows as the ponies prepared for their rest. Fireflies began to dance around the castle, emitting yellow blinking points of light. Beyond the horizon, the sphere of the night slowly drifted into the sky and bathed the world in a silvery glow. Celestia lifted the crown from her head and rested it beside her on the ornate railing of the balcony.
Hoofsteps behind her heralded her sister’s arrival. Celestia looked back to see Luna’s gaze fixed on the moon as she continued to lift it from it’s slumber. Once it was set on its voyage across the sky, Luna met Celestia’s gaze.
“The death of a loved one is never something that can be fully disregarded.” Luna said somberly as she trotted to her sister’s side. “I miss them too.”
“I know you do sister.” Celestia said as she continued to look over the vast sea of trees. “They were so loyal, so devoted, it is heartbreaking to think that they are gone forever.”
“Sister, you must not dwell on their death, but rejoice in their existence.” Luna said as she put her wing over her sister, but her words offered little comfort to Celestia.
A long silence followed as Celestia wept, pierced only by the drops of tears. Her mind drifted back to the day she met Twilight for the first time. She let out a broken sigh, “I do not think they ever knew how much they meant to me, and to Equestria.” She looked to Luna with a sentimental smile and tears in her eyes. “They gave me my sister back.”
Luna’s eyes began to water as she remembered lying on the ground at her sister’s hooves. She had been completely vulnerable, yet Celestia had forgiven her. She looked to the countryside as she tried to conceal the emotions welling up inside of her. “But now is time for you to rest, my sister. Sleep can help heal your wounds.” Luna said as she blinked the tears from her eyes.
Celestia lifted her crown back to her head. “I suppose you are right. Goodnight Luna.” She walked to the arch that led into the castle and placed her hoof on the solid oak door that led to the royal bedchamber. The hinges let out a faint whine as she slowly pushed the heavy door open and made her way to her bed. Maybe the morning will bring relief. She thought to herself as she lifted her crown from her head and placed it on her nightstand. She laid herself down on the bed and closed her eyes to sleep.


---


Light streamed in from Celestia’s window and rested upon her face. Slowly she awoke from her slumber and sat upright on the side of her bed. She stretched her forelegs. What a beautiful morning. She turned to grab her crown and froze. Why is it morning, I am the only one who has the power to break the dawn. The sunlight streaming from the window mesmerized her as questions flew through her head.
“Down with the Empire!” shouted a thousand unified voices from outside the castle. The sound snapped Celestia out of her trance. Quickly she darted out onto the balcony. The sea of trees had been replaced with thousands of ponies.
“Sister, you must stop this.” Said a voice from behind Celestia as the noise subsided. She spun around to see Luna standing in the doorway. She was wearing her armor and Celestia’s crown.
“What is the meaning of this?” Celestia half yelled as she pointed to the sea of ponies. “Why are you dressed in your armor? Why do you have my crown?”
“I have come to put an end to your rule.” Said Luna as she glared into Celestia’s eyes. Luna’s horn glowed as the balcony took on a dark violet aura and began to crack. “Goodbye, sister.”

---

Celestia’s eyes shot open as the sensation of falling jolted her from her sleep. Her heart was pounding against her chest. She slowly caught her breath and sat upright on her bedside, taking several deep breaths as the dread began to subside. “It was just a dream”. She said to herself, trying to quell any fiber in her that said otherwise. Using her horn to illuminate the room, Celestia looked to her nightstand for proof. The crown was still resting in its place. Maybe a stroll in the garden would calm my nerves. Celestia thought as she walked to the door of her room. The hallway was dark but serene as she walked down its length to the gardens.
Reverently, Celestia walked out into the courtyard of Canterlot Castle and let the cool night breeze flow over her mane. She strolled through the perfectly pruned hedges to the flowerbeds as she gazed at the organized rows of daffodils, roses, and violets. This perfection, Celestia thought as she stroked the petals of a rose that floated in front of her. It isn’t perfection. It’s organization. Ripping a petal from the delicate plant, Celestia let the flower fall to the cobblestone path. I don’t want organized nature. Celestia thought as she walked out of the garden. I want pure nature. Her hoof tore the rose as she trampled it on her way out.
Celestia silently walked out of the garden and onto the stone balcony. She hesitated, still shaken up by the nightmare, as she looked for cracks on its weathered surface. Her fears relieved, Celestia walked onto the stone and unfurled her wings. Gracefully she rose into the air and began to make her way to the forest below.
The full moon added serenity to the land as she soared over the treetops. The woods gave way to houses, roads, and open fields. Some lights were still on in the windows of the houses, but most of the ponies had long since fallen asleep. The city morphed into farmland. Perfectly striped lines seemed to point Celestia to the Everfree forest. As she darted over the treetops, a large clearing of trees showed itself along the horizon. Several dark objects rose ominously into the sky from the hole in the trees, it was the ruins of the castle she had once called home.
She slowed herself as she neared the ruins of the once great, Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters. She gracefully set herself down atop the cracked cobblestone road that wound its way through the forest. Long ago the castle had stood as a symbol of the sisters’ unity, but once Luna rebelled, the castle was abandoned. Reverently she walked through the two columns that used to support the twin statues of her and her sister. Both had long since crumbled as the Everfree forest had taken full control of the structure. Moss and grass had sprouted in the cracked stone floor. Ropelike vines had climbed the walls and invaded like slow moving infantry. Sections of the castle had collapsed from the years of disrepair, leaving only rubble behind.
Celestia closed her eyes as she envisioned how the castle had looked like in its glory. The thick rock walls had been sliced by towering panes of glass that allowed for only the sunlight to invade their fortified ranks. Successive ornately carved marble pillars had once lined the large rooms and supported the weight of the ceiling. The castle had been built upon a firm foundation of marble and granite that was constantly being buffed to a shine.
She opened her eyes to see the dilapidated building. The windows had long since been broken; leaving only jagged edges and places for nature to invade in their place. The walls were weathered and cracked from centuries of assault by the forest. The few pillars that had survived the onslaught of nature were precariously worn and fractured; their beautiful carving having been replaced by cracks and scars. Sections of the ceiling had fallen, creating heaps of rubble on the floor. The gaping holes left had let the rains pour in and pool on the ground. The water collected in sections of the floor that had been warped and weathered. Grass and moss had taken hold in the cracks that ran along the once mirror perfect finish.
The castle she had once called her home was now a vague specter of what it had once been. She reverently trotted through the palace as she let her mind wander. She made her way to the central courtyard, the place where she had given many speeches, both to her generals and to the citizens of Equestria. Following routine she walked to the podium as one of her speeches flashed before her mind.
“Citizens of Equestria,” she whispered to herself. The vision of the crowd that had stood before her slowly came to life as she began to recall the address. “Today we have lost one of our most beloved. As many of you already know, the moon refused to set several days ago. The night pressed into weeks as I attempted to reason with her, but it was of no use. Her mind had been hardened, as her soul had been.” Her heart began to race as the memories of Nightmare Moon slowly blossomed in her mind. “It was out of love for Equestria, and out of love for her, that I exiled her to the moon. Many have said this action was tyrannical and cruel, but it was the only option aside from her death.” The silence of the imaginary crowd was deafening. “You will not see her again in your lifetime, as she has been banished for a millennium.” The crowd began to murmur.
Celestia’s sight began to blur as tears filled her eyes causing her to blink to clear the emotion from her vision. The memory faded as the droplets fell from her eyes and onto the podium. She looked down as they began to mix with the dirt and grime on the lectern's surface. As the liquid flowed down the incline it revealed a faint metallic glimmer. Celestia picked at the grime with her hoof as she wondered what the reflection might be coming from. The hunger for the unknown slowly manifested itself inside her as she began to work feverishly to uncover the mysterious piece of metal. She wiped off the last layers of grime and stepped back from the podium.
A crude inscription had been scratched onto its mirror like surface. Its deep jagged grooves formed the lines of a poem.

A raging beast has long been at rest
Its power has not been fully manifest
It lives as the soul of the citizens of the land
And cannot be controlled by the ruler’s hand
It lies in wait for justice to be decried
When it will let the citizens decide
Once the threshold has been passed
The statues of rulers will be recast
But if this beast can be restrained
The power within will be contained
The choice is yours for you to choose
But be wary of whom you might lose
For if the wrong path you should take
The beast of the nation will begin to awake

Celestia stood awestruck at the prophecy. I don’t remember this. She thought as she tried to search her memories of the ancient castle. She did not harbor a distinct memory of the pedestal, although it held great importance. I would have remembered this if it had been there.
The statues of the rulers will be recast? Celestia thought as her eyes drifted across the etched words. What is this beast that lies in wait? And what is it waiting for? She looked at the crumbling castle walls. “Its just an inscription.” She said to herself as she tried to dismiss the alluring prophecy. She turned and walked out of the courtyard back toward the great hall. As she passed through the stone arch that led back into the castle she stopped. Curiosity beckoned her to take one more glance at the plaque. The moon floated in the reflection of the metal. Its silvery figure marred by the jagged letters on its surface. As if under its spell she slowly walked back to the podium and let her eyes drift across the cryptic words, her mind slowly trying to unscramble the thoughts.
A drop of rain landed on the metal. The splash broke her free of the trance. She looked to the sky to see massive billowing clouds rapidly racing toward her. I should probably get back to the castle. She thought as the light rain began to grow. She spread her wings and gracefully lifted herself from the castle, quickly made her way out of the ruins. A brief flash of light was followed by a distant rolling thunder that engulfed the forest. A few stray flocks of birds were making their way from the treetops, startled from their perches by the low growl of the storm. The wind began to pick up as the storm greedily drew in the surrounding air.
Celestia’s horn glowed as she began to cast a teleportation spell. As the spell neared its completion, she glanced back toward the ruins. The silvery plaque flashed as a blinding lightning bolt struck one of the ancient towers. The crack of thunder pierced the air and violently shook the land. The floodgates of the storm opened and dropped a grey haze onto the treetops.
Moments later the forest had vanished from view and her bedchamber appeared around her. She walked to her bed and lay down to sleep. The prophecy ran itself through her head as she slowly drifted off to sleep.


---


“Sister, it is time to raise the Sun.” said Luna as she nudged her with her hoof.
Celestia moaned and rolled out of the bed. Groggily she lifted her crown onto her head and stumbled to the door. She stepped out onto the stone balcony and looked at the horizon. The world started a fresh new day as she lifted the sun into the sky.
“Now that you are awake, I shall retire to my bedchamber for the day.” Luna said as she walked back into the castle. “Goodbye, sister.”
Celestia froze. Goodbye, sister. The words echoed in her mind, and forced the events of the night rush back into her mind. The terrifying nightmare, The Everfree forest, the prophecy, the thought of them snapped her to attention as Luna closed the door to the bedroom. She repeated the prophecy in her mind as she tried to discern its meaning.

But if this beast can be restrained
The power within will be contained

The last two lines repeated themselves as Celestia gradually realized their meaning. “If I contain this beast, the power of the citizens, the nation will be prevented from collapsing.” She said out loud. “I must speak with my advisors.”
Celestia quietly opened the door to the castle and walked into the massive hall that led to the inner chamber, the location where she and her advisors would meet to decide the fate of the nation. “Courier!” she shouted as she walked toward the ornate door that led to the chamber.
A green pegasus galloped up to her side and trotted with her. “What do you wish?” he said as he struggled to match her lengthy strides.
“I need my top advisors assembled in the Inner Chamber immediately.” She said as she continued to walk toward the massive wooden doors.
“Understood.” The pegasus said before he rocketed from her side toward the room where the advisors were enjoying breakfast.
Celestia paused as she passed one of the several massive stained glass windows that lined the hallway. The colorful glass depicted the element bearers defeating discord and turning him to stone. Chaos. She thought to herself as she continued to connect the prophecy. That is what can bring a nation to its knees.
“Your highness.” Said a voice from beside her. Celestia looked at the green pegasus who was clearly out of breath. “The advisors are awaiting you in the inner chamber.” He said after he calmed his racing heart. “Is that all?”
“Yes, thank you.” She said as she ascended the ornate marble stairs that led to the room. The pegasus nodded and galloped back to his quarters. She reached the giant oaken doors and paused as she placed her hoof onto the dark wood. Protecting the country from itself. She thought as she took a deep breath and steeled herself. It must be done.
She opened the doors and walked to the massive stone table that sat in the middle of the large room. “Gentlecolts.” She said as she reached the head of the table. She placed her hooves on its surface and leaned forward. “I have reason to believe that our nation is on the verge of collapse.”
The advisors began to murmur among themselves. As the whispers subsided one stallion stood and looked at Celestia. “The country has never been stronger. The economy is growing, our alliances are strong and dependent, and war is out of the question.” The stallion paused as the other advisors offered their assertion to his point. “What makes you think that Equestria is on the verge of collapse?”
“The collapse is not coming from the outside. It comes from something that everypony has access to.” Celestia said as she sat herself down into her chair. “Chaos has begun to take hold in our country. This bad seed must be destroyed, lest it ruin us.” The advisors were silent. “I have given considerable thought to the matter, and have decided that we must try and unite the citizens once more.”
“How do you propose that?” asked an advisor.
“A convention.” Celestia said as she met the gaze of the advisor. “We must bring harmony back to the citizens. A single thing that they can all agree on will restore some tranquility to the land.” Celestia stood from her chair and walked to the lectern. “Nationalistic pride is what we want to instill in them, it’s the one thing that they all have in common.” The advisors nodded in understanding as Celestia continued to unveil her plans. “Parades, publicity, conventions, all of these things and more are at our disposal. We can bring them together.” Celestia continued as she raised her foreleg triumphantly into the air. “We can fix Equestria.”
An affirmative murmur circulated through the advisors as they began to realize the seriousness of the matter. One stallion, however, sat with a scowl on his face as he listened to Celestia’s speech.
“That is all well and good, but I still don’t believe that the nation is about to fall.” Said the aged stallion as he rested his elbows on the table. “With all due respect, where did you get such an idea?”
Celestia hesitated for a moment. Do I tell them of the prophecy? “I stumbled upon an ancient prophecy some time ago.” she said, trying to be ambiguous as possible. “It mentioned a power that lies within every single stallion mare and foal. This power is best described as a sleeping beast, ready to wake at the slightest nudge.”
“Does it give any way of keeping this ‘beast’ at bay?” asked the stallion as he stroked his white beard.
“If the beast is chained, it can do no harm.” Celestia said with a confident smile on her face. “We need to protect the people from the power that they do not fully comprehend.”
“How do you propose restraining the people without causing an uprising. In other words, we do not want to wake up the beast as we drape the chain around its neck.”
Celestia nodded. “We cannot do everything at once, we need to let it slowly build over time.”
“But how fast is too fast? Surely a millennia would be sufficient time, but a day wouldn’t be time enough.”
“Do you know any stories about daily life that have been passed down from your grandparents?” Celestia asked.
Several affirmations arose from the group, but each time Celestia asked them about specifics, they were baffled.
“Do you see? Hardly anypony harbors the stories of mundane tasks, but why is that? I’ll tell you why. Ponies are too caught up only looking at the extremes of their life. We must use this to our advantage as we chain the beast.”
“Change their lives in a subtle way to keep them from realizing we are doing it?” asked another stallion.
“Exactly.” Celestia said, striking the table with her hoof.
“But how? Any change will be noticeable”
“If we are going to accomplish anything, we need to know what to do.” said the old stallion.
“Any suggestions?” Celestia asked as she nodded to the scribe who prepared to write down the ideas.
“Identification tags could be used to ensure that if an uprising did occur, it could be easily traced. Also, we could use it to keep the ponies feeling secure.” Said one of the advisors.
“And you mentioned publicity earlier. We could use it to let people know there is hope through hired graffiti artists that will liven the city up with artwork.” Said another.
The scribe worked furiously as she wrote down everything the advisors said as they came to the minds of the advisors. The minutes turned into hours as they began to construct a plan. The timeframe to slowly change the nation was set at a century, long enough for at least two generations to pass before the country would be drastically different. The plan was given the name ‘The Phoenix Act’ and was kept under lock and key in the Solar Archives to keep it from prying eyes. The night pressed on as they continued to scrutinize the plan, needing every detail to be perfect for it to succeed. By daybreak it was finished and Celestia began to prepare the nation for the longest change in Equestrian history.
And so it began, first with miniscule things. Murals began to be painted on old dilapidated buildings for city beautification. Identification tags were issued much later, after a short scare following the Changeling rebellion, and the citizens accepted them without batting an eye. The nation grew as the seeds of The Phoenix Act slowly began to sprout in the community and give the citizens peace of mind, with nopony seeing its encroachment. The chain was silently draped over the neck of the sleeping beast as it lay unaware and secure, but as the lock clicked shut, it began to slowly awaken from its slumber.


---80 Years Later---