A Storm is Brewing
Canterlot, Solar Empire. 1100 Hours. Royal Palace.
Twilight Sparkle POV
My hooves made an echoing, clopping sound on the hard marble floors of the empty hallway as I made my way through it. As usual, I was on my way to see my mentor, Empress Celestia, the true ruler of Equestria. It had been five months since I had seen her last; I couldn’t help but wonder if this plan of hers was actually going to work. But she was the empress, and was never wrong.
I glanced to my right as I strolled along the seemingly endless hall towards the throne room. The walls were lined with portraits of great military commanders from both ancient Equestria, as well as the modern era. They were expertly painted and were extremely life like, almost as if you could touch them and feel their coats. Their faces were solemn and stoic; that is what the Empress had to say anyway. She thought that they looked like the stone-faced watchstallions ready to defend their country and Empress. I thought that they looked rather menacing to be honest.
Their portraits were hung in ornately carved cherry wood frames which stood out from the plain white walls of the palace. The pale light coming from the crystal chandeliers served make the paintings look even more intimidating and lifelike than they already were.
I paused as I came to my portrait. The mare depicted in the painting looked exactly the way I did now despite the fact that I had been six years younger at the time of the painting. I was in the same uniform that I was in now-a brilliant white dress shirt with a black sash and golden buttons. The sleeves of my shirt had six golden bars to represent each of the Elements of Harmony and ended in red cuffs. I also had a white peaked cap with a black visor and a red brow; it boasted Empress Celestia’s cutie mark on the center of the brow. I wore a pair of white leather, high heeled boots with scarlet buckles on my back hooves. I thought that it was some of Rarity’s best work.
I took in my fill and hurried to meet the Empress. I was actually feeling rather giddy to be honest. Imagine if you hadn’t seen the pony that practically raised you and taught you everything that you know in five months. But duty had called me to other cities in the Empire to oversee the Empress’ secret project. My parents had died in the incident that the history books call, “The Great Lunar Rebellion”, in which Princess Luna had formed her own separate nation, so Empress Celestia became my adopted mother.
Actually, Empress Celestia was practically the ONLY family I had now, I lost track of Spike when we got caught up in a riot on our way to the Canterlot Archives three days before the Rebellion; the police had opened fire on the protesters. I have good reason to believe he was one of the forty-six killed. My mom and dad were killed on the day of the initial rebellion when Luna and her army forced their way out of Canterlot. Shining Armor and Cadence had been killed by an airstrike in a friendly fire incident during the war that ensued for two years after the initial rebellion. I have no idea what happened to Pinkie Pie, Applejack, or Fluttershy. Though I believe Fluttershy is probably alive hiding somewhere deep in the forest. Rainbow Dash is a Captain in the Pony’s Solar Air force. She had refused a higher rank because she would not have been able to be a pilot otherwise. Rarity was Chief Treasury of the Solar Empire. It suited her well and she enjoyed it, especially when she got to handle the jewels in the Royal Treasure Room. Aside from being in charge of the vast majority of the Solar Empire’s economy she also designed all of the uniforms for the military. If you know Rarity, then I probably don’t have to tell you that that is her absolutely favorite part of the job.
I was happy that I still had a family, believe me. But even after four years of cease fire and a Cold War between the two nations, I was still angry and bitter. I could barely go a week without tears. Can you imagine if everything and everyone that you loved and where close to were suddenly ripped from you? Nothing could describe the depths of my sadness. I would make the New Lunar Republic pay for what they did to me, my friends, and ponies all over the world. Princess Luna would pay for this treachery against Equestria.
I came out of the Hall of Heroes and entered a great circular chamber. The walls were a brilliant white, like the rest of the palace. The roof was bowl shaped, and painted on the ceiling was the flag of our glorious Solar Empire. It was a rather simple design, just a red banner with Empress Celestia’s cutie mark in the center of it. On the opposite side of the chamber from me stood two huge oaken doors, which were stained dark brown. I had no idea how old they were, but they had been made in ancient times, even before the Empress, who was now in her 3,600th year.
On either side of the doors stood enormous marble statues of the Empress rearing on her hind legs as if to crush an enemy beneath her powerful hooves. Their wings, spread wide, formed a kind of canopy over the doors where their tips touched. They stood silently with emotionless expressions on their stony white faces, like two eternal watchmares of the ponies, ready to protect them from any threat. It seemed as if their eyes followed me as I strode across the grand hall.
In front of the statues stood four REAL guards. They stood on two legs using their forelegs to hold their black Ak-74’s across their chests so that the barrels pointed up at an angle. Their armor was covered in grey-blue and steel gray camouflage; on their right shoulders was a small patch, the flag of the Solar Empire. I could only see their eyes because they were wearing black face masks; although, I could tell just by their eyes that one of them was a mare and the others were stallions. One of them was a unicorn, two were earth ponies, and the other, the mare, was a pegasus.
“Supreme Commander Sparkle!” they shouted simultaneously as they snapped their hooves together and stood at attention saluting me, their weapons held firmly at their sides. I giggled; every time I came by, they always acted like I was going to have them executed or something.
“All right, all right. At ease you four.” I laughed. “Do we really have to go through this every time I visit my teacher?”
“It’s protocol Ma’am,” grunted one of the stallions. Even though his face was hidden under his mask and helmet, I could tell exactly who he was by looking at his eyes; he was Applejack’s cousin, Red Delicious.
“Fine, fine do what you will,” I said in response as I rolled my eyes. Military ponies are all so stiff, especially the Solar Guard. I was growing weary of military protocol.
Using my telekinesis, I opened the massive wooden doors and stepped inside the Throne Room. Nothing had changed since the Lunar Rebellion except for a massive flag that hung from the lofty ceiling behind Empress Celestia’s throne.
A red carpet, with ivy embroidered along its edges with a golden thread that seemed to glow with the very light of the sun, ran from where I was standing to Empress Celestia’s throne. Marble pillars supported the massive roof. Other than that, the room was pretty much open. It was lit by giant stained glass windows depicting my teacher’s battles in the distant past including a struggle with Nightmare Moon. At night, it was lit by iron cast lamppost made into the shape of serpents. When they were lit, the light from the ruby colored flames that emanated from their mouths would dance on the walls like spirits of fire; it was a beautiful spectacle, and yet, at the same time it created a dark and rather tense atmosphere.
My amethyst eyes met those of my teacher as she descended from her throne and strode regally towards me. Her fiery red mane dancing with glee at the very sight of me, her flaming tail cascaded behind her like a waterfall of fire and light. She smiled proudly at me and I ran forward to meet her. I was filled with joy but was slightly intimidated by her at the same time.
“Empress Celestia!” I cheered as I pressed my neck against her leg (I could not reach any higher). She put her neck over me in a firm and affectionate hug.
“Twilight Sparkle, my faithful student,” she said proudly as she released me from her grip. I looked into her emerald eyes; they were filled with great pride but there was something else there, but I was unable to determine what it was.
“How is everything proceeding?” she asked, cutting right to the point of our whole meeting.
“Very well I am happy to report,” I said smiling, the Empress smiled back. I knew she was proud of me. “All units completed transfer yesterday at 0900 hours,” I continued, “all thirty five tank battalions, fifty fighter and bomber squadrons, including a SU-37 squadron, fifteen regiments of short range vehicle launched missiles, fifty attack helicopter squadrons, and seventy infantry battalions are in place and awaiting your orders.”
My teacher raised an eyebrow and gave me a look of expectancy. Oh for buck’s sake! I had forgotten something! “What about the artillery?” she asked, still giving me a look of disapproval.
“Oh yes,” I replied blushing slightly. I had forgotten something, something very important. “All forty artillery battalions completed transfer as well.” I wanted to facehoof. How could I embarrass myself in front of my mentor like that? I felt like an idiot.
“Good,” She said bluntly as she turned away from me to gaze at the massive windows. The rainbow colored light that shown through them danced along the walls like a joyous spirit. I could tell that the Empress was deep in thought. Her deep emerald eyes stared, as if in a trance, at the epic battle depicted on the prismatic mural. “I don’t want anything to go wrong. My plan must be executed flawlessly.” she said after a long pause. “Maybe now we can finally end this stalemate. But I wonder,” she mused turning towards and looking down upon me, “how long will it take for those Lunar Rebels to fall?”
“The Ibex Empire fell before our might in no more than three months.” I began with a smirk. The victory over the Ibex Empire was my handiwork. I had engineered the brilliant scheme that had resulted in that victory, I was rather proud of it actually. The enemy had practically given themselves to us and Solar flags now flew over their capital city. “So shall the Republic.”
“Hmm yes.” The Empress nodded as she turned back to the mural in deep contemplation. “But what if we sped up the process a bit?” she asked smiling devilishly. I could tell she had something in mind, something that would bring a swift end to the Republic and Princess Luna….. permanently.
“What do you have in mind Empress?” I asked her raising my eyebrow. I was curious to see where this conversation would lead. “They are very…..strong willed, I highly doubt it would take less than three months to beat them into submission. And even then, we would probably have to worry about resistance groups.”
“Resistance groups do not worry me Twilight.” She dismissed my comment with a wave of her hoof and a toss of her mane. “But you are correct in your statement that they are strong willed. Rgh! Why can’t they just accept my leadership? Do they have no intelligence at all?”
I trotted up to her side. I could tell she had something planned. It was something big. I waited patiently for my beloved mentor to finish her monologue. She seemed to be very worked up, and I couldn’t blame her. Her sister had betrayed her and all of Equestria after all.
“Of course not.” She continued as the scowl on her regal face melted into a devious smile. “So we need to educate them as to what happens when you come against us.” She turned back to me, her emerald eyes glowing with pride. “That is why I must delay our assault for three days.” She dead panned.
I was dumbstruck. This attack had been no less than four years in the planning, and now the Empress expected me to wait again? I was eager to get my revenge. I craved it. I NEEDED it. I lusted after the satisfaction of destroying the one that had taken everything from me. A voice called out from within the depths of my spirit, urging me against these feelings. I didn’t care; I needed my revenge; I threw the voice to the back of my mind and locked it away. I shook my head and rid myself of the nagging feeling of guilt that my conscious had laid upon me. Empress Celestia had turned her gaze back to me; she looked as though she had noticed my internal struggle. I couldn’t help but notice how awe inspiring she looked with the warm glow of the sun shining onto her brilliant white coat.
“Why?” I found myself saying without meaning to. My eyes locked with hers. I felt fear wash over me at my mistake…. I had just questioned the ruler of the most powerful empire on Equis.
“Because,” she began. I sighed. I was dead. “I have added an additional piece to the plan.” She put her foreleg around me and smiled. I was confused. Why wasn’t she mad at me for questioning her?
“And what is that?” I asked sheepishly. If she wasn’t mad at me, then I might as well go with it and be happy she hadn’t banished me…or worse.
“I have decided to attack them on two fronts. The other forces are to advance from Ponyville, Las Pegasus, and the former Crystal Empire as planned. But the navy will attack Nebulon Island at the same time that your forces make their strike.”
“Nebulon Island!?!” I gasped. I couldn’t believe that the Empress would suggest that the navy pull a move so bold. Nebulon Island is a large island off of the northern coast of Equestria. It had been a small, semi-autonomous region until the Rebellion; after which, it had joined with the Republic and had become a major shipping port as well as the main base of operations for the Republican Navy. In comparison to the NLR, our navy was relatively weak, if our attack force was detected, the plan would be completely ruined.
“Indeed, my dear student.” She continued. Her eyes flashed and she grinned like a ravenous wolf that had cornered a defenseless rabbit. “It is, as you know, their main base of naval operations. In one crushing blow, we shall wipe their pathetic little fleet off the face of Equis!”
“But Empress,” I began again, “what if they detect us before we strike? And it’s a military outpost, what’s to stop them from launching a counter offensive? Their troops will simply regroup and launch an air assault.” I was failing to see the logic in the Empress’s plan. This was a fortified military outpost, not some city we could just march into.
The Empress chuckled slightly and patted me on my back. This put me at ease somewhat, but she wasn’t finished yet. “My dear Twilight,” she cooed, “the Pony’s Imperial Navy and Air Force will land ground forces as well as launch strategic strikes to destroy their planes while they are still on the ground. Their troops will be spread far too thin, they won’t have air cover, and their mainland forces will be too preoccupied with trying to stop our main invasion to do anything about it. Nebulon Island will be overrun in no time. Then we can launch our own forces onto the mainland from the island and crush the Republic between two fronts. They will be completely surrounded with no way out.” She took a short pause and chuckled. “They will have to surrender.”
“That’s a really good strategy Empress,” I said smiling. She was right. The plan was foolproof! Unless our attack force was detected, it was an almost guaranteed victory. “So I’ll just calculate that into my strategy and…” With a wave of her hoof the Empress silenced me from my monologue.
“You needn’t worry about it.” She began as she strode across the vast chamber towards her throne. “It is already under the supervision of a very capable pony.” She said as she sat down on her marble throne, her mane and tailed waving about her like a stream of fire.
“Who?” I asked curiously raising an eyebrow, before I realized that I was speaking out of turn…again. Today was just not my day. I bit my bottom lip, again expecting swift correction from my teacher. But none came; she simply smiled at me, apparently noticing my nervousness.
“Grand Admiral Trixie,” she said nonchalantly.
“What?” I asked softly. My blood boiled, as my breath left me. I could feel my face heating up, both from anger and grief. My teacher, adopted mother, had chosen another pony to lead a critically important mission, AND TRIXIE NONE THE LESS!
“You-you don’t think I’m capable?” I asked, beginning to tear up. I was distraught. I felt betrayed. I just stood there before her. I covered my eyes with my sleeve so that she wouldn’t see my tears. I felt like a foal.
“It’s not that Twilight.” I heard Empress Celestia’s soothing voice say. I felt her warm breath on my neck. She put her hoof on my shoulder and I looked into her deep emerald colored eyes. They were filled with compassion and love. I wiped a tear from my eye with my sleeve as she began to speak. “You are very capable. You’ve been here for it all. You built the army and the air force, and you are my best and most trusted student. But you’re only one pony. You have more than enough on your plate though. You need to focus on the main invasion and let somepony else handle Nebulon Island. You simply need to coordinate the strikes so that they happen simultaneously. Okay?”
“Okay.” I said as we both rose to our hooves. I had stopped my little emotional episode and had fully regained my composure. The Empress again towered over me and headed back to her throne to sit.
“Goodbye Twilight Sparkle, you are dismissed.” she said looking down upon my tiny figure.
I saluted and went to walk back out through the massive doors from which I had come when she once again called out to me. I turned back to face her. She looked quite majestic. The flags and carpet matched her flowing mane and tail perfectly. This was the way she was meant to be, ruling Equestria with an iron hoof from the comfort of Canterlot.
“Do me a favor will you?” she asked. “Rainbow Dash has her heart set on leading the attack on New Everfree City, but I cannot let her do that. Her expertise is needed for the attack on Nebulon. I need you to tell her to report to Canterlot International Airport at 1800 hours this evening.”
“Will do,” I said with false enthusiasm, trying to put on my best fake smile. Rainbow Dash was so headstrong. She was not going to be happy with this news. But I outranked her, and being the Element of Loyalty, she wouldn’t turn her back on a direct order.
“And Twilight,” she began again as I turned to leave again. I faced her once more; her visage was now much more serious and urgent. “It is imperative that this mission succeeds. This is the final battle for Equestria. Failure is not an option. I know that you have a compassionate heart Twilight, and I admire that, but these rebels are not worthy of it. Princess Luna and her ponies will show us no mercy, so remove all traces of it from your heart.”
Once again I saluted and turned to go, but this time she did not try to stop me. My boots once again made a clopping sound on the cold, hard floor. I knew the Empress was right. I would show no mercy.
thanks for hanging in there for the first chapter. as you can tell the main purpose of this chapter was to set the stage and give ya'll an idea of what to expect. war, sadness, guts, blood, and high-tech weapons. also I know that it may seem a little weird. crazy Celestia....red mane....wtc? much will be revealed in time