//------------------------------//
// The Dark Dream 
// Story: Aeterna Solara - The Dawn of a New Equestria 
// by Etherium-Apex 
//------------------------------//

In the far-off deserts of the Equestria's southern reaches, legions of armored unicorns and pegasi were locked in a fierce battle against all manner of worldly beasts, from the dragons and griffons of the sky to the hippogriffs of the seas. The clashing sounds of iron and steel pierced the air. Bolts of light flew in every direction from the unicorns' horns. The air was filled with a cacophony of roars, screeches, and war cries, the ground painted red and marred by slain warriors of every faction.

Accompanying these hundreds locked in combat were great machinations of war, gilded death-bringers consisting of trebuchets hurling the earth skyward and artillery firing large steel arrows at their airborne enemies. Each of these terrible inventions was guided by a squadron of unicorns, intent on severing the hearts and crushing the spirit of all who dared oppose them.

The battalions of unicorns and pegasi were accompanied by a mysterious mare large in stature and dark in appearance, fighting with will and magic rather than metal or wheels.

Aurelius then came into sight, wielding a sword conjured by his fiery magic. He clashed with the ground forces of the hippogriff nation, a flash of light accompanying every strike and parry. These fighters proved no match for him, as he drove his blade through the hearts of their brethren. They grew demoralized as they saw the look of rage in his eyes, and fled his presence rather than fight.

The pegasi of the air with their longbows and the assistance of the ground artillery managed to dispatch the remaining dragons and griffons in sight, and the last companies of hippogriffs gave in to defeat and retreated. The zebras of the far western lands held firm, preferring death over defeat. As Aurelius and his legions continued their struggle, there was then a sound emanating from the west, away from their war machines.

A distant thundering, growing ever louder.

On the horizon, a cavalry of manticores charged forth, tamed by the western zebras. Some of them still in the battlefield looked to the east and cheered, as Aurelius' own cavalries took formation in front and readied their spears.

Sensing that this would not stop the rampaging beasts, he took a galloping start and leaped over his cavalry, and with a flash of his horn unleashed a devastating firestorm on the charging manticores and their keepers. Many of them turned back and fled to avoid the wall of destruction tearing its way towards them, while others were less fortunate and succumbed to the scorching blaze.

Soon after this small victory, a flight of dragons made their approach from the south. The captains of the artillery took notice, and adjusted their trajectory. As they grew close, the lead dragon's chest glowed as it prepared to rain fire onto the battlefield. An arrow launched into the air, but missed its mark. The dragon began raining hellfire onto their war machines, burning them to ash and setting its occupants alight.

Just as the equines lost their heavier weaponry, a warm light rose in the east and descended upon the ravaged valley, flooding their vision with its glory. A pair of luminescent wings emerged, and the angelic form landed in the center of the battlefield. It appeared as a large winged alicorn made of pure light, and before anyone could react, powerful shockwaves of magic burst from his horn. The waves of light pulsated and hummed, blinding the enemy forces and repelling the dragons and griffons in the air. They could not penetrate this new force field, and fled. Only the zebras remained, shaken but still steadfast.

The blinding light surrounding the alicorn faded, revealing a shimmering white countenance shining in silver and gold studded with blue sapphire jewels. His wings were tipped in red flame, and his mane was white fire; in his brilliance, no evil thing could stand. No doubt remained that this was Magnus, ruler of the Solar Empire. Only a handful of zebras remained, with no other enemy forces in sight. Victory was near, and the legions prepared to declare the battle as such. As they were about to place their flag and cheer, they were suddenly stopped.

The air was suddenly filled with Magnus' screams of agonizing grief, as he cast aside his crown and armor and ran across the battlefield towards a motionless figure covered in blood. Every standing soldier observed silently; as Aurelius threw down his final enemy he looked toward the noise, his sword dissipating. Recognizing the figure, his heart sank and his mouth fell agape, a look of shock in his eyes.

Heavy clouds formed as Magnus cradled the violet mare in his arms, letting out tearful wails into the sky. Both dried and fresh blood soaked into her fur from a spear driven through her chest, her own bloodied crown lying on the ground beside her as the rain fell. Magnus buried his face in Galaxia's neck and cried in anguish. His soldiers gathered around him and drove their weapons into the ground, the unicorns lighting a vigil with their horns. Aurelius observed from where he stood, his face a deathly white, unable to stand seeing his mother as she was. As with an arrow piercing his own heart, a tear welled from his eye and traveled across his cheek, pattering the dry earth below.





Celestia jumped awake, tears shedding from her eyes, the images of battle and loss still reeling in her mind. She looked out the window to the night sky, the moon shining brightly and dimly illuminating her bedroom. She sighed and rubbed her eyes before getting out of bed and turning on a lamp. There was no questioning her vision - she had seen a memory of the Solar Empire, and her grandfather's greatest tragedy. The real question was why, and if one of them was attempting to contact her in spirit.

If anyone could answer that question, it was her mother and her mystical wisdom. Abandoning her typical regalia, she donned her violet night gown and stepped out onto her balcony. The cool night air flowed through her mane and danced with her silken cloth as she spread her wings and took flight, headed for the secret grove she had visited the day prior.

Now in the counsel of Lucretia, the magnificent and gleaming mare in her sparkling translucent gown stood in the center of the pool. She had appeared to be studying its depths, as if divining the world's forgotten knowledge. Her wings fluttered in the cool breeze as she lifted her head, her dark mane appearing as ink spilled into the moonlit waters. "I know why you're here..." she said softly, turning to face Celestia. "I see what you have seen, for Lady Galaxia is also in my mind."

"Lady Galaxia... what happened to her?" Celestia asked.

Lucretia narrowed her focus, looking intently into Celestia's eyes. "She still lives... But she does not live. Your visions made clear her fate, no longer bound to flesh and bone, and no longer bound to our world."

"So even after her passing, her spirit endured?"

"Galaxia has returned to the land of the immortals, where the spirits who created this realm reside. Every immortal alicorn shall return home, whether by the sword or by the passage of time. Our place in this world will eventually come to an end."

"Why has my father not told me of this?"

Lucretia looked to the ground and sighed, then back up at Celestia. "The feeling burdens his heart, even to this day. He felt closest to her throughout his life, being his mentor and guide, and closest friend."

The harrowing images of fire and death still lingered at the back of Celestia's mind. A chill edged the back of her spine as the bloodied warriors and dragonfire haunted her memory. "Such violence, so much death... What could cause our children and our forebears to draw swords with such reckless abandon?"

"Such is the nature of war, my child," Lucretia said. "As one's power wanes, another's power grows. When one is drawn to the brink by a dying kingdom, an opportunity will present itself to destroy it and set oneself free. Blood will be shed in the name of all forms of change, be it destruction or progress, fell deeds or banishment of evil. So it always was, so it shall ever be. As Equestria's ruler, you will be made to suffer the horrors of war firsthand, as all manner of darkness and devilry finds its way to our subjects."

Celestia shook her head at the ground, eyes shut. Her heart wished desperately for peace, but her mind knew that would never be a reality. She struggled to picture herself leading her people to war, letting out a quivering sigh as a tear rolled across her cheek. Taking a breath, she regained her composure. "I never took much thought to the burden now placed on my shoulders... As it comes, I shall bring the dawn, whether a red sun rises or an age of peace is at hand."

Lucretia grinned. "You have such strength and courage in you, Celestia. Remember always, however, that the thought of war bears no resemblance to experiencing its terrors for oneself."

Celestia gave a soft nod, as another thought crept into her mind. Attempting to shake away these heavy feelings, she stepped forward to the edge of the pool. "You bear the gift of foresight. What have you seen of Silver Brighthoof and myself? I must know."

Lucretia smiled for a moment. "I sense that your father will have need of you soon. The sun shall rise in the east by his hoof, and shall set in the west with your guidance."

Celestia felt her face grow cold as all of her weight dropped to her feet. "You don't mean..."

"You were destined for this duty, my dear Celestia. Fear not, for you shall succeed." Lucretia looked to her own moon, and began to step out of the pool. "If it offers any help, as I raise and lower the moon through its many cycles, I imagine myself leading a silver chariot across the stars, the moon a bright mare by my side and two brilliant pale stallions pulling us through the heavens. A dark and dire wolf chases closely behind, threatening to devour the moon if not for my aid, as I guide her to safety. A whirling wheel, ever waxing and waning, through the cosmos her journey shall take her."

Celestia looked to the moon as well, admiring its pale beauty. Her insecurity gave way to a new smile, and she nuzzled under Lucretia's chin. "Thank you, mother." She then took flight, and returned to the castle to locate her father's quarters.

Aurelius was found in the outside balcony of his room, sitting and looking to the moon. He sung a soft song in a forgotten ancient tongue, sorrowful yet serene. Celestia heard the song, captivated enough by its beauty to quiet her approach so as not to disturb him. She could not discern the words of his eulogy, but felt as though she still understood it. Aurelius took notice of her presence, and ended the song.

"A beautiful song, Father, and yet so sad. What is it?" Celestia asked.

"Oh, it is an old song of the Empire, one shared with us as children. It loses much of its sentiment in the modern tongue, but it goes thusly," said Aurelius:


The light of our dreams,
Gone far away, far away
Far from our shores,
Yet near in our hearts

Rent by sorrow are we,
Our lives astray, gone astray
Taken by the blade,
And pierced by cruelty

The stars they will cry,
They cannot believe, cannot believe
To distant lands unknown,
To undying meadows

Be with us in spirit,
As for you we grieve, we grieve
Look upon us with love,
For we have loved you so.


Celestia looked to her father with misty eyes, imagining the voices of many clad in black veils. A heartbroken people, honoring the loss of a great heroine. "It sounds so sad, Father, almost as if in mourning. Do you know what it was originally about?"

Aurelius paused. "No... I'm afraid not." He turned his attention back to the sky, and watched as the moon began to glow with a wispy magic and lower into the horizon. "In any case, I do believe it is time you learned how to bring forth the dawn. Do you feel ready?"

Celestia approached his side. She took a deep breath and sighed. "Yes, I am ready."

"Celestial magic requires great skill and focus; do not be discouraged if you cannot grasp the sun at first. Center its light in your mind, feel its energy. Envelop yourself in its rays, imagine yourself holding it in your embrace. Its heat passing in and out of your body, warming your soul and lighting your heart."

Celestia closed her eyes and focused. Her horn lit up with her own magic, and she tightened her features as she began to struggle. In her mind's eye she rode upon a golden chariot led by a white pegasus in gilded dress. Her hoof outstretched to the heavens, a stallion of brilliant and blinding radiance in the distance. She beckoned to him to take her company and ride through the sky, but he would not move, nor take heed of her request. He grew ever more distant, and her chariot became engulfed in the jaws of the ravenous black wolf behind.

Her eyes opened, back on the balcony with her father. She took a moment to catch her breath, and saw that the sun had not moved from its perch. She sighed, disappointed, and looked to the floor in a sullen defeat. Aurelius smiled and placed a hoof on her shoulder.

"Don't feel sad, my child. As I said, you will likely be unable to take hold at first. You made a valiant effort today, better than I in fact when I tried it as a colt. We will try it again at first light tomorrow." Aurelius then lighted his own horn, and sunrise began.

Celestia left his quarters, anxious to dance with the sun once more the next day. She made way back to her own room, having never washed up after waking and wishing to change into her daytime regalia. On her way back, through their castle's vast windowed halls overlooking the sunrise, she spotted her sister Luna heading to their dining area. Luna then spotted her, and grew a smile.

"Good morning, my sister!" Luna said. "Are you feeling well? I saw your dream last night while visiting the dream realm... Very troubling, very dark."

"I am well, thank you," Celestia said. "I consulted with Mother about the dream. I had witnessed the death of Lady Galaxia, the final throes of the Empire, the tragedy that befell Aurelius and dethroned Lord Magnus as Emperor. The pain of war, now made ours as new leaders and commanders of an old kingdom. I still today don't feel ready for such harrowing deeds, but I will remain steadfast."

Luna widened her gaze and mouthed words of concern. "Are you sure...? I mean, Father never told us that our grandmother was slain in battle, but I guess it would make sense." She came closer to Celestia, meeting eye to eye. "In any case, heed not the cries of battle," she said. "When the time comes, we will be ready, and we will do as we must. If we reach victory, we shall hail the glorious dead and continue our reign. If our time comes, then it is our time, and we will be with our forebears in brighter pastures."

Celestia smiled. "That is a very touching sentiment, dear sister," she said. "You're right. Very right. More right than usual, I would say."

Luna squinted at the remark, and Celestia gave a brief chuckle. "Breakfast is almost ready," Luna said, stepping away back toward the dining area, "and your list of duties for today is being prepared. Will you be joining us?"

Celestia started for her room, but looked back to the hall. Duties? Oh dear, she thought. A mild feeling of hunger took hold, and she decided to forego changing in favor of a meal. She followed Luna into the dining area, the smell of hot food wafting through the air.