Twilight and Dawn stood at the bow of the ship watching as the coast of the Kingdom of Dragonia come into view. Dragonia was a powerful continent that was ruled by the immortal Dragon Emperor Huǒ xíngzhě.
As the ship drew closer to the docks Twilight spotted a large amount of soldiers and frowned. "That's a large amount of guards." She muttered.
"Let us hope they have no trouble with us." Dawn said quietly. "We don't want to draw the ire of the Dragonians."
Twilight nodded and turned to the captain. "Captain, bring the ship in and make ready to dock but inform the crews to be on their best behavior!" She yelled.
The Captain nodded. "So you saw it too?" He asked receiving a nod from Twilight; the captain sighed and turned to the crew. "Alright boys let's bring her in nice and slow, we got Draconian guards at the docks and we need to put our best hoof forward." He yelled receiving confirmation from the crew.
As they began to pull into port Twilight watched as the guards joined the crew in setting up final preparations or began to dawn their armor and weapons. Twilight and Dawn looked at each other and nodded as they began to glow and merge into one being; as the glow faded they turned back to watch their approach as the Berserker armor ripped out from under her skin however Twilight left the helmet removed.
"The troops are ready and your friends are getting prepared too." Victory said as she stepped beside Twilight.
"Good, were almost in port." Twilight replied as she slipped on her 'regal' mask. "With any luck we can make the necessary preparations and leave soon."
Victory squinted her eyes before looking surprised. "Is that the Emperor?" She asked in surprise and pointed to a spot on one of the docks. Twilight looked however she two had trouble making out who was standing there.
"I need a Pegasus over here!" She yelled however none of the crew was one. "Where's Rainbow?" She asked.
"Still below deck your majesty." A guard said calmly.
"Go get her, quickly." Victory said causing the guard to salute and walk quickly to the stairs and move down. After a moment he returned with Rainbow who was fastening her blades to her wings quickly.
"You wanted to see me Twi?" She asked as she neared.
"Indeed Rainbow, I need your eyes for a second." Twilight said as she pointed to the dock they were nearing. "Can you tell me who's standing there?"
Rainbow approached the siding of the ship and looked over before frowning. "Well there are a lot of guards and some old Dragon dude with red scales and white hair. He's wearing some green robes that got some monster shoulder plates on them and swords like the ones Captain Moon has only there's two." She said as she looked at Twilight. "That help?" She asked with a smirk.
Twilight nodded. "That's Huǒ xíngzhě, the Emperor of Draconia." Twilight said calmly. "What's he doing here?" She asked.
"Well were about to find out." Rainbow said as they pulled up to the dock the Emperor was standing on just as Discord, Fluttershy and Pinkie appeared from the stairs leading to the lower floors.
As the crew moved to lower the gangplank and the troops stood in formation, Twilight calmly stepped off the boat and approached the Emperor. As the two calmly stood before each other they eyed each other silently till the emperor grabbed Twilight and pulled her into a hug. "Thank the ancestors you're alive!" He said with joy.
"Emperor Huǒ xíngzhě, it's been too long." Twilight gasped out as the dragon crushed her in a hug.
"Indeed it has my dear friend, when I heard of your exploits and adventures I was shocked." The Emperor said as he set her down and patted her head. "To think that such a studious scholar like you could break from that shell of yours, it fills my heart with pride." He said happily.
"I'm still a scholar Huǒ xíngzhě, my love for knowledge and discovering new things still burns bright." Twilight said with a blushed as many of the draconian troops and even Twilights friends looked confused.
"Indeed, but a dock is no place for two old friends to catch up, I insist you join me at the palace!" Huǒ xíngzhě said happily.
Twilight looked away sadly. "I'd love to but at present we have to prepare to leave." She said sadly.
Huǒ xíngzhě's face fell and he looked sad. "So soon?" He asked sadly. "I had hoped you would at least stay for a few days." He said as he hung his head.
Twilight looked down as well. "I wish I could but... I have a throne to claim now." She said sadly.
As Twilight said this Huǒ xíngzhě turned to her in surprise before the look changed to excitement. "Oh, Celestia finally decided to give you a Kingdome did she?" He asked only to see her cringe. "Twilight, what's wrong?" He asked in concern. "Did something happen to Celestia?" He asked.
Twilight looked away but nodded. "She..." Twilight fell silent and Rainbow and Pinkie approached her.
"Celestia's gone mad or something and is trying to kill Twilight so she doesn't take the throne." Rainbow said a hint of anger in her voice as she placed a hand on her shoulder.
Huǒ xíngzhě's eyes widened as he looked at Twilight and then at the troops with her. "Why would she do this?" He asked his voice calm.
Rainbow shrugged her shoulder and Fluttershy stepped forward with Discord at her side. "She is to be the ruler of the Harmony Empire." She said calmly causing the old dragons eyes to widen as he looked around.
Slowly Huǒ xíngzhě leaned close to Twilight and whispered in to her ear. "Twilight I must speak with you." He said quietly. "Please stay for a few days; I will have my spies monitor Celestia and Equestria as a whole." He asked.
Twilight hesitated but finally nodded. "Alright, we’ll stay for a few days but no more." She said.
Huǒ xíngzhě nodded and turned to his guards. "Prepare the carriages; I want the streets to the palace cleared immediately!" He ordered receiving salutes form the soldiers who quickly moved to follow his orders.
Only a few minutes later Twilight and her friends as well as Discord and Captain Moon were seated in a carriage following the one holding the Emperor. "Okay Twilight spill, how do you know that emperor dude?" Rainbow asked.
Twilight blushed. "Well, every few years all the rulers of the countries across the world gather for a sort of royal conference." Twilight explained. "I met him there a long time ago."
"I've heard about that." Fluttershy said quietly drawing the others attention causing her to shrink slightly. "It's called the Summit of Royals, supposedly it's during that time that all the rulers of every race gather in one single location though I don’t know what exactly happens there."
"It's not common knowledge but yes that is true." Twilight conferment.
"As for what happens during that time, well I suppose I could explain better than others." Discord said with a smile. "During the conference treaties are renewed, borders are disputed and it's a load of boredom. I normally sit in the corner and watch the show but that’s not the point."
Twilight nodded. "It's also the place where the personal students of all the rulers gather to share knowledge, ideas and other things of value." Twilight said as she leaned back and closed her eyes. "We also meet the other leaders; the reason for this because of the many races only a few are immortal while others are simply long living or have a normal life. As such all those who are princes or princesses along with any apprentices of the rulers are required to join their mentors in the summit so that if something were to ever happen we may ascend to the throne relatively prepared since we will know all the current and future treaties, agreements and rulers."
As twilight explained the others seemed to realize just how little they actually know about Twilights life before she came to Ponyville. "No wonder you were such a stuck up grumpy pants when we first met!" Pinkie said. "You always had to act as a potential ruler and leader!"
Twilight nodded. "When Celestia went missing and Nightmare Moon appeared I had a choice, gather the guard and face Nightmare Moon as a leader or play the part I did and try and find the Elements of Harmony; honestly I think I chose the better option." She said with a smile as he looked at her friends.
"Honestly before I died I had no real idea on how to rule, I was a scholar and scientist not a ruler but thanks to my mentors I was able to become a far better ruler and leader."
"At the cost of your own self." Discord said with a frown. "Twilight, you may be more capable and much more powerful but your time with your mentors nearly stripped you of everything that made you who you are." Discord said calmly.
Twilight shrugged. "Nothing is free, no matter what a sacrifice must be made or a price paid." Twilight countered. "Give me a few decades and I might be able to regain some of my individuality and personality."
Discord sighed. "I hope so; I knew who you would become but... I didn’t want this." He said with a sigh.
Twilight smiled. "I wish that I could have become the ruler I am now anther way too, from what I understand Chrysalis ruined everything." Twilight said. "She reeked of demonic corruption; I could smell it on her it was so potent." She said her eyes narrowing. "However the stench was worse from Celestia and when we last fought I smelled it so strong I almost confused her for one."
Discords eyes widened. "You think Celestia made a deal with them?"
Twilight looked out the window and watched as the city passed them by. "I don't know but if she did Luna had no knowledge of it as she has no trace of demonic taint."
Discord sighed. "Still bad but if we can warn Luna then we might be able to get answers sooner." Discord rubbed his eyes tiredly.
"So... are we talking demons like mythical demons or real living demons?" Pinkie asked in concern.
"Real flesh and blood demons." Twilight answered with a sigh. "I suppose that I should explain how the Eternal Empire actually came to be." She said sadly as she took a breath and looked at the occupants of the charge with an unreadable expression. "What I say here is never to be repeated, understand?" She asked coldly receiving nods from ever creature with her. Twilight sighed and nodded. "Long, long, long ago there existed a race that now is known as the Immortal..."