Far below Canterlot Castle there is a series of caves of crystals and shadows, a place of whispered legends and old secrets. Ponykind have always been drawn to that place beneath the mountains. Always drawn to both the resources and a pull they could never explain. By royal decree only the upper levels where ever explored and exploited, only the very edges of this subterran realm touched by civilization.
Or so scholars and historians tougth, until they day the diarchs showed them otherwise. For it was not by mere chance that the second capitol of Equestria was built where it was, balancing on the side of a great mountain. After all... The best place to hide something of infinite value is to put it where everyone knows where it is, yet none see the value it has.
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The twin court of the celestial diarchs is the heart of Equestria. For it is not only the seat of goverment for the greatest nation of the world, but also the holy capitol of its faith. Every word in this place is measured and recorded, every act and movement by the god rulers of a world is watched and acted upon. From the twin thrones is law of spirit and body made real and manifest.
All citizens of Equestria may petition the thrones, wether it be religious or law in nature or even merely advice. This is why and where our story begins.
"Dancing Brush of the royal university of Canterlot, unified sciences department. You may aproach the throne"
A nervous looking earth pony begins to walk upon the red carpet to the throne of day, licking his lips and fumbling his notes as he prepares for the most important moment in his life. To make a request to a goddess.
Upon the throne itself her royal highness Celestia, princess of Equestria and goddess of the sun smiles gently down at her subject. She has seen many like him before. Awed by being in the presence of all he has been raised to worship and be loyal to. Always they are nervous, always they require a gentle touch and a kind word to make things easier,
"Be welcome Dancing Brush, my little pony. All is well i hope?"
The stallion jumps. Startled by the gentle words, but gathers himself quickly and responds as best he can.
"T-thank you your highness, i am quite well and i hope this day finds you in a favourable condition aswell."
Celestia continues to smile gently at the stallion. "I am well proffesor. What request have you come to make of us?"
The stallion resumes fumbling with his pappers, trying to find the words to express his needs, and the needs of his colleagues. It takes a while before he manages to gather himself enough to voice his request.
"Your highness, i have been tasked by my friends and associates at the university to ask for a lift of the ban upon researching and pursuing the means to pass beyond the atmosphere. We feel this limitation placed upon us is crippling the sciences aswell as the spirit of science itself. It is well within our grasp to achieve this through various means, and i have brougth with me documented proof to show this. Please your highness, read what we have compiled for you and reconsider your stance on this!"
Celestia is no longer smilling. For a moment she is still upon her throne, simply watching the stallion before her with eyes that are far away, seeing things only she can see. Eventualy she speaks again, her voice as distant as her eyes as she responds.
"I have been expecting this day for years now Dancing Brush, always hoping it would not come at all. The ban on the subject you wish to pursue was placed there for a reason. A reason that neither i nor my sister have ever shared with ponykind. But also a reason that is no longer valid, having long since disapeared from what both me and my sister have seen. We have simply waited for you to take the first steps upon this road."
A sigh escapes the ruler of the day as she rises from her throne.
"Gather the best and the brigthest of your colleagues in all fields of study, both magical and mundane my little pony. Return to us in a months time from this day. There are things that both me and my sister have long kept from ponykind that you now need to hear, old secrets that you need to see and learn. Of a test mortal ponykind must take without our guidance."
As Celestia gathers the magic of the day around her, turning and facing the great window above the twin thrones a sad smiles crosses her lips. It is barely percievable through the bright light surounding the diarch of the day
"A test you must take on your own. And a choice you must make. Know this my little ponies, now that this door has opened it can never be shut again. As the creators willed it, so must it be. I must leave now with my sister to prepare what they left behind for you. In a months time we will see each other again." As the diarchs glow begins to fade, so does she, leaving behind a chain of mirror images as she fades into another place.
"I know this is sudden little ones, and that it causes you much confusion. But in this i have no choice. I must leave as i was ordered to do so long ago. Be strong while we are gone and do not despair. What is to come will be the culmination of eons of waiting and preparation."
And thus she fades away. Gone, leaving behind an empty throne and a room full of shocked and confused guards and dignitaries. For a long time the room is silent, until with a roar panic strikes the crowd.
And infront of the twin thrones, one very frigthened and confused university proffesor wonders what he did wrong.