Chapter Seventeen: Twilight’s Vigil
Celestia walked around the bustling worksite. It had been a month since her people had crashed upon the world known as Odessen. Some of the ponies had decided to rebuild their life, that travelling on this mission was too dangerous. Others wanted to be by their loved ones who had died in the crash. She honored and respected their decision and M1-4X offered to stay behind to protect the new colony.
Rex happened to be nearby and saw Celestia observing. He walked up to her and said. "There's been a few setbacks but it looks like we're moving forward fine ma'am."
“Good morning Rex.” Celestia said looking at him before laughing. “How are you doing and how are Tech’s classes doing?”
"I feel like I was never injured! Tech was having difficulties with the computers at first because well...you know. He designed special machines suited for your people and some of them have been picking up fairly quickly. Especially Hallow Glow, not sure if that surprises you or not." Rex said as he sat down. Celestia tried not to roll her eyes but she let out a little sigh saying. “I am not, I am just surprised it took her longer than she did to realize you weren’t ponies. Even longer for General Skywalker. I am just wondering what is taking up a lot of her time lately.”
Rex laughed as he said. "Tech told me that she said she was working on a 'special project'. Didn't say what it was though."
“It does get me worried, her ‘special projects’ normally involve: magical chains that when attached to any person or object and bound to the user. If the person or pony is teleported or attempted to move, the object will either teleport with them or prevent them from moving. No matter how light the object originally was.” Celestia kept the frustration out of her voice. “Useful as is, it normally prevents me from getting her away from said object. I think last year she was attempting to create a necklace that held a spell in it but she never got it to work fully.”
Rex laughed again saying. "Well, at least she's in good spirits. From what Tech has said she's a good influence on the class. From what you're telling me though I am almost surprised."
“Well the class must be intriguing enough for her. She dropped out of my own school due to boredom, it wasn’t that the curriculum wasn’t good enough for her, it was that nothing caught her attention. She likes to work on her own projects, practice what she learned in everyday life… with the way the school was she decided it wasn’t for her. Her sisters went with her and they have been doing their own thing since.” Celestia spoke with a fondness in her voice. “She used to skip class just to explore under the school in the caves beneath it, the first time she actually had me go and find her. It was one of the few adventures I had before Luna was released.”
"Celestia!!!" A panicked Anakin yelled as he ran up to her, catching his breath. Celestia turned her head asking. “What is it General Skywalker?”
"It's Hallow Glow, we can't find her anywhere and what's more, Tech can't find some important equipment he took a week working on for the ship." Anakin answered quickly. "I tried using Teeseven's scanners but...nothing."
“The Potion of Shadows.” sighed Celestia before getting an idea. “Locate the Forge. Hallow Glow is probably near the location.”
"Are you sure?" Anakin asked cautiously. "We've spent enough time on this planet that we can't afford much time for a search party. The Empire could find us any minute. Though at the same time...if she has the equipment for some reason…"
“S’cuse me, coming through.” Hallow Glow said as she walked in between them carrying a few more things from the bunker. “Cybertech is really hard, but Master Wilwool said that it does help with advancing and enhancing items. Sorry, didn’t mean to step on your hoof.”
"Wait, Hallow Glow? Where were you?! And do you have Tech's equipment?" Anakin asked, his arms folded in frustration. Hallow Glow looked at him saying. “The workshop and Tech’s equipment, you could always ask Discord. If it was misplaced check with him, now if you will excuse me there is a spell that I want to try and a few other things.”
"Hold it!" Anakin shouted, trying to keep her still. "I have a feeling you're not telling everything. You do realize that Discord was the first person we checked because those two have been working closely together? I have a hunch you know where it is."
Hallow Glow rolled her eyes before projecting a map of the area saying. “Look, the last time I worked with that it was in the designated area. Here, I put it right back where it was. That was yesterday, I have been working on my own project this whole time. Well two projects, figuring out how to get the Forge to work while we are in space and something else that doesn’t really require Tech’s… tech. It’s more of low level enchanting. Trust me, I know how hard it is to find things when they are moved slightly so I put it back exactly where it was.”
"Don't you know…" Anakin couldn't finish his sentence as he buried his face in his hand. "Princess, she's all yours. I need to get back to Tech."
“Calm yourself Anakin.” Celestia said placing her wing on Anakin’s shoulder. “Did you have Discord try summoning it?”
"Yeah nothing. Though if Hallow Glow is telling the truth then it shouldn't be a problem finding it...I hope." Anakin said as he gave a wave and ran off. Celestia looked at Hallow Glow who just shrugged before walking away. Celestia let out another sigh as she shook her head. “I am hoping the ship is finished soon.”
"General Skywalker is too. He's been antsy ever since the day we discovered the droids and the Noetikons. I must admit, his hunches tend to be more right than wrong. We need to get out of here incase the Empire finds us." Rex said, placing a hand on Celestia's back. Celestia glanced up at him saying. “These ponies are still under my protection… perhaps leaving is better. After all this planet has not been on the Empire’s radar before and I will make sure it stays that way.”
Rex nodded as he said. "I'm with you."
“Well I have good news and I have chaotic news.” Discord said appearing above them. “Which do you want to hear first?”
“How about the chaotic news first.” Celestia told him and Discord held up a normal looking bag saying. “Well I found the Hyperdrive Core Component, in this. This bag has a pocket dimension within it! So when I meant to bring the core component to me I kept getting this bag! Tech is happy to have finished the hyperdrive. Which brings me to the good news! The ship is nearly completed, a few more things to do and we can leave within the next few days.”
“That’s good news.” Rex said as Celestia took the bag and examined it. “Is something the matter?”
“Another example of one of Hallow Glow’s projects. I will return it to her.” answered Celestia as she looked at Rex. “We should see how the others are doing with the ship this close to completion. The Pegasi should be back from their scouting parties soon. They were looking for areas that those who wish to remain can live. We do not wish for the Empire to find this base and the secrets that lie within. I cannot let another incident like what happened to Equestria happen again.”
“Just a few more days.” Rex said as they came to the area where the ship was being built. “Where is he getting all this metal from?”
“He said he couldn’t create it without risking it dissolving if his power weakens again. He can make smaller objects and they last but he doesn’t want to risk it until he is back at full strength. I believe he is merely salvaging them from ships that are no longer in use and changing the structure of them to match. It is much more permanent and with Hallow Glow enchanting them to be stronger we should have a better chance.” Celestia placed her hoof against the hull. “I wish we can save the others, what the Empire is doing to Equestria, to my people… Twilight should have known I would have stayed. Luna would have stayed.”
“Your people needed a leader and Twilight knew that both of you would be able to keep the peace. She made the best decision from the worst case scenario.” Rex comforted her and Celestia nodded her head. “Even without all the pieces she made the best decision and it is my honor to work beside you.”
“Thank you Rex.” Celestia smiled before they turned away to find out what the scouts have learned.
The days passed too quickly for Celestia’s liking, she had thought it was because her sister and herself were no longer raising the sun and moon. Luna continued her duties to watch over the dreams, though her duties have grown she still performed them. Celestia looked at the ship as Discord sat on top saying. “I must say we have really outdone ourselves. Not only is it bigger and it has more room, but we have several hangers bay, more med bays, storage space, an arboretum, galley, school rooms, armories, housing, library, an area for the Forge, a war room, throne room, saloon, bar, pools, workshops, training rooms, and the Promenade. Also plenty of weaponry for any kinds of attacks. Though not all of them have been full tested. All that is left is the name. I was going to name it but Fluttershy said to leave that to you.”
Celestia nodded her head before flying on top of the ship looking at the ponies gathered around. She took a deep breath summoning her Royal Canterlot Voice before saying loudly. “Citizens of Equestria, friends both new and old, I thank you for your work for this month. I know many of you have chosen to stay and I respect that choice. You have chosen to leave my protection and have entered the protection of M1-4X who will become a teacher and a guide until you know for certain that you can defend yourself. All that I ask is that you take your own step forward and do not rely on him. From this day I hereby name this a colony of Equestria under the leadership of Governor Silver Shine.”
The ponies looked to an older stallion as he bowed his head. He had been the first to ask Celestia to stay as his wife had died in the crash and he wanted to be by her in the end. Silver Shine had created a support group for all of those in grieving and had shown great leadership. Celestia bowed her head as well before using her magic to open the doors of the ship continuing. “As for those who wish to continue, I welcome you aboard Twilight's Vigil. To honor her memory and to remember that she watches over us always.”
The ponies’ hooves hit that ground as they began to applaud. They began to file into the ship as Luna landed next to Celestia who asked quietly. “Am I doing the right thing? We could stay….”
“Sister, if we stay then we put them in danger. We do not know if they can track us and if they can, by leaving, we are protecting them.” Luna assured her as they teleported onto the bridge. Anakin was already there with the specially chosen bridge crew. Ponies who showed talent in piloting and working the controls, among them was Nova Explorer and a familiar mail pegasus with her eyes slightly crossed. They all turned to Celestia and saluted her as she stood next to Anakin.
“Is everyone aboard?” Anakin asked, a pony replying. “Almost sir, just a few more left saying their farewells to the colonists. When they are on board we will wait for them to get clear before we take off.”
“Thank you Fire Streak.” the pegasus nodded his head when Anakin spoke as he turned his attention back to the screen. “The rest of the ponies are on board.”
“Colonist have moved away and are heading to the location where the new village will be.” a purple pegasus mare spoke up. “We are clear for takeoff.”
“Proceed.” Celestia ordered watching as the ponies got to work, she felt the ship shake as it began to lift off the ground. When they cleared the trees the ship moved forward gaining altitude until the sky went from blue to black. Stars gracing them with their presence.
“We have cleared orbit.” Nova Explorer informed them. “Do you have a destination in mind?”
“We have a whole galaxy before us. We shall explore, after all we do not have a chart yet. Discord will only unlock that when we are in danger.” Celestia said her wings flaring as Discord appeared next to her. “Let us spread our wings and take flight.”
“Yes princess!” the bridge crew cheered as the Twilight’s Vigil took her first voyage away from Odessen.
The Emperor moved forward marvelling in the success standing in front of him. A mechanical creature with harsh gold eyes and skin underneath a mask. The eyes glared at him as Palpatine spoke. “General Grievous, your mission is not yet done. Find Skywalker and bring him to me.”
“You made a mistake bringing me back.” Grievous moved to strike the Emperor but his hand stopped mere inches from his face. A wicked smile grew as the Emperor cackled. “You cannot harm me, as long as you are bound to that body you will do exactly as I say. Now find Skywalker and the creatures he hides amongst. Bring him and their leaders to me.”
Grievous growled before storming off seething. If he could not harm the Emperor he would take his vengeance out on the Jedi.