After spending 4 years studying in their private school on Earth, Xul and all of her friends have graduated with honorable scholarships before they are transported to the Sectanium Homeworld of Sacreus via transport shuttle. As of now, Xul and her friends are now 19 years old when they all went their separate ways in supporting the Sectanium government.
As soon as they arrived at Sacreus, they find themselves in the Sectanium capital city of Krenthal. When they all looked at the windows of the shuttle they're in, they are all amazed to see a whole new world filled with tall, futuristic buildings and hovering spacecrafts flying in straight lines. Down below, they can see dark-red mists flowing below the moving spacecrafts. They could also see various, large landing platforms and balconies that allow the Sectaniums to safely land their spacecrafts and shuttles before letting the passengers enter or exit the buildings in front of them.
Up ahead, they are able to see the Sectanium Palace from a mile away. It was revealed to be a very tall citadel painted in a dark-red color . It also had towers that reach up to the sky. The citadel is surrounded by walls painted in black. Upon seeing the huge, wide tower in the middle, it had huge banners and flags bearing the emblem of the Sectanium Royal Family crest raised up high. The crest shows a black circle. Inside it, a yellow eye is seen at the top edge bellow the circle and two black blades clashing into each other at the bottom above the circle's edge.
After getting a good look at the Sectanium Palace, their shuttle passed it as it continued to drop-off Xul's and Pam's friends to their destinations. As soon as they got off the shuttle, Xul and Pam bid farewell to most of the their friends as they make their way back home to start another life in Sacreus. Though, they all still did their best to make contact with each other on social media and on the phone as they handed each other their contact information before they left.
For Xul and Pam, they both were sent to the palace barracks since they both enlisted themselves into the Sectanium Royal Army as fresh meat cadets. They want to join the army so that they can continue to help support their friend Vanista. Once they safely landed at the platform in front of the palace, a drill sergeant appeared before them. He is seen as a very tall 6ft Sectanium male officer wearing a green, military uniform and a tan cap who is hold both of his hands behind his back.
Xul and Pam aren't the only ones who enlist themselves to the army as cadets. In fact, about 1,000 cadets, including Trine and Dialuria have also came out from the other shuttles that have landed next to the one that Xul and Pam came out of. As soon as the cadets stood up straight, they hear a loud, introducing rant from the drill sergeant.
"ALL FRESH MEAT!! LISTEN UP!!!" The drill sergeant shouted out loud looking at the group of cadets sternly. "YOU ARE ALL NOW UNDER CUSTODY OF THE SECTANIUM ARMY. Are you really eager to become part of the Sectanium Leader's finest soldiers?"
Before anyone could answer, the drill sergeant makes a negative statement.
"NO!!! YOU LOWLY MAGGOTS HAVEN'T LEARNED ANYTHING YET!!! IF SO, YOU NEED TO IMPRESS ME BY FOLLOWING ORDERS WITHOUT QUESTION!! FOR THERE WILL BE NO EXCUSES!!! NO PARDONS!!! NO EXCEPTIONS!!! AND NO SLACKERS OR LAZY MAGGOTS!!! YOU WILL ONLY SPEAK WHEN SPOKEN TO!!!"
As the Drill sergeant walked past the first line of cadets, he turns to see Xul, Trine, Pam, and Dialuria standing tall at the edge of the line.
"You all better pay attention well, you big babies because YOU LOOK AWAY FROM ME WHEN I'M TALKING TO YOU AND I WILL RIP OUT BOTH OF YOUR EYES AND EAT THEM FOR BREAKFAST!!!!"
In one or two huffing and puffing, the drill sergeant continues to go over the rules inside the military barracks before he leads the Sectanium cadets inside the complex.
"Tomorrow, you will all start your basic training at the field. So, I want all of your asses ready before then. DISMISS!!!"
Startled by the rantings of the drill sergeant, the four Sectanium cadets went to their separate bunkers inside the sleeping quarters apart from each other. Throughout their basic training, Xul and her friends undergo a series of excruciating exercises for 25 days while wearing white t-shirts and black sweat pants as part of their cadet apparel. During that time, they all sweated like pigs under the hot weather of 100 degrees Fahrenheit while their training clothes get drenched in a sticky, wet stench. As much as Xul wanted to stop, she didn't because she wanted to impress her friend Vanista so that she will aid her in the future.
While on break, Xul went to another computer inside the military library to reestablish contact with Vanista and Hampt. After explaining to Vanista what she recently been through in military training, Xul learned that Van is now learning proper regal, etiquette and leadership by her mother, the Queen. For Hampt, he was personally taught by his father in how to handle politics and sociology with the other nobles his family was close to.
Unfortunately, Xul was also told by her friend that Vanista was receiving all sorts of cyberbulling and hate mail on her inbox for no apparent reason. For that matter, Vanista didn't bother with using social media anymore and deleted all of her online social accounts, except for one private account that she is currently using to stay in contact with Xul and Pam. It's a shame that Xul and Pam will not be seeing Van for awhile until they complete their military training in the Sectanium Army.
In the next 45 days of military exercises, Xul, Trine, and Dialuria undertake separate specialist training exercises.
Xul finally earned her place in the military as a covert ops infiltrator. At that time, she spent most of her life in that field doing stealth missions, sentry guard duties, undercover missions, and reconnaissance.
Trine and Dialuria went into an officer training program, in hopes of carrying out the command of the Sectanium Kingdom.
For Pam, she remained a soldier guarding the palace in which Princess Vanista currently lives in.
All at the same time, they learned how to shoot a gun, how to initiate hand-to-hand attacks, and how to defend themselves against anyone that threatens their people. By the time Vanista turned 18, she was taught how to use a sword and a gun in case anyone tried to threaten her up close and person. However, Vanista may not be able to fight very often since she is under the protection of Trine, Dialuria, Xul, and Pam.
After they finished their specialist and military training all four Sectanium army cadets are immediately called to the Sectanium Palace. As new soldiers guarding the palace in Krenthal, Xul and her fellow soldiers are seen wearing red guard uniforms. In addition, they have black combat armor vests, knee pads, and boots used for physical protection on the battlefield. For their armaments, they are all equipped with blaster rifles, handguns, and 4-inch combat knives.
As for Mrenix, Piulius, Fulkrim, and Quasi, they were able to show up at the palace after they graduated from a governmental university in another Sectanium city called Muressan. Mrenix became a researcher for developing weapons and technology for the Sectanium Government. Piulius became a court advisor in the palace. Fulkrim and Quasi became diplomats to help Vanista and her family carry out the peaceful trade between the other planets.
For Xul, she lived in an apartment close to the Sectanium Palace while spending most of her time responding to various missions in infiltrating enemy territory. So far, they mostly keep the peace so that Vanista can continue learning how to perform her Royal duties around the palace.
As soon as Van turned 26, and that Xul, Trine, Dialuria, and Pam all turned 27, Vanista's parents passed away. Their servants discovered that Van's mother and father had lung cancer after they came back from their trip in a gaseous planet called Hyantis. It turns out, they both accidentally inhaled a purple smoking vapor that contains painful chemicals that makes the victim unable to speak or breath in just 6 days, if left untreated. The only reason they arrived on Hyantis is because they want to see the new chemical resources that will be used to supply the fuel for their spaceships. Unfortunately, one of the resources collectors had an accident when carrying a crate full of purple gas in separate vials on board the Royal Family's personal shuttle. Van's parents died as soon as they got off their personal shuttle in front of the palace before the doctors even arrived.
It broke Van's heart for a few days before they hosted an indoor funeral at one of their chapels in Mt. Tillswerm, which is 200 miles east of Krenthal. As Van, her servants, her housemaids, and advisors are sitting down at their seats in front of the two coffins. Both of the coffins are seen with Sectanium Royal Insignias with brown wreaths placed on top of them. For Xul and the rest of the Sectanium Army officers and soldiers, they all stood at the right of the two coffins as they made ceremonial firing shots up into the sky.
In just four hours of ceremonial fire, the Sectanium soldiers are ordered to move to the rear of the seat rows and the crowd as the reverend makes his funeral speech in front of Vanista.
"Friends and Family, we are gathered here today to bid farewell to the King and Queen of the Sectanium's 6th Royal Family. We may miss them dearly, but their spirits will bless their daughter, heiress, and successor with the power of their royal lineage. With them gone, King Drasilius Rantu and Queen Miguelia Rantu have joined with their holy ancestors and their predecessors. It may be heartbreaking, but their deaths will not be in vain for we will remain strong and superior. We will honor them both by carrying on their royal legacy without anymore grief. Let us pray for a new era with our one and only heir to the throne."
After making his speech, the reverend leads Princess Vanista to her parents' coffins as she placed a bouquet of flowers in-between them.
"Mom. Dad!" Vanista said, as tears came down her eyes. "Thank you for everything. I'll do my best to help the very same kingdom you all worked so hard for stay strong in years to come."
As she closed her eyes, Vanista placed the bouquet in front of her father's coffin before they buried it and her mother's coffin 6 feet underneath the grey soil.
After both of the coffins disappear into the ground, Vanista turned to Xul and Pam, still crying in silence.
"Xul. Pam. Please, help me!!!"
One year after the funeral of Vanista's parents, they uphold a coronation for the new ruler of the Sectanium Kingdom. They all now address her as Queen Vanista. At the start of her first royal decrees, Vanista, who is now 28 years old, went back to Earth to help maintain and enforce the trade between the humans and the Sectaniums. Unfortunately, it didn't end the way she wanted it too as the humans are still hurling discriminating insults at Vanista and her fellow Sectanium Nobles.
It turns out that after her parents died, the humans put an end to the trade between them and the Sectanium race, much to Vanista's grief. They made lies that the goods the Sectanium offered are tainted with their diverse skin color. It wasn't the least of her worries, they told Vanista that their investments on Earth have all went bankrupt due to several riots that destroyed most of the Sectanium facilities and education centers all around the planet. The humans on Earth thought that they are finally free from the cruel grip of the Sectaniums, despite Vanista protesting that they aren't evil. Not listening to any of her speeches, they threw rocks at Vanista, forcing her to leave Earth in disgrace. In fact, all of the Sectanium immigrants are forced to leave Earth ever since their secure trade routes from Secreus has been terminated.
Back at the palace in Secreus, Vanista is also notified by Trine, Hampt, and the rest of her advisors that the peaceful trades that functioned for past generations with the other alien races have been shut down immediately after learning of the death of her parents. Worse, the other alien races thought that Van was too young and not regal enough to carry out her mother and father's will. Instead, the other races are taking advantage this by attacking and forcefully driving out all the other Sectaniums that migrated on their home planets much to her frustration, even Xul's and Pam's families are driven out from their homes on Earth.
In fact, the other Sectaniums are also being discriminated against by the humans and the neighboring alien races for reasons that Vanista didn't understand. It's just like during her childhood days all over again, except that it's not just their skin color, it was the heavy economic cost that led her to get overwhelmed by such political problems. Vanista tried other ways to help her rebuild her peaceful relationship with the alien races. She even tried to offer them resources that her people haven't used yet and food crates that aren't shipped when they were already harvested and secured for storage. Unfortunately, about 100 alien races all over the Rambton Galaxy, in which Secreus is in, have denied Vanista's request.
Outraged by such a heavy rejection, Vanista was breaking down over and over again for not being able to carry her mother and father's legacy. For Xul and Pam, they both tried desperately to convince Vanista that there is always more methods to try when resolving the lack of trading between planets; they still have rich economy in their planet that they can still use.
However, after one year of harvesting resources in Secreus without reestablishing anymore interstellar trade, most of the Sectaniums are suffering from a great deal of sickness and death for they could not create medicine and good drugs without the resources they needed from earth and the other planets they used to conduct trades with before they were forced to shut down; this was also the real reason why Vanista's parents and her ancestors tried every method to keep their trade routes intact for a very long time. It turns out that they trade some of their resources to other planets for the materials they need to develop medicine over the years.
All of the ponies, Zeck, Chmone, Derek, and Sonja were all astonished by such an unseen consequence that the Sectanium Race was forced to bear. In a moment of silence, Celestia stood up to Xul before clarifying what she and Vanista have been through.
"So, let me get this straight. Ever since her parents died and that she ascended the throne as their ruler, Vanista was already falling apart in her royal duties before it even started, all because they lost their peaceful trade rights with the other planets leading to a plague that is destroying their planet from within?!" Celestia said, trying to summarize what Xul is saying in her side of the story.
"Because Vanista was still young at the time of her coronation and that she didn't finish all of her regal lessons from her parents before they died from sickness, every creature other than us Sectaniums thought she was weak and inexperienced!!" Pam said, making everyone other than Xul even more shocked.
"Well, they did say that Vanista's Royal Family have already maintained their trade to gain resources for over the past 8 generations. I mean, we already provide Earth and other planets our food and water in exchange for medicinal herbs and medication. During that time, we used all of their traded goods to create our own medicinal drugs to help suppress the unknown plague that occurred ever since the first age of the Sectanium Race." Xul added in. "Now that all of our trading rights have been stripped of by our former vendors out of racial prejudice, Vanista did the unthinkable. In fact, what she did changed our entire alien race forever."
Just when all hope for Vanista seems lost, she kept hearing dark sinister voices every time she slept in her royal chambers. They are telling her that there is another power source that can help the Sectanium Race maintain their superiority. Eventually one night, Van finally got out of bed and followed the mysterious voice while walking through hallways alone.
During that same night, Xul, Trine, and Pam, who are all on guard duty, saw Vanista, who is now wearing a sleeveless nightwear, inside the same palace hallways.
"Uh, Van. Are you okay?!" Xul asked, feeling concerned for her troubled Queen.
Not giving Xul an answer, she ignored her as kept walking through the hallway and going down the stairs until suddenly, Van spots a brick wall with a floor panel in front of it, which has a big yellow eye design on top of.
Press the panel, Queen Vanista.
The omnious voice spoke inside Van's head. In a sudden response, Van stepped on top of the floor panel as the brick wall in front of her opened up, surprising both Xul and Pam.
After the brick wall made an opening, a dark cavernous passageway has been revealed with a line of torches hanging on the left. As Van grabbed one torch nearby, she head down before the other could follow her from behind.
"Van, wait up!!" Xul called out to her as she tripped over a few rocks.
Immediately, Xul fell down first down the passageway with Trine and Pam following her carefully.
"Xul, are you okay?!" Pam said, showing concern for her Sectanium friend.
"Uh guys, what is that??" Trine asked as he sees something huge, glowing in an ominous red light in front of Vanista.
Just as Pam helped Xul on her feet, they both see what Trine and Van are seeing right now. Xul's eyes widened with a horrified feeling that she sees something that will change the lives of the Sectanium race forever. For Vanista, she hears the same dark voice that led her into this dark area of the palace, this time the voice became stronger as she is standing in front of its main source.
Vanista, please. Let us help you carry on your duties as Empress!!! Let us help you save your planet from suffering!!! Let us help you get your revenge on those that made you suffer when outside of your homeworld.