Celestia knew something was wrong in Rikuma.
When she first arrived, citizens were amazed in her presence, and eager to see her up close. Now, however, many seemed on-edge around her, and avoided her.
The secret tension between the emperor and the shogun was obvious, and it was affecting the kirin.
What could she do, though?
She was just a visitor.
Nevertheless, she had to find out what was going on. Her curious nature insisted that she at least try to get to the bottom of things and offer advice.
After the trading agreement was finalized, and while she was making plans to leave, Celestia mentally prepared her question. The tea she drank with the emperor that day seemed to have less flavor, and she struggled to keep on a smile.
“Sun Princess, what worries you?” Emperor Umi asked through his translator.
Celestia remained silent momentarily.
Gathering her courage, she put down her teacup and admitted, “Emperor, I am most honored to be your guest, but now that I am leaving, I feel that I must… ask a question that may be too political for a guest.”
Emperor Umi listened to the translators, and his face became grave.
“You are wondering about the shogun, aren’t you?” He asked through translators.
Celestia nodded slowly.
“Yes, I am. Does that anger you? You needn’t tell me if you think I shouldn’t know.”
Emperor Umi sighed and slowly shook his head.
“It is nothing personal. The shogun does not agree with my decision to modernize the nation. Many of the social and industrial reforms I instituted he opposes, and many of the daimyo agree with him.
And… yes: having foreigners here does offend him. My father reigned in this land for more than five centuries before he died of old age. I watched what his decisions did to the nation, and wished to change the tides for the future. I've only reigned for a decade myself, and am only in my third decade of life, but even with gradual changes, the people are disturbed by the sight. Perhaps I tried too quickly.”
Celestia nodded with a sympathetic look in her eyes.
"I didn't realize you were that young, Emperor Umi. You are very brave to change so much in such a short time."
Indeed, Celestia assumed he was at least a century old. Not so. Of course, she barely interacted with anything Kirin-like at all. She was a poor judge of age for this species, and the Emperor's golden beard made him look like an ancient, wise sage to Celestia.
"Thank you. Whenever change comes, it tends to be quick. Even the flower buds on the trees speedily die in springtime. I know my ideals upset many traditions and elders, but if the nation is to have a brighter future, something must be done today."
“Though Equestria is modernized and has no ill-will toward foreigners, there are still those in higher institutions who do not trust outsiders easily. Even we have our 'elders' who look down on new ideas, no matter how small that idea may be. Change is hard for any nation, Emperor. Do not feel hopeless. Surely, in time, the people will relax, when they see your sincerity and care. Perhaps one day I’ll face a similar situation to you, and have to urge my creatures in a new direction. I suppose it’s best I’m leaving now; the sooner I leave, the less tension you must deal with.”
“Indeed, it is best you leave now, but your visit has been an honor, and I hope we may meet like this again one day, when the shogun agrees with me.”
“I hope so too, Emperor Umi.”
In time, Celestia was flying away on her vessel, watching Rikuma’s land fade away on the horizon.
In her heart, she had a vague sense of something terrible about to happen.
Her gentle heart longed to make some arrangement or meeting, and calmly settle this matter for her new ally. However, this was not Equestria. She had no authority here, and no sway. Unfortunately, all she could do was hope for the best, and keep her fake smile on her face.
SEPTEMBER 12TH, 1012 SE
A few days after Celestia left Rikuma, it all snapped.
In the country towns, where farmers were gathering in their fields, fire struck. Sudden, wide explosions burst into the fields, burning the crops. The farmers hurried, desperately using anything they could to put out the fires. Kirin are creatures with strong fire magic. Hardly any had the capability to use water magic. Here, in the farmlands, where creatures were down-to-earth and didn't study sorcery, they were very, very vulnerable. Their own bodies could withstand much heat, but not their plants. While the farmers galloped around with buckets and wet towels, the attackers slipped into the villages, burning the buildings directly. The farmers turned, and saw cloaked figures with strange, mechanical devices on their curved horns, which amplified their magic. The farmers tried to fight back, but they were shot down, killed instantly by powerful lasers, explosions, and curses. By nightfall, twenty different villages scattered across the main island were in ashes. The survivors ran, wailing and screaming.
News spread fast, and a few days later, Emperor Umi met with the shogun and his daimyo. The Kirin leaders all gave their accounts of strange bandits using Equestrian-style weapons on their horns. Citizens were terrified and outraged, demanding something be done about the foreign threat.
The daimyo also demanded that the emperor give an explanation. After all, it was Emperor Umi who let the foreigners in.
"I will contact the Princess of the Sun and demand her answer," Emperor Umi informed them with a slow nod.
"Good. The damage is already done, however. Our Kirin beg for safety, and reassurance. Can you promise this will never happen again?" Shogun Kage asked calmly.
"No. I cannot control what bandits choose to use. You are the head of the military. You must organize your forces and prepare them. I give you full authority to use whatever force necessary," Emperor Umi said with a firm flick of his long, lion-like tail.
"What forces, My Lord? You destroyed the Feudal system, remember?" Shogun Kage snorted.
Emperor Umi stiffened slightly. He remained serene as he could, but in his mind, he knew where this was going. A cold dread came over his heart.
"We discussed this before. This matter is settled," Emperor Umi said firmly.
"And now you see the error of your ways. What forces do I have, My Emperor?" Shogun Kage rebuttled with a flick of his own tail.
"You have many, many forces, Shogun. What you currently lack are slaves."
"Workers."
"... Apologies. Workers bound to a system that was hindering their futures. Yes, this is a hard change, I understand, but it is for the good of the future generations."
"At a time like this, My Lord, do such lofty ideals have a place? Do you not see how practical such a system is now?"
"It was practical for a time, but this is a new age. We are all descendants of Dragons, and thus should all be given equal dignity. We all have a mighty flame within us, if we nurture it. We all must seek to nurture our children, and ourselves. This is how a nation shall become mighty. Seek out your villages, and instead of lording over them, find ways to teach them how to utilize their own might. In time, everybeast in this nation will be a threat to all bandits. Surely you find this system is much better, is it not?" Emperor Umi replied calmly.
The Daimyo looked at each other quietly, and Shogun Kage closed his eyes.
Emperor Umi knew Shogun Kage too well. This beast didn't care about the military. He cared about control. He was a creature of pride, and vanity. He did not want to see any other way of ruling. Furthermore, all the other Daimyo were surely with him. After all, they lost their feudal rights too. Surely each one of them was seething, eager to get his economic and military control back. Umi knew his words were falling on deaf ears.
"My Lord Emperor, you are quite wise, but this is not the time to teach ignorant peasants new skills. Your reforms were too fast, and too short-sighted. Now, we have a threat to the nation, and you brought it upon us. Perhaps, soon, these assassins will come for you. What will you do then, against foreign contraptions you do not understand?" Shogun Kage politely asked.
Now, the daimyo were all whispering to each other, looking to the emperor. Emperor Umi took in a deep breath. Though he remained serene, in his mind he felt himself being led into a trap.
Emperor Umi stood up, and his tail and mane billowed out like water around him.
"I am of the divine line. I look to the future and the past equally, and do NOT make hasty decisions. Yes, there will be consequences and side-effects of my changes, but it is for the good of all. One day, you will see the blessings that will come, and you will understand. For now, do as I say and protect your lands."
Shogun Kage slowly stood up. With a deep, fake respect, he remarked, "As your Shogun, it is my duty to protect. This is true. I believe, for your own protection, My Lord, we should surround your grand palace, and search the city for foreign influences."
Umi's fur and scales crawled. He was falling into the trap, and couldn't see a way out.
"As your emperor, I order you to focus on the outlying villages. I am capable of defending myself. Do you suggest I am weak? Do you go against my authority?"
"No, My Lord. Not magically weak. Nobeast could come close to your power... still... you DID give me full authority just now, did you not? Do you go against my authority?" Kage said, taking a step closer.
Umi stiffened. His own words had sealed the trap. By now, all the daimyo were standing up in the room, with cold, determined looks.
"...So? Do you challenge us to battle? Or will you calmly let us protect you... as is our sworn duty?" Kage said in an icy tone.
Umi looked away. His yellow mane billowed around him, flowing steadily as he contemplated his answer.
No. He would not fight. Though he had the power to make the sea rage and wash away the whole island, he wouldn't fight. He was a creature of principle, and he was determined to never use magic against his own people. After all, he was their emperor. It was his sworn duty to protect them.
No. He wouldn't fight. He was trapped. Kage knew it.
"...Very well, Shogun. You win."
The palace was soon overrun by the many daimyo and their fiercest soldiers. Emperor Umi had to order his private guards to stand down, and before everyone in the palace, Shogun Kage clasped chains and shackles on the great Emperor of the Sea. Umi coughed. The magic-stifling jade made his mind reel, and he felt like he was only a third of himself. Everyone watched as the mighty emperor coughed and wheezed, and his mane and tail stopped flowing. It was as if a ship was lost at sea, with no wind in its sails anymore. Empress Asuka gasped, and her heart raced. Her young son hid behind her, watching his father be jerked and pulled away, far, far away to a dungeon. Shogun Kage made the empress and her son watch, while the emperor was tightly locked away.
"The emperor has failed his duty. He is not worthy of service... but perhaps his son will be a better ruler," Shogun Kage remarked, looking to the young Kirin behind Asuka.
Asuka gulped, glancing to her son.
She knew they were trapped.
That evening, Empress Asuka called for one of her maidens.
"Y-you want me to what?" The young servant gulped.
"Do it. No arguing. I must stay with my son, and my emperor. Please, take the tunnels, before the shogun seals them."
The servant nodded, and fled. She had a mission, and it was the only hope Asuka had of saving her husband and son.
Outside the palace, the word spread fast, and the citizens were confused and bewhildered.
Echoing the emperor's defeat, the waves died down, and the sea around Rikuma became still.