//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: A Statement // Story: Movements of the Past // by RJ17Boy //------------------------------// It has been three days since Twilight Sparkle’s coronation was held and in those three days, celebration occurred. Feasts were held with delicacies from all over Equestria lining across the room. Activities, ranging from dancing to games and gossip, went on throughout the castle. Fireworks went off every hour, illuminating the sky with an array of lights, leaving all who saw in awe. Ponies from all walks of life attended these events, forming bonds that would last a lifetime, so long as the universe permitted it. As for Twilight, not only did she attend these festivities with her friends, she learned some basic lessons on the royal courts and proper etiquette from the princesses themselves. She also attended a private flying lesson with the best flyers in Equestria: the Wonderbolts. Being a good friend, she allowed Rainbow Dash to attend this lesson and couldn’t help but snicker every time she freak out over hanging with her idols. Alas, these times were coming to an end, and the responsibilities of royalty would soon be putting Twilight to the test. It was dark out as the princesses stood near the back of the throne room in their elegant outfits. The room was littered with decorations, once enhancing its appearance, that now detract from the beauty of the grand room. The last of the guests had left moments ago and preparations for cleaning the castle were about to begin. “I can’t believe I’m about to say this” Cadence said, “but I’m glad that the celebrations are over.” “Are you kidding me?” Twilight said in disbelief. “I wish this celebration would last another day or two! I mean the food, the music, and the games. All of it was spectacular!” “Perhaps” Luna implied, “but it’s better to end an event on a high note rather than dragging it out and end on a sour one. Besides, most of our staff is exhausted after three days of work, and I think they deserve a break sooner rather than later.” “I suppose your right” Twilight conceded as staff entered the room and began cleaning. Most of the staff tried to look professional as they did their job, but it was clear to everypony that they were running on fumes. Twilight wanted to help and was about to volunteer when Celestia addressed her. “We’re so proud of you and what you’ve been able to accomplish” she said in an enthusiastic tone. “I’ve taught many students as I’ve ruled over these lands, and while many of them were superb, none were as good as you.” Twilight began to blush. Luna chuckled. “That’s nothing to be embarrassed about dear. To be deemed worthy of being a princess is an honor. The qualifications of such a title are high and very few are able to meet those requirements.” “I know” Twilight replied. “It’s just, the thought of… being a princess. It never came across my mind until you, Celestia, made me one.” “I see” Celestia acknowledged. “But that only makes you more worthy of being one.” Twilight looked at Celestia in confusion. “But-” “Ponies who do tasks in order to rise in the ranks” Celestia explained, “are not as worthy as those who do so out of selflessness. You may have done something’s because I asked you to yes, but you have done so many more for the sake knowledge and out of selflessness. While many stood idly by, you went out and did something.” A small smile broke on Twilight’s face. “But I’ve made so many mistakes, and I still don’t know nearly as much as you three do.” “As your former foal sitter” Cadence said, “I watched you grow up and learn so many things with joy and ease while others cringed and struggled. From what the others have told me, you still possess that same attitude. I think we can all agree that you should have no problem learning about the many new things you’ll encounter.” “Regarding your past mistakes” Luna said, “I wouldn’t worry too much about them. We’re all bound to make mistakes at some point or another. What’s important is not that you make a mistake or two, but that you’re learned from them.” “Your letters are proof that you are learning from your mistakes” Celestia said, “and so long as you continue to do so, you are worthy of your rank.” Twilight looked like she was about to cry. Their reassurance was comforting to her and while she didn’t feel fully worthy of her new position, she could understand why she was there. As the staff continued to clean the room, the massive golden doors opened revealing a royal guard. “Princess Celestia” she said as she galloped towards the princesses. Her sudden appearance caught almost everypony off-guard including the princesses. As the princesses turned their focus on the guard, she saluted them and said, “Ambassador Griffonsworth is here to speak with you.” “Really?” Celestia questioned. “She’s not supposed to come back for another six months. Not that it’s necessarily a bad thing of course.” She looked at Twilight who was attempting to comprehend what the significance of an event like this was. “Perhaps we can test some of your societal skills and let you learn the art of diplomacy at the same time.” Twilight nodded in agreement. She then addressed the guard. “Send her in.” The guard shook her head. “She wishes to speak to you and you alone princess.” The princesses looked at each other with confusion at the request. Normally, diplomats would rather have the company of a small audience and other leaders, so such a request was unusual, especially from an ally. “Did she say why she wanted to speak to her alone?” Luna asked as the last of the cleaning staff slowly left the room. “No princess” the guard replied. “Just that she requires Celestia’s attention as soon as she’s available.” An uneasy feeling began to fill the air as the princesses tried to figure out what this could mean. “I see” Celestia said. “Where is she now?” “At the city entrance princess. We offered to escort her to the castle, but she insisted that she stay outside the city.” Such behavior was unusual from an ordinary citizen, but a high ranking official doing so was especially out of the ordinary. Celestia though about this for a moment. “Go on ahead and tell her I’ll be on my way.” “Yes princess” the guard replied. “Do you want your guards waiting for you?” Celestia shook her head. “That won’t be necessary.” The guard saluted her once again before heading out of the room. Silence filled the room as the princesses struggled to interpret what all of this was supposed to mean. Never before has a diplomat made such a request. Even diplomats from countries that have poor relationships with Equestria have not made such notions before. “Do you think she’s up to something?” Cadence asked as the silence dragged on. “She visited the Crystal Empire a few weeks ago and she wasn’t acting like this.” “I don’t think she’s up to anything mischievous” Celestia replied. “She’s helped improve our relationship with the Griffon Kingdom in recent years. It wouldn’t make sense for her to suddenly ruin the relationship she’s worked so hard to build up.” “Still” Luna said, “why would she want a private talk? If she wants to have an honest conversation, she should want to talk to all of us.” Celestia shrugged. “We’ll just have to ask her ourselves, or at least I need to ask her that.” The room once again fell silent as Celestia waited for any other comments from the princesses. When none came, she said, “Well, guess I better talk to her and see what she wants.” “Yea” Twilight said in a concerned voice. “Hope things go well.” Celestia chuckled. “Don’t worry about me. I may be over a thousand years old, but I can hold my own if I have to.” “*cough*Changelings*cough*” Cadence said as she remembered what happened to Celestia on the day of her wedding. Celestia acted as if she didn’t hear that. “Why don’t you two go over with Twilight some of the things we’ve taught her while I’m gone, you know, just to make sure she hasn’t forgotten anything?” Twilight shrugged. “I see no harm in it” she said. “Just don’t keep us waiting all night if you don’t have to” Luna inquired. “I don’t want to stay in here all night only to learn you did something other than talk politics with Griffonsworth.” Celestia laughed. “Not likely to happen.” She started to walk out of the room when she shouted, “Don’t have too much fun while I’m gone ok?” The golden doors closed shut behind her leaving behind the three princesses in the towering room. While the city was a dominant landmark by day, the moonlight made Canterlot a spectacle to behold. The city lights shined on the classic buildings allowing each structure to illuminate its own shade of color. While the view should have been chaotic, the colors somehow manage to organize together and create a beautiful collage that stimulated the eyes. The castle, however, was a separate jewel from the city. Even though little light was directed at the castle, it seemed to illuminate the city in its own magical light and could have been mistaken as being separate from the city entirely. Many have tried to recreate this feat, but no one was able to pull it off the same way the castle was able to. Celestia walked down the city streets as she recalled the history of the buildings around her. She has been impressed with how much change has happened over the years and can only imagine what changes will come in the following years. The city contains many memories as she recalls the various acts leading to kindness, deception, and sadness as she took each step. Occasionally, these thoughts become unbearable, but she learned how to cope with these emotions, and has acted like nothing has happened. The city entrance got closer and closer as one hoof walked in front of the other. All that was there was a wooden guard post on either side of the road, a crossing gate in front of each post, and a guard stationed inside. As she walked across the stone arch bridge just before the entrance, she saw a large feathered creature waiting by the gate. She could see that it had large yellow talons, a muscular body, a brown bag strapped around its shoulders, and massive wings on its back. While the feathers on its body were brown, the ones on its head were greyish white which showed that the creature was beginning to age. When the creature turned its head, it revealed a large yellow beak with brown eyes that were surrounded with yellow eyelids that were slightly darker than its beak. “Ambassador Griffonsworth” Celestia said to the creature as if it were an old friend she hadn’t seen in a while. “Princess Celestia” Griffonsworth replied in a similar fashion. Her voice had a slight grittiness to it that the princess was all too familiar with ever since she took over as diplomat for her country so many years ago. “I’m glad you could arrive so quickly on such short notice. Sorry I couldn’t give you a warning earlier. Everything happened on such short notice that I didn’t have time to send you a letter.” Celestia chuckled as they stood on opposite sides of the gate. “Don’t worry about it. A friend of mine is always welcomed no matter the circumstances.” “Thanks.” “Why don’t you come with me to the castle and talk over some tea and snacks?” Celestia insisted. “You must be tired after your long trip and it’s only appropriate that I treat you well.” Griffonsworth shook her head. “That won’t be necessary. I appreciate your hospitality, but I don’t plan on staying here very long. If anything, I’m taking way too long as it is right now.” Celestia looked surprised. “I see” she insisted despite the confusion surrounding her mind. “So, what business does the Griffon Kingdom have to discuss with Equestria?” “I’m not acting as ambassador for the Griffon Kingdom on this trip” Griffonsworth said catching the ruler of Equestria off-guard. “I act as ambassador- well, more like courier really- for the Fifth Legion.” “The Fifth Legion?” Celestia said in a curious tone. “That name sounds familiar.” As she tried to remember what they were, the griffon went into her bag and pulled out a scroll. “They told me to send you this ‘treaty’ and ask that you reply to it as soon as possible. I haven’t looked at it yet so I can’t give you my opinion on it.” Celestia enveloped the scroll with her magic and brought it towards herself. “I question the word ‘treaty’ since they also told me that you’re only options are to accept the terms on it or not. Nothing in-between will be considered.” Celestia opened the letter and read it out loud: Princess Celestia, It appears as though your actions have caused quite a stir amongst us in our small nation. Your ‘coronation’ of a new princess has caused our council to become infuriated with you including myself. In doing so, you’ve deliberately broken the treaty our nations signed and its terms that we’ve agreed to. We were more than reasonable when Princess Cadence was born and we were more than understanding when Princess Luna returned. This time, however, I saw no reason to be merciful when your newest purple princess was crowned a few days ago. Fortunately for you, our council has decided to give yourself a chance at redemption and correct the foolish mistake you’ve made. Their terms are quite simple: get your new princess and undo the coronation so that she is no longer an ‘alicorn’ anymore. If you fail to agree to these requirements, then the council will declare war against your faction. You should still have a copy of that treaty so we see no reason why you’ve forgotten what terms we’ve agreed to. We expect a response from ambassador Griffonsworth within the week. Failure to respond will give the impression that you’ve rejected our terms and the consequences will be such. From Equestria’s Fifth “Forgotten” Legion, President Rosewood Celestia stared at the paper in disbelief as the name brought back memories that lay dormant in the back of her mind. “Wait, THAT Fifth Legion!?” she said not wanting her thoughts to be true. Her griffon friend shrugged. “I only know of the four legions your country possesses. We griffons have a fifth legion, but it protects our capital city and other important griffons. From what I can tell, this is either a terror group that has formed into a small city, or it has something to do with your legions in a time before my own.” “It’s the latter one I can assure you” she replied reassuringly. “How did you find them anyway?” The griffon smiled. “A friend of mine told me that the woods south of the Macintosh Hills are a good place to go hunting and perform other aerial maneuvers. She asked if I could map out the area for her when I told her I was going to explore the area for myself. I agreed and I just happened to encounter the legion and their city near the edge of the forest. I went over and got some supplies when they gave me a diplomatic task. I thought it was easy so I took it and now I’m here.” Celestia seemed satisfied with that answer. “I see...” “Funny how things turn out don’t you think?” They both laughed at the remark. Neither party spoke as they waited for the other to speak up. Both sides wanted to ask questions, though they were unsure if the other knew the answer or was willing to give it. Knowing the silence wasn’t going to press issues any further, Ambassador Griffonsworth spoke. “So, what do you want me to say to them?” she asked in a serious manner. Celestia pondered this question for a while. She was somewhat familiar with the old legion and some of their characteristics, but lots of time had passed since then and she was unsure what the new legion was willing and capable of accomplishing. “Tell them” Celestia finally said, “that if they are serious about what they said, bring their own ambassador; only then can we discuss this further.” Griffonsworth raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure about this? They’ll probably take that response as a no and go on from there.” Celestia sighed. “If that’s the way they’ll respond, so be it. We’ll have time to prepare before they get here and we’re by no means helpless.” Griffonsworth nodded. “I’ll give them your response then.” “Are you sure you don’t want to stay the night here Griffonsworth?” Celestia asked cautiously. “It’s getting late and we are more than willing to house you for the night.” Griffonsworth shook her head. “I’ve become a little restless as I’ve aged. I prefer to go out and explore the landscape more and more rather than stay in a place for a long time.” “I understand.” “Don’t worry about the fifth legion. I have to go back to the Griffon Kingdom and tell them what’s going on and gather a few things anyway. You’ll have about two days before I speak to them again so you’ll have time to get your legions ready.” “Thanks” Celestia said gratefully to the griffon. Again, there was silence as they both tried to find an excuse to delay the inevitable. “Well” the griffon ambassador said, “better get a move on before my wings get the better of me.” Celestia chuckled. “Yes. We wouldn’t want them to cause you any harm now would we?” Griffonsworth chuckled. “It was nice seeing you once again. Hopefully, we can meet up when the circumstances are not so hostile.” “Yes, that would be nice.” “I’ll see you in a few days” Griffonsworth said as she took off for her homeland. “You too” Celestia said as she watched her friend fly out into the distance.