//------------------------------// // You Got Mail // Story: Conspiracy of the Heavens // by observer of dimensions //------------------------------// Two mares silently trotted through the desolate landscape. The torn up ground felt hard and dry against their hooves. It had only been a few minutes since they had introduced themselves. Having nothing else to do, the two of them started their journey south toward pony society. Normally Twilight didn't mind silence in fact she relished in it. This time however it bugged her to no end. Her mind swirled with thoughts, many of them questions she wished to ask the Alicorn Celestia. Instead of voicing her questions Twilight would give Celestia a weary glance every once and awhile. Celestia was not blind to this. "Is there something wrong Twilight?" she asked pleasantly. "Well...just how did you end up the way you did." Twilight voiced her question no longer caring to hold back. Celestia frowned at this. It was not because of the question itself but of the memories it brought up. She notice Twilight staring at her queerly, waiting for her to answer. Taking a deep breath Celestia begun her story. "It has been around a thousand years since the Equestia was founded correct?" Twilight nodded slowly "Not exactly a thousand but yes, it's been about that long." "As I'm sure you know the time before the establishment of Equestia was very tough for ponies. A year long winter caused by the windigos did nothing to help the situation. It was both my sister and my duty to watch over the three tribes. Unfortunately neither of us were able to focus on helping them for a gather threat was present. A threat that had appeared just before the Windigos...Discord." "Discord? The draconequus? History books said a group of ponies from all three tribes came together and defeated him." Twilight interrupted. Celestia shook her head. "That never happen...though the three tribes united around the same time Discord was defeated buutttt I'm getting ahead of myself here. Since I was to busy with discord I ask an acquaintance of mine by the name of Starswirl as well-" " YOU KNEW STARSWIRL THE BERADED? Twilight cut in with great enthusiasm. "uh...yes" "Oh my gosh, oh my gosh I've read every book that he wrote, well all the ones they released to the public, but still...you actually knew him. tell me what is he like." Twilight requested jumping up and down like a foal who just got their cutie mark. "Uh...well he was smart, respectful and very curious about the world around him...though he never really had any friends." Celestia said sadly. "Now please Twilight, let me finish. "Twilight responded with an apologetic look.. "Now where was I...oh right. Along with Starswirl I asked some unicorns I had taught how to use the Sun Rising and the Sun Setting spell too. Unfortunately Starswirl disappeared leaving his apprentice behind, the other unicorns ended up caught in the politics of the unicorn tribe. I thought all was for naught till my sister and I found the means of sealing Discord away in stone. Through one way or another our efforts were made known and the ponies asked for us to help them build a better future. We agreed. Within ten years construction on Canterlot castle was nearing it's final stages. I along with my sister had helped in it's construction while also tutoring unicorns in magic...It was right after the castle was complete when...when we were betrayed. A banquet was held to celebrate the completion of the castle. After eating I felt strangely wary so I excused myself from the party and headed off to my room. I do not remember if I made it to my room or not but when I woke up I was in the dungeon with a restraints attached to my hooves and wings as well as a magic dampener on my horn. For many years I was held there, the raising of the sun was left to my students and their own apprentices. I assume that without my presence they eventual stopped rising the sun for some time after solders came for me, drugged me again and took me to a remote underground location. It was there they started forcing me to control the sun, but with more force then was needed...after about three hundred years later I was again moved to the room you found me in. The only reprieve they gave me was removing the bindings on my wings after the last move...well that is my story...Twilight?" Celestia finally noticed that Twilight was not trotting beside her. In her worried state she jerked her head around trying find her missing companion. Only when Celestia turned completely around did she find Twilight standing a few feet behind her looking at the torn-up ground. "Twilight?" Celestia spoke quietly approaching the violet pony on soft hooves. Instead of looking at her Twilight continued to watch the unmoving ground. Her mouth opened and closed several times but no sound came out. She wanted to say something but couldn't. It was not because of emotional attachment to whatever she was deciding to say or not, rather it was similar to when doctor isn't sure if it is a good idea to tell a patient the bad news. Twilight sat down on her haunches not minding the broken ground against her rump. She looking up at Celestia as if doing so will help her decide. Celestia's expression remand neutral throughout the ordeal. The only action she took was copying Twilight's sitting position. Finally Twilight spoke "The insane magi incident." Celestia rose a brow but stayed quiet. "hundreds of years ago two groups of unicorns were said to be the wielders of the sun a moon. History states that when word of a mechanic device that could magical control the sun and moon was being built the two groups became outraged to the point of insanity. It was believed that they didn't want to share their power thus they tried to kill the king and queen...they however lost and all were sentenced to death." "My...my students...killed." Celestia's eyes began to water. Her left hoof lift off the ground, ready to stop any tears that might try and escape. "They would never do such a thing like that...yes the did get caught up in polices that one time but I made sure to teach them to...to be kind to all ponies and not to be persuaded by the selfish ones. No, I do not believe that they would try to anything like that just because their ability to control the sun was threaten. Twilight, who had spoken in a monotone tone as well as kept a straight face while she had recited historical event frowned a bit at the grieving pony before her. "Listen I'm just telling you what I read in history books who knows wha-" Twilight stopped abruptly for her horn had suddenly pierced an object. While a unicorns horn is the need component to cast magic it is also an extension of their bodies; similar to a limb. Whatever her horn had come in contact with it was soft, spongy and had some weight to it. Celestia's still watery eyes looked upon her in confusion. Taking both her forelegs Twilight reached up and slowly lifted the object off her horn. The confusion was doubled as she lowered the object into view. It was muffin. "Opps, sorry that's mine" came a feminine yet low voice from above. In unison the two mares on the ground looked up. There they spotted the owner of the voice. A grey Pegasus with a blonde mane and tail. The Pegasus was looking down at them...well at least it look like she was for her eyes were not aligned with each other. She wore a dark blue vest and a blue cap. A big satchel hang from the side of her body close to her flank. The Pegasus flew down and landed next to Twilight. "hehe sorry My boss keeps telling me to not eat while flying but it's kind of hard to resist on long flights." The Pegasus smiled apologetically. Not a moment later the Pegasus reach up and plucked the muffin from Twilight's hooves and began eating it. While Twilight was not amused by the Pegasus's antics Celestia watched the flight capable pony with interest. Upon eating the last of the muffin with a smile the Pegasus wiped her muzzle with a hoof. "...oh do either one of you know were I can find a place called Solaris Magnum?" The Pegasus asked tilting her head. Twilight and Celestia shot each other a look but immediately turned their attention back to the Pegasus mare who was had started talking again. "-but nothing is here beside a crater. maybe it's farther north?" Finally Twilight interrupted "uh why do you need to reach Solaris Magnum?" The Pegasus looked at Twilight like she still had a muffin on her horn. "I'm a express mailmare silly I need to deliver a letter to somepony who works there." The Pegasus grabbed the strap of the satchel with a grey hoof and pulled it closer to the front of her body. opening it she shuffled through the satchel for a good minute before pulling out a envelope. "Ah Mr. Soggybottom at.......opps wrong one." The grey mare returned the letter to the satchel and begun looking around for the correct letter. taking a bit longer then first time she eventually pulled out another envelope. "yes this is it, To Ms. Twilight Sparkle at-" "That's me" Twilight called out. The mailmare rose a brow. 'Um I was supposed to take this to the mailroom...but I guess I could give it to you if your are really Twilight Sparkle. Can you show me some type of ID since there's no house address to conform." "Of course here...it...is?" Twilight had lifted a forehoof to grab her employee ID. It grabbed nothing but air. She looked down to see what her sense of touch had already told her. There was nothing around her neck. Twilight let out a silent cruse, somehow her ID badge had been ripped of her body at some point during the events of the early morning. She retuned her sight to the awaiting mare. "I lost my ID but I swear that I am Twilight Sparkle." Twilight plead with the Pegasus. The Pegasus gave her a long hard stare or at least the best she could manage. "Ok, I believe you." The mailmare said coming to a decision. The grey Pegasus hoofed the letter to Twilight. "By the way do you know what happen here.?" The mare asked waving a hoof at the surrounding land. Celestia was the one to answer "There was...an attack by Griffins...uh the whole place blew up." "oh...that sounds really bad... I hope more ponies survive. well at least you two are alive. Oh I better get going I need to report this, bye." The Pegasus opened her wings and took off into the air. Celestia watch in confusion as she left. "I wonder why she didn't say anything about me. I would think a being like myself would raise questions from modern ponies." "Mmmhmm" Twilight replied not really listening. "A letter from my parents? They sent me one last week, they should need to send me one till next month." Twilight mumbled as she tore the envelope open with her magic. Twilight quickly unfolded the letter that was inside and began to read. Celestia remained quite giving twilight privacy. "..." "..." ".....!" "WHAT! My brother is being charge with treason!!!" Without another word Twilight dropped the letter and took of galloping toward the forest. Celestia's initial shock at Twilight's outburst faded away only to be replaced by a look of determination. Her wings shot out full length letting her take to the sky as she flew after Twilight. The first thing Shining Armor become aware of was his body being thrown onto a cold stone floor. Second thing he notice was the pain he felt from his cuts a bruises. Lastly he heard the sound of a metal door closing and locking. "And to think I looked up to you." came a voice before the sound of hoofsteps fading into the distance was heard. The white Unicorn with blue mane and tail knew where he was. It was a prison cell in the castle dungeon. Shining wanted nothing more then to lay on the cold floor. the cool temperature of the floor helped numb his wounds. The fates, however had a different plan. "Vhat is this? pony guard most not like you much to place you vith me." The voice was deep and hardy. Shining's ears perked up a bit in response to the voice but otherwise id didn't move. "Floor is no place for pony. Come lets get you to bench." Shining blocked out his cellmate's voice and movement until he felt a limb reach around his shoulders. The limb ended with talons not hooves. The talons gently tucked underneath his body right behind his forlegs. He felt his body being lifted up. Letting his curiosity get the better of him he opened his eyes to see his cellmate's face. It was indeed a Griffin. The Griffin's avian half looked more like a falcon the a hawk especially with the dark blue color of his feathers. The color of his lion half was the same if not a tone lighter. He had deep ember eyes that seem full of life even though he was in the dungeon. The Griffin could feel Shining tense up in his hold. "Have no fear pony, if I vanted to hurt you I vould have done so." Having no other choice Shining allowed the Griffin to lead him to a bench that was bolted to one of the walls. Just as he sat down did the pain of his wounds come back with vengeance. He stifled a grunt not wanting to so weakness to the his cellmate. Had his magic not been sealed by a dampener he could have used a spell to ease some of the pain. After a few minutes of sitting in the dark quietly Shining's eyes began to wonder around the cell. There wasn't much to it as one would expect. There was a pile of dirty hay near a wall which served as a bed. A small basin was next to it though it was empty. Finally not to far from the bench was a hole that served as the toilet. "-for." Shining barely manage to keep himself from jumping as the voice of the Griffin yanked him from his thoughts. "What...what did you say?" he asked the Griffin. The Griffin gazed at him for a moment before repeating what he had said. "I vas vondering vhat pony did to be thrown in here for." Shining didn't answer, instead he just tuned his head away from the Griffin redirecting his sight on the floor. The Griffin let an annoyed sigh escape his beak. "Fine if pony doesn't vant to talk then ve will sit in boring silence." Shining turned his ears to face the Griffin to indicate he was listening but otherwise did not look at him. His sights drifted back to the empty basin for no real reason. The Griffin noticed this and spoke up. "If I knew I was getting cellmate I vould not have eaten or drink everything, apologize. But hey there is next time. yes?" Shining let out a small pathetic laugh "I appreciate the though but they will probably will kill me by tomorrow evening." "Oh why is that?" "Treason is punishable by death and I have the committed what would be considered one of the worst forms of it." Shining paused for a moment deciding that it didn't matter to try and keep it a secret. "I was caught making out with Queen Mi Amore Cadenza." Shining focused his sight on the Griffin expecting his jaw to drop. What Shining got instead was an amused expression. "Vas it vorth it?" Shining smiled slightly "Yea...it was." he tilted his head upward to stare at the ceiling hoping she was alright. As he had said to the Griffin he was making-out with the Queen or as he called her Cadence. They were discovered by none other then the King himself, King Blueblade. Guards were called and Shining when quietly. After that he was question while being constantly beaten. Most of interrogation was really focused on trying to get him to admit he had gone farther the just kissing. Of course they hadn't and Shining kept telling them that never giving in to them. At some point he must have lost consciousness and now here he was with an unusual Griffin. Shining felt a talon tap on his shoulder. Once again Shining attention was held by the Griffin. "I know pony say that death may come soon but I vould like to know name. Mine his Vlad." "Shining Armor" Shining replied solemnly. "If memory is correct that is name of pony in charge of royal guard." Vlad said scratching the lower part of his beak. "Ex-captain of the Royal Guard at your service." Shining gave Vlad a salute. Vlad smiled back in return. "Vell Shining pony vhy not pass the time by telling old Vlad about what makes Queen pony special to you." This type it was Shining's turn to smile. "Where to start..."