Before Equestria Season One: The War Begins

by StrangeFiction


Episode 1 - Thunder Cloud Strikes

Swirling Creek, Earthen Republic, Mid-Afternoon - Sack of Swirling Creek

The guards were standing at the entrance to town, lazily watching the various ponies running by. It was a typical day in Swirling Creek – the bakery smelled of fresh buns, the town square’s stalls were running, the creek for which the town was named flowed through the town center. Laughter was heard as the children were let out of school, the school teacher tiredly beginning her short trot home. She was intercepted, as always, by a younger gentlecolt, hoping that maybe this time she’ll agree to dinner.
The guards turned away from the view, quickly glancing down the dirt path out of town, which was as empty as ever. They turned towards each other, discussing their plans for the evening - a game of cards at the local tavern.
Suddenly, a burst of laughter came from a nearby alleyway as three fillies turned the corner, an angry yell sounding behind them. Two of them saw the two guards and were able to stop, but the smallest ran at full speed into one of the guards. The brown filly looked up apologetically.
“Mr. Sting! I didn’t see you!”
“So it would seem,” replied Sting, looking down at her. “You have to watch where you’re going, Button Hole, or the next thing you run into might not be so soft.”
“Yes, sir. Sorry sir,” Button Hole quickly replied. One of her friends approached her quietly and pushed her a bit with her hoof. Button Hole turned and struck back, but the other filly hopped away and started running back into town. The third filly and Button Hole made chase, resuming their playful laughter.
The two guards looked at each other knowingly, and then Sting let out a chuckle, looking down and shaking his head. Suddenly a shadow passed over the two guards – odd, considering how clear the sky had been all day. They both looked up, and their smiles quickly faded.
Above them was the largest cloud either of them had ever seen. It was a dark grey and perfectly square. The guards knew what it was, despite having never seen one before. It was part of their basic training to learn all about these abnormalities, and to be prepared for them. The guards stared up in disbelief.
“Impossible,” whispered Sting.
Ten minutes later the town was as loud and tumultuous as a big city. Ponies were darting this way and that, grabbing whatever they needed. The younger ponies who didn’t know what was happening laughed and enjoyed the chaos, darting around and watching all the action. One group of colts looked on in admiration and awe as the town soldiers gathered, fully armored and preparing their weapons. Sting and Commander Green, the commanding officer of Swirling Creek’s guard, walked from the barracks to the center of town, where the rest of the guard was gathering.
“Why now? Why here?” muttered Green to himself. “After all the years… why break the treaty?”
“Those questions hardly matter right now, sir,” replied Sting. “Our priority needs to be the safety of all the Earth Ponies who depend on us to protect their homes and families.”
Commander Green chuckled. “Almost as though quoted from the Academy’s handbook. I knew it was a good idea to make you my second in command, Sting. You’re right, of course.”
The guards gathered close as Green and Sting approached. Many of them frequently glanced up at the looming cloud above them. It was now directly above the town, and it’s size could now be fully appreciated. It stretched from one end of the town to the other, bearing down as though to swallow Swirling Creek whole.
Green looked over the troops. Not the best of the best, certainly, but all good stallions and mares. Some of the less experienced guards looked especially nervous.
“Now,” began Green. “We have to be ready for whatever they throw at us. We are sworn to protect Swirling Creek, and we will to the last breath.”
“It could just be a strange cloud,” came a voice from the ranks. “Are we sure…”
“Do you really think it’s just a weird-looking cloud?” Sting shot back. There was no response. “We can’t wish this away. We have to be prepared to deal with what’s coming.”
“What exactly is coming? How many will there be?”
Commander Green looked up and frowned. “Enough.”
Above the chaotic motion below, a lone figure stood on the edge of the cloud, his grey mane blowing in the wind at the high altitude. Behind him stood on the cloud a massive fortress, winged ponies flitting in and out of doors and windows, practicing swordsmanship on the field of dark grey, racing through rings set up around the cloud.
The Pegasus at the edge of the cloud watched the racing Earth Ponies below him. Pegasi glancing in that direction could barely even see him as he stood there, blending in with the ground he stood on. Another Pegasus walked up behind him, staying a ways back.
“General Thunder Cloud, I have the information you requested. The town is called Swirling Creek, a small hamlet with minimal guards. They probably have just enough supplies to keep themselves going.”
Thunder Cloud didn’t look back, continuing to stare at the panicked ponies below him. The two stood in silence for a couple moments, the silence making the General’s subordinate uncomfortable. Finally, the silence was broken.
“Just enough to keep them going, eh?” replied Thunder Cloud at last. “Well, every bit helps the war effort. Prepare the troops for attack.”
“Sir, our quarrel is not with the Earthen Republic. I suggest we move on to the Unicorn Kingdom. There would be no use to attacking…”
The grey pony spun around and nearly touched noses with the other.
“Colonel Noble, am I to understand that you are questioning your commanding officer? Your recent promotion did not include that privilege.”
Noble’s white face turned slightly pink as he looked into the General’s eyes, trying hard not to focus on the deep scar on Thunder’s cheek. This silence didn’t last nearly as long as the previous one.
“Of course, sir. Sorry sir,” Noble responded, bowing his head in submission.
Thunder Cloud backed away and started walking back towards the fortress.
“Good. Now prepare the troops for attack.” As the General continued on his path, Noble looked down from the edge of the cloud to the town below. He stared for only a moment before turning and following his commander.
Back in the village, the chaos continued. Earth Ponies ran every which way, many times hindering the troops assembling throughout the town. Commander Green was barely able to keep everything organized, even with the help of other town officials. He had to break up several fights already, and saw another one brewing.
Sting was at the edge of town, making sure that everypony stayed together as they left the town for safety. The evacuation wasn’t going nearly fast enough; it was likely many of the town’s citizenship was still going to be in danger when the attack began. Sting looked up at the cloud fortress above them. He couldn’t imagine there being less than at least a thousand pegasi up there. No sooner had he looked back towards the crowd of ponies leaving Swirling Creek then he heard a shout.
“They’re coming!”
Sting once again looked up, seeing a group of Pegasi slowly forming a swirling cloud, almost like bats. He then asked one of the older town officials to carry on in his stead, rushing to the center of town. Commander Green was directing the troops from there to various parts of the village. As Sting approached, Green looked over at him, and Sting saw something he had never seen before – Green was scared. Sting approached his commander, making sure they were out of earshot of anypony else.
“We don’t have a chance, do we?” he asked.
“It doesn’t matter. We fight to the last pony. We need to give them time to empty the town.” A horn blew above them. The troops all looked up and watched as the Pegasi began their dive towards them.
“Don’t show them any mercy!” yelled Green. “Keep them occupied as long as you can, and if you run, I’ll hunt you down and kill you myself!”
Sting drew his sword with his mouth, ready for battle. He didn’t have to wait long, as the Pegasi clashed with the Earth Pony guards. Some preferred holding their weapons in their mouths, while others held them with their hooves. It didn’t take long to discover which side was superior, as Earth Ponies fell to Sting’s left and right.
Sting blocked an enemy’s sword, pushing back against his flying opponent. He jumped up and slashed at his opponent’s wing, clipping it just enough to send the Pegasus tumbling to the ground. Before he could go in for the kill, however, he felt his hind hooves grabbed. With a sudden jerk powerful enough that he dropped his sword, he was lifted into the air. Looking back behind him, he saw two Pegasi lifting him into the air. He struggled, but the assailants held him fast.
They went higher and higher into the air until finally they stopped. From the height, Sting could see the whole village, filled with the sounds of clanking metal and screaming. Suddenly, he no longer felt anything holding him up, and he tumbled downwards toward the ground, quickly approaching the roof of one of the buildings.
Green heard Sting’s screams as he fell through the roof of a nearby home. The screaming abruptly stopped. He choked back some tears as he looked around at the carnage. Mere minutes after the battle had started, it was already over. Green blocked a spear with his axe, then cleanly chopped the head off his assailant. He yelled as he took down more enemies with his swings.
Several Pegasi stayed back, avoiding the mad stallion’s reach. Those who did get close were either injured or killed almost instantly. Suddenly, a blur came down from above the last Earth Pony soldier, and a sword pierced him through the back. Commander Green’s body ceased all movement, the intensity forever frozen in his eyes.
Thunder Cloud pulled his sword out of Green’s back and looked around. Some of the villagers who were still in the town were cowering nearby. He gave them a small smirk and turned to the now assembled Pegasus troops surrounding him. Colonel Noble came and stood next to him, ready to receive orders.
“Take whatever useful things you find,” ordered Thunder Cloud. “Burn the buildings behind you.”
“What about the townsponies?” asked Noble, looking over at the cowering villagers backed against a wall. Thunder Cloud walked over to the ponies. The adults moved to stand between the general and two small crying children in the group of Earth Ponies.
“Let them run.” General Thunder Cloud pushed passed the adults and looked down at the two young ponies. “Or let them burn. It makes little difference either way.” He turned away from the fillies, neither making any sound anymore due to fear, and addressed his army again. “Get to it!”
The troops quickly set out to fulfill the general’s orders. It wasn’t long before pegasi were seen filling bags with food and heirlooms, and buildings were being lit on fire left and right. Those Earth Pony villagers that were still in the town were running every which way, adding to the chaos of the ransacking army. As per orders, they were allowed to run out of the village unchallenged.
Colonel Noble entered one of the homes in a side street and lifted a torch he was carrying. The light illuminated the small hovel, showing barren walls and emptied drawers. The owners of the home must have taken everything with them in the evacuation. Noble threw down his torch and watched the flames quickly spread across the dry wood of the floor and furniture. Tears dripped out of his eyes as he watched all that the family had left behind begin to be destroyed. He steeled himself as he prepared to go back outside.
“Help!” The voice came from a corner of the house. Noble’s eyes snapped towards that corner to see a small brown filly peeking out from behind the armchair where she’d been hiding. Immediately Noble opened his wings and flew through the burning house, backtracking several times as burning wreckage fell from the roof. Just as he got to the corner where the filly was, a wooden beam collapsed, hitting his back hoof as it fell. He fell to the ground right next to the armchair. The little filly still cowered behind the armchair.
Behind the filly was the body of an Earth Pony soldier, dead. The filly stayed close to the body, as if hoping the soldier would stand up and protect her. Noble limped towards the small filly.
“Come on,” said Noble. “Let’s get you out of here.” The filly didn’t move, staring at Noble’s wings. Noble looked at his wings as well, and then back at the filly. “My name’s Noble. What’s yours?” Once again, the filly was hesitant, but she then looked Noble in the eyes.
“I’m Button Hole.”
“Good to meet you, Button Hole. Is this your home?” Button Hole shook her head. “You just ran in here to hide from the scary ponies outside?” Button Hole nodded. “Am I scary?” She paused a moment, then shook her head. “Come on, let’s get out of here.” Button Hole walked out towards Noble’s outstretched hoof.
He grabbed the young one and put her on his back. He was especially careful as he looked around the collapsing home, trying to find an opening. Button Hole looked back at the lifeless body behind her.
“Bye, Mr. Sting,” she whispered, silently. Noble looked back at her, seeing the sadness in her eyes at the loss of a friend. He then turned and resumed his search for an opening.
Button Hole screamed as a beam from the roof fell directly behind them. Noble immediately took off, deciding it was better to take their chances attempting to get out immediately then to stay put and be crushed.
Noble swerved once again in and out of the collapsing rubble, making sure Button Hole was holding on tight. They made it to the doorway and Noble landed and quickly hobbled outside the collapsing building, his injured hoof giving him trouble. Button Hole jumped off his back.
“Go, find your parents.” Noble put weight on his injured hoof and grimaced, quickly picking it back up off the ground.
“You’re hurt.” Noble looked at Button Hole, her big eyes looking at him with concern. She had seen him and his fellow ponies burn down her village, kill the town’s guard, and steal everything they could get their hooves on, but this little pony only had concern in her eyes. It took all Noble could muster to tear his own eyes away from her.
“I’ll be fine. Just get out of here. Run.” Button Hole hesitated, glancing again at Noble’s injured hoof. “Run, my little pony!” Button turned and ran a short distance, then stopped and looked back. Noble was looking around at the various burning buildings, pained by the sight more than he was by his hoof.
“It’s okay. You’re not a bad pony,” the filly said with a small smile. Noble looked over at her as she stood there smiling at him. He couldn’t bring himself to grin back, but nodded his thanks. Button Hole ran off, dodging between the looting pegasi, none of whom gave her a second glance.
As Noble flew back up towards the fortress, he looked out across the field outside of town and saw a migration of Earth Pony villagers heading down the long road to refuge. A small brown filly ran out and two of the refugees pulled out of the crowd to join her. Noble could almost hear the parent’s relief as they embraced their young Button Hole. The mother placed her on the father’s back and the three ran to rejoin the crowd.
Noble tore his eyes away and looked down towards the burning village below. In the middle of the chaos stood General Thunder Cloud, directing the last few troops to head back to the fortress. As he was left alone in the midst, he glanced up, and Noble saw something that nearly knocked him out of the sky. A wide grin was on the face of his commanding officer. Noble blinked, and the grin was replaced by a stern look of order, making him wonder if he had imagined the wicked smile.
The flames could be seen reflected in Noble’s eyes as he blinked back the tears he didn’t want anypony else to see.


Capitol Building, Earthen Capital, Earthen Republic – Morning after the Sack of Swirling Creek

The Earthen Senate was in full session. Every member was present as they discussed the previous day’s attack, and it was almost as hectic as the attack itself. Representatives from all areas of the Republic were talking over each other, trying to be heard. They sat in their designated seats around the central chamber, the layered tiers of desks not stopping them from yelling back towards people several levels above them.
“This is ridiculous,” one of the representatives said to the others around him. “We must strike back now! If the pegasi think…”
“Shut up, Stark,” a pony in the level above him said. “You would just love an excuse to go to war with the pegasi, wouldn’t you? You hate them!”
“War may be our only option!” said another nearby pony. “Stark Opinion is probably right, despite his prejudices. I feel we have to prepare for the worst.”
“War should be our last resort!” retorted Stark’s critic.
“War is our only resort!” Stark yelled. Their voices were quickly swallowed up in the chaos once again as everypony tried to get their stance heard. Amid all the turmoil, at the head of the room, not speaking but listening to whatever he could catch of the conversations, was Chancellor Frank Furter, elected head of the Earthen Senate. He looked around, trying to get a feel for the room. It seemed that the overall mood was very retaliatory, with the general desire being to strike back at the pegasi. The noise continued to escalate until finally the Chancellor decided to speak.
“Silence!” yelled the older Earth Pony, his light pink mane jumping as his voice boomed. It only took a few moments for the silence to spread from those closest to him to the opposite side of the room. “This attack does seem to be isolated. Reports say that the Pegasus Fortress is not moving further into the Republic, but is headed, full speed, towards the Unicorn Kingdom.”
“Oh, really?” interjected Stark. “We should have known the Unicorns would be involved in this mess! What do you have to say, Smooth Speaker? Are the Unicorns involved in this attack as well?” All eyes moved towards the seats by the door, where the Unicorn Ambassador sat.
“Jumping to conclusions as always, Opinion,” snorted the green unicorn. “It’s Firebreath you should be talking to, not me.”
“Ah, and where is our Pegasus friend, hm? No doubt she fled the city in fear of retaliation!”
The doors opened just as Stark Opinion finished his statement. In walked a bright red Pegasus with a flowing orange mane. Smooth Speaker looked back at her and gave her a questioning look. Firebreath looked at her and just shook her head. Smooth and Firebreath had been friends long enough for Smooth to know that something was amiss. It put her on edge.
“Firebreath. I assume that you have been attempting to be in correspondence with the Council of Admiralty?” questioned Frank Furter, looking down from his podium. Firebreath stood in the center of the chamber.
“I have,” she replied hesitantly. She took a deep breath before continuing. “The Pegasus Nation and the Earthen Republic have been peaceful trade partners for many years now, since the last war that ended nearly two centuries ago.”
“We know this!” came a voice from the crowd. “Why did your nation decide to break the longest lasting peace we’ve had since the start of history?”
“Order!” Frank Furter was not having any of this. “All will remain silent until the Pegasus Ambassador has finished her statement.”
“Thank you,” Firebreath said. “As per agreements made, Pegasus Fortresses are allowed to travel through your lands during times of conflict. The last time this happened was ten years ago, with the Great Parasprite Infestation. The attack that was made on Swirling Creek was unplanned and unapproved. The general responsible will be punished, stripped of rank and court martialed. It is likely that he will face life imprisonment or execution.”
She wasn’t fooling anyone. The entire room, being experienced politicians, could tell that she wanted them to just accept that explanation and move on, but there were questions that needed answering. They all stayed silent and looked towards the Chancellor.
“You mentioned the agreement for ‘during times of conflict,’” noted Furter. “What is the conflict?” Firebreath was visibly sweating. “We deserve an explanation. You know that.” Firebreath looked back at Smooth Speaker. Her eyes pleaded for help, but Smooth wanted the explanation just as much as the Senate. Firebreath finally sighed and began speaking, once again looking about the room.
“The Pegasus Nation… has declared war on the Unicorn Kingdom.” Immediately the noise resumed at the level it was at before Furter first stopped it. Questions flew towards Firebreath and arguments arose among the senators. Firebreath once again turned towards Smooth Speaker, but saw no expression on her friend’s face. Smooth simply stared out into space, shocked by this turn of events.
“Order! Order once again!” The ponies all quieted at the sound of the Chancellor’s voice. “Why? Why, after the three tribes have been at peace for so long? What caused this?”
“I don’t know.” Firebreath bowed her head. “I only found out about it in a letter this morning, and then only because of the attack. The only thing I know is that war has been declared by the Council of Admiralty and one of our Nation’s fortresses is headed to the Unicorn Kingdom.”
“Well if it’s war you want it’s war you’ll get!” All heads turned to the Unicorn Ambassador, who was striding towards the center of the room.
“Smoothie…” started Firebreath. Smooth Speaker pushed her to the side, none too gently.
“I demand that the Earthen Republic end trade with the Pegasus Nation immediately in response to this injustice, and send aid to fight back against the Pegasi scum!” Once again the room filled with noise. Representatives were shouting left and right. Firebreath stared open-mouthed at the Unicorn at the center of it all, tenderly touching her now bruised side.
“Again, order!” The room went silent as all eyes once again turned to Frank Furter. “Decisions must be made as to how to proceed. The ambassadors will be asked to return to their embassies until we call upon them again. In the meantime, we will calmly discuss the matter at hand. Are there any objections?”
“Will we get no say, then? No defense for our nations?” asked Firebreath, stepping towards the center of the room once again.
“Of course you will, but you should probably have some time to talk to your respective governments before your emotions make you say something that may not be best for your tribe.” Furter eyed Smooth Speaker as he said this. “We will allow each of you to give a statement before this Senate makes its final decision. Any other objections?” There was silence. “Ambassadors, if you would…” The guards opened the doors and the two ambassadors walked into the hallway and turned towards the front door of the building.
They came out onto the main street of the Capital. It wasn’t very busy this morning, most likely due to mourning and preparing for the incoming refugees from Swirling Creek. Smooth Speaker turned around quickly, facing Firebreath.
“You and your people have a lot to answer for.”
“You know I had nothing to do with this. Smoothie, I…”
“The peace, ruined. I didn’t live during the last war, but I’ve heard the stories. Is that what your tribe wants? Death, burning, torture?”
“It’s not what I want. The Council of Admiralty…”
“Should have expected this from a Nation ruled by its military. Pegasi could never resist a fight. The history books have always shown that.”
“History is not today.”
“Sure seems it is.”
The ambassadors stared at each other for a couple more moments. Firebreath was frightened by the anger in her friend’s eyes. Smooth Speaker turned away and approached her staff, who were standing just a way off, waiting.
“I think we have a letter to write.”


West Tower, Neighemburg Castle, Unicorn Kingdom, Mid-Day - Day after the Sack of Swirling Creek

The unicorn messenger ran up the stairs of the West tower. He ran past the doors of various Lords and Ladies, going about their business with paperwork and trade agreements. He ran into one mare as she exited an office, causing her to drop the papers she was levitating.
“My apologies, Ms. Purse,” said the messenger, but he didn’t stop to help her. Coin Purse huffed. Chivalry was already dying, and it seemed that it had just started to reach its peak again. She began scooping up the various ledgers with her magic, trying to get them sorted again as she did so.
The messenger kept going until he reached the highest room in the tower. Without knocking, he burst right in. Sitting at the desk was an older unicorn, his mane black and his coat a dark orange. He looked up at the sound of the door and frowned.
“Pretty rude to burst in here unannounced. You could have at least knocked, young colt.”
“It was important, Mr. Mace.” Drake Mace seemed to gaze right into the messenger’s mind. The messenger was panting very hard from the long run to the top of the tower. Mace gave him a moment to catch his breath before responding.
“Well, do you want to explain it, or should I just go ahead and call the castle guard to escort you back downstairs?”
“We received a message from the ambassador to the Earthen Republic, sir. I was told the message had to come to you immediately, and nopony else was to see it.” The messenger opened his saddlebag and then used his magic to float the message onto Drake Mace’s desk. “Other than yourself, only the postmaster and the King himself has seen what’s on it. The king also wanted me to tell you he’s calling an emergency meeting of the King’s Council.”
Drake Mace opened the letter and looked it over. His expression did not change, but the messenger could still tell that something was wrong.
“Alert Coin Purse on your way back down about the council meeting. Also, go tell Presto in the East Tower.” The messenger looked out one of the room’s windows to the East Tower, on the exact opposite side of the castle. “Oh, and hurry.” The messenger went out the door and paused for a moment, looking down the long, spiraling staircase. He took a deep breath, and then started running.


East Tower, Neighemburg Castle, Unicorn Kingdom, Just after Mid-Day – Day after the Sack of Swirling Creek

“Now, Star Swirl, be careful as you add this next ingredient. It’s very difficult to…” A flash of light spread throughout the room, along with a sound much like a head hitting a pillow, but magnified to fill the room. “And that means you’ve made a mistake. Wonderful.”
Presto looked around the room to make sure his laboratory was all right. The failure of this potion wasn’t likely to cause any negative effects, but it was best to check. The books that lined the walls seemed to be all right, and the various bottles of ingredients scattered about were still intact. A bird that was sitting on the windowsill looked a bit shocked, but quickly shook it off and took flight, tweeting angrily.
Presto looked back at his new apprentice, Star Swirl. The young unicorn was blinking the light out of his eyes. Presto had picked him up in a small farming town he was staying at for a night. Star Swirl was experimenting with some growth magic, trying to make the crops of a local field grow faster. It was remarkably successful, and Presto asked to see some more of the young white unicorn’s abilities. Star Swirl was more than happy to comply, showing quite a range of magical talent. Presto offered the prodigy a position as the court magician’s apprentice in Neighemburg, and Star Swirl without hesitating agreed.
The two had just arrived back in Neighemburg the previous evening, and Presto said they would start Star Swirl’s training the next morning. They would have, too, if not for the fact that Star Swirl had woken up early and got lost trying to explore the castle. It wasn’t until lunch that Presto was able to find him. Star Swirl was full of energy and extremely excitable, which was to both his advantage and disadvantage.
“Don’t worry,” Presto assured the other unicorn. “Potion-making doesn’t come naturally to most. Except zebras. Zebras are very well versed in the art… but they tend to stay in their own nation across the sea.”
“Let me try again!” Star Swirl started to levitate ingredients over from nearby. “I think I can do it this time!”
Presto chuckled. “No, no. I just wanted to see if you were good at following instructions. You are, you just made a small error – one that I have made several times while making that particular potion. Now, I have something very important to talk to you about.”
Presto went to an empty table in one corner of the room. Star Swirl followed, an eager bounce in his step. A quill, ink, and piece of parchment floated over, illuminated by Presto’s magic. Presto beckoned Star Swirl to stand next to him as he dipped the quill into the ink.
“What can you tell me about the nature of magic?” Star Swirl was taken aback by the question. “It’s important to understand, so that we can further tap into your natural talents. So, what do you know?”
“Well… um… horns? We cast spells using our horns… and some unicorns have more magic capability than others… I don’t really know what you expect me to say.”
“You’ve said enough. You have a somewhat basic understanding, but not the kind of understanding you need for us to work with. Nothing to be ashamed of, very few have the required understanding to really make magic work.” Presto paused before continuing.
“Every living creature has magic within them. Ponies of all three tribes do, as do griffons, zebras, and even less intelligent creatures such as dogs and birds. It is, in fact, what allows life to thrive in this world. Without it, the world could not support even the smallest blade of grass or the tiniest spider. Even many non living things hold magic within them, and thus life.
“Unicorns, however, have, as you said before, our horns. We have the ability to channel the life force within us into spells that can benefit ourselves and those around us. With training, we can even use the magic within willing subjects around us to cast even more powerful spells… but we’ll get to that at a later time. For now, I want to explain the three basic sources of magic.”
Presto drew three circles on the parchment. “The first source is our natural talent and ability.” Presto drew a unicorn horn in one of the circles. “This cannot be controlled. Some are born with more magic and therefore magical capability within them, such as you and me. It reflects in the special talents shown in our marks.” Star Swirl looked back at his own mark. The swirling stars and lines on it did indeed testify to his skill. He looked over at Presto’s. It was very different, with five lightning bolts coming out from a center point. It was certainly suggestive of magic as well.
“The second,” Presto continued, “is our own knowledge and experience. Having magic potential is useless if you don’t know how to wield it, and knowing how to wield it can help us increase our magical capabilities. This is, of course, what you and I will be working to improve the most.” Presto drew a book in the second circle on the paper.
“Finally, magic can get temporary boosts from strong emotions. These emotions can be positive or negative, but either way it can be hard to control these bursts. One thing you and I will be going over is how to control your emotions so that these bursts don’t cause you to make errors. An emotional unicorn with great magical power can be dangerous to himself as well as to those around him.”
“So if we lose our magic, do we die?” Star Swirl asked. “Would any living creature die without the magic within them?”
Presto frowned. “No, I don’t believe so. I’ve never put much thought into it, as taking another being’s magic is something that’s never been done, and hopefully never will. I think that the magic of the surrounding world would feed enough magic into a magicless being to keep it alive, although very weak. Perhaps it’s something you can study on your own, when you get to that point.” Star Swirl nodded, recognizing that he had a long way to go before using magic to study some of his curiosities. It just made him more eager to begin.
“Okay, so…” Star Swirl began, only to be cut off by the door opening and a messenger coming in, panting with lack of breath. It seemed he was trying to speak, but nothing was coming out of his mouth. Presto went over to him, concerned. He levitated over a bottle of potion and offered it to the exhausted messenger. The messenger drank, and seemed to almost immediately perk up.
“Woah! What is that stuff?”
Presto smiled. “A simple revitalization potion. What can I do for you, friend?”
The messenger stood up straight. “Drake Mace asked me to come and tell you that the King’s Council is meeting. Right now.”
“Very well. Star Swirl, read that book I showed you last night – it covers a lot of what I just told you in greater detail. I should be back in a couple hours.”
Star Swirl strode over to Presto. “Can’t I come to the council meeting? I’m interested in what’s going on!”
“Out of the question. The meetings are private, and I haven’t even told the king you are at the castle yet. I’d rather introduce you when things are a bit quieter, not right after an emergency meeting is called.” Star Swirl was visibly upset. “Star Swirl, don’t make me regret my decision to make you my apprentice. You have great potential, but it’s important that you do as I say while here at the capital.”
“I understand, sir.”
“Good.” Presto grabbed some scrolls and headed out the door behind the messenger. Star Swirl opened up the assigned book, looked at the pages, and then looked after Presto. He closed the book and sat in thought.


King’s Council Room, Neighemburg Castle, Unicorn Kingdom, Afternoon – Day after the Sack of Swirling Creek
               
King Golden Mark looked around the room at his council. In his thirty years of ruling the Unicorn Kingdom, he had gone through various council members, whether they chose to retire or died. While he didn’t feel his current council was the best he ever had, he felt it was the best council that could be formed at present.
There was, of course, himself and his right hoof, Drake Mace, who had been by his side since he started his rule all those years ago. Next to Drake was Presto, who had been the court’s magic expert since before his grandfather’s rule had begun, but it was Golden Mark’s father who decided to finally put him on the King’s Council.
Next to Presto on the circular table was Floren Daisy, his public relations expert. Floren was without a doubt very good with the social aspects of the kingdom, knowing just what the ponies wanted and making sure the Council knew and could address any issues. She had been put on the council after the retirement of her aunt, who had recommended her. Golden Mark did not regret taking that recommendation.
Next to her was General Hound, scowling over at Dark Cloak, who was talking to him. General Hound was the leader of all the armed forces in the kingdom, a necessary position for the volatile political situation that existed between the three pony tribes. His job was about to get very complicated. He was an older pony, and had been on the council for a couple years since the death of the previous general of the armed forces.
Dark Cloak, a younger pony, led the spy network the Unicorn Kingdom had in place. Dark Cloak had been on the council for just a year, since Drake Mace discovered him and his abilities. He was sly and cunning, always with a slight, almost taunting grin on his dark face. He had never really been liked by others, as he was nosy and manipulative. That of course made him perfect for the job he had, as nobody could get information the same way he could. Still, the King always kept a close eye on him…
Finally in the circle was Coin Purse, the Kingdom’s master of coin, sitting on the King’s left. She was hardly inexperienced, although she had only been on the council a couple months. Years before she had led the Bank of the Three Tribes, back when it existed. Three years ago the bank had collapsed as the Pegasi changed their currency, leading to a collapse of the best unified monetary system that had existed between the tribes. Most felt that the Pegasi had intended to collapse the bank, out of pride for their own national system of banking.
The King took one final look at his council, and then turned to Drake. Drake nodded.
“Attention, everypony!”
Presto looked up from the scroll he’d been reading, and everypony else ceased their conversations to listen. Drake turned back to the King and nodded. The King stood up from his seat and took a deep breath.
“It’s time to come clean with you all,” he began, locking eyes with each member of the council in turn. “There have been some… skirmishes along our border with the Pegasus Nation. Some dispute over a piece of land rich in minerals.”
“Your majesty, I have not heard of this before now!” exclaimed Hound. “I should have been told about this!”
“It was hardly worth mentioning,” retorted Dark Cloak. “Small skirmishes of little importance. We felt you didn’t need to know.”
“Ha! Of course you would know, Cloak.” Hound spit out the last word like it was an insult. “You seem to have your hooves in everything.”
“As is my job,” came the calm reply.
“Nonetheless, I should have been told…”
“The important thing is that you know now,” Presto interrupted. “Please continue, Your Majesty.”
“Thank you, Presto,” the King paused a moment. “The skirmishes, it would seem, have escalated into full out war.”
The reaction was immediate. Every pony at the table stood up and started yelling over the others to be heard. Even Presto, who was usually more the silent type, was expressing his horror at the situation. The King and Drake Mace, expecting this reaction, simply let it happen for a couple of minutes. At a lull in the noise, Mace loudly cleared his throat. Everypony looked at him.
“We don’t have time to bicker and argue. There is currently at least one Pegasus fortress on its way to our borders as we speak, with many more likely to follow. We must make preparations now!”
General Hound looked over at the King.
“I need to prepare the troops. Where’s the fortress coming from?”
“The Earthen Republic, heading towards Outpost Seven,” the response came from Dark Cloak.
“Go. Do what you must to prepare our borders for defense,” the King dismissed Hound, who walked quickly out the door.
“We can’t fund a war right now!” exclaimed Coin Purse. “We need more money, and I feel the only way to do it is to ask additional money from the citizenship. Raise taxes.”
“The Kingdom needs to be on our side, not against us.” All heads turned to Floren Daisy. “We need to explain the reason before raising taxes. I can begin a campaign…”
“There’s no time, Floren! We need the money now!”
Floren and Coin Purse began arguing.
“Mares, please!” the King spoke up. “Floren, begin work on your propaganda. Coin Purse, we can talk later about raising the taxes. What we have will suffice for now. Presto, I…”
Suddenly, something fell out of the sky. A crash was followed by a scream from Floren Daisy. The table, now split in two, had a white blob in the middle of it. There was a moment when nopony spoke, and they all just stared at the furry mass in the middle of the room. It lifted its head to reveal a unicorn horn.
“Star Swirl!” shouted Presto, but he was not heard over the sound of the guards rushing to grab the old sorcerer’s apprentice. Within moments, Star Swirl was surrounded by ten guards, all pointing swords at him.
“Who in Tartarus are you?” Drake Mace asked. Presto ran through the guards to grab the dazed unicorn who had broken the table.
“This is my new apprentice, Star Swirl. I am so sorry about this. I’ll remove him immediately. I am so sorry about this, Drake, your Majesty.” A magical aura glowed around Star Swirl’s tail as he began to be dragged through the room and out the door. As the doors closed behind them, everypony in the room just stared at the closed door.
Out in the hallway, Presto was fuming.
“So irresponsible! I told you to stay in the tower and wait! Spying on the King’s Council… it’s a wonder they didn’t have you killed on the spot! You are reckless and foolish…” Presto went silent for a bit as he realized something. Star Swirl took this moment to put in some words of his own.
“A war! There hasn’t been a big war in years! What caused it? Surely it’s more than just a land dispute, right? How can I help? Alchemist’s Fire? Can we brew that?”
“How were you in there? We didn’t see you…”
“Invisibility spell. What…”
“You fell from above us. There are no rafters in the middle of that room.”
“Levitation. Who…”
“You were performing a levitation spell and an invisibility spell on yourself? At the same time?” Presto rounded on Star Swirl, making him jump back.
“Er… yes?” Star Swirl backed away from Presto.
“Well, it was very stupid! You’ll probably be kicked out of the castle, if not the city! And that’s a best case scenario… but, invisibility and levitation…”
“I’m confused. They are both basic spells.” Star Swirl took a step back towards Presto.
“But on yourself? At the same time? It took me years to be that good at magic! Even now, doing that would be extremely difficult for me.”
“Well, it wasn’t a cake walk for me. I couldn’t maintain it, remember?”
“Yes… yes…” Presto stared silently at the wall thoughtfully for long enough that Star Swirl began to feel uncomfortable.
“Should I go pack my things, then?”
“What? No! No, no… Let’s go back to the tower. I’ll talk to the King later…” Presto absentmindedly started walking to the East Tower, glancing at Star Swirl every once and awhile as they walked together.


Capitol Building, Earthen Capital, Earthen Republic, Morning - 2 Days after Sack of Swirling Creek

As the sun came up just over the horizon, Smooth Speaker and her guards approached the Capitol Building. Her staff member who’d been left overnight, Lotus Pond, was standing outside.
“Any news, Lotus?”
“I’m sorry, Smooth Speaker, but they’ve been in there all night with nopony allowed in. I have been unable to find anything.” Lotus yawned, the hours she had spent watching and waiting taking their toll.
“Go back to the embassy and get some rest,” advised Smooth. “With any luck, we’ll figure out what’s going on soon.” Lotus Blossom gratefully smiled and walked off towards the embassy, passing the Pegasus delegation on their way up the street.
“Smoothie!” shouted out Firebreath, way too much cheer in her voice. “Any news?”
Smooth Speaker gave her only one glance before looking away to her guards.
“You both should get some rest as well. I’ll be safe with the Earth Pony Guard here.” The two guards hesitated for a moment, looking over at the approaching Pegasi. Eventually, however, they followed the orders of their superior and headed down the street. Firebreath also dismissed her guards with a wave of her hoof, but they just stood on the side of the street and waited.
“Anything happen last night?” inquired Firebreath. “Has the senate made their decision? You know, I was barely able to sleep last night in anticipation. I don’t like the idea of war, not in the least bit. If I were any braver, I would go to the council of admiralty and give them a piece of my mind! Declaring war after such a long period of peace. Huh!” She chuckled, looking nervously at the silent unicorn. She swallowed before continuing, this time with a bit less energy.
“I just hope that we can still be friends. Remember the first time we met? At Soup Bowl's place down the road from here? Boy, it was sure a shocker when I found out you were an ambassador like me! Good times, right?” Again her speech was answered with nothing but silence from the other ambassador.
“Smoothie?” One last attempt at her attention. Nothing. Not even a glance in her direction. Firebreath couldn’t handle the silence anymore. “Talk to me!”
With quick speed, Firebreath grabbed Smooth Speaker and lifted her into the air, making sure they were muzzle to muzzle. She stared at her friend with as much intensity and pleading as she could muster.
“Talk. To. Me.” Smooth stared back. There was a moment of silence before she responded, and when she did, Firebreath almost wished that she had said nothing.
“I don’t fraternize with the enemy.” In a flash of light, the unicorn vanished and reappeared on the ground below. She looked up at the Pegasus ambassador. “And my name is Smooth Speaker, not Smoothie.” She turned and walked up to the Earth Pony guards, who had drawn their weapons at Firebreath’s sudden action, but were now sheathing their weapons once again.
Firebreath stopped flapping for a moment, and had to catch herself before she fell. She looked down again at her old friend, and then turned and flew to a nearby cloud. There she sat and looked down, watching the unicorn try and gain access to the Capitol.
“My first loss of this war,” she whispered to herself. A tear fell from the corner of her eye and tumbled towards the ground below.