The Castle of Holy Canterlot was by definition a masterpiece of engineering and artwork. Both rapturously woven together like an intricate tapestry of stone to create a symbol for all pony kind. One that held, steadfast and strong, against all threats and yet, seemed almost to beckon with open arms the ideals of trust and peace.
Seemingly hanging out from the side of one of the largest mountains in the valley, the castle overlooked the city that was named for it and served as a constant reminder that there would always be a beacon of light in an otherwise dark world. No one ever said it was not a beautiful sight, but most would agree that in the hours just before the sun set it seemed to glow with all the splendor of both alicorn sisters, the last rays of the sun giving way to the soothing colors of the night.
On a faraway rampart of the castle stood a figure in a hooded cloak silently contemplating while watching said twilight.
The figure began scuffing his hoof along the stone of the rampart he stood on before looking left, then right, and sitting back on his haunches in a slow and relaxed manner. Seemingly in no rush to do anything but enjoy the view he had found, he reached into the folds of the cloak and pulled forward a rather shiny looking Red Delicious apple. In its reflection swam many memories of the past few months.
It was all still such a shock to him, how far he had come, how far this country had come since the war. Though he never expected to be alive a thousand years after his self imposed exile. Strange how things can turn out. As if on cue he felt the tug of the moon as it shifted counter to the sun in the sky and heard the purposeful hoof steps of his queen, though a queen she was no longer.
Princess Luna in all her shining silver and midnight glory strode forward to the stranger and un-hooded him before pulling him into an affectionate embrace. It was common for her to greet him like this and vis-versa when they were alone.
She released him and smiled brightly "Genesis Storm. My dear pony. How does my eve find thee?"
Genesis smiled, his head exposed to show two soft peach toned eyes, his hay-blonde mane, and the deep blue of his coat. "I find myself well Your Majesty, thinking back again on my journey here."
The princess gave him an appraising look before alighting her horn, a moment passed and with a dull flash a battered journal he recognized as his own floated in the princess' telekinetic grasp. The journal looked like it hadn't seen a good day in centuries but after a wave of cobalt flashed over it and a cloud of dust rose in a plume the book looked as if it has just been bound.
Luna levitated the book to him and dropped it into his grasp gently, "I recently stumbled upon your old travel journal friend, curious as I am to read of your exploits, I believe it would be better explained if you were the one to dictate them. Would you indulge your princess?"
Still holding the apple in his hoof he took a bite and chewed slowly, savoring his favorite snack, then turned to the princess. "Your Majesty I would be honored. I admit it will be nice to visit an era I knew after these months of adjusting." He paused and took another bite, a bit of the delectable juice almost slipping his muzzle before he caught it with a greedy tongue. "I suppose I should start with the war."
Luna sat beside him and stifled a sigh, he always was one to get straight to the point when it mattered.
Popping the tattered journal open Genesis flipped to the beginning of the pages, marked in the corner was a small note of the date and time the entry began......