Chapter 1
The darkness of night slowly began to give way to the pale light of day. The mountains, hidden within the folds of darkness became visible as the sun rose higher into the sky. Higher it rose, driving away the night with its ethereal glow, illuminating the world below. Signalling the new day.
Her work done, Celestia gazed up at her charge and smiled. “Marvelous.” A gentle wind blew over the balcony on which she stood, caressing her skin. Her multi hued mane waved silently around her, untouched by the wind that had no hold over its otherworldly bearings. Closing her eyes, she sighed.
As she stood there, basking in the warmth of her sun, a shadow passed over her. Sending an involuntary shiver down her spine. Composing herself, Celestia turned. “What is it, Clairvoyance?” she asked, addressing the robed mare standing a few paces away.
“Your majesty.” Clairvoyance said, slowly. Bowing deeply. Her black and gold robes brushed against the ground alongside her crimson mane and tail. “I have witnessed an omen.” Celestia nodded again. “Speak.”
“Majesty.” said Clairvoyance, raising up to her full height. The sun glimmered off her pale blue fur only to be lost within the depths of her milky white eyes. “Something approaches.” A stiff breeze suddenly rose up, rustling Clairvoyances’ robes enough to reveal her cutie mark. An open eye, bleeding.
“Something is coming.” she said, seemingly oblivious to the wind. “A creature unlike any other. Where it walks, misery and death follow.” Celestia remained silent, waiting. She had learned quickly that there was always something more to Clairvoyance's predictions. The robed mare smiled as if she heard Celestia's thoughts then turned her unseeing eyes skyward.
“Misery and death.” she repeated, unblinking. “Yet joy and life. Both hoof in hoof. One and the same, one after the other.” She fell silent.
Celestia revealed no emotion, but inside a cold vice had gripped her heart. “What is this creature?”
Clairvoyance eyes fell on her. “I know not. The signs were unclear." Celestia licked her lips as the cold dread spread throughout her body. "When will it appear, do you know?"
"Midday at the heart of the Solar Throne room."
The vice gripped tighter. “I see. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.” She turned away, once more facing towards her charge, feeling its warm rays upon her alabaster fur, her mind roiling with dark thoughts.
Clairvoyances’ ears twitched suddenly. Tilting her head ever so slightly. “Your Captain approaches, majesty. I take my leave.”
Celestia still had questions. “Wai-” She stopped mid turn, finding herself alone. The mare having vanished. Celestia sighed. Moments later, the heavy wooden door to her chambers burst open as several Royal Guardsmen rushed into the room, lead by Captain Steadfast. Their weapons and spells at the ready. She allowed herself a small smile at their expense. “I prefered if you would knock, Captain.” she said snidely.
Captain Steadfast didn't reply. His grey eyes quickly scanned the room while his twin silver swords swirled silently beside him in a white aura. Seeing no immediate threat, Steadfast sheathed his swords and waved an armour plated hoof to his side. “Take up defensive positions.” he said gruffly. Once his guards were in position, Steadfast drew his right hoof across his chest and bowed deeply.
"I am relieved to see you safe, your majesty." said Steadfast, returning once more to his full height.
Celestia nodded, her smile unchanged. "What's this about, Captain?" she asked, already knowing the answer.
"A mysterious cloaked pony was seen wandering the halls leading to your chambers. Fearing for your safety, I mobilized the guard." Celestia's smile grew wider. "Thank you for your concern, Captain but it was unneeded. The pony in question was Clairvoyance."
Steadfast's eyes widen slightly with surprise while his mouth turned down with disgust. "The Seer?!"
"Yes. She came to me with a warning."
Steadfasts scowl only deepened. "That charlatant has some gall returning after the havoc she caused with her last so called prediction." Celestia's smile dropped into a stern frown. "Mind your tone, Steadfast. While I understand your dislike for her, you cannot deny that she was right and it was only our own fault for not heeding her warnings."
"Our fault?!" shouted Steadfast, making no attempt to hide his disgust. He gestured with his left hoof causing his armour to jingle softly. "We took every precaution! Followed her every instructions to the letter! Yet the creatures attacked from the North, not the South as predicted." He stomped his hoof forcefully on the ground. "Because of her, we almost lost the city!"
"Enough!" shouted Celestia. Her voice reverberating around the room in an unnatural way. The sunlight streaming around her appeared to grow dimmer while she herself shone brighter.
"Know your place, Captain!" Celestia said, her voice sounding as if others spoke with her. "Clairvoyance has my trust and therefore yours. Remember that."
The other guards averted their gazes as the light radiating from Celestia became blinding. Only Steadfast didn't look away. He held Celestia's fiery gaze for several tense moments before bowing his head. "Forgive me, Princess." he said, respectfully.
Celestia's features immediately softened as the light in the room returned to normal. "All is forgiven." Steadfast righted himself and once more addressed Celestia. "What has the Seer predicted this time?" he asked.
"A creature will appear in the Solar Throne room at midday. Its intentions are unknown but we must prepare for it regardless." Steadfast bowed again. "Your orders?"
"We need to ready the castle for any manner of incursion without undue panic." Celestia paused as she raised a hoof to her chin in thought. “Inform the guards at the gate that no pony will be permitted entrance until tomorrow. I leave the explanation to you, Captain.”
"As you command." Steadfast rose once more. "Shall I also send for Princess Twilight and the Elements of Harmony?" Celestia Dropped her hoof with a shake of her head. "No, Luna and myself will handle this. Go now and see to your preparations."
Steadfast snapped off a smart salute. "At once!" He turned away, moving his right hoof in a circular motion as he did so. The others guards, seeing this, left their positions around the room and followed Steadfast out the door, closing it as they left.
Alone, Celestia glanced towards her sun before closing her eyes and projecting her thoughts. "Luna, are you still awake?" A moment passed in silence before the reply came. “Indeed we are, sister.” Golden light filled the room as Celestia channeled magical energy into her horn. “Meet me in the throne room, we have a situation.”
“As you say, Sister.” Came the reply.
As the magic built the room began to grow fuzzy, shimmering almost as if it was a mirage. When the magic reached its peak, the shimmering image vanished, replaced by the sun lit hall of the Solar Throne room.
Two guards on duty by the throne scrambled to attention, greatly surprised by the Princess's sudden appearance. "Princess Celestia!" They near shouted in unison nearly dropping their halberds in their haste. “We were not expecting you for several more hours!”
“Plans have changed.” she said, not bothering to look at them as she moved to the center of the room. The throne room was spacious with little to no furniture aside from the throne of course and a few end tables and desks lining the far walls. “What do you mean, Princess?” asked one of the guardsmen.
Before Celestia could reply a small corner of the room grew dark as the darkest night. Shadows congealed together, forming into a nightmarish creature before falling away, revealing Princess Luna.
“Sister.” Luna said, nodding to Celestia.
“Pri..Princess Luna!” Stammered the guard, further shocked by the appearance. Luna Ignored the guardsmen. Both sisters moved to the center of the throne room, Celestia could feel a slight hint of magic. One that was steadily growing stronger.
“Is this why you summoned us?” Inquired Luna. Celestia nodded. “Yes. Clairvoyance predicted that a creature will appear here at midday. It's intentions are unknown.”
“Then we must prepare for every possibility.” Luna said. She gazed around the throne room, deep in thought. “Strange that it should appear here.” Celestia nodded. “I agree. My hope is the creature will be friendly enough to answer our questions.”
“And if it is not, we shall ‘persuade’ it otherwise.” Luna said with a dark grin.
“Guardsmen!” Luna said suddenly, turning towards the two guards still waiting for an explanation, causing them to jump again. “Ye..yes, your highness?!” They half shouted.
“You are dismissed.”
They saluted joyously before fleeing the throne room.
Celestia smirked at her younger sisters candidness. “Shall we begin?”
“Yes we shall.” Replied Luna, moving opposite Celestia. They closed their eyes as magic began to build within their horns. The air around them began to shimmer and spark as the magic grew into a raging maelstrom.
Power coursed through their bodies as they opened their eyes and released the magic. Gold and blue beams connected, fusing together into a swirling ball of energy before silently exploding outward.
Their task done, Luna looked to her sister. “Now we wait.” Celestia nodded before moving to her throne and sitting down. Luna likewise moved to the left of the throne. Her horn sparked a deep azure as a blue sapphire throne materialized beside its golden counterpart. The magic faded as Luna took her seat. “We assume you've informed Steadfast?” asked Luna.
Celestia nodded. “He arrived just after Clairvoyance. I tasked him with securing the castle.” Luna leaned back in her throne and closed her eyes. “Good.”
Celestia glanced to her sister. ”Shall I wake you close to midday?” She asked, half jokingly. Luna slowly shook her head. “No need. We are simply resting our eyes.”
“Suit yourself.” Celestia said with a smile, turning her gaze back to the source of magic in the room. She silently pondered what could possibly be arriving in such a bizarre manner when a quiet snore beside her jarred her from her thoughts. She smiled. “Resting my eyes, my right hoof.” Said Celestia, settling deeper into her own throne.
…..
The hours passed quickly. Celestia carefully monitored the magical signature while Luna rested. Each minute that passed saw the strength of the anomaly grow stronger, eventually manifesting into a swirling bright spot at the center of the room. Steadfast had joined them by this time with a full retinue of Royal Guard ponies, encompassing all three races. They all stood at attention, their eyes locked on the visible magic at the throne room's center.
“It's almost time.” Said Steadfast, checking the Sun's position in the sky. He looked around the room at his guardsmen, ensuring each of them were ready.
“You are to do nothing until I give the word.” said Celestia, never once taking her eyes off the magical anomaly. She reached over and gently shook her sister's shoulder, rousing her. “Should the creature attack you are free to engage but do not kill it. I want it alive.” continued Celestia as Luna blinked sleep from her eyes. “We were not asleep.” she said, blearily.
The swirling mass of magic suddenly flashed brightly then expanded. Both Celestia and Luna sprang from their thrones as the Royal Guards, likewise readied themselves. A bright light sparked deep within the swirling rift before exploding outward. The light was searing, blindly all but Celestia who alone saw what stepped forth from the portal.
A creature unlike she had ever seen. It resembled a diamond dog, though unlike the gangly dogs, this creature walked upright, straight and tall. It strode forward on powerful legs, each step thrumming loudly on the castle floor. The initial flash of light died away, though the sunlight streaming through the vaulted windows continued to gleam off the golden plate armour encasing its body, setting it in an ethereal glow. Once it was clear of the rift, the creature came to a halt as the magical portal closed behind it.
Royal Guards who were close to the creature began to back away, only Steadfast remained where he was, dual silver swords drawn and ready. He stepped forward. “Creature! You stand within the presence of their royal highnesses Princess Celestia and Princess Luna! Declare your intent!” He widened his stance as the imposing creature moved to stand directly in front of Steadfast, a heavy gauntleted hand dropping to the hilt of the massive sword at its waist.
Sensing trouble, Celestia spoke. “Captain Steadfast, sheath your blades.” Luna looked alarmingly towards her. “Sister-” Celestia cut her off with a wave of her hoof. “At once, Captain.” She said. Steadfast gritted his teeth and with a heavy sigh, sheathed his swords. “Of course, your highness.” He then stepped to one side. Its path clear, the creature once more walked forward. A single bead of sweat made its way down Celestia's cheek as the creature came to a stop before her. Easily towering over her height. Overcome, Celestia looked up to its helmeted head. “What are you.”
To her surprise, the creature suddenly took to one knee and bowed its head. Lifting its arms, it took hold of its helm in gauntleted hands and slowly removed the helm, revealing a face set with piercing blue eyes beneath golden brown hair and beard.
“Your Royal Highness and Goddess, Celestia.” It responded in a deep booming voice. “I am a human and I've come to serve.”