Across the Great Water

View Online

Emperor Henry the Maleficent. A name that was earned through the sweat and blood through the hard work of his pony subjects. Before him, the land the Empire stood was just a set of independent principalities, all of which were at war with one another. After years of fighting Henry carved himself a way to glory, overturning one kingdom after another until all were bowing before his hooves. To ensure stability he let the remaining Monarchs keep their titles and issued an Assembly to represent them in a somewhat democratic structure, as long as they stayed loyal to the Emperor everything would be fine. And for almost a century it worked.

Under his rule a Golden Age of Magic happened. Unicorns were able to unlock secrets from ancient texts found in ruins scattered about the forest. One of these secrets was enhancing the Magic in every pony. Pegasus learned to bolster up magic in their wings and use it to fly faster, higher, and longer. Earth ponies unlocked the ability to feel deep into the roots of the ground, heightening the nutrients and making large irrigation farms bringing a long lasting harvest each year. Finally unicorns, they became masters of magic, magnifying the effects of medicine and advancing technology beyond comprehension. And with this technological advancement brought the advancement of the armed forces. Earth ponies crafted thicker armor, pegasus now charged with greater ferocity, wielding longer and sharper spears, unicorn spies teleporting and turning invisible with a blink of an eye. All of these advancements only divided the kingdom through competition. Creating greater schism's within the Empire and flaring up old rivalries. The only thing that was stopping another endless war was him, and he was getting old.

Having spent his entire life as a leader, he never could produce a legitimate heir to the throne. He must find a way to ensure the kingdom won't tear itself apart long after he is gone. Legends of a faraway land, across the Great Water where a Kingdom has stayed intact for thousands of years. Sanctuary.

"My home, my country, my legacy...I will not let it end, not like this!"

The old stallion hobbled down a long hallway. Two Royal Guards at both sides walking slowly with their Emperor, their black and gold armor clanking with each step. With old bones and heavy muscles he walked through a large door leading to his sleeping quarters where his adviser had been waiting patiently.

"Is there word from the Council of Wizards? Have they found anything out about this Equestria?"

"I am sorry your Highness, the few things we know came from those Yakistani merchants about four princesses, and you know we can't take their word for it. The only defining thing is that their lands are filled with magic and have lasted for over a thousands years. They need more time."

"I DON'T HAVE TIME!", The Emperor shot back making his meek adviser jump. "I can feel the Gray Horse move closer and closer each day, I don't know IF I can last til the end of Harvest!", After spending his entire life building something only to see it crumble apart in the end.

"Highness, during their research they sensed an anomaly, a large serge of Magic coming across the Great Water. They were able to pinpoint the direction it came from. We can try to send a scouting party, through the wisdom from the old ones, and you of course we found a way to build stronger ships that can safely traverse the rough waves."

"I have lost too many subjects to those waters, but it seems it is the only way!"

"Now presenting Ulrich der Bar Captain of the Winged Horssars, Hero of the Battle of the Northern Forest Border," The herald then opened the two large doors and entered a tall pegasus wearing a full suit of armor, painted black and silver with steel wings raised from the shoulders. Rather than the normal ornamental armor that most soldiers would choose to wear when called to social events, Ulrich was all business. Eager to prove his loyalty to the Empire, and Emperor Henry knew that.

"Ah Captain, so glad you can join us."

Ulrich keeled on his two front hooves and bowed before the Emperor. "Oh Mighty Henry the Enlightened, King of Kings, it is an honor to be in your presence. How can your servant of steel be of service?"

"Rise Captain, through your acts of wholehearted devotion, you have proved yourself more loyal than any other pony in my court," The Emperor stared at the still prostrated soldier, "even with your past misconducts against my kingdom."

"I wish to show you my appreciation for my life that you chose to spare."

"I saw in you something special Captain, something that was worth more to me than another carcass in a pit. I have a very important mission, you will be accompanying my crew to find Equestria!"

"If it is your wish, I shall make it so, I will ready my men and..."

"No!" the Emperor interrupted, "I said MY crew not your unit. Don't worry, while you are away they shall join the ranks of my Royal Guard. Besides, there is one certain member of my crew who would love to see you."

A young unicorn stood, with fur as brown as dirt and a mane black as night, wearing nothing but a hooded tarp on his back.

"Highness who is that unicorn?."

Emperor Henry chuckled, "I guess it has been a while since the last time you were together. Captain Ulrich, say hello to Bernhard the Watchful, or would you feel more comfortable just calling him brother?"

"What?! Bernhard is my companion?!" Ulrich stumbled a little, but kept his composure.

"It really is you Ulrich, glad to see you have made a recovery." Bernhard gave a warming smile, but was only greeted with the cold steel of Ulrich helmet.

"Correction, you are his companion! Or more specifically you must be his bodyguard. We don't know what is out there, I don't want to risk sending a whole battalion for fear of them thinking it as an invasion. Bernhard is really a charismatic pony, he helped wind down tension when negotiations arise between the principalities, but that's not going to be enough now. The actual crew sailing won't be accompanying either of you, they have their own task at hoof. When they drop you off you both must find the leader of their lands and convince them to help our nation in this time of distress!"

"How are we supposed to get back?"

"If these Princesses are truly willing to help they will provide a way back."

"I am a soldier not a diplomat, and Bernhard is....what do you expect us to do?"

"You don't give him enough credit, Bernhard is a smart pony. While you were being treated he was studying with the Wizard Council. He was the one who originally sensed the surge of Magic, he will become very powerful someday. Even before studying he showed great potential." The Emperor smirked and looked at the knight, armor still covering up any emotion that could be shown.

Ulrich stayed still, not saying a word in response.

"Captain!" The Emperor's words were like war horns to the soldier, pulling him out of his daze. "This is very important, the entire Empire rests on this mission, I can only keep the try to find a way to bring peace to our nation. Whatever it takes! If they indeed have lasted for over a thousand years then they surely would have a solution to our problem. Now go and get rest, you leave first thing tomorrow mourning, across the Great Water."

Mourning. The cool air flowing through Bernhard's mane, he was listening to the crew finish their preparations. Up in the crows nest everything can be seen. From the workers getting the last bit of supplies on board to the unicorns preparing a wind spell to send the ship off.

"Time for an adventure! For Glory!"

Ulrich stayed hidden in his cabin, carefully putting on each piece of armor so delicately crafted for his body. The burns and scars from that night was a grim reminder of past sins. He could feel the creaks of the ship start to move.

"Time to save the Empire. For Honor!"

Emperor Henry stood on a hill overseeing the ship cast off. Eyes weary from the sun's greeting, muscles aching from the cold. A chill went down his spine, a single tear fell streaming down his cheek. In the back of his mind he hoped they wouldn't succeed, he hoped for them to live the rest of their lives at peace in Equestria, away from his blood-made Kingdom. He knew better, when something is put in motion they would follow through to the end.

"This is the beginning of a new future."

From the Coast to the Castle

View Online

Many moons. Many moons of sailing. Nothing. Bernhard thought to himself while leaning over the railing. The crew was worn, not well seasoned as the Emperor told us, they didn't even look like sailors at all! With a little bit of prodding the only real sailors are the Captain and the one winged pegasus at the wheel. Everyone else seemed to have been drafted; farmers, cooks, mercenaries, even a couple of families. Perhaps this wasn't a mission after all, maybe it was just an exile in disguise? Or maybe we were the first refuges escaping a war before it even happens? No Emperor Henry wouldn't let all these able body ponies leave, not any of the ones fit for war anyway.

Bernhard pondered over these questions but his thoughts would have to wait. Ulrich landed swiftly on the main deck, still wearing his armor. The iron wings on his back glistening in the sunlight while the real wings spread out in a stretch under the tight leather. He only said one word.

"Land."

With that one word Ulrich launched himself into the air and flew away beckoning us to follow. Excited, Bernhard directed all the other unicorns to use their magic to conjure up a wind to help the ship catch up to the speeding knight. The sailing was hard and the unicorns were dead tired, but they made it. They made it to Equestria.

Princess Celestia awoke up from her sleep. She can sense something, a new force of magic that has never been seen in Equestria before. Luna came rushing into her chambers.

"Sister, I know you can feel it too."

"Yes Luna, this unknown presence is shocking, do you have any idea of what it is?"

"For safety we should send out some guards to see if they are hostile."

"How about an emissary?"

"But Prince Blueblood is till courting the Saddle Arabians and Shining Armor is still out with Princess Cadence and the new baby alicorn.

"This is an opportunity to test and see how Princess Twilight can fair diplomatically in terms of friendship, after all friendship between nations is just like a friendship between fellow ponies, one must make contact first. After all what is more friendly than sending a Princess of Friendship?"

Twilight Sparkle sat with her friends, all six of their flanks glowing from the table map waiting for a friendship problem to be solved.
"This is weird, it almost looks like it's moving."

"Why would the map send us all the way out to the San Palomino Desert?" Rainbow Dash was hovering, annoyed at the map, "Who could possibly have a friendship problem way out there?"

"Well whatever it is," Fluttershy meekly put in, "hopefully it won't be to dangerous,"

"Maybe we can throw them a party! Those always-!"

"Pinkie I don't think a party in the desert is the best way to sole their problem," Applejack interrupted, "besides if Twilight is right about them moving, we need to find out which direction they are going."

"Twilight!" Spike comes rushing in, "It's a note from Princess Celestia."

Dear Twilight,

Princess Luna and I have sensed a presence West of the San Palomino Desert, we have thought in our better judgement that a Princess should be greeting the new arrivals in the name of Friendship. Considering how well things have ended with the Yaks, we've decided the Mane six should greet these travelers from afar. We have pinpointed their location close to the coast past the desert, please use extreme cation, I wouldn't want any of your friends to get hurt.

From,

Princess Celestia

"These new ponies must be very powerful," Spikes knees started to shake, "if Celestia can sense them all the way from Canterlot,"

"Oh Spike," Twilight comforted the shaking dragon, "Princess Celestia and Princess Luna can sense everypony in Equestria. Alright girls this letter just makes our mission official, we need to find whoever is out there."

"Let's go Ulrich we are wasting time." After packing all of his equipment, Bernhard flew himself to shore, the aurora from his magic glistening off the waves while Ulrich flew silently behind him, both landing gracefully on the beach. While the ship sailed down the coast the two brothers they made their way inland, it didn't take long to notice that the soft grass soon turned into a sprawling empty desert.

"Onward!" Bernhard taking the first step watched his hoof sink halfway into the sand, "The first step of a new frontier." Ulrich shook his head and hovered slowly behind him. Silence. A full moon of walking and not one word from Ulrich. Stopping to camp Bernhard decided to ask his brother something he always wanted to ask.

"Say Ulrich, why were you always gone?"

The sudden question made the knight jolt a second, not wanting to relive the past.

"I remember you for brief spots, but it seemed like you were always away. Why?"

"...," Ulrich kept to his thoughts. Thought about that fateful night, the night he lost everything.

There in the forest surrounding his village an army marched. Soldiers battered and beaten in a previous battle now marched on their village hoping to plunder and regain any dignity that was lost to them. While they marched a storm was falling on the forest, a small band of stallions watched them atop a hill. Waiting. Not yet. Not yet. NOW! The unicorns rained fire upon the weary soldiers, screams of the burning made it's way all the way down the marching line. In the confusion the Earth ponies atop the hill charged and rammed into the flank of the marching line. Chaos ensued, many of the tired soldiers simply dumped their colors and fled while the few who held were cut down. After the whole ordeal over half of the would be pillagers laid in the mud dead or dying. Shouts of joy spread throughout the small band, "Victory!" they cried and went back to camp. Celebrating their victory they drank the night away, during the cheering and laughing one pegasus sat down tiredly. Something was wrong, things were a little blurry. A scream? Looking up from the fire he saw not his friends, but bloodthirsty Imperial soldiers wanting revenge. AMBUSH!? He quickly grabbed a sword and shield and swung into the fray of this renegade platoon. One down. Then two. Three. The Pegasus kept slashing until there were almost no foes to slash. Almost. His last victim stood stunned, looking into the blood stained pegasus's eyes. No mercy. The Pegasus charged into the scared stiff opponent scared stiff, one final stab to end it. Finally over, looking into the point where the sword entered he looked up and gasped in horror. For his sword wasn't in an opponent, but his closest friend. Screaming out he called out to his other friends for help only to find they were dead too. There were no Imperial bodies, the lone pegasus cut down his entire troop. Tears in his eyes he screamed for death to take him, but the only response was a laugh from the treeline. A lone unicorn stepped out of the shadows, traces of magic disappearing atop his horn. No words, just anger and hate. The pegasus charged full force, wings flying him ever faster. The unicorn simply lowered his horn spewing hot fire magic, seeing him tumble and scream was satisfying enough, and teleported away. Screaming the pegasus could feel his fur melt. His mane burning into his skull, hooves cracking at the intense heat, chainmail branding all over his body. Nothing but pain.

A light? The sun. Still alive. He passed out, awakening he found himself in a makeshift triage. Surrounding him were other ponies with similar burns. A camp? Covered in wrapping he stumbled out of the tent, looking about his heart sank, he was in the middle of an Imperial camp.

"Later, we should rest for tomorrow."

A Brother's Journey

by LukeDaDuke

Across the Great Water

From the Coast to the Castle