After Luna’s banishment everypony has heard of the nation of Equestria. After Discord was defeated everypony had heard of the Elements of Harmony. After the return of the Crystal Empire everypony knew of Princess Cadence. In only a few days everypony has heard of Equestria’s newest Princess, Twilight Sparkle, and the bearers of the Elements.
Of course being Equestria’s newest Princess, Twilight had learned a lot of secrets of Equestria and she thought she had learned everything. She assumed she had learned everything mainly because she had read every book in Canterlot and learned a lot from Celestia and Luna. It took her exploring Canterlot Castle’s restricted areas with Princess Celestia to figure out that Equestria had an enormous secret.
“What is that?” Twilight asked her mentor as they came across a vault door.
“That is a vault, Twilight,” Celestia said in a sarcastic voice.
“Can we go inside?” Twilight asked slightly annoyed.
“I suppose,” Celestia said sounding a little worried but opened the vault anyway.
The vault was fairly small on the inside and held some very old scrolls and even some stone plaques on the many shelves inside. The only thing that stuck out was a simple pillar in the center that was probably holding up the ceiling since they were under the Castle. Twilight obviously looked at all of the ancient writings that the vault held but Celestia walked up to the pillar.
“May I come in?” Celestia said quietly but her voice echoed in the vault.
“Are you sure she will be able to accept it?” another voice whispered. Twilight had found her way over to Celestia when she heard her mentor but she didn’t recognize the other voice.
“She will learn eventually and I believe we have waited too long already,” Celestia stated loudly.
“You have twenty-four hours,” the voice replied from a little hole in the pillar. After a few seconds another hidden door opened to reveal another room bigger than the actual vault. This room housed scrolls as well but they were either on the right or left side of the room on a long bookshelf. There was also a smaller bookcase at the front of the room that had a handful of folders.
Twilight looked at each scroll intently studying them from the other side of a pane of glass. The first on she saw had a pony’s name so it was probably birth records. The next one was also birth records and when she examined all of them she noticed that they were all birth records.
“All birth records are public so why are these inside a vault under the castle?” Twilight asked.
“It would be dangerous not only to the ponies whose records are in here but to all of Equestria,” Celestia stated.
“Why would it be dangerous to Equestria?” Twilight asked looking closer at each birth record. Celestia stayed quiet as she waited for something. While examining the birth records she recognized a name, it was the name of an Element of Harmony. Now Twilight demanded to know more for her best friends sake.
At the center of Equestria is a forest that everypony these days has heard of but three thousand years ago the forest was very different. The forest now known as the Everfree Forest used to actually be a clearing that held the first castle for Equestrian Royalty. The original rulers of Equestria were the very ponies that founded it and they decided that the future rulers will be from their own bloodline.
The young nation has a very unfortunate problem that can’t be hidden; King Puddinghead and Queen Platinum have been assassinated. As for the last King, former Commander Hurricane, he stepped down from the throne due to old age and stress. His son Prince Kenneth assumed the throne and has ruled for almost twenty years. His parents, Laurence Hurricane and Crystal Divyde, and his sister, Princess Midnight Shine, were planning a party for Ken’s twenty year reign with no wars while expanding Equestria.
“So what kind of party are we gonna throw him?” a young unicorn with a light green coat and deep yellow mane with a cutie mark of a crescent moon asked.
“I’d love to throw something big,” an older Pegasus with a pale blue coat and light red mane with a wing crossed with a lightning bolt as a cutie mark replied.
“He wouldn’t want anything big and frankly I don’t either,” a green coated unicorn mare with a light orange mane and a triangle of little hearts adorning her flank retorted.
“Maybe something small just friends and family,” the young unicorn suggested.
“Friends, family, and about half the royal guard,” the stallion complained as he remembered the trouble they had gone through to lose them just for this conversation.
“Order them to stay outside then,” the older mare retorted.
“Yeah they have to listen to us and if they don’t we can always send brother after them,” the young mare said not hiding her love of her family legacy.
“You just turned twenty-five, old enough to assume the throne beside your brother,” the older stallion remarked.
“Yeah but it’s too much pressure for me. I’d rather have Ken stay in power,” the young Princess said truthfully.
“He is doing a great job. This nation can be a pain to run,” the older stallion commented.
“I can imagine, well, I could know but I’d rather not,” Princess Miriam said.
“We’d better turn around,” Crystal said looking around unable to see the castle anymore.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I was just doing my usual work witch is mainly paperwork and listening to complaints but it’s very boring. Something else about my job was all the formalities and admittedly at first I liked when everypony bowed before me but that dissipated quickly. Today was no different as everypony had bowed and addressed me as sire witch I have gotten sick of but at least the last pony of the day had left.
“Finally finished,” I said getting off my throne and trotting towards the nearby window.
“Another long day huh?” a familiar voice asked from behind me.
“Aren’t they always?” I asked rhetorically.
“You used to like being King,” he said plainly.
“Guess it gets to a pony after a while,” I said finally looking at the other creature.
“I still have a bad feeling about today, Kenneth,” he said seriously.
“Your feelings haven’t been proven wrong yet,” I reminded letting my worry seep through a little.
“Are you still going to go through with it?” he asked obviously worried about my earlier decision.
“My mind is made up and it has been on my mind for the last three years,” I stated.
“Are you sure your nieces are ready for this?” he said trying to change my mind.
“I have known you long enough to know something else is troubling you,” I stated looking worried.
“Neither of them particularly like me especially, Celestia,” he said looking worried.
“You are always welcome in my kingdom, Discord,” I said and the Draconequus perked up.
“It will not always be your-” Discord was cut off by an explosion in the woods followed by a pillar of black light.
“I hate it when you’re right,” I said taking off towards the explosion. Even before I landed I could make out what looked like a black pegasus/unicorn along with two other ponies laying a few feet away. It was only after I landed that I noticed one of the ponies lying down was a unicorn while the other was a Pegasus. Their coats either completely charred or covered in soot but both of them were definitely dead.
“GUARDS!! GUARDS!!” I yelled while giving the unisus a death stare. It didn’t take long for most of my guard to arrive and the battle began. The battle didn’t last long but sadly we were losing and losing badly. The unisus released an amazing dark blue wave from her body immobilizing everypony and the battle was over. The strange creature walked up to me and formed a blue magic ball in her mouth but stopped.
“SSSSSTTTTOOOOOOPPPPPPPP!!!!!” It yelled as the magical ball dissipated.
“Thank…you,” I barely forced out but I noticed the creature was crying.
“I’m so sorry. I wasn’t in control,” it admitted still sobbing and obviously sincere with its apology.
“I…don’t blame…you,” I said from my burning throat. As the darkness around her faded her wings evaporated and her body changed color. I was stunned when the darkness left completely leaving a sobbing unicorn with a light green coat and deep yellow mane with a cutie mark of a crescent moon. It was my sister that I was fighting. All of my mixed emotions pushed my body over the edge and I blacked out.
It only took a few hours in the hospital before I was back to my royal duties but thankfully everypony delayed their matters until I was better. At a loss for something to do I decided to go back to the new clearing in the middle of the forest. The clearing was exactly the same as the last time soot covered the dirt and the center of the clearing was charred.
I only had a few bruises and some electronic imbalance in my spine that still slowed me down a little but my guards weren’t as fortunate. The autopsy revealed that the same electronic disturbance had attacked their brain stopping all electronic signals shutting down their internal organs. The death count was fifty-four guards and my parents who were burned to death from the inside out.
Nopony has seen my sister since the attack but since it was technically her attacking it didn’t surprise me. I stood there staring at the burnt center when one of my guards landed nearby and bowed to me.
“Sire there is a gryphon who requests your presence at the palace,” she said with sadness in her voice.
“Tell him I will be there in a bit,” I simply ordered one of my newest guards. In my free time I learned the name of every guard and hung out with them on occasion. When I was younger I was home schooled and wasn’t very social so not many ponies know of the rainbow mane under my custom crown. I always used my crown as a sign that I was on duty so right now the crown is in my chambers.
“Of course sire,” she said saluting before taking off but her response was almost ignored by my own thoughts.
I knew that my time as King was almost over and I still haven’t met my nieces who live on a mountainside near the original borders. I took off towards the castle for what could be the last time I will ever see it but I quickly shake the thought out of my head. I was positive I would see the castle again maybe not in the same way or maybe a new castle for Equestria but I would see it again.
Instead of banking to the right to enter my private chambers I tilted upwards to perform my favorite trick one last time. I fly up until the ponies in the capitol looked like ants before stopping in mid-air to catch my breath. I focused completely and started descending rapidly but still picking up speed as gravity helped my controlled fall.
A white cone formed around me and narrowed as I picked up speed but before it broke I noticed I didn’t have enough room. If I didn’t pull up I would crash into the ground but my body acted before I could figure something out. I found myself slowing down and allowing the cone to fling me backwards to a safe distance.
After being flung backwards I turned around as fast as possible and accelerated again forming another cone around me. Between the fling of the last cone and my wings increasing my speed I broke through the white cone easily. My body shook as the cone broke and I could see my favorite unnamed move that creates a rainbow wave and leaves a matching trail from my mane and tail.
I always loved flying at high speeds and none of my guards has ever beaten me in a race but I remembered the gryphon waiting for me at the palace. I turned around and aimed at the palace without losing speed as I have done this several times before. Just like every other time I flew through my window and slid a little on the ground while piling air in front of me to slow me down.
Sky magic is what it’s called although it is currently a dying art all pegasi can use sky magic. Unlike unicorn’s universal magic witch comes naturally sky magic is only natural to a point. Pegasi moving clouds and walking on clouds is all the more unfocused sky magic can do. My father taught me how to harness my power and even how our magic is different from unicorn and earth pony magic.
Refocusing at the task at hoof I grabbed my crown from the top of my dresser and pulled out my royal cape. I turned towards the door and readied myself for royal duties before finally opening the door and walking towards the throne room. The walk wasn’t long but before I could open the door I heard hurried hoofsteps and the clanging sound of armor behind me so I stopped and waited.
“Sire, your nieces have arrived,” she said panting a little while bowing.
“Tell them I have one last appointment for today and then I will go see them,” I said before walking into the throne room.
“Thank you for seeing me on such short notice,” the gryphon said bowing.
“You must be Indigo. Orion has told us a lot about you,” I said.
“You have already met Orion?” she asked. I nodded in reply and she continued, “Then I shall make this quick. I am the other guardian here to tell you that you have twenty-four hours.”
“YOU DARE ORDER ME,” I yelled as loud as possible and the echoes made it sound louder. She didn’t even flinch at my yelling and I found myself laughing at that. Her position never faltered and I just said what I actually meant, “I am aware of that and the preparations are almost complete.”
“How does she know of your plans?” Discord asked appearing out of nowhere as the gryphon left.
“I don’t have time to explain that. Let’s go meet my nieces,” I said casually walking towards the main door.
“I know there is something bothering you,” he said plainly with his usual façade.
“There usually is,” I said opening the doors to reveal two unicorn mares.
“King Kenneth,” Celestia said more like a question than a statement.
“The one and only,” I said nonchalantly.
“UNCLE KEN! It’s so great to meet you,” Luna said coming over and giving me a hug.
“It’s great to meet you too. I just wish we had more time,” I admitted.
“More time?” the three asked simultaneously.
“Indeed since I am leaving around this time tomorrow for diplomatic reasons,” I informed them.
“You’re doing this now?” Discord asked subtly showing his concern.
“I had this planned for the end of the year but certain circumstances have forced my hoof,” I explained.
“Had what planned?” Celestia asked simply.
“It is time for me to step down as King and as the last of the royal family it’s your duty to take over,” I answered a little sad for throwing such responsibility at them during our first meeting.
“That is why you wanted us here?” Luna asked obviously upset.
“Of course not as I said earlie-” another beam of black light erupted from behind the castle forcing me to stop. I threw my crown to the ground shortly after taking off and also left my royal cape flutter to the ground. I finally found the source witch was once again a unisus so I got into a fighting stance.
Two griffons appeared by my side along with Discord and the four of us wasted no time in attacking the creature. Another battle that was short lived, it shot a black energy blast that directly hit Discord but the griffons attacked it with an energy attack of their own. The guardians attack was a spiraling blast of blue, yellow, and red that hit the unisus directly knocking it unconscious.
“What is it?” I asked as we approached.
“They are called alicorns and they have cosmic magic,” the guardian of space explained.
“Though Equestria doesn’t know of them yet,” the guardian of time continued.
“UNCLE KEN!” Luna yelled very loudly as her and Celestia were finally visable.
Luna’s yell was loud enough to stir the alicorn and it immediately attack with an enormous explosion. The explosion almost made the castle fall and the shockwave flung Luna and Celestia to safety although it engulfed me and the two unprepared guardians. They say that when you are about to die your life flashes before your eyes but all I could see was the hospital I was in mere hours ago.
I was in a hospital room though it didn’t surprise but what did surprise me was the gryphon to my left who was transparent like a ghost. He opened his mouth a few times but no words left his mouth and we just stayed in silence. I looked directly at him as his eyes told me that he meant no harm but also the fact I was the only one able to see him.
“I want you to start training, a training that will help you protect your country,” he finally said in a rough voice. I looked around the room examining the usual light green walls that the castle infirmary had. The room itself simply had the bed I was in and a pull over table thing.
“Am I dead?” I asked curiously looking back towards the gryphon.
“No you are chosen,” he simply stated. He caught my confused look and continued, “I am the guardian of time for this universe meaning I can travel in time. You have been chosen to become this universe’s new guardian of time since I will die by the end of the year.”
“How can you be sure,” I asked vaguely trying to get two questions at once as I sat up in the bed itself.
“When you know about time as well as I do you know when your time is almost up. I can tell you are the new guardian of time by your aura witch has definitely been touched by time itself. The living creature that controls time chooses creatures to basically clean and protect it,” he explained.
“I’m sorry I seem to have forgotten my manners my name is Kenneth,” I said raising a hoof.
“I have long forgotten my true name but the name everything knows me as is Orion,” he said shaking my hoof with his claw. He got up and said, “You will probably run into Indigo before your time here is done. Indigo is the guardian of space for this universe and is usually more straightforward.”
After that he simply faded away and I just stared at where he once stood.