Chapters It was a joyous day, a day to celebrate. The new princess was about to be crowned in Zodiac Square. Sergeant Eclipse had made it clear that heads would roll if any of us jacked up the event, and I made sure mine wasn’t one of them.
I made a second head to count, to make sure I had all of the members of my squad. All were present and accounted for, although some uniform corrections had to be made. I expected it of them, but I never let them know that. Eventually, they would need to be perfect first time, every time. Better to develop that habit sooner rather than later.
Just as I finished correcting the last of the privates, Sergeant walked in, his scars still frightening, even after knowing him for the past year. “Corporal Crow! Are your men ready?”
I snapped to attention, facing him. “Yes Sergeant. We await your command.”
He gave me a nod, and as quickly as he arrived, left our tent, on to inspect the other squads. I turned to the stallions, who all stood stone faced at attention. We were the first one to be checked, and the Colonel needed to inspect the rest of the Battalion. There was no point in keeping them here forever. “At ease, privates. We’ll be waiting a while.”
They heaved a collective sigh of relief. They had learned to respect their NCOs, but I think a few of them still had a genuine fear for them.
“Corporal, what if I’m not feeling too good about this parade. What if I screw up? Sergeant will have my head.
“He’ll tell you straighten up. I’m the one he’ll put the blame on if you all are sloppy.” The stallion didn’t seem convinced. He kept looking around, fidgeting with the tassels on his armor. He wasn’t going to march well acting like that. “Calm down, Private. All you have to do is look good and march straight. We’ll get you through the rest.”
This seemed to put him at ease, at least for the moment. He was right though. Coronations are a once in a lifetime event. Nopony could live down the shame of screwing this up. They’d probably volunteer for banishment. Negative thoughts wouldn’t help, though. I had to lead these stallions through streets filled with the entire city. They were my responsibility.
Noon came, and the procession began. I could only assume, hope, that we all looked as professional and intense as possible. If we didn’t, we could only hope the crowd wouldn’t notice.
The crowds were cheering as we entered the parade. I can’t describe in words the feelings I had at that moment. Whatever they were, I hid them well, behind a facade of military intensity. The privates did as I did, so I had to look the best.
Still, it was a great relief to have a new ruler on the throne. Prince Orion had retreated into obscurity, and nopony really knew what had become of him. The new princess was supposedly vibrant and youthful; exactly what this nation needed to recapture our glory.
Our battalion filed off to the right, and we took our positions amongst the rest of the guard. Now came the easy part. All we had to do was be statues, while the Duchess of Polaris crowned the new princess. We’d only seen the Lords at our inspection. The Duchess and the Princess had their own personal guards. We all held our breath as we saw our monarch for the first time.
She was truly a sight to behold. Her main flowed elegantly in the night breeze, and her gown, adorned with amethyst and diamonds, was as perfect as could be for the occasion.
A squire approached the Duchess in a bow, holding the royal crown. She lifted the crown with her magic, and lay it gently atop the new rulers head. The two walked to the edge, and the Duchess cast and amplification spell. “Hail, Princess Starry Night! Ruler of all the Thestrals! Nocturna Eternal!”
A thunderous cheer erupted from the crowd. I tried to hold back my excitement, until I saw the Colonel embracing the other officers. I gave in then, and started jumping up and down like a school colt. Nopony cared. From now on, we would have a princess with empathy for her ponies, and would take action to end their suffering and build our nation anew.
At least, that was how it was supposed to be.
I never imagined being Captain of the Nighthawks would be as thankless as it was. We were tasked with providing security for all of the Princess’s castles, and yet we were denied the funds to increase our ranks. The stallions we did have were at their breaking point. I’d been asked by countless hawks if there was a new shipment of rations that day, since the stores were almost depleted. Every time they asked, I reassured them there was, and that the quartermaster was on the case. Every time I said that, I was a liar. I had no idea when or if we were getting more rations. What food there was needed to go out to feed the city, but more farms were failing every day. We all knew it, but nopony would say it; Nocturna was dying.
One night, as I poured over the deployment orders, I heard a rapping at the door. I ushered them in, and an old friend of mine, Lieutenant Comet, came in. “Comet? I haven’t seen you in ages! How have you been?”
I got a better look at him as I stood up, and realized he didn’t need to answer. He appeared gaunt. He’d lost so much weight, he didn’t fit into his armor anymore. Still, he smiled, working hard to conceal the pain I knew he had.
“Crow, I’m so glad you’re looking healthy. I just transferred here from the southern castles, since there’s not much left to guard there.”
“Well, make no mistake, we have our hooves full here. Did you get assigned to a post?”
“Actually, I’m assigned as your XO. My first act is to let you know that Princess Starry Night has requested an audience with you."
The Princess very rarely calls for meeting with the guard. That duty was usually left to Lord of the Castle, though he hasn’t been seen since his trip to the coast. I guess the Princess hadn’t any other liaisons. “Very well. I shall go at once. Thank you, Lieutenant.”
We rendered our salutes, and I left him to tend to the rest of the paper work. Thank the stars I didn’t have to that on my own.
When I reached the throne room, I was surprised to find only a single Nighthawk guarding the door. I should have been furious, but I restrained myself. “Stallion, why are you the only Nighthawk guarding the throne room?”
He appeared intimidated by my tone, though he kept his bearing. “Sir, my partner was called off to patrol the eastern wall, as per your orders.”
I did remember, signing those orders, but I hadn’t expected stallions to be taken from the throne room of all places. Our ranks were thinner than I thought. “As you were.”
Inside, I saw the Princess simply starring out the window. Nopony else was around, it was just her and her thoughts. I took a bow before addressing her. “Your majesty, you requested an audience with me?”
She whipped her head towards me as if startled, though it took her a second to compose herself. I must have caught her dreaming. “Captain, yes I did. I was hoping you could shed some light on a few things for me.”
“Anything, Princess. What is it you wish to know.”
“I’ve been told that more Nighthawks have been recalled here to the capital, leaving fields in the south unprotected.”
“Yes, Princess. Those were my orders.”
“But that leaves ponies unprotected. How they can farm and protect themselves from the predators from the forrest?”
I didn’t realize how in the dark she was. It was the Internal Affairs Minister’s duty to inform the Princess on such matters. “Your Majesty, the farmers have been resettled father north, as well as the guards. They reported that their fields were barren, so it was reasoned that they would be more productive helping the remaining farms.”
“Has it increased food production?”
“It’s too soon to tell. What stallions we have left are tied up at the coast. It benefits to have a smaller territory to maintain.”
Her ears perked when I mentioned the coast. Her expression was one of surprise. “What’s happening at the coast?”
I was honestly surprised she hadn’t heard of the situation, though it was my duty now to inform her. “With the current famine, ponies are flooding to the coast, acting on rumors that there could be a land at the end of the sea. They’re trying to row out in handmade canoes, barely big enough for two. Everypony who’s gone out have never come back.”
The Princess was aghast. She could not believe her citizens had been driven to such desperation. “What can we do? This is getting out of control.”
I could see she was getting upset. I had never heard of a princess crying, but she was on the verge of tears. “Princess, I can keep order in anyway I can, but we need a plan for ending this famine, lest the ponies begin to turn on the monarchy.”
I hadn’t made a dent in her sorrow. She merely stumbled off to her chambers, the door closing slowly behind her. If the population had seen what I had just seen, there would be revolts for sure.
Outside the throne room, there was a crowd of nobility waiting for there turn. These were the one group I would gladly bring bad news to. “Your Lordships, the Princess had retired to her chambers. She will call for you once she is ready.”
One of the group, Lord Umbra, stepped forward. “Actually Captain, we would like an audience with you.”
I hated having to deal with nobility. Their sense of entitlement always made me agitated. I had to start off as a private to get to my position. They simply had to be born. “What is it you wish to talk about?”
He seemed about as pleased to speak with me I was with him, though we both maintain our manners as well as we could. “Princess Starry Night doesn’t normally speak with the Nighthawk Captain herself. What exactly did you say to her?”
How they’d found out about my audience with the princess, I didn’t know. I wasn’t about to let a noble demand information from me. “I’m afraid I’m not a liberty to discuss that. The princess trusts me with her confidence.”
“I’m sure she does.” His condescending tone was beginning to get the better of me. I could feel my frown turn into a scowl. “Just know this; this nation has a longstanding tradition of a separate and subservient military. I hope you are prepared to honor that tradition.”
“Of course, your lordship.” My contempt came through in my voice, though I didn’t care. I’d said what I needed to, and that sent them on their way.
As I walked back to my office, thoughts were swirling in my head. If had said them out loud, I would have been cast out as a traitor. I felt that Nocturna was in peril, and that Princess Starry Night couldn’t save us. She was our natural ruler, but she needed to be guided to the right decisions. The nobles obviously had their own preservation in mind, and only added to the nations troubles. I had to work my way closer to the princess, and guide her on the right path. I just needed to find out what that path was.
Those boat ponies had one thing right; our future was not here in Nocturna. There was no way we could continue to survive in this wasteland. It was as if the well that fed us didn’t just dry up, but vanished entirely. The rivers that once provided us with water were now bone dry, and our fields no longer yielded crops. The unicorn thestrals could force the plants to grow with magic, but it was a net loss. They used more energy to grow the plants than the plants provided. We couldn’t sustain a population on that plan. We needed new fields.
I gathered every map of Nocturna I could find, and poured over every inch of ground. Everywhere I looked, I could only see greater perils. The forrest to the south was filled with beasts and predators. To the north lay only ice, a far worse climate than where we were. To the west was only the sea. It seemed as if we as a species were trapped, doomed to go extinct in a geographical cage.
“Do you need anything, Crow?” Comet was standing at the door, still gaunt, but he looked as if he had energy from some food.
“I need a plan. We can’t stay in Nocturna, but we have no where else to go.”
“It is quite disparaging. Too bad we can’t just go back to Equestria.”
Equestria? I didn’t see that on the map. “What are you talking about? I’ve never heard of such a place.”
He chuckled as if I’d made a joke, though he quickly realized I hadn’t. “Don’t you remember from mythology? The land of bounty, where ponies could control their destinies, never needing to worry about a shortage of anything.”
“Sounds like a filly’s tale.” I wasn’t in the mood for stories.
“They say that the thestrals were banished from Equestria, because we couldn’t live in harmony with the ponies of the day, whatever that is. Supposedly it’s just over the Hadrian Mountains.”
That time I really did chuckle. “You and I both know there’s nothing over those mountains. It’s an empty abyss.”
“Well, nopony has come back to say otherwise. But you never know.” With that, he left, going back to his duties.
It was a silly thing to even comprehend. Equestria was a metaphor for paradise, and nothing more. Only colts and fillies would believe such tales.
As the night dragged on though, the thoughts of Equestria kept creeping back to the front of my mind. Every time I tried to find a real solution, it was struck down by some terrible danger, and that mythical land came back as a better alternative.
It shouldn’t have been that far away either; the mountains were within flying distance of the capital, so theoretically, an expedition over the mountains would take no time at all.
There was a good reason nopony had ever come back though. Supposedly, the winds reach speeds faster than any storm, and could hurl a pony miles from the mountain. Even pegasi thestrals are tossed around by these zephyrs.
Why not? The risk of me not coming back versus the reward of sustaining our species didn’t seem like a choice at all. I didn’t even bother to pack any supplies. I summoned two pegasi and a chariot, and I was off to the Hadrian Mountains.
When we arrived at Point Nebula, the highest established base on the mountain, I began to ascend the mountain on hoof.
One of the pegasi guards called out to me. “Sir, are you really going over the mountains?”
“You needn’t worry about that. Just get comfortable here. If I don’t come back, then there is no hope for our race.”
The walk up the mountain was arduous. As the air thinned out, I found myself struggling just to breath, but I couldn’t stop. This could be our only chance for survival. If it turned out to be myth, then I would just have to join the boat ponies.
Minutes turned to hours, and inches turned to miles. Every step I took didn’t seem to bring me any closer to the summit. I kept thinking that there must be another way, someway I just hadn’t figured out by looking at the maps. I wanted to turn back, and try to find a plan that wasn’t based off of ancient mythology. But I’d tried doing that, and I came up empty. This was our only hope for survival.
After hours upon hours of hiking, I made it to the summit. Behind me was Nocturna, a doomed land dotted with abandoned farms. Before, supposedly, lay a land of plenty. At that moment though, it was covered by a thick fog. I began to descend, but as I did so, I felt a tremendous gust force me off of the peak, sending me hurtling towards the earth below. I panicked, but only briefly. I’d pulled myself out of worse situations than this. With a little magic, I was able to force myself back against the cliff face, turning my plummet into a controlled slide.
I began to tumble, endlessly it seemed, down the steep cliff face. My fall was broken occasionally by less steep faces, though it wasn’t enough to rid me of the pain of falling on bare stone.
Eventually, I came to rest on a ledge, just above a group of stalagmites. It was only luck that had stopped me then. As I stood myself back up, I looked out over the ledge, and I saw what no thestral had seen in generations.
Before me stretched a lush green land. Not just green from fields, but from orchards, woods, and meadows. I could even see cities, bright with light, dotting the landscape. Looking closer, I could see fields where ponies had obviously tended. Rows of corn and apple orchards spanned for miles.
I could have stared at it for eternity, marveling at the bounties that lay before me. But nopony else knew. I had to go and tell them that Equestria was going to be our land, our new home. I remembered what Comet had said as well. ‘They say that the thestrals were banished from Equestria, because we couldn’t live in harmony with the ponies of the day’ . If that part of the myth was true, like Equestria itself, this land wasn’t just necessary for the thestral’s survival, it was our birthright.
When I returned to Point Nebula the next day, I was exhausted and starving, but I didn’t care in the slightest. It was the oddest sensation to feel such agony, and yet feel so alive. I was brimming with hope. I hoped that this land would make a fitting replacement for the nation I had worked so hard to build here in Nocturna. I couldn’t wait to inform the princess of what I’d found.
The guards that had brought me here were just going back to their quarters when the noticed me. I must’ve given them quite a shock. They crowded around as if I were on my deathbed. There wasn’t time for that, though. “Get me to the capital. I must speak with the Princess.”
Most ponies would be shaking in their horseshoes at the thought of addressing all of the nobility in Nocturna, in addition to the Princess. I though, could not have felt more confident in my entire life. I had a plan to save our race, and once I spelled it out for the nobility, with the Princess’s blessing, I would lead us over the mountains and back to our true home.
As I walked into the throne room, all eyes were on me. On the sidelines, I could here mutterings among the nobility. I couldn’t tell what they were saying, but you could bet it was something to do with me. I hadn’t told a soul about what I’d seen. All I’d told anyone was that I had a solution to our crisis. If only they knew what I had in store for them.
After the usual proceedings for a formal address, and prepared to give a speech I hoped would turn our fortunes. “Fillies and Gentlecolts, as you are all well aware, our civilization in Nocturna is doomed.” My comment stirred a murmur amongst the crowd. You wouldn’t have thought that would come as a surprise to anypony. “Despite the best efforts of our citizens, the amount of arable land is dwindling, and our food stores are almost depleted.”
One of the lords spoke up from the crowd. “Captain, is the purpose of speech to remind us all of what we already know? If we wanted to somepony say that, we’d go out onto the streets.”
The Princess stood, and glared down the guilty party. “Do not interrupt Captain Crow! Continue, Captain.”
“Thank you, Princess.” I could deal with their disrespect for just a little while longer. “If we stay here in Nocturna, we will perish, that much is certain. However, I’ve discovered our salvation.” The room fell quiet, even the Princess leaned forward, as if it would bring the news to their ears faster.
The same lord spoke up again. “Captain, your not seriously suggesting we all hop in boats and paddle our way to the promised land. There’s nothing beyond that sea.”
I should have been furious that he’d disrespected me for the second time, and in the presence of Princess Starry Night, of all ponies. Instead, I smirked, for I was about to make him out to be a fool.
“My lord, I would never dream of such a venture. No, our destiny lies elsewhere, somewhere no thestral has been in millennia.” A short pause would build up suspense once more. I guess I was beginning to enjoy myself. “We shall return to Equestria!”
If I had said we should move to the southern forests, everyone would have probably been more receptive. The crowds were at such a state, even the Princess could not calm them.
Lord Umbra stepped forward from the crowd. “Captain Crow, I am shocked. Has our situation really deteriorated to the point where the Captain of the Nighthawk Guard is reduced to planning an exodus to a fantasy world?”
“My lord, It is no fantasy, I assure you. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. There are pastures and orchards as far as the eye can see. Our species could survive for eternity.”
“Are we supposed to trust our future on your faith in a fairy tale? I’m afraid you ask a lot of our faith, not to mention our patience.”
I was tempted to knock this insolent fool flat against the wall. I would have been well within my rights to do so, but only my respect for the Princess held me back. “If you choose not to believe me, you can take your chances here, my Lord. Otherwise, I am requesting the necessary resources to prepare the entire nation for an exodus to Equestria.”
I looked to the Princess, hoping to see her standing firm, ready to back her loyal servant. Instead, I saw her shrinking back, glancing around the crowd. I hadn’t intended to divide the court so. The nobility could be left to flounder, but as long as I had the support of the Ruler of all the Thestrals, I could still save my country.
“Princess, may I have your blessing to carry out the exodus?”
I doubt she could even hear me over the banter of the crowd, which eventually grew so loud that even I couldn’t speak above it. I turned back to engage Lord Umbra, but he was already arguing with another noble. As I turned back to the Princess, I saw her, head hung low, being ushered back to her chambers by another mare. I needed to get her approval as soon as possible. I moved through the crowd towards the royal chambers. Nopony in the throne room would miss me.
When I got to her room, I didn’t bother knocking. This matter was simply too urgent. “Princess, forgive me but I must have an answer!”
Her mare friend answered first. “You will wait! You are in no position to demand anything from your monarch!”
I recognized her then. It was Harvest Moon. I remember having to watch over the two when I was first commissioned to the Nighthawks. I hadn’t seen her in years, since she’d left to teach children on the coast. I guess with the boats, she didn’t have many pupils left.
“Harvest, I understand that she is your friend, but as Princess of the Thestrals, her subjects well being comes first. Now let her speak for herself.”
She inserted herself between myself and the Princess, had I not known her personally, I would simply brushed her aside. But she was devoted to her friend, to the point where no other issues concerned her. It was a difficult philosophy to live by, especially in these trying times. Still, the well being of the populace had to come first, and if that meant pushing the Princess for an answer, then so be it.
“Step aside, Harvest. I will detain you for interfering with royal duties.”
“Starry’s under enough pressure as it is. You can’t expect her to fund your expedition. Equestria doesn’t even exist.”
“It does exist, and it’s only hope of avoiding extinction. All I need is for her to say yes.”
The princess now came forward, though without the authority one would expect. Her posture seemed more indicative of a sorry toddler than the ruler of a nation. I wasn’t quite sure what to make of her.
“Captain, please forgive me, but I can’t support action that causes such disharmony. There must be another way.”
It was hard to maintain proper etiquette. Every movement she made expressed such sorrow and hopelessness, I was worried it might rub off on me. “Princess, I’ve looked for every possible alternative. Equestria is real, and it will save us. I’ve already drafted plans, but I need your permission to execute them. I beg of you, as your humble servant.”
It was no good. She slumped down and began murmuring to herself. No one should have to see their sovereign in such a state. I was just glad Harvest were the only ones to see it. If word got out that the Princess had lost hope, who knows where else the ponies would try to go.
I retired that night in a state of despair. My honor had been tarnished, my hopes dashed, and what’s worse, my faith in the Princess was in shambles. I was only one stallion, without a single patron at court. I could lead the effort, but Starry Night needed to lead the ponies. If she couldn’t do that, what was I to do?
It came to me, and under different circumstances, I’d have considered myself a traitor. But I felt something inside myself, a drive for success. I realized something then; my loyalties lay not with the crown, but with the nation. Their prosperity came first, and if Princess Starry Night couldn’t provide it, then somepony else had to.
The halls filled with a hollow echo as I strolled down the corridors. I was alone, but then again, I expected to be. Most ponies slept as often as possible to conserve energy, but I had business to attend to.
With a knock I called Harvest Moon to her door. She rubbed her eyes as she answered, but quickly perked up when she realized who was at the door. Her tone left a lot to be desired, though. “What do you want? You should be asleep like everypony else.”
I closed the door as gently as I could. No one could know what I was doing. Not yet. “I believe I’m the one who’s supposed to give orders. It’s for your own well being.”
She seemed struck by my change in mannerisms. I had always been strict and professional with her in the past. I had hoped for such an effect. “Well then, what are your orders, Captain?”
Without pause, I picked her up with magic, and threw her onto the floor. I could see her struggling, but at this point it was useless. “What are you doing?! Help!”
“Shh. No point in that now. You’re doing your part to ensure the survival of our race.”
“What’s that?”
I couldn’t help but grin. For once, I felt in control. Everything would go to plan. “Getting out of the way.”
Harvest was a major barrier to the Princess. I understood that she wanted her to be happy, but her royal duties needed to take priority, and Harvest Moon simply did not understand that. With her banished over the mountains, maybe I’d be able to persuade the Princess with less difficulty.
She wasn’t the only obstacle, though. Many of the nobility had a vested interest in remaining in Nocturna, and had already poured millions of crowns into refining the growing spells, and were encouraged even by the most meager progress. They were blinded, though, and couldn’t see that they had run out of time. Migration was the only option.
I’d already compiled a list of who these lords were, based on who had funded growing projects, and also my own experience. It hadn’t taken me long, and it took even less time to convince the rest of the guard I was right. They were ready to stand behind their Captain. I had kept them together to this point. I had earned their trust. Doing so with the rest of the nation should be easy.
I’d called an emergency gathering in the throne room, so as to make my job that much easier. Having all of them together would expedite their detainment and subsequent exile.
Once I arrived, I didn’t give anyone the opportunity to protest. My detail set about immediately detaining everyone on my list. As I expected, they all shouted and cried for them to stop, but they didn’t lift a hoof to make it happen. It was like corralling toddlers.
Once they were all detained, I proceeded in to meet with the Princess. She was there, but you would have to really reach to say she was a princess. She huddled in a corner, like a terrified animal. I couldn’t believe my eyes.
“Princess, now that the nobility is no longer an issue, I would like to ask again for your permission to proceed with the exodus.”
She didn’t respond. She just sat there, whimpering. She was there before me, but her mind was miles away. I couldn’t take it. I had tried to remove all obstacles to her decision making, and yet she still could answer a yes or no question. This was not the monarchy I was sworn to serve and defend.
I decided then that she was no longer fit to rule. She needed to start new, to see where I was taking the thestrals, and I knew just where to send her. “I wish I could say I’m sorry, but I’m not. This is for the good of our race.”
I focused hard on her mind. Amnesia spells were hidden deep in the castle library, forbidden for anypony to use. Those rules no longer applied. I could see her memories being drained from her mind. Everything she knew would now be foreign, as if she was from another world.
When I concluded the spell, she slumped onto the floor, unconscious. The rest of the guard seemed unsure what to think, but I soon gave them direction. “Take the Princess over the mountains. Make sure she stays far away from the others.”
They did as they were told, because they knew why this needed to be done. Once she saw the riches of our homeland, she would return, and our people would be united under her once again.
“Sir, there is a crowd outside the castle. They demand to know what the princess is doing about their suffering.”
Normally, I would have responded as any loyal guard would, by sending out the guard to disperse them. Here, though, was an opportunity. An opportunity to give them the hope I had found over the mountains. “Tell them, that their Lord Protector will appear shortly, and put all their minds at ease.”