Prologue: The Summit
Sunday, January 13th, 993 A.N.B
"We gather here today not as leaders but rather friends, may the spirits ease and keep the negativity at bay from this meeting. Without further ado let this gathering on its way."
As if on cue the sun bathed the mountain peak in a brighter glow, casting warm rays upon the six individuals who sat around a large marble table. Each are renown leaders of kingdoms around the world of Equus. They sat on plant like chairs that even have moss for padding. The speaker of the table was an deer like creature clothed in a Jūnihitoe, an extremely elegant and highly complex kimono with the colors of springtime.
"Now children of Equus, what issue do you wish to bring light to on this day?"
She gestured with a nod towards the gathered leaders. The first to speak was an steel grey earth stallion that sat to the left speaker, wearing full body Lorica segmentata and wore the pellt of an Timber Wolf on top of his head to across his back.
"As I'm sure many of us has notice, It will soon be roughly a thousand years since Nightmare Moon banishment along with other things." He spoke in a deep, gruff voice. The proclamation caused murmurs to arose from the individuals around the table.
"Aye, you are correct Gaius, my clerics can sense the Lunar Seal weakening by their moonstones. They say it will be bout seven years before Nightmare will return to Equus." The rusty voice came from a rather large brown Diamond Dog that sat on the right side of the speaker. He wore bronze leggings and gauntlets.
"Precisely!" Gaius yelled angerily as he slammed his hooves onto the marble table. "We all need to form a alliance so we can strike the moment she shows her vile face."
"Please Gaius, lets not get riled up so soon." The speaker of the table said in a gentle voice, much like a mother trying to soothe her child.
"Riled up!? Have we forgotten what kind of mark she left on Equus all those years ago? Widespread vegetation withering due to lack of sunlight, Our naval forces decimated as they were swallowed into whirlpools, and lets not forget the world-wide insomnia she caused by instilling nightmares in our mind!" Gaius gave a huff as he sat back in his chair with his hooves crossed. "If Celestia has not gotten her act together back then Equus as we know it would cease to exist."
"You are correct dear Gaius, but we must give Celestia some faith." The speaker said kindly only to receive an glare from the earth pony.
"Faith!? Have you seen the state of her kingdom is in?" Gaius said in a sarcastic manner.
"I agree with Gaius, Dao You. My spies reported that her mental state has greatly denigrated, along with the pressure of trying to solve the population issue I suspect that she will show signs of cracking soon. Even her magical might have grown weak to the point that even a mere changeling queen could take her down. Speaking of Changelings, that was why I came to this summit was because there has been numerous seeding by the Changeling empire in Equestria. It is most likely they will take advantage of Equestria fragile state." An honey like voice drew the attention of the leaders toward the figure that was sitting next to the brown Diamond Dog. She has the appearance of a Changeling Queen however her skin is ivory along with being hole less and has butterfly like wings, she wears an Sari that holds various shades of gold and red.
"Pardon my ignorance Kasturba, but what does the Changeling Empire see in Equestria." The question came from an female kirin that was seated next to Gaius, she wore a simple red scarf.
"Well Snow, considering the state of their laws and the fake illusion of peace that Celestia mange to wire into her peoples brains over the course of a thousand years at least. It's no doubt that Equestria is a major feeding ground for the Changeling." The brown Diamond Dog said in a rough voice with Kasturba nodding slightly in agreement.
"Like Labradorite has stated, Equestria has become a huge target of interest for the Changeling Empire due to Equestrian laws." Kasturba stated plainly.
"Back to the manner at hand," Gaius said in an annoyed tone. "We should consider doing something to Equestria, I will not stand by and watch a disgrace of a leader desperately trying to maintain her country while fending off threats that she cannot defeat."
"As much I would like to agree with you Gaius," Gaius cocked his head towards the female bat pony that sat next to Lady Snow who was wearing black Crimare 5-star Admiral uniform. "But do you really wish to decimate a dying country and deal with Anarchy? Surely it's not worthy of your time and resources."
"Neighson does bring up a good point, I thought The Roama Empire does not like striking foes that is already down." Labradorite said in slight amusement.
Gaius gave a small growl before replying, "Well if any of you have any other idea on how to deal with Equestria lets hear them."
"I thought you never ask," Kasturba said in a derisive tone. From the folds of her Sari she drew out a small scroll and placed it on the marble table. "In summary Lady Snow and I have been researching on a project these last several months, You see my spies has gain information from the deepest parts of Star Swirl Library, If the information is correct he has discovered the secrets of cross-dimensional travel, he created a magical mirror that allows travel to other universes. So we are attempting to create another "mirror", however our prototypes have become unreliable. If we manage to create a decent one we can start the next phase of the plan, to find a worthy being to infiltrate Equestria and perform an Coup d'état" Some of the leaders looked at Kasurba with skepticism, for they see the plan a little to far fetched.
"I beg your pardon miss Kasturba, but that plan sounds a bit to much of a stretch." Labradorite said politely, even though his eyes held curiosity on this magical mirror.
"I figure you would say that," Kasturba gave a huff before she unopened her scroll to reveal elaborate blueprints. "As some of you might know, there are always footprints on any type of paths. We have discovered that Celestia had frequently traveled to three worlds and we will be focusing on world known as Earth. A world that she went to 125,000–60,000 years ago."
"Hold on a second, you telling me she went to a world a hundred thousand years ago? I know she old but not that old!" Gaius said in a rather irritated tone, having already be annoyed by Kasturba plan but hearing outlandish things is pulling his tail a bit.
"That because the laws of physics do not exist in the nexus, meaning a traveler can go to any era in that world. Although it does require large amounts of magic to go anywhere far into the past or future. Anyways as I was saying, a race of species that will be known as humans came to existence on their planet. Because of Celestia interference she will be frown upon by Star Swirl which will soon be led to being blocked from entering the mirror again, due to her interference she is largely responsible for a large number of human myths that are technically true. The reason Lady Snow and I chose this world in particular because it has shown many great humans across time. Such as Abraham Lincoln, Mahatma Gandhi, Yamaoka Tesshū and the like." Kasturba stopped as she recollected her breath.
"You seem to know an awful lot bout these human folks Kasturba, I assume your 'spies' founded other things in the old mage library than a mystic mirror." Labradorite spoke which received a sly grin from Kasturba.
"My spies may have stumble upon a few ancient documents that Star Swril wrote. But can you really blame me, I sure everyone here would love to see the things that Star Swirl has kept hidden in his lair." This made a few of the leaders to nod in agreement. Labradorite had a wolfish grin as his big emerald eyes shine with the thirst for knowledge.
"So that's why you deem the humans to be worthy of infiltrating Equestria, because from Celestia perspective she sees the humans as her own because of her influence. All the humans will see in Equestria is a harmonic paradise of flowers and rainbows." Dao You said as she began to grasp Kasturba's plan.
"They would suspect nothing." Gaius said as he narrowed his crimson eyes onto Kasturba. "But I want to know what benefits your empire will gain other than the nullification of a changeling threat. I'm beginning to think you want a Coup d'état so you can make a puppet state out of it."
The sapphire eyes of Kasturba darken as she game a sly smile towards Gaius. "While I admit I thought of turning it into a puppet, all I wanted is to destroy the changelings. You would have talk to Snow about the benefits since she is the main planner behind it." Kasturba tilt her head towards the female kirin who nodded in return.
"She is correct Gaius, there used to be a strong bond between Neighpon and Equestria. But now Celestia has covered the eyes of Equestria with a thick wool, its military force has greatly fallen and their economic system became flawed. One small change could cause the structure of society to collapse. So with a human being it will blend smoothly into the political chain and can make a change of direction without causing to much chaos. This way Equestria will heal and can became a worthy ally again." Snow said in enthusiasm, believing that this is the most positive way of dealing with Equestria.
Neighson, the female bat pony leaned over the marble table and cocked her head a bit towards snow. "A little while ago Kasturba said that the mirror prototypes were unreliable. Care to explain that for me?"
Snow appeared to be suddenly flustered, as if she was embarrassed at the question. "While we can successfully go from point A to Point B, going back to the same spot is the major issue. During testing my Kaichi warriors used ponds of water as a substitute for the mirror, on return they came out of a watering hole somewhere in the Dark Continent. So if we found a worthy being we would have no idea where it will end up on Equus. However there is a good side to this, on their own they will become world weary and understand how the worlds work around them and see both good and bad side of life." Snow said as she try to reassure Neighson and Gaius, however it seem to not have work. Gaius seemed to be the most annoyed as his face twisted into a scowl.
"So your telling me to sit back and do a big gamble? That it MIGHT not get killed, that it MIGHT enter Equestria, and that it MIGHT be smart enough to successfully stage the coup!? Until I get better reassurance that the efforts are worth it I will build up my forces in the meantime. Till then I won't pour any of my resources into a gamble." With a huff he sat back into his mossy chair and crossed his arms.
"Same with Gaius, Crimare has no affairs of dealing with Equestria. I'm afraid I have to say that when Nightmare Moon returns I will be leading my sky fleet to bombard Equestria." Neighson spoken in a somberly tone which cause Dao You eyes to widen in shock.
"Bombardment and on a country with hardly any military no less! I know your country is known for its aerial might but this is slaughter, they have no resources to properly defend themselves." The empress said in a shocked tone.
"You think I don't know that! My fleet will simply take out the root of its corruption so that no more threats will come from that land, besides Celestia has her ponies tied around her hooves so tight that they would gladly die for her!" Neighson snapped at Dao You who flinched from her rebuttal.
"Ah think we should refrain ourselves and call it a day, we have seven years till her return and till then I reckon we should go back to our empires and have more private conversations there." Labradorite spoke in a calm manner.
The deer like empress gave a small sigh before putting on a regal face. "This meeting is adjourned, may the spirits grant you a safe journey back home."
