Prologue

Celestia was staring at the chair intently. She squinted her eyes and concentrated. Her horn began to shimmer gold with magic. The chair also took on a gold hue and slowly rose off the ground. Celestia moved the chair through the air and gently set it down on top of another chair, positioning it so it would not fall over.

"Good," said a voice. It was Starswirl the Bearded, an elderly unicorn who was teaching Celestia how to use her magic. "You're making excellent progress. I expect great things from you, Princess Celestia."

Standing beside Starswirl, Celestia's younger sister Luna pouted. "When are you going to teach me how to do that?" she asked Starswirl.

"All in good time," the unicorn replied kindly. "You are not quite old enough, my dear, but you will be soon, and then you will grow just as powerful as your sister. I am counting on it."

Celestia frowned slightly. She and Luna had come to Equestria several days ago, exiles from their homeland. It had been attacked by gargoyles, and as far as Celestia knew, she and her sister were the only ones to escape. After an adventure in which she was captured by the Master of Chaos, Discord, she had been rescued and taken in by Starswirl, who was in the process of teaching them magic. Celestia had already shown herself to be adept at spell casting, but remained unconvinced that she would be able to fulfill Starswirl's expectations. Starswirl's voice jolted her out of her thoughts.

"I think that's enough for today," he was saying. "Just remember, Celestia, don't try too hard to force the magic out. Ultimately, it will need to become second-nature, so you can do it almost without thinking. Now, off you go."

"Yes, Starswirl, see you tomorrow," Celestia answered. She and Luna turned and left. Starswirl watched them go, and then disappeared with a swish of his cloak. A few minutes later, he reappeared outside a door leading to the quarters of his associate and personal pegasus friend, General Thunderbolt. As Head of State of the Pegasus Republic, Thunderbolt often visited Starswirl in the unicorn capital of Canterlot to conduct official business. Starswirl knocked on the door, and then let himself in. As he entered, he could hear Thunderbolt having a discussion with his second-in-command, Whirlwind.

"...I didn't say it wasn't a good name, Thunderbolt," Whirlwind was saying, "but most ponies don't even know what a Seraphim is."

"A Seraphim in an angelic being who-"

"I know, Thunder. I'm only saying you might want to give your guard a name that's more... appropriate. You know, catchier."

"What did you have in mind?"

"Well, you founded the organization. Why don't you call them the Thunderbolts?"

"It will be a cold day in Tartaros when I allow the Seraphim Guard to name itself after me. What kind of egotistical twit do you take me for?" Thunderbolt paused as he noticed Starswirl walk in. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have business to discuss with Starswirl." Whirlwind sighed, and turned to leave. She nodded once at Starswirl on her way out.

"What was that about?" asked Starswirl with a smile.

"Whirlwind thinks the Seraphim Guard's name is too old-fashioned. She wants it changed to something new." Thunderbolt snorted. "Ridiculous. So, how goes the training of those two fillies?"

"As well as can be expected," Starswirl answered. "Celestia's coming along nicely with her control, and Luna should unlock her magical abilities within a few months. I'm sure they will both grow up into strong leaders."

"About that," said Thunderbolt uneasily. "Starswirl, you know we're old friends. and you know I respect your opinions and decisions more than any other pony, but those two fillies will not be accepted by pony society as Princesses. They're too powerful. Too dangerous. What if they become like King Sombra, or Lord Thrall? It will just make matters worse."

"Being powerful does not make one evil," Starswirl said. "If I'm right, Celestia and Luna will grow up to be the ponies who can unite Equestria, and free all ponykind! It's not like things could get much worse around here, right?"

"Maybe not for you unicorns," answered Thunderbolt, "but we pegasi have prided ourselves on always being free from the grip of tyrants throughout our history. If these alicorns decide to rule through fear rather than through justice, Cloudsdale might be forced to move itself across the sea to escape enslavement, and I'm sure you don't want that."

"Relax, Thunderbolt," said Starswirl. "I will be monitoring their progress very carefully. If they are heading down that path, I will personally stop them."

"Somehow, that only makes me more nervous," muttered Thunderbolt as Starswirl turned and walked out.

* * * * * *

Far to the north, in the extensive Crystal Empire, King Sombra was furiously pacing in his throne room. After the last meeting between the world leaders, he had returned to his empire, seething with anger. First, he had expelled all diplomats from his capital. Then, he had closed down his borders after ensuring that every non-crystal pony was gone, refusing to allow anypony in or out except in the gravest of circumstances. Finally, he had retired to his throne room to await the daily report from his secretary, Rocky Spirit. Rocky Spirit was a light blue crystal pony with a white mane, and his cutie mark was a simple pen and paper. He was nervously reading from a list as King Sombra paced.

"Public reaction to your decision to close the borders has not been good, Your Majesty," he said. "Many ponies seem to believe that you are abusing your power."

"Oh, they do, eh?" Sombra asked, gnashing his teeth.

"Ponies all seem to think that they no longer have a voice in this government."

"Is that right?"

"Sire, I strongly suggest you reopen the borders, for the good of public morale." Sombra did not answer immediately. Instead, he stood staring out the window. Finally, he spoke.

"Rocky Spirit, do you remember what it was like under the last king?"

"Well, Sire," answered Rocky, "I lived out in the countryside crystal farming so it never really affected me."

"I do," Sombra said, his voice getting louder. "I remember the poverty, the repressions, the misery. Do you think the ponies would want to go back to that king?"

"No, Sire! Never!"

"Then why, Rocky Spirit, are they so interested in usurping my authority? Don't they know that I am the only unicorn standing between them and the old monarchy?!"

"That seems to be the point, Sire. They think you are becoming like the old king. There are protests popping up all over the Empire!" At the word protests, Sombra's frown deepened. He spun around, fixing his furious glare on his hapless secretary.

"Protests?! I'll give those ingrates something to protest! Contact my generals and tell them to meet me here on the double!"

"Yes, Sire!" With those words, Rocky Spirit turned and raced out of the room. Sombra watched him leave and them turned back to look out the window.

"Nopony will take this country from me. It is mine," he hissed. "Mine."

Author's Note

Wow, how long has it been? After a long, busy Christmas and New Years, I'm back to write Book 2 of Exodus! I've also just started college, so I might not be able to get a new chapter up as quickly as I used to. Don'y worry though, I promise i'll see this thing through!