Chapters 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!
Chapter 1
Ten Years Later...
Time had passed quickly. Despite that, Manehatten was still the same bustling metropolis it had always been. The factories were still very busy, the shops were all open for business as usual, and the trains all came in on time. There was nothing in the air to suggest that great changes were about to come, not only to this city, but to all of Equestria.
Deep in the Warehouse District, along the waterfront, was a large, shabby warehouse, abandoned by its builders long ago, and ignored by the city's citizens. Unknown to them, however, this warehouse was currently being used by a pony by the name of Tinkertoy. Extremely old, as far as ponies go, he was wrinkled and wheezy, leaving most of the ponies he met wondering how he was still kicking. But Tinkertoy had something he needed to do, and even if it took a hundred years, he was not going to die until he had made his dream come true.
As our story begins, Tinkertoy was just entering his warehouse on a bright summer morning. He walked slowly to the very back of the building, and opened a secret compartment hidden in the wall. Inside were six gems, all of different colours, their vibrant glow long since diminished by the passage of time. Tinkertoy knew their importance, however, and not a day went by where he did not check up on them to make sure they were safe. For they were the Elements of Harmony, and were crucial pieces in his plan. He must always know where they are at all times.
Just as he was closing the door to the compartment, he heard a great deal of noise come from outside. One scream, followed by several more, and the sound of running hooves as a veritable mob of ponies stampeded past his warehouse. Then Tinkertoy heard a very familiar voice call out, "Yo Tinkie! I'm HOME!!" The doors to the warehouse flew open on their own, and in zipped a very bizarre creature. He was a draconequus, the Spirit of Chaos and Disharmony, known simply as Discord. He held a large swathe of Equestria in his clutches, including Manehatten. However, he had been gone for the past ten years, off on a mission to the fabled homeland of the alicorns.
"Discord," grumbled Tinkertoy, "You're back."
"Am I?" Discord asked. He looked at himself and gave a great fake gasp. "So I am! How wonderful! I had been worried that, in my haste, I had beaten myself here, when me, myself, and I had all wanted to give our reports together!"
"Enough," said Tinkertoy. "It's been a long time, Discord. How did your search go? Did you find the homeland of the alicorns?"
"Of course I did," Discord answered with a grin. "Just sit back and listen to what I have to say..."
* * * * *
Ten years ago...
"I've been flying for three days now," Discord grumbled to no-one in particular, "and I haven't found anything. I'm starting to think Tinkertoy sent me on a wild-goose chase. Or a wild alicorn-chase, as the case may be." It had indeed been three days since Discord had set off from Equestria to find the alicorn homeland, and having not spotted so much as a single island, he was starting to get bored.
"There! I know I've seen that fish before! I'm going in circles!" Discord began complaining loudly about Tinkertoy wasting his time when he noticed a strange phenomenon. Although he could feel himself moving forward in he air, the water, and especially the aquatic animals in the sea, seemed to be moving as though he were standing still. Discord paused, thinking. Then he slowly lowered himself to the water. He put one hand in the water and tried flying forward. His suspicion was confirmed when, even though he could feel the wind in his face, the water just stayed put.
"Well, well," mused Discord. "Why would somepony put up a magical barrier out in the middle of nowhere? As if I needed to ask." The Spirit of Chaos lifted his hand up and began feeling the air, though this time he was not feeling for anything physical, but magical. Soon, he could feel it. A slight tingling in his fingers that only a powerful being like himself would feel when in the presence of powerful magic.
"There you are, you little devil," smiled Discord. Using his own magic, he seized the barrier in his hand, and with a great tug, pulled himself through it. In an instant, the sun, which had once been high in the sky, vanished, and before him loomed a wide spread of land. It was difficult to see in the sudden darkness, but Discord could make out in the distance a large volcano, out of which shone a dark red light, providing the only illumination as far as the eye could see. Discord flew down and landed on the beach, looking around in interest.
"Well, I wouldn't have picked this colour," he said. "Dark and, more dark. How subtle." Discord took to the air again, deciding that the best course of action would be to head to the only source of light in the hopes of finding something.
The trip to the volcano did not take long. Discord never took his time when he was curious about something, and the idea of running into a brand-new race of ponies was too tempting for him to waste time lolly-gagging. However, as he drew near the active volcano, he could make out dark shapes flying through the sky around it. At first he thought they were alicorns, but on second glance he realized that these beings looked nothing like the two alicorns he had encountered in Equestria. These creatures had black and brown coloured skin. There limbs did not end in hooves, but in sharp claws. There wings were not feathered, but leathery and bat-like. Finally, their snouts were squashed into their faces, almost like a monkey's. Discord thought back to what Starswirl the Bearded had said about the Alicorn Empire.
"It's been destroyed. It's a shattered kingdom."
Discord had already seen first-hand what the alicorns were capable of. If these creatures had been able to utterly destroy them...
Discord gulped and vanished, deciding to spend the rest of his time here invisible. He could see as he approached the volcano that the creatures in the sky were flying up and into it. Discord followed, bracing himself against the heat. Once inside, he could see the volcano was immense on the inside. There was a great lake of lava bubbling at the bottom of it, and rising up out of the lava was a massive palace with many spires, some deformed from the effects of the heat. It was in and out of this castle that the creatures were flying. Discord made a beeline straight for the largest and also tallest tower, partly because he wanted to stay far away from the lava below. Inside the tower the temperature dropped, probably magically, to a more endurable level. The tower itself was bare, except for a few blood-red banners hanging on the wall, and a large throne sitting in the center of the room. Seated in that chair was another of those winged creatures, but this one was a little bit larger than the others. His hairless skin was dark brown, his wings currently curled up against his body. His face wore a look of mild boredom. His eyes were red, and his pointed ears stuck out the side of his head as though his head itself had wings. Discord remained hovering near the roof as the door to the room opened. In stepped another creature, this one midnight black. He approached the throne.
"Lord Flashfire," he said lazily, "would you like to hear the morning report?"
"No, Sentinel," the one called Flashfire replied, "unless, of course, there is something I should know about?"
"Business as usual, my lord," grinned Sentinel.
"Very well. In that event I think I will retire to the library for a while. I'm not to be disturbed, understood?"
"Yes, my lord." Sentinel turned and walked out, closing the door behind him. After a moment, Flashfire got off his throne and left as well. Discord, whose attention had been grabbed at the word library , followed close behind. Flashfire walked down a long, winding staircase until he reached the base of the tower. Then he turned right and walked under an archway leading to another section of the palace. He entered a large, rectangular building. Inside was a huge library, filled with shelves and shelves of books, as far as the eye could see. Flashfire sat down near the door and began reading from a pile of books sitting on a table. Discord, on the other hand, flew down the library hallway, staring with interest at the numerous bookshelves.
Well, Discord, he thought to himself, Tinkertoy wanted you to find out everything you could about alicorns, so it looks like you got some reading to do. After a few minutes searching, he found what he was looking for. A large, thick book with the title, 'History of the Alicorn Empire'. He looked around to make sure nopony was watching, and then sat down to read.
* * * * *
Present day...
"You expect me to believe you were reading in a library for ten years?" growled Tinkertoy.
Discord blinked. "Ten years?! " he exclaimed. "I was gone for a week, if that! What's this about ten years? Is that why you look so much more wrinkled?"
Tinkertoy scratched his chin. "A week, you say? How interesting. I can only assume from this information that time must move differently in alicorn territory. Perhaps it has something to do with the magical barrier you flew through. Well, you're immortal and I'm still alive, so I guess it is of little consequence. Now, tell me, what did you learn?"
"Have a seat," grinned Discord as he whipped a scroll out of nowhere. The scroll opened, and a long page of written-on paper rolled out the door. "I took lots and lots of notes."
Author's Note
Boy, this one took a while, but it is a fairly big chapter, as far as my chapters go!
Chapter 2
Celestia stared down at her reflection in the water of the city square fountain. The years had matured her from a young filly to a beautiful mare with a long, flowing pink mane. Due to her alicorn heritage, she had also gone through a growth spurt that left her towering over every other pony in Canterlot. Only her younger sister, Luna, was anywhere near the same size. Celestia was loved by all the citizens of Equestria for her beauty, kindness, and wisdom, and she was particularly admired here in Canterlot, where she had spent much of her time studying in her youth. Just last week her mentor, Starswirl the Bearded, had told her and Luna that there was very little he had left to teach them, and anything else they would have to learn on their own.
The thought made her uncomfortable.
Even after ten years of study, she did not feel any more ready to rule this land than when she started. At the beginning of her training, she had expected to learn about magic from Starswirl, and eventually return to her homeland, but as the years had gone by, both she and Luna had resigned themselves to the fact that, as unpleasant a prospect as it was, they would never be able to go home.
Celestia gave her head a little shake. There was no point dwelling on such things now. With her training under Starswirl drawing to a close, she had to focus on her next move.She turned away from the fountain and headed up the stairs behind her to the palace. It had served as her home during her time in Equestria, and whenever the alicorn princess had to do some deep thinking, she always headed straight for its vast library. With its strict no-noise policy, it was the perfect place to go to be free from distractions.
As she entered through the library's large oak doors, she saw she was not alone. Sitting at the front desk, hunched over a huge tome written in a language she didn't understand, was Starswirl the Bearded. In the ten years she had known him he had not changed one bit in her eyes, but she did notice that he was getting slower in his old age. He looked up at the sound of her hooves and smiled.
"Princess Celestia," he said, inclining his head in respect, "what brings you to the library today?"
"Oh, nothing Starswirl," Celestia answered. "Just... thinking."
"What about?" Celestia paused before answering. She had wanted answers, and perhaps Starswirl could provide some.
"I was thinking about the future," she said, choosing her words carefully, "and what Luna and I will do after our training is complete." Starswirl nodded, but said nothing, so Celestia continued.
"I know you've been grooming us to eventually become the rulers of Equestria, but I still know hardly anything about it. You've taught us all the lore and history, but I know nothing about the ponies themselves. What are their hopes? What are their fears? Will they even want me as their leader?" she looked down at Starswirl, hoping she wasn't being too direct.
"Celestia," said Starswirl, smiling gently, "When I first took you under my wing and began teaching you magic, you had already built a reputation among the unicorns of Canterlot. Remember your run in with Discord? Unicorns far and wide heard about your exploits. Over the past ten years your and Luna's names have been spreading like wildfire across Equestria. You've become a symbol."
"A symbol of what?"
"Of freedom," a voice said. Celestia turned. Walking into the library was the first pony she had ever met since coming to Equestria, an earth pony named Blueberry. Over the years his once bright-blue coat had dulled somewhat, and he and his wife Chestnut had sold their farm so they could retire to Canterlot, where they had been happily living ever since.
"You're living proof that we don't need to live in fear anymore," Blueberry continued. "Before you came along Sombra controlled the North, Lord Thrall controlled the South, and Discord ruled everywhere in between. Except for a few pockets of unicorns living in hiding, there was nothing you could do but hope they left you alone. But when you and your sister came along, everything changed. Now the ponies of Equestria have leaders to rally around who will protect them. I know that whatever happens, you'll make us all proud."
Celestia smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Blueberry," she said. "I know how much everypony is relying on me and my sister, I just hope we won't disap-" Celestia's words were cut off as she noticed something strange occurring outside. The sun seemed to be dimming, as though a cloud were obscuring it from sight, but Celestia knew that today had been scheduled by the pegasi to be cloudless. Also, there appeared to be some commotion outside the library. Celestia, Starswirl, and Blueberry all rushed outside. Just as Celestia thought, the sky was completely clear, but the sun appeared to be dimming, as though something was blocking it slightly.
"What's going on?" asked Blueberry fearfully.
"I'm not sure," said Starswirl grimly, "but I have a suspicion." He turned and ran back into the library, heading for the staircase to the upper floors. Celestia and Blueberry followed. The staircase led up to the roof, and at the top Starswirl was standing looking to the North, his jaw set.
"Starswirl!" cried Celestia as she reached the top of the stairs. "Why does the sun and sky look that way? It's like someone cast a shadow over everything."
"Princess," said Starswirl," I am afraid that is exactly what just happened." he turned to Blueberry. "Would you find the Canterlot Guard and tell them to keep the ponies in the city calm? We can't afford to have panic in the streets."
"Right!" Blueberry answered and quickly ran off. Starswirl turned to Celestia.
"Find your sister," he said, "and bring her here. I think Sombra might be behind this."