Star Wars: Tales of the Hunter

“No, no!” Luna shouted. “You need to center it! Can you even center?” Luna asked. Two guards were carrying the large holocommunicator on the stage where the Summer Sun Celebration was taking place. To commemorate the ceremony, The princesses had asked the Republic to address the citizens of Equestria. They had asked Hunter for permission, and he had agreed. With this spectacle, all of the planet would know of Hunter and the Republic.

“Sister, how goes the planning?” Celestia had just flown in and landed next to Luna.

“Just fine, sister. I just wish these guards,” she pointed to the two guards carrying the holocommunicator, “would center this contraption!” The two guards, who were becoming increasingly strained, looked at one another with great worry. They quickly placed it down and looked at Princess Luna with approval. She nodded. “That’s fine. Thank you for your service. Go and relax!” The guards smiled and ran off. Celestia shook her head.

“I can never understand why ponies still fear you, Luna.”

“Well, the Nightmare Moon incident is still fresh in everypony’s minds.” Luna replied. “I just need to give it more time.” Celestia smiled.

“That’s very wise and patient of you, Luna.” Celestia said as she placed a hoof on her sister’s back. Luna smiled.

“I have paid my debt to society, Celestia. I simply want to be the best I can be for Equestria and for the Republic!” Celestia tilted her head in confusion.

“The Republic, Luna?” She asked. Luna nodded.

“This is a new time, Celly. We have to be the best we can be! We’re about to take a step into a much larger world.” Luna proclaimed proudly. Celestia nodded, albeit with a sense of melancholy. Luna turned to her sister. She could feel the discomfort radiating from her. “What’s wrong, Celly?” Luna asked. Celestia sighed and looked to the sky.

“I don’t know.” She replied. “I honestly have some reservations about the Republic.” Luna tilted her head.

“If Hunter is any indication, they are good people.” Luna said. Celestia smiled.

“But he’s a soldier, Luna. He’s supposed to be the best representation of a force. What I worry about is the one speaking for us tonight.” Celestia pawed at the communicator and suddenly found it beeping. The two sisters looked at one another and pressed the button that was flashing. An image appeared of an elderly man. The two looked at the man, waiting for him to say something.

“Am I speaking to the leaders of Equestria?” The old man asked.

“I am Princess Celestia.” Celestia proclaimed.

“And I am Princess Luna.” Luna said proudly.

“Splendid!” The image replied. He bowed down.

“I am Supreme Chancellor Palpatine of the Republic.” Celestia’s eyes widened. She reclaimed herself and bowed down. Luna did so as well. “Please your majesties.” Palpatine said with a chuckle. “You needn’t bow before me. I am simply an elected official.” Luna stood up.

“True enough, Chancellor. But you lead a galaxy. That is something incredible!” Luna said in astonishment.

“I have a very dedicated staff.” Palpatine replied. In his hand, he held a pad. “I wanted to confirm with you two personally about the time of which I’ll be addressing your people.” Celestia shook her head.

“You didn’t have to do that, Chancellor. Couldn’t an aide do that very task?” Celestia asked. Palpatine shook his head.

“I believe that matters of great importance cannot be handled by anyone else, besides oneself.” Palpatine smiled at Celestia. “Wouldn’t you agree?”

“I agree, Chancellor. But I also believe faith in others is rather important as well.” Celestia looked at the Chancellor, who still wore the smile he gave to her and Luna.

“You are quite right, your highness. Perhaps we may carry on our conversations through our aides?” Palpatine said. Luna chuckled a bit.

“I believe this will do fine, Chancellor.” Luna said. “I believe we have sent the exact time to your administration. Perhaps you’d have time to speak to the other leaderships after your speech?” Luna asked.

“Of course,” Palpatine replied, “It would be an honor.” Palpatine lifted up a pad. “I’d like to ask about one of our soldiers on your planet.” Palpatine read the pad closely. “Unit CT-6547?” Luna and Celestia nodded. “Is he performing adequately?”

“Yes,” Celestia replied. “He has saved one of our fellow Princesses’ and a town already. And he has gone to investigate something that could be related to the Republic.” Palpatine’s eyebrow rose.

“Something related to the Republic?” Palpatine asked.

“Explorers called it a, ‘temple of steel’, in their reports.” Luna looked up at the sky. “I believe Hunter will deliver answers to us.”

“Is that a deity?” Palpatine asked.

“Oh no, that’s the name your soldier received from our citizens.” Celestia said. “He earned it by killing a rather large beast.”

“A large beast you say?” Palpatine asked. “From what I understand, he was more of an explorer than anything else.” Palpatine tapped his chin and then smiled. “But I suppose that goes to show how well a job the cloners did.”

“Indeed.” Celestia said. “He’s quite capable.”

“We better return to our preparations.” Luna said. “We look forward to hearing you speak, Chancellor.” Palpatine bowed his head.

“And I look forward to becoming friends with Equestria.” The Hologram faded away, leaving a please Luna, and a concerned Celestia. Luna looked at Celestia.

“What’s wrong, sister?” Luna asked.

“Did you feel anything while talking with him?” Celestia asked.

“No, I didn’t” Luna replied. “Perhaps you’re just stressed out. Come, let’s prepare for the arrival of the other dignitaries. Twilight will be here soon as well, correct?”

“Yes.” Celestia smiled. “Perhaps all that is bothering me is the weight of all this. Things will be changing quite rapidly.”

“Yes. It’s a new time.” Luna said, looking across Canterlot. And then she looked to the land beyond it. Soon, dignitaries from the other races would come. They would unite. Not to battle a bigger threat, but to see a new way of life far different from their own. The thought excited Luna. For Celestia, it was another matter entirely.

Celestia thought of all the different civilizations that encompassed Equestria. The Griffon Kingdom, the Tribes of Buffalo, the Coalition of Zebrana, Saddle Arabia, and many more. Despite contrary belief, the ponies were not all united. And while there hasn’t been any recent conflict with the other species, tension always existed. If war were to come, she would be ready. Her mother, Faust, always told her to never seek war, but always be ready for it. She looked at the clocktower in Canterlot. Twilight would be arriving soon.