Prologue: The Celestial Territories

(Disclaimer:  I do not own any of the characters, settings, or unoriginal events outlined in this fanfiction.  Most characters are owned by Hasbro’s My Little Pony.  Give them the credit.  I just added a couple things)

Lunuary 15, 1504 A.D. (After Discord)

Undisclosed Location Northwest in the Unicorn Mountains

‘7,501 years is a long time to live’, the emperor thought.  ‘Long enough to have seen the rise and fall of civilizations, leaders, and societies.  Long enough to have experienced great happiness and crushing sadness.  Long enough to have done great deeds and commit terrible sins.’

The black alicorn, dressed in trousers, a vest with a gold pocket watch, an old worn out soldiers cap tucked behind his obsidian horn on top of his grey mane and a black overcoat that covered his wings and soul mark, walked with a slight limp in his gait back to the forefront of his old fortress when he spoke aloud

“Why am I here?  To dwell upon ghosts long past or to run a simple errand?” he chuckled to himself in his raspy voice.  “Of course the décor hasn’t changed much over the years.”

Emperor Starfire stopped in his tracks and cast his eyes around and took in the sight of the worn yet well preserved masonry.  He was in a long hall etched in black stone that met in a tall arch above him some 145 hooves high, on both sides of the walls stood tall columns that twinkled like starlight, in front of him moonlight pooled into the recesses of the stone from the large opening flanked by thick iron doors to the outside, and behind him was empty darkness untouched by light that use to come from the burned-out lanterns.

“Still as silent and empty as the night I left aren’t you?” Starfire whined at the unresponsive fortress.

“If I had my way, you would be brimming with armored ponies filled with strong resolve and unconquerable determination.  The most brilliant minds would flock to your shelves and your knowledge would be put to good use once again.  Scientists of all kinds would gather to stargaze, experiment, and debate once more, and foals would run down your forgotten hallways and laugh again.”

The old alicorn cast a sad gaze full of memories as he mumbled.  “But alas, those days are past, and somewhat for the better I imagine.  For your primary purpose was war was it not?  With your thick walls, tall towers, and furnaces overflowing with fire to forge weapons of war to help bring destruction upon our old foes.” Starfire recalled many such uses and more for his old mountain fortress as he renewed his trek to the outside.

The average-sized pony looked inside his burlap sack again to make sure the items were still there, and after doing so pulled out his pocket watch with his magic to glimpse the time.

“I would think someponies would be very disturbed if they knew I had visited you once more.”  He told the empty castle, “But I think it would be worth it to see their faces if they found out.”  Starfire’s eyes twinkled mischievously like a prankster as he imagined the scenario.

His hooves clopped slowly as he finally exited his old haunt and turning around reached out with his magic to the doors.

“Perhaps I shall see you again soon my old friend, times have changed and perhaps you will be of use again.”

Starfire shut the iron doors and they closed with a loud clunk and a latch could be heard grinding into place.  He pulled out a small key that appeared as if from the air and inserted it, not into either door, but into a crack on one of the surrounding rocks that littered the mountain side.  With a wave of his horn, Starfire turned the obsidian key until he heard a satisfying clunk as the doors were locked and he then willed the key away.

“Until next time then, I need to return to Eclipse City to make preparations for my trip to Equestria” the old stallion said wispily to the mountain.

“It’s high time I met Celestia’s pupil and made a proper introduction of myself, I have avoided it for far too long.”

Starfire looked inside his sack once more, and after sorting through the books and rolled up parchments, pulled out the letter he had received some weeks prior. It had been sent to him from the Celestial Territories Head of Intelligence, Inquisitor Long Fang, a male thestral, (a bat-pony) that had been aiding him for some time.

Sir,

In the coming month, Princess Twlight Sparkle will attending the Equestrian Parliament with Celestia and Luna for the first time followed by a short reception to commemorate the event.  It is of my opinion and that of the military council that the reception would be a good opportunity for us to observe the newest princess and the Crystal Empire delegation.  Also, the possible target you have labeled as, “potentially dangerous” at our last meeting might be there.  In additon we have received word of a possible movement by the Crystal Empire towards Equestria that will be addressed during the next session of Parliament.  The details are enclosed in the package I sent you.  Senator Tejas would like your input for possible action he should take if this happens.

Awaiting your reply,

Inquisitor Long Fang

C.T.I.

As the old stallion read it again his thoughts trailed off and his eyes that shone like a solar eclipse drifted away from the mountain as his memories took a darker turn and dredged up old nightmares.  His slight smirk turned into a frown and he decided to end his thoughtless rambling as he slowly cantered down the mountainside.

He found the half-buried railroad line that led to a tunnel into the mountain.  The tunnel had been shut with thick stone bricks but the tracks still let out back south towards the old lands he once ruled.  Eyeing the rusted iron, he snorted at the disrepair and flicked his long iron grey tail as he cast his somber gaze to the stars.  He eyed the bright star Polaris to the north before he gathered his bearings and continued on his way.

Starfire began to recall what he had been told of Equestria’s newest princess.  He remembered bits and pieces that his “informants” had told him when he had last visited Canterlot.

Twilight Sparkle was a very studious mare, powerful with her talent of magic, a bookworm, and a staunch supporter of her friends and family.  He had also been told that she was a natural leader and an obsessive organizer.  His face broke out into a wide smile at that last thought, for he remembered others that shared the same trait when they were younger.  His white teeth reflected the moonlight as the cold wind kissed his long grey beard.

He then remembered a sobering thought that wiped the smile off his face.  Twilight had been the most recent bearer of the element of magic.  When the sun and moon had remained in the sky simultaneously , Starfire had demanded answers from the military council and the Intelligence network.  Inquisitor Long Fang, aided by Senator Tejas, had sent him a report after the Everfree Forest Incident had concluded.  The report had included the astonishing fact that not only had both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna been temporarily incapacitated by chaotic plants, but also that Twilight and her friends had returned the elements to the Tree of Harmony.

His face turned into one of extreme sadness as he remembered the original bearer of magic, and the events that had taken place that had caused the Tree’s appearance.  His last thought before he left the silent mountains behind him was, ‘Oh, if only you could see them now.  You would be so proud.’

Starfire followed the tracks for several miles until he spotted the glowing embers of Eclipse City twinkling in the distance.  The city sat on a wide plain that gathered at the foot of the mountain range.

It was very large for a city this far north, it could be said to be slightly smaller than Canterlot.  Long tall walls surrounded it with turrets showing up here and there.  There was a rail line that went south towards Stalliongrad to the distant south.  Another, older railroad could be seen extending back into the mountains, where Starfire stood.

The city was a patchwork of many different architectures, a reflection of the diversity of the residents of the city.  There were dragons, short ones (by dragon standards) that played nice with others, they were remnants from when dragons actually formed their own civilization.  Their cousins were large because they were descendants of greed-growth dragons.  Starfire looked into the city and could see a few griffons flying in the moonlight.  All three kinds of ponies were walking in the streets, going on their nightly errands under the newer electrical lamps.  Dominating the city skyline were five distinct shapes that Starfire could make out under the full moon.

One was the library, a very old one that contained knowledge from even before Discord.  It was carved out of white marble and columns and statues could be seen etched into the sides.

Another was the Senate building, it had a black dome above an obsidian colored building.  The newer wings that flanked it were shorter than the original and differed greatly in color.  The right wing has a subtle blue with black columns while the left wing had white marble for walls with gold-plated columns.

The Imperial Academy was next to be seen by Starfire.  It was home to the most talented minds in the surrounding countryside, sporting areas of expertise ranging from government, science, magic, strategy, farming, business, and even industry.  It was actually a series of buildings but they took the shape of a large mass clumped together.

The next landmark that rose above the city was at the very edge and a part of the walls.  This was the Imperial Military Complex, home of the garrison for the city and also the docks for the Imperial Fleet.

The garrison for Eclipse City was the legion named for it.  The Eclipse Legion was under the command of the General of the Imperial Army. A male earth pony named General Stonewall, who also served as their Centurion.

All the legions except one was a mixture of ponies, griffons, and dragons.  Each Legion had a total number of around 5,000 beings.

The Imperial Fleet, which was compromised of different class airships, was under the command of Grand Admiral Orion, a male pegasus who also served as the Centurion of the Eagle Legion.  The Eagle Legion was entirely devised of flight capable beings,

griffons, pegasi, and thestrals  (Dragons usually put too much weight on the airships and were not very agile flyers).

The other three legions, Iron, Solar, and Lunar were dispersed among other towns and forts in the region.

The last building that was older than all the rest put together was the castle that predated the city: Castle Nova. Unlike the other buildings however, the castle was dark and empty, as it had been officially unoccupied for 1006 years.

All this Starfire took in and more as he finally trotted up to the western gate of the city.  There were two guards outside the gates, a male griffon and a female unicorn.  They were uniformed in the standard dress of a Celestial Legionnaire.  Black armor forged in iron covered them from head to hoof, or talons in the case of the griffon.  They both had long, thick, rectangular shields that sported an eclipse in the center.  They were armed with spears and a short sword strapped to their sides.   Only officers and knights carried longer swords.

Starfire checked to make sure his cloak disguised his wings and added a concealing enchantment just in case before he limped up to the unicorn.

“Do you have an identification with you old timer?” she asked.

“Yes I do, just hold on a moment please.”

Starfire rummaged through his bag again and pulled out a small folded parchment.  Holding it aloft in his magic he unfurled it and showed it to the mare.

“Professor Papyrus Scrolls is it?”

“Yes that’s me.  I work at the academy here.”  Starfire replied automatically.

The mare nodded in acknowledgment and motioned to her compatriot.  “Everything’s in order so go on ahead inside.”  While she spoke the griffon opened the gates.

“Thank you, you both have a good night.” spoke Starfire as he cantered into the city, his hooves clopping loudly off the stone street.

After he got inside, the guards shut the gate and “Professor Papyrus Scrolls” proceeded down the main street past the market place to the forum in front of the Senate building.

He nodded to the senate guards and proceeded inside the main building.  The Senate Atrium was a gilded piece of art, Starfire noticed as always.  The first few floors had columns interspaced evenly in a wide circle that narrowed at the top.  In the center of the mural lining the dome was a gold and obsidian effigy of an eclipse.  Starfire both shuddered and smiled at it, remembering both traumatizing memories and recalling more positive recollections.  It wasn’t the atrium he had come to see though.

Starfire made his way to the senate offices until he stopped at a door with the name “Senator Tejas” on the front.

He politely knocked and waited for the expected “Enter” that was Tejas’s young and educated voice.

Starfire opened the door, and Tejas, upon seeing who it was scrambled to his hooves and began to say,

“Sir!  Your highness!  I didn’t…..”  He stopped speaking as he found a hoof in his mouth.

“Just Scrolls, or Professor if you must.” Rasped Starfire to the wide-eyed stallion.  “I’m incognito remember.”

“Oh yes,” Tejas apologized after the hoof was removed, “It’s just that…you’re…”

“A Professor of History and Archaeology at the Imperial Academy.  I came to discuss your next visit to Canterlot with you remember?  Long Fang sent me a letter saying you wanted my input.”  Starfire interrupted.

“Yes, of course.  I’ll get right on that then.” the brown earth pony said as they sat at opposite sides of the senator’s desk.

“As you know, Twilight Sparkle, Celestia’s protégé, recently ascended to being an alicorn and was granted a position as a reigning triarch of Equestria alongside Celestia and Luna.” Tejas waited for the disguised alicorn’s nod of acknowledgement before continuing.

“However, although she has been coronated, she still hasn’t gone before the Equestrian Parliament for a formal declaration of her status.  My trip to Canterlot, as the Celestial Territories representative in Parliament, is to be there for when she addresses Parliament for the first time.  My allies in Parliament have also informed me that Princess Cadence is also going to make an announcement on behalf of the Crystal Empire, which you know about of course.”

Starfire grunted in assent before he interjected and said, “I do not want she has planned to happen, the Crystal Empire and Princess Cadence are a nuisance that I would not want to deal with as another reigning princess of Equestria.  We must move quickly if we are to prevent the fruition of her proposal.  Here is my input you wanted.  I want you to affirm Twilight’s ascension, but reject anything Cadence proposes.  Pull out our wild card if you must, but I will not accept Cadence and her empire.”

Tejas’s eyes grew wide as he said, “**Truly** sir?  You know what the Celestial Senate here might do if I was counter her proposal with our "wild card" plan.”

“I do mean that, but you must only be serious if the Crystal Princess’s plans come to fruition.   I know the consequences, but that is something that I will deal with.  The Senate will undoubtedly jump at the chance if I grant my approval for this plan, they’ve been itching for the past century or two for almost any excuse to take that action” The emperor told the senator before continuing

“I will join you for this venture, I wish to meet Twilight and observe Parliament’s proceedings as well as an…. old friend of mine who recently was “reformed” if I recall Long Fang’s report on him.”

Tejas had paled and whispered, “Canterlot! With me!  Do you know what might happen if you are exposed to Twilight, Cadence, or the rest of Equestria!  They would panic and point hooves!  No doubt the nobility there would try to pull something!  And on top of that you might be put in jeopardy!  We can’t assign guards to a history professor without attracting attention!”

Starfire stared down Tejas until the latter relented and said, “Of course, you’re not powerless is what I mean, but the rest of us do have concerns for your safety should you be revealed in a foreign territory.”

Starfire kept his firm gaze before replying.  “I will not be dissuaded from this trip.  Am I clear Senator?”

“Yes sir, I will make the arrangements and sign you on as an aide of some sort.  I suppose you want tickets to the reception as well?” Tejas asked.  Starfire nodded in affirmation and then got up to leave.

“I will see you soon Senator, good-night.”

“Good-night professor.” Tejas replied as he closed the door behind the alicorn.

Starfire trotted down the hallway and exited the senate building.  He was turning down a dark street towards his residence when he said to himself,

“Equestria would indeed panic if I was discovered.”