The Birth of a Rebellion

“Honeymane, send quickly a message to the palace, I must speak with the princess as soon as possible” Copper Compass said to his secretary. He spoke with a smooth tone that still was firm and authoritarian. “And don’t pass me any messages until the answer from the palace arrives”.

Honeymane nodded slowly as she wrote down a quick note on a notebook that floated beside her.

“Immediately sir…” She said as she gently closed the office’s door

Copper turned around and headed to his office desk, leaning himself against it. The previous conversation had left him mentally exhausted. To see Crimson Zephyr again was the thing he least expected after the reports from the expedition to the Royal Sisters’ palace suddenly stopped arriving, and the information that he brought was demolishing. Though he tried not to give any credit to the speculations and crazy theories Crimson exposed, something at the edge of his mind told him he may be right.

Copper realised long ago that the history of the early days of Equestria was incomplete and full of flaws, but he always blamed the lack of archives for this. But now, Crimson came with proof’s of a longer war between Celestia and Nightmare Moon, a full scale conflict that involved all ponies. If that story was proven true, it would refute all the official versions of that part of History. Though he constantly said to himself that it was impossible, he needed more than his own conviction to stop speculating. He needed princess Celestia to tell him.

A knock on the door woke Copper from his reverie. The door opened as Honeymane entered the room.

“Honeymane, I told you not to pass me any messages until my message to the palace was answered!” Copper said, giving her a withering look. He didn’t cope well with the incompetence of other ponies, and his harsh tone made it clear.

“I’m sorry for interrupting you sir…”she said as she lowered her head, intimidated by the violent tone used by Copper. He was quite a tall unicorn, what made his presence imposing. “But sending message shall not be necessary at all. The princess is here.”

Copper froze as he heard this. He thought that he would have a couple of hours to prepare himself, but suddenly the princess was there, at the other side of the door. A couple of Royal guards got in the room followed by the princess herself.

“Thank you sires. Your presence will not be necessary now on. I’d like to speak privately with the official cartographer.” She said. As she stepped inside the room, Copper quickly bowed down to her.

“As I always tell you Copper, there is no need for you to bow; you know that I’ve had enough of such formalisms.” She said cheerfully.

“I’m sorry, your majesty. To what do I owe the honour of your visit?” Copper said as he stood up.

“I was informed that the leader of the expedition to my old palace was the only survivor and that he returned and spoke with you not long ago. As his immediate superior, I wanted you to inform me about the results of the expedition, and what could have caused the death of five experienced explorer ponies under his command.”

Copper swallowed as he prepared himself

“Princess, I must ask you something.” The Celestia’s expression changed as she noticed the worried expression that Copper had.

“What worries you, Copper?”

“Princess… Is it true that the fight between you and Nightmare Moon was more than a fight? That it was a conflict that lasted for years? That she once ruled peacefully over ponies?”

As soon as he said this, Copper felt a great relief, but Celestia’s expression turned dark and thoughtful.

“I knew that I could get this outcome if I sent an expedition to the old palace, but I didn’t expect you to doubt of me, Copper.”

“Princess, you must understand, though Crimson was unable to bring to me any physical proof, his arguments made me doubt of…”

“My version of History?” She finished.

“Yes…” Copper voice faded as he said it.

Celestia stared at him. Copper felt like he was being deeply analysed, as Celestia scanned the stallion completely. After a couple of uncomfortable minutes of silence Celestia took a step forward.

“Are you loyal to me, Copper?”

“Of course, my princess!”

“Then your loyalty shall be rewarded, but I need something from you first… I need you to go to the palace yourself, this time as an officially announced expedition, and discover how much truth lies behind Crimson’s theories”

“And if Crimson’s theories are proven true?”

“That will be the moment in which you will prove me your loyalty.” She sentenced. Copper knew what she wanted perfectly. All the proofs that may lie within the old palace walls would have to be erased.

“It will be done so.” Copper said as he lowered his head respectfully. “But princess, I must ask, what will happen to Crimson Zephyr?”

“Don’t worry, he shall suffer no harm. But I must ensure he brought nothing that may compromise our plan.” As she finished saying this, Celestia’s expression changed again to her cheerful and peaceful usual face. “Now its time for me to leave Copper, my royal duties call”

As she headed to the studio’s door, she turned her head around and smiling she said “The actual leader of the Academy is a bit retrograde in his ideas. Perhaps we need to substitute him, don’t you think so, Copper?” She said, leaving the room. Copper smiled widely.