In Youth Eternal - Origins

Chapter 1: Tension

It had been 200 years since that fateful day; the day Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were orphaned by the abomination that was Discord. Truly, a day neither sister could ever forget. While an empty hole remained in their hearts, the royal sisters had to stay strong in order to lead their ponies.

Since then, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna had taken up their sun and moon duties, much like their mother had done before them. But with her gone, somepony had to do it, and there was nopony else suited for the task.

The Elements of Harmony had been returned to their dormant state, and moved to the entrance hall of the castle for closer access if needed. To anypony else, it was all just a fancy statue.

It had been shortly after the death Princess Eclipse, and the following defeat of Discord, that a decent chunk of the pony population defected from Equestria to try and form their own nation in a neighboring part of the land.

Their de facto leader at the time of the defection, before it was made official via election, was a unicorn stallion by the name of Crimson. The color of his fur was the same as his namesake, while his mane was a natural light grey. The cutie mark on his flank resembled a book; more specifically, it resembled a tome that that housed the knowledge of magic.

As such, Crimson was a competent in the art of magic, and and dedicated scholar, who sought out the ancient knowledge of magic, as well as simple Equestrian history. In addition to those traits, the stallion was especially notable for his good leadership skills and charisma; something which many ponies followed him for.

Crimson dubbed his new nation ‘Equis’. They had began construction of a town far to the northeast, in the grasslands beyond the mountain ranges, naming it Stalliongrad. After the ponies of Equis officially took a vote to establish Crimson as their leader, they built the capitol building in their new town.

At first, Princess Celestia was reluctant at first to just let them leave like that, but eventually decided to give them a chance; to allow these ponies to live their own way of life, with their own laws that suit them.

Princess Luna had been much more protesting of such a thing, but her elder sister convinced her to at least give them a chance.

Yet, later on, political tensions began rising between the two nations, much to Celestia’s and Luna’s annoyance. Although violence had not yet occurred, the regal sisters were fearful that confrontations weren’t far off. Not fearful of their own lives, but for the lives and safety of their ponies. That was most important to the princesses.

It was only a matter of time.

*     *     *

Though Princess Celestia and Princess Luna had to say goodbye to their parents, it wasn’t unusual for them to visit their gravesite. The alicorn laid there, in front of the grave of her late parents. Her head hung low in silence, her eyes shut as she took time out of yet another day to remember them. Although, Princess Luna was absent this time. But that didn’t stop the white alicorn from mourning.

Princess Celestia’s thoughts and memories turned to that fateful day. Even after 200 years, the wound was still deep in her heart.

Her ears suddenly perked up upon hearing somepony’s hoof steps. Princess Celestia lifted her head, turning to the source of the sound. Approaching her was a familiar old friend.

“Good morning, my Princess,” spoke the voice of a stallion, happily. There was a certain was wavering in his voice that suggested he was rather elderly; confirmed by his long white beard. This stallion was a unicorn, adorned with a pointed hat, decorated with bells and stars. A dark blue cloak, decorated with the same bells and stars, enshrouded his body.

“Ah. Good morning, Star Swirl,” replied Celestia.

“How are you this morning?” he inquired with a smile on his face.

“I’m feeling wonderful,” replied the alicorn, forming a false smile. Princess Celestia turned her head back to face the grave.

Star Swirl the Bearded arched a brow. “I see... That’s good,” he said, lacking enthusiasm. A beat of silence occurred as a light breeze passed by. Then, the aged unicorn let out a sigh before speaking again.

“I know you miss them, Celestia,” he stated solemnly. Star Swirl the Bearded approached the Princess and placed a hoof on her shoulder. “But, you cannot keep grieving like this. It’s not healthy.” A concerned frown passed his lips.

Princess Celestia turned her head to face the unicorn, visibly distraught. “I know...” she choked, glancing down, unable to look him in the eye. “It has been a hard journey, but I will manage.” Her voice picked up more enthusiasm, as she forced a lite smile. “I have to, for the sake of my ponies.”

“I do hope you’re right,” Star Swirl the Bearded murmured, gesturing with a hoof.

Princess Celestia closed her eyes and smiled more genuinely as she stood up. “I will be just fine,” she answered, reopening her eyes as her body turned to face the aged unicorn. “Thank you for your concern, my friend. You always were an excellent Court Mage,” she said warmly.

“Ho ho! Well, you know me!” Star Swirl chuckled, nudging Celestia with an elbow playfully, attempting to raise her spirits. The regal alicorn could not help but chuckle softly as a genuine smile finally appeared.

“By the way... Where is Princess Luna?” asked Star Swirl the Bearded, out of curiosity. “She is usually here with you.”

“Oh, well, she’s locked herself in her room again,” Celestia responded, in a solemn tone. Star Swirl became visibly concerned.

“Oh my... Did she have another one of her... tantrums?” Star Swirl inquired, wincing at the thought. The old unicorn, like anypony else, became frightened by Princess Luna during her anger.

Princess Celestia slowly nodded, a saddened expression forming upon her visage.

“I see... They seem to be more frequent these days,” the elderly unicorn observed, bringing a hoof to his chin in concern.

“Indeed,” the alicorn murmured, letting out a sigh. “It’s hard to see her like this more often... I love my sister with all my heart.” She glanced down at the ground as a tear rolled down her cheek. “I worry for her...”

“It is understandable that you are, Celestia. I also worry about her,” said Star Swirl the Bearded, just as concerned as Princess Celestia. “Perhaps you should talk to her when she calms down,” he suggested.

“You’re right,” the regal alicorn responded. “I shall, my friend.”

“Excellent!” he exclaimed, raising a hoof with enthusiasm. Princess Celestia managed a lite smile. It was then that something caught her attention.

“Princess Celestia!” a voice cried out. The alicorn perked up upon hearing her name. Turning her head towards the direction of the sound, witnessing a unicorn mare just now exiting the castle main entrance.

“Yes? What is it?” the alicorn inquired.

“I have received word that Ambassador Silver Mane will return this afternoon!” she answered, giving a bow.

“Ah, good. I hope the peace talks with Equis went well,” Celestia commented, smiling. “You are dismissed.”

The mare promptly saluted. “Ma’am!” With that, the mare trotted off, receding back into the castle. With that, Star Swirl the Bearded glanced at Princess Celestia.

“I do hope things went well. Now, I suppose I should return to my studies,” the aged unicorn said. “There are always new things to learn everyday, after all!”

“Alright. I won’t keep you,” she replied. In response, Star Swirl nodded before trotting off to continue his studies in magic; a life long journey, always learning new things, even after so many years.

Left alone before the the grave of her parents, she gave one final moment of silence for the day. After a moment passed, the alicorn spoke. “I’ll continue on, living for the both of you...” she said solemnly.

With that, Princess Celestia turned back towards the entrance of the castle, returning to the interior to await the arrival of her ambassador.

*     *     *

The large double doors of the main entrance flung open with Ambassador Silver Mane, adorned with his white robe, trotting into the castle, escorted by a part of armored pegasi. The ambassador was rather tired from such a long trip, but wouldn’t rest just yet. He still had to meet with Princess Celestia.

“The Princess is currently in the throne room,” one of the guards informed, greeting the ambassador in the entrance hall.

“Ah, yes. Thank you,” he humbly replied. The unicorn stallion promptly made his way to the throne room with his two guard escort.

Upon arriving at the throne room entrance, his escort darted ahead of him to open the door. He nodded to the guards as he entered, seeing Princess Celestia perched on her throne. Guarding her was a pair of Royal Guards, with a number of others lined against the walls of the throne room. The throne next to Princess Celestia’s was empty.

Upon seeing the stallion enter the throne room, she arched a brow, but quickly returned to her usual, calm demeanor. “Welcome back, Silver Mane,” the princess greeted, her expression changing to a warm smile. “I trust the peace talks went well?” Princess Celestia, waiting for his answer, lifted a glass of wine to her lips, sipping on the red liquid.

“Indeed, your majesty,” he answered as he gave Celestia a respectful bow, bending his forelegs to lower his body.

“That is good news. Come. Walk with me,” asserted Celestia. The alicorn had grown tired of sitting in her throne, wanting to take a short walk back to her quarters instead. She moseyed down from her throne, casually walking past Silver Mane.

“As you wish, your highness,” he replied as he began to trail behind her.

With that, the pair exited the throne room on their short walk to Princess Celestia’s bed chamber.

*     *     *

The door to Princess Celestia’s bed chamber crept open with a touch of magic. Celestia allowed Silver Mane to enter first, following in after him. The alicorn shut the door behind them, with the golden glow of her magic aura fading before there was a sudden flick of magic from her horn.

Silver Mane turned around to face the Princess. “There seems to be a lack of security at the moment,” he observed, having not seen any guards keeping watch of her quarters. Nor had any guards escorted the pair as they walked to their destination.

Princess Celestia chuckled lightly. “It’s quite alright,” she pointed out, the tone of her voice sounding a bit... off. “I am here. There is no better security.”

“I see,” he spoke softly. A bead of sweat formed from his forehead. The tone of Celestia’s voice unnerved him greatly.

“So, have you come to assassinate me?” Celestia deadpanned, dropping the warm demeanor in an instant. The ambassador’s eyes widened as he grunted with surprise. He had been caught.

“Don’t give me that look. Since when were you under the impression that I wouldn’t be able to see through such a simple magic disguise?” she hissed, narrowing her eyes. The glare she shot him struck him deep, causing his heart rate to increase as he gritted his teeth.

Princess Celestia had him. Silver Mane, or rather, an assassin disguised as Silver Mane backed away, fearful of what she might do. His horn flashed as he dropped the disguise. The robe was still enshrouding his body, however the pony that wore it revealed his true face.

“You won’t capture me alive,” he claimed as his horn lit up. A flash of light engulfed his form, only to dissipate with the unicorn assassin still standing in his spot, much to his surprise. “What!? Why didn’t I-”

“I created an anti-teleportation barrier around the room just after I closed the door,” Princess Celestia interrupted in a cold tone. She could tell that her would-be assassin was afraid. With that, the alicorn began to slowly approach him; her visage giving a disturbingly cold, yet tranquil expression.

‘Damnit! It looks like I have no other choice...’ said the assassin’s inner thoughts. He would rather not use that, but realized that his death was imminent either way. With that in mind, the unicorn had flung his robe off with his magic, revealing two objects strapped to the sides of his body. Princess Celestia’s eyes went wide, recognizing them immediately.

Attached to his body was a pair of magic-based explosives, activated when a unicorn feeds a bit of magic energy to them.

“You wouldn’t...” she snarked, narrowing her eyes. A sinister smirk formed on the assassin’s face. The alicorn knew this did not bode well.

Without speaking a word, his horn lit up as he kicked off the ground, sending himself in a dive towards the regal alicorn. He quickly allowed his magic aura to flow freely into the two bombs attached to his body, causing them to light up within moments.

Reacting as fast as she could manage, Princess Celestia’s horn activated, letting off its radiant golden light. A barrier began to form in front of her. But, it was too late. Before Celestia’s barrier could form completely, the magic-based bombs strapped to the unicorn exploded violently, subjecting the Princess’ bed chamber to a destructive inferno.

The body of the assassin was obliterated to dust. The Princess, on the other hoof, let out a scream of pain as her regal form was engulfed in the fires of the blast.

With that, the entire world went dark around Princess Celestia.