Golden Shield moved swiftly through the dense woodlands, escorting the latest dig crew to arrive at the sight. His wing grasped the blade, ready to strike, although uncomfortably. Who would have known his first assignment would have taken him through the depths of the Emerald Forests to watch over some over-enthusiastic dig crews sift through dirt.
Being a part of the Royal Guard wasn’t particularly a fun job. Gold knew that from the start of initiate’s training. The instructors made that abundantly clear, yet that didn’t stop any of the initiates from continuing their journey of becoming part of a growing organization dedicated to protecting Equestria and her citizens. But Gold had hoped for an assignment closer to home rather than out in the middle of nowhere.
Upon his arrival, the guard’s transport wagons were almost torn apart from the severe storm surrounding the forest like a field meant to separate any contact from the outside. The fact that they were able to get in was a miracle according to Hearth and her team. There were openings that needed the right timing before a proper entry was made, but Gold’s caravan helmed through it all. He had hoped the journey had been worth it.
Vines hung over the path the group followed, like fingers trying to snatch up the ponies. Hooves crunched fallen leaves and frost, armor plates noisily shifted together, easily making the group the loudest part of the forest. Birds fluttered from time to time; coming to and from the direction of the dig site in small groups every thirty minutes, or so it seemed. Their songs could be heard, even when they weren't visible much like the tools from the research teams.
Twenty Royal Guards escorted the scientists, only three of which were actually familiar with the land. The researchers, unlike the guards, were so preoccupied with themselves and news of the recent discovery. It must have been quite the discovery if they had easily forgotten the near-death experience hours ago.
Aegis walked beside Gold and noted the annoyed expression on his face. “Don’t worry, we’re almost there according to Hearth’s navigation spell and map. Should be just another half an hour before we arrive at the dig site. When we get there, we’ll at least take a little break while the archaeological teams figure out what they’ve actually found.”
Gold’s ears twitched. “What is it that they’ve found? Why drag us so far north?”
“Its...” Aegis paused. “Hard to explain. You’ll see it when you get there. You’re not going to believe it.”
Great, Gold thought, rolling his eyes. More mystery.
If there was something worth hauling over a quarter of Canterlot’s Guard garrison, then there must have been something huge here. Gold knew he wouldn’t be there if that wasn’t the case. He shivered, letting his armor rattle and let out a sigh. The further they walked, the more visible the mists from their breaths became. If the Emerald Forest felt like winter in the middle of fall, Gold could barely imagine how cold the cursed place would be during the freezing days of winter. He’d wager his breath and tongue would freeze just as he opened his mouth.
A noise resonated through the woods and all ponies stopped in their tracks. Gold felt his wing grip his sword, while he listened past the silence. It came once more, sounding like a zap of electricity echoing through the forest. Hearth continued forward, as did the Aegis and two other guards. The new batch of archaeologists exchanged uncertain glances, but slowly continued to follow Hearth, albeit in a more cautious manner.
“It’s alright,” Hearth announced with a slightly irritated tone in her voice. Gold knew it was mostly directed towards the researchers, but he felt that he should be included in the addressment. “Just the dig teams up ahead. We’ll be there in about an hour.”
Gold followed, jumping after each zap roared louder and louder. What in Luna’s name could they have found out here?
Just when Gold thought there was more jungle waiting for them, bushes had become more abundant and soon after the trees started to become a rarity.
As the cluster broke through the clearing, Golden Shield’s hooves stopped moving him. A chill ran down his spine as his eyes drifted towards the archaeology camp. Hundreds of tents were barely hidden in the dense jungle the path led down the cliff. The dig teams must have been there for months to be able to clear through the immense jungle and unclothe the earth itself.
Golden Shield’s mouth quivered, trying to find the words to say. It wasn’t the metallic glints in the ground where ponies had been standing around that made him utterly speechless, nor was it the alien constructs being hauled to the camps. The artifacts reflected the sun’s light like a mirror visible from miles away, as did the underground structures being unearthed.
It was the tower rivaling Canterlot Mountain that had drained all words from him. The twisted spire of metal glowing brilliantly in the distance shot some kind of beam from the top like a beacon to the stars above. Thick thorns protruded from the tower like thorns from a metallic rose without the actual flower. He could hardly imagine how high the spire truly was. From what Gold could tell, the tip was barely touching the heavens, carving a great divide between the clouds.
“By Celestia...” Gold managed.
2 Weeks Ago
It was dark and hazy, her form just barely even recognizable to herself. Her white fur glistened from some source of brilliant light, her golden accessories vanished, stripping her of her high class. She didn’t know where she was, but she felt as though she’d been here before a long time ago. She was much smaller than she remembered and her mane didn’t have the multi-colored flow.
Her voice was gone. Every attempt to speak was met with silence, her words caught in her throat.
A form appeared beside her, much taller and slender than herself. She appeared to be banging on something. A door? No. Something metal. A stallion appeared beside her, doing the exact same thing.
He was yelling. Doing something else. Horn glowing and eyes losing all color. Glowing as well. Then there was crying, but not her own. She looked and there was a filly, just about her size. Blue. Blue coat, blue mane, blue eyes. When she approached her, the two’s eyes locked. The blue filly and the older two ponies looked at her blankly.
“Lead us to glory.” They all said. “Bring us to Paradise.”
Then the dream was over.
When Princess Celestia awoke, she had not expected herself to have done so late into the day. It had been this way for a long time in actuality. Sleep came in short bursts; visions all depicting the same thing. And the long day in the royal court did little to help. More and more, she had let her own sister do the job of raising the sun in the early hours of the morning, almost like Celestia’s thousand year rule would be replaced in an instant. Soon, Luna would banish her to the sun and take charge of a new Equestria.
The princess laughed in the back of her head, but she knew it was wrong to have even joked about that. She turned in her bed, which caressed her large, gentle form. The sun peered in through the window slightly, the rays of light and heat warming Celestia’s chin down to the upper portion of her chest, while the drapes blocked the rest of her body from the star’s gaze. It was soothing and she found a touch of hope with the rays. But a hope for what? She didn’t even know the answer. And she wasn't sure if she'd like to know.
With a long, exaggerated yawn nopony knew a princess could make, Celestia rose in her bed and rubbed her eyes awake. The long violet sheets draped over the edge of the mattress, hovering only a few centimeters from the floor. Her silk blankets were made from the finest silks Equestrian bits could buy from Saddle Arabia; so smooth and with the incredible ability to keep a pony cool during hot summer days yet keep a pony comfortably warm during the coldest of winters. Pillows flanked her position, although she only used one and kept the others for decoration, even if nopony else came in, save for the Royal Guard. Everything was so pristine and perfect.
Her bare hooves touched the cold floor, a feeling which most ponies would have thought she was not used to, and right beside her bed, she stretched her hooves out, feeling her back crack as she did so. Her eyes rolled up at the feeling of her tense muscles loosening up as she let out another yawn. She slid her hooves into her shoes slowly and her crown floated atop of her head.
There was something that told her today was going to be a long one. If the past week had the princess feeling like a slave trying to please unknown masters, she could barely imagine how the following months would pan out. Twilight had done a good job so far with the assisted ruling of the nation alongside Luna, so it almost seemed like Equestria could go on just fine without Celestia.
But thoughts like those were too somber. Celestia needed to be strong for her country. Equestria has lost a leader once and that thousand year rule had been one of the most hardest times she had endured. Another leader lost would bring an overbearing amount of burdens on Luna and Twilight, and that was something that could not be.
Celestia’s ears twitched and several chills ran down her spine. The air was colder than yesterday. She closed the window with a faint glow of her horn. Was it really winter already? It felt like last week was the hottest summer ever experienced.
Looking down at the city, Celestia took a moment to admire the capital of Equestria. It was such a stark sight, the glowing city. She was proud to be it’s ruler.
But there was no more time for stalling. There was work to be done, although there was too much of it in Celestia’s opinion. Lately it had seemed like the work she had done in the past thousand years had began to take the form of a single problem.
She walked towards the door, her horn glowing as it swung open. Standing before her as soon as the door opened, with his hoof in the air, was Autumn Nights. He was a tall stallion and very gaunt, unlike the others his age. His mane was like the fallen leaves of old trees aging since Celestia was a child in the upper castle’s garden; orange and messier than the piles of leaves that normally formed this season. His face always had a slight flush to it, like he were stuck with a constant blush on his grey face.
Princess Celestia would have seen it fitting that he be the adviser for Luna. The way he groggily walked around the castle during the day was a pitiful sight compared to his busy nocturnal nature. But then again, trading her own adviser for Luna's may as well have been switching a grey piece of abstract art for a blue.
“Good morning Your Grace,” he said, planting his hoof back on the ground. “I was just coming to see if you were still alive.”
The princess chuckled. “There’s no need to worry about me.”
“I can see that. The lack of guards stationed outside your quarters was quite a worrisome sight, you know how it goes.” He gestured down the hall, leading to the courtyard. “Shall we?”
“Lets.”
The grand halls of the castle were silent. Not a pony, noble nor guard, occupied the empty spaces. Just candles hanging on sconces and suits of armor occasionally appearing in front of the walls. Portraits of allies long gone and ponies Celestia didn't remember having the pleasure of meeting spotted the otherwise dull walls. But they were Her dull walls. Ones that had shared over a thousand years' worth of memories with her.
“I meant to wake you earlier Your Grace, but this morning has been on the...suspenseful side, if you will.”
Celestia raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”
“Scouts came back from the Emerald Forests. Early in the morning while Luna was around and about.” Autumn stopped and looked down both sides of the hall, as though to make sure nopony was watching or listening in. When everything seemed to be safe, he continued. “The scouts have yet to present their findings to anyone else in the court, not even your sister or pupil.”
“Did they at least tell you?”
“Nope,” Autumn said plainly. “not a single word. They hadn’t said a word about it and made it very clear that they needed your attention.”
“Luna and Twilight are perfectly capable of dealing with issues like these.” Autumn opened the door and the courtyard rolled out before them. Beautiful flowers were planted in the name of the princesses, black fences separating them from true freedom. Royal Guards patrolled the stone walkways boxing in the gardens, giving a quick salute at the sight of Celestia. With a simple gesture, they continued about their duties.
Celestia hated having to be the sole leader of Equestria. Whenever there were problems that needed fixing, why was she the first to be called to the table? Luna had just as much authority over the land as she did and Twilight may have just became a princess, but even she had a great sense of how to handle situations from the most mundane to the complex.
Celestia made sure to slow her pace, even if the problem at hand was of utmost importance. Nothing stopped her from enjoying the beauty of the thousand-year-old garden. Hedges trimmed into swirls and various patterns while collections of vibrant flowers filled in the empty spaces. Hummingbirds dug their faces deep into willows and honeysuckles, grabbing as much nectar as they could, fighting the bees over control of the divided areas of the garden.
“We really should be getting to the infirmary.” Autumn said in a low tone as though not to rush the princess.
Celestia said nothing, but sped her pace. Two guards flanked a set of double doors leading back inside. The both opened the doors and Celestia thanked them with a simple nod. What could have been so important that scouts would need medical attention? Celestia’s jaw set at the thought of Griffons sending troops through Equestria. War hadn’t been waged in millennia, since before the three tribes were even conceived.
A war now, of all times, would be crippling to everything in Equestria. There weren’t nearly enough ponies in the Royal Guard to send off into battle. Conscriptions would be made and families would be torn apart so mares and stallions could wage a pointless war. Technology would have to veer away from the useful and helpful to the dangerous and destructive. Celestia knew the conflicts with the Griffons and Saddle Arabians was slowly spreading, but Equestria was the only thing between the two that stopped them from engaging in a brutal conflict. Celestia was starting to think that Equestria would soon be a battleground for the two.
She would have none of it.
By the time the two reached the castle infirmary, Celestia should have been in the courtroom, performing her daily duties. The scouts were a group of four, each bearing the same white coat and blue or gold mane. They lay in beds across from one another; two on one side and two on the other. They were skinnier than most guards, taller as well. When Princess Celestia approached them on their beds, the most basic gesture of acknowledgement they could manage was a broken half-salute.
“Please,” Celestia said tenderly. “Don’t strain yourselves.”
“Yes Princess.” They all seemed to relax.
“I understand you have something for me? News?”
They all looked at each other.
“Was it the Griffons? Saddle Arabians?” Celestia pushed. She didn’t mean to sound so impatient with them. But lack of sleep and a constant cycle of work with no time to relax
The pony closest to her on the left spoke first. “We...found something. Something big.”
Celestia nodded and raised an eyebrow.
“It’s....Ancient,” said another. “But it’s all so...new.”
Celestia stared at them, unamused. So far, this had seemed to be just a simple waste of time. These were men, who were more than likely suffering from the full effects of the jungles of the north. Madness was a common ailment for ponies without the will to endure the woodlands of the north, but a little bit of a healers magic could easily repair a pony.
“We can show you!” the closer pony spoke again.
"And how in the world can we do that Hearth?" The other pony spoke. Darker then the rest. One of Luna's guards.
"We marked it on the map, we-"
"She's the princess, she has enough trouble here alr-"
"Bell, you arrogant pric-"
"Enough!" Celestia roared. Her voice came out rough and violent, straining her throat. The first few breaths were huffs and puffs from a weeks' worth of frustration. The next thereafter were more calm and decreasing in volume. The sullen silence from the scouts was deafening. The princess cleared her coarse throat and continued. "I apologize. I'm afraid I can't travel to this place myself, but I have an alternative. If you're willing. Any of you."
The scouts looked among themselves, looking for who would be the volunteer. Hearth rose his hoof. "I guess it'll be me then."
"This will only take a moment," Celestia tried to reassure the obviously anxious stallion. She leaned forward towards the scout, her horn pressing against his forehead. Slight vibrations from his head tickled Celestia's horn. There wasn't a lot to say that would keep a pony calm with an Exchange such as this. "Try to keep your mind clear. Focus only on what you saw in the Emerald Forest. Nothing more."
"O-okay.." Hearth pursed his lips and braced himself for whatever the princess had in store for him.
It started with a flash, a powerful pain in Her head, and a flash of images, almost alien in nature.
It ended with Celestia opening her eyes and stiffening up. She took in a deep breath, trying to remained as relaxed as she possibly could. Her Exchange with Twilight was nothing compared to this. Her head was pounding, like her brain were trying to break free of the skeletal cage hidden beneath the fur and muscles of her body. She glanced down at Hearth. His eyes were now closed and he lay limp on the bed. Celestia hadn't any time to look to the other scouts in the room.
Upon exiting the room, Celestia turned to Autumn, who was trying to comprehend what he had witness.
"Get the nurse. Tell her to tend to them." Celestia ordered.
"Where are you going if I may be so bold to ask?"
"I...I don't know." Celestia thought long and hard. The metal spire rising to the sky. It seemed familiar to her. She knew she had seen it before. Yet, she was unable to pinpoint where she had seen it. "Meet me in my chambers. We have much to discuss."
