The Journey Begins
Within the city of Canterlot inside the castle, a meeting was taking place. Leaders from multiple countries joined to discuss the current situation involving the relationships with their allies. Representing Equestria, Celestia and Luna take the front table seat holding the meeting. The Kingdom of Equestria is bordered by seas to the east and west. This kingdom has a varied landscape and climate that includes hilly grasslands, forests, deserts and swamps. The city of Canterlot is located in the mountain range built when the old Canterlot was destroyed, and is the seat of power for Equestria's two rulers: Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. To the right was Celestia's protege and Princess of Friendship, Twilight who was nervous, being her first royal meeting not as an assistant, but an actual princess.
Across from her direction was Princess Rosetta of the country of Concordia. The kingdom of Concordia lies to the south-east of Equestria. This region is characterized by its dry and arid climate, and iron-rich quarries which supply steel of esteemed quality to the other kingdoms. Concordia's capital city, Bardingburgh, is famous for its dizzyingly tall spires which lifts the city's inhabitants away from the dust storms which often buffet the region. Alongside her was her friend and assistant Princess Stella aka General Firefly.
From Twilight's right, representing the Crystal Empire, was Princess Cadance and her husband Shining Armor. The Crystal Empire was once a peaceful home to the crystal ponies where they lived in peace and tranquility, that is until King Sombra took reigns and became its ruler. Using slavery and brutal tactics to enslave all crystal ponies, it was thought that the crystal ponies would never see the light of day ever again. Until the Great Shadow War began. Its goal, to usurp the throne from Sombra and free all the crystal ponies from his grasp. The war ended but unfortunately, the Crystal Empire disappeared into the unknown along with its residents. Years after the Nightmare Moon incident and the Royal Wedding chaos, the Crystal Empire rises once again from its slumber. But with its rise, the Shadow King returned as well. Both Princess Cadance and Shining Armor went ahead to stop him from consuming the Crystal Empire again. With time, alongside the Bearers of Harmony, they successfully thwarted Sombra's plan and thus, the Crystal Empire was free once more.
From where Cadance was standing, in front of her was Princess Iridia or Iris for short. From the far north beyond the Crystal Kingdom, grassland gives way to taiga and vast swathes of conifers dominate the landscape. Princess Iridia rules over this frigid land known as Henosis. From there, Dawn Castle is the Henosian capital and the seat of Iridia's royal power.
From Iridia's right was the Princess of the Black Islands, Galaxia. From across the western seas, scraggly peaks and obsidian towers pierce through the ocean mist marking the beginnings of the Black Islands, over which Princess Galaxia holds dominion. Within the grand libraries of its capital city Empyrea, ancient and arcane secrets are sequestered away from all unworthy unicorns.
The next leader found to the right from Princess Cadance was a griffon named Rhosus Ironclaw. From the northern regions of Griffonia, clans of griffons eke out a tough existence amongst the frigid crags, far removed from their more peaceful relatives to the south of the continent. Here the right to the throne belongs to the House which proves themselves most powerful, and matters of succession are often unsavory affairs. The late King Gryphus III of House Ironclaw rose to power as a popular figure but grew increasingly megalomaniacal in his later years, seeking to expand his rule by establishing a vast empire. Gryphus looked to magical artifacts as a means to fulfill his ambitions and in 1006 y.a.b. he invaded eastern Equestria, sweeping through the kingdom towards its capital. He was defeated in the single day known as the Siege of Canterlot. Gryphus's younger brother Rhosus claimed the throne after his death. Gryphus's three children have also survived the war and are now being taken cared of by Rhosus in Twistspire, the capital city of North Griffonia. From the eldest to youngest, they are Darius, Cassandra, and Alex.
In front of Rhosus Ironclaw were the representatives of the distant country Ainia, Amok Gale-sower and Scorpan. Filled with a renewed love for the wonderful creatures of the world and the burning desire to learn all that can be learned of magic, Scorpan returned home to distant Icaria as an outcast and found Tirek, his fallen brother's minions rampaging across the land. Having failed in their ambitions to steal Equestrian magic, they set their eyes on Ainia: the domain of Amok Gale-sower, king and guardian of the woodland animals. Scorpan would find no better teacher to slake his new-found thirst for the magical arts - Amok was himself a disciple of the Crystal Queen and a master wizard - and so he made Ainia his new home, swearing to defend her peace-loving inhabitants from those who he once called his ilk. Henceforth storm and wind stands as a bulwark against the enemies of Ainia, scattering vast invading hordes like dry chaff.
"Thank you, everypon…"
Rhosus cuts off where Celestia was about to say, "I am no pony in case you have forgotten Celestia, please do not make that mistake again."
"Sorry Rhosus, ahem, as I was saying, I thank all of you for coming here. I am sorry if I interrupted your duties, but I called all of you here to acknowledge about the new Princess." Everyone all looked at Twilight who was cowering slowly under the Royal Table. She was okay when normal ponies like those from Ponyville look at her like that, but when the royalties do it, it scares her sometimes, especially the gryphon.
As she slowly cowered under the table, a knock was heard at the door. Celestia calls in whoever was knocking despite that it was rather poorly timed to knock at this time of hour. The door opens and a head peeps inside. Surprising enough for Celestia, it was her uncle, "Uncle, what took you so long to get here?"
Zodiac enters the room and closes the door gently hoping not to disturb others that are guarding, "Sorry I got late, I received the message a bit late and as usual, I teleported here immediately albeit not inside the room. That would make Rhosus here react and probably mistake me for an enemy." Rhosus shrugged partly agreeing to what the alicorn said, "Now that everyone is here, shall we continue the meeting?" All nodded in agreement. Twilight was still shaking a bit from the stare-down by all royalties. Zodiac came behind her and tapped her back reassuring her that he'll be here to mediate should things get bad. Twilight breathed a sigh of relief, she was glad that at least somepony was here to keep her comfortable.
Scorpan was the first to congratulate Twilight in succeeding where he failed to do, "Princess Twilight, I congratulate you in taking down my brother Tirek. I am sorry that I wasn't there to help you but my duties with my home Ainia still stands." Twilight slowly rose form the table thanking Scorpan for the praise.
Scorpan was about to sit back down until Rhosus interrupted, "I am sorry but wasn't your original home Icaria?" Scorpan nodded, not expecting the next one to be harsh coming form the gryphon, "I don't know whether to blame you for the Tirek incident, or for you to not go against your own brother."
"Rhosus!" Iridia was not pleased with what she heard from Rhosus, "That is no way to treat him like that!"
"Well, the Icy Queen of Storms finally speaks!" Rhosus retorted back at Iridia who was trying not to tackle the gryphon down, "It beats me not whether I was rude or not, I did point out one thing..." The gryphon shifted his gaze back at Scorpan who was wary of the harsh comment, "Why stay behind in Ainia when you could have helped the country of Equestria in their fight against Tirek?"
Scorpan was silent for a few seconds. He was about to speak his answer until Celestia argued with the gryphon, "Rhosus, now is not the time for a conflict."
Amok came in after Celestia repeating what she said, "I agree with the princess, this is not the time to start a conflict..."
"And why is it not? I know that we are here to acknowledge the new princess here, but I'd like to bring up about Scorpan's reluctance of helping..." Although he was right about this meeting being about praising Twilight, he was also right as to why Scorpan wasn't there to help them in defeating Tirek, "Well?"
Scorpan wasn't reluctant in helping out the six. In fact he was thinking about going to Equestria in helping defeating his own brother but Ainia was beginning to go through some trouble. With the barrier splitting Ainia from its enemy weakening, he decided to stay behind should it collapse. He explained that to everyone that was there. Everyone agreed to that statement including the one who asked him that question, however, this also bought up another question from Rhosus, "I agree with you, but what would have happened if Princess Twilight and her friends could not stop your brother, what would you do?"
Scorpan wasn't so sure on what to do if that were to happen. To stay behind and continue protecting his new home or assist in the fight against Tirek, it was a hard choice to make considering the consequences of trying both actions. Rhosus hearing what he had to say, stopped him from there. He apologized for bringing this subject up for Scorpan. Scorpan accepted the apology and the meeting continue from there.
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"Well, that went unexpectedly well." Much to Luna's surprise, throughout the whole meeting, all leaders talked calmly about their current situation staying on topic for most of the time. For her, normally when these meetings occurred, a fight would have occurred mostly because of the relationship between Henosis and North Griffonia. She didn't expect it to go so diplomatic upon bringing up a touchy subject for both countries.
"I'd agree sister, I'd never expected them to be so calm during the mee…" From outside, they hear a ruckus going on at the garden baffling them as to what was going on. They ran to the castle garden as fast as they can to see what was going on. When they made it there, they see Zodiac separating Iridia and Rhosus from their conflict. Iridia could not hold back her anger after that retort from Rhosus. Luna and Celestia were not so surprised to see this coming. They may be friends, but whenever you bring up something that can conflict with either countries, they will bring up quite a ruckus. They couldn't help but face hoof seeing this again, "At least it was done after the meeting."
Zodiac was having trouble separating the both of them as they were doing anyway possible to get at their throats. He was getting tired and casted a knock-out spell on the both of them. Both fell limp on his back as they dozed off, "That was getting ridiculous. Now I have to bring them back to their country before anyone thinks something bad happened." He looks at Celestia and Luna wondering whether to send them or not. Seeing how long the trip was by flight, he decided to see if they might enjoy it, "Celestia, Luna, I have a request for the both of you." Both alicorns were listening carefully making sure that not a single important detail slips, "While I have to teleport them back, would you kindly take over a certain excavation back in the Smokey Mountains?"
Both were baffled as to what he was talking. When they were about to ask him why they needed to go there, he teleports immediately leaving them wondering what was so important that they have to go to the Smokey Mountains. Regardless, they go to the mountains by flight hopefully to spot where the excavation site was. As they reached peak altitude and looked down hoping to find it, Luna begins to feel something strange and wonders what was this strange feeling. She couldn't shake off the feeling that something disastrous is going to happen once they find it. Five minutes have passed and so far the Royal Sisters have not gotten lucky at finding the site. They were getting a bit distressed that they haven't found it. From the distance, Celestia notices a flashing light coming from the base of the mountain. Luna notices the light as well. Curious, both descend towards the light. The light gets brighter with their slow descent until they reach it. One of the excavator ponies was happy to have gotten their attention, "Sorry if we interrupted, but we saw you flying up their and thought to give you a sign that we were here." Both Celestia and Luna were grateful that one of the ponies did something to gain their attention. Greetings aside, they asked what they were excavating for. The pony told them to follow him as showing it would be better than telling what they discovered. As he leads them into the mountain landscape, the landscape begins to get foggy. Celestia blows away some of the fog as they were walking to their destination. Slowly, the fog was getting thicker making it harder for Celestia to remove the dense fog. Luna joins in with her sister and flaps her wings hoping to divert the fog away. As the fog begins to clear up, they get a perfect view as to what they found. Both were awe-struck as to what they have found. The leading pony seeing their shocked expression greeted them to the special site, "Welcome my princesses, to the Eclipse Sanctuary."
The Eclipse Sanctuary was once a beautiful utopia where every alicorn would tend to their once daily lives when the Chaos War began. As it was hidden from everything and its location unknown to everypony, it was a perfect place to hide and discuss plans during the war. It was also a paradise for Celestia's and Luna's mother when they first gave birth to the two alicorns. The two little ones would always play around the garden, lake, anywhere where their hearts took them. However, the utopia soon dissipated as they were soon discovered by Chaosbringers. Having been discovered, the alicorns fought back against the overwhelming numbers to the best of their abilities. With Chaosbringers coming from every direction, the alicorn race was slowly dying off. The king and queen, sees that their last line of defense was compromised, headed deep into the secret chamber. The young alicorns they were holding were sleeping not realizing what was going on outside of their dream. As they reached the chamber, they made make-shift beds to let the two sleep. They laid them down and covered them in a cozy blanket. Both were smiling as the blanket comforted them. The king and queen smiled as they see their newborns smiling, but all that changed into a state of regret as tears fell down knowing they'll never see their beloved once again. The king reassured that should they ever face death together, they will be doing this for their young. The queen wiping the tears away, nodded in agreement. Before they left for the battlefield, they looked at them one last time, with a smile on their faces, they went off to fight to the bitter end.
Celestia and Luna were holding back tears when they first woke up from their slumbering that chamber. To see this place once again, almost as renewed as it originally was, it bought back many painful and happy memories from the past. The lead pony seeing them welling up in tears, decided to leave them alone. Both covered each other with their wings letting their sister know that she was not alone. After the happy memories dissipated, they looked at each other noting their desire to look around this place once more. Both nodded and went their separate ways looking into the sanctuary. Both were happy to see the many wonders restored back into its past condition. Celestia, who was in the garden smelling the beautiful aroma of the flowers, wondered how her student would react to see this place. Knowing her student, she would probably go joyful upon seeing the place. Luna was at the library, looking into the many destroyed books that were once here. There were many copies of these historic books, but seeing the original books made her feel like she was home once again. As she was about to leave the library, she begins to get that sensation once again, this time much closer from her understanding. She looks around wondering what this meant. She looks around the place hoping to find an answer to it. As she roamed around the library, she noticed something that seemed a little off. From where she was, she noticed that one of the bookshelves looked rather out of place. She reaches out and touches it. Nothing ever happened, and Luna thought she was just getting crazy, but the feeling she was getting was overwhelming her.
Celestia noticing that Luna was gone longer than expected, wondered where she was in the sanctuary. Knowing her sister, she would probably be at the library catching up with some history. She treads over there while still admiring the reconstruction going on with the Eclipse Sanctuary. She felt happy to see her uncle assisting the workers returning the place to its former glory.
At the library, Luna was checking through the bookshelf wondering if anything was amiss. Scuffling through the books, she notices that one of the books was out of place. She pulls out the book and it got stuck. She tried with force to pull it out, with little to no success. Suddenly the bookshelf began to shudder as it shook around with no end in sight. The bookshelf stopped shaking and disappeared. Luna sees that the bookshelf was hiding a secret passage. Curious, she enters the passage wondering what mysteries await within it walls.
Celestia enters the library calling out to her sister wondering if she was here. She checks around the corners looking for her sister though no avail as she was not fortunate in finding her. As she wanders through the library, she notices the same passage that Luna discovered. Celestia, having photographic memory, doesn't remember this the last time they were in the library when they were fillies. She wondered if Luna went into this passage. She takes off into the passage not knowing of what was in store for the both of them.
Luna goes deeper into the passage curious of what awaits inside. As she descends further into the unknown, she notices a bit of light from the distance. As she nears the light, Celestia was not far behind and manages to catch up with her, "Luna, you are quite hard to find."
Luna not noticing her sister, continued forward wondering about the light. As they get closer, the sensation that Luna felt was getting stronger as she neared it. When they entered it, their eyes opened wide with surprise as to what they discover. They see the cribs they once were in during the war. Many memories flooded their minds as they looked upon it. Both were holding back tears trying not to let their emotions overwhelm them. Luna's sensation was at its strongest here. Luna had wondered what was the feeling all about, and to see this chamber, it became well-known that it was here. With so many memories overtaking her, something within her snapped. Luna blanked out as she stared into the crib and went into a trance as she rose into the air chanting old Equestrian language. Celestia noticed the fluctuation of magic from Luna. She backed away watching what was going on. Luna was chanting more as magic begins to envelop around her. Celestia begins to notice that she was going beyond the amount she usually has within her. That worried her and she tried to call out to her. As she started calling out to her, the magic flowing from her concentrated into a beacon.
Zodiac teleported back tired from the trip involving both Rhosus and Iridia. As he was taking a breather, the ground shook hard making him tumble. As he stood back up, he sees the source of the aftershock. He feels and sees the concentrated amount of magical energy coming from the library. The energy from the magic made Zodiac shudder with realization as to what has occurred, "Oh no… No, no, no, no, NO!" He ran to the library as fast as he can praying that he was not too late to stop what was happening.
Noticing that calling her attention was futile, Celestia tried to pull her away from the beam of magic surrounding her. She was struggling to pull her as Luna was still in her trance chanting more unusual language. Zodiac arrives to the location breathing heavily. He stops breathing hard and immediately assisted Celestia. Luna was getting further into the spell incantation as the beam of magic began to brighten. Celestia was panicking as she was beginning to ascend up into the sky. Celestia held her down to the best of her abilities hoping to prevent what was going on. Zodiac casted a spell on Luna hoping to divert her from the energy flux. The spell was deflected back at Zodiac. He immediately dodged it and redoubled his efforts into the spell. This time, the spell succeeded and Luna was out of the trance. Celestia catches her as she fell down from all that magic. As she slowly falls into her hooves, Celestia noticed something that made her breath heavily. Luna's mane and tail have stopped moving. She uses some magic to check her pulse. Luna's heartbeat was normal at first, but over time, it begins to slow down. Celestia was panicking from the slowing heartbeat and looked around to see if there was anything to help her out.
Zodiac was trying to shake off the exhaustion as he was helping Celestia. As both searched around, something caught his attention. Within a small rubble, a small orb of magic was glowing. He picks it up wondering its purpose. He wondered if he putted it over Luna, perhaps it might help recover her. He immediately brings it to Luna. Celestia wonders what he was doing. Suddenly, the orb entered inside Luna. As the whole orb enters, Luna's mane and tail begin to move ands she was breathing. Celestia was overwhelmed to see her breathing. When she looked at Nicolas, he looked crestfallen. Worried from the eyes, she asked what was wrong with him.
Zodiac was reluctant to answer her question, but as time slowly begins to tick away, he answered her question, "Celestia, have you wondered what that orb was?" Celestia paused for a bit, then nodded yes to the answer, "Well, I'll make it as light as I possibly can…" Hearing that from him, Celestia gulped now desperate to know what his answer was, "That orb was a part of her memories." Celestia was baffled by what he meant, but was shocked upon realizing what he meant, "No, you don't mean…"
Nicolas sighs seeing the condition of Luna, "Yes Celestia, it is what you are thinking." Nicolas carries Luna onto Celestia's back and safely keeps her on the back. While her memories are not intact, for Zodiac, he was happy that she was still breathing, "Celestia, get the bearers and Princess Cadance and Shining Armor in Canterlot. I'm going to see if I can find those memories of hers." Celestia nods and takes off to Canterlot. Zodiac was looking worried if he might even find them. He fears if those memories are scattered not here but elsewhere.
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Celestia was in Canterlot waiting patiently with the bearers and the Crystal Empire princess and prince. She trots back and forth worried with what's taking her uncle so long. As she was beginning to get impatient and prepares to teleport, the door opens and her uncle enters with a grave look.
Zodiac looked at the nine of them. He was very reluctant to tell him what he learned. Knowing Celestia's reaction on both the good and the bad news, he didn't want to dishearten her. For Luna's sake, the emotions will have to be held back, "I've got good news and bad news, everyone." He takes a deep breath, "The good news is that I've found where Luna's memories are." Everypony was looking at each other somewhat happy to hear that from him. However, everypony knows that this joy will not last forever with the bad news. Zodiac was about to deliver the bad news but paused upon looking at Celestia. He was thinking of the consequences of telling his current knowledge to Celestia of all ponies. He was exceedingly worried about how Celestia would react to what he discovered. Seeing no way out of the situation he was in, he was going to have to tell Celestia what he learned, "The bad news…" As before, Zodiac was reluctant to tell everypony about it. After some brief seconds, he goes with telling everypony about it, "The bad news is that those memories are not on Equestria. They're scattered across dimensions not known to Equestria."
Celestia felt like her heart fell to the pits of her stomach. She looked at her sister who was in a death-like slumber. All of her worries escalated wanting nothing but to see her sister awake and well. Celestia asked right away if she can get the memories for her sister. Everypony looked at her gasping thinking she was going on a suicide mission. Everypony but Zodiac who understood why she was the first to ask, "Yes you can." Again everypony was looking, this time at him. He notes this and explains that this is something that she has to do. He did say that he can do it for her, but seeing the determination in Celestia's eyes, he decided to let her take on the harrowing journey. Zodiac warns Celestia of the many dangers of going into unknown dimensions. Celestia acknowledges this and accepts it. Everypony was in denial of letting her go.
"Princess Celestia, you can't go! Don't you realize the risks you are taking!?" Twilight wanted her to stay, she was still a princess and her taking in this quest would make Canterlot collapse instantly without someone watching over the city, "If you go, who will watch over Canterlot?"
Zodiac answered Twilight questions, "I can watch over Canterlot. Remember Twilight, since I don't rule over any given country, I can do it for her." He wasn't worried as he can take over the royal duties in Canterlot while she was gone. That and she was doing this for her sister. Even if he should deny her going, Celestia made her mind on going no matter what. Zodiac looks at the others who couldn't stop Celestia from going. They realize that stopping her would be futile as she was set in her goals. He promised everypony that she will be safe wherever she was so long as he's around. They all smiled a bit from hearing that, "Celestia, I know I've said this before, but I'm asking again. Do you still wish to go on this quest regardless of the consequences should you fail?"
Celestia was set, she nodded and answered yes to his question. Zodiac saw no point in asking her any further and prepared a dimension spell for her. He carries Luna to Celestia's back who was wondering why bring her in this. He explains that it would be best to bring her along regardless of her current state. Celestia nodded and looked at the portal curious as to where this was going. Zodiac replied, "This portal will lead to the dimension where Luna's memories are closest." He patted her back reassuring her that he will always watch over her should things turn for the worst. Celestia nodded, and while going through the portal, waves bye to her friends and family as she sets off into the unknown. The portal closes and everypony was silent as they wondered if this was such a good idea. They left, returning back into their daily routines. Zodiac stayed behind in Canterlot going to see if anything was in need. He was concerned if Celestia can handle something like this. He knows that she can do well, but the scars that will be made are what's worrying him, "Celestia, I hope you are prepared to deal with pain beyond just those you encounter. I pray that those memories might spell your downfall." Zodiac walks outside taking deep breathes to calm himself down.
In the portal, Celestia looks at her sister. She was sleeping idly in peace, contempt in her slumber. Celestia was happy to see Luna happy in her slumber. As she looked ahead into the dimension, a voice ringed through her head. Zodiac was talking to her despite that she was in the portal, "Celestia, if you can hear me, you have no worries. I have allies in the dimension that will assist you. Should you be able to meet them, know that they will help in finding your memories." Celestia, hearing her uncle's voice, was truly happy to hear him once more. Celestia looks ahead into the dimension as she sees a portal opening. Celestia holds on to Luna as she enters into a new world beyond her understanding.
