One thousand years ago Princess Luna was almost tempted to darkness, but due to the diligence and alertness of her sister the darkness was destroyed before it took hold. The two sisters ruled side by side for a century leading their nation through countless victories over their enemies.
The first victory came in the destruction of Discord. Upon the use of the elements of harmony a known magical force of almost limitless power, the princesses found that instead of encasing Discord in stone the elements tore him apart. Discords body was completely obliterated leaving no trace behind for him to rebuild himself.
The second victory was in defeating King Sombra in the crystal empire, the princesses again used the elements but before they could be used Sombra used his own body to cast a spell of shadow to destroy the empire. However that did not go as planned and the spell backfired doing to Sombra what Princes Celestia did to her sister, all of Sombra's dark magic was cleared from his body. The two royal sisters saw Sombras change and did not incarcerate him as planned but instead they retrained him, took what he was and made him better. He served the two royal sisters as their highest military general for many years before his natural death.
The greatest change to Equestria came many centuries later when during an excavation of an old ruin near the Everfree Forest, the diggers uncovered what was going to be the greatest discovery that the nation of Equestria had ever seen....
The large white carriage flew over the forest like some large bird of prey, the only two occupants sitting in almost relative silence.
“What do you think it is?” Princess Luna asks, turning her gaze to her sister. “Do you believe the diggers and what they saw?”
Princess Celestia draws her gaze away from the window. “I do not know. The ponies over seeing the site said of strange magics even their unicorns could not identify.” Celestia looks back out the window. “But one thing did catch my attention.”
“And that is?” Luna asked, her ears perking up.
“One of the miners stated in his report that the device in question and I quote what he wrote. 'The device showed the merging of both magic and metal, with both working in sync'”
Luna turns her head to stare ahead. “Magic and metal working in sync? Do you think somepony or something has created a device based on the very thing we have been researching all this time?”
“I don't know but if someone has made magitech, then I want to know how.” Celestia turns her head back to Luna. “Just think sister! A working magitech device we could study! Think of the possibilities!”
Luna chuckles. “You really are into this magitech stuff ain't you?”
Celestia smiles. “I just think it could be the start of a wonderful future for Equestria. The start of a new era of prosperity for us all.”
Luna grins as she leans towards her window. “Well we will see soon won't we.”
The carriage drops down low as the ruins come into view. The old ruins are of a castle that pre-dates even the three pony tribes. The castles construction was made entirely of stone but according to several geologists the stone isn't native to this area, which means the stone came from somewhere else.
The royal carriage drops in below the tree line and lands in a large clearing that the excavation crew set up for supply runs, several ponies were waiting in the clearing.
The carriage door opens and Princess Celestia and Luna step out, the ponies waiting were quite shocked to see they had brought no guards with them. The princesses walk forward and the ponies all bow.
“Princesses, welcome to Castle Drakestone.” The lead pony says.
“Drakestone?” Luna asks, raising an eyebrow.
“Yes princess, the stone of the castle reflects and even absorbs heat, but never gets hot. Which is why we have named it Drakestone.”
“It's certainly fitting.” Celestia says. “Pleasantries aside, you know what we have come for?”
“Yes princess.” The group of ponies stand up and walk towards the castle, the princesses follow. “Have you read all the reports your majesties?”
“We have.” Luna replies. “And what we have read interests us.”
“Of course, this discovery could change the whole nation, even the world.” Another pony states.
“Rockhound! Be respectful!” The lead pony shouts to the other.
Rockhound lowers his head. “Sorry princesses, I got ahead of myself.”
The princesses smile. “It's fine.” They both say together.
The group stays silent until they lead the princesses through an atrium that had long since lost the stained glass that adorned the ceiling. The princesses look around but don't say anything, there was only one thing they cared about and it wasn't the castle itself.
The group continues down into what seems like an undercroft area of the castle, it was long since abandoned and the walls were filled with strange looking creatures in alcoves.
“Have you determined what these creatures are?” Luna asks.
“No princess, but are scans have revealed they are far older than Equestria, something around three to five thousand years before.”
“Interesting.” Celestia states.
“We're here.” The lead pony states, walking up to a large door. The door had already been forced open and the princesses could see ponies running about. The princesses walk through the door and there eyes widen at the green glowing ball in the centre of the room.
“It's wonderful is it not your majesties.” The princesses turn their heads to see an elderly unicorn writing down some notes. “Allow me to introduce myself, Doctor Gravel at your service.” The pony bows.
Celestia bows her head with Luna following suit. “How much do you know about the device?”
“Only that it's giving off huge amounts of magical energy or something that classifies as magic.”
“Explain.” Luna says.
“Well, we have scanned the device from every angle and with every spell we know. The energy scans as magic but yet it doesn’t mold or shape as magic does, I believe it's an energy made exclusively for the device. A synthetic magic.”
“Synthetic magic?” Celestia asks. “How is that possible?”
“I do not know but what I can't tell you I can show you.” The doctor walks to a nearby table with a container of green energy from the device. “This is a small amount of energy we managed to extract from the device. The energy has a property your just going to love.” The doctor picks up a helmet and with one swift hit with a hammer dents the helmet. “Now watch this.” The princesses watch as the doctor takes the green energy and pours some of it onto the helmet, the green energy seems to seek out the dent and within several seconds the helmet is new again and the energy disappears.
“Now that is fascinating, can it only do objects?” Luna asks.
“If you mean only inorganic material then no, it repairs organic materials too.”
Celestia lifts the container in her magic. “Doctor I want this device a top priority, bring in all the help you need.” Celestia and Luna turn to the device.
“You were right about one thing.” Luna says.
“What's that Luna?”
“It definitely will bring possibilities.”
400 Years Later...
A unicorn sits in a chair holding a glass of brown liquid in it's magic. The pony stares out of a window nearby and watches as hundreds of small shuttles and worker craft move back and forth. T he pony takes a sip of the drink in it's magic and places the glass down on a small table next to the chair. Turning to look at a holographic clock on the wall the pony sighs and stands up from the chair.
The unicorn crosses the room and places a hoof on a large wooden table in the style of a semi circle near the back wall.
“It's nearly time...” The pony says, tracing small circles on the tables wood. “...Can't believe its been eight years.” The pony lifts up the only item left on the table, a small brass name plate reading 'Captain Twilight Sparkle'.
“I guess I'm going to need a new one made.” Twilight says, dropping the name plate into a nearby metal box and closing the lid. “I hope your new captain treats you well.” Twilight adds giving the room one last look over. “Well...goodbye my friend.” Twilight gives the wooden table one last gentle tap with her hoof.
Twilight lifts the metal box with her magic and heads for the only door in the room, pressing the doors control panel to open it Twilight was surprised to see not one but three of her friends waiting outside.
“Applejack? Rainbow Dash? Fluttershy? What are you girls doing here?”
“We thought we'd give ya an escort to yer new ship. If that's ok?”
“Of course it's ok, but it's our new ship remember?” Twilight says with a smile.
“Ah know, ah just don't like leaving the old gal like this, ah have her running just the way ah like it and now ah'm gonna have to do it all over again.”
Twilight walks forward and puts her hoof on Applejack's shoulder. “And you'll do a wonderful job as always.” Twilight steps back and gives the other two a smile. “So, have you girls seen the new ship?”
Fluttershy shakes her head. “No, I haven't.
Rainbow Dash shrugs. “I haven't seen the new ship either but I have heard it's a prototype battleship, all new tech or so ponies say. Though I'm looking forward to seeing the new fighter craft, oh yeah their going to be awesome!”
“Ah admit Twilight, ah have heard rumours about the new ship and it does sound intriguing.”
Twilight nods. “I have read some of the blueprints for the new ship and it makes the Manehatten look like a freighter.”
“A very well kept freighter.”
The four ponies all turn their heads towards the decks main elevator. Standing by the open doors was none other than Queen Celestia herself, covered in full battle regalia.
“Q-Queen Celestia!” Twilight says, dropping her metal box and bowing her head. “What did we do to receive this honour?”
“Honour Admiral Sparkle? The honour is all mine. Your exploits have crossed my desk more than once, and your battle command at Axor was exemplary. Even my sister Queen Luna was surprised by your efforts.” Celestia states, walking forward. “I just thought I would escort the best captain we ever had to her new command.”
“Then we welcome your escort Queen Celestia.” Twilight replies, her head still bowed.
“Please Miss Sparkle, just call me Celestia. My sister may be all protocol but I tend to lead 'loosely'.” Celestia gestures to the waiting elevator. “Shall we go? My private shuttle awaits.”
“We'll see ya at the ship Twilight and don't worry about yer stuff, we'll drop it off in yer new quarters.” Applejack says, tapping her hoof on Twilight's metal box.
“Oh? Is my shuttle not good enough for you Miss Jack?” Celestia asks, her left eyebrow raised.
“W-What? N-No! We thought-” Applejack stutters.
Celestia chuckles. “I'm kidding Miss Jack, come, there’s plenty of room on my shuttle for all of you.”
The mares all smile back and move to follow Celestia, Applejack pauses to lift Twilight's box onto her back. Grunting Applejack manages to lift the box and place it on her shoulders.
“Geez Twi', What have ya got in this thing?”
“It's the last of my personal belongings, why?”
“It weighs heavier than mah brother!”
All the ponies stop and look back.
“You have had your brother on your back?” Rainbow questions.
“What! No! Ah have carried him home from many drunken nights!”
Rainbow giggles. “Sure you have.”
“Ah resent this line of questioning.” Applejack says.
“Girls please, we don't have much time before the Solar Night's maiden voyage.” Twilight states as she moves into the elevator with Fluttershy and Celestia.
Applejack and Rainbow Dash nod their understanding and take their places in the elevator as the doors close. The ride was kept in relative silence as no mare really wanted to speak with the living goddess within ear shot. The elevator comes to the end of its trip giving the occupants a small chime. Celestia steps off first and gestures to the others with a wave of her wing.
“Come my little ponies, my shuttle is waiting.” Celestia smiles.
“Queen Celestia can I ask you something?” Twilight asks, falling into step beside Celestia.
“Go ahead.” Celestia answers keeping her gaze forward.
“I know this ship is a prototype and it's the ships maiden voyage but my question is this...Why was I given command?”
Celestia stops and turns her head back to the others. “Ladies, would you mind giving me and Admiral Twilight a few minutes?”
The others all nod.
“Thank you, my shuttle is not far, give this to the royal guards outside the door and they will let you in.” Celestia pulls out a small token and levitates it to Applejack.
“Thanks Queen Celestia.” Applejack says grabbing the token out of Celestia's magic.
Applejack nods as she and the others walk pass Twilight and Celestia. When the others go out of sight Celestia turns to Twilight and her face becomes blank.
“Why do you think you were given command?”
Twilight looks down, her ears folding back. “I don't know. I mean I led our forces to victory at Axor but I just did my duty!” Twilight starts pacing back and forth. “Admiral Derpy's ship never arrived with her support fleet, so I just took over as a senior captain!”
Celestia stood there all this time Twilight paced with a large smile on her face. When Celestia knew Twilight had her time she held up a hoof stopping the unicorn.
“You did what was necessary for the fleet to win, you brought the ships together and held off the rebel forces for my sisters fleet to get there. You showed command excellence in a time of need, more so than any of the other captains, that is why you where chosen to command the Solar Light.” Celestia looks to a window overlooking a row of small docking bays. “And for the record Admiral Derpy did not arrive because her fleet was engaged in transit, apparently the rebels have acquired Translocation inhibitors. They deployed them in Admiral Derpy's flight path and ambushed her.”
Twilight gasps. “Is she alright?”
Celestia smiles. “Yes, the rebels greatly underestimated the size of Admirals Derpy's fleet. The rebels were quickly routed but several ships were damaged in the fight. However all ships will be up and running by weeks end.”
“That's good to hear, losing even one ship is a blow to us all.” Twilight states. “That's what I really hated about Axor, the ships we lost and the great crews and captains that went with them.” Twilight starts to cry. “I still think about her, every night I have flashbacks about her ship exploding and there's nothing I could do about it.”
Celestia looks away from the window. “She and all the ponies that were lost at Axor will be remembered, we owe them that much.” Celestia closes her eyes before opening them. “But I think we should get going Admiral, your new ship awaits.”
Twilight nods, wiping her tears away. “Yeah, Thanks Queen Celestia.”
“What for my little pony?”
“For making sure Captain Rarity's sacrifice won't go to waste.”
Twilight dropped the tenth data slate on her desk, a slow sigh escaping her lips. It has been three days since Queen Celestia gave her a quick tour of the ship, only to be called away on an urgent matter.
Twilight turned in her chair and gazed out her office window at the vast expanse of the shipyard. A small ship designed to help in external repair and refit drifted into view, a bright white pegasis mare was at the controls and gave her a salute as she drifted by. Twilight returned the salute and smiled until the ship went out of view. Twilight suddenly felt the urge to stretch her legs and decided she had secluded herself long enough.
Twilight walked over to the coat stand by the door and put on her admirals jacket, Twilight adjusted the rank pins before pressing the open button by the door and exiting out onto the bridge. The bridge spoke to Twilight in so many ways, the beeping consoles the endless data streams, she was in nerd heaven. Though she would never tell her friends that. Twilight was brought out of her thoughts by an ensign snapping to attention and shouting out.
“Admiral on Deck!”
Twilight watched as the whole bridge crew of twenty ponies and one griffon stood ridged. Twilight smiled, this was why her crew was the best in the fleet. Twilight walked forward and headed for the small powered lift near the back of the bridge.
“Mam?” Twilight knew the voice...So much like Rarity's just higher pitched. “Is everything alright?”
Twilight turns around to find Sweetie Belle standing behind her a large data tablet in her hoof.
“I'm fine Sweetie Belle, just....I need to stretch my legs, It's been a long day.”
Sweetie Belle gives Twilight a smile. “Ok Admiral...Oh!” Sweetie Belle shouts suddenly remembering something. Sweetie Belle taps her tablet a few times and holds the tablet out to Twilight. “I just remembered. Engine room reports all systems are functioning at full capacity and is prepared for maiden voyage tomorrow...Security needs a final confirmation on the new drones before final testing and all flight crew and fighters are reporting combat ready status.”
Twilight takes the tablet in her magic and confirms the security drone testing. “Is there anything else?” Twilight asks.
“No mam! That's all for today.” Sweetie Belle salutes.
Twilight salutes back. “Carry on Ensign.”
“Mam!” Sweetie Belle says before running away to do her tasks.
Twilight smiles as she watches the bridge for several more seconds and steps back into the lift. The lift door closes and Twilight rubs her eyes with a hoof.
“Deck please?” The lift monotonously asks.
“Deck 13 please.” Twilight answers.
“Thank you.” The lift states as it moves.
Twilight takes the few moments in transit to think over a few items. “Hmm, I need to inspect the launch bay and the security team before the voyage....” Twilight taps her chin. “I need to visit the medical wing aswell.” Twilight sighs as the lift comes to a halt. The doors open onto a long corridor with ponies running back and forth. Twilight passes two ponies checking a power conduit and making sure the energy flow was constant. Twilight continues towards her destination and taps in her security code when she reaches a door.
The door opens with a chime and Twilight walks in. Twilight sighs as the door to her quarters closes and the lights automatically turn on. Twilight walks over to her bedroom and decides to put on her casual uniform, it was just a blue jacket with her rank pins but Twilight didn't care, the crew all knew who she was anyway. Twilight stood in front of her full body mirror and gave her image a nod.
“Ok, I think I'll go to the security testing first.” Twilight says to herself as she approaches her door. Twilight reaches up and presses the keypad only to fall on her face when the ship rocks and a loud boom rattles the ship. “What in Celestia's name?” Twilight states picking herself off the floor.
“Admiral to the bridge! I repeat! Admiral to the bridge!” A crew member shouts over the ships intercom.
Twilight panicked and opened her door. Twilight ran to the lift and quickly ordered it to the bridge. Twilight stepped out when another explosion rattled the ship and threw everypony around on the bridge. Twilight found herself helped to her hooves by a passing pony and realised it was Sweetie Belle.
“What's going on!?” Twilight shouted over the alarms that now started to ring out.
“They came from nowhere Admiral, they just started to attack us!” Sweetie Belle answered.
“Who's they!?”
“The rebels!”
Twilight's face went pale, the rebels had penetrated deep into Equestrian territory and now were attacking the main dockyards. Twilight ran to her seat and strapped herself in.
“Do we have all crew onboard!?” Twilight shouted.
“Negative Admiral! We have seventy percent capacity!” A griffon shouted to her left.
Twilight cursed the timing but in her head there was only one action to take and she preyed the rest of her crew would forgive her. Twilight put on a serious expression.
“Close all docking hatches and prepare to launch!” Twilight looked around and saw the bridge crew staring at her. “I said close all docking hatches and prepare to launch!”
The bridge crew all ran to their stations and begin preparations to launch. Twilight started to rub her temples as the alarms just kept ringing.
“Someone shut of those Luna damned alarms!” Twilight shouts, several seconds later the alarms cut out. “Thank you! Status of the ship?”
“Ship is secured Admiral waiting for your call.”
The ship rocked again and Twilight growled slightly. “Launch!”
Twilight gripped the sides of her chair as the sound of the docking clamps released and the ship started to slowly move forward. Twilight stared out the bridge's main observation window as the dockyard beside them gave way to clear space.
“Admiral....” Twilight looked around to see Ensign Punch looking white as a sheet.
“What is it ensign?” Twilight asked.
“I have a report from the defence force....Queen Celestia's ship the Sun Dancer...It's been destroyed....”
Twilight sat in shock as the bridge went silent, Queen Celestia dead? It can't be! It just can't! Twilight turned to the main window and her gaze became angry.
“Activate weapons, bring us about and order any escort ships in range to form up. If they want a fight, we're going to give them one!” The bridge crew cheers and carries out Twilight's orders. Twilight watches as the ship turns and the enemy fleet comes into view. Twilight feels her heart beat faster as she stares at the fleet attacking the dockyard. “It must be their whole fleet...”
“Admiral, scanners are reading no less than twelve hundred ships....one twenty capital class....” The griffon at tactical reports. “They all bear the mark of the rebellion.” The griffon looks up from his scanner and gives Twilight a worried glance.
Twilight goes to say something but Ensign Punch calls out quite excitedly.
“Admiral! I have a priority message from...Queen Celestia!”
Twilight stands from her chair and points to the main screen. “On screen!” The viewer shimmers for several seconds before focusing on a very angry Celestia. “Queen Celestia you're ok!?”
The Queen nods. “I am Admiral Twilight, I couldn't make it back to my ship so I diverted to the nearest one.” Suddenly Captain Pinkie appears in the view screen and gives Twilight a wave before bouncing away and sitting in her command chair. “As you can see I have commandeered Captain Pie's ship and I am gathering any ship that's operational.” The Queen looks down and sighs. “Twilight, we are going to use the Solar Light's experimental translocation drive. We have to get as many ships out as possible.”
Twilight sat dumbstruck, the Queen was asking her to abandon Equiis and the remaining forces.
“Queen Celestia I...”
“Admiral! We don't have the time to debate this! I will have Captain Pie run a distraction run with her ship then we will join you and jump out, do I have your support?”
Twilight puts on a serious face and nods. “I will have my ship target the smaller vessels and create a corridor, it will take three minutes to charge the drive then thirty seconds to initiate.”
Celestia smiles. “I know Admiral, I helped design the drive remember?”
Twilight smiles back but is brought to her senses when the Solar Light takes a hit. The ship bucks hard and several warning klaxons go off.
“Damage report!” Twilight shouts.
“Minor damage to shields admiral, no damage to hull!”
Twilight grinds her teeth. “Time to see what the Solar Light can do! Target ship, zero one mark two eight eight!”
“Ship locked admiral!”
Twilight stands up from her chair with a grin on her face. “Fire!”
Twilight and the bridge crew watch as the smaller escort ship of the rebels stands no chance. The small gunship tears apart as the heavier weapons of the Solar Light rips through it. The escort ship wasn't even fully dead before Twilight ordered the griffon at tactical to fire at will on any rebel ships in range.
Twilight watched as the smaller ships of the enemy burned and exploded in space, she knew deep down that ponies and other races just died in those vessels. Twilight kept her gaze on the view screen as Captain Pinkie's ship the Party Time moved through the shipyard gathering up any vessels they could find.
The rebel fleet bombarded the shipyard but to Twilights confusion none of the heavier ships including their cruisers made any move to enter the shipyard. Twilight had ordered her ship to the edge of the shipyard so it was between her and the enemy fleet. When the Party Time joined the Solar Light she had several ships with her including a supply and fuel freighter and a few destroyers. It was not all lost though as during the fighting Captain Hooves of the Heavy Carrier Cruiser Firelight had joined her adding her few fighter wings to the fledgling fleet.
The experimental drive was now charged and the small fleet had gathered within the minimum range of the field to jump. All the Captains including Queen Celestia were now on the view screen.
“Is there no other way?” Captain Hooves asks.
“I'm afraid there are just too many of them, if my personal fleet and my sisters where her then maybe we could fight them off but it's just not possible right now.” Celestia replies, everypony could sense the sorrow in her voice. “We should head out as far as possible it should take three minutes for the field to activate once it starts.”
The captains all nod their agreement and Twilight orders her crew to prepare for trans jump. The view screen switches back to space as the captains all deactivate their links, Twilight sits back in her chair and sighs.
The small fleet of ships slowly approaches the edge of the system but before it reaches it's destination the fleet vanishes in a bright white light.
