Rise of The Solar Empire

    The armoured transport craft neared Canterlot Castle, landing in the courtyard adjacent to the front doors. Princess Luna stood outside, with two night guards at her sides. “Twilight Sparkle.” She greeted.

“Princess Luna, how are you?” Twilight asked, rushing over to her mentor’s sister, hugging her.

“We are well,” She replied, “If thou would stop hugging us now.”

“Sorry.” Twilight said, releasing the princess.

Captain StarBlaze cut in, “Please follow me, there are some people who I believe you will want to see, and will want to see you.” The nightguards followed behind the six ponies and dragon, as Princess Luna and Captain StarBlaze lead them through the main hallways, through several more doorways, until they came to another large, ornate door, and inside was talking. When the doors were parted, inside were two humans, Princess Celestia, a light gray-white unicorn, with a film real cutie mark, and several royal and night guards.

Princess Celestia was engaged in a conversation with one human, a female with red hair, dashed with yellow streaks. “Sunset Shimmer!” Twilight exclaimed, and ran over to her other dimensional friend, “It’s good to see you again.”

“Yes it is, I only wish the circumstances were better.” Sunset said gravely. “But there’s someone else who wants to see you.” Sunset Shimmer turned her unicorn friend around, and another human, a male, with dark brown, near black hair stepped forward.

“Hi Twilight,” He said, hands in his jacket pockets, his normal, awkward smile across his face, “Miss me?”

“Mitch?” Twilight said in disbelief.

“Do you know any other Mitch’s?” He asked simply, looking around the room, and smiling as Twilight hugged him, this one so tight he felt like she was trying to squeeze the life out of his body. “Ahk, Twi, could you please let me go? I kind of need to breathe.” He said, stained from lack of oxygen reaching his lungs. He felt the pressure on his chest relieve as she let him go. He began rubbing a sore part of his chest where her constriction was the strongest, and keeled over as he tried to breathe.

“Hi.” Twilight said, “So, what new?”

“Aside from a few newly broke ribs, nothing much aside form, I’M HERE IN EQUESTRIA!” He exclaimed.

She looked him over, making sure he was real, before replying “I can see that, so why are you here?” Thinking he may take offence to that, she quickly added. “I mean, what brought you here? HOW are you here? The portal isn’t supposed to open for another 2 mons?”

“Well, actually she did.” Mitch pointed at Sunset, “Came to my house and said something was happening here in Equestria and you may need my help, can’t imagine why as I am completely useless here. And if you don’t want me here, I can always just go home.” Teasing her about her diction.

“You know what I meant.” Twilight said, crossing her arms, when the other six came over.

“Hi Rainbow, Pinks, Fluttershy, Rarity, AJ,” Mitch responded,

“Howdy Mitch,” Applejack said, “I thought we’d never see you again.”

“That makes two of us.” Mitch leaned over to Twilight and whispered, “So who’s the little dragon?”

“‘The dragon’ has a name,”Spike said, obviously not fond of his comment. “I’m Spike.”

“Nice to meet you Spike, “ Mitch extended a hand to shake, and they all looked at him like he had grown 2 heads. “So I guess you don’t do that here.” He folded his hands behind his back. He turned to Princess Luna, “Why did Celestia have me brought here?”

“Thou should ask my sister.” Luna replied, Mitch loved the sound of her ancient speech pattern, its foreign nature made him feel like less of an outsider knowing others did not fit like he did.

The human nodded to the princess. She doesn't even remember me, he thought, somewhat hurt. He looked for the princess, but she was conversing with Sunset Shimmer, and most likely what they were discussing was more important than his query.

Captain StarBlaze cleared his throat, gathering the attention of all the ponies, and humans, in the room. “Now that I have your attention, we may begin.” The lights dimmed, and a large white screen began to descend. “Mister Silver, if you wouldn't mind.”

The young unicorn pony nodded, and stepped forward, light emitting from his horn, and manifesting itself as an image on the screen similar to the faded celluloid style appearance of older movies. The image was of the Crystal Empire’s destroyed castle.

“As many of you know, the Crystal Empire’s castle, as well as its princess and princes, had been attacked.” StarBlaze said, before his voice turned grave. “Unfortunately Prince Shining Armour, and Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, and several dozen royal guards were killed when a group of attackers or unknown alliance attacked the castle. One of these attackers managed to enter the royal chamber and attacked the prince and princess for one purpose, but they did not reach this objective, and killed both.” The Captain addressed the crowd, and the image faded.

      But before he could continue, Twilight Sparkle spoke up, sadness in her voice. “Who would do something like that? Why would they do that?”

“We do not know who had done this, as all the attackers were killed before we could apprehend them.” StarBlaze said, pacing back and forth slowly on a stage. “But, we do however, know what it was they were after.” He walked over towards Twilight. “You, you were their target, Miss Twilight Sparkle.”

Even though this had become common knowledge throughout the royalguard, it still didn’t stop everyone in the guard from staring at her, and she flattened her ears from their gazes.

Captain StarBlaze continued, “And in honor of our fallen captain, Prince Shining Armour, I will continue his last mission, or keeping Twilight Sparkle safe, that is why I have moved you here.” He faced a NightGuard with one eye, and a dark gray beard. “Unfortunately I cannot stay, as I have been tasked by Princess Celestia to find these attackers, but I will leave you in the capable hooves of NightGuard Captain, Zodiac Nova, while I am gone.” He turned, and gestured for several of his elite guards to follow him, and the large doors to the room opened, and they left.

Captain Nova spoke up, in a loud, authoritative voice, akin what a person’s voice would sound like if they were chewing on a cigar. “Alright, as you now know, Twilight Sparkle has been the targets of attacks, and we have recently learned that one of celestia’s DayGuards, a pegasi by the name of Flash Sentry has been taken, and we know that they will crack him,” The Night Guard sid, obvious that even on the royal guard, he had little respect. “And find Twilight Sparkle, so until these assailants have been dealt with, Twilight Sparkle, and those closest to her will remain at Canterlot Castle under our protection.” He looked out at the crown with his one good eye, his other one had a metal patch over his left eye where an old war wound had taken it. “No one, and I mean no one, who does not have proper authorization is to come near any of them, is that understood?”

“Yes sir Captain Nova, sir.” All the guards, not just the NightGuard, said with a single voice.

“Excellent,” He turned around. “Man your posts, I want every square hoof of this castle under surveillance, and to have guards posted with each of the guests. Dismissed.” The guards marched out of the room through the various exits, and after, only a small band of several NightGuards remained, with both princesses and the unicorn ‘Mister Silver.’

“Who do think could have done it?” Mitch heard the southern drawl in Applejack’s voice come behind him.

“I believe it was the Changeling Hive.” The unicorn said,, walking over to them with Princess Celestia. After seeing Mitch, he extended a hoof. “Silver Screen.” Mitch meet his Hoof, and shook.

“Mitch Miller.” The human said, “I’m a frien-”

“Full name Mitchell D. Miller, friend of Twilight from Earth, human interested in cinema, goes by than alias of “The Critic Daikaiju”, plans on writing a book series, making movies, reviewing films, and...” The silvery unicon pony said, managing to stupefy the human, and adding more information that Mitch would have. “My alternate universe counterpart. Twilight’s told me a great deal about your and her time together on earth.”

The rest of the ponies, and dragon, had begun to chat among themselves. The group had been so focused on talking, that they failed to realise that RoyalGuards had surrounded them. “Ehem.” Captain Nova said, clearing his throat loudly to get the attention of the group. “I do hope I am not interrupting anything, but we must escort you to your sleeping chambers for the night.” A younger NightGuard stepped forward. “This is my son, Private Polaris Comet, he will show you to chambers Mitch, Spike and Silver Screen, you will accompany him and his troop to the upper level chambers.” Mitch picked up a light blue duffle bag, and followed the guards, accompanied by his alternate elf and Spike.

The young guard led them through the halls, he was a short pegasi, only half a hoof taller than Mitch and Silver Screen. In silence they walked up a flight of stairs, and to a series of three rooms. Mitch, Spike and Silver Screen entered their respective rooms, and Mitch looked around his room. The room was a dark blue colour, not dissimilar from the colour of Princess Luna’s coat, he admired the ceiling, it depicted various parts of Luna’s life, everything from her fillyhood, to her transformation to Nightmare Moon, and then up to current days, and there was a stained glass window of Luna and her NightGuards, fighting with the DayGuards, had heard stories of this, when Luna had tried to usurp her sister’s power, resulting in her transformation to Nightmare Moon. Deciding to look back at the painted ceiling, he threw his bag to the floor, not noticing Luna sitting in a chair past it.

Throwing himself to the bed, he was initially surprised he didn’t hear the crunching of springs, but this was not his bed he remembered. Staring up at the ceiling, he watched the story of Luna’s life unfold.

“Admiring the decor art thou?” Came Luna’s ancient tongued, but young sounding voice, startling the human.

“AH!” He exclaimed, his hand gripping his chest as his heart raced a mile a minute, his body pressed against the wall. After several seconds his heart was still beating like the drums when Pinkie Pie played them.

“Do not be alarmed, we came here alone.” Luna said

“Not alarmed, just surprised.” Mitch said, going to get his breath, and calm his still racing heart. “Why are you here?”

Luna did not speak immediately. “We sense a dark presence over you. Like the one that turned us into Nightmare Moon.”

Mitch was shocked and puzzled. “How? Does Celestia know?”

“We do not know how, and no, we have not told our sister.” The royal sister said, “These are dark times for Equestria, and we fear that all are in danger, and that that Celestia is keeping me in the dark on many things”

“But why? You are her sister, more importantly you rule with her.” Mitch asked, not understanding what his friend was telling him.

“Celetia has all the power, I only enforce the power of the night.” Luna informed him, “I am powerless, our sister has taken control in the wake of these attacks, she has taken direct control of all of Equestria, all I am in control of is the Moon, and my guards. That was the reason I had my guards attack Celestia in the past before my banishment, and transformation, she was becoming to o powerful, she had too much control, our power was unequal, and the balance of power needed to be restored.”

“And your attempt failed?”

She looked down sadly, “Yes, and with me gone, gained had absolute power in Equestria as she had alway tried to gain, unrestricted by out dual rulership.”

“Why are you telling me this?” Mitch asked, genuinely befuddled.

“Because no one else would believe me,” She said sadly, her characteristic Archaistic voice leaving her. “Celestia is loved by all of Ponykind, she has been a benevolent ruler.” Outside, rain had started to pick up, and dropped began to spatter across the stained glass. “Trust no one outside of those you know by heart, keep out of Celestia’s influence, but most importantly, do not leave my, or my guard’s, side. A dark presence surround you, and this castle my friend, be wary of those who are the same.” Mitch didn’t understand her words, but before he could ask her, she began to fly upwards, and lightning crackled out side. “Best of luck to you, my friend. An especially powerful bolt split the air, and he looked outside, and when he turned back, Luna had vanished.

“Luna, what do you mean? LUNA?!” He yelled, finding himself in his bed, sitting up. Head he dreamt it? He was aware of Luna’s ability to enter the dreams of ponies, but he wasn't a pony, he was a human. Then one of Luna’s guards entered, looking at Mitch.

“What is the meaning of the shouting?” He asked concerned. “Have you been harmed?”

Looking around, he turned his eyes to the guard, “No, I’m alright, just a bad dream.”

“Luna may be able to do something about that, Goodnight.” He closed the door.

I could use Luna right now, thats for sure. He tucked himself back in the bed, and drifted of to sleep, murmuring, “It wasn't real.” He looked back to the window, the rain was gently splashing across it, and one drop landed on a painted figure of Luna, and it slid down her painted face, giving the illusion she was crying. Mitch began to feel sleep overtake him, but a second feeling, a deep seated feeling of hatred, began to well up inside of his heart and mind.

Captain StarBlaze, accompanied by some of his elites, crouched and pulled out a holoprojector, beeping softly, and a blue image of Darth Critious appeared. “My lord, we must postpone our attack, the castle is to heavily fortified.”

Critious slammed his fist onto the console where he was broadcasting from, leaving a large dent in the metal. What?!” He said, with a mixture of anger and displeasure in his voice. “You told me the attack would commence tonight.”

“I understand my lord, but Celestia and Luna have fortified the castle too well for the attack, tomorrow more guards will be sent to track you, then they will be vulnerable, and you can have Twilight Sparkle.”

“And what of the human Mitch?” Darth asked.

“He has arrived,” The imperial captain replied, “But Luna has taken a personal interest in him, and has many of her best guards posted on his level, and constantly monitoring him, and Twilight Sparkle. The time for your attack is almost upon thom, and soon Twilight shall be in her control, I promise you that, all I ask in return is that the attack be postponed, you know we cannot afford to lose the battalion.”

Critious through over his reply very carefully, knowing the future of his Empire lay on his words. “Fine, you are lucky I value those troops so highly,” Critious had a great fondness for his 625th battalion, and did not want to lose them. Critious pressed a command key, and believed the holoprojector ceased transmission. “GRAH!!!” Critious said, using his powers to crush various machinery in the room, and StarBlaze and his garrison watched as Critious tore apart the room he was in, and then the transmission was ended then Darth Critious smashed a large piece of equipment into the transmitter, then the transmission was ended.

“Remind me not to get that man angry.” Commander BroadShield said.

“Trust me, you won't need reminding after you see what his did to Flash Sentry.” BlazeStar said. “Beat the pegasi halfway to death, only to keep him alive to keep doing it to him.”

“Yikes.” BroadShield replied, legitimately scared by the thought of Critious’ wrath.

Back on the superweapon, Critious left the transmission room, which was now a wreck of sparking wires and now non functional machinery. The door did not even close properly after he left. He walked past detention block room 6-1613, Flash Sentry’s room, and slammed his fist on the door, making Flash hide in fear from Critious.

Walking past the Imperial naval leader, Admiral Solar Flare, greeted Critious, “Hello sir, when will we begin the attack.”

Critious stopped, and with furious eyes, he didn’t turn around, but only replied, “Tomorrow.” Pushing out his cape with his right arm, he continued to his chambers. After reaching his chamber, he entered the passphrase, and removed his garments, throwing his cape and gauntlets on a chair, and removed his shoulder armour, pulling it off her body and chest, and the remaining armour until he was left in his black body suit, featureless aside from the gray scaled sun on his right shoulder and back. He lay back on his bed, a flat, cushioned platform jutting out from the wall. On his back, he intertwined his fingers, and closed his eyes and tried to sleep. After several moments passed, and he tried to sleep, then a rasping voice filled his mind.

“Something troubled you, my apprentice?” Empress Solious telepathically asked.

“Yes.” He replied with his mind. “The attack has had to be postponed.”

“I already know that, the anger in your mind has left it vulnerable to searching.” She criticised, “Guard your feelings more carefully, but use your aggression for your power, feel the hate flow through you.”

His eyes locked to a glare, and he felt more and more anger build within him, “Yes, my Empress.” He closed his eyes and began to sleep, his body rejuvenating itself, and preparing for the battle tomorrow. Hate coursed through his neurons, and anger through his veins, reaching out with his mind to the only other natural human in Equestria.

Back in the Canterlot Castle, Mitch began to thrash violently in his bed, tossing and turning furiously. His mind was consumed by hatred, and images of his friends dying, slaughtered by a dark entity filled his every thought. “No, NO!” He screamed, seeing the dark person slash a rainbow main pagasi with his red sabre.

Back in the real world, Luna’s guards slammed open the door, only to find Mitch writhing around on his bed, mumbling incoherent phrases, and yelling the occasional, “No!”

The figure slammed Rarity's head into the floor, and threw Pinkie Pie into the wall, neither stood back up. He felt something grab his arm, seeing it was Twilight, and the two ran, the whole world having no sound other than a dull ringing.

The figure appeared in front of them, knocking Mitch to the floor, and grabbed Twilight Sparkle by her throat, a red sabre to her face. The impact with the floor seemed to clear the ringing from his ears.

“I have waited too long for this.” He heard the figure said darkly, aiming a blow at the helpless unicorn.

“Mitch, MITCH!?” Twilight sparkle screamed, shaking Mitch’s body by his shoulders. “WAKE UP!” All the ponies in the room staring at her.

Luna entered the room, and they cleared a path for her. “What has happened to him?”

“I don’t know, he just won't wake up.” Twilight said.

“Or for that matter, shut up,” A day guard said, “His screaming could he heard all the way in the south Tower, its a wonder the whole of Canterlot isn’t wake.”

Luna looked him over, watching his body toss and turn, “We may have an idea. Twilight sparkle, hold Mitch down, We need him still.” Twilight tried to press his arms into the bed to stop his movement, but one of his hands grabbed her arm, and in a deep voice he said “Do not touch me.” Before throwing her to the other side of the room, guards rushed over to her aid.

Mitch tried to help her, but some unseen dark force held him in place, unable to help as his friend was killed, and her lifeless purple body slumped to the floor. “Twilight, no,

NO!” He roared, bot in the ‘dream’, and in the room.

“We are going to attempt to enter his dream, watch him.” The alicorn instructed her guards. Luna’s horn began to glow, and her body began to dematerialize, her gaseous form began to pour into Mitch’s head, only to be blocked, and her physical form being slammed into the wall beside Twilight, rubbing the back of her head. “That was not a dream. Well, there is always an alternative.” Luna stood back up and returned to the thrashing Mitch’s side.

“Luna, what are you going to do now?” Rarity asked.

“Sing.” Her response left the crown of ponies flabbergasted.

Mitch began to crawl on his back, trying to escape the dark figure that followed him, the red weapon he carried extended, and Mitch felt a hand grab his jacket. Being hoisted into the air, he faced the attacker, but his face was shrouded in darkness, slamming him into a wall. The sabre he carried was aimed to his face, when suddenly he let go of Mitch, who dropped to the ground. The attacker, gripping his head painfully, his weapon a few metres away.

Luna’s arm wrapped around Mitch, she sang as everypony watched on, mixed reactions all around. “...Little pony, sleepy pony, go to sleep. Soft pony, sweet pony, go along to sleep. Let the princess of the night, dispel your fright…” Her singing seemed to calm Mitch’’s thrashing, now he had calmed enough to be set on his own, and the darkness that surrounded him had disbanded, Luna’s soft, melodious voice continued to remove the darkness surrounding Mitch, as if it were banishing the hatred that Darth Critious had implanted into the deeper recesses of his mind.

Mitch’s body calmed, and as Luna sang, his anger ceased, the darkness within him melted way, and he returned to his placid state, evident by his loud snoring. Luna turned back to the ponies, all looking at her, “What art thou looking at? Tis an old nursery rhyme used to put foals to sleep, or at least it was a thousand years ago.”

The ponies murmured, and began to leave, but before Twilight returned to her room, she hear Luna call to her. “Twilight Sparkle, I beseech a moment with thou.”

“Why?” Twilight asked.

“When I tried to enter Mitch’s dream, I felt a dark presence overtake him, it was seeking you.” Luna said. “You are in danger, stay with my guard, let no one near you with out them close by.I worry for you, do not tell my sister of this.” She saw a guard walking past, “ Polaris Comet.” The young guard looked at his princess, and rushed over, “I would like you to watch over Mitch, make sure he is safe.” He nodded, accepting his task. Luna’s hans made its way to Twilight’s shoulder, “these are dark time Twilight Sparkle, one can not know who is against them, but be watchful.” And then lightning flashed, diverting her attention, the storm continuing to rage, and then Luna vanished, most likely returning to her chambers. Twilight had returned to her sleeping chambers, a large room like the one she had in her library, and laying in the bed, she drifted to sleep, worrying for her human companion.

Mitch woke to the sound of thunder, and he was a batpony standing over him, a kind smile across his face. “Hello.” The batpony said to him in a voice that was akin to a British accent from his world.

“What, did Luna send you to kill me incase it happens again?” Mitch thought, being overly paranoid, or a side effect from the experience he had undergone.

“No, quite the contrary,”He said, turning to face him. “She sent me to watch over you, and protect you if need be. “she is oddly fond of you, she occasionally spoke of your time on earth together.”

Mitch groaned and rubbed his eyes. “what just happened to me?’ He asked, leaning back in his bed.

“We do not no, but Luna believes some dark presence overshadowed you, and attempted to control you.” The batpony said.

“I never got you name.” Mitch said.

“Comet, Polaris Comet.” Polaris replied.

Mitch was wide awake and knew sleep now would be impossible, so he decided to make small talk with the Batpony. “Your father seems like a nice guy, keeping us guarded and all.” Mitch was not the best person to have small talk with, as he was not accustomed to new ponies he didn’t know anything about.

Polaris shook his head in disagreement, “He is a good guard, but not the best father.” Polaris said, “He wasn't around for my brother or me when we were growing up, despite, or maybe inspite of that, we followed him into the guard, and we thought we’d see him more, but no, he’s always busy, Luna has him on constant duty, and we only saw him for brief moments at a time.”

Mitch mouthed ‘yikes’ to himself before he asked, “And your brother, where is he?” This batpony intrigued him, he always heard they were ferocious beasts to be feared, but they were not.

“He’s dead.” Polaris said somberly. “He was one of the many guards killed in the Crystal Empire raid, his name was Sirius Night.”

“I’m sorry.” Mitch said, and the thought of his own brother, and what life would be like with him gone.

Mitch nor Polaris said anything, and an awkward silence gripped the room, until the only sound was Mitch rustling under the covers, trying to make himself comfortable. After several minutes Mitch felt himself begin to does off, trying a trick for falling asleep that Luna had shown him on Earth.

“Goodnight, Mister Miller.” He heard the batpony say as he fell asleep envelop him, he tried to respond, with  ‘you too, Private Polaris’, but what escaped his mouth was a long string of yawns mixed with the syllables of his sentence. He heard Private Polaris chuckle lightly as he fell asleep.