Celestia looked over her fellow representatives in the Race Unification Leadership of Equuis. Also known as R.U.L.E. for short. They were the united rulers of the whole of Equuis. It was sad to think that this had all only become possible due to a threat to not their country, not even just their planet, but their whole existence.
Celestia looked at her fellow members of R.U.L.E. A young Minotaur by the name Rough Steel. He had been a valuable asset as the spokesman for all the Minotaurs with his knowledge on how to best integrate them into the joint society and by sharing their advanced technology.
Next, there was former Queen Chrysalis. She looked much like she did during her first appearance at the wedding, the eye patch covering almost half of her face and assistant pony to her right were recent additions however. She was the representative for all the Changelings.
Next came the representative of the Dragons, Rock Red. A Dragon, that despite his name, was a sea-green color and despite his former title as the Ruler of Dragons, was only the size of a typical teenage Dragon. His size had reduced together with his horde when he had given it up to aid the collective efforts to rebuild their world.
And next to him, sat Gilda. Quite possibly the least experienced in leading as she had beforehand been a civilian Griffon. Now, the representative of all Griffons. The time after the BREAK had not been kind to her, much like any other Griffon.
Little Strongheart was the representative of the Buffaloes. She war rather new to her position and was still learning, but was a good representative none the less.
Vjodimir, the representative of the Yaks was a mystery as he rarely spoke and was quite docile. Usually nodding or shaking his head instead to show if he agreed or disagreed.
Representative for the Pegasi was a pegasus named Surprise. A Wonderbolt flyer who was apparently related to Pinkie Pie, or at least looked like she did. She was always eager to help out in any way she could, but was also calm headed, collected and disciplined. Many of the things Pinkie Pie was not.
Representative of the Unicorns was Blueblood. He had drastically changed his ways after the BREAK and was now seen as one of the most respected and influential stallions on the whole planet. His previous attitude completely gone.
Representative of the Earth Ponies was Bon Bon as she had come to be called. Former secret agent "Sweetie Drops".
Encased in her portable aquarium, swam Golf Stream. The representative of the Sea Ponies, and world renowned ship designer.
Representative for the Therestrals was Wide Roll. An excellent strategist and former captain of the night guard.
Tiny Citrus was the name of the representative of the Breezies, who had despite all, been one of the main reasons the whole world hadn't collapsed during the BREAK.
And of course, there was her. Celestia, the representative of Alicorns, the stand in representative for Twilight.
Celestia had no trouble with being the one to replace Twilight in these meetings, especially since she had been doing so for three years straight. The problem was, that no one had really seen her during those three years. She wasn't gone, just... busy with something, according to Spike's reports.
Celestia missed Twilight, but there was nothing she could do. Twilight had effectively stripped herself bare of most titles and obligations to the nation, then gone and locked herself up somewhere. It was impossible to find Twilight, and the only way of communication with her was through Spike. Apparently her friends Fluttershy, Applejack and Pinkie Pie knew about her whereabouts, but had sworn to secrecy not to tell anyone where she was.
Hopefully, whatever she had been working on for the past three years, it would be something well worth the wait. Otherwise, she didn't know if she could take Twilight acting like that.
Celestia was suddenly roused from her inner thoughts by a servant trotting up next to her, one of the castle guards standing right behind her.
"Celestia, we bring news about something urgent." The servant said, holding up a scroll for her to read.
All the activity in the room stopped, effectively breaking up the fight between Gilda and Rough Steel.
Taking the the scroll from the servant with her magic, Celestia eyed the other representatives. Every single one of them were looking at her, since anything that was her business, was also their business.
"Thank you Royal Balance." Celestia said to the servant who nodded and went back out through the door from which he had entered through, the guard accompanying him before taking up his post outside the door once again.
"So, what does it say?" Gilda asked impatiently.
Spurred by Gilda, as well as her own curiosity, Celestia began reading the message, her eyes growing large, filling with excitement. In turn making the other even more curious.
"So, don't keep us hanging!" Gilda beckoned, growing a bit inpatient.
"Twilight is coming back and from the look of this scroll, she'll be back today." Celestia informed the others.
"That's great, right?" Asked Tiny Citrus.
"Of course it's great. Twilight is quite possibly the most powerful being besides Pinkie Pie. And that's only because she's the new Goddess of Chaos." Gilda explained. "And if she's back, that means she'll most likely be bringing something big with her. Something revolutionary, something that will change how we live our lives forever!"
While Gilda was giving Twilight quite the expectations to live up to, Celestia was considering what it could be Twilight was supposedly bringing back. To have been gone for three whole years... While Twilight had no obligation to, Celestia would have expected Twilight to have come to her before presenting anything to R.U.L.E. The fact that she hadn't was supporting the idea of how important whatever findings, ideas and inventions Twilight was bringing with her could be.
Several others decided collectively that there would be no point in pointing out that many of the Displaced that had once came to their world were far stronger than any of them, even Twilight Sparkle.
"We all know who former Princess of Friendship Twilight Sparkle is and how much she has done for Equestria. We can also understand her reclusive nature after hearing of what she lost. We should all be happy that she is finally returning to us." Said Rough Steel.
"Indeed. Despite my strained relationships with the Sparkles family, I do agree that her return is something to be celebrated. After all, Twiloight saved me and my kind from extinction. At the very least, I owe her my life. And after all the tragedies that have befallen all of us, she still was strong enough to make a recovery. I can say that not all of my drones can claim the same." Chrysalis informed.
"But I thought you and Twilight had made up for all the past transgressions between each other." Stated Little Strongheart.
"Oh we did. It's just that no matter how much we forgive, we will never forget. Just because we're all ruling together, doesn't mean I've stopped checking any and all food or drinks for poison. You'd be surprised how many ponies believe they know what's best for Equestria and how to get rid of the one brainwashing the true rulers." Chrysalis said, looking at Celestia who winced at the jab.
It had been an unfortunate incident two years ago where a group of ponies who believed Celestia and Luna would never abdicate their claim of the thrones, and had taken it as if Chrysalis had mind controlled them. The group had grown extremely violent, but had eventually been caught and brought to justice. Once it was found out that they were the same ponies who had also believed that Luna was still nightmare Moon, they had been sent for treatment and rehabilitation instead of prison. But Chyrsalis would never let her forget that her ponies could be just as violent and crazy as any other creature on Equestria.
Sighing, Celestia opened her mouth to retort but was interrupted as a bright, violet flash suddenly appeared in the middle of the table.
The fact that the Castle was protected by over a dozen spells specifically meant to prevent anyone teleporting inside didn't seem to be a hindrance to the pony that had just simply broken into the castle. Of course, this could all be forgiven on the account of who it was, since they had informed them that they were coming.
"Good day." Twilight said in a monotone tone, yet with a small smile tugging at her lips.
"Twilight," Celestia began with a smile. "It's good to see you. I hardly recognize you." Said. And indeed, in the three years Twilight had been gone, she had changed a lot. While not really having grown up to the same level as Cadance had been three years prior, she had certainly grown, her mane had become much longer, as well as her horn and wings had developed more. If not for her unmistakable coloration and cutie mark, she really would have been hard to recognize.
"It's good to see you too Celestia, as well as the rest of you. But I haven't come here today for a reunion. I've come to present us a way we could rid ourselves of our fears and worries towards the Displaced." Twilight said.
"What do you mean?" Asked Rough Steel, not willing to admit openly that he, like everyone else was terrified of the Displaced, yet willing to hear Twilight's suggestion.
"While it is indeed wise to fear the Displaced, I've come to a conclusion. If they ever attack again, we don't have to beat them." Twilight stated, much to the confusion of everyone present.
"What a feather picking minute. What are you saying? That we're just going to bow our heads and let them rule us? You know what? Screw that I'm not going to tell the griffins that." Gilda began shouting while Twilight shook her head.
"That's not it. We don't have to beat them, we just have to match them." Twilight explained as she conjured a big pile of paper in besides her. Each and every page seemingly filled to the brim with writing, diagrams and drawings.
"For the last three years, I've been collecting and studying anything related to the Displaced. And I realized something. Everything they are and have achieved is all related to one thing, their Displacement. Their power to travel between universes is what let's them become as powerful as they are. And if we wish to match that power, we'll need to do the same." Twilight said.
Meanwhile some of the representatives had taken the initiative and taken a look at the many notes Twilight had brought with her.
"I can't even understand half of this." Gilda whispered to Rock Red while looking at some form of diagram. Rock Red nodded in agreement.
"I'm sorry Twilight, but I'm not sure we really understand." Celestia voiced told her.
"Oh, sorry. Let me be a bit more forward then. What I'm suggesting, is that we as a nation create an organization meant to find and use a way to reach other universes at will, much like the Displaced. Once we have the same power as them, we will be able to recruit other worlds to join us, while gaining any advantage each world presents us with. According to what we know, some worlds are so different from ours, that joining forces with them would mean millennium of progress within both worlds, simply by sharing public knowledge. And if we could capitalize on a space in the Void, we could protect our own universe even before it's attacked." Twilight explained, butt frowned once she saw that most of those present were still confused.
Sighing, she just pointed towards her pile of notes. "It's all in there if read in proper order. I already have a list compiled of suitable ponies who wish to help me in this research. They've all been briefed and know what's at stake and how dangerous this project is. All I really require is to get this whole endeavor approved bu all of you."
"Wait a minute, let me get this straight. You wish for us to travel into the Void and become Displaced ourselves?" Gilda asked. Only for Twilight to once again shake her head.
"No. Becoming a Displaced is near impossible to do by your own power. We don't even know of the process of how to become one, or how to make one. However, we do know that Displaced aren't the only ones to travel the Void. No, what I'm suggesting that we come Void Dwellers. Of course, we wouldn't be very powerful, at least at first, but eventually, we'd be able to stand up to the Displaced. I've run the calculations, and according to what knowledge we do have, I believe it's doable." Twilight explained.
Celestia was doubtful. While Twilight seemed so sure, she also knew that her former student and close friend had been affected by the Displaced the most. Yet, she didn't see any wish for revenge in her eyes, or anything at all. Twilight's eyes were cold and calculating, the eyes of a mare who believed she no longer had anything to lose. Of course it was far from the truth, and she knew that even in the state she was in now, she'd never even consider doing something that endangered anyone purposefully. Besides, even with those eyes being nearly dead, they still showed hope and determination, as well as a spark of curiosity. If anything, she realized that no matter what, Twilight would most likely continue this with, or without the approval of R.U.L.E.
It saddened Celestia, but even she could no longer make this decision simply in favor of her former student or because she was her friend. There was a lot speaking against Twilight and their chances, as well as the possibility that they were simply opening themselves up to another Displaced conflict.
Sighing, Celestia decided that she would at the very least inform Twilight of the possibility that they might have to disapprove of her research. But at the very least, she would have to discuss this with the others in private.
"Twilight. I understand your enthusiasm, and I can see the benefits you've pointed out. However, I can't help but notice you have yet to point out any of the possible negative outcomes." Celestia said, raising a hoof to prevent Twilight from objecting. I'm sure you've been throughout enough to have covered these aspects in your notes, but the fact remains that I, and especially R.U.L.E. as a whole can't allow this until we've all read through your notes and had time to discuss this in private." Celestia explained.
"I understand. I'll go and visit my friends while you all decide. Can I get an estimate on when RULE will have an answer for me?" She asked.
"RULE will summon you once we've reached a conclusion." Rock Red informed her.
Twilight nodded to herself before showing herself out, a guard escorting her out to the front door. It wasn't until she reached Sugar Cube Corner that Twilight realized that she had been escorted out of her own home. Giggling to herself she sent a message to all of her friends to meet her for a snack.
