Empire of the Sun

Celestia tiredly flopped on her bed, her heart racing. The rush of Chrysalis threatening to destroy her relationship was making her blood excited; a mix between anxiety and ecstasy.

She didn't know what Chrysalis planned to do, but, she was certain she was going to fail, possibly all on her own without interference. She was alone. Her changelings weren't going to be of help and nopony else was qualified to— suddenly she sat up in bed.

There actually were a few who could help her, and, out of those, there existed some who would. An unlikely option would be Tirek, but the Princess wasn't even sure if the Queen knew about him. Even if, though, she'd not only have to find an entrance to Tartarus, but defeat Cerberus and find a way to free him on top of it. He was pretty much out of the question.

Celestia wasn't sure how Discord felt of the situation. He had probably heard about the wedding announcement by now, but in all the commotion with the ponies sending her crates full of letters, she hadn't had the chance to check up on him. It was a little strange, though, that he hadn't come visit her yet. Usually, he would be the first pony to get in somepony else’s business. It was also pretty unlikely that Discord would betray her yet again, but, it was possible that, if he indeed helped Chrysalis, he wouldn't view it that way.

After all, clearly, Chrysalis didn't view her actions as an act of war, but, Celestia had full rights to march her army over to her castle, and level it. As appealing as that option seemed, it would be reckless to take it on her part, since there were far more pressing matters to attend to.

There was also that other Draconequus… what was his name? Something about pie. Oh… what was his name? Although it didn’t matter, he probably wouldn’t be much of a threat anyway.

And yet there was a third Draconequus that had proven herself to be trouble in the past, Celestia recalled. Perhaps it would be best to make sure she wasn't against her; even possibly make an ally. The wedding was two months away and the situation was already fragile and prone to huge error. Some extra friends would help minimize catastrophes.

Thanks to Luna’s pep talk, the castle staff’s doubts were cleared and they worked both their normal jobs and towards the wedding planning tirelessly. However, the news hadn't quite gotten out yet about it and considering the never ending stream of letters Celestia had gotten before, she could only imagine how they would react now. She was going to have to address it eventually, but there didn't seem to be a right way.

Sleepiness bore into her eyes as she finally decided to give up trying to keep them open. Being a princess was exhausting, but the sleep that came from it, was rewarding.

Without much delay, she fell asleep.

That was her first mistake.

Somehow, when she woke, light from the Sun streamed through her windows. It was so odd to see the Sun up without having any memory of raising it, that she just lay there, dumbfounded for at least 20 minutes.

Luna had never offered to raise it before and it would make no sense as to why she would start now. In fact, it made so little sense, because Luna had borderline forbidden Celestia to watch over the Night. Her sister was so territorial about their roles, that she was absolutely sure it wasn't Luna.

Celestia got out of bed and left her room, tired, but alert. If Luna didn't raise it, who did?

Her answer sat on the highest balcony of the tower, where she normally raised the Sun.

“Sirius?” she asked him, confused. She shouldn't have been surprised, because he was the only other one who was capable other than her sister, but for some reason, she was. The first thing her eyes locked onto was his cutie mark. It was a blue sun, that looked a lot like hers, but its rays were much thinner. Why hadn't she noticed that before?

“Yes darling?” he asked, looking back at her calmly, as if expecting she would come up here confused. That unnerved her. Why sit here and wait for her to show up? Better yet, why raise the sun at all?

“Were you the one who raised the Sun this morning?” Something was causing her to be nervous and she didn't like it one bit.

“Indeed,” he nodded calmly, “You looked so tired that I decided to help you this morning with it.” She had long suspected that he was powerful enough to do so, after all she couldn't travel through space that far… a few light years. But this was slightly out of character for him. Also, his tone wasn't helping. Something was definitely up.

“Well,” she said, trying not to show how uncomfortable she was, “just ask me next time.” She turned around to walk away, breaking her serious face and instead reverting to her nervous gaze that was hiding behind it.

“Yes, of course,” was all he said before she left the balcony back into the castle halls.

The day continued on as normal: letter answering, appointments, interviews, wedding stuff… the incident that happened this morning gradually got pushed further and further back in her mind. Her subjects finally looked happy. There were still some grumbles about how their magic couldn't work, but, the wedding was fresh on their minds and a big change to Equestria was exciting. Luna, however, was nowhere to be found. Once again, a little strange, and a little out of character.

When she had a free hour, she checked up on Luna in the mare’s quarters. She approached the doors and gave a little knock.

“Luna?” she asked.

“Come in,” was the response. Celestia found her sister over her desk, insanely focused on some scrolls. There were many opened ones, splayed out everywhere, and a few books. She had a large magnifying glass that was attached to a stand and heavy base where she was inspecting the articles.

So she was studying whatever this was, all day.

“What are you… doing?”

“Good timing,” Luna said, not taking her eyes out of the glass, “Come here.” Okay… curiously, she did as she was told and stood over her sister’s shoulder.

The scrolls and books were not Equestrian. The layouts were not of the unicorn wizards of old, or any other recognizable styles in history.

“What land is this from?” she asked, her eyes scanning the pages.

“Halott,” Luna responded flatly. Halott? But how did she—…?

Wait.

“You took this from Sirius’ room?” she asked, alarmed. Luna looked back at her, unconcerned,

“Yes.”

“Um, hello?”

“Look at this.”

Celestia rolled her eyes as she stared at what Luna was pointing at. It was notes taken by presumably Sirius himself. They were describing teleportation magic. It was called “Große Teleportation”.

“It's just teleportation spells…?” she said, thinking that the strange part was that there was more than one type. After all, how could there be more than one type spell for only one action that couldn't be varied?

“Now, look at the equations,” Luna said, removing her arm that was covering them. As Celestia was reading, she began to feel a mix of horror and awe. The equations for the spells required an enormous amount of power, and travelled huge distances… on the stellar level.

“By the gods…” she said, “he didn't use a machine to get here… he teleported here himself!”

“That's why I'm telling you, sister, to exercise caution,” Luna said, “He might be even more powerful than these equations suggest.” The Princess stared at the writing in absolute astonishment. The power needed to make a trip like he did, was more than all of the magical creatures in Equestria combined, by far.

“Additionally,” she continued, “Not only has his writings revealed possible locations for Leiden’s magical spells,” what?, “he speaks of reigning only 500 years on Halott.” That last part confused Celestia.

“What's so strange about that?”

“Well, the reason why I have the magnifying glass,” she said, “is dating the writing. This was written at least 20 years ago.”

She stared at the page blankly, unsure why this was important. Once again, though, it dawned on her what Luna was trying to say.

“You're wondering what happened to his rule these past 20 years.”

“Precisely. He does not say.”

“It must be something bad.”

This sounded crazy, but maybe there was an explanation.

“What if he really wants to make up for what he's done so far, and is just too embarrassed to say?” she inquired.

Luna shrugged, “You would be the luckiest mare in the universe. In the meantime,” she said, brushing the possibility off, “He has possession of that power he holds, but it is not his own. No living being could manage to do a trip like that by himself.”

That was true… the numbers seemed scary, but there's only so much power somepony can harbor.

“Try to find where he's getting that power from,” Luna said, turning back to the books and moving the magnifying glass. Celestia could do that… after all they were going to get married. She could always call it off if there was any reason not to trust him.

“Fair enough, my sister,” she agreed, proud of her. Luna was so smart. Even though she defended Sirius from the crowd, she knew better than to be blind.

“Also,” Luna continued, rolling up a scroll with her magic, “Get this to Twilight Sparkle for testing and further analysis. I cannot seem to completely understand it, and from what I've heard, she is better equipped.”

Celestia giggled thinking about how happy Twilight would be about it. Poor Spike. The baby dragon probably won't see the sun until she figured it out.

“Very well,” she said, taking the scroll, “I have to go in that direction anyway.”

Luna raised an eyebrow.

“Have to check up on an old friend,” she stated, “Keep me posted, also, on Chrysalis. I think she might be trying to crash another wedding.” The Moon Princess nodded and went back to the books. Celestia left, smiling. Now that a plan was in place, it was time to act.

***

Sirius was found in the lobby, greeting the anypony who came in, like he worked for the staff.

“Hello there!” he said to one couple, excitedly, “I didn't know there were two other Suns in this solar system, your shine is blinding me!” He laughed with them and shook their hooves.

What's giving him his power? Celestia practically heard her sister’s voice in her head. Only one thing caught her eye. Sirius’ armor was dazzling in bright blue crystals. They looked alive; they glowed and shined, appearing very powerful. It had to be crystals.

After he had directed the ponies, she approached him.

“Hello Sirius,” she greeted him in a welcoming tone.

“Hey,” he said, looking presently surprised, and then his look softened, “Look, about this morning…”

“Oh, no need,” she said, shaking her head, “It's behind us now. I just wanted to have some tea and chat.” She had never spoken like that before. Maybe she was overdoing it.

He brightened up, “Tea and chill, sure, sure! Let's go!” Nothing suspicious so far. They trotted through smiling faces and happy moods through the castle halls, into the food area. They ordered their tea and sat down, uncomfortably. The table was set for everypony else, while they were actually a lot bigger.

“So, what's up?” he started, eyes bright, squeezing in between the chair and the table.

“So,” Celestia started, trying not to come of bossy, “I want to know a little more about you.” She swore she saw his eye twitch, but he covered it so well it could have easily been missed.

“Sure, what about?” He asked. His friendly tone hadn't changed.

“For starters… how’d you even get over here? You're not from another dimension, so how'd you travel that far?”

He laughed, and for a split second, she thought that wasn't a good sign.

“Oh, that! My entrance was pretty rad, right?” His literal entrance… into the atmosphere… WAS indeed, pretty rad. She looked on with curiosity.

“So, the amount of power it takes to get over here is enormous,” he started, getting a little serious, “So, what I had to do was design a higher form of teleportation magic.” He began to look slightly excited, “So, we gathered enough power back home to pull it off.”

That was interesting.

“Who's ‘we’?”

“A few of my close friends and I gathered it over time.” Maybe he really was trying to redeem himself.

“Oh, really?” she asked, taking a sip of her tea that came, “I thought it was those crystals you wear.” He looked confused for a second and then looked down at his chest plate.

“Oh, these?” He tapped one of them with his hoof, “They're just for show. They're from the Cataclomn star.”

“That's actual star matter?” she practically choked on her tea.

“Yeah.”

Her mind was officially blown. Wait until Twilight heard about this.

***

“It’s actually star matter?!” she said, gasping.

“It is!” Celestia said, wide eyed, “and they still hold some of its power!”

“Boring!” Spike intervened.

“Ohmygosh! Yes!” Twilight was jumping up and down, “I can't wait to see him again! I have so many questions to ask him!”

Celestia shook her head, “Actually, I come with a request.”

Twilight looked interested, “OK…”

Celestia summoned the scroll that Luna had given her,

“It's a gift from my sister,” she said, giggling, “If you thought my tests were hard, be thankful you didn't have her as a teacher.”

Her former student looked like she was about to explode.

“She wants you to analyze its contents and test the spells,” she levitated the scroll over, as Spike groaned an “Oh no.”

Twilight took it and ran to her desk, lighting a candle. Instantly the scroll was open and her hungry eyes were scanning it up and down. Celestia trotted to her desk, smiling, also looking at it herself.

There was that word again.

“Twilight, what's this ‘Grobe Teleportation’, would you know?”

She shook her head, “It's pronounced grossa; it’s the Germane word for ‘great’ in this instance.” She stared at the scroll again, though this time a little lost, “Except this isn't from Classical Germaney.”

“Correct.”

“This isn't from any of the wizards of old, either.”

“Correct again.” Celestia smiled. Twilight looked anxious, “Where is this from?! I'm sorry, I should know, but I can't figure it out.” Her former mentor reassuringly rested a hoof on her shoulder, “No worries, there's no way you could.” She leaned into Twilight’s ear,

“It's Halotten.”

The purple mare stiffened, freezing completely. Laugher bubbled up inside the white alicorn as her former student stopped cold, completely in astonishment. She only let out a little giggle, though, as Twilight stared down at the page, slowly.

“This… is an alien artifact.” She wasn't asking her, rather just saying it out loud. She then looked at Spike excitedly, who was chewing on his claw nervously.

“Spike, we’re pulling an all nighter!”

Those seemed like the last words he wanted to hear.

“Twilight! Come on, we can't!” he dropped to his knees begging, “I have to live my life dream as a champion sleeper!”

Twilight frowned, “You already lived your life dream as a champion ferret wrestler in Appleloosa.” She pointed her muzzle at a framed photo with Spike holding a ferret and wrestling belt at a rodeo ring.

***

“Um… why are we here again?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“And are we going to get bigger parts in the story later on?” Pinkie Pie built on that.

“You’ll see,” Celestia’s only response was, “Just remain in your composure.”

After Celestia had left Twilight with her all nighter, she had gathered the rest of her friends with her to go take a trip to the Everfree Forest.

Well, all her friends except for Rarity. She didn't need Rarity for anything.

Applejack and Fluttershy remained pretty much quiet, walking silently behind their Princess, as Pinkie Pie hopped every jump she made, going on… about something.

Celestia’s heart soared with them behind her. Had she done this alone like she initially planned, she would more than likely be shaking with anxiety. Pinkie Pie’s chatter made for great background noise and Rainbow Dash’s wing flapping gave her confidence in their security. Applejack’s silence said she was paying attention… she was reliable; somepony to turn to in case of an emergency. Fluttershy’s courage to come out into the Everfree at night gave her the strength to continue on.

“So then, BOOM,” Rainbow Dash was saying, “I blew right past him and straight into the finals!”

“Rainbow Dash, as the Element of Honesty, I'm telling you I don't believe a word you just said.”

“Girls…” Celestia turned back to all of them, and they all snapped their heads up, “We’re here.”

“What? How'd that castle sneak up on us?” Dash exclaimed.

“Maybe if you weren't running your mouth so much…” Applejack started.

“The Castle of the Two sisters?” Fluttershy asked, “Why are we here?”

Celestia nodded, “Great question.” She bit her lip nervously when entering the former lobby. The memories of ancient past dampened the air here, like lingering sorrow. Every detail… heartbreaking, but familiar. The four ponies surrounded her when she stopped in the middle, staring up at the night sky in silence. Their curiosity was louder than the countless crickets chirping all around the forest and the smooth breeze blowing over the stone, slightly ruffling banners and old flags.

“Stay here,” she instructed, “and don't move, whatever happens.” Her words chilled them to the bone. Before anypony could ask what was happening, she began her descent. She disappeared into the deepest of tunnels of the castle and even then she wasn't far enough. The stone had long grown moss that had long died and was now a creeping graveyard for fungi. As she passed through, her horn lit up the lamps on the walls in front of her, so she could find the— there it was. In the midst of all the dirty cobblestone ground, there was a pitch black gaping hole in it. She hadn't seen it in a while, and peered inside.

There was just blackness. An empty energy wafted from it, but an energy nonetheless. Gulping, she stepped down and stretched her wings, flapping them heavily to slow her fall. Her horn lit a small circumference of light, but it was repressed. The darkness here was unnaturally overbearing and cold. When she touched the ground, she shivered slightly and called out.

“Hello?”

There was a silence for about forty seconds. She stood there, uncomfortably the whole time, after twenty seconds wondering if she was even in the right place.

“Hello?” she repeated.

Two eyes opened up in the darkness, glaring at her.

“What do you want?” Her voice sounded like it hadn't been used in a long time.

Celestia got straight to the point.

“Have you heard what's going on?”

Her glare didn't lessen,

“Yes.”

She didn't care. At least she wasn't against her.

“I need your help,” Celestia said.

“With what?” Now the Princess wasn't even sure if she wanted it.

“There's too much going on,” she confessed, “I could really use some friends.” There was some silence as her stare was no longer glaring.

“Sirius…” she said, “He's not going to cause too much of an uproar.”

“Last I recalled, you're not the Spirit of Prophecy,” she said.

“I say this, because this is something far worse coming.”

Worse.

“What?”