It was a beautiful summers day. The sun was high in the sky, with not a cloud to be around in the vast, blue expanse of sky, and the breeze came in from the window just right as to not disturb those inside. Birds sang with harmony, ponies milled about in the streets with naught a care in the world, and the air was just warm enough to be comforting, like a blanket on a cold night. Truly, it was a perfect day.
Princess Celestia, Diarch of the Sun and ruler of the Kingdom of Equestria, sat at her mahogany desk, sorting through papers and humming to herself as she sighed document after document with her favorite quill, sighed as she looked out the window beside her.
'Such a beautiful, completely peaceful, boring day,' She thought, taking a sip of her tea. She frowned at her pile of documents, bills, letters, and all sorts of assorted pieces of paper at her desk. Another sigh escaped her lips. If only something interesting would happen...
She spoke much, much too soon.
With a slam of the door and a squeal of hoofs sliding on tiled floors, a brown pony with a tan mane rushed in with a rolled up scroll in her hoof.
"Princess Celestia!"
The mare in question looked up with a rather surprised face.
"What is it, Page Hopper? Is something the matter?" She asked, rising from her chair behind the desk. The elderly mare, with all of her years as Celestia's secretary of Foreign Relations, had almost never rushed in like this- in fact, the last time she had done this was 16 years ago when the Griffins had accidentally sent a letter of resignation from the treaty that had been set only days ago. But that was not the matter at case now.
"Forgive me, your highness, but this cannot be ignored. A scroll was sent today with a seal we have never seen or heard of ever before!"
Princess Celestia's eyes widened and she quickly grabbed the scroll with her magic out of the mares outstretched hoof. Page Hopper was right- this seal was unlike any she had ever seen.
It was green; a light, leafy green, like flowers or grass, and it had the stamp of a tree with orbs floating around it in a ring. The ribbon was also green, but darker, and Celestia realized it was actually a vine wrapped around the scroll. She carefully unrolled the scroll and looked at it with puzzlement.
It was not parchment, but rather, a kind of sturdy, fine cloth, with strange symbols written with what looked like black ink. Celestia quickly cast a translation spell on the paper, and read it quickly, eyes widening further as she went down.
Dear Princess Celestia of the Kingdom of Equestria,
We the nation, of the Forest of the Deer, have decided to open our gates to the outside world for the first time in over 7,000 years. We write to Equestria to invite its rulers and ambassadors to visit our nation and establish trade and possible travel. In return, a personal tour from the Empress herself will be provided, as well as a place to stay. We have included a rune imprinted on this page to send back a letter of acceptance or rejection. Please note that we will take rejection as a sign of hostility. The rune is a one time use, and we will send our answer in the form of a visit from the Empress to take you to our nation, or send a message of hostility. We patiently await your answer.
Signed,
Empress Open Sky of Night
Celestia looked up from the letter slowly as a grin crept on to her face.
"This is simply amazing! Page, please fetch a blank scroll for me post haste! And my sister!"
Page Hopper looked confused, , but went for the items-and pony- anyway. Princess Celestia simply danced in place as she imagined the possibilities that had opened up. She smiled at the prospect of a new ally- it wasn't often a door like this opened up, after all.
Dear Princess Twilight,
Please come to Canterlot as quickly as possible. We have been contacted by a new nation and we need all 3 princesses present. Do not bring your friends- I'm afraid this is a matter of politics and, while they are national heroes, are not politicians in the slightest.
Yours,
Princess Celestia
Princess Twilight ran over the letter she had been sent only hours ago by Pri- Celestia as she sat in the Royal Car. She had immedietly let her friends know what was happening, said goodbye, and set off on the soonest train to Canterlot. She looked out of the window and grinned. What would the new nation be like? Would they be friendly, or downright rude? What species would they be? Did they have ant traditions she needed to look out for? She giddily shuffled her hooves in anticipation. Canterlot came into view, and she looked at the massive, sparkling capital with childlike glee as she came closer to her destination.
Twilight finally got off the train and walked down the streets to Canterlot Castle. She looked around her hometown and all of its attractions, but kept her mind on the castle and Celestia's letter. She had a job to do.
When Twilight got past the castle gates, through the hallways, and through the doors of the throne room, she smiled. Celestia and her sister Luna sat on their golden thrones, waiting patiently for Twilight's arrival with a small smile. They stood up as Twilight walked in and smiled wider than before.
"Twilight, my dearest friend! I'm glad you made it. Was the trip alright?" Asked Celestia, smiling warmly and walking over to give Twilight a friendly hug. Luna did the same.
"It was fine, Pri- Celestia. Sorry," Twilight scratched the back of her head with a hoof. "So where are the delegates? I'm excited!"
She grinned up at her former mentor. Celestia laughed, a motherly, tinkling sound.
"Soon enough. I was only told that they would be here at noon, with the ruler, two delegates, and two guards."
Twilight nodded.
"So, are we set? Will we be traveling there? Oh, we are aren't we?! I didn't pack! Ohnohnohnohno-"
She started prancing in place and panicking. "What will we need? Do I need regalia? Oh no this is my first task of this kind how will I-"
"TWILIGHT!"
Twilight stopped in her tracks.
"Y-yes?"
Princess Celestia sighed and smiled.
"Don't worry. We are already packed- I took the liberty to since I knew you would most likely over-pack. You do not have any reason to worry at all, just follow my lead and you will be fine. I promise."
Twilight gulped and smiled back, then breathed in and out a few times, just before a new question popped up.
"What about my friends?! I didn't tell them, since I didn't know!" Her eyes widened.
"I sent a letter just before you walked in telling them what was happening. I didn't tell you since Pinkie would slow you down trying to throw you a party, and I needed you here before they arrived."
"...Oh."
Celestia smiled apologetically. Twilight made a few breathing motions again, ending just before a guard walked in and gave an announcement. Celestia quickly slide Twilight over to beside her with a wing.
"Announcing, Empress Open Sky of Night and accomplices!" A fanfare sounded as the doors open and 5 figures stepped in.
The hefty, golden doors opened with the help of the unicorn guard's magic, and the 5 long- awaited figures stepped in.
The first thing that Twilight noticed was their tails. Instead of the pure fur tail ponies had, they had thick, flexible tails, evidenced by how they swished as they walked. The tip of their tails was covered in fur, the same as their manes. Speaking of colors and manes, all of the Deer had pastel colors, such as light green or a soft lavender, or even pale yellow. They all had deer antlers protruding from behind their ears, and golden, bare, cloven hooves. But by far the strangest thing about them, in Twilight's opinion, where the crystalline spots covering their backs, muzzles, and top of tails. Each one's crystal spot's color was darker than their coat, and placed randomly in size and variety. Twilight couldn't stop staring at these creatures.
The one in front, with a soft purple coat and flowing, wavy, light pink hair, and had a golden choker with a red stone placed in the middle on her long, slender neck, stepped up to the Princesses and Twilight, and gave a strange bow- she bent one knee, then swept backward with her flank in the air and her nose almost touching the ground below her. The alicorns, were, to say the least, a little surprised, but bowed back in traditional fashion.
The leader, who Twilight had guessed was Empress Open Sky of Night- since she was the only one with bat-like wings, how strange- stood up and started speaking in a melodic type of voice,
"Kami, koden meni. Ka nomi ei Manijoa Yeiks Mon tao Li." She looked at Princess Celestia, who was standing mostly in front, expectantly. Celestia just looked confused.
The Empress' eyes widened and she rubbed her snout in exasperation. She turned to one of the deer beside her, a light orange one, and said something to him. He then took something out of his saddlebags- of which Twilight had noticed where a burnished brown rather than white- and took out a small, gray, smooth stone with a strange engraving on its front, with a piece of string tied around it, making it a necklace. He gave it to the Empress, who then tied it around her neck- an impressive feat with hooves- and cleared her throat.
"Hello, good morning. My name is Empress Open Sky of Night. Can you understand me okay?" She looked at Princess Celestia again.
Celestia put back on her serene, indifferent poker face and smiled.
"Yes, we can. Greetings, Empress Open Sky, and welcome to Equestria. I am Princess Celestia of the Sun-" She gestured to Luna- "This is my sister-"
"Princess Luna of the Night," Princess Luna cut in.
"And I am Princess Twilight of Friendship," Twilight ended off the greetings with a big smile. Empress Open Sky nodded in response. She then gestured to the 2 delegates standing beside her. Each one wore a feather earring, and held a book in their hooves. The delegates nodded back. The first one, with a light orange coat and pale yellow hair in braids, spoke first.
"My name is Golden Clouds at Sunset and I am one of the delegates here."
Then the other one, with short, pale pink hair and a light green coat, spoke next.
"I am Vines with Pink Flowers and I am also one of the delegates here." Empress Open Sky then turned to the guards. Both wore dark, golden-brown armor and carried a strange-looking spear.
"These are my guards, Silent Lake at Dawn and Call of the Winter Wind. They are here for protection only and I have no intentions to attack any of you or your people."
Celestia nodded.
"Now that introductions are out of the way, let me and the other two escort you to bed. It must have been a long journey and I'm sure you want to rest?"
Empress Open Sky nodded, and they set off to the guest's quarters.
Open Sky of Night, Empress to the Forest of Deer and the Herald of Peace, looked around in awe at the massive, white walls of the ground-castle like a fawn. She was a little embarrassed, but it was incredible! How did these ponies live on the ground like this?! It was insane! She would certainly go mad if she had to live her entire life on the earth, trapped like a little bug. She missed her tree homes and swaying sky-bridges already. She gave her wings a shake before folding them neatly on her back.
As she and her 4 companions followed Princess Celestia down the seemingly endless hallway, she noticed the small, purple one. Princess Twilight, wasn't it? Yes, that was right. Princess Twilight seemed to be glancing at her, looking away, then sneaking another glance before trying to keep her eyes forward. Open Sky couldn't help but smile.
"If you wish to ask me a question, young Princess Twilight, then you may. Stealing glances doesn't get answers very effectively, hm?"
Twilight jumped a little and gave Open Sky a sheepish grin.
"S-sorry, Empress Open Sky. I-i was just wondering... what language where you speaking earlier? Was it your native language?"
Empress Open Sky couldn't help but giggle at Twilight's eager-to-learn eyes and hopeful smile. She smiled warmly and answered,
"Yes, young Twilight, that was my native language. It is called Illali, which literally means 'speak', and all deer speak it in the Forest."
From Twilight's calculating expression, Open Sky guessed that she was taking that information straight to memory. She heard Princess Celestia laugh as they stopped in front of a white door.
"Yes, Twilight is a studious pony. But anyway, we are here at the place were you will sleep."
"This is the door to the guest chambers. All preparations have been made, and you should all sleep comfortably. If you need anything at all, pull the rope by the window and one of my servants will come. Sleep well, Empress and company." Celestia opened the door and allowed the 5 to step in. She and the others turned, and walked away, but not before Twilight gave a friendly wave. Open Sky smiled and waved back.
She closed the door and looked around the room.
It was barely decorated, with only purple curtains, a painting of a sunset, and a vase of white flowers, to which Open Sky cringed at. She hated it when people would put flowers in vases and pots- it was cruel, but she supposed the ponies didn't understand like the deer did. The beds where plain, just white linens and blue trim, and had white bedside dressers, but that was it for furniture. The floor was interesting, though- a kind of rough, ropy fabric that felt good on her face. She looked at the room as a whole and sighed. She stretched her wings in discomfort. She needed sleep, and the day wouldn't be here any sooner. She slipped off her stone rune necklace, unlatched her golden suhi, and slipped under the soft covers. It was going to be a long day tomorrow.
Author's Note
For any who want to know the translations:
Kami, koden meni. Ka nomi ei Manijoa Yeiks Mon tao Li. = Hello, good morning. My name is Empress Open Sky of Night.
Suhi- a metal choker with a stone set in the middle
