Prologue-Restless in Neighpon
Neighpon, Isle of Izanagi.
Royal Palace.
The moon was bright, and the cherry blossom trees rustled in the wind. It was a scene someone could fall asleep to.
Except, somepony wasn't. Ryujin, son of Emperor Mitsu II, walked along the path to the dojo. His black mane and tan coat contrasted with his deep blue robes. He walked into the dojo, wiping his hooves before settling his eyes on a peculiar object, resting on a plinth.
It was the hilt of a Katana, with the guard and blade missing. In the moonlight, it glowed a faint white. Ryujin kneeled before it, knowing what it was. The Hilt of Susanoo, one of the three relics of the God Dragon Sword, the sword of Izanagi. Ryujin had heard the tale many times, throughout his life. When the three gods, Susanoo, Amaterasu, and Tsukuyomi were created, their father, Izanagi, gave them three pieces of a sword, the hilt, guard, and blade. If the three parts were united, the sword would give the wielder unimaginable power. For this reason, the sword was split among the three clans, the Susa, Amate, and Tsuku, each guarding a piece, respectively of each clan's elder god. Ryujin stood up, offering a prayer to Susanoo.
"I ask you, O elder god…" Ryujin prayed. "...for guidance. I ask to know the path you have set out for me."
Ryujin bowed before the hilt, and walked out, back to the chambers of the palace. Settling in his bed, he closed his eyes.
"Ryu?"
Ryujin opened his eyes, and smiled. It was Lady Mikara, his close friend, of the Amate Clan. She sighed upon seeing him.
"You're still awake?" She asked, her curly black hair waving in the night.
"Yes." Ryujin replied. "It troubles me that I cannot sleep. If the Elder God Susanoo gave me the guidance I ask for, I might find true peace."
Mikara sighed and slipped into the bed with him.
"Peace is a matter of will." She whispered, drawing her hooves around him. Ryujin nestled against her, listening to her heartbeat. Soon, Mikara felt him loosen, and she smiled, knowing he had finally fallen asleep. She slipped out, and soon, all was quiet.
=========
Twilight Sparkle woke up to the birds chirping, and the sun shining. She slipped out of bed and walked downstairs to the smell of hay bacon cooking.
"Morning, Spike." She yawned.
"Morning." Spike replied. "Hey, did you hear the storm last night?"
"What storm?" Twilight asked.
"I heard thunder last night. Not sure why." Spike replied. "Anyway, breakfast is almost done…"
Spike cut off when he saw Twilight's cutie mark glowing. Twilight looked at the map, which showed two distant isles, far out to sea. Twilight's eyes widened.
"Neighpon?" She murmured. "They've been isolated for decades! But there's a friendship problem, so I guess…"
"Spike!" Twilight cried. "Get the girls! We're going on an adventure!"
"Roger that!" Spike said as he rushed out. Twilight looked over at her new library's foreign section. Browsing over to a very well-worn book, she glanced at the title.
The voyager's guide to Neighpon-revised for the reign of Emperor Mitsu II
Twilight slid it into her saddlebags, and then turned off the oven, seeing as the hay bacon was burning.
===========
Celestia glanced over one more time at the letter, just to make sure she read it right.
Dear Celestia,
I have a predicament. The Map is sending us to Neighpon, which as you know has had no formal contact with Equestria for decades. I know this may seem...untimely, as you know it's not been long since Tirek, but I think a formal visit to see what the problem is may be beneficial. My friends are all able to come, and I've already seen to a ship that can get us there.
Best regards,
Twilight Sparkle.
Celestia looked away and sighed. Ever since the former emperor, Kaitso, disappeared one night, relations with Neighpon under his brother, Mitsu, had been strained. A few times, her diplomatic letters had been ignored completely. But she knew that a visit to Neighpon would help open them to the developing world. Celestia sighed, wrote an affirmative message to Twilight, and looked out to the great Eastern Sea.
"I hope you'll stay safe, Twilight…" She murmured.
===========
Emperor Mitsu II watched his son eat in the dojo, like he had since he was about sixteen. The Emperor sighed, knowing his son's growing frustration with his royal life. He was spending more and more time away from Palace duties and more of his time practicing with the Katana, like a Samurai.
"Your highness, a letter." Said a Daimyo, walking forward, bearing a scroll with the Equestrian seal. Mitsu took it and began to read.
To his highness, Emperor Mistu II.
Greetings from Equestria. My student and our newest princess, Twilight Sparkle, requests a diplomatic visit to the isles to learn and study. The Elements of Harmony, will be attending her. I send this with good tidings, as I know for a fact, Mitsu, that our old friendship still perseveres.
They will arrive in a week's time. If you accept, please receive them and send your regards. I don't wish to provoke you in any way, shape, or form.
Sincerely,
Celestia, Princess of Equestria.
Mitsu sighed and looked at the rising sun.
"Daimyo, prepare our guest chambers." He said.
"As you wish."
The daimyo departed, and Mitsu took one last look at his son, now practicing with his blade, before walking back into the palace for breakfast. Ryujin looked at the cherry blossoms blowing in the wind with a mixture of anger and solemnity, before sheathing his katana and heading towards the Sheath of Susanoo. Offering a quick prayer, he walked out of the dojo to his next destination, the Koi Pool. Sitting at the water's edge, he closed his eyes and began to meditate, atttempting to clear his mind.
However, it the morning light, there stood a figure on the rooftop. Clad in black, a billowing scarf waved in the wind. The Ninja's face was aged, but sharp. His green eyes, one bearing a scar, watched the prince head inside. The ninja said nothing as he vanished in a puff of smoke.
Chapter 1-The Isle of Neighpon
One Week, three days later.
Eastern Sea, Bay of Neighpon.
Twilight breathed in the salty air as the Equestrian Navy ship cut through the waves. She and her friends had taken many forms of transport to reach Neighpon, but they had made good speed, and the captain had told her they would reach Neighpon in a few hours.
"Well, Twi, we're almost there." Applejack walked up. "Rarity's droning on and on about new designs for her dresses and all that."
"I can't blame her." Twilight replied. "Neighpon has been isolated for decades, ever since the Daimyo Wars. Basically, the warlords rose in revolt and the emperor stopped them." She added, noting Applejack's blank and confused look.
"So, what's the plan?" Rainbow asked, lazily drifting over, her wings flapping.
"Once we arrive, there'll be a banquet. Then, we'll see what Emperor Mitsu has planned." Twilight said. "I do know the Neighponese are sticklers for honor and civility, so watch your tongue and your behavior, Rainbow." Twilight said.
"Eh." Rainbow replied. "What's the worst that could happen?"
"Rainbow, they've never liked outsiders. Might I remind you that they've been isolated for decades? They've developed a code of honor that frowns on boastfulness and bragging as incivility." Twilight admonished. "And while we're there, you'll need to listen to me carefully, and do as I do. Seeing as you've never read "The Voyager's guide to Neighpon", it'll make a good impression."
"Sure, whatever." Rainbow said, drifting away.
"She's going to screw this up, one way or another." Applejack noted.
"I really hope she doesn't make this unpleasant." Twilight said.
"Princess! We're approaching the harbor! Seems they're waiting for us!" The captain cried, seeing two Neighponese warships approaching with flags bared. Twilight noted their elegant tactics as they crossed around and aside the Equestrian vessel, each Warship taking a side. As they entered the harbor, nearly everypony on the dock stopped what they were doing and stared, some whispering. As Twilight and her friends disembarked, a regiment of Samurai approached.
"Princess Twilight Sparkle and the Elements of Harmony?" Said the lead.
"That would be us." Twilight replied.
"Welcome. We've been expecting you." The Samurai said. "If you would, we shall talk you to the palace, where the Emperor welcomes you."
"We accept." Twilight said, and as the Samurai escorted them to a set of carriages, a black-clad ninja watched from a rooftop. He surveyed the scene for a few moments, and disappeared in a flash of smoke.
=========
The Ninja reappeared near a warehouse on the harbor wayside. Two stallions watched as the Ninja approached. One second, they were clad in harbor worker's clothes, but as the ninja approached and showed a mark on his hoof, their appearances changed to that of two more ninja. They opened the door to the warehouse and slipped inside. They walked through the warehouse to a ladder, which ascended into a loft. Inside the loft were racks of swords, boxes of supplies, and a shrine made from ebony and silver stone.
"My dono." The ninja said, bowing to the shrine. Then, were there was once nothing, a tall stallion, clad in a Master Ninja armor, appeared. His piercing green eyes, one bearing a scar, now stood before them.
"What is it?" He asked.
"Six Equestrians have arrived upon our shores." Said the ninja. "We believe they are the Elements of Harmony."
"So they were welcomed after all?" The Dono said. "Interesting. What else?"
"We believe the Emperor will keep them unknowing of the affairs of the Black Forest and of our existence. There is also unsettling news. Our spies report that Mitsu plans to claim the Guard of Amaterasu by using a Amate clan spy close to the prince as a cover for his true plans."
"That would mean he would possess two of the fragments, and potentially restart a war between the clans." The Dono said in a disturbed tone. "See to it that this does not happen. I must confer with the Elders. If we are to act, we must act now. Make sure the Elements know of our task set to us by the gods."
"Yes, Dono." The ninja said. The Dono vanished, and the three ninja left the loft quietly, as to alert the other ninja of their new mission.
==============
Twilight watched as Emperor Mitsu II approached. She and the other elements gave a respectful bow, and Mitsu laughed.
"I see you have learned about our formalities. The Voyager's Guide to Neighpon, I presume?" He chuckled.
"Yes. How did you know?" Twilight ased.
"I know the stallion who wrote it." Mitsu laughed. "Come, you must be tired from your journey. I welcome you to my home."
As they headed inside, Ryujin watched from a balcony.
"Ryu?" Mikara asked, walking in. "You know what you need to do. You are the Emperor's son."
"But am I?" He asked himself. "...Yes, you're right."
As the two of them headed to the reception hall, a group of ten ninja leaped over the castle walls. Disabling the perimeter guards, they quickly adopted their flickering disguises as Samurai. Walking along the path, they followed the Elements. Two of them broke off to find the Hilt of Susanoo. The others followed the Elements to their guest chambers. As the Elements settled in, the Ninja left a scroll near the door. Then, they departed, walking to regroup with their allies.
"The message has been sent." The two other ninja said. "You?"
"Same." The lead ninja said. "We must leave."
They then leaped over the palace wall once more, and as they did so, Twilight noticed a scroll near the door. Opening it, she raised her eyebrows at the Equestrian script.
To the Princess of Magic
We know who you are.We know where you are. I know what you are trying to accomplish. It's brave. But dangerous. And we come with a warning to this danger.
Mitsu is not the stallion he claims to be. Do not trust him above all else.Come to the Black Forest on the Isle of Izanami in three moon's time. Find the Shattered Temple. Then, all will be made known to you. You must insist on coming alone, or with minimal guard.
Do not show this to Mitsu. You and your five are the last hope for balance and peace in Neighpon.
Remember, do not trust Mitsu.
There was no signature, only a mark in Neighponese. Twilight rolled up the scroll and hid it in her saddlebags.
"Don't trust the Emperor? Why?" Twilight murmured.
"Princess? The Banquet is ready." A voice called from outside the room.
"Coming!" Twilight said as she gathered her friends, but a part of her mind still focused on the ominous message she had just received.
