Flight to the Stars

Chapter 1

Faded Loyalties

(6 years ago)
It has been 200 years since Celestia dubbed herself the Solar Empress and started taking over the other countries of Equestria, those that did not submit to her wishes were taken over by force. The Crystal Empire was the first to fall, bowing under her rule as second class citizens. Next came YakYakistan, coming close to near genocide before they surrendered. Then Griffonstone, then Gerpony, one after one they fell to the forces of Celestia. 10 years after she started her conquest a breakthrough in space travel occurred when scientists developed a warp drive.

With this the Solar Empire aggressively started expanding throughout known space, with nearly everything under her sister's control the younger sister Luna tried putting a stop to it. She organized a new faction named the New Lunar Republic that focused on peace over else. This enraged Celestia, and through hosting a fake peace accord she rounded up all the members of the NLR and exiled from known space. From there the Solar Empress became power mad and started putting down any protests within her Empire by force. The story starts with a Captain who is about to change the course of history.
(1 week before breakaway)
A pony is hurrying along the crowded streets of Canterlot, weaving in and out of the crowd before coming up upon a run down building. The pony knocks on the door
“The fabric has been wore down and it is now time to done new colors.”
The door opens and he walks in, the room he walks into has a electronic map showing a map of the known galaxy.

“Good day captain, as you can see I have acquired the map.” The mare said.

“That's good sandy, this is the final piece that we needed before take off, did anypony suspect anything when you took it?” The stallion replies, looking over the map.

“No Captain, I believe not. Though the reason why I called you here was not this. There was a explosion.” The stallion looks up in alarm.

“An explosion!?! Where!?!”

“In loading tube 1-B, Casualties were sustained, The navigational officer died sir”

The stallion visibly winces and sighs deeply.
“He was a good pony, with him gone and the death of the tactical officer on one of Celestia's paranoid missions that leaves us in a predicament that I did not expect.”

“Luckily I have found replacements to both, they show the similar signs of realization so I suggest we get them before they get out of hoof and get snagged by the royal guard.” Said Sandy.

The stallion thinks and nods. “I agree, I will do that while you oversee preparation. If all goes according to plan then we should be able to lift off next week and give celestia one hell of a surprise.”

“I agree, I am now assuming this is where we bid goodbye?”

The stallion nods. “Yes, I will alert you if your candidates accept your proposal. Good bye.”

“Goodbye captain.”says sandy, she salutes and walks out of the building. The stallion follows behind and stops at the doorway, he takes a deep breath and heads towards the academy.

At the Celestial Academy of Ship Services
Crimson Ace and Emerald Shores are outside the academy, sitting at a picnic table outside eating lunch. “So, have you heard the rumors?” Asked Crimson.

“Yes I have, I've done some research on it and it may be true.” Replied Emerald.

“Faust, I can't believe it. All those ponies dead and for what, Speaking up for themselves.

“Yeah, I-” A stallion comes around the corner and heads towards the picnic table, recognizing his rank, both of them stand and salute.

“At ease ponies, you two were hard to find you know.” Said the stallion.
Both of them look at him in confused stares.

“We were not trying to hide sir, we were just eating lunch.” Stated Emerald.

The stallion replies “I was not talking about where you've been, I'm talking about the rumors you've been spreading around the academy about the Solar Empire.” The two ponies shift nervously where they are standing.
The stallion snickers. “That's what I thought, come with me.”

He turns around and starts trotting towards the administrative hall, the two look at each other and follow. Both of them start to speak to each other softly.
“What do we do now? I say we jump him and book it.” Said crimson in a hushed tone.

“Where would we go after that?” Replied Emerald.”Besides we were very careful about not leaving behind any evidence, they can't know that we did anything.”

“I mean they have to know something, or else he wouldn't have said anything.”

They quickly stop talking as they enter the building. The stallion goes up to the desk and asks for a private office to use, the pony at the desk compiles and hoof’s him a key to the room. He trots down to the room and motions for Crimson and Emerald to go inside, they do as they're told and sit down behind the desk as the stallion takes his place behind the desk.

The stallion begins talking. “So….You think you could hide from the eyes of the empire did you?”

“No sir...I mean we have nothing to hide sir.” Replies crimson. The stallion gets a amused gleam in his eye and starts chuckling, the two ponies get worried.

“Don't worry, I know what you've been doing and I'm on your side. You two are just lucky that a member of interrogation didn't get to you two before I did.” The two ponies suddenly release a breath they were unintentionally holding in.

“Wait sir, so you're telling me that we're not in trouble right now?” Says Emerald.

“No, though you will be if you don't accept my offer.” Replies the stallion.

“And what offer would that be sir.” Says crimson.

“My offer is salvation from the empire, my name is Blueshadow and I can guarantee you salvation aboard my ship, though I can't tell you anything more than that in case you two get caught.” Blueshadow heads for the door. “I can save you two from this place, though it requires a little faith on your part. If you want to leave the empire then say goodbye to your loved ones and meet me at the old Lunar worship store in the main square in one week, if you don't show then I will assume that you have decided not to join me. Understand.” The two ponies nod. “Good, you two are dismissed ” He opens the door and trots out. The two stay there a bit more before trotting out. They reach outside and crimson is the first one to speak.

“Umm...did that really happen?”

“You mean passage to get out of the empire, yes I think so” replies Emerald. “Though I don't know if I'll take it, i have a brother to take care of and I don't think my “mother” would do a good job.”

“Really you thinking of not taking it? Isn't this what we hoped for?”

“Yes it is but I never thought it would happen this early or like this, I'm going to have to think about it”

Crimson replies “I know what you mean by that, well lol see you there if you go, see ya around Em.”

“See you later Crim.” Replies emerald.

The two ponies leave the complex and tanker there separate paths. Will both of them follow what they think is right and go with Blueshadow? Will there friendship come to a crashing halt as one of them decided to stay with there family? The only thing that is known is that a great darkness is coming that will soon blanket across the land till there is no hope.
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In the halls of the Canterlot Fortress a pony is galloping to the throne room, he goes through the doors and bows to figure on the throne.
“Your majesty, we have news from our source that the traitorous band of life's are about to make their move, come two weeks time they will take off”
The figure on the throne leans down, the messenger shudders in fear.

“So...has our source given us the position of his ship hmm?”

“N-no your greatness, he was not able to get the location off their computers.”

She replies “tsk tsk tsk, give him half of his usual payment, and say that he will get quadruple his amount if he gets us the location. Now go”

The pony stumbles over himself as he exits the throne room. After he leaves the room the Empress of the Sun gets up from out of her chair and walks over to a table, on the table is a chess set.

“You have made you move my little pony.” She moves a pawn on the board forward and grins.
“Now, let the game begin.”