An Empire Lost in Time

The Crown Prince

“That is good news.” Celestia looked around at the room, noticing the odd stares and nosy quills scratching on notebooks. She said, “Let us move to a meeting room to discuss diplomatic relations.”

With the announcement of the decree finished and their move to a meeting room not far behind the thrones, Celestia and Luna along with the other two princesses sat patiently waiting for the golden unicorn to speak.

“On behalf of the empire, it is my lord’s wish to send his beloved son, Crown Prince Luminous Sovereign, as a diplomat to discuss treaties and land rights.” Luna’s ears perked up at mention the prince's name.

Luna spoke in place of her sister to hide her interest in the prince, saying, “When dost thou intend to announce his arrival?”

Golden Valor replied, “Within one week’s time.”

Celestia speaking up concluded, “Very well then. Golden Valor, we shall expect your prince to arrive in a week’s time, and we look forward to his visit.”

Luminous had forgotten how bright the sun was. The cool air felt good against his scales. Seated next to him to his right was his most trusted knight, Sir Phoenix. Golden Valor, the one who had delivered the message from his father to Princess Celestia a week ago, was seated to his left. The lush green countryside flew by, until the city of Canterlot came into view ahead of them.

It was a most odd city built on the side of mountain; it seemed as if it would come crashing down at any moment. A tap came at the side of the sky carriage. “My lord, we should be arriving soon,” Vindex said.

With a simple nod, Luminous acknowledged her. Preparing himself for the landing, he eagerly awaited meeting his new neighbors.

***

The sky carriage landed at the front gate of Canterlot City. He could hear the loud crowds cheering excitedly. At the front gate stood a purple mare lavished in a beautiful gown and adorned in shiny regalia. The carriage came to a slow stop.

Golden Valor was the first to step out of the carriage. The crowds seemingly died slightly as the anticipation of the next event caught their attention. “It is my great honor to introduce his highness Crown Prince Luminous Sovereign, heir to the Atlantean Throne,” he announced, before his prince stepped out of the carriage, followed closely by Sir Phoenix. The crowd fell silent when Luminous finally stepped out of the carriage.

Luminous knew that Sir Phoenix would no doubt be scanning the crowd as they walked to the purple alicorn. They slowly made their way down the lines of ponies; some were in silent awe, however most seemed to fear him. A few foals hid under their mother’s legs as he passed. To reassure them when he saw them he put on a gentle face letting them know he was not as scary as he appeared.

“Greetings, I am Princess Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship,” Twilight said with a slight bow.

“Thank you for greeting me, Princess Twilight Sparkle. I am to assume you are Princess Celestia’s daughter?” Luminous asked, smiling.

Twilight blushed in astonishment, folding her ears back before answering, “Oh, no. While I’m flattered, I am not her daughter. I earned my wings; I was not born with them.”

“Forgive me, Your Highness, I did not realize.”

“No need to apologize, it is a common misconception about me.” Twilight replied, “Now shall we head up to the castle?”

Luminous listened as Twilight pointed out all manner of buildings and places as they walked the half-mile to the castle; however, he didn’t speak himself, as he was busy taking in the sights and sounds and smells of the new surroundings. The walk seemed shorter than he realized, as they arrived at the castle before he knew it. They turned and waved to the crowd as they stepped into the building.

Within was who he assumed to be Princess Celestia, who stood a bit shorter than his father. The last he saw her she sported a light mane and tail. She looked quite different from her former shorter self. Next to her was a pony he had once known, the dark and beautiful alicorn, Princess Luna. He was surprised to see she had not changed as much, only growing taller and more powerful as her mane reflected the night sky. Luna stood wide-eyed, seemingly unable to believe who was in front of her. “Greetings, it a pleasure to see you again, Prince Luminous Sovereign.” she paused debating whether or not to re-introduce herself, ultimately deciding formalities demanded it and continued. “I am Princess Celestia, and this is-”

“Princess Luna.” Luminous took Luna’s hoof in his and kissed it. He looked into her teal eyes passing and understanding to her as those around them gasped.

Luna blushed, unable or unwilling to explain to them that she knew the prince far better than she let on.

Princess Celestia shook her head for a few a minutes, seemingly lost in thought pertaining to the sight before her. Finally she spoke. “Am I to understand you remember my sister?”

“As I remember the stars in her beautiful night sky, or the cool sea breeze from long ago,” Luminous replied, smiling a devilishly handsome smile only at Luna as he spoke.

“I trust you had an enjoyable tour through the city?” Celestia said, trying to change the subject to distract herself from the awkward silence that had formed, as the other two princesses present could no longer speak.

Luminous pulled away from Luna to face Celestia calmly, neutrality replacing his features almost as if they whole scene had never happened, “Yes, your city was very lovely. I quite enjoyed how much your civilization has grown over the last thousand years. I didn't expect it to be full of so much life and color,” he replied.

“Good. I am glad you enjoyed it and found our fair capital to be so interesting. Shall we move to the meeting room to begin negotiations?”

“It would be my pleasure,” he replied.

With the meeting ending and the ponies in the room watching as the two diarchs and the siren signed the treaty, Luna spoke. “Prince Luminous, since you're staying with us for the next week, allow me to show you to your room.”

“Thank you, Your Highness. It would be most appreciated,” Luminous replied.

She led the prince out of the room. She looked to him as they walked down the halls expecting an answer; when she did not get one, she spoke up. “Would you please explain yourself? I am at a loss regarding your behaviour from earlier.”

“What is there to say? I needed to gain an advantage by throwing you off, so I took a page from Soul’s book.” His features showed no warmth or feeling. There was only coldness in his blue-silver eyes, which made Luna’s heart sink.

“What do you mean? Do you not remember what transpired between us all those years ago?” she pleaded as a single tear rolled down her cheek. “I thought for a moment that you had done what you did to tell me you regretted not showing up that night.”

“I recall very well, but as you said in your letter, our duty is to our subjects--you to Equestria, and I to my father and empire. Or am I wrong in this assumption?” Luminous replied. Pain flashed in his eyes for just a moment, but soon it was replaced by an even colder look. “I...I care not for you any longer, or for your lies.”

“No! I waited for you! I waited ‘til dawn for you!” Luna’s voice cracked and the tears flowed freely down her cheeks in a desperate attempt to defend herself.

Luminous could hear the tears in her voice. He could feel her pain but dared not look at her, as his heart would leave him. The four guards that followed behind them dared not speak up, for they knew that this was not the time; only one paid any mind to what was happening. “I’m sorry Luna, but this is how it must be.”

Luna stopped, her heart breaking. All the memories from before rushed back to her; she shook her head in an attempt to regain her composure and called for a guard to come to her. “I cannot continue to lead you to your room; I must attend to other duties. This guard will show you the way. May your visit be a pleasant one.” All feeling had dropped out of her voice.
The prince didn’t look back. “I trust you will send one of your guards to my chambers if you have need of me.”

Both parties walked off. When the prince was out of sight, Luna ran to her room almost flying through the halls. Bursting through the doors, not caring if they slammed behind her, she fell on her bed crying.

Luminous heard Luna’s hoofsteps echo in the the distance, ~I’m sorry, Luna, I really am,~ he thought to himself. Once he was within the bedchambers given to him, he set aside his belongings, taking out a single aged navy-blue feather. He held it to his chest as he looked out the window.

He noticed Sir Phoenix was the only one of his guard that was within the room. He was the only one who cared for him. Phoenix was his closest friend, often at times taking on a fatherly aspect. This warmed Luminous’s heart, but the pain of what he had done to Luna kept his mood downtrodden.

“You’re hiding your pain again; don’t even try to tell me otherwise. I may be a fool next to you, but I also know you well enough to know when you’re in pain,” Sir Phoenix spoke out.

“It is but an old wound that need not worry you. It’s just I didn’t think I’d ever see her again.” Luminous put the feather back in his bag for safekeeping, never looking toward Phoenix. “I loved her once.”

“Aye, I thought as much. In fact, it seems you still do, and if I had to bet from what I’ve seen, she still loves you,” Phoenix replied, encouraging Luminous to continue speaking.

“I do not! All I hold for her is hate!” Luminous shouted.

Phoenix at one time would have feared his prince yelling. “That is a lie and you know it,” he replied without any fear. “Tell me the truth.”

“Leave me!” Luminous commanded.

Phoenix shook his head and did as ordered.

Hearing their princess crying in her chambers, the guards outside her door worried.

“Should we see if she is ok?”

“No I don’t think she would want us to do that.”

“Then what would you have us do? She obviously needs consoling.”

Just then, Twilight passed by and overheard the loud crying and the guards’ distress. “I'm sorry for eavesdropping. With the crying, I could not help but worry.” she paused “Do you know what is going on?”

“We’re not sure, when she came back she just barged in her room crying.” the first guard said.

“If you know of a way to help her, please do what you can. We hate to see our princess in pain.” the second guard said concerned.

“Yes, I will go talk to her, if nothing else, it should at least calm her down.” Twilight reassured them.

“Thank you Princess.” They said in unison opening the doors slightly.

***

Luna heard her doors creak open. “Who is there?” she asked, her eyes puffy and red when she turned to look at the intruder.

“It is just me, Twilight. I came to see if you were alright. I heard you crying and your guards were concerned, so I came to offer my ears.”

“I do not wish to talk, Twilight, but I appreciate the gesture,” Luna replied, getting up.

“I understand, Luna, but it’s not good to bottle it up. I won’t force you to talk, but I'm here if you need me.”

“Thank you. It's not like I want to bottle it up--I want to talk about it--but you would not understand.”

“Oh, how so? Does this have anything to do with the prince’s actions from earlier?”

Luna looked at Twilight and fell to the floor crying again. “Yes, I… I don’t know how to explain it.”

“Well, for starters, how about you explain how he knows you?”

Luna wiped the tears from her cheeks with a hoof. “We met before my banishment. Our kingdom was new, and we had just made contact with Atlantis. It was our first visit to the fishing village of Tall Tale, the first stop before we entered their city. I had gone out in the town to talk to the villagers. As I made my way to the beach, I saw him. He was so handsome. His dark blue scales and shining silver mane were enchanting.” Luna paused.

Twilight noticed the dreamy look in her eyes but said nothing, allowing the night princess to continue.

“I was too afraid to approach him, yet little did I know that only a day later I would meet him. He was to greet us at the diplomatic negotiations. When I sat across from him, I couldn’t help but be distracted. Thankfully, my sister was there to keep things going. Later that evening, before returning to Tall Tale, he came to talk to me. He said, ‘Greetings, I am Luminous. I noticed you earlier at the beach, then again at our talks, and thought that an angel had fallen from the heavens.’” Luna paused to laugh. Twilight laughed as well, if not for anything more than how cheesy it was.

“Astonished as I was, I only laughed at him, I recall him being downhearted after that. He blushed bright red, and rushed way. I ran after him apologizing. ‘Wait!’ I said, calling out. ‘I didn't mean to laugh; I couldn’t help myself.’ He turned around, and we talked. We talked for hours that night. After that, our friendship grew, and over time, we fell in love. When the war broke out, we were forced to meet in secret. One night he wrote me a letter; I recall it saying, ‘Luna, let’s run away together and never look back. I love you and I want us never again to be apart.’ I replied to him, and I set out to meet him. It was that very night that the empire disappeared. I did not know. I waited till dawn. When he did not come, I assumed the worst. After that I never saw him again.”

“Wait, then how do you feel now? I mean, this seems like you should be overjoyed--he's your long lost love.”

“Yes, I was overjoyed at first. I offered to take him to his room, and we talked.” Tearing up, she continued, “He told me he made that show of affection to throw me off and gauge my feelings for him. He never truly believed me. He said he no longer loved me and didn't want to rekindle what we once had.”

“Do you honestly think that's true? I mean, how was he acting when he said that?”

“At first he sounded hurt and sorry, then he turned cold and angry. After that, I couldn't be around him anymore, so I left.”

“Now I know for a fact from watching you and Celestia that he could have just put on his mask to push you away. Give him time; you two might come to at least be friends again.”

“Maybe..” Luna said, standing and crawling back into bed. “I have to attend to my duties tonight so I need to sleep,” Luna said on the verge of passing out.

“Alright, then I'll leave you to it. I hope you at least feel a little better.”

“Not perfect, but better than I was, thank you, Twilight.”

The sun was low in the sky and the night would soon be upon him, which was what Phoenix had been waiting for. “Vendix, make sure our prince gets his meal; I have something to look into.” That said, he left the room.

Once in the hall, two thoughts struck him: one, he had no idea where he was going; and two, he wasn’t sure if it was wise to ask an Equestrian Guard. So he wandered for a bit until he spotted a thestral guard. He hoped that their shared blood would help allow him the courage to ask for directions. He walked over to the the guard and asked, “Good sir, I was hoping you could tell me where I may find Princess Luna. I have a message for her.”

The Night Guard thought for a moment. “Well, at this time, she would be raising the moon, but I would be happy to give her the message for you.”

“Prince Luminous made it clear that it was for her ears only,” he replied.

The Night Guard bit his lip. “I understand. She would be on top the tower of the moon, which you can reach by going down the hall and taking a right. You’ll need to exit at the first double doors you find and fly up there.”

Phoenix nodded. “Thank you, good sir.” It didn’t take him long to find his way, and then to find Princess Luna. He watched as the silvery orb rose slowly into the sky and the stars slowly appeared in the night sky. He could see Luna’s horn was aglow with pure power, a kind he had only seen a few times.

Once the moon was in the sky, he dared to speak. “Your Highness, may I have a word?” he asked.

“Who is asking, you or your prince?” Luna replied.

“My prince doesn’t know I’m here. In truth, I worry for him.” Phoenix walked closer. “I know what happened between you two, and I know you may believe that my lord has sent me to vex you. But I assure you that is not the case.”

“You sound sincere, but how do I know you are not lying to me? For all I know, you could just be here to tell me again he doesn't want to see me.”

“Aye, I could. I could even give you honeyed words and sweeter lies than you could imagine. No, I’m here for my lord’s wellbeing. He has been acting off ever since he saw you today; at first, it seemed good, but then... you know.”

“Then tell me, little pony, what does he feel for me, since you seem to know?” Luna’s face was inches from his own, her eyes glowing bright teal as they filled with power and anger.

Phoenix didn’t flinch at her display. “Simple. Hurt. Betrayal. But even if he can lie to himself, I know my lord, and he loves you. He was crying when he walked away; only one who truly knows him could tell.”

“Then why is it you that comes before me, and not he? Is he not strong enough to face me himself?” Luna’s anger showed in her fur: Phoenix could see her fur getting darker and fangs protruding from her lips. Her mane seemed to reflect the night sky.

“I’ll regret saying this, but my lord is a stubborn fool, and he has a good dose of pride. So believe me or don’t, I care not, but when I saw a blue feather in his belongings, I knew who it belonged to.” Phoenix reached into his armor pocket and pulled out a dirty old feather.

Luna paused, all show of intimidation gone. Her coat returned to normal, as well as her eyes. “He has my feather?” Luna reached out with her hooves to touch the feather.

“Always. I did often wonder what mare won his heart, but I never could figure it out ‘til I saw you, as there are no pegasi within the empire.” Phoenix gave her the feather. “If you care for him, I’m sure he’ll get a new one.”

A tear slid down her cheek as she held the feather close to her chest. “Then what would you suggest I do? I can’t very well bring this back to him--he would wonder where I got it. It's clearly older than my current feathers.” She noticed the charred edges.

Phoenix laughed a bit. “Aye, and I doubt I could sneak the old one back in. But I suggest you find the reason why he feels this way. Things are not as they appear.” At that, he stood and began to depart. “Also, maybe try your intimidation tactic on him--you might find you get an interesting reaction. If you are wondering why it didn’t work on me, you haven’t seen my emperor angry yet.”