Chapter 1
Luna sat alone in the darkened throne room, her anxiousnesness towards the next few hours palpable. "Is this not too soon Tia?" She muttered quitely to herself, her guards thankfully out of earshot. Although it had already been a year since her return as The Lunar Diarch, and her redemption at the hooves of The Elements, Luna believed that she was not yet ready to face the Canterlot nobility.
Sighing heavily, Luna began to take up a regal posture upon the throne, and after checking to make sure her regalia was straightened, and presentable, she opened her mouth to call the first noble in. Before the order could be given however a blinding flash accompinied by a resounding crash not unlike thunder shook the throne room engulfed her senses.
When Luna had recovered, blinking a few spots from her vision, Luna stared wide eyed at the scene before her. In the center of the room was somehting Luna had not been sure could have existed before seeing it herself.
A male alicorn.
The shock wore off as she took in his visage. He stood half a head shorter than herself, his mane was a pitch black with metallic grey highlights, his fur by contrast was a deep crimson, a cutie mark depicting a black shield with a white crosshair in its center adorned his flank, and his wings were larger than average, even for an alicorn. Perhaps his most alarming feature were his eyes, they were a shade of bright blue with cerulean smoke trailing from their edges. A metallic harness of someking wrapped around his barrel, a strange metal tube attached on one side.
Less than five seconds after his arrival he was surrounded by every lunar guard in the area. The stallion looked around confused, his gaze shifting from guard to gaurd until his eyes met Luna's. After several seconds of staring, an internal debate playing out on his features, his expression became neutral and he bowed before stating. "My Empress."
Complete and utter shock filled Luna once again for a moment before she regained her composure and announced. "Rise and speak thy name and title."
The stallion rose from his submissive posture, with a suspicious glare fixed upon Luna before answering in a slightly subdued tone. " I am Grand Strategy Alicorn Prince of War." He paused titlting his head. "But if I may ask, why do you not know who I am, and furthermore why do you look like your old self?"
To say Luna was suprised would be an understatement. Had she not been over three thousand years old she may have let that suprise slip onto her features. Instead a dead calm disguised her shock, and she readied a very specific spell, hiding the glowing of her horn with an overlayed illusion spell. She still needed time to fully prepare however and to buy that time she stated. "The answer is quite simple." She drew out the sentence for a few precious seconds. Suddenly her expression grew serious and in the royal canterlot voice shouted. "WE ARE LUNA!"
Grand Strategy was hit with the full force of her voice blowing him over, and back several feet before he could recuperate. Luna hit him with a powerful sleep spell knocking him out instantly. Luna promptly turned to half of her assembled guards and said. "Bind him fully, but leave him here I can watch him." She then turned to the rest and said. "And the rest of you, go and wake my sister she will need to hear of this...and the Element Bearers as well we may need their assistance."
Upon finishing her orders the guards all began to fullfill their roles with precise efficiency. In short order Grand Strategy was fully subdued in the middle of the room. Soon the doors to the throne room opened and Celestia strode into the room before stopping dead, and stared wide eyed at the male alicorn.
Once Celestia had recuperated she turned to her sister. "Sister who is this, and why is he subdued?"
"His name is Grand Strategy, and he is most likely a servant of Nightmare Moon." She shuddered before adding. "He referred to me as Empress, and questioned my current visage."
"That is quite troubling." Celestia stated. She turned to Luna. "Will you be alright dear sister?"
Luna met her sisters worried gaze before looking at Grand Strategy once again in deep thought. After a moment she said. "Sister didn't you destroy all of the Nightmare Moon worshippers?"
"Yes, none of them lasted for long, even when you came back to us." Thinking for a moment she quickly added. "Your thestrals excluded of course."
"That is a relief, but in any case I doubt this stallion can be held responsible for anything he may or may not have done." Luna said walking over to the stallion's unconscious form. Celestia looked at Luna taken aback, before her eyes narrowed at the stallion. "And why not sister?"
"This is why." Luna stated carefully lifting one of the stallion's eyelids with her magic. Celestia looked down in shock and outrage. "Mind Control." She growled menacingly. "Yes, he has not been in control of himself for who knows how long." Luna said somberly. "Worse yet, I recognize the magic signature behind his controll." She turned to Celestia with another shudder. "Mine or Nightmare Moon's in this case."
Luna closed her eyes. "Tia Just what is happening?"
"I don't know, but I have a feeling we will find out sooner rather than later." As soon as she finished the throne room doors opened once more and six familiar mares trotted in, all with varying degrees of worry displayed on their features.
Twilight Sparkle immediately asked. "You summoned us Prin..." She stopped mid-title and stared at the unconscience alicorn. Silenc reigned for several tense seconds before she spoke again. "Is that what I think it is?"
"Indeed my student, it as another alicorn...and a male one at that." Celestia answered.
Luna turned to the mares. "My friends, I wish we could have met again under more...controlled circumstances, and I am sorry to interrupt your dreams, but I need your help."
"Of course we'll help you princess. Right everypony?" Rainbow Dash said turning back to her friends whom were all nodding. "Thank you all. For what I have in mind we will need The Elements of Harmony. Would you please go with my sister, and retrieve them?" She turned to Celestia with a questioning look. "Good plan sister. I will inform our friends of what happened on the way. we will return soon."
With that the Sun Princess, and The Bearers all proceeded to the Elements holding place. Luna sat next to Grand Strategy, his eyelids twitching in his fitfull sleep. "What happened to you young one?" She muttered low enough that her thestrals didn't hear her. She didn't have to wait long as only minutes later Celestia returned with The Bearers, now equiped with the The Elements, in tow.
"We have returned. Were there any complications?" Celestia aked. "No, his dreams are quite disturbed from what I can tell, but other than that nothing else has happened." Luna answered. She turned The Bearers and their Elements. "Are you all ready?"
"Of course Princess, just give the signal and we'll zap him." Rainbow Dash responded.
Luna raised an eyebrow. "Very well please proceed." Upon hearing her order all six elements began to glow as their bearers rose above the floor, after a brief moment of hovering a prismatic beam of magic cascaded forth and collided with Grand Strategy. The Elements' glow faded and the mares dropped to the floor.
Celestia began unbinding Grand Strategy, and soon all of the inhibiting items were removed. Then he began to stir, Luna having released him from slumber. Luna watched with trepidation as he slowly rose to his hooves blinking sleep from his eyes. He lifted his head and gazed directly at Luna, after a few seconds his attention drifted to Celestia, and finally The Bearers.
Grand Strategy's face contorted and he let loose a heart shattering wail of pain and dispair. His eyes filled with tears and he scrambled backwards until his back pressed against a nearby pillar. He stayed in his hunched position and continued to cry until his gaze dropped to his harness. All at once his tears stopped flowing, and his wails died out, only to be replaced with a rage filled screech.
In a motion almost too quick to see, he ripped the odd harness from his barrel with enough telekinetic force to violently break the metal, the sharp ends and warped pieces of the now ruined harness tore into him opening several small cuts. Seeming to ignore the pain he threw the device several meters away. It found itself in Grand Strategy's magical grasp once again as he lifted it into the air and crushed it in one quick application of force, before letting it drop to the ground. His horn then began to glow, and a beam of fire erupted from him colliding with the harness in a blinding flash. When the light receded the harness was little more than slag.
Grand Strategy Stood at the column panting heavily, with sweat dripping from his brow. The others turned to look back at him in just enough time to see him collapse once more, his body wracking with sobs as he muttered, "I'm so sorry." over and over.
Luna was the first to respond, "There is nothing to fear young one, you are safe here. I assure you that we have no intention of harming you." she looked to Celestia hopefully, who only nodded in approval. Meanwhile Grand Strategy sat upright, casting a weary glance towards The Bearers, and muttered. "Yeah, says the one with the Death Star of Friendship over there." He paused looking at the gathered thestrals standing just behind The Sisters before continuing. "And the small army of Lunar Guard."
Celestia's expression became momentarily confused at his reference before she sighed and said. "I have no clue what this 'Death Star' you speak of is, but my sister is right, we mean you no harm. The Elements of Harmony are here because they are the ones who removed the spell controlling your mind."
Luna was quick to add. "That and my thestrals were already here when you showed up, We were just about to hold Night Court. If we wanted you dead, We would have slain you in your sleep."
"I suppose since you did keep me alive that you want answers?" Grand Strategy asked. Celestia's response was immediate. "No! We saw that the magic signature behind your controll was Nightmare Moon, and we wished to free you from that burden." She paused before adding. "Although answers would be nice, this whole situation is confusing in a way I have never seen, nor experienced before."
Grand Strategy sighed. "Very well I will explain all that transpired, but first can you send the guards away?" Luna turned to her guards and ordered. "Go about your normal duties, we will handle this." Her guards gave her a salute with a resounding, "Yes Princess!" before departing. Luna's horn then began to glow and a transparent cerulean bubble expanded from the tip of her horn. Once it covered the surrounding area she released the spell, and the sphere instantly faded. "There, a simple soundproofing spell, now nopony can eavesdrop on our conversation."
Grand Strategy sighed and looked down unable to meet anypony's gaze. "If you need time we can wait. I understand that this must be hard for you." Celestia said in her famous motherly tone. "No, I'm fine. Just trying to gather my thoughts, there are so many things I did that I regret." His gaze traveled upward, meeting Celestia's with a newfound determination. "First though I should explain a few things, for one I'm not a pony, or rather I wasn't one at first."
"Wait how is that possible? Your an alicorn, you would have needed to be a pony to ascend, or have been born one in the first place." Twilight shouted. "My student, perhaps if we let him continue he'll tell us." Celestia responded with a light-hearted chuckle. "Yes Princess." Twilight said sheepishly.
"Anyway I'm originally of a species known as humans, which are basically bipedal mammals that somewhat resemble monkies. Well one day Discord showed up at my home. Now obviously I was quite shocked, but before I could say anything he offered me a deal. One in which if I agreed to help a doomed timeline of Equus he would grant me my own ponyform, and once there I could stay on Equus if I chose. Needless to say I accepted. I described the form I wanted, a red pegasus/thestral hybrid with a black and gunmetal grey mane and tail. He snapped his fingers and 'poof' I was a pony, only issue was the horn on the top of my head in addition to my wings. I was going to question it, but before I could he smiled and snapped his fingers again." He chose that moment to pause and ask. "Now before I continue does anypony have questions?"
"Ah have one." Applejack spoke up. "Why in tarnation would you accept a deal from Discord?" Grand Strategy turned to her and answered. "To be honest I didn't think about it much. I saw an oppurtunity most others would sell their souls for, and I took it." He chuckled darkly. "And despite everything he kept his word." Applejack seemed slightly confused, but accepted the answer with a quick nod.
"I also have a question." Twilight said. "Our world doesn't have a sentient species like you described, nor is there anything on humans. In addition, from your response to Applejack's question, I assume you knew about Discord and Equus prior your run in. So my question is just how did you know?"
Grand Strategy sighed. "I was hoping to avoid this for a little while longer, but you bring up a valid point, and you all deserve to know. Alright, I'm assuming you all know what movies are, correct?" Everypony present nodded and he continued. "Good that'll make this a little bit easier to explain then. On my world we have advanced technology due to humans lack of magic, and we can't get from anything else since we evolved as the only sentient species on our planet. To this end we have a thing television shows, which are like really long movies. However it's broken up in 'episodes' which are normally thirty minutes to an hour in length. A single show can anything between a dozen to hundreds of individual episodes." He paused thinking, before continuing. "There is a show on my world that is about Equus, or more specifically the exploits and adventures of you six." He said pointing a hoof at The Bearers. "I was one of those who watched it, although not that often, I liked the fan created stories better."
All of their faces displayed various levels of shock and disbelief, but none could match the rage written on Luna's. "So you mean to tell me a planet of beings spied on these young mares!?" Grand Strategy reeled back from the sudden aggression. "No, I don't know the exact number of people who watched it, but I do know it wasn't our entire planet. Also the show didn't get into specifics on their personal lives beyond their adventures, so we don't see things like them taking showers or anything." He flinched again under Luna's ever hardening stare, before adding. "Plus think about it this way, this world, universe, timeline, whatever you want to call it, is one of infinite. Up until I met Discord I was unsure wether I believed that theory or not. Now however I am currently talking to people the rest of my world consider to be fictional. It's all a matter of perspective. I know that answer might seem unsatisfactory, but think on it, and come to your own conclusion. If you still dislike me, or humans then that is your choice, but at least give it a chance."
This explanation seemed to calm Luna somewhat as her expression softened. "I understand now. This multiverse of infinite timelines you describe, sounds a lot like The Realm of Dreams We watch over. Therefore I cannot blame you or your people for being ignorant of this...transgression." Grand Strategy released the breathe he didn't realise he'd been holding. "Thats...a massive relief. I'm thankfull for your understanding, and believe me I had some serious culture shock upon ending up in Equus at first." Luna's eye's hardened once more as she stated. "Although I understand, this does not mean you do not have to explain yourself to my sister, Twilight, and her friends." He shook his head vigorously. "Of course I'll give them a more in depth explanation after I finish my story."
"Speaking of. Should I continue from where I left off?" After a small round of nods Grand Strategy continued. "Alright. Now after my initial shock of being thrust into a new universe, I scanned my surroundings. Turns out I had found my self at the summit of Canterhorn in front of the old path to Canterlot, and that Discord had left me a care package of sorts. In it I found a cloak to cover my wings, and a fairly large bag of bits to pay for food and shelter. After I had that established I made my way up into the city. When I finally reached the city proper, I purchased a newspaper to find out recent events. Turns out it was only a couple of days until the One Thousandth Summer Sun Celebration. However I knew it by another title-"
"The return of Nightmare Moon." Luna interrupted somberly. "Yes. Now after that revelation I knew I had to stay mostly out of the way. Since my very existence in this timeline had irreversibly changed it, I couldn't risk changing it too much, lest something catastrophic like Twilight never meeting her friends and discovering The Elements of Harmony happen. I failed." Grand Strategy finished looking down once more.
"I made my way to Ponyville right away. I mostly travelled by hoof, but a passing family was kind enough to offer me a ride about halfway there. Once I reached the town I laid low at the local inn waiting for Twilights arrival and the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration. When Twilight did arrive I followed her to see if there were any divergences in the timeline." Grand Strategy paused once again, hesitant to explain what happened next.
"Then She arrived. Her appearance was as it should be right down to the corny monologue, and the cheesy villain laugh. To be honest I was relieved, this was a sign that Nightmare Moon's return would proceed as it should. And to be honest it did at first, Twilight grouping all of her new friends to find The Elements, the different encounters in The Everfree Forest, and Twilight confronting Nightmare Moon in the castle alone. It all fell apart from that point onward. At this point I was adept enough with my wings to hover in place in front of one of the castle's windows. What I saw inside nearly made my heart stop. You all know how it should have happened, Twilight was supposed to charge straight at Nightmare Moon, then she teleports behind her to try, and activate The Elements manually. However this time instead of reciprocating her charge Nightmare Moon wrapped Twilight in a telekinesis field, and waited for her friends to come charging into the room. When they arrived she gave them an ultimatem, surrender or their and Twilight's lives would be forfeit."
"It was at this point I intervened I crawled in through the window and confronted Nightmare Moon myself. I'd intended to reveal my alicorn nature to throw her off and give Twilight and her friends enough time to escape and/or grab The Elements of Harmony, all Nightmare saw however, was an oppurtinity. She extended her grasp to me as well, and proceeded to bend me to her will. Once I was fully under her...controll, she gave me my first orders. 'Bind them'. And thus began our reign of terror on an ususpecting kingdom." Grand Strategy began to cry once more emotionally overwhelmed after reliving his painfull memories.
"You do not have to continue for now, if you wish. We can wait until you are comfortable with telling us. Nopony should have to endure the horrors you went through against your will." Celestia said gently, rising to wrap Grand Strategy with her wings in a comforting embrace.
"No. It is better if I tell you now while the previous events are still fresh." Grand Strategy wiped his tears away with a hoof before continuing. "After...detaining Twilight and her friends, Nightmare Moon invaded my mind and saw what I knew of human enginuity, which honestly isn't much, particularly our war machines. She knew we wouldn't be able to take on the entirety of the Equestrian military let alone the rest of the worlds armies, so we hid and waited. During this time she would sneak out and controll unsuspecting victims, and bring them back to our hideout. She targeted those with knowledge of machinery and enchantments first, and after a time we were able to use my sparse knowledge of human machinery, and warfare to create our own war machines."
"Utilizing both steam based technologies, and magicite based enchantments we created a new form of technology. Magitech. With this new and incredibly powerfull system, and my 'expertise' we created multiple different designs. Among them was an armoured combat vehicle known as a tank, an advanced combat airship, and guns that utilized two telekinetically enchanted magicite crystals to accelerate crafted pieces of metal at high velocities."
"Thanks to Nightmare Moon's foresight, we were in the largest industrial complex on the planet, the griffin's capitol city of Terronthia. By this point, several months had passed since Nightmare's return, and most of the griffin leadership, and workforce were under her influence. After that their factories began constructing our designs. The Griffin Empire fell soon after, as the first casualty of my machines."
"When she saw the effectiveness of my designs, and strategies she promoted me to General of her forces, and sent me out to extinguish The Solar Guard and the other branches of the Equestrian military. I personally killed hundreds. Felled by my magic, which Nightmare Moon had been teaching me in her spare time, and my 'battle saddle' with a magitech version of a human World War II anti-tank rifle. That same weapon is now a pile of slag sitting on the floor over there." He pointed a hoof at his destroyed battle saddle.
"I can still hear the screams, and the pleads for mercy. That weapon was favored by Nightmare Moon, and by extension me, because when the projectile would penetrate flesh, there would be a moment of recognition in the victim before they exploded into gore." Most of the gathered ponies began to turn green. Fluttershy began to cry, with Pinkie Pie attempting to comfort her. "I never want to use, or even see a weapon like that ever again. It haunts me, especially now."
Grand Strategy took a shaky breath, wiping the vestigial tears in his eyes. "It took mere weeks for Eqeustria to fall, conquered by my forces. As a 'reward' for my victory Nightmare Moon gave me the 'great honor' of publicly executing Princess Celestia" He looked to the Celestia sitting before him with a sorrowfull expression, and still on the brink of sobbing. After an encouraging nod he proceeded. "She made the whole thing out as a grand spectacle, gathered everypony she could to Canterlot Square, news ponies, surviving Solar Rebel leaders, even the would be Mane Six...The Element bearers, she even had a special ceremonial dagger made for me to slice Celestia's throat."
"When I made my way to fulfill Nightmare's orders, Celestia began pleading. At first it was to me, and then when she realised I was a mere puppet, to Nightmare Moon. None of it phased her. Just when I was about to plunge the dagger into Celestia's neck, her eyes suddenly focused, and her horn glowed. Thankfully for me, she seemed to have been given a defective, or insufficient magic supressor ring. Before anypony could react she told me in an impossibly calm voice to 'redeem yourself'. Next thing I remember is standing in this throne room in front of Luna." With his tale concluded Grand Strategy slumped down, tears began to fall from his form once more. All at once every pony in the room embraced him in a comforting group hug.
It took several minutes, but eventually the tears stopped, the gathered ponies parted from the hug. Grand Strategy looked to everypony in the room, his eyes now red, and puffy. "Thank you. It means so much that you would comfort a monster like myself." Celestia tensed from this statement and almost shouted. "Enough. You are not at fault for what the real monster made you do. No matter what don't forget that. You weren't yourself."
"I know. I just need time to process it. It was like being trapped in my own body while it was in autopilot. Heh, now I know what it feels like to be a host to a Yeerk, or maybe even a Goa'uld." Everypony had confused looks upon there faces again, to which Grand Strategy replied. "Yeah nevermind, Earth reference. I'll explain another time."
"Well what happened to you was simply dreadfull, but what will you do now?" Rarity asked speaking for the first time since Grand Strategies appearance. He smiled almost devishly, plans already forming in his head, as he replied. "Elementary my dear Rarity." He looked up as dramatically as possible at the ceiling. "I'm going to kick some serious Ass."
Chapter 2
The blaring of an alarm clock caused me to awaken from my fitfull sleep. I rolled over to see that it was already late in the morning, almost noon in fact. I tossed aside the silken blanket that had been holding back the biting cold of late fall. Now shivering I made my way to the balcony, and opened the curtains, bathing the room in the orange glow of the sun, and warming my coat significantly.
As my mental faculties slowly rebooted, my thoughts turned to the events of last night. My sudden arrival in an alternate timeline...again, The Elements being used to free my mind at long last, the subsequential emotional outburst, and the story of my past. I know I told Rarity that I knew what I was going to do, and to an extension I did, but what I failed to mention was that I was utterly at a loss for how to go about it.
'Hmm, I wonder if Princess Celestia is busy.' I turned my head to the door of my room, I mentally shrugged, and made my way to the door. Before I had even made it halfway across the room I heard a knock at my door. 'Strange, wonder who that could be?'
I finished my leisurely trot to the other end of my room, and slowly opened the door. On the other side giving me a warm smile was Princess Celestia, she also appeared to have a tray of small sandwiches wrapped in her telekinesis.
"Good morning Grand Strategy. Are you feeling any better this morning?" She asked kindly.
"Good morning Princess. Yes I am feeling much better, especially since now when I wake up I can move on my own accord." I greeted her with a small smirk.
"You seem to be taking things rather well, considering. May I come in?" She asked.
"Of course." I stepped aside to let the larger mare into the room. "And to be honest I haven't thought about my past much. Aside from yesterday that is. Currently I'm more concerned about my future."
She made her way past me and set the small tray on the table, grabbing a teacup from the set I didn't notice she'd brought. "Yes, that is why I am here, if only in part. Tea, maybe a sandwich?"
I shut the door, and trotted to the other side of the table. "Yes, please. What kind of tea is it?"
"Earl Grey, and before you ask the sandwiches are daffodil and cheese."
"Huh, so you guys have Earl Grey too? That's handy." I sat down, and before I knew it I had two small saucers sitting in front of me, one for the sandwich the other the tea. I dug in with all the royal tact of a diamond dog.
Celestia chuckled lightly. "Hungry, are we?"
I swallowed a hasty bite. "Sorry, the last meal I had was before...your execution. I am still so sorry."
"Please you have nothing to apologize for, and I just figured you had slept through breakfast. It seems I was correct." She began slightly sipping her tea, putting my manners to utter shame.
I hastily finished my sandwich and gulped down my tea. When I finished she offered another, I shook my head, but didn't say no to the new cup of tea she was pouring me. "Thanks. Listen, Princess-"
"Celestia will do just fine, if you would. You are a fellow alicorn after all." She chastised with a small laugh.
"Alright...Celestia. I cannot thank you enough for what you, Luna, and the others did for me." I took a far more appropriate sip of my tea, planning to savour it this time.
"We could not stand idly by while you suffered. We won't hold you accountable for 'your' previous actions. However what you do from now on is an entirely different story. So what do you plan to do?"
I leaned back with a long exhale. "To be honest I know what I need to do, I just don't know how to accomplish it just yet. Give me a moment to think." Celestia gave a small nod, and I began to rationalize my situation. 'I need an army. A very large one at that, but how to get it?' I sat there and pondered my options for a few minutes, Celestia sitting, and watching patiently.
"I've got it! Changelings!" I suddenly exclaimed. Celestia's face scrunched up in obvious confusion and distaste. "Changelings?" I looked up at her a large grin beginning to form. "Exactly. Changelings are insectoid, highly industrious, and if this dimension is like most others I've 'heard about', then they'll also have some form of hive mind." I shot up, and started pacing, my mind working in overdrive.
"If I can make a deal with Chrysalis, and align at least a small portion of her hive with my cause, that'll solve a lot of my problems, resources in particular. Celestia how far is their hive?" I stopped dead in my tracks, and looked to her expectantly.
"The exact location of their hive is unknown, but we do know it is somewhere in the southern area of The Badlands. That would be a weeks journey by air at least. I could provide an airship for transport, but I do not think this is a wise decision. I myself have not met The Changeling Queen, but if she is anything like the rest of her kind she will not be easy to coerce."
"I know, but it's the only concievable option I have. Short of asking you for a large portion of the countries industrial resources, which we both know won't happen. Thankfully I am the creator of magitech, so I know it's applications quite intimately, I just need designs that can outmatch my old ones." I began my pacing anew, pouring out my inner dialogue in front of Celestia. "Hmm. I'll need a workspace, somewhere secluded, and that can afford to take a lot of punishment."
As I rambled on I failed to notice Celestia's own ponderings. "What about my, and Luna's old castle?"
I stopped again, and looked at her in bewilderment. "What! I can't do that! I refuse to turn a place you once called home into a workshop, let alone a weapons testing facility!" I all but shouted.
"Please I insist. As it stands our old castle is wasting away in a forest none, save a very select few, would ever enter. It was our home yes, and I would hate to see it damaged further, but having it sit there and waste away is worse. It would be better if it had purpose, and you won't be able to change my mind. I'll have your citizenship papers finalized, and the castle with the surrounding area in your posession by the time you return from The Badlands."
I considered arguing further, but I knew I wouldn't be able to change her mind if I tried. Instead I returned to thinking on my options. "Wait a minute. I just realized I've had a massive oversight. You said you haven't met the Changeling Queen correct?" Celestia looked up from the tea she'd continued drinking. "Yes, I have never once met her in person...that I know of mind you."
'Hmm, pre-wedding invasion, that's handy.' I looked to Celestia still pacing. "Do you know of a griffin engineer by the name of Oberon?"
"Not that I can recall. Is he a friend of yours?" Celestia had a small smile on her face.
"Not really, he was among the first griffins to be...assimilated by Nightmare Moon." Celestia's smile disappeared. "However he is the most brilliant airship engineer in The Empire, if he exists in this timeline, he'll be of great help."
Celestia's gaze turned down in thought before answering. "If he does, then I may be able to pull a few favors with some of the ambassadors, we'll see if we can't find your engineer."
"Now if you'll excuse me I must return to Day Court, I'll send a messenger to the airship docks to reserve passage for you to The Badlands. Good Luck." With that final farewell she left my room, taking the lunch trays with her.
I made my way to the door leading to what I assumed to be the bathroom. I opened the door to find the inside fairly spacious, and containing more hygenic supplies then I'd use in a year. I trotted to the fairly large tub and turned on the water, letting the water fill I inspected the various shampoos to figure out what to use. Once I was satisfied with my selection I turned the water off.
The bath had been quite relaxing if uneventfull, and after the post bath routine of brushing my main, tail, and teeth, I was happy enough with my appearance to leave the bathroom. Once I was in the room proper I began to remake my bed, satisfied with my quick cleanup I began my way to the door again, and again there was a knock before I reached it.
Opening the door I saw a young pegasus stallion, a courier by the looks of it. Rather than saying anything he simply stared at me. After a few seconds of awkward silence he shook his head and addressed me. "Terribly sorry your highness. I have a message for you. Princess Celestia has reserved a transport airship for your journey. It's in dock P-7, The Lucky Mare, I believe."
"Thank you, and don't sweat the staring. I know that I'm a bit of a shock. Goodbye, and please send my thanks to Princess Celestia." I walked past him and into the hallway as he called out his own farewell.
I quickly backpedalled, and returned to my room. "Heh. Almost forgot my cloak" I said to him sheepishly. With my wings covered to somewhat hide my alicorn nature I felt prepared to show myself in public. I passed him once again, closing the door behind me.
I quickly made my way through the palace hallways to the nearest exit. As I passed through the overly large doorway I noticed the two solar gaurds salute me. 'Hmm. Celestia must have spread the word of my existance.' I found myself in one of the smaller gardens on the side of the palace grounds, thankfully one with a path directly into the "industrial" parts of the city.
Despite being the capitol of Equestria the industrial sector of Canterlot really only housed the airship docks. Despite this Canterlot was a trade hub, and thus had a large portion of the city dedicated to said dockyards and several maintenance facilities.
When I reached the outskirts of the massive airfield I took a few moments to apprectiate the beauty of dozens of airships, all different in role, design, and size, flying in a swarm of air traffic so thick the sun barely reached the landing platforms below. 'It's official. I'm getting an airship at my earliest convenience.' I smiled to myself still staring skyward. 'Or better yet I'm building one myself.'
I reluctantly tore my gaze from the spectacle, and headed toward the platforms. The overall design and layout of the docks itself reminded me of Cloud City, with several corridors and bridges connecting circular landing areas of various sizes. The complex itself was extended from the city proper having it's own dedicated support structures tethering it to the far side of the mountain.
I navigated the crowd of ponies ,(and several griffons) along the main pathway from the city to the entrance. An archway which reminded me of a massive metal detector rose above the bridge like path, on it's side was a cartoonish depiction of what could only be a changeling with a slash through it's center. 'Changeling detectors at the airport. Interesting.' After making my way through the threshold I followed the pathways to P-7, while on the way I noticed a distinct lack of military airships. 'Perhaps they have their own seperate dockyard? I doubt with how prolific air travel is in Equestria that they wouldn't have at least some combat craft.'
Shaking my head to clear my musing, I focused on the path, only to find myself at my destination. The platform itself was medium sized with a rectangular cutout on the far end of the platform. Filling the space was the gondola of a decent sized arship maybe 75 meters in length, it had two ramps on either side extending to either side of the cutout. The balloon itself had a large band of metal wrapping around the center with the gondola attached to the bottom most section, on the sides of the band two pylons extended outward, each with a large propeller engine attached to their ends.
Several members of the crew were loading large crates into the gondola, with several pegasi mechanics checking both engine pods. A tan pegasus stallion with a jet black mane and tail stood the center most part of the platform overseeing the progress. I made my way toward him, figuring him for the captain. As I got closer I noticed something odd about his cutie mark. 'Wait. Is that? That looks like a Tibanna gas refinery. What the fuck?' I stopped and shrugged to myself. 'No way. I must be imagining things.' I continued my way towards him, he seemed to sense me and turned to face me just before reaching him.
"Oh, hello there. You must be my client." He spoke with a voice that sounded vaguely familiar for some reason.
"Yes, I am. I trust you know the nature of my journey?" I knew he did, he didn't seem like the type to take a job on a limb, I just wanted him to talk more so I could place his voice.
"Of couse. I was quite suprised to find a messanger from Celestia herself requesting transport for friend of hers. So I'm guessing by the horn on your head, and the wings you haphazardly covered on your back, your not some run-the-mill-tourist." He said nonchalantly.
I gaped at him for a moment. "Are they that noticeable?" I asked a hint of fear creeping into my voice.
"Honestly? No there not. I just happen to be good at seeing things that aren't supposed to be seen. That, and I can't think of anyone short of royalty that would want to go to The Badlands." He replied shrugging.
"I see. Well it's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Grand Strategy. And yours would be?" I said.
"Shouldn't it be Prince Grand Strategy?" He asked, annoyingly skipping my question.
"Former Prince more like. I have yet to recieve the title in this Equestria." I answered.
He raised an eyebrow. "I see, I think. Anyway it's a pleasure to meet you as well, my name is Land Over Horizon, but you can call me Land'o."
'You have got to be shitting me.'
"I...buck it. How long until take off?" I asked with a shake of my head.
He raised an eyebrow again, but answered anyway. "In thirty minutes. If you want you can head on inside. Your my only passenger for today."
"Thanks. Dear Faust I need to clear my head." I nodded to...Land'o, and made my way up one of the ramps to the interior of the ship wherein I stopped dead in my tracks. Despite the highly industrial outward appearance of the airship, the internals looked like a five star hotel. My eyes nearly bugged out over the lavish decorations. The floors were carpeted with what appeared to be the Equus equivalent of Persian rugs, while the walls were covered in gold trimmed wallpaper, and several high quality pieces of art hung from them. One piece in particular caught my eye.
It was a beautiful painting featuring Cloudsdale at a distance during sunset, creating a nearly orange sky. The name of the painting was one the bottom corner, it read Cloud City. 'Oh come on! What's next, am I going to find a DL-44 in my dresser? Is a wookie going to pop out of my closet? Or maybe we'll be buzzed by a YT freighter?'
With my frustrations slightly vented I headed down a hallway leading to the living quarters, picking a room at random I entered and locked the door behind me. I took a moment to take in the room, noting it was fairly sparse by comparison to the rest of the ship and it's fancy decor. I made my way to the writing desk postioned at the far end of the room, sitting down I opened the saddle bags at my side and levitated a few key items out onto the desk.
I frowned down at the objects, they looked simple enough, a couple of composition notebooks some filled, but most blank, and some black ink ballpoint pens. Standard Earth office supplies, less standard in Equestria. 'Note to self: Invent the ballpoint pen.' The most unique things in them however were their contents. All of my designs from my time as Nightmare Moon's slave.
Most of these were failed designs or half baked concepts at best, regardless the successes and triumphs of my work were also stored within their pages. This of course made them an invaluable tactical asset, especially for what I was about to do. First I studied the designs failures and successes alike in an attempt to come up with ideas to counter them, most notably more advanced defenses would be needed. I opened a fresh notebook and began jotting down notes and vague concepts.
Before my work could begin in earnest however, somepony knocked at my door. Without getting out of my seat I turned around and opened the door. "Yes, who is it? I have important work to do and not much time to do it."
"My somepony sounds busy." A voice rang out from the open door as Land'o stepped in. "I came to tell you that we are about ready for take off, so you may want to hold onto something."
"Wait. How did you know I was in here?" I asked genuinely curious.
"You mutter to yourself when you 'work', quite loudly as well." I was suddenly thankfull of the red fur that concealed my blush.
"I know it's none of my business, but why were you muttering about Nightmare Moon for? Your not one of those cultists are you?" He asked slightly concerned.
"No, I'm no cultist. I was enslaved by her. She mind controlled me and forced me to make her war machines so she could take over Equestria. These papers that I am going over here, are schematics for those machines." I answered.
"I...see. I'm sorry, I didn't know." He said.
"It's alright as you said you didn't know." I gave him a small smile. "So you said we would be taking off soon?"
"Yes. As I said you may want to hold onto something take offs aren't smooth. I'll leave you to your work." With that he left.
I turned back to the opened books, frowning once more. 'I have a lot of work cut out for me.' I leaned back and stared at the empty ceiling above me. I was forced out of my thoughts by the sudden jolt of takeoff, several of the pens and books on my desk fell to the floor. As I bent down to began collecting, my eyes focused on a design that one of my books had opened to. It was one of the more outlandish and intricate designs I never had the time nor resources to fully develope. At that moment inspiration struck as I began copying it's desing onto a fresh page, making modifications along the way.
All the while a single phrase dominated my thoughts. 'Jaffa...kree!"
