The Eastern Storm

Lightning crescendoed across the night sky in a flashy display, wrapped in a dance of sorts, while menacing clouds gathered, pouring rain down onto the land below, slithering down the sides of the Canterlot Castle, almost like a serpent. Yet eventually, it was interrupted by a window frame, dimly lit up by the small candle that sat on the other side of the window itself, adorning a wooden desk which had other amenities, such as a small bottle filled to the brim with ink, a few stacks of unused parchment, waiting for someone to come along and write whatever their hearts desired onto them.

The rest of the room was a bit more... Ornate. The floor consisted of polished tile, while the walls were a smooth marble, with an equally as impressive looking purple door to going along with it. A singular bed took up most of the room itself, with purple silk sheets, and feather filled pillows, truly, a bed fit for a ruler of some kind. The rest of the room, not including the desk, consisted of a few sitting pillows, which lay in front of a small table, which itself sat in front of a large fireplace, though it wasn't lit.

Suddenly, the window in the room burst open, as the wind outside picked up greatly, ramming the sides of the castle-like an angry bull, determined to break through its fancy walls. The window was promptly shut, however, yellow magic seemingly enveloping it.

"...Serves me right for not locking it properly, I suppose." A rather regal voice said, slightly echoing in the rather grandiose room. With a large, white wing, the source of the voice wiped some of the rain that had gotten in off her face. Without her regalia, it would still be quite obvious to the common pony who she was: Princess Celestia, Co-Ruler of Equestria.

With a reserved sigh, she went about picking up the papers that were now strewn about the floor of her room. Luckily, her magic made this a rather simple task. After she made sure they were sorted, and stacked properly, she felt it now would be a good time to call it a night. Paperwork never was something she enjoyed, which made it a wonder she'd ever managed to stay sane in the bloated system that was Equestrian bureaucracy.

Creaaaaak

Her ear twitched, as the sound hit her eardrum. Fight-or-Flight kicked in. Even one of the most powerful beings in Equestria wasn't immune to her instincts. Yet, she stayed calm, and with a calm demeanor, looked over at the large wardrobe over on the wall furthest from her, which doors laid slightly ajar.

Someone was hiding in it.

Careful not to alert the intruder to her presence, lest they assault her, or something far worse, she quickly turned her attention over to the door, which led out into the hall. To freedom. But it seemed so far away...

With a calming breath, she took a step forward, then another, and another. She repeated this process, slow and steady, always prepared for whoever-or whatever-was in wardrobe to leap out and attack. And as she was a mere hoofstep away from the door, it happened.

She fell to the floor in surprise, as the being cackled in triumph.

It was horrid, the most horrid thing she'd ever seen.

It was...

Her sister, Princess Luna. Ruler of the Moon and Night Sky. And Co-Ruler of Equestria, of course.

"Huzzah! Victory is ours! Judgment shall be quick, dear sister, for your reign is over!" Luna said, a prideful smirk on her face as she towered over the crumpled form of Celestia... Who began to chuckle, softly. It had only been a couple of years since Luna had returned, and while it was quite the understatement to say it had been... A difficult time getting her adjusted to life in modern Equestria, she had now started to get comfortable with her situation. Which made Celestia quite happy, as now, the sister she had known and loved was finally starting to be herself again.

Plus, a good prank war was always fun.

Before she could open her mouth, a water balloon hit her directly in the face, splashing water everywhere. While Luna gave a cheeky smile, Celestia lost hers. She wasn't about to be outdone so easily, or else Luna would never let her live it down. With an ever so subtle grin, she spoke.

"Oh, yes, indeed. You have defeated me fair and square. Dare I say, you're the most powerful being in Equestria, Oh Great Luna." She replied, in feign reverence, hoping to distract Luna as she began to lift a cleverly hidden water balloon over her sisters head. As their prank war had escalated over time, she'd started to leave them all around the castle, as a 'precaution'.

They were quickly broken away from their little 'game' however, as a swift knock came from the door, causing Celestia to drop the balloon she had in slight surprise. Quickly, they got up from the floor, not wanting to be caught in such a 'childish' position. With a few swipes of their hoof, they made sure their manes were at least partially presentable, not that it took much effort, given the nature of them.

Swiftly, they opened the door, revealing a rather well-groomed pony standing there, his black mane neatly combed back, while a quill and scroll adorned his flank. Clearing his throat, he began to speak.

"Your Majesties, I, er, was ordered to inform you both a delegate from the Minotaur Isles is here, requesting audience. He hasn't said exactly what the nature of his visit is. He will only talk to you, I'm afraid." He seemed nervous, as despite being a servant in the castle for a few months now, he'd never actually spoken with the Princesses in person. They did find it endearing. With warm smiles, they nodded.

"Ah, yes... Tell him we will be right down." Celestia replied, her mind toiling away, to think of a reason as to why the traditionally isolationist Minotaur's would send a delegate so suddenly. Had something happened? Only time would tell, she supposed. The servant merely bowed respectfully, before turning around and heading down the hall, before eventually leaving their sight entirely.

"...We must admit, this visit seems quite... Sudden, does it not?" Luna soon inquired, turning to face her sister. Celestia nodded in response.

"Yes, it does. Minotaur's are not ones to interact outside of their small corner of the world without a good reason. What that reason is, though... We shall see in a moment, I suppose." That's all that could be said. With their curiosity only growing, they left the room, heading down to speak with the delegate, and figure out what exactly was going on...

Guards stood at the entrance to the Royal Throne Room, their expressions hardened, their posture rigid, their weapons at their side, ready to be used at a moments notice. A guards life wasn't easy, especially of Celestia's own personal guards, as they were entrusted with ensuring their ruler's safety, for if she were to pass, Equestria would surely fall into chaos, even with Luna now there to take up her sister's duties in her absence.

Truthfully though? Right now, they were terrified.

They didn't show it of course, but a Minotaur could easily take on a group of ponies, given their immense strength and size. And this particular one seemed quite agitated, as if he could go into a fit of rage at the drop of a nail. Thankfully though, he seemed to calm down as both Luna and Celestia entered the room. With a snort, he seemingly sized them up, before speaking, his voice rough, yet commanding.

"Your Majesties. I'm thankful you could meet me on such short notice." He bowed, his fur gleaming slightly in the light of the hall, revealing many scars given over many years of battle.

"It's our pleasure to accommodate you. However, I must say, it is quite strange for you to show up so suddenly." Celestia replied with a cocked eyebrow. The towering Minotaur paused, seeming almost... Nervous. Unbecoming of a 'creature' of his nature, which meant whatever he was about to say likely warranted concern.

"I bring... Grave news. Our Elder... Is dead. And the Minotaur Isles are in a state of disarray. On the brink of outright civil war." Luna and Celestia's eyes widened at the news. The Elder? Dead? To say it was a bad situation would be an understatement. If civil war broke out, even if Equestria wasn't affected directly, it could still lead to the deaths of thousands, along with a likely sizable refugee population, trying to escape the chaos.

"That... Is grave news, indeed. But, why have you come to us about this?" The Solar Princess soon replied, after taking a moment to process the news.

"Well, Your Majesty, we come seeking help from Equestria. We had hoped you could personally come down and try to bring peace back to the region. A diplomatic mission, if you will." The Minotaur replied, sheepishly. Requesting help from Equestria was likely humiliating for such a proud race, but desperate times called for desperate measures.

"...Personally? I'm... Afraid I cannot do that, we both have much that requires our attention here... However, if I may. I do know of someone who could go, in my stead." The Minotaur tilted his head, quizzically.

"And... Who might that be?"