Are you dead yet?
Twilight Sparkle rolls her eyes in good humor at the letter. She lowers the letter from her face and strolls over to her bedroom desk. Mountains of books, paper, and scrolls call the desk home along with a computer. Magenta energy from Twilight’s horn sparks the machine to life. A few mouse clicks later and the speakers begin to ring softly.
Bloop.
A new image on the screen replaces her reflection which makes her grin grow wider.
“Morning, Sparklebutt.”
“Good evening, Shieldbutt.”
“How are the preparations for the Friendship Festival proceeding?”
Twilight heaves a sigh.
“That bad, eh?”
“Shade, where do I start?” Twilight huffs.
Shade levitates a bottle to her lips with her crimson magic. After taking a swig she asks, “How about starting with the biggest problem and work your way down?”
“I think the biggest worry I have is about my student,” Twilight confesses.
“The alien? She reveal her true colors?”
“She is not an alien,” Twilight deadpans. “You even ran the tests and triple checked my results. She is as much a tricorn as you.”
“Exactly,” Shade says with a grim tone. “We both know my true origins. For all we know, your student could be one of hundreds of villains from my world.”
Twilight frowns. “When Vesper Comet is not acting like a certain tricorn I know,” her violet eyes glare at the yellow serpentine eyes on the screen, “she is an excellent student and a model citizen.”
“Then she would still be acting like me,” Shade retorts with a smirk.
“So why did you leave her with me?”
“You want me to take her off your hooves?” Shade counters.
Twilight deflates. She shakes her head and sighs.
“I left her with you because you had already named her and were acting like a mother by the time I arrived.” Shade smiles, “I did not want to rob you of an opportunity you had waited over a millennia for.”
Twilight smiles sadly. “I don’t want to let her go,” she admits with teary eyes.
“That is how they grow up, Sparkler,” Shade replies with a tender smile.
“How did you do it?” Twilight asks.
Shade drinks from a second bottle and empties its contents. “Lots of vodka,” is her answer. Shade hiccups. “I had to just trust her. Let me warn you now: foalhood is going to look like a walk in the park. Seeing her grow up is wonderful—but watching her fly is even more amazing,” Shade informs sagely. Her mirth fades from her eyes and her face grows grim.
“I’m sorry for—“
“Shhhhh!” Shade hushes her friend. Shade takes a moment to collect herself. “Penumbra is,” Shade swallows hard, “in a better place. Without suffering,” her voice strains and she fights back the tears.
Twilight’s heart aches. Penumbra’s death at the hands of the Humans had brought the nigh destruction of the world and the unfortunate deaths of the former diarchs. Twilight lost a mentor and a friend that day; the world lost two great leaders; Shade lost a part of herself.
With only the two of them left of their original friends, Twilight had found herself relying more on Shade and vice versa. Albeit a surprise, the news of Shade being pregnant had made Twilight happy, if a little jealous. Penumbra had been the ray of hope Shade needed since Pinkie’s death.
The flash backs end when she hears Shade sniffle. Twilight imagines reaching into the monitor screen and hugging her friend. A long silence hangs between them. Shade collects herself after a few deep breaths.
Shade chuckles meekly.
Twilight grins, “What?”
“Just. . . thinking. . .” Shade rests her head on her desk and gazes up at Twilight. “I miss the days of yore,” she chuckles.
Twilight mirrors her friend and giggles, “Me too. It all seems surreal. As if the past was all a dream.”
“Having us write diaries was one of your greatest ideas. Not at the time,” Shade laughs. “But I cherish every letter in those tomes now.”
“Me too. It feels as if everyone is still here,” Twilight shares.
An alarm ringing startles the both of them up. Shade levitates a clock over to her. She tosses the object over her shoulder absently.
“Duty calls,” Shade says with a thin smile.
“We should get together. When was the last time we saw each other?” Twilight questions aloud.
After tapping her chin in thought, Shade answers, “Last Friendship Festival.”
“Exactly!”
Shade smiles. “As much as I’d like to drop everything and hang out, there are big changes happening that require my supervision. Until our schedules are both free I’m afraid we’ll just have to continue our little chats via internet.”
“Oh. . .” is Twilight’s despondent reply.
“Catch ya later, Sparkler!”
Bleep bloop.
Call ended.
“Bye,” Twilight’s voice hangs in the early morning darkness.
A Quick Look into the History of Equestria
Equestria, the largest melting pot of species in the world. A peaceful land ruled by a wise, beautiful, benevolent, and just Princess Twilight Sparkle. Earth ponies, Pegasi, Unicorns, Bat ponies, Crystal ponies, Donkeys, Mules, Deer, Kirin, Buffalo, Yak, Changelings, even Dragons, Griffons, Zebra, Hippogriffs, and Humans call Equestria home. Was Equestria always a peaceful place? No.
Before Princess Twilight Sparkle, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna ruled Equestria. From a time before Equestria, the two alicorn sisters lay the ground work for peace in the land by uniting the three pony tribes of Unicorns, Pegasi, and Earth ponies. The princesses had to protect their budding country from enemies both foreign and domestic. Unfortunately, even from each other.
Princess Luna fell into darkness and Princess Celestia had to use the Elements of Harmony on Nightmare Moon (Princess Luna’s dark alter ego). Nightmare Moon was banished to the moon for a thousand years. Peace had returned to Equestria.
On the night of Nightmare Moon’s return, Princess Twilight Sparkle (at the time not yet a princess) and her friends learn they are the Elements of Harmony bearers. The seven of them are able to defeat Nightmare Moon and return her to her original self as Princess Luna. For the next decade, the time period known as the Harmony Reform Period, Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends save Equestria and the world countless times from evils such as: Discord, Queen Chrysalis, King Sombra, and the Storm King to name a few. After the Storm King’s defeat, nopony expected any more dangerous rulers to attack—least of all—a ruler well known in Equestria.
The Tricorns, an old species to be sure but a new sight in Equestria. Only three had been documented and the three were a family. When Deathly Belladonna disappeared for a few years, nopony expected her to return as the “Kaetsara of the Tricorns” nor the thousands of troops with her. War broke out. Deathly Belladonna had turned Equestria’s allies and used them to assault Equestria from all sides. Initially at her mother’s side, Nightshade Toxin assassinates Deathly Belladonna to end the war. Grey Smith, Shade’s father, takes the title as Kaetsar and begins amending the relationships of all involved in the war. The war takes its toll on all sides with Equestria losing Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Prince Shinning Armor. Today’s best estimates of the casualties are estimated that each race lost about fifty-six percent of their total population with the exception of the Griffons which lost about eighty percent of their population.
Peace is established once again. Not only peace but prosperity. Tricorn advances in magic, medicine, alchemy, and engineering boost the growth of all the races. When Kaetsar Grey Smith passes away his daughter ascends to the position of Kaetsara.
The next big event in history is the emergence of Humans. Humanity originates from an alternate world of Equestria. Documents from the Crystal Empire are the first reports of Humans. Ponyville sees an emergence of Humans next, followed by Tricorntopia. Eventually, the two worlds begin to merge with each other. The Humans decide destroying the alternate world the only option to stop the merging of worlds. The Princesses Celestia, Luna, Twilight, and even a teenage Flurry Heart including all magically inclined species combine their strength to magically separate the worlds. Magic overrules space-time and successfully separates the two worlds. Unfortunately, some five thousand Humans are stranded in a new world and watch as their home is destroyed by their own hand.
Kaetsara Nightshade Toxin annexes the Badlands from Equestria to put all the Humans in one place. With the aide of the Princesses, Kaetsara Nightshade Toxin terraforms the Badlands into a hospitable land. The Humans call the land Eden.
After a few years under the rule of the Kaetsara, the Humans became angry. They believe she is keeping them all prisoner. The wall built around Eden did nothing to dismiss the idea. Kaetsara Nightshade Toxin sends her daughter, Velitsara Penumbra Azalea, to start peace talks. The Humans decide to take the Velitsara as a hostage. Kaetsara Nightshade Toxin was never known for her patience. She delivers an ultimatum to the Humans from an airship above the capitol of Eden. Nopony is certain who shot and killed the Velitsara. History remembers quite vividly the immediate massacre that followed her death.
Kaetsara Nightshade Toxin even defeats Princess Celestia and Princess Luna in a gruesome display of power. Princess Twilight Sparkle, an old friend of the Kaetsara, is finally able to stop her rampage; not by force, but with compassion.
The Kaetsara sets aside her emotions and grief in order to help the innocent Humans (those who were not in the political party that wanted to start a revolution). Eden returns to a beautiful, hospital land overnight. The wall is destroyed around Eden and Humans are given citizenship in Tricorntopia which also gives them rights.
Humans help advance technology by a thousand years. With their knowledge of their previous home, they introduce electricity, electronics, automobiles, satellites, and the internet.
Instead of looking at the differences between a species, finding the similarities is the essence of peace. Understanding a culture not only opens one’s eyes but allows the viewer to see from a different perspective. Everyone benefits in the end from peace.
Vesper Comet huffs a breath of relief and bows.
A single pair of clapping hooves echoes in the throne room. Vesper Comet raises her head, wielding a beaming grin.
“Excellent work as always, my little pony,” Princess Twilight praises her student.
Vesper Comet holds her head high, tossing her obsidian black mane back. Her icy blue coat reflects the afternoon sunlight pouring through the high windows making her glow.
“Vesper Comet, I believe it is time for me to give you more responsibilities.”
“Yes! Yes! My own duchy!” Vesper cheers in her head. Her ruby eyes shimmer with anticipation.
Princess Twilight smiles as her student visibly leans forward. “I would like you to supervise the Friendship—“
“I accept!” she exclaims as she leaps into the air.
Princess Twilight blinks. Her smile returns. “Fantastic! This is the first time the Friendship Festival will be held in Eden. As the Friendship Ambassador—“
“What?” asks a dumbfound Vesper.
“You are going to be in charge of the Friendship Festival in Eden. You will have the final say in all their choices.” Twilight notices the incredible shift in her student’s mood. “What’s wrong?”
“I—“
Alarms blaring interrupt them. Guards rush to the Princess’ side.
“What is going on, Captain Tower Defender?” Twilight addresses the stallion in armor that matches her coat.
“An unknown massive airship appeared in the skies above the castle, Princess. We need to evacuate you now,” the stallion informs.
“Nonsense,” Twilight replies. She pushes past the guards and heads to the exit.
Vesper Comet trots after her teacher. Guards, staff, and other ponies are in a panic as the Princess makes her way to the front doors of the castle. Guards push open the large double doors for their Princess.
Twilight shields her eyes with a wing as the afternoon sun blinds her for a split second. A massive ship like construct hovers high above and blocks out the sun. The vehicle is easily the size of the Crystal Empire stadium.
“Fire warning shots,” Twilight orders the Captain.
“Fire a barrage of warning shots,” Captain Tower Defender speaks into a headset.
Pod-like objects fall off from the airship. Chains keep the pods from hitting the ground. Thunderous rapports echo through the streets of Canterlot as the anti-air cannons fire and black smoke plumes around the ship. Music begins to play from the metal pod-like objects.
“What in Celestia?” Captain Tower Defender groans as the music blasts in his ears.
Twilight relaxes at the sound of the music. Vesper Comet notices a small grin on the Princess’ muzzle.
A smaller ship detaches from the main vessel. It comes to a stop in the courtyard hovering about five meters off the ground. The music stops when the bay door opens. A ramp telescopes from the ship to the ground. A golden carpet rolls down the ramp to stop at Twilight’s gilded hooves.
Fanfare makes the citizens press their ears flat against their skull. “Introducing Kaetsara Nightshade Toxin of Tricorntopia and of the People’s Republic of Eden.”
An alabaster tricorn mare makes her way down the gilded carpet. Her ghostly mane and tail flutters behind her as she travels gingerly towards the Princess. A simple platinum crown with diamond inlays rests atop her head somewhat hidden by her three, pointy, forty centimeter long horns. She wears a neutral expression and her pale, yellow, serpentine eyes reveal nothing.
Vesper Comet swallows the lump in her throat. Just looking at the Kaetsara and anyone can see her power. Princess Twilight’s mane has yet to become ethereal, something Vesper had found to be a symbol of an alicorn’s power. The world stands at silent attention and almost an eternity passes by the time Kaetsara Nightshade Toxin stands before Princess Twilight.
A smirk pulls on the edge of Shade’s lips. “Surprise,” she says and nods her head respectfully to Twilight.
Twilight beams from ear to ear and hugs her friend. Shade returns the embrace. The ponies around start to cheer and whistle.
“I’m glad you are here!” Twilight ends their embrace. “Come on in!” she drapes a wing across Shade’s back and points a hoof inside.
“No,” Shade replies with a smile.
“What?”
“I have been inside that place countless times. Let me give you the grand tour of the K.G.S. Indomitable Spirit,” Shade offers with a grin.
Twilight braces herself to keep from acting like a filly. She clears her throat. “If you insist,” Twilight accepts with sparkling eyes the size of dishes.
“Come,” Shade turns to head up the ramp, “and bring your student.”
Twilight falls instep behind Shade with a hesitant Vesper Comet in tow.
“Princess,” the Captain calls out and trots up to her, “perhaps I should come along. As well as your personal guards?”
“That will hardly be necessary, Captain Defender. You are in charge while I am away.”
“But—“ The princess already had taken off to follow after her friend. Tower Defender sighs and jumps off the ramp. He scans the crowd of ponies in the courtyard.
“Alright, everypony. Nothing else to see here. Move along!” he announces to the crowd. “Clear these folks out and return to your stations,” he orders his soldiers via the headset in his helmet.
Vesper Comet had to sit and wait in a library. Not that she minds, she loves libraries, but given the chance to explore an artificial floating city or a library she will choose the city. From the brief time she had been able to study the airship, she had several theories on how such a structure manages to float and the power plant necessary to run this behemoth. The door sliding open interrupts her thoughts. A curious sight approaches: a Human.
“Are you Vesper Comet?” the teenager asks with a cracking voice.
Vesper continues to evaluate the teenager as he walks toward her. He has shaggy, dark blue hair, grayish blue skin, and dull green eyes framed by black eye glasses. He stands about as tall as Princess Twilight with a lanky body. He wears a grey military uniform with a black diamond with a triangle inside the diamond insignia1 on his collar and shoulders. He stops about a meter away from her.
“Who’s asking?” Vesper finally speaks after a moment of silence. She picks up a book with her blue magic and hides her face behind the book.
“I’m Cerulean Solace. I’m, uh, Kaetsara Nightshade Toxin’s student,” he introduces himself.
Vesper hears him shuffle closer. She peeks over the book to see him outstretching his hand. She looks at his hand and back at him, cocking an eyebrow. “What?”
“Oh, right!” He quickly withdraws his hand. He brings his fists to his chest and moves them in a bicycle motion while bobbing his head2. “Pleasure to meet you, Vesper Comet.”
Vesper stares at him as if he grew a horn. She chuckles and returns to reading her book.
Cerulean’s cheeks burn red. “What?”
“Who taught you that?”
“Kaetsara Nightshade Toxin. . .”
“I believe she did what you Humans call ‘trolling’,” Vesper snickers.
He drags his hands across his face and huffs. “Why am I not surprised?” He clears his throat. “Anyway, I’m suppose to show you around the ship. If you want to, of course.”
The book snaps shut which causes Cerulean to jump. “Buck yeah!” Vesper exclaims.
“How did you become Princess Twilight’s student?” Cerulean dares to question the tricorn after an hour of touring the ship.
“I was better at magic than the other orphans so I was accepted into Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. The princess saw my potential and took me under her wing,” Vesper explains as she presses her face against one of the many large windows of the ship. “You can practically see Eden from here,” she comments.
Cerulean steps up to the window to gaze at the southeastern horizon. “Yeah. Pretty much.”
Vesper hears the hint of sadness his voice carries. Which lesson will apply here? she thinks. “How did you become the student of Kaetsara Nightshade Toxin?”
“My parents died when I was about six. Our family had been part of a cult of extremist. Our claim to infamy was that our founder was the one who killed Velitsara Penumbra Azalea. Needless to say, we were not popular with the Humans nor the Tricorns.
I never hated Tricorns. I never knew why we did the things we did. I just did them because my parents did.
So, there I am: in the middle of the road, in the middle of the night, watching my house burn down. The fire department did not come. No police show up. It was the afternoon when the smoke cleared. I stand up to go through the ashes and a white hoof stops me.”
Cerulean turns to look at Vesper. “I saw her, the Kaetsara, towering above me. I saw the urge to crush me beneath her hoof in her cold eyes. I started to cry.” He chuckles softly, “She told me to stop my ‘sniveling’ and to follow her.”
“And the rest is, how you say, history?” Vesper concludes.
“Pretty much.”
“What does she teach?”
“The usual stuff: maths, sciences, literature, geography, world history,” Cerulean lists.
“Does she teach you magic?”
“Magic theory. As a Human, I can’t cast spells.”
“Princess Twilight has a theory that some Humans will have the ability to use magic. If not now, eventually; if not as strong as a unicorn, basic level magic is still useful.”
“Humans have lived this long without magic since we have technology,” Cerulean states matter-of-factly.
“Technology that destroyed your home world,” Vesper counters.
“Magic nearly annihilated us,” Cerulean retorts.
“Magic gave you Eden in the first place,” Vesper shoots back.
The two students stare each other down.
“Temper, temper, Cerulean,” a voice chimes in.
Cerulean steps away from Vesper and stands at attention. He takes a deep breath before saying, “Yes, Kaetsara.”
“What’s going on here?” Princess Twilight asks Vesper.
Vesper pulls her ruby eyes away from Cerulean and she turns to face her mentor. “Just a friendly debate, Princess,” she smiles. “Now that we have established our view points we were about to discuss the pro’s and con’s of both in order to understand each other’s perspective.”
“Well done!” Twilight praises her student and ruffles her black mane.
Shade shoots a glance at Twilight that she fails to catch.
“The two of us are still touring the ship. We will leave you two alone to settle your debate,” Twilight informs the students.
“Thank you, Princess.” Vesper bows.
Cerulean places a hand over his chest and bows before the Kaetsara.
“The galley is not too far,” Shade says as she walks past the two students leading Twilight. Once out of the room she stops to talk to Twilight. “You do know she is manipulating you, yes?”
“Oh, definitely,” Twilight smiles. “You taught me much about that subject.”
Shade rolls her eyes.
Author's Note
1 What Cerulean Solace insignia looks like, except black. 10 points to your house if you know where it comes from.
2 Picture Twilight introducing herself to Fluttershy in the first Equestria Girls movie.
