Looking around her home for the last time, Mellinia couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness at all she was leaving behind. But she knew it was for the right reason. How many others could say they had been given this honor? Only three in the long history of Xanadu had been chosen before this.

To protect one who bore the blood of the Great Mare herself. The last time had been almost twenty years ago now when she had been but a newborn filly.

Giggling, Mellinia shook her head. She was not the only one to have been chosen for this. Something that was unheard of in their long history. What made it special for her was who she would travel with.

Her sister and her oldest friend had all been chosen as well. None were sure what it could mean. But some were saying that it was a sign of ancient prophecies coming true.

That the Mare who Mounts the World would soon return and lead her people into a new golden age.

Turning to the image that stood above the family weapon rack, she went to one knee and crossed her hands over her heart and said a silent message for the journey ahead and for those they were leaving behind.

The image showed their savior in one of her infinite forms, the Wartrotter, casting down Drakix, the demon who had bound her people into slavery until she had lead them to freedom.

Of course, it wasn't the full story, for no image or tale could tell the full story of that day. And each family in the Hidden Realm told it differently, but one thing was consistent across all versions.

Namely the end result. The death of Drakix at the Warmistress's hooves, and the Great Migration she had lead to the place where they now lived. For a time she had lived among them, helping them forge a new destiny and teaching them the ways of battle.

For in that age, Equus had been a barbaric place. The Three Tribes Era was at its height, and the other races were little more than mindless brutes and savages.

In the end, those she had saved had begged her to stay and lead them. No other race would allow them to live, and they were still new to much of the world. In the end, she had relented and had been universally acclaimed as the First Empress of Xanadu.

It had also given birth to the role Millinia would soon take on herself. While none would ever say she needed it, several had sworn to stand by her side at all times.

Mellinia shook her head as she stood up. Her mind was wandering again, something her sister had warned against again and again. It could get her killed if she wasn't careful.

Especially now as she walked over and took hold of her most treasured item. Something that made her stand out, even against the most gifted Battle Mage.

A bow carved from solid dragonbone, the first made in over a thousand years. Not only that, but she was the youngest to ever claim the honor of felling a wyrm. Mellinia had only been twelve when she had done so.

It was a nice contrast next to her tan equine body as she strapped it comfortably to her lower back and slipped the quiver over her shoulder. As she did so, she wondered how the others were coming along. It was almost time.

***

Her sister Sophile, at that same moment, was in the Temple of the First Mare, kneeling before the crown said to have been worn by her as she had lead them from Drakix's fallen realm.

Religion was something all their kind despised in every way. Memories of the false gods of old were as fresh now as they had been then, and the persecution other races had heaped on them as "Abominations against the will of the gods," had destroyed what chance there was they might have done so in time.

The temple was not a place of worship, and the crown was not a religious relic in the normal sense, but rather it represented a beacon of hope for the future and the struggle it had taken to free their people from tyranny.

Many had come here before starting a long or difficult journey or task, to reflect at the crown. Whether it actually did anything for those who did, none knew. Only its bearer knew for sure what power it held.

And she departed long ago. It was said though that one day, one would come and claim the crown, and lead the world into a new golden age. None knew for sure whether it was true or not.

At the moment, Sophile would take whatever help it could give her. She was more nervous now than she had ever been before in her life. In all her life, she had never expected to be chosen for this. Let alone that her little sister would be chosen as well. She loved Mellinia with all her heart. But the fact remained that she had barely been beyond the Watching Mountains in her life.

And now they were being called far from their home, to a land that no matter what was said, had still not outgrown some of the darkest parts of its past.

Looking up, Sophile took in the image above the crown. One that was always shifting, moving from one form to another, of the mare that had worn the crown.

It was still a question of what exactly she had been. Powerful beyond comprehension and that was she no normal mare was beyond a doubt. But that all that could be said for sure. But that about it. She had made it clear she wanted no worship from them, and vehemently denied ever being a goddess.

Standing, Sophile looked away from the image. It didn't pay to look at it for long. Only a Chrono Mage could for any length of time, and even then they couldn't for any long length.

Readjusting her bow, she turned and made her way to the exit. All she had she carried with her now. All that remained was to mee the others and be on their way.

Sophile never noticed that the crown began to glow slightly as she left.

***

Outside, she found Mellinia waiting for her. She smiled as she walked up to her sister. "Are you sure you're ready? It's a long road ahead of us."

Mellinia only rolled her eyes. "Sis, I've been ready for a while. Just waiting for you. Eudiera is waiting for us at the gates." She looked back at the temple. "Anything?"

Sophile shook her head. "No. But I really didn't expect anything."

Mellinia put a hand on her sister's shoulder. "You expected something though?"

Sophile nodded. "I don't know. This many of us being called? For one pony? Why? I feel there's something we're not seeing yet."

"You don't think she's the right one for us?" her sister asked.

Sophile shook her head. "No. I am not going to judge her before we have met. That she is one of them means she has deserved this. Whatever else might come."

Eudiera soon joined them. Her light skin tone stood out next to her bright pink hair and equine body, one of the few whose equine and human halves did not share the same color. "A fair point. I don't like this. But I will not shirk from it."

Mellinia though noticed something in Eudiera's hands. "Something for the road?" She asked, pointing at the flowers.

Eudiera's smile grew. "Home is no longer here, but I will take something to remember it by. I doubt Equestria has the same kind here does."

She was the oldest of the group. But few would know that as she looked to be Sophile's age, and she was in her early 20's. She was also the most strict, and while some might call it being a stick in the mud, those who knew her knew she had a kind heart and cared for all of them.

By this time they had come to the Inner Gates. No guards stood there, for none were needed. No outsider had ever been allowed to come this far into the Hidden Realm.

Only one thing would allow them to pass. Reaching up, all three took a flower from the garlands that encircled their chests and placed on a slot on the gates.

As they did, the gates unfolded before them and slid into the ground, revealing a narrow path beyond. This they followed for some time before they came to another set of gates. This time they waited, for no force they had would open the Forbidden Portal. Only one could, and soon she made herself known.

"Travelers. Why do you come here and where do you go?"

The voice of the Way Warden was less spoken aloud, and more said in their minds, one they all heard. And as one, they responded.

"We go now to seek the one who bears Her blood. To offer our blades and our lives to hers, now and for all time. In the name of the First Empress and the Fallen Kingdom, we ask for passage."

For a moment, nothing happened, and they began to fear that they had made a mistake, that they were not worthy of going forward, but then the voice answered. "Go then little sisters, and may the Great Mare always guide your steps."

As the last word was spoken, the portal shimmered before it dissolved away, revealing another passage beyond. As the girls took a step forward though, the Way Warden spoke again. "Know this also. Once you pass beyond the mountains, the way will be shut to you for all time and you will never be able to return. Do you still intend to go forward?"

For the first time, Mellinia hesitated. She had known what this meant of course, but only now was it driven home what she was doing, and what she was leaving behind. Fighting back tears, she bit her lip. Could she do this?

With a start, she felt someone take her hands. Looking up, she Sophile and Eudiera giving her a loving look and a nod. It was all the strength she needed as she addressed the warden. "We mean it."

The voice smiled, they could all feel it. "Then go forward, and know that you will always be loved here, no matter where you go."

The girls nodded as they walked forward. Looking back one last time, they watched as the portal closed behind them, leaving nothing but a blank wall of rock where it once was.

For a time they said nothing as they followed the tunnel. When they finally saw daylight, they were relieved to be almost there. Coming to the end and out into the lands beyond, they took in the surrounding terrain.

All around them was a desolate wasteland for as far as the eye could see. Behind them lay the mountains that ringed their old home and protected it from the outside world.

Raising her hands, Eudiera made a series of gestures in the air. "Stay close to me. This will take us to where we need to be."

Gathering as close as they could, the girls watched as the air hummed with power that grew louder and louder. When it reached a point that they had to cover their ears, a bright light filled the sky that engulfed them all.

When the light had faded, Mellinia, Sophile, and Eudiera were gone.

Author's Note

Game of Thrones reference for those who know the books or the tv series. Whether the crown of the First Empress will play more in the story will not be shown for a while now.

As for their disgust for religion? That's partly my own views on it, and the idea of it in My Little Pony and Friendship is Magic in general.