“Duis amicitiae fides.”
-Official creed of the Adeptus Spatium, unofficially known as Starfleet
Are we truly alone in the universe? This question has been asked among the more inquisitive of those on the world of Equis, and in the kingdom of Equestria, specifically. In a world of powerful creatures, magic, and endless possibilities, that is the undying, ultimate question. By an odd twist of fate, however, there is life out there...and it resembles Equis’ own, but not as they know it…
Within the unexplored universe beyond Equestria, there is a world known simply as “Solaris”, which resembles Equis in some ways, and in others not. Notably, the primary inhabitants are ponies that walk upright and have strange (at least to your average Equestrian) appendaged paws known as ‘hands”. They are known as ‘Solarans’, and for many millennia, they have lived in peace under the watchful yet benevolent eye of an alicorn who refers to himself as the Grand Ruler. His coat is as white as the blinding snow, his mane and tail as black as the darkness he defends his subjects from. On his forehead rests a single golden horn, though it resembles three due to the crown he wears to signify his rule. His back possesses a mighty wingspan, that of Celestia and Luna combined, and his armor the color of his horns. Some have considered him a god due to this, but the Grand Ruler has disagreed with this in the past, and continues to disagree with it now. But, one asks themselves, who exactly is the Grand Ruler, and what part does he play in Solaris’ history? Let us take a trip into the distant past, and see how the world of Solaris began…
It is unknown where the pony who would become the Grand Ruler came from. Some say he was an immortal demigod born before time immemorial, while others say he came from Equis. Whatever the reason, he came to a barren world; one where nothing grew and unending flatlands dominated. His solution was to use his magic to create water and fields of green, and afterwards, create the first Solarans, numbering 100,000 in all. From there, the species grew and prospered under his leadership, establishing an Imperium encompassing a million worlds and protected by an organization officially called the Adeptus Spatium but called Starfleet by its people, on account of its spacefaring technology. The Grand Ruler eventually bore a son, named Horus.
Horus was very different from his father. While the Grand Ruler founded his empire on an altruistic and accepting trifecta of friendship, Horus saw other races as weak, and the policy of “friendship” as pathetic. Rather, he favored strength, viewed teammates as tools to be used, and regarded emotions (especially love) as sickening. The Grand Ruler, while accepting of his son’s differing beliefs at first, slowly grew more concerned as Horus grew more deranged and nihilistic, with the latter gaining a following amongst the more extreme nationalists of the Imperium. The tensions grew worse until Horus declared war on the Grand Ruler, igniting a bloody and needless conflict between the Grand Ruler, Horus and his mad cult, and two other factions: the Infestatio, a hive mind of bug creatures led by Queen Pinsar, and the Machina, a mysterious group of pony-like artificial intelligences. After nine long years of fighting, the Grand Ruler used his most powerful spells to banish Horus and his followers within a distant moon: Tenebris. Legend still holds, however, that Horus will return, and that he will take over the universe lest he is stopped.
That was 10,000 years ago.
Lightning Dawn let out a sigh of boredom as he made his way to the Councillum meeting room in the Imperial Palace. He hated meetings, and the fact he was representative to House Lux made him hate them even more; the only thing that mattered to them was that he was son of Grand Ruler Lux. Yeah, he thought to himself, but they’re descended from Lux’s children. Why can’t Dad just keep his royal scepter in his pants for once?
Waiting for him outside the meeting chamber was his old friend, Titania. Lightning smiled a bit. He had known Titania ever since he was 5, after his mother disappeared. “Hello, Princess Titania.” he greeted formally, trying his best to look professional.
Titania inclined her head in greeting. She lacked the distinctive characteristics of Solarans: Fur, a horn, wings. This was because she was not a Solaran at all, but rather, a Faerie, from the Land of Nevernever. Her parents were King Oberon and Queen Mab. As Princess of Nevernever, she acted as the Fae's ambassador to the Imperium. Her physical appearance was not the only thing about her that was strange to Solarans. Her morality was alien as well. She did not understand concepts such as love, viewing them as oddities. Even so, she cared for Lightning, in her own way.
This, in itself, wasn't unusual. Faeries often formed attachments to certain individuals. But they were flighty creatures, and it didn't take long for them to grow bored with their objects of affection. However, Titania had remained with Lightning for nearly fifteen years. She was fiercely protective of him, for reasons even she didn't understand.
"Have you slept?" She asked him after a moment. "You look tired."
Lightning laughed nervously. “I...may or may not have been watching Starfleet Magic all night.” Of course he’d been. No self-respecting 18 year old would admit to watching a trite and formulaic television series made for foals. At least, no self-respecting 18 year old Titania knew.
She sighed, snapping her fingers. Immediately, her servants appeared. She ordered them to freshen Lightning up, and make it quick. They obeyed, quickly dragging the Solaran prince away and making him look more presentable. The whole process took thirty seconds. Lightning barely had time to protest before he was returned, his messy brown mane now combed over, the bags under his brilliant dark eyes gone, and his stark white fur neatly combed.
"Better." She said. "Changelings are trained to be quick about tidying appearances. No Faerie would allow themselves to look haggard in public."
Titania herself looked far from haggard. The Princess was stunning. Her eyes gleamed bright green, her long red hair seeming to shine in the sunlight streaming in through the windows. Her skin was a pale white, the dress she wore complementing it nicely. Her feet were bare, showing off her freshly painted toenails, the crimson paint matching the shade on her fingers. All in all, she was gorgeous. Lightning thought she was beautiful, but he didn’t need to say it.
They entered the chamber together. The room consisted of a large, rounded table with 27 seats; 21 for the Houses of Solaris, 5 for the Imperial Church and its representatives (why Pope Celestine herself just couldn’t be the sole representative was something Lightning asked himself on a regular basis), one for Titania and one for Lux himself. The walls were decorated with engravings of the Gods, important events in Solaran history (oh, the nightmares the Horus pictograph gave Lightning when he was younger), and the mottos of the Imperium. Lightning took his seat next to his father. “My apologies for being late...again.” he said with a nervous, guilty chuckle.
"You didn't miss much." Lux replied. "Now that we are all assembled, I formally call this meeting to order."
“Indeed.” Cardinal Luciana, a unicorn dressed in red robes, agreed. “Now, our first order of business - the Church is not receiving as many tithes as it usually does from Imperial citizens.”
"Do you have a solution?" Lux asked.
Cardinal Luciana paused, considering her words carefully. “We are considering adding tithes to the Imperium’s taxes.”
Titania chimed in. "I thought the Church was supposed to be charitable." She said. "Raising taxes does not seem charitable."
“Indeed not.” Lightning agreed. “So it would be best if you did not go through with this plan.”
Luciana glared at the both of them. “Desperate times call for desperate measures.”
“Are you truly desperate, Luciana? Or is the Church only seeking to line its’ pockets further?”
"Enough." Lux said. "Lightning, I am aware of your feelings about the Church. However, I will not allow you to resort to insults. Understand? Like it or not, alienating them is a bad idea."
Pope Celestine cleared her throat. "Some members of the clergy do suffer from the sin of greed, but I ask that you refrain from viewing the entire Church in such a manner." She said. "We truly do want what is best for the Imperium, Prince Dawn."
“Then I expect you to monitor how much you take from my people.” Lightning replied. “And where it goes.” He glared at Celestine, an Earth Pony mare dressed in white, her papal robes snugly accentuating her curves in all the right places.
"Now…" Lux said, looking at the various House representatives. "Do any of you have matters you wish to discuss?"
“If I may, Father?” Lightning asked. “I have been in discussion with my-our-House.”
"Go on…"
Lightning breathed slowly, closed his eyes, and said, “I am willingly stepping down from representing House Lux.” Immediately, the meeting erupted in commotion. Calls of ‘traitor’ and ‘bastard’ from some of House Lux’s political rivals were hurled. Others were curious and confused. If Lightning Dawn was stepping down as representative, who would take his place?
"ENOUGH!" Lux shouted, slamming his fist down on the table. The meeting fell into silence, and all eyes fell on the Prince of the Imperium.
“Well?” a stallion from House Pompington-an appropriate name, they were all pompous preening prettyboys, Lightning thought-asked. “Do you care to explain yourself?”
“Yes.” Lightning replied. “I feel I am not the political sort. I do not have my father’s gift for persuasion or manip-manuevering in noble circles.”
“If that is so,” Luciana continued. “where do you feel you fit best?”
“Starfleet!” he answered enthusiastically. He’d been planning this moment: he would announce he was enlisting into Starfleet, and he would receive unanimous support, applause, and encouragement. Finally, he would be a hero!
But no applause came. Just silence. And then the sound of haughty, mocking laughter. And not just from the Pompington fellow. Almost everypony, from the Church representatives to the smallest of the Houses, was laughing at him. The only ones who hadn’t joined them was Lux and Titania. Lux was glaring at him the same way Lightning had glared at the Cardinal, and that was never a good sign.
Titania was staring at everyone who was laughing, her expression unreadable. Only Lightning knew what she was feeling: Anger. That was an even worse sign than the disapproving glare from his father.
"Stop laughing." She said, her voice as serene as ever. The laughter fell into dead silence again. Even House Lux’s rivals knew how close Titania was to Lightning. If one angered a Faerie, then that would be the last thing they ever did. They had all learned this the hard way. When the scion to House Skywind, a rather rich and powerful clan of Pegasi, had seemingly made it his only goal to make Lightning miserable in school a few years earlier, Titania was furious. So, she entered their manor, tied up the offending colt, and made him watch as she slaughtered his entire family. Then, she castrated and blinded him, cut out his tongue, and impaled him on a stake outside his home.
His screams carried on for hours. No one dared bully Lightning after that. Titania smiled fondly at the memory. None of the Councillum Domini spoke for some time. The meeting was soon adjourned, with only Lightning, Lux and Titania remaining in the room. Lightning looked nervously at the both of them, small beads of sweat forming at his brow.
"Why didn't you tell me this ahead of time?" Lux asked.
“I thought...I thought…” Lightning’s voice got softer and softer until it was barely more than a whisper. “I thought it’d be more grandiose.”
"He gets it from you." Titania said dryly.
"I know." Lux said. "I know. Look, son, I don't want you to think I totally disapprove of you joining Starfleet. I simply wish you had discussed it with me before this meeting."
“That’s what Cousin Loghaine said. Well, his words were more, ‘Dude, I’d love to be your successor as representative to the House. But shouldn’t you discuss it with your dad first?’”
"He is not taking your place." Lux said. "He's already been excommunicated by Pope Celestine and shunned by most of the major Houses. It would be a disaster if he succeeded you."
“What about Gaia?” Lightning suggested. “Or Selene? Surely they’d be fit to take my spot.”
Gaia and Selene were his identical twin sisters. Both of them were skilled at political maneuvering. "Hmmm...perhaps." Lux replied. "Still, though, you should have talked to me before you announced this choice so publicly."
“Am I in trouble?” Lightning asked; for the briefest of moments, he was a little colt again, lying about taking from the cookie jar without permission. Lux sighed.
"No. You are grown now. I can't stop you from making your own choices." Lightning gave a nod. His guilt was punishment enough. So he went to his bedchambers. Titania came to see him a few minutes later.
“Are you gonna scold me now, too?” Lightning sighed.
"No." Titania said. "I'm not your mother." Lightning fell silent. She laid down next to him.
“What am I going to do, Titania? I’ve likely caused a scandal in the Concillum, my father’s disappointed in me…”
"I'm not."
“I know you aren’t.” Lightning said, draping an arm over her shoulders and snuggling up to her. “You’re my best friend. You always will be.”
Titania smiled. "I am happy to hear that." And so, they snuggled; it was normally not something best friends would do, but Lightning and Titania were an odd pair. A more accurate term to describe them could be "friends with benefits", as their relationship was often...rather sexual. Lightning placed his face into Titania’s bosom, a muffled purr coming from him like a cat. She grinned, getting up and beginning to undress. Lightning began doing the same.
Lux, who was making his way towards the bedroom, soon heard them begin making love. Or, rather, he heard Titania. He promptly turned around, going to attend to other matters until they were finished. Once the noise died down, he went to see Lightning. The prince quickly covered himself, embarrassed. Titania got dressed and left the room, leaving father and son alone.
"Did you enjoy yourself?" Lux asked coyly.
“I did.” Lightning replied awkwardly.
"Good." Lux said, taking a seat on the edge of the bed. "Now, Lightning, if you're truly serious about joining Starfleet, you need to understand how intense the training will be. It isn't going to be a fun, leisurely exercise regimen. You'll be pushed to your limits, mentally and physically."
Lightning nodded. He was not the most magically adept, in spite of being a natural born alicorn. What he lacked in magical ability however, he made up for in strength and quick, improvisational thinking.
"I have someone in mind to train you." Lux continued. "Do not think ill of her. She is harsh, but fair. She's one of Starfleet's best soldiers." At this Lightning perked up.
"I'll give her a call." Lux said, getting up and exiting the room. Far away, a black-haired pegasus named Andromeda Aquila was woken up by her phone ringing. Choking back a snore, she got up and answered it. She listened, replied when she needed to, and hung up. "Fuck." She said, sitting on the edge of the bed. Her girlfriend, a cherry red mare named Rosebud, stirred.
“Who was that?”
"Grand Ruler Lux." Andromeda replied. Rosebud’s eyes widened.
“What would he be calling at this hour for?”
"He wants me to train Prince Dawn."
“...Saywhanow?”
Andromeda nodded. "He wants me to train his precious son."
“You don’t sound too enthused about it.” Rosebud replied. “Want me to come with you? I’ll bring my whip.” The mare nearly keeled over from laughing at Andromeda’s shocked expression.
"Um...yeah." Andromeda replied, blushing, standing up and cracking her neck. "Come on. Let's get ready and go." Rosebud nodded, dressing quickly in a crop top and shorts. Andromeda put on pants, boots, and a leather jacket over a white shirt. They left, going to meet with Grand Ruler Lux and Lightning. At least, that's what she thought would happen. In reality, the Councillum had reassembled for the purpose of discussing matters they hadn't gotten to the previous day, including military issues, with Andromeda chosen to represent Starfleet. She was told all of this when they were halfway to their destination.
"This day keeps getting better and better." She muttered after hanging up.
“Ohk, it’s not all bad.” Rose reassured her as they flew across the road leading out of Spectropolis. “We just have to sit through some boring meeting.”
Andromeda had caused a stir in the Church a few weeks earlier, having told the Pope to, quote, 'kiss my black, furry ass', after Celestine criticized the conduct of Andromeda's team in the recent skirmishes against bandits on the frontier. Rosebud had hit on Cardinal Luciana for good measure, simply to intimidate the Church into ‘doing something’ to Andromeda. Excommunication for them both soon followed. Andromeda didn't care. The Church meant nothing to her, its holy texts worth about as much as toilet paper in her eyes. She knew Rosebud felt about the same.
As they walked into the Imperial Palace, heading for the meeting room, Andromeda lit a cigarette, offering one to Rosebud. Rosebud refused. “I brought my own.” She pulled out a small joint, what she called a ‘jazz cigarette’, and lit it.
"You and I never take these meetings very seriously, do we?" Andromeda said.
“Not really, no.” Rosebud said, coughing from the marijuana smoke.
"It's just a bunch of pompous assholes sitting around and talking instead of acting."
“Right. It’s Starfleet-oh, I’m sorry, the Adeptus Spatium-that does all the dirty work.” Rosebud said, offering her joint to Andromeda. “Want a hit?”
"Sure." After Andromeda took a deep hit and let out a rough, spasmic cough, Rose took the joint back. Once they got to the meeting hall, she was thoroughly baked. Andromeda was helping her along. The red pegasus was laughing hard about something only she would find funny as she walked alongside Andromeda, her eyes red and bloodshot.
Lux facepalmed when they walked in. “I thought Starfleet members would be more...professional than this.” Lightning said, clearly forgetting his own haggard appearance from earlier.
Andromeda ignored him, helping Rosebud into her seat before sitting down herself. Rosebud’s laughter soon subsided. “So, why are we here?”
"Let me guess: You want some actual soldiers to give you input on military matters." Andromeda said dryly. Lux shrugged. She wasn't entirely wrong.
“I think this matter’s more important.” Lightning said. He had no clue what Andromeda was there for, either.
"There is one matter we must discuss." Lux said, his tone grave. "Horus has escaped."
“...What!?” Lightning said, nearly falling from his chair in surprise. “He can’t have escaped! The seal on Tenebris!”
“How’d the seal get broken anyway?” Rosebud asked. “I thought that thing was strong.”
"It was, but it has been 10,000 years. We are fortunate that spell endured this long."
“Well can’t you just beat him and seal him again. You’re the Grand Ruler. It shouldn’t be that hard.”
Lux stared at her. "The last war against Horus lasted nine years." He said. "The spell that imprisoned him was complex and draining. I nearly died casting it. More to the point, my son isn't stupid. He won't be trapped the same way again."
“What do you need us to do?” Rosebud asked; in spite of being higher than a cloud, she knew the situation had turned dire. She stood up straight and stared at the Grand Ruler as only a soldier could. “I will die in your service if need be.
"For now, I need all of you to keep this quiet." He said. "The people of the Imperium are already frightened by the recent bandit raids. Hearing that Horus has returned will only make them panic. Now, all of you are dismissed. Rosebud, Andromeda, Lightning and Titania, you stay."
Once they were alone, Lux turned to Lightning. "This is Andromeda Aquila." He said. "She will be training you." Lightning turned to the mare and was greeted with the most beautiful pony he’d ever seen: a coat as black as the night, long, flowing blonde hair, emerald green eyes, a well-toned body with shapely legs...he was getting distracted. Clearing his throat, Lightning extended his hand. “A pleasure to meet you, ma’am.”
Andromeda shook his hand, her grip firm. "Good job, recruit." She said. "I don't have to teach you how to refer to your superiors."
“Ma’am, yes, ma’am!” Lightning responded appropriately.
"There is another thing." Lux said. "This does not leave this room: Queen Pinsar's seal is starting to weaken."
This terrified Lightning even more than Horus. The Infestatio Queen. She had been such a grave threat that Lux and Horus temporarily joined forces to imprison her in the planet's core. She was feared across the Imperium, for good reason.
"Do not concern yourself with her or Horus for the time being." Lux said. "Focus on your training, Lightning. Alright?"
“I will make you proud.”
Lux sent them on their way. As they left, Andromeda made calls to the rest of her team, telling them to meet her at their usual meeting spot. Lightning was excited. Today was the beginning of the rest of his life.
