The sun shines down upon the ruined landscape of Equestria, barely piercing though a cover of clouds. It’s light provides life giving warmth and illumination for the ponies remaining.
However, if one were to look close at the sun, they might find something odd.
From the sun itself comes the sound of joyous giggling, as a white alicorn filly rushes across it’s surface. Her simple pink mane flows behind her, as she chases after the form of another filly.
The filly eventually catches the other one, tapping her, “Tag, Sunny!”
The filly smiles, though her smile grows weaker as she sees the other filly disappear.
She pouts, “I was having fun.”
A much larger alicorn mare approaches the filly, “I apologize, Celestia. It’s important.”
Celestia turns to face the mare, seeing an almost identical visage, but her mane is multicolored compared to Celestia’s pink mane.
Celestia rushes over to the mare, hugging her foreleg, “Big sis! It’s been so long since you visited!”
The mare smiles softly, “Your friends entertained you while I was away, and I knew you weren’t lonely. However, I’m afraid this is important, and I need you to adopt your important filly stance.”
Celestia nods, and sits on the sun, looking up at the mare, “Of course, big sis.”
The mare sits as well, “I said important filly stance, Celestia. That means names.”
She smiles, “Understood, Miss Dawn Guard.”
Dawn nods, “Good job, Celestia. This is important, so clear your mind of frivolous things and listen closely.”
Celestia nods, “I’m listening.”
Dawn smiles, “Very good. We don’t have much time, so allow me to tell you everything important. Equestria has undergone a coup, one which killed me and put Luna in power, which was headed by a bad pony. Our nephew, Blueblood, started a war in my name. Said war ended with the destruction of Equestria and the world in general, as they used weapons of mass destruction. It has been two hundred years, and ponies are reestablished. In order to make sure that Equestria can be reforged, you shall be sent down to the surface.”
Celestia pauses, “I... I’m going back down?”
Dawn nods, “Yes, Celestia. You are Princess Celestia, the true Celestia I am but a shade of. You are the only one who could reunite the world, and make it right.”
She looks down, “I’m not too sure about this...”
Dawn narrows her eyes, “Celestia, this is not an argument. The fate of the world relies upon you. You cannot simply say no.”
She scuffs her hoof on the sun, “I know...”
Dawn sighs, and pats the filly’s leg, “Celestia, it’s what he would have wanted. He would have sacrificed everything to protect the world. You are his daughter, and you must do the same as he would.”
She looks back up, “But what about Discord? Couldn’t he?”
Dawn shakes her head, “No, Celestia. Discord is dead. Sombra is dead. Luna is dead. There is only one left able to rule, and he is but a mere mortal. There is no second option, there is no choice. You have to do this.”
She sighs, “It just seems so unfun. I want to stay up here, and continue to play with my friends.”
Dawn smiles softly, “Celestia, there are ponies down there for you to play with and befriend. Real ponies, not just constructs of magic. Ponies you can talk to, and not have them repeat the same thing back.”
Celestia smiles, “Really?”
Dawn nods, “Most definitely, Celestia. But there are also bad ponies. Bad ponies you can defeat and thwart. And there are armies, armies of pegasi equipped with modern technology who will listen to your command. You just need to find them. The Blueblood Enclave, Celestia, you need to find them. They’ll protect you, teach you, and listen to your command.”
Celestia stands up, “I’ll find them, big sis! And I’ll make so many friends! And I’ll save the world! I’ll make you proud, and Luna, and daddy!”
Dawn smiles, “Will you be brave, Celestia?”
She nods, “Yes! I’ll be brave, and strong, and smart, and clever, and courageous, and kind, and generous, and honest, and strong, and smart, and I’ll be the bestest Princess in Equestria!”
Dawn nods, “I know you’ll be all of that, Celestia. But above all else, be safe.”
Celestia smiles, “Of course, big sis! I’ll be safe! I’ll be the safest pony in all of Equestria!”
Dawn smiles back, “That is all I can ask for.”
Celestia rushes her, giving her a big hug, “Will you come with me, big sis?”
Dawn returns the hug with one leg, “I’m sorry, Celestia, but I can’t. I’m dead, and only my spirit remains. But if you ever need to see me, simply close your eyes. I’ll be there.”
Celestia nods, “So I’m going to be alone?”
Dawn shakes her head, “You’re never alone, Celestia. Ponies still are there. Ponies you can befriend.”
Celestia smiles, and breaks up the hug, “Should I pack a lunch?”
Dawn smiles back, shaking her head, “No food from here would exist there. Just find Blueblood’s Enclave, and make friends.”
Celestia nods, “Alright, big sis, I’m ready.”
Dawn lights up her horn, “Good luck, Celestia.”
Yellow magic surrounds Celestia, and she is sent towards the ground below, looking almost like a teardrop from the sun.
She bursts through the cloud layer, allowing ponies to see her from miles around.
A pair trotting in the wastes look to the sky.
A changeling nymph, with red eyes and mane and wearing a faded grey war coat, looks at the one she’s traveling with, “Do you see that?”
Her companion, a young, beige Griffon with bright blue eyes and a slightly darker blue military coat, nods, “What do you think it is?”
The nymph shrugs, “I have no idea, but it looked like it came from the sun.” She smiles, “It might help us.”
He smiles back, “Let’s go see what it is, then.” He takes a rifle off his back, “But we’re not going to be the only ones checking it out.”
She grins, drawing a submachine gun, “Of course, so we best be prepared.”
The two of them move onwards, set off to where Celestia landed.
Celestia blinks as her eyes open again, finding herself in a barren, hilly wasteland. Dead trees litter the landscape, as do overturned carts and bones. She yawns, and stands up, looking around.
Approaching from behind her are a pair of ponies, dressed in red and gold armor, with machetes at their sides. They both wear helmets. The mare, colored gold, has Griffon feathers coming out of her helmet in a plume. The stallion, colored green, has no feathers coming out of his own.
The two stop in front of Celestia, and the mare looks down at her, “Ave, filly of the sun. You are the one who caused the Sun’s Tear, are you not?”
Celestia tilts her head, “What?”
The mare looks at the stallion, and he smiles softly at Celestia, “Were you the one who made that gold stuff come down to the surface?”
She shakes her head, “No, that was big sis.”
The stallion nods, “And what is big sis’s name?”
Celestia smiles, “Dawnguard.”
The stallion nods again, “And what’s your name?”
She grins, “Celestia!”
The two glance at each other again, and the stallion looks back, “Well, Celestia, I’m Gladius, and she’s Solis. We’re from the Legion, and we’re going to take you someplace safe.”
Celestia shakes her head, “Sorry, but big sis said to not trust strangers.”
Gladius smiles slightly, “We aren’t strangers, we’re simply friends who have yet to become friends. Our leader would really like to meet you.”
Celestia smiles back, “Sorry, but I really can’t. Strange adults aren’t to be trusted, that’s what I was taught.”
Gladius loses his smile, “We aren’t strange, we’re Legion. And Princeps would really like to meet you. I’m sure you and him could be friends.”
Celestia shakes her head, “I’m sorry, but no. I really should be moving on.”
Gladius frowns, drawing his machete, “That’s not an option, Celestia.”
Celestia takes a few steps back, “You’re not being friendly at all.”
Terra draws her own machete, “Shut it, filly. Either follow us, or we’ll tie you up and carry you.”
Celestia frowns, and spreads her wings in an attempt to intimidate, “I said no!”
Terra trots closer, “How adorable, and absolutely pathetic. Gladius, let’s capture this brat. She’ll make a good slave.”
Gladius takes some rope from his side, and they both trot closer to Celestia. She looks at the two of them, whimpering.
She hears a shout from behind her, “Duck!”
Celestia gets low to the ground, hearing a bang and seeing Terra fall over. Gladius looks behind her, only to fall as well as more banging fills the air.
More bangs come, as the changeling nymph with the submachine gun makes sure they’re dead. When her gun runs dry, she smiles, and turns back to Celestia, “Hey.”
Celestia looks up at her, “What was that?”
She grins, “We took care of the bad ponies. What’s your name?”
Celestia slowly stands up, frowning as she sees the dirt now in her coat, “Celestia.”
The nymph nods as a Griffon lands beside her, “I’m Musketeer, and he’s Grover the Sixth. We’re on an adventure to reform the Griffonian Empire and the Red Hive and make them into a union.”
Celestia nods, “Big sis said I need to remake Equestria.”
Grover smiles, “Well, we can help each other then.”
Musketeer nods, “It’s always nice to have a friend.”
Celestia smiles, “Friend?”
Musketeer smiles back, “Yes, friend. Us two are friends, and you could be a friend as well. We can help you get the Equestrian crown, and you can help us get our crowns.”
Grover nods, “Once our nations are formed, we could continue to help each other in changing the world.”
Celestia smiles wider, “Let’s be friends!”
Musketeer grins, “Friends?”
Celestia nods, “Friends!”
Grover smiles, “Friends.” He pauses, and looks into the distance, “So, Celestia, we’re headed to the Badlands. It’ll be a long journey, but worth it.”
Celestia smiles back, “It’ll be short, because we’re friends, and being with friends makes time go faster.”
Musketeer smiles, “You’re right, it does. This trip should take no time at all.”
Grover nods, “Let’s get going immediately, then. I’m afraid there are some Bloods coming here.”
Musketeer pauses, looking into the sky, “Damn, you’re right. Alright, Celestia, we need for you to blend into the terrain.”
Celestia nods, “Perfect! I learned how to look like a tree a long time ago.”
Grover chuckles, “You looking like a tree? You’ve got me curious.”
Musketeer nods, “Yes, but that comes later. Right now, I need you to get dirt in your coat.”
Celestia gasps, “My coat?”
Musketeer nods again, “Yes, so you won’t be as visible from above.”
Celestia looks at her white coat, “Are you sure?”
Grover smiles, “Think of it like a game of advanced hide and seek. You need to blend in so the seekers can’t find you.”
Celestia smiles, “Oh, okay!” She gets low to the ground, rolling around in the dirt and dust until her coat is more brown, “Is this good?”
Musketeer smiles, “Very good. Now, let’s get moving quickly.”
Grover nods, “Yes, let’s play tag. The tagged are coming for us, and we need to get away!”
Celestia springs to her hooves, “Tag? I love tag!”
Grover laughs, tapping her, “Well, you’re it!” He begins to run south east.
Musketeer rushes after him, laughing as well.
Celestia giggles, and sets off in pursuit.
