Praetorian Sunset Shimmer trudged through the muddy roads of Ponyville, her once gleaming white boots, now a dirty brown. Alongside her was five other guards, each wearing the standard golden armor, with a spear in hand. They were here to investigate reports about a strange monster on the edge of the Everfree Forest. Normally they would just send the guards, but with the decades of peace, the Praetorian Guard was more or less just ore elite guards that were sent out on the same missions. This usually involved defending towns against bandits, or stopping out of control bar fights. She suspected this was no different.
Of course, the Praetorians were still extremely feared and revered, their skill and specially made armor only adding to it. Even now the guards trailing behind her whispered and murmured, believing to be out of earshot from her. This was obviously not the case though, especially considering that they were only about 3 steps behind her.
Her thoughts were cut off as a pink pony suddenly appeared in front of her. Instincts flipping in, Sunset drew the sword from her waist, bringing it up to the ponies neck. This however, didn't seem to matter enough to her, as she simply stood there smiling, slightly bouncing up and down.
"Hey there, are you new to Ponyville? Wait! Beore you answer that what flavour muffins do you like?" She said at what seemed like the speed of light. This pony had clearly had too much sugar.
Clearing her throat, she sheathed her sword, not wanting to appear more hostile than she already did. "I am Praetorian Sunset Shimmer and me and a small detachment of guards have come to investigate the monster sightings." She said, noting how the ponies expression fell for just a second before picking itself back up.
"Oh yeah that, come on I'll show you to it." She said before turning around and walking off, likely in the direction of the Everfree.
Looking around Sunset noted how the locals were nowhere to be seen, except for the occasional face looking out a window and pony at a stall. These ponies were obviously scared of this monster. Although, most ponies were scared of a lot of things. She had met one pony who was scared of doors. She didn't have time to think of that however as they soon reached the edge of the Everfree.
What she didn't expect to see was a pony.
"I'm sorry where is the monster?" She asked the pink pony
Gulping, she pointed a shakey finger at the pony. Said pony had black skin, with a blue hoodie on. it also appeared to be lying on a tree, it's hood pulled over its head. The faint sound of snoring also eminated from it. Eyebrows raised she slowly approached it, shooting a confused look at the pink pony, only to find her gone. Confusion only growing she slowly continued her approach.
She froze. Then, at that moment, she understood why the locals were scared. Underneath the creatures back, barely visible, was a pair of wings. But not just any wings, but leathery, bat like wings. Her understanding increased tenfold though, as suddenly the creature yawned, revealing a pair of sharp, gleaming white fangs. It soon began to shuffle looking up with slitted blue eye, raising an eyebrow at the Praetorian above him and the guards behind her.
"Morning." It said, stretching it's arms. Looking back up, it frowned at her, "Anything I can help you with?" It said, beginning to stand up.
Reacting instantly, Sunset drew her sword, placing it on it's neck. "Don't move monster." She said threateningly.
Freezing, the creature raised it's hands, slowly lowering itself to the ground before sighing. "So you're like the locals too 'ey." It said, looking up at her with a sad look in it's eyes, "Thinking I'm a monster cause I'm different? I expected better from Equestrians."
Sunset stared at it in confusion. If it wasn't a monste, what was it? It appeared to be a pony. Some twisted type of pony. "Well, if you aren't a monster, what are you?" She asked, lessening the pressure of the sword on it's neck.
"I'm a thestral, though I don't expect you to know what that means. Not many do." It replied, a thoughtful look on it's face.
Sunset's eyes lit up. A brand new species. And apparently, no one else knew about them. Before Sunset had joined the Praetorians she had been an extreme book nerd, obsessed with research and knowledge. Clearly she still had some of that in there. Before she could continue to ask questions however, an arrow landed at her feet, causing her to jump back in shock. Looking back she saw that several other arrows had landed at the other guard's feet.
Looking back she found the thestral gone from it's spot underneath the tree, a small note replacing him. Cautiously, Sunset approached it, eyes shooting to every tree in an attempt to find the archer. Her efforts were in vain however, as she failed ot locate it. Sighing, she crouched down to pick up the note, reading it.
Dear Equestrian,
Enclosed is a letter to your leader, able to only be read by a ruler.
Therefore, any attempts you may make to read it will be in vain.
⎅⟒⏃⍀ ⟒☌⎍⟒⌇⏁⍀⟟⏃,
⏁⊑⟟⌇ ⟟⌇ ⏃ ⋔⟒⌇⌇⏃☌⟒ ⎎⍀⍜⋔ ⌿⍀⟟⋏☊⟒ ⌰⊬☊⏃⋏ ⍜⎎ ⏁⊑⟒ ⌿⍀⟟⋏☊⟟⌿⏃⌰⟟⏁⊬ ⍜⎎ ⟒⎐⟒⍀⎎⍀⟒⟒.
⏃⎎⏁⟒⍀, ☊⟒⋏⏁⎍⍀⟟⟒⌇ ⍜⎎ ⟟⌇⍜⌰⏃⏁⟟⍜⋏ ⎎⍀⍜⋔ ⏁⊑⟒ ⍜⏁⊑⟒⍀ ⍀⏃☊⟒⌇, ⍙⟒ ⊑⏃⎐⟒ ⎅⟒☊⟟⎅⟒⎅ ⏁⍜ ⍜⌿⟒⋏ ⎅⟟⌿⌰⍜⋔⏃⏁⟟☊ ⍀⟒⌰⏃⏁⟟⍜⋏⌇.
⋏⍜⍙, ⏃⌇ ⍙⟒ ⊑⏃⎐⟒ ⋏⍜⏁ ⎅⟟⌇☊⎍⌇⌇⟒⎅, ⍜⍀ ⎅⟒☊⟟⎅⟒⎅ ⏚⍜⍀⎅⟒⍀⌇, ☍⋏⍜⍙ ⏁⊑⟟⌇.
⏁⊑⟒ ⟒⎐⟒⍀⎎⍀⟒⟒ ⎎⍜⍀⟒⌇⏁, ⏃⋏⎅ ⏃⌰⌰ ⟟⏁ ⟒⋏⏁⏃⟟⌰⌇ ⟟⌇ ⏃ ⌿⏃⍀⏁ ⍜⎎ ⏁⊑⟒ ⌿⍀⟟⋏☊⟟⌿⏃⌰⟟⏁⊬.
⟟⎎ ⊬⍜⎍ ⍙⟟⌇⊑ ⏁⍜ ⋔⟒⟒⏁ ⍙⟟⏁⊑ ⎍⌇ ⏁⊑⟒⋏ ⊬⍜⎍ ⊬⍜⎍⍀⌇⟒⌰⎎ ⋔⎍⌇⏁ ☊⍜⋔⟒ ⟟⋏⏁⍜ ⏁⊑⟒ ⎎⍜⍀⟒⌇⏁ ⍙⟟⏁⊑ ⏃ ☌⎍⏃⍀⎅ ⍜⎎ ⋏⍜ ⋔⍜⍀⟒ ⏁⊑⏃⋏ ⎎⟟⎐⟒.
⟟ ⌰⍜⍜☍ ⎎⍜⍀⍙⏃⍀⎅ ⏁⍜ ⋔⟒⟒⏁⟟⋏☌ ⊬⍜⎍,
⌿⍀⟟⋏☊⟒ ⌰⊬☊⏃⋏ ⍜⎎ ⏁⊑⟒ ⟒⎐⟒⍀⎎⍀⟒⟒.
Sunset rolled the note up almost immediately before sending it to the Queen via magic. Turning back to the guards, she found them inspecting the arrows, while also glancing warily at the forest. Standing up, one of the guards approached her, arrow in hand.
"Praetorian, these arrows, they... They're made of a material that isn't on the periodic table. They are literally an unkown metal." She said, looking at the arrowhead in marvel. Looking closer Sunset could indeed see that it was an entirely new metal. These, thestrals as they called themselves seemed to be getting more and more interesting.
Leaving those thoughts for another time, she sheathed her sword, only just realizing it was still in her hands she placed her hands behind her back, facing the squad fully.
"Attention!" She yelled, bringing every guard to a stop as they snapped straight up, turning back to her.
Satisfied, she barked another order, "Guards! We are going back to Canterlot for new assignment. Mission is completed." And with that, they marched off...
Celestia gave a content sigh as she slumped back into her chair, the once massive pile of paperwork before her now reduced nothing but an empty spot on the desk. She had spent the better part of the day simply writing her name on paper, which can, believe it or not, get quite boring. Overall things had been relatively peaceful in Equestria since the complete reunification of the continent. The only real place's that weren't under her direct control was the Griffish continent and the Crystal Empire, the latter however being a vassal of her. Of course they would be integrated eventually with their autonomy having lowered severely over the last couple of years. Everything was right with the world.
A sudden knocking at her door brought her out of her stupor, causing her to grumble out something about peace and quiet before using her magic to open the door. Standing at said door was Praetorian Captain Shining Armor, his stoic look having never changed since the moment she had met him.
"And what is the meaning of this badly timed interruption Captain?" She sighed, giving him a look to say not to waste her time.
Bowing he stepped forward, pulling a letter out form the pouch at his side, "You may want to look at this." He said, not a hint of emotion in his voice.
Sighing she picked up the letter, "More paperwork I gue-" She stopped mid-sentence as her eyes fell upon the characters in the letter. She and only seen them once before, and it was not good. "Where did you get this?" She demanded, looking straight into the captain's eyes.
"Came in from Praetorian Sunset Shimmer when she was investigating monster sightings at Ponyville. Says a creature that called itself a thestral gave it to her before disappearing. her report also detailed that several arrow shots were fired at them, the arrowheads being made of a metal not found on the periodic table. Unfortunately all attempts to collect the arrows resulted in them, and I quote, "blowing to smitherens."."
The entire story would be completely unbelievable if it had come from anyone else but Shining Armor. He was the most serious person she ahd ever met, and had most likely never smiled. Frowning she stroked her chin in thought, trying to think of how to address this. her gaze returned to the letter that was now on the desk. She hadn't even read it yet, a major oversight from her. Picking it up, she began to read it.
Dear Equestria,
This is a message from the Prince of the Principality of Everfree.
After centuries of isolation from the other races, we have decided to open diplomatic relations.
Now, as we have not discussed, or decided borders, know this.
The everfree forest, and all it entails is a part of the principality.
If you wish to meet with us then you yourself must come into the forest with a guard of no more than five.
I look forward to meeting you,
Prince Lycan of the Everfree.
She stared at the letter. A slight chuckling came from her. It slowly grew into regular chuckling. Soon she was laughing her wings out, pounding the desk with her fist. her demeanor switched in an instant as she let loose a roar of rage, her mane sprouting into flame.
"HOW DARE THIS INSOLENT CREATURE CLAIM OWNERSHIP OF MY LANDS FOR A NATION THAT DOESN'T EVEN EXIST! IT'S A SCANDAL! IT'S AN OUTRAGE! I WILL SHOW THEM THE REASON I AM THE RULER OF EQUIS! ALL OF EQUIS!"
She continued roaring for quite some time, causing several staff and guards to see if all was fine, only to be dismissed by a worried looking Shining Armor. After the roaring had died down, and Celestia's mane had returned to it's regular rainbow ethereal colour did Shining speak.
"My queen, if I may make a suggestion." He requested, looking Celestia in the eyes. "We should see how this plays out."
He continued, holding both his hands up as Celestia's mane started flickering back into flame. "Now hear me out. From the report Praetorian Sunset gave me, this is an entirely new species that has never been recorder in Equestrian History. This is further reinforced by the fact that there has been no expeditions into the Everfree since the unification of Equestria. Of course the same cannot be said for the pre-unification nations. There is a possibility that these nations had established relations with them. Now if we can confirm this, it is possible that these pre-unification also had access to this mysterious metal that the arrows made with. This could bring us much prestige for discovering a new metal."
Celestia nodded in understanding, thinking of the implications of this. Not to mention what this new metal could be used for. Their weapon industry could experience a possible boom from this, giving them the ability to possibly invade Zebrica, maybe even Griffonia! one thing did stick out for her though.
"We didn't discover the metal though. These 'Thestrals' did." She stated, raising an eyebrow at her captain.
Then, for the first time ever, Shining Armor smiled. A devilish, evil smile that creeped Celestia out to no end.
"That's the thing. They have been in diplomatic isolation for who knows how long, therefore the other nations of the world have no knowledge that this 'Principality of Everfree' exists. And they won't ever have to." He finished, the evil smile still on his face.
Now mirroring Celestia's own.
"You truly are quite idiotic sir."
"Spare me the lecture Moondancer, this was necessary."
"And how exactly is it necessary my liege? If anything exposing ourselves is the opposite of necessary."
"We couldn't have just stayed in the forest for another 1000 years could we? Besides, now that we have reveaed ourselves we hold the all the cards."
'You do realize that Equestria owns the entire continent right? While we are strong, we aren't that strong."
"You see Moondancer, that is why we have the advantage. They own the entire continent, as well as a collossal army. Plus we have Ebony. All the Ebony in fact. And they will want that metal."
"That just means they have more reason to invade us!"
"It may seem that way but I am confident they won't at first. But in case they do, I have a plan."
And they talked into the night, Moondancer becoming mroe and more in awe of her Prince's plan. The Equestrians wouldn't know what hit them.
Author's Note
Dang, possibly one of the shortest chapters i have written. Honestly I just felt obligated to write a chapter for any of my books. Any critiscism is appreciated
