It was a quiet, pale morning over Equestria's countryside. and though the sun had not yet risen, the calls of wild birds could be faintly heard in the air. it would've been a relaxing scene for practically anypony to witness…except for one.

Twilight Sparkle, the newly crowned Princess of Magic, straightened out a crease in the periwinkle blue formal gown she wore, looking outside at the passing scenery with an air of unease and fear.

Normally, a train ride to Canterlot would've been no issue, as she had done so many times in the past. However, there were a few circumstances that revolved around this train ride that made her nerves quiver.

First, she was alone. Apart from the crew and two Solar Guards, who were stationed at the entrances and exits of the train car, she was unaccompanied. Second, she was specifically instructed by Princess Celestia not to tell a soul about the specific circumstances of this trip. Lastly, it was those exact circumstances that set this journey apart.

Twilight glanced over at an unfurled scroll from her mentor, and took in a breath to reassure herself. The scroll, once tightly sealed, now lay flat, the message within having been re-read at least seven times by now.

My dearest student, Princess Twilight Sparkle,

Though this request may come as a surprise or even as unusual, I must ask you to come to Canterlot tomorrow morning, just before I raise the sun. I must also ask you to wear attire suitable for your new station, as this meeting holds great importance to not only our realm, but another that we hold as a close ally.

I know this summons will catch you off guard or unprepared, but please understand that it had to be this way, due to circumstances beyond my own or my sister's control.

And please understand that whatever should happen, I only ask you to trust me in this matter.

Princess Celestia.

As Twilight settled back into her seat, her eyes slowly began to close at the soothing feeling of the train's wheels and pistons humming beneath her. Sleep had been elusive to her on the previous night, and now, she was beginning to feel its pull on her, wearing away her resolve to stay awake.

"Princess?"

She quickly snapped herself back to the land of the waking, and turned to see the two Solar Guards that had accompanied her approach.

"We've arrived at Canterlot Station." the first Guard reported. "Princess Celestia's orders stated that we are to escort you to her office without delay."

"I understand." Twilight replied, standing up to look herself over in the window. Upon seeing that everything was in order, she began the trek to Canterlot's Royal Palace, the two Guards by her side. Thankfully, there were few citizens that were awake, and those that did notice bowed out of respect and stepped aside to let them pass without incident.

Twilight returned the gestures with nods and small waves, and as they approached the palace gates, Twilight was surprised to see six strangers, clad in green and brown cloth with steel-colored armor, standing at attention across from a row of six Solar Guards, waiting at the doors.

"Who are they?" Twilight asked one of her escorts. "Or do you know where they come from?"

"My apologies, Princess, but we don't know." the Solar Guard replied. "All Princess Celestia would tell us was that they are soldiers providing protection for a visiting dignitary, and they were to be treated with great courtesy and respect."

Twilight nodded in reply, and as the doors opened before them, Twilight could see an additional soldier, clad in the same green and brown cloth, although his armor was more ornate and bore a command sash, standing to the side in the corridor that led to Princess Celestia's office.

As Princess Twilight approached, the soldier bowed, and opened the door for her with his hand. Waiting for her inside was Princess Celestia, as expected, but to Twilight's confusion, there was also another.

He was thin but well-built, with straight auburn hair kept in a presentable yet casual style. He wore simple yet regal robes with a green fur-trimmed sash, and gray trousers with hiking boots. A sword in its sheath lay to his side, at a reachable yet respectable distance.

His green eyes were full of life and curiosity, and his reserved feeling around him gave Twilight the impression that wherever he came from, he was of some great importance.

"Ah, Twilight, thank you for coming on such short notice." Princess Celestia said kindly as the Princess of Magic sat down. "May I introduce our guest, First Prince Mathias Orren, of the Cydonian kingdom."

"My pleasure to meet you, Princess." Mathias said, and Twilight nodded back with a small smile. He reminded her of a younger form of her older brother, Prince Shining Armor, only a little smaller in stature.

"Likewise, Prince Mathias." she replied. "I don't believe I've heard of Cydonia before, though. How far is it from Equestria?"

"It's only a few hours' voyage to the southeast, but we have been isolated from the rest of the world for some time." Mathias replied. "Which does bring us to the matter of prominence that brought me here."

"What might that be?" Twilight asked.

"You see, Princess Twilight, I don't suppose you've heard the story of the battle and treaty of Agamid, have you?" Mathias asked, and Twilight shook her head.

"I see. That doesn't surprise me, as it's not a very well-known story outside of Cydonia, I will admit." Mathias continued. "Princess Celestia can take it from here, as I have heard the story many times, but I am not the most qualified to tell it."

Twilight turned to look at her mentor as Celestia began to speak.

"Five hundred years ago, Cydonian trading vessels landed in Equestria, and shortly after, I met with the current Cydonian King and Mathias's ancestor, Saladin. The talks were peaceful and amicable, and we were in the process of establishing formal relations when word came…that Equestria had been invaded from the west."

"Who were they?" Twilight dropped her jaw slightly. "I didn't know that there was civilization that far outside our borders."

"That is the case for good reason, Princess Twilight." Princess Celestia replied. "They came from a land known as Aethus, under the orders of their High King, Aitanus. He had heard mystical, fantastical stories of Equestria's supposed "wonders", and wanted them for his own."

"Was invading Equestria necessary to accomplish that?" Twilight asked.

"Unfortunately yes, in the High King's eyes." Celestia shook her head sadly. "The High King was very ill in both body and mind, from years of searching for a supposed "Elixir of Life". He wished to be immortal so he could rule his realm forever."

"He ordered his soldiers to interrogate any form of leadership among our people for any information on the Elixir, among his other pursuits. I appealed to him to leave our borders in peace…and he refused." she finished.

"What resulted was the Battle of Agamid." Prince Mathias said, as Twilight turned to him to listen. "A combined force of Cydonian and Equestrian soldiers, led by both Princess Celestia and King Saladin…stormed the enemy lines around the fort of Agamid."

"The High King turned out in his own battle armor to challenge us…and was slain afterward." Mathias added. "His forces then surrendered out of fear. Apparently, the High King had established such a facade of health and power…that his own soldiers feared him above all else, even in death."

"After the dead were counted, the Aethusian General asked for the king's body. so it could be cremated upon his return home. After we did so, he promised us that the next time the eastern world and the west met, it would be a peaceful matter, no matter what."

"And with that, Princess Twilight, I signed the treaty of Agamid with King Saladin." Celestia breathed a sigh of relief. "In exchange for their services, I promised them that whatever they should ask for, it would be granted to them under an eternal oath."

"Now, they have come to have my oath fulfilled."

"What did you ask for?" Twilight turned to Prince Mathias, who looked away all of a sudden. Twilight turned to Princess Celestia, who breathed in and out several times before speaking.

"My dearest student, Princess Twilight Sparkle…Prince Mathias has asked on the treaty of Agamid…for your willing hand in marriage, as his betrothed."

With those words, Twilight's heart stopped in its tracks, and she turned to Prince Mathias, who slowly took out a small velvet box, inscribed with golden thread. Slowly, he opened the top, revealing a simple yet beautiful silver ring.

Twilight's jaw dropped and a hand went to her heart as she struggled to find her voice. Before she could respond, her vision went dark, and then…falling. The last thing she could feel before she slipped into unconsciousness was a pair of arms circling around her warmly and a voice whispering into her ear.

"Please…Princess Twilight…forgive me."

Author's Note

Well, it's finally here at long last. It took me a few revisions to really nail down a plotline for the Battle of Agamid, but I'm happy with this final version.

I based the High King of Aethus off of the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, and his similar searches for the elixir of life. (At least the High King didn't take daily doses of mercury, like the Emperor did.)

Anyway, I hope you like this remaster, and I'll have more out soon.