A World Apart

1300 Years Ago

Clipper woke up with a heavy heart. Today was the day of the meeting with Celestia. Last night the leaders of the movement had their final meeting. It was decided the course of action they would request. No longer would they stand by as the Princesses ran every aspect of ponys lives. They would have freedom even if they had to acquire it without their help. He had been chosen by the group due to his family’s connections. His father spent most of his life as an adviser to Princess Luna. As Clipper got out of bed, he used his magic to get his formal robes out of his closet and put them on. It was going to be an important meeting indeed. No one in the group wanted a showdown with the rulers but if they were forced they would face even death to get their freedom from what they saw as oppressive rule.

“I really hope this goes well “ he said as he left his room. “ This is the turning point for us all.”

Some of the pegasi advocated all out war to achieve their goals. Luckily cooler heads prevailed on them to try diplomacy first. As he entered the castle two guards met him to escort him to his meeting. Slowly it dawned on him he wasn’t heading to the official meeting hall. “ Where are we going?” he asked, fear entering his heart. Were they just going to silence him? And the whole movement? He
knew the sisters would do anything to preserve order and harmony, but would they kill thousands of ponys and foals to do it?

“We're going to the Sisters private meeting room.” one of the guards replied curtly.

Oh no Clipper thought. They are going to make me and anypony else that agrees with me just disappear. Slowly his belly grew cold, anticipating his death in the next few minutes. As they arrived at the door the guards opened it....remaining outside as he walked in. it was an interesting life, he mused as he walked into the presence of the two most powerful beings in the known world, fully believing he would never walk out again.

“Please have a seat Representative Clipper” Celestia said, pointing with her horn at a chair.

When the pointed her horn he flinched slightly, then realizing that it was nothing but a gesture, proceeded to sit in the chair. “I come to you today with a matter of great importance Princesses.”

“We both already know of the separatist movement.” Luna interrupted

Oh no, here it comes, he thought.

“We cannot allow ponys to just leave our land and wander the planet. It is much to dangerous. And there is the matter of security of the ponys who remain. Not that any of your group would willingly endanger any other ponys you may still inadvertently do so.” Celestia said flatly.

“You may have thousands of ponys in your movement there will be millions of ponys remaining that could be endangered.” Luna added

“How so. All we want is to be allowed to live our lives in the way nature intended” Clipper implored to the Princesses

“We understand that. We have thought long and hard over how to deal with this. And I and my sister have found only one suitable way to deal with this problem” Celestia proclaimed

Here it comes. Our death warrant. I wonder if they will let the foals live, they aren’t responsible for their parents actions.

Celestia took a deep breath, preparing to give her final word on the matter, and noticed something profound on Clippers face. It looked like a fear greater than death. What did he think she and her sister would do, kill them all? In curiosity she asked “Whats bothering you Representative?” she asked concerned.

“I'm sure you know as well as I do we cannot accept no for an answer. This was more to get your blessing than to ask permission. And I'm sure you know nothing short of force will stop us” Clipper stated.

“I never said no to your groups request. If you hadn’t jumped to that conclusion you’d have seen that I simply was asking for a compromise.” Celestia said forcefully, a small amount of anger in her voice.

“I’m sorry Princess but I don’t see any compromise in what you said.” Clipper responded, honestly a bit curious as to what she had in mind.

“I never said no to you. I just said your group couldn’t wander THIS world. We have found a world similar to this one, except there is no higher life forms living on it. Unfortunately it is very far away from here. So my counteroffer to your group is for me to send your people as well as basic supply’s to start a colony. But there is a down side. This will be a one way trip. Whether things work out for good or ill you will be stuck with your decision. It will take several weeks for me gather the strength to send your people and the necessary goods to the planet. That should allow you to explain this to them and gather what you need to start a new life there. Take this news to your people and explain it to them. In two weeks return here with their decision.” Celestia told him

Wow, that was better than the best news he could have hoped for. A whole new world away from the influence of the Princesses. A true way to know they were free. He already knew the resounding YES he would receive from the movements leaders when asked if it was acceptable. He worked hard to maintain a straight face when he agreed to talk it over with them and return in two weeks.

“Then that is all for this meeting. And discuss this with no pony outside of your group. We held this meeting in private for a reason. When you depart we want to be done with your group as much as you want to be done with us.” Luna stated bluntly

“You have my word” he said as he rose to leave. As he reached the door the guards opened it from outside as if commanded and escorted him out of the castle.

“Are you sure about this sister.” Luna asked, worried about her. “To cast all of them so far away that even if they decide they were wrong they would have no way to return?”

“Somehow I don’t think they would ever ask to return to us.” Celestia said sadly “They hate us for everything we do for them. All I have ever done for the ponys is to help them, to make their lives harmonious and happy. But these ponys hate hate us for that exact reason. So no matter how much it hurts to do it I will cast them away eternally for the same reason they hate us. To make their lives harmonious and happy.” A tear slowly left her eye. “I must prepare for this, it will not easy.”

“Your going to start now? I thought you gave them two weeks to make their decision. They may decide to stay.” Luna asked, tears in her eyes as well.

“They will say yes, didn’t you see it in his eyes.” Celestia said, her voice breaking. She hadn’t felt pain in her heart like this since seeing the torture Discord had wrought on all of ponykind. Quickly she left the meeting room and ran to her private room. When she got there she sobbed into her pillow for hours.