~Vesalipolis, The Changeling Lands~
It was a beautiful day in Vesalipolis. The sun of Celestia shone brightly from above, its rays casting a golden glow over the city, while the gentle winds flowed peacefully through the streets. At the heart of the capital, the Great Queen's Tower was in the midst of its first phase of construction. Changeling workers were hard at work, bustling in every corner of the site that is still very much under construction.
As the center of the city was cordoned off, heavily guarded by Queen Chrysalis's infamous Queen's Guard. Their watchful eyes scanned the perimeter, ensuring the safety and obedience of the workers as they toiled on the construction site. The sound of clanging tools and the hum of construction equipment filled the air. Yet, amid the noise and motion, something unusual began to unfold.
Suddenly, the energy of the site seemed to shift. The workers paused, their movements slowing, until the entire site fell into an eerie silence. The Changeling Foreman, the Construction Manager, the Site Engineer, and the Assistant Project Manager—along with every other Changeling present—simultaneously stopped what they were doing. One by one, they looked up, their eyes drawn toward what was above the very center of Vesalipolis itself that they're working on.
A collective murmur rippled through the crowd as they gazed upwards, their pupils narrowing in a mix of disbelief, panic, alarm, and intrigue. There, above them, something impossible had begun to unfold. The sky above cracked open, not with the thunderous roar of a storm, but with the slow, deliberate parting of clouds, as a pair of incorporeal immense hooves or claws, depending on everyling's point of view, is slowly ripping the sky apart. As the rift widened, a brilliant curtain of light began to spill through, bathing the city in an unnatural glow.
One of the changeling construction workers, upon seeing the sight above, suddenly slapped the changeling beside them. The other changeling, now fuming, spun around and demanded, "What was that for?! "
The changeling who had slapped them didn't answer. Instead, they turned the tables with a question of their own: "Are you still seeing what I'm seeing up there? "
Still fuming, the slapped changeling retorted, "What kind of question is that? Of course I'm seeing it, just like any other ling here! "
The changeling who had slapped them fell into a brief moment of thought. It couldn't be mass hysteria, so then could it be an illusion? Something that could affect us all?
But as soon as the thought surfaced, they subconsciously dismissed it. It wasn't that they hadn't encountered magic capable of causing mass hallucinations or illusions before. After all, every changeling could shapeshift with ease. But the spectacle above them was no ordinary illusion or transformation.
The transformation had been too gradual, too intricate. First, large claws or hooves appeared, then the sky cracked open, followed by the clouds parting, and finally, the emergence of that blinding light curtain. The complexity of such an illusion, unfolding so progressively, was beyond the reach of even the most skilled changeling except perhaps the Changeling Queens. If it had been a trick by one of them, it should have collapsed within seconds, unraveling like dominoes. But this... This wasn't like any illusion or transformation they had experienced before.
The changeling then paused again, their thoughts shifting. It might have been possible for another race, perhaps a Hippogriffian, to pull something like this off, but not a changeling, with the possible exception of a Changeling Queen. No, it was more likely they were dealing with something far beyond their understanding or perhaps an elaborate prank; nevertheless, one way or another, it is something that would anger Queen Chrysalis herself for delaying the construction of her tower.
But the longer they stared, the more their worry grew. The light above hadn't faded. In fact, it hadn't shifted at all. It lingered there, unmoving, undisturbed by the passage of time. Several minutes had gone by, and still, the spectacle held steady, like some unshakable force.
Was it really a one-time event? Could whoever—or whatever—had caused this also do it elsewhere, in other places, at the same time? Right?
The changeling couldn't shake the nagging feeling that this was far from over. Meanwhile, the changeling who had been slapped earlier stood motionless, staring at the one who had struck them, their expression deadpan. Their hooves tapped impatiently against the ground, waiting for the other changeling to snap out of their thoughts. Around them, the air was thick with chatter, growing concern, and rising alarm. The Queen's Guard, ever watchful, attempted to maintain order, urging the workers to return to their tasks immediately. At the same time, a telegram was dispatched to Queen Chrysalis, informing her of the unexpected and troubling development at the construction site of the Great Queen's Tower.
MEANWHILE, unbeknownst to the changelings of Vesalipolis, the strange phenomenon was not just limited to the capital city of Changeling Lands alone. In fact, the mysterious phenomenon was not just confined to the capital of their nation, for it had also spread worldwide.
From Canterlot of Equestria to the dual capitals of Hippogriffia, Mount Aris and Seaquestria, the phenomenon had been felt. Even in the most isolated corners of the world, such as the capital city of Blosmport of Greneclyf and in the heart of 'Sick Bird of Griffonia,' Griffenheim, the capital of the Griffonia Empire, the skies had cracked open with the mysterious phenomenon in tandem with the rest of the world.
~Canterlot, Equestria~
Inside Joe's Donut Shop, Silverstream sat with Gallus, eagerly sampling the latest flavor of donuts. The nutty, slightly sweet taste of the pistachio donut, with its subtle richness and savory aftertaste, filled her mouth. But even the delicious treat couldn't quell the shock that gripped her heart.
She stared, wide-eyed, through the window, her gaze fixed on the sky outside.
"What in the name of my aunt is that?!" she blurted, her voice high with disbelief.
Gallus, who had been enjoying his own donut, paused mid-bite and turned to look. The chaos outside was unmistakable.
"What's going on? Is it another Canterlot invasion?" he asked, his voice tinged with worry.
Around them, the other ponies in the shop began to panic. Cries of alarm echoed through the room.
"We're all going to die!" one of them shouted, a unicorn frantically waving their hooves.
"Everypony, calm down!" Another voice cut through the chaos, and it was none other than Donut Joe himself, the shop owner, standing behind the counter with a frown. "Look! There's something written in it!"
Silverstream's eyes flicked back to the skies of Canterlot, and sure enough, as the strange light continued to crack open the sky, words began to shimmer within the glowing light screen.
Meanwhile, due to the light curtain that suddenly appeared in the skies of Canterlot, the entire city of Canterlot was thrown into chaos with a mix of intrigue, alarm, panic, curiosity, and hysteria. Ponies abandoned their work, spilling out of their respective homes and establishments, all drawn to the light screen from above.
"The Transmission?" Gallus muttered under his breath, frowning as he squinted at the sky. He tugged at Silverstream's sleeve, trying to make sense of the distorted Hertzlander script displayed in the glowing light screen. He strained to pronounce the words, each one more difficult than the last due to it being distorted.
Silverstream, on the other hand, was attempting to read the characters in Hippogriffian, her beak moving as she mumbled the familiar alphabet of her homeland. Gallus raised an eyebrow. "Yo, Silverstream, why are you trying to read it in Hippogriffian?"
Silverstream paused, looking at him with a puzzled expression. "What do you mean, Gallus? All I see is Hippogriffian script on the light curtain."
Gallus's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? Because all I see is Hertzlander script."
Silverstream hesitated, her feathers ruffling as she rubbed her beak in thought. "Maybe it's just a matter of perception. I mean, if you're seeing Hertzlander and I'm seeing Hippogriffian, maybe the light curtain shows the language you're most attuned to?"
Gallus looked up again, his mind racing with this new possibility. Could it really be that the light curtain was adapting to each pony's or any creature's native language?
Just as they were processing the oddity, the translated characters—whether in Hertzlander, Equish, Hippogriffian, or whatever—suddenly vanished from the light curtain. It had been a few minutes at most, but the glowing message was gone as quickly as it had appeared, leaving nothing but an empty light screen in the sky.
Meanwhile, in Canterlot Castle's Throne Room...
Princess Luna, her brow furrowed in concern, turned to her older sister, Princess Celestia, with an incredulous expression. "Sister, are you certain this is not Discord's doing? " she asked. Her voice was laced with doubt. If this was the work of Discord, what was he up to, and why now?
Princess Celestia, ever composed, met her sister's gaze with a calmness that only came from thousands of years of experience. She gently set down the slice of chocolate cake she had been enjoying, her hooves steady. With a flick of her magic, she wiped her mouth with a napkin and calmly replied, "It is not Discord's doing, Luna. The moment I saw the light curtain appear, I teleported straight to Fluttershy's cottage."
She paused for a moment before continuing, her voice serene but firm. "Admittedly, I was skeptical at first, but if you think about it deeply, you'll understand. Such an event is far too controlled and too precise to be Discord's doing. He thrives on playful chaos, Luna. This is something entirely different."
Luna, still processing her sister's words, rubbed the underside of her jaw thoughtfully. "Then… have you seen magic like this before? " she asked, her voice filled with curiosity and concern.
Celestia shook her head slowly, her gaze distant. "Not at all."
The weight of her words hung in the air, and for a moment, the throne room was silent, as neither of them had any answers, and the uncertainty loomed large between them.
Suddenly, the silence of the throne room was shattered as a pony barged in without ceremony. It was none other than Captain Gleaming Shield, the newly appointed captain of the Royal Guard. She had taken the position after Captain Shining Armor, now Prince Shining Armor, had abdicated in her favor.
She stopped in front of the two Alicorn sisters, bowing respectfully before speaking. "Your Majesties."
Princess Celestia and Princess Luna both nodded in acknowledgment of her greeting. Celestia, ever the calm and composed ruler, was the first to speak. "What brings you here, Captain?"
Gleaming Shield stood up straight, her expression serious. "I have come to ask for permission to deploy the Royal Guards and to request assistance from the Lunar Guard in quelling the chaos and panic spreading throughout Canterlot, Princess."
Celestia's gaze softened, but her voice remained firm. "You may do so, Captain. But as for requesting assistance from the Lunar Guard, that decision lies with my sister."
With a subtle nod, Celestia turned toward Luna, who gave a small, resolute nod in return. Luna's horn glowed softly as she conjured an emblem in the shape of a crescent moon. She levitated it toward Captain Gleaming Shield, who caught it with her own magic.
"Present this to Captain Night Shroud of the Lunar Guard," Luna instructed. "It is my emblem of approval. She will mobilize the Lunar Guard under my authority."
Gleaming Shield bowed again, her expression resolute. "Thank you, Your Majesties." She straightened and turned toward the door, ready to carry out the quelling.
With one last bow, she exited the throne room, her hooves echoing in the silence as she set off to restore order in Canterlot.
~United Dragon Lands~
Today, the Mountain was happy—so happy, in fact, that even the dust in the air of the hollowed-out mountain seemed to dance in peace. Dragons of all shapes and sizes, both young and old, had gathered in the heart of the Mountain, a place of tradition and festivity. The air was thick with celebration, as the dragons came together to remember the sacrifices of the past and to honor the long-lasting peace that had been forged under the leadership of former Dragon Lord Torch.
The purpose of today's gathering was twofold: to commemorate the lives lost in the Dragon-Roc War decades ago and to celebrate the enduring peace that had followed. Dragons of all ages had come to remember the terrible cost of their victory—countless dragons had sacrificed their lives to defeat the Rocs, the natural deadly predators of young molting dragons. It was during that bloody incident that Young Ember, almost devoured by a Roc, was the spark that started the war that would shape the future of the Dragon Lands.
With the war long behind them and the Rocs finally defeated, the dragons celebrated their victory year after year. Dragon Lord Ember, the current ruler, honored the tradition her father, Torch, had established, holding a grand feast in the United Dragon Land capital, The Mountain, inviting all dragons to come together and revel in their shared triumph. It was a reminder of their draconic might, the Draconic Flames of Unity under their dragon lord, and the legacy of those who had fought and died for the young molting dragon's survival for generations to come.
Elder dragons, with their deep, gravelly voices, shared stories of the war with younger dragons, showing off their spoils of victory, like, for example, a massive Roc skull, worn with the marks of battle. The younger dragons gathered around, listening with wide eyes, hanging on every word as their elders regaled them with tales of Draconic Might and sacrifice.
Meanwhile, Dragon Lord Ember sat on her throne, her gaze distant and unbothered by the stories of war. She had heard enough of them from her father, Torch, over the years. Though she understood the importance of remembering the past, she was focused on the future—on the peace her father once had worked so hard to maintain; now it's her turn to do the same.
But just as the celebration reached its peak, the festivities were abruptly interrupted. As a purple dragon, his face pale and eyes wide with fear, he rushed into the inside of the mountain, breathless and panicked.
"Dragon Lord!" he gasped, stumbling forward. "Dragon Lord! The… the sky! It's… it's cracking!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, the entire hall of dragons fell into a stunned silence. All eyes were on the purple dragon, trying to process the gravity of what he had just said. But the silence didn't last long.
Dragon Lord Ember, one eyebrow arched in disbelief, leaned forward slightly. "Pardon? " she asked, her voice laced with skepticism. "You say the sky itself is cracking? Are you sure you're in the right state of mind, Gurgle? After all, you're known for always being high on dragon nip."
At the mention of his well-known fondness for dragon nip, a few of the dragons who knew Gurgle personally nodded in agreement. It was no secret that Gurgle had a rather... generous relationship with the plant. His fondness for it was legendary even among the dragons.
The Purple Dragon, now named Gurgle, who is clearly offended but still panicked, snapped back, his voice trembling with urgency. "Look, I may overindulge in dragon nip, but this time, I'm not! And I'm not joking either! Outside of the mountain, the sky is cracking! "
There was a brief pause as the other dragons exchanged uneasy and skeptical glances. The tension in the air thickened as they all tried to reconcile Gurgle's wild claim with the calm, peaceful festivities they'd been enjoying just moments before.
Dragon Lord Ember, though still skeptical, wasn't one to take chances. She leaned back in her throne and gestured for a few of the nearby dragons. "Sniff him," she ordered, her tone calm but firm. "We need to ensure he's not under the influence of dragon nip this time."
A couple of dragons, still unsure of what to make of the situation, approached Gurgle. One sniffed him, a deep inhale of the air around him, and then backed away with a grumble. "He's clean," the dragon muttered.
"Really? " Ember's gaze remained fixed on Gurgle, still not fully convinced. "Are you absolutely certain? " she asked, her voice steady but tinged with concern.
Gurgle, still visibly distressed, nodded earnestly. "Yes! I swear! It's not a joke, Dragon Lord! The sky outside, it's… it's breaking apart! "
Dragon Lord Ember hummed thoughtfully after hearing Gurgle's panicked explanation. Without a word, she stood up from her throne, her eyes narrowing in focus. Her claws reached for the Bloodstone Scepter that rested beside her, and with a swift motion, she gripped it tightly in her claws. The familiar weight of the scepter was a steadying presence as she took to the air, her wings beating powerfully.
"Every dragon, unto me!" she barked, her voice carrying authority and urgency throughout the mountain.
At first, a few dragons hesitated, unsure of what was happening. But then, one by one, they took flight and followed their Dragon Lord out of the mountain. Soon, the entire assembly of dragons followed suit, their wings stirring the air as they soared toward the entrance.
A Few Minutes Later…
Outside the mountain, the gathered dragons, including Dragon Lord Ember herself, stared in stunned silence. The sight before them was undeniable: the sky above the mountain was indeed cracking. The jagged fissures in the skies stretched like a massive rift, glowing with an unnatural light. Gurgle, who had been the subject of skepticism just moments before, now stood smugly among the crowd.
"Told y'all the sky was cracking," Gurgle said with a self-satisfied smirk, his chest puffing out.
Several nearby dragons shot him glares, clearly still annoyed by his earlier antics, but none of them spoke. The gravity of the situation was enough to silence them.
Dragon Lord Ember remained still, her gaze locked on the strange part of the crack in the sky. The light curtain shimmered like a massive screen, and for a moment, she wondered if it held the answers to what was happening. Her mind raced as she searched through her memories, recalling any ancient knowledge or tales her father, Dragon Lord Torch, might have shared with her. But after a few moments of intense thought, she came up empty. No, nothing like this had ever happened in the history of the Dragon Archipelago. There was no record of the sky itself splitting open in such a manner.
But just as the weight of the situation began to settle in, a voice broke through the silence.
"Could it be the ponies? " A dragon named Stoker, ever the skeptic, suggested, his sharp gaze fixed on the strange sky. "Maybe one of their spells or something? "
Smolder, who had been hovering nearby, rolled her eyes and quickly refuted the idea. "Nah, couldn't be them. I mean, what kind of pony would come all the way out here just to do that? Besides, I highly doubt a single pony has the power to crack the sky."
Ember remained silent for a moment longer, her sharp eyes never leaving the rift as Smolder's words resonated with her. Suddenly Ember's eyes widened as her thoughts brought an idea that struck her. "Wait… it could be an illusion," she muttered, more to herself than anyone else. Then, without wasting any time, she turned to the surrounding dragons and barked out an order. "Dragons, breathe fire! Focus your flames on the cracked sky! "
Without hesitation, a few dozen dragons opened their mouths in unison, unleashing powerful streams of draconic fire toward the rift above. The flames shot into the sky, but instead of dissipating, the Draconic Flames were absorbed by the crack, disappearing into the glowing fissures as though they had never existed.
Ember's wings flared in frustration. "Halt! " she commanded sharply, the flames cutting off instantly. She hovered in place, her mind churning. It's not an illusion. Whatever this was, it wasn't simply some trick of the eye.
But her thoughts were abruptly interrupted by one of the younger dragons, his voice rising in excitement. "Dragon Lord, look! There's movement on it! "
The air grew thick with anticipation as all eyes of the gathered dragons—thousands of them—turned to the sky. In the glowing crack of the sky, words began to form on the light screen, slowly, as if the sky itself was writing something new.
---
Meanwhile, Across the Rest of the World…
The new words appearing in the sky weren't just visible to the dragons of the United Dragon Lands. Across the world, in distant lands and far-reaching nations, the same thing is also unfolding.In the Crystal Empire, the streets were filled with crystal ponies looking upward in confusion and awe. In the Changeling Lands, changelings born of different queens stared at the skies of Vesalipolis, unable to look away.
In the Riverlands, the citizens halted their daily routines, gazing in silent wonder at the unusual phenomenon. In Zebrica, in Chiropterra, the Thestrals watched in rapt attention, their wings still, as they tried to decipher if the strange occurrence was a sign given to them by their beloved goddess of eternal night, Nightmare Moon.
Across the Continent of Equus, the Griffons of Nova Griffonia, the Deers of the Kingdom of Olenia, and even the Communist State of Stalliongrad looked up with furrowed brows. In the Heart of Hertzland, Griffonia Empire, the nobility, the church, and common griffon folks, too, were drawn to the sky, their collective gaze locked on the mysterious phenomenon.
And many other nations across the world seemed to hold their breath, united in this moment of shared curiosity, alarm, intrigue, and unease. The crack in the sky wasn't just a local event—it was something global, something beyond anycreature understanding.
And there, at the heart of this unprecedented sight, the words slowly revealed themselves, beginning with the phrase:
"American Civil War (Oversimplified Version)"