Midday

5th August 112 BNM

Salaman Empire, Main island, North Eastern tip

Coastal waters

The mountains of the Salaman Empire were shrinking on the horizon, as their long journey ahead beckoned. As Starswirl said, he could not teleport them too far without risking something going wrong, so any journeys over large bodies of water greater than 10 miles were to be done by boat.

They had a simple goal. They were to cross the sea of Salaman, arriving on the Caninberia/Pandina disputed region on the 7th August, and from there, they would teleport by land rapidly to the north east, all the way to the Maring Straits. Another boat-ride across the summer, and less icy straits, and they would reach the Crystal Empire, Equestria's northern, and a Royalist aligned territory.

For now, they had the voyage to the mainland continent to compose their thoughts.

The sailing junk ship they were on was a passenger and freight ship bound for trade on the continent,and took passengers willingly. As Starswirl had remarked to Chack, it was a good thing he was only wanted in the Ru'saik and Mutsae provinces, and not the northern province they bought boat passage on.

As a few of the larger waves rocked the ship, the wind fluttering in the more segmented sails overhead on the masts, Chack kept staring back towards the Salaman mountains, leaning against the ship's railing during this calmer period of the travel.

While sailors milled about on the ship during this downtime, nearby Starswirl was staring out to the bow, seemingly waiting for the continent to appear on the horizon, impatient to finally be on their way at a rapid pace back to Equestria, a homecoming for him.

Sucking slightly, spitting some saliva overboard from the salty air getting to his mouth, Chack leant back against the railing, remarking loudly to the Wizard:

"Keep staring out there, but I doubt you're magical enough to bring the land any closer."

Turning to cast a glare of chagrin at the Salamander, Starswirl countered: "You seem enamoured by staring at your home country yourself."

Softening his gaze, Chack merely remarked: "I'm leaving my home country of 40 years, forgive my sentimentality at this moment."

"I've been gone for nearly 700 years." Starswirl countered. To this, Chack remarked with a quizzical, almost pedantic level of scrutiny: "But you say you time jumped a lot. How much actual time, for you, has passed?"

Thinking for a moment, Starswirl remarked with some vexation: "A year."

"And yet you seem distressed?"

"It is not how long I have been away in my perception, but what has happened since I left, in real time, that worries me. I only hope it is not too much worse than I've heard already. Goodness knows Siral probably tried his best in 60 years of staying on while I came to this time, not that it seemed to do much good."

"You think he's still around?" Chack asked.

"Likely. Wizards can fight off ageing, we knew tricks for it, not in built longevity like Alicorns have it seems. And he said he'd be out shortly after I emerged in this time, he'd just jump to these times years afterwards as it turned out."

"And yet he didn't try to find you?" Chack asked, going by what Starswirl had told him of Siral during their month long laying low in the Salaman mountains. With a shrug, Starswirl gave the honest remark:

"Given the state of Equestria he likely encountered, and that it is also where he'd 'hibernate', I'd be disappointed if he had left it to find me. He's likely trying to fix issues like I will once I return."

"If it is what I have heard, that may be a hopeless cause. Leadership pride, infighting brewing if this current war ends. It is uncannily alike Salaman's history." Chack pointed out, idly rubbing the wooden railing with a fin/hand.

Starswirl grumbled an incomprehensible reply, but it was clearly one of begrudging agreement. Cruel and a failure as an exemplary being of kindness as he was, Chack was observant. Perhaps that was why he was cruel still, he was merely a product of his world.

And the Equestria he was heading to with Starswirl, to lend his services how he could didn't exactly promise much better if history proceeded as they were predicting.

Midday

15th August, 112 BNM

Equestria, Crystal Empire, North Western wastes

Maring Straits coast

The small port town had been their stop, where Starswirl had picked up a map of the Crystal Empire. Land teleporting was faster anyway.

Trudging through the snow, the cold breeze across the grey rocky tundra hills beckoning before them bit into their bodies. Starswirl pulled his cloak tighter around himself, his hat stowed in exchange for his hood.

Nearby though, Chack had donned his full red and brown armour, if anything because it helped him keep somewhat warmer. Somewhat.

"I already hate your country and I have been here less than a day."

Dismissing Chack's complaint beneath his masked armour, Starswirl remarked:

"We'll stop in the Empire, it would be best to stay somewhere until that ambassador from Salaman, who was there amidst your little assault on the Daimyo, returns. I don't want my return to be too much of a surprise when it occurs."

"And heading to a Royalist aligned province is wise to avoid being known?" Chack asked, keeping his arms around his sides to fight off the cold air. Looking on the map, Starswirl remarked:

"Their current local King will welcome us. Besides, the Royalists and the other 2 factions merely butt heads over matters of pride and spoils, they aren't fighting. And even more thankfully, the Crystal Empire is far from any actual battlezones, and will be given the wastelands around it."

"Can we perhaps hurry there then? You have fur, I do not." Chack reasoned, teeth beginning to chatter slightly. Resisting the urge to roll his eyes, the Grey wizard agreed.

Besides, he was keen to return to full-fledged pony civilisation anyway. The actual royal family he intended to get in contact with in the centre of Equestria itself could wait a few more weeks.

Besides, the fact that he was standing upon Equestrian ground for the first time in nearly 700 years was alleviating on its own.

And while Chack was a reminder of how the lesson of kindness was incomplete, with no sign of it in the near future of coming from him, it was good to have him as an ally. If anything, Starwirl was learning one value of having a companion that he wouldn't fully realise until much later, when he used all he'd learned to forge his greatest achievements.

Chack gave him company, and staved off loneliness. In this unfamiliar, changed Equestria, and maybe even changed Siral if he found him, someone he knew was vital for his sanity.

The Grey Wizard and red/brown armoured salamander vanished in a blue flash, heading south east, towards the Crystal Empire's city.

Mid-Morning

17th August, 112 BNM

Equestria, Crystal Empire, Capital city

Royal Palace, guest quarters

A mining town, barely a city, that was established 50 years ago upon the discovery of a network of valuable crystals in the nearby mountains. The harsh tundra and winter did little to stem the cultivation and settlement here, made easier by the hard working Earth ponies, weather restraining pegasi and magical Unicorns in the Crystal province, now known unofficially as the crystal empire after its first officially royal titled ruler took power 40 years ago.

The day before, they had been welcomed into the Crystal Empire by that ruler, the 'King' of the Crystal Empire.

As Starswirl would find out, there was more than just a handful of high ranking ponies in Equestria who held claim to royal titles. Some for the sake of not causing jealousy among the same province by having siblings both be king/queen or prince/princess, and so on. Others were labels by pride or vanity, as history would show.

But as Chack would later remark with some joking, and to which Starswirl would agree, Equestia had a very liberal use of royal labels compared to pretty much any other nation.

King Pietas, known as the King of Compassion, was a light grey furred, sandy red maned Unicorn of surprisingly lanky stature, had greeted the famous wizard in the royal chamber, honoured to meet such a distinguished traveller. Chack's presence went little heeded, as was preferred by the Salamander anyway, his place with Starswirl merely said as a useful ally in the recent past.

He was more than happy to let them stay here, before travel down to Equestria's main areas. As was expected, compared to other provinces closer to the 'heart' of Equestria, and its New Gryphon Empire borders, life was calmer on the Crystal Empire's front.

Out in front of the palace, the small city beckoned with thatched roofs and stone masonry.

It would be many decades before crystalline structures began to emerge, along with the succession of King Pietas's only child before his wife died in childbirth, the future Queen Amore. And then, her later aide, and interim King in her absence, and ultimately usurper, King Sombra.

But that was many years off still.

Looking out over a balcony, overlooking the crystal empire from the guest quarters, Starswirl couldn't help but notice King Pietas in the royal gardens, flanked by some shadowing guards on one of his walks along the pathways. On his back, the young 6-year-old princess, his only child, seemed to cuddle the King from riding on his back.

The young Unicorn filly, somewhat beige and white in fur colour, with a red/dark pink mane flowing from her small head as she made father daughter talk with King Pietas.

In truth, unknown to Starswirl, he did these walks because his wife had liked to do them with him when she lived, right up to the last week before giving birth, and dying due to post birth complications, magical medicine not being perfect at the time. His wife had been on a walk like this one when her first birth pains with little Amore had begun.

Walking with his daughter, what remained and was left to him by his wife, eased King Pietas's mind each other day of his rule, even in this quieter part of Equestria.

Heading back into the guest room, he found Chack on the guest couch, reading a small history book out of vague interest, the Salamander not oblivious to Starswirl's pacing.

"Something unnerving you?"

"This town and province didn't exist when I left. It is still, a shock, to see how much has changed."

"700 years will do that." Chack reminded the wizard, as if lightly scolding the elder grey Unicorn for not knowing this clearly obvious fact.

At this point though, Starswirl decided to take a note from Chack's book, to just take everything he found, that he had to adapt to as he reintegrated back into Equestria as it was, in two ways.

With a pinch of salt, and in his stride.

Meanwhile

Elsewhere in the crystal empire, the local orphanage director, an elder mare, had found the young foal dumped on her doorstep, with only a label to please take care of the child. A dark grey furred, black maned Unicorn foal with innocent blue eyes, Sombra.

How much he would change within a century, rising to be the future Queen Amore's aide, working to defend the Empire while Queen Amore handled foreign affairs, taking the name of King at her behest in her absence, and ultimately succumbing to his experiments and usurping Amore entirely.

For now though, the director took the foal inside, wanting to give him a warm home like so many others.

In his childhood years, Sombra would make only one friend, Radiant Hope, a purple/blue Unicorn mare with a white mane, who would witness her friend's rise and fall with her own eyes.

But that would not be for many years to come, as for now, the innocent foal who would become a tyrant slept in the warm orphanage, instead of the cold streets in a basket.

12th September, 112 BNM

Equestria, Midland Mountain range

Capital city of Canterlot

The capital city had been built on the slopes of the mountains in the middle of Equestria, lofty for pegasi to access, with a sizeable crystal mine with magical properties for Unicorns to access, and reasonable enough access by path and road for Earth ponies. It did not excel at any particular compared to other cities in Equestria, but made up for it by being along a well-travelled route, and being one of the most tactically safe cities in Equestria if ever attacked. High ground, with wall and garrisons from land, air and magic means, the works.

Small wonder the royal family kept one of the castles here.

The buildings were carved from the mountain's stone, with many levels and extensions giving it a platform and ramp layout, the city resembling a sort of miniature staircase on the mountain side almost.

The heart of Equestria.

The city would grow bigger over a millennium in the future, but as of now, the city, and its castle, were somewhat smaller, not as many towers as would later in history be, but still regal, and imposing in the white colours and purple and yellow décor of roofs, statues and ornaments adorning the mountain slope city.

Giving a respectful bow, with Chack doing the same, helmet off, Starswirl laid his eyes upon the Alicorns whom he would most associate with, even if he would come to know a few more, ally, or later enemy. Some involved with the royal family, others with other Alicorn families that would not be so cooperative later in history.

King Nova, stocky and tall, with a dark blue coat of fur and wings, and slightly glowing light green and white colours in his mane, sat upon his throne, nodding towards Starswirl with his well-known calm demeanour shining through his small, but thoughtful smile.

To Starswirl, he would become known as an honourable Alicorn, though he had moments of pride and vanity, especially when Equestria's security was at stake.

Beside him, Queen Aurora sat there, more reclined on her hunches in her throne, her white furred appearance a compliment to her husband's darker colours, while her shimmering black and light pink mane contrasted her own fur noticeably.

Beside Starswirl, Chack was quick to let his eyes wander, seeing Queen Aurora's slightly tired visage. Why exactly that was quickly became clear by the sight of the slightly swollen lower belly, her firstborn child growing within her white furred Alicorn body.

As Chack kept his eyes low out of respect for a foreign ruler, Starswirl pondered as he stood up.

Here was where much of his days would be based. Chack would have his future, and help Starswirl in subtler ways.

Starswirl wished to remain here, become integrated, and perhaps take up tutelgage of underlings like he'd done back in his Wizard days, before this whole prophecy mess.

Given the esteem they seemed to hold him in, he was sure the first child of the royal family would be among those he could tutor, and any siblings to follow.

Princess Celestia would be born 4 months later, in what was to be later in history called January of 111 BNM, by the time Starswirl was well integrated to life as a Canterlot magician, albeit more on his own terms. Chack would be a freelancer, a traveller in Equestria, keeping a low profile, but a contact of Starswirl's.

And 5 years later, in what was to be May of 106 BNM, the 2nd child would be born, Princess Luna. By which time, a semblance of normality, even with the New Gryphon War ongoing until what would become 98 BNM

14th September, 112 BNM

Equestria's north eastern borders, New Gryphon frontier

'Disputed territories'

The generals watched from the mountain top as the Gryphon army flew in reinforcements, airbourne cavalry charges coupled with aerial archery volleys raiing down. Despite the close odds though, the Equestrians were somewhat in the advantage.

Magically aided earth pony operated catapults, Earth pony and Pegasi infantry and armoured cavalry charges, Unicorn magical attack volleys and firing lines, and whirlwinds whipped up by the pegasi forces rained upon the Gryphons.

The Gryphons had the numbers, 3 to 2 in their favour, but the Equestrians as a collective army were a force to be reckoned with.

Like so many New Gryphon war skirmishes and battles in the past 8 years, and in the 14 years to come, Equestria would slowly grind New Gryphon out of the territories between them, and the spoils, of fertile land and mineral rich mountain ranges, would be theirs.

But with the spoils came the inevitable squabbling, only made more inevitable with the egos and senses of pride and entitlement the Alicorn leaders across Equestria had been displaying for many decades, centuries if one looked carefully enough.

War and Peace were never permanent.

North-Mid Equestria, mountain range

Mountain fortress [to later become Siral's fortress]

Toiling to build the next tower, many worker ponies hefted the stone into place with grunts of exhaustion, be they physical or magical lifting.

The fortress here was a last resort, one of many places, and was nearly finished. With the wealth coming from some iron mines in the south, the Trumane Alicorn family who made up the leadership of the proclaimed 'Nationalist' Equestrian faction, had offered to build this fortress on behalf of the security of all of Equestria, one of a dozen being built around Equestria, not just by the Nationalists, but some by the Seperatist proclaimed ones and the Royalists. Only the New Gryphon war kept their alliance strong between them at the moment.

Overseeing the construction of what would become his fortress, the Black Wizard gave a snort of satisfaction. It would suffice, and could easily be made bigger or better equipped to suit his needs, once the basic 'cover' was built. He had plans he'd rather not those he aligned with necessarily fully known about just yet.

Beside him, the grey Unicorn mare with the blue/grey mane, Teal Quirt, regarded the fortress impassively, her bandaged head hiding her broken horn stump.

She had been told that with a damaged horn, once it grew back, she'd never be the same again, and that she had given them great service, but had best to 'retire' now.

The Royalists magicians had cast her away, for something that minion of Starswirl's, as Siral had informed her, had done. And she wished not to serve the nationalists or seperatists either.

She had her own desires now, and only Siral offered a similar mindset. He had grand plans to change Equestria, the world, for the better.

Let their silly war for spoils against the Gryphons go on, Siral was thinking. It merely means all the more to incite the inevitable infighting as foreseen by the oracles, and foreseeable by anyone versed in warfare and political histories.

And with Teal Quirt, Siral knew he had someone he could tutor in his ways.

As she spoke to the black wizard, in the grey robes, the Unicorn mare asked bluntly:

"Once this is finished, shall we find your friend?"

"No. Let him play with the ones who are part of the problem. We'll remain elusive, for now, until the time is right."

"And when will that be?" Teal remarked. She wished she could use her magic better, or in the least find the so called 'great Starswirl' and throttle him for one of his so called exemplary beings ruining her life.

Siral gave a small sigh, before he remarked: "When enough conflict is afoot, sown by their ego and pride, or by us if necessary. All we must do is wait."

For Siral, one matter remained a priority: Keeping track of exactly how many Alicorns, born or ascended from more normal ponies, that there were.

He needed to know how many he may have to deal with when the time came, and what sort of ways, or living beings and weapons, he needed.

And Teal Quirt gave him a basis for the first of what he foresaw as his greatest creations, instruments of his will to come, once a great deal other 'experiments' were done. And thankfully, the penchant for warfare I Equestria right now would give the Savant impunity and secrecy in his work, as long as he gave out thing usable by the rulers for their campaigns.

A supplier for their warlike and prideful ways would turn on them in time.

Author's Notes:

This marks the end of the arcs, though the kindness exemplar, Chack, will fulfil his role later on.

The next chapter will see a big time jump forwards, to after the New Gryphon War is over, and the 2 Princesses have already grown significantly. By the time the war ends in 98 BNM, Celestia is 13 and Luna is 8, but the next chapter shall be further along in their lives than that.

In the crystal empire, I briefly covered the history, loosely implementing some features from the Fiendship is Magic comics for Sombra's origins, though I made him eventually become an aide to Queen/Princess Amore of the empire, as I have him experimenting with the crystals as far back as 57 years before the empire falls, in which time he usurps her [I can briefly cover that later].

See the MLP wiki for details on how the story I made loosely adapts it/how it differs, but I also used the lone friend of Sombra, radiant hope, as in the same orphanage/age group.

Meanwhile, Siral serves [loosely] what will become the Nationalists, who want an Alicorn council, not an Alicorn royal family. And Teal Quirt has left, as she was deemed 'damaged' as a magician by the royal courts, and she hated that they let in Starswrl after his 'exemplar' took her horn in a bid of random violence. That will come into play later when she is 'altered' by Siral.

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Royalist: Traditionalist, support the royal family and any supporting council. Starswirl on their side with Chack as a subtle contact able to get into enemy territory by his means.

Nationalist: Want a council/parliament of Alicorns, no royal lineage. Ensures no Alicorn is above any other, but still above other 3 pony groups. Siral loosely serves them, with Teal Quirt as subtle agent similar to Chack for now [later becomes mutated being to inspire sin of Envy]

Separatist: Want to divide Equestria up as before unification nearly 1000 years before, as separate nations that trade and collaborate, but aren't subject to the same laws, most right wing/racially tense group. [They'll be quickest to be 'taken out' of the fight, due to lesser number of Alicorns/Unicorns/wealth]