Golden was an inquisitive student, one who took her recently appointed position seriously. While she was older than most, she was still the newcomer on their council. A creature of studious nature, and as a result she was more of a listener than a talker. She didn’t wish to risk saying anything that could cause ire to be directed toward her. Her motto was that the newest member of any group should spend the majority of their time listening and taking notes rather than speaking and causing ripples. Instead, she left that to the more serious members.

Trotting gracefully to the Hall of Declaration, a room designated for council meetings, she stretched and worked the kinks out of her neck. Hours of reading scroll after scroll had made her somewhat stiff.

She knew she should have taken a break, but the history of their country was too precious to ignore. Golden had become somewhat of a scholar when it came to the history of the glorious land of Ectra. They existed far outside of most of the world, an ocean away, far past the dragon lands and west of the frozen north where few dared to tread. As a result, their small island nation was protected from most of the world, shy of the news they got in from dragons who would occasionally show up to do trade with them. Most of them were dumb beasts, but every now and then they would have something of value.

Dragons drove a hard bargain, but it wasn’t uncommon for Ectranians to get the better end of the deal on them. Often they didn’t even know what they had. Still, they maintained a peaceful relationship with the creatures, and the dragons exchanged their help and trade with the promise of keeping outsiders out of the country. That was exactly as the council liked it, complete isolation, no nonsense from the rest of the world.

Golden was fortunate to have been born in Ectra, as most were, only the elders had seen anything beyond the island, and they seldom spoke of such experiences. Golden was curious, however, what the world outside was like, outside of the small number of texts pertaining to it.

Her mind was wandering before she realized she would need to pick up her step or she’d be late. Huffing and puffing, she sped up her trot as fast as her hooves would take her until she arrived at the elegant door that lead to her scheduled location. She took a deep breath and opened it, stepping inside the massive room. She had only seen the inside twice at this point, but it never ceased being amazing. Eight rows of pews surrounding the outside walls of the circular room and there in the center a throne with only a few seats next to it.

Golden navigated the crowd that was showing up and found her assigned seat before sitting down and looking up at the throne which currently was empty.

In the center of the room, a familiar face was staring at the crowd with her familiar scowl. Abyss, she was a rather stern mare with a bit of a temper problem, but she was always calculating and specific. She hated overlooking details and had a bad habit of assuming the worst of others. Her coat had been recently cleaned by the look of her, as she had a shimmer about her that looked fresh. Golden liked it actually.

Abyss cleared her throat loudly to silence the room. As per usual, her efforts were extremely effective, and the entire room quieted down to where not even the sound of idle chatter could be heard.

“Alright, I have spoken with the advisors to her excellency, and I bring grave news, news that may affect all of us...” Abyss began.

Chatter naturally followed her words, only causing her to shout once more. “I SAID SILENCE!”

“This news...” She tried to start again but became distracted as a young mare came out from behind red curtains from behind the throne. The mare in question had lavish, luscious green mane in wild curls that had been decorated with blue and red gemstones, fashioned into a messy ponytail. She was sporting partial dreads, partial free-flowing curls, and a thin braid that hung down the side of her face.

The mare’s ears adorned four hoop earrings a piece, making a total of eight, and one cuff that connected the top of her ear and the bottom with a chain on her left ear.

Her front right hoof had an assortment of gold and silver bangles and her left had a beaded bracelet that seemed to compliment her off-yellow coat.

Lavender eyes decorated expertly with eyeliner and makeup opened and closed carefully before the mare took a seat at the throne. Two other ponies came to her side.

Abyss bowed her head gently, her white mane draping down before she lifted herself back up to continue speaking. “This news... Is very shocking even to us... The nation of Equestria... Has fallen.”

Chatter resumed, but the mare at the throne raised a hoof, saying nothing, but somehow her impact was instant, as the crowd quieted down, allowing Abyss to continue speaking after the mare gestured to her.

Abyss sighed and shook her head. “Our dragon allies have informed us of this news, I assure you that it is legitimate.”

Another mare in the pews stood and asked the question that all wished to know. “How could any creature conquer Equestria?”

Abyss grumbled at the fact that she had not given anyone permission to speak but answered the question regardless. “We have it on good authority that this creature...” She paused not sure if she should say it, but decided that the truth was going to come out sooner or later, “is a siren.”

That definitely caused the crowd to stir more, the chatter was echoing through the large hall, all around them, Golden could hear nothing but bickering and worry spreading across the room.

Abyss in a futile effort attempted to calm the crowd but found it near impossible. She raised her voice to speak. “This siren is no ordinary siren! She is a demon, a demon known as Serenade Dazzle. She has used her demonic powers to control others to do her bidding, in a few short months she had conquered all of the Pony Kingdom.”

The murmurs and chatter continued, growing in volume. Golden noted how the pony sitting on the throne leaned into one of her cohorts that had arrived with her, her lips came to that mare’s ear, and she whispered something, causing the mare to nod and come forward, standing tall and proud as she echoed her voice on behalf of the ruler of Ectra.

“Her Excellency wishes me to relay her orders! So silence to all!” The mare shouted.

As expected, no one dared defy the orders of their ruler, they all sat quietly as the mare cleared her throat and spoke on her excellency’s behalf. “She has stated that she has a plan but requests Abyss and another to meet with her in private to discuss the matter. The rest of you are dismissed!”

There were sounds of disdain and disapproval, but the advisor grunted and the entire room started to clear out. As Golden stood to leave, a mare gripped her shoulder, causing her to turn around. Golden blinked as she eyed the pony. Draped in a cloak, the mare tilted her head and gestured for Golden to follow. “Her Excellency requests you to meet with her.”

“Me? There has to be some kind of mistake...” Golden shook her head, disbelief filling her.

The mare shook her head and gestured with her hoof to follow. “Come, now.”

“I’m new to this council, there’s no way that the ruler of Ectra has any interest in me...” Golden informed.

The mare scowled and adjusted her hood. “I don’t make mistakes. It was you specifically that she requested, now come with me or there will be consequences. I don’t have time to argue with you.”

Sighing, Golden decided it was pointless to try and convince her otherwise. It was clear that she was convinced she wasn’t mistaken, and that she would have to endure the embarrassment that the mare was about to go through for getting the wrong girl. Trotting behind her gently, Golden decided to pass the time by asking a few questions.

“Her excellency asked for me then?” Golden blinked.

“That’s what I said isn’t it?” The cloaked mare replied, her eyes keeping forward as they walked.

“So you heard her speak?” Golden asked curiously.

Rolling her eyes, the mare groaned. “Don’t be stupid, you know that no one hears her excellency speak beyond her direct advisors.”

Golden frowned, hoping to get a chance to learn more about their enigmatic ruler. She had so many questions that were becoming of a scholar, but they were often seen as heretical questions by others. Truthfully she only joined the council to gain access to scrolls that were off-limits to the general public. Their small island had a population of only 80,000, yet only about 800 of which were permitted access to the protected library. Even less had access to the vault.

The vault, her dream prize. One day she hoped to view its contents and learn all of the secrets and mysteries of the origin of their blessed country. It was said to hold scrolls and records from the oldest of times, documenting the founding of Ectra, a subject that only the most prestigious of scholars were permitted to study. Golden, however, was a knowledge hound, she wished to know everything she could.

The ruler of Ectra, however, was a very odd individual. No one had ever heard her voice shy of her two advisors who always followed her wherever she went. There were stories on what her voice might have sounded like.

“So, her excellency asked for me? But why?” Golden questioned.

The cloaked mare was only growing more annoyed. “I don’t know. I was never given such details, but if you want, you can ask her yourself when you meet her. Just don’t count on an answer.”

Golden remained silent while she was escorted the remainder of the way, eventually being brought to the door of what she was told was the place where her excellency would meet with her. The hooded pony remained still and gestured for her to open the door. “This is far as I go, good luck, kid.”

Before Golden even had a chance to respond, the mare had turned around and made a few quick paces to get away from the scholar. The hooded mare didn’t even wave goodbye as she hoofed it out of there. Golden assumed that she likely was intimidated by the ruler of Ectra.

Inhaling and exhaling, Golden stepped inside, and sure enough, the same mare that she had seen at the council meeting sat on a pillowed chair with her head rested on an elegant hoof, a gentle smile stuck on her face. Her eyes opened and closed carefully, and her gorgeous lashes fluttered as she blinked slowly. Golden could not tell if she was studying her, or if this was how she looked all the time. Truthfully, many did not see her excellency very often, and those who did seldom partook in activities that would put them among the general public of Ectra.

Bowing her head, Golden gulped before speaking. “I apologize for this mistake... I attempted to explain to the one that you sent for me that they certainly had the wrong mare...”

One of the two mares standing at their ruler’s side raised and objecting hoof. “Silence, no mistake has been made. You have been chosen for this task.”

“Me? Why? With all due respect... I’m a freshman council member and a simple scholar...” Golden objected.

The other mare standing next to her majesty spoke up. “It was her excellency’s request. You are to be appointed for this journey.”

“Journey!? To where!?” Golden blinked.

“To Equestria, of course.” The first advisor spoke, standing proudly.

“What for!?” Golden shook her head.

“Enough questions!” The second one growled. “Her excellency sees the issues with this demon siren, and she has decided that waiting and watching is not enough during these trying times. Make no mistake, this demon will eventually come here, and we will all pay the price if that is to happen. Her Excellency has decided that intervention will be necessary, that is why you will accompany her along with Abyss on her journey to Equestria.”

“Accompany her!? As in we’re going together!?” Golden blinked and stared at the regal ruler whom just winked at her, saying nothing.

“And she is... certain of this?” Golden gulped.

The two advisors nodded. “It has already been ordered. You will prepare right away, there is a dragon waiting down in the foyer along with some things you will need to bring with you. Also, you’ll need to make a stop at the vault as per her excellency’s request.”

“The vault!?” Golden gasped.

“Silence!” The two advisors spoke in unison.

“Now, you are to follow us to the vault, immediately, Abyss will meet us along the way, as she will be accompanying you on this journey,” the first advisor spoke.

Golden didn’t dare question it, instead she followed along as the four of them left the room to head toward the vault. Who knew what secrets waited inside the vault. It was said that the founding of Ectra was documented there. They knew that their country likely was formed with the assistance of dragons, but much of its actual founding was unknown. A lot of the inner workings of how Ectra worked were kept secret, known only to the crown or her elite advisors.

Despite all of that, Golden was curious. She wanted to know more about her home, as much as she was permitted to understand.

When they arrived in front of the vault, Abyss was waiting for the group. She bowed respectfully to the ruler of Ectra and nodded at her advisors before raising a brow at Golden, not daring to show the same respect to a freshman council member. “And who, pray tell is that?”

“This is Golden, she will be going with the two of you on your journey.” The second advisor said.

“Why?” Abyss asked, sizing Golden up and down.

Golden could tell that Abyss was clearly older than her, and a lot less trusting at that. The mare had a sort of annoyed expression that originally Golden assumed was only reserved for the council meetings to get her point across, but seeing her outside of the meeting affirmed that she merely wore such a scowl at all times.

“Her Excellency requested it, therefore she is coming with you. Do you have a problem with that?” The first advisor grunted.

Abyss looked over at Golden once more and shrugged. “Whatever, try not to get yourself killed... You seem like the scholar type to me...”

Golden nodded. “You’d be correct. I’ve studied Ectra’s history and myths for most of my life.”

“Great, a useless brainchild, I’m sure she’ll be exceptionally helpful if we get into trouble...” Abyss sarcastically remarked.

“So we’re going into the vault then?” Golden asked curiously, trying to hide her excitement.

Abyss shrugged, not sure of most of the details. Her excellency’s advisors didn’t tell her much either, and she was probably as clueless as Golden was; though she didn’t want to admit it out loud.

“Guess so...” Abyss said.

The ruler of Ectra stepped forward and placed a hoof upon the entrance to the Vault and like magic the door turned and swiveled opening up for her with a loud creaking noise. Golden had never seen anything like it, the door must have been assigned to her magical presence or something to open on command as such, likely an advanced security technique.

As the mare stepped inside, Abyss and Golden followed, again with Golden trying to contain her excitement.

The entire room was crafted from solid gold, shining and glittering as they walked in. Golden looked to the walls upon walls of scrolls lined up, eager to reach out and start reading every single one of them that was there, but she didn’t dare step out of line or touch anything while the ruler of their country was there watching her. There was no telling what such an act would be considered in her watchful eyes. While she came off as somewhat aloof, there was no doubt that her Majesty didn’t miss anything. She was far keener than she let on for sure.

The two mares behind the leader of the island nation stood in silence as the mare approached the back of the room to a crystalline chest, decorated with rubies. It looked old, ancient even, and neither mare dared ask what was inside.

The beautiful mare reached forward and placed a gentle hoof along the chest, running it along its design until she came to the unique circular lock. The other two could see no keyhole, but instead, the hoof ran along it in a circular motion back and forth almost as if inputting some kind of invisible combination.

Like clockwork, the lock clicked and the chest opened slowly. The other two mares stood in awe at what was produced from inside, a shining bladed spear. It had a long golden hilt with a spike at one end and at the top the part right before the blade stuck out was a design that looked similar to an angel’s wing with a blue gemstone in it. Above the wing was a blade, about a foot or so in length that was sharp on one side, and came to a curved point.

The blade was particularly odd, as the sharpened bit seemed to be blue instead of silver like the rest of the blade, likely some kind of gemstone dust.

“What the hell is that thing?” Abyss raised a brow.

Her Excellency didn’t answer. She raised the weapon out of the chest and examined it with a smile and a nod before levitating it to her back and fastening it there via a magic spell. She nodded to the other two girls and gestured for them to leave the vault.

While Golden wanted to stay and read, she didn’t dare question her ruler. Despite that though, she had far more questions about the bladed spear; such as what it was, and why they were taking it with them.

Even though she wasn’t being told much, Golden could already tell that this was going to be an interesting journey. What transpired in Equestria after their arrival would likely change the course of history. For a scholar, it was the most exciting thing in the world, instead of reading about history, she'd be making it.

We're almost there.

Act VI is coming very soon. Get ready. Once we are through Act VI, we enter the final act! I am excited. Are you excited?