No previous storyline has been created before to explain Celestia's downfall, just that the Republic is very close to Equestria. I'm thinking about including Ardelan as well as a land to take, due to its enormous strategic capabilities, but I'll let Venquis take his homeland back unless your interested. You guys could focus on Equestria if you wish. Once you are ready, you may begin.
Tricorna stood, looking up at the statue of Obsidian. She did this every morning since the day it was built. She had left the only being she ever considered family to search for him, and arrived a DAY late. She could have returned, found her adoptive father and mentor, but no, she stayed to help continue the fight as best as she could. She felt closer, to this deer turned near-god, than she did to the one who had raised her. She knew he would be proud of her decision though. "You have always been a protective child. Seeking to help those who need it. You are doing what is right for the greater good." She smiled as she listened to his voice run through her mind. Another day, another line of enemies to literally run through.
Silver Crescent, out for his morning run, decided to take a different route than usual. He hadn't had a chance to get a good look at the statue of Obsidian since it had been built. Now seemed as good a time as any. As he approached the statue, he noticed a doe in Ryborian armor looking up at the stone face of his old friend. He walked up and stood beside her, admiring how well the statue was made. "He was a fine warrior. One of the best I've ever seen. Did you know him?"
She sighed and shook her head, not noticing who exactly had asked her. "No. I think we may have been born in the same village. The only two survivors. I actually arrived here the day he had died, go figure..." She turned to Silver and immediately jumped in shock before saluting. "Oh my, sir! I'm sorry, I didn't know it was you." She had just casually talked to one of the highest ranking members of the army as if he was some buddy, and was very much embarrassed. Play it cool. You don't need to get yelled at by another commanding officer.
Silver laughed. "No apology necessary. Feel free to talk to me like any other pony." Certain events of the last year had done much to alter Silver's personality. He was much friendlier and more laid back than he had been when the war began. Still, certain rumors about him persisted among the troops, and he was widely feared as a cruel and ruthless taskmaster.
Since Obsidians death, Venquis swore to avenge him by defeating Celestia and to retake his homeland of Ardelan. The Eriborian has had his hooves full since then, helping Silver with any of the Republic’s military in their conquest towards Equestria. For the past week, he has worked all day and all night in preparing for an assault to retake Ardelan from Equestria. He had been getting reports about the current status of the once powerful kingdom, with the majority of these reports saying that those who survived Celestia’s Ryborian purges last year were the elderly and the stubborn, who were fighting against the authorities that tried to hold them. Obsidian played a crucial part in helping the Ryborian to not only save the world, but also save Sihana, the Ryborian god of Creation and the Afterlife. He looked towards the tall statue of Obsidian that stood proudly on the other side of the city. He had lost a friend on the day he died. Obsidian was simply one of the strongest individuals he had ever seen, he was almost a God in his own right. The Ryborian finished off the preparations for the assault on Ardelan and went over to pay his respects to his fallen friend. Maybe one day, he’ll join him in the afterlife. He smiled as he was adjusting a silver necklace around his neck and spoke quietly. “Calahaia lon styela kepes ve tyal Obsidian...” (Dear Divines, please guide Obsidian and remember my friend as a hero.) He went downstairs and headed towards the statue to pay his respects, which were long overdue because of work.
Robin then approached the others. "Sad times indeed. With Cobra M.I.A this will be tough." he turned his head round to a statue of Cobraheart. offerings by the nightingales surrounded it.
Silver continued strolling through what had become a rather impressive sculpture garden. In the year and a half since the founding of the New Lunar Republic, the Crystal Empire had flourished, rivaling even Canterlot in art and culture. Though much had been lost in the war with the Phoenix Queen, much more had been gained. The Timber-Wolves, long before hunted to near-extinction, were thriving again. With their magic returned to the land, the destroyed Everfree Forest was slowly coming back to life. The Lunar army grew stronger every day, as more and more ponies joined the fight to free the land from Celestia once and for all. Queen Chrysalis had pledged support in the fight against the Equestrians, and her Changeling forces proved to be invaluable spies and infiltrators. With the Griffon Kingdom on their side, the Lunar Republic had gained complete air superiority in the war. Most importantly of all, Nightmare Moon had become a wise, benevolent, and popular leader, and an inspiration to all within the Republic.
The Eriborian walked into the sculpture garden, highly impressed at the amount of detail that has been undertaken during it’s construction. Memories of pre war Ardelan rushed back from over 500 years ago, when he was a child. As he walked came to a stop at a statue of the Night Princess himself, he stopped, and thought about how his life changed for the better last year. The most powerful kingdoms were against Celestia and allied with Nightmare Moon. From the Changelings, the Griffons, the Zebra, the Buffalo, Deer and lastly the Ryborians, the entire world really was against Celestia. He had made many friends, including royals such as Midnight Dawn. He became the first Eriborian since The Black War. He even got the chance to speak to Sihana. If it wasn’t for her, for Nightmare Moon, this would have not been possible. As he was thinking, a warm smile came across his face. He then walked away and headed towards the statue of Obsidian. To his surprise, he found a doe standing infront of the statue wearing Ryborian armour. He then walked to the statue and came to a stop and bent down, placing some flowers down and muttering something in Ryborian and stared into the statues eyes.
"That's a very nice sentiment, Eriborian..." Tricorna saluted to him, and smiled slightly. "I take it you respected him like all the other original warriors in the Lunar Republic?"
"He was considered family to me. Seeing how my original family was killed during The Black War, i never really had one. I got adopted by the strongest of my kind, then they were killed again. After the war, i remained lonesome in my former tavern until i met him and the rest of the original heroes." Venquis told the doe. "And like a death of a family member, it took quite a toll on me. He's a true hero." He turned around to face the doe. "Were you close to him?"
She sighed and shook her head. "I like to think I would have been, sir." She turned to Venquis. "I know I can never live up to him, but I'm here to try... For the ryborian who raised me, and both Obsidian and my lost family. Tricorna, upper level tank at your service." She saluted again. Now you're just being awkward, please stop being this formal.
Brisk's horn glowed as she trotted through the statue garden. A fiery orange aura took over her light blue one, and she held a hoof to her head. "No," she complained. "Stop..."
Venquis smiled as he bowed down in front of Tricorna and then raised himself back up. “Eriborian Venquis Lucian Razona , 23rd Eriborian of the Covenant of Ardelan and the last member of the Razona dynasty. Pleasure to be of service. With this assault against Celestia, my prioritys are set on taking the homeland back. Forgive me if i seem..what Equestrians call...'tired'. I haven't slept in a week. ” Venquis then looked at Obsidian’s statue again before remembering that Tricorna mentioned something about a Ryborian raising her. “I might have known the Ryborian that raised you, can you tell me what he looked like, just out of curiosity.”
"Goodness no... It's been at least 3 years since I started looking for the last member of my destroyed town..." She looked up too the statue, before returning her gaze to Venquis. "I couldn't possibly remember what he looked like specifically. He always said he was the definition of standard for a ryborian, so... you can try to guess from that. He always asked me to call him Eriborian. He told me it was the title he held before he left his homeland, but I don't think he was ever the leader of your race in truth." She sighed and smiled. "I'm rambling a bit aren't I?" Yes, stop rambling in front of the leader of the ryborians.
"Oh no. Not at all." the Eriborian responeded as something appeared next to him. Two Crimson Roses appeared at his side out of nowhere as soon as she finished speaking and started to speak in Ryborian. Venquis then looked at Tricorna, looking embarrassed in front of a guest. "Sorry about this, please excuse me for a moment." Venquis then switched to Ryborian as he began to ask questions, occasionally switching back to the common tongue for some responses. All Tricorna would have picked up was 'Are you sure' and 'Anything Else?'. The Ryborian nodded as he told that they were dismissed and that they will be rewarded later. He then looked back the doe. "Preparations are complete. The Covenant will retake the homeland under the blessings of The Night Princess and that we leave tomorrow while the main forces prepare themselves for an assault on Equestria. If we can capture Ardelan, then the Republic will cement their future victory in the war." The Eriborian then spoke once again. "Oh. And that name you were thinking of, it was Elajan Cejboroa. He survived the Black War, a rare feat considering the thoroughness of Equestrian attackers. He was stubborn, and he liked to boast alot. But that stubbornness might have saved his life back during the war. If i believe that he taught you, then you have been taught well. He was a former Spell-Sword captain."
Stubborn, tough, boastful. Yup, that's him. "He really only taught me how to be a very effective meat-shield, more than an actual warrior honestly. If he was a spell-sword, he didn't directly teach me any fancy moves. But I promise, I will be the best wall of armor on the field, come time to retake your homeland." She smiled and stood a bit taller.
"That time might come sooner than you think, because we're leaving tomorrow. 500,000 Ryborians alone against the Equestrian menace. They have no idea what they have just awoken, because the last time the Ryborians fought against Equestria, we almost exterminated their entire race and they almost did the same to us. Anyway, I'll be honored for your assistance for retaking the homeland.” Venquis then smiled as he pointed north. "Meet me at the gates tomorrow if you wish to come, see you there." Venquis then began to walk away to resume his duty's. If he had fingers, he would have given a thumbs up.
Brisk lowered her head and shook it in frustration. "Geet.... out...." she grunted, when suddenly, with a flash of red light, she transformed, turning into a tall, red, unicorn.
Silver had been watching the strange mare in the garden with mild interest, until she suddenly transformed. His initial thought was that she was a Changeling, but he quickly realized that this was magic of a different sort. He approached the mare, ready for anything. "Miss, I am going to need you to explain what I just saw."
