>>36782658

>You are Anonymous.
>Born to a poor family in a barren part of the American midwest, you grew up fearing God and studying history between lessons taught by the school of hard knocks.
>With many of your family members in the military, it colored your interests which were already aligned closely with that of the average boy. Guns were cool, war was glorious, and soldiers were good guys.
>Your house didn’t get an internet connection until your early teens, so you spend many a day in the local library, basking in the grand exploits of men now dead and gone. So begain your first passion.
>These men, with their names recorded and deeds written, were never truly dead. So long as their memory did live, so did they.
>You would venerate them all, and learn from their mistakes so you might avoid such pratfalls.
>If only you too could be a king and lead an army.
>When your humble home finally did get an internet connection, you found yet another interest.
>Strategy games.
>Nothing as simple as chess, no no, things of a grander scale.
>The family computer was old, and could not handle much. Text adventures, though? That, it could do. 
>Some might see grand strategy simulators limited to just text to be grueling, but you found that it forced you to think and visualize. There were no pictures or graphs to help you, and no guides to be found for such obscure games on the early age of the internet.
>The game, designed by a sadistic, meticulous man who set his players up for failure, became a source of frustration. You failed, and failed, and failed some more, with your empires barely lasting several years between runs. You could last longer by being a tyrant, but you wanted an empire like America, with liberty and justice for all just like dad said is right. So began your second passion.
>Then… you started lasting longer. You employed what you learned from your reading of men better than you. 5 years, 10 years, 25, 50. Before you knew it, you exhausted one of the most comprehensive text games there was when you reached 999 years in a game that took over a year of work to finish. You left nothing to chance, and ruled a republic for a millenia. You emailed the creator inquiring on an update, and he insisted you cheated somehow.
>You were 16 then, and that's when dad decided you spent too much time on the computer, and gave you your first rifle.
>You plinked with dad’s little airguns and .22 rifles before, but this?
>He gave you an old soviet rifle, an SKS, that he bought for cheap years ago. The mechanics and inner workings fascinated you, and your interest branched rapidly. You learned the how and the why and the when. Dad taught you how to shoot it, and how to respect the power you now held.
>”You could kill someone with that, boy.” He said. “Me, your mother, anyone you so wished if you point and pull the trigger. Killing is a terrible power to have. Remember that.”
>The rifle suddenly felt heavier, but you clutched it all the tighter. So began your third passion.
>By now, you were getting older.
>With few job prospects and dreams too large to fit in your little home town, you left to work in a nearby city, but the culture shock was unreal. 
>It shocked you to realize that people would willingly give their rights away for a feeling of security that isn’t even guaranteed, and no matter how sharply you debated, few would listen to you.
>Fed up, you joined the military like your father and his father before him.
>Again, you were disappointed.
>The United States Military, the most powerful fighting force in the world, turned out to be a cruel joke.
>Incompetence left and right, corruption down to the core, and members who just didn’t care, as they were here for the benefits only.
>There were of course a few excellent servicemen who did their station proud, but these rare men and women were so few and far between that they may as well not exist.
>Being in the military also put your ear right on modern politics in the worst way, and it makes you realize something.
>In politics, concern for those under you was a facade at best, and nonexistent at worst. The name of the game is “Strip rights and consolidate power.” 
>Where did it start to go wrong? Why do your leaders do this? Why aren’t people upset by this?!
>Pondering this, you were shipped off to fight the so-called ‘War on Terror’ in the middle east.
>In your years in the desert, you killed four men, lost one friend, and were then sent home and honorably discharged as a hero after a stray bullet zipped through your left leg.
>It was friendly fire from a careless squadmate.
>With a few months of government-paid therapy, you recovered, then sat and wondered where to go from there.
>Is this just a part of becoming an adult? Realizing that the world is a parody of what you saw as a child? Is there a way to make peace with such a fact?
>You went on a hike to clear your mind, and thats when time and space dumped you into the frozen north of Equestria.
>You are Anonymous.
>American, Historian, Strategist, Marksman, Soldier.
>And now, King.
-------------
"Thank you, everyone, for arriving on such short notice. I know the last several hours have been hectic."
>On the too-small meeting room table made of solid, glittering crystal, you sit tall with your hands folded and your face schooled into a neutral expression
>Seated around you are a number of ponies, all mares. All of them are alarmingly thin under their faded robes and dresses.
>”His Majesty is too kind,” One of the mares, a beige mare with a deep red mane and tail says from her spot on your left. She bows her head and closes her tired vermillion eyes, but her smile remains. “We’ve all the time in the world for you, should you ask.”
You nod. “Thank you, miss…?”
>”Ruby Rose, of the noble house of Ruby, and I am the Minister of Agriculture, Your Majesty.” She raises her head and opens her eyes again. “If it pleases His Lordship, we can all introduce ourselves and explain our functions in this council.”
>A council? Did Sombra keep them around, or did they all assemble after his death?
“An excellent idea. Madam Rose,” You agree. “Is your title self-explanatory, or do your duties include functions that do not typically fall under agriculture?”
>She smiles again, this time a little wider. “My position is centered only around agriculture, my lord.”
>Rose looks to her side at the next mare, an older looking pony with a plain gray coat and deep purple mane. She clears her throat and begins. “King Anonymous,” her voice is quiet and reserved. “I am Amethyst Lens of the noble House of Amethyst, and I hold the office of Minister of Finance and Commerce. The flow of money and goods in and out of the kingdom is my domain. I look forward to serving you,” she says with a subdued bow of her head.
You incline your head back. “Thank you, Madam Amethyst.”
>The next mare, a lean pony with a light purple coat and eyes the same color offset with a silver mane, speaks next. “Your Highness, I am Shatter Point, Commander of all branches of the Crystal Empire’s armed forces,” she says with a sharp salute and a voice like your old drill instructor. “I am responsible for both our standing army and our royal guard as Minister of Defense. Please feel free to use me as you see fit. I have no noble title.”
You can't help but let out an amused huff at the words you're about to speak. “At ease, Commander.” The words feel novel coming from a former grunt such as yourself. “And thank you for the introduction.”
>Shatter Point gives you one crisp nod.
>”I suppose I’m next,” a thin, reedy mare with a sky-blue coat and silver eyes begins with a laugh. “I am Sleek Silver of the minor house of Silver. I’m the Minister of Intelligence and all that entails, Your Majesty.” She seems to debate something for a second, but the overly expressive face all ponies have gives away that she’s thinking about something. “Erm, officially, I’m the palace Majordomo. The Minister of Intelligence isn’t a position on the books.”
>A spymaster then? 
“I see what you mean…” You rub your chin. “Thank you, Madam Silver.”
>The mare waves her hoof, seemingly embarrassed. “Ah, no need for the ‘madam’, Highness. I’d like to go without it if you wouldn’t mind?”
>”Silver…” Shatter Point’s brows slowly furrow. “That's not your place to decide.”
“It’s no issue, Commander,” you stop the mares before any nerves can become frayed. “I’ve no issue with Silver’s choice in how she is addressed. Moving on?”
>The next pony, a mare older than Amethyst if her mane of gray-streaked black is any indicator is the next to speak. “Your Lordship, I am Onyx Scale, Minister of Labor. The regulation of the Empire’s business and workforce is what my office is responsible for,” she says with a small smile. Her voice is even with just a bit of rasp, the sort public speakers might get after years and years. “I can already tell that our dear Empire will heal under your rule. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for ridding us of Sombra.”
“Your thanks are appreciated, but unneeded, Madam Onyx,” you tell her, feeling your lips pull downward into a frown. “‘Thus, always to tyrants’ as they say in my homeland. Fate conspires against those who would do evil, especially to the ones they are meant to serve.”
>Shatter Point nods in approval.
“I would speak more, but it’s best to get intros out of the way so we can speak on other important matters,” You continue on, turning your gaze to the next mare.
>Clad in a tattered red cloak with a white coat and blonde mane, the next mare speaks up. “My name is Channel, and I am acting head of what remains of both the alchemist and engineer guilds,” the mare blinks her exhausted green eyes behind her glasses, and you're suddenly struck by how youthful she looks in comparison to her peers. “Sombra… Did not like the idea of non-magic machinery or magic items that he could not control. He wanted us to be dependent on him, and thus many of our guild members are hiding or… dead,” She shudders. “I’m sorry, my liege, but it will be some time before we are any substantial use to the Empire…” Channel‘s head falls in shame as her ears lay flat.
>The sight makes your heart ache.
>The more you learn of Sombra, the more you hate him. 
>To enslave, starve, and kill your own people. It drives home that the bastard was no cartoon villain. No, he was a true monster. You're beginning to suspect that the more the bigger picture gets revealed, the worse things will become.
>What a mess...

You stifle your anger for now, as it would do you no good. Instead you take a deep breath and smile gently. “You don’t need to apologize, Miss Channel. Even without the full story, I know it will take time for everyone to recover from Sombra’s tyranny. The last thing you should do is blame yourself, as he was the one at fault,” you say, reaching a hand over to lay over her hoof and giving it a light squeeze.
>The young mare jumps a little, but looks up before unsurely returning your smile with one of her own.
>You withdraw your hand and turn to the last mare, who sits on your right.
>She is especially striking, with a wavy emerald mane that still retains some luster in her poor health, a light gray coat, and bright green eyes like gems. A smile is affixed to her face, and she’s worn the look since she witnessed Sombra’s end. “My liege,” she begins with a bow of her head. “I am Emerald Quill of the noble house of Emerald, and I am the royal attendant. I am your right hoof in all matters, and I am acting as Minister of Law and Justice, Minister of Education and Public Welfare, and Minister of Culture due to… vacancies,” her smile falters, but she is quick to regain it. “Once you have chosen suitable replacements, I will relinquish these positions to them so I may better serve you. If it pleases His Highness, I do not require a title and just being addressed as Quill is how I prefer.”
“Thank you, Quill. I will apologize in advance for the inane questions you will surely get from me,” You reply with a short laugh and a smile so she could not mistake your joke for anything else. You then sober up and continue. “The first point on this meeting’s agenda before I act as ruler in any capacity, is to confirm the legitimacy of my claim to the throne. Quill has already informed me of my claim by ‘Right of Conquest’, but I wish to confirm that there will be no conflict regarding this. In the Empire’s current shaky state, it would not do to have more upheavals.”

>Quill is quick to take the floor as she clears her throat. “I dare say none will challenge you, Your Majesty. Sombra had no heirs, and by laws set in place by the noble houses many winters ago, Right of Conquest means the crown and throne are yours. If there were anypony left of the noble house of Sapphire, then perhaps they could claim Right of Succession, but after their betrayal? After you ended the nightmare we all lived in?” The mare shakes her head. “No, to challenge you is foolish. None would dare. You are our Hero.”
You can hear the capital H she put on ‘Hero’, and you're honestly a little unsure how that sits with you. “Right of Succession?” You ask, raising a brow. “Was the house of Sapphire the former royal family? And how did they betray the Empire?”
>”Yes, sire.” Onyx is the next to speak. Takes a deep breath, seeming to gather her courage. “Princess Amore, our ruler for many hundreds of winters, was born of the house of Sapphire. She was kind and fair, and built our fine Empire into the crown jewel of the tundra that the world envied. When Sombra rose…” The mare has to stop for a moment, shivering. “He slew Princess Amore with his dark magic, but not before she warned her daughter of the stallion’s treachery. Rather than lead the Empire against Sombra, she instead… She warned only the house of Sapphire, who with Princess Amore’s blood, bore the mightiest unicorns in the Empire. Together, they fled with their magic, leaving us at Sombra’s mercy…”
>The older mare fights to keep her face straight, and her fellow council members eye her with worry.
>Ah, magic. The one thing you can’t say you have experience with. You’ll need to study for certain. You glance up at the crystalline chandelier above, wondering if magic is what makes the crystal candles glow with a soft light.
“Madam Onyx, if the memory is painful, then do not stress over it. I will be content to go over written accounts…” You tell her, wishing she wasn’t on the other side of the long table so you might comfort her.

>”I insist, Highness,” Onyx takes a deep breath and visibly steadies herself. “You need to know this history. Blindsided and devoid of our best casters, Sombra seized the empire as if it were foalsplay, and in a bid to control us totally, he rounded up all the unicorns and pegasi of our population and expelled them into the cold tundra. With no food or supplies, it was a… a...”
>’Death sentence.’ Your blood turns to ice when your mind supplies what Onyx cannot finish, as her breath hitches before she can say the final words. Was Sombra out of his mind? Does dark magic darken one’s soul?...Or did he make such a horrific decision while of sound mind? You’re not sure you want to know the answer. You roll your tongue around in your suddenly dry mouth as you think of your next words.
“Who did he take from you, Madam Onyx?” You ask quietly, already dreading the answer.
>”Both of them. My stallion and my little colt…” She curls upon herself, eyes taking on the dead expression so you saw on every pony as you first walked through the empire to the palace. It’s a look you’ve seen too many times on too many people.
>You need no other prompting to stand and walk around the table to Onyx’s side before kneeling down to her level.
>Then you wrap her in a tight hug.
Her breath hitches again, and bringing your mouth close to her ear, you whisper; “Sombra is gone, Onyx Scale. He can’t hurt you or anyone again.”
>The mare presses her face to your shoulder, and you feel two wet spots bloom upon your shirt as you gently rub the grieving wife and mother’s back.

>As the mare silently sobs, you look to the other members of the council, who watch with wide eyes, even the seemingly apathetic Amethyst. 
“He took someone from all of you, didn’t he?”
>The resulting silence is all the answer you need.
>Onyx’s tears slow to a stop, and she carefully pulls away. “I’m… sorry for such a shameful display, Your Majesty,” she says, her red eyes looking away. “That was unbecoming of a mare of my age and station, and I will not do it again.”
“Don’t be sorry,” you smile tenderly and squeeze her wither before rising again. “If you weren’t upset by such a horrific loss, I would be much more concerned,” you say as you return to your seat and sit down again. “It’s always okay to feel strongly for the ones you love, because it’s what makes us who we are.”
>Silver’s smirk returns. “Ah, now that’s some stallion advice alright,” she murmurs, though not quiet enough as Shatter Point glares at her with venom. “What I meant to say was none of the noble houses will oppose you, my lord,” Silver says with a smile. “The minor houses of Silver, Gold, Onyx, Opal, Jade, and Pearl certainly won’t, Gold especially since they went into hiding, and Ruby, Emerald, and Amethyst won’t, right?” She asks, turning each of the council members in question.
>”Never,” Ruby sniffs.
>Amethyst Lens shakes her head.
>Quill seems almost offended by the question. “No.”

You nod, pleased. “Anyway, if my right to rule will not be questioned, then we can begin on the important matters for today,” You school your face back to it’s practiced neutral look. “I’m going to need a complete sitrep on critical services. At this time, we have to assess food stocks, how quickly food stocks can be restored, the operational capacity of hospitals and other medical facilities, the Empire’s finances, and the readiness of our armed forces, who will need to restore order if needed now that Sombra’s regime has collapsed. Madam Ruby.”
>Everyone seems poleaxed by the sudden tone shift, but Ruby perks up. “Yes, my lord?”
“To your best knowledge, what is the current state of the Empire’s crops, and how much food has been stockpiled for emergency use?”
>The redheaded mare grimaces. “Not well, Highness. Without the Crystal Heart to protect against the blizzard outside, we’ve had repeated crop failures and staple shortages due to the low amount of feed available to livestock. Our seed stores are lower than what is comfortable, but they will hold for now. Our food supplies overall are dwindling, and we’ve only several weeks worth of food any given time as Sombra insisted on collecting the best of any harvest. If any more crops fail, we will be in peril.”
You frown and curse Sombra yet again. “Damn. Tell me about this Crystal Heart, as you say it can protect against the blizzard? Is it a magic artifact or a machine? Forgive me for my ignorance, as my people do not have much experience with magic.”

>”There is nothing to forgive, Your Majesty,” Ruby smiles and shakes her head. “I will let Guildmaster Channel field this question since she is the expert in this field.”
>”Ah?” Channel blinks in surprise before quickly composing herself. “O-Oh, right I guess I am the guildmaster since Golden Fleece is gone…” The mare adjusts her glasses and turns to you. “The Crystal Heart is a magic focus created and enchanted by Princess Amore approximately three-hundred years ago. By way of an enchantment known only to house Sapphire, the Heart converts the positive emotion of ponies within the walls of the Empire into raw magical power. Using this, Princess Amore could accomplish feats outside of her already considerable power, like setting up a self-sustaining ward that excompasses the entire Empire and the surrounding lands, protecting us from the cold. So long as the ponies of the Empire keep their spirits high and believe, then the Heart can protect us.”
“Fascinating…” You murmur with genuine intrigue as you lace your hands under your chin and rest your elbows on the crystal table. How such a thing works, you have no idea, but you're certainly going to study the force known as magic. If it’s limitless like many depictions of fiction would have you believe… “Obviously, the recovery and reactivation of the Crystal Heart has jumped to a priority one issue along with securing immediate needs like food, shelter, and medical care. Do we know where Sombra has put it?”

>All eyes turn to Silver, and she hisses. “I don’t, My King. I’m sorry for the failure,” the spymaster shakes her head, ruffling her white, muzzle-length mane. “Rumor has it that Sombra hid it somewhere in the palace, but I have no idea where exactly or if his magic persisted after his death. It’s sure to have protections in place.”
“Another roadblock, then.” You huff. “Guildmaster?” You turn your eyes to Channel, who sits up straight. “Do your alchemists have a way of negating magical protections of the dark variety? If you have any magic casters in hiding who can aid in this, now is the time to recall them.”
>It takes a moment for the blonde mare to answer. “I think so, Your Majesty.” She finally says. “I… We don't have any unicorns, but I’ll have somepony check our hidden storehouses for neutralizing agents and concoct a spellbreaking potion. We were lucky that Sombra didn’t find most of our true supplies and was satisfied after several raids on dummy caches.” Her eyes water. “Golden Fleece took the punishment for ‘hiding’ the decoy caches and suffered for it…” She takes a deep breath and calms herself. “A splash should dispel all but the most potent of curses if made correctly, so I’ll oversee it myself. We’ll also begin the construction of a rune-crystal to detect dark magic to speed up the search.”

“Please do so,” you smile. “A good place to start might be Sombra’s quarters, as he may have some sort of account of his spells or plans. Please let your staff know to not let the urgency get to their heads, as this becomes a hollow victory if one of them is harmed by a trap in their haste.” You then turn to Shatter Point. “Commander.”
>She stiffins. “Your Highness?”
“At this time, how many able-bodied ponies do you have?”
>”I have approximately three hundred mares fit for duty, a far-cry from our peak,” she scowls. “With our population in freefall, poor food supply, and morale at an all-time low, voluntary military service is increasingly unpopular. Sombra was considering a ‘draft’ if the number dropped any farther.”
>The emphasis on ‘draft’ and your predecessor’s use of dark magic instantly leads you to think that brainwashing or other types of indoctrination would be involved.
>...Or did Sombra already use such things?
“I see…” You mull over the information. “Once the alchemists have found the hiding place for the Heart, please assign a detachment of your best to aid them in returning the Heart to its rightful place. There is no telling what could be waiting for them in there. In the meantime, please have teams venture into the city to keep unrest to a minimum.”
>Shatter offers you a sharp salute. “Your will be done.”

Next, you address Quill. “Quill? I can already guess why it’s happening, but what is the current projected population growth?”
>The mare grimaces. “Negative five-and-a-half percent per year, My King. The last census placed us at just under ten-thousand ponies. ”
‘Christ almighty…’ you think. You rub your forehead, already feeling a headache. “Thank you. Quill, please work with Silver to assess the palace’s food and medical supply. Madam Onyx? Please prepare a task force to distribute essentials to the city while official hospitals and food stores are spooled up for a relief effort. Next up, our finances. Madam Amethyst?”
>”My liege,” she answers, still as cool as she was in the beginning of the meeting. “I have plans to conduct an audit of all available liquid and non-liquid assets of the crown at the earliest possible time. Sombra’s whims with money were not kind to our ponies, so I imagine our coffers are the only thing fairing well.”
“Excellent, you practically read my mind,” you smile. “In addition, please the tax records taken during Sombra’s regime pulled so that we can reconvene at a later date to go over them and decide how to move forward with reviving the Empire’s no doubt devastated economy.” 
>Her eyebrows rise just the slightest amount. “Yes, My King.”

“Good, finally, the last items on this meeting’s agenda,” feeling a little awkward and ready for protest, you look finally to Silver. “Silver, please begin a discrete audit of all palace staff. Any who feel loyalty for Sombra or show signs of indoctrination, mundane or magical, are to be placed on watch and reassigned to non-critical roles immediately.” you cross your arms. “It goes without saying that bold-faced saboteurs are to be detained and questioned. We cannot risk bad actors trying to cause trouble or spark conflict this early in our recovery. Afterward, keep your ears to the ground for any whispers of old regime loyalists in the city.”
>Silver’s eyes widen and she rocks back in her seat, then her shining eyes narrow to slits “Of course, Your Majesty. It’ll be done. I don't know who would sympathise with that demon in stallion’s skin, but if they exist, they’ll be rooted out.”
“Thank you,” you smile. “I think that covers everything here at the moment. Oh, and please note that all troops, damage assessors, and relief agents are not to confirm or deny any rumors regarding myself or Sombra’s dethroning. I will be making an official statement once the Crystal Heart has been recovered, or before the end of the day tomorrow, whichever comes to pass first.” You take a breath. This is the most you've spoken in quite some time. “I have no doubt we’ll be meeting again soon, and please call for myself and the other council members if an urgent issue or breakthrough arises. Any closing statements before this meeting ends?”
>Heads shake all around.

“Good. Everyone knows what they need to do. Lets move and begin immediately. I will assist Quill as she works to better acquaint myself with the palace and the ponies who live and work here. Meeting adjourned.”

>Everyone stands and turns to exit, with Quill rushing ahead to open the door for you. You give the mare a smile and pass through the door first with everyone else trailing behind. The guardsmares on either side snap sharp salutes as you walk by. 
>The coming days are going to be tiring, you can already tell.
>But why else would you be here, if it wasn’t fate? The last thing you expected to was to seize a magical kingdom fit for a little girl’s fantasy, but they need someone, anyone.
>You couldn’t make a difference back home…
>As you walk with Quill at your side, your eyes narrow.
>But you can make a difference here. You won’t leave these ponies, who have had it even worse than nearly any human being on earth, to struggle on their own after a who-knows-how-long reign under a tyrant of the worst sort.
>Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all.
>You’ll make that childish, idealistic dream come true here.