Part 2
One year later...
Valrek has discovered, and now lives in an ancient structure(it's original purpose unknown) that is like a stone palace, but underground and hidden from above-ground view. He found it a month after his flight from the mine incident, by accident. He was wandering the Everfree forest, looking for a place to live, and to think. He then fell through a weak layer of broken stone, which turned out to be the entry to the underground palace. He then explored it, using his Alicorn magic as a useful tool, providing light, repairing sections of the palace, and cleaning it. It took about two months, but he succeeded in his task. He then began to think and research. Now that he is an Alicorn, he could do research like never before. His findings changed his life dramatically. He learned(and proved) that Alicorns have a craving for power, to rule. Peacefully or not. But he was different- for he was not born an Alicorn. He still has a craving to rule, but it is controlled. He felt satisfied to find this palace, to lord over it. But he had nopony to rule over. He began thinking of a plan- to return to Celestia. He would do something that is unheard of in Equestria- take land from the princesses. Hopefully they wouldn't mind, for there are still free territories that they planned on expanding to. He also looked at their method of governing, and has seen that Equestria is in a technological standstill. Most new technologies were restricted or even completely rejected. He has thought of so many technologies, which are now in chambers in his palace, being developed and improved. He wants to use these discoveries and developments to revolutionize he world. He would do anything to help Ponykind progress, and get out of this rut that Celestia had put them in.
It's empty here... I need to find some ponies to share these ideas with. Valrek thought. He has been lonely, and his radical ideas seem useless without others to share them with. He then has an idea. I can use my magic to disguise myself to go into a town, to look for open-minded ponies to gain an audience for my findings. He then thinks of ways to be a great leader. I must be outgoing, not timid. I want to be confident, or else nopony will believe in my ideas. I need to be just, punishing when needed, rewarding when deserved. I must be accepting of other's ideas, the more minds, the better. I need to be accepting of new ideas, and not let my society grow stagnant, like Equestria is now. And I must adapt. I should also keep myself in check, and appoint representatives. I don't want to end up as a dictator, mad with power. He feels very confident now, and so he prepares to go to the nearest town. He then looks at his map- and the closest town is Ponyville. Home of the six legendary ponies Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbowdash, Fluttershy, and Twilight Sparkle. This might be a problem, because they are devoted to Celestia. But it may also provide an opportunity, because if he can win one or two of them over, he will have a massive advantage. He casts a spell on himself, making him look like a grey earth pony, wandering Equestria.
A grey- colored earth pony walks into Ponyville, curious and exited. He looks through stores, talks to ponies, learning news, events, etc. He then walks down Sugarcube Corner, and enters a bakery. Not three seconds after he sets hoof into the sweet-smelling bakery, a pink pony rushes up to him and says "Hi! I've never seen you here before, are you new here? Wait- I know everypony in Ponyville, so you are new here! Welcome! What's your name? What's your favorite color? Where are you from? Do you want a cupcake? Pie? Cookies?". He is stunned by the speed of which she talks, and it takes a while for the questions to sink in, so he smiles and answers "Yes, I'm new here, my name is-" he stops for a second, to he forgot to think of a name, then he remembers one that he had used before "-Spark Valor.". The pink pony cocks her head. "That's an interesting name... I love it! My name is Pinkamena Diane Pie, but my friends call me Pinkie Pie. Do you want to be my friend?" she asks. "Sure, Pinkie. Can you do a new friend a favor?". Pinkie pie jumps up and down, saying "Sure! What is it?". "Can you give me a tour of Ponyville, and introduce me to your friends?". She nearly exploded at the request, and explained nearly everything she knew about everything, took him to every nook and cranny of Ponyville, introducing him to everypony there. He met Applejack on her farm, Fluttershy at a tree, getting a mean-tempered cat down, which apparently belonged to Rarity who nearly fainted when she learned of it. He met Rainbowdash as she was chasing a stray rain cloud. And finally, he met Twilight Sparkle at her library, reading. He also met Spike, a baby dragon with a taste for gems, so he gave him a piece of Magicalite, of which he had no idea what it was, but liked it nonetheless. After this day of thoroughly exploring Ponyville, Applejack offered to let him sleep in the barn for the night, which he accepted. And when he was alone, he renewed his spell, and went to sleep.
Valrek(known as 'Spark Valor' to the rest of the town) woke up and began his day, looking for potential followers. He did this by using his magic to find the ponies with interests in radical ideas- such as a new leader, and giving them a map to a meeting place. He also told them to keep this a secret, for things wouldn't end well if everypony knew of this- especially what he called 'loyalists', ponies who are devoted to the princesses. He even had the luck of finding some pegasi who were traveling all across Equestria.
Two days of looking for supporters proved very successful, he had 46 ponies going to the meeting place. When they arrived, he had information packets, containing his research, goals, problems with the current society, promises for improvements, etc. They loved it, and begged to meet Valrek. Spark Valor(Valrek in disguise) told them that if they prove their support to him, by doubling their numbers, they would see him.
It took a month and a week, but the supporters doubled their numbers, and went to another meeting place, more secluded this time. There, Spark Valor revealed himself as Valrek. This shocked them, but they cheered, which filled Valrek with pride. I'm doing it! I am leading! Now, time to go into the next phase- organization and growth. He told them his research, ideas, etc. They were fascinated, and surprised their leader by how much of a success this was. he then appointed some of them with jobs, assignments, and began setting up an organized network of supporters. This happened over the purse of 3 weeks, and by the time they had a network structured and set up, here were over 200 ponies, from Ponyville and other towns, the travelers succeeded. They moved their meeting place to his Palace, that they called 'Amelioration', which means 'Progress'. Valrek's speeches became more and more revolutionary, and now that they were in an underground Palace, the crowds cheered and shouted their approval, they shared information, ideas, developed new things, and enjoyed the freedoms that Valrek provided, that they never knew that Celestia withheld. They agreed that she wasn't a tyrant, but that she was stuck in her ways, and did not want things to change. But Valrek wanted change, progress, and all the things that came with it.
By now, the followers began setting up posters, leaving leaflets and fliers places, and openly voicing their opinions, which caught all of Equestria off guard. This also got the attention of Celestia herself, and she announces that this uprising, although peaceful, was unlawful, and declared it a crime to support any other leaders other than Luna and herself. Luna was lenient, and a bit more accepting, but willingly supported her sister's decree. They then sent patrols of Royal Guards out to stamp out the uprising. This caused the followers of Valrek, who called themselves the 'Vanguard' to be more careful. The new law shocked the other citizens. And this caused more of them to be more accepting of the Vanguard's ideas. Then Valrek told them that he wanted to do a parade, or march through Ponyville, which is a symbol for Celestia's loyalists because of the six legendary ponies.
One week later, The Vanguard had official uniforms, dark grey with red lining, and Valrek's cutie mark(a gold circle with a triangle pointing to the middle) as an insignia. A day after the uniforms were issues, they formed up for the march- a display that Valrek is real, and they are serious about the revolution. He then planned to go negotiate with Celestia herself.
The Vanguard formed up, some holding banners and flags, some holding propaganda, others with cases full of new uniforms for possible new members. Then, they march forward, toward the main street of Ponyville...