private Whisper: The City Of Darkness

[Once In A Blue Moon 895]

@@Ethan Sawyer,@@Orion Caelum, @@Unicorncob, @@Chip Circuit, @@ForthEorl.

 

 

 

She scoffed at Twilight's warning, waving a hoof. "Naaaah, Discord and I are buddies! We'd probably be painting each other's hooves if he was around for real."

 

Holding up a hoof... a talon that hadn't been there a moment before; a talon that was covered in intricate paintings. Intricate moving paintings, scenes of twisted reality ruled over by an infamous draconequis whose every whim was made manifest no matter the cost to those he ruled.

 

The paintings shifted, Celestia and Luna imprisoning him in stone, the years passing with a once-mighty god of chaos reduced to a garden ornament. Then he was free, wreaking havoc once more, until once again he was stopped. Facing another thousand years of imprisonment, his six jailers approached again, no doubt about to taunt him...

 

The talon was lowered, its point made.

 

 

 

I don't want to have all those lives wasted, knowing that our last hope was too stubborn to help. Think of all those ponies, fillies, colts, that you could save, if you just act.

 

Twilight was looking at Sharp, but she was clearly seeing something else. She had looked at him askance when he had spoken of ponies' loyalty to her, but when he spoke of those that now depended on her his words had clearly had an impact. As he finished his piece she lowered her head, one foreleg crossed in front of the other and tracing a line on the deck.

 

"But... I tried..." she mumbled, "...I killed them. The demons tried to take them, and my counter-spell killed them," she took a deep breath, her resolve swaying, "But... I... how do I know I won't make it worse? This age of chaos won't last forever," she was clearly trying to convince herself at this point, 

 

 

 

Wilhelm finally looked directly into Twilight's eyes. "Instead of making another mistake, atone for your first. Help us. Help all of Celestia's little ponies. Or when we leave here, you will have another regret, another blotch, another weight I don't think you can afford on your conscience."

 

 

Twilight visibly recoiled when Wilhelm mentioned the destruction Catalyst would wreck, her mind perhaps more than most able to understand what it was capable of. Talk of mistakes also resonated, but it was when Wilhelm finally appealed on behalf of all of Celestia's little ponies that she simply broke down crying.

"Celestia... why... be here... killed her..." her speech degenerated into wordless sobs. Gala went and put a hoof around her, gesturing to everypony else to stay back for a moment as she gave Twilight a hug. Over a minute passed, during which the marine sergeant walked quietly onto the deck and muttered something into Sharp's ear before disappearing below deck again. Finally Twilight regained control of her emotions, wiping the tears from her eyes and steadying her breathing. 

 

"I'm sorry... it's so hard to see that I can do any good at all... but I'll try. Celestia would want me to try," she took flight from the airship and looked up at the moon, her horn glowing as she focused her power. The moon remained where it was, but the sun rose alongside it as Twilight assumed her former mentors' roles.

 

Twilight looked visibly larger as she landed back on the airship, tiny glints of light in her gently flowing mane.

 

"I have just announced myself to the demons. That will be a direct challenge, one they cannot ignore. They will make their way to Canterlot with all haste... as should we."

[Unicorncob 5,679]

Holding up a hoof... a talon that hadn't been there a moment before; a talon that was covered in intricate paintings. Intricate moving paintings, scenes of twisted reality ruled over by an infamous draconequis whose every whim was made manifest no matter the cost to those he ruled.

 

The paintings shifted, Celestia and Luna imprisoning him in stone, the years passing with a once-mighty god of chaos reduced to a garden ornament. Then he was free, wreaking havoc once more, until once again he was stopped. Facing another thousand years of imprisonment, his six jailers approached again, no doubt about to taunt him...

 

The talon was lowered, its point made.

 

Lavender blinked as her hoof - or, well, talon - raised up and began to show her images. Moving imagines dancing around it. The most common one was a draconequis, and it depicted him having the time of his life... until what looked like the Princesses stopping him. And then becoming a glorified garden ornament.

 

"I saw that statue before," she muttered, "on a field trip to the castle when I was a filly..."

 

She blinked, and looked up at her forehead, beaming. "I've seen you for real!" She squeaked. "I'm your biggest fan! I loved you in... talon cartoon...!"

 

She looked back at her talon, which had become a hoof again. She grinned as the detailed draconequis winked at her.

"...so, we're cool?" He grinned.

Edited June 28, 2016 by Unicorncob

[nolongerabout 403]

@@Once In A Blue Moon,

 

Sharp gave a curt nod to the sergeant, and thought about the news. Another good pony, lost. She was said to have been the best sailor and captain since Admiral Ratio, who routed the whole griffon fleet without a loss of even one of his own ships, and Chaser would no doubt have made that same position given time. But it didn't bear thinking about. More than enough ponies had been lost already.

 

"The captain is dead, as are half the crew. What do you propose as our next move, princess?"

 

He came to attention.

 

"We are at your command."

[Once In A Blue Moon 895]

@@Ethan Sawyer,@@Orion Caelum, @@Unicorncob, @@Chip Circuit, @@ForthEorl.

 

A unicorn pony stood quietly on a Canterlot street corner. The oncoming storm of chaos had disrupted the weather patterns, and heavy rain had pounded the city for most of the past day.

 

Geraint was wearing a thick travelling cloak, which kept the worst of the rain off as well as the inquisitive stares his condition always attracted. Not that he cared for the weather or the prejudices of the unimaginative and small-minded ponies that passed him by, but his mission required a degree of subterfuge. The streets were mostly empty in any event, only the occasional unfortunate servant on an errand for their master or a hapless tradesman on call for some petty whim of the nobility. He'd forgotten how much he hated Canterlot.

 

Giving a clock-tower a momentary glance, confirming his timer spell's alert from long habit, he made his way along the road, cloaked head bowed but his eyes constantly moving. Seeing his target, a small but well-appointed apartment above a fishmongers, he turned to check the road before crossing, also noting that the go-signal in the shop window. The plan now confirmed and in motion, be walked up to the tradesponys' entrance and knocked four times. It opened almost immediately, a withered white pegasus ushering him through and closing the door.

 

Geraint threw off his cloak, revealing three long blades strapped to his side along with a belt of throwing knives. He ignored the body in the corner, the fishmonger an unfortunate but necessary casualty, interrogating the pegasus with a mere glance.

 

"Four guards, plus the target. One watching the stairs, one on the roof and the other two are always with the target. The stairs lead onto a small landing with a single door - there's a single living / sleeping room with an attached bathroom, only big enough for one. The guard can only see halfway down the stairs, but they appear to be at least competent."

 

"Can you take the one on the roof?" Geraint asked.

 

"Yes. Just give me three minutes," Percival answered, producing a large knife from under one of his folded wings and heading out through a back door.

 

Setting his timer spell again, Geraint proceeded silently through another door, heading up the stairs and waiting just around a turn that he reckoned was about half-way up. Normally the knight-assassin would have an exact plan of the building in his mind, down to the furniture and furnishings, but this had been too short notice. As he mentally counted to to one hundred and eighty, never relying on his timer spell alone, he listened for the guard that was at the top of the stairs. In a house this small, he couldn't be more than fifteen feet away, and at that distance the slightest sound could give either of them away. Thankfully, of the two of them only he knew they were playing this deadly game at this exact moment. Sure enough, a slight shift of a stiff leg betrayed the guard's position, and Geraint readied two of his swords.

 

Albion had warned him that the target was an extremely dangerous magic user, and although two of his swords were simple steel the third had been forged with magic-absorbent ores and could cut through most magical shields and defences. Geraint himself was also an extremely skilled magician, extensively schooled in spotting and bypassing magical wards, traps and defences. Percival he had never worked with, as Albion had insisted that they had to strike as soon as possible with whatever was to hoof, but he trusted that Albion would not have sent him a fool. Fools did not survive long in his line of work.

 

As the count entered its final seconds, Geraint half-stepped around the corner, his sword already flying ahead of him up the stairs. The guard let out a brief cry of alarm before the sword went straight though his throat, silencing him. Geraint blasted the door open, two of his swords flying through the air in deadly arcs of flashing steel, one cutting down a pony standing beside the door whilst the other went straight for his target. Percival burst through one of the windows, taking down the other guard in a shower of glass and a flurry of blows. 

 

Crystal Spark looked up at the assassins, the sword flying straight towards them losing its magical aura and dropping to the ground. Unperturbed, Geraint charged, his third mage-killer sword clenched in his teeth. He barely had time to register Percival being gutted by the supposedly dead pony he had trampled before the pony from the door drove a knife into his side. Reeling from the blow he pressed on to his target, desperate to complete his mission before his wound incapacitated him but he was too slow, the hot pain flooding through his side as he was stabbed again, this time one of his legs being cut from under him. He fell sideways, coughing up blood, and looking up in horror at the pony that had felled him. His sword had gone right through its side and into its heart, killing it instantly, but somehow it had stabbed him twice, and was now just standing there.

 

He felt his target walk up next to him, taking his mage-killer sword from where he had dropped it. Without any command, the two guards fell in behind Crystal Spark, the third one appearing at the door as Crystal walked through. Without looking back, Crystal ignited the carpet with a burst of magic and walked down the stairs out of sight.

 

Turning his head slightly, this last effort almost beyond him, Geraint saw that Percival was already dead, and as a much weakened cough brought up more blood he knew that his wound was also lethal. He ran though his repertoire of spells, but nothing he knew would help him at this point. His mission, too, was also a failure, but he could at least try to send a signal to the brotherhood. With the last of his magic, he sent a white flare through the broken window, which burst with a flash of light and an almighty bang over the street. He hoped the Royal Guard arrived before all of the evidence had been incinerated.

@@Ethan Sawyer,@@Orion Caelum, @@Unicorncob, @@Chip Circuit, @@ForthEorl.

 

 

"We are at your command."

 

 

With the remaining crew brought back above deck, temporary repairs effected and a course set for Canterlot, Twilight sat at the front of the airship staring at the distant storm of chaos. Gala sat next to her, also silent, the changes wrought on her first in Ponyville and later through Lavender still present but her mind if not restored then much more than it had been. 

 

"Did you have a plan, when you went looking for me?" Twilight asked eventually, addressing any of the group that were nearby, "Or was it just a case of find me and have me save the day?" There was weariness with a touch of bitterness in her voice, her internal troubles clearly not settled despite her promise of aid, "I could just lay waste to anypony that the demons have taken, hoping that my powers are sufficient to face them all, but destroying so many ponies that had once been my friends and neighbors, my... subjects... I am not sure that I could do that. Luna's body was difficult enough, I do not believe that I will be able to fight the abomination that was once Celestia," She looked at the group, her eyes pleading that there was another way.

Edited June 29, 2016 by Once In A Blue Moon

[Unicorncob 5,679]

Lavender slowly felt some form of power returning to her. It had to be her chaos powers, since they were making her squirm from how tickly they were.

 

Though, as she looked at Gala, she couldn't feel anything. No emotions, no thoughts, nothing at all. She frowned. "Does this mean we're not BFFs anymore?"

 

 

"Did you have a plan, when you went looking for me?" Twilight asked eventually, addressing any of the group that were nearby, "Or was it just a case of find me and have me save the day?" There was weariness with a touch of bitterness in her voice, her internal troubles clearly not settled despite her promise of aid, "I could just lay waste to anypony that the demons have taken, hoping that my powers are sufficient to face them all, but destroying so many ponies that had once been my friends and neighbors, my... subjects... I am not sure that I could do that. Luna's body was difficult enough, I do not believe that I will be able to fight the abomination that was once Celestia," She looked at the group, her eyes pleading that there was another way.

 

She turned to look at Twilight, and her grin returned as she bounced forward. "Well, if you don't wanna save the world, then you kick back with some popcorn and watch us be awesome for you!"

 

Her teeth bared as her grin got bigger. "We're the loonies Equestria deserves~"

[nolongerabout 403]

@@Once In A Blue Moon,

 

Sharp more or less repeated what he had been told and seen in Canterlot.

 

"Well, ma'am, we have several options. The King has gathered the remaining unicorns of magical talent, and has them working on a weapon. It's purely theoretical, and with your help could likely be improved perhaps to the point where only the demon horde is affected. I guess it's either that or we find a way to send these demons back to Tartarus, if you're unwilling to fight 'em the old fashioned way. And I ain't an expert on these things. I don't even know if sending them back will fix this. It's probably best that we discuss this back in Canterlot, with the King. Hopefully he won't consider this a challenge to his power. We can't afford to fight each other right now."

 

He felt a twinge of pain from his injured leg.

 

"If you'll pardon me, princess, I need to see the surgeon."

 

He looked about for the ship's surgeon. Gods forbid the wound got infected.

[Once In A Blue Moon 895]

@@Ethan Sawyer,@@Orion Caelum, @@Unicorncob, @@Chip Circuit, @@ForthEorl.

 

Though, as she looked at Gala, she couldn't feel anything. No emotions, no thoughts, nothing at all. She frowned. "Does this mean we're not BFFs anymore?"

"I am ... very grateful to you," Gala said, picking her words carefully, "And I hope we will be friends..." she trailed off, looking to Twilight for support."I cut off your link to her," Twilight explained, "Though Gala says you mean well, your inherent chaos magic has caused... well..." she gestured to Gala's additional mutations and Lavender-esque colouring, "For her own safety, you understand," her expression left no room for doubt.

 

She turned to look at Twilight, and her grin returned as she bounced forward. "Well, if you don't wanna save the world, then you kick back with some popcorn and watch us be awesome for you!" Her teeth bared as her grin got bigger. "We're the loonies Equestria deserves~"

Twilight gave her a calculating look, her carefully expressionless face belying the seriousness she attributed to the statement. When she noticed the tub of popcorn next to her she scowled, kicking it away and shooting Lavender an angry look that she knew wasn't aimed at her.

 

We can't afford to fight each other right now.

"From what you have told me, 'King' Lighthoof sees himself as predestined to unite Equestria and defeat the demons. Whilst somepony's conviction in his destiny appears to be tempered by pragmatism, at least regarding the exodus airfleet being prepared, if I suddenly appear and defeat the demons he knows his image will not survive. He was a loyal guard captain for close to six years, with many more years of distinguished service preceding his promotion, but the pony you have described is a stranger to me. I cannot predict how he will react. And as for the weapon... yes, I could almost certainly calibrate it to destroy the demon-afflicted only. But whether I can go through with such destruction... I don't know," Twilight looked over at Gala, who had an uncharacteristically serious expression."What if they could be saved?" Gala asked, carrying on where Twilight had left off, "Would I have been destroyed?" Twilight's expression answered in the affirmative, and Gala continued, "There are many that are enslaved by the demons, who are numerically a small proportion of the army. Would we destroy them?"

 

"If you'll pardon me, princess, I need to see the surgeon."

"Of course," Twilight said, happy to change the subject, "We can better assess the situation when we are approaching Canterlot."When Sharp made his way below, he saw the destruction the final reflected barrage had caused. The whole port side was riddled with splintered planks, and the deadly shrapnel had been scattered across the lower deck. The surgeon's table had been hit, and although the marine medic had escaped serious harm the wounded Captain Cloud Chaser had been less fortunate. Steady Suture, the only marine unicorn on the ship, was overseeing a number of wounded marines and crewpoines, but it didn't take long to splash the wound with a disinfectant, apply a couple of stitches and a bandage - almost simultaneously, in fact, such was his finesse with his magic."I won't tell you not to do that again," he joked, "But do make sure it's worth it before you do. If the cut had been angled just a little inwards you would have lost the use of your leg." Edited July 1, 2016 by Once In A Blue Moon

[Unicorncob 5,679]

"I am ... very grateful to you," Gala said, picking her words carefully, "And I hope we will be friends..." she trailed off, looking to Twilight for support. "I cut off your link to her," Twilight explained, "Though Gala says you mean well, your inherent chaos magic has caused... well..." she gestured to Gala's additional mutations and Lavender-esque colouring, "For her own safety, you understand," her expression left no room for doubt.

 

Lavender was a bit surprised at hearing Gala talk to her for the first time, but she listened to every word. She hadn't realised before, but the mutant had taken a very... Lavender look.

 

The mutant was suddenly met with a tight hug from the altered unicorn. "Of course we can still be friends! And not to toot my own horn...s, but the look really suits you!"

 

 

Twilight gave her a calculating look, her carefully expressionless face belying the seriousness she attributed to the statement. When she noticed the tub of popcorn next to her she scowled, kicking it away and shooting Lavender an angry look that she knew wasn't aimed at her.

 

She lifted a hoof as Twilight kicked the bucket away, and gave a nervous giggle before scowling up at her forehead.

 

"I told you, nopony likes salty! It's all about sweet! Or at least buttered."

[Once In A Blue Moon 895]

@@Ethan Sawyer,@@Orion Caelum, @@Unicorncob, @@Chip Circuit, @@ForthEorl.

 

The Scion powered through the unnatural twilight, he remaining crew run ragged to keep best possible speed. Twilight sat at the prow of the airship, fixated on the approaching mountainside city. As Canterlot drew closer, tiny smudges could be seen above it; the Third Air Squadron loading up on supplies and weapons before heading to Manehatten. 

 

The demon army was approaching the foothills, having made good speed across the relatively flat land around Ponyville but slowing as the terrain grew rougher. Pegasus-mutant outriders were sweeping ahead of its advance, but after Twilight vaporised a wing sent to investigate the airship they kept a respectful distance.

 

The airship was no more than twenty minutes out when Twilight's head jerked up, staring into the air. Magic illuminated her horn, casting shadows across a frowning face.

 

"Chaos magic," she announced to the ship, "Canterlot has been bathed in it. It feels... subtle in its effects. This has to be the work of one of the alicorn-demons," she cocked her head, as though listening, and looked at Lavender. A frown followed by a sad smile crossed her face, then she returned to the present, "... sorry," She offered no further explanation. 

 

"Where to then, your majesty?" The helmspony asked, a nervous tone clear in their voice.

[Unicorncob 5,679]

"Chaos magic," she announced to the ship, "Canterlot has been bathed in it. It feels... subtle in its effects. This has to be the work of one of the alicorn-demons," she cocked her head, as though listening, and looked at Lavender. A frown followed by a sad smile crossed her face, then she returned to the present, "... sorry," She offered no further explanation. 

 

Lavender's ears pricked up at Twilight's deduction. "Chaos magic, ya say?" She grinned and trotted over. "You're playin' my song, sister!"

 

Though, at her sad smile and apology, she raised an eyebrow. "Sorry? What f-- hey!" She scowled and looked up at her forehead, before gently tapping her temple with a hoof. "Discord, warn me when you're bringing somepony over! I didn't get to tidy the place."

[nolongerabout 403]

@@Once In A Blue Moon,

 

Sharp looked at the city, and knew there was something terribly wrong. He had not lived in the capital some twenty years without learning its subtleties, its tiny signs that even total war could not stop. And they were different. Not gone, but changed in a way he could not tell. He didn't like it, Not one bloody bit. He called out to the helmspony, "Bring us back to quarter-speed!", he turned to the Princess, "Just a precaution, ma'am. There's something damned strange going on, I can feel it. Sergeant!"

 

He walked back along the ship, towards the cabin at the aft of the ship, and waited until the sergeant was in sight.

 

"The captain must have owned a fine telescope. My own is in Canterlot. Can you bring hers here, please? Thank you."

[Once In A Blue Moon 895]

 

 

"The captain must have owned a fine telescope. My own is in Canterlot. Can you bring hers here, please? Thank you."

 

The sergeant nodded, trotting below decks and returning with Cloud Chaser's telescope. It was, predictably, incredibly ornate, although in this case more due to the dedicated efforts of a master craftspony moderating Cloud Chaser's enthusiasm for gold filigree and keeping the design within the bounds of good taste.

 

Canterlot looked almost as it had done when they left, albeit this time without any street parties or other impromptu celebrations. There was a haze of rain that prevented detailed observation, but there was no apparent destruction or rampaging horde of demons. There was some activity on the airdock, but most of the population seemed to be taking shelter from the rain, giving Canterlot's streets an eerie and unfamiliar aspect.

 

Something definitely felt off - even in the worst weather carriages and carts would still throng the main streets, and a city awaiting siege would normally be filled with fleeing citizens desperate to escape the oncoming army; but now almost nothing stirred.

[nolongerabout 403]

@@Once In A Blue Moon,

 

"Alright, sergeant, make sure everyone's loaded, blades sharpened. You have an hour, unless we're forced to land."

 

He pocketed the telescope, as it might be of some use later. Besides, he doubted the captain would notice it missing, nor mind him borrowing it now.

 

Why would the city be emptied? Or hiding, perhaps? How long had it been since their party had set out? The eternal twilight did no good to his internal clock. At this point, there could be only two reasons for the lack of activity, that Sharp could see; that somehow the capital had fallen already to the enemy, or the King was going to detonate his weapon, and was enforcing a curfew. After all, the more ponies in the city, the more powerful the explosion. Preventing their escape, by keeping them inside. Both made him feel sick to his core, and that quickly turned into hate. Destroy the whole damned country to save his own sorry hide, eh? If Sharp lived past the next few days, he would make sure the king was in the dungeons, or more preferably, a twitching body dangling from a hempen rope. No pony should sanction such wanton death when other paths still lay open.

 

He trotted back to Twilight, his face a grim mockery of a smile.

"Princess, can you do some sort of scan, to see how many living ponies are still in the city? There are hardly any guards on the walls, no ponies on the streets. Even this rain couldn't keep the taxis from running, nor the farmers selling their produce in the market. I fear the worst."

Edited July 5, 2016 by ForthEorl

[Once In A Blue Moon 895]

@@Ethan Sawyer,@@Orion Caelum, @@Unicorncob, @@Chip Circuit, @@ForthEorl.

 

 

"Princess, can you do some sort of scan, to see how many living ponies are still in the city? There are hardly any guards on the walls, no ponies on the streets. Even this rain couldn't keep the taxis from running, nor the farmers selling their produce in the market. I fear the worst."

 

"The chaos magic would interfere with any spell of that magnitude, but there is plenty of 'ordinary' magic still in Canterlot so I believe that the majority of the population is still there," Twilight answered, "Which leaves us with something of a quandary; I would have no real difficulty in tracking down the source, or sources, of the chaos magic, but there is the possibility of a trap, and any confrontation in which I exercised my powers would put numerous Canterlot citizens at risk," her tone made it clear that was not an option, and she looked across the deck at the roiling mass of chaotic weather that covered the demon army.

 

"The alternative, as I see it, is to turn and confront the army when they are spread out amongst the hills. We would head straight into them, and I would take out their leader whilst you all kept their minions at bay. It is not the method I would have chosen, and it is very high risk... but the army at least presents a tangible foe that I can lash out against," despair was creeping back into Twilight's voice as she went over their options, clearly starting to wonder what she could achieve after all.

 

"I am open to other ideas," she added, looking for any ray of hope.

Edited July 6, 2016 by Once In A Blue Moon

[Unicorncob 5,679]

Canterlot looked almost as it had done when they left, albeit this time without any street parties or other impromptu celebrations. There was a haze of rain that prevented detailed observation, but there was no apparent destruction or rampaging horde of demons. There was some activity on the airdock, but most of the population seemed to be taking shelter from the rain, giving Canterlot's streets an eerie and unfamiliar aspect.

 

Something definitely felt off - even in the worst weather carriages and carts would still throng the main streets, and a city awaiting siege would normally be filled with fleeing citizens desperate to escape the oncoming army; but now almost nothing stirred.

 

Lavender peered over the railing to get a look at Canterlot, and frowned at the frankly depressing view. Hazy rain, nopony out in the streets, and no party. That had to be illegal somewhere, that there were no city parties.

"There's trouble a-brewin' down there," she muttered, "I just feel it... because Discord can feel it too."

 

She glanced up at her forehead. "You mean, as in 'us', right?" A moment passed, and a grin crossed her face. "Cool!"

 

She turned to face the others, adjusting her hat that somehow hadn't fallen off her after all this time. "Discord thinks me and him can find out what's up! ...okay, sorry, he and I." She huffed.

[Dust and Memories 557]

Wilhelm had been tending to his weapons; his sword needed sharpening and cleaning, and his arrows needed to have their fletching adjusted and their heads bound more tightly to their shaft. Such a routine had been drilled into him during his time in the Guard; no good weapons is equal to a very short life.

 

But when Twilight said she was "open to ideas," Wilhelm was suddenly shocked back to reality. Quickly, he opened his trusty satchel and took the books inside out one by one. "Well, Princess... If we can get to the Astronomy Tower, we have enough material here on the physiological, thaumatic, and planar characteristics of the mutants and the daemons as a species that we could target them only with the Weapon."

 

He paused a moment to let the weight of his words sink in. "No pony would be harmed. No innocent deaths. Just the army, waiting to devour all ponies in their way. And, if you're still holding out hope for a cure... Do we really have time? Do we really want to risk our own safety and lives -- without which, all of Canterlot dies -- for the safety of those we don't even know if we could cure at all, or whether they'd even be the same afterwards?"

 

Wilhelm looked back down at the books, and began meditatively flipping pages. "I vote we go to the Weapon, modify it as necessary, and fire. No need for any more... trivialities. After that's done, we can address the matter of succession; namely, bringing the Princess back onto the throne."

Edited July 19, 2016 by Orion Caelum

[Once In A Blue Moon 895]

@@Ethan Sawyer,@@Orion Caelum, @@Unicorncob, @@Chip Circuit, @@ForthEorl.

 

 

 

And, if you're still holding out hope for a cure... Do we really have time?

 

Gala's expression hardened at that, but she said nothing. 

 

 

 

"I vote we go to the Weapon, modify it as necessary, and fire. No need for any more... trivialities. After that's done, we can address the matter of succession; namely, bringing the Princess back onto the throne."

 

 

Twilight looked over the books, then up at Wilhelm.

 

"I could adjust the weapon, yes, if I had some time to work on it. The presence that is in Canterlot will not give me that time, however, and it may even threaten the weapon." 

 

 

 

"Discord thinks me and him can find out what's up! ...okay, sorry, he and I." She huffed.

 

 

An idea came to Twilight, hope flickering in her eyes as she explained her plan.

 

"Ok, the main problem with adjusting the spell to only feed on chaos magic is that we would need to feed some chaos magic in to it to start the process. Quite a lot actually, if we are to reach the distant army. However, with Canterlot currently swamped with chaos magic that problem has been resolved for us. I cannot enter Canterlot without revealing myself to... whatever is in there, but you could potentially pass unnoticed," she glanced at Lavender, "...mostly. If you can avoid the worst of the dangers using Discord's tricks, along with all of your other abilities, then you might have a chance of making it to the weapon. Once you do, take the focus crystal - the one that actually casts the spell. Bring it to me, and I can work on it here away from the chaotic influences. Then, when the time is right, return the crystal to the weapon and activate it."

 

Seeing the pleading look Gala was giving her, Twilight hesitated, the agony of the decision apparent on her face. A heartbeat later, she gave the smallest shake of her head, and looked at Lavender, "You... won't want to be nearby when it activates. Discord's powers are chaotic, and the weapon will not discriminate." 

Gala turned away from everyone, staring out into the distance.

[Unicorncob 5,679]

"Ok, the main problem with adjusting the spell to only feed on chaos magic is that we would need to feed some chaos magic in to it to start the process. Quite a lot actually, if we are to reach the distant army. However, with Canterlot currently swamped with chaos magic that problem has been resolved for us. I cannot enter Canterlot without revealing myself to... whatever is in there, but you could potentially pass unnoticed," she glanced at Lavender, "...mostly. If you can avoid the worst of the dangers using Discord's tricks, along with all of your other abilities, then you might have a chance of making it to the weapon. Once you do, take the focus crystal - the one that actually casts the spell. Bring it to me, and I can work on it here away from the chaotic influences. Then, when the time is right, return the crystal to the weapon and activate it."

 

Seeing the pleading look Gala was giving her, Twilight hesitated, the agony of the decision apparent on her face. A heartbeat later, she gave the smallest shake of her head, and looked at Lavender, "You... won't want to be nearby when it activates. Discord's powers are chaotic, and the weapon will not discriminate." 

Gala turned away from everyone, staring out into the distance.

 

Lavender nodded, frequently and without rhythm as Twilight explained her plan. It was going into her head, but was it going into Discord's?

 

"So we gotta ninja into Canterlot, get the nice shiny thing and get it to you, let you fiddle around with it while I maybe read some comic books, get it back over there and watch out for the world-shattering kaboom?"

 

She grinned and gave Twilight a salute. "You can count on us, chief!"

[nolongerabout 403]

@@Once In A Blue Moon,

 

Sharp considered the options. He knew Canterlot well, so getting lost probably wouldn't be an issue. It was just a choice of how to get there.

 

"Well, I can probably blag our way past any guards we meet, as long as they haven't been given orders to apprehend us. I don't really mind the path we take, but half Equestria might be destroyed soon," He said, "So I imagine haste is a bloody good thing right now."

[Once In A Blue Moon 895]

@@Ethan Sawyer,@@Orion Caelum,@@Unicorncob,@@ForthEorl.

 

 

"So we gotta ninja into Canterlot, get the nice shiny thing and get it to you, let you fiddle around with it while I maybe read some comic books, get it back over there and watch out for the world-shattering kaboom?"  

 

She grinned and gave Twilight a salute. "You can count on us, chief!"

 

 

 

Twilight's silence spoke volumes, concern and suspicion flashing behind her eyes, but she nodded her acknowledgement.

 

 

"Well, I can probably blag our way past any guards we meet, as long as they haven't been given orders to apprehend us. I don't really mind the path we take, but half Equestria might be destroyed soon," He said, "So I imagine haste is a bloody good thing right now."

 

 

"Then the military quarter will be your best bet," Twilight said, "It may even be that the guards will take you straight to the device, although I doubt they will let you dismantle it," Twilight produced a red card from her saddlebag, and offered it to Sharp, "Before the crisis, this would have got you whatever you wanted  wherever you needed it; carte blanche, acting in my name. Now for all I know it will get you thrown in a cell," she seemed almost relieved at the loss of power, "If you have no alternative, or if you think that somepony will be susceptible to it, then use it. Otherwise, I would recommend keeping it hidden."

 

 

 

The airship flew in low and set down on a small plateau, hidden from view from the city by the curvature of the mountain. Half an hour of brisk walking later, the South-Western gate came into view. City watchponies stood guard, and there appeared to be nopony entering or leaving, although the gates were still open.

[Unicorncob 5,679]

Lavender practically skipped with the group to the south-western gate, feeling more excited to get started than nervous.

 

Though, her ears pricked up as she felt something. Her head tilted as she determined just what was happening.

 

"Royal Avenue... the gate to the upper city." She muttered to herself. "We got a party all up in here. There better be a buffet, I could go for some spring rolls!"

 

She glanced up at her horn. "Hey, what do you think? You want some spring rolls?"

[Once In A Blue Moon 895]

@@Ethan Sawyer,@@Orion Caelum,@@Unicorncob,@@ForthEorl.

 

 

 

"Royal Avenue... the gate to the upper city." She muttered to herself. "We got a party all up in here. There better be a buffet, I could go for some spring rolls!"

 

Of course you can have some spring rolls; a platter of spring rolls appeared in front of Lavender, welcome to my city, my little ponies. I hope you like it, we're preparing for a royal visit.

 

The words were spoken softly, and although almost musical were not quite in tune. They seemed to come from above, although on looking up there was nothing to be seen. Apparently 

 

In Canterlot, everypony is free. Free free... free from law, free from obligation, free from restraint... in Canterlot, you can do whatever you wish to do, and be whatever pony you wish to be. Neither morality nor reality shall hold you back, and your every wish shall be made manifest...

 

The city seemed to shift in front of them, twisting to match the every whim of the ponies within. A small apartment grew into a palace the size of a city block, only to simultaneously collapse, burn down and compress to the size of a matchbox as the ill-wishes of the evicted neighbours was unleashed upon it. A whole road of houses seemed bigger and somehow more familiar as a pony walked down it reminiscing about their foalhood. A secret tunnel opened up in the wall as Bramble looked at it, whilst one of the guards at the gate was received with a 21-gun salute and cheering crowds as they walked back through, crowds and guns that vanished as they were thrown down to beg blindly in the gutter by the jealousy of another.

Edited July 16, 2016 by Once In A Blue Moon

[Unicorncob 5,679]

Of course you can have some spring rolls; a platter of spring rolls appeared in front of Lavender, welcome to my city, my little ponies. I hope you like it, we're preparing for a royal visit.

 

Lavender blinked as the platter of spring rolls appeared in front of her, and she looked around only to find nopony was there.

 

Had she done that?

 

Regardless, she popped a spring roll into her mouth. "Sweet! Got any desserts too? Maybe some chocolate milk to go with it?"

 

 

In Canterlot, everypony is free. Free free... free from law, free from obligation, free from restraint... in Canterlot, you can do whatever you wish to do, and be whatever pony you wish to be. Neither morality nor reality shall hold you back, and your every wish shall be made manifest...

 

A little but mischievous grin appeared on her muzzle at the idea. The freedom to do what she wanted, with no consequences.

 

It was an almost intoxicating idea.

 

"I like the way you think..."

 

 

The city seemed to shift in front of them, twisting to match the every whim of the ponies within. A small apartment grew into a palace the size of a city block, only to simultaneously collapse, burn down and compress to the size of a matchbox as the ill-wishes of the evicted neighbours was unleashed upon it. A whole road of houses seemed bigger and somehow more familiar as a pony walked down it reminiscing about their foalhood. A secret tunnel opened up in the wall as Bramble looked at it, whilst one of the guards at the gate was received with a 21-gun salute and cheering crowds as they walked back through, crowds and guns that vanished as they were thrown down to beg blindly in the gutter by the jealousy of another.

 

Though, as she saw the city shifting around, as well as the ponies inside it, her smirk turned into a wide-eyed frown of concern, confusion and curiosity.

 

"But this... this is trippy, yo."

[nolongerabout 403]

@@Once In A Blue Moon,

 

Sharp's hoof grasped his sword almost unconsciously. He was in awe at what had befallen his city. He shouldn't have left. It clawed at him, anger and guilt chewing through his bravado. He could have done something, anything to prevent this. He was a captain of the guard, with what little authority that position still held with all the military reforms, and he had failed. He spoke under his breath, hardly loud enough for anyone to hear.

 

"I don't care who or what you are, but I'm going to shove this sword so far up your arse you won't be able to sit without it tickling your eyeballs, bad bloody luck for me or not."

 

He turned to the others. He spoke loud, loud enough for whatever creature that had claimed the city as its own to hear. There was unbridled rage in his eyes. He gestured to the warped and distented gates.

 

"That's where I'm going. And none of you have to come, but that's where I'm going. And I'll tell you why. It's 'cause them demons laugh at us. They think we're gods-damned pushovers, that we'll just sit down and die quietly. Offer us our heart's desires? No honour in that, and no bloody reward either. All's well in bloody Canterlot, eh? They don't even offer a fair fight of it! Well, I ain't standing for that. I don't care if I have to carve my way through every bastard from here to Tartarus, I'm going in there. And when I find the bugger who did this, I'll introduce them to proper Equestrian etiquette for dealing with demons. A damn sword through their poxed face."

[Chaton 3,765]

Though, as she saw the city shifting around, as well as the ponies inside it, her smirk turned into a wide-eyed frown of concern, confusion and curiosity.

 

"But this... this is trippy, yo."

"That is one way to put it I guess." I say, glancing around at the surrounding area, seeing the mass of chaos. "This is beautiful" I mutter to myself.

 

I turn to see the spring rolls "You gonna eat those?"

 

 

"That's where I'm going. And none of you have to come, but that's where I'm going. And I'll tell you why. It's 'cause them demons laugh at us. They think we're gods-damned pushovers, that we'll just sit down and die quietly. Offer us our heart's desires? No honour in that, and no bloody reward either. All's well in bloody Canterlot, eh? They don't even offer a fair fight of it! Well, I ain't standing for that. I don't care if I have to carve my way through every bastard from here to Tartarus, I'm going in there. And when I find the bugger who did this, I'll introduce them to proper Equestrian etiquette for dealing with demons. A damn sword through their poxed face."

 

"As much as I love this chaos, we need to stop it. I'm completely with you."