private The Tyranny of Princess Cadence

[THE WILD HUNT 213]

Acheron was a bit disappointed he wasn't elected, but he was finally glad all the formalities were done with. Now they could all get to what they were supposed to do, and Acheron now had full opportunities to be a behind the scenes orchestrator....

"Well first, we have to know what exactly we're going up against. We need to find a way to intercept the messages that Cadenza sends out to her allies to find their next big movement. After that, we plan our moves to disrupt their plans..."

[Super Derpy 535]

"We create an imaginary enemy. An enemy that seems real, and very powerful, to everyone else, and an enemy that Cadence is utterly clueless about. Once everyone sees how powerless she is against it, she's sure to be doubted by even some of her most trusting followers."

"What would you have in mind for our imaginary enemy? How would it be clueless to Cadence and not to everyone else? Don't just spat out things without explaining how it will work!"

"Does anypony else have an idea for our big opening?"

Crystal Dusk needed more ideas this fake enemy did not seem like a good option at the moment

[THE WILD HUNT 213]

"If you had been paying attention, you would have heard an explanation of one of the things we could do. We find ways to intercept her messages which coordinate future events she has in mind, that way we know what they are. After that, we plan our moves to silently disrupt their movements, thus creating the enemy of confusion and doubt..."

[Super Derpy 535]

"If you had been paying attention, you would have heard an explanation of one of the things we could do. We find ways to intercept her messages which coordinate future events she has in mind, that way we know what they are. After that, we plan our moves to silently disrupt their movements, thus creating the enemy of confusion and doubt..."

"Is intercepting messages going to strike fear into the peoples hearts! Is that going to show the entire Crystal Empire just who we are. We need something big! Not stealing mail! We need to act now Cadence's army grows stronger by the day! Intercepting messages just isn't going to do it."

[Concord Discord 35]

"What would you have in mind for our imaginary enemy? How would it be clueless to Cadence and not to everyone else? Don't just spat out things without explaining how it will work!"

"Does anypony else have an idea for our big opening?"

Crystal Dusk needed more ideas this fake enemy did not seem like a good option at the moment

 

"Firstly, I never said nopony else would be clueless. They would all be clueless... and afraid. Secondly, the present tense of 'spat' is 'spit', and I do not 'spit out' answers. And thirdly, I told you exactly what we are going to do."

Curse was annoyed that Crystal asked questions but immediately rejected and largely ignored any answers.

"A good leader takes everypony's ideas into account"

[Super Derpy 535]

"Firstly, I never said nopony else would be clueless. They would all be clueless... and afraid. Secondly, the present tense of 'spat' is 'spit', and I do not 'spit out' answers. And thirdly, I told you exactly what we are going to do."

Curse was annoyed that Crystal asked questions but immediately rejected and largely ignored any answers.

"A good leader takes everypony's ideas into account"

"You do not need to correct my grammar do you really think that matters!? I'm sorry if you felt like I was rejecting your idea but you still have not told me what exactly this imaginary enemy is going to be. How is this going to work?"

Crystal Dusk feels guilty as she was being very mean to Curse 

Edited June 13, 2013 by Super Derpy

[THE WILD HUNT 213]

"Is intercepting messages going to strike fear into the peoples hearts! Is that going to show the entire Crystal Empire just who we are. We need something big! Not stealing mail! We need to act now Cadence's army grows stronger by the day! Intercepting messages just isn't going to do it."

"Again Crystal, we intercept their oh so important mail to find out what Cadenza is up to. Supplies needed for certain factions, troop movements, everything of the sort can be found in those little pieces of 'mail'. Disrupting her orders and sowing confusion is a nice poison to her armies. Would you want us to he discovered so soon?"

[RAGESTAR 479]

Crimson sighed, "well that sucks.....but at least crystal won, she should be a good leader....." thought crimson, he then walked over to crystal, "well we could capture her messenger and use magic to disguise ourselves to look just like him..." said crimson slowly as he leaned against a wall.

[Concord Discord 35]

"You do not need to correct my grammar do you really think that matters!? I'm sorry if you felt like I was rejecting your idea but you still have not told me what exactly this imaginary enemy is going to be. How is this going to work?"

Crystal Dusk feels guilty as she was being very mean to Curse 

 

"You know, illusions. One of us pretends to be some kind of monster, showing great acts of power, scaring them. We challenge Cadence to fight, but it is an illusion, and she cannot win. This causes everypony to doubt Cadence's seemingly absolute control over her kingdom."

[Super Derpy 535]

 Would you want us to he discovered so soon?"

Not discovered but let the people know we exist. The people will not fear us if they don't know we exist. It's not like suddenly Cadence would know our location and everything we were doing. But people would know our name.

 

 

Crimson sighed, "well that sucks.....but at least crystal won, she should be a good leader....." thought crimson, he then walked over to crystal, "well we could capture her messenger and use magic to disguise ourselves to look just like him..." said crimson slowly as he leaned against a wall.

That actually is a good idea. I know that wouldn't strike fear into the hearts of people but actually is the best way to intercept the mail like Acheron was saying.

 

 

"You know, illusions. One of us pretends to be some kind of monster, showing great acts of power, scaring them. We challenge Cadence to fight, but it is an illusion, and she cannot win. This causes everypony to doubt Cadence's seemingly absolute control over her kingdom."

Yes! That sounds like a good idea. We could actually do this along with intercepting her mail so we would be putting fear into the peoples hearts and receiving intel on Cadenza. It's perfect!

[Concord Discord 35]

 

 

Yes! That sounds like a good idea. We could actually do this along with intercepting her mail so we would be putting fear into the peoples hearts and receiving intel on Cadenza. It's perfect!

"Why, thank you. You see, I know exactly how fear works - well, you would do too if you've devoted your entire life to learning how to kill ponies. Acheron, what do you think? Your magic could be powerful enough to create something this big." Curse smiled. "And I'm great with special effects."

[THE WILD HUNT 213]

"Of course, illusion magic is quite trivial and requires little effort to pull off. Fear is also an easy thing to induce, once you know of a good concept that most would be afraid of. We can summon this illusion first to have the city in a state of worry, making it easier for us to intercept her courier's and whatnot "

[Agent505 661]

@@Ano170,@@Katella Avenue, @@00Pony,  

 

A wild grin spread across Harmonic's face, and a very specific fire filled his eyes. "We've given them enough time...we begin. Demolish the town hall first, then the rest of the key structures one by one." He jumped in the air and landed in a very combat ready stance, brandishing his hook swords as he walked towards the town. 

 

There was a bright purple-blue flash, followed by another, and another, and another, and suddenly the air was filled with large magic spheres, pulsing with energy. They immediately locked a trajectory straight for the town hall, and with an ear piercing whistle, crashed directly into it, sending wood, dust and smoke into the air.

 

As the haze cleared, the town hall stood no longer. Wooden planks, rocks and ash remained where it should have been. 

 

"Ready up for round two!" Harmonic barked back up the hill.

 

(OoC: Right, so i'm trying not to make these guys sound OP, but we need a good force to take the town down easily. What i'm thinking is, the unicorns in Harmonic's guard can channel their own magic into explosive orbs - not too powerful by themselves, but with 8 of them...also it completely drains them, and they need a fair bit of time to recover before a second volley.)

[00Pony 286]

@@Justin ZW,@@Agent505,

 

Sanguine smiled as he heard the whistle of Harmonic's Unicorn's spells striking the town hall. He stood and wasted no time in throwing a dagger for Applejack's rib-cage, aiming to harm her rather than kill. In the second after the dagger left him, he readied one of his bolas. He waited until the dagger did, or did not, make contact before he threw the weapon for her hind legs. His goal was to entangle, hopefully shatter, her legs to prohibit her from running.

 

His assassins had stayed in the shadows until the attack started. Some of them left their cover to start striking down the ponies in the square, while the rest continued through the buildings, setting fire to some, or just merely clearing them of inhabitants.

[Justin ZW 396]

@@00Pony

Applejack was dazed. "What the hay is going on?! Who are these ponies?!" She heard a whizzing noise and saw a dagger flying at her chest. She quickly jumped away, but the dagger struck her foreleg. "Augh! Buck!" she cried. 

 

Applejack tried to run, but a bola caught her hind legs and wrapped them together. She shouted as she fell to the ground, unable to move. Her foreleg was bleeding, and the dagger was still stuck in it. "Somepony! Anypony! Find Swordpoint and the others! We're defenseless, here! We don't stand a chance without their help!"

 

(OoC: Avolon... we're out on the road looking for the caravan. By the time these guys got here, we were long gone. There will be no help for Appleloosa, and when we return, it will be too late. Please pay more attention...)

 

@@Pripyat Pony, @

Swordpoint nodded. "Yes, I believe that would be beneficial." He turned to the three soldiers behind him, looking at Fiera. "Why not bring Fiera with you? I believe she could help you." In truth, Swordpoint wanted Fiera to go with Sanura because he understood that she would never trust him. She resents me, not for my position, but for my efforts. Perhaps Sanura could convince her otherwise... He sighed quietly. Every mare I've ever seen has resented serving under a stallion. They never respect them... perhaps because they feel that they receive less respect for their gender. In any case, I believe that Sanura could coax her to speak freely. I only hope I am right, for I would like to see her advance. Such raw talent is rare, and if she could only learn to utilize it, she would surpass most of our high ranking knights in terms of skill.

Edited June 14, 2013 by Justin ZW

[Ano170 162]

@@Ano170,

 

Around the time the forces of the Crystal Empire arrived Mad Life had a feeling they were there. She had seen nothing, not especially with the limited vantage point her room's small window provided her. She just had a knack for noticing things out of place, the odd stray shadow crossing the sun which indicated that a storm would be developing. She had ordered another drink to be delivered to her room. Pineapple this time, and amazingly enough they'd actually had the ability to produce it for her. She did seem to enjoy her exotic fruit drinks. The glass was empty and sitting at her bedside when a knock came on her door. 

 

"Hello there." Mad Life recognized Arrow from the Empire. "Long way you've come, did you have a good journey? Something seems to be troubling you." It was the way the shadows crossed the eye, Mad Life could tell the stallion before her was in some form of internal conflict. She was merely being polite and offering her aid. 

 

(OOC: So, my last post sadly for a week. ).

 

Surprised by the question, Arrow shook his head at the mare. "No, no." He told her in a dull voice. "I'm ah...I'm fine." He hesitated a moment, swallowing. "I just came to inform you that we're - well, it's starting." Arrow turned without another word to Mad Life - he had no intention of being rude, but something about the mare and her infailing politeness unnerved him - and began heading back down the stairs, not bothering to see if Mad Life was following. Every time his hoof hit a step a loud thump resounded in Arrow's head, matching the reluctant pound of his heart.

 

This was necessary. He knew it was. But that didn't make Arrow wish any less that another pony could take his place.

 

The world is cruel. Arrow reminded himself. I've seen cruelty; no matter where I go, I cannot escape the hate and corruption that infests Equestria. Things will have to get worse before they can get better.

 

Reaching the ground floor, Arrow turned and headed out the door into the now much quieter streets of Appleloosa. Resolve flared in his eyes as he took the air, flying silently up behind a nearby stallion who appeared to be a guard of some sort; not a civilian.

 

The old grass must be burned away before new life can grow.

 

Drawing his sword and holding the hilt in his muzzle, Arrow closed his eyes and thought of his wife and foal as he swung the blade at the unsuspecting guard's neck, and all around him the world exploded in a brillaint flash of purple light.

Edited June 14, 2013 by Ano170

[The Original 571]

@@Justin ZW, @[member=Pripyat Pony].

(Not to mention Phylomon wouldn't be the one giving orders in that situation... Also, where is Historical?)

 

Fiera looked up at Swordpoint for a brief second then turned her gaze towards Sanura. "I be honest, i don't think i'm quite fit at the moment if there are bandits. I've been a bit lost in thought..." she said sheepishly. She looked down at the ground and sighed. 'Not to mention i don't want to be here at all...'

[00Pony 286]

@@Justin ZW,

 

 Sanguine trotted from cover, the light of the fires popping up across the town reflecting in his eyes as he knelt down before Applejack, chuckling in dark mirth, "That was almost to easy. I would have expected more from a Bearer."

 

He places his hoof on the dagger embedded in her foreleg, feigning absentmindedness  as he fiddles with it, "Swordpoint, eh? With a name like that, I'd assume he's a warrior. It's almost to bad he and these 'others' aren't here. This town is barely any challenge." His voice is almost maddeningly calm, dripping with malice.

 

The crystal pony steps around to Applejack's side, drawing another dagger and placing one hoof next to her cutie mark. He continues speaking, almost conversationally, to her, "The bolas only seems to have entangled your legs. You're lucky they didn't shatter," he places the point of the dagger around the edge of her mark, "Ever hear of the collection methods of Sombra Era Hunters, like myself? I doubt it, personally. The Princesses have tried to keep such things quiet," he stabs the dagger in slightly and begins to outline her Mark, "We collected the Marks of our prey. Faces weren't unique enough, and could be replicated with the right magic, so we did not collect the heads. The Marks, though, are unique. They aren't something you can just conjure out of thing air with magic, or something you can replicate. They are unique to the pony they appear on."

 

He hops over to Applejack's other side after removing her Mark. He pushes her over, despite her struggling, and repeats the process, keeping up his speaking as he does, "Though our prey was usually dead during this. I wonder what kind of psychological trauma this will cause?"

 

When he is finished, Sanguine trots back to her head and kneels, locking eyes with her as he slips the two Marks he removed from her into a waxed pouch, "I suppose your little sister isn't the only blank in the family now, is she?"

 

He chuckles, pulling the face mask down, "I'm not allowed to kill you, however. You are to be captured. If it makes you feel any better, that was my original idea," Sanguine glances over the way he'd come, before smashing a hoof into the back of Applejack's head, aiming to knock her out, or at least daze her, so he could more easily extract the Element from the town.

 

 

(OOC: This is what happens when I create Crystal Empire headcanon without having my feelings turned on. If that was a little too godmoddy, I apologize.)

[Agent505 661]

@@00Pony, 

 

(I don't think so, however I do feel sick, and have several images of cupcakes flashing through my head. I now hate you -.- lol.

Also, you guys remember when Rarity karate kicked AJ when she defended Tom? That's how Harmonic holds his blades, in his hooves, obviously he still walks on all fours, but fights on his back two legs) 

 

Harmonic calmly walked into the town, just as Sanguine was toying with Applejack. "That's...disappointing" he sighed as he flicked his blade, sending a few droplets of blood on the ground. "Don't take too long with her will you? Cadence doesn't like to be kept waiting. Find out where they're being supplied from, and anything else you can get from her." Harmonic stood on his hind legs, running down the street and cleaving a few more heads from fleeing civilians on his way down, just in time to hear another whistle, followed by an explosion at the train station. 

[Justin ZW 396]

@, @HistoricallyInaccurate, @@Pripyat Pony, @@Avolon

Swordpoint turned around, and an idea came to him. "If that is the case, then go home. We've no time for weaknesses." He snuck a glance at Fiera. "Is that what you would prefer? To give up on your military career? Because if not, then I suppose you should travel with Sanura and scout ahead."

 

Swordpoint regretted being so harsh, but he knew that he had no other options.

 

 

@@00Pony

Applejack screamed as the psychotic pony cut off her cutie marks. Fresh blood flowed from her flank. "Wh... what do y'all want with Appleloosa?! And wait a minute... did he say 'Cadence?!' What's goin' on, here?! Y'all... y'all can't be... Yer from the Crystal Empire, ain'tcha?! Ah knew it! She's lost her marbles! Well, you can kill me here, but y'all ain't gonna like it when Swordpoint finds this. He'll kick yer sorry be-hinds to kingdom come!" She growled at Harmonic. "This here's an act 'o war! Celestia ain't gonna take this one lyin' down! She'll come fer ya!"

[00Pony 286]

@@Agent505,@Justin ZW,

 

(OOC: Oh God, I knew that came from somewhere else! I never actually read cupcakes, but I was told about it.

Also I just noticed your signature. Clever.)

 

Sanguine chuckles at her, pulling his face mask down and looking at her, "To destroy it. It is merely in our way," He smiles, "Indeed we are!" He kneels down in front of her again, "No, I'm not killing you. Not yet at least. You have a lot to tell us. You can call his name all you want, but this, Swordpoint, isn't here to help you, is he?" 

He glances over to Harmonic as he pulls his face mask back up, "Of course this is an act of war, dear Applejack. Cadence wishes to rule, and there is no better way to bring about her wish than conquest. Let the Sun Princess come! We are ready." 

 

He stands and looks behind him, "But now to business. We have plenty to discuss, miss Applejack. Care to tell me where you are being supplied from? I am willing to do this the easy way, if you will only cooperate."

[Justin ZW 396]

@@00Pony

Applejack spat in Sanguine's face. "Ah ain't gonna talk to ya! This is crazy! Why on earth would Cadence do somethin' like this?! Last Ah heard, Shining Armor was worryin' about her, but he didn't say anything about it bein' THIS bad!" She rolled onto her side and grimaced at the pain in her flank. "Just y'all wait. As soon as Swordpoint and the others get back, they'll tell Celestia, and then you're bucked!"

[Agent505 661]

Harmonic made his way back down the street, most of the ponies that where there had either already fled the town, or barricaded themselves in their homes. "I really did expect more..." he mumbled to himself before arriving back at Sanguine and Applejack. "Honesty, come now. All you need to do is tell us, and we'll end it all." He tucked his hookswords away and sat down beside her.

[Justin ZW 396]

@@Agent505, @@00Pony

Applejack grunted. "Ah'd rather die, you slimy scumsucker. So do yer worst!" Despite the intense pain she felt, she managed a smirk. "Y'all are gonna find out the hard way what happens when ya mess with Equestria. So go on ahead and do what yer gonna do. Ah ain't sayin' a word."

[Agent505 661]

@@Justin ZW,@@00Pony,

 

"Is that so?" Harmonic scowled, a clear tone of frustration in his voice."Then maybe I know someone who will!" he stood up, slamming his hoof into the ground and then ripping out his hookswords once again. He fired off a blue orb into the air from his horn, which quickly dissipated into nothing. Within seconds, the unicorns who where bombarding the town appeared behind him in their traditional purple haze.

 

"Find me the one they call Braeburn. Stallion, my build, brown hair and a lighter brown coat." he held up a hoof, signalling them to wait "unless you changed your mind, honesty?" He gave Sanguine a nod, indicating he was not to let her off lightly.