private The Tyranny of Princess Cadence

[Concord Discord 35]

"Hmm, I wonder if Acheron had anything to do with it... No, he couldn't accomplish anything so advanced as that. And Acheron, I have thought of something to do. It's a real shame you can't mind-read on top of everything else, or you would know by now. So what valuable information did you get out of him? After all, you do have such a great mind(!)"

[THE WILD HUNT 213]

"It's quite a shame you can't really seem to make much sense, or listen for that matter," Acheron said back to Curse. "So 'child', let me explain this again: Cadenza apparently has requested the presence of Chrysalis, Queen of the Changelings. I think it is obvious this is for additional support, as well as having hidden allies that will remain undetectable while under disguise..."

[Concord Discord 35]

"So 'child', let me explain this again."

 

"You realize that by doing that, you're only proving my accusations correct. And you weren't that specific the first time. It's quite obvious that you do have some kind of problem. I don't care about your opinion, and I doubt that I ever will. I can handle changelings. I know one when I see one. What's the use of having an army of doppelgangers anyway?"

[Super Derpy 535]

What's the use of having an army of doppelgangers anyway?"

"Changelings can still kill you can't they!? And 2 million troops is a lot more intimidating than 1 million troops even if half of them are doppelgangers.

 

@Krein, Acelolz

"Stop arguing! We are never going to get anywhere with you two at each others throats!"

 

@Krein

"So Cadenza is contacting Chrysallis huh? So where is this meeting going to take place?"

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

Swordpoint nodded. ”Yes, let's take them. They can be placed in the prison at Appleloosa.” He lifted a crate onto his back. ”Let us depart.”

 

 

 

Sanura had carefully disarmed the bandits, now she prodded them awake. "Wake up," she said. "You're going to be taking a long walk back to Appleloosa. Don't even try to fight us; you're injured and unarmed."

 

The bandits, one a pegasus whose wings Sanura had bound and one an earth pony, looked disgusted but made no attempt to fight. They could see that the others in their group were dead and that they were outnumbered. Sanura had also hobbled their forelegs together so if they did try and break away, they'd fall.

[Concord Discord 35]

 

 

"Stop arguing! We are never going to get anywhere with you two at each others throats!"

"We might as well sort this out now! What's the point of letting the tension build any further!? I find it very hard to think with this mule hanging around."

He turned to Acheron again.

"What's so tough about you anyway, big guy? I kill for a living. You just read about stuff!"

 

Please Curse, stop this!

Why? so you can regain control? Shadow, you are pathetic.

You've hurt so many ponies already!

They weren't incredibly annoying.

This is my body and my mind. Get out.

Why? Isn't this so much more fun?

All I ever wanted was a normal life.

You were a fighter! I just...

Made me into a killer? I was actually going to lead a normal life.

You've been ok with it this whole time.

No I haven't! I barely even get to think independently any more.

That's why we're called 'Curse of Shadows' and not just 'Shadow'. This is how it's going to stay.

 

((If the split-personality thing isn't allowed, I can get rid of it. It's just an idea I got from another RP.))

[Agent505 661]

Having nothing to be doing right now, Harmonic had found himself on his way up to the balcony where he spent most of his time, when he was stopped by a guard. "Commander Harmony, sir! Your presence has been requested by the medical wing and by Empress Cadence - urgently" 

"Very well" he replied, but not before placing a hoof on the guard's chest and narrowing his eyes "And it's Harmonic to you, soldier." 

The guard swallowed nervously and pulled his head back slightly "Y-yes sir, Harmonic." And he quickly made his way back down the palace and disappeared. 

 

It didn't take long for Harmonic to reach the palace throne room again, and find himself standing before Princess Cadence once more. 

"Yes ma'am? You requested my assistance?" 

"The trains, Harmony! The trains! I've given it some thought and discussed it with...well with nopony at the minute, she's not shown up yet, but the trains! With the trains still intact, Celestia has a good covering over Equestria still, and she can move forces and supplies about quickly and freely, we need to strike their lines." Cadence began in an almost hyperactive way.

"Ma'am, with respect, my guards are in no position to make another assault of that magnitude, and we have time before Celestia begins shipping supplies for war, i'm sure." 

"Harmony you're not listening to me...if we wait, she'll start shipping supplies with reinforcements, and before we know it we'll be overrun!" 

Harmonic sighed to himself quietly as he watched Cadence pace about before him, stopping to look at an Equestrian map on the wall. 

"Here - Manehatten" 

"Manehatten? That stuck up city? What could that possibly have to threaten us?" 

"Money!" Cadence snapped, "Money Harmony! Money! It's an island however - look!" She gestured closely to the train line connecting Manehatten to the rest of Equestria. "They have money, and surely they have a secret armoury of some kind...destroy the trains! There's one that comes from Ponyville, to Canterlot, and then through to Manehatten...make sure it doesn't reach its target!" Her tone grew more frustrated as she continued to speak. 

"It...will be done" Harmonic agreed reluctantly "but I cannot bring my soldiers, i'll have to take some of the crystal guards"

"I don't care what you do, stop it with your carcass if you like, just make sure it derails in some way, even if you have to destroy that too!" 

 

"Very well ma'am, but I must leave - I have been requested elsewhere, and I need to give my generals time to prepare" 

Harmonic then turned around and headed out of the throne room, down towards the medical wing once more.

 

(@@00Pony Feel like controlling the medics again? Just dont kill my guards and i'll be happy! )

[Ano170 162]

(OOC: I'm back! Wow have I missed a lot. Changelings? Oh, this is going to be fun...).

 

Arrow sat slumped on a bar stool in a dingy tavern in one of the Crystal Empire's many back alleys. His head rested wearily on the filth-covered bar. In the darkness, his eyes gazed listlessly at the bubbles in his ale as they rose to the top of the glass and burst; just rising and popping, over and over. Never reaching the light.

 

The blast from Harmonic's unicorns had knocked Arrow unconscious, and by the time he came to much of the battle was over. If you could even call it a battle. Once, the carnage would have left Arrow shocked; horrified, even. But he had seen so much worse than a decimated town in his travels: monsters; slavers; places where ponies trampled one another under hoof in a desperate scramble for a slither of light, like crabs in a bucket. Civilians being caught in the crossfire? Unfortunate,  of course, but hardly unexpected despite Arrow's efforts.

 

I should have done better. A voice whispered in Arrow's head. He downed the rest of his drink with a sigh, and slid a bit to the barkeep for another. He had lost count of how many pints he had already drank. 

 

I'm not that naive buck anymore.  Arrow rebuked himself sharply. Another mug was placed before him. Arrow leaned forward and sipped enthusiastically at the off-colour froth. I'm not a hero either...

 

Arrow slumped forward back onto the bar, spilling the drink. A sob escaped him as the image of Golden Note's torn apart carcass lying strewn in the rubble of Appleloosa flashed through his mind..

 

"Please..." he whispered, drawing attention from the bartender. "Let me go home.."

 

(OOC: So Arrow was broken for a long while before he first came to the Empire, but I think that being without his family and being caught up in the war in a strange reality he doesn't fully understand will most likely slowly break down his defenses and chip away what remains of his sanity and...ponanity? Whatever the pony equivalent of "humanity" is.)

[00Pony 286]

@@Agent505,

 

 Upon Harmonic's entering the medical wing, he was greeted by one of the medics, "Ah, Commander Harmonic. Glad you were able to make it. As I'm sure you're aware, a decent amount of your soldiers were brought in here. Most suffered from basic magical burnout, and should be back in working condition within a few days."

 

The medic gestures to one of the doors with a hoof, "However, there was a matter with one of them that I found fairly odd. One of the two that were marked with that.. disturbing message in their flesh. It seems she was affected by whatever made that wound. It was a form of dark magic, correct?"

 

The mare continues, not waiting for Harmonic to respond, "From what I understand, normal ponies, such as yourself and your guards, are more susceptible to the darker forms of magic, while Crystal ponies, such as myself, have something of a small immunity, which I believe is a result of our former ruler overflowing the place with it."

She sighs slightly, "This is all coming from our guesses. She doesn't seem keen on talking."

[Agent505 661]

@@00Pony,

 

"Indeed she isn't..." Harmonic somewhat mumbled to himself, seemingly distanced from his surroundings. He tugged at his cloak with his mouth, pulling it comfortably over his back as he looked around anxiously, unsure of what to do or say. "A few days? I need them now...is there nothing you can do for them?" He sighed, walking over to a chair in the room and sitting down, placing a hoof on his head. "What of her sister? She was attacked by the same force and there's nothing wrong with...her..." suddenly, Harmonic slammed a hoof onto the chair, "There's nothing wrong with her, is there?!"

[Justin ZW 396]

Swordpoint led the group back toward Appleloosa. When it came into view, Swordpoint stared in disbelief. ”What...” He broke into a gallop and reached the ruined town quickly. ”Applejack?! Are you here?!”

 

 

Applejack frowned. ”Sounds like ya got some inner demons, sugarcube. Swordpoint goes hard on all them soldiers, but he does it because he's gotta. Ah know he'd never insult anypony on purpose. Ah think y'all should talk it out.” They reached Twilight's library and Applejack knocked on the door.

 

”Just a minute!” Twilight called from inside.

[00Pony 286]

@@Agent505,

 

The medical mare squeaks in alarm when Harmonic slams the chair. She inhales deeply to calm herself, and speaks slowly, "As far we're aware, nothing is wrong with her sister, Commander," the mare says, "She's been silent as well, and just kind of.. watching. She seems worried though."

 

She shrugs, "As for there being anything we could do... Well, we've been experimenting with some potions and remedies based off of some Zebra recipes. There may be one to help soothe a magically depleted Unicorn, and if not, we could probably develop one..." 

[Agent505 661]

@@00Pony, 

 

Harmonic shook his head, standing up and bucking the chair against the wall in frustration. "And you're just now informing me of this? Why has this not been practiced already?!" He snarled, with a rough growling tone creeping into his voice. "I want a watch on Myra at all times, if I come in here and she's unattended, i'll be finding new medical ponies. Are we clear? If anything develops you let me know. I'll be back soon." With that, he stormed out of the room, and out of the palace into the streets, making his way towards the Empire's tavern. 

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

Swordpoint led the group back toward Appleloosa. When it came into view, Swordpoint stared in disbelief. ”What...” He broke into a gallop and reached the ruined town quickly. ”Applejack?! Are you here?!”

 

 

 

Sanura was filled with horror when she saw the wreckage that had, when they'd left it, been the thriving town of Appleloosa. She galloped after Swordpoint, leaving the prisoners with the others, and immediately began to search thru the town, looking to see if there were any survivors who might tell them what had happened.

 

[The Original 571]

@@Justin ZW,

 

Fiera sighed and rolled her eyes. "You don't get it. This wasn't being hard on me, this was just plain ignorance and dumb decisions. Nopony has to go hard on anypony. If you take it in a calm and steady manner, you can get things done much easier. He is just too stupid and ignorant to realise that." Fiera was starting to get impatient with Twilight. 'Appaloosa was under attack and we get 'just a minute'.' "Do you know who attacked Appaloosa?" 

Edited June 22, 2013 by The Original PWD

[00Pony 286]

@@Agent505,

 

The medical mare is surprised by Harmonic's outburst, though not as startled as before. She nods, "Yes sir... Understood. I'll notify the nurses of your request."

She watches him storm off, "I'll be sure to notify you of any developments!" She calls after him before turning and going about her work.

[Agent505 661]

"Chrysalis will be arriving soon...I need to prepare...she's...experienced. I'm sure she'll have some ideas on how to destroy Celestia once and for all!" Cadence began to chuckle to herself as she spoke, brushing back her mane with her hoof and looking into a mirror next to the map on the wall. "She ruined my wedding! Almost...she used my beloved and imprisoned me...she's pure evil, can I really trust her? OF COURSE NOT! But that's what makes this plan foolproof!" She paced back and forth for a good few minutes before she flopped down into her throne. "Guard!" She called "Where is my messenger?!" 

 

A pair of guards came into the room, saluted and stood at attention. "Ma'am? Your request?" 

"Where is my messenger? Shouldn't the queen be here by now? Go and keep a lookout, return to me if you see anything..."

[River 59]

@

 

Two days ago, Cerulean's home was vanquished. She is now on the streets. She is very cold and very sick. "When will any good happen to m-me?" Cerulean stammered.
 She limped past a few ponies before she sat down on the street. She frowned and looked down. "I wish somepony could help me."

[longgone 873]

Golden Age looked at the sacked down with unusual contentment, for he had seen spectacles such as this many times before. "This scene looks awfully familiar..." he said in a murmur. He surveyed the destroyed down. "This...doesn't look like the work of bandits..." he said aloud.  "Considering the fact that a good portion of food and livestock were taken...I'm guessin' it was an army..."

[THE WILD HUNT 213]

@

 

Two days ago, Cerulean's home was vanquished. She is now on the streets. She is very cold and very sick. "When will any good happen to m-me?" Cerulean stammered.

 She limped past a few ponies before she sat down on the street. She frowned and looked down. "I wish somepony could help me."

Acheron had only laughed at Curse's challenge.

"Perhaps some other time. Meanwhile, go ahead and throw your tantrum, little filly."

Acheron tossed the letter to Crystal Dusk, telling her to read it for more details.

"I'm going to go and scout the city yet again..."

Acheron teleported outside again and wandered the slums. He saw a frail looking pony looking at him, and couldn't help but feel pity.

"Do you need anything?"

He asked kindly as he handed her some food and bits.

[Agent505 661]

@@Ano170,

(You have missed a lot, yes. Now I have a bone to pick about a certain golden pony you mentioned...)

 

Harmonic made his way through the streets, past several ponies who, again, soon cleared out of his way. He growled at one of the groups of stallions in an alleyway, and forced his way through the middle of them, knocking one down before he eventually entered the tavern. 

 

Approaching the bar, he took a stool and gestured for one of the barmares. "Something strong, and make it a double" he snarled. The mare nodded with a smile, and headed into the back of the tavern. Looking around while he waited for the mare to return, Harmonic noticed Arrow was slumped over in a chair nearby, not looking too impressed. 

_____

(Just gonna skip things along past an insignificant "standing around waiting" portion of the RP) 

 

"Your highness? There's no sign of the queen, or her...subjects. It's been 5 hours already." One of the guards returned to inform Cadence.

"Really? 5 hours? Huh...I didn't realise." She replied with an unconcerned tone. "Maybe we should send out another messenger...a quicker one this time, do you think?"

"Shall I send out a call your highness?"

"No no, you'll do. Take this note, deliver it to her lair and then return to me - simple!" She smiled calmly

"Empress Cadence...I...I have no idea where her lair is, does anypony?" 

"That's a good point, hmm...I wonder...Do we have another Changeling in the dungeon? Go and check for me would you?" 

 

The guard saluted again, and headed out of the throne room to the lower levels of the palace. 

[River 59]

Acheron had only laughed at Curse's challenge.

"Perhaps some other time. Meanwhile, go ahead and throw your tantrum, little filly."

Acheron tossed the letter to Crystal Dusk, telling her to read it for more details.

"I'm going to go and scout the city yet again..."

Acheron teleported outside again and wandered the slums. He saw a frail looking pony looking at him, and couldn't help but feel pity.

"Do you need anything?"

He asked kindly as he handed her some food and bits.

Cerulean looked up with disbelief. "Um, yes," She said, between coughs. "They knocked me off into the streets. I need help." 

She took the food and quickly ate it. She took the bits and put them in her satchel. "Thank you, nopony is really that generous right now, not a lot of ponies have anything." 

[THE WILD HUNT 213]

Cerulean looked up with disbelief. "Um, yes," She said, between coughs. "They knocked me off into the streets. I need help." 

She took the food and quickly ate it. She took the bits and put them in her satchel. "Thank you, nopony is really that generous right now, not a lot of ponies have anything."

 

"Hm, yes, many ponies here have been hurt because of Cadenza..."

Acheron saw a certain hint of potential in her, as well as a strong inner hatred for Cadence. Perhaps she would make a good addition to the Black Hoof, despite her sickly condition...

"We should talk about this elsewhere, Cadenza has her ears everywhere nowadays, especially in the city..."

[River 59]

"Hm, yes, many ponies here have been hurt because of Cadenza..."

Acheron saw a certain hint of potential in her, as well as a strong inner hatred for Cadence. Perhaps she would make a good addition to the Black Hoof, despite her sickly condition...

"We should talk about this elsewhere, Cadenza has her ears everywhere nowadays, especially in the city..."

Cerulean half smiled. She had so much hatred for Cadence.  "My name is.. Cerulean Sky." She paused "Where are we going?" 

She was nervous about this stallion talking to her, but she also wanted to go away from the streets.

"Wherever it is I'm sure, is better than here."

[00Pony 286]

"You are holding back, Sanguine! Why?!"

The brick colored stallion roared, his voice echoing across the empty white space.

 

Sanguine winced. He knew his wounds were only a sham.. Not really there. He's wake up after this session, back in his body and completely whole. But they still felt real. The blood crimson stallion glares back at his father, "Maybe because 'killing' my father's soul a hundred times over gets tiresome."

 

He stretches, sighing in relief as his joint crack, "You've already taught me everything that you know about physical combat. How about you get around to showing me how to use this dark magic you injected me with, huh?"

 

His father raises an eyebrow, "What do mean? I Have already shown you all there is. You can access the mirror, that is all."

 

Sanguine shakes his head, "No, I know there's more to it! You turned me into one of your puppets by pumping this magic into me, just the way Sombra did to you!! I want to know how, so I may do the same with my soldiers! Teach me to weaponize it, instead of just leaving it here to torture me!!"

 

"You've spent enough time in here child.. Time for you to leave."

 

Sanguine's father opened a portal behind his son, shoved him through it, ignoring the stallion's angered shouts.

 

 

Sanguine came to with a jerk, coughing as his soul reinhabited his body. Though he remembered what had happened, he was unable to Do anything about it now. Besides, he was back under the control of the magic once again, and therefore just a puppet.

 

Sighing, he forced his deadened muscles to respond as he stood. Sanguine went over to a weapons locker, opening it as searching through the contents. After a few minutes he closed it, bearing a sword added to his arsenal.

 

When he left the small house, he pulled his good and face mask back up, stretching once more before trotting off in a random direction.