private The Tyranny of Princess Cadence

[Agent505 661]

@@Ano170,

The barmare returned to the bar, and slid down a small glass, then proceeded to fill it with a brown liquid. "Sunflower oil and daisy dew, with my own special something in there just for you - on the house, of course" she winked and giggled as Harmonic took the glass, nodded and walked over to Arrow, who was still sat at the table. "This seat taken?" he asked as he sat down opposite him. 

_____

 

@,

The guard returned to Cadences throne room with the two plates as requested, both holding a pair of delicious looking sandwiches. He placed them both on the table and began making his way out of the room. "Steel has left us again, would you take the sandwich to his wing? I'm sure he'd appreciate it."

"Yes ma'am" the guard saluted, took the sandwich plate and made his way down to the scout's wing of the palace.

 

@@00Pony,

"You there, send for the assassin - Sanguine. I require something from him for the next few hours. This meeting with Chrysalis needs to go well, and we need to make a good first impression." Cadence called out to one of her door guards, who quickly made his way out of the palace to carry out the given order. "We either need a good first impression, or a good motive..." she mumbled as she passed through the door to her own private quarters of the palace. 

 

After rifling through her drawers for a while, she found her crown and placed it on her head, and then lifted a brush with her magic, brushing her hair and then her wing's feathers to make herself look pretty again. After a deep breath, she left her room, made her way to the throne and sat down ready for Chrysalis's arrival. 

 

(So, it's up to you guys when you want to bring your Chrysalis imposter into this )

[Ano170 162]

 

 

The barmare returned to the bar, and slid down a small glass, then proceeded to fill it with a brown liquid. "Sunflower oil and daisy dew, with my own special something in there just for you - on the house, of course" she winked and giggled as Harmonic took the glass, nodded and walked over to Arrow, who was still sat at the table. "This seat taken?" he asked as he sat down opposite him. 

 

(OOC: Hey, sorry it's taken me so long to reply to the thread! I can't go on my laptop right now, but I've managed to get on the home pc for a while at least. ).

 

Without even bothering to raise his head, Arrow opened one eye to a narrow slit, peering at the stallion who had addressed him. 

 

Chaotic found me, then.

 

In response to the soldier's question, Arrow simply gave a disinterested shrug and closed his eyes again.

[Agent505 661]

@@Ano170,

 

"What's gotten you so down? Appleloosa is gone, we delayed supplies and we're one step closer...to being free." Harmonic smiled, taking a sip of his drink. It was hot, it almost burned his throat on the way down, and was warm to his stomach too. The taste was brilliant though, it was like nothing he had ever tasted before, not too strong or too bitter. 

[00Pony 287]

@@Agent505,

 

Sanguine had been speaking with some of his assassins when the guard arrived, notifying him that Cadence had requested his audience. He followed along without question, following the guard back to the palace.

 

Upon arriving, and being shown into the throne room, he bowed to Cadence, "I believe you had wanted to see me, Empress?"

[Agent505 661]

@@00Pony,

 

"Indeed I did Sanguine, you see, Queen Chrysalis will be arriving shortly, and I will be making an effort to get her to side with us in this coming war." She breathed deep, and started tapping her hoof nervously on the chair "I need to know the palace will be secure, and who better than someone who wont be here to do that?" She gestured a hoof at the surroundings in the palace, inner facing balconies, the double doors, even her own room. "This is where you come in" 

[00Pony 287]

@@Agent505,

 

"The Changeling Queen? I understand that you two have some history with each other."

He says in a matter of fact way, "You want me to station my brothers and sisters about the palace?

Perhaps us myself as a detector for a... Darker magic?"

 

He shrugs, "Whatever you need me to do, I will do."

[Agent505 661]

@@00Pony,

 

Cadence nodded in agreement "History...exactly." she let out a rather drawn out sigh "I don't know exactly how well this will go down, i'd like you to keep a lookout for any suspicious activity - or anything she might be planning...any, ulterior motives she may have." Flicking her mane from her eyes, she flared her wings wide and stretched them out as she stood up from her throne. "I'll leave it to you to decide what you think it best, you know your brothers and sisters better than I do." 

[Ano170 162]

@@Ano170,

 

"What's gotten you so down? Appleloosa is gone, we delayed supplies and we're one step closer...to being free." Harmonic smiled, taking a sip of his drink. It was hot, it almost burned his throat on the way down, and was warm to his stomach too. The taste was brilliant though, it was like nothing he had ever tasted before, not too strong or too bitter.

 

"Hmm..." Thinking too hard about the Empire and freedom right now made Arrow's head hurt and his stomach tighten. He lifted his head off the bar to sip at his own drink - much cheaper than whatever Chaotic seemed to be enjoying - only to remember that he had knocked the glass over. Grumbling, Arrow slid another few bits to the bar mare, spilling several onto the floor in the process.

 

"I'll have what he's having." Arrow grunted. Then he turned a bleary gaze to Chaotic, feeling suddenly conversational. "Ye ken somethin'?" he asked the younger stallion who was his superior. "I've been around Equestria, right see? But wherever you go - and I mean wherever - the beer or ale or... or whatever that muck was meant tae be..." Arrow gestured angrily at the several empty mugs lined up in front of him.  "It all tastes the same!" Arrow laughed slightly - a raspy, pained sound.

 

A new glass was placed in front of Arrow's snout. He chugged it without stopping to savour the taste, then winced as the heat burnt the back of his throat, making him cough. 

 

"Why I remember," he informed Chaotic. "I remember being in the Amblezon rainforest, and there was this bloke that got bitten by a snake and I had to suck the venom out." Arrow chuckled lowly. "Pretty sure that's what that pish was made of."

[Agent505 661]

@@Ano170,

 

"Whatever it is, it's good stuff" Harmonic chuckled as he fiddled with his cloak, pulling it up a little to his shoulders, and straightening it down over his flank. "I'll be honest with you, I don't normally drink much, I enjoy the occasional, but it never normally appeals. If you're looking for company, you could do a lot worse than some around here" he winked with another chuckle, as he took a sip of his drink, blinking a few times as it went down. "I didn't come here to chat, however." the casual tone of his voice changed into his normal serious and rough tone. "Cadence has some plans, but I don't know what they are. I only know she wants us to hit up a train before it can reach Manehatten. You feel like coming along? My unicorns are still out of the fight and I need the horsepower to stop the train." 

[Ano170 162]

@@Ano170,

 

"Whatever it is, it's good stuff" Harmonic chuckled as he fiddled with his cloak, pulling it up a little to his shoulders, and straightening it down over his flank. "I'll be honest with you, I don't normally drink much, I enjoy the occasional, but it never normally appeals. If you're looking for company, you could do a lot worse than some around here" he winked with another chuckle, as he took a sip of his drink, blinking a few times as it went down. "I didn't come here to chat, however." the casual tone of his voice changed into his normal serious and rough tone. "Cadence has some plans, but I don't know what they are. I only know she wants us to hit up a train before it can reach Manehatten. You feel like coming along? My unicorns are still out of the fight and I need the horsepower to stop the train." 

 

At Harmonic's comment on "company", Arrow opened his muzzle to tell him he was married, but thankfully he didn't get a chance as Harmonic continued speaking. Between meditative sips of another drink, Arrow listened as best he could with his head spinning to what Harmonic was saying - something about trains and that nice little town Arrow had once visited, Manehatten. He couldn't believe it had a railway now.

 

"Sure," he slurred. "I'll visit Manehatten." The barstool wobbled as Arrow pushed it away from under him. "Let's go." Arrow stumbled to his hooves, took one step and promptly fell over, passed out on the floor.

[Agent505 661]

@@Ano170, (I'll leave your destination to you) 

Harmonic shook his head, but didn't move, instead turning to face the bar, finishing his drink and calling for another. "Clean this one up will you, Tulip?" he motioned his head towards Arrow as the barmare smiled and disappeared into the back room. 

"Bloody foal, so much for a disciplined general. Why did Cadence ever want me to work with this one?" 

 

The barmare reappeared a short while later with two of the taverns bouncers, who proceeded to pick Arrow up off the floor and carry him towards the door. "He's one of mine, keep that in mind" Harmonic snarled after them as they left. 

"You enjoyin' the ale, sugar?" Tulip asked as she leaned on the bar. 

"Surprisingly, I am" Harmonic sighed "What did you put in this anyway?" 

She simply winked with a smile and ran a hoof down his cheek before making her way back around the bar. 

Edited June 23, 2013 by Agent505

[Ano170 162]

@@Agent505,

 

(OOC: Heh, sorry, I couldn't resist. XD I take it Harmonic won't be leaving for Manehatten until the morning anyways? That'd give a hungover Arrow the chance to tag along.).

 

Arrow was tossed rather unceremoniously onto the rubbish skip round the back of the tavern. He lay there for several minutes, before finally raising a hoof to his forehead with a slow, low groan. A moment later his eyes opened, and eventually Arrow made it to his hooves. He swayed uncertainly for a moment, not sure whether he was going to be sick or not, then slunk away, his coat dirty and matted.

 

"I'm getting too old for this.." he slurred as he wandered through the city streets, struggling to recall the location of his one-room apartment. Ponies lay huddled scattered throughout the streets, hiding under the shadows of buildings. Had he been in a better state of mind, Arrow would've taken the time to speak to them, and find out the general opinion of Princess Cadence and her plans for the Empire, but as it was Arrow did not notice them, or the way they shrank back at the sight of the crystal heart outline stitched onto his vest.

 

Finally, Arrow accepted that he was lost. He turned into a deserted alley, and slumped in a dark corner. "I've slept in worse places..." he slurred.

[00Pony 287]

@@Agent505,

 

Sanguine nods, "I'll have several of them stationed in the shadows, keeping an eye on the meeting, plus some more scattered throughout. We'll stay out of sight."

 

The crystal looks up to her, "Will there be anything else you require, Empress? If not, I will notify my Family immediately."

[Agent505 661]

@@00Pony,

 

"Some luck, would be nice..." She slumped to one side in her throne, folding her wings back by her side and letting out a weak chuckle. "Tell me, Sanguine. How fared the battle at Appleloosa? Harmony's report was...sketchy, at best. He informed me things went well, but that was all, did anything else happen? Or was it as boring as he says?" She looked up with one eye open at the grand clock by the door - 3:15...Chrysalis was already late.  

[00Pony 287]

@Agent505,

 

Sanguine chuckles lightly, "It was enjoyable. The town was leveled in fairly short order, and a few of my initiates got some experience in. Myself, well, I got to spend some time with Applejack."

 

He pulls down his mask, "It's amazing how the removal of what makes you.. Unique.. Will make a pony talk. Learned what the shipments were. Which, honestly, was a little dissappointing."

 

Sanguine shakes his head, "Aside from that, I don't think the ponies of Appleloosa will be rebuilding it anytime soon."

[Agent505 661]

@@00Pony,

 

"Yes, I heard she escaped...how unfortunate that is. Oh well, next time i'm sure she'll be more voluntarily cooperative, don't you think? Still though, it sounds like the raid was indeed a success, maybe we'll have an advantage in this uprising after all."

She stood up and began pacing around her throne, pausing occasionally to look at the clock and out the window for Chyrsalis's arrival. Eventually she waved over a guard, who promptly made his way over to her. "The Changeling left alright, yes?"

"As far as I know, your highness"

"Good...oh dear, where is she then? Well...I can understand, maybe she just doesn't want to come? That'd make sense..." She began ruffling up her mane as she spoke, flapping her half-extended wings lightly. 

"I apologise Sanguine, you're busy, I should let you get to work."

[00Pony 287]

@@Agent505,

 

Sanguine chuckles quietly to himself as Cadence speaks, pulling the mask back over his face when the guard entered.

 

He shakes his head, "Perhaps she's just taking her sweet time."

Sanguine stands, giving a nod to Cadence, "Always a pleasure to speak with you, Empress. I'll notify my family, and we'll go about the security detail."

[Agent505 661]

@@00Pony,

 

Cadence fully extended her wings and flapped them hard, taking to the air momentarily before landing in her throne again, folding them back to her sides and flopping loosely against the seat. "Thank you, Sanguine. At least I know we'll be well enough protected." She began to brush her mane back with her hooves once again, "Oh! You've not seen Harmony anywhere have you? He's not on his perch, which is strange for him. Just let him know i'm looking if you see him, would you? Nothing important." 

 

[THE WILD HUNT 213]

Acheron nodded, reactivating the runes he had casted on the ground. Faint moaning and whispers could be heard from the vortex it created, letting a few shady beings come through. Acheron used shadowy tendrils to grab hold of them, using his magic to again make them rest on the others' bodies and shifting the shape to look like genuine changelings.

[00Pony 287]

@@Agent505,

 

"Of course, Empress."

 

He began to leave, when Cadence asked if he had seen Harmonic anywhere. He turns, shaking his head slightly, "Not since he asked about his soldiers that I took to the medical wing. I'll be sure to let him know you want to see him, should I find him."

 

Sanguine gives a small bow before fully leaving the throne room.

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

Queen Chrysalis took the scroll from the Changeling messenger and read it thru. "Hmm," she said. "A meeting proposed... couldn't hurt. Of course, since the interference with the messenger, I won't have any kind of a chance of being on time for this meeting. However, that could well work to my advantage. The longer Cadance has to wait, the more likely she'll co-operate." She folded up the scroll and sent thru the Hive Mind to her second in command, Cicada.

 

Cicada soon arrived at the throne room. "Your Highness?" she asked.

 

Queen Chrysalis told her in a few words about the proposed meeting. "I intend to take you and a few others with me when I go," she said. "If this is a trap, then Cadance will rue the day she even thought of trapping me. Go and round up the Captain of the Guard, and one jerd of soldiers to take with us. We shall be leaving shortly."

 

Cicada saluted, then with a flap of her gauzy wings, flew off.

[Agent505 661]

Harmonic downed the last of his drink, blinking and coughing slightly at the heat - it wasn't something you would get used to quickly. 

"What time you closing up shop tonight Tulip?" 

"Whenever the place gets empty, sugar. Or at least quietens down some, why'd you ask?" 

Harmonic slid the glass over "Just a wonder. Last one for me tonight, I'd better turn in, check on the Onyx and see what's happening."

"Aww hun, somethin' wrong with the Onyx these days?" 

"Just had my unicorns level Appleloosa, poor things are exhausted." 

"Well aint that a shame?" Tulip took the glass and went into the back, returning again a few moments later with another drink. "Don't drink it too fast, this one might be a tad sweeter than the others" she giggled. 

 

Silence followed between the two for a short while as Harmonic methodically sipped his drink, eventually finishing it, licking his lips to savour the flavour "I suppose I better go and see how they're doing so far. If I get there and she's not being watched..." he growled, before he felt a hoof on his cheek, pulling his head to one side. As he loosened up and turned his head in the direction he was being pulled, he felt the barmare's lips on his own for a moment, before she pulled away just as quickly as she started. "You be good to them, y'hear? Don't need to be so cranky all the time Harmony." 

He narrowed his eyes for a moment, and then forced somewhat of a smile before he made his way out of the tavern. 

[Concord Discord 35]

"Dammit, my magic doesn't work around this bucking hive. How am I going to warn the others that the real Chrysalis is coming?"

Just as he said this, he heard a rustling near him. He looked for the source of the noise.

It was 2 changelings. Curse thought fast and hid behind a tree. The changelings flew off. He wiped his brow in relief.

"Oh, crap."

A changeling was standing right in front of him.

 

((@@Pripyat Pony, be as creative as you like ))

[River 59]

 @,

 

"Um," Cerulean began. "What do I do now? Are you going to be turning them into Chrysalis's guards?" She realized her voice was Chrysalis's and smiled. "I think I can get the hang of this."

 

 

((I'm confused on where I am so I'm just posting that. I don't know if you already made them Chrysalis's guards.))

[Justin ZW 396]

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

 

Applejack burst into the Celestia's throne room, panting. "Princess! Ah got some bad news!"

 

Celestia was wide eyed. "What happened, Applejack?! And where is Fiera?"

 

Applejack galloped to where Swordpoint and the others stood. "There was some trouble with the train. It derailed on the way here. Fiera..." Applejack closed her eyes and looked away. "... she didn't make it. Ah tried to help her, Ah did! But there was too much damage. She musta died when she hit the wall. Ah'm sorry."

 

Swordpoint felt his stomach clench. Damn... her future was so bright, and now it is extinguished. She should have stayed with us...

 

Celestia nodded grimly. "... I understand. Her loss saddens me, but we must attend to the matter at hand. You say that the Crystal Empire attacked Appleloosa?"

 

Applejack nodded. "Yeah. There were some pretty crazy lookin' folk there! They... they did some awful things to me. They wanted to know what kinda supplies we had! Can ya believe it?! Of course, all we had was just the construction materials and food! Ah don't like this... not one bit."

 

Swordpoint spoke up. "Applejack... I am sorry. Had we stayed for awhile, we could have prevented the attack."

 

Celestia shook her head. "It is not your fault, Swordpoint. Please do not blame yourself."

 

Swordpoint nodded. "I do not. I only wish I could have assisted them." He sighed. "What is our course of action, Princess? If the Crystal Army truly is behind this, then I fear this will not be an isolated incident. It is highly likely that they will strike once more."

 

"Indeed, you are correct, Swordpoint," Celestia affirmed. "For now, I want to provide protection to the cities closest to the Empire. I will send guards out to them. Also, I wish to gather the element bearers here. If Cadence truly has fallen into insanity, then they may be able to help her."

 

Swordpoint nodded. "Yes, Princess. But... if I may make a request..."

 

Celestia held out her hoof. "I understand your concern for Rainbow Dash. I do not intend to send them to the front lines of battle."

 

"Thank you, Princess," Swordpoint said with a sigh. "What would you have the four of us do?"

 

"For now, I want you all to remain here," Celestia told him. "When the element bearers arrive, we will begin discussing our options. But for the moment, do any of you have any questions or concerns for me?"

 

(OoC: With PWD dropping out, I had to find some way to work Fiera out of the RP, and death seemed the only reasonable way, considering Fiera's vested interest in the safety of Equestria.)