private The Tyranny of Princess Cadence

[Concord Discord 35]

Curse didn't say anything on the journey to the hive dungeons. He kept his head down as he was shoved around by the changeling guards. His brain was working incredibly quickly, trying to find a weakness, a time of escape (or attack?) or a way to trick these creeps into letting him go.

 

If my magic were working, I would kill them.

Well, at least we're agreeing on something. Hey, do you think we could make a deal with the... leader ((not sure what to call him)) of this group?

It's worth a shot. But now's not exactly a good time.

When will it be? When Chrysalis gets back?

Maybe when these guards are gone...

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

@@Concord Discord,

 

The changeling Captain indicated to the guards. "There," he said. "Put the intruder into that cell." The guards did as asked, then the Captain waved a hoof at them. "Leave now; I need to talk to this spy. Find out why he's here. Of course, if he won't talk... then I'm sure that we can utilise the torture equipment below."

 

Once the guards were gone, with two stationed at the entrance to the dungeons, the Captain locked the cell door and turned to face Curse.

 

"Mind telling me just what you're doing here, outside the Hive?"

[Agent505 661]

@@Pripyat Pony, 

 

(That's because the UK is awesome like that )

 

Cadence's eyes narrowed in distaste when Chrysalis mentioned the grounds under Canterlot. "Yes...yes I am very well aware." She leaned back in her chair, quite content with the response she had gotten from the Changeling Queen. "Personally, I would have preferred a more strategic approach, sprinkled with a bit of shock and awe tactics - the destruction of Appleloosa was a good start, then we cut off supplies to her most well-off city - manehatten. Then we establish ourselves a forward staging area a little closer to Canterlot and work from there going straight to the city while hitting the rest of Equestria. The more places Celestia has to defend at once, the thinner she would be spread." She folded her wings back by her side and scratched her chin thoughtfully for moment, before she fully noticed the image projection on the wall - this triggered more alarm bells in her head than anything else. Her eyes widened and she stared on for a few minutes in shock. "Who the hay...what?" Her wings flared wide open and she leaped forwards, landing a few feet from the throne as she stared on. "Who would do this? I want to rule this place! Not destroy it! What's the point in owning a cottage if it's just going to burn down around you huh?" She stomped her hooves on the floor and turned back to Chrysalis, still standing in the open. "About your idea...can you think of anyone more suited to infiltrating Canterlot than the one who managed to imprison a princess, steal her husband and overthrow the ruler of the land?" she grinned, slightly malevolently. 

 

(Higurashi, I had no idea how to respond to your post, maybe its because i've just woken up, but I couldn't quite understand where the image was projected, or who was in the throne room with us, so I apologise if something doesn't make sense)

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

@@Agent505,

 

Chrysalis grinned. "Two minds with but a single thought," she replied. "I will start making plans at once for the infiltration. Meanwhile, I would like Cicada to remain with you in the palace for the moment. I think you will find her a good guard. Also, it will make it easier for us to communicate; I can send messages to Cicada via the Hive Mind, which she will then relate to you. To make it easier, Cicada can take the shape of a regular pony."

[Agent505 661]

@@Pripyat Pony,

 

Cadence glanced across momentarily at the changeling beside Chrysalis, and her eye twitched slightly as she smiled grimly.

"Eh...sure. I...don't see why not. Can...can she...can it...talk?" she asked, still standing in the middle of the room. "And please, stay for a while. I'll get you some food if you like and we can discuss a more...detailed partnership. Who gets what, basically."  

 

She turned to Harmonic, and whispered something in his ear. He immediately nodded his head, thumping one hoof against his chest. "It will be done" He made his way out of the throne room, closing the doors behind him with his magic. Two hoofstomps later, and the Crystal Onyx guard where lined down the walls of the corridor leading to the throne room in a matter of seconds. He grinned to himself, before walking through them all and giving a short speech. "Listen up stallions, we have a very important guest in there with our princess. If you hear so much as raised voices - it is your duty to defend the Empire. Do what you have to do, do I make myself clear?" With a strict military discipline, the 16 guards thumped the blunt end of their halberds into the ground and saluted, giving a slight nod. "SIR" 

"I'm going to return to my unicorns, when I come back...lets just hope nothing is amiss." 

 

"Those of you not here for a reason, leave us to converse!" Cadence called out, and the guards in the room made their way out of the main door "anypony else?" 

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

@@Agent505,

 

The Queen smiled disarmingly. "Of course she can," she said. "We changelings are not mindless animals."

 

Cicada also smiled. "I will remain here at my Queen's order," the changeling second replied. "I will take the form of a unicorn mare, who you can tell any curious ponies is your advisor. I will also relay any messages from my Queen to you."

 

"We also accept graciously your hospitality," Chrysalis said. "We will remain here for a while and eat with you."

[Agent505 661]

@@Pripyat Pony, 

 

(I don't get your replies as updates until like 10 minutes after you've posted them)

 

Cadence pulled her head back slightly, somewhat taken back by the sudden voice of the changeling. "I...very well then, as you wish Chrysalis. It's less of a risk that way at least." she turned to the magical projection on the wall, scowling at the destruction that she had yet to hear anything about, before she used her own magic to collapse the projection, sighing heavily. She called out to one of the guards leaving the room to wait and take Chrysalis's request for a preferred food. 

"If we don't have what you desire, once I find out who is responsible for this mindless destruction, I may well let you feed on them..."

[Concord Discord 35]

@@Pripyat Pony,

 

Curse smiled.

"Hah, interrogation... I like it when they think that they can make me talk. It puts me in a much better position. Anyway, I have a question of my own. Why doesn't my magic work here? Surely it must be the hive, since my magic's always worked before."

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

@@Agent505,

 

Chrysalis smiled. "Any food you have will do fine," she said. "We can eat normal food in order to sustain ourselves; emotions, however, bring us strength and power."

 

@@Concord Discord,

 

The changeling captain smiled, disarmingly. "Of course," he said. "That's your choice, not to talk. However, we don't waste time holding on to those who have worn out their usefulness. Just something to think over. As for why your magic won't work, that's part of the defensive system of the Hive. Everypony is affected by it, whether they be the humblest of unicorns or one of the royal alicorns. That, incidentally, is why Celestia never followed up her assault with an attack. She knows her magic would be nulled as soon as she got close to the Hive."

[Agent505 661]

@@Pripyat Pony,

 

"You heard the Queen, surprise us. Nothing too fancy for myself though" Cadence ordered the guard with a smile, who bowed and headed out of the throne room towards the kitchen. It was getting quite late on in the day, and the castle guard would be getting ready for their meals. Many would prefer to go home for their food, but there are some - normally the higher ranking ones - who would prefer to stay in the palace and take shifts to eat and guard. "It may take a moment, I imagine the kitchens will be busy around this time." Cadence stated as she used her magic to open a drawer under the desk nearby and pull out a large map of Equestria.

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

 

 

 

"You heard the Queen, surprise us. Nothing too fancy for myself though" Cadence ordered the guard with a smile, who bowed and headed out of the throne room towards the kitchen. It was getting quite late on in the day, and the castle guard would be getting ready for their meals. Many would prefer to go home for their food, but there are some - normally the higher ranking ones - who would prefer to stay in the palace and take shifts to eat and guard. "It may take a moment, I imagine the kitchens will be busy around this time." Cadence stated as she used her magic to open a drawer under the desk nearby and pull out a large map of Equestria.

Chrysalis leaned forward to take a look. "It might be best to forestall the destructive attacks, as I suggested before," she said. "Canterlot obviously should be the target, but there are other places that need seeing to. When I infiltrate Canterlot, it might be an idea to send somepony into the castle to retrieve the Elements. While we cannot use them, at least if we have them, then they can't be used against us."

[Agent505 661]

@@00Pony,@@Pripyat Pony, @@Ano170

 

(lets try and get some others an opportunity to post shall we?)

 

"As you say, Chrysalis." Cadence grinned, opening the drawer next to the previous and pulling out an assortment of pins and string with her magic, nothing more than household calk-board pins, but still they would get the job done. She placed them in a pile beside the map, and stabbed one directly through Canterlot. "The initial focus on Canterlot will be your territory. The Crystal Empire is strong, and my armies well trained, but you and yours have a...unique tact that we lack, no doubt." She then placed a pin directly into the Crystal Empire. "You'll have to forgive me Chrysalis, but I have no direct knowledge as to where this...hive, of yours is. Would you be so kind?" she asked, levitating a pin in front of her. "Connect Canterlot and your hive when you're finished, if you would." 

_____

 

Harmonic entered into the medical wing yet again and after a moment of pacing back and forth he walked into Myra's room. Enid was asleep on the floor beside her bed, and she wasn't looking directly any better, but who could say without the doctors opinion?

He walked up to Enid and nudged her slightly with his hoof. "Enid, wake up, I need you to do something for me" 

After a few more nudges and scrunched up facial expressions showing obvious disapproval, she woke up and stared at Harmonic. 

"Could you run a message for me? You're the only one not occupied right now, and I need to get a message to one of my soldiers, but I have no idea where they are. Last time I saw him he was in the tavern." 

She backed up defensively, placing herself between Harmonic and Myra. "Look, I know you're not exactly happy with the idea of leaving your sister, but you're much better and finding ponies than I am, otherwise I would do it myself." 

She scowled at him, and her top lip quivered as if she was a dog, growling at an intruder. Harmonic stamped his hoof and raised his voice "Stand down soldier! I'll not have that attitude directed at me by the likes of you!" 

She jumped at his sudden aggression, almost falling onto the bed. Her ears flopped and her eyes watered, she squeezed them tightly together and ran out of the room, knocking one of the hospital staff down on her way out. 

"Wait! Enid! I..." but she had already gone. He shook his head and sat down beside Myra. "I'll look after your sister until you return" he muttered.

 

"How much longer are they going to have to be here? There's a very powerful bug upstairs and if she turns her magic against us, we wont be able to stand against her without the power these unicorns here have." He asked the nurse who he had spoken to before, who had just walked into the room. 

 

(As the nurse is not strictly your character, but an NPC, I would hesitate to call that godmodding - however if you do have issues with me doing that kind of interaction let me know, and i'll refrain from doing so in the future.)

Edited June 28, 2013 by Agent505

[Justin ZW 396]

Swordpoint stood in the meeting hall as the military began to assemble. He could not hide his worry, especially with such an important princess having gone insane.

 

"What's the matter, Swordpoint?" Dawn Wing said cynically. "Maybe you're not up to leading the army? It's been a long time since you've been in command of a force like this."

 

Swordpoint brushed him off. "I have commanded an elite force for over twenty years. It is true that there were only twenty four other members, but I was also given regular command of Ponynesia's armed forces. I am confident in my strategic knowledge."

 

Swordpoint approached the podium and cast a spell to amplify his voice. At his use of magic, he could hear several murmurs in the crowd. "Attention! Equestrian military, you have been called today for a matter of grave importance. Princess Cadence has slipped into madness. Even now, her army rides against us. We do not know her reasoning, but we do know that she has destroyed the town of Appleloosa and nearly killed one of our elements of harmony. We have little choice in this matter." He cleared his throat before coninuing. "Princess Celestia has ordered that the military be mobilized. Detachments will be sent to the cities nearest the Crystal Empire. It is imperative that we protect the citizens. They are innocent, and we cannot accept baseless casualties. Your duty is to protect your country and your countrymen. Under no circumstances are you to seek out combat. Am I clear?"

 

There was a unanimous reply of "Sir, yes sir!"

 

"Good," Swordpoint continued. "Celestia has placed me in charge of Equestria's military. I will delegate which platoons will be sent to which city. Return to your barracks and prepare to move; you will leave tonight."

 

 

Twilight perked up as she heard the sound of footsteps. "Spike? Is that you?"

 

Spike ran down the stairs hurriedly. "T-Twi... light... Hah... This came for you!" He handed her a small parchment.

 

Twilight opened the letter and read it carefully.

 

Twilight,

Gather your fellow elements of harmony and travel to Canterlot at once. This is a matter of grave urgency. I am certain that Applejack has explained what happened at Appleloosa to you. It is imperative that I speak with all of the elements of harmony in light of these developments. Applejack is already here in Canterlot, so please gather Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity.

 

Sincerely,

Princess Celestia

 

Twilight swallowed. "This can't be good..."

[00Pony 287]

@@Agent505,

 

(Nah, I'm fine with that.)

 

Sana looked at him, passing off his question for the time being, "I am not questioning your methods of commanding your soldiers.. However, I can tell that she looks up to you. Perhaps speaking less.. Aggressive.. To her? I understand she has a rather unique psychology, but that doesn't change the fact that she's a mare."

 

She clears her throat, going back to Harmonic's earlier question, "With the supplements we have been giving them, they should be out by the end of the day. There are a few that we could have out earlier, if you especially need them."

[HigurSan 195]

@@Agent505,

Crystal Empire: Steeleye Sungazer

While he was a -little- shocked at Cadence's rather violent reaction, he kept his poise with an expert's control. It had been a possibility that something like this occur, while he had thought it a small one. Never one to be caught off guard, Steeleye had a long list of back up plans and secret mechanisms to make his schemes succesful. In this case, he was currently deciding which on three pre-chosen candidates he was going to use as a scape-goat. The Colonel in charge of the Scoundrel Squads had been number four on the list, but his willingness to cooperate had elevated him to a position Steeleye called 'semi-useful bishop'. Most ponies were ranked in his head by order of how useful they were and then what kind of person they were. Princess Cadence was at this point a 'fool king'. She would probably kill him if she ever found out. In short, she was nothing but detriment to his plans but she -had- to be protected in order to win.

 

Out of the three candidates, he picked the one that was easiest to pull off and most believable at the same time. In short, the story would be that one of the criminal groups had gotten tired of waiting and set out on their own. As they were comprised solely of psychopaths, no one would have any reason to doubt that it was their doing. In order to take off the edge of being 'too believable', he threw in some conflicting reports on where they had been from multiple credible scources. Even with that sorted out, he made sure to still watch every move he made. Meanwhile, he wrote out a rather flourishing invitation in his quarters, sending it along once he was done. It was to Princess Cadence and was in short: asking her to go have a social dinner with him. He had tried to lay on the fact that he well understood his lower status compared to her while still weaving the whole note together with charm worthy of a true stallion. Rarity probably would have fainted if she got a similar letter. The messenger didn't dare go near the Priness herself, but it was left in plain sight for her.

[Agent505 661]

@@00Pony, 

 

"It also doesn't change the fact she's a soldier, and not just a soldier, but an elite guard. One of my own - my Crystal Onyx!" He raised his voice, suddenly agitated by the nurses words. "Being a member of the Crystal Onyx, I would expect her to go about the business I command without hesitation. The guards in the palace do so, the rest of my own guards do so, and she is no different!" His voice went from being raised, to somewhere between snarling out words and shouting. After he had finished, he took a few deep breaths and stood up straight, having lowered himself to the ground more and more as he spoke. 

 

"I don't tell you how to do your job, don't try and tell me how to do mine. Remember who you are speaking to."

[00Pony 287]

@@Agent505,

 

Sana winced slighty at his raised voice, but she didn't back down from where she stood. The pale blue mare nods slowly, "Yes, I understand this, but this is her sister. Twin, if I'm not not forgetting. They sometimes share a deeper bond. But anyway, you are not interested in my opinions, so I will not voice them in the future."

 

She brushes her glossy mane back out of her eyes, "Is there anything else you need?"

[Agent505 661]

@@00Pony,

 

"I need my soldiers back. What good is a squad with no magic?" He sighed, stopping himself before he began to shout again by sitting down beside Myra's bed and resting his head in his hooves. "You said some of them can be released, yes? What are the odds they'll need to be back here if they are? They're going to be using their magic a lot once they get back out there. Teleportation for mobilisation - not just themselves but groups. Combat magic, energy blasts and explosive magic spheres, not the basic foal spells you mentioned earlier." He growled, the thoughts of the potential magical abilities of his unicorns, and the fact they where stuck in this medical wing came bearing down on him. "What would you have me do then? Since you're clearly the one who knows them better than I, and you have the tactical knowledge of their command here. Would you have me pull them out of here, risk hurting them some more while supplementing their combat abilities with medication and having my guard back to full strength, or would you have me leave them here? Helpless to fight for themselves yet recovering, while leaving my squad without its main force?" He stood up suddenly, bucking a wooden chair against the wall, causing it to shatter (the chair, not the wall) and then thundering out of the door and into the hall where he glared out of the window, taking long deep breaths and unblinkingly staring into the city. 

[00Pony 287]

@@Agent505,

 

Harmonic's exit of the room interrupted Sana's reply. The mare sighs. She faintly smelled the alcohol from the stallion, but figured mentioning it would be the opposite of beneficial. She calmly follows him out of the room, crossing her forelegs as she stands before the door way, waiting for Harmonic to calm down.

 

After a few seconds of listening to his breathing she steps forward till she is a few feet behind him, notably out of reach of his hooves, "Given a few more doses, a few of your unicorns should be in working order. However, the number of spells they could perform without causing themselves more harm, would be limited. Given this, if we were to excuse them, and return them to combat, I doubt your squad would be back to it's 'full strength'. This is merely my opinion. What do you think is the best course of action to take, Harmonic? Risk more damage to the ponies under your command, to fight off the 'bug', should it come to that. Or allow them a day or so more of rest till they are back at their full strength?"

 

She gestures behind her, "Myra is nearly pure of the infectious essence, and should be back to her old self again within a few hours."

 

Sana tilts her head, her voice remaining the same, calm tone it had since Harmonic's second visit, "You're the military leader. I'm a simple medical administrator."

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

@@Agent505,

 

Chrysalis took the pin and plunged it into the map where the Hive was situated. This was near the Badlands and Hayseed Swamps.

 

"I must warn you, Cadance," Chrysalis said, almost as an afterthought. "If you or anypony of yours should visit the Hive, your magic will be nulled. It's an automatic defence mechanism that comes in very handy and means that Celestia is unable to come and attack our Hive."

 

@@Justin ZW,

 

Sanura waited for Swordpoint to finish speaking to his troops. She felt sombre, but also the faint thread of excitement that came from having a new job.

[Agent505 661]

@@Pripyat Pony,@@00Pony,

 

"It's better than nothing, is it not? If that insect tries anything - we're all dead anyway. But I refuse to go down without a fight." He muttered in a gruff yet calm voice, almost as if he was tranquilized by the view.  

_____

 

"Yes...I was aware there was...something, although I knew not what. Shining Armour would go on for hours, days at a time about getting even with your kind for what you did back in Canterlot, but Celestia always forbade him. She never did say why, but I guess that makes sense." She nodded her head as she looked over the pins in the map "This is...empty. We must prepare for Celestia's retaliation...i've known her for a long time, she's not stupid, but she is predictable. She'll want to protect her subjects..." she ruffled the feathers on her wings as she thought about the situation. "She'll likely place soldiers here...in the main cities. Manehatten and likely Vanhoover, to be safe. I wouldn't imagine her being too concerned with the smaller towns, and she probably already thinks the closest ones are already under my command." 

[Concord Discord 35]

@@Pripyat Pony

 

Curse had heard about defense mechanisms like this, but never knew they existed.

"If you were planning on killing me, why set up all this torture equipment? I thought you would want to find out what I was doing here. I guess now you'll never know. Oh, well..."

Curse smiled again, this time much more menacingly.

[Justin ZW 396]

@@Pripyat Pony

Swordpoint turned to Sanura. "It has begun." He couldn't hide the worried look on his face. "I do not wish to see more violence. I understand that this is my duty, but my life has been spent spilling blood. Why can we not live in peace?" He hung his head. "I only wonder if we can restore Cadence to her former self. She was always so kind... For her to suddenly change is such a shock. What's more is that I fear for the safety of Shining Armor. For this treachery against Equestria, there can be only two explanations. The first would be that Shining Armor has also fallen into madness, and they both wish to see us destroyed or overthrown. The second would be that Cadence..." He couldn't finish his sentence.

 

 

The five element bearers who were in Ponyville stood in their dark train car as it sped toward Canterlot. Rainbow glanced at the night sky and thought about what Twilight told her. Well... I already know where this is going to end up. Swordpoint is gonna end up fighting for Equestria again... and putting his life in danger. I could try to stop him, but what's the point? He'll just give me more of that 'this is my duty' crap. I guess there's really nothing I can do about it. If I'm lucky, Celestia will send us with him. At least then I can watch his back myself. She let herself fall back onto her pillow. It's too bad I haven't been able to perfect spellcasting, yet. How does he make it look so freakin' easy, anyway? Well... I guess it doesn't really matter. I still know how to use a knife if I have to. As she stared at the ceiling of the train car, she let out a long sigh. This is gonna be a long ride...

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

@@Agent505,

 

"Perhaps we ought to target some of the smaller towns, in that case," Chrysalis said. "A few hostages might make Celestia more... shall we say, amenable to our requests. She wouldn't want to see any of her subjects tortured to death."

 

@@Concord Discord,

 

The Captain laughed. "Oh, how naive of you," he said. "We can find out why you're here quite easily enough without having to ask you. You see, quite a lot of ponies we capture are too stubborn to reveal their plans. However, a changeling who takes on their shape and heads off to the nearest town... that's another point entirely. I expect your friends would be only too happy to tell, even if you are not."

 

@@Justin ZW,

 

Sanura sighed. "I know how that feels," she said. "I always hate to see ponies hurt; that's why I chose the life of a spy rather than of a soldier. Perhaps Cadance can be saved... it would take a lot of healing to do that, tho; I may have to try and contact my father and other zebras for theirs is probably the only healing power that can save a mind so warped."

Edited June 29, 2013 by Pripyat Pony

[Concord Discord 35]

@@Pripyat Pony

 

"That would be a good plan if I had any friends. After Cadence killed my marefriend, I... well, I have no-one. I live and work alone. That's what I always did before, that's what I always will do, to the end of my days (which seemingly may be quite soon). Well then, good luck. I'm sure you will take much delight in killing me."