private The Tyranny of Princess Cadence

[Agent505 661]

OoC

 

It was a regular sunny day over the Crystal Empire. Clouds were few and the sun was strong, everything was shaping up to be a fantastic start to a wonderful day...

That was outside however, inside the Crystal Empire was much different. 

 

"Harmonic! I need those battle groups ready to march in 3 days...what's the situation?" Cadence called out to her second commander Harmonic. 

"Developing, ma'am. Charlie squad is down a pony following the last raid, and delta is still missing. Until they return, i'm not sending any more squads out."

"That's not your call Harmonic, If I gave you the order to send out another squad, I wou-"

"You'd be killing off part of your military" 

Just then, the door to the tower burst open, and two ponies charged in, carrying a third on a makeshift stretcher. "We were...ambushed, m'lady...they where...waiting for us..." The purple stallion then dropped a map from his hoof as he rolled onto his side in agony, revealing a huge gash along his ribs. 

"We march tomorrow...Appleloosa will not survive the coming storm. It's a good chokepoint to cut off Equestrian supplies and we're taking it before they know what's going on. Harmonic, prepare your soldiers." 

 

@@Shift,@@Katella Avenue, 

Without saying a word, Harmonic nodded and motioned over a guard - "Send word to summon my top soldiers, we're about to begin the games." 

"Sir!" The guard saluted and galloped out the doors, heading to round up his three soldiers as Harmonic made his way to the overwatching balcony.

Edited June 4, 2013 by Creeping Dusk

[Super Derpy 535]

Crystal Dusk was angry.

Well ever since Cadence changed Crystal had not stopped being angry. Apparently Cadence had no need of the police or detectives anymore so everyone on the police squad was without a job. And then Cadence had the nerve to kick her out of her own home so she could build an ammunition factory! Not a single bit in compensation. She lived in an alley now without a home or a job her life was in shambles and she had to beg for food every day just to survive.

God this is an outrage! I will get revenge on you Cadence for what you have done to me.

"Revenge" whispered Crystal Dusk as she walked down the street toward the market to beg for the food that she desperately needed. She hadn't eaten in over a week.

Edited June 3, 2013 by Super Derpy

[Katella Avenue 28]

The mare they called Mad Life was never one to be late to a 'function', as she liked to call them. 'Functions' for her were military drills, interrogations, executions... No, as she would amicably say, "They will not wait for me." 'They' being the quintessential equivalent to 'victim'. The soldier that was sent to summon her stayed no longer than he had to to shout the message through the front door of the villa she had been provided with. A villa that had not a single piece of furniture in it and completely bare walls. He scattered the moment he heard the chains rattling from within. Mad Life emerged with a smile and a little spring in her tall stride as she made her way to her commanding officer.

 

Citizens of the Empire either didn't know who this strange mare with a frizzled hair cut and burnt haunches was or they did and they stayed well clear of her path. She trotted randomly, as if avoiding major thoroughfares on purpose. She passed through an alley, out onto a road leading toward a marketplace... and by a scraggly looking mare who looked as if food was a scarce commodity for her. Mad Life smiled politely at the mare as she passed, a seemingly innocent gesture. 

 

"Hard times?" The voice was a bit accented, a bit high class, yet somehow at once rather gravelly for a mare. "Please, feel free." A few bits were proffered, levitated by her broken horn into a position where the beggar could easily grab at them. "Good day." Mad Life continued on her path, same serene smile on her face all the way up to the castle, where she greeted her superior:

 

"What will we be inflicting today?"

[THE WILD HUNT 213]

Acheron looked towards the outline of the Crystal Empire with anger. Ever since Princess Cadence had decided she should be the sole ruler of that magnificent kingdom, Acheron despised how it gradually went from being happy and radiant to the same dull and gloomy state it was before she, Shining Armor, and the Mane Six overthrew Sombra once more.

"It is quite ironic how such a beautiful princess, known for love no less, could descend to such depths with no motive other than power..."

 

Acheron's horn glowed as he lifted up the bodies of dead soldiers from the Crystal Empire. Since he found out about the tyranny of Cadence, he had made it a type of disturbing amusement to kill emissaries from her Empire and use them in some forbidden rituals of magic, then sending their enthralled wraiths (or whatever foul creature he coaxed into his control with the bodies) to attack some military camps. Learning of Cadence's anger at the loss of her subjects delighted him, but he was unsatisfied.

 

"Nothing is getting done other than to torment that mare and cause fear in her subjects. Though I kill these emissaries, the number is not significant enough to cause a dent in her regime..."

Acheron had oftentimes thought about sending some malevolent curse down upon the whole empire, much like he did with his own homeland. However, the destruction would be widespread, harming unnecessary innocents. The dark unicorn would need more time to come up with a different solution that would be more subtle in eliminating the tyrant, so he retreated from observing the empire to study maps of it he had acquired from some of the darker realms he entered to view things in secret....

[Shift 4,272]

@,

 

Chippy grumbled as she paced back and forth. A random guard trotted up to her.

 

"Chip Away, ma'am? Cadence has requested audience."

 

Chippy rolled her eyes as she trotted into the throne room. She immediately saluted.

 

"Yes, Empress?"

 

'This better be good...' Chip Away thought.

Edited June 4, 2013 by Shift

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

Sanura trotted thru Canterlot, as was her habit. On the face of it, the half zebra seemed to be aimlessly wandering, not taking in her surroundings, but that was merely a facade. The master spy in fact missed nothing, and very rarely missed her target. This was why she was one of Princess Celestia's most trusted spies, and why she was awaiting a summons from the Princess to direct her to a new job. Sanura had just completed a complex mission within the griffon kingdom, and now she was itching for some more action.

[Justin ZW 396]

Swordpoint watched as the military ran their daily drills. It was a rather boring day, all things considered. When he awoke that morning, he ate a light breakfast, said goodbye to Rainbow, and came to Canterlot to continue his training of the military. He was surprised when Celestia tapped him on the shoulder.

 

"Yes, Princess. What can I do for you?" he said warmly.

 

"Nothing at all," Celestia replied with a smile. "I'm just looking for an update on the performance of the troops."

 

Swordpoint smiled. "They are progressing wonderfully. I believe that I can train the top three pegasi to use magic as I do, but it will take months or even years of practice."

 

Celestia nodded. "I'm giving you permission to begin the training tomorrow. Just make certain not to push them too hard."

 

Swordpoint bowed. "Of course, princess."

 

Celestia turned and walked away, and Swordpoint turned back to the troops. His top two soldiers were definitely distinguishing themselves. He held up a clipboard with their names. "Let me see... Phylomon and Golden Age." He easily picked them out of the ranks of the military. Stepping forward, he called out. "Attention!"

 

@@Avolon, @~HistoricallyInaccurate~

The ponies immediately snapped to attention and saluted. Swordpoint cleared his throat. "You are dismissed for the day! I would like to see Golden Age and Phylomon personally, however! The rest of you may have the evening to do as you please! Dismissed!"

Edited June 3, 2013 by Justin_ZW

[THE WILD HUNT 213]

Acheron had wandered into a bustling market place as he trotted along, thinking how he could bring about the fall of Princess Cadence. Obvious steps were to learn of her plans in order to deter them before they managed to advance far enough. How though? Many of the Crystal soldiers he had killed were just that, soldiers, bearing nothing of significance that could prove useful later on. Even when Acheron would sap their minds dry, he realized that the soldiers were kept in the dark about what exactly they were doing, only receiving orders as the steps of a plan came into order.

 

"What about just...no..."

Acheron considered tapping into the dark magic of the Corrupted Crystal Citadel, the one Sombra had left behind during his reign.

"It's not a bad start, but I doubt that place is unguarded. Furthermore, Cadenza probably knows how to sense if dark magic is being used in her presence, and even though my magic is strong, she is probably well prepared to face a threat like that..."

Acheron then considered using an even stronger magic, but soon shoved the idea backwards; that particular magic was much too strong and woukd cause more damage that the before mentioned action of cursing the Crystal Empire would.

 

"I stick to the infiltration through the Dark Citadel, but unfortunately, aid is required for me to pull that off without being noticed too quickly..."

Acheron became frustrated again, not knowing if there was anyone brave enough to actively work against Cadence. He spotted a malnourished mare begging for food, and tossed a large bag of bits towards her.

[longgone 873]

"You heard the lad, dismissed." he said. "And save me a spot for tonights poker!" shouted, to which one within is ranks gave an OK sign. 

 

 

Golden Age straightened his hat walked up to Swordpoint. "Ye called sir?" he said humbly, standing at attention and giving a salute that most likely hadn't been seen since the medieval ages of Equestria.

[AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA 20]

@Justin_ZW

 

Phylomon puts away his sward and gallops over to Swordpoint as fast as he can and then comes to a stop and salutes Swardpoint "You requested for me sir."

Phylomon puts his hoof down and looks at Swardpoint standing in royal guard position.

[Justin ZW 396]

@@Avolon,@~HistoricallyInaccurate~

Swordpoint glanced at his two top ponies. "Come with me." He beckoned and began to walk toward the castle. Phylomon and Golden Age followed him dutifully.

 

"I have called you two because your performance has been outstanding. You are both well deserving of a promotion, and I have the authority to give it to you." He stopped in front of Canterlot Castle and spun on his heels to face the two ponies. He extended his wings and they began to glow. There was a bright flash, and two specialized suits of armor appeared. Each was a brilliant white, inlaid with gold and decorated with Celestia's symbol. "These are yours now. I hearby dub you both as sergeants." He smiled easily. "You have earned this. Now go and relax for the evening. I expect you both to be ready tomorrow. Your real training will begin then... personal training, led by me. DISMISSED!"

 

 

@@Pripyat Pony

Celestia spotted Sanura as she neared the castle and approached her. "Sanura! It is good to see you. Would you mind coming with me? I'd like to speak with you, and there is someone I want you to meet." She glanced over her shoulder to see Swordpoint dismissing Phylomon and Golden Age. 

Edited June 4, 2013 by Justin_ZW

[longgone 873]

"Danke, mein kommandant" Golden Age replied. He saluted and smartly about faced and marched off.

 

 

Upon reaching the barracks, he put the suit down at his bunk grabbed a pair of Sergeant's chevrons from a supply chest. He took his coat off and began sewing the chevrons on. "Ballyhooly!" he called out. "Take this piece of armor, put it in the armory, may need it later." he saluted and went to do so. 

 

With the chevrons sewed on, he now went out to the local tavern. he stayed clear of the "Arisocratic" part of town on his way there, for he despised such a place.

[THE WILD HUNT 213]

Acheron had a seat at one of the tables in the marketplace, some of his anger registering on his face.

"This place is becoming what my homeland was. I could truly care less if one uses Machiavellian tactics to attain power, but if it is merely for power and for no other reason, this is what you get. Poverty creeps into this place, something which has not been seen here in ages. Only those who cater to Cadenza's wishes are in good standing, and those who dare speak out about their conditions are..."

Acheron caught sight of a few guards looking his way. They did nothing since Acheron was whispering to himself, but it was common for the guards of the Empire to question anyone looking suspicious in any way

[AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA 20]

"Yes Sir! Will be there at 0700 Hours.

Phylomon walks to the armory drops off his sward and heads to the mess hall "wonder why the promotion it is weird to have a promotion without a ceremony and or something official" Phylomon Shrugs of the thought Swordpoint is a capable leader and that's what matters Phylomon thinks.

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

@@Pripyat Pony

Celestia spotted Sanura as she neared the castle and approached her. "Sanura! It is good to see you. Would you mind coming with me? I'd like to speak with you, and there is someone I want you to meet." She glanced over her shoulder to see Swordpoint dismissing Phylomon and Golden Age. 

Sanura gave a bow. "Yes, Princess!" she replied. "Of course. I am hoping that you have another mission for me. Even if that's not the case, I'm always happy to come and speak with you, and meet new ponies."

 

She wondered who this pony could be, that the Princess wanted her to meet with.

[THE WILD HUNT 213]

Acheron was starting to think, that maybe his anger was misdirected. He himself was Machiavellian in a sense...

"But... it is never right to betray your own countrymen, and worse still, someone in your family who truly trusted you and was not a threat to anyone..."

Acheron took another glance at the Crystal Palace, a glare coming across his face. The Crystal Guards soon approached him because of this.

"Is there something about the Palace you find distasteful?"

They asked, an intimidating tone in their voices. For a brief second, Acheron's eyes flashed green, and at that instant the guards stopped dead in their tracks, turned around, and walked away.

"Go kill yourselves in front of Cadenza, would you kindly?"

Acheron whispered with a sneer. He couldn't help but grin cruely as the guards turned directions and trotted towards the Palace...

[RAGESTAR 479]

Crimson walked quickly down the streets of the crystal empire with his cloak flowing slightly in the breeze and his hat obscuring his face. Crimson had only been in the empire for about a month now and he was already tired of seeing it, he scowled in disgused, "only a year ago this place looked story book perfect.....but look at what that BITCH has done to it now.....she has to be stopped...." thought crimson darkly before rounding a street corner, getting a clear view of the castle. Crimson glared, "I swear twilight.....I will stop her..." said crimson quitely before walking into a nearby market to better blend in with the crowd.

[Agent505 661]

@@Shift,

 

Cadence looked up from a map she and a few guards where gathered around as the zebra approached.

"Yes? Oh...I remember you. I didn't send for you, I assume Harmonic did. He's upstairs, in his usual spot on the balcony. I suggest you don't keep him waiting" She waved a hoof dismissively at the door as she returned her attention to the map on the table.  

[Discorded Bluenote 126]

Bluenote was on the outskirts of the Crystal Empire, watching it in anger and sadness. Mostly anger. Guess who's fault was that.

 

She gave a sigh, and went to the market. 'I regret making this dump my permanent residence.', she thought. 'If only Cadence didn't decide to get all spacey and murder her husband. I mean, who does that?!?' She stopped at a koisk and looked at their wares.

[RAGESTAR 479]

Crimson had sighed in relief as he had infultrated the castle grounds, searching for weakpoints in cadences defenses, "she has many windows....but not many of them are close to the ground, so pegasai squads might be a good idea, then again, the windows are a bit small, so that may pose a problem, now if only I can find an access point for ground forces..." but crimsons thoughts were interrupted as three royal guards rounded the corner, conversing quitely, not noticing crimson hiding stealthily in the bushes. Crimson cursed quitely, "damn! I thought I memorized the guards schedual, but it seems cadence has taken precautions against this....oh well, I can't offord to be captured, so I'll have to dispose of them..." thought crimson, as he quitely unsheathing his cutlass, before sneaking up behind the guard to the left and impaling him with the sword, crimson quickly pulled out the blade just as the middle guard began to turn around, he then smashed the pommel of the sword into his face, knocking him to the floor, the guard to the right however, had been faster to react and quckly attempted to impale him in the face with his spear, but unluckily for him, crimson was prepared for this and tilted his head to the side, dodging it, he then grabbed the shaft of the spear before pulling the guard towards himself, impaling him his cutlass, but just as crimson had done this, the guard he had hit earlier had now recvered and attempted to pounce on him with a dagger, crimson grinned and quickly dodged the blade, causing him to impale the previous guards body, crimson then back-hoofed the guard, knocking him off his feet, crimson then grinned triumphantly as he held his sword to the guards throat, "tell your princess......she will fall..." said crimson before kicking him in the face, knocking him unconcious.

 

Crimson once again sighed with relief as he made it out of the castle grounds and back into the streets of the city, "I may not have anyone to give this espionage information to, but it should come n handy, besides....i needed a workout..." thought crimson tiredly before walking into a bar to rest and go over the info he's gathered.

[THE WILD HUNT 213]

As the guards under Acheron's control entered the Crystal Palace, Acheron thought of a new use for them. He changed locations to a more secluded area of the market and sat down, his expression turning to one of focus and almost trance-like. He merged his vision with theirs to see inside the castle and exerted his control over them to make them split up and examine it thoroughly. There was much to see in the way of its faults; the windows were large and perfect for entry for a skilled assassin, some high enough for even clouds to get through if a pegasus pushed it through. Acheron then figured these guards had spent time guarding the dungeons, and found it was true when he searched their minds. Several grates in the dungeons led underground, and Acheron knew there had to be openings somewhere else that would lead into those dungeons, allowing him and others with his same desire to infiltrate the castle from below.

After what seemed like hours of examining the Palace, Acheron finally made them return to their original "assignment"; to kill themselves in front of Cadence. However these guards had never really been in Cadence's direct presence, so Acheron made them follow where Cadence's voice seemed to come from...

[The Original 571]

Fiera had been overworking herself by training hoof to hoof combat at the barracks. Most of her coat was either dampened or dripping with sweat. She took a second to take a seat and rest for a while. She didn't know if she could keep going or not, but she needed to keep getting stronger and faster to be able to prove her worth the Equestrian Military. A lot of ponies were trying to get in, and a lot of ponies were getting kicked out to allow space for the stronger and more able ponies. Fiera refused to get kicked out, and she was teetering on the edge of getting booted.

 

The reason for them not accepting all of the new applicants is because they don't have the supplies needed to support all of the ponies if they accepted them all.

 

Fiera would have preferred sticking to acrobatics, but here in the military, her skills could be used for more than just entertainment.

[Ano170 162]

Arrow stood in the marketplace, in front of a muffin vendor. He was staring.

 

How could there be fifteen different flavours of muffins? How could anypony come up with so many different combinations? It still rocked Arrow that here sweets and delicacies like muffins were in bulk supply and cost just a few bits, yet around Arrow there were ponies begging for scraps.

 

The Crystal Empire was in trouble, that much was clear. Arrow knew that their Princess was seeking to expand the Empire's borders; improve its supplies, trading options and overall wealth. Arrow sincerely hoped that would be enough.

 

"Sir!" A guardspony approached Arrow. "Chaotic Harmony requests your presence at the palace at once. "

 

"Aye." Arrow nodded to the guardspony, and set off at a brisk trot. He hadn't ever intended on joining the army, but when he first arrived in the empire, it had been in the old palace grounds. Guards had quickly found him trespassing, and, bewildered and frightened as he was, he had attempted to fight them unarmed. He had lost, of course, and been taken to their commanding officer. Only it was decided that the strange foreigner could potentially be useful, so Arrow had been given a choice: join the army, or rot in the dungeons.

 

Promotions had come quickly in the few months that followed. Arrow got the feeling Cadence was expending a lot of troops. Arrow had seen the Princess only once; she had been beautiful, but distracted. On the very few occasions he had been allowed out the barracks unaccompanied, Arrow had heard rumours that she was going mad, but he was not interested in politics. He would fight to help struggling nation achieve its independence, and somepony else could fret over the monarchy afterwards.

 

Arrow approached the palace with a grim smile. Maybe he didn't know the whole story yet, but he could hardly help anypony if he was in a dungeon.

 

Besides, if anypony knew enough about crystals to send Arrow home, surely it was the Crystal Princess?

[Justin ZW 396]

@@Pripyat Pony

Celestia held out her hoof. "Excuse me for a moment. I'll be right back." She turned and trotted toward Swordpoint. "Swordpoint! I would like to introduce you to a friend of mine!"

 

Swordpoint glanced in the direction of Celestia. "Hello, again, Princess. I would be glad to meet him." He gave her a small bow.

 

Celestia smiled. "Come right this way."

 

Swordpoint followed as she strutted toward a calmly waiting zebra. At first, he was shocked. Swordpoint had never met a zebra before, considering that their kind had been driven from Ponynesia long ago.

 

Celestia stopped and held out her hoof. "Swordpoint, this is Sanura. She has served me for quite some time. I often call upon her when stealth and finesse are required." She turned to face Sanura. "Sanura, this is Swordpoint. He is a talented warrior, and many ponies owe their lives to him."

 

Swordpoint gave Sanura a slight bow and extended his hoof. "It is a pleasure, Sanura. Forgive me, but I have never before encountered a zebra. The stories I've heard of your kind were all quite twisted, I'm afraid. My homeland was a... very dark place."

Edited June 4, 2013 by Justin_ZW

[Super Derpy 535]

Wow! That was the nicest thing anyone has done for me in a while!

Crystal Dusk trotted down the street towards the sandwich shop with the few bits the nice stallion had given her. She went and bought herself a sandwich. It was the first time she had had food in six days. As she walked out of the shop she accidentally knocked another pony over who looked like they were headed for the market.

@Bluenote

"Oh I'm really sorry about that" *extends out hoof*

Edited June 4, 2013 by Super Derpy