private The Tyranny of Princess Cadence

[HigurSan 195]

@@Agent505,

Crystal Empire: Steeleye Sungazer

When the guard had reached the Scout Team's quarters, he had to hand off the sandwich to Sergeant Pay Dirt, who insisted in fluent Griffon the Lieutenant Steeleye was not to be disturbed. As the guard didn't speak Griffon, eventually Ivy Mane intervened and took the sandwich inside, only to dump it into a waste bin as soon as the door shut. They all worked for Princess Cadence, but none of them would trust her in the least. Steeleye emerged from his bath in fresh armor, followed by Darting Route who was similarly equipped. However, Darting's wings were once again tied to his sides and he was blindfolded in addition to being gagged. A collar on his neck was hooked to a chain that Steeleye kept clipped to his flank armor. It wasn't neccesary in truth, but they had to keep up the act.

 

Ivy Mane handed Steeleye another note that had appeared on his desk via magic. Reading it quickly, Steeleye sent a reply in due haste. All the message said was 'Do it'. One the other Side of Equestria in Manehatten, a muffled 'crump' befuddled passerby near one of the city's larger hotels. No one was quite sure where it came from until dust billowed out from maintenance hatches all around the building. With a groan of shattering masonry and wood, the building slowly toppled over to one side, crushing several other smaller structures under the mass of falling brick, glass, and screaming ponies. A plume of rubble rose into the sky for hundreds of meters before starting to rain back down on the city like a gruesome hail. Anyone worth two bits would know this wasn't natural. Hopefully Celestia and here little entourage would to. If things went as planned, panic would ensue, where none would be able to know when or where the next attack might occur and cause wide-spread chaos throughout Manehatten, if not all Equestria.

[longgone 873]

Golden Age listened to the princess talk, his brim over his eyes so he would not make eye contact with her. 

 

"Aye" he said to her with an emotionless expression on his face "I suppose I should get my lot to start doing picket duty outside the city walls e'ery night?"

 

(Hopefully by lords grace this pleases you -_-)

Edited June 25, 2013 by ~HistoricallyInaccurate~

[00Pony 287]

@@Agent505,

 

"Having a good time, Harmonic?"

Sanguine says with a chuckle. The short stallion leapt down from his perch above the door, "Perhaps I should be a more sociable pony, eh?"

 

He chuckles harshly, shaking his head, "Anyway, Cadence would like to see you. Why, I haven't the slightest. She merely told me to pass the message along. So here I am, passing it along."

 

He sighs, "Now, unless you're talkative, I have some planing to do."

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

Ooc: The word "jerd" comes from a book of mine. It means basically a platoon. I figured that the changelings would use different words than the ponies. XD

 

Once Cicada had assembled the jerd to the Queen's liking, the Queen gave the order to depart. The changelings all saluted, and took off in flight, with Cicada flying next to Chrysalis and the jerd flying in formation behind. They were making for the Crystal Empire.

 

"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.

 

The changeling, one of the Hive Captains, smirked nastily at the intruder. "Well, well," he said. "A spy!" He didn't seem to do or say anything, but within a second, a fully armed jerd of changelings dropped from the sky, surrounding Curse.

 

"I think you'd better come with us," the Captain said.

 

@@Justin ZW,

 

Sanura stood next to Swordpoint, her face grim as she listened to the talk. Seeing Appleloosa sacked had been bad enough, but hearing of Fiera's death had put the lid on it.

 

"She was a brave mare," Sanura said. "Misguided, but brave. If only we could have saved her..."
 

[AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA 20]

@@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.)

@Justin_ZW

"Princess Celesta" Pylomon walks forward bowing then comeing back to a standing position "if i may make a suggestion. That we should stay here and gaurd the spirits of the elements where ever you need them to be so if something happens they will have a guard force to prevent an enemy from killing them after all they are equestrea's biggest asset" Phylomon says

[Agent505 661]

@@00Pony, 

 

Harmonic simply grunted and continued walking, nodding in acknowledgement but otherwise ignorant to the stallions words. 

 

As he approached the palace, he took a breath before using his magic to open the doors, something he rarely did. 

"How is she? How are they? Any improvements, developments? Are you giving them anything?" He called out as he reached the medical wing and opened the door. 

 

(@, @, @@Super Derpy, @, No rush, but the Crystal Empire is going to have to come to a pretty much complete stop as far as plot development goes until this meeting can go ahead with Chrysalis.)

[Super Derpy 535]

Crystal Dusk felt very odd. She knew that Acheron was disguising them as Changelings but it almost felt like she was actually a Changeling.

This feels really weird its almost like I am a changeling.

 

@Krein

"Wow good job on the disguises." said Crystal Dusk looking around the room at her companions who were all disguised as Changelings. She noticed her voice was different as well.

 

@Everyone in Black Hoof

"Okay here is our plan. First we need to get out of this cave without being seen. We then need to walk towards the Crystal Palace. It is important that you all act like Changelings. We then get into the meeting and let Cerulean do the talking. After the meeting is over we will walk back the way we came and once again return to the cave. Any questions? Also does anyone know where Curse went?"

[00Pony 287]

@@Agent505,

 

Sanguine shrugged and turned, trotting away.

After a half hour or so of trotting through the city, locating members of his group, telling them to meet him at the palace, and arriving there himself, the assassin looked at his assembly.

He inhales deeply before speaking, "Our Empress will be recieving a visit from the Changeling Queen, Chrysalis, in a short time. We have been tasked by Mi Amore to provide Overwatch for the meeting, as well as provide full security for the rest of the Palace for the course of the meeting. I will be in charge of the squad within the Throne room with The Empress, and her guest. The rest of you, will be commanded by my highest ranking officers, and will be spread out throughout the rest of the Palace."

 

Sanguine scans the chamber for a few seconds before continuing, "I want every inch of the place covered. Medical wing, barracks, armory. Even the less travelled recesses. Remain unseen, and if you must reveal yourself to a trouble maker, be sure that they do not remember."

 

He turns away, "Your commanders know where they are to be stationed. Meet with them, and move out."

 

 

Another half hour later, Sanguine and his squad returned to the Throne Room, spreading out over the expanse of the room.

 

~*~

 

Sana, the same medical mare as before, inhaled deeply when Harmonic entered the room. She stepped up to him, answering his questions in the same order he'd asked them, "She is doing well, as are the rest of them. They have become more responsive, and recovered some of their previous magical prowess, but only basic foal level spells. Nothing able to be used in military actions. Likewise, Myra still seems to be having some minor reactions to the dark energy inside her, and still will not speak. But she is better. I have stationed a medic, as well as a security guard in the room with her at all times, as requested. Her sister refuses to leave the room."

 

She gestures to the door, "We have been giving a of them supplements to aid recovery. If we hadn't, they would still be unable to use their magic. We have used some additional remedies to extract the dark magic within Myra and her sister, which has been coming along nicely."

 

Sana steps towards the door, "You may check on her, if you so wish."

[Agent505 661]

@@00Pony,

 

Princess Cadence immediately sat up when the throne room doors opened, previously being slumped to one side in her throne. "Oh its...you, Sanguine. I thought..." she shook her head and went back to leaning against the throne. "Nevermind" 4:15 read the clock. "Never trust a changeling, I guess...I have no idea what I was thinking..." she sighed, taking off her crown and looking into the reflection of herself in the gold. 

_____

 

Harmonic looked around the room for a moment, seeing the rest of his guards sprawled out over beds and even some on tables. He shook his head and muttered a few incoherent words before he started to walk towards the door, but before he opened it he took a deep breath and stood up straight, turning to face the nurse - "Thanks" he nodded, pushing open the door and stepping inside. 

Before he could even get into the room, Enid was practically knocking him back out of the room with the force she ran at him with, flinging her hooves around his neck and burying her head into his coat. "Enid, get a hold of yourself, you're a soldier dammit!" he scowled, but made no attempt to push her away. 

 

He could see Myra lying on the bed in the room, with the two ponies in there as Sana had said. There were several machines in the room that all emitted a very faint magical glow, and one of them seemed to be connected up to her. He shook his head, and then used his own magic to pull Enid from him. "How long have you been awake now? You should rest up, it's not good for you to be worrying all the time like this." Enid simply shrugged and sat down beside the bed, resting her chin on the table. 

 

Harmonic turned away and stepped out of the room, closing the door behind him with his magic as he began walking out of the medical wing to the throne room, as Cadence had requested. "If there are any developments, let me know" 

[00Pony 287]

@@Agent505,

 

Sanguine stops on his way to a darker recess behind the throne, glancing at Cadence, "If you do not mind me saying, Empress, but perhaps you will just need to be a little more.. Patient. I do not mean to be speaking out of turn. Give the Changeling Queen time. She will turn up eventually. Just think on what we will accomplish with those little buggers on our side."

He chuckles quietly before continuing on to stand in the recess behind the throne.

 

 

~*~

 

 

Sana nods to Harmonic, "Of course, commander."

 

The doctor, a unicorn as well, was focused mainly on the machines when Harmonic entered, and the guard gave him a small salute from his place in the corner nearest the door.

 

 

Sana glanced up from the clipboard she was holding as Harmonic exited, giving a small nod as she responded, "I will see to the reports personally."

[Agent505 661]

@@00Pony,

 

"Yes yes, I know, you're right. That's what i'm thinking, anyway. Hopefully if all goes well...Celestia wont even stand a chance."

She replied, placing the crown back on her head and standing up, walking around the room for a moment before setting herself at the table with the sandwich that had been brought earlier. "I just don't like being kept waiting, especially if she's not coming...how will I know?"  

[HigurSan 195]

@@Agent505,

Crystal Empire: Steeleye Sungazer

Having less time for leisure than he would really like, Lt Sungazer was back to work within an hour of returning from a horrendous ordeal. Orders had to be given, situation maps had to be updated, and most importantly he had to make sure that Princess Cadence didn't waste too many soldiers on pointless exercises. Within minutes he had to nix an order for more scouting expeditions along the same route he had been ordered to map, barely catching the luckless rookies that had been saddled with the mission second after they left the city gates. This was pretty much the order of the day. Sometimes he felt like a sheep dog herding the most belligerent and blockheaded crowd of sheep ever assembled. It seemed a miracle that they didn't stab themselves just to see what it felt like on occasion.

 

In short, the 'military strength' of the Crystal Empire was a total joke. The vast majority of the rank and file were draftee's that had been dragged from their jobs into the service. He would bet money that at least two fifths of their 'army' would simply desert overnight to go tend their farms and families when harvest time came. Those that were not ordinary civilians were almost worse in a way. A good share of the most hated criminal scum and psychos had made their way to the Crystal Empire on the rumor of plunder and war. You couldn't trust any of them further than you could throw them. Buck, you would have to catch them before you could throw them, and half the blighters were more slippery than an Everfree Swamp catfish. So trying to organize them into a cohesive unit was a thankless and impossible task. The farmers were a bit easier in that regard. Drafted ponies that came from the same community often gravitated towards each other with no extra influence, so it was pretty easy to organize them into companies of a hundred or so.

 

After that you had to deal with family feuds and disputes. However, even the most bitter enemies would band together when faced with an external threat, so that was sorted soon enough. To summarize, most of the Crystal Empire's infrantyry were seperated into two different kinds of units: The Craftspony Brigades and the Scoundrel Squads. The former were essentially the meat sheilds and the latter were simply set free in the general direction of the enemy. One could be depended upon to follow orders, albeit a bit slow to comprehend said orders, and the other was assured to cause the enemy trouble without needing to be instructed. Whats more, Lt Sungazer could have cared less if any of the Scoundrel Squads were wiped out. That meant less criminals to deal with after the war was over.

 

While not 'in charge' of any of the before described fighting units, per-say, Lt Sungazer's opinion and commands were something you obeyed if you knew what was good for you. It wasn't that he would kill you if you disobeyed, the enemy would do that job for him most of the time. That or the dangerous wildlife. That being said, Lt Sungazer was having an -especially- hard time convinving the Colonel in charge of the Scoundrel Squads to not loot and pillage the settlements on the Crystal Empire/Equestria border. "I will tell you one more time Colonel," Steeleye said with exasperation. "The -premise- of why we're having a war in the first place is to -oppose- tyranny. If we start burning down every piece of business we come across and steal everything, then -we'll- be the tyrants and public support will turn against us. Then we'll lose and we'll -all- be in prison or dead."

 

"Preposterous!" the impudent and white wigged Colonel responded. "I'm going to show those blighters what's what! Give em a bloody eye so they think twice about opposing us! What's more, -Lieutenant-, more than half of these 'soldiers' I'm in command of are going to desert if they don't see some money on their hooves soon. You -know- our own budgets are running short and the only way we can get more is to take it from somepony else!" Lt Steeleye stared at the idiot, who was dressed in a uniform meant for only a week's use which could have paid for a Squad's salary for a month. Gathering his patience, he gave it one last time. "Tell them -this-," he sighed. "We'll let them have their fun -after- we've taken a settlement and established a beach head. We can make up some propoganda that those who are stolen from were... enemy sympathizers or something along those lines." The Colonel considered this, then accepted the proposal with a curt nod before departing.

 

"Ugh, I hope Cadence gets off her royal flank soon," Steeleye muttered. "If the army sits still much longer its going to tear itself apart."

[00Pony 287]

@@Agent505,

 

Sanguine watches Cadence traverse the room, waiting until she sits to step over to her, "She'll arrive. I doubt the Queen's curiousity wouldn't be piqued by your invitation. If the shifter sent you a message by way of a captured subject, requesting your audience, wouldn't you be intrigued?"

[Justin ZW 396]

Celestia nodded toward Golden Age. ”Yes, please.” She glanced at Swordpoint. ”I want to mobilize the military. We must defend the Towns which are closest to the empire.”

Swordpoint nodded. ”I shall make the call. To what do we ride, Princess?”

Celestia stood from her throne and frowned grimly. ”... To war.”

Swordpoint nodded and ran toward the meeting hall. ”This is an important order from command! All soldiers are to gather tonight at the meeting hall in two hours! Attendance mandatory!”

”Sanura,” Celestia called. ”I want you to work with Swordpoint. You will be a helpful ally." She turned to Phylomon and Golden Age. "As for the both of you, I will give you each your own detachment to lead. This will supplement your troops, Golden Age. You are each hereby dubbed 'generals.'”

She turned to Dawn Wing, who stood silently at attention. ”Dawn Wing, I am placing Swordpoint in charge of our forces. You are under his command. Now, please send for the element bearers.”

Edited June 27, 2013 by Justin ZW

[Agent505 661]

@@00Pony,

 

"I..." She began to speak, but remembered she had a mouthful of sandwich. Swallowing, she turned to Sanguine and nodded slowly. "I'd be curious to see how she captured one of my soldiers, more than anything. They're all trained enough to hold their own, but then again...she is...powerful." She shook her head, taking another bite of the sandwich and sitting in silence for a moment. "But, I guess you're right. I would be curious. I just wish she'd hurry up so Celestia doesn't get ahead of us! No doubt she's caught wind of your little adventure by now." 

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

@@Justin ZW,

 

Sanura saluted. "Yes, your Majesty. I would be honoured to work alongside Swordpoint." She felt very serious. War! This was unexpected, but necessary if Cadance's insane rule was to be brought to an end.

 

@@Agent505,

 

Chrysalis soon arrived at the Palace. She smiled as she gave the order to the jerd to wait outside. "I will call you via the Hive Mind if your presence is needed," she said. "Cicada, come with me."

 

The changeling Queen marched to Cadance's room, and entered, flinging the doors open, her second at her side.

[Agent505 661]

@@Pripyat Pony,

 

As the doors burst open, Cadence practically spat the remainder of her sandwich across the table, but instead choked it down as she saw who had entered the room. The guards either side of the door lowered their weapons and stepped to one side, standing at attention, but keeping a close eye on the changeling queen.

"Chrysalis! I...your highness, I did not expect you so soon! Please, come! Sit, make yourself at home - i'm afraid you've caught me at a bad time, apologies for the for the terrible...first impression."  

[00Pony 287]

@@Agent505,@Pripyat Pony,

 

Sanguine had been about to respond when the doors were flung open. The masked pony lowered himself closer to the ground and slipped out of sight, returning to his recess by the throne.

 

His followers that were scattered around the lower and upper corners of the room all readied themselves in case anything disagreeable occurred.

Edited June 27, 2013 by 00Pony

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

@@Pripyat Pony,

 

As the doors burst open, Cadence practically spat the remainder of her sandwich across the table, but instead choked it down as she saw who had entered the room. The guards either side of the door lowered their weapons and stepped to one side, standing at attention, but keeping a close eye on the changeling queen.

"Chrysalis! I...your highness, I did not expect you so soon! Please, come! Sit, make yourself at home - i'm afraid you've caught me at a bad time, apologies for the for the terrible...first impression."  

Chrysalis waved away the apology. "Do not worry," she replied. "I got your message. Do tell; what do you want from myself and my changeling Hive?"

 

She and Cicada pulled up chairs close to the throne and sat down. The Queen leaned forward, eager to hear. After all, Cadance was, or at least, had been, her enemy.

[Agent505 661]

@@Pripyat Pony,

 

Cadence curtly made her way over to her throne and sat down herself. "What would you have me call you? To get the awkward formalities out the way" she chuckled, somewhat nervously, but trying to keep a cool tone. "And i'll be blunt, I know you wont mind. I require from you, what you gained from me - power." she leaned forwards and her wings flared open slightly. "Celestia...she's...well, you know what she is, she's a tyrant, and the Crystal Empire has had enough of her oppression. We are...planning a...revolt, of kinds." 

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

 

 

Cadence curtly made her way over to her throne and sat down herself. "What would you have me call you? To get the awkward formalities out the way" she chuckled, somewhat nervously, but trying to keep a cool tone. "And i'll be blunt, I know you wont mind. I require from you, what you gained from me - power." she leaned forwards and her wings flared open slightly. "Celestia...she's...well, you know what she is, she's a tyrant, and the Crystal Empire has had enough of her oppression. We are...planning a...revolt, of kinds." 

"Just call me Chrysalis," the Queen replied. She indicated her second with a hoof. "And this is Cicada, my second in command. You can talk freely in front of her."

 

She considered what Cadance had said, then replied, "I have good reason to wish for revenge against Celestia. Her interference almost ended my own life; it was only due to Cicada's efforts that I regained my strength. She brought me victims to feed upon and I regained power and strength. I think that an alliance between the two of us would be... profitable for both."

[Agent505 661]

@@Pripyat Pony, 

 

"Just think about i- what?" she asked, surprised that Chrysalis had agreed so easily. "All I desire, is that Celestia falls, and I gain total control over Equestria, is that so much to ask? You would get the benefit of seeing Celestia fall, as well as being a part of that. I...seem to remember the last time...the last time we spoke -" 

 

Thud. The door flung open again, smacking against the walls and almost crushing the standing guards. 

 

Harmonic stormed in, his eyes narrowed as he looked around, seeing the changeling queen sat beside Cadence, he instinctively reached for his hookswords - which of course where in the armoury downstairs. "Ma'am...are you...what is this?"

"Harmony! I see Sanguine sent the call then? But you're late! I didn't...I haven't had the time to inform you of our arrangement have I?" 

"N-no, ma'am. You...haven't" he raised an eyebrow, looking at the changeling queen and her underling. "When...when did this transpire? I never saw any arrivals...probably for the better..." he mumbled the last part, more to himself than anything. 

"Just recently, we're just discussing plans for- - - stop interrupting me! Can't you see i'm busy here?" she suddenly snapped, causing him to take a step back, before cautiously walking around the changeling queen and standing beside the throne. 

"Where was I? Ah yes! Celestia! Surely you wouldn't be opposed to seeing her reign end would you? Or even putting an end to it yourself? Who would there be to stand against us then?" She leaned forward even more, practically not even sitting on the throne anymore "we could rule together, and nothing would be able to get in our way..."

[RAGESTAR 479]

Crystal Dusk felt very odd. She knew that Acheron was disguising them as Changelings but it almost felt like she was actually a Changeling.

This feels really weird its almost like I am a changeling.

 

@Krein

"Wow good job on the disguises." said Crystal Dusk looking around the room at her companions who were all disguised as Changelings. She noticed her voice was different as well.

 

@Everyone in Black Hoof

"Okay here is our plan. First we need to get out of this cave without being seen. We then need to walk towards the Crystal Palace. It is important that you all act like Changelings. We then get into the meeting and let Cerulean do the talking. After the meeting is over we will walk back the way we came and once again return to the cave. Any questions? Also does anyone know where Curse went?"

Crimson growled, "damn.....this feels alittle too real, and I don't like it....."sigh" anyway, sorry but I haven't seen that idiot anywhere......so I think its better off that we wait for him to get back.....that should give me enough time to get used to this.....new look.....so that I don't accidently refer to myself as a pony..." said crimson slowly.

[HigurSan 195]

@@Justin ZW,

Time: Just Before Noon

Location: Canterlot Suburbs, The Mouthy Mare Inn

It was getting on in the day, just when regular working ponies would be laying down their work to go have a decent lunch. What better to cool oneself off than a refreshing drink at the local inn? Apple Cider seemed to always be in ready supply no matter what time of the year it was. Of course the Zap Apple Cider from Ponyville was always highly sought after. So it came to be that the Mouthy Mare was completely packed with hungry and thirsty ponies ready to relax and enjoy their meals. The barkeep was just getting ready to tap the newest keg when he noticed an acidic smell in the air, followed by a soft 'click'. The keg exploded in a rather spectactular fashion, its liquid contents set ablaze and flying in all directions. Quickly other kegs began to ignite from the spreading flames until the entire  establishment was sent into the air with smoke and debris cloud that could be seen for miles. Steeleye and his compatriots had rigged a number of these small catastrophies on their way across Equestria. Rail lines and bridges collapsed, hotels were set alight, and most importantly chaos was sown. It would be hear the concussions of exploding ale from the Canterlot Royal Palace, even easier to see the billows of smoke rise from the distance as the flames started to catch on other buildings.

 

@@Agent505, @@Pripyat Pony,

Crystal Empire: Steeleye Sungazer

Steeleye had a ready knowledge of the terror attack spreading across Equestria. He had planned most of them himself. His favorite was still the hotel implosion in Manehatten. Nothing better to sow fear than to have one's own home turned against oneself. He had acquired a marvelous high powered telescope with which he could watch a number of these events occur from the top of one of the Crystal Palace's many towers. The mushroom cloud of rising smoke from Canterlot in particular was a beautiful sight to him. If even the capital city of Equestria wasn't safe, then was anywhere? The other small scale detonations and fires from various other little 'projects' were simply the cream on the cake. Cadence more than likely didn't know much of any of this was going on, though Steeleye expected she would be pleased. He had strategically planned his projects so that rail lines across Equestria would be effectively nulled for the next month until the damage was repaired. Only the line running between Canterlot and the Crystal Empire was left standing and he had made -completely- sure that he had one of the few working trains left. Those he hadn't been able to totally scrap would still take a while to get running again.

 

He had noticed Queen Chrysalis enter the castle, but he ignored it for now. He was developing a bug spray for her when the time came. Maybe he would keep her as a pet. For a moment longer he watched the crop fires that he had arranged spiralling out of any hopes of control before departing to go see Cadence. It was strange. Despite her insanity, he had sort of taken a liking to her. He had no ambitions to rule himself. It would have made him too much of a target. No, far better to let an easy manipulated and stunning beautiful mare sit on her throne and go along with his business unimpeded. As he thought about her, it occured to him that he -really- might have over done it by poisoning the Apple Family's orchards. They were going to come after him with a vengance for it. Ah well, let them try.

 

So Lt Steeleye Sungazer made his way into the audience chambers right behind a number of severly worried looking higher rank officers. One of their number had cast a spell on the far wall that appeared to be show live images of the various bits of destruction taking place. Steeleye ignored them for the most part. He knew one of them was eventually going to be selected as scapegoat. The poor stallion that was selected to inform Princess Cadence of the attacks was going to be in for a nice surprise for once. Taking his place part of the way down the room, in the allotted place for Lieutenants, he stood at attention, curtly nodding to Chrysalis. Both the bug and Cadence would easily be able to see the flickering magic pictures, and the -very- nervous officers trying to decide how to react.

 

(OOC: This is actually one of the more -mundane- kind of tactics he's used.)

Edited June 28, 2013 by Higurashi

[Pripyat Pony 2,608]

@@Agent505,

 

Chrysalis said, "All I desire is for Equestria to be mine and for Celestia to lie broken on the floor. We seem to share a common wish, so it makes sense for us to work together." She looked over at the pictures showing the destruction.

 

"Impressive, yet, I had an idea to undermine Canterlot," Chrysalis replied. "Random acts of destruction can only go so far. If there are too many, they can work the other way; in other words, make the ponies under attack even more determined to fight against the threat, and actually raise their defensiveness. Much better to perform sneak attacks which increase the paranoia and attack those which none would expect."

 

The Queen sat back in her chair, allowing a smirk to cross her face. "Are you aware, Cadance, of the secure asylum situated underneath the Canterlot Caves?" she asked the Princess. "I discovered it quite by chance when I was scouting out the area, as well you know. There are many dangerously insane patients kept there; what if they were to be unexpectedly released? Celestia wouldn't know what to do. Many are unicorns who use violent dark magic. Perhaps, some of them might even be recruited."

 

Ooc: What Chrysalis says in the second paragraph refers to the way that the UK reacted to the Blitz. So yeah, it does happen.