open Against the Crown RP [dark/betrayal]

[Drago Ryder 639]

Tempest smirked slightly at the strange pony that had called them all here, and nodded slightly. "I came here for a reason, and I intend to see it through till the end." He said, his voice turning serious. The bat pony would kill any who crossed him, and would do so without a penchant of mercy.

 

Xena smirked, as he took control of Tempest's body. He then glanced at the raven pony. "I may not know exactly what you are yet, but I will fight for what for what I believe in. I have seen my brethren die by Celestias' hoof, and I will avenge them." The aura beast said. The only way one could tell that he was in control was the change in Tempest's voice.

[Convergence 83]

Radiance's body was fighting against her, trying to slow her down, to stop trying. She ignored the painful protests of her body, and forced herself to think clearly. "Just like my training." Radiance cringed, and resisted the urge to vomit. She had promised herself that she would no longer think of those days. 

 

The blue pegasus caught her off guard, she wasn't expecting someone so quickly. "Although she probably won't be of much use to me, babbling on like that." That is when Radiance saw five ponies, 2 pegasi and three earth ponies that looked as if they would confront her. She sighed in relief, "Whew no magic. Can't fight, not like this. Appearances Radiance, appearances." She turned to the mayor's secretary and whispered in harsh tone, "Shut up Ice Breaker, you fool! Do not look scared. Help the recruit walk," she motioned to the pony struggling to keep up.

 

Radiance stopped, and whistled. The sudden outburst shot a bolt of pain through her head. She ignored it, and called "Anivia, to me." Within seconds, a Black shape could be seen in the sky, flying towards Radiance at an alarming speed. The falcon came to a gentle landing on Radiance's shoulder pauldron. It looked at Radiance's face and cocked her head.  Radiance spoke loudly, loud enough for the five ponies to hear, "Message them." The falcon swiftly took off and flew at top speed towards the castle with a shrill call. "There is no message attached. Hopefully they will figure out there is trouble. Anivia is rather persistent."

 

A wave of light erupted from Radiance's horn. She hid how much she had to exert herself to accomplish such a task. She turned to face the five ponies. She addressed them in her diplomatic tone. "Is there anything you need? I fear I cannot provide assistance to you at this time. I am far too busy at the moment. If it is an emergency, please contact either the mayor or anypony within the castle."

Edited May 16, 2014 by Golden Shield

[Torrent505 370]

 

The slow in Radiance's pace had allowed the pegasus to catch up though he was now currently vomiting next to the unicorn mare. Ice Breaker went to the unicorn recruit's side, her flank toward Radiance and the advancing ponies. "Are you all right? What's happened?" She asked the recruit.

 

The mare was clearly having difficulties, she was swaying and squeezed her eyes shut as she stared to speak seeming to try and will away the possibility of puking. Ice put a hoof on her back to help steady her as she started to speak, "I-I, uh don't know. We were tipsy from drinking and the commander came over told-" she paused to visibly swallow, "told us to-"

 

Ice Breaker didn't give any warning signs or even utter a word to draw attention to herself, she merely bucked backwards as hard as she could at Radiance's head. She hoped to merely knock the Commander Strategist out with a single unexpected blow, but she knew even if she missed this fight would not last long. She allowed for the momentum and imbalance following the buck to carry and her body started to fall; her forehooves shifted, the one on the recruits back slid to her neck and the other tripped her. As Ice breaker landed on the ground she drove the already impaired unicorn mare's face into the cobblestone.

 

The five other ponies took this as their sign for action and charged.

Edited May 16, 2014 by Torrent505

[Convergence 83]

Radiance always made a point of keeping all ponies in her line of sight, and tonight was no different. It was not something Radiance thought was going to happen, but expect the worst and you will never be disappointed. Out of the corner of her eye, Radiance saw a blur of motion and a pair of hooves flying towards her head. She did not hesitate, her horn instantly lit up as she summoned her massive golden tower shield between her and the hooves. She braced herself as she attempted to throw the shield with all her might against he incoming hooves. Admittedly, she could not thrust the shield nearly as hard as she wanted, but the sheer weight of the shield combined with momentum of the hooves would surely at least bring a lot of pain. "Im going to need to be more cunning to win this."

 

Radiance's whole intent was to bring as much pain as possible to the pegasus. To sprain an ankle, to slow it down, to briefly stun her with pain. Anything that would make the pegasus vulnerable for a split second, that would be all Radiance would need.

 

While assessing the situation, Radiance forced herself to conjure a map of Canterlot in her mind. There was a sewer grate not too far from here, about a block and a half. If she could find a narrow alleyway to run through, she just might be able to make it in time.

[Scribblegroove 565]

When 'the Raven' broke the silence in the room, Merdyn jumped up a little, surprised by the sudden voice coming from an unmoving... beak. It was certainly something to get used to. As he listened he looked from the Raven, to Lady, to the glass of champagne. To the avian figure a little suspisciously, but intrigued. To lady, with a strange feeling in his chest and a frustrated voice in his head. To the glass with the eye of a pony who didn't trust anyone or anything very quickly...

 

However, seeing as the other's also to a sip, it wouldn't mind for him to drink as well would it? Or perhaps...  "A magically activated poison? Perhaps a serum that forces you to tell the truth? One that slows you down? Perhaps... every single one of those..." He had to take precautions, and he had just the trick for that. Always come prepared, that's what he had thought when he had brought a vial of magical neutralisation serum with him. It was one of his own concoctions. He brought out the tiny vial with his left hoof subtly, pretending to put away his pipe. He brought it to his mouth quickly, making it look like he scratched his chin from under his hood, and took a sip of the tiny vial, putting half it's contents in his mouth. He then put the vial back in it's place. It might have looked suspicious, but none of them would suspect he took serum like that.

 

He then made sure the substance reached every corner of his mouth, covering every inch of it. It tasted like water, and had the substance of water. What it in fact did was turn any liquid it came in contact with into water, thus successfully compromising any poisons, and also removing it from most major magical compounds. It would be purely water. It was a shame really, because it also turned the great champagne into water, which he wouldn't get to taste...

 

He raised his glass with a glowing horn. "Fine then... Cheers." He said slightly grumpily. He didn't enjoy drinking substances given by ponies who dressed themselves as avian creatures, no matter how eloquent they were. He looked at lady. "To a great alliance, which may last for a long time..." He added with a slightly more giving tone.

[Torrent505 370]

Ice Breaker had expected to kick the metal of Radiance's ceremonial armor but was caught off guard when the metal not only had no give but was shoving back! She was smart though and didn't try to brace against it, instead she let her legs fully extend and allowed the force to push her. She and the recruit she was slamming into the pavement went sprawling away from Radiance.

 

The unicorn mare was now unconscious from Ice Breakers attack and also beyond Radiance's shielding spell; the other last recruit the Pegasus stallion cried out, "Hope! Get off her!" and made to stumble towards Ice. He only made it a few steps beyond the protective spell before he collapsed. Ice untangled herself from the mare smirked at the stallion on the ground and took to the air, favoring her right hind leg a little as she bounded into the sky.

 

The five advancing ponies had taken advantage of the distraction and were just about to striking range. The biggest earth pony bowling straight at Radiance with the two others somewhat faster dashed left and right of him to attack her sides, the pegasus thugs copied their movements above them slightly faster they would strike first.

 

In the sky above the magical light show ended and two unicorn thugs moved from the mouth of the alley to join their comrades.

[Convergence 83]

Ice Breaker had more battle knowledge than Radiance thought. She did not allow herself to go full force into the shield, she was able to escape unscathed. Radiance readied herself, and saw the five ponies, plus Ice Breaker, in almost striking distant poised for an attack. She poised herself for action, trying to find an escape, to trick or how to injure one of her attackers. What Radiance saw instead were her recruits unconscious and most likely soon to die. Although her outer complexion showed no signs, a tear jerked Radiance's eye, "what have I become? I will save you, the only way I know how." 

 

Radiance's horn lit up as she began to channel magic through her aching, sluggish body. Simultaneously, a wave of light crashed out from her horn, her tower shield disappeared into thin air, and her shimmering steel longsword appeared in its place. Radiance crouched slightly as she buried the longsword deep into the earth. A ring of white light expanded from the sword and consumed the ground near Radiance. 

 

Radiance forced herself to look away from her sword and at her attackers. Her voice, even though no louder than it was before, rang through the sky in a powerful, commanding, yet soothing boom. Her laugh, a harmonious, deep harmony, echoed through the sky. "Your boss needs me far greater than I expected. All he has to offer is a poison that is easily countered, and a group of lackeys that need to team up in order to confront a weakened, poisoned pony. You all should be ashamed that you cannot deal with me in my current state alone."

 

"How easily could I have maimed Ice Breaker with a thrust of my sword instead of a shield? She was careless, and I could have used that to kill her. But I didn't. I didn't because I mean you no harm. Yet you have the blood of my stallions, my ponies, innocent ponies, on your hooves. If your boss wanted me dead, I would no longer be breathing. The fact that I am still alive means he still wants to meet me."

 

Radiance removed her sword from the dirt, as the ring of light faded away. "So now, listen to me and listen well. I will not repeat myself. You will give whatever aide is necessary to the recruits. You will cure the poison. And you will let them live. If you do that, I will allow you to peacefully escort me to where you will. If not," Radiance flipped the sword and placed its edge on her throat, "I will spill my own blood right now. Stand down, cure the recruits now, or you will have to answer as to why I am dead and why you have failed your master. I doubt he is one to take failure lightly."

 

------

Anivia, flying high in the sky towards some destination she was unsure of suddenly felt uneasy. She was given the command to message a pony, which pony she was unsure of and there was obviously no message attached to her leg. She circled back to where she had flown away from Radiance. Even from this distance, the telescopic eyes of Anivia the falcon could make out little dots that where Radiance, the recruits and the foes. A small circle of light encircled one dot. 

 

Anivia was able to recognize the light as Radiance's at once. The prospect of a message was pushed out of her mind, as she responded to this new command. Using the darkness of the night, trees and buildings she came closer to Radiance and the others while remaining hidden. Silently she watched from a distance that she could see clearly, yet anypony would have difficulty even just making out shapes. Anivia waited for what was to happen.

Edited May 17, 2014 by Golden Shield

[Torrent505 370]

The group of thugs did stop just short of the gold circle, weary of it being some type of spell. It was enough for them to wait and listen to her speech. Ice Breaker, who had been climbing up into the sky to wait for an opening and dive bomb Radiance, now drifted back down.

 

"Wait," she said and the thugs simply spread out circling Radiance completely and remaining tensed.

 

Ice's voice was crisp and somewhat stern but at the same time pleasant, "I'm glad you're open to negotiating surrender, but your position isn't as good as you think. Our employer thinks you're worth more alive than dead, that's true. But not if it risks our operations."

 

She let out a sigh and gestured to the recruits, "they are potential risks, you involved them too much. I don't have the authority to guarantee they're safety or even their survival from the poison. We'll have our hoofs full enough trying to cure you... Simple fact is some of them are probably too far gone already and trying to help them will only slow your recovery and make it less likely any will survive."

 

She now landed on the cobblestone herself and held up a hoof, "But I'll make you a counter offer, we'll take those two." She motioned to the recruits that had managed to stay with Radiance. "They're the most likely to survive still because you help them right? Well you're not helping them now and each second you waste will only decrease they're chances. You agree to my terms they at least get treatment and our employer decides if they live. It's the best I can offer I'm afraid."

 

She reached into a small bag around her neck and pulled out a black and sliver ring, "my terms are this: you put this little baby on your horn; it's a magic inhibitor so your shield goes out and your less dangerous to us. Then we help you into that alley there, the poison should take a stronger effect and you'll wake up in comfy bed begin treated... The recruits will be there getting treated too."

 

She held out the ring in her hoof to Radiance, "do you agree to my terms?"

[Convergence 83]

Radiance stared into the eyes of Ice Breaker. "Definitely more than meets the eye. What is her story?" Weighing options, Radiance swiftly decided the best course of action. "It is not a surrender as I was never against  you in the first place. If you recall, I have been merely defending myself, never attacking even though the opportunities arose. These soldiers are mine. They are not a liability if I say they are not a liability. The greater liability here is you and these henchmen, but I can help with that."

 

Radiance glided her longsword across her neck and into the open air, where it twirled then stabbed deep into the earth. A yellow light exuded from the sword and obscured Radiance for a fraction of a second. When the light faded the sword had disappeared. A very keen eye might have noticed Radiance's armour seem to glow slightly brighter or the studded rubies twinkle slightly more often. However, the change was minuscule. 

 

"very well. These two recruits cured I can agree with. As well as your terms. However, I will not be dishonoured by being castrated. I am not putting that ring on my horn. As I have said, I have had the opportunity to harm you, and have not. I pose you no threat and I will cancel my shield allowing the poison to take over. The poison has exhausted me, and will soon get worse, how much of a threat do you really think I could be if I did want to? I have one last condition, nopony, including you, lays a hoof on me without my permission." 

 

((oh, enchanted armour. What would an elite Royal Guard Strategist be without enchanted armour? Torrent, I will note you details on the enchantment, and we can come to an agreement about the power.)) 

[Torrent505 370]

 

Ice Breaker smirked and shook her head, "Radiance you've seemed to have mistaken me for some common curbside vendor, so understand when I say I don't have the liberty to haggle and you really don't have the time for it, not if you want to save them." Her very gained an edge and harshness to it, "I gave you my best offer first because expediency is key to fulfill my end of the agreement. If your not against us you've got nothing to fear from the ring, you already betrayed our trust by walking out, so the ring is just a necessary precaution. I can assure you that any ponies under my command will not lay a hoof on you but again I can't speak for my employer or anypony I have no command over."

 

The unicorns had arrived and stood to either side of her, "Now the next words out of your mouth really do need to be accepting or declining because if you try to change it again there won't be any recruits left to save. Please take the ring put it on, save their lives; my final offer."

[Convergence 83]

Radiance tilted her head back and laughed. "I have your word then, your promise? Fine, I will play along. I warn you, do not lie to me and tell me now if you have already lied. I will forgive you if you are honest." Slowly Radiance levitated the ring from Ice Breaker's hoof and allowed to slide onto her horn. She felt a part of her mind vanish, leaving a hungry void. Radiance almost wanted them to test her patience.

[Tricksters Pride 100]

Patience

@@Torrent505, 

 

At the Raven's words Patience looked to the drink and sighed before picking it up and raising it in cheers to them and downing it quickly. Though afterwards she placed her glass on the table and made a face at it, clearly not fond of the taste, and patiently waited for the others to finish with their words... Particularly Everlast, who received her careful attention. *'Heh, clever play on words there Everlast, one might thank that you where referencing the condition of your actual heard. I'm more inclined to see it as a subtle way to express your interest and Bones here merely backs up my conclusion... I think that i'll be seeing a substantial increase in my pay grade with all the business offers likely to occur nowadays. Good, i like bits well enough.'* And as the mayor left Patience quietly spoke up with. "Careful on your way home Sir, i'd much prefer to see your good heart continue to watch over our city and if you had a heart attack then i wouldn't have the pleasure of receiving that privilege."

 

Though after the mayor left she returned her attention to the Raven and calmly stated in a manner that was purely business. "I ain't worth the poison anyway, there's cheaper ways to get rid of a merk. Nor did i know that it was rude, where i'm from its tradition to wait for your betters to drink before you do and i'm the least important one here. You offered a contract and i'll see it through as i always do, otherwise i wouldn't be here now would i?... That said your welcome to share your drink or mine but i'd really prefer my own, champagne always left a bad taste in the back of my throat for some reason and i apologize for any unintentional insult delivered through my misconceptions..."

[Torrent505 370]

 

The ring on Radiance's horn began to change, it gave off a slight burning sensation as it shifted and conformed to her horn and the black and silver pattern seemed to squirm into new shapes the black slowly lightened and changed to match the color of Radiance's magic aura. As this was happening Ice Breaker was nodding, "you haven't done much business with me before, my word is as good as gold in this city. Though as I said, all my agreements here could be undone by my employer, once you meet him you'll have to convince him but at least you'll get that chance."

 

She looked up stared giving orders "you two grab the stallion recruit," she ordered the pegasus "you get the mare," she said to the largest earth pony, and then finally to the unicorns flanking her, "take care of the mess by the door."

 

The she turned back to Radiance "with your permission these two," she gestured at the two earth ponies on either side of Radiance, "will be escorting you inside. Best that they be able to catch you if you fall now." She turned and started at a fast trot back into the alleyway as the other scrambled to their tasks. Gathering up the fallen recruits they quickly moved to follow her. While the two earth ponies merely looked at Radiance and raised their eyebrows questioningly.

[Drago Ryder 639]

Tempest took over his body, and smirked. "Sorry about that. That was my... associate. He doesn't really show himself, but he knows a spell that allows one to communicate through a different being." He said, before turning his attention back to the raven pony. "Now, what exactly is your plan for taking down one of the most powerful ponies alive?"

[Demirari 454]

Cryptical Code listened silently as he nodded to what Tempest Sol had said. To undermine what would be one of the strongest political figure in Equestria would be a challenging task. In Cryptical Code's eyes, it'll take at least years to slowly chip away at the foundation… to let the house crumble so to speak. That might be the reason for this large gathering of what could be important figures, the departed mayor being an example.

[Torrent505 370]

@Lady @Demirari @Scribblegroove @Marathon @AnonBrony @Tricksters Pride

 

The Raven stared at Bone Breaker for a moment and made a long drawn out "hmmm" in it's emotionless tone. "Yes that's acceptable."

 

It kept it's head cocked as it listened to Patience, then turned back it's empty lenses staring at her, "you should not under estimate yourself, it's something everyone in this room should try to understand. I consider each and everyone of you to be equals in my eyes; that's why when Radiance, the princess' strategist commander, tried to meet privately with me instead of coming to the table, I refused her. Then when she continued to think herself better than all of you by deciding to walk out I had her poisoned and sent out into the night."

 

"Currently my stallions should be picking her up and she will be getting her private meeting though I doubt it will be as she had hoped... Even with command of Equestria's forces she is less than any of you because you all are now my friends. My friendship makes all of you equals as well because allying with me levels all playing fields, so do try to remain my friends."

 

The Raven moved on to face Tempest, and accepting the silence of the other ponies as committing to the groups cause. "Unfortunately Tempest, I am not much of a planner or grand schemer; I am well informed, well funded and well connected but taking down such an opponent requires more than my mind has to offer, more I believe than any single pony's mind can offer. That is why I have gathered all of you; so that we may decide how best to deal with her whether it be death or dishonor, subtle or forceful. It truly is too bad Radiance was so rude to us but after our meeting later I am confident you all will be able to rely on her as well."

 

"While I don't have a plan as you might of hoped, I do have the assurance that our task is possible. Celestia is weaker than she has ever been while she has ruled; she has no sister at her side, the publics faith in her is shaken, all responsibilities of the country fall solely on her and a rebel army hides in the Everfree forest using her former castle to wage civil war. But more damning than any of that is a secret she has only shared with three other ponies, the secret that the elements of harmony now reject her as a wielder... This is what made her loyal grand commander rebel against her and split the royal guard, it has shaken her own confidence in her right to rule."

 

"Beyond that I have more information that will be useful in our planning. Knowledge of those close to her, of those in the rebel army, of the strongest mages and wizards in the land, of those with key resources and access to forbidden knowledge. So Tempest I turn the question back to you and everypony else at this table: what is the plan? How do you best take down the most powerful pony alive?"

[Demirari 454]

@@Torrent505,

 

Cryptical Code again nodded her head before speaking, his mind had made a couple of plans, "We could undermine Celestia's position even more, use the public against her. To cause," Cryptical Code adjusted his fedora, "desperation. Desperation is a powerful tool to the wise, it can make ponies do what they normally won't do."

 

Cryptical Code paused a little bit, "Eventually, ponies would be looking for other alternatives to the current regime. They'll seek out the unlikeliest option and pursuit the option." Then Cryptical Code ended at that. He speaks from experience of course, having forged some situations that caused extreme desperation… or change. From there, in Cryptical Code's mind, is to corrupt the ruling elite and cause disasters. After all, one pony with a crown is nothing compared to a desperate mob.

 

"To exploit the Civil War and maybe even collapse the economy." That was of course if things are to go into the extreme. If the Civil War gets too out of hooves, the better it is in his eyes.

[Convergence 83]

Radiance eyed Ice Breaker. "it is time to change tactics, from fierce and strong to the little puppy who tricks his master into giving it treats." "Of course Ice Breaker, your promise can be easily over-ruled by your boss. After all, someponies are wolves and some are ducks. You will have to forgive me, I seem to have trouble trusting those who actively practice deceit."

 

Radiance was then hit by a brick wall, the world around her twisted and turned, the ground began to shake, her muscles wobbled and her mind ached and wrenched as if it were a tennis ball. Radiance fought back the urge to collapse and vomit. She had not realized quite how forgone the poison had made her without the protection of the shield. "Stay awake damn it. Don't fall Don't fall Don't fall"

 

"Go on, lead. Move! I will walk until I am consumed."

[Torrent505 370]

@Lady @Demirari @Scribblegroove @Marathon @AnonBrony @Tricksters Pride

 

@Demirari

 

The quill floating before Bone Breaker was scribbling wildly over it's parchment. But his deep voice spoke out, "desperation is good but do you really think turning this city into a battle ground makes sense? Think of the horsepower we would loose from the confrontation, the damage we would come to power needing to repair, the civilian life lost; add bankrupting the country to that do you think other nations won't take notice? The Griffin Kingdom and Saddle Arabia are most certainly already watching Equestria; we do want there to be a kingdom to rule when this is over. If we do too much damage we could lose everything."

 

He shifted to writing on a fresh piece of parchment, "If Oath Taker knows Celestia can use the elements why hasn't he spread the word? Think how many more ponies would lose faith and join his rebels; it has to be because fear of the elements is keeping outside forces out of Equestria. You won't have our backing if you rock the boat so much it tips, Equestria is better off under Celestia's hoof than beneath griffon talons."

[Demirari 454]

@@Torrent505,

 

"That is the extreme," Cryptical Code replied as he adjusted his tie, "desperation comes in many forms. We'll just need to 'convince the populace' enough for the government to break into more pieces, it is still too united with only two factions."

 

Cryptical Code raised his head, "If this group is to gain power, it is to exploit the current public opinion even more. Fabrication of lies, back them up with examples. We'll use the Civil War to create hysteria, to influence ponies. War exhaustion would take its toll, and we'll use the public against the others."

 

To corrupt both sides and let them weaken each other to a point where exhaustion would take its toll. Not too much to create weakness to let foreigners to invade, just enough got ponies to look for other options. So many choices, and so little time and only one choice.

[AnonBrony 1,467]

@@Demirari, @@Torrent505,

 

 

Dorado wasn't much of a big schemer; he wasn't exactly a mastermind. However, he wasn't dumb either. He came to this meeting and decided to join this little covert revolution with only one major goal in mind: to establish his family as the new rulers. He wasn't sure if he can accomplish this goal, but he at least wanted his family to gain a higher position of power. That was why he didn't really like the quiet one's plan of desperation causing the ponies to overthrow Celestia, at least in it's current form. "No hay suficiente control. Not enough control over what happens. Too open ended." Dorado spoke. "We do not want chaos and we do not want too much control into the hoofs of the public. I would like if we had more of a say as to what happens to our government... especialmente sobre quién se convierte en nuestro nuevo líder..." the last phrase he mumbled. "If we just gave the ponies desperation, would they not be the ones that do the change? Or does it not matter what happens to our country."

Edited May 19, 2014 by AnonBrony

[Tricksters Pride 100]

Patience

@@AnonBrony, @@Demirari, @@Torrent505,

 

Patience had been sitting quietly and listening to the fedora'd stallion talk over his idea when Dorado interrupted. She honestly thought that he'd been formulating a good plan, cause a bit of controlled chaos and then snap it back into order once you'd obtained power. Of course by this point it was just a rough outline but it had merit. Then Dorado interrupted... Didn't seem like he grasped the plan either so Patience spoke up in support of the fedora'd ones idea. "No i don't think you grasp the whole point of the chaos in question. We'd have control of it, we could shape the change to our wishes and let the public believe that it was their idea... Going to need more in it to make it work but its a decent plan, dethrone Celestia with her own public and embarrass Oath to the point where he loses troops and moral as well as public opinion..... If we could get either side to hire merks to try and maintain control then i'd be able to feed them some old friends that owe me a favor, then whenever we move we'd already own most of their troops. Even more if we can convince some of the guard to back us...... Either way i agree with this idea, we just need to work on the details a bit more so it won't fail on us." She then switched her gaze over to the fedora'd stallion and stated. "Do go on, you make sense."

Edited May 19, 2014 by Tricksters Pride

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

Jade Heart.

 

Jade had been listening on silence during the exchange - she hadn't drunk from the glass yet, though that wasn't something she was specifically avoiding. No, she had simply been keeping her own counsel on matters - listening.

 

"Ahem."

 

She flicked a hoof against the glass in a gentle but form motion, causing a music-like chime to sound out. Repeating this three time, the mare leaned back in her seat in a leisurely pose, lifting the glass telekinetically and taking a drink.

 

They were playing his game now, after all. Best to play by the rules, at least until she knew them. Poison in the wine would be a terrible method of assassination when so many more practical means were available after all.

 

Jade peered around the room from under her cowl.

 

"Might I just say that you are being terribly pessimistic?" She spoke in a soft, sultry tone - twisting the words about as she pronounced them as if savouring how they felt to say. "Politics is a much more subtle game than you propose, if you set the pieces correctly. You seem to want to play only to win..."

 

She but her lower lip gently and smirked - the lower part of her face visible well enough to see clearly.

 

"... I assure you, I play for the pleasure of a flawless victory. Played tactfully, there is no need for an uprising out on the streets. Played tactfully, I do not intend to lose a single piece. In all honesty, I am disappointed that the greatest minds our esteemed benefactor could gather..."

 

She nodded respectfully towards their host.

 

"... jumped to the assumption of war as their first resort, and against possibly the most powerful ruler this nation has ever witnessed as well."

[Demirari 454]

@@AnonBrony, @@Tricksters Pride,

@,

 

Cryptical Code faintly shook his head at that, "The thing about mobs are that they generally follow the leader, they are pressured by acceptance. And like ma'am had said," he briefly nodded to Patience, giving her credit, "that the mob would think it was their idea all along."

 

Then Cryptical Code turned to face what he considered a threat, which he carefully concealed behind his mask, "To go to war is foolish, I agree. But do note that I never stated that we'll go head on against Celestia. We'll weaken the factions, we'll corrupt their heads and anypony that is worth anything to the game."

 

Then Cryptical Code continued after taking a minor break in his speech, "It is too naive to not lose a single piece. Life is chance and chance does not always play by one's favor. My plan which accepts losing pieces for the end, is a suggestion," he emphasized on suggestion, "is to weaken both sides, by drawing their power from them to ours and from the public, to ours, again."

 

Then Cryptical Code took a minor sip from his glass, "Observe. Record. And exploit." Which meant to note their weaknesses. Then exploit those weaknesses to make their strengths mute. Like a small example, a rather good quote: an army can't fight on an empty stomach.

[The Elusive Cinder 1,328]

Jade Heart.

 

"I happen to make a habit of rejecting 'chance' in favour of 'actions' dear. Aim so low, and you will certainly achieve it."

 

The mare smirked.

 

"If - and this is all purely hypothetical, you understand - I was to require a plan to... dispose of our noble leader, it would be one which involved as little damage to my city as possible."

 

She set the glass down firmly - grinning beneath the hood as her eyes sparkled out from the shadows it cast on her face like two green gemstones.

 

"First, we find out new structure to replace the loyalists. A figurehead is important, as well as political figures who bear no love for Celestia: those who can govern in her absence. Like it or not, Equestria will be thrown into disarray without a powerful leader - one whom actually understands politics."

 

She circled a hoof on the desk in an almost playful gesture.

 

"Have you planned thusly ahead? Did you perhaps feel that your commoner uprising could itself govern Canterlot, let alone Equestria? Your plan has substance, but you simply throw lives away by not accounting for details - for writing it with passion over reason."

 

Eyes falling on Dorado, she smiled again.

 

"Yet only this fine stallion here seems to have had the foresight to consider our potential future... I will not destroy my home when other options are available."