Chapter One: The Catalyst
Ponyville, Equestria
March 22, 1004 A.N.M.
It was a beautiful spring day in Ponyville. Celestia’s sun was shining, spring birds were singing, and the local weather team had outdone themselves this time: last night’s shower had left the air crisp and clear, and there was not a cloud in the sky.
I really must compliment Rainbow Dash on a job well done, thought Rarity as she trotted to the Golden Oaks library, having been told to come by a panting Spike. In her not-so humble opinion, it was the perfect day for, say, a picnic. In Rarity’s opinion, such an activity, coming from Twilight Sparkle, was immensely encouraging. The poor dear had largely been cooped up in the library since coming back from the Crystal Empire, and she still hadn’t told anypony about it.
Reaching the massive tree that served as the town’s library, Rarity gave a quick knock, answered shortly by a nervous-looking Spike. “Ah, Spike, so good to see you again,” said Rarity. “May I come in?”
“Yeah, sure,” Spike mumbled distractedly.
Rarity frown at the tone in Spike’s voice, and gave Spike a look of concern. “Spike, what’s wrong? You seem... distracted. Does it have to do with what Twilight called us all here for?” Rarity had a sinking feeling that this was not a get-together for a picnic.
Spike gave an explosive sigh and turned around to face Rarity again. “I’m not entirely sure. I have my suspicions, but... look, it’ll be easier if Twilight explains it, and she’ll be down any minute. Okay?”
Rarity continued to frown, but accepted the wait. “Alright then. I can wait.” Stepping inside, Rarity gave a quick scan of the room, noting with distaste that she was the last to arrive (a lady must be on time, and arriving after Rainbow Dash is hardly on time!). Applejack and Fluttershy were seated at the table in the center at the room, talking softly to each other; Rarity noted that Winona apparently had contracted a minor cold. Rainbow Dash was hovering impatiently near the ceiling, with Pinkie Pie hopping in a circle around Rainbow and chattering incessantly. Rarity turned her ear in their direction.
“- or maybe we’re being recruited by a mysterious organization wearing black suits and sunglasses and carrying memory-wipe wands who try to find aliens and make sure they don’t destroy the planet ‘cause that’d really suck because then there would be no more parties and-”
At that point, Rarity, seeing as Dash was about to explode from frustration, took pity on the pegasus and shut Pinkie up with the simple expedient of a hoof to the mouth. “Pinkie, dear, why don’t you sit at the table. I’m sure Rainbow Dash will remember all your... wonderful ideas.”
“Okey dokey lokey!”. With that, Pinkie dashed over to the table, pulling a cushion from Celestia knows where, and chatting with Fluttershy, Rarity following only moments behind. Rainbow elected to resume her impatient hovering.
Luckily for Rainbow’s temper, Twilight came bounding down the stairs only a few minutes later, clutching a scroll, quill, and several pieces of paper in her telekinetic grip, an excited grin on her face. “Hello, girls, I’m sure you’re wondering why I called you here today.”
The five mares looked at each other in confusion, before Pinkie Pie spoke up, “Oh! Does it have to do with a party?”
Twilight chuckled. “Maybe, once we’re done. Anyway, Princess Celestia just alerted me that the Conversion plan is going to be started in a week, and as the bearers of the Elements of Harmony we need to be prepared to do whatever the princess asks.”
This pronouncement was greeted not with the expected excitement, but with three looks of confusion, two of contemplation, and one of panicked realization. Twilight began to mutter to herself under her breath, “You’ve got to be kidding me, how could the information ministry have missed Ponyville of all places? Probably due to it’s proximity to Canterlot. I know they didn’t run one in Canterlot; everyone knows what Conversion is there. Probably how they missed it on the trips to Canterlot. Oh, when I get my hooves on-”
“Uh, Twilight, ya mind tellin’ us what the hay this ‘Conversion’ is?,” Applejack interrupted.
“Yes, I’m quite sure I’ve never heard of it before,” added Rarity.
“Oh, does it involve-”
“A party?” Applejack deadpanned. Pinkie gave a slight glare at the orange mare.
“Well played, Applejack.”
Before Twilight could answer, Rainbow Dash spoke up, “I remember seeing posters for that up in Cloudsdale. Something about ‘bringing the light of harmony’.”
Twilight grinned, much as a schoolteacher did when a slow student finally got something. “Yes, that’s part of it. You see, Celestia found a species on another world known as humans, and they are in dire need of the magic of friendship. Conversion is the plan to teach them about it, and as the bearers of the Elements of Harmony, we will be playing a prominent part. Princess Celestia said she would be sending me the specifics once Conversion begins. So, how about it?”
The five mares seemed to ponder it, and then gave their answers.
“Yeah, count me in, Twilight!”
“Uh, sure, Sugarcube. Sounds like a great idea.”
“Of course, darling. Not knowing the magic of friendship, of course we should teach them!.”
“A new species! Oh, I wonder what they’re like, if they’re nice.”
“Eeee, this is going to be the biggest party EVAR! I need to go plan! See ya guys later!” With that, Pinkie zipped out of the library, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash following shortly afterward. With that, Twilight went back upstairs. Spike was about to follow when Applejack spoke up. “Okay, Spike, what is ‘Conversion’, really?” Spike raised his finger, trying to deny the idea that he knew anything about Conversion, but Applejack was having none of that. “Don’t try ta deny it. I saw the look on your face when Twilight started talkin’ about Conversion, and ah could feel that she was hidin’ somethin’. So ah’ll ask it again: what is Conversion.”
Spike looked nervously from side to side. “Promise me you won’t tell anyone. I’ve got nothing but suspicions at this point.”
“Don’t worry, ah promise.”
“Pinkie promise!”
Applejack gave Spike a look, then sighed and carried out the pledge. “Cross mah heart, hope ta fly, stick a cupcake in mah eye. There, now can ya tell me?”
Spike sighed. “Alright, but remember, I’ve got nothing concrete. Really, it’s just that whenever Twilight or Celestia talk about Conversion, it’s really secretive and, kinda hurtful, like they believe humans are these bloodthirsty monsters.” Spike paused to let it sink in. “They never said anything outright, but I think Celestia wants to do more than ‘teach the humans the magic of friendship’”, Spike sai, complete with air quotes.
Applejack stood there, shocked but not really surprised. “That is fishy. Maybe we’re bein’ paranoid, maybe not. Either way, ah think ya need to keep an eye on Twilight, just in case.”
Spike nodded. “I can do that. Oh, and a heads up: Conversion begins a week from tomorrow.”
“Thanks Spike, ah’ll prepare for that.” With that, Applejack left to go back to Sweet Apple Acres. Even Applejack, however, would be caught completely off guard once Conversion began.
Canterlot Castle, Equestria
March 29, 1004 A.N.M.
Celestia stood in the center of a massive magic circle, horn glowing with a warm yellow light, her wings spread, eyes bright with power, and power rolling off the sun princess in waves. This was easily the most complicated spell she had cast yet. Hay, it wasn’t even one spell, it was two, either one of which would have been nigh-impossible for anypony but an alicorn to cast; casting them in tandem was taxing on even Celestia’s abilities.
The 68 years since Celestia had conceived her plan had been simply constructing the spells. One was a wide-area dimensional transfer spell; that one was largely a question of power. By far the more complicated spell was the barrier spell; it needed to eventually cover a whole planet, break down any artificial, non-magical constructs, advance steadily at a walking pace, and be damn near impenetrable. Complicated and power-intensive. So, Celestia had allowed herself several hours of careful spellcasting, timing the actual casting to fall on the spring equinox for that little boost.
And so Celestia began to cast, chanting and pacing along preset paths. The execution of the spell was flawless.
Unfortunately, the original formula wasn’t.
Celestia, for all her power, was not the more skilled spellcaster; Luna had a far better grasp of the intricacies of magic theory. And it was this fact that betrayed her. One misrounded number. That’s all it took. Celestia barely even had time to notice before the massive feedback knocked her out.
The barrier had just reached the outer edges of Equestria when the dimensional transfer was initiated just a little too soon. With the barrier still unstable, the interaction compressed and then released the barrier’s energy from a single center. In other words, a country-spanning shockwave centered around Canterlot. Canterlot was practically demolished; nearly all the rest of Equestria looked like it had been slammed by a Category 5 hurricane. All except for one city...
The Crystal Empire, Equestria
March 29, 1004 A.N.M.
Cadence stood in the chamber of the Crystal Heart, using the artifact to power a shield spell similar to the one that had kept Sombra out. Celestia had, some months previously, told Cadence of the Conversion plan, and Cadence, privately, did not trust it at all. There had been no love or compassion in Celestia when she had relayed the plan to Cadence. And when she took control of the Crystal Empire she was determined to keep neutral in the coming conflict. The shield she had thrown up was insurance, in case something went wrong. This proved to be a wise choice when the shockwave hit.
The impact of the shockwave drove Cadence to her knees as she struggled to keep the shield up. Luckily, this far from Canterlot the shockwave was much weaker, and the shield held, Shining Armor rushing down shortly after the shockwave subsided.
“Cadence, honey, are you all right?” he asked frantically.
“I’m... I’m fine, Shiny. Just, give me a moment,” Cadence replied as she hauled herself to her hooves. Shining Armor, meanwhile, simply stared out into the frozen wastes surrounding the Crystal Empire.
“What happened here?”
“I don’t know, Shiny. But I know that it cannot be good for Equestria.” Cadence’s features hardened, making a face that Shining Armor had sported on multiple occasions. It was an expression of command. “Shining Armor, prepare a contingent of guards for overland travel as soon as possible tomorrow. I need to know what happened, and whether we need to help.”
Shining nodded. “I will. And don’t worry. I’m sure Twilight will be all right.”
Cadence said nothing for several minutes, before turning to walk to bed. As she did, she whispered “I hope you’re right, Shiny. I hope you’re right.