//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: Dethronement // by cajunbrony25 //------------------------------// The team gathered around a table in the dining room, a map laid out on it. Stencil gave a glance to everypony at the table. “Alright everypony, if we’re going to go off searching for this 8th element, then we need a plan of action. Here’s what I propose we do.” He laid his hoof on the map at where their current location was. “We’re in Hoofington and, for all we know, it could be on the dictator’s list of cities to target. But we can’t be sure, and whatever the case, we don’t have a lot of time to prepare.” Aero took charge of the map reading, taking a quill in his maw and marking about the map. “If this dictator wants to watch certain parts of Equestria, then he would need large camps of troops watching them. The best vantage point would be here,” He pointed at the map. A hill, close to Manehatten, on the road between it and Canterlot. Luna nodded; the area had a quarry nearby - easily fortifiable and at a key position. “Here,” Aero continued, circling a cloud bank between Fillydelphia and Canterlot. Another key position, it could be used for a rest-stop for pegasi troops. “And here,” he circled Las Pegasus, a long-standing mining town with many smelteries and minerals for the taking. If he captured it, he would be able to create higher quality materials for his army. “If he establishes bases in these locations, it will certainly make our trip a lot harder, but I would guess he doesn’t know anything about the 8th element.” Luna nodded “I doubt he has, he believes he already won, his trophies are the mane six and my sister, we can be sure he knows not of our plan.” Aero nodded as he turned to Stencil. “What next Stencil?” The unicorn paused, pulling another map of Hoofington out and placing it atop the Equestrian map. “Ok, first we need to know where this eighth element is, so Aero, you and Alnna do some research at the library and see if any books mention anything about the element. Rather if it’s myths, legends, or actual facts.” He then turned to Ceremina, “Cermina and I will look for supplies and other helpful materials for us on this journey, we’re going to have to restock on food and medical supplies, as well as some camping gear. Landcastra’s troops will stay off our backs if we look like a bunch of civilians camping.” He gave a slight glance to Luna, thinking of a way for her to stay behind without hurting her feelings. “As for you Luna, you need to stay here and lay low. Don’t go near the windows, stay away from the door, don’t speak to anypony and don’t let anypony in. You being here is a great risk, that’s a given, but if we’re found out, then it will be a whole lot of hurt for all of us, and who knows what Landcastra will do to us if he finds us. We don’t want him to know we’re doing this, nor that Luna is here, so you’re going to have to make sure nopony comes in.” Luna nodded. “I understand Sir Stencil. I will do my best to keep to the shadows.” Cermina scratched her chin skeptically. “Comrade, vhat if ve have to face challenge, I doubt dere vill be easy trip ahead, ve need armour and veapons for ponies like you, yah?” Cermina asked as she looked over the map. “You’re right… but I don’t think we can easily get armour and weapons, especially here in Hoofington. It’d be suspicious if we walked up to an armoury and asked for some...” he paused, “Actually… perhaps that might work.” “How?” Cermina asked, tapping her chin. “My father was a Sergeant Major, so I’m sure if I go in… impersonating him, they might buy it, but I run a very big risk of being court-martialed for falsifying information.” He sighed a bit as Luna smirked. “Couldn’t Luna just write ‘em a letter sayin’ we have permission to take those weapons there?” Alnna asked. The room was silent for a moment as everypony thought about this. “It wouldn’t likely be a good idea, Alnna,” said Stencil finally, “We really shouldn’t give any hint that the Princess is involved in this. If the military caught wind that one of the Princesses herself is authorizing random ponies to get arms from the army, there could be a major disturbance that could alert Landcastra’s forces.” “Perhaps I may yet be of service to you, Sir Stencil, your father was appointed as my own personal guard. That merit carries weight within the guard and I would be more than happy to vouch on the ‘late-officer’s behalf to allow you to gain entry. I can make it seem to be less recent than it is, that should work to alleviate suspicion.” She levitated a quill and scroll to her, suddenly scribbling something down. “Perhaps their Princess wishes to organize some surplus, maybe any items, in a time such as this, should be stored for safety to be used when necessary.” She finished scrolling the scroll, sealing it with a magical stamp as she handed it to Stencil. “This should avoid any question Sir Stencil, or should I say, Shattered Comet. If you wish, I could cast a spell to allow you to look like your father.” Stencil blinked. “Ah, that would be… useful… I guess,” he said slowly, adjusting his glasses. “Whatever the case, if we can at least find the supplies of food and water, I’m sure what stock is left in my cart would be sufficient for any journey and we can certainly find more provisions along the way.” Stencil looked at Aero, who was studying the map, “what's next is finding the quickest and least noticeable way out of this city. Any ideas, Aero?” The Pegasus nodded. “If we need to pass through the West End of Hoofington, we can stay close to the shrubbery surrounding the city. Then we can stay low there if Landcastra’s soldiers arrive ahead of when we hope. We might need to be ready for a fight though, if this guy is going around conquering things, we can be certain ponies will already be starting to flee, and of course, the wild beasts of the woods may decide to attack us. Hopefully you can get us enough weapons to defend ourselves, Stencil.” Aero said, his voice cautious. Cermina just laughed. “There is no need to find veapon for me, I have these,” she smiled wickedly, showing off her sharpened claws and her muscles. Stencil just shook his head. “Ok, you all know your duties, lets get to it! Try to meet back here as soon as possible, the more time we spend out there the more likely it is that his troops will arrive, and arrest us for hoarding the princess he’s looking for.” Having settled their plans, they all set to preparing for the job at hand. -- Aero and Alnna were the first to leave, gingerly making their way to Hoofington Library, one of the largest in all of Equestria. If they needed an ancient book, then it would either be in the Canterlot Archives, or here. The front of the Library was a stunning picture to behold; a pair of Pegasus guard statues, stood at attention at the front of the building. The stonework of the library itself was fantastic, with scenes depicting the rise of the celestial sisters, even the recent reformation of Luna were all etched along the top banisters of the exterior. As the couple walked in, they couldn’t help but be awed by the sheer scale of the library; it was nothing like the libraries in most other cities. Rows upon rows of bookshelves, several floors high, stretched nearly the whole breadth of the building, stocked to the brim with books. The skylight from above provided ample light, even with the grey haze of the sky above. As Aero approached the front desk, Alnna looked about at the sweeping architecture. “Good morning!” Aero said cheerfully, “Could you help us find a book?” The librarian glanced at him with a quirked brow. “This is the Hoofington library son, I’m sure we’ve got the book you need... what's the subject? “Something about the elements of harmony, please.” Aero asked. The librarian nodded. “Equestrian Legends and Lore. Second floor, first right.” “Legends and Lore?” Alnna asked as she trotted over “but… the elements are real!” “I know that, sweetheart, but the old catalogues haven’t been changed in years, they still say the Elements are mere legend, but many of our materials do show that they are real and active.” the librarian sighed, “Still, if you’re really interested in such ancient stuff, ya’ll could try the Encyclopedia Archives, but they are off limits to everypony but students and scholars.” “Well... we’re students!” Aero said abruptly “we’re working on a school project!” Alnna blinked as the librarian looked at Aero. “You look a tad old to be fillies n’colts, hun, y’all trying to pull my leg?” “N-no, not at all!” Aero protested “I mean, how else could I be with this cute little mare, eh?” Alnna blushed as the librarian passed her a glance, the mare smiled as she looked over back to Aero. “Well... I dunno.” she turned about, rummaging for something in her desk before drawing out a key attached to a feather. “If ya’ll need it, then. But bring it back, and no foolishness in them archives, the scholars who tend to it will be quite upset if ya’ll do. Archives are over that way.” “Thank you kindly, miss!” Aero said, yanking the key and flying off. Alnna bowed in respect and trotted off behind him. “Ah… younguns are gettin’ bigger each day...” the librarian said as she went back to reading her own book. Aero flew off to a high balcony, one that had several rows of bookshelves. As he investigated the upper floor, he noticed that the farther he went along the older the books seemed to be. Finally he arrived at a door, a door that was old and appeared to be falling apart. Aero looked at the key. It wasn’t modern at all. He put the key in the lock and turned it, the tumblers and moving the latch. Cautiously the pegasus opened the door and peeked inside. “Hello?” Aero said as he looked left and right, “Anypony here?” he said, his voice almost a whisper as he opened the door a bit more and went inside. Trotting inward, Aero felt a bit of uneasiness about this place; he had never been in such a massive room before; much bigger than the bank he had been in with Stencil on his last adventure. This however was different; there was an ominous feeling about this place, being filled with so many ancient and mysterious volumes from past ages. Alnna finally caught up with him. “Ya’ll rushing off like crazy Aero. Why’re y’all be in such a hurry to get that there book?” “Well...” Aero began,“I wasn’t too sure about the Librarian falling for the story, so once I got the key, I got away before she could ask any more questions.” Alnna giggled. “Well, at least she didn’t ask us to show some student ID. ‘Woulda been a might big mess if she did.” Aero gazed about. “Sure is big inside here.” He muttered, somewhat taken aback by the room’s size. “Yeah...” Alnna replied “Big places tend to be where we go. At least there were no ghosts this time around.” Aero huffed, he wished Alnna hadn’t mentioned that, Aero didn’t like ghosts. As Aero looked around, he neglected to look ahead of him as he bumped into a stack of books, causing a loud crash as they all tumbled over, creating a cloud of dust. He sneezed as he looked at one of the books that fell before him. “Look!” Alnna exclaimed, pointing to a shelf behind the the pile of books had been, “That looks like a section on The Elements.” They trotted up to the bookshelf to investigate. Sure enough, they spotted a book titled, “The Truth of the Elements of Harmony.” Aero continued looking at other titles. “The secret truth behind the Elements, by...” the authors name was illegible. Aero looked at it with a smile and grabbed it with his mouth. “Goh ih!” he called with a muffled voice as Alnna trotted over. Aero feeling quite proud of his discovery as they turned towards the door. At the door, he gave the book to his wife, as she put it in her saddle bag. She opened the door, only to hear loud voices approaching from down below. Armoured in black and red, several intimidating soldiers trotted into the Library, each one brandishing a sickly sword as they entered into the main hall, glancing around the near empty library as the leading on one, donning a very impressive armour of the same colour, trotted forward, tossed his cape aside as his eyes glowed. The stallion kept every piece of his coat covered. Even his head was coved by a helmet, Alnna noticed a bit of long blond hair sticking out from the the back of his helmet “Ah...such a wonderful place...” he began, slowly trotting up towards the main desk before addressing the librarian. “My dear, I bring wonderful news from our new ruler, Lord Landcastra. He has ordered us to take all the elderly to him! You are hereby placed in our custody.” He smirked as one of Landcastra’s guards trotted over, suddenly grabbing the mare and pulling at the old librarian, who merely resisted. “I don’t care who y’all are, but y’all can’t come in like this, commanding me to surrender my library! Are y’all completely mad?” “Mad?” the stallion laughed, “no, on the contrary. Lord Landcastra has opened my eyes to the beauty of his reign and I am simply a humble servant who goes about his bidding.” he gave a wicked, twisted smile. “Do not resist, or you will suffer the consequences! Now Come with us!” The mare sat down where she was “Ah ain't movin’ an inch!Y’all are outta your mind! Celestia will hear about this, that’s for damn sure!” The stallion smirked...his eyes flashing a hateful glare “The princess....is currently indisposed and no longer fit to rule her realm. Lord Landcastra has dubbed me his right hoof to his ruling throne, and it is my sworn duty to carry out his demands.” He turned to the soldier next to him. “Corporal...this mare refuses to obey the Law of Landcastra. See to it she is punished for her insolence!” A younger-looking guard approached him. “But Sir!” he answered, “Lord Lacastra has requested no harm come to the captives, we cannot abide by that ord-” “I gave you an order Corporal! Do as I say or you will face not only my wrath, but Landcastra’s as well. He said to crush any resistance, and this mare is resisting! Do as I say, or else!” The Corporal nodded and approached the mare, levitating his sword out from its sheath. The librarian stood defiantly against her attacker. A moment of hesitation passed before the stallion finally shouted. “DO IT!” The Corporal thrust his blade into the connection of the mare’s foreleg and chest. She let out a loud gasp as she fell to the floor crying out in pain. The Corporal slowly pulled his blade out of the mares body, as the cloaked stallion ordered two guards to take her away. The Corporal stared at the blood-coated sword and shook his head as the stallion patted him on the back. “Good work... Sargent!” The he laughed and looked at the newly promoted sergeant as the soldier frowned. “Lord Landcastra will not be pleased… Take her away!” “Oh pish posh, a single nick to her leg won’t do her much harm anyway.” he sneered “Besides, its a message to the others who might think about refusing Lord Landcastra’s rule.” “But sir....no harm was-” “ENOUGH!” The Stallion barked “I had prompted you to Sargent, you should be thanking me, do not dally on such little details!” “Yes sir. Thank you... Lieutenant Blueblood.” The stallion began to trot out of the Library, for a second he stopped and turned around to the guards with another wicked grin. “Oh… I almost forgot. Burn the library to the ground. Burn it to ash. Make these ponies know what happens to those who refuse our master’s rule. These books would certainly prove useful tools against our new king… make sure nopony has a chance to use them.” “Y’all can't!” the librarian shouted as she was dragged away “Ya’ll can’t take em away, There’s precious pieces in this library that are ancient!” “All the more reason to destroy it, we wouldn’t want any pony to just go about finding a means to stop our king now, would we?” he smirked and trotted out the front doors. The unicorns of the guards nodded and approached a bookshelf. Kneeling down, they started to light a fire with their horns. The bookshelf went up in flames and began spreading quickly as hundreds of volumes began igniting. “Alnna, we need to get out of here now!” he shouted. The fire soon spread to the balcony, creating a wall of flame blocking the only way off of it. The couple looked around desperately to find another way they could get out. Aero noticed that on the ground floor, a few bookshelves weren’t on fire yet. He gulped as he devised a desperate plan. “Alnna, let me get onto your back, I’ll get us outta here!” Alnna was skeptical. “Shug, Ah know ah helped ya get stronger, but there ain't no way ya’ll can carry me outta here!” Aero looked in her eyes. “Trust me! You’ll see!” Alnna sighed. This really wasn’t the time to be testing new muscles, but she put faith in her husband as she let him hold onto her back. “Now run forward, and jump from shelf to shelf! I’ll handle the flying,” he said as Alnna nodded, running forward and making a big jump. As she jumped, Aero opened his wings to try and glide forward. By a stroke of sheer luck they landed on top of a book case that wasn’t yet on fire. As it wobbled, Alnna tried to time her next jump just right to get to the next on. “Hold on!” She shouted, jumping forward again as Aero spread his wings to glide once more. The duo kept at this for a while, finally reaching the end of the bookcases right in front of an ornate stained glass window. “Where to now, sugh?” Alnna asked, turning to see the fire slowly creeping towards them. She fidgeted on her hooves as Aero looked about. “Gotta be another way… There’s gotta be another way!” he exclaimed, looking all around until he looked over at the window. “Can you break that?” Aero asked. “What, are ya’ll mad?!” Alnna huffed, looking at the stained glassed. “Ain't gonna be able to break it with hooves alone sugh, those kinda windows are tough n’solid.” Aero looked around, just as his eyes caught the glint of a large chandelier hanging from the ceiling, its lights flickering as its massive frame swayed above the flames. His eyes followed the chain holding onto to be at the wall just to their left. He lifted off Alnna, knowing what he had to do. “Sugh, what y'all doin!?” She asked “Saving our lives!” Aero shouted “trust me!” He glided above the flames, the fire licking at his wings, before he landed at the other end, the bookshelves already catching fire as he studied the latch where the chain was attached. Fortunately for him, it was one large pin, and with a swift buck, the whole chain came lose just as the chandelier swung forward, right at Alnna. “Look out!” Aero called as the mare ducked quickly, letting the large ornate wheel fly right past her and smash through the window. “C’mon!” Aero shouted, landing back atop Alnna. “One final leap of faith!” She jumped and Aero spread his wings as they flew for a few moments before the sudden weight of Alnna began to sag Aero’s glide. He managed to steer them over to a safe place above the sidewalk before they both collapsed to the ground. Alnna breathed a sighed of relief, then checked to see if the book was alright. Lucky for them, it was safe in her saddle bag. Aero’s legs where shaking; he was starting to breathe quickly. “Let’s never do that again...” He moaned. Alnna couldn’t help but give a small giggle. “C’mon, we better go.” Alnna said, taking Aero by the scruff of his mane and tugging him off toward the apartment. -- “Yes… yes… YES!” Blueblood shouted “Burn… burn to the ground, you wretched library...your books shall no longer keep a word against our king!” As the fire raged, a sudden gust of wind began to rush through the city, causing the fire to flare up within the stone building just as the sound of heavy wing beats echoed from behind. “Prince Blueblood, when I had asked you to recover all the elderly from the major cities of Equestria, I did not ask to conduct any book burning just yet. That, my dear prince, is a treat to be savoured... when the majesty can witness it.” Landcastra’s chuckle struck a wicked edge as he looked down at Blueblood, a look of anger and fury in his eyes. “Now don’t let me catch you doing something like this again Blueblood.” he scolded in a condescending tone. His horn glowed a forest green as he seem to magically gripped Blueblood by the horn, his grin growing a little wider as Blueblood screamed, falling to the ground. “Please, stop! I’m sorry!” Blueblood pleaded. The navy blue alicorn laughed loudly, as if he had been told a joke. “I know you are, Lieutenant. I’m not quite angry with you.” Still in pain, Blueblood looked up to his lord and asked, “T-then why are you doing this to me?!” He let out another shriek of pain, as if his horn and been ripped right off. He looked at his head, to find his horn still on his head. Landcastra bared his incisors in a twisted mirror of a smile, grinding his magic further into the Prince’s horn. Finally, he let the Prince go, then turned around, teleporting back to his new throne room. -- Celestia was chained to the wall. As soon as Landcastra arrived she began staring him down, but he only laughed as he approached her. “Oh Celestia, you do look lovely in chains. and even more so in pain. You make a nice trophy indeed.” Celestia remained silent. “Your students make very nice trophies as well. Surely you know by now I haven't killed them, but even so, some of them will likely find death more desirable... especially miss Rarity, she was a nice one indeed.” He laughed again. Celestia gasped. “How dare you!! You are the most-” “Silence! Your country belongs to me now! Everything you once had belongs to me! You only live because I allow it! And soon, the entire world will belong to me! ” He approached her and swiped his hoof firmly across her maw. He laughed as loud as he could as Celestia pushed herself tighter against the wall, whimpering to herself. “Luna...please do not fail.” -- Aero and Alnna bolted back to the penthouse as fast as their hooves would let them. In a slight moment of panic Aero ran in and slammed the door after allowing his wife in before him. “They're here! They just burned down the library, and they're probably looking for us right now!” Aero was panting heavily, his eyes were twitching, his heart was pounding almost audibly. Alnna sighed and approached the pegasus and gave him a firm smack. Aero fell to the floor and shook his head. He took a deep breath and said, “Thank you, Alnna. I needed that.” “Any time, shug.” She replied. Luna passed a strange look to the couple, “I am confused with your wife’s methods of calming you, Sir Aerohead. A strike like that would infuriate most stallions.” Aero took a deep breath. “We don’t have time for that right now. That dicator you told us about, he sent troops over here and they are taking over the city. Me and Alnna just barely escaped the library before it burned down.” Luna looked at the couple in shock. “Thou art sure that these were Landcastra’s troops?” “Yes, they mentioned him by name,” said Aero. Luna sighed as she paced back and forth. “We must leave the city at once, but where are your other friends?” she asked. “No idea, shug. Stencil and Cermina are hard fellas to catch.” Alnna replied “Then we shall wait for them to return and-” “Open up in the name of Landcastra!!” a booming voice interrupted from outside the door. The trio looked at each other in horror. “No pony’s home. Knock the door down,” said one of the voices. Suddenly they began to worry when Alnna had an idea, “Oh Aero! Yes, shug! s-so big ya are!” Alnna started to pant and take deep breaths of excitement. “Oh, Aero! OH, AERO!” Alnna started shouting his name as he and luna looked at her with their mouths open and eyes wide. “Sir, I don’t think we should enter this home yet.” “Move to the next one.” the sergeant commanded. Alnna and the rest sighed a breath of relief. “That was too close.” Alnna said to them, Aero and Luna were still staring with their mouths open. Alnna gave a little giggle. “Oh c’mon, shug. Wasn't like they was gonna barge in on us doin’ the do,” Alnna said. Luna sighed as Aero broke into a big grin, to which Alnna replied with a wink. “That is enough, we have bought ourselves some time, but for now we will wait for your friends,” said Luna. -- While his friends were receiving their information, Stencil and Cermina were conducting the daring task of standing in line at the grocery store. The number of ponies ahead of them was a concerning factor to how long this insanity would take, but for a stallion and dragon, it was as simple as a mare who couldn’t get the right number of bits. “Dis is insane...” Cermina whispered as she stood next to Stencil, her figure slightly covered by a cloak so as not to not raise a panic. “I know...but what can we do, the express line is just worse... I mean, how often do you see two ponies arguing about who has the least amount of stuff...” Cermina huffed. “I know, dat be the stupidest thing-” “Attention Citizens!” came an unsettling, almost robotic tone as several black and red armour clad ponies trotted into the store. “By the new order of Landcastra, you are all hereby commanded to surrender to his will and rule. Those who oppose shall be dealt with… severely.” Stencil blinked, shocked that Landcastra had already gotten his forces here; he certainly had much more influence on his operations than he had first thought. “Dis is not good...” Cermina muttered as she looked at the ponies around her, “Come, lets find a back vay out.” she said, slowly tugging the cart as Stencil could see two stallions, the ones arguing in the express line, starting to argue with the unknown stallions. “What… what do you mean?” one called out as everypony looked amongst themselves, muttering uncertainty. “Your grand Celestia has been dethroned, and the reign of Landcastra is now in effect.” he grinned. “All elderly shall be taken with us, anypony who refuses shall be dealt with severely. “What! You can’t do that!” somepony shouted as the guards began to snicker. “And what do you think you can do to stop us?” he said, slowly trotting over as the other stallions seemed to almost falter in fear. “I’m not afraid of you, you ain't going anywhere with the elder stallions or mares!” a trio of stallions barked. “We heard your lord’s stupid speech, and no pony shall ever overthrow Celestia! We won’t let you get away with it.” The captain smirked. “We’d like to see you try then,” he looked at the stallion with malicious eyes, “Guards... silence them!” The guards rushed into the group of ponies without a second’s hesitation or care. “Dis not good at all comrade! Ve must make our escape!” Cermina exclaimed, grabbing Stencil and pulling the cart as fast as she could away from the sudden cuffle as ponies and evil guards began to run all over the place. Stencil nodded “Yeah, but how? I wonder if there’s a back exit to this place.” Cermina huffed, “let me check...” she said, slowly easing herself up and onto one of the aisle’s shelves, keeping herself a low profile. Of course, that was tricky to begin with, but the fact the guard ponies weren’t too keen on looking upwards, she had an unhindered view of the chaos before her. Mares and stallions were being shoved aside as the elderly were taken. Why this Landcastra was doing such a thing made little sense. Cermina had assumed that most villains would vie for the young fillies, as they would be impressionable and easy to mold. Elderly were old and frail, little use for them, but perhaps some sick, twisted means shall befall them from the mind of this insane pony. Her attention turned to a door marked “staff only” near the far wall, some distance from where they were currently hiding. The drakess grinned, leaping down beside Stencil, to the stallion’s surprise; he nearly jumped out into the open. “Relax comrade,” she said with a grin “There is hope for us, staff-only door on far wall/” she pointed it out. “Ve can make break for that and get out through there.” Stencil grumbled. “That would take us into the open. The center aisle is big and wide; they’ll see us sneaking across it.” “Not if ve distract them first!” Cermina whispered with a glint in her eye. Stencil had learned that, whenever she had a glint like that, it always involved something being broken, or worse, somepony being hurt. “I’m assuming you’re going to make some sort of commotion, and then what? Lead the guards on a wild goose-chase around the city?” Cermina gave a low growl, “No, but I had thought of dat, I vas thinking someting a bit more low-key.” “Low key? What do you mean by that?” Cermna grinned, “Just start making vay to doorway, I vill get your exit strategy vorking!” and without a moment’s notice, she lept back atop the aisle shelving, leaving Stencil groaning as he started to trot towards the far door she had pointed out. The stallion groaned, slowly pulling his way down the shelves as he closed his eyes, nearing ever closer to the wide gap between the two columns of goods on either side of the store, the moment he did, he knew he’d be spotted as he paused, inhaled, and slowly trotted out. “Well, well. What have we here?” spoke a sinister, brash sounding voice. Stencil stopped, turning to see a small group of guards, all wearing the same red and black armour, with the leader sporting a golden trim around his shoulders and helmet, covering his face, aside from a pure, white horn and blue eyes from behind the helmet. “Seems we have a straggler trying to make an escape, do we? Hmm, it is certainly not a wise thing to simply try and avoid the guards of Lord Landcastra. Were you thinking of running out like the rest of the lot who thought they could stop us?” He approached Stencil, showing his size to be slightly larger than the medic. “Oh, n-no. I was j-just on my way to the cashier when I heard the commotion. I, er, don’t mean any trouble for you,” Stencil said, not too sure if he would be able to win a fight. He would not have the upper hoof against three pony guards and their captain. “Hmm, yes, well a simple pony such as yourself would not do well interfering with the vision of Lord Landcastra, his rule has been realised all across Equestria, and all those who wish not to void their existence in this world shall follow suit and embrace him.” He looked down at Stencil, “Now, kneel before me, so that you may live to revel in the new world of Lord Landcastra!” Stencil sighed, looking at this guard. Something about his voice was odd, but he wouldn’t dare drop to his knees for a crackpot like Landcastra. He looked away, not caring what the guard might do. “I wouldn’t dream of bowing to some lunatic like that,” he said, looking back at the guard with determination, “What kind of kind and benevolent ruler would take the sick and elderly away like that? Or why would he overthrow another ruler of the throne by force? No... No king of mine would do such an act, only a monster and a brute.” The guard leader leaned forward, putting his helm close to Stencil’s forehead. “Watch your tongue, colt,” He spat the word into Stencil’s face, “or you will find yourself laid to waste along with the other ruffians who dared to try before you.” Stencil grumbled. “I would rather die than submit to somepony’s rule who will only bring pain and suffering...I saw that broadcast...no pony, no normal pony would dare be able to vanquish Celestia.” The guard simply laughed. “Haha, but you see you impudent foal, Landcastra is no normal pony, he is an alicorn! And he is far stronger than Celestia will ever be! All ponies will bow to Landcastra - you will see! You don’t have a prayer… and such words as you say now could be counted a treason. Wouldn’t you agree gentlecolts?” The guards all started to approach Stencil. “By order of Landcastra, I, Prince Blueblood, deem you a traitor to the crown!” he smirked. “Arrest hi-!” His words were cut short by a blow to the head, then again, then a third time as the whipping noise continued. “What in-” the Captain said as he turned to see the shelves suddenly tumbling over one another like dominos, with the closest one to him suddenly lurching forward. The Prince gave a shrill scream before it crushed him to the floor. Blueblood lay pressed beneath the heavy food-laden wooden shelving unit of the store as he squirmed. His armour had protected him from the brunt of the impact, but also kept him pinned to the floor. “What happened, what's going on?” he shouted from under the shelf, “Where did that whelp go? Guards, after him!” Other guards pinned down with Blueblood attempted to free themselves, but the combined weight of almost four other shelves laid atop their own, keeping them firmly pressed underneath the mass of wood. Cermina leapt atop it with a resounding thud, followed by groans of pain from below. “Dis is vhat I mean by low key!” she said as she quickly landed before Stencil. “Come comrade, ve leave dis place now!” she said, grabbing the stallion in her arms and tugging him and the cart right out the staff door. “Vell, dere goes dat option.” Cermina muttered as she looked back at the store, sighing as she settled Stencil down with the cart and stretched her arms. “They moved a lot faster than we first thought.” Stencil replied. “Their armour is tougher too, almost like dragon scales; surviving fall of wooden store-shelves and not being squish makes dere armour very resilient.” “Meaning it could probably take a lot of punishment. This Landcastra certainly knows how to equip his troops. The royal guards would never be given such heavy armour.” “Do they not wear their armour for show?” Stencil rolled his eyes, “More or less...” he muttered as he started to trot on towards Aero and Alnna’s penthouse. “I think Luna will want to know Landcastra’s got troops here already. We’re going to have to push our schedule tighter to get out of this place before they start busting down doors,” he muttered as they walked along the street as Cermina huffed, pulling the cloak closer to her form. Already Landcastra’s troops had begun their patrols of the streets and banners of his imperial symbol were unfurled on the larger buildings. Stencil felt more and more uneasy. It was as though a grand war had came and went, leaving his home devastated. He had to fight back the growing rage in his gut; he wouldn’t stand for this, but what could he and his friends do now? As they walked down another block, the penthouse came into view, an imperial banner strung down its side. “You have got to be kidding me,” Stencil muttered as they entered, seeing guards already positioned at either end and frightened civilians attempting to move about their business. “Halt!” one guard said as he stepped in front of the duo. “That’s quite a large assortment of goods there.” he said as he eyed their cart. “Well… uh, my friend here.” he stammered, “She’s pregnant, and well, you know how mares are when they have a foal on the way right?” The guard looked at Stencil with a faceless expression, tilting his head to the side dispassionately. “I guess...” “Always eating!” Stencil yammered on as he pushed closer to the guard, “They can’t help themselves, that’s why they get fat with their foal... because they’re feeding two ponies, not just one!” The guard shuffled in place, a bit uneasy with this strange stallion, as Cermina slipped by, going for an elevator that had just opened. “Y-yes. I guess so...” the guard nodded. “Now, if you’re quite done...” Stencil added, “I must be on my way, she had already demanded I bring her this food. If she finds out its not there, she might come down here and gobble you up!” The guard rolled his eyes, letting Stencil by. “Of course,” he said ironically, “Go right ahead!” Stencil soon arrived at the penthouse door where Cermina was waiting. He opened it slowly. “H-hello?” he said as he slipped in, Cermina keeping up the rear as they closed the door quickly behind them once the cart and its two bearers made it inside. “Anypony home?” “Ah... Stencil, Cermina!” Luna said, trotting towards them, “how wonderful to see you both back safe and sound.” “Thank you, your majesty.” Stencil said, bowing as Cermina just stood behind him with a smirk. “It’s getting worse out there,” the stallion said, standing again, “Landcastra has already moved his troops into the city, and what’s more, Prince Blueblood is with them! We have to get out of here much sooner or he might find us.” Worry showed on Luna’s face. “I am uncertain if we can speed up our process to make an early departure.And art thou certain that my nephew Blueblood is truly corrupted to this fiend?” Stencil looked about. “He confronted me at the store, and was close to capturing me.” “Capturing you?” Luna shouted in surprise, causing both Alnna and Aero to pop into the room. “What the hell?” Alnna asked as she trotted over. “I refused to bow to Blueblood when he demand me to. Saying that I was against Landcastra’s reign, and, well... he called it treason.” The stallion looked at Cermina. “Had she not brought her escape plan into effect, we might have had a big fight on our hands, one I know would have not ended well.” Luna sighed, turning the window. “So he has become worse. His corruption has spread. It breaks my heart to see my nephew turn into such a monster.” Stencil huffed. “He’s a coward. To think he was once sought highly by the guard, now he’s nothing more than a spoiled brat.” The princess smiled, slowly walking over to the stallion and embracing him. “You are a brave pony, and I am glad you were able to escape. But your actions could lead to more danger Stencil. We must tread carefully.” “I know,” the stallion replied, “Which only makes the matter of leaving more pressing.” Luna nodded. “But how?” “The sewers.” Aerohead said as he trotted in. “The sewers?” Luna said in surprise “Whatever do you mean by the sewers?” Aero smirked, “In all my travels over Equestria, one of the biggest things I learned was that most ponies tend to do is look up, not down. But even when they do look down, they still don’t know what's beneath their hooves.” He grinned, “And these guards are no exception; if Blueblood is leading them about, he would never dare to climb down into a sewer.” “He would avoid them like the plague,” Stencil added “Aero, you’re a genius!” Alnna smiled. “Ya’ll think so too huh? He’s been flippin’ through maps all day since ya’ll left.” “The sewers are fine.” Cermina muttered, “but how vill ve get cart out of city?” Stencil thought a moment. “She’s got a point. I doubt it would fit down through the narrow sewer grates.” “Perhaps we can separate, and then meet in the outskirts of the city?” Luna suggested, “I know that the guards wouldn’t be holding ponies they were not meant to take hostage back in the city; they are seeking the elderly, not the young and fit. They would let you go by.” “Not vithout checking...” Cermina added “Dey v’ould check cart top to bottom... v’e can't hide her in dere.” “Then perhaps ah can offer a suggestion,” Alnna began as the group all looked at her. -- “Halt!” called a guard as Stencil and Alnna approached. The pair had been pulling the cart through the city without difficulty, but now, with the gateway to the outskirts just ahead, they had encountered a checkpoint filled with guards of Landcastra. “Is there a problem, sir?” Stencil began as the two of them looked over the guard. “Standard procedures, all carts are to be checked,” the guard continued, “any elderly ponies you may have with you shall be taken.” “Wha-?” Alnna asked, “Why’s that?” The guard huffed. “Landcastra’s orders. It would be wise not to question them. Now then, would you kindly unhook from the cart and allow us to search.” Stencil nodded, as did Alnna, as they unmounted from the cart and stepped aside, following the guards inside as they began to rummage about the place. The dim light was uncomfortable and made it quite difficult to see, but the guards paid no heed as they searched back and forth, eventually coming to the far end where three doors, two on the right and one of the left, impeded them. “You!” the guard said to Stencil, “Open these doors!” “W-what?” Stencil asked. “I said open them! We need to check inside.” “B-but, there’s nothing-” The guard stomped over. “Open them....now!” he said as Stencil nodded and opened the first door, revealing a little study. One guard stepped inside, looked around, and then exited. “Clear!” “The next one,” said the leader as Stencil opened, exposing a bathroom. “Clear!” Stencil hesitated with the last door. “Open it you runt, or you will be brought in for questioning.” The stallion gulped and nodded as he opened it, exposing a rather modestly sized library of books as two guards entered, checked, and exited. “Clear!” “Very good...” the lead guard said as he turned to Stencil. “You’re clear to pass...” They left without a word as Stencil and Alnna trotted outside, hooked back onto the cart, and then began their trip to freedom. -- Below their hooves, however, their friends were not having such an easy time. “Ugh, such filth!” Luna protested, “As wise as it was to have me venture here, I may have wished to brought better garments to cover my hide,” she groaned as Cermina and Aero kept close to her, the pair navigating by the light of the Princess’ horn as they made their way through twists and turns. “Not too far now,”Aero said, studying the map, “Just one more fork in the tunnel then it’s straight to the lake nearby!” Cermina hissed “I... hate...vater...” she muttered as Luna looked at her. “Why is that, dragon?” said Luna. “I... cannot swim,” Cermina grumbled reluctantly, “Good at fighting, not at good swimming.” Luna chuckled a bit “oh, ‘tis such a trifle of a thing!” “Is not trifle!” Cermina barked, “Is insulting! But as fire drake, ve have natural veakness to vater.” “Oh, then you better not fall in here, thou would certainly be out of thine element.” “You mock me?” the drakess bristled. Luna smiled. “I tease, Miss Cermina; do not fret.” The drakess huffed a plume of smoke from her nostrils, turning away from Luna as she crossed her arms. “Perhaps you like it if I throw you in lake, see how Nightime pony finds vater vhen she can’t swim.” “And what makest thou think we cannot swim?” Cermina smirked. “Because you not buoyant, you not got figure to swim.” Luna blinked, taken aback. “Thou art calling me fat?” Cermina just chuckled “Perhaps I am, Pudgy Princess!” Luna gasped. “Thou shalt take that back at once!” she demanded, pointing a hoof at Cermina in fury. “Make me… Princess Fluffy Butt!” Cermina retorted as Luna stomped over to her. “We dare say we shall!” “Enough! Will you both shut it! ” Aero barked. “Geez! You really think it’s the time for this!? Come on, we have to get out of here before we’re all caught and quartered, now shut up!” The stallion turned and trotted onwards. Cermina and Luna both blinked in surprise before looking at eachother with dagger eyes. “Dis not over...” Cermina muttered. “Thou art right, ‘tis far from over!” Luna replied as they walked off, side by side. Stencil and Alnna stood by the lake where the canal of the Hoofington sewer exited into Lake Hoofington. The pair had long since arrived and Stencil already had set a blanket out with tea and some sandwiches he had prepared. “What's taking them so long?” he muttered as Alnna sat upon the mat, gingerly nibbling away at a sandwich. “Give ‘em time, sugh, Aero knows what he’s doin’. Ah’m sure they're fine, considering he’s got two power-house gals with ‘im.” She smirked Stencil smirked, “Heh, sometimes I wonder how he could handle those two by himself.” “Ah’m sure he’ll be fine,” Alnna chuckled. Stencil paused, suddenly hearing hoof-falls echoed from the tunnel as Aerohead appeared, leading the group. Then he noticed how Luna and Cermina both seemed in a dark mood. The pair looked away from one another, heads uplifted as they exit the tunnel. “Ah, salvation! We are free of this foul place.” Luna said as she trotted from the outlet of the sewers and shook herself free of the tunnel’s moisture. “I never thought such a place would be one I would visit, but, as it has been said, desperate times call for desperate measures.” she shot an icy glance at Cermina. “And the moment was indeed desperate for us to spend our time in such company.” The drakess hissed, glaring back at Luna. “You think is funny! Ve save your butt and you think nothing of it.” “Nay miss Drake, I did not say anything of it.” She looked at Cermina crossly. “Only that thy company is not… becoming and willing to be accepted for the moment.” Cermina huffed “Vell then miss Fluffy Butt, v’hy don’t ve pick up vere ve left off vith you being fat!” “You dare call me fat, again?” the Princess exclaimed. “I call you fat, and to prove it -” she suddenly gripped Luna by the side and hauled the alicorn over her head. Luna was stupefied. “Unhand me you brute!” she managed to scream, flailing her legs as she was carried over to the lake, and then... “Cermina!” Stencil barked just as the drakess threw the Princess into the water. Luna yelped, splashing about. “Help, oh help! We cannot swim!” Cermina just stood there grinning as Stencil suddenly began to rush towards her. “Cermina, have you gone mad?” he shouted as the drakess scoffed, holding him back. “Princess, vhy don’t you calm down and stand for a moment.” “Stand?” Luna hollered, still thrashing about. “The waters are above our head! How shall we ever be able to stand when-” she paused, suddenly feeling her hooves touch the soft mud beneath her. The drakess grinned wider. “See comrades, she can float!” Luna fumed. “Oh, ha ha, thou insolent beast! Thou hast yet to see thy share of this conflict.” “Any time then… comrade!” Cermina sneered. The alicorn and the drakess glared at each other as Stencil shook his head. “Enough!” he finally shouted, “We’ve got to go now anyway! The more you two bicker, the less time we have to stay ahead of the troops. Now come on, Cermina, Your Majesty, we’ve got to go.” The group finally continued their march beyond the city, two of them more angrily than the others.