A.K. Yearling's Heedless Almanac

by Vis-a-Viscera

Preface/Entry 1: Prince Toxic Haze

Preface:

Where.

Do I.

Begin.

Well, perhaps with a name and reason for writing. I am A.K. Yearling. And apparently, I (and you) are in a newer, nastier hel Equestria.

I shudder to think of what happens if this book (or I) fall into our new ruler's hooves.

Regardless, this almanac must start somewhere, and getting you a bead on Equestria’s new mal mismanagement is necessary. If only to honor the true ruler of Equestria. And her memory, wherever the rest of her may lay.

Something must survive to showcase what nightmares have transpired. And unlike many other stories I have had written before of daring escapades, these events can never repeat. Equestria will not survive such a tragedy again, not while remaining Equestria.

And especially not its next generation, after I’m getting distracted already. This must be kept neutral, to help with acceptance. You may continue reading.

(Some names have been redacted to protect the innocent.)

---

To… (Prince) Toxic Haze, then.

Relevant History: Changelings are not an unknown presence to me, even before Canterlot’s incident (well, the one involving Princess Cadance.) Their ability to blend in within the pony populace near-seamlessly is so game-changing, many of the Royal Guard was specially trained to identify their tells. I believe that training has spread to the staff and stewards of the Crystal Empire* as well.

That so many of their powers draw from the affection and desire of the very ponies they infiltrate could make all of Equestria their oyster, if they so choose. I fear (and these two words do not come from me often; let their presence underline the gravity of the situati coup) the changelings may have gotten their wish.

The irony of this current situation is... much of the initial insight into the current status of the changelings comes from a drone herself – an intruder into Ponyville named Gympis. She is… green, and not just on the carapace. But from firsthoof chatterin confessions from her, I have learned three facts about (Prince) Haze:

1) That (Prince) Toxic Haze (uncorroborated, will amend later if needed) was possibly an outcast before recruitment into the (Equestrian) Queen’s confidence,
2) That the changeling is not directly affiliated with, and may well be opposed to, Chrysalis' hive, and
3) That I am not the only investigator into (Prince) Toxic Haze’s intentions and movements; apparently those within the hive - or at least Chrysalis’ are not in consensus over his role in recent developments.

More will be written on this development as it progresses.

Regardless, his positioning as head of the Royal Guard is the focus of the profile here, as it is his largest sphere of influence besides the Queen herself.

The Royal Guard, in laymare’s ter to summarize for you, is a multi-tiered brigade of armored ponies sworn to protect the throne and fulfill royal duties if the rulers of an Equestrian region aren't available. In particular, Canterlot has three sectors of the guard – a general wing, that attends to the regular ceremonies and conflicts within Canterlot, and personal honor guards for the ex-Princesses Luna and the deceased Celestia. Each section has a commander that leads them, who then report to the ruler/head of their province.

Currently, the general wing of Canterlot's Royal Guard is headed by Iron Standard, a veteran of the division appointed by Prince Shining Armor before his move to the Crystal Empire. Flash Sentry was the (former) head of Celestia’s honor guard, and Luna’s has had no former leader – allegedly due to her guilt over still commanding ponies after her conduct as her alias when possessed by Nightmare Moon.

It seems, however, that (Prince) Toxic Haze has been assigned as the head of all three wings, despite their continued separation. The Queen has foregone her own guard; apparently the (Princes) Haze and Shroud’s presence suffice for her protection, as well as Princess Da (I apologize; I am not in the right headspace to speak of that one objectively as of current. More will be written on her later.)

This means that, despite the takeover the Queen has inflic initiated upon Equestria, some of the underlying chains of command remain intact. It is mostly the heads and rank-and-file being replaced; several of the most prominent middlemares (and stallions) are untouched (though that is becoming an increasingly subjective term recently.)

My departure from Ponyville has offered one final insight; the (Prince) Toxic Haze does bring backup when the Queen is not immediately available. Apparently, Flash Sentry has been tasked with pulling his royal chariot. Not normally a feat done by a single Guard, but it seems this has been changed as well. I have kept out of sight from both.

Personal Notes: (Prince) Toxic Haze, from current accounts, is the most aggressive and abrasive of the Queen’s personal consorts.

Expletives flow from him like spectra from Rainbow Falls. He is enough of an egotist to proclaim his malicious intent for ponies and far-too-often obliged insistences for his associates to share in his depravities. And his apparent shared heritage with unicorns has not tempered his interactions with ponykind; if anything, it seems to afford him more avenues of cruelty in his attempts to make playthings out of them.

A full appraisal of his atrocities is not currently available**, but from what Mayor Mare has received from Celestia before her horrif untimely demise, he is at least personally responsible for the brutal incapacitation and/or demise of several members of the Royal Guard, as well as Surprise of the Wonderbolts. What is known is that invocation of the Donneigh Party Doctrine*** has been enforced in regards to the latest Ponyville tragedy he participated in, a testament to the depths of the loss and cruelty witnessed there.

The conduct of (Prince) Toxic Haze has also extended towards the selection of who was released from Canterlot’s cells following the establishment of the first doctrine by the Queen, effectively setting free more than 55% of Canterlot’s penal population and redirecting most punishments of minor and major crimes to be personally handled by herself, any she appoints, and/or the Royal Guard in Canterlot, in order of priority.

For beyond the emancipation of the two Royal Guards conspiring with the new Princess, the first parolee approved by (Prince) Toxic Haze himself was a member (now Commnader) of what was once Luna’s honor guard, particularly known for her aggression and predation upon all but foals and fillies. An entry will be devoted to this new Commander, ‘Hel Gaulle’, once enough time has transpired to gauge whether those tendencies have been tempered by her incarceration.

Abilities: As a half-unicorn, half-changeling, (Prince) Toxic Haze has both species’ talents at his disposal. He can transform into anypony he can see at will. This allows for infiltration into any ranks he pleases, if not the natural abilities of those he shapeshifts into. However, he apparently prefer the powers his original form grants him, as well as the magic from his horn.

From reports on the C.O.D. for Braeburn and Apple Fritter, he also possesses a toxic mist ability. The Queen and (Prince) Shroud have enough power to fight comfortably at long range, so it is likely the changeling who employs it. Reports hypothesize it to be a green-tinted, paralyzing liquid-gaseous agent, of which initial studies**** believe is an exhalation weapon, due to unique particle spread. It can incapacitate normal-sized ponies within seconds. Acidity of the mist has caused second-degree burns on fur and tissue within the first seconds of exposure.

He also has more stable buoyancy when flying, due to his unique wing-structure; it follows a bat-like spread instead of the insectoid latticing typical to normal changelings. This allows for more stable aerial movement, and more protection of his midsection when enclosed.

Most recently, he has a magical artifact on his neck at all times, apparently gifted to him by the Queen herself. It is tailored towards aligning other life-forms’ neuro-chemical impulses with his own transformative flames, allowing his shapeshifting to subvert detection even further should he get in contact with the being he transforms into beforehoof. Credit goes to Ponyville-appointed Royal Guard Spearhead for noticing this medallion's magical configuration during his encounter with (Prince) Toxic Haze in the wake of the mass r Ponyville Massacre.

This should be enough to cover (Prince) Toxic Haze. To you, I close with this; keep a constant – and hopefully distant – eye on him at all times. He relishes in his insanity, and in driving other ponies to that brink before destroying them. Despite her likely role in Prince Blueblood’s demise, I firmly believe even Chrysalis has nothing on this (and I use this next term sparingly as well) monster among mares.

Field Notes:

1.1. After several weeks off the radar, the griffin-impersonating thief known as Viscera has been spotted in Equestria. She is as belligerent and insensitive as ever – however, her exposure to the events of the last two days have sparked some new… apprec sympathetic edges to her. It is also not her M.O. to needlessly flay others when she is detected. In terms of threats to Equestria, Viscera seems to be in remission, if still maddeningly avaricious.
1.2. Despite my suspicions around leaving Viscera unattended in Ponyville, I must do so temporarily to find out the full capacity and origin of the Equilixir artifacts embedded within her, inaugural Cloudsdale Mayor Rappid Fires, and changeling investigator Gympis. At a minimum, Rappid's inclination towards justice will be a counterbalance to Viscera, should her more... unsavory habits resurface.
1.3. Updates on Canterlot and Ponyville’s deterio status are needed. Normal lines of communication are compromised. Getting on the Queen’s radar is a fast track to death and defilement – in that order, if lucky. Have conferred with Dr. Hooves and Sapphire Shores to that end. The process is impending.
1.4. Must find alternate means of travel. My stopover in Canterlot before the move home relayed any further solo fliers from Ponyville can be used as target practice by the Royal Guards to alleviate boredom.
1.4.1. Gained confirmation of 1.4s insight from overheard reports from the Royal Guards in Cinnamon Chai’s Tea Shop. The original clue-in to this new practice, however, came from Commander Hel, while she was steering (Prince) Shroud to Ponyville (was not detected by either.) This does not bode well in terms of her rehabilitation.
1.5. Update on the uncorrupted Elements of Harmony: Pinkie Pie and her parents Mr. Carrot Cake and Mrs. Cup Cake have paid for counseling for Fluttershy by motivational speaker Iron Will; Fluttershy has apparently not left her house since the reports on the theft of the Alicorn Amulet; Applejack is reportedly inconsolable but can still be seen around Ponyville; and Rarity has closed Carousel Boutique for three days in memory of her lost sister. Regardless, Rarity must be interviewed upon my next visit; she was reportedly the last Element to speak to Spa the Queen before her slaying spree began, and may have valuable insights into the Queen’s current mindset.

* Confirmation of this has been proven though the accounts of Mayor Mare and Junior Ambassador Cori. Must devote topic page to the Ambassador later, should she remain within reach – her quick-thinking, sway with Princess Cadance, and eyes on the ground in Ponyville may prove useful in coming weeks.)

** Full details of the Ponyville casualty count that (Prince) Toxic Haze has contributed to pre-coup is not available, due to the special procedures following disclosure of information around that incident. Will update on these procedures in new entries, if changes do occur.

*** The Donneigh Party Doctrine (D.P.D.) is an edict from ancient times, crafted after one of the first traveling ponies were faced with the most severe winter of Equestria’s lifetime in a trip to the equine colony that would soon become Trottingham, and forced to resort to extreme measures to survive their trip through the Frozen North. Full details of that tragedy will be spared in this almanac, but the relevant part of the D.P.D. is the divulging of the loss of pony life to only direct related family members – not even adopted parents are allowed notification under this doctrine if said parent is a part of official government, to prevent distress from affecting their crucially needed duties. Tellingly, the 3^rd Addendum was specifically invoked, involving cases specifically related to the loss of relatives when only older relatives are available to be notified.

**** These studies were conducted at the former Canterlot Library of Magic, renamed the Arcane University by the Queen. Must thank (former) Headmistress of the Pegasi History Wing, Constable Cinch for getting these to me on short notice.