Chapter V: Reigns or Chains
Previous Chapter Recap: Twilight Sparkle amidst her research into the mysterious magic that was gifted to her, has encountered guards suspicious of her appearance. Meanwhile, Applejack has gone to meet with an old friend to discuss matters of the future. All the while, greater powers have already begun to move.
The collective of guards all stood as one outside the castle, eyes fastened upon the two abnormalities that stood not far from them. Lady Rarity remained at the center atop the steps which led one to the main castle doors. She was accompanied by both Trixie and Diane, all of them still eyeing their two unexpected guests.
Lady Rarity tossed a weary glance to all her available guards currently within perimeter, squinting as if assessing the situation. Some still had their lances fastened on the two, pegaus, earth pony, and unicorns alike. While all other guards remained more distant, but still on guard. Her gaze soon drifted off towards the horizon beyond the enclosed castle boundaries and further checkpoints. The open fields which stretched far beyond, consisting of various more guards and checkpoints. Then finally, she tossed a glance up towards the beating hot sun ... which drew concern from her. She frowned promptly, appearing worried and uncertain.
Diane spoke with little emotion. "The heat makes it hard for any sort of scuffle Rarity."
Lady Rarity glanced over at Diane with an irritated squint. You truly think I didn't notice?
Eventually, the smaller of the two spoke. The creature wielding but a large candy cane gave the guards an impassive glance. "Lady Rarity, are we not all friends? These guards appear to be awfully defensive." Soon her impassiveness turned into a wide eyed innocent smile at the mare. "Should we be concerned for our safety?"
Many of the guards flinched due to her change in demeanor, as they all glanced back at Lady Rarity.
Lady Rarity remained firm as she addressed them. "What business brings you both out from Tartarus?"
Happy Heaven remained composed, smiling, and near still as a statue as she raised one paw as it turned into a sock puppet with a canny resemblance to the demanding unicorn. It's voice mimicking hers as well with mocking accuracy, "Oh, we are so glad to see you two have come to visit! But I must ask, what brings you lovelies out of the wonderful Tartarus to see us Happy?" Soon she herself spoke again. "Oh, why thank you Lady Rarity, we're very happy to reunite with you as well. We do hope not to take up too much precious time."
Soon the larger bestial creature pulled out a carrot to eat, munching on it absently with loud crunches.
Happy Heaven glanced around again, still smiling before inquiring, "By chance did something happen recently?"
Lady Rarity's gaze intensified upon the creature. Soon growing more impatient. "What does it matter?"
Happy blinked a few times at Lady Rarity. "Oh it's just ... there have been some very unexpected occurrences in Tartarus as well. Which comes in relation to the message I bear. I was hoping to make sense of it all, that's it."
The older pegasus stood not far from Lady Rarity as well. He, accompanied by other pegasus guards glanced over at her, as he spoke up to a quiet whisper. "Deal with this Lady Rarity! The likes of her kind should not be here." He huffed with a pause, "We are off, but we'll be in touch." With this he tossed a nod to his fellow guard ponies as they all spread their wings and took for the skies towards the left, away from the commotion.
Lady Rarity gave them a brief and uncaring glare before returning her attention to Happy Heaven and Angel Bunny. "Unexpected occurrences in Tartarus? And what could possibly be so important as to come here?"
Happy replied almost immediately. "Rifts ... Lady Rarity. Hours ago I sensed it, a highly concentrated amount of magic. As you know Tartarus is ripe with the very roots which form here in Equestria. Tremors have shaken even my foundations, and as a result, holes have opened in the system. Precious escapees fled our home."
Lady Rarity's brows rose briefly. "And is this the extent of your message?"
Happy continued. "Well yes but, I was assuming you may want to know two of the escapees are well, griffons."
Lady Rarity sneered lightly with a subtle twitch. She frowned more sternly, "Your point?"
Happy innocently closed her eyes and chuckled. "I mean, it's just ... assuming your extensive history with the griffons Lady Rarity, you know, sparking the very rebellion that diminished their race. I assumed you'd want to know that some have escaped. Maybe, you'd like to provide assistance in getting them back perhaps?"
Lady Rarity sighed. "I think you're much better suited for the task, I'm far too busy for such things Happy."
Happy nodded, giving Lady Rarity a caring smile. "Oh I know I know. Just ... thought I'd make the offer is all."
Lady Rarity went back to a more immediate concern. "Happy, I do hope you realize your place is in Tartarus, not here on the surface. The Princess would be very unhappy to hear you've been dawdling around here."
Happy glanced up momentarily with a smile. "Ah well ... yes she might. But I feel deep down such risks are necessary in dire times. Besides, the Princess can't be that upset. Afterall ... it's not like she's here or anything."
All guards immediately postured themselves for combat, focusing further on the two creatures aggressively.
Lady Rarity huffed as she glared at her guards. "Cease such nonsense! There is no need to attack!"
Angel Bunny continued munching on his carrot, caring little for the posturing of the tiny ponies.
Laughter chimed from Happy as she continued to smile innocently at the ponies surrounding them. "Ponies are always so full of life. But for now, sadly we cannot play. We have to go to work after all." She closed her eyes again and bowed her head, "Well, we thank you for your time Lady Rarity. We'll go about our business then."
Lady Rarity sighed with relief as she gave them a more calmed expression. "Best be about it then."
Happy Heaven nodded back to her, widening her smile. "We best." She pat the top of Angel Bunny's head, "Come Angel. Let's go find our dear friends." With this the larger creature turned steadily towards the exit. Happy tossed a wave and glance back at Diane in particular. "Bye Diane, it was nice seeing you as well."
Diane casually waved with a blank expression, before lowering her hoof and standing impassively.
Trixie gave her a twitchy squint as she cocked a brow. "Why worry about some scrawny mutation?"
Lady Rarity continued to watch them depart in relief. That's it, just leave ... no issue, no fuss please.
But suddenly as they watched the two depart, one of the guards, particularly a pegasus couldn't stop his trembling. Soon his bottled aggression came to a rise, "Lady Rarity, after all she did during the other races' rebellion, all the ponies she used as cannon fodder, we're just going to let her roam free? Those were some of my friends!" His trembling became more apparent as he hovered, and his grip upon his lance tightened. "We can't just let these things trot away from here. They need to return to where they belong, Tartarus!"
Lady Rarity couldn't believe it, she only shook her head, uttering. "Wait ... stop, don't any of you da-"
And then that guard let out a roar, "Some of us haven't forgotten what you did you monster!"
His anger was followed by three others, who echoed his sentiments in unison.
Lady Rarity swiped a hoof, howling. "I don't care! They are allies! Allies, you daft imbeciles!
But it was already done, the situation had already devolved into chaos. The pegasus, followed by three of his peers, all charged towards the two departing monsters! Two of his fellows being unicorns, and one earth pony.
The pegasus leaped up and behind Angel Bunny, propelling himself into a full spin as he swung his lance at the back of Happy Heaven's neck. "This is for all those ponies who've suffered at the hooves of your injustice!"
Then there was silence ... as Happy just uttered a cheerful. "Pop."
And the lance of the pegasus upon reaching the back of her neck, popped into confetti. The loss of momentum caused him to hit the ground as he landed on his side and tumbled down the steps. The earth pony went next, as she leaped into the air, and propelled herself also into a spin, yet aimed to kick at the creature's side.
Angel Bunny lifted his paw slightly, swatting the earth pony mid kick and sending her rocketing into a wall.
The two unicorns teleported, their lances hovering at their sides as they came at the duo from the front. They each wore fierce expressions as they used telekinetic magic to plunge their lances forward in sync.
Happy smiled down at them casually, flicking both her claw and paw as each of the unicorn's lances turned into plastic toy replicas of themselves, snapping upon contact with Angel Bunny's thick fur, doing no damage to him.
Angel Bunny then grabbed at each of their necks, both the stallion and mare, lifting them both slowly.
Happy glanced up at the two of them as she uttered casually. "Hop."
And just like that, Angel Bunny hopped, as the four shot up into the sky, out of sight and distance.
The rest of the guards, to include Rarity and Trixie, all looked up doe eyed.
About a minute of nothing passed, before both Angel Bunny and Happy Heaven came slamming back down. The smaller of the two still seated comfortably upon Angel Bunny's shoulder. The marble flooring cracked from his impact, but no more damage was done. The two unicorns were gone from his grasp, nowhere to be seen.
Diane kept no expression, only a tired gaze as she observed the situation casually.
Happy shaded her eyes as she looked to the distant forests. "Hope they know how to teleport land." She chuckled as she glanced down at Angel Bunny. "Good job Angel, we kept Equestria safe from evildoers."
Lady Rarity's expression darkened at the two as she grimaced slightly. "Ugh..."
However, Happy noticed there was still one left. The pegasus who initiated it all was still down there on his side, trembling. So she gleefully hopped from Angel Bunny's shoulder, touching down upon the ground as she began making her way down the steps, humming a cheery tune all the while. "It's such a beautiful sunny day too."
Lady Rarity remained silent, though her demeanor was also grim. She just watched.
The other guards now reacted with little passion as well, all of them keeping silent as they stood by.
The trembling pegasus began to back away in the form of a crawl, "S-Stay away from me ... monster!"
Angel Bunny stood by, pulling another carrot from a fastened pouch as he casually observed and munched.
Happy Heaven stopped in front of this pegasus, as she began spinning her candy cane around her wrist. As she arrived only a few feet before him, she spread her arms and looked towards the skies, passionately, closing her eyes. "Forgive me for what I must do, but this precious pony has lost its way, and to protect all others from this dark path is kindness. To sacrifice the one for the many, is kindness. To punish the guilty, so the innocent may learn is kindness. To embrace the chaos of reality, so others don't have to is kindness." She kissed her pendant, "Mwah. Amen!" She clapped both her paw and claw together, giddy as she smiled cheerfully down at the pony. "Are you ready to embrace the path you've chosen dear and precious pony of Equestria?" She blinked.
The pegasus guard reached out to Lady Rarity. "M-My Lady! Please, h-help me! Help me! I-I overreacted!"
Lady Rarity gave a stern frown towards Happy. "Would she approve of this? I very much doubt it."
Happy knelt before the pegasus with an expression of passive love and peaceful adoration. She grabbed him by the chin, tilting her head at him with a squint as she placed her candy cane delicately upon the ground at her side. She then lifted her claw before lightly pressing it against his cheek, tightening her squeeze upon his chin ever so gently. She glanced back at Lady Rarity, wide eyed again as she smiled. "To protect our Lady from what she doesn't need to know, is also ... kindness." And suddenly her claw ignited with a bright pink spark.
Lady Rarity and the others all shielded their eyes then, unable to look due to the vibrant flash.
As the pink spell ignited, a piercing cry from the pegasus rang out before it echoed into silence.
Afterwords, Happy Heaven rose as she picked up her candy cane again. All eyes once again steadily fell upon her as all she held was a pony shaped piece of chocolate. She smiled down at it, before taking a bite out of the head. "Vanilla!" She closed her eyes and merrily floated up the steps, soon perching herself upon Angel Bunny's shoulder once again. Then once there, she took yet another bite as she exhaled happily. "Okay, let's be off."
Many of the other guards watched, horrified as one more trembled and she tossed off her helmet and fell to the ground. She began hurling into her helmet, going into a hacking cough afterwords as she wheezed.
Happy Heaven waved back again as they departed. "Farewell Lady Rarity! Thank you for your time."
Lady Rarity glanced over towards the distant wall, still appearing grim, as she saw the motionless earth pony with her plate armor completed caved in at the center of her torso, slouched and limp. She nudged her head over in that direction, as other guards went to go retrieve her. "Do also ensure they have their badges for identification darlings. Their families will need to be notified ... with, modifications of course." She sighed heavily, glancing up towards the skies. "Pegasus units ... see if you can find the other two. They should be out in the forest ... somewhere." She lowered her head and turned back towards the castle tiredly in annoyance.
One of the remaining unicorn guards approached Lady Rarity. "Lady Rarity, should we tail them?"
Lady Rarity ran a hoof down her face, as she gave a now tired glare towards that particular guard. "No." She glanced back as both Happy Heaven and Angel Bunny made their way further from the castle. She then looked back towards that guard. "No units are to tail them. Allow them to conduct their business, so they can scurry back where they came from. Tartarus is detached from our priorities. That's what they're for ... to ensure no complications arise from there. The less contact we have with them the better. Besides, I have more urgent concerns than some griffons." She began trotting up the steps, "I'd rather not worry about those two as well."
The mare who threw up into her helmet glared at Lady Rarity with watery eyes. "Captain Dash would've never allowed that to happen Lady Rarity! T-Those were our allies!" She howled at her, "Where is their justice!?"
Lady Rarity tossed a glare back at that mare. "What sort of place do you think this is?" She steadily made her way back to the castle, as she uttered, "Diane ... Trixie, come. It's time we saw our guest." Justice? How daft.
Both Diane and Trixie turned, heading back into the castle along with Lady Rarity.
Once back inside, they made a sharp turn towards the right, leading to some steps into a deep sector below. Their trots echoing the further down they trotted. Droplets of water chimed in the distance, as creatures could be heard scurrying about. It was obvious these were dungeons of some sort. Lady Rarity led the way, gaze fastened already on a distant door ahead. As she trotted, she inquired, "You said she's a fighter yes?"
Trixie responded with utmost certainty. "Hah! Well yes, but certainly nothing near Trixie's level. She handled the pegasi pursuing her well enough but, once I caught up to her it was a done game. The result was certain."
Lady Rarity didn't acknowledge Trixie's smug antics. As they reached the door, she paused momentarily however, looking down only at her reflection in murky water. "Oh ... we truly must clean this place." Then opened it as she peered tiredly at the pony within. "It is already deprived enough." What is justice anyhow?
There chained within a chair with a broken horn sat Twinkleshine. She eyed Rarity with a stern glare.
Lady Rarity eyed her with a blank expression. "Leave us alone you two. We have much to discuss."
Diane nodded immediately and turned impassively, just casually making her way down the hall.
Trixie seemed hesitant at first as she shrugged with a scoff, and turned to follow after Diane.
Lady Rarity proceeded inside closing the door behind her. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
Twinkleshine responded with a huff, then a smirk. "Likewise. I'm Twinkleshine."
Lady Rarity smiled softly. "I'm Lady Rarity. I do hope you don't hold any of this against me darling."
Twinkleshine smiled with amusement and half closed eyes. "Hah ... aren't you charming?"
Lady Rarity nodded to her casually with a bashful gesture. "Oh I try to be when I can. I apologize you've been sitting down here for so long, what with this whole rebellion, the media ponies, the pegasi, it's all been very busy. I'm sure you understand how crazy things can become." She slowly made her way towards a wooden table in the corner, removing her top with telekinetic magic before ensuring her bun was properly done. Afterwords, she wore a gentle expression and eyed Twinkleshine. "Well then, shall we begin Twinkleshine?"
All it appears to be is the result of the stronger opposition. That's just crass ... that's just, pitiful.
Twilight Sparkle stood straight within a row of ponies. Not exactly my most expected result.
"All of you remain at attention! This inspection is of utmost importance!" A crude deep voice stated.
All within formation, formed in ranks was a plethora of purple ponies. Twilight was located towards the far back left. Some of the ponies were earth ponies even, all with a various assortment of manestyles and slightly mixed colors. But for the most part, majority of them weren't all that different. Twilight blinked a few times.
They were all located in the fields further out from the castle at one of the many checkpoints.
A militaristic unicorn trotted back and forth with a stern glare fastened on the group of them. "You've all been identified as perhaps being the alicorn! This means one of you is possibly a war criminal! Understand!?"
One of the purple ponies raised their hoof. Her mane was a diamond blue shade with pink and orange stripes. "Excuse me Sir, if one of us is the alicorn, can we turn ourselves in for a lesser sentence? I'm no fighter."
Another pony began trembling as she uttered in worry. "W-What happens if I'm the alicorn!? I mean! I-It's not like I ever asked for it or anything! I just like to bake donuts! Oh jeez oh jeez. Why did I have to be purple?"
A mare with deep black eyeliner who appeared primarily gothic pointed a playful hoof towards the guards. "Just so ya all know ... if I'm the alicorn, tooootally gonna vaporize you all right here. Like, just, poof. Ya know?"
One of the guards approached his senior with concern, as he glanced over the image Lady Rarity created. "Sir ... this is tough. I mean, there's a lot more purple ponies than I thought. Some with this exact manestyle, others with the exact colors. Maybe a different color here or there but dye has always been a thing. Definitely none of them are alicorns or anything, and how do we know if they're telling us the truth if we ask questions?"
The older superior groaned. "Ugh! These precautions are a waste of time. I already know who the alicorn is!"
The younger soldier's eyes widened. "S-Sir really!? Then who? This could make or break everything!"
The older superior nodded with closed eyes. "Lady Amira of Saddle Arabia. Have you not seen that elegance and grace? Those colors are close enough! It is no doubt she'd transcend into an alicorn! A foreigner from a distant land? Friends with the dragons? It is baffling how nopony else has caught on to this yet. It's obvious!"
The younger soldier blinked a few times. "S-Sir ... I, I think you just may be on to something."
One of the purple mares in position raised her hoof. "Hey when can we go home? I'm hungry."
The older superior shouted at them, "Keep quiet and remain patient! You're done when we're done!"
Twilight just remained quiet and patient, not drawing any attention to herself. It's not like she had anything to worry about anyway ... she wasn't the alicorn. She couldn't be the alicorn. She just couldn't be....
(Then she recalled Captain Dash again, upon the cloud giving her a stern yet amused glare. "Ironic how things work isn't it? To think the alicorn I was searching for this entire time was right under my nose.")
Why're you denying it Twilight? Embrace it. You always desired to be special ... didn't you?
Twilight began to tremble and sweat again. She tried to remain composed but ... her thoughts raced.
You know the truth. No matter how much you bury it, the power is always there. Embrace the sea Twilight.
Sitting nearby at one of the checkpoint tables was a mare adorned in a fancy brown business suit. She was a unicorn, and also had a mic nearby, attempting to adjust the cording which was connected to a radio box. Her irritation was apparent, as she groaned and struggled to untie a knot. "Come on, buck! What's with this?"
Another pony sat not far from her, as he was a stallion in a cap. He tipped it down somewhat, eyeing her nervously. "Ma'am. Um, maybe we should head back to the hotel? I got some backups stored in my room."
The mare glanced over at him with a hiss. "No! Lady Rarity can be out here any moment and I'm going to ensure we get that coverage of this entire mess!" She began fiddling with the cord again, "She can't hide forever! And we can't let any of the other stations beat us to it. We need answers Rec, too many answers!"
The stallion known as Rec just crossed his hooves and glanced in the opposing direction absently. His eyes scanned the other checkpoints, concession stands, and stalls which were located all throughout the field. It was obvious this was a commune area for both official business and trade, but nothing of the sort for classified material. His gaze drifted on towards the castle ... that was where the juicy stuff was. "How do you think the other cities are doing?" He looked back to the mare, "I mean ... we can't know till this whole thing is over right?"
The mare kept her gaze focused on the knot. "Right, and that's a problem. You know how many of us have families attached to the cities? And we're expected not to find out anything until after all this is over!? What's Lady Rarity thinking!?" She huffed, "Either way ... it makes for good coverage. We need to stay on this."
The stallion looked at her impassively, before leaning forward towards the table and flipping on the radio to test the waters. Static at first ... but as it cleared, suddenly something neither of them expected came.
Rampant commotion rang loud over the local frequency. Commotion over something ... nearby?
Both the stallion and mare took their gazes to the right as their eyes widened due to the unexpected flow of coverage, noticing a large group of ponies gathered on a dirt path blocking something. The mare blinked a few times, before squinting off in the distance. "W-What? What in the hay?" She immediately stood before picking up her mic and nudging her partner. "Hey grab the box! Let's go! We need to get eyes on whatever this is!"
The stallion nodded as he rose and adjusted his cap, grabbing the box. The two then raced to the nearby path.
Both the older superior and younger guard also kept watch over their batch of purple ponies. But couldn't take their gaze away from the path. The older superior more troubled as he watched. "Those monsters again."
Twilight turned her gaze towards the right at the commotion. Something to distract her from her own thoughts. But what she saw she couldn't really make sense of. A larger bestial creature munching on a carrot while accompanied by ... something else. Twilight's eyes widened as she focused on them in the distance.
Look away Twilight. That voice came in her head, invading it again. Look away!
Suddenly the smaller of the two creatures blinked a few times. It tilted its head up a bit.
Twilight also blinked, yet the moment she did so she found herself somewhere else. Was it an illusion? She wasn't certain. But ultimately she didn't panic. She kept her composure. The world around her was vast and pink, with fluffy clouds spread about everywhere. She stood upon an ocean of this pink, while cascading strawberry waterfalls poured heavily down upon something far off. There she saw it again, the creature just looking up. It allowed itself to stand at the center of the crushing falls, ignoring their pressure, weight, and overall force. It embraced them. Twilight didn't understand ... how effortlessly it stood there. How did it do it?
And soon the creature turned its head in her direction with a curious gaze. "Oh? You can see it too?"
Twilight's eyes widened as she flinched. She said nothing, and only continued to observe.
As the creature was still within the center of the falls, it grinned. "Well ... aren't you special? Little Pony."
And once again, that familiar demanding voice rang in her head again. Look away!
Just like that, Twilight shut her eyes and shook her head due to the demands. Once she opened them again, the world surrounding her appeared normal. At least, as normal as it could be. She looked back towards the path, in wonder at the two creatures. Though she couldn't shake the thought, how was the tinier of the two able to freely embrace those cascading falls? More importantly, why did she care? Why did she need to understand?
As they remained on the path, surrounded by a wide array of media ponies. Both the bestial creature and the smaller one looked to one another with a nod. However, the smaller of the two looked over at the group of gathered purple ponies in fair amusement. She muttered then, "Hop." The larger bestial creature pressed its feet against the surface of the path, before shooting into the skies above, sending out a shock-wave of force that left the media ponies disoriented and stumbling. The two disappeared into the clouds, gone ... for now.
Twilight turned her eyes towards the skies as she was still left there ... wondering. What did that all mean?
"Show's over everypony! But how about we all get started with the main event!?" An elegant voice rang out.
All eyes turned towards the steps leading up to a path that led further towards Nightmare Moon's Castle. There stood the renown mare everypony was familiar with, accompanied by a strange pink, hooded, individual. It was none other than the Great and Powerful Trixie. "Trixie shall see these ponies you've gathered, herself!"
Suddenly the surrounding folk went ablaze with cheers, as media ponies scurried to reach the famed mare.
But for Twilight, it was then she felt as if she were beneath cascading falls. It was a crushing feeling. So that was Trixie then, to think her biggest idol aimed to arrest her. Twilight focused, she wouldn't let that happen.