“Princess Twilight Sparkle, I have brought the latest news from Southern Equestria.” At hearing the stallion enter, Princess Twilight’s ears perk. Looking up from the book she had been reading, she lifts her head to show that she’s listening. The guard bows quickly before speaking again. “We have lost over one thousand ponies to his army dismorning, Your Majesty,” he says, a shameful tone in his strong voice. Twilight’s eyes narrow as she hits a hoof to the table, shocking the stallion. The Princess of Friendship wasn’t really one to get angry often.
“How are we losing so many?!” She huffs, mainly to herself. “He’s supposed to be weak! Where in Celestia’s name did he build an army that large!?” The stallion takes a step back, letting the princess have room to pace, dozens of scrolls in front of her. “The Elements didn’t work, pleading won’t work, and negotiation would more than likely fail…”
“Have you ever thought of maybe…just eliminating him entirely, my princess?” the guard says, carefully.
“Eliminate him?” Twilight looks at him curiously. He nods.
“Nothing else is seeming to work, with all due respect, we are losing thousands of ponies a day and I’m sick of being forced to see it and tell you.” He grits his teeth, trying to keep down his tone. Twilight taps her hoof against the table, in thought of the idea. She is the Princess of Friendship… reforming villains was supposed to be her specialty. But the stallion is right, too many ponies are dying to think about reformation anymore, this monster must be stopped. Twilight’s voice comes out soft, making the stallion strain to hear her.
“You are right…,” she says softly, her voice raked with disappointment. “Thank you, Artemis.” Artemis sets a hoof carefully on her shoulder.
“It’s for the best, Princess,” he says softly before bowing once more and leaving. Twilight sighs, looking at the map she had placed on the table in front of her as the gears work in her head. She narrows her eyes, dragging her hoof along the map from where the Crystal Empire was to Ponyville. Then an idea snaps into her head, she raises her voice, knowing her personal guard is still nearby.
“Artemis, come back here!” she yells. The midnight blue stallion pops his head back into the room, racing back to her.
“What is it, my princess?” he asks, not expecting to be called back in her presence so soon.
“What if we took the path through the Everfree Forest…?” she asks. “If we lure him there, he won’t know the territory and we will have the advantage.” Artemis studies the map where her hoof is.
“That… could work,” he says, half to himself. “What do we do with him once we get him there?” His eyes look back to Twilight.
“I want to render him magicless, then I want him brought to me,” she says.
“But princess, he could still hurt you--” Twilight raises a hoof and silences him.
“I know what I’m doing, just do what I have asked and be careful,” Twilight says softly, her purple eyes narrowing on him in a way that makes him shiver. “Do I make myself clear?” Artemis nods.
“Crystal clear,” he mutters, still afraid that if he were to bring that monster here… he would lose her to him. He shakes the thoughts away,trotting off again.Twilight however, confidently looks at the map once more. It will work without doubt, the only question is what she would do once he is brought here. She taps her chin and yanks out her book of friendship and lets it drop to the table with a loud thunk.
Flipping through the pages quickly, she comes to one of Fluttershy’s entries. Her eyes narrow once more, scanning over the neat words, taking them in. Perhaps using the same tactic that Fluttershy had with Discord would work. Give the dark stallion something to lose. But what…?
Twilight rubs her cheeks in thought. Fluttershy would never be able to do it, not on him. Discord was at least partially tamed by the threat of being turned to stone again. Yet, there wasn’t any threat that would tame the coming threat. Twilight would have to do it, she can’t have Pinkie or Rarity do it, they would only annoy him beyond anything. Applejack and Rainbow wouldn’t be patient enough to handle it.
She is the only shot. Taking in a shaky breath, she closes her eyes for a moment. What she is going to do might cost her her own life, but in turn, could save Equestria. Her eyes look to the window as she lets out a soft sigh.
The once blue skies clouded with darkness, nothing but gray to be seen. Perhaps this will be the last time she sees the outside, her only hope being that she won’t regret bringing him here.
“Spike!” she calls out to her assistant. Racing into the room, Spike looks to her.
“Yes, Twilight?”
“Evacuate the castle, make sure there is nopony here but me,” she orders. “I don’t want you here either, stay with one of the girls for the time being.” Spike tilts his head.
“Why?” he asks, in deep concern. She sucks in a deep breath.
“Don’t ask questions, just do as I asked.” She huffs. Spike reluctantly nods his head and disappears, leaving the princess alone once more. Twilight sighs again, shifting books back into their places, many out of habit. Her heart races, knowing it is coming closer and closer to the time of his arrival.
Placing the last book on the shelf, she walks back and rests her back into the comfy chair, her back cracking softly from the sudden relief. Closing her eyes, she smiles softly, remembering how brave Fluttershy had been when she went through this. She had been scared at first too. But in the end she worked it out perfectly.
It gives Twilight confidence in herself, finally settling her nerves. Resting back again, she drifts off into a much needed rest.