//------------------------------// // 32 The Road to Power // Story: Errant Finale // by Doug Graves //------------------------------// Queen Chrysalis grimaces internally, the hopeful smile she has plastered on her face never fading. She obviously has the ponies fooled, but the alicorns are proving to be more of a challenge than she thought. Celestia will not be an issue - after all, she’s promised to not give away Chrysalis’ position, and she is sure that she can blame any slip up on one of Celestia's remarks. Still, she hates that the tyrant realized her deception so quickly. She was hoping to have a bit of fun at Cadance’s expense. But no matter; there will be plenty of opportunities, and other ponies, in the near future. She’ll need to learn more of this supposed connection between herself (well, Cadance) and the Crystal Empire, and it galls her to have been caught unaware. Nopony could have predicted an entire Empire appearing out of thin air! Though the promise of love spreading through her Equestria certainly has her intrigued. What a boon it would be! “We should prepare for an immediate departure, yes?” demands Celestia; possibly fearfully, though Chrysalis cannot quite read the alicorn’s emotions. The unicorn considers, his face impassive. His horn shines, a moderately detailed map of Equestria shining on one of the walls. He motions towards the train tracks that head towards Vanhoover. It is obvious, from the way the forests are cut, that there used to be another set of tracks that leads to the northeast and the purported location of the Crystal Empire. “We’ll need a few hours to prepare. If we leave on the train as soon as possible, we'll travel for about three hours before we can’t get any closer. With the unnatural snowstorms reported, we can chariot-” he grimaces as he says the word “-about half the remaining distance before we’ll have to land. It’ll be a long slog through the snow, but we’ll make it to the Crystal Empire before moonrise. We’ll be able to setup a base, and-” “No guards,” Celestia commands, Shining Armor raising an eyebrow in naked disbelief. “We do not wish to appear as an invasion force.” She smirks slightly. “I would not be surprised were the eight of you capable of defeating an entire army by yourselves.” She pointedly looks at Shining Armor and the Elements of Harmony, then at Spike, while avoiding Cadance. “Well, I guess that will simplify things,” Shining Armor states, quite unhappily. “You think the threat to Canterlot is that great?” “It is, as you said, a matter of logistics. As well, the sooner we move out, the better. I am sure we can commandeer one of the trains heading in that direction, or at least a few cars. Go, gather what supplies you need and prepare for departure.” Celestia turns to Luna. “We need some message to tell everypony. I think the truth is best, as the appearance of an entire city will be difficult to contain. Stay optimistic, and do not yet mention King Sombra.” She glances to the Elements. “Until we are ready, stay close.” Shining Armor gallops out of the room while Princess Luna teleports away. “Well,” Cadance says, “I guess I’ll go get ready, as well.” She smiles and waves before she slinks away. “Cadance!” Rarity calls, though the pink alicorn does not turn. “You forgot your wedding book!” She sighs, looking down at the designs within. “Well, I don’t know about you all, but I am not going to let these precious hours go to waste.” She opens the book to the bride’s and bridesmare’s dresses, a calculating gaze over each. “Yes, yes, yes, that looks doable; no, that’ll never work.” “Hours before we might be going to war, and all you can think about are dresses?” Rainbow Dash shakes her head in disbelief. “At least try to keep your mind focused.” “I am focused, just perhaps not where you think I should be,” Rarity replies, not taking her eyes off the book. “Maybe you should, I don’t know, fly laps around the castle until your wings fall off.” Rainbow Dash fumes, eyes narrowing at Rarity. She drags one shoe against the floor, a painful scraping sound assaulting everypony's ears. Rarity merely flicks her nose into the air. “I’m sorry if my method of dealing with the stress is different from yours." Rainbow Dash sighs, ceasing her threatening movements. “Yeah. I guess I’m on edge about this, too.” She glances towards the doorway Cadance took. “There’s something about her I don’t trust.” “She’s never been so close to getting a foal. It’s probably just those heat hormones,” Applejack quips, nudging Rainbow Dash in the side. Rainbow Dash rolls her eyes. “Please. It’s day one. And I’m not some schoolfilly, controlled by her emotions.” "Regardless, we will need to wrap this whole Crystal Empire business up quickly if we want Cadance to be married on time." Rarity sighs, flipping through the book at all the various sections that will need to be completed. "It is a good thing we can get so much of this done in house, or at the Royal command. Otherwise, she might have to wait an entire year before she makes the attempt with Shining Armor! I don’t know about you, but I would not wish that on anypony!” “Well, let’s find something productive to do, then.” Applejack moves over to Rarity, peering suspiciously at the book. “What kinda fancy schmancy delicacies they planning on serving?” Rarity doesn’t need to flip back to the relevant section to quote, “Apple fritters, tarts, maybe even a pie or three. Heavens, it's like she cribbed your menu from your cart.” “Really,” Applejack says, grinning as she rubs her hooves together. “Well, Ah’ll just need to make the best darn apple fritters these Canterlot snobs have ever tasted! Especially after they snubbed ‘em back at the Gala!” “So,” Doug says to Celestia, drawing away from everypony else. “Did you want me to go as well?” Celestia looks Doug up and down, her gaze questioning. “Are you uncertain of your resolve or your potential contribution?” “It’s not that,” Doug says, motioning with a hand to his body. “I feel like I would stick out like a sore thumb.” He looks at Celestia’s hooves. “Or whatever saying you have. A bent primary?” “An apt comparison, I suppose, and an understandable worry.” Celestia beams a reassuring smile to Doug, and he feels his spirits lift. "I believe you will be of more value to your companions, especially should things take a turn for the worse and they need reassurance." Doug smirks a bit as what form his 'reassurance' often takes. Celestia, however, sighs at the thought. "While this may be uncomfortable, I am worried about King Sombra’s magic. With your nonmagical nature, spells often fail to affect you, or you are able to break free of them quicker than expected. I hope it is not needed, but an ability like that may prove invaluable against an unsuspecting opponent.” Doug keeps his voice low, barely audible to himself. “Yeah, or he’ll just murder me when he can’t control me.” Doug sighs heavily, looking at the other ponies in the room. Part of him wishes he had a spear, and could put that smug gray head on it. But the ponies play by different rules, often ones enshrined by Celestia, that make combat decidedly less deadly for all combatants. And that's probably a good thing, given what magic could easily do. “But he could do the same to them.” “While King Sombra did banish the Empire, he rarely took his vengeance out on his prisoners or his people. If he still exists, there may be good in him yet.” Celestia half-smiles as Doug’s hands ball into fists before he crosses his arms across his chest. She concedes, “Though it is unlikely.” “Yeah,” Doug says as neutrally as he can. He glances towards Ponyville. “Wish I had my armor. And a winter coat.” “Perhaps we can send a message ahead, and they will meet the train on its way to the north.” Celestia grins as Doug nods, briefly nuzzling him before walking to Twilight Sparkle. Celestia whispers ethereally, her voice echoing in her mind, such that Twilight Sparkle thinks that only she can hear. “In the end, Twilight Sparkle, it must be you, and you alone, who ultimately assists Princess Cadance and Shining Armor.” “But, my Friends,” Twilight Sparkle whispers back, again feeling like it is for only Celestia’s ears. “They wouldn’t abandon me, and I won’t leave them behind!” “They will be with you. But I fear King Sombra’s magic, and I wish to spare you the pain of battling your Friends, should they lose control of their minds and bodies. Be very cautious, and extremely vigilant against mental manipulation. As well, I believe only you possess enough strength to go hoof to hoof with Sombra, should it come to that.” “I understand.” Twilight sighs to herself as Celestia leaves. She really needs to make a list of everything they need to do there! Well, no time like the present, right? “Anything you need help with?” Spike asks Twilight, grabbing a quill and parchment. He smiles as she beams down at him. “Just like old times, right?” Twilight rolls her eyes. “It hasn’t been that long. Alright, let’s see. First off, we’re going to need to find some way of staying warm.” Spike scribbles down everything as Twilight lists everything she can think of, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie joining in. In a dark hallway, Queen Chrysalis checks to make sure she is alone. Spotting nothing, her horn flares a bright green, no longer needing to conceal her natural color. She concentrates on Cadance’s prison before a voice echoes around her. “Leaving so soon?” Celestia asks, her pleasant smile almost mocking. Queen Chrysalis glares, though it turns to a chuckle. “I didn’t know you to be an oathbreaker, Celestia.” “I am not aware that I am.” Celestia takes two paces forwards, then stops, only a few body lengths away. “I merely came to offer you another chance. A mulligan, if you will. Release Cadance. She will say nothing, if she knows of the arrangement.” Queen Chrysalis sneers. “You are worried, Invictus. It is written, plain on your face. You don’t think your precious ponies are up to the task, and this distraction plays perfectly into my hooves!” “It is not my ponies I am worried about this time,” Celestia hotly replies. “It is for the ponies of the Crystal Empire, and beyond. You threaten all of Equus should King Sombra obtain a hoofhold! Luna was not lying when she said that hatred and fear would take hold throughout Equestria. Should you fail-” “Hah!” interrupts Queen Chrysalis, beating a hoof against the floor. “You don’t think I can do it! You're afraid that I, Queen Chrysalis of the Changelings, am not up to the task!" She grins salaciously. "Well, when I prove you wrong, I will feast on your love, Celestia. And you will not dare to stop me." Celestia stares at Queen Chrysalis, still wearing the face of Cadance. Twin trails of steam escape her nostrils, her breathing carefully controlled. “I gave you the chance,” Celestia eventually says. “Do not waste it.” She disappears with a flare of golden magic, leaving spots in the changeling’s eyes. Queen Chrysalis merely smirks. "Soon, it shall be you grovelling before me!" her own horn flaring and taking her to Cadance’s cell. “Alright, Princess,” she says as she comes up to the real Cadance. The alicorn is huddling by a trickle of water that drips from the stalactite above, trying to slake her thirst; she turns, a fearful look in her eye as her horn fails to charge. Cadance meekly backs up until her rump hits the wall. Queen Chrysalis merely broadens her smile, licking her lips before baring her teeth. “You’re going to tell me everything I need to know.”