-EQUUS, CRYSTAL EMPIRE CASTLE-
Luna has just raised her celestial object as the black blanket of night covers the frozen north. Many individuals of The Empire were currently making their way towards the castle in attendance of Blueblood’s decision to hold a party for The Coalition’s victory. Unlike the parties of the past, this one wasn’t exclusive to the high class nobles and such. After all, with everything that was going on, a societal seperation of classes became moot and would certainly not sit right with those who were suffering in this war with The Corruption.
The party felt reminiscent of The Grand Galloping Gala as Princesses Cadence and Luna, in addition to several representatives and leaders of the other nations, were standing at the entrance point of the castle and ready to greet everyone who wanted to attend the processions. Then, the gates to the castle were parted as a flow of attendees started to pour into the castle courtyard and towards the aforementioned leaders.
After some time, all who were attending the celebration now found themselves within the large throne room. The Princesses, Shining Armor, and most of the other leaders were currently positioned before the royal throne, all of whom were dressed to impress. In addition, all of Luna’s ‘Double Agents’, with the exception of Tempest Shadow, Grubber, and her newest recruit: Tzana, were in attendance as they played their own various roles such as Capper, who posed as a waiter, while Trixie, Sunset Shimmer, and Stygian posed as ordinary guests.
Tables were set with refreshments and food which catered to both carnivores and herbivores alike. Waiters walked around the room with trays of refreshments which ranged from wine, for the party’s more mature audience, and various types of juices, for the younger attendees.
“Excuse me, sir and madam, can I interest you both in some fine wine? Aged straight to perfection from the castle’s basement.” Capper says as he was currently dressed in attire that was fit for one of the many waiters and waitresses in attendance.
“Why thank you, my good sir,” A unicorn stallion responds as they float two beverages off of Capper’s tray, one for himself and the unicorn mare that stood beside him. “Say, you seem familiar... my feline friend.” The unicorn stallion inquires with a hoof to his chin.
“Don’t you know, Fancy Pants?” The mare inquires. “This is Capper, the one that Rarity often spoke highly about.”
“Ah, yes! Thank you Fleur De Lis. I knew you seemed familiar, yes, Rarity spoke nothing but praises about you.”
“Why I’ll be, my dear friend never told me that she was speaking so highly of me to some esteemed nobles such as yourselves,” Capper then bows to the two ponies as he says: “I am truly humbled.”
Fancy Pants chuckles momentarily before saying:
“There’s no need for that. To be quite honest with you, Fleur and I were never fans of the horrible attitude that some of our fellow nobles would often take upon themselves.”
“Indeed,” Fleur says as she takes a sip of her wine before she continues: “As our mutual friend would say: ‘It is most uncouth.’ And I agree with her completely. I pray that she and the other element bearers are safe, wherever they were thrown off to.”
“Oh don’t you worry about Rarity,” Capper responds as he then chuckles before he continues: “That unicorn is one tough cookie and the same goes for her friends. I'd be willing to bet eight of my nine lives that she and the others are absolutely fine.” However, before their conversation could continue, they suddenly heard the sounds of tapping glass as the trio turned towards its source along with those who were in attendance all around them.
“Attention, everyone!” Blueblood exclaims as he is revealed to be the origins of the tapping sounds of a wine glass. The loud shatter amongst the crowd slowly starts to die down as everyone in attendance focuses their gaze upon the white unicorn, their host.
“Thank you all for attending tonight’s celebration. I would like to take this time to check upon the well being of each and every one of you in addition to extending my utmost condolences to those who lost their loved ones during this war with The Corruption,” These words results in the crowd giving their applauds in the form of stomping hooves, rapidly vibrating wings, and the clapping of “Hands” for those such as dragons and minotaurs.
During this time, Luna and her agents coincidentally says internally and in unison:
-You're so full of it-
Blueblood raises his right front hoof which results in the applauds slowly starting to die down before he continues once more:
“My beloved aunt was among those who we lost on that day, when that giant monstrosity arrived into our world via a portal which was connected to my aunt Luna’s moon. Since then and as an aftermath of those events, the terrifying infection took hold of Canterlot in addition to various landscapes and nearby towns such as Ponyville and Princess Twilight’s castle.” Blueblood paused for a moment which allowed the crowd to reflect on those events.
“He’s such a bucking liar.” Trixie says in a hushed tone as she leans towards Sunset Shimmer.
“Just hang in there, Trixie,” Sunset then takes on a momentary expression of anger before she continues: “My blood is boiling ever since I found out that he betrayed Celestia’s love for him. When I was her student, she’d always talk about how she tried to turn him into a proper stallion by giving him what he was denied.”
“What?” Trixie inquires.
“The love of a mother. She hoped and prayed that he would come to value such things over status and wealth. Sadly, as you can see… that will never come to pass. He has practically stomped all over her,” Sunset stares daggers towards the unicorn who continued to speak during their conversation. “And that, makes me angry.”
“...that’ll be all for now, everyone. Please, enjoy yourselves!” Blueblood finishes as the crowd starts to cheer as a result.
The party continues to go on as a certain group of young individuals are currently sitting around a large table.
“So let me get this straight,” Gallus comments. “You three help ponies to find their cutie marks for free?”
“Well, duh!” Scootaloo replies. “Of course our crusading is for free, why would you even ask that?”
“Eh, I’d rather charge for said services.” Gallus replies nonchalantly.
“We don’t want to make ah’ livin’ off of It,” Apple Bloom comments. “We just want to help our fellow ponies to find their cutie marks. That’s rewarding enough as is.”
“Indeed,” Sweetie Belle says. “Besides, not everything has to be about bits you know. Generosity can come a long way.”
“Probably for you ponies, but that kind of thinking doesn’t fly in Griffonia. What you call generosity we would call: A sucker.” Gallus responds which causes the three mares to narrow their features at him.
The other individuals, who were also sitting on the table, are currently conversing about other things.
“Oh golly,” Cozy Glow comments in response to Yona’s words. “So Prince Ruthorford refused the help of that pony? What was her name again… oh, right, Pinkie Pie?”
“Yuup!” Yona replies. “Yaks are strong by nature. Yaks don’t need help from anyone else but yak Prince was too proud to realize that yaks would suffer without pink pony’s aid. Pink pony help anyway which opens yak Prince’s eyes. Now, pink pony is official friendship ambassador to yak’s kingdom.”
“More like a friendship conqueror,” Cozy Glow replies in a hushed tone that was too low for anyone else to hear.
“Yak no hear pony, what pony say?” Yona inquires.
“Oh! Sorry, I thought that I had to sneeze there for a second. Oopsie dasie.” Cozy Glow replies with shrugged shoulders as everyone continues to chat amongst themselves.
Suddenly, the double doors to the throne are parted which catches the attention of some of the attendees in addition to The Princesses, leaders, and representatives. Blueblood didn’t think too much of it that is until his eyes became locked onto who entered the throne room.
A clopping of hooves could be heard as a beautiful pegasus mare makes her way through the crowd. Her beauty was so surreal that even stallions who attended the party with their wives would momentarily be drawn to this mare’s beauty; that is until said wives would hit them with a hoof and narrow their features.
The pegasus’s body was completely white all while her tail and mane took on a pink coloration. In addition, her eyes were of a magenta coloration as she walked along with a grace that could rival Princess Celestia and a beauty that was on par with princess Cadence.
Some among the crowd couldn’t help but to feel as if this individual seemed familiar. They could’ve sworn that this pegasus mare almost resembles: Celestia. Little did anyone know, this was actually appropriate as Luna says internally:
-Aside from Discord and The Pillars, none art alive today who knoweth of my sister’s appearance before she was forced to use the elements against us, over a thousand years ago. None knoweth of this but it was the use of all six elements that turned our dear sister’s tail and mane into the rainbow they knoweth of today. All that’s missing is a horn. You imitate our sister’s ancient appearance well, Chrysalis. Just as we discussed.-
-EQUUS, CORRUPTION BIOME, CANTERLOT THRONE ROOM-
The being who was formerly known as The Hivemind, now referred to as Ocram by its allies and a few foes, was currently alone in what was left of the throne room. As always, the entity would spend most of its time floating before a very particular object: The last remaining orb of The Corruption.
“We shall soon enact our ancient goal and Lord Legion shall emerge into this world,” Ocram says as the entity chuckles momentarily before it continues: “At least, that’s the alias most refer to The Wall Of Flesh but we know better. ‘Legion’, is but a mere cover for our lord’s ancient name,” Ocram then floats towards the large hole in the throne room’s wall, which was created by Lord Tirek not too long ago, as the entity was looking towards a very particular direction before saying:
“Freeing Tirek wasn’t our only intention when we entered, Tartarus. All is prepared for your arrival... Nyarlathotep.”