//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: Three's Company // Story: Martin: The Endgame // by CrypticMetaphor //------------------------------// Everypony of both civil and royal standing sat in seats that had been laid out for them by the party planner who was currently standing near the snack table eyeing one of the platters. This ceased immediately when the guards gave Pinkie looks which caused her to sit back in her seat with a huff. Lord Highwind of the griffin’s sat at the very front with royals heralding from all over the land, some were ponies of either pegasi or unicorn decent where the only exception was Princess Cadance of the Crystal Kingdom. Both Princess Luna and Celestia were overlooking the entire room from their thrones with smiles at the congregation before them. Princess Celestia noticed the absence of Shining Armor and the guest of honor which caused her to simply sigh. * Martin’s earlier confidence had faded the second he entered the hallway that was adjacent to the main hall. He was pacing back and forth in anxiety of the coming ceremony and was praying to whatever god was out there in creation to make him stop fussing. A few minutes later and Shining Armor showed up and asked him why he seemed so jittery. Martin stopped pacing, “I’m about to walk into a room filled with the elite of elite and the royalist of royals and I can’t stop sweating,” he sat down in a chair and rubbed his temples, “at this rate I’m going to have a panic attack and look like a complete MORON in front of everypony.” Shining Armor stood beside him, “It’s okay to be nervous, heck, I was to when I was knighted.” Martin looked at him confused, “you were knighted?” Shining waved a hoof, “in a manner of speaking. I was named the captain of the guard and dubbed as such. But when I approached the princess my hooves were like stone and my body felt and acted like a wet noodle.” Martin chuckled, “That bad huh?” Shining smiled, “Yeah. My dad had to actually move me to the steps of the throne like a puppet. Sort of like this.” Shining then made ragdoll movements while making his eyes spin and sticking his tongue out of the left side of his mouth. Martin smiled, “that must have sucked.” Shining nodded, “Yeah It did! Now some of the guards call me noodle hooves behind my back now,” he turned and pointed at a nearby guard, “I’m looking at you Jimmy.” Martin stood up, “Okay, I can do this!” He took a step forward and stopped, “I can’t do this.” Shining Armor face hoofed. * In one of the many guard towers, two guards sat at the table playing a card game. One was a lieutenant from the night guard whereas the other was one from the day guard. Some of the guards were given the day off whereas the others were merely given duty to keep the grounds clear and to guard the attendees of the ceremony. In the case of the two lieutenants, they were given the day off but they had no clue what to do so they just decided to play a game of cards and bet a bit of their salary’s as incentive. Both guards then heard a knock on the door which caused them to look up fast as the day guard motioned for the other to check it out. A few minutes passed by as the day guard got a little impatient and walked to the entry way to see what the holdup was only to stop dead in his tracks. Princess Cadance looked at him and the night guard who hadn’t moved. Upon finally registering who it finally was they both bowed in respect. The Princess walked in taking no notice of it, “Why are you two slacking off when there is work to be done?” The day guard stood, “But we were given the day off.” Cadance shook her head, “No no not THAT work.” The night guard looked confused, “Then what work?” A voice behind them cheerfully answered, “Our work of course.” Both guards turned to reveal Discord casually leaning against the door frame, “Hello again.” Both guards turned at the sound of sinister chortling revealing Queen Chrysalis who gave a toothy grin, “Security has gone down since my last visit. It’s almost pathetic.” A figure garbed in a greyish black hooded cloak appeared behind both guards, “Agreed.” The figure grabbed both guards by the back of their necks. Indigo energy surged into their heads causing them to collapse. All three villains shared a collective laugh as they gathered in the center of the room. The figure turned to Chrysalis, “What’s your report from your drones?” Queen Chrysalis smiled, “They have successfully over taken the guard house and surrounding checkpoints along with silencing all resistance.” Discord examined his talon, “The guards have been “persuaded” to help us as per your request.” The figure smiled under his hood, “Just as planned.” Queen Chrysalis shifted into the day lieutenant whereas Discord assumed the form of a nameless day guard with his eye color as the figure exhaled, “Discord, round up the rest of our guards and drones and prep them for the attack. Chrysalis, inform the drones on the inside to await my signal and to move when instructed.” The figure turned to leave the tower, “When the signal is given, join me in the throne room because it’s going to get loud.” * Lupe was sitting next to Twilight as the last of the guests shuffled in and sat down. Lupe all of a sudden began to hear a voice in her head which soon grew into a chorus which transitioned into a full on riot. She shut her eyes tight as pain invaded her and would not let up in the slightest. Twilight saw this and placed a hoof on her shoulder, “Lupe are you okay?” The voices ceased immediately as Lupe’s massively dilated pupils shrunk back to normal, “Yeah…I think so.” Soon after the doors opened, Martin was seen walking toward the thrones. Everypony stomped and applauded respectively as Princess Celestia smiled at the human hero. Soon the room became silent as Martin kneeled before the queen and shut his eyes. Princess Celestia cleared her throat, “Fellow royals and beloved guest. We gather here to usher in a new chapter in Equestrian history. For close to a year now the human Martin Fairbridges has shown examples of integrity, selflessness and honor. For these actions and saving Equestria from certain tragedy and doom I am honored today to…” A booming voice resounded of the walls and seemed to be almost everywhere at once, “So touching and here I thought dramatics were dead.” Everypony looked around until a pony sporting a fleur cutie mark pointed to up above them all to a ledge, “Look!” Everypony looked up to reveal the figure that pulled his hood back revealing the face of a twenty-one year old with a head of medium length indigo/black hair with gold eyes, “I didn’t miss the cake and ice cream did I?” The man jumped to the ground in front of Martin who stumbled back in surprise as the man waved at him, “Hey.” Luna and Celestia both said one word upon seeing the strangers face, “Jinx?” Jinx turned his head and grinned, “Well, well, look at you two all grown up and out on your own.” Jinx snapped his fingers causing every guard in the room to turn into changeling drones. The doors burst open as brain washed guards and more drones poured in with Chrysalis and Discord backing them to which they both wore satisfied smiles. Jinx then raised his arms as the troops took up position around the throne room, “GOOOD evening fillies and gentlecolts. We are today’s entertainment and please stay a while,” Some of the guests tried to make a run for it only for drones and guards to block their paths as Jinx coldly stated, “We insist.” And before anypony says it NO things have not escalated quickly. WE. HAVEN'T. EVEN. STARTED. >:)"