All of us huddled up the dark and quite cramped stairs. It was so small that we each had to climb the staircase one by one. The stairs were definitely smaller when you looked at the tower from the outside. I really needed to get in shape, because by the time that we reached the top, I was almost ready to collapse. I noticed that other ponies, such as Cashmere and Ennui, were having troubles as well.
The stairs led to a very tall and bright tower that overlooked Canterlot. I had never been up here before, and I must say that the view was absolutely stunning. The Canterlonian sun shone down on all of the citizens below, who were partially confused by the very sudden and loud use of the sirens. I could hear some of them complaining about it, now that I think about it.
Celestia gawked out yonder, as the rest of the ponies stared out, looking at the streets below. I followed the Princess' gaze only to see my heart drop.
Hundred of thousands of Changelings were headed right for the city.
"But...but they weren't due for another day!" I said out loud. Something wasn't right! Celestia and I both glared at Odysseus, who had apparently given both of us false information. He backed up into a corner, fearing the Princess' wrath.
"B-But that's what I was told by intel! It's true!" He cried, shivering and causing his armor to loudly clang together. Celestia must have believed him, because she turned back to the sight that was the Changelings back to the sight. But I couldn't stop staring at Odysseus. I had to do a double take, but I'm pretty sure I say a grim smile on his lips. And if I'm right, then that really makes me nervous.
But Odysseus is Celestia's right hoof pony. I know for sure he wouldn't do such a thing.
"Quick. We need all seven of you to harness your abilities." Celestia spoke to the Sins now. Warble's head tilted in confusion.
"But I'm not a unicorn. I don't have any abilities." He told her, for once making the Princess smile.
"Yes you do. Everypony has power inside of them. Most just don't know it." She spoke loudly, causing all of the ponies to nod in understanding. Celestia turned to me and my friends now.
"The Sins can't do it all on their own. I need you all to go and retrieve the Elements of Harmony. I must stay here." She looked back out at the impending destruction that was about to take place. All six of us began to run back down the stairs, but Celestia held out a hoof in front of me. "I need you to stay here. I may need you, Twilight." She said regally. I was a little confused, but I obeyed. I didn't know how my friends were going to get to the Elements of Harmony, since I think only Celestia can open it. But I'm sure they'll figure it out. They're smart ponies, and I have faith in them.
I looked back at Odysseus, who looked extremely nervous. One must think that it's due to the Changelings, so I shrugged him off.
Meanwhile, the sins were trying as hard as they could(Well...Ennui was BARELY trying) to reach their inner power that Celestia had put in their veins long ago, with no luck. Most of them closed their eyes, while others loudly grunted with exertion, not really sure how they're supposed to access it in the first place.
The Changelings were getting closer, and at this time, many civilians below us had begun to become aware of the situation, and were beginning to panic. Much to the Princess' dismay.
At this rate, the Changelings would take over the city within minutes.
I heard a low growl.
"What was that!?" I blurted out. Afraid that we might not only have the Changelings to worry about. I looked over to see Warble raise his hoof sheepishly, losing focus for a moment.
"Sorry. I'm a little hungry."
The Changelings were now almost on top of the city, and the Princess was starting to get visibly nervous. I turned back to look over at Odysseus just in time to see his eyes turn a light green, and his body shift into a winged, black, holey creature. It was true.
Odysseus is a Changeling.
"DUCK!" I shouted. Most of the ponies heard me, and ducked. Except for two. Odysseus charged the first one and lifted her off into the air, as she struggled mercilessly. "Vanity?!" I shouted. Before I had time to react, another Changeling dive-bombed from the sky and picked off the other mare that didn't duck in time. Ennui. The Changeling effortlessly hoisted her into the air, following Odysseus(Or what we thought was Odysseus) and Vanity clear over the horizon. I stood there, contemplating what the BUCK just happened.
"O-Odysseus..." Celestia stuttered, obviously a little upset about the fact that her most trusted Royal Guard was a traitor. It made sense now. That's why the Changeling attack is early, because Odysseus and the Changelings wanted to catch us off guard. This must be one of their new strategies that he was talking about. I'm not surprised he told the truth about that.
Another Changeling dive bombed us, heading straight for Cashmere, but Kindling jumped in front of him and punched it right out of the sky, his anger rising once again. When the other Changelings noticed what the brave stallion was doing, they made it their main focus to get him. Kindling noticed this and let out a mighty, and frenetic war cry.
"Come on!" He bashed another Changeling over the head with his strong hooves. "I'm not going down! Without a fight!!" He bellowed. "GO!" He motioned to the rest of us, saying that he will try to hold them off for as long as possible.
"Kindling! You can't do this-" I tried to intervene, but Celestia stopped me.
"Twilight, everyone! Down the stairs!" She spoke, and everyone immediately obeyed. Covette hesitated going down the stairs, not taking her eyes off of Kindling, for some reason. It took various hurried provoking from Aphrodite to get her to move.
"But...we can't just leave him!" I told the Princess, who would have none of what I was saying.
"Kindling is fueled by anger." She explained, looking over to him. "Pain, and loss will do that to a pony. He'll be alright." I let out an understanding sigh and trotted down the stairs with the Princess. I couldn't help but look back at Kindling, who was vigorously fighting off many Changelings at once. I know he had some sort of connection with Ennui. May it be good, or just the fact that they came here together. But I know his adrenaline rush will wear off eventually. He can't stay mad forever. Could he? We have to hurry, because he'll tire out eventually. Unless a heart attack gets him first.
With the morning wind flowing through his mane, and his eyes burning with passion and pain, it looked like the stallion was genuinely on fire.
***
"Uhm, does anypony have an idea on how we can get this door to open?" Fluttershy asked nervously. I noticed that she was trembling behind the rest of us. The Attack must really be taking a toll on her.
"Not really..." Rarity said, looking down at the ground. I couldn't help but notice Fluttershy did the exact same thing, with a saddened sigh.
"Lemme try somethin'" Applejack said, as she positioned herself, her flank facing the doors. She lifted up her hind legs and ferociously bucked the door with all of her might, making a very loud CLANG. But to all of our dismay, the doors remained intact. Which is what to be expected. It's supposed to be burglar proof. It's some of the most powerful artifacts in Equestria. I didn't assume it would be that easy.
"Yeah, good one." Applejack deadpanned, turning away from me to continue searching for something they can use to break down the door. We all had to give up after about 30 minutes, since we looked top to bottom and didn't find a single thing.
"Where's Fluttershy?" Pinkie asked, lying on the ground. She was pretty tired, since she had been the one to run all the way around the castle to search something to use, with similar results as the rest of us. I didn't really expect her to tire out how she did, since she's always the one with the most energy.
I simply pointed to the door. "I dunno, I saw her leave about 35 minutes ago." I told them. They all simultaneously sighed. I did find it odd how she keeps disappearing. But I didn't question it. Must be a "Fluttershy" thing. I felt the ground shake as the Changelings attacked the castle.
"This isn't good..."
"Well, Ah tried." She moped as she returned to the rest of the group.
"Well what are we going to do?" I asked, trying to feel somewhat involved with the situation.
"Rainbow, if we knew that-"
"Yeah, yeah I know..." I waved them off, trying to think of a way. I turned to see Fluttershy wandering off again down the hall, I was going to shout after her, but I decided not to. It's not like she had any good ideas anyways.
"Maybe if we look around we can find something that could help us?" Rarity implied, and I shrugged. Sounded like a good idea to me. So with that, we all roamed around the castle room, trying to find something that could help us.
One of the first thing's that my eyes landed on was a large sculpture of Princess Celestia standing off to the right of the door. The gears in my head turned. If Celestia's horn opened it the other time, then what about a replica? I flew up to the top of the sculpture and swiftly kicked the horn off. When it made a loud CRASH on the ground(Luckily it didn't break or shatter), everyone else turned to look at me.
"Rainbow?! What in tarnation are ya doing!?" Applejack yelled. "That's the Princess' sculpture! She'll hide ya if she find out about that!"
"Not if my plan works she won't!" I boast, picking up the horn and trotting gingerly over to the key hole. I forcefully shoved the horn inside of the hole. To my surprise, it didn't work. I nervously rubbed the back of my head. "Heh heh...nevermind..."
All three other ponies glared at me angrily, and I was quite afraid of what the Princess is going to say about this. I decided not to worry about it. I'm sure the Princess won't care. She can probably just summon someone to make another one for her. I hope.
"Uhm guys?"
"What're we going to do?!" Rarity asked again.
"Ah don't know!" Applejack shot back for the final time.
"Maybe if we got something large enough, we can bust down the door!" I inquired.
"Uhm...guys?"
"Like what? Remember whatever it is we're going to have to lift it!" Rarity shot back at me.
I felt a poking sensation in my side, but I quickly waved it off. "Not now." I said.
"But...but..."
I let out a loud grunt and turned to whatever it was behind me. "What!?" I shouted. I stared surprised at what I saw in front of me. It was Fluttershy, carrying about five red candles.
"I-I found these in the castle armory..." She said, handing them to me.
"Really? Candles? How are these going to help us?" I asked her, getting a little irritated. Applejack forcefully took them away from me, a little too quickly.
"These aren't candles...it's dynamite!"