~~~~~7 Hours until the arrival of the H.M.S. Commander Hurricane~~~~~
Celestia's magic enveloped the loose scroll, tapping it against the side of her desk. Her mind raced with thoughts, trying to decipher what was going on in the head of Twilight Sparkle. The arrival of the message had not been a welcome shock to Celestia, but there had to be a good reason for Twilight to deliver these demands. She has intimidated the town council, and the mayor is likely co-operating to prevent a panic. That made sense. Still. Why call for a meeting in the very middle of the town?
Scouting reports had indicated that the majority of the town's population were currently at some kind of impromptu festival at the Apple family estates. She is trying to hold the meeting far from where anypony might get hurt. That also made logical sense, given the facts she had at her hooves. She is trying to force a confrontation between myself and her. She doesn't want others to get involved.
Suddenly, the logic blossomed in Celestia's mind and she felt a powerful surge of pride in her student. Dearest Twilight. You have not fallen so far after all, have you? Property could be rebuilt or restored, but families and lives were irreplaceable. She is challenging me to prove myself, to prove the superiority of my beliefs. It was a thought that warmed Celestia's heart, no matter what the dark circumstances might be.
Celestia tossed the scroll onto her desk and stood up. "Admiral." She spoke quietly, and the aged pegasus tilted his head towards her, listening carefully. "Continue bringing the Hurricane into position. It won’t need to get any closer than her established boundary anyway." Celestia marched over and tapped the neatly drawn map of ponyville. "Deploy the ritual teams immediately, with orders to remain hidden at all costs. Have the Royal Guard ready to assist at my signal."
The admiral nodded his acquiescence. "Yer gonna answer her call then, Princess?" the stallion raised an eyebrow at her, obviously dubious at this course of action. "Seems like a trap."
Celestia laughed gently and wrapped a hoof around the Admiral's shoulder. "Of course it's a trap, dear friend. My student is no fool. But there are many things she wishes to know that only I can answer, and for once I shall happily oblige her. We shall undoubtedly talk until it is far too late to stop my plans." Her eyes twinkled merrily.
The admiral grunted in response, and then shook his head sadly. "You... you be safe then, Princess." His voice hesitated over the words, thick with emotion. "See ya on the other side, eh?"
Celestia bowed her head to him. "Yes. I will see you there, old friend." Celestia turned and marched quietly out of the bridge. Moments later, she lifted from the deck and sped towards Ponyville.
Back on the bridge, the Admiral walked into the command room with slow, hesitating hoofsteps. His eyes coming up just in time to see the clean white form of Celestia soaring across the sky. "A-Ten-SHUN!" The admiral's voice bellowed out, and the crew stood as one to salute Celestia's passing form.
~~~~~~~~
A feeling of safety was something everypony understood. What most ponies didn't understand was how somepony could feel so unsafe so often. It seemed like a lifetime ago that Fluttershy had felt that way. That the entire world was big and scary, and full of horrible things that could hurt you so easily. Fluttershy had been so scared of so much, it had simply become a nature state of the world for her.
Now though, things had changed. Fluttershy had wanted to jump for joy and shout to the heavens, but such behavior was not her way. Ever since Twilight had challenged them all to believe in her, to believe in a better way, Fluttershy had felt safer than she ever had in her life.
Luna had been the key of course. She had showed Fluttershy the way. There was no need to be scared when there were such strong ponies to look over you. They would need things too of course, but that was a small price to pay for this feeling of warmth and love. Had she been asked, Fluttershy would have sworn she could feel the gentle hooves of Twilight always on her shoulder.
Even as Fluttershy walked calmly and slowly through Ponyville, she did not feel the anxiety of other ponies watching her. The town was crawling with strange creatures of the night, many of whom would have sent the old Fluttershy running to the hills in terror. Now though, she felt no fear of these strange ponies or ponylike creatures, as Twilight would protect her from them. They feared Twilight, and they would not act in such a way as to bring her wrath down upon them.
So Fluttershy walked, her throat encircled by a thick black collar that Luna had given her this morning. A little metal disc with the spark of magic upon it hung from it right in front of her throat. Fluttershy's hoof touched it, as though it were a good luck charm. This is Twilight's mark. She whispered in her mind, remembering Luna's words. It means she's always with me, no matter where I am.
She owed so very much to Twilight now. She had no problem following in the hoofsteps of Luna, to give back some of the wonderful feelings Twilight had given her. And now, she had a new task - a very important one. It was scary in every way, and for the first time in her life, Fluttershy did not care.
She found Twilight at the table, exactly where she said she'd be. Fluttershy carefully placed the heavy saddlebags at Twilight's hooves and carefully leaned in to kiss the offered forehoof. What is it that Luna keeps calling her? Mistress? It's such a lovely sounding word...
Twilight smiled gently at Fluttershy, who felt a wide warm smile fill her lips in response. "Here they are, Mistress." She whispered, trying out the word and feeling it with her lips. It felt right to say it, and sent a warm fuzzy feeling down into the pit of Fluttershy's stomach where her fear used to live.
Twilight's smile widened and she nodded softly. "Are you ready to carry out your task? I won’t force you to do this if you do not want to, Fluttershy." There was concern, love and caring in every word that came from Twilight's mouth. Fluttershy could feel a heat lighting up her insides, remembering the previous evening. Oh yes. There is nothing more in this world to fear. She is terrifying, but she loves you. What else do you need?
Fluttershy's eyes closed and she spoke calmly, clearly. "I am prepared, Mistress."
~~~~~
Twilight's hooves tapped together nervously as she leaned back in her chair and watched the moon slowly moving towards its peak. No word of an attack, and no sign of violence yet. That was both good and bad. There was no telling what Celestia' might be up to now. I have to believe she'll come herself. I Know she hates needless violence. It wasn't a perfect plan, but there hadn't been time for such things.
Celestia was the last link in the chain that connected all of the events of the last week. She alone knew the few vital truths that still remained outside of her grasp. Truths Twilight intended to have, no matter what it might take. Her magic quietly opened the saddlebags Fluttershy had brought and lifted the silver and amethyst crown from inside, laying it over her brow. Within a moment she could feel the powerful pulse of dissonance surge inside of her, the power begging to be seized and used to shape the world anew.
Twilight unconsciously reached out and stroked Fluttershy's hair, the yellow pegasus wiggling closer to kneel next to her. It felt good just to run her hoof through that silken mane, and relax for a few moments as the power flowed around and through her. I can do this. she thought firmly, drawing strength from her newly reshaped crown. Another connection was coming closer. Rarity. She knew, simply tasting of the power in the connection between them. More and more, she was coming to love this feeling of control over her world.
Twilight's eyes opened, then widened in shock. What. But... that's impossible. Rarity was strutting down the street in an beautiful purple and gold dress, tailored to flatter her every curve and muscle. An elegant cloak of violet silk hung to one side of her neck bearing a new symbol. A spark of magic nestled into a crescent moon, surrounded by six golden stars. It's the dress from my vision. The cloak is new, but the dress is...exactly the same.
Twilight could feel the knot in her stomach tightening, as she now saw the tall dress cart that trailed behind Rarity. The dresses were nearly exactly the ones from her vision, though they had all had the new symbol incorporated into them in some way.
Rarity swished the dangerously risqué skirt of her dress around and smiled coquettishly at them. "Darlings! Come now, it's time to get dressed up!" She chuckled brightly. "We need to look presentable if we're going to make history!"
~~~~~~
Shining Armor shifted in the unfamiliar thick plates of the armor. "What in Equestria is this made of? It's so light!" he stood on the Town Hall's uppermost balcony, along with the changeling general and the commander of the batpony's. The pitch black armor fit well, even if it was taking some getting used to. Light or not, this stuff feels like it could stop a charging unicorn.
The changeling general - who was named Stratego, now that Shining thought about it - chuckled softly at the question. "It is made of many thin layers of our own chitin, taken from our dead and carefully laminated together." The general’s serpentlike green eye seemed to gleam. "It takes a very long time to make even one suit, which is why only our commanders ever wear it into battle."
Shining Armor arched an eyebrow, looking a little queasy before the batpony commander roared into laughter. "Stratego, quit trying to make the new kid throw up." The batpony commander grinned. "They molt, kid. Every couple of weeks. So they got oodles of spare shell lying around, but not all of its suited for armor."
Shining Armor rolled his eyes a little, and half glared at the changeling who simply grinned back in what he thought was innocence. "Whatever." Shining armor muttered, then grinned. "Still, I kinda liked the idea of wearing dead changelings as armor. Felt kinda badass."
His new generals roared in laughter again, and Shining had to admit the pair of characters was growing on him. They were mean sons of whorses, but they were smart and they didn't hide behind rank when they screwed up. Shining was worried though. The First Air Wing was just hovering there just outside of town, a mass of crackling storm clouds in the distance. It didn't make any sense.
Shining put his chin in his hoof, rubbing along it slowly. "Can it, boys. I want to know why you think they stopped. You think Celestia honestly is going to waltz into town with no backup?"
The two dark figures next to him went silent for a moment, each of them brooding in their own ways. The batpony seemed to enjoy closing his eyes and muttering under his breath, while Stratego rapidly beat his wings and licked his fangs. Stratego spoke up first, "She has been known to do such reckless things in her past. She has so rarely faced any foe capable of directly threatening her."
The batpony shook his head, growling out. "I'd have to agree. Centuries of invincibility can have an effect on yer mind. Still, I'd feel better if we poked around to see if she was tryin to get around us." His own bright gold eyes scanned the horizon. "Lemmie send a couple of squads to check out the perimeter. I got a feeling in my gut she's gonna try something."
Shining Armor nodded. "Get them out there. Also check out at the edge of Twilight's perimeter too. Celestia's got a lot of magical tricks up her hooves no one has seen in centuries. I don't want to take any chances."
The batpony nodded and gave out a shrill set of whistles, the sounds echoing off the rooftops and walls of Ponyville. From the shadows of chimneys and alleyways, several flocks of the batpony soldiers lifted into the air and began moving out towards the edge of town.
Shining Armor's gaze went back to the dark cloudbank, working his jaw. "And get me a courier."
~~~~~~
Spitfire stared as the bat-winged pegasus pony approached her clouds, bearing a blue and white flag flying from his teeth. Again? What am I, some kinda mailmare?! But somehow, she didn't think this was a message for Celestia. "Hoofs up." She quietly ordered, and the rest of the wing slowly took up positions.
When the batpony was within fifty feet of the clouds, he spat out the flag and spoke out loudly. "I have a message for Commander Spitfire, if she is present! If not, I have a message for her immediate subordinate!"
Spitfire stared for a moment, then yelled overtop her cloud, trying to get a good look at the batpony. "You're speaking to her! Whaddya' want?"
The Batpony flapped up a little higher and cleared its throat before speaking. "Prince Shining Armor has requested a meeting at the Town Hall with you. I have been given his seal as proof of his identity." The batpony offered up a scroll with a wax seal on it. "You have been given special dispensation to enter the city of Ponyville. Your safety will be guaranteed under the rights of parley. I will remain here as a hostage. Do you accept?"
Spitfire's jaw hit the cloud and she ducked back down to stare bewildered at Soarin. "Armor's in charge? Shit." She bit at a piece of the cloud and tore it off in frustration. "No wonder we didn't get attacked. He knows more about guard doctrine than I do."
Soarin arched an eyebrow. "So. Worst case scenario, boss?" Soarin had a sober look on his face, but no fear or doubt. Spitfire was glad for his calming presence right now, given how she wanted to spit nails.
"Yeah, pretty much." Spitfire grumbled, tapping her hoof against the cloud. "Okay. Better go see what he wants. Shining's got more honor in his left hoof than most ponies." She nodded at her subordinate. "You're in charge here. I send up a flare, you come in and get me. Otherwise, you don't move from this spot 'less Celestia herself tells you to." Soarin nodded and gave her a hoofbump for luck.
Spitfire launched herself over the cloud. "Alright, bats. You park yer keester on that cloud." She pointed behind her "And don't you make one funny move, or we'll turn you into roast batwings." Then she was gone, an explosion of flame and a blazing trail across the sky behind her. Damnit, Shiny. What have you gotten yourself mixed up in this time?
~~~~~
Twilight watched the blazing pegasus cross the sky overhead, her brow furrowing for a moment. Then she nodded. "Hmh. Interesting move, brother." Another chess piece moved across the board, and Twilight had to smile. "Perhaps a very good one too. Let's see how it works out."
Luna raised an eyebrow at her and Twilight giggled, slipping her hoof around the blue Alicorn's flank. "Don't worry yourself. Now help me get into this thing and put your disguise back on. I think we might just get a chance to speak with Celestia after all."
~~~~~
The Town hall of Ponyville was quiet, except for the three armored figures which now sat up upon the roof. Each of them watched the blazing flight trail of the Wonderbolt Commander with interest. "I heard she once took down three changeling commanders with that trick of hers." Opined the batpony, his mouth twitching into a smile.
The changeling general Stratego grunted. "It's true. I was at that particular fight. That pegasus can seriously fly." He snapped his fangs up at the sky. "You're insane letting her down here, you know that Prince?"
Shining Armor grinned slightly. "We've got a history. She won’t try to blow me up until we've talked a little. Besides, I do know a thing or two about shields." He smirked at the other two commanders, and got grins in return. "Just let me do the talking."
Spitfire didn't take long to spot him, and before he could lick his lips twice, the fiery maned pegasus was perched on the balcony railing and half glaring at him. "Prince Armor. Since when do you go in for treason?" Spitfire drawled, her voice snapping with restrained anger.
Shining felt his humor diminish, and he pointed his hoof skyward. "Same day you went in for Town razing, Commander." His own voice snapped back, getting a wince from Spitfire. "Nice to see you too, Spitfire. Mind telling me why you've got an obliterator cloud up there?"
Spitfire glared at him for a few more moments before giving up on it. "Orders, Shiny. You know how it is same as I do." She spat off the edge of the railing and looked at him levelly. "You didn't call me down here to ask me that anyway. Fess up, I've got nervous pegasi up there to keep from doing something stupid."
Shining walked up to the railing and leaned on it. "I want to know if you really intend to bring those clouds down here." He turned a sober blue-eyed gaze on the Wonderbolts commander. "These ponies haven't done a damn thing to Celestia. This is between her and my sister." Shining Armor's eyes narrowed slightly. "You're a good pony, Spitfire. So are all those kids up there in First Air Wing. Don't turn them into murderers."
Spitfire snorted softly. "You don't gotta tell me this is bucked up, Shiny. But I'm a soldier, even if I act more like a clown most of the time." she didn't look at shining, her words muttering. "And I've got orders."
Shiny laughed once, "And since when do you always follow orders, Spitfire?" Shining grinned a little. "Look. We're both soldiers. We both took oaths to protect the people of Equestria from harm." He stabbed his hoof up at the clouds. "You give me your word that you won’t bring those clouds down, and I'll give you mine that we'll do everything we can to keep the civilians safe."
Spitfire hesitated, licking suddenly dry lips. "That's... almost enough fig leaf." She turned her glare on him, eyes narrowing in speculation. "This isn't just about your sister, is it?" Shining's look was enough to answer that. "Alright. I can't believe I'm about to bucking do this but after that meeting with Celestia... " Spitfire bit her lip and then nodded. "I'm declaring this entire operation under military investigation. I am officially placing the burden of investigation upon you Prince Armor. The Equestrian High Command will require a thorough and complete report as to the exact nature of these events." Spitfire stabbed her hoof into Shining's chest. "Including why the buck you're consorting with these two lunkheads. Yes, I know them. No, I'm not going to tell you how."
Spitfire turned around on the bannister. "According to Military Regulation Four-Four-Six-Five-Point-Two, no military operation under investigation can proceed until the appropriate reports have been filed. I expect that report to be filed, in triplicate, within forty-eight hours." She paused, her wings flaring out. "First Air WIng is going to withdraw back to the Hurricane. I hope to bucking Tartarus you're right about this, Shiny." Then she was gone, soaring up into the air on a column of flame.
The three figures watched her go, and finally the batpony coughed. "You said you two had a history?" His tone quizzical, trying to steer conversation away from their relationship with her.
Shining snorted. "Yeah. Before I met Cadence. Then later, when she became the head of EIS." Two sets of surprised eyes turned on Shiny, and he smiled wryly. "I know. Doesn't look like the head of the Equestrian Intelligence Service, does she?"
~~~~~~4 hours until the H.M.S Commander Hurricane is in position~~~~~
Twilight lifted the white knight from the board and laid it to one side with a satisfied smile. The board position was developing nicely, but there was no time for celebration. The Queen was about to take the field against her, and that meant that soon, every plan would be in danger.
Sure enough, Twilight looked into the sky to see a soaring white figure slowly winging her way towards her table.
"Places, everypony." She whispered. "It's Showtime."
Princess Celestia landed in the center of Ponyville and slowly walked over to the table. Dash sat quietly next to Twilight and Lilith and Fluttershy knelt next to her chair, eyes fixed firmly on the ground. Rarity lifted a wineglass from where she lay across one of the nearby benches and sipped at it, eyes following Celestia as she crossed the empty space between them. Applejack lifted her hat with her hoof, leaning back against that same bench. Pinkie Pie was nowhere to be seen, which was exactly where Twilight needed her right now.
Princess Celestia, Sun's Glory and Ruler of Equestria, stopped only a few feet away from Twilight Sparkle, the Nightmare Queen. The two ponies looked at one another, countless emotions filling the air. Each of them seemed to want to speak first, but the spell of the moment silenced them. Twilight knew her mentor would focus on her corrupted eyes, her strange outfit and the sight of two ponies kneeling at her hooves like slaves.
Twilight herself focused on other things. Her mentor looked serene, but underneath that shell powerful emotions stirred and roiled. It seemed even the mighty ruler of Equestria was not immune to the barbs of sadness and guilt. Twilight desperately wanted to reach out to her, comfort her. She could feel that powerful sense of loss deep inside of her teacher, and wanted to banish it from her.
In spite of all that had happened, Twilight could not bring herself to hate Celestia. All of the lies, all of the deception, it did not remove the fact that Celestia had been her closest confidant and mentor her entire life. Perhaps those emotions were a weakness, but Twilight knew they could also be a strength. Do not make me fight you, Celestia. she thought desperately. I don't know what I might do.
Celestia spoke first, her voice as serene and calm as the evening breeze and interrupting Twilight's thoughts. "Good evening, my most faithful student. It appears there is much for us to discuss."