//------------------------------// // Treason At Canterlot // Story: Doomsday // by SilentWanderer //------------------------------// It was snowing at Ponyville. The howling wind swept flocks of snow, battering them against the windows. Within a closed confectionery, three ponies huddled next to the fireplace. “She sure is late.” A unicorn as white as the snow, pulling a sled full of luggage, knocked on the door. Applejack opened the door. “Howdy, Rarity! You are late! I was starting to think you would skip our annual meeting.” “I am so sorry! I have been so busy with my work at Canterlot, that I had to catch the last train, and I almost missed it!” “Did you invite Twilight this time?” asked Fluttershy. Rarity frowned. “No, I could not even find her. I tried sending letters, and they were returned unread. I tried asking for her at her mansion, but I was told she was not there. I am starting to think that she is avoiding me.” “She has been that way since, you know, that day,” said Fluttershy. A silence fell over the room. “Changing subject. Rarity, how is business going at Canterlot?” asked Applejack. “I cannot complain. My latest line has been a complete success! With the help of Fancypants' endorsement, I am selling almost faster than I can produce. “Sweetie Belle has also been doing great at her new college. She has made many new friends. Speaking of her, how is Apple Bloom's doing?” “Apple Bloom has taken over the farm business, now that Granny Smith is gone. There is plenty of work for both of us, since Big Macintosh moved to Manehattan. Oh, and Big Macintosh's now married too. He says his new business is doing great there.” “He finally married? I was wondering when that would happen.” “It was a small ceremony, with only a few family. From his side, he only invited me and Apple Bloom.” “And how about Scootaloo? Do you have any news?” “She is with the Wonderbolts,” said Fluttershy. “Honorary member. She was here last month, at the inauguration of the Rainbow Dash museum. Did you know that they made Rainbow Dash's house into a museum?” “No, I did not.” “Hey girls, you will not believe the taste of this cake! I think it is my best one yet!” Rarity stared at her. “Pinkie, how can you be so happy all the time?” Pinkie's smile was replaced by a frown. “I have to. It is the only way to not cry.” Her smile came back. “Here, have a piece! Tell me, have you ever tasted anything so totally delicious?” -*-*-*- Celestia entered the room. “I was told that you wanted to speak to me, Twilight Sparkle. It sounded important. What is it?” The lavender pony, seated on a cushion at the far end of the room, raised her head from the book she had been reading. “You know how it seems like every month there is a new threat to Equestria.” Celestia seated herself on an elegantly decorated cushion, located at the precise geometric center of the room. “Yes, I have noticed.” “And every time, we have to fight against it, and defeat it.” “Yes.” “But why do we have to wait?” Celestia looked quizzically at Twilight. “Every time, we only react when it is almost too late. Why not be more proactive? Why not try to prevent it? To stop it before it becomes strong enough, dangerous enough to risk everypony's life?” Celestia opened her mouth to speak, but Twilight interrupted her. “This has gone on for too long. How many more ponies will have to lose their lives to our complacency?” Twilight was becoming visibly agitated. “This is about Rainbow Dash, isn't it?” “NO! THIS IS ABOUT EVERYPONY! EVERY SINGLE PONY WHO HAS SUFFERED, BECAUSE WE WERE TOO LAZY TO DO ANYTHING UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE!” Celestia recoiled at Twilight's outburst. Twilight telekinetically opened a small glasses case next to her. From it, she lifted a pair of metallic glasses, which she levitated in front of her purple eyes. “This ends today.” As soon as Twilight finished putting on the glasses, several magic patterns formed quickly and flowed all over the room, moving towards its center. Too late, Celestia realized that she had been trapped. “I will deal with problems before they happen. I will disrupt, drain, or control every magical phenomena which could pose a danger to our lives. I will kill, imprision, or neutralize any being who might stand on my path. I will bring peace to Equestria—forever!” Celestia struggled against the magical trap. Twilight smiled lightly. “Do not worry, Celestia. This trap is stronger than it appears. I enchanted your and Luna's jewelry so that they would contain your magic. What you thought was the trap, was just the activation command.” “You will not get away with this, Twilight Sparkle. I will do everything in my power to stop you.” Twilight chuckled. “You see? This is why I have to contain you two first. Your antiquated moral code would never accept what I am about to do. “But I am not going to kill you two. I will only suppress your alicorn powers, and imprision you both. After I finish creating my utopia, I might even let you enjoy it, as long as you promise to not destroy it.” Twilight stood up and walked towards the door. “I am going to get your little sister. Be a good girl and wait here, it will not take long. I also have to post the first of the forged letters to justify your sudden disapearance.”