//------------------------------//
// Chapter 2 
// Story: Losing Harmony 
// by Philonius Phil 
//------------------------------//


Chapter 2


Twilight sat on a wooden seat, the clacking of wheels filling the passenger car. It was empty except for her, Cadence, and a small detachment of crystal guards. “Cadence, I just…I don’t think I’m ready for this.”
Cadence was sitting across from her with a gentle smile on her face. “Twilight, you’ve been the most wonderful friend a girl could ask for, ever since I first foalsat for you. You’re talented, you’re kind, and you’ve got the support of your friends. Of course you’re ready.”                
“But I’ve never had this kind of responsi—“
“You defeated Nightmare Moon and saved Princess Luna in the process. You defeated Discord when nopony else could. You prevented Chrysalis from taking over Canterlot and rescued me! Do I need to go on?”
“Yes, but I don’t know the first thing about ruling, or politics, or any of that. I don’t want to be a princess, I never did. I don’t want the responsibility and I definitely don’t want everypony to start treating me differently.”
“Don’t worry. You’re friends aren’t going to abandon you, you’ll have me there to help with your transition, and Celestia isn’t going to stop helping you just because you’re a princess. So relax, everything is going to be fine.” Cadence rested her head back. “Now I’m going to get some rest before we get to Canterlot. You should do the same. You’ve got a big day.”
Twilight shifted in her seat, looking out the window. She knew Cadence was probably right, but what if she let everypony down? What if she was seen as the worst princess ever? Or worse, the worst pony ever. What if she single-hoofedly caused the fall of Equestria, and was considered an outcast, or a traitor? What if—
“Twilight, stop working yourself into a frenzy!” Cadence said, “I can see it in your eyes.” Twilight sighed and laid her head down, her eyes drifting shut. Perhaps a little rest before they arrived would help calm her down.


***


A silver pegasus, clad in black armor, was lying atop a ridge overlooking a small encampment. He found the cool night’s sand and countless stars in the sky calming. The moon was full as well, providing just the right amount of light for their operation. Another pony crawled up beside him, whispering, “Captain Steelwing, all our men are in position.”
“Good work Lieutenant, now make us silent.” With that, the other pony’s horn glowed, enveloping the dozen ponies lining the ridge in a soft black aura.
Steelwing took flight, prompting several other pegasi to do the same, and motioned for everypony to get ready. He and the other pegasi glided silently through the air until they were well above the camp, and drew their swords. There were a few earth ponies on lookout, guarding the entrances to the camp.
Steelwing and the other pegasi went into a free-fall. He aimed his sword at one of the guards. As he approached, he let his wings catch the air, slowing his descent, and readied his sword to stab down. Within seconds, the lookout had a sword through his neck, and Steelwing on top of him. The life faded from his eyes as he coughed up blood, and before long, he was dead. He looked up to check on the situation; each of the pegasi had hit their marks, killing each of the lookouts.
The rest of his squad charged in, running into the tents to dispatch the sleeping ponies while he made his way to where the leader slept. Two pegasi followed, the sound of muffled screams filling the air behind them.
Steelwing burst through the tent door. He made his way to the sleeping earth pony, ripped him from his bed, and threw him down on the floor. The pony jolted awake, his eyes darting around before he was gagged by the two pegasi that had followed Steelwing.
“So we finally meet,” Steelwing said in a gruff voice. The other pegasi held his face against the floor. “I’ve been tracking your group for a while now. I hear you and your little friends have been scheming lately.” He walked over to a desk, eyeing some of the papers that were laid on it. “In fact I’ve already dispatched of several other of your group’s camps.” He turned back and crouched in front of him, staring into his eyes as he brought his hoof up to the pony’s chin. “Did you really think you’d be safe all the way out here in the Gryphon Kingdoms? Did you really think that you would be out of our reach by going overseas?”
The pony struggled to get up, but the pegasi just slammed their hoofs into him harder, dropping him to the ground. Steelwing stood up again as he said, “We don’t take kindly to those who would disrupt harmony for personal gain. And I personally dislike individuals who would harm innocent ponies as a means to an end.” He gave a nod and the two pegasi lifted him up and ungagged him. “Now, with all that said I have a duty to ensure balance is kept and harmony maintained, and I can’t do that without your help. So regardless of what I’d like to do to you, I’ll make you a deal. You give me what I need, and we’ll let you rot in the Canterlot dungeons instead of killing you on the spot. Deal?”
The pony looked up at him and spit. “No.”
One of the pegasi punched him in the stomach, causing him to cough up blood. Steelwing glared at him before shouting, “You and the rest of your friends at the Earth Pony Liberation Front have been meeting with the Gryphons. Why?!”
“Go to hell.” Steelwing nodded again. They turned him around and punched him in the face. He could hear the sound of his jawbone cracking.
“You have to know the Gryphons would never risk war with Equestria, not as long as they depend on it for their weather! Are they supplying you?! Are they training you?! Or is it something else?”
He averted his gaze, “I…don’t know.”
“Oh really? In that case kill him, as slowly and painfully as you—”
“Wait…,” he said, his head hanging. Steelwing’s eyes perked up. “I don’t know exactly what’s happening, we only hear rumors. I just know there’s supposed to be something big going down, something game changing.” His eyes narrowed, confidence returning to his voice as he said in disgust, “Something that will finally rid us of Equestrian oppression.”
The Lieutenant walked in, carrying a letter. “Captain, we’ve received a royal notice.”
“Very well.” He looked at the pony, now on the ground just holding his sides. “Thank you for your cooperation. Do make sure he finds his way to the Canterlot dungeons, I hear they’re lovely this time of year.” The pegasi dragged the earth pony out of the tent to be processed with any other survivors. “What does it say?”
“It appears you’re needed in Canterlot immediately. An emergency council has been convened.”
Steelwing’s eyes widened. “Really? Does it say what for?”
“No, just that it pertains to a highly sensitive matter and that all high level officials are to report as soon as physically possible.”
“Very well. Before I head off, did we suffer any casualties?”
“No sir, the mission went off without a hitch.”
“Thank you Lieutenant. Gather the rest of the unicorns, they’ll teleport me to Canterlot. In my absence you’ll take command and finish things up here, make sure to mop up any signs of our presence before heading back to base. I’ll give you further orders when I know more.”
“Roger sir.”


***


Twilight stepped off the train, Cadence just behind her. A group of guards approached them. “Princess Twilight, Princess Cadence,” one of the guards said, nodding to each one, “We’ve been sent to escort you two to the castle.”
“What? Why?” Twilight asked.
Cadence responded, “You’re a princess now, they’re here to make sure you’re safe. You’ll probably be assigned your own group of royal guards later today.”
Twilight and Cadence approached Canterlot castle, the number of guards increasing the closer they got. Twilight questioned the guard leading them, “What’s going on here, why are there so many more guards than usual?”
“We’ve been put on high alert.”
“Did something happen? Was another threat made?”
“I don’t know Princess, they’ve yet to inform us of the reasons.” Twilight looked around. There were hundreds of guards lining the walls and streets, all standing at attention.
When they reached the entrance to the castle, she saw guards searching ponies trying to enter. “What’s going on here? Why are they being stopped?”
The guard responded, “Captain Shining Armor’s orders. All ponies requesting access to the castle are required to be searched until further notice.” As they approached, the ponies guarding the entrance snapped to attention and saluted, standing aside to make way as Twilight and Cadence passed through.
Inside they were greeted by Luna. Her eyes were bloodshot, her head downtrodden, her expression solemn. “What’s wrong, Princess Luna? And why isn’t Celestia here to greet us?” asked Twilight.
“Twilight, I…I…” her voice quivered, tears forming in her eyes, “It mustn’t be discussed here in the open. Let us depart to the Royal Council Chamber. I’ve gathered the heads of state there. We need to discuss our next steps.”