//------------------------------// // Throne Room // Story: The Conversion Bureau: Joker's Revenge // by Convair //------------------------------// Far away from the bustling city of Gotham, and any other human settlements for that matter, was the tiny nation of Equestria. Throughout the land, across all of the many different environments found upon the magic-filled island, were ponies that happily frolicked throughout the sunny days that their leader and the weather-changing abilities of Pegasi granted them. However, without these methods of changing the weather and seasons throughout the year to what the ponies desired, many of the places that they resided would be impossible for them to live in without either the extremest of survival gear or resolve, of which the equines had neither. Out of all the inhospitable environments that the ponies had chosen to live upon, possibly the most ridiculous was Mount Canterhorn, the place where both the princesses and the capitol city of Canterlot resided. The city itself was attached to the side of the mountain via magic, the use of which was suspected to be a massive drain on the power of whatever entity kept it from tumbling down the mountain, though most suspected that they could afford such use of energy due to the same magical supply that fed the Barrier once Celestia had stopped feeding her own power into it. As much as people and ponies alike were impressed by the Celestial City, there was one part that garnered attention more than most; The Royal Palace. The Palace, home to heads of state and Nobles alike, was the center of Equestria, the place where all trade and serious business made itself known to those who ruled the nation from the city upon the mountain; the Princesses. Celestia and Luna, the Eternal Sisters, the ones who had watched over ponykind for millennia. With the exception of the Nightmare Moon era, they had ruled together, balancing both themselves and their country from their thrones high atop their mountain. It was there, upon their gilded cushions and immaculately carved seats that the sisters sat, immersed in their conversation with their guards’ captain. “Thankfully, there was only one fatality, the dead pony having been at the hospital for hours suffering from at least half a dozen gunshot wounds sustained during the robbery before he finally succumbed to his injuries.” “For that small miracle, I am grateful, Captain Armor. I fear that when dealing with humans, especially ones willing to kill, nothing can be certain.” “Indeed, sister, they are far too dangerous to be ignored. Security should certainly be increased in other Bureaus in the area, lest this success embolden them to attack again.” “I agree. Perhaps we should ask the human authorities if they know anything else about those responsible for the robbery?” “M’lady, asking the humans for anything is like asking a pauper for jewels, it simply will not yield results.” “I agree with Captain Armor, sister, we will not receive any information out of the humans. I fear that the recent actions of our misguided kin have broken any bonds to humanity we had left.” “Why must the PER continue this madness? Do they not see the damage they have done, remember the horrors that I pardoned in my blindness or even regret the war that I allowed them to start?” “Tis not your fault, sister, you supported a cause you thought to be just, as would any of us. Do not linger upon what mistakes have been made in the past, rather look towards the future and what it holds in store.” “What future, Luna? The humans have all but officially called for our heads and I fear that this will only get worse. They may even begin to murder Equestrian ponies in revenge as they did before. How can our future be anything worth striding for if this bitter hatred between our species is all that can be achieved?” “Perhaps we should not try anything ourselves, but try to solve this indirectly? Perhaps if they do not think we are involved, they would be far more open to discussion, possibly with one we could trust to do the right things?” “Of whom do you speak, Luna?” “You student, Twilight Sparkle, of course. She has many qualities that would be helpful in regaining the trust of our bipedal neighbors.” Shining Armor looked up at them with a growing sense of horror. “You can’t send Twilight to the humans, she wont be safe! They’ll tear her apart after what happened in Gotham!” “And that is why you and your finest soldiers will go with her. To keep her safe and make sure she doesn’t do anything foolish.” “But surely there is somepony else, somepony more qualified to go?” “Don't worry, the Elements will surely be going with her, for there is no group better for what we have in mind.” “And what, exactly, do you have in mind, Princess?” “Fetch Twilight, for she and her friends shall be sent to help any victims of the PER with their newfound changes. She will support them as they learn to use their new bodies, their new abilities and be a friend to all those in need, such is what must be done to redeem ourselves for the crimes of our kin.” “Yes Princess.” Shining left the throne room, trotting towards where his sister had been staying in the castle the past few days. Once he had left, Luna turned to her sister, a look of worry on her face. “Celestia, do you truly believe it to be wise sending your student and her friends into lands and to help ponies that will surely be… less than welcoming?” “As much as I would like to say yes, I realize they will likely be in their fair share of danger in the coming days. As long as they keep themselves safe and on task, we may yet have a chance at fixing what the PER has done.” “Should they fail in their mission, what then?” “We must be prepared. Send forth your night guards to all corners of Equestria and beyond, have them drag out every PER member they can find, kicking and screaming if necessary. We must show humanity that we will find those responsible for these attacks if we are to survive their wrath.” “Have your own guards not found many already?” “There are far too many of them that are themselves part of the PER for anypony of consequence to be found. That is why your own guards must be used, for you know how loyal they are to their goddess.” Luna smiled, recalling how joyous her Thestrals had been to see her return, most of them having immediately returned to her side as her personal guards. They were loyal to a fault, and would rather die than disappoint Luna, such was their commitment to her, something Celestia was somewhat jealous of at times. Though, with Luna being the deity central to the Thestral’s religion, culture and history, who could blame them for never wanting to fall short of their goddess’ expectations? “I suppose I could send some of them to find the PER’s leaders, to ‘cut the head off of the snake’ as it were.” “Excellent.” As they finished their discussion they heard the doors of their throne room creek back open, Shining Armor slipping between the two halves before they closed, closely followed through by his sister and the Element of Magic herself; Twilight Sparkle. She, along with her brother, walked tentatively up to the twin thrones, bowing quickly before smiling brightly up at her mentor. “Hello Princesses!” “Hello, Twilight.” “Greetings, young Twilight” “So, what did you summon me for Princess, is there something I can help you with?” Her teacher looked down at her, a reassuring smile gracing her muzzle before she spoke. “There is indeed something you can help us with, Twilight. I trust you have kept yourself up to date on what the PER has done recently?” “I have, even if it is a bit depressing.” “Have you heard word of the robbery that took place at the Gotham Conversion Bureau?” “I haven’t heard all of the details yet, but I do know that a group of humans stole the bureau’s entire stock of potion and killed somepony in the process.” “That is correct, though I am sure your brother will fill you in on the rest of the details once you reach your destination.” “D-destination? Where are you sending me?” “Not just you, but your friends as well. I fear that we may require all of the Elements together for you to succeed.” “Okay, but where are we going, and what are we supposed to do, Princess?” “Do not fret about that just yet, Twilight. Get your friends on the next train from Ponyville and all will be explained once they arrive. Until then, you may want to review what you know of humans and their social norms, as you will be spending a good deal of time with them in the near future.” Twilight’s eyes lit up, no doubt wondering what her mentor could possibly want her to do with humans, a species she had little experience with outside of her books. Luna saw this look of youthful curiosity and smirked. “I would not get too excited, Twilight, for you must remember that humans are not as easy to deal with as ponies. There is no certainty when dealing with even the most passive of them. I would recommend caution towards any of your scholarly endeavors pertaining to them, at least until you have some experience, or some human friends, first.” Twilight blushed, her ears lying flat upon her head as she looked to the floor, embarrassed that she had let her excitement be so obvious. “I’ll be careful, Princess, I promise!” “I should hope so. Now go, write to your friends and get them here as soon as they can be on the next train. We shall send for you when they arrive.” “Yes Princess. Goodbye, your Majesties.” “Goodbye Twilight” “Farewell lady Twilight.” Twilight bowed before making her way out of the throne room, returning to her room to send for her friends and read all that she could about the humans she and her friends were supposedly going to be around. As soon as she had left, Luna turned to her sister. “I must return to my bedchambers, sister. Being up this long after sunrise is beginning to tire me.” “I understand, Luna, you need your rest just as everypony else does. It isn’t fair of me to keep you awake this far into the morning.” “No apology is necessary. Twilight’s reaction was certainly interesting enough to make this daylight incursion more than worth it. I shall see you this evening, sister, goodnight.” “Don’t you mean good morning?” Luna stuck her tongue out at her sister as she descended her throne; her silver regalia tapping against the marble as she carefully trod down the somewhat narrow steps. Once she had made it to the bottom, she smiled back up at her sister one last time before she went through a side door and down the hallways that led to her personal rooms. Celestia looked to the doorway Luna had slipped into, staring at it with a sense of longing as she prepared herself for the coming day of paperwork and governing, wishing for nothing more than the warm embrace of her bed during these early hours of the day.