//------------------------------// // Panic at The Capital // Story: The Great Circus-Catastrophe // by Dableaxcheaz //------------------------------// Meanwhile at the circus, Big Top and his workers began to pump up a hot air balloon. Big Top commanded his men to watch over the animals, as well as assure everypony in town that the situation would be under control. With his three pegasi hooked up to the balloon and Pegs coming along, Big Top took up a set of reigns and took the balloon to the sky at great speed. As for our giant ape Magnus, he was well on his way to Canterlot while Fluttershy tried calling for help. She tried and tried, only to have her screams muffled by the gusts of wind. Nopony even noticed that Magnus was on the train. Despite the slight altitude sickness, Magnus felt assured that he would be far away from Big Top when this was over. He was hoping that he would end up in a place that was isolated from civilization like a forest; or better yet, the jungle. But Magnus wouldn’t know where he would wind up at until he had arrived. Meanwhile at Canterlot, it was all fine and good with everyone’s life style. All of the richest of equines were either enjoying lunch at a local café, looking at art, or probably spending away their bits on things they don’t really need. It was relaxing Sunday afternoon for them, but the city would be in for one heck of a surprise when Magnus arrives. Within the next fifteen minutes or so, the Ponyvile express began to slow down as it approached the platform. On the platform itself, a couple of unicorns watched the train come to a screeching halt as it slowed down. When all the cars lined up with the stone train station, the ponies froze in place when they saw Magnus sitting on the freight car. When they saw his mild grin and bending brow, along with a pony in his hands; they shook their heads, as if they were imagining things. When Magnus stood up, he cast a tall shadow making him appear terrifying. The couple screamed at the unexpected sight and ran off into the city. But Magnus was too busy admiring the city to even notice them. It was an odd sight for Magnus, though it wasn’t the first time he had been to a city. Instead of the chrome buildings that could touch the sky; the architecture was more castle like and was as tall as him. The purple and yellow colors on the white buildings made Canterlot look appealing to him, but it wasn’t the jungle like he had hoped. The train carts’ doors opened for the passengers inside. Before to many came out, Magnus got off the train and stepped on the pavement. The ponies from within the cars gasped in shock when they saw Fluttershy in his hand. The pegasus tried to call for help to the ponies below, but that only brought more attention than it did help. Before Magnus progressed, he turned around to see an excellent view of the land. It was then quickly spoiled when he saw a red hot air balloon with yellow ropes being pulled by a team of Pegasi. Seeing that they wore familiar red uniforms, Magnus knew that it was Big Top coming after him. He turned back around and began to move forward onto the streets of Canterlot, while his steps sent small tremors into the ground. The ponies of Canterlot felt these tremors as their drinks began to ripple. When they looked up, they were speechless to see what had come to their city. Ponies instantly began to panic and run away when they saw him, and they all began to run inside nearby buildings for shelter. They began to calm down once they were inside, but they all watched in horror as the ape’s hairy legs passed by the windows. As Magnus continued on, another pegasus flew in front of his face. It was one of the pegasus royal guard, who saw the ape as he noticed frightened residents running past him during his patrol. He caught him while his back was turned, so he didn’t notice Fluttershy in his fist. He flew in front of his face to confront him, but it was foolish to do so. Fluttershy covered her eyes when Magnus took a swat at him, sending the guard into the air and towards the castle. Fluttershy saw the violence before her and looked up to the ape,” Magnus, you’ve got to stop this!” she cried out, ”You don’t want the royal guard to be part of this!” But the ape didn’t listen. Up in the air, Big Top steadied the pegasi while Pegs began to search the city for Magnus. Since Magnus was large and had black fur, he contrasted well with the white buildings. Pegs spotted Magnus as they flew in closer, as well as some ponies as they scattered like ants. He pointed and turned to his boss,” There he is! He’s just now walking the streets! And from the looks of it sir, I think he may have caused some mayhem already!” Pegs said. Big Top grumbled,” That stupid ape. Always getting himself into trouble.” Pegs then said,” Why are you being so hard on Magnus?” “It’s not my fault he won’t listen. He’s so dull witted he can’t do anything right!” “I know you have a firm grip on your animals sir, but…” Big Top gave a sudden disgusted look to him, “Are you saying that this is my fault? Mr. Pegs?” Pegs backed off a bit, ”No sir, no I’m just saying that you have been a little hard on Magnus recently.” Big Top looked down at Magnus,” Hard? He’s so stubborn Pegs. It’s his fault that ponies are panicking and running around in the streets! I never had this much trouble when I trained the other animals!” Peg’s didn’t want to argue his boss, fearing that it may cost him his job.” I understand sir.” Big Top smiled again,” Good.” He turned his attention to the pegasi yelling,” Mush! Mush! We must stop that ape before he breaks anything!” The team steered themselves to the vicinity of the ape, preparing the balloon for landing. Among the screaming ponies from below, Magnus heard an awful voice. He turned around to see Big Top landing on the ground with his team. The pegasi caught their breaths while Big Top jumped out of his balloon and pursued Magnus. The ape felt infuriated to see his face again and began to stammer. Fluttershy looked down to see what Magnus was upset about. Big Top looked at Magnus in his eyes,” Alright Magnus, you are going to listen to me! I will not allow any more disobedience any longer!” Magnus gave a grimace at his tone.” You are going to release that Pegasus, and come back with me to the circus!” The ape simply snorted at him and turned his back,” Don’t you run away from me!” And that is just what he did. He began to walk quickly leaving Big Top behind. He looked up to see the golden tops of the Canterlot castle, with towers that branched out Meanwhile at the castle itself, the captain of the royal guard Shining Armor was at his post making sure things were in line as usual. He was left in charge of the place, since Celestia and Luna were on business elsewhere (unlucky day to pick unfortunately). When he looked into the sky, he saw one of his soldiers spinning out of control. The captain quickly used his magic to catch him just before he crashed into the stone walls of the castle. The captain gently let him down on the ground, where the soldier quickly shook his head from the motion sickness. Shining was a little puzzled seeing a troop like him falling from the sky, “What happened? Gust of wind?” The soldier panted as he maintained his balance,” Sorry about that captain, but I was thrown into the air by force. You’re not gonna believe it, but-” A loud thud could be heard off in the distance, catching Shining armors attention. “What was that?!” he said looking to the city. The Pegasus soldier pulled out a set of binoculars for him. He looked straight through the instrument to see part the head of Magnus the Ultimate poking above the buildings. Shining armor pulled away for a second and looked at the soldier, “Are my eyes playing tricks on me?” “No sir, that’s a 30ft ape sir! I don’t know how in Equestria that beast got here, but as far as I know it’s headed down Main Street. If it keeps headed that direction it will make it to the castle in no time at all!” This was about as unexpected to Shining as the changeling invasion, only more bizarre. The captain looked through the binoculars again and quickly analyzed the direction he was moving, as well as his walking pace. Analyzing the possible path that Magnus would be traveling, Shining placed down the binoculars and gave his command. ”All right soldier, I need you to round any other troops you can find in the city. Bring them all as well as a cannon to 6th and Main. Load up the round and prepare an ambush! I’ll gather soldiers and more cannons to the front gate, just in case we can’t stop him there!” The soldier nodded, and flew away to carry out his captain’s orders. Magnus continued to tread through the elegant city, leaving behind fear and cracked road in his path. Fluttershy then said with a more assertive voice,” Magnus, please! You’re scaring everypony as if you were a monster! You’re not a monster Magnus, stop!” Magnus once again didn’t listen to her. On the ground coming up from behind, was a squad of unicorn guards. They came behind for a surprise attack on Magnus. When they came into range the squad leader yelled,” There he is, fire!” They all took their aim and began to fire lasers at the ape. They didn’t hurt as bad as they would have on a regular equine, but they did hurt as much as the whip did back at the circus. The pains brought forth another sepia vision to the ape. He saw the ape to be the same one as before, as well as the ring master who also appeared. He was whipping the poor ape in cold blood, as he continued to fail his master. He said awful things at him and continued to whip him. The ape could only hide his face as he cried to his pain. When the vision stopped, Magnus turned around and let out a roar that ceased the laser fire. He sprang into the air and landed on the ground, sending a shock wave at the squad. Magnus snorted and went on his way while the guard tried to get back up on their hooves. Magnus wanted to get to the castle faster than ever, and that was when he saw the street that could lead him straight there. With this feel of adrenaline and motivation, he began to run towards the castle. As he ran ponies began to jump away as he passed by. These ponies began to panic like the rest, but they didn’t run around since he passed over so fast. But this same street was the 6th and Main that Shining instructed to form the surprise attack. In the middle of that street was a cannon, surrounded by a team of guards. They made sure that nopony was in the streets or building, and gun was loaded for the surprise attack. All they had to do now was wait. Shining armor arrived from behind the group,” Everything in position?” “Yes sir, this ape won’t be coming through us.” Said one of them rubbing the metal cannon,” This bad boy is fully loaded sir. It’s gonna take that monkey down in one shot.” ”Here he comes.” Said another guard. The footsteps grew louder as the ape approached the corner. When he looked into the street, he saw the firing squad aimed straight at him as soon as he turned seeing that it was an ambush. Fluttershy also saw the guards and cannon, and began to flail her hooves and yell to get their attention. But the guards could not see her very well with their heads tilted, nor could they hear her from that far. “All right, on my word.” Said the officer, “Ready?” Pegasus had a rod for lighting the fuse. Shining then turned to the ape only to see something that the binoculars didn’t pick up, Fluttershy. By the time he noticed, the officer yelled “FIRE!” and the fuse was a lit. As a quick reaction, Shining used his magic to quickly steer the cannon away. The commander saw his action, “Captain what are you-“ BOOM! The gun went off, sending a solid heavy cannon ball straight for the building that was next to Magnus. The explosion sent dust and shot bits of brick at them. As the dust began to settle, Magnus waved his fist in the air. Shining saw that the ball missed the target, but it was good that he wanted it to miss. The officer then said to him in suspicion, “Shining Armor sir, what’s going on?” “We can’t shoot him, there is a Pegasus in his fist. It’s my sister’s friend Fluttershy!” The guard looked at the ape again and saw the Pegasus in his hand. As Fluttershy flailed her hooves again, Magnus turned his body to the building that was hit. He put his free hand on top of the building and began to climb. Though this was the first time he ever climbed in a while, he was a natural. Once he had reached the top, he stood on top of the flat surface and felt the winds breeze past him. He had a good view of the entire country, and saw the sun begin to make its dip. “He’s climbed on top of the buildings. We can’t reach him!” yelled one of the troops as he watched Magnus walk on the roof tops. He figured that it was safer where he was, so he switched to this type of transportation. It had a nicer view compared to the cooped up city below him, plus the guard would have a hard time hitting him with the fancy architecture for cover. He continued on towards his destination, as he shook the buildings as he walked. One of the guards turned to Shining, “He’ll be at the castle in no time!” Shining then said, “If he makes it there…” he turned to the commander, ”We have to tell them to hold their fire.” “What?! But he’ll bypass with ease! Besides the drawbridge they’re our last defense!” Replied the commander. “We can’t risk the cannons hitting a civilian! Safety is top protocol soldier!” Shining looked onward to the castle,” Besides, she has ties with royalty especially!” Now that he put it that way, the commander tried to think of a solution. He couldn’t argue with a soldier’s oath, as well as the possible punishments if they were broken. He turned to the troops, ”Let’s go!” and lead took the lead as they ran towards the palace. While Magnus used the tops of the buildings as his own expressway to the castle. The remaining civilians on that street saw him as he moved. The ape was practically flying through the air without any trouble. When Magnus reached the end of the buildings, he could see that he was in the final stretch of his run away. He leapt off the last of the buildings still holding Fluttershy in his hand, and landed onto the path that lead to the castle moat. It was yet another surprise attack, Shining armors back up plan. On the other side of the plain, the wooden drawbridge was raised and was guarded by many pegasi and unicorn guards. There were six heavy cannons, and one in the center back that was huge and golden. A heavy, heavy artillery perhaps? All the troops saw the ape land with a thud and prepared for battle. They were not going to let Magnus get through. “All right troops,” said a commander,” were not gonna let this monkey pass! Everypony take aim at the ape!” The troops did just that. The unicorns aimed their horns, while the others aimed the cannons in his direction. They were all loaded, with the lighters near the fuse. “Ready?!” Magnus began to howl and roar in intimidation, but the troops held their moral. Magnus began to approach the squad, “Aim!” The torches inched closer and closer close to the strings. But before the commander yelled fire, somepony on the other side yelled out, “Stop! Hold your fire!” The torches almost lit the fuse, but they pulled away at the last second. The commander looked off in the distance, seeing the captain along with an officer and more troops. “Sir orders, sir!” The soldier said shaking to keep his aim tight. The ape was getting dangerously close to the squad. The commander then saw Fluttershy and immediately ordered,” Stand down!” The entire squad turned to him. “You heard me men!” They quickly moved out in the nick of time, as they were nearly stepped on by the ape’s giant foot. Magnus didn’t understand why they didn’t bother to shoot him this time, but he moved right along and walked past all the troops and guns. The only thing between Magnus and the castle now was the draw bridge, the last line of defense preventing him from getting inside. Magnus jumped from the ground and onto the castle wall, where he began to pull body up to its top. Shining armor ran up to his comrades and said to the commander,”Did you see her in his hand?” The commander nodded, ”Yes I did, but now what are we gonna do? There’s no way we can hit him without risking harm to the civilian.” Shining watched as Magnus got himself up on the roof of a tower. He then came up with an excellent plan,” The Wonderbolts! If they can get that ape to release Fluttershy, then we can hit him with a barrage attack from the cannons. Chances are he’s headed for the tallest tower!” The commander as well as the soldiers agreed to this plan,” Good thinking Shining,” he turned to one of the pegasi,” Fly to the Wonderbolts academy and bring those flying aces here! Quickly, go now!” He quickly flew off into the open to deliver the message,” We’ve got this dirty ape right where we want him.”