//------------------------------//
// Chapter 7: 18 Years Ago. . .  
// Story: Diaries of a Traitor part One: The Letter 
// by Paradox Theory 
//------------------------------//


Canterlot 
18 Years Ago


"Are you sure Mr. Cardinal? Most ponies who read this seem to disappear." The shop owner asked, looking at the silver-grey unicorn in front of him.

"It's just something to read. That's all." Cardinal assured the shopkeeper.

"All right then."

Cardinal went to turn when a black crystal on a display shelf caught his eye.

"What's this?" Cardinal asked.

"That?" The shopkeep asked nervously, "That is supposedly one of six keys."

"Six keys to what?"

The shopkeeper studied Cardinal's eyes for a moment. "The Elements of Disharmony."






Cardinal's Canterlot Mansion


"Dear, I think this is going to far." Spring asked, cradling her two year old son. "We don't even know if you will survive."

"But think of it dear, if this works, then we can live forever."

Spring looked at her husband in distress, "But killing ponies to get her attention?"

"Celestia hid this for a reason. I don't think she'll take to kindly to this." Cardinal explained.

"What about our son? Will you risk him growing up and being despised so that you can have power?" Spring asked.

Cardinal looked at his son, "He is a strong kid. He'll need that."

Spring Gust grit her teeth, "Then I think you need to leave."

Cardinal's lips drew in, "So be it."

And with a flash of light he left.






Canterlot Caverns
Present Day


"But my mother was a general, she could have warned Celestia. Why did it still happen?" I asked, feeling proud of my mother for kicking him out.

"Because she knew not where I went."

"And where was that?" I demanded.

Cardinal smiled. "Oh, you know. A few places."






Canterlot
18 years ago


Cardinal looked at the two unicorns who let him in off the street, then at their daughter.

The kid was only two years old, her turquoise fur and yellow -green mane made him think of the night sky. It was almost enough to stop his plans.

Well. . . almost.

Making sure the family didn't take notice, Cardinal left.

Soon after, Cardinal found himself in the shop once more.

"I was hoping you had changed your mind, but alas, I was wrong." The shopkeeper said, as Cardinal entered the store.

"So you know what I'm here for?" Cardinal asked, to which the shopkeeper only nodded.

"I won't be seeing you again, will I Cardinal?" Asked the grizzled old shopkeeper.

"Oh once more maybe," Cardinal said as he walked towards the black crystal. "What I'm going to do is for the greater good."

The shopkeeper only grinned, "Unlike you Cardinal, I know how this will end. I know that you think you have everything planned. But in the end, you will still fail."

"And how do you know?!" Cardinal spat, pulling the black crystal off the shelf.

The shop keeper looked up, his long swirly beard pulling off of the floor, "Because I have seen it before."

Before he could say more, the shopkeeper found one of his curios stuck through his chest. Cardinal leaned in to whisper in his ear, "I will know all of your secrets, Starswirl."

And with one yank, the curios (a beautifully crafted knife), was pulled free.

As he left the shop, Cardinal heard Starswirl whisper, "Not all of them. "

That night, a number of ponies had met the same fate as they had been unlucky enough to cross Cardinal's path.

Soon, Cardinal found himself at the home of the family, his coat stained red from the blood spilt.

Upon entering the house, he saw the parent's sitting on the couch, reading a newspaper.

Without a second thought, Cardinal swung the knife, and both of the unicorns found themselves bleeding.

As they fell to the floor, the mother whispered one last thing, "I love you Aurora Sky."

Then, with nothing else left to do, Cardinal sat in the pool of blood, and began to start his final task.






Canterlot Caverns
Present Day


My breath caught. I knew that name.

He killed Aurora's parents. He orphaned her.

"Why didn't you kill the kid?" I asked him.

Cardinal frowned, "Because I had mercy back then. I had lived with them for about a week. I couldn't kill a child."

"But you seemed just fine in killing all of her family." I countered.

Cardinal smiled, "Well, the pain certainly faded fast."






Canterlot Palace Courtyard
18 years ago.


It was done, the crystal was in place, the spell and pony prepared.

All Cardinal needed now was Celestia's magic.

"Cardinal Swift, you are found guilty of mass murder. You not only killed, but you orphaned a young filly as well. You have only one sentence. Death." Celestia announced, glancing to her General, Spring Gust.

"Do I get last words?" Cardinal asked.

Celestia nodded, "If you wish."

Cardinal smiled, "Then allow me to tell you all a little secret. Celestia has the key to immortality, and has hidden it from us."

Celestia glared at Cardinal, "And from this day, if my plan works, I shed the name Justice. From now on, I am, Cardinal Sin. Alicorn of Knowledge."

Before anypony had a chance to react, Celestia sent a torrent of her own magic upon Cardinal. But, unbeknonst to the ponies, Cardinal had two spells prepared, and had fired the first one at the same time as the princess, redirecting her magic to the crystal embedded in him. Shortly after, he fired a teleport spell that made him switch places with Starswirl.

When the last spell was done, Starswirl locked eyes with Celestia. You know what comes next. His thought rang inside Celestia's head, causing her to drop her spell. All that remained was a pile of ash.

And far away, an Alicorn stepped into a network of tunnels.






Canterlot Caverns
Present Day


"And that, that was the day I outsmarted the Princess." Cardinal finished.

I gritted my teeth as he walked toward me, "Join me son, and together, we can rule this planet and spread immortality."

But I backed away, "No."

Cardinal shook his head, "Guard, take the letter from him."

After a minute of searching, the guard revealed the letter. "My liege." He said as he gave it to Cardinal.

Ripping the letter open, Cardinal dumped out the contents. "Where's the crystal?" He asked.

"Sir." Another guard said, running in the room. "A group of ponies are making their way to the exit in Canterlot."

"What?!" Cardinal exclaimed, "Go stop them! They have the crystal!"

"Um sir?" another guard asked.

"What now?"

"Your son just fled." The guard said.

Cardinal screamed. "NO! Tell your forces to make for Zebrica, my plans will have to escalate."

"And those ponies?" Another guard asked.

Cardinal grinned, "Wrath can deal with them."

With that, Cardinal fired a teleportation spell and was no more.






Canterlot Cave Exit


Aurora and the others cheered when broad daylight finally hit them. The cool summer air lifting their spirits.

"Alright everyone, home stretch." Aurora said, patting her saddlebag, "After we get the letter to the Princess, I'm going to find Swift."

"No need." I said, hugging Aurora from behind. "I'm right here."

The group cheered as we all embraced.

"Now, to the palace!" I exclaimed, turning to run.

"I'm afraid you are under arrest." a white unicorn with a blond mane said.

"Huh?" I asked. "What charges?"

Prince Blueblood smirked, "Oh, plotting the death of the Princess, for starters."