Golden Chalice ran, emerald eyes wide and sweat glistening on her forehead. The next alley she ran into was dark and was supposed to have a Blue Guard staging area with maps and supplies hidden behind the false front of crates and barrels. What she ran into was the opposite of what she wanted and expected. All three Blue Guards were tied up together and gagged. Two loyalist guards were standing there and immediately noticed her run into the supposed-to-be-secret area.
This was it, Golden Chalice knew. She had been running to avoid the loyalists since East Street fell. This was the last refuge on this side of Canterlot and no other zone had delivered a word since sunset. To think that, after just twenty hours, they were finished.
The turncoat mare just stood there in the back of the alley, frozen in place as the guards approached her like lightning to cuff and chain her. Why bother doing anything? It was over. There was nowhere left in Canterlot for her to run. She was too tired to keep it up anyways. If the guards weren't presently clacking irons around her hooves, she probably would have collapsed on the stone pathway anyhow.
She did, in fact, collapse onto the ground. A tick worked its way into her expression and she laughed in a half-mumbled sort of way. All the work. All the planning. Poof.
Far above, visible in the night sky of Canterlot only because of its mass of city lights, was Cloudsdale. It was never supposed to have gotten involved. At least not so fast. It seemed to have been drawn into Canterlot air space on Celestia's own wings. The Blue Guard's aerial domination in Canterlot meant nothing once Cloudsdale's loyalist pegasi legion was unleashed.
Golden Chalice reflected on her life. She had little else to do now and likely wouldn't for quite some time to come. Perhaps word would reach the prisons one day as to why the cloud poison hadn't worked in time to eliminate Cloudsdale from the equation.
“I never thought one of my own guards would betray me,” Twilight looked into the cell, her eyes dead of all the emotion she had experienced in the past few nights.
She stood there in the guard barracks' prison corridor. Her changeling accessories pulsed in a calm green glow, keeping her hivemind connected at unnatural distances. Even now, Spike and Rarity's minds were present in hers as they took care of the Crystal Empire far up at Equestria's northern border.
“It was never personal,” Centurion glared through the bars. He remained on his side, trapped in the walls of his cell. “I did what I knew was necessary for the sake of Equestria. Only the Elites know how to keep our country strong in Celestia's absence.”
“For the sake of the nobles,” Twilight corrected with a more stern expression than he had. “Let's not pretend this was about anypony but you and them. They promised you a high position in the Royal Guard if you helped, which was why you opposed Storm's appointment and insisted you remain outside my hivemind for just a bit longer when I offered a week ago. You may have served Celestia well, but you're nothing but a disgrace now.”
Too upset to hold a conversation longer with him, the queen stepped away. As she was leaving the detention block, she heard one last remark.
“Equestria will never lose its voice to yours alone!”
“Now may not be the best time,” Chrysalis buzzed to Pinkie Pie. She knew her words fell on deaf ears and she would have to play along regardless. She merely wanted it to be on the record that she gave her two bits about it.
The pair was in the central square of Canterlot, standing on the stage that was often used there for public speeches, concerts, and even cake contests. The massive expanse of the square stretched out around them, but it was not all polished marble and smooth tile. Parts of the place were broken by well-kept garden divides and benches. The last of the scorch marks from the Blue Guard coup had been cleaned away by Queen Twilight's decree for emergency city upkeep.
“Happy Happy Happy~” Pinkie Pie sung out in sickly cheer as she danced on the stage.
The crowd below hadn't lost the edge from the city's earlier altercations. They were on edge, unhappy, and ready for either rage-filled argument or outright fighting. Pinkie Pie knew she had to do her part. If not for Canterlot then for her bestest friend Queen Twily!
Pinkie Pie twirled in her new changeling-style dancing dress. The billowy pleats moved with a mysterious grace only matched by the same outfit Chrysalis was wearing. Only, Chrysalis' was larger. The taller being danced along with Pinkie with all the indignation she expressed vocally within the hivemind.
At least the music was loud enough to make the changeling's wounded pride numb. Tables of sweets and goods were scattered about to help smooth out the frowns of the Canterlot ponies. Pinkie was at least talented enough to be making some progress with them on that front. A few ponies joined the dancing, much to the pink one's satisfaction. Others followed while some lingered at snack tables and became less agitated with every sweet they tasted.
There were many ponies present, some coming, some staying, others leaving. Pinkie bounced with a resilient smile, content with every small bit of progress she could make. One smile at a time. That was her latest motto.
“Hey there!” Pinkie flew off the stage. She called out to a finely-dressed unicorn who looked very unsure about joining in. The Element of Laughter showed her biggest smile in her arsenal. “What's your name?”
Princess Cadance looked out the window of the royal bedroom. It was situated high within the Crystal Castle. Spike was addressing a vast crowd of crystal ponies below with a happily dressed-up Rarity at his side doing likewise. But Cadance's gaze was not on them. It was on the frozen wastes to the north of the Empire. She could see the sparkling snow from here and the beginnings of the great dangers lurking within. Perhaps this was why the Empire had once been ruled by King Sombra. The Empire forever laid upon the dangerous edge of Equestria.
Her golden horseshoe clacked against the clear glass of the cold window pane. Her breath warmed a spot on it enough to make a miniature cloud of fog upon it. The room was getting as cold as the outside was and had been for over a month now. She stared a while longer before dropping her hoof and looking back to her husband, who was fast asleep under the covers of their large heart-shaped bed.
It hadn't taken long for them to find out about the coup in Canterlot. Twilight and the loyalists had gotten it under control faster than they could get there, however. So the two had only helped to a small degree by reining in the coordinated coup in Manehattan. That takeover had been far smaller and less planned, though. All in all, Cadance was content with Twilight's control over the terrible turn of events. She hadn't witnessed the trouble in the capital, but she knew Equestria would be safe under her just as the Empire would be safe with Spike and Rarity.
She stepped quietly across the plush carpet until she was beside the mattress. “Nopony will ever take you from me,” she whispered as she leaned over him and stroked his face. He was used to her touch and seldom awoke from it. Doubly so since she trickled her soothing magic through her every caress.
“Not even death itself,” she added and touched her horn gently to his. “Till death do we part...but not if we're above it.”
Their voyage would make their bond boundless.
Cadance's pink love magic sparked from her horn with a black mist.
“Something is wrong,” Twilight winced and then held her head in her forehooves. The pain stabbed in her mind and then was gone. Her feelings of anger and rage came flashing to her in episodes and affected the others to a lesser extent.
“Twi?” Applejack touched her queen's shoulder in concern.
Embrace your emotions, Chrysalis encouraged through their shared mind.
“I can't hate! Not hate!” Twilight shouted in her bedroom. She and the others were supposed to be relaxing on the new hive-size half-mattress half-ring bed.
The anger in her voice made Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy shirk back on the bed. Rainbow had been far less challenging of late. Spike and Rarity were always away now. Pinkie was always oblivious or aloof while Chrysalis was supportive of Twilight to the point of being provocative. The guards and maids were only ever subservient, which left Applejack to be the only bold one to intervene. She was the last voice in the hivemind that didn't bend to Twilight's growing aggressiveness.
“Twi,” AJ leaned in close face-to-face, “what is it that you hate?”
A new wave of anger snapped within Twilight's mind. It carried so strongly through their connection that both Direway and Midnight Strike crippled over at their posts. Fluttershy whimpered but still crawled closer on the bed and even hugged Twilight. Choosing to do what she could for her queen, the yellow pegasus ignited her Hive Power.
The darkly decorated chamber quickly transformed into a cheery and familiar hideaway punctuated by a willow tree and a small stream. Fluttershy squeaked in worry when she saw even her own efforts were being affected by Twilight. Though the hivemind began to calm, all could notice the black tips of the grass and the trickles of black something in the stream.
“Thanks, Shy,” Twilight winced as she hugged her friend back and rested into the grass.
“Mind answerin' me, my queen?” Applejack insisted. She remained as close as she had been before. “Because our hivemind sure ain't.”
Our mind is fine, Twilight calmly disagreed, flinched, and then let out a restful sigh. Her entire hive was confused as to what she was thinking and feeling. Thoughts emanating from her were nonsensical until she spoke them or put immense effort into projecting them as she did now. I'm in perfect control.
The others were not so certain. Fluttershy clung to her queen as if her life depended on it. Memories of the near-death incident carried through the hivemind to her even though she hadn't been there at the time. Discord may have saved them then, but he wasn't around anymore.
Rainbow Dash pounced from the other side of the bed, tackling the queen and rolling over until they stopped. Twilight wound up on top while Fluttershy's hard grip had been lost at some point along the way. The pair had barely avoided rolling into the water, which flowed slowly beside them in the stream. Something about the wet soil and grass made Twilight smile at last. Or perhaps it was simply Rainbow's colt-like chuckle that did it.
“Maybe my Twily needs some cuddles to lighten up,” Rainbow playfully tapped her on the nose. “You still worry too much. So not everypony has warmed up to Buggy yet. Big surprise. Especially in Canterlot. Blue Moon and what's his face are smoothing it out. All you should be thinking about right now is me.”
“Hey!” Chrysalis tried to get in between them in protest.
“Wait for me, please,” Fluttershy timidly joined Chrysalis.
Applejack put her hoof to her face and then curled up beneath the tree. “Forget I even bothered.”
However, there was still a strong voice in their mind that spoke to AJ as she set her head down on the sheets. The day had been long, she was tired, and so was Spike for that matter. If anything, he had more reason to be tired if not only for being with that fuss bucket Rarity all the time.
There really is something to be said about the differences of culture, Spike commented. He was busy even though it was night. Rarity had gone to sleep in their hivemind-connected ring chamber while he finished some matters of government in the Crystal Castle's royal study. Canterlot ponies are nothing like our Crystal ponies.
To be fair, Applejack replied, we're still thought outsiders here. All Celestia's blessin's mean dry apples when they don't think of us like anythin' special. Them Crystals think you're some immortal hero.
Spike blushed and paused at his desk. But his blush then cooled and his expression drooped darkly. Immortal. That's true...
Hey there, AJ grimaced at herself. She could feel his troubled heart. Didn't mean nothin'. I'm sure...uh...
Spike let out a long breath, heated from his natural dragon's flame deep within. He put the quill down and got up from the large chair that had been made for him. I know, AJ. There's no reason for you to be sorry about it.
But I sure can feel sorry if I want to, the country mare responded in her old stubborn way. Cadance been any help?
Spike snuffed out the candles in the room and left it for the much colder hall of the castle. The icy tile sent a loud click every time his claws stepped against it. As he walked back to the ringroom, he became uncertain and replied. It's too strange, his eyes squinted even though Applejack wasn't there to see it. She's been distant lately. Like something really serious is on her mind. When I asked her what she thought about mortality, I thought she'd understand. She's immortal even though Shining Armor isn't. But then...
Applejack finished it by digging through his recent memories she hadn't bothered with before. She got defensive and evasive.
Spike shook his head and walked into his and Rarity's ringroom. He closed the door quietly behind him. Shining doesn't know what it is either. He's noticed too. Something has her worried. Or stressed. I just don't know.
The orange mare looked over to the queen and her three enthusiastic special someponies. Rainbow had now settled in Twilight's hooves, Fluttershy nestled against her back, and Chrysalis was trying unsuccessfully to squeeze Dash out of the way and steal a kiss.
We all have our reasons, AJ shook her head as Spike had done.
I just wish hers didn't make me feel alone, the mid-sized dragon humphed but did so quietly. He didn't want to disturb the gracefully sleeping Rarity, who was curled up in the center of the ring pad's soft green glow. All other lights were out, so she was only visible under that dim pulse.
Twilight feels the same as you, hun, Applejack tried to be more soft and caring. As a result, Applebloom came to her mind. The little filly often needed a motherly touch that only AJ provided in their family. It had been a while since she had seen her little sister. That made her homesick.
Somepony else has some worries, Spike noted and finally laid in beside Rarity. He hesitated, though, and didn't curl around her as he had done before. Something felt different when they were the only ones in the ring and, in fact, had it all to themselves. Instead, he merely rested his claw on her forehoof. Twilight has already told you to go back to Ponyville so you can be with your family. You shouldn't put it off if it bothers you so much.
Thanks for the kindness there, sugarcube, Applejack yawned. I might take up the offer. I just feel antsy about leavin' Twi after what's happened here. I'll bet the family's just as worried, though. I write, but...you know.
Sure do, Spike agreed as he gazed at Rarity's peaceful face. Though covered with her sleeping mask and dressed in her night gown, her natural beauty still swept him away. He yawned with AJ. Well, goodnight. See you on the other side.
Don't go makin' it sound all glum-like... Applejack weakly retorted as she too drifted off to sleep.
Black crystals crawled up the long thin tower in the forest near Neighagra Falls. They too pulsed with a light the way the tower's tip did. Only, they pulsed with an added red hue rather than plain green. The dark rocks seemed to meld into the mostly smooth thin transmitter, transforming it into a jagged spire far more sinister than anything within a thousand hooves. Or a hundred thousand for that matter.
When the crystals reached the tip, their fusion was complete. The transmitter continued to pass hivemind signals between Canterlot and the Crystal Empire. However, the signals were different now. Spike and Rarity's connection was enough the same not to be noticed but different enough that it was no longer their original thoughts that reached Twilight.
A dark mist surrounding the base of the transmitter pole shifted as if to give a “humph.” No coercion would be needed at this point. No, only a truly dangerous opponent might need to be coerced into frailty or disarray. The only ones that needed any containment were already accounted for.
“Do not make me any more impatient!” complained a very loud and buzzy voice. The changeling royal stood tall, though perhaps not as tall as a true queen. She was princess in body even if queen was her title now. “We starve! Every day we delay is another chance to lose more of the hive.”
Hearing the scattered moans and chittering of the mass of changelings behind her, the mist rose up and swirled around her head. It assured her that the hive would be fed. So eager, its venomous voice dripped with a kind of contempt. Princess Flux must prove herself, hm?
“Queen Flux! I'm the queen!” the thin changeling royal screeched. Her messy orange locks shifted as she looked one way and then another at the mist swirling around her. “She shouldn't be alive! She was supposed to die!”
I won't get involved in any petty feud you have with Chrysalis, the voice bit back. The power behind it made even the stubborn changeling flinch in fright. Just do as I say and your hive will never go hungry again.
The hundreds of changelings behind Queen Flux ground their teeth and bit their lips both in hunger and anticipation.
Canterlot is even weaker than it was when your rival attempted to take it. Their guards are tired and divided. The Crystal Empire will hear no cry for help. Cloudsdale will fall. The pegasi will be too busy to even consider saving Canterlot again.
Flux shook her whole body clear out of the black mist. “I don't trust ponies. Even less ones that make such intricate plans.”
The black mist no longer cared to waste time with its changeling pawn. The stage had been set. It would have the princess foretold in the prophecy. Nothing could overcome it. Not with its fathomless knowledge of dark magic. What irony that this foretold princess had become a pony queen with a changeling mind. No other non-changeling beside itself had such an intimate knowledge of the inner workings of such a mind. No other knew of the weaknesses that came with it.
In due time, the shadow would have immortality.
“I just don't get it,” North Star scrunched her face.
Spitfire found herself nodding in solemn agreement. The two had been working together more and more often due to Cloudsdale's political condition. It seemed to always be on the knife's edge of rioting these days. Ironically, the rioting was usually in favor of Twilight.
“Who would mess with the lower levels?” Spitfire voiced both their thoughts. “It doesn't matter what side you're on, no pegasus would dream of jeopardizing the city's cloud stability. The whole thing could go down.”
The two finally came around the last bend in the sky city's dense lower cumulus levels. What they both found there was far worse than either imagined. The messenger had dragged them out of the mayor's office with hysterics about some cloud-eating disease, but they had doubted it. The lower levels around the weather factory had always been known for myth and rumor. This was likely nothing more. They only went out to inspect it because he wouldn't stop insisting.
Before the two of them was a massive chasm where there should have been a full one thousand cubic hooves of cloud suspending the city above the ground. A tiny pinhole at the bottom even let one see the early morning light bathing the fields several thousand hooves below. A dozen city maintenance pegasi were flying around in panic. Some of them just sat to the side, staring in helpless horror as none of their patching materials did anything to stop the erosion.
“Sweet mother of Celestia...” Spitfire whispered out, her whole body having frozen.
A sickening black mold seemed to be spread around the edges within the chasm and ate away at the cloud. The black patches moved inwards at the city's foundational clouds like acid melting through the soft innards of a melon.
“You!” Spitfire managed to recover while North Star still stood in fear. The Wonderbolt grabbed the nearest maintenance technician, who was staring into space listlessly. “What have you tried?”
“Everything...” the male pegasus looked at her as if he was about to cry.
“We can still use the X5 cloud machine in the factory! It can produce faster than we can lose cumulus,” Spitfire tried to order him and the others to get the massive machine. When they didn't move and gave her the same pitiful look, she felt the helplessness creep into her own heart.
“We already tried,” the large male now had tears running down his cheeks while he trembled. “The black stuff...it got into the machine. We tried putting it into turbo mode but it just used up the water reserves and put out nothing...nothing....”
“We're out of water?!” North Star shrunk back when a portion of cloud beneath her hooves rotted away.
Spitfire looked to the chasm then to North Star. Finally she looked to the south where Canterlot lay on the horizon. They had only recently started moving away due to the uprising. “We need Queen Twilight. How much time until the cloud loss makes us lose altitude?”
The technician's eyes danced about in calculation. “An hour?”
North Star matched Spitfire's strained expression.
“We need Twilight now.”
Queen Twilight Sparkle yawned. She stretched as well, wings spreading and flexing. In spite of the extreme issues she faced on a daily basis now, she had woken up encouraged today. Perhaps it was the happy faces of her hive that helped in that. Sure, the royal court was still in chaos over the coup, but Twilight knew she could handle it with her friends at her side. The emergency measures they had already taken had given at least some semblance of stability in the meanwhile.
She stood out on their hive bedroom's balcony that faced the uphill portion of Mt. Canter, which Canterlot and its castle were situated upon. The morning air was fresh, crisp, and cool. The deep green of Mt. Canter's thick outer-city forest was spectacular. Almost as magnificent as watching the many waterfalls cascading down into the deep treescape, pouring from the mountain's rich frozen tops going through their natural precipitation cycles.
Twilight shuffled her accessory-free hooves to different parts of the balcony because she loved the cool sensation of the stone underhoof. Fall was coming and, with it, lower temperatures. She spread her wings again to feel the soft air through her feathers. If every day was as nice as this one was starting out to be then perhaps she would never need a vacation. The alicorn knew that was an exaggeration, but liked to be optimistic anyways.
Chrysalis stepped out onto the balcony with her. She was the only one around with the queen at the moment because the others were off to their own individual work and interests. It was a rare moment for the changeling to be alone with Twilight since the hive group had been closely knit for a good while. Chrysalis breathed deep and enjoyed the view along with her queen.
“I may have lived most of my life underground,” Chrysalis remarked, “but I can see the beauty of it.”
Twilight smiled, though it was minute. “Equestria really is breathtaking. There are all kinds of biomes,” she returned to her scientific mind. “Different ponies like different ones. I grew up here in Canterlot, though. Maybe that's why I still love the natural coniferous landscapes. It makes me a bit nostalgic.”
The two continued enjoying the scene and the breeze. Chrysalis yawned in contentment and leaned against the balcony's railing. Twilight, however, noticed a pony in the distant sky.
A lone Wonderbolt was flying swiftly towards them.
