CANTERLOT
In a flash of platinum white, King Eclipse appeared on the edge of Canterlot. He looked upon the city with pride. His capital had grown so much in 2000 years. The towers of his castle gleamed with platinum, and were accented with orihalchum and starmetal here and there, but such was to be expected with his daughters’ influence over the past 2000 years. The city that surrounded the castle had much more varied array of building designs, meaning that the precious uniformity he’d enforced upon the city had been thrown away for this new chaotic nonsense. I always thought that Discord might’ve had some marginal influence over my daughters, but this is ridiculous! It’s time to go correct this grievous error. But, when he attempted to enter the city limits, a blue barrier blocked his entry into the city. He then shouted in absolute rage. “What is the meaning of this?!?! Who hast conjured this force field to bar my entry into my capital city? Show thine self!” Then, an alabaster unicorn stallion with a blue mane and tail, blue eyes, and a cutie mark of a starburst superimposed over a shield that was wearing the orihalchum-lined platinum uniform of the Captain of the Equestrian Royal Army stepped forward, and five other unicorns followed.
The alabaster stallion then spoke. “I am Shining Armor Astrolight, Captain of the Equestrian Royal Army’s Solar division! I, along with these unicorns here, have erected this force field during the duration of the Eclipse Extravaganza until the Princesses return from Ponyville! Tell me, you conglomeration of parts, just who do you think you are, waltzing near this city and ranting about it being ‘yours’?”
King Eclipse then sneered. “Ah, so you are the scion of the Astrolights, one of the descendants of that fool, Starswirl. Your family always were trouble back during mine rule over Equestria 2000 years ago, along with the other descendants of Starswirl, the Lulamoons. As for who I am, you should realize that it is I, King Eclipse Equestris, that has the unquestioned right to rule this land! This right was bestowed upon me after my father’s death 5000 years ago, and after the Winter of the Windigoes when Equestria re-united. So you shall bow to me, you insufferable ingrate!” Then, King Eclipse summoned a ball of platinum light in his dragon hand. “Comply, or else.”
Shining Armor uttered a single word of defiance as his horn glowed a brilliant blue. “No.”
King Eclipse narrowed his eyes. “Very well, you fool. Your idiocy shall be taught throughout the ages! All shall remember you as the Astrolight that foolishly dared to stand against the RIGHTFUL KING!” He then flung the orb of platinum light at the force field. The orb imploded with brilliance, and then a single sound was heard. Crack.
EVERFREE FOREST
An explosion was heard from the direction of Canterlot, and it was loud enough to knock the group of seven off their hooves. Janice spoke first as she arose from the forest floor. “What was that?”
Maestro grimaced as he looked in the direction of Canterlot through the dense foliage. “That, sorella, was the Dark King’s first attack on Canterlot. It seems we have less time than I thought!”
Janice then gasped, and started to run on the dirt path. “Then we’ve no time to lose! Let’s go!”
However, her path was suddenly blocked by Cloudkicker, Roseluck, Concerta, and Zecora.
“Wait. He called you a Kirin. What exactly did he mean by that?” Came the accusing tone of Roseluck.
Oh no! Janice thought, It’s just as I feared! They’ll hate me!
However, Maestro parted the four apart, and admonished them. “Is that really important right now? We’ve got a megalomaniacal Ultracorn to deal with at the moment! Answers about what he meant can wait until after we’ve saved the world. Now let’s go!”
As Janice followed after Maestro, she could feel those four judging glares at her back. Then Melia followed behind Janice, calling back to the others. “Maestro’s right, girls. We can worry about what that meant later. For now, we have to put our faith in Janice, alright?”
The others muttered to themselves, but followed with little complaint. However, the group didn’t make it too far before coming across a wide river strewn with rocks that were constantly being ravaged. Janice then shuddered. “How are we supposed to cross that?”
Melia spoke up. “Cloudy an’ I could carry everypony across.”
Zecora shook her head. “I’m afraid flight will not aid us here. The ravenous hunger of the river drakes you must fear.”
“Then how are we supposed to get across?” Roseluck blurted out.
Zecora then stepped forward. “I’ve been through this part of the Everfree, so you should put your faith with me.”
Zecora then hopped deftly from rock to rock, landing on the exact center of each of them, and made it across swiftly. When she was on the other side, Maestro spoke. “So, I’m guessing we’ve got to do it as you did it, right?” Zecora nodded. “Alright then! Let’s go.” Maestro stood aside, and bowed. “Ladies first, of course. My weight might be a tad much for the rocks, so I’ll go last.”
The first to cross was Cloudkicker, and she crossed with little trouble, as did Melia who followed after. Roseluck had some trouble, but she managed not to fall in. Concerta took the trip across slowly and carefully, as to not fall in. Then, It was Janice’s turn. She gulped. Janice had never been good with jumps. She feared that she wouldn’t make it. Then, Zecora spoke. “Fear not, just go! You won’t fall into the flow!”
For some reason that Janice couldn’t understand, she felt that Zecora would ensure that the honor of her word was upheld. Drawing a deep breath, Janice steeled herself to jump. She made it almost three-quarters of the way across when she slipped. Oh great. This is how it ends, huh? Guess I’ll be seeing father soon. But, just before she fully fell into the water, a striped hoof pulled her back onto the platform. To Janice’s surprise, Zecora had backtracked across to save her. All Janice could manage to say was “Why?”
Zecora smiled. “I could not in good conscience let you fall in, so with great abandon I secured you from becoming a drake’s din. I wish to honor my word to the end, especially to you, my friend.”
Janice smiled at that. Perhaps I won’t have to worry too much if they find out my secret. The more time we spend together, the less it seems to matter. Janice then looked to Cloudkicker, Roseluck, and Concerta as Zecora helped her the rest of the way across. Perhaps they’ll no longer care once this is all over. Janice looked back, and saw that Maestro crossed without even looking where he was going, and without a single wobble to boot. They were all together again, and then went off deeper into the Everfree.