//------------------------------//
// Chapter 4 
// Story: Unicornia 
// by Yukito 
//------------------------------//

"And so because those villages have agreed to help that group, the nobles are scared that a war's gonna start and Celestia's made us step up security!"

Trixie nodded her head, yawning and rubbing her tired eye. "Yeah, it sucks," she agreed. "But at least we're getting paid overtime."

"That's the worst part!" the male guard continued. "We don’t get paid extra for this! We just get a pat on the shoulder and a word of praise once all this is over!"

"What, the nobles want extra protection but don't want to fork over the extra dough?"

"Typical nobility, really. Because they come from important blood, they just expect everything to be given to them with having to give anything back."

"Almost makes you wonder why we even bother guarding them." Trixie looked around the room, watching as the well-dressed ponies chatted and laughed, and partook in the small portions of food laid out neatly along the buffet tables. "And why ponies like this are at the top."

"I would watch that tongue of yours if I were you." Trixie and her partner straightened up quickly and saluted as the gruff General Morgan approached from the side. His large figure barely fit into his formal red suit, and his left eye studied the two privates as he stopped before them. Trixie gulped as she studied the scars covering his closed right eye, wondering what manner of beast could leave such marks.

"Sir!" the two shouted together.

"At ease," he said, and the two obeyed. "At times like these, one might misinterpret your words, Private."

Trixie shook her head. "Apologies, sir. Trixie was merely musing in her boredom; she meant nothing by it."

"Being bored is fine. It means that things are quiet, and peaceful." General Morgan glanced behind himself, narrowing his eyes as he studied every single pony present at the party. "But you must still remain vigil. Peace can become chaos at a moment's notice."

"Yes, sir. I will not let my mind wander again, sir."

General Morgan turned back to the two and nodded his head. "You're the one that helped Captain Armor capture Robin Hood, right?" Trixie nodded. "I wanted to come see what kind of pony you are. I was expecting somepony… a little older."

"I am older than I look, sir."

"Indeed. I read your file. You recently returned from maternity leave, is that correct?"

"Yes, sir."

"Congratulations. I realise that we are facing troubling times, but I hope that you do not let your work distance you too much from your child. If you ever need to be reassigned, to give yourself more freedom, please feel free to come and see me. I will help however I can."

"Thank you, sir. I will keep that in mind."

"And you, too," Morgan said to the stallion besides Trixie. "We need soldiers who actually care about this country's safety, not about their paychecks. If you do not have the resolve to defend our nobles, I'm sure there're plenty of other assignments for you."

The stallion gulped. "I-I'm good, sir! R-Really…"

General Morgan nodded. "Then please keep up the good work."

"Yes, sir!"

The general left, and the two privates sighed with relief as the heavy tension passed away. "I guess the general really does have eyes everywhere, huh?" the stallion laughed. "They say that nothing gets by him."

"Indeed… Trixie didn't even feel him coming…"

"Well, he is a general. It's a whole other world than our own."

Trixie nodded her head. 'No, it goes further than that. Trixie was able to keep up with Shining Armor's presence just fine. Is there really that much of a difference between a captain and a general?'

"Oh, I'd better go check that out," the stallion said, looking over to where a couple of mares were fighting. "I bet one of them insulted the other's necklace or something."

"Need any help?"

"Nah, I'm good. You stay here and keep an eye on the festivities."

"Doesn't feel very festive," Trixie huffed as she watched her partner walk slowly towards the scene of the fight. "… How long until Trixie resorts to talking to herself?"

"Excuse me!" Trixie turned her head and gasped. "I was wondering if I could ask you something."

Trixie bit her lip and tried to smile as the white mare approached. 'Of all ponies… why Twilight's mother?!' "H-How can I help you, ma'am?"

"Well," Twilight Velvet began, "I was under the impression that my son, Shining Armor, was going to be overseeing security today, but I can't find him."

Trixie nodded her head. "Captain Armor was called away on urgent business. This whole Unicornia thing has caused quite an uproar so the Royal Guard's a little chaotic at the moment."

"Oh, that's a shame," Velvet pouted. "I wanted to give him an early draft of my latest novel. He's always loved to read them before they're published."

"Maybe I could deliver it for him upon my return? I report directly to the captain."

"That would be great!" Velvet said, using her magic to take the book out her bag. She hesitated for a moment, and narrowed her eyes at the mare. "You…"

'Don't tell me she sees through my disguise!'

"… You aren't trying to steal my book, are you?"

"… N-No way! I mean, uh, no, ma'am!"

Velvet giggled. "I was only joking. Thank you, dear… My, I just noticed, but you're so young! And yet here you are, diligently defending our country! Just like my Shining Armor."

"Well, somebody has to do it, right?"

"Tell me, how is my son doing?" Velvet asked. "Is he eating right? I worry about him when he's away from Cadance. Sometimes it feels like he's still a colt that needs to be taken care of."

Trixie couldn't help but snigger. "P-Please, ma'am. If the captain found out we were having this conversation, I could be demoted. Or worse."

"Then let's just keep this our secret, okay?" Velvet said with a wink. "But really now, how is he doing?"

"The captain is doing fine. He eats well, trains hard, and is a shining inspiration for all of us rookies." Trixie smiled. "And he's just the right mix between rough and caring. You should be proud."

Velvet simply stared in silence, and Trixie bit her lip, wondering if she had said too much. Velvet leaned forward, and Trixie leaned back. "… You like him, huh?" Velvet said with a grin.

"Like?" Trixie asked, running the word through her head and then blushing as she realised what it meant. She shook her head vigorously. "Y-You're wrong, ma'am! He's simply a good captain is all!"

"Riiiiiiight," Velvet said in a teasing tone. "Well, just be careful. He's already married and I don't think you want to try to steal a princesses' stallion."

"I told you, that's not it!"

Twilight Velvet giggled. "If you say so. Well, I'm glad to hear that his troops think so highly of him. It makes me think that I did something right when raising him."

"Hey Velvet," said somepony behind the older mare. The leader of the Wonderbolts, Spitfire, approached the conversation. "What's up? Your son here or what?"

Trixie gasped and turned her head, using her magic to lower her helmet over her eyes. 'Are you serious?! Why is somepony who knows me here?!

"It seems not, Spitfire. Sorry."

Spitfire clicked her tongue. "Darn. I wanted to ask him about those joint exercises. With all this civil unrest goin' on, we could really do with our troops being in their top forms."

Trixie heard a loud bang and turned to where her partner had wandered off to earlier. She found him on the ground, surrounded by food and tableware, before a fallen table as the two mares pulled at each other's hairs above him. She sighed. "Guess I gotta go back him up."

"It was nice talking to you," Velvet said, "Ms.…"

"Tri-" Trixie silenced herself quickly, glancing over to Spitfire.

"Hm?"

"Uh, M-Maud Pie."

"Well, it was a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Pie. Please let Shining know that his father and I are proud of him."

"I'll be sure to tell him," Trixie assured as she put the book into her satchel. "Now, if you'll excuse me." Trixie rushed over to where the fight was still taking place, using her magic to separate the two mares as she shouted for backup.





"A little more to the left. Now more to the right. Now just a liiiiiittle-"

"Sister, do you not have more urgent business to attend to than the placement of a portrait?" Sombra deadpanned. His sister huffed and turned to him with an authoritative stare.

"First of all, that is 'Your Majesty', or simply 'Queen'. Secondly, this portrait is of my very own coronation! It has to be displayed just right so that it is the first thing that ponies see when they walk into my bedroom!"

"Do you want ponies walking into your bedroom?"

"Good heavens, no! Muddy hooves on my carpet? I would behead them on the spot!"

Sombra sighed and shook his head. "How are we related again? Anyway, Father's meeting with the alicorns and wanted to know if you'd be joining him." Sombra turned his head and mumbled, "Of course he didn't invite me."

"The alicorns are still here?" Queen Platinum asked, casting a worried look over her brother. "What ever business could they possibly have here?"

"Maybe they want to form an alliance," Sombra suggested.

"Maybe, but we are still in talks with the Crystal Empire. Why would Father be giving them the time of day?"

"Why don't you ask him?"

Queen Platinum nodded her head and said, "That I shall, and I will have to remind Father that he is retired, and should not be working himself too hard." With that, the queen stormed out of her room, stomping down the castle's stone hallways.

Sombra sighed and began to leave, before he heard a voice behind him ask, "W-Where should we leave the portrait, Prince Sombra?"

Sombra turned around to the maids holding the portrait up in their magics. Suddenly, a grin crossed his face. "Place iiiiiiit… upside-down, and diagonally, and make sure it is to one side of the wall. Make it as asymmetrical as you possibly can."

"B-But the queen-"

"Are you questioning your prince?" Sombra asked with a glare.

"Of course not!" the maids responded in unison.

"Good!" Sombra replied with a smile, before he skipped out of the room, chuckling over his little prank. As he rounded a corner, he bumped into somepony and fell onto his flank. "Owww! Who dares to-"

"Oh dear, We are ever-so-sorry!"

Sombra gasped. Standing before him was the large, dark-blue visage of a pony with a pair of majestic wings, and a long, pointed horn. "Y-You're Luna!"

The mare scowled. "That is Princess Luna. We may not be as respected as our sister, but We are still royalty nonetheless!"

"Pfft! Tell me about it," Sombra said with a roll of his eyes. As he picked himself up, he said, "My sister's all the kingdom's been talking about these past few days."

"Well, she did just become your kingdom's new queen. Um, apologies for knocking you over."

"I mean, even before then, Father always paid more attention to her! All of my accomplishments were just… left in her shadow!"

Luna nodded her head. "We know the feeling. Being the second-born, Mother and Father always held our sister in much higher regards. Even now, whilst they attend a meeting with your father and your sister, We are just left to roam the halls of this castle on our own."

Sombra raised an eyebrow, and looked behind Luna to find her unescorted. "You mean you're wandering our castle… unsupervised?!" Sombra's mane burst into flames as he growled. "What is wrong with this castle's guards?! They are far too incompetent!

"Well, I guess I'll just have to escort you myself!" Sombra huffed and walked past the surprised princess. "What would you like to see first?"

"Oh. Uhh, I guess some place where one could see the stars?"

Sombra stopped and turned back with a surprised look on his face for a few seconds. He then smiled and said, "So you like to watch the stars, too. I guess we have a fair bit in common."

"It is our favourite pastime."

"By the way, why do you talk like that?" Sombra asked as the two began to walk down the hallway together.

"It is tradition to speak using the royal we in our culture."

"But you sister and your parents don't-"

"The tradition has died out over the years, and not many alicorns still follow it. We think that tradition is important, though, and are trying our upmost to bring it back."

Sombra nodded his head. "I can appreciate that. Tradition here is that the earth ponies make our food and live in their little cots, away from our eyes. But thanks to Sister and her friends, the commoners are mingling with the nobility."

Luna tilted her head. "But isn't equality a good thing?"

"Some ponies are just born more powerful than others, and those ponies should be at the top. It is their right, and those without power, must know that their place is at our hooves."

Luna averted her eyes and said. "That almost sounds like something that my father would say…"

"He sounds like a wise stallion, then."

"… Wise, maybe. But…"





Prince Blueblood stormed through the castle, the two Royal Guards assigned to escort him doing just that. He ignored the servants bowing as he passed, he slammed any doors in his way, and he huffed all the way until he had reached his destination. Even though the bedchamber belonged to Princess Celestia, nothing stood in Blueblood's way as he forced his way inside, pushing aside the guards that were trying to stop him.

"Aunt Celestia!"

Princess Celestia, who was sat at her desk with General Morgan, turned around to face her nephew. She noticed the two guards about to apprehend him and raised her hoof. "Leave him be," she ordered. The two guards nodded and returned to their posts outside of the princess' chambers. The other two guards assigned to escort the prince, however, followed him inside.

"Aunt Celestia, what is the meaning of this?! A curfew, at my age?! These guards following my every move?! What do you think I am, a child?!"

"No, Blueblood. Of course not," Celestia replied in a soothing tone. 'Though it's certainly hard to tell the difference.' She turned to the pony beside her. "I'm sorry, General, but I-"

"No apologies needed, Your Highness," the general said with a bow. "I'm just about done here anyway. You don't have to worry about the city's defences. Not a single soul will enter or leave Canterlot without the Royal Guard knowing about it."

Celestia nodded and gave the pony permission to leave. She waited until he had passed Blueblood and left her chambers before speaking up again. "Nephew, I understand your frustrations. But this is a difficult time for everypony, and you must understand that I cannot risk something terrible happening to you until-"

"I am a prince! I am not bound to such things as curfews or overseers! And I have an important date tonight whom I cannot keep waiting!"

"I understand. You will just have to explain to her tomorrow morning." Blueblood stomped his hoof and huffed harder. Celestia sighed and rose to her hooves. "Blueblood, perhaps you don't realise this, but you are not the only one making sacrifices here. Prince Charming is also under strict surveillance and curfew."

Prince Blueblood scoffed. "Prince Charming doesn't do anything important anyway! All he does is prance around with the peasants and ramble on about the environment."

"I'm sorry, Blueblood, but the curfew is for your own safety," Celestia said with a hard stare. "Unicornia has made it perfectly clear how much they resent me and my sister, but we don't know if that hatred also extends to our family. Until we know more, we must assume that they will target you, if not for your life then as a hostage."

Blueblood grinded his teeth together, but said nothing more. He turned around and stormed back out of the room, his escorts following him diligently. "Honestly! A bunch of ruffians make some noise and she caves under the pressure! And she's supposed to be our leader… She's letting those terrorists walk all over her! At this rate, she will lose her crown for sure!"

"She's doing the best that she can." Prince Blueblood and his escorts stopped in the long corridor. Standing before them was Prince Charming, carrying several large scrolls of paper in his magic. "Perhaps, instead of complaining, you could be of some help to her."

"Prince Charming…" Blueblood harrumphed and walked past the other prince. "It's clear what she should do. Find the terrorists and have them all locked away for the rest of their lives."

"You make it sound so easy," Charming said, turning around watching Blueblood walk away in silence. "And please, be mindful of what you say about the princess. Some ponies might see it as… treason."

Blueblood stopped for a second to glance over his shoulder. Prince Charming was walking off with his own escorts tailing behind him. "… Self-righteous ponce." Blueblood flicked his mane and held his head high as he trotted away through the castle in silence.





Trixie raised her hoof and knocked on the door to Shining Armor's office, waiting for a response from inside.

"Come in."

The voice was not Shining Armor's. Cautiously, Trixie opened the door and peered inside. She eased up as she found General Morgan reading documents at the captain's desk, and saluted as the door opened completely.

"Sir. I am here to give my report for the day's events… If I may ask, is the captain not present?"

"He left early to settle some brawl in a tavern. I've been filling in for him today." General Morgan looked up and raised his eyebrow. "You have an interesting way of speaking. Most of our new recruits are stiff and awkward, but you… you're just awkward."

Trixie lowered her hoof and said, "Just trying to make a good impression, sir. I want my son to have a good education."

"I see. Wanna move up the ranks?" Morgan asked with a grin. "Then some advice: stop kissin' flanks and just show what you can do. Actions speak louder than words, and us generals and captains aren't going to be fooled by somepony who simply acts the part."

Trixie narrowed her eyes at the general. "I will try to remember that."

"Give me your report and I'll file it."

Trixie's magic levitated the report across the room and into the general's hooves. "I also have something for the captain from his mother. Would it be okay to leave it here?"

"Yeah, he should be back by tomorrow morning."

"Thank you, sir." Trixie approached the desk on the opposite side of the room and gently placed the book atop it. As she did, something caught her eyes. A small bottle of cider, half-empty, was sitting by the captain's desk. "The captain drinks?"

"Hm?" Morgan looked over and spied the bottle with his own eyes. "Ah, I hear he shares a drink with General Ironhoof sometimes. Shining Armor's a bit of a lightweight though, so it must be tough on him."

Trixie studied the bottle for a few seconds, and then grinned. "Perhaps… you could help him out, General?"

"What did you say?"

Trixie turned around and smiled. "You've been working very hard today. Surely you deserve a break."

The general sighed and held a hoof to his forehead. "Yeah, it's been hell alright. Our soldiers are spread thin, but Celestia still wants me to ensure that every major town and city is safe from a possible attack, as well as Princess Twilight's village, Ponyville." The general lowered his hoof and added, "But I really shouldn't."

Trixie lifted the bottle in her magic and said, "Don't worry. I won't tell."

"… You realise that you are speaking to a general, right?"

"Just following your advice, sir. 'Be yourself'? It's been a hard day for me, too."

The general stared at Trixie for several seconds, before leaning back in his seat and erupting with laughter. "A fast learner, eh? I love it! No wonder Shining Armor has his eyes on you."

"Is that so?" Trixie asked. "I'm flattered." Trixie levitated the bottle over to the general, who simply sighed and put down his documents. He grabbed the bottle and took a swig of the sweet cider inside.

As he pulled the bottle away, the general let out a very relieved sigh. "Man, that hit the spot!"

"By the way, what kind of defences do you have planned for Canterlot, anyway?" Trixie asked. "What's to stop Unicornia from just storming the castle at any given moment?"

"Eheheh… You see, that-"

"-Is nothing that concerns you." The two snapped to the open doorway, where they found Prince Charming entering the room. "General, need I remind you that you are on duty?"

The general snapped upright in his chair and placed the bottle down by his chair. "O-Of course not! I was simply taking a moment's rest, Prince Charming!"

"By all means, feel free to summon one of the maids to bring you some water if you are feeling parched."

"R-Right…" Morgan shot a glare at Trixie and shouted, "You're relieved from duty! Return home at once and have a safe night!"

"Y-Yes, sir," Trixie replied, trotting past the general and the prince.

"A private's job is not to ask questions," Prince Charming whispered as Trixie passed him by.

Trixie simply bit her tongue and hurried out of the room. 'Damn it. I was so close. A little alcohol and a pheromone spell and that general's senses are as good as dead! That prince, though…'





"So in the end, you learned nothing," Genesis surmised.

Trixie leaned back in her chair and folded her hooves. "It was that prince. He interrupted us at just the wrong moment."

"Well, there's no need to worry," Sunset Shimmer declared, revealing a series of scrolls stashed away inside of her bag. "I managed to procure some copies of the general's battle plans."

"What- How-"

Sunset Shimmer grinned. "Let's just say that I have my ways."

King Midas gathered one of the scrolls and unrolled it, studying the written text inside. "I see… Excellent work, Princess Shimmer."

"Thank you," Sunset said with a bow.

"Everypony, I believe that it is finally time to make our move. But first, I need just one thing from you, Trixie." King Midas hoofed the scroll to Trixie, who picked it up in her magic and studied it. "These are the schedules for the castle's guards over the next three days. I need you to use this to gather for me some vital information."





"Queen Platinum, the Crystal Empire has rejected our offer of jewels for silver!"

"Queen Platinum, the creatures of the Everfree Forest have been sighted at Horseshoe Pier!"

"Queen Platinum, the griffons have threatened to sink any ships that sail too close to their waters!"

"Queen Platinum!"

"Queen Platinum!"

"Your Majesty, emergency!"

"EVERYPONY BE QUIET!"

The noise inside of the room died down. Ponies scrambling their hooves and talking in unison suddenly fell silent, and all ears picked up the sounds of the hyperventilating mare sitting in her large, comfortable throne.

"First of all, how is Father doing?" Platinum asked.

"He is resting for now," one soldier reported with a salute. "His condition is stabilised."

Platinum nodded her head, and then paused for a moment to think. "… I can't handle this workload alone… I want all military matters to be sent to Commander Hurricane! I need her expert opinion on how to handle the griffons and the creatures plaguing our land!"

"Your Majesty, Pegasopolis has its hooves full with the internal rebellion from ponies who seek the old days to return!"

Queen Platinum bit into her forehoof. "Then… AHHH! Tell the Crystal Empire that we are initiating an isolationist policy! I want no crystal pony to set even one hoof into our kingdom, and we will avoid theirs, too!"

"But that could sever all the bonds we've worked so hard to form!"

"Negotiations can be held later, but we cannot make deals with monsters! We must ensure that the Everfree Forest is dealt with before we attempt to-"

"If I may make a suggestion," Omnis said, raising his hoof as the crowd turned their attentions towards him. "If you are having trouble with monsters, a small squadron of our tribe's finest warriors can be here within two days."

"Thank you, but this is our country's problem, not yours," Platinum said with a stern look.

"I am merely concerned for the safety of your citizens, Queen Platinum. These creatures are strong, but the real problem lies in the fact that you have never encountered them before. If you would allow us to fight them, we can show you how to defeat them for yourselves."

"… I would have to allow more alicorns into our country's borders, armed and ready for combat."

"I understand your concerns. How about this, then? Whilst my soldiers are here, you can keep Princess Luna imprisoned. That way, we would be unable to make a move against you."

Queen Platinum raised an eyebrow. "Are you implying that we would take your daughter hostage? Or that you would willingly allow us to do such a thing?!"

"Are you implying that we would turn our weapons on you?"

The room was completely silent. The tension was too thick to cut with any form of knife. The queen and the alicorn stared intently into each other's eyes, each one daring the other to make the first move.

The doors opened behind Omnis, breaking the silence. "Your Majesty, Manehattan's been attacked!"

"Creatures from the Everfree in Manehattan?!" Queen Platinum shouted as she rose to her hooves.

"N-No, my queen! It was a group calling themselves the 'Diamond Dogs'!"

Queen Platinum bit her lip, and then returned her gaze to Omnis. He was smiling. "… Ugh! Fine then! How many soldiers will need permission to cross the border?!"

"Six."

Platinum scoffed. "I am not in the mood for jokes." Omnis didn't respond. "… Only six?"

"Six will be plenty. You'll see."

"… Everypony, if you'll excuse me." Despite the showers of protests that started all around her, Queen Platinum forced her way through the crowd of ponies and made her way towards the large doors of the throne room, rushing outside with great haste.

She ran through the castle as fast as she could manage, panting as she turned down many corners, and opened many doors. Princess Luna XIV was nowhere to be found.

"You!" Platinum demanded to a pony passing by. To her surprise, the pony was Clover the Clever, her most-trusted advisor. "Clover the Clever!"

"Oh, Queen Platinum!" Clover bowed quickly. "Please excuse my tardiness, but I have been working myself to the bone trying to create that barrier spell you requested!"

"Yes, yes, please do hurry up with that! The situation is growing worse every day!"

"Oh my. I-I'm sorry, but I've also been trying to grasp the magic of the Everfree Forest. It just doesn't make any sense to me!"

"Never mind that for now. Focus on creating that barrier!" Queen Platinum looked around, and then asked, "Have you seen the alicorn princesses?"

"Princesses Celestia and Luna?" Clover asked, receiving a nod. "Well, I know that Celestia is touring the city with Twilight, and Luna… Oh! She might be up in the observatory again! She's been spending a lot of time there!"

Queen Platinum nodded her head again. "Thank you! Please keep working hard! Our kingdom needs you now more than ever!"

Clover the Clever blushed. "W-Well, I'll try my best, then…"

Queen Platinum rushed past her advisor and continued through the castle, making her way towards the observatory on the top floor. She used her magic to open the large doors, and stepped inside. There, she found Princess Luna sitting in the centre of the room, looking up at the stars through the open ceiling, with Prince Sombra sitting to her side. Her shimmering mane lit up the area around them, and Platinum could see the two of them laughing.

"Am I interrupting?" Platinum asked, startling the two as she drew near.

"Oh, forgive us," Luna said as she stood up. "Your brother told us of this room and we just had to see it."

"It's quite alright," Platinum said with a smile, looking down at her brother. "I was not aware that the two of you were so close."

Sombra blushed. "W-We're not. There are just not many ponies to talk to these days… Not since you got coronated…"

Queen Platinum sighed. "Yes, and I'm sorry for that, but you know that I have important duties to fulfil." She turned her gaze to Luna. "On the subject of which, I must speak with Princess Luna."

Sombra nodded his head. "I'll leave…"

Platinum remained silent as he her passed by, wondering whether she should let him leave or not. As she heard the doors behind her open, she said, "Wait… I need you here, too, Sombra."

Sombra turned around, staring at his sister with his mouth agape. "M-Me?"

"Yes… I need ponies that I can trust…"

"What is happening?" Luna asked, narrowing her eyes as Platinum's magic closed the ceiling above them.

"Luna, I trust both you and Princess Celestia. I consider you my friends."

Luna smiled. "And we you."

"That is why, I need you to be our hostage… whilst Omnis brings alicorn soldiers into Equestria."