It was half an hour before sunrise when the changelings arrived at the front of the castle; I was waiting there with the door slightly opened. Silver was there too, though I told him that he was forbidden from telling anyone about what he is going to witness. There were four changelings, as expected, two of them carrying a large bag with one in front and behind them. Before they could land, I whispered, "Stay quiet and get inside now."
The lead changeling nodded, and they flew inside before landing as I closed the doors quietly. Well, as quietly as one can do with a pair of bucking giant doors. Turning around, I signaled them to follow me before making my way to the room Twilight gave to me for my personal projects. A room that was conveniently next door to my office. If you haven’t noticed, this castle has so many empty rooms that Twilight could just turn this castle into a hotel or something.
Once inside the room, I closed the door before looking at the group, who was situated in the middle of the room as they looked at the various stuff I had set up around the room. In one side, there was a table and various metal parts and gems that were supplied by Twilight. Next to it was a chalkboard where I scribble down any ideas that come to my mind while I'm tinkering on my projects. On the other side of the room, were a few folding screens, a chair, and a pile of rope.
I cast a silence spell on the door before turning my attention to the bag as I said, "Alright, no one is going to hear what is going on in this room. You can let her out of the bag now."
Nodding, the changelings opened the bag before unceremoniously dumping out its contents, which turned out to be an unconscious pink unicorn mare with a purple striped mane, which reminded me of Twilight a bit. She was already tied up, though I eyed her horn due to knowing that this unicorn is above the normal magical average if she is a threat to Twilight herself. "This is the right pony, Dame Aether?"
As Silver gawked at what he was seeing, I simply nodded as I answered, "Yes, this is the pony that I wanted. Tie her to the chair and set up some kind of watch, but leave the original bindings on and just use the rope next to the chair. I want two pairs with twelve hour shifts unless Queen Chrysalis has a better way."
Receiving a nod, I simply watched as the changelings tied up the unicorn, until Silver broke out of his stupor when he said, "Just what is going on‽ Did you just have some changelings foalnap a pony‽"
Rolling my eyes, I replied, "Not really, it's more of finding and apprehending a cri—"
"Don't you dare try to twist what you have done wi—" Silver said before I stuffed a hoof into his mouth.
"This pony has assaulted Princess Twilight Sparkle and the other Elements, including Pinkie. Not only does that make her a criminal, but I think you can figure out some of my motivations behind her capture," I explained while giving Silver a glare before pulling my hoof out of his mouth. "So, do you still want to get in my way?" It didn't took him long to shake his head, since he knows how I get violent when a pony crosses me, especially if they hurt somepony I care about.
"We're done madam," the lead changeling said, causing me to return my attention to the mare. "Do you want us to wake her?"
"No, I'll do that part myself," I said as I moved a stool from my work area to just in front of the unicorn with my magic. Hopping onto the stool, I just gave the mare a long hard look before I slapped her face. "Wake up Starlight Glimmer!"
"Gah! What the bu—"
"Wakey wakey!" I shouted before slapping her again.
"Ow! How da—"
A third slap interrupts the unicorn again. "Rise and shine!"
"I'm awake you fo—" the mare tried to scream before I gave her a fourth slap.
"Oh I know. I just wanted to slap you some more," I replied while giving her a fifth slap before I finally lowered my foreleg.
Starlight just glared at me for a moment, before she realized she was tied up, causing her to look around to see her surroundings and, most importantly, the changelings that were standing guard nearby. "What is going on here?" Starlight finally stammered out as her pupils shrunk as she started to figure out what is going on.
"As Silver would put it, you've been foalnapped, though would I say apprehended, since you’re a criminal for magically assaulting and abducting Princess Sparkle and the Elements of Harmony."
"By changelings and a filly? Just who are you?" Starlight asked.
"My name is Aether Aura, the foster daughter of Pinkie Pie; one of the ponies that you tried to steal their Cutie Marks from, if you don't remember her name," I answered, my voice laced with sheer rage. With the knowledge of who I am, Starlight paled a bit before shaking her head.
"You, a filly, hired changelings to foalnap me for revenge? Hah, what are you going to do to me, torture me by tickling me with a feather?" Starlight taunted, with a small smirk.
"Nah, not my style, I prefer using something like this," I replied as I pulled out my taser out from my mane.
"What is th—" was all Starlight could say before I tased her, causing her to spasm as she shrieked out in pain. I kept the taser on her for a few seconds before pulling back, letting her to recover as she said, "What the buck was that‽"
"It's called a taser, a neat little device that I can use to cause pain to a pony without causing serious harm to them. Which is fortunate for you, because if I didn't have this, I would be using a knife instead," I answered, causing everyone in the room to stare at me in shock, even Silver. "So yeah, you're dealing with a filly that is fully capable of torturing you, and more than willing to do so."
Rearing her head back in fear, Starlight started to say, "I didn't do anything wrong! I was just trying to make everypony equal so that we all could have peace and harmony! What is wro—" before I stuffed a hoof in her mouth.
"Simple, you take Cutie Marks away from ponies against their will and imprison them in a building where you try to brainwash them with your 'equality' propaganda. Not to mention that by making every pony equal by making them have no special skills is one of the dumbest things I ever heard. I mean, think about it, would you want a mediocre doctor taking care of you? Or have your home be constructed by mediocre carpenters? Buck, if all farms were run by your mediocre farmers, Equestria would starve. Not to mention that if we end up in any form of conflict, we would only have a mediocre army defending us."
After I pulled my hoof from her mouth, Starlight fumed a bit as she countered, "Not if there is equality in all of the world! That would create everlasting peace for everypony!"
"Maybe, if you actually succeeded in pulling that off for everyone... but there is one other big problem that will prevent that peace from being everlasting," I replied with a smirk.
"And what, pray tell, is that?" Starlight asked with an annoyed look on her face.
"Aliens."
"...Aliens."
"Yup, aliens."
"That is the most buckin stupid reason I ever heard."
"Yeah, I know it's hard to believe, but in my defense, all the princesses believe me since we already had a couple alien intruders in this world, that and I accidentally brought Princess Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash to a world full of aliens. Even all of Ponyville knows that aliens existed, since one ran through it a couple months ago. Now, before you denounce my reasons, we're in a room with changelings that are following my orders, and an advanced piece of technology, so do you really think what I just said is so far-fetched to believe?" I said before leaning back as I folded my forelegs across my chest before giving her a smirk.
"You're just a changeling too, aren't you," Starlight countered, smirking when she saw my own smirk turning into a frown.
Pulling my taser out again, I lifted it with my magic as I said, "Good theory, except changeling magic is green, while my magic is quite silver, so there goes your idea."
"Regardless of what you say, I'm not going to believe you. Equality is the answer to everypony's problems, and the sooner you accept that into your heart, the sooner you can achieve true happiness," Starlight replied, to my annoyance.
"Okay, Silver, stay here and keep an eye on her. If she tries to use magic, punch her in the face hard enough to knock her out," I said before leaving the room. I came back moments later carrying a customized gun that I stored underneath my desk in my office, upon which I quickly took aim at Starlight with. It was a good thing that the researchers managed to come up with one that I can use without having to hold it up with my magic, otherwise I would have trouble doing this.
"What the bu—" was all that Starlight could get out before I fired the gun several times, all the shots whizzing next to her horn due to a last-second aim adjustment.
Pupils wide with shock and fear, Starlight only looked at me as I said, "This here, is called a gun. It is based on alien guns that we were lucky to get our hooves on. I lead a new military branch that is devoted to preventing or stopping any alien invasions if possible, and both my branch and later the rest of Equestria's military will learn how to use this type of gun. This is a massive change, and I believe it would be supportive of my claims."
At first, Starlight just stared at me in silence for a moment, before she finally squeaked out, "You almost killed me..."
Waving a hoof off like it was nothing, I replied, "Nah, it was stun shots. It would be stupid to have my recruits shoot at each other with shots that can kill."
Silence ensured once more till Starlight looked at Silver, who commented, "If you're going to be here for a while, get use to it. At least she's not covering you in bees."
Silver's answer of course caused Starlight to start looking at me like I'm some maniac, to which I decided to add, "To let you know, yes, I'm currently having therapy." With her eyes widening and a bit of sweat building on her face, I decided to get back to business. "Alright Starlight, here's the deal. I'm going to keep you here until I see that you have reformed... somewhat. Try to use your magic, and your changeling guards will knock you out. So don't try anything funny unless you want some brain damage. The guards will feed you, clean you, and help you to the bathroom." As the guards started to give me surprised looks of their own, I continued, "So, in the end, it is up to you if you want your stay here to be long and... uncomfortable."
"You... you can't do this... I still have rights..." Starlight started to croak out.
"Not when you're under my custody. Furthermore, if you do somehow escape, and if you hurt anyone, I will hurt you. If you hurt anyone that I care about..." I warned before pulling a switchblade from my mane with my magic. Taking off the safety I placed on the blade, I unfolded the blade so that I could place the edge of it against Starlight's neck. As her pupils started to shrink and her breathing began to quicken, I continued, "I will kill you. Without hesitation."
Pulling my switchblade back and securing it before stashing it in my mane, I started to walk towards the door as everyone in the room just looked at me in fear, or just pure shock. "I hope you enjoy your stay in Ponyville," I said before opening the door. "Let's go Silver, we have some recruits to train," before shutting the door to let Starlight rot.
...God daym... That was... an impressive shock and awe treatment.
Aether is forever putting people in their place.
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If Tirek had managed to escape I can only imagine what she would do to him heheheh...
DAMN! Don't fuck with aether xD
Best chapter ever!
Hits Starlight with the truth, how she's going to have to change, or die? Yup, I'm do the same but with more hammers.
ok whos voting on aether killing starlight couse i am
I still think a changeling would be a better psychiatrist.
There needs to be somepony who completely understands her for what she is and makes fun of her!
6597054 agreed down with the bitch
This (probably) conflicts with a future episode and Glimmer's inevitable return. I know this story isn't canon-compatible with the show, but it has been trying to stay parallel to it, so this seems odd.
I am terrified of Aether, she is so badass!
NO!
That word is not good enough! We need a new one!
Good job!
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Somewhat relevant.
~Crystalline Electrostatic~
13:2_11/3/2015
Aaaah, poetic justice. My favourite brand of justice.
6597087 id go for shes the vin desil of ponies
...... I am kinda scared now. Hope Aether sees the irony, though that is probably planned to let her she what she had done to others..... except a bit more violent and psychotic. More like modern terrorist movies rather than extreme communism.
rekt
6597138
that's... I can see that xD heheeh
6597189 so shes dame aether deisel eather lol
6597192 xD
6597119 I agree, but this is hardly poetic. This is just plain old Aether-brand justice. Poetic justice would be Starlight having her own cutie mark stolen...and then tazed by Aether.
6597236 Well, yes. But that would require either the staff or knowledge of the spell it used. Since Aether has neither, giving Starlight a taste of her own 'educational' methods will have to do.
I think her therapy is working!
I like to think celestia totally knows that this is happening and shes just turning a blind eye
6597269 yes she really is a lot nicer than she was altho this is a bit more morbid than usual
I thought Aether didnt have to do things personally these days, just grab them strap them down, make sure they cant speak and cant not watch, then fix them off the side of the training grounds, right where they can see the rock run and catapult iplact zone.
Well this was really mild. Aether can do better than that.
And the scary thing is, canonically Twilight's going to have her own student by S6. Of course, here she might be a little "tenderized" by the time it happens...
Guess who? :)
Well, the results are in, and it totally was Starlight Glimmer!
Heh.
Aether has Pinkie's Hammerspace mane trick down, but with weapons instead.
.......That's... Actually pretty terrifying.
Considering Pinkie pie is her mom, that was tame for Aether. I'd brutally murder someone who screwed with my family.
Wow... Is it just me, or did the room just get a shade darker?
6597339 True but her trainee's might object and try to free her.
6597510
But then They get to ride the Slaughter Coaster.
And you know what Pinkamena always says, you cant have Slaughter, without (s)Laughter.
"I'm not going to kill you, I'm just going to... wait, I am going to kill you after all!" *evil laughter*
6597525 Pinkie pie is the element of slaughter. The "s" is silent.
I have a phone and can't do it now, someone link the video of deadpool slapping wolverine!
How would a cutie mark removal spell work on aliens anyway?
So, this does present interesting possibilities.
One is that Aether gets a hammer dropped on her for being a violent psycho, of course. She's been given a lot of latitude when lashing out at immortals, or being harsh with her own recruits, but I doubt Celestia would put up with abduction and death threats to an unrelated pony -- even if she is a fugitive.
Starlight is being put through essentially the same "conditioning" she herself inflicted. She claimed protective rights that she herself freely ignored in her commune, and seemed to do so out of moral indignation rather than an attempt to weasel the law as a defense -- so we know she's a hypocrite as well as an idiot. She's either going to stick to her guns hard enough to go into full-blown narcissistic psychosis and bite everyone in the ass later, or she's going to figure out how much of a toolbox she is.
The ponies are being painted as a little xenophobic, right down to quirks of their language. Aether's already made it known that she wants to pull in other sapients, started by successfully bringing one of the most hostile ones in the world to the table, and smacks bigots with chairs. So if Starlight makes a turnaround, she could reconsider her idea of social equality in a really positive and useful way.
The problem is, the story of inequality she most desperately needs to hear...is Aether's. Not only does Aether hate Starlight enough that she might not bother to tell it, but Starlight might be traumatized enough by now to not listen.
I suppose it's also possible she could figure it out by bonding with the guards. Aether's display creeped out the changelings almost as much as Starlight, and they might be doing some reconsidering themselves. For the foreseeable future, they have little to do but talk to each other.
6597584 your profile pick fits
(you thought you could force me to make a pun! think again!!! )
6597625 ok. Here's one:
https://m.youtube.com/?#/watch?v=vbtNzpMrZK8
6597625 Done.
6597447 I wouldn't be that nice . I'd make sure they live for weeks, at least.
I said it before, and I'm saying it again now:
Aether Motherfucking Aura, best captain (or something) EVER!!!
I think this may be one of my favorite chapters yet. You don't mess with Aether or her friends.
As much as I don't approve of what Aether is doing, I make exceptions in cases like Starlight Glimmer. Looking forward to more.
Keep up the good work. Deus tecum.
wow...just wow hahaha this is bit much even for her
stayclassy
6597255 the staff was just a plain stick wasn't it?
6597640 and would it even work on non pony species? minotaurs, griffin, dragons.
Violation of basic human rights! YAAAAAAAAY *sarcasm detected*
seriously, if celestia doesn't come in soon to bitch slap ether then this deserves an AU tag
Equality for everyone is an impossibility as much as a perfect utopia is. There will always be one being vying or wanting for more, since enough is never enough for some.
Starlight Glimmer really needs a reality check like this one, especially the very correct thought that if everyone was equally mediocre the standards of living would fall real fast. Imagine if everyone was only as good as or as smart as the worst example of said species, this would make everyone equally that horrible. In fact you'd have to improve the skills of some people to even begin working at equalizing anything, since there will still be those who are worse than others at something by Starlight's methods.
It is also noticeable that Starlight pretty much doesn't care that all the ponies she stole cutie marks from still had their same jobs before she took their cutie marks. In example Sugar Belle was still being a baker, with only a few exceptions like Double Diamond being a stooge that somehow managed to catch the cutie mark in jars alone despite not having magic and wouldn't the cutie marks immediately have flown back to the Mane Six without Starlight there to make sure the cutie marks didn't fly away when Double Diamond released them to put them in the jars? Reminder, he's an earth pony and he went up to the vault alone to retrieve those cutie marks, how did he manage it without unicorn magic?
Still Starlight didn't equalize anything, she just took their best talent away and didn't bother to rotate the jobs to prove that they were even equal at being able to do the job other ponies were still doing even after having their cutie marks removed. That's not taking into account natural difference like wings, horn or resilience to sicknesses.
I feel no sorrow for Starlight and think she actually deserves the knife, you'd be surprised what you can survive and there are plenty of fates far worse than death. She was lucky enough to have started her plot in the middle of nowhere where the damage she caused was minimal. Had she tried equalizing ponies in another location entirely, then there would have been actual deaths provided that ponies hadn't already been dying before the mane six arrived. We didn't see much of the children in that town or how they were being forced to live before they received their cutie marks only to have them quickly stripped away, so there's a different cruelty to think about entirely as the children were hidden after the beginning part of the two episodes.
So Aether definitely has a really good point even if alien threats weren't an issue. Making someone take a job as a healer who has no medical know how would be like bringing back Plague Doctors, most of which are just as likely to kill people as a plague is.