Observe
Gliding in low over the treetops, Twilight did her best to stay silent. Alerting the crowd below would have grave consequences. A massive bonfire crackled in the middle of them, threatening to ruin her night vision while still casting the cluster of robed figures in flickering shadow.
It had just been rumors originally - quiet comments and the barest of murmurs. Official inquires had only sent them deeper to ground. S.M.I.L.E. assets had eventually teased out enough to find the location of this meeting, but little more. To stop the cult from gaining any more traction, they needed information. They needed to find out details.
This wasn't a Princess' job, the captain of the guard had said.
I need to do something that isn't looking at tax law or I will throw several nobles into the sun, the princess had responded.
I think that would be a good thing, had been his counter-point.
I could make you a Baron first, had been hers.
Which is why she was now coasting on the breeze to spy on a secretive (and likely evil) cult in the wild forest near Foal Mountain. Granted there were two platoons of Royal Guards only a mile away and ready to pounce, but she was the one who was investigating and observing. (And not engaging, the captain had refused to give any ground on that one, the spoilsport.)
A low-flying cloud provided the perfect perch for Twilight, letting her settle down within hearing range as the cultists gathered. Dark purple robes blended in with the shadowy forest around, eerily moving in the twilight before Twilight. She was a bit late to the scene - they had already started.
The one who stood alone at the northernmost point of the circle continued to speak. "--And so it shall be! Nothing and nopony shall impede our quest! Our sacred duty!" He waved a hoof in the air, motioning to the sky. (And coincidentally, towards the hidden Twilight.) "To open the mysteries of the universe itself and find the path to true magic!"
Around the fire, the others in dark purple echoed his words in a refrain. "The path to true magic!"
"The secret knowledge shall not be held back from us, my friends. Those who would selfishly hoard it will bow before us at the Altar of Knowledge after they are shown the error of their ways!"
And the gathering once more echoed the words. "The Altar of Knowledge!"
Twilight's wings twitched. Oh no. They were the worst kind of evil cultists - educated. This was bad. This was really bad. They read books, which meant they had the knowledge to get what they were after. They probably read the wrong books or they wouldn't be an evil cult, but Twilight could appreciate the wisdom of (and danger in) their attempts.
The leader stomped a hoof against the hard ground - a chunk of slate was there, possibly placed for this exact purpose. The crack of hoof on stone echoed in the dark. "Now let us begin tonight's work, my friends. I presume that you are all prepared?"
Above, Twilight braced. Each of the crowd of cultists pulled an object from their robe - books. She could recognize that much in an instant, though the exact titles were a mystery. A part of Twilight screamed in panic that these obviously evil ponies might burn them. Another part screamed that the light was far too poor for proper reading and they would give themselves eyestrain.
There was a firm nod from the leader. "Excellent. You may break into your study groups now. To your places."
And the cult obeyed. The circle of ponies shattered, dissolving into eleven smaller clusters. Six evenly spaced around the inside, five more on the outside in a lopsided manner. Twilight frowned at that. Something about that configuration was familiar.
Before joining the last group, the leader spoke again. "Everyone has a study partner before we begin reading? Yes? Good. None of you should study alone because--"
And as one, the group spoke a chilling refrain. "Friendship Is Magic."
Oh no. Those two words were the entirety of Twilight's thoughts. The rest of her brain was locked up in absolute terror.
To the Princess' credit, it only took her half a minute to pull herself out of it. And into a panicked dead sprint of deduction.
The cult was arranged in eleven groups - a familiar six-pointed star with five smaller ones lopsidedly arranged around it. Deep purple robes. A dedication to knowledge and books.
Twilight's mental gears jammed again as she attempted to process what had to be the truth: this was her cult.
Or at least one dedicated to her, came the quick stream of mental justifications. She didn't start it and didn't control it so she couldn't really say it was hers and--
And Twilight clamped her eyes shut and counted to ten. She had to keep under control. And she needed time to gather her thoughts.
With a quiet burst of wind, the Princess of Friendship lifted away from the cloud and took to the air again. She thankfully wasn't seen, and blessed silence covered her path all the way to the waiting Royal Guards.
The leader of the detachment saluted as she landed. "Ready to move in, Your Highness! Just give the word!"
His response was thoughtful silence that lasted long enough for nervous unease to sink into the entire contingent.
"No," Twilight finally settled on. "Not tonight, Sergeant." She raised her head from her thoughts to meet his eyes. "Have our people continue to keep an eye on the known members of this cult and watch their actions. Before any action is taken, I must consult some important sources of knowledge." A pause - then a quick addition. "To make sure everypony is safe, I mean. I need to research something."
The guards didn't look happy - but they understood orders. And as they turned to head home, Twilight took to the skies herself. Not towards Canterlot, but to Silver Shoals.
Not many ponies in Equestria could give advice when it came to this. Fortunately, Twilight knew just where to find the most knowledgeable there was.
Stats
Page generated in 0.054 seconds
Total duration
609 users online
788,806 hits today, 2,314,256 yesterday
FIMFiction
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Fanfiction
Designed and coded by knighty & Xaquseg - © 2011-2024
Follow & Support Us
Support us
SubStar
Chat!
Discord
Follow us
Twitter
MLP: Friendship is Magic® - © 2024 Hasbro Inc.®
Fimfiction is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by Hasbro Inc.®
Know wing Celestia the advice is simple "Take over the Cult and convert it into a respectable religion!". Seems simple, and in a way it is, but it also isn't. Knowing the solution is easy, impliementing said solution will complicated.
I am very excited for this story.
Yes. I’m way too excited for this story. But I don’t care. Great work! Also, can we expect some sort of upload schedule like every two days or something?
Honestly, I think Twilight is jumping to conclusions here. Sure Cults are 99.999% evil. But nothing about this one screams evil.
Not yet anyway.
i had a good chuckle at this story i was to see more of it
It’s worshipping.
I'm absolutely in.
It'd be hilarious if the cult's activities were all completely harmless (and things Twilight might do herself), but all done with maximum cultishness and evil trappings.
"Bring forth... the tea and biscuits!" *wailing, dirges, flapping of cloaks, squeaking of tea trolley wheels*
When I read the word 'cult' I immediately thought of the Savage Skies series by moguera
9902815
I don't have a firm schedule for this one, though the contest ends on Nov. 10th so I kinda have to get it done by then at worst. Chapter #2 is the bulkiest so that one's taking the longest.
9903117
American vs. British standard spelling differences. Both are considered grammatically acceptable. (I actually looked this up in advance since I wasn't sure!)
Shouldn't it be three?
9903225
oh great, i suppose the next thing to expect is the Spanish inquisition...
9903272
I’ve got to stop using this avatar. It’s turning me British.
9903301
I think you mean turning you Greek. That doesn’t make it any less of a superb avatar. He’s one of my hero’s.
9903311
His blood may be Greek, but those teeth are British.
9903290
Bad phrasing on my part, I suppose. I'd meant the Oh No.
9903324
What passes between those teeth is certainly British. This is the man that said “When a man opens a car door for his wife, it's either a new car or a new wife“.
I wish I could get away with being like him...
The finest works of Phil the Greek
9903325
Oh, I thought she was referring to them saying Friendship is Magic
Oh, this promises to be fantastic. Eagerly looking forward to more. Though I can't help but think that Twilight revealing herself would've solved most of the problems... and, admittedly, introduced a whole bunch of new ones.
9903225
"Fetch hither the research papers, that we might grade them!" (Wailing, rending of garments, desperate last-minute applications of correction fluid.)
9903269
That’s fine, I love long chapters and I’m more than willing to wait for you to finish so don’t feel rushed. Good luck in the competition
Chapter One: Observe.
Yes. I shall observe this fic.
And follow the author.
Chapter 2 must be titled "Report"
So... the Esoteric Order of Purple Smart?
Dark cult worship bothering you, Twilight?
Eh, you get used to it. (Alondro reaps more sacrifices from his Troll God altar!)
9903663
You.
I like you.
How to destroy the cult: tell them they're about to be tardy... but don't tell them for what.
'Giggles knowledgeably'
Congratz, you got featured. 10/24/2019
9903722
you i like you and hate you for this
Lovely so far! I enjoyed her banter with the Captain.
To be a cult, your religion need only be unrecognized by the goverment.
I feel like this is going to devolve into commentary of twilight fans real rapidly.
9904053 All according to The Plan..
"We will free Purple Smart from the false destiny that has been imposed upon her and restore her to her true position as the Princess of Magic and Books!"
9903663
No... the Observant Order of the Purple Smart... O.O.P.S.
Hilarious
This does look fascinating, and it's competently written so far. Looking forward to more of it.
9904586
Okay, you win.
"Roll with it."
"I'm sorry?"
"Just... let it slide. Cults and religions evolve and mutate over time and who knows: Maybe we'll get lucky this time!"
"THIS time, you say. THIS TIME."
"What, you thought Canterlot nobility got that insular on their own? They only ditched the hooded robes a few generations back!"
Yet...
9904892
It will never be, Twilight’s fur isn’t a dark colour. Now, sacrificing to our purple god on the other hand...
Beautiful!
The fastest way to convince people to learn something is make them believe it is forbidden and exclusive. This cult has done that for themselves. I love that!
And now for an obligatory joke:
“Only card carrying cult members may proceed past this point.”
*Presents library card*
“Proceed.”
Also, this.
Reminds me of the Apotheosis fic with Rainbow Dash as Goddess of the Weather. I shall watch with utmost interest.
A cult of Twilight nerds? 👀 very intriguing
we must sacrafice books to our dark god of course.
An interesting premise, I look forward to see where you'll go with this.
9902816
What if they're reading the books upside-down?
9905006
I believe her coat got darker as the seasons went on.
9903225
It’s the cult of knowledge. They will most likely happen.
“Bring forth, the sacred book!”
A book written by Starswirl is presented