Chapter 15: Darkest night before dawn
13th of the third moon, 1551 A.E. (After Equestria) - 08:00 p.m., Ponyville Square
She could only watch on from her house window as the sun refused to fall, as the proud Equestrian flag fell and the strange flag with a black crown went up, as the ponies hurried to their homes away from the strict curfew that was enforced by the changelings.
So it was naturally a surprise the next evening when there was no sentinel guarding her house door, and again when the sun actually began to go down. She raced down to the town square, eager to find out that by some miracle, the princesses had returned and she could meet her friends again.
Rarity arrived just in time to hear a voice being broadcasted via the only loudspeaker that was in the town. The ponies gathered around were looking devastated, some even crying their eyes out.
"...In my long reign over this nation, never have I thought that this solemn and awful duty would one day fall to Luna and myself."
She felt an ice hammer slam onto her muzzle. She knew that voice. It was a voice nopony in Equestria would ever forget. Yet it didn't have the vigor and clarity that she remembered. Only a deep, profound sorrow that seemed to echo within everypony's minds.
"What is Princess Celestia talking about?" She asked the elderly pegasus next to her, but he just turned away and began to weep.
"Yet, in the current occupied situation of Equestria, Both of us have come to the conclusion that it is neither desirable nor possible to keep the current conflict ongoing. The head of the invading changelings, named Chrysalis, has proposed a peace treaty where she promised safety and property protection for all of my little ponies. A treaty that will be supervised and enforced by both me and Luna."
Now Rarity finally understood what was happening. At the same time, she still didn't want to believe a single word.
"In return, from this point onwards, Changelings are legally allowed to live alongside all pony settlements, and their sustenance is to be provided by the pony populace. It is apparent that these creatures are dependent on love magic for survival, and from firsthand experience, the process of extraction is not permanently harmful to the body in any way that I currently know of."
"Also, We had to nominate the invader to the position of chancellor as part of the treaty, so We issue a word of caution for those coming to the morning court of tomorrow, to not act provoked in any way, shape, or form. Although safety for all ponies and changelings is clearly specified in the treaty, we want to avoid potential casualties at all cost."
As Rarity could only watch on with dismay, Princess Luna's voice came onto the speaker.
"And lastly... Celestia and us accept all blame and responsibility for this catastrophe, and profoundly apologize for failing to adhere to our holy duties as the prime protectors of this realm. We have failed you, my little ponies... and we have no right to ask anything more of you."
"Yet, with a heavy heart we have to urge all of our little ponies to keep calm, and carry on with your lives and duties. Our lands might be occupied, yet with our unbreakable spirit, we sincerely believe that ponykind will once more be able to stand strong, and weather these difficult times."
"For the last time, We are truly sorry, everypony."
No more sounds exited from the speaker. A dark, heavy shroud of mourning silence washed over the crowd gathered at the square. Rarity was no exception. With that message, her brain finally began to fully process the depth and severity of the current situation.
The princesses, who saved the realm multiple times from disaster, couldn't win. The elements of harmony, the only things that managed to overpower and rehabilitate one of said princesses, betrayed Equestria. There was no chance in Tartarus that an average pony such as herself could defeat such a force greater or equal to that of the princesses, especially without the elements.
Yet she had to try. Through clenched teeth, she began to write a note for all of her friends to receive, an activity which was usually designated to the now-absent Twilight Sparkle. Since Spike was imprisoned with her, she could only hope to drop the notes off in front of each mare's house.
Midnight, barnyard of Sweet Apple Acres. We have to talk.
13th of the third moon, 1551 A.E. (After Equestria) - 12:00 p.m., Sweet Apple Acres
"Apologies and thanks, Applejack, for letting us in this late. We needed a secluded spot away from the town center."
She only smirked and waved a hoof in response to Rarity's remark.
"Nuff said, sugarcube. On a normal day I don't like guests at such a late hour, but I suppose today's anythin' but normal..."
With Applejack's sorrowful remark, a blanket of silence covered them all as they sat in front of the fire. The crackling sound of burning wood was the only thing giving them shelter from a cold, rainy night.
"Well what are we waiting for! Since there are no sentinels watching over us, I say we storm Canterlot and pull that invader off her throne!"
Rarity sadly shook her head.
"The changelings released us because they know it's already too late for that. Their armies are now in every single city and town in Equestria. Even if we manage to defeat Chrysalis, it will only cause more war and bloodshed for ponies and changelings alike."
After a few seconds of an intense glare, Rainbow sighed and folded her wings, leaning back against the barn wall.
"I suppose you're right about that... Come on, everypony. isn't there another way?"
"I just wish we had listened to Twilight.... She was the first and only one to realize something was truly wrong, and now she's the only one suffering in prison."
Nopony said a word to Fluttershy's gentle yet painful revelation, as all five of them only looked into the crackling firewood below. After some time, Applejack was the first to yield.
"You're... right, sugarcube. At the time, I only thought that she was back at it again with her... antics. But truthfully, I think I was just afraid. I wanted the wedding to be perfect, to prove my worth to all the ponies of the realm, and I was afraid that Twi would ruin the whole damn thing."
Applejack turned away from the fire, but her raspy voice gave her feelings away.
"No... even that doesn't do it justice. I was ASHAMED at her. Ashamed because Twilight would make us look bad in front of the would-be bride. Ashamed because she would ruin the chance for our apples to finally shine in the spotlight. Ashamed... of my own... damn... friend, and I can't even make it up to her anymore!"
She finally collapsed into an orange heap in front of the fire, no longer able to hold back her tears. Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie and Rainbow all joined her, the supposedly-quiet midnight meeting becoming a wailing huddle of pent-up emotions.
"You're completely right, Applejack, except for only one thing," said Rainbow, as she wiped her eyes and stood up defiantly from the mess.
"We can still make it up to her, but only if we fight. As Rarity said, we might not be able to storm the castle this second, but we'll have to fight on. For Twi's sake, if not our own!"
Rarity stood up beside her.
"That's the spirit, darling! Everypony, let's think about it. What would have Twi done in this situation?"
Pinkie shot up her left front hoof, her mane somehow poofing back up in an instant.
"I know! I know! She would have dived into her books trying to learn about the changelings! IF that didn't work, she would follow their trail like a super adventure pony and find out about them herself!"
"Oh, so no direct fighting yet?" said Fluttershy, perking up just a bit.
"Precisely!" squealed Pinkie, an evil smile flashing across her face. "I could even throw a party for the changelings, and when I am done making 'friends' with them, their secrets will all be mine!"
The rest of the crew wisely decided not to question what her methods were going to be, but only vigorously nodded their heads in acceptance. Even Rainbow dash relented, sighing at the ground.
"I guess that is the smart call... but I kind of wanted to kick their flanks soon instead of snooping around."
A deep, booming female voice came from the darkness, seemingly heeding Rainbow's call. "To snoop around means to keep your voice down, with your volume right now you are waking up the whole town."
The five mares all jumped to their hooves, Rainbow dash taking to the air.
"Relax, for I am only here, to lend you an ear.... and a hoof," said the voice as it scrambled out of the hay bales, revealing clear black and white stripes on her body.
Realizing who the figure was, everypony went in for a massive tackle-hug combination.
"Zecora!"
Stats
Page generated in 0.062 seconds
Total duration
859 users online
1,148,240 hits today, 1,872,792 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.®
it's alive !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
10410687
thanks for staying! :)
I found this fic a few month ago, ignore the warning and tacking it anyway, and I have to say, no regret seeing it's still alive.
But I must say, in my opinion this chapter felt lacking... something. It's feels a little off because they logically knew if they believe in what Twilight said, they should have a 'what if' moment to lamenting 'this could be prevent by simply believing what Twilight said'. And because how the very earlier chapters of this fic was managed to deliver a powerful rollercoaster of emotions, I was expecting some kind of remorse and guilt exchange between the main 5 something like, how they keep blaming themselves for betraying their friend, trying to hide their emotional while realizing because of their doubt, indirectly causing Twilight and Spike being imprisonment and ultimately causing the fall of Equestria.
Just my opinion anyway... nice to see an update.
this was a better deal than what canon chrysalis offered even if its offered under duress.
its too bad those ponies only care about themselves and won't think about sharing that love with others with none ponies being forced.
10410791
this isn't a story about the aftermath of the wedding, its one about Chrysalis. Chrysalis might bring it up if she mocks Twilight in front of celestia if she decided to do that thing all villains do where they mock the heroes they have trapped or just have a casual chat with them.
another note why they aren't feeling remorseful is its being blocked by a need to save their friend to apologize to her in person. They need to be on their best condition, distracted by remorse isn't going to help them.
10410791
You are absolutely right in that regard, and perhaps that is what slowly and unknowingly pulled me back from continuing this fic. I will try to reinvigorate the emotions and anxiety of the first chapters, but my writing skills have declined a fair bit... yet this time I won't just give up :D
10410812
Well, the deal may be better than canon, but still the mane
65 will consider Chrysalis as a dangerous enemy for the imprisonment of Twilight Sparkle, Cadance, and Shining Armor.10410812
Also reading this chapter again, some major edits are incoming! ;)
10410818
Nice to hear, good luck Looking forward to it.
10410819
any chance of the mane 5 and maybe even celestia playing that old game where you try to pass the buck on any bad things you'd done to the villain.
Like finding some way to blame the reason they didn't listen to twilight on Chrysalis due to reasons like mind control or manipulation.
Yes its still going I'm so happy I can't wait to see what happens next
10410928
Nah, they might be ignorant at times, but they aren't stupid.
Editing complete! I still don't think it's perfect, but I think this will suffice!
Anyway I forget this was edited, nice.