Of Goddesses and Failures

Let's face it. We all have secrets. They seem to be an innate part of us that wants to keep things hidden. No one is exempt. The close friend you've had since second grade? There are things they haven't told you. Your parents, teachers, and even beloved mentors? You don't know everything about them. It's not your fault, nor is it theirs. Perhaps they are innocent secrets: a secret crush or childhood dream. Sometimes, they're less friendly: misguided pranks, or who really broke the neighbors' window. But, in rare cases, secrets can be truly horrifying. Not always horrifying to think of, but horrifying to think about. Princess Celestia had a secret.

It was not innocent. It was far from it. She held a mystery so volatile that, should it be exposed, would send Equestria into an uproar. And she would not let it go. Her sister was unaware to her doings, and many other figures of authority didn't notice it whatsoever. The latter couldn't notice it. They would if they had stayed in the business of managing Equestria, one that was tiring and stressful. But they weren't given the chance. This was the beauty of the secret, and only one other pony knew it.

Cobalt Blade was, to say the least, not fit for much. Born in Canterlot, he was born with high expectations. Much of his family were scientists, so naturally, they expected him to be like them. Blade, however, could've cared less about studies. His parents, Cobalt Sky, his father, and Cobalt Terra, his mother, were disappointed in him, but donned him Blade after his interest in weaponry. Pushing him to join the Royal Guard, Blade was driven insane with the immense workload put on his shoulders. Studying and training, he pushed his patience to the limit, ultimately failing the test. He was a mockery, and he found no comfort in his parents, only anger and furious displeasure. To the world, he was a failure, save his expertise in blades and using them. Leaving his home in search of work, he ran a few small jobs in Canterlot, all of which were menial and mind-wrenching. This is where Celestia stepped in. Word of Blade's weapon skills had traveled, and while they weren't of particular interest to many, the princess had plans for him.

She started something that had been festering in her mind for a long time. With the new arrival of Cadence, many of the nobles had been pushing for something Celestia hadn't expected. They had thought about democracy. While Celestia wasn't against it, it would mean putting aside her power. That wasn't something she was willing to do. So a plan went into effect: to wipe anypony that became too powerful off the face of Equestria.

It was a plan she was proud of, and it was a simple one. All she had to do was tell the families of the target that their husband/wife would need to be present at the castle at all times, and it would be unlikely that they would see their loved ones again. They could not reject it, and Celestia's supposed good heart meant that it would be for a good cause. They would be killed, the body disposed of, and in a few years, she'd come to the family with a "heart-felt apology" and the case would be settled.

Of course, this could only be done once in about three months, lest her subjects became suspicious. Sadly, she needed somepony that would work for her, and would be able to get the dirty work done. Telling the Royal Guard was insane, because they all had families, and it wouldn't be long until one of them snapped. No, Celestia needed a reject, somepony that looked out only for themselves. She found the perfect solution in Blade.

When Celestia had shown up at Blade's house, she was the last thing he'd expected. She offered him a job, one that usually would have gone far beyond his morals. But she had come to him at the time in his life where he had even considered suicide. The silver-coated, blue-maned unicorn agreed. To him, this wasn't about the lives he would be destroying. To Blade, the only thing that mattered was the status. Before, he was pushed to join the Royal Guard. Now, he was working for Celestia in private, something greater than any other position. It paid well and was easy enough for him. Blade had no reason as to why he shouldn't.

However, Blade did not admire Celestia. Quite the contrary, he despised her. When first told about Celestia's plan, he couldn't help but laugh a little, even in the face of royalty. It was leaders like her, he had thought, that made Equestria one of the most deceitful nations on the planet. Her greed was something that he hadn't expected from the goddess that was looked up to so highly. No, Blade did not admire Celestia. But he did admire Luna. Something about her, he had once written, was too great to be stated by words alone. She was intelligent, graceful, yet serious in the face of evil. But most of all, Luna had endured hardship. After coming back from her banishment, she was feared and hated. A holiday had even been set up to remind Luna of her mistakes. Yet Luna took on the responsibility and kept on. That was the trait Blade admired most.

So now, our story can begin. A story that would be regretted by many, but one that was inevitable to begin with. One that changed the way Equestria viewed its leaders. A story that would mar the nation's history.