MLP FIM: Season 4 Rise of the A.M. (a what if story)

Chapter 5: A Dastardly Deed Part 2

“A.M.?” said Twilight looking up at the flag. “What in the name of Equestria does this mean Celestia?”

“I don’t know,” said Celestia.

“Your highnesses this came with it,” said the guard holding up a rolled letter.

Celestia used her magic to untie the message and began to read it.

“Take the flag down.” Celestia ordered. “I have a feeling that I need to send King Sullivan a letter.”

“Princess…” began Twilight, but before she could say anymore one the guards taking off the flag spoke aloud warning that a carriage was headed their way.

As expected, several Pegaguards took to the sky and met up with the carriage. Seconds later they were escorting it to the ground. Once it had landed Arthur hopped out and hurried over to the Princesses.

“Princess Celestia, we have a problem,”

“Indeed,” said Celestia notably, “I was just about to send your king a letter. In fact, I might as well send one to Cadence as well. Spike, when ever you’re ready.”

“Already on it,” said the dragon taking out pieces of paper and quill, feeling important.

“King Sullivan this is a response to your last letter. Yes it has happened, you said that you had a theory about it and I would like to hear more about it."

Signed: Princess Celestia.

“Princess Cadenence, you and Shining Armor are requested to come back to Canterlot for a royal meeting. No doubt ably, King Sullivan will be here as soon as he receives his letter."

Signed: Princess Celestia.

Spike rolled up the two letters and sent them both away with a single whiff of green fire. It didn’t take long for a response to find it’s way back. Spike belched up a letter from Princess Cadence saying that she and Shining Armor are on their way with their own note they had received. Within minutes the herds of gathered ponies were shooed away by the royal guard. King Sullivan rather than writing a letter back, teleported in the throne room and was greeted immediately by Celestia and Arthur. Twilight’s friends and Arthur were told to stay out of the throne room by a guard, but Sullivan requested that his apprentice staid for the meeting. Twilight’s friends looked at her as if expecting her to make the same request, however Sullivan must have an important task in mind for Arthur if he wanted him to stay so she hesitated.

“Who are they princess? Friends of yours?” asked Sullivan noticing the remaining ponies and dragon in the room.

“Yes your majesty,” replied Twilight. “They are all my friends.”

The seven beamed at her.

“Hmmm. Perhaps they could be of some use after all, that is of course, if you think they are up to what I have in mind.” said Sullivan

“Well…”

“Are you sure about that?” asked a voice from the doors.

Everyone turned his or her attention to the new comer. A dark blue Alicorn stood at the entrance to the throne room. Her black tiara balanced on her long blue and purple mane that like her sister’s moved in rhythm as if it was an infinite tide.

“Ah, Princess Luna I presume.” said Sullivan kindly.

Luna gave no response. She passed the seven closest to her and approached her big sister and asked again if it was wise for them to bring Twilight’s friends into the mix of things.

“Again, I leave that decision up to the princess,” said Sullivan.

“Sister, I must insist…”

“I agree with King Sullivan,” said Celestia. “Twilight, do you want your friends to stay?”

Twilight looked at the four rulers before her. She thought for a moment before saying clearly, “Yes, I want them to stay.”

Everyone seemed to nod in understanding except for Luna and Shining Armor who closed their eyes trying to hide their disapproval. The meeting started with the rulers sharing the letters that have arrived with the black flag. On King Sullivan’s was a simple question “Tell me, what have you learned?” Princess Cadence’s was, “Everything starts with a single step.” And Celestia’s made Sullivan sigh with sorrow. “Those with gifts will one day pay while those with none are here to stay.”

“Something tells me that you know who could have done this,” said Shining Armor seriously.

“I have a theory, but that is all,” said Sullivan.

The rest of the rulers looked at him waiting to hear what he had to say.

“Before I became king, there was another who shared the same desire. His name was Night Blade. He wasn’t like the rest of the Sapphire Kingdome… You see, while most of us have marks or cutie marks, he had none. He lived day after day of being treated differently. If he ever became king he vowed that he would be a symbol of hope to all those like him. I was made king instead, even though I was hoping that he would become the kingdom’s next ruler.”

“What ever happened to him?” asked Twilight.

“He left. No, Disappeared is more like it. He was never seen or heard from again after that. However, my big sister left with him. I had a feeling that the two of them had fallen for each other. I have received information that he has taken leadership over a group that he has founded during his isolation.”

“So you think that Night Blade is behind this?” asked Luna.

“It is a possibility,” said Sullivan. “Now, has there been any other flags placed around Canterlot and The Crystal Empire?” he seemed to eye Twilight as he said this.

“No just Princess Celestia and Luna’s castle has been targeted,” said Twilight.

“I see, perhaps the culprit, like my apprentice here is unaware of your inauguration princess.”

“Then it must remain that way,” said Luna.

“I agree,” said Sullivan and he turned his attention to his apprentice. “Arthur, I have a knew task for you. I want you leave the Sapphire Kingdom for some time.”

“My king?” asked Arthur unsure of the idea.

“I have a feeling that you will be needed here. Besides someone from the kingdom has to be positioned here, but in secret.”

“So an observer in other words,” said Arthur catching on. “You need someone to work behind the scenes and inform you if something like this happens again.”

Sullivan nodded. Now the question was where would Arthur stay? Here in Canterlot? No, Something told them that that would be too much of a give away. Perhaps the small town bellow the royal city… Ponyville? Yes, that would have to do and since Twilight’s new royal duties were thought to be undiscovered it was probably best if she were to join him by living back in her tree house. When this point was brought about, Twilight was against it, insisting that she should be a part of helping the rest of the rulers out.

“You will be helping us,” said Celestia warmly. “You and Arthur are needed back in Ponyville while my sister and I are needed here. Don’t worry, if you should ever need me, you know what to do.” Twilight smiled up at her mentor. “And I know your friends will be more than willing to assist you and Arthur in any way they can.”

“You can count on us Princess!” said Applejack with pride.

The throne room grew quiet and out of the corner of her eye, Twilight could see Princess Luna scolding.

“What do we do about the flags and letters?” asked Shining Armor.

“Do what you want with yours,” said Sullivan. “I will hang on to mine for the time being.”

He seemed to have glanced a curious look at his flag and letter before he gathered them both up and beckoned Arthur for one last word. Seeing that the meeting was coming to a close, Twilight left with her friends. The sound of a loud swoosh told them that Luna had teleported.

“Shining Armor, I need you here in Canterlot,” said Celestia. “Princess Cadence, you must return to The Crystal Empire.”

“Of course your highness,” Cadence replied with a bow.

“Hold on,” said Shining Armor. “Cadence might need me! Forgive me princess, but is there anypony else that be my stand in?”

“Dear…” said Cadence taking Shining Armors hoof. “You know as well as I do that your place is here for the time being. And mine is with The Crystal Empire. They need someone they can look up to.”

“I’m sorry Shining Armor,” said Celestia. “But if it will make you feel better I can send a couple of our finest guards to stay with Cadence while she’s there.”

Shining Armor nodded in agreement. He lowered his head clearly dying to interject, but he knew that his wife had a point. The Crystal Empire might be back to the way it used to be before king Sombra’s rule, but the one thing they are lacking is a leader, a new ruler. He felt his head being lifted up and he was staring at his wife who smiled at him reassuringly. She leaned forward and there lips met.

“I’ll be fine,” she told him once they broke apart.

“Princess,” said one of the crystal guards that followed them back to Canterlot. “We must go, the empire needs you.”

“Right, of course. Lead the way,” said Cadence.

“Cadence, shall I call for few extra guards to be on the safe side?” enquired Celestia. “It might be a while before the top guards I have in mind show up.”

“Thank you for your concern princess, but it would only cause more panic if I showed up with more escorts.” said Cadence.

“You have a point. Very well, I’ll send them another time. Once things have cooled down.”

Once Cadence and the guards from The Crystal Empire were back on the train, she began to wonder if she had made the right decision of turning down Celestia’s offer of having more guards accompany her. She glanced over at one of the guards who seemed to be out of focus. He shook his head to pull himself together.

“Are you alright?” she asked him.

“Yes, of course,” he said not looking at her.

For a moment she thought she saw his eyes morph, but that couldn’t be, could it? She couldn’t help but to look at him again. This time his head was lowering as if he was falling asleep. When she reached out a hoof she heard him snarl at her and began talking to him self.

“No, the queen said to be patient, wait until the right moment. But I can’t wait. No, not when there’s so much love emitting from her highness.”

He opened his mouth just enough to show to long canine teeth. The guards behind Cadence lowered their heads too. Cadence looked at the guard in front of her and when he looked back his eyes had changed to solid blue. Cadence tried to run but a guard from behind put his hoofs on her shoulder and held her still.

“Forgive me your highness, but we can’t help ourselves. Not when we have traveled so far to a smorgasbord of emotions.”

Before the guards could act, a piece of coal hit the closes one in the back of the head. He tuned around and hissed at the intruder. It was the conductor and he was tossing another piece of coal in the air ready fire another. The enraged imposter growled to the last companion who stepped in front of them. He smiled wickedly at the conductor and in an instant took his form. Cadence gasped. She knew what was going on. These imposters were changelings, but how could they have done any of this. Their queen, Queen Chrysalis, was banished along with her followers the last time they tried to take over Canterlot. Could this be just another attempt? Something told her, that wasn’t the case there was something else going on and she wasn’t going to give up that easily. Her horn glowed as she cast a flash of light forcing her captive let go. Seeing that this was the moment to strike she cast a streak of magic at the changeling who was blasted backwards. His partner attacked from behind pinning her to the floor. It got rid of its disguise and showed its true form. Black as night, short, and ugly with tiny wings and pointy tip on his four head that must be the horn. It screeched at her and before he could begin draining her emotions. She cast another light spell that made it cry out in agony as it released her and began backing into row after row. Cadence tackled the blind Changeling and cast a spell that knocked him out. She then directed her attention on the two fighting conductors. She cast a levitation spell on them and held them up. The conductor on the left looked at her in the same way a child would if they were caught nabbing something they were told not to have. She glared at him and he gulped nervously. She then lowered them down gently and released the spell. The fake conductor awoke his fallen comrades while the real train conductor opened the train doors and pointed his hoof at it in a demanding passion. The changelings crept passed Cadence and when they hesitated to fly away the real Conductor kicked them out.

“Thank you,” said Cadence to the conductor appreciatively.

“Think nothing of it. It was my pleasure,” he said back taking his hat off to her. “What were those monstrosities doing aboard here anyway?”

“I think they were tying to find a new kingdom to feed off of,” said Cadence. “Only this time their hunger got the best of them and they foolishly reviled themselves.”

“I should head back to the engine,” said the conductor putting his hat back on. “Are you fine back here?”

“Yes. I’ll be just fi… on second thought maybe I’ll stand right outside the engine room.” she said sheepishly.

Outside of the Sapphire Kingdom towing over it was a wide span of mountains. Some of the peeks were so high that the clouds covered them and on rainy nights, most of the mountains would be covered in mystery. Using this as perfect and dangerous cover. A small group of changelings flew toward their destination. They were about to double back and wait out the storm when one of them spotted a speck of light from below. Following each other they dove for it and landed on rocky wet ground. They looked around searching for the light they had spotted. A cloaked pony came into view. He held a lantern in his mouth and told them to follow him. Curious as to whom the mystery pony was they obeyed and stayed close behind. He led them until the mist in front of them had vanished and they were inside the mouth of a cave. The cloaked pony escorted them into the damp underground where they saw lit torches on the walls and every now and then they saw other cloaked ponies staring down at them from the shadows.

“Wait here,” he said stopping. “My master and your queen will be with you shortly.”

Before anyone of the changelings could say anything their escort was gone and they were left in a nearly darkened cave with only the sounds of water dripping from the stalactites to keep them company. Soon they heard the faint sounds of hoof steps coming toward them. The dark embodiment of their queen was seen stepping out of shadows and accompanying her was cloaked Pegasus with a grey body and purple eyes. His main and tail for the most part were grey too, but the long strands of black hair blended in with the shadows of the cave.

“You have failed me,” said their queen dangerously.

“It matters not,” said the Pegasus beside her. “I had expected nothing less from them. Forced to live a life in exile where food can be scarce. It’s only natural that they would act too soon.”

There was something in the Pegasus’ voice that sounded amused. As if he was enjoying the moment. The Changelings shivered as they looked up at their queen.

“What now?” she asked the Pegasus beside her.

“You and your hive can wait in the wings while I continue with the plan. There is a small town past the mountains full of emotions. You can stay in hiding over there until I call for you again. Just, try to restrain yourselves and leave the blanks out of it.”

The Queen smiled nastily at him.

“You are too kind,” she said sweetly, the thought of having a real meal when she and her army arrived at the town made her mouth water.

She spread her wings and together she and her minions flew out of the cave. A massive black swarm soared above the clouds.

The Pegasus looked up at the ceiling of his domain and said with an evil smile, “Yes, let’s put their loyalty, love, hope, honor, and sacrifice to the test.”