Could Be a...

Chapter 24 – Just about to be perception

(Few minutes earlier)

StoneGem's gallop up the stairs comes to an end as he swings his head around the two hallways trying to decide where to go. But before he can decide the other guard pony that followed him up has already started down the hall on his left.

Which the choice now made the dark blue coated unicorn bring his speedy pace back up as he gallops down the hall.

StoneGem's trot doesn't last long though as he swings his head to the mass of ponies in front of the closed throne room doors, "What's going on here? Who's in there?"

One of the armor earth ponies quickly turns his head as his voice rings out, "Twilight has locked herself in the room and her husband has asked us to stay out."

StoneGem turns his eyes to the door for a second but he quickly sparks up with another mission, "Where is Felice? Where did she go?"

"T-the dining hall sir, but shouldn't we-..." StoneGem doesn't waste a moment as he brings his trot up, "Follow me."

The stallion and another guard pony follows after StoneGem as his quick gallop makes short work to the castle's hallways as he burst into the dining hall's open area.

At the table there sits three ponies, but for StoneGem his eyes only lock to the white coated mare as he takes on a commanding voice, "By the power given to me by acting Captain of The Guard for Vanhoover I hereby place you under arrest for conspiracy against the greater good of Equestria and it's citizens."

The lord and lady of Trottingham who sit just across the table hold their eyes open wide as they just stare to Stone Gem. However the white mare across from them just gives a little laugh as she rolls her hoof, "Oh really? Conspiracy against the greater good? Am I not a citizen of Equestria?"

StoneGem takes a step forward as he nods to the escort pony behind Felice.

The movement of the stallion behind her drains the smile from her face as she nods, "I see we are not... So be it." As her words end a flash of green magic comes to the earth pony's body as she stands from the chair and knocks the stallion behind her to his back.

Felice's white coat stays the same but her facial features and mane's shape alters as she quickly stands. The new white unicorn proudly stands as her horn glows bright, "I am the Countess of the changelings current ruler, and I am not bound by your petty laws!" A bright bolt of magic is sent through the room towards StoneGem.

The plates on the table rattle to the magic and the other mare still sitting down screams to the bolt as it smashes into a quick wall of magic StoneGem created.

With a quick retaliation StoneGem sends all that he can muster at the moment as a light bolt of magic rushes towards the mare.

It makes it's contact with her coat and she's sent to her back as she slightly bangs against the floor. StoneGem blinks to the successful hit as he stares to the downed mare, however he waste no time as he points to her, "Get a horn ban on her and lock her in the dungeon until Celestia arrives."

The two ponies that he came in with quickly jump to action as they hold their magic to the mare they now have in their control.

StoneGem holds his eyes to the mare as she's brought back to her weak hooves.

The Countess pants hard as she just looks to the stallion, "My goal has already been fulfilled."

"StoneGem, StoneGem!" A mare gallops to the doorway as she quickly speaks up, "Something has happened in the throne room!"

(Across Equestria, a few hours later)

The late morning sun shines bright to Canterlot's light cheerfully colored buildings, today is a rather unusually warm day for winter and because of this fact a few extra ponies now wonder down it's main street.

However the light orange pegasus is clueless to the world of Equestria as he continues to trot down the road as he recites the mantra he created last night for confidence for today. His voice is low, stuttery and only to himself as he runs through it, "...Hey Violet, just wanted to tell you I been thinking about you alot-...No. Hey V-violet I was wondering if you- No.. Vi-violet, would you.."

Sparky shakes his head as he lets out a little sigh, "Come on Sparky, it's not like Equestria is going to collapse if she says no..." His own words widens his eyes as he stare to the library coming in to view, "B-but what if she does say no..."

The stallion trots slowly as his heart begins to thump to his chest and sweat starts to roll to his inner legs.

The library has come now into hooves length whether the young stallion wants it or not, with one last breath Sparky opens the door as he continues to lightly repeat the things in his mind for the right thing to say.

"Can I help you?"

Sparky jumps to the older mare's voice as he looks to the librarian mare, "Um...H-has Violet Sparkle come in yet?"

The mare squints to the comment as she slowly shakes her head, "N-no, I don't believe she has. Although a stallion did come in and pick up her mail a few minutes ago." The older mare gives a little smile to Sparky as she continues, "Charming young fellow, you must have competition."

Sparky blinks to the comment as he stutters out a question, "A stallion came to get her mail?"

"Mhmm." The mare nods as she trots a little towards the library check out desk, "It's nice to see young stallions still acting like gentlecolts."

Before the mare can continue talking, Sparky rings his voice out, "Ya, um... I need to get going."
Sparky's comment shifts the mare's thoughts as she nods, "Um, good bye then..." The light orange stallion turns back to the door as he turns his head to the road again with an out loud thought just to himself, "Come on Sparky... You promised yourself you wouldn't chicken out today." He takes a deep breath as he starts down the road again with the thought that maybe he could catch his friend on the way to the library or still at the hotel.

End of chapter 24