All Hail The Empress

“By order of the Canterlot Guard, you are to stop where you are!” shouted a female voice as a pony rounded a corner.

Yeah, like that’s going to happen. Thought the pony, a dark green Pegasus, as his hooves continued to stamp on the ground as he ran. Just gotta get there without being caught.

“You’re only serving to make her majesty even angrier,” called another voice, this one distinctly male and above the Pegaus, who simply ignored the voice and kept sprinting down the path between two buildings. Rats hid as the pony went barreling past the snack they’d managed to find, returning to it once he was well past.

“This way! He’s heading towards the train station!” shouted a third voice, another male as the Pegasus crossed an empty street to go through another path between two more buildings. Though this one was much darker than the last one, the Pegasus had no trouble navigating it.

Almost there! Thought the Pegasus as he jumped over a box that had clearly been in the alley for quite some time, breaking apart just because of the jump. After a minute or two, the Pegasus was met by the end of the path, where he did a sharp turn to the right. There it is! No sooner had he thought that did the Pegasus notice that his path was blocked by three more ponies wearing dark purple armor, forcing him to skid to a halt.

“Halt! We have you surrounded!” shouted the voice that the Pegasus had first heard, the one in the middle of the three. All three of them looked similar to the Pegasus, but rather than the wings of a bird, they had the wings of bats as well as many bat-like features on their faces, indicating that they were all members of the rare Bat Pony race. They were varying shades of black to dark gray, the female being pure black. The Pegasus looked around, only to have the words of the mare validated. He was surrounded by Bat Ponies both on the ground and in the air.

The Pegasus muttered faint expletive, “Didn’t think I’d get caught this fast.”

“By order of her majesty, you are to be executed for treason,” stated the Bat Pony mare, “However, we have been told that you may go free if you fulfill one request.”

“I’m fairly certain I know what it’s going to be, but what is it?”

“Reveal the location of the leadership of the rebellion. Once we are able to confirm what you have told us, you shall be exonerated of all crimes.”

“Knew it. And I’m sure you know what my answer is going to be,” replied the Pegasus.

“So be it. Divine Bolt, you shall now face the justice delivered by her majesty, the Empress of Equestria,” stated the Bat Pony mare.

I hope I gave you enough time to get away from here, Sky Blazer. I hope you’ll tell Wild Blitz his dad loves him. Thought Divine Bolt as a tear streamed down his face. The Bat Ponies descended upon him, and he was no more. The mare who had been talking to the Pegasus stood motionlessly until a brilliant light temporarily blinded her. She bowed down as a larger pony materialized, this one a cross between a Bat Pony and a Unicorn, creating what could be called a Bat Alicorn.

“Your majesty, the traitor has been dealt with as you requested,” stated the mare, not looking up.

“Excellent, Midnight Echo. You have done well,” stated the new pony, “I take it he did not say where his friends are hiding?”

“No, my Empress. But rest assured that I have my best scouts scouring every corner of Equestria for any sign of them.”

“Now, I have new orders for you. I want you to follow the other intruder, the one that your guards let slip away unnoticed,” commanded the Empress, causing Midnight Echo to cringe, “It seems that the Bat Ponies are not as competent as I had previously thought.”

“My apologies, your majesty. I shall have the guards for the Archives reprimanded at once as well as have a squad follow the intruder.”

“Excellent. I knew placing you at the head of my Royal Guard was the right thing to do,” praised the Empress, though Midnight Echo showed no outward signs of happiness, “Now go! Go, and let it be known that all who challenge my rule shall be vanquished!” Midnight Echo flew off in the direction of the Archives she’d previously mentioned, flying over what was left of buildings and the small fires that had been lit by citizens of the city.