Chapter 1, this game we play
By ponyscribe
Silent as the grave… I am the wind, and the wind abides in me…
The rooftops made no sound as I leapt from one to the next, effortlessly taking every impact with perfect precision; I wished for no one to see me, and so, until that motive was changed, I would not be seen, and few had the power to see through my concealments.
My reason for being here, in Canterlot more specifically is secret, just as my prescience is unknown to anyone but one, the very being whom demands her will be done. And I, being her vessel of excellence, will do just that.
Leaping past the next roof, I soon found myself upon the wall, the guards bellow utterly oblivious to my existence as I passed onward, never leaving a trace.
My name is unknown, but you may have the honor of calling me Shifting Sands. And although you most likely suspected me as an equine, you are mistaken.
Next was the courtyard, a place of utter exposure to anyone less than I.
No tree…
No pillars…
No cover… nothing but green grass and stone paths all leading to the palace in one way or another. Yet I fear no one, for the moon is blinded by the fog this night, and with no aura to reveal to them, the guards of the princess are blind as bats, for they resemble them more than anything else, besides their equine nature of course.
Then presently, standing before me as stiff as statues, were the figures of two guards, blocking the next door which stood before me, and beyond… the royal halls themselves.
I leapt from my higher place, and landed silently upon the path, my right fore-hoof fisted into the ground before me. With my cloak to shadow my form, these guards know not the nature of whom they face.
Yet the many eyes of Luna are not without their sight entirely, and with no cover I am visible to them at last…
Just as I want it.“Halt intruder! Make no sudden-“
White moves, now it’s my turn…
Feeling that time was of the essence, and this foolish guard went only through the motions of his own script, I denied them the benefit of the doubt, and struck.
The mere twenty feet between us vanished into thin air as I leapt from my landing point, hooves outstretched at my sides like gryphon wings as I sailed towards my aggressors’, twin teeth of steel extended in my grip.
The guards faltered, raising their spears in a feeble defense to halt my advance.
Pawn moves…
Using the first guards spear, I deflected its angled strait into the other guard’s right shoulder.
Rook takes white pawn…
With one swift motion, I ended the disabled guard with my steel, red liquid welling from his neck as I focused my energies upon the next, clearly rank with fear.
Yes, feed me your fear foolish pony, your every faltering step is nourishment to me.
Clearly he did not understand who he faced, for he drew his sword, and swung out at me, thin air his only score.
I quickly disabled his weapon, and sent him once again to the ground, pinning his hind hooves to the floor by the fabric of his armor with my steel.
Then, without a second glance back, I strode upon the door, stopping only once I reached it. “heh heh, go ahead and try it, its locked with so many spells you’ll never get in. and even if you can use magic, by the time you break them all, all of Canterlot will be awake and upon you.”
I turned my head slowly, releasing the sword in my grip upon his chest, which it gladly penetrated with bone crunching force. The guard opened his mouth to scream, but no sound came, for he was already dead.
Magic… when the pawns of Canterlot can create a door I cannot break-
I placed both of my hooves upon the door, energy crackling as I focused upon the many wards placed against me.
Call me.
But alas, none of them were a challenge to me, for my skill in magic is vast, something these guards clearly failed to see. Like a plow to the earth, I smashed through each ward with unhindered concentration, coming at last to the end, the door itself.
The weak spot was the middle, where the iron crest stood; a clever ploy, to strengthen the magical weak spot with a physical fortress.
At last a challenge, I was beginning to worry that my enemies were all foolish foals.
And yet…
With little more than a whisper, I sent a force of energy at the door that would crush any lesser defense.
Clearly this was a lesser defense.
The door did not break, or shatter. Instead, it disintegrated into a pile of little more than dirt, which blew into my outstretched arm and vanished under my cloak without a second to pause.
A lesser defense made by a lesser magician.
Yet I am no magician… I am far better.
Silently I strode into the palace hallways, the clouds that had previously been blocking the moonlight vanished, revealing a long shadow in the likeness of a cloaked unicorn.
But I am no pony…
I feared no opponent, yet stealth was indeed my mission. And so, against my lust for fear, I clung to the ceiling, and crawled along.
By this point you wonder what I am exactly.
Listen and maybe you’ll learn.
Guards moved bellow me, passing by without a glance above. As I continued onward, the throne room loomed ahead, my target no doubt inside it going about the daily duties of princess of the night…
This is too easy; I expected a better defense of the royal palace, especially in Canterlot. My queen was not joking when she said that detection would be my choice alone. And yet I cannot help but think that this is a trap, Best to play it safe regardless.
Moving once again, I slipped around a corner, and before me stood the throne room, two big gold doors barring my entrance. Entrance through the main door is too obvious… I shall enter through another passage, one least likely to be expected. Moving once again, I passed the main doors, and instead slipped out a window onto the thin balcony which ran the length of every wall, no wider than the width of my hooves.
But moving across a minuscule space was nothing I had failed to master. And so, I slipped quietly across the wall, guards making their patrols down bellow on the pathways. Just by the body language they conveyed, they had utter confidence that no pony, and nothing could enter without their knowledge.
How foolishly ignorant…
Not far before me, the windows of the throne room eastern side loomed ahead, completely exposed except for a few wary guards. These held their gaze tighter than the others, never ceasing to scan every angle.
Punctual guards… what an oxymoron. How can one pawn challenge a rook when the rook is one step ahead of the rest? the greatest curse of skill is its greatest power, being ahead of ones enemies.
Crawling silently along the wall, I positioned myself in a manner where I could easily land upon one, and rise again onto the wall in a second. These guards bore heavier armor, one which could not be pieced by the weapons at my disposal, or their own.
But with some speed, which was on my side, and skill, definitely on my side, these guards would be meeting the ground far bellow soon.
Taking position, I paused, relaxing my muscles ever so slowly. Then, I let go. Even though I had been easily yards away, it took little time for me to sail downwards, and land strait in front of the guard. The guard at first made no movement, almost as if my sudden appearance hadn’t phased his concentration. But that ended shortly. “What the-“
White moves, now it’s my turn…
I did not let him finish his sentence, but instead threw the end of my cloak tightly around his head, blinding him and muffling any shouts me might make. Then, I cast him off the edge, his muffled screams inaudible to anyone with lesser hearing than I.
The ground is calling, best not keep it waiting.
The second guard finally caught notice of my presence, and turned to face me, drawing his spear. But by the time he opened his mouth to alert the other guards, I was upon him. And by the time he realized his error, he was already dead, lying before me with his neck twisted in a contorted angle.
Rook takes knight.
By now you’re probably wondering about my strange choice of description. Pawns… rooks… as if I was playing some twisted chess match, and my opponent was none other than the goddess herself…
Well, you would not be far from the truth, but in a more real sense. Ever step, ever thought, ever strike I make, is a move upon a board. This castle is the playing field... my, playing field. And when it comes to players, I can think of no one better than my Queen moving the pieces.
With nothing to stand in my way, I ducked through the windowless archway, and hid behind a plant within the throne room, concealing myself under its branches. As I watched, the Princess was in a deep conversation with one of her subjects, her scribe no doubt as he bore both pen and paper and held them aloft with magic. And to my silent anger, Celestia slowly trotted in, a pair of her personal guards at her sides.
Two guards stood by the doorway, two along every window, and two by the bottom of the steps to the throne itself. Overall… ten, not including Celestia and her two guards.
Let the pawns take the heat, while the king sits safely amongst an army. The Queen is no doubt waiting for me to move, and I stand no chance against the sun princess. It’s my move… and for once I dare not make one.
The princess continued her conversation fervently, although I could taste a hint of uncertainty in her voice, muffled by her attempt at a serious demeanor. Naïve, unsure, and indecisive; these guards were clearly not her idea… Celestia.
I swore silently under my breath. It made sense now, the guards at the gate not running for help; they already knew someone was coming. Celestia knew someone with skill would infiltrate the palace, so instead of trying to guard the whole palace against me, she focused on the prize… the Princess.
The knowledge…
The assuredy…
The resolve…
The cunning bastard…
I sat there concealed, unsure of how to proceed. If I attack outright, there is no doubt Celestia will strike, and I cannot hope to face both the Queen and an army of her guards at once. If I attempt a sneak attack… no, there is no stealth in this scenario.
for once in as long as memory serves, I cannot make a move without being out gunned, if I am to succeed I must get Luna alone, but I don’t see how right now…unless…
Focusing my thoughts, I reached out for the wisdom of my peer, and the millions others whom I was a part of. I rarely connected with the mind, preferring to hold tight to my individuality whenever the Queen allowed it, which thankfully was often in my line of work.
You’re getting warmer, or should I say… colder?
So, finally you understand what I am. Indeed I am part of the hive mind, and one of its more powerful members. Yet I am unlike any of the others, I am better, stronger, and even more powerful and any of them, save one. Yet my guise is my own, and I am indeed a pony, I am indeed a gryphon, I am indeed a Pegasus, and I am indeed the very dirt you walk upon.
Keep guessing, you’ll figure out what I mean soon enough.
“Mine Queen, I seek your council on a matter quite disturbing…”
For a moment or two I waited, for her answers rarely came immediately. But the wait was rarely without an answer…
“Speak, what question stays your judgment?”
“Mine queen, I stand now within the throne room, beset by an army. My prescience was somehow leaked, for Celestia surely knew of my coming. I seek permission, and clarification. By which condition do you wish the princess in? And by what means am I limited to?”
Her reply came later, yet there was no missing her agitation in my lack of understanding. “I wish the princess ALIVE sand, and not a hair upon her head should be singed. As for the rest, I care not their fates; deal with them how you wish. Yet something tells me there is more… explain.”
I paused; there was no doubting the Queen’s ability to read ones emotions. And for a moment, I was unsure how to respond, and when I did I spoke with careful words. If any knew the mechanics of this game I played, it was she, and for she in part did I learn from. And for that very reason did I learn quickly not to waste time, hers most of all.
“Mine Queen, I speak no words of doubt, yet I mean to carry out my mission with the uttermost precision. Therefore, it is my aim to get direct answers from you alone.”
Her reply clearly showed me that flattery was not on her menu of likes today. “Take the princess alive, kill anyone who gets in your way, and do it by any means you deem necessary. Clear enough?”
I flinched at her tone; clearly I had wasted her time. Best not to waste anymore of it, “yes my Queen, it shall be done. However, if at all possible, the aid of another would make the success assured, if it is pleasing to your judgment?”
Her answer came paused, but clear, “very well Sand, I shall send in the other. But be alert, you get one ally, and one ally alone. Don’t waste this chance.”
...
“As you wish my queen.”
I cut the connection with the hive, and focused once again upon my target, which had, while I was in contact with my ruler, left the room.
No doubt to retire, the sun is soon to rise, and if I am to catch Luna before Celestia’s guards take up full patrol I must move fast. Yet I know as well the location of her chambers, and that there will be no guards inside for sure, the Princess would not stand for royal guards, and for that matter, residing within her chambers while she slept.
I quickly removed myself from the throne room, and slipping back around the outside walls, found myself once again upon the ceiling. It was then that I noticed the princess, speaking with her sister in the open hall.
She’s right out in the open, there is no guards blocking me, this is perfect! Focus Sand…
Removing one hoof from the ceiling, I removed a small stone from my satchel, holding it aloft with a dim and sickly green magical aura.
Remember the Queen’s words: “hold this stone aloft, and use it to focus your spell. That way, you can imprison your target from a greater distance with little more effort. But be warned Sand, this stone has but one use, and will break after its use. So don’t miss.”
Me, miss? What an absurd accusation. I don’t miss, unless I mean to. And besides, in this game of cat and mouse, being the mouse, one miss is certain death.
The two Princesses continued their discussion as I listened in from afar, eager to gain what knowledge I could from it. “Dear sister, I assure you, once I retreat to my chambers, there will be no danger of any assassins. And the twenty guards is a bit excessive, perhaps a smaller throne room guard is an order.”
Celestia did not seem to take this happily, and argued her point quite strongly, “but Lu lu, I am sure that Queen Chrysalis is far from over, we only defeated her by sending her far away. No doubt she will return and plot her revenge. And when she does, she won’t make the same mistakes twice, she will be ready for Cadence and Shining armor. The guards should stay, but… if you insist; I will lower the number of guards who accompany you about to half.”
This clearly did not please Luna, but she didn’t seem to argue after this point much. Celestia, even to her own sister she enforces her ideals, no wonder Queen Chrysalis wishes her downfall. As for Luna… so naïve… how she could have ever been the dominant Nightmare Moon is beyond my wisdom.
I waited until Celestia reluctantly let her sister leave, and then made her way to the throne room, where she would no doubt begin the long discussions and hear the complaints from her subjects.
Queen Chrysalis requires no time for this, her subjects simply listen and obey, no wonder she has so much time to answer my questions. Yet waste it I dare not, nor mine, for the sun is soon to rise.
I followed slowly from above, making sure not to cause noise of any kind, as doing so would surely ensure my death sentence. Thankfully Celestia seemed more concerned with the daily matters than looking up, and so I went unnoticed. Finally, I saw it, the single wooden door which was Luna’s chambers, four guards stood beside it at attention, clad in full armor.
A disguise is a must I think, they’ll fall for the “I’m a scribe” ploy, at least for long enough. If memory serves, I recall one making for Luna’s Chambers. A pity his duties will be cut short today.
Quickly as I could, I slid down the wall and landed upon the palace floor, changing my form to that of the scribe I had seen earlier. Then, once I had composed myself, I stepped around the corner, backhanding the Scribe who was clearly too absorbed in his own scrolls to notice my hoof connecting with his face.
Rook takes Bishop.
Quickly as I could, I cut short his fall to the floor, and stuffing the hood of his cloak in his mouth, shoved him behind a large potted plant, adopting his knowledge absorbing posture as I rounded the corner to my destination.
The first guard halted me almost instantly, “Halt, what… oh it’s just you, I’ll let Luna know you’re in.”
I nodded, grinning slightly at the naïve soldier who clearly wasn’t as alert as the rest. The scribe I had impersonated sat quietly around the corner, no doubt dreaming of whatever topic had been on his mind right before I sent him off. I’d have about ten, maybe fifteen minutes before a guard would find him, and then my cover would be blown. Thankfully, I was within twenty feet of the Princess at that moment, and that number was quickly shrinking.
The door opened slowly, revealing a rather tired princess lying upon her bed beckoning me to enter with her left eyebrow. I entered slowly, showing no signs of fatigue myself as the original scribe would have been well rested and prepared no doubt.
She smiled weakly at me, motioning for me to take a seat at the foot of her bed. “Come in, I have been expecting your arrival. After all, how would we, a princess of the night, get sleep in the day if not for her story teller?” I nodded, pulling out the only piece of paper I had within my satchel at the time, my orders from Queen Chrysalis.
Shall I give her the story of her life? The last one no doubt. “Very well Princess, I shall read a new story today; it’s called “the Canterlot Wedding.”
Princess Luna raised an eyebrow sharply, clearly inquisitive at my choice, “oh yes, I remember that story, my niece and nephew will no doubt wish to hear it, shall I call them?”
I paused, desperately trying to bite my lip so I wouldn’t frown. Shall you call them? Shall you call more powerful ponies into our midst when I’m about to strike and end your reign once and for all! SHALL YOU CALL THEM IN?
...
Do I have a choice?
I inclined my head slowly, “I would refrain from summoning any other pony into our midst your Highness. After all, once I depart, you seek slumber, am I not right?” Luna paused clearly thinking over my words, and then nodded, “indeed you are right, very well then, speak forth your tale so I may find rest.”
Inclining my head once again so as to appear obedient then waited until she was looking away. I quickly I removed the small stone from under my black tunic, and held it aloft. “Indeed a story, but before I start, I bring a gift.”
Luna eyed the glowing stone with wide eyes, grabbing it with magic carefully as it floated towards her. “What is it? Some sort of magic stone. But what does it do?”
I paused, “it is a memory stone highness. By your command it will tell a story which I have recorded into it. Go on, tell it to speak, and let rest find you.” Luna raised the other eyebrow, eyeing the stone with a reserved glance before smiling lightly. “Ok then, speak stone, and tell me a story.”
No sooner had the Princess spoken, but a knock on the door ensued. “Come in” Luna insisted, unlocking the door with her magic as she set the tone down lightly on her nightstand.
I swore mentally, curses! But she is still close enough to it, all I have to do it use my magic and she will be in the care of Queen Chrysalis.
The door opened slowly, revealing the last person in the world I wished to see at the time and the utter end to my plan being smooth.
“Lu Lu, good you’re safe, I was just outside and… please leave us for a moment scribe, I must speak alone with Princess Luna.”
I froze, my one chance of accomplishing my mission slipping through my grasp fast. I would have to act now, but there was no outcome I could see where I made it out safely. But it was beyond me now… the mission must come first after all.
Sacrifice Rook for Queen… a fair trade.
I stood my ground, making no show that I meant to leave, but instead continued to stare strait at Princess Luna.
Celestia frowned, “excuse me? I believe I gave an order.”
I nodded slowly, changing my gaze from Luna to Celestia, a small grin creeping across my face ever no nonchalantly. “Indeed you did Highness… but my duties to my Queen are far more important.”
Celestia raised an eyebrow, Luna giving me a sharp look of surprise. “I am your queen Scribe? What tell pray is more important than obeying the direct order of your princess.”
I sighed, “My dear Celestia, indeed if you were my princess I might obey you… but you see, you are not.”
It took a few seconds for this to register in Celestia’s mind, and by that point I had already made my move. “Activate!”
Rook takes Queen! The stone upon Luna’s nightstand shone brightly, and then flashed suddenly, blinding everyone in the room. When it died down, there was one less Alicorn in the room.
Check.
I made no attempt to flee, it was pointless after all, Celestia could kill me with one blast of her magic, and the windows were no doubt sealed at the use of my magic. But instead of killing me, she imprisoned me in what appeared to be a shell of magic, making movement, and magic for that matter, impossible.
I sat there silently as she approached the anger clearly evident on her expression which only brought joy to my mind, Clever maybe, gullible… definitely. She leaned down so her eyes met mine, and spoke with a high a commanding voice.
“Choose your words carefully assassin, choose any wrong ones and they will be your last. now, if you wish to see the rising of the sun again, you will tell me what you did with Princess Luna… NOW!”
I flinched slightly at her tone, but met her gaze with the same deadpan stare I gave everyone else who deserved such (which was everyone except mine Queen). I did however, respond, seeing as her gaze told me not doing so would mean unnecessary torture, and that was not in my fate today.
There will be plenty of time for torture later I'm sure, “You think you actually are the only one with power. I await the day when your kingdom falls and the true Queen reigns. Her order will bring true order and compliance, with no place for sympathetic weakness like you.”
I admit it was bold words I spat, but I held upon the fact that Celestia wouldn’t dare remove me from the equation, so long as her sister was out of her reach and in mine. She cannot attack the rook while the Prize is pinned, your move Celestia.
For now, she could not kill me, and so I could say virtually whatever I wished and she would beat me, treat me with no sympathy, but kill me… she wouldn’t, and I held upon every second of it with knowing satisfaction. She would never find out anything from me, no one ever did. And I feared nothing the Princess would do, for my life was of importance to the Queen, even if it meant leaving me to languish, her wisdom was beyond mine, and that was good enough for me. And besides, I had an accomplice who was skilled in this game as I was, if not equally.
And when my help does arrive, I will be whisked away like a spirit in the night, leaving you twice fooled, and twice the fool!
She glared at me, “you might fight against me and my magic, but there are always weaknesses to any defense, and you are no exception. its only a matter of time before I find yours, then I will learn from you what I want. Until then, you can sit in the dungeons and have a long discussion with yourself, guards!” They came in quickly carrying also the knocked out scribe I had impersonated still wrapped in his own cloak. “Highness, we found this scribe knocked… oh.”
Celestia nodded, “I have halted him, but not before he captured the princess Luna and teleported her away somewhere.” This news seemed to frighten the guards, who looked at each other with shock. “What do you want us to do with him? Execute him? Hang him on the rack until him squawks?”
Celestia shook her head, “no, place him in the dungeon with no rations until he is willing to talk. Only feed him when his life requires it.”
Then, she leaned down, and whispered something in my ear, “and considering the nature of our prisoner, I doubt he will need food, at least, not the kind we serve.”
I frowned, so she knows what I am… clever… definitely, but I do not fear you.
Without a second look, the Guards bound my hooves, and dragged me away, the blank grin never leaving my face.
So you caught me… lie awake Celestia, knowing that your sister is within the care of mine Queen, and find no peace…
Check Celestia…
Your move…
