Monochrome Mystery and the Lost King

Celestia's rule is a lie," he wrote. "She somehow won the ponies of Equestria over, without even matching my kindness. I still have no idea how, nor did my friends, wherever they have got to. This is my recount of the events leading to my exile, written for my eyes and yours, the reader, only.

It all started when she appeared out of nowhere. As soon as Celestia walked into Canterlot, she already had gathered an audience. Everyone was bewildered - she was an alicorn, and yet was not related to royalty! Casually, she walked right up to the Canterlot Castles, where after some convincing,she was let in. She ascended to my room, where she confronted me and my Royal Guard. She bargained with me to split my rule with her, for her to rule at my side. I declined politely, as she had literally just waltzed in to my chambers, and asked to become a queen. When I told her I would not accept, she seemed to become slightly confused, and showed a tiny bit of anger. She turned to her audience, and spoke to them.

"This king is not so mighty! You see, I can turn you all into alicorns, so everyone will be equal, and there will be no need for this" - she pulled a disgusted face -" mockery of a king you have here! Please, join me at my house in Ponyville, and you shall all be able to become alicorns!" She then quickly concentrated her magic, and teleported away, purposefully leaving a trail so any other unicorns could follow her. Slowly, the first brave unicorn stepped forwards, pointed his horn towards where the pearly alicorn had just been, scrunched his face in concentration and struggle, and pursued Celestia. Gradually, other unicorns began to follow, and the pegasi and earth ponies began to search the streets for the house that they longed to find.

That was when the disappearances began to happen. Every day, a few ponies would disappear, although the exact number of disappearances was unknown - some ponies had no-one that were in touch with them, so nopony would be concerned when they couldn't be found. The newspapers were flooded with lists, and updates on the status of ponies, where to keep safe. The only thing that the ponies had in common was that they all visited Celestia on the same day they were lost - but nopony suspected anything.

A few weeks later, the ponies started appearing once again, one by one. However, when they were asked about where they had been, they all looked confused and all said the exact same thing:

"I was just with Celestia for a bit - isn't she great?"

"The newspapers were suddenly filled with praise about Celestia, and the occasional mention of her being better than the king. Only a few ponies - including me - had not been to see her, and we were all suspicious. Not one of the ponies who had seen her had become alicorns, or even commented on that. The only thing they seemed to care about was 'how great Celestia was!' and nothing else; they were like tapes that had become stuck on the same phrase. We started to become suspicious, and theories about mind control were thrown about. One day, we decided to confront Celestia. We asked around for her location, proposing that we wanted to speak to her. The ponies were obviously programmed with a response, as they all said the exact same thing, confirming our suspicions - she must have tampered with their minds. As soon as we entered the house, I sensed something was wrong.

"Hello, old friend." Celestia purred.

"Since when were we friends?" I replied.

"Why not have a seat? My assistants are just dying to see you."

"Look, we know you've been messing with ponies' minds, with some sort of dark magic, or something."

"Who, me?" She pretended to be concerned, putting a frown on her face which quickly faded away to reveal a evil smile. "Well,  looks like somepony finally found out. I wonder why nopony else got to that conclusion before you did? Oh wait - they are completely under my control." She smirked, and signalled to two pegasi stood behind her. "Please, take the king's assistants away to be... repurposed."

They advanced towards my guard, and I tried to stop them with a powerful magic barrier, but they just smashed it, with a single robotic movement, acting like the two ponies had one mind. My guard were quickly captured, and even trying as hard as I could, I was quickly overpowered - I was sure there was a charm or something that had weakened me and my magic. They were helplessly pulled away, kicking, shouting, and shouting words I shall not repeat, and I sat there, unable to help, watching my protection - and my friends - being pulled away, obviously to be turned against me.

"You'll never get away with this!"

"Oh, I won't? Who will you tell, your royal guard? Don't you mean MY royal guard?" She said, her voice dripping with hatred.

Suddenly, I began to feel something strange within me - anger, but not as I knew it. It was corrupting me, yet making me stronger; it was accessing my mana pool, replacing pure magic with distorted, evil magic. Something was telling me I could pull from it even though the weakening charm was still in place. Before I could even think, I was racing towards Celestia, horn facing directly at her, its glow a deep crimson rather than its usual pale blue.

After a short period of running directly at Celestia, she sighed, and began to work up her magic.

"Some ponies never learn. As of now, you are banished from Canterlot, and the whole of Equestria!"

Her magic erupted out her horn, hitting me full force. I began to feel uneasy, and gradually descended into unconciousness. Compared to the pain the magic had caused, it was bliss, and I soon lost utter control.

When I woke up, I was in the plains outside the cave I'm in now. I will take refuge in here for a short while, but I cannot for too long - the 'Royal Guard' are searching for me, as they know I have not yet departed Equestria, or even the area around Canterlot.

This will be my final message to the world. Goodbye, he signed off.

"This is Princess Celestia's Royal Guard! Come out with your horn up!" an all-too-familiar voice shouted from above.

"Looks like I finished just in time," he sighed. "No need! I'll surrender myself."