Mark of Authority

"C'mon, " said Twilight. "This way, and hurry up! We don't want to keep the Queen waiting."

"Queen?" said Apple Bloom, confused. "I thought she was a princess!"

"Her Highness prefers the term 'Queen'. And if you know what's good for you, you'll call her 'Your Highness', or 'Your Grace' while in her presence." said Twilight coldly. "We're here."

They had, in fact, arrived. The Crusaders gaped in awe of the massive palace before them, until Twilight cleared her throat angrily, signaling to them that it was time to stop dawdling. The fillies scurried along behind her, trotting to keep up with Twilight's long strides.

"Twilight," asked Sweetie Belle. "What is Diamond Tiara going to do to us?"

"Probably lock us in the dungeon, no doubt." grumbled Scootaloo in reply.

"Right now, there is no dungeon available." said Twilight. "It has to be constructed."

"And that makes it sooo much better." said Apple Bloom.

"Are we there yet?" asked Sweetie Belle. "My legs are getting tired."

"Lucky for you, we are there." answered Twilight, gesturing towards a large door leading to a glittering crystal throne room, where Diamond Tiara sat on a gaudy platinum throne covered in diamonds. The windows were covered in beautiful stained glass portraits of her. The CMC could hardly help but stare.

"Well, Twilight?! What are you waiting for, retard!? Bring them to me, NOW!!!"

"Y-yes, Your Majesty."

Twilight herded the Crusaders over to Diamond's throne rather roughly. Diamond smiled at this. "Good slave. Now LEAVE!!!!"

"Y-yes, Your Majesty." Twilight scuttled away.

Now it was just Diamond, the Crusaders, and Silver Spoon. Diamond grinned horribly, focusing her vicious gaze towards the shaking fillies before her.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" said Diamond Tiara wickedly. The CMC didn't answer. They were too busy cowering in terror, even Scootaloo.

"Now that I'm the Queen of Ponyville, things are going to be very different around here. Understand?"

The fillies nodded, clearly afraid.

"And guess what the first changes will be, blank-flanks?"

Diamond didn't wait for them to answer. She stamped her hoofs, and bursting through the door was Aloe, Lotus, and Rarity.

"Rarity?!" squeaked Sweetie Belle, a smile spreading across her face. "Thank goodness you're here! Diamond Tiara is plotting something and- Rarity? Are you listening to me?"

"Don't bother, Squeaky Belle," smirked Diamond. "I've had Twilight enchant her and the rest of Elements to obey me as well. And right now her orders are to ignore you."

"Now," said Diamond Tiara. "Aloe! Lotus! Rarity! Take 'em away. You know what to do."

The mares dragged the CMC away and out of the throne room. Diamond smiled.

I love this job...