The Crucible

“I was never told when the chaos took over, nor was I told what events lead to Equestria becoming what it is now. I was told, however, how beautiful Equestria was, how bright Ponyville used to be. I can only imagine how my home, the capital city Canterlot, was in it’s prime; long before The Crucible was founded...What I know is that The Crucible is the only thing keeping the rational ponies in line...And I know the legend, and I intend to use that to save Equestria.” ~The Journal of a solider of Equestria~

“Swift? Swift Research, where are you?!” a voice shouted, and the white pegasus colt turned from his journal.

“I’ll be right out, your highness...” he called out in response, closing the notebook and hopped off the bed he was laying on before putting on his uniform- a modified version of the armor worn by The Royal Guard. Unlike the typical Royal Guard armor, his was a light metallic blue with a star shaped emblem and the helmet was absent in favor of two bladed hoof guards.

“There you are, Swift. I’m glad I found you..” A midnight blue mare replied, and Swift nodded with a soft smile.

“I apologize to have worried you, you’re highness...Is there anything I could do for you?” he asked, and the princess smiled, nudging him softly.

“First of all: stop being so formal and call me Luna. You’re practically one of the family here.” she started, causing Swift to blush lightly before nodding. “Second: I wanted you to come with me to the audience with Princess Celestia. The ponies of Equestria are bringing up their concerns...their protests have become increasingly ‘assertive’.” she replied, and Swift smiled.

“I’ll be honored to keep the peace...but you can’t blame them, can you?” he asked, to which the dark mare blinked, as if astonished by his off-hoof comment.

“What dost thou-...Sorry, what do you mean?” she asked, correcting herself from the slip of an archaic term, and began walking slowly while Swift followed alongside her.

“The ponies are terrified of the pointless deaths The Crucible has brought to Equestria. They can’t see the light in any of this as, from what I gather, they have begun to lose faith in you and your sister as they have yet to see either of you two do anything.” he replied casually, and Princess Luna looked at Swift Research.

“But you know that whatever power instated The Crucible far surpasses my sister and myself combined!” she shouted, and the white pegasus nodded.

“Of course I know that, you’re highness. But they don’t. For all they know, the two of you are too scared to do a thing about it, meanwhile, the majority of the royal guard has their hooves tied with trying to maintain whatever peace there is left in Equestria....” he conceded, and Princess Luna sighed.

“The anarchy that was created as a result of that...that slaughter-fest...It’s bringing whatever sane ponies to fear those who run it and the ones who were driven insane..” she stopped herself, and the white pegasus sighed.

“The ones who went insane only propagate this chaos...I just hope her royal highness will approve of my solution.” he mused, causing Princess Luna’s ears to perk up.

“Oh! That’s right, you’ve been looking into a way to end this chaos, haven’t you?” Princess Luna asked, a hopeful smile on her face as the pegasus guard nodded.

“Yes. I am certain that this will be practical and effective...I already have everything else needed, the only thing I require is her highness’s approval to go forth with it.” he replied, and the duo stopped when they finally met with Princess Celestia, a snow white alicorn with a beautiful iridescent mane.

“Luna! Swift, there you are! I was worried you wouldn’t show..” Princess Celestia joked, and the three walked over to the throne room, where a crowd of ponies were waiting.

“Look, they brought their little wise guy with them.” one of the ponies jeered, causing Swift to tense up slightly before taking his position next to the throne on the opposite side of Princess Luna.

“You’re royal highness! We beg you- please put a stop to this madness!” one of the ponies shouted to Princess Celestia, who sighed dejectedly as she knew this would come up. Every audience with the princess seemed to be about the mindless killing from The Crucible, and nopony could blame her for being annoyed with it.

“I am sorry, but I have told you all this before: neither me nor my sister have the power to just banish it. I truly wish we could, but we can’t- all we can do is put our time and energy into containing it...” Princess Celestia replied sadly, but was taken aback by the sudden outburst of the crowd.

“It’s the same excuse every time, isn’t it?!” one of the ponies complained, causing a chain reaction as mares and stallions alike began to shout, voicing their disfavor of the current events and, by extension, the princesses.

“You two have lost your touch!”

“You two are not real princesses!”

“Cowards!”

The onslaught of jeers from the crowd slowly began to get to Swift Research, who gritted his teeth, his eyes shut tightly as he listened.

“Ggm....Ggghhhrr.......Ghgggerh....Grhhhhrrrrghh...” he grunted, going unheard as he began trembling from trying to restrain his annoyance before finally slamming his hooves on the ground, opening his eyes and raising his voice.

“THAT IS ENOUGH!!!” he shouted at the top of his lungs, immediately silencing the crowd and astonishing both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna.

“Swift?” Luna asked, but went unheard as the white pegasus began to go on his tirade.

“While you imbeciles sit here pointing hooves, more ponies are dying every day due to The Chaos! If we keep going on like this, only more chaos will be born from it and we will only be destroying each other!” he berated the crowd before catching his breath, looking back to regal sisters. “I apologize for losing my head back there, but this is a serious matter...” he apologized, looking back at the crowd.

“Now listen, I know you have families to worry about, and everypony here has lost someone dear to them, but pinning the blame on those who can’t do a thing about it is not the answer.” he continued in a calmer tone of voice, inevitably prompting an older stallion to question him.

“Oh? And what is the answer, smarty-hooves?” the unicorn asked, and the pegasi smiled.

“I would have believed that it was common knowledge, but all of you are either too fearful or too incompetent to see it...There is a legend that surrounds The Crucible, the conduit of all of this chaos and fear. ‘Strike down the Harbinger, get a wish granted...’. ” he replied before looking at the crowd as a whole.

“The next Crucible slaughter is going to start soon. If the legend is true, all one has to do is compete and make the wish to reverse all of it.” he added, instantly getting looks of incredulity from his peers.

“That’s your solution? Relying on a myth?” Princess Luna questioned, and stallion from the crowd stepped forward.

“I know you’re supposed to be the main strategist of The Royal Guard, but how do you expect that would work? Even if this myth is true, where are you going to find anypony crazy enough to compete in that slaughter-house?” the stallion questioned, only receiving a smirk from Swift Research. The stallion backed up, panicking from the very look on the pegasi’s face, which Princess Luna picked up on.

“Swift, don’t tell me you plan on going there!” Princess Luna demanded, and the white pegasus looked back at the midnight mare.

“You said it, not me.” he joked, and then looked back at the crowd. “Since the rest of The Royal Guard has their hooves tied, I’m the only one who is capable of going...I have studied the nature of The Crucible- thus making me the one with the highest chance of succeeding out of any pony...The only thing I need is her royal highness’s approval.” he explained, causing the snow white alicorn to hesitate.

“I appreciate your willingness to help, but I am not sure I am willing to just send a fellow pony to his death over some myth.” Celestia replied, and Swift turned to face her.

“Your highness...I assure you, it is more than just a myth....After all, The Elements of Harmony used to be nothing more than a legend, right?” he questioned, and the princess stared at Swift for a moment before a soft smile spread on her face.

“You have my trust, Swift Research. I hereby grant you permission to compete in The Crucible.” she declared, and the white pegasi smiled and nodded.

“Thank you, your highness.” he thanked Princess Celestia, but before he could fly off, Princess Luna approached him.

“Swift...I want you to promise me that you won’t die out there...If you do succeed, I want you to promise me that you’ll walk by my side in the restored land.” she demanded, and Swift nodded.

“I swear it on my life.” he replied, and finally took off, leaving the castle, and shortly afterward, Canterlot. Feeling the winds of anarchy blowing through his short mane, Swift Research only kept his eyes forward as he knew where he had to go. He had to head to the recently founded Crucible City, where the tournament would take place. I don't have any time...Princess Luna and Princess Celestia have honored me with their trust, and I must not...no...I can not fail! he thought as he picked up the pace, piercing the clouds as he scanned the ground, looking for Crucible City.