To Shatter Hope

"There are some in this council, myself included, that are not happy with your choices on how to run this country. It is with a 'heavy' heart that we the committee have voted to have you removed from your seat of power, Along with this decision, the other princess' of Equestria also have no power in government affairs," Celestia's jaw had hit the floor, after a millennium of governing Equestria, this is how it ended, being voted out of power? Surely there were those who had voted against this movement. What about Luna? How would she react to this news?

"I do hope you understand that, unfortunately times have changed and your ideas are... They have failed to change with time. Along with your removal, the council has also decided to renounce the powers given to the noble families of Equestria," Celestia could not see the speaker, though she could sense his smirk. "I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors Princ- Oh, beg your pardon, Celestia..." Celestia had stopped paying attention to the stallion, how could this have happened? Not only her, but the noble families as well? This did not bode well for Equestria.

Celestia flinched as the sound of banging gavel resonated throughout the chamber, sighing she began to leave the room. "It seems as though the room only has two sets of ears... It wasn't easy your Highness, some of these fools believed with their tiny brains that you should have exclusive rights to lead this country for eternity, I couldn't let that happen. Can you believe that all it took was pretending to care for your little ponies? A smile here, a few tears there~ I've done what Discord, Chrysalis, Tirek, and so many others failed to do. I beat you," Celestia didn't have to turn the see his smile. "By the by, don't let the door hit you on the way out~" The stallion left the room laughing.

After news had reached all across Equestria, well to say there was civil unrest would be an understatement, the nobles took to the streets in a flood. Soon the castle gate was swarmed with outraged nobles shouting for the princess' to explain the situation. The castle guards shifted in their shoes uncomfortably, their loyalty was to the newly appointed "Democracy". Atop the main gate stood the stallion who had lead the revolution, beside him stood his newly appointed captain of the guard, he surveyed the crowd of angry ponies slowly.

"Citizens, I know this came as a sudden change, all I ask is that you remain calm and I will explain the situation to you here and now," His words had the desired effect of calming the sea of nobles. "Our change in governing has come as a surprise and it seems kind of scary, the reason the nobles families have lost their powers is because... Well, I believe you have all become useless," A collective gasp could be heard from the crowd, this served to make the stallion smile even more. "You hold up change with petty arguments, useless fights, and most importantly... You have taken advantage of your fellows, using their hard earned bits to grow your own collection properties. The princess' would not have removed you from your seats of comfort because they only know how to appease you. I will not allow you to halt our ability to progress," The stallion watched the ponies below stamp their hooves, and glanced over at his captain.

Nodding back the guard held up her hoof, nearby guards began to stand at attention.

"I will now ask you return to your homes and let this settle in your minds," The stallion was not the least bit surprised when 'Prince' Blue Blood walked to the front of the crowd and began to rally the nobles, all his plans seemed to be lining up nicely. Soon the gate was being pushed upon by the swarm on ponies below. Smiling he signaled his captain.

"Guards! At attention!" The castle guards all readied their crossbows. The captain looked towards the stallion, she was met with a simple nod. "Fire!" All too suddenly the surrounding area was filled with the sounds of screaming ponies as arrows were shot into the crowd.

Four months later...

The slaughter had filled the newspapers almost immediately as nearby bystander witnessed the massacre. Soon after princess Celestia and Luna were banished from Equestria, and the elements of harmony had been put under house arrest, Discord had taken interest in the current events unfolding and had disappeared. Canterlot city had become a city under constant watch from the guard, some cities further away declared secession from the new government.

"It's an honor to meet you Twilight Sparkle," Twilight gritted her teeth as the monster responsible for murder and so many other crimes had invited himself into her home. "What's the matter? You seem perturbed my darling, oops, Discord was the only one who could get away with such pet names wasn't he? Speaking of Discord, do you know where he might have gone to?" Twilight remained silent as the stallion questioned her.

Twilight grinned as she watched the stallion grit his teeth in annoyance, what she did not expect was to be back-hoofed off her chair. "I always try to act nicely my dear, I really do, though there's something about your face that seems so hit-able, now let's try this again. Where is Discord?" Twilight glared at the stallion standing above her, she knew how to keep a secret.

"You're a tough nut to crack, most ponies have never been hit like that, so they tend to crack immediately... That makes you special, and I have just the thing to make you talk," Twilight's heart began beat rapidly as he called in a guard that carried a bag. "You see, the minotaurs created all sorts of weapons to use against ponies, most were specifically for pegasi and unicorns, since you're a mattering of all three... Oh! How do you feel about 'the boot'? I'm sure you know about this device, it slides over a unicorns horn... Like so, now all I do is start twisting this knob here and it starts to apply pressure on our horn until it snaps! That sounds like fun right?" Twilight had started to cry silently as the stallion began turning the knob, the increasing pressure began to make her panic.

"I don't know!" That was all it took to to relieve the pressure on her horn.

"Well... That is quite lucky of you miss Sparkle. At least I now know where your loyalties lie, I think I will be returning in the future, and I hope we won't have to repeat this unpleasantness again," Twilight could only nod her head rapidly, her urge to never see this monster again overpowering any rational response. "I hope the rest of your day is spent thinking about the lesson I've taught here today, okay?"