Rarity
Canterlot Station
T-2:04:00 TO DETONATION

Rarity looked out the window as the station came into view. She and all of her friends were going to Manehattan so they could all see a concert by Countess Coloratura, which they felt was an opportunity for a surprise reunion with the celebrity who had visited Ponyville not long ago. However, Rainbow Dash was unable to come, because she was to start security preparations in Canterlot for the upcoming Big Bomb detonation at the future site of Trot Tower Canterlot.

The train screeched to a halt. "First call, Canterlot Station!", the conductor shouted.

Ponies started to leave their seats as more came into the train. Rarity watched as Rainbow Dash stood up from her seat, gaining the attention of the rest of her friends

"Well, I guess I'll see you all later, then." she smiled at the group. Pinkie Pie jumped up from her seat and gave Rainbow Dash a big tackle-hug.

"We'll miss you, Dashie!" she shouted excitedly as she squeezed Rainbow Dash in a strong, choke-inducing grip, prompting Rarity to give her a sideways glance. "Pinkie Pie, darling, you act like you'll never see her again." she chuckled.

Pinkie Pie nodded, giggling. "I know, but you know I miss all my friends when they're gone for a long time!", she exclaimed excitedly, earning some curious glances from other passengers. Applejack looked past Pinkie to Rainbow Dash, who was released from her hug, and grimaced sadly.

"It's too bad ya'll have to miss seeing Rara again, Dash." she said. Rainbow Dash nodded. "I know, Applejack, but the Princess called me here personally, so there's nothing I can do about the concert." she said.. "Sorry."

Rarity watched the conversation. Something started to dawn on Rarity, one that made her feel almost stupid for not realizing it before. "Rainbow Dash will be going into Canterlot without any of her friends to accompany her. How sad!" she thought to herself. She looked at the bright Pegasus pony in her Wonderbolt gear, and decided what she had to do. "Rainbow Dash, I'll come into Canterlot with you." she said in a tone of voice that didn't take no for an answer.

Rainbow Dash, even so, tried to dissuade her. "No, Rarity, you don't have to do that. I'm sure I'll be fine." she said.

Rarity shook her head. "Don't be ridiculous, darling, I certainly don't want you to be alone while you're up here, securing the bomb zone."

Twilight Sparkle looked over at Rarity and smiled. " Rarity, that's very kind of you." She then looked at Rainbow Dash and whispered, "You know she's gonna come anyway, whether you like it or not."

"Last call, Canterlot Station!", the conductor shouted.

"I heard you, Twilight." she laughed and turned her head to Rainbow Dash. "Let me get my things, then I'll join you." she said, still chuckling.

Rainbow Dash nodded, "Thanks, Rarity." she said gratefully.

The two rushed out, luckily before Pinkie Pie could give Rarity a death-hug. Even so, she along with her other friends waved goodbye as they stepped on the platform. Fluttershy, Spike, and Starlight Glimmer were in the food cart, and so weren't there to see them off the train.

Rarity looked out as the train pulled out of the station. "I'll be at the Canterlot Boutique, checking up on things, and I'll meet you in a few hours. I hope that's alright?" she asked Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash waved it away. "Naw, it's cool. I gotta go, anyways." she said, and punctuated it by flying away instantly. Rarity watched the streak of rainbow, not knowing it would be the last time she would see her friend.

Iron Hammer
Trot Tower Demolition Site
T-1:23:00 TO DETONATION

Iron Hammer stood erect in front of the entrance to the demolition site. He was a Royal Guardspony who had been appointed in a select group of Guards to monitor the delivery of an important package. When he had asked his commander what the package was, even the commander hadn't been cleared to know, so Iron knew this was a very important job to do.

However, it still irritated him that he had only a folder to give to the stallion running the demolition. It was labeled "Classified Equestrian Royal Guard Information: For the eyes of CEO Mogul Trot ONLY!" If he even so much as peeked in the folder, he would be arrested and sentenced to life in prison.

Soon, a Wonderbolt walked up to him. She saluted and introduced herself. "I am Rainbow Dash, Element of Loyalty and Wonderbolt Reserve Private.".

Iron Hammer did a double take. "Rainbow Dash? I didn't think I'd meet someone so famous as you here." he gestured to the rotting spa that was to be demolished. "Why are we here delivering a package to Trot? Doesn't Princess Celestia have better things to do than deal with a buisnesspony?" he asked her, his curiousness overcoming his soldier's spirit of silence.

The Element of Loyalty looked him up and down, and said, "Sorry, can't tell ya.". She grinned, almost as if she actually enjoyed keeping the secret from him, though he believed she didn't actually know what was going on.

Soon, the carriage containing the package arrived. Several Guardsponies and Wonderbolts alike were helping transport the large box, which seemed to be struggling just holding what was inside of it. However, it was not Iron Hammer's job to help, it was just to deliver a folder of classified material.

Evidently, it wasn't the Element of Loyalty's job either, as she took one glance at the group of ponies lifting the package (not without the help of several unicorns in the group) and, shouting encouragement, flew higher in the sky and looked around her, signifying her status as a lookout.

Iron Hammer, satisfied that the package was arriving, walked into the demolition site. He went to speak to the CEO in his temporary office in a mobile carriage out of range of where the demolition was to take place.

When he walked in, the CEO was less than pleased to see him walk in without knocking. " Who gives you the right to disregard manners and just waltz into my office like a degenerate changeling?" he barked angrily.

"Please, sir, that's an insult to the changelings." he thought to himself. Outside, he said, "I apologize, Mr. Trot, but there is a package outside that Her Highness Princess Celestia has given to you as a small gift." he exhaled. "I have not been told of what it it, though."

The CEO suddenly perked up. "A gift? Of what sort?" he asked, now intrigued.

Iron Hammer mentally sighed. "If you'll come this way, Mr. Trot-" he started to say. However, the CEO was already up and practically running to see what the "present" was, and why the Princess had sent him one.

Iron decided to follow him. "This may get interesting." he thought to himself, grinning outwardly.

Fluttershy
130 miles northeast of Canterlot
T-0:05:00 TO DETONATION

Fluttershy watched the trees rolling by on the landscape as the train chugged farther from home, and closer to Manehattan. She had only been away from her cottage in Ponyville for a few hours, and she already missed it. Sighing, she looked away from the window, and looked at Starlight Glimmer, fast asleep, and had earlier attempted to start reading a book and was rewarded with motion sickness.

"Um, Starlight?" she nudged her. "Starlight, are you awake?"

Starlight rolled over in a groan, and soon roused awake. "Hey Fluttershy, what do you need that means I need to wake up?"

Fluttershy blushed, "I'm so sorry, Starlight, I just have no one else to talk to right now." she said sheepishly. Starlight looked at her, suddenly feeling more awake and alert at the statement.

"I'll talk to you, Fluttershy. What's bugging you?" she asked in a kind tone.

Fluttershy looked out the window and sighed. "I wish I could have been able to take Angel with us. He's never been to a real concert before.", she half-muttered, just barely loud enough for Starlight to hear.

Starlight grimaced. The only reason that Fluttershy hadn't taken Angel was because nopony else wanted to put up with the bunny for the long trip. When Fluttershy had started preparing for the trip, Starlight, with quiet support from her other friends minus Applejack, told Fluttershy that pets weren't allowed at the concert, which was a blatant lie. She had no idea what to say, so she instead looked out the window.

A minute passed. Starlight finally decided to say something to Fluttershy, having thought of what she wanted to say to the timid mare.

"Well, Fluttershy, I'm sure you'll have fun with your other friends too, right?" she asked cheerfully.

Fluttershy looked at her, and gave a wide grin. "You're right, I'll still have fun here. It'll be exciting to see Rara again. I can't wait to introduce you!" she said happily.

Starlight grinned back. "Yeah, I can't wait to see her either. Or the rest of Manehattan, in fact." she replied.

"Wait, you've never been to Manehattan?" Fluttershy asked. Starlight shook her head. "Well, it's too bad, Rarity would love to take you all over Manehattan and see everything in the city." she smiled.

Starlight looked out the window, and was joined by Fluttershy. They looked towards Canterlot, unaware that by doing this, it would be the last thing either of them would ever see.

"Too bad." Starlight said.

Princess Celestia
Canterlot Castle
T-0:02:00 TO DETONATION

Princess Celestia walked out onto her balcony, wanting to get a bit of fresh air during a quick break. Her quest for privacy, however, was not going to happen, as her sister sat along the balcony as well.

Celestia sat down next to Luna. "Sister, whatever are you doing out here alone?" she asked curiously. Princess Luna answered immediately, "The same reason you're here, for privacy.".

Luna gestured out to the Canterlot skyline. From where they were seated in the castle, they had a broad view of everything as far as the eye can see. This is one of the many reasons that this balcony, and by extension this part of the castle as well, were both sister's favorite part of the castle.

She spoke up. "I am certainly not looking forward to meeting with the Duchess of Maretonia. I try to be nice around her, but she's naturally a very rude mare. How do you handle it?" she asked her sister, who was happy to supply the answer.

"Well, in situations such as that, remember that she is here for her country and not herself." Celestia began. "But remember to remain calm and not lose your temper around her, too."

Luna laughed aloud. "Perhaps I could set her up on a date? With a certain Prince Blueblood?" she snickered.

Celestia shook her head. "Luna, the Duchess is insufferable, but setting her up with Blueblood's cruel and unusual punishment, is it not?" she smiled to remind herself that she was joking.

The two princesses looked out over the skyline. They could see where the demolition site was at , and when it was done, The Trot Tower would be the 2nd tallest building in Canterlot.

Luna smiled. "Perhaps, sister, we can learn-"

The Princess of the Night was interrupted, in her last words, by an enormous flash of light.

Author's Note

"Now I am become Death, Destroyer of Worlds."- J. Robert Oppenheimer, after the first atomic weapon on Earth detonated in a desert in New Mexico.
Because I have been gone for a little while, I've decided to give you all a longer chapter than usual. I hope you enjoy this story and continue reading it.