Love is in Bloom *

As the sun set behind the dragon mountains, its light fell upon the glistening towers of the majestic Canterlot Castle. The entire city below was abuzz with gossip. Rumors regarding the whereabouts of the princesses and Orion's infamous family spread throughout the kingdom. Some speculated that the family had used their position and influence to kidnap the royal sisters. Others thought that the princesses were safe and in hiding. All ponies were on the lookout for Orion's family in an effort to eradicate the changeling menace once and for all.

Anti-changeling sentiment was at an all-time high. Cadance had been busy printing up propaganda and posting them all over Canterlot. The alicorn wanted everypony to watch for and report any drone activity, or turn in changeling sympathizers.

Posters depicted the insectoid drones as gross caricatures, with exaggerated features. They had big, buggy eyes and their sinister, smiling mouths drooled green slime and were filled with long, razor-sharp teeth. The citizens of Canterlot walked the streets apprehensively, eyeing their neighbors as though they expected them to transform into a changeling at any moment.

Wanted posters for Orion's entire family were placed everywhere. Shining Armor, Chrysalis and Twilight Sparkle were even featured on some of the propaganda. One of the posters featured crude depictions of them. The former captain of the guard and his hero sister were made to look shifty and duplicitous. Chrysalis was illustrated in the typical changeling style, with bug eyes, sharp teeth and drooling slime. It showed the three surrounded by inky-black shadows. Along the bottom of the poster the caption read in bold, white letters: 'WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TODAY TO PROTECT EQUESTRIA FROM THEM?'

Even Celestia and Luna's likenesses weren't free from their niece's propaganda. The illustration showed the two princesses looking determined as they led a charge, flanked by unicorn, pegasi and earth ponies. The group was chasing some wretched-looking changeling drones over the hills and out of Equestria. The alicorns were armed with giant old-timey pump bug sprayers. Celestia's pumper was emblazoned with the word 'TRUTH,' while Luna's said 'JUSTICE.' The caption below the picture read: 'TOGETHER WE CAN BEAT BACK THE BUGS!' In her short time as leader, Cadance had managed to unite all of Equestria against a common scapegoat.

High above the huddled masses, a lone alicorn watched the sun as it fell below the horizon. Cadance pensively gazed out her study window as day turned to night. "It's twilight," the pink princess muttered angrily.

Evidences of Cadance's obsession were littered across her study. She had a lock of Orion's hair tied together with a pink ribbon. There was a photo of Orion and his family that was taken with Cadance when she was little. The young alicorn smiled innocently in the picture as she stood beside the father. Cadance had burned out all the eyes in the photograph except for hers and Orion's.

In a manila envelope on her desk the princess kept the original negatives of Shining Armor's incriminating tabloid photos. Concept art for the propaganda posters were sketched into her diary, which also documented her obsession since its inception.

A large map of Equestria hung on the wall. Red string was used to connect all locations where Orion had been spotted. The red line stretched from Orion's house to the diamond dog mines to Sweet Apple Acres. Cadance stared at the map, trying to calculate the family's next move.

Having received word earlier that the fugitives were last seen entering the Everfree Forest, Cadance sent guards to monitor the exits. The alicorn walked over to the wall so she could update her map.

She struggled to levitate a piece of red string and a push pin. Her once god-like abilities had been curtailed to the point where even the most simplest of spells required immense concentration. She focused hard to stick the quivering pin into the Everfree Forest portion of the map.

Cadance seethed with anger as she thought about the unicorn family that had taken her powers. Creating an army of changelings had taken its toll on her magical abilities, but Cadance would have recovered with time.

What ultimately ended up damaging the alicorn's magic beyond repair was Twilight Sparkle casting the Want It, Need It spell on her. Under the spell's influence, the changeling army used their emotional-syphoning powers to drain Cadance of her love, which was the source of her magic.

She thought about what she had done to the family. She had ruined the children's reputations. They had gone from respected and prominent ponies to pariahs overnight. She also orchestrated the tortured humiliation and violation of their mother.

"I've done nothing wrong," Cadance said, reassuring herself, "My actions were completely justified. What's wrong with those tabloid photos I took? I could've won a journalism award if I didn't submit the pictures anonymously!"

Cadance walked over and looked at herself in the mirror. Although she was still in her mid-twenties, her face was starting to look like a world-weary traveler. Minor crows feet were appearing at the corners of her eyes. Her obsession for Orion was beginning to affect her physical appearance.

"How about when I left Dazzle at the mercy of those salacious diamond dogs?" Cadance said, as her indignation rose, "If Dazzle wants to talk about being violated, have her call me after she's had thousands of changeling dicks rubbing against her and exploding." It had taken Cadance weeks to wash the dried cum out of her coat.

Even though Twilight was the one who cast the spell which resulted in her losing her powers, as far as Cadance was concerned, the mother and brother were just as responsible. In spite of spreading the blame around, she couldn't bring herself to bear any animosity towards Orion himself.

"I just wanted to be with my special somepony," Cadance said, sadly, "If the family would have just let me have Orion, there would have been no problems. They brought this on themselves."

Far below the castle, Orion and his family kept to the backroads and the shadows. On the train ride over, Chrysalis hid her identity by disguising herself as Applejack. She had hoped that the absence of her normal changeling form would allow her family to blend in with the crowd. Once she made it to the seclusion of the alley though, Chrysalis dropped the Applejack disguise. When she noticed the wanted posters of Orion's whole family, she realized they'd be caught if any of them were recognized. While she could appreciate the justice of ponies having to deal with the intolerance usually reserved for changelings, Chrysalis was sickened that it was her own family being persecuted.

The fugitives stood in a dark alley. Orion glanced around the entrance to make sure nopony saw them, Dazzle stood by her daughter, who had her horn dimly lit. Twilight was studying a visitor's map of Canterlot Castle that she picked up at the train station.

"Your plan to kill Cadance seems like it will work," Dazzle said, "But what do we do once she's dead? All of Equestria will be out for our blood."

"Then we'll just have to find evidence of what she's been doing." Twilight said, "She's got to have something in her room we can use to prove she's evil."

Chrysalis stared sadly at a propaganda poster that had been plastered on the alley wall. It was a sketchy drawing of her, looming over Shining Armor like a vampire. Blood was dripping from her long fangs and Shining Armor lay on he ground with a bleeding bite mark on his neck. The stallion looked as though he'd just been possessed, with glowing green eyes. Above the illustration the caption read, "DON'T BE THEIR NEXT VICTIM!"

Shining Armor walked up beside his wife and stared angrily at the photo. A translucent green tear fell from Chrysalis' eye. Without a word, Shining Armor cast a spell on the poster, which ripped it into confetti-sized pieces.

Putting away her quill, Twilight had finished drawing out her plan on the map of the castle.

"Gather around, everyone," Twilight said, "Let's go over the plan one more time."

As Cadance stared at the moon rising, she couldn't help but wonder about the location of Celestia and Luna. She didn't know where the princesses had gone, but she wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth, so to speak. Without her aunts around, she was in charge.

Suddenly, there was a knock at her chambers. Thinking quickly, Cadance hid all evidences of her obsession. The lock of hair and pictures were moved inside of desk drawers and locked. She granted the figure at the door be allowed to enter her chambers.

It was one of the royal guards. He was a squat, bulky white pegasus, with beady eyes and no neck. When he pulled his helmet off, Cadance saw his head was shaved. She would have had no clue as to the color of his mane if it weren't for his sandy blonde tail. His cutie mark was a golden shield with silver wings.

"Stalwart Shield reporting," the stallion said, "You wished to see me, your majesty?"

"There's no need to be so formal," Cadance said, "You can just call me captain of the guards."

"Y... yes, captain," Stalwart Shield said, nodding nervously. Cadance ordered him to close the door behind him and walk to the middle of the room. The pegasus complied and stood at attention. The alicorn stood in front of him and stared at him.

"I've received several complaints about you from your fellow guards," Cadance said, "They say you accepted bribes from ponies who were poaching and illegally transporting parasprites." She looked deep into his eyes. He refused to look away, lest it be seen as an admission of guilt. Stalwart Shield played it cool.

"That was never proven, captain," he said, calmly.

"Maybe not, but your unnecessary use of force has been well documented," Cadance said as she walked over to her desk and pulled out his file, "Broken wings, fractured horns, my my. You have quite the violent streak. Do any of the criminals you arrest make it to jail, or do they all end up in the hospital?"

"I find that the direct approach is the best way to deal with scum like that," he said.

"The direct approach?" Cadance said, scoffing, "And I suppose all of these sexual harassment allegations are the result of your 'direct approach' as well?" Stalwart Shield's small eyes watched as a scroll was opened and a long list of complaints rolled along the floor and stopped just short of his hooves. He made an audible gulp.

"Some mares just can't take a joke," he said, sullenly.

"You know full well sexual humor is not tolerated here," Cadance said, "Your commanding officers are recommending that you be dishonorably discharged." Stalwart Shield fidgeted on the spot.

"They're all against me!" Stalwart Shield said, desperately trying to save his job, "They're jealous because I bring in the criminals that they can't! I'm an honorable guard, I swear!"

"Oh, that's too bad," Cadance said, pouting, "I needed some crooked guards for a special detail." Stalwart Shield didn't move a muscle. He stared at Cadance, trying to read her facial expression. He wondered if he had heard her right? Was she serious about wanting dishonorable guards?

"No, it had to be some kind of trick," he thought, "Just play cool and you can bluff your way through this." The guard became stone-faced and refused to admit to any misconduct. Cadance gave a sigh and walked over to the window. She put her hooves on the windowsill as she overlooked the lights of the city below her.

"We live in troubled times," Cadance said, sorrowfully, "There are criminals out there whose atrocities are so grievous that the only punishments befitting them fall outside the realms of law and order." The guard couldn't believe what he was hearing. Cadance walked back towards him and stared Stalwart Shield down.

"With the desertion and betrayal by the former captain of the Royal Guard, I have taken over his position," she said, "Using my authority, I'm creating a new task force, and I want you to lead them. You will be off the grid, and answer only to me." In spite of himself, Stalwart Shield listened intently, hoping against hope that it wasn't all a big trap.

"Either you take this position as head of this detail, or I'll have no choice but to transfer you to Zebra-bwe on a peacekeeping mission," Cadance said, threateningly, "Be sure to give my regards to the warlords." That clinched it. There was no way Stalwart Shield was going to let himself bleed out in some Celestia-forsaken desert.

"Hypothetically, let's say I was interested," the guard said, cautiously, "Who would be serving with me?"

"I'm sure you could think of a few other guards who would gladly leave their posts for a position in this new detail." Cadance said. Stalwart Shield knew of a few other guards who also viewed the rules with contempt. He bowed before Cadance and said he was grateful for this opportunity to serve.

"Your first mission will be to capture Orion and his family," Cadance said, "Bring him in, along with Shining Armor and his changeling bride. Dazzle, the mother, and Twilight Sparkle. As reward for their capture, I will give you a cell in an isolated part of the dungeon to use as your own personal...clubhouse." Stalwart Shield cocked his head, unsure what she was implying.

"I'll see that the males and the changeling are dealt with," Cadance said, "but the fate of the rest of the family I leave in your gropey hooves." Stalwart Shield started to sweat as he felt his heart race. Cadance stood beside him and whispered seductively in his ear.

"The mother and daughter will be kept chained down in your clubhouse for the amusement of you and your fellow guardstallions," she said, sinisterly, "You have my permission to make all the dishonorable discharges you want on them." A sadistic smile spread across the guard's lips. Cadance walked away from the guard and returned to look at her map.

"You may go," Cadance said, "Round up the other guards for your company, and find those fugitives." Stalwart Shield bowed again as he left Cadance's room. He wasn't sure what had just happened. One thing he knew for certain; he loved his new job.