The Game Master

Chapter 1

A self-professed master was about to conduct the greatest display of skills ever heard of in his circle of professionals. Sure, many can theorize and study game outcomes, scenarios in which this or that happened. No one could test the theories of this particular game. That is, until now, he thought. Image the glory of an entire planet as a game-board! It was dark. He preferred the dark, a self-inflicted curse to help his thinking. After another drink, he sat by the cold fireplace; turning over his strategy one last time. The first move had to be made. The game, as it was, was ready to begin.

~~

Ms. Cake trotted along the path through Ponyville, allowing time to stop and enjoy the wonderful weather. Really, the ponies in Cloudsdale have outdone themselves, she thought. Ms. Cake loved Ponyville, for the fact that it was so peaceful. Not counting the exploits of Pinkie, the chances for, say, Sugarcube Corner exploding was basically zero. That's why she and her wonderful Stallion had chosen this location.

“Afternoon, Ms. Cake!” Said a voice behind her.

“Oh! Hello, Twilight!”  Ms. Cake knew nearly everyone in town by voice, a skill picked up by attending numerous crowded parties.

“I wanted to let you know that Princess Celestia complemented you and Mr. Cake by name in her most recent letter. That party was really fun!”

Twilight was, of course, referring to the time not so long ago when Princess Celestia had come to Ponyville to see personally the results of Twilight's research into the magic of friendship.

Ms. Cake nodded in affirmation, adding that she was always delighted to have guests. As Twilight left in the direction of Everfree forest to go about her errands, Ms. Cake smiled brightly. Ah, well. Enough dawdling, time to see how Pinkie's latest efforts are coming along...

Sugarcube Corner exploded.

~~

Rainbow Dash was running through her daily exercise routine when she heard the noise. Odd, that sounded remarkably like a building full of pasty exploding. Well, she had to investigate, it could also be a competitor trying for a sonic rainboom!

Zooming to town, the sight that met Rainbow's eyes nearly caused her to drop out of the sky. There was Ms. Cake, sobbing, and a crowd gathering around a building, that was most definitely not Sugarcube corner. In its place stood a perfectly square, very tall, iron-and-glass building. Time to find Twi.

Rainbow didn't have to look for long; Twilight galloped into view within seconds, obviously worried about the explosion. No, wait. She looks terrified, and she's running hard... and not stopping? It was not Sugarcube corner that had frightened Twilight into running, it was the thing coming out of the Everfree forest.

~~

Applejack was very confused. A, well, thing, wearing a crimson cloak about its... neck (guessed Applejack) had come roaring (or is it screaming?) out of the Everfree forest, in hot pursuit of a certain purple unicorn Applejack knew very well. She wasn't quite sure what she was seeing, and was fixed to the spot, until her attention was drawn to a cyan Pegasus yelling at her.

~~

“Hey, Applejack! Move. It. NOW!”

Rainbow had been yelling at Applejack for what seemed like an hour before she looked up, dazed from the mental shock the “thing” had given her.

“I need to get to Canterlot, Twilight can’t exactly send the Princess a letter. You get everypony away from those... things!”

~~

Applejack quickly came to her senses, that thing was after her friends! She broke off on a breakneck pace into town, sharply yelling at anypony within earshot to clear out. Whatever was happening, it appeared to be a danger.

~~

He coldly took in the facts, these “ponies” had reacted in an unexpected way. After all, one would normally assume a sentient horse living in an era of magic with no electronics would pass out at the sight of the Sears Tower instantly occupying the spot a small restaurant used to stand. Yes, ignoring the equestrian history books published by Wheller Inc. had been a mistake, as the stories regarding the demeanor of  your average pony were correct. For pastel-colored miniature horses, these creatures showed plenty of courage. Though he wished to spare life, the next move in this game would require a show of mortality. With no trace of emotion, he ordered his minion to terminate one life.

Your move!

~~

Rainbow, slightly winded from a near-supersonic flight, staggered over to a guard outside the Canterlot palace. The guard, seeing a tipsy pony sucking wind, though that maybe somepony had downed too many beverages for breakfast. It was only 0930, for Celestia’s sake!

“Please… Ponyville... Strange building, flying stuff…” Rainbow Dash only managed a few mixed words before the guard offered to take her to a “nice place, where they will make you feel better”.

Rainbow was a bit confused, but finally managed to get her breath.

“No! I mean that Ponywille is under attack, moron!”

~~

Princess Celestia was busy discussing a planned geological survey with a unicorn contractor interested in expanding into the mountains surrounding Canterlot, and the talk had quickly turned sour.

“With all due respect, your majesty, I think we can confidently state that these mountains could support another three cities the size of Canterlot, we just have to burrow farther into the mountain! Think of the economical benefits!”

Princess Celestia sighed, and again reminded the grey stallion of the last time someone had ventured to expand the city. “The property damage was through the roof, and those poor ponies were lucky to escape with their lives! I understand your points, Mr. Crane, but the simple fact is all that rubble will eventually have to go somewhere, and I must be sure it does not end up on top of this city.”

Crane was about to reply when the meeting was adjourned by the sound of a distant noise, not unlike thunder, but much more explosive.

“Excuse me, but obviously something is in need of my attention. We will have to continue this topic some other day.”

As the dejected stallion left, a very annoyed Rainbow Dash burst in, followed by a half-score of guards.

“Your Majesty! Ponyville is being att-” was all the Pegasus could manage before four guards swarmed her, one of whom began profusely apologizing to the large Alicorn.

“Let the mare speak, gentlecolts. This is a close friend of my most favored student!”

~~

PRIME DIRECTIVE: TERMINATE.

The large, obnoxious text flashed in on the screen of the XM-17’s Helmet. The human in control understood the reasoning, the forces of his master must be shown as a truly horrifying and fearful enemy, not just one that anyone could lock their door and hide from. With the slight movement of a finger, the XM-17 targeted the small purple unicorn that was directly ahead, and activated a rocket.

~~

“Roger, Wilco.” The reply was heard across the room by the fireplace observer, and he (though it was not a beneficial emotion) felt gleeful. Oh, yes, how fun this was! He mused that this was like “playing Super Mario on the easiest setting, but with cheats”.

Alex2315, the master of games, was off to another great start.