Chapters "Urg! It's been three days already and we have no leads on this threat we kept on hearing about.", Shining whines annoyance. "Not only that today is the Friendship Festival."
"Then why don't we have our own Friendship Festival for just us guards?", Assassin Creed, a brown pegasus stallion with a black mane and a cutie mark of cross knife, said coming out of nowhere scaring Shining Armor. "And we can't have a festival without cake! For cake do you like carrot or apple?"
"Apples! Apple, apple, apple!", Apple Tea, an orange earth stallion with green mane and a cutie mark of an apple tea, cheers grabbing Shining Armor and drags him to the Crystal Castle throne room, where some of the other guards are doing the decoration. "Right, Captain? Captain, you like apples, right?"
"Either is fine!", Shining screams in annoyance breaking free from Tea's grip.
"You traitor!", Apple Tea said pointing his hoof accusingly. "Did you forget The Apples Oath?"
"What's with that team name?", Shining asks. "I don't remember taking no oath!"
Assassin throws an imaginative knife to Apple Tea's heart. Apple Tea clutch his chest as if he was stabbed for real.
"Carrot cake is a classic. Who is fine with it?", Assassin asks pointing the picture.
Everypony raise their hooves approving the carrot cake.
"Looks like the carrots win.", Blade Dancer, a cream color pegasus mare with a red mane and a cutie mark of two silver wingblades that twirl around each other with trailing ribbons, said to Apple Tea.
"I'll eat you up!", Apple Tea growls chasing after Blade Dancer. Shining Armor tries to break off the chase with no avail.
Sitting on Cadance's throne is Blueblood reading a book. He looks over seeing the whole ordeal causing him to chuckle a bit.
"Did you see that? Blueblood just smiled and is enjoying this.", Blueberry Frost, a dark blue earth mare with dark blue and white-striped stringy mane, said to Flash Fire, a brown pegasus mare with a crimson fiery mane and a cutie mark of a flaming arrow. "I thought he was a stuck up snob."
"His drastic change in behavior is the result of how he has less responsibilties as compared to his time before Twilight became the Princess of Friendship. Most of Blueblood's duty as royalty is given to Twilight Sparkle and her friends, since their job is similar to his.", Flash Fire said putting up the Royal Guard's Friendship Festival banner. "Blueblood prefers adventuring hence his compass cutie mark."
"Look at them, brother!", Kuwaga, a white earth stallion with black mane and a cutie mark of a stag beetle, said to Kabuto, a black earth stallion with white mane and a cutie mark of a rhinoseros beetle. "They're having fun in Canterlot, while we're freezing our flanks looking for a threat that doesn't seem to exist."
"Who is the right mind would send 90% to the Royal Guard on a wild goose chase?", Kabuto asks in annoyance shivering.
"That would be Celestia.", Kuwaga answers.
"Great, another dumb mistake.", Kabuto mutters.
"I'll admit Celestia's judgement and leadership is questionable..."
"Oh, please! Even their own mother, Queen Faust has forsaken them."
"What makes you say that?"
"My grandfather told me a story a long time ago. The days Equestria was under the rulership of Faust was known as the Golden Age of Harmony. That age continued on when Luna and Celestia took over, but that age came to an end when Luna became Nightmare Moon and the sisters lost connection to the Elements of Harmony."
"What have they been calling the age afterwards?"
"The Cursed Era."
"Oh, but what makes you think Queen Faust would make any difference?"
"Queen Faust is not only wise, but she is know to be one of the strongest beings on this planet with at least 99 others rivaling her. The combine power of Celestia, Luna, Cadance, Elements of Harmony Bearers, Discord, Sombra, Chrysalis, and Tirek are bugs compared to her true might."
"How do you even know all this?"
"Our ancestor once served as Royal Guards of Queen Faust herself. In fact grandpa gave me this book our ancestor wrote all about his life.", Kabuto said pulling out a very old yet preserve book. "The final chapter took place after the birth of Luna."
"A group known as PURGE launched an all out invasion on Equestira."
Thousands of ships swarm the seas and air, while billions of troops cover the land.
The invasion was sudden and nopony was prepared, thus half of Equestria was conquered in less than a week. However under Queen Faust's leadership the Equestria launched a successful counterattack, starting by forming the Knights of Equestria."
Queen Faust stands before 88 ponies giving them the powers of an alicorn, while twelve others choose to remain themselves, among them is Starswirl and the Pillars.
"It was an intense and bloody battle, but eventually Faust and her Knights pushed through the army to the leader himself, Chaos."
Chaos place his hand onto the land and creates a large castle and cemetery theme titan.
"Chaos created the Great Land Titan Gadoma in order combat the threat. In the heat of the battle, the Knights were picked off one by one."
Gadoma fires a powerful blast vaporizing 80 of the Alicorn Knights and 6 of the regular Knights surrounding him. Faust herself narrowly avoids the strike, suffering a cut on her cheek. Blood drips onto a seed on the ground causing it to glow.
"At the demise of majority of the Knights, Faust's grief turned to rage. Refusing to allow anymore suffer and death she use the Harmonic Wave."
Many gems circle around Faust as she charges his horn of maximum power. She then fires a powerful blast piercing through Gadoma and striking Chaos.
"Not only did the attack defeat Gadoma, but it also sent Chaos and his army into another dimension where he can do no more harm. The battle was won, but there was no taste of victory. 86 of the Knights perished and Queen Faust herself have vanished, although it is said that Starswirl knew what became of her."
Starswirl and the Pillars plants the seed that Faust's blood dripped on, while surviving 8 Alicorn Knights depart to parts unknown. While the land where Gadoma fell slowly became the land known as Tartarus.
"The magic of the Elements of Harmony is Queen Faust. Her power is inside of Princess Twilight and her friends.", Kuwaga said in realization.
"Which proves that Twilight Sparkle and her friends are worthy to inherit everything from Faust.", Kabuto said.
"Then what will become of Luna and Celestia?"
"They will soon lose their alicorn magic, immortality, everything... and will live off their rest of their lives in disgrace."
"That's kind of harsh."
"But there is a chance of redemption. Celestia and Luna must reconnect with the Elements of Harmony."
"But they apologized to each other! Their fighting is the reason why they lost connection."
"It is not each other they must apologize to. They must gain their mother's forgiveness."
"That's not going to be easy.", Kuwaga said before noticing clouds in Canterlot. "What's with these storm clouds?"
"Probably Discord doing one his his dumb pranks.", Kabuto said. "Besides the four princesses are these and all the big bad like Tirek are dealt with. I mean what non-alicorn level bad guy can beat four alicorns?
"Good point. I mean if they did lose and Princess Twilight has to do the saving they'll the losers among the losers."
"Careful what you say, they are Captain Armor's relatives.", Kabuto said. "Now, let's get back to the city, I'm freezing."
Meanwhile in Canterlot, Tempest Shadow turns Princess Cadance, Celestia and Luna into obsidian statues.
Discord's Time
"Welcome to Discord's Time. I'm your host Discord the Lord of Chaos.", Discord said sitting on a couch. "It seems like a lot has happened during the movie, but as for me I'm speaking with the villains of this series. Our guest for his chapter is the dethroned Queen of the Changelings, Queen Chrysalis."
The camera turns to Chrysalis, who is hooded and cloaked.
"Hey, Chrissy. Haven't seen you since Where and Back Again.", Discord said only for Chrysalis to ignore him and lick her leg. "Are you listening? I'm over here."
Chrysalis continues to ignore him.
"You really don't like me.", Discord said. "That's not surprising considering that fact no one likes you. Regardless you've done what no other villains have done and that is nearly conquering Equestria not once, but twice and even defeating the heroes until something goes wrong. You even attacked me. How mean."
Discord then gets angry.
"But this is the most unforgivable thing you've done.", Discord said turning on the TV showing the scene of Chrysalis scaring Fluttershy causing her to cry. "Here it is! Here! I know we never got along, but how dare you do that to Fluttershy!"
Discord stands up and grabs Chrysalis by the neck.
"My one last regret is actually...", Discord said going the abusing your pet cat movement before tossing her across the room straight towards the wall. A KO bell is sounded. "This is what happens when I get serious."
Chrysalis discards her cloak and reveals her monstrous form hissing at the now frightened Discord.
"Wait. We can sole this through talking.", Discord said nervously. "What do you want? Stay a villain or get redeemed?"
Chrysalis jumps and attacks Discord.
"Wait! That hurts! Ow ow ow ow! Wait! Wait! Ow ow ow! Stop it!"
Author's Note
This story is the prequel and tie-in to the Changeling Empire and takes place during the MLP Movie.
It explains what the Royal Guards are doing and why they and several other characters are missing in the movie. They are also losing faith in Princess Celestia, Luna and Cadance as they serve as damsels in distress than some great protector like Queen Faust and Twilight Sparkle. Also gives me a chance to give Blueblood some characters, since his only major role is the Grand Galloping Gala and non-canon comics.
Certain OCs and MLP contents. do not belong to me.
Shining Armor is playing chess with Blade Dancer, while Flash Fire flies to Flurry Heart's room to check-up on her as Sunburst is in Canterlot taking part of the Friendship Festival. Blueblood left the throne room to pick up another book to read.
"I just hope this threat isn't as dangerous as Tirek, Sombra, or Chrysalis.", Blade Dancer said moving her rook.
"With our luck I doubt it.", Shining Armor said moving his bishop with difficulty due to his body shaking.
"You alright?", Blade Dancer asks in concern, with the two failing to notice a stallion wearing a trench coat entering the room.
"Not really. I've kept this hidden from Twily, Cadance and the Princesses so please don't tell them any of this.", Shining Armor said.
"I'll try, but if they ask you know I can't lie.", Blade Dancer said.
"It'll have to do.", Shining Armor said. "After Chrysalis second failed attempt to take Equestria I've been having nightmares. I keep on seeing horrible things happening to the princesses, while I just watch it happen completely useless. Then I keep hearing this voice in my head."
"What did the voice say?"
"It's you fault you couldn't save them. You're weak! You lack power! The death of those you love came from your hands not your enemies, because you fail to protect them!"
"That's really harsh.", Blade Dancer said.
"No matter how much I tried to deny it, can't help but agree with the voice. I mean everything is fine now, but what would've happen if things gone differently?", Shining Armor asks.
"I see what you mean. They mean everything to you and you can't help, but feel powerless to do anything about it. Chrysalis, Sombra and Tirek were the perfect examples of this.", Blade Dancer said. "But you shouldn't worry about it. All of that have passed and they're still fine."
"You're right. I guess I shouldn't put too much worry in this.", Shining Armor said. "So long as those I love are fine, I'm fine."
"Umm...", the trench coat stallion said. The two turn and scream in fright falling off their chair seeing a ghost-like pony next to them.
"You being too noisy!", Blueblood said entering the throne room in annoyance. "Just what is this ruckus about?"
"You!", the stallion said walking up to Blueblood in shock. "Why are you in a place like this?"
"Eh?"
"Ah... no..."
"Hey... do you know Blueblood?", Shining asks regaining his composure.
"No. I don't. Wrong pony.", the stallion said.
"A better question is, who are you?", Blade Dancer asks.
"I want you to find someone.", the stallion said handing Shining Armor a photo. "Ten years ago, I was separated from my family."
Unknown to everypony in the room, this was just the beginning of a big storm.
Near Tartarus...
Ryubee Templar, an old brown unicorn stallion with grey mane and cutie mark of a gold sceptre, eats his meal with his daughter Hera Templar, a young white unicorn mare with pink mane and a cutie mark of a large crown.
"Father.", Hera said. "When did this dinner table become just you and me?"
"This is no time to be sentimental.", Ryubee said wiping his mouth. "Our spy reported that Canterlot is taken and three of the princesses are statues while the last one is missing. The perfect time to put my plan into action."
"Hera...", Ryubee said turning to his daughter. "You're time of becoming queen of this very kingdom is near."
"But father, I have to be an alicorn in order for that to happen.", Hera points out. "And becoming an alicorn must be earned not given. An alternative is by birth, but that's extremely rare."
"You'll leave that to me. For now... a messenger from our supporting organization, PURGE, will come.", Ryubee said. "Please prepare yourself."
Gold Star sits in the lounge of Manehattan Hotel looking at the photos of Princess Cadance, Flurry Heart and Shining Armor then to a file labeled the Artificial Alicorn Project. The desk clerk walks up to him with his room key.
"I'm terribly sorry for making you wait, sir. Your room has been prepared.", the clerk said.
Gold Star puts his files inside his briefcase, takes the key and heads for his room. On the way he bumps into a gothic mare.
"Excuse me.", Gold Star said turning to the mare and notice a grasshopper stuck to her mouth. "You've got a bug."
The gothic mare eats it up and reveals a container of grasshoppers. "Want some?"
Gold Star drops his key in shock. "No thank you.", Gold Star said picking up his key and leaves.
"But it's good.", the mare said eating another one.
"That stallion been staring at you for some time.", Shining said to Blueblood. "You sure you don't know him?"
"I never seen him in my life, yet for some reason I seem to know him.", Blueblood said, just then a scroll appears in front of him. Blueblood opens it up. "It's from Hera!"
'Hera?' , the stallion thought upon hearing the name. 'Hera Templar?'
"She wants me to meet her.", Blueblood said. "I'm going to check."
Blueblood proceeds to leave, but the stallion stops him.
"Oh... hey, you...", the stallion said. "M-maybe I'm butting in, but I don't think you should."
"Why?", Blueblood asks suspiciously.
"Uh... no, well...", the stallion said walking away. Blueblood then leaves to meet up with with Hera. Suddenly Soarin bursts into the throne room through the balcony.
"Bad news!", Soarin screams causing everpony to duck as he crashes to the wall. "Canterlot has been taken!"
"What?!", Blade Dancer shouts standing back up, while Shining grabs Soarin.
"What about Cadance?!", Shining shouts in worry. "How's my wife?! And my sister?!"
"I'm sorry, but she's been turned to stone and your sister is missing.", Soarin said regretfully. Shining simply drops Soarin feeling as if his entire world broke apart.
"I need to be alone!", Shining said leaving the throne room.
"Assassin, your sixth sense is pretty sharp.", a griffon said writing what he said down on a scroll. "That stallion is pretty dangerous."
The griffon rolls it up and tosses it into a barrel of green flame.
"Now that what to do now?", the griffon said before the gothic mare rudely bumps into him. "What's that for?!"
The griffon notice the container she is holding. "Are you eating a grasshopper?"
"Want some?"
"No, I...", the griffon said, but the mare shoves one into him beak.
"Is it good?"
"It's surprisingly good!"
"Do you know this stallion?", the gothic mare asks showing the griffon a photo of the tench coat pony. This got him nervous.
"No. I have no idea...", the griffon said innocently only to get a kick to the face. She hooks the griffon's neck with her leg revealing a taser horseshoe.
"No! I don't like shocks!", the griffon said in panic. Fortunately Kuwaga and Kabuto happens to stroll by and notice the situation.
"Hey! What're you doing?!", Kabuto asks.
The gothic mare release the griffon.
"Save me, Royal Guards!", the griffon screams crawling to the two only for the gothic mare to stomp onto his back and shocks him unconscious.
"Wait! You're that hit mare, who escaped from Tartarus when Cerberus left his post.", Kuwaga said recognizing the mare. "She was once hired to assassinate Princess Celestia and would've succeeded had it not been for our last captain stopping her. Are you still after her?"
"Somepony else already got to your precious princesses, so I no longer need to bother.", the gothic mare said. "I still want payback on the Royal Guards for sending me to that vile place."
The mare jump and attack the twins.
"Not again!", Shining cries pounding his hoof onto the wall. "Why does this keep happening?! I wasn't even their to protect her!"
Shining Armor falls onto his knees sobbing hard.
"First Chrysalis, then Sombra, then Tirek, then Chrysalis again, and now this! What good am I if I can't protect my love ones when they need me the most?! I'm a big brother, a husband and a father and I'm completely useless."
"Fear not. Soon you'll no longer feel so useless and will have the power to protect those you love.", a voice calls out from behind. Shining turns and gets punched hard to the stomach knocking him out. Coming out of the shadow was Blood Stalk along with two other shadowed artificial alicorns. "You two get the brat, I'll take Mister Knight in Shining Armor to the lab."
Blueblood hurries to where he is suppose to meet with Hera.
"Blueblood, you here!", Hera said smiling.
"Well you wrote you were in trouble, so I came as fast as I could.", Blueblood said smiling as well. "Though it looks like it's a lie."
"Actually I need some advice.", Hera said. "My older sister suddenly left the family."
Blueblood widen his eyes upon hearing that. "Your older sister?" 'She was suspected to have hired an assassin to eliminate Aunt Celestia, but there was no proof.'
"So my father told me to take over her work...", Hera said. "I'm not sure what to do. What do you think I should do?"
"About that work...", Blueblood said. "...does it involve usurping the throne?"
Hera went silent on Blueblood's question.
"It is, isn't it?", Blueblood said sadly.
"Quit jumping around!", Kabuto shouts swinging his spear, which the gothic mare keeps on dodging. The mare throws in a powerful kick sending Kabuto crashing onto a pile of barrels.
Kuwaga moves in swinging his two blades. The mare block the swords with her horseshoe and use the taser to shock them and Kuwaga in the process.
"What total pushovers.", the mare said in disappointment as Kuwaga falls to the ground. "Equestria gotten weak during my time in Tartarus."
The mare then leaves the defeated Kabuto and Kuwaga.
"I don't know why, but whenever I see you I feel whole.", Blueblood said to Hera.
"I feel that same way.", Hera said to Blueblood. "It's as if we're siblings."
"Siblings... I like that.", Blueblood said with a smile. "I never knew my family and only the info about me is being related to my aunts."
"What a coincidence, my family are related to the royal sisters as well although our blood relation is due to our ancestors being siblings to Queen Faust."
"This... is your wife and son's current address.", Assassin said giving the stallion the information.
"Oh... you've really helped me out. Thank you!", the stallion said. "Then... I'll be going."
The stallion prepares to leave, but stops when Blueblood returns.
"Ah! Blueblood, welcome back! How'd it go with Lady Hera?", Blade Dancer asks.
"Oh... She's okay.", Blueblood answers.
"Oh... Well, bye.", the stallion said heading for the door.
"Wait a moment.", Assassin said stopping the stallion. "I think you do know Blueblood."
"What do you mean, Assassin?", Blueblood asks in confusion.
"This unicorn is a famous neurologist. Isn't that right? Professor Shiro."
"This pony is a neurologist?", Blade Dancer asks.
"The funny thing is that, ten years ago, you died.", Assassin said. "That's not all. At the same time, other ponies similar to yourself numbering at least seven, disappeared as well. All of them were scientists. Please tell me, Professor. What happened to you?"
"I can't say...", Shiro said nervously.
"Then I will answer for you.", Kabuto said as he and Kuwaga enters the room. "You were taken by an organization and were coerced into doing research for them. Isn't that right?"
"Yes.", Shiro said knowing it's pointless to hide it. "I escaped because I wanted to see my family. But... I'm sure... I'm dead if they find me."
"What is this organization you were forced into?", Assassin asks.
"Faust, named after the queen and the leader of it is Ryubee Templar.", Shiro answers causing Blueblood eyes to widen. "Ryubee isn't the only one. All of the Templar's family's blood relatives are chief executives in the organization. Their goal is to usurp the throne from the Royal Sisters claiming that they failed their royal duty."
"Then that means Hera is also...", Blade Dancer said as Blueblood sits down completely devastated.
Elsewhere near the Crystal Empire, a cloaked pony digs through the snow searching for something and at last finds what she is looking for.
"At last... my chance to revenge on my father for casting me aside.", the mare said holding the horn of King Sombra.
"Ryubee's name has always floated around the point of suspicion on severe crimes from assassinations to illegal experimentation, but there was never any proof to link him.", Assassin explains. "There's a possibility he's secretly controlling the government and media, but what's worse is that the number of supporters grew starting with the Nightmare Moon incident where Celestia failed to protect the kingdom. He's an unbelievable monster comparable to Tirek."
Blade Dancer punches the wall in angers. "In other words he's nearly at the point to being nearly untouchable."
"But even if he did usurp the Royal Sisters an alicorn is needed to rule Equestria. Having a unicorn would upset the earth ponies and pegasus.", Kuwaga said.
"That's what the experiments are for.", Assassin said. "He's been trying to make an alicorn, although those are just rumors."
Suddenly Flash Fire bursts through the doors injured.
"Flash Fire what happened to you?!", Apple Tea asks helping the injured Pegasus.
"They've taken Flurry Heart and Shining Armor.", Flash Fire said weakly before falling unconscious.
"What?!", Assassin shouts running to Flurry's room.
"First we lost Canterlot and the princesses, then the Templar's betrayal, and now this! Is this kingdom cursed or something?!", Kabuto shouts in annoyance following Assassin along with the others.
An Automaton holds onto a crying Flurry Heart as Blood Stalk and two other artificial alicorns carry a vat containing Shining Armor. They all teleport to an island near Vanhoover.
Discord's Time
"Welcome to Discord's Time. I'm your host Discord the Lord of Chaos.", Discord said sitting on a couch wrapped with bandages due to the Monster Chrysalis attack. "Our guest in this chapter is... I don't even want to look at his face. Why this guy?!"
The camera turns to frail weak Tirek sitting on the guest chair.
"I'm Lord Tirek.", Tirek said introducing himself.
"You bastard...", Discord growls. "You've got some nerve coming here after what you did in Twilight's Kingdom!"
"Well, I'm a villain so have no choice on the matter.", Tirek said.
"Hey! Isn't that my bed robe?!", Discord asks in shock standing up. "Why're you wearing it? Take that off!"
"What're you doing?! Don't touch! Don't touch!", Tirek said pushing Discord away when Discord tries to take his bed robe back. "My legs are dirty, don't touch them!"
"What?!"
"I left my cloak behind in the stage theater so I need something to cover myself with.", Tirek said. "Besides I manipulated you into my hands and bested the princesses twice, until my defeat at the hands of Twilight Sparkle and her friends. Overall, I'm one of the best villains of this series."
"Oh, is that so?!", Discord said sitting back down. "So let me say this, in this fanfic series you were betrayed and have your powers stolen by a pony after defeating the Royal Sisters and your brother."
Tirek makes a shush signal.
"Don't shh me! You're the master of deception! How could you not see a pony betraying you?", Discord asks pointing to the TV showing Tirek laughing over the defeated Celestia, Luna and Scorpan when suddenly Dark Reaper drains Tirek of his magic turning him into his frail form. "How could you not see that coming?"
"To be honest, Reaper's and my brother's betrayal are the reason why I betrayed you. I can't take the chance of you betraying me.", Tirek answers. "Plus she was one who told me about Equestria and it's magic, warned me of my brother's betrayal and assisted me in defeating the Royal Sisters. To think she used to be a student of Starswirl."
"What became of her anyway?", Discord asks.
"After betraying me, she alters the sisters' and Scorpan's memories into thinking they defeated me and left Equestria in search for more power. I've heard rumors that she joined an organization and is working along side Gold Star.", Tirek explains.
"What? Who's that?!", Discord asks.
"One of the newest big bad in this fanfic series. I can't read that guy at all and he's the one who freed me and the other prisoners.", Tirek answers.
"What?! If that's true then he'll hurt Fluttershy!", Discord said. "This guy is a big threat! This is no time for us to fight!"
Tirek nods in agreement and the two shake hands. "We should join forces and defeat Gold Star!"
"Got it! You got a plan?", Discord asks.
"Yeah! Listen.", Tirek said. "Back then Gold Star have a habit of throwing tantrums when something goes wrong, but recently during the movie he seems to have a habit to dropping things when surprised."
"Just like this.", Tirek said dropping a dumbbell onto Discord's foot.
"That hurts! It hurts!", Discord screams clutching his foot. He then trips and falls onto the floor hard.
Author's Note
After seeing how Shining fare against the big bad villains in the show and the fact Cadance is a victim, I saw him somewhat similar to Anakin Skywalker (Star Wars) both failed to protect their loved ones, though in Shining's case more than once. Shining transformation into the Perfect Artificial Alicorn, is like Anakin becoming Vader, though Shining's is not permanent.
Certain OCs and MLP contents do not belong to me.
Assassin bursts into Flurry Heart's room and finds the whole place torn apart, mostly likely due to Flash Fire fighting off the abductors before being defeated.
"It's just one thing after another!", Assassin mutters as the others arrive. "Kabuto, lock down the entire city! No pony gets in or out! Kuwaga alert the entire guard! Blueblood will take charge of the empire for the time being."
"What about you?", Kuwaga asks.
"Me, Blade Dancer, and Geoffrey will search outside the empire. There is a good chance the abductors are no longer in the city.", Assassin said flying off with Blade Dancer to get Geoffrey. Blueberry Frost enters the room with more bad news.
"Big trouble! The professor is gone!", Blueberry Frost said in a panic.
"Oh, of all the...", Kabuto mutters heading out. "I told you to watch him!"
"Shut that brat up!", Blood Stalk shouts covering his ears trying to block out Flurry Heart's crying.
"How? I can't just smack an infant!", an artificial alicorn cries out.
"Oh, for Faust's sake!", Stalk shouts in annoyance placing his hoof on Flurry's forehead. The baby quiets down and falls fast asleep. "Use magic to give her a good dream. How's the patient?"
"He's ready.", Dark Reaper said coming out of the shadows. "But be warned where is no telling what will happen. He will either perish or become what we intend him to be."
"Gold Star have high hopes on this one for within Shining Armor is rage, hate, fear and despair.", Blood Stalk explains.
"I know that after all Chrysalis not only trapped his wife in some caves to rot, but she also abducted his wife and child during her second attempt. Sombra made him powerless forcing his wife to strain herself to near death. Tirek sent his de-powered wife to Tartarus. Finally a minion of the Storm King turned her to stone.", Dark Reaper said. "All of that happen, while he could do nothing but be helpless. Of course he could hate them."
"Actually it's not them he hates, but himself.", Blood Stalk corrects. "In his mind the death of his love ones at the hands of the enemy is like he himself killed them. He hates himself for being powerless. He hates himself for being useless. He sees himself no better than the very enemies that nearly took everything from him."
"An alicorn born from rage and despair, it is indeed something worth looking at.", Reaper said placing her hooves on Shining Armor's head. "Be warned that there is no telling what will happen. There is a possibility that he may even be beyond our control."
"Where am I?", Shining Armor asks himself climbing through think fog towards a large building. "Is that a mausoleum? Who's it for?"
Shining Armor reaches the front of the mausoleum and sees a glass coffin in the center of the room. Approaches the coffin and his entire body freezes upon who is inside it.
"No! No! Nnnnnooooo!", Shining Armor screams collapsing onto his knees breaking into tears. Inside the glass casket was the preserved body of Princess Cadance, his wife.
"This is all your fault!", a voice calls out behind Shining Armor. He turns an sees a younger version of himself giving him a murderous glare. "You could've saved them and because of you everyone is gone!"
"Everyone...?" Shining turns back to the casket and too his horror the numbers have increased. Inside are Twilight, Celestia, Luna, and so many more that Shining is unable to take it anymore.
"They died because of you! Not Chrysalis! Not Sombra! Not Tirek! But you!"
"If I was only stronger...", Shining cries. "None of this would've happened!"
"Why do you weep like a child?", a voice calls out as the younger Shining Armor fades away.
"Everypony died because of me! All, because I'm weak!"
"You are weak, because you did not embrace your resentment, hatred and anger on yourself. I can help with you gain the power you need. You'll become so powerful that you'll never lose anypony again."
"Who are you? How do you know so much about me?"
Black mist forms into a large black armored alicorn before Shining Armor.
"I know so much about you because...", the alicorn said removing his helmet. "I am you, but I no longer go by the name of Shining Armor. I am now Black Armor."
The shadows then swallows Shining Armor.
Blood Stalk watches with glee as Shining Armor body slowly grows larger.
"Yes, the transformation has begun!", Stalk said. "The Perfect Artificial Alicorn!"
Professor looks around hoping that no one is following him the then flees into the alley way.
"Found you!", the gothic mare said appearing in front of Shiro. "Time to die!"
"Please! Just let me see my family just once. Please!", Shiro begs.
"Sorry, but business is business.", the mare said pulling a glass bottle. "A perfect time to test this out."
She chugs the whole things down and screams in pain as her entire body transform. A horn pokes out of her forehead, while wings sprout from her back. Shiro couldn't believe his eyes. Ryubee successfully done it.
"Unfortunately this is only temporary as it'll last fifteen minutes, but that's more than enough time.", the mare said preparing to finish off Shiro, but gets blasted by Blueblood.
"How did you...?"
"I read address Assassin gave you, so I just simple guess which route you'll take.", Blueblood answers. Blueblood then looks at the gothic mare. "Is she an alicorn?"
"She's not a true alicorn. She'll only stay like that fifteen minutes.", Shiro said.
"In that case, I'll have to hold up until then.", Blueblood said. "Be warned, just because I'm royalty doesn't mean I don't know how to fight."
The gothic mare makes the first move and attack Blueblood by charging towards him. Blueblood simply steps aside resulting in the mare crashing to a wall. Just as she gets up Blueblood blasts her several time with his magic, though the attack only cause minor injuries.
"I'll have to cut off your horn first, before you cause anymore damage.", Blueblood said drawing his sword, but stops when the gothic mare teleport next to Shiro and holds him hostage.
"Looks like I hold the cards now.", the mare laughs.
"Stop it, you monster!", Shiro screams.
"How mean! You made me, didn't you?", the mare said tapping her head.
"What?!", Blueblood said.
"You've had so many delicious experiences at Faust too...", the mare said. "For example, didn't you erase that pony's memory?"
Blueblood looks at Shiro in shock at the news.
"I'll be taking the traitor!", the mare said, but before she could escape Kabuto rams her to the ground.
"Back for round two?", the mare asks.
"You're not besting me this time.", Kabuto said. "I don't give a damn if your an alicorn or not!"
The two starts their second battle, while Blueblood grabs Shiro in anger.
"Is this true?! You erased my memories? Which memories were they?! Tell me!", Blueblood demands.
"They were... the memories of your family.", Shiro answers hesitantly shocking Blueblood even further.
"My family..."
"His transformation is complete.", Dark Reaper said.
"Good, stage one of Operation Usurp is done.", Blood Stalk said.
"What's so special about this one?", Reaper asks. "What makes him so different compared to the others we used?"
"Well for starters his sister, wife and now child are all alicorns, but the main reason is that Shining Armor is the pony who has everything. And he'll do whatever it takes to protect it.", Stalk explains. "So tell me, what will happen should he lose them all?"
Dark Reaper nods knowing what Stalk means.
"Is the armor prepared?", Stalks asks.
"Yes, sir! The Super Advance Alicorn Armor is ready."
"The combined power of Shining Armor's magic and the advance technology of this armor will be unlike anything Equestria... no this world has ever seen."
"Why are we even fighting? We should be friends.", the gothic mare said fighting off Kabuto.
"Why should we? You're nothing more than a filthy terrorist!", Kabuto said. "You tried to assassinate Celestia!"
"But killing Celestia would've saved Equestria."
"What do you mean?"
"Tell me, who save us from Nightmare Moon?"
"Princess Twilight."
"Who saved us from Discord? Chrysalis? Sombra? Plunder Vines? Tirek? Pony of Shadows?"
"Princess Twilight."
"Then who is the guilty one? A cold hearted assassin simply doing what she is paid to do or a corrupt ruler, who sends a young innocent child to face off some of Equestria's greatest threats?", the mares asks.
"Well... um..."
"Did you also know that it was Celestia, who sent Discord to stop Tirek? Even though she wasn't sure about his loyalty?"
"What?!", Kabuto shouts in shock. "You mean this wasn't Discord's own doing?"
"Who knows? Perhaps she knew that Discord will betray them, just so that Twilight Sparkle could open the chest the Tree of Harmony gave.", the mare said. "What if all these events were manipulated by Celestia herself?"
"Take a look at this...", the mare said revealing a projection screen of Tempest Shadow attacking Canterlot.
"I can't... stop it!", Cadance cries out before turning to stone.
"Luna! Quick!", Celestia shouts to her sister. "Go south! Beyond the Badlands! Seek help from the Queen of the Hippo-"
Before she could finish Celestia too turned to stone.
"Did you see that? She saw what happened to Cadance, yet she allowed herself to be exposed to a broken horn unicorn can capture her, but that's not all.", the mare said continuing the film.
Luna flies off to escape, but gets turned into a statue as well. She would've shattered to pieces had it not been for Twilight.
"A rather dumb move for a wise princess.", the mare said waving the projection away. "The corrupt era of Celestia will come to an end and new princesses will rise up and take the throne."
"Are you trying to say Twilight is worthy enough?", Kabuto asks.
"Didn't her achievements already proved that?", the mare asks. "But it's not just that... There's rumors that the blood of Lauren Faust runs in Twilight Sparkle's veins, thus making her a reincarnation of her."
"There are others?"
"Yes, they are known as Alicorn Candidates.", the mare said. "The confirmed candidates so far are Sunset Shimmer, Starlight Glimmer, Trixie Lulamoon, Moon Dancer, Tempest Shadow, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Hera Templar. Mi Amore Cadenza was also one, but she proved to be a failure. And there are much more hiding among us."
The mare then walks up close to the stunned Kabuto.
"When the time comes who will you side with?", the mare asks. "The tyrants? Or the candidates?"
With that the mare flees leaving Kabuto alone.
"Who do I side with...?"
Discord's Time
"Welcome to Discord's Time. I'm your host Discord the Lord of Chaos.", Discord said sitting on a wheelchair with a cast on his leg and bandages on him. "Our guest for his chapter is... this guy."
The camera turns to a heavily armored alicorn donning a black cape.
"I'm Black Armor, soon to be Supreme Commander of the Grand Army of Equestria.", the alicorn introduce himself.
"So you're with that Faust organization.", Discord said. "Come to think of it, you sound just like that Shining Armor guy."
"That's because I am him. I've lost my wife, daughter, and sister and the kingdom I've sworn to protect is taken."
"Technically your wife is a statue, your sister is in some desert and your daughter is kidnapped.". Discord said.
"That's not making me feel any better.", Black Armor said. "When I get my hooves on that Storm King I'll make him suffer. Then Tirek. Then Chrysalis. Not Sombra, since he's dead until otherwise."
Discord got nervous. "Well you won't suspect me of any foul deeds."
The TV turns on revealing Discord's betrayal. Watching Shining Armor having his magic drained and the princesses sent to Tartarus.
"That's right! It's because of you my wife and aunts nearly rot in that forsaken place, my sister losing her home and nearly her life, and me losing my magic and treated like a loser!"
"Now, Shining. Let's not get carried away. I'm reformed and I agologize... What are you doing with those swords? Why did you lock the door? Why are you giving me that I'm going to kill you look? Why are you charging your horn to a blast rivaling a nuclear explosion?"
Discord's house explodes.