Canterlot, Capitol of the Equestrian Emprie
Saturday, June 21st, 12 ANR
A large crowd is present outside the gates of Canterlot. With thousands of ponies and other races being packed together as they await their turn to enter the fabulous capitol city. Pegassi floating above the crowd to get room to breathe, Guards all over the walls to make sure nobody climbs or flies in without permission, and trains coming in, depositing more bodies to gather at the gates. I myself. Wait in with the crowd. Having arrived early in the day to get ahead of the rush. But still not early enough as to have a large enough crowd so the guards would perhaps overlook me and my bag. Though as i look nothing like the other races here. of course i will attract some attention. Being an odd hybrid comes with that.
"Alright your good to go. NEXT!" one of the dozens of guards at the gate yells out. Having the griffin in front of me walk up to him as i take his previous spot. Glad to finally have some chest room. But still nervous about being so close to the guards. One wrong look and my plans will be foiled. Non ponies dont get in so easily..
"Here's my ticket. And im just taking this bag in with me." The griffin states while putting a small sack onto the inspection table. To which the guard begins rummaging through haphazardly.
"Hey whats this!" the guard yells out as he pulls out a pack of juggling knives. Glaring back at the griffin.
"Just some juggling knives. Im going to preform at a bar while im here."
"Yeah no your not. Denied." The guard says as he stamps the ticket with a 'denied' in big red letters.
"What! You cant! I need to do this performance!" The griffin begs to the guard who simply takes the bag.
"Since you carried a weapon in here you'll be detained and your belongings will be confiscated."
"You cant do that!" The distressed griffin yells out as he tries to grab his bag, Only to be tackled by a nearby guard and put in hoof-cuffs and lead away. As the griffin yells out profanities and pleas.
The crowd, however did not care. With maybe a few looking over with mild annoyance. As this is a common occurrence.
"Next!" The guard yells. I step up, putting my bag nonchalantly on the table and giving my ticket.
"just here to see the festival for the first time." I answer with a half truth. The guard rummages through my bag before pulling out some wooden pieces and metal parts.
"Whats this?" He asks, looking at one that appears to be a bolt from a door lock, but much larger.
"Just some parts for a friend. Hes letting me stay at his place and mentioned he needed a new bolt lock and some odds and ends looked at."
The guard looks at my blank expression before dumping my things back in the bag. and grabbing the 'denied' Stamp. My heart pounding as i watch in slow motion a year of planning ruined. Before the guard is stopped by another.
"Hey dont forget we still have a quota of non ponies to let through. Directly from the noble council remember?" The second guard reminds the first. Which causes him to nod and grab the 'approved' stamp, stamp my ticket, and give it back.
"Dont get into any trouble... Whatever you are.."
"I will try not to. Thank you." I say calmly, as opposed to my racing mind. Mentally thanking that guard for intervening so timely. And picking up my bag to walk into the city. Taking my time to look around as the festival does not begin for another few hours.
'i think i got some time to shop, Probably gonna be the last time to shop here. No doubt non ponies will be let in after today.' I think to myself as i pick out my bit bag and count my small amount of spending money. Putting it back in my bag to avoid having any pickpockets get a chance.
Walking down the crowded street and taking a few turns onto less congested side paths. Searching for smaller shops that dont charge ten times whatever the product would normally be sold for. As well as a shop that will allow a non pony to dine in.
'Should've gotten a bite before coming here. Doubt they have any meat or fish here. Ill settle for stale bread at this rate though' I think as my stomach rumbles lowly. Causing a few ponies around me to take a few steps away. Slowly as if i wont notice. Always happens. Sometimes i wish i could give them a piece of my mind. Such closed mindedness. 'But i learned last time not to speak up against a rude pony. Stupid 'harassment' laws. Never works in our favor.'
My thoughts are interrupted as my nose picks up the smell of a bakery nearby. Following the scent towards a small bakery in between houses and market stalls set up. Selling whatever to visitors. I quickly disregard any merchants attempts to get my attention as i head straight into the bakery. Seeing no sign saying i cant go in, and seeing how its mostly empty besides an elderly pony having a biscuit and tea in the corner, I walk up to the counter and look at the menu as i wait for the cashier/baker or owner to show up.
"Just a second." A female voice sounds from the presumed kitchen. I look over to see a slightly round, cream colored mare with a bread and cake cutie mark walk though the door to the counter. "What is it i can get you mister?" The mare, no older than seventeen asks me.
"Just some bread and butter. and a small bag of green tea if you have that still." I ask. Still intrigued as to why this pony hasnt reacted in the way i thought. Perhaps she is simply not caring who i am as long as i buy things.
"Alright, will that by rye, wheat, or sourdough bread? And sliced or not?"
"Oh wow, so many options. Where im from your lucky to get two pieces of bread that taste the same." I half joke, which causes the mare to chuckle.
"Charmer you are. By the way, what are you? Never seen a dragon that looks like you." She asks.
"Wheat bread please. And im a hybrid. Dont ask of what. I honestly think my mother just went to an orgy."
The mare stifles a laughter as she bags some green tea leaves from a few pots behind her. "Funny, Whats your name? Mines Creamy Cake."
"Just call me Damas." I state, Thinking whether even that shortened version is too much information. Grabbing the tea bag as the mare goes back into the kitchen and comes back with two loaves of brown wheat bread.
"Lucky you damas, I just baked these two. Hope you enjoy them. I baked them myself." She says as she puts the bread into a paper bag and puts a small pot of butter in with them.
"Why, arent i lucky." I smile. 'Shes pretty cute.' I think to myself before a loud yell is heard from the kitchen.
"Creamy! What did i tell you about letting non ponies in!" A large, Overweight stallion walks in as i hand creamy half of my bits.
"Why does it matter dad! Hes buying from us!" Creamy turns around to yell at her father.
"I Dont care! Get out! We dont want your kind here! Filthy half breed!" He throws a dirty dish towel at me, Causing me to back up and turn around to quickly walk out.
"Fine im leaving im leaving. Good luck dealing with the lard ball creamy." I joke out as i leave the store. Walking off with the sound of heavy swearing and yells behind me. Putting a smirk on my face.
'Heh, never gets old.. Now to find a place to eat.' I think to myself as i continue wandering through the streets. Spotting glimpses of my eventual destination in the distance. I find myself entering a small park area. With a running fountain and benches with planted trimmed trees and bushes in a square shape. Seeing only one bench open, The others occupied by couples, Families, or a sleeping person. I power walk over to claim the seat as mine. Resting my rump on it and digging into the paper bag to pull out a loaf of bread. And cutting it open, spreading butter all over the insides while its still warm.
'Better leave that to melt, now the tea.' I mentally say while grabbing a black teapot from my bag, and walking over to a small fountain. Scooping up some water and sitting back down. Then i begin to breathe my green fire onto the bottom. At a slow constant rate until i hear the telltale sign of boiling water in a teapot. And put the tea leaf bag into the pot. Letting it boil into tea.
Taking a bite of the bread, I look up at the stars. And attempt to find the three constellations i remember from a book. Before taking another bite of buttered bread. Savoring the delicious taste of well made butter on perfect bread. 'Surprised that place isn't booming with business from how good this bread n butter is.'
Pouring myself a cup of the tea, i take a sip. Enjoying the moderate quiet, with the silence only being interrupted by the constant noise and chatter from the main avenues in the distance. Finishing my loaf of bread and drinking more of the tea before seeing the clock tower strike the next hour. Seeing i only have half an hour left before i need to get into position. I Drink the rest of my tea, and eat the last loaf of bread n butter. Wishing i had the time to savor the taste of this as well.
Getting up, Picking up my bag, emptying my teapot into a nearby trash can and spreading my wings before remembering Canterlot has strict 'flying is for guards only' Laws. And putting my wings back against my sides. Grumbling as i wish to spread my wings just to get to the spot faster. But i resign myself with power walking the way. Quickly brushing past ponies and other species as celebrations and chants of 'happy Summer Sun celebration' all around. Before turning onto an empty alleyway. Following the map of Canterlot i had used to plan the route a thousand times over. Not noticing the two ponies walk up behind me in the alley. Until I look up to see two others blocking the alley in front of me.
"Hey we got ourselves a Lizard." The young, well dressed and groomed stallion states. I quickly assume their lesser nobles sons.
"yeah thats me. Can you move?" I ask semi politely. Semi nervously as i spot one of the unicorns holding a bat in his magic, and the other a dagger.
"Nah, Not until you pay a toll for using our turf." The insufferable and presumably leader states. Pointing his dagger at me.
"Yeah, pay up or well make you." A mare, behind me shouts out. Holding her own bat while the unicorn next to her carries two daggers.
"Look i dont want any trouble.." I say honestly. 'I dont have time for this. I need to get to the tower now.' I think to myself while keeping my distance from the other two.
"Yeah you dont. So pay up, we'll take whatever you got in that bag." The stallion points to my bag. As the two other stallions take a step closer.
'Fuck.. Gonna have to use one of my smokes..' I think while grabbing a small orb from a hidden pocket in my bag, and tossing it on the ground. Breaking it, and causing a large puff of black smoke to erupt form it. Covering the entire alley in it. Making the group cough heavily as i hold my breath and dash past them. Purposefully knocking over the two while i bolt down the alleyway. Bursting out of the cloud of smoke and continuing to run till im a block away from the building i need to be at.
'I think i lost them.. Dam had to use one of my smoke bombs. Now i only got two in case i need em.. Too late to regret using it now, Might as well get ready.' I surmise to myself while climbing into the second floor window of the abandoned tower. Carefully looking around making sure nobody sees me as i pry open the boards on the windows and slip in. Climbing the rickety and particularly rotted stairs to the top. Checking the windows of the attic area before silently opening the one that has a perfect view of the city square. Which is cordoned off for the main event of the summer sun celebration.
'Perfect.. Now to get ready.' i think while i pulling out the metal pieces and wooden object from my bag. and carefully assembling them. Making sure all the pieces are in the right position with no dirt or grime on them to ensure it works perfectly. Sliding the bolt back and sliding in some brass shells with pointed tips into the internal compartment with a spring to push the brass casing into the chamber once the previous is ejected. I then pick up a telescope like object and screw it into the slot made for it on the wooden casing. Taking great care to make sure its level and perfectly in line with the metal barrel.
'Perfect.. rifles built and loaded, now to adjust the scope.' I think while mentally checking off those two boxes, and lay the rifle on the windowsill. Pointed towards the town square and slowly adjusting the wheels and dials on the scope till its perfect.
'And now i wait..'
10 Minutes later
The clang of the clock tower brings me out of my imagination towards the square. Looking through my scope to spot the stage, and large seating area for the nobles. And the massive area in front of the stage filled to the brim with ponies and the lucky non pony. All waiting to see their princess exit onto the stage to raise the sun before them. I then frown as i notice all nobleponies begin filing into their seats, and spotting one in particular. The target. A white coated bastard with a monocle and blond hair. Celestia's 'Nephew' and royal governor of the Draconian province. The bastard brought me here from what he did so many years ago.
The flat out unfair laws passed to force dragons and hybrids to work in his gem mines to fuel the depravity of the nobles. And probably lying to Celestia through his teeth about it. I dont blame Celestia. Far from it. She seems like a good pony who'd probably lead this empire well if she were really in charge. But shes nothing but a figurehead at this point. With those greedy nobles pulling the strings of their royal puppet. The Crowd falls into a silence as the white princess herself walks out. Followed by her purple unicorn student who takes her own seat in the noble crowd with her parents.
My claw moves from the finger guard to the trigger. My aim going towards Blueblood. The man who symbolizes everything wrong in this empire. As Celestia begins her usual speech about equality and friendship. The crowd watching in awe at the beauty of their princess. I wait.. Wait for the perfect moment. And just as planned, The flags and banners stop waving. The wind halts as a magic barrier is raised over Canterlot to allow perfect silence for the moment. My opportunity shows itself. And i find myself smiling as i close one eye. Look through the glass and point the cross hair just over the smug bastards skull...
And i pull the Trigger..
*Crack*
Author's Note
Hey guys hope you like this oneshot. Thought about making a one shot for a while as i definetly dont have a good record at finishing long stories. So here, enjoy.
Please put any spelling/grammer mistakes in the comments below. And tell me if you enjoy the story or not, and if not, why so i can improve my writing.
