Alicorn Contingency

24 hours prior to the attack...

Princess Mi Amora Cadenza was rushing as a crystal pony in a black suit waited for her by the entrance to the room.

Cadence frantically squeezed into her dress "Shining!? Are you almost ready?!"

A shuffle came from the bathroom, a white unicorn that unmistakenly Shining Armor strolled out in his old military uniform.

Cadence smiled. "Looking good for a 327-year-old stallion." Cadence teased.

Shining Armor retaliated, "There has to be an old stallion to show the new ones how to be one." He quipped

Cadence looked back at the mirror as she began to brush her mane. "I'm forever grateful that we did manage to find a way to make you immortal too."

Shining Armor walked to his wife and planted a kiss on her cheek.

"Well, I couldn't just leave you and Flurry Heart with nothing to do now could I?"

Speaking of the devil herself Flurry Heart barged into the room "Mom? Dad?"

She walked past the guard by the door wearing her regalia.

Cadence smiled at her daughter, "You know it's rude to barge into other ponies rooms right?"

Flurry Heart rolled her eyes at the teasing.

"Do you know what you're doing sweetie?" Cadence turned to her as Shining Armor began to walk over to them.

Flurry Heart smiled and sat down on their bed. "Of course, the Empire will be just the way you left it when you return."

Shining Armor walked up to her and gave a playful grin.

"Remember, no summoning of evil tyrants," he teased.

Flurry Heart gasped and punched her dad playfully. "It was the one-time dad!" Shining hugged her and laughed heartily. "I'm a dad, it's my job to worry." Shining Armor said.

Cadence jumped between them pulling them together in a hug. "Oh leave her alone Shining, come pay more attention to me."

Flurry Heart made a face of disgust

"Gross! I'm out of here!" Flurry Heart dashed out of the room eliciting a chuckle from the guard.

"Nature will catch up eventually dear!" Cadence called.

The two shared a brief laugh after successfully flustering their daughter.

"Your majesties, are you ready?" The guard asked.

Shining Armor looked back at Cadence offering his hoof, "Ready?"

Cadence fixed her dress. "As I'll ever be." The two began to walk to the door as Cadence took his hoof.

The Guard lifted his hoof to his ear.

"Crystal and Crystal 6 are moving to the front."

Cadence and Shining Armor walked hoof in hoof out into the hall where more crystal guards awaited them and they formed a loose diamond around the couple as they walked to the front entrance.

Shining Armor opened the floor "It has been a while since I've seen Twily, we might have to stay a few days after the formalities."

Cadence smiled.

"That would give Flurry Heart plenty of practice running the Empire! Don't you think!?" Cadence beamed.

Well, we raised her so I know she can do it." Shining Armor replied with a peck on the cheek

Cadence looked back ahead, she was indeed proud of Flurry Heart. This would make a good test for her indeed.

Speaking of, they arrived at the staircase where she was waiting to wish them farewell.

A horn announced their presence and guards in formal uniforms stood at attention, all had rifles shouldered and the two at the end were holding the flag of the empire, and on the opposite side was the banner of the Royal Family. They walked downstairs and met at the bottom, as they met one of the royal advisors trot up to Flurry Heart in a sense of urgency.

Cadence knew that look well, it wasn't good.

She whispered something in her ear, her ears flattened to her head. Now Cadence had her interest peaked.

"Is something wrong?" Cadence inquired.

Flurry Heart and the advisor looked over and Flurry Heart smiled.

Flurry Heart smiled reassuringly "Oh, it's nothing. Just a small thing that happened in one of the Crystal foundries, nothing I can't handle." Cadence raised an eyebrow.

"Okay..." Cadence paused, "I trust you can put a lid on it then?"

Flurry Heart nodded with a gulp, "Yup," her nervousness showed.

Cadence smiled reassuringly, she let go of Shinings hoof and walked over to her. "Remember what I taught you and you'll do fine. What exactly is it?"

"Well it's..." Flurry Heart stopped biting her tongue. "I have it handled," The younger Alicorn said raising Cadences suspicions and she was about to press further when the guard spoke up.

"Your majesty, we're running behind schedule." The guard rudely interrupted.

Cadence turned her head like she wanted the wring his neck for a brief second to realize they were on a time crunch she looked back to Flurry Heart and smiled reassuringly.

"Well, alright then, but I expect a full report on this when I return." Cadence gave Flurry Heart homework.

Flurry Heart rolled her eyes annoyed that she was given an assignment. "Yes, mother."

Cadence smiled and brought Flurry into a hug. "I love you, sweetie,"

Flurry Heart hugged her back, "Love you too mom."

Cadence smiled went back to her husband and retook his hoof. Shining Armor seemed intrigued by the little talk that just happened, "What was that all about?" Cadence just smiled and took a relaxing breath. "I'm not too sure, but I'm sure Flurry has it handled."

Shining Armor looked a bit nervous "That's..." He paused choosing his words carefully, "Not very comforting." Cadence rested her other hoof on his to calm him down.

"Relax. This trip's for us lets just let the stress of the kingdom go away, and it will still be here when we return." Cadence reassured, it seemed to curb his worries for now.

The two exited the palace while a nervous Flurry Heart smiled like an idiot while dreading the inevitable.

With a sigh, she turned to the advisor. "How many went missing?"

"Eight units your majesty." The advisor replied. Flurry Hearts metaphorical jaw hit the floor

"E-Eight units?!" Flurry Heart stammered

The advisor stepped back with a nervous smile. "I just lied to my parents and told them it was not serious! How are eight units of Magical Fuel Cells not serious?!"

The advisor decided to tread lightly with this "I-" She started but was cut off. "Do you know what a single unit is? A single unit is roughly twelve pounds."

Flurry Heart stopped and recollected herself to conduct herself in a better manner, with a deep breath she spoke, "Get me everything you got on this right now."

"Right away, your majesty." The advisor took off to complete the task.

A brown maid pony with a green glow to her eyes darted down a hallway out of sight.

A line of 5 SUV's went down the street with flashing blue lights.

Police cars blocked streets with Crystal Police Officers stopping traffic to the train station.

In the third SUV Princess Cadence, and Shining Armor sat unknowing of the situation transpiring at the palace.

They sat holding hooves.

Cadence sat back in the seat letting the stress roll off of her

The ride wasn't long, they pulled into the train station to a gated off area where members of the press were waiting to take pictures and hoping for interviews.

Crystal Police Officers stood as a barrier to the press.

"Dismounting," the guard spoke.

The guard in the front seat disembarked and scanned the crowd for threats. Finding none he went back to the door and opened the door allowing Cadence and Shining Armor to exit.

The press immediately began to bark over each other, a few camera clicks and news cameras stayed on them as they moved into the train station. No interviews today.

The station was empty other than the Crystal soldiers patrolling the Royal train.

They were across the platform and onto the blacked-out train car that would be their quarters.

The brown mare from earlier descended the stairs into the basement of the palace.

She looked around nervously before rounding a corner to a boiler room.

The air was thick, the moment the mare entered the room she closed the door.

A flash of green revealed a Changeling.

The Changeling looked around the room "Where are you? I have urgent news."

"What kind of news?" A deep and somber voice deadpanned from the darkness.

"They found out about the missing units," the Changeling sounded panicked, "They may be onto us."

The darkness was silent for but a moment before it spoke again.

"Relax, by the time they realize where it went it will be too late." The Changeling just scoffed at this statement. "And if they find out?"

The being in question stepped from the darkness, a hooded figure with red glowing eyes stared the Changeling down making her shrink under it's scrutinizing gaze. "They won't if you know what is good for you."

With that the being disappeared into a shadow.

The Changeling stopped shaking as she heard the door click and quickly, she reverted back to her disguise.

A guard used a lighting spell and illuminated her.

"Hey. What are you doing down here?" The guard interrogated.

The mare grabbed a broom that was standing up against the door frame. "I was looking for a broom, figured somepony may have put one down here."

The Guard wasn't immediately convinced, "I heard some talking down here. Who else is with you?" The guard walked by her to check the room.

"Uh, nopony, I just talk to myself sometimes." The mare smiled delightfully.

The guard as you could have guessed found nothing. So the guard sighed and looked her in the eye. "Go back upstairs. Maids are not allowed down here." The guard commanded in a threatening tone.

The Changeling shrunk back with a nervous smile. "Yes, sir. Right away sir."

With that, she trots away and the guard fixed the sling for his rifle and shook his head. "The royal family really needs to stop hiring these looneys."

A few hours passed and the warehouses searched for the cells for hours on end. Flurry Heart and the advisor helping her could feel the lack of sleep catching up with them.

Flurry Heart looked disheartened that they haven't been found yet.

"Your majesty?" The advisor asked groggily.

Flurry Heart sighed with a yawn, she was exhausted. "Have the Royal Crystal Police open an investigation in the morning if we have any evidence, cooperate fully with them."

The Advisor smiled and exhaled in relief, "Right away your majesty."

Flurry Heart got up and stretched her limbs with yet another yawn. "You are dismissed Gemstone. Have a good night."

Gemstone, as she was known, yawned and smacked her lips.

"I do hope I can drive home okay." She said as she sleepily walked out of the room.

Flurry Heart exited the room heading towards her quarters as a couple of guards followed her there.

The office door was left open a crack and a mares shadow dashed to the door and into the room.

Train rides always left Cadence aching, probably the bumps in the aging rails.

The SUV rolled down the crowded streets of Canterlot. The city was a mess of traffic in the new era. Cadence and Shining Armor almost didn't recognize it anymore.

The lights remained off to blend in with the other traffic, being the only vehicle had its disadvantages.

The approach to Canterlot castle was blocked by a mix of Royal Guard trucks, and Canterlot Sheriff cars.

The SUV activated it's lighting and went to a Royal Guard Checkpoint and stopped when a Royal Guard came over to the window.

With his rifle slung he looked inside, The pony driving held a badge up to the window and the guard nodded. The vehicle pressed on as the guard rendered a salute.

The only traffic up here would be government traffic only. At least for tonight.

The drive to the castle gates was pretty uneventful.

The SUV then peeled off into an area that went underneath the castle.

A guard noticed them approaching. from his post at the entrance to the castle.

The Guard looked through his binoculars to read the license plate and compared it to what he had on file. "Crystal is here, open the gate!" The other guards opened the gate for them allowing access.

They then pulled into a parking area that was designated for them.

Upon parking, the passenger got out, performing his safety scan.

"Clear."

With that Cadence opened her door and Shining Armor and her exited from their respective sides.

The Royal Guard at the security checkpoint checked them off a list, then picked up the phone. "All Royals inside the building."

Everything seemed to relax as another pink Alicorn began her approach.

"Princess Cadence!"

Cadence beamed at the sight of Luster Dawn and her own guard detail, and galloped off towards her. The two met in a hug.

"It's been so long. How have you been?" Cadence asked with the same beaming smile never faltering.

Luster Dawn giggled and pulled away.

"I've been good, being the princess of friendship isn't that exciting though," Luster Dawn complained

Cadence giggled in turn. "That's what makes it easy, gives you more time for things. I'd give my hind leg for that position."

Luster Dawn smiled wider pulling her back into a hug, "It has been too long Cadence."

Shining Armor came up and smiled ruining the moment. "Okay ladies, come on, we have a meeting to get too."

Cadence just dismissed him with a wave of the hoof. "Screw the meeting, let's just spend all night with Dawny." Shining Armor quickly put a hoof to his chest and inhaled dramatically. Then he pointed his hoof at her with a playful smile. "Better not let Twily hear you say that." The group laughed for a few seconds before breaking it up.

One of Luster Dawns Guards looked at her watch, "Your majesties. The meeting is set to start in thirty minutes."

Cadence looked almost shocked, "We cut it really close it seems."

Luster Dawn, Cadence, and Shining Armor all began to walk together to the throne room their personal guards mixing in together.

"Crystal and Sunrise coming into the throne room as we speak,"

At the radio call, the Royal Guards created a path for the three to walk.

The throne room was decorated with plenty of seating for members of Parliament, and the Royalty had reserved seats at the front. They got to their seats and sat down. Cadence and Luster Dawn sat talking to each other and members of the nobility and parliament.

Shining Armor sat listening in on the conversation but his thoughts were elsewhere. He just couldn't shake the feeling of something suspicious.