Alicorn Contingency

The only thing Cadence remembered was seeing the blue flash, upon laying eyes on it, it was obvious what it was. The next thing that happened was Shining Armor yelling to get down.

Cadence hit the floor as Shining jumped over the top of her. The blast was deafening, there were screams for but a second before they were snuffed out cold and darkness filled her vision.

Cadence opened her eyes and groaned, eliciting a cough, dust came out of her mouth and she spat out a few stones.

Moving was near impossible with the weight resting on top of her.

Wait, wasn't it was Shining Armor on top of her? She looked up to see Shining Armor covered in concrete dust with eyes wide open. "Shining?"

She brought her hoof up and nudged him, his hoof fell limp as the life that was in his eyes was gone. Cadence suddenly felt tears well in her eyes.

"Shiny?!" She cried out his name in a weak emotional agony, she couldn't tell what were tears and what was blood anymore as she lay there with her dead lover staring at her. Those eyes she once loved now haunted her as they billowed into her soul.

"Shiny, please..." It didn't take long for her to break. She allowed her head to rest on the dusty and scratched floor. The tears began to flow freely. 'Why am I still alive? Why didn't it take me too?' Cadence thought as tears trickled from her snout.

She noticed a column on top of Shining Armor that was going over his back. She attempted to charge up her horn but her injuries proved too draining even attempt magic.

A slight movement caused a jolt of pain in her flank, she could feel the bone prod at her muscle in her leg.

She couldn't do anything, she was helpless.

"Help..." Cadence called but very weak.

"Somepony help!" She cried, her voice echoed through the carnage this time.
However, no response came.

She was alone, with nothing but the eyes of her dead husband staring at her. Cadence could tell she was under a pile of what used to be walls and ceiling. Maybe Faust herself would cut off the oxygen flow in here and just allow her to die.

She lay there letting the tears fall to the porcelain floor, haunted by her dead husband's eyes staring at her

Fire Engines, police cars, and even some Royal Guard MP vehicles. Purple lights were flashing all around.

As fire ponies pulled their hoses and shouted commands to one another, a black SUV pulled up to the command tent. Out of the passenger seat, a unicorn stepped from one of the vehicles his hooves made a heavy clop on the pavement. He had a black coat, with a black and white mane, and he wore a vest that had the agency he worked for on it. S.M.I.L.E.

He trots past police officers, fire chiefs, and everypony else on his way into the command post.

Upon arriving a few Royal Guards glanced up at him but quickly went back to their tasks.

A bloodied and bandaged and very angry looking Royal Guard Captain was barking orders when he noticed the stallion approaching.

"Agent Black, you made it." Kylo extended a hoof

The stallion known as Agent Black walked up with a shake of a hoof.

"Captain Kylo." Black replyed.

Kylo nodded and made a motion with his hoof to follow him.

"Situation still isn't looking very good sir, got multiple casualties, that is including-" Kylo cut himself short on the sentence.

They exited the tent to the outside getting a good look at the castle as a burning spire collapsed into the valley below it.

"Please don't finish that sentence with what I think you are gonna say," Black said with a horrified expression.

Kylo closed his eyes and motioned to the white sheet to his right by the medical tents.

A Guard combat medic removed the sheet to reveal Twilight Sparkle herself. Or what was left of her, you could still see her face and tell it was her but her body was covered in burns and her eyes were partly squinted indicating she passed very recently.

"We did what we could but in the end, there wasn't anything we could do." Kylo lowered his head.

Black closed his eyes, he was hoping this was some horrible dream Luna would wake him up from soon.

"What of the other princesses?" Black asked almost regretting the answer.

Kylo looked up, "Still unaccounted for, but chances are they didn't make it either."

Black breathed a sigh of relief, there was still a chance.

Kylo began to walk towards the wreckage being followed by Agent Black, "We initiated Alicorn Contingency thirty minutes ago. I just hope we're not too late."

Black took a deep breath. "And this is where I come in. What do we know so far?"

Kylo and Black began to walk back into the tent.

Kylo walked keeping pace with Black, "so far, we know the device was teleported in via magical spell, most likely a unicorn, or a changeling."

The gears began to turn in Blacks' head.

"That's not to say anypony couldn't force somepony to do the spell." Black pointed out getting an agreeing nod from Kylo. Black thought a bit more though.

"Send word to every town and city with a library, I want the names of anypony who drew out a book containing teleportation magic." Black walked to the table in the center with a communications pony at a radio.

"That's a very large pool of ponies. If it is a pony." Kylo pointed out.

"Maybe so, but it's a start." Black began and continued his rant, "However teleportation magic is very difficult, it requires years of practice to get it right. You have to know exactly where you want to go or whatever object you're moving is going, which means our culprit has been in the castle before. I also want the entry log for anypony who has had access to the castle in the past five years."

Kylo gave him a look, "Again, that's a huge list."

Black held his hoof up with a smug look. "And then we narrow it down when and if any of the names we get from the library search matches our entry roster." Black raised his hoof to his chin in thought again, "Include a list of castle staff as well."

Kylo rolled his eyes with a smug look of his own, "Anything else?"

Black shook his head. "We can't do much else until we can get in the castle and search the rubble."

The two walked looked out the entrance to the tent at the burning castle crumbling in on itself. "I don't care what you have to do as long as you get the bucker that did this." Kylo stared at the burning castle fire of its own burning in his heart.

Black nodded and looked back at the castle, "All of Equestria will be seething with rage by morning. I hope Princess Celestia enjoyed her retirement, cause shits about to get messy."

The helicopter ride was bumpy, but Celestia informed Luna of what was happening in flight.

Luna seethed in rage, as her hooves dug into the floor of the helicopter.

Ponyville was in view now, and smoke could still be seen from here. A spire fell off the mountain into the valley below.

Sweet Apple Acres looked the same, the trees rustled in the wind as the helicopter flew over, and so did most of the town, besides the addition of paved roads, and some new buildings here and there.

"Your Majesties?!"

Celestia turned her attention to the helicopter crewpony, that called out to them

"We are touch down in three minutes! Mayor Cinnamon Mare is awaiting your arrival!" The crewpony shouted over the engine.

Celestia nodded in understanding. "Thank you!"

"Friendship tower this is Spitfire 01 landing at the emergency platform, we have VIPs on board."

"Lima Charlie Spitfire 01 pad is clear and entourage is standing by."

The helicopter came in for a landing on the tree castles addition.

Celestia and Luna were jolted by the helicopter landing on the pad.

The crewpony opened the sliding door allowing Celestia and Luna to exit onto the platform.

A Royal Guard detail in full combat gear was quick to get to them and form a diamond formation around them and quickly began ushering them inside.

Looking around Celestia could see snipers on the platform, as well as on various balconies of the castle itself.

The general approached them with the mayor flanked by two mares each with a pillow, each also had a crown on it, one that looked similar to Celestia's old crown, and one that looked similar to Luna's old crown.

Celestia could see what was happening, Luna could as well and they were dreading it.

"Your majesties, we really must hurry this along before Equestria descends into further chaos."

Celestia began to read the situation in the hallway. Ponies were scrambling all around, the castle was repurposed in a matter of the last hour as military, and government staff alike moved equipment, computers, and set up emergency centers as Canterlot was out of commission.

"I couldn't agree more," Celestia replied mustering her strength for a long night.

Luna craned up to Celestia and whispered in her ear, "Is this really happening?"

Celestia whispered into her ear respectively.

"I really hope you aren't giving me nightmares," Celestia deadpanned.

Luna and Celestia looked at each other for a moment reading confusion on both of them.

"Well then without further ado we must make this a hasty coronation." Mayor ushered to her advisor.

"Here you go, madam mayor." The mare responded fumbling over the book which the young earth pony mare flipped open to the needed page. It took a while to find the page she needed until she ushered the mares forward with the crowns.

Cinnamon cleared her throat before reading.

"By the power vested in me under royal degree 1784.6 (b), I hereby enact Alicorn Contingency, transferring control of the Equestrian government to Celestia, and Luna, as the Monarchs of Equestria."

Celestia and Luna took deep breaths, lowering their heads to the presenters.

The two mares still looked shell shocked from the face they were making while levitating the crowns onto the heads of the two sisters.

Magic surged through them both signaling control over the sun and the moon to each of them.

Celestia and Luna could feel the weight of old regalia around their necks.

When it was all over they were restored to their old appearance.

Celestia and luna raised their heads.

"Escort the Mayor and her staff off-premises."

"Yes, sir!"

The guard signaled for the mayor and her staff to start moving which they did. With extreme haste.

"Your majesty, we need to get you to the map room. We set up a temporary command center there."

Celestia nodded and flared her wings. It was time to go to work.

Luna took to the air, "Very well then. Sister, I will go to Canterlot and do what I can there."

"Be careful Luna," Celestia spoke in concern.

Luna turned to go and was flanked by a group of what seemed like bat ponies in full black combat gear.

Zapper began to sputter as Celestia moved to calm him.

"General, my sister will handle the hooves on portion in Canterlot. I will stay here and handle the political nightmare as we have always done." Celestia reassured the stallion.

"Very well, your highness. If you trust her to be safe then I trust your judgment." General Zapper replied.

Celestia walked around him with her wings still flared.

The General turned to follow, he was gonna lead the way but he was feeling way more confident in this now.

The castles' throne room was buzzing with activity. Military and civilian staff were arguing about what to do when Celestia opened the door. All activity stopped, Celestia flared her wings, it seems these old tactics didn't fail her.

Celestia looked to the General who took his place at the table.

Celestia had a seat as the staff slowly went back to work.

Celestia searched her brain for the words to say, centuries of rule having been long forgotten.

The staff still argued at the table.

"Everypony please," Celestia spoke but was ignored so she chose a louder option.

"Silence!" Celestia called in the Royal Canterlot Voice.

The room fell silent as a few ponies were now uncovering their ears. They all turned to her with their full attention.

'That's more like it,' Celestia thought and she stood from her seat flaring her wings, and they all looked at her with awe.

"Give me an update, whatever is most pressing at the moment," Celestia spoke with her chin high, and gaze moving to each pony.

A pony with a light grey coat, and black mane in what Celestia recognized as a Wonderbolt uniform.

"Your majesty I have a list of current enemies of ours that may have perpetrated this attack," Celestia nodded as a red pony in a suit stood up making eye contact.

"Your majesty, I am Red Garnet, Royal Defense Director, I'm in charge of all defense-oriented subjects," The pony Celestia could now tell was a Pegasus.

"I thought that job went to the General of my Royal Guard," Celestia raised an eyebrow.

Ponies in the room all looked at each other and back to Celestia.

"Your majesty? We may need to catch you up on current events, with all due respect."

"I beg your pardon?" Celestia looked to General Zapper.

"Times have changed quite a lot since you ruled, your highness." General Zapper stood up.

Celestia nodded in understanding as she sat down again.

"Be that as it may, it may have been a long time since I ruled however before that I served as monarch for well over a thousand years." Celestia looked around the room as she spoke. "This era may be different but eras change a lot over one thousand years. I'll do this as I did it during my time."

General Zapper looked her in the eye as she spoke her next words.

"General, Defense Secretary. I give you the discretion to investigate these findings in any way you see fit, anything major goes through me." Celestia finished.

The staff looked at each other before the defense secretary spoke first.

"Your highness, I request permission to close off the border as well," Defense Secretary Red Garnet asked as another pony in a grey suit stood up.

"We can't do that" She argued.

"I agree! If we close the border much-needed trade won't be able to cross!"

"Trade will be the least of our concerns if the enemy continues to flood in!"

Celestia stood up flaring her wings.

Everyone silenced themselves.

"Bickering won't solve anything dear ponies," Celestia said.

Celestia could tell this was going to be a long night.

While Celestia was dealing with the ministry staff, Luna was flying herself with a squad of Shadowbolts at her rear.

All of them had bat wings and wore an all-black uniform with all-black combat gear, including a mask to hide their identities.

On the approach to Canterlot, a Shadowbolt lifted his hoof to his helmet.

"Your majesty, stop!" He warned.

Luna stopped and looked back at the pony in all black.

"What is it, Sergeant?" Luna scowled at being held up once again.

"Communicating with the ground your majesty, they have weapons pointed at us as we speak," The pony informed as he lifted his hoof to his helmet.

"Ground control hold your fire, Shadow 3-1 actual, escorting Nightmare to ground zero, over."

The pony was silent for a moment as the group flapped their wings in place.

The pony looked up and to Luna.

"We're clear, your majesty," the pony replied.

Luna smiled, "Let us make haste then my knights in shadowy armor!" The Shadow bolts all let out a "Soldiers of the night!" in unison following her closely.

Luna flew to the gateway to the castle where a military police checkpoint was established.

A Royal Guard in a black MP vest stood guard with a gun truck to protect him.

Luna trots forward and they stepped aside, rendering a proper salute as the Shadowbolts formed a tight perimeter around her.

Firefighters, even healers stopped what they were doing seeing one of the princesses themselves here.

A police pony by his car stepped aside allowing them to pass into the command center.

Luna pushed the tent open with her magic and walked in.

Most activities stopped slowly as workers noticed her walking in.

"Make finding survivors the highest priority, specifically Princess Dawn, and Cadence." Kylo gave out more marching orders.

A Rescue Pony nodded, "Yes, sir." The pony said leaving Kylo to continue to nurse his wounds.

Luna startled the old stallion as she approached. "I hope you were planning on greeting me, Captain."

Kylo startled and turned, and a smile lit his face for the first time since the incident.

"I would have if I'd known you were coming, your majesty." Kylo bowed down in respect until Luna coaxed him to rise.

"It has been a long time Captain," Luna remarked.

"That it has been, although I wish it was under better circumstances," Kylo replied.

Luna nodded with a frown, "I wish it were too."

Luna paused looking at the chalkboard they had set up with pictures of those in attendance.

She locked in specifically on the three pictures at the top of the board, the first being a picture of Shining Armor, then Cadence, then Luster Dawn, there was another picture with a red X over the picture it was that of Twilight Sparkle. Luna rested her hoof over the picture.

Luna looked at Twilight smiling back at her with an image of her throne behind her as Kylo got closer.

"Would you like to see her ma'am?" Kylo said.

Luna looked at him, peeling her eyes away from Twilight Sparkle. Kylos expression wasn't any better than hers.

Luna nodded signing for him to lead the way. They went outside and over to the medical area where the sheet she lay under was.

Luna steeled herself for the inevitable. When the medic flipped that sheet Luna fought not to let a teardrop fall.

The medic covered Twilight back up and Kylo turned towards her.

"I really hope I'm wrong when I say this but there's reason to believe the others are also dead." Kylo met Lunas' gaze. Luna shook her head steeling her thoughts, there was gonna be no crying here today.

Luna thought silently for a moment. "Let us get this taken care of."

Luna turned and began to walk towards the castle.

The Shadowbolts looked at each other, "Your majesty?" Luna responded by turning back.

"What are we waiting for? It's all hooves on deck." Luna said.

Kylo immediately smiled.

"Come forth my knights in shadowy armor," Luna looked around seeing a police cruiser sitting on the walkway into the castle.

She walked towards the car and opened the door grabbing the megaphone speaker in her magical field.

"Attention! Everypony! May I have your attention!?" Luna announced into the megaphone.

Fire Ponies, Rescue Ponies, and other responders that were fighting the fires and sifting through rubble looked up to see the Lunar Princess flew up and landed onto the roof of the police car.

"Everypony listen." Luna took a breath and looked over the carnage.

"I know the night has been rough on us all, whether you knew somepony in attendance, or having already lost them."

The responders began to gather around her and the police pony who owned the car returned cringing at the hoof marks she was leaving in the roof.

"Having served the night since the founding of Equestria, I know what nightmares it can hold. The evil that hides in its darkness. I've seen and experienced all of it. I stood tall against it for a thousand years."

The ponies all looked on, the fire ponies had stopped flowing water on the small blazes that cooked in small areas, the Police Ponies looked onto her, as did Royal Guards around them.

"But make no mistake my little ponies, we've stood tall against threats of all magnitudes," Luna spoke as she realized she had news cameras on her as well.

"It would seem I speak to all of Equestria when I say this, we will not run, we will not cower in the face of this threat. Twilight Sparkle founded the ideas of friendship in our hearts, two hundred years ago she defeated the villains of old through the power of combined friendship, we will persevere as we always have."

The ponies looked left and right to each other with smiles spreading to each of them.

"With Friendship in our hearts and determination in our bones, we will remain one under a single banner!" Luna proclaimed thrusting a glowing sword she conjured into the air.

The crews chattered in agreement before Luna got back to the microphone.

"Now let us go see if we can send our beloved ponies home."

The crews got back to work, they seemed to do so with renewed spirits. Luna stepped from the roof of the car meeting the police pony at the door.

"Thank you officer," Luna handed him the microphone.

"That was a beautiful speech, your highness," the officer took the mouthpiece.

Luna left the officer with the mic in his hoof.

The officer then leaned onto the car, "I hope they put you in a museum after all that." The officer spoke to the car, of course, it didn't reply.

Luna and the Shadowbolts spent the next hours helping the rescue crews lift rubble and sift through looking for survivors.

It was hours of tedious work. Work Luna hadn't done in a long time.

They collectively decided to take a break and went back to the command tent.

Luna was now covered in dust and debris so were the Shadowbolts. When they returned they were met by fire ponies and Ponymedics.

"Water, your majesty?" One of the firefighters offered Luna a bottle of water.

Luna smiled and took it gratefully. "Thank you." Luna cracked the seal and took a swig of the bottle.

"Hey! We got a survivor over here!" A Rescue Pony called out to the crowd.

Luna, and the Shadowbolts all shared looks with each other before jumping up and running towards the castle.

Firefighters, and a Search and Rescue pony all pushed the piece of concrete over revealing a brown Earth Pony with a blue and white striped mane. The suit she had been wearing earlier had been torn to shreds, and the dress was torn completely off.

"I need a medic!" One of the firefighters called out.

Luna and the Shadowbolts arrived on-site as a few unicorns pushed their way to the patient.

The first one, an EMS Chief denoted by the white shirt, a mare with a dark blue and light blue mane, and a grey coat.

She reached down and used a spell in her horn to check her life force.

"She's alive but she needs medical attention stat!"

Another Unicorn stallion wearing a black shirt, his black and white coat matched his mane and took a medical collar and fixed it around the ponies neck.

"Everypony move back, we need space!" The Chief pony called.

Kylo was running up as she said this and immediately realized who it was. "It's Chief Advisor Ink Blossom."

The chief nodded flipping open a notepad writing her name down in the pad.

"She's ready to move chief." The ponymedic strapped her into the stokes basket.

The chief nodded and directed them to take her to Canterlot Royal Medical Center.

Luna looked to the sky noticing the time on the clock tower as it struck 6 am.

She looked to her Shadowbolt guards they all looked drained and taxed.

"Sergeant?"

The squad looked to her snapping to attention.

"Who has a camera?" Luna asked.

The sergeant pulled out his phone and looked at her.

"It's six o'clock. Take a photo for me?" Luna was fighting the fatigue herself now.

The squad leader nodded and smiled through his fatigue.

"Let's go lower the moon." Luna turned and walked away towards the throne room

"Yes, ma'am." The Shadowbolt followed her closely.

The area where the throne room used to be was reduced to nothing but rubble and ash.

Luna walked over the concrete and marble of the castle until she reached the throne pedestal which was still intact despite the rest of the castle. being obliterated with the exception of the administration wing of the castle, and the residence of course.

Luna looked back at the Shadowbolts that gathered around as the Squad leader aimed his camera at Luna as she climbed the pedestal.

This was Luna's cue to lower the moon.

She charged magic to her horn and recited the Lunar incantation that Luna memorized oh so long ago.

The Squad Leader watched as the moon went down, and he snapped the picture, a few pictures actually.

A crowd began to gather as the moon lowered over the horizon signifying the end to a dreadful night.