The long awaited day had arrived. It would be a time of great celebration where anypony who was somepony would attend. It was an event where the nobility would come together to discuss their plans for the foreseeable future on matters of finance and politics with a little political mudslinging on the side. Such ponies were always clawing at each other to get into Celestia’s good graces.

Back in Ponyville, a certain group of mares were making their preparations for the celebration. At the same time Sophia had an ominous premonition that tonight would be the night that Equestria would be changed forever, especially if their movements were anything to go on. Because of this she had given Nova and Tosh their suits and weapons to make sure they were well prepared for what was to come. The two of them would be brought on to add much needed security for the guests and hosts.

Over the course of the year, Twilight’s friends had changed their minds about their stances about going to the Grand Galloping Gala. Apparently Rarity had somepony she needed to meet there and Rainbow wanted to go to show the Wonderbolts that her discipline had improved since last year. Pinkie wanted to understand why nobles were so interested in boring formal parties. Since the others were going, Fluttershy decided to go as well to check out the garden.

Applejack and her family were working hard to provide enough food for the catering and earn those bits that the crown was paying them. The large order also led to the family calling in more of their family members for the task. The orange mare put her tractor through its paces as she hauled crates of apple products aboard a freight train to Canterlot. Some part of her wondered if they were going overboard with the amount of product being shipped but dismissed the idea as she figured that she was only giving the princess her bits worth in food.

After all, Princess Celestia paid them enough to get the farm some much needed upgrades.

Starlight was in the bathroom brushing her mane and tail in preparation for tonight. She had a few knots that she had a hard time getting out but managed with a little effort. She wasn’t fond of the Gala and the pompous ponies who attend it every year but as one of Celestia’s personal students she had to make an appearance.

A knock at the door that sounded lower to the ground made the mare wonder if it was Spike making a plea to use the bathroom. “What is it?”

“Open up, I have something to tell you,” Sophia called.

The mare used her magic to open the door and let the rabbit inside. She closed the door to allow them some privacy. “What did you need to tell me?”

“Be prepared for tonight and remember your training.”

Starlight froze. She placed her brush on the counter a moment later and turned to Sophia with a grim expression. “It’s them?” Sophia nodded. Starlight took a deep breath and let it out. “This will certainly be a night for everypony to remember. I’ll have my spells prepared then.”

“Nova, Tosh and I will make sure to minimize casualties. I wish I could do more, but I will do what I must to break Equestria free from its stagnation. This is for the sake of Equestria’s awakening.”

Starlight nodded.

With that, Sophia left the mare to her preparations for the coming storm.

Night fell and the girls, as well as Spike, were brought to Canterlot via a pony-drawn carriage made by Twilight transforming an apple. The girls had varying levels of emotion toward the coming festivities. Applejack was looking forward to seeing if anypony was willing to try her farm’s products. Rarity wanted to meet with the mysterious pony who wanted to mentor her so she would brave the event and hope that they were worth the torment she would have to endure from the ignorant nobles.

Each of them were dressed in their Coco Pommel original dresses and suit. Minimal makeup was applied to them since none of them were very interested in fashion but their natural beauty meant that they didn’t need much.

Sophia and her guards made it to Canterlot long before the carriage did. Knowing that an enemy scouting party was in the city somewhere they remained on high alert. Sadly the enemy group would move through the city unnoticed since the gala had led to businesses closing early and ponies remaining in their homes. At best some pony would look out their window and spot them.

She wanted to stop them, she really did. But she knew that Equestria needed to know the extent of this threat that had come for them.

As the girls entered the ballroom, Fluttershy noticed that Starlight was looking nervous about something. She saw the mare looking in every direction as if she were expecting something. “Starlight, what’s wrong?” she whispered.

Starlight’s head snapped toward the shy mare, failing to hide her apprehensive expression. She took a deep breath and tried to regain her nerves. However, in response to Fluttershy’s question, she had placed a privacy bubble around the group. Once she was certain her spell was working properly, she addressed her concerns. “Girls, I just got a message from Sophia. They’re here!”

“Who are you talking about?” Rainbow asked.

“Remember when Sophia warned us about a threat from beyond this world almost a year ago? That threat.”

Most of the girls’ pupils shrank as their panic rose. Rainbow, however, simply blew air past her lips. “So what. As long as we’re together we can handle a bunch of pirates.”

“I hope you’re right, Rainbow. From how Sophia emphasized their threat these guys could be extremely dangerous.”

With the girls alerted to the imminent threat Starlight dispelled her bubble and let the group try to enjoy the festivities while they could.

Twilight had considered spending time with Princess Celestia but there was a long line of nobles awaiting their turn to ingratiate the princess. Though Twilight did notice that she looked a little irritated each time her eyes drifted to another part of the ballroom.

She tried looking in the direction her mentor was looking until she noticed Princess Luna filling her plate with apple fritters. She also had a crow perched on her back for some reason. Since Celestia was going to be busy for a while Twilight decided to spend some time with Luna instead.

The lunar princess quickly spotted one of her saviors approaching her and smiled. “Ah, you must be Twilight Sparkle. My sister had much to say about you. Grab a plate, we can speak while we enjoy these farm fresh products.”

Shrugging, Twilight picked up a plate in her magic and chose her favorites from among what she had tasted at Sweet Apple Acres. Luna had piled a tower of food on her plate somehow but Twilight could never imagine having an appetite like that.

The two walked to a secluded area in the ballroom where Luna began consuming pastry after pastry. The lunar princess could see the look on her friend’s face and decided to explain. “I know you are wondering how I can consume so much in one sitting. There is a valid reason for that. We alicorns bear a lot of magic and food is the easiest way for us to replenish those reserves when we expend a lot of it. In my case I am still trying to restore my reserves after the void energies were purged from me. As my reserves are replenished, so too do I gradually regain my original stature. Alas, it will be some time yet before I am fully restored.”

Twilight listened attentively to Luna as this gave her a better understanding of alicorns. However, like the good student she was, she had her questions. “I can understand why Princess Celestia kept knowledge of your existence under wraps. I just never knew that she would go so far as to inflict capital punishment upon your assailants. Has Princess Celestia ever done something like that before?”

“Only when members of the diarchy are threatened, Twilight Sparkle. Their actions risked complete destabilization of the entire nation if they had succeeded in killing me. When you conspire against one princess you conspire against both.”

“But Princess Celestia wasn’t in any danger from what I know about what happened.”

Luna shook her head. “Oh Twilight, she certainly was in danger from my assassination attempt, just not physically.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s one of the secrets of the alicorns. I’m not sure I should tell you this but I believe you should know how important it is for both Tia and I to continue our existence.” Luna placed a privacy bubble around herself and Twilight. “You see, alicorns have indefinite lifespans. However, that kind of existence can be a lonely one without companionship. Because of that, we are given the ability to link our essence to another pony.”

“Link your essence? What does that do?”

“When a pony gains the power to transcend the mortal realm, they ascend to become an alicorn and gain great power. However, such power must be shared with another or we suffer the consequences of that power.”

“So you and Princess Celestia share this essence link?” Luna nodded. “So both of you did something to transcend the mortal plane and you linked your essences together? Also, what are the consequences of this power?”

“It was Tia who ascended first. However, when an alicorn links her essence to another, that pony also ascends. That is why I am an alicorn, Twilight Sparkle. As for the consequences…” Luna’s expression darkened. “In the case that the ascended refuses to share their essence or the link breaks, as would have been the case should I have died, their minds would be placed under unimaginable stress that would increase over time. Eventually the alicorn’s mind will break, leading to them spiraling into madness.”

Twilight gulped, “Has this happened before?”

“Once. The only stallion on record to ever achieve alicornhood. His name was Golden Apple, an ancestor of the Apple family who never married or had foals. He had a penchant for mischief. When he meddled with artifacts he shouldn’t have been messing with, he triggered a reaction in them and ascended. When he refused to share his essence with another his mind slipped into madness years later, even transforming himself into a grotesque creature who loved to make ponies miserable with his cruel pranks. He never slipped so far as to take lives so Tia and I could take solace in that.”

“What happened to him?” Twilight softly asked.

“Tia and I imprisoned Golden Apple, who went by a different name after his transfiguration, I shall not disclose where though.”

“I understand, but what about Cadance? Isn’t she an alicorn too? Who is she linked with?”

“Cadenza is not linked to anypony, from what my sister tells me. However, Cadenza does have somecreature in mind whom she wishes to link with. She did not disclose who they were or even if they were a pony. I just hope she performs the link soon, I wouldn’t wish what happened to Golden on anypony.”

While Twilight and Luna were having their discussion, Rarity was trying, but failing, to enjoy the party. As she expected, the nobles around her looked at her with disdain. She didn’t need excellent hearing to hear the words “Agent of Chaos” or “Mad Scientist” as she usually heard. She had heard it all before. She ignored their rude comments as she knew that they wouldn’t be laughing when they realized that her work would one day save Equestria.

For now she would focus on finding the mysterious benefactor, find out if they were worth her time, then leave. Whether her friends joined her or not didn’t matter as she wanted to be away from this haven of judgemental ponies as soon as possible.

Her search grew more frustrating with every minute that passed as she failed to locate the mysterious pony. She began to wonder if they were even here or if this was an elaborate prank being played on her.

Suddenly she overheard a conversation nearby between the nobles. Though something about it had piqued her interest. “Must you wear that dreadful hat here, sir? It reeks of chaotic elements,” one mare complained.

“And what is it about machines that represents chaos, dear madam?” a male voice replied.

“How can you not know about that terrible point in our history where the very fabric of our society, neigh, the very future of our nation was threatened by that monster? If it weren’t for the intervention of Princess Celestia, we would have suffered a fate worse than the Crystal Empire that disappeared one day.”

“I fail to see the association between machines and the monster, madam. How does a monster drive ponykind to technophobia?”

The mare growled, “Forget it! You’re just another agent of that monster. I can hardly believe that Princess Celestia even allows fiends like you to exist within this kingdom.” The noble stomped away with the others giving him a wide berth now.

Rarity finally moved close enough to get a good view of the stallion who spoke against the noble. He had a black coat and a pale white mane and tail. He had a dapper appearance with a tan vest and white shirt as well as a tan top hat decorated with bronze gears and a red feather. His vest also had a pocket that appeared to carry a pocket watch as well as wearing a bronze timepiece around his left forehoof. He also wore a monocle over his right eye and unless Rarity was mistaken, there appeared to be tiny dials for adjusting its degree of vision. Strangely, his cutie mark resembled a gear with deep claw marks.

The mark was strange, but Rarity had no doubt that he was the one she was looking for. His style and opinions had certainly made him stand out.

As the mare approached the steampunk stallion, he observed Rarity’s crystalline blue dress and the gear motifs on her dress. He gave a light smile in response. “It’s too bad this isn’t a steampunk themed ball, you would certainly fit in.”

“Wh-What?!” Rarity exclaimed in outrage. “What part of me is a punk?”

“It is a style that I hope shall one day become popular in this country. My outfit is also of that style so please do not take my words as an insult. I believe that you are Miss Rarity?”

Rarity warily nodded, “I am. Who might you be?”

“My name is Ingram, madam. Also, before you ask, I was the one who sent the letter and the one who provided you with the blueprints for your sister’s mechanical body.”

“I figured that you were. You said in that letter that you wish to mentor me?”

Ingram nodded, “Indeed, you certainly possess a talent that could one day bring Sophia’s vision to fruition. However, it is still in need of nurturing and that is where my role lies. Once tonight’s incident is resolved, Sophia will be introducing Equestria to some of the old designs for armor, weapons and vehicles. She and I have high hopes that you will be able to create designs unique to your culture using the old designs as a base.”

Rarity pondered, “I suppose that is an option. You drive a tempting offer, Mr. Ingram. Though I fear that I have little choice but to accept if Sophia’s warning proves real.”

Suddenly, as if to answer Rarity’s question, the sound of rapid gunfire rang through the halls followed by a royal guardspony crashed into a wall near them. The sight of the guard gave her an immense shock as she witnessed his body riddled with holes and leaving a growing puddle of blood under him.

The entire ballroom turned their heads in the direction they heard the shots coming from and saw five metallic bipedal creatures carrying the same weapon that Luna recognized. They then looked at the dead guard and quickly realized what was happening.

The ballroom erupted into panic.

Author's Note

Of course there will be casualties. Wars typically can't go without someone dying. I'll still try to keep the details to a minimum so I won't have to throw in a gore tag.