It was late at night in Canterlot most ponies had turned in by now or where in their house relaxing, there was a full moon tonight and in the moonlight where two earth colts’ talking to each other heading in the direction of the castle.
“She could do it.” One colt said to the other whose face was in a gaze as he heard what his friend said. “Why would any pony want that to happen? Why do you want it to happen?” The colt asked now looking back to his friend that just smiled back to him and said “You’ve known me for my entire life. Why do you think that I want it to happen? He would owe me for all eternity or better yet give me some of his power.” The colt finished looking away from his friend now day dreaming at the thought of being like Celestia.
“You would risk everything you have just to have a little bit of power? You, the brother I know and love would risk his family and friends just to have petty power.” The older colt finished trying to change his younger brother’s mind who looked back sharply and was almost angry now. “What am I doing right now? I’m asking my brother if he will join me in my quest for power.” The little brother almost spat out his retort. “What about our parents, our sister, my wife and children, your wife!” The older brother trying to reason with him. “They wouldn’t understand and probably turn against us!” The little brother not getting the hint, that his brother doesn’t like his plan. “US? You mean yourself. I’m not leaving my family for petty power or to ruin other pony’s families. You’re going crazy and you’re trying to bring me with you!” The older brother starting to lose his patience, with his younger sibling. “I thought that out of every pony, you would join me.” The younger brother looking sad now.
“That should tell you now that you are wrong, and everybody else that has disagreed with you. You should listen to other, than saying you don’t need them.” The older colt hoping that this talk was over. His younger brother looked up and said “No. No. You’re wrong and I’m right. You’re the only pony I’ve talked to other than Screwball. And you just want to limit me like you always have. Not anymore brother, today you’re wrong and I’m right and I’ll show you.” The younger brother smiled a triumphet smile. “No you won’t, you never have finished, anything you start. Or you do it half-plotted. Think about what you’ve said and think about how stupid it is.” The older brother finished talking, turned away from his sibling, and trotted away without even looking back.
“Who needs you any way!” The younger brother said just loud enough for himself to hear. He heard wings beat behind him and the landing of hooves. He turned to see one of Princess Luna’s royal guards for the castle at night. “Is that you Zaroff?” The colt asked the guard. “Yes sir. Do you want me to eliminate the new threat?” The guard asked looking big and ready to take off after the colt’s older brother. “No, just make sure that he doesn’t tell any pony. He is still my brother.” The colt told the guard, who looked a little sad that he didn’t get to have any fun. “Yes sir. I’ll have Strathmore take over during the day.” The guard finished waiting a reply from his commander. “You do that.” The colt replied for the loyal guard, but not even looking at the guard. There was a rush of wind as he took off powerfully and flew silently in to the night trailing the colt’s older brother. The colt stayed looking up at the statue, dazed and almost in a trance. Remembering the wrath of power that he felt when Equestria had an old ruler return for a short period of time. He stared at Discord, the spirit of Disharmony, and chaos.
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It was a beautiful morning, the sun was out, birds singing beautiful songs, and it was a nice temperature outside with the mail being delivered on time to every pony, and every pony enjoying their Sunday morning.
“I’ll get the mail.” Spike said heading towards the door as Rainbow Dash showed up again. “Still no Derpy?” Spiked asked RD as he took the mail from her to be nice. “Nope, so instead the Mayor has still got me doing mail runs.” RD said with a sarcastic cheer. “See you later then.” Spike said goodbye to RD as she started to move towards the other houses across the road waving bye to Spike.
“No, Ditzy again huh?” Twilight asked Spike has he closed the door after him. “Nope, she wasn’t here again.” Spike answered Twilight’s question. “I’m going out today to get some more food supplies.” Twilight told Spike over the table she was eating breakfast at. “I thought I was?” Spike said looking confused. “No, Rarity asked me if I would ask you to go gem hunting with her since the price is going up lately for gems.” Twilight said smiling at Spike from her eggs. “Really, thanks Twilight.” Spike said not even answering since he knows that Twilight knows he would rather go spend time with Rarity then go grocery shopping.
“Have a good time Spike.” Twilight called after him as he left through the door with a skip in his step to go see Rarity. “Bye!” He called right before he closed the door behind him and set off for Rarity’s boutique. “Alright, let’s grab this list and get out of here.” Twilight said to herself just to keep herself organized verbally. Twilight left the Library and walked towards Apple Acres.
“Twilight!” Twilight heard the familiar voice and turned to see Pinkie trotting towards her but with some pony else. “Hey Pinkie.” Twilight said. “Who’s your friend?” Twilight asked before Pinkie could say anything else. “That’s why I’m here, this colt wanted to meet you.” Pinkie gestured over to the colt, who was well built and seemed to have an unhappy look on his face. “Hi, I’m “Twilight Sparkle. I know who you are and it’s an honor but I fear I may need your help, all of your help. The elements of harmony; bearers.” After he finished his long interruption of Twilight’s introduction which she thought was rude she said “Oh, so you know of me and my friends. Well first thing first is what is your name?” He looked at her and remember that out of all he said, he didn’t tell either of them his name. “I’m Akers, a Canterlot school teacher.” Akers finished holding out his hoof to shake Twilight’s hoof.
“Why are you all the way out here from Canterlot? I doubt you just came to meet us.” Twilight asked Akers. ‘As I said I need your help with something. I thought you would be interested in helping me out since it may have something to do with an old enemy of yours.” Akers told Twilight and Pinkie. Then there was a loud call for him up in the air. The three ponies looked up and saw one of Princess Celestia’s Royal guards calling Akers name, “Akers! Akers! Where are you Akers?!” “Oh, no.” Akers said just loud enough for the three ponies on the ground to hear him. “Akers! Oh, Akers! There you are, I was looking for you.” The guard landed on the ground and said “Akers you know that you just can’t leave the school without notice.” Twilight looked at Akers without letting the Guard see her face she looked at him with a face of disapproval and he knew that she thinks that he abandoned his post for something stupid and not important but this was absolutely wrong.
“Yea, I know. But this was important.” Akers said. “What’s so important that you leave Canterlot just to talk to a couple of ponies from Ponyville?” The guard asked Akers without even a second glance at Pinkie Pie of Twilight. Twilight found this weird since most Guards are way more up tight than this, and they all know who Twilight was since she lived there for almost all her foal life. “Well, it’s really important.” Akers now sort of gesturing that Pinkie and Twilight should help him out of this. “Well it can’t be any more important than the development of foal’s little minds.” The guard now sort of joking to ease the tension. “Alright, who are you?” Twilight intervened with a demanding voice. “What do you mean who am I. I’m a Canterlot royal guard. What does it look like I am?” The guard said with a little bit of impatience to his voice thinking that he shouldn’t have to deal with Ponyville ponies.
“No, you’re not a Canterlot guard. I’ve lived there for my entire foal life. I think I can tell when I see a bad guard or impersonator of a guard.” Twilight said knowing that the guard is now scared that he is figured out. “Well apparently you can’t tell, because I’m 100% royal guard.” The guard said trying to sound confident but all he did was dig a deeper hole for himself. “Also, every guard in the Canterlot castle knows who I am. I’m Twilight Sparkle and you are an impersonator. I know this because you don’t know who I or Pinkie Pie are. Reason number two is you, don’t act like a guard, not uptight enough. Last but not least reason number three is a guard would never ever say that he is 100% royal guard like a pony with too much ego.” Twilight finished with a smile of satisfaction her face.
“Wha….how can you do that?” the guard asked dumb founded by the intellect of the purple pony. “Experience, I’m the Princess’s loyal student.” Twilight said confidently and she used her magic to send a spell to grab the fake guard’s legs but it bounced off his armor and she wound up hitting a poor Ponyville citizen, who fell to the ground having his legs locked up under him in the middle of a trot falling hard on to the road with a thud and a “Ahhhh….. Darn you hoofs.” The pony yelled shaking his hoof angrily, after they were unfroze by Twilight. The guard laughed and took off back towards Canterlot. Twilight and Pinkie chased after him and Twilight said “I’m so sorry.” as she passed the citizen.
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Rainbow Dash was just delivering the last of the mail when she heard a yell from far away in the middle of town it sounded, close to it anyway. Then she saw a one of princess Celestia’s Royal guard’s fly past the house she was at. “Where does he think he’s going in such a hurry?” RD commented and flew off after him.
“Hey! Guard!” Rainbow Dash called after the Guard while trailing him. “I guess I’ll fly in front of this guy.” RD muttered to herself and zoomed forward in front of the guard and into his field of view. “What’s the rush?” Rainbow Dash asked the guard who looked at her and his eye’s got wide. “You’re the fast one aren’t you?” The guard asked more for himself but RD answered anyway. “Yup, the fastest Pegasus in Equestria.” She said bragging. At that the guard flew off into another direction away from RD and she got angry. “What is his problem?” Again RD zoomed right in front of him; he wasn’t very fast for being a royal guard. This time she flew backwards and talked to him face to face since he was so slow. “Now, who are you Mr. Guard?” RD saying Mr. Guard to make him angry. But he just looked scared. “You gonna tell me or just keep flying really slow.” RD was getting impatient with this Pegasus now. He turned she stayed in front of him this time and didn’t let herself stray from his vision. Then BAM!! Rainbow Dash hit a tree. She fell to the ground with a thud and didn’t move.
“Rainbow Dash are you all right?!” Pinkie Pie called out to RD. “What?? Look stars.” RD said confused with a dazed look on her face. Then she remembered what just happened. “That little….uhhhhh!” Rainbow Dash stomped the ground in frustration, she was about to fly off to get him but Twilight yelled “Rainbow Dash! Wait! We need a plan.” RD stopped and looked at her and said “Yea, he’s slow I catch him and bring him down, then we question him, because he can’t be a real guard.” RD said getting ready to take off again. “We know he’s a fake guard, but we need to get information to Princess Celestia in case there are any more. So Pinkie help RD get him back and question him, bring him back to Ponyville I need to find Spike and wright a letter to the Princess.” Twilight finished. “Ready?” RD asked every pony impatient waiting for her revenge. “Yup, move out.” Twilights said and she left the trio going her own way leaving RD and Pinkie Pie together to get the fake guard.
“Alright Pinkie I’ll fly you over there jump on him and bring him down I’ll catch you before you hit the ground.” RD said completing her plan with Pinkie Pie. “Okey dokey lokey.” Pinkie replied and jumped on RD’s back. “Off we go. Hold on!” Rainbow took off with a blast and she definitely felt slower with Pinkie on her back but she was still fast enough to catch up to the fake guard. Pretty soon they were right behind the very slow guard. “Hi ya.” Pinkie said and jumped off of RD’s back, onto the guards back and he immediately went down. Rainbow Dash caught Pinkie right before she hit the ground. The guard lay on the ground all out of breath and said “It’s this armor, that’s why I was so slow, stupid armor.”
“All right, tell us who you really are.” RD demanded. “You really want to know?” The guard said looking up at RD smiling. “Of course I want to know. Why wouldn’t I?” RD added the end part sarcastically. The guard started to laugh, he took of his armor and said “Because I’m an old enemy of yours one that almost defeated you all! Mwhahahahaha!” There was a wushing sound and Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie gasped.
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“I can’t believe me and Pinkie just left Akers there like that.” Twilight said to herself as she ran back to Rarity’s hoping that she would be there. Twilight kept looking for Akers but she couldn’t find him anywhere she looked on her way to Rarity’s. Twilight arrived at the boutique but Rarity had already left with Spike. Rarity left instructions to where she and Spike went if they ever needed to find them. Twilight read the instructions and decided to go after them as quick as she could.
Twilight left the house and then noticed Sweetie Bell running towards her and hoped that the others weren’t around. She was in a hurry and didn’t fell like them coming with her. “Where are you going?” Sweetie Bell called. “I’ve got to find Rarity and Spike. Mainly Spike but that’s beside the point.” Twilight said in a hurry. “Sounds like fun can the cutie mark crusaders come with you? The others should be here any minute.” Sweetie bell asked and pretty much invited herself. “Sweetie Bell as much as I would like that, I really need to hurry this is Canterlot business.” Twilight said unsteadily trying to head off. “Well ok then. Go find them, me and the girls will go do something else.” Sweetie Bell said with a smile that Twilight didn’t like. “Alright, then I’ll be off.” With that Twilight ran off towards the quarry that Rarity and Spike where gem hunting in.
“Applejack?” Twilight couldn’t hold it in. She saw Applejack with Rarity and Spike. Rarity looked nervous and Spike wanted AJ to leave Twilight could tell. “Hey, Rarity and Spike. I found you.” Twilight then looked at AJ like she just now saw her. “Applejack? What are you doing here, I thought that you were down by the farm attending the farmer harvest sail.” Twilight asked trying to see her slip early in case she was also an impersonator. “Ah wasn’t gettin any business at all. It’s like all the ponies packed up and left town.” Applejack said which sounded a lot like herself, but Twilight was going to need a little more than that to convince her. “Oh, ok. Well do you still have the couple of carrots and salad I set aside?” Twilight stared right into AJ’s eyes to see any lie at all. “Ah said that the place might’ve been dead if ya didn’t know that me and ma family was down there sellin.” AJ said but it didn’t answer her question directly did it Twilight thought. “You didn’t answer my question directly did or did I not order carrots and salad?!” Twilight asked.
“Darling, what’s wrong? What are you doing back here and accusing our friend of something that she clearly can’t remember?” Rarity said with a concerned tone and face. “Yea, what’s up with you?” Spike agreed with a confused look on his face trying to see what’s wrong with Twilight. “Twi, are you ok? All I did was forget, ah didn’t want to hurt ya feelings. Sorry Twilight.” AJ said with that honest look and eye. “No I’m sorry. It’s one thing to accuse a guard of impersonating, but one of my best friends? I’m sorry Applejack.” Twilight apologized. “It’s ok Twi.” AJ patted Twilight on the back.
“So what are you doing back her anyway?” Spike asked breaking the little bit of silence. “Well, I need to send a letter to Princess Celestia about impersonating guards, and make sure that there aren’t any more spying on her through being a castle servant or guard.” Twilight finished the others looked a little unnerved except Spike who said “What are we waiting for we have to get that letter sent!” The others nodded in agreement. “I’m sorry girls; I can’t let you do that.” Came a voice from behind a boulder behind them. A built earth colt pony walked out from behind the boulder, he was built a lot like Akers but any pony could tell that it wasn’t him.
“Who are you?” Twilight asked before any pony else. “Me? I’m the problem that Akers was trying to tell you about. I’m his brother. My name is Amer, very similar to his.” Amer finished smiling at all of them for the same amount of time. “Where is Akers?” Twilight asked hoping that he wasn’t dead yet. “Oh, you haven’t figured it out yet, or you are deciding not to face the truth. I’m sure it will grieve you all to know that he is dead. Wait a second; the purple pony is the only one to even talk to him other than that pink one. Can you piece what he said to you together Twilight? Can see into me and see what my next move is?” Amer was taunting them with long complex sentences and Twilight knew that he was stalling. “You’re stalling.” Twilight said. “Wrong. I’ve been ready ever since I came out to say hi.” Amer smiled an evil smile, the type of smile you smile when you get payback or played a horrible joke on some pony. “Then what are you waiting for?” Twilight asked trying to get information out of Amer. “I’m not that dumb. But you could say that I will soon have more power than any of you combined, even Celestia wouldn’t be able to stop me.” Amer said confidently and stood up even taller and more of a stance indicating power.
“How could any earth pony be more powerful than a unicorn?” Twilight asked still trying to pry information from Amer before escaping the quarry. “All in good time Twilight. When I have the power maybe I’ll explain it to you.” Amer said still smiling that evil smile. “So you don’t have it yet then darling?” Rarity asked Amer. “What? Oh, sorry, stupid choice of words by me. But no I don’t have the power yet but I don’t need it right now, that’s why I have guards.” Amer said with less of a smile, but it was still there. “So ya got guards, ya should probably get better guards for us.” AJ said taking a step forward towards Amer to scare him. It didn’t work; he just stared at AJ until she withdrew her step seeing that it clearly hadn’t worked.
“Oh, I’ve got the best of friends; they’ll keep me safe from a couple of mares like yourselves.” Amer said and backed up into the shadow of one of the larger quarry rocks. “Girls, get ready.” AJ said getting into her fighting stance, the others followed her lead. “Why he’s backing away like a coward.” Spike pointed in the direction of the place Amer disappeared into the shadow. “That’s what he wants us to think his friends will come out any second now to kill us.” Twilight said igniting her horn with magic ready for anything that comes out of the shadows.
“Do you hear that?” Rarity asked and every pony perked up their ears listening for something. Sure enough there where sounds that sounded like hoof steps getting closer from the place Twilight came in. “Souns like hoof steps.” AJ said turning in the direction they were getting louder and closer every step of the way. Every pony tensed as it sounded like the creature that sounded like a pony was just around a boulder coming in. Then out of the darkness stepped forward a tiny white foal. Rarity’s sister Sweetie Bell stepped out into the light, from the shadowy darkness of the boulders around them.
