Guardian

CHAPTER 9 – CALAMITY

THIRTY MINUTES EARLIER

“Get to your defense stations at once!” Cadance's voice echoed through the halls of the Crystal Castle as troops in brilliant gemstone armor rushed to battlements on the outside walls. Cadance continued to her balcony to make an announcement across the Empire to her subordinates. Stepping out onto the ledge and amplifying her voice with magic, her words rang out across the city:

“My people, I, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, demand of you to retreat to your homes and bar your doors and windows. The shield around our Empire, as you all know, cannot be removed by anyone or anything without sufficient magical power – Even your Princess cannot penetrate a barrier created by such an object without it knowing my peaceful intent. But for it to burn away as you all have witnessed, our Empire must be in grave danger. I implore all of you to take shelter from whatever has caused this calamity. As your Princess, I swear to you that nothing bad will happen to you all, for I shall protect you. Await my words before exiting your homes. That is all.”

Stepping away from her position, Cadance turned and was saluted by her head guard.

“Madam, we are ready for any orders we receive.”

“Good,” she replied, “I fear the worst, Captain.”

“Do you think it was necessary to force all residents into their homes?” The captain of the guard peered out at the scurrying masses of crystal ponies, all heading to their shelters in preparation for the oncoming storm.

“I truly, truly hope not.” Cadance said with a sigh, “But soon after Shining Armor left, the barrier went down and he did not return. I was filled with a great sum of sorrow... Sorrow like I've never felt before. Not something that you feel when a loved one passes on or when the one you love leaves you, but a sorrow that fought to crush me completely for no identifiable reason at all. There is something within the borders of our kingdom, my captain. We must be ready.”

“Yes, madam.” The captain of the guard turned and headed to the battlements where many of his troops stood at the ready for anything that could befall the kingdom.

Cadance turned and retreated to her throne room, attempting to don the armor of warrior royalty so that she may take part in the battle as well should her guardians fail. The very thought of them falling was painful to her, it made the sorrow she felt grow... She shrugged it off and continued on down the opulent hallway.

The captain of the guard stood out in the midst of his troops, all adorned with invincible gem-crafted armor that shone brightly through the dark skies and the blinding snowfall. Statuesque and vigilant through the blizzard as it coated all of the walkable matter with white, the captain glanced around slowly.

“It's too quiet, Captain...”

“Shut up!” The leader snapped at his subordinate, “The intruder could be anywhere. If you can talk then you aren't focused on the battle!”

“Sir!” A scout exited a nearby tower attached to the battlement and rushed to his Captain, kneeling before him, “A shadowy figure was seen within the city limits. Its whereabouts became a mystery to us, however, as it disappeared when it turned a corner!”

“You hear that!” The Captain shouted out to his subordinates as he began walking behind them, “It's nearby! Don't leave your posts!”

Turning his head to walk a step further, the Captain was met by black. Startled, he looked up and was grabbed before he could react by a three-clawed talon that lifted him by his head off of the ground and up to eye-level with the shadowy figure. Two red eyes open and pierced the Captain's soul, resulting in the immediate screams and cries for the agony to end. The shadow dropped the spasming, foaming captain on the floor as the soldiers around him turned in shock, preparing to retaliate.

“One second. How pathetic. You call yourself a captain?”

The soldiers all fired magic and magical arrows upon the shadow, watching in horror as the magic-enhanced projectiles all bounced off of the specter harmlessly.

“Fools.” The specter raised both claws in the air and spread them, “You disgusting lot are not worth my time.” A massive, rose-tinted orb surrounded Terror and expanded instantly, dispersing after a few feet but sending all soldiers caught in the attack flying. The battlements and wall around the shade collapsed under the force of the blast, sending shards of crystal flying through the air as projectiles, injuring other nearby soldiers. “Back down and you will be spared.”

“Never!” A single pegasus soldier stood back up who had been caught in the blast and slammed against the wall of the castle, “So long as I bear the invincible armor of the Crystal Empire, I will remain loyal to my rulers, Cadance and Commander Shining Armor!” The pegasus suddenly flew forth at the specter. “If magic doesn't harm you, then eat my hooves!”

The flying kick was batted away with one talon as soon as the pegasus reached Terror. The shadow then grabbed the pegasus, clutching him within his cold talon, squeezing down upon the crystal platemail.

“Invincible?” The pegasus squirmed and fought to get free, unhindered by the grip of Terror as he continued to slowly increase pressure on the armor. “You have no right to use that word.”

“Don't bother!” The soldier shouted at Terror, “You won't harm me, freak!” The soldier then spat in Terror's face, the shade's eyes not changing their dull red glow as the saliva slowly dripped down his face.

“How arrogant.” A crack suddenly split down the shoulder of the armor, the soldier gasped at the sight of his magic-enhanced diamond cuirasse failing to defend him. “You, who are nothing but a common soldier, an ant in my eyes, dare to insult a God with your 'invincibility?' You have no power here.” The armor suddenly shattered, shards of gem stabbing into the pegasus as the immense pressure of Terror's talon suddenly smashed many bones within his body. The cry let out by the pegasus soon fell silent and Terror tossed him aside, watching his body fall from the high battlements and hit the snow-coated ground below with a clumsy splatter.

Looking back at the soldiers behind him, soldiers who were reluctant now to attempt any further attack upon him, Terror's face warped into a shadowy, freakish grin.

“What happened? What happened to all of that will to slay me?” The soldiers winced at the voice of the monster, stepping back slowly, shaking. They had faced fear, the fear of dying, the fear of knowing that whatever battle they were in could be their last... But they had never faced this. The certainty of their demise. “Where are you going?” The soldiers stepped back again, using all of their focus to maintain their balance upon the wall as their vision became blurred and their heart rates increased. “Where is your bravery... Where is your courage... Where is your sense of chivalry?”

Fear finally claimed a soldier entirely and his motor skills switched to auto-pilot, his legs suddenly moving on their own. He turned and began to run, but suddenly stopped before the same monster that had just been behind him.

“No. There is no escape.”

The cries of agony and horror could be heard echoing through the halls of the Crystal Castle as Cadance stood in her brilliant diamond and dragonscale armor. Sweat poured from her body as she stood watching the door, her armor rattling as her body resonated with the fear that coursed through her. Gritting her teeth in an attempt to stop her chattering jaw, Cadance stood at the ready for whatever would burst through the door to her throne room.

Suddenly, a noise. Footsteps? Cadance focused, her sight zeroing in on the door, her horn glowing with magic ready to open fire on the intruder. The sound continued. Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump... It was as if the intruder was running at full-speed down the hallway leading to the room... No... Those weren't footsteps... Those were the sporadic beats of her own heart.

“Do you fear me, Cadance?” A sinister voice from behind her petrified her in her place as Cadance's blood suddenly ran cold. Her pupils the size of grains of sand, she slowly looked to each side, witnessing the flowing shadow emanating from behind her. She then turned her gaze, trembling to the point that her armor sounded as though it would break, over her shoulder to bare witness to the creature that had appeared behind her and defeated all of her guards.

Nothing. Nothing was there but her throne and the tapestries behind it on the quartz walls. Somewhat relieved of the fear she had felt, Cadance breathed heavily and smiled before turning back around and being met by a tall, shadowy form. Her scream suddenly muffled by a wave of shadow that sent her screeching backwards across the floor, Cadance suddenly brought herself out of some of the fear she felt, standing defiantly against the being before her.

“What do you want?” She shouted with a quivering voice, “Why have you done this to my kingdom, why have you harmed my people?”

“Your power, Cadance. I want your power. A simple answer, don't you agree? And a simple price to pay for keeping your sanity.”

“My sanity?” Cadance became filled with anger that overpowered some more of her fear, “You stand there after harming so many of my friends and then say that I can keep my sanity if I give you my power? Are you stupid?”

“Harsh words, princess. Bear this in mind, though: If your sanity is not in tact after what little damage I've done thus far, then what awaits you may mean your end.”

“There's nothing more you can do to me that would make me any more furious or sad! Nothing!”

“I and two other fools like yourself beg to differ.” Extending a claw and withdrawing two orbs from his shroud, Terror allowed the two familiar ponies to float between him and Cadance, watching with pleasure as her eyes widened in surprise. “So you do recognize them... Oh, of course you do. How could you forget the King that made a mockery of your power... Or the stallion you love?”

“I'll destroy you!” Filled with fury and a will to avenge her beloved that had been reduced to nothing more than a shivering mass of fear, Cadance tore through the air with her horn ablaze, her aim focused towards cleaving the abominable specter in two. Batted away by the back of Terror's claw, Cadance slammed against the floor harshly and slid across the room before jumping back up and rushing back towards him, her eyes overflowing with tears of rage. “You'll pay for this!”

“Your resistance is amusing.” A second swipe from Terror sent three slashes clean through Cadance's armor and cut her front left leg, causing her to flinch and pause for a second and allowing Terror to bat her away with a spinning backhand with his other talon. “Do you honestly believe that you can defeat me, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza? You, who strive for harmony. You, who are the Master of Love. You, who are the upholder of tenderness... You are not bred for war, Cadance...”

The pony spread her wings and flew forth in fury with another roar, this time having her face caught in Terror's claw. “...And even the horror of war yields to Terror.” Two glowing eyes pierced into Cadance's psyche, pausing her struggle.

Opening her eyes, Cadance found herself in Canterlot. However, she found herself walking, not in control of her own movements. Her mind moved quickly, trying to figure out what was happening, but her body moved on its own as she walked down the main road of Canterlot.

Something seemed off, though. As Cadance witnessed herself look around, she could see that every pony in the city seemed to be glaring at her or moving away. Ponies nearby argued and fought, something of a pandemonium compared to her normal world where she would fix things. And she did try to fix the fighting, but her body could not move. Witnessing hatred with no power to absolve it hurt her deeply as she could not force herself to turn and lift a hoof to help.

She watched herself continue to the castle, entering and immediately being spotted by Celestia.

“How dare you enter my castle.”

“Aunt Celestia, I-”

“Shut your mouth. Leave.” Cadance became shocked at her aunt's bitterness.

“But...”

“I told you to stop talking!” Celestia's eyes glowed bright golden as an aura overcame her and enveloped her as she slowly rose up from the floor. “You have no right to be here, you filth! Leave my presence and leave my lands! You are not welcome here!”

Crying, uncertain if it was her or her body causing the tears, Cadance felt herself turn and run out the door with sobs. As she ran, Luna passed by her, snarling and grimacing at her very appearance. She continued to flee from Celestia through the city, ponies all around her spouting hateful remarks and throwing random objects at her until she finally reached the border of the city and left.

She traveled to Ponyville, thinking that Twilight and her friends would help her. She was greeted by ponies heading inside with frowns and shutters closing on windows as she passed by buildings. She reached the library where she stepped inside, Twilight standing in the middle with her friends.

“What do you want?” The mulberry unicorn growled.

“Twilight, I'm not happy... Please, will you help me?”

“And why would I ever do that?”

“Twilight, please? Don't you remember?” Cadance watched herself beginning a familiar dance, “Sunshine, sunshine, lady bugs awake! Clap your hooves and-”

“Stop. Get out.”

“What? But Twilight, please, I-!”

“She said 'get out.'” Spike stood up angrily.

“Yeah, why would she want to help you anyway?” A cyan pegasus flew up to her and shoved her backwards towards the door.

“Please... Applejack-”

“Ah'm not gonna defend ya. You know that perfectly well.”

“Rarity?”

“Hmph!” The white unicorn raised her head and looked away.

“Please... Pinkie... Pinkie Pie... Won't you?”

“As if! I wouldn't help you even if you paid me with all the cupcakes in the world!”

“But... But I'm your friend, aren't I?”

“You're no friend of mine!” The pink pony shouted back.

“Nor mine.”

“Mine neither.”

“Nope.”

“Never.”

“Yeah, right.”

“Just get out, Cadance.” Twilight ended the train of hate, “Nopony wants you here. Nopony likes you. Just leave and don't come back.”

The harshness in Twilight's words mixed with her glare forced more tears from Cadance's eyes as she turned and ran out the door. As she ran, she noticed through her blurred vision a white stallion with a silver mane and tail standing with not a disgusted look, but a surprised one as she ran by... Odd...

Unable to think straight and think of the anomaly, Cadance continued to be filled with sorrow as she watched herself run, watching the world, only for a split second, seem to flicker. She could hear a voice behind her, though only faint... What did it say? It was obviously a male voice... “Wait?” Is that what it said..?

Regardless, Cadance could not turn herself, nor could she stop the next scene. A skip seemed to occur from the time she closed her eyes to the time she opened them again, though she thought it to occur within nothing more than a second. She stood on the edge of a cliff overlooking the world around Ponyville and Canterlot.

“If everyone hates me...” She heard herself start through tears of rage, “...Then I'll give them a reason to do so!”

She watched, unable to stop the horror, as she witnessed herself destroying Ponyville, Canterlot, and even the Crystal Empire. Ponies ran for their lives, but she let none escape. Her mane flowing a dyed red and her laughter evil and terrifying, Cadance decimated all who stood in her path... Even Twilight, Celestia, and Shining Armor. Watching them fall before her drove her sadness over the edge. She could no longer cry, for she had run dry of tears. She instead curled up and moaned sadly.

“No... No, please... Don't hate me...” Drooling and crying, her eyes now blank and looking out to nothing, Cadance dangled from Terror's claw with all resistance drained from her and replaced with trembling despair.

“Five seconds. Better than I had expected. But you are still nothing special.” Terror dropped the Alicorn on the floor and held his talon out, allowing the tendrils to shoot forth and claim Cadance's color and cutie mark. He then encased her within an orb and drew the three orbs back under his cloak before turning and walking to the highest tower of the Castle to make his decree to his new underlings.

Upon his arrival at the top of the tower, he stepped out onto the balcony, his corporeal cloak flaring wildly in the winds of the arctic north. He then took in a deep breath, excited to try out the voice-amplification magic of Alicorns, and allowed his words to ring out in a decree augmented by black, rose, and now blue magic.

“My little crystal ponies... I am afraid that your leader has met an unfortunate turn of events...” Ponies opened their doors and stepped out into the snowfall, gazing up in confusion and shock at the shade on the Princess' balcony. “From here on out, I shall be your resident ruler.” The chatter of the questioning masses below drew a smile upon Terror's face. “And unless you wish to end up like this-” Terror withdrew the orbs of Shining Armor and Cadance from his cloak, hovering them in front of him for the ponies to see, hearing their shocked reactions echo through the city, “-Then you will comply to my demands and my laws. But do not worry your little heads, my loyal subjects...” Terror reclaimed the orbs with his cloak and smiled a large, toothy grin, “Soon, you will have more than enough like you to share your despair. Soon, all of the citizens of Equestria shall be subjects of mine, just as you are now. No one will make me a liar. This, I assure you.”

Leaving the ponies outside to talk and share their shocked concerns with each other, Terror turned and walked back into the Crystal Castle – his castle – with a smile. However, soon after he entered, he remembered the anomaly in the vision he forced upon Cadance. The anomaly that took the form of a white unicorn stallion with flame-striped marks on his face, a necklace, and silver hair. That was not a pony generated for the vision, nor were his attempts at stopping Cadance as she fled from Twilight. That was not a pony of Cadance's memory...

“It seems I am not the only user of Psi in this world.” Terror walked to his new throne and sat down within it. Resting his face upon his hand, he looked out blankly. “Who was that pony who was able to enter my telepathy...”

He shrugged away the thought. It did not matter. One lone being similar to himself would never pose a threat to him at this point, and he would be even less of a non-existent bother once the next phase of Terror's plan was complete.

“Chrysalis... I await your arrival here...”

Around the Crystal Empire, a new shield generated. A black, rose, and blue shield that coated the entirety of the land in a shadow and blocked the snow once more. The aura of Cadance's love power would be the bait, this much Terror knew, and the shape shifting magic of the Changelings would be his prize once the Queen of their kind made her appearance at his doorstep.

Outside the castle, a scribe furiously wrote everything he heard upon a parchment and used his magic to teleport the message to Celestia. At this point, with his Princess and Prince gone, he knew that only the ruler of Equestria herself, or perhaps the Elements of Harmony, could stand a chance at saving the world.

Elsewhere, within the border of a swampy forest, Brimstone opened his eyes and shook his head.

“Gah! Man, I was able to trace it that time and react but still lost it! Whoever's using all of that Psi used a lot of energy that time...” Since he had gotten closer, Brimstone had been able to tap into the Psi and determine that it was telepathic, so he was able to enter it through the Infinity as well, but the source was still much too far away for him to do anything useful within the exchange.

“That girl seemed really upset...” Brimstone said to himself as he stood up, “If I was closer, I would have been able to figure out why... Oh well.”

The white unicorn continued his walk towards the outskirts of the Everfree Forest.