Claws of Equestria

The carriage slowly came to a halt as Princess Cadance and Shining Armor exited in front of the Canterlot castle. Four guards were already waiting for the pair as they exited. For a moment, there was a silence until the chains on the drawbridge that led into the Canterlot castle slowly descended. Two tall figures stood on the other end along with the company of six other guards. Both possessed a face of seriousness and expertise as they watched the married couple slowly walk across the drawbridge. The smile on Cadance's face slowly deflated as the two serious faces of the co-rulers came into view.

"Princess Cadence, and Shining Armor, it's good for you to come on such short notice," Celestia said as the married couple had finished their short walk over the drawbridge. "Please follow, we have much to discuss."

"What important matters? Why do you look so worried, Celestia?" Princess Cadance questioned.

"Cadance, my sister and I believe that evil has once again planted itself within Equestria. Recently, there has been a disturbance in the magical balance of Equestria. Some pony, or something, somewhere is using great power to inflict evil across the land. I fear that this evil is growing more powerful by the minute. I have a really bad feeling about this," Celestia replied. Her tone was bonded with the feeling of fear but still upheld its authority.

"This evil grows stronger each day. We simply cannot figure out the sole being responsible for these inflating powers. What worries us most is that it continues to grow with each passing day. Celestia and I did plan on sending Twilight Sparkle and her friends to investigate, but the strength of this evil force made us think twice. That is why we have called upon you and Shining Armor," Luna explained whilst the four advanced into the hall where the stained glass paintings of all of Equestria's victories were placed.

"Shining Armor, we need you to assemble a few of your best guards to investigate this matter," Celestia started whilst she stopped in front of the stained glass painting of the Elements of Harmony defeating Discord, "I simply cannot put Twilight Sparkle or any of her friends in danger. Please understand this, Shining Armor; I couldn't live with myself to see my best student hurt because of my orders," Celestia stated whilst she turned to look at the captain.

"I understand perfectly, your majesty. I wouldn't dare let my sister walk into something that puts her and her friends in grave danger," Shining Armor stated with pride.

Princess Celestia nodded in response as they all continued to walk towards the throne room where she would then send off Shining Armor to fetch a couple of his best guards. She couldn't help but feel as if this magical force was something that possessed more power than her and her sister even combined. In addition, some strange thought plagued her mind that this evil power was even becoming stronger than the power of the 'Elements of Harmony'. The thoughts scared her deeply.

A cold and chilly shiver crept down Celestia's spine of all a sudden. She had the sudden feeling as if she was being watched by something. She paused and turned towards one of the many high windows of the castle. However, her vision met nothing but the bright blue sky and the lazy white clouds that slept with it. Her long stare had caused the others to turn their heads as well. Like Celestia, they saw nothing but the relaxing sky.

"Sister, what is wrong?" Princess Luna asked with concern.

"Nothing…it's nothing," Celestia responded as she turned her attention back towards the throne room," I hope," she whispered.

OXO

Ziggy and Zaggy, after waiting for the princesses and the guards to walk away into the building, crawled down from the carriage and hid underneath it. The little spiders would wait until the guards and the ponies were gone before sneaking into the castle. However, the drawbridge slowly started to wind itself back up as the two enslaved spider-bots were waiting. Quickly, they both dashed towards the bridge and leaped from the small gap that stood in between the spiders and the drawbridge which led to the moat of water below. Their legs clinched onto the wooden structure of the drawbridge as it slowly descended upwards until it sealed shut.

Their plan changed.

Slowly, they began to climb from the tip of the drawbridge to the side of the wall of the Canterlot castle. Their movement was quick and silent. Thankfully they were had to see thanks to their small size but the glowing aura around their bodies made them easier to identify if a guard was to turn their way. However, their speed made up for their appearance as they sprinted like a cheetah across the walls until they made it to the first window. The first story window was blocked off by large glass. Ziggy and Zaggy both knew that they could easily break the glass, but the risk of blowing their cover and jeopardising their mission made them consolidate another plan. Both spiders decided to peer through the window and they spotted the four ponies speaking to each other. As they watched, they noticed one of their primary targets, Princess Celestia, was turning to look at their position. They quickly scampered to side of the window to avoid being seen, and crawled around to try and find another entry that wasn't blocked and wouldn't make any noise that would attract unwanted attention. For five minutes they continued to scramble to the right of the castle until they met another window, open, which led to the throne room.

They spotted the four targets moving down the room. One of their main targets, Princess Celestia, walked forward and sat down on her throne. From their perspective, Princess Celestia seemed extremely curious with all the windows. She constantly looked up at them which forced the two spider-bots to retreat back slightly. Things were going to be difficult for Ziggy and Zaggy as the suspicion and sudden paranoia of Princess Celestia had put them behind schedule. Retreating back to avoid detection, a sudden small black aura projected from the eyes of Zaggy. The aura started to create a live image of a small King Sombra.

"My mighty CLAW army is ready to attack the Crystal Empire. Have you taken care of the three princesses?" King Sombra piped up from his holographic image. Ziggy and Zaggy stared at their master. "Well?" The angered King asked in an assertive tone.

The two enslaved spider robots remained as still as statues.

"Useless!" Sombra hissed in hesitation. His magic forced his perspective to flip from Ziggy and Zaggy to what they were seeing from the window. King Sombra released a low growl as he saw his archenemies discussing from the throne room. Knowing that the delay of the infiltration of Canterlot castle would cause a small dilemma in his plans, King Sombra sighed in agitation. "Not entirely what I had planned…but no matter. Continue with your mission, slaves. I will check again on you and Maximus and Brutus to see if your tasks have been completed. Do not disappoint me!"

The aura that illuminated from Zaggy's eyes suddenly disappeared. Still as emotionless as ever, Ziggy and Zaggy turned their attention back onto their primary targets. Ziggy and Zaggy continued to study their targets while they prepared their Tasers for elimination. From what they observed, there were two guards standing guard beneath Princess Celestia's throne. If they were to reach Celestia then they would have to eliminate any side threats that could possibly jeopardise their goal.

Before long, Cadance, Shining Armor and Luna went their separate ways around the castle which left Celestia alone with the exception of her two guards.

Spotting their moment, they quickly climbed through the window and into the castle and dashed down the wall. They hid behind the closest thing they could find; Ziggy scurried behind a small statue whilst Zaggy fled behind a long curtain that fell from one of the windows and nearly kissed the floor. Quietly, they both peered out from their hiding positions to spy on their targets. Celestia seemed to be writing on a few new papers that had been left for her. The guards stood like statues as they continued to guard their beloved ruler. There was no other guard in sight that could compromise their assault. All they required now…was the right moment to strike.

OXO

"In lighter news, I heard that my most faithful student has invited you to spend the day with her and her friends." Princess Celestia said whishing to change the mood of the subject into a happier one.

"Oh yes! It will be the first time I will be able to see Twilight without the fate of Equestria being put at risk," Cadance responded happily. But her smile was outlasted when Celestia shot a look of annoyance at her. Celestia meant no harm with her vicious glare but she was annoyed at the fact that Cadance had forgotten for a split second of the subject that they were just on. Cadance apologised.

"Should we tell Twilight Sparkle about your worries, sister?" Luna asked.

"No," Celestia started," she doesn't need the burden right now. Plus we do not know for sure if I am correct, but I have a strong feeling that I am correct. I wish I was wrong…but I just know."

As they continued to speak, Celestia's throne stood idle at the top of the small stairs. Rested on the cushion of her throne were important papers that needed her attention. Celestia sighed as she saw the pile. She used her magic to remove them as she took her place upon the throne. However, her eyes averted themselves to the windows above her. The shivering feeling crept its way back down Celestia's spine once more. She couldn't help but feel as if something was watching her. Constantly, she looked between her sister and the married couple and the windows. Luna looked on in concern at her sister.

"If you'd please excuse me, I have important duties to attend to. I will hopefully see you, Cadance, before you depart for Ponyville. And Shining Armor, please could you fetch your fastest Pegasi to me at once!" Celestia ordered. Shining Armor saluted and walked left with his wife whilst Luna walked to the right. She quickly turned around to look at her sister who had already started to sign of papers.

"I will be in my quarters if you need me, sister," Luna told calmly. Princess Celestia turned to look at Luna and gave her a graceful smile and a nod. The princess of the night returned the nod back and walked off and out of the throne room.

Celestia was alone with the exception of the two guards that stood completely motionless. Celestia turned her attention back to the papers and began signing them. However, a sudden noise clutched her attention. The sound of small scampering feet patting on the ground alerted the guards below her as well. Immediately hostile, the sprung into their battle stance and were ready to fight whoever the infiltrator was.

The princess of the sun continued to look frantically at the room around her. But her attention switched…when one of her guards screamed!