The Rise Of An Empire

Part 10

As Intrépido flew towards Canterlot, the words of the Dark Queen remained at the front of his mind.

"I want you to spy on a group known as the Mane Five," she ordered, with an expression of disgust making itself known on her face as she said the name of the group. "They will most likely be found in the city of Canterlot. You will find them and remain close to their hideout, wherever it is. Gather some information - whether they will start any kind of rebellion or not. Do not kill them. I want them alive. Here," Twilight said, tossing a picture in his direction. Five brightly coloured ponies came into his view. "This is what they look like."

It was just as he finally reached the city that he saw a figure falling. He flew closer and saw that it was one of the mares from the picture.

Fluttershy screamed as the distance between her and a huge rock became closer. She had longed for death, but now that she was quite literally staring it in the face, she could not help but wish she had stayed.

Perhaps some other way would have been better. A painless one. But she couldn't open her wings now as the air current surrounding her was too strong, the speed that she was falling at was too fast.

She wished Rainbow Dash would come and save her, but it seemed as though the pegasus was either too shocked or just as the shy mare thought, didn't care.

Fluttershy closed her eyes, not wanting to see her end, but no sooner than she did so did she feel hooves wrap themselves around her body.

She opened her eyes in surprise to see the face of an Umbrum staring at her. Fluttershy fainted.

Rainbow Dash felt miserable. Her best friend had just jumped off a cliff. In front of her. And she hadn't done anything to stop Fluttershy, other than talking.

Her chest began to hurt, and as much as she tried, she couldn't stop the hot, stinging tears from flowing out. All her achievements meant nothing to her. In races, she always tried to keep her title, but this was a race she had lost.

Why...why was she so slow? Why was she foolish enough to think that her words alone would stop Fluttershy from jumping? She was foolish...foolish...

Heartbreaker was drinking a mug of coffee - she had abstained from drinking tea ever since the Incident- while pondering upon what to do.

The Storm King was certainly very powerful- the barriers he had put up, as well as their unexpected surprise still haunted her- and as powerful as she was, she doubted she could defeat him even in a one-on-one battle.

Ironically, just as she began to doubt herself, a guard frantically sought permission to enter. She let him.

The Guard looked as though his worst nightmare had been chasing after him.

"Whatever is the matter?" Heartbreaker inquired, concerned.

"Your Highness! The Storm King has invaded Canterlot and is coming towards the Castle!" he gasped out, breathless.

The Queen sighed.

Her coffee sat there, long forgotten.

She had not done so much as move a hoof when the doors burst open. "Speak of the devil ," she muttered.

The Storm King stood there with a bloodthirsty grin on his face and a crazed look in his eyes.

He looks like Twilight, with that grin and look, she thought.

"Prepare to die," he warned her, and as he slammed his staff upon the ground, causing lightning to crackle and illuminate the room, the Guard fainted.

Twilight looked at the changeling, and the figure on its back. "You may go," she said, and he laid the mare down before doing so.