Princess Celestia: The Fall of Canterlot (MLP AU)

Chapter 1: The Weight of the Crown

                 The grand hall of Canterlot Castle had never felt more suffocating. The vast marble walls, etched with the history of the kingdom, seemed to close in on the royal cabinet, whose members stood in uneasy silence before the throne. The once-majestic light from the stained-glass windows, normally a symbol of prosperity and peace, felt dim and cold.

At the heart of this gathering sat King Cosmos, his imposing figure radiating authority. His brow was furrowed, not from doubt, but from the calculations running through his mind. To the people, Cosmos was their king, their protector. But to those in his inner circle, he had become something far more dangerous: a ruler who would stop at nothing to consolidate his grip on power.

The tension in the room was thick, and only Queen Galaxia's presence beside him offered any semblance of calm. She was the moon to his sun, always shining softly in the shadows of his decisions. Her silver hair cascaded over her shoulders like the shimmering stars she was named after, and though her expression was poised, there was a tightness in her gaze that only those closest to her could notice.

A low murmur spread across the room as the royal cabinet awaited their fate. There were whispers in the air—rumors of unrest, plots of rebellion, all spearheaded by the elusive Obsidian Crest. Every advisor present knew that today was no mere meeting. King Cosmos had summoned them not to discuss the kingdom's affairs but to announce a change. A reshuffling of power.

With a slow, deliberate movement, Cosmos rose from his throne, the metallic clang of his armored boots echoing off the marble floor. The sound cut through the silence like a blade, and the advisors stiffened in response. Cosmos surveyed them with a gaze as cold as ice, his eyes flicking from one face to another, measuring their worth, weighing their loyalty.

"The kingdom teeters on the edge of chaos," he began, his voice low but resonant. "There are forces within our walls that seek to undermine everything we have built."

He paused, letting his words settle. His presence was overwhelming, and as he stood before them, even the most seasoned advisors couldn't help but feel a wave of unease. The kingdom had never known such a heavy hand before, but Cosmos was not the king of old. He had become something else—something far more calculating.

Queen Galaxia remained seated on her throne, her delicate hands resting on the armrests. Her eyes never left her husband, but behind her composed demeanor, she could feel the growing darkness that had taken root within him. She had been by his side through every victory, every defeat, but as of late, she felt the distance between them widening.

Cosmos paced slowly before the gathered advisors, his hands clasped behind his back. "The kingdom must be fortified. Our leadership must be resolute. We cannot afford weakness or indecision, not now." He stopped, turning to face them fully. "The royal cabinet will be reshuffled."

Gasps of surprise echoed softly from the group, though none dared speak out. They had expected changes, but not this. Several advisors shifted nervously, their eyes darting to one another, silently calculating their own fates.

King Cosmos continued, undeterred. "Too many among you have failed to meet the demands of the crown. Loyalty has been... questionable." His words were sharp, cutting through the air. "From this day forward, only those who have proven their unwavering allegiance to the throne will remain. The rest... will be replaced."

The finality of his words hung in the room like a death sentence. None dared challenge him, for they knew what would happen to those who did. There had been whispers of disappearances—men and women who had crossed the king, only to vanish from the court without a trace.

One advisor, an elder statesman named Lord Varen, stepped forward, his voice trembling slightly. "Your Majesty, surely there is room for discussion—"

"There is no discussion," Cosmos interrupted, his tone harsh and absolute. "The time for discussion is over."

Lord Varen immediately stepped back, his face pale. He had served the royal family for decades, but even he knew when to keep silent. The king's wrath was not something to be tested.

Queen Galaxia finally rose from her throne, her voice calm yet commanding. "We must ensure the stability of Canterlot," she said, addressing the cabinet. "The kingdom cannot falter in times like these. The choices we make now will determine the future of our people."

Her words were gentle compared to Cosmos', but there was no mistaking the firmness behind them. Though she remained a guiding light for many in the kingdom, even she knew that the old ways were crumbling under her husband's growing paranoia.

The reshuffling had been her idea, though not in the manner Cosmos was now enforcing. She had hoped for a softer approach, replacing only those who had grown too old or complacent in their roles. But her husband's vision was far more ruthless. He wanted complete control, and nothing less would satisfy him.

As the meeting drew to a close, Cosmos issued his final decree. "By tomorrow, those who remain in the cabinet will be informed of their continued service. The rest of you... are dismissed."

With that, he turned his back to the advisors, making his way toward the exit with Galaxia at his side. The tension that had gripped the room followed them out, lingering like a storm waiting to break.

As they walked down the long corridor leading away from the chamber, Galaxia finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "Is this truly the path you wish to take, my king?"

Cosmos glanced at her but did not stop walking. "The kingdom needs strength, Galaxia. Anything less invites rebellion."

"And what of trust? What of loyalty from those who have served us faithfully for years?"

"Trust is a luxury we can no longer afford," he said coldly. "Loyalty must be earned, and it must be absolute."

Galaxia fell silent, her heart heavy. She could feel the distance growing between them, the shadow of his ambition clouding everything they had once stood for. As the doors to the royal chambers closed behind them, she wondered how much longer she could stand by and watch the kingdom—and her husband—spiral deeper into darkness.