The Next Day

Today is the Grand Galloping Gala. Finally a day of peace. This time I am actually looking forward to being bored. Me and Lucas were at the dining room eating lunch while Luna was too busy preparing a dress. Odd. I never thought as Luna a pony to do fashion. Never the less, at least this day will be peaceful.

"Do not worry princess. I got Canterlot locked down using forcefield technology. Every cart, every pony going in will be scanned thoroughly. Without using any ponypower," Lucas called across the table, looking over some blueprints.

"Now I see the purpose of Project...Machina?" I said, trying to pronounce the new words that Lucas has brought from his home-world no doubt.

"Yes, to create machines for more menial tasks such as scanning or dangerous tasks such as mining," He lectured, "These contraptions are sure to secure Equestria's future".

"Changing the subject, what is happening with Luna?" I asked. She was acting strange today.

"So you noticed too? She was sick this morning. I fear she has come down with something completely different to the fungus going around so don't worry too much," He said in thought.

Luna had finally come downstairs for something to eat.

"Ah Luna, how goes the dress?" I asked with a smile on my face.

"Fine thank you sister," She yawned. Lucas began to look at her in a odd way. Luna was soon upstairs again. Lucas soon stood up.

"I have to go back to work. Thank you for the food Celestia," He smiled. This day was perfect. Too perfect. Lucas soon walked out of the room. Luna then peered into the room once more.

"Has he gone?" She asked quietly, looking around for Lucas.

"Yes he has, want me to call him back?" I asked.

"No. I need to talk to you in private sister," She came closer to me and took the seat closest. She looked around the room. "See any machines around?" She asked quietly.

"Is everything OK Luna?

"It depends on your Point of View".

Lucas' POV

Walking once more in the alleyways and side streets of Canterlot to avoid pesky civilians and meddling business ponies looking for me to introduce them to the Princesses. I arrived at the Canterlot workshop.

"Home sweet home," I muttered to myself. Walking into metal corridors. I saw Mystic sitting on a bench at the radio computer.

"I'm home," I called.

"My friend! You are back! I knew you were OK!" Mystic exclaimed, running to me.

"Good to be back. I hate hospitals."

"So standard protocol?" He asked. I laughed. Mystic was one for doing things properly.

"I'm afraid I am limiting myself to the programming lab today my dear Mystic. For I feel that my time will here be short". A look of concern suddenly appeared on Mystic's face.

"Whatever do you mean?"

"Well you saw me in Manehatten. I don't think I can hold out much longer in this war. Therefore I am putting one project in priority for the programming labs".

"But my friend, the software for Project Sol is below 10% done. We cannot just stop!"

"Without this, no projects can be built at all!"

"Anyway, let us see if our new project works," I pulled down a switch and whirring filled the room for a few minutes. Suddenly.

"Digital Engineering Life-form booted. Ready for operations sir!" A voice called. It had a posh accent, similar to Rarity but a lower pitch, "Allow me introduce myself. I am the Digital Engineering Life-form, but you may call me DEL".

"OK DEL, I am inputting some new programs to you. They allow you to monitor the machines connected to your network".

"Yes sir, beginning upload". Only a few seconds passed until, "Upload complete, install complete. Monitoring networks," DEL's monotonous voice reported.

"DEL, I would like to create a new project. This is to stay between me and you only. Nothing can know, do you understand?" I ordered.

"Understood sir, connecting to the Personal Assembly Device". I entered the project name, "Project Rebirth. This will be my last resort if everything goes from bad to total shit-storm". I began to mentally dive into the depths of PAD's data banks. I was frozen in place, I had never used the PAD more harder than ever before. Dedicating most my concentration to the programs of the device. Plucking knowledge from the digital library, my eyes drifted to the clock.

"Shit!" I shouted, jumping out of my seat, "The Grand Galloping Gala!"

I began fabricating a suit. I wanted to look top notch in this high class event. Of course I didn't want to go, but Luna wants me to and it is impossible to say no to her. Dashing into the bathroom, I began to prepare my self. Shit, shower, shave. Old habits die hard. I almost flew out of the bathroom soon as my suit was ready. I slipped it on and began to run outside into the city until I stopped once more.

"Shoes!" I shouted, running back into my bedroom. I took a pair of highly shined shoes and put them on, squeezing my foot through the leather. "Right, now it is my time to shine!" I said to myself, looking at a mirror and having a well groomed, smartly dressed human staring back at me. I soon ran out of the bedroom, slammed the door and ran back out into the city once more.

The city was dead, allowing me to sprint through the main street without causing a riot in transit or getting rookie guards chasing me. The city was that quiet I could hear my footsteps echo throughout the city centre. I saw the castle getting closer, lit up like a beacon. Soon as I reached the bridge everypony began to stare, faint or ask questions to their friends. I burst through the large line of ponies to reach the gate. 2 guards promptly readied their spears.

"Halt creature! You shall not pass!" One guard said sternly. If I didn't just run what I felt like was a marathon I would be dying of laughter.

"Luna!" I shouted, hoping to get her attention. The 2 guards narrowed their eyes at me and I heard the ponies gasp behind me.

"That is Princess Luna to you creature!" The other guard shouted at me, raising his spear at me.

"That is quite enough guard," I heard Luna say, walking towards the door.

My jaw dropped so much I think it hit the floor with so much impact it bounced back into it's normal position. Luna looked...I can't explain with one word. I really can't explain the dress, I'm not much of a fashion expert. Her hair was tied up neatly, light blue eye-shadow and a midnight blue lipstick with a glistening effect to it made her look flawless. Which is bloody hard to do in the first place.

"What is the meaning of this!" She asked angrily, looking sternly at the 2 guards.

"This creature was trying to gain access to the gala your highness".

"That creature is my coltfriend you foal! Listen in your brief next time, I will make sure that the captain will make this clear!" I could see that those 2 guards were shitting themselves now. Luna looked me up and down and then blushed.

"Hello Lucas, you look..." She quietly said, walking up to me, "Lucas?" She waved her hoof several times in front of my face. I then came back to Equus.

"Luna...you look..." Come on Lucas say something! "You look, More than flawless. More than divine. I don't think a word exists that can describe how stunning you look right now," I stammered. Smooth Lucas, real smooth. She then blushed so much I think the ponies at the back of the line could see.

"Let's go inside shall we?" Luna asked.

"Yeah. I'm freezing," I shivered.

The entrance hall was it's standard red carpet self. A lot of ponies were lined up to meet the princess. I mean a lot. I think the line stretched back as far as the outskirts to the town. I walked with Luna as she led me up the stairs towards Princess Celestia.

"I better not be greeting everypony. I doubt you will get much conversation out of them if it was me," I said. Luna giggled.

"Of course not, you and I will be together in the main event," she replied, looking back at me and winking.

"Thank fuck for that," I sighed in relief. I saw Celestia greeting everypony. I could see she was bored. Proper bored. Like husband in clothes shop with wife bored. I approached her, that shut everypony up.

"Hey Celestia," I waved at her. She looked at me. Everypony gasped...again. "Enough with the bloody gasping!"

"Lucas, you look nice," She complimented.

"Thanks, your sister looks better if you don't mind me saying so," I teased. She scowled at me but then giggled soon after and shook her head/

"I bet you enjoy doing this for...5 hours straight." I was getting under her skin now.

"You're as annoying as Discord sometimes Lucas," She joked, "I am going to be honest. This gala is going like the others, slow."

"I can solve that problem," I pressed a button on a small, spherical device. A white flash filled the room and I dragged Luna and Celestia out into the hall.

"Lucas, what on Equus are you doing?!" Celestia asked. Still getting dragged by me. We were in the main hall now.

"Have a nice time Celestia, thank me later." I said, going to Luna once more.

"Well, that was eventful."

The hall was decorated a bit too much if you asked me. Looked like one of Pinkie Pie's parties, instead of a high class social event. The edges of the room were filled with several tables. Drinks. Drinks. Drinks. Ice Statue. Buffet of indigestible food. Wait! Is that a chocolate fountain! Jackpot! I found myself hovering towards it, figuratively of course. Suddenly I felt a pull on my suit, dragging me back.

"Oh no you don't!" Luna had dragged me back. Damn it!

"Well what now?" I asked, looking around.

"We are at the Grand Galloping Gala..."

"And?"

"What do you do at the Grand Galloping Gala?"

"Eat stuff at the chocolate fountain?" I replied, hoping to at least get a chance at it.

"No".

"Worth a shot".

"You dance," She said, looking at me. She had that look. That look like she is planning something.

"OK then, let us dance. I have to warn you, I am no good at it".

"Same".

We walked onto the dance floor. We grabbed hoof and hand and began to dance. Well, if that is what you want to call it. This is going better than expected. I am actually doing well, good in fact. I couldn't dance this well on Earth...

"You are welcome sir," DEL said through my PAD. DEL you are awesome! After the song had ended we stared lovingly into each others eyes and kissed passionately. I felt that time had stopped completely as we shared this beautiful moments. Time quickly awakened as we opened our eyes once more. Luna then started to giggle.

"What?"

"Look in a mirror," She continued. I looked into a window reflect to see that midnight blue lipstick was present on my lips as well as Luna's.

"I best go to the bathroom," I said. Luckily I can get to the chocolate fountain in transit! I skewered a few marshmallows and doused them in chocolate. Luna gave me a look. I looked back as if to say 'what?'. After indulging myself, and managing to actually get away from the fountain I headed to the bathroom to get this make-up off.

The bathroom was empty, thankfully. I looked in the mirror and saw myself looking ridiculous. I took some toilet tissue and wet it, rubbing the lipstick off with ease. I was about to walk out before I felt a funny feeling in my stomach as I walked out. I ran to a toilet, expecting vomit. However nothing came out. I began to walk back out but promptly fell on my knees. I began to change one more.

I looked in the mirror once more, this time seeing a monster staring back.

"Hey handsome," I said to the mirror.  I heard hoofsteps move towards the bathroom. I found a window and didn't hesitate to squeeze through. I flew in the air, spying on the gala through the gigantic windows. Everypony was having a wonderful time. Dancing and music and food oh my! What a wonderful party. Ugh. I waited for my perfect time to strike. Princess Celestia and Luna approached each other and began talking. Bingo. Now for the strikers to assume there position. I saw six infected ponies sneak towards the window like a special forces team. One looked at me and nodded their head. Strike team in position and the two Princesses are together. Time for the real party to begin!

I dashed towards the window shattering it as a result. Glass shards flew through the air. Screams filled the room as I landed near the musicians. The two princesses looked shocked, stunned and frozen. A guard ran at me with his spear. I used my wing to pierce him and began to consume him.

"It's you, you are the one responsible for all this!" Celestia shouted.

"What kind of monster are you?" Luna asked in disgust. I simply laughed. My menacing chuckle filled the castle.

"I am the Master Mind, lord of disease, demi god of Pestilence," I explained, "I am the one to fill this world with Pestilence blessing. You are heathens in my lord's eyes! You must be exterminated!"

"We have no quarrel with you. If you leave now we may forgive this rude intrusion!" Luna shouted back.

"Intrusion?" I said in intrigue, "I think you mean invasion" I chuckled. "Aerial team 1 engage!" I ordered, thrusting my arm down.

Several booms were heard far away. Suddenly a squad of five pegasi zoomed across the skies and curved, heading straight for the castle. A slight modification of the Changeling aerial assault tactic. The five pegasi crashed into the floor, leaving small craters. All five of them were infected. Several guards managed to hold them back long enough for the ponies to evacuate, including Luna and Celestia. Wise move. My ears shot up and tuned in. I heard the captain of the guard talking to the two.

"Princesses! Three large forces are approaching the city with great speed. One from the mountain, one from below and one assaulting the main gates!" The captain reported, panicking, "I advise that we evacuate you immediately!"

"No! This time I make a stand. I will no longer flee from my subjects. As long as that Master Mind is attacking my subjects, I will not rest!" Celestia rallied, "Captain, bring me my armour!"

"Me too sister," Luna said.

"No sister, I do not want to lose you a second time!"

"I'm already, how did Lucas say it? Ah, locked and loaded!" Luna took out a small remote, "This time, we will win!"

"What is that sister?"

"A small gift from Lucas," Luna pressed the button. Small beeping sounds could be heard and suddenly.

Bits of wall debris flew from one side of the room to another. When the dust settled a metal pony could be seen. 2 arms propped out of it's back, both wielding dual laser cannons on it's back. The sentinel heavy assault bot, made for one purpose. To kick flank! Nothing I cant handle though, I know it's weak spots. The robot set it's eyes on me and power up it's cannons. I spread my wings and flew directly up, smashing through a bit of ceiling and dodging a crazed robot firing a light show at me. I managed to lose it's sights on me. One bad thing about the Sentinel is that it wasn't meant for Anti Air so it would lose you easily. It began searching the  room. I landed quietly and began to sneak around it. I managed to get behind it. Unsheathing two claws I lined it up with the power core and... gotcha! I severed the power connector, thus ripping out a good chunk of metal. Teaches them to use my own inventions against me.

Several guards had managed to mobilise and ran out into the main hall, aiming the primitive weapons against me. I looked at the Sentinel's body and come up with an idea. I ripped off the laser cannon and attached the power generator to it, bit of licking and sticking later the cannon powered up. The guards charged at me. I fired the beam, cutting most of the guard in half. The last few knew what they were dealing with and ran away. Now, this has been fun but I got an army waiting! I flew up into the night sky once more.

"Hear my words Celestia. This day marks the end of Equestria!" I projected. I flew off into the mountain, where I had set up my command base. Today is the day. The faithful day. The Fall of Canterlot!