MLP: Seeds of the Past
Chapter 9 - A Royal Capture, Part 2
Author's Note: "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic" belongs to DHX Media and Hasbro, while Stardust Balance is owned by the Warrior of Twilight, and thanks again to FanficFan920 for helping me out with the kidnapping scenes!
"What is it with these two?"
The elderly man, who watched over every single universe that currently existed, was not entirely pleased with what he saw was going on in Casey's world.
In regards to Stardust's world, Kronos was just glad that the gold pony wasn't getting himself into any serious trouble… well, for now, anyway.
"He'd better not make me regret giving him a second chance… otherwise, I will be forced to-"
"Hey! Old timer!"
Kronos turned around, looking at a group of ponies that were all locked up inside of a cage.
"How [BEEP]-in long do you plan on keeping us in here?"
With a smirk, the elderly gentleman replied, "As long as I like, Rainbow Crash… this way, you and everypony else will no longer cause any problems."
The evil version of Rainbow Dash let out a growl of frustration, and cried, "Just wait until Star gets his hooves on you, old man!"
"I highly doubt that will be happening anytime soon," said Kronos, in a calm and relaxed tone. "Besides, if he somehow does escape his imprisonment, then he'll end up just like him."
He used his staff to point at a small canteen-like object that was also encased in a block of ice, and Anti-Pinkie asked, "Is somepony in that thing?"
"That's for me to worry about," said Kronos, who had nothing else to say after that, and he continued with observing what was going on in Casey's world.
Hmmmm… very interesting, thought the evil counterpart of Twilight, who preferred to be called Midnight, and a small smile appeared on her face.
The full moon was already high up in the sky by the time that Twilight, Spike, and Shining entered her castle after finishing their train ride to Ponyville from Canterlot.
"Spike, I need you to write a letter from me to Princess Celestia, explaining everything that's been happening, as soon as possible."
After the little dragon gave her a quick nod, Twilight turned her attention over to Shining Armor.
"You sure that Cadence won't mind you staying here for the night? I'd hate to make her feel worried or anything."
Shining chuckled at the young alicorn's concern, and he shook his head. "It'll be fine, Twilight, don't worry… also, how's Casey been doing? I haven't seen him since we showed the finished statues to you and the others."
Before Twilight could respond, there was a muffled "boom" sound that came from upstairs, and the next thing they knew, a familar voice cried out, "I'm okay!"
Letting out a sigh, a smiling Twilight said, "He's doing just fine."
A few moments later, a worn-out and somewhat dirty Casey appeared at the top of the staircase, and after noticing the two of them, he gave a small wave. "Hey, Twilight… hey, Shining Armor! Haven't seen you in a while."
"Yeah, I was actually telling her the same thing about you," replied a confused Shining. "Uh… any reason why you look so-"
"Oops, sorry," said Casey, remembering why he'd been holding onto a small white towel, and he began wiping the soil off his face. "I've spent almost the whole day trying to fix the Crystal Mirror machine, but nothing seems to be working."
While Shining nodded his understanding, Twilight let out a sigh, and said, "Casey, I know you miss being with him, but what's going on right now is a little more important."
Noticing the worried looks on their faces, Casey started to feel concerned, and he asked, "What is it?"
A few minutes later
"... so, as of this moment, one of these three ponies have captured Rainbow Dash, Moondancer, Lyra, Minuette, Lemon Hearts, Twinkleshine, Rarity, and even our parents."
After Twilight finished her explanation via bulletin board, Casey looked at the three pictures that had the word "suspect" written in red ink, and said, "Well, although this is really impressive… um, I don't get why you have Stardust listed as a suspect."
"He wears a cloak, right?" reminded Twilight, and that caused Casey to start laughing.
"Yeah, but I don't think he would do something like that… I mean, especially since he has versions of them in his own world, so it doesn't make sense that-"
"Well, for now, he's guilty until proven innocent," said Twilight, while Casey rolled his eyes. "In the meantime, let's keep trying to repair the machine. Were you able to use it once, at least?"
Casey nodded his head, and while following her to the library, he replied, "Yup… and I really hope that Fluttershy never decides to own a shed one day."
Or whatever the heck that world's version of her was about to use on me.
The next morning, while preparing all of his darts for the task that was ahead, Beck spent a few moments trying to ignore the pain in various areas of his body.
"One thing I'll admit right now," muttered the green Earth pony, taking a quick glance at the two royal sisters that were locked up in their own individual cage. "Your guards are very well trained."
Luna simply gave him a smirk in response while Celestia asked, "Who else do you plan on bringing here?"
"What, is the answer not obvious, your Highness?" replied Beck, giving his childhood crush a sly grin. "It's as clear as crystal, after all…"
It took a moment for all of his prisoners to realize what he was talking about, and Rarity was the one who spoke the answer.
"Princess Cadence?"
The cloaked pony let out a chuckle, and said, "Looks like somepony's paying attention after all."
However, his smile went away after Rainbow Dash's response reminded him of the bruises that he currently had.
"And how do you expect to do that? With the sisters here, Cadance must have amped up her security ten-fold. You may have beaten up the guards from Canterlot, but there is no way you'll beat the ones in the Crystal Empire."
"Oh, I don't think so, Pinky Dash," replied Beck, who was now ready to leave. "I don't expect them to make things too easy for me… I do enjoy a challenge, after all…"
He paused to reveal an object that brought a look of fear and concern on his prisoners' faces.
"And I've always been fond of starting things off with a bang… hahahahaha!"
Everypony inside of Twilight's castle were all currently asleep, and inside their own bedroom, but all of that was disrupted by a sound that no one wanted to be awoken by.
"Whoo-whoo-whoo-whoo-whoo-whoo-whoo-whoo-whoo-whoo-whoo-whoo!"
You cannot be [BEEP]-in serious, thought Casey, who was now walking towards the front doors after being unable to go back to sleep, and after he opened it-
"Whoo-whoo-whoo-whoo-whoo- oh, sorry, sir," said Ride Along, the officer pony from Canterlot, and Casey gave him a slight nod. "Is Princess Twilight here?"
"Present," replied a yawning Twilight, now standing beside Casey while Spike and Shining were coming down the stairs. "How can I help you, Officer Ride Along?"
The law enforcer let out a sigh, and he said, "It's not easy for me to say this to you, but… the 'cloaked pony' who captured Rarity… and, at this point, probably everypony else we talked about… was successful in capturing both Princess Luna and Princess Celestia."
"What?!" yelled the three ponies and young dragon.
Before Ride Along could say more, Applebloom appeared from out of nowhere, and cried, "Twilight! Twilight! Some cloaked pony took my big sister away!"
"What?!" said everypony else, except for Applejack's little sister.
Then, a look of realization appeared on Casey's face, and he exclaimed, "Twilight… where's Starlight at?"
Everything seemed to be going as normal for the residents of the Crystal Empire. Despite the departure of their Prince, Shining Armor, for what was reported to be a personal reason, all was calm and orderly.
'Guess I'll just have to shake things up a little,' Beck thought to himself as he walked along the the Empire's streets, uncloaked.
He was carrying five saddle bags, two of which contained his trusty tube, KOncoction darts, burlap sack, grappling gear, a megaphone, and a remote-like device, two others contained his little "surprise."
As for the last one? Well, that was definitely a surprise…
"Who's bright idea was it to build this castle with 3 legs as a foundation with an open bottom portion? Not exactly very smart, is it?" Beck mused as he approached one of said three legs.
Without missing a step, discarded two of his saddle bags, making sure they were at least out of the way.
Then, the green furred stallion made his way too an alleyway between two buildings close to the castle. Once there, he removed the remote-like device from one of his two remaining saddle bags.
"In 3… 2… 1… and…"
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
A few seconds latee, screams of terror (and even a couple in pain) began just as the explosives went off.
"Sorry 'bout that," Beck mentally apologized to the ones screaming in terror as he quickly pulled out his grappling gun.
Running from the alleyway, luckily going unnoticed, due to the chaos, he fired the gun, managing to hook it on one of the castle's upper balconies.
Once he pulled on it for stability, Beck pressed the button on the device, which pulled him, and his precious cargo, up into the air.
Moments Earlier
The last few days, contrary to the common ponies of the Empire, had actually been quite tense for one Princess Mi Amore Cadenza.
Why is all of this happening?
With her husband's departure to Canterlot due to the disappearance of his parents to the news of the pony-napping of her Aunts Celestia and Luna, the Crystal Guard, temporarily led by Flash Sentry, had amped up security within the castle's walls.
Cadance was currently seated in her throne, about to take some disputes between some the Crystal Ponies, when, without warning, a loud explosion was heard and tremors began to be felt.
"Oh, my Celestia…" gasped the pink alicorn, now feeling shocked and a little afraid.
"I believe that we now may be under attack, your Highness," pointed out a Crystal Guard.
A slight frown of annoyance appeared on Cadence's face as she said, "Yes, I can see that."
"Come on, we need to get you to a safe location," another guard said as Cadence descended from her throne, and quickly following the Guards.
"But wait a moment… what about Flurry Heart?"
"Not to worry, Princess," The first guard consoled. "Your daughter will be escorted by Sunburst and their detail to the rendezvous."
Cadence nodded her head, and said, "Alright, then… let us continue onward."
In another part of the castle
"Come with us, Sunburst," Flash Sentry, said to the orange unicorn who was currently holding a crying young Princess Flurry Heart.
"Got it," Sunburst said and took off following Flash and three other guards who were to lead them away from danger, as well as trying his best to console the baby alicorn. "It's okay, don't be afraid… shhhhhhh, everything's going to be fine, just close your-"
"Oh, I wouldn't say that," a voice said, before five darts were heard being shot out.
WHOOSH!
The next thing Sunburst, Flash, and the other three guards of their detail felt was pricks to the flank, and once that happened, a cloaked figure rounded into the hallway, making his way with purpose towards the already weakening Sunburst.
"Freeze! Hold it… r-right…" Flash Sentry slurred, trying to ready his spear. All he got in return was a hoof slap to the face before he succumbed to the darkness.
[AN: That was for you. You know who you are.]
'Pathetic,' Beck noted as he passed by Sentry, and continued moving towards Sunburst. "I'll be taking her off of your hooves, thank you."
"Nnnnnoooooo," Sunburst said, turning around and kneeling to protect the infant alicorn. "You... won't... get her."
Beck chuckled, and he replied, "Oh, you must be mistaken. I have no intention on harming the little cutie pie."
Then, he shoved the knocked-out-cold babysitter over to find the little alicorn, who was sniffling due to the distressing atmosphere.
Luckily, the tremors the explosion created were all but subsiding, so the halls of the castle were once more graced with a regal silence.
"Hi, little one," Beck cooed, pulling down his cloak to reveal his face to Flurry as well as kneeling down to the little one's level.
"Mama…" whined a teary-eyed Flurry, who was still sniffling.
"Don't worry, I'll help you find your mama," Beck said, wrapping his front hooves around the infant with tenderness.
Then, Flurry's face instantly brightened as if to say, "You will?"
"Uh-huh… come on," Beck said as he left the unconscious bodies of Sunburst, Flash, and the other three guards behind, while carrying the baby alicorn in a way that was similar to how he'd carry his son.
Cadance, having already evacuated the castle, was now anxiously waiting for the arrival of her daughter.
As it turned out, one of the castle's three legs was partially damaged as a result of the blast...enough to cause some slight instability, but not so that it would topple the structure.
"Where are they?" Cadance said, beginning to go into a slight panic.
"Not to worry, Princess, they should be exiting any second now," one guard said in an attempt to console her. "It is highly unlikely for-"
"Attention, Crystal Idiots!" yelled out an unfamiliar voice, and all of the Crystal ponies that had crowded near the castle all looked up to the balcony from Flurry Hearts room, where a figure holding a megaphone.
"Would anypony... like to tell me... why a castle that's supposed to both house and protect royalty... is built on three legs?" The figure, Beck, asked, confusing his audience below. "Cause it was pretty darn easy to blow some of it up and nearly topple the thing!
After seeing that everypony was now looking up at him, Beck added, "So… now that you're all paying attention… Princess Cadance, I believe I have something of yours!"
'Please don't be what I think it is,' one of Cadance's guards thought, as well as the princess herself.
"Your hash browns," Beck said, holding one up, and leaning on the railing for support so he can hold two things at once.
The aforementioned guard sighed in relief, while Cadence became a little confused.
"They are heavenly. Is there a recipe somewhere?"
Before anypony could give him an answer, Beck added, "Oh! And there's something else... come on out, sweetie,"
After seeing him put down the delicious food, many experienced a sharp intake of breath when Flurry Heart suddenly bounded onto the balcony, with her giggles conveying a message like, "Look at me!"
As for Cadance, she was bordering on hysterics. "My baby!"
"Geez, Princess, get a grip," Beck said through the megaphone. "So... here's what's going to happen.
"Unless this child's mother comes in through the castle to retrieve her ALONE..." Beck emphasized. "Everything will be a-ok. Failure to comply will result in... well, I can't say that now, a child is present."
After taking a moment for it to sink in, Beck looked at Flurry, and asked, "You want to use the megaphone, sweetie?"
Flurry nodded, and once it was in her hooves, she let out a cry that traveled throughout the kingdom, amplifying the fear of everyone who heard it.
I'm going in," Cadance said, determined, but then, she found herself being stopped by a castle guard.
"Your Highness, I fear that-"
"That is my daughter, soldier," she said sternly. "As your ruler, I order you to stand down... Be prepared for when he'll eventually have to leave."
A few minutes later
"Why did Shining have to be in Canterlot?" Candance said to herself as she approached Flurry's room, with the door already open, and expecting to see…
"Who's the cutest baby in the world? You are," Beck cooed as he played with the little alicorn.
… something that she figured would be worse.
"Ahhhh, Princess Cadance... A pleasure to meet such a beautiful alicorn, as yourself."
A frustrated Cadance growled, "Save it… give me back my daughter now."
"No problem," replied Beck, speaking in a casual tone. "You just have to do one more thing."
"And what would that be exactly?" asked Cadence, who couldn't help but again feel a little surprised since this was not she had expected at all to come from him.
"That dart you see to your right..."
Cadance looked to her right to find a dart resting on the table.
"...just ram that baby into your flank and we're good."
A frown appeared on the princess' face after hearing those words, and said, "Now, hold on-"
"Ah-ah-ah," interrupted Beck, speaking in a disapproving tone. "Remember what I said earlier, princess?"
Cadance remembered… failure to comply resulted in Flurry being harmed.
"Well, you know the deal," said Beck. "Neither of us are gettin' any younger, my dear."
"Fine," she said, levitating the dart with her magic, and sticking it into her flank. "Now-"
However, Beck shook his head, and replied, "All the way, now, princess."
Cadence just gave him a look, and then, she asked, "Does seeing me perform this act make you feel…"
"If you're about to say what I think you're going to say, then the answer is no," answered Beck, giving her a smirk. "I am not that kind of pony… now, um, I do recall saying earlier if you did not follow through with- ah, there we go, princess, easy as pie!"
Insert "Vulture Clash" from Spider-Man: Homecoming
Taking a moment to rub the side of her flank, Cadence glared at Beck, and exclaimed, "There, and now, for the last time, give her back!"
However, she was once again surprised after Beck suddenly began laughing.
"Wow… I see why you have your name, princess, but I can't believe you're actually that gullible...
"I mean, did you really think I'd harm a little foal like Flurry Heart?"
After hearing what he had said to her, Cadance's eyes widened in realization.
Beck didn't come to the Crystal Empire for Flurry… he came for her.
"You… w-will not… I…"
She had no time to react on this impulse however, as the darkness began to enter her vision, and slur her speech.
As he looked down at her, Beck sighed, and he said, "You know, it's comforting to know I'm not the only one who'll do anything for family."
Cadence had no chance to reply, for she was already unconscious on the ground.
"Mama?" Flurry asked, seeing her mother asleep on the floor.
"Sorry about this, sweetie," Beck said as he softly pricked a dart into the filly's flank, eliciting a cry. "Shhhhhh…"
The baby alicorn's eyes began to close, and her wings were tucked in as she began to yawn.
"Good night, little one," Beck whispered as he gently placed a now-sleeping Flurry in her crib, and giving her a loving kiss in the forehead before tucking her in.
Once he did that, he turned his attention towards the unconscious Cadence, taking out his burlap sack as he said, "And as for you, princess…"
The crowd around the castle was already beginning to grow restless the longer the Princess was out of their vision. It got so rowdy that some of the Guard needed to convert their efforts to crowd control.
It was organized chaos for several minutes, at least until they heard a parting message from the villain that dared to attack their home.
"So long, suckers!" Beck yelled into his megaphone before discarding it over the highest balcony in the castle, and it ended up landing harmlessly due to the crowd making room for the projectile.
Back on the highest castle balcony, burlap sack in mouth, and his third saddle bag ready on his back ready to deploy, Beck ran out into the balcony and jumped, much to the shock of the Crystal ponies.
However, he wasn't airborne for too long before he pulled the string he had attached to his hoof and out came a wing-like mechanism.
Just as it was designed to do, it caught the wind and carried Beck out into the distance.
The Crystal Guard was unable to follow, seeing as how the crowd had gotten so thick that getting through them would take too long.
Plus, they couldn't have guessed what was inside the sack… but what they did know is that Prince Shining Armor needed to be alerted about this immediately.
Several miles away
"Coming in for a landing," Beck said to himself, getting his hooves ready.
[Music mentioned earlier is abruptly cut off, around 2 minute mark.]
However, like all first-time flyers, Beck ended up crashing down to the ground, rolling repeatedly until he came to rest flat on his back, with the burlap sack having been discarded from his mouth due to the fall.
Luckily, the fall had happened in a grassy meadow, otherwise Beck would have had another set of injuries to deal with.
The green-fur-colored pony got up, made sure his saddle bags were in order, which included the packaging of his glider, and check up on the unconscious Cadance.
'Whew, she's alright. Better to have a live Princess rather than a dead or gravely injured one,' Beck thought to himself before taking the sack into his mouth once more as he galloped back to the lab once more.
"I can't believe it… this is impossible…"
As he began putting the Princess of Love into her own cage, Beck let out a small chuckle, and said, "I told you all, did I not?"
"You are a horrible pony," said a frowning Luna. "How many more must you capture until your satisfactions are fulfilled?"
After doing one last check on Cadence, Beck began to re-treat some of his bruises from last night, and with a smile, he said, "Oh, there's only a few more left that will be joining us… but I have something very special in mind for the pony that I plan on capturing last… heh-heh-heh… ha-ha-ha-ha… ha-ha- aaaagh, damn it!"