Plans In Motion
It had become late in the evening, and Twilight had been looking out the window of the briefing room ever since everypony had entered. She didn’t want any part of this; it felt wrong to be plotting against Vanish, but she knew it was necessary. “Twilight?” Shining Armor walked over to her sister, and placed his foreleg around her in an embrace. “Look, sis, are you sure you’re up for this? We could always consider other options, if you have any ideas.”
Twilight knew there were no other options, or at least none that she could see. “I wish there was another way, but… I’ll be fine.” She turned from the window, giving a smile to her brother as she tried cheerfully responding. “It’s nothing personal, right?” Her friends could hear the lack of sincerity in her tone of voice, as could her brother, as well as her mentor, who felt that it was time to finally pursue a course of action. “Twilight Sparkle, you mentioned that you had information that could help us.” Twilight nodded to Princess Celestia in response. “Yes, Princess. Vanish is only doing this because of a written agreement between him and Gather. Apparantly, Gather paid him for his cooperation.”
Shining Armor approached the other ponies again. “I see. So, Vanish is helping due to a contract. Did you learn how much it would cost to buy it out, assuming we can?” Shining Armor knew that Princess Celestia couldn’t pay somepony just to make them leave her kingdom alone, but if it meant the safety of her kingdom, as well as that of Equestria, she might need to consider related options. Rarity looked down in disappointment. “I’m sorry. I had meant to ask him while he was in my boutique, but he sidestepped the question.”
“To be precise, the bell tower rang, and he said that time was up.” Twilight had cut in, to defend Vanish’s actions, before blushing and looking down dejectedly again. Princess Celestia turned to the Captain of the Wonderbolts. “Spitfire, do you have any idea about what could be done to stop either threat, having spent time around Vanish?” She nodded in response. “We have an idea, and it should be easy enough to do, once Gather and Vanish try attacking. We’ll just need a distraction, in order to put our plan into action.”
“Leave that to us.” Princess Cadance stepped forward, with members of the Royal Guard. “Twilight sent a letter that mentioned the idea of me as a target, last night. I’m certain that I can attract their attention, so that the Wonderbolts could make their move.” Spitfire laid out the plan. “We’ll use our formation to create a thick smokescreen. Vanish won’t be able to remain hidden, so we’ll have a chance if we attack together; he won’t be able to take on all of The Wonderbol-…” The orange Pegasus mare shut her mouth quickly, noticing that Soarin’ was behind a pillar, out of sight of the other ponies, disappointed that he couldn’t be part of the official briefing. “Well… m-most of the Wonderbolts.”
Twilight knew that she had to say something, or her loyalty might be called into question. “I think it’s worth saying,” she spoke up so the other ponies turned in her direction, “that Gather and Vanish work separately.” The other ponies seemed to have question marks on their faces from such a vague statement, so she clarified herself. “They need Gather’s unicorn horn to actually acquire the wings of other ponies, and to use them. So-”
The pink party pony's tongue had recovered enough for her to cut in and try explaining how she saw her unicorn friend's logic. “Oh! You think that if Gather gives his horn to Vanish, we could take Gather, so they can’t continue their plan, right?” Pinkie Pie had come to a reasonable conclusion, even if she came into the meeting rather oblivious to the seriousness of the matter at hand. Twilight nodded at her enthusiastic friend and confirmed her logic. “Yes, Pinkie. If Gather can’t use other ponies’ wings, or even his own magic, we can get him easily.” Celestia nodded silently in agreement. The plan was sound, except for one more point the Princess of the Sun decided to bring up. “What about Vanish?”
Twilight fell silent, but Spitfire was confident in her own plan. “Leave him to us. Princess, are the streets clear?” Princess Celestia nodded and explained her actions. “The guards have asked for the ponies of Canterlot to remain in their homes until further notice from me. As for the fillies, I have sent them on a chariot back to Ponyville. They should be back there soon, safe and sound.” A weak knock at the door prompted the ponies to turn their attention away from the table. The doors opened, revealing three disheveled fillies, as well as some ‘former’ Pegasus pony guards that had been roughed up significantly, and had their wings removed.
Applejack gasped at the sight, as Rarity muttered the first words that came to mind. “He didn’t…” Scootaloo looked up from the floor, meeting Rarity’s eyes. “Vanish stopped the chariot. He and the other pony are waiting outside the barrier. Apparantly, they’ve discussed their plans, and are ready to take action, sort of.”
Rainbow Dash stepped forward. “What do you mean, ‘sort of’?” Apple Bloom spoke for Scootaloo. “Well, that other pony seemed t’want t’use us to get in the barrier, but that Van fella told him to ‘stick to the plan’. Apparently, they don’t agree on what t’do.” Applejack listened to her sister, and had an idea. “Maybe we can’t break their contract, but what if we were t’break their trust in one another?” Twilight’s eyes sparkled with hope. “That’s a great idea, Applejack! We just need to head over there before they come to an agreement! Derpy, stay here with the fillies. Everypony else, let’s see what we can do!”
“Look, merc. I understand you want to do this clean, but do you have any idea how much time we could’ve saved if we just took those fillies hostage!?” Gather was furious at Vanish, as some guards observed the argument from inside the barrier while Vanish spoke to his irate client just outside of the magically-produced shield that surrounded Canterlot. “I refuse to help, if we’re going to just ruin the lives of some young fillies and colts in the process. These guards are paid to protect this kingdom, and shall falter at their job, but leave the fillies out of this.” The dark blue stallion remained staring at the guards inside the barrier, an unreadable expression reflected in his chestnut-brown eyes. “Besides, the plan was perfect from the start; changing it now would allow for quite the hindrance in your goals.”
Gather gasped as he had remembered something. “Ah, yes, about my goals. Before I forget again, I know you are far from being the ideal source of recollection, but I must ask: Did you remember to give them my ‘request’?” Vanish continued staring at the guards, as Gather became slightly impatient. “You know, about the Prisoner Transfer Squad?” Vanish averted his eyes to his client as he spoke. “You will have your containment cell, as you requested.” The turquoise menace laughed boisterously. “AH HA HA! WONDERFUL! I look forward to seizing their cell as my own! Maybe I’ll place that Princess in there and parade her around Ponyville a bit. It would make for a good show, wouldn’t you agree?” Vanish turned his attention back to the guards as he replied. “You give me what’s mine, I’ll give you what’s yours, and then we’re done. We’re not friends, ‘client’.”
Gather chuckled at Vanish’s demeanor, but he soon turned his attention to the ponies approaching them from inside the barrier. “Tch! No need to be so serious, Vanish. I showed you your payment, you’ll get it soon, trust me.” Gather put his foreleg around Vanish’s back. “Stick to the plan, n’ you’ll get what you deserve, as will I.” Twilight walked next to Princess Celestia, as they approached the two stallions, the gray-maned unicorn shoving his client's foreleg off his back as he walked forward to talk to the ponies that were approaching. “So, my dear, you’ve come to a decision at last?” Vanish was speaking to Twilight, who ran to the barrier before turning and buck-kicking it hard with her hind legs, right in front of Vanish's face. Gather gleefully cackled at the sight. “Oh, this is rich! What did you two DO on that train? Please, oh please tell me! I could use a good introduction before the fun begins!” Gather turned his attention to Princess Celestia. “Lemme guess your plan, Princess: You’re gonna sick your team of daredevil duds on Vanish, while waiting for me to lose my ‘precious’ magic?”
Celestia began to sweat, despite her expression remaining unchanged. Gather chuckled to himself as Vanish spoke. “It was but a matter of simple deduction. Guards have failed up until now, evidently,” Gather finished Vanish’s thought. “and the Elements of Harmony aren’t being worn. It won’t work, anyways, since you won’t get the chance to use them. As for us…” The dark-blue unicorn touched the cynical stallion’s side with his hoof, and used his magic to cloak the both of them. “I’d say things are looking up for our plans!” The ponies inside the barrier could hear more magic activating, and upon Vanish uncloaking, saw that Gather's unicorn horn had been placed on Vanish, granting him the power of the Pegasi he had within it. “Vanish, if they take me, you know what to do. I’ll just wait here, but remember: This is your pride on the line.” The menace lost his smile, giving a glare of determination, conveying the severity of what he was about to say. “So earn your payment, ‘Merc’.”