//------------------------------// // A Division of Priorities // Story: Disappear // by ShimmeringStallion //------------------------------// A Division of Priorities Princess Celestia was concerned regarding where to take the two stallions who were threatening her Kingdom, despite mentioning the Royal Hall. However, she was surprised to hear that Vanish had a particular location in mind, and that he was very specific as to the details of where to go. “Take me to the location where you and the Spirits of the Elements of Harmony confronted The Queen of the Changelings.” While the explanation wasn't entirely correct, it was simple enough to deduce its meaning, as there was only one location that fit the description of the request: The Wedding Hall. Gather could be heard near the front of the line of ponies, as they walked through the darkened streets of Canterlot, with the impatient stallion taking the time to insult others he trotted along with. “I can’t believe this waste of time. So what if there’s some collateral damage? Just take their wings and be done with it, already!” Vanish didn’t even turn around to answer him. “We’re doing this clean, like I told you before. As my client, you should understand the concept of ‘paucity of words’.” Gather huffed at the stubborn unicorn. “Tch! ‘Clean’? After what you did to that flyer!? Please, if I didn’t know any better, I’d swear you were walking us right into a trap. You better remember your purpose.” The dark blue stallion didn't miss a beat with his response. “And you better know your place as my client. I’ll do the job, but I’m not letting the civilians of this kingdom be put in peril, on my account.” Vanish had a code of honor. Gather couldn’t care less about it. Twilight saw them bickering, and wondered if all the pain and suffering that ponies had to go through was really something Vanish would be able to simply ‘overlook’, as Vanish interrupted the path the ponies had been going on. “Stop here, please.” Vanish spoke up, prompting Princess Celestia and her guards to stop walking, finding themselves near the Entrance Plaza. They had taken no shortcuts to the castle, since Princess Celestia wanted to take the path with the least number of buildings surrounding it. The paths were few, but she knew where she was going. “Alright. From here, we will split our plans. Gather, you know what to do.” Gather sighed in aggravation. “Yeah, yeah, just give my horn back, first. You won’t need it, but I will.” Vanish put his hoof on the second horn, activating its power, and in turn allowing him to place it back atop Gather’s head, where it covered the black dot that had been in its place, before the gray-maned stallion placed his fedora on his head, before turning his attention back to the Princess of the Sun. “Princess Celestia. I request that you utilize as many unicorn guards as you can in order to help my client gather my payment.” The regal mare frowned at the request. “I won’t utilize the Royal Canterlot Guard for such ridiculous purposes.” Vanish stood up to her, which was not an easy task given their size difference. “Should you continue to utilize your guards to make sure one of us is kept 'in line', why not send them with the stallion who poses a very prominent threat?” Celestia considered the idea, but wouldn’t budge from her statement, so Vanish continued. “I need my payment to be taken to the location I specified, to be sure the contract is completed, and to count the payment, myself.” Vanish turned to the other ponies in line. “As for me, I wish to go somewhere before I head to my designated destination: I wish to see the Captain of the Wonderbolts.” The ponies in line mumbled to themselves; they had no idea what Vanish was planning, but it couldn’t be good, as Princess Luna was the only mare to make sure her concerns could be heard by the stallion. “A foul creature such as yourself cannot be allowed into the Canterlot Infirmary! It would put the lives of the ponies that are being cared for, in jeopardy!” Vanish turned to Princess Luna. “Then I request that I be escorted by ponies of my own personal choosing before heading there. If I have reliable individuals making sure I’m not doing any harm, there is no problem, correct?” “We still don’t trust you.” Princess Cadance spoke up from near the back of the line, as other ponies turned to her, though Vanish's gaze remained unaltered as he delivered his response. “You don’t have to. You only need me to be escorted by ponies whose trust you have.” Vanish turned back to Princess Celestia. “I request that I be escorted by the four behind me, as well as your sister.” Rainbow Dash, Twilight, Applejack, and Shining Armor, had all been behind Vanish for most of the walk. Princess Luna was surprised to hear Vanish single her out, but even more surprised to hear her be addressed to Princess Celestia as “[Her] Sister”, of all things to be labeled as. Princess Celestia lowered her head in thought, contemplating the idea. “I don’t want my si-… Princess Luna, to be anywhere near you, Vanish.” Vanish gave a stern, desperate look at the monarch. “I can’t take her wings, why can’t I be trusted? Give me a reason, or present a better excuse!” Vanish calmed himself down as Gather chuckled at the momentary loss of focus, before the mercenary tried explaining himself further. “… My apologies, but I request that you reconsider your response, Princess. My client will take the time and resources to obtain my payment, with your guards. This will provide the best use of time, and considering how it’s night, the ponies of Canterlot shouldn’t see the events take place if we are in smaller groups.” Vanish was trying to keep this as secret as possible. No civilian witnesses, just the Elements of Harmony, Royalty, The Royal Guard, and of course, himself and his client. The fillies were still with Derpy in the briefing room, but Princess Celestia made her decision. “Rarity, please escort the young fillies as well as Miss Derpy Hooves to the Castle Hall. I will meet you there in order to give you something.” As Rarity ran off to the briefing room, she wondered what Princess Celestia was thinking, but the princess did not wish for the stallions to overhear her plan. “Guards, escort Gather to his destination, and help him to transport his merchandise to the Wedding Hall.” Vanish turned around. “Remember, good sir. Stick to the plan. Soon, you’ll be more than happy to be rid of me.” The turquoise stallion delivered a coy smile, as he couldn't help but confirm the final statement made by Vanish. “For once, we agree on something! Well? Let’s go, Royal Pawns!” Gather proceeded to walk back to the area where the ponies had come from, with several guards walking behind him as Celestia leaned her head in towards her sister's ear. “Sister… Be careful.” Princess Celestia whispered to her sister, to which Luna nodded her head, mildly. “I shall.” Luna turned her attention to Vanish. “Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Shining Armor, Applejack, we will make our way to the Infirmary at once. I need not remind you to keep an eye on him.” Twilight spoke up from the line. “We understand, Princess.” Vanish tipped the fedora on his head back up. “Lead the way.” Luna scoffed at the mild-mannered request. “Do not order me around, you disrespectful foal!” Princess Luna wouldn’t even look at Vanish as she made her way through the streets to the location where Spitfire had been taken. She saw her sister walk away with Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Princess Cadance, in the direction of the Castle. Vanish turned his head. “Are you alright, my dear?” He had been talking to Twilight, who turned her head away from the stallion. “Call me by my name, Vanish; show that you care, even a little. Give me a reason to trust you.” Vanish felt legitimately hurt by the words of the purple unicorn, and yet, he couldn't piece together the reason why with simplicity. “… You told me your name, and yet I cannot recall it. If I cannot be trusted to remember something so simple, I cannot develop a conclusive reason regarding why you should trust me with anything else.” Twilight looked up to see Vanish looking away, tipping his fedora down again. “Vanish…” The remainder of the walk was without words. Nopony wanted to attract any more attention than necessary.