Mes-mare-a Double Diamond
A unicorn with fiery red and yellow mane stood on a rooftop in downtown Maretroplis. She was wearing a black spy catsuit covered in green swirls and a pair of goggles with green lenses pushed up to her forehead.
She scanned the sea of brightly lit skyscrapers until her gaze locked onto a smaller building with ornate columns on its front entrance. A sign over the door read ‘Maretropolis Museum.’
She reached up and pushed the goggles down over her eyes. A green glow soon emanated from them and her view of the city instantly transformed. Glass and concrete morphed into a green grid work, every room of the surrounding structures could now be easily seen. She zoomed in on a center room of the museum and smiled when she spotted a cube sitting in the middle of it.
“There you are, my pretty,” she said to herself.
She pushed her goggles back up and quietly made her way down the fire escape. Down in the alleyway, she made sure the coast was clear before running to the backside of museum.
Coming to a backdoor, she used her magic to levitate a couple of lock picks out of her saddle bag and began working on the lock. Thirty seconds and a satisfying click later, she entered the museum.
Deep in the museum, a pony in a security guard uniform patrolled the halls. She paused and yawned.
“Ugh, I can’t believe I got stuck working the overnight shift,” she said in annoyance, “It was supposed to be his turn work, but nooooo he got tickets to the Countess Coloratura concert. ‘Oh, I’m sorry if you had plans with your family, but I outrank you so too bad.’”
She exhaled a sigh of anger before continuing her patrol.
She had barely taken another step when a voice said, “If you worked for me, I’d treat you with a lot more respect.”
“Huh! Wha!?” she shouted, whipping her flashlight around wildly, before spotting the unicorn that had broken in stepping out from behind a display.
“Hold it right there…” she said, her voice trailing off when he got a full look at the intruder.
Oh no, it’s HER! she thought.
“Sorry, but I’ve got work to do,” she said, as she pulled her goggles back down over her eyes, “Now then, like I said: if you worked for me, I’d treat you with a lot more respect. Let’s make that a reality.”
The security guard gasped as the goggles glowed slightly and black spirals appeared on the lenses. Her eyes instantly became focused on the spirals.
“Look into the spirals,” the unicorn said, “Watch them swirl around and around. You can’t take your eyes off them. They’re so intriguing. So relaxing. So entrancing.”
“Can’t…can’t look way…” the security guard muttered.
“That’s it, just keep staring into the spirals. Relax. Let go. My will is stronger then your will. You are falling into hypnosis. You are Mes-mare-a’s hypnotized helper.”
“I…I am your hypnotized helper,” the security guard said, her voice barely a whisper as her eyes turned into green and black spirals.
“Very good,” Mes-mare-a said, “You have keys to all the display cases right?”
“Yes, Mistress Mes-mare-a,” the security guard said in a hypnotized monotone.
“Then follow me, no sense in smashing a display case if I don’t have to,” she commanded.
The security guard followed her to the room she staked out with her x-ray vision earlier. In a center display case sat a large tear shaped jewel. Even though most of the lights had been turned off for the night, the two of them could see that the gem shone with every color of the rainbow.
“Open it,” Mes-mare-a commanded.
The entranced security guard took a few moments to find the correct key.
“I’m sorry, Mistress. There’s…there’s just so many,” she said.
“Don’t worry about it, you’re doing great,” she said, stroking the security guards cheek
The security guard smiled and blushed slightly at the compliment. Once she found the correct key, she opened up the display case and stood back.
Mes-mare-a used her magic to levitate the gem off its stand and moved it so it was hovering inches in front of her face.
“The Rainbow’s Tear,” she said in hushed reverence, “It’s finally mine.”
“I just wish I could have helped you steal the real thing, Mistress,” the security guard said.
Mes-mare-a continued to stare at the gem for a few more seconds before she finally comprehended what the guard had said.
“…….WHAT!!? What do you mean?”
“I’m….I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, Mistress, but they moved the Rainbow’s Tear to the new Diamond Vault.”
It’s not fair, Mes-mare-a thought, as she placed the fake gem back on its stand.
“All that planning for nothing,” she said, in annoyance, “But I guess it makes sense now. If the real diamond was still here, security would be a lot tighter. No offense.”
“None taken, Mistress.”
“I guess it’s time for me to leave,” Mes-mare-a said, still slightly annoyed, “Ten minutes after I’m gone, you will come out of your trance with no memory of what just happened here, understood?”
“Yes, Mistress.”
Leaving the museum and the hypnotized security guard behind, Mes-mare-a returned to the rooftop she was standing on earlier. This time she turned her attention to an octagonal structure on the north side of town.
“I’m going to need some help,” she said to herself.
The next morning, Rarity was hard at work sewing a new dress in the boutique’s back office. She paused to wipe some sweat from her brow and let loose a heavy sigh. The sound of the office door popping open caught her attention and she turned in time to see a unicorn with fiery red and yellow mane enter the office.
“Sunset, darling, am I glad to see you,” Rarity said happily.
“Is everything okay?” Sunset Shimmer said slightly concerned, as she took in the slightly disheveled office and Rarity.
“Oh, it’s just awful,” Rarity said, “The night staff did a terrible job cleaning up and Coco called in sick this morning, so I’m way behind on getting these new designs finished and out to the floor. There’s even a rumor that Suri Polomare’s out shopping today. I can’t let her see the shop like this, I’d be ruined!!”
“Calm down, Rarity, it’s just a rumor,” Sunset said.
“You’re…you’re right,” Rarity said, “Everything will be fine. You’re here now, you can help run the front and I can get things in order back here and….. AAAAAAAAAAAA!!!”
“What!? What is it?” Sunset said, backing away slightly as Rarity began to scream.
“Not a rumor! Not a rumor!” Rarity said in a panic, as she pointed at a pony she could see from her office’s small window.
“So that’s Suri Polomare,” Sunset said, as she used her magic to discreetly levitate a pair of goggles out of her saddle bag and put them on.
“What am I going to do?! She’s going to write a scathing review of the store, I just know it.”
“What you’re going to do, is relax,” Sunset said, as she pulled the goggles down over her eyes. The green lenses glowed slightly before black spirals appeared on them.
“What…what in the world?” Rarity said in surprise.
“Look into the spirals, Rarity,” Sunset said in a calming voice, “Relax. Relax your whole body for me.”
“Re…relax my body?” Rarity said in confusion, as her muscles became limp.
“That’s it. Just relax even more for me, I know today’s been stressful for you, but I want you to forget all about it. You don’t have to worry about Suri Polomare. You just need to worry about the spirals and how warm and relaxed you’re feeling.”
“Yes…I don’t need to worry about anything,” Rarity said blissfully.
“That’s it. So relaxed. The constant swirling motion of the spirals is making you feel sleepy. Your eyes are getting heavy. You want to close your eyes and drift off into a deep hypnotized sleep for me in 3…2…1.” Sunset said, pushing her goggles up to her forehead when she was done with her induction.
At Sunset’s count of one, Rarity’s eyes blinked shut and her head dropped to her chest. A slight smile formed on her face.
“You look so cute when you’re hypnotized,” Sunset said, placing a comforting hoof on Rarity’s cheek. She then led her over to the office’s small sofa and laid her down, “Now, I want you to enjoy this deep hypnotized slumber. When you wake up in an hour, you will feel refreshed and wonderful.”
Rarity let out a deep sigh as she shifted into a more comfortable position.
Sunset smiled before declaring, “Now to give Ms. Polomare a very…unique, customer service experience.”
She walked out to the sales floor and scanned it. Suri Polomare was lifting dress after dress off the rack and shooting each one a look of disgust. Her assistant walked alongside saying, “Oh, I agree,” each time.
As there were no other customers in the store, Sunset used her magic to stealthily place the ‘back in five minutes’ sign in the window while locking the door.
She then walked back to the clearance racks, where Suri had stopped.
“Can you believe this? Chevrons! This Rarity character obviously has no sense of current trends,” Suri said in disgust.
“Oh, I agree,” her assistant said.
“Actually, I kinda like chevrons,” Sunset said.
The pair turned to face her.
“And you are?” Suri said.
“Sunset Shimmer, part time sales floor associate,” Sunset said in her best customer service voice.
“Hmmmph, this place really is low class. Instead of being greeted by the lead designer and owner, I’m being greeted by the…’help’,” Suri said, pouring as much disgust into the word ‘help’ as possible.
“Oh, I agree,” her assistant said.
“And she obviously isn’t keeping her employees in line either. Goggles only look good on Pegasuses on any other pony type, they’re just tacky.”
“Actually, these are more then just a fashion accessory,” Sunset said, as she pulled down the goggles and activated the hypnosis function once more, “Just look into the spirals and I will demonstrate.”
“What is the meaning of this?” Suri said, as she and her assistant stared into the spirals.
“Look into the spirals. You can’t look away from them. Feel your resistance fading,” Sunset said her tone a lot less calming then when she hypnotized Rarity.
“Can’t…can’t look away. Spirals…so pretty,” Suri muttered.
“Let the spirals wipe your mind of any thoughts. You are going into hypnosis. You’re becoming my hypnotized slaves.”
“I….I…I am your hypnotized slave,” Suri said in a monotone, as her eyes morphed into green and black spirals.
“I…I agree, I am your hypnotized slave,” Suri’s assistant said.
“Very good,” Sunset said, “I’ve got quite a list of commands for you, so listen up. First, next Thursday, you’re going to leave all your doors and windows unlocked and all your valuables sitting out. I imagine a pony like you lives in a nice fancy house.”
“Yes, Mistress, I live up on Pearl Hill. I will leave everything open for you.”
“Good. Second, when I bring you out of hypnosis, you will find yourself falling in love with that dress, along with everything else you didn’t like earlier and buy them. You will then write a rave review for Rarity’s boutique, understood?”
“Yes, Mistress, I will obey.
“What about me, my oh so lovely and amazing Mistress?” the assistant asked.
“Stop sucking up,” Sunset said in annoyance.
“Yes, Mistress.”
“Alright, when I stomp my hoof, you will come out of your trance with no memory of me hypnotizing you,” Sunset said, before stomping her hoof on the ground.
The spirals faded from Suri’s eyes and she shook her head a few times as her mind returned to normal.
“Huh, wha?” she said in confusion.
“Can I help you?” Sunset asked.
“Why yes, I want to purchase this chevron dress,” Suri said, “It’s absolutely stunning.”
Once Suri had made her purchases, she made her way towards the exit.
“I can’t believe I finally found a store that just speaks to me,” Suri said, “It’s definitely going to get a good review.”
“Oh, I agree,” her assistant said.
Well that was fun, Sunset thought, as she put her goggles away, Looks like I’ve got about 30 minutes to kill before Rarity wakes up.
She then went about straightening the store and taking care of some customers that entered the store, before making her way back to the office where Rarity was beginning to wake up.
Rarity’s eyes blinked open.
“Wha…what’s going on?” Rarity said, as the green and black spirals faded from her eyes, “Gasp! Suri Polomare! I have to get out there and take care of her.”
“There’s no need to worry,” Sunset said, “I already took care of her. She bought half a dozen dresses, including that chevron one off the clearance rack.”
“Chevron!” Rarity said in a panic, “That should’ve been removed from the inventory months ago. How could I let such an out of date piece remain in the store for so long and…wait…did you say she bought it?”
“Yup, I talked her into buying it along with the others.”
“How…how in the world did you manage to do that?” Rarity said, completely baffled.
“Oh, I have my methods.”
“Would you care to share?”
“Sorry, that’s my own little fashion world secret,” Sunset said, smiling mischievously.
“I have trained you well,” Rarity said, “Let’s celebrate with some sandwiches from the Carnaneigh Deli.”
“Sounds great, I’m starved!” Sunset said, as the two of them walked out of the office.
Later that night, Mes-mare-a stood on a rooftop staring at the octagonal Diamond Vault again.
The security in there’s going to be ultra tight. Definitely not somewhere I can break into on my own, and I can’t just hypnotize some random pony to be my partner in crime. I need somepony special, like a Power Pony or something.
“Mes-mare-a!” a voice from behind her shouted.
She turned and saw a unicorn wearing a blue super suit adorned with blue diamonds along with several pink diamonds inserted into mane and tail. She glared at Mes-mare-a though a stylish blue mask.
Speak of the devil, Mes-mare-a thought, And just my luck, it’s the lovely Radiance.
“Oh wow, if it isn’t Maretroplis’ most fashionable heroine,” Mes-mare-a said.
“You have a lot of nerve showing your face around here, after what you did,” Radiance said angrily.
“Uhhh, I’ve done a lot of ‘things’. You’re going to have to be more specific.”
“You hypnotized a half a dozen police officers into thinking they were ducks. Then when their backup arrived, you hypnotized them into thinking they were fillies…who then proceeded to feed the ‘ducks,’” Radiance said, her annoyance at the hypnotic cat burglar growing by the second.
“I was just helping them relive some childhood memories,” Mes-mare-a said playfully, “I’m sure if you were there, you would’ve gladly joined in on the fun.”
“I would NEVER let you place me under your hypnotic spell,” Radiance said, narrowing her eyes at Mes-mare-a.
“’Never’ is such a strong word,” Mes-mare-a said, as she pulled down her goggles and activated the spirals once more. She looked into Radiance’s eyes.
“How dare you!” Radiance shouted, as she used her magic to create an elegant magical construct in the shape of a rapier.
“Now, now, there’s no need for violence. Why don’t you calm down and relax? Relax and stare into the spirals,” Mes-mare-a said, her voice taking on a seductive tone, “Let a pleasant warmth wash over you.”
“Yes…there’s no need for violence,” Radiance said, as her magical rapier faded away. She sighed upon feeling a wave of warmth flow through her body.
“That’s it,” Mes-mare-a said, continuing with the induction, “No violence, only blissful relaxation as you focus on the spirals. Relax as you watch them swirl around and around. I’m sure you’ve had a rough night crime fighting.”
“Yes…yes I have.”
“I want you to forget all about it. Let the stressful Power Pony life fade from your mind as you focus only on relaxing.”
“Only…re…relaxing,” Radiance whispered.
“Round and round the spirals spin, each rotation relaxing you more and more, making you feel so comfortable. So peaceful. Feeling a little drowsy. The constant swirling of the spirals is making your eyes feel tired. Your eyelids are getting heavy. You’re feeling very sleepy.”
“Very…sleepy…” Radiance said, fighting the urge to yawn, as her eyelids drooped a little.
“So sleepy in fact, that when I count down from five, your heavy eyelids will lock shot and you will drift off into a deep hypnotized sleep. Five…sleepier and sleepier. Four…your eyelids feel like they’re made of lead. Three…muscles limp and relaxed. Two...your mind is becoming more and more pliable. One…so ready to be hypnotized. Zero…now, sleep for me.”
Unable to fight off the hypnosis anymore, Radiance’s eyelids locked shut and her head dropped to her chest.
Mes-mare-a pulled her goggles back up and walked around the hypnotized heroine.
“You look so cute when you’re hypnotized,” Mes-mare-a said, before giving Radiance a quick kiss on the cheek, “How do you feel?”
“Relaxed…wonderful…peaceful,” Radiance replied in a quiet voice.
“Excellent. You’re also feeling very obedient, because you are now my hypnotized Super Slave, understood?”
“Yes, Mistress Mes-mare-a. I am your hypnotized Super Slave,” Radiance replied I a monotone.
“Perfect,” Mes-mare-a said, smiling at having turned a Power Pony into her mindless puppet, “Now as a hypnotic thief, I enjoy stealing many things: Gold, jewels, artwork, minds, and plenty of secrets. Speaking of secrets, I think I’ll steal your greatest one. Take off your mask please.”
“Yes, Mistress,” Radiance said, reaching up and removing her mask.
Upon seeing Radiance’s secret identity, Mes-mare-a’s jaw dropped.
“Rar…Rarity!? You’re Radiance?!” Mes-mare-a said, still in shock.
“Yes, Mistress, my secret identity is Rarity, owner and head designer of Rarity’s Boutique.
“Well, this complicates things,” Mes-mare-a said, “Normally I’d just have you become my mind controlled partner in crime, but even though the news would let you off the hook saying you were brainwashed, I don’t really want to tarnish a friend’s reputation. Hmmmmm…I know, as my partner in crime, you’re going to have an alternate identity. I’m thinking….Black Diamond.”
“That sounds wonderful, Mistress,” Radiance said, “I am now: Black Diamond.”
“Before we begin tonight’s fun, let’s run over to your shop. Maybe there’s something there we can use to make you a new costume to go along with your new identity.”
“Yes, Mistress,” Black Diamond said, her eyes blinking open to reveal green and black spirals, as she ran after Mes-mare-a.
A short while later, the two of them stood in the back storage area of Rarity’s Boutique.
“Alright, let’s see what we can throw together from this stuff,” Mes-mare-a said.
Black Diamond scanned the racks of cloth for a few seconds before gasping.
“I’ve got it! The perfect idea!” she declared, as she ran behind a changing screen, several bolts of fabric following along behind her.
“Uh…alright…I’ll leave you to it,” Mes-mare-a said, as she observed the spectacle.
Behind the changing screen, the sounds of sewing machine emerged, followed by the sound of furious hammering.
I wonder what she’s doing back there, Mes-mare-a thought as she approached the changing screen. The sound of a chainsaw caused her to take a step back, On second thought, maybe it’s best that it remain a mystery.
A few minutes later, the cacophony died down and Black Diamond emerged from behind the screen. She was now wearing a black skin tight super suit. A purple belt with a black diamond on the buckle was around her waste. She was also wearing purple boots embellished with a stylized diamond graphic. She had also placed several black ribbons throughout her mane and tail with black diamonds at the end of each ribbon. A simple black domino mask concealed her identity.
“Wow, you threw that together pretty fast,” Mes-mare-a said, approving of the new outfit.
“As a designer, one must prepare for all possibilities. Cold weather, tropical environments, being hypnotized, ect.” Black Diamond said.
“Well all that’s left now is for us to head to the Diamond Vault and steal the Rainbow’s Tear,” Mes-mare-a said.
“That sounds delightful, Mistress Mes-mare-a,” Black Diamond said excitedly.
“Why did they build this place anyways?” Black Diamond asked a short while later as they approached the front entrance of the Diamond Vault, “There are no articles about it in the paper and very few of the other heroes know about its purpose.”
“Well I’ve heard from slightly less legitimate sources, that some super rich pony supposedly built it to house his collection of gems and he planned to rent out space to house ones he didn’t own yet. I guess he rented a space for it to the museum. If his other gems are here already, this place must be swarming with all kinds of security.”
She pulled her goggles down over her eyes and the lenses glowed green.
She frowned when her x-ray vision of the structure appeared blurry and distorted.
“There’s something blocking my goggle’s x-ray function, I can’t get a clear view of what’s inside.”
“Well sometimes the simplest solution can be the most elegant one,” Black Diamond said, as she created a pair of magical pry bars and wedged them into the front door.
After applying enough force, the doors popped open revealing five very surprised security ponies.
“Sorry, gentleman, but Black Diamond has arrived to darken your doorstep,” Black Diamond declared, before summoning five diamond shaped magical constructs and lobbing them at the guards.
Each one found their mark, knocking out each guard.
“Neat trick,” Mes-mare-a said.
“Thanks,” Black Diamond said with a playful grin, “I do believe being your partner in crime is going to be a lot of fun.”
Okay we’re in…hopefully things will continue to go smoo… Mes-mare-a’s thought process was cut short by another security pony tackling her to ground.
“You thieving scum,” he said in disgust.
“Mistress!” Black Diamond shouted in concern.
“I don’t care that you were able to take down five of my finest men, I’m not afraid of you.”
“Actually, you’re a chicken,” Mes-mare-a said, pulling down her goggles.
“What are you babbling about? I just said I’m not afraid of you.”
“I meant chicken, as in the barnyard animal,” Mes-mare-a said, as she activated the spirals on her goggles.
The guard gasped as his eyes locked onto the spirals.
“That’s it, just look into the spirals. All that bravado you had earlier is gone.”
The guard stared into the spirals for a few seconds longer before his eyes morphed into green and black spirals. He then got up off Mes-mare-a and started flapping his front legs like wings.
“Bwack! Bwack! Cluck cluck!” the guard said as he mindlessly trotted around the room.
“Are you alright?” Black Diamond said, as she helped Mes-mare-a up.
“I’m good.”
“His induction was a lot quicker and definitely a lot less pleasant then mine.”
“His is just a temporary trance,” Mes-mare-a explained, “Plus for you, I wanted to make sure your hypnotic experience was nice and relaxing and you didn’t experience the equivalent of your mind slamming into a brick wall.”
“Awww thanks,” Black Diamond said, appreciating how much her Mistress cared for her.
Leaving the clucking guard behind them, the two ran down the main hallway until they skidded to a stop. Criss-crossing the hallway in front of them was series of red beams.
“What in the world are those?” Mes-mare-a said, reaching out a tentative hoof.
“Don’t touch those, Mistress, they’re the latest security defense from Iron Will Industries,” Black Diamond said, as she looked through the gaps in the lasers, spotting a unicorn security guard firing a beam of magic energy from his horn at prism that split it apart into the magical laser grid, “There’s the source.”
“I’m guessing these things will hurt if we force our way through them,” Mes-mare-a said.
“Yup, but don’t worry I have a solution,” Black Diamond said, as she created a spear magical construct and embedded it into the wall.
“Uhhh, you kinda missed him.”
“Did I?” Black Diamond said, as she did a series of flips before using the spear as a springboard to launch herself into the air vent above.
The panicked security pony continued to fire his energy beam at the prism while staring at the air vent as a series of thumps and bangs drew closer to him.
“Keyaaa!” Black Diamond shouted, as she burst from the air duct with a flying kick.
“Gahhh!!” the guard shouted as the kick connected and sent him flying.
“Like I said, Mistress, I didn’t miss,” Black Diamond said as she fixed her mane.
Mes-mare-a stood there with her mouth hanging open for a few seconds before she got over the epic scene she had just witnessed.
Rejoining Black Diamond at the end of the hallway, Mes-mare-a gently pushed open the door, revealing only blackness inside it.
“Maybe they haven’t installed lights here yet,” Black Diamond said.
“This looks awfully fishy,” Mes-mare-a said, as she pulled down her goggles, the lenses glowed green once more.
The black void suddenly became clear to her and she didn’t like what she saw.
“An ambush,” she whispered.
“What?” Black Diamond said.
“There are ten guards crotched down ready to strike at the back of the room.”
“What do we do?”
“I think we should go bowling,” Mes-mare-a said smirking.
Catching her Mistress’ drift, Black Diamond summoned a large black sphere and placed it on the ground.
The two partners in crime then stood with their back legs to it.
“On three.. one..two…three,” Mes-mare-a said, as she and Black Diamond both bucked the sphere at the same time, sending it rolling into darkened room with a low rumble. The sounds of shouting and things smashing and clattering followed soon after it.
“I’d call that a strike,” Mes-mare-a said, looking into the room again. Her night vision allowed her to see the guard ponies were now either lying prone against the walls or had landed on the furniture that adorned the room. She then acted as a guide as she and Black Diamond made their way through the room.
Outside of it was another hallway as well as another laser array.
“There’s no air vent this time, Mistress,” Black Diamond said, scanning the hallway.
“And I don’t see the pony that’s helping generated the beams,” Mes-mare-a said, “I think he’s behind the corner.
“Maybe we should find an alternate route.”
“I think I might have an idea,” Mes-mare-a said, as she activated the spirals on her goggles. She then used her magic to levitate them, slowly pushing them forward. Navigating the goggles around the various gaps in the lasers required intense concentration, the loose strap proved to be the greatest liability as it got singed by a laser a couple of times. Despite that, the goggles survived their journey. She then steered them around the corner, an audible gasp soon followed.
“I see you’ve noticed my goggles!” Mes-mare-a shouted, “Just relax and look into the spirals! I’m sure focusing all your magic on keeping this security system active is very tiring! When don’t you lower all your defenses, both mental and magical as you slip into a deep trance!”
“Yes, Mistress,” A voice from around the corner said, followed by the laser grid shutting down.
The two of them rounded the corner and saw a spiral eyed guard staring into the spirals of the floating goggles.
“Sleep,” Mes-mare-a commanded, before putting the goggles back on.
The guard’s eyes locked shut and he flopped to the ground.
“That was amazing, Mistress,” Black Diamond said, “How did you know it would work?”
“I, uh, didn’t,” Mes-mare-a said sheepishly.
“Luck must be on our side then,” Black Diamond said, as she pushed open a door, gasping upon seeing what was inside of it.
Sitting on a display table in the center of large open room was the rainbow hued and very real Rainbow’s Tear.”
“It’s…it’s…it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” Black Diamond said in complete awe, “Every gemstone I’ve ever appraised or even looked at pales in comparison to this. No wonder you wanted to steal it so bad.”
“And it looks like the supply of guards has finally ran out,” Mes-mare-a said, noticing the room was empty, except for the gem.
“Not quite,” a voice said.
Standing together the two of them got into a defensive position and scanned the room.
“Where are you?” Mes-mare-a said.
In response to her question, a figure literally walked out of the shadow cast by the display table. It was a young filly unicorn with black mane and dark grey coat. She was wearing a black ninja outfit with a red ribbon tied around the waist. She wore several small pouches around her legs and small katana was strapped to her side. A black domino mask concealed her identity.
“I’m right here,” she said.
“A superhero?” Mes-mare-a said in confusion.
“Shadow Striker’s a junior hero,” Black Diamond whispered.
“What’s the difference?”
“I’ll explain later…look out!” Black Diamond shouted, as she noticed Shadow Striker levitating four kunai out of one of her pouches.
Shadow Striker studied her two opponents and decided Mes-mare-a should be her target. She used her magic to throw the kunai at her, each one embedding itself in the ground by her legs.
“Uh, you missed,” Mes-mare-a said in confusion.
“No I didn’t,” Shadow Striker said.
The kunai glowed and blue magical ropes shot out from their ends and wrapped around Mes-mare-a’s legs.
“Hey! What is this?” Mes-mare-a said in shock and annoyance.
“My enchanted kunai should keep you from escaping,” Shadow Striker said.
“Uh, little help,” Mes-mare-a said to Black Diamond.
“Don’t worry, Mistress, I’ll take care of this,” Black Diamond said, as she walked towards Shadow Striker.
“Step back,” Shadow Striker said, as she used her magic to draw her katana.
Black Diamond responded by summoning a black version of her magical construct rapier. She swung it outwards and the two blades clashed together. Shadow Striker pulled the katana back and struck at Black Diamond again. This time Black Diamond was ready for her and the two ended up in a blade lock.
“You’re quite the impressive sword fighter,” Black Diamond said.
“Thanks, but there’s more to me then just that,” Shadow Striker said, before stepping back and disappearing into the shadow cast by the display case once again.
How does she do that? Black Diamond thought.
She sensed some motion behind her and turned her head just in time to see Shadow Striker emerge from her own shadow. Totally unprepared for the attack, Shadow Striker struck the back of her head with the blunt edge of the katana.
“Ugh,” Black Diamond grunting, seeing stars for a second, “I think that’s enough of that.”
She summoned a dozen black diamond magic constructs and hurled them at Shadow Striker. Shadow Striker was ready and used her ninjalike reflexes to dodge each one of the diamonds. Once she got past the last one, she counterattacked by pulling out a trio of spiked needles from her pouch and threw them at Black Diamond.
Black Diamond winced at the stinging sensation as the needles stuck into her flank.
Why needles? Why didn’t she use more of these things? Mes-mara-a thought as she focused her magic into a narrow beam to try and cut apart one of the enchanted kunai.
“I’m sorry, but smacks to the head and little needles won’t be enough to stop….hey!!” Black Diamond said, as the started to step towards Shadow Striker, but stopped mid-stride, “I can’t move!! My muscles, they’re locking up!!”
“Those needles were coated with a special paralyzing agent,” Shadow Striker explained, “Now I can bring both of you into custody.”
“Sorry to disappoint you, but that’s not happening tonight,” Mes-mare-a said, as she blasted the kunai apart. With it having been destroyed, the magical rope disappeared from around her leg and she quickly kicked the other kunai from out of the ground, deactivating them.
Darn! I should’ve used the needles on her too, but didn’t know if they could go through that suit she’s wearing or not, Shadow Striker thought, before pulling out more needles, I guess I’ll find out.
She lobbed them at Mes-mare-a, but she was ready and rolled out of the way of their path, while pulling down her goggles in one fluid motion. When Mes-mare-a got up, the spirals were already swirling in the lenses.
“You might be good at immobilizing the body, but I’m good at immobilizing the mind,” Mes-mare-a said, as she looked into Shadow Striker’s eyes, “Look into the pretty green and black spirals, little one.”
Shadow Striker backed away, but her eyes became locked on the spirals.
“No! I won’t be hypnotized…but…they are pretty,” She said, attempting to mount some form of resistance.
“Yes they are. You can’t look away from them. Relax. You fought the good fight. You’re a wonderful heroine, but now it’s time to leave the heroing behind and focus on falling into a blissful trance,” Mes-mare-a said, in a kind caring tone.
“Fall…into a blissful…trance,” Shadow Striker muttered as a smile formed on her face.
“That’s it. Just relax even more. Let your mind go blank. You don’t need to think. Let my words become your thoughts. All you can think about is how you’re deeply hypnotized and must obey.”
I am deeply hypnotized. I must obey, Shadow Striker thought, as her eyes turned into green and black spirals.
Mes-mare-a pulled up her goggles and walked over to the hypnotized filly and patted her on the back of her head, “Sorry about that, I don’t like having to hypnotize fillies, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Don’t worry; you won’t be under my spell for long. Now, I imagine you have an antidote for that paralyzing agent right?”
“Yes, Mistress, it’s in the pouch on my right back leg. It’s got a red lid on it. You just have to drink it and the effect will wear off.”
Mes-mare-a focused her magic on the pouch in question and levitated out a vial with a red lid and lifted it over to Black Diamond and poured it into her mouth.
“Ughhh, that tastes terrible,” Black Diamond complained, as she used her leg to wipe her mouth, “Wait…I can move again! That stuff works really fast!”
“Thank you, Shadow Striker,” Mes-mare-a said, “Now you deserve a little vacation after all you’ve been through, so I want you to imagine you’re lying on a beach staring out at the ocean.”
“I’m…at the beach,” Shadow Striker said smiling.
“Enjoy your sunny spot,” Mes-mare-a said, “In about thirty minutes you will wake up from your trance.”
She then walked past the entranced heroine and walked up to the Rainbow’s Tear. She levitated it off its stand and let it hover in front of her face.
“Finally, after all that, you’re mine…for real this time.”
“I’m happy you were able to get your prize, Mistress,” Black Diamond said.
“I couldn’t have done it without you,” Mes-mare-a said, kissing Black Diamond on the cheek.
“Thank you, Mistress,” Black Diamond said, blushing slightly.
“Let’s blow this joint,” Mes-mare-a said, putting the Rainbow’s Tear into a small velvet satchel.
Exiting the Diamond Vault proved to be a lot easier then entering it, and the two soon found themselves on a rooftop listening to the approaching police sirens.
“Looks like the police finally showed up,” Black Diamond said.
“Yup, and the only thing they’ll find is some badly battered guards and a hypnotized junior heroine. Speaking of which, what is a junior hero?” Mes-mara-a asked.
“Basically before a young hero can get their sidekick license, they need to be a junior hero. They’re mostly meant to act as a deterrent by standing around high security areas like banks. They aren’t really supposed to even intervene if a crime takes place, but Shadow Striker obviously felt the situation necessitated her taking action.”
“I see,” Mes-mare-a said, thinking about the young filly heroine, “That being the case, I’d hate for what happened tonight to negatively affect her career. If that becomes the case, I want you to use your influence as a Power Pony to counteract it.”
“Of course, Mistress, I’d do that even without you commanding me to.”
“Thanks,” Mes-mare-a said, as she smiled at her mind controlled partner in crime, “Going on a heist with you was a lot of fun. I can definitely see us teaming up once more in the future, that’s why I’m going to give you a trigger phrase. When you hear me say ‘Dazzling diamonds’ you will fall back under my hypnotic spell, understood?”
“Yes, Mistress, just don’t wait too long to trigger me,” Black Diamond said, giving Mes-mare-a a playful wink.
“It’s been a long night, so I want you to go home and put your Black Diamond outfit in a secret hiding spot. You’ll then go to bed and get a good night’s sleep. When you wake up, you’ll come out of hypnosis with no memory of encountering me or what happened while you were hypnotized.”
Black Diamond yawned before saying, “Goodnight, Mistress, I hope you enjoy your beautiful prize.”
Mes-mare-a watched her depart before pulling out the Rainbow’s Tear, “Oh, I will. You’re sleeping next to me tonight, my pretty.”
A few days later, Shadow Striker stood before a panel of six heroes. She was doing her best to keep her nervous shaking in check.
“You were assigned to stand and observe at the Diamond Vault,” one of the heroes said, “Captain Awesome, demands to know why you attempted to apprehend the criminals.”
“They had taken out all the security guards…I…I felt I had to step in and do something,” Shadow Striker.
“And not only did you fail to apprehend them, you just stood by while they stole a valuable diamond.”
“I was hypnotized,” Shadow Striker said.
“Captain Awesome, does not consider that a valid excuse,” Captain Awesome said, “Now, the committee will vote on weather or not you should be kicked out of the Society of Heroes training program.
“No.”
“Yes.”
“Yes.”
“No.”
“No.”
Shadow Striker breathed a sigh of relief, I’m safe. It’ll either end in a tie or I can stay in the program.
“Yes,” Captain Awesome said, “You are hereby kicked out of the hero training program.”
“What?!” Shadow Striker said in disbelief.
“As head of this committee, Captain Awesome’s vote counts twice,” Captain Awesome said, “It’s a shame really, Captain Awesome can only imagine how disappointed your mother will be.”
Shadow Striker hung her head and closed her eyes as tears began to well in them.
“Actually, I think she will be quiet proud of her,” a voice said.
Shadow Striker opened her eyes and was surprised to see the Power Pony Radiance placing a comforting hoof around her.
“Captain Awesome demands to know why you’ve chosen to interrupt his committee, Radiance,” Captain Awesome said in annoyance.
“Ah, Captain Awesome, it’s always a pleasure to see you,” Radiance said, her voice dripping with sarcasm, “I assume you remember that when it comes to disciplinary committees, a Power Pony can replace any committee member’s vote with their own if they see fit.”
Captain Awesome glared at her.
“That is why I’m choosing to replace your vote with my own…and seeing as your vote counts twice, so does mine. And I vote ‘no,’ which means Shadow Striker can remain in the training program,” Radiance said, winking at the shocked Shadow Striker.
The other heroes nodded, accepting the results and walked off.
Captain Awesome continued to give Radiance a death glare before turning and giving Shadow Striker an ‘I’m watching you’ gesture.
Once he had left, Shadow Striker turned to Radiance, “Thank…thank you so much, but why? I screwed up? I broke so many rules. I got hypnotized by Mes-mare-a.”
Radiance held up a hoof to silence her, “I believe your heart was in the right place and you deserved a second chance. Besides, you came closer to catching Mes-mare-a then anypony else.”
“Really?” Shadow Striker said excitedly.
“Uh huh, and you said there was another pony there acting as an accomplice?”
“Yes, but I think she may have been hypnotized, she was calling Mes-mare-a ‘Mistress.’”
“Hmmph, well I’ll make sure that not only is Mes-mare-a is brought to justice, but that that poor pony’s mind is freed from Mes-mare-a’s evil spell,” Radiance said, her voice filled with determination.