“After the changeling was apprehended, High Brass and I were confronted by authority,” Alto spoke, his story slowly approaching its end. “I was escorted to the school to grab my violin by a Canterlot guard while High Brass was taken elsewhere. When I arrived to the school, Spearmint and the other mares approached me and flung their questions at me, like ‘what happened between High Brass and Harp Hearts,’ ‘where is High Brass,’ ‘where I was,’ and ‘did Bastion find me?’” Alto looked at Sentinel and asked, “By the way, how did your sister know to come looking for High Brass?”
The pegasus pursed his lips, “I think it was… Maple Leaf who called Bastion.” Alto wondered if Maple Leaf was related to Spearmint.
“But how did she call for Bastion?” Alto asked. “Unless there is an invention of the instant scroll message I am unaware of, I find it hard to believe Maple Leaf called for your sister.”
“She probably did the secret whistle,” Harp Hearts spoke up.
“‘Secret whistle?’” Alto repeated.
“I told you last night!” she said, a little too enthusiastic for letting out a secret. “Remember? When we were walking to the dance last night? I said that High Brass has a secret whistle to call Bastion.”
Alto tried to look at his brows as he began thinking. “I think I remember hearing you say something like that.”
“Did you hear something like this last night?” Sentinel asked. Before taking in a breath of air, the guard warned, “It will be loud.” Alto and Harp Hearts had time to prepare for the loud whistle. When Sentinel fweeted, Alto winced at the high-pitched call. As his ears rung, the unicorn remembered the night before after he walked Harp Hearts home. A loud whistle tore through the night, and the stallion wondered if somepony was trying to wake the kingdom.
“Yes, I did hear that same whistle,” Alto said.
Sentinel nodded, “That is what called my sister.”
Harp Hearts leaned in toward her friend. “I can do the call, too.” The mare whistled in Alto’s ear, taking the stallion off guard.
“Ow!” Alto complained. “Why did you do that?”
“I just wanted to show that I know it as well,” she smiled.
As the unicorn rubbed his hurting ear, he asked Sentinel, “If it is High Brass’ ‘secret call,’ why do you, Harp Hearts, and Maple Leaf know about it?”
“Considering how Harp Hearts has already let you in on the secret…” Sentinel started, giving the mare a bothered look. The mare blushed and looked a little ashamed, but Alto knew Harp Hearts couldn’t hold in a secret for too long. “...I will explain why several ponies know about it. High Brass invented the whistle to call to my sister whenever she is away. It didn’t bother High Brass to leave Bastion at his estate because he knew if he was in danger, he would just whistle.” Sentinel creased his brow, “The fillynappers must have known about High Brass’ secret call, which is why they gagged him.”
“High Brass sure made himself a hoofful of enemies,” Alto admitted. “I’m just glad Orange was caught. We wouldn’t want another changeling mucking about the kingdom, now would we?”
“I agree,” Sentinel nodded. “We also managed to capture all the ponies fleeing from the scene.” Sentinal closed his notepad, no longer needing his tool.
Harp Hearts chimed in, “Were… any of the fillynappers from our school?” Sentinel hesitated to answer. Alto noticed the guard’s action which confirmed Harp’s question without words. The only thing Sentinel could do was allow the teenagers to figure out the answer.
“I can tell you their names,” Sentinal said.
“I’d rather not know…” Alto admitted. “How is High Brass?” he asked, changing the focus in an instant.
“Very well,” Sentinel nodded. “He is at his estate being tended to by his nurses. However, I couldn't get near High Brass. Ever since last night, Bastion has been very protective over him. Even the nurses have difficulty tending to him without Bastion intimidating them.”
“That is very sweet of her,” Harp Hearts said with a simple nod and smile.
“I remember last night when High Brass and I were in that alley and Bastion arrived at the scene,” Alto said. He looked observed Sentinel’s dark blue fur and cyan mane, seeing the similarities of the two siblings. “She wouldn't stop telling High Brass ‘It’s over’ as she practically cradled him.” Alto leaned back on the couch and let out a heavy sigh, “It’s funny. I thought I would be somewhat glad to see him in pain. But I couldn’t help but feel bad for him.”
“Do you still hate High Brass after last night?” Sentinel asked. All sympathy Alto was feeling for the rich pony quickly evaporated.
“I know I said I forgave him,” the unicorn replied. He saw Harp Hearts stare at him in his peripheral, carefully reading his lips. “But I still don't like him at all.”
“And I don't blame you, Alto,” Harp Hearts commented. “And I don't like him either; not for what he did to me, or what he did to you.” Her hoof gripped the couch’s arm. “I just… can't believe he did everything to hurt you.”
Warmth flared in Alto’s breast, happy to see his friend fueled by righteous fury. “He did try to protect you,” Alto added, knowing that would only irritate the earth pony even more.
Harp Hearts snorted, “If he knew any better, he would see how close you and I are as friends.” Two amethyst irises stared into Alto’s soul. “No matter what level of friendship we have, no pony will force us apart.”
Alto couldn't help but flush. “I'm glad you feel that way.”
The sound of paper being flipped brought Alto’s and Harp Hearts’ attention to Sentinel. His eyes darted around his notes, flipping to the next until there were no more to observe. “I think my work here is done.” Sentinel stood and looked at Harp Hearts. “And as for you and your friend, I think it's time for you both to head over to High Brass’ estate.”
Alto looked at his friend and asked, “What does he mean by that?”
“Isn't it obvious?” Harp Hearts replied, her expression unreadable. “For us to sit down and talk with High Brass.”
***
Alto was imagining High Brass to have a property to be claiming one-tenth of Canterlot with tall hedges and a golden gate at the entrance; a typical rich pony’s fancy palace. Instead, the property was only slightly larger than the other homes around it. A silver colored door gate was held by a tall snow-white wall. The home’s border towered over Alto as he looked through the gate, seeing a tall manner sitting in the center of a large yard. A guard sitting at his post gave Sentinel an approving nod before opening the gate. Harp Hearts continued to stare at the many get well gifts sent for High Brass leaning against the wall. It was no surprise that word spread about the filllynapping and assault of one of the richest ponies in Canterlot.
The unicorn gave his friend a comforting squeeze on the shoulder. Both could only fathom what High Brass had to endure the last twelve hours. Of course, Alto was having mixed feelings about visiting the wrong-doing pony. Checking up on High Brass was something Alto didn’t mind doing. It was the “talk” Harp Hearts and he were about to have.
Harp Hearts was the one who insisted to go over the day after the dance. Even after hearing the unfortunate news, the mare needed to discuss with High Brass about everything. Alto suggested the talk should wait a few days; part of him didn’t want to beat High Brass anymore than he already endured.
The other side of Alto still abhorred every action High Brass committed against him. It was his fault Alto had to lose every chance to be with Harp Hearts. And Alto wanted to see High Brass admit to everything that he had done.
“Shall we?” Sentinel asked the two friends. Alto had to pry his eyes from the gifts and attempted to seek the anger he still had bottled up.
Harp Hearts took a deep breath before answering, “I think so.”
Alto could see stress boring down on the mare. “If you don’t want to go-”
“I need to do this,” she said, shaking her head. “I need clarity.” On the way to the manner, Harp Hearts explained her constant tossing and turning as she slept. She complained about how she couldn’t get over High Brass’ lies, causing sleep to evade her for hours. Perhaps preventing Harp Hearts from seeing the rich pony would only cause her more discomfort. No longer wanting to stand outside, Sentinel gestured the teenagers to follow.
Upon entering the large home, Alto observed the lovely decorated home, envious of not the wealth, but of the many family portraits of High Brass and his family; a few pictures had Bastion in them as well. She must be considered a family member. All of the portraits bore happy faces. Despite High Brass’ treachery, the home he lived in seemed lively and happy. What would cause him to hate Alto and other stallions so much if High Brass lives in a nice looking home? A possible question for Alto can ask.
Sentinal lead Harp Hearts and Alto to the third floor and the three went into the Infirmary. Several mares from High Brass’ group mingled around High Brass, one of them being Spearmint. Nurses hovered around the room, readying themselves for the rich pony’s orders. Bastion sat beside the beaten rich pony, a rare smile bore on her face. Bastion was the first to notice her brother, then Alto and Harp Hearts. Her stare alerted the others, including the nurses, and all attention was on the new visitors.
“Is Harp Hearts here?” High Brass asked. Alto saw Bastion stare at Harp Hearts with bitter intent. All he could do is wonder why the guard is looking at his friend in such a way.
“Alto is also present,” Sentinel responded.
“I suppose Harp Hearts brought him along to have that talk Alto mentioned.” High Brass cleared his throat before saying, “Everypony but Harp Hearts, Bastion, and Alto, please leave us to talk alone.”
Nurses and friends alike made for the exit, passing glances between Alto and Harp Hearts. Spearmint paused before leaving, thanking Alto for the night before. He nodded, glad his comfort giving was appreciated.
As the two teenagers approached High Brass, Sentinel walked to his sister and hoofed over the notepad he possessed.
“Here is his testament you wanted,” Alto heard Sentinel say. Bastion fanned through it, almost disinterested in what was written.
“Just make sure this is used to prosecute the criminals as harshly as possible!” Bastion spoke through her teeth. Alto swallowed, still plagued by the possible reality of him going through with harming High Brass. He would have lost everything. Harp Hearts. His parents’ love, regardless of how little there may be. His future. His-
“Please, Sentinel, leave us be,” High Brass spoke with a sigh. The rich pony’s words returned Alto to reality; a reality that best suited him. Instead of putting up any argument, Sentinel simply left, giving Alto a shoulder pat before leaving. A sign for wishing good luck perhaps. “You two can sit down wherever you like.” Harp Hearts and Alto took a seat at a bed next to High Brass’ while Bastion remained still, except for her eyes hardened on Harp Hearts.
The pink pony looked more nervous than before she and her friend entered the ward. A mix of sadness and anger twitched in her brow. Alto placed a supporting hoof on Harp Hearts’ wrist to show he gave her his support.
To everypony’s surprise, Bastion was the first to speak, “This is all your fault, Harp Hearts.” Bastion gestured to her weakened employer and frowned at him.
Harp Hearts almost spat. “How is this my fault!” Alto had to grip a little tighter to try and calm his heated friend. But that only made matters worse. She retreated her hoof and held it to her breast, a pang of fear clinging to the pink mare’s face. The unicorn was stunned, not sure what to make of Harp Hearts’ attitude. Harp Hearts reset herself and frowned, “I’m sorry, Alto… I didn’t mean to- to swipe you away like that…” She gestured to her shoulder. “You can touch here. Just not my wrist, please.”
Then Alto remembered how the night before High Brass grabbed her wrist and refused to let her leave. Alto didn't have any issue with the request and placed his hoof on Harp Hearts’ shoulder. “I understand,” he said.
Through his black eye, High Brass blinked at Harp Hearts. “How badly did I scare you last night?”
Instead of answering the question, the mare shook her head, “Before we talk about… everything, I want to ask how you are feeling?”
High Brass smiled, “I was expecting for you to come in here and yell at me.” The grin quickly faded. “I don’t deserve any of your kindness.”
“You don’t,” Alto spoke. Harp Hearts and High Brass showed no surprise at Alto’s words, but Bastion did. Before Bastion could leer any longer, Alto said, “But Harp Hearts and I are willing to give it anyways.” In his peripheral, Alto saw Harp Hearts nod in agreement.
“You were also my boyfriend,” Harp Hearts added. “I still care about you, but not in the way you’d hope, I’m sure.”
“At least there is some care about me,” High Brass said. “That’s all that matters to me.” He sighed, “To answer your question, Harp Hearts, I am feeling quite dreadful. Despite how my friends came to cheer me up, and I do love their support, nothing can compare to the thoughts that still plague me even now.”
“That makes two of us,” Harp Hearts responded.
“Three…” Alto quietly included himself.
“...four…” Bastion whispered.
It was difficult for anypony to muster up any strength to speak up. Alto was beginning to wonder if talking to High Brass in his current state was a poor decision. New wounds should mend first before creating more, Alto thought.
“Now can you answer my question, Harp Hearts?” High Brass asked again. “How badly did I frighten you?” The mare closed her eyes, digesting the question. Alto watched his friend shutter and clench her eyelids.
Harp Hearts cracked her eyes ever so slightly to look at High Brass. “A lot…” she finally answered.
A frustrated puff of air escaped High Brass’ nostrils. “I'm so sorry Harp Hearts. I'm so sorry I did that to you.”
Alto only found the apology lacking. “Are you sorry for what you did to me?” he asked.
“Yes,” Harp Hearts agreed. “Are you sorry for hurting my friend?” High Brass parted his lips to speak, but the mare cut him off. “And don't lie to me. You did that once and that made me doubt you. I'd refrain from doing it again.” The rich pony looked at Alto as if to ask for help. But Alto would not grant him any freedom. He wanted High Brass to confess.
“I'm… I'm sorry, Alto…”