Twilight let out a sigh as she exited the courtroom. Thestral justice was far more intense than she had imagined. When Twilight had entered the room she had trotted down a long hallway, escorted by two Clubbers until the path opened up so that there was only a steel awning above her for a few more steps. Once she was completely in the open, Twilight had found herself in what she could best describe as the bottom of a pit. The area she stood in was small, maybe three yards in diameter with wooden floors and a witness stand that was very much like those found in Equestria. Around her were walls made of rusting steel that rose well above her head with three half gears sticking out of them halfway between her and the top of the wall. Each one of these gears were both large and thick enough for a thestral to stand on. And the gears did indeed have ponies standing on them, looking down upon her with powdered wigs on their heads. She knew two of the three at once. The one on her right was the DA while the one directly in front of her was the judge.
That left the one on her left to be the defense attorney. It was not the public defender who was supposed to be defending Arms Dealer, Twilight could tell that before even looking at the stallions face. While the public defender had worn modest attire that looked second hooved, this stallion’s clothing was considerably less worn and fresher. Most likely he had been hired at the last minute, taking the place of Arms Dealer’s attorney thanks to Arms Maker. Perhaps he was one of the best lawyers in the city or one willing to take on this case at the last moment.
It quickly became clear what the defense’s strategy was in this case. As soon as he was allowed to question Twilight, he had questioned the young princess about the state of the government as well as its finances until going into setting up a certain scenario. One where the Princess and her staff could claim rape in an effort to get Arms Maker to give them ammo for free. Perhaps, he suggested, even suing the company in order to take all of its grits as well. He then pointed to the lack of ‘credible hard evidence’ that she had brought up since it was all witness testimonies. While it had been established that Arms Dealer had entered the castle, all they had was the word of an outsider princess and a lowly maid. The documents found at the scene of the crime could have been put there by anypony. Or they could have never been there in the first place, another string of lies from the government.
While he had spoken, Twilight could tell nopony in the room had believed a word of this. For above the heads of the judge and lawyers to where their confinement ended, was an auditorium. It rose on a slope allowing for all thestrals in attendance to get a clear view of the princess. There were also statues there in the back of the Three Guides, their cloaked heads staring down at the scene before them. All the defense had been doing was spouting out speculation with no clear evidence to back it up. Not once had he given any real proof to support these claims making himself sound a bit more like a nut preaching on a soap box than a lawyer. But perhaps that’s all he could do since he had been called in at the last minute. In a sad way, Arms Maker might have helped his son’s case more if he had just allowed the public defender to handle this case. In any event, this whole conspiracy theory would have more holes poked into it once they called to the stands several of the guards on duty, the maids on scene, Dr. Plague, and so many more to testify.
Once the defense’s questioning had finished, the DA only asked a couple questions further before Twilight had been allowed to leave. Throughout the whole ordeal, Twilight made sure that they treated her like any other mare. This she felt was most important for those watching. They needed to see her following the law and being treated like any of them would be during these proceedings. She planned not to reenter the trial nor have any communications with the judge. Whatever the courts decided on she would abide by.
“Your Grace,” came a voice off to Twilight’s side down the long, poorly lit hallways. When she first heard the words her mind conjured up the image of Count Raven even though the voice didn’t match at all. Instead the speaker had been Moon Chime dressed in a simple black dress with several patches in it and her mask hanging from her neck. Behind her were several of the other mares who had already testified for the night.
As she looked at them, Twilight forced herself to smile reassuringly towards them and did her best not to back away. It wasn’t because she felt like the case was lost. Rather it was the way they were looking at her right now. Their slit eyes were looking to her with hope as well as the need to be reassured. Like they were looking to her for an answer that Twilight didn’t feel comfortable giving at this moment. Now that she was out of the courtroom anything could happen.
“How did it go Your Grace?” asked one of the mares in the back of the small herd approaching her.
“Will that beast finally get locked up?” asked another who looked like she hadn’t slept for weeks. Twilight could see her eyes shifting back and forth; as if afraid some sort of fiend would flying out at her from the corners of her eyes.
Twilight took a breath before answering. “We will know after the trial is finished,” replied Twilight in complete honesty as she looked at all those gather. “As long as we speak the honest truth then I believe things will work out. If Arms Dealer is found guilty then he will never bother any of you again.” The mares looked at each other as she spoke. Some seemed perfectly content by what she said while others looked worried.
“Princess, w-what if the Copper Heads find out?” asked a trembling thestral mare. All of the other looked at her, causing the poor thing to gulp in fear. “He told me…he told us all if we spoke out against him that the Copper Heads would make us pay! What if after this they come looking for revenge?!” At this, all of the mares looked worried. Together they began to talk, asking questions over one another so fast that Twilight couldn’t keep track of who was saying what.
“QUIET!” shouted Twilight, much louder than she had wanted while raising herself to her hind legs and throwing her forelegs into the air. At once the hallways became silent with a few onlookers staring at the group. Chuckling nervously, Twilight got back onto all fours before scratching the back of her mane. In all honesty, she was very surprised none of them had thought about this before. It could be that in the rush of having a chance to put Arms Dealer away for good they had forgotten about the Copper Heads. That or they thought that maybe Twilight had plans of dealing with the gang after words.
If she were being honest with herself, Twilight had no idea on how to get rid of the Copper Heads. There was no way of finding out who was a member and who wasn’t without catching them in the act. The best she could do right now was to see if the Clubbers could pose more sting operations and patrol the streets more. As for these mares, Twilight felt confident that no harm would come to them. If her assumptions of Just Dandy were correct, he wouldn’t allow any within the gang to seek retribution for a member who had been violently kicked out. Most likely he would be telling them not to go after these mares under the same penalty as Arms Dealer. Hmm, perhaps she should have another talk with the stallion just to make sure he knew who these mares were. Still, Twilight had to tell these mares something and she didn’t believe that they would find the idea of a crime boss giving his word to be all that reassuring.
“Ok,” said Twilight in a calm toe. “I know you are all scared of what might happen. And, unfortunately, there’s very little I can guarantee; it’s in the hooves of the judge right now. Nothing that will be done tonight will undo what Arms Dealer did to any of you.” Twilight paused for a moment as she looked at the mares. All of them had lowered their heads, ears flat against their skulls. But what she said next caused them all to perk back up. “That said, I am watching the judge’s accounts to make sure no grits were ‘donated’ to him from Arms Maker to ensure that he doesn’t influence his decision. As for the DA, I have complete confidence in her skills.
“I know you are all worried about that Arms Dealer might be set free. That the Copper Heads will come for you in retaliation. But right now, all of you here were able to take back something that he took from you. You all stood there, stated before the court and the other thestrals what he did to you. In that moment, you all took back the control he had taken. Not just for yourselves, but for all the mares who were not able to stand here tonight. Because of all of you, Arms Dealer will hopefully be put away for good.” Twilight paused to take a breath. “I don’t know what will happen after this nor do I know if your lives will improve. All I can say is that my door will always be open to all of you if you need to talk. From thinking that somepony is following you to just needing to get something off your chest, if I’m at the castle I’ll listen. And if I’m not there then I will instruct Count Raven to make sure you are comfortable until I return. I know that it isn’t much, but it is the best I can do for all of you.”
Twilight paused, allowing the silence to take over for a moment as she looked over the mares before her. Each one was looking at the other as if they were having a silent conversation with each other. Slowly, one by one, they turned to look at Twilight with a small smile on each of their muzzles. Twilight smiled back as they began to nod randomly while a few looked like they had tears in their eyes. It might have been a small gesture for Twilight to lend an ear whenever they needed it, but it seemed to help. Perhaps in time Twilight would be able to set up a support program for mares like these or ensure that the proper help could be available. Something to work for in the future.
“T-That’s not enough,” exclaimed the trembling mare who began to back up. “Princess, I don’t feel safe in my own home anymore. I can’t walk or fly in the city without looking over my shoulder. Just you saying you’ll be there for us isn’t going to change that! You have to do more than that to ever make this right!”
“Looks like shit’s coming out the wrong pipeline,” came the voice of Overkill from behind Twilight, surprising the purple princess. Turning her head, she saw that her personal guard was approaching them with a paper under one of her wings. There was no sign of her usual axe but both of her hoofheld blunderbusses were in their holsters, tubes still connected to the devices in her saddle bags. The violent mare’s single visible eye was fixed on the trembling one who lowered herself closer to the ground. Twilight frowned at this but Overkill paid it no mind. “The Princess has gone above and beyond what any other noble would do for you. Can’t do anymore than that unless you want protection around the clock until you’re six feet under. Guides know that won’t be happening.”
“B-But she could,” stammered the mare as she looked over at Twilight for a moment. Then her eyes looked back at Overkill before swallowing hard. “You don’t know what I’ve been through. What we’ve all been through!”
Overkill tilted her head to the side a bit while giving her something that might have been seen as a questioning look. However, Twilight could see something in the soldier’s eye that did not sit well with her. A sort of evil gleam within that sphere that she had seen in some of the villains she had faced before.
“You’re right, I don’t know what it’s like to go through what any of you have,” said Overkill in an almost hollow voice while dipping her head. Even though Twilight was so close to her, it was like a shadow was keeping the mare’s eye hidden. “I’ve heard you all talk about it and read about it. Seen with my own eyes more than once as well, back when I was so small I couldn’t do anything about it. Had to watch it happen more than once and afterward that mare had to drag herself to a bottle to drown her sorrows because nopony would believe her if she went to the Clubbers. I’ve seen plenty of things worse since then, like my comrades being shot and tortured by rebels, with me being only a few seconds too late to have done anything to save them. None of them ever lived to see justice for what happened to them, never were given the chance. So before-”
“Specialist Overkill, that’s more than enough!” commanded Twilight. At the sound of her voice, Overkill’s head jerked up and looked at the princess. However, Twilight didn’t look at her but instead approached the trembling mare who, by this point, was shaking from tuffed ear to hoof. Calmly she brought down a wing to gently touch the mare’s cheek causing her to flinch at the touch. “I’m sorry about the things she said to you. They were out of line. But, if you don’t feel safe in Automahollow anymore then perhaps it would help if you stayed with some friends for a while. Perhaps family in another city?”
The mare gave the merest of nods in response, her eyes glancing over at Overkill who had trotted off to look out a soot covered window. Frowning at that, Twilight excused herself from the group before approaching the same window allowing the other mares to walk off. Whether they decided to go and watch the rest of the trial or do anything else, Twilight had no idea. All that was on her mind right now was Overkill and what she had said.
In all honesty, Twilight still knew very little about the mare who protected her. She had never been very forthcoming about her past and Twilight didn’t think it to be appropriate to pry into her personal past since they hadn’t known each other very well. Once or twice she had mentioned her mother in passing, but never anything in detail like where she was born or where her mother was living. Twilight had never assumed that something awful had happened to her in the past. Now, with this outburst, Twilight felt she had to find out as well as make sure nothing like this happened again.
“I don’t regret what I said,” were Overkill’s words as Twilight approached. She soon stopped next to the mare whose bangs hid her eye on that side of her head making it harder for Twilight to get a read on her face. As she sat down Twilight used her magic to wipe away the soot revealing the night sky choked with smoke coming from numerous smoke stakes in the distance. Specks of soot were already falling on the window in an effort to coat them once more.
“It was uncalled for to talk that way to a victim,” said Twilight. The purple princess then let out a tired sigh before turning to look at Overkill. “If I’m going to allow you to stay here then I’ll need to know where that outburst came from. Was that mare you spoke of a friend or…”
For several long minutes, the only sound Twilight could hear was the buzzing of the electric lights above their heads and the pounding of the wind against the window. Overkill did not move, not to lower her head in contemplation nor turn to look at Twilight to say it was none of her business. She just seemed to continue staring at the window as more soot covered the glass. Still, Twilight waited for some sign that Overkill was going to answer. To give her the same patience as she would have given any mare who would have said that same thing. The same patience she would give to any of her friends who needed a shoulder to cry on.
More time passed, allowing several ponies to walk past them. When they had left, Twilight was about to say something only to be interrupted by Overkill. “It was my mother.” Twilight’s eyes widened as she said this, almost completely taken aback by what she had said. As she stared at Overkill, the soot seemed to pile on the window to block out the light from outside.
“We…We lived in a small town called Spring Chapel,” continued Overkill after swallowing hard. “Sounds like a nice place, but it was really a living nightmare. Used to be something nice ‘til these rebels came and screwed things up for everypony living there. At least that’s what some of the older ponies living there used to tell me. Nothing there now but dirty streets full of run down machinery, crime, and boarded up buildings. Heck, I think there was even an entire block full of buildings that had long since burned down before I was born. As long as I could remember, my mother was a tail raiser.” Twilight’s eyes widened at that, knowing what that term meant. “I never asked if that was what she was doing before I was born or something she had to do after. Never even bothered to ask if my father was a client of hers or not. She always changed the subject whenever I asked her where he was. All I know was that my mother hated what she had to do in order to put what little food we could afford on the table.”
Overkill paused for a moment, looking up at the ceiling. “Every once in a while, a stallion would stop by our apartment. Sometimes more than one. Some would slip through the door, others would open the window, more than once they would bust down the door. I…I would try to stop them but they would just swat me away like I was nothing. Then after they left my mother would get whatever cheap drink she had lying around and drink until she passed out. Then the next morning she had to pick herself up and try to carry on like nothing happened. Nopony ever came to help us. Clubbers were overworked in Spring Chapel as it was and seemed to think that there was no rape. That my mother was making it up to get more grits from them or something like that. Bet a few even believed you couldn’t rape a tail raiser. That’s…That’s just how it was for us.”
Twilight was silent for a moment as she looked down at the down as if searching it for something to say. This…This was just madness! How could the Clubbers think something like that? Wouldn’t the evidence of a broken door lead them to look into something? Anything?
“Where is she now?” asked Twilight, her throat becoming incredibly dry as she feared what the answer might be. She looked over at the mare finding that she had lowered her head again to stare at the soot covered window.
“Died before I got my cutie mark,” said Overkill as Twilight jumped to her hooves. “Couldn’t afford a doctor or anything to find out how. Heck, couldn’t afford a proper grave. Had to bury her in a nameless plot with others like her and then I was on my own. Don’t even know if I have any family out there.”
“Th-That’s awful!” exclaimed Twilight.
Overkill just shrugged. “That’s just the way life is for some ponies,” she replied. “Heard a lot of them on the streets complaining about what had happened to them, talking on and on about how unfair it was. Hear a lot of it now too for ponies who have never gone a day without food or never had to wear an old breathing mask that could fail at any moment. Not everypony gets to start their lives in a nice, happy home. Just be grateful for anything good that comes your way.” Overkill then turned to look at Twilight. “Look Twilight, I’m sorry for saying all that stuff to that mare in front of you. The General would have had my flank if I had done anything like that while he was around. It’s just…it’s not that I don’t feel for her or anything like that. Because I do. But when I stop to think about all you’ve done for her, all that you’re risking just to make this happen, and she just keeps asking for more right away... It just rubs me the wrong way.”
Twilight felt her body slump as she sat back down on her flank. The weight of what Overkill had told her was tremendous. She wanted to say to her that they could make it right somehow…but she didn’t know how. It wasn’t like there was a spell to bring back the dead. Heck, if her mother was buried in an unmarked grave then there was no telling if she could ever find the right body to give a proper funeral. For that matter, how could she allow so many to be buried in such a way? Didn’t they all deserve to be laid to rest properly? To do that would probably take more grits than she had at her disposal. As for the stallions who had done all that, well she doubted that Overkill could remember them or if she could provide proof in court if she could.
“Hey,” said Overkill as she gently punched Twilight’s shoulder. Twilight looked up to see Overkill giving her a knowing look as if she knew what Twilight had been thinking about. “It’s fine. You can’t help everypony out there with a sob story.”
“But-” As Twilight said this, Overkill placed a hoof over her mouth to keep her from saying anymore. As Twilight looked at the other mare Overkill shook her head slowly.
“Look princess, the reason I told you all of that was because you asked. Not because I thought you could help or anything like that.” Slowly Overkill pulled away her hoof from Twilight’s mouth. “I’ve learned to roll with the punches as they came. Plus my life hasn’t turned out too badly these days. I got a good family in the military and a job that lets me shoot things all I want without getting arrested! So I’m not somepony you need to go out of your way to help. If I need help, I’ll ask.”
“B-But as a princess, it’s my duty to look after the well-being of all my subjects,” stated Twilight as she extended her wings. “At least, while I can. I don’t know how long the Dukes will wait before thinking I’m hurting Thunder Valley.”
Overkill shrugged again as she stood on her hooves. “Yeah well, being in the military has taught me that you should always expect casualties even in the best of missions. Not every battle can be realistically fought and won. That’s why we have to pull back sometimes and leave good ponies to die. But we never give up the fight, we do what we can while we can so we can keep on fighting. That way, those who we couldn’t save didn’t die in vain. It’s just something that we have to accept.” Overkill then paused as she pulled out the paper she was keeping under her wing. Now out in the open, Twilight could see that it was a newspaper with tonight’s date on it. “And I have a feeling the Dukes won’t be coming after you anytime soon.”
Curious, Twilight took the paper with her magic and held it up. It didn’t take her long to spot what Overkill was talking about. The main article had a side by side picture of Arms Maker on one side while on the other was Twilight with a title ‘Who Rules Thunder Valley?’ Skimming the article, it began with what Arms Dealer was being charged with as well as some of the basics of the trial. This much Twilight was intimately familiar with by on. Yet, she began to notice something in the following paragraphs. Apparently there was an informant within the castle staff who had told the paper that the Great Houses were going to give Arms Dealer another free pass out of fear that his father would end the ammunition contract. That the Houses were putting pressure on the temporary princess to let him go or she might be dismissed from her position. It even talked about the meeting between herself and Arms Maker! Some of the details of that meeting were printed, information that only three ponies knew about.
“While threats from outside our borders maybe a problem,” the writer of the article wrote, “we cannot ignore threats from within. Not when they are happening right in front of our muzzles and in the center of our government. To allow this would be an invitation to create more chaos in this great nation of ours.”
Scanning the rest of the front page, Twilight saw that the other members of the Great Houses had been questioned about this as well as General Steel Trap. All of them seemed to evade the questions with statements like ‘no comment’ or made sure they were unavailable for questioning. Perhaps those thestrals had some inside information that allowed them to avoid this situation completely. The only thing that they were willing to admit to was that if they felt that Princess Twilight had put Thunder Valley in danger she would be removed.
“You did this?” asked Twilight as she looked up. It seemed obvious to her since she knew she had never talked to the press about any of this. And she doubted that Arms Maker would have admitted to any of this as well as any of the members of the Great Houses. Count Raven could have done it, but he wasn’t privy to all of the details of the meeting she had last morning.
“Maybe~,” said Overkill in a tone that screamed yes. “I mean I am a member of the castle staff. So I could have leaked a bit to the press in order to make a preemptive strike for you. I don’t think that they’ll be quick to kick you to the curb anytime soon. This should buy you a bit more time to find a replacement for Arms Maker.”
“A bit more time at least,” agreed Twilight with a nod before giving it back to Overkill. “But, won’t you get in trouble for this when they find out?”
“Well I won’t tell if you don’t,” said Overkill in a serious tone. “I still don’t regret spying on you so I’m not asking for forgiveness on that. But I do think that you have this country’s best interests at heart. If this place is ever going to start ticking right again then we’re going to need somepony like you.”
Twilight couldn’t help but blush at that. “Thanks,” she said as she began to get up. “Let’s go. There’s still a lot of work that needs to be done and I’m sure the press will want to speak to me.”
“Eh, I could scare them away by shooting in the air a few times,” said Overkill as she walked alongside Twilight. Upon seeing Twilight turn her head quickly to give Overkill a disapproving look, the military mare let out a nervous chuckle. “Ah, just kidding?”
“Not funny,” said Twilight as they continued to walk. “Also, don’t think I’ve forgotten about what you said to that mare. Before we leave, you will apologize.” At that, Overkill began to curse slightly under her breath in words Twilight hoped would never be repeated in front of Spike.
-x-
“Welcome back,” said Spike as Twilight entered her office a few hours later.
“Thanks Spike,” replied Twilight in a horse voice, rubbing her throat with her hoof after she had finished speaking. Twilight had decided to leave before the final verdict came as a symbol that her presence would not interfere with the final outcome. To not have the judge looking up at her for confirmation before delivering the sentence. In doing so, Twilight and Overkill were meet by what felt like hundreds of reporters all of who had many questions for her. Naturally, the first was how she felt about the case and what she hoped the verdict would be.
After that, Twilight had gotten a surprising question: once this was over, what would her plans be for Thunder Valley? Twilight had needed a moment to think about that one. She had been so caught up in learning the customs of the thestrals and with this case that she had barely enough time to think about anything long-term. She supposed that the first thing she should do is ensure that events like this would never happen again, cracking down on big companies who think that they can buy the law. Then there was level of pollution that she had found in the city. She still had no idea if it was like this everywhere or just in the major cities, but it was something she felt needed to be addressed at some point. The thestrals deserved to be able to go outside and breathe fresh air. Another battle between large companies no doubt.
Then there was the old barrier. As Twilight thought about it, it seemed strange that it would suddenly begin to fail like it had been. Something must have happened to cause it to weaken, but what? And could its disappearance be a prelude to something worse on the horizon? Something dangerous? Another thing she would have to look at in the near future.
Perhaps her main goal was establishing trade with other nations like Equestria. Yes, that would have to be one of the big ones. The thestrals had lived in isolation for perhaps their entire existence and now that that isolation was over many were no doubt fearful of the outside world. Twilight needed to show them that while there was danger out there, they would also find plenty of friends. They could meet the crystal ponies of the Empire as well as their other fellow ponies in Equestria. Show them the buffalo that live in the areas around Appleloosa. Or the zebras. They could go out and see so many wonderful things that could only enrich their culture. Not to mention how other cultures could be enriched by meeting the thestrals.
So, in the end, Twilight decided to talk more about trading with other nations than anything else. For the time being at least. Reporters were relentless, talking a mile a minute wanting to know everything on the spot. Which country would they be trading with first? What would they be trading? Would this hurt the economy? Would this create more jobs? How would they be trading? Had they found a safe way to constantly pass through the barrier? And so on and so on.
As Twilight levitated her mask off her face to put it away, one of her maids entered the room with a tray on her back. “Your Grace, we heard you just came back,” she said while setting the tray on a nearby table. On it was a silver tea set, adorned with the standard gear makings that the thestrals put on everything. Twilight also noted one of their machines in the back. It looked like a silver box with a crank on its side, standing on four clawed legs while a fire burned beneath it. Twin tines of a pristine metal rose up from its back, spiraling in the air before arcs backwards and simply ending.
“Would Your Grace like a cup of tea?” asked the maid as she bowed before Twilight. As for the purple alicorn, she took a step back at seeing this. While it had been true that the staff were becoming more friendly and respectful to her and Spike, this was a whole new level. Before, when they had bowed it seemed a little on the stiff side. Now it looked like a fluid motion, natural instead of forced. Also none of them had called her ‘Your Grace’ like that. In fact, the only pony who ever called her that was Count Raven.
“Ah, sure,” said Twilight, slightly taken by this. “I mean, yes some tea would be lovely. Thank you.” As the maid rose up, Twilight saw her beam before turning to the tray. The purple alicorn then watched as she opened up the top of the box before taking some leaves that were on the tray and putting them in. After then pouring some water into the box as well, the maid closed the lid and then proceeded to turn the crank. Twilight watched as the device began to hiss and clink before tea came out of the tube and into the cup. Once full, the maid stopped what she was doing to give the now full cup of tea to Twilight.
“You got a package,” said Spike as Twilight accepted her tea. “It was just there when I got up.” While sipping the piping hot drink, Twilight turned to look at her assistant who was pointing at her desk. As the warm fluid ran down her throat she noticed a long brown parcel sitting in the middle. Curious, she approached it while Overkill pulled out one of her blunderbusses and approached it as well. Overkill reached it first, taking off a letter attached to it before placing an ear on the top.
While Overkill closed her eyes to listen in on anything inside, Twilight picked up the letter with her magic while continuing to drink. At the top was her name, written in fancy letters with large swirls. Below that it read, “You kept your word and for that I thank you. Please allow me to show a token of my gratitude. Your humble shadow on the streets, JD.”
“I think it's clean,” said Overkill as she poked the parcel with her weapon. “Still, somepony should have told us you had a package when we got in and that it cleared security. Maybe I should shoot it once or twice just to be on the safe side. Or we could just blow it up all together!”
“No, no,” said Twilight quickly as Overkill licked her lips. “I think I’ll risk it.” Looking disappointed, Overkill put away her weapon as Twilight set down her drink and the letter. If she was right, JD was Just Dandy. Given how he had acted during their rather brief meeting she doubted he would try to hurt her. Still, there was no guarantee that it was from him so she erected a magical field around the package strong enough to take several magical beams without cracking as she slowly undid the packaging. Just to be on the safe side.
What she found inside made her glad she had put down her tea cup for she was sure to have dropped it or done a spit take. Inside was a corset made of finely polished bronze. It was made of thin panels that would allow it to conform best to any mare’s figure, probably without too much discomfort as one would imagine. As Twilight looked at it, she noticed that it seemed to incorporate a form of architectural sculpture to it. Slightly jutting out of the panels were recreations of famous thestral art Twilight had seen in books. One of the ones she was looking at now showed two thestrals in mid-flight, with the mare’s mane and dress blowing wildly in the wind. The mare’s attention was behind her, a stallion shown flying towards her with a hoof extended towards her while above them the full moon shined brightly. The detail on this piece of art was so precise that Twilight could see every line on the mare’s gown. Below that was another piece of art, which, while being highly regarded by the thestrals was not much to Twilight’s liking. It was of a thestral, only its body was composed mainly of gears and other mechanical components.
Slowly lifting it out of the box, Twilight continued to study it carefully. As she looked at the various images of thestral art on display, she could not deny the amount of care and thought that went into this gift. It almost caused her ears to press against her skull, since she was still in the habit of not wearing clothing, only doing so during special occasions. There was no rule against it, it was considered unwise since the soot and other things in the air could seriously damage or stain ones coat. Hence why thestrals all seemed to wear clothing of some kind within the cities. While Twilight could clean her fur far better with her magic and remove any damages, perhaps she could avoid it completely if she made a better habit out of wearing something.
As everypony in the room looked at the corset, there was a sudden swishing noise heard behind them. Twilight was the first to turn around, noticing that a letter had been slid under the doorway. She could also hear the rustle of hooves behind the door. But before the alicorn could even move magic to her horn a shot was fired. Twilight, Spike, and the maid screamed loudly as Overkill held one of her blunderbusses at the letter which now had a hole in its middle. She then eyes the door as the pulled out her second.
“DON’T!” yelled Twilight as she held down her guard’s hoof with her magic.
“Hey, I let you open a suspicious package,” said Overkill. “That could be part of the assassins plan! Or it could be a brand new type of bomb or something!”
Twilight frowned was she lifted the remains of the letter and opened it. Most of its contents were no longer readable except for the upper most part. The line read: In all likelihood, Overkill will have shot this letter. And that was all Twilight could make out. Heck, she was lucky to even be able to read this much in the first place.
“Somepony knows you well,” said Twilight as she glanced at Overkill while a second letter was slipped under the door. As the figure behind the door galloped away, Twilight summoned the letter before Overkill could shoot it again. As the trigger happy mare glared at the paper, Twilight opened and unfolded it before beginning to read it out loud. “Under the assumption that Overkill doesn’t shoot this letter, I hope that its contents help you.”
What followed was a list. A list consisting of weapons manufacturers that Twilight had recognized at once. She had been going over all of the companies within Thunder Valley to hopefully find a good replacement for Arms Maker if the need should ever arrive. However, she knew nothing about this type of military equipment, what could be considered good, or even if that company could make what was needed. Sure she could have learned while consulting with Steel Trap and Overkill, but that would take a great deal of time. Time that had been extended thanks to Overkill, but there was no way of knowing how long that would last. However it seemed somepony had saved her a great deal of time. Next to each company were facts such as ‘makes ammo compatible for the XXXX’ or ‘making new weapons for zeppelins’. There were also pricings next to each with a comparison to what Arms Maker would have charged.
As Twilight scanned the list, she walked silently behind her desk. This was a huge boon to her. While she would need to double check this information, if it proved to be true then she could more easily decide on whom to get what from. None of these companies could make everything that the army needed, but perhaps that would be for the best. She could just cherry pick what she needed from who offered the best deal at the best quality. While many were pricy, there was also a chance that she could make some sort of deal.
Calmly, she levitated her tea cup to her and took a sip. Now she needed to decide.
-x-
Arms Maker sat within the central office of his factory without a single soul around. As the daylight shined weakly through the blinded windows to illuminate the various untouched bottles of alcohol on his deck, the old stallion paid them little mind. Instead his focus was on the black and white photograph held within his hooves. The picture showed him and his son back when he had gotten his cutie mark, both smiling happily along with his wife, may the Guides protect her soul. Memories of better days when his world was happy and complete. All he did was stare at it as time passed him by while tears ran down his face.
Guilty. That had been the verdict after a single day of court. He had sat there, watching as the only lawyer he could get at such short notice did what little he could under the circumstances before his son was dragged away. He could never forget how Dealer had thrashed around like a wild animal, almost attacking the guards as they tried to take him back to prison for his crimes. How he had called out to him to do something, to set him free like he had done in the past before being pulled out of the courtroom.
Now Arms Maker sat alone in a mostly empty building whose smoke stacks were now cooling. In an effort to give his employees more time to find new work should they need it, Maker had cut their hours so that nopony worked the day shift anymore. Now the machines that worked night and day to supply ponies a place to work sat silent. While he had said nothing, there were already whispers going around the place about their future. So many scared, worried that they might end up on the streets or worse living by the river. So many looking for the same jobs at the same places at the same time. And none of them were blaming Princess Twilight for this situation. They all knew who had made the threat due to that news article. They all knew what he had done to try and save his son.
Things that normally Arms Maker would have responded to. Today, however, his heart just wasn’t in it. All he could think about was what had happened today. Watching all of those mares coming forward to tell what had happened to them. What his son had done to them. Some even had scars to show for it, but he was sure that many held scars within their souls.
Barely he heard a knock at his door before it opened. Slowly he looked up to see a young, grey thestral mare in an equally grey pin-striped gown, smiling at him. Through his blurry eyes he felt like he knew this mare, but could not recall. Was she the daughter of a former client or something? Past her, Arms Maker could make out the shadow of another figure standing by the door. However this figure remained behind never taking a step past the threshold of his office.
“Good day to you,” said the mare politely as she approached the desk, seemingly not paying any attention to the bottles. Yet, Arms Maker almost did a double take. That voice. He had heard that voice before. But where? “It is a pleasure to meet with you. I am here on behalf of my employer to make an arrangement that will suit both of our parties. My name is Lady Gray.”
“Please,” said Arms Maker as he shook his head in an effort to think straight while the mare took a seat across from him. “I am in no mood to talk-”
“It is about your son,” interrupted Lady Gray, stopping Arms Maker from telling her to leave. Now he stared at her with confusion and a twinge of hope that fluttered around his heart as she continued to speak, a leathery wing tracing one of his bottles. “It is such a shame that the new princess has chosen to take such a stance. To lock up your only son while discrediting you. Unless something happens, Storm Breaker Ammunitions will not last a year due to the fallout. Such a fate should never befall he who was once good friends with the crown.”
Arms Maker felt his throat grow dry as he thought of his old friend who now lied buried. “I was friends with the crown,” he said slowly. “But those were the old days, but when King Cobalt still lived and his children inhabited the castle. They…no longer do.”
“But they could again, with your help,” said Lady Gray as she leaned over the table. “The great Princess Alabaster seeks to take back what was taken from her.” At that, Arms Maker nearly dropped the picture in his hooves as he stared at the mare. He knew of course that Alabaster had escaped before the rebellion had taken the castle. Rumors floated about how she had done it with most hoping that her father had returned from the grave to take her to the underworld. But Arms Maker had heard something more believable. After the castle had been taken, one of the lower noble’s daughter who had been a loyal supporter of the princess was reported missing as well as a large amount of the family’s grits. There were those who believed that she had assisted the former princess in her flight to freedom, supplying her with all she needed. It was possible that this was that mare.
“Is…Is Princess Alabaster your employer?” asked Arms Maker as he stared at the mare. He already knew the answer, but he needed her to say it. To confirm it so that there would be no room for interpretation.
The young mare smiled as she nodded. “She is the only one I will ever serve,” she said honestly. “Princess Alabaster holds you and your family in the highest regards. She remembers the times when you would dine with her family in the greatest of comforts. Such a time is one that she wishes to return to. I am sure you can understand. That is why she wishes to extend a hoof so that both parties can benefit.” The mare then paused to eye one of the more expensive bottles on the desk, eyeing it with unparalleled desire and greed. Her eyes then began to trace around the room with an appraising eye.
“But how?” asked Arms Maker getting the mare’s attention back to him. “She is wanted even to this night for her crimes against the thestrals!”
The mare did not answer right away. Instead she smiled before rising from her seat to walk over to a counter were several glasses were held. Calmly she picked up two of the crystal glasses and brought them back to the table. “Would you rather serve an outsider who sits on the throne? One who threw your son in jail for such a minor crime?” she asked as she began to pour the most expensive drink into both glasses. “The great Princess Alabaster is planning her return to power, where she belongs. It is only a matter of time, but until then she must wait in truly undesirable conditions one such as her must be forced to endure. But she is willing to do so for the sake of her plan. To expedite this, we will need somepony like yourself. One who has access to great power and wealth. In return for such loyal service to the true royal crown, upon her return to power your son will be set free never to set hoof in a prison ever again.”
Arms Maker felt his heart stop at that. A chance to free his son? To ensure that he would never be in a cell ever again?
“You were her father’s best friend,” continued Lady Gray as she pushed his glass to him. “I am sure King Cobalt would have wanted you to help his wonderful daughter in her time of need after everything he had done for you. And you would be helping your own son in the process! Just think of it. He’ll be back at home, your factory working as hard as it ever did. The grits you will make. Everything can be yours once again. All you have to do is help your true princess. Help the daughter of your best friend reclaim what was once hers.”
Arms Maker looked at the glass before looking up at the mare who held her own in her hoof, waiting for him to do the same. Then he looked down at the picture of his son smiling there before him. Fresh tears appeared on his face as he thought of the memories of their shared past. All the times he sat down from a hard day at the office and listened as his son told him about his day. The trips they had taken to far away areas of Thunder Valley. So many memories there with many more to be had when he returned. Then, Arms Maker heard the silence of the factory around him, broken only by the ticking of the clock. He thought about the trial and of the deal before him as he set the picture on the desk only to flip it face down.
“No,” he said as his heart broke. He closed his eyes and turned away from the mare as he heard her set down her glass. “I can’t.”
“But your son?!” shouted Lady Gray followed by the sound of a chair being pushed back. “Don’t you care about him at all?”
“Ever after all this, I do,” said Arms Maker as he opened his eyes slightly, staring at the ground. “I love him so very, very much. It hurts to know that he will never be able to fly in the night sky or have a family of his own one day. But perhaps it was my love that blinded me from the truth. I abused my friendship in order to save him, never considering the strain I was putting on him. I even gambled with my company’s future because I loved him so much. All those mares he hurt I had a hoof in. Had I let him go to jail that first time, maybe that would have set him straight or at least protected many of those mares he would assault. As much as this pains me it’s well past time I leave him to his own fate.”
“I…see,” said his guest in a cold voice.
“As a courtesy to Princess Alabaster, I will not tell anypony about this meeting,” continued Arms Maker. “Nor will I tell anypony what she is planning. But that is as far as I am willing to go. She will not receive any help from me.” As Arms Maker became silent his mind shifted over to the matter at hoof. He needed to start making amends for all the harm he had done. Firstly, he needed to set things right with Princess Twilight. She had been right to do what she did, even trying to get him to think about how his emotional actions would have an effect on his company. Perhaps there was still time to fix things with her. If he talked to her and apologized for his behavior then maybe he could renegotiate a contract. Then he could start making it up to all those mares whom his son had hurt. Finding out what he could do to help them.
Sadly, none of this ever came to pass. For when the moon rose the next night the body of Arms Maker was found in the river. Dead.