//------------------------------// // Smoke and Mirrors I // Story: Truth of the Heart // by Rose Quill //------------------------------// Something was off the moment Twilight entered her room. There was a strange scent in the air, something sweet with a hint of acidity. She walked in slowly, ears swiveling about for any hint of another presence within her chambers. Maybe Sunset had changed her mind and returned? Her pace quickened as her mind began to play an image of a reunion after an emotional separation. “Sunset?” Her response was the sudden wrapping of cloth over the end of her muzzle, the cloying sweetness filling her awareness as panic bloomed inside. She flared out her wings and twisted, trying to free herself from the grip. But with every moment that passed, she began to feel more and more lightheaded. She felt her knees start to give way and she spun another time, finally seeing a Unicorn tucked back into the corner, horn glimmering with mint green magic and a sly smirk on her face. “Glad you could join us,” she said, stepping forward and dipping her head slightly. “Princess.” Twilight fell to her knees, wings flapping in an attempt to keep her upright, but the smell of the rag over her nose drove her down into a deep blackness, the mare’s laughter following her down. Sunset groaned, her head swimming as she awoke.  Did I fall asleep on the train? I hate it when I do that. She went to sit up. The feeling of rope jerked her senses into the present. She looked around and saw she was in a dank room, fitted stone with moisture clinging to the walls. Everything came flooding back to her; the trip to Tall Lake, the dismissal from Twilight’s father, Summer… Summer was sitting across from her, wings twitching in agitation and refusing to meet her eyes. “Summer?” Sunset said quietly, unbelieving. Then the memory of being stuck returned. “You lying bitch!” she shouted, rage flaring through her. She tried to light her horn but was only met with pain as it was negated forcefully. “You might not want to try that again,” Summer said, none of her former cheer present. “They put a mage shackle on your horn to keep you from escaping until they returned to talk with you.”  Sunset tested the ropes that bound her, struggling against them. “Who is ‘they’, then?”  “I doubt you’ve ever even heard of them.” She shifted, still not meeting her eyes. “But they want to know what you can tell them about the Fulcrum.” “That again?” She laughed derisively. “Whatever it is, it took my father away from his wife and children. I couldn’t give two bucks about whatever it is.” “Please, just cooperate,” Summer whispered. “They have my coltfriend.” “You mean the one that had been cheating on you?” Sunset snorted. “Why should I believe you now? I’ve heard nothing but lies since we met, haven’t I?” A sniff came from Summer and her voice began to sound forced. “Not everything.” “I see she’s awake,” a rough voice came from behind Sunset. “Have you managed to get anything additional from her?” “No, sir,” Summer responded with a meek voice, shrinking as Sunset watched. “Shame, then,” the voice said, the source stepping around from behind, revealing that it emanated from a Unicorn Stallion, a jagged scar running along his neck. His roan coat was littered with scars, small pockmarks marring the black landscape and patches of the white missing hair entirely. “I’m not nearly as patient as Summer is.” “Iron, don’t,” Summer whimpered. Sunset spat at the stallion’s hooves.  “You don’t scare me. You don’t know what I’ve been through.” The Stallion’s horn lit with a sickly green hue. “Then this might be fun.” He leaned towards Sunset, blocking the line of sight between her and Summer. But it didn’t block the screams. *** “If she knew anything, she would have told me.” Iron said as he finished off his second brandy. “Tough bint, though. She made it longer than I thought.” He fished a bit out and tossed it to the pony in the corner. The russet pony ignored it, staring hard out the window. “Problems, boss?” “I don’t know.” Tossing his green mane back behind his shoulders again, he stalked back to the table and sat down. “It’s just odd that Red would have stayed out of sight even after his little girl was taken. I don’t believe that he doesn’t know.” “Could be that he really doesn’t care, like the girl said.” Iron said, filling his glass again. “The things she called him…” He shivered. “I don’t want to see her mad at me like that.” “When she regains consciousness, question her again.” The stallion leaned back and set an envelope on the table. “Use that as a persuasion method.” Iron shook his head. “I don’t think that is a good idea, Grim. Pressing her psyche too hard without an adequate recovery could cause her to snap. She’s tough, but even a brick will break if you hit it hard enough.” “The photo in there might shake something free. And if not, then I’m sure the foremost expert on magic in Equestria would know something about the Fulcrum.” Iron opened the envelope and looked at the photo of Twilight Sparkle, wings bound and mage shackles on her horn.  “You… you didn’t just kidnap a freaking Princess? You’re barking!” Iron shoved the photo away. “Absolutely barking!” “If you can’t handle that fact,” Grim said. “Then you’d best bow out now. This is just the beginning..” “What could be worse than this?” “I have eyes on her family,” Grim said. “Come in.” The door on the other side opened, revealing Summer and another mare with a helioptrope coat and two-toned mane. “These two are going to bring me the Empress and her family as well.” Summer looked distressed, not meeting anyone’s eyes. The other mare, on the other hand, smiled. “Any way you want them, Grim?” she fairly cackled. “One piece,” replied the boss. “She’ll be most displeased if they are harmed. And she’ll deal with you personally.” The pony stiffened. “She’s coming here?” “Tonight. Don’t mess this up, Glimmer.” Starlight Glimmer smirked again. “Never.” The bar was noisy, and Bon Bon could barely hear over the din of a band that could only barely be called such. Lyra would have a fit, she thought before turning to her companion.  “You're sure?” “With my own ears, Drops,” Starlight said. “Cinch is arriving in town tonight. I’ve been told to grab the Empress and her family, but I can’t take that many the same way I did Sparkle. She’s safe and playing along for now, trusting me as far as she can.” “And why’s that? You drugged her and kidnapped her.” “Because the mage shackle I put on her doesn’t work. If they try to infiltrate her mind, she can partition them into thinking the magic is working.” Starlight downed the last of her beer and stood. “I hope Red knows what he’s doing. This is a really close game he’s trying to rig.” “I’ll say.” Bon Bon tossed back her drink and stood as well. “And dragging me into it as well.” “Well, you are one of the best,” Starlight said. “You manage to get that boy free?” “Yeah. He’ll need time to mend, but he’s ok.” “Good,” Starlight said before going and fading into the nighttime shadows. “I hate seeing Summer that gloomy. I’m sure she wishes she had never learned about her talent now.” Bon Bon wondered about that for a moment before turning and heading her own way. She kept glancing back over her shoulder, sure that somepony was following her. She couldn’t shake the feeling of eyes on her, eyes that pierced her very being. A sudden rustling and a trash can tipping had her spinning, eyes alert.  A cat licked its paws as it left the alley, the can rolling behind it. “Must be jumpy,” she murmured. “Don’t scare me like that, kitty!” “Mew?” *** High above, a shadowy shape drew back from the edge of a rooftop. Alecto didn’t like the cloak and dagger methodology of ponies, but she could see the necessity of it. Besides, if she kept an eye on this one going by two names, she might just find juicier prey.