//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: Crossing the Rubicon // by Blade Star //------------------------------// “You look like Tartarus, Elusive,” Tempest said as she walked over to his bedside. “And I certainly feel it too,” he admitted. “Although I think I survived a fair sight better than my store.” “True, I’m afraid,” Tempest agreed. “I took a look down there while you were down for the count. Fire chief says the lower floor is pretty much a write off. The upstairs flat survived pretty well though.” “Oh, I think I’m quite set for accommodations for the time being,” Elusive replied, gesturing the the hospital room. Tempest paused for a moment, considering her next words carefully. From past experience, she knew it would be futile to outright ask Elusive what happened. The fire chief had been very clear on his beliefs when it came to what caused the explosion. No question about it, an incendiary device planted somewhere along the far wall, close enough to blow the gas main and ignite it. Still, despite her past experiences with Elusive, she couldn’t not be concerned for him and try to help. Before she could voice the question however, Elusive posed one of his own. “While I am most grateful for your company, my dear,” he said kindly. “I am rather curious as to how you came to hear about it so quickly, to say nothing as to how you returned to Canterlot at such a pace.” In contrast to her friend, Tempest was more open, at least with those she trusted. “I was out near Abyssinia when Luna contacted me. Dream walking has got to be the fastest communication method out there. She sent a couple of guards south to fly me up here. I got off the flight about four hours ago.” “Still spreading word of the death of your previous employer, eh?” Elusive asked coyly. “Or was it something more? You never did tell me if you took that SMILE bunch up on their offer.” Now it was Tempest’s turn to smile as she got to play at being secretive for a change. “Elusive,” she said in a mock offended tone. “Surely you don’t believe those rumours of a secret organisation protecting Equestria from the shadows. Besides, even if I were, do you think I’d tell you, of all ponies?” “Well, if you can’t trust a changeling ex-spy, who can you trust?” Elusive replied. “In all seriousness though, how have you been, my friend? I see you’ve picked up some souvenirs on your travels.” And so the two of them fell into conversation, catching up like the old friends they were. While Tempest remained somewhat cagey about exactly where she’d been and what she’d been up to, she did spin a few tales to Elusive. She had indeed visited Saddle Arabia, as well as a few other exotic locales in the southern hemisphere, although she had perhaps wisely given the newly restored Hippogriff Kingdom a wide berth. Beyond that though, her adventures had taken her to all corners, from the Dragon Lands, Yakyakistan, and even to the frozen southern pole that the storm creatures called home, where she had played a part in demilitarising the once powerful army. As for Elusive, his life had been more sedate of late. Although, given that the last time Tempest had seen him, he was recovering from a rather determined attempt on his life that had sent her to the Changeling Kingdom. He regaled her with a few tales of court intrigue, gossip amongst the nobility, and some of the more unusual customers that had patronised his store. The latter prompted a pained expression. “I do fear it will be some time before I’m able to open my doors again,” he said a little sadly. “Although I would imagine being the scene of the demise of Mi Amore Cadenza would have a far greater impact, so I suppose it isn’t a total loss.” “You were both very lucky, Elusive,” Tempest said, her tone now becoming serious. “But was it you or her that was the target?” “That’s just what I want to know,” a third voice said, startling the pair from their conspiratorial whispering. Standing at the door, flanked by two junior officers, stood Shining Armor, the one time commander of the Royal Guard. Tempest got to her hooves and drew herself to attention. “Captain Shining Armor,” she greeted. While not a part of the guard, and arguably on equal footing as far as rank was concerned, Tempest felt the stallion deserved at least some measure of respect. Elusive on the other hoof… “Now why would the Prince of the Crystal Empire be interested in little old me?” he asked rhetorically. Shining glared at him. “When a bomb almost kills my wife and you’re the only witness, you can bet I’m going to be interested in you,” he said, with only a small note of contempt in his voice. “A bomb?” Elusive said, feigning surprise. “Surely it was just a gas main leaking?” This didn’t improve Shining’s mood. “We both know that isn’t the case,” he all but snarled. “The princesses might have tolerated your presence here, Elusive, but I no longer have that luxury. So you need to tell me what happened.” Elusive let out a nervous sounding laugh. “Captain, really!” he said. “What in Equestria can you possibly mean?” Shining, as it turned out, was in no mood for games. Dismissing the two junior officers, he closed and locked the door behind him, before joining Tempest at Elusive’s bedside. Powering up his magic, he hit Elusive with a short blast of magic. Instantly, and quite against his will, the bed bound unicorn was engulfed in a wave of bright green fire that washed over his form. In short order, white hide was replaced with black chitin, that purple mane gave way to a seaweed green, while wings, hidden beneath a carapace appeared on his back. All in all, exactly what you’d expect to see when thinking of a changeling. His blue eyes, lacking an iris, went wide in panic for a split second. Elusive reacted instantly, reactivating his disguise, while an angry Tempest looked ready to take matters into her own hooves. By rights, Shining had just assaulted Elusive in his hospital bed! However, her damaged horn meant she would be at a disadvantage in a fight, even if they were about the same size. Plus she doubted retaliating would do much good. In any case, Shining didn’t follow up on his brief attack, letting Elusive cover himself with his magic once more. “I know exactly who you, and what you are, Elusive,” Shining said coldly. “So don’t try and play innocent with me.” Elusive however, was not one to be thrown off his game so easily. Other ponies, and even changelings might have been intimidated, but he liked to think he wasn’t just another pony. “How dare you, Captain!” he exclaimed crossly, feigning offence perfectly. “You can’t hide behind that disguise, or paper thin excuses,” the unicorn went on, disregarding the now bristling Elusive. “You almost got my wife killed today. The only question is whether you were trying to kill her, or somepony else was.” Tempest had been equally enraged by Shining using his magic on Elusive, but now her friend’s anger seemed to evaporate as he broke into a chuckle, which soon turned into outright laughter. Shining snorted in irritation as the changeling struggled to compose himself. “Really, Captain,” he said, pausing to wipe a tear from his eye. “I never believed anypony could get so many wrong ends of only one stick. How in the name of Celestia did you ever rise through the ranks?” That didn’t improve Shining’s mood one jot, and he snarled at the bedridden changeling. Elusive continued. “If I had wanted to kill your wife, I assure you, I would have been a trite more subtle in my execution. And I wouldn’t have left you alive long enough to come knocking. Now if you don’t mind, I was catching up with an old friend.” Shining however, didn’t leave. Getting right up to the tailor’s bedside, he grabbed the changeling by the collar with his magic. Tempest made to push the unicorn away, but Elusive held a hoof up to stop her. The two stallions glared at each other for a few moments, Elusive wearing a near perfect mask of innocence and serenity. The same couldn’t be said for Shining. If Tempest didn’t know better, she would have said Elusive was enjoying behind manhandled like this. Or at least, enjoying Shining’s frustration. He always did have a habit of pushing a pony’s buttons for his own amusement. “Have a care, Captain,” he said softly. “I doubt your two friends outside would care to see you roughing up an innocent bedridden shopkeeper.” Shining held him fast for a few moment longer. His eyes vainly trying to bore into his opponents, trying to get a read on him, something Tempest knew was all but impossible. He’d backed himself into a corner, and all three knew it. “Don’t try and leave the city,” he said coldly. “And don’t expect this to be my last visit.” With that, he released Elusive and left, all but slamming the door behind him, prompting a passing nurse to scold him. That left Tempest and Elusive alone once more. “Well, that could have gone better,” Tempest said in a deadpan tone. “Oh, you can hardly blame him,” Elusive replied. “The poor boy is frustrated.” “Yeah, I wonder what could have done that? And what’s got you so cagey all of a sudden?” Elusive smiled. “Cagey? Moi?” he said innocently. “C’mon, Elusive,” Tempest went on. “His wife did almost get turned into pink mist today. It’s not like he’s just going to stop being interested in you.” “True.” Tempest paused for a moment. Despite their friendship, she knew little of Elusive. She knew he was an former infiltrator that, for one reason or another, had been exiled from the Changeling Kingdom, even after Chrysalis’ downfall. She also knew that somepony had tried to kill him not so long ago. Could this be the same party again? “Do you think this has anything to do with Mandible?” she asked, referring to the supposedly retired head of the infiltrators. Elusive shook his head. “He doesn’t want me dead, Tempest. You know that,” he pointed out. “Why kill me when I instead languish in exile?” “So do you think somepony was trying to kill the princess?” Now he frowned. “Why, I have no idea. She’s third in the line of succession, holds only limited political power, and already has an heir to her throne. Apart from a great outpouring of grief, what would be achieved by her death?” It was indeed a puzzle, and one Tempest wanted to solve. The same thoughts were now swirling around in Shining Armor’s head. He knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that the changeling tailor had something to do with all this. But why would he try to kill her, and in such a way as to almost kill himself too? But who else would want his wife dead? She was loved and admired by her subjects, had no enemies in Canterlot. And what sort of pony would even know how to build a bomb in the first place, never mind know where the gas main was and plant it without somepony like Elusive noticing. No, he had to be involved, somehow. Shaking his head in exasperation, he found himself back at the gates to Canterlot Castle. The two sentries on duty saluted him as he passed. While he might no longer be Captain of the Royal Guard, his role as the Knight Commander of the recently reconstituted Imperial Crystal Guard, in addition to his title of Prince Consort, still gave him plenty of status in Equestria’s hierarchy. He and Cadence had retained their usual apartment in the castle, one which Celestia always kept free for them when they visited. He was certainly grateful for it. While Cadence wasn’t seriously injured, as princess, royal physicians had fussed over her almost non-stop since the bombing, and the apartment was a sure as anything better than a bed in Canterlot’s hospital. He found himself sighing in exasperation. This visit was meant to simply be a chance for Cadence to spend some time with Aunt Celestia. Couldn’t they have one little visit without somepony trying to kill them, usurp the kingdom, or destroy all Equestria? He was just glad Flurry Heart was safe with Sunburst back in the Empire. Making his way up the stairs, he passed by the sentry on duty outside the apartment, something he’d insisted on. Security had gotten far too lax since his departure. Heading inside, he made his way to the bedroom, where he found his wife propped up on a number of pillows reading a book. “Hey,” he said, keeping his voice low as he peeked through the door. “How are you feeling?” Cadence smiled at him and set aside her book, levitating it back to a nearby shelf. “Better,” she said. “How was Elusive?” Shining found himself scowling again at the thought of that smug bug. “Not particularly cooperative,” he said, closing the door behind him and perching himself on the side of the bed. “I know Celestia trusts him, but something about him really rubs me the wrong way. I mean, why did you even go to him anyway?” “Because he’s the best tailor in all Canterlot,” Cadence replied sweetly. “He’s done work for both my aunts, to say nothing of several nobles.” “Doesn’t he freak you out a bit though. I mean…” “Shining,” Cadence said, her tone now that of a mother scolding her colt. “Just because he’s a changeling, or used to be a spy, doesn’t mean he’s evil. He’s no friend of Chrysalis, that’s for sure.” “Isn’t it strange though?” Shining went on. “You almost get seriously hurt, or worse, right outside the shop of the one still disguised changeling in all Equestria. One who just happened to specialise in infiltration and espionage.” “That same changeling,” Cadence pointed out. “Put himself between me and the blast, and took shrapnel in his back. He was lucky not to be killed outright. Hardly the behaviour of an assassin.” That was true. Why protect somepony you’re meant to kill? To throw him off the scent? No, that didn’t track at all. “So why would he stonewall me when I went to talk to him?” Cadence gave her husband a look that was half pity, half mirth. “Perhaps it was the pile driving, all but accusing Royal Guard act you put on that did it?” she suggested, with just a hint of sarcasm. “Well, that and to mess with you for fun.” Shining chuckled and nuzzled her. “You’re almost as bad as he is,” he said. “But it doesn’t get me any closer to finding out what happened, or why. Was it you they were trying to kill, or him? And either way, who would have the capability and know-how to pull off something like that?” “You’re not a one stallion army,” Cadence pointed out. “Celestia has a dozen ponies combing through the wreckage at the shop. See what they come up with. I can all but guarantee you won’t get anything more out of Elusive, if he even knows anything.” Shining frowned. He never could stand this; the waiting. He was a stallion of action, and far happier when he could see the right path to take. But Cadence was right. There was little more to be done tonight. But he resolved to pay a visit to the scene of the crime as soon as he could.