//------------------------------// // A Play Revealed // Story: Dusk's Dangerous Game // by Airstream //------------------------------// Sweetie Belle was being beaten, and soundly. It was her twenty-eighth day of training, and she was almost competent enough to hold her own against Mahtaram. Almost. Of course, that was assuming that she was only attempting to escape the Gryphon as opposed to actually fighting her. Her teammate was currently wearing a weighted vest, with both her front and back claws wrapped in several layers of sturdy fabric so as to avoid accidentally eviscerating her. Even though she was handicapped, the Gryphon was still a far more fearsome fighter than Sweetie Belle could hope to outmatch. Every blow was avoided, every block made no difference, and Mahtaram was accommodating Sweetie Belle, slowing down her responses and pulling her punches. It made no difference, though. Mahtaram was simply built to fight, and fight she did. She fought with economy, efficiency, and decisiveness. Sweetie Belle attempted to exploit an opening, landing on the Gryphon’s back as she attempted to grapple her into submission. A quick twist and setting of claws later, and it was Sweetie Belle who went flying through the air to land in an unceremonious heap on the ground. Mahtaram waited patiently, tail twitching like that of a cat as she got back up, and Sweetie Belle had the very uncomfortable feeling that she was being played with. Gritting her teeth, she swung one hoof at her, and then another, setting into a kick that could break bones if it connected. As her hooves shot out, however, the Gryphon leapt over the kick, landing in front of the unicorn and slapping her upside the head contemptuously. The unicorn sprawled out on the mat before attempting to get up, only to be stopped by a claw applying casual pressure onto the back of her head, just enough to let her know that she should stay down. She complied, as Mahtaram waited for her to tap out. She dutifully did so, knowing that her teammate could have ended the match at any time. Since the day she had talked with the Gryphon, Sweetie Belle had gotten to know her a little better. Underneath her admittedly cold exterior was a reservoir of passion and fierce loyalty that made her into an excellent warrior. She also exhibited compassion in some measure, and she was truly generous. But she was also a rigid model of self-control, and Sweetie Belle could tell why by the way she fought. Mahtaram could be cruel, and cunning like one of the great cats she shared blood with. She was well versed in deceit and lies, and she never let her guard down totally, and certainly not for any significant length of time. She was, in short, a warrior. Not a soldier, and not a Paladin like those great heroes of old. No, Mahtaram, and indeed all Gryphons, were berserkers that enforced themselves by refusing to be anything other than perfect. Sweetie Belle shuddered to think what it might be like to face a Gryphon who had lost that self-control, or even one who had simply decided she was a threat and needed dealt with. Before she could continue that train of thought, however, the doors to the training room were opened. Her heart soared to see the familiar form of Night Light trot through the portal, looking hale and hearty. The door swung closed behind him, and his eyes sparkled as he took in his fellow operatives. “Well, it looks like you’ve all been working hard!” he said, glancing around the room. “I’m here to see how you’ve all been coming along. Sorry I haven’t been back, they needed me over in Manehatten to set up the place where we’ll be staying over the next few days.” Mahtaram lowered her head ever so slightly, an indicator of respect. “Night Light. We have been engaging in combat training. Sweetie Belle and I have just finished a match, if you care to step into the ring.” Night Light placed a hoof to his chin. “Well, I’m not sure…” “Come on, old-timer!” Scootaloo whooped, bounding up to the edge of the ring and gazing at him scornfully. “Or are you soft after that time in hospital?” Night Light chuckled at this. “I’ve not lost a step, and I’m still young enough to beat you, impudent filly.” Scootaloo snorted. “I don’t believe it. Heck, I think you’d have difficulty taking on Sweetie Belle!” she said. Sweetie Belle took a step back at this. “Now hold on, I never agreed to…” Birchwood jumped to her hooves. “Brilliant! Every one of us here has fought, except for Sweetie Belle and Night Light! Let’s see it!” Glimmer nodded, a smile on her face. “We should be able to assess the weaknesses of each member on our team. And if anypony can analyze others on the fly, it’d be Sweetie Belle. Let us see who comes out on top!” Night Light’s eyes glimmered with amusement as he looked at Sweetie Belle. “I’m game if they are.” he said. Sweetie Belle sighed. “How many of you want us to fight?” she asked. Every hoof shot up, as well as one burlap-wrapped claw. Night Light smiled as he stepped into the ring, facing Sweetie Belle. “I suppose that settles it, then. Are you willing?” Sweetie Belle’s eyes swept over him, as she assessed his weaknesses and hers at once. She was a bit tired after her sparring match with Mahtaram, but she would likely be tired at the Gala as well. And she wasn’t sure of it, but she thought she might be able to beat him. She came to a conclusion. “I’m always up for a challenge.” she said, injecting a bit of confidence into her tone. His hooves shifted into a ready stance, his head lowered a bit. “Alright then. Let’s get it started.” The two began to circle one another cautiously, looking for an opening. Sweetie Belle’s mind was picking him apart even as he did the same to her. He was cautious, yes, but also too direct. He didn’t want to consider her an easy challenge, but he was also overconfident. His chest rose and fell evenly, so she would be unable to exploit his wound. The wings would be sensitive, and Sweetie Belle noticed that he tended to prefer leading with his left side. She switched her stances around, and he followed suit. His movements were less sure, then. So she could attack from the right. The circle tightened. She threw out an experimental hoof. It was easily blocked, but the action itself gave her more information. He had studied the same martial arts Scootaloo had, which focused more on ending fights quickly with a few short blows. His foreleg was a bit stiff, possibly from an old injury. It was on his right side as well, another weakness to exploit if possible. Her eyes met his, green to blue. She came up with a plan. She saw how it would play out. First, she would pretend to stumble a bit, enough to draw him into an obvious feint towards his left side. He’d ignore it, setting in for an attack on his right. She’d follow through with her movement, however, and hit him on his good side. One blow to the head and a roll to the right. Dazed, he would attempt to ward her off with a jab. At this point, she could move around the blow and land on his back. Once she had access to his wings, it would be all over. She stepped once, twice, her next hoof dragged along the ground… “Sweetie Belle!” a voice shouted from behind her. Her head whipped around to see Twilight Sparkle standing in the doorway. Everypony in the room stood straighter at the sight of their leader. “I hate to interrupt, but I must have a word with you.” Sweetie Belle’s shoulders sagged. Abandoning the ring, she followed Twilight Sparkle out of the room, giving a farewell to her teammates before the door closed behind her. Her mouth opened to inquire as to their destination, but a look from Twilight Sparkle was all that was necessary to convey a desire for silence. And so, the two unicorns traveled through the castle without a word spoke. From the training room, they took a flight of spiral stairs that Sweetie Belle had not noticed before, ones that seemed to spiral onwards and upwards without end. No doors branched off of either side, no windows were available to tell her how long she had been climbing for, and the walls were of bare, featureless stone. Eventually, the interminable stairs came to an end, and Sweetie Belle and Twilight Sparkle stood before a simple door, made of some grey metal. “I’m going to be upfront with you.” Twilight said, looking her straight in the eyes. “The ponies in this room have not been gathered in the same place since I started this rebellion years ago. But you are considered important enough that we have convened again, to answer any questions you have. And you will have some, by the time we’re done.” Sweetie Belle was confused. “But what are you going to tell me?” Twilight Sparkle shuddered. “I’ve been working on plans other than what you have been training for, Sweetie Belle. And they’ve been kept secret. But this one is one that you should know about.” And with that, she pushed open the door, revealing a room Sweetie Belle had seen only once before, in pictures. The room contained nothing but a wooden table and some chairs. Sweetie Belle noticed one at the head of the table, obviously for Twilight, and one closer to the door for her. Arranged around that table was every major and prominent member of the Ever Free, all of them waiting on her. There was Silent Shield and Golden Radiance, both of whom looked at her with a slight glimmer of recognition. There was Radiant Zenith, sitting at the right hoof of Twilight Sparkle, and directly down the table from her sat The Ever Free Fighter’s Marshal, Iron Oak. A slim, athletic Pegasus by the name of Nightshade regarded her with cold eyes, sitting next to the Condottiero, Tarantella Allegretta. Spike was curled in one corner of the room, his bulk taking up most of the empty space. Sweetie Belle could see the trapdoor he would have used to get in and out. A coal black Pegasus, Grapevine, sat closest to her. Also at the table were a hulking Minotaur, pitch black, as well as a Gryphon with feathers of steely grey and dark gold. All of them were looking at her, and the door swung shut behind her. Sweetie Belle took her seat, feeling very small indeed. Twilight cleared her throat. “Sweetie Belle, the ones you see in front of you are the only ones who know the full extent of my plans. What you are about to hear will not leave this room. Is that understood?” Sweetie Belle nodded. Twilight continued. “You know most of the ponies in here, but I am afraid you don’t know the representatives of the other races in here as well. The Minotaur’s name is Vladek Foecrusher, and he is a diplomat from the Minotaur Khanate. And the Gryphon’s name is Vagadar az Gavipashnepah, one of the first Gryphons I met and representative of his King.” Sweetie Belle bowed in turn to each of them as they returned the courtesy. “Why have you all gathered here?” “Because we believe you need to hear the truth before you continue further. It was unanimous.” Golden Radiance said. “We are about truth, Sweetie Belle, and though you have been told the truth, you haven’t been told all of it.” Twilight nodded. “What you are about to hear may shock you. But until I have finished explaining myself, I would ask you to remain silent. And just so you understand how serious this is, at the end, you will be offered a choice. You can choose to stay, having sworn loyalty to me and therefore to the Ever Free, or you can go home. Because our lives now hinge on your approval, I will be the pony personally escorting you to Princess Celestia, to be taken home.” Sweetie Belle felt the breath leave her chest as she realized exactly what that meant. What she was about to hear was so sensitive and so important that if she was unwilling to serve Twilight after it, she would be damning the entire Ever Free. She was aware of each set of eyes at the table dissecting her, watching her reaction as Twilight continued. “Firstly, I would like to inform you that while I have been unable to get anypony close enough to contact your sister, I can assure you that she is doing as well as can be expected for somepony in her position. She hasn’t stopped looking for you. Not once. She loves you very much, and nothing will change that. She is working with the Princess and Rainbow Dash to find you, and we’ve had to pull some ponies out of Trottingham and Hoofington due to searches there. But I have not been able to get a message to her assuring her of your safety. That is not to say that I have not been in contact with several other Elements of Harmony. Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy have all entered into talks with my agents, and with the exception of Applejack, I have managed to free them from the holds Celestia has placed upon them. How will be explained why in a moment. Additionally, we have located Applebloom. She has been pulled from her unit in the Regulars, and folded into an entirely new organization under the personal command of Princess Celestia herself. None of this has been confirmed, but we believe that it is to be made up of outstanding young recruits with little to no experience in the service. They are to be molded by Celestia and Cadance’s potent control of mental magic into the ultimate fighting force, to be used against us in Celestia’s final push. They will fight without fear, without hesitation…and without mercy. She plans on using this new group, known as the Equestrian Guard, to enforce her rule without using the chain of command she currently uses. A group of perfectly loyal soldiers under her direct command. They will be the match of any group we send at them if left alone for too long, which is why we are striking now.” Radiant Zenith took the reins. “Now, what I have done with Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie is released the magic in their Elements. The Elements of Laughter and Kindness have been destroyed, and now their Power is free and unchecked. This has broken the ties generated by the Elements to Celestia, and so those two have been freed from her control. We now consider them both powerful neutral parties. Applejack is going to be freed next week, while you are away in Canterlot. It will be on the eve of the Gala, actually. The only unfortunate part of Breaking the Elements in such a fashion is the trauma that must be dealt in order to loosen the ties to their Elements without Celestia knowing.” Sweetie Belle thought about that. While she wasn’t happy with the knowledge of ponies she knew being traumatized at Twilight Sparkle’s command, she understood the necessity. But what did this have to do with her? Radiant Zenith continued. “We have freed Pinkie Pie by playing on her sense of curiosity. We introduced an old friend you know, my apprentice Zecora, and hinted at knowing more than she did. Pinkie’s natural curiosity served to loosen her ties to the Element, which discourages that sort of thinking. A quick and powerful burst of my magic was enough to shatter the ties Binding it to Celestia, and now Pinkie Pie wields her power freely. Fluttershy was slipped a powerful and subtle hallucinogen before she was escorted to the Forest by her friends. Her naturally timid nature was helped along by the drug, and she was jumping at shadows by the time she arrived. It was easy to free her then, and she was given an antidote. Her friends were…not pleased.” Sweetie Belle noticed that though Twilight’s face was supposed to be impassive, the unicorn was actually uneasy at the mention of what had been done to the unfortunate Pegasus. Sweetie Belle looked further, noting other signs of discomfort as Radiant Zenith continued. “Applejack is more difficult to separate. Her Element, Honesty, is strongly Bound to Celestia. Perhaps the only one more close is Loyalty. As such, she will require more prompting from us. The plan is to abduct her foal on her way back from her last day of school before the break they observe for winter. Applejack’s anger will be strong enough to Break her ties to her Element with little prompting, and at the end her foal will be returned, unharmed and asleep by way of a simple spell. It is Twilight’s desire that she be the one to return her foal.” Twilight nodded. “Applejack has stated that she would not forgive an intrusion upon her family, which I believe. However, I also believe that I can then convince her to support our cause.” Sweetie Belle found it hard to believe that Twilight Sparkle would sanction the foalnapping of a small filly. However, she knew that Twilight Sparkle was forced to do far worse to maintain the Ever Free. And she would return the foal unharmed at the end. Still, this was not sitting well with her at all. Twilight Sparkle continued. “The reason we are Breaking the Elements now is that until recently the Elements were at full strength. Their rate of decay is mirroring that of my Element, and so their hold is weakening. Until recently, we had planned to quietly incapacitate the Elements by means of agents close to them. Non-lethally if possible, but if what was needed was a death, then I was going to agree for it to be sanctioned. Two of our soldiers were captured, and a message was delivered. They wanted to contact me. After I found out that I would no longer have to give that order, that they were willing to ally themselves with me…it was the happiest I had been in literal years. Until we found that the Elements were breaking themselves free, we had always assumed that they would need fighting, and we were prepared to meet them in open combat after your operation was complete. However, we still have two problems. Rainbow Dash and Rarity have been spending too much time near the Princess. And if they are allied with her after you return from your operation, I will be forced to order our agents to strike.” Twilight took a shuddering breath, and Sweetie Belle did not need her training to see that the unicorn was very nearly in tears at the thought of ordering her friends killed. Spike growled, a low and comforting sound, and Twilight pulled herself back together. She continued. “Rainbow Dash is still in Trottingham, leading a search for you. She’s been given full command of the garrison there, and…it’s bad. Very bad. I’m not discussing anything happening there. But Rarity can still be reached, and we think that she might be able to be freed still. Now, I cannot contact her, and none of our agents can get close enough. Except for you. Rarity has been confirmed as an attendee to the Winter Gala, as a special guest of honor. We need you to bring her in.” Sweetie Belle’s hooves shook as she realized that she was supposed to speak. “How would I…what would I do?” Twilight spoke again. “Get her to follow Scootaloo and Glimmer out of the Gala, into the aqueduct entrance. She’ll meet you at the airship as you and Night Light bring Luna down.” “And how would you…free her?” Radiant Zenith cut in smoothly. “We believe the emotional trauma from her separation is a good start, but we need to cause more pain to free her. It will get worse for her before she gets better. Between yourself and Lady Twilight, you could inflict the required amount of emotional damage to separate her from her Element. We believe guilt could be an effective tool, if her psychological profile is anything to go by.” Sweetie Belle nodded. “So, just to revisit what has been discussed so far. You’d like me to help you abduct my sister, bring her here, and cause her emotional pain so that she will forsake her ties to her Element. After hearing that you are planning on doing the same to Applejack and her foal. This is after you want me to free Princess Luna from beneath Canterlot and earn the wrath of Celestia, provoking open war between your group and hers, as opposed to the skirmishing going on now?” Twilight winced. “Sweetie Belle…” “No. Shut up, Twilight. I can’t believe you’d ask me to do this, after causing me so much pain, forcing me to abandon everything in support of you, you now want me to cause my sister, a pony I love, pain enough to cause her to forsake who she is?” Golden Radiance spoke up. “We did not ask you to join us, child. You sought truth, and said that you would accept the consequences of your actions. You were told, time and again ,that you could leave, be taken to safety. The truth is ugly, Sweetie Belle. It always is. But what you need to understand is that war is unavoidable.” Silent Shield nodded. “Grapevine’s efforts are commendable, but the fact is that we are moving towards a final confrontation. The Element of Magic is degrading, and soon Celestia will have a new one to wield against us. If she can do that, she will simply shackle the Elements to her once more, and open up an assault on the Everfree. We’ll lose badly.” Sweetie Belle slammed a hoof on the table. “Freeing Luna will cause open war anyway!” Twilight nodded. “But with Luna on our side, she might be able to halt the degradation of the Element of Magic. And we might stand a chance against Celestia if we have Unbound Elements on our side of the conflict. She might even think us enough of a threat to allow a peaceful secession from Equestria.” Sweetie Belle laughed. “You really think that? Do you think that Celestia will just let you go? She won’t ever stop, Twilight. Not until one of you is thoroughly beaten. What I have an issue with is the methods you are using to prevent bloodshed. You are inspiring fear and chaos across Equestria, you’ve caused pain to those you care about, doesn’t any of that even register with you? Or are you such a cold, calculating leader that lives are just numbers to you?” The table was silent, and everypony, including the Minotaur and Gryphon, leaned away from Twilight. Her eyes flashed, and Sweetie knew that she had misstepped. “You think I don’t know the pain I cause? You coddled, comforted filly, you think that I don’t feel anymore? Ever since Luna gave me her magic to bear, I have done nothing but feel. Ask Tarantella how often I cry myself to sleep at night, how often I skip meals because the thought of what I am doing sickens me, about the time I bit clean through my lip to stop myself from crying out at the sight of those returning from the Whitetail. It’s only by virtue of those around me that I do not go insane from grief, or rage, or fear. If I lose, I suffer the worst fate available to a mare. I will die a slow death through rape. But before that, Celestia will wipe my mind clean. Sometimes I wish she had, just so that I wouldn’t have to feel anymore! So don’t accuse me of callousness, because you do not know anguish as I do, or loss, or betrayal. I will say this only once, Sweetie Belle. Mind your tongue.” Silence settled over the room, before Sweetie Belle took a deep breath and continued. “I apologize. That was rude of me. But you are asking a lot of me, and of Rarity. How will I convince her to follow me, and how can I look her in the eye after causing her that much pain?” Twilight inhaled, exhaled. Her voice was soft and caring, much closer to the pony Sweetie Belle had known, all those years ago. “Ask yourself if she would follow you. I think she would. As for living with yourself after causing pain to others, well…I could help you both with that.” The participants at the table held their breaths as Sweetie Belle considered that. A minute went by, then two. Not a sound was made, not an errant scrape of a chair or a cough was heard. Sweetie Belle’s eyes met Twilight Sparkle’s. “I will help you, on one condition.” Twilight’s shoulders slumped. “Name it, and I swear it will be yours, if it is in my power.” Sweetie Belle nodded. “If, after the conflict is over, and you stand triumphant, if you are offered peace…take it. If Celestia agrees to stop the bloodshed, then do so. And above all, I want you to forgive all of your friends, even Rainbow Dash. Prove to me you still feel, Twilight Sparkle. Show mercy, and compassion, and love.” Twilight smiled, a shaky thing, and one tear crept from the corner of her eye to splash against the hard wood of the table. “Agreed. By my Power, I will agree to that.”