"If you fear the worst, Amethyst, I can assuage those fears somewhat -- she is not dead, though she is in danger. Word has reached my spies that she has been captured and is being held for ransom by a pack of Diamond Dogs," the Sun Goddess stated flatly. My visage darkened considerably and my ethereal mane and tail seemed to turn into living flame itself.
"I swear by all I hold holy if they've harmed her ..." I began, a calm fury behind my words.
"Restrain yourself, Amethyst. Violence is not the answer."
"What do you propose we do? Accede to their demands?" I asked, my anger starting to boil. "We do NOT negotiate with terrorists!"
"I have been informed that they have prepared for every contingency, Amethyst -- that any attempt to rescue her will be met with her immediate death," the elder Alicorn stated. It sounded as though she were resigned to the fate of having to comply with the demands that had been established. My fury continued to rise.
"If they kill her, they will all be sent to TARTARUS!!" I shouted. "I will not rest until I have tracked down every last one of those ... FUCKERS ... and killed them in the most brutal fashion possible."
"I understand your rage, Amethyst. Trust me, I don't feel any better about it than you, however I will not stand by and allow you to slaughter them like the manticores attack their prey," she said darkly. "Our way is one of strength through peace, not the other way around."
"Let me put it this way, Celestia -- let's suppose they had captured Twilight and were holding her ransom, and then when you complied with their demands, they gave you her ... lifeless body, having killed her before you even gave them their ransom. How would you react to that?" I saw her expression turn to anger for a split-second before she regained her composure.
"I recognize the analogy, Amethyst. Again, I must urge you to use restraint on this matter. They will be expecting you to try to rescue her and have rigged traps to kill her if you try any method to rescue her. I'm sure you do not wish any harm to befall her, but you must accept this reality."
"Damn it, Celestia, I can't stand this! I'm angry enough to simply slay them all right now! I don't need any further provocation! What useful purpose do they serve, anyway? They're a bunch of greedy, good-for-nothing scum! I should like to tie them to the ground with stakes and leave them for the carrion birds to poke their eyes out!"
The Solar Princess gave a slight grin at this mention, then resumed her stoic expression. "As much as I would like to give you permission to do that, I cannot. They are my subjects, every bit as much as my little ponies, but killing them would make matters worse. We do not want an all-out war on our hooves, as killing the Diamond Dogs would cause an international incident and have far-reaching ramifications. We cannot afford that, so as much as it pains me to say this, we must accept their demands. We can only hope that they keep their word, for what it's worth."
"Have you traced her magic signature? Can we teleport her here?" I asked.
"I told you, Amethyst. They have planned for every contingency. They have an inhibitor ring on her horn, they are holding her in a magic nullification field and have her in a magically shielded area. We cannot teleport to her location, we cannot teleport her here, and any attempt to do so will result in her immediate death."
"Damn them! Damn them all to Tartarus!!" I shouted. Celestia winced at my raised voice. "What are their demands? Is it outrageous? Is there any way we can dissuade them from committing further crimes of this sort?"
"Their demands are indeed quite outrageous. They want ten million bits for her safe return as well as one million diamonds," the Sun Goddess stated flatly.
Twilight entered the room at this point, a smile gracing her features. "Good morning, Celestia! Amethyst, I ... um," she blushed. "Well, uh ... what's wrong?" she asked when she saw our serious expressions.
"Trixie has been foal-napped and is being held for ransom," I stated flatly. "The Diamond Dogs got her while she was on the road somewhere."
"She was on her way from Ponyville to Hoofington. Rarity informed me that she was going to visit her family again," the Solar Princess stated. "She was about half-way to Hoofington when her caravan was surrounded by twenty dogs, who overpowered her and knocked her unconscious."
"I would like to visit the worst sort of fate upon those foul beasts," the lavender Alicorn stated darkly. "I would like to teach them a lesson they won't soon forget."
"Twilight, I must ask you the same as I asked Amethyst. We must accept their demands or they will kill her. We cannot even attempt a rescue."
"How about Luna? She can enter the dreams of anypony -- what about the dogs? Can she enter their dreams? Can she make them suffer nightmares? Speaking of which, can she assume that form and scare them into releasing her from their captivity without having to resort to conceding their demands?" I asked.
The Sun Goddess flashed a very mischievous grin and even chuckled for a second. "Your ingenuity is rather impressive, Amethyst. I suppose we could have her try, though I also worry that this tactic might not work." Celestia then teleported to her sister's bedchamber and conversed with her for a few moments. Shortly the Diarchs returned so we could continue to formulate strategy.
"Amethyst, it is true We can enter the dreams of just about anypony -- but the Diamond Dogs are another matter. We have been informed of your situation, and your suggestion of having Us reprise Our role as the Nightmare Princess might scare ponies out of their skins, but We fear it would not affect the dogs, as they are ignorant of Our history. We fear it might bring further harm to your wife, so We suggest meeting their demands, though it pains Us to relate that information to you."
"Well, it was worth a thought, anyway. Thank you for your consideration and sorry to have rousted you from your slumber, Luna," I stated. "Perhaps another strategy is in order -- we bring them their ransom, then when Trixie is released, we use our considerable magic against the dogs, retrieving her and the ransom, leaving the dogs with nothing."
"I hate to say this, Amethyst, but they have demanded that you bring them their ransom. Alone, and with nopony accompanying you," Celestia stated flatly.
"That sounds like a trap if I ever heard it," I replied, anger creeping back into my voice.
"Be not afraid, Amethyst, for We shall be hidden in the shadows. If they try anything, We shall pounce upon them and deliver them a fate most dire," Luna stated, almost proudly. I smiled at her, a gesture she returned.
"I would be honored to join you in delivering them that fate," I said, flashing an almost evil grin.
"You will not be given that satisfaction, Amethyst. Remember what I told you earlier," the Solar Princess admonished.
"Suppose I could "accidentally" kill a few to send a powerful message?" I proposed.
"Amethyst Flame. I strongly suggest you drop that notion immediately."
"Suppose they've already killed her?" I asked, anger returning to my voice.
"If they have killed her, then you have my permission to visit revenge upon them, though such action will reflect poorly on your judgment and character," Celestia advised.
"Please don't tell me you've never killed another entity of any sort, given your extensive experiences," I offered.
The Solar Princess hung her head sorrowfully. "Yes, Amethyst, I have killed in the past. I did so out of necessity, to protect my little ponies from those who would seek to exterminate our entire species. This threat the Diamond Dogs pose is nowhere near severe enough to justify killing as many as you wish. That having been said, though, I understand that it is neither my duty nor my obligation to pass judgment upon your actions. All I can ask is that you show as much restraint as possible, given the present circumstances."
"Very well then, your Maj -- Celestia. Sorry. So I guess we have no choice in this matter. Frankly, I think it sucks," I stated flatly.