One blinding flash of white and loud POP later, I stood in an office overlooking the brightly lit skyline of Las Pegasus. Sitting behind a large wooden desk was a smallish yellow unicorn stallion. To his right, the pale green unicorn stallion I had traced and teleported after. Strong Arc glared at me initially, then allowed a very creepy smile to cross his lips.
"I was hoping you'd follow Vern Glimmer -- which would lead you into my trap. I have something special planned for you," he chuckled. The other stallion stood impassively, a somewhat bored expression on his face.
"You have five seconds to tell me where my wife and foals are before I inflict massive pain upon you," I hissed through clenched teeth. I narrowed my eyes to slits at him, rage clouding my higher judgment.
"Relax, your wife and foals are safe -- for now. I have something else in mind for them -- they're going to watch me kill you!" he cackled, lighting his horn. His magic summoned a large net from somewhere which fell upon me.
"A net? Is this the best you can do?" I asked incredulously.
He grinned at me and gave his best villain laugh. "That's no ordinary net, scumbag! It drains your magic!"
I lit my horn and tried to remove it, but for some reason, the net seemed to be sapping my magic power. He started laughing when he saw me struggle against it, my expression changing to one of fear. "What the fuck is this? Get this fucking thing off me!" I shouted.
"I told you! That net drains your magic! You misunderestimated me!" he giggled.
"When I get out of this, you are soooo dead," I growled. I sensed the power of the net, noticing it wasn't as strong as he claimed it to be -- I almost let a grin cross my lips, but maintained my poker face. I decided to allow myself to be taken to wherever it was Strong Arc decided to try his worst on me. He saw me relax and smirked, confident in his belief that he had me right where he wanted.
"You seem to be taking your last few minutes of life in stride," he mused nonchalantly. He used his telekinesis to lift me, then transported me outside his office. As it turns out, his office in the Pink Swan was his main hide-out as I was unceremoniously carried to a wagon. He didn't bother trying to restrain me as he had simply assumed I was unable to break free of the net. I was formulating a plan to rescue Trixie and our foals as I was being given a ride to yet another location, though my position in the wagon gave me little chance to get my bearings on my surroundings, and I hadn't yet memorized the locations of every building in the city.
Two of Strong Arc's earth pony guards were pulling the wagon down the main strip -- a most unusual sight, though the yellow unicorn would return stares with glares of his own. Those who knew him knew better than to say anything, at least while he was in earshot. Some caught glimpses of me being transported, but none dared help me. After about what seemed like an hour of trotting, the wagon was brought to a stop in front of the service entrance to the Clown's Pocket casino. Once again I was transported by telekinesis, still trapped in the net. We went down a staircase, then along a hallway to an elevator. We went down two more levels into the sub-basement level of the casino.
Does this asshole really own this much property? I silently asked myself. Another door opened, this time with Vern Glimmer's magic to reveal Trixie and our foals strapped to a wall, inhibitor rings on their horns and tape over their mouths to keep them quiet. The azure mare's eyes went wide when she caught sight of me -- it appeared as though she started to cry at this point as tears started to trickle down her cheeks. That was not as painful a sight for me as seeing little Marina and Jade crying as well. I kept my silence as I bided my time, waiting for the proper opportunity to strike.
"So you see, Trixie, I have brought your asshole of a stallion here to prove to you that nopony fucks with Strong Arc! Behold, the death of your beloved husband!" the yellow stallion shouted, lighting his horn and readying his strongest spell. I began chuckling at this point, measuring his strength and noting its level even lower than Trixie's.
My body began glowing brilliantly, increasing its luminescence as I strengthened my magic output. The net was obliterated by the intensity of the heat radiating from my body as I regained my footing on the floor to face the terrified unicorn stallion directly. Strong Arc's expression changed to one of outright fear as he discovered he had been outmatched by my force. I scowled at him, my rage causing my eyes to glow a bright crimson. I stood tall, my wings flared, my horn glowing an almost angry red as I readied my Royal Canterlot Voice.
"Who has misunderestimated whom?" I queried, my voice booming throughout the relatively small room. Trixie and Marina winced at the volume of my voice and Jade seemed to lose consciousness. I caught Strong Arc readying a teleport, though he had also lost control of his bladder, a puddle of urine showing on the floor around his hind legs. I found the spectacle somewhat amusing, but also glowered at him. I took Trixie's inhibitor ring off her horn and placed it on Strong Arc's horn, nullifying his magic before he could finish his teleport. He writhed in agonizing pain upon having his teleport disrupted by my action. I bound his legs together and upended him, his back now laying in the puddle of his piss. A look of terror showed on his face now as I slowly trod over to him, towering over his form.
"You thought your little net could hold an Alicorn? How stupid are you? You think you can abduct my wife and foals and not pay any consequence for your actions? You thought you could fuck with ME?!" I shouted at him, readying a stronger spell. I heard somepony shout from behind and felt a slight tingling sensation as a magic spell hit me. I turned around to see Vern Glimmer's horn still lit as he tried to protect his boss, though now he appeared to be shaking in fear as I gave him my angriest stare, my eyes glowing red, my mane and tail still crackling in the air as my body continued to exude a great deal of heat. Without further thought, I freed Trixie and our foals, but also cast a freeze spell on the pale green unicorn stallion.
"You're going to regret doing that," Strong Arc shouted as he struggled in his bonds. I used my telekinesis to levitate Vern and maneuver him into a position beside his boss and took the opportunity to address them both.
"I believe there's a certain Solar Princess who might want to have a short discussion with you," I stated coldly. "I was tempted to kill you, but that would be counterproductive -- and Princess Celestia would be disappointed in me if I did that -- so I shall escort the both of you to Canterlot Castle, where you will face trial for your actions," I added. The two stallions stared at me with wide eyes, their mouths agape at the prospect of facing HER and started offering effusive apologies.
"It's too late for apologies -- I believe the Royal Treasury will be the beneficiary of the profits of your casinos, Strong Arc," I said, adding a slight chuckle to the end of my statement, causing them to cringe as best they could. I heard them pleading with me for mercy, though given what they had done...
"Mercy? You have the unmitigated gall to beg for mercy?" I asked incredulously. Trixie had rejoined me at this point, having strapped little Jade to her back and Marina trotting beside her. I heard her hoofsteps and smiled at her. "You should be thankful you didn't kill her or my foals -- I would have burned this town down if you had done that," I growled. I heard audible gasps at that mention as I lit my horn once again, wrapping the two stallions in my aura and teleporting to Canterlot Castle. I knew such a jaunt would take quite a bit out of me, but this was very important and couldn't wait. Princess Luna was seated on the throne and holding Lunar Court when I popped into the room with my captives.
"Amethyst, what is the meaning of this? Who hast thou brought and wherefore art they bound?"
"The yellow one is named Strong Arc -- he foalnapped my wife and foals -- he is also responsible for the death of one Chocolate Sweetness. The green one is Vern Glimmer, an associate who conspired with Strong Arc to commit these crimes," I stated coldly. "It is my desire that they receive the maximum punishment for those crimes. I chose not to pass judgment and sentence on them as it is not my authority to do so, Luna."
"Guards! Seize these criminals and take them to the dungeons! Ensure that they be stripped of any magic powers! Amethyst, we shall inform our sister of thy troubles -- if thou hast any further trouble, do not hesitate to ask our assistance," the indigo Alicorn stated warmly, flashing me a brief smile.
"I shall return to Las Pegasus immediately -- Trixie and our foals still await my swift return. When things have settled down a bit, I shall return here to apprise Celestia of the situation. I sure hope something this bad doesn't happen again, but -- I would hate to have to destroy that city in order to save it."
Luna gave me a quizzical glance, but shrugged off my comment. "We wish thee well, Amethyst."
"And you as well, Luna," I replied warmly, offering a sincere smile before I teleported back to where Trixie was still waiting for me.
"Trixie is tired and desires sleep, Amethyst," she said, taking a moment to yawn and stretch her legs.
"How badly did he hurt you, Trixie?" I asked with deep concern. I took a moment to look at her body to check for any bruises or scars, but other than the reminder of her encounter with the Timber Wolves about a year ago, she did not appear any worse for wear.
"Only Trixie's pride is hurt, Amethyst," she replied.
"Chocolate Sweetness is dead," I stated sadly. "She --"
"Trixie knows -- she saw those stallions throw her through the window."
"Do you remember what they looked like? I will need to track them down, as they are co-conspirators and accessories to murder -- they must stand trial for their crimes as well," I stated angrily. "I want to send a very powerful message to those who would do harm."