Act I:
“In the Beginning”
Chapter Seven:
“Goin' Up Around the Bend”
“No don’t worry, mother, I’ll be perfectly fine,” Cupcake said into the phone receiver. “It’s just San Franciscolt... Yes, I already talked to my professors, they know I’m going,” she continued, glancing towards Fleur who was idly going through the dorm, picking out what stuff she wanted to take. She raised an eyebrow slightly when she heard her mother ask another question.
“How long? Oh probably less than two days,” she answered, biting her lip slightly at the lie. She had an unsettling feeling in her gut that the trip would probably run a little longer. “I’ll probably back by Thursday at the latest... What? Oh of course I’ll tell you if I get delayed. Anyways, I’ll be near Uncle Hallmark’s place, so I can just stay there. Alright then, call you when we get there... Huh? Yes Fleur’s coming with… Yes of course I’ll keep an eye on her. Alrighty. Bye, Mom. I love you.” With that she hung up the phone, letting out a sigh and running a hoof through her mane briefly.
“Well, you’ve gotten better at lying,” Fleur said, giving Cupcake a bemused, though somewhat impressed look.
Cupcake rolled her eyes. “Well, what did you want me to say? ‘Sorry I can’t be home for dinner, I have to chase down a genocidal xenophobe?’” she asked sarcastically while shaking her head. “I just don’t think she’d take the idea of me going across the country after some maniac all too well. I just hope the trip is quick and safe.”
“Well, if you’re so damn bent up about it, why’d you say yes?” Fleur asked, her voice plainly critical. “You could have just as well said no and they would have probably left without a show,” she continued, stuffing the suitcase with slightly more fervor than before.
Cupcake shrugged slightly as she sat down, raising an eyebrow in thought. “Fleur, if what that unicorn said was true, along with that vision she showed me, I’m pretty sure that there would have been a show,” she rubbed her arm slightly as she spoke. “With what they’re up against, I don’t think they should do anything less.”
Fleur blinked, her expression vaguely confused. “You’ve grown up some, haven’t you, little sister?”
“Is that weird?” Cupcake asked, letting out a small chuckle.
“It’s expected,” Fleur answered, giving Cupcake an approving glance that seemed vaguely forced. Cupcake raised an eyebrow slightly in curiosity as Fleur continued to speak. “My only regret is that it took so long.”
“What do you mean?” Cupcake asked sincerely, not getting the good natured jab or the sarcasm behind it. “What are you saying?”
“You are kind and sweet, Cupcake, but on occasion, naïvely so,” Fleur smiled, her expression however, seemed vaguely worried. “I’d rather wish you’d followed my lead more, if only just slightly and become less trusting. There are ponies who can and have taken advantage of sweet mares like you, but alas,” Fleur forced a grin now. “What is an elder sister to do?”
Cupcake briefly considered probing further, but the look on Fleur’s face was one of apprehension, as if she honestly didn’t want to speak about the subject.
Better just drop it, Cupcake thought, before smiling. “Hey, its okay, I get it. I totally understand.”
Fleur's apprehensive look was quickly replaced by a more proud smile, as she held her head up again. “Anyways, Cupcake, you’re a smart mare and, even as innocent and oblivious to the world as you are, you are not stupid. And look on the bright side. It’s basically a free vacation to San Franciscolt! I can take you to Alamare Square or the Transequestria Pyramid or something. Now, onward to business, eh?” she motioned towards the suitcase that seemed twice the size of Cupcakes own body decorated with dozens of old stamps and stickers from days gone by, eliciting an ignored look of shock and surprise. “Help me get this monster packed!”
//////////////////////////////
Twilight let out a pensive sigh as she let the water from the shower head wash down her body. In just a few hours, she’d be in San Franciscolt, ready to, if everything turned out right, finally capture a villain who had evaded N.E.I.G.H.S.’s grasp for almost thirty years. She’d finally be able to see the one who took her brother’s eye out brought to justice. The one who flung an innocent, fifteen year old filly to her death. The one who had been a continual thorn in her side ever since the end of the war.
Focus Twilight, focus. Revenge on the guy who ripped your brother’s eye out and killed Apple Bloom isn’t going to get you anywhere. Just focus on the mission, like you always do, and everything will work out.
She blinked, the water dripping from her mane falling into her eyes, causing them to still briefly as she pulled her head out from under the shower head. She took a moment to brush her soaking wet mane out of her eyes and to wipe away the excess water from her face.
You’ve got a bigger issue. You’re about to go on a live-fire mission with two ponies who’ve probably never seen a gun in their life, much less fired one. And it’s not like we’re just going on a walk in the park. We’re hunting a sociopath. Your first order of business is keeping them safe.
“Okay Twilight. Let’s run things over again, just to be sure,” she muttered to herself, turning off the shower and reaching for the shampoo bottle. “You’re going to go back to Canterlot University to pick up Cupcake Silverhoof and her sister. Remember to keep an eye on the older one, she seems…” she paused, unsure of what term to use. “... shifty. Also, remember to make sure that Cupcake is well prepared and briefed, but only for what’s necessary for her to find Gustav,” she rubbed the shampoo into her mane and coat thoroughly, making sure to get any and all grime and dirt out and be squeaky clean. She furrowed her brow slightly, remembering the always-invasive feeling of someone else’s mind probing into hers. She set her jaw slightly.
“Also, keep your mind in check. Don’t want Ms. Silverhoof stumbling across anything she shouldn’t be seeing or hearing. Last thing you need is for her to freak out just because you had a random memory of a black op.”
Twilight of course, didn’t technically need to talk to herself like this, and remind herself of all these details that, by now, were second nature, but old habits die hard, and this was one of such. She’d found that it always helped to verbalize her to-do lists, as it often reminded her of things she’d otherwise overlook.
She turned on the shower again, allowing the water to wash away the soap and conditioner. Once she’d been rinsed off, she stepped out of the shower, levitating a towel over and starting to dry herself off. She turned towards the mirror, mentally cursing the sheer smallness of the bathroom she was currently in.
Dammit, once I get back home, I’m going to just veg out in a bathtub for like, I don’t know, a week or something, she thought grumpily, memories of her Manehattan apartment she almost never used, but still loved dearly sprouting up in her mind.
At least that has a bathroom that isn’t the size of a phonebooth, she mentally added, regretting digging up that old memory, before a sharp knock at the door caught her attention.
“Yo, Twilight!” Two more knocks succeeded the first. “It’s been, like, twenty minutes! The flight’s going to be ready in an hour, and I know how long it takes you to get dressed! We gotta get moving if we plan to catch that flight!”
The remainder of the awaiting plane snapped Twilight back to the task at hand. Right. Time to get down to business.
////////////////////////////
“What took you so long?” Spike asked, raising an eye ridge as Twilight trotted up to the car.
“Nothing, I just thought I should be through,” Twilight said flatly, only causing Spike to roll his eyes as the pair got inside the car.
Spike simply blinked. “Really? What’s got you so stressed then?”
Twilight paused, frowning slightly. “Is it that obvious?”
Spike just nodded, clipping in his seat belt. “Plain as the muzzle on your face.
“How-”
“Wet mane,” he bluntly stated, motioning towards the damp stain that had formed on the headrest she was leaning against. “Meaning that you spent longer bathing than anything else. You always take long showers when you’re stressed.”
Twilight shrugged, putting the car in gear and starting it up. “Well can you really blame me? I mean,” she took a deep breath. “We’re about to go drag a civilian telepath and her unicorn sister cross country to hunt down a HYDRA war criminal with enough power to make my old team look like a bunch of kindergartners,” she sighed, her eyes focused on the road before them. “Millions of innocent civilians can die, Spike. Do you know what it’s like to have that kind of responsibility thrown on you?”
Spike could only shrug slightly. “No, not really, but it doesn’t really matter if we’re ready or not because it’s going to happen, and the best we can do is prepare for when the storm comes you know, Twilight?” He placed his claw on her shoulder. “In other words, I think you should just relax, and take it as it comes. Anyways, if anything, we’ll just have Ms. Silverhoof stay in the apartment during the whole mission, eating guoxian food while you and me do the dirty work. Just chillax, and everything will go fine.”
Twilight smiled wryly, “When did you get so good at giving advice?”
Spike shrugged. “No idea. It just kind of snuck up on me,” he replied with a self-assured smirk, only causing Twilight to laugh.
“Never change Spike,” Twilight chuckled.
“They’d have to kill me first,” Spike added with a grin, leaning back in his seat slightly.
//////////////////////////////
Carrot Cake stepped into the main lobby of the airport, his hoofsteps being drowned out by a thousand others all around him, all of them on their way to and from the zeppelins that loomed outside the terminal. He had spent the trip readying himself to pretend to be a newspaper reporter or some other easily faked identity, only to find out that Gustav had, in fact, already left for what the secretary on the other end of the telephone called ‘standard vacation time in San Franciscolt on his yacht.’
Turned out, San Franciscolt was freezing.
Ponies trudged through the thick fog, wrapped in layers of coats and scarves. Ponies rushed through doors to escape the frigid environment and only rushed out of them to reach their cab or next stop as quickly as possible.
I should have bought a scarf, Carrot thought idly as he grabbed his suitcase from the baggage claim and began making his way through the crowd towards the exit. He did stick out some with only a trench coat to shield him from the weather but in all honesty Carrot never particularly minded the cold. Growing up in South Griffinheim meant the winter weather remained well into spring and broke for a few months of summer before returned like a hammer in the fall.
The one thing that he did find unpleasant about the weather was that it was very wet. In Griffinheim, the winter cold was a dry sort; some years you couldn't even make snowpony or have a snowball fight because the flakes were so powdery. But that almost meant the snow stayed white longer; here in San Franciscolt everything was gray, obscured by an impossibly thick fog that loomed over everything.
That’s the first virtue the homeland has over Equestria.
He wondered if he should be proud or just the fact that he noted that was a sign of some kind of nationalist satisfaction but before he could shrug the thought away he stopped dead in his tracks.
Ahead of him a mare was crouching down to comb down her young colt’s disheveled mane, saying something to her son Carrot couldn’t hear. Carrot wasn’t sure why he stopped but couldn’t seem to look away or move, and yet though he seemed nailed to the spot he felt as if the ground was shifting beneath him.
Is the jet lag effecting me? I should have--
Just then the mare’s face turned slightly--whatever she was saying to her child was very animated--and Carrot felt his heart jump into his mouth.
Mother?
The mare’s face was still turned away, focused on her child, but he could catch the curve of her smile as she tenderly stroked the colt’s mane. He stared at her coat, the same creamy yellow his mother’s had been, and her orange mane that even curled the way hers had done.
Mother? Is that you? Carrot felt like he should speak the words out loud but couldn’t manage to get his tongue to obey him.
The mare abruptly stood, said something to the colt, and they both started walking parallel to Carrot. Carrot straightened up as they passed, not even two stride away, and was finally able to see the mare’s face fully.
It was youthful--she looked only a few years older than himself--and very pretty. Too pretty. Mother had been lovely but there was no avoiding how worn and weary work and poverty shouldered in isolation had made her. This creature had obviously had suffered nothing so extreme as to blight her appearance.
But still Carrot watched her, her ears pricked sideways to catch the animated words of her child, until she was swallowed up by the crowd. And then he stood looking at the place where he had lost sight of her, feeling acutely alone in a swarm of ponies.
“Excuse me?”
Carrot turned to see a gray stallion, dressed in the apparel of the airport staff, pushing a cart of baggage pausing beside him.
“May I be of assistance?” the stallion asked. “Are you looking for somepony?”
Carrot looked again to where the mare and colt had disappeared. He didn’t know why; it didn’t expect them to be there still and they weren’t. “Aren’t we all?” he said, mostly to himself and started striding towards the exit without another glance at the stallion.
He pushed through the exit doors and was met with a blast of freezing wind that made him stop to pull his collar closer to his face. He shuddered but it wasn’t from the temperature.
Stop it. You knew it wasn’t Mom from the first moment. You knew it.
Gustav’s afflicted hallucinations of Chiffon had not fooled him again even once after the first time. But he had played along with them often and Gustav had assumed it was simply the effects of a mind and will weakened from lack of sleep or medications. The real answer was simply that it was a relief for a few seconds to pretend to believe his mother was there. Gustav was always so obsessed with the mind he seemed to forget that the best way to cloud the mind is to manipulate the heart.
Sometimes, like today, Carrot had been able to deceive himself better than Gustav’s mind games ever did.
Pathetic, Carrot thought and wiped away the moisture building in his eyes with a swipe of his hoof.
//////////////////////////////
Fleur staggered off the aircraft, instantly falling to her knees and giving the ground a kiss.
“LAND! SWEET SWEET LAND!” she proclaimed, seemingly ignoring the cold, damp fog around her. Cupcake followed close behind, bundled up in a jacket and scarf, looking down at Fleur with concern.
“If it means anything, I didn’t think the flight was that bad,” she said, putting a hoof on Fleur’s shoulder sympathetically. Fleur rolled her eyes, standing up and dusting herself off.
“Oh please Cupcake! If I wanted to fly at such an absurd and chaotic speed, I would have been born a pegasus!” she countered, glaring towards Twilight, who had walked up to them with a mildly sympathetic.
“Ms. Silverhoof, I do apologize, I didn’t expect that turbulence over the High Spires to be as rough as they were, but still, it could have been much, much worse,” she said. Fleur scoffed.
“Worse? How can there be anything worse than the mid-air conga we just experienced?”
“Simple. Plane crash. We could have easily collided with any number of mountain tops, but luckily, Broad Wings was able to steer us out of the turbulence and over the mountain range without a scratch. All in all, a good flight. On top of that, you’re suitcase provided an excellent counter weight to keep the plane level,” she looked towards the aircraft. “Isn’t that right Spike?!” she called out towards the lanky green dragon who was attempting to carry the massive, sticker covered steamer trunk down the walkway on his back. He simply smiled weakly, before letting out a loud grunt of frustration.
“H-he-help!” he grunted, and Twilight’s eyes widened and her horn flared to life, enveloping the steamer trunk and helping Spike carry it to the ground safely.
“Sorry Spike, you should have just asked and I would have carried it,” she apologized, and Spike waived a claw, still taking in deep breaths.
Meanwhile, Fleur looked down at Cupcake. “Well? Aren’t you going to ask where we’re going to stay? I don’t take kindly to the idea of camping out overnight on the damned tarmac, especially in this fog,” she emphasized her words by motioning to her mane, which was becoming increasingly frizzled with each passing second. Cupcake nodded.
“Yes, I’m going to ask, but geez, Fleur we literally just got here. Just relax.”
“Relax? This advice coming from the mare who less than four hours ago was worried she might be dooming millions because she wanted to stay home?”
Cupcake opened her mouth to respond, before closing it without a word. She let out a sigh and turned towards Twilight.
“Um, excuse me, Agent Sparkle?” she asked, walking up to Twilight tentatively. “Do you mind me asking where you intend us to stay while we’re here?”
Twilight turned and nodded. “No, I don’t mind. We’ll probably use a nice, quiet apartment with a reasonably nearby distance from the docks. Why?”
“Well, it’s just that I’ve got an uncle who lives around here, and if it’s okay with you, we can stay there,” Cupcake proposed, “He’s got a mansion and everything,” she added, smiling slightly.
Twilight seemed to be considering the option, if her tapping her chin was any indication. Cupcake was tempted to just take a peek inside and see Twilight’s thought process first hand, but decided against it, figuring it probably wouldn’t look good or trustworthy of her. And the less trouble she caused, the better.
“Well, I’ll have to think about it,” Twilight finally answered. “After all, staying in a mansion might attract attention we don’t want. No telling if Gustav already knows if we’re here or not. Not to mention the fact that I have no idea if this uncle of yours is a trustworthy stallion.”
“Oh no, trust me, he’s a solid, upstanding citizen,” Cupcake answered, nodding her head resolutely. “If you don’t believe me, his name is Albert Hallmark.”
Twilight arched an eyebrow. “Albert Hallmark? As in the philanthropist?”
Cupcake nodded. “That’s the one! He sponsored the music festival back in ‘67. Up in Mareterey. He’s really friendly, I assure you.”
Twilight nodded slightly. “Alright then. Where’s his home?”
“Here in San Franciscolt. I don’t know if it’s close to the harbor or not, but it’s at least someplace better than a small rinky dink motel right?” Cupcake answered, giving Twilight a hopeful smile.
Meanwhile, Twilight pondered the option that Cupcake had proposed. On the up side, staying at a proper house would provide Twilight with some space, and less chance of intrusion then in a motel. The downside was that she knew that Albert Hallmark’s political beliefs tended to be… left of center, and therefore, his distaste for government authority of any kind had already been voiced several times, attracting him some attention back at N.E.I.G.H.S.. But then again, here she was seeking help from a nineteen year old apparent psychic, and her aloof supposed wizard of a sister. If Twilight had been visited by her future self and told all this, Past Twilight would have probably laughed Future Twilight off as insane and gone about her business. She let out a sigh.
“Alright then Cupcake. I’ll take your word for it,” she said plainly, and Cupcake smiled a little wider.
“Thank you Agent Sparkle, thank you very much,” she said, before looking over Twilight’s shoulder towards Spike, who was still apparently doing battle with the steamer trunk of doom. “Um… I think I should help Mr. Spike, if you don’t mind. It’s my bags after all,” with that, the blue mare trotted around Twilight, calling out towards Spike to notify him of her oncoming assistance.
Twilight in the meantime, shook her head and clicked her tongue. This is going to be one of those missions isn’t it?
//////////////////////////////
“Uncle Albert!” Cupcake cheered as she spread her arms wide to embrace the nehru garbed unicorn that, when coupled with the hair and beard, made him look like some sort of out of work rock star.
“Cupcake my starchild!” he replied, pulling her into a hug. “How goes it on the East side my little chickadee?”
“Oh fine, fine!” Cupcake smiled, puffing her chest out slightly. “I’m just a couple of weeks away from getting my doctorate.”
“That is just positively cosmic baby,” Albert replied, while Twilight stifled the urge to find something else to do.
Damn hippie. She thought, rolling her eyes at the various, disgustingly outdated pieces of hippie memorabilia and paraphernalia that covered seemingly every square inch of the hallway they were standing in.
“Oh, Uncle Albert, this is my friend, Ms. Sparkle. She’s going to be staying with us. Is that okay with you?” Cupcake said, catching Twilight’s attention as she motioned her uncle towards Twilight. Twilight was quick to put on a smile, reaching out a hoof in greeting.
“Totally cosmic, Cupcake. Any friend of yours is a friend of mine. Me casa su casa, little purple gem,” Uncle Albert said, spreading his arms and pulling Twilight into a shockingly tight hug. Twilight returned it rather awkwardly, being sure to keep a smile on her face.
Come on Spike, tell me you’ve picked something up on the police radio so I can get outta here, she thought, looking back towards the nearby window, where she could see the car they had driven still sitting in the driveway, Spike inside.
“And Fleur! How’s it going starchild?” Albert asked, releasing Twilight from the hug to walk over to give one to Fleur, who seemingly took it in stride.
“Oh I’m doing wonderfully, Uncle Albert. Simply wonderfully,” Fleur answered. “So good to be here, in light of all the shenanigans at home.”
“Yeah, I heard. Totally uncool about those spiders and wasps. Totally blows.” Albert agreed, nodding his head.
Just as Twilight felt she might explode from secondhand hippie exposure, her walkie talkie squawked to life, catching the attention of everyone standing around her. She smiled awkwardly, before backing towards the door.
“Um, hold on, I think I left my ham radio on. Just gimme a sec,” she said, excusing herself and stepping outside.
“Okay, this is Agent Sparkle, what is it?” she asked, her eyes narrowing as she spotted Spike using his walkie talkie inside the car. “Spike, why don’t you just walk out here and tell me what you want instead of using the secure channel?” she was quick to say into the walkie talkie, causing Spike to shrug.
“You were in the house, what was I to do?” he said. “Anyways, the reason I called is because the local cops found a car matching the description of Crafty Crate’s we were able to dig up. Found it slammed into a light pole.”
Twilight raised an eyebrow. “Slammed into a light pole? Why?”
“No idea, but witnesses say that right before the crash, they saw a puff of red smoke appear in the car, only to puff away again, leaving the car empty. You thinking what I’m thinking?”
“That Gustav moved his schedule up,” Twilight responded, already turning to walk inside the house. She opened the door to find Cupcake, Fleur and their Uncle Albert still speaking in the hallway.
“Hey guys, sorry to interrupt the reunion, but I just remembered that I left a package at the harbor and I need Cupcake to help me find it.” she said, causing everyone’s eyebrows to rise up.
“What package?” Cupcake asked, tilting her head in confusion. “I don’t remem-”
“You don’t remember? It was the thing with the stuff!” Twilight said, already grabbing Cupcake’s arm and tugging. “At the place with the things!”
“But we just got here,” Fleur said, raising her own eyebrows, her expression much more suspicious. Before Twilight had a chance to respond, Uncle Albert raised a hand.
“Now hold on my little star children. I can tell when the spirit is calling somepony, and your purple friend here is totally privy to the sequence of the celestial bird cats. It’s a sin to not help somepony who’s trying to follow the call of the spirit. Go help her out, I’ll get your rooms ready. Just be back before midnight, okay?”
“Um, are you sure Uncle?” Cupcake asked, her face concerned. Uncle Albert nodded.
“As sure as crow’s feet,” he answered sagely, motioning towards the door. Twilight smiled towards him, dipping her head in thanks before dragging Cupcake out the door and over to the car, which Spike had already started.
“What’s going on?!” Cupcake asked as she was practically plopped into the back seat, Fleur close behind. Twilight slipped into the passenger’s seat, clipping her seat belt before turning to face Cupcake.
“We just got news that Gustav is probably meeting with somepony important right now. We need to get over to the pier before we lose him. We might not get another chance. Understand?”
Cupcake briefly hesitated before nodding her head. “Okay… I get it.”
“Good. Spike,” Twilight said, turning to face Spike. “Hit it.”
Spike nodded, putting the car in gear and accelerating towards the docks.
//////////////////////////////
Angel Lily shifted slightly on the couch where she was sitting. Gustav seemed impatient, as he tapped his claws on the table top repetitively, his golden eyes darting up at the clock on the wall every few moments, seemingly waiting for something.
“Um… Gustav…” she murmured, looking towards him meekly. At least she could try to ask what was going on, instead waiting around blindly. Gustav merely raised an eyebrow at her voice, his attention obviously still focused on the clock on the wall.
“Yes, Lily?” he muttered, glancing towards her briefly. “What is it?”
“Well, um, I was wondering what exactly it is you’re waiting for?” she asked, keeping her tone soft and subdued, which was how Gustav preferred it. Gustav tilted his head slightly.
“I asked Marie to see if Mr. Crate is on schedule, and to acquire a certain piece of archival material I will be needing for another guest we’ll be having. She seems to be taking longer than usual.” He then turned his face towards her more directly, glancing down her body with a pleased expression. “I see you’re wearing the dress I bought you while in Las Pegasus. Do you like it?”
Angel looked down at her dress, an incredibly clingy affair that left her back entirely exposed, showing off the intricate series of black lines that, to the untrained eye, resembled elaborate tattoos. It also just barely covered her cutie mark, coming off more as an undergarment then a full dress. She blushed slightly, rubbing a random spot on her arm, which just so happened to have a vaguely claw shaped bruise on it.
“I-I think it’s won-wonderful sir,” she stuttered quitely, and Gustav smiled. His eyes carried a glint of possessiveness that was amplified by pride, like how someone would look at a prized painting they owned or any other object of value. Angel meanwhile, felt his arm slink around her waist, and tug at her slightly. She looked at Gustav, and his eyes flickered down to his lap. Angel didn’t say a word, only nodding gently and moving to sit on the griffin’s lap.
“You know Angel, what with me in Las Pegasus and you staying here, it’s been awhile since we’ve been able to properly enjoy each other’s company, hasn’t it?” he asked, moving his face closer to hers to speak directly into her ear. Angel nodded again.
“I suppose so, sir…” she shifted her weight slightly to get a little more comfortable. Gustav smiled and nodded.
“Yes, yes it has been awhile. How about, as soon as I’ve completed the business I must engage in with my guests, you, me and Marie enjoy an evening together. Would you enjoy that?” he asked, and Angel’s eyes widened ever so slightly, before she quickly regained her composure.
“If you wish, Gustav,” she replied meekly, and Gustav’s expression seemed pleased. She felt his other arm come around to join the first one around her waist as he smiled. However, before things could go any further, the sound of Marie teleporting into the room diverted Gustav’s attention.
“Ah, darling Marie, what, might I ask, took you so long?” Gustav asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity. Angel turned her head to look in the direction Gustav was speaking, and saw Marie standing there, her eyes fixed directly on Angel. The blood red teleporter expression seemed to be a strange cocktail of envy, consternation and irritation.
“Was looking for that old book you wanted,” Marie answered, keeping her eyes fixed on Angel as she reached into her saddle bag to pull out what seemed to be a rather large, and weathered doorstopper of a book. Gustav’s expression lit up with fiendish glee and he motioned for Marie to place the book on the nearby coffee table.
“Excellent work, Marie!” he said, before moving to stand up, forcing Angel off of his lap in the process. He walked over to the book, already leafing through the browned-with-age pages, seemingly searching for something. “Did you manage to contact Mr. Crate? See if he’s on his way?”
Marie nodded, giving Angel one last glare before turning to walk towards the small bar across the cabin. “Yeah, I did. He said he’d be here in about half-an-hour or something. Something about getting his stuff ready or some shit like that,” she explained as she poured herself a glass of what seemed to be rum.
Gustav, whose eyes were still focused on the book, nodded slightly. “Good, good. Now, go and get Mr. Crate. It’s been more than a half-hour obviously, and I do wish to keep on schedule,” he ordered, and Angel caught Marie’s expression shift slightly to one of vague desire.
“Sure thing,” she replied, her voice smooth like oil, before teleporting away in a poof of red smoke. Angel preferred not to think about whatever it was that turned Marie on, and instead looked back at Gustav, noticing that he had stopped leafing through the book and had now settled on a page that was densely populated by old, intelligible writing. He muttered something under his breath, before stopping and beckoning for something.
“The chalk, Angel,” he commanded, and Angel looked down at the coffee table, reaching over to hand him the small piece of chalk, which he took in talon.
“What’s the chalk for, Gustav?” she asked, her own curiosity getting the better of her. Gustav merely waved a talon.
“Just watch and learn.” he said, before leaning down to draw a series of patterns into the floor of the cabin, before writing a series of words in front of one of the four points of the chalk-drawn compass. He took a step back as the words started to glow a shade deep purple.
Angel felt a pang of fear run through her as a pillar of smoke began to billow from the compass, and the sound of magic being employed filled the air. There was a sudden boom and she practically leapt off the couch in terror, darting behind it. She peered over the couch to see that the smoke had evaporated into the ether, leaving an incredibly decrepit, lanky zebra standing where the chalk compass had been. He let out a loud, whooping cough, followed by an uncouth snort before looking at Gustav.
“For Tirek's sake, Gustav, what possessed you to summon me at this hour?” he spat viciously as he yanked off the nightcap that was on his head. Gustav merely chuckled, putting his arm around the zebra’s shoulder.
“Oh come now Aleister, don’t be so glum. Anyways, it doesn’t seem like I was interrupting anything of great importance.”
The Zebra shot Gustav a glare, “I shall ignore your attempts to incur my wrath. Now, why have you called me here?”
Gustav smiled. “Now, Aleister, do attempt to have some class. I know it’s been awhile since you’ve been among civilized company, but please, allow me to introduce one of my compatriots,” he snapped his talons, beckoning for Angel to come out from behind the couch. She stepped out slowly, walking over to Gustav obediently. The zebra looked at her incredulously, and she could feel his eyes focusing on the various exposed areas of her body.
“Your strumpet?” he asked, arching an eyebrow and looking at Gustav. Gustav shook his head overdramatically, and waived a talon as if to admonish the older zebra.
“No, no, Aleister, my Angel is no such thing. She is in fact my companion. Aren’t you, Angel?”
Angel nodded mutely, and Aleister simply rolled his eyes.
“Whatever her duties to you are, they do not concern me,” his eyes scanned the room, seemingly looking for someone. “I do wish to know where that Marie mare is. You usually send her to do your dirty work, don’t you?”
Gustav nodded, “Yes, but she’s been quite busy today, and she’s currently picking up another guest for the evening. She should be here any moment. I can prepare a cabin for you, if you so wish.”
Aleister nodded. “I would very much appreciate that.”
Gustav’s countenance seemed to actively drop ever so at hearing that, if Angel’s reading of his expression was accurate. There was a lull in the conversation interrupted by a poof of red smoke, which cleared to reveal Marie, and a tremendous dark brown stallion.
“Ah! Mr. Crafty Crate! How was the trip?” Gustav asked, striding over to shake the still seemingly bewildered stallion’s hoof.
“Um… good I guess. Kinda got zapped outta my car by this crazy bitch. Probably crashed the damn thing,” he said, motioning towards Marie, who, at the insult, seemed to glower. Gustav seemingly caught Marie’s glower, as he briefly glanced towards her and narrowed his eyes. That seemed to be enough to make Marie’s glower vanish, and she instead slinked over to his side, making sure to put an extra sashay in her hips.
“Don’t worry Marie, I’ll make it up to you tonight,” Gustav whispered into Marie’s ear, and Marie smiled seductively.
“Oh I’m sure you will,” she replied, looking towards Angel. “And will Angel be joining us?”
Gustav glanced towards Angel, who blushed, while Gustav feigned disgust. “Oh Marie, you saucy mare! Not in front of guests!”
Marie scoffed. “Oh they’re just envious! Aren’t you big boy?” she asked, looking over her shoulder towards Crafty Crate, who was now obviously distracted by Marie’s tail. “Well, it’s strictly look, but don’t touch boy!” she added with a smirk, before strutting to slide onto the couch.
Aleister however, seemed most unimpressed, as he let out a dismissive snort. “Gustav, stop fiddling about with your prostitutes and let us get down to business. You said this pegasus here had something I would like to see.”
Gustav nodded. “That I did, Aleister. I apologize, but alas, mares shall be mares,” as he spoke, he ran a talon up Angel’s spine, sending a sharp tingle through her, which caused her to shift on her hooves anxiously. As soon as the talon had touched her however, it was gone, and Gustav walked over to Crafty, pointing towards the stallion’s saddlebags.
“Show Mr. Aleister what you have to offer,” he ordered, and Crafty raised an eyebrow.
“Why him? Who is this kook anyways?”
“Kook? I was one of the driving forces behind the Wonder weapons of HYDRA” Aleister hissed, as he coldly started making his way towards the large pegasus. “I have studied the ancient arts from all over this sphere and learned in the Great Library of Kadath in the realms of dreams and, if it were not for an oath of hospitality I had to take to insure payment from the griffon, you would be lost to some outer void and--”
“That’s enough, Aleister. Sit down.” Gustav commanded, waiving a talon as he spoke. Aleister let out a grunt of frustration, before glaring coldly at Aleister.
“Cease your attempts to addle my mind or did you forget how you gained that gift? Or do you wish to dissolve the oath?” he asked still not raising his voice.
“No I do not," Gustav answered smoothly. "But I do wish that you simply do as you are asked, and look at the tablet.”
Aleister nodded slightly before heading towards a chair to sit down. Crafty meanwhile, looking at Aleister, then at Gustav, his expression concerned as he pulled out the old tablet, setting it out on the coffee table next to the old spell book by Dee. Wherever Aleister’s mind seemed to wonder it quickly focused itself as he leaned forward to examine the tablet.
“Is that what I think it is?!” he asked, causing all to raise their eyebrows at his sudden, childish curiosity. Crafty looked down at the tablet before looking at Aleister.
“Yeah, it’s the Tablet of Skyro. Why? Can ya read it?”
Aleister nodded. “Yes, yes I can.” he then caught sight of the gem hanging from around Crafty’s neck. “And is that a shard of the Fire Star?”
“Uh-” Crafty’s response was cut off by Aleister reaching across the coffee table and grabbing ahold of the gem, bringing it up to his eye and looking at it closely. Crafty moved to counter, only to receive a handwave from Gustav.
“Relax, Mr. Crate. You see, our zebra friend here is an in fact the greatest expert on ancient mystical and occult artifacts I’ve ever met. As eccentric as he is, he knows full well what he’s doing.”
“Empty Night!” Aleister said, leaning back in his chair, his eyes wide. Gustav raised an eyebrow.
“What has you so shocked, Aleister?” Gustav asked, raising an eyebrow slightly.
“This is a shard of the Fo̱tiá Astéri... I mean Fire Star! Do you understand what this means, Gustav?” Aleister replied, turning to look directly at Gustav, his expression eager.
Gustav shrugged, still smiling. “I’m sure you will tell me no matter what I answer, so what does it mean?”
“Remember the Heart? This is of similar make, but more easily controlled and quite possibly travel sized.” Aleister answered, pointing at the gem.
Gustav tilted his head slightly. “And I assume you want me to share this power with you?”
“Your bits are fine Gustav, and after the Heart I’m more cautious about thaumaturgic radiation as you all should be,” Aleister responded, shaking his head.
“Well if stripes don’t wants it that means more for us,” Crafty Crate proclaimed grinning wildly, looking like a colt on Hearth's Warming Eve. “But we still needs somepony to read this rock,”
“Yes we do Crafty,” Gustav answered before turning back towards the Zebra. “Aleister, still read old Skyrosian?”
“Rusty but passable I surmise, Let me see this tablet.” With that the old Zebra adjusted his glasses and began his inspection of the inscription, his hoof underlining certain sections of text while ignoring others or dismissing others. This went on for several minutes before Aleister let out a sigh, shaking his head.
“What’s the matter, Sir?” Angel asked, her curiosity piqued. She received an asides glare from Gustav, and she was quick to shut her mouth.
“Yeah Stripes, what’s the hold up?” Crafty asked, briefly glancing towards Angel and Gustav, having leaned forward slightly.
“Translating this tablet fully will be difficult,” Aleister replied, rubbing the bridge of his muzzle. “Aside from me letting my knowledge of Skrosain atrophy, there is a lot hidden in allegory and metaphor. However, I did find a heading either to the Fire Star or, at the very least, the first step towards it.”
“And what is the new heading?” Gustav asked drumming his talons on the table.
“'South of the Pillars of Hercules', Is what the tablet said so the northwestern coast of Zebrica is the destination and if your library is well stocked and not full of cookbooks I should have the full translation by our arrival.”
“Of course, my old friend,” Gustav smiled, standing up and giving the other two a bow. He motioned for Angel to stand up, and she meekly obeyed, following behind him quietly.
“Alas, gentlecolts, it is getting rather late. If you wish, you can stay here overnight, as we are scheduled to be leaving in the morning. As for me, I shall relaxing on the aft deck, so, if you need of anything, don’t hesitate to call.” he proclaimed, before beckoning for Marie to step up to him.
“Marie, keep an eye on our zebra guest,” his voice was stoic and pointed, in sharp contrast to the previously welcoming tone. “I don’t trust him as far as I can throw him. Understood?”
Marie nodded, a pleased smile crossing her face. “Understood, Sir.”
“Good. Now, as I said before, me and Angel will be on the aft deck.” Gustav finished, before turning and walking out of the room, dragging Angel behind him and leaving Marie to watch the two stallions.