//------------------------------// // A villain by any other name is just as nefarious // Story: Castle in the clouds // by ovineConventionalist //------------------------------// “Who are you?” Demanded Cadence. “What do you want?” Added Celestia. “Oh!” He laughed long and hard. “I knew I had forgotten something.” He paused, looking around the room as if for inspiration. “You can call me… ah, you can call me…” “Ooh! Ooh! Pick me!” Pinkie was bounding around him. “We should call you…” She paused for dramatic effect. “Mr Menace!” The others would have rolled their eyes if they hadn’t been scared stiff. Luna and Cadence looked uncertain, as if they didn’t know whether they should be attacking or not. As Pinkie bounced she found herself rubbing against what seemed to be a force-field. Whoever was casting it seemed to be containing him effectively enough. “Mr Menace it is!” He said with a bow. “As for what I want.” He continued, turning to face Cadence with a wicked grin. “I would have thought was made perfectly clear.” Cadence looked around at her friends, completely perplexed. “No?” The unicorn put his head on one side, with wide eyes and a pout. “I sent you enough letters. I thought I was quite concise.” Cadence glared along with everypony else. She opened her mouth as if to say something very rude, but she was interrupted: “But enough business talk!” The unicorn was all smiles once again. “just know my dear that I take threats very seriously… or at least I take my threats seriously. Threats, food, striking fear in pony’s hearts, and threats. I think that’s the whole list, I take those things very seriously indeed!” He babbled on, obviously enjoying himself very much. He was intimidating but not so much as to give them a reason to attack. “So to sum up!” He was shaking by that point, unable to hold in laughter. “You haven’t seen the last of me, not by a long shot!” He paused, he seemed disenchanted by his own turn of phrase. He wasn’t the only one, Pinkie also looked rather disappointed at the cliché sign off. She coughed. It was awkward. “Wait!” He blurted, and the others looked a little thrown off. “Forget I said that.” He stood up a little straighter. With a sweeping wave of his hoof that seemed to scrape against the top of the force field he tried again: “Cheerio fillies and gentle-colts! Don’t cry now, you’ll be seeing me again. Until then, enjoy the show!” He cackled. “You aren’t going anywhere!” Exclaimed Celestia. “That’s IT!” Cadence raged, galloping toward him ready to attack. He had already disappeared in a puff of smoke. How expected. Cadence bounced off of the force field, and lay clutching her head in pain. **** “But what was the show he was talking about?” Cadence sat up in bed, bandages arranged around her head. All of the others sat around her. Nopony wanted to be alone. “I don’t know.” Celestia looked as if she were deep in thought. “We will just have to be vigilant, and keep an eye out for him.” “Speaking of,” Luna stood up. “I must guard the night. Goodnight everypony.” The door closed behind her with a click. Spike stirred. He had fallen asleep in plush white chair near the window. Everything in Cadences room was either plain white or covered in flower-patterns, from the drawn curtains to the fluffy carpet. The ponies sat in weary contemplation for a while. Twilight was barely able to keep her eyes open. Cadence looked panicked but sleepy. Violin Heartstrings had promised to ‘be vigilant’ and keep watch in case he came back. His eyes were drooping and his head was inching nearer and nearer to Pinkies shoulder. On Pinkies other side, Fluttershy leaned heavily on her, drooling slightly. Pinkie didn’t mind though. She kept giving positive, smiley looks to Rarity who was fussing over Cadence. Celestia stood up suddenly. “I must rest.” She announced. “Summer is the time of year I get the least sleep and it won’t do to have either of Canterlot’s princesses exhausted.” She seemed to be talking herself into going to bed. “Goodnight Princess.” Rarity gave a small bow. “Do not worry about Cadence, I have everything taken care of.” The Princess left. She seemed reassured. “As for the rest of you.” Rarity spoke up, attempting to hide a small, satisfied smile. “You should also get some rest. Cadence will be fine with me.” “Thank you Rarity.” Fluttershy blinked a few times, and made to exit the room. “Are you coming Pinkie, Twilight?” She didn’t really want to go to her room alone. “Come on Spike.” Twilight hoisted him onto her back. “I’ll stay with you Rarity.” Violin said chivalrously. “Allow me to escort these ladies back to their rooms and then I will be able to assist you.” “That won’t be necessary.” “I insist!” “No!” Rarity composed herself, arranging her features into a becoming smile and drawing herself up higher. “I mean, I have it covered. I am perfectly capable, I’m sure you agree.” The stallion bowed his head. “As you wish.” “Thank you.” Said Cadence. The others exited the room. Rarity couldn’t hide her grin. “You sure told him.” Cadence observed with something like reproachful sarcasm. Rarity thought back to the note Applejack had sent her. She could do anything. She didn’t need Heartstrings. She didn’t care if he liked Pinkie more than her. She vowed never again to have her heart played with by a stallion, whether knowingly or not. With a triumphant nod, a yawn and a stretch; she fell into a happy doze on the fluffy rug by Cadences bed. * Violin Heartstrings closed his door behind him with a sigh. Rarity, he thought, was so sure of herself and so capable. He was talentless and unassured. He couldn’t help but watch her with awe as she had made her magnificent designs a reality and pursued a dream she had already realised. And profited. She was right, he thought. Even if he was of any use normally, which he wasn’t, he could barely keep his eyes open at that point. * The clock struck eleven. Cadence couldn’t believe everypony was so sleepy so early. She tiphoofed out of her room, stopping only to place a white-linen blanket over her sleeping friend. She was apprehensive as she made her way upstairs, but boredom surpassed the fear she was certain was irrational. She found Luna sitting on the balcony, gazing up at the cloudy sky. Something was wrong. “Hello.” She said tentatively. Luna looked around, she gestured for Cadence to sit with her. They sat in silence for a while. “We should go out tomorrow.” Ventured Cadence. “There’s no point worrying about a stallion and some smoke, and it’s all over now.” Luna raised an eyebrow. “My head is fine!” Cadence protested. “It isn’t that.” “Then, what?” Luna edged closer to the fence that would protect them from falling. She stretched out a hoof, there was a squelch as it made contact with something moist. Cadence realised what had been wrong. It wasn’t just cloudy, she couldn’t see the moon or lights or a single star. Something was obstructing the view. That something had surrounded the castle. They were completely trapped.