I do not own My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Co edited by: Cyclone
The room inside Sugar Cube was rather tense as five mares watched their local librarian and friend glare heatedly at the newspaper before her. The tell-tail signs of a rather flammable outburst was easily seen with the small bits of smoke seemingly raising from the lavender mares head.
Leaning over some, Pinkie whispered, “Told you we should have told her outside, Mr. and Mrs. Cake won't like it if the floor gets brunt.” Recalling what happened last time Twilight burst into magically induced fire powered by her uncontrolled magic.
“And gather a crowed?” Rarity hissed back, “No I think some dark spots might be better then garnering unwanted attention.” Then turned to Twilight telling, “This was just published this morning, and I’m afraid it doesn’t gets any better.”
Attention ripped away from the column before her, Twilight looked straight to Rarity saying, “Worse, how does this get worse?” Before going back to reading to see what Gabby Gums had to say.
It wasn’t pleasing in the least for the distressed mare, as each line only told of the apparent relationship going on between the two. It was seemingly made worse as the pony continued to say that others had seen the two together on multiple occasions-- at clubs no less!
That can’t be right, Masquerade can’t stand the mare, there is no way they are dating behind my back! The thought of actually losing Masquerade to Cloud Kicker was adding fear to Twilight’s mind, not willing to accept such an idea.
Looking uncomfortable at being asked, Rarity twisted her hoof on the floor, seemingly unable to say anything. Dash didn’t seem to hold the same nervousness and told, “Ponies all over town believe it, they keep saying other ponies noticed too.”
Applejack added to this saying, “Ah even got an earful of it at my apple stand.” And shook her head sadly telling, “I don’t know how t‘ tell ya this Twi, bu‘ I think it could be true.”
Twilight stood there quietly, hiding her face with the paper they had given her to look over. With a sudden brightening of her horn, Twilight crushed the paper into a ball before lighting it with pink fire. The anger fueled Passion Fire quickly burned the newspaper into ash, and left all ponies to see Twilight's rather annoyed face.
Looking to each of her friends, Twilight told with conviction, “Mask and I have known each other for a long time.” Making sure she had their attention, “And he has been noting but loving to me since we started dating, I truly believe he does love me.”
Looking down at the ashes and giving a snort, Twilight lit her horn again, picking up most of the ashes and throwing them away in a trash been asking, “Do any of you know where Cloud Kicker is?” Heading straight for the exit, forgetting about her trip to the Quasi clan.
Looking between one another again, the five mares rushed up to follow Twilight with Pinkie Pie saying, “Nope, not at all.” Tilting her head a bit saying, “Why, is it because you think she‘d help tell everypony she isn’t dating Masky?”
Giving her pink friend a level look, Twilight told in the most calmest voice, “No Pinkie, I think she‘s doing the opposite.” Nearly breaking the doors off their hinges when she pushed them open with her magic.
Moving up to talk, Rainbow Dash said, “Whoa, hold on Twilight!” And got in front of the lavender unicorn saying, “I know Kicker can be a little shallow at times, but I don’t think she would even go this far.”
With a blank look, Twilight said, “Rainbow Dash, she has been trying to steal Masquerade from me, before we got together, and her attempts to get him have only grown.” Moving around the pegasus ranting, “I even told her we were dating, yet she still insisted a few times to get his attention!”
Rising her brow some, Rarity could only think, when did Twilight get so possessive over Masquerade? Only recalling how the lavender unicorn would tell how possessive her stallion was. It apparently was rubbing off on Twilight.
Looking around, Applejack asked, “Where is that fella any-who?” Not seeing Masquerade in sight.
Taking a breath to calm down, Twilight told, “We just came back from the Quasi clan, and both he and Roma ran off do something that involved burying trash.”
Looking around to find a number of confused faces as to why anypony would do that, Twilight nodded, “Exactly my thoughts.” And pressed ahead, still looking for her target.
When her unicorn friend picked up her pace again, Fluttershy asked quietly, “Y-your just going to talk to Cloud Kicker…right?” Not sure what the mare would do with how angry she appeared.
“No Fluttershy, I‘m not going to just talk to that tramp.” Twilight told in a slightly lowered tone, making each of her friends look at her with more concern, “I‘m telling her that Mask is already spoken for, and if she continues this I will report her in for harassment.”
Moving herself next to Twilight again, Rarity asked, “Would that not be a bit…extreme?” Trying to fully figure out why Twilight was going overboard as she was.
Shaking her head furiously, Twilight said, “Don’t you get it, this is more serious than you think!” Already thinking of a number of times the mare would show up, “Masquerade doesn’t like her, even less so because he can‘t stand how her emotions feel, who knows what side effect they might have on him!”
All her friends could now partially understand where Twilight was coming form. They already knew changelings fed on emotions, and certain quirks can happen from feeding off them. But they weren’t aware of any side effects that might happen.
Twilight didn’t stop there though, and continued to tell, “That is not mentioning Kicker finding out about Mask‘s secret, the one that just might cause a panic. ” This seemed to bring out more of the mares worries that were being hidden by her previous anger.
“Now calm down sugur cube, we ge‘ it!” Applejack's voice broke through the unicorns slight rise in panic, “If’en things get tha‘ bad, you can count on us t‘ help ya through it.” Adding in a honest smile to help ease the stressing mare.
Seeing as Twilight slowed down some, Pinkie Pie bounced ahead saying, “I can start looking for Cloudy now, that way we can talk it out and stop being grumps and laugh about it in a few years!”
Joining up with the pink earth pony, Rainbow said with some doubt, “Yeah, I don’t see the last part happening.” Glancing at Twilight's still distressed face, “But Pink‘s is right, she can find Cloud Kicker faster.” Opening her wings and giving a good flap to take off calling back, “I‘ll look from up here!”
As Rainbow Dash darted off in a random direction, so did Pinkie Pie with a burst of excitement yelling, “Ready or not, here I come!” Giggling all the while as if playing hide-and-seek.
Shaking her head at the bakers antics, Applejack nudged Twilight saying, “Com’on Twi, we‘ll find that pegasus in no time.” And looked back to Rarity and Fluttershy telling, “Maybe ya‘ll start lookin’ fer Cloud on the other side o‘ town, Twi an‘ I can start from ‘ere.”
Outside of Ponyville and nearing the edges of the Everfree Forest, Masquerade, Roma and a tagging along Toe-Tapper, went about pounding the unsettled soil back down. Putting the shovels aside, Roma could only look down a the patch of dirt were the ‘trash’ was buried and look questioningly at Masquerade.
The unicorn didn’t seem to acknowledge her, gathering leaves and sticks form the Everfree’s edges and scatter it about the dirt patch, helping to hide the evidence of its existence. He didn’t bother showing any remorse on what was before him, Luna had hinted at what was to be done for Opulent, and he dealt with it accordingly.
Roma looked down to the ground in thought, and muttered out, “Dis don’t feel right.” Stomping the ground in frustration, “Should have been handled up front and hooves on.”
Laying the final touches, Masquerade only said coolly, “And risk escape?” Not saying more as he put down a rather valid point.
“It‘s dishonorable and you know it!” Roma snapped quickly, watching with some anger as the stallion pass her up without a second glance. Damn arrogant infiltrator, if he weren’t an heir, I’d sock’em in the face! Huffing to herself some before following Masquerade.
Toe-Tapper watched quietly, choosing to observe the two, rather than get in their way. He somewhat agreed with Roma in this being dishonorable, but also saw the logic in Masquerades reasoning. Either way, it didn’t matter as the job was already done.
Again with his collected mask on, Masquerade told, “As a Infiltrator, you should know that honor means nothing to me.” Knowing how much of a lie that could be, seeing as there were some things even he wouldn’t do.
Searching her mind for something to throw at him, Roma asked, “What about Sparkles, aint she going to ask what happened to him?”
While the black unicorn thought about it, Toe-Tapper nodded along saying, “You know she‘s going to ask sooner or later, how are you going to explain it to her?”
Remaining quiet for a time, Masquerade said, “Something happed while we were gone.” Mind already at work at constructing a reason, “The common was in all sense, dead, so Roma asked me to help tack care of him.”
With narrowed eyes, Roma said, “You‘re going to lie to her?”
A pregnant silence settled before Masquerade told, “I don’t think I could, even if I wanted to now.” Already knowing how deep he had dug himself with the mare, “If I am to gain any trust from her, I must be willing to do the same for her.”
Staring at him, Roma said, “You know she‘s not going to take it well.” Knowing how most ponies tended to not do anything that would cause permanent harm towards others.
“Luna had asked me to be one of her operatives not to long ago, seeing as I‘m willing to do the dirty things.” Masquerade told without any hints of regret, “So, under her authority, I am obligated to do the tasks she asked me to do.”
Shaking his head, Toe-Tapper said, “Still, I don’t think she will take it well, even with the ‘I was following orders’ excuse.”
With the smallest of grins, Masquerade said, “I‘m counting on it.” Feeling the surprise from the two following him and explained, “Twilight does not work like I do, so it will be very likely she will react badly to this, no way around it, only through it.”
With a sigh, Roma shook her head saying, “Why am I not surprised?”
Grinning back at the tomato vendor, Mask said, “Because you know I don’t play fair?”
This only made Toe-Tapper lightly chuckle, “Do you even know what the word means?” Recalling a few time during their sparing where Masquerade would use unconventional means to win their sword fights.
Rolling her eye, Roma said, “I doubt it.” Giving the infiltrator another look adding, “I don’t think he even knows what it means to play by the rules.”
“Rules are limitation!” Masquerade exclaimed aloud to the world, “All they do is make your task harder then it should.” Nodding to them as if it were fact.
With a sly look, Roma asked, “Dose that apply to Sparkles too?”
Gasping, the stallion acted out dramatically, “Roma, don’t you even joke about such a thing!” Putting a hoof to his chest saying, “Why, breaking Twinkles heart would be devastating.” Bowing his head at the thought. But just as quickly, Mask dropped the act saying, “Side‘s, if we broke up, she’d use that shinny examining table in her lab for more than dissecting plants.”
For some reason, both changelings could see Twilight doing that, and the very thought made them shiver on the spot.
Today was a perfect day.
There was no other way to call it for Cloud Kicker, as she looked rather pleased at the Foal Free Press’s latest paper while laying on a cloud. Apparently, Gaby Gums had caught her and Masquerade near each other one day and got a photo of them. Add the number of ‘confirmed’ sightings of them being together made it even better.
I bet my bits this pony found out about those rumors, Cloud Kicker smiled to herself, remembering spreading little rumors about the stallion. I also bet that little librarian is also losing faith in Masquerade. She snickered slightly, known her goal was just getting closer.
Personally, the grey mare didn’t think the rumors would spread so well, or even take for that matter. But with the whole Gabby Gums phenomenon and gossip at an all-time high, it all made Cloud Kicker’s day.
Though, despite it all, rumors were still rumors, and there was no way to truthfully say she and the stallion were together. It felt like a miracle in itself this happened when it did for Kicker, as it helped establish what ponies thought.
After all, everypony knows about me and my coltfriend, but few know about him and Twilight. She knew that if anypony asked Mask who he was dating, he would say Twilight. In which case, they might tell her of his two-timing actions. Others that knew the truth would do the same with Twilight, only the mare would be more stuck than she would.
All I need to do is find the right time to strike, and Twilight will break up with Masquerade, and I can finally get to know him even more. Cloud Kicker grinned while reading into the paper even more then before.
But even as she read on, part of her had to wonder if this was going a tad too far. True, this was not her first time trying to catch a stallion and check him out, but it was the first time she felt so fascinated. Masquerade backed away from her, tried to evade her, even use a smoke screen to get away. With all the effort she had put into getting him, Cloud Kicker was not going to give up the chase yet.
Any further thoughts seemed to be cut off when a blue hoof snatched away her reading material. Looking up and ready to yell, Kicker was surprised to see her boss, Rainbow Dash. With an easy smile, she asked, “Hey boss, something up with the weather or something?”
She didn’t notice it before, but Dash was glaring at her, and even disappointingly so. Pointing at the paper, Dash glare seemed to intensify saying, “What is this about Kicker?”
Looking from it to Dash, she shrugged, “I don’t completely know.” Deciding to play dumb for the time being, “I haven’t read through it all yet.” Reaching out to take the paper.
With a quick move, Rainbow pulled the paper out of the grey pegasus’s reach telling, “Yeah… I don’t buy that.” Giving her employee a critical look over.
Dash knew she wasn’t the smartest of her friends, but she certainly had plenty of street smarts when it came down to it. Right now, she had an inkling that Cloud Kicker certainly knew what she was trying to get at.
“This wouldn’t happen to do with your way of getting street cred, is it?” Rainbow prodded, trying to get more from the mare before going to find Twilight.
Rolling her eyes, Cloud Kicker told, “Rainbow Dash, I might be shallow at times, but I‘m not that shallow!” Quickly swiping up her copy of the Foul Free Press telling, “Now if you don’t mind, I have some reading to do.” Trying to wave off her boss.
With one final look of uncertainty, Rainbow Dash just told, “Whatever…just make sure you tell the truth, cuz Twilight is really steamed up over this.” Suddenly moving close up to Cloud Kickers face telling, “So don’t think I‘ll bale you out if this gets ugly.”
As if Twilight has the demeanor to do anything to me, Cloud Kicker thought while saying, “I will be fine, and you don’t have to stress so much over this boss, things will be fine.” And went back to reading.
With a slight huff, Rainbow Dash flew off towards where she last saw her lavender friend, thinking, things will be fine my flank!
After looking around town for a while and with no success, Applejack looked back to Twilight, more then able to feel the irritation from the mare. Twilight had spotted another paper with Cloud Kicker and her stallion on the front, and the apple mare could tell her friend was nearly ready to blow again.
It was a wonder how the unicorn had not done so yet, as her whole body told she was ready to start yelling her head off and trying to save what little reputation Masquerade apparently had. Something hard to do, as the said stallion rarely showed himself out in the open, and even more rarely spoke with anypony he didn’t know.
“Ya‘ll sure you‘re ‘kay Twi?” Applejack spoke, getting the librarian to snap her attention to her friend, “Ah mean, ya been glarin‘ at each news paper we‘ve passed.”
Though still partially glaring, Twilight gave a slight sigh and apologized, “I‘m sorry Applejack, but with this gossip going around about Mask and that…” Her face briefly morphed into a scowl before calming down and finishing, “It‘s vary frustrating and terrifying to me.”
Giving the mare a sympathetic look, Applejack could only wonder what her friend was really feeling. Why, if Gabby Gums said Mac was cheatin’ on the twins… The thought actually felt painful, as it would surly break Ivory and Ebony’s hearts if Macintosh just up and left them.
With a light nod, the farmer told, “Don‘ you worry none sugar cube, we‘ll set things straight!” Flashing a smile as she did, Applejack swung her hoof saying “Why, I bet ya tha‘ we‘ll find that varmint faster then you can say Rainbow Dash!”
As if on cue, Rainbow Dash landed right before them telling, “I found Cloud Kicker!” Eagerly flying in the grey pegasus’s location with a quickly following Twilight.
Applejack just stood still in surprise for a brief moment thinking aloud, “Well hay, that was fast.” Then quickly shook out of her stupor to chase after the two.
It didn’t take long for Dash to lead them to Cloud Kicker, who was still lounging on her cloud and reading the paper a bit absently. With her target now in sight, Twilight put out a hoof and told, “Let me talk to her.”
With concerned eyes, Applejack said, “Are ya sure tha‘s a good idea Twi?” Not sure if the unicorn --student to Celestia or not-- should try and talk to Cloud Kicker alone.
Shouldering the farmer, Rainbow smirked, “Relax AJ, Twinkls can handle her. If things get dicey, we can always jump in and help.”
Twilight gave a pleased nod, walking close the pegasus on the cloud, who was milking all she could from current gossip.
“Cloud Kicker!” Twilight called up, “I have a few things to talk to you about!” Seeing the pegasus poke her head over the cloud and give an unimpressed look.
It soon changed to a pleasant smile, as Cloud Kicker waved, “Oh, hi Twilight, how are you?” Going back to the paper and almost smugly saying, “Have you seen what‘s in the paper today, very interesting stuff.”
Twilight held back the urge to start focusing magic into a magical beam, and calmly said, “I saw, and I came here to set things straight!” Unbeknownst to the mare, her shouting was drawing a crowd, something Cloud Kicker noticed and didn’t mind.
“Set what straight, things seem to be all okay.” Cloud Kicker smiled, “So I don’t know what your talking about.”
With a slight twitching of her eye, Twilight pointed up and accused, “You have been harassing both Masquerade and I for unknown reasons, and now that Gabby Gums puts out gossip of you and my coltfriend dating, your milking it for all its worth.”
Putting a hoof to her lips, Cloud Kicker shot back, “What are you talking about, Masky and I have been dating for weeks on end.” Then pointed down to the Unicorn saying, “You say I have been harassing you, but I‘m not the one lying to everypony around us!”
A few murmurs went around the surrounding ponies who were watching, some putting down their gossip material as things began to escalate between the two mares.
“Lying!” Twilight exploded, “I‘m not the one who told a bunch of made up lies about him to try and make me lose faith in him!” Glaring up at the pegasus.
With her own glare, Cloud Kicker told, “I was only looking out for your own interest, after all you don’t know him that well like I do.” Trying to hold herself in a higher view.
Losing more of her patients, Twilight said, “What are you talking about, I‘ve known him since I was a filly!” And stomped her hoof down to relive some anger, “You‘ve been doing noting but try and steal him away from me for no apparent reason!” Then glared up saying, “Is it that you‘re trying to prove your more prettier then me or something equally as shallow!”
Feeling somewhat offended, Cloud Kicker yelled, “I am not some shallow mare desperate for attention!” Upturning her nose adding, “I might like to charm stallions, but I wouldn’t purposely try and steal them away from their fillyfriends, I wouldn’t even dream of it.”
Twilight did her best to hold back her anger, already grounding her teeth and almost growling, “I‘m not the one who is practically lifting their tail to get at him!”
Cloud Kicker reeled back, feeling as if she was struck by the mares words thinking, that stuck up twit thinks I’m a tail lifter! Then narrowed her eyes and flew down to the unicorn, who stood firm in her place.
Once she was close enough, Cloud Kicker lifter her hoof and smack Twilight a crossed the face shouting, “I am not some whore, you pompous teachers pet!”
Nopony was willing to speak after the slap had made contact, creating a eerie silence as Twilight brought her hoof up to her cheek and felt the sting sensation from the hit.
Almost as an after thought, what the grey pegasus said clicked into her mind, and retaliated, “You might as well be one when your constantly throwing yourself onto my coltfriend shamelessly!” Slapping Cloud Kicker.
The sting of the hit shocked Cloud Kicker, who believed Twilight would have never dared come to blows. Twilight herself was looking on in shock herself, almost not believing that she had actually hit another pony.
Almost stumbling on her words, Twilight went to say some sort of apology, not intending for things to escalate so much, but Cloud Kicker had other thoughts.
“YOU PURPLE FREAK!” The pegasus screeched, tackling Twilight to the ground, striking at the lavender mare angrily. “I have had it with you, and you self righteous, stuck up-- HUSSY!”
Not holding back, Twilight flipped the mare that was attacking over, going on the offensive herself shouting, “Had it with me? What about YOU!” Trying to hold down the pegasus, “You keep trying to seduce the only guy that I can safely say, loves me, just to keep your petty pride intact!”
Positioning her legs, Kicker gave a strong kick to Twilight, flinging the mare back and crashing into a few stacked buckets. Being jostled, all the buckets fell, dropping water all over Twilight and mixing with the dirt below her.
Could Kicker did not let up on her attack, leaping in on the downed mare to continue her assault. Both mares tossed and turned in the mixed dirt and water, quickly making mud and getting covered in the stuff.
“CAT FIGHT!” A random Stallion called, as the male populous around them began to give catcalls at the show.
Getting a hold of her enemy’s foreleg, Cloud Kicker bit down, ignoring the bitter mud that got in her mouth. Twilight gave a yelp of pain, quickly countering with a hoof to the grey mares face. Just as quickly, she reached around and bit down on a plentiful amount of blond mane, pulling at it harshly.
“You get her Twilight!” Rainbow Dash cheered on from her place in the air as she watched the two go at it.
Below her, being squished between ponies, Applejack called, “Wha‘ happened t‘ jumpin‘ in an‘ helping‘?” Shoving an overly eager pony that was trying to get a look at the action, away from herself.
“Twi‘s not using any magic, and Kicker hasn’t really hurt Twilight yet.” Dash told, watching as Cloud Kicker get floored before Twilight jumped up and fell on the pegasus with a elbow strike to the chest, “Also, do you really want to get in the middle of that?”
Looking from the blue pegasus to the cat-fight, Applejack watched as Cloud Kicker recover form the last attack, tumbling with Twilight in the mud as they continued to trade blows. At one point, the grey pegasus got a grip on her lavender foe and did an impressive backdrop. Twilight seemed to be dazed for a moment before scooping a ball of mud up and throwing it at Cloud Kicker, stunning the mare and letting Twilight tackle her.
Blinking at the intense fighting, Applejack dumbly said, “Uh…” Watching as Twilight somehow got Cloud Kicker into a choke hold before being tossed back into the mud where the pegasus jumped on the unicorn. “I don’t know…” Applejack admitted, wondering where Twilight learned to even fight like she was now.
“I‘d say, didn’t think she had it in her to do this!” The exclamation made Applejack jump away in surprise and look to her right where Roma was standing, who yelled, “BITE HER TAIL OFF SPARKLES!” Fully engrossed in the fighting.
With an odd look, Applejack said slowly, “Roma, what are ya‘ll doin‘?” Shoving another pony aside as she once again tried to move towards the fighting, “Aint ya going t‘ stop them?”
Looking to Applejack as if she was crazy, Roma shook her head saying, “Hades no, this is the most excitement this town had in a long time, I‘m not wastin‘ it!” And turned back towards the fighting, cheering, “COME ON SPARKLES, I‘VE GOT TWENTY BITS SAYING YOU CAN OWN THAT TART!”
After coming back into town, both Roma and Toe-Tapper had gone their separate ways, each having something to do that didn’t include hiding evidence. That was Masquerades job, one he did quickly an efficiently like all his missions.
Stag, do I miss some of that work, He chuckled in thought, known he was getting a little board of the almost peaceful life. But with Twinkles around, it was just that much more bearable.
I still have to help make sure she’s ready for a fight, that comes next. Masquerade thought knowing he had something around two or so weeks of preparation now. He wanted to be sure Twilight was as ready as possible for the upcoming Invasion, so he wasn’t holding back with his teachings.
With a grin, he thought, and after some sparing, we can cuddle some while she reads one of her books. Masquerade never said it out loud, but he rather enjoyed it when Twilight used him as a pillow. He could peacefully nap away, feeling comfort in knowing his mare was close by, safe and content.
Breaking out of his day dreaming, Masquerade looked about the area he was in, a bit confused. For some reason, the ponies had thinned out, leaving nearly empty streets in his wake. Even more strange was the cheering he could hear some way off.
With a sigh he said, “Alright Pinkie, what are you up to this time.” Plotting a path towards where all the commotion was happening. Making his way around buildings and through some short cuts, Masquerade got a rather interesting view of a large crowed, partly of stallions, all hooting and hollering. Other ponies looked on in either confused curiosity, or some disapproval.
Feeling his own curiosity rise, Masquerade carefully slipped his way into the crowed, using his rather skinny frame to slip between each space presented to him. This was further enhanced by his years of assassination missions that called for getting through such dense crowds.
Getting closer to the center of the point of interest, he could distinctly hear yelps and screeches from two feminine voices, the sound of splotching following them. When he was close enough, he could see to mares covered in mud and fiercely fighting the other in an intense cat-fight.
Mask would have made a sarcastic comment, but he recognized one of those mares, even more so with how their body looked and their lavender eyes shined with irritation.
Now filled with worry, Masquerade shoved ponies out of his way, getting closer to the two mares and feeling their mixed feelings of rage and hate. As he got closer, he could distinctly taste Twilights emotions, being of pain, rage and irritation. The other was filled with loathing, hate and even pride, as she pinned Twilight down.
When he saw this mare pin down Twilight, his precious Twilight, Masquerade let out a loud yell as his eye briefly flashed into their cat-eye form, “Get off of my Twilight!” And shoved aide a few more ponies with surprising strength.
Both mares stopped their fighting and looked to Masquerade, who charged in and used his magic to harshly shove the muddied pegasus off the unicorn. Leaning down, Masquerade put a foreleg around Twilight and pulled her up gently, afraid of causing any more harm.
Wincing a little, but not faltering as she stood, Twilight told, “Mask I‘m fine--”
“No, your not.” Masquerade sternly told, using his magic to remove what mud he could to see the damage, “Your scraped up and bruised, and your right foreleg doesn’t look any better.” Seeing the rather deep looking bite.
Sitting up and trying to clear some of the mud from her eyes, Cloud Kicker yelled, “Hey, what’s the big idea!” Also trying to lift her wings that were plastered with mud, “We‘re having a argument here!”
Both eyes locking onto the one responsible for Twilight’s current condition, Masquerade perked his ears to identify the voice, already having a clue who it was. His normal reasons of being shy and unsure was overridden by his more protective nature, growling out, “You have five seconds to explain why you hurt Twilight.” Not aware his green eyes were almost glowing with his changeling magic.
“That upstart, is trying to convince the town that--” By now Cloud Kicker was able to remove the mud from her eyes and see who she was talking to, and felt her words die in her throat at Masquerade’s glaring eyes. For all the times she had stalked him form a distance and gotten up close, she had never seen him remotely angry. Until this moment, where his ire was directed at her.
Without looking behind himself, Masquerade could feel Twilight’s friends and all but ordered, “Dash, Applejack, Roma, upfront now.”
Neither of the three mares seemed to make any complaint, already recalling the last time he got this angry. Rainbow was the first to make it to Masquerade, waiting for the two earth mares to get through the parting crowed while he said, “Help Twilight home and make sure she‘s cleaned up and tended to.”
Ready to move, Masquerae was about to make his way to Cloud Kicker before a muddied hoof stopped him. Glaring back, he immediately held back his irritation as Twilight said, “Mask, I still have things to say to Cloud Kicker.” Trying to assert herself.
Just as equally, Masquerade told, “No Twilight, you need to get home and looked over.” Asserting his own will against Twilight’s, whom seemed to be losing some ground to his glaring eyes.
Shivers of slight fear seemed to go up and down Twilight’s spine, forgetting how frightening Masquerade was when like this. She knew he was just trying to make sure she was safe, but she had to finish this. So, with what will she had, She told, “Please Mask, I need to finish what I started.”
Twilight sat there, looking right into the stallions eyes, trying with all her might not to lose eye contact. With a snort, Masquerade closed his eyes and helped her up saying, “You‘re one stubborn mare, you know that?”
With an upturned nose, she retorted, “And you’re an equally stubborn mule.”
Cracking a small grin the Masquerade chuckled, “Touché.” Helping Twilight over to a stunned Cloud Kicker.
Once close enough, Masquerade openly glared at the pegasus mare, while Twilight said, “Cloud Kicker, I originally came to you to make sure the rumors and gossip didn’t ruin my relationship with my Masquerade.”
Doing her best to stay civil, despite her current dislike of the other mare, Twilight told “So with that, I wanted to let you know, if you ever bother either of us again, I will file a report straight to both princesses' and captain to the royal guard for harassment!”
Openly gaping at her, Cloud Kicker shook her head and stammered, “Y-you can‘t do that!” Trying to deny what was told to her.
Picking onto what Twilight said, Masquerade added, “Oh, she can Ma‘am.” Nearly spitting out the last bit, “She is student to princess Celestia, friend to princess Luna and younger sister to captain of the guard.”
This stumped the muddied mare greatly, but Mask wasn’t finished, “I too, also have connections to the Gem clan, and a number of anonymous ponies that have great political power, don’t think I won't call for their help, because I can and will.”
Looking to Twilight the dark stallion asked, “Are we finished here?”
Glancing at her stallion, then back down to the quivering pegasus, Twilight said, “I don’t know, are we Cloud Kicker?”
Quickly looking between the two, Cloud Kicker snorted in anger and fear, getting up and limping away saying, “Whatever.” Trying to save face for what just occurred there.
Seeing the mare make a slow retreat, Roma gulped and walked up the both Masquerade and Twilight, saying loudly, “An‘ don’t go thinking you can spread any rumors around!” Nearly stopping the pegasus in her tracks, “I know ponies that can find out where rumors come from, so don’t get any ideas in that head of yours, got it blondie!”
Looking back with a scowl, Cloud Kicker went to say something in return, only to find both Rainbow Dash and Applejack joined up with Roma, Twilight and Masquerade. Soon enough, more ponies began to join up, all random to her, but for Masquerade and Twilight, they knew who they were.
They were the changelings that lived in Ponyville.
With another angry scowl, the pegasus mare turned and left the scene, knowing that her reputation was very much tarnished from this. Knowing she had not only failed in getting Masquerade, but also lost some credibility stung greatly. I am going to get back at you Twilight Sparkle, one day. She thought bitter as she limped away.
With the pegasus gone, Twilight visibly relaxed. The lavender unicorn slightly yelped as she was lifted up by green magic before being set on Masquerade, who began to carry her back home.
Blushing lightly, she said, “M-Mask, I‘m fine, I can walk.” Feeling him use some of his magic to hold her in place.
“Nuh-uh, your resting on the way back, and getting cleaned up and bandaged up.” Masquerade told her and turned to Rainbow Dash who was hastily following next to him as he told, “Get Fluttershy, I still don’t trust those quacks you call doctors.”
Nodding mutely, Rainbow Dash flew off quickly to find her shy friend and leaving Masquerade to tend to Twilight. With the pegasus gone, Mask turned to Applejack a tad more calmly, “Think you can help get Twilight cleaned up while I get dinner made?”
With a light shrug, Applejack told, “Ah suppose, wont be much different from helpin‘ granny.” Smiling lightly as Twilight made a protest at being compared to an old mare.
Seeing as the action was over, all the townsfolk of Ponyville walked away and went back to their lives, along with their unknown changeling neighbors. After all, Ponyville was due for some random occurrence for nearly a week or so, it was about time it happened.