Cadence suddenly stops her pacing as she looks around in confusion and thinks,
That's strange, I suddenly felt as if over 130 people are watching me and deciding how I'm gonna go about this situation.
Cadences just shakes her head at this ridiculous, untrue, totally-not-actually-happening thought as she goes back to her pacing as she mutters...
Cadence mutters to herself: What should I do? I can't believe he could just kill a pony so mercilessly, even if Flag Burner was bad and hurt others. I know that Shiny said that Burner was whispering something to him before, what could he have possibly said to make Bugze snap
"What should I do? I still can't believe Bugze would just kill a pony so mercilessly, even if Flag Burner was bad and hurting others. I know that Shiny said that Burner was whispering something to him before, what could he have possibly said to make Bugze snap..."
Cadence shakes her head as she says,
"Okay Cadence, let's calm down here. Let's go over your options and see which one is best. Okay, there's...
As of right now, you have several options that you can take right now.
1. Open the letter and read it. Even Bugze did something horrible, you know that he's not a bad bug, and hopefully he has a good explanation for this.
2. Don't read the letter and see where it came from. Maybe you can find Bugze and then make him explain himself in person.
3. Don't read the letter and tell Shining and let him take over for finding Bugze.
4. Don't read the letter and burn it. Proceed to act like you never got it in the first place.
"One, open the letter and read it. Even if Bugze did something horrible, he's not a bad bug and hopefully he has a good explanation for this. Two, I don't read the letter and see where it came from. Maybe I can find Bugze and then make him explain himself in person. Thirdly, I don't read the letter, tell Shining, and let him take over finding Bugze. Fourth I don't read the letter and burn it and just act like I never got it in the first place."
Cadence grabs her head in annoyance as she yells,
"I CAN'T DECIDE!"
"Uh... can't decide what your highness?"
Cadence gasps in shock before quickly hiding the letter in her desk as she turns around and sees...
Before you can decide what to do about the letter, a Royal Guard knocks on your door, telling you you've been summoned to a war council.
Go to an emergency royal council meeting that Celestia called for between herself Cadance, Shining Armor, and Luna about the events in Fillydelphia. In the meeting;
One of Celestia's Royal Guards. Cadence calms down slightly as she says,
"I can't decide... on what dress I should wear for me and Shining's date, Yeah! Anyway, did you need something?"
The Guard returns to his usual "stoic-guard-demeanor" ways as he says,
"You are required at Equestria Emergency Council at the war room your highness."
Cadence sighs as she figured that this was gonna happen, so with a deep breath she says,
"Okay, tell Auntie that I'll be there soon."
The guard salutes her before he leaves. Cadence takes a deep breath as she puts the envelope away before she exits her chambers and begins to head to the war room. As she walks, there's only one thing going through her mind,
Even if Bugze is guilty, I won't let them kill him. No matter what...
THE WAR ROOM
Celestia, Luna, Cadence, and Shining Armor all stood around a round table, a map of Equestria spread out before them.
"Our guards will perform a massive sweep across the country," Shining explained, "We'll cut south, all the way to Machintosh Hills, and then two groups of guards will head in opposite directions from there, one going northwest and the other northeast. After sweeping across the west and east coasts of Equestria, they'll circle back around and meet at the foot of the Crystal Mountains."
Shining subtly winked at Cadance who didn't miss the fact that the sweep across Equestria was in the shape of a heart.
"Excellent strategy as always," Celestia complimented, "And what will you do when you do manage to root out the Offender?"
"We disable him and bring him back here," Shining said, "He needs to be put somewhere far and deep away, where he can't hurt anypony else."
"I couldn't agree more," Celestia said, "Though his intentions may be benign, the way he executes them is unforgivable. He will be imprisoned at least." Luna gave a small cough, drawing Celestia's attention,
"Yes, sister. What is it?"
"We... we only wonder if chasing the Offender is the best course of action here?" she said.
Shining Armor stared in shock,
"You mean to let him go free, and leave a murderer to his own devices?"
"No, of course not," Luna replies defensively, "I merely mean that the Offender sees us as a threat to his daughter, and our dogged pursuit could endanger his daughter and thus only deepen his hatred for us. And... we did allow something like the Crimson Hearth's Warming to occur."
To the shocked looks she received, Luna elaborated,
"I only mean that it was under our jurisdiction that something as horrid as this event was able to become reality. We messed up, and we ought to tighten or reform our security problems so that something like this never happens again. In the meantime, I think we should announce the stallionhunt as a search for these Crimson members of the Horde. If the Offender pops up during the search, so be it. If not... I honestly doubt that we'll be hearing from him anytime soon."
As Luna is explain all this, Cadance is thinking in the meantime,
His daughter? What does she mean by his dau-
*ding*
A light bulb suddenly appears above Cadences head as she thinks,
That's it! Bugze wouldn't never kill somepony in cold blood. That Flag stallion must have threatened his daughter during the riot. That has to be it! Like at the gala when Blueblood threatened her, he went berserk and fell under whatever that thing was's spell. Even though what he did is wrong, I can at least use this to make sure nopony tires to kill him...
Cadence nods her head at her conclusion as Shining says,
"I still don't like it," Shining said. "It seems like we're just letting a brutal murder slide."
"Shining," Cadence said. "The Offen... Bugze killed out of rage, but it was rage borne of love. Flag Burner threatened his daughter, just as we would if we outright hunt him." Shining still looked reluctant until Cadence added, "It'd be like if somepony threatened me."
Shining gave a deep sigh before he said, "OK."
"I still don't like it," Shining says with disapproval, "It seems like we're just letting a brutal murder slide..."
"Shining," Cadence said, "The Offen... Bugze killed out of rage, but it was rage borne of love."
"Love?" Shining asks in confusion.
"Yes, that has to be what Flag Burner was whispering to Bugze at Fillydelphia. Flag Burner must have threatened his daughter."
Shining still looked reluctant until Cadence added,
"It'd be like if somepony threatened me..."
Shining gave a deep sigh before he responds, "OK."
Cadence sighs quietly to herself as she thinks,
Good, at least now they won't try to hurt him. As long as we don't try to hurt Bugze's daughter, nopony will get hurt. Maybe now I should read that letter, maybe Bugze really did only kill to save his daughter, and if that's the case then-
However, Cadences thoughts are interrupted as Luna suddenly says,
Luna breaths a sigh of relief at Shining's acceptance of the search direction. "In all likelihood, the Offender will lie low. He has done that before after being seen. We could also issue a Smite-on-Sight order, just in case somepony sees something."
"In all likelihood, the Offender will lie low. He tends to do that before after being seen. We could also issue a Smite-on-Sight order, just in case..."
Gasps of shock come from all around the table as Shining, Celestia, and Cadence look at Luna in surprise, but Cadences (and Celestia's) looks change from shock/horror to confusion as Cadence thinks,
What the...? There's some glint in Luna's eyes, as if she knows something we don't. Does she have sort of plan to hurt Bugze? No, that dosen't matter for now! I won't let her hurt him!
With that thought, Cadence is about to speak out against that plan, when Celestia beats her to the punch as she says,
"No, Sister, I outlawed Smite-on-Sight orders centuries ago. All they are good for is drawing money-grubbing bounty hunters to the castle gates, dragging any poor pony they can find that looks like the wanted poster,"
Luna is about to say something when Celestia interrupts,
"I have already canceled the 'Dead' part of the 'Dead or Alive' order I impulsively ordered yesterday. I was not in a proper state of mind at the time..."
Celestia mutters something about 'no cake my flank...' as Shining responds,
"I agree, I must speak frankly, your Highnesses, We aren't going to bring the Offender down with anything less than an army. He's only getting stronger. Each time we see him, he's developed new powers and abilities. Sending bounty hunters after him will only result in more property damage and crowded emergency rooms."
"There's another way," Cadance says causing all eyes to turn to her, "He's... he's not a monster. What if we give him an olive branch? Maybe we can convince him to-"
"No." Celestia sighs as she shakes her head, "You have already repaid your debt to this creature, Cadance."
"What? No! He saved my life! How could I-"
"And you might have saved his." Celestia interrupts, "Do you recall the incident of the unconscious guard in my sister's private quarters? And the changeling that was spotted in the guard barracks soon after And right after that, I began hearing reports from Twilight Sparkle of a changeling in Ponyville. How did a changeling escape from out castle and get to Ponyville so fast? That is no small distance, even for a unicorn trained in teleportation."
Shining nods his head,
"And then the Offender drops in on the four of us soon after, calling himself 'Bugze.'"
"Then... then you know he's not always a monster! What about the Elements of Harmony? Maybe they can make him a normal changeling again."
Luna closes her eyes in thought for a moment before responding,
"I believe it is worth a try."
Luna opens her eyes as she stares intently at Celestia as she continues,
"After all, if the Elements can save me from my darkness, maybe they can save him from his demons and allow him to raise is daughter in peace."
Cadence nods her head as she says,
"She's right Auntie. All we have to do is convince Bugze to let us use the Elements on him and cure him. Then we ca-"
"No."
"-n talk him down to-what?"
Cadance stops in disbelief as Celestia says...
"There may be some truth to this plan, but we cannot risk the Elements yet. If they get damaged or broken in the battle somehow, the enchantment that holds Discord could be dispelled. If we are to use them, the Offender must already be defeated and immobilized."
She stands up and clears her throat,
"I believe this meeting is at an end. Above all else, our goal is to preserve life. I have already sent a letter to Twilight and her friends asking them to stay out of the hunt, and if trouble arises, to evacuate as many ponies as they can. Captain, those orders apply to you as well. Take every precaution necessary to get my little ponies out of danger before you attack any target."
Shining bows as he answers,
"Yes, Your Highness."
The three others leave, and Cadance is left alone,
Nothing's changed! They're still going to hurt Bugze! What do I do?
She takes a few calming breathes before she thinks,
I just have to keep trying! If they won't listen as a group, then maybe I can divide and conquer...
With her plan in mind, Cadence goes off to talk to her fellow princesses and her husband when she realizes,
"Wait, who should I talk to first?"
Cadence sits down as she puts a hoof to her chin as she thinks out loud,
"Maybe I should try to convince Shining and Auntie Celestia first..."
As soon as she finished that sentence, she suddenly gets a flashback to yesterday...
FLASHBACK TO YESTERDAY
"HE DID WHAT!?" Celestia roared in shock/anger in the Royal Canterlot Voice which could be heard throughout Canterlot.
"Like I said, he beat Flag Burner into submission," Shining replies after uncovering his ears "There was no way that the terrorist could fight back and we could have taken it from there, but it looked like he whispered something to the Offender and he went berserk and started beating him more, before he grew a fifth tail and killed him. He then summoned a huge group of birds and disappeared in a flash. I assume he teleported away using the crows as cover. We also had eye-witness reports of changelings in the area appearing to help him by distracting both guards and Horde members alike."
"He has gone too far this time! Double his bounty, Dead or Alive, we will see him brought to justice!" Celestia angrily declares,
Cadence and Luna look at each other uneasily about the situation and Shining just sautes and runs off to carry out the order. When he finally leaves, the three princesses are alone in Celestia's study. Cadance speaks first,
"Aunt Celie, isn't that a bit harsh? I don't think he would do something like that with out a very good reason."
"Tis true sister, he would not hath been a treat to us if We had not threatened his dau-" Luna agrees.
"I DON'T CARE!" Celestia roars in the RCV as she stressfully digs through a shelf looking for something, "He murdered one of my subjects in cold blood! He could have stopped and allowed the guard to take him in but he did not! He will pay Equestrian justice. I think an eternity in stone sound fair- BUCK!"
Celestia smashes the shelf against a wall in a rage with her magic before she begins to walk away. If anypony was listening, they would have heard the Solar Monarch mutter/rant...
"First I find out Blueblood has been embezzling from the 'Widows and Orphans' fund to pay for unnecessary luxuries in his treatments, then a Hydra from Equestria has been found terrorizing the Griffin Kingdom and I'm getting blamed for it, then I find out that the Hooded Offender destroyed Fillydelphia and publicly murdered a pony with help from bucking changelings, and THEN the kitchen tells me they're completely out of cake, and THEN somepony steals my emergency Quadruple Fudge Ripple Rocky Road ice cream cake!!! Oh, isn't great to be the princess of a country..."
END FLASHBACK
Cadance blinks as a sweat drop forms on the back of her head as she says with a deadpanned tone,
"Definitely should not talk to Aunt Celie. I guess I'll try to convince Auntie Luna first, then my stubborn husband..."
With that said, Cadence get's up and walks over towards Luna's room...
Cadence knocked on the door to Luna's chambers. Receiving no reply, she cautiously nudged the door open only to see Luna in full armor, a sight last seen only when she had returned as Nightmare Moon. The sight is so stunning that Cadence paused for a few seconds before...
"Heading out with the stallions on the manhunt, are you?"
Luna turned to see Cadence standing behind her,
"Oh, Princess Cadenza. We had not heard your approach, but be certain that we meant no disrespect in-"
"Um... Auntie Luna" Cadence intercedes, "I have a personal question to ask you about..."
"Oh, indeed? Well," Luna removed her helmet and shook out her mane, before sitting down on the floor, "We are all ears."
Cadence took a deep breath,
"Well... an... old friend of mine, one I hadn't seen in... forever really, just wrote me a letter, and... he's bucked up. Like, big time. I... don't know exactly what he wrote, but I can tell you for sure that he doesn't deny that he's done a bad thing. I think he just wants to... explain himself."
Luna looked at her for a few seconds, before she says,
"Well then, read the letter."
"Really?" Cadence asked, still unsure.
Luna scooted closer to her adopted niece,
"Cadence, if my... personal experiences have taught me anything, it's that, no matter how bad a thing a pony has done, you should always give them a chance to explain themselves. Otherwise, their friendship will be lost and they will be sure to feel just as betrayed as you."
"But... this was a really bad-"
"Nonsense!" Luna cried, snatching the envelope from Cadence, "Come, niece, we shall read this message together!"
"Oh, I don't think that that's a good-"
But too late. Luna tore the letter from it's paper shell, and read it aloud.
Dear Princess Cadence,
I... bucked up. Big time. Admittedly, I should've come more prepared, but I greatly underestimated Flag Burner and the lengths he was willing to go for his 'revolution'. Fillydelphia was a disaster. What should have been me talking Flag Burner out of starting a revolution devolved into a reenactment of one of the Die Hoof sequels. I told Flag Burner that the real meaning of the cloak is to be a Nopony.
I was even starting to feel for Flag Burner when he told me that the death of his daughter sent him on that path; until he blew up several buildings, told me that several of his minions were after MY DAUGHTER, and said that he will kill as many as it takes. Never before had I been that angry, never before has my Nightmare Cloak reached FIVE tails. I just... lost control. All of my hate came pouring out and I acted without thinking. I... killed a stallion. Whether he is truly dead is unclear because his body is unaccounted for. I don't know what to do now. I guess I'll just lie low and do what I can to get by.
But I'm not giving up. The Crimson Knights are out there, and soon so will the royal guard. I've sworn not to kill again, but if you can't bring yourself to forgive me (and I won't blame you if you don't...) I'm willing to do ANYTHING to keep my daughter safe. The main reason for my living is to protect Nightshade, especially from the Crimson Knights.
Hopefully Still your Friend,
Bugze
P.S. The Crimson Knights have a red version of my insignia and are a group of radicals who follow Flag Burner's ideology.
Cadence looks at the letter in shock as she thinks,
I was right! He did threaten Bugze's daughter! He didn't kill in cold blood, he killed in a rage born from love. ...I feel such a odd mixture of sisterly/princess of love pride and absolute horror right now.
Before Cadence could continue her thought, she sees Luna looking at her. She looks at her in panic as she sweats nervously and says,
Luna looked up from the letter at Cadence, who was sweating fervently. "Luna, wait, I can explain-"
"I'm going out with the manhunt," Luna said, smiling slyly. "But I didn't say I'd stay with them. Once they narrow down the Offender's location, I was planning to go ahead on a scouting mission... and warn him."
"Auntie Luna, wait! I can expla-"
"I'm going out with the stallionhunt," Luna said, smiling slyly. "But I didn't say I'd stay with them. Once they narrow down the Offender's location, I was planning to go ahead on a scouting mission... and warn him."
Cadence's eyes widen in realization as she says,
"Wait, so when you wanted to have the Smite-on-Sight order placed, you were-"
Luna nods her head as she finishes Cadence's sentence,
"Trying to make an excuse to hunt him down myself to save him, yes. I will not let somepony like me rot in a cell if I can redeem them."
Cadence nods her head at this, but then get's a confused look as she asks,
"Wait...somepony like you? What do you mean? and why do you want to help Bugze so badly?"
Luna sighs as she says,
"We and him are the same in a way. We both have a darkness in us we couldn't control. While I was freed from mine..."
Luna glares at the floor as she continues,
"He is still under it's control. I know what it feels like to be controlled and used by darkness. And I'll be cursed before I let somepony else fall beyond redemption to it."
Luna sighs sadly as she begins to contemplate outloud,
“I might be to late sadly, seeing as how he’s finally taken a life. I can’t say that I didn't see this coming, all that power and all that rage, it was bound to happen eventually.”
“I don’t think he meant it Luna,” Cadance counters, “he probably feels awful about it.”
“I’m sure he does, but still I believe that terrorist signed his own death warrant the minute he threatened the changeling’s daughter and tried to kill all those innocents” Luna says before putting her head down.
“He’s not bad, you have to understand that, he made a mistake.” Cadance lightly pleads.
“I know that my niece, that is why I must help him. This is all my fault after all, that changeling causes so much mayhem and destruction because of his hatred for me... for what we... I tried to do to his child.”
“Luna you didn’t-”
“I set him down this path, I tried to harm that filly, and everything he’s done since then is because of that mistake” she looks at Cadance in determination. “It is my responsibility to ensure that he is saved.”
“Wh-why would you of all ponies try to save him?” Cadence asks for the second time, this time out of shock more then anything else
“Because I too know what it is like to let hatred and vengeance control your life... the nightmares it brings. I must save him from the darkness before he falls further. And to apologize to him and that filly for one of my greatest mistakes...”
“Thank you Aunt Luna, thank you...” Cadance says with relief.
“I will do what I can... but my sister and your husband are determined to bring him down by any means. Maybe you should become more involved with your savior’s life if you wish to help.”
Cadence nods with a determined look as she says,
"I know, as soon as I convince Shining, I will find some way to speak to Bugze."
Luna sighs as she says,
"Dearest Niece, you must also convince my sister."
Cadence gulps slightly as she says,
"I don't really think that'll work, do you remember what she said yesterday?"
Luna nods her head glumly as she says,
"Yes, but I assure you Celestia is more calm then she was yesterday. She will be more likely to listen to reason now."
"Are... you sure?" Cadance asks uncertainly,
Luna smirks as she responds,
"A few quick letters to the various pastry chefs in Canterlot saw to that."
Cadence sighs slightly with a smile before she says,
"I know it's not gonna work, but I guess I"ll give it a try."
Luna nods her head and whispers to herself as Cadence retrieves the letter and envelope and leaves,
"Good luck, my niece."
CELESTIA'S QUARTERS
"Auntie Celie, please reconsider! He didn't mean to kill that pony, it was a mistake!"
Celestia sighs at Cadences pleas as she says,
"Even if murdering a beaten and caught prisoner was a mistake on his behalf, the fact that his very presence caused so much chaos along with billions of bits in damages is still reason enough to take him in. Plus, there is also the fact that the offender is no longer alone."
“What do you mean auntie?”
“Reports and photographs from the night of the riot confirm what Shining Armor said about there being other changelings present” she says as she shows Cadance a photograph of Bugze standing in front of three other changelings, “They aided in his cause... perhaps he has rejoined his queen’s ranks.”
“NO!” Cadance shouts, “He wouldn’t do that! He’s different!”
“Cadance...” Celestia says sympathetically, “there is no way to know that. I know you feel indebted to him for the small mercy he gave you, but someone cannot be judged by what they've done in the past, rather what they've done since then.”
“But...”
“Even if he did help you, he has caused so much damage and harm to others since then; attempting to conquer Appleloosa, wrecking the Grand Galloping Gala, freeing Discord, and now this. He still has to face justice for the crimes he has committed Cadance. It is only because of that infernal time lord that the death toll isn't in the thousands...”
“Who?” Cadance asks.
“Nopony,” Celestia replies suspiciously quickly, “but still the Hooded Offender must be caught.”
Cadance just puts her head down and shakes it in frustration.
It’s like she’ll never understand...
With that, Cadance walks away in a huff (barely managing to avoid bumping into a tray full of cakes that was on it's way to Celestia's room) even after Celestia calls after her. When Cadance is out of sight, Celestia says to herself,
“What is your game Doctor?”
LATER IN SHINING AND CADANCE'S CHAMBERS
“I can’t just let this go Cadance! I have to bring him in!” Shining shouts.
“Shining please, he’s hurting right now, and I know that he’ll...”
“I don’t care if he’s hurting!” he shouts, “I’m hurting, several Guards are hurting, hay, most of Fillydelphia is hurting because of him!”
“If he hadn't been there, the situation would have been a lot worse!” Cadance counters.
“Yeah sure, many ponies wouldn't be in the hospital, Fillydelphia would be intact, and the leader of a bunch of fanatics would be on trial instead of in the grave, oh wait, he’s the one that caused all that!” he responds with bitter sarcasm.
“He feels awful for what he’s done, don’t you understand?!” Cadance pleads.
“Good! I saw him shaking after what he’d done! He brought this on himself!”
“Shining please…” Cadence starts.
“No Cadance, No! Not this time!” Shining bitterly responds.
“But...”
“I warned him, hay, I even pleaded with him not to go too far, but he did it anyway!” Shining kicks a chair as he continues, “We won! Flag Burner was beaten, and rightfully so. Hay, I would've probably knocked out a few of his teeth myself for what he’d done...” Shining shouts before stiffening up and sitting down.
“We won... but then he kept taunting your friend, and the explosions happened. I wanted to hurt that piece of filth for what he’d done, but I held back. Your friend didn't. He went through me like I was nothing to kill that monster... and I can’t get that image out of my head...”
“Are... are you sure he’s actually dead? The reports say that no body was found.” Cadance says,
“I’m pretty sure Cadance, I saw what your friend did to him. I heard the crunch, I saw the left side of his face cave in under his hoof... I saw his eye pop out of his socket as he smashed through that steel wall...” Shining says in a world-weary and almost horrified tone.
Cadence gasps at that little bit of news,
“The building collapsed after Flag's body smashed into it, and burnt up everything inside... nothing but ash was left by the time the fire fighters put it out, not that I wanted to see the corpse anyway” he says with a shudder, “Besides, we found his eye...”
“Shining...” Cadance whispers as she realizes her husband is actually a bit traumatized by the experience.
“I won’t stop Cadance... I can’t. For everything that I believe in, for every principle I took an oath to uphold, I can’t let this pass. No one, pony or bug, is above the law. I will do whatever it takes to bring the Hooded Offender down.”
Cadance walks over and hold her husband in her arms cradling his head.
“I’m sorry Shiny...” she whispers.
“You don’t have to be... It’s nothing you've done. If anything, I should be sorry for yelling at you,” Shining responds as he looks into Cadance's eyes. "You're the love of my life, I should never yell at you no matter how hurt or angry I am..."
“But I didn't see how much you were hurting from this, I’m sorry my love.”
Cadance feels him sigh and relax somewhat,
“I’m sorry too... I’ll always be grateful for what he did to protect you... but I still have to bring him in.”
“I know you do…” you acknowledge “just promise me one thing.”
“What?” he asks.
“Please... please don’t kill him.”
He pulls away from Cadance and gives her a sad look.
“I can’t promise that... With his growing power and lack of control, he will likely become so dangerous that lethal force may be the only way to save and protect innocent ponies." He then walks close to Cadance before continuing, "But I will try... for you.”
With that, Shining and Cadance share a deep kiss. When the kiss is over, Shining then picks up his reports and heads for his meeting with his Royal Guard officers.
“Shining,” Cadance calls out to him causing him to pause at the door. “If it helps, I know that he will be disbanding the horde. He doesn't want any more ponies worshiping him.”
He sighs at that,
“At least that’s one less thing to worry about, the Crimson Knights though are another story.” He then looks back to her. “I’ll be home later, I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Cadence then sighs again in sadness as she thinks
After all my talks, I just know that Bugze does need to come in eventually or otherwise leave the country, but I know that he'll never cooperate, not if it risks Nightshade’s safety. Hopefully Luna will be able to help. Then there's that Stallion in the blue box that seems to follow him around and Auntie Celie gets defensive whenever I ask her about him. What’s his story?
Cadence shakes her head from these thoughts.
The whole thing is complicated. The only thing I can do is be a better friend to Bugze; Keep in contact with him more often, maybe help him. I am a princess for my sakes. Maybe I could transfer him some funds to help with Nightshade. Whatever happens in the future, I'll just take it in stride. Now I think I have a book for this situation...
With that in mind Cadance puts the letter on her desk and leaves the room to write a letter for her unlucky friend.
A couple of minutes later, Shining Armor enter to Cadence room
"Cadence? Are you here? We need to talk..." Say Shining Armor looking around to see that there is no one.
"I suposse she is somewhere else... Maybe the garden..." Commented Shining as he was going to leave but then a card called his attention
"No... I can't... That card is for Cadence, I can't read it" Muttered Shining Armor but in the end he decided to look a little to the card, only to see the only word
A couple of minutes later, Shining Armor re-enters the room,
"Cadence, I forgot something. Have you seen my..." Shining says only to trail off as he looks around to see that there is nopony there.
"I suppose she's somewhere else... Maybe the garden..." Shining comments as he prepares to leave but then an envelope calls his attention,
"A letter for Cadance, No... I can't... That card is for Cadence, I can't read it" Muttered Shining Armor but in the end he decided to look a little to the card, only to see the only word...
Bugze
Cadance goes back to her chambers with the book and sees Shining Armor waiting for her, standing by her desk.
"Oh! Shiny. Did you forget something?"
"You tell me," he snaps as he throws the letter on the ground.
Cadence gaps both in fear and shock as she asks
"Shining! Did you read my mail?"
"I didn't have to! All I had to see was the name. Bugze. It sounded familiar."
"I... I don't know what you-" Cadance stammers nervously,
"THE HOODED OFFENDER!" Shining yells as he storms past her and into the castle hallway.
"The first time we met the Hooded Offender, he called himself Bugze! And now there is a letter with his name on it!"
Royal Guards fill the hall at the Offenders name, and Cadance takes a sharp breath.
"Shining, there's a perfectly good explanation for this. Bugze is just a friend, and-"
"Then why haven't I heard of him before? How long has he lived in Ponyville? What's his cutie mark? What kind of pony is he?!"
Cadance stammers.
"Exactly!"
"We're not safe until he's caught; he'll come stalking us at night!
Spreading anarchy and ruin and whipping up a fright!
He'll wreck havoc in our nation if we let him wander free,
So it's time to take some action, boys! It's time to follow me!"
He marches through the hallways, rallying the guards behind him.
"Past the city, down the vale, to the edge of the badlands,
He's a nightmare, but he's one exciting fight!
Say a prayer and we're there, ready to bring him to justice.
He'll struggle, but taking him is worth the price!"
A guard tosses him a sword, and he catches it, brandishing it in his magic.
"He's a beast! He's got fangs, razor sharp ones!
Five tails, maybe more, to spread his wrath!
Hear his laugh; hear his shriek!
But we're not coming back 'til he's caught!
Good and caught!"
"No!" Cadance calls. "You don't understand!"
"Look what he's done with his freedom, Cadance!" Shining turns to all the guards, "If we can't trust him while he's free, he belongs in chains. Who's with me?!"
The guards cheer and take up the song.
"Grab your sword! Grab your spear!
Only courage can fight deadly fear!
We're counting on the Captain to lead the way!"
More guards in the castle join in.
"Past the city, down the vale, the innocence of Equestria
Is hiding what we've hated all its days!"
"It's a beast
One as fierce as a dragon.
We won't rest
'Til he's tied in a wagon.
Sally forth
Tally ho
Grab your sword
Grab your bow
Praise Celestia and here we go!"
"We'll smoke him out and drag him through the streets!", Shining declares as he marches them out of the castle and into the streets of Canterlot.
"We don't like
What we don't understand
In fact it scares us
And this monster is mysterious at least"
Cadance rolls her eyes in annoyance at the stallions' ignorance as she continues trying to reason with Shining,
"Bring your spells
Bring your knives
Save your children and your wives
We'll save our village and our lives
We'll catch the Offender!"
Meanwhile in Celestia's quarters, Celestia would comment on why there's an angry mob outside and come out to reestablish order... but her head is too deep inside a Cherpumple to hear.
"Hearts ablaze
Banners high
We go marching into battle
Unafraid although the danger just increased
Raise the flag! Sing the song!
Here we come; we're one hundred strong
And one hundred stallions can't be wrong!"
Shining Armor raises his voice one last time, "Let's catch the beast!"
At this point Flash Sentry (broken wing in a cast due to Fillydelphia) comes in,
"Requesting permission to speak freely sir?"
"Granted." Shining responds.
"What if he's living under an alias?" Flash points out.
"And where we're you leading your stallions?" Cadance adds, "You don't know where he is."
Shining Armor freezes. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, he lowers his head to stare at the ground and mutters.
"Celestia darn it..."
"Why don't you let me do some scouting, sir?" Flash suggests, "I'll leave my armor behind and scope out some of the smaller towns not in the sweeping pattern. The minute I find something, I'll write to you."
"You do that, Lieutenant."
Flash salutes and trots off as Shining starts to look at the Royal Guards mobilized behind him in the streets of Canterlot.
"But what am I going to do with all these guards?"
He spots a unicorn stallion smoking a cigar under a "No Smoking" sign and suspiciously looking both ways before he sneakily levitates an apple off a cart and walk away, but takes one bite of the apple before spitting it out and throwing it at a hobo earth pony's head.
"A MULTIPLE OFFENDER! GET HIM, BOYS!"
The stallion runs away, screaming like a filly as a platoon of guards chases him through the streets of Canterlot.
Okay... In the meantime, I have a letter to write. Cadance thinks before she flies off back to the castle.
POV CHANGE: BUGZE (YOU)!!!
It's about quarter after midnight when your sleep is interrupted by a blow to the head.
"Owww," you moan, searching groggily for the carriage that hit you. Or the rainbow pegasus. Or both with your luck. You find neither, but see an odd metal cylinder lying on the floor beside you. It looks like it has a screw off cap so you open it to find... a letter from Cadence!
Dear Bugze,
It... wasn't easy, but I forgive you. I understand that you're going to do anything for your daughter, and... well, you're still my friend, no matter what.
"Yes!" you squeal (but quietly. Nightshade is still asleep).
However, the other royals aren't as understanding, and they insist on hunting you down.
"Oh," you groan (again, pretty quietly).
I will do all I can, but against the absolute word of Celestia, that's not much.
"Well that sucks," you mutters to himself, "Cadence needs to be given her own Kingdom already, or at least some more political sway."
Even though they don't know where you are, I hope that you can hide undetected from the stallionhunt, but if they find you... please, come peacefully. I'll make sure no one harms your daughter, and if you resist you'll be killed. A lot of the guards are bitter over you beating them up in Fillydelphia, and even if Shining Armor doesn't give the order, one of them may kill you. Also I have a informant inside the that'll help you escape town if you get caught.
Your Friend Always,
Cadence
You sigh as you says to yourself,
"I'm sorry Cadence, but that's not going to happen. Nightshade is my daughter, and I'm not going to abandon her. Ever. No matter how many Royal Guards I need to clob- Wait a minute!" He realized, "Why did she send this in such an impractical container? And I wonder who the informant is?"
You notice more text and continues to read.
P.S. The container I sent this to you in is enchanted. If you cast a teleport spell on it; it and it's contents will automatically be sent back to me and vice-versa . Hope to hear from you. :)
"Oh," you comment. "That's convenient."
You smile as you begin to write your own letter as you think,
Now maybe I can rest a little easier...
SOME TIME LATER
*Yawn*
You stretch your hooves as you get off of your cot. It's been quite some time since the incident in Fillydelphia. While you still have occasional nightmares and you can't play a violent game without puking occasionally, you're more or less better now. Nightshade has been doing better at school, she's getting D pluses now! You shed a tear of fatherly pride when you saw it on her math test, but her teacher on the other hoof was glaring daggers at you, so there's still that.
Applejack, Rainbow, and even Fluttershy are a little... clingy lately. You've barely been able to leave the shack without one of them either following you or asking you if your alright a billion times. It's... really creepy to be honest, but at the same time a part of you doesn't mind these mares being so close to you (not to mention your eye scar has been getting you more attention from mares like Aloe, Vinyl, and Octavia)...
The Ponyville Horde meeting is coming up soon after finally being organized by Fluttershy (it took so long to organize due to recent events, Horde members coming and leaving, the crackdown making it harder to communicate and meet, etc.), but sadly for you, she forgot to tell the Horde about the 'disbandment' issue of the meeting. Hopefully it will go by without any problems...
You and Cadence have been exchanging letters for awhile now. She's been giving you updates on the stallionhunt for you and just talking with you about life. Apparently, the search teams are now checking out Dodge Junction, so you're safe for now.
A new comic store was built a couple of days ago. You were surprised the Mayor allowed it here, considering how some manga and even comics contained... explicit contact, but you guess she let it slide... for some political reason. You planned on checking it out today actually.
Actually, what day is it?
You lost your sense of time awhile ago, so you ended up borrowing the Apple's spare calendar they had. Getting up and walking over to it, you smile turns into a deep frown as you find out what today is...
Hearts and Hooves Day
Hearts and Hooves, yay... I bucking hate this holiday...
You think in a faux-cheerful deadpan tone,
What do you do?