That night, Dusk Shine demanded an immediate emergency meeting between himself, The Shim Sham Sisters, and Zircoro. He told them to meet him in the opera manger office aka Shim's and Sham's new office. The Shim Sham Sisters were awoken from their slumber, and they were certainly not in the mood to talk. They feel that the matters concerning the opera house can wait till morning. Luckily, Zircoro wasn't sleeping at this time. He couldn't sleep...not after what he confessed today to his children. His confession brought back too many memories...most of them full of regret and agony.
Dusk Shine explained to them his secret investigation into the whereabouts of The Phantom. He told them how he found traces of a magical portal that lingered of her magic and how he tried to open it. But more importantly, he told them how her magic was different from any another form of magic he had ever encountered. Neither light magic...or dark magic...but something unholy.
Dusk Shine then concluded "This is why I gathered you all here tonight. This Phantom's magic is not just from trick magic prank. Her magic is something unnatural to Equestria. If these rumors by the staff are true, her magic can put every pony in mortal danger. Not just those in L'Opera de Cheval, but every pony in the land! We need to act now! We need The Princes!"
Zircoro put his hoof on Dusk Shine's shoulder and comforted with "Monsieur Dusk Shine, calm yourself. This stress, this anxiety, this panic is not good for your health."
Dusk Shine harshly pulled his shoulder away from Zircoro. He then angrily glared at the zebra and shouted "Zircoro, I'm not panicking! Don't make me out as a paranoid lunatic! I'm trying to save ponies' lives from a mad mare! How can YOU, of all ponies, be so calm about all this?!"
Shim and Sham were resting on their forelegs propped on their long wide work desk. Because they were twins, they leaned into the same direction in order to match. The two mares both had sleepy glossed over eyes.
The conversation between Dusk Shine and Zircoro made Sham yawn. While Shim groaned "Ugh! Both of you be quiet. Now listen Monsieur Dusk Shine...there's no need to get The Princes involved with all this."
Dusk Shine's eyes widen. His mouth was open and he couldn't contain his shock. Dusk Shine trotted over the desk and placed his front hooves on top of it. He exclaimed with disbelief "What?! Do you mean The Princes shouldn't get involved?! Don't understand what happened to me today? Did you hear what I just say? Don't you realize that our very lives are in danger?"
Shim slowly arise from her cushioned tall work chair and leaned forward on her front hooves on the table. She then lifted her face right into Dusk Shine's gaze. She gave him a very charming yet unsettling smirk.
She calmly explained like a business mare selling a carriage "Monsieur Dusk, it is true that this Phantom is a disturbance and certainly an annoyance here at the opera. However, just like you said before this investigation, she is doing this through parlor tricks. Cutting sky bridge ropes and disappearing without a trance? Parlor trick. A fiery green dragon coming out of the wall? Parlor trick. Believe us Monsieur,..."
She looked at her sister with a playful grin. Sham returned her sister's playful grin. Shim looked back at Dusk Shine with an all knowing smirk "My sister and I know all about parlor tricks."
Dusk Shine groaned to himself in his mind Of course you do.
Shim continued while quietly walking around the desk and towards Dusk Shine "Our girlie ghost will soon leave us be once she receives her pay."
Then the red head unicorn pulled out a thick yet durable envelope from her vest pocket. Dusk Shine and Zircoro eyed the envelope with great intensity. Shim waved it in front of Dusk before walking towards Zircoro. She casually puts it in his hoof before heading back to desk with a devilish smirk on her face. Her sister displayed the same smirk.
Zircoro carefully opened the envelope and found tons of bits inside. However, the zebra pulled out one of bits in the envelope. He examined it closely and remarked "It's fake. Did you make...?"
Sham interrupted him with "Why yes Zircoro, my friend, we did make it. Looks just like the real thing, huh?"
Shim chuckled "That old Phantom won't know the difference! In other words...you're welcome."
Zircoro knew that this does not satisfy Eris's deal. This will only enrage her to no end. It's not about the money, it's about the dominance over...her subjects. If they question her rule, more stone ponies will appear. And Zircoro can't bare seeing one of those again.
Zircoro put the fake but back into the envelope before it closing it. While giving The Sisters their envelope back, he then stated "You two...this is will not do."
Dusk Shine then added "Zircoro's right! A couple of fake bits are not going to satisfy this creature. This opera ghost is on the brink of destruction. She will lass out whether she gets her way or not!"
Sham got out of her chair and walked around the table in order to reach Dusk Shine. She cooed like a sly con pony "Monsieur, Monsieur. There's a no need for any of us to fear. And you know why?"
Shim continued her sisters reasoning with the same soothing yet slimy tone, "L'Opera de Cheval is being protected by one of the mightiest unicorns in Equestria. The Royal Visor. You...dear Monsieur."
Sham intervened with "Dusk Shine...The Next Swirly Star The Magnificent they say! There's a reason why The Princes chose you to be their visor."
Shim finishes it with "This is why they chose you to come here in the first place. Don't you see Monsieur? They trust you to lead their precious opera house... through Tarturus and back." Then she pouted while faking a sad tone "But if you call them now...you have broken their faith in you. They would be so heartbroken. Oh...such a tragic thought."
Sham added happily "Buuuttt...if you defeated this Phantom monster yourself...imagine how proud The Princes will be. Your victory will be glorious! The Princes would knight you and all of Equestria will know your name!"
The Shim Sham Sisters gathered back together in front of their desk. They gave each other a sly wink before stating at the same time "What's it gonna be Monsieur?"
Dusk Shine was very hesitant and scared in that moment. He didn't know why he was feeling so speechless, but...he was. Zircoro couldn't believe how low The Shim Sham Sisters had gone. They were playing on this stallion's insecurities. Zircoro had to say something.
"Monsieur Dusk Shine! Don't listen to their lies!"
Dusk Shine ignored Zircoro's words. It was like the words past through him. It was like Dusk Shine was a ghost. The thought of being ghost sent a chill down his spine and reminded him of the dire situation at hoof. This issue required immediate action. But was he the one to wield this? Was he, the royal advisor, suppose to transform into a leader and protector? Dusk Shine couldn't fully understand why The Princes sent him here. But now...the story is setting itself for him to become the hero. However, the little voice of reason in his head kept telling him to not listen to this sly twins and call for The Princes. But this might be his own paranoia working against. Maybe...he was suppose to take this as a test? Could this be the next step in his journey with The Princes?
Dusk Shine then announced in a very serious and deep voice "As Royal Visor, I will protect L'Opera de Cheval with my life. But in terms of The Phantom...we need to take care of her my way. That means real bits."
Shim and Sham gasped and then held on to each other for support. They exclaimed "Are you serious?!"
Dusk Shine explained "We need her to think that we are on her side. Gain her trust. That way, she won't expect her 'loyal opera staff' to attack. Do you understand Shim and Sham?"
They look at each other in order to consent with one another silently. They nodded and smile before turning their attention back to Dusk Shine. They recited together while showing the sign of crossing their hearts "We understand."
Dusk Shine nodded back "Good. You are all dismissed."
The purple unicorn was the first to exit out of the office. Zircoro was going to follow in Dusk Shine's lead, but he was blocked by his managers.
Sham placed the thick envelope full of bits back in Zircoro's hoof. Shim whispered after that, "You are going to give this to the Phantom. Tell her that they're real and that your managers are completely loyal to her."
Sham added in the same hushed tone "Do not tell Monsieur Dusk about this. For if you do..."
Then they both recited together "You will be fired." After that, The Shim Sham Sisters walked out of the door...and left Zircoro all alone in the dark office.
Zircoro sighed out with his head hung low "Oh what shadows have we... doth weave."