//------------------------------// // Anticlimax // Story: Fortresshy 1.5: For(t) Pony // by Tatsurou //------------------------------// "I do not like this plan, sister," Luna said as she walked down the halls of Canterlot Castle alongside her elder sister. "I'm not very fond of it either, Luna," Celestia replied. "However, I do not see how we have any other choice. You know how dangerous Tirek is, and by the time we could find him to confront him directly, he will have grown too powerful. Discord's the only one who can track his actions as-" "Not the only one," Luna pointed out. "Engineer's Australium detector also picked up the fluctuation in the magical field as Tirek drained magic from a poor pony. He's already at work modifying it and setting up several detection stations so he can triangulate Tirek's exact location the next time he drains magic. As long as he remains unaided, a group of unicorn guardsmen teleported to his exact location will be able to take him down, presuming we don't choose to go in force with the four of us, backed by RED MOON." Celestia sighed. "And how many ponies will Tirek drain while Engineer gets these stations built?" Celestia asked. "And what if it doesn't work? No, we can't wait and hope." "And yet we should hope that Discord can resist whatever blandishments Tirek might lay before him with his silver tongue to turn him?" Luna asked. "I have no objections to the plan of using Discord. My objection is sending him alone." Celestia turned to look at Luna. "And who would you send with him? And how would you do so without offending him?" "I would send Fluttershy to act as his conscience," Luna replied, "and I would tell him it's because she felt she was neglecting him and wanted to go on an adventure just the two of them." Celestia paused, staring at Luna. "Yes...Discord would have accepted that, wouldn't he? A pity I hadn't thought of it." "Then it's a good thing I went behind your back and did it anyway, isn't it?" Luna asked shrewdly. "Luna!" Celestia gasped in shock. "You didn't!" "I didn't even exceed my authority or countermand your orders to do so," Luna explained. "Fluttershy was sent as my agent, as she's a member of RED MOON, and I merely asked Discord to escort her. He was overjoyed at the idea of taking down Tirek with Fluttershy at his side. He said it would be a great deal of fun." Celestia stared at her sister flat eyed. "You're really enjoying having your own team of mercenaries to order around, aren't you?" "It gets rid of a great deal of red tape as far as what we are and aren't allowed to order regarding the Equestrian Constitution," Luna replied. "After all, part of RED MOON's contract is that they are allowed to use their discretion to determine the best way to complete an objective assigned to them." "And what's to stop them from obliterating large portions of the Equestrian countryside in the process?" Celestia demanded. "Greed," Luna replied. "Another stipulation is that collateral damage above a predetermined level given the nature of the assignment is taken out of their paychecks." Celestia walked in silence for a time. "When did you get so devious, Luna?" "Reading through the political minutes of the past 1000 years," the moon princess replied. "You've been losing your edge, Tia." "Don't push it, Lulu," the solar princess replied, smirking right back. As the two entered the throne room, Celestia raised a point she was concerned about. "And what if Tirek drains Fluttershy?" she asked. "She's wearing her Element of Harmony," Luna replied. "Each one of those possesses more magic than a full grown alicorn, and is linked to their Bearers magical auras. Tirek would have to be at the height of his power to get passed that." "And if he was able to get it off her when Discord wasn't looking?" Celestia asked. "Fluttershy has her arsenal with her," Luna replied. "And Discord watching over her like a mother hen. And a teleporter linked to one in Fort Pony, along with her communicator, so the entirety of RED MOON can back her up in an instant if she's overwhelmed." Celestia turned to stare at her sister for a time. "Where did you learn so much military tactics? Especially regarding Team RED MOON?" "Their world actually has a manifestation in ours, much as ours was represented in a TV show that hadn't been made yet in theirs," Luna explained. "Since their arrival, a gaming friend of mine - a colt from Ponyville named Button Mash - has introduced me to the game. I've been playing it avidly for...research purposes." Celestia raised an eyebrow. "...what's the collectible?" Luna looked abashed. "Hats," she replied. "I have nearly a complete collection as of the last update." Celestia shook her head in resignation. "Oh, Luna..." At that moment, a flash of light heralded Discord's return. "Ponies rejoice, for the savior has come!" he crowed happily. Luna stared at him flat eyed. "Your fanboyishness for Dumplin and your bedroom habits are not to our interests, Discord," she snarked. Discord grinned widely. "Rar! Catty!" He then cleared his throat. "You will be pleased to know that Tirek has been dealt with!" "You have returned him to Tartarus?" Celestia asked intently. "Well...that was my plan, but..." "I overruled him," Fluttershy interrupted, stepping out from behind him, sniper rifle strapped to her back. "He'd already escaped from Tartarus once, meaning he'd figured out how to get past all the guards except Cerberus, assuming Cerberus leaving his post wasn't a result of Tirek's manipulations. So I made a judgement call." Luna's eyes widened. "What...sort of judgement call?" she asked. "Well...umm..." Fluttershy reached behind her and rolled Tirek forward. The crimson centaur looked ancient, wizened, magicless...and had a small hole right between his eyes and a rather large one on the back of his head. "I found Tirek and shot him," she concluded, smiling with a light squeak. Achievement Unlocked: Bhaalspawn's Complaint Found Tirek and shot him Celestia and Luna stared at the body before them. "Well..." Celestia began. "Well done, Fluttershy," Luna said proudly. "What?" Celestia asked in shock. "This is the third chance Tirek was given," Luna pointed out. "He continued to choose to be a menace to Equestria and a fundamental danger to our citizens and way of life. We have been more than fair." "But...but we don't do that!" Celestia complained. "We don't order summary executions!" "Which is why Fluttershy's mission as a member of RED MOON was 'neutralize the threat of Tirek in whatever manner you feel is necessary'. She has done her job well," Luna replied. "But what about the magic he'd already stolen?" Celestia demanded. "That's why we brought his body back here," Fluttershy explained. "Daddenji made me a special bullet that would cause the one shot with it to violently expel all magic in their body. Once you confirm that it worked, I owe Chompy a special snack." Celestia stared from the dead body, to Fluttershy's innocent smile, to Discord's wicked grin, and finally to Luna's smug look. She finally hung her head. "Luna, since she is your agent, I leave resolving this to you." She turned to go. "Discord, as my agent, you are buying me a drink!" "Right away, Sunbutt!" Discord said happily.