//------------------------------// // Duke It Out // Story: The Duke Abides // by GrassAndClouds2 //------------------------------// “The silence spell is cast, sir. Nopony outside this room can hear us.” Greengrass groaned. “Really, Fisher, is that—“ Fisher bucked him again, sending him sprawling to his belly. “I am officially done with you,” he hissed. “Well, nice to see you again too.” Greengrass thought furiously. How many times has he bored me to tears discussing his chess victories? He loves to talk about when he wins. He shouldn’t be hard to manipulate— “Shut up!” Fisher bucked Greengrass a third time, sending him skidding into a wall. “I am done with you and everypony like you! Do you have any idea what it’s like, to sit on the Court and watch as you and Blueblood and Puissance and every depraved beast with a seat appropriates the resources of Equestria for your own private amusement?!” “…what?” Fisher gazed at Greengrass with undisguised hatred. “I have labored for this country every day for my entire career. Whenever I act, whatever I do, my first thought is always how it will affect Equestria. And you – you enter the Court and immediately start maneuvering for your own private gain! Your own promotions, your own advancements, money, political allies… you make me sick!” Greengrass could only stare at Fisher as he managed to get to his hooves. “Seriously? Did you forget that you worked with me a few months ago?” “An unfortunate necessity. But I do what I have to do in order to defend and bolster the nation. Even work with beasts like you.” He was serious, Greengrass realized, he genuinely meant every word. No wonder he hadn’t conceded earlier – he was as zealous as Mango. “We both know that the so-called Elements of Harmony are not capable of defending this nation. Trixie Lulamoon is a lazy, ignorant, selfish idiot! She cares only for herself and her own personal gain, she scorns decent work, and she in general has no value whatsoever. Much like yourself, Greengrass.” “What does that have to do with—“ “It has everything to do with it!” Fisher bucked Greengrass again. The Duke slammed into the wall. His saddlebag ripped and the contents were thrown into the wall, several of them shattering. Greengrass slumped over them, apparently not willing to get up again. Majordomo whispered, “Archduke, I’m ready, as soon as Cadenza enters I’ll cast the spell—“ “Mmm.” Fisher turned back to Greengrass. “The USF are Equestria’s only hope to defend against the monsters that threaten us. Do you really believe that Lulamoon and her band of half-wits can stand up to the Tyrant Sun? Four of them can’t even cast magic; one of them is half-blind! Of the other two, one values an earth pony as her ‘mentor’ and the other is a lazy moron who wasted every chance she’s had.” Fisher shook his head. “If the Unicorn Special Forces are not made as strong as possible, we have no chance.” “So you founded a sabotage group and plotted to have them attack this party so that the USF could stop them and look like heroes?” “They are heroes, but the rest of the Court is too corrupt and venal to see it.” Fisher’s eyes blazed. “You wouldn’t understand, Greengrass, but it’s agony sitting on the Court and seeing the nation run by a group of Courtiers whose only thought is their own profit. I, who want only to see the country safe and prosperous, have to struggle through every day while you ponies try to drain its riches for your own pockets! I honestly don’t know how Luna does it.” Fisher shook his head. “No, you wouldn’t understand. But some of us – a few of us – do consider how our actions affect the nation as a whole. What matters more, the comfort of three dozen nobles, none of whom has an ounce of integrity; the comfort of Princess Cadenza, or the safety and security of the whole nation? It’s obvious. The only thing to do was… well, this. Attack the party to bolster the USF. It is the option any true patriot would take.” “And exposing the Shadowbolt spies? You told Mango who they were and Mango almost killed them! What if I hadn't been there to save their lives?” “Again, it was necessary. The USF must save the day. They are more important to the nation than a few spies that couldn’t take on a Royal Guard in combat, let alone one of the USF.” Fisher scowled. “The sacrifice was worth it, Duke.” Greengrass paused. “If you think all those actions are justified, fine, but framing Notary and me for your actions? I thought you were so selfless and honest that you would be willing to own up—“ Fisher shrugged. “Somepony would ask how the group obtained the money and resources to pull off their attacks. Somepony has to take the fall.” “…you’re the one that did it! If you truly believe this is the right thing to do, you should stand by it! I’m sure it’d be even more impressive if the USF had to arrest you as well.” The Duke was unused to the emotion he felt, it was a stab of moral righteousness. He wasn’t sure if he liked it or not. Fisher shook his head. “But I’m needed to serve the Court. As one of the few ponies on it who actually works for the nation, I can’t leave it. But somepony like you? A selfish schemer, a lying thief who twists everything to your own ends? The country is better off with you in jail.” “So the ends justify the means.” “When the ends are for the good of Equestria, yes, they do.” “And Notary?” Greengrass frowned. “You employed her—“ “Another common thief. Sure, you and she were innocent this time, but my concern isn’t the justice of the moment. It’s for the country as a whole. And the country is a whole doesn’t need you two. An ambitious rat who knows more about picking locks and forging documents than on the duties she should be mastering.” “And those are?” Greengrass couldn’t resist it. “Farming? Because we’re earth ponies?” “I – she’s a secretary. If she wanted to serve the nation that way, she should be perfecting her stenography. But instead she learns the skills of a criminal. We don’t need her.” Fisher shrugged. “Just like the CCPS needed a backer, they needed a communications link between the backer and the group. She fit the bill, and she should be in jail anyway. Two birds, one stone.” Greengrass stared. “What? Lost for words?” Fisher laughed. “This is the part, Duke, where you’d try to bribe me, usually. Only that won’t work. I’m not like the other Courtiers. You can’t bribe me with money or power; I only care about those insomuch as I can use them for the good of Equestria. What, don’t understand that? I’m selfless. You’re a selfish monster.” “I am selfish,” said the Duke, slowly. “But I’ve never done anything as mad as this.” “You would have if somepony had thrown you ten bits for it.” Greengrass opened his mouth, then paused. “No, actually, I don’t think I would.” “Then you don’t even have the courage of your own selfish depravity. But I have courage to spare! You’ve never dealt with a pony with convictions before, Greengrass!” Fisher’s horn glowed, and Greengrass cried out as his limbs suddenly failed him. It was like his entire body had fallen asleep, except for his head. “I will launch the attack as soon as Cadenza arrives—“ “She’s here, Archduke,” whispered Majordomo. “Just came in.” “Fine! Majordomo, do it! Summon them!” Fisher grinned. “I will arrest you myself! And when the courts see the evidence I planted on you, they’ll convict in minutes, and—“ There was a sharp rap on the door. Majordomo and Fisher looked at each other. “You might want to get that,” said Greengrass. “…don’t be absurd,” said Fisher, in response to Majordomo’s look. “Nopony has heard us. There’s a silencing spell.” “Those only work if they’re intact,” said Greengrass. “Of course it’s intact, you…” Fisher’s horn glowed, and he stared above the Duke, at the spot where he’d hit the wall. Among the shattered trinkets, there was what looked like a slice in the wall of silence. “But… no, no that can’t be…” Fisher’s horn glowed, and Greengrass cried out again as his body was thrown across the room. Why is it that everypony’s first action is to beat me up? It’s unfair. Fisher ignored this, rushing over. He kicked through the wreckage of the Duke’s things, until he found… One of the drill bits from his office. “Oh, right. Those cut through a lot of low-level magic, I heard. Thought I might try it here.” Greengrass grinned. “So!. What were you saying about founding the CCPS, using them to capture and possibly hurt a Shadowbolt, having them attack this party, and framing me and Notary for the whole thing?” The pounding grew more insistent. ### Fisher was stupefied for just one moment before he leapt into action. It was true. He could sense the agitation on the other side of the door, like an angry mob was getting ready to break it down. Greengrass had destroyed his silence spell with his own technology, and now Fisher would be arrested for – No. That couldn’t happen. Such an action would doom Equestria. Without Fisher, who would lead the Court? Ponies who wanted only money, like Puissance; or power, like Greengrass? Naïve simpletons like Mounty Max? Idiots like Prince Blueblood? Absent ponies, delinquent in all their duties, like the earth pony vicereine, whoever the Hay she was? No. Fisher honestly did not care what happened to himself. He knew that he wouldn’t like jail, but he’d go in a moment if he truly thought it was better for Equestria. But he didn’t think that. He had to stay out of jail. He had to! Fisher was not good at most aspects of speed chess, but his endgame skills were still second to none. He glanced around the room as the pounding on the door grew louder. There was him, who couldn’t be arrested, there was Greengrass, who couldn’t be framed at this point – every pony had heard him talking to the CCPS leader, and – And there was Majordomo. Who never spoke in public; that would be inappropriate for a servant. Fisher cursed Greengrass as he dashed over to Majordomo. There was only one move, and yes, it was necessary, but it would still hurt. “What?” whispered Majordomo, eyes wide with fright. Fisher tapped him with a hoof, casting two quick spells as he did so. Majordomo squeaked as he fell on his flank. At the same time, he used his ‘send’ spell to contact the USF. “Teleport me out of here!” He vanished out of sight just as the door burst in and Guards swarmed into the room. ### Greengrass groaned as he got to his hooves. He’d taken a lot of hits that night. Maybe, he thought, he should see a doctor. That might be wise. Guards poured into the room – Royal Guards, Night Guards, the USF. And Puissance, for some reason. She was looking like Hearth’s Warming Eve had come early. “Where’s Fisher?” demanded Captain Shining Armor. “Greengrass? Where’d he go?” “First things first.” Greengrass went to the ruined saddlebags and took out the other thing he’d taken from Fisher’s office; the list of ponies who were part of the CCPS. Notary and ‘Hugh’ had been the last two on that list, so Greengrass had of course ripped the paper at that point. “These are the ponies in the CCPS. They’re supposed to attack this party once somepony gives them a sign.” “Here.” Shining Armor floated the paper over to the Night Guards. “Detain these ponies. As soon as possible.” “Sir.” The Night Guards began to run back into the ballroom. Majordomo’s eyes were wide; he looked frightened. “Now, I think you’ll see—“ Everypony stared. Majordomo sounded exactly like Archduke Fisher. Greengrass could have slapped himself. Right, didn’t Notary mention he could do something like this to his own voice? Of course he can do it to others… and he never speaks in public, so nopony knows that Fisher and Majordomo don’t sound alike. Plus, dang, I didn’t actually refer to Fisher by name… “What? I don’t – wait –“ Majordomo realized it. “Wait, this isn’t how I sound, this isn’t, uh, this isn’t me.” He began looking around frantically as the Guards began circling him. “No, wait! I didn’t found the CCPS or frame anypony or hurt either of the two Shadowbolts, I didn’t even know they were spying on the group!” “How did you know there were exactly two Shadowbolt spies?” asked another of the Guards. “Uh—“ Shining Armor turned to Greengrass, with an air of settling something. “Duke? Were you talking to Majordomo just now?” Greengrass opened his mouth, then closed it. Eventually he decided to be discrete until he could figure out if there was still a chance to nail Fisher. That was what Notary would have suggested, and this time, he was going to listen to what Notary would have recommended. He tended to get bucked in the head a lot less when he did that. Besides, he really was feeling kind of woozy. “I’m sorry?” Greengrass swayed a little. “Is there a doctor around?” He fell on his flank, then pitched over. The last thing he saw before blacking out was Turquoise Blade putting chains on Majordomo’s hooves. ### Fisher reappeared in the noble quarters. Right. Okay, I can salvage this. There’s plenty of evidence I made up implicating Greengrass and Notary in my quarters. Evidently, those two broke out, but they wouldn’t have had time to find it all. Hay, Notary wasn’t there; she’s probably running back to Moscolt right now. I need to get it and show it to the Guards. That will create some doubt as to whether or not Majorodomo— Notary trotted past Fisher. “Oh, Archduke?” “… what?” “I resign.” Notary headed down the hallway towards the stairs. “Effective immediately.” It was such a strange comment that Fisher didn’t know how to react. With an effort, he made himself turn around. He was Archduke Bobbing Fisher, the rock on which Equestria rested. Things would work out; they had to. The country needed him. He would just go to his office, and— “Archduke!” It was one of his pages, one of the ones he had follow him around at night to provide a measure of the gravity appropriate to his position. “What is it, Quick Trot?” “Your office! It’s on fire!” “… what.” Fisher couldn’t even muster up any rage. “It’s on fire! The whole thing’s burning down! I mean, I think it is. I only just got here, since, you know, you’re not here and I can’t go in your office without your permission—“ “Shut up! Look – how far along is the fire?” Fisher picked up his pace. “Oh, it’s almost out, Archduke.” “Well, that’s—“ “I mean, I think everything’s burned up by now, so it’s gotta be almost out! Er, that’s good, right?” Fisher rested his head against the wall. I hate you, Greengrass.