As you and Aqua step off the train and begin to head into Vanhoover, you can't help but let out a content sigh as you think,
This has been a good couple of weeks. Captured three knight leaders and their minions and I am about to find the next one. Yep these past weeks have been great, so great that I have no doubt in my mind that nothing can ruin my good mo-
Bugze immediately trips and crashes into a cart full of cabbages. After he gets up Nightshade then jumps out of the inventory and yells "DIE VEGETABLES" and sets the cart on fire.
-*FWUMP*
"My cabbages!" shrieks a stallion as you tumble to the ground with a cabbage cart after running into it.
"Dang it! My must I keep tempting fate? And how many Cabbage carts am I going to run into in my life?"
"My cart is ruined! Ruined!" shrieks the stallion.
"No no, it's fine buddy," you apologize as you get up, "it's just a little tumble, I'm sure that-"
"DIE VEGETABLES!!!" you hear shriek from behind you, followed by the glorious sounds of fire.
Both you and the cabbage stallion look back and see the cart and veggies all lit up with a smiling Nightshade standing off to the side.
"Um...heh heh..." you chuckle before unceremoniously grabbing Nightshade and running away, the Stallion still dazed and shocked as he watches his cabbages burn for seemingly no reason.
After getting far enough away from that little scene, you look down at Nightshade and glare.
"The heck was that about?"
"What? Cabbages are gross, and they keep attacking you. I stopped them once and for all," she explains.
"Nightshade, you're in trouble, now get into your room."
"But Daddy," she whines.
"No buts! Now get in," you order.
"I learned it from watching you!" she shrieks and grumpily jumps into the inventory.
You let out a sigh and look at Aqua who was trying to stay out of the awkward conversation.
"It's true, she did learn it from me. But that's not why she's in trouble, she's already caused a scene and we want to remain low key."
"That's why? Not that she's picking up the act of arson?" says a dumbfounded Aqua.
"Hey, just because you keep setting fires doesn't mean you're an arsonist. Besides, she's only set a FEW things on fire...just like her old man. I don't know whether that's a good or bad thing at the moment, but I'll deal with it later."
"But she just-"
"Later I said! Right now we have to be more focused on Kersey," you explain away.
She just rolls her eyes and follows you as you walk further into Vanhoover. After awhile she speaks up.
"Speaking of Kersey, what was that plan Rutherford and Solarkness gave you again?"
"Don't you remember?"
She just shrugs, so you sigh and say,
BrownDog's Comment
“Ok, so really, all we have to do is find Kersey's messenger, find all of the Knight's account information and overspend and force this guy to make a move in the open, and then we’ll find him…or at least that’s what the Timber Wolf and Wyvern said.”
"We're going to spend him out of hiding? Why is he hiding?"
"Well he's not hiding exactly, he just...doesn't really get out of his hideout all that often."
“This guy is that much of a recluse?” asks Aqua.
“Well they didn’t use that word, but they said that I’d know him when I see him because of all the rolls…whatever that means.”
“Find the messenger…well that's simple. So what we just gotta search this whole city?” she sarcastically replies.
“Not exactly, they gave me vague hints of where to look. Stupid Knights, I guess even if they hate this guy they still have to make my life difficult.”
"Well we did beat and ruin all of their goals, Spite isn't enough to make them spill everything."
"I guess not...still, I hope Armor gives them what's for."
"Well we live in a Diarchrastic Kingdom where enemies of the crown can be locked up and have the key thrown away without trial, so I would say so."
You gulp at this since you've nearly had that fate and worse the last three years.
“Speaking of these Knights, do you get the feeling that something’s off about them?” Aqua asks.
“Like what?” you ask.
“Well when I picture “Terrorist” these guys are not the traditional definition.”
“Well just because they don’t look it, doesn’t mean they aren’t. These guys seem to be long term picture kind of guys. Just look at the paper, they’re still taking credit for some messed up stuff…on top of all the weird things they do.”
“Or both I guess…” Aqua says while looking at this morning's paper.
Stocks Plummet to Record Low After Crimson Knight Attack
The article details how the ventilation system on Wall Street was flooded with Hallucinogenics causing everyone to trip and cause a riot. This led to many stocks plummeting, and several businesses going bankrupt. The Symbol of the Crimson Knights was spray painted on the wall outside the building.
“Guess they all act innocent and naive, and then wham, they go and do something like this. Masters of Deception the whole lot of them," Aqua mutters.
YESTERDAY
The Brown Dog finishes spraying the Crimson Knight symbol on the side of the building while chaos and drugged laughing can be heard.
“And that takes care of that, let’s get lunch.”
“Yeah let’s, this is the most work we’ve done since…well Beigh I guess,” Snap Drake agrees.
“Well that was different, we WANTED to try and kill Beigh...even if we failed spectacularly...twice. This though was what Management wanted,” Brown Dog huffs as he throws the paint can away.
“Ugh, management. We don’t hear from them for days on end, and when we do it’s, cut power to this residential neighborhood, frame nobles for scandals, spike the water supply with Viagra, and now crash the stock market, I mean, what’s the point of all that?” whines Snap Drake.
“Well it’s not just us, everyone gets Management's orders once in a while. As much as I hate actual work it is an even balance for us being able to do our own thing.”
“Yeah I guess, just wish it made more sense, I mean one day it’s destruction, the other day it’s weird…”
“Buddy, in life there are very few bucks you should give, this…is not one of them. Really we should still be celebrating that we got Transformares 5 Cancelled,” rejoices the Brown Dog.
“Yeah, and also inadvertently caused the destruction of most of Applewood’s Studios.”
“That too. I bet you anything Solarkness used the destruction in his movie somehow.”
“I wouldn’t put it past him. Do you think they’ll let us all know when it’s coming out?”
“I hope so. I mean, we may not be chummy chummy with him and Rutherford, but we at least aren’t Kersey levels of annoyances to them.”
“Good point, which reminds me, you should probably send in a letter asking for payment. We did do a management job so we’ll get a bonus,” remarks the pony.
“Oh Heck Yeah!” whoops the Diamond Dog.
"And we'll be able to keep all of it since we don't have our underlings anymore," Snap adds.
"WE HAD UNDERLINGS?!"
"Yes, the ones we gave to Grey Rebl awhile ago since we never used them?"
"Huh, guess they weren't noticeable. Except for Silver. When the heck is Kichi going to send him back? I miss the little Bug," bemoans the Dog.
"My bet is he won't. What with Kichi's Love source...that's still kind of weird in my opinion."
"Yeah...if he ever pisses us off we could call Chris Hayson on him, heh heh heh," the Brown Dog chuckles evilly.
Snap Drake smiles and says, "I'll add that to the list. Now let's get some lunch."
BACK TO TODAY
You nod your head in agreement with Aqua as you say,
"Anyway, one of the locations they told me wa-OH MY LUNA!"
Aqua's eyes widen in surprise at your outburst and turns to look at you to ask what's wrong, but all she sees is a dust version of you. She blinks her eyes in confusion as the dust starts to deform, and she soon looks over to where the dust trail led to see you bouncing excitedly like Pinkie Pie.
Kersey's Comment
"OhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygosh! I can't believe she's here!" you squee as you look upon a poster advertising the Pony of Pop herself, Sapphire Shores. She's in town for a concert that is Tonight. TONIGHT!!!
"Oh sweet sugary goodness, I hope there's still tickets left!"
Aqua walks up and gives you a deadpan stare upon seeing your geekout.
"Really? Sapphire Shores?"
I agree with the water tart, why do you even care? We have a job to do.
You respond to both of them outloud.
"Oh come on! It's THE Sapphire Shores! Her songs are catchy as heck, she's one of the hottest mares in the business, and I've personally saved her life!"
"Wait, what? When was this?" asks a confused Aqua.
You realize your slip of the tongue and immediately feel bad. You didn't save this world's Sapphire Shores, you saved the otherworld's one, and not for that long.
"I...uh...it was out of the press heh heh," you mumble. Before Aqua can ask any more questions, you hear an even bigger gasp than the one you gave. You look behind you and see Nightshade halfway out of the inventory and looking at the same poster.
"See? It's not just me. The pony of pop is loved by children and adults of all-"
"Oh My Gosh! Da Coltz From Yo Cul-de-sac are opening for her!" she shrieks.
You look back and look at the fine print of the poster and see a picture of a...COLT BAND! And indeed, they are opening for Sapphire Shores.
"Oh wow, can we go daddy, can we? They're sooooooo cool and handsome and..." she trails off as she looks at the picture again with a blush on her face.
"NO BAD SHADE! How do you even know about these guys?"
"Oh well Scoootaloo had a poster of them at her house and..."
"Alright enough, double grounded now! Back in your room," you order.
She harumphs once more and goes back into her room, while you hear her grumble something about you being too old to understand anything.
"Wasn't that a bit harsh?" asks Aqua.
"Heck no! That's a colt band! They feed on the insecurities of fillies too young to know any better. It causes their emotions to become a mixed up mess that tastes funny. Also, even my kind have heard of the dreaded backstage passes..." you shiver in dread at the though of Nightshade having one of those. And as you do, you hear Selena humming in though.
Hmmm, It appears she is already starting on the early stages of puberty, she is starting to discover the opposite sex.
*snap* Urge to kill, rising.
Yes... You should burn those pretty colts, show the world your-
Selena!
I'm on it.
*ZAP*
GGRRAAGGHH!!!
Sombra's outburst manages to snap you out of it, and just in time as Aqua asks you,
"So...getting back on track here, what were the locations you were talking about?"
You open your mouth to tell her...but....
"I...forgot."
Aqua's eye twitches in annoyance as she says,
"How did you forget that!"
You chuckle nervously before you say,
"Uh...the power of idols is strong?"
Aqua gives you a deadpanned stare before she says,
"You've got ten seconds to either remember the locations or tell me some new information, or I swear to Celestia I will take Nightshade to that colt band concert."
Your eyes widen in pure horror as you say,
"No! You wouldn't do that! Right!?!"
"ten, nine, eight, sev-"
Realizing she's serious about taking your daughter to one of the worse things to ever take a young mare to, you begin to put your brain in overdrive to think of something. Soon she hits two, but you remember something as you say,
"Wait! WAIT! I remember something! The Knights also told me that the messenger is very secretive since he's part of Kersey's complex money laundering network, and it's never the same pony. They had only seen a messenger three times, and in those times, the messengers were different pony species, colors, differing clothes and genders, but that they could be spotted each time by an item they carried," you repeat as you mentally recall what Rutherford said.
"And what item is that?"
"Aaaa...blue-and-white-polka-dot lollipop," you answer.
"A piece of candy? Really?"
"That's what they said," you shrug.
Aqua nods her head at this information before saying,
"So all we have to do is find information on that lollipop brand, where and how recently they were sold, and then we'll be able to shorten the list of suspects right?"
You quickly nod your head, not trusting your mouth to say something that could change Aqua's mind and bring Nightshade to a colt band. Aqua nod's her head at this information once more before she says,
"Well lucky for us I know where the biggest candy shop in Vanhoover is."
"How do you-?"
"I like candy! Follow me."
With that said, she begins walking North so you follow her. As you all walk you hear Selena muse to you,
A series of messengers who all carry the same sweet treat and work for this accountant? Hmmm... Possible changeling?
Yeah I know, it sounded very suspicious to me as well.
You caught on as well? Then do you think as I do? That this messenger is possibly a changeling?
Maybe. Kichi and Silver Strange were proof of that. Hm, I wonder if the Knights are all being held in the same place or if they separate by species...
MEANWHILE IN AN UNKNOWN PRISON
Kichi's Comment
Solarkness's Comment
The Rutherford's Comment
As Kichi sits in his four walled cell staring up at the blank boring ceiling, he feels as though he's going mad. If only there were someling to talk to. He is also angrily mumbling about how Kersey has yet to get him a lawyer.
"Hey! Hey Kichi!" comes the muffled voice for Silver Strange.
Besides him!
"What do you want?"
"I hear multiple steps coming down the hall!"
Looking through the window slot in the door, Kichi sees the guards bring in a Timberwolf and a Wyvern.
"Hey Bugs, we brought some friends of yours, enjoy the company," snarks a guard.
As both creatures are placed in their cells and the guards leave, Kichi nervously calls out to them.
"Sol? Rutherford? Is that really you?"
"Yes it's us!" comes Solarkness's muffled growl.
"Yeah, great going Kichi! Ratting us out like that!" adds Rutherford.
"Hey now, the dude was hurting me! Besides, I thought you two could handle that dang bounty hunter."
"Well it wasn't just one! He had back up! Damnit! This cell is energy proof!" snarls Solarkness.
"Yeah, and where the heck are the other knights at? You'd have thunk Grey Rebl, Erised, or even Kersey would have sent someone to break us out of the dang prison wagon, but no! Do those guys even know or care?" groans Rutherford.
"Apparently not. And good thing too, I'd actually feel a bit bad if Kersey had seeing how badly we threw him under the bus."
"Meh, if it had to be someone y'know?"
"So wait, he's going after Kersey now?" asks Silver Strange.
"Hopefully, and hopefully by now all the others will realize what's happening and get off their butts and take this guy out!" snarls the timberwolf.
"Well let's see, aside from Kersey's inevitable beatdown, all we have left is the sociopathic Grey Rebl, the on again off again disappearing Erised, the drunken duo of Brown Dog and Snap Drake, and our ever mysterious Management... So I'd say 11% chance that happens," Kichi snarks before continuing, "I still can't believe that he got you two... I mean, really? Me it was luck and I was weakened, but you two? You're a dragon and a timberwolf, how did he get you?"
"Like we said, he had help!" answers Solarkness.
"Oh, so Pony Spartan was there as well?"
"Pony Spartan?" both Knights ask.
"Yeah, wasn't he there?"
"He's alive?" asks Rutherford.
"Well seeing as how he showed up and punched my face a bunch, I'd say so."
"I thought he died in that accident..." Solarkness muses.
"Yeah, newsflash, he didn't. And for some reason he's gotten very mean and sadistic. It's probably those magic books he's got."
"Interesting...but no, we didn't see any sign of him," answers Solarkness.
"Then how'd you lose?"
"They had the friggen One Punch Mare with them!" answers Rutherford.
"Oh...well I guess that's understandable," Kichi relents. "But seriously, I know it's a slim chance knowing it's Kersey, but I do hope that he somehow takes him down. I'm going nuts in here with all these speciesist guards."
"I severely doubt it, and do not worry about that, we do have a plan of sorts to get out of here eventually" Sol replies, his paw steps echoing from his room, "However, I believe we might gain a tactical advantage from waiting."
"Waiting? But we've been waiting for so long already," says Silver Strange.
"Exactly, we recently came in here, they will expect us to try something. As long as the guards watch for that kind of thing, it would be stupid and useless to try."
"The bugs do have a point though Solar, I mean, I got a friggen anti-magic collar on my neck and a Hannibal Lector mask on."
"I told you, speciests!" replies Kichi.
"But as much as I hate this stuff, I agree with Sol here. If we stay we will not draw anymore attention. Besides I have a plan for, if not getting us out early and our cases dropped completely, at least getting the sentence reduced. For now, though, relax, behave, and try not to get anymore heat on us. We will likely be getting more friends brought in here soon as it is." On an unrelated note, can you help me and Sol settle a bet? Can changelings eat meat?
Sol snickers, "Can Windigos eat love? Actually, that is a good question...," he stops running around, "Huh. Poor Flour being taken by the Magical Beast department. Do you think they got the Tantabus?"
"I'm not sure. I haven't heard anything from her for the last couple of days. You don't think they damaged her enough that she rejoined Luna's Prime Tantabus do you?"
"I'm not sure, but even if she didn't, I doubt she'd be able to get through these security barriers...wherever the heck we are. You got any clue Kichi?"
"No idea, we've been here for what seems like an eternity. But getting back to your first question, food is like a temporary substitute for love. It'll work for awhile, but eventually if a changeling doesn't get any love...well lets just say the results aren't pretty. There are rumors now and again of those that don't need love, but these are usually filthy halfbreeds, or just that, rumors. The only problem is that the size of the food around here is minuscule and practically devoid of love. Though some of the food they have given us is said to be "Made with Love" by their chefs, but it barely even satisfies. Maybe if we had shared cells I could feed of whatever relationship we all have, but these cells won't allow it, and there's a anti magic ring on my horn and everything sucks!" he angrily rants.
"We're all in the same boat now Kichi, just be patient. Play the long game and trust in our plan."
"And what is that plan?" Silver asks.
"Well I have studied a bit of the law, so using that I can take them up in court and get us all out of here."
"Heh, good luck with that scale head," comes a guard's voice as he wheels in a cart of food. "You're in supermax isolation, You're not even leaving your cell for the foreseeable future."
"What? But that's not right, we should be allowed to present our case and..."
"Yeah, I doubt that's happening either buddy," he interrupts. "Let me ask you something, do you remember any changelings getting trials or lawyers after the Canterlot Invasion? No, they just imprisoned them somewhere secret. They were enemies of the state and their judgement was handed down. What makes you think you boys are any different?"
"What? But..."
"We are technically war criminals after what Flag Burner did..." Solar points out.
"Buck..." says Rutherford in realization.
BACK WITH YOU
Kersey's Comment
After being led by Aqua through the streets, you finally arrived at the biggest candy shop you've seen in awhile. You know it's legit too because there is a sign that shows the Pink Psycho's face in a circle with a line through it.
But anyway, after buying a few treats and giving them to Nightshade to make sure she doesn't run amok in the place, you and Aqua showed your bounty hunter licenses to the store clerk and grilled him for information. It turns out the candy with the polka dots is actually the custom "Blueberry Pie a la mode" flavor which is not publicly advertised and has to be specially asked to be made. With some persuasion, and a few bits for good measure, the clerk revealed that somepony did in fact order that lollipop today. When asked for a description, he reveals that it was a grey female unicorn with sunglasses on, and a t shirt with Da Colts From Yo Cul-de-sac on it. They were even humming one of their tunes.
After that, you both exited the candy shop and that leads us back to now as Aqua gives you a nervous look and says,
"I know you hate this idea...but it's possible this messenger is going to be at that concert tonight."
You nod solemnly, and are about to retort when Nightshade pops out of your Inventory and Squees loudly while Mangle gives her mechanical cheer.
"Hooray for convenient contrivances!"
*snap* Actually, maybe he is a changeling AND one of the members of the group. Hay, maybe all 5 are changelings and knights to boot! you think crazily, Oh well, better roast all 5 of their faces just to be sur-
Bugze, cease jumping to self-serving conclusions. Selena says flatly.
Aaaaawwww. But I'd be making the world a much better place Selly... you pout.
Just follow this lead and worry about their horrible racket later. Speaking of horrible racket, perhaps we should finally sedate our caged animal lest he cause problems while we hunt.
You look up and see a pharmacy as she says that.
Good idea.
You had better not you lowlife pieces of-*ZAP* AAAAAA
Walking into the Pharmacy, You buy a total of 10 sedatives in syringe form. When asked why you were buying so many you told the clerk,
"I have stress problem to the point I hear voices in my head that tell me to kill everypony. This is more for your safety then mine."
Needless to say, "Bob's Pharmacy" can now be added to the list of places you are banned from. Still got the sedatives so...it's a win-win.
Now we have a way to keep our doggy calm when he gets angry, you taunt getting a growl in response.
10 Sedatives Added to Inventory
SOMETIME LATER
As your group of three (Yes three since Nightshade refused to stay in her room so she could see the concert) near the stadium, you...
The Pony Spartan's Comment
unknowingly walk past somepony. This blue pony formerly known as Pony Spartan also unknowingly passed you as he was too busy stuffing his face with chocolate chip cookies and angrily ranting.
"I can't believe..." Changer pops another chocolate chip cookie into his mouth and keeps speaking "That bastard bounty hunter took out Solarkness and Rutherford" He swallows his mouthful of cookies before continuing. "He keeps stealing my vengeance! I was going to get to them after I got that fat buck Kersey, But nooooo, I can't bucking find him!" he crumples up the cookie bag and throws it on the ground.
"I better find him first, because I am sick of that kill stealing money hound putting my victims far out of my reach in some unknown hole! Kersey and the rest are mine to destroy!" He yells as his blue eyes faintly glow blue. He then yells to the sky, "Where are you you sweaty bucker?!"
Since you passed this individual unknowingly, all you hear from behind you is some random weirdo shouting at the sky. You've done worse on a Friday night, so you ignore it.
In fact, you feel a little like yelling yourself since you have to see a horrible colt band opener...but then you realize you'll actually get to see Sapphire Shores in Concert! It's enough to make your eyes sparkle in happiness...until you hear a voice that sours your mood.
"Well of course I have backstage passes. Who do you think I am, some sort of peasant?" says the snobbish voice followed by chortling.
Your eyes immediately glow orange with rage.
"Whoah, calm down CV," says Aqua.
"Yeah daddy, everything's alright," says Nightshade.
"Bblluueebblloodd..." you grind your teeth. Nightshade immediately whips around, sees the Prince up ahead and grinds her own teeth as her eyes start slightly glowing as well.
"Oh...No-Balls...In that case maybe we shouldn't calm down..." she snarls.
You may add my rage too you know! The last time we met I wanted to rip his guts out for what he tried to do to my baby!
We have a mutual feeling.
"Will the both of you unglow?! We got bigger fish to fry! We gotta find that messenger, so will the two of you just take a chill pill? Besides, Prince Dumbass is already far ahead of us" Aqua berates.
Reluctantly, the three of you settle down quell your blood lust, realizing you don't want another Gala incident.
As you all walk on again, Aqua asks.
"You know... I did read in the papers that Blue Blood was a big part of the Gala being wrecked. What was up with that anyways?"
Selena chuckles nervously as you say, "Memories... really bad memories... let's try not to see him again." You immediately regret saying 'try' and 'not see' in the same sentence referring to Blue Blood. Nightshade solemnly nods her head in agreement.
At last you all arrive at the concert... with one small problem.
"Sold Out?! What do you mean Sold Out?!" you shout to the ticket mare.
"Buddy, this is Sapphire Shores being headlined by the hottest new colt band, what made you think there would be any tickets left?"
"I don't know? Convenience?" you say and she just shakes her head.
"Don't shake your head at me young lady, I am a grown bu-er-Stallion! And I deserve respect! And that respect is watching Sapphire Shores!"
"Oh gee, how stirring," she says sarcastically.
"That's it! You've made the list little filly!" you threaten like a madman.
"And so have you," she says nonchalantly taking a picture of you before magically scanning it and sending it off.
"What was that?"
"You're not allowed in the building now for your violent tendencies, and your picture has been given to all the Stadium Security for reference. Good day sir." she says pulling the shutter down.
"Oh Motherbucker!" you yell as Aqua, Nightshade and Selena facehoof at this.
"Buck You Lady Luck," you grumble as you look at the concert stadium.
"I got to get in there, that messenger and our only lead to Kersey are most likely inside. Not only that, but it's Sapphire Shores Dangit! Now how do I get in?"
You then start looking around as large crowds begin entering the stadium.
"Maybe a back entrance? Or sneaking through the vents? A full frontal assault maybe? What?"
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
