“Highness, we’re approaching the town. Do you have a specific address you wished to be dropped off at?”
Twilight rolled her eyes a bit at the Day Guard pulling the chariot. I really need to figure out how I want to be addressed. At this rate, I’ll be an actual princess before I make a decision on what to be called as grand mage.
Spike held up the paper and read something near the bottom. “The newspaper says it’s address is ‘735 Farriers Drive.’ We probably want to head there first. Wherever that is.”
“I am familiar with the area,” one of the two pegasi stated. “Although it has been some time since I have visited, I do know that street. We can drop you off at the front door, Highness.”
“Do it,” Twilight replied, fighting back a grumble. They were every bit as stoic and formal as the Night Guard, just less scary looking. Odds are they’d call me ‘Highness’ no matter what I said. “Spike, give me the paper, and stay with the Guardsponies. I’ll send off a purple flare if I need you. If I do, go ahead and bring the Day Guard with you. I have a feeling intimidation may be called for later.”
Rainbow chuckled, then took off into the air next to the chariot. “Nothing quite like a dragon flanked by some Day Guards for intimidation.”
“Highness, I believe I see the building. We are twelve seconds out.”
Twilight got up on the chariot and stood near the side, letting her mane fly in the breeze. “I see it too. Just get me near. I can jump safely.” With luck, we’ll have arrived before news of the illusionists’ failure reached their associates. Few things can outpace Day Guard charioteers over a distance like this.
The chariot roared down the street, passing just over the rooftops of the modest city. As the paper’s office grew close, Twilight leapt off the chariot, falling about four stories straight down. Using her pegasus magic to create a wind buffer, she landed with all four hooves hitting the ground at the same time with a generous, but nonhazardous *clop*.
Hmm. Buildings are about three stories, packed close together. Cobblestone roads. Well lit. Decent number of ponies on the streets. Vendors serving lunch. Maybe fifty thousand residents total? Just a guess, but certainly larger than Ponyville. Any paper here should know a hell of a lot better than to publish something like this.
Rainbow zoomed by and landed next to her a moment later. “Gotta say, Twi, I’m still not used to you jumping out of a chariot without needing rescuing.”
Twilight smiled a bit. “I’m not entirely used to it either. Even with experience, my heart still skips a beat.”
The door to the newspaper’s office slammed shut, and a plump, light purple unicorn mare glared at the door with searing rage. After a second or two, she opened the door and slammed it again, just for good measure, before storming off.
“Don’t bother going in there. Flank-wipes! Worst customer service I’ve ever seen! Ever!”
Twilight lifted an eyebrow at the mare, but she ignored both of them and stomped down the street.
“Well, that’s encouraging.” Twilight stepped forward, steeling herself for whatever was beyond the door.
It was warmer inside than she expected, and a little humid. The walls looked a little neglected, with a few wallpaper corners starting to peel. A damp stench dominated the air, while a lone fan struggled in vain to keep fresh air circulating, succeeding only in wafting the dusty air into Twilight’s face. The uneven wood flooring groaned and creaked under her hooves. A large wooden counter dominated the room, with both a door and a pony behind it. The pony was an older stallion wearing a green eyeshade and a wholly perverted look in his eye.
“Well, lookie here. Two more tasty trollips come lookin’ for ol’ Juicy. What can I do ya fer?”
Twilight looked at Rainbow and shot her a thought. Is this guy for real?
Despite both mares’ lack of telepathic abilities, Rainbow deflated in just the right manner to seemingly reply with a ‘Sadly, it looks like it.’
Twilight cleared her throat and stood as tall as her tiny frame would allow. This pony might not be from Canterlot, but you are, and you’re representing the crown. You need to at least start off polite. “While I do not appreciate the lewd comments, I do need to ask you some questions. Specifically about the article you ran in your paper this morning titled, ‘Grand Mage Launches Crackdown.’”
“Whoa now, little missy!” The stallion spat into something behind the counter Twilight silently prayed was a bucket. “Yer gunna hafta do yer own reportin’! No stealin’ our work!”
“What work!?” That’s it. Time to up the pressure. Twilight waved the article in his face, including its large picture of herself. “It’s a complete fabrication!”
“Tha’s it! We don’t cottin’ ta’ lyin’ types around here! Git out!”
Twilight and Rainbow looked at each other for a moment before Rainbow cut in. “Hey geezer, are you blind or something? She’s got a royal torc, and I’m in Guard armor! Oh, by the way, take a real close look at that picture in the paper. Notice anything familiar?”
The stallion hunched over to look at the paper, adjusted his glasses, and snorted. “Hmph! Nope! Now you two hussies—”
Twilight shot magic into her horn, letting it flare to light with a bright light, but not casting any actual spell. “I am Grand Mage Twilight Sparkle, representing the Crown of Equestria, and if you speak to me like that one more time you’ll get to see what an actual crackdown looks like firsthoof! Now, I demand to know who wrote this article and who the source was that gave you this information.”
His jaw dropped, frozen for a moment before he put up his hooves. “I surrender!”
She growled at him, “You don’t need to surrender, just tell me who wrote it, and where they got this bogus information!”
His perverted smile returned, and he calmed down. “Well now, missy. That there is legally protected information! Law says that law enforcement can’t compel reporters to turn over sources. So Juicy Scoop ain't gots ta tell you anythin'!”
Rainbow sighed. “Damn, I think he’s right, Twi.”
Twilight shook her head. “Actually it’s a lot more complicated than that. Normally, he’d be correct. Libel suits are notoriously difficult to win because of that. A paper could just say they didn’t look into it enough to know they had bad information, and print a tiny retraction in an obscure corner. It makes them look bad, but also legally invincible.” She inhaled, letting the moist air fill her lungs as her mind positioned her argument for checkmate.
“But, this time, he’s dead wrong. When a reporter or reporting agency, such as a newspaper, issues a story about the royal families, higher standards are in place. ‘Not checking’ ceases to be a defense against libel charges, both civil and criminal. In addition, sources that give information leading to libelous information being published about them…” Twilight smirked at him. “Excuse me. Published… about us… are not protected by the law and must be revealed on demand of the Crown, under penalty of perjury.”
His hoof slowly extended out to point at her, visibly shaking. “That… That hasn’t been enforced in centuries!”
Twilight waved the paper in front of him again. “Maybe not, but it’s one thing to call Celestia fat or Luna clueless like any other tabloid. What you’re doing here is making ponies think they’re in real legal trouble with the Crown, when they are, in fact, innocent. This goes beyond the pale and I’m willing to break with precedent to get to the bottom of it so that it doesn’t happen again. Now, answer my questions or I’ll get the rest of my guards to haul your flank in!”
“Okay, okay!” He shivered, his glasses down his face. “I’ll talk! My source is from the police department. I don’t know his name; they use dead drops! He works in the precinct down the street!”
Twilight stomped a hoof on the counter. “And the retraction?”
“As good as done! We’ll get it ready right away!”
“Good! Now, stay here.” She snapped around to trot out the door. “I’m certain I’ll be back with more questions.”
The pair exited the building, Twilight leading Rainbow down the street a little before letting out a frustrated growl. “Can you believe that flank-wipe? I don’t even use language like that very often, but holy crap was he frustrating!”
Rainbow snorted in agreement. “Yeah. I’m sad you didn’t order me to kick his flank a little. Maybe zap him. There are some ponies I just don’t want to share my air with.”
“Yeah, well, we got what we came for. In fact, I think I can see the police station from here. Let’s get in there and find out what they know. Hopefully they’ll be more cooperative. This is turning out to be harder than it should be.”
Rainbow snickered. “Heh. Told ya.”
“Quiet.” Twilight deadpanned while opening the glass door to the police station and trotting inside.
The interior was a short hall with a couple of benches on the walls, and a single desk with a uniformed officer occupying it.
“Can I help you ladies?” the green stallion asked.
“Yes, yes you can,” Twilight began. “I am Grand Mage Twilight Sparkle. Recently, a story ran in one of your local papers that contained information libelous to the Crown and our subjects. I’m investigating the sources of this. I was told that one of them was a pony in this department. I’m aware it’s standard practice to ‘leak’ specific information when it’s beneficial to an investigation, but I’m afraid that in this instance you were wildly off the mark, and that this isn’t something that I can let slide. I must to speak with the pony who revealed this so-called information, immediately.”
The stallion stood up with a grimace on his face. “Ma’am, I can tell you that we do not and have never leaked information to the press in secret, and I do not appreciate your accusations. I’m going to have to ask you to leave, or I’ll be forced to lock you both up.”
Twilight and Rainbow looked at each other, and Rainbow raised her eyebrow.
“Lock us up?” the pegasus asked, pointing at Twilight. “Are you stupid or something? That’s the Grand Mage. You can’t lock her up. That’d be like arresting the Princess.”
The stallion pulled out his club and tapped it on his hoof. “I can, and will. Now, leave.”
“Ugh. I take it back, Rainbow. I won’t say something’s going to be easy again.” Twilight lit up her horn, ready to fire a flare.
“Spell!” The stallion lunged at her, but Twilight didn’t even flinch. A rainbow-colored blur tackled him long before he got close.
“Don’t move, dirtbag!” she said through clenched teeth and a hoof holding him down by his neck.
A purple flare launched up into and through the ceiling, phasing directly through the building and up to the sky.
“You… You can’t do this! I’m a police officer! Argh!”
Rainbow pressed down with her hoof. “Don’t make me repeat myself again. She’s the Grand Mage. What you just did is the same as assaulting Princess Celestia.”
A dragon slammed open the doors, practically strutting as he led the two pegasus guards inside. “That didn’t take long, Twilight. I thought that… Whoa. What happened here?”
“Those… Those are…” the stallion on the floor started sweating and swallowing nervously.
“Yup. A fire-breathing dragon with a couple of Day Guard.” Rainbow twisted his foreleg, restraining him for the other guards. “Congratulations, idiot, you finally got the memo. Hey, guys, this moron tried to assault Twilight. Haul his flank in.”
One of them saluted with his wing while the other swooped in, shackling the police officer’s legs with irons in a single fluid motion.
“Wha—Wait! Please! I’ll talk! I—Oof!” He tried to turn around, but the chains just caught him and sent him falling flat on his face.
“You probably should have thought of that before attacking her.” Rainbow brushed off her shoulder. “Now you get to enjoy a complimentary trip to Canterlot Palace dungeon!”
Actually… Twilight lifted a hoof to her chin in thought. If I let him go, he could prove useful in more ways than one. Hmm…
“Hold!” Twilight commanded, turning around and walking up to the stallion in irons. He was probably about ready to wet himself, but even crouched down as he was, he was still taller than her. A kind grin would probably seem too meek here. If I scowl, though, it might be overkill, and I do not want to see him actually make a mess on the floor. Perhaps… She smirked at him somewhat haughtily. “I think we can help each other out here, actually.”
“Right! I can help! Just—Just don’t arrest me! My wife would kill me, she—”
Twilight held up a hoof to silence him, and he stopped. “It would be rather inconvenient if I have to keep proving my authority. If you help spread the word that my authority is real, and reveal who leaked false data to the press, I’ll drop the charges.”
“Ah, I get it.” Spike snapped his fingers. “And if he doesn’t cooperate, putting a police officer behind bars is a good demonstration anyway!”
“Precisely, Spike! Now then, will you help me, Officer…” Twilight glanced at his badge. “Cuffs?”
He dropped to the ground in a bow. “Yes, yes, I will! It’s Sergeant Patrol Beat! He’s in the squad room over there! I’ll definitely tell everyone you’re real!”
“‘Tell everyone you’re real’? Congrats, Twi.” Rainbow chuckled. “You’ve been elevated to Tooth Fairy status!”
Spike shook his head. “I’m more astonished about that Sergeant’s name. I mean, Patrol Beat? Sergeant Beat? That’s either the best or worst police officer name in history.”
Twilight smirked a little more. “I’d lean towards worst, but that’s me. Okay, you can go. Gentlestallions?”
The guard reached down and opened the shackles, letting the officer pony stretch out his legs. “Thank you! Oh, thank you, Highness! I’m so sorry, I didn’t think it was really you. I mean, why come to a town like this? I thought you’d be in Canterlot and—”
Twilight held up a hoof again. “It’s not complicated. Like I said, I’m conducting an investigation. And it’s not ‘Highness.’ That’s only for the Princesses.”
The officer blinked. “Then should I call you Grand Mage, or…”
“You know, Twi…” Spike examined his claws. “Ponies are going to keep asking you this question until you figure something out.”
Twilight rolled her eyes. “I know, it’s just frustrating. None of the examples I’ve heard so far sound right…”
“Archmage, maybe?” Rainbow asked.
“Nah, that’s been done to death.” Spike jumped up. “Ooh! I know! 'Archlibrarian!’”
There was a long pause.
“Really? Archlibrarian? Come on Spike, you’re better at this than that.” Rainbow chuckled. “What’s she going to do? Make all libraries her sole domain?”
Twilight had to hide her grin. “I suppose I could do something really absurd like make them all stay open to midnight. But that would just be silly.”
“Okay, okay! Sheesh!” Spike rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. “It was just an idea.”
Twilight gave him a one-legged hug to show there were no hard feelings. “Well, how about this. Technically, I also have the title of ‘Lady’ from my brother’s marriage. Maybe I should just use ‘Lady Sparkle?’ What do you guys think?”
Rainbow shrugged. “It’s your call. I can’t see anything wrong with it.”
“Less of a mouthful than ‘Grand Mage Twilight Sparkle’. I say go for it.” Spike gave a thumbs up.
“So… Lady Sparkle, then?” The officer asked. “I should tell ponies to call you that?”
Twilight shrugged. “It’ll do. Your sergeant is in there, right?” She pointed at a wooden door.
He nodded. “Right, that’s the Squad Room. Just go in there and ask.”
Twilight tilted her head over. “Follow me, everypony. I get the feeling they’ll get the point a little faster if I have a couple of armored Day Guards.” She grabbed the handle with her magic and turned, pushing the door open and into the small cacophony inside.
The sounds of typewriters, conversations, and chalkboards being written on quickly filled the air as she stepped into a crowded room of ponies and desks. Almost every single pony had on a police uniform, with a few well-dressed exceptions. Probably prosecutors or detectives… Okay, think Twilight. Look for a Sergeant’s rank on a shoulder.
The sounds quickly died down as she made her way inside, followed by her guards. All the talking quited, the clacking typewriters fell silent, and even some chalk thudded to the ground. Ah, well, I suppose having Royal Guards behind me makes an impression. Since I have their attention… “Pardon me, everypony, but I’m looking for Sergeant Beat. Where might I find him?”
One pony’s ears perked up, and he slowly turned around in his chair and stood up. He was quite the large draft stallion, standing almost as tall as Big Macintosh. “I’m Sergeant Beat. Can I help you, miss?”
“Guess his name fits him after all,” Spike whispered.
“It’s Lady, actually.” Twilight corrected the pony, ignoring Spike. Suppose now’s as good a time as any to start using the title. “Lady Sparkle.”
The policepony’s eyes went wide. “Lady Sparkle? As in—”
Twilight pulled out the paper she was carrying. “Correct. Grand Mage Sparkle is also my title. I’m here to talk to you about this?”
Patrol Beat picked up the paper and examined the pages. “What about it?”
“I was told you were the one to leak the information on the byline. The highly inaccurate, libelous information. Is this true?”
The pony flipped back to the front page and stared at it. “... Nope.”
Twilight’s took a step back in shock. “Come again?”
“I’ve heard of this Trixie character, sure, but the only thing she did here was get a disturbing the peace citation. Even paid the fine right away.” He turned around in an angle that both of them could see the paper. “And, well, this paper? The Hoofington Post? It’s been out of business for the last few years. Where did you get this?”
“Hoofington Post?” One of the other ponies in the room asked. “I think I saw some new issues of that at the newsstand. I thought someone bought them and restarted it or something.”
Twilight’s jaw went to the ground. “No way… Was it just the last couple of days? When was the citation given?”
The sergeant folded his forelegs in thought. “I think the citation was around a week ago. Officer, when did you first see the paper?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. Four days ago? Maybe three? I thought it kind of strange.”
Twilight pulled away the paper from the sergeant and looked at the date, eyes wide in realization.
“Before we begin today’s lesson, I wish to offer a word of advice for when you are in the field for an extended time. Twilight, I know you are fond of habits and schedules—”
“When she isn’t busy being obsessed with something.” Spike interrupted, earning him a light bop on the head from Twilight.
“But,” Luna continued, “unless your location is exceptionally secure, vary your schedule as much as you can. Do not go to the same place twice at the same time of day. Eat at different places, etc.”
“How come?” Twilight asked. “Seems… unnecessary.”
Luna shook her head. “It takes three days to pull off a kidnapping. On the first day, a hostile can see what your habits may be, and on the second they confirm it.”
Rainbow cringed. “I think I have a guess what happens on the third day.”
“The third day, you are lost.” Luna confirmed. “Since you are what the enemy would consider a ‘High Priority Target,’ you should be mindful of this. Vary your schedule. It could save your life.”
“This one is from three days ago. This… This cannot be a coincidence. Spike! Rainbow! We have to get back to that paper! Now!”
Twilight turned around and bolted out the door, her guards following closely behind by the sounds of it. Shortly after leaving the building, wingbeats overhead followed in formation, and the sound of a set of strong, pounding hooves pulled up beside her.
“If I might ask, Lady Sparkle!” Patrol Beat hollered, catching up to her. “What’s going on?”
“That paper isn’t what it looks like!” she yelled back. “Spike! Get the anti-candle ready!”
“On it!” Came a yell from overhead.
She brought her hooves to a halt, skidding on the sidewalk and turning to face the doors to the paper. She didn’t even settle for normal telekinesis, and instead sent a stream of power into her horn and blasted the door open before charging in.
The curmudgeon behind the counter looked startled but no less astringent.
“You’re going to have to pay for that!” he yelled, pointing a hoof. “Officer! Arrest her for trespassing and destruction of private property!”
She trotted up to the desk and slammed her hooves on her table. “Stuff it!” she yelled in his face, little bits of spittle going flying. “You lied to me! And I know why! Spike!”
“Right here!” The dragon rushed to the counter and slammed the candle onto it, holding it in a fist.
Twilight lit up her horn, readying a binding spell. “Last chance! Come clean or this candle does it for you!”
The stallion got in her face, slamming his own hooves on the counter. “Come clean? About what! You’re the one barging in here, demanding this, demanding that—”
“Light it!” Twilight commanded, and a stream of green fire arced across the wick of the candle.
Then, all was dark.
One palomino, two palomino, three palomino, four! Twilight blew out the candle, bringing the light back to the room.
The wallpaper around them had been stained and peeled almost entirely off, there were holes in the drywall. A dry wind was blowing through the room and the shattered windows. A rusted-out, ancient fan sat in the corner, its cord cut. The flooring was half-missing and covered in moss. The wooden counter wasn’t even there anymore, replaced by a slightly less worn spot on the ground. If not for Spike's grasp, the candle would have fallen to the ground.
“What in the name of Celestia…” Patrol Beat took off his hat. “How?”
“No time for that!” Twilight leapt over the ground in a single hop and barreled through the door behind it. The frame cracked and busted open on its latch, swinging open and hanging loose. An instant later, another door on the far end of the large room clacked shut, and Twilight tore after her phantom, dodging printing equipment along the way. Her hooves clacked on the cement floor, and her teeth ground at the thought of answers being just on the other side.
A blast of magic all but tore the door off its hinges as she powered through into the alley, turning each way and looking for a pony, any pony with her magic sight.
There were only buildings, darkness, and trash cans.
Twilight ground her teeth and sneered at the empty alley while her magic sight probed it over and over, each time finding nothing.
“Dammit!” She swung around and bucked a dumpster, putting a huge dent in it.
Patrol Beat’s jaw dropped. “Whoa. I heard you were powerful, but…”
Wonderful time for my earth pony magic to come back. Twilight snorted. “Let’s get back inside. Maybe there's some evidence I can use…”
Spike came up behind them both. “Care to explain what’s going on first?”
Twilight froze her head still, thinking over the options. If their illusions are this good, there’s no tailing them… “Yeah, okay. Let’s get back inside, though.”
The small group wandered back in, weaving through the machines and over to where Rainbow was looking at the ground while the two other Royal Guard pegasi guarded the door.
“Hey, Twi, check it out. Some real odd markings in the concrete here. Fresh grease nearby, too. I think the marks are recent.”
Twilight lifted an eyebrow. Rainbow, being observant? This I have to check out. She went over to her and illuminated the floor with her magic. “Hmm…” There were markings in an equilateral shape, and all of them were heavy scrape marks going into some kind of machine grease that dotted the ground in blotches.
“Huh. I think Rainbow’s… right!” Spike held his cheeks in shock. “Did a changeling sneak into our group?”
“Quiet, sulfur breath,” the pegasus muttered. “I can be observant too!”
“I think she’s right, Spike.” Twilight tapped the floor. “ The grease doesn't have any dust accumulation, but it was here when the floor got marked, which means, yes, it's recent. Good eye, Rainbow. I’ll make sure to point it out to RGIS. For now, though, let me bring you all up to speed on what’s going on.”
“Please do,” Patrol demanded. “I want to know what’s happening in my town.”
Twilight looked at him and thought for a moment, narrowing her eyes a little. What to do? Normally protocol would dictate to dismiss him immediately. But that will do little to garner additional support, and could lead to the town becoming politically hostile to the crown’s influence. It could even leave him unnecessarily vulnerable for not knowing what’s going on.
I also have to consider the possibility that he’s aligned with this same organization I’m investigating. Granted, from his reaction, lack of horn, and the fact that he didn’t disappear in the candle’s aura leaves me to believe he genuinely doesn’t know anything. Hmm… Split the difference. Warn him, and don’t reveal anything the group wouldn’t either know already or be able to reasonably figure out. And have him observed by RGIS for a while if possible. “Very well. I do not believe your presence will place you at risk given that you don’t have a formal connection to us. For your sake, however, do not repeat what is said here. Consider the information classified.”
He folded his forelegs. “So you’ll prosecute me if I talk?”
She shook her head. “No. The organization we’re dealing with here is well managed and willing to take lethal action against threats to its existence. If you keep quiet, they’ll probably think none of us know anything, and will leave you alone. Talk, and, well…”
Spike chuckled. “We’re the only ones here that have been trained by Luna. You’re on your own, bucko.”
His coat went pale. “Oh. Right. Fair enough. I’ll keep silent.”
“Very well.” Twilight cleared her throat. “Our ‘friend’ Trixie was attacked by this group in Canterlot, but I don’t think that was their original plan. Remember what Luna said about kidnapping? It takes three days to set up. But if Trixie’s been chased for a long time I’m betting she knows this too. She varied her schedule, and this group wanted to capture her alive. If they didn’t, she’d’ve died in that attack instead of merely being disabled. Hence, I think they set up a trap.”
Spike snapped his fingers. “Now I’m getting it. They set up a fake newspaper here and put out the ‘warrant.’ Since Trixie wasn’t a local, she didn’t know it was a fake, and even to the ponies that did live here it’d just be an oddity. So they’d just get her when she surrendered, or tried to clear her name, or maybe even when she ran! They might have figured out her escape routes.”
“But she didn’t run or surrender.” Rainbow countered. “At least, not here. She surrendered to Twi personally.”
“Exactly!” Twilight looked around at the group. “They had to act fast, or I’d get involved. But they weren’t fast enough. Trixie found me. However, she panicked and ran when she realized it was a trap rather than a petty revenge ploy on my part. That let them spring a much more hasty trap that we ultimately broke her out of.”
Patrol nodded. “So, they probably just took up residence in this empty building because it was available and had printing equipment. They’d only need a few days worth. It was a convenient target.”
“And the rude flank-wipe at the front desk?” Rainbow asked.
“I bet the rudeness was to keep ponies from getting back here and realizing it wasn’t a real paper. The illusion magic would do the rest, but the papers themselves had to be ‘real.’ Remember when Trixie looked behind us and panicked? I’m betting she can see through their illusions somehow. That’s probably another reason why they set the trap. They knew she’d see through any simple attempt to take her with illusions.”
“So, ultimately, they failed.” Spike folded his arms. “I mean, we have Trixie and we know about them now. Although we don’t quite know who ‘they’ are.”
“Not yet we don’t,” Twilight smirked. “But I’m going to have RGIS tear this place apart, starting with this mark on the floor here. Hopefully they’ll get us some evidence we can use for a lead. Otherwise, I think we’re done here. We should get back to the Castle and inform them that the anti-candles are an effective counter to their illusions.”
Patrol Beat stepped forward. “What do you need me to do?”
Twilight looked back at him and smiled. “Well, for starters, you’ve already been very helpful. Thank you!” She gave him a slight bow. “It’s refreshing to have somepony take me seriously for once!
“Second, remember what I said about not talking to anypony, and I mean anypony about this. With these ponies, you never really know if what you’re seeing is real. Third and lastly, have your officers keep this building secure. Nopony gets in until the RGIS shows up, but if these guys come back, do not engage them. You won’t win.”
He bowed in return. “As you wish, Your Highness.”
Twilight rolled her eyes. “Not ‘Highness.’ That’s only for the Princesses. If you have to use an honorific, call me ‘Lady Sparkle.’”
He bowed again. “Of course, Lady Sparkle. Do you need a police escort anywhere?”
She shook her head. “My guards will take care of that. Rainbow? Stay here with the Sergeant until Intelligentsia shows up, then return to base. Light the candle if you suspect even the slightest disturbance. Spike? Let’s get back to the castle. I need to talk to Trixie.”
absolutely amazing epic I loved it!!!!!
...those are some stunningly effective illusions. The entire counter wasn't there? And how many ponies thumped on it, kicked it, or similar, while yelling at the pony behind it?
...whoever's behind this plot is not going to be easy to find, never mind stop. Now I'm wondering if the attackers in the last chapter even existed, or if they were some sort of long-range solid illusion - it would explain their identical appearance...
I loved how you did a reference to "Sharing the night" and linked it to the actual story first time I've seen that
The illusionary stallion called Twilight a trollip, but it's actually spelled trollop.
At the rate things are going, Twi might need an official badge or hat or something to prove her identity, for when she doesn't want to tow royal guards around.
sorry, but if you go for a even better level of recursion, assume that the candle might not be able to dispell ALL their illusions, just the ones that they can plan to be dispelled. just because it works on one illusion doesn't mean all illusions are breakable with it.
Third paragraph of the chapter. Small mistake, the 'it's' should be its.
*Twilight rolled her eyes a bit at the Day Guard pulling the chariot. I really need to figure out how I want to be addressed. At this rate, I’ll be an actual princess before I make a decision on what to be called as grand mage. *
I suggest she goes by "Magus"-
*Odds are they’d call me ‘Highness’ no matter what I said.*
Not if she orders them not too, she is only step under the princesses when it comes to authority, and there are situations were being called "Highness" would screw things up, like an undercover mission.
Also, since Twi is basically a Magical Megaman, she can probably copy the spell Trixie uses to see illusions.
Great chapter! The coming conversion with Trixie should be interesting.
I was almost expecting a Rodney Dangerfield-like "I get no respect" from Twi here a few times.
SOOOOO GOOOOOOOD
Damn, the villians are a slippery bunch as those are some impressive illusion work. It's interesting seeing just how effective the illusions have been by whoever is orchestrating all of this.
This just keeps getting awesomer! Thanks, CV!
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Why not just deploy her armour? She's already been seen in the castle wearing it, and she really should have it deployed when doing field-work as it is. It's noticeable, difficult to forge, and a symbol of authority. The royal subterfuge committee has been playing her up as kicking plot and taking names, so it would fit quite well with her image as well.
On a more practical note, she got advice from Luna because she was expecting trouble going in. I'm puzzled as to why she didn't deploy it shortly before arrival. It certainly should have been when she charged back to the newspaper office. By the time you're being attacked, it's too late.
Title-wise, why not "Your Excellency"? In fact, wasn't this already used in an earlier chapter? It's pretty much the go-to title for royals who aren't kings/queens/princes/princesses, and for the most senior government officials (ambassadors and so forth).
"Her Excellency, Grand Mage Twilight Sparkle" sounds a less clunky than "Grand Mage Lady Twilight Sparkle".
Good chapter.
That's one impressive illusion, to be even solid for objects.
Also, nice jab at Sharing the Night. Love when one story I like makes a reference to another story I like :D
5906946 I hate that title. It does not fit her.
Another great chapter as the plot thickens! Keep it up and I can't wait till the next one.
Oh and congrats on getting front page/featured!
Another great chapter as the plot thickens! Keep it up and I can't wait till the next one.
Oh and congrats on getting front page/featured!
Another great chapter as the plot thickens! Keep it up and I can't wait till the next one.
Oh and congrats on getting front page/featured!
Love this! Thanks for wrighting. No real criticisms story wise as we're still in the dark as to what's going on.
5907325
Magus or Magic Megaman?
5907572 Actually, in Rites, Cadence is a Winged Unicorn, not an alicorn. She only has the magic of pegasi and unicorns and did not go through an ascension. Her title of Princess is hereditary. She is Princess of the Lost. She represents orphans, the infirm, those outside official Duchy borders, anyone who has a voice that would otherwise go unheard.
Solid-state illusions on the scale of being able to replicate a whole room? Dang, that's some pretty impressive stuff. I mean, we have seen Twilight conjure stuff up out of thin air in the show, and Twilight isn't considered that impressive of a mage in Rites all things told, but that's still very impressive on such a scale.
And these illusion skills seem pretty widespread in this organization, which means cornering them will be a complete nightmare. Like Twilight said, you can't be sure what's real or not with such illusionists around. They better come up with some counter to that that's less clunky than the candles, and fast.
On another note, dang, Twilight gets no respect unless she drags along a squad of armored guards, does she? I think she should really start deploying her armor (which is a good idea anyway when heading in to a possible hostile territory) when she wants to be taken seriously - that should make ponies sit up and take notice.
I am surprised the torc alone doesn't cause ponies to do a double-take though. Wasn't it mentioned in one of the earlier chapters that she was turning some heads in Canterlot because of the torc and it's resemblance to the Princess' regalia? Unless I'm mistaken even the nobles didn't/can't wear anything like that, so that's actually a pretty huge symbol of status in itself.
And if ponies don't even recognize that, then any other document or badge she could come up with would be thrice as useless. If they can't draw conclusions from the torc alone (plus physical description), some obscure badge that no one would have seen before isn't going to do her a lick of good. So ... yeah, deploying her armor seems like the best choice both for when she wants to be taken seriously, and for the chance that the pony you might be talking to might be another illusionist from said criminal organization. Two birds with one stone - gets things rolling more quickly and protects her in case stuff goes sour.
That, or she should hurry up and sprout her wing and/or billowy mane - that should make her pretty distinct, heh.
5906681
At this point we've gone well past illusion and on into fae glamour....
5907601 Librarian.
Do those candles dispel illusions in an area or all magical items/spells
You have a knack for doing chapters that build a little bit to the overall plot, but are disproportionately satisfying. It never feels like we're spinning our wheels just to build suspense
"As I mentioned in my blog, I'm NOT one of those authors that thinks comments are only worthwhile if you have some kind of keen insight on how to make things better."
This is a comment. It is here to show my appreciation of your story and hopefully provide you with some small bit of support in the difficult times you're going through. Unfortunately, I don't actually have any detailed comments besides "Hm, the plot thickens..." :)
Poking fun at Sharing the Night? Cheeky bugger, ain't cha?
On a more serious note I've found myself a little lost on some of the specifics, but I think it's to be expected. When illusions play a big part even the reader's point of view needs to be fooled sometimes. Alternatively I need to read a few chapters again.
I’m impressed by how, every chapter, the forces arrayed against Twilight and Equestria are revealed to be more insidious than previously believed, but you’ve still managed to avoid coming off like you’re just trying to one‐up yourself.
Love seeing Twilight in badass detective mode here. Looking forward to seeing what the investigation turn up next chapter!
I love mysteries and detective stories so this chapter appeals to me. Go Twilight!
I'm sure you already have a title settled on for the Grand Mage but I'm going to call Twilight "her grandness." And when I'm feeling silly, "her mageyness."
5906714
The link was a bit much, I think
5906681
The pony behind it may not even have been there. We saw projected ponies in the last chapter, and it would be a logical precaution (if they don't want the geas reverse-engineered, they can no longer use geased ponies as point-men).
That said, the whole place needn't have used solid illusions; if nobody's going to interact with, say, the posters on the wall, they could just be tricks of the light.
They were explicitly stated to be projected illusions, which is why the controller wasn't crippled by the projections having their horns blown out (and why they looked identical and vanished afterwards). The bit with the rain that Luna commented on was their signature, and the protagonists were carrying anti-candles in this chapter specifically to prevent further projected attacks.
I'm mostly puzzled about whether they're illusions (only existing in the targets' minds) or projections (real force and light imposed from a distant source). In the first situation, an illusion stabbing you wouldn't kill you (just convincingly _feel_ like it was killing you), whereas in the second situation a beating from a projection would still land you in hospital. The aftermath was ambiguous about how much of a beating the protagonists actually took.
If the attacker has a general-purpose projection spell, there are some really lethal things they could do with it. Forget making a phantom duplicate of themselves; just have about a hundred very sharp spears impale the target when they least expect it. Even visible-only illusions let you do things like that if you have foreknowledge of the target's movements. Know that they'll be visiting the newspaper's office? There's no floor, only a field of razor-sharp poisoned caltrops a foot below where the floor looks like it is.
CV is going to have to be very careful about setting limitations for the illusion magic available, and about describing those limitations to the reader, or it'll be an infinite source of plot holes.
The "D&D group" advice I'd mentioned to iisaw applies ("find a group of D&D players who know what a munchkin is, describe a new power to them, and ask them to find as many story-breaking abuses of that power as possible before using it in a story").
Interesting, so this whole thing was a trap for Trixie of all ponies. I wonder why she's worth such a complicated kidnapping attempt. Maybe the dirt she can spill on why she has such a history of injuries? I hope they're guarding her well in Canterlot, possibly with one of those candles always available.
I approve of how helpful the Hoofington police department was, at least once they got past the officer manning the front desk, that is.
Great reference to Sharing the Night.
Marathon Madness story #1.
I like the pace of the story as well as how quickly Twilight Sparkle is picking up on security procedures now that she has examples of why the procedures were put in place. She's becoming a very sharp investigator very quickly.
I liked it! and I hope trixie is okay ^^
this story is amazing! I only get this excited for one other story and that's FoE: project horizons!
So thank you for this amazing story and I hope you keep up the great work!
Are you kidding me?
First off, what you call "long delays" is still way below felt Fimfiction average. Yes, sure, there are those stories that get updated once a week, but they are no epic reads that I drop everything for when I see an update. Of all the stories I really get excited for (and there aren't that many of those in first place), only Law Abiding Pony's Hive series has a higher update rate, but also shorter chapters.
That being said, for all I care, you could update only twice a year and I would still read your story. (Don't take that as an encouragement though )
When I first came across your story, It was well into your writing pause last fall. I seriously thought it had been abandoned, like so many other good stories out there. I still put it into my tracking folder in hopes of seeing an update someday. When you started updating again, and also quite regularly, I was extremely pleasantly surprised and immediately moved it to "favourites".
I know that you have depression and probably find it hard to stay optimistic. I seriously doubt I can properly understand or appreciate what you are going through.
There is one thing I can tell you though: As long as you don't start writing utter crap (and by what you wrote so far I don't see any chance at this), I will continue reading. I cannot speak for others, but when regarding the likes/dislikes ratio for your story, I can realisticly estimate that they will too.
Don't ever expect anything else.
5910784
well my first Theory is they are a Illusion-using criminals , and Trixie can see through their Illusions (something not even Twilight can do), so she is high thread to them
My second theory is since she prefers Illusions herself, they tried to recruit her, and she didn't want to have anything to do with them
5910784
She can see through their illusions. That's more than enough reason right there... and if she decides to help Twilight, then fifteen minutes after they start talking Twilight will also know how to see through their illusions, and the illusionists really won't want that.
I'm expecting at least one straight-out assassination attempt on Trixie before she wakes up, incidentally.
5912028 Good point, somehow I missed that.
Getting taken seriously can be hard when information is slow to travel and heads are thick. Fortunately, Twilight comes prepared in case of stupidity.
Twilight obviously won't opt for Archlibrarian until she's entered the "charmingly eccentric" stage of her ascension.
The mystery around this group thickens. Eagerly looking forward to further investigation.
Thanks for another chapter. You're still releasing fat more consistently than most of the authors i follow. XD don't be so hard on yourself. You're awesome.
I noticed only one typo, but it was near the beginning so it put me on alert for the rest of the chapter!
its
'Lady' is as good of a title as any. I personally would've just shortened it to 'Mage' as I've seen it used before. Anywho, great chapter as always. Looking forward to the continuation whenever it may be.
5911811 Aye, for me, the stories I'll drop everything else for to read are few in number, and one isn't even a FiMFic.
Ashes of the Past, Rites here, and the MLP Time Loops are the main three. If Love Mine ever updated, I'd be ecstatic.
Could use less casual conversation in the middle of striking deals with cuffed police officers, but still a thoroughly enjoyable chapter.
MOAR MOAR ahem i mean more if thats ok with you that is.