The Princess Conspiracy - Relative Consequences - You must sign-up

[Morning Glory]

(I'll jump forward so she can meet Silver and Majem)

Bathed and dressed for the third time that day, Morning Glory sat in her office once more, now back in her fine clothing. Her hair had been restored, now expertly curled and styled, tied up in a satin ribbon. A quill feverishly scratched at the parchment before her on her desk as she composed a report to her uncle in an odd silvery ink that vanished from the page after a few moments. On her desk sat several old copies of various newspapers she had collected from the archives, clippings littering the floor. A large folder was laid out, with all the information she had been able to gather on Strokes and his companions.

Her curtains drawn and her door firmly shut, she worked away, organizing her knowledge. She had also been sure to lock the door to the antechamber, not wanting to be disturbed without warning. Sterling had left for a round of golf with Lord Fancy Pants several hours ago, and since he hadn't returned, she presumed they had gone for drinks and she would meet him at home. Of all the aristocrats in Canterlot, Fancy was one of the few Morning Glory admired. She knew her uncle enjoyed his time with his good friend, but she also knew they would be collaborating, discussing what each knew about Strokes. Fancy Pants often knew all there was to know when it came to gossip, but it seemed like this story had been hushed up.

In the corner of her office, a large ornate cage took up a considerable area. It's occupant, a medium-sized green parrot, was busily chewing apart a large slice of pineapple. He chirped and peeped from time to time as he ate, clearly enjoying his meal.

[Link]

((Hope you don't mind me skipping the cabby ride, Chirp. I can change my post if needed.  ))

After a short time, Majem and Silver's cabby arrived at their destination. Silver reached into his pouch of bits to tip the cabby as they got out, and gave some to their driver. As he exited the buggy, Silver's jaw dropped at the stately place before them.
I knew it would be a little fancy or high-class, but this is ridiculous...
Nearly tripping onto the sidewalk from his staring, Silver blinked, wide-eyed, barely able to take the place in.

"Well..." He looked to Majem, as they both stood in front of the place, "...Here goes nothing I suppose..."

[GalvinRoe]

Fancy did not have the slightest bit of worry on his face.  "Bloodblade, if you please..."

"Sir . . . This paper . . ." One of the more daring archivists, exclaimed. "By Celes . . . by Alrondy Semsit. It's a historical account from a general some 500 years ago. Here is the first hard proof that  these disappearances might be intentional." He waved his hooves. "Of course the sheer number suggests it cannot be coincidence but this . . . this pushes it even closer towards intentional kidnap!"

  With that, he began reading. " 'In the year 42 of the rising Sun; 1342 of the Equestrian Calender; I General Gladys Bright-mane set out to quell the rebelling city of Trottingshire, going forth with her eminence's wishes and hopes that bloodshed would be unnecessary. Upon arriving at the aforementioned city, my battalion and I were shocked to find the civilians willing, no, eager to return to the fold. Their 'messiah' and rebel leader - his name being stricken from all records to quell martyrdom - had disappeared a few days previous and recently returned a disillusioned pony. He gave a poor speech, in which he claimed the might of Equestria was necessary to protect it's citizens and they were in the wrong. What was more demotivating they did not say: His sudden change of attitude or the quality of his speech.

   Still, this series of events provoked great interest in me and I set out to at least meet this un-named messiah. He was . . . not charismatic, as I would of suspected, in-fact he was quite reclusive, as if his attempt to remove the city from Equestrian control shamed him. Or so I thought . . . until I realized this couldn't of been the Messiah the people gathered about. His will was broken, he wasn't just disillusioned. Something had happened to this pony and I got to searching out what could of befallen him. . . When I sent my report in for her Majesty's approval, I was asked to return to my station, immediately. The reason of the traitors surrender, was not necessary to comprehend.

   I returned to that site several times, in a completely unprofessional context, to discover what I could. Somehow her Endless Brightness discovered my interest and I was summoned to her throne-room. Here I learned my mistake, I still do not know what happened to the rebel's leader and now I could not care. After entering that room and finding not a single other soul, save her unbounded graciousness and spotting the seriousness upon her royal brow; I knew to desist my investigation then and there. She spoke to me softly and told me analogies of hard choices 'for the good of the empire' then she asked me if I wished to know what happened to the messiah. I had sense enough to reply 'no' and now I finish my biography with this epitaph and warning: Do not search out the answer behind these disappearances, yes disappearances, when my eyes were opened to this one instance I was able to spot more, few enough in number and rare enough in occurrence to slide under the general populace's grasp. But I say it still, leave it be' - Excerpt from 'His Majesty's servant, Gladys Bright-mane."

  The historian looked up at Fancy Pants. "What . . ." But that was all he could say, his voice had choked up on him.

* * *

Time of day

  Twilight was falling on Canterlot, the soft shadows of dusk brushing across those gathered houses, less than an hour of sunlight was left but the hustle of the city hadn't died down. It's artificial lights blazing brightly along narrow alleyways and the open streets, for some this was the beginning of their day but for quite a few it was the end of their work-shifts.

Equestrian Calander

  The 7th Year of the return of the moon; The 7th day of the 9th moon. Year 1874 of the Equestrian Empire.

[The Wandering Magus]

Feather yawned, looking at the clock, then rapped a hoof on his desk.  "All right, everypony, we're done for the day.  We'll be working on the same thing day after tomorrow at the same place and time.  Rest up, and make sure to finish your assigned calculations.  Beaker, if you could get the lights as you leave, that'd be great.  Good night, everypony."

The interns gave their own farewells to each other and began packing up, carefully transplanting copies of the chalkboard data and equations to their own papers.  Within about half an hour, the unicorn was hailing his usual cab again, and well on his way to the station.

Apparently there was some sort of incident with the guards, again.  Feather was surprised and a bit amused at the idea of some raggedy mare or another outwitting a captain, and thought nothing of the cabby's mention of some sort of conspiracy.  He'd read more than enough about such things in the tabloids the other day.

When he boarded the night train to Ponyville, he failed to notice the increased security, only focused on getting back home as quickly as possible.  The trip was uneventful, besides some elderly gentlecolt or another fainting several carriages behind.

As the train pulled into Ponyville Station, Feather rapidly exited the vehicle and embraced his waiting wife.

"Juni!  Glad to see you."

"Welcome back, Feather.  Job all right?"

"Better than ever!  We got a new contract with the company, a good one."

"That's wonderful!  Now maybe you can finally start working on those other things you'd been planning."

"Maybe, maybe!"

"Always enthusiastic as ever!  You want me to carry your briefcase?  It looks heavy."

"Thanks, Juni."

"No problem!  Want to start walking?  We can chat along the way."

"Of course."

And they did.  Perhaps it would be redundant to note that their evening was peaceful and wonderful, the quiet, everyday evening of an average couple, blissfully or willfully unaware of the storm that, even now, was raging all around them.

*****

The aristocrat furrowed his brow gravely.  "Curious, very, very curious.  Then it is indeed as Strokes predicted.  This... Princess Conspiracy... with so many records and now actual evidence, can no longer be denied, if these records are to be believed.  But..."

His face grew determined.  "I will not be cowed like a foal.  Neither will I be reckless like one.  From now on, we move with even more caution, but ever onwards.  But if things are indeed so deeply entwined in the very fabric of Equestria itself..."

In his thoughts, Fancy happened to glance at his schedule for a moment.  Though his gaze passed it by for a moment, it quickly doubled back, and the pony groaned, facehoofing.

"Speaking of forgetfulness!  How could I have forgotten my golfing session with Stirling!  Inkblock, would you please write a formal apology to my good friend?  'My dearest friend and companion Lord Stirling Silver, I must apologize profusely for having forgotten our afternoon appointment at the golf club!  Strange activities have kept me so involved that I must have completely forgotten, and it is truly my own fault.  I beg forgiveness, and have attached several gifts as an apology.  I will try to speak with you face-to-face post-haste!  Eternally in your debt, your humble servant, Fancy Pants.  There you go, fancy it up a bit and be sure to attatch some fine present or another, perhaps another hundred thousand bonds or stocks in that canning company we bought up last year."

Saying that made him think of another thing he had been forgetting, and he hacehoofed again.  "And tell Goldwater to buy up those bankrupt weapons and armor companies if there's any stock left, buy everything you can and get somepony to raise them back on their hooves, there's a tidy bit of profit to be turned there.  How could I have been so forgetful today..."

The servant bowed.  "Master's servant has already purchased the companies the day they filed for bankruptcy."

Fancy rubbed his tired eyes and temples.  "Ah yes.  I really do need to get some sleep, don't I?  It simply wouldn't do to have me like this, not with the current situation."

He looked at the clock and sighed.  "One more hour, I think.  Then I'm off to bed."

[Chirp]

"Well..." He looked to Majem, as they both stood in front of the place, "...Here goes nothing I suppose..."

Majem giggled a little at Silver for being so impressed. "Watch that jaw of yours. That's not a good first impression." He said and chuckled again.
He stared at the building in front of him. Less impressed, he let out a sigh. "It is pretty impressive. Come on, it's time we meet The Mysterious Mare Do Well."

[Link]

Silver began to walk up to the front door, he and Majem ever falling deeper under the shadow of the building, ever extending from the setting sun. As they reached the doorstep, Silver cautiously knocked on the fine doors, almost wincing with each quiet tap.
"I really hope we're not interrupting their dinner or something like that...We have to make a good impression to the butler before he'll even listen to us. If there is a butler anyway..."
He paused for a moment, brushing his hoof on the ground, patiently awaiting the door to be answered, and glancing down the streets, noting the shops and businesses all closing up for the night, before looking back up to the house, once again awaiting a greeting of some sort.
"Well, at least we have this..." Silver gently flicked up the business card, "It's probably the ticket we'll need to even see this mare."

[Chirp]

Majem looked over at the card Silver flicked up, and smiled. "Yes, that should work. And in case it doesn't, I still have MY card." He smirked at those words, but quickly returned to his usual poker face, before anypony would open the door.

[Link]

Looking through a nearby window after waiting for some time, Silver's eyes widened as he brushed his hoof on the ground again.

"Uhm...Majem?" He quietly started, keeping his eyes low, "I think I've just discovered what's taking them; I was knocking at the offices' front door..."
Mentally face-hoofing himself, Silver pushed open the door and walked down the carpeted hallway, looking for number 624. As they walked, Silver tried to keep his gaze from Majem, and his ears hung down ashamedly. It didn't take long for Silver to spot the correct office down the hall, and walked up to prepare to knock on the right door this time.

[Chirp]

Majem facehoofed at those words and blushed a bit in embarrassment. "That just had to happen, didn't it?" He muttered to himself as he followed Silver inside. He was too distracted by the hallway to notice Silver's ears. In his mind, Majem was having a great time playing in here.

Without paying attention where he was going, Majem bumped into Silver when Silver stopped in front of the door. "Sorry." He said and looked around at anything but Silver. "Focus, mate." Majem thought and gently slapped himself on the cheeks.
((You're such a silly kid, Majem.))

[GalvinRoe]

(Scene: Majem and Link)

  A weary eye followed the two ponies up to the capitol building . . . then they knocked. This might of startled a normal pony, or most any-pony but this pony, wearing a white 'fur' coat continued to stare on with slightly squinting eyes. His actual coat being of the darkest black and hair of golden locks, singled him out among the crowd. Such contradiction on a pony was not only eye-catching but startling. His blood-shot eyes and unshaven face gave the impression of a homeless man in stolen finery or perhaps a pony suffering from some mental condition. And his face was wrinkled in premature age, though he couldn't of been more than 30 his appearance would suggest he was ten years older.

  As Majem and Link blushed and pushed inside the building, the pony took a tentative step towards the street. A speeding cart pushed past in a hurry and dazzled the pony, forcing him to stumble back a few steps. He tried again, this time making it across the street successfully, he leaned against the building and watching through the windows made himself ready for a long wait.

[GalvinRoe]

The aristocrat furrowed his brow gravely. ..

Not two minutes after Fancy laid himself down several guards, Blood Blade among them, pushed into his private chambers. " Master, several royal guards are here, they must speak with you urgently. Their uniforms and medals check out, these are guards straight from The Sisters, themselves!" Blood Blade bid the way with his neutral expression, a skill he had LONG past mastered, a virtue for a noble's servant, a necessity for Fancy Pants' butler.

  Fancy had a moment or two to view the guards before they noticed his presence. They were not informative moments, the guards' faces were as neutral as Blood Blades'. The ranks were easy enough to determine, 12 guards in total: Front and center stood the Second Captain of the Guard, a pony whose father Fancy had known well, a pony Fancy had seen grow into the strapping mare she was today, Captain Grace Heart. She was the first to catch Fancy's presence and she did not smile at him, as she was quick to do if waving down from the watch or passing him on a street corner. Instead silent pools sat in her head and that expression of professional detachment sat stalwart, as fancy descended the stairs.

   The rest of the guard were plain enough, faces he might of remembered if he cared to, he recognized 'the twins', as they were called around the barracks. A pair of stallions that never left each others side. There were others as well but Fancy could tell there was no particular motive behind this grouping of guards, they were randomly selected recruits sent for some purpose . . .

  Captain Heart saluted. "Lord Fancy Pants the Fifth, Master of the Pants Estate, Keeper of the Triple Crown; you have been summoned before the everlasting sisters. I've been told to give you this . . . " Heart put a scroll into Fancy's hooves, she held it delicately and almost seemed loathe to part with it but she released the parchment after a momentary pause. It was simply a 'summons' dictating that Fancy was to be directed to the private chambers of the palace, an honour bestowed on very few. "We are to leave immediately, your lordship will have to pardon the unusual haste but these are obviously not usual circumstances. I've been told to inform you: 'You may bring one servant, but he or she will not be allowed within the inner sanctuary of the sisters this pony will be required to  wait in the outer hall.'" Captain Heart's emotion broke through her professionalism for one sliver of a second, something like fear was behind those eyes and maybe even a little pride. But it was gone as soon as it appeared and who is to say if it was really there at all?

  So, the Captain led Fancy and his loyal servant away from his mansion, his fortress and into the dank night, the crowd of guards gathering around pushing forward to the ever visible palace. It was a silent night, few noises were heard, fewer ponies could be seen. But the passage was smooth enough and they arrived without incident, the guard troop saw them inside and to the outer sanctuary, then all departed save for Captain Grace Heart.

  "I'm to see you the rest of the way, your grace. At least till we reach the inner sanctuary, then the servants will guide you from there. As you know . . . hardly any-pony is allowed within the inner sanctuary." She kept her face purposefully turned away from his. "Your servant will have to wait here. I'm sure the sisters will provide food and drink."

  And she moved on without turning back for confirmation. They passed through hallways of unparalleled marvel, sparkling glory open to the public for payed tours. Glistening, opalescent liquid spewed from a marvelous white-marble fountain, eternal daylight coaxed the liquid to the height of it's glorious refracting abilities. A dome of glass sat high above, 100 ponies on each others back might reach the glass, here the eternal light showered down upon the two lone ponies. It seemed to show the outside world but that was impossible, the sun sat contently in the center of the sky.

  The size of the fountain was . . . gargantuan, made to seem small by the empty space about it. They passed along the open hall-way, pillars the width of Fancy blocking the sheer 'space' of the area, giving the room depth and markers to show how far one had gone. These pillars were crafted with such mastery . . . small depictions of ponies etched into the base and bare black marble extending into the rafters. Rafters adorned with murals of past battles and the peace pony-kind has more or less experienced through its many years.

  Finally, they came through to the other end, the 'Walk of Devotion' was this hallway's name, the passageway into the Sister's private Sanctuary was adorned with portraits of the Sisters throughout the ages. Billions of artists had thrown their craft, hearts, blood and love into portraits for the sisters but only a hundred were displayed here. Some murals, some portraits but all breathtakingly beautiful. The same soft, eternal light lite the portraits and the hallway.  All this Fancy had seen before but he was less familiar with the Walk of Devotion, the portraits still took his breath away, the best artists had their work preserved forever here . . . it was a place of history and culture.

  Captain Heart sighed. "And here we are lord Fancy, I leave you to the sisters." Saluting once more, Captain Grace Heart marched, back the way she came.

  Fancy stood before a large stairway, at least twenty ponies, standing side-by-side could walk up these steps, together. And it seemed two ponies were headed down to meet him. Two silver haired fillies, neither of which could have been over the age of thirteen, trotted shyly up to Fancy. "Fancy, sir . . . you are Fancy Pants, yes?" They pushed him up the stairs, all anxiousness and excitement. "The princess are waiting for you!" Then the other chimed in. "Yes! Waiting for you in the reprieve room, Madame Platinum is already here! You must hurry Mr. Pants. They are waiting on you, youuu!" She made a face of mock impatience and then smiled sweetly. Both giggled and pushed Fancy through two doors, made of day-light and Moon-light, or that is what the material looked like to Fancy, if light could be opaque and solid. A delicate white moon was carved into the Moon-light and a blazing sun upon the other.

  And then it was as if he passed into another building, the furniture was still fine, high quality, but it wasn't overly unnecessary or uncomfortably gaudy. This was a residence, a larger than normal residence but a home for ponies. The two fillies pulled Fancy into a small antechamber and backed out giggling at one-another.

  It was a small, comfortable room but before Fancy had a chance to decide on whether he should wait or pass through to the next room, the door opened and Luna passed in, stopping to put the book she had away, she smiled sadly at Fancy. "Step forward and enter, Sir Fancy. We do have much to discuss." Luna stepped  away from the door and beckoned him to enter.

  Inside was a large circular and wooden table, old beyond reckoning and scuffed upon every surface but polished to shine with constant use. Celestia sat opposite the door, bent over papers and maps, and looking a little more than slightly disgruntled. At Fancy's hoof-steps she rose her head, gazing at Fancy the way only the Sun Princess could. "Ah, Fancy . . . you are here . . ." Celestia nodded to a chair. "Sit down Fancy, make yourself comfortable."

  Luna walked around the table, languidly, standing by her sister's side. They summoned up food and drink, a rather sweet smelling bread and some kind of hot drink, it smelled rather like mint. Celestia stood to her full height. "I am sorry to see you get yourself involved in this, Fancy. Because now we'll have to extract promises from you, promises to be sworn before us in oath-binding spells, strong as the world . . . " But here she had to stop, the door opened again and a decrepit unicorn-mare pushed into the room. Her hair was loose and transparent, one would almost believe it wasn't hair at all but cobwebs. Her face a puckered prune, frozen in scorn and pain. She hobbled into the room, sitting nearer to Fancy than the princess and looking irritably between Fancy and the sisters.

  Luna gave a pitying gaze to the old mare. "Madame Platinum, thou doth return in time."

  "Aye, my princess." Contrary to the pony's ancient appearance her voice was sweet and mellifluous, charming and alluring and at the moment distracting.

  Luna nodded towards her and Celesita moved to speak again but it was Madame Platinum that took the floor "So . . . you are this century's Fancy?" She looked him up and down with unrestrained hatred. "Your family has been very useful to the crown in the past, are you abandoning the principles lain  before you by your ancestors."

  Luna looked surprised. Celestia shouted: "I suggest you refrain from making accusations, Madame Platinum, we haven't ascertained what Fancy's plans are, yet. I doubt he wishes any harm to the Equestrian people."

Madame Platinum looked on, not one inch chastised. "Then I suggest we 'ascertain' this, princess." Molten gold magic erupted from her horn, dragging a shawl out of . . . nowhere and covering herself tightly with it, she leaned into the table as if to ponder. "You see . . . you've shown interest in my plans with your attempt to purchase the weapon smiths. If your servant would of payed more attention, he'd of noticed the shares had already all been bought up. Instead, I almost had to bid against you Fancy and although my wealth is significant, I can't be wasting it trumping yours'."

  The mare looked up at fancy, or at least that was the most likely direction of her gaze, her face was so gnarled and wrinkled, the eyes were almost lost in bags of dry skin. "I'm sure you haven't heard of my family, the Platinums, you haven't heard of us because we are not meant to be heard. We were the original spies for the Sisters, since the founding of Equestria. Rewarded with platinum mines after the war of 86, we quickly became a powerful merchant group . . . Than the day came were it was more convenient for us to slip into shadow, to affect the economy of Equestria from the side-lines, to be the generous beneficiaries of the arts and sciences." Here she might of smiled, something twisted in her old face. "Certain thoughts are dangerous you know."

  Celestia looked on with a hard gaze, breaking in on Platinum's last line. "Fancy, I must ask you to swear to me the oath, or we shall keep the remainder of the sensitive information under wraps . . ."

   The ancient mare turned her head slowly to Celestia. "You plan . . . on letting him leave? I would hardly call that the wise decisions I'm accustomed to expect from you, Princess."

  Celestia's mane whipped back but she addressed her words to Fancy, not the mare. "Fancy, you cannot be allowed to use your wealth as you are and if you shall not swear your oath, I must warn you . . . I will be freezing your accounts, stocks and interests. Should your business suffer enough, Madame Platinum will be required to purchase your business and take a more active role in the kingdom. But if you are refusing to cooperate the Platinum family must shed their anonymity and take hold of the other quarter of civil-responsibilities. "

   Another shifting in the mare's face. "An expensive compromise, the other method would be less . . . detrimental to societies' current structure."  Then she turned to Fancy, smiling as if she couldn't help herself from humiliating him. "You do realize he's been attempting to make use of the guild of assassins . . . to locate Strokes? Ahh, I suppose you thought them securely under your hoof, eh, Fancy? I'm sorry to say they've only ever moved if I allow it . . . oh don't worry your pretty young face, Fleur would much rather serve you but we have ties deeper than money Fancy, ties she wouldn't risk breaking." The old mare sighed. "Still, she didn't tell me she had searched for Right-Hoof for you, until after she gave you the information. I stopped her from gathering those 'companions' of yours, though. We are watching and waiting, seeing if they will lead us to Green Strokes."

  Celestia looked insane, her hoof crashed down on the ancient wooden table and took off part of it. "I am TIRED of this balancing game!" and Luna stepped forward, looking at Fancy with a questioning gaze. "Sir fancy, you have served valiantly in your country's name, we shan't forget your many contributions, nor your valor as guard and soldier. Times now come upon us where we must ask further sacrifices of you, will you take up your princesses' names in reverence once again. Will you swear to forever serve us, in life and death and never stray from the path we deem Equestria must travel? Can you trust in us, once more, Fancy?"

(Do take heed mag, if you swear an oath to the princess you will no longer be able to play Fancy Pants, he will effectively be removed from play, unless you want to use fancy to help 'catch' Strokes. Because he'll be helping do just that, whether he wants to or not , after he takes the oath)

[Ryo_D_Disk]

"Ah there it is, shame the other two ran off but, I'm sure the will catch up got some questions for them"
Ryo enters the library with the others and walks up to the counter

"Hello there Violet how have you been today, sorry for being so late in, but mind if we use the research room for a tad"

((sorry randomly naming a NPC if you have a difrent name ill edit))

[GalvinRoe]

"Ah there it is, shame the other two ran off but, I'm sure the will catch up got some questions for them"
Ryo enters the library with the others and walks up to the counter

"Hello there Violet how have you been today, sorry for being so late in, but mind if we use the research room for a tad"

  "Yeah, yeah." Violet looked up. "Oh, Ryo, you know it's the middle of the night, I've been open 4 hours over waiting for you. Listen your 'pals' are in the back. You go do your bloody Celestia-forsaken research." She threw him a key. "Lock up after I leave,  which would be now." The mare got to her chubby hooves and patted Ryo on the back. "Have fun with your black magic." And she was gone.

[The Wandering Magus]

The aristocrat furrowed his brow gravely. ..

Not two minutes after Fancy laid himself down several guards, Blood Blade among them, pushed into his private chambers. " Master, several royal guards are here, they must speak with you urgently. Their uniforms and medals check out, these are guards straight from The Sisters, themselves!" Blood Blade bid the way with his neutral expression, a skill he had LONG past mastered, a virtue for a noble's servant, a necessity for Fancy Pants' butler.

  Fancy had a moment or two to view the guards before they noticed his presence. They were not informative moments, the guards' faces were as neutral as Blood Blades'. The ranks were easy enough to determine, 12 guards in total: Front and center stood the Second Captain of the Guard, a pony whose father Fancy had known well, a pony Fancy had seen grow into the strapping mare she was today, Captain Grace Heart. She was the first to catch Fancy's presence and she did not smile at him, as she was quick to do if waving down from the watch or passing him on a street corner. Instead silent pools sat in her head and that expression of professional detachment sat stalwart, as fancy descended the stairs.

   The rest of the guard were plain enough, faces he might of remembered if he cared to, he recognized 'the twins', as they were called around the barracks. A pair of stallions that never left each others side. There were others as well but Fancy could tell there was no particular motive behind this grouping of guards, they were randomly selected recruits sent for some purpose . . .

  Captain Heart saluted. "Lord Fancy Pants the Fifth, Master of the Pants Estate, Keeper of the Triple Crown; you have been summoned before the everlasting sisters. I've been told to give you this . . . " Heart put a scroll into Fancy's hooves, she held it delicately and almost seemed loathe to part with it but she released the parchment after a momentary pause. It was simply a 'summons' dictating that Fancy was to be directed to the private chambers of the palace, an honour bestowed on very few. "We are to leave immediately, your lordship will have to pardon the unusual haste but these are obviously not usual circumstances. I've been told to inform you: 'You may bring one servant, but he or she will not be allowed within the inner sanctuary of the sisters this pony will be required to  wait in the outer hall.'" Captain Heart's emotion broke through her professionalism for one sliver of a second, something like fear was behind those eyes and maybe even a little pride. But it was gone as soon as it appeared and who is to say if it was really there at all?

  So, the Captain led Fancy and his loyal servant away from his mansion, his fortress and into the dank night, the crowd of guards gathering around pushing forward to the ever visible palace. It was a silent night, few noises were heard, fewer ponies could be seen. But the passage was smooth enough and they arrived without incident, the guard troop saw them inside and to the outer sanctuary, then all departed save for Captain Grace Heart.

  "I'm to see you the rest of the way, your grace. At least till we reach the inner sanctuary, then the servants will guide you from there. As you know . . . hardly any-pony is allowed within the inner sanctuary." She kept her face purposefully turned away from his. "Your servant will have to wait here. I'm sure the sisters will provide food and drink."

  And she moved on without turning back for confirmation. They passed through hallways of unparalleled marvel, sparkling glory open to the public for payed tours. Glistening, opalescent liquid spewed from a marvelous white-marble fountain, eternal daylight coaxed the liquid to the height of it's glorious refracting abilities. A dome of glass sat high above, 100 ponies on each others back might reach the glass, here the eternal light showered down upon the two lone ponies. It seemed to show the outside world but that was impossible, the sun sat contently in the center of the sky.

  The size of the fountain was . . . gargantuan, made to seem small by the empty space about it. They passed along the open hall-way, pillars the width of Fancy blocking the sheer 'space' of the area, giving the room depth and markers to show how far one had gone. These pillars were crafted with such mastery . . . small depictions of ponies etched into the base and bare black marble extending into the rafters. Rafters adorned with murals of past battles and the peace pony-kind has more or less experienced through its many years.

  Finally, they came through to the other end, the 'Walk of Devotion' was this hallway's name, the passageway into the Sister's private Sanctuary was adorned with portraits of the Sisters throughout the ages. Billions of artists had thrown their craft, hearts, blood and love into portraits for the sisters but only a hundred were displayed here. Some murals, some portraits but all breathtakingly beautiful. The same soft, eternal light lite the portraits and the hallway.  All this Fancy had seen before but he was less familiar with the Walk of Devotion, the portraits still took his breath away, the best artists had their work preserved forever here . . . it was a place of history and culture.

  Captain Heart sighed. "And here we are lord Fancy, I leave you to the sisters." Saluting once more, Captain Grace Heart marched, back the way she came.

  Fancy stood before a large stairway, at least twenty ponies, standing side-by-side could walk up these steps, together. And it seemed two ponies were headed down to meet him. Two silver haired fillies, neither of which could have been over the age of thirteen, trotted shyly up to Fancy. "Fancy, sir . . . you are Fancy Pants, yes?" They pushed him up the stairs, all anxiousness and excitement. "The princess are waiting for you!" Then the other chimed in. "Yes! Waiting for you in the reprieve room, Madame Platinum is already here! You must hurry Mr. Pants. They are waiting on you, youuu!" She made a face of mock impatience and then smiled sweetly. Both giggled and pushed Fancy through two doors, made of day-light and Moon-light, or that is what the material looked like to Fancy, if light could be opaque and solid. A delicate white moon was carved into the Moon-light and a blazing sun upon the other.

  And then it was as if he passed into another building, the furniture was still fine, high quality, but it wasn't overly unnecessary or uncomfortably gaudy. This was a residence, a larger than normal residence but a home for ponies. The two fillies pulled Fancy into a small antechamber and backed out giggling at one-another.

  It was a small, comfortable room but before Fancy had a chance to decide on whether he should wait or pass through to the next room, the door opened and Luna passed in, stopping to put the book she had away, she smiled sadly at Fancy. "Step forward and enter, Sir Fancy. We do have much to discuss." Luna stepped  away from the door and beckoned him to enter.

  Inside was a large circular and wooden table, old beyond reckoning and scuffed upon every surface but polished to shine with constant use. Celestia sat opposite the door, bent over papers and maps, and looking a little more than slightly disgruntled. At Fancy's hoof-steps she rose her head, gazing at Fancy the way only the Sun Princess could. "Ah, Fancy . . . you are here . . ." Celestia nodded to a chair. "Sit down Fancy, make yourself comfortable."

  Luna walked around the table, languidly, standing by her sister's side. They summoned up food and drink, a rather sweet smelling bread and some kind of hot drink, it smelled rather like mint. Celestia stood to her full height. "I am sorry to see you get yourself involved in this, Fancy. Because now we'll have to extract promises from you, promises to be sworn before us in oath-binding spells, strong as the world . . . " But here she had to stop, the door opened again and a decrepit unicorn-mare pushed into the room. Her hair was loose and transparent, one would almost believe it wasn't hair at all but cobwebs. Her face a puckered prune, frozen in scorn and pain. She hobbled into the room, sitting nearer to Fancy than the princess and looking irritably between Fancy and the sisters.

  Luna gave a pitying gaze to the old mare. "Madame Platinum, thou doth return in time."

  "Aye, my princess." Contrary to the pony's ancient appearance her voice was sweet and mellifluous, charming and alluring and at the moment distracting.

  Luna nodded towards her and Celesita moved to speak again but it was Madame Platinum that took the floor "So . . . you are this century's Fancy?" She looked him up and down with unrestrained hatred. "Your family has been very useful to the crown in the past, are you abandoning the principles lain  before you by your ancestors."

  Luna looked surprised. Celestia shouted: "I suggest you refrain from making accusations, Madame Platinum, we haven't ascertained what Fancy's plans are, yet. I doubt he wishes any harm to the Equestrian people."

Madame Platinum looked on, not one inch chastised. "Then I suggest we 'ascertain' this, princess." Molten gold magic erupted from her horn, dragging a shawl out of . . . nowhere and covering herself tightly with it, she leaned into the table as if to ponder. "You see . . . you've shown interest in my plans with your attempt to purchase the weapon smiths. If your servant would of payed more attention, he'd of noticed the shares had already all been bought up. Instead, I almost had to bid against you Fancy and although my wealth is significant, I can't be wasting it trumping yours'."

  The mare looked up at fancy, or at least that was the most likely direction of her gaze, her face was so gnarled and wrinkled, the eyes were almost lost in bags of dry skin. "I'm sure you haven't heard of my family, the Platinums, you haven't heard of us because we are not meant to be heard. We were the original spies for the Sisters, since the founding of Equestria. Rewarded with platinum mines after the war of 86, we quickly became a powerful merchant group . . . Than the day came were it was more convenient for us to slip into shadow, to affect the economy of Equestria from the side-lines, to be the generous beneficiaries of the arts and sciences." Here she might of smiled, something twisted in her old face. "Certain thoughts are dangerous you know."

  Celestia looked on with a hard gaze, breaking in on Platinum's last line. "Fancy, I must ask you to swear to me the oath, or we shall keep the remainder of the sensitive information under wraps . . ."

   The ancient mare turned her head slowly to Celestia. "You plan . . . on letting him leave? I would hardly call that the wise decisions I'm accustomed to expect from you, Princess."

  Celestia's mane whipped back but she addressed her words to Fancy, not the mare. "Fancy, you cannot be allowed to use your wealth as you are and if you shall not swear your oath, I must warn you . . . I will be freezing your accounts, stocks and interests. Should your business suffer enough, Madame Platinum will be required to purchase your business and take a more active role in the kingdom. But if you are refusing to cooperate the Platinum family must shed their anonymity and take hold of the other quarter of civil-responsibilities. "

   Another shifting in the mare's face. "An expensive compromise, the other method would be less . . . detrimental to societies' current structure."  Then she turned to Fancy, smiling as if she couldn't help herself from humiliating him. "You do realize he's been attempting to make use of the guild of assassins . . . to locate Strokes? Ahh, I suppose you thought them securely under your hoof, eh, Fancy? I'm sorry to say they've only ever moved if I allow it . . . oh don't worry your pretty young face, Fleur would much rather serve you but we have ties deeper than money Fancy, ties she wouldn't risk breaking." The old mare sighed. "Still, she didn't tell me she had searched for Right-Hoof for you, until after she gave you the information. I stopped her from gathering those 'companions' of yours, though. We are watching and waiting, seeing if they will lead us to Green Strokes."

  Celestia looked insane, her hoof crashed down on the ancient wooden table and took off part of it. "I am TIRED of this balancing game!" and Luna stepped forward, looking at Fancy with a questioning gaze. "Sir fancy, you have served valiantly in your country's name, we shan't forget your many contributions, nor your valor as guard and soldier. Times now come upon us where we must ask further sacrifices of you, will you take up your princesses' names in reverence once again. Will you swear to forever serve us, in life and death and never stray from the path we deem Equestria must travel? Can you trust in us, once more, Fancy?"

(Do take heed mag, if you swear an oath to the princess you will no longer be able to play Fancy Pants, he will effectively be removed from play, unless you want to use fancy to help 'catch' Strokes. Because he'll be helping do just that, whether he wants to or not , after he takes the oath)

Fancy looked at the secret leaders of Equestria with a raised eyebrow and a neutral expression.

"Your Majesties and your honor has asked many questions and placed many claims before me in a short period of time, and I shall endeavor to respond to each in chronological order.  Firstly, as to family history, my line has always been loyal to one thing alone- the citizens of Equestria.  Not to any particular law, which changes with the passage of time and the whims of the citizens and rulers, nor to any individual or family, for families always rise and fall with the passage of time.  No, my father, my father's father, and all my ancestors have ever only been loyal to the citizens, ponies or not, of Equestria."

He maintained eye contact with these formidable powers that be, for this was a matter of personal familial pride.  Then his face became more relaed and reasonable.  "Now, in regards to any 'plans', I have only those which pertain to economic benefit and personal safety, as well as the life, liberty and happiness of those I care for.  My attempt to purchase of weapon and armor companies across the nation is but a reflection of good business; there will always be a need for weapons, whether for defense or some other reason, and as these companies were rapidly entering bankruptcy, it was only good business to purchase these companies in the hopes of procuring a profit.  No political motivation was ever a part of my decision, and I apologize if this attempt disrupted any plans Your Majesties or your honor might have had."

His face grew bored.  "As for the Platinums, the only place I have truly heard of your lot is in plays performed every Hearth's Warming Eve, and to be quite frank, I have no interest whatsoever in rivalries or one-upping anypony in terms of power.  My goals are strictly economic.  If you say you are the most powerful mare in all of Equestria, so be it.  I did not and do not plan, and did not and do not expect, to be the most powerful pony in the land.  Nor did I ever believe La Famille to be the most powerful organization of assassins; as they say in business, 'there is always a bigger fish'.  As for my use of her for any sorts of 'espionage', I truly do not know exactly what you mean by that.  I have done nothing which can be considered truly illicit with my information gathering.  Rumors and sightings are a norm of high society, as I am quite sure Your Majesties and your honor are aware, and outlawing such is both futile and impossible to enforce.  As for Strokes, consider it a matter of personal interest in the well-being of a friend and companion from foalhood.  As I have already stated, I had no political interests in mind when attempting to procure information as to the whereabouts of my friend."

He brushed a bit of loose dust from his foreleg.  "As to dangerous ideas, I would concur that psychopathism and kleptomania and a variety of omnicidal or extremist thoughts do indeed threaten the security of any society.  But in truth, I have no interest in such political or scientific matters.  My interests are, as I have said, strictly economic."

The stallion became serious.  "Now, as for any oaths, I will swear only to defend the citizens of Equestria, as I and my family has always done.  To swear otherwise would be ignoring the possibility of bringing harm to said citizens, and that, to me, is tantamount to genocide, which I personally cannot under any circumstance commend.  I cannot serve two causes at once if they contradict one another.  I must place the citizens of Equestria, their life, liberty and happiness, above any lofty goals or paths, no matter how grand the goal or powerful the individual.  As for blindly obeying Your Majesties' and your honor's plans, are Your Majesties and your honor infallible?  Had the soldiers of Equestria sworn eternal obedience to Your Majesty, Princess Luna, Goddess of Night, would they not have served a tyrant and created a civil war when Your Majesty was influenced by the Nightmare of the Moon?  And Your Majesties and your honor know full well that that is exactly what did occur, and to this day the Lunar Revolutionists continue to plague the life, liberty and happiness of the citizens of Equestria.  Given such circumstances, and such chilling possibilities, I cannot place the desires of Individuals, no matter how omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, wise or knowing, above the Equestrian Citizens."

Fancy sighed.  "Freeze what stocks need freezing; as for accounts, Your Majesties and your honor are quite well aware, I am sure, that I have only very few within Equestrian jurisdiction.  Freeze those if Your Majesties and your honor so choose."

He looked at the three once more with a neutral expression.

((and know that the majority of Fancy's wealth isn't even stored up in any particular accounts, stocks or bonds.  No businesspony would be stupid enough to trust entirely in the security of a single nation, especially Fancy, who knows quite well about the fragility of order after witnessing civil war and anarchy in his Journeys Beyond Equestria.  There is business to be done elsewhere.  Equestria is not the only nation in the world, no matter how powerful or wealthy its citizens believe it to be.))

[Ryo_D_Disk]

"Ah there it is, shame the other two ran off but, I'm sure the will catch up got some questions for them"
Ryo enters the library with the others and walks up to the counter

"Hello there Violet how have you been today, sorry for being so late in, but mind if we use the research room for a tad"

  "Yeah, yeah." Violet looked up. "Oh, Ryo, you know it's the middle of the night, I've been open 4 hours over waiting for you. Listen your 'pals' are in the back. You go do your bloody Celestia-forsaken research." She threw him a key. "Lock up after I leave,  which would be now." The mare got to her chubby hooves and patted Ryo on the back. "Have fun with your black magic." And she was gone.

"Pleasant as always, come on, Ill have to explain the situation to......

"Ryo honestly do you have any idea how to keep time your late as per normal"A blue earthpony wearing a red shirt and doctor's coat stands by the entryway of the research room behind him a small yellow Pegasus more hiding rather than being open

"wh who are you with?"

[Tiger]

"Ah there it is, shame the other two ran off but, I'm sure the will catch up got some questions for them"
Ryo enters the library with the others and walks up to the counter

"Hello there Violet how have you been today, sorry for being so late in, but mind if we use the research room for a tad"

  "Yeah, yeah." Violet looked up. "Oh, Ryo, you know it's the middle of the night, I've been open 4 hours over waiting for you. Listen your 'pals' are in the back. You go do your bloody Celestia-forsaken research." She threw him a key. "Lock up after I leave,  which would be now." The mare got to her chubby hooves and patted Ryo on the back. "Have fun with your black magic." And she was gone.

"Pleasant as always, come on, Ill have to explain the situation to......

"Ryo honestly do you have any idea how to keep time your late as per normal"A blue earthpony wearing a red shirt and doctor's coat stands by the entryway of the research room behind him a small yellow Pegasus more hiding rather than being open

"wh who are you with?"

"...Is this where you work, Ryo?" Shofter asked.

Falliver was more than happy to introduce herself to the yellow pegasus, even though she was a talking parakeet. "HI! I'm Falliver! What's your name? I think it's a great name! We should be friends! Maybe we could even have a party!"

[Ryo_D_Disk]

"Nah I just use this place for research its small enough so I don't get bothered by .... certain annoyances yet there able to get the resources I need in"


"........"
"Im sorry about my friend she inst the best with others, and since Ryo failed to do so allow me to introduce myself, I'm Kai and this is Sara"

"I I Its good to meet you"

"now Ryo care to explain our guest please, I thought you needed help with the Empire case"

"I do but things happened and we may have two or three more joining us"
Ryo rubs his hoof on his main as Kai sighs
"What have you gotten into this time"
"It's a long story that even I don't think I understand , but first lets go sit down I have something to ask you Kai, since you know about Green Strokes" Kai remains silent as he looks at his hooves for a second
"lets go sit down then"As he trots back in the research room

[Tiger]

"Nice to meet you too Sara!" Falliver said with glee.

"Alright Falliver, that's enough. Let's go to the research room," Shofter said as she trotted after Ryo.

"H-Hey! Wait for me!"

[Ryo_D_Disk]

Kai stands in the corner of the room Sara takes a seat a solemn look overtakes Kai's face

"Since your asking about Mr Strokes, I can assume that you were at the apartment complex then, *sigh* not a thing you want to see on your day of return, and the fact your asking me I can presume you haven't seen this"
Kai slides over a newspaper on the table listed is the advertisement for assistance
"There is something wrong going on in this town"

[Link]

Upon Majem bumping into him, Silver nearly hit the roof as he jumped up with surprise. After slowly gliding back down to the floor, he turned to Majem, catching his breath before muttering a "No problem...", and reaching his hoof up to gently knock on the fine wooden door leading into office 624. After a few gentle raps, Silver stood back and waited for an answer, hoping it was the right one this time...