private Sombra's Shadow

[Stardust* 3,302]

"You can go and fetch your friend dear. Just try to find him as soon as possible." The captain said with a smile. "As for the others, would you be so kind to follow me."

 

She looked to Aria and gave a small smile and back to the guard..."Thank you sir, I will not delay." With that she was off in search of Psych. 

 

Scouring the city for any trace of Psych was hard enough, let alone having to do it with a pretty tight time line. I don't know this pony... how would I know where he would be hiding out.... ugh this is going to be... oh... wait a minute...

 

She was flying over an ally when she noticed a pony cowering up to a wall standing right next to a dumpster, almost as if he were trying to make sure no one could come up behind him. That has to be him.

 

Stardust flew down a few feet away from Psych as to not startle him too much. She wanted to make herself known so she didn't sneak up on him. She made sure that her hooves could be heard as she didn't quite stomp... but it was pretty close. She then tried to talk to him to let him know that he was safe and that she would take him to the others.

 

"Psych, it's me, Stardust. I Am HeRe To TaKe YoU To ThE OtHeRs, WE ARE MEETING WITH THE MAYOR." 

 

She tried not to shout... but she didn't want any misunderstanding. She said it quiet enough as to not bring attention to others, but as she closed the distance her voice seemed to get a bit louder with each step. By the time she got next to him she was basically shouting in his ear. 

[Count Paradox 3,548]

Psych, not expecting anypony to be able to find him in this crowded city, jumped a bit at the fact that somepony was shouting to him, using his name. He spread his sight to see who exactly it was, and, noticing it was indeed Stardust who had found him, he walked towards her, head down in fear of being in trouble for running off. "I'm sorry... I thought I would be able to help somehow..." His muzzle was still wet from crying, and his gold eyes seemed a bit red and puffy.

[Randimaxis 8,652]

"You see Harcourt, I knew you would visit my office eventually. Although it did take a bit longer than expected but I suppose it was worth the wait."

 

"I was expected?  Well, I suppose there are ways and means of knowing things... but truly, shouldn't you have baked a cake?"

 

He chuckled at his little joke, handing a kind grin towards the lovely mayor.  She seemed to be... expecting something.  Exactly what, there was no telling - but if things were anything now like they were then...

 

Rarity pulled out a beautiful silver ornamental case and laid it on the desk.  Harcourt gave it a skeptical appraisal; it was obviously worth a fortune, but so were many things that Rarity would own.  She was the reason he'd coined the phrase, 'beauty attracts beauty'.  The box was a bit too ostentatious for his tastes, but it was obvious that whatever was inside warranted such a fine container... at least to Rarity, he supposed.

 

"If you are the right pony, and I am absolutely certain you are, you should be able to open this box. The content within has always been mine. However, since you are here now, I finally have the pleasure of passing it onto you. Would you care to try, darling?''

 

He lifted an eyebrow.  "If the bill for the city's budget overflow is in there... kidding, simply kidding.  Still, my curiosity has been piqued..."  He chuckled, shook his head and proceeded to try to open the exquisite box.

[Stardust* 3,302]

"Oooh, Psych, don't cry. I didn't mean to yell, I just didn't want to frighten you, I wanted you to know that it was me and not somepony else." 

 

Stardust gave Psych an awkward hug to try and help him to feel better. 

 

"But we do have to go, the Mayor's guards came to gather all of your group up to take you to her quarters. They let me come find you and take you to them. We must move quickly, we have to be there at the time the rest of the group is there." 

 

She turned and with instinct she opened her wings ready to take off, then she remembered the ground is where she has to be now. She looked back at Psych, gave a small smile. "Can you follow me?... or...." Stardust saw a run down taxi that she thought might still work - at least for a one way trip. 

 

She moved over to it and tossed some garbage bags away and pushed a very used mattress off of the top. She moved it away from the wall and attached the harness just under her wings. She trotted over to Psych. 

 

"Okay, hop in, we will get there pretty quick this way." She smiled proudly, "make sure to hold on, gonna give this baby some pretty good wing power." 

[Pucksterv 4,508]

"Very well. Lead the way, and we shall follow."

 

The guard gave a small nod to forwards the others before proceeding to lead the group towards the mayor's estate. Trivy followed the guard in silence until she found herself walking next to Aria "I'm curious... why do you think the mayor wants us? I mean, it's a rather strange coincidence that we were just heading her way don't you think?"

 

---

"If the bill for the city's budget overflow is in there... kidding, simply kidding.  Still, my curiosity has been piqued..."  He chuckled, shook his head and proceeded to try to open the exquisite box.

 

"Oh don't worry it is nothing like that." 

 

The small silver box popped open with ease, revealing a small purple gemstone laying on a silk white pillow. Rarity cloaked the gem with her magic and levitated it slowly towards Harcourt. "So... you are the expert here darling, tell me, what do you think this is?"

[Count Paradox 3,548]

"Oooh, Psych, don't cry. I didn't mean to yell, I just didn't want to frighten you, I wanted you to know that it was me and not somepony else." 

 

Stardust gave Psych an awkward hug to try and help him to feel better. 

 

"But we do have to go, the Mayor's guards came to gather all of your group up to take you to her quarters. They let me come find you and take you to them. We must move quickly, we have to be there at the time the rest of the group is there." 

 

She turned and with instinct she opened her wings ready to take off, then she remembered the ground is where she has to be now. She looked back at Psych, gave a small smile. "Can you follow me?... or...." Stardust saw a run down taxi that she thought might still work - at least for a one way trip. 

 

She moved over to it and tossed some garbage bags away and pushed a very used mattress off of the top. She moved it away from the wall and attached the harness just under her wings. She trotted over to Psych. 

 

"Okay, hop in, we will get there pretty quick this way." She smiled proudly, "make sure to hold on, gonna give this baby some pretty good wing power." 

He saw what she was doing and was a bit weary. The cart was definitely run down, with the paint worn off in most places, the cloth canopy over it in tatters, and the straps to attach it to a pony seemed to have seen better days. He cautiously stepped inside, avoiding a hole in the floor and sitting on the cushion that seemed to be the only thing still in good shape. "Are... Are you sure this will be safe? And can we trust those guards? They seemed rather... Mean... At the gate entrance to the city..."

[Randimaxis 8,652]

Harcourt gave the gemstone a close scrutinizing, his appraisal skills at work.

 

"Well, it has an excellent color, finely cut, looks like a good weight... chances are good that it would fetch quite a nice sum on the marke-"

 

He swiveled, his eyes locking onto Rarity's.

 

"Lady Rarity, all kidding aside: THAT is one of the Elements of Harmony.  Impressive, especially since they are supposedly all destroyed - which, according to the evidence presented before me, is nothing more than a rumor, eh?"

 

He gazed at the gem, his hyper-critical stare tracing over each and every line, cut and hue visible to him.  He stepped back, obviously somewhat impressed.

 

"It's rather lovely - though not as lovely as my current company, of course - and it feels good to know it's not in pieces.  But, this information begs two questions, my lady:  Where are the others, and what is the purpose of sharing this info with an old has-been nag such as myself?"

[-Octavia- 1,176]

"I'm curious... why do you think the mayor wants us? I mean, it's a rather strange coincidence that we were just heading her way don't you think?"

 

"Actually if I think about it, it doesn't seem strange at all," Aria responded. This was perfectly true, as she had been ruminating upon it since the Mayor's invitation was extended by the one called Trash.

 

The guards retrieved us from the observatory. There is a fact. How would the guards know to retrieve us at the observatory? Either you were followed from the gate by an informant or one of your group managed to make contact with her. The only reason I can think of for you to have been followed is because you were not processed, and given that we are not being escorted in a forceful or threatening manner, I think the latter of the two to be more likely.

 

This would leave the wily friend you call Harcourt, unless your sightless friend managed to navigate the city flawlessly, which I must say would be one of the most impressive feats I've heard of, next to my boat. So that is my best guess: Harcourt managed to somehow see the Mayor and convince her to meet you. That, or he was caught, is currently under excruciating torture, and the Mayor is inviting us to be executed just to break the monotony," she finished with a deadpan expression on her face. Remembering how prone to nervousness the mare beside her seemed to be, however, she added in a somewhat softer tone, "that was a joke, Trivy."

Edited September 30, 2015 by Wubtavia

[Stardust* 3,302]

"Are... Are you sure this will be safe? And can we trust those guards? They seemed rather... Mean... At the gate entrance to the city..." 

 

"Well... they didn't take my magic... and they let me come find you. I don't know, the stallion in charge seemed to be understanding." Stardust was zipping through the streets trying to make it to the middle of the crowded city.

 

She turned down a street and saw the group of ponies marching down the other end. She flew a little bit faster to catch up, but heard a crack and creek of the taxi, she had to slow down to ensure the taxi stayed mostly in tact. She reached the end of the street and turned into the group. She flew up to the front to catch up to Aria and Trivy. 

 

"Aria, Trivy, I found Psych!" Stardust beamed. She landed and tucked her wings so she could walk with the rest of the ponies. She noticed the lead guard looking back with a funny look on his face as he noticed the taxi, he then looked at Stardust and gave a little smile and a small nod. She blushed a bit and gave a shy smile. 

[Pucksterv 4,508]

"that was a joke, Trivy." 

 

"Hehe, yeah... I knew that.. totally knew it." Trivy said nervously, denying her worries and small paranoia about the posssibilty of her being executed. After that, she stayed quiet, knowing that asking only more questions would increase her dark thoughts.

 

After walking through the enormous crowd of ponies inside the city, they finally arrived at the edge of town, in front of a gigantic gate, protected by a magical barrier. The captain's guard used his magic to open up the gates and then held it open so the ponies could walk through.

 

---

"Lady Rarity, all kidding aside: THAT is one of the Elements of Harmony.  Impressive, especially since they are supposedly all destroyed - which, according to the evidence presented before me, is nothing more than a rumor, eh?"

 

"It's rather lovely - though not as lovely as my current company, of course - and it feels good to know it's not in pieces.  But, this information begs two questions, my lady:  Where are the others, and what is the purpose of sharing this info with an old has-been nag such as myself?"

 

"The tree of Harmony was destroyed by Sombra or at least he thought. We managed to safe the elements from it ashes, we couldn't quite understand why the elements were still intact until Twilight found out about you and your companions. We couldn't risk telling anypony in case Sombra would find out. We've been working on a way to defeat him for years."

 

Rarity placed the purple gem in Harcourt's hoof with a smile. "This is yours now, generous one." 

Edited September 30, 2015 by Pucksterv

[Count Paradox 3,548]

"Are... Are you sure this will be safe? And can we trust those guards? They seemed rather... Mean... At the gate entrance to the city..." 

 

"Well... they didn't take my magic... and they let me come find you. I don't know, the stallion in charge seemed to be understanding." Stardust was zipping through the streets trying to make it to the middle of the crowded city.

 

She turned down a street and saw the group of ponies marching down the other end. She flew a little bit faster to catch up, but heard a crack and creek of the taxi, she had to slow down to ensure the taxi stayed mostly in tact. She reached the end of the street and turned into the group. She flew up to the front to catch up to Aria and Trivy. 

 

"Aria, Trivy, I found Psych!" Stardust beamed. She landed and tucked her wings so she could walk with the rest of the ponies. She noticed the lead guard looking back with a funny look on his face as he noticed the taxi, he then looked at Stardust and gave a little smile and a small nod. She blushed a bit and gave a shy smile. 

He attempted to answer her, but the ride was a bit jostling and he was being shaken so much that he felt if he opened his mouth, he would be sick. The crack he heard didn't help either, and he silently prayed to Celestia that it stayed intact. After a short while longer, he felt that they were slowing down a bit, and realized what this meant. He hung his head and hid in the taxi as Stardust continued to pull it, afraid that Trivy might be upset with him.

[Pucksterv 4,508]

"Aria, Trivy, I found Psych!"

 

"Hey miss. just in time I see. I'm afraid the taxi, or whatever is left of it, has to stay behind. Welcome to the Mayor's estate." The captain's guard made a small bow towards the long path leading to the front door of the mayor's house.

 

Trivy turned her head towards the taxi and gave a relieved smile when she saw Psych had return okay. She trotted up to him and gave him a tight hug "Thank Celestia you're okay, I thought something bad had happened to you." She said happy.

Edited September 30, 2015 by Pucksterv

[Randimaxis 8,652]

He just stared at her, the look on his face being one of almost comedic shock.

 

"Mine?  That can't be mine!  That is YOURS!  You were the one chosen to bear the Element all those years ago... shouldn't YOU be the one who keeps it?  I mean, yes, I understand that you have an entire town to run, and that you have served the Elements well... but... but... this is INSANITY!"

 

Harcourt began to pace back and forth, pondering aloud.

 

"How can this ever be justified!?  A redistribution of the Elements of Harmony?  Is this truly what we, as ponies, have been reduced to?  Having to take something as powerful as the Element of Generosity from the finely manicured hooves of the one who deserves it and turning it over to a washed-up sneak thief like myself?  HOW CAN THIS BE FEASIBLE???"

 

He turned to Rarity, and gave her a rather confused (and a bit sad) look.

 

"Don't tell me you're giving up, madam... you've been the Generous One for as long as I can recall the Elements being in play.  I suppose I could understand better if I-"

 

That was when things began to click into place.  Harcourt's confused look gave way to one that was more ponderous.

 

"Wait... that's it, isn't it?  They have to be brought back into play, and the only way to do that is to find new bearers, isn't it?  The only reason I could think of to find new bearers would be because the old ones..."

 

He stopped the thought before it could be said, but not before he heard it ring through his own mind.

 

... because at least one of the old ones have passed from this world.  No telling how many of the original bearers actually still live - at least one, obviously - but I just have to consider the idea that a new fellowship is needed because the old one is broken.

 

Had he not been in the presence of a lady, he might have started crying.  As it was, however, he merely let out a weary sigh.

 

"Yes.  Well.  I suppose the choices, few as they are, are clear."

 

He moved close to Rarity, and could smell the exquisite perfume she wore.

 

"Are you actively presenting this... this Element to me?  I mean, I'm certain there could be far better ponies out there who would be far more deserving of such an honor.  Besides, the Element doesn't do very much without the others there to back it up.  So, I suppose you have an explanation for all this, Lady Rarity?"

[Count Paradox 3,548]

"Aria, Trivy, I found Psych!"

 

"Hey miss. just in time I see. I'm afraid the taxi, or whatever is left of it, has to stay behind. Welcome to the Mayor's estate." The captain's guard made a small bow towards the long path leading to the front door of the mayor's house.

 

Trivy turned her head towards the taxi and gave a relieved smile when she saw Psych had return okay. She trotted up to him and gave him a tight hug "Thank Celestia you're okay, I thought something bad had happened to you." She said happy.

When he heard the guard say that the taxi had to be left behind, he begrudgingly climbed out, and avoided everypony. However, as soon as Trivy embraced him, he realized it was ok. "I'm sorry... I just wanted to help, to find Harcourt. I don't want anypony to get hurt or in trouble, and I thought he might..."

[Pucksterv 4,508]

"Are you actively presenting this... this Element to me?  I mean, I'm certain there could be far better ponies out there who would be far more deserving of such an honor.  Besides, the Element doesn't do very much without the others there to back it up.  So, I suppose you have an explanation for all this, Lady Rarity?"

 

Rarity was quite shocked by Harcourt's reaction but understood his confusion at the same time.

 

"Calm down dear. There is an explanation of course. As I said, the Tree of Harmony was destroyed by Sombra. The elements were intact but were badly damaged and our connection to them was lost, broken. Simple as that. Then Twilight started thinking about how Celestia and Luna had control over the elements before the six of us did. Twilight figured we could pass them on as well and at the same time restore the elements. Only thing we had to do is find the bearers, but we had a set back when she was captured." 

 

A small tear fell from Rarity's white cheeks at the thought of her best friend being stuck in pure misery and torture. She took a deep breath and continued.

 

"You've been traveling with these group of ponies for such a long time and you've been more generous than I ever was. I realized the moment you walked in that this..." Rarity levitated the purple element again. "This belongs to you. Take it and guard it with your life."

 

"On a different note. Where is your friend Trivia? I thought Twilight would have contacted her by now? And my guards are taking way too long with this group of yours."

 

 

"I'm sorry... I just wanted to help, to find Harcourt. I don't want anypony to get hurt or in trouble, and I thought he might..." 

 

"It's okay, everything is fine. Harcourt is probably already inside with the mayor. Don't worry buddy."

[Count Paradox 3,548]

"Are you actively presenting this... this Element to me?  I mean, I'm certain there could be far better ponies out there who would be far more deserving of such an honor.  Besides, the Element doesn't do very much without the others there to back it up.  So, I suppose you have an explanation for all this, Lady Rarity?"

 

Rarity was quite shocked by Harcourt's reaction but understood his confusion at the same time.

 

"Calm down dear. There is an explanation of course. As I said, the Tree of Harmony was destroyed by Sombra. The elements were intact but were badly damaged and our connection to them was lost, broken. Simple as that. Then Twilight started thinking about how Celestia and Luna had control over the elements before the six of us did. Twilight figured we could pass them on as well and at the same time restore the elements. Only thing we had to do is find the bearers, but we had a set back when she was captured." 

 

A small tear fell from Rarity's white cheeks at the thought of her best friend being stuck in pure misery and torture. She took a deep breath and continued.

 

"You've been traveling with these group of ponies for such a long time and you've been more generous than I ever was. I realized the moment you walked in that this..." Rarity levitated the purple element again. "This belongs to you. Take it and guard it with your life."

 

"On a different note. Where is your friend Trivia? I thought Twilight would have contacted her by now? And my guards are taking way too long with this group of yours."

 

 

"I'm sorry... I just wanted to help, to find Harcourt. I don't want anypony to get hurt or in trouble, and I thought he might..." 

 

"It's okay, everything is fine. Harcourt is probably already inside with the mayor. Don't worry buddy."

He gave a small smile, happy that the group seemed calm when he showed back up. "Why does the mayor want to see us? Are we in trouble? Did Harcourt do something wrong?" His face fell to a bit into a nervous, upset look, and he began to think that they were in deep trouble, and they could be getting thrown into a trap here. "I dont feel this is a good idea..."

[Pucksterv 4,508]

"I don't feel this is a good idea..."

 

"Don't worry. If the mayor wanted to execute us or throw us in jail, the guards would fetched us differently. And besides, if this does turn out to be a trap, I'm prepared to protect you all to the end. This mayor thinks she's some kind of big pony but I have some trick too, even without my magic." Trivy said with a smile, her confidence returning again.

[Randimaxis 8,652]

"You've been traveling with these group of ponies for such a long time, and you've been more generous than I ever was. I realized the moment you walked in that this... THIS belongs to you. Take it and guard it with your life."

 

He had no idea what to say.  True, he had always thought the Element Bearers were the top of the world, chosen for how well they represented their elements.  He had never thought of himself as generous; he'd always just gave what was needed when it was needed.  

 

The green apples he'd packed away into Trivy's satchel.  The foodstuffs fetched for the ruffians on the street corner.  The medals and simple photograph he'd filched for the old inspector.  The free advice he was always spouting.  Heck, even simply pulling that damnable cart all the time... not just his share of pulling it, but ALWAYS pulling it.  Maybe there was a generosity here that had always been active; he just hadn't noticed it before.

 

He couldn't speak for the moment, overwhelmed with too much emotion that he was afraid the carefully constructed machismo dam would burst if he spoke.  But he nodded sagely as he accepted the Element of Harmony, and into the hidden pouch it went.  He then looked at Rarity for a moment, feeling like there should be some sort of acknowledgement... something to show that this was a momentous occasion, even if the pomp and circumstance were unavailable.  He stepped forward and gently embraced Rarity,  the tone of his soul evident in the firm hug he gave her.

 

Stepping back from her, he did at least have the decency to blush, just a bit. 

 

"On a different note. Where is your friend Trivia? I thought Twilight would have contacted her by now? And my guards are taking way too long with this group of yours."

 

"Twilight would have..?  Lady Rarity, I believe she has already been trying to do exactly that!  Trivy thought she was losing her mind when she told me of seeing Princess Sparkle's reflection in the water... but things she said about it didn't add up; why would a supposed hallucination look to have aged?  So I told her that she'd need to figure it out - that she might be trying to get a sign from her own subconscious... or perhaps a sign from somepony else.  So, it truly WAS Twilight Sparkle?"  

 

Hope springs eternal, he thought with a sigh.

 

"If so, then I have to ask - is there any hope of rescuing her?  Remember, the Laughing One's forces tried to do just that - but we failed, due to the magics Sombra put into play.  Is there even a chance at besting those magics, my lady?  Our defeat last time brought far too much pain and death; I have absolutely NO wish to bring that same feeling to anypony else - ESPECIALLY not the members of my group."

 

He stepped forward and looked the lovely mare right in the eye, and gave her a roguish grin.

 

"I'll bet there's a plan, isn't there?"

[Pucksterv 4,508]

"I'll bet there's a plan, isn't there?"

 

"hehe... yeah well not exactly." Rarity said with a bit of shame inside her voice. "We have a general direction and a few ideas on how to stir towards it but that's about it. I do know however that it will definitely not end like the last time. During the attacks we had almost nothing, this time we have the Elements of Harmony."

 

"Now firstly, we must find the other bearers and then we must find the other elements of Harmony. Because I sadly don't know where the other elements are... or where Pinkie, Rainbow and..." Rarity went silent again for a moment. "I do know that the last element, the element of magic will appear when you bring the other elements together."

[Randimaxis 8,652]

"hehe... yeah well not exactly." 

 

Harcourt could hear a bit of embarrassment and shame in Rarity's voice; with no plans, he could understand and sympathize with that... but it did make him wonder what the hay she'd been doing, if not planning for this?  

 

Well, I certainly don't know everything... so I have no steady ground to stand on for any kind of argument.  Plus, she has been busy with this town, so... feasible to say such a thing, I suppose.

 

"We have a general direction and a few ideas on how to stir towards it but that's about it. I do know however that it will definitely not end like the last time. During the attacks we had almost nothing, this time we have the Elements of Harmony."

 

"Indeed, but I would try not to count those cupcakes before they're baked, my dear... there's no telling what could happen from here on out, and building oneself up will be no help if things go badly.  Still, the odds will be dramatically more in our favor this time, I'm certain."

 

"Now firstly, we must find the other bearers and then we must find the other elements of Harmony. Because I sadly don't know where the other elements are... or where Pinkie, Rainbow and..." 

 

For a moment, he thought she'd cry; he wouldn't be able to stand seeing that.  A proud and lovely pony like Rarity, with tears on her muzzle from missing her friends?  No, Harcourt would not have been able to see that without weeping along with her - which was why he was extra relieved when she simply gathered herself and continued.

 

Still, we'll have to find them; no stone left unturned.  

 

 "I do know that the last element, the element of magic will appear when you bring the other elements together."

 

"As it should be, of course.  I will take it as read that nopony else knows the Elements yet exist?  We should work hard to keep it that way - even the slightest mention of the Elements being in play here, and Sombra will send his entire armada directly here, under orders to raze the city to the ground.  We will have to impress that upon the others... well, actually..."

 

Harcourt grinned and nodded to himself.

 

"Might I request that nothing be said about the Element of Generosity?  If they ask, you could simply say 'it is safe', and leave it at that.  I ask this only because I feel it would be better all around if everypony else had plausible deniability about not knowing where it is.  Certainly, you can see my point?  If they're caught, they will legitimately be unable to say where it is... or who has it."

 

He could feel the stirrings of excitement again.  The adventurous stallion who had been the perennial rogue was slowly waking up in his mind, and that part of him was MORE than ready to play.  The acts of the last few days had been like breakfast to his black-suited self; now, he felt lunchtime approaching, and eventually they would have all the Elements and would prepare to take on Sombra himself... which would be the most delicious dinner he'd had since all this stared.

 

With the Elements back in play, we might even WIN this time, he considered excitedly.

 

"Well, since the group is supposedly already on it's way here, I have a choice to make, my dear: am I to stay put with you, and greet them once they arrive?  Or do I simply slink out of here and return to the city, awaiting them as if I had never been here or spoken with you?  What do you think would be best here, most elegant Lady Rarity?"

[-Octavia- 1,176]

As Trivy trotted towards Psych, so too did Aria approach Stardust with a playful smirk upon her face. "Well aren't you the little hero," she teased, giving Star a light flankbump. "You even looked pretty slick pulling that taxi." Though her tone was light, Aria could not help but feel intense admiration for her friend. She knew Stardust was a kind mare, of course, but there were times when she felt blindsided by just how kind. That she was willing to risk her magic for a stranger was certainly one of those times. Before she allowed herself to linger on a doubt she felt all too often, Aria gave Stellina a quick embrace, attempting to put into it all of the things she knew she could never express with words.

[Stardust* 3,302]

Stardust was starting to take the harness off when Aria embraced her in a hug that she had received before. She could feel the love that Aria shared with her. They were bonded much more closely than they lead others to believe. Their sisterly bond would never fade and she squeezed just a little tighter, not much, but enough to let Aria know that she was so grateful to have her in her life. 

 

Stardust wriggled out of the dang taxi harness and walked with Aria to rejoin the group. They were there, at the front gate to the Mayors quarters. The guards conversed while the group waited and watched. 

 

"You know... I think I may have given Psych a heart attack, I noticed a couple times he looked a little sick, I might have taken a few turns a bit sharp." Stardust couldn't help but giggle as she whispered to Aria. 

 

"Do you think that maybe the Mayor is doing this out of generosity... or maybe something a bit more... I don't know... I don't remember much from the time I got my magic back, all I remember was you were there when I woke up. I want to remember what happened before we got here, promise me that one day you will tell me. Please Aria."

 

Stardust knew how honest Aria was, even if it wasn't quite what you wanted to hear... she told it like it was. That is how she has always been, but that is what she loved about her. She could always count on her to tell the truth and she knew that if she promised to tell her that one day, she would. She never broke a promise. 

[-Octavia- 1,176]

"Do you think that maybe the Mayor is doing this out of generosity... or maybe something a bit more... I don't know... I don't remember much from the time I got my magic back, all I remember was you were there when I woke up. I want to remember what happened before we got here, promise me that one day you will tell me. Please Aria."

 

The last two words carried with them a weight that threatened to overwhelm her. She could sense Star's longing behind them; in her voice, in her eyes, in her heart... Aria knew all too well the desire for knowledge, and in that knowledge— truth. For several seconds she said nothing, instead choosing to stare at the ornately adorned architecture rising before them.

 

Is withholding the truth the same as lying? Wanting to protect the ones we care about...is that so wrong?

 

A fleeting memory flashed before her eyes. A pegasus surrounded in shards of stained glass lay broken upon the floor, whilst dozens of spears were directed at the mare standing over her body. With words rendered incomprehensible by time, she vehemently argued with another mare dressed in the finest of fabrics, an embodiment of elegance...

 

She let go of the memory with a sigh, knowing that Star deserved nothing less than the truth. Turning her attention once again to her companion, she made what was requested of her. "I promise...but today is not that day. You have been quite patient with me these many moons. I only ask you to be patient a little longer." She briefly nuzzled Stellina's cheek in reassurance before addressing her other thought. "As for the Mayor doing this just out of generosity..." The memory once again swam before her eyes for the briefest of moments.

 

But that time was long ago...I need evidence of now.

 

"It's possible, but improbable, if recent events are any indication. I'm inclined to say there is a reason behind it, but whatever the reason, I do not suspect malice in it."

Edited October 1, 2015 by Wubtavia

[Pucksterv 4,508]

The guards opened up the main door for the captain's guard and the group following. "You may enter, take the stairs up to your right and then walk straight to the big door, you can't miss it."

Trivy nodded and walked over to Stardust and Aria. "Don't wanna interupt your moment here but I think it's time we get our flanks moving towards the mayor's office." She was impatienced and did not wait for a response. She walk up to the stairs, knowing the other would follow her someday and then through the hallway leading to the office. She could here voices from inside and so opened the door quietly. She found herself in the middle of a conversation between the mayor and Harcourt.

"Might I request that nothing be said about the Element of Generosity? If they ask, you could simply say 'it is safe', and leave it at that. I ask this only because I feel it would be better all around if everypony else had plausible deniability about not knowing where it is. Certainly, you can see my point? If they're caught, they will legitimately be unable to say where it is... or who has it."

"Well, since the group is supposedly already on it's way here, I have a choice to make, my dear: am I to stay put with you, and greet them once they arrive? Or do I simply slink out of here and return to the city, awaiting them as if I had never been here or spoken with you? What do you think would be best here, most elegant Lady Rarity?"

''I agree that deniability would be in their favour but I'm afraid that is not possible my dear. They are your friends so that means there is a big change that one of them has a connection to an element as well. It is after all, the magic of friendship that makes the ordinary stones the elements of Harmony. And I think it's best you stay h-''

Trivy coughed loudly to grab both ponies attention, she had been standing in the room for a while. "Don't mean to intrude here but what the hay is going on?"

[Randimaxis 8,652]

''I agree that deniability would be in their favour, but I'm afraid that is not possible my dear. They are your friends, so that means there is a big chance that one of them holds an element as well.  After all, this the magic of friendship that makes it the Elements of Harmony."

 

And sparing those friends any further worry about me would be a kindness to them, he mused.  There are so many things to worry about already...

 

"And I think it's best you stay h-''

 

The sound of a polite cough echoed throughout the room, and Harcourt turned his head toward the source... of course, he didn't have to; he knew the pony who made that sound...

 

"Don't mean to intrude here but what the hay is going on?"  Trivy wore a bemused look as she stood there.  Harcourt smiled smoothly, straightening his stance and slicking back his mane with a hoof.

 

"Ah, there you are.  We've been expecting you, dear Trivy; we were in the process of concluding our own little talk, but I suppose your entrance would do as a conversation changer, eh?  Madam,"  he addressed Rarity, "this is Trivy, our resident mage and all around good girl.  Trivy, this is the mayor - Lady Rarity, The Generous One."

 

He grinned as he made the introduction, then he noticed there were others.  What's more, it was the first time many of them had even seen Harcourt in his Stealth Suit... except Trivy, of course... and he didn't at all look like the cart-pulling pony from before.  When he wore that suit, the years fell away and his former charm radiated from within.  Not at all like the grim and dour old stallion from the previous night.

 

"Well now... Psych?  And you, from before, you're... Stardust, yes?"  He looked at Aria, trying to gauge her.  "You, I do not yet know.  As it is only polite, I shall initiate the introductions; I am Harcourt Blackwater - the last of the Crystal Mountain Blackwaters, and the rightful heir to the Blackwater Quarry."  

 

He gave Aria a low bow, a suave smile spreading across his muzzle like a thick fog rolling in swiftly.

 

"Trivy, we have a few issues to discuss, as well as the basis of a plan to consider.  Fair Lady Rarity has made some... information... aware to me, and it may change quite a few things... now that you are present, we can begin these talks in earnest."

 

He turned back to face the mayor, and put on a serious face.

 

"So, Lady Rarity... since we are speaking of our future plans, how would you wish to proceed with these talks?"