"Define 'missing'?"
> "Uh-uh-uh, Anonymous. You wanted the hook, you got it - nothing more."
> Gritting your teeth at the Queen's tone, you squeeze the bridge of your nose.
> Returning Chissik now - while she was still accompanying Trixie - would force you to find another handler for the showpony if you needed to use her again.
> But that could be done, with some time.
> What Chrysalis offered seemed far more critical.
> A princess, missing?
> Why hadn't your ponies reported this - surely they should have gotten word through to you faster than it took to reach the Crystal Empire and then the Changelings?
"Fine. As soon as I can, I will make contact with Chissik and return her to your control. But, in accordance with our earlier agreement, if I need a task carried out you agree to still have her handle it?"
> "Of course, Anonymous."
> Her tone suggests there'd never been any question, prompting you to suppress a snort at the thought of the Changeling ruler being honest.
"Then you have my word - provided this is as good as you say. Talk."
> And talk she does, ignoring your demanding tone to get straight to the point:
> "Twilight Sparkle abruptly vanished from Ponyville two weeks ago and has not been seen there since."
> You're forced to admit - when you'd reached out to Rarity to negotiate the fillies' return, you had been told Twilight wasn't there first.
> At the time you'd thought nothing of it, but now...
"How do you know what's going on in Ponyville?"
> "Oh, Anonymous."
> An amused little titter issues through the speaker.
> "I might not be trying to conquer Equestria at the moment, but that doesn't mean I've told all my subjects to abandon their duty."
"Terms of your treaty with Cadance are that you keep your changelings out of Equestrian affairs, Chrysalis."
> "And I will respect the boundaries of the pink whore's domain. The rest of Equestria has no agreement with me, though."
"Celestia and Luna won't see it that way. Or any of the rest of the government. You're inviting a conflict."
> The Queen's tone turns harder
> "You worry about yourself, Anonymous. I will keep my subjects safe."
> You're about to point out that your safety was as much dependent on her treaty holding, but squelch the words in your throat.
> No time for that argument now, not when something else was on the line.
> You'd deal with the loose cannon that the changeling queen was later.
"Go on, then. I assume there's more than her just not being home?"
> "Two days ago, one of my infiltrators positioned on the docks of Vanhoofer tasted a princess' magic being used - aboard a ship. The crew would not let him get close to investigate further."
"Tell me he didn't do anything rash."
> "Of course not. He told the dock guards that the ship was suspicious, but when they searched it, no princess was there."
"And your agent was certain?"
> "Absolutely. Less than three hours later, the Vanhoover guard suddenly turned out in force to hunt Sparkle. Apparently two ponies came running to the guard saying that she had secretly hired them to help her with something, then suddenly left them as well."
"Let me guess: The guard didn't get aboard that ship?"
> "Before they could reach it the ship suddenly cast off and departed. They chased it briefly, but suddenly came back without reaching it."
> Your brows knit tightly as confirms your suspicion.
> Well-trained guard pegasi, not checking a ship that had only just left port?
"You had the ship under watch the entire time, I presume."
> "Naturally. Just as it was departing, my agent tasted a princess' magic in use again. She was there."
"Those guards were told to stop. Someone didn't want them knowing she was aboard."
> "Of course. I'd love to have asked her hired help what she was doing, but they've suddenly decided to take a vacation to Canterlot - and even I do not risk going there again."
> You can't help but feel a slight shudder at the was Chrysalis places such emphasis on 'love'.
> She wasn't supposed to be holding captives now, but you increasingly suspected that those two ponies would not have been returned from any interrogations.
> But - more importantly now - what would Twilight Sparkle be doing aboard a simple cargo vessel under such secrecy?
> And why hire help?
> Princesses could surely requisition the services of the most loyal of Equestria's guard?
"Well. I do think you've got something there. I'm wondering, though, what is she doing..."
> "That is not my concern. I am still under treaty, after all."
> You grit your teeth slightly at Chrysalis' continued disregard for your situation.
"...fine. Get a proper report put together, with all the information laid out. I'll check my sources. If they match your story, Chissik will be yours again."
> "Oh, excellent!"
> Her tone turns abruptly chipper as the changeling queen claps her forehooves together; you never could quite get those sudden emotional switches she went through.
> Yet, this time she for once sounds genuinely pleased to have her... servant? Subject?
> Whatever Chissik was to her, Chrysalis was glad to have her back.
> "I'm so very, very glad we've come to an agreement."
"As am I. I'll contact you again when there's word of what has happened."
> During the conversation, Dash has twisted herself around to fix you with a worried look.
> When you end the call, she speaks up at last:
> "Master? What's happening?"
"Twilight Sparkle's developed a sudden affinity for seafaring."
> Dash only looks confused at this, prompting a shake of your head.
"She's apparently decided to take a sea voyage without telling anyone, but with the backing of someone important enough to tell the Vanhoofer guard to ignore her presence."
> "Oh."
> Dash pauses, glancing out the window again.
> "Does this mean we're going to have to go soon?"
"We should. It wouldn't have been much time anyhow - another orbit, and we'd have had to leave anyhow before night came to Equestria."
> With one last longing look out the window, Dash nods mournfully.
"Hey."
> You reach over to ruffle her mane lightly.
"Don't worry. There might be a chance to come up here again, and in the meantime I promise reentry will be worth it."
> Without a word, Dash follows close behind you as you start making you way through the weightless corridors.
"Say - I don't suppose you would know where Twilight might be going?"
> "No, Master."
> Despite her inexperience in null-G, Dash seems to have adapted well - keeping up with you while talking freely.
> "We've never really gone sailing. Never far, anyhow - there's rail lines far enough out to almost reach griffon territory, and we've never needed to go further."
"So, whatever she's going for, it's probably something she's never been to before."
> Rubbing your chin, you grimace - it was a fair guess that Twilight was looking for something to defeat you with, but what?
> Equestria was awash in artifacts of varying power already; which might she be seeking overseas?
> "Are you going to try and hunt her down, master?"
> There's a note of worry in Dash's voice.
> Another reminder that however much she might sympathize with you now, she was not yet ready to abandon her one-time friends entirely.
"Sort of. If I can, I will try and find out what she is doing and where... but I've no interest to actually attack her."
> With that you go silent again, left with your own thoughts.
> Even long after the shuttle has undocked itself and the 'Obstinance' carried itself away to an orbit invisible to Canterlot, your mind keeps swirving back to the same thoughts.
> While Dash was enraptured by the viewscreens' images of plasma flowing from the hull as you deorbited, they were barely noticeable to you.
> At a certain point you realize that you are almost certainly obsessing over this.
> Descent had long since turned to flight; the shuttle had reached Equestria's coastline - gleaming waves below turning to trees made to gold by the evening's last light.
> Why were you so fixated on this?
> Equestria's rulers had been working against you for months now, after all.
> The answer comes a moment later, worming its way up from the depths of your mind no matter how stinging it is to admit it:
> You were fixated, because you were scared.
> On some level, being assaulted by three foals had shaken your confidence.
> Their invasion into your home had only been made possible by a fluke - a corrected one - but psychologically?
> Psychologically your home - your fortress - was no longer safe.
> A frown touches your lips as a result of that thought as the shuttle circles about for its final landing - the only outward sign of the discomfort you dare show.
 
--------
 
> You rub your chin, reading over the twin reports occupying your screen.
> One was the full version Chrysalis' spy had reported, while another was from a pony who lived in the city.
> Neither should have been aware of the other, but their reports corroborated enough.
> Clearly Twilight Sparkle had been in the city, doing something aboard a ship - and then abruptly departed when it seemed like she had been discovered.
> Departed, or been taken?
> It wasn't an impossibility that she might have been captured somehow, though it was deeply unlikely.
> No - if she had been actually kidnapped, the remaining elements would not have been so calmly living their lives in Ponyville still.
> They knew where she was.
> Then something was very definitely up.
> Briefly you wonder if Twilight would make an appearance at the next meeting you were scheduled to have between Dash and her friends.
> If not - well, that might be problematic in its own right.
> She was supposed to be the one who verified your continued 'treaty' with the elements; if not her...
> Hrm.
> One of the other elements, perhaps?
> But they held no legal authority to deal with you.
> Maybe Cadance?
> The crystal princess had proven agreeable in the past; surely she'd see the benefit in continuing the peace between yourself and Equestria?
> Grumbling, you stand and return up the flight of stairs.
> Following the sound of your prisoner's voice leads you to the next set of problems on your mind.
> While you'd printed a fair number of Equestrian books - both educational and entertaining - the fact was you simply were not prepared to house and keep three fillies for any significant period of time.
> Already you could tell they were straining at the boundaries you had set down for them, and as time went on and you ran out ways to keep them occupied there was no way to be certain what would try.
> Of course the drones were keeping them contained, but accidental injury in an escape attempt was as much a reasonable worry as anything else.
> At the same time, however, releasing them early simply wasn't something you were prepared to do.
> Not until Rarity finished her work in Canterlot.
> At least that much you could safely verify, and give you that much more reason to believe she would uphold her part in refusing to wield her part of the elements against you.
> But until then...
> Pausing in a doorway, you lean against the doorpost and watch your slave and the three fillies as they sat close together on the floor.
> Dash had returned from your trip in a much better state of mind.
> And while you could still see the effects the rejection of her sort-of protege had on her - the little winces, the occasional bouts of morose sulking - you could also see her beginning to recover.
> Suppressing a soft chuckle, you watch Dash show the compass-watch you'd given her to the 'crusaders'.
> "...and when I push this thing on the back, it switches right back to the being a clock again. See?"
> A small chorus of amazed noises meets her demonstration - the fillies evidently either ignoring or no longer distraught by the fact said watch was linked to the metal collar about Dash's throat.
> Only Scootaloo was still ignoring Dash outright, and you could see her shooting quick surreptitious glances at the watch when Dash isn't looking in her direction.
"Can't help showing off a bit, hmmm?"
> Dash nearly leaps straight into the air before bowing and shooting an apologetic smile in your direction.
> "Sorry, master. This thing is really cool."
"I'm not upset."
> Pushing off the wall, you approach the four.
> All of the fillies display varying degrees of hostility, from light fear to a glare that suggests the young pegasus would still throttle you if she could.
> Squatting down, you give what you hope is your best reassuring smile and put o the least-threatening tone of voice you can.
"Actually, I wanted to talk to you three, if I could?"
> No answer is forthcoming, but neither do any of the three visibly refuse.
"How about-"
> The unicorn had always been the most fearful of the three, and fear was easiest to manipulate.
"-Sweetie Belle, yes? Come with me for a minute."
> Waving off the other two before they can object, the little unicorn rises to her hooves and nods.
> "I'll - I'll be right back, girls."
> Two rooms is sufficient distance to be out of earshot, and the dining room seems to be a none-too-threatening space.
> Settling into a seat, you motion for Sweetie to take another.
> Casting a worried glance about, she leaps up into the chair and curls her tail protectively about her legs.
> "So - um - what - how can I, um, help?"
> Casting a hopefully-reassuring smile, you lean back and try to make yourself as non-threatening as possible.
"Just let me ask - before you came to try all of this, did any of you happen to notice if Twilight Sparkle had gone somewhere?"
> "Princess Twilight? Um, no. Not that we knew of."
> Her hoof scuffs awkwardly at the chair's seat.
> "We actually had to be real careful sneaking out just because of that."
"Oh?"
> "Yeah. Well, her castle is kind of the tallest thing in Ponyville. And she has a lot of telescopes to see all kinds of things - stars and planets and the moon and stuff, but ponies too. If she'd seen us..."
> After a second Sweetie Belle builds up enough courage to look you in the eye:
> "Is she coming now, Mr. Anonymous?"
"Unfortunately, no."
> You shake your, frowning.
"In fact, I cannot say exactly where she is at all. I was hoping someone would know, since being able to reach her is very important to keeping everyone here safe."
> That gets their attention, leading you to chuckle softly.
"I don't foresee any problems yet - I'm sure your sister is still doing her best to set up your return, Sweetie Belle - but it is a... concern."
> Far more than you were letting on.
> "Um... Mr Anonymous, that we don't know where she is - is that bad?"
"Not for you - I just need to know if you have any idea of how I can reach her."
> "No. I can't remember anything; she was up in her castle the night we left. She hadn't said anything at my last magic lesson with her either."
"You take magic lessons with her?"
> You're unable to keep the surprise from your voice, or your eyebrows from rising.
> "Uh-huh. Miss Cheerilee's a nice teacher, but she's an earth pony and my parents didn't want to send me away from Ponyville, so Twilight agreed to tutor me."
> Hrm.
> Could their disappearance have provoked Twilight to some action, if she was that close to one of them?
> But she'd already been gone when you reached out to Rarity, with knowledge of the fillies' location.
> And that still didn't answer what the point of that ship was.
"You're certain she didn't say anything?"
> "Nuh-uh. Twilight can get... kind of focused when it comes to teaching. Like, sometimes she'll go on even though we're supposed to be done."
"Did anyone else happen to know you were leaving?"
> For the first time the filly actually works up the guts to give you a look - one that says 'what, are you stupid'?
> Chuckling gently, you nod.
"Point taken. Okay. Thank you, Sweetie Belle. You can go back now."
> Picking through the other two fillies' responses is rather trickier.
> Applebloom's surety that you were some kind of comedic villain and Scootaloo's incessant vitriol masked most of the useful information.
> But in the end you were forced to confront the fact that none of them could give more than childish guesses about what Twilight might be doing either.
> "Master?"
> Dash's voice interrupts your thoughts, dragging you back to the situation at hand.
> You'd returned with Scootaloo, and now all four of them again sat in a close huddle - pairs of eyes peering up at you with a wide mix of emotions.
> "Are you alright?"
"Yes - just, thinking over what options I have."
> Pausing a moment, Sweetie sheepishly adds in a small voice:
> "Sorry..."
> "You don't have to apologize to him for anything, Sweetie!"
"You shouldn't be so hard on her, Scootaloo."
> Turning to the exit, you shoot what you hope is a reassuring smile.
"She's doing the best she can to protect you. Really."
> Giving Dash a brief nod, you slip from the room.
> As soon as you are out of sight, the smile fades from your lips.
> Two calls you would have to place now.
> One of them, to Chrysalis.
> She'd held her end of the deal up; you'd no reason to refuse your own.
> And then - Cadance.
> If Twilight truly had vanished, then your best bet at keeping yourself safe was the crystal princess.
> Slumping back into your seat back in the basement 'office', you feel a lance of pain run through your forhead.
> A vigorous rubbing helps alleviate it, but not remove entirely.
> With a sigh, you return to your business.
> This time Chrysalis chooses to open a full video feed for your call, lounging atop what you suspect is a chaise lounge she wouldn't normally make use of.
> "Well, well. I hope you've found my information satisfying."
"Agreeably so, yes. None of my contacts would have known to make anything of this if they hadn't been tipped off. It'd have just been another 'princess sighting'."
> Hopefully a little buttering-up would do well to soothe the temperamental monarch's ego.
> "Good. Then, your end of the agreement?"
> She really wasn't going to wait at all, was she?
> Fine, then.
"I am, as always, a man of my word, Chrysalis. I will reach out to my contact in Manehattan, pass on the word to release Chissik from my service."
> And to start keeping an eye on Trixie in her stead.
> "Most excellent, Anonymous. We are very, very grateful for this opportunity."
"It has been a pleasure to do business with you again, Your Highness."
> Particularly the part where she didn't try and stab you in the back this time.
> A part of you briefly wonders whether Chissik would be punished for failing her original task.
> If so, it at least would not be on your head.
"Until next time, then."
> The second call you need to place goes to Cadance and Shining Armor.
> Neither of them is apparently around to answer, however, and so you leave a message instead.
> Short, simple, and to the point.
> Twilight is missing, and it is in both your interests to forge another agreement.
> Call back when possible, ta-ta.
> Leaning back in your seat, you can't help but feel a slight twinge of concern.
> What if they didn't respond?
> Could the other Elements continue your agreement on their own?
> Rising from the desk with a sigh, you decide to turn in for the night.
> No point in keeping yourself up over it.
> Ensuring the three filly guests are safely shut up in the rooms you'd set aside from them, you start to make the climb to your room.
> Yet, even as you slip into bed, you find your own mind whirling - unable to so easily let of things.
> Sleep, it seems, is not yet ready to come for you.
> So distracted are you, in fact, that you do not quite hear the sound of hooves on the floor until the bed shifts.
> Rolling to face the opposite side, you find Dash eyeing you with a tilted head.
"Something the matter, Dash?"
> Pawing at the bed with one hoof, her eyes fall.
> "I was kinda gonna ask you the same thing, master?"
> The corners of your mouth turn up in a small smile.
> This kind of actual attention from Dash was a new development, but not an unwelcome one.
> You beckon Dash to come closer, and she sinks into a spot beside you, atop the covers.
"Is it that obvious?"
> "Well, yeah. I've been here long enough to know when you're thinking real hard, and this is even more."
"Hmm."
> Laying a hand on her back, you let your fingers stroke through her coat a few times.
"It's a strange thing to feel, Dash, but for the first time in a long, long while I am afraid."
> "Afraid?"
> She doesn't sound ready to believe her, and you cannot blame Dash for that.
> You'd done everything you could to present yourself as an impregnable bulwark to her.
"Yes, afraid. It is something new to hear me admit that, isn't it? But true - things are no longer moving in my control. It's not a pleasant feeling."
> "Like, being lost here again? After your thing blew up?"
"I suppose. When I first realized I was stranded here, fear never really entered into it; shock and depression yes, but not fear - it was too sudden. Fear... is something new."
> Rolling to rest on her belly, Dash lays one leg atop the other and her chin over both.
> Your hand again settles across her back, feeling the ridges of bone and muscle running beneath her coat.
"If being stranded struck me like a sledgehammer, then this is a gnawing, burrowing thing that worms its way into me."
> "It's okay, Anonymous. It's... not wrong with being afraid, or showing it."
"...you say that, Dash, but have you ever faced true fear? To see your life as you knew it slipping from your control?"
> "Yes."
"Before you came to me, I mean."
> "Yes."
> Still not a drop of hesitation is in her voice.
> "I have. I've been - terrified. I've done crazy things just to stay 'in control', especially of how ponies thought about me."
> Like trying to end her life at the muzzle of your pistol, just to have made the choice on her own to do so.
> Was she trying to draw a parallel to your situation - how you carefully regulated and manipulated your relationships with others?
> Those were business, though...
"You've never been in control, though. Even before me, the princesses would put so many limits on your life, and-"
> "That's not the point, okay? I - I know how you feel about them, but that's not the point."
> Dash flinches as you give her a sharp, spearing glare.
> Helpful or not, she was not supposed to interrupt you.
> It is not one that can persevere, however, and as soon as it drops Dash resumes in a softer tone.
> "So what if I wasn't really in control. I still - I still tried to be, all the time. I fought everyone so I could tell myself I was in control. But... it wasn't needed."
> Breath rushes from your lungs as you feel a touch of a smile again appearing.
"Naive. I see what you're trying to do, Dash - you think if I can somehow stop being afraid, I'll somehow patch over my conflicts with Celestia."
> "Seriously. You're afraid of losing your ship, right?"
"That ship is my life. And, frankly, I have no illusions about what Celestia and Luna will do to me if I am captured either."
> "They - they wouldn't. I could speak to them, tell them -"
"Dash."
> Your smiles grows warmer, though you can feel it never quite reaches your eyes.
"It's appreciated, Dash. But I doubt anything you could say will stop them now."
> Her head hangs somewhat, and your vision returns to the ceiling.
"Things are moving quickly now. Twilight has not gone on some journey for no reason whatsoever, and Chrysalis risks her treaty - our treaty. I feel she's planning something too, and my plans just are not moving fast enough."
> "Hey."
> In a reversal, a hoof comes to gently rest on your shoulder.
> "I'm still the most awesomest pegasus ever, and I don't wanna see this end with anyone more getting hurt either. I'll do my best."
> It's bluster, and the both of you know it.
> Without her flight, Dash wasn't much of a pegasus - let alone an 'awesome' one.
> But still...
"Appreciated, Dash. It is appreciated."
> Unexpectedly, she extends a wing across your chest.
> The fan of blue is still ragged and uneven from where she'd taken out the newly-grown flight feathers.
> Almost unconsciously you find your hands moving to stroke along the tattered span - stroking and adjusting, shifting the few fully-grown feathers she had left back into their proper places.
> A glance aside reveals a flush on Dash's cheeks as your fingers deftly do their work, but unlike so many previous times she does not hide her face from you.
> Instead she almost seems to be... accepting your actions, her head having fallen to rest on the bed and eyes regarding you softly.
> No more words are exchanged between you, and at some point you drift off into sleep with your hands still resting across Dash's outspread wing.
> With the next day's morning comes a pleasant surprise.
> Cadance had responded.
> Unfortunately you had missed her in turn, but when you try and send a message back you're instead met by a live signal.
"Ah, Your Highnesses! I hadn't expected to be able to speak to you directly!"
> "Neither had we expected to hear from you so soon again, Anonymous."
> You aren't quite sure whether that was a shrouded insult from the pink-coated alicorn.
> From her husband you'd have been certain, but he'd fortunately opted to keep his mouth shut and simply skulk in the background of the image.
"Unfortunately, times have become turbulent for the both of us. I think cooperation might again be in our mutual interest."
> "So you have said."
"Twilight Sparkle is missing. I am sure the implications for my situation are not lost on you."
> Unfortunately neither Cadance nor Shining Armor give any indication of surprise at the information.
> Nor that you were aware of it.
> That alone is telling; though they must have expected you would find out eventually, they still felt the need to hide their true reactions.
"Without anyone to secure my ongoing peace with Equestria, I'm concerned that things might become... destabilized."
> A twitch in Cadance's face - though you can't tell exactly for what.
"If you'll remember, your last visit was aimed at being the first step in bringing relations between us to a less fearful state. This current situation puts me at a terrible risk, but it could be another opportunity."
> "I agree. But what do you do on your part? Just another visit?"
"On the contrary. I think it's time Dash was allowed to take a trip out to the real world."
> Two pairs of eyes widen at your words - and then go narrow wish suspicion.
> "What are your conditions?"
"There is a - a party, I suppose you'd call it, in Fillydelphia coming up. I've been invited, on account of recent actions I took to aid the city."
> "You want to take her for that?"
"Not just for the shoulder-rubbing, of course. The chance to be out in a city again - maybe even a meeting with her friends, face-to-face..."
> Now you've absolutely got their attention.
"You recognize, of course, the immense risk I take in doing this. I trust Dash understands the situation she is in - why she will have to stay with me. But, I'm also going to be trusting Equestria's government."
>>25761661
 
> "And all of this for us agreeing to provide cover for your imprisonment of her."
"Not really. I want to be able to go to this party as well - that is my gain. But, bringing Dash and allowing her to speak with her friends is a bonus for you. A step towards when negotiations won't be needed to let her do that."
> Cadance draws a deep breath, and nods.
> "You probably know that I don't think you should be allowed to leave that house until you see punishment for your crimes - but I see how your idea would be good."
> Rather than answer, Cadance glances aside to Shining Armor, who has remained pointedly silent.
> Some moment of unspoken communication passes between them, and then she turns back to you.
> "We are on our way to Canterlot. We'll bring up the idea with Princesses Celestia and Luna, and if there are no problems then this would seem to be a good next step."
"Oh? Well - I should say, the element of generosity - Rarity - is already in Canterlot. She's pursuing the same goal; you might want to have a word with her."
> Your voice has been kept steady and calm.
> Internally, though, you are seething.
> The two would have inevitably come into contact even if you'd not mentioned it, but either way it still complicated things.
> Cadance was unlikely to be pleased that you'd used the fillies for leverage, even if it'd been entirely justified.
> ...but at least letting her know ahead of time would make it seem like you were being 'honest' with her.
"Well - in that case, then, I will be waiting anxiously to hear back from you."
 
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