Chapter 40 – The Grand Galloping... ah fuck.

Time flew relatively fast after that talk with Celestia. While we weren't fully on good terms, we were on agreeable terms at the very least. With that, the rest of the set up was done. Rarity and I went through the guest lists, who I thought was enjoy the gala, we got the décor ready, and everything beyond that. With the Gala later that I had to sit in my room trying to not freak out. This was my 'big' moment to be revealed to everypony in Canterlot. Mind you normally I wouldn't give two bits about this, but I had to put on a face tonight to show that the rumors were baseless. Which that's what got me, I used to put on a face for people. Just not to so many ponies, who's eyes were going to be on me... all night.

I was pacing back and forth as Twilight, Hermes, and Luna all watched me. The former and latter of the three from the table. Hermes on the other hoof was hovering overhead.

“Storm you need to relax,” Twilight said looking at me with worry.

“Relax? Twilight, I'm about to go out there and have to play nice with a bunch of ponies who already think little of me. How can I relax with that?”

“Easily, just breath.” She said before putting a hoof to her chest and taking a deep breath. She then extended her hoof and breathed out. I took a few moments to do the same thing and it didn't work

“See I took a breath,” I said going back and forth.

“I don't see what the big deal is,” Luna commented.

“Really?” I asked as I stopped in place. “You don't see I have to be the whole 'I'm the one being protected' pony out there because of the rumors floating about?”

“In all fairness, the rumors are based on fact,” Twilight interjected.

“I'm sorry I was the target of a mad pony who just couldn't get over his own mortality and a revived Frankenstein monster of a sadistic mare.” I sarcastically snapped back.

“Frankenstein monster?” Both Luna and Twilight asked at the same time.

“It's a long story, but the short of it is. A mad scientist went to a grave hard, dug up body parts, put them together, and brought to life this creature that he couldn't control. It's a rather classic story from earth literature.” That was enough to give both mares a shiver.

“That sounds-” Twilight began to say.

“Vile.” Luna finished.

“Yeah, how could anypony be so...” Twilight said before cutting herself off with another shiver.

“Mind you, on earth, it was just a story. Which is why it was possible there, within the pages of a book. Here on Equestria, that's a different ball game altogether. After finding out about the black books, I'm honestly about to just write off all the unbelievable things from earth as possible here. Course that's not going to help me unless you both know a whole 'don't lose my shit' spell perchance?” I asked trying to keep calm.

“There are a few spells that come to mind that would help you calm down, but none of them would be a 'don't lose your shit' spell as you call it,” Luna commented using her hooves to do air quotes. Which I think it was the first time I've ever seen a pony do that.

“It was sarcasm, Luna.” I shot back in a flat tone.

“I know, but you don't need to be acidulous about the evening. I get that you're worried about this affair.”

“Understatement of a lifetime, just I'm never good at being careful with my words like this. Just one wrong word could have all this blow up in our faces.” I said as I was fighting the urge to smack my head against the wall.

“Storm come over here,” Twilight ordered and I did so after a long sigh. After a few moments, she used her magic to push me done onto the floor. She then moved behind me and gently used her hooves to rub my back and especially between my wings. After that, I was pretty much putty in her hooves.

“Where did you learn that Twilight Sparkle?” Luna asked as I was too into Twilight rubbing my back to formulate a question let alone a few word response outside of 'that feels good.'

“I've been getting lessons from Aloe and Lotus, who run the Ponyville spa. I thought this would help Storm relax a bit more.” Twilight explained as she began to rub the right spots on my back. “Hermes would you be so kind to play Twilight Relax playlist, track four?”

Hermes nodded within the air giving his standard 'roger roger' confirmation clip before the sounds of a bubbling broke and nicely played piano accompanied it. I was lost in the sensations of having the nerve bundles between my wings gently rubbed. It was something I had found out about that area on a pegasi and alicorn, that since the wings join there. A lot of the nerves were bundled up, so any pleasurable or painful sensations that would affect that area would be a lot more effective. Which is why striking somepony between the wings is be the best way to ground them. Both as the pain would almost be unbearable, it would prevent them from taking off right away. Giving you another opening to strike. It was one of the things I picked up after Twilight helped try to understand my body a bit more when I was just first coming to grips with being in Equestria. I continued to lay there as Twilight helped me relax all the way until somepony knocked on the door. I didn't really care much on who it was at the time when I said they could enter. After a few moments, I noticed the subtle steps of a pony in armor.

“What can we do for you, Vaulted Spear?” Luna asked as Twilight moved her hooves off me. I sat up to see another one of the white-coated guards that patrolled around the castle. One of the downsides the guards is that when they are wearing the enchanted armor, it's hard to tell them apart. I can't for the life of me figure out how Celestia, Luna, and Cadence does it. Said pony guard just simply bowed to the group of us.

“Your magistrates, we've gotten reports that we've had a prison escape!” The guard said in a panic.

“Who?!” I asked, and with a momentary hesitation, he finally answered.

***---***

“Fucking Chrysalis, of all being,” I growled as the group of us descended into the secret cells of Canterlot castle.

“How did this even happen?” Twilight commented.

“First comes to mind is another changeling,” I answered.

“Why not somepony like Vermon?” Luna asked this time.

“Simple from my talk with Grimwand, it showed that he had no respect for Chrysalis and part of her changelings went into Vermon's body. So it goes to reason she would see her more as a blight to her kind. The only second that comes to mind is a bewitched pony. Much like how Shining Armor was during the wedding.” I explained.

“How would you know of that, it was before your arrival?” Luna asked.

“I've been telling him about some of the adventures...” She said followed by a light awkward chuckle.

“Regardless this leads into a number of issues that is really disconcerting, especially with the Grand Galloping Gala tonight,” I said as we made it into the prison corridor. We looked around Chrysalis's cell was completely clean, to a ridiculous level. Not even a bit of dirt or grime to leave a hoof print or something. They took the chains and cuffs that held the changeling in place. Not even counting they broke out the changeling that survived my birthday party. Three guards were doing waves of scans over the cells to try to find something. From the look of confusion, I could only guess that nothing showed up. Watching them I noticed a few things. “I need the three of you to focus the scan against the floor there.” The three lights overlapped in the spot to show a white splotch on the ground near where Chrysalis was chained up.

“How the buck did we miss that?” The guard to the left of me said.

“I barely noticed it myself, I'm guessing you three are each using a different scan spell?” I asked.

“Yes, it's proper procedure.” The one to the right of me answered this time.

“Well, it's the overlapped that showed this. It reminds me of a black light.” I said walking over to get a closer eye at it. It looked much like a dripping pattern as it just made small pools around where she was chained by the leg. We had made sure the cuffs went through a few of the holes in her leg so she couldn't transform to trick somepony.

“What's a black light?” Twilight asked.

“It's ultraviolet or infrared radiation, harmless really. What it does do is make some substances visible to the naked eye. Just like this here. I need you three to widen the scan spells. I need these cells covered in it.” I said barking an order. With a flick of magic, the whole corridor and cells were bathed in magic. Which painted a whole new picture. Around where her hooves where chained had a lot of directional drips. Mostly pooled but with a small tail at the end to show direction. A lot of them was too small of a tail to really pick it out, but it was enough to show that the cuffs had dug in and made a wound. As we all backed out, a trail of drips lead out into the corridor and stopped a few feet from door to her cell. No doubt they wanted to bandage the queen to prevent a trail and made clean up easier. Even with a cleaning spell, which pretty much wipes away things magically. The 'blood' as it were still showed up. From what I could gather from this, other changelings came and rescue the queen and their captured brothers. They tried to hide it and... wait. “Who was responsible for watching the captives?” I asked looking up.

“It was private Golden Bracer, your highness.” One of the guards answered.

“And where is Bracer?” The guards looked at each other for a moment with three of the five guards just shrugged. “Okay, let me rephrase it this way. Find Golden Bracer and bring them to me. I don't care if you have to drag them by the tail.” I looked at all of them as they looked worried before I tacked on “Now!” With that, all of them dashed passed Twilight, Luna, and I.

“That was... odd,” Twilight commented.

“Which part?” I asked.

“I believe I know what he was getting out. If Golden Bracer was a changeling than it leaves a hole in the castle's security. If it was Golden Bracer's failure in doing her duties then it's less of an issue-” Luna answered before I cut in.

“With a big possible outcome and security breach. That's not even counting the big issue for the Gala tonight.” I said rubbing the bridge of my muzzle.

“What big issue?” Twilight asked.

“We have a massive amount of ponies coming, most who are of the rich variety. What if a changeling takes place of one of them?” I asked and it finally clicked.

“Oh, that's bad...” Twilight.

“Oh yeah, that's bad. I'm more hoping these Changelings aren't like Chrysalis who had a big revenge boner for Canterlot.”

“Revenge boner?” Luna asked looking a mixture of confused and slightly put off.

“It's when somepony is too obsessive about something. You call it a 'something' boner, replacing the word something with the subject. In this case, Chrysalis had a 'revenge boner' for getting back at all of you during my birthday party. It's a saying from earth.” I explained.

“Oh, so you could say my sister as a cake boner?” Luna said with a small snicker.

“I'm not going to even touch that one with a ten-foot pole,” I said giving her a flat look.

“What about a nine-foot pole?” Luna countered and all I could do was face hoof.

“Let's just move on before anything else happens,” I said offering them to take the lead. They went before me as I followed silently. The only thing that makes sense that there are some changelings left in the castle. As far as I knew that there was no pony sympathizing with the changelings, so it couldn't be a willing agent as far I knew. So they had to do this from the inside. Tunneling would be out of the question as both castles would be in the way and the waterways that would prevent that. As well as the foundation of the castle is made of the near impossible stone to tunnel through as it was magically treated. It does leave the question of how did they get Chrysalis and the other Changelings out. There is no way they would be stupid enough to stay around to recover. The castle staff would have found them... unless. “Hey Luna, quick question. How often does the castle staff do sweeps of all the rooms?” She turned to look at me questioningly.

“At least four times a day in pairs of two, why?”

“I'm just trying to figure out based on the information we have now, where would be the best place to hide. Especially if escape is currently out of the question.” I explained.

“Well, a lot of the royal quarters normally don't get the security sweep, much like mine and my sister's room. However, after the bugs that appeared in your old room, we've upped the security as I believe most ponies would say.” Luna said tilting her head to the side.

“Make sense, but you know as I do. No security is perfect, and there have to be holes in it somewhere.”

“What about the taller towers?” Twilight commented.

“That is a possibility, as a lot of them are used for the aviaries.” She explained.

“Than I suggest we send guards up there to check. If changelings are in the castle than I want to know where.” I said we continued to the throne room, where Celestia had just finished with the last pony of day court.

“Hello, Luna, Twilight, and Storm. I hope the day has been treating... you. You found out haven't you?” Celestia said with a smile before she looked at the look on our faces. Luna was more stoic, Twilight looked worried, and I was on the more angry side of things.

“I will give you three guesses and the first two don't count,” I commented.

“We did come across a clue, however,” Luna commented.

“Tell me,” Celestia said as she motioned us over as she stepped down from the throne.

“While the guards were using the standard scan spell, we found out that an overlap of the spells allows some cleaned substances reappear.”

“Interesting, what came of it?” She asked looking us down.

“To put it bluntly, nothing yet. Which is why I suggested we up the game here.” I said looking at the guards in the room with us.

“Up the game?” Celestia asked following my eyes.

“As of right now, the only thing we know is that Chrysalis and the other changelings aren't in the cell. We don't know much beyond they were broken out as they didn't have the strength to do it themselves. Without feeding the body would weaken and from the encounter before that, they were already starving. The one during the party only a hoofful was there. Which means after at least eight months without feeding, means they are malnourished of their greatest food. So magically they are in a big hole and what magic they have must be used with caution.” I explained as all three mares look at me.

“I see,” Celestia commented before making a hoof gesture causing all the guards to leave. “You can speak freely now.”

“I did,” I said quietly as she eyed me.

“You just laid an idea in case one of them was in the room, didn't you?” Twilight commented.

“To a point, as far as we know any guard could be one of them. Technically so could any pony, unlike changelings. Celestia, Luna, and I could communicate mentally so we can always make sure who we are. As well as you've been with us the whole time we've been here since this happened. So you are safe to assume your, you. Right now we are playing a game where we are short handed by numbers alone.” I answered as my mind was already weaving together the larger scale game of chess.

“He's right, with the Gala only a few hours away. We have to err on the side of caution here.” Celestia tacked one.

“Right now we are waiting on Golden Bracer,” I said before rubbing the side of my head as the beginning of a headache became to set in. So not only do I have to fucking worry about a possible third bout of changelings wreaking havoc, I now have to worry about them while trying to play nice with the up their own flanks nobles. Please, somepony stick a fork in me, I'm done. It was about than two guards came in. One of them the standard white unicorn stallion guard, next to him however was a red earth pony mare with a golden mane and in a set of armor minus the helmet. They came in and bowed before us.

“Golden Bracer as you have ordered, your highness.” The unicorn guard said.

“Where have you been?” I asked bluntly.

“In the barracks as I was ordered too.” She answered.

“And who ordered you?” I asked.

“You did... your highness.” She answered and that got my eye to twitch. The fucking bastards used my likeness to pull this shit off. No, but hell fucking no.

“Celestia by any chance is there a spell that reveals a changeling?” I asked over the link.

“After the last time, the archmage has been working on such a spell. Only three ponies have cast the trial version of the spell, myself included.” She answered back.

“Is there a downside to the spell?”

“Not that I have noticed, why?”

“Can you scan the two that just entered?” I asked over the link and she nodded. After a few moments, her horn shot out and I watched the guard next to Golden sudden be engulfed in a golden flame before showing it was really a changeling. All of the ponies and the changeling looked surprised as I just grinned and jumped at the pest. In a moment I had it subdued as I had it pinned and with my claw close to it. “One move and you will know how it feels getting up close and personal with a bug zapper,” I said as my claws sparking. Its eyes looked at my claw and gulped.

“Firestorm...” Celestia said in a warning tone. I just eyed her as she returned my gaze. “Golden take this changeling to the interrogation room.” She ordered a moment later. Golden nodded as I watched them leave.

“What's going to prevent it from changing into Golden or another guard?” I asked looking back at her like she's crazy.

“That spell prevents them from changeling for three hours. So it won't be able to hide.” She answered.

“And what if another changeling comes by and helps it?” I answered she moved to open her mouth before realizing I got her on that one.

“Good point.” She said before following after as I did too.

“I want to be the one to interrogate him,” I said over the link.

“Absolutely not.” Celestia shot back over the same link.

“Why not?”

“Storm you're already too as some ponies would say 'zap-happy'. What makes you think you could hold restraint in there when you're not out here.” She countered.

“Well because I only warned him that I would if he moved. If I wasn't showing restraint, it would already be dead and we would be back to square one.” I said with a growl.

“Regardless, I don't want you in there alone. Regardless if we have the one-way glass or not.”

“Sister, I think we should at least let him try with a guard posted outside the door. To prevent him from doing something... drastic.” Luna added in over the link.

“Give me a good reason why?” Celestia countered.

“Besides the fact that I'm their worst Nightmare as I had snapped the horn off their queen. Not counting that I could end him in seconds with just a spark. With fear as a powerful motivator, I know a fair bit about how their magic works.” I answered for Luna who only smirked as Celestia looked back at us.

“Fair point... fine, I will allow this, but we don't torture ponies here Storm.” She said as we watched Golden Bracer put the changeling into the room.

“Alright,” I said with a smirk as I transformed into my stormed state. “I need to do this more often,” I said as I started to enjoy the feeling of my tail brushing against the carpeted floor. I watched as Celestia, Luna, and Twilight enter the room one door down with Golden sitting outside my door. As soon as they entered I gave them a few moments before I entered the interrogation room. The changeling took one look at me and I watched its ears flattened back, it's sort of pupils shrink as it began to step away from me. As I trotted in, I locked the door behind me and sat at the table with my back turned towards the mirror behind me. “Have a seat,” I said using my claw to point at the stool across the wooden table from me. The changeling just stared at me for a few moments before my normal look turned to a slightly annoyed look. I think it got the point across as the changeling gulped and slowly made it's way over to it. There was no way I couldn't see he was scared out of his buggy little mind.

“Wha... what do you plan to do to me?” He asked and by his voice, I could only say he.

“That mostly depends on you,” I said crossing my hooves as I lightly leaned on the table. “See depending on what you tell me, will depend on what happens.”

“I... I won't t-t-tell you anything.” I just rolled my eyes at this.

“Really? Not even your name?” I said giving a slight smile, that caught the changeling off guard.

“My... n-n-name?” I simply nodded to this. “It's um... Xenis”

“Xenis, interesting name,” I said keeping rather calm and I watched as Xenis who was calming down. “So here's the deal, tell me why you are here and if there are any other changelings with no issue; and I promise I will let them leave without any conflict.”

“And... if I refuse?” Xenis said quietly.

“Well...” I said with a smile on my face as my sharp fangs could be scene. It didn't take long, as I had known the spell for long enough. The changeling froze up for only a little bit as a small ball of green magic slowly came out of his chest and floated into my claw. “See this?”

“Yeah,” I said as the changeling was breathing pretty hard feeling up his chest. “What did you do?”

“Oh, nothing much, just a little spell I know,” I said with a bit of a condescending tone to my voice. “It makes a mirror of your little soul.” I was keeping my voice down low so Celestia couldn't hear me and I was holding the mirrored soul in front of me.

“M-m-my-” was all I let him get out.

“Oh yes, your soul. See the funny thing about this spell, anything that happens to this.” I said giving it a light squeeze, this caused the Xenis to jerk just slightly and shiver as if he was just out in the frozen tundra without a coat. “happens to be yours, and as you can see I'm not above using it on you. So here's the deal, you're going to tell me what I want to know or we are going to see how much endurance your soul has.”

“Y-y-you'll never get me to-” Xenis said trying to fake confidence, only for me to squeeze the soul again. That got him to shut up as he was grabbing his chest.

“Or let's say I use this on your queen. It wouldn't be too hard, I already snapped her horn off.” I said grinning again.

“Leave my queen alone!” Xenis said slamming his hooves on the table.

“Well then, tell me what I want to know and that won't happen,” I said calmly, as he only growled at me baring his fang. I only smiled as motioned to squeeze at the soul with a few sparks coming off my claws. “Don't tempt me,” I said just hoping for it... just a little.

***---***

It was a few hours after that once all the changelings got it through their collective heads that trying anything will end with a very dead queen on their hooves. This was more pressed upon them by Xenis who I was still holding his soul over his head. Much to his annoyance, I had placed the mirrored soul it in a squeeze toy so it wouldn't look odd with me squeezing it. What can I say, I like to get my point across quite thoroughly.

Celestia, however, didn't look convinced as every glance I had towards her, I could tell that critical eye from a mile away. Mainly from the fact that I had a grandmother who for the most part that could spot a lie on anyone from a mile away. From what I could tell Celestia was trying to see if I was lying. All I did was get the right answers, and that's what I did. Luna was fine with the results, so why wasn't Celestia?

It was about lunch when we got joined by both Shining and Cadence. It seems they too were invited to the gala and Cadence was already smiling at the fact that I got to deal with it this year, much to my chagrin. Shining, however, was surprised to find out about the changelings in the castle. That and finding out their queen had escape didn't go over well with either of them. Well, Shining was pissed and Cadence was worried.

“Look, as much as I don't like it myself. I did get the point across, that if anything like that or this happens. I would personally hunt her down.” I explained to them.

“Good,” Shining said before stabbing into his food.

“Shining, Storm!” Cadence said in surprise.

“What, she kidnapped you and Twilight. As far as I'm concern that 'She' is not forgivable.” I said looking at her.

“Everypony deserves a second chance.” Cadence shot back.

“Shot that down after she took Twilight in my book,” I said pointing over at said mare with my thumb.

“Storm, I'm with Cadence on this one. As much as I don't like saying it, Chrysalis does deserve another chance.” Twilight said.

“It does make me question, how did you get Xenis to talk?” Celestia asked.

“Well, pretty simple. I know how to be intimidating when I need to be.” I said with a smile.

“How.” She asked.

“I talked about a lot of famous murder cases from earth. I talked about the things done to victims, especially what was done with them. Then I ended with saying that I would make it look like a little paper cut in comparison.” I explained before taking a bite.

“How bad were they?” Twilight asked and I could see the worry in her face.

“I rather not make everyone lose their lunch,” I explained before taking a bite of my pasta in a basil sauce. “Personally I hope nothing of those caliber shows up here.”

“What do you mean?” Luna asked.

“It's harder to explain without going into details.” I took another bite of the delicious pasta. “If you need a ballpark, the one that comes to mind as about one hundred and forty confirmed kills. I will admit, some people can be outright monsters without a moments notice. Some can be the same monsters for different reasons. A loved one hurt, a woman's scorn, even for a little money. Most, I will not condone.”

“Most?” Cadence asked.

“Let me pose this hypothetical question. What would you do, if somepony hurt Shining? I mean seriously hurt him, unable to move, bedridden for life, whatever? What would you do?” This gave Cadence pause, one that you could see the fear in her eyes. The worry of if that or will that will happen, and the sadness... the anger that would follow it.

“I... I would do what I could, to bring justice.” She said.

“That's the thing, to a point I could agree with those acts. You do what you can to protect those you care the most about. Friends, family, and those you love. The law, is the law, however. Regardless of how anypony feels or the reason why. You still have to stay within the rules. With the changeling, I stayed within those lines and told him what I would do to her if I could. Can't say that I will, and I can't say that I won't. The emotions and actions are only understandable by the person and the time they happen.” I said before finishing my plate. I watched all of them just look at me.

“That has to be the creepiest thing I have ever heard from you,” Shining said with a look that was either surprised fear or overprotective worry.

“Sadly enough, it's a true fact.” I took a long drink of my tea before I continued. “With my years on earth, I've heard just about everything that can be done and has been done. There is enough blackness in some peoples hearts that would make any ponies have nightmares for years.” I leaned back quietly in the chair for a few moments. In those silent moments, no pony said a word or thought that I could hear from them. “Luna has seen a sample of my nightmares. Nightmares that I've had for years, the demons that haunt me, that drive me. No pony can hold a candle to it. I may not have been in battles like Celestia and Luna, I may have not seen war personally, but I have seen what it's like on the streets. I've been in fights that I was outnumbered, that I couldn't win. You learn fast that the perfect world was nothing more than a pipe dream, it kills innocence... fast.”

“How could any pony live like that?” Twilight said.

“It's because he wasn't a pony,” Shining said. “He was human at the time and from another world. Regardless of what he tells us, we won't be able to fully understand him and what's drives him.”

“He's right,” Celestia said with her eyes closed. “As much as he looks like a pony, he's not in soul.” Part of me wanted to shot back with the whole 'what gave you the first hint?', but I didn't. My curiously got a hold on me to find out. “It is commendable on how he's held together up to this point.”

“It is, to adapt so well to pony culture,” Twilight said.

“And to a pony way of life.” Luna tacked on.

“While staying true for the most part to who he was,” Shining added.

“I... I really don't know what to say.” I said rubbing the back of my head.

“Sometimes, you really don't have to say anything. You've shown us all wonders beyond what we thought possible, that just to be every day things to you.” Celestia said. “Without bringing any of the tools of war that follow.”

“Doesn't change how much of a freak he is.” Said another voice, we all turned to see that Blueblood had entered the room with a stack of papers wrapped in his magic.

“Blueblood...” Twilight said with a growl. I just put my hoof on her shoulder, she just turned to see me shaking my head.

“What did you want nephew?” Luna asked not looking happy to see the collective pain in the flank given form.

“Oh, I just wanted to have you look over these documents Aunty Luna,” Blueblood said before setting the papers next to her. Celestia cocked an eyebrow looking over at him before turning to watch Luna hover over the first sheet. We ate as Luna was looking over the files before her. From what I gather this was a bit of personal business between Luna and Blueblood. I was almost finished when Luna growled a bit. Finds out that Luna has been funding a few charities around Equestria, and it finds out that some of the business ponies that she went through have been skimming from her. Well be more accurate they were skimming from the royal treasury as both Celestia and Luna donate from it to help ponies.

“Mind if I look over them?” I asked as Luna looked up at me.

“And what would you know about business?” Blueblood asked looking rather annoyed.

“Knowing business is one thing, but in this case, it's following the numbers. Which that is something I'm strong in.” Luna placed the file in front of me. I looked it over and if it wasn't for the fact that I had an eye for numbers. It would have been very easy to get lost in all of the data before me. I was watching all the ins and outs of the charities. It was thousands of bits going in and out on average. That's when you notice the small amounts coming out compared to coming in. “Interesting.”

“What is it?” Luna asked as I continued looking over the call.

“He saw the similar pattern of numbers going in and out of the accounts,” Blueblood explained.

“Especially the pattern. Thirty-eight, twenty-two, eighteen, and twenty-two in that pattern.” I said looking it over.

“How did you figure that one out so fast?” Blueblood asked looking surprised.

“Numbers is my thing and doing the math in my head is pretty easy. Especially when I drop the first few digits since they are all the same. It's the smaller hundreds, tens, and one I just had to do. I find it even more interesting is that the ones always go eight, two, eight, two. Just by pattern recognition just screams out this wasn't by happenstance.” I said placing the files down. “How many ponies have access to this account?”

“Besides Aunty Luna and myself, three others. Gilded Spoon, Fancy Pants, and Polished Silver.” Blueblood explained.

“Do you have financial records for them?”

“No, there is a lot of red tape to go through to get them.”

“Hmm...” I said quietly thinking this over. “Which ones do you think would have pulled this off?”

“Gilded Spoon and Polished Silver, the two would be the only ones to do something like this.”

“How do you know about that?” Celestia asked this time.

“I've had business deals with them, but before that, I was trying to complete the same deals with other companies.”

“But they got to them first and had them drop the deal,” I said.

“Exactly.” Blueblood.

“Are they on the invite list for the Gala?” They all looked at me for a moment.

“I believe so... why?” Luna asked.

“Does Equestria have laws about underhoof deals?” I asked as the gears were turning and picking up speed every second.

“There are many... why are...” Blueblood said before it clicked. “You want to catch them in an underhoof deal. Which means they would have to be removed from the charity and then the skimming would stop.”

“Bingo,” I said with a snap of my claws.

“But how?” Twilight asked.

“That's the easy part,” I said with a grin.

***---***

“Now introducing Prince Firestorm.” Said one of the royal guards who was picked due to the announcements. It was something done during the early hours of the Gala. After the twilight turns to night, it's dropped because it's mostly an everypony knows everypony so why bother talking about it. The beginning is more a who shows up first gossip bit. Since I'm the one hosting it, I can't show up late to the Gala. If it wasn't for what I have to do and why then I honestly wouldn't give a crap about this whole thing.

But... that wasn't the point currently. I had a plan and I was going to follow through... with a little help. After I was 'introduced' I made my way to the main dance room. Which was more done up like an old noir era club. The floor had a velvet-like carpet expect the dance area as it was left clear of it. We had three bar ponies giving out drinks from punch all the way to the harder stuff. All but Moonshine at my request, not that I didn't need a little liquid courage to pull this nightmare off.

Rarity on the other hoof was just having a field day with this theme. She went completely to town with this. She designed me a white suit much like Humphrey Bogart's in the movie Casablanca. Which honestly I couldn't tell if it clashed with my orange coat or if it worked with it. I mean there is the whole white-hot flame after all. Twilight said I looked good and that's enough for me. You could say it was a little on the egotistical of me to agree to that, but honestly, it's those you care about that matters the most to you. Speaking of the mare in question, Twilight was wearing a slimming black flowing dress with a light sparkle to it. She was wearing small black star earrings to go with them. The only downside to it was she was going to be hard to keep my eyes off her.

“Do you think is going to work?” Twilight asked as she was next to me with a glass already in her magic.

“As long as we all keep our heads in the game, everything will be fine,” I answered scanning the room for my targets.

“I hope your right about this,” Blueblood said coming to my right. “What makes you think they are going to fall for this?”

“Let's say this was you and your money train suddenly got derailed by a newly appointed prince? Wouldn't you try in your power to persuade if not by money, by power?” I answered, and he gave a few moments of thought.

“Fair enough.” He said before pointing out Gilded Spoon and Polished Silver. The former was an older stallion with a dull gold coat with an aging black mane and tail. At this point, they look more like a silver-gray than fully black. They also had both done in a long pompadour mane with a long slick tail. He was wearing a blue vest with a handkerchief in the front pocket. He was talking with the ladder of the two, who has had just like his namesake a silver coat. Unlike the other one his mane we almost a snow white who had a slick back mane of a pure business pony. His tail was short just like his mane and he was wearing a tux to this evening.

“Do you remember the plan?” I asked as we made our way to a table.

“Yeah, I drop the rumor that you will be taking care of the royal finances and charities to make sure everything is up to code. Which means that anypony involved will have to be hoof off.” Blueblood commented.

“Meanwhile Rarity and I give off the hints of some of the 'attacks' that hasn't been told yet,” Twilight commented.

“Does the others know not to interfere when it's showtime?” I asked.

“The girls know and Pinkie is willing to be another distraction like before.”

“Good, hopefully, this night won't be a bust,” I said before drowning my slightly laced punch. “As a wise man said, 'the game is afoot.'” After that, I went around and did the meet and greet. Honestly, it wasn't as bad as I expected for the first three hours. Oh, but when the other guests began to fill in the room, that's when things decided to go sideways. Namely the fact of playing twenty questions with almost six hundred questions instead. To say that I was not happy would be a vast understatement, especially when I had to cover to rumors that I was dating mares I didn't even know. For fuck sake, these ponies come up with the wildest bullshit. Of course the same could be said about humans, so it's give or take I suppose.

What really started to annoy me was when the mares and few stations started to hit on me. The worst part was that I figured most of them were power plays. Funny thing about the nobles here, as a lot of them, have lower titles. Like Duchess, dukes, earls, barons, and much more. The ones that hold the highest ranking here in Equestria is prince and princess. So they were trying to get in bed with me so they can go from whatever rank or social standing to the near highest they could. I can't fault the logic behind it but the reason is what I detest. Don't get me wrong, there are points where doing a power grab are a good thing. It's just doing it for doing it sake is what I draw that line quite thickly.

Anyway, while all this chit-chatting was going one. Celestia and Luna who was in dresses in complementing color schemes made their appearances. They both had sleeveless dresses on and that's where the similarities end. Celestia had a snow white dress on with golden accents and Luna had a midnight blue dress with silver accents on. They both wore their crowns which Rarity and I made sure would work with it. I'm just glad Celestia wasn't a fussy dresser like Luna can be. They smiled and interacted with the ponies in the room. All while keeping a trained eye out for trouble.

“Welcome to the party,” I commented over the link while I was talking with one of the guests about his lavishing winter home in the griffon kingdom. Dear god can this station talk about all the 'rare' paintings he owns.

“I see you are already getting to known the local nobles,” Luna commented in a teasing tone.

“Oh bite me, Luna, I still can't figure out how you all stand to deal with this.” I shot back.

“Years of practice,” Celestia answered with a matter of fact tone.

“Besides that, I swear if I have to deal with one more mare hitting on me or another stallion talk about his property, I'm going to scream,” I said annoyed.

“That would liven up the party,” Celestia said with a little mirth in her voice.

“Not funny Celestia.” I shot back. “On other pressing matters, is everything in place?”

“Yes, the guards have been made aware to stay back,” Luna answered.

“Good, I'm going to give it about two more hours before making my 'leave'.”

“Are you sure this is going to work?” Celestia asked.

“Honestly... that's a good question. If these two are as egotistical as I expect them to be, they are going to do something stupid.”

“You would know that one too well.” Celestia shot back.

“Oh ha, ha, ha. Your a laughing riot Celestia, I will remember that when it comes to delivering back payback.” I said before excusing myself away from the stallion to get myself another drink. Which at this point in the night was close to my fifteenth. I could always guess the rumor of me being an alcoholic is floating around by now. So after ordering my drink, I decided to find Twilight and go for a little dance. Lucky for me, she was with the other girls. Who were all having... fun sort of speak. Applejack and Dash we're talking about some kind of companion between them. Pinkie was well being Pinkie and bouncing around. Rarity was talking to some of the closer nobles, most likely trying to talk business. Since she had a hoofful of designs on hoof to show off. Twilight was just sitting down drinking a drink. Fluttershy was closer to the garden so she could be close to the animals. I saw Cadence and Shining were dancing on the floor as they were having fun.

“May I have this dance?” I asked Twilight coming over to her and offering my hoof. She gave me a blush before nodding. Ponies made way for the two of us, probably not wanting to interfere with a personal moment for a royal. This was one of the perks about my new lot in life. They know when to give me a wide birth... mostly. The good thing is that Twilight and I took the time to learn how to dance and not between a pony and a... satyr, but between two ponies. Surprising enough this didn't take either of us long. Apparently Twilight has a near photographic memory, I only say nearly because during times of stress, she becomes a little forgetful about things. Me on the other hoof, I had my speed learning trick. So after a few awkward nights and a few orders to not to be disturbed, Twilight and I learned to dance... sort of. Okay, so it wasn't perfect and we could use some serious work beyond four days of it, but it will do for tonight. As the next slow jazz number began to play Twilight and I did a slow dance.

Something to make note of here is for ponies with wings, it's a custom to places a wing on your partner. While we gently dance neck to next with each other. It was kind of awkward at first laying my wing out like that but after a few hours of getting used to the feeling. It stopped being so weird for me.

“How are you enjoy your first gala?” Twilight had asked by whispering in my ear.

“It could be a little better, some of these 'royals' are too full of themselves,” I whispered back.

“They can't be that bad.”

“Oh? Then let's take Baron Butterscotch over by the refreshment bar. He spend close to a half an hour talking about his antique tasting spoon collection from the fifth hundred years of Celestia's rain. All imported from the dragon kingdom that was part of a trade agreement for spices?” I said with a slight annoyance in my whisper.

“Not all of these ponies like this.” Twilight shot back trying to defend.

“Than how about the Duchess Copper Tale of the Canterlot Tales, who was begging for me to allow her daughter Pristine Tale to be part of my 'Royal Harem.' She was seriously setting up her own daughter as a bargaining chip.” I shot back.

“Seriously?” Twilight asked a little surprised.

“Seriously, and you don't want to know the worst part of that conversation,” I said giving a shutter at the memory.

“Okay, few of these aren't that bad.” Twilight corrected sounding a little annoyed.

“See why I don't like having to deal with them?”

“I know, but you can't deny how useful it's been being royalty Storm.”

“I'm not, I just don't like interacting with ponies like this. I never did with humans either, but having been thrust-ed into the limelight here is not what I call fun.”

“Well just think after tonight you have almost a full year of time away from functions like this.” She said with a slight smile.

“Hopefully, how's the rumor dropping going?”

“For the most part, it has been spreading like wildfire. Almost like it's taking a life of its own.” She said.

“Good,” I said with a grin.

“Storm, I don't like this plan.” She said.

“I know, but I'm not willing to put any pony in direct harm's way. Plus this is the only move that makes sense for the plan.” I answered.

“I know, but Storm you could be seriously injured with this plan.”

“I've had worse.”

“Storm this isn't a time to be joking.” She shot back looking at me.

“I'm not kidding,” I said before our dance finished with both Twilight and I pulling back. Before we left the dance Twilight and I shared a kiss. “Twilight just please trust me on this. I've taken care of everything.” She just looked into my eyes quietly before nodding with a sigh.

“Fine, but I reserve the right to call you an idiot after this is all done.” She said leaving back to talk to the girls.

“I know,” I said as I began to worry that I may be overplaying my hand at this point. I went to sit at one of the table quietly with a fresh drink. Celestia eyed me from across the room, I just gave her a nod which she returned. After that, it was some nicer talks. Namely Fancy Pants and his marefriend Fleur-de-lis, which so far is the blessing in this storm of shit.

“So Prince Firestorm I heard that you will be taking over on the royal accounts?” Fancy asked.

“Yeah, also just Firestorm or Storm will do. Both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna wanted me to have a few more royal responsibilities. So I get to go through all the books to make sure things are on the up and up.” I explained before taking a pull of my drink.

“I'm glad to see, a prince taking a bit of a more active role,” Fleur said.

“I thought I could do more than just what I have,” I explained.

“If I may ask, what have you done so far?” Fancy asked.

“Treaty talk with dragons, dealing with a lot of the business up in Cloudsdale,” I answered.

“That does sound like a hoofful to deal with.”

“They can be.”

“What about the rumors of the attacks?”

“Which ones?” I asked before taking another pull. “Honestly, doesn't really matter. They are probably true in some capacity.” They both looked at me a little surprised.

“Even the one during the 'treaty'?” Fleur asked.

“Depends on what you think happened during it, but to make a long story short. There was a lot of infighting between the dragons in the den. All because some dragon got a little too big for their britches.” I said finishing my drink.

“Oh my, were you alright?” Fancy asked.

“A little wear and tear,” I said as I knew I was playing down the events, but even I didn't want to go through those events again.

“Well, I'm glad the newest prince wasn't clawed down,” Fleur commented.

“Your not the only one, if you excuse me I need to get myself a refill.” The nodded and I stepped back to the bar. It didn't take long as I watched both Spoon and Silver come over to Fancy to make 'ideal chat'. The mirror backing to the bar was a clever move on Twilight's part. Made sure I could see all behind me without showing that I was watching. The interesting part of it that is was Polished Silver that gave the best reaction. When it comes to poker faces Silver was the only one that couldn't hide his. The worried shift in his eyes, the uneasy shake in his magic. I took finished my drink quietly, in my magic and made my way back to the table. I watched Silver step away from Spoon and Fancy, he didn't walk too far away as he moved to a group of ponies. Three stallions and a mare all of them not looking like the normal noble kind.

“I need somepony to keep an eye on the four ponies Silver is talking to. Something doesn't feel right about them.” I said over the link.

“Alright, I will let the guards in the room know,” Luna commented.

“Tell them they are part of the third file,” Celestia said.

“Third file?” Cadence, Luna, and I asked.

“It's a group of mercenaries outside of the Griffon Kingdom,” Celestia answered.

“Oh great, when it rains it pours,” I growled over the link.

“What do we do about the plan?” Luna asked.

“Easy, we keep to the original plan, we just have a wider target. Do you have enough on the merc's as it stands?”

“Enough to keep them away for a long, long time,” Celestia said.

“Good to hear,” I said smiling as I made it back to the table. “Just get the special ops in the game. Luna, make sure they are prepared for anything. There is a backup deck in the stain glass wing's armory, behind the swords on the left side.”

“Why did you put it there?” Cadence in a surprised tone.

“Because I didn't have enough time to make a few more decks for backups,” I answered back before I took my seat.

“Welcome back Firestorm, I would like to meet a good friend Gilded Spoon. He works in furniture and housewares.” Fancy said.

“It's a pleasure to finally meet you, your highness.” Spoon said with a rather smooth tone to his voice.

“It's also a pleasure,” I said with a smile as she shook hooves favoring my left hoof.

“So I hear you're taking over the charity books from Fancy Pants here.” He said joining us at the table.

“Yeah, I've got to help out where I can,” I said with a smile before taking a drink.

“It sounds like a noble cause, helping out the nation.” Spoon said.

“Yeah, every little bit helps,” I said with a smile as I glanced over watching the group of mercs look at me. I only glanced at them, the glares on their face were enough to tell me that I was in their crosshairs. I continued the conversation between the four of us for a little while. Mostly to by sometime before later tonight as I wanted it closer to midnight. At this point, the mercs are going to want to make on move on me, and silver is going to end up going with. From what I heard from Blueblood, Silver is a bit of a gloat-er. As soon as it to midnight, I made an excuse to take my leave as I wanted to go the restroom. It didn't take long for me to lose the main crowd of ponies and found myself alone in the castle corridors. Namely the lunar wing with the large windows showing out to the courtyard and the moon high in the sky. I took a few moments to watch the moon in the night sky. Granted I was a little envy that Luna got to create such a great sky, the downside to being an artist I suppose.

“Well, well, well, look who we have here.” Said a rather greasy medium range voice behind me. I turned to see Silver looking at me from down the hall.

“You know this part of the castle is off limits to everypony,” I said calmly.

“I wouldn't worry about that, now... prince.” He said with a smirk. Slowly turning towards him more I saw two figure come out of the shadow from the windowless corridor further down. My ear flapped a little as I noticed the sound of two sets of hooves behind me. I turned to see the mare and other stallions from the group of mercenaries come from a turn further down the hall. So far the count was five unicorns to one dralicorn. I've had worse odds stacked against me, granted this is probably the first time it was against trained ponies and an upstart noble. So... I may as well check that one of the 'shit I didn't expect' list, Twilight would be so proud.

“Oh, and why is that Polished Silver?” I said staring straight at him.

“I see you already knew of me, let me guess. That log up the flank Blueblood told you about me?” Silver said.

“He may have said a few things, but since we all can be business ponies here. Let's get down to the brass tacks.” I offered.

“I can agree to that, so... here's the deal. You make sure that my little... slice of the fund continues to come out and these four won't have to do something... drastic.” Silver said with a grin.

“And what if I say no?” I didn't have to wait much after that comment before I felt my leg get struck by something hard. With a thump, I landed pretty hard on my side as I saw what looks like a trench club floating in violet magic.

“Let's say... they made the point.” Silver said with a grin. They started to step in closer to me as I began to smile and chuckle. That gave Silver pause as the mercenaries continued, I reached into my inside pocket to the jacket and pulled out a small vial. Before they could react, I popped it open with my magic and downed it. “What in Tartarus did you just drink, and why do you keep laughing?”

“Don't worry about the drink, it's a little something whipped up for me. As for the laughing, you will see.” I said quietly as I began to undo my tie. Once it was off I moved to remove the jacket and undershirt. It didn't take long for me to strip down and the heat to begin kicking in. All I could do was grin as the fire in me raged out of control. My fur began to brighten up a bit before a whoosh of magic flowed around and in seconds, instead of the drony that stood there before Silver was the Satyr grinning.

“What the buck is that?!” Silver said as I stood at my full height. With a crack of my neck and a flexing of my claws. The mercenaries watched as they changed from an intimidating stance into a more offensive stance.

“Well boys and girls, let me ask you a question. Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?” I said snapping my fingers and in a second six night guards appeared from the ceiling including my guard champion Nightling in her new armor. “Well I have, but the devil stopped taking my calls because he thinks I'm creepy,” I said ending with a dark chuckle. The mercenaries took a headcount and just nodded to the others as I grinned. “Remember those specialty gala tickets that went out two days before the gala?” I asked looking at them. Oh, I couldn't get enough of those curious looks as four of the unicorn night guards washed the room in magic.

Funny thing about non-enchanted spell ink. If the mixture is done just write, any magic washing over triggers them. Two days before the gala specialty tickets were sent out to everypony coming. All but the girls and the guards, mostly because I was paranoid. As soon as the room washed through, the paralyzing spell on the gala tickets triggered. Watching five ponies drop because they have no control over there bodies were pretty funny to watch.

“The targets are secured sir,” Nightling said coming up to me after the ponies were cuffed and placed in a special pony wagon for the private cells.

“Good work, was the Gala interrupted?” I asked looking over the captives.

“No sir, we were far enough that no pony was the wiser.”

“Good, give me one moment with Silver before they can be taken off,” I said before walking over to silver. “You were wondering why I was laughing earlier.” I bent down so I could talk to him face to face. One thing about being paralyzed, for a normal spell the old body would have been shut down much like I was back during the changeling sneak attack. In his can, I wrote it that he kept his heads mostly.

“Bastard.” Silver spat in my face, I rose a hand when Nightling moved to thump the prick hard.

“It's fine, its only spit,” I said wiping it off. “Hermes come down here.” Hermes gave his roger roger comment before hovering down. “Silver meet Hermes, Hermes meet the pony you about to screw over.”

“You have nothing on me, it's my word against yours.” Silver growled.

“Hermes?”

“so... here's the deal. You make sure that my little... slice of the fund continues to come out and these four won't have to do something... drastic.” Hermes played back in Silver voice with a matching little display showing the whole scene, Including were I got hit.

“It's your word against yours.” The look on his face was priceless. “It's called a hustle bitch,” I said grinning as the color came out of his face. “Didn't know a pony could get that pale.” They took the five ponies off as I stood there grinning.

“Sir, what do you want us to do now?” Said one of the night guards.

“Get a message to Twilight that I will be in our room for the rest of the night. I don't have an antidote on me and I wanted to make sure we had everything covered.” I said before looking out at the moon high in the sky. The stars twinkled like a sea of gems, each one like a speck of light in a blanket that just covered it all. “Have the castle kitchen send up my regular dinner and a bottle of wine.”

“Yes, your highness.” The guards said as we parted way.

“They have been dealt with,” I said over the link on my way back to the room.

“Thank the almighty” Celestia said sounding relieved.

“I hope there wasn't much trouble with this?” Luna commented.

“Nothing too bad, by my hind leg is going to hurt in the morning,” I answered.

“They dare strike you?” Luna seethed over the link.

“Relax, I factored taking a head. Just didn't expect it to be a trench club that they would use.”

“Trench club?” Cadence asked.

“It's for trench warfare, some soldiers would have something like that for silent strikes when either infiltrating or to protect themselves from infiltrators,” I explained.

“Ah, makes sense. Also Twilight just got your message and she asked me to let you know that you better not think about heading to bed before her.” Cadence said with an amused sounding tone to her voice towards the end.

“Noted.”

“But I think that is enough excitement for me for one evening, so I will be heading to my room for the rest of the night. Have fun at the Gala, and tell Fancy that something came up, so I couldn't meet back up with him this evening.” I said before opening the door to my room.

“I believe we can do that. I will have one of the medical ponies come by to check that leg.” Celestia answered.

“Alright, have a fun night.” Was the last thing I said before went over to the saddlebags I brought with me and pulled out a journal that I was going to finally get around to read.

Max's Journal.

-End of Chapter-