As Standish and his team walked through the halls of Canterlot Castle, Twilight and Spike walking behind them, everypony that passed them stepped to the side out of fear or respect.

Whatever it was, Standish didn't care. As they filed into the Day Court room, Standish crossed his arms in expectation.

"What's the play, boss?" Lyle asked.

"We tell 'em what we know, even if we need to stretch the truth." Standish replied.

"Roger that." Lyle replied as the petitioners and reporters filed in, having been notified of the Hunters' impending announcement earlier. They took their seats and remained quiet with bated breath. Standish stepped up to the podium and spoke.

"Listen up, I'm only saying this once." he said. "We have reached a point of significant progress in our investigation. We have several suspects identified due to the reports of our undercover contact in their little cadre. Who that might be is to remain classified."

As the ponies looked at each other in shock, and whispered among themselves, Standish clutched the podium and cleared his throat.

"So, that leads me to my final point. We'll be paying these Traditionalists a visit, very soon. And to Mr. Amadeus Blueblood...I'd keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Thank you for your time."

As Standish and his team departed, the crowd dispersed back into the city of Canterlot to spread the news.

====

"You didn't tell them about Majesty? The Rock Farm? The death of Brass Bolt?" Twilight asked as the Hunters returned to their chambers. "Why?"

"We have our reasons." Standish said. "Anyway, we'll be paying a visit to the Blueblood's estate personally, real soon. I think it's time that Amadeus learns who he's messing with."

"Just be careful, Standish." Twilight replied. "What can I do in the meantime?"

"Not sure." Jacobs said. "The assassins might have contacts in the city who have not been identified yet. I think it's time you get out of here."

"And I think I know just where to go." Twilight said. "The Crystal Empire. My brother and sister-in-law are the rulers there, and they'll be able to help as well."

"Get there ASAP." Paulson said. "We'll handle things back here. Here, catch."

Paulson tossed Twilight a radio, and she nodded as she ensnared it with her magic.

"You get trouble, contact us." Standish said. "Alright, let's go pay Amadeus a visit. Weapons low but ready. Lyle?"

"Yeah?" the other Hunter replied.

"Let's see if we can get to Majesty while we're there." Standish smiled. "Know what I mean?"

Lyle nodded, seeing what Standish was getting at. As the four of them left for the train station, Twilight gathered up her things and Spike before teleporting to Celestia's office.

====

As the Hunters stepped off the train and approached the Blueblood Estate, Amadeus greeted them, alongside Pure and Majesty.

"Welcome, Hunters." Amadeus said in forced civility.

"I appreciate your making time to speak with us." Standish said. "Your daughter and wife, I presume?"

"Indeed." Pure said. "Pure Blueblood, our daughter is Majesty."

Majesty bowed, and out of the corner of her eye, she could see Lyle covertly show her a radio. Her eyebrows raised slightly, but she nodded. Luckily, no one else had noticed. As they entered the estate, Majesty broke off towards her room, and Lyle shot her another nod, which she returned.

"Where can we speak without being disturbed?" Paulson asked.

"The garden. Follow me." Amadeus said. As the group entered an open-roofed glass greenhouse full of various species of plants, Standish and the other Hunters sat down alongside Amadeus and Pure.

Soon, servants set down some platters of food, and Standish secretly scanned the dishes for poisons using his copy of ISAC.

"No known Toxins detected." ISAC replied. "Raised levels of an unknown substance, potential for confirmed poison at 67 percent. Analyzing."

As Standish silently ordered over the radio to not touch the food until it was certified clean, Amadeus sniffed and spoke.

"What is it that you wish to talk about?"

"We have suspicions that you were involved in the assassination attempt." Jacobs said. "And we want your response to those suspicions."

"I see." Amadeus sniffed. "I had no direct influence on the conspirators, nor did I aid them in any way."

"Then why did your son receive Orichalum from a rock farm, the same farm the assassins' weapons came from?" Paulson frowned. "That's pretty convincing evidence, if you ask me."

"I have no oversight over my son's affairs." Amadeus replied. "His business is his own."

"I see." Standish smiled. "Then riddle me this. The smith that forged the assassins' weapons was found dead this morning. His records showed you purchased eight daggers from him. What do you say to that?"

"They were not daggers, but knives for the dining room." Pure replied. "Our current set had grown old."

"Hmm." Standish said. "Then why did you poison the food you served us?"

That made the two Blueblood hierarchs freeze.

"I detected a chemical with a chemical structure identical to cyanide in everything on our side of the table." Standish said, slowly drawing his pistol. "And no sign of it on yours."

Amadeus raised an eyebrow as the Hunters drew their firearms and levelled them at the Bluebloods.

"Let me tell you one thing. It was a bad move." Standish smiled. "You're coming with us."

"Like Tartarus we are." Amadeus scowled before he and Pure vanished in a flash of light. As Standish recoiled, he saw the Guards move to attack positions…

Only for them to be disabled by single shots to the front legs. As the Hunters looked at each other, Standish growled.

"Majesty, you still here?" he whispered over the radio.
"Loud and clear." she replied. "They teleported us away from the estate, but I managed to snag the radio."

"Good." Standish said. "Update us on your location every three hours. We'll handle things here."

"You got it."

As Majesty's connection ended, Standish motioned his team outside as Royal Guard chariots descended from the sky.

====

"So, the Traditionalist leaders and the Bluebloods were behind this." Celestia growled. "They will pay for this."

"One thing at a time." Lyle said. "We've got a contact in their group. She's giving us locations every three hours. We'll find them and put them out of their misery."

"As much as I want them to face trial…" Celestia replied. "If you must end their lives, do it only as an absolute last resort."

"Copy." Standish replied. "Let's find our missing conspirators."

Author's Notes:

Update!

Yep, the Bluebloods are on the run.

Next time - The Crystal Empire and a dark deal.