Author's Note

Hi,

After a long (forced) hiatus, I am back! Apologies for not releasing much but I haven't had access to my computer lately. Anyway, spoiler alert:

This chapter contains a song.

So please, please, please (please?) review and tell me if it was alright. I think it makes the writing a little awkward but stays truer to the show's style.

Anyway, enjoy!

Thanks,

William Sable


Chapter 8: A Dark Council

"Ah, Acting Captain. It's so very good to see you!"

Rainbow stood stiffly, seething quietly. A dark frown was fixed on her face.

"Please, have a seat. Let's be civil about this."

"I'm not being civil about anything," Dash retorted, her shoulders tensing.

It was one thing for Silverhoof to betray and imprison Shadow, but this was ridiculous. His own private tower now mingled among the white walls of Canterlot, its grey walls contrast to the rest of the castle.

"You're not blaming me for your Captain being a traitor are you?" Silverhoof asked sinisterly, leaning forward in his chair.

"I'm not that stupid Director, I know the trial was rigged."

With a sigh, Silverhoof shook his head. Standing up, he turned about and took a stand at the window, staring out at the skyline of Canterlot as the sun slowly rose.

"Tis a beautiful city… your Captain would have given his life for it, you know…"

Rainbow quickly added, "He would have given his life for a lot of things."

"Yes, quite… so how are you doing, Rainbow Dash?"

The question was abrupt and odd. Rainbow didn't reply, and merely stared at Silverhoof's mane suspiciously.

"Acting Captain? How are you doing?"

"Why do you care?" Dash returned, taking a deep breath.

"Because, unlike most ponies, I see possibilities. And in you, I see the possibility for a great leader… presuming you can move on from your 'loss' of Storm."

"A great leader? What, so you think I'd actually join you and your stupid regime?"

"No, of course not. You're far too naïve and spirited. But you'll come around, one way or another…"

Rainbow narrowed her eyes. Silverhoof was unmoving, staring out of the large window. He didn't say anything for nearly a minute.

Finally, he stated, "This conversation is waning. I think it's time to end it. Goodbye Rainbow Dash. Show yourself out…"

Without hesitation, Rainbow left. Stopping in the hall, Dash attempted to collect her thoughts and make sense of what had just happened. Being woken up at the crack of dawn was one thing, but being woken by a summon from the one pony she truly loathed was another. Something was obviously off here, and Dash quickly decided she needed to figure this out.

As she walked out of the castle, he watched from afar, sipping from a small martini glass while looking out the window.

"Do you think she can be recruited then?"

Silverhoof grinned, shaking his head, replying, "No. But she has too many friends… we can't just make her 'disappear'…"

Turning around, Silverhoof placed his glass on his desk and sunk into his chair, watching his dark comrades stand awkwardly, deep in thought.

"We could kill them all. We'll have to after deployment anyway. No one will miss them," one of them stated, stepping toward Silverhoof's desk.

"No, we need something more subtle. She's now in the public's eye," Silverhoof responded, addressing his grey maned friend, "And a simple mind trick won't do…"

"Deception is the key to everything, Director. You and I know this better than anyone."

A black figure appeared in the doorway, moving slowly towards Silverhoof and his fellow conspirators. Hissing gently, he stopped a few feet away from the gaggle of ponies that surrounded Silverhoof.

"Of course Colonel, but the question is, how?" Silverhoof returned, standing up slowly, "Gentlecolts, I'd like to introduce you to one of our new conspirators."

Taking a stand amongst the gaggle of ponies, the changeling grinned.

"Well Colonel. What do you think? We can't kill her. The public would notice, and the ones that aren't completely daft may put two and two together. We can't use mind control on her, as she is obviously far too independent for it to be effective. We can't even trick her with an imposter into losing heart, since she's so damn stubborn. So give us your opinion, please. Everypony here is being quite useless."

The changeling hissed a chuckle through his fangs.

"Deception is needed. We can con her into joining us."

"How so?" a voice from the crowd questioned.

With a grin, the creature began, "That is where I come in. Let me put it this way: Killing, murder, they won't work. Subtlety is a necessary quirk. A seed of doubt, planted in her mind, can cause her world to slowly unwind.

Deception is my true art form,
In it I am versed quite well,
With it I can do your bidding,
Any lie, I can sell,
Can you see why I am needed?
This rebellion I can quell,

For conspiracy,
Deception is key,

Shadow stalks and causes problems,
Appaloosa, Canterlot,
But if you could stop him dead now,
You could save your own plot,
But by savage means and anger,
All you do is all for not,

For conspiracy,
Deception is key,

Storm and Dash are the commanders,
One here, one there,
Uniting all against you,
Allies they have everywhere,
But put a lie between the two Bolts,
And apart they will slowly tear,

For conspiracy,
Deception is key,

Director, come on and listen,
The main point is what you're missing,
Simple tricks and blunt trauma,
Won't finalize our little drama,

Now you see what we must perform,
Not an act of savagery,
No, we must be much more subtle,
To save our conspiracy,
Shadow must die all in good time,
But on this let's all agree,

For conspiracy,
Leave the dagger be,
For conspiracy,
Silent we must be,
For conspiracy,
Deception is key "

With a slow nod, Silverhoof stood up.

"Fine then Colonel, point taken. Deception is key, and it works for me."


"Twenty three... twenty four…"

The screech of the door caught Dash's attention, but she continued anyway.

"Twenty five… twenty six… twenty seven…"

A set of hooves trotted over to her, clopping gently over the linoleum floors.

"Twenty eight… twenty nine… thirty…"

Standing up, Dash glanced with an annoyed look as Walker made her way to a nearby piece of furniture, flopping down on top of it.

"Wing ups, Dash?"

"Yeah… I was planning on doing one hundred… but I guess nothing goes according to plan."

"Chaser and them are back," Walker stated with a sigh, "The reviews of the performance were alright… but we didn't do as good as Alpha."

"With me at the head, it'll take a while for any of us to get as good as Alpha," Dash responded glumly, "Shadow was the only pony who had any idea what we were doing…"

"Well, the squadron is going to fall apart if you're not careful…"

"I know," Rainbow remarked angrily, moving to sit down.

After a few minutes of silence, Walker finally spoke up.

"Chaser's been asking about you again… so I'd watch out."

"Really? He's such a bucking prick!" Rainbow shouted, flailing a hoof in the air.

Jumping to her feet, she stretched her wings angrily.

"Calm down Dash, I'll just set him straight."

"Does anyone have any idea what I've been through? Shadow has gone missing, not once, but TWICE. So not only do I have to cope with that knowledge, but I have to cope with Chaser not bucking off, Silverhoof gloating, and the management of a squadron that I have no idea how to manage!"

Panting angrily, Dash stood there, staring blankly at the wall.

"Dash… I think you need a vacation."