2/17/16; It's a Date

Discord Draconequus was feeling a bit light-hearted. After that little faire of love and seeing how it absolutely destroyed Nessie, he was in a good mood. Perhaps it was the heaps of chaos that ensued, or the sadistic pleasure of seeing the unicorn apprentice shrivel beneath the weight of the pony's friendship. He had to admit he was rather impressed with the Unicorn stallion ascertaining the true intent of his card game so easily, and how the words twisted the ponies, but it did not deter them. The spirit of disharmony was especially surprised at Luna's participation. He supposed she experienced enough to last her til his next prank, one he had to plan well. The draconequus had fallen fast asleep after the event, but were one to seek him out, he could not be found. Even calling his name would result in a small paper reading out: I.O.U to appear.
Discord Draconequus was in his office, filing his last documents of the evening. The midnight had come sooner than he expected. His night was only part of the way done, but with his break time on the way he began to pack his saddlebags. He had been pouring through quite a bit of information concerning the bakery and its questionable inventory. the old stallion had made himself a frequent customer in hopes of getting in with the owner, but he was a tight-lipped stallion. Flipping the flap of his left pack the grey unicorn peered in, spying his red egg nestled among papers. His lips curled back, giving the old pony a rather a sadistic grin. "How much longer are you going to sleep little one? How much energy are you going to absorb?" In response the egg gave a wiggle. He gave a shrug, his horn giving off a glow as it closed the flap. His magic grabbed a bag of leftover chocolate hearts with him.
Discord Draconequus's packed his other bag with a few documents, folded down and sealed with wax. Levitating the pack to his bag he proceeded from the back office down the hall. Before he reached the exit he was called. 'Hey geezer.' He was spoken to in a laid back manner, preserving the relaxed and somewhat grump attitude he presented. He came to a halt and raised his head, for he walked with his skull low to the ground as if burdened by his own pack. His jaws parted, his snaggly tooth grabbing the heart candy with a chomp. The red-eyed stare shot back the officer's nerves. A nervous laugh was forced from his throat as he clasped his hooves together from behind the counter. Much of the mild activity buzzing around the office was ignored. Punks being put into the box to cool down, ponies reporting stolen property, or vandalized shops.
Discord Draconequus raised a brow at the younger officer. 'Ah, right, um -- sir. Another report came in.' He slid the paper over the desk. Strife shrugged. "I'm on break. I'm going to deliver this to the Castle and get coffee. You deal with it." He dismissed as he headed out the doors. The younger officer stammered, calling after him. 'S-sir! Witt...oh... the commissioner is gunna yell at me though....' He whined. Strife made his way toward the castle, the night rather calm. He did not mind it as much as he did most days. At least he was in one body this time. Making a shadow of this form was straining and did good to knock him out for a few hours. He hasn't slept so long in a good thousand years! He was probably getting rusty, but a few more pranks like that and he would be like his old self again. But some days he wondered if there was really any point to it.
Discord Draconequus wanted to regain his powers. He wanted to become superior, and reign chaos down on the ponies again! Maybe it was just the bitterness he had seeing Tia become like them. Seeing her trying to make everything a boring totalitarian regime. But he was determined to break her power over Harmony. The Mane were growing weak, splintering off and it gave the spirit leeway. The stallion pranced toward the castle, the guards giving him a sharp, dirty glare. The police department was viewed by the guard as a corrupt institution, while the department felt the guards had become little more than workhorses who could not act without the voice of their ruler. The old stallion gave a smirk, cocking his head some. "Where's your Luna?" He nickered at the glares for calling the princess so formally. he gasped out, jaws parting to receive another chocolate heart.
Discord Draconequus slurped in the candy and rumbled. "Forgive me." He spoke with his muzzle full. "Your princess of the night. Surely she is not up suffering pa gentries when there is real work to be done." He stood staring down the larger Bat Pony guard, before he relented to go summon the princess, but with great resistance.

Princess Luna had much to tend to after her return to normal, and after the festivities of Hearts and Hooves Day. It included tackling the documents again, and finally tending to her student's first lesson in magic. He had a lot ahead of him to learn, and she was determined to schedule regular lessons to teach him- including what she was going to be teaching in those lessons. For the time being, however, she was back in the throne room; she had little patience with holding the night court open.. but it was left open nonetheless should anypony need to come in. Luna took that quiet lull to lounge on her sister's throne, going through the various scrolls, letters.. whatever else there was that needed looking at. It wasn't so boring, now that she'd experienced the powerlessness of being a filly.

Discord Draconequus's department continued to run without him. he was an officer like the rest of them, taking no role as leader other than using his seniority to manipulate them. the younger officer left with the report looked down on it. he called another over, unsure what to do with it. 'What am I gunna do with it?' He asked one of his seniors. 'Well, did Strife leave it to you?' She replied. 'Y-yes?' He stammered. 'Well you shouldn't have given it to him, now you have to deal with it. What is it anyway?' She wondered looking over, her dark braid pulled back over her wings. 'U-um, something about irregular shipments coming in from the south district.' He read, only for her to blink. 'Oh well the south district isn't supposed to be under surveillance, no wonder he ignored it, here.' She laid her hoof down. 'You have to watch the West District, they haven't paid their protection.' She bade nonchalantly.
Discord Draconequus waited until the Guard started off, the male slithering behind him, loudly chewing his chocolate, to the sensitive bat's irritation. They made their way to the throne room, the guard clearing his throat. "Princess Luna -- detective Dark Strife wishes to consult you." he spoke in a clear, deeply irritated voice, only to grunt when Strife pushed passed him the plain stallion tilting his head toward the mare. "My, Luna aren't you radiant this evening, like a full moon. Inside." He quipped, his chocolates hovering beside him. Back at the office the younger officer trembled a bit. 'Is that -- alright?' He looked over to the female officer. 'Eh,?' She questioned. 'Oh, taking protection? Yeah. It's important to keep a few weasels in your pocket, cause weasels lure the badgers, you know? The big nastiest.' She explained. 'It's not like they do anything dangerous, they leave us a nice paper trail.' Though wasn't it still -- wrong?
Discord Draconequus would take credit for such an idea. With his unscrupulous methods such became commonplace. Leave a few rats and the cats come to play, than the dogs come to hunt-- His eyes pinched up in a tired smile. "While it would be nice to come visit for pleasure, your highness..." He glared at the guard who bowed his head to the princess and stepped back. The stallion trotted forward, the parchment hovering from his saddlebag, towards her. it was sealed, an official report of the bakery, at least what he had so far. "I do hate being the barer of bad news, but you did request audience once I've found something important and this is rather substantial." The young officer had no choice but to do what he was told and shred the report. When picking up the files on the East District something interesting did pop up: a string of robberies going unreported from antique dealers...

Princess Luna took a moment to look up from her paperwork when the throne room's tall double doors opened. She finally put the paperwork aside to a finished pile after she wrote a reply, and focused upon her newest visitors. She nodded to the guard who had spoken and looked to the stallion between them with interest. "Ah, detective." Luna said and was given pause by his quip. She appreciated what he'd expressed, but did he mean to flirt with her? No matter. Luna accepted the offered scroll and cut the wax seal with a twitch of her magic. "I did say that," Her voice took on a slightly distracted quality as she began to read, her brow furrowing. Oh, the bakery! She'd told herself that she'd deal with that place once everything was back to normal; but she'd forgotten. Now, though, she very much could take it. "I was told by another that this bakery was dealing in dark magic within its basement walls.. this report gives me enough reason to put a stop to their illegal activities."

Discord Draconequus was not the type to flirt -- oh who was he kidding? He was, just not in the way one thought. He was the sort who sought trouble and courted it with fever. He raised his left hoof a bit, head dipping. "Yes -- while they are of concern, they are of minor concern." He expressed, glancing back at the guard with uneasiness. "Perhaps we may take a walk princess? Sometimes the ears on the wall... also have teeth." He laughed, his own crooked smile exemplified in his grin. He would wait for her answer, but he was likely not willing to take no, princess or not. He was an astute fellow, so he has shown, but he has also expressed an unorthodox method in dealing with crime. He was calm, but did lead with his expression and body language as he turned with full intent to wait for her. "There is something you should know, dear princess.
Discord Draconequus turning hoof he walked toward the castle's foyer. Now the papers themselves did seem to detail the baker's habits, how he came to and fro at certain hours to pick up his deliveries, but any detail dealing with the where and who else was involved -- was censored out. Be it on purpose or through lack of knowledge, but there were spots where it was clearly marked [suspect] and [certain place]. As for the East District there was no question that there was trouble there, but because there were none willing to snitch, there were few officers willing to go, or do any more than check it out. They started getting into it with Guard who sometimes had to chase down suspects, officers declaring their hooves being full with real crime.

Princess Luna looked up from the scroll and let it furl back into its curled shape to fix Strife with a puzzled look, waiting for him to explain himself. He didn't, instead bidding her to walk with him. The princess sighed and rose, stepping down the carpeted ramp of the throne towards the unicorn. With a wing she gestured to the two night guard, dismissing them nonverbally. The scroll she'd been reading floated along behind her, still head in her magic for perusal. "Very well," Luna said as she followed the detective. "but I must ask why you consider the bakery owners a minor issue. The practice and distribution of dark magic is prohibited because of the dangers it poses to our citizens." The moonbringer frowned. "What is it that I need to know?"

Discord Draconequus turned from the princess when she followed, his smirk deepening to reveal that sharp grin. Shaking out his short mane he eyed the passing walls, faces, and fixtures as he led the princess along. "Oh, well princess you know our doctrines better than anypony else, but do you know that many of them are quite useless, ignored by criminals? Greedy ponies who have a greater sense of self than country?" His head tilted, ruby eye peering back over his shoulder towards the lunar deity. His short tail gave a flick as he slowed to a stop when he approached the main doors. He stood tall, at least as tall as a short stallion like him could. He raised his left hoof to motion to the door, which he pushed open with his magic. "While I could perhaps stop him from selling to citizens...the supplier will simply find another to supply to."
Discord Draconequus's explanations did make sense. If he stopped the seller, that would not ensure whoever provided them with the provisions to do harm, would not find another. "No, my dear princess, to stop an infection, you must eliminate the source." Oh, such wording made him giggle. He tried to bite it back, but chortled. "I am as eager as you to find out who is the one providing this place with its material, but we are more concerned with tracking the. I wanted to share this with you, so that I could ask you a personal and important question princess." He would press on toward the castle's entrance, pausing. he stared off toward the horizon, his tail dipping as his mind sunk. He chuckled. "What is more pressing? That you will live forever, or that you will forever live? Do you know there is a difference, princess?" Though it did not sound any different.
Discord Draconequus could find an easier way to explain things, but vague riddles were his favorite. "We've only a certain time to do our jobs, regardless of how long we have. One day I will have to retire, and will find regret in all the criminals I could not stop, or I can pervert the lives of the wicked and find fulfillment in their fear to ever stepping hoof into Canterlot." For he was quite selfish. He disliked the idea of any other causing Chaos and discontent for the princesses. Oh he was quite selfish when it came to them! Always such fun~

Princess Luna considered the detective's answer quietly as she followed along behind him, through the foyer and beyond. "You make quite a point." The princess said at last. "Should we find this source, however, I would still prefer to arrest those who own the bakery as well as any others who do the same. The materials they distribute will have to be locked away within the Canterlot Vault. I have already had to lock away two such dangerous tomes." Luna continued, frowning. She looked to him and nodded, accepting of being asked personal questions. It surprised her. "To live forever means I might always protect Equestria and my little ponies," Luna began after a moment of thoughtful silence, "but it also means that other than my sister and Discord, anypony else I might befriend will die of old age. I will outlive everypony. I have already outlived old friends to whom had no chance to say goodbye. To return to Equestria after being locked away in the moon, by my own jealousy, to find that those friends were long dead in the ground is quite painful."

Discord Draconequus was less amused with the princess' answer than he would have liked to have been. His ears swiveled back to listen to her before he shifted his weight had presented his side to her, head lowered a bit as he presented a soft expression, though the edges of it were hard due to his exhausted features and harsh smile that seemed more a sneer than smirk. "So sullen, my dear princess... no, no that is not what I meant." He stood tall. "So quick to to touch the morbid ends of your mane my dear! Dramatic." He drawled in a tired manner. "As lovely as your theatrics are moon child -- it is not what I meant. Simply that, you must look at things in a more recent perspective. Looking so far ahead, or behind, turns your prospects rather grim as you so quickly presented." he cleared his throat, moving to consume some of his candy.
Discord Draconequus was finding that he needed to eat less and less. Maybe soon he would be able to hold this neutral state indefinitely. He waggled the candy box toward the princess. "Here, have one." He offered. "Bitter treats, but beneath them lies something sweet." He noted. "I would require a favor from her highness, one I do hope she would bequeath to a commoner such as I." He gave a long pause before moving to walk towards her, a full head shorter than she~! "Lovely princess I do ask you not interfere with my present task at hoof, you see I have longed to find this foe, and recover from him all the contraband they have distributed into Canterlot. Tomes are the least of your worries, but your guards have provided me a most unrelenting barrier between my duty to Canterlot, and my ability to act on it."

Princess Luna came to a halt when he had, surprised when he corrected her. Oh.. that did make much more sense than she'd thought. "Yes, I suppose. We are a little more used to planning ahead." She said and glanced to the offered box of candies. To humor him, she took one to chew on while he talked, and she gave him time to say what it is that he wanted to request. He approached and she stood still in her spot, taking no steps back, and looked down at him from her taller height, considering it. "Your methods are strange, but explained to me they do make sense. The guard only wish to keep Canterlot safe and regulate those that live within, but I trust your judgement enough to allow this. I shall have it passed on to the guard not to interfere."

Discord Draconequus would have to remember he was wearing Strife's face. Such a trusted pony... he wondered if Luna would so willingly offer that to him. While she has expressed trust for his actions, there was still bits of him that had doubts and trepidation. He felt a sense of guilt that she up and agreed and provided him no challenge. It felt like less of a lie and more of a game when she at least challenged his position! Was this what it was like to have respect? Ponies that understood the paths of your ideals, or felt they did? Question him, ask why! Don't be so easily fooled! He mind shouted, all sorts of troubling. Maybe, he just couldn't understand what she was thinking. He could not help but suck his tooth at it, brushing the action off as if he were cleaning the chocolate from his mouth. His eyes pinched up in a calm smile.
Discord Draconequus tucking his left hoof against his chest he would bow his head. "Such a calm, understanding princess. I can see why you-- well never mind such empty flattering. You are quite the leader." being led around by a shadow. Setting his hooves down he would tilt his head. "Well, now that I have successfully snuck you out of the castle, would you wish to go for a flight, or have some lunch with me? I rather not return to the office to deal with a stack of paper work I would more readily burn than sign. Some outrageous things sometimes. Do you deal with these ridiculously, minor disturbances on a daily basis princess?" he turned to walk toward Canterlot's main streets. given that he had no wings -- his choice of activities was no choice, but an invite. Since he could not lift and carry the mare off any longer, he supposed abrasive leading would do!

Princess Luna smiled a little bit at the compliment, which went far considering the things she'd done before. It faded into a look of confusion and she eyed his blank shoulders. "You do not have wings." She bluntly stated and leveled a raised eyebrow at such a ridiculous question, as though to say 'Of course!' "Yes, I do. Quite a lot of it, in fact, but only because I have offered my sister to take on her share of the paperwork." Luna answered, stepping after him once he turned and lead her further towards the mountainside city.

Discord Draconequus chuckled as he calmly lead her along. A ringleader of trouble, but a reflection of who he perhaps wanted to avoid becoming -- or always wanted to be! He was not a normal pony, by far, and could never be."So you are correct princess. I cannot fly, but I do believe what they call the illusion of choice. Seeing as am clearly underdeveloped and unsuited to provide you with company during a flight, you've little choice but to accompany me -- unless you were willing to turn down an old stallion for company." While she was much older, by standard alone, there seemed no lie to his words for he was quite wizened and mature in ways that made him suited for his role. He would lead the princess to a small, secluded cafe, though it was not as if it was under a rock. A few heads turned, to be sure. Strife did well to ignore them and find a seat-- inside, away from the cold.
Discord Draconequus looked back toward the princess. "it is a technique often used against the difficult cases." he would remove his saddlebag and settle down. "Don't offer often to do work that is not yours, or you'll become a slave to the praise to come with it. Better to be insulted by your friends and family, than praised by them. Have you ever heard that saying?" he pulled his hoof to his chin. "Pet names, delicate misnomers representing an extremism to a pony's personality that is not true, yet it is endearing to offend them so!" The waitress would set down a single page menu and quickly flee. "Have you a pet name, Luna?" He casually offered.

Princess Luna had a moment of realization that she'd taken it literally, such was bound to happen, but she had not seen the illusion she'd given her. She probably could have guessed had she bothered to think more about it. Truthfully, around a pony she didn't know, she hardly knew what to do or think. "Interesting, but I am afraid I shall not be turning you down this eve. The reminder of the bakery and its criminal inhabitants has drawn my interest." Luna trailed after him into the cafe he'd lead her to, and she found a repeat of feeling after the first time he'd brought her some place. The rumor mill. This time, she had little to care about it and joined him at the table he picked. "I would not suppose I am a difficult case, but no, I have never heard such a phrase. I would think it better to be a stranger, for their opinions matter little while those close to one's opinions are held in higher regard." Luna stated. "What, that others call me? I find Lulu to be a common one." There was another but she didn't dare tell a stranger that.

Discord Draconequus had to resist the rancid cackle that filled his belly. the screams of laughter in the back of his mind were sate by a casual throat clearing as he looked down to the menu, his horn lighting up with a soft white glow. "Tis a title much too cute for a mare your age." Adult, that is. "Mint tea with a daffodil sandwich sounds nice at this hour." He muttered before peering over his menu. "Nothing endearing, at least in the sense I speak of. her highness, moon princes, lady moon. Hardly more than chivalrous titles devoid of -- intimacy. It has to be degrading to show regard." he paused a moment to think, tapping his hoof to his chin. "Ah, some of them at the station call me geezer, demeaning my age, but do still respect and likely fear me." he teased on that last bit, maybe. "Have you no friends who ridicule you?" This conversation seemed, frankly, casual. It was not the talk of business one would expect from an active law enforcer so stubborn as he.

Princess Luna rumbled amusement in her throat and thought to look at her own menu, having temporarily forgotten that they were in a cafe. "'Lady Moon' does not sound quite so bad." She commented; it was a title that connected her closer with her precious moon. She looked back up at him when he'd expressed what he was often called, smiling a little before it faded to a mere quirk of her lips. Something that could be interpreted as annoyance. "Of course, one friend, who you do not believe exists because of your.. practicality." Luna answered. "Discord. He takes joy in it." Her mind was on a certain and very recent prank of his that she'd only just had fixed.

Discord Draconequus set down the menu at the mention of his alter ego. It was something out of a bad superhero novella. Resting his hoof onto the menu he motioned to the waitress with the other. "Imaginary friends don't suit you Luna." He rest one hoof over the other before looking to her again. He figured he humor her -- and himself. What did she think of that creature? "What are the sort of things your -- Discord calls you? He couldn't be more interesting than me, seeing as I am here." Though Discord felt his shadow to be quiet boring. He would have liked to be sitting there with her, ordering lunch, but this was the same waitress who'd nearly mess herself for him just napping in the awning. "A mint tea and daffodil sandwich." He'd order, looking to Luna. "My treat Luna dear." Unafraid to simply call her, by her given name.

Princess Luna snorted at him. Imaginary friends. Wasn't that a question that sourfaced unicorn asked her at Ponyville's Hearts and Hooves festival? "He is not imaginary." She insisted and looked up at the waitress who'd arrived. His treat again? Very well. "Green tea, and.. a toasted lettuce and tomato sandwich." Something warm and toasted sounded ideal right about now; she was hungry. Once that was done and dealt with, her mind turned back to the question Strife had asked of her. "Lulu," Luna stated again and grimaced as she said the next, "and 'Woona.'"

Discord Draconequus was in disbelief she said it out loud. The unexpected admittance disallowed him to bite back his devious demeanor and so the detective was only able to stifle his snorting hiccup, hooves pressing to the usually serious stallion's muzzle. He stared down for several seconds. He was just glad the waitress had made her way, intimidated to work quickly in the maiden's presence. He too had a reputation to keep! "By all that is. How dreadfully demeaning." He assured. "You and your... friend, must be close." He seemed remiss to say that word: friend. He did not feel like one with Luna. It wasn't like with the others. A strange separation. "...could I?" He wondered, just a little, we're she so easy... Those were his special names for her after all. Verily designed to make her sour and grump!

Princess Luna did indeed look a little grumpy when the stallion reacted with stifled amusement. "I am.. not sure we are. I have learned a lot about him, though I feel there is much more under the surface." She admitted. "Could you.. what? Call me by those pet names?" Luna queried, confused by what he was asking. "No, I daresay Discord is the only pony I would tolerate calling me by those names. Perhaps my sister, too, for she calls me Lulu rarely." She answered willingly enough with the waitress off to do her job.

Discord Draconequus could almost pout, if not for the smug sense of winning that tickled his fancy. Strife''s face shower no amusement, only dissatisfaction. It would have been nice, but at the same time annoying. "You seem very assured Discord exists." He settled back, his forehooves settling between his haunches. "Tell me princess dear, have you much company beyond your sister and sure-existing mare's tale?" He did wonder if Luna had company beyond them. Perhaps his isolating game of shrinking her had not been advantageous, but at least she had socialized. "I simply ask, seeing as with my standing belief your demeaning companion cannot conceivably exist, that would leave you in the company of one, and separated by time, no less." It would not take long for the simple order to be served to the pair.

Princess Luna made an annoyed noise in her throat, but would not let herself groan aloud; it would have been unbefitting one of her station. Something only a disgruntled foal would do. "He very much exists. If he did not, why was there havoc in Ponyville? You yourself even dumped pictures in my lap of the havoc he created here in Canterlot of him and those cockatrice." The princess insisted, though quietly. She didn't want questioning about her sanity. "I do. My scribe, Azure Rain, my student, Mirage Moon. Mist Feather. Bygone Specter. Tranquil. All you could no doubt question, and my guards to boot, about his existence." Luna rattled off a few names, which was a rather short list of ponies who she commonly interacted with; though of Mist, she hadn't seen the pegasus in a while.

Discord Draconequus seemed a little, smugly, satisfied with her defense. "A picture." He bit into his levitated meal. "A picture is worth a thousand glyphs, so photograph this elusive creature and I will submit to your stories princess, after all there have only been rumors and passing of troublemakers, many who emulate these old stories. " he smiled. "But this is not to tease you, in truth I do worry such young leaders like your sister and you are burden with responsibility towards the country. Not that I don't appreciate it, but oh.. well perhaps you'd spend an entire evening with me, nose around a lovely little bakery I know." He hinted, because the walls had ears... had this been a massive, roundabout way to ask her to -- do a sting operation with him?! Knowing Strife, perhaps. Discord on the other paw had his personal reasons..

Princess Luna finally took notice of her own meal, the scent of which wafted enticingly past her nostrils. "A picture you shall have." She said, with an air of one taking on a challenge. While he talked, she bit hungrily into her own sandwich, though it was considerably neater than it sounded. The princess chewed, thinking over what he'd said. She perked up when he mentioned 'bakery,' phrased in such a way that suggested to be the very same bakery they were having trouble with. There was a brief glint in her eye and she swallowed. "Of course, I would like to see it for myself."

Discord Draconequus enjoyed his meal with the princess. His banter was quite normal. Weather ponies being lazy, and how he has become addicted to chocolate. Ah, good times. "I look forward to you empirical evidence and our date." That is what they called such meetings, no? It would be fun! "Say a few days from now?" He sighed. "Sadly my break is over. Luna, a delight as usual. Chin up princess." He moved to stamp, leaving down bits as he said he would!

Princess Luna slowly worked through her sandwich and tea as Strife did, mostly silent as she sated her hunger and while the unicorn talked at times. Wait, date? Was that not what ponies these days referred to as courting? She was suspicious for a moment, but cast it aside for the time being; it didn't seem likely. "A shame, but of course. It sounds like a proper time to do the perusal of this bakery of yours." Luna answered, after the last of her tea. Once he had gone, she would no doubt return to the castle and think things over. Plan things too.




[rest of the logs need to be gathered]

Discord Draconequus was not even that far from the cafe he was exiting, barely down the block before that flash of light light up the night sky as if Celestia had lost her mind. He stiffened a moment, tail shooting up as the taste of chaos in the air gave him the wooblies, though in Strife's case it was the -- well never mind. Looking up his brows furrowed, only for the rumble of a distant -- something, touching his hooves. "What in Fa--Luna's sparkly mane?" He had only departed from the Princesses side moments ago, knowing not if she was yet returned for the night. His head raised as he searched the streets, but in the distance would spot a gold fleck of something making its way from the road leading toward the castle. That wasn't Luna or-- oh well "Mares shouldn't be out wandering the streets alone..." Hem murmured as he recognized that loud color for whom it was. The male turned his head up, back trotting as he tried to figure out where everything was coming from. His own was totally lit at this point.

Tranquil had just begun walking from the road leading to the castle when the great flash of light illuminated the sky for a brief moment. Being so close to the source, the kirin was blinded and sent cowering to the ground with her forehooves over her face to shield her eyes from such brightness. Once the sky returned to normal, a familiar voice caught her attention, peeking out from behind her tied up mane to spot the detective she had met some weeks ago. She shook herself of debris before trotting to the detective. "I'll be fine, I can take care of myself~ But what in the world was that?" Of course, lacking the secret powers the detective hid so well, the kirin wouldn't be able to feel the distant surge of magic near/in the bakery.

Azure Rain stood high on the plateau she used as a training ground smiling from ear to ear, after days and days of training and casting she had finally amplified and expanded a fire spell, looking at the now glass plateau she chittered only one thing. "Luna will be so proud! through hard work I finally did something without harming myself or anypony else."

Kawatan looked down the road from his position and was forced to tilt his head. What were ponies doing out at this time of night? It was a bit of a pain that one had to seemingly stray so close to the castle skirting form one district to the areas where the inns were but alas he would go where needed. The cloak wearing 'zebra' made to walk past the two without hardly breaking his stride. Tick-tock-Tick-BOOM! Across the city the bakery went up in a mix of magic and explosives! Only a few pieces of debris were launched, thankfully, coming down harmlessly in the street and clattering off the surrounding houses.

Discord Draconequus chuckled softly at the kirin. "Yes, I can see that. I've no idea, but I am sure there is nothing to--" And the sudden foolish and utter destruction. An alarm goes off, alerting of the danger. Fires, hazards... the appropriate authority figures would be rallied. The Detective was frazzled: tail stuck up and mane stuck out of place. He sunk down, eyes narrowing. "One peaceful night, I guess, was expecting too much." When he was around. He wasn't sure what lit up the night sky, but he was sure he did not see those fire carts... going where he thought he was. "Ugh, Luna I'm going to be frustrated." He was already annoyed. Looking to Quil he grumped. "I guess asking you to go back home, will not do, so stick close, alright?" He turned to trot down toward the alleyways. He really really liked their mint cupcakes too! Shady as they were, the draconequus in disguise hadn't his priorities straight. He had plans and they were going up in -- smoke.

Tranquil offered a smile towards the detective and was just about to glide/trot off into the night to find something to spoil herself with when the explosion had went off in the distance. Quil's eyes went wide, but offered the stallion a soft nod. Didn't 'think' that the flash in the sky earlier was tied to the explosion, but it was a pretty strange coincidence, wasn't it? The kirin let out a sigh before following after the dark colored male, didn't look like she'd be treating herself to anything but chaos tonight. Then again, it could turn into a great lesson on the meaning of chaos itself, something which her teacher seemed adamant in teaching to her.

Azure Rain noticed it felt colder for some reason since due to a safety bypass spell (smart mare) only her barding, scarf and boots had burned away to ashes, looking down at herself she giggled even more proudly. "See!? not a scratch on my body."

Princess Luna had taken a leisurely walk back to the castle after she'd parted ways with Strife, and by the time she'd reached the castle courtyard, the brilliant flash drew her eye. She stopped mid-stride to stare up at the sky with some befuddlement, waiting for another to appear. It didn't. The moonbringer almost dismissed it as nothing important, but the explosion that tore open the night shocked her from that. It'd come from back in the city. Luna stared in that direction for only a few seconds, baffled, before she took action. With a single powerful stroke of her wings she was airborne, soaring back to the city and where the explosion had originated.

Discord Draconequus never moved faster than a measured trot. He had not noticed any pony suspicious fleeing the site. Any ponies about had scattered. Luckily the back alley shop had few. He levitated a whistle from his saddlebag as well as his badge. Putting the whistle to his muzzle he blew out, focusing the panicked attentions. The badge's chain was pulled over his head so it hung from his neck. 'Sir!' A young officer called. 'The fireponies are taking care of the flames, we are trying to close off the streets.' He sneered a bit. All his hard work, smoldering pastry dough. "No one leaves, or comes who isn't a service unit." He looked back to Quil to make sure she was close. The owner was sitting on the curb with a cup of tea, being questioned by EMTs. He was shaken up, a little sooty, but otherwise fine.

Tranquil noticed movement from the corner of her eye, but the shadows didn't seem to draw much more attention than a passing glance from the kirin. As they approached the bakery, the kirin let a soft gasp out. Even if the area of destruction smelt of baking bread and delicious treats and the surrounding ponies seemed to be fine,it was still quite the sight to take in! The kirin blinked before squinting her eyes softly, horn glowing to instantly bring forth a rag from her saddlebags as she approached individuals and offered it to wipe themselves off. Strife seemed busy barking out orders, but the glances her way told her to stick close, so would stay here for now and offer her assistance whenever possible.

Azure Rain drained the full Byvial of mana power and once more for good measure cast the amplified spell, yet this time the force behind it was much greater, a huge conflagration washing over the barren stone/glass plateau leaping off it's edges before dissolving, a bright flash once more illuminating the skies for a good solid five seconds, then the mare sank to her knees and panted. "Okay.. enough.. this experiment is a success.. whew.."

Princess Luna sought out the destruction and found it easily enough from her skyward vantage point; there seemed to be quite a few ponies milling about, already on the scene. With a tilt of her wings, the princess descended at the edge of the mayhem. Amidst the fireponies and answering officers, she spotted two familiar faces: Strife himself, and Tranquil. Luna approached the pair, her wings flared with authority. "What in Equestria happened?" A question with an obvious answer, but Luna was more interested in the details. Another flash lit up the night sky, as though challenging the stars, and her teal eyes narrowed up with suspicion. A second time after such an event was a little too odd.

Discord Draconequus motioned to the officer sending him off. "That's weird." He murmured, turning to face the kirin, but looking away. "This is a bakery, who would attack a place like this?" Though he knew was lay buried in the basement, but no average pony would know. He looked to Tranquil, brow arching. "You're are mare, would you mind trying to calm the owner so we can question him? These rookies really aren't going to assist me." His ears folded back. This mess, he could have used it, but now someone had gone and taken revenge on the poor guy. He was an idiot, not really that evil. A greedy slob that didn't make much in a back-alley bakery. "Yeah well that's what I'd like to--" he turned around only to see that it was Luna. "Oh...sorry." His gruff tone sunk a bit, though it did not erase his tired attitude. "No idea. Someone playing vigilante, or someone who didn't like what he didn't have for sale, if you understand." He male shook his mane out, resituating himself.
Discord Draconequus levitated his quill and pad from his saddlebags, latching them tightly. "What a mess. Had any ponies been inside." Tartarus. It was his responsibility to control chaos, and things have gotten out of hoof. He tried to handle everything on his own, be the big pony in charge, but it seemed he overcompensated for his lackluster height as a pony with his overachieving at his only job. He did not choose to be this size, for that was what his magic manifested.

Tranquil couldn't help but blush softly over her features. "I... you want me to sweet talk him, essentially?" The kirin gave him a questioning glance, but decided to help. The appearance of Luna caused the kirin to startle somewhat, but was quick to straighten herself up and offer a brief smile towards the Princess before excusing herself and making her way to the owner of the bakery. She'd give a courteous bow of her head before settling next to the owner and began to talk with him, even offering a shoulder for him to lean against if he needed it. "I'm with the detective over there, and I can assure you he's working his flank off to try and resolve this as swiftly as possible for you. Meanwhile, I'm here to offer assistance to anypony that needs it, so if you have anything I can help with, it'd be my pleasure to help." Luckily, her odd looks didn't seem to bother the pony at all, the poor stallion was in total shock.
Tranquil-Stammering his speech as he shook his head slowly, his features distraught. "I was just baking some goods for the morning crowd... I wasn't expecting it at all miss! It just... happened so suddenly and now I don't know what to do and it's just awful!" The male then proceeded to bury his face into his hooves and sobbing. Quil couldn't help but feel sorry for the poor guy, wrapping a hoof around his shoulders and hugging the guy. "Hey now... it's alright... you didn't lose any loved ones at least."

Azure Rain lay on her side by now wondering when she had decided to do so, staring out over the city of Canterlot wondering if anypony had witnessed her experiment, at least the wind was nice and cool, why was she so warm anyway? so hot in winter? hm magic seemed to be empty too, oh well she would walk back once her body decided to stop being lazy and sweaty.

Princess Luna looked back around at Strife while he was addressing Tranquil. Had she caught the word 'bakery'? She'd have to ask him. The princess offered the kirin a smile and nodded her head to him, her eyes following her as she went off to speak to a stallion sitting on the sidewalk. Her gaze shifted back to Strife, her brow furrowing a little. "I see. It is odd this should happen after we expressed such interest in coming to this place." Luna noted and folded her wings, eyes roving back over the surrounding ponies. The stallion Tranquil was talking to seemed to be crying now, though Strife saying that nopony had been inside lead her to believe him to be the owner, perhaps? She wasn't sure that she felt sorry for him, considering.

Discord Draconequus's feathers were quite ruffled, sadly he currently only had fur. Huffing through his nose in an annoyed snort he raised his left hoof to his chest, ears folding back. "Yes well I am not one to take to the idea of coincidences. Either one was working for the other, or one worked for the other." Somepony may have known that the disturbances were loud and frequent enough to be used, or had a partner use the light show to draw attention... The baker looked up. He didn't realize the old pony had been a cop! 'I-I swear I didn't do nothing! Today was a slow!' he pressed. 'It's always slow...so sometimes I bake specialty cakes, but there hadn't been any customers after the old hag.' An old mare came by the shop? Strife sighed, setting his hoof down as he looked to the princess. "I cannot guess what sits yonder, but since we are here I am going to inspect the inside of the bakery, It doesn't look like anypony here can help." Some were couples lurking about to be alone, others did not seem to know there was even a bakery here! He walked up toward Tranquil and motioned his hoof. "Why don't you take him to the hospital, he may have inhaled some smoke." He shot a dark glare at the baker who wailed and hid behind the kirin. He curled his lip a bit and nickered out before taking his whistle into his muzzle again with his magic, blowing into it. He called the EMT's attention and motioned his head. "Be a doll, nothing like the gentle hoof of a lady."

Tranquil wasn't at all aware of the crimes behind the bakery, but the way the owner was acting and Strife was talking, the guy must've done something. Quil wasn't the type to judge however, she allowed the owner to hide behind her without a single bit of fidgeting. Nope, she decided to tease Strife instead! "So that's why you like eating all of those baked goods then~" She'd coo softly before chuckling and doing as she was told, walking alongside the emotionally beaten down stallion, escorting the owner towards the EMT's cart without much fuss from either of them.

Azure Rain felt tired and even more warm than earlier, maybe spells like these were cast with multiple unicorns for a reason yet the mana supply wasn't the problem earlier so why was she so exhausted anyway? even the Byvial was empty mm was that the scent of burnt pastries?

Princess Luna hummed thoughtfully. No, she didn't think it was a coincident that the bakery should be blown up, the very same place they were planning to visit just a few days from now. The princess trailed after Strife while he spoke to the baker, who showed fear and hid behind poor Tranquil now that the detective was revealed. "The hospital sounds like an ideal place to rest. Strife, I shall accompany you into the ruins, if I may; I may be able to assist. To find the source of the explosion, perhaps the remnants of a spell or rune that caused it." Luna spoke up. For such a thing to go off in this very city, Luna had plenty of reason to investigate, herself. When the moon shone, she was guardian.

Agate was use to moving about only at night. The Saddle Arabian Mare had gotten past the area where others of her kind roamed and was allowed to use her magic at long last. I light purple glow was seen under her small hat that covered her horn. She was never seen without this hat on due to the hate and fear of Unicorns and magic in her place of birth. Her mother was not like they others and had fallen in love and allowed a Unicorn pony to sire a foal with her. Agate was that foal. But was born with a horn and magic. Must of it she had learned herself and was not as good at it as a pony would be. But with her mother being of noble blood and the mare being old enough to wed. Suitors showed up for her daily and no matter how she liked them they all showed a distaste for anything magic. She she decided it was time for her to go. She longed to try and find out more about the Pre-cataclysm and in one of her adventurers she had crossed into the Alicorn Ruins.
Agate found there that there was a broken map. What of it she was able to put together showed there maybe a land past the west that was long forgotten. She made a drawing of it and kept it with her. No names where added to her map but it showed that there was once a way past the west and into this land. And she was out to find what lay there. There was talk in the text of forgotten relics and gold. As she wonders along she finds herself in Canterlot. Unsure how she had wondered here but not worried due to it was night and most seemed to be sleeps so the Butter Milk Dun Mare should be able to pass the town with out any issue. She still had on her noble outfit and as always her hat. The map was held in front of her face as she was trying to find out how it was to get out of here but this town was not on the map she had made. She had thought Equestria are all but unsettled land. So she was not looking for others at the moment. Big mistake..

Discord Draconequus levitated the whistle to his muzzle, giving a short, sharp tweet that called over one of the older officers. He stood at attention. 'Sir! It is possible anypony that was involved escaped. Our reaction time to the emergency situation was still too slow, three minutes it took us to arrive.' He reported stiffly. "Fantastic~" The detective groused. "Don't care, look as soon as the fireponies finish checking anyone for explosives, bring in the Uni-Squad to check for and magical residue outside. Nopony gets passed the barrier." he glanced back at the princess. "Especially her." The officer looked up. 'B-but the princess...' He stammered, losing his authoritative stance once he realized she was present! Strife rolled his eyes and sauntered toward the entrance, which was little more than a smoldering arch.
Discord Draconequus he heaved himself up the broken steps and slunk inside. The street was sequestered off from all sides, and given the complicated twists and turns in the alley some ponies clever enough could move about. 'Halt!' A officer called to the dun mare. 'I'm sorry, nopony is allowed entry at current, please return to your home.' he was an earth pony, his badge hanging from his neck. The burning dough was enough to stick to the roof of a pony's mouth, but the sight of the shop seemed something out of a horror flick with its center structure all but collapsed it, much of its framework a splintering catastrophe-waiting-to-happen. The EMTs' cart would arrive at the hospital, the baker glancing toward Tranquil as he stepped down. 'Y-you gotta be careful around that copper miss, he ain't sane you know?' They pony came into his shop every night and ordered an obnoxious amount of mint cupcakes. 'You know one day I tell 'im I don't have the ingredients for his cake, next hing I know, he stops coming til today. Ain't no coincidence ma'am. He's got this look about him like he's crazy.' And the baker has seen that look before. Sometimes he wondered what the world was coming to when lil' foals came into the shop knowing about the basement, looking to buy those illegal books! but he had to make a living either way...

Tranquil wasn't at all sure why she had agreed to ride along to the hospital with the baker, then again she didn't exactly have much else to do, bow did she? Not until she got a new book to learn from! The ride to the hospital had been quiet enough, but once the pair had walked towards the hospital, the baker began to talk with her causing the kirin to tilt her head to the side curiously. "He does act pretty odd, but I imagine years of being in his line of work, that just does something to a pony mentally, y'know?" Although, certainly did think that the detective took his work a bit too seriously, then again, what the hay did she know about working for the law? She was just a simple street artist that was pulled into this whole mess by being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Princess Luna frowned at Strife when he seemed to consider, then denied her entrance. He may have been an officer, a detective, who was trying to do his job, but she had her own duty. Her duty was to protect Equestria, which included Canterlot, and to have something like this go off in her own front yard? It'd be unthinkable if she didn't get involved. Luna scowled, waiting until Strife had turned his back and disappeared into the destroyed building before she looked at the officer he'd commanded. Her look softened some- she didn't want to frighten him into wetting himself, but to affirm he could not tell her no. He withered under her look and Luna walked past him towards the building, tucking her wings in and ducking her head under the doorway so she could step gingerly inside. She'd handled far worse than this.

Agate moves the map from her face as she hears a voice.. she blinks her royal blue eyes and tilts her head " Nopony??" she states in a question tone "I am not a pony sir.. I am a horse and so it stands to reason that if only no ponies can pass and I am not a pony but a horse then it does not apply to me" the buckskin made a good point he had said no pony.. and this road was the only way out of town. With that she moved and walked past the earth pony she was as tall and Luna anyway and it was very easy for her to step over the tape and not break her stride. She moved slowly as she looked about "Seems this city is a a war.. But why attack the baked good store.. Are they at war with sweets?"

Discord Draconequus stepped into the building, immediately struck with the stench of burnt cupcakes. "What a waste." he complained as his hooves pressed against the floorboards which occasionally seemed to bend beneath his weight. Though the fires were out, the structure still popped and crackled. There was no telling how weak the structure had become. According to the fireponies the fire started from downstairs, likely from one of the ovens. But the spirit knew better -- the ovens were grounded against the stone floors at the shop's corners. At least there the structure seemed to be sound. He walked toward the other end of the shop, the dilapidated stairs leading up were charcoal, the rest beyond the half-way point of the steps seemed untouched by the explosion. He leaned his head, the steps to the basement were just behind the stairs leading up. He heard somepony else enter. "Didn't I say--" he turned to look. But wasn't surprised. Discord Draconequus stared blankly at the princess. "You are very bad at following orders princess." He asserted as he walked along the banister, peering down the steps to the basement. Usually the baker had boxes and crates of baking goods stacked here. Had he moved them? In-between shipments perhaps? He scuffed his hoof against the ground, dragging around the ash. He searched around for hoof prints, but nothing. Were hey perhaps gone before the explosion? In the meantime the baker reached out to grab the kirin. 'Don't let them take me. They aren't gunna heal me, I don't got no wounds. They wanna lock me up, they think I did it!' He didn't mean to sell the foal the book he just didn't think it'd matter, his parents would confiscate it! 'Look I got a family, I can't just not work. My wife's sick, my son only's got three legs!' He begged her. Perhaps there was truth, or perhaps it was a pony that knew he did wrong.
Discord Draconequus glanced at the princess while he searched around for clues, his quill and pad hovering around him. Hos horn had a soft, white glow, red eyes searching across the banister for any bit of evidence. "You need to relinquish this duty to professionals Luna." He couldn't search properly, that magic unique to Discord... she'd spot it, no doubt. Outside the police ponies were baffled by her words. He looked to his partner who shrugged, unable to refute the truth to her words. The badge wearing senior shook his head. 'Madam please, I know it is an inconvenience, but it is dangerous.' He twisted his face at her question. 'At war with-- no!' What in Equestria? 'No, ma'am. Just an accident. Please stay behind the line.' He asserted. He did not want to arrest her or anything, he couldn't wrestle down a mare. 'I-is the Uni-squad here yet?' He called to the rookie. 'Noope, seems they caught a snag.' He replied. 'W-what?!' The senior demanded.

Tranquil stiffened up a bit as the baker clung to her for dear life, offering the male a nervous sort of smile. "Calm down, please. I'm sure whatever you did isn't going to get you into too much trouble. I'm sure there are a lot of ponies who put secret ingredients into their baked goods to make them sell better. I bet they'll only keep you overnight, and at worse a few days." She'd try to reassure the stallion. "Just tell them the truth, and if you like, I'll go talk to your wife and son and help them out if they need it until you come back." If the guy WAS a family man, maybe he'd crumble if she promised him his family's safety.

Princess Luna stepped tentatively into the ruined bakery, casting her eyes over the blackened interior. Her head quirked towards Strife's voice and she snorted, nostrils flaring. "I am not your underling, and this is as much my business as yours." She replied sharply, moving over the floorboards which creaked and groaned under her weight. "We need to find who is responsible for this and make sure they are put away, for whoever can get away with destroying one building may go on to destroy more. I will not allow this to happen in Canterlot if I can put a stop to it." Luna went on, eyes on the stairs that Strife was currently investigating. Her horn lit as she began to channel her magic, preparing to cast a scanning spell to see if it might pick up on anything..

Agate the buckskin mare twitches her flank a bit as she stomps a hoof " Arrest me? For walking past your city.. It is no wonder my town dislikes you ponies so much.. I wish to get out of this city and this is the only way out.. " she snorts and hires up on her hind legs kicking her front legs wildly. With that she jumped over the tape and took off at a full gallop across the way toward the other side..

Discord Draconequus rolled his eyes at her comment and moved to step around. He couldn't really see anything and neither his, nor Luna's horns would come across anything out of the ordinary. No magic of any kind seemed to be extra naughty. Which was unusual. "This place was a warehouse rife with illegal magic books-- you'd think an explosion would have set something off." Something was not adding up. "You need to listen to me occasionally. It's not always hot air." He professed, oddly enough. It was not as if he was ever a show-horse around the princess, so his meaning came off a bit weird. But were it his other half he certainly blew a few vuvuzela horns on a daily basis -- but... The officers outside blinked when the mare suddenly up and over'd them. 'Luna's breath!' He backpedaled, cursing out a bit. 'Stop her!' The senior officer called as whistles were blown, attentions turned to the unlawful actions.
Discord Draconequus he sniffed around, but nothing beyond the burnt dough. "...what is that?" He tasted something -- more like smelled it. When he stood at the top of the basement steps he could smell magic, more like taste the chaotic combination of whatever tomes he had downstairs, burnt to oblivion. It was like dry grass burning under a chemical induced fire. He sneered a bit and looked over to Luna when she stepped toward him. "Will you stay bac--" The whistles outside caught his attention, ears swiveling forward. "Now what?" He pushed back, having been a step away from going down the steps. he pranced toward Luna, tail up as the stallion was on full alert. "Did they find the arsonist?" Between princess and he -- this was no accident, that much was obvious to the studious eyes, well at least he hoped Luna was that clever! 'Halt! This area is restricted!' The officer called to the horse, chasing after her, others joining in.
Discord Draconequus trotted toward Luna's side, slowing down as he heard something else. "What was that?" He looked up. Tranquil had tried to calm him, but there was no doing it. His grip tightened, the cook moved his hoof against his ruined cooking apron before pressing against the mare's side. 'Miss I am not staying. Just.. keep quiet.' He was a baker after all and those aprons were full of all sorts of ...tools. This one happened to help him cut up the pastries. It would be attempted to be placed against her side, making any attempt at moving or magically jerking the weapon -- dangerous. 'I'm not going back, they'll have my hooves. That was a a knight's year's worth of salary I lost. Do you know how much I make at a back-alley bakery?' he cackled. 'Let's go. That way. Stay quiet...'

Tranquil definitely wasn't expecting what was to come next. One minute she was comforting a supposedly nice bakery guy, and next thing she knew, there was an odd cold object being slid up against her side, grazing over her belly scales. Despite the males warning, the kirin had snorted then burst out laughing. "Oh my gosh, get it away from m-my scales! Ahahaha!" She'd attempt to push him away with a back cloven hoof, little did she know the object pressed to her was a cutting utensil, otherwise she probably would've been a little more careful. Alas, the poor ticklish kirin couldn't stand still, wiggling and whining as the tool grazed her side more. "S-stop!" At this point those frozen bubbles began spewing forth from her mouth in the masses much like the day in the kitchen, tears welling up at the corners of the kirin's shut eyes.

Princess Luna focused her spell over the bakery's interior, but alas she turned up with nothing. Not a whisper of spellwork or even a shard of enchanted objects. "This is concerning." The princess agreed and turned back to him, letting her magic flicker out of being. "I can take care of myself, detective. I have dealt with much worse than this-.. What is it?" Luna asked of the detective, shortly before the whistles outside caught both of their attention. The alicorn straightened, her ears perked. "I am not quite sure. It could be anything, but with such a gathering of law enforcement they may have it handled. Should we not peruse the basement?"

Agate dodges the ponies as she runs but her luck only lasts so far before she is watching as two try and come in at her sides and steps in sticky dough with her front hoof.. She can't take a step and in turn goes wild, "Get away from me!!" she yells and snorts pawing at the ground with her free front hoof and bucking and kicking with her back legs.. This make for a lot of noise as the wild buckskin Mustangs clothes where lined is silver bells and the jingled and rang as she bucked and kicked wildly..

Discord Draconequus was about to speak only for the floorboards to crack beneath them. Snap, creak and down everything went! He was not quick enough to respond so would be unable to teleport himself before he hit the ground below, at least the debris, for all that he was worth. His body tumbled down, legs kicking as gravity turned on him, the king of chaos, and with the grace of a potato rolling down a hill he hit every conceivable surface on the way down before landing over his stomach on a collapsed rafter sitting at a 75degree angle. The wind was knocked out of him as he let out a wheeze. "Right on the belt." He choked as he wrapped his hooves around the burnt, splintering structure. This was what a doll must feel like being hurled down the stairs. He was sorry Unikrom, he wouldn't play base jumper with you again! Coughing he looked around, the rain of debris having created a cloud of dust.
Discord Draconequus rolled his eyes as he pushed himself off the raised beam, landing on the ground with a crunch. Nothing but burned, immolated garbage underhoof. "Luna?" he looked up. Had the mare taken flight? Rude. Outside they finally cornered the horse. 'Ma'am calm down! this area has been closed off!' What was wrong with her! 'Get the lasso!' A pair of uniformed earth ponies marched forward, lassos on muzzle. flicking back their heads the two, from different sides of the mare, would attempt to ensnare her. The explosion had thrown loose, smoldering junk everywhere, some of which could be used for evidence, but what was most troubling was having anypony, or horse it seemed, running a muck through making keeping track of suspects more difficult! Tranquil's bubbles took out the already injured civilian Earth Pony in one shot. Icy bubbles on a burnt muzzle was not fun. Out he was. Whoops.

Tranquil stifled her laughter once the said object had left her side, reaching up with a cloven hoof to wipe the tears from her eyes. Was well aware that the male had threatened her, but the tickling was just too much! Now that she could get her thoughts straightened, she stared down towards the fallen guy. Did she do that? With all of the half melted ice bubbles around, she figured she did. She'd make sure the baker was out like a light before making any attempt to alert anyone. Brows furrowed before opening her mouth once more and attempting to breath out another onslaught of bubbles. Success! A stream of bubbles was now flowing from her mouth, with her newly mastered warping, she'd send the bubbles skyward, trying to signal for some help.

Princess Luna had shifted a little in place to turn back towards Strife, but the damaged floor was having nothing more of it. It creaked and groaned loudly beneath her before it finally cracked, sending them both tumbling. The princess scarcely had the time to open her wings to catch herself when gravity pulled her down. Luna had little sense to what happened, or what she hit, only that the experience was a blur of falling and pain. Her wings fluttered instinctively to slow her fall, but something she landed on bent one oddly and she cried out in pain. When she finally came to rest on the basement floor, her back hoof took a spraining and she lay sprawled, stunned. Luna continued to lay there with her teeth bared and shifted her head at the sound of her own name. "I-I am here." She groaned and dared to move, but stopped when her body protested- most of it from her wing. Nope.

Agate the Mustang only freaked out more seeing the rope and bucked and thrashed harder. As she did so she knocked down all the ponies who where around her and with a spare moment she tried to center herself. She had sent time in the alicorn ruins and she studied all the spells there.. One of them was a spell to make her appear invisible. Maybe she'd be able to do it.. she normally had a high rate of it working but that was alone. She closes her eyes and her ears twitch at sounds. "Invisibilis enim erat id quod vidi." she states as a light purple glow covers her body.. As the glow disappears so does the mare. She was still there but to users of normal magic the mare was unseen.. Only beings with high magic would be able to tell she was there. Once she was sure she was unseen she moves her head down and slowly starts to pull the dough from her hoof with her teeth. Being sure it was done slowly so it looked as if the dough was bubbling not that it was being pulled away from something.
Agate now free she had to lay down for a bit due to the spell taking so much magic. She slowly walked over to the sidewalk where there was an alley and lay down to rest. She heard the crashes coming from inside the building but there was little the mare was able to do to help. She had to think on this there had to be a spell to help.. There just had to be..

Discord Draconequus wasn't too badly hurt, except the unholy pain in his stomach. Ugh. He was glad he ate long ago enough that the slam didn't force him to expel everything. He staggered to his hooves and slowly trod forward. The dust finally began to settle and it seemed Luna was prone. He told her -- Tartarus! Well nothing he could do now. Shaking off his own pain he walked over to her side, a little worried. Alicorn did not go down that easily so he got a bit -- annoyed? Maybe. "Hey, you okay?" The stallion lowered himself down to the ground, at her side. He wasn't a medic of any sort, and his knowledge on healing magic was pretty slim pickings. Usually he did not fix what he broke. As for the officers they were knocked over by the crazy mare. 'Where did she go?!' They called as they managed to get back up. 'Anypony got a good look at her?' Another bade. 'An accomplice?' They worried. Suddenly a crash. They went back to back up the old officer who likely found trouble, as he did.
Discord Draconequus would probably be red there in the morning. Immortality sort of worked for this and that, but Lauren's left wing, he was going to be sore and knotty in the morning! His horn gave off a glow as he lowered his head over the mare. The magic only did to fix up surface wounds and the like. 'Sir?' an officer called from above. 'Are you okay?!' He glanced up. "Oh~yes, quite. We decided to have a pic-- NO! Get. Us. Out!" He neighed harshly causing the ponies to panic and off to find rope and a gurney! As for Quil's issue the doctors came to get the unconscious baker, making sure to bind him and remove his utensils, lest harm any hospital staff. They wanted to check Quil over before sending her off, though they had no knowledge of Kirin physiology... It was a hectic evening, all because one pony didn't like what he saw~ They would finally get down to the basement.
Discord Draconequus was the first on his hooves barking orders at them and sharply blowing his whistle in the ear of anypony who decided to be mouthy. "Careful with her, T...Celestia'll see you to the sun personally if you do more harm than good." He paced, panicked himself! It wasn't his fault this time! this chaos wasn't his doing! he managed it the best he could yet things wee getting out of his hooves. this wasn't a funny prank! Somepony got hurt. Lulu got hurt! Internal dragon pony rage. They worked quickly, but carefully and would attempt to strap the princess to the gurney, poor civil servants scared out of their minds. They'll lose funding for the department! They'll lose their jobs! Oh Luna forgive them! Strife was called over by his own superior, the stallion prancing toward the brow-furred commissioner. "When I find this snake I'll ring his neck with my own hooves." Strife threatened. "Property damage, pony damage, and my sanity."
Discord Draconequus's commissioner arched a brow. 'While i am pretty sure the last one you don't have, you are right. We have to find this pony. They say some horse raced across the crime scene. We suspect she may be an accomplice.' "I want everypony in the quarantine stuck in the box for questioning." 'Calm down...let's concern ourselves with the princess first. I'd appreciate not being launched into the sun, mkay?' He ordered, the grey stallion calming a bit before returning to the injured mare's side. "You okay?" he tried to remain flat, calm, distant. Someone was getting a green mane for this, or maybe snakes for hair!

Princess Luna started to slowly navigate her hooves, all but the injured one, under her body while Strife approached from the side; he made enough noise getting up that she could tell his location without having to look. "Yes, I am fine." The princess replied at first, but gave in when her wing protested again at the movement. She'd have to find a way to hold it, a way that minimized the pain. "My wing is broken." Luna admitted, her tone a stern one as though she was hinting that she was in no mood to hear an 'I told you so.' There were voices somewhere up above that Strife yelled at, and soon enough ponies had descended upon their position. Luna muscled through the pain and managed to get herself into an awkward stand; if her sister could shrug off getting blasted by her and falling, so could she handle this. She picked up on the officers' frettings and snorted while she allowed them to strap her in to the gurney. "My sister will not harm you for my own mistake." The princess assured them, falling silent when the one Strife spoke with mentioned a pony who'd invaded the crime scene. It sounded interesting, but at this point Luna wasn't sure if she'd be able to look into it herself.

Discord Draconequus was able to walk himself up, barely, but he snapped at anypony that tried to touch him. Flicking his tail proudly the stallion glared his underlings down as they brought the princess up. While relieved the princess of the sun would do them no ill will, they were not so sure about the detective. They wondered if he fancied the princess... regardless of how things seemed to go they were able to gather up all the ponies that were at the scene for questioning. They were unable to find the horse -- but the princess was soon on a cart toward the hospital where ponies with better healing magic could tend to her. The detective attended her on the journey. He asserted that he needed to question the baker-- yup. Sure. The guy was on the edge of madness anyway. A few suggestive visitations with the officer. He was on the verge of breaking. He had no clue the stallion already broke!
Discord Draconequus's men cleaned up and made sure to catalog the evidence they needed. Pictures, samples of ash, and what they could recover of the broken and burned crates. All the Uni-squad could locate were traces of dark magic, but this had been a dark magic den. The commissioner was troubled by it. Strife didn't usually let dark dens dangle about. He wanted to look what the old stallion was up to, but he had worked hard for them -- he couldn't betray his trust like that -- but something about him never seemed right about him. He would put one of his senior officers on it for now, under the table. What was important was finding out who knew about the shop, who had it out for the baker, and what was in there worth destroying. The lunar princess was taken to a private room. The grey-furred officer stood outside talking to the nurse. He didn't like the news he received.
Discord Draconequus may have pushed the baker too far. He attacked Tranquil, though (luckily) he ended up the worse for it. He glanced into the room, his lip curling up with his dry expression. "Princess, if you'd pardon me a moment. I need to ask our baker some questions. Do stay here this time and rest." The nurses would more than likely attempt to stabilize her wing in a proper cast, as well as her hoof. We need not putting princesses out to pasture now... Strife pranced down the hall of the hospital and stepped into the baker's room. he was strapped to the bed for his earlier, violent, outburst. The door closed with a click, causing the earth stallion to snap his head up. 'You! AHhhh!' Such a fillyesque scream! Strife parted his jaws in a cackle, rows of fangs. "Shh, no more tears, only dreams now~!" Shadows filled the room. Was that a bit of chaos? It was no wonder the poor pony was nuts.

Princess Luna bore the handling and the ride on the healer's cart as regally as she could, masking whatever pain she felt from her own, foolish injuries. She gave off the air that she was fine, that her hurts were not as bad as they appeared, and any onlookers couldn't question her as weak should they dare to think it. They soon reached the hospital and the moonbringer finally allowed herself to relax once she was out of the public eye, in her own room. She watched Strife talk to a nurse just outside the door, frowning faintly to herself, while others worked on her wing. After the trouble she'd dealt with in his bakery, the dark magic, and what the baker dealt in, she had half a mind to go anyway. It wouldn't take much effort on her part to scare him, but she'd let Strife handle it alone. Her wounds hurt enough that the criminal was hardly worth the effort! "Very well."

Agate the mare watches as the two come from the building, A dark colored stallion barking orders and a another she had only seen a few glimpses of dark blue and black but nothing more. Now that she felt strong it was time for the mare to try and help the best she was able to. She only knew old magic so the new spells she had no idea. And her spells once more she had to speak into existing. She moves around the crowd being careful of where she stepped. And slowly moves into the building careful of where the others had fallen once in she removes her hat and touches her horn to the ground. "Integro!" was shouted. She had to be loud and clear for the spell to work. At this point she was happy that she was still unseen but she felt the spell fading as she put forth more magic into the restore spell. As the floor slowly comes back up from the basement and reforms in to a strong undamaged floor the mare moves to the steps. She touches it with her horn also and repeats the words "Integro!" Agate shouts as her unseen spell wanes more. "Well one more time and the unseen spell will fail. But there has to be something here to help them." as the steps reform and walks into the dark and burnt basement.

Discord Draconequus needn't express words to the earth pony, for the mindboggling occurrences as lamps turned to snakes and the bedsheets tightened around his body were enough to send even the most sane pony off the edge. The old stallion leaned his elbows on the bed's edge, wearing the baker's tail as a mustache, looking into a personal mirror. "Hmm you still won't confess? You keep saying you see these weird things -- snake lamps, it's the guilt." Continued to assert he saw noting and it was his own madness driving him to terrible acts. 'I-I guess please just don't put me away again! They'll wear me as a winter scarf if they find out it was stolen!' He sobbed into his hooves. Strife returned his tail to his hooves, stroking his mane. "Shh, what did I say about tears. Just confess..." The baker nodded.
Discord Draconequus's interrogation technique was unquestionably shady, but what was, by far, more troubling was the sheer amount of darkness in that basement. There wasn't much left in terms of goods, all else burned thanks to the explosion. Whatever relic had been there, was long gone. Perhaps the baker had sold it, or hid it? Had there been other ponies around aside the officers cleaning up what remained perhaps one could ask, but now they were questioning witnesses, possible suspects... But Strife was muscling a false confession from the poor pony. Maybe it was the truth -- anything to make his madness stop. It was not long before the officer left the room. "Poor guy was tired." He offered the nurse who gave him a strange look. As he walked away he smirked devilishly before raising a hoof to knock on Luna's door.

Princess Luna mulled the issue of the bakery over in silence while she relaxed on the hospital bed. Her pain had been mostly dulled by the healing magic worked on her cuts and wing, though it seemed the wing itself would take much longer to heal without. Her back hoof was little issue, just a sprain; it'd be sore for a few days, but that was about it. It'd heal just as long as she didn't put too much pressure on it or much walking. Luna pulled herself out of her thoughts, gaze properly focusing on the door when she heard that knock. "Enter." Luna bid. "What have you learned?"

Agate stops at the bottom of the steps.. What was the mare doing..trying to help ponies?? they have ran after her tried to rope her scared her so bad she had to make herself unseen.. and now she was risking being seen again to help them.. "Maybe this is not the best idea." she said to herself putting her hat back on over her horn. "I think that I have helped enough they will I'd say find hoof marks from who ever did this. Being unseen mine will not show." she turns and walks up the steps being sure they where strong and checks the floor also before stepping out of the burnt arch way. The floor in the building and the steps now looked as if they where never in a fire as the rest of the building remained burnt. She stops in a ally across the way to watch in hopes they find something there.

Discord Draconequus stepped in and looked around. He turned to close the door with his muzzle before walking to the princess' bed, standing a respectable distance, but not so far to make the princess think she had the cooties. Terrible disease. No cure. His ears swiveled forward as he gave a nod. "Oh, it seemed he was wrecked with guilt he told me quite a bit, though he does not seem to know who could have destroyed his shop. As for the mare there seemed to be nothing, but there looked to be a partially burned book that survived the blast thanks to its location behind the stone, support beam.

Princess Luna had been lounging on her stomach, front half facing the door, and when Strife entered she settled her cheek against one hoof. "Is that so? I hold disbelief about his guilt, surely anypony who deals in dark magic cannot feel guilt." The princess shrugged one shoulder, unsure. Now that the owner had been caught, he was no doubt afraid of what punishment would befall him now. "If his shop was destroyed from an outside source, it would be prudent to find out and stop them before they think to destroy another building as I have stated before.. but that is an interesting point. What exactly did he tell you?"

Discord Draconequus seemed a bit disappointed with the princess. "My dear I know you are in pain, but you act as if dark magic is all consuming." He stepped forward, leaning close to her face, head tilting a bit. She looked so grumpy. How amusing. Back at the crime scene the few officers that did remain had remained outside. A lot of noise was heard inside, but they worried that the whole structure would collapse at this point. The fireponies condemned the building for destruction. They would have to report this formally to both princesses, maybe even seal off the alley entirely. the repaired damage would not be found out until the morning when teams were scheduled to come in to measure for demolition.

Princess Luna stared back into the unicorn's eyes as he advanced on her, fighting the urge to lean back from his face. Was he trying to intimidate her or convince her of something? "It can be, should one be foolish and weak enough to stoop to it. The old tomes and artifacts with evil stored within can do as much damage in the wrong hooves. Who knows what this baker has hidden in his basement, and the same could be said of any like him." Luna replied bluntly, and she would know better.

Discord Draconequus chuckled. "My dear, darkness is not the same as evil." He motioned his hoof. "You of all ponies should know that -- unless you do not?" He slowly paused. "Oh... you -- don't?" He set his hoof down, shrugging slightly. "Darkness has many positive aspects, what is evil are the spells which do harm. While I do not understand much about it myself, I am not uninterested." He stared at the mare, trying hard not to snicker, but he could not help a soft chuckle. "Princess you look so dour. Do you wish for me to kiss it better?" It was hard to tell if it was an earnest offer or not, but Strife never seemed one to joke around. Maybe speak condescendingly, berate, deprive of basic pony rights -- but joke? Hardly.

Princess Luna's mouth opened slightly in surprise, but she quickly shut it again while he talked. "I do understand this, but there is something dark magic itself acts on. Insecurities, fears, anger, hate." She said as she nodded slowly; what he explained, she did understand. It all depended how the magic was used, and if it was used for terrible or selfish purposes? It could become evil, then. The aspect of darkness was often seen as evil, or used for such, and she tried her best to warn others of the dangers in it. His offer to 'kiss it better' made her blink at him in surprise. "Unless your kiss can heal all wounds, but it has been only one date." It was an attempt to sass him back, as she wasn't the best at making humor.

Discord Draconequus folded his ears back. "The darkness has its charming points, but light magic can also breed such feelings: arrogance, pride, superiority..." he retorted. He turned his side to her, eyes peering over. "Did you not know? Unicorns are famed for their magic, but we too need a target. It is an old technique passed down from mothers to foals..." he moved to reach up and if Luna did not move, he'd gently kiss the feathered ends of he wing. The touch was warm and flushed into her some different kind of healing magic. "Oh, and let us not forget, how was it they showed it back in the olden days? Mothers say that ladies were shown respect by those they lead by being given a kiss on the back hoof." He moved down the way and if she also did not protest, a chu was offered to her hoof, and though warm it was not as effective.

Princess Luna made a 'hmm' noise in her throat, her own ears flicking against her starry mane. Was there a possibility that might be how they were viewed? She did recall the few debates, she wouldn't call them arguments exactly, with Discord. The things he'd said. The moonbringer shifted her head to follow him as he moved around to her left, to her injured wing while he talked of mothers. She wouldn't have known. The detective kissed the tips of her wings before she knew what exactly he was doing and she froze, staring at him. Luna did note the feeling that spread through her wing, but she had no words. Her head was lifted off of her forehoof to follow his movement back around to her sprained one, though it didn't have the same effect. Was she comprehending this correctly? Had the detective really kissed her injuries?

Discord Draconequus was such a chaos fiend. He bit back the manic cackle that bit at his throat. A snort escaped the stallion. Kiss it better, always worked. She wasn't even thinking about her injuries anymore. Or anything anymore, though it was not a purposeful intention to stupefy the princess. For him, he supposed, kisses had no deep meaning. They just felt as nice as hugs to him, as lovely as nuzzle and as protective as holding hooves. "Not everypony who practices dark magic will become evil, or is. It is complicated. I have seen unicorn use their magic for evil deeds just as easily as those who tempt to use dark magic as such." He raised his hoof and moved to pat the top of her head. "You're their princess, you should be more open minded." His voice was soft. He did this work for a reason... to help them in his own way. Since the Mane couldn't stand by him he was again, forced to stand alone.

Princess Luna made a confused noise in her throat and slowly focused back on Strife when he started to talk again. "I just want to keep ponies safe and keep them from being tempted to do harm." She had a faint frown on her face. "I do understand what you are telling me. It has just been my duty to guide Equestria and steer ponies from doing wrong." Luna was thinking of Azure, among others, that reacted simply in anger. She sighed out her nose. Who knew how many others there were and would be?

Discord Draconequus was such a chaos fiend. He bit back the manic cackle that bit at his throat. A snort escaped the stallion. Kiss it better, always worked. She wasn't even thinking about her injuries anymore. Or anything anymore, though it was not a purposeful intention to stupefy the princess. For him, he supposed, kisses had no deep meaning. They just felt as nice as hugs to him, as lovely as nuzzle and as protective as holding hooves. "Not everypony who practices dark magic will become evil, or is. It is complicated. I have seen unicorn use their magic for evil deeds just as easily as those who tempt to use dark magic as such." He raised his hoof and moved to pat the top of her head. "You're their princess, you should be more open minded." His voice was soft. He did this work for a reason... to help them in his own way. Since the Mane couldn't stand by him he was again, forced to stand alone.

Princess Luna made a confused noise in her throat and slowly focused back on Strife when he started to talk again. "I just want to keep ponies safe and keep them from being tempted to do harm." She had a faint frown on her face. "I do understand what you are telling me. It has just been my duty to guide Equestria and steer ponies from doing wrong." Luna was thinking of Azure, among others, that reacted simply in anger. She sighed out her nose. Who knew how many others there were and would be?

Discord Draconequus sighed and raised his hooves to rest himself against the edge of the hospital bed. "Luna, do not try so hard. One day you'll wake up and find that in all your efforts you forgot to understand ponies." he leaned his head on his forelimb, raising his hoof to brush at her mane absentmindedly. Ah he sort of wished he was not wearing this silly cloak. He should have been a bit more stern, kept her in her place. She wouldn't be hurt. Funny how he seemed to hurt them even when he tried to be good... "You can't just lead ponies, not many will follow. Sometimes you have to follow them. Your way isn't necessarily their way. Sometimes they need to make the mistake. I try to let them make mistakes. Sometimes they learn. Why don't you princess?" He lamented. "I'm not a kind nor gentle pony. I probably scarred the baker for the rest of his life, and all he was guilty of, was greed."
Discord Draconequus crossed his forehooves and laid his head there, staring up at the taller mare. "Remember that dive we visited? He used to own it. He got into debt because when the nobles began to hang out there, rent went up because the neighborhood became popular. He had to move, got himself that little shop. Cooking was his specialty. But ponies don't go to the alleys to eat. They go there to do unscrupulous business. There's more bits in forbidden tomes than week old bread and stale cupcakes." Of course he pushed him over the edge trying to find that pony who had first smuggled in the shipments to that district, but with the bakery gone and the baker a rattling mess in the other room, well they were back to square one.

Princess Luna hummed, thoughtful, and followed his hoof as he lifted it to stroke the sparkling veil of her mane. The way he talked in such a serious moment, it almost reminded her... but no, they were two separate creatures. She focused on his face when he spoke of the baker who he'd terrified, and a short lesson of his life's story. "That is.. terrible, I suppose." Luna said after a moment, but her mind was still considering what else he'd told her. It seemed to be popping back up, time and time again. She had not had as long as her sister to experience Equestria's change over the years, nor to get stuck in the habits that Celestia took up as a leader. To Luna, it had all passed her by in the blink of an eye. When they'd lived in that castle in the Everfree, it wasn't like this. She had a lot to mull over.

Discord Draconequus nodded. "It's getting late, even for you princess. It is nearly the break of dawn. I have some reports to write." he looked around before his eyes came upon a cushy chair. Using his magic he would drag it from its position against the wall. "I will be right here. I have to keep an eye on you both." He climbed onto the seat and circled before settling down. His saddlebag would have carefully hung over the chair's spine as he hovered some parchment, and his quill and ink. "Rest princess. I'll watch over you for a bit." His forehooves tucked against his body as he sat rather tightly curled, defensive, on guard. The quill began to quietly scrape over the paper, following the rhythm of the ticking clock. "There is an old lullaby sung by Unicorn, you know princess? But over the years it has been perverted from its original meaning." He spoke softly, the rest of the ward silent at this hour.
Discord Draconequus continued to write as he began to softly hum. "The mother and her children wake at the twilight. Father led home by the stars, crystals high in flight. One by one they fell from heaven. becoming morning stars, full count at seven. Paradise cannot be lost, because it has no cost." He paused and glanced up. "That is the old song. I don't like the new one very much. It is far too morbid. Not gentle like this one." He became quiet after that, a good indicator he expected sleep from the princess.

Princess Luna stilled to focus herself for a moment when he mentioned the time. Was it nearly morning already? They had been talking in here for a while, and of course there was their time at the cafe; it almost felt as though it had happened the previous night rather than this one. "How kind of you, detective." Luna quipped and cocked her head when he spoke of a lullaby. Her magic flickered momentarily and she lifted off her tiara and neckpiece. The pillow was floated around and she lay her head down on it, eyes still focused on him as he began to hum it out. It was halfway through the song that she realized that it sounded.. familiar. Luna stared at Strife, confused. "I know that lullaby, a shorter version of it that he sang to me." Luna murmured, baffled. There were plenty of lullabies out there, weren't there, but he so happened to sing this one. Still, it was soothing. Luna gave Strife a last look and wrapped her forehooves around the pillow and let her poor body relax.