A pair of hooves gripped Twilight by the shoulder, and suddenly she was staring into icy cold eyes of the lunar alicorn.

"Hmm indeed Kodi, do tell us why it is, that such a masterful secret would be kept from us!" she hissed.

"It...ah...must of slipped my mind?" squeaked Twilight.

With a massive exertion of self control, she shot a furious glare at her two 'friends'. Mouthing 'thanks guys!' as the cold presence of Princess Luna continued to uncomfortably wash over her. She was rewarded by seeing the two pegasi avert their gazes guiltily, weapons lowered.

"Mean to trick us, to withhold prudent information!" boomed Luna furiously. "Out with it, let us have the details foal!"

Twilight yelped as she was tossed upon her rump between Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, the stone statue of Applejack looming behind her.

"Well Rainbow Dash," Twilight made sure to seethe with rage with each word. "Your fat mouth said it, you explain it!"

The pegasus gulped as the cold withering gaze of the alicorn focused on her.

"Grant, ya know, like grant a wish...heheh" she chuckled, the laugh dying in her throat at Luna's disapproving gaze. "Well he's this goat back at the town of Twit, goes under the name Wrinkles, the bed and bath merchant. Usually has a connection to Gehenna, makes his trade that way, or by giving access to portals for the lesser magically inclined."

"And he's living within the planes of Ick?" Luna looked confused.

"Well...it is some sordid secret, but we think he gave someone a return back in the Bazaar."

Twilight felt a little insulted by the realms name.

"And they didn't execute him, by the night!"

"I know right? Its like some hardcore action movie stuff! Kodiak here is the only one who knows though."

"Well Kodi," Luna faced Twilight again, "Would you care to parlay such information to us?"

So caught up was she in the story, Twilight nearly forgot that she hadn't a clue as to what was actually going on.

"I...can't tell you." she said.

"What?" growled Luna.

Twilight wondered just how involved was Luna in her own farce, as it seemed the alicorn was beginning to dismiss reality.

"It was an accident, honestly, a slip of his tongue." came the quick response. "Professional courtesy means for me to hold his secret, just as I would do so for you and your sister. I would hope you'd hold my silence as a sign of respect for him, just as anyone else would for the secrets I know about the two of you!"

"Your...point has been made," Luna conceded with a scowl.

"So, Kodi." Rainbow Dash shifted uncomfortably under her cloak. "Mind if we drop the cloaks and all, figure any of us would be happy to give our wings a little more freedom, sides its muggy tonight."

Her tone was casual, but a suspicion was evidence in the way she scrutinized the purple unicorn. That and her hoof still lay casually near her crossbow.

"Hmm yes, though you could merely ask it as a sign of trust," said Celestia finally. "Do lay your arms down, it is naught but peace here in the fire, save for the cold of the night."

"We found thee jest insulting." scoffed Luna.

"Oh do have patience."

Twilight shrugged, slowly pulling her cloak off, keeping a careful eye upon the two pegasi and noting their differences. Rainbow Dash had carefully preened wings, not as large as the alicorns, but certainly well cared fore. They rippled with muscle, a sign of constant use, contrary to that of her partner. Fluttershy was just as well maintained, though lacking in the tense muscles of her friend.

"Taking good care of yourself I see." pressed Twilight, "Still pushing yourself aren't you Dash?"

The mare glowed, wings fanning out as she took in the praise.

"Well, not all of us can be as awesome as me!" she grinned, tapping her wing, "These babies are the last resort when we get trouble, er...that is if you ever want to higher a few assassins."

This last was directed at the alicorns.

"Hmm, tis not often that such matters are necessary," Luna replied, "But...then again, a stuck up noble here and there would surely clean up the aristocracy!"

"Oh...couldn't we protect some baby bunnies for once," whimpered Fluttershy, averting her gaze. "We're always having to go out on these long trips, it keeps me away from my little friends."

All the while, Twilight decided on her course of action. Her cloak came off, a set of wings gently flexing, the mental illusion mixing the best of both Dash and Shy. Not to strong, but then not so underused.

Dash gave a quick peek, scrutiny quickly fading away as she gestured to Fluttershy.

"What, don't feel like showing off the scars?" she said. Fluttershy looked at Twilight, her gaze just as inquisitive.

"Hardly like showing them, makes it to easy for others to know its me!" spat Twilight. "I've told you before!"

The gamble paid off as Dash folded her wings, hoof sliding away from her crossbow. Fluttershy visible relaxed, letting her breathe go that she didn't even know she was holding.

"Feh, you're always whining about that!" said Dash. "I'd be showing em every chance I get."

"Sure, until someone decides to put a bolt in your back at fifty paces."

"Is that a challenge!"

"You got a problem!"

"Girls!" shouted Fluttershy, bringing silence to the two bickering mares. "Oh...please...stop yelling, its rude with company. You both always do this."

Satisfied, Twilight sat back with an actors glare before giving in to the yellow pegasus, a small smile gracing her lips as she gave a small nod of understanding to her. Feeling it would be best, she collected a bottle from her own bag, offering it to the other two, a set of glasses 'held' in her wings, the subtle glow of magic unseen by the pegasi.

"Psh, whatever!" Dash dropped onto her haunches, forelegs crossed. She eyed the bottle then the glasses, slowly taking one into a hoof.

"If you all would excuse me," Celestia yawned. "I must rest, as the day is my domain."

"Do so, we shall inform thee of past events when thou hath awoken!" Luna then looked back towards the two assassins. "So then, this Discord, does he know of this Wrinkles."

"No? Didn't seem so, else we'd have probably put him on ice."

"Tis good! Fortune favors us in our plot!"

Rainbow Dash sputtered with laughter, Fluttershy reddened, and even Twilight had to stifle a snorting giggle. Luna sadly was lost to the reverie.

"We hath humored thee?"

"Er...plot, oh plot! Yeah a plan...what plan?"

"To kill Discord!"

Three spit takes rained down upon Luna, nearly putting the fire out as well.

Fluttershy was pounding Rainbow Dash's back as she struggled to gasp for air. The needed drink after all the laughing now proved nearly fatal at the announcement of Luna's plan.

"Oh Rainbow, you need to take your time when drinking." Fluttershy gave one final swat on the cyan mares back, expelling the rest of the wine from her.

"Are you nuts!" sputtered Dash through ragged breaths. Any thoughts she had about Twilight vanishing like smoke. "Are you insane! I thought the lunatics bit was just a joke!"

"Enough with thy jest!" shouted Luna, "We do not do so ourselves, not when our lives could be on the line. This Discord could very will be insane, tell us, is he one that you yourself would announce as stable?"

"Well...no."

"Oh but weren't you going to help him?" asked Shy.

"It was our plan, and plans change like the flow of a river!" Luna smiled deviously. "Think it odd, a successful hit, and suddenly you are approached by one demon hunter, sent by a mysterious D? D perhaps...for Discord?"

"Well I mean it could be D for Drick, or...or."

"Who just so happened to cross paths with thee?"

Rainbow stopped in her protest, letting that thought settle into her mind. A scowl slowly grew along her face.

"He wouldn't." the gears turned and Twilight swore she could see smoke coming form under the now oddly visible rainbow mane. "That dirty no good cotton eating...uh...thingy, whatever he is! No one dupes the Dasher!"

Twilight threw a glance at Luna, then to the slumbering Celestia. Her opinion about the two princesses rising in both respect and fear as to just how good they were at manipulating others.

"I...I can't believe I didn't see that, it makes sense!" Twilight observed, hoping it would further assist Luna with her tall tale.

"Oh what do we do, who's going to care for my babies?" Flutter shy whimpered. "Little Mona just had a litter of adorable baby puppies!"

"Oh fear not now, gentle Fluttershy," Luna seemed to be in disbelief that this small pegasus extremely meek attitude, what with having been threatened only a moment ago. Still she pressed, not wanting to lose another chess piece. "We have gathered upon this new found knowledge, and believe we have considered a course of action."

"That is?" Dash leaned in.

"For thee, it would be wise to return to this Discord, say nothing, and merely keep thyself ready. He may consider a danger in your company if suspicion arises. Take no further assignments, they may only lead to your demise!"

"And what about the two of you?"

"Two, do know we mean to take your accomplice along with us," Luna threw Twilight a nasty smile, "She's admitted to having secrets about us, and we couldn't allow that to go so freely."

Twilight muttered, shoving a hoof into Rainbows side. Rainbow for her part merely grinned apologetically, rubbing her wing nervously.

"Dear me...she'll be okay won't she?" asked Fluttershy, "She's been so nice to us, ever since we've met, or he... er."

"She is fine."

"Okay...she's been helpful, taking us on her jobs like this."

"And she shall continue to be helpful, by supporting us in our endeavors!" Luna nodded sagely.

Dash leaned closer to Twilight and Fluttershy, mouthing the words "Loony" with a small grin. The other two hiding their giggles as Luna continued to pomp and bellow her amazing plan.

"Then with him allied to us, or dead, we shall take care of this Discord for better or for worse!" Luna finished.

"So...what about her?"

"Would best fortune us if we took her with us, we might yet be able to convince her to join our cause, for Discord could very well have chosen one of such low stature as to make it easier to kill her!" said Luna.

"Ahh, and I was admiring all that earth pony!" chuckled Dash. "Shy, best give them the antidote I guess."

A small bottle of cockatrice tears was hoofed over to Twilight who quickly placed it in her bag.

"She'll only need a few drops. I'm glad we didn't have to hurt her. Aside from somehow seeing through our disguises, we were taken by her constant honesty." whispered Shy.

"Yeah, even as the stone continued up to hear head, that mouth kept going on with some painfully honest observations...kinda insulting." muttered Dash. "Next time we purchase disguises, no animals! I hate the idea of looking like a duck."

"Oh but they're so cute!"

Dash groaned, ignoring Luna, who at this moment was gleefully lightening the load from Applejack's satchel.

"Well then," said Luna extracting Star Swirls cruddy sword from the mares stone grip. "Tis best you be on your way."

"Now?"

"Indeed, less you wish to give Discord more time to hire another demon hunter."

"Oh, maybe we can pause by the next town, I heard they had a new set of kittens!"

The cyan mare looked skyward, it seemed to be a reoccurring phenomenon amongst all those with a feeling of hopelessness. Looking back down, she nearly screamed as she came nose to nose with Luna.

"Oh I do smell the scent of gold upon thee," she chortled. "A Gehenna is not cheap to purchase, as you know so well."

"But...these are my savings!" pouted Dash. "I was going to hit the clouds realm for the Wonderbolts race."

"Cannot enjoy the treasures of life if deceased!"

"You probably couldn't purchase his skills, even with the whole of the diamond dog empire backing you!"

"Oh," somehow the dark grew even darker as Luna's eyes narrowed. "We have ways. Thy contribution shall help show the...light in the dark of the night. Less you wish to experience but a small..."

"Here you go!" shouted Dash, hefting her purse into Luna's waiting hooves.

"Baby tortoises?" said Twilight.

"Hey its my purse, don't even think about telling anyone else about it!" fumed the mare. "And I'll expect it back!"

Her wings fanned out and with a snap, she bolted into the air, the force of her take off putting out the flames.

"Oh dear...I'll calm her down." Fluttershy turned and gave Twilight a hug. "Please be careful...I didn't like how sneaky the goat was around us."

Twilight nodded, waving goodbye to the pegasus as she took off after her friend.

"I kinda feel guilty about doing that to them." she said.

"Oh yes, guilty indeed." muttered Luna, counting out the coins.

"You don't even care, do you?"

Luna ignored her, sliding itch bit, bit by bit, and placing it in her own personal bit bag.

The wards trembled and Twilight let loose a breathe of air.

"We know, they've gone." said Luna. "Did we not tell you that their loyalty is easily fooled with."

Twilight agreed, though she still felt bad for the kinder of the two.

"Most loyal in fact." Luna paused in her banking to think. "Hmm and the small one, master of the stare, and yet so kind. It would explain the power of her anger."

"What was that?"

"The stare...it is but an ancient art form, passed from care taker to care taker, able to put the mightiest into a parlaying trance. Like a mother scolding a young child. Though I still could not see such threats being backed by such a frail body."

Twilight pondered the nights events, settling finally upon one question.

"Luna...where do Diamond Dogs come from?"

"Ahh, they are found in the realm of Canida. Wonderfully apologetic, with the exception of the Prench Canidians."

Twilight nodded, crawling back under her cloak to get some restful sleep.

Author's Note

Arg so many bits in one bite!