Broken Mirror, Part One

Canterlot Vale Estate,
Dusk

Alright, I know that look... "Something on your mind kid?" I asked.

Archer just tapped her pen on her notepad before looking back up at me. "So you saved Starry and Lightning-"

"We did."

"-And once you got to Theater, you promptly were kicked out?" Archer furrowed her brow in confusion. "Why?"

"Like I said, Patch wasn't very fond of Steeljack at the time..." I started, but Archer cut me off when she pointed her pen at me.

"Because of something that happened in Las Pegasus, I got that. But what happened?"

Awe shit, I did it this time. "It happened when I was still in ONI custody, so I'm not the best pony to ask about it-"

"But you know what happened?"

I glanced up at the clock, finally realizing the time. "Shit, we gotta cut this short. I need to be at Blueblood's in an hour." I got up out of my seat and ran upstairs to my bedroom, pulling my suit out of my closet and slamming the door shut. I heard banging on the door, but I ignored it.

"Dusk, open the damn door!" I heard Archer yell.

"Uh, I'm not decent?" I managed to pull my pants on and grabbed my tie. I held it to my chest in the mirror before I tossed it aside. "Fuck that with fries..." I muttered. I undid the button on my collar and parted the shirt. Yup, that'll do. I grabbed my coat and went for the door. Archer was on the other side tapping her foot impatiently.

"You didn't answer my question."

Alright, let's flip the asshole switch, shall we? "Yes, I do know what happened. No, I don't plan on telling you. Happy?" Archer just groaned in response. "What? It isn't my story, so why does it matter?"

"Because why else would Patch, one of your supposed allies, kick you out of one of the only known safe areas on your trip north? Why would she have developed this hatred-"

"Not hatred, she was just really pissed and confused."

"Whatever!" Yelled Archer. "You just left me with a huge blank space that needs to be filled, and you have the information."

"You're right, I do." I leaned up against the wall and sighed. "If you want to come with us tonight, you might be able to ask Steeljack yourself."

"He'll be there?" Asked Archer.

I nodded. "So will Patch. You'll be able to get her side of the story too."

"Really?"

"Really." I brushed past the young mare and made my way downstairs to the front door. I could see Dart's feet, the rest of her body obscured by the stairwell. "Alright let's-" Alright, I think I might want to get that irregular heartbeat checked out. "Wow."

"What?" Asked Dart. She had that little black dress on that she picked up from Rarity a few years back.

"I think I just died and went to heaven." Dart just rolled her eyes at me, while Archer groaned from the top of the stairs. "You look amazing."

Dart just smiled. "When do I not?"

I just sighed. For the love of all that is good and holy, please let tonight go my way for once.

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Blueblood's Manor,
Archer

Posh. That's what this house is, posh. Definitely not my taste, that's for sure. Just got to find OHFF!

"Sorry, didn't see you there." I looked over at the stallion that had walked into me and studied him for a moment. "Something wrong?" Dark mane, grey fur. Yup, found him.

"Are you Steeljack?" I asked.

"I am."

I nodded and a smile crept across my face. "Any chance we could talk? Dusk left me with some questions that he thought you'd be able to answer."

"Why not?" Steeljack actually followed me out of the dining room and onto the patio in the garden. He pulled out a chair for me at the glass table and slid into one opposite of me. "What do you want to know?"

"What happened in Las Pegasus?" I almost wanted to shrink down under Steeljack's glare.

"Why do you want to know?"

I felt my throat run dry and found myself at a loss for words. "Because I wouldn't tell her." Thank Celestia for the save Dusk!

Steeljack kicked the chair next to me out, allowing Dusk to take the vacant space. "Why?"

"It did play into Operation Cobra, didn't it?" Retorted Dusk.

I turned around and cocked an eyebrow at Dusk. "Operation Cobra?"

"If you were to go into the royal archives, the Wasteland mission would be found under that name." Replied Dusk. "So Steeljack, you were just going to talk about Las Pegasus, weren't you?"

"No, I wasn't." Steeljack got out of his chair and looked down at me. "Look kid, I know you want your questions answered, but there are some things I won't talk about. Las Pegasus is one of them."

I let my head droop down as Steeljack walked back inside. "So you want to know about Las Pegasus?" I looked up at my father, now taking the chair that Steeljack had vacated.

"You were there?"

Dad just nodded. "I can tell you my side of the story, but that's really about it."

I just motioned at my father. "Well, go on."

Dad only chuckled. "Let me tell you about the time I met your mother."