Shadow Play

"Well, Mr. Testing Testing, despite the statements provided by Mr. Red Tape and his bodyguards, there's a cloud of witnesses that agree with your version of events." The officer concluded, closing his notebook. "Technically, under Manehatten penal code you can press charges for assault and battery as well as, and I quote..." The officer opened his notebook once more, checking over the lines, "'Presenting evidence of eminent intentions to perform divergent sexual acts on your person without permission' or, essentially, trying to rape you but failing to actually do so."

"I... well, the assault and battery charge I do want to press, but I don't think I could get him on the... other charge." Testing confessed, leaning against the doorpost of the apartment. The officer shrugged.

"Honestly, doubt you'll even get assault and battery at this point." The officer replied. "According the various witnesses you goaded him on verbally. Quite crassly I might add - though that isn't against the law. Unfortunately for assault and battery charges, they kind of get nullified - or many times reduced - when preceded with what the law likes to call 'fighting words'."

"'Fighting words'? You fuckin' kidding me?" Testing chuckled. "Is that the actual legal term? Sounds a bit too much like something that you'd expect from a saloon." The officer smirked at that and shrugged.

"Either way. If you intend on pressing charges against Mr. Red Tape you'll be under obligation, but not particularly court order, to stick around for the next few weeks as the trial is put together. Your charges are likely to be lumped in with the city's charges on 'public indecency' for brevity's sake, so you can look forward to that." The officer said before tipping his hat to Testing. "Evening, sir."

"Evening." Testing called out as the two officers walked away. Testing smirked, pulling the door closed as he went back to the others.

"He tried to force himself on you?" Stella asked. "I never figured he'd go that far. I thought he was supposed to be... I don't know... careful? By what you said, your coworkers acknowledged he didn't take too many dumb risks for fun." Testing shrugged as he fell into his beanbag chair.

"I think we all find it hard to stay off me after I slap a touch on somepony - or, in this case - get slapped by somepony." Testing admitted.

"So you used your power on him?" Sultry Rose chuckled from her seat on the bed. "Good fucking job, mate, you got him down for the count and it looks like its his fault!" She laughed, only to get a pillow in the face from Stellar.

"It isn't good." She said plainly, contradicting the mare who had a face full of pillow at the moment. "You used your power to make him do something. That, I do believe, is classified under Article Three, Section B, Subsection seven of the Arcane Criminal Offenses Act of Thirteen Seventy-Six as 'Arcane Coercion', which makes you culpable of the crime and subject to the punishment that would be given to the other party were they charged."

"True, but I didn't technically 'use' my power as such." Testing noted. "He slapped me across the face. He struck me with intention to harm me. It ain't my fault that in so doing he activated an arcane effect imposed upon me by an artifact of unknown origins." Stellar Afterglow just cocked an eyebrow at him in response.

"His dad knows a bit about your condition. Do you think he'll not connect some dots?" Stella pressed. Testing turned his head and showed a patch of black and blue that only showed well when light hit it. It didn't form the expected cartoonish hand print, but it showed that the impact area was to the right of his mouth.

"Missed the mouth. Plus, that assumes that his dad doesn't just think his son is being as stupid as he always is. I'm of the opinion that the guy is compliant in the whole thing." Testing said, leaning forward in his chair. "Grind Stone has to know what his son is doing on some level, otherwise he is too far gone for anypony to deal with him."

"Well, I hope this works out for you, Testing. I rather not have to visit you in jail." Sultry sighed, falling back on the bed with a thump. "By the way, how long until the guy tries to bribe you do you think?"

"I'm expecting the call here in a short while. Allowing for the time that it'll take for him to hear that I'm pressing charges and extra time to berate his son - if he has access to the idiot - I'd say somewhere around ten, maybe fifteen, minutes." Testing shrugged. "I'm not accepting any offers though. I want to send a message that he shouldn't expect everypony has a price."

"I can see how you are so popular outside of our little group." Stellar chuckled, shaking her head. "I hope you have a point at which you'll pull out. I'd hate for this crusade to go sour on you."

"I figure that at the point he starts calling in hits on me is about when I call Cress to have a layer of protection on me." Testing said. "Protecting somepony in legitimate danger shouldn't be beyond him. Beyond that, I have no intention of backing away from this."

"Well, I will enjoy watching this going either wonderfully right or incredibly wrong." Sultry said, rolling over to look at the group. "You said about fifteen or ten minutes right?" She asked, a glint in her eyes. "Anypony, or anyone, up for a quick fucking session? We haven't really been able to have fun since you got a job - which is likely not to be a problem again, at least for a bit."

Testing paused to considered this. He supposed that it was true that their fun levels had dropped since he had to duck out to work on a somewhat irregular schedule which would call him up for random nights. He hadn't had it for too long to be fair, but even so the whole situation had dampened the mood.

"Why not? Fuck the job worries away." Testing shrugged.

"Yeah, fuck your job!" Gunther cheered a bit too enthusiastically as he threw off his shirt. The others simply shrugged in acceptance before stripping down with the same gusto as Gunther. It felt good getting back to the fun, now that the heady stuff was at least slowing down temporarily. It was almost like getting back to their roots in a way.

"Testing..." Puppershy murmured as the group removed the last pieces of clothing they had. Testing turned to the mare with a curious look. "I... I wanted to ask if... maybe just you and I fuck... I mean, just us together. I don't want to stop the others from having fun, but..."

"We understand, Puppers." Stellar smiled. "Sultry, Gunther, and I will have fun in the bathroom, you two enjoy the bed." Puppershy, despite her history with sexual activities, blushed profusely in response as the three others went into the bathroom. Sultry Rose stared at the two of them as she walked away from the bed, clutching a pillow to her chest.

"Mine." She said like a beast cornered as she backed into the bathroom. Puppershy and Testing looked at each other and then broke out into laughter. It had been such a stressful few weeks that it was nice to just laugh at it all. Laughter really was the best medicine.

The two of them sat there for a short while, letting their laughter die out to smiles naturally as they looked on each other lovingly. Testing almost asked Puppershy how she wanted to spend the evening, but in a rare moment of lucidity, he simply held out a hand to his mare, preserving the moment nicely.

Puppershy lowered her head, looking through her dangling bangs at Testing as she accepted the hand with a renewed blush. The two of them stood up from their place on the floor and took the few steps needed to get to the bed, where Testing lifted the slightly larger mare up into the air. Using all the muscle power he had, he gently set her back down onto the bed.

Climbing over her, he placed his legs on either side of her wide hips. He smiled at her with all the love he had within himself as he gently brushed her yellow hair out of her face. The two of them stayed there for a moment, simply looking into each other's eyes as they enjoyed the company.

Puppershy then wrapped her arms around Testing, pulling herself upward until their lips met in a passionate kiss. Testing slowly lowered himself, letting Puppershy lay down in the bed once more while also pressing himself against her warm entrance.

Pulling away from the kiss, Testing gave Puppershy a soft smile. "Are you ready?" He asked in a near whisper, adjusting himself slightly to rub his lower head across her sex. She nodded shakily in response, moving her hips in tandem with his. Testing then pushed into her with more restraint than he likely had ever shown in sex, slowly easing deeper inside the mare who moaned into his shoulder as pleasure built up inside the two of them.

He pushed until he hilted, and then slowly pulled away; setting the rhythm at a slow, yet steady pace. Puppershy joined in, moving herself along with him, driving both of the higher. The room was filled with their moans and the sound of flesh striking flesh. It was a wonderful moment not just of carnal indulgence but also of emotional rejuvenation as they not only fucked but made love with each other.

It was a moment they both wished would last forever as the two ponies made the other feel all the better. Testing pressed his lips against Puppershy's in another passionate kiss, feeling tears filling his eyes as he cherished their moment together. He loved her and could only hope for many more days to express it as best he could.

Every second built up on the last as they flew higher and higher in each other's tender embrace. Their passion burned bright, and in a flare that put the sun to shame, the two of them felt the pleasure build up into their shared orgasm. The two of them moaned into the other's mouth as they continued to kiss through the hurricane of emotion.

The world slowly faded back into view as they opened their eyes to look into the other ponies'. The two of them sighed inwardly in release as they simply let themselves melt into their partner.

It was unfortunate that this moment was ended by the interrupting tone of Testing's phone ringing on the nightstand. Testing pulled away from the kiss, groaning to himself at the stupidity of it all. Why couldn't he just have a few moments of rest in which he could enjoy his favorite mare in the world? Was it so much to ask for?

"Sorry, it's probably Grind Stone wanting to bribe me." Testing muttered, pulling out of Puppershy slowly. "Shouldn't - ah - take to long, Puppers." He smirked at her before rolling over to reach the phone. Looking at the caller ID, he could see that his guess had been correct at least on the identity of the pony. Answering the call, Testing almost made to make a greeting when he was interrupted by the voice on the other end.

"Mr. Testing Testing," Grind Stone's voice echoed across the line, his tone darker than Testing had anticipated from the stallion, "I've been informed you intend to press charges against my son for what he did." Testing opened his mouth to reply, only to be cut off once more.

"No need to talk, Mr. Testing Testing, because I have very few things I want to hear from you." The business pony said coolly. "I'm calling you as a courtesy, because I believe everypony deserves at least that much. You never know the character of a pony until they are put in dire straits, and I have to say that yours is... interesting."

Testing stopped himself from trying to reply, knowing full well what would happen; he was right, of course. "Let me put this simply, Mr. Testing Testing: I know a good few things about you, and in a short while I intend to know a great deal more. I think you might find it interesting that, beyond a blip on the records dating to a few weeks ago, you are an unknown. 'How very interesting,' I thought, Mr. Testing, 'that a pony can seem to materialize from thin air as far as paper is concerned.' So I had some more digging done. Very interesting stuff, I must say." Testing was sweating bullets, uncertain what might be found and what it might mean.

"Most paper ponies fall over the second you stare at them, but you..." Grind Stone trailed off for a second, a distorted chuckle coming through the line, "well, let me simply congratulate you in implicating a Princess in your fabrication." Grind Stone let it hang in the air for a moment before diving forward once more.

"I should also congratulate you on some other ponies' behalf. Say... Sultry Rose, Stellar Afterglow, and... Puppershy. All very fascinating ponies, no doubt. And all, interestingly enough, moving about as a sort of group." The growing grin on the stallion's face was audible through the phone as Testing's mood grew darker.

"I'll save you the question you're wandering, Testing Testing." The stallion said in a magnanimous tone. "I want you in my office within the hour. And, to save you the next bit of wind from your lungs, if you don't show, or if I have indication you have contacted the police... well, let's just say that I have plans for the three in the bathroom and the one that's right next to you in bed." Testing froze at this, his eyes widening in shocked terror.

"Good, I see you are taking this as seriously as you should." Grind Stone purred. "Now, put some clothes on and come down here this instant. Also, don't try and tell your friends. If I see them reaching for their phones... let's just say that they won't have the ability to make use of them for long." Testing snarled at his phone.

"Touch them and Hell will be a reprieve, you bastard." Testing hissed. Grind Stone simply snorted at that.

"My dear Mr. Testing Testing, you aren't in a position to make such outlandish threats." Grind Stone said matter-of-factly. "See you shortly." The call then ended, leaving Testing with only his anger.

"What did he say?" Puppershy asked from beside him, bringing the threats into sharper focus.

"Make sure no one grabs a phone until I'm back." Testing said, getting out of bed in a hurry. "The fucker is making threats, and I intend to be the trump card to them all." Puppershy just watched him in stunned confusion, watching him dress before opening the door to reveal a tall, well-muscled stallion.

"Mr. Grind Stone has directed me to accompany yous to da office. For yus own safety and the safety of yus friends." The imposing stallion said with an even tone.

"Fine." Testing grumbled. "Don't touch me, though." Testing snapped, trying to avoid any future problems. "I tend to stab things that I don't want touching me."

"That'd certainly put a damper on my evening, Mr. Testing Testing. I shall endeavor to not touch yous, as you requested, as it wasn't part of my instructions one way or 'tother." The guard replied politely, motioning to the hallway outside. "If yous be so kind as to take point, I shall escort you from the rear - in case yous get lost an' all in this big city." Testing huffed, doing as the stallion said with one final glance to Puppershy. Pain pulled at his heart, but in the end this had to be done if anything was to be settled.

Testing sat down in the office, staring daggers at Grind Stone who seemed far less intimidating than he might've in a highbacked, plush chair. As it was, the metal folding chair served as a stark reminder that other things got the bits while decorations didn't. One of those things was likely the 'help' that was currently watching Testing closely.

Grind Stone, from his rickety seat, returned Testing's stare with equal intensity. The two stallions sat there for a short while, sitting in silence as they stared each other down. Neither one flinched, neither one making a move to act as they simply watched the other for a moment or two.

Finally, Grind Stone began, "Mr. Testing Testing, I think we can understand each other quite perfectly, so let's get down to business." He said in his smooth way. "I'm going to have you not press charges. You'll note that I didn't say something like 'I want you to' or 'Will you please?'. You are going to drop those charges, and you're going to tell the authorities that my son and you have made up your differences. You'll do this, or things will get a lot harder for you."

"If I let your son out he'll be right back to where he was - where he is." Testing said simply. "He wanted to take sexual advantage of me, not to mention he had a tool that destroys electronics with him to ensure no evidence would survive. He clearly intended to do something quite beyond the pale and didn't want to taste consequences. Unfortunately - or, as I see it, fortunately - due to your son's lust he was driven to public indecency."

"Don't play games with me, colt." Grind Stone spat. "You obviously used your power to make him attack you. That is what we call magically induced coercion - which, in case you weren't aware, is illegal."

"I didn't kiss your... son." Testing retorted, pulling up from spitting 'bastard' in hopes of a calm resolution. "He slapped me to the ground, leaving a large bruise on my cheek in a place that says he didn't ever touch my lips with his hands, and then went into a frenzy. I did not willing cause him any magical compulsion to one effect or another."

"Colt, I heard that you goaded him into hitting you. It's plain to see that his striking you was more than a little intended on your part." Grind Stone hissed.

"He was having me strip in public!" Testing shot back. "I was insulting him for what I saw him as: a pervert without an outlet! Beyond that, a masochistic, sadistic, son of a bitch-ass whore!" He roared, rising from his chair in his fury. "He wanted me paraded through the streets naked and did not only make it known that he didn't care if I was thrown in prison, but had made it abundantly clear that he'd rape me behind prison walls once I was! Your son is an evil excuse for a pony's turd!"

"If you think you are in the right company to make such statements, than I implore you to reconsider the company about you." Grind Stone said sharply.

"Code Madrigal." Testing spat in response.

"Pardon?" Grind Stone cocked his head.

"Your staff has implemented an unofficial code that they send out on occasion for a very particular purpose. Code Madrigal; do you know what it might be for?" Testing prodded. Grind Stone simply shrugged.

"I haven't the foggiest." He said in a tone that tried at evenness, but was betrayed by the stallion's fraying nerves.

"It's a code that's called out over the radios to warn everypony when your son is present in the club. He is such a menace, and an infamous one at that, that your entire staff has agreed to warn each other when he is in the building. If it weren't for the money you pay them, I bet most of them would sooner leave than let your son get his mittens on them." Testing said, watching as Grind Stone unsuccessfully tried to hide his growing anger.

"No pony that works for you likes him more than they have to to survive here - and some don't even like him that much." Testing pushed on. "Your son is already hated, how much longer until ponies stop giving you the benefit of the doubt they have been and leave you in the dust? How long until the disdain they have for Red Tape transfers itself onto you? What then? Are you willing to let this business of yours die?"

Testing stopped for a breath, watching Grind Stone's reactions carefully before going for what he could only hope was a coup de grâce. "Don't be your son's shield. Don't take his falls for him. Be the smart pony I know you are. Be the fair pony everypony here believes you can be and let your son pay for his mistakes just this once! He might recover from this if you let him and be all the better for it!

"Let me go, leave this insanity behind you and become the better pony! Don't let your son get away with this, because if he does..." Testing paused, unsure for the briefest moments if he should finish his thought. In the end, though, he had already come too far. There was no coming back - he had to finish. "If he does, then I will not rest until he pays in some other way."

"Entertaining as this might be," Grind Stone said, returning to his previous calm, "I'd like to ask you how you intend to get out of here in fit enough state to tell anypony else what has been said or done? My son isn't the only one with measures to ensure the eradication of any evidence." Testing watched the stallion carefully as he simply adjusted some papers, as if this was just an unpleasant part of his regular duties.

"Mr. Vice Grip, would you please take Mr. Testing to our special room? I'd like him to become our newest... resident for a short while." Stone said with all the airs of professionalism. The large pony behind Testing grabbed his shoulder and began to direct him out the door.

"This is a mistake, Grind Stone," Testing shouted at the stallion, "You want to end up in the same situation as your son‽ Do you want to be ruined‽"

"Ruined?" Grind paused. "Oh, my dear Mr. Testing Testing, you must be misinformed. My son's name has been left untarnished through all this thus far. Only official court records mention that he has been detained. The public, beyond those that have already been paid handsomely to remain silent, have no clue that my son has done anything... inappropriate. And, for all of our sakes, I want it to remain that way." Testing grit his teeth, staring daggers a Grind Stone.

"If you are dead set on this, Grind Stone, I will make a wreck out of you! I will end all that you have built!" Testing roared, pulling against the vice like grip of... Vice Grip. Grind Stone simply shook his head. "Last chance! You can make the difference right now! So far you're just a protective father, but the moment this stallion forces me outside this door, you are officially a part of this as a coconspirator!"

"That's nice." Grind Stone said, his gaze already on the mountains of paperwork before him. "Do enjoy your stay, Mr. Testing Testing. I believe you will find it most... instructive." Testing grimaced, looking back to Vice, who simply pulled him along towards the door. Testing pulled and strained against him, trying his best to break free from the pony's grasp, but said pony lived more than up to his name.

"Yous gonna be havin' a nice long stay here, Mr. Testing Testing. Why not start it off on the right foot and be a nice little colt and just... you know... not be such a wriggly worm?"

"Vice Grip," Testing said through clenched teeth as the office door closed behind them with a thud of finality, "you are only doing what your boss is telling you, but you can stop!" He hissed desperately. "What you're doing is wrong! I don't care how much he is paying you, but when he burns, those that work for him are only kindling on the fire! You have a chance right now to do what's right!"

"Interesting point." Vice conceded, dragging Testing down the walkway away from the office. "If only I had a reason to think yous was going to do anything. 'Cuz, you see, you ain't the first to try an' pull one over on da boss, and yous certainly not gonna be da last."

"Then I'm sorry you can't see what's in front of you." Testing said darkly. Before Vice even had a chance to react, Testing rammed his head into the exposed hand that held his shoulder.

The effect was instantaneous, as it always had been, and Vice shortly found himself taking quick and shallow breaths as his primal desires flared up into an all consuming pyre. In that short moment of heart restarting lust, Testing shirked off Vice Grip's grasp and charged back towards the office, a plan slowly forming in his mind even as he made his way towards the one pony he honestly should've been running from.

Throwing the door open, Testing didn't hesitate to dive across the table, lunging for Grind Stone.