The Rise of Passion

As the sun set over the Crystal Empire, Cozy was just finishing preparations on her wig. "This thing's super itchy. Could you have found one that was a bit more lice-infested?"

"There are no lice," assured Starlight, checking to make sure it was not only straight, but firmly held in place. "It just doesn't breathe well because it's a wig, and it's trying to stick itself to your scalp. Give it time to settle."

Cozy groaned. "This better work. I'm depending on too many ponies executing their roles perfectly. If even one of you fucks this up, we're all screwed."

"Rest assured, Mistress, Trixie was born to perform her task!" bellowed Trixie from the doorway, tossing her hat and cloak onto the couch. She was clad in navy blue spandex that covered all but her face and horn. "She's going to give the performance of her lifetime!"

"And she had best keep her voice down," urged Cozy. "You're in disguise so that you won't be spotted. Shouting is sure to draw everypony to you. We want them to be drawn near you."

"Don't be too hard on her, Mistress," calmed Starlight. "She's doing her best. She's just excited, that's all. I think we're all a little nervous. This is a huge risk."

Cozy folded her forelegs. "You think I don't know that? I have the most to lose, here. At least the rest of you have the capacity to convince Twilight that you were forced into this situation by me. I'm going right back to being stone if we're caught. So don't fucking let yourselves be discovered!"

"Don't worry," assured Starlight. "Once you're airborne, I'll be running interference for Trixie. We'll have the guards broken into two groups, chasing chaos. And of course, we'll be able to disappear back here if things go too far wrong."

"Then we just have to worry about Discord," huffed Cozy. "Are we ready?"

Starlight tied back her mane under a bandana, the last step to looking like a completely different mare. "Do I look like myself?"

"You would need to ask somepony that didn't see the transformation," said Trixie. "Of course, you always look hot, anymore, so Trixie could pick you out of a crowd."

"You can suck each other's proverbial dicks when we're done," spat Cozy. "If I look like a casual filly, then the illusion is good enough. Let's go."

Trixie went upstairs and out the window, sneaking across the rooftops. Meanwhile, Cozy put on her best smile and exited through the front door with Starlight. There were still a few ponies out on the streets, but under the disguises and low light, they were not recognised. In fact, the exact opposite was true.

"Good evening, ladies," smiled a guard that Starlight had been assigned twice on visits to the palace. "New in town?"

"Just visiting," assured Starlight in a slightly gruff voice.

"We came to see the crystal heart!" squeaked Cozy, clopping her hooves on the ground excitedly. If Starlight didn't know better, she'd truly be convinced that this was no more than a normal, giddy filly. "We heard that it glows in the dark, and I wanted to see how bright it really is!"

"You heard correct," chuckled the guard. "Do you need an escort? I can show you where it is."

"Isn't it just down this street?" asked Starlight. "I can see it from here."

"Yeah, but wouldn't it be better if you had a guard with you? It's late, and weirdos come out in the dark. I wouldn't want your trip to be ruined by some knife in an alleyway."

This guard had struck a chord with Cozy. It almost sounded like a veiled threat, as if it would be his knife. Perhaps he would be a fine addition to her ranks when she actually came forward and revealed herself.

"I think we can manage," chuckled Starlight, pulling Cozy closer to her. She didn't need to, but it helped to sell the illusion they wanted to put forth.

"If you say so, miss. Just remember, the royal guards are always on the lookout for trou--"

A loud boom caused all of their attention to turn away from the palace. Lights, loud cracks and bangs, and smoke filled the skies. Even though Starlight and Cozy knew that Trixie was the one causing this mess, they still were not expecting it at a specific time. Even if they had known the exact moment the fireworks were supposed to go off and where, they had to feign surprise, so the genuine surprise startling them only made them seem more natural.

"Take your daughter and go somewhere safe," instructed the guard as several others joined him in chasing after the ruckus. Trixie was already moving, as evidenced by the changing direction and source of the rockets.

Starlight nodded, picked up Cozy, and ran away from the distraction, conveniently towards the palace. One look at Starlight's panicking façade and the child she was holding told the guards everything they needed to know; to leave her alone, and that she was a mother protecting her child.

They ducked into an alleyway near the palace. It was hidden enough to keep any prying eyes away, not that anypony would be looking this way with a panic in the streets, but it was also close enough that Cozy's time in the open air would be minimised.

"Gallus should have already opened the window in administration," said Starlight, looking up at the walls of the palace. "There," she pointed, indicating a pair of yellow claws just now opening one. "That's your entrance into the palace. Once inside, Gallus will take you to Flurry's room."

"And your end? Let's make sure you can manage that."

Starlight nodded. "I'll aid Trixie in the distraction, we'll go back to the house, and I'll come pick you up an hour before dawn in a garbage cart. I'm set. Go, already!"

With a nod, Cozy flew up into the air toward the open window as swiftly and as silently as she could. She had much to do inside the castle, and a lot of the rest of the plan fell on her shoulders. She had to kidnap Flurry and pull her away without anypony realising it, and make it to the other end of the garbage chute before daybreak.

She landed in the office with Gallus. "Nice costume. You almost look like a guard."

"And you almost look like a normal filly. You have any trouble finding the place?"

"No. You find the room?"

Gallus lowered his head. "They wouldn't grant me that security clearance."

"Gallus?!"

They both looked up. Down the hall, a guard was approaching them, fast.

"Fuck," swore Cozy under her breath.