The trio agreed that Rainbow and her mate would hide behind in a bush as Luna and Twilight sat and waited for the others to arrive. Much to their delight, Celestia arrived first with the Pie sisters arrived first.

"I do hope this isn't some kind of joke sister. Our… friends can't take much more bad news." Celestia warned.

"Have faith sister. More than one truth will be revealed." Luna replied as her eyes narrowed. "You should know that nothing can hide in the dark from me for long."

Celestia smiled and motioned for the girls to join Twilight before sitting at the other side of her sister as she noticed the sudden increase in guards. Even though she didn't know what was going on. She knew that Luna was as finished with the deceptions as she was.

After a few minutes a guard arrived with the detective. "Is there something wrong, princess? I have a hunt to get back to."

"Your hunt may come to an end soon DETECTIVE." Luna informed, trying to hide her disgust. "But before we indulge the information on what we have learned. You must tell us what your plans are for it. And why it is so important to you."

"I plan on returning it to where it belongs." He replied calmly. "Though I don't see why it should matter what becomes of the beast once it-"

Luna stomped her hoof silencing him. "YOU WILL NOT LIE TO MY COLT! NOR SHALL YOU HIDE YOUR INTENTIONS!" She ordered in her Canterlot voice.

Taking a step back in shock, he gulped. "I… I swear princess. I only wish to rid this land of the beast."

Celestia put her hoof on Luna's shoulder before taking the lead. "As you can imagine. We are in the middle of very stressful times. And while I do not wish to rely on the old… painful ways of getting the truth from others. My sister has yet to consider our newer ways as being more effective." She paused and narrowed her eyes at him. "Especially with those willingly hiding the truth from us."

The guards slowly closed in around him as Twilight stepped forward. "I have studied the spell I believe the princess is speaking of. And with her permission. I can cast it. Only if you are willing to surrender now. Otherwise Luna will likely be more forceful."

He thought for a moment before huffing. "I have nothing to hide. Go ahead. You'll see I'm telling the truth."

Twilight sighed and shook her head before casting the spell.

Within his mind, Twilight looked around and focused on what she was looking for. As she expected, she saw exactly what he said. The detective walking a feral beast with blood on his muzzle and paws away from the castle. Had she not met him herself or even gotten the letter from Rainbow. Lighting her horn, she casted the spell she learned to strip away the mental lie. As soon as she did. Her eyes widened in shock at seeing him stand over a wrung pup, striking him with a whip.

By the time she released the spell, she let out an involuntary burst of magic, pinning him to a pillar as magic radiated from her like tendrils of fire. "Creature…" She heaved, slamming him into the pillar. "Beast…" another slam. "Monster…" another slam, this time causing him to spit out blood as an indention of his body was formed in the pillar. "The only monster I see here is you…" She pulled him back again ready to slam him into the wall again.

Just before she did however, Rainbow and her mate lept out of hiding and landed with Rainbow between them locking eyes with her. "Enough." She said flatly as her mate nudged Twilight before moving over to the detective and slowly lowered him to a guard who looked on in shock.

Twilight stood there as tears flowed from her eyes. "His… own… son…" She heaved, fighting the urge to toss Rainbow out of her way. "His… own… son…"

"What are you waiting for?" Celestia snapped. "Get that stallion to the infirmary and keep him under constant surveillance till further notice!"

Luna went over next to Twilight and touched horns as she tried helping her deal with the emotional flood she unleashed.

Rainbow looked over at her friends as her mate joined her. She smiled and stood proudly at the shocked faces. "Sorry for taking so long. If I was able to heal faster. I wold have been back sooner."

Within seconds of her saying that, Pinkie tackled her into a hug as the three shared a long awaited reunion. A few moments passed and as Rainbow's mate was about to leave, Pinkie pulled him in to join them.

Celestia sat back and watched. Even with time running short. She felt like this was the much needed break they needed to remind them why they needed to do this. And to help cheer everyone up a little. Questions she had about what she saw can wait a little bit longer.

Fluttershy lay crying in her cage as the shadowy pony sat close by. "Now now my pet. You should be happy. With what you told me. You'll be reunited with your other friends soon." Tapping his chin he pondered outloud. "Though I wonder what kind of offer I can make to the others for their loyalty."

"Please… you promised." She whimpered.

"I did. And they have already come a long way on their day's task." He replied. "That actually gives me an idea. A little pony told me they have sisters." Fluttershy gasped in shock at the suggestion. "Perhaps I can make a deal with them after all."

"Please! Not them!" Fluttershy cried. "Please master." She begged, unable to call her anything that didn't refer to him as her owner. "Please."

"Nope. In fact… I think two are already on their way… and… a third trying to…" a toothy grin formed in the shadows. "This will be interesting."

Author's Note

I'm considering pausing this story for a bit. I have a few ideas of what might happen. Including a bit of a look at one of the shadow figure's partners. And maybe an escape attempt?