After what felt like the longest train ride of her life, Octavia stepped out into the bustling streets of Las Pegasus.

Towering buildings and gemstone signs were everywhere. Big name stores hung at every corner. And of course, the casinos. Casinos were everywhere.

"Hello there," Adagio said.

Octavia immediately looked to her side, only for Adagio to chuckle. "You'll work it out sooner or later." She pointed ahead, where a second Adagio stood, leaning against a vibrant purple car.

"Over here," the second one said, nodding to her car.

"Playing ferryman, Seven?" Adagio Five called out as Bulk Biceps carried their luggage.

"Oh, stuff it," Adagio Seven said. "I was looking at a lovely day where I didn't have to do anything. But you so just happen to need a ride and were, apparently, too good for a taxi."

"Can you blame me?" Adagio Five asked.

"Are you serious? I'm you. You made a good call," Seven said with a flippant gesture. She stepped around the front of her car, which, when Octavia looked, had a seven boldly printed on it.

Bulk Biceps began stowing the suitcases into the trunk, and Octavia moved to slip into the backseat. "You sit shotgun," Adagio said, elbowing her ribs.

Octavia frowned at her. "If we get pulled over--"

"None of the cops here are pulling over a Dazzle Den car," Adagio said flatly. "Besides, robot doppelganger etiquette. We don't both sit up front, and Bulk's just a handyman. You get shotgun."

Octavia didn't argue further. She sat down in the passenger seat, Seven patiently waiting for Bulk Biceps and Adagio Five to finish loading.

"I'm Octavia Melody," Octavia introduced.

Seven eyed her. There was virtually no difference in appearance between the two of them, aside from the pin they both wore where normal ponies displayed their Cutie Marks. "Adagio Number Seven," the android said simply. She spared a glance over her shoulder, where Five was berating Bulk for dropping something, then leaned in close. "Did you bring ear plugs?"

Octavia nodded.

"Good." Seven said, moving back to her seat properly. "Five will be busy as soon as we get there, so I'll be your chaperone around the Den," she said aloud.

"I see. Is calling you 'Seven' appropriate?"

"D7, if it comes up," she replied. "The Sonatas are S, and the Arias are A. But don't expect to meet too many of them for more than a moment. They're kept busy."

"Except for you?"

"Hey. This was my day off," Seven snorted. She rested one hand on the steering wheel as Bulk and Five slipped in behind her. "And usually, I don't get any important tasks. Often times it's just mingling with commoners below the Number Ones' station."

"Gross," Five commented.

"But easy," Seven said casually. "Are your boys done getting loaded?"

"Yeah," Five said, looking to the car behind theirs. "They were packed up before Bulk was done."

"Alright, buckle up, kids," Seven said, starting the car moving.

"Do you know which Number One is greeting Octavia?" Five asked.

"You think I had the nerve to ask?" Seven countered. "I don't get much leeway, Five."

"Of course you didn't question her. But I'm certain you asked D2 or S3, either of them would have told you," Five said tiredly.

"A2, actually. She said Sonata."

"Sonata. That's good. I'm going to boot off for a bit, if I can," Five said, leaning back in her seat. "Gotta rest when I can."

"Good plan," Seven said, spinning the wheel as the car rounded a turn.

"Do you not use the interface?" Octavia asked.

Seven spared her glance, then turned back to the road without answering.

"I'm certain you have a port," Octavia said, "and I can see the cord plugged into the car."

"I don't like to," Seven said simply. "I prefer driving like this."

"It's not as safe," Octavia said.

Seven stopped at a red light. "I'm processing at double speed right now. That's faster than a reflex booster gets you. The only way we're getting into a wreck is if there's nothing I could do about it anyway."

Octavia grimaced. "I suppose I'll just have to trust you," she relented. "Are you happy with the Dazzles?"

Seven played a comedic laughtrack.

"Happy?" she said, incredulous. "Happy? I suppose a guard dog chained to a post can still be happy, yes. Personally, I can't wait until the whole affair is done and I can get the fuck away from the Ones. But...well. I suppose it's gotten a bit better around the Den, even if it's just because They want to tidy up in case Discord looks at it. And those chips being gone from my head is such a relief."

Octavia patted her on the shoulder. "Well, hopefully it will continue to get better."

"Yeah, hopefully. If it was the same as it used to, I think I'd be as bad off as Five back there."

"Oi!" Five said, visor turning back on. "Enough about that."

"About what?" Octavia said.

Seven didn't answer.

Octavia grimaced, but let the matter slide. "So--"

"Sweet Celestia, what's with all the questions?" Seven asked tiredly. "Real curious thing, aren't you?"

"I just..." Octavia paused, considering her words. "I don't like ponies being treated badly. I've seen enough of that."

"Huh. Well, save the questions, if you'd please," Seven said shortly. "You're talking at half-speed for me, and the urge to interrupt is extreme."

Octavia chuckled. "Alright, then." She settled back into her seat for the drive, but that was when her phone rang. Octavia pulled it out, checking the caller ID.

The Inquisitor.

Octavia sat up, staring at it, then sighed. Whatever else happened, not answering could only make things worse. "Melody," she said. "What is it, Miss Inquisitor?"

Both Adagios straightened, though Bulk seemed not to care...or notice, really.

"Hey," the Inquisitor said. "Are you still in Ponyville?"

"No, I just got off the train," Octavia replied. "I'm in Las Pegasus."

The Inquisitor didn't answer for a moment. "Look. I'm going to be direct, okay? You don't really trust us, and I'd say you probably have good reason. But something happened, and if this goes south, an innocent mare dies."

"What do you need?" Octavia asked.

"Yesterday, someone broke into Fleur de Liss's home. Destroyed a bunch of androids, then headed out. Fleur herself was out, heading to Ponyville, of all places, after she talked with you and Fancy. She is currently missing, and whoever was after her in the first place is probably still after her."

"And you think I would know anything about this?" Octavia asked.

"Yeah, I really do," the Inquisitor said. "She was apparently going to visit Sweet Apple Acres, but hadn't done it yet. The only other thing I can imagine her going out there for is you, even if she's just looking to contact Everfree for whatever reason. I'm certain that, one way or another, you heard about her entering town. And I need to find her before whoever's after her manages to."

She sounded...passionate, and determined. But distressingly sincere.

Octavia considered her options. "I don't know much," she said, deciding to take a risk. "But I heard who attacked Fleur."

"Well?" the Inquisitor asked, after a moment.

"Lyra Heartstrings."

The Inquisitor didn't reply immediately. Then, Octavia heard a loud spree of muffled swearing.

"Thanks. You've been a huge help," the Inquisitor said after a minute.

"You believe me?"

"I believe you're telling the truth," the Inquisitor replied casually. "But I know only one person who could pull off impersonating an Inquisitor." She hesitated. "Please keep this quiet. I don't want the suspect to catch on to the fact that I'm onto them."

"Alright. You going to be late for our meeting?"

"Oh, shit, that. I should still be there on time. Gotta let you go now, though. I'll call again if I need anything." She paused. "Is Fleur still alive?"

"Last I heard," Octavia said carefully.

A sigh of genuine relief came. "Thank you, Princess Celestia," the Inquisitor whispered. "Goodbye, Miss Melody."

"Goodbye."

The Inquisitor hung up without anything further. Octavia wasted no time dialing Rarity.

"Rarity speaking," the fashionista answered after a few rings.

"I've got news for the boss, about the attack on Fleur," Octavia said quietly.

"I'm in a secure location. Talk."

Octavia ran over the conversation, quickly, Rarity listening quietly without answering. "If she wasn't lying," she finally said, "then that means that Lyra wasn't acting on orders."

"If I'm correct, that was Indigo Zap," Octavia said. "The rookie. I don't think she'd be that good at lying."

"I'll pass it along," Rarity said. "Be careful, darling. You'd have done better to play ignorant."

"But if she was telling the truth, then I made the better play," Octavia said.

Rarity sighed. "True. I've got to go now, darling, and be ready for when Miss Zap comes into town."

"Alright. Let me know how things turn out." Octavia paused as Seven pulled the car to a stop. "Looks like I've reached the Dazzle Den, too. Bye."

"Ta-ta, darling." The last sound before Rarity hung up was the click of her gun.

"Think they're gonna kill her?" Five asked slowly.

"Rarity could, but I don't think we wants to attract the attention that would bring," Octavia asked. "Regardless, the matter is being handled by others. We would do well to focus on our task."

Five opened her door, and on cue, the other three stepped out of the car as well.

The Dazzle Den was smaller than the larger casinos in Las Pegasus—only one floor was devoted to the casino. The second floor, she thought, was devoted to the strip club. The third one was where Octavia was staying. The presidential suites, and where the Sirens themselves stayed.

Octavia stepped up to the front doors, eyes flicking to the guards. One was a real pony, lazily sipping a cup of coffee. "Hey!" he called out, raising his cup to them. "Seven. And Five. With the guest."

"Yes, yes," Five said haughtily, "don't shout it out to everyone. Get inside quickly."

The doors were opened into a small waiting room, where a few ponies sat about. One seemed to be angrily speaking to a clerk behind the desk.

Five let out incoherent grumbling, then said aloud, "I'm going to go resolve this. Seven, take Melody up t-t--" She paused. "To the top floor," she said, slowly and clearly.

"Didn't you go off to get that fixed?" the guard asked with a frown.

"Shut it," Five snarled, before angrily stomping over to the irate customer.

"That's a fireworks show waiting to happen," Seven said, "and a good way to slip in unnoticed. Let's be gone before the show starts, shall we?"

She lead the way past them, and Octavia followed through a door into the main casino. She pointedly looked away from the rows of machines and tables to the decor.

The ambient lighting was a deep blue with lights slowly moving along the walls, to create an underwater effect. The pillars seated through the room were made to resemble coral, with banners streaming off of them like seaweed. Music was playing from unknown speakers. Deep bass and slow guitar strings, but no vocals.

"What's that music playing?" she asked quietly.

"Hell if I know," Seven said. "I think that's just one of their instrumentals. The next musician isn't on stage until...eight. Some small time chick from Coltston who scored lucky."

"And what, exactly, does that mean?"

"I'm signed into our website, I just looked up the schedule," Seven said. "It's some mare from Coltston, which is quite far away, and I don't recognize the name so she's not here because she's famous. And she's booked a Presidential Suite, so within three guesses, I know how she got that."

It took Octavia a second to figure that one out, and she shuddered. "They really do just...sleep around?"

"Aria does. Sonata sometimes, Adagio, never. Sonata is a little...I'm never sure if it's an act or she's just naturally like that, but more often than not, she's hungry, not horny. They all like being the center of attention, but Aria's the only one who seeks them out. Adagio..." Seven looked around, making sure they were alone as they stepped onto the elevator. She clicked the button, waiting for the door to close before she continued. "I think Adagio still remembers when ponies were prey, not rivals."

"We're still prey to them," Octavia replied. "They've never stopped feeding off ponies' discontent."

Seven gave her a look. "No, Melody, that's not what I mean."

"What?"

"They ate ponies," Seven said. "They're carnivores, Octavia."

"O-oh. And Adagio..."

"Maybe I'm wrong, but I believe Adagio thinks you're about as sexually attractive as you think a cabbage patch is. Or maybe she's still mad that the Sirens aren't the top dogs of the world."

"They don't...still eat ponies, right?"

"You think they could get away with that?" Seven scoffed. The elevator dinged, and Seven made a sudden silence motion. "Here we are," she said, changing the subject.

Along the edges of the walkway were too streams of water, being fed from spouts along the walls. They gathered from the edges of the room to a fountain in the center, a massive statue of the three Dazzlings. Contrary to the first floor, only a couple of ponies seemed to be around, one or two milling around the statue.

"Your room is Number 14," Seven said. "They decided to skip 13, so yours is technically the thirteenth one on the right here." She lead the way, past little mountings of fish on the walls. She recognized some of them, but many resembled deep sea life, and she simply had to trust that they were real animals.

"Does skipping thirteen really make any difference?" Octavia asked.

"I think so, actually," Seven said. "It is sometimes specifically requested that guests not have to stay in 14. I suppose that's why they gave you this one." Seven pulled out a room card, handing it to Octavia. "Here you go. There's two cards. The other is inside."

"Aren't I meeting the Dazzlings?" Octavia asked.

"Yes. She's already in there."

Octavia hesitated, then took the card and unlocked the door.

The suite was perhaps fancier than she'd expected. And almost as nice as her room had been at her parents' manor, which was saying something. Though she wanted to say she didn't like the underwater vibes, there was something calming about the blue lighting.

And in the room's foyer, lying across a sofa, was one of the Sirens. Slim of build, in a long dress skirt that came down to her ankles, and a sequined, sleeveless top that left her belly exposed, Sonata Dusk sipped from a glass of wine.

Seven took position by the door, hands behind her back. Octavia, without being prompted, sat in the chair opposite Sonata.

"So you're Octavia?" the Siren asked. She gave her tail a flick. It wasn't a bushy pony tail—it was almost four foot long, entirely scales and muscle, with a few fins sticking off the sides before the powerful-looking tail fin.

"Yes. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Sonata eyed her. "I really thought you'd be taller. Like, six foot and jacked to hell and back," she said, cocking her head at an unnatural angle. Her necklace jingled, the live rubies attached to it clinking against each other. It made Octavia's skin crawl to watch.

"Size isn't everything," Octavia said.

"Don't you walk around everywhere with a 44?" Sonata chuckled. "Hey, D7. Pour her a drink."

Seven stepped over, pouring Octavia a glass of alcohol.

"Is now really the time for drinking?" Octavia asked.

"The funnest conversations are always had with some eighty-proof Gryphonstone liquor in you," Sonata said, flashing a toothy grin.

A grin with very, very sharp teeth.

Octavia sighed, then relented, taking the cup. After all, I rather think I'm going to need it by the time we're done here.

Author's Note

The Dazzle Den

I actually spent some time looking up how casinos were laid out for this, and found a helpful Reddit threat where people were complaining about one. Naturally, that was how I designed the Dazzle Den. Casinos usually being one floor surprised me, but small was how I'd imagined the Dazzle Den anyway.

A few things about the layout--
--There are no clocks.
--You cannot see any of the exits from the gambling machines and tables, so it is very easy to lose track of time.
--The exact same machines are by each of the three exits, so you can't really tell them apart.
--Blue light is scientifically proven, IRL and in Cyberpony, to keep your brain awake. The Dazzlings flooding their casino with blue light is only partly for the aesthetic, as if ponies don't realize how late it is, they'll stay and gamble longer.