The King Of Nothing

"Well, Ms. Shiitake, do we have a deal?" A mysterious figure whose face was partially obscured by a fedora and sunglasses asked the major with his fingers crossed as they were enjoying a meal in one of Canterlot's most elegant restaurants. The major was in her civilian clothing, a formal pink and green dress, while the stallion had a sleek black tux. From what Shiitake could see, the stallion was a slim earth pony with vibrant gray fur and a black mane and tail.

The major in question was finishing a salmon dish with gusto while she spoke with the stallion in front of her. "I can't deny that your idea intrigues me, Mr. Faust," Shiitake responded while pointing at the stallion with a fork. "But I still don't see why we can't let the princesses be part of your plan. Their assistance could be a great asset."

"An extremely valid point, Ms. Shiitake. I share your logic." The stallion placed his hand on his chest. "Believe me, if the situation were different, I would call the princesses immediately, but as I explained before, this is no ordinary threat either."

The stallion pointed at his head. "It is more akin to a mind parasite with a sickening passive skill, trust me. I have studied it closely."

"You have, how? And why?" Shiitake asks the stallion with some suspicion and a raised eyebrow.

"Because I was there when he first made contact with civilization, a humble little hamlet he raised hell before moving on. I was part of that community until he destroyed it, just an entrepreneur returning to his roots in time to see its destruction."

He raises a finger. "I bet he conveniently forgot to mention how he has an innate charisma for those in power, didn't he? And I don't mean authority like you. I mean those that run the show, those at the top, a mayor, a senate… a princess."

"By the stars, you… you are not implying he put the royal princesses in some trance?!" Shiitake asks in fear and disgust.

"Is there evidence that says otherwise? Think, with such a history of destruction? How come this news never reached the princesses? How do they always end up as contained events? Why is there not a single wanted poster? That is how he messes with everyone's head Shiitake; he looks for the most influential pony and somehow makes them overlook the chaos he brings. Then, he puts this act of the harmless hobo, and once he has his sick fun, he moves on to his next target city. And it finally found its biggest target yet."

"That diabolical freak of nature! I knew he was in trouble; something in my gut was telling me that, and I just knew it! We need to stop him before it is too late. The princesses are already mellowing to him around by the stars; they virtually offer him a room in the castle! It's starting!"

"Agree, but we can't let the princesses know about this until we release the spell he put them under. We need to act carefully and tactfully. That is why we must leave the sisters out of this for now. We start talking and end up arrested and restrained while that monster drives Canterlot to the ground."

"You're right; it hurts me to my core, but you are right; we can't involve the princesses in this yet."

"So, do we have an understanding then?" The stallion asks with a smile as he extends his hand.

Shiitake stares at it momentarily before shaking it. "Whatever it takes, just do it. Save Canterlot from that monster."

"Oh, trust me, Major Shiitake. I will make sure that monster doesn't cause any more trouble," The stallion promised her with a big grin.

At that exact moment back at the castle,

Once, Amon and Vivi found a tree to leave the squirrel with some acorns for her. The two returned to the group, which was waiting for them, not too far behind them.

"Okay, all taken care," Amon replied while cleaning his hands.

"Thanks for waiting; now we can get this day started," Vivi mentions excitedly.

"Great! Because I have so many ideas on what we can do, board games, hide and seek, makeovers…" Pinkie starts to ramble in increasing excitement.

"Pinkie," AJ calls her with a neutral tone.

"Or we can start by teaching you healthy, honest, hard-work activities to do in the community," Pinkie finishes as Marcus robs her shoulders.

"Don't worry, honey, we can play hide and seek later."

AJ rolls her eyes and chuckles briefly.

"Okay, while the two birds have their moment, why don't we start with that? I heard you like to move around and keep yourself busy, right?" AJ asks Amon, who shrugs in response.

"You start to enjoy it somewhat while you survive, yeah."

"What if I tell you there is a way you can do all that and even more in a straightforward project? Tell me, sugarcube, how good are you with a hammer?"

"I improvise one from a sharp rock, some branches, and dry vines. Does that count?" Amon replies.

"Why did you sharpen the rock?" Vivi asked with a raised eyebrow.

Amon shrugs casually. "I was going for a multi-function tool that I could use as an ax as well, but it helped me nail things from the other end, so… it was kind of a hammer."

"Well, the point is that some good old construction work can go a long way, and lucky for you, I know a lot about that. We can start small and work our way to building homes for the less fortunate. What do you say, partner?"

"That… sounds like a good idea. I have the dimensions and strength to do that kind of work, Ms. Jack; you got my attention."

"Ms. Jack?" AJ asks, blinking a couple of times.

Pinkie can't help but chuckle, "Don't overthink about it, AJ. Amony, at first, has some trouble with names. When he meets me and Fluttershy, he calls us Pink and Yellow. Can you believe it?"

"I'm not good with names; give me a break," Amon complains with a roll of his eyes, "Anyway, what do you have in mind for us to start, Ms. Jack?"

"I was thinking of something easy and practical, beds. And please stop with the "Jack things; it makes me feel like I'm some snobbish married rich mare, and I don't even have a special someone," Applejack pleads. "Just call me Applejack or A.J. if it is easier for you, sugarcube."

"I will try," Amon simply shrugs. "Let's get to work then."

"I love the energy sugarcube; the first things we need are wood tables, nails, sandpaper, and polish."

"Me and Amon can bring the wood," Marcus says before chuckling.

"Oh, come on, darling, you are more mature than that," Rarity chastised him with a roll of her eyes and a smile.

"Maybe, but the last thing I want is to allow these beautiful hands to get splinters," Marcus mentions, holding Rarity's hands.

"Oh, ok, you get that." She bops his nose with her index fingers.

"Okay, anyway. Rarity and Vivi could go for the polish and fabrics, and Fluttershy and I can go for the tools and nails," AJ suggested.

"Sounds good; let's meet here in an hour," Marcus mentions, and they all agree before they head to their destinations.

Once they gathered enough space between them and anyone else, Amon talked with Marcus.

"So what did you find 'Marcus'?" Amon asked once he made sure there were no ponies to hear them out.

"Something that, if we play our cards right, would not only turn things around in our favor, it will lead us straight to the bastards that put us in our current situation," Marcus replied with a low tone as they reached a shed in the garden full of wood planks.

"The princesses' theory was correct; last night's attack was just the first wave. I had to collect every favor I had, but I got a lead. One of the workers in the facility that had you restrained? He survives and obtains an unexpected power from the explosion." Marcus explains in between whispers.

"I don't have the details on how and why, but rumor has it that with one command, he can control twelve ponies for twelve minutes without exception."

"So, the bandits?" Amon asks in surprise, fearing what Marcus is implying.

"They were more or less innocent; maybe they wanted to rob you on their own, but Vivi… the idea of her being assaulted in front of you? It would be enough for you to remain miserable, don't you think?"

Amon was starting to see white as his fists were shaking. He had to close his eyes as sparks of dark lighting were discharging from his hand and eyes until he remained in control.

"You say we can take the offensive if we play our cards, right?" Amon takes a deep breath. "What do you have in mind?"

"The pony's name is Dr.Faust, and he plans another attack tonight. Six guards attacking you then harm and knock themselves out to frame you. No doubt following to something nastier once you are secure in a dungeon."

The two return to the rest of the group with a bunch of wood tables.

"But if we make him waste the twelve minutes, he will be open and vulnerable to us," Amon said, starting to think about an idea.

Marcus smiles and nods. "All we have to do is place the perfect bait for the fool to take. Like a midnight stroll in the garden with no guards around. Lead him to the more secluded parts of the castle and then a good old-fashioned ambush."

"Curious, I was just thinking about stretching my legs tonight. What a coincidence," Amon nodded with a smile.

"Indeed," Marcus nods with a smile of his own. "We only need to make sure nobody bothers us, and I have the perfect idea to do just that."

At that moment in another part of the castle,

While the rest were busy gathering the materials to make beds, Applejack took the opportunity to chat with Fluttershy while they were looking for the tools in an indoor shed inside the castle.

"So, mind telling me what happened to you earlier, sugarcube?" AJ asks out of the blue as she shakes a small box before grabbing two nails and tossing the box into a nearby trash without looking at Fluttershy.

"What do you mean, AJ?" Fluttershy asks as she puts on a construction helmet and a tool belt, blinking several times and staring at her friend.

"Don't give me that basket of rotten apples, partner." AJ turns around and looks at Fluttershy. We both know what I mean, back at the throne room. The moment Amon starts scratching that squirrel, you begin to stutter worse than when Big Mac saw Sugar Belle practice yoga." AJ finishes crossing her arms.

"Please be honest with me, sugarcube. Did you suddenly get a crush on that stallion? I'm not judging; I'm just trying to wrap my head around how that can happen from petting a critter."

Fluttershy remains quiet for a moment before taking a deep breath. "Okay, I admit I may have got just a little crush," She admitted with a deep blush, "And I don't get it either; Amon seems like a nice stallion, and I didn't intend for that to happen. Until this morning, he was no different than any other stallion, but when I saw him treating that squirrel so gently and kindly and… paternal, I… may have gotten a tiny bit… on?" Fluttershy confesses in the process of turning into Big Mac for how red her face was turning.

"...you're joking. THAT turns you on?" AJ asks in astonishment after blinking a couple of times.

"Not so loud!" Fluttershy harshly whispered, "But yeah, a little bit. I'm not sure what happened, but seeing Amon being so gentle and kind with animals, with his big, strong arms, like a papa bear protecting his cubs, made me see him in an unexpected light. Can you blame me, AJ? He IS cute, don't you think?"

"Okay, I admit he is easy on the eyes, but I also know he is vulnerable now," AJ reminds Fluttershy as she crosses her arms. "The princesses ask our help teaching him about friendship, not setting up a date."

"I know, and I haven't forgotten AJ. But right now, I'm unsure if I can control myself anymore. He is just so… cute," Fluttershy says, getting worried. "Oh my goodness, the last thing I want is to give him the wrong impression about me, or worse, that this is some setup! AJ, you have to help me."

"Don't worry, sugarcube, I got you; if you start to feel hot and bothered, I will push you away and help you regain control. We better play this save and not try anything. Maybe this is just having the normal hots, and it will go away naturally as you say. Maybe you only got turned on, and this is just your lust talking."

Fluttershy can only continue to blush and look away until AJ pats her shoulder. "There is nothing to be ashamed of; remember how that stallion is fragile and vulnerable. If you still wish to pursue this, I can help you out after things calm down."

"Would you do that for me?" Fluttershy asks in surprise as AJ nods.

"Sure, that is what friends are for. And not to offend, but I always suspected that you may ask for our help if you ever found that pony that caught your eye," AJ jokes, and Fluttershy can't help but chuckle a little.

"Yeah, I may have needed a bit of help."

"So, no more ideas of being all lovey-dovey until he is better, okay?"

"I will try to control myself…just keep other animals or me away from him until that happens. I'm not sure I could trust myself."

"Relax. If I can keep Big Mac away from Sugar Belle long enough for him to do his chores, I'm pretty sure I can keep you two apart," AJ assured her with a thumbs-up as they finished gathering the equipment and leaving the room.

"Seriously, a squirrel? A squirrel causes this," AJ keeps mentioning primarily to herself, trying to wrap her head around the concept. "I swear this whole thing about love makes less sense than Discord sometimes."

AJ keeps mumbling to herself as they meet with the rest.