<<>>

"Preperations for the project in Sire's Hollow are coming along as planned, Sir. All we are waiting on is the permit from the princess, and we can move forward." Jitterbug informed Obadiah as they walked along the streets of Central Canterlot. It had been a few days since the meeting with the princess, and Obadiah had wasted no time in prepping the assets necessary for the trip to Sire's Hollow. All that was left was to make a few visits to some benefactors of his as Obadiah waited for the princess to make good on her deal.

"Good. I can't afford to waste anymore time now that we've got our greenlight to continue, which is why we are here."

Obadiah came to a stop and turned to his right, staring at a rundown shop in front of him. The man had to bite back a laugh saw the way Jitterbugs face scrunched up in disgust as said changeling stuck out her tongue in disgust.

"I understand you need to keep yourself armed, but are these idiots really your best option?" She lamented, watching as Obadiah stepped forward and opened the door to the store.

"They have the skills to produce quality ammunition...or anything dangerous to the common mans health, even if its unintentional. Besides, they appreciate the flow of bits they get into their bank accounts so they know better than to cross me." Obadiah explained, hearing the changeling let out a groan behind him.

"As long as your safe, Sir...Even if it means dealing with ponies that are well beneath you."

Walking into the store, Obadiah put his hands in his pockets as he approached the front desk, which housed a sleeping unicorn stallion dressed in what looked like a parlor suit top. Looking down at the sleeping brother, Obadiah leaned close and booped his nose.

"Up and at them, you've got a customer here."

The stallion snapped awake, looking around fervently before his eyes settled on Obadiah, eliciting a gasp from the unicorn as he shot to his hooves.

"Mr. Fletcher! It is a pleasure to have you in our establishment today, would I be wrong to assume your here to see our newest wares?" The stallion spoke, coming around from the counter and beckoning Obadiah and Jitterbug to follow him deeper into the shop. "i have to admit, my brother and I were unsure whether to even partake in your rather ludicrious business offer involving that rather unique crossbow of yours. However, we have never been ones to say no to a steady supply of funding for our marketing sche- I mean moneymaker projects!"

Coming to a stop in the back of the shop, the unicorn smiled and motioned to a lone box sitting by the wayside. Compared to the other objects and trinkets back here, this box had several warning stickers slapped on it.

"After all, without your generous donations we would not had been able to strike a deal with with a new sponsor! He has been giving us the resources necessary to expedite our creations, as well as the research into making headway into the products you asked for."

Cracking open the box with his magic, the top slowly levitates up as I see several boxes of ammunition, each different symbols on their sides along with a patented "Flim Flam Co." sticker on them. Three of the boxes floats up to me as I grab one out of the air, looking it over and seeing a fire hazard warning on the box.

"Flaming rounds? How does one even make a bullet cause a person to catch fire, Flam?" Obadiah questioned, switching it out for another floating ammo canister and pursing his lips at the lightning symbol on the case. "And now i'll have lightning in a box? If I hadn't seen the effects of the ice rounds you sent me I would've called you crazy for claiming to have such things avaliable."

Flam tipped his hat and smiled, placing the ammo canisters back into the box, the stallion reapplied the lid and turned his gaze back to me, a scheming glint in his eyes.

"We've heard about your exploits, Mr. Fletcher. You'd be hard-pressed to find somepony who doesn't know about you saving those kids in Canterlot, as gossip travels faster here than in any small town I've had the pleasure of going too...other than ponyville that is. Damn country bumpkins sure can hold a grudge" he mutters off near the end of his sentence before returning his attention to me. "We gave you that box of ice rounds for only five hundred bits due to not knowing if they would work, but since it's clear from your...field testing that we know what we are doing we will regretfully have up the price for each canister of ammunition."

"How much are we talking, exactly?" Obadiah states, frowning at the greedy smile that flashes across Flam's face as he rubs his chin in thought, the prospect of extra cash making the stallion nearly vibrate with excitement.

'Well, Each box contains around twenty-four rounds of ammunition, and if we add in the labor fees for enchanting each round and duly acknowledging your support in raising our business name, that rounds you out at about Nine hundred bits per canister."

"I'm sorry, how much do you expect us to pay for this?!" Jitterbug exclaimed in shock, stomping up to Flam and sticking a hoof in his chest. "Almost a thousand bits for such a small case? Have you gone mad?!"

"It isn't easy for a pair of unicorns to take time out of their day to have metal smelted to the exact shape and form of a material that is foreign to most smiths in the country." Flam began, slightly pushing the changeling out of his personal space. "Then you wish for us to be able to succesfully bind each round with a elemental enchantment, which runs the risk of the magic failing and causing an accident in the workspace or in your boss's hands if done wrong? I believe that payment is quite fair, all things considered." Flam finshed his explanation, earning a growl from the changeling mare, though a hand on her back stopped her tirade as Obadiah pulled her back.

"Leave it be, I was honestly expecting to pay more today." Obadiah said as he fished out a bag in his suit pocket and dropped a rather full bit bag into Flam's waiting hooves. "That's about ten thousand bits, I'll have some of my men come by and collect it the whole box later today...and I don't need to express the importance of our confidentiality in this transaction, correct?"

Magicking away the bag of bits, Flam gave a bow as he locked up the box of ammunition.

"Thank you for your patronage, Mr. Fletcher. We will have it ready for your hired hands whenever they arrive." Finishing up on the box, Flam turned back to Obadiah with a big smile. "While you are here, might I entice you to buy some of our other products? Perhaps a potion we concocted some time ago that can make one feel years younger?"

"Are you calling me old?" Obadiah asked, raising an eyebrow as the unicorns eyes widened and he waved his hooves back and forth, enjoying the frantic reaction from the stallion who had most likely just scammed him of several thousand bits.

"Not at all! I'm just concerned for your health, after all. You ARE one of our biggest buyers!"

Shaking his head, Obadiah turned and walked out of the back room, waving for a peeved Jitterbug to follow behind him.

'I'll pass, just make sure my goods are ready. If things go well, I will be back in a few weeks or so with a new type of bullet for you to make." Obadiah stated, Stopping outside the store to turn back to Flam, who stood by the front door with his hat in his hooves.

"Very well, safe travels Mr. Fletcher!" Flam said, waving his hat as Obadiah and Jitterbug left the store and continued down the road, stopping at an intersection as Obadiah leaned against a building to rest.

"Did we really have to pay that scum that much? I could've easily haggled his price down to at least half of what you paid him!" Jitterbug questioned, looking up at Obadiah with big purple eyes as her wings buzzed angrily.

"We are in a rather sensitive time right now, what with the project soon to begin. I can't afford to run the risk of aggravating my resources, especially if things might get dangerous from here on out. I'd rather pay a couple grand now and be able to defend myself later, especially if I plan to replicate my revolver and distribue it to my staff down the road."

"You plan on making more of that odd weapon of yours? Why not do it now, and reap the benefits that would come with patenting its creation and distribution?" Jitterbug pressed, her gaze moving to the slight bulge in my chest pocket where said revolver was stashed. "Or is this a part of your plans, and you intend to wait until the market is in need of weapons to capitalize on it?"

Smirking, Obadiah gave the changeling head scratches, watching as she leans into his touch and cooed softly.

"That perceptive mind of yours is why I hired you to be my secretary, Jitterbug. Even if it came with a extra serving of attitude." Obadiah snarked, getting a huff from the changeling as she leaned away from him. "Oh well, your cute enough to where it can be overlooked."

Narrowing her eyes, Jitterbug looked away as the chitin around her face seemed to glow somewhat.

"T-That's not relevant to my qualifications as your secretary, Sir!" She muttered, though she didn't seem upset by the remark as Obadiah spotted the blush on her face being much more apparent. "More importantly, we need to get moving, as you have a meeting with Hoity Toity today, and I'd highly recommend not skipping this time as we could benefit from more connections among the noble class."

"Fine, we can go to the north district then, I assume you know where he wants to meet?" Obadiah relented, pinching the bridge of his nose as he managed to bite back a frustrated groan. The last thing he wanted to do was see this pony right now, but Jitterbug was right. They needed as much resources and connections as possible, especially since things were moving at such a fast pace now.

"The letter stated we had been invited to a garden party this evening." Jitterbug answers, looking her boss over from head to toe, a unsatisfied frown on her face. "We should head back to the casino and get you a new suit, Sir. You appear to have gotten that one stained."

Looking down, Obadiah winces as he notices the rather decent blotch on his right leg, easily seen on the white fabric.

"Alright, we'll head back. Must've brushed it against something in those brothers shop earlier." Letting his secretary lead the way, Obadiah trailed behind her as he tried to rub out the splotch with his hands, only to make it bigger by mistake. "Damn it! I just had this suit washed!"

<<>>

Sitting by the hospital bed, Rarity watched over her sister as she sleeped peacefully, slowly recovering from her injuries.

"Rarity?"

Turning her gaze to the voice, the unicorn smiled as she saw Twilight walking into the room, taking a seat by Rarity as her gaze moved to Sweetiebelle.

"She's still asleep, huh. The potions the doctor gave her seem to be working though, almost all of her bruises are healed up." Twilight said, looking down into her hooves with a forlorned sigh. "Still, If only we had found her earlier, maybe she wouldn't have been as hurt as she was."

"Twilight you can't think like that." Rarity admonished her friend, surprised she was even attempting to take the blame for her sisters injuries. "Believe me, I understand where your coming from, but it's better to focus more on the fact that she and the other foals are alive...it could've been so much worse had Obadiah not found them."

Flinching at the humans mention, Twilight couldn't help but think back to their argument a few days ago. He had went out of his way to help them find the foals, and the first thing she did after not seeing him for over a year was press him about his lifestyle. Even if what he was doing was unethical to a degree, he had managed to save the foals, right?

If so...why did it still feel like Obadiah was doing the wrong thing?

"Rarity...you and Obadiah are close right?" Twilight asked, noticing Rarity sit up straighter at the question before smiling sheepishly.

"Well he did live under my roof for a while, and we've been sending letters to each other since he moved, why?"

"Well, I ran into him back when Princess Celestia had summoned him and I might have accidently made him angry." Twilight admitted, causing Rarity to blink in surprise at the admission.

"Darling what could you have possibly have said to-" Rarity stopped mid-sentence as it clicked, face-hooving as she sighed. "I assume it was about what we talked about before? About his connections in the city?"

Giving the mare a nod, Twilight leaned her head back against the wall as she thought the encounter over again.

"I just don't understand it all, Rarity. Consorting with bad ponies is wrong, and that includes letting them do business with you. But, if it wasn't for his methods your sister and those kids would still be foalnapped."

Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly, Twilight glanced over at Sweetiebelle, who currently was smiling in her sleep, dreaming peacefully as if nothing had even happened.

"I grew up in a household that was home to both my father and brother being royal guard members. I was raised on the belief that no matter what to do the right thing, as the ends might not always justify the means...but our 'right thing' wasn't working this time. What if it fails us again later down the road and somepony gets hurt or worse?"

Noticing Twilights mood slowly get more and more stressed, Rarity stopped the mare by booping her snout, much like Obadiah did whenever she would go off on one her whimsical tangents.

"Twilight, you must stop thinking so negatively. Even if Obadiah managed to help us, it doesnt mean you go questioning every little thing from here on out. Doing the right thing is what has helped us save Equestria and many of our friends since that day back in the Everfree Forest, and I refuse to believe that we have been doing things wrong up until now. We've come too far as ponies and done too much good to be questioning our methods, you just need to have more faith in what we do."

Scrunching her nose, Twilight couldn't stop the smile from forming on her face from Raritys words, her previous worrries seeming much smaller than before, though not entirely squashed.

"Thanks Rarity, and I believe your right." Twilight stated, looking back to Sweetiebelle with a heartfelt smile. "After all, it was only because of your bond with Obadiah that made him act so quickly. He wouldn't have gone to such lengths if you and Sweetiebelle didn't mean something to him, and that alone is enough for me."

Glancing at Rarity, Twilight smirked as a thought ran through her head concerning Obadiah and just how fast he had been in helping Rarity, as well as yesterday when he had been glancing at the glass window painting when she had found him.

"Which I have to ask you, what exactly is going on between you two? When you came back from seeing him you were absolutely glowing that night, even with your sister still missing. And when he was still in town you two always were hanging out together."

Her face reddening at the insinuation, Rarity gasped and pointed a hoof dramatically at Twilight.

"And to think I believed you didn't care for gossip, Twilight!" Rarity exclaimed playfully as the two giggled to themselves, finding levity in the change of subject. "As for Obadiah I'm not exactly sure myself, Darling. While I can't say I wouldn't mind getting to know him better to that degree, between him living here and running a business while my own business back home is starting to take off more I'm not sure either of us have the time to attempt to explore any such relationship at the moment."

"That's right, we'll be heading back to Ponyville when Sweetiebelle is better...you should at least talk to him before then, though. Even if nothing comes of it, it wouldn't hurt to see how he feels." Twilight told her alabaster friend. "Who knows, he may just be willing to try and make it work."

Looking at Twilight in surprise, Rarity could barely believe the words coming out of Twilights mouth. Of all of her friends to motivate her to seek out romance, the LAST pony she ever thought to do it would be Twilight.

"You may be right, Twilight...nothing good ever comes of letting opportunity pass by after it knocks, and I am not the type of mare to do such things!" Rarity exclaimed as she shot up, holding a hoof in the air dramatically. "On this day, let it be known that Rarity shall rise to the challenge and-"

Rarity cut her declaration short as Sweetiebelle grumbled in her sleep, moving slighty before settling down. Grinning sheepishly, Rarity returned to her seat as she turned her gaze to her rather amused friend.

"Well, it probably couldn't hurt to wait a little bit. After all, it would feel wrong to leave Sweetiebelle here and go gallivanting after a stallion. Perhaps after she recovers I'll seek Obadiah out." Rarity said, smiling meekly as Twiight grinned, happy to see her friend in higher spirits after all that had happened.

"That might be for the best. For now, though, we'll make sure Sweetiebelle is as comfortable as can be." Turning to look out the window nearby, Twilight felt her thoughts drift once more to Obadiah, wondering where he currently was in Canterlot. She had asked the princess what they had talked about during their meeting, but to Twilight's surprise Celestia was quite witholding of any real information, only telling her that Obadiah had earned favor with the crown and it was already being repaid.

Even so...I can't shake the feeling that I need to keep an eye on Obadiah, though at this point I can't tell if it's gut instinct or guilt driving me to do so.

<<>>

"Are you sure it's ok for me to be in my real form? I know Celestia made it to where we are protected by law, but I don't wish to ruin potential business opportunities for you by triggering some of the more xenophobic guests."

The garden party was, surprise surprise, being held at the castle gardens. Considering Hoity Toity was part of the upper echelon of nobility, this didn't surprise Obadiah as much as it annoyed him. The entire idea of being in a mythical castle was slowly starting to lose its lustor after going to it over and over again.

"Absolutely not. Besides, it would be worse if you did try and hide. Better to flaunt your natural assets and see what sticks." Obadiah responded, glancing down at his secretary with a smile. Besides, the changeling mare looked nice. Trading in her usual scarlet dress and heels the mare had decided to match with Obadiahs change in outfit and go with an emeral green dress that ran down her all but one of her legs, leaving the outlier to show more skin and a little bit of her back as well.

Obadiah smirked as the mare looked away, trying her best not give Obadiah the satisfaction of seeing her react to that comment.

"I'm going to get you a drink, Sir. Please try not to embarrass me in public." Watching as she sauntered off, Obadiah loosened his grey tie as he looked around the garden for his target.

I don't have time to socialize with random nobles, where is Hoity?

Moving through the bundled crowds of gossiping nobles, Obadiah pushes past a few unmoving ponies and stops by a fancy fountain, turning his gaze to the ducks swimming in its waters as the man pursed his lips.

"Damn...how could such a pompous pony be so hard to find?" Obadiah muttered as he scanned the crowds for the the grey stallion's presence, only finding a bunhc of unrecognizable nobles and party guests.

"Well, if it isn't the owner of the Queen of Hearts! How's business been, you glorified monkey?"

Turning to the source of the voice, Obadiah felt a smile grow on his lips as he was met with the sight of what was easily the shortest pony he knew. The pegasus before him was barely at his knees, though it didn't stop the stallions personality from making up for it, as he was easily one of the biggest firecrackers Obadiah had ever met.

"Business has been booming, Subatomic." Obadiah answered, motioning to the stallions attire with a hand. "Surprised your wearing yellow, doesn't that clash with blue?"

Looking himself over, Subatomic chuckled as he unfurled hus blue wings and wiggled them, the yellow tuxedo he wore having slit holes for both comfort and utility.

"Perhaps so, but the wife back home likes the way I look in yellow, so who am I to deny her?" Subatomic snarked, pointing a wingtip at Obadiah. "On that note, did you manage to find somepony to bed with yet? I've heard about your ties with the Element of Generosity, but nothing solid about your relationship."

"That's because there isn't one, you nosy son of a horse." Obadiah fired back, earning a laugh from the pegasus before him as he continued. "I don't really have time to pursue something with her though, as that project I mentioned to you a while back is finally getting underway."

For the first time tonight, and perhaps a while since Obadiah had met the stallion, Subatomics smile completely dropped. The stallion stared up at him for a moment before finding the will to both speak and pick his jaw up off the ground.

"Your serious? You managed to get a royal permit for that patch of land by Sires Hollow?" The surprised face didn't last long though, as Subatomic soon smiled widely at the confirming nod from Obadiah. "That's the best piece of news I've heard all month. I told those idiots in the lower sectors of Canterlot that you were the right horse to bet on, and boy am I oh-so glad I was right!"

"I should thank you for backing me, by the way. Having those griffons on my payroll has really helped with keeping the peace around the casino." Obadiah said, only to be waved off by Subatomic.

"Think nothing of it. My turf was getting crowded anyway, so giving some of my boys a place where they can earn us some extra cash while letting off some stress now and then was quite the deal." The stallion assured, using a wing to pull a business card from his suit pocket and lifting it towards Obadiah. "Now, when you get a foothold in Sire's Hollow make sure to have a letter sent to the address on this card. When the time comes, my group will be ready to strike."

"Thanks, Subatomic. When the dust settles, trust me when I say we will both be walking away from this much richer than we were before." Obadiah remarked, taking the card in his hand and shaking the wing of the stallion. "For now though, I would suggest enjoying the party, as I still have to meet with this shindigs host before the night is upon us."

Waving me off, Subatomic picked up off the ground and flew off towards the food tables. Watching him leave, Obadiah pocketed the business card and turn to find Jitterbug, only to nearly run into-

"Greetings, Sir Fletcher. Shall we talk to you for a moment?" Princess Luna asked, dressed in nothing but her regalia as she kept her eyes locked on Obadiahs. Not waiting for an answer she smiled and turned away, walking deeper into the garden as she motioned for the man to follow.

Obadiah reluctantly followed behind her, turning a few corners around the shrubbery before coming to a halt somehwere deeper into the gardenspace, where the sounds of the party were nothing but vague noises in the distance.

"What's this about, your highness? I have a meeting with Hoity Toity at this event and I'd rather not deal with standing him up again." Obadiah stated, putting his hands in his pockets as the princess turned to him, her gaze unreadable to the man as she looked him over.

"Thou shall be allowed to return to the party shortly, as soon as you answer our questions." The princess told the man, clearing her throat as she stood up straight. "I learned from my sister that you earned a favor from the crown and asked for a permit to obtain land in Sire's Hollow. As giving such permits is a task that was given to me, I would like to know why our fair citys up and coming millionare wishes to expand so far from our current location."

Raising an eyebrow, Obadiah had to admit he didn't think about anymore possible red tape with the permit, especially from Luna of all ponies. Thankfully, it wasn't that hard to lie to this particular princess, as long as you knew what to say to make her think you fit the knightly morales the old-fashioned mare seemed to hold to stallions.

"You saw the stallion I was talking with before, I assume?" Obadiah waited for the princess to nod before continuing. "Well, he was the one to offer me a business proposition for the town. He holds a business in meat and other sort of predatory foods, so he wishes to have a place in Sire's Hollow to expand on his business. And as you know, with relations with other species on the rise it wouldn't hurt to make sure as many of your towns and cities are ready and able to accomodate such creatures."

Finishing with a smile, Obadiah pulled out the business card from before and showed it to Luna, the words Subatomic Supercuts written in fancy writing abive a mailing address and a picture of a griffon head above a fork and knife. reading the document over, Luna returned it to Obadiah.

"I see, thou wishes to expand for monetary gain. While we had hoped it was for more selfless reasons we see no reason to deny thou's request." Luna said as she magicked up a scroll and levitiated it over to Obadiah. Opening it up te man blinked in surprise as he was now holding the permit he was asking for, the document written to the mayor of Sire's Hollow. "Let it be known I do not dislike or distrust you by asking you such questions, I simply wish to know we aren't giving land away to ponies who do not deserve such things, and we are thankful to know that thou seem to not be such company."

Giving the mare thanks, Obadiah placed the permit in his shirt pocket and gave her a half-bow.

'Thank you, your higness. Now if I may I do have to find that damned noble acquantice of mine." Obadiah stated, turning and leaving the princess behind as he returned to the party, just in time to see a rather annoyed Jitterbug being the ceter of attention for his target.

"Now where did you get such a fine dress? It I didn't know any better, I'd say it looks like a Rarity original!" Hoity was rabbling on, apparently quite entranced by Jitterbugs looks, much to her displeasure and Obadiahs rising amusement.

"Ah, Hoity! It's great to see you." Obadiah stated, lying through his teeth as he came to his partners rescue, said changeling coming to his side and thanking him with a casual nuzzle to his leg. "Sorry for not meeting you sooner, I'm sure you heard by now what has kept me busy these past few days?"

The fanciful stallion, suited up in a really flashy silver suit with far too many gemstones on it, did that stupid fancy laugh nobility do when they think something is amusing.

"I'm sure most of upper Canterlot has heard of your actions to save those foals. Which is part of why I wished to speak with you." the stallion clapped his hooves and a much less fancy pony galloped over and held out a document that had multiple signatures on it, with one open space near the bottom. "Due to your rise in wealth and good deeds for this city, the Noble Echelon chose me to be the one to reach out and invite you to join our ranks as one of the elite. While we are aware you don't exactly have an estate yet, that is something a creature of your wealth could easily change."

Looking at the document Obadiah glanced at Jitterbug, who gave him a slow nod, mouthing "Do it." Shaking his head, Obadiah returned his gaze to Hoity Toity.

"I have plans to buy land in the Sire's Hollow, which will most likely be where my estate is built. However, I do plan on keeping my business here in Canterlot intact, as it would be stupid to abandon it now." Obadiah informs the stallion, who claps his hooves together with a smile.

"Perfect, that gets rid of that requirement. All that is left is to sign this document and you'll be a fully fledged noble!" Seeing his hesitation, Hoity quickly continues. "As a Noble of the Upper Echelon, the only real mandatory requirement of you is to sit in on official meetings of the state we have every month. This is to let us catch up with each other and figure out what sort of government bills and events that might need pur support in getting passed."

Magicking up a quill, Jitterbug passed the feathery utensil to Obadiah, who took the quill in hand and signed his name uon the document.

"Splendid, glad to have you among our ranks, friend." Hoity Toity joyfully exclaimed as he passed the document back to the same pony who had brought it. "Now, we must chat later down the line when you begin your expansion in Sire's Hollow, for now though enjoy the festivities!"

Watching as the fancy stallion trotted off alongside his aid, Obadiah glanced down at his secretary, giving her back the quill as he watched her magic it away.

"Well, that was a waste of time." Obadiah muttered, straightening out his suit with a frown on his lips. "He could've sent that to me by mail or something instead of having me come out this way."

"We did manage to expedite your aquisition of the permit, Sir." Jitterbug reminded the man, noticing the document sticking out of his suit pocket. "Who knows how long we would've waited otherwise."

"True enough." Obadiah relented, turning his gaze towards the exit and making his way through the crowds. "On that note, it's time we left this get little get together. We've got a very busy day tomorrow."

Entering the castle walls to leave, Obadiah was not aware of the fact he was being watched from afar by the same princess who he had left behind in the garden. Luna stood alone for a moment before a yellow flash nearby announced her sisters arrival.

"So you gave him the permit then? Even after seeing his dreams?" Celestia asked her sister, concern clear in her voice as she moved beside Luna.

"Indeed. While we are not certain as to how he plans to do so, it is clear he has eyes set on obtaining wealth by any means necessary. It will be easier to watch his climb to riches if he believes we are both helping him and unaware of his intentions, especially if his means lead to the pain of others."

Luna glanced at her sister, curiosity sparked in her gaze as she noticed Celestias frown.

"Or is it something else? Do you sense something I do not in him?"

Shaking her head, Celestia met Lunas gaze with a smile, albeit a forced one.

"It's nothing. As long as we keep an eye on him then everything should work out well." Celestia assured her sister, getting a nod from the princess befre a yawn escaped from her lips. "Well, it is about my time to hit the royal hay. Take care, Luna."

Sharing a hug with her little sister, Celestia warped away, leaving Luna alone once more in the garden.

"Then let us hope it truly is nothing, sister. For if that stallions dreams do indeed ring true..." Luna trailed off, flashes of the dream Luna had seen during her dreamwalking the night prior had been what made her wish to see Obadiah in person. The levels of greed she had seen in that dream was unheard of in the citizens of Equestria. And unlike the griffons who usually held such dreams Obadiah had access to the resources to make it a reality.

Her sister, however, claims that Obadiah held a soft spot for the Element of Generosity, and believes that when the time comes he will pick her over his greedy nature. And while Luna usually doesn't question her sister on matters like this, the night princess felt less than pleased with the idea of leaving such a thing to simple feelings.

"We shall wait then. Wait, and see what comes of your gamble, sister."

Author's Note