Shadow of Fury

Chapter 15

Interrogation Squared

The next morning, the group was discussing what to do with their captive griffin.

"Clearly, we need to find out exactly how close we are to their base of operations," Shamrock said.

"We also haven't figured out a way to get in," Twilight added.

"Or why they're even doing this," Willus said.

"Interrogation seems like the only logical solution. Who wants to do it?" Reaper said.

"I do!" Rainbow said immediately, stamping her hoof on the ground. "I wanna teach him a lesson for helping that creep who's behind all this!"

The others were slightly worried by their enthusiasm. "Maybe it would be best if somepony helped you. Anypony else volunteer?" Twilight asked.

Everypony looked at each other, trying to see who would volunteer. "Sure, I'll do it," Lightning said.

"Besides, the rest of us need to learn how to use our new stuff," Applejack said, balancing her katana with her tail.

"Then let's get to it!" Rainbow said, far too eager to start.

As the pair walked towards where they left the griffin, Lightning chatted excitedly.

"So if we're both gonna interrogate him, what would that be?"

"What do you mean?"

"Would it be two interrogations for the price of one? Or an interrogation within an interrogation?"

Lightning's eyes widened. "I know! Interrogation squared!"

Rainbow rolled her eyes. "Let's just do this, okay?"

Lightning nodded, ready to begin. "Just sayin," he muttered.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

The griffin sat tied against a rock. He glared at his captors, whose sillohuettes were iluminated by the sunlight behind them. Rainbow Dash's wings were flared for intimidation, while Lightning seemed more laid back - almost bored. The griffin shuffled, trying to get comfortable.

"Well? What do you want? If it's information, you won't get any from me!"

Rainbow Dash roughly grabbed him by the neck. "Listen, buddy, you helped the freaks who took our friend. That really, really, really pisses me off," Rainbow said slowly. "We're gonna ask you a few questions, and you will answer them. That is, if you want to stay a colt,"

The griffin's eyes widened for a moment, before he thought of something. "Ha! Your punishment couldn't possibly be as bad as what my lord would do to me if I talked! Try me!"

Rainbow inwardly cursed, frustrated that her threat didn't work. She considered a different route. "Your, 'Lord.' You and the other griffins have brought him up before. Who is this guy? I demand anwers!"

The griffin shrugged. "Even if I wished to tell you, there's not much I could say,"

"Tell me anyway!" Rainbow slapped him as hard as she could across the face.

"Alright! Crazy mare..." he said, wishing he could rub his stinging cheek. Unfortunately, all of his limbs were bound tighter than he could possibly imagine.

"All I know is that he's crazy. We all know he's crazy. But he's smart - he knows how to plan things out, get things done. He has plans for your Equestria, big plans. I don't know them myself, but I can assure you that they will come to light," He said.

Rainbow scowled, her eyes narrowing. Lightning put a hoof on her shoulder. "May I?" he asked, gesturing to the griffin.

Rainbow was silent for a moment, before glancing back at her friends in the background. "Five minutes," she said, before leaving.

Lightning pulled up a rock, and sat on it. "Listen, buddy, if I were you, I'd forget any of the things you may or may not owe your lord...lord...what's his name again?"

The griffin scowled. "Lord Ironfeathers. Learn it well, for it shall be the sound of your doom,"

Lightning nodded. "Yeah, sure. So, what's your name?"

The griffin shuffled more. "Excuse me?"

"Your name. What is it?'

"Dustbeak...." the griffin mumbled quietly.

LIghtning snickered. "Really? Wow, I honestly expected something more intimidating!"

Dustbeak the soldier scowled. "Shut up," he said simply.

Lightning sighed. "Look, we can do this in one of two ways. My way, or her way," he said, gesturing to the waiting Rainbow Dash.

"Do you truly think she intimdates me?" Dustbeak asked.

Lightning laughed, before stopping suddenly. "Oh, wait, you actually thought that she was the 'bad cop?'" he said. He laughed again. "No, no, no. She's the 'good cop.'"

"Am I supposed to believe that you're the 'bad cop?'"

Lightning chuckled. "Not quite. You see, I'm a colt who's seen a lot and done a lot. I don't want to hurt you. But..."

Lightning leaned in and whispered what he would do into Dustbeak's ear.

Rainbow Dash's ears perked up when she heard the griffin scream. "All right! All right! I'll talk!"

Rainbow quickly trotted up. Lightning grinned smugly. "How?"

"I'll never tell," he said.

The griffin was shaking uncontrollably. "So, you'll tell us what we want to know?" Rainbow asked him.

He nodded. "Yes, yes, whatever! I'll tell you everything! After all, it's not like he can stop me, right?"

Dustbeak had no idea how wrong he was. Suddenly, next to him, a black hole surrounded by purple flames appeared from the ground next to him. He began to be sucked towards the hole. He kicked and screamed, trying to escape his fate. Lightning and Rainbow both grabbed him, but whatever the hole was, it was stronger. Finally, he was yanked from their grip and pulled screaming down the hole. He disappeared behind the purple flames, before the hole closed and disappeared with a pop.

Lightning and Rainbow sat panting.

"Well," Lightning said, not sure how to react. "So much for getting some answers,"

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * *

Fluttershy sat chained to a chair in a room. The walls emanated with heat, but it was not comforting in the slightest. "Hello?" she called out, hoping somepony could hear her.

The stone door to the room slammed open. An albino, male griffin walked in, with wings made of metal. "Ahh, I see our guest is awake," he said, voice full of malice.

"Where am I?" Fluttershy asked, whimpering.

The griffin chuckled. "You're in my base, dearest! I do trust the journey here was not too taxing?"

Fluttershy whimpered more. "I...I...guess so. I don't really remember much..."

The griffin waved a claw dismissively, sitting down opposite of her. "Enough with the pleasantries. My companions brought you here for one simple reason - to provide insight into your friends,"

He chuckled maniacally. "Yes, you shall provide me with all of the answers I seek," he monologued to himself. "And then, I, Lord Ferdinand Ironfeathers, shall be able to complete my plan to rule the world!"

For a moment, Fluttershy forgot her fear, as she stifled a giggled. "Ferdinand? What are you, a florist?"

Ironfeathers' face contorted with rage. "How dare you! Before you were born, I was being trained to conquer! You are in no place to mock me, prisoner!"

Fluttershy flinched, but decided to try and avoid showing her fear. She decided to try and take the attention off of her for a moment.

"But, things don't add up. Why do you want to take over the world so badly?"

Ironfeathers' wings rustled, producing a metallic scratching noise as the bladed feathers rubbed against each other. "Why? Why?" he asked, almost to himself. For a moment, his face seemed worried. Then a psychopathic grin lit it up.

"Why not? I have the means. I have the methods. The world is my plaything! I will not just be a ruler, I will be a god!"

Fluttershy was beginning to question the psychological stability of this guy. Then she began to question why it took so long for her to question that.

She was still confused, however. "But still, why attack us? Why now?"

Ironfeathers scowled with impatience. "Fine, if you insist," he said.

"I am not above explaining a little backstory. You see, dear, way back in the day, I held a position of great power in the Griffin hierarchy. I was a general, and my clan was legendary for our militaristic prowess! My father's father's father's father was famous for winning wars, a legacy each of his sons carried. As you can imagine, I was practically trained since birth to lead, to conquer,"

"We fought a silent war when we discovered the changeling espionage. No surprise that the bugs would try and overthrow us. Luckily, we were able to root them out, and any spies we found were exterminated," He laughed sadistically. "Try and steal our emotions, would they?" He laughed some more, before continuing his monologue.

"After we dealt with the changelings, I realized that we were being perceived as weak. Too weak. Before we knew it, another nation would come in and wage war! I would not let that happen. I approached the high council with a plan. We would take Equestria. After all, your country is the most idealistic I have ever had the displeasure of knowing. Conquest would be chick's play - a simple matter a buffoon could strategize for. Yet, the council rejected my plan. They said I was too 'Radical,' and 'Violent,' for their tastes. Idiots!"

Ironfeaters slammed a clawed fist on the table, causing Fluttershy to flinch. "But they don't matter, do they? No, I would show them! I had an army, completely loyal to me and my name! Yes, you were wondering that, weren't you? How did I get an army if the council rejected me? Well, it's quite simple really. Griffin soldiers do not take oaths of loyalty to the country, just to their commanders. This allows wars to be one without bureaucracy getting in the way. So, I took my soldiers, I took my daughter, and I found this magnificent base! And then I thought, why stop with Equestria? Why not show the council who was really in charge?  Why not show the whole world who was in charge? Ever since, my partners and I have plotted your downfall. Within a matter of days, Equestria will burn, and from the ashes I shall rise, like a phoenix!"

"The world will be subject to my every fantasy, my ever whim! I can picture it now!" He wrapped an arm around the bound mare, gesturing grandiosely with the other one. "Isn't it glorious?"

Fluttershy mumbled something.

"What was that?"

"Not really," she said, louder this time.

Ironfeathers' face contorted with rage again, as he growled. His metallic wings spread reflexively, glinting in the dim light. He slapped Fluttershy across the face, his talons leaving light scratches on her cheek. "Ignorant wretch!" he shouted.

He forced the door open again, revealing two soldiers waiting outside. Both looked terrified by the sudden rage he had been consumed by. "I'm done with her for now. Take her to her cell!"

Both of the soldiers saluted, before entering. They grabbed Fluttershy, before dragging her away. Ironfeathers watched. "A wise griffin once said, 'Some just want to watch the world burn.' Well, I suppose we better get ready for the pyrotechnics."

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * *  *  *

"Well, now what?" Willus asked with good reason.

Their hostage was gone - where, nopony knew. Somehow, their enemy had established a fail-safe to prevent them from revealing too much information. Twilight sighed.

"I don't think we have many options. Once we get there, we either try and force our way in or sneak our way in. Neither will be easy,"

"Perhaps I can be of assistance," a female voice said. A sillhouted form appeared, walking towards the group.

"Who are you?" Rainbow asked. "Why should we trust you?"

"Because," the griffin said. "The one who you are trying to defeat is my husband."