Cogs

Iridescence stood unsteadily in the pantry, feeling sick with worry he near collapsed. Wildfire rushed behind him and held him tightly.

"Are you OK?" He asked concerned.

"I may lose valuable assets if this goes badly. I need these ponies alive, conscious, and with relative autonomy." Iridescence said blearily.

"What do you mean?" Wildfire said confused. He lightly brushed through Iridescence's mane, tenderly.

"Just exhausted, and talking for the sake of talking." Iridescence stated shaking visibly.

"What of your parents? Will they react well?"

"Maybe, I think everyone is safe, well mostly everyone, and those that aren't will probably be able to deal with it." Iridescence suddenly sat up determined. "I need to get to my offices in Canterlot. There I will be able to get a grasp of the situation."

"You have offices in Canterlot?" Wildfire looked perplexed at this news.

"Unofficial department of justice offices, I head them, all perfectly low key and all." Iridescence murmured in his sleep deprived delirium. "Only I have to, have to... have to..." Iridescence fell forward asleep. Wildfire gingerly lifted, and carried him through to his bedroom.

Blossomfall sat in his study, nursing a cup of tea. Behind him Shadowbane and her party appeared, light flashing brightly through the room.

"So Platinum finally found an excuse to be rid of me? Jolly good." Blossomfall said distantly, sipping his tea slightly. He span around suddenly, throwing the scalding hot liquid towards Shadowbane. With a twitch of his head, the books flew from the shelves and coalesced into an organic looking sphere of orbiting paper.

Shadowbane nodded meaningfully at the two enforcers, and the three moved to occupy three points in the room. They tensed their bodies to deliver a spell. The books, enveloped in their lime green aura, caught alight through air friction, and the sphere burst outwards, spreading burning paper towards all reaches of the room.

Shadowbane conjured a dark grey wall before her, the books not making a dent in the magical shield. Her counterparts not being as quick on the defensive were torn into with the hot heavy books slamming into them.

Blossomfall stood waiting in the centre of the room, watching for the magical wall to dissipate. Shadowbane released her magic on the spell, redirecting her grey aura to hurl the rich desk with considerable speed. Inches from his face Blossomfall smiled as the entire desk changed into a swarm of large red butterflies, parting around him, before reforming into a desk, and slamming into the door.

Green flames burst from the lanterns on the floor and walls, forming a tightening sphere around Shadowbane. Growing in intensity the light from the fire burned Shadowbane's eyes. The floorboards ripped as she brought the old oak beams up to deflect the fires, extinguishing them, dissipating the heat, the timbers cracked and buckled. The two unicorns stared at each other.

"You're one of the better unicorns I've had the pleasure of arresting." Shadowbane said smiling sweetly. "Months of taking down earth ponies and pegasi has bored me."

"Glad to be of service." Blossomfall said, returning a smile. Forcing his attention to the timbers, a large gust of wind broke through the window, ripping the damaged timbers, forming a wall of glass and splinters. Slicing its way through the room the form cut right through the spot where Shadowbane, had moments ago been standing.

The unicorn mare had teleported directly behind Blossomfall, and had gripped him round his waist. Panicking he directed his torrent of air full of swirling glass and wood upwards, hammering the shards into the ceiling.

With Shadowbane's contact, Blossomfall felt passive and exhausted. Closing his eyes to the world, he collapsed as Shadowbane teleported out, holding him tightly. The desk shifted as Roselyn finally succeeded in breaking through the door. Seeing the departing enforcer, she screamed with fury.

Cotton Flower looked at her watch. Roselyn was late to assess the new arrivals. The other notable unicorns had arrived, and were milling about impatiently. She glanced at the waiting ponies, most were standing heavy with nerves watching the unicorns.

"What in Equestria can she be doing?" Cotton Flower muttered under her breath. She gave a look to the notability behind her. Without Roselyn, she just couldn't see any point.

"Just... go and pick OK." She said unsure.

Howling with rage Roselyn stalked through the kitchen, servants shrinking from view as she stomped through. Behind her Drawers ripped from their counters, cupboards flew open and fell from the walls, metallic objects flying from their hold. Knives, platters, chargers, and pans followed in her wake scraping as a large fluid metal orb.

With a sharp clang she turned and burst through the servants' entrance. With a splintering sound, the metal ripped through the doorframe and shattered the bolts from the ancient wood, adding them to the orb. She crossed the grounds, hooves crunching on the gravel entrance. The gates buckled out of shape, dragging masonry with them they encompassed the orb, crushing the metallic forms, bending pans, shattering knives and forcing everything into sharpened shards.

Roselyn screamed with the effort of holding the form together, and continued her gait through the old town. Standing before an elegant street she released the metal shards, forcing them forward, cutting through the houses as if they were made of paper.

Wildfire violently awoke Iridescence. Through the bedroom window, he saw the maelstrom of metal rushing towards him. Directing the airflow, Iridescence created a thin sliver of a gap in the metal wall.

With a huge force it rushed through the masonry, shattering bricks and wood. Iridescence closed his eyes tight and forced the gap open further, shredding into his flesh, but only grazing the exposed extremities Wildfire watched in awe as the wall passed through them without leaving major damage. Iridescence straining with effort, screamed with the abrasion of the slight contact he received.

Roselyn hoarse with screaming profanities was violently tackled to the ground; a dozen black clad unicorns forcing her to stop moving. Struggling, she forced herself forward another few inches before finally stopping. Seeing Iridescence peering through the window, her rage piqued.

"You did this! You destroyed my family! You ruined these lives! I hope you rot for your crimes!" The strain of her actions finally caught up with Roselyn, and her rage subsided with her passing out. Swarming through, unicorns liberated the injured from their ruined houses.

Gasping for breath Iridescence looked into the compassionate eyes of Wildfire. He gave a weak smile and closed his eyes.

"That's why my family exists. We regulate the unicorns, so that the power doesn't end in anarchy." Iridescence stated in a whisper, before collapsing onto the ruined floor.

Hearing the destruction of the nearby street, Cotton Flower glanced at her charges. They seemed OK, so taking initiative she ran from the building and saw the carnage and debris of a thousand shards ripping through houses. Façades shredded, windows crushed, and ponies screaming in terror and pain. She witnessed the enforcers tackle Roselyn, and continued her run. Forcing herself faster she reached the spot where Roselyn was held. Glancing at the lead enforcer she stood open mouthed.

"What happened here?" Cotton Flower asked breathless; staring at the ruined street.

"That is none of your concern. Please go about your business." The stallion said emotionless.

"That mare is my aunt, and only living relative I choose to acknowledge." Cotton Flower said with force and determine. "I demand you tell me of her."

"She is being apprehended for crimes committed, that have resulted in the endangerment of lives, and the damage of property. I'm sure you can visit her and ask yourself after we conclude our business." With a thrust of his head, he teleported with Roselyn in tow. Cotton Flower looked up at the congressing airships; enforcers appearing and disappearing about the street with the injured and critical.

Wildfire stood over Iridescence holding him tightly as a unicorn entered the room. Seeing the injuries to both ponies, he hastily called out through the ruined wall. Looking back at Wildfire he relaxed slightly.

"Identify your master pegasus." He demanded in a commanding, but gentle manner. Wildfire looked pleadingly up at the unicorn and held the card Iridescence carried with him everywhere. The enforcer took it, and after glancing at the emblazoned crest, felt his panic rise. Walking across to the building threshold he called down to the street below.

"I need immediate assistance in this household!" He shouted commanding. "And bring a scribe!" Wildfire released his grip slightly, and shifted back against the rear wall. Three more unicorns teleported into the room, their black cladding looking morose in the carnage.

"Judging by the fact that the mare directed her rage at this house, I think we have our intended target." The lead enforcer began. "Platinum Falls will not be happy with this."

Holding himself tenderly, Platinum Falls sat aboard his airship, already hating the journey. Golden Jubilee sat next to him holding him lightly. With a bright flash, a note appeared before the pair.

"It is with regret that I inform you that the incident reported in Ponyville, first received last week, was directed at your son. As per policy, the correct note has been sent back to last week, but without including any of the details now known. Iridescence is in a heavily weakened condition and is being transferred to Ponyville Hospital. Regards, incident team leader Truehorn." Golden Jubilee read the note aloud. Platinum falls shifted his weight slightly and sighed.

"It will take an hour to return to Ponyville from this location. I suggest we carry on back to Manehattan, and leave the present ponies to deal with this." He said wearily, feeling too sick to speak at length.

"I agree. Returning now would suggest our family weak, but leaving the situation as it is, it proves our strength. A survived attempt on his life, with near immediate apprehension on the part of the offender is a good image to hold." Golden Jubilee stated in approval. The unicorns, true to their words, remained unconcerned with return.

"Please, allow me to go with him." Wildfire said pleadingly to Truehorn. The unicorn looked at the pegasus with a mixture of disgust and pity.

"It is not usual for a servant to be admitted to the same hospital ward as his master." Truehorn said carefully, "but this situation is far from usual." He looked away and motioned to the enforcers standing with him. "If the hospital agrees, you may stay with him, but I agree to transport the two of you together." He said shaking his head wearily. "For the love of Celestia, get these shifted now!" He demanded of the present unicorns.

* * *

"Good evening master Iridescence, don't try moving just yet, your body needs time to heal. It looked like you had jumped into a sandpaper factory." Iridescence blinked in the bright light, barely noticing the voice of the light pink stallion gazing down on him. Focusing Iridescence noted the hospital noises around him. the steady beep of monitors, the smell of disinfectant, and the glare of the lamps above the bed.

"What happened?" He eventually asked, gasping at the pain of breathing.

"You near successfully deflected a wall of metal shrapnel, had you been more awake you might have even managed it." Iridescence frowned; this remark didn't come from the doctor. "Don't try to move sir, but I'm in the room next to you." Wildfire said calmly. "Wildfire, sir." He added in case there was any confusion

"Oh hells. Roselyn. With her gone there is a power vacuum in Ponyville. I need to get back. I need to go to my offices, I need to get Blossomfall." Iridescence spoke wearily and gingerly, feeling the flesh of his throat and face scream with the movement. "How long?" He asked weakly.

"I can discharge you in the morning. But I would advise against you leaving that soon." The doctor spoke sternly. Iridescence sighed expansively and tested the tightness of his dressings. Realising why he was advised not to move, he stopped trying to sit up.

Work had already begun on repairing the ruined rooms of Ponyville manor, Rouge had contacted the necessary firms on behalf of his now master Spirit Flame.

"You there, earth pony, why is my house not rebuilt yet?" Spirit Flame called out obnoxiously to Rouge.

"Lordship, these things take time, and what with four rooms and an entrance door damaged this is hardly a small repair." Rouge said patiently.

"Fine whatever. I understand mother put Iridescence in hospital. With that in mind I intend to go out. There's a pony I intend on finding." Spirit Flame said in a thick drawl. "Do make sure this is finished at some point."

"Of course, lordship." Rouge said delicately. Spirit Flame trotted calmly through the collapsed wall, smiling as he thought ahead.

Dusk bounced happily as she watched Starfall dress, going for a simple evening gown, in a midnight blue, she looked fabulous.

"I know this absolutely adorable restaurant, the food is just to die for." Starfall said conversationally. "Plus the service don't ask awkward questions."

"That sounds amazing, I can't wait!" Dusk said excitedly. "Will Autumn Lily be OK here by herself?" She asked concerned.

"She nodded when I asked her, and Iridescence's house has seen better days, so I guess so." Starfall said eventually. She smiled at Dusk and motioned towards the door. "Shall we?"

Spirit Flame stood patiently outside Iridescence's house, then as an idea struck him he started trotting towards Carousel Boutique. Where else would he hide an earth pony, but with the biggest sympathiser in town. He paused as the harlot left with her filthy whore in tow, what a stroke of luck, the place would be easier to search now. Focusing, he managed to teleport into the main studio, and began his search.

Autumn Lily hearing the noise, hid under the bed out of desperation. Listening to every clop of his hooves striking the wooden floor. A shadow passed across the doorframe as the assailant walked past. The noise stopped, and with a movement that felt like an age to Autumn Lily the door gradually opened. Spirit Flame smiled, the light from the hallway reflecting in her eyes clearly showing her position.

"Under the bed? Really? That is such a cliché hiding place. It buys you all of two seconds." Spirit Flame said softly. "Don't worry, I won't hurt you, I just want to take you back home." A loud cough behind him startled Spirit Flame. He spun around and saw directly behind him a dark grey pegasus.

"How in Equestria did you manage to do that?" He breathed out in shock. Dusk held out her wings in way of answer. With a steady, slow pace Dusk walked towards the stallion. He threw in front of him the bed sheets, and attempted to run past her through the open doorway. Dusk leaped, and landed heavily on him. Hitting his head against the floor she smiled satisfied. A teleportation flash illuminated the room behind her, and she received a polite tap on the shoulder.

"Need any help with your break in madam?" Shadowbane smiled widely, and took the catatonic Spirit Flame off Dusk's hooves. "How's that for securing Rouge's position?" She asked under her breath.

"Pardon?" Dusk said confused.

"Oh nothing. Just thinking out loud."

* * *

Iridescence Flinched with every movement. One heated debate later and he convinced the doctor to discharge him first thing in the morning.

"Sir, I really do advise you go back in. This will not do you any good." Wildfire said firmly.

"The machine needs to keep working, it needs all of its parts. There is a large hole where a very important cog turned. I need to replace that before the machine fails." Iridescence said through gritted teeth.

"I'm sorry sir but I don't understand any of that."

"Society, Wildfire, society is a balance of influences, a grand machine where the driving force is applied to the cogs and the cogs transfer that force to the outcome. My parents are one of a few driving forces, I am one of the many cogs, and you, dear Wildfire, are an outcome. I transfer the force through me to produce you. Now apply that to the residents of Ponyville Manor. They controlled the orchards, most of the workers' homes, a stake in the transport industry, and a huge employer as a household as well. So many outcomes weigh on their turning as a cog. That gap needs filling or a part of the machine will stop working. If one part fails, the rest weaken and become more likely to fail. Without the influence of Roselyn's outcomes, Cotton Flower will have a significant drop in demand, her outcomes will become redundant, so she as a cog becomes redundant, but that takes out a powerful transfer, because if she fails as a cog then the working cogs don't get their outcomes fuelled. Every part of the machine must work or failure is inevitable." Iridescence sighed and sat down. He had barely walked a metre and already his legs were screaming.

"If the hole isn't filled soon, then other ponies will try to fill it. There is benefit to be had by being that cog, but if they fill it, they neglect their current duty, or worse, won't have the ability to take the new role. There will also be significant interest in that hole, so the remaining major cogs will fight over taking it, this could destroy the machine even faster, for every cog jarring, another outcome fails, for every failed outcome society weakens, for every weakening more cogs fall out, and then the stress of such a gap strains the driving force, and without the driving force the entirety of the machine has to be rebuilt, from nothing but a handful of mismatched parts that don't want to go together. Economic collapse, war, famine, and a lot of suffering for all but the constant drivers, and there are so few of those." Iridescence looked at Wildfire critically.

"Fine, societal collapse, but why does it need you?" Wildfire asked determined.

"Honestly, it doesn't need me specifically. What it needs is a sufficiently powerful cog, to make sure the coming power struggle is won by the right pony. And my parents planned this. They wanted rid of Blossomfall, because without Blossomfall Roselyn would fall, and without them working together they could choose who controlled a very important factory town and employer." Iridescence smiled. "But I'm not going to play their game, I'm getting the pony I want in that position."

Rouge walked Starlight to school, she complained loudly about it, but someone had to look after her. With a nod to Pearl Ring Rouge ambled over to her.

"Tonight should be interesting, I'll have the household staff looking after this little terror." He stated confidently.

"What's it like having no master in a manor just for you?" Pearl Ring asked jokingly

"How do you know about that?" Rouge said taken aback.

"Oh hun, the whole town knows Blossomfall was arrested, Roselyn went off her rocker, and Spirit Flame broke into someone's house and tried to kidnap a servant. That leaves this lovely little lady, and as long as she has a ready supply of chocolate and toys she couldn't care less about giving you orders." Pearl Ring recounted succinctly.

"Well it won't last for long I'm sure, the immediate family will be clawing to get the manor and associated powers."

"Such an optimist. Though the thought did cross my mind. I would like the extra revenue, and I'm sure the manor would be quite nice when it's fixed up." Pearl Ring said slyly.

"Ah but you will be competing with Cotton Flower, the darling niece, like a vulture to a carcass she was already over this morning to check the place out." Rouge said sadly. "This is all moot anyway. The department of Agriculture and Welfare will step in on this one. They'll get the necessary information from Blossomfall and Roselyn as to who the estate should be run by, probably through the department of Justice, and the department of Documentation will amend details as necessary. Ah beaurocracy. Such a wonderful invention."

Iridescence playfully rang the bell repeatedly. Starfall didn't seem all that amused though.

"One day I hope to walk down those stairs to a customer at an ungodly hour, not just an awkward family member hanging around." Starfall said mockingly.

"And I hope for a few pegasi to lie atop me instead of a duvet at night. What's your point?" Iridescence retorted. Starfall let the issue go.

"I was broken into last night. It would appear Spirit Flame wanted Autumn Lily back."

"Oh great." Iridescence said dripping with sarcasm. "The hole is bigger than I thought."

"Hole? What hole?" Starfall asked confused.

"You know how I said I would get you power and political standing? I've decided to get you Ponyville Manor, associated territories, staff, and estate. Would that be sufficient?" Iridescence asked coyly.

"Step into my office." Starfall replied in similar. "What would you want though?"

"Muros Aures Habent. We can talk after." Iridescence smiled slyly. "But if all goes well, you'll have more standing than every pony, but me, in this town."