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MLP: The Battle of Wits

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    A cloudy night looms across the skies all around Tambelon Island; Not a star or the moon itself is within sight at the high hour of Midnight from any town or civilization within this vast kingdom wear harmony shines it's brightest.

    Within Tambelon City, the heart and capital of the entire nation, most of its denizens are safe and snug within their beds at their own respective houses or manors. Very few lights are on, except for those that are lit right above and beside the front doors of each and every home all around the great castle that resides in the very center of it all.

    The night seems both peaceful and quiet, even within the streets that the Tambelon Guard patrol each and every night to ensure all is in order and nothing is out of place.




    "Firmhoof Street looks safe to me...." The one while stallion guard, all decked out in silver-gold armor all around, answers to the next one he passes along his night patrol. "Anything on your end?"

    "The other side looks clear to. Nothing to report, Sergeant!" The mare of blue replies, along with the proper salute to show the respect one soldier much to a higher-ranking officer.

    The stallion returns the salute with his front right leg and then brings it down after just a short moment, "Very good! Well, I guess we can give our report to Captain Solemn Vow once our shift ends in the next hour."

    "Yes, Sir!" The young new recruit accepts without question...but somehow feels a question needing to be asked in the back of her mind, "Forgive me for asking, sir...but I must ask why I have been assigned to this street? I mean, this one seems to be the most quiet at night and not all that interesting."

    "I will have you know, Private, that this street is named after a great spirit that helped the Prince and Princess defeat the evil Emperor that once ruled our very kingdom in Darkness! You should be honored to be placed on patrol here with me!" The earth stallion sergeant of the Tambelon Guard states with great face and firmness in his voice.

    Saluting post haste, the young guard hopes to be forgiven for questioning her superior officer, "Forgive me, sir! I will never speak out of place again, especially when I have been given an honorable route to patroll late at night after only joining up a week ago...SIR!!"

    Satisfied with her response, the stallion nods in approval, "At ease, Private. We still have an hour to go, so lets-"

    "Sir!!" The pegasai mare interupts her commanding officer when she spots when her eyes veared away from his eyes for just a moment, "I saw a figure move over there!"

    "Where?" The sergeant questions upon turning his head...only to see nothing of what one of those within his troop claims to have seen, "I don't see anything!"

    "I know I saw something strange! Follow me...please, sir!" The mare with the keen eye asks in a polite and respectful manner and flies on towards the corner leading into an allyway where she saw the mysterious figure vanish.

    The Sergeant sighs and follows, despite the lead the swift pegasai guard has on him.




    "Hello...?" She calls out into the dark ally where no street lights seem to shine in any corner that can be seen; It is near pitch black down this allyway, and already it puts a small fright into her body...bringing out a shake that she cannot control, "Is...a-a-anypony...there?"

    Searching down the corridor in between these two buildings that probably house a family each, the young guard keeps her eyes peeled for anything off or out of place. However, the sudden sound of something behind her causes her to jump and spin around, "Who is there?!!"

    "Relax...it is just me." The Sergeant states, "You should not run off like that, Private. No telling who you may run into...whether they be citizen or guard."

    "Or something else?" She adds in with a small smile.

    "Indeed~" The earth stallion in armor nods in return to that comment, "Come on, now. We should return to our patrol before we end up searching for something that may not be down there."

    "Yes sir...but...what if it was something important and he, or she, is still down there?"

    "I doubt whatever it was is still there."

    The private tilts her head in confusion, "What makes you believe that, Sir?"

    "Because...what you are looking for is right...." He says, only to stop and point on ahead of them...to where an earth pony in armor lays unconscious. It is the Sergeant. "...here."

    "W-W-What...?!!" She gasps in shock to see both her commanding officer laying on the ground before her...and also beside her. By the time she turns her eyes from the Sergeant on the ground to the one next to her, she gasps once more to see him changing...into another pony: A brownish-grey unicorn stallion, dressed in a black trenchcoat stands before her now...with a wicked grin on his face, "W-W-Who...are you?!!"

    "Any law-enforcer's worst nightmare!!" He snaps and summons a hint of magic from his horn...zapping the mare in the eyes, bringing her to collapse onto the ground.

    Both the stallion sergeant and the mare private of the Tambelon Guard lay upon the ground, unconscious...and all while the mysterious pony walks on passed them and into the street.




    "Some Pride of Tambelon they are." The unicorn stallion snaps and snorts, "Always hoping they would put up more of a challenge...but instead they give me nothing. If the rest of the guards are like this, I could easily take over Tambelon by morning." He smirks and chuckles in a deep and wicked tone, "Too bad that is not what I have planned...."

    Turning his attention to the lamppost before him, a flyer for a play seems to catch his interest, "Hmmm...what do we have here?"


Playing Tomorrow at Six: "The Founding of Tambelon" 
Location: Tambelon Theatre.
Tickets at the Front or Ordered by mail.



    "So...Tambelon will be re-enacting their famous founding?" The unicorn that has just recently commited a crime mutters, "I get the feeling anypony who is anypony...especially the rich ones...will be attending; Possibily even the Royal Family will be there. Either way, this might be the best place for my newest and biggest heist."

    Moving out of the shadows that covered his face, the identy of this unknown pony is revealed: Charade, Master of Disguises.

    "I also know you will be there: My little brother." The wicked and most wanted jewel thief in over many kingdoms across the world chuckles under his breath, "I know you well enough to sense when you are close; It is time we have a little..."Family reunion"...again, after these last five years. And this time...you will not get away!"




Into Dark Street by Hilis




************************************************

THE FOLLOWING EVENING....







    "Our very first date~" Candy Apple, with her long golden mane all brushed and down by her neck, admits with a giggle in her voice...and a blush upon her little pink cheeks, "Ah cannot believe you n' I are havin' our first date...at de Tambelon City Theatre. You excited, Gusty?~"

    Gust, the blue pegasai dawned in his fancy little tuxedo that his parents prepared for his this evening, expresses his excitment with but a blush upon his face, "I...yeah."

    "Whats de matta, Gusty? Got...stage fright?~" Candy teases, realizing how perfect that pun was.

    "Very funny...." Gust smirks and rolls his eyes, trying his best to hold back the chuckle that found this little tease to be hilarious, "It's just...this being our first real date and all...is just...new to me."

    Candy brushes the side of her face against Gust's own, nuzzling him with a warm giggling in her voice, "It is...new ta me too, Gusty. But...Ah am happy ya asked me to dis here play. Thank ya...so much."

    Gust blushes and returns the nuzzle with his own, "You're welcome, Candy. I know this night will be all the better with you by my side." He admits, only to hear the sound of somepony that frightens him whenever he is in trouble clearing their throat loud enough for him to hear; This very sound is more of a signal to remind him of something he has forgotten to say. "Oh...!! Uh...Candy?"

    "Yes, Gusty?"

    "You...You look...very beautiful this night; Your new dress looks pretty on you too." Gust confesses, blushing in response to himself giving such a warm and kind compliment to his marefriend.

    "Awwwwww...." Candy giggles once more, blushing even brighten than the apples grown on her farm of Applelulu...and turns her head to where it faces Gust's face. There, she pecks his cheek with her soft lips and smiles, "Thank ya...my Gusty~"

    Gust's reaction is but a blush that is now redder than ever before. The feeling of a soft kiss upon his cheek brings him to remember the first time Candy kissed his cheek: When they first became a couple. He smiles with satisfaction that he gave a wonderful compliment...and continues to walk beside the mare he cares for more than anything, all while they stroll on down the sidewalk towards the theatre.





    "That's my little colt~" Rainbow Dash admits while she and her husband, Soairn, walk alongside one another...a little ways behind their son and his beloved marefriend. "He almost forgot to compliment Candy on her dress...which I am sure her parents went through a lot of trouble to buy for her. Glad I had to remind him~"

    "Yeah, I guess." Soarin shrugs and smiles, "Still, it does seem a little awkward that we are going with them on their date."

    Rainbow Dash smirks at her husband's remark, but shakes her head, "He is still too young to be going off on his own; Fourteen is still not high enough for our little Gust to be waltzing around Tambelon without somepony to watch him."

    "I guess you may be right-"

    "I think you mean: I AM right~" Rainbow Dash, even as pretty as she may be all dressed up in her finest Wonderbolt uniforn with her mane all flowing out, remainds her stallion with a small glare to show that her days of being lazy and irresponsible are over...and that she is a loving, yet strict mother and wife.

    Soairn's mane of dark blue stands up on end from that little stare his wife gives to him...bringing him to gulp and nod his head post haste, "Yes of course, sweetie!! You...are always right!" He smiles, sweating a little...hoping not to sweat too much or his suit may be ruined before the play even starts tonight. "Oh, and I guess I forgot to mention...that you look very pretty, and cool, in that dress; 20% more than you look each and every day of our lives.

    Rainbow smiles and giggles in response to her husband's silly reaction, and nuzzles his cheek, "Thank you, Soarin. You are so sweet when you say such things." She grins and kisses his cheek...proving that someponies need a little reminder now and then.

    "And you are just as sweet as you are awesome." Soarin admits and blushes. "I love you...my beautiful Rainbow Dash."

    "I love you too...Hotstuff~"





    "We're here~" Candy announces to her coltfriend and his parents that are not too far behind them.

    The family of Wonderbolts all come to a halt and turn their gazes upward...to the theatre and the letters above on the board that say "The Founding of Tambelon" displayed for all to see. Not only that, but the lights all about and the ponies and other fancy citizens already making their way inside proves just how big this even just may be.

    "I guess we should head on in and find ourselves our seats." Gust suggests to his mother and father...and his marefriend. 

    "Then lets go~" Candy suggests as well, and pulls her coltfriend on inside with her. "Ah know we all ordered our tickets early...so no need ta wait in line~"

    




*************************************************




    

    Once inside the main hall just passed the front box office where the tickets are sold, the sight of a large gathering of many upper and middle class citizens of Tambelon City...of pony and other species...with most dressed up in their finest tuxedoes and dresses their own bits can buy are within sight of the family of Wonderbolts; Most of the outfits decorated upon each and every pony in such a unique style makes it easy to tell that many of these came from none other than the most fabulous and ever-creative unicorn in all of Tambelon:

    "Rarity!" Rainbow Dash calls out to her best friend once her red eyes spot her, "Heh, never thought I would see you and Spike here."

    "Oh, Rainbow Darling...perish the thought." Rarity, the fair and beautiful white unicorn all prettied up and dressed up in such a fine dress that sparkles with the gems decorated upon it, replies with grace while keeping her elegant pose, "I would never miss out on such an artistic performance that happens to be on the very foundation on which this kingdom was created on."

    Spike, wearing the finest suit his wife could make for him, smirks with a sigh, "That...and you wanted to show off your latest design in order to gain more customers. Am I right, my Lady Rairty?~" The noble dragon teases with beloved wife.

    Replying with but a nervous chuckle, Rarity's little powdered cheeks turn red from the blush she displays for her husband, "Well...maybe...but one must keep everypony updated with my latest fashion. Right...Spikey-Wikey?~"

    "Yes, indeed~" Spike returns the blush with his own and smiles.

    Both Rainbow Dash and Soarin get a kick out of this little moment between the two most-recognized fashion designers in all of Tambelon...and known beyond as well. Knowing that this unicorn and dragon are responsible for many of tonight's guests fabulous outfits will make this night all the more beautiful...along with the play itself.

    "Well, it is still nice to see you both here tonight." Soarin expresses his respect for his friends and fellow neighbors, "So...is anypony else here?"

    "Why yes, Soarin darling." Rairty answers with grace once more, "Our dear friends, Princess Twilight and Prince Courageous, are already seated with their daughter Starlight; Applejack and Fluttershy are here as well...plus our dear friends Pinkie Pie and Cheese Sandwich."

    "That's wonderful." 

    "Indeed it is." Spike concurs, "We should be able to see them later during intermission; Everypony is already beginning to take their seats...so we should get going too."

    Rainbow Dash nods her head and smiles, "I agree on that one, Spike." She then turns her head around, looking for something or somepony that is not there, "Is Delicacy here, by chance?"

    "Why yes she is~" Rarity expresses with a warm smile, "She is here with her dear friend Godric; The kind and handsome little griffin asked her out on a date to this very play...and they should be somewhere around here. I do not believe they have taken their seats yet- Oh, there they are!~"

    The proud parents turn their attention over yonder by the snack table that has been laid out for the guests, and notice the two sets of teenage couples already conversating the same way they are.





    "Howdy dere, Delicacy. How are ya n' Godric doin?" Candy Apple expresses a warm greeting to her best unicorn friend...all while admiring the lovely dark-purple dress she dawns for her date and this very event happening here at the theatre.

    "Well hello, Candy darling." The lovely purple unicorn replies in a polite and graceful manner to the best friend and leader of her group of best friends, "And hello to you as well, Gust. I must say...you both look very ravishing tonight~"
    
    "Thank ya, Kindly. Ah can only say ya both look de same too~"

    "Awww...thank you, darling~"

    Gust smiles in response to Delicacy's kind and generous words...all while his attention now turns to the left to where the taller griffin stands before him upon his own talons and paws, "Good to see you too, Godric. How have you been, buddy?"

    "Pretty good, thanks." A smile forms upon his beak as Delicacy's date shares a friendly conversation with the pegasai his age of fourteen, "So...you two excited about seeing this play based on the founding of our home?"

    "Darn tootin we are!" Candy expresses, "Mama always said dere aint nothin better dan a little history lesson on how our kingdom was founded by de ponies, griffins, zebras, and all de rest!"

    "I quite agree with you there, Candy darling." Delicacy concurs, "Such an event is all the more reason to dress in such fine attire and grace this wondrous place with ouu presence in such high hopes of a successful form of entertainment and understand."

    "Well said, Delicacy~" Godrick compliments his best friend and date.

    "Thank you, Godric dear~"

    Retuning with a warm smile, Godric suddenly releases a sigh and shakes his head a little, "I can only hope that everypony here will take heed from what will be playing tonight."

    "What do you mean by that?" Gust asks the question to the confusing statement.

    "Well...this play is suppose to be how so many species came together during an era of seperation and distrust among so many." Godric explains based on his analysis, "The reason I say this is because of the recent trouble with with Centaur; More likely everypony else have problems with them over something that is not their fault...and took place so long ago."

    Gust, Candy, and Delicacy all come to concur with what Godric describes with such truth in his voice.

    "You all should have gotten here sooner," The bright griffin says onto the couple before him, "The way the ponies and more were glaring at the few centaur that came here to attend the play...was not a very pleasant one."

    "I agree: It was very rude and very unpony-like." Delicacy joins in with her griffin friend, "Mom and Daddy showed the proper respect...as did Starlight and her parents. But everypony else...were just so disgraceful."

    "Mmmhmmm. I can only hope that the lesson that will be taught here tonight will help them to see the truth behind it all: The centaur are just like all of us...and we can be friends with them too."

    Candy and Gust nod in agreement...hoping the very same.




    "Delicacy~" the voice of the fabulous fashion designer, and mother of the unicorn she refers too, calls from just a few hoof-steps away. "Godric~" Rairty also calls the young griffin she is so happy to see with her daughter, "The show is about to start. Best we make our way to our seat~"

    "Lets go, guys." Spike says, motioning with his claws.

    "Coming, Mom. Coming Daddy~" Delicacy replies to her parents, by while keeping her attention on her two best friends, "Looks like we best make our way inside and find our seats. Starlight, Tyke, and Shani already came in with their parents...and sat down eariler; If only we could have spent some time together before the showing...but maybe during intermission we could~"

    "Sounds like a plan ta me, Delicacy." Candy Apple concurs, "Sorry we got here so late...but Ah know we all will have some time ta chat before de show is over."

    "Mmmhmm~" The beautiful little teenage unicorn replies with a giggle, "I hope so too~"

    "Come on, everypony. We better hurry before the show starts and we miss the grand opening." Godrick insists, turning himself downs the doors where everypony else is heading on through...including his own parents.

    "Lets go den!" Candy states, excited much the same way her friends are feeling from the expressions they are showing. "Ah cannot wait. Right, Gusty?~"

    "Yeah!" The proud little pegasai agrees while his eyes and smile remain on the young mare he cares for very much. However, his sights veer away when he spots somepony over by the table where the punch bowl and other snacks reside...and notices how familiar that pony seems, "Is...Is that...?"

    "What?" Candy asks, turning her head to look where her coltfriend is staring, "What do ya see?"

    Gust just walks past his marefriend and on over to the table where the earthpony dressed in a simple brown vest is standing...and smiles ever wider to the familiar sight that now comes in clear, "It is him...!"






*********************************************
   





    "C-Clever...Wits?" Gust speaks up upon his approach to the earth stallion with the roll of duct tape for a cutie mark upon his flank. Knowing there is no pony else with such a symbol, the young teenager tries to grab the attention of said pony once more, "It is you...isnt it?"

    "Hmmm?" The stallion with the sandy mane turns from the table of delicious snacks to the one calling his name. The moment his golden eyes gaze upon the well dressed teenage colt and the lovely little mare with him, he answers upon swallowing his food, "I'm sorry...but do I know you? You...You do look familiar...."

    "Its me...Gust? Don't you remember?" Said pegasai tries to help remind the older stallion of their past adventure, "I was there with you and Daring Do and we got out of that trap set up by...oh...what was his name again-Charade! That's who it was!"

    Needing only a few seconds to recall a memory from around five years ago, the pony agent named Clever Wits of a secret organization that polices the world and tracks down dangers criminals...remembers. "Oh yeah!! You are that young colt that got all tied up with me and my sister Daring Do! Wow...its...its been a long time. You are...older now than from last time."

    "Hehehe, yeah." Gust admits, posing a little to show off his young adult features...especially for his marefriend, "Oh, and this is my best friend...and marefriend...Candy Apple." He introduces Clever to his special somepony...then turns to Candy to introduce her the same way in return, "Candy...this is Clever Wits: The one I told you about whom I helped tag along with Daring Do years ago."
    
    Candy gives a polite curtsey and smiles, "Nice ta meet ya, Mr. Wits...and Ah recall ya braggin about spendin time with Darin' Do n' her broder last time Ah remember de tale. Not quite sure...since ah was so confused about Clever bein' somepony else...or was dat....?"

    "Oh yeah. Well, the Clever Wits I first encountered was actually a jewel thief named Charade...who has the ability to change forms at will; Much like how the Changelings do, but he is not one." Gust explains...and then turns back to Clever, "As a matter of fact...how do we know you are not just Charade in disguise like last time?"

    Clever's old reaction is but a chuckles and a shake of his head, "That is very smart of you to be cautious: It is hard to tell when one is in disguise using such rare magic...and Charade is no expection. But I assure you I am THE Clever Wits and younger brother of Daring Do."

    "Prove it."

    Nodding his head, Clever uses a few seconds of time to recall something that only he would know and not Charade, "Well, I remember after we were rescued that I hugged my sister and was so happy to see her again. I even remember the book she wrote on that very adventure...and the first editions she sent me and you, if I recall, right before they were published for the world to read."

    "Heh, that's right." Gust approves upon remembering that very book he keeps upon his bookshelf back home in a safe place...as a reminder for the adventure he has with Daring Do, much as his own mother did long ago, "I guess you are Clever Wits then. Very few ponies knew about that."

    "Yeah, I would believe so." Clever concurs, "But anyway...it was nice to see you again, and you too Candy, but I must return to my current mission."

    "Mission? What mission is dat?" Candy questions.

    Clever shakes his head and turns away from the teenage couple, "I really cannot say. It is of great importance...."

    "Is it about Charade?" Gust guesses with the most likely answer, "I mean, it has to be...right? Right?"

    "You dont really know much about the meaning "Top Importance", do you Gust?" Clever turns his head...feeling that he is sure to be asked over and over by this young colt who is so much like his mother, Rainbow Dash. "A.K. told me about how your mother followed her on an adventure and almost got her in trouble, all because she was quite the fanpony...right?"

    "Well...yeah! Still, I really want to know what is going on...and if I can help!"

    "Sorry, Gust...but this mission I am on is for agents like me to handle without allowing it to become a catastrophy...especially with the current events going on right now." Clever insists, "I know what is going on with the whole thing between the Tambelon Citizens and the centaur; This play is suppose to be a big event to help everypony understand that every species in the world are equal...and should be friends. If something were to interfere with this...well, I just don't want that happening. So...I need you to take your marefriend and go enjoy the production while I search for...well...my target. Now please...I have to get going."

    "But-"

    "No!" Clever states with a stomp of his hoof, "I will not involve you or even my sister, who is elsewhere in the world on another adventure, when this mission is mine alone; I am taking this risk to ensure nopony gets hurt...so...I have to bid you both a farewell." With that, the agent known as Clever Wits turns his tail to the teenagers and walks down the opposite direction to another area of the theathre...leaving them behind in a puzzled state.





    "I don't like this...one bit!" Gust states with a snort, "Clever never use to be like...that!" 

    "Ah don't know, Gusty." Candy shrugs, "Clever Wits seems determined ta do what he has ta in order fer use ta be safe. He did say times today are fragile with da centaur and all...so maybe we should just head on into the auditorium and just let him-"

    "I can't...!" Gust states, feeling a rising determination of responsibility forming within his little pony body of blue, "It just...didn't feel right. Last time I saw Clever, he was kind and helpful. But this one is...just not the same."

    Candy Apple merely shakes her head, "Gusty...he could just be concerned and trying ta protect us. Besides, ya only knew him fer a short while long ago...so how do ya know is dis is a way he would act or not?"

    "I don't know...unless...."

    "Unless what?"

    Gust turns his sights to the hallway Clever departed down...and takes a fresh breath of air, "What if...that was actually Charade?"

    "What...?"

    "Think about it," Gust turns to his marefriend to explain, "The last time I encountered Charade, he was in disguise of Clever Wits! He tricked both me and Daring Do into the ruins where the real Clever was being held...where he tried to get rid of us. So...what if that was him again, and he is trying to get us NOT to follow him in order to proceed with plans to...I don't know...ruin the play?"

    Candy just stands there, still unsure about this, "Ah don't know, Gusty. Ah mean, what if da was Clever and he is on an important mission ta stop Charade? Maybe we should let him handle it...?" She suggests, turning her head back to the double doors that lead into the auditorium where their families and friends have already entered. "Besides...Ah really wanted dis here night ta be special: Our first date...watchin a play dat will help all of Tambelon understand an important lesson."

    "I know, Candy...and I really want to." Gust turns to his marefriend with understanding upon his face, "But what if I am right: What if that was Charade and he is planning to ruin the play? The whole date will be ruined anyway...and we were the only ones that could save stopped him somehow?"

    Despite how much this night means to the little pink teenage mare, the words her handsome coltfriend do seem to make sense...especially if he is correct about all of this, "Well...if ya think dat the play and our date may be in trouble, den Ah believe ya...Gusty."

    "You...You do?"

    "Eeyup...!" Candy states, supporting him with hope that he is right about this, "Yer mah coltfriend; My special somepony. If ya say dat might be dat dere jewel-thief that messed with ya long ago, den lets go after him!"

    "Yeah!!" Gust nods his head, giving his marefriend a quick nuzzle to her cheek, "Your the best, Candy!"

    "Thank ya, kindly...Gusty~"

    "Come on...lets go after Clever...if that is him." Gust says to his marefriend. Together, they sneak away from the crowd...and hope that nopony will notice them missing before the play starts or sometime during; With the safety of success for this play hanging by a thread, these two little ponies hope to save it for the sake of the future.







***************************************************
 

    

    

    Within the Auditorium where everypony begins taking their seats all over, soft sounds of music fill the air all around to help bring a relaxing sensation to all those who have gathered here this evening. 

    All around the seats become filled with the various citzens and their respetive classes they are among: The high-class citizens who dress in their fancy and rich suits and dresses...and the middle-class that come dressed casual. While the Royal Family, plus the Changeling Queen...and the two young heirs of both...all sit high above in the box that overlooks the stage from the side, the friends of said families all side around the front...which happen to be the best seats in the house.





    "Glad you all could make it~" Pinkie Pie expresses to her best friends and the young ones all sit down in the front along with her, "Are you guys excited? Oh, I am so excited I should just get up on stage and show it right now!!~~" 

    "Uh...I uh...don't know about that, Pinkie." Fluttershy suggests from the seat behind the hyperactive pink pony...hopping about in her seat.

    "Never thought ah'd say dis...but ah do hope fer some thrills in dis here show!" Applejack hopes while seated in the seat beside her timid best friend Fluttershy.

    "I know, right!" Rainbow Dash concurs, "Still, I just hope this show will not be boring or anything; Hate to have everypony just get up and leave when Twilight and Courageous went through so much to put this show together in only a month."

    Soarin, sitting beside his wife, agrees, "Yeah. Well...the Royal Family, our friends, probably know what they are doing...so lets just relax and enjoy the show with our foals."

    Rainbow Dash smiles onto her handsome husband, only to notice the pair of empty seats beside him, "Uhm...where is our son and Candy?"

    "Hmm?" Soarin tilts his head, only to turn it from the right from where his eyes are upon Rainbow, to the left where he notices the same thing: Two empty seats that should have both his son and his date within. "Oh...I...don't know."

    "Yeah, Rainbow...where is mah niece?" Applejack raises an eyebrow when her ears pick up the mention of Candy nor Gust being within the sight of any pony eyes, "Ah hope ya'll are watchin dem; Since mah broder and Cheerilee couldn't make it, Ah promised ta look after her...even though Ah'm sure ya both have dat covered...Ah hope?"

    "Relax, AJ!" Rainbow Dash calms her best friend and rival down, "The show has twenty minutes before starting. I'm sure those two are chowing down on the snacks laid out outside in the entry; Last time I checked, Candy has an stomach much like you and Big Mac...and Gust is the same too when it comes to filling up before a long show."

    Releasing a great sigh, the honest earth mare slides down in her seat and shrugs, "Ah guess. Hopefully dey will get in here before the doors close; Dose better not try to sneak out or anythin or...dey will never hear de end of it from me!"

    "Don't worry. This is Candy and Gust's first date," Soarin informs the worrysome best friend of his wife, "I doubt they would want to miss this for anything else."






**************************************************

    MEANWHILE....







    "Where de hay did he go, Gusty?" Candy whispers to her coltfriend while she and him sneak down the hallway...hiding behind any potted plants or such available to masque their presence.

    "I don't know...but I saw Clever head down this way." Gust replies with his voice in a hushed tone. "He has to be here somewhere...."

    The teenage pegasai and earth-pony continue to sneak from one point over cover to the next...all while moving down the hallway that no doubt leads to the back parts of the stage. Even with the few doors they pass, none of them seem to spot the stallion that should not have been too far ahead.

    "Wait...I think I see him!" Gust says in a voice that only his marefriend can here, "Look...!" He says with a point of his right hoof.

    Candy Apple sets her sights on further down the hallway and notices a sandy-brown pony opening a door and entering...leaving it open just a ways. "Ah see him, Gusty."

    "Come on...lets follow him and see just where it is he is going."

    The two ponies walk on ever quiet hooves across the carpet below them...right up to the door where a sign in bold print says "Backstage and Utilities" upon it.

    "Not sure why Clever would go down dere, but dis is where the props for de stage and de lightin's n' all are controlled." Candy informs his coltfriend once they both aware aware of where his passages leads, "Somethin is up...Ah will say dat."

    "I agree. Lets take a closer look." Gust suggests, flapping his wings in order to fly down the stairs leading down to the basement and where their target awaits; The thought of scouting from a higher point comes to his mind and may help make spotting any trouble makes it worth going for.





    Decending the staircase to the lower rooms of the basement right under the stage, Candy and Gust spot a few more doors along small hallway that might just be where the props and other items are stored during each play. However, the one thing that catches their eyes is the one door that is open.

    "He must have gone in there...." Gust whispers to his marefriend, feeling they are close to their destination.

    "Ah am guessin yer right, Gusty. If Ah know any better, Ah say dat is de room that is directly under the stage...where dey control most of what goes on up dere." 

    "That's bad then, Candy. We have to stop him...if that is Charade, which it is starting to seem that way."

    Candy Apple, both a smart and strong young mare, is still unsure what Gust may be feeling...and cannot decide whether or not she wants him to be right or wrong; Somewhere in the middle perhaps. However, this does not stop her from wanting to be by his side and help him out before the play begins, "Eeyup. Ah guess we will just have ta wait and see."

    Nodding, Gust sneaks on down the hallway and to the door, while keeping his back to the wall to appear more as if he is trying to stay in stealth. However, the moment he peaks his head on into the room where a tank of strange liquid and controls that run the mechanics of the stage itself...a shocking gasp escapes his throat when the sight of a few ponies, who were no doubt a part of the play, are lying upon the floor...unconscious.

    "What da hay...?!" Candy gasps when she peaks on in too, "What is dis...?"

    "Did...Did Clever do this...?" Gust questions and moves on into the prop and control room, hoping to find whom he is searching for, "Clever!!"

    Suddenly, the very pony Gust searches for pops up from behind the tank and gasps upon the two young teenagers he spots, "Gust? Candy? What are you two doing here?! I told you to not get involved!!"

    Refusing to listen, Gust stomps his front hoof and glares at the pony he thought he could trust, "I will not listen to you after you lied to us, Clever...

    Candy Apple, now in full belief that her coltfriend has been right from the evidence all around her, follows his lead and stomps her hoof too, "...or should Ah say: Charade!!"

    "What?!" The pony accussed of being somepony else replies with a confused look upon his face.

    "You called...?~" A deep voice from the shadows to their left calls out in question, only to add a devious chuckle to it.

    "Wha...?!" All three ponies gasp when they hear the voice...only to find themselves unable to react beyond turning their heads to see just whom it was called out to them.

    A pony wearing a dark hood and cloak of black levitates a rope net in the air, hinting that he can use magic, and launches it at the two teenagers, wrapping them up tight the way fish would be; A trap without the need to spring one. Clever however, is magically pushed back into a crate of fireworks, with the lid shutting tight and nailed shut...thanks to the magic of the mysterious pony.

    "No...!!" Clever Wits gasps upon now being trapped inside a box made of wood, and unable to move very much.

    "Aggghh!!!" Candy and Gust scream just a little, all while trying to squirm around and break free...but to no avail.

    "Well...that was just too easy!" The shaded figure states, moving out of the shadows and pulling off the cloak that covered his head. Who stands there now is but the stallion with a long, light purple mane with a wicked grin upon his face as he stares at the three prizes he has caught: Charade. "Looks like the cat is out of the bag...or more likely "in" the bag now~" He jokes and chuckles a wicked laugh onto the ponies he has captured and are helpless to escape their own prisons.





    "Let us outta here!!" Gust demands demands, squirming around in the net and kicking around with his back legs.

    "Easy dere, Gusty!" Candy informs while trying to get comfortable, "Ya might kick me...and Ah don't think we are gonna buck our way out of dis one."

    Charade summons forth his magic to levitate the two ponies trapped within the net onto a hook tied to a rope, "You might wanna listen to your marefriend there...Gusty~"

    "Now hold up dere!" Candy snaps upon hearing the one name she calls her coltfriend being said by another...especially a criminal like this one that has them trapped in a net, "Nopony calls mah Gusty by dat name but me!"

    "Yeah!" Gust retorts.

    "Oh, put an apple in it!" Charade replies with a roll of his eyes, and his hoof pushing against the trapped couple...causing them to spin around a bit.

    Both Candy and Gust feel dizzy from the spining and cannot bring themselves to shout or talk back to this jewel thief...even while he has the upper hoof in all of this.

    "Let them go, Charade!!" Clever barks from within the wooden crate filled with many fireworks, "I am the one you want! Leave them out of this!!"

    "And let them run off and bring back the guards or something? I don't think so~" Charade taunts and levitates the crate onto another hook upon a rope right next to where and Candy are tied up tight in a net. "Since Gust here decided to get involved much the same as he did last time, it is only fitting he shares the consequences as you. Besides, I have him to thank for this: Since I was preparing my plans in here and was not expecting you to stop me, his little shouting allowed me to capture you all."

    "No...." Gust mutters and shakes his head, "I...I never wanted...."

    "Oh, you did! Just as before: You seek adventure that it has landed you...and now your marefriend...into my trap once more." Charade taunts once more, "And I didn't even need to mascarade as my little brother again...and still you thought he was me. Such a fool!"

    Feeling the guilt of putting Candy and Clever into this situation, when it all could have been avoided, brings both his wings and his ears down low. No words can he speak from what he now realizes was his fault.

    "Don't listen to him, Gusty!" Candy tries to reach deep inside to help her coltfriend see, "Ah don't regret dis...even if we are trapped in dis here net."

    "That is so cute!" Charade scoffs and summons forth his magic to activate the controls nearby, "Lets see how you feel once everypony in the audience sees you now! After all, I did have one plan in mind to steal all the riches from the richest ponies gathered here...but thanks to you two...best friends of the Royal Family...I have the perfect leverage!"

    The floor beneath them begins the rise...as the celling above reveals to be a sliding door wide enough to raise the lower stage and bring them up for all to see. 

    "Time for a new show to begin!!"






*********************************************






    The play "The Founding of Tambelon" still has officially around another six minutes before it begins...and everypony in the audience is surprised when the curtains open so early. Yet, some seat themselves and start to clap their hooves together in applause for the performance the Royal Family of Tambelon set up for all to see...until they gasp as to what is now being witnessed by everypony.

    The sight of a tank of pink liquid being raised up onto the stage, where the already laidout stage props were set up for this play, shock and confuse the audience even more than before; Some wonder if this is part of the play or something new.

    However, the moment everypony notices a unicorn stallion upon the stage, cloaked in black and holding a microphone close to his lips with the help of his magic, standing at the edge of the stage...answers to what is going on just may begin.




    "Attention, Ladies and Gentlecolts...citizens and species of all ages!! I must regret to inform you that your beloved play has been cancelled...in favor of something far more entertaining for everypony tonight!!~" Charade reveals to all who sit or stand within the audience.

    Each and everyponys' reaction are that of gasps and murmuring among each other in confusion. But out of everypony who cannot believe what is going on, the Prince and Princess of Tambelon seem to not agree with what this unknown pony is trying to pull...epseically after all the hard work put into this play.

    "On what authority do YOU have the right to cancel our play?!!" Prince Courageous Heart yells in question to the pony upon the stage.

    "Do you honestly believe that we will let you go through with that?!" Princess Twilight Sparkle shouts, supporting her husband with such irritation and annoyance to this rude and selfish interuption.

    "Oh...?~" Charade chuckles and summons his magic from atop his head where his horn resides, "I believe...THIS DOES!!!" He shouts and magically pulls the level from down below to force both the crate containing his brother, Clever Wits, and the two young couple trapped in the net up and onto the stage for all to see. The brilliant and ruthless criminal then proceeds with changing the direction from up to across...moving his two prisoners right above the tank of pink liquid where it is only a short drop in.




    "Candy?!!" Applejack gasps upon witnessing her precious niece is the unfortunate pony trapped within the net.

    "Gust?!!" Soarin cries out in shock once his eyes gaze upon his son hanging above a tank of unknown pink water or something.

    "NOOOOOoooooooooo!!!" Rainbow Dash moves her hooves to her head and screams at the sight of her little colt in danger. "THAT'S MY SON!!!"

    Everypony all around from the seats below to the Royal Box above all gasp in shock when they see the two little ponies trapped inside the net that dangle above what might appear to be a bad kind of liquid; What it is exactly is unknown to everypony...but might be identified by any mare who knows any form of liquid for shampoo or beauty products.

    "IF ANYPONY SO MUCH AS GETS OUT OF THEIR SEAT, I WILL RELEASE THE CONTROLS AND THESE TWO...PLUS THE PONY INSIDE THE CRATE BEFORE YOU...WILL FALL INTO THIS TANK OF COAT-REMOVER!!!" Charade screams loud as his lungs can, even into the microphone that applifies said volume, "AND THIS IS THE KIND THAT WILL TAKE A COAT MANY MONTHS TO GROW BACK!!"

    More gasps fill the room, especially from Rarity and her daughter who both faint when the mention of such a horrible fate reaches their ears: For a pony to love their mane and coat...and be a hairless pony for months is one path nopony in all of the world would want to go. Even everypony in this very auditorium cannot fathom the thought of wanting the two teenage ponies trapped in the net...and the one in the crate...to endure such a horrible thing.

    "Now...if you wish to keep the coats on these ponies, whom I know are friends of the Royal Family themselves, each and every one of you ponies and more will give up all the gold, jewels, and rich items you possess on you right THIS MOMENT!!!" Charade demands, barking into the microphone, "And if anypony tries to make a move, and I will drop all three ponies into this coat-remover...and I know there is way to save them all with magic or speed! So...WHAT SAY YOU, DENIZENS OF TAMBELON?!!!"

    To everypony in the audience all around, Charade is corret: There is no possible way to reach Gust and Candy before they fall into the coat-remover; Speed would not reach them, the crate, or even the pony holding all the strings without sacrificing one. With some of the best in the art of magic and speed all spread about, there is no way to communicate in a multi-task rescue at once. The chances of saving the three ponies and apprehending the villain all at once...seems hopeless.

    Since there is nothing that can be done at this moment...everypony may have no choice but to give in.





*****************************************






    "I cant...I can't let Charade get away with this!!" Clever Wits states within his mind that is at the same time trying to hatch a plan to break out of this crate and save Gust and Candy. "I have to do something before Tambelon gives into him and he gets away with it!!"

    
Realizing strength to escape is not going to help in this situation, Clever ceases any and all struggling and turns his intelligence...which is higher than that of both his sister Daring and his brother Charade...and scopes about the insides of the crate for something to help him out. It only takes a few seconds to spot it:

    "The fireworks!!" He says within in order to not break the element of surprise, "I can use it to blow the lid off the side and get out in order to save my friends. Just need to combined a few so the explosion is not too big, and something to light them with." Opening the brown vest that contains a few items hidden with his inside pockets, Clever pulls out the a small roll of duct tape...his favorite tool...a pocket knife, and a watch. "Perfect! I just hope this works."

    
Gathering up around six of the strongest fireworks that alone have little power, but together enough to blow open the side lid, Clever uses the duct tape to strap them all together...and places them within a hole that so conveniently happens to be on the very spot where the lid is. As for the rest of the fireworks, the sandy stallion pushes them away to the other side to avoid having them set off be accident.

    "Now...to light them." Clever thinks to himself, and turns his eyes to the light that is shining through the crate. "The stage lights are still on and just may be bright and hot enough to use to light the fuse." Opening the blade of his pocket knife, Clever turns to the lens upon the watch his sister gave to him for his last birthday, "Sorry, Daring." Aiming the tip of the blade to the edge, Clever remove the lens without breaking it...and smiles, "Now I have my source to light this and get the hay out of here."

    
Holding the lens at the right angle of the light shining in through the top of the crate, Clever aims it at the fuse...and prays this will work. 

    "Come on...!!"

    
Just then, the fuse lights and Clever drops everything...save for his pocket knife that he now has a tight grip on the handle within his mouth...and ducks in cover for the moment to spring.

    In just a few seconds, the fireworks blow and the lid flies off.




    "WHAT?!!" Charade gasps at the sound of an explosion coming from the crate that holds his brother, and gasps when he not witnesses the lid blown off and Clever leaping out of the box and onto the rope holding Gust and Candy up, "NO!! HOW...?!!"

    "You underestimate me too much...Brother!!" Clever shouts the best he can while the blade is still in his mouth...and swings the rope back and forth fast enough and cuts the rope as fast as he can.

    The rope snaps at the right moment and both Clever and the teenage couple within the net swing forward towards the front of the stage, missing the edge of the tank by an inch. Landing upon the wooden floor, the three ponies have escaped and are now out of harms way.

    "You saved us, Clever!!" Gust expresses his graditude.

    "Eeyup!! Way ta go!!" Candy joins in, so thankful to be keeping her beautiful coat and mane.

    The crowd cheers for Clever and his successful rescue and now realize it is safe to move and save the young ponies...and see that Charade pays for what he has done. As for the brilliant agent and his brilliant mind that has saved the day...at least the two young ponies...now stands and faces his brother, ready to end this.


The Show [REQUEST] by PaperKoalas




    "Its over, Charade! Looks like your big heist ends here in failure!!" Clever taunts his older brother, stomping his hoof...and charging right at him. 

    Grunting, Charade is knocked back into the side of the tank; He is surprised to have be pushed down by his own younger brother. What is worst is that the magic that was still holding the controls and more at once goes off...and he fires a beam up into the rafters above. This causes the lights and the ropes tied to them to fall, starting a chain reaction that does a great deal of damage to the stage itself.

    "Get off me!!" The angered Master of Disguises roars and kicks Clever off him and right on over to where Soarin, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack help Gust and Candy out of the net.

    "Are ya'll alright?!" Applejack asks with great concern.

    "Eeyup! Ah'm alright, Aunt Applejack." Candy responds with a shake of her body after being cooped up in that net longer than she liked.

    "Yeah...." Gust replies and gasps when Clever lands before them, "Clever!!"

    Rainbow and Soarin try to help him up, but gasp when they witness Charade approaching them with great rage aimed at them...all while his horn is lights up with whatever magic he plans to fire at them all.

    Just then, another light from above falls and breaks through the floor...snagging one of the ropes that fell upon the stage and taking it with it. That very rope that Charade steps around wraps around his mind leg unexpectedly and causes him to slip and fall forward...and be pulled hard backwards and down the hole to the bottom that is quite a ways down from the stage above.

    "CLEVEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!" Charade cries out louder without any need of a microphone...as he is pulled down below where the impact of the floor awaits him.

    After such a chain reaction that started all of this, the very rising floor that holds the tank of coat-remover malfuctions and falls straight down, crashing upon impact. So much destruction has been done to the stage...all because of a little magic that took control of too much and went haywire after one shot.





    With the threat of Charade no more, Clever Wits lets out a sigh of relief and nods his head, "We did it...." He mutters to the poneis around him.

    "Thank you...for saving our son." Soarin expresses his full-hearted graditude to the stallion who was both smarter and braver than few he has known, besides his own wife.

    "And mah niece too!!" Applejack expresses the same, then turns to the audience, "Come on, ya'll! Lets hear it for Clever!! YEE-HAWW!!!"

    Without a doubt in anypony's mind, whether among royalty or peasant alike, everpony rises up from their seats and stomps their hooves or talons, or claps their hands if they have such, and applaud the stallion everypony now will forever know as Clever Wits, the hero who had saved the two young ponies and the show...well, most of it.





**********************************************

LATER....


    





    "Did they find anything, sweetie?" Princess Twilight asks her husband on the status of what the Royal Guard may have found down in the debree of what Charade wrecked, "Did the guard find and apprehend Charade?"

    "No...." Prince Courageous shakes his head with a show of sad news, "They dug through it all and found nothing. I can only assume that he has escaped before the guard were able to get down there. At least the actors are safe; They managed to wake up and get out of their before the stage came down."

    Clever Wits shakes his head in disappointment but shrugs it off, "Its understandable. Charade is a master of disguises, stealing, and escaping. He may have gotten away...again...but at least he didn't suceed with stealing from everypony." He admits and accepts his brother's escape. "For all we know, he could be one of the guests leaving...and we may never know." Clever admits upon watching the citizens leave the theatre through the front doors.

    "Not to mention the show will have to be cancelled for a long time, until at least the stage is repaired...which may take weeks to months." Princess Twilight informs sadly, "All that hard work and now nopony will be any closer to putting this bout with the centaur behind them; This play was perhaps our biggest chance."

    "We will have another one...so long as we rely on the magic of friendship to see us through." Prince Courageous reminds his wife and all those around him, "We will help the citizens see. I know we will."

    "Well said, Daddy." Princess Starlight giggles and hugs her father.

    Tyke and his mother Queen Chrystala concur with a smile. Even the rest of the Mane Six and Yearling Six also agree...for their hope in both friendship and harmony will remain strong as they get through this terrible time much as any other that Tambelon or Equestria has faced before so long ago.




    
    "So...what will you do now, Clever?" Gust questions the stallion he will forever be thankful to for rescuing him...for the second time.

    "Right now, I will need to inform headquarters of what happened here: Charade was stopped, but escaped and did quite the amount of damage." Clever informs the young stallion with a smile, "At least now all of Tambelon will know of him and what my brother is capable of. He will probably return for revenge...so I will be ready."

    "Awesome!!" Gust expresses with so much thrill to be had, "I hope to be there to help too!"

    "Not so fast, young colt!" Rainbow Dash interrupts with a stern look on her face, "There won't be any new adventures for a long time: For running off and getting both yourself and Candy in danger...you will be grounded until...."

    "...Until the stage is fully repaired!" Soarin concludes his wife's sentence...feeling that is fair after the foolishness his son tried to pull.

    "Awwww...." Gust mutters, unhappy that this entire night that was quite a thrilling adventure now has led to extra chores and so much more for who-knows-how long. "I'm sorry. I never meant for that to happen."

    Applejack steps forward and speaks up, "Ah think dere is somepony close to ya you should be apologizin' more ta."

    Gust gasps and turns to Candy, noticing the look upon her face that shows a little saddness in the date being ruined by both Charade, but a little by himself. Sighning with a nod, the young pegasai with quite more guilt than earier this evening speaks up, "Candy...I...I am very...truly sorry for putting you in danger like that for an adventure. I should have realized how important you are to me...and that you are the greatest adventure of my life since we became a couple."

    Candy blushes and smiles onto her handsome, brave, and kind-hearted stallion.

    "I promise I will make it up to you on our next date...which I will do all in my power, and my allowance, to make it even more perfect than tonight should have been."

    Princess Twilight and Prince Courageous, along with everypony else around, all nod in approval for Gust's apology and the lesson he has learned well this evening.

    "Awwww...." Candy moves herself a little closer to peck the cheek of her coltfriend, "Ah forgive ya, Gusty. Yer important ta me too, and while Ah did enjoy dis little adventure, Ah cannot wait fer our next adventure. So long as Ah am with ya, Ah don't need anythin else."

    Gust blushes to the kiss from his beautiful marefriend and smiles. "Thank you...my Candy Apple."

    Everypony arround them all reply in awe to the cuteness of young love and how strong it is...even after such a daring night of danger and heroism. Whatever may await in Candy and Gust's next date...everypony can only hope it will be less dangerous and more of a special night that they can enjoy together.


The Apple of My Eye by Novaintellus




**********************************************

    







    Story Written by:
:iconcourageous-of-light:


Artwork by:

:iconpaperkoalas:
:iconhilis:
:iconnovaintellus:


Music and Songs:
Macgyver End Credits


Special Thanks:
To all who I ever commissioned.
Thank you for the amazing artwork you have given me.


Very Special Thanks:
To all who have read, commented and favored my stories.
Your support and kindness has helped me come this far.
From the bottom of my heart, Thank you!


Another Very Special Thanks:
To Lauren Faust, Meghan McCarthy, and Hasbro for the creation of MLP: Friendship is Magic


Disclaimer:
The story here belongs to Courageous-of-Light
All Original Characters and Locations belong to Courageous-of-Light
All MLP:FIM Characters belong to Hasbro. 
All Music belongs to their respective Companies and Artists.



:happybounce: :happybounce: :happybounce: :squee: :squee: :squee: THANK YOU :squee: :squee: :squee::happybounce: :happybounce: :happybounce:
    
Clever Wits is back on another mission to stop his brother Charade, a master of disguises and thievery, before he succeeds in his newest heist: Robbing the wealthy citizens of Tambelon City during the night of a great play. However, the young teenager Gust wants to help...even if it means forasking his date with Candy. Will the teenage pegasai decide which is more important before the night is over? Find out!!


:star: Another MLP story with a Macgyver-Theme to it. This was one of my favorite child-hood TV series to watch. Enjoy!! :star:



Macgyver intro theme: www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiBGF3…

Macgyver Vs Murdoc...and his defeats: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dx2I-l…


MLP: Welcome with Open Hooves: MLP The Future is Magic: Welcome with Open Hooves  MLP: The Neighing: MLP: The Neighing
MLP: The Future is Magic Volume III Story Guide: MLP: The Future is Magic Volume III Story Guide


Link to Cover Image: C: MLP the Future is Magic

Link to Map of Tambelon Island: Map of the Island Kingdom of Harmony
© 2015 - 2024 Courageous-of-Light
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Crisostomo-Ibarra's avatar
Once again, Charade returns for vengeance against his brother, Clever Wits. But I'm very happy that Clever was able to once again outsmart the Master of Disguises, who is fond of outsmarting ponies. And the date of Gust and Candy Apple is sweet and I love them being together. :love: I'm glad that it wasn't ruined. I wonder what the future would hold for them.

:D