//------------------------------//
// 19 - Calm Before the... 
// Story: Chasing Treasures 
// by Yukito 
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"MI6? … And what does a British intelligence agency want with an ordinary U.S. citizen?"

"'Ordinary'?" Bon Bon asked, grinning as she watched her two colleagues recovering from Sunset's attack. "I wasn't aware that magic was such a common trend in this country. And I suppose all American teenagers turn into demons?"

"Sure, it's called puberty," Sunset replied with a grin, one that was returned with a laugh.

"Very well. I suppose I'll have to answer your question, before you trust me. You see, MI6 has been investigating the Tirek case, too. Our investigation has led us to America, where we have been investigating one of Tirek's executives, Catrina.

"Unfortunately, this investigation is being done without permission from the U.S. government, so we've had to act in secret."

"Which is why you didn't simply reveal yourself back there when Scorpan attacked?" Sunset asked. "Wait, how did you even know about that?"

"That's because of you, Sunset," Bon Bon answered. "When you first arrived, I noted the strange occurrence of your sudden arrival and investigated you. It didn't take long for me to realise you were hiding something, but I never imagined that you were a resident of Equestria."

Sunset folded her arms. "You know about Equestria, too?"

"Of course. It's our business to know. After discovering that we suspected you might have ties to Tirek, but we concluded that you weren't related, and when we discovered that the FBI had eyes on you, we were forced to leave you alone. That's not to say that I haven't been keeping tabs on you, mind, and now that you're helping Shining Armor with the Tirek case, it seems that our interests have finally aligned."

"Then why take so long in reaching out to me?" Sunset asked. "And why in such a manner? Why didn't you come talk to us when we arrested Scorpan? Why did you want me to come alone?"

"As I said, we've been investigating in secret. I know Shining Armor, or at least, I know what kind of man he is, and I am sure that I can trust him. Nonetheless, we are breaking protocol by investigating in this country without permission, and if the bureau discovers that, it will become a political nightmare."

Sunset Shimmer took in a deep breath, staring into Bon Bon's eyes, and then slowly exhaled. "… Well, you don't seem like you're lying… and frankly, if you wanted me dead you’d have made a move by now. Okay, I'll bite. What is it that you wanted to tell me?"

"It's about Catrina, the woman we are investigating." Bon Bon reached into her pocket, producing a folded-up piece of paper and offering it to Sunset. "She is the one who took your friends away. This is the location of a facility owned by Tirek, managed by her, and it is there that we believe she has taken Cadance and Gilda to."

Sunset took the paper and unfolded it, her eyes narrowing as her hands trembled. "This is…"

Bon Bon raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"

"I can't read this," Sunset said flatly. "If your hope was that I'd be able to rescue them alone-"

"Of course not," Bon Bon interrupted. "There is more. We are willing to give you all of the information we have on Catrina and her second-in-command, 'Diana Thorpe', and all we ask for in exchange is complete anonymity."

Sunset hummed in thought as she studied the map one more time. It was definitely not something she could decipher alone. "Just that? I might be able to help there, but…" Sunset looked back up at Bon Bon, recalling the girl's skill demonstrated back during their encounter with Scorpan. "Say, you really want to help bring Tirek to justice?"

"Of course I do," Bon Bon said, the agents behind her agreeing enthusiastically.

Sunset grinned. "Well then, can I have your number? I think we could use somebody like you in this coming battle."





As Shining Armor studied the data Sunset Shimmer had provided him, Daring Do and Doctor Caballeron debriefed everybody on what had happened with PandaBubba. Adagio and Aria stood behind Caballeron, under Chrysalis' orders to neutralise him should he make a suspicious move.

"So in short, Ahuizotl now has both the solvent and the compass," Blueblood concluded, biting his nail as sweat dripped down his brow. "We're in a bind now."

"Lucky for you, I know where the portal is located," Caballeron said, drawing everyone's attention. "My eyes in Tirek's organization have helped me narrow down only one possible location, and it seems that Tirek is wasting no time in heading there."

"Well, where is it?" Chrysalis asked.

"Oh no no," Caballeron said. "I won't play my card so easily."

"He wants a guarantee from us," Daring Do elaborated. "He wants to be exonerated of all his past crimes and granted immunity so long as he is in America."

Chrysalis shook his head. "We can't do that. At the very most, we can grant him immunity only until this case is resolved."

"I figured as much," Caballeron said with a sigh. "No matter. I will accept your offer." Caballeron extended his hand and shook Chrysalis', a grin spreading across his face as Blueblood wandered over to Shining Armor.

"Okay, I've deciphered the map and studied all the info your 'friend' gave us," Shining said to Sunset. "If Cadance and Gilda are indeed there, we will need to send a team to rescue them, and soon."

"We can't let this chance to stop Tirek pass us by," Daring Do said. "So… splitting into two teams?"

Shining Armor nodded his head. "It would seem we have little choice."

"Then, as for the location of the portal," Doctor Caballeron started, "It would seem the portal is in the Bermuda Triangle, an usual area where, if I'm not mistaken, many unexplained disappearances have occurred over years, no?"

"You're attributing those unexplained events to magic?" Sunset asked.

"Most unexplained events usually are to do with magic," Shining admitted, before turning to Caballeron. "Hey, I just want to be clear on something: why are you so eager to help us, rather than Tirek?"

"As I have said, Tirek and I are not on the best of terms."

"No, but I figured you'd be all about exploiting a land rich in magic for your own gains."

Caballeron chuckled. "My, such harsh words, yet they ring true. Indeed, Equestria sounds like a gold-mine of wealth and power… and yet, it is precisely for that reason that we must not allow Tirek, of all people, to lay his hands upon it!" Caballeron cast an uneasy scowl across the entire group. "The most feared trait of man is ambition, and Tirek's ambitions put him on par with el Diablo himself. With that much power, even I fear what he may do to-"

The room was plunged into sudden darkness as all of the lights, including that from Shining Armor's computer, cut out without any warning. Startled, everybody gasped at once, but it did not last long as Chrysalis hurriedly ignited her lighter, whilst Sunset cast a spell to summon forth a small orb of light in the palm of her hand.

"What happened?" Daring Do asked. "A blackout?"

"No," Blueblood said, clinging to Chrysalis' arm as he stared nervously into the darkness around him. "This facility is equipped with two emergency generators, each hooked to different sources of energy. For all three to cut out simultaneously would be absurd!"

"Which means…" Chrysalis' thought was cut short as the alarm was raised.