//------------------------------// // Take a Shot // Story: Family 101 // by Kail //------------------------------// Lightning sat at her desk, her eyes fixed on the script of a court letter bathed in moonlight. You are requested to come before Judge Mercy on the 30th day of this month to face accusations from one Filthy Rich. The changeling sighed and shook her head. She’d been up for hours trying to come up with some way out of this mess with Filthy Rich. Finally turning her eyes away from the document, she focused on the two sleeping forms atop the bed. Scootaloo was cuddled close to Quicksilver and both were snoring softly. Completely oblivious to the world and the possible problem their family faced. Heaving a sigh Lightning closed her eyes and reclined in her chair. Yet again trying to come up with a plan. Lightning had gone over their finances and knew that their was no way she could hire a lawyer, not a good one at any rate. She’d briefly considered finding these witnesses Rich claimed had seen her and using the changeling mind spell on them, but that idea was thrown out as fast as it had come to her. Doing that would only hurt her case if she was found out. The darkest part of Lightning, the part that had tempted her when she was saving Rarity, had told her to deal with the problem directly. To get rid of Filthy Rich. She’d shuddered at how easily the thought had risen and how she’d almost considered it. Lightning’s eyes opened and she turned back to her desk. The document seemed to mock her, throwing the fact she could lose Scootaloo in her face. Growling softly, Lightning shoved the sheet in a drawer. Even with it out of sight, the frustration she felt didn’t ebb. It’s been four days since she’d received the letter. Four days of acting as if nothing was wrong around others. Four nights of sleepless worry, and still not one viable plan came to mind. Deciding to try and sort through her thoughts again, Lightning rose from her chair and toward her window. Opening the window as quietly as possible, Lightning assumed her pegasus form and fluttered through the open portal. After closing the window, Lightning gained altitude and began a lazy flight around Ponyville. Putting her body on autopilot, Lightning went down the list of her options again. Could I afford a lawyer? No, even with Quicksilver and I working we make enough to pay bills and get a few niceties for our home but that was it. Can I turn to anyone for help? Not really. My best bets are Rainbow dash or Rarity. Rainbow is my boss and a good acquaintance but we’re really not that close, not more than any of her other workers. Rarity is grateful for the part I played in rescuing her but still, we’re just friends in passing and not very close. The other four elements of harmony are out as well. Yes we’ve fought alongside each other, knew each other, but that was all it was. We’re not close enough for me to go to them. Spying a lone cloud drifting in the night sky, Lightning flew over and settled on it. Looking across the vista that was Ponyville she realized that while she knew some of the ponies, none were very close to be motivated to help. Thinking of nothing else she could do, Lightning took flight and headed back home. If she was going to be up all night anyway, she wanted to be around her family. =========================================================== “Watch it, Lightning! You’re supposed to break the clouds, not break my neck.” Lightning shook her head tiredly and her dull eyes met those of her shift manager, Cloudkicker. “Sorry, I’m just a little tired is all.” The other pegasus sighed. “What’s up, Lightning? You’re usually one of the best workers on this shift.” “Nothing I’m just...” The rest of lightning sentence was cut off as she yawned hugely. Cloudkicker shook her head. “Look, I know it’s more than you being tired, but it’s none of my business so I won’t pry.” Her eyes narrowed. “But you’re not going doing any good up here. So until you solve whatever it is that’s going on I’m suspending you.” “What?! But I..” Before Lightning could protest Cloudkicker held up a hoof. “Don’t even argue, it won’t help.” Giving a sigh the mare continued. “I know things are rough for you right now with a lot of the ponies not accepting you’re a changeling, so until you get your head on straight I think it’s best you take some time off.” Lightning wanted to protest but she saw where Cloudkicker was coming from. She wasn’t going to be any help to her shift with how she was now. With a reluctant nod to her manager Lightning flew down towards Sugarcube corner. Maybe some pony watching would help her think. =================================================== Lightning sat at her secluded table in a corner of the bakery. She’d been here for nearly ten minutes and could still think of nothing that could help her. If I can’t think of anything, might as well try and sleep a bit. Closing her eyes, Lightning lay her head on the table and tried to get some rest. The best she could do was fall into a half conscious state before a voice she recognised drew her attention. “You ok, Lightning?” Raising her head, Lightning gave a small grin at the new arrival. Derpy was seated at the other end of the table, concern showing in her bright golden eyes. After their first meeting a week ago, the two had met regularly at lunch and Lightning was able to let go of a bit of her worries around the bubbly mare. “Not really, but I’ll manage.” The concern in Derpy’s eyes grew at the answer. “Can I help at all?” A polite refusal died on Lightning’s tongue as she was struck with a sudden realisation. Lighting had thought she couldn’t turn to anyone because she wasn’t a close friend, but Derpy... Derpy was a friend. Looking back it should have been obvious to Lightning. She spoke openly with Derpy, was relaxed and happy during their time talking. Armed with this realisation Lightning decided to open up about her problem. She told the wall eyed pegasus about Filthy Rich and how she couldn’t think of a way out. After Lightning finished Derpy crossed her forelegs and her brows knit together in thought. After several moments of silence the mail mare met Lightning’s eyes. “I think I can help. I’ve got a friend that helped me when the EFPA wanted to take Dinky because they thought I was unfit to be a parent.” Lightning’s face split into an overjoyed smile. “Really? You know someone that can help?” Derpy rubbed the back of her neck nervously. “Well she’s a little particular about who she helps, but I think she’s the only one that could match any of Filthys lawyers.” “I don’t care if it’s a long shot. It’s the only shot I’ve got right now.” Derpy left her seat and motioned to the door. “Then follow me.” Lightning rose quickly and followed derpy out the door. And possibly, to a solution to her problems. ======================================================= As Derpy led Lightning to this mysterious friend of hers, Lightning noticed that the two had entered the high scale part of Ponyville. The houses weren’t overly large but anyone could tell that the owners had to be fairly wealthy to afford them. This caused Lightning to worry a bit. If the pony Derpy wanted her to meet lived here, then that meant the help Lightning hoped to get wouldn’t be cheap. Derpy stopped at a house at the end of the street they were on and turned to Lightning. “Ok, this is her place. Just tell her what’s going on and I’m pretty sure she’ll help you.” “Who exactly is this mysterious mare?” Lightning asked with a raised brow. Derpy chuckled. “You’ll see.” Rolling her eyes at the hype Derpy was trying to build for the meeting, Lightning stood beside her friend as the gray mare knocked on the home’s door. There was the muffled sound of scurrying hooves and a lock being undone before the door flung open. The mare who answered the door wore a lopsided grin as she leaned on the doorframe regarding her visitors. “Yo, Derpy, what brings ya here?” The mare noticed Lightning and quirked a brow. “Who’s this?” “Hey, Berry. This is my new friend Lightning and we needed to talk to you about something.” Berrys grin widened and she waved the two inside. “Sure thing, just follow me to my office.” As the trio walked through the house Lightning took notice of the various pictures dotting the walls. She’d expected expensive paintings, but most of the walls were occupied by photos of the Berry and a little pink filly. Turning left at the end of a hallway found the three in a spacious office with large bay windows. At the back of the office a large mahogany desk sat, framed on either side by large floor to ceiling bookcases. And situated off to the side of the side was a mini bar that Berry was currently standing by. The mare was standing on her hind legs and beginning to put various liquids into a mixer. “You guys want one?” Receiving a head shake from Derpy and Lightning, Berry shrugged and began shaking the mixer vigorously. “Oh well, more for me then.” After pouring her drink into a martini glass, Berry walked, still on her hind legs, over to the chair behind her desk and sipped her drink. Humming in appreciation of her mix Berry turned her attention to her guests. “So what’s the exact reason you’re here?” Lightning took a step forward. “I asked Derpy for some help and she said you might be able to solve my problem.” Setting down her glass Berry leaned forward on her elbows and rested her chin on her hooves. “What sort of problem?” “I need a lawyer. One that can go against someone hired by Filthy Rich.” Berrys features became more serious. “Explain.” Lightning flashed out of her pegasus skin. “First off, I’m a changeling. Are you still willing to help?” Berry’s brows rose in surprise. “If anything, that makes me more interested. Tell me everything.” Lightning nodded and went into how Filthy Rich was taking her to court because she’d refused to leave and convince other changelings to do so. Lighting even went into how she forged documents to get custody of Scootaloo, and anything else that could be brought up. As Lightning’s story ended Berry grabbed her drink and downed the entire thing. “That’s some story. Now before we go any further, I’ve got one question.” Berry stood and returned to the mini bar. Replacing the martini glass for a shot glass and grabbing a bottle of what looked like whiskey before sitting behind her desk again. “Why should I help?” Lightning sighed and lowered her head. “Because you’re the only chance I’ve got. Derpy’s the only close friend I’ve got and her idea’s the only one that had any chance of working so far.” Lightings voice hitched slightly. “I can’t lose Scootaloo, but I’ve got no idea how to get out of this. I need your help.” Berry said nothing. She deftly removed the cap on the bottle and poured a shot. After downing it she poured another and slid it across her desk. “Drink.” Lighting wanted to question Berry, but instead shook her head and took the shot. When the glass left Lighting’s lips she looked at Berry again. The lopsided grin was back on the mare’s face and her green eyes were bright. “Congratulations. You just took a shot and hired the best lawyer to come out of Baltimare university. Berry Punch, attorney at law, at your service.” Lighting could only tilt her head. “Bluh?” Derpy chuckled. “Yeah she’s a bit strange, but Berry’s the best there is.” “I’m pretty good but my vineyards are my true passion.” Berry poured another shot and drank. Lightning shook her head to clear her thoughts. “So you’ll help me? How much do I pay you?” Berry waved a hoof as if to dismiss the issue. “You’ll just need to be my new drinking buddy and we’ll call it even.” Berry rounded her desk and stood beside Lightning holding out a hoof. “Sound fair?” Lightning smiled and shook Berrys hoof. “Deal.” Berry went to a cabinet in a corner of her office and pulled out a briefcase and a folder. “Now there’s some paperwork I need you to fill out and a few documents I need you to give me copies of.” Berrys grin became predatory. “That Rich won’t know what hit him.”