Chapter 4: James
As usual, the bustling students were temporarily reorganized in a somewhat straight line in the cafeteria where they were all queuing up as it was lunch time. Business went by as it did any other day as one by one, the students moved ahead orderly, that is, until the arrival of a certain semi-pissed detective.
Sherlock Hooves mindlessly shuffled through the queue, completely ignoring the puzzled and annoyed looks the students shot at him as he kept cutting through, a concerned and a bit embarrassed Fluttershy following him close behind, hoping that Sherlock might get out of this intact.
Twilight Sparkle had taken a bit too long for Sherlock's liking so he decided it was best to have a bite or two while waiting for the princess. Although he initially desired to have a brief interrogation of Miss Shy, it seemed as though he had to sit through the entire lunch time but it didn't bother him much as it meant he would be able to get out more details from the pink-haired girl.
"Sherlock...um...s-shouldn't we get in line?" Fluttershy timidly asked the detective while they kept moving through the line.
"Waste of time", Sherlock replied bluntly without gracing her with a glance while moving forward. "Hey"s and "Huh"s could be heard from the annoyed line but Sherlock easily tuned them out in the pretense that they hadn't the faintest idea of his existence.
Fluttershy merely gave a sigh of boredom. It was no use trying to warm up to Sherlock especially after that altercation with Sunset Shimmer. But who could blame him? Being at odds with Miss Shimmer was one of the dumbest things someone could do.
"I'll have an apple", Sherlock told Granny Smith. Groans could be heard from the line of students behind in almost immediately.
"An apple? Really? That's the reason why you cut forward?" an annoyed rainbow-haired girl commented.
"Your problem, not mine", Sherlock simply shrugged before he took the apple and made a beeline towards an empty table.
Quietly, Fluttershy followed the cynic to a table while she held a fruit salad. Whoever he was, Sherlock sure had a talent for causing trouble and getting out of it easily.
"Um...can I ask you a question?" Fluttershy asked timidly.
"Yes", Sherlock replied as he took a bite out of the apple he was holding, savoring the taste. Fortunately, as he had observed the habits of the nearby beings, he had no trouble holding the fruit with his hand before consuming it, a problem which most ponies wouldn't be able to cope with easily.
"Is Twilight planning on running for the Fall Formal Princess?" Fluttershy asked with some concern.
"That's two", Sherlock looked at her straight in her cyan eyes.
"What?" Fluttershy was genuinely puzzled by the reply.
"You asked two questions", Sherlock turned his head away as he finished the apple, taking the time to look for any signs of his companion and her assistant.
"Oh...I guess I did", Fluttershy gave a nervous giggle while she blushed a bit, "Maybe he does have a sense of humor", she thought as she stared at the supposedly cold and calculating boy.
"Fall Formal...nothing more than a glorified pageant where everyone showcases how extravagant and narrow-minded they are. I mean what is the use of a presentation without a demonstration. Does the event signify anything important or noteworthy for the winner? In my opinion, it's just an unnecessary and pathetic excuse for a ball", Sherlock mumbled in a tone just loud enough for Fluttershy to hear.
"T-That's not true", Fluttershy frowned after she heard the words from Sherlock's mouth.
"I'm always right" Sherlock ended on a confident tone when he noticed Twilight heading towards them, "So, let's get on to the real business here", he suddenly said, "What do you know about Sunset Shimmer?"
"Uh...I don't think I-I should say something bad about someone else. I-I might hurt their feelings", Fluttershy timidly replied.
"Honesty always hurts. Just tell me what you know", Sherlock said adamantly.
"W-Well, she's not that nice and...she likes to shout at people a-and...", Fluttershy stammered.
"And she's the most intimidating person you have ever met. She was also the Fall Formal Princess for three straight years and there hasn't been anyone who's been able to touch her. Thank you for your cooperation", Sherlock deadpanned. Fluttershy merely responded with a puzzled look on her face, "Now, is there something I don't know?" he asked again.
"Umm...she also has two friends who seem to help her out a lot", Fluttershy replied after she remembered something.
"Accomplices? This rather interesting. Who are they?" Sherlock quickly inquired.
"Snips and Snails. They're only following Sunset Shimmer's demands", Fluttershy replied.
"Too bad...I was hoping for more of a challenge", Sherlock said with a sigh of boredom, "Well, what about Carbine?"
"I-I don't actually know him that much. He occasionally hangs out with Sunset Shimmer and the two boys. He frequently locks himself in the Art Room", Fluttershy said, this time without any hesitation or fear.
"Yes, he was known to be quite artistic back in the day", Sherlock placed his head on the palm of his hand, "He won't be causing trouble that's for sure. No, Sunset Shimmer's the main problem...but who is she working with?" he asked himself.
"I-I don't know if this might help but..." Fluttershy said as she pulled out a small piece of paper from her backpack, "..I found this near the crown", she gave the paper to Sherlock.
"Random, useless clue", Sherlock commented, tossing the paper away.
"Huh? How'd you know?" Fluttershy asked as she grabbed the paper.
"Did you even read it? "WILY DEER HILLS" it says", Sherlock groaned, "There's no such place in existence here or in Equestria. And any of those horned four-legged creatures wouldn't venture to higher ground unless they've gone barmy. This is a totally useless clue".
"I thought it might mean something" Fluttershy said lowly, placing the paper back inside.
"Oh hey, you two" Twilight greeted the seated duo but she was greeted back by silence. Fluttershy was back to her intimidated state while Sherlock was cooling down after his latest rant.
... ... ...
Twilight waited and waited for a squeak from either one but nobody said anything for an awkward ten seconds.
"Ahem...I've got some good news and some bad news", she smiled sheepishly.
"Spill it", Sherlock said as he pulled out a newspaper from outta nowhere and read it.
"The good news is Sunset Shimmer won't get the crown at all. It's in safe hooves...er...hands", Twilight quickly corrected herself.
"That's good news. Though I'm not sure how that is good in any way I know", Fluttershy smiled a little as she ate her salad, "And the bad news?" she asked.
"The bad news is we can't get the crown either, am I right?" Sherlock replied before Twilight could say a single word.
"Well I guess you are", Twilight replied, smiling nervously.
"I'm always right", Sherlock repeated, displacing his attention to the newspaper in front of him.
"Umm...T-Twilight? Are you planning on running for the Fall Formal Princess?" Fluttershy asked the princess.
"I guess I have to. I mean, it's the only way to get the crown", Twilight told her.
"These plans say otherwise", Sherlock replied as he placed a small note in front of Twilight, "And they have more probability to get us the crown just in case you are wondering".
"Let me take a look at that", Twilight quickly grabbed the note. A brief reading later, Twilight sheepishly smiled before he returned it. "I...I don't think it's a very...ahem...good idea", she said, trying her best not to sound like she was trying to offend Sherlock, "Especially the "borrowing" part".
"So, you can't steal your own stuff back? I misjudged you, Miss Sparkle. You're too cautious for my liking", Sherlock said, "And I thought you wanted to save Equestria".
"I-I do but this...this is against my morals. I'm sorry but I can't", Twilight replied sternly. Sherlock merely gave her an indifferent look before he retrieved the note.
"Maybe I'm forcing my ideals on you a bit too much", Sherlock admitted, "Very well", he sighed, "You will get your way..."
"Thank you. I promise you, I will try everyth..." Twilight said excitedly before she was stopped mid-sentence.
"I wasn't finished", Sherlock growled.
"Sorry"
"Anyway, as I was saying. If you don't manage to get your crown back at the event, I will carry out my plan whether you or anyone else like it or not", Sherlock finished on a serious note.
"I understand", Twilight nodded, "I will get my crown back", she announced before she ducked her head down, taking a latching bite onto the apple in front of her before she began eating it like an equine.
Fluttershy and Sherlock gave her surprised looks while they ate their own lunch. A few seconds later though, Twilight noticed what was wrong and she instantly placed the apple down before eating it properly.
"I don't think you should run for the Fall Formal Princess", Fluttershy voiced her concern.
"Why not?" Twilight asked.
"Well..I-I...I think..." Fluttershy stuttered a bit when she tried to warn Twilight about Sunset Shimmer.
"The Fall Formal is Sunset Shimmer's playground. You have little to no chance of overthrowing her", Sherlock replied on Fluttershy's behalf.
"Huh? But I thought you said everyone here thinks Sunset Shimmer is a troublemaker. That alone should be able to get me some votes, right?" Twilight countered.
"I didn't say that. I said Sunset Shimmer was the root of all the problems here", Sherlock answered before turning to Fluttershy, "Isn't that right, Miss Shy?"
"W-Well...I'm not sure but...ever since Sunset Shimmer and Carbine arrived, every friendship ever made between different students and groups had been broken. I can't directly blame her though; no one has any proof of it. They all just blame each other for the fractures", Fluttershy explained.
"Maybe that's why everyone's sitting at different places and not even communicating with others", Twilight said as she looked around, referring the other students present at the cafeteria.
"You'll have to convince all of them to vote for you if you want to be Fall Formal Princess", Fluttershy told Twilight.
"Well, what're we going to do?" Twilight asked while Fluttershy secretly placed some dog treats inside Twilight's backpack for Spike, "Sherlock, it's your call. But no stealing, please".
"Run for the bloody crown", Sherlock bluntly told her.
"That was pretty straightforward", Twilight smiled sheepishly.
"Oh, Twilight", Fluttershy said, earning the princess' attention, "Do you know anyone named Carbine Hubson?" she asked.
"Carbine Hubson?" Twilight arched her eyebrow before she remembered, "Oh yeah, I remember", she replied, "He foalsitted...I mean...babysitted me while I was younger for about a week. He was a pretty swell guy to hang with".
"Yes, yes, he was your main company a decade ago while Cadenza was ill, we get it", Sherlock said out of boredom, placing the newspaper of Twilight, "Read the headlines", he ordered.
"Um...okay..." Twilight shrugged before she began to read it, "Fall Formal in Two Days", she read aloud, "What's so important about that?" she asked Sherlock.
"The window period. We either get it right the day after tomorrow or we're never going to succeed and I will not be labeled a "FAILURE"", Sherlock asserted.
"I do know that, Sherlock. So, should we get moving?" Twilight asked as she stood up from her seat. Fluttershy had finished her lunch already so they were reading to head off.
"You are", Sherlock replied, "I need to have a little word with Carbine and if possible, Miss Shimmer", he said the latter's name with a hint of disgust.
"What? After what happened, you're still going to try to talk with Sunset Shimmer?" Twilight was obviously surprised by Sherlock's plans.
"In order to make this easier for you", Sherlock told her, "Getting information out of Carbine will be a breeze. Miss Shy will accompany you and tell you what you need to know about the Fall Formal".
"Huh...is that so? Well, thanks a lot for helping me out, Fluttershy", Twilight gave the pink haired girl a smile.
"Um...you're welcome...", Fluttershy replied, not sure whether she should be happy that Twilight was nice to her or guilty that she was probably leading the poor girl to the same fate a certain girl met at the Spring Fling.
Some minutes later
"What!? You just told him stuff just like that!?" Sunset Shimmer yelled right at the face of a red-haired boy. Snips and Snails were close by, covering their ears with their hands.
"What're you so uptight about, Shimmer?" Carbine asked indifferently, "I only told him we stayed together above the bakery", he shrugged.
"You don't get it, do you?" Sunset Shimmer facepalmed, "Now he knows he can get to me using you, you...douchebag!"
"Wow, that really hurt", Carbine said sarcastically, "Look, I don't give a buck about what you might do to him but you ain't layin' a finger on Twilight, you got it?" Now it was time for Carbine to be on the offense.
It was true. He really had gotten attached to the unicorn even though their time together was short. If it was anything, he had somewhat looked at Twilight as if she was his sister.
"As long as she doesn't stick her nose into my business", Sunset Shimmer chuckled devilishly, "Anyway, you left this at the art room", she handed him a notebook, "So, who exactly are you writing this...love letter to?" she smirked.
"If it's all the same to you, we'll shut up about this", Carbine growled, snatching the notebook, "It's for someone special to me".
"You have a girlfriend?" Snails asked while Snips shot an inquisitive look.
"Hell no! Just because Miss Shimmer dated Flash doesn't mean you need to assume that I have a girlfriend as well", Carbine quickly denied.
"I have to admit though, I never knew you could write something so sweet", Sunset Shimmer said with grin, "Really makes me wonder who would catch your attention that much to make you write those".
"Like I said before, it's someone special", Carbine replied, annoyed, "Anyway, Sherlock's gonna meet me soon, you three better make yourself scarce", he advised.
"And...?" Sunset Shimmer asked one last time.
"And I won't tell the bloody guy anything that'll make him "get" to you", Carbine groaned.
"Good", Sunset Shimmer smirked, turning around and leaving with the Snips and Snails before long.
Sherlock wasn't gonna be a major factor. Nope, Twilight was more likely to interfere with her plans and expose her. She needed to get rid of her and she needed to do it fast. Fortunately for Twilight, this wasn't Equestria. This was Sunset Shimmer's domain and she probably wasn't going to last long in this environment.
As for Sherlock, HE had already informed her everything she needed to know not long ago. She had no need to worry about him.
HE already promised that Sherlock was gonna die.