“It’s Grand Heist.”
“Where have you been!? I haven’t heard from you in weeks!”
“I got a little....held up. In Maretonia.”
“Did you at least get the tickets!?”
“.....”
“TELL ME you didn’t just FORGET!”
“....In my defense...”
“YOU DUNDERHEAD! We have half a month, AT BEST, to get those tickets in time for the Gala! Or need I remind you how getting into the Gala will help BOTH our careers!?”
“Look, look, alright, I missed up, I get it, but I had something important to deal with first.”
“Like appearing publicly in Ponyville? Getting into a fight with a...with a flippin’ SUPERHERO!?”
“Oh you heard about that?”
“I THOUGHT you never got caught!?”
“And I didn’t! Ponyville doesn’t HAVE any law enforcement, so I thought it’d be perfect to spread my name! But then Mare-Do-Well showed up and I absolutely HAD to punish her for infringing upon my brand.”
“...You’re lucky I was able to buy off most of the papers to hide your little ‘stunt’. I DIDN’T give you those bombs TO BLOW UP A TOWN FULL OF WITNESSES!”
“Alright, I admit it, things MIGHT have gotten a little out of hand, and I PROBABLY should’ve been focusing on getting the tickets, however I DID look, hence all of my public stunts in Ponyville....well most of them. I couldn’t find them ANYWHERE in the library, nor in Applejack’s house and I doubt Rainbow Dash would leave the tickets in the hooves of any of her other ‘friends’, so I have no idea where she could’ve hidden them!”
“You sure you looked and not just basked in the attention of a backwater town!?”
“Relax, I got a Plan B.”
“This ‘Plan B’ better include me! Don’t you forget who calls the shots here!”
“Yeah, yeah, I remember. By the way, I’ll be needing another shipment of ‘supplies’, a fair bit of my equipment needs replacing.”
“What do you mean ‘replacing’? What happened?”
“....I don’t want to talk about it.”
“....Fine, I’ll be able to redirect the next shipment to ya next week. But remember, you’re treading on thin ice.”
“Yeah, yeah, don’t worry, everything will work out, don’t pop a vessel.”
-----------------------------
Shining Armour sat at his desk, idly filing various forms as the captain of the royal guard, Blueblood, entered the room.
“Blueblood, we may be friends, but that does not mean you can just enter my office without an appointment.” The prosecutor calmly said. “At the very least inform me ahead of time.”
“Sorry.” Blueblood chuckled then grew stern. “I’m here about those two mares from IWI.”
“Iron Will Industries.” Shining Armour corrected, dryly. “Yes, I should hope you would.”
“The Princess doesn’t like Iron Will much as it is, due to...everything.”
“I was under the impression he earned the Princess’ ire due to his conduct at the Gala three years ago.” The prosecutor did not move his eyes from his work. “From what I hear, while those working for him are more than welcome and his company’s products are accepted with no issue, the minotaur himself is still banned from crossing Prance, Griffonstone or even this very city.”
“Yeah, anyway, that was going to make things difficult in the first place.” Captain Blueblood continued. “Imagine my surprise at how smoothly everything went, and we were allowed to make inquiries about the missing shipments. However, the trains supposed to deliver those items reported that they were never included in the itinerary, and we have yet to receive any reports of theft or unusual activity.”
Shining Armour held his hooves together, staring blankly at his friend through his plain spectacles. “Naturally, the only remaining option is to ask the source of all trains in Equestria, Dodge Junction.”
“Yeah, every train either starts from there, or passes through it, and most major shipments, including those of Iron Will Industries, originate or come from there one way or the other. Just one problem.”
“Let me guess: Bluegrass doesn’t want any royal guard activity there.”
Blueblood nodded. “He claims he doesn’t want to unduly worry the public since they’re about to have their annual Train Races. He is allowing at maximum six guards to help the IWI representatives to find out what’s going on, but he says more than that would be too problematic.”
“Spoken like a politician.” Shining Armour took off his glasses with his magic, using a cloth to clean them. “That is problematic for our side however: Dodge Junction is a big place, it would be difficult to launch a proper investigation.”
“That’s not all, another shipment is supposed to be delivered from Iron Will Industries headquarters, through Dodge Junction and towards its subsidiaries and customers.”
Shining Armour placed his glasses back onto his muzzle, leaning back. “Do not fret, I have a solution: there are three mares I think could help us in the investigation, one of whom has helped me in the past.”
“Civilians?” Blueblood raised a brow in concern. “Is that wise?”
“It’s not like we’re expecting any danger are we?”
“Well no...”
The Prosecutor smirked mirthlessly. “Then I do not see the problem. the mares are: Rainbow Dash, who I believe you are familiar with.”
Blueblood nodded, smirking. “Yeah, the little prankster. I still think Celestia should have picked her for her student rather than Sunset Shimmer.”
“Not only is her magical skills promising, she is also a keen intellect and quite cunning, not to mention she helped deal with a few crimes in the past. Secondly, Applejack, a fashion designer and seamstress.”
“A seamstress.” The Captain stared cooly.
“She is a fairly capable fighter, despite her appearance, I figure she could be helpful in case of a struggle. Finally...Twilight Sparkle.”
“Your sister? Are you sure that’s wise...her family’s reputation aside, no offence, but I fail to see what a farmer can bring to a routine investigation.”
“She has ties to the Apple Family these days, and seeing as Bluegrass is a member of said family, her connections may help earn the Governer’s trust and cooperation. In fact, Appejack is also a member of said family, though estranged, and that is another reason why I feel she could be helpful.”
Blueblood chuckled. “That does sound helpful, considering Bluegrass and his brother. Alright, I trust your judgement, send the letter posthaste and we can get a train ready by tomorrow.” He saluted and left the room, leaving the prosecutor alone again.
“Oh Blueblood, so naive.” Shining Armour returned to filing his papers, signing a few important forms. “I sent the letter five minutes before you arrived. Though why I am saying this aloud after you have left my office is beyond my understanding.”
--------------------------------
Spike burped, grabbing a letter as it was formed from his magical flame. “Rainbow! Letter!”
Rainbow Dash lifted her wing, pulling the letter towards her using her mutli-coloured hued magic, looking up from the book she was reading. She frowned upon seeing the seal.
“What does the prosecutor want now?” She wondered as she opened the letter and began to read.
She slowly began to grin in excitement as she read.