Tempest Shadow frowned as she watched the security footage from the previous week. The woman in the black overcoat and hat fired energy beams at the girls with horse ears and wings. The footage only lasted a few seconds before the light from the beams washed out the picture, but it was long enough for her to confirm that the three girls fighting the woman in black were also in the music video she had seen on Saturday.
She turned to Big Bargains, the mall manager, who had met with her that morning. “Do you happen to have the release forms for the winners of the Chance to Prance contest you held a few months ago.
Big Bargains frowned in thought. “I believe so. They'd be back in my office.”
Tempest nodded. “If you don't mind, I'd like to look at them when we're done here.”
“Certainly, Agent Shadow.”
Tempest turned to Gold Shield, the security guard monitoring the cameras. “I understand there was a similar incident here this past summer?”
Gold Shield nodded. “Yeah, that was another weird one. You want to see that footage too?”
“Please.”
Gold Shield brought up the relevant footage and Tempest watched as a eight foot tall woman rampaged through the mall. A small smile crossed her face as she saw the woman emerge from the movie theater. Another girl in ripped jeans and a purple beanie cap confronted the giantess, which caused Tempest's smile to turn to a frown. That girl hadn't been in the music video.
The giantess and the girl talked, and the giantess snatched what looked like a small hand mirror from the girl. There was a flash of light and the seven girls from the music video appeared in a pile on the floor. The giantess was gone, but the STORM agent noticed a girl with blue pigtails and glasses holding the mirror.
“Freeze it, please.”
Gold Shield paused the video. Tempest leaned forward and pointed at the girl with the pigtails.
“Do you know who she is?”
“Her?” the security guard replied. He peered at the screen. “Oh, that's Juniper Montage. She worked at the theater over the summer. She quit when school started back up.”
“I see. Thank you.” Tempest turned back to Big Bargains. “I'd like to see those release forms now, please.”
“Of course,” said the manager. “Follow me, please.”
When the two got back to the manager's office, there was a tall man in an expensive suit waiting for them in the foyer. He wore a lapel pin featuring three cartoon money bags. The manager grinned.
“Filthy Rich! So nice to see you!”
“Bargains, good to see you too.” Filthy Rich looked at Tempest. “Am I interrupting something?”
“Oh, where are my manners? Agent Shadow, this is Filthy Rich. He's on our board of directors.”
“Pleasure, ma'am,” Filthy Rich said, extending a hand. “'Agent' Shadow?”
“I'm investigating the incidents that happened last week,” Tempest replied. “We naturally have some concerns. Public safety and all that.”
“Well, that's actually a good idea. A lot of strange things have happened around here over the last year or so. Ruined a few good opportunities for me.”
Tempest quirked an eyebrow. “Opportunities?”
Filthy Rich gave a nervous grin under Tempest's intimidating stare. “Oh nothing major. I was working on a land development deal out at Camp Everfree. The owners were behind on their mortgage payments and I was primed to get the land for a song. Luxury lakeside spa resort.”
“So what happened?”
“Not really sure,” Filthy Rich sighed. “But something happened out there, and the next thing I know, these girls from Canterlot High School have managed to get nearly everyone who went to that camp to pitch in and get them back up to date on their payments. Irritated me to no end, I can tell you.
“I thought I'd get another chance when I went to look into their fundraiser. The camp was overrun with these weird plants. I was sure that they'd never get it cleaned up in time for the summer, and as a result wouldn't be able to open that year, but somehow they did.”
“Weird plants?” Tempest reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone. “Weird how?”
“Well, I'd been to the camp a couple of days earlier and none of those plants were there,” Rich explained. “I don't know where they came from, but they were everywhere, and a couple of the buildings needed serious repairs. It's like they came out of nowhere.”
Tempest gave the millionaire a genial smile. “Thank you for your help, Mr. Rich.”
“My pleasure, ma'am.” Rich turned to Big Bargains. “You seem like your busy here, Bargains, I'll stop by later. We need to talk about the repair budget. The board has some concerns.”
“Oh, of course, Rich,” the mall manager replied. Filthy Rich nodded and left the office.
“Mr. Bargains, if I could see those release forms now, please?” Tempest asked.
Big Bargains nodded and led Tempest into the office proper. Tempest took a seat in front of the desk, as the manager began looking through the files on his computer. As he searched, Tempest opened a notepad app on her phone.
Leads
Adagio, Aria & Sonata
Principal Cinch (Crystal Prep)
Chance to Prance Contest Winners
Tempest's lip curled up on one side as she added two more entries to her list.
Leads
Adagio, Aria & Sonata
Principal Cinch (Crystal Prep)
Chance to Prance Contest Winners (Canterlot High students?)
Juniper Montage
Camp Everfree
How has none of this come to our attention before now? Tempest thought. Something is definitely going on here, and those girls are at the center of it.
“Here we are! Looks like there were eleven of them, but the release form only needed to be signed by the one who filled out the entry form.”
“And their name is?”
“Rarity. Her address is here on the form. Would you like it?”
“If you'd be so kind.” Tempest's grin returned. It was so gratifying when people decided to do things the easy way.