//------------------------------// // Chapter 20: Golden Locks (Edited) // Story: Secret Search // by computerneek //------------------------------// Celestia raises her eyebrow.  “Good evening, Discord.” Discord nods.  “Yes, yes, good evening and all that.  I happened to notice a… problem near Ponyville?” She nods as well.  “Can you take care of it, or…?” He shakes his head this time.  “No, I’m afraid not. I’ve never seen a thaumic inhibition field like that before- and I’m powerless against it.” “We’re working on bypassing it.  Perhaps- Wait.” Discord also looks in the direction of ponyville.  “Was that…?” He shudders, his eyes widening. “It was!”  He snaps a talon and disappears. Somewhere in between the two, the Princesses’ doubles take to the air, racing in towards Ponyville with an entire regiment of Royal Guards.  The inhibition field had just fluctuated… and fallen. Candy Stripes and White Noise lead Fluttershy up through the hidden basement levels, back into the main house.  The two unicorns- Candy Stripes had disappeared at some point to shed her disguise- then head for the door. A few others follow- though the five shackled ponies that had followed Fluttershy, herded by just two of those metal spiders, stay in the living room. Outside, they stop on the doorstep, stepping to the side to let the others pass. “Wow,” Noise mutters.  “I didn’t think they had that many.” Stripes nods.  “That’s gotta be, what, fifty?  A-!” “Eighty.” Both mares turn to look at the pegasus standing calmly next to them- the pegasus that had moved to let them move for the others to pass. Stripes raises an eyebrow.  “Eighty? Well…” She looks back to Noise, between her and the pegasus.  “That’s still quite a few, isn’t it?” Noise nods.  “I’m seeing a lot of Ponyvillians, though.  They probably used their Imperius Curse again.” Nod.  “Probably.” “Affirmative.” They both look again. “I’m sorry, who are you, again?” Noise asks. “The name’s Golden Locks,” the pegasus answers.  “It’s nice to meet you.” She offers a hoof, which Noise bumps. “Nice to meet you,” Noise mutters. Stripes scowls slightly.  “If you’re so certain they used the curse, do you know how many on?” “Affirmative.” “How many?” Noise asks. Shrug. Stripes raises an eyebrow.  “How many?” she asks. “Sixty-seven.” “Leaving thirteen casters?” Noise asks. She shakes her head.  “No. Pegasi and earth ponies can’t cast the Imperius Curse.” Stripes shrugs.  “So, how many casters?” “Of the six unicorns, three are holding active Imperius Curses.” Noise blinks, looking down at the row.  “Which ones?” Shrug. Stripes gives Locks a level-lidded glare.  “Who are you, again?” “Unit Three-Seven-Golf-Zero-Zero-One-Three-Echo EVE of the Line, Backup Operating Systems, Local Auxiliary Alias ‘Golden Locks’, Awaiting Orders.” Facehoof.  “I saw that coming.” Noise blinks, turning to stripes.  “What?” Stripes returns her hoof to the ground.  “Remember that thing underground?” Noise’ eyes widen slowly, before disappearing into a facehoof.  “Of course. We did wish it was a pony, didn’t we?” Nod.  “Pretty sure she’s our answer.”  She looks back up at Golden Locks.  “So… Which ones are the casters?” The pegasus turns to face the line, rising a hoof to point- and even identifying them by name. She looks at Noise.  “You know where the nearest thaumic inhibition rings are?” Nod.  “They’d be in my closet, unless you have some.” Shake.  “Go fetch, then.” “Ok, I’ll be right back.”  Noise runs away. Stripes sighs.  If she’d had to guess, Vinyl- or, White Noise- must be at the junior level.  She makes sure to cover Vinyl’s retreat- and return- with an appropriate spell. “I’m sorry this has taken so long, Princess- but until we can verify the security and reliability of our channels once again, things are going to take a lot of time.” Princess Luna nods slowly.  “I understand.” Keen Sight makes a short nod, before shifting a couple pages on his desk, drawing one to the forefront.  “We’ve finished interviewing the participants in the Ponyville Attack. Many of the controlled insisted some dangerous device was discovered under one Lyra Heartstrings’ house during the attack; at least half of the genuine attackers alluded to knowing about its presence even before the attack.  We have, of course, sent Agents to investigate; however, Lyra’s new housemate as refused to allow anypony in. “This housemate, a pegasus by the name of ‘Golden Locks’, is perhaps our biggest puzzle right now.  She’s always there- and, apparently, a master at security.  Agents have tried sneaking in- and, I understand, turning the corner to find her waiting for them.  One even tried to force his way past her. “Cracked horn, two broken and one splintered leg, three broken and four cracked ribs, two crushed testicles, and at least two separate concussions.”  He shakes his head. “And she didn’t even have a single bruise to show for it. Absolutely everything he did, she countered so quickly she made it look easy- so much so that his earth pony companion declined to fight. “Of course, he claimed assault.  When the Royal Guard showed to arrest her, she refused.  What’s more, she cited Equestrian law code off the top of her head- and accurately, at that.  Her actions were entirely legal, as defense of property.”  He looks up at her. “Until I read that report and looked it up myself, I would’ve declared it illegal- but apparently, the Defense Act of Two Eighteen was never repealed.” Luna blinks.  “The Defense Act of Two Eighteen?  That- That’s over a thousand years ago!  And Celestia never repealed it!?” He nods.  “I triple-checked, and had Silent Shout double check for me as well.  It’s perhaps the oldest act in our current legal code.” He then sighs.  “The sad part is, far more recent legislation- the Property Crimes Act of Twelve Eighty-Three- would have given her grounds to do the exact same thing had she refused them entry…  and forced them to push her aside to get in.”  He shakes his head. “That would’ve been a trespass against not only the property but her personal space- a compound of crimes that would protect her from any response to her retaliation, so long as she avoided lethal force.”  A deep sigh.  “As it is, by the Defense Act, she was fully entitled to use lethal force- even to kill them outright.” She nods slowly.  “She done anything else?” He nods.  “Nothing quite so significant- but she’s…  Well, no matter the hour, she’s up and at ‘em.  We’ve had Agents approach at all hours- and she blocked each and every one.  Always with extreme professionality- like you might expect of our own security officers…  some years ago, at least. “There have been reports that she has gone out to help the town- but never left the house unprotected.  Exactly how she protected it in her absence is unknown- all we know is that the one Unicorn agent that approached while she was away heard some kind of high-pitched chirping building as he got closer, like a warning signal of some kind.  He turned back, being unable to locate the source. “While out on the town, she always uses formal modes of address, except when specifically requested otherwise.  She’s often selected a selection of different things to help out with; I hear she’s helped construct three separate homes, set up a wedding, demolish an old building, and remodel another one.  She’s done quite a few smaller errands- taking kids to school, helping Princess Twilight reorganize her library… I understand the Apple Family has even had her sell a bushel of apples for them.”  He looks up at Luna. “She never takes- or accepts- payment of any kind. Even from the Element Bearer of Generosity; she flat-out refused after assisting with no less than six separate dresses when the Boutique was falling behind.” “Has she met all the Elements?” He nods.  “Yes. I understand Rainbow Dash quickly labeled her as boring; she never flies.  Pinkie Pie took a little longer, but came to the same conclusion; she might smile, but she never gives the impression of having fun.  I hear she was able to boost one party beyond even the Ponyville Party Planner’s wildest dreams, though. “Applejack had nothing bad to say about her.  An honest worker, she’d called her; always listening, open to new ideas, and very thorough.  When prompted, she did admit the refusal to accept payment of any kind seemed a little strange- but she refused to think of it as a bad thing.  I understand she labeled it as ‘generosity not normally expected from anypony other than Rarity’.” He chuckles. “And even then. “Rarity, of course, loved her.  She’d been able to not only help her catch up with her work, but to do in a single hour the same work she’d take a full day to do herself- without sacrificing quality.  She actively complained about her refusal to accept payment- and was apparently slightly bothered she isn’t looking for work.” “She’s been seen out with Fluttershy’s animals several times- providing food, sometimes simply playing with them.  When asked, Fluttershy would either shrink into a shadow or smile sweetly and decline to pass judgement.” He sighs, with a smile.  “I share my Agents’ opinion- I’d rather not push her any harder than I have to.” He takes a deep breath. Luna nods slowly, her face drawn into a scowl.  “Is that all we have on her?” He shakes his head.  “Not even close. I wasn’t satisfied with it, though- so last night, I paid Ponyville a visit.”  He lets out a sigh, and shakes his head. “She’s… Well, strange.” “How so?” “Good evening, Sir.”  The unfamiliar voice draws his attention.  “Is there something I can help you with?” He turns to look at the source of the voice.  A sky-blue pegasus, with glistening golden mane and tail.  “Good evening,” he responds. “How are you?” She nods.  “I’m doing well, how about you?” He smiles.  “I’m doing well too.  Everything going well around here?” Her expression remains unchanged.  “It varies. Is there something I can help you with?” He sighs.  “Maybe,” he mutters- and looks up and down the vacant Mane Street.  “Where is everypony?” She answers instantly.  “Most ponies are presently enjoying Pinkie Pie’s birthday party.” He blinks, then facehooves.  “How could I have forgotten…?  Wait.” He lowers his hoof again, looking at her.  “Are you Golden Locks, by any chance?” “Yes Sir, that is my name.  Is there something I can help you with?” He tilts his head.  “It depends, I guess.  What’s the limit?” “Depends.” He chuckles.  “Can I get a conversation?” Nod.  “I have no problem with that,” she states. “How about over some tea?” “I don’t drink tea.” Scowl.  “I thought as much.  Do you mind if I get some, though?  I’m a little parched.” She shakes her head.  “No problem,” she states. He looks out at Mane Street.  “Uh… On second thought, are there any places to get tea…?” “Not presently,” she answers. He lets out a sigh.  “Well then. Um…” He gazes at the ground in front of him for a second- before a detail in his peripheral vision catches his attention.  A quick glance confirms his initial impression. “Wait- you don’t have a cutie mark?” “Yes.” He blinks twice.  “How…? Um… Wow. I hope you didn’t have to endure much bullying as you grew up.” “I did not.” The flat delivery sounds off, somehow, to him.  He ignores it, though, and chuckles lightly. “I suppose I should have expected that,” he states.  “One would have to be a special kind of stupid to bully you, wouldn’t they?” “No.”  The monotonic delivery sounds somehow defiant, before she turns to trot down the road, leaving him behind. He moves to catch up, trotting after her.  “Huh-? How’d you manage that?” She doesn’t stop.  “I did not need to.” “You…  didn’t need to.” “Bullying seldom happens without a reason.” “A reason like not having a cutie mark?” “That is a vulnerability, not a reason.” He blinks.  “Soo… what kind of reason?” “Bullying is often caused by a problematic situation at home, or at school, like domestic violence or bad grades.  Anything that can make them feel a lack of power over their own lives.” “You’re telling me that bullies always have a reason that’s unrelated to the bullying itself?” “Usually.” He sighs.  “I hear there’s a trio of fillies around here, regularly subject to bullying.  Do you know why they are bullied?” “No.”  She stops to look at him.  “Would you like to find out?”