//------------------------------// // World 6: Chapter 9 // Story: The Worst of All Possible Worlds // by TheTimeSword //------------------------------// Sunset returned, her clothing still sat strung about the floor. If Rarity awoke during the night, she hadn’t wandered into the living room. The day washed in through the blinds of the window, starting the morning within the city. Sunset knew it was time. Five combinations, all in one day. Can it be done? Upon waking Rarity, however, the unicorn suggested the disguise be worn. “Okay,” Sunset said, “It’ll help hide from every fan who wants an autograph, at least.” Drawing the clothing, she wore it like a costume, tipping the ball cap forward. “Thanks, Rarity. I won’t be gone long, hopefully.” “Don’t fret, I’ll be your anchor,” Rarity told her with a giddy laugh and a slight blush, waving a handkerchief as if Sunset was leaving by ship. With a nod, Sunset focused on her magic. Her mind rushed to the thought of Applejack, picturing the earth pony. With all the alicorn magic within her, her horn erupted and sent her spluttering across Equestria in almost an instant. Reappearing, Sunset was amazed by the sight of the earth pony. Snoring unaware atop filled black trash bags and other refuse, Applejack slept like a moving log, her brown signature hat covering her face. “A-Applejack?” Sunset called, tapping the mare with a gentleness. The petite alleyway made her voice echo, but the shouting and city noise deafened the greeting almost immediately. With a less gentle shove, the snoring popped and the dazed earth pony lifted her weary head. “Well howdy there, princess,” Applejack said, fanning a yawn. Backhoofing the sleep from her eyes, she stood and toppled off her garbage bed. “Why were you sleeping on trash?” The mare stared at Sunset, her brow slowly raising with an inquisitiveness. “You, uh, didn’t give us any money for a hotel. And I didn’t think you’d appreciate me thievin’ some bits from the strangers of this city.” Sunset’s mouth collapsed, growing small as she realized her mistake. “Oh.” “Don’t worry now,” Applejack said, relieving the embarrassment. “I’ve been used to sleepin’ outdoors, and these things, though they’re a might wet, were still more comfortable. Been ages since I slept in a bed.” Stretching, Sunset heard the bones pop along Applejack’s back. “Did you find anything out? Heard any gossip on where we might find the combination?” “Yeah, the one place that makes the most sense,” Applejack answered and chuckled. “Flim Flam’s Gaming Resort Club. The FFGRC.” The words almost sounded rehearsed. “Ain’t no sense in hiding something they find valuable in any place other than home to those two jerks.” Sunset nodded. “Worth a shot. Care to lead the way?” “Sure, and while we walk you can tell me who dressed you.” “What do you mean?” Sunset asked, hurt and defensive. Reaching for Sunset’s neck, Applejack played with the tag that jutted from the shirt’s collar. “Shirt’s inside out, hat’s tilted so it ain’t even keepin’ the sun from your eyes, and your fly’s open.” A pink hue crossed Sunset’s face, forcing her to hide the embarrassment from the mare. With a quick change and mending, Sunset made sure her clothes were situated properly. “Okay. Anything else?” “Yeah, you may want to stick close. This town is pretty big and full of ponies,” Applejack stated as she walked out of the alley, Sunset following at her side. “It’s a good thing you chose me to head here. These ponies’ll steal your life savings if they got the opportunity. No surprise Flim and Flam love it so much. This place was their reference for startin’ up Princessland, except without all us ruffians to scare away the money spenders.” “Been here before, then?” she asked Applejack. “Nah,” replied Applejack with a shake of her head. “Used to get postcards from Granny. She’s still here, Apple Bloom too.” The mare went quiet for a moment, though her expression betrayed her want to speak. Sunset didn’t press further, however. “Maybe we’ll see them while we’re here.” Applejack gave a nod and returned to her silence as they made their way through the city. Flashes of lights from the amusement rides and screams of delight from the foals who rode them surrounded the two. Ponies let out exaggerated laughter, bellowing out their words as if they wanted everyone to hear them. Cameras lit up as others took memories, Sunset and Applejack even caught in the background of a few. But for the alicorn, this was nothing like the place she visited in her Discord’s world. Cold, misty, and empty. Only the bodies of those frozen in time remained, all thanks to Rainbow Dash. When Discord set that world right, what did those mares and stallions see? A flash before confusion? It didn’t sit right with her, that much time lost, yet she too was losing time. Every world I visit I begin at the same date. If I don’t return home before long, I’ll be an old mare still in high school. The thought shivered her spine, though the sun warmed her face. The air was humid, making it difficult to remain trapped underneath the layers of clothes, the want to be free escalating. Pulling on her collar, they passed several unique buildings, some of which Sunset recognized from her traverse through the fog. “Are we close?” she asked, sweltering against the heat. On the other side of a fountain, crossing bridges, Applejack pointed up at a huge horse head. Sunset’s heart sunk as she recognized the outline. “Flim and Flam bought a lot of places, but this here FFGRC is somethin’ they cherish. Really matches their egos, don’t it?” Applejack snickered as she pressed on. The lobby held no ponnequins with marker-made faces. A cool breeze swiftly relieved Sunset's unbearable heat. Ponies bustled busily in, much like outside. A desk mare of amethyst coloring sat behind the counter with some files. As they drew closer, Sunset saw the nametag ‘Berryshine’, and the mare welcomed them warmly. “Hey there lady,” Applejack greeted back. “We’re here lookin’ for a passcode or somethin’ that’ll crack a vault back in Princessland that only Flim and Flam should know.” Sunset froze, her face cracking a nervous smile. With a quick covering of the earth pony’s mouth, Sunset whispered, “What are you doing? That’s not something you should tell everyone!” Pushing the hoof off, Applejack shrugged. “Just being honest.” “Now is not the time to act out your Element of Harmony,” Sunset chided. “Honesty’s my Element?” The mare behind the counter interjected, “Oh, you two must be one of those Flim Flam Fanatics that came down from Princessland! We’ve set up a parlor room for the FFF right behind our gaming section.” With a smug grin, Applejack stared back at Sunset as the mare led the two through the clicking and clacking of noisy games. “Not the time to be honest, huh?” Sunset ignored the comment, her eyes dragging to each stool, looking for a skinny, long tail that attached itself to a talking rat. When they entered the double doors into the gallery, other ponies were lined up against tables and booths, buying, exchanging, and discussing all sorts of things related to the Flim Flam duo. Both Applejack and Sunset held a face of disgust at the scene. “Since the museum was built by them, I hadn’t thought anything of it. But ponies actually believe their lies, I guess,” Sunset mumbled to herself. “I believe the head of your FFF group is right over there. Have a pleasant stay, and thank you for using FFGRC for your convention,” Berryshine said before taking her leave. “Getting real tired of all these acronyms,” Sunset murmured to Applejack. Then, to poke fun, she said, “Ain’t that right, AJ?” With a smirk, she turned to the orange gal, but the mare did not look back. “Applejack?” Her eyes followed Applejack’s, eventually falling on the head of the FFF. Wrinkles upon wrinkles, the pale green mare stood prominent above others, all of which wore hats with Flim Flam logos and buttons tapered to the front. When the crowd around the mare began dispersing, the green mare’s eyes met Applejack’s, to which the bearer trotted forward. Sunset followed, only if to witness whatever might transpire. “Granny. You really switched over to their side? Even after Sweet Apple Acres? Our family, everypony—they’re all livin’ in tents while you’re here organizing fanfare for those two varmints!?” Coming close, Granny Smith laid a hoof upon her granddaughter’s shoulder, then caressed her cheek. A smile crossed her cheeks, creasing the many wrinkles, only to turn sour as she grabbed the bearer by the neck and unleashed a flurry of mane rubs atop her head, forcing Applejack's hat to fall. “You think you can travel all this way to talk to me like that?” she hollered, almost losing her false teeth. Then, with a whisper Sunset only barely heard, Granny said, “As if I’d really support those two hooligans.” Pulling free, Applejack rubbed the sore spot of her head. “Really? Then, why exactly are yah here?” “Sometimes, Applejack, when you want somethin’ done you gotta do it yourself. You need to put on a mask and tell ponies what they want to hear. You’d’ve known that if you spent more time listenin’ to me after I sold the farm. Thievin’ ain’t just about takin’ valuables. You can make a difference in ponies’ lives if you steal the right things and give ‘em to those who need ‘em.” Steal from the rich give to the poor? Sunset considered. Sounds like a fairy tale. “Am… Am I getting a lecture on how to be a better thief right now?” Applejack asked, her eyes darting between Sunset and Granny. “This can’t be real.” “Wait, so you’re the one turned the Apples into thieves?” Sunset asked. Applejack gasped, her eyes blew wide. “That’s right! It was you!” Her shout startled the ponies around, forcing Granny to grab her granddaughter by the muzzle. “Keep your voices down. You’re gonna blow my cover. I’ve got Apple Bloom workin’ a job over at the Cheference in order to discover the whereabouts of the Flim Flam Secret Vault, or FFSV for short.” With a roll of her eyes, Sunset groaned. More acronyms. “If it’s a secret place, I’m sure that’s where they’ve locked away one of the combinations. Putting a key under lock and key would make sense for those two, seeing as how this is supposedly a prison within a prison for me.” Granny glared up at Sunset. “Who is this, Applejack? Why do they know so much about you?” “Don’t mind the disguise. I’m also wearing a mask,” Sunset said, lifting a hoof. “Princess Sunset Shimmer.” “Well, I’ll be a rock’s second-cousin!” Grabbing the hoof, Granny unleashed a volley of waggles that made Sunset feel numb all the way up to her shoulder. “A real princess. You’ve been the talk lately. Even ‘round here.” “Good thing I’m discreet then. Having a mob follow me around makes it a little hard to search for secret vaults.” Granny Smith grunted and nodded. “Figured you ain’t come all this way to see me, Applejack,” she said, though her tone wasn’t upset. “This here princess wants the vault, huh? You helpin’ her?” The question was directed to Applejack, yet Sunset answered, explaining in short detail her need for what lies beyond the safes within Princessland’s museum. Granny, however, did not need convincing of such things. Her only interest remained in the princess. “So why's it you, a princess, want to stick a pea in their mattress?” “They’re in my way.” The words surprised Granny Smith, the ominous undertone struck her with confusion and concern. But Applejack’s gentle nod, understanding what Sunset meant, relaxed the old mare, if only slightly. “Well, if Applejack trusts you, I ain’t got nothing to worry about.” Ponies began shuffling about more frequently, interrupting the conversation. “Listen you two. Head on over to the Cheference and find Apple Bloom. She’s got details for the score she's been plannin’.” “Score?” Sunset repeated. “Well, shoot. Now I know why you stopped sending postcards, Granny. You’ve been real busy.” Applejack went to her grandmother, hugging her, while Sunset watched with unease. If the next words said from either of these two are mob or boss, I’m out. “Now get out o’ here you little rascals. Maybe after this we can convince the whole Apple tree to smuggle faked crystal into Princessland,” Granny said, laughing, though Sunset only wondered if it was really a joke. Returning to the rest of the gaming portion of the FFGRC, Sunset watched as lights and noises went off for one of the machines, spitting out tickets like a broken fountain. The pony who sat in front of said machine was overjoyed with the prize. Sunset smiled, glad somepony found fortune in such a frivolous atmosphere. However, her eyes caught past the winning mare. Applejack stood beside her and spoke, but her concentration blocked the words. The pony who caught her stare was in a black suit with dark shades covering their eyes. Their mane was gone, whether or not it was shaved off on purpose remained a mystery. Sunset waltzed forward, away from Applejack, though the mare quickly caught up. Her eyes remained in the direction of the shady stallion, trailing their way to the lobby and desk. The desk mare Berryshine sat behind the counter, talking to a carbon copy of the first shady stallion, though the fur color distinguished the two. “Head back into the convention, see if Granny Smith can’t get you your own clothes. It doesn’t take a sleuth like Fluttershy to know when something is up.” Though Applejack didn’t understand, the sternness of Sunset’s tone made her unquestioning of the command. Once the convention doors closed, Sunset meandered between the slots and pachinko machines, past the ski ball launchers, and underneath the pegasi dart boards. A few of the stallions in black suits wandered from an opening elevator, though they didn’t pay much attention to the disguised alicorn. If Applejack doesn’t come out disguised, they might have gotten to her. I should’ve realized Flim and Flam would know what I was up to. Even if they don’t know I’m after their little safe combinations, they’ll still know after talking to the princesses that I’m after the Elements of Harmony. I suppose the next time they show their faces, they’ll mention that. She attempted to stand nonchalantly next to a card game, watching the dealer shuffle the deck with his magic. In her peripherals, she also watched the elevators. They’re only thinking that I’m doing the same thing I did in that first world, helping the bearers get their necklaces. If they see me fail, they might laugh and quit paying so close attention. The elevator opened once more, one stallion in black held the door for another who entered, switching places. Her eyes fell to the cards on the table, all of them were flipped on their faces, presenting their backs, which held red diamond designs with Flim and Flam in the center. She grimaced, annoyed at their perfect jawlines and their show tune outfits. Her thoughts changed to the Apple family. Apple Bloom being mixed up in all this, it can’t be safe for such a young filly. Her eyes went to the dealer. “Sorry, where can I get some grub?” He rattled off some names within the resort, eventually mentioning Cheference. “Yeah, that one,” she said, stopping him. He indicated the direction, to which she offhandedly thanked him before heading off. Passing underneath escalators, little stops of shops and places to exchange tickets were parked to the sides. Crowds gathered around, though more ponies stood at her place of interest. The Cheference, she eyed the sign with big, bold, screaming letters. To her surprise, she found the stallion she previously sought. “Mr. Barley?” The restaurant was an allegory for too much free time. From books, magazines, and even theater, the dining room was packed wall to wall with references. Her eyes had settled on Mr. Barley, but not before reading a quote. “Snakes? Why’d it have to be snakes?” cited from a Daring Do book. Her eyes went to other memorable moments, yet she couldn’t recall the allusions. Were they mentioning things from this world, or had she truly been gone for too long? Her mouth flexed her thoughts as she bit her lip. The counter was in the shape of a pizza guitar, though no pizza was baked within the ovens. “Howdy there, ma’am.” Mr. Barley, though a jovial, more modernistic stallion in the other worlds, did not share his counterpart’s clothing style. With a white ten gallon hat and a vest wrapping around his shoulders and chest, his mustache was shortened to a mere cut above his lip. “I’ll assume a lil’ lady like yerself ain’t ever been to these parts. Have yerself a seat and our waitress’ll be right with y’all,” he said with the worst country accent Sunset ever heard. Choosing to follow the advice of the owner and cook, Sunset sat alone at a table, watching the stallion wander back into the kitchen. Her eyes went to the three waitresses who took orders from other guests, each dressed in silly outfits. The pink mare was dressed in blue armor and laced in black clothing, representing the moon queen, Nightmare Moon. The yellow mare wore an explorers outfit, matching the poster of Daring Do on a far wall. It was then the third came toward Sunset. She recognized her, though not the costume she wore. Apple Bloom. She could tell it was the filly, even with her face painted white and thick, black, scraggily fur covering her from neck to hoof. Instead of the trademark red bow adorning her head, a white and red hat the size of a stack of pancakes sat flumped over. “Hello there lady. Is this your first time visiting the Cheference?” Her voice held no trace of country origin, almost mimicking the lady at the front desk. Sunset had to look down at Apple Bloom to answer. “Yes, it is.” “Awesome! Then you might be interested in the orange eggs and yam, or the rat tail spaghetti. Trust me, they taste better than they sound.” “Well, I’m not really looking for a bite to eat, Apple Bloom,” Sunset replied. The hat slumped forward, blocking the confused look on Apple Bloom’s face. As she pushed it back up, she reverted to her farmer accent. “Come again? How’d ya know my name?” Her white face scrunched up with scrutiny. Leaning close, Sunset titled her head and whispered, “I’m looking for a certain vault that somepony’s grandmother may or may not have suggested their granddaughter know about.” Sunset pulled back her smile as she returned to stare down at the surprised filly. The little mare did not react the way Sunset expected, however. “Everybody panic!” With the strength of a yak, Apple Bloom chucked her writing utensils into the air, ran to the counter, did a double flip, and disappeared. In her place, a flashing red light and a buzzer sprung forth, causing the guests of the Cheference to run frantically out of the restaurant. The other two waitresses escaped to the kitchen, wailing their own cries for help. As suddenly as the panic started, the flashing red stopped and the buzzer was cut off. Mr. Barley appeared at the register with a stern look as he eyed the empty establishment, besides Sunset. “Where’s everybody going? Bingo?” He then laughed to himself, perhaps the only one to understand his reference. “Ah, I crack myself up.” His eyes then went to Apple Bloom. With a heft, he lifted the filly to the counter. “Why did you press the emergency button? There is no Flim and Flam here.” Sunset rose, returning to the counter. “You have an entire button dedicated to those two? Well, maybe it’s more than coincidence that you’re running a restaurant in a place they own rather than Canterlot—or should I say, Princessland,” she remarked. Removing his hat and placing glasses atop the bridge of his nose, he looked down at Sunset. “Have we met before?” You could say that. Pulling up her shirt, her wings stretched from beneath her backpack. With her magic, she levitated the ball cap, dragging strands of mane and displaying her horn. “I’m sure you’ve heard of me. It may not be publicly known, but Flim and Flam aren’t on my good side. So, if you’ve set alarms for those two, you and I might have something in common.” Mr. Barley’s face lit up before turning to the little filly. “You weren’t kidding! I knew it was the right thing to do, hiring you. Now a princess shows up, wanting in on the action.” He spoke as if it weren’t the first time hearing distasteful words of Flim and Flam. It’s like they combined every world into one. Ponies love Flim and Flam, they helped save the world, at least, on the surface. Just like Tirek. Just like Nightmare Moon. She smoothed her t-shirt, releasing the creases with the back of her hoof, still maintaining eye contact with the filly and stallion. “I’m not sure what you two have gotten up to, but I need to know where this vault of theirs is.” Sunset then spoke directly to Apple Bloom: “Your sister is helping me.” “Applejack?” Apple Bloom questioned, as if awakening from a dream. “Applejack’s here? But Granny—she always said the other Apples didn’t want to take on Flim and Flam. They were too busy stealin’ from nobodies and kindhearted ponies. If she’s here, if she’s helping you, does that mean…” A terrifying scream echoed throughout the restaurant as the red glow of the light lit up Sunset’s vision. Mr. Barley reached for Apple Bloom, grabbing her by the waist and pulling her back down behind the counter. Turning to see what spooked the jumpy stallion, Sunset witnessed the single brother in the burning red glow of terror strut toward her. Did he hear the two? Did he know about her search for the vault? Sunset grit her teeth. If she could clench her knuckles, they would’ve been white from the strain. Even in the red light, she could see the green of his eyes staring down his muzzle, all the way to his mustache, right below the set of freckles. Freckles? With a flick of her magic, Sunset pressed the button behind the counter, turning the red pony orange. “Applejack? You scared the blazes out of me.” “You have no idea how ridiculous I feel,” Applejack said, drolly. “Best Granny could do on short notice.” “Applejack?” Apple Bloom peered up from the counter, her nostrils protruding on the edge. “Is that really you?” “Apple Bloom?” Sunset stepped aside to let the two sisters embrace, though Apple Bloom needed to remain on the counter for her forelegs to wrap around the neck of the older sibling. “Is Mac with you too?” Applejack shook her head. “No, I’m here ‘cause of Sunset Shimmer. Big Mac wanted no part of this, and I don’t blame him.” She swiveled to Sunset. “I don’t know what you saw or heard, but your senses are as keen as my dog Winona’s. There are these ponies—big studs in black suits—that seemed like they recognized me. They went high alert, storming into the convention room. I barely made it out right before then.” “Oh no! Granny!” Apple Bloom wailed with fear. “She’ll be fine.” Applejack waved the fear away. “Tough as nails.” Placing a hoof on the little sister’s shoulder, she smiled and her fake mustache flexed. “She told us that you know where Flim and Flam’s vault is.” Mr. Barley eyed the mares from behind Apple Bloom. “Perhaps it is time for your scheme, little one. Your grandmother may have been against it, too dangerous for you and I, but that was when it was two. A third and forth, especially an alicorn—now that’s a spice your recipe needs.” “Scheme?” Applejack sounded unsure. “I’ve been tryin’ to get my cutie mark in everything I know, Applejack,” Apple Bloom confided, lowering her head. “Nothing’s worked. I was thinkin’ vault cracker might be the one, but Granny won’t let me do my plan. I know it’ll work. I just know it. If you’re here—maybe you can fill Granny’s spot. And with a princess, I’m a thousand percent sure we can get started!” “You know I’m all about helpin’ you sis.” Applejack’s green stare turned to Sunset. “But I ain’t the one runnin’ this rodeo. Sunset? Thoughts?” Sunset lingered in silence for a moment, perplexed. “You want my thoughts? My thought is we should hear her out. Can’t say no if I don’t know what her little plan is.” Apple Bloom stared at her with starry eyes, and Sunset knew she gained another admirer. “Alright, alright, it goes like this,” Apple Bloom began, hopping off the counter. With a push of a second button, the marble within the counter flipped and revealed a hidden agenda. Surprised, Sunset then remembered where she stood and assumed it came from something else. Eyeing the discreet planner, poorly drawn pictures caught Sunset’s imagination. “There’s an architect that stays within FFGRC. He was originally commissioned by Flim and Flam to build the vault, however, after its creation he became unable to leave. He’s under constant watch by security, those stallions in black.” Apple Bloom’s hoof dragged to the exaggerated crayon pony. “Earth pony. Short. He has a compulsive behavior. His routine is like clockwork, always appearing at the same places day in and day out. Whether or not he likes his forced residential sentence, he chooses to visit the Cheference daily due to the lack of security we get. It allows him the peace of mind of talking freely, which is how we found out he’s the architect. He always has a briefcase on him. Like, all the time. It’s locked to him. Inside, we know that it has the location and how to enter the vault, but we’ve been needing a unicorn who can get it away from him. Somepony who doesn’t have to get close, and who can replace it with a fake without gettin' noticed. Mr. Barley can’t do it, he has to been seen by the architect using his magic elsewhere.” “Magic is my specialty,” Sunset replied. “And I have experience stealing things quietly. I like this plan so far. When does he arrive, and are we one hundred percent certain that the vault’s location is within his briefcase?” “Absolutely!” Apple Bloom gleefully answered. “Well… the location, at least. How to crack into it is a completely other step, but—” Her hoof tapped some of the future designs, all done in crayon, for traps that might lie within the vault “—we’ve prepared for water traps, fire traps, spikes, laser, taxes, and guards. The architect’ll arrive before the supper crowd, usually around sunset.” Sunset let out a long-winded sigh. “That late, huh?” She turned to Applejack. “If you can handle getting things set up here for his arrival, I can go meet up with one of the other bearers. I’ll be back before sundown, so you can fill me in on whatever is necessary.” With a nod, Applejack said, “Shoot, this’ll be a breeze. I’m shocked at how thought out this is, Apple Bloom. This might really be your cutie mark. Not that I ain’t disappointed it won’t be an apple, but now I understand why Granny brought you along.” Apple Bloom’s face once again lit up. “Really!?” she swooned. “My own cutie mark!” “Alright,” Sunset chuckled. “I’ll be back. Try not to get into any trouble—or at least wait until I get back.” Upon closing her eyes, she thought of the pink party mare and Ponyville. She listened to the two sisters for a moment before her focus turned inward. Beneath her cap, her horn lit and teleported her across Equestria. Opening her eyes, she found herself staring at a dark wall. Turning, her shadow’s head turned with her. Recognizing the poorly outfitted room as Pinkie’s bedroom without the bed, Sunset eyed the floor, wondering if Pinkie sat below with the papers she collected. Gazing between the floorboards, Sunset called the mare. Beckoning repeatedly attained no answer. Where is she? Trotting out the door, she went downstairs. Light poured in through the shoddy shutters, yet they displayed no pink mare. Did I get my teleportation wrong? Her brows furrowed as she once again closed her eyes, focusing, and releasing the magic within her. And once again, she found herself staring at a dark wall, her shadow dancing against it. “Alright, something’s going on. Did Flim and Flam take her? Am I just focusing too much on her place? What’s going on?” A sudden sound of low laughter echoed, causing Sunset to stir, eyeing the room with keenness. “Pinkie? Where are you?” She turned to the floor, giving a closer look to the darkened storeroom below. “Pinkie?” “Behind you,” a whisper spoke, startling Sunset. Spinning with a quick, though ungraceful turn, Sunset stared at the blank wall. The same wall she’d been teleporting to. “Wait, Pinkie Pie?” The wall turned slightly, displaying half the pink mare’s face. It wasn’t wall at all. “Is this all you’ve done since returning home?” Sunset asked, glaring at the painted mare. Matching the wall perfectly on one side, Pinkie didn’t look at all out of place until the pink side revealed itself. “Yeah huh!” Pinkie replied, her smile a half pale beige, half pink. “Isn’t it neato?” “Pinkie. You were supposed to be searching for wherever Flim and Flam left their password to the Elements of Harmony. Why have you just been coating yourself in—” Sunset examined the liquid closer, huffing the supposed paint “—wait is this white chocolate? You’re going to be a platter for ants. How did you even manage this by yourself?” “With careful planning and excellent coordination! Now I am ready to infiltrate all of Ponyville in search of the passcode!” responded Pinkie, taking a hoof and running it through her fur. She then shoved it in her mouth, sucking off the warm, gooey chocolate. Sunset grunted in disgust and shook her head. “Pinkie… You don’t have sneak in anywhere, you were just supposed to ask around.” “What? Ask around?” Pinkie stared at the gap between Sunset’s eyes, clearly unsure which eye to look into and choosing neither. “Well now you tell me! I’ve just been baking things.” Skipping to the door, the pink mare was down the stairs before Sunset could stop her, pushing her pink fur into the kitchen. Taking a clean towel, Sunset wiped off the white chocolate, pulling it as best she could with her magic. Once finished, though she was out of breath, Sunset dragged Pinkie outside, pointing at the tallest building within the town. The town hall’s roof, though dilapidated, stood like a beacon. The colors had faded overtime, and nopony seemed interested in repainting. "There, Pinkie. There." “We’re going to visit the mayor?” Pinkie asked. “Of course! The mayor! She’ll have all the answers! You’re so smart, Princess Sunset Shimmer.” A little sigh left Sunset’s lips as she entered the town hall unannounced. The main room was colder than the outside world, sending a slight chill up Sunset’s shirted back. As Pinkie closed the entrance, Sunset called for whoever would answer. When no one did, Sunset went to the nearest opening, a cracked door with a pouring of light. Eyeing through the short gap, she noted how many filing cabinets were open and empty. A desk sat to the side of them in the middle of the room, a pony behind it. Little lilts and hums came from the mare, though it took more than a second for Sunset to recognize the face. When she did, she pushed through the door. “Not of Manehattan, but of Ponyville. Mayor Mare.” The light brown mare glanced up from the desk, her hooves holding a single parchment. “A visitor? Rare these days. What brings you in? If it’s about the broken pipe, it’ll have to wait. That and the mailing service. Anything with water or mail, just, don’t bother.” Her tired eyes rolled helplessly as her head shook, though they shot to Sunset with a sudden interest. Her mouth moved a word, but as Pinkie entered, her face shot with surprise. “Pinkie? Is this mare with you? I don’t recognize her.” “Hello Mayor Mare!” Pinkie saluted, and did not say anything else until the mayor reluctantly saluted back. “This here is my friend Princess Sunset Shimmer. She is looking for a password.” Sunset turned to glare at the pink mare, but the dull-witted expression left her feeling it was hopeless to do so. Turning back to the mayor, Sunset lifted her cap. “That’s right. I’m Princess Sunset Shimmer,” she said with a grating smile. “It was supposed to be a secret, but it seems somepony doesn’t know what disguise means.” “Princess Sunset Shimmer, I am quite sure that the mayor knows what disguise means. She is a very, very smart mare,” Pinkie responded without skipping a beat. Mayor Mare rose from her chair and rounded the desk. “A real princess, here in our little town?” Bowing, she then said, “What an honor. Though I believe what you seek you already have.” While still bowing, the mayor shot a hoof to the empty cabinets. “All of our paperwork was given to Pinkie Pie as she—well, to be perfectly honest, she would have collected it regardless. It seemed easier and more convenient to allow her to guard such trivial documents.” Raising up the mayor, Sunset then realized her search would be tiresome. “So, you wouldn’t have any documents relating to Flim and Flam?” “Oh! I had no idea they were requesting it so soon,” replied Mayor Mare, stunning Sunset. Her shoulders tensed at the thought. Are they aware of what I’m doing? So soon? She gritted her teeth. “It’s only been a month, but they seemed so lax about it, I suppose I really should’ve gotten to it sooner,” the mayor then added. Sunset’s relief exploded as she visibly relaxed. “You don’t have it? Pinkie’s got it?” She turned to the pink mare. “Why didn’t you just tell me that?” Pinkie’s unsure stare met Sunset’s own. “I didn’t know I did. You think I read every paper I collect? How strange you are, Princess Sunset Shimmer.” Rolling her eyes, Sunset thanked the mayor, leaving the town hall and returning to what was known as Sugar Cube Corner. Though annoyed, she also felt relief, having one piece of the puzzle. Regardless that it was trapped in the confines of so much paperwork, Sunset cheered herself. Even as she stared deep into the pit beneath the floorboards at the thousands of papers and parchments, reprieve washed over her. A hefty sigh left her lips as she began lifting the stacks up into the bedless bedroom. One by one, Pinkie examined each page. “Wow! There are fancy words written on these!” she exclaimed. It was charming, until she said it for the umpteenth time. Sunset’s teeth clenched. It would take hours for them both to find whatever may be the password to Flim and Flam’s safes. Heading back down stairs, she opened the door and examined the sky, eyeing the sun’s presence to see how late in the day it’d become. “Not even close to sundown,” she said only to herself. She was glad, for a moment, before the smoke emanated out the door just above her. How odd, she thought, if only to quickly realize the smoke came from inside the house. With a churn of her stomach and a turn of her head, she followed the smoke to the kitchen where a fire stormed and raged. The bed that unraveled from the oven was the cause, and Sunset immediately thought of a riddle. Burn the kitchen! With a quick spell, she knocked the faucet off the sink, hoping to release an unstable burst of water that, with her magic, she could turn stable and toward the growing inferno. However, no water erupted. “The water department! No water!” she cursed, remembering the mailing department. As seconds passed, the flames grew higher, lapping at the ceiling—and the pink pony’s papers. Instead of running, Sunset teleported upstairs to Pinkie. “You and your ridiculous bed!” she yelled before taking hold of all the papers and the pink mare with her magic. “Why do you have to be so difficult!?” Ignoring the mare’s response, Sunset focused on Rarity. The anchor, the linchpin to their whole plan, Sunset aimed her teleport to Princessland. Not only did she bring herself, but every piece of paper and their owner. In one flash, Charmer’s living room flooded. Like a pool, each mare reached the surface of the papers one at a time. “Rarity? Rarity!” She called, swimming to the unicorn. “Sorry about the mess. Had to act fast. Somepony decided it necessary to leave the oven on the bed.” “The bed?” Rarity said, perplexed. “I wanted to be your anchor, not your paper weight.”