//------------------------------// // Breaks, Concerns, and Calls // Story: Consequences // by shallow15 //------------------------------// “Vice Principal Luna texted me,” said Rarity as the girls convened at their usual lunch table. “We're up after lunch.” Fluttershy let out a distressed squeak. Rainbow, sitting next to her, gave her a shoulder hug. “It'll be okay, Fluttershy. Just stick to our story.” “And Vice Principal Luna will be there as well, darling,” Rarity reassured. “If Agent Shadow gets nasty, I'm sure she'll step in. And if not, well, that's just more fuel for the fire, isn't it?” Applejack raised an eyebrow at the sinister smile crossing Rarity's face. “You're still goin' through with that?” Rarity frowned. “The woman took advantage of my disability and tried to kidnap me. I won't stand for it – Not a peep out of you, Rainbow Dash!” “What?” The athlete mumbled around a mouthful of food. She swallowed. “I wasn't gonna say... OOOOOOOH! I get it!” “Good, now leave it there,” said Rarity. She looked back at Applejack. “I won't stand for it, my parents won't stand for it and I would certainly hope my best friends won't stand for it either.” “No way, flambe!” Pinkie chirped. “You don't do that kind of thing to anybody, even if you have the authority.” “Which I'm pretty sure she doesn't,” Twilight added. “STORM may have a lot of power, but I seriously doubt they can just abduct people in public in broad daylight with impunity.” “Thank you, darlings,” Rarity said. She looked back at Applejack. “So, yes, Applejack, I am going to go through with it. Because someone needs to show her that she can't just bully everyone into submission.” Applejack put up her hands. “All right, calm down. I didn't mean nothin' by it. I just, y'know, think you should be careful. She looks like she's got a hair-trigger and who knows what's gonna set her off.” Rarity's expression softened. “Your concern is noted and appreciated, darling.” She glanced over to the other side of the table, where Sunset was sitting silently. “Sunset? Are you all right, darling?” “Huh?” Sunset blinked and straightened up. “Sorry. I was thinking.” “Big shocker there,” Rainbow smirked. “No, I'm just... trying to figure everything out. What to do about Agent Shadow, the thing in the woods, what's happening in Equestria.” “Is everything all right over there?” Twilight asked. Sunset shrugged. “Well, Starlight's okay. She's hiding out in the Everfree Forest outside Ponyville. Princess Twilight and her friends are still missing. The invaders seem to be moving into the outlying towns and settlements around Canterlot. So... no. I guess.” Fluttershy, sitting next to Sunset, leaned over and hugged her. “I'm so sorry.” Sunset smiled and returned the hug. “Thanks, Fluttershy.” “Is there anything we can do about the thing in the woods?” Twilight asked. Sunset shook her head. “I'm still waiting to hear back from Capper. He was supposed to contact me with anything he found. If I don't hear from him by the time school ends, I'll call him.” “I still don't trust him,” snorted Applejack. “Or that amazon of his.” “Amazon?” Rarity asked. “Caelano,” Sunset replied. “Capper's second-in-command. She hates me, but she does what she's told.” “What happened between you two?” asked Applejack. “That kinda hate has to have a story behind it.” Sunset shook her head. “I don't really want to talk about it. Maybe someday, after all this is over.” The girls made supportive noises. Twilight straightened her glasses. “Once you hear back from him, what do we do?” she asked. “We go look for it,” Sunset answered. “All of us. With our magic. We need to stop this thing fast, before Agent Shadow gets wind of it. Something like this is just going to cause her to stay in town longer.” “Assuming she hasn't heard about it already,” said Twilight. Sunset sighed. “If she's heard about it already, then it's better if we deal with it before she calls in reinforcements.” “Speaking of,” said Rarity. “We've all destroyed our copies of the file we were given, yes?” More noises of assent. “All right,” said Sunset. “I'll call you all tonight and –“ She was interrupted by the sound of the bell signaling the end of lunch. The girls got to their feet, and collected their trays. Applejack grabbed Rarity's tray while the fashionista got her canes situated and herself upright. “Remember,” Sunset said. “The secret to a good lie is to couch it in the truth. Tell her as much of it as you can without talking about the magic.” “Are you sure it will work?” asked Twilight. Sunset looked at her. Her expression was tired and worn out. “It'll have to,” she said. “Or things are going to go downhill in a hurry.” Tempest declined Luna's invitation to lunch and instead spent the period out in her car, making calls. “Well?” she demanded. “Do you have anything?” “Mith Bookbinder'th legit. Inherited the building from her parenth, been renting the apartmenth for the lasth few yearth. She'th a librarian at the Thouth Branch of the Canterlot Public Library,” Grubber reported. Tempest sighed. She'd expected nothing less. “So nothing unusual, then?” “Well,” Grubber began. “You thaid there were eight mailboxeth in the lobby of the building?” “That's right.” “According to posth officth recordth, until about three yearth ago, there were only theven apartmenth in that building. Her own and six unith for rent. All of them are two and three bedroom floor planth.” “Tell me you did some checking into city records after you found that out.” “Yup. She filed for a re-inthpection. Apparently there wath an old studio apartment that hadn't been used in yearth. Guess she dethided to rent it out again. Had to get the water turned back on and everything.” “Interesting,” said Tempest. “Wath more interethting is Sunset Shimmer.” Tempest leaned forward in her seat. “Yes?” Grubber's grin could be heard through the phone. “Until about three yearth ago, there'th no recordth of her living in Canterlot Thity. Thuddenly, she's enrolled in eighth grade at Canterlot High. Shortly after that, she's living in the Bookbinder building.” “What about her parents?” “Dead,” Grubber reported. “Or at leatht that'th what the recordth say.” “What do you mean?” “According to her fileth with the school district, her parenth died when she wath twelve.” “Any other relatives?” “Not according to the recordth.” “Then how is she living on her own? Did you check with Child Protective Services in this town?” “I did. Apparently, she's an emanthipated minor. The documentation ith on file. Her parenth left her thome money to live on. Dunno how much, but enough to thatisfy the thate.” “I see.” Tempest sat in silence for a moment. “But there's no records of her being enrolled at any other school in the city before eighth grade?” “Nothing.” “In that case, we – “ Tempest looked up as the bell signifying the end of the lunch period sounded, echoing across the school grounds. “I'll get back to you, Grubber. In the meantime, check with Canterlot City PD about the victim of that attack last night. I'm going to want to talk to her if she's awake.” “Can do. Good luck, boss.” “I don't need luck,” Tempest ended the call and got out of the car. As she looked the school over, she felt anticipation crawling up her spine. She was getting close now. The case was almost broken. All she needed was a little more time. Time, and some answers.