Life at Canterlot High

by Down with Chrysalis

Episode 16: Hindsight Is 20/20

"I refuse to believe that that was a step ladder. It was way too tall to be one!" I pouted which only caused Sunset to smirk more at my indignation.

“And for the fifth time, crying about it won’t make you any less wrong,” she said haughtily before chuckling.

I glared out of her kitchen window at the offending piece of hardware that she’d used to get me over the fence. It was over eight feet tall, and straddled our backyard fences and had steps on both sides. Apparently in my hastiness to try to make her feel stupid, I had confused a step ladder with my mental image of a step stool. They both had step in the name so it’s somewhat understandable, but when compared side by side it’s laughable how wrong I was.

And that was the worst part, being proven wrong, with facts and evidence and everything. She earned her smugness at my expense, I had to admit, but there was nothing in the rules that said I had to be a graceful loser.

“Sure fine, whatever! A ladder should just be called a ladder, it doesn’t need 'step' added to it,” I grumbled trying not to look at her directly.

My reluctant partner in crime just rolled her eyes as she dug through her fridge.

"Has anyone ever told you just how stubborn you can be Bacon? Because you are so, so, so very stubborn. And annoying, can’t forget annoying."

"What can I say, it’s a gift,” I said with a shrug and a satisfied smirk. “Just like your ability to waste time.”

“Hey, you were the one complaining that you were hungry, and that’s whining I don’t care to hear right now,” she grunted as she pulled out some grapes, two cans of soda and a half finished cheese platter.

“I was talking about how long it took you to grab that…thing which I climbed the fence with,” I complained for the sake of complaining as she opened up a pantry.

“I had to change!” she argued. “I wasn’t going to let you in my house while I was in my pajamas.”

“What difference would it have made?” I rolled my eyes. “You’d still be pissed off and angry, the fabric doesn’t change that.”

“Hmmph, typical guy logic,” she scoffed as she brought out chips, crackers and cookies.

“Sure, yeah, let’s go with that,” I said throwing my hands up in defeat.

“Oh don’t give me that, as if you wouldn’t look through a girl’s window if you had the chance,” she argued before she went still suddenly. Slowly turning her head she gave me a glare and threatened, “Don’t get any ideas now that we know we’re neighbors.”

“Oh please, like I need a felony on my record” I rolled my eyes. “Besides you’re not exactly up there on looks.”

That was a big lie as physically, she was attractive, but her rusty personality more than made up for that factor. Still, demeaning a girl’s looks is always sure to irk them, and I took satisfaction when she scowled at that.

“Whatever,” she shook her head and placed some chips, snack cakes and crackers on the table. “Unless specified, you keep to your side of the fence, and I keep to mine, got it?”

“I won’t argue that,” I said as I took one of the sodas. She then went about making a little snack platter with a tray, as if I was an esteemed guest.

Guess she doesn’t want crumbs all over the floor, I reckoned as I decided to take a quick look around the home territory of my bully. One of the things my mom told me that I actually took to heart since it wasn't just a bunch of overprotective or babying nonsense was how a person can learn a lot about someone based on how they decorate their home.

And…It was all pretty bland if I am being completely honest. No bright colors, standard drab furniture, and no outlandish photographs or posters on the walls. It looked like it would fit right at home on some realtor’s magazine or something.

"I gotta say Condiment Head, I'm a little surprised at the décor you've got going on around here."

"And what's that supposed to mean?" she growled, clearly hearing my insinuating tone.

"Oh nothing really, I just expected more skulls and pools of blood from your past victims, with portraits depicting them at their height of misery is all.”

“Oh har har, my sides are splitting from laughter,” she responded sarcastically.

“I can see that,” I snarked. “But still, not even a bit of brimstone?”

“I know you’re just being an ass, but I have to wonder if you actually think that’s what bully’s have in their house,” she accused as she arranged the cheese and crackers.

“Well, you are the first one who’s invited me to their house,” I pointed out and she sighed in annoyance.

"Look Chicken Sauce, my parents wouldn't exactly approve of any of that, so whatever notions you had of the Queen’s palace, I’m sorry to dissapoint. Plus my mom would actually kill me if I messed with her furniture placement, so all your hellish decorating tips can take a hike."

So your mom’s OCD with her furniture huh? Good to know next time you try to screw me over, I thought maliciously.

"First off Shimmer, you aren't the queen of the school and you know it. Second off, of course your parents wouldn't approve of you torturing all those sheep, animal cruelty is heavily frowned upon by society after all."

She appeared to grimace at that, though I swore I thought I heard a snort of amusement.

“I am too the Queen. Sometimes royalty has to vacate their throne in times of war while pretenders sit on them,” she shot back with no hint of sarcasm.

Wow, she’s delusional. Seriously Shimmer, those Dazzle pricks can only one-up you so many times before it has to sink in that you work for them. Course not for much longer if I have anything to do about it...

I unconsciously frowned as my plans for vengeance swam around my head, but I focused back on the present before I got lost in them.

"Well Queens don’t usually fear moving their mommy’s rocking chair. Speaking of your parents, they getting back any time soon? I'd rather not have to add them to the list of idiots who think we're seeing each other."

My question, instead of being met with an angered outburst like I was expecting, was met with a small frown.

"They’re on a business trip overseas and won't be back till December. According to their postcard at least..." For a brief moment the Sunset from Luna's office reappeared as that genuinely lost look returned to her face, but only for a moment. Just as quickly as it appeared, her scowl returned. "But even if they were here, there's no why they would ever think that! They'd probably just mistake you as some robber and call the police while my Dad kicked your scrawny ass."

Before I was given a chance to rebuttal, Sunset picked up the snack platter and started making her way out of the kitchen.

"Come on, we wasted enough time as it is. I don't want you in my house any longer than I have to." She huffed as she left me alone. I stayed still for a few moments as I pondered her reaction in response to her parents.

Why is she so mopey? A whole three months with a house all to yourself sounds amazing right? I know I'd have killed to have something like that when I was still living with mom, so why was she so...oh whatever!

I shook my head as I ended that train of thought, deciding that whatever was going on with Sunset and her parents wasn't my business or worth my time. With that thought I left the kitchen and followed my host where she awaited me at the foot of the stairs.

“What, were you not happy with the snacks we already have?” she accused.

“No I was just thinking before I realized it was pointless,” I shot back and she snorted.

“You said it yourself,” she chuckled as she ascended the steps and my eyes widened in realization.

“Wait, that’s not what I…Shut up!” I stammered which only fueled her mocking laughter.

Ugh, first the ladder and now this. I am not on my A Game today! She continued to laugh at my misery even as we got to the second floor. Wait a second...why did we come all the way here?

I stopped dead in my tracks as she reach the door at the end of the hallway and looked back at me quizzically.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“Being cautious. Why are we upstairs?” I asked nervously and she looked at me in befuddlement.

“So that we can go into my room?” she threw out.

“Why do we have to go to your room?” I asked hesitantly, images of her leading me to a dungeon flashing through my mind.

“Because that’s where my evidence board is that I called you to help with,” she huffed.

“Oh…Okay,” I nodded, feeling dumb for overreacting, to which she smirked at.

“What’s the matter? Never been in a girl’s room before? I’m not surprised,” she teased and I frowned.

Not since Middle School, I thought heatedly as memories of Her resurfaced and I pushed them down.

“Just open the damn door,” I grunted. She raised a brow at that, but she didn’t push any further than that.

"Alright fine, but before we go in I'm setting down some ground rules. Rules that if you break them, the police will never find your body," she threatened which actually put me in a better mood surprisingly.

“Wow Condi, nice audition line for a Soap Opera there. Give it again in Spanish and you’ll be the lead actress,” I mocked and she frowned.

"Bacon I swear to god, you bet-"

"Yeah yeah I understand Shimmer, just tell me your rules so we don't waste anymore time will ya?"

“Hmmph,” she huffed before she started drilling out her commandments. “Alright, they’re very simple. First of all, don’t touch anything inside without my permission! Secondly, don’t you ever tell any of your loser friends what you witness inside. And lastly…” She leaned towards me with a menacing look which actually made me feel in danger. “Stay away from my dresser!”

“You’re…You’re dresser?” I balked, both terrified and confused.

“Yes! So help me, if your eyes linger on it for even more than a second, I will bury you alive with plenty of maggots to keep you company. Understand?!”

I gulped and nodded at that, because for the first time, I actually believed her. All her ineffectual taunts and threats at school were nothing compared to this threat.

I won’t look at your dresser, I swear to god I won’t! I thought fearfully, and as if reading my mind she nodded and turned back to the door.

“Good. Now that that’s out of the way…” she opened the door and walked inside. “Take your shoes off, I don’t want any mud in my room.”

I obeyed, not wanting to push my luck as I untied my sneakers.

Seriously, where was that malice hiding? If she acted like that all the time I wouldn’t even think of mouthing off to her, I trembled.

“By the way, you’re not lactose intolerant or anything are you?” she asked from inside. “Because if you are you’re S.O.L. for snacks.”

…And like that, the tension is gone, I thought somewhat disappointed.

Usually when entering someone else’s room, there’s a list of things that you will take notice of first. You’ll first notice the walls and any posters or pictures hanging on it that help differentiate it from the parent’s décor. Then your eyes will be drawn to the bed and furniture which will tell you what color they prefer to sleep under, and whether they got books, figurines or knick knacks lining their shelves. Finally, your eyes will be drawn to the floor and to any mess or lack thereof. All of these together help you gain a little more insight into the person who sleeps there, such as their cleanliness habits, what they’re hobbies are, and how organized or chaotic they are.

None of these things even remotely registered with me though, because upon walking into her room my eyes were drawn to the one thing she obviously prized above the rest.

“Dang,” I let out an impressed whistle. “Is that a 70 in?”

“Huh? Oh. It’s a 75 in actually,” she said with pride.

The huge ass flat screen adorning her wall took up a third of her room, but it was clear it’s where she put the most love in. Not only that, but she also had a speaker system set up connected to it, and under the screen was a cabinet which had at least 4 different consoles in it at a cursory glance. Placed right in front of the TV was a very comfortable looking saucer chair with a foot rest to boot.

Needless to say, I was impressed.

“Condi…you’ve got a really sweet setup going on here,” I said with all sincerity which took her off guard.

"Uh...thanks? That...that was a compliment right?"

"Look Shimmer, if there's one thing I can never insult without a genuine good reason, it’s a gamer's setup. It’s our pride and joy after all, and I’d have to be a monster to put it down.”

She looked at me as if I’d grown a second head and asked,

“You’re a gamer too?”

“No crap I am,” I scoffed. “If anyone should be surprised it should be me. I didn’t think someone like you would pick up a controller.”

She narrowed her eyes at that.

“What, because I’m a girl?” she insinuated and I rolled my eyes.

“No, no, don’t try to start that sexist bullcrap talk on me. I meant because you’re a jerk who puts down others for “Nerd Stuff.””

“Gaming isn’t nerdy! You get to kill monsters and aliens and Nazis and stuff!” she defended.

“Really?” I asked incredulously at her distinction. “Is that why you didn’t think I was a gamer because it’s only for ‘popular people’?”

“No, I just thought you were a weeb because you’re always drooling over your mangas,” she accused.

“Hey! Just because I’m a weeb doesn’t mean I can’t also enjoy video games,” I defended.

“Really?” she challenged as she set the snack platter down. “So you’re saying you actually play something other than those anime dating sims?”

“I don’t play those!” I grunted. “And honestly, I could kick your ass at any fighting game any day.”

“Oh ho, is that a challenge?” she said baited.

“Yeah! Pick the game!”

“You’re on!” she grunted as she brushed past me and started setting everything up. She then sat on her comfy chair and handed me a controller.

“We’re going a few rounds in Killer Instinct. Prepared to get owned noob!”

“Ha! That’s the worst game you could have challenged me to Heinz poster girl!” I insulted.

And so we battled…and sure enough, she knew how to game. She had her mains, and I had mine, and for every match I won, she’d even out the score. She wasn’t a god level expert like Flubber, but she was good.

“Aha! Combo Breaker Bitch!” she laughed in triumph.

“Gyah! Every time!” I grumbled, though I laughed as well.

Despite the both of us giving it our all in total concentration, and even working up a bit of a sweat, I was actually feeling a bit more comfortable. I was in my element with a controller in my hand, and all of the stupidity and wrongful accusations of the last few days just sort of melted away as I pressed those buttons. Some people go jogging or play sports to let off steam, but this was my pressure relief valve, and judging by how Sunset was acting, it was hers too.

“UUUUULLLLLLTTTTRRRRRAAAAA!!!” the game announcer screamed as her Sabrewulf finished kicking the crap out of my Cinder.

“Yeah! Ha! In your face Bacon! You mess with the werewolf, you get the claws!” she jeered pumping her fist in the air.

“Heh, yeah. Good round,” I congratulated and she smirked.

“Good game you mean. And you thought you could beat me.”

“I did beat you. Plenty of times! We’re tied ten and ten now,” I pointed out.

“What?!” she said in alarm before looking at the screen and seeing I was corrected. “Alright then, next match decides it!”

“Nah I’m good, I need a break to rest my wrists,” I said as I wiped my palms against my pants.

“Oh, forfeiting huh?” she teased as she chugged her soda.

“Nah, more like calling it a draw for now,” I conceded as I ate some chips. “Besides, I got all the proof I need. You’re definitely a gamer Condiment Head.”

“Of course I am,” she said proudly before looking at me reluctantly. “And…and I guess even a weeb like you can hold his own.”

“You should see me in Mortal Kombat,” I smirked.

“I’ve got that too!” she said enthusiastically.

“Heh, maybe later,” I waved off. “Right now, I wanna help improve your set up.”

“Improve?” she asked sounding offended. “What’s wrong with it? I thought you said it was sweet?”

“Oh it is, definitely, but there’s some definite ways it could be even more amazing,” I explained and she raised a brow.

“Like what?” I smirked and held up my hand and said in an overly dramatic voice,

"First, I'd like to enact the usage of Oath 3: As a fellow Gamer I request that fellow sister Sunset Shimmer allows thy humble brother to improve and renew thou's sanctuary with thine's blessing."

Maybe a bit fanciful but I was feeling in a relatively better mood and wanted to spice up the Gamer Code.

“Oh my god,” she chuckled and shook her head. “Did you actually memorize the Code?”

“Practically,” I admitted. “Though I prettied up the language for fun.”

"Well alright then,” she coughed into hand and looked at me stoicly and seriously. “I accept your usage of Oath 3, and allow you to help improve my setup. Now...what did you have in mind?"

With that, I began to give Sunset some ideas to improve her gaming setup, which led to me relaxing on Sunset's saucer chair playing Street Fighter IV while she was off to the side at her desk, writing down notes in an actual notepad while we both ate from the snack platter.

"So you're telling me that my speakers aren't the best kind for gaming audio? I always figured so long as they work its fine.”

"Usually yeah, since a working speaker is kinda necessary if you don't have a headphone jack or built-in speakers in your screen. But if you really want to experience a game in all its greatness you have to get some good speakers that don’t make the floor vibrate. I'd recommend-"

And so that's how the conversation between me and Sunset went for awhile, me giving her advice for her set-up while she asked me the reasons behind my recommendations.

“Alright, I found the speakers on Craigslist for a lot cheaper than retail,” she said while looking at her phone.

“That’s a gamble buying used,” I warned. “All it takes is one subpar speaker when in surround sound to throw off the experience.”

“Yeah, good point,” she nodded. “Still, as expensive as everything is, maybe I should just get some good headphones.”

“You’ll regret it in during summer time unless you get a pair that allow for air flow,” I instructed from experience.

“Hmm, well maybe I could sell some old jewelry or something. Heh, I’m glad I called you over here for this or I wouldn’t have…Wait a minute!” she suddenly shouted which jostled me.

“What?!” I asked in alarm.

“What the hell are we doing?! I didn’t call you over here for this!”

My eyes widened as I swam out of the gaming bliss and remembered our predicament.

“Crap! You’re right!” I said as I stood out of her chair.

“AGH! We wasted a whole hour!” she exclaimed looking at the clock by her bed. “Why did you do this?!”

“I didn’t make you play! You called me out remember!” I defended in outrage, which caused her to huff and stomp over to her closet.

“Whatever! Just help me lift this thing! We’ve gotta make up for lost time!” she said pointing to a corkboard.

“I’m coming, I’m coming,” I grumbled as I headed towards her.

“And don’t look at my dresser!” she threatened. Luckily she was inside the closet, so she didn’t see my eyes snap away from said piece of furniture. Whatever she was afraid I’d see wasn’t obvious on a first glance aside from a vanity mirror, but I wasn’t willing to call her bluff.

“I wasn’t!” I lied as I picked up my end of the board.

“Okay, now go toards the tripod stand near the window,” she ordered.

“Can I look at that?” I snarked.

“Just shut up and move!” she grumbled as we shimmied our way with the relatively heavy evidence board.

Once we placed it upon it’s holder, I took a step back and got a better look at it and was surprised. There were only a few scribbled notes, papers, and the spray can poster form the art room pinned to it, leaving the majority of it unused. There were also pictures of the Dazzle Rejects at the center, with a red string circled around it with the words 'Obvious Suspects' written right above them.

But what really stood out for me was that at the top of the board, with rather large and fancy lettering, was the eloquently title 'Evidence to Screw Those Dazzle Bitches and Prove My Innocence.'

"Whelp nice to see your taking this whole investigation thing seriously, but you really need to work on your naming skills. That one is far too long-winded and doesn't roll off the tongue at all,” I snarked.

"Excuse me if I'm more focused on making sure w-I don't get punished due to the vice-principal’s ass kissing instead of making some fancy investigation name!"

I held my hands up in surrender as I dryly said,

"Alright alright, calm down before your hair starts sizzling. Now care to explain why your little evidence board looks so empty? I thought you said you made some headway?"

To my question, an out of place sheepish look came over her face as she mumbled out,

"I did make some headway...it’s just not as much as I was hoping for..."

There were a few seconds of silence between us as I looked at her stone-faced.

“Okay…then what is it?” I asked impatiently.

“Uh, sit down and I’ll walk you through it,” she ordered as she pointed back at the saucer chair and took out a collapsible pointer.

“What is this, a lecture? Come on, we wasted enough time, just tell m-“

"Sit. Down…” she ordered, clearly relaying that I had no choice in the manner.

“Okay, okay, quit baring your fangs,” I huffed as I sat back down in the chair and awaited whatever grand revelation she’d uncovered.

"That's better, now maybe we can actually get started on comparing evidence. First off..." she slapped the pointer at a picture of the spray can. "I managed to get access to the chemistry class thanks to some generous freshmen who suddenly couldn't make use of the time slot they had for it." I deliberately decided to ignore the unneeded proud tone dripping from Sunset's voice at that as she continued, "And after comparing the samples from the crime scene and from the art room, it is safe to say that none of them were used to deface the Wondercolt."

She looked at me proudly as if she uncovered a treasure trove.

“Okay…why is that a good thing? Doesn’t that mean we don’t have leads now?” I asked and she smirked smugly.

"You poor, naïve, idiotic moron, I guess I had my hopes a little too high for you to understand what these implications mean," she insulted and I frowned. I didn’t bark back though, because as insulting as she was being, she was right. I couldn’t make heads or tails of whatever this meant.

“Yeah, well, care to instruct this lowly dumbass then?” I asked impatiently.

"With pleasure,” she nodded. “The paint not being from the art supply means it wasn’t the cheap medium that most schools shell out for. The paint was actually of a higher quality and consistency associated more with brands above a school’s budget. Which means-“

"That whoever used this had to use it from their own personal supply, and it was probably something expensive too if the quality of the spray can was as good as you say it was,” I interrupted Sunset as I followed along with her logic. Instead of getting pissed at me for interrupting her though, she gave me a nod at my line of logic before she continued,

"Right, guess there’s hope for you yet. And since only people really dedicated to spray painting would go that far to purchase expansive materials, it reconfirms my earlier belief of being done by someone with a professional skill level. Taking that into account, our suspect pool for who the Dazzling’s hired to frame us narrows down to the Tagging Club."

She once again slammed the tip of her pointer against the board where the Tagging Club poster was, through this time there was a noticeable amount of extra force behind it.

Okay, let’s not poke that beehive. I do not want to be on the receiving end of that pointer if she gets pissed enough, I thought wearily before saying,

"Well that makes this easier for us, now all we got to do is figure out if any of those idiots is close to someone with decent sewing skills an-"

"Is what I want to say, but none of those jerks did it,” she interrupted me with a sigh.

"...Bacon hair says what now?" was my ever so clever response as I blinked owlishly at her.

She glared at the poster with her back to me and let out another annoyed sigh.

"As much as I would have loved to get that club disbanded for taking my idea, none of the members in it could have done it. They all have alibis that puts them away from the crime scene when the Wondercolt was defiled."

"And how would you know that?” I asked giving her a suspicious glance. “I doubt any of them would have bothered talking to you outside of an insult thanks to the whole school being brainwashed peppy idiots."

Sunset seemed to take some offense to my wording, but since I didn't really care if she was offended or not I just kept my suspicious glare going. Besides she knew it was true, the entire school body were a bunch of overzealous school spirit morons who clearly loved horses too much.

I swear no other high school would make this big a fuss if their mascot got graffitied.

"Look Bacon, once I figured this out I wasn't just going to just sit on my ass and wait for something to happen. My reputation is at stake after all, so I had my minions...question the Tagging Club members over the last couple of days.”

“What, those two middle schoolers that hang around you?” I asked, a bit surprised that she even called them her minions.

“Yes. They’re both dumb as rocks, but Snips and Snails are both loyal and effective,” she said with conviction.

“Yeah but…they’re kids,” I said at a lost. “Why would high schoolers be afraid of them?”

“Huh?” she asked before shaking her head. “No, no, no, they’re not good at that sort of thing. I just had them snoop and ask questions in their dumb little way. People tend to drop their guard when they think they’re teaching a moron.”

“I…Okay, however that works,” I shrugged. “But getting back to the point, what did your little henchmen find?”

“A rock solid alibi is what,” she huffed and hit the pointer against the poster again. “All of them at the same place at the same time, and it was nowhere near the Wondercolt.”

"Wait a second,” I interjected, “According to Ms. Long Legs the Second this whole thing happened around midnight Sunday and five in the morning Monday. What the hell were a bunch of art nerds doing together so late like that? They all get caught at some meet up during the storm?"

Sunset seemed to choke back a laugh at my nickname for the vice principal as she quickly steeled her features and walked over to her desk. A few moments later she came back with a tablet, tapped away on it for a few seconds before flipping the screen and setting it against the tack board.

The screen was of some fancy looking article, where the center of it was mostly taken up by some grandiose looking text with additional 'decorations' surrounding it.

'The First Annual School District Graffiti Art Show!'

There was a bunch of meaningless small text below a picture of some fancy looking building, which was probably a local art center or atrium or something.

She then swiped on the pad and a bunch of pictures popped up, displaying a bunch of people with spray cans working on a massive canvas.

“Let me guess, that’s the tagging club?” I presumed and she nodded. “And they were…what? Pulling an allnighter?”

“Yup,” she said grumpily and swiped through more pictures. “One of them even live streamed the whole thing. They painted clear until 4:30 at one of their houses to finish this project, and none of them would have had time to graffiti our mascot.”

“Well crap!” I muttered and she nodded.

“Yeah…So the Tagging Club is out, unless Adagio herself took lessons on the side in order to do this, which she never would,” she huffed.

“Huh? Why wouldn’t that be a possibility?” I asked and she shook her head.

“Neither she nor the others had paint on their hands when they stopped us in the hall,” she said in disappointment.

“Uhhh…what about glo-“

“And they wouldn’t have worn gloves either. They’d all gotten manicures over the weekend and had new bedazzled nails. They’d have messed them up if they wore gloves,” she cut me off.

Okay, wow, wouldn’t have ever considered that train of thought, I realized as I realized that maybe Sunset was more observant than she let on. But either way now we don't have any more ideas as who the puppets are...unless...

“Hey, go back to that first screen,” I told her. She quirked a brow at that, but did as I asked. When the article came back into view, my vision narrowed onto the title, specifically the 'School District' portion of it.

"Hey, what were the other schools involved in this thing? Our crappy school can’t be it’s own district!" I said enthusiastically, feeling like I’d just uncovered something.

“I know what you’re thinking, and trust me, I thought the same thing. That Adagio got one of her moles at another school to do this…but that’s not the case either,” she sighed.

“Why not?” I asked, not at all surprised that the Queen Bitch of the Castle had court jesters in other schools.

“Because the only other schools with Tagging Clubs are those pricks at Crystal Prep and those creepy Changelings,” she said with gritted teeth. “Both of which wouldn’t ever let Adagio get a foothold.”

With the rampant school rivalry even amongst Pinkie’s friends, I could understand the Crystal Prep one, but the others…

“Changelings?” I asked in confusion. “What are they Celtic or something?”

“Oh right, you’re new,” she said bopping her forehead before picking up her tablet and typing. “That’s what we call the rejects at The Changing Lives Reform School for Wayward Students.”

She then turned the tablet back to me which showed the most ghetto looking school ever. The building had boarded up windows, holes in the walls, and the students in front of it looked like the definition of Thugs.

“Is this a prison or a school?” I asked in awe and she smirked.

“I know, right? The Changeling Hive is where the kids that don’t end up in juvie get sent to try and fail to raise their GPA.”

“How the hell are they even still running?” I asked as she flipped through some more pics, showing some students with full sleeves of tattoos.

“Two reasons. One, their sports program is the best in the whole city, especially in Football and Basketball, and two, their principal is a whore.”

I chuckled at that, but she looked at me in all seriousness.

“No really, there’s a number of stories about her. It explains why the Superintendents like her so much,” she explained. “Hell, I heard she even had an affair with the husband of Crystal Prep’s Vice Principal.”

“Yeesh,” I said as she showed a picture of a dark skinned woman with green hair that could give Principal Celestia a run for her money in the leg department. “Their questionable school structure aside, are you sure Adagio wouldn’t have contacts?”

“I’m positive,” she nodded. “For one, even she’s not stupid enough to get mixed up with Changeling Delinquents, that’d be just plain dangerous. And as for the Snobs, she knows better than to cross that line. They mess with us, we mess with them, and we never work together. That’s the unspoken rule…”

She calls those Reform kids delinquents and yet our schools have a rival gang mentality, I thought in response to her hypocrisy. What is wrong with this city?

Deciding to let sleeping bears lie, I handed Sunset back her tablet and let out a disgruntled groan.

"So now we have no suspects that can prove the Dazzlings set this all up, just great! Please tell me this isn't all you got Condiment Head?"

Sunset just shook her head before she said,

"Trust me Bacon, I wish I had more. But that's all I got, all I know is that someone used their own personal spray paint and that it can't be anyone from our school’s Tagging Club.”

“And it can’t be the other schools because Adagio wouldn’t be caught dead working with them right?”

“Yeah,” she nodded. “I was hoping that you picked up on something so we could add it to the board and have a better picture. So…do you?”

"Nothing that'll help,” I admitted in defeat. “I got Rarity to look over the stitching for that underwear on the statue, and she said a bunch of fashion mumbo-jumbo that boils down to it being a professional job. So whoever helped the tagger knew how to sew…are you okay?” I asked as her eyes widened.

“Of course! What do you mean that’s not much?! That’s another lead! We could look into people in a sewing club or something,” she said as she made a note about the underwear and stuck it on the board.

“Is there a sewing club?” I asked.

“I…I don’t think so…not in our school, but it’s a lead…right?” she asked and I noted the edge of desperation in her voice. She had latched onto my little tidbit and was trying to run with it as far as she could.

“It’s something…but if it took us this long to figure out the paint situation, do we even have enough time to track down a seamstress that might know Adagio?” I said pessimistically and her shoulders slumped.

“Well either way, I’m going to keep looking. We can’t just give up and let those bitches win!” she said as she turned back to the board. “They hired a tagger and a sewer, there’s a trail somewhere! We’ve got to find it!”

And while she was having her little breakdown, a notification popped up on her tablet.

“…Uh, Con-“

“I won’t be able to bounce back again like after last time! I have to fix this or I’ll have nothing an-“

“Shimmer!” I raised my voice and she turned back to me.

“What?!” she growled.

“I think someone’s either trying to help you or screw with you,” I said pointing at the tablet notification. She looked at the screen and read aloud what I’d already seen.

“The Dazzling’s Aren’t Your Culprit?” she turned to me with a look of bewilderment and I just shrugged.

“Are they taunting you or-“

“No, I don’t recognize this number,” she started typing a response.

Who the hell is this? Her text read, and almost immediately a response came.

Someone who’s got info that can help. Bring Michael Bacon with you and meet me in an hour at the food strip by Dodge Junction. I’ll give you more instructions then.

We both read that message a good dozen times before we looked at each other in disbelief.

"Well...this is an obvious trap."

"This was such a bad idea, and I completely blame you if we end up getting killed,” I complained. Sunset’s eye twitched, but she didn’t respond as she parked her car near the outdoor mall. “I mean seriously, this is such an obvious set up!”

“Of course it is!” she spat as she turned the car off. “But we both agreed that we didn’t have any other choice!”

“I know! And I hate everything because of that fact,” I grumbled as she pulled out a phone that didn’t belong to either of us and texted the messenger.

Whoever they were, they had insisted that I use my phone to text when we arrived before receiving more info, which pissed both of us off to no end. For me, I obviously didn’t want my info going to some rando who would probably send it out en masse to the school, and for Sunset it was frustration. Our informant already had been in contact with her, and yet was insistent on using cryptic means as if they were a spy or something.

“There, and sent,” Sunset said as she set the phone down. “Now if it is a trap, then it’s only Snails that will have to deal with the spam.” After giving into the desperation and madness, we’d made a pit stop at her lanky lackey’s house to retrieve his cell.

“I’m just surprised he gave it to you with no questions asked,” I said as we awaited a response.

“I told you, he’s loyal,” she answered.

“And you’re okay with him seeing me in the car with you?” I questioned, remembering her earlier excuses before we’d found out we were neighbors.

“Even if he did say something, no one would believe him,” she dismissed before looking around the parking lot. “But seriously, if you see anyone from school, you duck.”

“Whoever got us here is going to know we came together anyway,” I rolled my eyes and she paused.

“Yeah, well…whatever,” she waved off just as Snail’s phone lit up.

Come to the Filibertos, I’ll be in the back away from windows and prying eyes, it said followed by a few emojis.

“See? ‘Away from prying eyes’ means there will be no witnesses when they murder us,” I said dejectedly and Sunset pursed her lips.

“That, or it could be because they don’t want to be seen helping us and have it get back to the Dazzlings,” Sunset theorized and I gave her a blank look. “…It’s just a possibility,” she huffed and got out of the car.

“Optimism is not our strong suit C.H.,” I said as I got out as well and looked to the outdoor mall in the evening light.

“Fair enough,” she nodded and I turned to her.

“Okay, here’s how we play it. We get to the food shop, we scope it out for an ambush, and if we don’t like it we leave.”

“Why do you think I parked in the back?” she said smugly gesturing to the nearly deserted parking lot.

“Huh…I did kind of wonder why you did that if this place is as ghetto as you say,” I replied, “You know, since apparently that Reform school is not too far away.”

“Don’t remind me,” she shuddered. “Now, let’s get inside before any Changeling’s recognize us from that stupid video."

"Good point,” I said as we walked cautiously towards our chosen restaurant. “But seriously if this is some serial killer leading us on it’s your fa-"

"Bacon, if you finish that sentence I will make you wish we were meeting a serial killer when I'm through with you,” she snapped which caused me to flinch again.

Whelp...I think that pissed her off enough. How come she isn't this threatening in school again?

With that final interaction we both entered the Mexican Fast Food restaurant. Despite being a 24/7 joint, the place was fairly clean inside and the smell wafting out of the kitchen made my stomach rumble.

“Hey Condiment Head, even if this is a bust, we should get some burritos or something,” I suggested and she looked at me incredulously.

“You just ate a bunch of snacks at my house,” she argued.

“Yeah, but they pale in comparison to carne asada,” I stood my ground.

“I am not letting you eat something so greasy in my car Chicken Sauce,” she said with finality.

“Alright fine,” I grumbled as I ignored the tantalizing smells and looked for our mysterious benefactor.

“I think that might be them around the corner,” Sunset said pointing to a lone figure in a large coat and fedora at a table near the bathrooms with their back to us. Seeing as how the only other people inside were the chefs and cashier who didn’t give us a second glance since we weren’t ordering, I had to agree with her.

“Yeah, and this just reeks even more of a trap. Who dresses like that outside of a spy movie?”

Sunset looked around the nearly empty restaurant for any sign of foul play and scowled.

“Well, at the very least there’s nobody recording us. They are sitting away from the windows so it’s kind of private just like the message said,” she pointed out.

“I know, and this straight up looks like we’re meeting a drug dealer or something, I don’t like it.”

She pursed her lips and thought about my train of thought and nodded.

“You’re right, this feels too clichéd and stupid. It’s like they’re just begging us to walk in and embarrass oursellllllll…” she trailed off as her eyes widened. Following her line of sight, I found out why.

“Oh you’ve gotta be shitting me,” I growled as I saw the blue striped ponytail flop out from under the hat. Even with all the plethora of hair colors that Canterlot had to offer, we both knew exactly who wore that shade of blue.

“What is that bitch doing here?!” Sunset growled as her hands curled into fists and she clenched her teeth.

“Obviously trying to waste our time for her precious boss,” I snarled. “Dazzle’s probably in the bathroom just waiting to pop out. I told you this was a bad idea!”

Our barely contained anger went unnoticed by Sonata though as she continued to munch away whatever food was in front of them.

“That little…how did she get my new number?!” Shimmer seethed and I shrugged.

“Who knows and who cares?” I dismissed. “Let’s just get out of here before the Rejects spring whatever trap they-“

“DUSK!” Sunset yelled and stomped towards the girl, who jolted in surprise.

“Oh for-Really?!” I grunted in exasperation as Sunset characteristically acted rashly.

“What the hell are you playing at?!” she demanded to the Reject, who turned around to face her…and was wearing a sauce stained surgical mask and holding a half eaten taco.

“Oh, you’re here! I-“ her eyes widened as she pulled the surgical mask over her mouth and adopted a deeper tone. “I mean, I'm glad you decide to, like, seek me out. Please, like, take a seat. We have much to talk about."

…Okay, this girl has definitely seen too many spy movies, I determined as Sunset was just as thrown off by her shenanigans.

“What the-NO! What’s going on Sonata?!” she demanded as she loomed over her. “What is Adagio planning?!”

"So-Sonata!? I'm, like, totally not this Sonata person! I'm just Mr. S, like, seriously! An-and even if I was this Sonata person I'm sure she, like, totes wasn't following whoever this Dagi person is! In fact, she would totes not be doing anything behind her back, like, ever!" she stammered, using the deep fake voice the whole time.

Sunset blinked owlishly, clearly still befuddled by the other girl’s antics, before she grit her teeth and slammed her fist onto the table.

"Listen here you ditzy bitch if you don't come clean right this instant I'l-"

“Uh! What Sunset meant to say, Mr. S, is that we're thankful for your willingness to give whatever info you have to clear our names!” I stammered as I rushed forth and interrupted.

"Mikey! You ca-uh I mean," Sonata stopped herself short and went back to the deep voice. “Thank you for coming Mr. Bacon.”

“Uh, no problem,” I said as I pulled Sunset back from her.

“The hell are you doing!?” she hissed.

“Preventing an incident!” I hissed back, tilting my head towards the cashier who was staring at us inquisitively with her phone prepared in her hand. Seeing this Sunset paled and I nodded. “Yeah, so let’s try to get out of this mess without the cops getting called on us.”

“Oh did you guys want to order some tacos too?” Sonata asked in her real voice as she noticed us looking at the cashier.

“N-No. We already ate,” Sunset said reluctantly as she glared back at our common foe.

“Oh...” she said before becoming gruff again. “Well please, like, take a seat. Take a seat right over there,” she gestured towards the chairs opposite her.

I can't tell if her tough guy voice is adorable or pathetic, maybe a combo of the two? Adoretic? Pathable?

My thoughts aside me and Sunset shared a quick look of 'yes, this is happening' before we took a seat across from Sonata, though I made sure to keep the bathroom door in my periphery. By herself, we had nothing to worry about with Sonata. While she would suffer the same fate Adagio and Aria would, she was no major threat without them.

She’s just a poor lost sheep, with no direction or understanding of where she is; in other words, the perfect bait. Having Sunset attack her is probably their plan, and they’re just waiting to call the cops. Well, not on my watch Rejects.

Even if it was stupid, I determined I was going to undermine their little game and keep Sunset from flying off the wagon.

“There we go,” Sonata said in base. “Now we can, like, get this thing started.”

I looked back towards the employee who put her phone away and walked back to the register and I let out a sigh.

Crisis averted…for now.

“And what thing is that Sonata?” Sunset asked with suspicion.

“Heh heh, I already told you, I’m Mr. S,” she said refusing to break character despite being found out.

“Oh for, why do you always have to be so damned-“

“Sorry for the mistake Mr. S. She can be a bit jumpy when she gets mad," I interrupted which earned me a glare.

“Oh no, it’s like, totally fine,” “Mr. S.” assured. “I mean, it wouldn’t end well if this very cute Sonata girl was meeting you instead of me, right?”

Sunset and I shared a glance, both having caught that little tidbit.

"Alright…S,” Sunset said very reluctantly. “You called us out here, now what message does your boss have?”

“Dagi’s not my boss, she’s my fri-I mean! I’m not working for anybody! I’m here by myself,” she declared.

“Really?” I said skeptically.

“Yes, for realsies,” she said gruffly, which probably would have been funnier under better circumstances.

“And why would you do that?” Sunset grunted, clearly not buying it either.

“Because…because it’s the right thing to do?” she guessed and I frowned.

Says one of the bitches that humiliated me in front of the whole damn school and framed me! I thought with rage, but I pushed it down lest I bring the cashier back.

“Uh huh, forgive me if I don’t buy that bull,” Sunset dismissed and leaned towards the disguised girl. “Now tell me. What. Is. Your. Game?!”

Sonata recoiled a bit at that before coughing into her hand.

“No game. Honest. Like, I’m doing this because I want to,” she said with conviction.

Wait, is she really here behind Adagio’s back? I wondered. I mean, that’s too good to be true…but on the other hand…

“Alright Mr. S,” I interjected. “Let’s say that we believe you. What do you have that you felt you had to drag us out here for this cloak and dagger stuff?”

"Oh right! Just give me a second,” she piped up and dug through her coat. “I like totes have it here somewhere...aha!"

She then slapped a picture onto the table of what looked like a stereotypical nerd. He had bowl cut brown hair, thick glasses with a black rim, and freckles all around his face.

"…Okay. Who’s this supposed to be?” I asked and Sonata looked away from both of us.

“He’s someone that, like, knows the truth. He’ll be able to help prove you didn’t do it,” she said sounding nervous.

“Knows the truth?” I repeated as I scooped up the photo and looked at it more closely. “Are you telling me this is the guy that tagged the horse?”

"He’s not the one who did it,” Sunset dismissed. “That's Hindsight. He's a geek who’s in the Computer Club at school, and he couldn't do anything related with art to save his life." At my questioning gaze Sunset just gave an awkward sigh before saying, "He tried to score a date with some girl using his own 'art' and got rejected hard. I may have been nearby by chance and saw his drawing. It was not good."

Hindsight? What kind of parent names their kid that?! Does anyone in this city have a normal freaking name!?

Pushing those headache inducing thoughts aside, I looked back to the “disguised” Sonata.

"Okay, why are you trying to sick us on this guy?” I accused. “Condiment Head may not know much, but she’s an idiot savant when it comes to art."

“Yeah I a-Hey!” she exclaimed, but I ignored her as Sonata started to twiddle her thumbs.

“I’m, like, not trying to trick you or anything. And I didn’t say he did it, I just said he knows the truth,” she corrected.

“We already know the truth too bitch!” Sunset spit. “We know you three set the whole thing up, and now you’re just wasting our ti-”

“But we didn’t!” she defended in her regular voice. “I mean…they didn’t.”

“What do you mean y-They didn’t do it?” I asked.

“Like, the Dazzlings aren’t the ones who set this whole thing up. You’re wasting your time thinking like that,” she stated in all sincerity.

“What? Of course they did!” Sunset insisted, but the blue girl merely shook her head.

“No they didn’t. They totes love the Wondercolt too much for that.”

Oh come on! Again with this stupid loyalty to a stupid mascot! I thought with irritation.

“So you’re saying the Dazzlings have absolutely nothing to do with our frame job?” I inquired and again she didn’t make eye contact.

“…They didn’t do it…but they know the truth,” she said quietly.

“What truth?!” Sunset demanded, but Sonata didn’t look back up at her.

“That boy can tell you,” she answered. “But, like, he might not do it so easily…and that’s all I got.”

Silence followed those words as I processed the information and Sunset tried to will Sonata’s head to explode.

Why would she be so nervous if this wasn’t something she was supposed to say? And why be this antsy while also saying they didn’t do it?

The awkward heavy silence was finally broken when Sunset stood up heatedly, causing the chair to scrape across the floor.

"I don't know what your angle is for doing this Sonata, but just know that even if you think you’re helping me, it means nothing,” she said icily and Sonata’s shoulders slumped. “I’ll never forgive what you three did to me last year. Tell Adagio that once this is done, no matter how it ends, I’ll be coming for her. I will take back what was mine…”

And with that, she stomped away from the table and out the door, never once looking back.

What did they do to you? I wondered with dread because once again, she had actually been threatening. What the hell happened last year?

Seeing as how my ride had just up and abandoned me, I coughed awkwardly as I stood up and put the picture in my pocket.

“Um…I guess we’ll look into this then,” I said lamely and Sonata nodded, though she didn’t look back up to me.

“N…No problem,” she said still sounding put out from Sunset’s words.

“I’m just gonna…” I said as I shuffled out of my chair and started walking towards the exit.

“Okay then,” she said in her regular voice. “Like, I hope this helps you out Mikey…”

I stopped in my tracks at that and looked back at her. With her back to me, she took the hat off, letting the rest of her hair fall out, and she lowered the surgical mask as she began to eat her taco again. Unlike when we first caught site of her, she wasn’t inhaling the thing like she’d done with the others that had been on her plate. Slowly and methodically she ate, her head lowered the whole time.

Guess she's just now realizing how bad it'll get if Adagio finds out she betrayed her. I thought with a shrug. Ah well, not my problem. If anything this might help in the long run, causing fractures in Adagio's posse will definitely help in the long run. But still...

"Hey Sonata,” I called out softly and she turned around with heavy looking eyes.

“Yeah?”

“…If this is legit…thanks,” I said with a nod and she stiffened.

“Oh, uh…no problem Mikey,” she said with saddened tone filled with relief, before looking away from me again, a faint smile touching her lips. The sad look didn’t quite leave though, and it nagged at me just like it did with Flubber at the forced Sleepover. Some part of me wanted to wipe the look away…but the smarter side reminded me that she didn’t deserve it.

Shimmer’s right. Whatever your reason is, it changes nothing. You were up there on that stage with Dazzle and Blaze, you pulled back that curtain, and you helped make me miserable. When the reckoning comes, you won’t be spared…

With that thought, I turned away from her sad dinner and made my way out of Filibertos and into the parking lot. Surprisingly, Sunset was still there, leaning against her car and messing around with her phone.

"And what's got you looking like you just discovered the key to taking over the world?" I asked as I noticed her smug grin.

"Nothing that concerns you Bacon, just some insurance for later,” she said cryptically before stowing her phone. “And what took you so long?”

“I didn’t leave in a huff?” I snarked and looked back at the fast food joint. “We’ve got a lead now, so I guess it wasn’t totally a waste.”

“Sure, but it was a chore having to talk to that airheaded bimbo,” she rolled her eyes. “I don’t know what’s got her 'going rogue' but it’s all we got now.”

“Damned if we do, damned if we don’t,” I agreed as I pulled out the picture of the nerdy guy. “But I swear, if this just turns out to be a wild goose chase and this guy just refused to fix Adagio’s laptop or something, I’m gonna lose it.”

“You won’t be alone,” she said as she unlocked the car and got behind the wheel. “But come on now, let’s get back to my house so we can make a plan on what to do with Hindsight.”

“Plan? What, you want my input?” I asked in surprise and she pinched the bridge of her nose.

“Yes. We’ve only got so many days left, so we’ve got to confront him tomorrow at school. Normally that wouldn’t be a problem, but if we want any real answers without interference, I’m gonna need some help.”

“Wow, big of you to admit that,” I trolled as I got in the passenger seat.

“Screw you,” she responded tersely.

"Wha-what's going on!? What do you want with me Shimmer? I didn't bother you at all this whole week!"

“Oh I think you know damn well what’s going on here four-eyes…”

The next day found me, Sunset, and Derpy hiding out in one of the less used music rooms with a very reluctant looking Hindsight joining us as well, albeit against his will.

“Michael? What’s going on? Are we kidnapping someone?!” Derpy asked nervously as Sunset loomed over the scrawny boy who had his arms and legs duct taped together.

“Uh, no…at least I don’t think we are,” I responded hesitantly.

The plan had been simple, we use Derpy’s innocent charm to get yet another key from a janitor, open an unused room, and interrogate Hindsight in it till he told us whatever “Truth” he supposedly knew. It was all well and good, until Sunset’s goons had carried him through the door, wrapped in duct tape.

“Why the hell is he tied up?!” Sunset had demanded.

“He was being difficult,” Snips had answered.

“And you said get him here by any means necessary,” Snails added. After having a mild stroke from her minion’s idiocy, she had ushered them away to watch the hallway while she got to work.

“Alright dweeb, this is going to be how it plays out. You’re going to tell me the truth about the Wondercolt, or things are going to get messy, capiche?!” she threatened as she held her fist in front of his nose.

“Eeeeee,” he whimpered and tried to shuffle backwards.

“Mike…we’re not going to hurt him are we?” Derpy asked, sounding sick to her stomach with a betrayed look on her face.

“Wh-What?! No, we’re just-“

“Answer the question!” Sunset demanded as she grabbed him by his collar and Derpy started panting in fear.

Pinkie must never know of this. I will not be made a hypocrite by her of all people dang it!

"M-Michael! Wh-what should we do, Sunset's about to go all Renegade on him!"

“Okay, nice reference there, but I don’t think she’ll actually-“

"Lo-look Sunset I have no idea what you're talking about! Everyone knows it was you and your boyfriend who messed with the Wondercolt! So ju-just let me go already you crazy lady!" he said defiantly, which was betrayed by his nasaly squeaky voice.

My eye twitched in annoyance at Hindsight's insinuations and Sunset let a more genuine growl as the poor guy whimpered at her killing intent.

"Listen here you little bastard, I'm not dating that piece of crap and I didn't deface the Wondercolt. Now you got five seconds to tell me the truth before I-"

"Alright Condiment Head, cool it off before your head starts cooking your hair. Sizzling mustard is not a good smell that I want to deal with right now,” I interrupted which caused her head to whip to me.

"Back off Chicken Sauce! I know what I'm doing here and I don't need you interrupting my wo-"

"Yeah yeah, whatever you say,” I said dismissively as I walked towards the tied up boy. “Save the rest of your breath for the people actually behind all this will you?" Now, I only said that to avoid being a party to blatant torture and to placate Derpy, but I couldn’t deny that the frustration on Sunset’s face brought me joy.

Ah...I will never get tired of that look. Now, down to business...

With that thought I kneeled down so that I was at equal height with the still sitting Hindsight, who glanced at me warily.

"Now, Hindsight right? Sorry for Sunset's little episode there, she can be a bit...a lottemperamental when she's hungry. Which has been a lot lately considering the lunch staff keep giving us crap to eat."

Hindsight quickly glanced at Sunset when her renewed growling began before looking back at me just as quickly.

"Yo-you're Michael Bacon right? The guy who made Pinkie cry and messed with the statue."

Despite my best attempts not to, I unconsciously flinched at the mention of my first day at school. Being reminded of the whole reason your life's been a total chaotic mess tends to cause that reaction...and maybe a tiny bit of guilt.

"You're right about that first bit, but you’re wrong about the second. Through you already knew that, didn't you?" his face paled at that as his eyes started to dart around, and I knew I had him.

“I-I-I don’t know what you’re talking a-“

“Please don’t lie to our faces bud, Sunset hates liars,” I said plainly.

“You’re damned right I do,” she said cracking her knuckles and he gulped.

“And don’t try to deny it, because an anonymous birdie told us everything,” I lied and his eyes widened. “We know that you know…and now you know that we know.”

“I-I-I-I…” he stammered in fear as he realized the jig was up, and I went in for the final push.

"Look man, why don't you make things easier for us, do the right thing, and tell us who actually messed with the statue. All you got to do is give us some names, and we'll be out of your hair for good."

There was a few moments of silence as Hindsight seemed to think over his options before he suddenly got this determined look in his eyes.

"I-I have no idea what you're talking about! It was you guys who did the graffiti and you’re just trying to bully me into a false confession! I don’t know who said what, but you got the wrong guy!"

That...was not what I wanted to hear, I thought with a scowl. Sonata did say he was going to be difficult, but I guess the nice guy routine isn’t going to cut it. Unless of course this WAS just a set up by Sonata and-

*Slam*

"Stop lying you little maggot and tell us the truth!” Sunset demanded, being far less subtle with her disappointment as she slammed her boot onto the ground near his knee. “I will not lose the rest of what I’ve worked for because of some computer geek, so you better start talking now or else!"

The deadly seriousness in her tone even made me concerned, but I could understand her desperation. We only had so much time left and being stonewalled wasn’t lightening the mood.

Better do something quick before 'corpse disposal' is added to my sheet of accusations.

Snapping my fingers a few times, I returned Hindsight's now thoroughly freaked out attention back on me.

"Look man, if Shimmer going Rambo on your ass isn't enough to persuade you then maybe this will. Whatever Adagio promised you, she isn’t going to honor it,” I shot in the dark and was rewarded with a widening of his eyes.

So she does have something to do with this, I thought triumphantly as I continued.

“She’s a cold hearted ruthless bitch, and you’d have to be a fool to think you even matter to her. When this is all over, she’s just going to leave you high and dry like everyone else she uses as a stepping stone.”

“B-But…she…” he stammered and Sunset looked to me with enthusiasm, encouraging me to continue.

“Helping her means you’re in her debt, and you’ll never be able to leave. At the first sign of resistance or second thoughts, she will bully and blackmail you. If you two are sharing a secret, that’s a double edged sword, and she won’t hesitate to cut you with it,” I said and got impressed looks from Derpy, Sunset and even Hindsight.

Damn, I gotta write that one down, I thought, realizing how smooth it sounded.

“But…she promised…” he whimpered and I placed my hand on his shoulder in false comfort.

“I’m sure she did, and it was probably something awesome and far out of reach right? Something impossible?” He nodded sullenly in response and I clapped his shoulder. “Well a smart guy like you should know better. I bet she’s never kept a promise in her life.”

“No…no she hasn’t,” Sunset said hollowly as her knuckles cracked, and the seriousness in her voice made my words hold more weight with him.

“I…but what am I supposed to do?” he asked pleadingly as he looked into my eyes.

“It’s simple, you don’t give her the chance to screw you over. In fact you take the opportunity to screw her over first,” I implored.

“Yeah, you help us out, and you’ll be the one with the power, and you can cut her with that double edge first,” Sunset added, reusing my earlier metaphor.

“And…and she won’t take it out on me?” he asked nervously and I smirked.

“If you help us buddy, Sunset will keep you safe, right…?” I insinuated as I looked to her and she gave me a tired look.

“…I remember those that helped me,” she responded looking Hindsight right in the eye.

"So what do you say man? You gonna help us screw over the diva trio?" I asked with a false smile.

Once more, there was a few moments of silence, but this time when he looked at me, I knew I would hear what I wanted.

"Alright...alright I'll talk. I'll tell you everything..."

“Thank you,” I said with a smug grin before looking at Sunset. “Alright, get Tweedle Dee and Dum in here to untie the guy.”

“Hmmph, you don’t give me orders,” she said coldly before doing just as I asked.

“Wow, she actually listened to you,” Hindsight said with amazement as he looked at me with newfound respect. “Are you sure you two aren’t-“

“Not in a million years,” I said as I stood up.

“Alright, get him loose and make it quick, lunch is ending soon,” Sunset ordered her little cronies as she let them in.

“Alrighty boss, you can count on us!” the pudgy kid said as he pulled four sets of scissors out of his pocket.

“Why do you have that many scissors on you?” Hindsight asked the Middle-schooler, feeling disturbed.

“Eh, you never know when you need scissors,” he said with a shrug as he handed a pair to the vacant string bean.

“Yeah, I don’t get it much either,” Sunset shrugged when I looked at her questioningly.

And while the underclassmen cut away the tape on our hostage, Derpy tugged at my sleeve.

“Yeah?”

“I just…I just wanted to say that that was so cool,” she said with beaming eyes and I was taken aback.

“Uh…”

“The way you and Sunset tag teamed him, going from sour to sweet and back, that was a perfect good cop, bad cop scenario,” she congratulated.

“…Thanks?” I guessed, never having thought of it that way. I had only interjected and tried to calm things down so we wouldn’t get in any more trouble…which is exactly what Good-Cop, Bad-Cop is all about. “Huh, I guess I did do that.”

“Heh, no wonder you two didn’t tell me that’s what you were planning. I’m not good at acting and I would have blown it. When he kept glancing at me being scared and confused, it was genuine and it got to him,” she explained and I began to sweat.

“Yup! Totally what we were planning. Glad you understand Derpy,” I chuckled nervously and she smiled.

“No problem,” she said bubbly before looking at Sunset as she looked over her minions with pride. “You know, you two DO make a very good team.”

I nearly choked in surprise at that remark, especially since she said it without any hint of sarcasm.

“Yeah, well, the threat of execution makes anyone a team player I guess,” I dismissed just as Snips and Snails freed Hindsight completely.

“There you go, all done,” Snails said dopily.

“Great, but next time, ask me first before you two decide to wrap someone up,” she scolded and they wilted a bit. “I mean, it’s a miracle no one saw you.”

“Yeah…except for Sweetie Belle,” Snails said with a grin and she did a double take.

“What?! Someone saw you dragging him?” she exclaimed and he nodded. “Why didn’t you say anything?!”

“Well, we were gonna…but then he kept showing me these mysterious texts he kept getting,” Snips explained.

“Yeah. I keep getting pictures of food and dogs and cats, and whoever they are keeps asking what my favorite ice cream flavor is,” Snails said vacantly.

And that would probably be Sonata blowing up his phone thinking it’s mine. Glad I dodged that bullet, I thought in relief as Sunset facepalmed.

“Alright, new plan. You two run along, and if anyone asks, you deny everything! Got it?!”

“Can do!” they both saluted and rushed out the door.

“So what is your favorite ice cream flavor?”

“I’m still thinking that one over.”

And just as quickly as the stupidity entered, it was gone and I shook my head.

“How did you get captured by those two?” I asked Hindsight who looked away in embarrassment.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” he mumbled.

“That’s okay, you don’t have to say anything you don’t want to,” Derpy said in her usual bubbly voice.

“Oh, uh…thank you,” he said with an actual smile.

“Okay, okay, enough with the compliments. You said you were going to talk, so spill the beans already,” Sunset demanded and he nodded as he stood up.

“Right, right…oh, where do I even begin?” he muttered.

“The beginning is usually nice,” I snarked and he chuckled nervously.

“Yeah that makes sense,” he agreed before he took a deep breath and looked both me and Sunset.

“Before I begin, I just want to say how sorry I am for going along with everything, even after I know you didn’t do it.”

“We’ll handle forgiveness later, now spill!” Sunset huffed and he flinched.

“Okay…well on Sunday night, some of my friends and I had been messing around with my new drone,” he started and I shared a confused look with Shimmer.

Not where I thought this would begin, but okay, I thought as I gestured for him to continue.

“It’s pretty expensive and it has a long area of control. I could literally sit at my home computer and have it fly to the edge of town if I wanted,” he explained.

“Oooohhh, can it go as high as an airplane?” Derpy asked curiously and he brightened.

“It can actually…though you really shouldn’t because you could get in serious trouble with regulated airspace and-“

“Getting off track,” Shimmer threatened and he stopped himself.

“Right, right,” he said while pushing his glasses higher on his nose. “The point is, the drone is state of the art, and my friends and I decided to play with it and get some good footage of the town after the storm had dissipated…but then disaster struck. A goose flew into my drone and knocked it from the sky.”

“Oh no! The poor goose!” Derpy said sympathetically.

“Oh no, the goose was fine. The stupid jerk was honking merrily as it flew away and my drone tumbled,” he huffed.

“Heh, yeah, geese are assholes,” I agreed.

“Michael!” Derpy pouted.

“What? They are!” I stood my ground.

“You’ll get no argument from me,” Sunset added and Derpy scrunched her face at all of us. “But flying rats aside, what does your broken drone mean in the grand scheme?”

“Oh, well what happened was that my drone sort of went offline when it crashed, so I had no idea where it had landed. But, using complicated math, we were able to pin point where it had landed within one hundred feet, and sure enough, we found it Tuesday stuck in one of the trees in front of campus.”

My breath hitched as I suddenly had a clearer idea on where this was going.

“You crashed it Sunday night in front of the school and only found it Tuesday?” I asked.

“That is correct,” he smiled before frowning. “And it wasn’t in good condition. Aside from the camera, the rotors were bent and broken and-“

“Your drone! Did it see who actually spray painted the statue?!” Sunset spoke up excitedly catching the same train of thought. At that, Hindsight scratched at his ear and looked down.

“Well, yes and no…”

“What does that mean?” I inquired.

“It means that while yes, my drone was still recording even after I had lost the signal, I didn’t get any footage of the actual assailants as the branches and leaves of the tree obscured it.”

“Okay…so what did you get then?” I asked, knowing that wasn’t the end of it and he looked at us stoicly.

“I caught voices. Voices that were speaking around the time when the Wondercolt got defaced,” he explained, and just like that a bit of hope hit me, and Sunset as well if her gleeful eyes were to be believed.

“Who? Who were the voices?” she asked enthusiastically and he looked down again.

“That is something I don’t know,” he admitted. “I mean, I don’t know the exact people talking, but based on what they were saying, I know where they were from.”

“Where?!” we both asked at the same time. He looked at both of us, breathed deeply and said,

“Crystal Prep.”

“…WHAT?!” we both exclaimed once again as that was not what we were expecting.

“Yeah, I know,” he nodded in understanding as Sunset looked like her whole world had been turned on it’s head.

“Are you telling me that some rich prep douches were the ones that framed us?!” I gasped and he nodded.

“I’m sure of it. They were speaking with that snooty accent they all seem to have, and were saying things like “Dreadful” and “Lower Class Peons.””

“I…but…” Sunset stammered.

“The expensive spray paint! Their own tagging club!” I exclaimed as some pieces came together. “I was right before!”

“But that doesn’t make any sense,” Derpy of all people argued. “I mean, why would Adagio or any of the others be involved with anyone from Crystal Prep?”

“Exactly!” Sunset found her words before turning to Hindsight. “They know better than to work with those snobs!”

At that accusation, Hindsight looked down in shame.

“Yeah I know…but they weren’t working together,” he said and the room went quiet.

“What do you mean they weren’t working together?” I asked in befuddlement. “Earlier you said Adagio promised you something.”

“She did…but they didn’t have anything to do with the snobs, because I’m the one who told them about it.”

“…You did what?” Shimmer growled and he sighed.

“Listen, I thought it was you two who had done the graffiti, but after I got my drone back on Tuesday and I made my discovery…I might have gotten a little opportunistic,” he said shamefully.

“Meaning?”

“Meaning I realized that I needed money to fix my drone, and that I had perfect extortion evidence if I could figure out which rich jerk did this…but I’ve never done such a thing so…”

“You went to the Rejects for help,” I finished for him and he nodded.

“She was furious that any of the snobs would dare destroy our school property, and thanked me profusely for bringing this to her attention.”

“If she was so furious, then why are we still getting the shaft?!” Sunset growled and he squirmed again.

“Well, when I went to them, I figured that with their help, we could figure out who the Preppers were, and then tell the Vice Principal the truth while withholding the names. Once we got your name’s cleared, we could blackmail them for the cash when they thought they were off the hook…but Adagio came up with a different plan.”

“…That conniving bitch,” I grunted as I pieced it together and he flinched again.

“What?” Sunset asked me and I looked at her angrily.

“What’s got a bigger haul for blackmail? Threatening someone when no one innocent got hurt, or threatening them when someone else got punished?” It took a moment for it to sink in, but once it did, her eyes lit with flame and her teeth clenched down hard.

“She was going to let us get thrown under the bus so that she could have more leverage on them!” she exclaimed angrily. “That little…AAAGGGHHH!!!”

Sunset then proceeded to kick an old drum set over and over again while I pulled on all of my willpower not to join her.

“But…but that means she would let the Crystal Prep meanies get away with it,” Derpy pointed out.

“Not really, she would use it to get a foothold in their school,” I explained through gritted teeth. “You’re all a bunch of school spirit fanatics, so her finally getting a leg up on them would boost her status even more. She saw an opportunity and took it!”

“UGH! No wonder that Ditzy bitch came to us! It left a bad taste in her mouth! She didn’t like the idea of helping the snobs either!” Sunset grunted as she pulled her hair and put her foot through a drum.

“That’s terrible…how could you agree to such a thing Hindsight?” Derpy asked sounding absolutely hurt, and the guilt on his face doubled.

“I…I didn’t like the idea either, b-but she convinced me I’d get a big cut and…and…”

“And what? What was so worth it that you’d let two people go down in flames, despite knowing the truth?!” I accused, no longer playing the good cop.

“…She said I would get a date with Aria…” he nearly whispered, and all went quiet again.

“…Blaze?” I asked incredulously.

“Yeah…” he nodded ruefully.

“Are you freaking kidding me?! You actually-YOU ACTUALLY thought that you had a chance with that pig tailed bimbo?!” Sunset exclaimed and he lowered his head like a scolded dog. “Aha…Aha-AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!” she began to laugh maniacally.

Though I wholeheartedly agreed with her reaction I refrained, albeit barely. This little twiggy computer geek had agreed to let us take the fall over the impossible promise of getting tail so outside of his league that it might as well have been on the moon.

“I’m sorry,” he said, actually sounding genuine. I really, really didn’t want any more to do with him and to brush off his apology, but I knew we still needed him. He was the only one who had the evidence, and since Sunset was cackling mad, I decided to give bad cop a try.

“Alright Hindsight…this is how it’s going to go,” I said as I got in his personal space and loomed over him, which made him slouch. “After school today, you’re coming with us, you are going to show us the audio recordings, and you are going to do your damndest to help us clear our names.”

“Uh…” he gasped.

“This isn’t a negotiation. If you really are sorry, and you don’t want the Dazzle on your ass, you are going to stick to us like glue. You did agree to screw them over first remember?” I said threateningly and he actually gulped.

“Y-Yeah, alright. I’ll go with you both,” he relented as sweat built up on his brow.

“Make that all three of us,” Derpy interrupted as she got in between the two of us. “I’m coming too.”

“What?” I gasped. “But Derpy, you don’t have to come with us outside of sch-“ She interrupted me as she got in my face with a serious look.

“Someone’s gotta be the good cop so no one gets hurt. Right now, you and Sunset are Bad Cop, Worse Cop,” she said in an authoritative voice. Just to emphasize her point, Sunset threw a cymbal against the wall where it gave a mighty crash.

“…Alright,” I relented, knowing that a cooler head was required, and that right then, I was not in the role. She let out a sigh of relief at that.

“And why don’t we just give VP Luna the audio now?” she asked.

“Because it’s just audio, and even he doesn’t know who’s saying it. Audio without images isn’t enough, because anyone could fake that. We need faces and names,” I said wishing life was simpler.

“Oh…” she said in understanding before turning towards the intimidated Hindsight. “It’s alright, we all make mistakes,” she said patting his back.

“Uh huh…yeah…” he nodded looking at me fearfully which made me frown.

You brought this on yourself dude, I thought just as the bell rang.

“We’ll all meet at Sunset’s car after school, and we’re gonna figure out who these rich douches are,” I said as I made my way out the door.

“We’re what now?” Sunset asked in the midst of her tantrum.

The rest of the day passed by both slowly and fastly as I stewed. It irked me that Adagio wasn’t directly responsible for everything like I had been so sure of. She had a part to play of course, but it wasn’t the direct traitorous act I’d been hoping to rub her face in with.

Sonata was right. They just knew the truth, but it wasn’t their doing…even still, if she really felt bad she could have just said so instead of distancing herself and letting me figure it out, I thought grumpily.

“Say, Mr. Bacon, my little sister said she saw Sunset’s little helpers dragging someone off, do you know anything about that?” Rarity had asked at one point, but I just brushed her off.

“Nope, sorry, don’t know a thing,” I had said unconvincingly, not even trying to sound plausible. More of them had tried to interact, but they only met my cold shoulder.

“Hey Michael, are you feeling-“

“Leave me alone Twilight!”

“Um…Mikey, can we talk about-“

“I don’t want to talk right now Pinkie!”

And so the rest of my day went with everyone still treating me as a pariah, until the final bell rang and I made a beeline for the parking lot.

When I arrived, I found Sunset already there, glaring at me as a nervous Hindsight sat in the back seat.

“Don’t make a habit of volunteering my car in the future you prick,” she snarled.

“Expediency is key Condiment Head, we don’t have time to jump through hoops,” I huffed back and she bristled.

“Just get in the damn car before anyone sees,” she ordered as her head whipped back and forth.

“Too late for that,” I pointed out towards a group of girls who were pointing and gossiping, which only made Sunset’s face redder.

“Damn It!” she whispered under her breath as I got into the passenger seat and buckled up. “Fancy seeing you here Hindsight,” I snarked as he looked down at his feet.

A few minutes later, Derpy arrived and Sunset berated her.

“About time! What took so long?!”

“I was-“

“Whatever! Get in! Time’s a wasting!”

Frowning slightly, Derpy got in the back with Hindsight as Sunset got behind the wheel, turned the key and sped us out of there.

“When we get to your place nerd, you get in, get the drone footage and come back asap!” she ordered and he looked at her perplexed.

“But it’s on my laptop. Why don’t we just go to my room and-“

“I am not parking my car in front of your house and going to your room! Not only is that the last thing I ever want to do, but my evidence board is at my house,” she barked as she swerved around a minivan.

“Oh…Okay,” he said in defeat.

“Do you have any snacks Sunset? Or are we going to order a pizza or something?” Derpy asked excitedly, and the bully looked at her in the rear view mirror.

“Yeah, sure, we’ll get food later,” she said rolling her eyes.

“Yay!” Derpy cheered and I gave a side glance to the grumbling Sunset.

“It’s easier than arguing with her,” she barely whispered to me, and it actually made me feel a little better knowing that Derpy had broken her down a bit.

Guess I’m not the only one that’s fallen for it…come to think of it, she hasn’t called her anything derogatory these last few days either. My pondering aside, we drove to Hindsight’s house, he went in and came back with his lap top, and we drove to Shimmer’s.

“Before we go in, there’s some rules that need to be-“ she started but I interrupted her.

“If you’re gonna give your commandments, I’m gonna go drop my bag off at home.”

“Huh? Do you live nearby Michael?” asked Derpy and Sunset’s eye twitched.

“You could say that,” I said as I got out and closed the door, leaving the frazzled bully to lay down the law to our chaperone and hostage.

After one round trip up and over the REGULAR LADDER, I was unburdened by homework I would be ignoring, and also had a cookie from my kitchen in case Sunset had run out. It was as I was munching on this snack and heading back towards the driveway, that I heard raised voices.

"-and for the last time I did not kidnap them!"

"Oh please, Darling you expect me to believe a ruffian like you wouldn't stoop so low as to kidnap our fellow students to prove your 'innocence.'"

"I am innocent damn it! And you better get off that high horse of yours you snooty freak, since if I'm guilty so is your precious pink psycho’s friend!"

"He didn't do it! He got way too pissed off about it for him to do it, besides you're just using him as a scapegoat to get back at him earlier!"

"Ugh! You annoying rainbow haired bitch! Get the hell off my property before I-"

"Well...really wish I just stayed in the back yard."

All arguments stopped as the girls turned towards me in shock. Standing in Sunset's driveway in front of a familiar sports car was a pissed off looking Rainbow, a frazzled Rarity, and an eerily quiet Pinkie. Standing on her porch was Sunset, with Hindsight and Derpy awkwardly standing behind her.

With all eyes on me, I focused my frustration on the three annoyances who were only causing us more set backs.

"Alright, what do you three idiots want?"

My question was met with silence and genuine surprise, which only made me sigh in more frustration.

Why do I get the feeling this is going to be more annoying than it should be? Oh right, Pinkie and her friends are involved. Duh!