Sunset screamed a few times, clutching her head in agony, looking ready to claw her own eyes out. “MAKE IT STO—”
Applejack rushed over and punched her, knocking Sunset out cold.
“I am… so… sorry,” Applejack said, winded from the quick dash she made. “Doin’ that hurt me… a lot more than it hurt you. I hope you forgive me when you wake up.”
Sir E sighed as he placed his forehead in one hand and his elbow on the other, “Oh dear, I believe an apology is in order.” He retrieved a cellphone from his pocket and hit a speed dial number.
“Hi, yes, could you bring the limo up to the front? I’ll be coming out shortly, and I’ll also be transporting~ around six passengers… much appreciated. By the way, did you take the Mercedes to the shop?... Were they informed about the warped camshaft I heard on the way here?... What of the piston rings, are they instructed to replace all of those as well?... Excellent, I’ll be there, momentarily.”
Sir E hung up and waved an EMT over. “Could you send Ms. Shimmer to the finest medical facility and take her to the best psychiatric ward they can provide? I’ll be following behind.”
“Yeah, no problem?” He sounded unsure of how much of that request he should follow.
“Wonderful, right this way ladies. Oh! Silly me,” Sir E slapped his forehead. “Nearly forgot my cane.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll go grab it for you.” Rarity offered and went to retrieve the two parts of Sir E’s cane. When she put it back together, she couldn’t help being entranced by nearly every aspect from the polished white pearl epoxy resin shaft to the large black diamond in the center of the silver horse head handle.
“I want to go with Sunset,” Twilight said, her friends quickly joining in her decision.
Sir E looked at the ambulance and asked the EMT, “Is there a camera inside the vehicle?”
“Yes, there is, why do you ask?”
“How about this.” Sir E leaned on his cane as he spoke, “With your permission, I can piggyback off the camera feed and have it stream to the inside of my transport.” Swiftly whipping out his phone again, he quickly began texting. “That will allow all you girls to keep an eye on your friend in my limo without crowding the back of the ambulance. Once we get to the hospital, you can spend as much time as you need by Sunset’s side.” He quickly put his phone away and faced the group. “Does that sound like a reasonable idea?”
Everyone except Applejack agreed, who opted to stay with Sunset while Sir E led the rest of the girls to his limousine.
“Here we… are,” Sir E stated when they saw a limo that couldn’t possibly belong to anyone else.
Rarity was the first to speak, “Th… that’s… that’s a… a Rolls. That’s an antique Rolls Royce Excalibur!”
“Gee Rarity, you make it sound like it’s a big deal.” Twilight said flatly, “Don’t you have a limo?”
“Um actually,” Rainbow piped up, her knowledge on the subject of cars bursting at the seams. “When old Rolls Royce cars were built, each individual part was crafted by hand, making no two cars the same. This one in particular… uh, well—”
“It’s rather misleading, is it not?” Sir E spoke over Rainbow. “It was originally manufactured in the 1930s. However, it does have a few additional modern features. But the exterior is designed specifically to look like its antique counterpart and run without the use of any computer systems. And yes, it is all handcrafted.”
Sir E walked up to the chauffeur who had opened the door for him, but he stopped before he got inside and said, “When I called for a replacement limousine, I asked for something classy, not classic.”
The driver looked like she just knocked on death’s door by mistake as she started to apologize profusely. “I am so terribly sorry sir! There must have—”
“Ah-ah-ah… Say no more, think nothing of it,” Sir E politely interrupted. “Human error is always understandable.” He turned around and gestured to the inside of the vehicle using his cane. “Now then, I believe it’s ladies first?”
As they filed into the limousine that was worth more than any house they could dream of affording, Rainbow faced Sir E before going in and asked him a question.
“You said that there was a monitor in your limo, but then I heard you tell the driver you were expecting something different. So what I’m trying to get at is, are we still able to do what you said you would or not?”
Sir E didn’t hesitate to answer, “My dear, every vehicle I have is capable of doing just that.”
Rainbow raised an eyebrow. “How many cars do you have?”
“I have access to one of every make, model, and year as well as… around the same amount of customized vehicles I should say.”
“Hey, Rainbow!” Pinkie called out from inside, “Check it out! These seats have a massage function.” She pressed a button as her entire body began to vibrate. “Ooh~wee~ oh, that feels nice,” Pinkie melted into the spazzing out chair, filled with complete satisfaction. “It’s like I’m sitting on a washing machine,”
“Are you serious!” Rainbow climbed into the limo, bursting with excitement, and completely forgetting Sir E’s little revelation.
The first thing she noticed was not just the chairs, because it was impossible to. The seats connected to the siding linking to the floor attached to the table, in turn, complementing the ceiling that had a harmonious relationship with the windows flowing back into the chairs. It was as though it started as one solid piece before being carved out by master jewelers then accented with varnished ebony wood and trimmed with silver inlaid with gemstones.
When Rainbow could finally focus on the white seats, she asked, “Do they have more options? Does it have temperature control?”
“Of course they do, just like the cupholders.” Rarity said with the headrest gently rubbing her scalp and shoulders. “I don’t suppose you have any drinks in here, do you E?”
“Sir E, if you would.” He said as he entered the vehicle, sat down, depositing his cane under the lip of the table, and his high top hat on a hatrack in a corner. He then let his long white hair drape over his left shoulder. “And yes, as a matter of fact, I do.” He pulled out a remote and pressed a button, causing the table to open in the center.
Everyone oohed as a tray with bottles of grape, apple, cranberry juice, and crystal-cut wine glasses grooved with floral and diamond patterns with hexagonal stems rose up and fit snugly into the hole that was opened, leaving a flawless surface.
“Ah, before you get the wrong idea,” Sir E said quickly, while he started to braid his perfectly straight hair in a loose ponytail. “Don’t worry, I’ve never been fond of alcohol, I find it rather… pointless to be honest. Please, help yourselves.”
It was now the group noticed the new mask Sir E wore. It looked as though it were the eye of a cloudy vortex and was a mix of grayish light and dark blues. If you were to stare at long enough, anyone could have sworn that the wispy smoke-like columns were genuinely descending into the dark center like a rheoscopic fluid disk. Like his previous mask, it lacked eye holes as well.
When Sir E noticed them staring, he decided to get the elephant out of the room, “I understand that all of you have many questions,” he said, pouring himself some grape juice. “Feel free to ask me whatever you wish, and I will answer what I am allowed to.” He reached up and opened a slit in the mask near his mouth, allowing him to drink and closed it after he was done, leaving it seamless once more.
“Uh, where’s the monitor?” Rainbow started. “You said you had one, but I don’t see it.”
Sir E chuckled. “I never said I had a monitor, my friend. Clear the center of the table, and let me show you what I meant.”
Everyone grabbed a glass and filled theirs with one of the drinks provided. Rarity hesitated for a moment after pouring her drink, quickly glancing at the cup before stifling a laugh.
“Let me guess, these crystal glasses… are diamonds!” A few of her friends couldn’t help but chuckle at the joke she made.
“It would seem you do have an eye for detail, after all.” Sir E responded, only making them laugh a little harder, although he didn’t appear to be laughing with them.
“You know I was joking, right?” Rarity said with an awkward smile on her face.
“I wasn’t.” Hearing Sir E say those words made everyone stare more intently at the glasses they held.
Rarity, being the expert on gemstones, confirmed Sir E’s statement by placing her hand over her mouth and rapidly placing her cup back on the table but ended up spilling the contents everywhere.
“Oh my, gracious!” She began frantically looking for something to wipe up the mess, “Napkins! Napkins!! AHH!!! The leather!!!! AHHH!!!!”
“Wait, this is leather?” Fluttershy whispered as she began to feel small.
“Calm yourselves, both of you.” Sir E leaned to the side, placing one foot on his knee, resting his elbow on the armrest and his head on a fist while still holding his drink in the other hand.
“This is grape leather, so no animals were harmed in its making. As for you, Miss Rarity. If you could just stand up and let me deal with that predicament,” he said serenely. Hesitantly Rarity did as she was told before giving a minute wave with the wineglass still in his hand. A crackling was heard in the area with the stain as white light flickered, completely erasing the stains. The diamond glass was back on the table filled with the drink that spilled.
“There, you see? Good as new, nothing to worry your pretty little self over.”
Everyone stared in astonishment at the act Sir E made. “You… just used magic? Didn’t you?” Rainbow said on everyone’s behalf.
“That is correct,” Sir E admitted, “for those who haven’t figured it out by now, I may as well tell you that I am actually from the world you all know as—”
“Equestria!?” They all said in unison.
Sir E adjusted his position, so he leaned over the table. “Once again, you are correct.” He took another drink from his glass. “Another thing to mention is that my… power … is restricted in this world, but as you just witnessed, there are a few areas I can access this… energy … … Like in this… car.”
The liquid in his glass was rippling slightly from his trembling hand. He placed the fingertips of his left hand, where the center of his forehead would be under the mask.
After a moment of silence, Twilight spoke up, “Hey, are you okay?”
Sir E snapped out of his stupor. “What am I doing? We completely changed the subject of our conversation, haven’t we?”
“Uh, if you don’t mind me asking, when exactly are we going to start moving?” Asked Fluttershy. “It feels like we’ve been sitting here for a while.”
Sir E’s head tilted as if confused, “Whatever do you mean, my dear? We are moving. Look outside and see for yourself. You can even roll down the window and feel the wind if so wish to.”
A quick glance at the window revealed he was right. Outside the window, they were already driving, yet on the inside, felt as if they were at a perfect standstill.
“That. Is. Insane!” exclaimed Twilight looking at the liquid in her glass, “The cranberry juice in my glass isn’t even—” it was then she noticed something peculiar and started to exchange glances between her drink and outside.
“What the…?” She held the glass between her and the view through the window squinting her eyes and, to a certain extent, tilting the glass in various ways. “Uh, guys? We’re on a hill. By that, I mean a slant, but my drink is level to the floor inside this vehicle.”
“Now then,” Sir E spoke up, leaving Twilight’s question to hang. “As for the visual I promised on your friends in the ambulance.” Sir E pulled out the remote from before and pressed a button. Once he did, an image appeared in the center of the table, a picture of Applejack and Sunset in 3-D.
“Is that a hologram!?… Like… what Vignette Valencia had?” Said Twilight, using a questioning tone.
“It even looks exactly like the ones she used,” Rarity added.
“You are all on the ball.” Sir E said in congratulations. “Keep this up, and I won’t have as much trouble as I anticipated to tell you what’s going on.”
Had they heard him right? Was he admitting to be responsible for an issue prior to the one they were currently in?
When everyone gave him disbelieving stares, Sir E knew he had to choose his next words very carefully. “In my defense, I was away at the time of the accident that led to the escape of a few prototype spells.”
“You’re the one responsible for all the trouble we’ve been through!?” Rainbow said, accusingly pointing at Sir E. Upon saying that, everyone stood up and started to back as far away as they could from him.
“Correction, I am… well,” He paused for a moment stroking the chin of the mask, making sure what he said next was put in a way for them to listen to his side of the story.
“Let’s back up just a little, shall we? Had it not been for me, the gems you are currently wearing never would have been created.”
Everyone unanimously fingered their geodes upon hearing those words.
“Furthermore, they never would have fallen into your hands had that accident not occurred, not that they were ever supposed to, to begin with,” He said in a way that sounded frustrated.
“Are we now all on the same page?”
Hesitantly they all nodded, prompting him to continue. “Like I said before, I was absent during the time of that unfortunate catastrophe. But it’s been seen to that it will never happen again.”
“You were the one who broke into my lab, weren’t you?” Asked Twilight.
Up until this point, Sir E had the appearance of a king on his throne, but when he heard Twilight say what she did, his body language turned more serious.
“When did that transpire, and was anything stolen?”
“You should know, you’re—”
“Twilight!” Sir E cut her off as he stood up, his hands firmly on the table. “This is serious. There are forces in motion here that none of you are comprehensively ready to understand yet.”
The beep of an intercom sounded, interrupting their conversation as the driver spoke, “Sir, we have arrived at our destination.”
Sir E fell back into his chair and rested his head between his forefinger and thumb. “I’m afraid we’ll have to continue this later.”
He waved his finger around the table, pointing at each of the girls, “This conversation is not over. When you need me again, and you will, just call the number on this card.”
With a flick of the wrist, he pulled out two business cards and slid them across the table, and Rarity picked them up.
“I’m giving you a second one to give to the receptionist at the front desk. I shall provide and accommodate for anything needed for the treatment required to help your friend Sunset.”
The chauffeur opened the door, “Au revoir mesdames,” Sir E said in farewell with a perfect French accent, dismissing them with a wave of his hand then reverted into his posh dialect. “This is as far as I take you for the moment, I don’t wish to keep your friends waiting any longer than they need to.”
The girls shuffled out of the limousine without saying a word, thanks to the conversation’s unfortunate turn. Once they were all outside, Sir E rolled down the window and added, “Et soyez en sécurité pendant mon absence.”
“Je suis sûr que nous pouvons prendre soin de nous-mêmes, merci beaucoup,” Rarity responded with a snarky tone, earning her a surprised glance from her friends.
“Nous verrons,” The window began rolling up as the limo drove away.
Rarity looked at everyone as they continued to stare. “What? I have relatives in France, didn’t I tell you?”
“No… you didn’t.” Said Fluttershy.
“Oh, ha-ha, it uh, must have slipped my mind.” Rarity rubbed the back of her head out of embarrassment.
“Correct me if I’m wrong, I only know a little French but...” Twilight said, her mind going over the exact words used. “It sounded like he wished us luck?”
Rarity scoffed, “he was ‘hoping for our safety’ while he was away. But I told him we are quite capable of handling ourselves,” she said, turning away in a huff as she started to make her way to the hospital entrance.
Sir E sat alone in the limo in deep contemplation. Once he made up his mind, he pulled out his cell phone and hit speed dial. After only half a ring, it was answered.
“What?”
“Bad news, I just learned that Twilight’s la—”
“Twilight’s lab has been burglarized, yes, I know. I’m also aware of what was stolen.”
Sir E paused before speaking again, “When did—”
“I overheard them talking about it at the mall.”
This time the distinguished gentleman made a tight fist. “You know I—”
“Hate being interrupted? So, do I.”
Breath in… hold it… Breath out. “My apologies, Riot. I assume you’ve already decided how this matter is to be settled?”
“They made their move, I’m in the middle of mine. Even though this maneuver will further expose us to our opponent, their plan is already in motion. All we can do is prepare ourselves for what comes next. There is a window of opportunity that will allow me to obtain what I’ve been after without them being able to stop me.
“I also have a plan to throw them off our trail long enough to gain the upper hand. As intricate as my strategy is, it’s nothing I can’t handle. Now tell me, is there anything else you want to say that I don’t already know about?”
“No, sir,” Sir E said with a certain disquiet in his voice. “That is all.” He heard the line cut out, ending the call without any form of goodbye.
He turned the screen off and tapped his phone at mouth level on his mask, thinking of what his next action should be.
“Now then, I believe I should exchange to a more appropriate vehicle before the girls contact me.” As much as he didn’t want them to be involved, they were already the targets of an exceptionally deeper conspiracy then they could ever realize.