//------------------------------// // Chapter VI // Story: Danger in the Dust // by AizakkuHorooee //------------------------------// My suspicions are solidifying each place we cover.  We need the most honest pony there is if we want to confirm them. On the way over to Sweet Apple Acres, Rainbow Dash has joined the party.  All I asked of Rainbow was to come with us while we got Applejack. Finding Applejack and especially Rainbow Dash were easy.  Chrysalis certainly taught me well on that front.  Things go along much more smoothly, knowing how to trail. So now at the front of the farm, I see Applejack, who also spots me and company. “Aita!  How y’all doin’?  Mighty fine get-up ya got there.” “Thanks for the compliment Applejack, but I gathered you and Rainbow Dash here for a reason.” “So what did you need us for?” Rainbow Dash asks. So as we are trotting our way back to Lightning Dust’s house, I start giving Applejack and Rainbow Dash the scoop. “I’ve been taking notes as Fluttershy, Lightning Dust and I investigate the framing of Discord.  These notes are pointing to ponies that you have strong links to based on past encounters.  Anypony happen to know a pegasus that can get to Cloudsdale and back from Ponyville in an hour?  How about a pony with a history of cosmetics?  They appear to have collaborated.” Having entered the foyer, I float the hair I found earlier and show the two of them. “What?!?” they interject. “These strands smell just like you did at Sugar Cube Corner, Aita,” Rainbow Dash points out, sniffing the grey strands. Applejack looks carefully at the beige strands.  “All I can see about these ones are the fanciness compared to the grey ones.  They’re so curly.” That settles it.  We have just confirmed my suspicions.  “Discord, can you take us to the pony responsible for shedding the grey hairs?  I’m sure the other is right with him.” Discord snaps his claw one more time, taking me, him, Lightning Dust and Fluttershy to Canterlot Castle, specifically to the east tower, where the similar previous crime happened.  And right in front of us on the bed of the room are the two ponies I knew were behind this. “Aha!  I found you out, criminals!” I declare, pointing at these two ponies. One of them I already met, the one with the flight helmet for a cutie mark.  The other one I recognize too though.  I made a passing mention when explaining the projection spell I used to Rainbow Dash’s parents.  He’s too dressed up to see his cutie mark, but he has a beige and white mane and tail along with a white coat. “Ho ho!  Did you hear that Wind Rider?  The little runt has gotten us…” he jokes, elbowing Wind Rider. “And you better believe it, Svengallop,” Discord scolds.  “This respectable changeling put his skills to the test.  I cannot fathom why you’d frame me for something I have no business in, much less forge a professional letter!” “After that dishonorable discharge, I had a plan to break the spirits within the circle of the reservist I framed.  No matter how many times the extent of my legacy is noted, enlisting taste was better than going alone.” Lightning Dust looks infuriated with everything Wind Rider explained.  “That’s not how to be a good sport about losing your ambitions!” “Lightning Dust is right!” Fluttershy declares.  “Svengallop, Wind Rider, you two ought to be ashamed of yourselves for putting my friend’s livelihood in jeopardy!” I step toward the bed with a serious look on my face.  “I had a feeling you and Wind Rider were behind this.  Your respective past victims confirmed it.  You seriously never learned anything from your downfalls, have you?” “Aw, come on, kid,” Wind Rider rebuts.  “We learn all the time.  Otherwise we wouldn’t be able to come up with the ideas we have in our heads.” “Wanna bet?”  I teleport in four pears and give them to Discord, who peels off all four innards to reveal the seeds.  I plant those seeds in front of me the same way I did last time at WBHQ, which causes the changeling throne room to appear as a hologram.  Chrysalis and Areola are on the throne together. Young Aita, you called at the right time.  I’ve been having my teacher visit regularly in case this would happen.  Are you in Canterlot? “Why yes I am.  I have these two in hot water,” I point to Wind Rider and Svengallop. Alright, what did they do? Areola asks. “Wind Rider and Svengallop posed by letter as the moving company I used to begin life in Ponyville, then framed Discord for it.” Chrysalis and Areola drop their jaws in shock at Lightning Dust’s explanation.  Pretty appropriate reaction honestly.  Chrysalis suddenly teleports into the room, causing the signal from the seeds to quickly fizzle out.  She then marches toward Wind Rider and Svengallop. “I… am SO sick of you ponies misbehaving!  I’ll go easy, since you never hurt young Aita, but the moment you two frame another innocent soul again, you won’t be so lucky!  You hear?!?” Discord seems stunned with Chrysalis’ performance.  “Well… this is quite the contrast compared to the last time we met, Chrysalis.  What’s changed?” “Not important right now, Discord.  But I do have something to ask.  Do these two stallions have a history with your circles of friends?” I nod.  “Svengallop micromanaged the career of one of Applejack’s friends by force, and Wind Rider faked a letter from Stormy Flare.” “Ah, so we have a repeat offender here,” Chrysalis remarks, floating Wind Rider closer, who gives a sheepish smile.  “I take back what I said.  This pegasus has a special place back home…” “Aw, seriously… why did you guys have to tell authority?!?” Wind Rider complains as he is set down on Chrysalis’ back. “Because you would just hit harder otherwise.”  Fluttershy turns to Svengallop.  “Let this be a warning, Svengallop!  You do NOT want to end up like Wind Rider!  If ANY of us catches you doing this again, this is what will happen!” Svengallop begins walking out in a huff.  “Pfft, like THAT will ever work on me.” “She isn’t wrong…” Chrysalis plainly points out as he leaves our view.