Chapter 2
“Lightning Reveal”
“You no good dirty rotten bitch!” Rainbow shouted as she was about ready to tackle Lightning. It took my magic to hold her back from completely steamrolling Lightning into literal dust. Rainbow struggled against my magical hold, “How dare you even think Raiden would do something like this!”
“You didn’t even listen did you?” Lightning fired back, “I said he was somepony who looked like your boyfriend. You don’t need to fly off the handle like you always do!”
“Don’t change the subject yo-” Rainbow began.
“Rainbow calm down!” I ordered.
Rainbow finally let out a breath and calmed down like I asked. She gave a small glare at Lightning Dust before hovering off to the side. She just stayed there, her forelegs crossed and her head up. At least this way she wasn’t picking fights.
I looked at Lightning Dust. “Tell me exactly what you saw,” I requested.
“Well,” Lightning said, “I just finished mopping the bathrooms just as my oh so great captain ordered. I went outside for a little R&R, it’s, easier to take breaks outside where nopony can see you in the mess hall.”
I nodded and asked, “Right, so when was this?”
“Was around noon,” Lightning answered. “I remember because that’s my break time. I was sitting just by the dorms when I saw that guy walk in.” She pointed to Cumulus. “I just kind of dismissed it, I mean, he was just a coach on the camp nothing suspicious about that. Then, I heard this big crack of thunder!” she cried, obviously getting into the storytelling mood. She was even hovering in the air and moving her hooves around.
Rainbow, in case you were wondering, was simply sulking with her back turned.
“I looked up and saw that the sound came from this storm cloud that came out of nowhere,” Lightning explained. “Next thing I know this guy comes flying out of that hole in the roof.” She pointed to drive home her point. “He had this real dark coat and highlights in his mane. Just like a certain celebrity we all know and love.”
“How do you even know it was Raiden?” Rainbow demanded, zooming over and getting in Lightning’s face. “You could have mistaken him for somepony else ya know!”
“You don’t think everypony would know what a celebrity looks like? I know what I saw Rainbow,” Lightning fired back. “Or are you really as blind as you are big headed!”
“At least I know when something sounds really stupid!” Rainbow fired back, “Like saying my coltfriend was anywhere near the crime scene!”
Geez, it was like handling a pair of teenagers.
Lightning then smiled a little and casually uttered, “Do you even know where your hubby is now?”
“First of all, he’s not my hubby,” Rainbow snapped. “Second of all, he’s back at Ponyville right now! He called me this morning!”
“Well, apparently somepony needs to keep better track of her coltfriend,” Lightning said with a smirk. “Lest she lose him to Cloudkicker or somemare. We all know how, easily tempting she can be to a guy like Raiden.”
“THAT’S IT!!” Rainbow roared and was about to tackle her again, I grabbed her from behind to hold her back. Lightning just laughed and flew off through the hole in the ceiling.
I practically dragged Rainbow outside, she was shouting numerous profanities along the way. Mostly about Lightning Dust and something about a rod up her flank. I would go to specifics, but some of them are, ahem, too creative for certain ears.
I set Rainbow down on the pavement and glared at her. “What the hell was that about?” I snapped.
“What? I was supposed to just let her say all that stuff?” Rainbow said, glaring back.
“Oh, I didn’t realize she said a few mean things,” I said, giving her a look I usually reserved for Tailspin whenever it was time to let the hoof down. “Of course, you had no choice to potentially get us kicked out of the investigation,” I said, with a hint of sarcasm.
Rainbow crossed her hooves like a child being told off.
“You know better than that Rainbow,” I chided, sighing as I regained my composure. “Lightning has caused trouble. But you shouldn’t let what she said get to you. Raiden’s probably at Ponyville like you said. Who do you really trust? Raiden? Or somepony who you know is trouble?”
Rainbow sighed in turn, “Okay, you’re right. I’ll give him a call to be sure though. Just to calm my nerves a little.”
I nodded and said, “I’ll check up with Spitfire, see if she’s dug up anything on Cumulus.”
I watched Rainbow fly away and couldn’t help but notice a look of worry pass through her eyes. Raiden and Rainbow have been dating for a while now. Longer than any mare Raiden’s ever dated before. So far, she’s been good for Raiden. He’s really started to change by hanging out with her.
I only hope that what Lightning said isn’t true. I’ve known Raiden to be a lot of things, but a murderer is the farthest from Raiden I’ve ever heard.
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Spitfire’s office was a circular room, with windows along the back wall, a round rug on the floor with lightning bolts pointing toward her desk. Wolderbolt memorabilia decorated it, pictures and models of past Wonderbolts had pride of place on the desk, the filing cabinet to the right, and on the walls.
Spitfire’s desk was a sturdy purple affair, creating a wall of separation from the Captain and whoever she was speaking to, and a handy work surface. The top of the desk was a cream color, and had paperwork, and the little standing plaque that indicated her rank as captain. On the right side of the desk was an electric desk lamp, used to illuminate Spitfire’s workspace.
The whole effect of the office was akin to a principal’s office, truth be told. Rookies would feel like they were in deep trouble coming here. Even if they were getting commendations, they’d still feel like they were entering the walk of doom. Authority figures, I guess, needed every advantage they could.
I entered to find Spitfire sitting at her desk. She had numerous papers at her desk and her fire colored eyes were scanning them. She looked up at me and said, “Ah Private, good to see ya.”
“Any luck on finding anything about Cumulus?” I asked.
She shook her head. “No such luck,” she sighed. “I’m trying to find all his files but I can’t when everything’s screwed up. I really should’ve taken better care of my paper work.”
“Maybe while you’re looking you can tell me about Cumulus,” I suggested.
Spitfire shrugged as she continued her search. “Don’t know much about him to be honest. He’s from Cloudsdale, lives alone off base and he used to be a delivery pegasi in the tropics. That’s how he got the job as heavy weather instructor, I mean, he’s no Storm Rider but he was what we had,” she said. “Not that we could get any of the Storm Riders… They don’t think much of the Wonderbolts.”
“Didn’t you talk to him?” I asked.
“Nothing really outside of lessons and such,” Spitfire answered. “He just seemed really nervous and about ready to jump out of his coat at the slightest noise. Honestly, I think he was a bit of a spaz.”
“Any idea if he had any family? Friends? Enemies?” I asked.
Spitfire shrugged and said, “He didn’t really talk to anypony. So, I don’t think he had any friends. Didn’t have any family either from what I heard. As for enemies, I don’t think he had any. He didn’t seem like the kind of guy who’d make trouble. Was mostly quiet and sat by himself.” She pulled out a folder from her desk. “Ah ha, here’s the sucker.” She passed me the file. “Here’s everything we got on him. It’s not much, but it’s definitely something to go on.”
I opened the file and looked it over. Sure enough, everything was accurate to what Spitfire said. Lives in Cloudsdale alone, no extended family, how odd, you’d think a guy would at least have one relative. I saw he had an apartment in Cloudsdale just like Spitfire said.
I saw the address for his residence and wrote it down. I could track it down using Rainbow, she knows Cloudsdale better than anypony else I know.
“I’ll scope out his apartment and such,” I said, pocketing my notebook.
Spitfire nodded and said, “See if you can get this wrapped up quickly okay? I don’t want the academy’s reputation to hit a record low.”
I saluted and said, “Will do ma’am.”
She saluted back and chuckled, “Get moving before I put you in the Dizzitron.”
I hated to imagine what exactly the Dizzitron was. Less imaging more hopping to it!
“Yes ma’am right away!” I replied quickly.
I galloped out the door and left behind a laughing Spitfire.
____________________________________________________
Rainbow was pulling the sky chariot as we flew above the clouds. This would be the second time I’d have to grace Cloudsdale. Just like the last time I come, I’m amazed. The place looks like something out of a fantasy. Lofty cloud buildings, swirls of cloudstuff for roofs, the rainbow waterfall. And the architecture, oh the architecture is breathtaking. Loops and swirls, and impossible buildings that are enough to get a ground-pounder jealous of the very idea of Cloudsdale.
The solid materials, below, could never do the amazing things the pegasi could do with cloudstuff. Never mind the whites, and blues of the cloud buildings, themselves. There were even magenta buildings, standing out from the cloudy blues and whites. Throughout the city, there were streams of rainbow water, which fell majestically down the border. The ancient pegasus penchant for stately buildings with columns was still going strong, here. I got a little vertigo from looking down once which Rainbow chuckled at.
“You’d think to know not to look down,” Rainbow said, laughing.
“How’d the talk with Raiden go?” I asked.
Rainbow’s smile turned into a frown, “I called him, he said he’s been at his apartment all day. Then I asked him if he was sure he hadn’t stopped by, next thing I know we’re yelling at each other.” She snorted, “He kept thinking I don’t trust him. I kept saying he doesn’t want to trust me with where he is! It’s ridiculous!”
Geez, being Ponyville’s resident relationship repairer is starting to show the downsides. I mean, I like helping my friends but sometimes the drama can get ridiculous. But, mom said I was like her when she was younger, always hooking ponies up and acting as an ear for relationship trouble.
Maybe if I ever retire I should host my own talk show. Nah, like anypony would want to hear me talk all day.
“Are you listening?” Rainbow asked, looking behind me.
“I am,” I said, “I think you and he just need to talk things out when this is over. Emphasis on talk.”
Rainbow sighed, “Okay, fine I’ll talk to him after this. I just really hope he’s telling the truth.”
We came in for a landing and I unhooked Rainbow from the harness. As we walked down the streets of Cloudsdale, Rainbow was staring at me wide eyes as I casually stepped on the clouds.
“Dude!” Rainbow said, about to catch me before realizing I wasn’t falling. “Don’t scare me like that! I was afraid I’d have to make heroic rescue catch number twenty seven!”
I held up my hooves and showed her the horseshoes. “A little gift from Voidera.” I said with a smile.
“That’s so awesome!” Rainbow said, “Just uh, watch where you step okay?”
“I’ll be fine.” I said walking forward, “I know where to put my hoo-”
Rainbow caught my tail before I fell off the clouds. She smirked as I caught my breath from nearly falling to my doom. “You were saying, hotshot?” Rainbow quipped.
“Can we just say I made a mistake and go find a victim’s apartment?” I frowned.
“Okay, just don’t make me have to rescue you again, kay?” Rainbow said, hovering behind me. We both made our way towards the apartment.
_______________________________________________________
“You know, for a guy who’s supposed to be an instructor, I expected a bigger place,” Rainbow commented as we came to the apartment. You wouldn’t think that clouds could look shabby. This place? Pretty shabby. It looked like some of the cloudstuff of the building had disintegrated, leaving it looking like it had some kind of disease. It’s obvious this building wasn’t being properly maintained.
I nodded and said, “Yeah, my apartment from Manehatten was nicer than this dump. This guy probably makes more than I do ever.”
I walked up to the mail slots and saw Cumulus’ number. “Apartment 3,” I said and we made our way to it.
I shook the handle with my magic, no give.
“Can we bust down the door?” Rainbow said, giving me big eyes. “Pleease?”
I rolled my eyes. “No,” I said firmly.
She crossed her forelegs and grumbled, “Killjoy…”
I pulled out my lockpicking gear from my trench coat and worked the tumblers until it finally gave. The door slowly opened and we stepped in. Inside the apartment wasn’t anything special. It was small, like, studio small. The bed was against the far wall, away from the windows. The living area was just a couch a coffee table, and a television. The kitchen just had a micro-sized stove, and a bar fridge. This was all in the same room, too. The shabbiness of the exterior carried over to the interior, and the place just looked sad.
Even though this was technically breaking and entering, I was on an investigation. I didn’t have time to beg for a warrant to look around.
The floor was littered with trash, beer bottles, and some old magazines. Most of them were…”Popular Science?” I said, picking one up.
Rainbow picked another one up, “Dude, this is totally egghead stuff,” she quipped.
Rainbow was right. The magazines were all stuff you would find at some science junky’s house. None of the magazines had anything to do with weather. Most of them had to do with biology actually. Pony Biology.
I saw a letter on the bed, recently opened. I picked it up and read it in my head.
Dear Brother,
Please come home, I know where you are hiding. I have connections too okay. You can’t keep running from Bolt Corp forever. I know places, safe places that we can hide. I’m worried, mom’s worried, we all are. Just come home please and tell us why you keep running off.
Your sister,
Weatherby
This doesn’t match up with what Spitfire said. Wait, Bolt Corp?
That’s the company that Raiden’s dad owns. It’s one of the main factory suppliers of appliances in all of Equestria. I’d bet ten bits that at least half of Ponyville owns something made by them. Whether it was a generator, coffee maker, or a dishwasher, the Bolts probably had a hoof in it.
Raiden’s family was a part of this…
I looked at the return address.
“Weatherby, 334 East… this is from Manehatten,” I said to myself.
Whoever Weatherby is, she had to have been Cumulus’ sister. Unless I’ve got the wrong apartment. No, the address is to Cumulus. Was he in hiding or something? Witness protection?
Would explain why the files on him don’t match up with the real deal.
“Hey Private! Check it out!” Rainbow said.
I looked up and saw she moved aside a painting of a landscape and saw a safe was there. “You think you can crack it?” Rainbow asked.
I shook my head, “I’m no safecracker,” I said. “I just pick locks, not safe…” An idea clicked in my brain.
I walked to the safe, Rainbow looking over my shoulder as my horn sparked. I tapped the safe and suddenly felt as if I could see it’s very components…
Alright…locate where everything is… start adding pressure to the tumblers… set tumblers to right points… till they…
click!
There!
I pulled on the handle with my magic and the safe opened. Rainbow’s eyes grew wide. “Whoa!” She cried, “What did you do?”
“Alchemy,” I said, looking at her. “I just, used my magic to move the tumblers inside it. I didn’t know I could do that. Sure beats having to use a stethoscope.”
“So awesome!” She squealed, “Remind me to call you next time I lock myself out while being awesome.”
I rolled my eyes and looked inside the safe…
Inside held a few items…
I pulled them out, one of them was a letter, I read it.
Dear Mr. Skyline.
You have been a considerable help in our corporation. We at Bolt Corp have always valued every member of our staff. Sadly, your services are no longer required. I’m afraid we are forced to let you go. I wish I could explain why, but suffice to say, you will not be alone as you leave. I will do everything in my power to ensure you find a job after leaving our esteemed company. We may find reason to rehire you in the future, so keep your credentials on you. Also, be sure not to inform anypony about our… agreement.
Sincerely,
Arashi Bolt
“Who’s Arashi?” Rainbow asked.
“That’s Raiden’s dad,” I explained.
“WHOA!” Rainbow exclaimed in shock. “You mean to tell me that Cumulus worked for Raiden’s old stallion?”
“Yup,” I said with a nod, “but, what’s weird is he calls him Skyline.” I pointed out.
“What kind of job would he have had?” Rainbow asked, and picked up the other item. “Whoa, hey Private look at this.”
I looked and my own eyes grew wide. It was an employee’s badge. Not just any employee’s badge though. For the picture depicted Cumlus, along with the following despcription.
Skyline Cloud
Head of the Heavy Storm Research Department
Bolt Corporation