//------------------------------// // The Plan // Story: Boast Bypassed // by GreyGuardPony //------------------------------// The toaster popped a pair of golden brown slices into view. Spike snatched them up with a claw, throwing two more pieces of bread into the machine before buttering the warm toast and adding them to the small stack on the plate before him. He spared a quick glance at the stove, where a trio of vegetable laden omelettes fried away. Hopping up on his small step stool, he took a deep whiff, considering their scents as they cooked. Scanning his spice rack, he plucked a small bottle of tapirian paprika from its fellows, and sprinkled the barest dash in each pan. Satisfied, he crossed to the other counter and began to slice a collection of fruit for a fresh fruit salad. Cooking was a skill that most ponies assumed he didn’t have. After all, being a good cook isn’t something one would usually associate with being a librarian’s assistant. But Spike had taught himself the art when he was young, mostly due to Twilight’s own tendency towards tunnel vision in her studies. He had eaten enough daisy sandwiches to last him a lifetime. Turning at the sound of hooves on wooden flooring, he smiled at Twilight as she trotted into the small kitchen, mane, tail and coat neatly brushed, as usual. “Morning Twilight. Breakfast is almost ready.” Twilight paused, taking a deep breath, and savouring all of the lovely smells that came with cooking. “Thanks Spike. I’m sure that Trixie will appreciate it too. She could use the pick up.” “That bad?” “She’s been laying in bed, hanging onto that book for dear life.” Twilight sighed, rolling her eyes towards the bedroom, “I think that all the years of pressure going after Bayou Runner finally got to her. She’s...lost.” “She has to be feeling pretty lost. Two days she’s been in your bed. Aren’t you tired of sleeping on the floor yet?” Twilight winced, instinctively rubbing at her sore back. “She needs the rest more than me.” Was the quite emphatic response none the less. She nodded towards the dining table, where a newspaper rested, “Did you pick that up?” “Yeah. I figured that since the guys who kidnapped me got away, I’d keep an eye out for any strange news stories.” “Anything stand out?” “Oh yeah.” He nodded, “Check out the Arts and Entertainment section.” Blinking, Twilight picked up the paper and flipped to the proper section. The sub section- like most in the paper- began with what was the “big story”. Historic Neigh Orleans Theatre To Reopen with Royal Performance The legal issues surrounding the historic Civic Theatre- Twilight groaned at that bit of information. -have recently been resolved. The theatre, whose ownership has been in question since the death of Crescent Starshine, has been purchased by local noble, Bayou Runner. “It’s with great pride that I bring this grand old theatre back into service. Its been rather unfortunate that its been out of commision since that unpleasant accident a decade ago.” Said accident was the collapse of the theatre’s scaffolding, which crushed the poor mare in front of her daughter, Trixie Lulamoon. Twilight sighed, just quickly shifting through the rest of the article. The Canterlot Royal Orchestra would be playing, and Celestia and Luna would be in attendance. It was a standard bit of noble showing off. “Good eyes Spike.” “He has good eyes on what, now?” Trixie had shuffled into the kitchen. Her appearance couldn’t have been more of a contrast to Twilight’s. Where Twilight was neatly groomed, Trixie was disheveled, mane and tail sticking out every which way, her coat matted down in many places. She blinked at them, bleary eyed and confused. “Oh, nothing!” Twilight nervously grinned, teleporting the paper into the oven with a quick flick of her magic, “I was just talking about breakfast.” “Do you take cheese in your omelette, Trixie?” Spike asked, waving a claw towards the pans. Tixie blinked for a moment, but nodded slowly. “That sounds...nice.” She admitted, sinking into a seat and picking up a piece of toast, “Thank you again, for giving me a place to stay.” “Its the least we can do.” Twilight ginned, helping herself to toast as well, “Have you…?” She trailed off, letting the question ask itself. Trixie shrugged, idly chewing as she mulled it over, “I...don’t know Twilight. I really, really don’t.” She sighed in the end, “I’ve spent the last four years of my life trying to get revenge on Bayou Runner, and from where I’m sitting right now, it looks like its done nothing but cost me.” “Wait...I thought your mother died when you were a teenager?” “Well, she did.” Trixie shrugged, adding a bit of jam to her toast, “I didn’t know the truth until my grandpappa died later.” “Was he…” “No. He was just old.” Trixie sighed, full glass of orange juice floating its way across the table to her, “He went peacefully in his sleep, but made sure to tell me what actually happened to my mother first. That it wasn’t an accident.” Twilight tilted her head slightly, considering her next question. “So, you’re thinking about giving it up?” Trixie shrugged helplessly. “Part of me really doesn’t want to. Bayou Runner murdered my mother. He and the rest of his noble friends run that city like their own little fiefdom and have the guard so thoroughly under their control that there’s never any evidence of their crimes.” She sighed, “Save for what's in the hooves of an organization that’s in the business of dirty business.” “I’m sure Cadance will tell Celestia and Luna all about what happened.” “And you know as well as I that we have nothing that they could hang an arrest on. I gave your friend the necklace. There’s more evidence on me.” “Well, as I’ve always told Twilight when she’s been stuck on a problem.” Spike interrupted, dropping an omelette filled plate before her, “Eat first. Worry later. You can’t properly worry on an empty stomach.” Trixie opened her mouth to argue, but the scent of the breakfast put a stop to that. “...You are a wise dragon, Spike.” She smiled slightly, and beginning to dig in. - - - - Soft singing mixed with the light hearted chirps of song birds, the chattering of woodland creatures, and the other assorted sounds of nature. At times Fluttershy’s cottage seemed almost a part of the Everfree itself to the denizens of Ponyville; the amount of wildlife she looked after was staggering at times. Most of Ponyville also didn’t realize just how much work Fluttershy did each day. Like Applejack, she tended to wake with the rising of the sun, and immediately set to work. Gathering food for her creatures, feeding them, and then checking on the injured ones that she was talking care of. This morning, however, she was repairing the damage done to her critter fence by Pinkie’s flying machine. With a little bit of help. “Okay, now hold it steady.” Manny balanced the long piece of wood in his paws, keeping the ends even with their supporting posts. Gripping the hammer in her mouth, Fluttershy began to nail the fence section back in place with delicate little taps, one bit at a time. The hulking manticore stood quite still while Fluttershy saw to the repairs at a speed that most ponies would have found slow, at best. But he waited, all the same, letting her work at her own pace. As she finished taping the last nail into place, the soft spoken pegasus dropped the hammer, testing the repaired fence with a hoof. “Thank you Manny. I’m not sure I could have done it myself.” <”Think nothing of it Fluttershy. I’m just glad you’re okay.””> He frowned, <”I wish I had been there to show these...shadows, what for.”> “Its okay. We stopped them.” A rumbling sigh rippled through the manticore. <”Just please...be careful. You are an Element Bearer...this is what you do. But I would be sad if you didn’t come back one day.”> Fluttershy blinked as her friend walked back into the forest. “...What I do?” - - - - “Rose…” The ex spy looked up from the pot she was hovering over. She had come to her friend’s house to help her finish getting back on her hooves, and had set about making a fresh batch of vegetable stew. Both changelings were in their normal forms, as they tended to when nopony else was around. “What is it Cherry?” A nervously pained smile marred her partners features, her eyes flicking from pot to changeling. “I appreciate that you want to help, but I am mostly recovered by now….” She motioned to the side of her head, sentence trailing off into an awkward pause, her gaze drifting back to the pot. Roseluck frowned. “What’s wrong Cherry?” “Can’t we go to the cafe or something?” “When I’m already making stew?” Cherry frowned, sitting back on her haunches, wings buzzing in agitation. “I’m sorry Rose, but you can’t cook.” “...What?” “You put like...a wagon load of spice in what you cook.” Cherry sighed, throwing her hooves up, “Isn’t love spicy enough for you?” “It’s a completely different flavor than physical spices and you know it!” Roseluck pouted back, “And I’ll have you know that I worked hard on this!” She finished with an angry hoof jab towards her culinary creation. “Can we please just grab some sandwiches? I’ve already been stuck in my house for two days.” “Can you change yet?” “I can.” She shrugged, “But I’m not going to bother. Everypony knows we’re changelings now.” “We could take another form…” Roseluck winced, like the statement had physically hurt her. Cherry frowned. “Roseluck...what’s wrong? You’re usually not this jumpy.” “You almost died, and you’re asking me that?” Roseluck sighed, “I’m your partner. I should have had your back. And now our quiet little life here is wrecked.” “It’s not wrecked.” “Changelings aren’t considered normal yet, Cherry. And you see how the press bugs Skitch.” “And I’m not going to hide. Its not illegal to be a changeling in Equestria. Now,” She lightly tapped Rose in the side, “Sandwiches. Cafe. Let’s go!” Roseluck sighed. - - - - Pinkie Pie was on a mission. She slowly lowered another cupcake- with light blue frosting- into the box. She then considered the rows of sweets. They looked alright, freshly baked and full of sweetness and yummy goodness. But... “Something’s missing.” Then it hit her. “Sprinkles!” A glass jar was plucked from a shelf, and a liberal application of of lighter blue sprinkles was scattered across the dozen bakers treats. Once that was accomplished a wide grin split the baker pony’s muzzle. “Perfect!” Sliding the box onto her head, Pinkie Pie trotted out the door. “Cupcakes, cupcakes, cupcakes!” She chirped, hopping along towards Twilight’s and, for the moment at least, Trixie’s home. Ponies on the streets cast glances her way as she passed, but didn’t offer much comment. They were quite used to the party pony’s antics by now. Drawing close to the tree-library, Pinkie spied the illusionist mare shuffling out the door. With a burst of speed that would have put Rainbow Dash to shame, Pinkie was suddenly nose to nose with Trixie, her grin all the wider. Trixie let loose a half yelp-half shriek of shock, jumping backwards a few feet in an impressive display of sudden athleticism. “Discord’s mismatched horns, what is wrong with you!” “Aww, don’t be like that Trixie!” Pinkie grinned, “I brought something to help cheer you up!” With a quick flick of her head, the box landed at Trixie’s hooves, the lid popping open to reveal her frosted treats. “Cupcakes?” Trixie blinked. “Uh huh! They always help me when I’m feeling down. Plus, its kind of your mini ‘Welcome to Ponyville’ party until I can pull together a real one!” Trixie visibly winced, flinching away from both the cupcakes and the prospect of a party. “I’m sorry Pinkie but...no. Not now.” Pinkie’s smile faltered for a moment, before snapping back into place. “Oh, okay. Well, how about some games? Games always help me feel better!” “No Pinkie. No games. I’m going to go to the bar.” “Oh.” Pinkie’s smile faltered again, “But didn’t you go there last night? And the night before?” “Yup. And I will drink tomorrow and the next day, until I figure out what to do with my life.” “Aww. Come on Trixie. That doesn’t sound like a way to be happy!” Trixie smiled sadly. “Probably not.” She trotted off, Pinkie rushing after her. “Come on Trixie! There’s gotta be a way I can help you smile again!” She giggled, bouncing from one side of the unicorn to the other, “I am the Element of Laughter, after all.” The unicorn turned about, pressing a hoof against Pinkie’s muzzle. “Pinkie...I appreciate the sentiment, but I don’t think that parties and cupcakes can help me right now.” She turned and walked away again, Pinkie slumping to the ground, the usual bounciness to her mane and tail falling flat. “But...I make ponies smile.” - - - - Trixie took the same seat at the bar that she had taken over the last few days. Tapping a hoof against the bar, she motioned to Berry Punch. The local bartender had gotten used to her orders, and set to pouring a glass of bourbon, and mixing up a garden salad. She ate and drank, savoring the way the bourbon burned as it went down her throat. “You look as sad as I feel.” Trixie glanced over at Roseluck, as the changeling sank into the seat next to her, wearing her earth pony guise. “What do you want?” Roseluck didn’t answer at first, gazing slightly past Trixie, tapping her hoof on the bar in thought. “Do you still want revenge?” Trixie blinked. “...What...are you offering?” “Retired or not, I’m a spy, Trixie.” Roseluck frowned, “Lies, secrets, betrayal...this is what I do. And I got sloppy, and my partner got hurt. I can’t let this stand.” Taking another swig of her bourbon, Trixie considered the offer. She hadn’t gone after Bayou Runner with a partner before. She’d be involving another pony in her business, which could be really dangerous. Then again…. “You really want to join me on my daft crusade? It hasn’t worked out well for me so far.” “Trixie.” Roseluck snorted, a slight grin crossing her muzzle, “I’ve been doing this since before you were born.” Trixie raised a disbelieving eyebrow. “Just how old are you, anyway?” “Fifty, give or take a few months.” “You’re fifty?” She gaped, “I guess being a shape shifter pays off.” “Actually, we changelings don’t really age. We just reach the end of our lifeline and die.” Trixie stared at Roseluck for a few minutes after that bomb was dropped, before shaking her head and sighing. “All right, if you want in, I can’t really stop you.” She glanced up at a clock on the wall, “A train leaves in fifteen minutes, I believe. Let’s be on it. I just hope that you can lie and betray as well as you say you can.” She smiled bitterly. “Of course I can Trixie.” Roseluck smiled, before trotting for the door ahead of her, “I’m a changeling.” She hissed under her breath, “It’s all I’m good for anyway.” - - - - “TRIXIE!” The showmare and spy- in the process of stepping onto the train- jumped back at the same time, Twilight appearing in the train doorway with a brilliant flash of purple tinged light. Her eyes were blazing with anger as she closed in, each hoof stomp impacting on the wooden platform like a thunder clap. “How did you get here so fast?” Roseluck gulped, “We left right from the bar.” “Berry Punch came and told me what you two were doing!” - - - - Twilight looked up from her books at the sound of a knock on the door. “Coming!” Pulling open the door, she was surprised to see the form of Berry Punch standing on her doorstep. “Berry?” “I think that Trixie and Roseluck are about to do something stupid.” - - - - “So, then I teleported my way here! Multiple ports across town!” She took a calming breath, “You two were going to run off to Neigh Orleans on your own?! Without a plan!” “Twilight.” Roseluck growled, “I respect that you’re Celestia’s protege, but this is what I do-” “No! You don’t pull that with me!” Twilight angrily stomped, “Not with everything thats happened! You could have died, Skitch could have died, we all could have died!” She pressed her snout, right up against Trixie’s, continuing her indignation fueled rant, “ And now you two want to run off to Neigh Orleans without a plan, and without backup! Which might result in both of you getting killed!” She jabbed a hoof back down the street. “We’re going to turn around and go right back to the library! And then we’ll get friends, make a checklist, and then go take out Bayou Runner with an actual plan of attack!” “I-” Ignoring the beginning of Trixie’s protest, Twilight shoved both of them off the platform with a burst of telekinesis. “March!” Trixie and Roseluck followed her back with hung heads. “Princess Celestia has made a monster.” Roseluck muttered under her breath. - - - - After another round of griping, and running about to collect the rest of her friends- and Roseluck grabbing Cherry Berry- Twilight took a seat in the middle of the library. Spike stood at her right side, quill and parchment in claw, ready to take notes. “Okay everypony.” She began, looking from pony to pony, “Bayou Runner. He’s hurt ponies, controls a city, and almost got Ponyville destroyed. Trixie and Roseluck intend to go after him again,” She paused for a moment, taking a deep breath, “And I’m going to help them. “Ya sure about that sugarcube?” Applejack blinked, “Goin’ after this fella sounds dangerous.” “I know it is.” Twilight nodded in agreement, “But considering what happened.” She shook her head, “This needs to end.” She paused again, her eyes once more sweeping the room. “I’d like all of your help. There’s no group of ponies that I’d trust more to have our back.” “Well, shoot.” Applejack grinned, tipping her hat back slightly, “Ah suppose I can’t turn ya down now.” “I’m in!” Pinkie chirped, practically bouncing in place, “I’ll always help you out Twilight!” “Count me in darling!” “I suppose,” Fluttershy smiled softly, “That this is kind of what we do. Right?” “My partner’s in,” Cherry Berry grinned, “Then I’m in. We’re a package deal.” Everypony turned their heads towards Skitch-Sketch, who had remained quiet until now. The unicorn blinked at the combined gazes, suddenly feeling very nervous. “Why’s everyone looking at me?” “Well, you are coming to help, aren’t you darling?” Rarity asked, waving a dismissive hoof, “You were hurt as directly as any of us by this.” “But...I’m not sure that I can really be a help.” She blinked, “Trixie’s a better illusionist. And I’ve always kind of...reacted, when my back’s against the wall. Going out and after someone, well, that seems more like a hero thing.” She shook her head, “I’m no hero.” “Nonsense.” Rarity sniffed, “You fought the Collector. I think I speak for us all when I say that we’d be happy to have you at our side.” Skitch looked around the room again. “You do all know that if you’re looking for some kind of insight on these events, that I can’t help. We’re so far off the rails that this train is going off road.” “Another body is always useful.” Trixie dismissed. She looked Skitch over for a moment, her expression appraising, “Besides...you aren’t completely untalented at the craft for some extra worldly alien. It’ll be a two day train ride back to Neigh Orleans. I’ll teach you some tricks on the way.” “What about gear?” Skitch asked, “My dad’s works for the district attorney of Chicago and he’s worked a decent amount of mafia related cases. With wiretaps and surveillance and everything.” “Well, I’m not sure what a wiretap is.” Cherry Berry shrugged, “But leave the tricks and traps to me. I saved some things from before when I retired.” She nodded towards Trixie, “You’ve been chasing after Runner for years, what’s he like?” “He’s a thug, wrapped in the skin of a noble.” Trixie shrugged, “Completely convinced that he’s the smartest stallion in the room. Which I guess isn’t entirely incorrect. He’s managed to avoid Celestia’s reach for a long time.” Humming to herself, Roseluck considered that information. “Unless we can get the evidence from the Lernerians, tricking a confession out of him is going to be our only option.” “That’ll be a problem, considering that he controls the guard.” “What about Celestia?” Spike interrupted, looking up from his scribblings. “What about her?” “She’ll be in the city this weekend. She and Luna for the grand re-opening of,” He nervously looked at Trixie, “Her families theatre.” “Not a bad place for a sting.” Roseluck said, running through the possibilities in her mind, “We’d need to control the scene though. Hard to do with employees walking around.” “Fluttershy...do you still have all that money that your mother sends you?” Skitch perked up, a wide grin crossing her muzzle, “Cause I have an idea.” “Oh, yes.” Fluttershy nodded, “Its still there.” “Good. If that city is as rife with corruption as Trixie says it is, then we offer the staff a big pile of bits to take a night off, and have our own ponies in place. If we need some more bodies, I’m sure that there are more in town that’ll be glad to help.” “Okay.” Roseluck nodded, “Skitch, I’ll let you handle that. There’s already nine of us, so we only need a few more.” “I got some ponies in mind.” “Then the rest of us will gather up Cherry’s old gear, bits, and we’ll catch the six o’clock train.” “All right everyone.” Skitch-Sketch grinned, “Let’s go steal ourselves a theatre!” “Do ya have to put it like that?” Applejack sighed. “Yes. It sounds cooler.”