//------------------------------// // La Potranca sin Nombre. // Story: Cutie Mark Bandits // by Twi-Fi //------------------------------// Another brisk morning in Canterlot, before the morning rush, a few ponies could be spotted roaming the streets, walking into coffee shops, or reading the morning paper, paying no attention to where they were walking or who they were running off the sidewalks. Among those ponies was Sundance, a pale gold colored unicorn stallion with a dark greyish blue mane and tail, his  cutie mark a puzzle piece with a magnifying glass covering part of it. His build was slim, with toned muscles rippling under the skin and piercing green eyes. The sky still had some pink in it even though the sun had risen a few hours ago. Sundance stopped by a park to inhale the morning-fresh air; the sweet aroma of damp grass and dew. A slight hint of woodsmoke from some nearby chimney, a fire from last night still smoldering. Sundance relished in the tranquility, letting the senses put his mind at ease; mornings likes these were his favorite. Mornings like a cool early autumn morning, just after sunrise. A soft breeze rolled in, chilling the air. Sundance had to pull himself away from the park to return to his walk down the street, now steadily becoming busier by the minute. It was about that time, morning commute time, and ponies were starting to leave their homes with haste, still half asleep, rushing to work. Sundance took a turn up some stone steps leading to a tall building. He opened two glass doors to a vast open atrium of marble flooring. His hooves clopped loudly on the stone floor as he crossed the atrium to the elevator, jamming his hoof over the button. The elevator doors opened a second later. Sundance entered and mashed the number five button on the elevator panel. A few seconds later the elevator opened to the fifth floor with another marble atrium with glass doors and massive black lettering stamped across it. Equestrian Department of Investigation. Foreign and Domestic. Sundance walked through the glass doors into a lobby. It was a waiting area with a couple of benches, a coffee table and magazines. On the other side of the lobby were two wooden doors that only ponies employed there could open. Upon the benches were two ponies with brief cases. Their ears perked up when they saw Sundance enter. "Good morning sir." One of the ponies stood up to address Sundance. Sundance groaned audibly. "What do you two want now?" "Our client feels there was some evidence that was overlooked, some that will help exonerated him." Sundance sighed. "Unbelievable, your client is not only guilty, he's incredibly guilty. Sorry, case closed. Celestia denied the appeal yesterday." "That deny can be overturned if we reopen the case –" "Your client is an idiot. Stealing ATMs is a pretty stupid crime... they have magical trackers on them. When we tracked down the missing ATMs, we found your client in a room trying to break said ATMs open." "See, that is the technicality I thought we'd talk about. Those ATMs had tracking spells on them but we can't seem to find any authorization for that spell to be placed on them." "Banks have a right to protect their assets, they don't need authorization. Look it up under Search and Seizure, section three Magical Tracking clause B. The clause specifically says banks need no written authorization from a judge or princess to magically track any assets in their possession. Clause C allows them to track their ATMs, safes and armored stagecoaches. Seriously, how did you two pass the bar exam?" The two stallions looked at each other then back at Sundance. "Our client, demands we go through the case, page by page with you." "Look, Celestia isn't happy the whole thing made it to her level, there's no chance of reopening. It's pointless for me, I didn't make the arrest, I got more important things to do than look through a case that's open and shut. So, if you please show your selves out." Sundance said trying to keep his tone level. It was unbelievable to him, these lawyers were a joke, any pony with a law degree should know by now that the case was closed, for good. These jokers are fresh out of law school. Probably thinking they got their first big one. Shouldn't they be chasing an ambulance or something? "We aren't going anywhere." The stallion said, sitting back down on the bench. Sundance shrugged, "make yourselves comfortable." He said nonchalantly, walking past them to the main entrance to the office. Sundance reached out with his magic and opened the massive wooden double doors, revealing an office filled with several cubicles and ponies sitting at desks inside them. Nopony seemed to notice him walk in, as they continued staring at documents on their desks or at their coffee mugs. He puffed out his chest and strolled the front of the office, clearing his throat he spoke loudly and clearly. "Okay team, look alive!" Several heads poked up out of their cubicles. "Immigration department, I need a copy of that report today. Calla, coffee on my desk, then file the documents on the Manehatten bank robbery case. Also, get those fucking lawyers out of my lobby, if they give you any trouble, please remind them that their client is an idiot and Celestia denied his appeal." A small white mare with a golden mane got up from a desk in front of a door off to the side of a wooden door with the words Chief Inspector, on the window. "Yes, sir." She said and made her way to the back of the office, where the coffee machine was. "Who solved the robbery case?" A mare asked from her cubicle. "Ironhooves brought him in a couple of weeks ago, it was only a matter of time. He was clever but not enough for our marshals. The court found him guilty yesterday, shortest trial I have ever been to." There was a loud roar as ponies stomped their hooves in approval. "Alright, alright. Get back to work, let’s go catch us some criminals." He smiled and turned to walk through the door when he stopped and turned to see a sandy colored mare entered the main office. He smiled at her, "Just in time, Sandstorm, my office... when you get a second." "Of course Sundance, just give me a minute to gather my notes." Sandstorm replied warmly. Sundance smiled then entered his office, closing the door behind him. He looked around his office at all the awards hanging on his wall, the massive mahogany desk in the center facing a thickly draped window. Bits of light could be seen coming in through the sides of the drapes. He strode across his dimly lit office, stumbling on a chair in front of his desk. "Ahh, shit!" The drapes glowed blue as they were forcefully flung open, blasting the office with light. "Ahhh!" He yelled shielding his eyes. And my morning started off so good. Looking up, his eyes finally adjusting to the light, he looked out his window to see the royal palace in all its glory towering over Canterlot. That view never gets old... He took a seat at his desk, ignoring the throbbing pain in his fetlock, Sundance pushed a bunch of folders off to the side of his desk just as the door opened. A young white mare walked in levitating a mug of coffee. "Your coffee sir." She smiled, setting it down on his desk. "Thank you Calla." Sundance smiled at her warmly. He levitated the mug, taking a sip. "Mmm, of all the secretaries I've had, only you can make coffee the way I like it." Calla's face instantly turned a bright shade of scarlet. "I used to be a barista, before college..." She trailed off. "Sir, I know I'm only a secretary but I'm studying law and would like to get some more experience, it will greatly help my studies. I hope to get a job as a detective after I graduate. I would do it on my off time of course." She said, her face burning like the sun. "Of course, I think that would be great. The more exposure the better. I'll speak to some departments and see what I can get you involved in... after you graduate, come see me again." "Oh thank you, thank you sir. I won't let you down." Calla said with glee. "I know you'll do good. Now, take these for me," Sundance pushed all the folders toward her, "and don't forget about those lawyers. If they demand to see me, tell them I'm in a meeting – all day." He smiled as the excited mare stumbled mare left his office. Not a second later Sandstorm entered with a thick folder, followed close by another tall dark, sturdy built stallion with four hoofcuffs chained together as a cutie mark. "Ironhooves! What a surprise!" Sundance exclaimed. "Just got back." He said simply, a grouchy look on his face. "Here is everything on our international task force... however, since Ironhooves is here, this won't be much use." She plopped the folder down on the desk. Sundance opened it eagerly, flipping through files and files until he reached something that made him stop and stare in confusion. "What the buck is this? Some kind of joke?" "No, what do you mean? It's what it looks like." Sandstorm said calmly, Irohooves just glared, standing in the corner of the office. Sundance raised an eyebrow at her. "That's a lot of apples but –" "Three fillies did that." "Impressive but hardly worth our time." "Ironhooves thinks otherwise." Sandstorm said with a smile, she knew that would catch his attention. "He caught them in the act. Two got away quickly but he captured one of them. Her picture is on the back page." "Oh? Iron, you didn't tell me you caught somepony. Wait – he caught a filly?" Ironhooves and Sandstorm exchanged awkward glances at each other. "Well..." Sandstorm began but trailed off, looking at the floor. "We are not foal services but since you caught her, might as well go speak to her." He looked down to the colored sketch of a yellow filly with a pouty face and big pink bow holding her dark red mane back. "She's cute..." He said quietly to himself. Sandstorm looked away, uneasily. She didn't want to say what happened but not saying anything was just as bad. "Not exactly... you see... she sort of escaped." Sundance looked at Ironhooves questionably, never in his time working with Ironhooves did any pony escape him. No pony was ever daring enough to try. "Care to weigh in here?" "Okay so the real thieves got away but this filly and the other two are involved. We had it on good word from our snitch that the job was going to happen that day, this was four days ago. We didn't know when but we thought we go check and see if they found a way to bypass the new security. We get to the end of the hall and find the guard can't get the door open to do his routine check. So after we blasted through it, we found La Potranca sin Nombre –" "Hold up! You found what?" "La Potranca sin Nombre. It means filly with no name, I'll get to it – let me finish my story. We found her and apparently two others. We know one was a pegasus because she grabbed another white filly and jumped, we didn't get a good look at them but we grabbed the earth pony filly and took her into custody. We questioned that foul mouthed little brat all the way to El Portro, but we couldn't even get a name out of her. Unfortunately, the stagecoach hit a large pothole and broke an axle, leaving us stranded. So as we tried to fix it, she escaped... of course we didn't notice until we had finished the repairs and I went back inside to find her missing. Then I began to think about this massive pothole and how conveniently it was placed. I realized that maybe somepony put it there to get her out, before she told us too much. We searched the entire town of El Potro, I was sure she was there... but, she disappeared without a trace. The name comes from some drunk stallion in the town square who decided to call her that after Shielded Saddle accidentally revealed we didn't know her name. He started chanting it and well... it caught on I guess." Ironhooves shrugged, "whatever it makes a good case file name." "So to recap, you captured her because you think she's involved with a gang of thieves?" Sundance looked down at the picture. He considered himself to an excellent judge of character and this filly didn't seem to strike him as a bandit, certainly not associated with the dangerous gang they have been working hard to stop. "Gangs have used young ones before, post them as look outs, do their dirty work... you name it." "Iron, is it possible these fillies were playing some kind of prank and were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time?" Sandstorm asked to which he simply shrugged. "Maybe, but why was the door jammed? Why was this little filly so tough, she didn't freak out and start crying? Where are the other two, and what kind of prank is that??" "You make a good point but still, there's something that doesn't make sense here... nothing was taken, all the money is still there –" "Maybe the bandits were warned off by the look out?" Ironhooves said unconvincingly as he tapped his hoof over the picture of the filly. "I don't think so... this report says the safe was never tampered with and judging by the amount of apples I see in this photo and this one and this one... holy crap... yeah they were at this for a very long time." Sundance flipped through photo after photo of smashed crates and tons of apples scattered all over an open field of dry grass. "She was definitely Equestrian?" "Without a doubt, had a country twang and everything. I'd say she came from Appaloosa or somewhere near that area." Sundance considered her picture for a moment, trying to imagine the motives, but nothing made sense. It seemed she had a lot of spunk and wasn’t easily intimidated. To him this all added up to a filly who had nothing to lose, possibly a runaway. No, there's something else to this... it doesn't make any sense why a runaway would do this.. "Well, she shouldn't be too hard to find. What's her cutie mark? We can check the registry and –" "She doesn't have one." Ironhooves replied. "She's a bit old to be a blank flank, hmm. Well, check with immigration and passport control. She crossed the border it will be on record. "She might still turn up though. I left Shielded Saddle in El Potro to keep an eye on the town. I still have that gut feeling that she was there... in that cellar. We should look into a Mr. Noir too, he may be connected." Ironhooves added. Sandstorm let out a fit of giggles, she put a hoof over her mouth to try and silence them. "Sorry, it's just funny you mentioned him." Sandstorm said, still laughing a little. She noticed however, Sundance and Ironhooves were still looking at her with puzzled expressions. "Mr. Noir is sort of a running gag over in the department of agriculture. A long time ago, when I worked over there, he put in for a tax credit. Him and his lawyers found some kind of loophole in the law. He technically qualified for agricultural subsidies even though he only grew grapes... to make wine. Since wine was the product he made a living off of, he doesn't qualify as a farm. So to create this loophole, he started selling some grapes in cartons on the side of the road – I don't know who in their right minds bought them, wine grapes taste awful... but ponies sure did. Him selling grapes as produce made him qualify for the tax credit. "So, that went, round and round for like ever. Until, internal revenue comes to us and says we need to seize his assets right away because he owes back taxes. It all became clear what he was doing but it was too late. He had this tax credit and he got out of paying almost a million bits to the internal revenue department." "Wow, I didn't like him right off the bat but... wow. What a scum bag." Ironhooves said. "You'd think we would have been furious but at this point the whole thing was getting so ridiculous that we gave it a 'well that figures, we should have seen it coming.' Since then the laws have been written more clearly and they've arrested tons of ponies trying to do the same type of fraud. He's somewhat of a legend, I guess. The funny thing is, his wine... it isn't that good." She giggled a little to herself then composed herself again. "Anyway, Mr. Noir is a sneaky, clever, crooked business pony but he isn't the type to actually steal something. He likes to see what kinds of things he can get away with. Besides, they've kept an eye on him after that, if he were involved, we'd know." Sandstorm looked down at the picture of the filly then sighed. "I don't think she was involved with the bandits we are after though." "It stands to pretty good reason that she isn't, but still I'm a little curious why the actual robbery didn't happen. The amount of chaos those girls were making would have made it an opportune time to do it. I got the perfect mare for the job to look into this... you two, talk to our snitch but don't grant him shit... not until we catch the rest of his gang." Ironhooves left the office quickly, avoiding eye contact. Sandstorm looked at Sundance with a confused expression, silently asking, 'what's his deal?' "He's just sulking." Sundance said waving a hoof through the air, to wave it off as nothing. "The first pony in history to escape one of the best marshals out there and it's a little filly with no cutie mark." Sundance laughed a little. "Hey, can you send Calla in?" he asked Sandstorm as she left the office. "Yes, sir?" Calla asked eagerly, standing in the office threshold. "Come in." Sundance beckoned her inside. After she entered and closed the door he pushed the files Sandstorm had given him over to her. "Today is your lucky day. This is your first case, now I know it's not as exciting as bank robbery or embezzlement but I think this is a good start." He flipped over the pages to the picture of the filly. "This is La Potranca sin Nombre, I need you to find out everything you can about her. This file has everything known about her now, which really isn't anything. I need her name, where she's from and possibly two others her age that traveled with her... one is a pegasus and the other is white... yeah that's about it." Calla stared at him blankly. "This is, wow, my own case, this is so amazing..." "This is going to be tricky, finding a pony isn't always easy. She's Equestrian, country accent and was found in Caballo." "Okay, so check with passport control?" Calla asked excitedly. Sundance smiled at her. "Very good, where else might one check?" Calla thought for a second before answering. "Immigration? Oh, and the department of transportation." Sundance leaned back in his chair, nodding and grinning. "I'm impressed, all good places to start. As I won't be needing a secretary for the rest of the day, I think the it'd be a good idea to start right now." "Oh thank you , thank you, sir. I appreciate the opportunity." Calla backed out of the office beaming and and jumping with excitement. Sundance shook his head still smiling at the over enthusiastic mare. I need more of her, these other ponies here are too dreary. "Miss Belle!" The secretary behind the desk of the El Potro Inn called out upon seeing the little unicorn cross the lobby. "While you were out, the police searched your room... well, everypony's room. If anything is missing or broken please let me know." "Will do." Sweetie Belle responded. Apple Bloom did her best to keep her distance from the front desk, knowing she stunk like a brewery. She could still taste the foul liquid in her mouth; it's strong, acidic, putrid taste. Apple Bloom would never know how older ponies liked it so much. She followed Sweetie Belle up a flight of stairs then down a long hall. They entered a room at the end, their room. "How long have y'all been here." She asked as soon as they entered, waiting a few seconds for a sulking Scootaloo to enter, not saying a word, before closing the door. "Yesterday. We got out and explored a little, but we tried to lay low most of the time. We didn't want to bring too much attention to ourselves." Sweetie Belle said, she walked passed Apple Bloom scrunching her nose. "You should wash up." "More than a simple shower is what Ah need. Ah think Ah'm going to make a bath and soak... forever because –" A loud sound of a door slamming interrupted her. She peered down the short hall in the room, where the sound came from. She could see one of the bedroom doors had been slammed shut. Apple Bloom leaned in closer to Sweetie Belle, lowering her voice. "What's up with Scoots?" "She – she just needs some time alone, I think." Sweetie Belle looked unsure, although she had a pretty good idea she knew what was wrong. "Just take your bath, we can try to talk to her later." Apple Bloom made her way down the hall, she paused by the bedroom door Scootaloo had slammed shut, contemplating it. She considered opening it and comforting the pegasus but she pressed on. The bathroom was small but it had a decent sized tub, big enough for what she needed. She hastily turned the taps on and watched the tub fill with water. She adjusted the temperature and took one of the miniature hotel Mane 'N Tail and Body bottles and emptied it into the tub. When the bath was nearly full and suds were threatening to spill out the sides, Apple Bloom turned the taps off then eased herself in to the tub. Immediately she felt the gratifying effect of the hot water on her body. She relaxed herself, laying on her back, her head against the back of the tub, the scent of the soap and the warmth were soothing. She let her head roll over to the side as she nodded off, sleeping softly. Apple Bloom awoke suddenly with a gasp, the water was cooler and the suds had settled. She looked down at the water in the tub to find it purple. "Wow." She said aloud, she had no idea she had soaked up that much wine in her coat. She stood up and flicked the stopper with her foreleg, making the tub drain. When the tub was empty she turned the overhead shower on. She cooed a little as the warm water slashed down on her back, washing the rest of the soap and purple stains out. She put her face under to wash off the wine that might have been on her face. The steam rose from the tub floor and filled the bathroom. Apple Bloom relished the hot water pouring over her. As time went by though, another feeling took over. Loneliness. She sat on her haunches, her head hung low as the water poured over it. She missed Applejack and Mac, more than anything she just wanted to go home and forget about all of this. But she couldn't forget about it, she wouldn't have a home to go back to. She never thought Scootaloo's plan would actually work but she went along nonetheless, giving it the benefit of the doubt. Maybe, just maybe it kinda worked. Ah just wish it all worked out according to plan... She turned off the water and got out. She pulled a towel around her back and dried herself off. She grimaced at her fur fluffing out, she didn't have a brush with her to flatten it down like she normally did. Apple Bloom left the bathroom and entered the first bedroom door she saw. She meant to plop herself down on the bed and sleep, except there was already somepony there. She could see the mound in the blankets. Apple Bloom backed up slowly as Scootaloo's head poked up from the blankets, she smiled weakly at her friend. "Sorry, Ah didn't mean to wake you." "It's alright." Scootaloo responded. "I think you are sleeping in here anyways. They only had rooms with two bedrooms and I took the bigger one." Scootaloo moved to the side of the bed, making space for Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom approached the bed then hopped on it. She looked over at Scootaloo who was avoiding her gaze. Scootaloo's eyes drooped and her face was somber, an expression of sadness and guilt. Apple Bloom moved closer to her friend. "Scoots, what's wrong?" Scootaloo looked away from Apple Bloom. "Nothing." Scootaloo replied harshly. Apple Bloom scooted closer, until she was right next to Scootaloo. She put a hoof on her shoulder, rubbing it back and forth. "It's okay, you can tell me Scoots. Ah know something is botherin' you, you've been in here since we got back. Ah'm here for you." Scootaloo's eyes welled up with tears and to Apple Boom's surprise she reached out with both forelegs and embraced Apple Bloom tightly. Scootaloo's tears turned to loud sobs as she held Apple Bloom snugly, she buried her face into Apple Bloom's shoulder and cried, soaking her mane and shoulder. "I'm s-s-sorry." Scootaloo wailed between sobs. Apple Bloom, doing the only thing she could think of, embraced the distressed pegasus, her forelegs rubbing Scootaloo's back. "Sorry for what?" Apple Bloom continued to rub Scootaloo's back softly, trying to console her. A few minutes passed by and Scootaloo calmed down a little. Her crying reduced to sniffles. "I'm sorry for making you come on this crazy adventure and getting you into so much trouble, getting us all into big trouble." "Don't be sorry, Ah wanted to come. Ah thought it was a great idea. It didn't go as planned but we are still here, safe and sound. And tomorrow, we’ll go home." Apple Bloom tightened her grip on Scootaloo. "We got lucky. When we pulled you out of that barrel, I- I was so scared. I thought I had lost you... and I never got to tell you how much –" "Shhh, shh, shh." Apple Bloom pulled back a little putting a hoof over Scootaloo's mouth. She stared into those sad magenta eyes, their noses nearly  touching. "It's okay, Scoots. It's okay, Ah know." She pulled Scootaloo in again, planting a soft kiss on her cheek then nuzzling her, she laid her head on Scootaloo's shoulder, taking comfort in Scootaloo's warm embrace. Slowly she fell asleep in her hooves. The bedroom door opened and Sweetie Belle walked in, her eyes met with Scootaloos. She paused at the sight of the two of them cuddling, she smiled brightly at Scootaloo. "Hey, sorry Scoots. I was just feeling a bit lonely so I thought I'd come in and –" "Shhh," Scootaloo nodded down at Apple Bloom who was sleeping soundly in her hooves, tightly snuggled up against her body. Sweetie Belle hopped on the bed next to Scootaloo. "She's asleep?" "Yeah, we kind of had a – um, I don't know... A thing, a talk. This is how it ended." Scootaloo whispered. "Aw. See Scoots, I told you everything would be fine, didn't I?" "It isn't though. We still have to get out of here. Everypony in town has seen her face. I can't bear to lose her again, no more stupid plans, we have to get her out of this town, first thing tomorrow." "Scoots... just – just calm down. I know you’re feeling guilty, and a little lonely and sad, I am too. I miss Rarity and home. But just for tonight, live in the moment. You have her in your hooves... now be with her. If you want me to leave, I will..." Sweetie Belle trailed off. She didn't want to be alone but she wanted to respect her friend's desire to be alone. "You're right Sweetie, for once I just need to live in the moment like I used to... ever since we started this thing I've been the one always thinking our next move, always planning how things were going to happen. Tonight I won't think, I'll just hold her tightly. And no, you can stay. I don't want you to feel lonely too." Sweetie Belle laid down on the bed, snuggling up against Scootaloo's back. "Scoots, I think we are all feeling a little lonely right now. We have never ventured this far from home. While we were swept up in all the excitement, none of us really had a moment to stop and think about just how far away we've gotten from everything we know. Not until now." "Yeah, I just hope what we did counts... " Scootaloo trailed off in thought as she laid there holding Apple Bloom, she ran a hoof through her mane. Apple Bloom, you are so beautiful… Even if your fur is all puffy right now. Scootaloo smiled and rubbed her foreleg over Apple Bloom's side trying to flatten the puffy fur but it just fluffed out again after he foreleg passed. Actually, it's kind of cute... "You know what? I’ve got a good feeling about all this. I think everything will work out." Sweetie Belle stood up from on the bed then hopped off. "I'll leave you two alone now." "Hey, I thought you were feeling lonely?" Sweetie Belle sighed and looked down at the floor. "I am but being in here isn't helping any, if anything it makes it worse because you two remind me of everything I miss." Sweetie Belle said sadly. "Because, in a small way, you make me think of Ponyville." "We'll be home tomorrow and we can put all this behind us and we can go back to crusading and hanging out and having fun, like we used to." Scootaloo said reassuringly. Sweetie Belle didn't seem too convinced though as she left the room, walking with uncertainty. Scootaloo laid her head down on the pillow, pulling a sleeping Apple Bloom, still clutching her tightly up to her shoulder. She drifted off to sleep, completely exhausted from a day of digging holes and running from the law. * * * Apple Bloom awoke late morning in her cozy bed to somepony holding her tightly. She opened her eyes to a mass of soft orange fur. She smiled warmly, she snuggled against the warmth closing her eyes again. "I was wondering when you were going to wake up." Scootaloo said softly. She squeezed Apple Bloom a little. Apple Bloom didn't respond right away. She was enjoying the soft fur, the firm embrace and warmth too much to muster a response. She cooed a little, nuzzling against Scootaloo's shoulder. "You make a good pillow, Scoots." Apple Bloom muttered into Scootaloo's shoulder. The peacefulness was interrupted by the sound of a knock coming from the front door. Apple Bloom's head shot up at the sound, her ears forwards listening. She heard the door open and she jumped up, darting under the bed in one swift motion. A few seconds later the bedroom door opened and Apple Bloom could see white hooves on the floor. "Breakfast is here. I got room service." Sweetie Belle's voice cracked, she spoke with excitement. "Hey... where's Apple Bloom, I thought you two were –" "Ah'm here." Apple Bloom poked her head out from under the bed. Sweetie Belle frowned, but didn't ask. "Well come on, it's huevos rancheros and it's getting cold." Apple Bloom crawled out from under the bed as Scootaloo rolled off the side, landing on her feet. They followed Sweetie Belle into the main room where three plates sat on a table. "Can you believe this only cost two bits? Our money goes so far in this country." They sat in silence as they ate, Sweetie Belle was contemplating how they were going to get back home. She figured they'd hop the train again but she began to realize a major problem with that idea. Everypony in town has seen Apple Bloom's face, they wouldn't be able to get anywhere near the train station, let alone leave the hotel. She knew there was only one train that stopped in El Potro and if they missed it, they would have to wait another day. Sweetie Belle didn't think that was a bad thing except money was running low, they couldn't stay in the hotel much longer. Maybe if Apple Bloom had a good disguise... "Hey so we got kind of a problem." Sweetie Belle started to say. Both Apple Bloom and Scootaloo looked at her. "Everypony in town has seen Apple Bloom's face, we can't get anywhere near the train station. Unless we find some kind of disguise for you." Sweetie Belle said, looking at Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom shrugged. "No problem, some big sunglasses and a bed sheet and maybe a hat." "Could work, but there are a couple of problems: one, they are still looking for you. The local police are probably on the lookout for you, maybe some the townsfolk too. Two, I think there may be a marshal or two looking for you as well. I overheard them talking about some other case they are working on, they think we are involved in. Something about being a distraction so the real thieves could get away. They seem to think we are a bunch of bandits." Scootaloo explained calmly. "We are bandits, Cutie Mark bandits." Sweetie Belle said cheerfully to which Scootaloo face hoofed. "We should at least try the disguise, otherwise there is no quick way out of this town, we'd have to sneak across the border then walk to the next town." "Okay, before we go tryin' to walk back to Equestria, Ah want to try a disguise." "Whatever you say La Potranca Sin Nombre." Sweetie Belle said playfully. Apple Bloom cocked her head to side, unsure she heard correctly. "It's what they were calling you last night. I think it means filly with no name." "But Ah got a name!" "And let's hope they never figure it out, La Potranca sin Nombre." Scootaloo added, with a smirk on her face. "Okay, I'll go out and get sunglasses and a hat for you. They have a bunch of cheap stuff at the market. I'll be back." Sweetie Belle said then trotted out the door. Apple Bloom looked at Scootaloo, she could feel heat on her face as her heart fluttered. "So... about last night –" "Apple Bloom, I'm sorry... I was a mess. That was the scariest thing I had ever seen –" "It's okay, Scoots Ah understand. Ah was scared too. This has been hard on all of us, Ah have never been so far from home before. Even though Ah got lonely, Ah'm with you so Ah ain't truly alone. But Ah was talking about what we did. Us... you know, cuddling and such. Ah – Ah liked it." Apple Bloom said, her face matching her mane. "I, uh, I, um glad you liked it." Scootaloo said lamely, she looked away from Apple Bloom, fixing her eyes on the floor. "I liked it too." "So... uh... what does that mean?" Apple Bloom moved in a little closer to Scootaloo. "Does it mean what Ah think it means?" She scooted closer and closer. Scootaloo backed herself against the wall but still Apple Bloom continued her advances. She puckered her lips and leaned in close to Scootaloo, closing her eyes she planted a soft kiss on her lips. Scootaloo sat frozen, transfixed. This was the moment she has always dreamt about, fantasized about. She had longed for this for ages – and her lips, as sweet as candy. Scootaloo's heart was racing, her legs were trembling. She leaned forward, and returned the kiss passionately as she embraced the earth pony with her forelegs. "Apple Bloom, I've been wanting to tell you for so long –" Scootaloo hastily broke her embrace with Apple Bloom as the door opened with a bang then slammed shut as Sweetie Belle stormed in. "I don't believe this!" Sweetie Belle yelled, huffing and flaring her nostrils. "Not only are they still here but they are guarding –" Sweetie Belle stopped abruptly at the sight of Scootaloo against the wall, Apple Bloom up close to her, her neck extended toward Scootaloo, both of their horror stricken faces looking at Sweetie Belle. "Really? I was gone for less than ten minutes." "What?" Apple Bloom said as she backed away from Scootaloo, blushing profusely. Sweetie Belle's eyes met with Scootaloo's and she grinned at her pegasus friend. "It ain't what it looks like." "It's okay... I just thought she'd make the first move... " Sweetie Belle trailed off as she brought her thoughts back to what was important. "We can't leave through the train station. That Sergeant is here poking around and the local police are guarding the train station. They have a wanted posted of you up, five-hundred bit reward if captured. Your face is everywhere... we are so screwed." "I always did like bad girls." Scootaloo giggled under her breath but it was still loud enough for Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle to hear. "Hey! Ah ain't bad." "Total badass!" "Will you two shut up! We need to get out of here! Now, help me think of a way out!" Sweetie Belle said sternly, clenching her teeth. She quickly loosened up though, shooting her friends an apologetic look. "I'm sorry. I'm happy you two are finally together. I'm just a little scared, you didn't see what they were like out there. They are determined to find you." "But Ah thought that they thought we left town?" "They did, until they found the wine barrel in that guy's house." We should have cleaned up that mess. "Okay, we wait until tonight then we make a run for the border." Scootaloo said. "We take the train from the next town." "Cactus Junction?" Apple Bloom asked. "That's miles from here." Apple Bloom crossed the room to the window, overlooking the street and main entrance below. On the street she could see a pony she knew only too well walking by, stopping to talk to another pony passing by. "What choice do we have? Sit around here and get caught? Cactus Junction is the first town across the border." Scootaloo paced the room, thinking. "But what if they are looking there too?" "Maybe, but they are pretty convinced Apple Bloom is still hiding here." "Okay, it's a plan. Tonight we make a break for the border. Sweetie, start gathering supplies, we are gonna have to camp along the way." "I'm way ahead of you. I bought us some food and water to take with us." "Ah hope y'all are ready to leave now,” Apple Bloom said, pulling her face away from the window  “because Shielded Saddle just walked into the building."