//------------------------------// // The Shackles (Part 4 of 8) // Story: The Rainboom Thieves // by KingJoltik //------------------------------// “It's not a bad plan but Trixie sees a flaw in it.” said Trixie after she heard Sunset Shimmer's plan. “Flaw?!” said Sunset with angry scowl, “What flaw?!” “First, you said you looked at Trixie's journal correct? Did you research the ponies the Rainbooms have stolen from?” “Well no, but I don't understand what that has to do with anything.” “You see, the criminals they have stolen from are mainly rich corrupt ponies or the now broken mafia in Manehattan. Because of these crimes, certain big wig ponies have changed their ways of managing money and criminal activates.” “I don't understand where you're going with this.” “Think about the recent crimes of the Rainbooms. The last two have been outside of Manehattan. Why do you think that is?” “Simple, they found good targets outside of Manehattan. Is that so hard to believe?” “On normal criminal terms, I would agree with you. However, the Rainbooms are a bit different.” “What do you mean?” asked Sunset with a confused look. “The Rainbooms have changed things around here in Manehattan. Did you ever wonder why the police stopped looking for them? It's because the Rainbooms have helped decrease crime in Manehattan. They even gave the police mafia bosses for ponies sake!” “I think I know where you're going with this...I suspect you're about to tell me that thanks to the Rainbooms, criminals have stopped trying to obtain jewels, am I correct?” said Sunset with a smirk. “Yes. Trixie believes that the Rainbooms will not be active for quite a while...At least until some dumber rich criminals come to Manehattan...” “So they steal from all the dumb criminals? That wasn't in the journal.” “They're dumb because they show off the rich jewels they've stolen. They basically asked the Rainbooms to steal from them, that or they were dumb enough to have a bunch of parties...” At that moment, Sunset began laughing at Trixie's comment. Sunset then spoke up, “I see your point... If that's the case, I have plenty of time so I'll just stick to my magic research for now.” she said as she began leaving Trixie's apartment. “We'll talk later Trixie.” “Trixie will be seeing you later.” Meanwhile at the Rainboom hideout... Twilight was bent over, working on one of her disguise rings. Twilight could not decide what to do about the situation of Celestia looking for her so she decided to instead work on one of her inventions. After going to Canterlot, Twilight decided she would try to improve the disguise ring so it could be used without being detected by the Canterlot barrier for future hesits. Twilight was about to complete the ring with suddenly... BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! Her computer began beeping. Twilight's head went up and looked at her computer. She then thought to herself, 'That's odd...I know I set up an alarm on the computer for buyers and other jobs but...this quickly?' Twilight got up from her desk and went to the computer. She began to look for the alert and saw something she didn't expect. She had put an program that would watch and see if the 'Twilight Missing Case' is updated and would inform Twilight. Twilight then said to herself, “It's been updated already?! Was it when I went to the library? But...I had my disguise ring on...” Twilight began to look at the updated case. She began to mumble to herself, “Let's see...Missing case...purple unicorn...please report to Canterlot...wait a minute...my parents names aren't on this...wanted to be found by...Princess Mi Amore Cadenza?! Who is that?!” Twilight then typed the name in the computer and got a picture. Twilight's eyes widened and her jaw dropped, “That's....that's Cadance! My old foalsitter?! But....but why is trying to find me? Why did they change the case...why are my parents names and Celestia's name not on...this...What should I do...” Twilight slumped down in her chair. Her mind began to remember her times with Cadance. She remembered her time with the pony she considered to be the greatest foalsitter in all of Equestria. Twilight smiled as she remembered those days. Small tears went down Twilight's face as she remembered her. Twilight looked back at the picture of Cadance on the computer. She then thought, 'Hmm...Should I go see Cadance? I know Cadance. Unlike my dream destroying parents, Cadance never treated me bad. However, if I go to her...would that put the Rainbooms in danger?' Twilight then looked at the hideout, she looked at the mess Pinkie, Rainbow and Scootaloo made before leaving. She then saw the leftover cloth that Rarity was using while Fluttershy was modeling for her. She looked at the apples Applejack had left behind. Twilight smiled, remembering her friends. Twilight then told herself, “I could never betray them. Just like I wouldn't betray Cadance...and I know Cadance wouldn't betray me...” Twilight sat there thinking for a long while. Minutes upon minutes passed and then she finally said to herself, “Okay, I need to get some advice...” Twilight then got up from her chair and began packing her things. Before she knew it, she had a disguise ring on, she went to the train station and got on a train going to Ponyville. Meanwhile in a shopping district part of Manehattan... Sunset Shimmer and Spike the dragon were walking down on of Manehattan's streets. “Whoa, you never see this in Canterlot, do you Sunset?” said Spike with his eyes filled with wonder. “I agree Spike, this place is really jumping. Canterlot is always so quiet.” said Sunset in her regular tone. “Yeah...so what are we doing today?” “I thought we could both have a day off Spike.” “A day off?” “Yes, my objective here in Manehattan can't be achieved right now so I decided to have a day to just relax.” “Wow, that sure is surprising coming from you.” said Spike with a surprised look. Sunset looked at him with a disgruntled face, “What's that supposed to mean?” “Well, you're always about research and magic and all that stuff.” “I won't deny that's true but we're not in Canterlot right now Spike. The only thing to do there is study.” “True. So what do you want to do today Sunset?” “Not sure... Before we left, I asked Trixie is she wanted to go out and have some fun but she instead fell asleep from overworking right in front of me. That and I didn't get Dazzling Bubble's address so that option's a bust as well.” “Oh right, we need to find friends right?” “Yeah, how hard could it be?” said Sunset as went through another street. There she saw an unicorn about to set herself up in a small park in Manehattan. Sunset then thought to herself, 'Maybe I can make a friend with her!' Sunset approached the unicorn and then spoke up, “Um, excuse me...” The unicorn looked at Sunset and then smiled, “Hi there!” “Yes, it's nice to meet you. Say, what are you trying to set up here?” “Oh well, I'm setting up a music show.” “A music show?” “Yes! My partners are coming shortly and we're all going to play for the audience known as Manehattan!” said the pony with a huge smile on her face. “That sounds lovely. I've always wanted to try and get into some music at some time.” said Sunset Shimmer. “Oh, I forgot to introduce myself, my name is Sunset Shimmer and this is my assistant Spike the dragon. What's yours?” “Oh, I'm Lyra Heartstrings! Nice to meet ya Sunset Shimmer and Spike!” Then another pony walked up to the three. The pony quickly spoke up, “What are you doing Lyra? Stop talking and get the equipment ready.” “Oh, sorry!” said Lyra as she then began putting equipment together. “I apologize about Lyra.” said the pony calmly as she then turned and looked at Sunset Shimmer, “My name is Octavia Melody, what's yours?”