//------------------------------// // The Trick (Part 2 of 4) // Story: The Rainboom Thieves // by KingJoltik //------------------------------// “Okay sis...um...where do we go next?” said the first pony. “Do we...uh...go to Applejack's place?” “Nah...why don't we go to Fluttershy's first.” said the second pony. “We'll draw less attention there. Especially since the ponies here may still be trying to find you.” “Good point.” she said as the trio proceeded to Fluttershy's cottage. Meanwhile in Manehattan... Sunset Shimmer went to her apartment and then began to ask Spike, “AAAAAaaaahhhhh!!!! What do I do Spike?” she yelled. “Whoa, calm down Sunset.” said Spike as he got her some tea. “Tell me what happened.” “It's just...Spike...I don't know what to do!” said Sunset as she shook her head up and down. “It's just...I don't...Augh!” “Is this about hunting the Rainbooms?” “No...it's just...” “Let it all out.” “Well, I think that Lyra and the other musicians might be thieves...” said Sunset with her head slumped down. “Huh?!” said Spike in shock. “Lyra and the others are the Rainbooms?!” “No...no...I don't think they're the Rainbooms...I think they are part of the Feather Blades.” “You mean the thieves that those thugs paid?” “Yeah...according to Trixie...that could be a possibility.” Spike could tell the disappointment in Sunset's face and then said, “Well Sunset, why don't you just do what you always do?” Sunset's face showed a puzzled look, “What do you mean Spike?” “Research. Ever since we've been here in Manehattan, all you've done is research the Rainbooms. Just research the Feather Blades.” “Oh...” said Sunset as her face went back to normal. “You're right Spike...I need to do some research. Thank you Spike.” Back in Ponyville... Fluttershy entered her living room to find Twilight just sitting on her couch and said, “Still can't find an answer Twilight?” “No...I can't Fluttershy.” said Twilight as a frown kept getting bigger on her face. “No matter what I think...I just feel that...I don't know...” “Afraid?” “Yeah...maybe that's it.” said Twilight as she looked at Fluttershy, “Maybe I'm just afraid of Celestia.” “Um...well Twilight...”said Fluttershy as she sat down by Twilight. “Its surprising to see you afraid Twilight.” “Really?” “Yeah, I mean...um...we've stolen from some of the most corrupt criminals ever. Mafia bosses, bigwig nobles...um...” “Even royalty?” “Yeah...I just can't believe your afraid of Celestia.” “You think I'm afraid of something else?” “Um...I think...you're afraid of destiny Twilight.” “Fluttershy,” said Twilight in a serious tone, “I don't believe in destiny. My life is not determined by my cutie mark or some absurd prophecy Fluttershy.” “Well...um...maybe you're looking at it the wrong way?” “Well...you could be right...” said Twilight as she got off the couch and began to pace, “But...my cutie mark doesn't show any signs of being a thief...it's just a six pointed sparkle, that's all...so...what does it really mean for me? Does it mean I haven't been looking in the right place?” Before Fluttershy could respond, the two heard a knock at the door. KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! Fluttershy went up and opened her door, “Um...hello?” “Hey Fluttershy!” yelled one of the ponies that had just arrived to Ponyville. “Rainbow?” said Fluttershy in surprise, “Pinkie and Scootaloo as well?” “The trio have returned! Aw yeah!” said Rainbow as she began to show off. “HOORAY! 'We came back' party!” yelled Pinkie Pie. “Can we come in Miss Fluttershy?” said Scootaloo. “Oh yes, please come in.” The trio walked into Fluttershy only to stop and say, “Twilight? What are you doing here?” “I could ask you all the same thing. What happened to your trip?” “Oh...uh...we decided to stop by and see all are friends for a bit.” The trio fully walked in and began hugging each other. Then, Twilight noticed something very strange about Scootaloo and said, “Scootaloo...um...” “Yes?” “Do you...have a cutie mark now?” Meanwhile in Manehattan... “No dice Spike...” said Sunset as her hair drooped over her face. “Not much information?” “Not really...I think I need a different approach...” “Well...when were you supposed to meet them again?” “I never arranged a meeting...though...” said Sunset as a light bulb shined over her head. “They should still be playing around the park!” “So? Wouldn't it be bad to meet them?” “Yes it would. It would make me look instantly suspicious...even though I want them to be my friends...” said Sunset as her head hanged down, “So...I guess I'll have to just follow them...” “You're going to tail them to their hideout?” “I don't know Spike...I don't know.” said Sunset as she began to leave her apartment, “But...I won't accomplish anything by sitting here.” “Good luck!” “Yeah...I'm really gonna need some luck this time...” Sunset then left her apartment and made her way to the park. There she saw the musicians there again. Octavia, Lyra and others were playing nice and relaxing tunes to happy audience. Sunset hid herself away from the court and heard the music. There she thought, 'Is it really them? I still...I just don't know...Lyra was always so kind...and Octavia...despite being uptight...I could tell she was a truly intelligent earth pony with class...could they really be thieves? Is Trixie really right about this?' Then the music stopped. The performance was done. Soon, the audience of ponies left and the musicians began to pack up their equipment. Sunset watched as everypony packed up their instruments and left. Then, Sunset began her mission. She quickly followed them, ducking through every corner, making sure the ponies never saw her. Then she saw the musicians split up. Lyra and Octavia went one way with Bon Bon and the others went somewhere else. Sunset decided to follow Lyra and Octavia. She kept following them till they suddenly turned and casually went down an alleyway. As Sunset went and looked down the alleyway, Lyra and the others had just vanished. Sunset's eyes couldn't believe what she had just saw. There were no doors or other alleys down this alleyway. Sunset ran down the alleyway to the other side and looked around. It seemed as if the ponies had just vanished into thin air. 'What...just what is going on here?' though Sunset Shimmer.