//------------------------------// // The Change (Part 6 of 15) // Story: The Rainboom Thieves // by KingJoltik //------------------------------// Several hours earlier... “Okay...run that by Trixie again. You want Trixie and Sunset to go with you to Canterlot?” “Yes.” Twilight then nodded. Trixie's lips curled and then burst open, “Pffftt! HAHAHAHAHA! Yeah right! You can't be serious!” Twilight's expression didn't change. “I am. However, since you don't seem to believe me, I'll show you this.” Twilight then levitated a case in front of the duo. There, she began loosening some parts on the case. “What are you doing?” asked Trixie as she gave a puzzled look. Sunset on the other hand, her face continued to shift between surprise, amazement and shock. Trixie soon noticed and said, “Sunset? What's wrong?” “I...Twilight...don't tell you're going to...” Twilight took the parts of the case and slowly levitated them and put them together. They soon made a small bolt. Twilight then gave Sunset a small smile. “I have a feeling you know what my plan is Sunset Shimmer.” “Yeah...tell me, what is in that case?” “Why do you want to know?” “Because...that's no ordinary seal on that case...it looks custom made and a lot of magic was poured into it...” “You are correct Sunset Shimmer. In this case is a jewel of sorts that I made myself.” Sunset gave a dark, grim stare at Twilight, “Let me guess...its something Princess Celestia didn't want you to make?” “Yes...it is. Now, what do you think this bolt I just made is?” “If I had to take a guess...that bolt will go into our anti-magic braces...am I correct?” “Yes.” “Okay, Trixie's curious now. What does that bolt do?” “This bolt, equipped with your brace you are wearing...it will allow me to use the braces as a magic nerve-controller. The seal I made on this case is very strong, so I made sure to put a huge amount of magic into the bolt based on the seal's parts.” “...Trixie doesn't get it...” Sunset then turned to Trixie. “What she means is that these anti-magic braces are going to be used as puppet strings...and we're the puppets.” “What?!” yelped Trixie as she showed a face of anger. Twilight then gave Sunset a look of slight disgust. “Actually, you're a bit wrong there Sunset Shimmer.” “Really? How so?” “Technically, the bolt with the brace will not allow me to fully control either of you. I will instead have the ability to shut down your nerves whenever I want.” “Trixie still doesn't understand, what does that mean?” “It means that with a flick of magic from my horn, I can paralyze either of you instantly.” “And I'm guessing this is how you plan to bring us with you to Canterlot without us being tied up all the time?” “Yes.” “Trixie refuses.” Trixie then gave the blankest, angry face possible. However, Sunset didn't know what emotion to show. All she could do is think, 'Well...that means if she puts the bolt into a brace, she basically has the ability to disable us if necessary...not only that, she wants to go to Canterlot! If that's the case...then this situation is in my favor! All that's left is Trixie...' Sunset then glanced at Trixie, who still showing a face of pure anger. 'Well...guess I should have saw this coming... I guess my next problem is...should I show that I actually support Twilight's decision here? Or should I wait this out until I can convince Trixie? Hmm...I need to get all of us in front of Princess Celestia...there I think I can talk this situation through...if I'm right, I think I know exactly what Princess Celestia really wants from Twilight, but Twilight just doesn't understand what Princess Celestia wants...that and she seems to be a super paranoid pony despite being the leader of the Rainbooms...' Sunset did a slight gulp and then began to talk, “May I ask you a question Twilight?” Twilight gave Sunset a slight nod. “Go ahead.” “I'm going to take a guess here and say the plan is to see Princess Celestia, am I correct?” “Yes. I need both of you with me when I get there.” Sunset then gave Twilight a straight face. There, as Sunset stared at Twilight, Twilight began to see what Sunset was thinking. 'Well...this is unexpected...is Sunset Shimmer supporting my plan? Why?' thought Twilight, 'Then again, if she can convince Trixie...' “Sunset Shimmer...where are you going with this?” “Well...how about we make a deal?” “A deal?” “Sunset! You can't be serious?!” “I am Trixie. Now, how about it Twilight Sparkle?” “I'm listening.” “I'll agree to come along with you to Canterlot and meet Princess Celestia and promise not to do anything against you on one condition.” “Okay, what's the condition?” “You'll free us of these braces when we meet Princess Celestia.” “Sunset! You can't be serious!” yelled Trixie as she began squirming in her chair. “Deal.” said Twilight with a big grin. “You'll agree that easily?” asked Sunset with a puzzled look. “Oh yes. As long as I can get you two there, my objective will be achieved. Besides, I'll be bringing something special with me as a just in case anyways.” “Alright, we have a deal.” “Hold on Sunset Shimmer, I want to change part of that condition though.” “Oh?” “I only release you, not Trixie Lulamoon.” “May I ask why?” “Oh nothing much,” said Twilight as she showed a slight grin. “I just have a feeling as soon as I release the brace, she'll attack me.” “And I won't?” “Well, the possibility is still there but...I have a feeling I can trust you a little more.” “Ugh...fine. You have a deal.” “SUNSET!!!” A few hours later in Manehattan... Rarity and Applejack were both beaten and bruised after their fight. Pinkie had intervened before either had seriously injured one another. Soon, the two sat down at a table, both giving glares at each other. “Ah *huff* hate you Rarity...” “I *wheeze* know darling...” “No one calls me coward...” “You...*huff* *huff* are a coward...” “Shut up!” “I'll say it again darling...you're a coward.” “I said...shut up...” “Go ahead Applejack.” said Rarity as she slowly raised her hoof to the door. “Leave. Leave like the coward you are...and do you know why you're a coward?” “...” “Well?!” “...Why?” “Because all you want is to be with your precious apples...you think apples will solve all your problems...” “Shut up...” “It's true...I don't know who's dumber...you or Twilight...though I'm pretty sure right now you are.” “Oh yeah?! Didn't you hear your own words Rarity?! She said that she was giving up! If that's not the dumbest thing a pony can do then I don't know what is!” “Yep...you're dumber...” “Oh really?” “Yeah...if you think for one second...which apparently you don’t know how to since you're a stupid apple loving hick...you would realize that she's sacrificing herself for us.” “That ain't sacrifice...that's stupidity Rarity...and you know it!” “What would you do then Applejack?” “Ah...ah...ah would...” “You don't know...that's because you don't believe in her...in any of us...” “Believe?” “Yeah...all we can do now is believe in Twilight...and you know it...” “Ah do too believe in her!” “No...you don't. The only thing you believe in is your stupid disgusting apples.” “Say that one more time and ah will-” “Oh shut up and leave already Applejack!” spat Rarity. “Leave you idiotic filthy apple lover! After all, what do you care about your friends or what we do?! All you care about is a stupid fruit!” WHAM! Applejack's hoof slammed down on the floor as her face filled itself with rage. “Ah will end you Rarity.” “Oh go ahead darling, it's not like you care about your friends anyway. Every since you joined this team, all you've wanted to do was get enough money for your family and then quit!” “You little...” Steam began to race out of Applejack's nostrils. “Why you little...” SLAM! Pinkie then slammed her hoof in front of both Rarity and Applejack. Her face was filled with tears. “THAT'S ENOUGH! STOP FIGHTING! JUST STOP IT! AREN'T WE ALL FRIENDS?!” For a moment, nopony moved or spoke. Then Applejack got up and went to her room. There, she grabbed her belongings and then headed to the exit. “No, Pinkie. I'm afraid we aren't. Not anymore anyways.” The two just sat there as they saw their friend leave the hideout for good. Pinkie then slowly slumped over only for Rarity to catch her. Rarity sat there, hugging Pinkie as she began to cry more and more. “WAAAAAHHHH!!! Why did this have to happen Rarity?!” “I don't know darling...but I know one thing.” “What?!” Rarity gave Pinkie a heartwarming smile and hugged her again. “We'll get through it together, I just know it.” The Present... The three began walking through the castle of Canterlot. Sunset began to think, 'Wow...I can't believe I was able to eventually convince Trixie to not attack Twilight Sparkle while on the train...oh well...at least we're about to meet Princess Celestia soon...' “Hey BBBFF, how have you been?” asked Twilight, already tired of walking through the giant castle. “Paperwork is my life now Twily...papers and more papers...” “How's it going with Cadance?” “It's going...” “Going?” Twilight raised an eyebrow. “Work has been getting in the way for a while now...we're meeting a little later...” “Good. Can I tell you something about Cadance, BBBFF?” “What?” “I still think she's out of your league.” “Hey! She is not!” The siblings then both laughed as the guards gave disgruntled looks at the two. They couldn't believe the captain was related to the pony that attacked the princess, though they tried to make sure that the captain didn't see their looks of disapproval. Trixie on the other hand, didn't say a thing as they slowly approached Celestia. There was only anger in her mind while Sunset was trying to figure out what to say first to Celestia. Then they arrived at the throne room. There sat Celestia, Luna, and Cadance. 'Here we go...I just hope I can solve this situation between Princess Celestia and Twilight Sparkle...' thought Sunset as the group entered the room. 'Now, let's see how this plays out...'