//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: Team up: Meeting an 'Expo Planner' // Story: On the Run // by darkmage1997 //------------------------------// The next morning, police and other law enforcing agencies were scattered around an art museum in Manehatten. Among these, five individuals, two humans, Shade and Will, two griffons, Gilda and Greta, and a minotaur, Iron Will, were investigating the crime scene, when they all bumped into each other. And awkward silence was present, as they all stared at each other, before one of the humans broke the silence, "CIA," Shade said, as he and Will held up their badges. "Interpol! What's Princess Celestia's crime investigator agency doing here? We've got all sorts of high end training with situations like this, not to mention our badges are bigger," Iron Will said, as he and the two griffons presented their badges, which were larger than Shade and Will's. "Well, this is Equestria, so this is our jurisdiction," Will argued. "Also, these are our travel badges," Shade said, as he and Will pulled out even larger badges, "Here's our REAL badges," he boasted. "Ah, well, you were obviously looking at the wrong badges!" Iron Will argued, as he pulled out a badge that was practically chest plate armor. Feeling that their badges were insignificant, Shade and Will admitted defeat, "Alright, Buster," Will said. "My name is Iron Will!" Iron Will yelled. "Alright, Iron, looks like the five of us are going to have to work together, but that doesn't mean we have to like it," Will said. "Well, we didn't like you two the first moment we met," Gilda argued. "Well we never liked you BEFORE we met you!" Shade argued, as the five went to work. "So, what are we looking at?" Greta asked. "Well, two priceless paintings were stolen, and one odd painting of an obscure griffon colonel," Will replied, holding up some documents. "This has all the markings of the Turtle," Iron Will said angrily. "What's a Turtle?" Will asked. "The second most wanted criminal in the world, and Iron Will's personal nemesis! Unfortunately, his identity is still a mystery," Iron Will replied. "No seriously, what's a Turtle?" Will asked. "Oh, its a reptile often found in bodies of water with shells around their bodies," Shade replied. "Hmm, interesting," Will said, feeling a connection between turtles and Pokemon like the Squirtle evolution tree. "AHA!" Iron Will cried, as he picked up a gold coin with a turtle on it, "Just as Iron Will suspected, the Turtle was here! Coins like there are the Turtles calling card!" Iron Will explained, as a delivery pony came in with two ridiculously large packages. "Packages for Shade and Will," the pony said. "That would be us," Will said, as he and Shade signed some papers. "And here're your ropes," the pony said, giving the two humans some rope. With a mighty tug, the two pulled the ropes, and the wrapping on the package, revealing to badges bigger than Iron Will himself. The minotaur in question, and the two griffons grimaced at their defeat. It was morning in Ponyville, and in the caste of friendship, Twilight and friends and family were all sat down to a nice breakfast, "Hey guys, listen to this," Shining Armor said, presenting the newspaper he was reading. The top headline was titled "Recaptured! George Cunningham back behind bars." "Well, it looks like they've wasted no time in his capture," Rarity commented. "Well, I think we should party since he won't be threatening us anytime soon!" Rainbow declared. "I think you're right Rainbow, and maybe Celestia would let us use the Canterlot ball room," Twilight added. George couldn't believe his luck. He would be even closer than ever to stealing the Canterlot Jewels, "I'll go ahead and write to her, asking for a party," Twilight said, as she and the others finished their breakfast. Just as they all put their plates on the dish cart, a knock came from the door. Twilight then went to answer it, which revealed a yellow unicorn stallion with green hair and red eyes. "Why, hello Princess," the stallion said. "Um, hello, can I help you?" Twilight asked awkwardly. "Ah, yes, I am Mr. Bowser Nate, a mega expo planner, and I have a request for you and your friends and family. May I?" Bowser asked, motioning into the castle. "Oh of course, come in, please," Twilight replied, inviting the stallion into the castle, and leading him to the dining room. Once inside, she had him sit at an empty spot at the table, "Everyone, this is Bowser Nate, an expo planner," Twilight said, introducing the stallion. "And there's no need for introductions on your end, everyone in Equestria knows who you all are," Bowser said, before he pulled out a brief case, "Ok, here's the deal, I'm planning to host a mega expo all throughout Equestria, and I thought you'd all might like to come and join in the festivities?" Bowser offered. "Well, that's nice and all, but we were planning a celebration for the capture of George Cunningham," Cadence replied. "Well, what's the rush? Besides, this could help you all bond closer with your friends," Bowser said. "Well, it has been a few years since Ah saw mah buds from the orphanage," Nathan said. "Same here," Melody said. "Well, I guess a few parties wouldn't hurt," Twilight said. "I concur," Rarity commented. "Alright, but what's in it for us?" Rainbow Dash asked. "What would you say to memorabilia of your favorite book series that can only be found at mega expos like this one?" Bowser asked. Rainbow and Twilight looked at each other with growing excitement, "Not to mention, there's going to be a fashion exhibition, along with animal meet and greet," this caught the attention and interest of Rarity, Fluttershy, Serenity, and Charity, "And there will also be a farmers market and bake off," now Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Season, and Lucky were interested, "So, what do you say?" Bowser asked. The mane six, along with the Crystal couple, the children, and the other adults huddled together. After a moment of talking, Twilight turned to Bowser, "You've got yourself a deal!" she said, as she shook hooves with the stallion, who smiled evilly on the inside, along with 'Toby'. "Great! We'll be heading out in two days time. And I already have planned stops for the expo," Bowser said, which everyone cheered happily at, "Oh, Toby? I need to talk to you about something, ok?" Bowser asked. "What do you want to talk to him about?" Ashley asked. "Oh, I heard he was a wiz with a piano, so, maybe I was wanting to talk to him, in private, about doing a show," Bowser replied, as he winked at 'Toby', who got where he was going at. "It'll be alright Mommy, I doubt this'll take very long," 'Toby' said, as he and Bowser walked out of the room. "That was perfectly executed Number Two, now, what do you want to talk to me about?" George asked. "Well, I've been reviewing the back of the painting, which holds the key to how we can steal the jewels," Bowser said, as he pulled out the painting of a griffon in a colonels uniform, and laid it backside up. "I do not see anything," George commented. "Exactly," Bowser said, holding a hot iron, "Oldest trick in the book, written in lemon juice, apply heat, and it will reveal Colonel Bloods map," Bowser said, as the ran the iron over the surface, which reveal some maps. "Impressive, Number Two," George said. "And," Bowser said, pointing to one passage, "It says that our next stop will be the Fillydelphia Art Museum. Apparently, the key is located in one of the busts, primarily the bust of Gilford the Mystery," Bowser added. "Well, that's easy enough, we distract those fools with expo, go in, steal the bust, smash it, steal the key," George said. "Well, its not that easy, see, no one knows what Gilford looked like," Bowser said. "Well, no duh, he was second in command, so no one cared," George said, which made Bowser roll his eyes in annoyance. "And there's another problem; the statue room has over two hundred and fifty statues," Bowser added. "Ok, that presents problem," George commented, scratching the back of his head.