//------------------------------//
// Rarity digging for answers (and maybe lunch) 
// Story: Tales of the Equestria Girls 
// by SirScribe 
//------------------------------//

	"Why did I agree to this again?" Rarity mumbled as her stomach growled.

10 miles north of Canterlot City sat the university town of White Tail. While its size differed from most towns in Equis, it was the center of literature and housed some fantastic schools, including one Alstorm Academy (some people think of it as 'alicorn' instead). Headed by dean Clover, Alstom Academy was the beacon of learning that many strived for. Equis' Everton Learning program was centered in White Tail, making this the premier destination for Twilight Sparkle.

Today, however, White Tail played host to Rarity and the Rainboom's curiosity in the magical dilemma earlier that weekend. Rarity drove her purple Mercedes Benz through the town, ignoring the shops and cute boys who expressed curiosity in her car.

The urge to go out and talk to them grew as the journey progressed.

Finally arriving in the city's residential area, Rarity checked her phone. The address of the girl they were looking for was given to her by Sunset, who was currently working with the human Twilight in getting the surveillance video from the GameStop across the street from the Ponyville Museum. While they were working on the case of the magic talisman, Sunset was probably buying a new game for her Xbox One.

Turning the corner into a busy cul-de-sac, Rarity kept an eye out for the house. As she drove, she began thinking about Sunset's attitude the week before after learning that Twilight and Spike were visiting from Equestria.

I am not giddy Rarity! I'm just nervous because she has almost never visited for more than 3 days, Sunset had explained.

Darling, you know I joke, correct? If anything, we're all nervous because we all get the chance to show her what we usually do around here. I am in no way implying that you and Twilight are-

The past Sunset clamped her hand over past Rarity's mouth. Don't say it out loud! If Rainbow Dash hears us talking about... that topic, then we're never going to hear the end of it. No, I'M never going to hear the end of it.

Sunset, darling, we've told you that there won't be anything to worry about when it comes to us. You can trust us to support you no matter what, she had assured her friend.

It isn't out of fear; it's by how much you girls keep talking about it since the Battle of the Bands.

"We're all searching for answers," Rarity mumbled as her past self said the same. No matter what, that conversation was always going to stick. They hadn't even told Twilight about the King K. radio broadcast earlier that weekend, or the fact that since she left after the Friendship Games, they had been up to their pony ears in magical problems.

Rarity stopped her car. She had found the house she was looking for, and besides the Christmas lights still hooked onto the ceiling, the only thing odd was the blue van parked outside the driveway. Rarity parked her car on the opposite side of the road and lowered her window. The door to the house opened and a brunette woman was seen arguing with a dark haired woman.

"You cannot turn me away when I'm only trying to do my job!" one voice boomed. "Your daughter was caught smack dab in the middle of a crime scene."

"I've said it before so I'll say it again: until I see a lawyer, I'm not talking to anyone wearing a badge! Now get off my property!"

Rarity gasped as she reached for her phone. "Sunset, I've arrived at the house and the police are already here!"

It took a few minutes for Sunset to responded. "Yikes! Twilight is working on the vid. no police yet," she replied.

Rarity looked up to see the brunette woman was seen entering the van. Sunset did a double take because the woman's brown hair and orange-ish complexion didn't match, nor the fact her black blouse and skirt held no evidence of a badge. Rarity couldn't get a clear look at her eyes because of her black-framed glasses. The woman entered her van and quietly drove away.

The woman drove the van several blocks down the street before coming up to a red light entering the city. She pulled back her hair, revealing her red and orange hair underneath the brunette wig. Tossing her disguise into the back, she reached over and penciled in her notes. Day 15: unusual anomalies recorded in museum are connected to subject: Raven Nightshade of White Tail City. Witness is reluctant in revealing any information. Continuing the pursuit of subjects in question.

A horn jolted Ms. Shimmer out of her notes. The red light was green. With a sigh and a curse to her employer, the woman continued until she was safely far away enough to dispose of her vehicle.

Rarity finished her text to Sunset regarding the officer's departure. "we need the reason y she had the necklace thingy. Twilight will try to call u later," Sunset texted.

The fashionista smiled. During her visits to the human world prior to today, Twilight had no experience with the telephone or anything related to it. She sighed as she exited her car with her backpack with her.

Rarity knocked on the door, earning a rather rude "GO AWAY!"

"Um, hello? My name is Rarity and I'm not with the police. Might I speak to you regarding your daughter's activities last Friday?"

"You sound like a cop! I told your friend that we're not speaking to you until we get a lawyer!"

Rarity sighed. "Ma'am, please allow me to explain!"

Silence responded. Rarity was taken back by the lack of words being exchanged. Curious, Rarity pressed her ear to the door to hear an older woman arguing with a younger one. The arguing lasted for a minute before silence once again encased the homestead. The door jolted open, revealing a teenage girl with black curly hair. Her eyes lit up. "Yo-You really are Miss Rarity!"

Rarity chuckled. "Oh my, you know me?"

The girl nodded furiously. "Yes, I've been to your shop in Canterlot City. I absolutely love your fashion eyes and I make it a trip every season to buy your best works!"

Rarity's eyes widened. "Wait a minute, now I remember you! You're Raven! Oh my stars, no wonder this all sounded familiar! I'm so dreadfully sorry I didn't recognize you entirely."

Raven swatted it away. "Pish posh, I'm just so happy you're here! Please come in."

Rarity smiled as she was led inside the home, catching a glare from Raven's mother. She led the girls to the living room where three mugs of coffee sat undisturbed. Rarity sat opposite from Raven and her mother, both seemed nervous of what was coming. The mother simply stared at Rarity. Raven gave a silent apology to Rarity.

A moment passed before anyone spoke. "So, you're not a cop?"

Rarity shook her head. "I am familiar with what happened, unfortunately. I come from a group who specializes in these kind of incidents. Would you be familiar with Canterlot High's Battle of the Bands?"

Raven and her mother both shook their heads. Rarity sighed as she pulled out her phone. "Earlier this year, Canterlot High played host to a musical competition. In reality, it was a charity event..."

"Naturally,"

Rarity stopped. "Pardon?"

"I haven't heard about the Battle of the Bands, but that Friendship Games you have down there surely made the news. Weird light displays going around all over the place and children claiming that aliens are running around all over the place. I had intended in sending my daughter there, but after hearing about some incident at your school's Fall Formal, I decided against," the mom said.

"Mom!" Raven complained.

"I'm serious honey. While Canterlot High is gaining ground in the district as a top-academic and athletic public school, there are far too many weird things going on around there and I will not have you end up in the middle of it!"

Rarity cleared her throat as she chuckled. "With all due respect Ms. Nightshade, the only thing weird in Canterlot High is the breakfast menu. Yes, there have been some" she coughed. "incidents, but I can assure you that Canterlot High is a marvelous school. However, and I must be upfront, I found your comments rather rude."

Ms. Nightshade said nothing more. "Anyhoo, I'm not here to talk about my school. I do not believe you have been informed, Ms. Nightshade, that your daughter was caught up in the middle of a, how do I say this? Magical disturbance," Rarity said as she removed her backpack, revealing a Windows tablet. "Pardon me for a moment, but do you have a Wi-Fi password?"

Raven immediately blurted out the password against her mother's outburst. A few clicks on her tablet later, Rarity had her focus back on the two women in front of her. "Raven, you were in Canterlot City last Friday afternoon, were you not?"

Raven nodded. "What were you doing there, if I may ask?"

Raven's mother only glanced at her daughter thought for a moment. "I was with some friends of mine. Lyra and Bon Bon used to go to White Tail Elementary with me and we usually reserve a weekend to hang out and such," she said.

Rarity nodded as she continued on her tablet. "Excuse me, but you're not recording us, are you?"

The fashionista shook her head. "Normally I'd be home right now instead of following up on strange phenomenon, and since I do not make it a habit of being a detective, I don't usually record anything."

Ms. Nightshade smiled as she nodded. "Continue."

Rarity nodded. "If I understand correctly, Raven, you were not planning on going to the museum that day, were you?"

Raven shook her head. "What were you doing in Canterlot City that day?"

"Well...I was hanging with Lyra and Bon Bon like usual when we passed this GameStop. I told them I'd be a minute and went inside to check on a game I pre-ordered. The last thing I remember was being in front of the cashier before I found myself in the museum," she said as she twisted her bangs.

Rarity nodded. "What game, darling?"

"Call of Duty: Black Ops 3. My cousin's birthday is coming up and he is a fan of the series."

Rarity nodded. "I have a friend who is just as much of a fan."

Ms. Nightshade raised a finger. "Why are you asking this?"

Rarity said nothing but turned her tablet to the two. At some point, Sunset and the human Twilight broke into GameStop and managed to retrieve the footage from that day. Rarity played a clip that showed Raven standing in GameStop with Lyra and Bon Bon in the store. It showed Raven browsing through different games in the Xbox One section.

Raven chuckled. "Might I ask again: what were you doing in Canterlot City that day?"

Ms. Nightshade eyed her daughter. Raven sighed. "Okay, I haven't pre-ordered the game yet. I was checking to see what new games were available at the time and Lyra suggested I get GTA V because it was newly released and she wanted to play with someone. I kept telling myself that I was going to pre-order the game, but I always get side-tracked."

Rarity nodded. "And the cashier?"

"I was buying the game when some guy tried to sell me something," she said.

"The cashier?" Raven's mom asked.

Raven shook her head. "No, there was another guy there and he tried to sell me something."

Rarity checked her tablet once again. Sure enough, a man in a dark colored coat walked up to the cashier next her and, judging by his body language, he was in a hurry. He was seen looking around for someone when his sights set on Raven. The two began a small conversation while the cashier looked for the store copy of the game Raven was looking to buy.

As the tape went on, the man started to assume control of whatever they were talking about. He began moving closer toward Raven with a jewelry box sticking out of a coat pocket. Rarity was stunned as well as the Nightshades.

Raven shook her head. "It's weird, but I can't remember his face," she said.

Rarity waved it off. "If anything wearing a button-up coat like that in April is rather ridiculous to begin with. That coat is clearly last seasons official lineup of coats with far too many personal modifications to begin with. I must say, its a crime altogether to even be wearing that in that sense," she said.

"Rarity, focus," Raven said.

"Oh yes, the man in question. Have you ever seen this man before that day?"

Raven shook her head. "I don't remember. All I remember is trying to buy the game and that's it.

"Well, do you know who he is. Did he give you a name?"

Raven shook her head. Rarity continued the clip to see the man present Raven with the jewelry box. At first, Raven was hesitant about the box the man was giving her, and for a small amount of time, Lyra and Bon Bon were trying to get the man off Raven's case.

Eventually, the man opened the box and revealed a necklace to Raven. Immediately Lyra tried going for the necklace with her hand on her wallet while Bon Bon quietly slipped the wallet away. Raven, however remained defensive.

Raven sighed. "I-I can't remember his face, even with that," she said.

Rarity paused the video. "Anything darling? I mean, the coat itself is distinguishable but please help me out here."

Raven's mom pursed her lips. "Did he do anything to you? Give you anything like a pill or something so you wouldn't remember?" she asked. "Maybe it was a date rape drug or something?"

"Unfortunately it isn't. That particular drug just induces drowsiness," Rarity mumbled.

Raven's mom's eyes widened. "And you know that because..."

"Because there are gentlemen out there and there are ruffians. Being someone of social importance such as myself comes with those benefits and disadvantages. I've made it a priority to know what to watch out for," she huffed. She pressed play to resume the tape, but already saw what she needed.

The man dropped the necklace as Raven and her friends exited the store. All of a sudden, the man lunged for Raven and wrapped the necklace around her neck with enough force to almost snap her neck. As Raven searched for the tie to remove the necklace, the man reached behind himself with an odd piece of wood in his hands.

Raven pressed pause on the video. The wood in his hands resembled a puppet's controls that puppetmasters usually used in their performances. Rarity unpaused the video to see his magic at work. He wiggled the control around for a little bit, and while he did, Raven moved as well.

Gotcha, she thought. "Hypnosis."

Raven and her mom both eyed each other in confusion. "Excuse me?"

Rarity chuckled nervously. "Excuse me, but this is what I said: hypnosis. Your daughter didn't go to the museum on purpose; she went because this man wanted her to go."

The mom chuckled. "So are you going to tell me that magic is real and my daughter fell for it? Please, that doesn't seem likely. Magic isn't real."

Somewhere in Canterlot, Princess Twilight did a spiketake all over Rainbow while Applejack popped in a movie in her barn. Rarity cleared her throat before correcting her. "Ma'am, do forgive me for this, but you couldn't be more wrong. You see, a year ago, we..."

Raven's mom raised her hand to silence Rarity. "Ooh, you didn't just tell me I'm wrong in my own house. How dare you walk into my home and tell me I'm wrong about this and about my own daughter."

Rarity replaced her tablet. "Mrs. Nightshade, if you will allow me to explain."

"Okay, I want you to explain to me how my daughter was ambushed in a GameStop, coaxed into buying a necklace and wound up hypnotized into walking into a museum and supposedly causing chaos that would attract both crazy teenagers who thing magic is real and government officials from another country. Please, explain that to me!"

Rarity froze. Magic, even with the girls, was a touchy subject altogether since Sunset blamed herself for allowing it to roam around Equis without any guidance. "I-I can't rea--"

"Get out."

Raven jumped up. "What? Mom you can't just..."

"Get out of my house right now!" She turned to her daughter. "And when your father gets back, we're both going to have a talk about your trips to Canterlot."

Rarity sighed. "Pardon me miss, but you surely..."

"OUT!"

Rarity scrambled out of the front door. She ran to her car and drove off back to town.

After a few moments, Rarity managed to calm herself down. She reached for her phone and dialed Sunset. "Darling? Where are you?"

Meanwhile, back at Sunset's apartment, human Twilight was busy watching YouTube on Sunset's living room TV with a bored Sunset Shimmer sitting next to her. "We couldn't get the video in time, Rare. The manager came back as soon as we got to the back room. We were lucky to get out of there without them stopping us," she said.

Well hold on a moment. If you didn't send the video, then who...

"I dunno Rarity, but I think someone is helping us. Can't be Twilight since she doesn't know her way around a computer in this world," Sunset said as she reached for her Xbox controller to pause Twilight's video. "But you've seen it, right?"

Yes, and I must say: Raven was hypnotized.

Sunset bolted upright. "So she wasn't in control. Well, that's good news I guess."

Yes, but that means whoever gave her the necklace you were talking about knows about magic. Darling, it seems we are making a habit out of this," she said.

Sunset nodded. "If enough people knew what we were doing, they'd think we'd be superheroes or something, and I am no Masked Mater-horn," she said.

Twilight coughed next to her while suppressing a laugh. "Oh shut up," Sunset said. "Why not you try wearing tights and a mask."

Twilight smiled. "With all the rumors going around school, I think you would like that. Wait, is it me or the other me?"

Sunset flipped her off. On the other side of the phone, Rarity was chuckling. "Oh yeah, laugh it up Rare. Was there anything else?"

A moment passed. Oh yes. Before I was chased out, Raven's mother said something about the government from another country coming in to investigate as well.

"Uh oh," Sunset mumbled.

Uh oh? Sunset, I don't like it when you say uh oh. What is it?

"Back at the museum, there was a guy who was there and he was really paying attention to us. It was like he was interested in us, and not because we suddenly reappeared in a flash of light," Sunset said.

So you're saying...

"I think someone is investigating us. This time, I don't think they're in it to get into Everton Education Program."