//------------------------------// // Chapter Eight; Ultimatums- Chrysalis // Story: Runaway // by Kix //------------------------------// It didn’t take me long to jet out on my bike after Luna called her sister and saying she’ll stay here and wait for them. With a barely contained growl I hurry home, driving at breakneck speeds. Cops must be off doing something else or I got lucky, but either way it doesn’t matter. Halfway there, another idea pops into my mind, hardened by the sight of the young teen lying on the bed. Thankfully, my most trusted agent answers on the first two rings once I found a safe place to stop and call without having to worry about yelling over the wind. “Night Stalker, I need you to gather up Slicer and your partner, I have a personal job for you three. Meet me at the McHoofs by the bus station and bring our high tech van. I’ll be waiting inside.” “Yes ma’am, we’ll be there in a few.” Without another word, he hangs up. Before I head inside I try out a few deep breathing techniques Celestia taught me when she saw me freaking out for a test. Ten minutes after the call, my three most trusted and talented agents walk inside, all of them wearing the same black suit and tie ensemble, sporting the same crew cut hair style and wearing the same type of sunglasses. I can feel the customers tense and watch them as they approach me, some even either scooting away or finishing up early. “Thanks for coming so quickly. Get yourselves a bite to eat and I’ll explain the job.” With a chuckle I watch as they return nine minutes later, the tray containing three copies of the same meal. “Honestly, I know you guys are brothers, but for once in your life could at least try and change things up so you don’t copy each other? It is kind of freaky.” Even the way they answer at the same time sends a chill down my spine a little. “Yes ma’am. Now what is so important you had to call us in personally?” “Well, you remember that runaway girl from two days ago?” They nod in unison, not wanting to interrupt me. “Well the foster family she used to live with treated her very poorly, along with a couple other foster families. We’re gonna go and pay each of them a visit. Slicer, I want you to get all the information you can on the previous families. And while you’re at it, I want you to hack into their bank accounts, credit cards, whatever. I want to be sure that if they don’t comply with my demands, they won’t be able to touch a single penny of their own. As for you two, I want you guys to perform surveillance on each family once I make the demands. We’ll be hitting the most current one first and give them a day to oblige, so you guys will be watching only one family at a time. Unless you witness and catch on camera something terrible going, on I do not want you guys interfering, understood?” “Ma’am yes ma’am!” “Good, let's go rid this world of a couple cysts of humanity. Here is the address, I’ll follow you guys. Once we get there, continue to drive for a block. Just give me the signal when you pass it.” Hopefully they comply, but if they don’t then I get to have more fun and watch them squirm. Either way I win. The hour long drive does nothing to ebb my slowly rising anger. All I can think about is making these bastards pay in many different ways. As I pull into the driveway of the indicated house, I double check the address on a flyer with Moonshade’s picture to verify this is the right place. Before me stands a large three story house with the side rooms extended closer to the walkway and rounded. Large windows that are nearly floor to ceiling make up most of the wall facing the front yard. The second story follows the design of the lower floor with balconies that seem to wrap around at least the front and sides. Disgusted, I turn away before taking in any more details and knock, assuming a friendly expression I wait for someone to answer. A minute later, a light pink skinned teen girl opens the door hesitantly. “Hey kid, are your parents home?” I ask. After another few minutes of waiting, a woman who I instantly recognize appears. Her skin is purple while her hair is a mix of dark blue and violet. “I’m Aeris, how may I help you?” “Chrys, pleasure to meet you.” Not. “May I come in? I heard you were looking for this girl.” As I work on staying neutral, I produce the poster that includes Moonshade's picture. “Yes of course, follow me. Lily, please bring us some tea into the living room.” With a bow of her head, the girl heads into the kitchen. I can’t help but notice that she is nervous and slightly scared. Ignoring it and the growing anger, I follow the woman inside as her husband joins us. “I’m Cloud Shifter, what news do you have of our missing daughter?” The husband is bald with dull red skin. “Yeah, she’s in Ponyville hospital, room 261.” “Thank you, how can we contact you for payment if it pans out?” I hand over a fake business card over with my phone number. Before I exit the door, I turn and face them, my entire demeanor changing. “There is one thing though. I know why you want her back, and you won’t get her back. There are two options for you at this juncture, First, you can give yourselves up after splitting your money up as evenly as possible for every child you fostered and abused. Second, you can refuse while I build enough evidence to make a case against you. If you take the second option, then I promise you that I will make your life a living hell until you are arrested and convicted.” They both rise at the same time angrily, the husband getting in my face in an attempt to be threatening. “HOW DARE YOU COME HERE AND TRY TO THREATEN US! WE’LL RUIN YOU FOR EVEN THINKING OF PULLING THIS STUNT AND FOR KEEPING OUR WARD FROM US!” As Cloud steps in front of me, Aeris tries a sneak attack from the side. Been hoping for the chance to knock you two around. “Oh, and by the way, I’m also taking this girl as well.” Grinning, I kick my foot out in a sweeping motion, knocking Aeris off balance. At the same time I grab Cloudy’s wrist and swing him face first into the nearest window. Twisting his arm, I give him a kick to a knee. “Whatever your name is kid, get out of here and I’ll meet you by my bike. As for you two, you have twenty four hours to make your decision. Be glad I’m giving you that.” Snarling, I walk back out to the bike where the girl is waiting for me nervously. “It’s okay kid, I’m not going to hurt you. I’m Chrysalis and yes, I do know where Moonshade is. I can take you to go see her, after we get you looked over.” A hesitant nod is her only reply before she gets on the back of the bike and we trek back home. “Hey Posey, I went to go see Moon’s latest foster family….. They had another girl there that….. yes I….. I don’t care if I did it in a less than legal way….. look, I’m gonna have her looked over at the hospital then you can decide what to do with her….. Alright see you in an hour.” The call is made once we hit the highway, forcing me to shout as loudly as I can. “What’s your name, kid?” “Lily, am I….. am I really free from those….. people?” “Yes, so is Moonshade. Now come on, we need to get you checked over before you can see her.” Another nod from the girl is her only answer as she follows me into the hospital. As I step inside, a thought builds enough to cut through my anger riddled mind: how much will this piss off Posey?