//------------------------------// // On the Trail // Story: Rarity and the Phantoms of the Midsummer Theatre // by Catrina37 //------------------------------// Ch. 6: On the Trail “Our lead took us to the carriage of Trixie Lulamoon, top magician of Equestria with an ego more monstrous than Ahuizotl. She had everything to gain from a ruined performance and a rap sheet a mile wide.” Rarity knocks on her carriage. Trixie opens her window and sees her, Megan, and Thorne outside. “Rarity, what a pleasure to see you? And who are your two new friends?” “I’m Megan,” said Megan. “And I am Thorne, member of the Tambelon Knights,” Thorne said. “We’re here about some wooden legs that got all muddy,” Rarity said, “May we see them?” Trixie rolled her eyes and shrugged. She then opens the door to her carriage and let them in. Rarity looks around until she sees a wooden goat leg and a wooden dragon leg with mud at the bottom. “Aha! A wooden goat leg and dragon leg, shaped like Discord’s mismatched feet,” Rarity said. “Care to explain, Great and Powerful Trixie?” Thorne said. “The great and Powerful Trixie sure would,” she said, “Someone stole my props and left them in the mud.” “Props for what?” Rarity asked. “I was going to use these to make mannequins of Grogar and a demon with dragon legs. That way, the great and powerful Trixie would put on a magic show where she battles and triumphs over the evil wizard.” Thorne and Rarity roll their eyes. “So you didn’t use these props to frame Discord for the riot?” Megan asked. “Of course not,” Trixie said, “I learned my lesson on hurting others for personal gain after hurting Starlight, but I would like to get the thief who stole them.” “Did you see anything suspicious?” Rarity asked. “I did. Four ponies covered in paint were walking when they bumped into those clowns from the opening and took something from them.” “Can you describe these ponies?” Thorne asked. “I can describe one,” Trixie said, “He had a khaki vest and red scarf, a gold skull for a cutie mark, and a five o’ clock shadow.” “Sounds like Caballeron,” Thorne said. “And when he’s involved, that means Ahuizotl’s involved,” Rarity said. “Whatever his gang took, it could be very important,” Megan said. “Trixie, did you see where the four ponies were going?” Rarity asked. “I didn't see where they went,” Trixie said, "but I overheard one of them saying they are staying in an old warehouse in midtown." “Thank you, and we’ll find whoever dirtied up your act,” Thorne said. With that, Rarity, Megan, and Thorne run off to midtown to find Ahuizotl and his gang, with Rarity leading the way since she knew where midtown was. As they ran, Trixie gave them a wave goodbye and good luck, and then closes the door to continue whatever she was doing before. **** Trixie's piece of information lead us straight to midtown Manehatten. This dark part of the city is a zest pool for the most crooked and law-breaking ponies of Equestria. A perfect place for fiends like Ahuizotl and Cabelleron, the most notorious treasure thieves and Grogar's not-so-best agents. We must be cautious though. Ahuizotl has ferocity that of a wildcat, and he has developed an obsession for my partner Megan... Rarity continues her noir. Later that night, Rarity and the others are searching for Ahuizotl and his gang in midtown. It was dark and foggy out. There was nothing here but pitch black alleyways, street lights that light the way, and a black cat who was digging for food in a garbage can saw the three detectives and ran off with a fish skeleton. They carefully tread through the streets, hoping not to attract attention. But as they kept going, a shadow of a large cat ran past them from behind. The sound of running feet caught Megan's ears and attention. “Rarity, I think we're being followed,” she whispered. “That’s never a good sign,” Rarity said. Rarity turned around and finds herself face to face with Ahuizotl’s tiger. Rarity shrieked. The three find themselves surrounded by Ahuizotl’s pets, as the growls of the wildcats are enough to make the three sleuths freeze “I think Ahuizotl knows we’re here,” Thorne said. **** “We find ourselves in the jaws of danger… literally. Ahuizotl is one of Grogar’s loyal henchmen and well-known treasure thief. He’s also known for his crush on Megan. There’s no telling what he has in store for us.” As Ahuizotl's cats held the three captive, our three sleuths find themselves being taken to what appears to be a park, just like the one that contained the Midsummer Theatre. The only difference was that it was abandoned with barely any activity and was far from being a place children could play at. "That must be where Ahuizotl and the others are staying," Rarity thought in realization. When they approached the entrance to the park, one of Cabelleron's goons soon came into view. With a hard look, he observes and takes in what he’s seeing before he leads them on to where Ahuizotl and Caballeron are. It didn’t take long for everyone to find Ahuizotl. He was waiting by a pond, along with Cabelleron and the rest of the Daring Do villain club. “It seems this park has a pest problem,” Ahuizotl said, “Care to explain what you are doing here?” “Can the formalities, Ahuizotl,” Rarity mouthed, “We’re here because someone had framed Discord for sabotaging the Midsummer Theatre.” “We’ve heard of that incident,” Cabelleron said, “What a shame that the Lord of Chaos stooped so low.” “Well we’ve heard Caballeron took something from a pair of clowns that were sighted during the sabotage,” Thorne said, “and we think those clowns work for you since you’re the most powerful creature here.” “And what motive would I have to frame Discord?” asked Ahuizotl. “To make sure the ponies have less power to protect them,” Rarity said. “As good of plan as that is, I know better than to anger the Spirit of Chaos,” Ahuizotl said. “Then what are you and your Hench ponies doing in the park?” Thorne asked. “Tch. I got nothing to hide,” Ahuizotl said. He goes to what seemed to have been covered with a white sheet. He lifts it up in the air and made it land on one of the native ponies. What it revealed was a picture of him embracing Megan while in formal wear by the pond. The moonlight shined on it as if it provided the painting its own natural spotlight. “I came here to work on my masterpiece,” Ahuizotl said, “It’s my tribute to my dearest maiden Megan.” Megan turned her head away with an expression no one can read. Despite her look, deep down, she couldn't help but admire how well-detailed the painting was. “Our boss called us here to keep an eye out for anyone who worked for Grogar,” Caballeron said, “He has issues with his soldiers dating an enemy.” “You still have something we need to save Discord,” Rarity said. “And I could give it to you, but after the besmirching of my name…” Ahuizotl turned his back. Megan looked at the portrait and got an idea. "Come on, Guys," Megan said, "We'd better get going." "What? But, Megan, we're so close to-" But before Rarity could finish her sentence, Megan gives both her and Thorne a wink that told them one thing: she had an idea. "Alright then," Rarity says, "Let's get going." Right away, Megan and her friends head for the park exit. The same goon that let them in showed the three out. As soon as they were outside the park, Megan revealed why she brought them out here. “Rarity, I want you to get out that pink dress you made for me,” Megan said. “Whatever for-? Megan, not again!” Rarity said. “Rarity’s right,” Thorne said, “There’s no need for you to sacrifice your dignity. We’ll find another clue.” “No time. Discord will be sent to Tartarus if we don’t,” Megan said. “Megan is about to make Ahuizotl an offer he won’t refuse. I was against it, but time is of the essence, and Caballeron holds the key to this mystery.” Rarity rolls her eyes and used her magic to make her trunk appear. Then, she got out the dress Megan needed. **** Later that night, Ahuizotl was busy trying to give his painting an extra coating to make it more perfect. At that moment, only he was at the lake, because Cabelleron and his goons were at the other side of the park playing cards. While he painted, he had this distinct feeling that someone was here with him. He looked around for a moment before shrugging it off and going back to painting. “Oh, Ahuizotl!” Megan called. With his ears perked up, Ahuizotl turns around and sees Megan in her pink dress while leaning on a tree not very far from him or the lake. The moonlight shined on her as if she was a diva on a stage. Megan gives a seductive look in her eye, causing Ahuizotl to open his eyes wide and sweat hard enough for him to pull his collar. Megan approaches him and puts her hand on his face. “Ahuizotl, it must be tough for you following Grogar’s orders and not getting anything in return,” she said seductively, sliding her hand as she did. “It has some benefits,” Ahuizotl said. “But if you give us what we want, I can give you something in return.” Megan leans her head against Ahuizotl’s chest, causing him to cringe. "Soft as ever," she thinks to herself. "And what is it you can give me in return?" Ahuizotl asks. She steps back from Ahuizotl's chest. She knew he would ask her that question. Megan thought about what she would offer him in return and knew just one thing. "Remember when you asked me earlier to go on a date with you?" she asked Ahuizotl remembered. On that day, even though he was bummed Megan couldn't go out with him, he believed he would one day get the chance to be alone with her. He nodded "yes" in return to show he does remember. ‘Why now is she bringing that up?’ he thought to himself. He got his answer when Megan leaned into his ear. "I will gladly go out with you after the mystery is solved," Megan whispered. When Megan said that, Ahuizotl's heart stopped for a moment, and then it began beating like he was in a race. Megan felt her heart race and soar after she said those words. “I do know a café known for it’s dark booths…” Ahuizotl said. “It will be one date and of my choosing,” Megan said while pulling his collar. “It’s a deal. I understand if you want to take our relationship slow.” When Ahuizotl said the word "relationship", she felt a slight pink blush, and her hands and feet cross at that. "Caballeron!" Ahuizotl shouts. Without a word, Caballeron rushed to Ahuizotl from where he was right away. He panted for breath because of how fast he ran and how far he was from his friend. When he stopped in front of Ahuizotl, he was very much surprised that Megan has returned. But his moment of wondering didn't last long when Ahuizotl takes Caballeron by the shirt. “Give Megan what she wants!” he commanded. Caballeron takes out three business cards. “Those clowns didn’t have much,” he said, “That earth pony clown only had these three business cards.” After he gave her the cards, Megan took a close look at what it was the clowns gave to them, and found out they are just what they need to solve the case. "They're perfect!" Megan tells them, "Thank you! Thank you both!" "You are welcome, my dear," Ahuizotl says with a bow. Caballeron just rolled his eyes at the gesture, and left to get back to the card game he was playing. Before Megan was about to leave and get back to Rarity and Thorne, Ahuizotl suddenly gets her attention. "Oh, uh Megan!" he calls. She turned around to face him again, not knowing what he could want at that moment. That was when he took her hand gently, and kissed it like a villager would do with a queen or a princess. "Be careful out there," Ahuizotl tells her. Megan blushed at the gesture he did. She felt flattered by his words, and her heart started to speed its beating again. Then, she left to rejoin Rarity and Thorne. **** Inside a hotel next door, Rarity and Thorne were anxiously waiting in the lobby for Megan to come back. Thorne was so anxious that he was pacing back and forth as he looked down towards the floor. As for Rarity, as a lady, she was not about to let her anxiety become obvious to the public eye. On the inside though, even while she sat herself on the lobby sofa, she was so worried, she felt like biting her own hooves. "We waited for Megan to return, hoping she made it out okay," Rarity narrated, We were more concern for her safety than the cards. We feared what Ahuizotl and his gang would do to our otherworldly friend... "What's taking her so long? I hope she's okay," Thorne said. "Now don't worry, Thorne," Rarity assures, "Megan is perfectly capable of taking care of herself. I just hope Ahuizotl doesn't force her to do something she's unwilling to do." But before their worries could rush more and more, the sound of a door slamming got their attention. Megan was back! "You guys!" Megan calls out "Megan!" Thorne and Rarity cried. Joyful that she came back, Thorne and Rarity rushed over and embraced their friend, relieved that no harm came to her. "Oh thank goodness, you're alight, darling." The trio end their embrace with smiles. "I got the clue we needed from Ahuizotl and Caballeron," Megan said, "Apparently, what the clowns gave them were these three business cards. Rarity levitates the business cards towards her and examines them closely. One card is from a department store called Prancy’s; the second is from the Shining Star Talent Agency; the third is from Masquerade’s Costume Store. “I know these places!” Rarity said. “You do?” Megan asked. “Prancy’s is a department store at the Manehattan Mall! The Shining Star Talent Agency is the top talent search in Bridleway. As for Masquerade’s Costume Store, I saw it at Saddle Row.” “We’ll each take one store,” Thorne said, “Rarity, you take the costume store; Megan, you take the agency; and I’ll take the department store.” “We’ll meet back at the park and report what we find,” Megan said. Rarity left with her assignment. While she was heading to the costume store though, she stopped and got a closer look at the card. It wasn't just the name of the card's store that got her attention, but the scent it had as well. She sniffed the card to smell what it is. “That scent smells familiar,” she said. Deciding her questions would be answered later and the mystery becomes more clear, she put the card in the pocket of her trench coat and continued her trek to the costume store. Unknown to her, Zesty Gourmand is following Rarity. “I better follow and see what she finds,” Zesty said.