//------------------------------// // The Trap is Set // Story: Rarity and the Phantoms of the Midsummer Theatre // by Catrina37 //------------------------------// Ch. 8: The Trap is Set At the Police Station, Discord sweats as he looks at the clock with panic. He fiddles with his fingers each time the clock ticks. They fiddled so much, he ate them like potato chips first, and then he made them reappear on his hands. “My time is almost up! If Rarity doesn’t solve this case, I’ll be a chew toy for Cerberus!” he screamed, “I’m toast! Toast I tell you!" He then poofs a pick axe, a large rock, and an orange suit that prisoners wear. Then, he started hitting the rock with the pick axe. "I'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO SEE FLUTTERSHY OR THE OTHERS EVER AGAIN!" Before Discord could panic any further, the door to the interrogation room creaked as it opened “No need for a panic attack, Discord,” Rarity said as she, Megan, Thorne and Zesty come in with Twilight. “Rarity! Boy am I glad to see you! Did you and Megan find something to clear my name?” “They did, and I owe you an apology for accusing you,” Twilight said, “I thought this was another of your pranks, but it turns out it wasn't. Right now though, we need your help at catching the ones who tried to frame you.” “I wish to help as well,” Zesty said. “You? But you were the one who accused me first,” Discord said. “No she’s not, Discord,” Megan said, “Someone dressed up and impersonated Zesty to point hooves at you.” Rep, Scorpan, and Carina come in with a witch pony costume with a mask that looks like Zesty. “We know how,” Scorpan said, “We went to evaluate the damage and found this witch pony costume in one of the trash cans.” Zesty looks at the costume closely. “Hmpf! I fail to see the resemblance,” Zesty said. Everyone rolled their eyes. “I'm surprised you’re helping Discord, Thorne,” Catrina said. “Nothing churns my stomach more than helping him, Catrina,” Thorne said, “but if it proves to Fluttershy that I’m the better bat, I’ll do it.” “I’m more surprised that Zesty wants to help after I disrupted her three-hoof rating system,” Rarity said. “I was angry at first, but I’m not one to hold grudges,” Zesty said, “I only started that rating because for years, Celestia had turn to others for diplomatic cuisine and turned down recipes my family and I make and cherish. I was furious at her at first, but then, my mother gave me a fish lecture.” “Fish lecture?” Rarity raised a brow. “She would tell me that grudges and thoughts of revenge are like fish; if you hold them and never let go, you’re likely to stink in the end. At first, I didn’t get it, but I figured out what she meant. If I hold a grudge against someone and act out of revenge, I would hurt myself in the end.” Rarity smiled, seeing how much Zesty had changed since her and Pinkie's friendship mission in Canterlot. **** One hour later, Discord and Twilight are walking down Saddle Row. “Gee, Discord,” Twilight said, “It was nice of Princess Celestia to give you another chance!” “Indeed!” Discord said, “My clean-up of the Midsummer Theatre went very well. I hope no pony sabotages it! She said one more mess and it will be straight to Tartarus for me!” As they walked passed a dark alley, three pairs of eyes leer as they laugh. **** The next night, The Midsummer Theatre is clean and empty. Not a single pony was in sight, until the two clown ponies and mysterious cloaked pony step in through the gate. They rush to different directions and smashed a few thing. The Pegasus Pony kicked the popcorn stand and tables; the earth pony kicked the sound system down; and the cloaked pony ripped out flowers in the garden.” Suddenly, spotlights shine on the culprits, courtesy of Coco Pommel and Rara. “You’re busted!” Coco yelled. “RUN!” the earth pony shouted. The Pegasus was about to fly, but Twilight uses a freezing spell on his wings, causing him to fall with his face hitting the ground. The two other ponies were about to run when Zesty, Scorpan, and Thorne blocked their only exit. “Going somewhere?” Thorne said. Discord appeared and with a snap of the fingers, gave the two ball and chains. **** The heroes and Celestia gathered the culprits at the garden, ready to see who they are. “Now to reveal who dares tarnish my good name!” Discord said. “Coco, care to reveal the cloaked pony?” Rarity asked. Coco takes the hood off the mysterious pony, revealing Suri Polomare. “Suri! I should have known!” Coco said. “Rainbow Dash and Rara, you too,” Rarity said. Rainbow Dash and Rara take a hose and spray water at the two clowns, which wiped away their make-up, revealing the clowns to be Svengallop and Wind Rider. “Wind Rider and Svengallop!” Rainbow Dash said.