Chapter 127

The roar of an unusual-sounding ’81 Dodge Diplomat tore a rift in the tranquil quiet that cloaked the streets of Canterlot, the whine of a centrifugal compressor tracing the rumble of dual exhaust as it echoed between the surrounding buildings.

It was 5:30pm on Friday, February the 10th.

Rainbow Dash had just finished work and was now on her way to the hospital to visit Maud. Some of the others were supposed to be there as well, and there’d been talk of some take-out being delivered to the room for supper, which, for most of the group was no longer necessary, but was still a good way to bring people together. That, and old habits tend to die hard.

Still decked-out in her uniform, Rainbow Dash drove with one hand on the wheel, chewing idly on the index finger of her other hand as she thought about her time-warp a few nights back. She couldn’t believe that ability had been there the whole time and she’d never discovered it. Or perhaps it was something new that came with having Golds’ power. Either way, she was excited about the pros of her new arsenal, despite having no shortage of cons: for one, travelling in that state was not preferable to her since, from her perspective, she wasn’t travelling super-fast; for example, if she were to go on foot from Fluttershy’s house to town, it would essentially be like walking or running there as an ordinary person, which would take hours, even though in real-time it would only take a minute or so, which might be necessary if someone was in immediate need of help.

And Rainbow Dash knew this was a reality that she might have to deal with at some point.

The other and even bigger inconvenience was the distance required to slip into the speed phase. Even after multiple attempts, she was unable to make the jump in less than fifty or sixty feet. This shortcoming wasn’t much of a concern outdoors, but in a confined space, like inside a house, she would be limited to the regular super-speed that she’d been using for years.

Her thoughts were interrupted when a new song began to play on the radio: The Ramones’ ‘Blitzkrieg Bop.’

“Oh shit!” she exclaimed as she reached for the radio to crank the volume to sing along.

She made a right turn as she sang her way through the first verse, bouncing in her seat. As she accelerated away from the turn, however, she heard a noise amidst the music, which prompted her to stop singing. She furrowed her brow and listened; it was a whining sound, but it wasn’t her supercharger.

Dash turned the radio down again to hear it more clearly.

It was a siren. Not the sexy singing kind, but the kind that is attached to the roof of a vehicle.

A prickly sensation went up the back of her neck when she looked in the rearview mirror and saw the spinning red lights of a police cruiser following close behind.

“Aww shit,” she grumbled, turning the signal on to pull over to the sidewalk. After putting the shifter in park, Rainbow Dash rolled the window down and sighed, waiting for the officer to approach.

She watched in her side mirror as the cruiser’s door opened, letting its driver step out. It was a female cop, equipped with full uniform, belt, holster and hat, complete with blonde ponytail hanging from the back. Her skin was a light shade of gray and, when she approached the side of the car, it became apparent that her eyes were slightly askew.

Seeing this, Dash squinted and leaned closer to the mirror to focus on the approaching officer, then she closed her eyes and let her head fall back. “Oh fuck, it’s Derpy!” she whispered.

“Afternoon, citizen,” said the officer as she stepped alongside the rear door, hitching her belt up and puffing her chest out, making Dash roll her eyes at the inflated sense of authority. “Do you know why I pulled you over tod—“

THUD!

The Diplomat lurched forward, causing Rainbow Dash’s head to snap back. “What the hell!?” she exclaimed, sticking her head out the window to look back at the cruiser, which, while unmanned, had rammed its bumper bar into the rear of the old Dodge.

The officer turned and gasped. “Oh crap, I forgot to put the squad car in park!” she shouted as she jogged back to open the door and hop inside.

Growling to herself, Dash turned her car off and stepped out to assess the damage. As the police car backed away, she leaned down to run her hand along the bumper until her fingertips found a pair of dents where the bars hit.

“Aw, man! Golds is gonna lose his shit,” she sighed, backing away to take another look at the damage.

The officer was leaving the cruiser again, but stopped mid-step when she saw whose car it was. “Oh! Rainbow Dash, hi.”

Dash sighed and glanced at her. “Hey, Derpy.”

“This is your car?”

Dash nodded.

“Oh... sorry about that.”

Dash shook her head. “Eh… it actually doesn’t look too bad; maybe no one’ll notice.”

“Still… I feel bad for hitting your car,” Derpy replied. Then she covered her face and shook her head. “Ugh! And they just put me back in a squad car like, two days ago! Looks like it’s back to the bicycle for me.”

Dash glanced at her former classmate, feeling a twang of sympathy for her. Derpy had always had a tough time managing everyday things—though it usually was her own fault. “Look, how about I tell them I accidently backed into you?”

Derpy shook her head and pointed to the cruiser’s windshield. “Nah. The whole thing would’ve been caught on the dash cam.” She looked at Rainbow Dash and forced a smile. “Thanks though.”

“Mm.” Dash folded her arms and leaned on the rear of the Diplomat with her backside. “So? How’s it going with you, anyway?”

Derpy shrugged. “Not bad—aside from this. You?”

“Meh,” Dash replied, looking down as she scuffed her shoe on the pavement. “So why’d you pull me over, anyway?” she asked, looking up at the officer again with a sly smirk. “It’s cuz I’m blue, isn’t it?”

Derpy scowled. “What? No.”

“Oh, come on, Derpy! Tell me the truth,” Dash jabbed, laughing.

The officer shook her head. “No, Rainbow Dash, that’s ridiculous. You know my dad was half blue.”

Dash chuckled some more as she reached out to give Derpy’s arm a playful tap. “Ha! I’m just joshin’ ya, Derps. It’s all good.”

The blonde girl grimaced at Rainbow Dash and then shook her head. “Well, since you asked, I pulled you over because you were speeding. Excessively.”

Rainbow Dash recoiled. “What? Come on, I was only doing fifty-five!”

Derpy inhaled and cocked her head. “Uh, no, you were actually doing ninety… on Mane Street.”

Dash’s mouth fell open. “I was not! That’s crazy!”

Officer Derpy opened her mouth to speak, but the she stopped to eye the old car. “Where did you get this thing, anyway?”

“Oh,” Dash turned to run her fingers along the roofline. “A friend got it for me, from the States. Pretty sweet, eh?”

Derpy raised a brow. “From the States?” She went to the driver’s door and peered through the window to inspect the instrument cluster. Then she stood and faced Rainbow Dash. “Did you know your speedometer’s in miles per hour? That’s why you were speeding, Rainbow Dash.”

The athlete stared vacantly for a moment, then she groaned and let her head fall back. “Uuuugh! So that’s why it seems like everyone’s driving so slow.” Embarrassed, she pinched the bridge of her nose, shook her head, and then looked at Derpy again. “So, what now? You gonna give me a ticket?”

Derpy sighed and shook her head. “No. I don’t think you have any past infractions, so I can let you off with a warning—if that is the case.” She held her hand out. “I need your driver’s licence so I can check, though.”

Dash pulled her wallet out and handed the card to the officer, who headed back to the squad car. “So, where were you headed in such a hurry, Rainbow Dash?”

Dash folded her arms and stood by the cruiser door as the other girl sat in the driver’s seat to run the licence. “Eh… I was just heading to the hospital after work; going to visit Maud and Pinkie Pie.” She paused and looked at Derpy. “Did you hear what happened?”

Derpy looked up at her. Her eyes dropped to her lap, and then she nodded. “Yeah. I was really shocked to hear that. I feel bad for those two.”

“Yeah.” Dash nodded. “I probably shouldn’t be asking you this, but do you know if the investigators know anything yet?”

Derpy looked up at her, her eyes reflecting the warm glow of the sunset. Then she shook her head. “They, uh… they won’t let me anywhere near that case, but as far as I know, they haven’t found anything.”

“Oh. OK.”

After a solemn pause, Derpy returned to her task. “I heard you had a little brush with death yourself, Rainbow Dash.”

Dash stiffened, not expecting Derpy to be aware of that. “Uh… yeah. I got pretty sick around Christmas time. I got over it, but… yeah. A little too close for comfort for a bit there.”

Derpy held the driver’s licence out to Dash and smiled. “Here you go. And I’m glad you made it out OK.”

Dash returned the smile as she took her card. “Thanks.

“And tell Pinkie Pie I said hi. And… that I’m sorry for her loss.”

“Sure thing.”

*****

The sun could be seen disappearing behind the skyline from the window in Maud’s room, though I seemed to be the only one watching it. Everyone else, including Fluttershy —whose hand was joined with mine— Applejack, Sonata, and of course, Pinkie and Maud, were engaged in quiet conversation as we awaited the large order of Mediterranean food that would soon be delivered.

As far as anyone knew, Rainbow Dash was on her way, but was running late for unknown reasons—ironic, since she was supposed to be the fast one. Sunset was away on her search for the killer, Twilight was off at school, and Rarity was obligated to stay behind at the boutique, saying she had some last-minute orders to fill—though, if I was a betting man, I would say it was more likely that she preferred not to face Sonata after what happened the day after the murders.

As the last light faded into the evening, passing its duties along to the artificial lights of the city, I felt a light tap on my shoulder, followed by the soft voice of my girlfriend.

“Goldie?”

I turned to find Fluttershy facing me with the eye that wasn’t covered in a curtain of soft, pink hair.

“Hm?”

“Applejack was talking to you.”

I faced the farm girl, who was seated to my right, slouched down with phone in hand. “Oh. Sorry. What were you saying?”

Looking somewhat perturbed, Applejack pointed with her phone at Sonata. “D’ya think ya could tell Sonata that there was nothin goin on between you and me the other night?”

Confused, I looked over at the siren, who was seated on far side of the bed, next to Pinkie. “What? Why do you think that?”

Sonata shrugged. “I dunno!” She gestured to the shy girl. “Fluttershy just said she walked in on you and AJ in her bedroom the other night, and AJ was lying spread-eagle on the bed with nothing but a towel on her head.”

I looked down at Fluttershy, whose face was plastered with a crooked, awkward-looking smile. It was true; just after I texted Sunset that night, Fluttershy had come back to use the washroom and found Applejack naked on the bed with me standing there like it was nothing.

“Well… that is true, technically,” I said, facing Sonata. “But that doesn’t mean we were doing anything.”

Applejack, meanwhile, glowered at the shy girl, shaking her head. “Ya just had ta open yer yap, didn’t ya? Of all people!”

Fluttershy shrank into herself. “I-I’m sorry, Applejack. I just thought it was cute, you two hanging out in the buff like that.”

I raised a finger. “Uh, I actually wasn’t naked.”

“Yet…” Sonata smirked.

AJ glared across the room at the siren, her cheeks turning red. “We was just talkin! What does it matter that I had my goddamn snatch hangin out—”

As she said this, a pale-skinned man with tousled, blue hair entered the room and froze immediately, having walked head-first into the wrong end of our conversation.

“Aww, Christ…” AJ slouched and pulled her hat down to cover her face as the rest of us —except Maud and Pinkie— burst out laughing.

“Hi, Shining Armor,” Pinkie greeted. “Sorry about that.”

He cleared his throat and adjusted his suit jacket. “Uh, that’s OK. I was just stopping in for a visit; I uh, didn’t mean to interrupt anything…”

“No, you’re good. Come on in,” Pinkie replied, waving him closer.

“Thank you,” he said, shifting his eyes to the bed. “Hello, Maud.”

“Hi,” Maud said, blank.

He smiled and then brought his attention to Fluttershy, greeting her with a nod. “Fluttershy. How are you?”

She slouched down in her seat and squeezed my hand. “Um, hi. I-I’m good, thank you,” she replied softly, her free hand fidgeting with her hair.

He glanced at AJ next, who was still hiding under her hat. “Uh... hi.”

She waved quickly, keeping her head down.

His eyes landed on me next. “Hi there.”

I released Fluttershy’s and stood quickly. “Golden Arrow. Hi,” I greeted, holding my hand out for a shake.

He paused for a moment. “Ah!” He switched his briefcase to the other hand reached out to take mine. “The infamous Golden Arrow! So nice to finally meet you. I’m Shining Armor.”

“Ah, yes,” I smiled and nodded. “Sunny’s told me all about you.”

He chuckled and raised a brow. “Well, hopefully not everything.”

Just for show, I snickered as I studied his demeanor closely, trying to learn all I could about him. It was surprising that he was Twilight’s sibling; there wasn’t a lot of facial resemblance there, and his stature was much more imposing than hers—granted he was a fairly tall man. His handshake was firm and confident, and the way he stood and spoke told a story about his intelligence, a trait he obviously shared with his sister—considerably more than physical appearance. He had charisma, and was a good-looking man; it wasn’t difficult to see why Sunset wanted to take him for a ride.

Satisfied with my findings, I released his hand and returned to my seat.

Shining Armor turned to the siren next. “Hi. I don’t believe we’ve met.” He held his hand out. “Shining Armor.”

Sonata smiled and shook his hand. “Hi. Blue skin.”

He nodded and released the siren’s hand. Then he stood at the foot of the bed, resting his hand on the rail. “Anyway, uh, I apologise for not being able to pay you guys a visit any sooner; things have been… kind of hectic, lately,” he explained.

“It’s OK,” Pinkie said with a forced smile.

He smiled back, and then continued. “And I’m really sorry for your loss. Really. I can’t even imagine what you two must be going through.”

Pinkie sighed, her eyes drifting to the floor. How many times had she heard this exact line?

Maud didn’t move.

After an awkward pause, Shining Armor cleared his throat. “Uh... so anyway, the reason I’m here is I have some news; some of it’s good, and… unfortunately, some of it is not so good.”

Pinkie’s eyes locked onto him, glaring from under that flat, pink hair.

He squeezed the handle of his briefcase nervously. “Which would you rather hear first?”

The party-girl glanced at her sister first, then she returned her eyes to him. “What’s the bad news?”

Shining Armor drew a deep breath and held it, tightening his lips before smacking them noisily. “Uh… well, unfortunately, I’ve been barred from the case.”

The entire room locked eyes on him.

“Why?” Pinkie asked quietly.

He was unable to maintain eye contact with her, and his gaze went down to the foot of the bed. “They, uh… found out I have connections with you… through Twily—and Sunset, technically. And of course, the Crown is meant to be an unbiased presenter of facts, so my being an acquaintance to your family makes me… ‘biased,’ as they put it.”

“Oh dear,” Fluttershy said softly.

Pinkie scowled and looked down at her hands, which were resting on her lap. She studied her palms for a moment before shifting her attention onto her sister.

“I-I tried to fight it,” Shining Armor continued, “but… their mind was already made up, so…” He sighed. “I’m sorry.”

Pinkie shook her head. “It’s OK. I know you tried… and I’m thankful to you for that,” she said quietly, prompting Sonata to reach over and pat her thigh.

I spoke up next, hoping to improve the mood. “So what’s the good news?”

He quickly glanced at me, then he looked at Pinkie and Maud again. “Well, I can still help with your other legal matters, like when it comes time to deal with your parents’ will, the ownership of the house; things like that. I can look after all of that stuff for you, at very little cost, if any.”

Pinkie looked up at him again. After a pause, she forced a smile and nodded. “Thank you.”

Applejack, who’d finally gotten over her embarrassment, tipped her hat back. “That ain’t a bad deal, actually. It’s mighty fine of ya ta do that.”

He glanced at her and nodded. “Seemed like the least I could do, after… you know. That’s not all either,” he continued, facing the Pies again. “Before we got kicked-off of the case, Sunset and I managed to get a good look at the case file, and she seems to think she’s found a pretty solid lead. She’s been hot on the trail these past few days; fingers crossed she finds something. Lord knows the police haven’t found squat.”

I leaned forward in my chair. “Do you know anything about it?”

He faced me. “Not a whole lot. To be honest, she’s been avoiding me a bit lately, ever since I accidently touched her that one time last week.” He chuckled nervously. “Heh, hopefully she didn’t see anything too personal.”

“Well if she’s avoidin ya, she prolly did,” AJ surmised, leaning back in her chair.

Shining Armor rubbed his brow firmly. “Ugh… I was afraid of that.” He looked at me again. “But anyway, yeah. I don’t know exactly what she’s found, but she headed way out of town, past the big city, along the main highway. Whatever she’s after, she must be pretty sure of it if she’s going that far out of the way.”

I nodded. “Sunny’s good; she knows what she’s doing... but I guess you already knew that.”

He chuckled and nodded. “Yup. That’s exactly why I hired her.” He turned to Maud, drawing a breath. “So I hear you’re going home tomorrow.”

Maud blinked slowly. “That’s right.”

Shining Armor nodded. “You must be pretty excited about that, eh?”

“Of course. I can barely contain myself.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle at the response as I wrapped my arm around Fluttershy, prompting her to lean into me.

“So,” Shining Armor continued. “Do you have a place to stay? Obviously you’re not going back to the house.”

Applejack sat up straight. “Maud’s gonna be stayin with us,” she announced proudly. “Pinkie and Sonata, too; as long as they need ta.”

He smiled. “Well they’re lucky to have a friend like you.”

At last, with a groan, Rainbow Dash burst into the room, eyes rolling.

Applejack tipped her hat to her. “Well well well, if it ain’t ‘little miss speedy,’ the last one ta show up.”

“Sorry, guys, I got pulled over for sp—Shiny!“ She broke into a big smile when she saw Twilight’s brother standing at the foot of the bed. “What’s the haps?”

“Not much, just paying a visit,” he replied, giving her a tap on the arm.

“Fuck, I hope I didn’t miss supper,” Dash said as she went around Shining Armor to sit near the foot of the bed.

“It outta be here any minute now,” AJ said, checking the time through the cracks on her phone’s screen.

Shining Armor’s eyebrows went up. “Oh! You guys ordered food? I’d better get going then; I don’t want to impose,” he said as he turned to head for the door.

Applejack snapped her finger and pointed to where he was standing. “Applesauce! Y’ain’t goin nowhere. I ordered plenty extra, so there’ll be lots ta go ‘round.”

He paused and looked around at the rest of us. Then he looked at AJ again and nodded. “OK. I guess I don’t have much choice, do I?”

Applejack shook her head. “Nope.”

Author's Notes:

https://youtu.be/c1BOsShTyng