Fashionable Justice #1

Rarity awoke in Ponyville hospital. She took a brief moment to take in her surroundings before she recalled the events of the previous evening. Her eyes began to brim with tears as she feared the worst for her friend. She called frantically for anypony to come and help her locate her friend. Eventually, Nurse Redheart came in to see what the commotion was.

"Redheart, thank goodness your here I need to see Fluttershy at once!" Rarity said. Rarity tried to sit up as she said this but a crippling pain shot through her body forcing her to lay back in her bed.

"Miss Rarity, I need you to calm down and take it easy." Redheart said soothingly "Fluttershy is in intensive care right now and cant have any visitors." she said. "Besides, you straining yourself is not going to help her."

Rarity was going to object but saw that it was no use. Since Rarity was awake Redheart figured it a good time to run some diagnostics. She started by shining a light in both of Rarity's deep blue eyes. Then she moved on to checking Rarity's heartbeat. She made some notes here and there and then left Rarity be.

After the nurse left Rarity was lost in her thoughts. Most of these thoughts were of her friend. Is Fluttershy going to be okay? Rarity had no idea. Rarity briefly cast her thought's on the mare that had did this to them. The one called Chain. She would be lying if she said she wasn't thinking about retribution. She would be lying if she said the thought of paying her back for every moment of pain she had caused Fluttershy. Her thoughts of vengeance were cut short when a colt came in her room.

He was a strange sight to behold that much was certain. He was an older colt, most likely past retirement age. He was portly and had very little mane to speak of. The hair he did have was covered up by an old style fedora. Rarity thought he looked like a character right out of a mystery novel. Sure enough he lifted his hat with magic to reveal himself as a unicorn.

"Good morning ma'am, my name is Case Closer I'm a detective." he said and held up a badge to prove it. "I'm here to investigate you and your friends assault, if this is a bad time I fully understand."

"No that's quite alright Detective Closer, I would be happy to answer your questions." Rarity said. Case nodded with a smile and used his magic to pull out a pad and pen from his saddlebag.

"Wonderful, first question, did you see the pony or ponies that attacked you." he asked.

Rarity thought for a moment and answered. "Yes, there were two pegasus colts and a mare called Chain."

Case grimaced at the name, he was clearly familiar with her. "Alright, that's very good you remembered all that. It helps. Truly." he said.

How could I ever forget? Rarity asked herself. Rarity then thought about the damage she herself had sustained.

'Detective Closer, would you please help me out of bed?" she asked. Case seemed apprehensive but he agreed and helped Rarity to her hooves. When she got out of the bed she stripped off the gown the hospital provided. Underneath were bandages around her back and ribs. She used her magic to peel off the bandages to Case Closer's protest. She paid him no mind as standing was a strain due to her injuries. She then asked Case if he would be so kind as to find her a mirror.

He begrudgingly complied and managed to find her a small personal mirror. Rarity was aghast at the state she was in. Her mane was a bedraggled mess and her face had two large purple bruises. These became the least of her worries when she saw the marks on her back. They were deep red and had the imprint of a chain. She could tell there would be at least some scarring. Rarity was once again at the edge of tears but tried to remain strong. Case Closer tried to be polite and not observe Rarity's injuries but curiosity got the better of him.

Case frowned at the sight of her extensive injuries."I think it would be better if I left now." Case placed his notepad and pen back in his saddlebag and placed his hat back on his head. He then made for the door but Rarity had one last question for him.

"Detective Closer, does the name cloud-nines mean anything to you" she asked.

Case shifted and sighed before answering. "Yes it does, the cloud-nines are a new gang that we first clocked a few months back. You can probably tell that this is not the first case like this Ive dealt with." he stopped to think for a moment. "That mare Chain has been involved in multiple cases involving this gang. However, due to all the evidence being circumstantial we've yet to get a conviction."

Rarity took this in and Case added one last detail. "Your friends are in the waiting room. I will let the nurse know your ready for visitors."

Rarity muttered her thanks and Case took his leave. Rarity thought briefly about this apparent gang the cloud-nines until her friends entered the room. They were led by Equestria's newest princess Twilight Sparkle. Their usual cheerful expressions had been traded in for red tear stained eyes and grim looks. Rarity heard them all ask her if she was alright. Rarity heard them express their sympathy for her wounds. She heard them but she wasn't listening. There was only one thing on Rarity's mind.

"I want to see Fluttershy."