Fashionable Justice #1

Rarity awoke the next morning on the floor. She had spent most of the previous night plotting her next course of action. She stopped to rest her eyes for a moment and the next thing she knew she was staring up at the ceiling. Rarity rose to her hooves slowly feeling very stiff. The bruises and welts on Rarity's back still pained her but she had gotten better at ignoring them.

Because of her injuries Rarity devised she should wait for her injuries to heal before she took any physical action. However, this did not mean Rarity would do nothing. She still needed to know exactly who to go after so she needed to do some investigative work. First, she would locate Chain and the two colts. Then, she would go after all the Cloud-nine gang members. This would of course be no easy feat,as Rarity had no idea how many members the gang had or where to start looking for information.

Rarity continued to think this over as she looked over her costume. Rarity had realized that when she had first designed the costume, she didn't have physical confrontation in mind. It had very little in the form of protection from attack. The costume obviously would prove useless in combat with gang members. She would have to add some type of armored padding in the near future.

Rarity's thoughts were interrupted by the chime over her front door ringing, signaling a customer. Rarity nearly jumped out of her skin at the sound. She quickly replaced her costume in it's box and threw it back in her closet. She then went to her mirror to try and make herself look more presentable. This was no mean feat as her hair was in a tangled mess. Once she was done doing her hair, she applied some makeup to her face to help cover up the bruising. Rarity then made her way down stairs to greet whoever was calling upon her. She was surprised to see her visitor was Detective Case Closer.

"Miss Rarity, I'm very sorry to wake you." he apologized "But, when I went to the hospital to check on you they said you had left." Case said.

Rarity's brain was hard at work attempting to find the correct response. "Well Detective, my injuries are not so severe that I cant heal right here in my own home." Rarity said.

This response made Case Closer frown, "Miss, I think you and I both know that's not true." he said. He then used his magic to retrieve a match and cigarette from his saddlebag. "And to be honest with you ma'am, I can only think of one reason you would want to leave the hospital so early." he paused to light his cigarette which made Rarity frown. "And I can tell you what you may or may not be planning is practically suicide."

Rarity forehead began to gather sweat. "Detective Closer I don't know what you mean." Rarity said shakily. The old detective only half smiled at this response.

"I'm sure you don't know." Case Closer said as he took another drag from his cigarette. "What you should know is that what your planning is impossible to do without help." Case said. He then retrieved several large folders that were near overflowing from his saddlebag. "Now shall we discuss this over coffee?" he asked nonchalantly. Rarity could only nod and look stupefied.

Once they were situated at Rarity's kitchen table they began to go over all the accrued information about the cloud-nine gang. Case's files were spread out across the table haphazardly. Rarity's head was fit to burst with all of the knowledge Case was imposing on her. Rarity only began to speak of Chain.

He slid a mugshot of Chain across the table to Rarity. "This as you know is Chain, she is a very accomplished criminal." he paused "Her crimes include but are not limited to; assault, battery, assault with a deadly weapon, robbery, breaking and entering, and unpaid library fines." he said. Rarity frowned at Case's joke and he gave a nervous smile. "Tough room." he said.

"Detective, not that I admit to planning anything but, why are you trying to help me?" Rarity asked. Case looked out the window thoughtfully for a moment. He then looked back to Rarity again this time serious.

"Because I know exactly how you feel. And I know what it is your after." he paused to obtain another cigarette. "And as much as I hate to admit it I cant do anything to the cloud-nine within the confines of the law." he puffed on his newly lit cigarette. "My job title may be detective but I'm in the business of helping ponies however I can, and right now you need my help in a bad way." he explained. "I don't know quite what your planning, but I will try to help you."

"Thank you, Detective Closer. I would truly appreciate your assistance." Rarity said sincerely.

"Don't mention it." he looked up at the clock mounted on the wall,"I have to go, feel free to keep those files as long as you need. And if you need anything stop by my office." Case Closer said as he got up to leave. Before he left he placed his card on Rarity's kitchen counter.

Once Case Closer left the boutique Rarity began to go through the files again. She looked over Chain and the twin pegasi. Neither of them had a known place of residence but all of them had regular hangouts which Rarity found to be convenient. She made note of all the important details she found about the three. This new information instilled Rarity with a small measure of confidence. Not enough to vanquish her nervousness, but confidence nonetheless.

Rarity came to stopping point in her research, and looked at her clock. It was a quarter to four, and Rarity still had things to do. She quickly gathered all the papers and returned them to their folders. She then went up to her design room and stored them in her closet. She then tried to make herself look presentable for the outside world. She put on one of her many stylish hats to hide her slightly frazzled mane and donned a slightly ostentatious pair of sunglasses to hide the bags under her eyes. She realized she didn't look her normal fashionable self but she did not have time for that right now. Rarity then attached her saddle bags and made for the door.

Rarity's first stop was the Ponyville library. She needed books on a number of different topics such as armor and self defense. Checking out these books would no doubt raise the eyebrows of Spike and Twilight Sparkle who was back in town for the time being. So Rarity was likely going to have to procure them without their knowledge. She didn't like to think of it as stealing, she liked to think of it as borrowing for an undetermined amount of time.

Rarity saw a number of different ponies casting glances in her direction as she walked through town. No doubt curious of her current state. Rarity was forced to ignore them and continue towards the library. Rarity still felt the occasional twinge of pain but she was starting to regain her usual composure. Rarity would be operating at full capacity soon enough.

After a good fifteen minuets of trotting through town Rarity finally arrived at the library. Rarity stood before the front door of the library, still unsure of her next course of action. She absolutely needed these books, but could think of nowhere else to acquire them. She knew Twilight would figure out her plan if she saw her with them. Rarity finally built up the courage to knock on the library's oak door.

To Rarity's surprise it was Spike who answered the door. "Rarity? What are you doing here?" he asked.

"Oh, I was just wandering about town, and I thought I would drop by to see my friend." she answered with a nervous smile.

"Well Twilight and the others went to checkup on Fluttershy, so I was told to watch the library." Spike said as he looked down towards his scaly feet. "Would you like to come inside?" he asked.

Rarity nodded and entered the library. She was counting her blessings that she had come when Twilight was away. All she had to do now was distract Spike for a while. Rarity didn't think this would be much of a challenge considering how well she knew Spike.

"So..um... would you like some...ur... tea?" Spike asked nervously.

Rarity saw her opportunity. "Why, that would be just lovely." Rarity said. Spike needed no more convincing and he quickly rushed to the kitchen, and more importantly out of sight of Rarity. She wasted little time in searching for her books. She searched high and low through every shelf and found nothing. Rarity feared her search to be hopeless.

"Who?"

Rarity jumped in fear that Spike had returned, but her fears were put to rest at the sight of Owlowicous. "Oh, Owlowicous darling you nearly gave me a heart attack." Rarity said. Then an idea struck her. "Owlowicous, darling could you find me some books on self-defense and perhaps armor as well?" Rarity asked in a sweet voice.

The owl's only answer was another "Who" before flying off to another part of the library. Rarity could only hope he would fulfill her request. It also gave her comfort knowing he couldn't tell anypony. Besides, even if he could, WHO would he tell? Rarity laughed at her own clever joke as Spike returned with a tray of tea. He placed the tray on a coffee table and took a seat motioning for Rarity to do the same. Rarity took her place across from Spike and politely waited for him to pour her a cup of tea.

"I hope you don't mind the taste. I'm kind of inexperienced at making tea." Spike apologized.

"That's quite alright Spikey." Rarity said. She then brought the cup to her lips to drink. It took all of Rarity's being no to wretch after drinking Spike's tea. It was without a doubt the most horrid substance she had ever tasted. Of course she tried to cover up the displeasure with a smile. She seemed to cover it up successfully as Spike took no notice.

It was then out of corner of Rarity's eye, completely out of Spikes field of vision, did Rarity see Owlowicious carrying two books in his claws. The owl seemed to give Rarity a quizzical look, as if asking what to do next. Rarity began to feign coughing and jerked her head toward her saddlebags in the corner. The owl seemed to understand and flew to the corner making sure to be out of Spikes line of sight. He then placed the books in the bag and flew up to the window to perch. Spike ,to busy inquiring on whether or not Rarity was okay during her false coughing fit, took no notice.

"Well Spikey-wikey your hospitality is highly appreciated but I must be going now." Rarity said.

"But, you just got here. And you haven't finished your tea!" Spike said.

"Oh... well... say, what's that over there?" Rarity asked. When Spike looked away Rarity took her opportunity to dump the rest of her tea into a nearby potted plant. Spike turned back around to see Rarity on her hooves attaching her saddlebags. "Oh Spike you just missed it, well I'll be on my way thank you for the tea." she said as she trotted out the door. Spike mumbled his goodbyes and sighed after she left.

"Another missed opportunity." Spike looked up at Owlowicous, "Must have been something you said."

"Who?"

After Rarity left the library she made her way to her last destination for the day. She had to visit Fluttershy again at the hospital. She would have to be quick as visiting hours would be over soon. So Rarity gave what was a little less than a gallop, and made her way to the hospital.

It took five minutes at a half sprint but Rarity finally made it to the hospital. On her way in she saw her friends just as they were leaving. They didn't notice Rarity so she decided no to waste time and let them leave. Rarity would rather be alone with Fluttershy anyhow. Rarity signed her name on the form and made her way to Fluttershy's room. She had been moved out of critical condition and was now in stable condition.

Once Rarity was outside Fluttershy's room she was hesitant to enter. Rarity had never seen something so heart wrenching as the condition of her friend the day before. But after a few moments Rarity found the courage to open the door. What lay beyond it was a hospital room that was identical to the one from the previous day. Rarity approached the bed where her friend lay. Rarity felt disheartened as she thought Fluttershy was still unconscious. Rarity was startled when she heard a voice.

"Rarity?"

"Fluttershy, are you awake darling" Rarity asked.

Fluttershy's eyes were still closed and she was lying still on the bed but she still spoke softly. "Rarity, I'm so happy to see you." she said so faintly Rarity could barely hear her.

"I'm happy to see you too darling." Rarity said with tears in her eyes.

"I'm so happy-" Fluttershy said as she seemed to fade back into unconsciousness. Rarity tried in vain to wake her but soon gave up. So instead Rarity sat silently alongside her friend. An hour must have passed before a nurse came in to tell Rarity visiting hours were over. Rarity nodded and gave her friend a slight embrace before leaving.

The trot home made Rarity nervous, as it was dark and she was alone. The trot turned out thankfully uneventful and Rarity made it home safe. Upon reaching her home Rarity quickly went up to her work room to study her books. She studied the books for hours before she finally fell asleep at her desk.