Canterlot City Chronicles: Invasion of the Changelings

Canterlot City Chronicles: Invasion of the Changelings

Chapter One:

The Letter

Written by: Fluttashift

I sat in my oak wood chair shaking my leg. My hands were on the wood desk in front of me. Piles of paper and a coffee cup sat upon it as well as a photo of my daughter and deceased wife. I miss you, sweetie. I'll stop the crime. The thought and picture always made me fell warm inside. My wife's death was the reason I became a cop in the first place. I reached down and took a sip of the warm liquid, still steaming a bit.

The glass door of my gray-tiled office swung open and a man walked in bearing a name tag and police officer uniform. His walkie talkie was buzzing with noise of the dispatcher. He had a chubby face colored light blue with long yellow hair flowing out of the hat atop his head. The officer also bore a mustache.

“Captain Shellcase,” The man spoke in a deep tone looking directly into my eyes, “This letter was just dropped off for you. The carrier said it was too important to just toss into your mailbox and by the looks of the logo on the front he may be right.” He handed me a white envelope. I took it and nodded placing my coffee cup onto my desk.

“I see. Thank you, Officer...” I stopped and glanced at his nametag.

“Stargaze, sir.” The officer finished my sentence before I could open my mouth. “I’m new here.”

“Right, Officer Stargaze. I’m sorry. I didn’t recognize you. We haven’t gotten a new officer in quite some time here at Canterlot P.D.” I smiled trying to ease his nerves.

“Oh, it’s quite alright. With your record, I’m surprised you’d need any new officers at all.” Stargaze laughed at that.

“It’s nothing special. I’m just doing what needs to be done in this rundown city.” I slouched back in my chair. “This city used to be something special now look at it. Crime rates are sky-high and there’s barely anything anyone can do about it.” Shaking my head, I let out a sigh.

“Did you see what happened on the news, sir? I thought you might like to hear about it.”

“No, I stopped watching the news a long time ago. Shoot, rookie. Remember no one likes an ass kisser.” Laughing, I shot him a smile. He returned the smile before clearing his throat.

     “Well, something crazy went down at Canterlot High two nights ago. They’re giving the media a bunch of crap about bad construction.”

I cocked an eyebrow. “Canterlot High? What happened exactly?” I had to admit this peaked my interest a bit.

“Well, during the dance they were holding the entire front of the school collapsed.”

“Collapsed? Just like that?”

“That’s what the principal is feeding the media. Bad construction. There’s all kinds of rumors floating around. Then, there’s that huge crater near the school as well. No comments on that yet.”

“Huh. Weird, but unfortunately not police business. Now, if you’ll please excuse me. I’ve had a long day, Stargaze.” I put my hand up to the bridge of my nose as a throbbing pain seared through my head.

Stargaze nodded and quickly left the room. Outside the window, it was raining. I stared out, now sitting half-turned in my chair. I turned the letter over and gasped.

The front of the letter read: ImageCorp. I nearly dropped it out of my hand. ImageCorp? What would a company that specializes in cameras and mirrors want with a cop? I opened the envelope and took out a folded sheet of paper. Unfolding it, my eyes darted to the first words.

Dear Captain Shellcase,

Imagecorp is in dire need of your services. The incident surrounding Canterlot High has brought something to our attention. There is a girl attending that has stolen something from us. We would have come to you directly but this situation needs to be resolved. There is a picture of the girl included in the envelope. Please recover our property and you shall be paid handsomely.

Sincerely,

ImageCorp

My eyes went wide after reading the letter. Canterlot High? The incident? Maybe I spoke too soon. My hand dug into the envelope pulling out a picture. I looked at it and gasped once more this time dropping the photo.

Sunset Shimmer? How is that troublemaker tied into all this?

______________________________

The windshield wipers went back and forth furiously, clearing the rain as it appeared again. It was pouring outside while the clouds above were dark gray and gloomy. A thunderous boom sounded after a streak of blue lightning shot out in the distance.

My siren wailed as the tires sprayed water onto the side of the road. I was still shocked at the letter I had received. What has that conniving little brat done now? What kind of trouble has she got me wrapped up in? My eyes were wide as one hand gripped the wooden wheel so hard that my knuckles turned white.

I was coming close to Canterlot High going about ten miles over the speed limit. My leg shook nervously while the other rested on the gas pedal gently. I’ve been dealing with this girl since she first moved to this town. Always in fights, always harassing her fellow students, always thinking she’s above the law.

I flicked my turn signal on and turned right into the school’s parking lot. Quickly, I drove up to the front of the building breaking near the doors. As I put the car in park and turned the key, the sound of the engine ceased. Opening the door, I got out of the car slamming the door shut.

I lifted the brown hood of my coat over my head while rain splashed down upon me. The front of the school was half-done with construction. To my left, a few feet in front of the car was a large crater filled with muddy, murky water. What happened here?

Quickly, I darted to the front entrance. I swung the finished doors opened and headed inside. The inside was lined with green lockers on each side. I made my way to the Principle’s wooden door. The door’s golden sign read: Principal Celestia. It quickly opened revealing the principal. Her long flowing multi-colored hair partially hung over her eye. She brushed it back.

“Hello, Captain Shellcase. What can I do for you?” She said in a sweet voice.

“Hello, Principal Celestia… You know, it’s never fun having the cops show up yet you’re always so polite.” I smiled at her and she returned it, ushering me inside.

“Please, have a seat.” Celestia offered as she walked behind her wooden desk and sat down.

“I’m afraid you know why I’m here; who I want to see.” I sat down and folded my hands together, interlocking fingers.

The principle let out a sigh. “Sunset Shimmer? I assure you she’s actually been behaving the past few days.” I couldn't help but laugh.

“Excuse me, I’m sorry. That was rude but Shimmer never learns her lesson. We both know that, Celestia. I need to speak to her. it’s urgent.”

She nodded pressing a button down on the PA system’s microphone. Celestia cleared her throat. “Students may I have your attention. Will Sunset Shimmer please report to the Principal’s office. That is all.” She released the button and turned her gaze at me. “I’ll leave you in here, Bullet. I have some business to attend to and I know you like your privacy.” She got up out of her chair.

“ I appreciate it. Thank you.”

“Of course.” With that, she left the room closing the door gently behind her.

I waited, my leg shaking. Damn nerves. This anxiety will be the death of me. I reached into my coat pocket and pulled out a pill bottle. Opening the top, I popped a pill into my mouth, swallowed, and then placed the bottle back in my pocket.

The door opened and Sunset walked in bearing the same leather jacket, skirt, and red and yellow colored hair she always did. Her eyes met mine, but something was different this time. She looked surprised to see me and a little frightened as well.

“Off-Captain Shellcase? What can I do for you?” Shimmer asked sounding polite for the first time. My jaw nearly dropped while she held a warm smile upon her face.

“Take a seat, Shimmer. I need to speak to you about something important.” I  told her pointing to a seat adjacent mine. She only nodded, smiled, and sat down. “Now, it has come to my attention that you have stolen something. Something important.”

Her eyes went wide and her jaw now agape. Sunset seemed to be cowering in fear. “W-What? I-I didn’t steal anything!” She rose her voice slamming her fist on the armrest in clear outrage.

“Calm down, Shimmer. I know you stole something. I received a letter confirming it from somebody very important. Now, don’t bullshit me!” I rose my voice a bit giving her a demanding look.

She slouched back and folded her arms. “I gave it back. You can ask the principal.”

I began laughing. “If you returned the item, then why did ImageCorp send me this letter?” Reaching into my right pocket, I pulled the letter out and handed it to her.

Sunset began reading the letter. She handed it back to me when she finished. “ImageCorp? How would I steal something from that place? Last time I went on a field trip there it was heavily guarded. You’re a cop. You should know a high school girl couldn’t get in there.”

She’s got a point. I guess with all this stress I forgot to stop and think about it. “Shimmer, I know you. You’ve been in my office twice as often than the Principal’s. For years, I’ve been dealing with your stunts. Maybe, the place is a bit hard to access but they wouldn’t send me this if it wasn’t true.” I leaned in looking angrily in her eyes. “Now, tell me the truth!”

“I am!” Sunset snapped back gritting her teeth. “I didn’t steal from ImageCorp. I stole from another student but like I said, I gave it back to her!”

That attitude.

“Can I speak with this other student?”

“No, she transferred a few days ago.”

“A few days ago. Why do I keep hearing those words. What did happen a few days ago?”

“Don’t you watch the news? Bad construction. The front of the school collapsed.”

“And what of the crater in front of the school?” Sunset was silent for a few moments.

“How should I know?!” I was getting a bit agitated.

“Sunset, just give me the item and I promise to leave you alone. You're lucky they aren’t pressing charges.”

“I don’t have it! Aren’t you listening?” From her tone, I could tell she was agitated as well.

“Then, what do I tell ImageCorp?” I cocked an eyebrow. “Like there gonna believe you.”

“Tell them to take a hike for all I care! What are they gonna do? Take pictures of me?” She said sarcastically rolling her eyes.

Then, it hit me. They are taking pictures of her! That means someone from ImageCorp or someone hired by them is surveying her. Something isn’t right. Why would a company like ImageCorp need to stalk a high school student? What could be so important?

Sunset groaned. “Can I go now?”

“No, you may not. Have you noticed anything strange? Like someone following you?”

Now, her eyebrow was raised. “No, why?”

I took the picture out of my pocket. “Because ImageCorp sent this along with the letter.”

Shimmer took it and gasped. “How the hell did they get a picture of me in school?!”

“My guess is they hired someone to follow you around. Now, why would they do that?”

“I-I don’t know.” Her hand was trembling and she looked genuinely terrified.

Suddenly, a loud boom and crumbling debris made our heads turn. What was that? It sounded like it came from the front of the school. I began to get up and so did Sunset.

“Stay here. This was a trap!” I ordered as I began walking to the door. Sunset grabbed my hand pulling me back. I turned my head to her. “What?”

“No! I’m coming with you! My friends are in the gymnasium! I need to help them! Please!” Shimmer begged and gave me a look I hadn’t seen from her before. Caring, compassion for others.

The door burst open flying off it’s hinges. A large muscular man walked in dressed in a suit and tie. He was charcoal black and his eyes a green, bug-like shape. He held an assault rifle in his hands and had it aimed at us.

“Drop your weapon and turn over the girl!” The man boomed.