A Truly Outrageous Gem

Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy made it out of the compound, and into a dark alley. They hopped over the fences and pushed garbage cans behind them, hoping to slow their three pursuers. “GET BACK HERE, YOU BASTARDS!”, Shouted one of the male pegasi chasing them through the streets. Fluttershy was too afraid to simply fly up, and Dash knew they couldn’t lose them in the air. Dash would be fast enough, but Flutters would slow her down. “SHIT SHIT SHIT!!!”, Dash’s mind raced. She was both mentally and physically exhausted. “How the hell was I supposed to know they were part of some crime syndicate! This is insane! I should have never grabbed this thing!” Gilda had already got out earlier, to go inform Twilight about what they saw, and Pinkie smoked-bombed the place. It was probably the best idea she has had in a long time.

The girls turned a corner and ducked into a dumpster. Dash peeked out quickly to assess the chase, and dived back in when the followers flew past. She listened for the hoofs to fade, both of them breathing heavily. She waited for a second before finally comforting Fluttershy. “Flutters, I’m so sorry I made you come with me! Let’s cool out here for a sec. How are your eyes?” Dash asked. Fluttershy calmed herself before weakly squeaking out a reply. “I’ll be okay, Dashie. But I did “the stare” far too long tonight. I’m not sure they will be okay afterw-” She squeaked, before Dash noted, “Don’t be a ditz! I’m not worried about them, I’m worried about you!”

“Dash, shhhh....I think they will hear us...”, Fluttershy whispered. Dash decided to check the surroundings, and everything looked clear. They began to climb out slowly, Dash first, then Fluttershy. As Dash helped her out, Shy slipped and fell on top of Dash, and into some cans. The crash alerted one of the male pegasi, who yelled, “THEY’RE OVER THERE!” Shy bounced up in fear and hid her head, but Dash scooped her up and begun to do what she knows best: Time to jet!

Immediately, her wings flew open and seemed to grasp at the air like it was solid in front of them. They lifted both Shy and Dash a few feet into the air, and she blasted forward. Dash knew she was the fastest, and that the three after them would be eating dust. The only problem was, Dash was used to jetting by herself, not with someone in her hooves. Her wings beat at a pace that matched her heart, and the toll of the chase was beginning to show. She searched desperately for another place to hide, to at least get some time. Her eyes caught the old textile mill, and knew that was her best choice. No lights, big place.... lets hope Pinkie hears them and gets here quick. Before her wings let out she flew inside and landed behind a large sewing machine. She has jetted twice today, it’s amazing her wings haven’t fallen off. They ached in pain, but she would have to ask Flutters to help later. Fluttershy ducked down too, and started shaking. Dash was just about to comfort her, but heard the landing of the hunters outside. Where are you, Pinkie?!

“Quickly! I think I saw them go over here!” The masked, male Pegasus noted. “How could you IDIOTS lose them!?”, snapped the female pursuer, “I know you’re here, Dash. Hand over the gem...” She growled. She was unmasked, but clearly was part of a less-than-savory type of people. The dark purple Pegasus’s mane was in wild colors and sharp points. A mohawk, somewhat like what Gilda had, but this was insane. Her red eyes seemed to pierce through the dark of the night, almost glowing. They darted back and forth, searching for not only Dash and the others but for the “thing” in question. They entered the old textile factory, which had been long left to nature. It was quickly becoming nightfall, so the light was fading fast. They wanted to find their prey before too late.

“Pony, please. It’s not like they could get far...”, quipped the masked male pegasi. Little did he know, Dash and Fluttershy we’re just on the other side of a large sewing machine, with Dash hold up against the machine. “Well crap, they really want this thing.”, Dash thought, as she hoofed the gem in her pocket. She was not about to let these bastards have it.

“I’ve never seen ponies book it like that when they could have easily taken off, especially that blue dweeb...”, the masked male one said, hopping up to the rafters to get a better view. “Yeah well, I’ve been told the yellow one is the more dangerous one. Somehow, she was able to totally psyche out 2 guys by herself, and they weren’t posers...”, the unmasked male warned. Dash listened intently, trying to figure out how to escape with Fluttershy without warning them. Dash thought hard, “The windows?... No, Flutters would be afraid of the glass. Maybe she could use that “stare”, but she’s already done it once...and her eyes are welded shut... Man, this is so lam-”, But before Dash could finish the thought, a loud crash came through the other side. “Oh crap, not more!” Dash begged. She truly thought this might be the end. Instead, the hunters rushed to the other end of the building, allowing Dash enough time to grab Fluttershy and rush to the door. “WHAT THE HELL IS THIS CRAP?!?!”, yelled the purple one. Dash looked back to see what she was talking about, and saw the remains of Pinkies work. The foals had caught themselves into Pinkie’s famous “Capture Cake trap”. Confetti covered the floor and the pegasi were covered in cake batter. They squirmed for freedom, with batter covering their wings. They would need a heavy cleaning to fly again. Dash smiled and simply giggled, “Pinkie pie, you are totally rad!”

Dash had made good headway before finally looking back at the warehouse, and breathed a sigh of relief. “Fluttershy, it’s cool now. We booked it from those punks.”, Dash assured. Fluttershy finally looked up. Her mane was a mess, and her “sunglasses” were tangled in. She darted her eyes, looking for any followers, but after surveying the area, she decided it was clear. She rose up slowly, and using her wings and hooves, fixed her mane and had it back to its old shape. The glasses fell out, but Dash was quick to grab them. “Twilight just made these new ones, you don’t want to make her mad if you broke these.” Dash warned. “I know. Thank you, Rainbow...”, she softly replied. Although Fluttersy knew her "stare" didn't affect Dash, she still was weary about looking her in the eye without them. Once on, her eyes instead fell on a glow from Rainbow’s pocket. “So, Is....is that the....the....’thing’?”, Fluttershy asked. Dash suddenly looked down, and grabbed the item so they may both get a better look.

Both looked at their new treasure, mesmerized. It gave off a vibrant blue and green glow, and almost seemed to be beating. A small gem, a little smaller then a baseball, sat in her hoof. Dash and Shy had both seen the jewels and gems Rarity had, and knew this was the most brilliant they both had ever seen. Its shape was corse, not yet made into something that you would have found on a ring or necklace. It seemed like it was moving on the inside, as the colors would fade from its rich green to its brilliant blue. “Rarity would totally flip for this thing. I just wonder why a bunch of gang members would have this, and not some rich billionaire...”, Dash asked. “Maybe....it was stolen?”, Fluttershy wondered. “Those dweebs? They were no match for us four of the Fyre Flys, what makes you think they could bust a-”, Dash was interrupted again. A rustling quickly had the gem closed between Dash’s hooves, and they both twisted in the noise's direction. They quickly looked back to each other. “Time to book it. Stay low for now. Meet back at Twi’s place, okay?” Dash said. Fluttershy nodded, and gave Dash a solid hoofbump, before they split. Tired, but confident, Dash had so many questions, and knew just the pony, or ponies, to ask.