Dodge Junction

by aceotaku

Chapters

Prologue
Chapter 2: A Warm Welcome to Dodge
Chapter 3: The Phantom of Dodge Junction
Chapter 4: Full Steam Ahead
Chapter 5: Last Stop
Chapter 1: Gettin' to Dodge

Prologue

“It’s Grand Heist.”

“Where have you been!? I haven’t heard from you in weeks!”

“I got a little....held up. In Maretonia.”

“Did you at least get the tickets!?”

“.....”

“TELL ME you didn’t just FORGET!”

“....In my defense...”

“YOU DUNDERHEAD! We have half a month, AT BEST, to get those tickets in time for the Gala! Or need I remind you how getting into the Gala will help BOTH our careers!?”

“Look, look, alright, I missed up, I get it, but I had something important to deal with first.”

“Like appearing publicly in Ponyville? Getting into a fight with a...with a flippin’ SUPERHERO!?”

“Oh you heard about that?”

“I THOUGHT you never got caught!?”

“And I didn’t! Ponyville doesn’t HAVE any law enforcement, so I thought it’d be perfect to spread my name! But then Mare-Do-Well showed up and I absolutely HAD to punish her for infringing upon my brand.”

“...You’re lucky I was able to buy off most of the papers to hide your little ‘stunt’. I DIDN’T give you those bombs TO BLOW UP A TOWN FULL OF WITNESSES!”

“Alright, I admit it, things MIGHT have gotten a little out of hand, and I PROBABLY should’ve been focusing on getting the tickets, however I DID look, hence all of my public stunts in Ponyville....well most of them. I couldn’t find them ANYWHERE in the library, nor in Applejack’s house and I doubt Rainbow Dash would leave the tickets in the hooves of any of her other ‘friends’, so I have no idea where she could’ve hidden them!”

“You sure you looked and not just basked in the attention of a backwater town!?”

“Relax, I got a Plan B.”

“This ‘Plan B’ better include me! Don’t you forget who calls the shots here!”

“Yeah, yeah, I remember. By the way, I’ll be needing another shipment of ‘supplies’, a fair bit of my equipment needs replacing.”

“What do you mean ‘replacing’? What happened?”

“....I don’t want to talk about it.”

“....Fine, I’ll be able to redirect the next shipment to ya next week. But remember, you’re treading on thin ice.”

“Yeah, yeah, don’t worry, everything will work out, don’t pop a vessel.”

Shining Armour sat at his desk, idly filing various forms as the captain of the royal guard, Blueblood, entered the room.

“Blueblood, we may be friends, but that does not mean you can just enter my office without an appointment.” The prosecutor calmly said. “At the very least inform me ahead of time.”

“Sorry.” Blueblood chuckled then grew stern. “I’m here about those two mares from IWI.”

“Iron Will Industries.” Shining Armour corrected, dryly. “Yes, I should hope you would.”

“The Princess doesn’t like Iron Will much as it is, due to...everything.”

“I was under the impression he earned the Princess’ ire due to his conduct at the Gala three years ago.” The prosecutor did not move his eyes from his work. “From what I hear, while those working for him are more than welcome and his company’s products are accepted with no issue, the minotaur himself is still banned from crossing Prance, Griffonstone or even this very city.”

“Yeah, anyway, that was going to make things difficult in the first place.” Captain Blueblood continued. “Imagine my surprise at how smoothly everything went, and we were allowed to make inquiries about the missing shipments. However, the trains supposed to deliver those items reported that they were never included in the itinerary, and we have yet to receive any reports of theft or unusual activity.”

Shining Armour held his hooves together, staring blankly at his friend through his plain spectacles. “Naturally, the only remaining option is to ask the source of all trains in Equestria, Dodge Junction.”

“Yeah, every train either starts from there, or passes through it, and most major shipments, including those of Iron Will Industries, originate or come from there one way or the other. Just one problem.”

“Let me guess: Bluegrass doesn’t want any royal guard activity there.”

Blueblood nodded. “He claims he doesn’t want to unduly worry the public since they’re about to have their annual Train Races. He is allowing at maximum six guards to help the IWI representatives to find out what’s going on, but he says more than that would be too problematic.”

“Spoken like a politician.” Shining Armour took off his glasses with his magic, using a cloth to clean them. “That is problematic for our side however: Dodge Junction is a big place, it would be difficult to launch a proper investigation.”

“That’s not all, another shipment is supposed to be delivered from Iron Will Industries headquarters, through Dodge Junction and towards its subsidiaries and customers.”

Shining Armour placed his glasses back onto his muzzle, leaning back. “Do not fret, I have a solution: there are three mares I think could help us in the investigation, one of whom has helped me in the past.”

“Civilians?” Blueblood raised a brow in concern. “Is that wise?”

“It’s not like we’re expecting any danger are we?”

“Well no...”

The Prosecutor smirked mirthlessly. “Then I do not see the problem. the mares are: Rainbow Dash, who I believe you are familiar with.”

Blueblood nodded, smirking. “Yeah, the little prankster. I still think Celestia should have picked her for her student rather than Sunset Shimmer.”

“Not only is her magical skills promising, she is also a keen intellect and quite cunning, not to mention she helped deal with a few crimes in the past. Secondly, Applejack, a fashion designer and seamstress.”

“A seamstress.” The Captain stared cooly.

“She is a fairly capable fighter, despite her appearance, I figure she could be helpful in case of a struggle. Finally...Twilight Sparkle.”

“Your sister? Are you sure that’s wise...her family’s reputation aside, no offence, but I fail to see what a farmer can bring to a routine investigation.”

“She has ties to the Apple Family these days, and seeing as Bluegrass is a member of said family, her connections may help earn the Governer’s trust and cooperation. In fact, Appejack is also a member of said family, though estranged, and that is another reason why I feel she could be helpful.”

Blueblood chuckled. “That does sound helpful, considering Bluegrass and his brother. Alright, I trust your judgement, send the letter posthaste and we can get a train ready by tomorrow.” He saluted and left the room, leaving the prosecutor alone again.

“Oh Blueblood, so naive.” Shining Armour returned to filing his papers, signing a few important forms. “I sent the letter five minutes before you arrived. Though why I am saying this aloud after you have left my office is beyond my understanding.”

Spike burped, grabbing a letter as it was formed from his magical flame. “Rainbow! Letter!”

Rainbow Dash lifted her wing, pulling the letter towards her using her mutli-coloured hued magic, looking up from the book she was reading. She frowned upon seeing the seal.

“What does the prosecutor want now?” She wondered as she opened the letter and began to read.

She slowly began to grin in excitement as she read.

Author's Note

I’m a little unsure about the complications Blueblood stated, but I felt I needed a reason to justify Rainbow and her friends being invited to help, considering they’re civilians and all.

I had wanted to this AFTER uploading a chapter of Spectrum of the Rainbow that introduced the Iron Will Industries employees mentioned here, but...bad things happened and I got impatient, so here it comes first!

I’ve been looking forward to this for a while, considering this will be an important part of the ‘first season’. Hope you all enjoyed, and please comment!

Chapter 2: A Warm Welcome to Dodge

A long time ago, at Canterlot’s School for Magic...

A blue unicorn filly walked nervously along the prestigious halls, biting her lip and looking around. She clutched a starry hat to her chest as a similarly designed cape covered her shoulders.

As was typical for her most students ignored her. Trixie sighed to herself. She wasn’t talented enough to be popular, nor did she stand out at all. Sometimes, she even wished she was bullied like some of the more unusual or less promising students, just so somepony acknowledged that she existed, but that was beyond foolish. After all, she didn’t like being bullied...but still...at least then she wouldn’t be so alone...
A plan had formed in her mind...a way to gain some attention, some notoriety...to stand out from the crowd...but the thought of such a brazen, almost insane plan was too much for a timid pony like her.

But maybe...maybe that’s exactly what she needs to do in order to fill the void in her heart...

“Hey there!”

She blinked, eyes wide as she turned to the pony who greeted her. And upon seeing the unexpected greeter, her eyes widened further.
Rainbow Dash. A filly who had been the talk of the school, good or bad. The first Pegasus to attempt to study magic at all, who had been tormented by both students and staff for being so different, for standing out so much.

And she was smiling at Trixie.

“O-Oh g-good evening R-Rainbow Dash...” The unicorn blushed shyly. “W-W-What brings you here...t-talking to me...?”

Rainbow shrugged. “You seemed worried about something, so I decided to come over and see if I could help.”

Trixie looked down timidly. “y-You didn;t need to bother....I-I’m nopony special...”

Rainbow tilted her head. “Why should that matter? Look, take it from me, I used to think being famous and getting attention was awesome and fun but...really, the only ponies who care about that really are jerks, so I don’t care about it anymore.” She draped a wing over Trixie’s shoulders as she stood beside her. “Besides, it’s awesome enough just studying magic, seeing how cool it is!”

Trixie looked down with a soft smile. “I...I do like magic...”

The Pegasus grinned widely. “Yeah! See, I knew there was something I liked about ya! So what’s your name, anyway? Sorry I’m still getting used to talking to ponies...” Rainbow chuckled sheepishly, looking aside.

“I-I’m Trixie...I-I have trouble talking to ponies too...A-actually...i-it’s a little lonely...”

“Lonely? Well no wonder you’re all mopey!” Rainbow gasped, her free wing slapping the side of her cheek. “You don’t have any friends! Well we gotta fix that right away! So, Trix, you don’t mind hanging out with me do ya?”

“U-Ummm I don’t mind...”

“Great! I know a great magic show we can see after class!” Rainbow chuckled and dragged her new friend alongside her, Trixie dropping the hat and cape she had made as part of her desperate plan.

A plan she was starting to think she no longer needed...and conversely, that she didn’t need to change herself to be happy...

The train screeched as it stopped at one of the many, many stations of Dodge Junction, a pony standing before it as the doors opened, allowing its passengers to exit.

Blueblood and his lieutenant marched down with two other Royal Guards, flanking Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Twilight Sparkle, Blue blood standing in front alongside Zecora and a nervous Trixie as they walked up to a blue, strong looking stallion with a buzzcut grey mane and bearing a cutie mark in the shape of a iron cage.

Blueblood saluted gingerly with a carefree smile. “Good evening, Sheriff.”

The stallion glared cautiously, looking the group over. “Ah was under the impression you were told to bring only six Royal Guard.”

Blueblood nodded. “Yes, but as you can see, these mares are NOT Royal Guard, they are simple tourists, civilians, towards whom we offered a ride as the gentlestallions, and gentlemares, we are.”

The stallion rolled his eyes. “Fine...but you better not cause any trouble, especially not today.”

Applejack tilted her head. “Why must you specifically clarify today? Would there be a reason we’d do anything....untoward on this day specifically?”

“Well, for one thing, today we’re holding the monthly Train Derby, all of our town’s mechanics and conductors are gettin’ ready to compete.” The blue stallion looked over the group sternly. “And it’s mah job ta ensure that nopony ruins our biggest tourist attraction for anypony.”

“Oh, you ladies don’t know who this is right?” Blueblood interjected, chuckling as he gestured to the stallion. “This is Sheriff Bluegrass, head of law enforcement in Dodge Junction and younger brother of Governor Bluegrass, the town’s mayor.”

“And no, Sheriff ain’t mah title.” Bluegrass said bitterly. “It’s mah name. Ah ensure order is kept and nopony steals or cheats.”

“Which brings us to why we are here.” Zecora interrupted. “I represent Iron Will Industries along with my unicorn associate here, and we are here regarding several shipments that originated from or had gone through here, said shipments have mysteriously vanished and everypony we had asked at their scheduled stops reported not even knowing said shipments even existed, let alone that they had gone undelivered.”

Sheriff Bluegrass raised a brow. “You better not be suggestin’ that we had any hand in any wrongdoin’. We here at Dodge Junction pride ourselves on our trains and our work with our trains, including deliveries and travel. If’n you have anything ta accuse of, ya’ll better have some proof!”

Blueblood got between the two just before Zecora was about to retort. “Now, now, nopony’s accusing anyone of anything. This is why we were summoned to assist: we just need to investigate and figure out where all the missing shipments went and how this happened. We doubt anypony did anything wrong, or if they did I doubt it was intentional.”He smiled charmingly. “Just allow us to look around for a bit, what harm can we do?”

“I ain’t one of those doe-eyed fanmares that kiss your flank, Captain, so don’t think you can butter me up with yer whiles.” Bluegrass snorted, and then looked at the three civilians. “And what about these three? Why are they here?”

Blueblood shrugged. “Sightseeing, of course. If they happen to follow us around though, pay them no mind, after all they will need guides to acquaint themselves with this fine city.”

It was at this point that Rainbow began to really look around herself. Dodge Junction was a massive city, much different from the small western town it had originated as. The buildings were massive and modern, covered with mechanisms and steam-spewing chimneys and vents. Surrounding every edge of the city were platforms for trains to stop at, and throughout the city were workshops for mechanics to work. Surrounding the city itself was a concave wall made of train tracks, from which tracks snaked throughout the city like an incredibly complex fusion between a spiderweb and a rollercoaster. At the very centre of the city was a coliseum-like complex with a massive tower rising from the middle.

Again, Rainbow marvelled that a frontier town had managed to become not only a major centre for technology and commerce, but also a breathtaking tourist attraction.

The Pegasus blinked as she heard a commotion from behind...and her eyes widened in surprise as a white unicorn with a short, messy purple mane tumbled off the top of the train and onto the ground, a pink pony nonchalantly leapt down and a yellow Pegasus sporting a silly grin flapped down beside her.

Rainbow recognised these three; for they were her three other close friends and wielders of the elements of harmony: Fluttershy, Rarity and Pinkamena.

Bluegrass immediately ran towards the three. “And who might you three be? Stowaways? Around these parts, that’s a mighty serious offence.”
“Technically speaking,” Fluttershy remarked with a lifted wing, “we weren’t TECHNICALLY inside the train at all.”

Rarity facehoofed. “Fluttershy...WHY did you have to tell the police officer that?”

“I suspect brain damage.” Pinkamena grumbled, all the while Bluegrass stood over them stoically.

“EXCUSE ME SIR!” Sapphire Shores shouted with a saluted, her volume suprising everypony so much most of them apart from Zecora and Blueblood collapsed to their knees. “PARAGRAPH 22 OF THE ROYAL GUARD HANDBOOK STATES THAT ANY AND ALL CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES SHALL BE HANDED OVER TO THE NEAREST ROYAL GUARD OR REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GUARD! IN SHORT, DUE TO OUR PRESENCE HERE, YOU ARE LEGALLY REQUIRED TO HAND OVER THOSE THREE TO US!”

Bluegrass growled before snorting. “Fine. Less paperwork for me and more time to focus on more important things.” He turned to Blueblood. “They’re your responsibility now, if anything happens to them or if they do ANYTHING, it’s on your hand.”

The Captain nodded. “You have my honour and my word.”

Sheriff Bluegrass shook his head. “Anyway, now that we’re all done gettin’ acquainted, ya’ll better follow me and see th’ mayor.” He glared suspiciously at the three civilian mares. “ALL of ya, and no funny business.”

“Lead the way.” Blueblood smiled, gesturing gentlemanly with his hoof.

Sheriff scoffed with a roll of his eyes and led the group away from the station, down into the streets of the town proper.

Rainbow looked to her three unexpected friends. “What are you three doing here!?”

Rarity rubs a hoof near her collarbone, wincing. “Hehehe well..I got gyped the last couple adventures, so I decided to tag along!”

“And I wanted to come to!” Fluttershy said, raising her hoof high.

“They dragged me here without my consent.” Pinkamena muttered irritably.

“And that was very rude of them, Pinkamena.” Twilight interjected.

“Besides!” Rarity exclaimed. “This is Dodge Junction! How many folks from Ponyville get say they got a free ride to Dodge Junction!”

“...by hitching a ride uninvited on our train ride.” Applejack pointed out, eyes glaring in disapproval.

“Details, schmetails!”

Rainbow shook her head. “Rarity, Fluttershy, we’re here on serious business to help the Royal Guard, this isn’t a free vacation. This is important.”

Rarity shrugged. “Ehh you can handle all that stuff, right now I wanna see if they got any stuff around here that could help me fly!” She and Fluttershy turned to run...only for Lieutenant Shores to stand in front of them.

“Ma’ams!” She shouted with a salute. “I cannot allow you to leave due to proper Royal Guard protocol! Attempted escape will result in serious penalties!”

Rarity blinked, then laughed. “You can’t penalise what you can’t catch! Ptchoooo” The unicorn leapt up, only for Sapphire to grab her and pin her down, tying her up onto her back and slipping a restrainment ring over her horn. “Hey come on no fair! I thought you Guards were supposed to be totally useless!”

“Sir! The Royal Guard have been heavily re-established and retrained under Captain Blueblood sir!”

“She’s technically a criminal.” PInkamena said. “You don’t have to call her Sir.”

“Sir! I shall remember that, SIR!”

PInkamena facehoofed at the mare’s idiocy.

Eventually, the group was lead towards a rather large, white building with “Mayor’s Office” printed in gold letter’s upon the front door. The walls were inlaid with incredibly shiny and polished gemstones, Applejack noting them to be among the more expensive gemstones to find.

“He’s in here.” Sheriff Bluegrass said, opening the door as he lead Blueblood, Zecora, Trixie, Rainbow, Twilight and Applejack inside, the rest waiting outside.

As they walked down the large, ornate hallway, the carpet was very detailed using various colours to form an image of some sort, numeruous paints, artifacts and scultptures lined the hall and walls, and the doors were inlaid with solid gold and silver. Applejack scrunched her nose at the sight, a hoof over her mouth.

Rainbow raised a brow at this. “You okay?”

Applejack waved her hoof dismissively. “Ah’m fine, it’s just...this decor...it’s so unbelievably tacky and on the nose, like somepony is trying desperately to flaunt their wealth and status with no real sense of taste or style...” She turned green. “For a mare of my delicate sensibilities, it’s extremely...offputting.”

Sheriff Bluegrass stopped in front of a large door at the end of the hall, moving over to knock...when a voice could be heard from the other side, slightly muffled.

“Now listen here! Ah know who you are, so if you know what’s good for ya, ya just let me figure things out and you jsut do what YOU’RE good at, capiche!? Comprende!? Understood!?”

Sheriff knocked on the door. “Uhh Brother...”

There was a long pause as eventually shuffling and muttering could be ehard from within until the door opened wide, revealing a rather rotund stallion with short, stubby legs a very obvious, pink toupee over his balding head, a few bits of grey mane still visible on the back of his head. His cutie mark was six arrows that formed two crosses, one over the other. He grinned wide at the group, showing off a couple of gold teeth.

“Well hello! Ah’m Governor Bluegrass, Mayor of this fine city!” The stallion proclaimed boisterously. “How may Ah help all ya’ll today?”
Zecora stepped forward. “I represent Iron Will Industries, and we wish to investigate a matter involve several of our shipments that have gone missing during transit upon your train routes.”

“I’m Twilight Sparkle and this is Applejack,” Twilight said, gesturing towards her friend, “we’re here to represent the Apple family in return for your assistance.”

Blueblood gestured to himself and Rainbow Dash. “And we are here to assist in the investigation.”

“A-a-and I-I-I’m here t-to represent Iron Will Industries a-as well...” Trixie stuttered nervously. “I-if that’s okay...?”

As the ponies were introduced, Governor Bluegrass shot a nasty, hateful glare towards Applejack and Twilight...before smiling widely at everypony. “Ah, Ah see. Well if ya’ll are here to investigate any potential wrongdoings, and with Apple family help no less, than who am Ah to turn ya away? Just...try not to rile anypony up too much today, alright? Today’s a big day, and it wouldn’t do to ruin anypony’s enjoyment.”
“We understand,” Blueblood said sternly, “but if anypony has broken the law, we WILL do what is right.”

“Ah understand.” Governor Bluegrass nodded. “Tampering with or misusing our trains and services is a very serious crime, especially around here, and you have my word that if anypony did anything wrong, Ah will use all mah power to help.” He smiled wide. “Why don’t ya’ll go have a look around, and my brother will give you all the help you need, and keep a close eye on ya’ll. Won’t you, Sheriff?”

Sheriff nodded hesitantly. “Sure brother...”

“Excellent, now why don’t you go along now and begin investigating, and Ah’ll have a looksee on my end while Ah’m at it.”

Blueblood raised a brow in surprise. “This is surprisingly helpful of you.”

The rotund stallion shrugged. “Ah know we’ve had our...differences in the past, and Ah may not be the nicest pony usually, but Iron Will Industries helped build this town and is our biggest investor, and if somepony betrays them, then that hurts us, especially if they use our trains to do it. Not to mention, you got family backing you up, how can Ah possibly say no?” He sat down on the comfortable chair behind his desk, laying back. “Ah may not be a farmer, but Ah am an Apple through and through.”

Applejack blinked. “You’re an Apple?”

“Born and raised, though Ah don’t really go to the reunions or talk much to anypony in the family much.” Governor Bluegrass sighed wistfully. “Now then, let’s go catch a criminal.”

Sheriff nodded and walked off, the other ponies following him, the door closing shut behind them. Bluegrass waited for a while, then his gaze grew darker as he pulled out a small, blue gem from his drawers and set it on his table, turning to the two donkey’s that had stood behind his door.

“Take care of the Apple mares.” He ordered. “And book an appearance for the Phantom. Better to have those incompetents chase after a ghost than ruin things for us.”

The donkeys nodded and quickly exited the room, Bluegrass looking forward as the gem glowed.

“Now...about that shipment.” The voice of Grand Heist spoke through the crystal.

Author's Note

Ugh. This took a LOT longer than planned. Seriously, I wanted to finish this story by the end of November, but instead it took me till December just to finish this chapter. I’ll try a bit harder to update this a bit more quickly.

I hope you all enjoyed, and please comment.

Chapter 3: The Phantom of Dodge Junction

Applejack and Twilight walked alongside Sheriff Bluegrass, Zecora, and Sapphire Shores, the others having split off to cover more ground.
Twilight frowned softly, looking at the zebra. “Are you sure your friend will be alright without you around?”

“Lulamoon may not be the most personable, but this way we maximise the amount of ponies with different levels of clearance to investigate.”
“But where are we going anyway?” Applejack wondered.

“We are looking into the many mechanics and engineers who work here.” Zecora explained. “It is reasonable to assume that by inspecting those who run the trains, we should be able to find our culprit.”

Sheriff Bluegrass glared at the zebra. “What are ya’ll insinuatin’...?”

The zebra gazed back cooly. “It is far more likely somepony intentionally attempted to steal our products rather than this merely being some accident, especially with just how frequently this has occurred and how much is missing.”

The sheriff growled but nodded. “Fine, but Ah don’t buy it, none of our conductors and train staff would ever do what you’re sayin’...”

As the group walked, they looked around at many low, square buildings surrounding them.

“These are where keep our trains for maintenance.” Sheriff Bluegrass said. “We assign each train to a driver, and each train is then assigned to a particular route and timeframe. Right now the drivers should be working on their prep work for the race.”

Twilight grinned excitedly. “Oh wow! Does that mean!? We get!? To see!? Real!? Dodge Junction!? Trains!?”

Applejack raised a brow. “Hold on a moment, is it not a bad idea to risk such large, expensive vehicles in a race? What if they get damaged?”

“Well, one, it’s a destruction derby as well as a race, so a little damage is expected, neigh, encouraged.” Bluegrass replied. “Second, we only use old trains that are gonna be recycled for scrap parts anyway, though our train drivers are expected to keep the trains in top shape for race time. This way, we always got spots open for new trains, which Iron Will Industries ALWAYS supplies every three months.”

Twilight’s eyes widened as she went weak-kneed. “So...much...metal!”

Applejack waved her hoof dismissively. “Ah don’t see the fuss, myself. Trains are extremely useful, but machinery is messy and so unladylike.”

Zecora snorted. “We get it, you’re high class, can you please stop shoving it in our faces?”

The earth pony gasped in affront, her hoof to her mouth. “Well, Ah never!”

Sheriff Bluegrass rolled his eyes and knocked on a door to one of the buildings. “Jubilee, it’s Bluegrass...Ah have been given permission to ask ya some questions.”

The door opened, revealing a cream coloured mare with short, dark red hair, wearing a pair of denim overalls and with black oil on her face and clothing, a wrench in her hoof. “Oh yes? Sorry I’m getting ready for the big race.”

Zecora gestured with her hoof. “It is quite alright, you can work while we come in and look around, we’re simply asking every train driver and mechanic some questions.”

The mare grinned. “Well alright then, come on in everypony, name’s Cherry Jubilee if I didn’t already say!” She trotted back behind the door as the group walked inside and followed.

As they entered, Twilight’s eyes shone in delight as she spied loose machinery and tools hanging on the walls and on shelves, a massive frontal train car dominating the room with several tools and oil marks on the floor around it.

“Oh wow!” Twilight gasped, spinning around as her eyes darted around to absorb in the sights. “This place is WONDERFUL!”

Cherry Jubilee chuckled. “You’re welcome to look around but don’t touch. I’m working on souping up this old tin can for the race, so I’m sorry if I may start rushing you.”

“No problem at all.” Zecora looked at the mechanic. “Do you drive the trains often, outside of races that is?”

“Of course, it’s my job and most ponies who live here have SOMETHING to do with either trains or rail work.”

Zecora nodded. “Hmm so what can you tell me about the shipments for Iron Will Industries?”

“Hmm?” Cherry raised a brow while Twilight gazed lovingly over the train she was working on. “What are you talking about? IWI hasn’t been putting shipments through our trains or months, everypony knows that.”

Sheriff Bluegrass blinked. “Ah certainly didn’t.”

Zecora nodded. “Me neither, especially considering I’m one of the ponies in charge of our operations, so I should know whether or not we cancelled any projects or redirected our shipments.”

Cherry blinked in confusion. “Huh?”

“I work for Iron Will Industries.” The zebra sighed, rolling her eyes. “And I am here with these ponies to investigate into why we haven’t received any shipments scheduled to be moved via this city’s trainlines?”

Cherry shrugged. “I don’t know what to tell you ma’am, just ask anyone working here, nopony’s ever heard of these shipments since about a year ago.”

“That is impossible!” Zecora cried out. “Surely SOMEPONY will know, it’s not like those shipments just disappeared!”

Cherry bit her lip in though. “Hmm you seem pretty sure...hmm maybe it was ‘The Phantom’!”

Applejack gave the mare a half lidded gaze. “The Phantom.”

Sheriff Bluegrass facehoofed. “Jubilee, don’t talk to these tourists about the phantom, it’s embarrassing.”

“It’s not ‘the phantom’, Sheriff.” Cherry corrected, raising a hoof pointedly. “The Phantom, both words capitalised. You’re the law here, you should know these things.”

“If you don’t mind me asking,” Twilight asked, “but what’s The Phantom?”

Bluegrass snorted testily. “Just some cockamamie ghost story the mechanics and drivers go on about, apparently he’s the reason our races are more frequent.”

“The races used to be more reasonable?” Zecora asked.

“Yeah!” Cherry interjected. “It used to be once a year, but then The Phantom sent everyone letters and demanded we hold them twice a year, or else he’d blow up the rails, so we did. But then he’d send us more letters demanding we hold the races and more and more often till now we have it four or six times a month!”

“...I like festivals and special events as much as the next pony,” Twilight remarked, “but that’s a little overkill.... Why would he make threats over such a weird demand?”

Cherry shrugged. “Nopony knows. We don’t even know what The Phantom even looks like; all we got was a letter each.”

Sheriff Bluegrass gave the mechanic a hard glare. “Letters? You had EVIDENCE of the Phantom actually existing and threatening the city and you didn’t see fit to TELL ME!?”

“We didn’t think we needed to!” Cherry Jubilee replied with a startled yelp, inching back. “I-I mean we told Governor Bluegrass and gave him the letters as proof, and he told all of us give him every one we got. Why else do you think the Races have been getting so frequent, he was following The Phantom’s demands, it was the safest bet! It worked out anyway, because the Races bring in more tourists!”

Sheriff Bluegrass looked away from her as he muttered. “He didn’t tell me any of this...why did he hide this...?”

Applejack frowned at Cherry. “Excuse me for being presumptuous, but how often do you compete in these races?”

“Every time we have them!” Cherry replied with a cheerful jump.

“And ALL of you mechanics and drivers compete?”

“Yes we do!”

Applejack frowned. “But...that can’t be good. That would mean you spend more time on these races then on your actual jobs with the trains, and that means the trains spend a lot of time out of service, not to mention how tiring it must get.”

“Plus the damage being put on the trains unnecessarily.” Twilight pointed out.

Cherry frowned. “That is all true, but the Governor says we need the revenue, and if we don’t do what The Phantom says, the tracks will be destroyed!”

Zecora’s eyes grew stern. “Something is very amiss here.”

The other mares nodded as Sheriff Bluegrass gazed at the ground in thought, looking up as he heard the sound of the large garage door being lifted up, a single mule coming out from outside under it.

“Bucky McGillicutty.” Sheriff said, looking to the mares. “He’s one of my brother’s personal bodyguards.” He then turned to the mule in question. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be with my brother?”

The mule handed the stallion a piece of paper, Sheriff’s eyes widening as he read, frowning sceptically.

Sapphire Shores tore it from his gasp, earning a shout of surprise and anger from the stallion. The Guard’s eyes narrowed as she read.
“Umm...” Twilight started nervously. “I-is there something important on there we should know about?”

Sapphire Shores immediately turned towards Zecora, pointing a golden spear at the zebra. “Zecora of Iron Will Industries, you are under arrest!”

Zecora raised an eyebrow nonchalantly. “May I ask why, Guardsmare?”

“This paper is a report from Governor Bluegrass himself, stating that you and your associate, Miss Trixie Lulamoon, were the ones seen stealing the missing shipments!” Sapphire Shores shouted accusingly. “NOW STAND DOWN AND FACE JUSTICE!”

“Guardsmare, that is plainly ridiculous” Zecora started, only to be interrupted as Sapphire Shores swung her spear, Zecora dodging expertly. “Very well, I shall try negotiating myself out of this farce later. Goodbye, I shall see you later.” She pulled a flask out from under her suit and threw it at the ground, disappearing in a cloud of black smoke.

Sapphire Shores cleared the smoke away with a few slashes with her spear, only to find the zebra gone. “Drat! I must get after her! YOU WILL NOT GET AWAYYYY!” She turned and ran out of the building, the other mares watching is disbelief.

“Th-The hay just happened?” Cherry and Applejack asked aloud.

“Stupid mare.” Sheriff said, running out after the errant Guard. “You lot stay here, Ah need to talk some sense into that idjit!”

As he left Twilight frowned. “Did Miss Zecora lead us on a wild goose chase...?”

“Hmmm...Ah am not sure dahling...” Applejack replied. “Something doesn’t add up...”

She yelped in surprise as she was kicked upside the head, knocking her out, Cherry and Twilight barely able to react as they two were swiftly knocked unconscious.

Bucky McGillicutty looked down at the three mares stoically, swiftly lifting them up and carrying them out.

Rainbow Dash walked beside Trixie, giving her a friendly smile. “How you holding up, Trix?”

“I-I-I’m f-fine, Rainbow, th-thank you for asking...”Trixie mumbled shyly. “I-I’m sorry I haven’t been able to send you a-any letters...I-I-I’ve been busy...” She looked down at the ground, pulling her hood tighter over her head. “I-I’m an awful friend.”

“Hey, don’t say that!” Rainbow grinned. “I understand completely, friends can’t always be together all the time, especially not during school years. I am glad we got to meet again though!”

Trixie gave the Pegasus a small, genuine smile. “M-me too, Rainbow. Y-you were the only one who ever noticed me...a-apart from Mr Iron Will and Miss Zecora...”

“Speaking of,” the blue Pegasus said, “you didn’t really explain that well how you ended up working for them, not in detail.”

Trixie frowned sadly. “I...I didn’t pass the exam...”

Rainbow Dash’ eyes widened and she frowned sympathetically. “Oh...I didn’t realise...I got so caught up in my studies and taking care of Spike, I...I didn’t realise I never saw you after the exam...”

“It’s okay...though...at the time, I felt so awful, I sulked outside the building for a very long time.” Trixie looked down at the ground. “My parents were going to be so mad....they only enrolled me because they wanted me out of the house...and it cost soooo much money...I spent a long time crying and feeling worthless...”

Rainbow gently laid a hoof over the unicorn’s back.

Trixie smiled at the gesture. “But...then Mister Iron Will walked past me, w-with Miss Zecora following alongside, a-and they noticed me. Th-they were reviewing some candidates among the students for future employees a-and were about to leave before they found me...and then they started talking to me.”

“Why?” Rainbow asked.

Trixie blushed. “W-w-well....w-while I was crying I-I dropped a sketch i was working on...o-one of my old, rejected plans t-to get ponies to notice me...I-I tried to pick it up and throw it away but Mister Iron Will picked it up first a-and he said...he said it looked ‘awesome’ a-a-and he asked me about who I was and what magic I could do a-a-and I answered him a-a-and then he...” She smiled widely, tears pouring down her cheeks. “H-he said I needed to work for him..th-th-that I had the-the coolest ideas a-and he needs me right away...a-and I’ve been working for him ever since...” She sniffled, wiping her eyes. “I-I’m sorry I shouldn’t be telling you all this...w-w-we got more important things to worry about...”

“Nah Trix, it’s cool.” Rainbow grinned. “Stop selling yourself so short, it’s great to know how things went for you.”

Trixie blushed deeper and looked down. “Th-th-thanks Rainbow Dash...”

Prince Blueblood looked at the pair as his Guards flanked beside him, Rainbow and Trixie lagging behind them. “I’m ever so sorry to ruin your reunion, ladies, but we ARE in the middle of an investigation I fear.”

Trixie yelped and hurried over. “S-s-s-sorry Mr Blueblood!”

“Now, now,” the prince waved his hoof dismissively, “call me Blueblood, or simply Prince. I feel I needn’t be so formal with such a lovely mare with us.” He winked, Trixie stammering like a engine as she blushed and hid her face behind her mane, making the prince laugh good-naturedly.

Rainbow rolled his eyes as she glided over. “So, who do we talk to next?”

Blueblood’s lips thinned as he thought. “I have a feeling asking every engineer, conductor or rail worker will do us no good. The one’s we already asked all pretty much confirmed no knowledge of any shipments past, present or future.” He frowned, glaring towards the distance. “This ‘Phantom’ worries me however...”

“Yeah...” Rainbow agreed. “For some reason the name just makes me think of Grand Heist...”

“Possibly, however all we have is a name and a letter and even the demands don’t sound like him, but the possibility of some connection can’t be denied, if slim.” His glare hardened; a hoof to his chin. “What concerns me is that neither Bluegrass mentioned ‘The Phantom’ at all, nor his outrageous demands.”

“Outrageous demands that Bluegrass is going along with in the name of tourism.” Rainbow snorted. “He may try to justify it however he wants, but it’s obvious what his real motivation is.”

“My thoughts exactly.” The Royal Guard Captain nodded in agreement.

“Halt!”

The group froze and looked up at a building with a large pipe going along its second story horizontally, a figure wearing a thick black cloak and a huge white mask standing upon it.

Blueblood got into a fighting stance as his Guard lifted their spears while Rainbow moved close to Trixie protectively.

“Who are you!?” Blueblood demanded of the figure.

“I am The Phantom of Dodge Junction, and you cease your investigations at once, or else.”

“We are the Royal Guard!” Blueblood shouted. “We do not take threats lightly, especially not at the hooves, hands, talons or what-have-you of terrorists!”

The Phantom laughed as he ran along the pipe to the other side of the building.

“Quick, after him!” Blueblood ordered, turning to Rainbow. “Stay here and keep Miss Lulamoon safe, Dame Dash.” With that, he and his soldiers chased after the cloaked figure as Trixie shivered fearfully.

“O-oh dear...” Trixie whimpered while Rainbow wrapped her hooves around her comfortingly.

“It’ll be okay, Trix.” The Pegasus said reassuringly. “Blueblood’s a good guy, he’s gonna catch the bad guys and keep everypony safe.”

“I-I hope so...b-but h-he might n-n-not...” Trixie gulped as she spoke. “Th-the phantom might be scary...b-but he might not b-b-be the thief...”

“Then we’ll just find the thief.” Rainbow grinned. “Promise.”

Trixie smiled softly. “I-I-Imissed your confidence R-Rainbow...” She looked down. “Y-You always made me feelbetter about myself...th-that I didn’t need to be different than what I was...even though I annoy ponies a-and get in the way...” She started crying. “I-I-I’m so happy you decided to be my friend...”

Rainbow wiped the mare’s tears away, wrapping a wing around her...only to look up at the sound of hoofsteps.

The pair were surrounded by several unicorns wearing brown hats and vests, horns glowing with charged magic as a sunglasses wearing mule stood at the back of them.

“What’s the meaning of this?” Rainbow growled in irritation as Trixie hugged her in fear. “Who are you?”

“We are the law enforcers of Dodge Junction.” One of the ponies said. “Kicks Mcgee has ordered us to arrest you both.”

“On what charge?” Rainbow growled, eyes narrowing in anger.

“Theft and sabotage of Dodge Junction property. By Governor Bluegrass’ direct orders, you shall be arrested immediately.”

“Like we’ll just”

Rainbow was interrupted as the ponies shot blasts of magic at her, only for Trixie’s horn to glow and vanishing without a trace, leaving Rainbow to fall to the ground, alone.

One of the unicorns turned to the mule, who shrugged and hefted the Pegasus onto his back, trotting off towards Governor’s home.

“You’d think he’d be more upset that the actual criminal got away...” One of the unicorns muttered.

Sheriff Bluegrass huffed as he looked around the city’s streets, trying to find the errant Guardsmare. “Blasted mare...running off without thinkin’ anythin’ through...”

His ears perked up and he looked upwards as several speakers set up throughout the city blared out obnoxious music. He recognised the song: his brother’s ‘them song’. To this day he didn’t know why Governor thought giving himself a theme song would be a good idea.

Governor Bluegrass’ voice spoke over the music. “Get ready,ponies of Dodge Junction and assorted tourists, the time is beginning for everypony’s FAVOURITE venue: the Bi-Weekly Train Race Demolition Derby! All participants must finish up and get to their places or be disqualified, everypony else buy yourself a seat and enjoy yourselves!”

Sheriff Bluegrass raised a brow incredulously in disbelief. “What!? But it’s still four hours too early...” he growled and started to march off towards his brother’s residence.

Author's Note

Hey all! Sorry for the wait...summer hasn’t been kind to me...

Hope you all enjoyed this, and please comment...sorry I...don’t have a lot to say...

Chapter 4: Full Steam Ahead

A plume of green smoke rose up in the sky, near the private train that had brought the Royal Guards and their guests to Dodge Junction.

Zecora stood near a broken vial, a puddle of green liquid producing the strange smoke as the zebra watched impassively. She turned as she heard hoofsteps approach, along with the sound of a mare sobbing. With a subdued flash Trixie appeared suddenly, undoing her invisibility spell, tears flowing down her cheeks heavily as Zecora sighed.

“What is the matter, Trixie?” Zecora asked.

Trixie sniffled, not even bothering to hide her tears. “I...I ran away...I-I-I a-a-abandoned h-her...I-I a-abandoned Rainbow Dash!”

Zecora raised a brow. “Abandoned?”

“W-w-we were surrounded by l-law officers a-a-and I didn’t really understand but they were going to arrest us....I-I panicked and used my i-invisibility s-spell b-but I-I left Rainbow Dash and th-they took her a-away a-and...” She collapsed to the ground, covering her face with her hoof. “I r-ran away!”

“Ah that must have been when you saw my signal.” Zecora frowned. “You shouldn’t have panicked like that; Rainbow Dash is one of our most powerful allies here. I would have thought you would care more than I about her well being.”

“I-I...” Trixie gasped between sobs, losing breath. “B-But I...I got s-so scared and I panicked....”

Zecora sighed. “I hope you put the tracking crystal somewhere on her.”

Trixie blinked and gasped, eyes widening. “Oh! I-I did! W-we can find her!”

Zecora nodded. “Honestly Lulamoon, you need to act more like that character from those books you publish, your timidness is getting out of hand.”

Trixie and nodded with a whimper. “I-I know...b-but...I-I can’t seem to be able to muster up Jinx’s level of confidence...a-and I-I don’t want to be like that anymore a-a-anyway.”

Zecora shrugged and wiped the fluid off the ground in front of her, cutting off the smoke signal. “You’ll be fine Lulamoon, if you want to make up for your cowardice, all we need to do is to find Rainbow Dash and rescue her from...whatever is transpiring here.”

Trixie whimpered. “W-why do you think they took Rainbow Dash a-and tried to arrest me...?”

“It seems our thief is trying to pin the crime on us, albeit for the time being. Obviously we’re dealing with an incompetent amateur, for his actions have shown his hoof.”

“They have?”

The zebra nodded. “Indeed. First however we must rescue Rainbow Dash, surely she is not in a good postion right now.”

Trixie nodded. “R-right...” She whispered lowly. “I’m sorry Rainbow...I-I-I hope I can make it up to you...”

Rainbow Dash groggily opened her eyes, looking around herself. The first thing she noticed was her friends Applejack and Twilight Sparkle lying unconscious on the floor along with a third pony she never met before. The Pegasus hurriedly trotted to the three mares, attempted to shake each one awake.

“Girls! Wake up!”

Twilight opened her eyes. “H-huh...?”

Applejack followed. “W-what happened...?”

The third mare sat up slowly. “Who...?”

Rainbow Dash sighed as she waited a minute for her friends and the stranger to get their bearings, looking around their surroundings. From what she could identify, they appeared to be in a train’s engine room, a rather well maintained one at that.

Twilight cooed as she looked around. “Hey this is an Iron Will Industustries ZZVII Astride! This model is used as IWI’s personal shipment train, due to being made with thicker iron plating in the carriages due to the dangerous materials IWI typically transports!”

Rainbow raised a brow in surprise. “Uh, thanks for the exposition, Twi. So, why are we inside such an important train?”

Cherry Jubilee looked around. “Strange, I thought these old things broke down, this one looks pretty new though.”

The pegasus turned to the red maned mare. “And you are...?”

Applejack gestured in a ladylike manner. “This lovely mare is Cherry Jubilee, she’s one of the many mechanics who work on the trains.”

Twilight smiled gently. “She’s been helping us with the investigation.”

“Oh. Uh, hey there, I’m Rainbow Dash.” The pegasus said to the earth mare, giving her a hoofshake.

Cherry Jubilee smiled wider, stars in her eyes. “THE Rainbow Dash? Oh it’s an honour to meet you ma’am!”

“Uhhh no biggie.” Rainbow chuckled, sweating nervously, and then turned serious. “Anyway about what you said, are you saying that the shipment trains are ALL broken down?”

“Well yeah, the Mayor said so himself and if the Mayor says it, it must be true right?” Cherry frowned, looking perplexed.

“But see, this train is obviously in good shape, and we’re helping to investigate missing shipments. Missing IRON WILL INDUSTRIES shipments.”
“But Iron Will DOESN’T ship anything through here.”

“Then what is this train for then!?” Rainbow blurted out irritably. “Use your head! If Iron Will Industries doesn’t use Dodge Junction, then WHY IS ONE OF THEIR PERSONAL SHIPMENT TRAINS HERE!?”

“Don’t forget those AWFUL brutes that accosted us.” Applejack interrupted. “They claimed Zecora was behind the crime but that makes no sense at all.”

Rainbow nodded. “Yeah some guys blamed Trixie too.” Her gaze turned into a glare. “Oh it couldn’t be THAT obvious....could it?”

Suddenly, a crystal lying at the edge of the room glowed softly; gaining the attention of the four mares and a familiar voice spoke through it.
“So ya saw through mah clever ruse?” Governor Bluegrass’ voice spoke out. “Probably just as well I took care of yah when Ah did.”

“Bluegrass!” Rainbow Dash snapped.

Bluegrass chuckled, his voice slightly tinny through the magical communication. “Now, ya’ll are probably wonderin’ where ya’ll are and why ya’ll are here, and Ah will explain that shortly.”

“How are you talking to us?” Twilight piped up. “Where are you?”

“Far out of sight, keepin’ mah hooves clean.” Bluegrass chuckled again. “This here device is an Iron Will Industries invention, a magical crystal that is magically linked to similarly crystal in appearance and colour, which Celestia gave to everyone in charge of every major city, town and settlement in Equestria. This one is a specially ordered one Ah got for my brother, but Ah got some spares Ah can use while Ah use this ta speak to ya.”

Applejack marched over to the crystal, angrily. “Why did you accost us and place us inside this tin can, you ruffian!?”

“Well as you have surmised, it is indeed Ah who is diverting the IWI shipments for the use of mah minion. It was easy to use mah influence and control over the train schedules to hide away the shipments and remove all trace of them even being here. You, mah ‘friends’, are about ta witness firsthoof the next step in mah smuggling operation.”

Rainbow had so many questions to ask now, but decided to focus on the most pertinent ones. “And why did you go to the trouble of sloppily framing Zecora and Trixie for your crime? And why did you bring us here?”

Bluegrass grunted irritably at the word ‘sloppy’ but decided to ignore it. “Well, it was the only way Ah could think of to halt the investigation until mah plan can be enacted upon. As for you....Ah ain’t doin’ this cause you’re meddling or anything. Really, your ‘investigation’ has no real threat to me or mah plans. No, my reasons here are far more...personal. Are ya’ll familiar with Appleoosa?”

Applejack nodded. “Why yes, we are.”

“Ya’ll took down Rotten Bad Apple, and caused him and his kin to go to prison.”

“He was robbing the bank, kidnapping mares and foals and masterminding a conspiracy to destroy a town!” Rainbow countered then blinked in confusion. “Wait, how do you know about that?”

“It was all over the papers!” Bluegrass snapped loudly. “All there in all caps: ‘Appleoosa and Buffalo make peace!’ with mah beloved cousin and nephews and niece in chains and you three mares shaking hooves with the locals! ‘Rainbow Dash and friends save town from vile conspiracy’!”

Rainbow groaned. “Oh...”

“You’re related to Rotten Bad Apple?” Twilight asked.

“Damn straight Ah am! What, ya thought the Bad Apple Clan began with Rotten and ended with his kin? Hah!” Bluegrassed snapped harshly. “No way! We are many and strong, and when Ah read who put mah cousin in bars, Ah vowed to make them pay!”

“But I’m an Apple too.” Applejack interjected. “Not willingly, of course, but still!”

“Do you think Ah care? You may be an Apple, but you AIN’T a BAD Apple!” Bluegrassed breathed heavily before calming down. “Anyway, point is, now Ah’ll get mah revenge at the same time as continuing the scheduled smuggling!”

Rainbow glared. “How? And why did you put us on the train? That just means we have first hoof evidence of your plans.”

“Oh but how will ya use it, when you’re DEAD!?” Bluegrass taunted and the four mares heard mechanical whirring around them, light flooding through the windows around them.

Rainbow dash, Applejack and Twilight looked through a window each, gasping in surprise as they saw dozens of rail tracks around them and further out a wall surrounding them completely, said wall have hundreds if not thousands of ponies sitting and cheering excitedly.

“W-What the...?” Rainbow and her friends wondered aloud.

“OH wow!” Cherry Jubilee exclaimed. “We’re in the Coliseum! This is where the race is held! The first event is the destruction derby, where one of the old, broken down trains is placed in the middle of the arena to be...smashed...by...the competitors...” She gasped. “I missed my chance to enter!”

Rainbow frowned. “I’m afraid we have a bigger problem. We’re INSIDE the train to be demolished.”

“WHAT!?” Cherry Jubilee exclaimed.

Bluegrass laughed wickedly, earning their attention again. “EXACTLY! Genius right!? Ah allow the shipment trains in, quietly fudge the paperwork so they’re declared unfit for use and, off the record, have them put in the destruction derby to be demolished, and then Ah take the shipment, still safe in their ultra secure containers, ship them off the day after and then let my friend steal them from the train, and of course, since it’s all off the record, nopony realises anything is missing!”

“Except the company that didn’t receive their shipment.” Rainbow interjected.

“Oh shut up! You just can’t appreciate a true criminal genius! And now, once the event starts, not only will Ah get mah hooves on this weeks ‘delivery’, but you, who DARED to put mah cousin in prison, will pay for your transgressions WITH YOUR LIVES! AHAHAHAHA!” Bluegrass snorted as he tried to calm down. “Oh and don’t even THINK of gettin’ out, Ah had every door sealed TIGHT and the windows are reinforced and, not to mention, the entire train is lined with Orihalcum, meaning nopony can magically sneak in....and nopony can magically get OUT. Enjoy your last moments of life, Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle and...uhhh....Apple –something.”

“But sir!” Cherry Jubilee interrupted. “Why am I here too? What did I do to deserve your revenge?”

Bluegrass was quiet a moment. “Ah just find ya annoying, and Ah thought, well since you WERE there an’ all, Ah might as well take you out too.”

Cherry Jubilee’s eyes drooped in betrayal. “Oh Mister Mayor...y-you’re so mean...”

“And I guess your threat as The Phantom ensured you had this event go on long enough to keep your scheme going without thus?” Rainbow Dash remarked

“Heh, figured that out too did ya?” Bluegrass smirked to himself despite nopony being able to see it. “Yeah Ah admit it, got the idea from mah ‘partner’, figured a spooky, mysterious bogeyman would keep everypony from askin’ unwanted questions. Anyway, goodbye, I got a lot to do on my end here, so enjoy dying!” The crystal grew darker and stopped glowing.

Rainbow frowned. “Alright, how can we get out of here before”

“And now!” Bluegrass’ voice yelled out through speakers outside the train, “The time has come for our many expert train drivers and mechanics to start their engines and get ready to compete in our opening event: DESTRUCTION! DERRRRRBYYYYY!”

The pegasus’ eyes widened in shock as her ears flattened. “....crud.”

Lieutenant Shores ran across the street, yelling incomprehensibly, waving her spear...until she ran into her superior officer and fell to the ground.

Captain Blueblood looked at his charge with controlled surprise. “Milady Shores, whatever are you doing here? You are supposed to be chaperoning Dames Applejack, Twilight Sparkle and Zecora, were you not?”

“Sir!” The mare instantly got up on her hooves and saluted. “Indeed I was, but then I heard the most troubling report: Zecora and Trixie were the criminals behind the crime, and so I went in hot pursuit of the zebra, but I had lost sight of her sir!”

Blueblood gave her an even gaze as the other soldiers blinked in confusion. “Excuse me?”

Sapphire Shores nodded. “Oh yes sir, it caught me by surprise too, you see! One of the donkeys that work for Governor Bluegrass gave me the report and everything!”

Blueblood narrowed his eyes. “Ah.” He turned to the other Royal Guardsmen. “It seems our culprit has overtipped his hoof. Stallions, Mares, we shall march to Bluegrass’ estate.”

“Sir?” Lieutenant Shores asked in confusion.

Blueblood tutted and turned to the mare with a forgiving smirk. “Miss Shores, I’m afraid you have been tricked. There is no possible way Zecora or Trixie Lulamoon could be our criminals, for if they were, they wouldn’t come directly to Celestia to ask the Royal Guard to investigate, would they not?”

Sapphire shores blinked then looked upwards in thought. “Now that you say it...I guess not...?”

“Exactly. But tell me, why would Governor Bluegrass, the pony in charge of this city, who has direct control over the schedules and workings of this town, frame a pair of mares for a crime? What would he have to gain by such a trick?”

Sapphire Shores nodded as she thought it though. “I suppose he...wanted us...to be thinking they were behind the crime?”

“Good, good, now why would that be?”

“Because....he...did the crime?”

Blueblood nodded. “Very good. Now, tell me, Lieutenant, since Governor Bluegrass committed the heinous crime of theft, what shall, as enforcers of the law, do?”

Sapphire Shores thought, then stood straight and saluted, lifting her spear aloft. “We...Arrest the criminal scum! Sir!....right?”

“Exactly.” He pointed his hoof forwards. “Now Stallions, we march! Let us show Bluegrass he cannot escape the law!”

“Yeah!”

The Royal Guard, lead by Blueblood and Lieutenant Shores, charged off towards Bluegrass’ mansion.

Sheriff Bluegrass looked around the ‘mansion’ with a frown. No sign of his brother anywhere, meaning he must be elsewhere. Of course, Sheriff Bluegrass knew exactly where he would be right about now. He turned and left the building, running towards the large building in the centre of the city: the Control Tower that controlled all the rail lines.

He needed to talk to his brother.

Applejack repeatedly kicked at a wall, grunting. “You know, ordinarily a lady wouldn’t use her delicates hooves like this!”

“I know AJ, but we don’t have time!” Rainbow Dash replied, wings folded in front of herself. “Neither Twilight’s magic nor mine can do anything right now, and we don’t have the same physical strength an Earth Pony does.”

“What about Cherry Jubilee?” Applejack countered as she kept kicking.

“She won’t respond to any of us.” Twilight said with a frown. “Her own Mayor betraying her...I can’t even begin to imagine how she is feeling...”

“Well we can’t just sit here and wait!” Applejack said. “We simply HAVE to get out of here before this DEATH TRAP is crushed by several speeding trains, and us along with it!”

Rainbow Dash looked out the window, ears drooping and eyes wide in fear as she saw several trains speeding towards them from all sides. “I...I think it’s too late...”

“It’s never too late!” The group blinked and turned at the source of this statement: Cherry Jubilee, standing over a set of levers on a control console, pointing towards a large metal structure nearby. “I’ll need fuel to be feed into here. Can your magic give me a steady amount of fire?”
Rainbow nodded. “Yeah...but not forever.”

“Doesn’t need to be forever. Just gotta keep it going long enough for us to win.” The mechanic’s eyes blazed with determination, gripping a pair of levers. “Stupid Mayor....we’ll show him just how annoying I can be!”

Fluttershy waved a flag high in the air, cheering. “Go everyone! Win the race!”

She, along with Rarity and Pinkamena sat in the stands of the Coliseum, sitting among the audience as they watched the Race’s opening act unfold: eight trains converging towards a lone train set for demolition.

“Rah rah who cares.” Pinkamena sighed flatly, rolling her eyes as she waved her own flag that didn’t even move.

“Oh don’t be such a party pooper, Pinkie.” Rarity said, looking annoyed. “We gave those guards the slip so we can enjoy some sightseeing for once without getting roped into helping stop some villainous plot like last time. Here we are, watching a freaking race with TRAINS and you can’t muster a single bit of enthusiasm! I mean, how can you NOT find this fun!?” She emphatically gestured her forelegs towards the currently ongoing Race.

“It’s Pinkamena.” The pink mare stated absently. “And I can’t get over how stupid this whole thing is. I mean, they need these trains to ship things and provide travel, and yet they spend HOW LONG wasting them on these stupid races? Especially since they’ll just get damaged and wasted smashing against each other. I mean really, who uses trains in a DESTRUCTION DERBY?”

Rarity rolled her eyes, folding her forelegs over her chest. “Oh Lighten up, it doesn’t matter alright, stop over thinking it, it’s COOL!”

She blinked and looked in surprise as the supposedly broken down, abandoned train sitting in the centre of the arena suddenly rammed forward, slamming one of its attackers off the tracks before streaking across the rails.

Rarity stared for a moment before grinning. “See!? Now THAT’S what we came here to see! Excitement! Surprises! THE SOUND OF SMASHING METAL AND THE SCREAMS OF BROKEN DREAMS!” She stood up on her hindlegs, waving her forelegs. “THIS IS GETTING SO AWESOME!!”

Pinkamena raised a brow. “Seriously, how they hay are you ‘Kindness’?”

“Wooo!” Fluttershy cheered, gliding laps around in the air as she cheered. “Go train that was supposed to be demolished but wasn’t!”

Twilight and Applejack clung for their lives to whatever they could as the train suddenly went from zero to TOO FAST, Rainbow keeping the engine stoked as Cherry Jubilee manned the controls. Twilight frowned at the pair before closing her eyes in concentration, horn glowing.
The train rushed onto a set of rails that circled one opponent, after one lap Twilight’s magic adjusting the rails so that the train slammed onto the side of its opponent, derailing it.

“Two down, eight to go!” Twilight shouted.

“No.” Cherry Jubilee corrected. “This should be enough to end the Derby, but now comes the Race for real! Just keep making the way for us Miss.” She pointed towards a large tower that dominated the skyline. “That controls all the rails, including those used for the race! The only one who can use it these days is the Mayor, so that’s where he is during the Race!”

“Right!” Twilight nodded, starting to sweat as she used her magic to control the rails. Their train jolted suddenly and everypony was almost knocked off their hooves in surprise. Everypony managed to recover and look through the windows, seeing a pair of trains speeding along at their sides, taking advantage of the placement of rails to ram their sides.

Cherry Jubilee grunted irritably. “Just what we need! Double teamed by Governor Bluegrass’ right hoof donkey’s: Bucky McGillicutty and Kicks McGee! They ALWAYS win!”

“Not this year they won’t!” Applejack said resolutely, turning to kick at the wall, only to yelp as part of the metal above her turned green and melted. “What!” She gasped as a blue hoof grabbed hers and pulled her up onto the roof.

Twilight gasped and moved to save her. “Applejack!”

Rainbow smirked. “Twilight, relax, she’s fine, she’s in good hooves right now.” She smirked at her friend. “Just trust that she can do her part, and focus on yours!”

“R-right!” Twilight nodded and closed her eyes, moving the tracks so their enemies were sent heading to the far right and left, respectively, giving them more breathing room.

Above, safe in his tower, Governor Bluegrass fumed as he watched the spectacle take place. “How dare they!? Ah went to a lot of trouble to make all this happen and they won’t just sit there and die!?” He then spoke angrily into a pair of lowing crystals. “You two are supposed ta be mah best jacks, you better not embarrass mah good name and LOSE! Don’t forget how much Ah’m PAYIN’ the two of ya! AH don’t care what ya have to do, just make sure those mares die and that train is DEMOLISHED!”

He placed his hooves over the many, MANY levels surrounding him that controlled every track in Dodge Junction. He sighed and relaxed, being here always made him feel better, reminded him that he was in control of everything; Dodge Junction ran because of HIS guidance. HE was the most important pony, no matter what anyone else thought!

He glared at the train that seemed to embody his hatred, his need for vengeance....as well as his golden ticket to the status he deserved.

Applejack yelped and turned to her apparent abuductor. “Do you REALISE how dangerous that was!? Why, you almost pulled out my hair, let alone ruin my FABULOUS mane!” She blinked, recognition dawning. “Oh, aren’t you Miss Zecora’s co-worker?”

Trixie whimpered nervously, hiding under her plain, brown hood. “Y-Yes...I-I’m T-Trixie...”

“What are you doing up here?” Applejack frowned as she realised something. “Hay, what am AH doing here!?”

“W-w-we have to help protect the train....th-the Mayor m-might have something underhanded planned....”

AT her words, two trains started moving to their left and right sides, on both trains stood a donkey wearing sunglasses.

“Why, that’s the brute who claimed that Zecora was stealing the shipments, and then, Ah think, beat us up!” She looked between them. “Well...one of them did at any rate; they’re so alike Ah can’t tell for certain.”

“Th-they’re Mr Bluegrass’ bodyguards.” Trixie explained. “Th-they do everything for him...”

“And Ah suppose we must stop them directly?” Applejack asked.

“Y-yes, the others can’t really defend from inside, and will be too busy focusing on keeping the t-train fuelled and moving th-the tracks.” The blue unicorn looked down. “I...I have to help....t-t-to make up for m-my weakness....”

Applejack smiled softly and laid a hoof onto the mare’s shoulder, making her gasp and look up in surprise. “Ah’m not sure what you did, but Ah’m sure it’s fine. Rainbow Dash wouldn’t blame you for anything. It’s natural to get scared and nervous, you just simply have to make sure your fear doesn’t get the better of you.”

“B-But....”

“No buts, now chin up and we’ll talk about this properly later, right now we simply MUST get rid of these awful brutes!”

Trixie nodded. “Y-yes...”

The pair turned, Applejack facing the donkey on the left side while Trixie nervously shook and looked at the donkey standing towards the right side, the blue unicorn’s eyes hidden under her hood.

Kicks McGee slammed his front hooves down as he turned his to strike against the train, only for a fashionable red scarf to be tied tightly around his leg, which he yanked at forcefully...and caused Applejack to be pulled over to him, her hoof meeting his with a powerful slam. The fashion conscious pony leapt onto all four hooves, frowning distastefully at the donkey.

“Now it is not very ladylike to resort to fisticuffs.” Applejack lamented. “However, not only did you try to harm myself and my friends, your employer has committed numerous crimes against fashion (and, on a lesser note, actual crimes) and so I shall be forced to act very UNLadylike!”

The donkey merely regarded her silently as the two began trading kicks, their hooves connecting with each blow.

Trixie meanwhile, dodged a brick Bucky sent flying towards her, yelping as she leapt to and fro to escape several volleys of the heavy projectiles, gasping in pain as a brick struck her hoof and another struck her side, sending to sprawling to her back.

The unicorn whimpered, tears falling from pain, the donkey smirking as he got ready to kick a few more bricks. Trixie’s mind whirled with shame, flooded with self-loathing over her weakness.

“Hey, Trix, come on,” a memory of Rainbow dash suddenly spoke up in her mind, “you’re way stronger than you think! Come on, you’re an awesome pony, don’t let anypony say otherwise, that includes you!”

Her eyes widened. “Rainbow Dash....she’s always believed in me...and I...” She frowned, shakily getting to her hooves as she frowned fearfully but determinedly. “I...I can’t let her down again...or Miss Zecora....or Mister Iron Will...they’re all counting on me....” She bit her lip, looking at the donkey. “y-you b...b-big dumb bully! I...I-I...I am not afraid of you!”

Bucky McGillicutty tilted his head and shrugged, tossing a brick in the air as he turned to buck it....only to be momentarily blinded as a burst of fireworks flashed around him, startling him at the same time...and the brick her threw fell on his head.

Trixie gasped and hid behind her hood as the donkey glared at her, bare fazed by the blow that struck him, but the unicorn gathered her wits and stood her ground. “Y-yeah, s-see!? I-I-I was chosen by M-Mister Also Iron Will himself f-f-for a reason!”

The donkey glared and leapt down into his train’s front carriage, kicking the surprised, yelping driver out as he took control, making his vehicle lean so its sides grinded noisily against his opponent’s.

Trixie gulped, pulling a vial out from under her cloak. “I-I’m...I’m not alone...I’m not alone...I’m not alone...” She nodded to herself, closing her eyes as she tossed the vial out onto the tracks Bucky was driving along, the opposing train suddenly grinding to a stop as the metal of its wheels melted and melded with that of the rail line, the donkey shaking in anger as he inspected the damage.

Trixie sighed to herself in relief as their train overtook his at last, turning to look at how her ally’s battle was progressing.

Applejack leapt to the side as Kicks McGee slammed a hind hoof onto the metal roof of his train, leaving a large dent.

“Oh bravo, you managed to damage your ‘ride’, as they say.” Applejack mused sarcastically. “Yes, you truly are a fearsome adversary.”

The donkey growled angrily, glaring at the mare, only to blink in surprise as instead of seeing a single orange mare, he was surrounded on all sides by her. For their part, the many Applejacks all looked equally confused, before each striking a glamorous pose.

“Oh my, I dare say this is even more flattering than a mirror!” Applejack tittered. “There’s potential here to be sure.”

Kicks McGee snarled impatiently, striking at a pair of Applejacks, only for them to vanish in burst of fading stars.

“It appears you guessed wrong, darling.” Applejack smirked as she wrapped her scarf tightly around the donkey’s limbs, tying them close to his body and leaving him tied up and defenceless as she leapt back to the train containing her friends, the opposing train losing speed and falling back.

She smiled at Trixie as the unicorn’s horn stopped glowing and the illusory doppelgangers were dispelled. “Thank you kindly for the assistance, darling, though Ah’m sure Ah would’ve been able to handle it myself.

“O-Oh I-I-I’m sorry...” Trixie whimpered, hiding under her hood. “I-I didn’t mean to offend you...”

“Oh no offence meant darling, now, why don’t we hope inside and let our friends finish this?”

“A-a-alright...”

The two climbed back inside, Applejack daintily while Trixie was far more slow and cautious. They watched Cherry Jubilee continue steering as Rainbow Dash kept the engine fuelled and Twilight sweated and grunted with effort.

“Why, Twilight, darling, are you alright?” Applejack asked, concerned.

“Just...fine...” Twilight panted. “I just...need to use every bit....of my reserves...”

“Twi, that’s dangerous!” Rainbow Dash interjected. “We can trade places, I can handle it!”

“No...I need to contribute too, it’s always either you or Applejack who makes the save...” Twilight panted and grunted. “I have my pride too you know...”

“Twilight whatever are you trying to do anyway that is leaving you look so....dishevelled?” Applejack asked at last with a slight, disgusted, wince. “Your coat is all matted with...ugh....sweat.”

“You’ll see...just....about....now!”

“Full steam ahead!” Cherry Jubilee called out, slamming a lever all the way forward.

Rainbow nodded, giving Twilight a look of unease as she poured a great burst of magically fuelled fire into the engine.

The train sped at full speed as Twilight’s magic moved several rail tracks in front of them, moving them upwards at an angle.It went so fast, the train flew off the edge of the tracks, the angle sending them flying directly towards the top of the central control tower.

Of course, Applejack and Trixie didn’t know this, and simply clung to each in fear, screaming at the top of their lungs with terrified faces.

Governor Bluegrass gasped as he saw the train barrelling towards him, quickly made his escape, leaving the room as the train crashed hard into it, the force knocking him to his hooves and sending his toupee flying off.

Bluegrass glared as he shakily got to his hooves. “H-how DARE YOU!? Do ya have ANY idea who Ah AM!? Ah OWN this town! Ah own these trains! Ah own YOU! AH”

“That’s enough, brother.”

Bluegrass paled, starting to sweat as he turned, facing his brother who was backed by several Royal Guardsmen, Captain Blueblood and even Zecora.

“H-How the hay...?” Bluegrass sputtered.

“Met them at your place, Ah then lead them all here.” Sheriff Bluegrass said curtly, glaring at his brother. “You’re under arrest.”

“A-Arrest? M-Me? W-why!?”

“Abuse of your office, lying to yer own employees, sabotaging yer own trains, stealing from our own employers!” Sheriff rattled off. “Need AH say more?”

“Y-You have no proof.” Governor Bluegrass interjected. “I-I’m completely innocent!”

A metallic clank came from behind as the door of the crashed train fell and allowed five ponies to step out. Rainbow Dash smirked. “I’m sure our witness testimonies will be more than enough.”

Bluegrass paled, turning to his brother with a desperate look. “C-c-come on, Ah’m your brother! H-Help me out here!” He held up his hooves pleadingly.

The stallion before him nodded solemnly, taking. “Ya are mah brother, however,” he took his brother’s hooves in his own, a pair of hoofcuffs snapping around them, “but nopony’s above the law, especially not you.”

Bluegrass stared at his hooves in disbelief, sweat pouring down his brow.

Author's Note

Oh MAN, so much I had planned here. originally this was going to be longer, in fact I was going to split it into two or three parts, with a heavy focus on the actual race, and Bucky McGillicutty and Kicks McGee were going to get a few more rounds, including one of them managing to explode a few rockets to move their train back from the rear, only to be defeated by an illusion trixie made of the tracks, and thus crash into a pit. but...that didn't happen and instead I, as usual, rushed it and finished it quickly.

I am very sorry and honestly I feel like I'm not doing as good a job of writing as I can. But still! I will keep on trucking ahead!

I hope you all enjoyed this and please comment!

Chapter 5: Last Stop

A group of ponies poured out through the central control tower’s doors, many ponies from the coliseum stands having moved near here to see what the commotion was about, wondering why one of the trains flew into it. The watchers saw numerous royal guardsmen followed by a few ponies, a couple of whom some recognised. However, the biggest shock was that Governor Bluegrass himself, the mayor of the town, was being lead in chains by his brother the sheriff.

Governor Bluegrass scowled at the scene, knowing this display would soon be all over the tabloids and his carefully cultivated good standing would be in tatters. As his traitorous brother and that moron of a Captain stepped over to speak to some ponies, Governor Bluegrass saw his chance.

With a burst of speed the rotund stallion shoved his brother aside and ran through the crowd, sneering at his captors.

Blueblood glared and pointed a hoof. “After him! He can’t get away!” At his order, his guardsmen, Sheriff and Rainbow Dash ran in the disgraced mayor’s direction.

Bluegrass panted, sweating a storm as he was unused to such activity, running into his mansion. He knocked a few of the very expensive suits of armour he bought for display in front of the door to block his pursuers, running into his office. Searching in his desk, he pulled out a blue gem with a metal ring around it. Upon the ring was engraved the words “Manehatten”. He tapped a hoof gently on the top.

He tapped a few more times impatiently. “Pick you idiot. Pick up! I need you right now!” He growled, hooves shaking as he clasped the gem. “Grand Heist pick up right this instant!”

The door slammed open, the stallion turning with wide eyes at the zebra standing in front of him. Zecora, for her part, was as stoic as ever.

“Grand Heist?” The zebra repeated. “Why, you do seem to have a lot of questions to answer, Mister Bluegrass.”

Bluegrass shivered. “Y-you can’t touch me! Ah-Ah’m a very important stallion!”

“Oh I’m sure you were, but as of right now, you’re just a criminal.” She took a step forward.

The stallion inched back, his back towards his large window. “H-How the hay did you get in!?”

“Get in? I’ve been here for about most of the race, after coming up with a course of action with my co-worker. I’ve been gathering some information, trying to figure out your role in all this.” The zebra looked him over dismissively. “You always were an idiot, from what I saw of you way back when.”

“Idiot!?”

“Yes. Idiot. You piled up a hefty amount of debt via these ‘purchases’.” Zecora gestured to the several gaudy paintings and paraphernalia decorating the building, including within the office. “So desperate to flaunt your ego and sense of status on everypony, paying no attention to the amount of money you were paying. I at first figured you were stealing OUR technology and selling it off to pay for your debts...but you didn’t, did you?” She pressed her face to his. “Instead, you came up with an ill-thought, complicated scheme to have an accomplice supply money to you, which you then used to buy MORE junk and pile up your ever growing debt! You didn’t even SEE the true value of what you stole from US!”

Bluegrass shivered, looking around for some sort of weapon, the comm.-crystal too valuable to risk damaging. “W-why come now, don’t ya know a lot of p-ponies have expensive tastes? S-surely Princess Celestia...”

“Princess Celestia is mostly given gifts by grateful nobles and foreign visitors, or just ponies trying to kiss up to her, and they have a better eye for style than you ever will.” Hoofsteps thundered behind her. “And you can forget about trying to harm me, unless you think you can escape the royal guard, your brother AND one of the greatest users of magic in the world? Or did you think I WOULDN’T remove those stupid obstacles you put up?”

Bluegrass snarled, repeatedly striking the crystal forcefully, sweating nervously. “Answer answer answer! We had a DEAL!”

Captain Blueblood and Sheriff Bluegrass entered the room, idly surprised by Zecora’s presence but keeping their focus on their fugitive, trotting forward without speaking.

Bluegrass glared with a hateful sneer. “You aren’t taking me! I will not lose, not when I’m SO CLOSE!” He laughed and jumped out his window, screaming as he fell two stories and hit the ground with a hard thud.

Zecora, Blueblood and Sheriff Bluegrass looked over, seeing Governor Bluegrass lying on the ground in pain, at least one of his legs broken. Rainbow Dash trotted over down the alley, flanked by her friends and Cherry Jubilee.

“You have a LOT to answer and answer for, former mayor.” Rainbow Dash spat, but Governor Bluegrass was unconscious. She glared, eyes drawn to a blue crystal....whose surface showed a familiar face.

Grand Heist simply stared up at her through the crystal’s surface and suddenly vanished, the crystal growing dim.

Rarity pouted on the train home. “So we’re leaving? Just like that?”

Twilight, who sat opposite her, nodded. “Yeah, but it’s not like they can do anything for tourists while they have to repair the control tower and sort everything out. It’s better for us to go home now and let the officials handle it. Hay, at least you got to see the race, right?”

The white unicorn smirked. “Oh yeah, that was amazing! I wish I knew at the time it was you guys in there, but dang, it was awesome! Though I wish I could’ve gotten in too!”

Applejack, sitting across from them in a seat of her own, scoffed. “Darling, that whole affair was the very opposite of what one would consider ‘fun’! Why, Ah could’ve gotten HURT during that stint on the train!”

Pinkamena shook her head. “She’s not going to listen. See? She’s off in her own little world now.”

“Man, you wouldn’t believe how surprised I was when I saw you, of all ponies, standing on the roof of a train, and fighting a donkey!” Rarity chuckled, gesticulating with her hooves. “I figured you were too prissy for that stuff, but whoa, you were awesome!”

A little further ahead, in a more private room, Rainbow Dash sat with a long lost friend and her zebra companion.

“So you girls fine with not sticking with the Royal Guard?” The Pegasus asked.

“Times are quite different from a few years ago, we have no reason to believe the Guard are incompetent enough to allow a captured criminal escape custody.” Zecora replied. “Besides, we have to report this to headquarters immediately, and return to our proper duties. This entire venture has cost us a good deal of time we will need to rectify. Oh, and Trixie wanted a chance to speak with you.”

Rainbow blinked and turned to the unicorn. “Trix?”

Trixie hid her face under her cloak’s hood. “I...I left you there, with th-th-the donkey, I-I used an invisibility spell to escape...b-b-but I could’ve helped you o-o-or turned you invisible too o-o-or something! B-but I didn’t...b-because I got scared...I-I’m so sorry Rainbow...” She whimpered, freezing as the pegasus’ hoof stroked her cheek.

“Trix, it’s okay, I was hoping you would grow out of this mindset, but it’s fine, really. I don’t blame you at all.” Rainbow smiled. “You got scared and panicked, but you still came back to help anyway, and you felt bad about it. But even if that wasn’t the case, I know you; I know you’re a good pony. You will ALWAYS be my friend, no matter what, so don’t go feeling bad every time you mess up or make a mistake; I’m not gonna dump ya just like that.”

Trixie pulled her hood further over her face. “Th-thanks Rainbow...”

Rainbow smiled. “Hey, you sure you gotta go right away? Cause, I was thinking, we could hang out in Ponyville for a while, relax and catch up, ya know?”

Trixie blinked and turned to Zecora, eyes pleading.

The zebra shrugged. “It is fine, but we won’t stay too long, we have a lot of important duties to attend to.”

Trixie smiled and nodded.”Y-y-yes Miss Zecora.”

Sheriff Bluegrass stood in the office of the Dodge Junction Mayor. His office, though he was still rather unsure, due to his experience working under his brother, he was found to be the best candidate. He hoped to continue acting as sheriff too, but he had his doubts that would be allowed.

The last of his brother’s junk was being carted off, being sold off so the proceeds could pay for the damages that occurred during the race. Honestly, he was glad. He didn’t want any more reminders of his brother’s corruption and dishonesty.

Much like this room, it was time to wipe away his brother’s influence and start with a blank slate.

Governor Bluegrass sat in his cell, glaring at Captain Blueblood, who returned the look with a stern gaze.

“You wanted to make a deal?” Blueblood said.

“Yeah, you give prisoner’s lighter sentences if they help you catch someone else, right?” Bluegrass smirked.

“We sometimes will, but it depends on the situation.”

“Ah know who Grand Heist is.”

The Captain of the Royal Guard tilted his head, face inscrutable. “Do you now? And how did you come by this information?”

Bluegrass rolled his eyes. “He was working for me all along, isn’t it obvious? He and Ah had a deal, but since he ain’t helpin’ me, Ah figure he can go down with me. You have been after him for a long while, haven’t ya?”

“Just tell me who you believe he is.”

“Straight ta the point, Ah like that.” Bluegrass smirked confidently. “Alright, here it is: It’s the Mayor of Manehatten, hay, just look at the crystal I use ta contact him, that’s proof enough!”

“Yes, the crystals were made in special sets of two, linked in a way to allow a hold of one to contact the other, and each one was given to Celestia and several important figures and town leaders.” Blueblood inspected the stone in question in his hoof. “This alone would be quite incriminating, were it not for two things.”

Bluegrass blinked owlishly, his confident expression falling slight. “W-what?”

“First of all, the Mayor of Manehatten has had a pretty good set of alibis for each one of Grand Heist’s thefts.” Blueblood gazed at the stallion half-lidded. “Secondly, he requested a replacement directly to Iron Will Industries for his crystal connected to Dodge Junction, and was only given one upon a thorough investigation revealing it was indeed missing. In fact, we found a card where it normally be. Guess what was written on it.”

Bluegrass stared, pupils shrinking as he paled. “No.”

Blueblood nodded. “’All that glitters is mine, signed Grand Heist’.” He turned and started trotting off. “You have nothing more offer us, with you imprisoned, a big piece of the puzzle has been solved and Grand Heist no longer has an easy method to access Iron Will Industries technology. Good day.” He walked off away from the cell, leaving Bluegrass alone.

“Wait come back!” Bluegrass struggled against the bars desperately. “Th-there’s gotta be a mistake! A-A trick! Ah’m tellin’ ya, Ah know who he is!”

“Tsk, tsk, how pathetic. Then again, that always was your ‘thing’ wasn’t it?”

Bluegrass’s eyes widened and he turned, seeing the gold and red clad Grand Heist.

The thief wore a large, wide brimmed red hat with a large red feather sticking out of it, red silken glove-boots and the rest of his outfit was a gold coloured material, including the mask over his face, solid white lenses over his eyes. He waved at the stallion affably.

“You!” Bluegrass glared. “You were supposed ta help me!”

“How? I don’t have the money or connections to protect you, considering I’m NOT the Mayor of Manehatten.” Grand Heist shrugged at Bluegrass’ flabbergasted look. “D-did you really think I’d just TELL you my secret identity? YOU? The moron who wasted his money on junk just to impress ponies who don’t give a flying feather?”

“How dare you talk ta me like that! Ah’m yer boss!”

Grand Heist tilted his head. “You are a special kind of idiot, aren’t you? Me? Work for YOU?” He laughed loudly. “Oh you are too much! Yes, I came to you for help, but honestly, that’s only because your access to Dodge Junction’s trains were the easiest method to get IWI tech, and all it took for your co-operation was for me to promise to get you a ticket for the Grand Galloping Gala and steal money and valuables for you, and while I performed the later quite well, well, I no longer need to worry about the ticket do I?”

“WHAT!?” Bluegrass snapped. “We had a DEAL! You need those tickets as much as Ah do!”

“Do I? Honestly, they would make things a whole lot smoother, but that’s hardly challenging at all and nothing at all to do with me not wanting to deal with Rainbow Dash’s stupid pet dragon or that stupid town ever again, and in fact, it might make things EASIER for me if I don’t need to worry about a ticket.” He gestured to the stallion. “You, on the other hand? You needed that to help improve your status, and hinged EVERYTHING on it, including your associating with me.”

“Ah...Ah got you in the centre of mah hoof!” Bluegrass claimed. “Ah own you! AH always have, you egotistical dandy!”

Grand Heist looked his hoof over, turning it over this way and that. “Oh yes, because you TOTALLY have everything under control. Face it, fatty, you lost. You are no longer mayor, and you no longer have a single bit to your name, your assets were either frozen or given to your brother, and good luck getting HIM to help you now. As for me?” He grinned cruelly. “You have nothing on me. Your last bit of influence, knowing my identity, turned out to be pure manure I fed you, just to give you the illusion of control. I no longer need you, and frankly, I think it will work better for me without our partnership anymore. Well, maybe not partnership. More like...mmmm...I was using you. You were just a pawn, a MINION, in my grand game! So you can rot in here, while I? I become a STAR!”

With a flourish of his red cape, Grand Heist vanished, leaving Bluegrass alone. The corpulent stallion fell to his knees, trying desperately to think of some way to get SOMETHING from this, some form of profit or victory.

But there was nothing.

Author's Note

Man. I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, I feel like I failed to make this as good as it could’ve been and rushed through it a bit too much. On the other, on the whole, despite several changes and what not, the final product matches my plans quite well, save for Sheriff Bluegrass’ role being downplayed (mainly cause originally there was supposed to be a red herring where the reader would be lead to believe he was part of Bluegrass’ scheme), and the final scene was more or less what I always was leading up to.

My idea for Governor Bluegrass was 1) i wanted a villain named bluegrass cause I thought it was a cool name 2) he served to explain some things about Grand Heist and 3) his involvement helps set up the season one finale of this universe, as well as explain a bit about why Grand Heist wanted the tickets. Anyway, the main thing about him is that, well, he’s supposed to be a pathetic villain. He’s very egotistical and arrogant, but is not as smart or competent as he thinks he is, and this leads to him being manipulated by Grand Heist. I didn’t even tie him to Rotten Bad Apple until later in development, in fact.
I currently have no plans to use this jerk again, his role is done. But if anyone wants to do anything with him or Dodge Junction and its cast in general, you are allowed.

As always, I hope you enjoyed it and please comment!

Chapter 1: Gettin' to Dodge

Rainbow Dash sat in the private train car, looking out the window. The car was spacious, with the few seats located near the walls, built to hold a large amount of ponies at the cost of comfort. Applejack looked through a brochure about all the sights in Dodge Junction while Twilight paced in boredom.

A blue-maned, light cream/pink pony entered the room, clad in the golden armour of the Royal Guard, standing at the side of Captain Blueblood.

“Sirs!” The pony saluted and shouted at the top of her lungs. “Second Lieutenant Sapphire Shores and Royal Guard Captain Blueblood REPORTING FOR DUTY!!”

Rainbow covered her ears at the volume of the pony’s voice while Twilight tilted her head in concern. “Are you okay Miss?”

“My Name is Sapphire Shores and I am FINE!!”

Blueblood held up a hoof. “At ease, Lieutenant, I will handle the debriefing.”

“SIR YES SIR!” The mare grinned and saluted even further, if that was possibly, her back beginning to bend at an odd angle.

“Honestly....I think the training whipped you TOO into shape...Regardless.” He looked at the trio of civilians...and gave a nonplussed look at Applejack, who stood inches from him, playing with mane with a hoof.

“To think Ah of all ponies finally get to meet THE Prince Blueblood...” the earth pony sighed dramatically. “Ah’m sure it must get awfully LONELY commanding Equestria’s military-slash-law-enforcement, tell me...is there a Mare in your life.”

Blueblood chuckled and kissed her hoof, causing her to faint even more dramatically. “It is always a pleasure to meet a lovely mare, but I should be honest you aren’t the first to blatantly court me, nor the last.”

Applejack blushed and waved her hooves in front of her face. “C-Court!? W-why Ah would never...!”

Blueblood chuckled, waving her down placatingly. “Now now, it is quite alright. I’m well aware of my status as Equestria’s most eligible bachelor, but alas, I must always respond the same way: I cannot return your affections not just because we have only just met, but also due to the fact that I’m already married...to my duty as Captain of the Royal Guard, but I’m sure a mare of your stature need not concern yourself, you can do much better than me.” He gave her a knowing wink, causing Applejack to swoon with a shaky, blissful sigh.

Twilight rolled her eyes at the earth pony’s dramatics. “Okay, he’s the Captain of the Royal Guard, I get that, there’s no need to act like he’s so special.”

Applejack frowned. “Twilight, you’re from Canterlot, so surely you’re aware of who Blueblood IS.” At Twilight’s quirked brow, the seamstress gasped. “You mean you DON’T know!?”

Rainbow Dash chuckled. “Blueblood is considered one of Equestria’s most eligible and prized backelors among those who care, mainly due to the fact he’s Celestia’s nephew.”

Twilight’s eyes widened. “CELESTIA has a nephew!? I wasn’t even aware she had a family outside Princess Luna!”

Blueblood chuckled. “Oh no, we’re not related by blood, the Princess simply enjoyed adopting a few ponies into her family,probably to fill a hole left after Nightmare Moon was sealed, I am just one of the small few who can trace their lineage back to those Princess Celestia officially adopted, but the mare herself has never married or even had a lover.” He tilted his head good humouredly. “Now, if we’re done gossiping about myself and my aunt, we have more important matters to get on to.” He turned to the door behind him. “You may come in now.”
At his words, two mares strode forth. One was a zebra with the traditional Mohawk styled into a half-bowl over the right side of her face, wearing a unisex business suit over her body, her gaze stoic and calculating. Next to her, shivering and whimpering nervously, was a blue unicorn with a dark green cloak over her body, the hood over her head.

“I am Zecora, head of pony resources, inter-company relations and communications for Iron Will Industries, ltd., as well as our legal department.” The zebra spoke in an analytical, professional tone and then gestured to the mare at her side. “My associate is Trixie Lulamoon, personal secretary to myself and Iron Will.”

Rainbow’s eyes shimmered excitedly. “Oh hey Trix! Been a long while huh?”

“U-umm I-I o-oh...” The blue unicorn stuttered and retreated further under her cloak. “H-hello...R-Rainbow...”

Applejack raised a brow. “You know this mare, Rainbow?”

The Pegasus nodded, grinning as she got up and trotted to the timid unicorn. “Yeah she was a student at the Academy like me...a lot of ponies teased her because of her shyness and because of her lack of magical talent, but I always stood by her and protected her.” She gave her a reassuring smile. “I haven’t seen you since you dropped out though...I kinda missed ya.”

Trixie blushed under her hood. “Y-You d-did? I-I’m sorry...b-but a mare like me only slowed you down, it was for the best I dropped out...Iron Will Industries took me in s-shortly after...”

Zecora nodded. “We saw some plans she had for a peculiar wagon, and hired her due to the unique mindset she could bring to our own projects, not to mention her skill with illusions.”

“N-no I’m n-nothing special...” Trixie said softly. “I-I just bring Mister Iron Will his coffee....”

“Regardless, you are a valuable employee and we would notbe as successful without your help.”

Rainbow grinned, sliding a foreleg over the unicorn’s shoulder. “Glad to hear about it! Wow! I never imagined you would end up for THE Iron Will! You really did will for yourself!”

“I-It was n-nothing really...I-I didn’t really do anything...”

“Regardless,” Zecora snapped harshly, earning everypony’s attention, “we have important business to discuss.” She looked around at the ponies present. “we had hoped for a larger accompaniment of guards, but Bluegrass has proved far more obstinate, hence why you three were allowed in, your connections and skills were deemed useful at the recommendation of High Prosecutor Shining Armour, and thus your presence here.”

Twilight scowled at the name but made no comment, earning a questioning look from Rainbow Dash while Applejack allowed herself to be taken with fantasies regarding the stallion in question.

Zecora continued regardless. “Iron Will Industries have discovered that several shipments of ours have gone unaccounted for several months, for at least a year, perhaps more. In our initial investigation, we found that the desitnations where the shipments were to be received were either missing or had not been notified in the first place. We had since managed to narrow down our search to Dodge Junction, due to assistance of the Royal Guard. Upon audience with Princess Celestia, we were given full permission to enter the city and investigate properly, however we were allowed a limited number of ponies to enter the city with. Thus, I and Miss Lulamoon will be overseeing operations while Captain Blueblood leads a squad, and you three,” she indicated Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Twilight, “have been found to have skillsets and connections that may help us. However, this is not a field trip or a vacation: you must remain with either myself or Captain Blueblood at all times and must never stray and dally from our investigation.”

Applejack pouted at this.

Rainbow frowned. “Hold on, aren’t Zebras supposed to speak in rhyme? And you look and act a bit too...moderns compared to my knowledge of zebras too.”

Zecora gave her a harsh, commanding glare and Rainbow gulped, silencing herself.

“Our first step is to discuss matters with Governor Bluegrass, the stallion in charge of the city. He more than anypony should be able to point us in the right direction, at the very least.” The zebra frowned. “He is, however, infamously difficult to deal with.” She looked at Applejack and Twilight Sparkle. “You two should be able to get some manner of cooperation out of him however.”

Twilight pointed at herself and her friend. “Huh? Us? How can we help?”

“Governor Bluegrass is a member of the Apple Family, though one of the few who doesn’t do any direct farm work, and he is reported to have a special liking for members and associates of that family. Miss Applejack is a member of the family, and Twilight Sparkle is a business partner with the main branch. At the very least, at least one of you should make him more open to assist us.”

Applejack frowned apprehensively with a mix of disappointment, while Twilight nodded with a helpful smile and Rainbow looked thoughtful.

“Attention SIRS!” Sapphire Shores shouted suddenly from behind Blueblood, “WE’RE ARRIVING AT DODGE JUNCTION!”

The Ponyvillians smiled excited and peered through the windows to look for themselves, eyes widening in awe.

Before them was the extremely large city of Dodge Junction, tracks going in all directions like a spider web. Around the city itself another group of tracks surrounded the buildings like a massive, circular wall on every side.

Blueblood smiles. “Beyond that ‘wall’, the city itself awaits. I trust you ladies are ready.”

Rainbow smirked at him with a nod. “Dang straight.”

Clinging tightly to the very back of the train for dear life was Rarity and Fluttershy, the Pegasus grinning while the unicorn shivered nervously, Pinkamena giving a blanks, though disapproving, glare as she clung to their tails.

“If I fall and get run over,” Pinkamena deadpanned, “I’m holding both of you responsible.”

Author's Note

Okay, didn’t plan on a short chapter, but kinda wanted to upload something quickly.

I am unsure about Sapphire’s role here and if anyone requests, I may change her to a different pony.
I have no actual idea what Dodge Junction looks like in canon, but I had this idea for a more unique, interesting take on it, so here it is! I hope you like this brief glimpse of the city; I’ve been looking forward to this for a while.

Hope you enjoyed it, please comment!