The Clockwork Angels

by The Buccaneer

Rating: teen
Tags: Original Character, Spike, Comedy, Cutie Mark Crusaders, Adventure, Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe
Length: 5564

Based on the album by the greatest band of all time, Rush.

Based on Rush's album. In a world lit only by fire, a lavish steampunk alternate universe, Twilight Sparkle gets the chance to go to the big city. However, the arrival of a new group called the Clockwork Angels stirs trouble...and Twilight can't fight them on her own.

Image comes from:

http://toastiepony.deviantart.com/

Published 2012-08-05 11:44:01 UTC
Last updated 2012-08-08 01:14:45 UTC

The Caravan

"Spike! This is our chance!" said an excited Twilight Sparkle, bouncing up and down with joy.

"Ugh, Twilight! We arn't supposed to go to the city! It's against the laws here-"

"I don't care! This is my chance! And I'll be damned if I don't take it! Come on, Spike! I know how much you've wanted to go!"

"...Alright! But do we need to catch the caravan this very instant?"

"Of course! We need to make it to the city! Pack your bags, Spike, because we're getting out of here!"

Twilight Sparkle lives in a town called Ponyville. Ponyville isn't a very exciting town, mind you. It's boring. Nothing happens in Ponyville. You wake up. You do your job, if you have one. You go back home, and you sleep. Does that sound boring? It is boring. But then there was "The City". Canterlot was the place to be! It was filled with all the important ponies that you hear about. It was lavish, it was way more technologically advanced, not to mention that there was stuff to do in the meantime. Ponyville just didn't compare. However, if you were a resident of Ponyville, you were not allowed to go the city. But, a caravan would come 3 miles out to a station, and that was the chance. It took refugees...

Those who made it.

There are highly tecnologically advanced robots that guarded Ponyville, given to the town by Canterlot, for Ponyville couldn't produce anything like them. They were called "The Patrol", but in Ponyville they tend to call the robots "The Gateway to Hell". The robots were armed with darts that would tear a hole through steel, much less a pony. So, tin order to make it to Canterlot, you had to get through the Patrol. Which, generally, doesn't happen. But Twilight Sparkle had a plan...one that Spike didn't take to kindly to.

"WHAT!? Are you kidding me! That will never work!"

"Spike, It needs to! If it doesn't than I'm stuck here. We're stuck here. Forever."

"..."

"..."

"I'm in."

Outside Ponyville, 2 Miles from The Caravan

The Patrol would be coming soon.

"Twilight...are you sure-"

"You can stop asking, Spike. I know this will work. I'm confident. From the books that I've read, The Patrol have a weakness. Every machine that we make has a weakness. And I think I've found it."

"...Think? What happens if you're wrong?" asked Spike.

"We die. Come on, Spike. They'll be coming very soon."

They walked about 40 feet before a golden bot with bronze that shone brighter than the sun appeared before them.

"Alright, Spike. Here...we...go!"

The robot rushed up to Twilight with tremendous speed. Twilight jumped up and over the robot, doing a barrel roll. When she recovered, she turned around.

"Spike!"

Spike breathed fire at the robot, which melted part of it's shining bronze plate.

"Yes!"

Twilight charged up a spell with her horn. It wasn't simple, so she had to do it correct on the first try. The robot surged for her once more, the acceleration behind him amazing Twilight. How could a machine go that fast?

"Wait..."

The robot gained acceleration, 30 feet away from Twilight.

"Wait..."

20.

"Wait..."

10.

She launched the spell and jumped immediatly after, repeating her barrel roll move from the last charge.

The spell entered the robot's system. The robot turned around and charged Twilight Sparkle for the 3rd time in a row.

Twilight smiled.

The robot approached her rapidly. It got within a 30 feet range, still coming at her. It was 10 feet away from the prone unicorn when the robot exploded.

The spell that Twilight used was a timebomb. She had casted it into the robot's body, thanks to Spike, who had breathed enough fire to burn a hole through the robot. Every machine that Equestria ever produced had a weakness, the Patrol's being it's bronze plate. It was hard to dent or break, but the metal used would melt if enough heat was applied to it. Twilight had use that weakness to her advantage.

They were going to make it to the Caravan for sure.

The Caravan

Twilight Sparkle had made it to the Caravan.

After repeating the technique several times, Twilight was finally able to board the Caravan. The conductor of the train only had a few words when she came on board.

"You are a lucky mare. A very, very, VERY lucky mare."

She went to onne of the rooms on the Caravan and stared out the window.

"We're going to do it, Spike. We're going to Canterlot."

Spike was fast asleep. Twilight chuckled.

"I might as well follow suit. That spell really took it out of me."

She tucked herself in and closed her eyes, thinking of what she would find in the wonderful city of Canterlot. She eventually fell asleep as the Caravan continued to thunder down the tracks.

Canterlot

Rainbow Dash was flying high in the sky, as she always did at this time of day. The veiw of the city from up here was amazing. The city itself captured your heart from the ground. Up high, it was the most amazing thing that you could lay eyes on. Nowhere else in Equestria could you find a better veiw of, well, anything. She was going for a loop-de-loop when all the sudden she saw a group of ponies in the distance. She flew up to the strange ponies.

"Who are you guys? I haven't seen you down here in Canterlot before."

"We are the Clockwork Angels." said one of them, a gold furred pony with a pitch black mane.

"But you won't remember that little detail."

"Why not?" asked Dash, clearly confused.

To answer her question, the pony sent a right hoof straight across the mare's jaw, knocking her unconscious and sending her plummeting to the city below her.

The Caravan

"Spike! Wake up! It's the city! we're here!" exclaimed Twilight Sparkle, bouncing up and down like a filly.

"Ugh...wow! It's amazing! Look at it!"

"Yes, It really is something."

"Twilight! Look!"

"What, Spike? What is it?"

"That pony! she's falling from the sky!"

"Ah! What's happening!...look!"

A gold pony with a black mane was flying at stunning speeds, catching up with the pony. He swept in and grabbed the mare, doing some trick with her in his arms before surficing to applause. Numerous others landed with him.

"Wow! Those ponies are heros!"

The Clockwork Angels

Twilight finally made it into the city, surround by ponies waiting to see the mysterious group that saved the resident stunt mare, Rainbow Dash. Twilight poked her head out to see the group.

"I am Red Barchetta. You can call me Red. And we are the Clockwork Angels." said a Red pony. Red's fur and mane were a bright red.

"The one who saved the beautiful mare was Force Ten." Force Ten, the one with the gold fur and black mane, waved.

"This is Limelight." Limelight had bright green fur and a white mane. He also waved.

"Freewill is the one with the bright blue fur and lighter blue mane." Freewill smiled to the crowd.

"This is Radio Spirit." Radio Spirit had black fur and a grey mane. He did a little trick for the crowd. They cheered.

"And, finally, Headlong Flight." Headlong Flight had a black fur with a red mane. He too waved to the crowd of gathering ponies.

The whole group was wearing body suits. They were red with a clock of some sort where a cutie mark would normally be. They had goggles over their eyes and scarves all hanginng from their necks.

"If you're in trouble, the Clockwork Angels are there!"

The crowd was cheering for the newfound heroes when a voice cut them off.

"Now wait just a darn minute!"

the crowd gasped.

They looked to see who the inturupter was; it was an orange pony with a blond mane tied up in a ponytail.

"Who do you think you are, coming into our city! You may have saved Rainbow Dash, but that doesn't give me a reason to trust you five! Give me a reason!"

Red Barchetta smiled, creating an atmosphere of unease around the orange pony.

"I can name several. We have done this many times,..."

"Applejack. My name is Applejack."

"...Applejack. We have gone from city to city. Name one city besides yours that hasen't heard of the Clockwork Angels!"

"Ponyville." said a voice. The crowd gasped. The source of the outburst had come from Twilight Sparkle herself.

Red Barchetta once again gave that haunting smile.

"Ponyville? I'm suprised you're here right now..."

"Twilight Sparkle." answered Twilight.

"Anyways, we don't need to go to Ponyville. Nothing happens! Nothing!"

Twilight laughed.

"We have a pony named Secret Slew. He is a world champion for pulling carriages, one of the few to be allowed to travel. He wakes up to check on his carriage to find the wheels are gone and the carriage was being held up by bricks. Where were the Clockwork Angels?"

Red Barchetta remained unfazed.

We're sorry. After we're done here, we'll have to down there. be a good time to catch up on naps. Well, we must go. The Clockwork Angels will be back!" They flew off to cheering of many ponies before they disbanded. The only ponies that were left were Applejack and Twilight.

"I don't trust them. At first, I thought they were heroes coming in from the train, but I noticed a few things." said Twilight.

"What?" asked Applejack, suddenly interested.

"Well, they said they had done this to may other cities and towns. This is the biggest city in Equestria. Wouldn't they have hit here first where they could gain more fame?"

"Yea! Say...Ponyville, eh? How did you get past the bots?"

"Everything we build has a weakness. I found it."

"I don't know...they'll be replacing them with those new BU2B's."

"Huh?"

"New models. Supposed to be unbreakable."

"Not good...where's Spike?"

"Who?"

"My assistant. He's a dragon. Baby, don't worry. Where did he go...?"

"Twilight! I got their autographs! The Clockwork Angels gave me autographs!"

Twilight facehoofed.

"...What?"

"Uh, Twilight? Can we go down to the hospital to visit Rainbow? She's a personal friend of mine, and..."

"The one they saved? Sure, I'd like to do a little investigating myself..."

The Hospital

"Hey, AJ! Hey..."

"Twilight. Twilight Sparkle. Did you remeber anything from before the incident?"

"Nope. I was going for the loop-de-loop when all the sudden I wake up in a extremely hot colt's arms. That's all I know."

"What about your chin?" asked Twilight, noticing the mark.

"I must have hit something that caused me to fall. Why?"

"It looks like a hoof did it." said Twilight.

"No!" said AJ.

"I believe so." respond Twilight.

"...I'm not catching on."

"I think those Clockwork dudes may have knocked you out just to save you while you were falling."

"You think? Why would they do that?" asked Rainbow, still not understanding.

"Well, I think they may have wanted to gain a reputation in the city. Should they keep saving people, they'll get a cult following and thus control the city. They'll get V.I.P everything, fame, red carpet, blah blah blah..."

"Those..those..." began Rainbow Dash.

"If what you're saying is true, how do we expose them?"

Twilight smiled at that.

"Rainbow, are you a good flyer?"

"The best."

"Could you spy on our friends for me? Report back to me and AJ on what you see?"

"Sure. Should take up most of my day."

"Cool. Maybe we'll get a lead-" began AJ.

"AAAAPPPLLLEEEJJAACCK!" said a voice from the hallway.

"Horseapples! Hide, sugercube!"

"Who is it?" asked Twilight.

"Just follow her advice." said Rainbow, smiling.

She quickly threw herself under the bed, wondering who could be approaching them.

"Hi, AJ! Rainbow are you okay I saw that fall from out the window it looked dangerous then I started thinking about these cities and there were seven of them and they were all made of gold isn't that cool I wish we lived in a city made of gold that would be really cool-" she stopped dead as her eyes narrowed.

Twilight was looking to see if she could see the mystery pony she was hiding from. She went to look at the other side of the bed to find a pair of eyes glaring at her.

"AH!" she jumped and hit her head on the bottom of the bed.

"Dammit! Ah..."

"I haven't seen you around here before...and you know what that means..."

"WHAT!" Twilight spat, clearly angery about the pain to her forehead.

"Aaaaaaaaaa PARTY!" she said, dragging her out from the bed.

"Can't wait..." muttered Twilight, while Rainbow and AJ were both laughing uncontrollanly.

Wish Them Well

Rainbow Dash was scouting the city for any sign of the Angels. So far, she hadn't found any signs of them, and she was beginning to wonder if they really were fixing the crimes like Twilight had said they were.

"I hope she's enjoying her party." said Rainbow, chuckling a little bit.

She continued to do some fly-bys over the city. She hadn't found anything for a while when she suddenly found them in an alley.

"Suspicious...maybe I'll eavesdrop on them."

She landed on top of a building next to the alley and began to listen.

"-asked him to come here to meet us. Give him autographs. When he comes, you threaten to mug the kid and we save him by beating you up."

"...won't that hurt?"

"The money we're giving you, remember?"

"R-right. Got it."

"Okay, we're flying off. say the words and we fly in."

"Got it."

They Angels flew off into the distance with the mugger in an attack position.

So it was true! These guys were nothing more than a bunch of gang members! And, better yet, they had attacked her and made her fall out of the sky! that ruined, like, half her reputation around here! She was going to sabatoge that plan! But...how?

Then she remembered the mugger, still in attack position.

"It's clobbering time." she said to herself as she flew towards the mugger.

Pinkie's Party

Twilight was trying to have fun at the last minute party that that Pinkie Pie pony had planned in about 20 seconds.

She wasn't.

The whole Clockwork Angels thing was still bothering her. Were they urban heroes? Or were they power-hungry gang members looking for control? Only Rainbow Dash could tell at this point...if she had any information. If she didn't than what would she look at them as? It was making her head hurt. She was pondering this question when Rainbow Dash came through the door.

She casually walked in and dragged Twilight into a corner.

"I have your info, Sparkle."

"Really!? What about them?"

"They aren't heroes. You we're right, Sparkle."

"Ah ha!...how did you find this out?"

"Interesting story..."

Fllllaaaaasssshhhhbbbbaaaaccckkkkkk

Rainbow Dash was soaring at the would-be mugger with tremendous speed. The mugger just realized a cyan pony was flying at her when Rainbow impacted with his skull, sending him to la-la land just as the Angels had done to her. She dragged him in plain siight and went back to hiding on her building.

"-can't wait to meet them! The Clockwork Angels! This will be so cool-" the pony stopped dead when he saw the unconcious mugger.

"Uh,... is this guy okay? Um...hello? Guys? Angels? Clockwork?"

The Angels flew in and also discovered the unconscious mugger.

"We should get this pony to the hospital! Quick!" said Red Barchetta. He then turned to the one called Freewill and whispered one word to him.

"Investigate."

Horseapples! One of those Angels was coming after her!

She bolted upwards as fast as she could. She got about 100 feet up and looked down...to find Freewill hot on her tail.

She had to lose Freewill quickly. If she didn't, the other Angels would be coming to get her as well, and Rainbow dash didn't like the odds that that situation presented. She flew even higher before realizing somethimg.

Freewill hadn't gained speed. In fact, he may have even lost it.

Dash flew upward, pushing the limits of her own body, attempting to escape. She looked back to find that Limelight had joined the chase.

"Crap!" she said out loud. She jerked to the side, looking for an exit. She spotted an open window in a house nearby.

This wasn't going to work. And if it did, she was going to be arrested.

She darted for the window as fast as she could. Limelight and Freewill had caught on, and began to excellerate along with her.

So now Freewill catches up!

She was inches away from the window. she managed to get inside the house while at the same time closing the window with a lever on the side wall.

Limelight and Freewill's faces were plastered against the window as they gentally slid down and hit the ground below them.

Dash looked around the house, panting. Nopony was home.

"Thank Celestia. Holy crap, I need to go!"

She bursted out the door and headed straight to Pinkie's house, hoping the incapacitated Angels would see her.

Eeeeennnddd Flllaaasssshhhbbbaaaccckkkk

"So now they know about you." said Twilight.

"Yea. I'm in trouble, aren't I?"

"If they find you, they'll do something terrible to you-" began a worried Twilight.

"In public? No. They would have to find me in a secluded place. I won't let that happen to me, even if I have stay on the ground."

"So you'll never be able to fly again?" asked Twilight, skeptical.

Dash smiled.

"Not until we drive those freaks outta town."

A large bang filled the room. Then another.

"They found us! They're trying to take down the door!" said Twilight.

Rainbow Dash plastered a smug look on her face.

Freewill and Limelight burst through the door.

"ALRIGHT, THAT'S-"

They looked around to see many party guest and the look on Dash's face.

"Look, everypony! The Clockwork Angels! I bet you I can get their autograph's first!" shouted Dash, the look still on her face.

"No way!" shouted one.

"I will!"

"Me!"

"Muffins!" shouted another.

The Angels were stormed by ponies, literally engulfed to the point where they wern't visible. And I you can't see them, they can't see you.

"Scram." said Dash, making a signal to Applejack who had been previously eating cake. They ran out of the building as the Angels were swarmed by passerby's as well.

They stumbled outside to find that the rest of the Angels had found them.

"Where do we go?" asked Twilight, frantically searching for a place to hide.

"Sweet Apple Factroy!" shouted AJ.

"Great idea! Time to hall ass, girls!" said Rainbow as AJ and Twilight began to run while Rainbow attempted to keep pace with her flying.

"I could be down there in ten seconds flat! Aargh!" said Rainbow, speeding up a little bit faster.

"Thanks, Mrs. Loyalty!" shouted Applejack.

"Guys, I might be able to create a spell that can bring us down to the factory! I need time!" shouted Twilight.

"Gotcha!" said Rainbow.

She flew behind them and turned to the Angels. She stuck her tounge out and made various faces to anger them.

"That's eating away at our time, not buying it!" shouted Applejack.

"Cool it, AJ. I got this."

She continued to make the faces and suddenly flew to the left of the group. The Angels chased her.

"Can your spell work from that far away?" asked Applejack.

"No! But I think I know what she's getting at!" Her horn suddenly lit up with a bright purple.

"Rainbow! Come back!" shouted Twilight.

Rainbow nodded and zoomed over towards them as fast as she could. When she got in reach, Twilight casted her spell.

They immediatly vanished. The Angels looked on in shock.

"Dammit!" shouted Red, slamming his hoof on the concrete causing it to hurt. Red Barchetta failed to notice the pain.

That pony had a death wish.

And he was going to grant it if was the last thing he ever did.

The Clockwork Angels, Part II

Twilight Sparkle slowly awoke, remembering the events that had previously transpired.

They were in trouble.

BIG trouble.

Her mane was a mess. She went to the dining room where Rainbow Dash and Applejack had gathered to eat breakfast and saw that theirs were as well. She sat down in the middle of one of AJ and Dash’s conversations.

“-after that, I wanted them to follow me.”

“Why in the hell would you want them to follow us?” asked AJ, taking a bite of her sandwich.

“I wanted to own them more. Which we did.” said Rainbow triumphantly.

“Classic Rainbow Dash, I suppose. Good mornin’, Twilight. Do you want me to make a plate?” replied Applejack.

“No thanks, I’ll help myself.”

She trotted over to the kitchen and made herself a sandwich.

Apple Bloom trotted into the room and up to her sister.

“Applejack, can I borrow your shotgun?”

“...do I want to know why?”

“Scoot and Sweetie suggested that we become hitmares for hire!”

“WHAT!? No! That idea is even more stupid then last weeks!”

“Dressing up as the Slender Pony isn’t stupid...” mumbled Apple Bloom.

Rainbow Dash fell out of her chair from laughing.

“Can’t you do something that isn’t illegal for once, Apple Bloom?”

“Well...I guess we could try to form a band again...”

“There ya go! That’s the spirit!”

“Thanks, sis! Goodbye, Rainbow. Goodbye...”

“My name is Twilight Sparkle. Call me Twilight.”

“Okay. Bye, Twilight.”

She hopped out of the room without a single care in the world. Twilight only noticed that little detail because she had about 1,000.

“What are we gonna do about the Angels? We won’t be able to go out-”

“We will. Remember, the Angels won’t attack us in public. Doing that would ruin the image they’re attempting to build. We’re safer in the city than we are here...speaking of which, we’d better get a move on. Let’s get ready.”

They all put on their scarves, Rainbow putting on goggles as well, and they headed out to the city.

Canterlot

“So, where do we go first?” asked Twilight Sparkle.

“Well, I wanted to go to the Boutique. Rares was talking to me about a more aerodynamic scarf.”

“...Scarves can be aerodynamic?” asked Twilight.

“Yea, it has something to do with the weight-”

“I don’t want an explanation. Let’s just get to the Boutique.” said Applejack.

Carousel Boutique

“Hello, Rainbow. Hello, AJ. Hello...”

“My name is Twilight Sparkle. Me and Applejack met two days ago.”

“Well hello, Mrs. Sparkle. I’m Rarity. I make and fix-HOLY MOTHER OF CELESTIA WHAT DID YOU DO TO THAT SCARF!?”

“The Patrol almost killed me with a strike to the neck. The scarf saved me, and while it’s torn up, better it than me-”

“THAT SCARF IS A CRIME AGAINST FASHION! I MUST FIX IT RIGHT NOW, FREE OF CHARGE!”

Rarity swiped the scarf off of her neck and ran to her scarf making room, getting to work immediately.

“...does-” Twilight said.

“Yes, Twilight, she does that a lot.” said Applejack.

They all started laughing.

“Seriously. We need to think about our next move. The Angels-”

A masked unicorn burst through the door of the Boutique with a knife being levitated by magic.

“This is a robbery! Put your hoofs in the air!”

“Aaaawwwwww #$%&!” said Rainbow, not in fear but in annoyance. If a mugger was coming to “mug” them, then guess who was coming to “save” them.

They were screwed. They were screwed.

No, that’s how screwed they were. I had to say it twice.

Back to the story, the Angels burst through the Boutique door.

“We’ll...well. Well. Well. Look, everypony! It’s the pretty mares that foiled our plans yesterday.” said Red Barchetta.

They moved closer.

“I remember these three, especially that Rainbow one over there.” said Limelight.

they moved even closer.

“I do too. Do you remember what you said you would do to them the next time we saw them, Red?” asked Freewill.

“Ah, I do.”

The Angels all flipped out switchblades and pressed them against the group’s necks.

Twilight was sure they were going to die when a voice from the hallway saved them.

“I’m finished, Twilight, I made a few modifications-”

She stared at the scene she was witnessing, the Angels equally surprised.

Rainbow saw the chance and knocked Red Barchetta to the ground, delivering three strong punches to his jaw as payback before being pulled off by Radio Spirit and Headlong Flight. Twilight tried to throw some bucks here or there but was stopped by Limelight, who lunged at her with his switchblades. Applejack tackled him in mid flight, letting his switchblade fly across the floor of the Boutique. Applejack then bucked Radio Spirit in the face, sending him sprawling to the floor.

“This...this isn’t over.” said Red Barchetta, clutching his jaw.

“No, it isn’t.” said Rainbow, lunging at Barchetta once more.

She managed to hit his jaw again, but Barchetta slammed his elbow straight into her face, sending her to the floor. The Angels quickly fled the scene. Rainbow was still on the floor, clutching her face.

“Rainbow, are you okay?” asked Twilight and Applejack, rushing up to her.

“No...but we kicked their asses, didn’t we?” asked Rainbow smiling.

“Do you think you have any injuries?” asked Twilight.

“He broke my jaw, I can guarantee that. Anything else, I don’t know.” said Rainbow, her words coming out of her mouth weird.

“We need to get to the hospital-” began Applejack.

“After you explain to me what the hell just happened.” said Rarity approaching them.

“We can tell you that story in the hospital. Come on, Dash.”

They lifted her up and began to walk to the hospital.

The Canterlot Hospital

The 3 ponies were in the waiting room, discussing the whole tale of why the Clockwork Angels had attempted to murder them.

"Wow! I always thought that they were heroes...it just goes to show that some thing arn't exactly as they seem. I still hope Rainbow is okay..."

One of the hospital's nurses entered the room.

"Are you girls with Rainbow Dash?" asked the nurse.

"Yes, how is she?" asked Twilight.

"Hurt. Badly. Her jaw is broken and she was flying on an already broken wing, and she re-broke it. She'll be in here for a long time. One question, though."

"Yes, doc?" asked Applejack.

"Who hit her?"

"W-what do you mean, h-hit her?" said Twilight.

"I know a right hoof when I see it, especially the one she got the day the Angels came. Who hit her?"

"Uhh...can we keep that to ourselves?"

"...sure. But it'll be at least two weeks before we can get her out with our healing magic."

"Okay. Thank you, nurse."

"You're welcome."

She left to the room again.

"Dammit." said Applejack.

The Pony Eye

The group walked down the streets of Canterlot, pondering what would happen with the loss of their friend for a while.

“What are we going to do without Dash?” asked Twilight.

“She’s a natural leader in battle. When she fights, you just want to get behind her. Plus, when somepony tries to attack her, she kicks their ass. I don’t know, sugarcube, but we’ll have to improvise.” said Applejack.

“Improvise? She was our only chance, darling. I don’t know what we’re going to do without her.” replied Rarity.

“We’ll have to carry on. The Angels are still on the loose and still going to “save” ponies! It’s only a matter of time before they get so famous they can bathe in their cash.” said Applejack.

“...Somepony is following us.”

“We just don’t get a break, do we? Dear Celestia, this is ridiculous!” said Applejack.

“I bet you wish you never moved here, don’t you Twilight?” said Rarity,

“...are you kidding me? This is the most fun I’ve had in my life! I ain’t movin’!” said Twilight with a smile on her face.

“Very funny. So, what do we do about it?” said Applejack.

“The pony is a grey mare with black fur and a purple treble as her cutie mark.” said Twilight.

“Oh. That’s Octavia, she plays cello. Let’s approach her.”

The group walked up to Octavia. She had a blank expression on her face.

“You guys familiar with the Clockwork Angels?” asked Octavia, still carrying the blank expression on her face.

“Trust me; we know them very well.” said Twilight.

“So you have come to the same accusation that I have? That the Clockwork Angels are nothing more than fakes?”

“Indeed we have.” said Applejack.

“I...confronted them about the issue. In response, when I was sleeping, they broke into my house and stole my beloved cello.”

“...why should we care?” asked Rarity.

Octavia smiled.

“You’re going to get it back for me.”

The response that came out of the three ponies mouths sounded something like ‘Nouhuhwaycrazy”.

“Trust me. You’re going to do it. Why? Because I got them back.”

“W-wha?” said Rarity.

“I broke into where they were all staying and I stole a map. Apparently, they have a base under Dodge City. They have hoarded tons of information and various other things that may be useful...including details about their whole operation.”

“Wow! Tha-wait a minute.” said Twilight.

“Yes?” replied Octavia.

“Couldn’t you have done this yourself?” asked Twilight Sparkle.

“Hmm...who are you?”

“I’m Twilight. Twilight Sparkle. Just moved here from Ponyville.”

“And that is the reason I refuse to go.” said Octavia.

“Huh?” replied AJ.

“Twilight, you had to get past the Patrol to get here, right?” said Octavia.

“Yes. The point?”

“This place is guarded by a highly upgraded Patrol called the “BU2B’s” They are highly advanced, and I cannot take them on on my own. That is your job. You get me the cello, I give you the map. Deal?”

“...”

“...Deal.” said Applejack.

Outside the Angel’s base

“So...how the hell do we do this?” asked Applejack.

“Rarity. You will stand by the door and look out for the Angels. I doubt they will come, but if they do, tell us immediately. Applejack, you will take one half of the place while I take the other half. That way, we’ll find it much quicker. Again, Rarity. If you see ANYTHING, tell us.”

“I got you, Twilight.”

“Alright...time to commit our first crime, girls-”

“This is my fifth.” said Applejack.

The mares stared at her.

“...what?”

“Nevermind. Let me pick the lock.”

Twilight cast a magic spell that broke the lock immediately.

‘Okay! Let’s go!”

They searched around the house for a bit, looking everywhere that could possibly be looked. Nothing.

On Applejack’s side, she had been rummaging through really unimportant things when she slumped over, giving up.

“Twilight better have something...I don’t think I’ll be able to find anything.”

On Twilight’s side, she too was rummaging through useless crap. fortunately, unlike Applejack, he found a lever buried beneath some clothes. She pulled it and the wall behind her sank into the ground.

Inside it was many different things. Yo-yo’s, books, guitars, dance shoes, regular shoes, a gun, another gun, a robot part, and a knife among other things. Some of them had initials, leading Twilight to believe that these objects all belonged to other ponies, Sure enough, among this pile was a cello; Octavia engraved into the wood.

“Gotcha.”

She grabbed the cello and began to head to the door when she heard the dreaded words that she thought she wouldn’t hear in this whole heist.

“They’re here! The Angels are here!” screamed Rarity.

What was she going to do?...she only had one choice.

She ran back inside the false wall and took a yo-yo lying on the ground. She threw it at the lever, closing the wall in front of her.

She had no problem with this. She could teleport out at any time. What she was worried about was the timing. How would she know when the Angels had left? That was a problem that needed to be solved, but at the moment she couldn’t think of anything. Maybe Applejack and Rarity would call for her?

Hopefully.

Back on Applejack’s side, she had heard Rarity’s alarm. She didn’t see any place where she could hide, but then she spotted a pile of clothes that she had been rummaging through earlier. She quickly dove into them, trying to create a whole where she could breathe.

Rarity quickly ran around the house, looking for someplace to find shelter. she looked around frantically and found a window on the second floor. Rarity shrugged and dove through the window, forgetting that she was on the second floor of the house. She quickly fell down and hit the concrete with a thud, knocking her out on impact.

Limelight entered the house, followed by Red Barchetta, Radio Spirit, Headlong Flight and Freewill.

“We are climbing the ladder to fame very quickly, boys!” said Red as he entered the home.

“Yea! Rigging a rescue is easier than actually finding a crime! Great idea, Freewill!” said Limelight.

“Mhmm...something doesn’t seem right.” said Red.

“What do you mean?” asked Radio Spirit, frowning.

“Guys...I think somepony broke into our house.” he replied.

“Why would you think that?” asked Headlong.

“...there’s an eyelash planted on the wall...orange fur all over our clothes...and a white scarf is hanging out of our trapdoor wall.”