Author's Note

The Rainbooms finally meet the Four Pillars of Imperial Academy but the subject of that meeting screams danger…

8 Burn the Witch

Twilight thought of herself as the paragon of modern efficiency. Under the term “multitasking” in most major and accredited dictionaries, one of the definitions reads, “See Sparkle, T.” At the moment, she was living up to that description, as one hand was scratching at her dog, Spike, behind the ears, the other hand was working on a next generation remote beach camera drone, and speaking with Rarity over video chat on her laptop. Rarity had been recounting the events of that afternoon at her shop. According to Rarity, she was under dire duress and deep danger of being murdered. Twilight didn’t know how much was fact and how much was hyperbole; with Rarity it was difficult to tell.

Rarity had just finished her recount of the conversation she had with the one called, “The Grand Archmage,” as well the time and date of the meeting. The fashionista was also texting with Fluttershy, who seemed to be having an ancillary discussion with someone else. Rarity wasn’t sure who this “Steve” person was, but their timid friend was texting up a storm with them. Twilight, who wasn’t one to claim she was the be-all-know-all guru of interpersonal relationships (save for one particular instance of a Timber Spruce, film at eleven,) but for a demure girl like Fluttershy, this was a major development.

“It all seems a little suspicious to me,” Rarity said, “that this boy turns up at the moment of crisis, in the very nick of time in fact, but I have my worries, Twilight.”

“I think I know what you mean,” the science minded young woman replied, “though I think we may have differing reasons.”

“How so?” Rarity asked.

“It’s about those androids you described,” Twilight began.

“I thought it was a robot?” Rarity opined.

“No,” Twilight said, “the description that these Academy students gave suggests an android, or in this case, a gynoid. You know, a robot in the guise of a man. Well, a woman, in this instance.”

“Oh!” Rarity replied, “so, what are your concerns, dear Twilight?”

“From everything you’ve told me,” Twilight explained, “it sounds like these machines are designed with a sensor module that is calibrated to detect the sort of thaumatical energies that are the result of arcane emissions. I’m not sure what could have caused this machine to act as hostile as it did, but it seems to ro me that it would only do so when it confirms magical essence or thaumatical energy.”

Rarity didn’t speak for a moment then, “I’m sorry darling, but you lost me after ‘designed.’”

“Oh, Rarity,” Twilight mused, “let me simplify. You see, these machines are a kind of magic detector, like my old pendant. And it became violent when it was certain it had tracked down the magical source.”

“Oh, that does make sense,” Rarity sigherd, “Well, as frightening as this all was, the one good thing is that I didn’t need to close the Carousel Boutique for repairs or renovations.”

“It is sort of interesting how efficiently the Academy teams were able to render effective restoration of the damages done to your shop. I wonder how much experience these people have?”

“That does beggar many a question,” Rarity confirmed, “in any case, will you be able to come to this meeting tomorrow?”

“It’s at Sugarcube Corner, right?” Twilight asked.

“That’s what I’ve come to understand,” Rarity replied, “I hope we can all get some answers as to what happened and more importantly, why.”

“Yes, why indeed,” Twilight said.

Fluttershy had spent most of the night Saturday texting with Steven, trying to parse some of the insanity that occurred that afternoon. (This was after a few minutes screaming into her pillow, with Angel Bunny looking on in confusion.) She was unused to the wall of text explanations that Steve sent her, which did it’s best to rehash what had already been explained earlier. Conversations with her friends were very dynamic in comparison, with replies sent in seconds whereas Steve’s replies took several minutes. He did apologize because he was typing out replies with a bluetooth keyboard because he was not very good with a phone’s onscreen keyboard.

The gist of the things he told Fluttershy were almost too fantastical to believe. If she had not learned one of her best friends was a pony from a dimension of sophant, magical equines, or that powerful foes of that dimension were trapped in her world still possessed of their chaos making, energy draining powers, then she might have not believed all that he was telling her. Even so, a substrate of humans with the ability to channel “mana” and use it to generate magical effects. It didn’t sound like the kind of magic she and her friends used, but then again, they all had magic pendants. (And Wallflower had that stone, but that’s a different story altogether.)

Even so, Fluttershy just couldn’t dismiss the possibility, as unlikely as it seemed given what Princess Twilight told them, that there were humans hidden amongst the general populace that could use magic. She also could not dismiss the alleged automations called “adjudicators,” because if history were any indication of human proclivities, the existence of humans with arcane abilities would cause panic and panic had a nasty way of turning into a twisted form of xenophobia. The Spanish Inquisition, which none should be expecting, the Salem Witchcraft Trials, the rumors of satanic rituals in New England and the Pacific Northwest… There were plenty of examples of human intolerance to the preternatural.

Fluttershy was starting to feel sleepy (it was already two in the morning and Steve was still typing,) so she began a message telling him she was going to bed when she saw that he had one last message for her as well.

I know today (well yesterday) was supposed to be fun for both of us. I did have fun at the petting zoo. Really sorry about throwing you and your friend into the thick of things. I’ll try to make up for that, asap. I’m thinking of a movie, a trip to my favorite ice cream shop, and maybe some time at the carnival? I can see about getting any prize you like, for as long as I have money to play. Methinks we should both be asleep rn, so TTFN.

Okay, so maybe her Saturday was more eventful and traumatic than she would prefer, but the idea that her new friend was willing to compensate for a perfect day going sideways? It put a small smile on Fluttershy’s face. After setting her phone down on the charger and settling into her bed, Fluttershy went to sleep. It would be a fitful sleep, full of nightmares of her friends mangled corpses and a Terminator like machine hounding her at every step… but she wouldn’t remember much of it anyways.

Sunset was the first of her friends to arrive at Sugarcube Corner. Given what she was told by Rarity last night, and by Fluttershy earlier this morning, there was something going on in Canterlot that might require their unique experience in magical happenstance. The Equestrian-in-Exile was very familiar with enemies of a thaumatical nature; though this automaton called an adjudicator was something beyond her expertise, it presented a slew of new problems that could harm her friends or even herself. She was certain that if these machines were anything like Twilight’s magic tracking pendant, that whatever they were doing was about to cause some serious headaches.

As Sunset waited at the girls favorite corner booth, she saw Wallflower come in. The newcomer in their friend group, Wallflower was still getting used to being visible to anyone. It showed in that she was shyly clinging to the edge of the shop, being as much her namesake as possible. When Sunset waved at the girl, she saw Wallflower start in surprise before a smile sprang unto her face. The girl very carefully picked her way through the lunchtime crowd to join her newest friend.

“I’m glad to see you here, Wallflower,” Sunset beamed, “not much going on this Sunday?”

Wallflower shook her head, “I was just going to do some gardening, maybe read a book or something.”

“Sounds cozy,” Sunset replied, “do you want anything?”

“Uh,” Wallflower hesitated but when she saw Sunny smile brightly at her, she added, “a hot cocoa sounds good.”

“Coming right up!” Pinkie beamed, doing her best impression of a piranha plant.

“Pinkie!” Wallflower gasped, clutching her chest, “How did you-? How did she-? Why does she do that?”

“I’ve taken to theorizing that Pinkie has a neurological condition,” Sunset began, “it’s called, ‘doing things for lulz.’ She doesn’t mean any harm, really. She just likes seeing people smile. Just don’t delve too deeply into how she does what she does. Twilight spent three weeks trying to discern Pinkie’s antics into a scientific research paper and only ended up with a massive migraine. The poor girl…”

“Oh,” Wallflower breathed, “well, that’s good to know?”

Sunset inquired, “You’re not sure?”

“Not yet,” Wallflower responded, “but I’ll let you know when my pulse returns to normal.”

“Right, right,” Sunset mused, “you’ll get used to it eventually.”

“Okay,” Wallflower stated as Pinkie reappeared with her hot cocoa, which Wallflower paid for.

A few minutes later, Twilight walked in, carrying her dog, Spike. The science girl waved at Sunset and Wallflower, spotted Pinkie working at the counter and ordered a latte. The Twilight headed for the corner booth and sat down; Spike leapt from her lap and settled into Wallflower’s. The shy girl was a little surprised by the action but was soon scratching the little dog’s ears, a happy grin on her face.

“He’s really taking a like to her,” Twilight mused, “do you have any pets of your own, Wallflower?”

“Not really,” the girl answered, “my mother is allergic to all kinds of animal dander. My father is not what I would call an animal person. Our house isn’t very big, so keeping a pet is a challenge. But that’s okay, I have my garden and that’s good enough for me.”

Twilight looked upon Wallflower. This was more insight into a very lonely girl that she hadn’t thought about before the Lost Memories Incident. Now that Wallflower was part of the Rainbooms, Twilight was sure the lonely girl would never be lonely again. Even though Spike was her dog, and a talking dog now no less, he looked at home in Wallflower’s lap. Her pampering was definitely winning favor in the eyes of the canine.

“Well, if you ever want to play with Spike, you could go over to my house,”Twilight offered, “we have a good sized yard and all of Spike’s toys are there. You can play with him to your heart’s content.”

“T-t-thank you, Twilight,” Wallflower beamed, “I’ll think you take you up on that offer.”

Twilight beams, “I’m happy to help.”

Several minutes later, Applejack turned up, jumping out of the Sweet Apple Acres truck manned by her older brother. Pinkie has her good friend’s favorite drink and an apple fritter ready when the cowgirl drifts into the shop. Applejack takes her snacks, pays the charge, and walks towards her friends. After setting herself across from Wallflower, Applejack takes a drink from her large coffee (nothing fancy for the orchard worker,) and sets up her booted feet upon the ottoman/coffee table where the others have set their drinks.

“Are ya’ll the only ones here yet?” Applejack asked.

“So far,” Sunset replies, “I got a text from Rarity saying she was picking up Fluttershy at her house. She told me that Shy was up pretty late, so she was in no condition to drive today.”

“Ah, I see,” Applejack said, “any idea what kept Shy up so late?”

“Rarity explained that she was talking with one of the players of more recent events,” Sunset explained.

“Them players what are comin’ today to talk with us all?” Applejack asked.

Sunset nodded.

“Ya’ll think this has somethin’ to do with our pendants?” Applejack asked.

“From what I understand,” Twilight answered, “our pendants are a point of discussion, but it’s more about a new factor in the world that we didn’t know existed.”

“Like what?” Wallflower asked.

“Other humans with magic, I suppose,” Twilight said.

“And other humans that have designs on those with said magic,” Sunset added, “it has something to do with that boy I saw the other day…”

“Ya mean that weird guy that came through the drive through?”

Rainbow Dash was now standing near Sunset, a frappe in hand. When she had showed up, none now knew, but hers was a welcome voice in this discussion.

“I think it’s possible,” Sunset affirmed, “you felt it, didn’t you?”

“Yeah, I kinda did,” Rainbow replied, “I’m not sure I felt exactly what you did, Sunny, but I did get something out of that night. It was like- a wave or a breeze that swept through me. It didn’t hurt but it was kinda weird.”

“That’s pretty close to what I got,” Sunset said, “but it was also like I was getting scrutinized from a distance. The last time I felt like that was I was last in Princess Celestia’s presence.”

“Who?” Wallflower asked.

“Oh, right, I forgot to tell you about that,” Sunset asked, “remember how I explained about my- otherworldly origins?”

“Oh,” Wallflower said, “yes, I remember and how there are some people here that are duplicates of the ponies you knew back home?”

“Yup, that’s right. Well, one of the leaders of the nation I was born in, in the world from whence I came, is named Princess Celestia. Not to be confused with the principal, though she is a lot like The Princess. She was- my mentor, my idol- and, much to my own chagrin, ersatz mother figure.”

“Oh,” Wallflower repeated, then said, “is that why you sometimes say things like, ‘Sweet Celestia,’ and ‘by Celestia’s magnificent horn?’”

“Yeah,” Rainbow confirmed, “and after seeing Princess Twilight, we kinda get where that came from.”

“Another princess?” Wallflower asked.

“Eeyup,” Applejack confirmed, “she’s a bit like our Twilight-”

“But not exactly like,” Twilight confirmed.

“Yeah, even kinda sounds like her,” Applejack continued, “but she- it’s kinda hard to describe th’ differences, actually. Ya’ll have to see her yerself.”

“I-” Wallflower began, “I would- actually like to have that happen.”

“Well, if I can arrange it,” Sunset said, “I’ll see if Princess Twilight is available. She has a lot on her plate right now, so I can make no promises.”

“It’s okay,” Wallflower stated, “I can wait.”

“Good afternoon, darlings!” rang Rarity’s voice as she entered the shop, winter skirt fluttering around her; Fluttershy followed close behind, in a pair of jeans in her favorite hue of green and a cashmere turtleneck. While Rarity was alert and effervescent, Fluttershy was subdued and listless. She really had been rather late the night before. Rarity ordered a latte from Pinkie but to everyone’s surprise, Fluttershy ordered a triple espresso with a cruller. Like Wallflower, the quiet animal wrangler usually took to hot cocoa so a triple espresso was like Pinkie running Sugarcube Corner all hopped up on uppers. Well, that might not be entirely true, but for their soft spoken friend, it was a rather drastic departure from norms.

“You okay, Fluttershy,” Sunset asked as she watched her good friend take a seat across from the now perched Rainbow.

“Imma exhausted,” Fluttershy slurred, “yesterday afternoon’s adrenaline didn’t fade after I got home. I was talking to Steve for most of the night and into the morning and Zephyr was hogging the bathroom when I woke up. All in all? Worst. Morning. Ever.”

“Ooooo,” Pinkie crooned as she wondered over to where her friends had congregated, “tell us all this ‘Steve.’”

“He was there yesterday,” Rarity began, “at my boutique when I was- well, it wasn’t me that- construct was attacking, not originally, but it did a fine job of wrecking my store.”

“Was he the one that destroyed it in the end?” Twilight asked.

“Indeed,” Rarity affirmed, "with that mighty large hammer of his. I don’t understand half of what he said last night but I was under the assumption that he and some of his own were coming here to better explain.”

“He’s coming,” Fluttershy muttered, “‘ETA - 15 minutes.’”

“Did he just call ya?” Applejack asked.

“No, I texted him on the way over,” Fluttershy answered.

“You. Texted him?” Rainbow asked; Fluttershy nodded.

“This is getting juicy,” Pinkie crooned.

“Not right now, Pinkie,” Sunset stated, “did ‘Steve’ tell you how many were coming?”

Fluttershy nodded, adding, “he told me ‘the four pillars would be dropping by.’ I didn’t ask him what that meant, but he did say I would be seeing him today.”

“Sunny, Sunny, can I? Can I?” Pinkie vibrated.

“Not right now, Pinkie,” Sunset said.

“Hey, uh, I don’t know what relevance this has to do with anything,” Rainbow said, “but a limo just pulled up to The Sugarcube.”

The Rainbooms, plus Wallflower, turned to the direction that Rainbow Dash was pointing (Rarity whipped her head around so fast, she gave Twilight some hair whiplash,) and watched as a silvery limousine stopped at the curb of Sugarcube Corner. A crest of sorts, sporting a stylized globe with a phoenix hovering over it with twelve stars arrayed around it, was emblazoned on the passenger doors. The driver, a young man in a crisp uniform not all that dissimilar to a chauffeurs suit, exited the vehicle, strode to the nearest passenger door, and opened it.

The first person to exit the car was a tall and muscular young man in a military style uniform (in a grey, black, and red motif that Rarity found striking if a bit garish,) Upon his pate was a watch cap, in matching colors to his uniform, and he was shod in military boots that reached up to his knees. This man stood aside to allow for a young woman (Rarity recognized Miss Molly,) in a sleek business suit which was a platinum grey, coupled to a white blouse, gold tie, all wrapped under a warm gray cloak. On her head was a fedora, an actual fedora, that did little to hide her curly ginger mane. She moved to the other side of the door away from the military man.

The next person to exit was a handsome young woman in a seafoam kimono, patterned with golden maple leaves. Her blonde tresses were thrown into an elegant bun, a la geisha style, and she carried a hakoseko, carrying it by the strings. The geta she wore were fashioned from a dark maple wood which clacked lightly on the concrete sidewalk. Her carriage was one of import and leadership, something both Rarity and Sunset noted without much trouble.

The very last person stepping out of the limo was one Rarity and Fluttershy knew but the others were not. The Grand Archmage’s cloak was a midnight blue, with silver piping along the edges and runes of some ancient tongue inlaid into the fabric with gold. Under the cloak, he wore a plain black thermal henley, coupled with a silver turtleneck and a gaiter that matched that turtleneck. His trousers were also black, but of a sturdy canvas material, burdened with plenty of pockets. Rarity, specifically, was no fan of cargo pants, but on the Grand Archmage it seemed to work rather well. Black work boots were on his feet, and he had a satchel strapped across his chest.

The Rainbooms watched as a small conversation occurred with Imperial Academy students, then as one, marched to the door. The Military Man stepped in first and now that he was in the light of fluorescents, Rarity recognized the young man introduced the day before as Danny, Molly’s older brother. Molly followed afterward, then the young lady in the kimono, then the Grand Archmage himself. They spotted the Rainbooms, a little surprised by their number, and came over.

“Rarity, Fluttershy,” Steve greeted, “you did say you had a few friends. I’ll admit, I thought this might mean two or three others… What we have here is almost enough for a football team.”

“I didn’t think we would have such an audience,” the young woman said, “but I can be sure these here are in need of the explanations and warnings we have to give.”

“Indeed,” Sunset stated, “I guess introductions are in order. I’m Sunset Shimmer.”

“The iconic and awesome Rainbow Dash!”

“Applejack Apple.”

“I’m Pinkie Pie!”

“Rarity Carousel, a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

“My name is Twilight Sparkle.”

“I’m Fluttershy.”

“Uh, I’m Wallflower.”

“We call ourselves the Rainbooms,” Sunset added.

“Are ye a band?” Molly asked.

“Well, we do play instruments,” Rarity explained, “but we also think of ourselves as mascots for Canterlot High.”

“That’s more true than you can imagine,” Sunset said.

“Ah,” the young woman, “then I guess we should introduce ourselves as well. I am The Matron of Imperial Academy, First of House Majesty, Meghan Ann Williams.”

“Imma Primus Legate of House Praetorian, Daniel Anderson Douglas McAllister.”

“Rarity and Fluttershy know of me, but not me title; hello, all, I am First Sage of House Intelligentsia, Molly Catherine Elizabeth Williams.”

“Good morning, Vault Hunters! I am The Grand Archmage of House Endymion, Steven Edwin Ambrose.”

“Vault hunters?” Sunset asked.

“I’m more than a little obsessed with the Borderlands videogames,” Steven explained.

“Aye, he is,” Danny added, “he ev’n has hisself a model of that ship from Borderlands 3. Wassit call’d? Sanctuary 3?”

“Yes it is,” Steven breathed, “and I would like to know how you know about that.”

“Gentlemen,” Meghan ordered, “now is the time for your regularly scheduled testosterone dumps. We have business here and we should get to it.”

“My apologies, Matron,” Danny said. Steve said nothing.

“Grand Archmage?”

“I have nothing I should apologize for,” Steve stated, “my privacy was invaded in some fashion and I would, eventually, like to know how that came to be. Even so, you do have a point. Brass tacks, then?”

“Yes,” Meghan said cooly, “the witty patter is done away.”

Taking to the few empty seats still available in the corner, the four Imperial Academy students arrayed themselves before the Rainbooms. Meghan was perched on an ottoman with such regal poise that Sunset could only ascribe to Princess Celestia. Danny took one of the wooden slat chairs from a nearby table, turned it around backwards and laid his arms on the back of the chair. Molly plopped himself into a squashy plump seat nearby Rarity, looking a little out place in this establishment but beaming all the same. Steve, on the other hand, moved his hands in such a way that it appeared ritualistic, the Rainbooms felt a rush of air sweep over them that had little effect on the other customers, then he conjured a modern office chair crafted with mesh and dropped into that.

“Concealment charm,” Steve said, to the baffled faces of the Rainbooms, “none can hear what we’re talking about or witness any craftwork in action. That’s in case we need any more magic to be cast, though that might not be necessary.”

“Uh, okay,” Sunset said, “but why?”

“Sometimes,” Meghan began, “our- foes have paid informants or spies mixed among any populace. The chance of our presence being detected here can cause trouble for everyone not of magical heritage, so a concealment charm will mask any castings and prevent eavesdropping by hostiles.”

“That is one way to insure your privacy,” Rarity said, “so, where shall we begin?”

Meghan said, “let us start with the most basic of things. What do you all know of magic?”

“Magic is dormant here,” Sunset stated, “short of acquiring, uh, certain artifacts or originating from- well, let’s say, not born here- no one here has any magic whatsoever.”

“A reasonable assumption,” Meghan replied, “but a false assumption, nonetheless.”

“Pardon me?” Sunset asked.

“As you said, you believe that magic is ‘dormant.’ The experience of those of us attending The Imperial Academy, we have determined that magic isn’t so much as dormant as it is a recessive trait in the human genome.”

“Come again, darling?” Rarity mused.

“Yer’ll wearin’ them neckl’ces,” Danny said, “I may not be some Endymion House mage, but even I can sense yer all have magic origination’ from them pendants. And to be honest, unless yer all possessed of magic b’fore, then them pendants ain’t gonna do a damn thing.”

“I can confirm,” Molly added, passing a compact she retrieved from her pocket over the girls, “the Alleles are there, but they’re recessive but not the majority of ‘em. Those pendants are generating an arcane essence but it does look as if some of the alleles ya’ll possess are triggered. That especially true of you, Miss Sunset… No, wait, that ain’t right?”

“Lemme see, Molls?” Steven asked, and Molly showed him something in her compact, “well, I would never have guessed. Ms. Sunset, is there something you’re not telling us?”

“Uh,” Sunset stammered, “whatever do you mean?”

“What are ye meanin’, boyo?” Danny asked.

“Color me intrigued as well,” Meghan added.

“Ms. Shimmer here,” Steven began, “isn’t what we nominally call human. I mean sure, she has the standard human double helix would one consider as the norm for homo sapiens sapiens… but, there’s also a magically compressed aspect to those genes that suggests xenoterristrial origins… Methinks an explanation is in order.”

“Oh dear,” Rarity breathed, “I was afraid this might come up.”

“It's okay, Rarity, girls,” Sunset started, “it was bound to come up, given all we’ve been through. So, uh, where to begin?”

“Th’ beginnin’ be nice,” Molly quipped.

“Well, yeah, given,” Sunset stammered, “so, uh, yeah, I’m- not really from this dimension. Where I come from- humans are kinda of legendary creatures of chaos, ponies rule most of the planet, magic is not only real but every creature has some to one degree or another and I’m magical, miniature, pastel colored equine. Who is also a unicorn. And was once the protege of the most powerful leader of the planet.”

Meghan said, “That…”

Then Danny, “…is…”

“SO FECKIN’ AWESOME!” Molly squealed.

“Oh, come on!” Steven complained, “it was my turn to do the incredulous bit of that skit!”

“Wait, what?” Sunset wondered.

“Well, to be perfectly blunt,” Meghan began, “our instruments have been detecting some rather odd thaumatic frequencies coming from the direction of Canterlot High. We were never sure why they started or where they were coming from, we just knew that it was a foreign signature… Or, more accurately, it was a frequency that didn’t match up with any of the known magical elements in this world. Imperial Academy has long held the belief that there were only three schools of magic and it was only until three years ago did we see signs of a fourth. An exotic form of magic to us, but seemingly well versed to the world itself. So, if this is evidence of a fourth school- then we can only assume it’s origins are either outside of this world- or were an aspect of this world’s magical energies until very recently. House Intelligentsia and House Endymion are still debating over that.”

“So, you have no problem with me being a pony from another world?” Sunset asked.

“Inf’n’te d’vers’ty in inf’n’te combos,” Danny stated, “that’s how goes, right?”

“I think I hear Gene Roddenberry cursing from the grave,” Steve said, “but generally speaking, you’re correct.”

“Wow, nerd much?” Rainbow asked.

“Why yes, thank you for noticing!” Steven beamed.

“All that aside,” Molly said, “what happ’n’d yesterday was a chance fluke. But, after what Miss Rarity performed, I have no doubt them Adjudicators are going to pick this town apart wit’ a fine tooth comb.”

Wallflower then asked, “what exactly are these adjudicators?”

The Imperials then provided a short but thorough briefing of the capabilities, powers, and directives of the Adjudicators. By the end, even Rainbow Dash, the bravest of the Rainbooms, was green to her gills. The discussion involved the varied methods the androids used to extract magic, though not in the kind of grisly detail that most Imperial Academy students knew about. It was a sobering message for the Rainbooms.

“Well that was disturbing,” Sunset moaned, “and you think we can expect these machines to pop up again?”

“More than certain,” Meghan answered, “the pendants most of you were have arcane energy signatures that the Adjudicators would know to actively track. And unfortunately for you, Miss Wallflower, you now also possess an arcane signature. Keeping near your friends may help mitigate the droids ability to detect you, but given that Adjudicators have a proven track record of stealth and covert insertion plus integration, pointing one out is going to be difficult until one has been fully activated. To be perfectly honest, we can only tell when one is in range of our mage senses, and even then, it’s a toss up.”

Meghan added, “And by that point, you’ll be engaged by an Adjudicator anyway.”

“So, what do we do?” Sunset asked.

“For the moment, hold off on using your pendants or any other magical artifacts or powers,” Steve suggested, “until we can be certain that Adjudicators aren’t aiming for Canterlot City, caution must be taken around using magic of any sort.”

“I am going to be safe?” Wallflower asked.

“If the magic you used was based on an extra-tangential artifact, then I don’t think you’ll be targeted specifically,” Steven answered, “but I would use the precautions we outlined here especially if you start seeing people strange to you.”

“Like yourself?” Rainbow joked.

“That’s not even the realm of funny,” Meghan stated, “what we’re cautioning you all specifically is to be on the lookout for anyone tailing you at a distance or doing everything they can to remain inconspicuous.”

“Oooo, like James Blonde?” Pinkie asked.

“Ugh, I never liked those films,” Danny groaned.

“I was thinking more like ‘Burn Notice,’” Steven added, “but yeah, similarly.”

“Should we be expecting shootouts in the street anytime soon?” Rarity asked, and promptly received confused glares form her friends.

“You like the ‘James Blonde’ films?” Applejack asked.

“Well, yes,” Rarity answered, only for the glares to continue, “what? The man is well dressed and the ladies he woos are very fashionable and elegant. The action is a little over the top but I do like the espionage aspect. My dream crossover would Mr. Blonde and Shadow Spade! The chic detective and the debonair spy? Oh, be still my beating heart!”

“Rarity, I love ya, but you’re a weirdo.” Rainbow Dash opines.

“Oh, my, goodness,” Meghan beams, “you read Shadow Spade?! I love her!”

“Isn’t she amazing?” Rarity replies.

“Ach, great,” Danny moaned, “those ‘r’ gonna go on an’ on about their favorite fictional heroine…”

“Yea, verily,” Molly confirmed, “we need t’ get these two separated before they start a mutual admiration society.”

At that moment, four sets of smartphones rang with notices. Steve was the first to procure his form a pocket within his robes. He looked at what was on the screen and paled. So did Danny, Molly, and Meghan. In their little sphere of silence, The Rainbooms looked on in confusion until Steve rose suddenly.

“We need to go,” he said tersely, “something just happened that requires our attention- Keep to your daily routines, go to school and jobs, but if you anyone who seems suspicious to you, call us on these.”

Steve then handed the Rainbooms, and Wallflower, something akin to a pager, but as thin as a credit card, set within a dark gray rubberized strap. The surface of the credit card device flashed with symbols as each one took their device. It was Applejack who slapped onto her wrist; it seemed to function like a watch but there was more going on the virtual crystal than any watch had business to display.

“These are P-HATs,” Steve said, “they’re kinda like smartwatches, but the screen is able to project a hard light holographic display. It will respond to your voices and if you say ‘the gods are dead,’ then that should alert everyone of us,” he gestured to Danny, Molly, and Meghan, “and we’ll be there with all alacrity. I’m sorry we need to cut this short but- there seems to be some Adjudicator activity at the edge of the city and we need to investigate.”

The shocked Rainbooms said hasty goodbyes to their Imperial acquaintances; the four left quickly, with Steve leaving a twenty dollar bill on the table for their drinks. The four Imperials entered their limo with all haste and drove away, leaving the girls stunned- and very very scared.