A Bug in the System

Chapters

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5

Chapter 1

The bell rang the end of the class, the last time Twilight would have to hear the note-perfect chimes of the Crystal Prep Academy. She rushed to her closet to empty it and get it ready for its next owner, Sour Sweet and Lemon Zest accompanying her on the way. Sunny Flare and Sugarcoat have already been waiting by her closet.

“Well, I guess it’s time to say goodbye.” Sour Sweet stood with the sincerest puppy dog eyes she’s ever done.

“Aw, don’t be so gloomy.” Twilight forced a reassuring smile. “I’m not leaving you forever. We can still meet outside of school.”

“Yeah, but still...” Sour Sweet continued. “It was still good to have you around.”

“Yes, she was the only person who’d let you yell at her.” Sugarcoat’s blank expression betrayed no malice, but her words rippled through everyone’s faces, like a shockwave of brutal truth.

The sadness suddenly disappeared from Sour Sweet’s eyes, as she glared at Sugarcoat. Though her anger stemmed less from what Sugarcoat said and more the truthfulness of the statement.

Lemon Zest tried keeping the positivity in the air and helped Twilight pack. “I wish we could have been better friends to you.” She said.

“Yeah, you don’t know what you miss until you lose it.” Sour Sweet repeated an ancient wisdom that she read in a fortune cookie once.

“You still haven’t told us why you’re transferring.” Sunny Flare leaned against the lockers with crossed arms.

Twilight looked to the ceiling for the right way to answer. “I still haven’t figured out the right way to say it.”

Sunny Flare took a few steps towards her. “Your graduation score is going to suffer so much.”

“I don’t really mind that, to be honest.” Twilight waved her hand. “At the last Friendship Games I saw that academics aren’t everything and I still got much to learn.”

“Like what?” Sunny Flare kept this low-key interrogation going.

Twilight finished packing while she looked for the right words to say. “You know, Crystal Prep is a very competitive environment. It’s too stressful for me and I just wanna experience the fun side of going to school. You know, have some parties, pull pranks on others...”

“Just say it,” Sugarcoat barged into the conversation once again, “you hate us.”

Her comment fell with the bluntness of an anvil. Everyone else seemed to have lost their balance for a second, as if they could feel the weight of her words shake the ground.

“What? No!” Twilight tried to defend herself.

“No, it’s understandable,” Sugarcoat’s eyes slowly fell towards the ground, “we’ve been nothing but jerks to you this whole time.”

Twilight tried coming up with something uplifting to say, but words were escaping her.

“She’s not wrong, is she?” Lemon Zest’s usually sharp voice was softened by guilt. It was like she was scolding everyone, including herself. They all fell into a silent remorseful agreement.

“Twilight, wait!” Indigo Zap finally emerged from the corner, her lively attitude breaking the bleakness of the atmosphere. “I almost forgot to give your pen back.”

Twilight looked at the four-colour ballpoint pen, that she parted ways with too long ago, to even miss it anymore. “Didn’t I lend this to you two years ago?”

“Y-yeah...” Indigo Zap pried out a sheepish confirmation.

Twilight turned back to the rest of the group. “Don’t worry guys, we will continue to see each-other. I’m sure my new friends will be happy to meet you.” The bell rang the start of the next class, which Twilight has already graduated in. “I should really get going.” She turned and headed to the door.

The rest of the girls didn’t stay behind for long either. Indigo Zap was hoping she could exchange a few more words with Twilight, so she stared in her direction for a few more seconds.

“Oh, before I forget!” Twilight turned back and took out a key from her bag. “I wanted to give the key to the science lab to you, Sugarcoat.”

Sugarcoat turned around in surprise. She took the key which had a tag attached to it, with the number 14 and “science lab #3” written on the tag’s other side, for those who’d forget what the number 14 class was supposed to be.

“Just be sure to return it to Principal Cinch. I’m sure she’ll let you have it.” Twilight turned around and walked out through the entrance.

Sugarcoat stared at the key, while the rest of the group took off to their next class. They weren’t in a hurry; their mood just didn’t allow them to really care about being late. They simply had other things on mind.

“Don’t you think it’s strange that she’s transferring schools?” Sunny Flare hushed.

“Nah mate,” Indigo Zap commented, “have you seen what kind of magic malarkey Canterlot High is up to? They made me want to transfer as well.”

“Twilight literally just told us why she’s transferring.” Sour Sweet finally let her impatience get back to her.

“But that explanation sounded nothing like Twilight. I’m sure there’s something going on here.” Sunny Flare kept trying to keep the gossip going.

“Beg your pardon, I was late and missed your conversation.” Indigo Zap said. “What did Twilight say?”

While they were having that discussion, Sugarcoat was preoccupied with the key’s tag. She noticed a little bit of paper sticking out from inside the tag, as if she could take it apart and find a secret message. She could pry it open with the points of her nails and indeed there was something written on the tiny piece of paper. It said “drawer 4.” Suddenly a feeling of intense curiosity took her over. She knew that Principal Cinch would be looking for the key, so she had to take a detour to find out what’s inside drawer 4. There’s a little chance that Cinch would not let her have the key after all, in which case she’d never find out why drawer 4 was so important.

Sunny Flare noticed that Sugarcoat departed into a different direction. “Where’re you going?”

Sugarcoat stared back at her for a moment. “To the bathroom. I’m not feeling good.”

“Alright, fair enough.” They let her go, knowing that they’re all late as is, almost as much as Indigo Zap was all the time.

Sugarcoat opened the door to science lab #3, then hastily went in and quietly locked the door behind herself. She didn’t even turn on the lights, to not attract any attention whatsoever. She didn’t mind that she was way late for class; she had a perfect alibi. That is, as long as everybody thinks she’s in the bathroom.

Using the built-in flashlight on her phone, she could see that the science lab was completely empty, save for the school’s own equipment. Though it was empty, there were still hints of messiness scattered around. There was a bulletin board, with several thumbtacks still sticking out of it. Many of them were holding onto tiny shreds of paper. There were also a couple bits of red string scattered on the floor. Sugarcoat knew that Twilight was researching strange phenomena at Canterlot High, but she was still surprised that she’d leave the place so messy. Perhaps there was something else going on in the time between the Friendship Games and Twilight’s transferring. Maybe drawer 4 will reveal some answers, to some yet unasked questions.

Except, there was no drawer 4; the drawers weren’t labelled by number, they were labelled by letter. Sugarcoat opened the fourth drawer, which, in this case was drawer D. There was nothing in it, only ordinary lab equipment. She felt a hint of frustration, as she dug through the contents of the drawer and found nothing that would warrant skipping class. That is, until she realized that the number four, is often used to replace the letter A in certain circles. So she looked in drawer A as well.

Drawer A was completely ordinary as well; just some perfectly ordinary equipment. Sugarcoat took a deep breath and blew the annoyed air out through her nose, before shutting the drawer back in forcefully, but quietly. Then she heard a noise that sounded like paper rustling. The drawer was moving with slightly more difficulty than the other drawer. As if something was getting in the way of its movement. She kept hearing the sound of paper rustling as she moved the drawer in and out. She reached in and tapped the roof of the drawer and there was indeed a paper folder taped there.

She carefully removed the tape, in a way that she could put it back in. Inside the folder, there was a torn piece of old newspaper about bomb shelters being built in schools, including Crystal Prep. Behind it, a cleanly cut out article from six years ago. “Informant helps police expose criminal gang.” “Changeling leader ‘Chrysalis’ still at large.” They read. Beyond that, there were seemingly random photos of Principal Cinch from different years, along with a photo of a vertical crack in the wall.

She laid them all out on the table and took pictures of them with her phone. But just as she was about to put it back where she found it, she decided against it and slid the folder into her bag. She made sure to leave everything in the lab the way she found it and left.

Sugarcoat left the science lab just as carefully as she entered and hurried towards her class. She turned the corner and bumped into someone. Despite this someone’s lanky physique, they stood completely unmoved by the girl running into them at full force.

“Ah, Sugarcoat, I was just looking for you.” The deep voice of Principal Cinch could be heard.

“A-are you looking for the key to the science lab?” Sugarcoat’s voice shook for the duration of a single syllable, as her heart skipped a beat.

“Why yes, that is what I’m looking for.”

Sugarcoat handed over the key, her face betraying no emotion, but her hand shook slightly. Cinch took the key and glared at her accusingly.

“Why are you so late?”

“I was in the bathroom...” Sugarcoat forced a blank expression. She now had to put effort into something that usually comes so naturally to her.

Cinch raised an eyebrow, unsatisfied with the excuse.

Sugarcoat glanced aside, as she quickly looked for a believable excuse. “Lady business...”

“Ah, but of course!” Cinch let out an uncomfortable laugh. “Surely none of your fault. I’ll let your teacher know the reason of your absence.” She said and escorted Sugarcoat into the classroom.

Sugarcoat didn’t bother paying attention in class. She missed half of it anyway, so she didn’t see the point. Her thoughts were circling around Twilight’s hidden folder. She knew that it was something substantial, but she didn’t know what it was about yet. After class, she sent a text to Twilight asking about it, but she got no answer.

Sunny Flare was packing her locker next to her, measuring Sugarcoat up and down; she could sense that she has found out something interesting.

Sugarcoat turned to her. “Hey, so I missed most of that class, can I borrow your notes?”

“Sure!” Sunny gave her the notebook without missing a beat. Her curiosity got the best of her, so she had to speak up. “Why were you so late?”

Sugarcoat replied with a blank stare. “I wasn’t feeling well...”

“You went into the science lab, haven’t you?” Sunny pried further.

Sugarcoat looked around cautiously, before motioning Sunny closer. “Yeah, I did. And I think I found something.”

“What did you find?”

“I can’t say it right now. Let’s do a video call tonight and I’ll tell you then.”

Sunny Flare nodded. They leaned out of their lockers and took off.

Night has arrived. Sunny Flare was lying in her bed, already in pyjamas, holding her wrist device in her palms. She was waiting for Sugarcoat to answer her call. The curiosity was eating her up, so waiting for Sugarcoat just got more and more frustrating.

Finally Sugarcoat’s blank expression appeared on the device’s screen. She was wrapped in her blanket with her hair down.

“Finally, the first time you’re late for something and it’s your own idea.” Sunny barked.

“I have a night schedule.” Said Sugarcoat, unfazed by the nagging coming out of her laptop’s speakers.

“Whatever, what did you find? Just spit it out.”

“This folder.” She held it to the screen. “I think it’s Twilight’s last research.”

“Huh, did she forget it?”

“Actually, I think she left it there on purpose.”

“Why would she do that?”

“Well for one thing, it was hidden inside one of the drawers. Two, there was the drawer’s number inside the key’s tag. So she didn’t just leave it there, she hid it intentionally.”

“Interesting, what’s inside it?”

“These random articles about war era shelters and a criminal gang and random photos of Principal Cinch. Here, I’ll send them to you.”

Sugarcoat’s photos of the folder’s contents have slowly appeared on Sunny Flare’s screen, as the file finished uploading. She looked through them, an unexplainable sinking feeling taking over her, as if she was uncovering something she wasn’t meant to see.

“I don’t get it. What does any of this mean?”

“Well, I have a hypothesis... But it’s kinda weird...”

“Tell me.”

Sugarcoat pondered for a moment on whether she should say anything or not. But since she already started, there was no stopping. “I think Twilight has found out something about Cinch and that is what she was researching.”

Sunny Flare gasped as a thought struck her brain. “Maybe that’s why she transferred. She didn’t want Cinch to catch her.”

“Let’s not make gossip out of this. In fact, let’s not mention it to anybody.”

“Wait really? You don’t wanna know what all of this is about?”

“I do, but I think we should refrain from making any conclusions. We don’t even know if it’s Twilight’s at all.”

“Well, just ask her.”

“I did. I texted her, asking what’s inside drawer 4. She said she doesn’t know.”

“Well that’s useless.”

“She did also tell me, that she left something in her locker and asked me to bring it to her after school.”

“Do you think she means the mystery folder?”

“Well, considering that she left her locker totally empty, this must be it.”

Sunny Flare finally took a closer look at the pictures Sugarcoat has taken. “Wow, you’re really bad at taking photos, Sugarcoat.”

“It wasn’t the best environment for that.”

“Yeah, I can tell. Your flash blots out pretty much every single photo.”

“I had to be discreet, I’m sorry it’s not high-quality.”

“Is that one a crack in the wall?”

“Seems like it.”

“I’m pretty sure that one is by the pools?”

“How can you tell?”

“I always wondered what that’s about, so I recognize it. Do you reckon, it’s got something to do with the war era shelters?”

“You think that crack might lead to it?”

“Maybe...”

“I think we should just calm down and look this stuff up.”

“I want to take a look at this folder in person, because your pictures are terrible.”

“Alright, but we’re going to have to be very discreet.”

“You know who could tell us about Twi’s research?”

“Sunny, I really don’t think we should mention any of this to anybody.”

“Moondancer! She was relatively close to Twilight and they shared some research before. Maybe she has an idea?”

“Alright, you can ask her. But please ask just her and don’t make gossip out of it.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t.”

“In the meantime, I’m gonna do some research on these things. I’ll be sure to ask Twilight as well, once we meet.”

“Alright, sounds like a plan to me.”

“Cool. Good night.”

Sugarcoat abruptly ended the call. There was nothing but social pleasantries left, so she saved the time and just went to bed. Meaning, that Sunny Flare now had nobody to share her excitement with. She stayed up longer than she should have, because the curiosity just kept prodding at her, keeping her up.

Chapter 2

Sugarcoat and Sunny Flare were wondering around the entrance hall of the school. Crystal Prep is a prestigious school that will never miss an opportunity to showcase its accomplishments, so the entrance hall is filled with old photos of significant moments and old tableaus. Sunny was going back and forth between the pictures, while Sugarcoat paced impatiently.

“Why are we here again?” Sugarcoat asked.

“I knew those photos that Twilight had in her folder were familiar. Those pictures of Cinch all come from here.”

“We’ve seen these pictures a million times already. If there was something weird about them, we would have noticed it already.”

“I did notice it. Look how pretty she is when she smiles.”

Sugarcoat dropped her shoulders, as if she was regretting ever telling Sunny about anything.

Sunny Flare continued. “She also went through a lot of different make-up routines. Look, she’s got different colour eye shadow in these two pictures.”

“These are black and white photos.”

“I can tell shades of gray apart.”

“Okay, well, what does this have to do with anything?”

“Look,” Sunny Flare moved to the more recent photos, “around this time, her make-up got consistent and she also stopped smiling. At least not sincerely. It’s like her personality changed.”

“You got all that from low quality still images?”

“You can gather a lot from how somebody does their make-up and how they carry themselves. And I see that Cinch wasn’t nearly as authoritarian back then, as she is today.”

Sugarcoat turned to her, with an odd mocking air around her, even though her expression remained unchanged. “What, you think she’s been replaced?”

“No...” Sunny Flare denied it with some uncertainty in her tone. “Something did happen to her though. Maybe it’s got something to do with the other stuff Twilight had in that folder.”

“Alright, I’m gonna meet up with Twilight, you look at the pictures some more.”

Sugarcoat headed straight towards the entrance door. Sunny Flare however didn’t stick around for long. She went deeper into the school to look for Moondancer. Sugarcoat was just about to leave, but her path was unexpectedly intercepted by Principal Cinch.

“I understand you’re bringing something to Twilight.”

“Yes.” Sugarcoat wasn’t nearly as surprised as Cinch hoped she would be. It was almost as if she was expecting her.

“May I take a look at it, please?” Cinch spoke with a scolding tone.

“Sure.” Sugarcoat took the folder out of her bag, completely unperturbed by the shadow that the pushy principal was casting over her.

Cinch took the folder and looked over its contents. What she found were simple notes from English class from a few months ago. One of the final exam items as well, so there really wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. She silently put the notes back into the folder and gave it back to Sugarcoat. She then left, her usual hard confident steps now seeming intentional. Sugarcoat couldn’t help but smirk under her nose, as she left the school building.

Meanwhile, Sunny Flare managed to catch up to Moondancer. She was preparing for her extra class, along with Minuette.

“Hey, Moondancer.” Both of the studious girls were slightly shaken when Sunny approached them. “Do you know anything about Twilight’s last research?”

“Y-you mean the strange phenomena at Canterlot High? I think she finished that one.”

“No, the one after that; something about bomb shelters.”

“There was another one?”

“How would she know?” Minuette said. “Twi never told anyone about that one.”

Moondancer turned to her with furrowed eyebrows. “How do you know about it, if she never told anyone?”

“I uh...”

“Yeah...” Sunny Flare crossed her arms with feigned suspicion. “How do you know about it?”

“I mean... Uh... You know...” Minuette tried desperately to look for the right excuse. “She was researching stuff all the time, so I just assumed...”

“Oh, so you assumed...” Sunny Flare glared deep into Minuette’s eyes, now with sincere suspicion.

Moondancer glanced back and forth between Sunny and her friend, looking for an answer.

Minuette tried to hide behind her hair, then she forced an awkward smile onto her lips. “Alright, good talk, we gotta go to our class.”

“Oh no, you’re not getting away that easily.” Sunny stepped up to Minuette. “You are going to tell me about Twilight’s research first.”

“I told you, I don’t know anything.”

“Sunny, what is this all about?” Moondancer pleaded from the side.

“What it is about,” Sunny Flare raised her voice, “that Twilight clearly knew something and knowing that something got her in trouble, so she transferred.”

“Sunny, that is ridiculous!” Moondancer argued.

“Is it? Why don’t you tell us about just how ridiculous it is, Minuette?”

Minuette was slowly stepping backwards as Sunny kept prying for information. “Sunny, please be quiet!”

“I bet you were somehow involved. Are you perhaps the reason she transferred?”

“No, I’m not!”

“Oh, so what is? Tell me!”

“She’s in incredible danger Sunny! And you’ll be too if you keep going!”

Sunny Flare stopped in her march of intimidation. For the first time ever, Minuette scared her. She backed away slightly, as tears began streaming down Minuette’s face.

“That’s enough Sunny!” Moondancer jumped in to comfort her friend. “What the heck is your problem?”

Sunny Flare stayed quiet. She was actually hoping that Minuette was going to answer that question, but had no plan on what she was going to do once she got any answer.

Minuette gathered herself enough to form words without her erratic breathing getting in the way. “I will tell you everything I know after class. Just please promise me that you’ll not go after what Twilight was looking for.”

Principal Cinch called me into her office... This was a week or so after the Friendship Games. Twilight was already thinking of transferring to Canterlot High. Cinch seemed anxious, as she kept pacing back and forth the office, constantly looking out the window through the curtains. She was clearly straining to keep a calm face.

“I understand Twilight is working on another research of hers...” She began what felt like an interrogation.

“I-I guess so. She does all kinds of research all the time.”

“You don’t happen to know what this research is about.”

“N-no, she hasn’t told me.”

“Interesting...” She muttered and walked to the other side of the office.

I tensed up in the chair, waiting for something bad to happen. I didn’t understand what she wanted, but I felt like I was in danger. “She doesn’t really talk about her researches to us. Maybe you should ask her instead.”

She whipped her head around, her eyes piercing right into my soul. “That won’t be necessary.” She stepped away from the window and towered above me. “You could find it out for me.”

“I don’t understand. Why can’t you just ask her?”

“The explanation would be too much for someone with your intellect, Minuette. Now, here’s what I want you to do.” She stepped around the table and sat down into her chair. She put her fingertips together and leaned towards me, staring deep into my eyes. “Twilight Sparkle has the key to the third science lab. Because she’s the only one using it, she gets to keep it. You are going to get the key off her, then go in and document whatever she’s researching, then report back to me. Understand?”

“You want me to steal from her?”

“I do not care how you get the key. The point is that you get it.”

I squirmed in the chair. I was intensely uncomfortable with what Cinch wanted me to do. “Honestly I...” The words could barely escape my mouth, with Cinch’s bitter gaze fixed on me. “I don’t want to invade her privacy like that... If she doesn’t want to talk about her research then-”

“Minuette, I’m not interested in you moralistic excuses.”

“I... I don’t want to do this.” I said with the least amount of assertiveness possible.

Her eyes turned cold. She straightened her back and her lips gave way to some kind of malicious amusement. “Very well then...” She slid a document in front of her. “I understand you want to be a doctor in the future.”

“Y-yes...”

“You know, I could always give them a few good words about you as a recommendation. You are one of our priced students, after all.” She seemed to suppress a laugh. “I could always do the opposite. I could tell them that you’re not worth their time. Disobedient, disrespectful, unreliable, talks back to teachers...” She stood up and leaned on the table, getting really close to my face. “How are you going to feel about all the people you cannot help, just because this one time you decided to contend with my authority? Are you really going to turn your back on all the people who’ll need your help?”

Needless to say, I relented. There was nothing I could do against such an assault on my emotions. In a moment when Twilight was distracted, I took the key and put it away and I entered the science lab.

In there, I saw all these newspaper articles she gathered, radio signal analysis, old blueprints of the school and most of all, the bulletin board filled with data linking the criminal activity of the changeling gang, to the work and holiday schedule of Cinch. I grabbed my phone to take pictures, but hesitated. I knew that if I forward any of this to Cinch, something horrible was going to happen.

Thankfully, Twilight must have noticed the missing key and hurried to the science lab. I was terrified when she barged in through the door. I immediately began apologizing.

Her eyes shot wide open once I managed to explain that Cinch made me do it. “Oh no, she’s onto me!” She immediately began tearing down everything she put up, stuffing everything into her bag, then into the bin once her bag was full.

“What do I do? I can’t go to her empty handed!” I panicked. “But I don’t want you to get in trouble either.”

“She is going to kill both of us, if she finds out what I know!” She panicked as well. “I wouldn’t forgive myself for getting you involved.”

“Maybe if we put up a fake research, I could tell her you’ve been doing nothing wrong.”

She stopped ripping the lab apart and looked at me. “You’re right!” She then dug through the tore up research. “I could just leave up the war related stuff and say I was researching about the bomb shelters they built in schools!”

So we did that. We even printed out a few extra articles, just to make it look more legit. Then that’s what I took pictures of. I told Cinch that Twilight was only investigating about different schools’ bomb shelters and what happened to them. Cinch didn’t seem convinced, but it was enough to get her off my back at least.

Sunny Flare sat there, her eyes and mouth agape, as Minuette finished her confession. Minuette’s eyes were red from tears and her fingers were clutching a cup of coffee that went cold by then. A few seconds passed in silence, before Sunny got back into the present.

“What was Twilight researching though?”

“No, Sunny!” Minuette protested. “Twilight has gotten into a very dangerous situation as is and I’m not going to let you follow her there.” She drank the last drops in her mug and sighed. “This is all I’m willing to tell you. I’m sorry.” She then stood up and left.

Sunny stared in Minuette’s direction for a bit, then turned back to stare at the table in front of her to process what she has just heard. What is it that Principal Cinch does not want to come to light?

Sugarcoat was waiting for Twilight in front of Sugarcube Corner, where they agreed to meet. Twilight was a bit late. Social appointments were never her forte, but she always made a point to arrive on time. When she finally arrived, she seemed vary of something, constantly looking around as if she was expecting someone to be watching her. She was also carrying a fat folder of what looked like empty paper.

“Hey, Sugarcoat, have you brought my notes?”

“Yes, I have.” Sugarcoat took out the folder.

Twilight peeked inside, just to make sure it was the right one and then closed it once she was satisfied. “Thank you, Sugarcoat, this means a lot to me.” Sugarcoat nodded and was just about to say something, but Twilight held her mouth shut with a finger. “Hey, it’s been a while. Would you like to catch up with a milkshake?” Her tone was casual, but her expression and the way she cocked her head towards the confectionery’s entrance gave way for a sense of urgency.

Sugarcoat paused for a moment. “Y-yeah, sure...”

They went inside, sat down in front of each-other and ordered their milkshakes.

“I know it’s been only a day, but I’m missing you guys already.” Twilight said, while she took out an empty sheet of paper from her folder. She wrote something on it, then passed it to Sugarcoat.

“Yeah, it’s...” Sugarcoat stopped in the middle of the sentence once she read what Twilight has written.

“Cinch has bugged my phone.”

Sugarcoat then continued her sentence and wrote something back to Twilight. “The girls are missing you a lot as well.” She then passed the paper back to Twilight. “Especially Sour Sweet.”

“Yeah, I figured. She tried to take the documents away, but I had a decoy.”

Twilight mustered a giggle. “She no longer has anybody who lets being yelled at.” She then passed the paper back.

“I intentionally hid that file in the lab. I knew you’d find it, because you are very intelligent.”

A tiny smile and a hint of a blush appeared on Sugarcoat’s face. “Yeah, she can be a work.” She then passed the paper. She waited a few seconds to let Twilight write out her reply. “So how’s Canterlot High?”

“So what is this all about?”

“It’s quite lax; so good to have the Crystal stress off my shoulder.” She then passed the paper back. “I can’t believe how friendly everyone is. Though it’s weird how many recognize you. Apparently there was another Twilight Sparkle at some point.”

“I can’t tell you everything right now, but I can point you towards the information you need.”

Sugarcoat wrote something very short then passed the paper back. “How are your new friends?”

“Ok.”

“They’re very accepting... I’m now part of the Rainbooms... How is everything in Crystal Prep?” She needed time to write out the next message, so she passed the verbal part of the conversation back to Sugarcoat.

“Everything’s basically the same...” Sugarcoat genuinely didn’t have much to say in that regard, so she quickly came up with something. “Lemon Zest is actually a big fan of the Rainbooms. I can’t wait to tell her you’re a part of them now... Maybe we should form a band too.”

“That sounds great!” Twilight finally passed the paper back to Sugarcoat. “I’d love to hear you guys if that ever happens.”

Sugarcoat looked over the long message; it was a long list of books, documentaries and archives that still hold old documents. She gave Twilight the thumbs up.

“Well, it was nice talking with you.” Twilight hastily stood up. “I’m already studying for the finals; can’t waste much time with it.”

“Alright, I’ve got a lot of studying to do as well.” Sugarcoat hinted at the list she’s been given.

Twilight gave the thumbs up back, along with a huge pleased grin. She then left, taking her milkshake with her.

Sugarcoat folded the list and put it in her pencil case for safekeeping. Mentally, she was already splitting the research between her and Sunny Flare. In the meantime, she drank her milkshake at a comfortable pace.

“So you’re telling me, Minuette is in on it as well?” Sugarcoat talked into her laptop, from the warmth of her blanket.

“Yes and she’s not telling everything she knows.” Sunny Flare replied from the other side of the screen.

“That might not be a problem. Twilight gave me a list on where to look for information.” Sugarcoat sent the photo she made of the list.

“Ooh, finally some kind of lead!”

“I’ll do the stuff about the war and bomb shelters.”

“The changeling gang does sound more exciting and not just because it’s mostly documentaries. ‘Take it with a grain of salt, because there’s a lot of speculation and conspiracy theories around them.’ Sounds right up my alley.”

“Here’s another thing...” Sugarcoat’s voice got quiet.

“What’s that?” Sunny Flare got quiet along with her.

“Cinch has apparently bugged Twilight’s phone.”

“What? No way! That’s super sketchy.” Sunny blurted out suddenly.

“Yeah, we might have to hold onto our phones very carefully from now.”

“Hmm... I think I have a better idea. What if, we deliberately lost our phones?”

“How are we going to do that? Cinch will immediately be suspicious if we suddenly didn’t bring our phones.”

“We could stage a mass phone robbery. We could tell the girls to go along with it, to make sure nobody around us gets to be Cinch’s second ears. If we get Minuette on the act as well, it’ll look more legit.”

“But we agreed to not tell anyone.”

“Hmm, good point...” Sunny Flare stroke her chin. “We could just not tell them. Say that Twilight’s phone was bugged by someone and we’re looking for who did it, while also trying not to get bugged ourselves.”

“Something like that could work. Just don’t say that to Cinch directly.”

“Alright, tomorrow we set the plan in motion. Then we can do our research in peace.”

Chapter 3

The school hallways were filled with the noise of the forenoon rush; perfect time for Sunny Flare and Sugarcoat to set their plan in motion. They gathered their friend group together and hid behind the chatter.

“Girls listen,” Sunny hushed to the group, “we have a bit weird favour to ask from you.”

“Sure, what is it?” Lemon Zest inquired.

“When we get back from PE class, all of us should pretend that our phones have been stolen.”

Sour Sweet’s face got filled with question marks. “You’re right, that is a weird favour.”

“What is this for?” Lemon Zest questioned further.

“Well...” Sunny struggled to come up with a smooth explanation.

“Twilight’s phone got bugged.” Sugarcoat came forward.

A quiet collective gasp came from the rest of the girls. “Why would anyone do that?” Lemon Zest said with arms outstretched in shock.

“That’s what we’re trying to figure out,” Sunny Flare continued, “but until then, we need that nobody else around us gets bugged.”

“And we have a suspicion,” Sugarcoat added, “that it was someone in the school staff, so we need a good cover-up.”

“No way am I parting with my phone!” Sour Sweet barked. “Are you out of your mind?”

“Mine’s pretty messed up,” Indigo Zap said, “I should probably get a new one anyway.”

“I was meaning to get the new model for a while now too.” Lemon Zest added. “Though, it is going to be hard to go without my music.”

“Wait, you’re really going along with this?!” Sour Sweet kept barking.

“For sure!” Indigo Zap barked back. “I wanna know who’s been bugging my friends’ phone.”

Sour Sweet saw that she was outnumbered, so she sighed and heeded. “Alright, but you better solve this by the weekend!”

Sugarcoat glanced aside and saw Moondancer and Minuette on the other side of the hallway. She poked Sunny in the side and motioned her towards them. They asked the same favour from them.

Moondancer was surprisingly easy to convince. “Sure, I’ll do it.” She said.

Minuette however was much more stubborn. “What? Are you crazy?” She held her tone back, but it was clear that she wanted to scream.

“What? I wanna know who bugged Twilight’s phone.” Moondancer took the side of reason. “Whoever did that surely doesn’t have the best intentions.”

“But, we’re going to get in so much trouble if they find out it’s a ruse.”

“We’ll just blame it on Sunny and Sugar.”

The mentioned girls looked surprised at first, but then they smirked at the idea. “Sure, that’s fine, you can blame us.” Sunny waved her hand.

“See? It’ll be fun!”

Minuette shook her head. “No, I’m not going to go along with this.”

Sugarcoat shrugged. “That’s fine, but you’re gonna have to stay away from us, just to be safe.”

Minuette’s face showed an unusual amount of ire. “I think I’ll manage.”

PE class went by normally. Beforehand, the girls hid their phones in places only they would look; Indigo Zap put it inside her sport shoes, which she stuffed her socks into afterwards. Lemon Zest zipped it up in a pocket she never uses inside her bag. Sour Sweet, stuffed it into the bottom of her bag, next to several items that she previously misplaced. Sunny Flare put her wrist devices in the very back of her locker. Sugarcoat never even brought hers in the first place.

After PE class, once they put their uniforms back on, they approached their teacher, saying that their phones have been stolen. The teacher looked very vigilantly in the changing room, but found nothing. The girls even showed him their bags, conveniently passing over any potentially suspicious details. The teacher wasn’t going to do a full personal search either, though he was a bit suspicious; students must have pulled similar pranks on him before. That is until Moondancer came forward as well, dragging Minuette along.

“Our phones are also missing!”

Minuette clearly didn’t appreciate the inclusion, but she knew that she can’t get herself out without getting everyone else into trouble, so she went begrudgingly along with it. Sunny Flare quietly thanked Moondancer, before parting ways.

Minuette dragged Moondancer away. “Why did you do that?”

“What? They asked our help.”

“But you didn’t have to drag me into this!”

“Drag you into what? Finding out who bugged Twilight’s phone?”

Minuette rubbed her forehead in silent frustration.

“Look, Minuette,” Moondancer’s tone turned stern, “I can tell that there’s more to all of this than you’re telling me.”

“Moondancer, you don’t know what you’re messing with here!”

“You’re right, I don’t know. Care to tell me?”

Minuette stayed silent.

“Great, well I’d like to know. Sorry Minuette.”

The school was quiet. Only the voices of the teachers could be heard echoing through the corridors. Everyone has heard the warnings about keeping their belongings safe and the students went along, because their phones were the one thing they didn’t want to lose. Then the classes went along like normal. That is until the principal’s voice emerged out of the loudspeakers.

“I’d like to see Sugarcoat and Minuette in my office, ASAP.”

The two girls met in front of Cinch’s office. Minuette looked like she was waiting for her death sentence; she stared at the ground, her body shaking with every pulse. There was that ominous feeling stuck inside Sugarcoat’s throat as well, though she was more worried about Minuette telling Cinch about everything.

Cinch called in Sugarcoat first. She took a deep breath and all sense of emotion dissipated from her. She sat down with her legs crossed and her hands in her lap. Cinch slowly stepped to her chair and sat down with a straight back, trying to appear larger.

“I understand, your phone has been stolen during PE class.”

“Yes.”

“Did you have it before the class?”

“Yes.”

“And then after the class it was no longer there?”

“That is correct.”

Cinch paused to evaluate Sugarcoat’s body language. That shadow she tried casting over her had no effect. Her face was as blank as a piece of paper fresh out of the mill.

“Have you closed the door after you left?”

“That wasn’t my responsibility.”

“Whose responsibility was it?”

“The teacher’s.”

“Would you say that the teacher stole your phones?”

Sugarcoat just shrugged.

“You seem awfully disinterested about your belongings being stolen.”

“I was thinking about buying a new phone anyway.”

“What about the phones of your fellow students?”

“Not my concern.”

Cinch looked really hard to see crack on Sugarcoat’s stone cold poker face. Breaking a diamond would have been easier, than chipping away at Sugarcoat’s outward emotions. Cinch had to silently recognize her defeat, so she let Sugarcoat go.

It was Minuette’s turn. Minuette sat down, looking like she forgot how to sit on a chair, squirming around unable to find a comfortable spot. Principal Cinch sat down behind her desk, her very presence causing Minuette to fidget more.

“I understand, your phone has been stolen during PE class.”

“Y-yes...”

“Did you have it before the class?”

“Yes...”

“And then after the class it was no longer there?”

Minuette hesitated for a moment. “Y-yes.”

Principal Cinch tried looking into Minuette’s eyes, but her eyes were going everywhere, except onto Cinch herself. She decided to switch up her questioning.

“The images you sent me from science lab #3... That is not how you found it, is it?”

Minuette’s whole body shook after that accusation, but she said nothing.

“And this whole phone malarkey is all an act, right?”

“I-I don’t know w-what you’re talking about...”

“Oh please, Minuette. The answers are written all over you.”

Minuette said nothing...

“Please, explain to me this sequence of strange coincidences: Sugarcoat just happens to have a bathroom emergency, right after Twilight gives her the key to science lab #3. She then asks Twilight about one of the drawers and Twilight just happens to be looking for a folder right afterwards. Then the two meet and everyone’s phone just happens to go missing the next day.”

“I don’t know...” Minuette whimpered.

“Who else is involved in this?”

Minuette said nothing.

“Need I remind you, that your applications are still in my hands? I could ruin all your chances with a single letter.”

Minuette was on the verge of tears. “Please, I don’t want to do this!”

Cinch saw that a change in tactics was in order and she could have a different use for Minuette. “Very well...” Her tone mellowed somewhat. “I see that I’m not going to get any straight answers out of you, so I have a different task for you. You are going to ask questions to Sugarcoat and whoever else is involved and report back to me about what they know. This is the last chance I’m giving you.”

“I don’t want them to get into trouble.” Minuette pleaded.

Cinch let out a self-satisfied laugh. “Oh, so there is trouble!”

Minuette tried hiding her shame in her palms.

“Would you rather let down all your future patients, just to defend a gaggle of petty pranksters?”

Minuette squeaked disapprovingly.

“Very well,” Cinch smiled like a crocodile dragging its helpless victim into the depths, “then all you need to do is give me a list of who’s involved and your path to medical school is open.”

Finally, she let Minuette out as well. Sugarcoat and Sunny Flare have already been waiting for her outside, alongside the PE teacher and Dean Cadance. They had their own questions to the students, but neither of them was nearly as ruthless as Cinch.

Cinch turned to her colleagues and announced: “I declare them both innocent.”

Her colleagues were relieved, but Sunny and Sugar knew what was up.

“It would have been strange if two of our best students were involved with stealing.” Dean Cadance stepped forward. “Is there a reason these two were called in specifically?”

“I just had a few basic questions for them. I knew Minuette would never disappoint me.” She placed a hand on Minuette’s shoulder, pretending to reassure her, but they both understood what she was hinting at.

Once everyone left, Sunny and Sugarcoat went after Minuette.

“So, what did you tell her?” Sunny pried for answers.

“Please, leave me alone!” Minuette pleaded.

“You didn’t tell her about our plan, did you?”

“No! Sunny, stop!” Minuette turned around to face them both. “She already knows what you’re doing. You must stop right now before it gets out of hand!” She then ran away.

Sunny and Sugarcoat looked at each-other, already thinking of their next course of action. Clearly, Cinch was onto them. If they truly are in danger, then that’s even more reason to uncover what Twilight was trying to uncover.

Once again, Sugarcoat and Sunny Flare were talking to each-other, through the comfort of their own rooms. Having sifted through the list Twilight has given them, they were extra tired that night.

“I watched all three documentaries Twilight has given me, each one nuttier than the other.” Sunny Flare was barely able to keep her eyes open. “I sat down thinking it was going to be fun, but halfway through the second one I was losing my mind.”

“That’s probably why Twilight told you to take it with a grain of salt.”

“Of course the nuttiest was the longest!”

“Alright, what have you found out?”

“Well first of all, the Changelings were a criminal gang, who pulled off some pretty high calibre heists. They were masters of disguise and used their skills to blend in with their targets. Nobody’s really sure how far their influence reached. Some say it was only the city, some others say the whole world! And then something about mind-control rays and a list of politicians who are actually changelings in disguise.”

Sugarcoat rolled her eyes. “Of course...”

“Apparently, a bunch of information has been leaked by an ex-changeling. He operated under the name Thorax and with his help the police were able to round up the most important members. All except one: Their leader, Chrysalis. Not even the gang’s members knew who this leader was, not even their voice.”

Sugarcoat thought back to all the pictures of Principal Cinch that Twilight has left in that folder. Could Cinch be Chrysalis?

“Their bases were scattered in different abandoned places, or hidden sections of institutions. The rest is wrapped in mystery.” Sunny Flare threw her notes behind her. “A lot of it is ‘top secret’ information and even the stuff that’s available to the public is full of redacted, so the conspiracy theorists just eat it all up. Apparently, this Thorax guy also said the number 5705, but never explained what that’s about.”

“Isn’t that a song by an old rock band?”

“Yes, the City Colts. Obviously, they’re involved as well.”

“Interesting...” Sugarcoat was ready to read her own notes, but suddenly the mindscrew just exploded from her laptop screen.

“Watch out sheeple, they are in control of our prison system and use their hi-tech mind control machines to tap into your children’s minds and make them follow that one politician I just so happen to not like! Buy my product to be protected!” She then slapped herself with both palms and groaned quietly.

That was one of the few things that could make Sugarcoat giggle.

“Anyway,” Sunny gathered back her sanity, “what have you found?”

“So I went to the library to read up on the cold war between the Equestrian Republic and the Crystal Nation.”

“Wait, we were taught about that.”

“Yes, but we haven’t been taught the whole story. People don’t tend to talk about just how bad it was.”

“Let me guess, they keep it a secret to control us?”

“N-no, they just don’t talk about it.”

“Oh, okay...”

“Anyway, so there was a long period of peace between the Equestrian Republic and the Crystal Nation. This is when we were just about to go for a full union and form into one single country. But at some point, this guy called Sombra got into power through dubious means and threatened to go to war with the Equestrian Republic. This is when the bunkers were built in schools, because for a while there was a real threat of bombings.”

“How come that part was always skipped in the curriculum?”

“I think they’re trying to keep peace in the country and not aggravate any harsh feelings.”

“And what happened to Sombra?”

“He got deposed with the help of Equestrian armies. Though Sombra himself was never officially found.”

“I bet there are some juicy conspiracies around that as well.”

“There are, but I didn’t go into them.”

“So bunkers in schools, huh? Do you think it’s got something to do with that crack in the wall at the pools?”

“Yes, actually, that’s exactly what it is.”

“Wait, really?”

“I found old blueprints from the time in the library’s archives and that’s where the bunker was supposed to go. Some schools turned theirs into storages or science labs. Ours just sealed it away and never mentioned it again.”

Sunny Flare thought for a moment. “Wait, what do the two things have to do with each-other?”

“You remember when you said, that the changelings operated from abandoned and hidden places?”

“You think that’s what the Crystal Prep bomb shelter is about?”

“It must be. Why would Twilight send us all this material if they were unrelated?”

“We gotta get in there somehow. When we have swimming class tomorrow, we should definitely take a look at it. Without raising any suspicion, of course.”

“I don’t think we can afford any more suspicion.”

“What do you mean?”

“Cinch is definitely onto us. What do you think why she called in only me and Minuette into her office? She knows that we’re onto her.”

“You’re right! That’s probably why she was so scared afterwards.”

“Cinch probably still has her blackmailed.”

“Definitely. Tomorrow, we’re looking at that crack in that wall!”

Earlier that day, Minuette and Twilight met up at the park. It was Minuette who messaged Twilight and Twilight was happy to catch up with another friend. This time for real.

“I’m honestly so glad to have transferred to Canterlot High.” Twilight had a relaxed smile on her face. “Things are a lot more lax there.”

“The competition is not as ruthless, I presume.” Minuette replied.

“There is no competition at all. I mean sure, it’s a lot less competitive school in general, but it was still a surprise.”

“Not that you have any need to compete at this point. Universities will be crazy to not accept you.”

“You could always transfer as well.” Twilight proposed. “Lyra is here, along with Twinkleshine and Lemon Hearts. You guys could be together.”

“Nah, they’d be a distraction. They’d want to hire me as singer for their band and I just don’t have time for that.”

“Oh yeah, that’s a thing they do. Steel Unicorns, right?”

“Right! They just released their new album this week: Rainbow Rampage.”

“Cool, I’ll check it out, even if it’s not really my thing.”

“Better put it in your bookmarks, so you don’t forget it.”

“Alright I will.” Twilight took out her phone.

Suddenly, Minuette grabbed Twilight’s phone and chucked it into a nearby lake. Before Twilight could get a word in, Minuette grabbed her by the shoulders. “You need to help me!”

“W-what’s going on?”

“It’s Cinch! Sunny Flare and Sugarcoat somehow found out about your research and she is now using me to ruin their lives!”

Twilight stared in complete silence. She escaped from Minuette’s grasp and pushed her glasses back into their place. “What is Sunny Flare doing in this? I only wanted Sugarcoat to continue my research.”

“You what?”

“Y-yeah, I deliberately lead Sugarcoat into the lab to find my notes. I wanted her to carry the research to the very end. I don’t know what Sunny Flare is doing, but if she doesn’t turn it into gossip, then we could pull it off.”

Minuette pinched the bridge of her nose, then grabbed Twilight again. “Twilight, you must get them to stop!”

“No Minuette. I’m sorry, but if we don’t carry this through terrible things could happen. We are this close to solving the mystery!”

Minuette suddenly turned grim. “I see I’m not going to get you to believe me. I have something to show you and I guarantee it’s going to change your mind.”

Chapter 4

It was finally time for swimming class. Sugarcoat and Sunny Flare wasted no time getting changed. They wanted to be the first to arrive at the pools, just so they could have time to investigate. They immediately ran to that crack in the wall to see if they can find anything.

Sunny Flare tried prying it open with her fingers, to no avail. “It is moving slightly.” Her fingertips were turning white, as she stuck them beside the wall.

Sugarcoat tried peeking inside, but it was complete darkness and the crack was way too narrow to make out anything. But she did manage to make out something. “I can see a dot. Something is reflecting the light from outside.”

“Look!” Sunny Flare pointed at the ground. “These scratches on the floor, they line up perfectly with the crack.”

Sugarcoat had to lean in real close to see anything, but there was a very faint circular scratch in the floor. “So it does open.”

“Look at that.” Sunny Flare walked up to one of the windows. “There’s a handle on both sides.”

“That must be where Chrysalis leaves after she’s done dressing up as Cinch.”

“Wow, jumping straight to that, huh?”

“It is pretty obvious at this point.”

There was no more time for investigation. The teacher has arrived and they were called back to their school duties. But what little they have found has been pretty significant.

After the end of the last class, Minuette approached them in the hallways. “Hey...” She meekly called out to them.

The two of them stopped what they were doing and turned to her. They could both see her defeated expression.

“Twilight wants to see you two after school. We got rid of the bug.”

Sunny and Sugarcoat looked at each other, victory sparkling in their eyes. Then they looked back at her and were surprised to see she was already leaving with haste.

“Aren’t you coming?” Sunny called out to her.

Minuette turned around to answer, but before she could, Cinch appeared right behind her like a looming shadow. At first she was glaring at Sunny and Sugar, but then her ominous gaze turned down towards Minuette. “I want to see you in my office immediately.” Her voice calm, like the rumbling of a distant earthquake.

Minuette went after her. Sugarcoat and Sunny looked at each-other with worry, then they bolted. They knew that whatever was going down in that office could spell doom for their operation and Twilight could be their last hope.

Minuette sat down into the chair once again, staring in front of her, just waiting what Cinch had in store for her this time.

Cinch sat down behind her desk. She looked all over Minuette, her eyes giving way to a sort of sadistic amusement. “So, tell me. What have you found out about our friends?”

Minuette said nothing. She just kept staring in front of her.

“That’s not much.”

“I didn’t talk to them much today.” Minuette mumbled.

“Ah, I see... So you failed to fulfil the task I have given you.”

Minuette said nothing.

“There’s something that’s been bothering me since yesterday.” Her voice turned grim. “I know you have met Twilight after school. Something happened to her phone. Perhaps you know something about that.”

Minuette said nothing.

Cinch was just about to have enough of Minuette’s complete lack of response. “I don’t need to remind you that your applications are still in my hands, do I?”

“I threw it in the lake.” Minuette’s voice cracked.

Cinch’s face darkened. “Oh, is that so? So you’re disobeying me now?”

Minuette said nothing.

“I tell you what else I could do. I could go after your friends as well. I could declare them as the phone thieves and fabricate whatever evidence I need to. Even if they come forward and admit it as just some childish prank, they’ll be in deep trouble afterwards. Do you want them to go down the drain along with you?”

“No...” Minuette answered meekly, still staring in front of her.

“Very well...” A smile appeared on Cinch’s face, a kind of fake happiness only the most evil would ever express. “Then tell me, who is involved with this childish prank.”

“It was Sugarcoat’s and Sunny Flare’s idea.” Minuette talked with a weak quiet tone.

“What about the others?” Cinch pushed her further.

“They don’t know what’s going on, they just went with it.”

“And why did they do it?”

Minuette’s mouth opened slightly, but then she bit into her lip and said nothing.

“No matter, you’ve already done so much for me. Well done, my priced student!” Cinch’s words were praising her, but her tone was mocking. “There is just one favour left that I need from you.” She put a tiny device onto the desk. “I heard that they want to meet up with Twilight. You will go to their meeting, record everything they say and give it back to me. I will not harm them, I promise.”

Minuette stared at the tiny device. She then looked Cinch straight in the eyes. “No.” Her voice like the weakened flames under charred wood.

“What did you say?” Cinch tried to mask her fury, by giving Minuette a chance to change her mind about what she just said.

But Minuette knew what she said. “I said no.” She then stood up, her face devoid of expression, but great passion burning in her eyes. “We know everything, Chrysalis. It’s over.”

Cinch said nothing. She watched as her informant left the office and said nothing.

“So before we start,” Sunny Flare’s eyes were gleaming, “how did you get rid of the bug?”

Twilight looked up, then let out an embarrassed giggle. “Minuette threw my phone in a lake.”

Sunny Flare slunk back down into her seat. “Oh, well that’s one way to do it I guess.”

“By the way,” Twilight turned to Sugarcoat, “how did Sunny get involved with this?”

“She expressed doubt in your explanation,” Sugarcoat sat with crossed arms, “I figured her intuition and attention to detail could be great help.”

“Good thinking!” Twilight cheered. “You know what else will be good help?” She turned to Sunny Flare. “Your wrist devices!”

Sunny Flare almost jumped into the air in her excitement. “Gosh, yes! What do you want to do with them?”

“Let’s go from the beginning first.” Twilight took out her notes. “What is it that you already know?”

“We know that Cinch is Chrysalis.” Sugarcoat jumped right into the middle of things.

“Whoa, whoa,” Sunny interrupted her, “she said from the beginning.” Sunny took out her own notes. “We know about the bomb shelter of the school; we know why it exists and we know that it’s at the pools, behind a door that we couldn’t open.”

“Right. Have you figured out how to open it?”

“No, we didn’t have the time.” Sugarcoat stated.

“You’re not that far behind then, because I couldn’t figure out that either. Did you watch the documentaries about the changeling gang?”

Sunny Flare groaned. “Yep.”

Sugarcoat snickered quietly.

“What?” Twilight giggled. “Does jellied bone broth not sound enticing?”

“I’d rather have my mind be taken over by aliens than eat that travesty.”

Twilight laughed at Sunny’s disgust, for she knew the feeling very well. “Right so, here is something that you don’t know. Late at night, the bomb shelter starts emitting radio signals. It’s coded and I haven’t figured out how to decode it, but I managed to hack into the school’s camera system. The camera by the pools cuts out twice every night: Once, at around 9 pm, after the doorkeeper leaves for the night and a little bit before he comes back in the morning, around 6 am. This might be when Cinch is hiding in the shelter.”

“So if we time it right, we could catch Cinch in the action.” Sunny commented.

“But what do we do with that information?” Sugarcoat said. “Do we record her coming out of the bunker or what?”

“Alright, here’s the plan...” Twilight began, but her attention was pulled away.

Minuette was standing next to their table, her face drained of all emotion. She spoke with a coldly serious tone.

“Sunny Flare, Sugarcoat, I’d like to show you something.”

All four of them were in Minuette’s room. She pulled a black briefcase from under her bed. The rest of them were sitting with anticipation. Though, in Twilight’s case, she was looking forward for Sunny’s and Sugar’s reaction, since she already knew what was coming.

“A family friend gave this briefcase to me before he disappeared ten years ago.” Minuette held the briefcase like the sentimental value it has become. “He said that I’ll figure out how to open it when the time comes. That time has come a long time ago and I guess it’s time for you to see it as well.”

She dialled in the code. It was 5705. The briefcase opened. Inside it was nothing but two pages of handwritten note and a sticky note attached to it. Minuette removed the sticky note and kept it for herself; possibly something too personal to share with three other people. She then began reading the note.

I have a confession to you Minuette. Through the years of our friendship, I haven’t been entirely honest on who I am. By the time you read this, I have probably gone without a trace, because that’s the kind of people I hung around with. But hopefully they’ll be gone as well.

I go by the name Thorax and I am a member of the changelings. We are an organized crime group, who specialize in espionage and infiltration. We would specifically target single individuals, track their every move, so we could eventually replace them and gain access to things that we weren’t supposed to.

This is how we managed to rob the Violet Bank and the Museum of Ancestry. Our people still work at those places. In fact, one of our agents is currently stationed in the city hall. It is through them that we would find out about the right places for our operations.

We have our members scattered across all kinds of facilities, from shops, to schools and abandoned buildings. Our favourite was the Crystal Prep Academy bomb shelter, which was built fifty years ago and then was forgotten. The current porter is one of our agents and he would always let us in. There is a hidden door at the pools; you can recognize it when you look for a straight vertical crack in the wall. You need to pull six hinges on the bottom and top to open it. There you will find the entrance to the abandoned bomb shelter. We would meet there, set up our communication devices, then leave in the very early morning, taking everything with us.

Our leader goes by the name Chrysalis. None of us have seen her real face before, or really know who she is. She always appears as a different person. We do not know where she is when we’re not operating and none of us dare question it. She doesn’t actively participate in our heists; she sets our targets and designs our disguises.

This is what I plan on telling the police. I have been involved in many horrible things and I deserve whatever’s coming my way. But I will write this down for you as well, because I don’t think the police will grant you access to this information. The police will be very determined to keep the details a secret to avoid mass panic. I trust that they find the great majority of our agents, but it is unlikely that they’ll find Chrysalis.

If that would be the case, then I kindly ask you to not let her existence be forgotten. But whatever you do, don’t tackle the case on your own. I don’t want you to end up the way everyone else ended up, when they found out anything about us. Turn this confession to the police, if necessary, but it’s unlikely that there’ll be anything new for them. Just don’t let them forget about Chrysalis. She could be just as dangerous alone, than with the gang fully intact. As long as she is around, the changeling gang will live on.

With the way our technology is developing, it might be possible to find her eventually. If so, don’t let Chrysalis be forgotten. She will always be around and she is safe as long as people don’t look for her.

Kind regards...

Minuette ended abruptly. She didn’t read the real name of the letter’s writer out to the others, but she did shed a tear for it. She then quietly put the paper back into the briefcase, while Twilight comforted her. Reading the letter hasn’t become easier for her, no matter how many times she does it. Sunny Flare and Sugarcoat stared with mouths wide agape, trying to gather the pieces of their minds.

“I already read this to Twilight yesterday,” said Minuette, “hoping that she would give up her search, but it only made her more adamant.” She paused and wiped a tear from her eye. She then looked up with a serious expression. “Now I see that it’s necessary to face this danger, now more than ever. We’ve gotten way too deep and it’s a one way street into oblivion.”

Twilight looked up at Sunny and Sugarcoat. “And we can even pull this off. If we can get into the bunker before she does, then we’ll know everything and get the final advantage over her.”

Sunny and Sugarcoat managed to close their mouths in the meantime. “Alright, what’s the plan?” Sunny said.

Twilight began: “We wait until the doorkeeper is just about to leave, so we’ve got enough time before Cinch comes back. You two sneak in and get to the bomb shelter entrance. Sunny Flare goes and takes all the pictures and incriminating data she can. Meanwhile, Sugarcoat keeps track of the time and looks out for any movement. I’ll be in the school’s camera system and make sure nobody sneaks up on you. I’ll also deactivate the security guard’s monitors, so he doesn’t see you. We can communicate through Sunny’s wrist devices.”

“Yes!” Sunny Flare fist-pumped the air. “Finally I can use this thing for legit spy stuff!”

“And what will Minuette do?” Sugarcoat asked.

“Nothing,” Twilight assured, “she has already fulfilled her task.”

Minuette said nothing, knowing full well that she had some plans of her own.

Chapter 5

Night has fallen; the halls of Crystal Prep have echoed with darkened emptiness. The school doorkeeper was having the last yawns of his shift. Meanwhile, Sugarcoat and Sunny Flare snuck into a hidden spot outside the school swimming pools.

“Alright, we’ve got visual on the main entrance.” Sunny whispered into her arm device.

“Perfect,” Twilight’s voice emerged from the device, “I am just about to disable, the security guard’s monitors.”

“In the meantime,” Sugarcoat mumbled quietly, “we distract the doorkeeper.”

The doorkeeper was already twirling the keys to the entrance in his hand, watching the second hand on the clock. He was rather surprised to see the two girls enter the school building so late in the night.

“Mr. Brick,” Sunny Flare ran up to him, “we’ve just seen some hooligans with a jamming device heading this way!”

The doorkeeper raised his eyebrows. “A jamming device, huh? What kinda prank are you trying to pull?”

Suddenly, the doorkeeper’s radio crackled. “Hey Brick, you might have to do some extra time for me, the cameras just shut down.”

“Alright, I’ll keep an eye out for you.” He furrowed his eyebrows at the girls. “What are you two even doing here so late anyway?”

“I left my wallet here.” Sugarcoat answered, no readable expression on her face giving away the trick.

“We were on our way here to get it back,” Sunny Flare’s tone was very convincing, “that’s when we saw the hooligans, so we ran ahead.”

“I’ve got my personal documents and credit card in my wallet,” Sugarcoat added, “so it’s pretty important.”

“Alright,” the doorkeeper got up from his chair, “you two get it back quickly.” He lifted his radio up to his face. “Hey Break, we might get some company tonight.”

The doorkeeper went out the entrance and the two girls made their way to the swimming pools, through the empty hallways of the school. Finally, they reached the pools. The two girls slid to the secret door, using their flashlights to see. Sugarcoat was using her phone’s built in flash, while Sunny used her wrist device.

“Alright Twi, we’re at the door.” Sunny talked into her wrist device.

“Great, then six hinges to turn on the top and bottom.” Twilight’s voice came out from the device. “And don’t forget to block the window, so Cinch doesn’t get in.”

“You get the hinges, I’ll get the window.” Sugarcoat said.

Sunny nodded and took to the hinges. She slid her fingers into the space between the door and the floor, but it was too narrow to really fit. She pattered around and managed to find little holes, where she could fit just one finger in. That is where one hinge was. Meanwhile, Sugarcoat ran to the window. She took a chain out of her bag and wrapped it around the inside handle, then put a lock on it.

“Sugarcoat, help me, I can’t get the top ones.” Sunny stretched her arms upwards in vain.

Sugarcoat slid her bag behind one of the pillars, then went to her friend’s aid. Sunny held her hands and Sugarcoat set foot on them. Once she was at the top, she slid her fingers around, looking for the hinges.

Sunny’s device than crackled, as Twilight’s voice erupted from it. “Guys, the camera just cut out, what is happening?”

They had no time to question it. A loud metallic creak could be heard from beyond the door. Sugarcoat and Sunny looked in each-other’s terrified eyes, then took off into the direction of an improvised hiding spot: one of the swimming pools. They jumped in straight as an arrow and held themselves close to the wall to avoid floating up.

They could just about see one window reflecting enough light from the outside to illuminate what was happening. They saw the door open and a tall dark torn looking figure emerging from it. A cone of light waved around, like searchlights in a prison, as if it sensed their presence. It slowly stepped towards the chained up window. The lock fell off to its touch and the chain unravelled, letting the figure out.

They waited a few seconds, really pushing how long they can hold their breath and then they pulled themselves out, scrambling for air.

“What is she doing here so early?” Sugarcoat grumbled and scurried to her bag.

Sunny tapped her device vigorously. “Dang, my device got soaked. It’s not working!”

“You won’t need that anymore.” The room got suddenly bright. All the lights have turned on and they could see Cinch standing in the doorway, with the two security guards behind her.

“It seems we have our phone thieves.” Cinch’s lips were trying very hard to not curl into a cold toothy grin.

“Lost wallet, huh?” The doorkeeper shouted. “We’ll see what the police think of that story!”

Sugarcoat got on her feet and looked Cinch in the eye. “You think you caught us, Chrysalis? We’re the ones who caught you!”

The guards looked as if they were standing in front of a raving lunatic. Sunny looked at Sugarcoat in much the same way, wondering what she’s planning. Cinch was unfazed, but she was only trying to suppress a laugh. “You go wait for the police,” she said to the guards, “I’ll give these to a little talking to.”

Cinch dragged the two girls away into the locker room and threw them down onto a bench. “So, you think you outsmarted me, huh? Well, it’s too late for that!”

“We know who you are, Chrysalis,” Sugarcoat kept her serious tone, “we know everything.”

“Oh, pray tell,” Cinch crooned mockingly, “what do you know about me?”

“We know that you are the leader of the changelings, Chrysalis.” Sugarcoat talked with great conviction. “We know that you replaced Principal Cinch many years ago. And we know that Twilight was looking for you, that’s why you bugged her phone. But you couldn’t eliminate her and now we caught you!”

Sunny Flare looked on in disbelief, wondering how Sugarcoat could still be so adamant.

Cinch erupted into laughter. “You’re right. That is all true, I am Chrysalis and I’ve been impersonating a school principal, you’ve caught me.” She mocked the girls with overacting. “There is however, one thing you don’t know yet. And consider yourselves lucky, because not many have seen this side of me.”

She turned her back to them. She let her hair down, the purple streaks revealing a dark greenish blue colour. When she turned back to face the girls, her eyes glowed and her skin was a sickly dark green. A forked tongue rolled out of her mouth, as her pupils contracted into a catlike shape and she let out a staccato hiss, which one could presume to be laughter.

Even Sugarcoat lost her confidence, when this human-like creature, that was once their principal, looked back at them. Sunny let out a loud yelp in surprise.

“That’s right, little ones!” Chrysalis chuckled. “You are looking upon the queen of the changelings. Consider this a privilege.”

The two girls went silent from bewilderment.

“What’s the matter? Are you stunned by my beauty? I don’t blame you.” Her twisted smile faded a little bit, as pure cruelty took over. “Soon, you will end just like anyone who’s seen my face. My people still fill this town and they’ll take good care of you two. Go ahead, try to explain to the police who you think I am, they won’t believe dirty phone thieves. And if you think your friends are going to get out of it fine, you are sorely mistaken. I have my plans for both Twilight Sparkle and that dim-witted Minuette.”

The sirens could be heard from the outside. Chrysalis turned away to listen to it and when her head turned back, her face was once again the face of principal Cinch. “Speaking of which...”

Soon, they were all outside, blue and red flashes filling the darkened school. Cinch lead Sugarcoat’s and Sunny Flare’s walk of shame towards the police car, with a smug grin on her face. A policeman was standing leaning on the car with his arms crossed and an expression that was impossible to read. Sunny was silently freaking out, but Sugarcoat was eerily calm.

“Here they are officer,” Cinch presented the two girls, “these two girls have been terrorizing the school with carefully coordinated phone thefts. Take them away, please!”

The policeman seemed oddly unimpressed. The door to the police car’s backseat opened and somebody stepped out. Cinch was caught by surprise when she saw who it was.

“Are these your friends?” The officer asked the mysterious newcomer.

“Yes.” The newcomer replied.

“Minuette? What are you doing here?” Sunny Flare blurted out.

“I called the police before you came here. I told them of our plan. I told them everything.”

“We’d like to bring all of you in.” The officer said. “This is a complicated incident and we need proof that this woman is in fact Chrysalis.”

Suddenly, a voice could be heard. “That is all true, I am Chrysalis, queen of the changelings, you’ve caught me.” It was distorted, but it was still clearly the voice of Principal Cinch herself. “That is all true, I am Chrysalis, queen of the changelings, you’ve caught me.” It said again. They looked around and saw Sugarcoat holding her phone into the air, with a coy smile on her face. “That is all true, I am Chrysalis, queen of the changelings, you’ve caught me.” She kept rewinding the voice clip.

The principal of Crystal Prep Academy, has been arrested, after students uncovered her involvement with a criminal organization.

One student from Crystal Prep Academy, was conducting a private investigation on Abacus Cinch, the principal of Crystal Prep Academy, after they found links between her and the activities of the now defunct “Changeling” criminal organization. Several other Crystal Prep students ended up being involved with the investigation, resulting in the students breaking into the school to uncover the final piece of the mystery.The police have reviewed the evidence the students have found of the principal’s criminal activity and they found that it matches the profile of the Changelings.

Principal Abacus Cinch first denied the allegations, saying that it’s just part of the students’ ongoing phone robberies, but it’s been revealed that she did plant an activity monitoring device in one of the students’ phone. The students say that they were merely trying to prevent their phones from being bugged, by hiding them away and pretending they’ve been robbed. According to the students, Abacus Cinch has also been extorting one of them into becoming an informant.

Abacus Cinch has since been removed from her office, with former dean Mi Amore Cadenza taking her place. When questioned, Cadenza has revealed, that former principal Abacus Cinch has a history of extorting students into doing her bidding, which is what they suspect to have happened during the controversial last Friendship Games too, which resulted in strange phenomena, that almost took the lives of students from both Crystal Prep Academy and Canterlot High School.

According to the police, Abacus Cinch might have been the last remaining member of the changeling gang. “Even if any changelings remain,” says chief investigator, “their criminal organization has been dismantled and they should no longer pose any threat to public safety.” Chief investigator also asked us to not reveal the identities of the students involved in the incident, just in case.

When asked about why the students didn’t contact the police before they started investigating, they said that they were afraid that they wouldn’t be taken seriously. “We were already in danger,” says one of the students, “it could have been a fatal mistake to reveal that we knew anything.”