Things might not be what they seem

Chapters

With siblings like these
Sniffing out the imposter
Parting ways

With siblings like these

Mr. and Mrs. Shy were talking with their daughter Fluttershy. They had recently invited Fluttershy and her friend Rainbow Dash, over for lunch. Mr. Shy began to bring up how he had recently retired, and it was finally possible for him to work on his passion for cloud collecting. Fluttershy was anxious about whether Rainbow Dash would approve of her father's hobby, but she was optimistic that everything would go well and that everyone could have a nice lunch together.

As the group of four continued their conversation, Fluttershy's mother asked Rainbow Dash about her work at the School of Friendship, and what the curriculum entailed. Rainbow Dash shared her excitement to talk about her passion for teaching, and proceeded to describe some of the fun lessons she would teach. Fluttershy's sister, Gust Gale, had just arrived, and her presence had instantly soured the atmosphere. Fluttershy's parents became nervous, and their attention turned towards Gust.

With a look of hurt and confusion on her face, Fluttershy turned to her parents, who returned her glance with a certain uneasiness. Mr. Shy cleared his throat and stated that he had previously informed Fluttershy about the impending arrival of her adoptive sister, Gust Gale. Mr. Shy attempted to reduce the tension in the room with his comment.

"No... you didn't ever say this," Fluttershy stated with a voice of growing distress. She directed her worried gaze towards her parents, clearly disturbed by the possibility of her sister Gust Gale being nearby. "If you had told me, I don't think I would have come," Fluttershy continued, her tone indicating a deep concern over the situation. Rainbow Dash tried to comfort Fluttershy, patting her back in a gentle, caring manner. Gust Gale, however, remained unmoved, her eyes focused on Mr. Shy as the conversation continued.

Gust Gale, overhearing the conversation, took it upon herself to inform the group about work-related news. "Galeforce, Inc. just signed an extended five-year contract to work for the Weather Company," she stated with an air of indifference. She didn't wait for a response, instead moving into her next topic of discussion without delay. This topic was her disapproval of Fluttershy's recent career trajectory.

Gust Gale has a distinctive look, with a white coat, a dark red mane with two vertical purple streaks, eyes of a deep maroon, and a heart-shaped block of ice that contains a bleeding heart as her cutie mark. As a Pegasus, she is able to soar through the air with ease and enjoys the wind in her mane. Her cutie mark suggests that she may have a deep and passionate personality, with strong emotions that she keeps locked away.

Gust Gale's cutie mark, which she proudly displays on her flank. This cutie mark represents her deep and passionate nature, with a hidden vulnerability that she keeps locked away inside the ice block.

Unable to hold back, Gust Gale started up a rant about Fluttershy's lackluster employment prospects. She questioned why Fluttershy was even invited to the lunch, as she was a "worthless" pony with no job or career prospects to speak of. The conversation quickly grew heated, with Gust Gale becoming increasingly hostile towards Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash and Mr. Shy both attempted to calm the situation, but it wasn't enough to stem the rising tide of tension at the table.

As the conversation continued, Rainbow Dash boldly stood up for Fluttershy, exclaiming, "Fluttershy is a teacher at the School of Friendship! She's the most popular one there!" Gust Gale, however, was not impressed. "So? What's your point, Dash?" she asked in a tone that suggested that she wasn't interested in the conversation. Without waiting for a response, she got up and stormed out of the room, leaving the group of four sitting in stunned silence.

Fluttershy apologized on behalf of her sister, but Rainbow Dash dismissed her worries, grateful that no one had been struck in combat this time. Mrs. Shy proceeded to mention that Gust Gale had indicated the desire to speak with Fluttershy about "something important." Feeling responsible for whatever Gust planned to talk about, Fluttershy proceeded to go upstairs to Gust's room, where the sister was already waiting. Upon entering, Fluttershy meekly inquired about what Gust wished to discuss, her voice indicating her timidity as she addressed her sister.

Fluttershy took notice of Gust's sigh, finding it to be unusual. Her sister went on to explain, sounding weary as she spoke. "The truth, Fluttershy, is that Galeforce, Inc. is in trouble, and you're the only one who can help me," she divulged, her words indicating her reluctance to disclose this information. To that, Fluttershy inquired about the reason for the company's struggles, remarking that her sister had constantly dismissed her with harsh critiques while casting her in a negative light.

Upon being pressed about the reason for her approaching Fluttershy, Gust explained that her company was experiencing a problem with the theft of secrets and their subsequent sale to the highest bidder. She promptly indicated that Fluttershy was exempt from such activities, stating, "You don’t get to do that. Period" Her tone was still dismissive and degrading towards Fluttershy.

"You are soft and weak, and that's why no one will suspect you," Gust said to Fluttershy, her words indicating why Fluttershy was chosen for the duty. "Plus, I have never told anyone that you are my sister," she continued, adding that she had principles. "Period," Gust said, expressing her anger at Fluttershy's potential betrayal. "Now, are you going to help me? You will be well rewarded, I don't forget my promises."

With Fluttershy hesitant to respond to the proposition, Gust grew impatient and pressed on. "So, are you going to help me? Or not," she questioned, sounding rather irritated. As her harsh tone continued throughout the entire conversation, Gust seemed rather exasperated, her eyes still fixed on Fluttershy as she waited for an answer.

Fluttershy stood there, her heart beating faster and her nerves getting the better of her as Gust pressed her for an answer. As the seconds passed slowly, every moment felt like a lifetime to Fluttershy. Finally, mustering the courage to speak, she meekly said, "g-give me time to think!" Her voice was soft, which only made it more difficult for Gust to hear, and her anxiety was beginning to show in her body language.

Gust sighed and shook her head in exasperation as she addressed Fluttershy, making it clear that she wouldn't be treated with any favoritism unless she completed the task that had been assigned to her. She also implied that their relationship would be strained if Fluttershy failed to meet Gust's expectations. Fluttershy was sweating profusely and seemed overwhelmed by the pressure to get the job done. As Gust closed the door behind her, Fluttershy was left to stew in her anxiety, knowing that the clock was ticking.

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In search of an answer to the problem, Fluttershy turned to her friend Rainbow Dash for support and advice. She hoped that Rainbow Dash would be able to provide some guidance and reassurance in this difficult situation.

"Dashie, I need your help," Fluttershy said, taking a breath to steady herself. "My sister has tasked me with something and I can't seem to find the courage to make a decision. Whenever she's around, I'm filled with fear. Dashie, do you believe in following your feelings? I have a good heart but I'm so afraid."

Rainbow Dash's wing flew around Fluttershy to comfort her. "Flutters, I know you better than anyone. Just follow your heart. Trust your feelings. Don't worry about the fear or the terror."

Fluttershy slowly nodded and took a deep breath. "Thank you, Rainbow Dash. I know in my heart what my answer is but I was afraid of the consequences."

Rainbow Dash gave Fluttershy a little squeeze. "I understand. But a life full of regret is worse than any consequence. Besides, your sister trusts you and I know you can handle whatever comes your way."

Fluttershy squeezed Rainbow Dash back, giving her a little nod. "You're right, once again. Thank you, Rainbow Dash."

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After a much needed pep talk and some supportive words from Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy felt confident in her decision. She left Rainbow Dash and flew to Gust's home. She knocked on the door and Gust answered. Fluttershy took a deep breath and spoke.

"Gust, I've made my decision."

Gust Gale scoffed as Fluttershy agreed to help. "Ha! Didn't think you'd have the guts for it. But don't expect me to coddle you the whole time. You've got a tough job, little sis, and I expect you to finish it."

Gust Gale stomped her hooves impatiently, eager to be done with this conversation and get back to work. "Okay, Fluttershy, let's not waste any time. Here's the scoop..." She proceeded to give Fluttershy a quick rundown of the situation, explaining everything she knew about the thief and the thefts they had committed.

Gust detailed the situation, explaining that funding and research blueprints were going missing. She had identified three possible suspects: her secretary, Coral; Catstongue of Pony Resources; and Hard Point, the director of product enhancements. "I need you to investigate these three suspects, Fluttershy, and uncover who is stealing from my company," she said, her tone serious.

Fluttershy listened intently, taking mental notes as Gust spelled out the details. So the thief was one of these three suspects... but which one was it?

"I understand," Fluttershy said. "I'll keep an eye on all three of them, and let you know if I learn anything. But don't expect me to take any risks, okay?"

Gust Gale grunted in response, annoyed at her younger sister's hesitation. "Just do the job, Fluttershy," she grumbled.

Fluttershy headed out, her mind racing. She may be a bit timid and unsure, but she was determined to help her sister. With the instructions in her hoof, she soon arrived at the company office. She took a deep breath, mustered up her courage, and walked through the doors.

Sniffing out the imposter

Fluttershy's eyes widened as she stepped into the company headquarters. She was both filled with awe and anxiety as the security guard ushered her through. "You must be the new employee hired on by our boss," the guard said. "She had stated there was great promise from you." Fluttershy nervously walked through, her heart pounding as she took in the sight of her new and exciting workplace. It was an amazing opportunity, but she felt a bit overwhelmed and nervous. But she was determined to make the most of it.

Fluttershy had been tasked with finding the culprit who was stealing secrets and bits from her big sister's company. She had three suspects on her list, but she was in for a challenge. She had been thrown into a maze-like and unfamiliar place and was given no map. She exhaled a sigh of stress and exasperation. "Today is going to be a long day," she muttered to herself.

Fluttershy took a deep breath, determined to tackle the task at hoof. She gathered herself and her courage and began to explore her surroundings, searching for her first suspect. As she wove her way through the confusing maze of hallways and cubicles, she grew more and more frustrated. She soon realized that searching for the culprit was going to be much more difficult than she had imagined. But she resolved not to give up. She knew she could crack this case, no matter how long it took her. She had just better hope she could find the right suspect before the next theft.

Fluttershy's determination to find the culprit drove her to press onward and search for the first suspect on her list. She carefully studied each person she came across, looking for clues or mannerisms that could link them to the theft. As she went deeper and deeper into the company, her frustration grew as the search felt more and more hopeless. She cursed herself for accepting this ridiculous case and being thrown into this confusing mess. But as she paused to catch her breath and recompose herself, she spotted a potential lead.

As Fluttershy was just about to throw her hooves up in defeat, she spotted something that caught her attention. A person matching the description of one of the suspects was walking down the hall. She followed them closely, trying to keep her distance without being noticed. As they entered one of the office rooms, Fluttershy tiptoed up to the door and peeked through the window, watching closely as the potential culprit entered the room.

Fluttershy's eyes narrowed as she observed the potential suspect through the window of the office. They seemed to be browsing through a file cabinet, seeming to be searching for something in particular. Fluttershy watched with a frown and bit her lip nervously. "Is this it? Could this person be the thief I've been searching for?" She wondered.

Fluttershy continued to observe the Secretary as they searched through the filing cabinet, seemingly having a hard time finding what they were looking for. As she watched, her brow creased in confusion. Why would the Secretary be having so much trouble finding what they were looking for? They should be well organized and capable at their job, not bumbling around like a moron. As Fluttershy continued to watch, her suspicions about the Secretary grew. Maybe this wasn't the person she was looking for after all. Maybe they were just a dimwit, not a thief.

Carol Carol's ditzy and dumb disposition may not be immediately apparent from her professional looking attire. She wears a white shirt with buttons and a tie, along with black pants. However, while she may appear put together on the outside, her loose and messy bun may be a hint at her tendency to forget things or be distracted. Despite her air-headedness, Carol still remains dedicated to her job and works hard to ensure everything gets done.

Fluttershy watched as the Secretary shuffled through more filing cabinets, seemingly still searching for something. She was beginning to get frustrated with the stupidity of this person. "How stupid do you have to be to not know where you put something?" She scoffed. But then a thought crossed her mind. Maybe this was all an act? Maybe the Secretary was acting incompetent to throw Fluttershy off the scent. As these thoughts ran through her mind, her curiosity grew. Maybe there was more to this Secretary than she had previously thought. She decided to observe the Secretary a little longer.

Fluttershy was getting increasingly tired and frustrated as she watched the Secretary struggle with finding the file they were looking for. But then, her kind instincts kicked in. As the Secretary continued to fumble around, Fluttershy decided she couldn't stand it anymore. She was the element of kindness and it was her duty to be nice and help others. "Here, let me help you," Fluttershy offered. "It seems like you're having a lot of trouble finding the file you're looking for. Let me take a look."

The Secretary jumped in surprise as Fluttershy spoke, caught off guard by her sudden offer to help. They stuttered and sputtered, trying to regain their composure. "Oh, w-well...ummm..." the Secretary said nervously. Fluttershy could tell that they were caught a bit off guard by her kind gesture. They were probably expecting her to make fun of them for struggling to find something, not offer to help. But she was just trying to be kind, as was her duty as the element of kindness.

Fluttershy smiled comfortingly at the Secretary, trying to put them at ease. "It's okay, I'm just here to help. I've just noticed that you seem to be having a hard time finding the file you're looking for. I thought I could assist you." She said in a soft and soothing voice, trying to put the Secretary at ease. She hoped they would be grateful to her help and not see her as a threat or competition.

Fluttershy approached the desk, trying to help the Secretary find the file they were looking for. She noticed that the files seemed to be very chaotic and disorganized. Many were scattered across the desk in piles, while others were neatly stacked in file folders. It was a bit of a mess. Fluttershy had a feeling that this was the reason why the Secretary was struggling to find the file they were looking for. She wanted to help them out, but first, she needed to reorganize everything to make it easier to find the file.

Fluttershy started reorganizing the files, putting them into neat piles and sorting them by date of importance. As she worked, she noticed that the files were not labeled very well, which was most likely another reason why the Secretary couldn't find the file they were looking for. Fluttershy spent some time organizing and labelling the files properly, so they would be easier to find in future. By the time she was done, the file cabinet was much more organized and the files were in neat and easy-to-find folders.

Fluttershy smiled at her work and turned to the Secretary once again. "That's much better, don't you think?" She said cheerfully. "It was all very disorganized before, which was probably why you were having such a hard time finding what you were looking for." The Secretary nodded and seemed more confident now that they had a more organized work environment. Fluttershy was glad that they could get on with their work quickly and efficiently now.

Carol seemed to be unaware that she was making Fluttershy uncomfortable with her overly friendly behavior. She introduced herself, excitedly waving her arms in the air and getting a bit too close to Fluttershy.
Fluttershy was a little alarmed by this overly friendly behavior. She was used to being more shy and reclusive, not a loud and outgoing person like Carol. She didn't want to come off as rude or unwelcoming, but Carol was quickly invading her personal space and making her uncomfortable, and she didn't seem to realize or care about Fluttershy's feeling.

Fluttershy looked away from Carol, uncomfortable as her personal space was being invaded. She mumbled a little and tried to be more polite and delicate with her words as she spoke. "Um, w-w-well, Carol. I'm happy to have helped. But, could you please maybe give me some space? I-it's just a bit uncomfortable and scary being this close to someone I'm not very familiar with." Fluttershy said nervously.

Fluttershy noted with a tinge of trepidation that Carol's overly friendly behavior was similar to that of Pinkie Pie, and she hoped that Carol would be understanding of Fluttershy's shyness, just like Pinkie was. Fluttershy didn't want to hurt Carol's feelings, but she also didn't want to sacrifice her own comfort in order to cater to Carol's extroverted nature. She needed to find a way to communicate with Carol and set some boundaries.

Fluttershy took a deep sigh of resignation as she realized that her day was most likely going to get a bit more complicated. Coral Carol had just rushed off to a meeting, leaving Fluttershy to deal with both the mess that she had made and the files that she had dropped. Fluttershy was growing weary of constantly getting involved in these sorts of messes, but she knew that she couldn't just leave things the way they were. She quickly picked up the file that Carol had dropped and decided to take it to whoever was going to be expecting it for the meeting. She was hoping that Carol wouldn't get into too much trouble and that this Fluttershy was hoping that Carol wouldn't get into too much trouble and that this wouldn't cause issues for her. She quickly made her way to the office of whoever was expecting the file for the meeting, hoping that she could drop it off before anything too bad happened. However, as she approached the door to the office, she could hear loud and angry voices from inside. It sounded like the person in the office was arguing with someone. Fluttershy froze, not sure if she should enter and drop off the file now or wait until things calmed down.

Fluttershy's eyes widened in surprise and curiosity. It sounded like the person in the office was in the middle of a heated argument. She wasn't sure if it was a good idea to drop off the file now, or if it would be better to wait until the argument settled down a bit. She knew that her boss was likely expecting that file for the meeting, but she also didn't want to step into an uncomfortable situation.

Fluttershy took a quiet breath, deciding it might be better to wait a few moments until it sounded like the argument in the office had died down.

Fluttershy quietly took a peek into the office and saw that the Resources Director had just left. The Resources Director is a well-groomed stallion with a calm and collected demeanor. He exudes authority and leadership, but remains friendly and approachable. He is dressed in professional and sophisticated clothing that reflects his position. When dealing with the public or other town leaders, he presents himself with confidence and authority, yet also humility and openness to feedback. Overall, he presents himself as a competent and capable leader, while remaining grounded and relatable to those around him.

She took a moment to check and make sure that no one else was in the office. Then, she dropped off the file that Carol had been looking for and noticed a voicemail message on the phone. Curious, she pressed a hoof to the phone and listened to the message.

Hearing a female voice on the other side, Fluttershy felt a tinge of fear and alarm. "Did you get the secrets yet? This all depends on you," the voice on the phone said.

Fluttershy's eyes widened as she listened to the voice on the phone. It sounded like the person was talking about getting secret information, possibly even confidential information about her boss' company. She felt the blood drain from her face, as she understood that she may have just accidentally walked into a big problem.
The voice on the phone continued speaking, talking about sticking it to her boss, and suddenly things made sense. Apparently, she had just dropped off that file to the person who was planning to steal the secrets.

Fluttershy felt the realization wash over her, this had indeed been a huge mistake. She realized that she had just dropped off confidential company information to the person who was planning to steal it from her boss. She felt a surge of panic and fear as she realized what she had done.
She quickly decided that she had to do something to remedy this situation immediately. Without wasting any time, she picked up the phone and called her boss. She needed to warn her about the situation and tell her what had happened, before it was too late.

Fluttershy quickly placed a call to her boss, anxious to warn her about the situation as soon as possible. She took a deep breath and waited as the phone rang for a few moments. When her boss finally answered, Fluttershy filled her in on the events that had taken place.

She explained that she had accidentally dropped off the file to the person who was planning to steal the company secrets. Her boss was understandably frustrated and upset by this news, but Fluttershy felt relieved that she had at least given her a heads up and a chance to address the situation.

Fluttershy's boss, who happened to be her older sister, told her to meet up with her in person to discuss a plan for addressing the situation. Fluttershy felt relieved that her boss was taking this matter seriously, and she quickly agreed to meet up with her in person. At least they could work together in order to resolve this problem. She wondered how they were going to fix this situation, and what other consequences might come from this slip up.

Parting ways

Fluttershy listens to her sister, Gust Gale, explain the plan to catch the culprit who has been stealing blueprints and money from their company. They both stand in the CEO's office, where Gust lays out the details of the operation. Fluttershy, however, is skeptical about the risk they would take to pull this off, especially since it involves the use of force.

Gust Gale turns to Fluttershy and says, "I don't know how we're going to persuade him to go to that location, but I'm counting on you, Fluttershy, even though you've never shown much leadership potential."

Fluttershy and Gust Gale scrutinized the plan once more to study the blueprints and funding stored in the vault. But, Gust Gale had made certain that the vault's door would stay open, giving permission to the Secretary, Carol Corol, and the Product Enhancements Officer, Hard Point, to enter it. Suddenly, however, Gust Gale grumbled as the two entered the CEO office and saw what she and Fluttershy were doing. She had forgotten to lock the door, revealing the operation at hoof.

"Hey there, Hard Point, and you too, Carol Corol," Gust Gale said.

Fluttershy greeted them awkwardly. "We - we were just... planning some stuff."
But, Hard Point chuckled. "Planning stuff, huh? With those blueprints on the table?" She replied with a smirk. "It looks more like you're plotting to rob something."

As Hard Point laughed mockingly, Fluttershy and Gust grew even more nervous.
"Uh, yeah, you're right. We ARE trying to rob something!" Gust gale blurted, sweating bullets.

But, to Gust gale's surprise, Fluttershy remained calm. She turned to Hard Point and Carol Corol and explained, "You see, it turns out that someone has been stealing resources from us. We decided we needed to take the law into our own hooves and take them back." Fluttershy said assertively.

"We just need a little more evidence to be sure," Gust responded, her voice growing quiet.

Hard Point tilted her head and glanced up at Carol, who had just begun to doze off in her seat. "Okay... but then why did you call us here?" he asked, her interest piqued by the vague and cryptic responses from Fluttershy and Gust. The two remained strangely silent until... Carol Corol's head bounced up, snapping her out of her slumber. She yawned and stretched before looking around. When she spotted Hard Point and Fluttershy huddled together, she leaned forward, now fully awake and paying attention.

Gust Gale adds, "Hard Point, I realize it would be nice to gather more information for our case, but we are running out of time. Plus, you're already here anyway. So, I want you to talk with the culprit and convince him to enter the vault, where a security team is lying in wait to observe what he does with the things inside."

Hard Point nods to her boss, but then asks, "Umm, wait... wait... Anopheli?" she addresses Gust's office and public name, before adding, "What's the name of the culprit we're after here?" Gust quickly responds, reminding Hard Point, "Oh right, it's Catstongue, the pony Resources director."

"So, I want you to talk to Catstongue and persuade him to go into the vault," Gust continues, detailing the trap she has set up for the heist. "There's a security detail waiting outside to see if he actually steals the items." Hard Point thinks for a moment, wondering how they could persuade him to walk into a trap so blatantly. There had to be a way, though, since Gust was so adamant about catching this pony red-handed.

Gust Gale is noticeably devastated by the betrayal. She had trusted Catstongue and never imagined he could be the one stealing resources from the company. She needed to put aside her emotions and focus on catching him, though, for the good of the company and the ponies working for it. It pained her to do so, especially since she couldn't afford to waste time being upset, but she knew it was her duty to handle the situation as efficiently as possible.

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Hard Point shares with Catstongue a rather unbelievable story about the vault being open for the rest of the day. She claims that the company plans to clean out the vault, moving its contents to another location, and that Carol told her all about it. Hard Point notes that Carol is notoriously loose-lipped and "a bit dumb," but she hopes that Catstongue will trust her tale as she leads him into a carefully-laid trap.

Catstongue is initially skeptical of the idea that the vault is actually open, without proper reason to be. However, given the opportunity to enter the vault and obtain whatever valuables may be inside, he's willing to take a chance. Hard Point leads him there, he hoped that she was right about Carol Corol being "a bit dumb" and having given accurate information to him. Once they reach the vault, Hard Point waits outside, with the security team hidden nearby. Gust gale was ready to catch Catstongue in the act, she watched on the cams.

Catstongue, enticed by the prospect of stealing valuable items from the vault, follows Hard Point's directions and approaches the vault. Upon reaching the vault, he's shocked to discover the door is completely open, exposing the contents of the vault inside. He cautiously enters the vault, planning to quickly snatch a few valuables and run. Hard Point waits outside, her heart racing as she waits to catch Catstongue in the act and bring him to justice.

Inside the vault, Catstongue discovered plenty of riches, far more than he had expected. It was filled with bits, valuable blueprints, and more, all of which could be stolen for his own nefarious purposes. Gust Gale was monitoring the security footage, her heart pounding with anticipation. This arrest would redeem Fluttershy and restore a modicum of peace to the company. But more importantly, perhaps, it would reveal what company Catstongue was working for, and why he was sabotaging the company. And, of course, Gust and the security team were itching for a confession.

Catstongue began filling his pockets with bits and tucking blueprints under his clothes, all while his gaze swept the vault curiously. He had expected such a place to be more secure, but there he was. Hard Point and the security team, standing outside the vault, observed everything from their hidden vantage point, waiting for the opportune moment to pounce. Gust Gale, watching the security footage, felt her gut tighten as she wondered whether or not Catstongue would take the bait. She remained confident, though, knowing that Fluttershy had been on the right track.

Fluttershy was tasked with finding out who was stealing from the company, and she had suspected it was Catstongue. Gust Gale's deal with Fluttershy was to be nicer to her if she could successfully identify the correct culprit. But, Gust was fond of Catstongue, so it was difficult for her to accept that her most trusted employee was a thief. Still, she respected Fluttershy's investigative abilities, so she was determined to find the truth, even if it upset her personally.

Gust Gale spoke into the comms, telling Catstongue, "Catstongue, you are under arrest for theft!" Hard Point and the security team rushed into the vault, catching the culprit by surprise. Before he could make a run for it, the team pinned Catstongue to the ground while Gust stared on, her face blank. She sighed and turned her head away. "Why did you have to be right Fluttershy... I wish we weren't sisters," she muttered softly.

After Catstongue was apprehended and taken outside, Gust Gale emerged from the security room to confront the culprit. She held her composure and stares Catstongue directly in the eyes. "I want a confession before you are taken to jail. Why did you do this? Who were you working for?" Catstongue, however, seems more interested in mocking her. "I wanted more money," he says, "You simply didn't pay enough. And as for the rival, it's a leather and coat company, they sell large amounts of leather and sheep coats."

Gust's face hardens as she hears Catstongue's nonchalant response. She looks away, trying to maintain her composure. Inside, she's heartbroken at the revelation that it was one of her trusted employees who betrayed her and the company. But she can't let that get in the way of her goals, so she remains stern and resolute. "Get him out of my sight," she says firmly, keeping her emotions hidden. But, just beneath the surface, a tear forms in her eye as she watches Catstongue be taken to jail.

Fluttershy comes up behind Gust, and they stare at one another. Gust tries to maintain a professional demeanor, especially after the emotional turmoil she just went through. But she still feels hurt that Catstongue was the one who stole, so it's difficult to completely suppress her emotions. "Well, it's done. Thank you," she says, trying to sound as professional as possible. "You did a good job finding out the information and letting me know." Fluttershy nods, satisfied. They may have caught the culprit, but at what cost.

Fluttershy turns to ask Gust one last time, "Will you keep your promise to treat me nicer now?" She looks up at her older sister with anticipation of what the response could be, hoping for a positive reply. But to Fluttershy's horror, Gust seems to turn away for a moment as if the question caused her even more emotional pain.
However, Gust turns back towards Fluttershy and, after taking a deep breath, gives a response that's slightly kinder but still tinged with disappointment. "Just know... I do these things to you because I see you as the one next in line to take over my company,"
"Just know that I do these things to you because I want you to be more assertive and productive. I'm trying to prepare you for the future," she continues, sounding slightly kinder and more sympathetic towards her younger sister. Fluttershy doesn't quite know how to respond to this, but deep down, she's glad that Gust still believes in her and wants to help develop her skills. She hopes that their relationship may improve now that the Catstongue case has been solved.

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Fluttershy, is continuing to tell the story to Discord, who has an enraged expression and is ready to confront Gust Gale. Fluttershy stops Discord from taking action without listening to her side of the story. She explains that she does not hate Gust, and Discord should not either. She says she loves Gust, even if Gust has a sad and difficult past, which explains her behavior. Fluttershy implores Discord to be understanding, and he reluctantly agrees to hear Fluttershy out.

Discord and Fluttershy are now just drinking tea and discussing the events of the narrative. Fluttershy still stands by her belief that Gust was not all bad and had good intentions, while Discord still feels that Gust deserves some sort of revenge for her past mistreatment of Fluttershy. But Fluttershy remains calm and tries to end the discussion peacefully, hoping that Discord will forgive Gust Gale and perhaps even learn to appreciate her. But the tension between Discord and Fluttershy seems to still exist.

And so the story comes to a close! Fluttershy has told her story to Discord, and the two are now simply chatting over tea. Discord still seems angry at Gust and wants vengeance, but Fluttershy remains adamant that her sister had good intentions and was only trying to help. Nonetheless, Discord reluctantly accepts Fluttershy’s viewpoint on her sister while the two horse-pals finish their tea. And so, Fluttershy’s story is complete, albeit with some unresolved tension between her and Discord.