The Gentlecolts Club

Applebloom ran as quickly as she could to the school on the old dirt road.  In the early dawn hours, the light just made out the path leading from Apple acres to the schoolhouse.  Not accustomed to getting up this early, she knew she’d have to make up the time if she wanted to get to the newsprint room before class.  Looking down the familiar path, she saw the schoolhouse just up ahead.  Judging by the time, she had a few minutes just before class to talk with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo.  As she arrived, she quickly bypassed the other colts and fillies in the courtyard.  Heading inside, dropped her saddlebags and made her way into the celler.  Looking around the empty print room, she saw the sign for the darkroom closet door.  As she walked over to it, she gave it a light knock.

“Is it done yet?”  Applebloom impatiently called at the door as she sat down outside.  “Cmon, I want to see it!”

From inside, the voice of  Scootaloo could be heard.  “Hang on, just a few more minutes!”  Pacing the floor, Applebloom thought about the night before and if the picture came out as expected.  She only had time for one shot and if it didn’t show anything, Rumble would be disappointed.  She felt as if everything hung on this moment.

From inside, whispers could be heard and Scootaloo could be heard as she shouted out.  “Whoohoo!”

“Hurry up you guys!  I wanna see it already!”  Applebloom whined as she had her hooves up against the door scraping it.  As the door opened, she fell inside to the ground with a splat.

As she lay on the darkroom floor, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle stood behind the gauntly built colt Featherweight as they passed the picture between one another.  Looking it, the young colt stared wide eyed.  “Wow.  This will defiantly prove Rumble was right guys.”

“Me! Me! I’m next!”  Applebloom shouted as she jumped to her feet.  As she was handed the photo, her eyes grew at the colorful photo set in the dusk hours showing Rainbow Dash as she had her arms around a surprised Soarin facing one another on the couch.   Applebloom first looked delighted, but then her expression changed to dissatisfaction.  “The light was a bit low on this, but at least you can see everything.”

“Hey, you were the one that told me to turn the flash off.  I think we’re fortunate that we can see anything.”  Scootaloo said in her defense.

As Applebloom studied the picture closer, he face lit up again.  “Hey guys!  If you look in the background here, you can see a picture in the frame on the desk of Thunderlane.  That settles it!”  Her hoof pointed to a nearby desk in the frame and sure enough, a small but defined picture of Thunderlane in the long illumination of orange light could be seen.

“Do you think we can get this around before class?”  Sweetie Belle questioned.  Applebloom caught in thought spoke her mind.  “Just maybe.”

Without warning, the schoolhouse bell could be heard above the house.  Featherweight looked up at the clock in the room.  “Uh oh.”  He said as he pointed up to it and looked around at the fillies.  “I think you’re gonna have to wait till first recess.  You guys had better head upstairs quick.” Sweetie Belle groaned as Scootaloo looked at the clock in scorn.  “Dang it!”

After the bell, Applebloom had a change of heart.  “Hmm.  Maybe not.”

Moving quickly, she ran over to the skinny colt and gave him a quick hug.  “Featherweight, you’re the best.”  He blushed as she turned with picture in mouth and ran out of the room and up the stairwell with Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle close behind her.

As Featherweight  finished cleaning up inside of the darkroom, he turned off the light and closed the door not noticing the shadow cast across the nearby window pane moving in the morning sun.

**************************************

Thunderlane turned in his bed as the morning light poked through his nearby window.  Turning over left to right, it continued to bother him as he restlessly tried to escape it.  Picking up his pillow, he pulled it over his head while his nose poked out off the side of the bed.  As he tried to doze off again, a faint smell of what he thought was a cinnamon apple muffin wafted in the air.  It slowly became stronger until he swore it hung right in front of him.  A dull giggle could be heard.  Reaching out slightly, his nose touched something.  As he stuck out a tongue, it sure enough was a muffin.  It tasted exactly as it smelled.  The giggle became louder.

Lifting the pillow, he looked curiously to see Derpy wearing  a chef’s hat waving the muffin in hoof and watching him while snickering.

“Good morning sleepyhead!”  She said as she brought it over to a nearby table.  “Have a seat!  The doctor will be here shortly.”  Soarin was already at the table chewing on one.  With a smile, he nodded in approval.  “I have to tell you Thunderlane, this mare knows muffins.”

To see Soarin in a better mood became a refreshing sight for Thunderlane.  After his temper last night, he questioned if he should even be near him.  Still he considered it best to tread lightly.

As he sat up, he shook his head around and yawned.  Coming up off the bed, he stumbled to the table and the large plate obstructed from view while he was under the pillow.  An assortment too large to count left him with just eating the one handed to him by Derpy earlier.

Derpy looked back and forth between the two.  “Coffee?  Morning greens?  Anything you may be interested in?”  Looking at her, Soarin gave a nod.  “Tea does sound good for the morning.”  Thunderlane followed up.  “Good ‘ol OJ if you have it please.”

“Can do!”  Derpy chimed as she darted out.  A few seconds barely passed as the voice of the doctor could be heard in the next room.  “Derpy!  Slow down or-“

A crash is heard from afar in the house.  “Oops, my bad!”  She is heard saying.

Walking in, the doctor dressed in a decorative robe is carrying the book seen the night before in a bag as he carries it in mouth by the strap.  Walking over to the breakfast table, he lays it down.

“One of these days that mare is going to be the death of me.”  He sighed as he cleared a space on the table.  Picking the book up, he lays it on down for both Thunderlane and Soarin to see.

Looking around the table, the doctor noticed Soarin visibly disturbed as he stared at the exterior of the book.  Leaning over, he waved a hoof over the cover to break his concentration.  Soarin blinking and looking up glanced back at the book and then at the doctor.  “Sorry.  That things just gives me the creeps.”  He said with obvious concern on his face.

“This book will not hurt you unless somepony intentionally means to do so.  The book is simply a tool.”  The doctor replied.  As he opened it, Soarin could be seen tensing up and scooting backwards in his chair in anticipation of something going wrong.    Watching him, the doctor tapped on the table to get his attention and waved for him to come closer and pointed to the area next to him.  He spoke out in a tone similar to that of a child being scolded.  “Soarin, you will come here and have a seat.  Nothing I’m going to show you is grotesque or erotic.  This is important.”

Slowly, he came over and sat as the doctor requested still looking at the book in question.  Thunderlane on the other hand had his nose next to the pages trying to flip a few up and see anything else in the book.  As he managed to see in between the pages, his eyes grew wide.  “Holy cow!  A pony can do that?”

“Do you mind?”  The doctor tapped his nose before he waved his head away.  Looking back at Soarin, he beckoned him closer and pointed to a picture in the book of a pony spread eagle laying in the center of a circle.  Becoming more curious, Soarin looked at it in question.

“Is that all?  Just lay in a circle?”  Soarin said trying to get a better view.  Looking back at him with an eyebrow raised, the doctor simply shook his head.

“No.  There’s no runes or incantations with this one, but it’ll still need some work.  It’s simply a banishment ritual using a natural herbal reaction.  You drink one part and the circle is supposed to pull the ailment out through a grounding reaction.  I think the ingredients do more work than any magic.  I prefer to start with the lowest form of treatment then and if needed work our way up with something stronger if it doesn’t work.”

“Is there time to give this a shot today?  The sooner I can shake this problem the better.”  Soarin looked intently at the picture in the book and read the list of herbs.

“Well, fortunately, this one seems rather simple.  I think I may be able to find most of what is needed here locally.”  He nodded in satisfaction as he leaned back.  “We could be done by this morning.”

Soarin remembering his mandated check in schedule with the Wonderbolts crossed his mind.  “Oh, drat.”  He placed a hoof directly in the center of his head and flinched as he felt the sting of the still prominent knot from the day before.  “I still have to check in with my captain back at the training facility each morning while I’m on medical leave.”

The doctor looked at him concerned.  “That would be your captain Spitfire, correct?”

“The one and only.  This will finally give me a chance to set things straight with her and tell her the letter is a forgery.”  He said with relief.

The doctor leaned over across the table and placed a hoof directly in front of him on the table.  His eyes locked in directly with his as his tone went deadly serious.  “Sorain, whatever you do, you can’t tell her that.  I mean it.”

Soarin immediately looked at him with disbelief.  “But, this will finally get her off my back!  I don’t have to worry about her anymore!  Do you know how long this has haunted me?”

The eyebrows on the doctor rose as he still looked intently at him.  “Yes, for you.  But this threat we face will pick up on it and we will lose our only lead.  For our chance to catch this threat, it is incredibly important that you don’t tell her or Dash of your involvement with this.”

Soarin leaned forward and placed his head in his hooves.  “Oh dear Celestia.  I can’t believe I have to deal with this again.”  Thunderlane quickly followed up and he butt in.  “Hey, I still have to talk to Dash today.  Think I’m happy about that?”

Trying to get his mind off the subject, the Doctor changed subjects.  “Last night you mentioned that you wanted to wait until this morning to make a decision.  I’ll need an answer if you’re dedicated to being able to join our cause.  An answer at the soonest possible time would be preferred.”

Soarin thought for a moment and raised both hooves as if losing hope.  “Why not.  A little bit of plant matter and lying in a circle can’t hurt.  I still have two crazy mares out there that want to stow me away for their own.”

Just then Derpy came in spilling a dash of tea on the ground and a splash of orange juice fell on the floor.  Looking behind him in surprise, the Doctor quickly looked upset.  “Derpy!  Slow down!  There’s no fire here.”

Slowing to a halt, she blinked and nodded.  Tip-toeing over to the table, she placed the platter down.  Napkins are visibly soaked and a cup is overturned with tea and orange juice everywhere.

For a moment the doctor looked down then picked up a half empty cup and raised it to Soarin.  “Welcome to the Gentlecolts club.”

Soarin looking down, picked up a chipped empty cup and tapped to that of the doctor.  Thunderlane picked up his empty orange juice glass, looked at it in dismay and turned to Derpy.  “Can I get another?”

Derpy turned and shot off toward the kitchen.  “On the way!”

The doctor turned and shouted to Derpy as he quickly ran after her in the same direction “No, no Derpy!  I’ll get it!”

**************************************

As the first recess bell rang, the fillies and colts of the classroom spilled out to the courtyard.  Last out of the door and down the stairs was Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoons noticing the others play as they sat back and watched.

“Ugh”  Diamond Tiara grumbled as she around at the other youngsters active in the yard.  “Look at them Silver.  Acting like ruffians climbing trees and  playing in the sandbox.  Not very professional at all.”  Silver spoons chimed in.  “Well, what would you expect from lower class common ponies?  Affluence and esteem?”

The two laughed as they started their cheer.  “Rump, bump, sugarlump…”

“Hey!”  Applebloom called angrily as she started towards them over from the yard.    “I’ve got a word for both of you!”

“Oh, this should be good.”  Diamond Tiara slowly chuckled while smiling rather smug.  “You say have something you want to say to me?”

“Yeah!  C’mon gals!”  Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle followed close behind.  As Applebloom walked up to her, she pointed at her accusingly.  “Yesterday you had no right to laugh at Rumble and say he was making up stories about Soarin being at his house.”  Sweetie Belle continued.  “And don’t have any proof to say he wasn’t there!”  Scootaloo followed up.  “Yeah!  That was just plain mean!”

Diamond Tiara rolled her eyes and groaned as a response.  “Really now, are we back on that old subject?  That was so yesterday.”

Applebloom stepped closer as she continued.  “Well, we’re bringing it back and this time we have proof!”  She turned to Sweetie Belle.  “I left it in my saddlebags.  Can you get it?”

She nodded as she sprinted through the yard, up the stairs and into the schoolhouse.

“Oh please.”  The tiara wearing pony said.  “Whatever plan you silly fillies have come up with is likely a fabrication.”  Looking around, she noticed some of the schoolyard children circling around them curious to know what is going on.  Feeling uneasy, she thought to downplay the situation.

“Everypony knows a Wonderbolt like Soarin has no business with Thunderlane.  It’s as simple as that.”  She nodded so matter of factly.  Looking over at Silver Spoons, she nudged her for support.  A bit surprised, Silver nodded in agreement.  “Uh, yes.  I can’t believe it either.”

Rumble walked up from the back of the growing crowd.  “You can’t fake it this time you two.”  He said.  “I was there when we all saw them on the couch.  The picture can prove it.”

Diamond Tiara blinked as her face turned to shock.  “What?  A picture?”

Sweetie Belle came back with the picture in mouth.  Giving it to Applebloom, the little yell filly held it outstretched to both Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoons to see.  “You want your proof?  There he is!  Soarin at Thunderlane’s house!”

The pair barely had a glimpse of the picture before the crowd around them rushed in to see the photo.  Both Silver Spoons and Diamond Tiara tried to fight them back.  “Gah!  Get away from me!”  As the pair are shoved aside by colt and filly, both fall into the dirt out of the way of the crowd.  One voice after another is heard as they all have a look.  “It’s him!”  One yelled.  “Wow, it’s really true!”  Another said in amazement.  “Hey, that’s a picture of Thunderlane!  I’ve been at his house!”  Said another.

“Stop it!  Stop it I say!”  The tiara wearing pony angrily yelled as she stood up at the back.  “That picture is a fake!  They…they just did it make me look wrong!”  Turning around she beckoned at Silver Spoons still lying on the ground after the stampede.  “Ooh!  Would you get up!”

Hearing the commotion, Cherilee quickly walked out from the schoolhouse.  “Children!  Children!  What is going on here!”  The first to run up to her is Diamond Tiara trying to look as hurt as possible through her anger.  Cherilee could easily see the mixed emotion.

“Ms. Cherilee!  Oh thank goodness you’re here!  That nasty bunch made up that picture to make me and Silver Spoons look bad.  They even pushed me down in the dirt.  How could they!?”   With a howl and a fake sob, she covered he face with a hoof from the teacher as if distraught and looked back at the Cutie Mark Crusaders in anger.

With a frustrated sigh, Cherilee walked over to the group.  “Alright children, what’s going on here?”  Applebloom still holding the photo handed it up to her.  “Ms. Cherilee, this is the photo me and the Cutie Mark Crusaders took last night at Rumble’s house!  This is the proof!”  Looking down, Cherilee studied the photo closely.  Following a brief moment, she nodded in agreement.  “Well, if this is a fake, it’s the best one I’ve ever seen.”

Diamond Tiara quickly ran over to her and tugged at her leg still pouting.  “But, but, you can’t believe them!  Just think about it Ms. Cherilee!”  Looking over at Silver Spoons, her face contorted in an angry grimace as she motioned with her head for support.  Picking up on the message, she came over and tugged on the other leg.  “Yes ms. Cherilee!  It’s not right how they did this just to spite us!”

Cherilee brushed the pair off as she continued to examine the photograph.  Again looking at the Crusaders, she questioned them.  “Where did you three get this?”

“Through stealth and ninja skills!”  Scootaloo piped up as she did a karate chop with a  hoof.  Pushing it down, Sweetie Belle followed up.  “We went over to Rumble’s house and hid at the top of the stairs hoping he would come back.”  Applebloom nodded.  “We took the camera and once we could get a good picture, we took one and what you see there is the result!”

“Judging by the daylight, I’d you were there rather late in the day.”  Cherilee added with a hint of curious suspicion.  “Did you develop this as well?”

“No!  We had Featherweight do it downstairs!”  Scootaloo added.  “You can look down there and see we didn’t use anything to change it!”

Cherilee continued to take a long hard look at the photo.  Pausing, she finally nodded in agreement  “If what you say is true, I have to believe it.  I’ve been over to where Rumble lives and this is certainly his living room.”  Looking down at Rumble, she leaned in and placed a hoof on his shoulder.  “Rumble, I want to say that you were certainly right all along.”

In admiration, a cheer broke out from the small group around the Cutie Mark Crusaders.  Diamond Tiara looked in shock as her jaw dropped.  Shaking it off, she went mad with anger and approached Cherilee.  “No!  They’re liars!  Those three are liars!  I bet they paid somepony to make fake pictures and you’re dumb enough to believe it!”  She kicked a small rock and it skittered in the dirt bouncing off the hoof of Cherilee.   Silver Spoons sensing the situation going bad backed away from her.

Cherilee turned around and faced her clearly irritated.  “As for you young filly, I’m going to have a talk with your father at lunch about your behavior today.”

The expression of Diamond Tiara instantly changed from anger to fear in the matter of seconds. “What!?  Wait!  No, no, no, no!  You can’t do that!  No!  Not daddy!”  Running up to Cherilee, she groveled at her hoof.  “Please!  Don’t tell him!  I’m sorry!  I didn’t mean it!”

As the young filly kept at her feet, Cherilee called out to the schoolyard.  “Playtime is over children, lets all come back inside.”

As each filly and colt came up to give praise to the group, Applebloom called out to her friends. “Way to go Cutie Mark Crusaders!”

Off a short distance away a cloaked character hid in the brush.  Watching them intently, he cackled softly to himself.  “Indeed.  Excellent work Cutie Mark Crusaders.”

**************************************

All ponies stood proud in their suits as Fleetfoot in front of the formation counted the line.  As she figured the tally, she turned completely around and faced captain Spitfire.  Both ponies saluted one another and the report was given.

“Captain, all present minus one!”  She shouted.  Spitfire still looking face to face with her nodded, but immediately after noticed a figure fly in and join the line.  Leaning over slightly, she noticed the light blue coat out of uniform.  With a slight look of surprise, a smile lit up as she knew who it was.

Quickly looking back and compelling herself, she whispered closely to Fleetfoot.  “You’ll need to count them again.”

Fleetfoot confused, turned around and noticed the light blue pony instantly.  Correcting herself, she turned back and shouted out.  “All present and accounted for!”

Spitfire nodded and both ponies saluted one another.  Fleetfoot quickly turned around and joined the line at the end facing forward with the rest of the Wonderbolts.

Spitfire announced to the line. “Ladies and gentlecolts, this morning I’m going to skip the speech for today for medical leave processing.  Announcements are the same as yesterday.  You may continue your training when ready as Lieutenant Fleetfoot is in command.”

Fleetfoot ran to the front and both ponies again saluted.  Spitfire walked away toward Soarin as the lieutenant in command shouted at the flight.  “Wonderbolts away!”

Soarin drew a deep breath as he watched Spitfire walk over.  The ponies beside him took off into the air as the captain came closer and as she sat in front of him, she remained quiet for a moment.  Finally finding the words, she spoke aloud.  “I…I’m sorry about yesterday.”

Looking around at the ground, he looked up at her.  “Well, things happen.  You didn’t do it on purpose.”

Spitfire cleared her throat and in a professional tone addressed him.  “We need to take care of a few signatures.  We should go to my office and-“

Soarin turned his head in reaction.  “N-no.  I’d rather not be in there.”  Thinking, he tried to find an alternative.  “If anything, we can work at the desk in the locker room.  Other ponies will be in and out of there during the day.”

Spitfire sighed calmly.  “Fine.  We can do it there if needed.”

As Soarin watched her head over to her office, he walked over to the main complex side door and entered it leading to the locker room.  The main entryway desk usually staffed by Fleetfoot sat empty as all Wonderbolts were currently out for training.  He knew it wasn’t much better than her office, but it was a far better chance somepony would walk in that he knew she would be less likely to try something.  At least it seemed good in theory.

Sitting at the desk, he heard the entrance door open and close.  Looking up, he saw her as she came in with papers in mouth and placed them on the desk.  Placing a pen on the desk next to them , she pointed to the dotted line at the bottom then flipped the next two pages to the same line on each.

“I’ll need you to sign these in triplicate that you understand your duties and what is required from you in the meantime and afterwards.”  She said.  As Soarin started to sign it, she held a hoof on top of his and slowly ran it down the top knuckle.  “You’ll want to read it first…”

Pulling his hoof away, he answered with suspicion.  “Okay…”

In the silence, Soarin read the terms of the medical conditions.  After a moment, Spitfire broke the silence.  “Soarin, you’d tell me if you were seeing somepony, wouldn’t you?”  She asked.

Soarin tells her as honest can be.  “I’m not seeing a mare.  There’s no question about that.”

As he continued to read, she spoke again.  “Crazy question, but it’s not some stallion…”

“Stop”  He muttered still focused on the papers.  “I’m not into that at all.”

As Soarin continued to read the document, he noticed Spitfire sit up and she walked over to the lockers.  Running a hoof over the first one, she looked at the bottom.  “Hmm, certainly dusty.  I may have to run an inspection in here later on.”  Moving towards the back, she could be heard scrutinizing one thing after another.  “Water spots on the bench and stains on the carpet.  I see…”   From the back, she called out unexpectedly.  “This bathroom is a mess!  Have you seen this Soarin?”

Soarin placing the pen down on the desk leaned around it looking between the lockers in curiosity.  Sitting up, he walked down the aisle until he came to the bathroom area.  No sign of Spitifre could be seen.

“Back here!  I found something that needs to be taken care of!”  Spitfire could be heard as an echo all around.

“I don’t know what you’re doing Spitfire, but I don’t like it.”  Soarin called out.  “I just want to get these papers signed and be on my way.  I can’t perform until later in the week.  You know that.”

As he walked into a dark shower room, the light flipped on and Spitfire held out her right hoof blocking the only exit.  Soarin quickly backed away to the far wall.  Mixed in confusion and fear, he shook his head.  “What in the green acres of Equestria are you doing!?”  He said.

Standing against the wall, Spitfire raised her left hoof and reached up to the spigot behind her head on the wall still looking intently at Soarin.  Turning on the water with a hoof behind her back, the spigot sprayed freely as her hair quickly fell heavy from the weight of the liquid.  The water trickled down her head and soaked into her suit as her body became soaked.  Still dressed in the uniform, she raised a hoof and found the zipper on the front.  Pulling it down, the suit fell away from both sides of her chest as she stepped forward toward Soarin.  From behind her, she pulled one arm and the other out from the sleeves.  As the suit fell to the floor of the shower stall, she stepped out of it one hoof after another.  Raising both hooves to her hair, she pulled them back through her mane.  Lowering her head, she quickly flipped it upward and tossed her mane back causing a few soaked strands to hang in front of her eyes still staring with intent at Soarin.   As she closed in on him, she whispered to him.  “Can you please take care of this?”

Soaring grew terrified at the imposing sight.  “Spitfire, I just came here to sign paperwork!”  He yelled in his defense.  As she came close to him, he lay his head flat against the wall.  She leaned in, placed hooves on both sides of him, and reached in behind him with a hoof turning on the water.  As both of them stood under the running spigot for a moment, Spitfire kneeled down and rested her chin on his chest.  Closing her eyes under the running water, she rubbed her nose into the wet fur.

Soarin trying to keep his focus is hyperventilating.  His mind is running wild as he closes his eyes.  He speaks aloud trying to think of being elsewhere while trying to stay awake.

“I’m in control, I’m in control, I’m in control…”

“No, not this time.”  Spitfire said as she stands to face him with an inch between them.  “Right now, you’re mine.”  She came in and kissed him rotating her head as she held tighter around his torso under the running water.  As she lightly chewed on his lip, she whispered out.  “Touch me Soarin.  Feel for me as I feel for you.”

Soarin could feel as he went limp again.  This time he fought hard and dove down under her arm jumping away out of the shower stall.  Soaking wet, he shot down the isle.  Sliding past the paperwork, he came back, signed all three and left through the complex door.

Spitfire sitting down in dismay in the shower room settled with her thoughts under the pouring water of the flowing faucet.

“This time.  I was so sure it would be this time.”  She mumbled to herself.

**************************************

“Of all the things I need to get done today, some mane brained, hoof headed, bucking donky of a pony has the gall to tell me I have to talk to the schoolhouse teacher.  I really don’t have time for this today!”  Filthy Rich yelled out loud as he walked along the road.  “Quickjot, take a note!”

The smaller unicorn next to him looked back at his saddlebags and both a notepad and a pencil floated out in front of him as his horn glowed.  “At the ready, sir.”

“For future reference, nopony is to interrupt my meeting unless it concerns extreme emergency, serious business deal changes or family matters.  Period.  You can write that in too.”  He said with satisfaction.

The unicorn looked a bit confused.  “Ah, sir.  We’re heading to the schoolhouse because of your daughter.”  He replied.  “She seems to have run into a bit of trouble and the teacher would like a word with you at lunch.”

Filthy Rich looked at him in curiosity.  “Really?  I didn’t hear that part.”  Quickly thinking, he continued.  “Take another note!”

The unicorn sighed as he held the pencil to the pad.  “Still ready sir.”

“I am to be informed why I am needed for the reasons aforementioned before I am interrupted in my meetings so I can judge if it happens to be a valid reason to go.  If said reasons are unclear, the pony that needs my attention must fill out a request to see form and I’ll judge them case by case.  Period.”

Quickjot scratched his head with the pencil eraser as he looked puzzled.  “A request form to interrupt a meeting?  Do we even have those?”

Filty thought for moment and continued.  “Place an order for requisition forms for business interruptions.”  Filthy nodded in satisfaction.

The unicorn shook his head as he sighed yet again.  “As you say sir.”

As they neared the schoolhouse and it’s raucous children paying out in the side yard, Filthy looked at it curiously as he squinted.  “Rather smallish wouldn’t you say Quickjot?  I wonder if this teacher knows I deal in contractor business.  Adding a room or two couldn’t hurt them or our pocketbook, wouldn’t you say?”

“Well, it is a rather small schoolhouse for a reason sir.  I don’t think they would need to spend the bits for something they don’t need.”  The unicorn replied.  “Besides, Ponyville wouldn’t need much more then this as it is.  If I recall, an old term goes ‘if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it’.”  He stifled a mild laugh.

“Hmm.  I suppose so.”  Filthy mumbled as he continued to look the building over.  “Still couldn’t hurt to have a word about it.  Anyway, let’s see here what we have to deal with over whatever issue this is.”

Arriving on the steps, he knocked on the outside door.  Cherilee opening it immediately noticed his and opened the door wide.  “Ah, Mr.  Filty.  I’ve been expecting you.  Would you please come in?”

Looking a bit smug, he nodded and entered the one room.  As Quickjot tried to follow him, she held out a hoof in front of him.  “Sorry, private family matters.  Please understand.”

Just before the door had shut, the unicorn tried to get a glimpse in between the doorjamb calling inside.  “Uh, sir!?”

Returning from the door, Cherilee came down the isle.  As she passed Filthy she smiled and pointed her nose to small rug in front of her desk.  “Please have a seat.  I’ll bring your daughter in.”

As filthy came over and sat, Cherilee opened the door and looked down at the short stairwell where Diamond Tiara sat.  “You can come in now young lady.”  She said.

As she came in clearly angry, her expression changed the moment she looked at Filthy.  “Daddy!  Oh Daddy, daddy, daddy!  It’s so good to see you!”  Trotting over, she grabbed him by an arm and started to howl.  “Oh daddy!  They were horrible!  They made up a story so me and Silver Spoons-“

Filthy held up a hoof.  “Hold on.  I’m here to see you teacher.  I want to hear what she has to say.”  Cherilee came back as she closed the door and sat behind her desk.

“But, but Daddy!  You can’t believe them!”  The little filly contested as she looked up with forlorn eyes.

As he looked down at her, he raised his eyebrows.  “I’ll judge by what I hear and what I think.  After all, that’s what I’m paid for.”  He returned to looking at Cherilee .  “Please go ahead ma’am.”

The teacher looked down at her desk to find the words then looked up.  “Mr Rich, over the last two days I’ve had an altercation between your daughter and another three fillies while they were out in the courtyard during recess.  Today, Diamond Tiara here literally insulted me and kicked gravel at me.  This of course is not the sort of behavior we like to see at the schoolhouse.”  She said.

“I see.”  Filthy replied in a calm tone.  As he looked down at Diamond Tiara, he asked her a question.  “I suppose you have good reason for this?”

“That’s what I was trying to tell you!”  She yelled.  “Those three made up a photo if Soarin being at the house of Rumble with that filly Rainbow Dash all over him!  It has to be a lie!”

Filthy Rich couldn’t believe the words he had just heard.  His look at his daughter went from muted to seriously concerned.  Looking back up at Cherilee, he returned to his professional demeanor.  “Do you happen have this photo for me to see?”

“Well”  Cherilee started.  “I don’t actually have it.  It belongs to one of the students.”

Trying to stay calm, he tried to press the issue.  “I really need to see that photo if you can, ma’am.”

Cherilee looked at him a bit odd.  With a nod, she agreed.  “I suppose it can’t hurt, but the issue is more with your daughters behavior.”

Filthy searched for an answer.  “If it’s a fake, I can understand her anger.  If it’s true, then I can judge punishment accordingly.  I believe that seems fair.  This is only on top of what she has already done to you.  I don’t like to leave out all of the details.”  He felt good at the idea, but remained stoic on the outside as he waited for an answer.

“I can see how that would make sense.”  Cherilee said getting up and walking to the door.  As she opened it, she called out to the yard.  “Scootaloo!  Sweetie Belle!  Applebloom!  Come inside!”

The teacher came back over to the desk and sat back down.  “If it helps any Mr. Rich, I have a development lab run by our journalists downstairs.”

He nodded as he looked towards the door and saw the trio of fillies enter.  As they came over, Diamond Tiara pointed at them angrily.  “Those three!  They’re the ones out to get me!  Teach them a lesson!”

Filthy looked down at his daughter in frustration and held a hoof between her and the trio.  Looking much calmer, he turned to them as he spoke.  “I’ve been told that you three have taken a picture of Soarin and Rainbow dash together.  May I see this photo?”

Applebloom looked at Sweetie Belle for an answer.  She just shrugged.  As she turned to Scootaloo, she waved a hoof for her to come closer.  As she did do, she whispered into her ear.  Looking up at Cherilee, Applebloom slowly spoke.

“Um, teacher.  Are we in trouble?”  She asked cautiously.  Diamond Tiara quickly interrupted.   “My daddy is going to see that fake photo and you’re all in deep trouble.  The worst kind imaginable!”

Filthy hissed at his daughter.  “Shush, or I’ll ground you for a week!”  Looking up at Cherilee, he shook his head.  Smiling, she shook her head in succession.  “No.  Not at all.  Mr. Rich here just wants to see the picture.”

“Well, ok then.”  Appleboom said as she slowly walked over to her saddlebags near her desk.  Pulling out the photo, she walked back and reached up to the top of the table placing it in view of both Filthy and Cherilee.  As they looked intently at the photo, no obvious errors, no flaws, and no altercations could be detected .  Nothing at all was seen out of place.  It clearly had Rainbow dash and her arms around Soarin in a living room area showing pictures of both Thunderlane and Rumble in the background.

Filthy looked intently at the photo clearly concerned.  Cherilee noticed and tried to lower head in hopes of him seeing her.  “Mr. Rich?  Are you OK?”

He looked up at her.  “Yes!  Yes, quite alright.  Now that I’ve seen this, it makes all the difference.”  He turned and faced the trio still nearby.  “I need this photo and any negatives for it.”  He said with conviction.

Applebloom nodded.  “Sure.  We don’t need it anymore.  You can have it now that Rumble is proven to be speaking the truth.  The negatives are downstairs.”  Scootaloo also added her perspective.  “ Rumble has always told it like it is!  We set the record straight!”

Applebloom turned to Sweetie Belle.  “Can you get the negatives from Feathreweight?”  With a nod, she trotted to the nearby stairwell and headed on down to the lab.

Diamond Tiara continued her plea.  “But daddy, are you even listening to me?  You know I’m right, don’t you?”  With a tired sight he looked down with scorn at her.  “You young filly will have a long time to think about how you treat your teacher when you stay at home after school for the next week.  Silver Spoons is also not to come over during that time.”

The little pink filly started to bawl as she heard the news.  “NOOO!  My social life is ruined!  Ruined!”  Still sobbing, she turned and looked over at the Cutie Mark Crusaders angrily.

Sweetie Belle came back running with Featherweight behind her.  The colt yelled out in shock.  “The negatives are missing!  I just used them an hour or two ago!”

Cherilee looked at him confused.  “But it’s not like you to lose something that quick.  Are you sure?”

Featherweight replied still stunned.  “I know!  I couldn’t have lost them, I’m sure!  I had them hanging up!  Other then the window being open, nothing else was touched!”

Filthy felt something was afoul now, but he had to cut the trip short.  “No matter.”  He interrupted.  “I can’t be late and must be getting back.  I can have a look at them later when you find them.”

He looked to Cherilee.  “I believe we’re done here, correct?”  She looked back as she cleaned up a few things on her desk.  “Well, other than those negatives, that’s all I have Mr. Rich.  If something else comes up, I’ll let you know.”

“Thank you.”  He replied.  Leaning down at Diamond Tiara, he drew a breath and let out a long sigh.  “As for you, l‘ll see you at home.  Try to behave yourself.”  Still quite angry, she remained quiet as she glared to each of the Crusaders.

Mr. Rich Picked up the photo, turned and left through the main entry door with the assistant unicorn waiting outside.  Having seen him, he gets up and follows along.  Filthy gives him the photo which he promptly stows in his bag.

“Quickjot, take a note.”  He said.  “Cancel all meetings for the next two hours.

With his mouth agape in surprise, he blurted out to filthy.  “But I can’t do that!  They’ve been waiting for two weeks to see you!”

“It can wait.  I have to take care of something far more important.  Don’t lose that photo I gave you.”  Filthy said as he hurried down the dirt road.