Investigation
[The scene opens with a shot lowering down to the harbor where Cranky is unloading a freighter as Stanley passes below with a mixed freight before it transitions to a hallway. The silhouettes of three people are shown walking down it before a door is opened, revealing a room with a table and two chairs on opposite sides to one another. The person to sit down on one side is Celestia, with Luna and Cadance standing behind her. The white alicorn pulls out a speaker]
Celestia: Bring in the first witness.
[Into the room steps a black equine with a teal mane, looking indifferent to her surroundings as she sits opposite Celestia]
Celestia: So, I assume you know why we've called you here.
Chrysalis: Let me guess; judge, jury, and executioner, I believe I'd need to commit a crime to do that.
Luna: This is no joking matter, you're not the only one being held in suspicion, so we need absolute confirmation of your innocence, as ironic as it sounds.
Celestia: Where were you at seven o'clock last night when the accident took place?
Chrysalis: Far away from any trains, that's for sure, do you even have any records suggesting that I had something to do with this?
Celestia: Well, we're starting off with suspects we know more broadly, and given your track record, perhaps it shouldn't come as much of a surprise to you.
Chrysalis: Okay, then tell me this, princesses, what would I have to gain from wrecking a whole bunch of rolling stock, they don't mean anything to me.
Cadence: So this would go for all the other incidents that happened that night?
Chrysalis: Of course, as I said, I was nowhere near the railway when this place, I was preoccupied with business of my own.
Celestia: And just what would that entail?
Chrysalis: Oh, you really want to know?
[The three alicorns exchange a glance with one another]
Celestia: On second thought, I'd rather move on with the process.
Chrysalis: Good, am I cleared now?
Luna: Since there's no evidence to suggest otherwise…[sighs]...you're dismissed…
Chrysalis: Great…
[The changeling gets up from her side and struts her way out the door, leaving the other three to contemplate their current predicament]
Cadence: This isn't going to be as easy as it looks.
Luna: And we've got so many more suspects to go through…
Cadence: If only the security footage gave us more to work with…
Celestia: This…is going to take a while…
[The scene cuts to Tiana's Palace where the Winx girls are sitting outside in between Snooper, Blabber, Rita, and Georgette on one end while Mulan, Pocahontas, Honest John, and Gideon are on the other end while Duck passes by on the elevated track with a train of tankers]
Bloom: Wow, I can imagine how horrifying it was to be in something like that.
Aisha: It wasn't a pleasant experience by any means, I'm just glad we got out in one piece.
Stella: I just hope whoever caused this dilemma gets what's coming to them, otherwise, I might have to take action into my own hands.
Flora: Perhaps we should let the authorities handle the situation first before we jump off the deep end.
Musa: I hear they're investigating some kind of sabotage, so maybe these incidents run deeper than we think.
Tecna: Based on that probability, perhaps we might need to get involved if it comes to extreme measures.
Roxy: You don't suspect someone we know might have done it?
Musa: My money's on the Trix, we all know the lengths they'll go to show their dominance.
Bloom: And didn't these accidents happen back to back in the same night, that's gotta be a lead.
Tecna: Unless you take the following crashes into consideration, it is possible that they could have teleported from place to place, but could they do it in such rapid succession?
Flora: Plus, what would they have to gain from causing a whole bunch of wrecks, if they were going to leave a trail, they wouldn't be so messy.
Stella: Well, I personally wouldn't put it past them, I mean, it's in a witch's nature to be sne…[notices Flora giving her a look]...what, I don't mean all witches, of course.
Roxy: Is there anything to suggest otherwise, maybe it was someone else.
Flora: I mean, she's not wrong there, we don't know for certain if the witches are behind this.
Icy: [off-sceen] Of course we aren't, brainiac.
[The Winx gasp to see the Trix standing several yards away from them. The other patrons put their menus over their faces]
Icy: We heard you smacking us from a mile away, you fairies aren't very subtle, are you?
Bloom: [blushes] Uhhhhhhh…
Stormy: Oh, look, she's speechless, what a surprise.
Aisha: Okay then, answer us this, did you have any involvement in what happened last night?
Darcy: Hmph, and why should we tell you anything, last time I checked, we didn't share squat with a bunch of do-gooders.
Musa: That way, we'll have less of a reason to take you in ourselves.
Icy: Oh, really, is that a threat, I'm shaking in my boots.
Roxy: Okay, I might not be as familiar with you guys, but even I know you'd better fess up.
Stormy: Yeah, and we said we didn't have anything to do with that night so back off.
Icy: We might be bad, but we'd never sink that low.
Stella: And just how far is low for you girls, actual burning hell?
Darcy: Nah, just being in your presence.
[Stella gains a vein on her forehead as her jaw drops, balling her fist up]
Stella: Why you little-!
[Bloom grabs onto Stella's shoulders]
Bloom: Easy, Stella, it's not worth it.
Stella: [pouts] Hmmmmmmmmmyoubetitsnot.
Icy: Anyway, love to stick around and play the blame game, but we've got places to be, ciao.
Darcy: See you never, Winx.
[The Winx watch the Trix depart, Stormy scowling at Fievel and Sagwa as they walk by in the opposite direction]
Stella: [sighs] I'm sorry, girls, I got a little wound up back there.
Musa: A little? You looked ready to attack something fierce.
Roxy: So, are we still making them a possibility?
Aisha: Unless we have evidence that says otherwise, we can't hold it against them.
Tecna: I guess the old saying 'innocent until proven guilty applies' here…hmm, a bit of an unusual way to describe those three.
[Aisha looks down at her drink]
Aisha: I suppose we were gossiping about them behind their backs.
Flora: And we really don't have much to go off of, at least we should be grateful Musa and Aisha got out alright.
[Stella mixes her drink with a straw]
Stella: Hmmm, yes, I am grateful for that, I just wish we'd get more info on the matter…
Bloom: I suppose we'll just have to keep up to date on whatever comes out.
[Roxy looks out toward the street where she can see Cat R. Waul and Fat Cat walking poshly next to each other, Cruella and Maleficient standing by the crossing with the former smoking her fancy pipe, Jafar and Facilier coming out from a sketchy store while Pamela and Wolfrun lean against the wall]
Roxy: I wonder…
[The scene cuts back to the hallway as Sheriff Ashton is shown walking in the opposite direction, brushing himself off]
Ashton: Nosey lil ponies…
[The scene cuts back to the office as the three alicorns look down at the note sheet of suspects]
Luna: [huffs] This is getting us nowhere, how many people have we looked at in the past few hours?
Celestia: [sighs] Let's see…Chrysalis, Scar, the Brers, Beryl, Grimhilde, Mechanikat, the Sanderson Sisters…
Cadence: So we're nowhere near to catching the criminal, are we?
Luna: Well, our familiars aren't giving us much to work with, so perhaps we need a different approach.
Celestia: Thus far, they haven't given us any reason to suspect they were primarily responsible for the collisions, perhaps it's an enemy we're not as familiar with.
Luna: You don't suppose…'they' could be responsible for it…
Celestia: I mean…they don't particularly go out beyond their base, although given they're a hivemind of suspicious activity, perhaps it's best not to rule them out…
Cadence: Maybe we should make a public announcement to clear up any misconceptions about the suspects.
Luna: Well, given that we've had bare-bones luck with the people we've checked out, might as well not keep everyone in suspense.
Celestia: [stands up from her chair] Alright then, let's get City Hall on the phone.
[The scene cuts to the rail bridge spanning over the canal as Top Hat is shown passing by with a barge load of coal in tow, while Zip passes by in the opposite direction]
Top Hat: [sighs] At least it's not rubbish, let Warrior keep that filthy stuff away from me.
[On the track above, Rosie is shown passing over the bridge before Top Hat squints his eyes at something glowing under the rails]
Top Hat: Wait, what on Earth…?
[As soon as the cherry red tank engine has fully crossed the bridge, the glowing light begins to blink faster and faster before it sets off an explosion. Top Hat gasps as the bridge splits in two]
Top Hat: Ooooooh, not again…
[In the distance, James' whistle is heard as he heads toward the bridge with three coaches in tow. As he rounds the bend, he squints his eyes to notice the bridge is out up ahead]
James: What on Earth?! STOP!
[James' brakes come on with a screech as he slides down the track, slowing down enough for only his front wheels to dangle off the edge of the broken track]
James: Phew! That was close…
[However, the red engine's problems aren't over yet as the bridge begins to sag under his weight]
James: Whoa…whoooooaaaaaaa!
[Inside the first coach, Blitz, Top Cat, and Rarity lean against their respective windows and sweatdrop at their current predicament]
Blitz: This can't be a coincidence, am I just unlucky with trains…?
Rarity: [fans herself] Okay, okay, no need to panic, you're just…verging on falling into the canal…lovely…
Top Cat: Oh, um, this…this ain't good…
[The bridge creaks underneath James as he groans]
James: Ooooooooooooh…
Top Hat: Hold on, I'm going to get help!
James: Hurry, this bridge doesn't look like it'll hold!
[As Top Hat begins to set off down the canal, James tries to slowly back up off the bridge, wincing at the sounds of groaning and screeching of metal below him]
James: Okay, back up, back up, gently does it…
[Alice looks anxiously out the window]
Alice: Ooooooooooh, we're not gonna fall, are we?
[Angelina puts a paw on her friend's shoulder for assurance]
Angelina: Oh no, I'm sure we'll be fine…I hope…
[Just as James' first coach begins to pass the beginning of the bridge, the support below gives way and the track sags down at an angle. James gasps as while his wheels turn backwards, he begins to inch forwards]
James: Oh no! Nonononononono!
[The passengers shown before, with more this time including Balto, Haida, Snow White, Duchess, Daffy, Snagglepuss, and Penelope react with panic as they begin to dip down towards the canal, James tries in vain to back up, his wheels spinning furiously, but he only gets closer to the impending drink]
James: Oh, nononono, I'M GOING IN THE WATER!
[James splashes into the canal and begins to sink, his coaches beginning to follow as the first coach's front touches the water]
Alice: Hooooooooooooo, we're gonna drown!
[Angelina pulls down on the window]
Angelina: Help, help! Anyone please, HELP!
[The white mouse looks down at the water and winces]
Angelina: I've no other choice, haven't I?
[Angelina begins to crawl out the window, much to Alice's surprise]
Alice: Angelina, what are you doing?
Angelina: I'm not sinking today, Alice, it's our only chance!
[As the coach continues to sink, Angelina splashes into the water. Alice, seeing no better alternative, follows her friend out the window and into the canal. The other passengers see this and instantly take to the windows to try and escape the sinking train. They all manage to climb out, but James has sunken below the surface and the first coach has dipped below the water, leaving the second coach's front end submerged and the third coach being the only one to remain on dry rails]
Rarity: Oh dear…
Blitz: Um, he's going to be alright, isn't he…?
Top Cat: All depends on how soon they can get him out…and how soon help'll come for us…
[The scene transitions to the late hours of dusk as Top Hat has returned with Mighty Mo, the floating crane to pull James up from the water, opposite to him is Sunshine having collected Little Ditcher, the A-Frame Crane who is picking up one of the sunken coaches. The rest of the passengers have been picked up by Top Hat's lifeboat]
Sunshine: Ah, don't worry, ya' lot, we'll have ya' home soon.
Blitz: [shivers] I need a warm shower…
[Rarity pulls on her water to rinse out the water in it]
Rarity: Hooooo, I second that notion.
[Top Cat pulls on his soaked hat to rinse it]
Top Cat: Oh all days to get on the train…
[At that moment, James is pulled up from the water and spits a stream out of his mouth]
Top Hat: Well, I see you're still in one piece.
James: Just…please…get me back on the rails, I don't ever want to be this close to water again, hooooooooooooo…[shudders]
[The scene cuts to the outside of Town Hall where a crowd has gathered, Donald Duck and Daisy Duck are standing by a podium with the latter having taken the microphone, in the crowd; Tod, Thomas O'Malley, Kipper, Big Macintosh, Belle, Daria, Jane, Spike, Aurora, Elsa, Anna, Knuckles, Rouge, Jenny, Robin, Beryl, Scar, Brer Fox, Brer Bear, Shenzi, Banzai, Ed, Honest John, Gideon, Tiana, Pocahontas, Mulan, Loopy, Courage, Marian, Prince John, Lady Kluck, Kanga, Dodger, Charlotte, Penny, Sailor Galaxia, Doggie Daddy, Norbert, Dagget, and I.M. Weasel are standing amongst the conversation talking all at once]
Daisy: Okay, settle down, everyone! Hey, settle down, I said settle down!
[Donald grabs the microphone]
Donald: SHUT UUUUUUUUUP!
[Everyone stops talking in stunned silence]
Donald Duck: Thank you.
[Donald hangs the mic back to Daisy]
Daisy: Um…thank you…[clears throat]...anyways, thank you all for coming, now, as you're all aware, the E.T.O.S have been investigating the recent case of the Rail Raiders, and thus far, we seem to be leaning on that none of the familiar targets have been responsible for these incidents.
[Beryl and Scar glance at each other]
Daisy: However, they have given some insight on who they believe to be the culprits, which is why I will turn the stage over to them.
[Celestia, Luna, and Cadence walk up to the podium as Daisy steps off from it]
Celestia: Thank you, now, we've narrowed down our options for who we believe are the cause for all this chaos.
Tod: Does that include the incident that just happened at the canal?
Honest John: Almost sounds like something's a little fishy, isn't it, Giddy?
[Gideon nods in agreement]
Jenny: Is it even safe to travel by train now?
Tiana: Did anyone spot who sabotaged the bridge?
Mulan: There has to be been some kind of witness!
Pocahontas: Great spirits above, someone end this madness.
Charlotte: I like talking over people!
Daffy: Oh, this is ridiculous!
Prince John: Hmph, how undignified!
Robin: This is getting a little bit hectic for my liking…I think I'll find somewhere a bit quieter…[silently back away]
Daria: Well, we're clearly getting a lot done here.
Jane: Who knew all it took was doing nothing.
Luna: SILENCE!
[Everyone instantly stops talking]
Luna: Thank you. As we were saying, we have reason to believe that the culprits are those that come from the South Side.
Beryl: You mean a bunch of little rodents are the cause for all this chaos? What a joke.
Scar: Guess that would explain why they're so careless with their operations, give them an inch, they'll spread their vermin like a disease.
Celestia: As such, we will be marking targets for which we believe they'll strike next, given that there's no regard for either goods or passengers.
Cadence: We ask you all to remain calm during this operation, this will be over sooner than you think.
Scar: At least until the next terrorist comes and ruins all our lives.
[From the back of the crowd, Katz looks thoroughly unamused by the display and silently walks off around a street corner]
Katz: To think I came all the way out here just to hear about some rats, what absolute hogwa…
[Katz sees Ratigan lighting his pipe on the other side of the street, though it doesn't appear that the rat heard him]
Katz: Okay, perhaps 'rat' isn't the most suitable term, but still, aren't they just a gang of unruly brats? [kicks a can to the side] Hardly believe they'd have the intelligence to pull off a heist like that.
[Katz looks over to see what appears to be Sonic walking past the corner of another building and the feline scowls]
Katz: Bloody blue bug…some use he is being the indirect cause of all this, especially since I got some of the brunt…
[Katz continues to walk along the path until he passes Homura sitting on the steps of a house]
Homura: You're afraid.
[Katz stops instantly and his eyes flare as he backs up to where the human girl is sitting]
Katz: Excuse me?
Homura: Now that you're vulnerable, even you know you're not safe from what's to come.
Katz: I hope you realize who you're addressing, I don't fear anything involving this case, especially since now I know where to strike should they try anything on me.
Homura: You can tell yourself that, whatever helps in reassuring that false sense of security…you're not exactly hard to read.
Katz: Then perhaps you don't know me as well as you think.
[Katz walks off as Homura watches him go. Madoka appears behind Homura]
Madoka: Homura? The tea's ready.
Homura: Hmm? Hmm…thanks…
[The scene cuts to the red feline walking through the North Side of the city, right next to a large building, a refinery of sorts marked out by its signature stack and brown bricks. A loud piercing whistle breaks the silence as a small green tank engine speeds into view]
Percy: Help, I can't stop! Oh no, look out! LOOK OUT!
[Percy careens off the tracks and smashes into the building with his coal trucks piling around. A piece of debris shoots in Katz's direction as the feline flinches in time to avoid it before surveying the aftermath. As the dust settles a large gaping hole can be seen in the building with Percy now within it]
Katz: Well…that happened…[looks down as he walks past]...wait a minute…
[Katz kneels down at the rails and trails his finger on it, picking up something wet and sticky]
Katz: Strange…now I know this is juvenile…where are you little bastards…?
[The scene pans out to show a silhouette hiding behind a corner before sliding back into the darkness. It then cuts to a little later with Celestia, Luna, and Cadence surveying the wreck]
Celestia: Slippery rails, it seems…
Luna: Too light to be oil, let alone an accident…
Cadence: Looks a lot like…grease…
Celestia: [sighs] The collateral just keeps building up…it almost makes me wonder how much this is out of our control…
Luna: We have a duty to perform for the safety of this island, we might have missed these heathens, but we will not let them slip through our fingers…
Cadence: At the moment, they're doing a pretty good job at that…I just hope we get this done sooner than later, who knows what'll happen if we don't…
[Celestia looks down at the coal spilled all over the place]
Celestia: Seems the railway's a prime target for a reason, the most effective way to cause damage…well, apart from explosives…
Luna: You don't suppose…the munitions incident is linked to this?
[The camera zooms in on Celestia's eye as a flashback to the aforementioned disaster is shown, the docks near the Solomara are blazing with fire and several explosions are showcased around the city before the scene flashes back to the present]
Celestia: It makes sense, doesn't it? Perhaps it wasn't purely accidental, it was all timed to perfection.
Luna: Hmm…we'll have to keep our guard up in that case, given anything could happen.
Cadence: Whatever does happen…I only pray for the best…
[The scene transitions to the park where Huck, Snag, Antoine, and Tails are sitting on a bench]
Huck: Yer not too shaken up, are you?
Snag: While it wasn't a pleasant experience by any means, I'm just glad to be alive, living, corporeal, even.
Huck: Well, I guess we can count our blessin's on that regard.
Antoine: For a moment, I saw my life flash in front of my eyes…it's not as pleasant as you would think.
Tails: What did you see?
Antoine: In a broad sense, it went by so quickly that I only picked out a certain memory…[puts a hand to his forehead]...and it's not one I wanted to see again.
Tails: Oh, that bad?
Antoine: Does "King Fu" ring a bell?
Tails: Oooooooooh, now I get it.
Antoine: Yeah…though, in fairness, you could say I've mastered that 'skill' and beyond…you know, somehow, I got the weirdest feeling when I was zat wreck…what you call deja vu.
Snag: Oh, did it remind you of something?
Antoine: It's…a bit fuzzy, but it was also like I was in that moment, something like…well, a near death experience that I'd seemingly never recover from…[under his breath]...seigneur tout-puissant d'en haut, ce n'est pas agréable d'y penser…
Huck: I see…well, at least yer still here…
Snag: Perhaps it's post accident jitters, believe me, I felt them…
Antoine: Oui…
[Antoine trails off, seemingly lost in thought. Tails notices this and inches closer to the coyote as a means of providing comfort. The scene transitions once more to Wolf and Lapis outside of 'The Olden Days', the former puffs out a cloud of smoke from a cigarette as the latter quirks a brow, bemused. In the background, Shining Armor and Prince Blueblood can be seen walking by on the other side of the street]
Lapis: I'm not sure how healthy it is to smoke after an injury.
Wolf: I lost the ability to give a shit about that when I was constrained to one natural eye.
Lapis: True…though, you heard about what's been going on?
Wolf: Who hasn't? It's all over town, and it's still ongoing…and I've a good idea who's behind it.
Lapis: Oh, is that right?
Wolf: Well, based on that little delivery I made a while back, it kinda makes sense, I mean, the South Side's got them if you know what I mean.
Lapis: Ah…
Wolf: Yeah, I figured that Scourge was behind this in some way, him and that motley crew of his…I know it's hard to take their appearance seriously, but trust me, I know what they're capable of, gave us a shootout for an exit.
Lapis: Really, didn't think they were the type to use guns, let alone know how to use 'em.
Wolf: Oh my gaaaaaaa…[wheezes]...that's the best thing I've heard all day, I bet you they got lessons from the Michelin Man.
[Wolf and Lapis exchange a chuckle]
Lapis: Aaaaaaah, I needed that.
Wolf: Yeah, same here…ya' know, the sooner this whole mess gets put behind us, the better, before everyone's gotta walk everywhere. You can bet I ain't givin' no joyrides in my Wolfen, I ain't no taxi driver.
Lapis: Well, that all depends on how comfortable people would be riding with you…probably not very much.
Wolf: Hmph, blunt as ever, aren't you?
Lapis: Meh, it's a living.
Wolf: Yeah, well, at least you can tell it how it is…[looks over at a nearby clock reading nine o'clock]...I'm heading back in for another round, you coming?
Lapis: Nah, I got some stuff to deal with, so I'm gonna pop off. [spreads her wings] See ya'.
Wolf: Hmm, gems…
[Wolf walks back into the pub as the door shuts, cutting to the next scene in another room where Geoffrey is shown locking up the entrance to the warehouse, turning around to hear voices coming from the back of the building]
Geoffrey: Hmm…
[The skunk walks past the various crates and piles to find Scourge talking with a tall brown dog wearing a grey shirt, pants, and black boots]
Scourge: And so I told him by kicking him into a tree…ah, look who's here.
Geoffrey: I see you've got company.
Scourge: Ah yes, I think you might recognize this guy, apparently he was bunking on the west side of the island.
[The tall canine steps forward and stands over Geoffrey]
?: Hmmmmm, good to see another one of us around here.
Geoffrey: Uh-huh…I take it you've got a name?
?: Of course I do; Sleuth Dawg's the name, backstabbin' hoes is my game.
Geoffrey: Huh, if I didn't know better, I'd say Drago had a brother.
Sleuth: Well, me and him used to work in the same group, he around?
[At that moment, Drago bursts through the backdoor with a box of beer]
Drago: Here I am, bitches, fresh beer courtesy of yours truly.
Geoffrey: You mean the ones Miles smuggled in?
Drago: SSSSShut up…holy shit, is that you, Sleuth?
Sleuth: Well, if it ain't my kin, ya' look good, better than with those stupid metal limbs.
Drago: Heeeeeey…you're right, I do look better with this natural beauty.
Scourge: [clears throat] Before this gets too gay and all, I'm just gonna snag one of these and get wasted, m'kay? [snags one of the bottles from the crate] That good, gooooood.
[As Scourge walks away, Geoffrey turns back to the taller males]
Geoffrey: So you're our newest addition, I take it?
Sleuth: Well, the doc got in contact with me while I was on the other side of the island and figured given my background, I could be of use to this little expedition he's got going on…and judging from what I've seen, ya'll could use the muscle.
Geoffrey: Of course, so I guess we'll be doing you the ropes around this operation, though I imagine you'll pick up on it.
Sleuth: Naturally, yo, Drago, hit me up! [grabs a bottle tossed at him] Now then, ya' gotta let me in on the details, how you got that form of yours back.
Drago: Well, it all started when I got washed up on shore and the doc did a whole surgery on me and…
[As Drago continues to talk, Geoffrey goes to another part of the warehouse to prop up against the wall]
Geoffrey: Guess you could say progress is being made…at a cost…
[The scene cuts to the inside of Finitevus' cave as he looks at the monitors. They focus in on several characters; Wolf, Lapis, Katz, Robin, Rarity, Angelina, Top Cat, Homura, and Antoine, seemingly of random order. At that moment, something appears behind the echidna]
Finitevus: You're late…
[A few seconds of silence pass]
Finitevus: I hear you specialize in making deals with the devil…your services could prove useful if we play our cards right…
[A few more seconds of silence pass]
Finitevus: I'm sure we'll get along just fine…
[In the darkness, something magenta shines like a flash]
To Be Continued…
