The next day, Chloe heard a knocking on her door in the early hours of the morning. She slowly opened her eyes, stretched, and went over to the door. Shit… yesterday was one of the worst days ever. She yawned, her eyes half closed and her mane unlit. She turned the knob, and swung the door open. Standing before her were two of Canterlot’s Royal Guards, Pegasi and unicorns serving as both law enforcement and military under Celestia. “May I help you, gentlecolts?” Chloe asked, tired and exhausted.
“We’re here to collect your fine, madam, of 140 bits,” one of the guards, a Pegasus, said calmly. Chloe nodded, and went inside her home. She looked around for her saddlebag, and found it laying on the floor next to her bed. She reached for it, and stuck her wing inside. She felt around for anything, but found nothing. Oh, shit. I was supposed to get paid yesterday… if I wasn’t fired! Her mane began to light up, and her eyes flashed red. Damn! That means… no… there has to be bits somewhere… anywhere!
She ran over to her dressers, and opened them frantically, searching for any sign of bits. None… f*ck! I… I have to keep looking! I can’t use the gem yet! There has to be some bits lying around! She ran to her drawers, and pulled out each compartment from it, sending socks, sweaters, and scarves flying and landing on the floor.
Nothing other than clothes could be found, and she looked on sadly. I… I have to use it, then. I have to use daddy’s ruby… oh, Celestia, why? She went over to her closet, opened it, and looked around. She then spotted a decorated blue box, pulled it out, and opened it using a key. She lifted the door open, revealing a bedazzling gold necklace, with such intricate chain designs. That wasn’t what stood out though. The main eyeturner of this amulet was the large, 18 karat pink ruby, perfectly cut and polished, embedded on the medallion. Chloe slowly took it out of its box, and looked at it in heartache. I’m sorry, dad. I couldn’t hold onto it…
She walked out of her closet, held the amulet tightly, and approached the guards. She turned her head mourningly one last time towards the medallion, and closed her eyes. She extended her wing to the guards, waiting for them to snatch it away. Surprisingly, however, nothing happened. She slowly opened her eyes, and looked up to the Guards. “Sirs, please do not make this harder on me than it must be… just take it and go, please.”
The first Royal Guard spoke up. “Ma’am… you seem to have some sentimental value towards this medallion… perhaps it’s best if you, say, obtain the bits for your fine by the end of the fortnight,” the Pegasus Guard said kindly.
The second Guard, a younger, gray unicorn, with a dark brown mane, spoke up. “Are you serious!? She’s here offering us that necklace, and you want her to pay in regular bits!? Can’t we have her do something else… if you know what I mean?” he asked the Pegasus cynically, elbowing him while smiling deviously.
The first turned to him angrily, whacked him on the head with his staff, and scolded him loudly. “Seriously, Disturbed, can’t you just once have some kind of soul and do the right thing!? You’re a disgrace to the honor and nobility of the Royal Guards! I don’t even know why we hired you recently in the first place!” the Pegasus Guard yelled out loud, causing Chloe more than a little discomfort and Disturbed to cower.
“OK! OK! She can pay by the end of two weeks!” Disturbed said, trying to calm his senior officer down. He then turned around, muttering to himself, “F*cking time travel failed me… leaving me stuck with this douchebag and this shitty job… f*cking hate it. Can’t even wear my hat…”
The Pegasus rolled his eyes, and turned back to Chloe. “A fortnight, madam. Either come up with the bits… or the amulet. Good day, and I do hope you take advantage of this opportunity,” the Pegasus said, and both he and Disturbed left the cottage. Chloe sighed in relief, and looked back at her medallion. Don’t worry… I won’t let them take you… you mean too much… she thought as she held the amulet tightly, and wore it around her neck.
Now… he’s right… I have to take this opportunity to find a job here in Ponyville… but what? Where would ponies need a Pegasus… one that can set things on fire? It was true… there wasn't many job opportunities for an arsonist in Ponyville… or anywhere in Equestria, for that matter.
Well, I could always join the weather team, like Leon… said… no… no. Forget him… I don't need anything from him. She took a deep breath, and sighed. But maybe he was right… the weather team is always looking for Pegasi. Maybe I can try there.
She nodded to herself, opened her wings, and took off from the ground, heading towards the only place she knew where a weather station would be; Cloudsdale.
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