6

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In the basement of the former museum, in the boiler room the furnace is blazing as Leone and Aisha are shoveling coal into the boiler feeding the flames. Taken from an old steam boat and now being used as a generator, after being rebuilt to provide electric power to the building. Which also used for the magical rituals that the residents of the household held. 

"Keep the power coming," Sunset said as wires connected to the generator to the copper frame she had setup to harness the electrical power.

On the copper frame is an ancient druid stone, the druid stone is a green-colored, medium-sized stone. The face of the stone is inscribed with a set of runes. The magic of the stone is weak, but being connected to a power source, is providing it with enough power to create a beam of energy which Sunset is focusing into another device she created to recharge the magic belt of strength.

Sunset had learned much from her time in this cat world, by combining science and magic, she's able to do things that pure magic alone couldn't. While she dabbles in all fields of science to has an understanding of how things work, she leave the inventing to the pride's gadget geniuses. They did have a hard time handling the idea that magic is real, till Sunset just told them to treat magic as simply another realm of science.

The machine was built by Rivet a white stripe cat of the Lombax tribe. The tribe is well renowned for their inventiveness and were known to even modify and improve existing creations for their own use. Rivet and the other gadget geniuses are all still in Europe with the rest of the pride, handling their end before coming here.

"There, it's done!" Sunset said as the belt of strength is now fully charged and active again. 

"Great," Leone said as she switched the engine to power the house then the magic device, so not to waste the remaining power before the fuel runs out and the boiler goes cold. She reaches for the belt only for Aisha to grab it as well.

"Not so fast," Aisha said as she wants the belt as well.

"I saw it first," Leone said glaring at Aisha who return her glare.

"Let's decide who gets it the usual way," Aisha said.

"Fine with me," Leone said as she and Aisha drop the belt and grope each other in a fiery embrace as they kiss each other. 

Sunset seeing that they be busy with their sex fight to decide who gets the belt, left the room as the two began taking off their clothes. If she stays they would just end up pulling her into that sex fight, again. Not that she doesn't mind the sex and it's great R and R, but she just has too much to do with her day to spend a couple of hours having sex. Sunset closed the door behind her as moans and purring came up from behind her. 

Sunset walks to the doll house room where all the doll houses are kept. On sturdy tables are the number of dolls houses based on military buildings and displays, all fully supplied with equipment and supplies. Sunset looks at the newest piece of the collection, the massive scale model military fortress with rolls of military vehicles, from tanks to cars with mounted machine guns. With the countries of Europe still rebuilding and in heavy debt, it was easy to find people willing to sell old war machines. Or just steal what was needed and the things taken is easy to write off as paperwork being missing or destroyed. And with magic, easy to smuggle them out of the country right underneath the noses of custom agents. After all who would think that the small realistic military toys are the real things. (1)

"So much to do and so little time. A few more months and I'll show you mother the friends I made, just like you always told me to do," Sunset said leaving the room. 

"Sunset have you seen….," Merle ask walking down the stairs but stops upon hearing the moans from the workshop. "They're sex fighting again?" 

"Over the belt of strength," Shimmer said. 

"Figures, anyways what's the plan for the mayor's party?" Merle ask. 

"Normal magic show and I might sing," Sunset said. 

"Naria & Eriya want to perform as well," Merle said. 

"Alright you two can perform as well," Sunset said to the shadow at the corner.

Stepping out of the shadows came the twins. 

"We can be your band while you sing and show off the music you showed us," Merle said as she and the twins are skilled in playing the music that Sunset had showed them called rock and roll. 

"Rock and roll," Eriya said.

"We can show off what we learned from you," Naria said. 

"Might as well have much fun as we can before it's time for me to go and see mother," Sunset said.

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Pata st police station -

In one of the rooms of the station Blacksad is going through all the information he has collected on the shipments going to Sunset Shimmer. Mostly news clippings, and paperwork when she and her pride went through customs. The custom agents search the shipments and only alcohol found are what's used to preserve things in jars, many of the stuff being shipped to Shimmer are of the occult nature. Which her being a stage magician, isn't that strange. The strange stuff is the doll houses and small models she's also getting, all military themed. 

Blacksad saw a custom agent open a box containing model tanks of the Renault FT French tank. There were also a number of armored cars in the box as well. According to the custom agents Shimmer has been getting lots of scale model weapons and equipment from the militaries that fought in the war. Blacksad remembered how Shimmer made waves when she was in England and showed off the scale model of the battleships HMS Barham and Royal Oak in bottles. She wouldn't say who built them but some men who served on the ships, were amazed at the sight of the scale models saying that they look just like the real ones before they were sank. 

"Here are the files you ask for," Felina Feral the niece of commissioner Feral. She works as a desk jockey and switch board operator.

"Thanks," Blacksad said taking the files of all the known members of Shimmer's pride. 

"I never seen a pride so big before," Felina said.

"Know some prides?" Blacksad ask.

"Aunt Roxie is apart of a pride but there are only 3 members, aunt Melo, aunt Ellen and uncle Doug. They run a dairy farm," Felina said.

"Most pride are in the rural areas where having a large family is useful. But Shimmer's pride is 25 strong and the rest are still in Europe. Prides that large are usually loose with members coming and going," Blacksad said. 

"That's true my aunt's pride had two other members but they couldn't stand uncle and left," Felina said.

"Which is why it's so strange to have such a large pride with only women in it. It normally takes a king or kings to hold such a large pride together but instead it centers around a queen," Blacksad said.

"Shimmer is a beauty and has the wealth to support them all. They could only like other women, it wouldn't be the first time a pride is form where the women only like other women," Felina points out. (2)

"Well I could use someone who can get into the pride as a mole," Blacksad said.

"Sorry but the Catholic Church, I'm part of is against prides," Felina said.

"Wasn't your grandmother apart of a pride?" Blacksad ask.

"Mother was apart of a pride but left it when she met father," Feral said entering the room. 

"How are prides viewed around here?" Blacksad ask.

"Frowned upon but isn't against the law in this state. Those who aren't apart of my church, just see it as a way to form strong bonds with others and most just break apart," Felina said.

"Mother always invited her old pride members to our social events," Feral said. 

"So what brings you here Feral?" Blacksad ask.

"Shimmer and her pride has been invited to the party the mayor is throwing to drum up support for his reelection. She's going to be putting on one of her shows, you can pose as one of the guards to get close to her and her pride," Feral said.

"Sounds good, I can get a feel for her and her pride. I can only get some much from these news clippings and articles," Blacksad said.

"What did you find out?" Feral ask.

"Nothing much, Shimmer is either of noble birth or upper class, born into money and fallen on hard times before building herself back up, is highly educated, showing skills and knowledge in many fields from medicine, engineering and other things. Her skills in stage performance is highly rated, skilled in magic acts that leaves other magic performers in shame, she is also a skilled singer and dancer. She has a high opinion of her own beauty and looks down on others, but unlike other upper class twits, she can back it up. In other words this princess is basically everything a queen of a pride should be. Heard of the noble house Dazzlings?" Blacksad ask.

"I heard of them. They are an aristocratic family, during the war my unit stop by the village where the ancestral castle is located. The castle sat empty for years before the newest set of sisters moved back in. From what the villager told me, the family since the dark ages have always consisted of 3 female nobles who would come to the castle and govern for some years before leaving and leaving the village in the care of a steward whose family has been serving the house for generations. And the whole thing repeats. According to the villagers the house always has women and always has 3 heads either sisters or cousins," Feral said.

"According to a news article, Shimmer is close to the current heads of the house. Seen traveling with them and stayed at their castle for awhile. She might be apart of that house but the reporters over there can't find any proof. Which leads to more stories and rumors of Shimmer's past which, I can't find anything but rumors," Blacksad said.

"What about the members of her pride?" Feral ask.

"This is the best I can find," Blacksad said showing the papers on the women from customs.

All the identity papers that were filled out for them to be able to travel to the US, were just filled with the basic information. Age, place of birth, and reason in coming to the country, which for some of the pride members their countries of origin doesn't exist anymore thanks to the war. Most share the same story of being destitute and meeting up with Shimmer who took them in and help them. The only ones who had any real information on them are the ones who are from the US. (3)

Felicia Hardy, from a well off upper class family in New York, New York City. Left her home after a meeting with Shimmer. 

Tigra, grew up on the streets of New York, New York City.

Selina Kyle, grew up in an orphanage in Norfolk, Virginia. 

Cheetah, came from a farm near Casper, Wyoming.

Cleo, came from a farm in the middle of nowhere in Missouri. 

Calico "Callie" Briggs, grew up in the city of Bangor, Maine. She was the secretary for a Mayor Manx who was seen as a very effective mayor but later turned out that he left all the real work to keep the city running to Briggs. Once she left with Shimmer, it all went downhill for Manx. 

"This is all what I got on them. Not much of their background but I did find out that they have been mostly overseeing the number of businesses that Shimmer has brought ownership of. And as far as I can see, they just been making sure that the people running the shops follow what Shimmer wants them to operate," Blacksad said.

"Isn't there anything odd?" Felina ask.

"There is a local gunsmith who has a huge order to refit guns for a gunshop that Shimmer brought. Webley-Fosbery automatic revolvers and Pieper Revolving Carbines, she brought them cheap from all the unsold stocks and shipped them here. She's having them refitted to take .50 bullets and going to try to sell them," Blacksad said.

"I never heard of those guns before," Felina said.

"They don't make them anymore. And Shimmer has all the paperwork to have them for the gunshop," Blacksad said.

"That sounds like a lot of work. Why didn't she just buy new models?" Felina ask.

Blacksad shrugged. 

"I already know about the weapon shipments. She has all the paperwork and payments for the guns to be shipped here. I remember it because of the shipment also having an armored army car with it," Feral said.

"She has a military armored car?" Blacksad ask.

"A KFT used by the central powers that still has its armor but the gun has been taken off so it's just an armored car now. And there's no law against owning one," Feral said. (4)

"Well that fits, Shimmer has tons of scale model weapons and military vehicles to go with her military theme doll houses she's having ship to her," Blacksad said.

"Like those ships in a bottle?" Felina ask. 

"Yes but her thing are very detailed scale model military buildings and equipment," Blacksad said.

"Must be nice to have that kind of money for that kind of a hobby," Felina said looking over the files of the pride members and notice something. "Hey look at this." 

Felina put down two photos of Calico "Callie" Briggs for the two men to see. The first is one taken when she was still living in Bangor, the next is a recent photo of her. Briggs in the old photo is rather plain and she's more skinny in body built. The newer photo shows she's now a beauty and has a much more lust figure. 

"The old photo is 4 years old and she's in her 30's so it's not like she was still growing," Felina said. 

"Yes, that is odd. She looks a lot younger and grown in 4 years," Feral said. 

"Well, she could had been using a corset to hide her figure," Blacksad said. 

"You mean those things that make you look slimmer than you really are?" Felina ask.

"That's the one," Blacksad said. 

"Well some of my female friends are flappers and they wear special flattening bras to make them appear younger and more boyish. But she doesn't look like a flapper and doesn't explain how she became so voluptuous just in four years," Felina said looking between the two photos one of a normal looking woman and the other looks like one of those pin up women pictures. "And how much younger and more attractive she has become." (5)

"Shimmer does play around with lots of occult stuff, there are shipments of that stuff. Or it could be from all the chemicals and other stuff she also having shipped to her," Blacksad said.

"If she did figure out a potion that can do that, she would make a mint," Felina said knowing that there be plenty of women who would love to have that kind of potion. "I wonder if it works on men too?"

"Well your dad could use it, he was like Feral when he was in shape," Blacksad said.

"He's an accountant now," Feral reminded him.

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The Mayor's fund raiser -

The mayor's party is taking place in the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, taking place there after the mayor got Sunset Shimmer to agree to come to the party and put on one of her shows. The mayor is counting on her to get people to come to his party and vote for him. The news of Shimmer coming to the party to put on one of her shows, caused lots of people of all classes to come to the party. 

In the auditorium, Blacksad acting as one of the guards for the party was making note of which members of the pride came to the party, which is all of them. He kept his ears open as he overhears them talking with each other, which is mostly about having everything ready for the show, and two members who are fighting over who gets a belt of all things. Reminds him of his friend's daughters fighting over things when he was at his place for a party. 

The ones going to be performing with Shimmer are, Merle, Cleo, Felicia and the twins Naria & Eriya. One of the members Kitty Katswell wanted to sing and dance, which her sister who looks just like her but for a white stripe in her black hair, said that they're trying to entertain people, not drive them out. Which Kitty said she's a good singer and dancer and started doing that in the backstage. Blacksad quickly covered his ears as it's clear that Kitty is completely tone deaf and what she calls dancing, is more like she's trying to stomp out a fire. 

He also notice that all the members of the Shimmer pride, are all very shapely and beautiful. The fact that they wear form fitting clothes that while covering their bodies, doesn't hide their figure. He figures that whoever is paying him to investigate Shimmer and her herd, is doing so to become the king of the pride. Or she is running a smuggling operation and he just doesn't see how she's doing it yet.

Shimmer steps on the stage dressed in a colorful outfit, a thigh length royal purple coat and matching pants with red and yellow highlights. It's form fitting showing off her shapely figure, which Blacksad hasn't seen many that could match. Sunset didn't say a word as she wave her arms and spread them. That's when the most amazing show he has ever seen began with a song.

Music began to play as Sunset stood there and began singing. 

(The crowd of this fast-moving age is)

(Running through the city, which is a savanna)

(Surrealist news is happening alternately,)

(And when tomorrow comes, everybody forgets them)

Sunset held out her right hand and what looks like a cloud in the shape of a ball forms in her hand. She created four more balls, fire, sand, lightning, and water. The five balls floated above her, she reached up, and grab the cloud ball. She flings to the floor of the stage where it expands. 

(I'm alive, I'm living now.)

(Seeking something inside of this life)

(While I wriggle myself and slip out,)

(I'm trying to test how strong I am)

Merle slowly appeared out of the cloud like someone in thick fog before they come close enough to make out. She's wearing the same style of clothes as Sunset but her coat is green. She's playing a guitar. 

(There's an "answer" somewhere for sure)

(The answer for why we were born)

(Everyone is seeking for that, goin)

(Towards helpless dreams he can't set free)

Sunset grab the ball of fire in her and toss it to the floor near her causing a pillar of flames to appear. Out of the fire Cleo appeared next wearing the same outfit but her coat is orange. She's playing Brass.

(I'm not afraid of getting hurt!)

(But I'm not strong any way for that)

(Simply, by keeping doing anything)

(I don't wanna be regretting myself!)

(Here we go! go! I'll keep running)

(I won't be stopped by anybody!)

(I wanna get along... Give a reason)

(For life ...to the me of the future)

Sunset grabs the lightning ball and toss it to the ground where it caused a lightning strike. Out of the lightning Felicia appeared with a white coat. She's playing the piano.

(Even if an unmeasurable big darkness)

(Comes towards me making a dreadful noise,)

(When tomorrow comes, after I see someone,)

(The despair in my heart will be erased)

Sunset grabs the sand ball and toss it to the ground, causing a small sandstorm. Out of the sand Naria appeared wearing a light brown coat. She's playing drums.

(Doing a stronger image of myself,)

(I find myself smiling...)

(I believe in my feelings, it moves me toward)

(My dreams more than anything else, anybody else)

Sunset grabs the water ball and toss it to the ground, causing a pillar of water to appear. Out of the water Eriya came after wearing a blue coat. She's playing a mandolin. 

(I won't be leaning on my goal)

(Even when I find my way to it)

(Because surely a new dream)

(Will push my back again!)

(Here we go! go! I'll keep running)

(I won't be stopped by anybody)

(I wanna get along... Give a reason for life)

(...to the me of the future)

Sunset glowed purple and as she's singing she created a purple ball above her. And it took the shape of her but as a 20 foot giantess floating above her. Sunset began dancing with her copy mimicking her movements. 

(There's an "answer" somewhere for sure)

(The answer for why we were born)

(Everyone is seeking for that, going)

(Towards helpless dreams he can't set free)

Sunset showed off impressive dance moves as she sings the song that is nothing like anything the audiences have ever heard before. 

(I'm not afraid of getting hurt!)

(But I'm not strong any way for that)

(Simply, by keeping doing anything,)

(I don't wanna be regretting myself!)

(Here we go! go! I'll keep running)

(I won't be stopped by anybody)

(I wanna get along... Give a reason)

(For life ...to the me of the future)

The song was finish, the magic copy fades away and Sunset and her pride members on stage took a bow. The audiences began clapping and cheer, they had never heard music like that before and the magic show that came with it was amazing. They quite down as Sunset and her pride began their next act.

Blacksad watching from backstage couldn't believe what he just saw, the pride members were all ready with their music instruments and he had his eyes on them after the first time Sunset made one of them appear. They just disappear each time Sunset toss one of those balls. His mind is racing, trying to figure out how she managed to did that. He watch the next ac and the one that came after, with each act making him wonder how she is doing what she's doing. 

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Author's Notes -

1 - Like in real life the years after the First World War during the 1920's in Europe is one of rebuilding and confusion thanks to many empires breaking up. And with so much war surplus and desperation, it's easy to get ahold of old shipments of weapons and supplies.

2 - In this story because prides being a thing, the cat people don't see any problems in same sex relationships. 

3 - Information gathering in the 1920's is very hard thanks to the fact you would need to go into the archives and look through books and files to figure things out. And information from other countries is even harder to get. 

4 - The KFT or Kraftfahrtuppen (lit. "motorized troops") was a robust and reasonably fast car with a central machine gun that could be used defensively and offensively as a light anti-aircraft tool. By the time World War 1 broke out, motorized vehicles were already valued for their hauling capabilities and all manner of types were utilized by all sides. This version was used by Austrians on the Italian front.

5 - Along with Petite Pride, flappers of The Roaring '20s wore special flattening bras to make them appear younger and more boyish.

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