Author's Note

Apple Bloom joins Rarity in a real murder mystery.

August 16-Weapons Drawn

The adventurous Apple Bloom looks at herself in the mirror. She has on a lavender short sleeve top and a flowing blue skirt just below the knees. After putting on blue platform shoes, she sees herself in a new light.

"If only my sister can see me now." Apple Bloom said as she picks up a piece of paper. "I can't believe that I've been invited to a gallant event."

As Apple Bloom walked downstairs, Kevin and Amy look at her. They fell in love with the outfit.

"Wow! You look gorgeous." Amy cooed. "I'll bet Rarity would be jealous of this look."

"I reckon so." Apple Bloom replied.

"Are you ready to go?" Kevin asked.

"Ready as I'll ever be."

Kevin drove across town. Soon, he stopped in front of a luxurious mansion. Apple Bloom steps out, waves good bye to Kevin, and walks up to the front door.

"So, this is Tippet Manor, huh?" Apple Bloom started.

She politely knocks on the door. Seconds later, a white haired man wearing a blue tuxedo opens the door. He sees the farm girl and speaks in a polite British tone. "Good evening, Miss Bloom. I am Lord Tippet and I own this manor. Thank you for accepting my invitation."

"I appreciate this honor." Apple Bloom said to him. "But, why invite me? I'm just a farm girl."

"Perhaps. But, this is a grand experience that even you would like. Come in, my dear."

As she enters the house, Apple Bloom is impressed with the nature of the manor. Suddenly, she spots Rarity and Hoity Toity.

"Hello, Apple Bloom." Rarity greeted. "I see you were invited too."

"Howdy, Rarity." Apple Bloom replied. "I never expected to see you here."

"Well, me and Hoity Toity are elegant people, you know. That's why we were invited as well."

Hoity Toity looked around. "I understand that Lord Tippet invited former Wonderbolt Wind Runner here. Probably wants to hear the tales of the early days of the Wonderbolts."

At another table, Wind Runner brought along Lightning Dust to tell her about the Wonderbolts and how he helped them win many games. Suddenly, the lights went out. The guests began to panic. But, Lord Tippet comes along carrying a flashlight.

"No need to panic, folks." Tippet assured. "I have some workers fixing the problem. It's probably a blown out fuse. We're bringing out some freshly charged halogen lanterns right now."

Lanterns were handed to everyone. The party resumes. Apple Bloom talked to a few people about her experience in Jackbox Village.

"I'm impressed, young lady." A female guest said. "There are about three weeks left of summer vacation, you know."

"Yeah, I know." Apple Bloom replied. "I'm gonna make the most of it."

At that moment, the lights came back on.

"Ah, good." Tippet announced. "The workers fixed the lights. Now, perhaps we can, SWEET CELESTIA!!"

Everyone wondered what caused Tippet to panic. All the guests gasped when they saw one of the party guests was dead.

"Oh dear." Tippet gasped. "Somebody around here is a killer."

"A killer?" Wind Runner added. "You got to be kidding!"

"I wish I was. But, somebody around here is a criminal. I'll call a detective to sort this out."

Apple Bloom saw this dead woman, and realized something. "Hey, isn't she one of Spitfire's scouts?"

"I believe so." Rarity answered. "I heard she wants to have a talk with a Lightning Dust. No doubt to help her get back in the good graces of Spitfire."

"Who would want to bump her off?"

"Maybe we should do some investigating of our own."

"Don't bother." Wind Runner interrupted. "Let the experts handle this. Let Hoity Toity take care of you ladies."

Rarity didn't like the tone of his voice. Even Lightning Dust was shocked. "You didn't have to be so chauvinistic towards her."

"Trust me, Lightning." Wind Runner said. "Ladies like her should know her place." Just like you, Lightning Dust.

Hoity Toity comforted Rarity. "Don't let him discourage you, my dear. I know you better."

This made Rarity feel better. Hoity Toity, Rarity, and Apple Bloom talked to the guests. They learned that Lightning Dust bragged that she was coming back to the Wonderbolts. And, Wind Runner talked about how things were when he was one of the players. Soon, Apple Bloom looked at some of the gifts the guests brought over.

"Looking for something, dearie?" Rarity asked.

"I think one of these items was used to kill that girl." Apple Bloom replied.

Soon, the farm girl saw a picture frame with the picture of the current Wonderbolts. Seems one of the edges were sharpened.

"I think I know how it was done." Apple Bloom figured. "While the lights were out, our killer used the edge of this frame to slash that girl's chest, and opens it enough to stab her hard. The loss of blood is what did her in."

"I think you're right." Hoity Toity said. He then looked closely. "I think I see Ws on that frame."

Rarity saw that Hoity Toity was right. "W for Wind Runner, I'll bet. Apple Bloom, see if you can find some footage of Wind Runner and any wrong doings he did."

As Apple Bloom pulled out her phone, and looked online, everybody heard Wind Runner's voice.

"Hey! Let me go!" Wind Runner called out as a security guard has him handcuffed. "What's the idea? I didn't do anything wrong. Ask Lord Tippet. He'll tell you!"

"I caught this guy sneaking out of the mansion." The guard said. "I thought you'd like to know, sir."

"Wonderbolts veteran Wind Runner?" Tippet gasped. "This is unexpected."

"Here's something else unexpected." Hoity Toity added as he and his friends came in. "He's your killer. Apple Bloom, show Lord Tippet footage of his motive."

Apple Bloom presented footage of Wind Runner's days with the Wonderbolts. Seems he pushes female players away so he and other boys have their turn.

"This guy is a full male chauvinist pig." Rarity protested. "He thinks women like me and Apple Bloom can't do anything good. When he learned of Lightning Dust getting reinstated, he infiltrated the event to get rid of the maiden who's helping her."

"Shut up, you dizzy dame!" Wind Runner protested. "You girls don't know what you're talking about. Nobody has anything on me."

At that moment, his jacket opened up and put came a stone used to sharpen the picture frame, and an invitation to the event. The paper looks like it's copied so he can use it for his nefarious deed.

"Uh oh." Wind Runner gasped. "No talking out of this."

"Come on, bub." The guard told him. "Let's go."

The guard takes Wind Runner somewhere for the police to pick him up. Later, after changing into a blue short sleeved nightgown, Apple Bloom got ready for a good night's sleep.

"I'm very happy Lord Tippet lets me spend the night in the mansion." Apple Bloom said happily. "He probably figures it's too late at night to head for home."

The farm kid soon claimed in the comfortable bed, turned out the lights, and drifted off to Dreamland.