Prologue - News for Sweetie Belle
The Dark Detective of Canterlot
Prologue - News for Sweetie Belle
Canterlot. It’s been the home of many ponies, some of which have done many wonderful things to help the community. Others however, have fallen to lives of crime. Princess Celestia’s royal guards have done well to keep the crime rate low in the past, however, as years went by and population in Equestria’s capital increased, it became harder and harder to keep things under control. First, there was the day Nightmare Moon returned. Six different stores were robbed during the panic. When Discord broke free, thirteen ponies committed suicide. Thirty-seven were killed during the Changeling invasion. Nowadays, the Elements of Harmony are hidden away, rumored to be keeping the Everfree Forest in check. Many recent events have shaken up the population, causing more crime, paranoia, and other various problems. Here, we have a story of a normal Canterlot family affected by modern crime.
A little over half a decade since the coronation of Twilight Sparkle, Rarity now lives full time in Canterlot, where her popular fashion business resides. Still living with her is her younger sister Sweetie Belle, a rising star in the music world. Recently however, these sisters’ lives have been torn away from each other. As the former bearer of the Element of Generosity, it would seem far fetched that Rarity would turn to petty thievery, but evidence turned into the Canterlot Royal Police Department links the crime directly to her.
A few days ago, a gem mine was broken into and robbed of three-thousand bits worth of gems. The evidence turned in was a dropped key to Rarity’s house. Upon investigation, local police have also found her signature glasses ,broken and left a ways from the gem mine. Within the day, the well known fashion designer was arrested and moved to Canterlot Castle’s dungeons. According to eyewitness reports, the younger sister had been out performing that day and came home in a fit of tears, cancelling her first tour with the famous DJ-Pon3, and made such an outburst at the police station that it peaked Celestia’s attention. Our princess came immediately to pick up the young star and took her away from the scene. As far as we know, she is still with Celestia while Rarity sits in jail awaiting her trial.
A white mare with a pink and purple mane stood from the bed and turned off the radio. Many emotions flowed through her; anger, sadness, and betrayal flowed through her as looked out the window onto Canterlot. “Somepony out there framed my sister. I swear by Celestia, I’m going to find out. She wouldn’t steal. She wouldn’t go against her element.” Sweetie Belle thought to herself. Outside, the moon held high in the sky. Three days had passed since her older sister had been sentenced to five years held in the castle’s dungeons as she waited for Princess Celestia to find a way to prove Rarity innocent, but to no avail. Now Sweetie Belle was waiting for the princess to return with results of the trial.
Sweetie Belle was shaken out of her thoughts when she heard a knock at the door. She got up quickly and answered. A familiar flowing-maned princess stood there, sadness in her eyes.
“I did everything I could, but I could not defend your sister against the evidence that they had. I’m sorry Sweetie Belle. Would you like me to personally escort you home?” Celestia said with a heavy heart.
Sweetie Belle couldn’t speak as she tried to hold back her tears. Turning away, she slammed a hoof onto the bed and then sat down. Celestia put a hoof on her shoulder as Sweetie Belle’s tears fell. Just as Celestia was about to speak again, Sweetie Belle decided to speak out, startling the princess with her. “She’s innocent! I know I wasn’t home, but I know she didn’t steal. Can’t you just pardon her Princess?”
Celestia sighed. “I cannot. As of right now, she’s guilty. There’s too much proof against her. I can’t do any further investigation of my own. If I could, I’d track down the vigilante who has been providing the police with all the information for all the arrests that have been happening. It’s beyond my power and resources. Not only is it disappointing that some of the arrests are on good ponies, but it seems with every arrest a more well known pony is locked up. I feel the same as you do Sweetie Belle, believe me. Your sister wouldn’t do this.”
Sweetie Belle stood up. As Celestia mentioned this vigilante, an anger flowed through her. There was somepony that knew the truth, and it was them. “Well, why don’t I find him then? I swear princess, I’ll find the truth. I will do anything to prove her innocence.” The young mare said sternly.
Celestia looked into Sweetie Belle’s eyes and hesitated a moment before responding. “Anything?” Sweetie nodded in response. Slightly relieved, Celestia smiled and responded. “Your sister is a dear friend to many ponies here. I wish you the best of luck in finding this vigilante and getting the truth, but I can’t let you go alone. It could be a quite dangerous journey, so I’ve prepared a letter to two close friends of yours. I’m sure that with your friends, you can save your sister.”
A small wave of happiness and memories went through her. “Applebloom and Scootaloo. It’ll be almost like old times. I haven’t seen them in a while.” she thought to herself, smiling. “Thank you, Celestia. How soon will they be here?”
Celestia smiled and nodded. “They will have train tickets for tomorrow. They should arrive in the afternoon at the train station. I’ll arrange for you to be there when they get here. Now, I must sleep for tomorrow and you should too. You have a bigger day tomorrow than I do. Sleep well.” The princess left and shut the door returning to her bedchambers.
“I promise Rarity, the Cutie Mark Crusaders will save you.” Sweetie Belle thought aloud before retiring to her bed for the night.
