Eleven and Counting

by BloodBunny67

Rating: mature
Tags: Twilight Sparkle, Dark, Main 6, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Mystery, Spike, Horror, Tragedy
Length: 14011

Dear Princess Celestia, There has been another murder...

Dear Princess Celestia,

My investigation continues.
There has been another murder...

***Be warned, comments contain major spoilers***
***Note: this story is within MLP canon up to but not including Season 4 finale***

***Props to CaptainAwesome67 for the cover art!***
***Big thanks to Silver Moon for the help in proofreading this story***

Published 2014-01-25 04:50:01 UTC
Last updated 2014-02-07 00:52:13 UTC

Chapter 1

Dear Princess Celestia,

I had that same nightmare again last night. Pitch blackness in every window, nothing new there. Golden Oaks Library, just like I remember it. A single candle flickering in the center of the table. Blood, everywhere. Only this time it was Spike laid out on the floor. Oh Celestia, it looked like he was ... I can’t even bring myself to write it.

I let the little guy sleep in this morning. I went out early and picked him up some cupcakes from Sugar Cube Corner for when he wakes up. Sapphire, his favourite kind. He’s going to wonder why he’s getting special treatment. He just means so much to me; I can’t bear to lose him. Even in my dreams.

I haven’t had a single night of uninterrupted rest since the murders started. I know what you’re going to say, but I must insist on continuing to lead the investigation. It’s only a matter of time before the killer slips up, and I plan to be there when they do. Ponyville is my town, and we have been through enough. I haven’t known any of the victims personally, but everypony is special to somepony. They deserve justice. I thank you for continuing to take on my royal duties while I’m indisposed.

Oh Celestia, it’s only been a year since I became a Princess, but I already feel like I’ve seen too much. Saving the world from disaster is easy compared to the task of rebuilding and restoration that comes after.

Considering the year we’ve had:
The Tartarus Catastrophe,
The Resurgence of Nightmare Moon,
The Second Changeling Invasion (That was a rough one),

Almost makes me want to turn in my wings. But we managed to win every time. My friends and I, we were always able to turn the tide. Together we locked the daemons back behind the gates of Tartarus. We imprisoned the traitor deep within the earth. After spending a month in the changeling dungeon, my friends were able to rescue me and we finally turned the queen to stone. We always won. Nopony ever died.

This is different. Ponies have died. The count is eleven now. Eleven ponies that are never going to go home and see their families again. It’s been three weeks and we don’t even know who or what we are up against. What good is the power that comes with being an Alicorn when you have nothing to direct it at?

Two hundred years without a murder. Why now? This type of thing doesn’t happen in Equestria. Not in my Equestria.

There’s a knock at the door. Celestia, I hope it’s not another one.

Your Friend,
Twilight Sparkle

Twilight Sparkle caught herself before she called out for Spike to answer the door. She decided to let him sleep; it had been tough for the baby dragon over the last three weeks. It had been tough for everyone. She walked down the spiralled staircase of the library and headed for the hammering at the door. It was good to be back home; a small comfort in these dark times, but it helped. Her grand palace suite was beautiful, but cold like a museum. Being back in the library, surrounded by the familiar books and treasured memories, was one of the few things that kept her sane in all this chaos. She gazed out the window as she passed, seeing only the jet black of the new night, devoid of moon and stars. Not for the first time, she became acutely aware of the deep hole this left in her heart. She continued moving down the stairs, pushing the familiar pain deep down within her. She feared that she may need the room. Reaching the bottom of the stairs, she crossed the dark room and opened the pounding door. The pink pony in the doorway met Twilight’s inquisitive gaze with one of detached affirmation. She had been right. She cursed out loud.

Pinkie said nothing as she entered the library, shaking the rain off her flattened mane and tail as she did so. They had never resumed their usual puffy curls after the invasion. That was three months ago. About as long as it had been since anyone had seen her laugh. She crossed to the table and took a seat; face cast in an eerie glow by the flickering candle in front of her as she waited for the purple mare to speak. Twilight had always known there was a dark side to Pinkie, but she never thought she would see it take such a firm hold on the normally cheerful pony. She hadn’t wanted to involve her in the investigation at all, for fear it would drive her further into her depression. But after the fifth killing, Twilight had hoped that the mysterious Pinkie Sense would be able to discover something that her science could not. So far, they were both drawing blanks.

“When?” Twilight's head fell as she spoke.

“The guards say it was probably late last night,” Pinkie replied evenly.

Twilight looked up with a jolt. “That’s fantastic! We’ve never been able to get to the scene that quickly. There may be fresh evidence!”

Pinkie’s stare didn’t waver.

Twilight caught herself. Did she really just say that? Celestia, what was this murderer doing to them? To her? Twilight’s guilt hung heavily on her shoulders. She asked what should have been her first question.

“Who?”

Pinkie shrugged as she stood. She walked past Twilight toward the still open door. Turning her head as she passed the Alicorn, she replied, “don’t worry. It was no one you knew. You coming?”

“Let me get Spike.”

Dear Princess Celestia,

No doubt you have been informed that there's been a twelfth victim.
Pinkie, Spike, and I are on our way to the scene now. This is the quickest we have been able to respond yet and I am hopeful that fresh clues with give us a new lead. Perhaps the Pinkie Sense will be able to pick up on something if we get there quick enough.
We are close now. As always, I will keep you informed.

Respectfully,
Twilight Sparkle

P.S.
In response to your last letter, I know you question my involving Spike in the investigation. Truthfully, his organizational assistance in compiling evidence and clues has been invaluable, but you must know the real reason for my bringing him along. Please forgive my disrespect, but I cannot bear the thought of something happening if I let him out of my sight. No number of royal guards can take care of him like I can, and as a Princess the decision is mine to make, not yours.

Twilight completed the letter and closed it with her seal before levitating it over to Spike to send. Poor little guy was shaking from the cold rain and no small amount of fear as he rode on her back. She conjured up a thick fleece blanket and used her magic to wrap around his shoulders. He stuttered thanks through chattering teeth. Pinkie raised an eyebrow, but said nothing as she walked beside them.

As they approached the scene they saw the area had been cordoned off by the Royal Guard. A dozen lanterns were lit, creating a wavering aura of light holding back the complete blackness of the night. Levitating one of the lanterns over to where they stood, Twilight eased Spike off her back. “Wait right here Spike. Do not move until I come get you. You understand?” He nodded stiffly as she placed the lantern in his hands; his eyes never left the illuminated area.

Twilight motioned to Pinkie and approached the circle of armoured guards. She summoned two of them forward. “Go keep an eye on my friend back there please. Make sure he doesn’t go anywhere,” she said, placing a touch of authority on her words. Saluting, they turned and walked toward their charge. Satisfied, Twilight stepped into the flickering torchlight.

Someone had placed a sheet over the victim at some point. Twilight shot a dirty look toward the guard captain, who shifted nervously. She would have to have another chat with him about disturbing evidence. She lifted off the ground and hovered over the scene, taking it all in. Hoof prints. No claw marks, no foot prints, just hoof prints. She shook her head sadly. It was looking more and more likely that the culprit they sought after was a pony. She didn’t want to believe it, but evidence was evidence.

Pinkie walked up to the drawn sheet. Twilight watched as she slipped a hoof under a corner and lifted up just enough to peek inside. As she looked down into the hidden space under the cover, Twilight witnessed a cold smile slowly spreading on her face.

“Why hello Caramel. Happy birthday.” Pinkie’s whispered voice carried a shadow of her old happiness. She reached into her flattened pink mane and pulled out a small hoof full of coloured confetti, sprinkling it around the corpse before replacing the sheet.

Twilight found the pink mare’s strange actions rather worrying. It definitely didn’t seem to be a healthy way to react to the situation. Then she thought about how she be feeling if she was in Pinkie’s place. Twilight’s heart broke for her friend. This crisis was hitting everyone hard, but she could only imagine what it was like for Pinkie. Pinkie knew literally every pony in Ponyville. Today she lost her twelfth friend in three weeks. Twilight said nothing about the confetti contaminating the crime scene.

The two spent the next few hours combing the area for clues. Twilight was having no luck whatsoever. She had taken a glance under the sheet and had vomited in her mouth at the sight. She wasn’t sure how Pinkie could have determined the corpse’s identity so quickly. Giving up, she glanced over at Pinkie. She had been standing beside Caramel for the last forty five minutes without moving. Her eyes were closed but Twilight could see them darting around underneath their lids. Then it happened. An ear flop, a knee twitch, a shiver, and a tail flick. Pinkie was onto something. Twilight silently approached her friend, not wanting to break her concentration. After a moment, Pinkie opened her eyes, her cold gaze complimented by a harsh smile.

Twilight tried to be patient, but her curiosity was overpowering. “Well? Did you sense anything? What was it?”

Pinkie turned her head slowly till she faced Twilight, the dark grin never leaving her face. “Yeah I definitely picked up on something,” she spoke slowly as her smile grew slightly. “I’m going to need...” she paused thoughtfully, “some time to make sense of it though.” She walked toward Twilight, slowly edging up beside her and throwing a hoof around her shoulders, giving a squeeze. “Why don’t you come over to Sugar Cube Corner tomorrow? I should be ready by then.” Her eyes brightened for a moment as she continued, “We can have the whole gang over. We need to keep them in the loop, right? Besides, it’s been a while since I spent some ... quality time with my girls.”

Twilight again felt uneasy at her friend’s behaviour. She wanted to tell her to take a few days off, but if she really did sense something that could give them a lead on the case, they couldn’t pass that up. “Sure Pinkie, that sounds like a good idea. I’ll let the others know.”

Pinkie squeezed the purple mare tighter. “Don’t you worry about that silly! You just come over to Auntie Pinkie’s tomorrow morning. I’ll let everyone else know. Make sure and show up nice and early so we can ... bake some cupcakes for everyone. It will be a nice surprise.”

Twilight squirmed uncomfortably in the tight embrace, but she didn’t want to offend by breaking it. “Sure Pinkie, take all the time you—” Suddenly a guard bolted up to the pair, interrupting her thought.

“I’m sorry Princess, but your friend, he’s gone! He must have slipped away while we were being debriefed by the Captain!”

Twilight, instantly filled with terror at the thought of the baby dragon out alone at night, broke free of Pinkie’s embrace and flew into the air. She desperately scanned the darkness, calling the little dragon’s name. A sharp gasp sounded behind her. She whipped her head back toward the ring of torches. Spike stood there, claws clamped over his mouth; the sheet that had been covering the body thrown aside.

Dear Princes Celestia,

We may have made some progress at last. While I didn’t discover any physical clues at the crime scene, Pinkie seems to have picked up something with her Pinkie Sense. This could be the breakthrough we need. I worry about the toll this is taking on her, but we cannot afford to continue without her help.

Pinkie said she needed some time to interpret her experience. The other elements and I are gathering at Sugar Cube Corner tomorrow morning. Hopefully she will have some new information for us to go on. As always, I shall keep you informed.

Forever your student,
Twilight Sparkle

P.S.
I have reconsidered your advice regarding Spike’s involvement in the investigation. He will remain at the Golden Oaks Library for the remainder of the crisis. I have stationed guards at the library to ensure his safety. I regret not deferring to you on this earlier.

It was barely morning when Twilight Sparkle was jerked awake by another nightmare. Thankfully this one faded as soon as she stood up from her bed. Noticing she was cold and soaked with sweat, she walked into the bathroom to start on her morning routine, stepping carefully around the still-sleeping Spike. After grooming herself, she walked down the stairs and met with the two guards stationed within the library. Re-affirming their orders, Twilight decided to get an early start and left the library while darkness still shrouded the land.

Despite the pitch black surrounding her, Twilight could not help but feel her spirits lift. Progress! Today they may finally uncover something they could use to put a stop to these grisly murders. She was encouraged by the thought as she came to the town center and approached Sugar Cube Corner. Knowing the hour was still early, she used the key she had been given to open the door into the dark bakery. She closed the door quietly behind her as she entered so as not to disturb the Cakes, who normally left the morning baking to their apprentice. Turning back toward the room, Twilight gave a sudden startled shriek.

“Pinkie! You scared the life out of me,” Twilight exclaimed as she held a hoof up to her pounding heart. The room was dark but for a lantern sitting in front of the pink mare as she stood behind the counter of the shop. Pinkie didn’t say anything. She only stared, eyes cold and hard, a knowing smile tugging at her cheeks.

Something was wrong here.

Twilight stepped forward slowly, irrational fear tightening her chest. She tried to focus her awareness on her surroundings but the encompassing blackness made it impossible to see anything other than the grinning pink pony.

Twilight tried speaking to her friend again. “Listen, I... I know its early but ... but I thought that we could get an early start on those ...” Twilight trailed off. Her friend said nothing. Pinkie just stared through the fragile, flickering light of the lantern, watching as she came closer.

Something was wrong here.

Twilight’s mind raced as she fought to control her rising panic. Still she continued to slowly approach the counter. Pinkie has been off lately, but she hasn’t been that off has she? She was her friend. She would never ...

Dropping the pretense, Twilight tried again, her voice cracking as she spoke. “Pinkie please, you’re scaring me. Can you light another lantern or something?”

The grim smile was her only answer.

Twilight moved around the table in the center of the room, more from memory than actually being able to see it. Pinkie's eyes did not follow her, instead they stoically continuing their penetrating gaze toward the door.

Something was wrong here.

Twilight felt dread begin to replace the fear in her heart, snaking inside her chest and causing bile to rise into her throat. She quickened her pace toward the still unmoving pink pony. Reaching the counter, she leapt to the other side and turned to face Pinkie. Twilight's eyes grew wide, streaming with shocked tears as she gazed in horror at her friend. Unable to stop herself, she threw herself to the floor and spilled the meagre contents of her stomach onto the red-stained bags of flour being used to prop Pinkie up in a standing position. Her friend still stared at the door, continuing her weird vigil as blood flowed down the wet trough gouged out where her spine should have been.

Author's Note

First shot at Suspense/Mystery/Horror. Let me know what you think in the comments.

Chapter 2

Dear Mrs. Cloudy Quartz and Mr. Igneous Rock,

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the passing of your daughter, Pinkamena Diane Pie.

Your daughter was not only a pony of the absolute highest calibre and esteem, but a true friend and champion to our country and its Princesses. She dedicated her entire life to making others happy and defending those in need. I wish to personally inform you that, even in the end, Pinkie’s thoughts were only of helping her fellow ponies.

I hereby decree that Pinkamena Diane Pie shall forever be recorded as a Hero of Equestria. Her family shall be known as friends of this country and its people. I personally assure you that you and your ancestors shall want for nothing as long as the Princesses sit on the throne of this land.

Forever in your debt,
Princess Twilight Sparkle

Harsh light streamed in through the windows, bringing cruel highlight to the world as the purple mare wept uncontrollably on the floor of the Golden Oaks Library. Her chest heaved painfully as dry sobs continued to wrack her body, tears long since dried up. Twilight made no effort to arrest her weeping, hoping her wailing would drown out the memories of her friend’s gruesome murder.

After the initial shock of her discovery in the bakery, the logical side of Twilight's brain had brutally repressed her grief and begun taking stock of the situation. She immediately sent a message summoning the Royal Guard. Sweeping the area for clues, she could find no definite trace left by the murderer. Any potential evidence she had discovered could have just as easily belonged to any of the dozens of customers who frequent the establishment daily. There was no sign of forced entry into the bakery despite the doors having been locked. There was no sign of a murder weapon.

After she had finished her sweep of the area, Twilight steeled herself and approached the unmoving form of her friend. Strangling her emotions into submission, she peered closer at the body. Twilight decided that her friend had indeed been intentionally posed in a standing position facing the front door. The angle of her stare was too perfect, and the bags of flour stacked underneath her had been taken from a larger pile all the way across the room. What struck Twilight as interesting was the nature of Pinkie’s wounds. Every other body that had been found was mutilated almost beyond their ability to identify. That had made it impossible to make anything other than an educated guess as to the type of murder weapon had been used, if any. This was different. The killer had obviously been in no hurry, having taken the time to arrange the grotesque tableau before her. She must conclude that this victim had been unique to the killer in some way. It was possible that Pinkie had known her killer. Pinkie had been posed in her place of work, almost as if she was awaiting the arrival of the day’s customers; that could indicate a familiarity with the murderer and perhaps even a sense of regret to his actions. Twilight pondered this possible motivation. Given that Pinkie had lived in Ponyville for most of her life, this could be an indication that the killer was also native to their town. Twilight felt her stomach turn at the notion.

Breath suddenly caught in her throat as Twilight thought of another possibility. What if this murder had nothing to do with Pinkie? It was no secret that none other than Princess Twilight Sparkle herself was leading this investigation. She and the other Elements were household names, especially here in Ponyville. Was it possible that the killer had targeted her friend as a message to her? Had the killer murdered and displayed the pink mare the way they did because he somehow knew that Twilight would be the one to find her? Panic rose in her chest as she considered the possibility. This could mean that her other friends were in danger.

No, she would not let this happen to anyone else. Twilight turned determined eyes back toward her mutilated friend. There was something about the nature of Pinkie’s injuries that was still eluding her. Looking closely at the trench ripped down her friends back, Twilight realized that she could not see any sign of a weapon being used at all. The cutting marks of an edged weapon that she had expected to see were non-existent, and there was no evidence of blunt force trauma around the wound itself. It literally looked as though the spine itself had torn free from the rest of the body.

Magic. Twilight slapped a hoof up to her face in disbelief. How had she not noticed it sooner? There was no murder weapon. The killer had used telekinesis to rip out her friend’s backbone. The killer was a unicorn; a powerful unicorn. Rage and triumph warred within Twilights mind. She had finally uncovered a real lead in her investigation, though for a terrible price.

Finally reaching over and tenderly closing her friend’s eyes, Twilight whispered, “Don’t worry Pinkie. We’ll get him now.”

Noticing that their Princess had finished investigating the scene, the newly arrived unicorn guards stepped forward and made ready to carry away the pink mare. Seeing their horns light up as they summoned a levitation spell caused the grieving and outraged part of Twilight's mind to burst through the wall of pragmatism she had erected.

“NO! GET AWAY FROM HER!” Twilight screamed in hysteria as she smashed the two guards against the wall of the bakery with a violent pulse of magic.

She instantly regretted her actions and rushed to help the fallen guards. Shocked at the Princess's outburst, the unicorns debased themselves at her feet, begging forgiveness. Twilight stood them up, apologizing and assuring them of no further retribution.

Twilight was disturbed by her emotional outburst, but she simply could not suffer magic to touch her lost friend ever again. Not after how she had died. Twilight ordered the guards to prepare a hearse and wait outside.

It was difficult without using any spells to assist her, but Twilight Sparkle somehow managed to carry her stiffening friend out of the bakery and up to the closed wagon serving as the hearse. The effort was taxing and it caused her mane and coat to become soaked in her friend’s blood. The guard captain arrived as she was attempting to lift her friend up into the dark cab and made a move to assist her. A cold look from Twilight stilled him before he could reach out. No one deserved to touch her friend; not like this. After succeeding in her grim task, Twilight whispered her love one last time to the pink pony and drew a sheet over her body, looking away as the sanguine red seeped upward, tainting the pristine white cloth. She made no move to wipe the blood away from her face as she silently bade her friend farewell. Closing the doors she nodded to the ashen earth pony attached to the wagon, bidding him off to his poignant duty.

Twilight did not remember the trip back to the library. Walking in the door, Spike ran up and opened his mouth to speak. Upon seeing the look painted across Twilight's features and the crusted blood covering her body, his mouth closed again, a look of dread contorting his young face. After learning the terrible news, Spike retreated back upstairs to the living quarters, tears rolling freely down his pallid face. Twilight, ruled by duty and reason once again, sat quietly at her desk and drew out a stack of parchment and her quill. Settling in, she composed no less than seven letters.

Four of the letters were brief messages sent to her friends, requesting them to join her as soon as possible in the library. She addressed them by their Elements rather than their names; Honesty, Generosity, Kindness, and Loyalty. Formality helped her remain detached from the morbid events which threatened her already strained psyche. One letter sent to the Captain, tasking him with assigning a detail of guards charged with the protection of the remaining Elements. One letter sent to Princess Celestia informing her of the tragedy. The last and most difficult letter was sent to Pinkie’s parents, informing them of their daughter’s loss. Twilight sent the letters using her own magic, not wanting to disturb the bereaving Spike.

After finally resting her quill on the desk top, Twilight looked down at herself and remembered the bloody mess she had only half-unconsciously neglected to remove from her body. Still moving through a numbing haze, she crossed to the bathroom and began to wash herself clean. After some time in a bath, Twilight stood and dried herself off. While moving to exit the room, she caught her reflection in the wall-mounted mirror. Seeing her friend’s blood washed free of her purple coat, she finally felt her careful reserve snap under the weight of her grief. She collapsed under the harsh light streaming in through the windows and began sobbing.

Author's Note

Chapter Two! Please let me know what you think in the comments.

Chapter 3

The remaining Elements of Harmony arrived at the Golden Oaks Library just as the morning sun was cresting on the horizon, having collectively responded to the worrying letter with all possible haste. Twilight Sparkle watched their approach from the observation balcony at the top of the hollowed tree. As they neared the library, a detail of two guards met each of them, silently falling in step behind their charges. Twilight watched as each of her friends hesitated for a moment, questioning their escort. Twilight had given specific instructions for the guards to remain silent about the morning's events. These weren't just her friends, they were family; she would be the one to tell them. Twilight watched as her friends became visibly frustrated as they failed to coax any information from their guards. As one, they turned and sprinted the rest of the way, distress plain on their faces despite the distance. Twilight left the balcony and proceeded to the door, reaching it just as a nervous knock sounded from the other side. Before she could open the latch with her magic, the door burst open. A prismatic blur flashed over her head, knocking over several stacks of unsorted books and blowing sheets of parchment into the air with reckless abandon before coming to a stop in the center of the room. The cyan mare left in the rainbow’s wake took an aggressive step toward Twilight, features an equal mix of anger and worry.

“Twilight, what the hay is going on? We’re under guard now?” Rainbow Dash said, voice raised.

Before she could respond, Twilight heard her other three friends enter the room behind her. Turning, she motioned for the escort to remain outside and shut the door. This conversation would best be held in private.

“Everyone take a seat please. I have some … there’s something you need to know.” Twilight's voice cracked as she spoke.

Her friends remained where they stood, beset by a flurry of emotions. Everypony spoke out at once.

Fluttershy, in abject terror.
Rainbow Dash, in frustrated anger.
Rarity, in panicked concern.
Applejack, in somber acceptance.

“No, no, no! Please no, not again! Why is this happening?”
“That's it! We can't stand here and just take this anymore, we have to do something!”
“Oh Celesta, it was one of us wasn’t it?! Where’s Spike? Where is he?”
“... It was Pinkie Pie, wasn't Twi?”

Twilight, who had her mouth open to reply to the verbal bombardment, was stopped in her tracks. Turning to the Applejack, the only communication she could manage was a slow nod.

Oppressive silence dominated the room as this knowledge was processed. Twilight watched her friends' faces, observing each of them reacting in their own fashion as the tragic realization took its hold. Rainbow Dash stomped around in impotent rage. Fluttershy’s legs collapsed underneath her, falling to the floor as she wept uncontrollably. Rarity, wide eyed, shook her head repeatedly as if trying to deny reality itself. Applejack sat down on her haunches, the familiar pain of loss weighing her down. Twilight was far from unaffected herself. Agonizing over the possibility that her own actions contributed to their friend’s loss. Did they blame her for involving Pinkie in the investigation? In a way, Twilight almost hoped they did, as she certainly blamed herself.

The friends spent the next several hours trying to process their grief. Rarity had disappeared to the upstairs area, her soft voice could be heard in congress with Spike’s, both sporadically breaking down into barely audible sobbing. Fluttershy had ceased her weeping and merely sat, her unflinching stare directed at nothing in particular as her consciousness retreated into the relative safety of her mind. Rainbow Dash was alternating between stalking the floor of the library muttering angrily to herself and wrapping a protective wing around Fluttershy’s stoic form, running a hoof through her mane and whispering comforting words. Applejack hadn’t said anything, but was sitting beside Twilight, leg wrapped around her shoulder in support.

As the sun reached its apex in the sky, the ponies once again gathered in the center of the library. Individual conversations died down as Twilight stood to address her friends. Eyes downcast and wings hanging limply by her sides, Twilight spoke. “Listen. I know this is my fault. If it wasn’t for me; if I hadn't asked for Pinkie’s help to catch this killer. She might still be alive today. I guess I just want you to know that I understand if you hate me. In truth, I kinda hate myself.”

“Stow that plot right now, Twilight!” Rainbow Dash stepped forward and placed a hoof on her shoulder. “Pinkie was more than our friend. She was family. We are all family. She loved each and every one of us, and we all loved her back. She wouldn't want any of us to blame ourselves. This is not your fault for getting her involved. Anypony could tell you that if Pinkie thought there was any way for her to help this town, you wouldn't have been able to stop her if you wanted to.” All the other ponies in attendance nodded in agreement.

Twilight looked at Rainbow in amazement. The Element of Loyalty. Rainbow stuck by her friends no matter what. But looking into her eyes, Twilight knew she was lying about one thing. Rainbow Dash did blame someone for Pinkie's death; she blamed herself. For not being there for Pinkie when it mattered most. Rainbow Dash, the Element of Loyalty. Twilight prayed that she deserved such friendship.

Wiping a tear from her eye, Twilight smiled for the first time that day. “Thank you Rainbow Dash. I just … thank you.”

As Rainbow stepped back to join the others, Applejack spoke up, “Well, Ah think we can all agree that this has gone on long enough. We need to git a plan together on how we’re gonna take care of this creep once and for all. Ah lost enough friends, Ah don’t wanna lose any more.” Nods of agreement accompanied Applejack's words as she continued, “Did y’all find anything out Twi? Anything at all that we ken use?”

Applejack, The Element of Honesty; cut right to the heart of the matter despite her grief. She was always willing to put forth the effort needed to solve a problem. no matter the size. Twilight was touched by the sentiment, but shook her head. “I’m sorry, but I just can’t put any more of you at risk. I’m going to continue the investigation on my own from here on out.”

“Darling, I’m afraid that just won’t do,” eyes turned to Rarity as she chimed in, still visibly shaken but attempting to regain her composure. “As Rainbow said, we are a family. I … we, if I may speak for everyone, simply cannot allow this injustice to continue. I’m afraid you will have our help whether you like it or not.”

Twilight shook her head as if to resist the words, but she knew it would do no good. Rarity, Element of Generosity; Twilight doubted even she had the power to stop her friend giving from herself to help others, no less her best friends. In the end, Twilight acquiesced with a grateful nod.

Taking a deep breath and daring to feel encouraged for the first time that day, Twilight looked at her friends. “Thank you. Thank you all. Together, I know that we can put a stop to this murderer. Nopony else is going to get hurt on my watch.” Murmurs of agreement filled the room.

“So, did we find out anythin we can go on Twi?” Applejack repeated her earlier question.

Twilight shook her head sadly. “This killer has been very careful. He always attacks in highly trafficked places during off hours. That makes any physical evidence we find circumstantial at best. But there was one thing that I noticed at …” Twilight hesitate for a moment. Bottling up the sadness that threatened her calm, she continued. “... I noticed this morning. I’m certain that the murderer is using magic to kill their victims. I think we’re looking for a unicorn.”

The new information sunk in over a moment of silence.

Rainbow Dash left Fluttershy’s side, hovering over to the center of the room. “OK, so we have a magic baddie. What's the plan?” she said, clapping her hooves together in determination.

Twilight considered for a moment before speaking. “Well, Ponyville is fairly tight-knit and there aren't too many unicorns living here. I suppose we could bring them all in for questioning, see what they were doing during the murders. Who knows, we may get lucky.”

Rarity’s eyes furrowed in thought for a moment before brightening. “Hmm, I have a bit of magic that may help in that regard. It's not something I’ve done successfully before, but maybe if I could enlist Spike’s aid. He’s actually coming along quite well with his magical studies lately. The unique nature of dragon magic may be just what I’m missing. Together, I’m sure we can get it to work.”

Twilight hesitated, “I don’t like the idea of Spike being a part of this, Rarity.”

“Don’t worry my dear, all I need is help perfecting the spell, he won’t be near any danger I assure you. Just give us a day or two and I’m sure we will be ready.” Leaning in, Rarity added, “Besides, it's probably best for Spike not to be alone right now.”

“Well… as long as he agrees. The little guy has been through a lot lately.” Twilight said.

Nodding, Rarity took her leave and headed back upstairs.

“As for rounden up the unicorns, ah reckon ah could get that done. Probably take a few days to bring everyone in though,” Applejack said, stepping forward.

Twilight nodded in agreement. “I’ll send a squad of royal guards to assist you Applejack, just in case.”

“What about me?” Rainbow Dash said, still hovering above the others heads.

Twilight thought for a moment. “We need to do something a little more proactive before someone else gets hurt. Think you're up for that Rainbow?”

“Heck Yeah! Whaddya have in mind?”

“Get as many weather ponies as can be spared from regular duty. We are going to form patrol teams to keep an eye on the city streets at night. I’ll send as many pegasus guards as I can spare to join you. All the attacks have been at night as far as we can tell. If we keep watch from the sky maybe we can spot the killer without being noticed and catch him in the act.”

“On it!” Rainbow said as she made ready to bolt away.

“Hang on a second Rainbow, there's one more thing,” Twilight halted the pegasus before she could make her exit. Twilight turned, raising her voice to address all her friends, “this is for everyone. I’ve assigned two royal guards to each of you. They have orders to never leave your side, not even for an instant. I don’t want to take the chance that something else may happen to any of you.”

The somber reminder quashed any levity the group had gained. Her friends each left to their assigned task, escorts in tow. Fluttershy had hung back, waiting for everyone to make their exit. When it was just her and Twilight left, she approached the alicorn.

“Twilight, I was thinking, I mean … if it's OK with you, I was going to go visit Pinkie Pie’s family on the rock farm. Just in case they need anything. Would that be alright?” Seemingly alert and aware for the first time since hearing the news, her unsteady voice was barely heard as she spoke.

Twilight felt a warm smile grow on her face as she nodded. The Element of Kindness. She really was blessed with the best friends in the world. There was nothing they couldn't accomplish when they were all together. After a moment the smile on her face soured. Almost all of them were together. That would have to be enough.

It took three days for all the preparations to be made. The weather teams, bolstered by the pegasus guards, kept the entire town under constant watch after the sun fell. Twilight joined them each night, not content with remaining idle as the others completed their projects. Rainbow had initially given half-hearted objection to being slowed down by her personal guards, but had deferred to her friends request in the end.

Applejack had contacted the resident unicorns of Ponyville, asking them not to make any trips out of town and informing them they will be brought in for questioning. Twilight had expected them to give more resistance to the idea, but the squad of guards accompanying the message, as well as ever present fear of the murders, had made most very compliant. Twilight was glad that Applejack had taken the lead in this assignment; her rapport with the people of the town had no doubt helped ease the unicorns' concerns. It would have been even better if Pinkie was still with them. Twilight stilled her thoughts quickly, lest grief overwhelm her once again.

Fluttershy had arrived back in town on the third day. She hadn’t spoken to anyone since, instead locking herself up in her cottage with her animals. Twilight was surprised to find that it was Fluttershy who had given the most resistance to being accompanied by her bodyguards, insisting that they not enter her home. Twilight was concerned at this unusual behavior from her friend, but knowing how hard she was taking recent events decided not to press the issue.

The last piece to fall into place was Rarity and Spike’s mysterious spell work. As the sun fell on day three, Rarity and Spike finally emerged from Twilight's old laboratory, looking haggard but triumphant. Their royal bodyguards followed, looking every bit as exhausted as their charges. Spike proceeded directly to the library’s second floor without saying a word and dropped heavily into his bed.Twilight hated seeing him like this. She wasn't sure how much more of this he could take. Her heart broke for the little dragon. Twilight’s thoughts were interrupted as Rarity approached her, whispering softly, “Don’t worry dear. I know you're protective, but he has a lot more strength that he lets on. He’ll be alright in time.”

Sighing, Twilight nodded to her friend. Of course she was right. Thoughts returning to the matter at hand, Twilight nodded toward the floating chest held by Rarity’s blue aura. “So, what do we have here?”

Rarity's eyes brightened as she set the case down on the table. When she spoke, it was in a rapid fire fashion that Twilight had difficulty keeping up with. “Possibly the best piece of spell work I’ve ever accomplished to be completely honest. A want-it-need-it spell, as you know, takes a pony’s desire for the enchanted object and magnifies it. My theory was that this spell could be converted so that it merely reflects the pony’s feelings in general instead of intensifying them on an object. Then, using a modified version of my detection spell, this reflection could be recorded in some form of medium. The issue was that combining two different enchantments in one medium had never been done before without destroying said object due to the intense magical frequencies involved. That is where Spike’s assistance was invaluable. We agreed that the only way it was possible to bond the spells together was by finding a gem which had a high enough resonance for magical energy. I cast the enchantments while he anchored them to the gem, which is a beautiful fire ruby by the way, and it was a complete success!”

Twilight shook her head as she attempted to decipher the deluge of information from her friend. Giving up, she shook her head and repeated, “so what do we have here Rarity?”

Beaming, Rarity used her magic to open the case revealing a dazzling heart shaped fire ruby set on a silken cushion. With a gleam in her eye, the white unicorn motioned her friend over. Twilight approached and they both took a seat at the table. “How are you feeling today Twilight?” Rarity asked, voice bordering on the theatric.

“Umm, honestly? Frustrated, angry, and worried for my friends.”

Furrowing her brow as if she hadn’t received the answer she wanted, Rarity thought for a moment. Looking down at herself, her eyes brightened once again. “Would you mind telling me how I look this morning, Twilight? I feel absolutely dreadful,” she said.

“Uh…” Twilight looked her friend over. She obviously hadn’t slept, possible for days. Large bags hung under her sea-blue eyes and her usually perfect curly mane hung limply down her side. “You look … great, Rarity, as usual.”

As the words left her lips, the fire ruby on the table suddenly brightened, giving off an intense flare of red light before returning to its usual luster. Startled, Twilight lept off her chair before realization set in.

“Rarity! Is that what I think it is?”

The weariness apparent in her friend's demeanor melted away as pride took its place. “It is indeed. I trust that it will come in handy during your investigation.”

Twilight shook her head in amazement. She had no idea her friend was that proficient in magic, or that creative. Crafting a lie detector by modifying and combining enchantments, and then using Spike’s dragon magic to fasten them to a gem, she hadn’t even thought of it.

Twilight stepped forward, wrapping her legs around the white unicorn. “Thank you Rarity. You may have just saved a lot of lives.”

“It's nothing my dear. Although if you excuse me, I think I’m going to get some rest.” Twilight nodded, hugging her friend one more time. Rarity motioned to her royal escort and made her exit, looking every bit the refined mare she was despite her exhaustion.

Hope taking hold over her again, Twilight turned to one of her own guards. “Go find Applejack. Tell her to start bringing the unicorns here for questioning. We are finally going to get to the bottom of this.”

Bowing deeply, the pegasus guard took flight and headed toward Sweet Apple Acres. Twilight took a deep breath. She finally had a plan. She finally had a means to protect her town. Heartened, she turned and started preparing the Library to hold the interrogations.

Two days later, Twilight's high spirits had once again sunk into desperation. Dozens of unicorns had been rounded up and sent to the library. Every single one had a reasonable alibi for the nights of the murders. Every single one of them had been completely cooperative. Not once had the fire ruby lit up to signal that someone was being untruthful. By the end of the second day, Twilight had questioned every last unicorn in Ponyville. Twilight felt despair settle in. She had been so sure that Rarity’s enchanted gem would be the key, but they were no closer to a solution than when they had started. The only condolence was that the killer had yet to strike again. The weather patrols may be having an effect. They were a temporary measure however, and did nothing to solve the root of the problem.

Just as she had given up on hope, a royal guard burst in through the doors of the Golden Oak, panting as he rushed to the Princess and bowed at her feet. “Your majesty! Miss Applejack has found one last unicorn that we have yet to question. She isn’t coming in quietly, Miss Applejack requests your aid immediately!”

“Where?”

“Just on the outskirts of town your majesty, near the entrance to the Everfree!”

Determination and worry gripping her in equal measure, Twilight took flight and rushed out the door, not waiting for her escort. Rainbow Dash would have been proud of the short time it took for her to cover the distance. As she approached, she began to see bright flashes of magic as a squad of guards converged on a lone unicorn. Many of them were stumbling about, blinded by the flares of magic. Others seemed to be in a daze, chasing some illusion only visible to themselves. The renegade unicorn responsible for this was certainly powerful. Shielding her eyes from the blinding pulses, Twilight identified Applejack wandering about the field. She looked as if she was attempting to find her way through a maze despite the open grassy field surrounding her. Flying up to her friend, Twilight concentrated for a moment and dispelled the illusion afflicting her friend with a touch of her horn.

“Applejack, What’s going on here?”

“Twilight? Twilight! You have to do somethin! We can’t stop her, every time we get close she disappears in smoke or makes us see things or—”

“It's OK Applejack, just rest. I’ll take care of this.”

Twilight stood and turned to face the brilliant corona surrounded by incapacitated guards. Closing her eyes, Princess Twilight Sparkle concentrated, focusing all her incredible magical power through her body and into her horn. When she opened her eyes, they were a glowing pupiless white.

“Enough!” A dazzling purple wave erupted from the alicorn’s horn as she shouted, breaking the illusions afflicting her guards as it passed over them and dissolving the enemy’s sphere of blinding light with ease. Focusing, she reigned in her explosive energy and condensed it, forming unbreakable bonds which closed around her adversary.

Assured that the her friend and the royal guard were recovering from their stupification, Twilight approached the captive unicorn. Upon reaching her target, Twilight’s eyes widened in recognition. Her surprise was so great that she nearly fumbled her binding spell.

“You will unhand me, you witch! The Great and Powerful Trixie demands it!”

Author's Note

Chapter 3, keep those comments coming!

Chapter 4

“Are ya sure ya wanna go in alone Twi?” Applejack voiced her concern to her friend as they stood outside the Golden Oak Library. “I don’t like it. It ain’t safe. You saw how hard she fought when we tried to bring her in.”

Twilight shook her head, placing a hoof on the orange mare’s shoulder. “I’m sorry, Applejack. I have to do this alone. I can’t take the chance that she will get in your head again. She’s much more powerful than the last time we saw her. And if she is responsible for …” Twilight trailed off for a moment, thoughts lingering on their loss.

Snapping back to reality, she shook her head again. “It's just safer if I go in alone.”

“... Well, alright Twi. I’ll be right outside. You just give a holler if you need me and I’ll come a runnin.”

Twilight’s smile was strained but genuine. She turned to the guards and ordered them to remain outside before approaching the door. Steeling herself, Twilight walked alone into the library.

“Well well, if it isn’t everypony's favorite Princess.” Venom dripped from the bound mare’s words as she glared at Twilight from across the room.

Still wrapped in the purple bands of Twilight’s spell, the blue mare was propped on one of the library’s chairs and sat at the table. Her continued efforts to free herself were interrupted only when she stopped to give a scathing look in the Princess’s direction.

Walking up to the table in the center of the room, Twilight addressed the bound unicorn. “You’re not going anywhere, Trixie. Not until you answer some questions.”

“You’re not going anywhere, Trixie. Not until you answer some questions.” Twilight was taken aback as she heard her own voice coming from Trixie’s mouth. Looking up, she saw the blue aura as it faded from her horn. This unicorn had definitely learned some new and dangerous tricks.

Twilight reached over to the case on the table and lifted its lid, revealing the fire ruby. The hatred in Trixie’s eyes mingled with academic curiosity at the uncovered treasure. Of course a unicorn of her power would be able to sense that it was an arcane artifact, but Twilight was willing to bet that she would not be able to deduce its purpose immediately. Taking a seat across from her old rival, Twilight considered for a moment on how to begin the questioning.

“What are you doing back in Ponyville, Trixie?”

“Trixie was not in Ponyville! Trixie was doing her best to skirt around this forsaken town when she was assaulted by your brutes!”

Twilight shook her head. “That's not what I heard. I’ve heard that you’ve been in and out of town a few times in the past month. I had the Captain do some checking around; Jitterbug and Roseluck say you’ve been stopping by their stalls once a week.”

Trixie's eyes hardened. “Yes well, a Pony’s gotta eat.”

“Why have you been camping outside town for the past month?”

“What Trixie does is none of your business!”

Twilight sat back, frustrated. This was going nowhere. She decided to attempt a more direct line of questioning.

“In the last month there have been thirteen murders in Ponyville.” Twilight threw the sentence out casually, watching Trixie for her reaction. She was disappointed; Trixie's face betrayed nothing.

A moment of silence passed before Trixie spoke. When she did her voice was as cold and hard as her eyes. “The ponies in this blasted town deserve everything they get.”

Twilight covertly glanced at the fire ruby. It remained unlit. Twilight felt a burning anger take hold of her. Trixie wasn't lying; she had meant what she said.

“How dare you!” Twilight stood and she shouted, eyes flashing white. “After everything you did to this town, all the damage you caused and all the ponies you hurt, they still forgave you!”

“Forgave Trixie? Forgiveness is cheap Your Highness. This town ruined Trixie. It robbed Trixie of her livelihood, her reputation, everything! Trixie couldn’t settle down anywhere without being run out by angry mobs as soon as they learned about her past. Trixie is happy that Ponyville is finally getting what's coming to it!”

Twilight’s anger exploded within her. Screaming, she swept the table aside with a blast of magic. She felt herself tighten the bonds holding Trixie, forcing her to struggle for breath.

Twilight stalked forward till their faces were inches apart. “Ponies. Have. DIED!” Twilight raged in the other unicorn's face.

“.. Ha .. Ha … Maybe you ... should have … done a better job … taking care of them ... Princess,” Trixie wheezed as she spoke.

“I will do whatever is necessary to protect the ponies of this town, Trixie. You hear me! Anything!” Twilight squeezed the bonds tighter.

“Well then ... Trixie suggests you stop wasting … her time and let her go… because she didn’t do it!” Trixie punctuated her sentence by spitting defiantly in Twilight's face.

Twilight wiped the spittle away with a wing as she channeled more magic to her horn. She was about to squeeze the bonds even tighter when something caught her attention from the corner of her eye. Looking down, she saw the fire ruby laying on the ground, glowing with a brilliant red light. Trixie followed the alicorn’s gaze in confusion.

“What … is that?” Trixie gasped as her bonds loosened to their original shape.

Twilight looked back at her with a grim, humorless smile on her lips. “Oh, that little thing? That little thing is telling me you're a liar, Trixie.” Twilight backed away and headed for the door. Turning her head, she called back to the bound mare. “Looks like you're going away for a long long time Trixie. You’re never going to hurt anyone ever again”

Outrage flashed across the blue mare’s face. “No, you can’t do this!” Twilight continued toward the door without responding.

“This isn’t over, Twilight Sparkle. No prison can hold the Great and Powerful Trixie! And when she gets out, she is coming after you!” Trixie’s voice died away as Twilight shut the door behind her.

Twilight approached the Captain who was waiting outside with Applejack and the rest of the guard. “Prepare a prison car, Captain. The criminal will be transported to the Canterlot dungeons first thing in the morning.”

Dear Princess Celestia,

I am glad to finally write you with good news, Your Highness. With the assistance of my friends, as well as your own royal guard, we have finally captured the murderer, Trixie Lulamoon. I have confined her to a prison car; she will be arriving under guard on the first train to Canterlot tomorrow morning.

If you would allow it your highness, I will be retaining the services of the royal guard for a time. The people of Ponyville have suffered much and I feel that having a garrison stationed here for a short while will provide the peace of mind they will need to put this disaster behind them.

Your Friend,
Twilight Sparkle

P.S.
I would highly suggest that you yourself attend the guard detail sent to receive the prisoner, your highness. Trixie has become a very powerful illusionist since we last met. The guard may not be able to shield themselves from her magic without your aid.

Twilight, sitting comfortably behind the familiar desk of the Golden Oak Library, breathed a long awaited sigh of relief she as she magically sent the letter to Princess Celestia. It was over. Ponyville was finally safe. She had kept her promise; nopony else was going to be hurt. Now the nightmares would stop and everypony can finally go back to their lives without fear. After a moment of thought, she sent a quick summons to her friends, asking them to join her at the library tomorrow morning for breakfast. Now that the crisis was over, they all deserved some time to mourn their loss together, as family.

Twilight summoned the Captain to her side, giving orders for the guard stationed throughout Ponyville to remain at their posts and continue nightly patrols for the time being, until a sense of order had returned to the beleaguered town. Saluting sharply, he left to his assigned task. Twilight considered ordering the four remaining guards away as well but decided against it as she looked out the window with a yawn. The sun had sunk below the horizon while she was composing the letter to the Princess, once again cloaking the land in a heavy blanket of darkness.

Twilight walked over to the stoic white ponies, who snapped to attention immediately; their already impossibly straight posture somehow becoming even taller under the eyes of their Princess. Twilight looked each of them over before she spoke, looking every bit the imperious commander.

“No doubt you have been informed by the Captain that you are to remain diligently at your post despite the time of danger being past. Is this correct?”

“Yes, Your Highness!” they barked in unison.

“Well, you have new orders now. Orders more befitting of your performance of late.”

The four guards exchanged worried looks.

Twilight allowed a small smile as her horn flared, conjuring up a spread of refreshments and several packs of playing cards onto the table behind her. “You are ordered to stand down and enjoy yourselves for the night. I’m sure the Captain won't mind.”

Relief flooded the guards faces as they returned the Princess’s warm smile with one of thanks. “Yes, your highness!”

Satisfied, Twilight Sparkle made her way up the winding stairs and collapsed heavily onto her old bed. The oppressive weight on her mind from the last few weeks had finally crushed her last reserves of strength, but she didn’t mind a single bit. Eyelids growing heavy, Twilight’s last thoughts were those of relief to finally be free of the nightmares, both in the waking world and in the coming bliss of sleep.

Twilight jerked violently as she snapped to awareness; the memory of her horrid nightmare melting from her panicked mind. Wiping at the sweat that was pouring down her face, Twilight attempted to arrest her heavy breathing as she looked about the room. Seeing Spike sleeping soundly across the room, Twilight was able to force herself into calm. She supposed it was foolish to think that the dreams would stop at once. Some things took a long time to heal. Some scars never completely fade.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the warm sounds of celebration drifting up into the sleeping area from the guards below. The sounds did much to bring peace back to her clenched heart. Looking out the window and seeing night still shrouding the land, Twilight guessed that the guards were intending on making the most of their leave and would likely continue the revelries until morning light.

She decided that she was unlikely to return to sleep despite the late, or early she supposed, hour. Twilight took a few moments to make herself presentable and descended the stairs, moving to join in with the celebrating guards. Seeing their Princess as she entered the main floor of the library, the guard ponies attempted to stand at attention. Twilight found the sight rather comical as they had obviously partaken in the libations she had provided for them. Motioning for the unsteady stallions to return to their game, Twilight took a seat along with them at the table.

Twilight usually made a habit of befriending ponies who had served under her, but had not had the opportunity for such activities in the last several months. It had seemed as though one disaster freely flowed into the next of late. It pleased her that she could now take the time for the simple pleasures of comradery that she had nearly forgotten. But as she watched the guards return to their game, Twilight found something bothering her. Something her subconscious mind had noticed set her on edge.

Her curiosity sparked as she realized what had set her off. There were six guards sitting at the table. She could have sworn there were only four before she had fallen asleep. Thinking that perhaps the Rainbow Dash had dismissed some of the pegasus guard sent to assist with her patrol, Twilight looked over to one of the newcomers.

“Excuse me guard, but are you part of the nightly patrol?” She asked.

“No, Your Majesty. My partner and I were stationed at the Carousel Boutique.” he said, a slight slur to his words.

Twilight started at the unexpected answer. Abandoning one’s post was a serious offence in the royal guard.

“And why are you no longer at the Boutique? There has been no order to rescind the guard.”
Twilight asked, authority edging into her voice.

Realizing the seriousness of the situation, the guard snapped to attention, but the confusion never left his face. “I'm sorry your majesty, but we did receive written orders to stand down.” The guard spoke sharply, alcohol induced slur quashed by superior discipline.

“Who sent such orders?” Twilight said, anger colouring her words.

“Your Majesty, forgive me but, you did. The orders bore your royal seal.”

“What?! I sent no such … Trixie!” Twilight’s heart dropped into her stomach as the realization hit her.

“Your Majesty?”

“All of you! Get to the prison car immediately! The prisoner has escaped, and the guard posted there may be hurt! And send someone to inform the Captain!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Twilight didn’t hear his response. She had bolted out the door as soon as the words left her mouth. Taking flight, she rushed off in the direction of the Carousel Boutique, a familiar terror growing once again in her chest.

Author's Note

Chapter 4. Please let me know what you think in the comments!

Chapter 5

Twilight had barely touched down in front of the Carousel Boutique before she blew the door off its hinges with a violent pulse of magic. She ran through the opening into the dimly lit interior of her friend’s shop. Her eyes wide with panic, Twilight began shouting Rarity’s name as she dashed about the racks of clothing, searching desperately.

It had occurred to her that Trixie may still be hiding somewhere within the shop waiting to pounce, but Twilight couldn’t bring herself to take any extra care. She had to find Rarity. Frustration and fear growing within her, she used a powerful blast of magic to knock over the colourful clothes-filled racks and worn looking white mannequins which cluttered the shop floor. The terror she felt for her friend grew into a manic desperation as her scan of the area yielded nothing. Twilight leapt toward the doorway leading to her friend’s inspiration room, wrenching the door with her magic so hard it buried itself into the wall as it crashed open.

As Twilight ran through the doorway into the pitch darkness of the room, something caught under her legs and she fell heavily to the floor, smashing her head on the jam on her way down. Vision blurred from the impact, Twilight shook her head furiously as she tried to identify what had tripped her. Twilight focused magic through her horn casting a dim illumination spell from its tip. The world came into focus and she saw one of Rarity’s white mannequins laying on the floor beside her. Confused she pushed it away and stood, looking about the dark room and once again calling her friend's name. The room was empty save for the silhouette of a few more racks of clothes and another row of mannequins standing by the far wall.

Twilight tried to slow her panicked mind and think clearly. Everything in the shop had been undisturbed when she had entered, and there was no sign of any struggle. Twilight considered the possibility that Rarity was simply away from home, but dismissed it immediately as it was much too early. Twilight started to walk back to the shop’s main room, but stopped in her tracks as a realization hit her. There was one thing out of place. The mannequin she had tripped over should have been lined up with the others. Looking down at it, she saw that she had not knocked it down when she fell, rather, the white construct had tripped up her legs because it was already laying on the ground. The brass rod which served as its stand had been torn away.

The fragile hold Twilight had managed to place on her emotions ripped apart once again as dread seized her heart. She whipped her head up, taking a step forward and looking again through the shadows at the row of mannequins against the far wall. One was different. Twilight took another step closer. The farthest one had a mark on its flank. A Cutie Mark.

“NOOO!” Twilight screamed as the magical illumination from her horn intensified with her rage.

Rarity stood at the back of the room, blood pouring down from her midsection where she had been impaled with the brass stand, her face as expressionless as the mannequins beside her.

Twilight’s mind nearly shattered for the weight of her despair. She whipped her head back and forth from the grotesque diorama as she desperately tried to make sense of the world around her, screaming hard as she wept for her lost friend. But through all her crippling pain and behind the grief, the logical portion of the lifelong student’s mind recognized the puzzle before her. The screams and sobs died down, replaced by a feverish monologue as she attempted to understand what had happened.

“This doesn't make any sense! Why? Why would Trixie escape only to risk it all by coming back to town? And why target Rarity? Think Twilight, think think think!” Twilight said, stamping a hoof as she spoke.

“Okay Okay. Why Rarity? Why not just escape? … She knows escape would do her no good. She knows I would hunt her down no matter where she went. So why not go after me? She must know she can't win that fight. So why Rarity, what makes her different?”

Suddenly she looked up, eyes wide as a thought came. “Of course, the fire gem! The fire gem is the only real proof we have that she committed the murders. She must have recognized Rarity’s magic on the stone! She must think that if we can't craft another stone, we would have no evidence against her! Her next step is to steal the ruby!”

Twilight’s excitement threatened to overwhelm her. She was finally one step ahead of this filthy murderer. She turned and bolted. As she reached the door, she suddenly froze up and skidded to a halt as another thought came to her.

“If she could sense Rarity’s magic in the stone, then that could mean she also may have … Spike!” The world blurred past as she flew faster than she had ever had before.

The sun had yet to peak above the horizon as Twilight arrived back at the library. Panting heavily from her frantic flight, Twilight ignored her fatigue and ran to the doorway, hurriedly opening the portal and rushing inside. The warm glow of the lantern on the table was the only thing greeting her arrival. Twilight began to feel her panic rising up once more when she realized she could hear the soft rolling sounds of a baby dragon snoring. A palpable relief flooded through Twilight’s body at the sound. Creeping silently up the stairway, she confirmed that Spike was still sound asleep in his bed. Twilight felt a great weight lift off her shoulders at the sight of his tiny form. She watched him sleep for a moment before remembering the very real danger they were in. Making her way back downstairs, she moved to the chest sitting on the wooden table and opened the lid. Another sigh of relief escaped her lips as Twilight saw the fire ruby still nestled on its silken cushion. Trixie may still intend on getting her hooves on it, but it truly seemed like Twilight was finally one step ahead of her old nemesis. By now there was no doubt the Captain had informed the other guards and the remaining Elements of the criminal’s escape. Twilight expected they would arrive any moment, and then together they could search out and recapture the murderer.

Twilight began to feel woozy as the adrenaline from the race home left her system. She crossed the floor to the washroom. The purple mare who gazed back at her from the mirror looked haggard and tired. Shaking her head she bent down to splash some cold water from the basin into her face, she sighed as much of the weariness washed away along with the cool liquid.

Looking once more into the dark sunken eyes of her reflection, Twilight felt anger growing in her. Everything she had been through. Everything her friends had been through. All that her town had suffered. She would make sure that Trixie got what's coming to her. She would make sure she suffered. “You’re never going to escape me,” she whispered a vow.

“Haha, somehow I doubt that Princess.”

Twilight's tired eyes shot wide as adrenaline once again flooded her system. She whipped around, seeing Trixie leaning casually against the door frame.

“You!” Twilight raged as her eyes flashed white. She attempted to lash out with a pulse of deadly energy, but to her immense surprise, the magic refused to focus in her horn.

“Tsk tsk tsk, now we can't have you wrecking the place, Princess. That just won't do.”

Twilight's shock at the failure of her magic was complete. “How … How did you do that? You can’t do that. There’s no way you're powerful enough to counter alicorn magic!” Twilight’s stunned question only garnered more laughter from the gloating blue mare.

Trying once again to bring her considerable magical power to a focus, she was rewarded only with a small shower of sparks erupting from the tip of her horn.

“That's impossible!” Twilight growled with frustration.

“That's impossible!” Trixie mocked her rival, once again assuming her voice.

“No more games Trixie!”

“Oh, I’m not playing any games Twilight. And why do you keep calling me Trixie?” The other unicorn accompanied her confusing question with a bright flash from her horn.

Temporarily blinded, Twilight prepared for an attack. None came. Instead, Twilight stared dumbfounded at the mare ahead of her. Instead of Trixie standing in the doorway, what she saw was a perfect copy of herself.

Shaking her head, Twilight roared at her doppelganger, “Drop the illusion, Trixie. It's over!”

“Oh, this is no illusion Twilight. And this is far from over.”

“What are you talking about?” Uncertainty began to edge into Twilight’s voice.

“I can’t stop now. I can never stop. We can never stop,” the other-Twilight said, a disconcerting smile on her lips.

“We’ll see about that!” Twilight said, eyes narrowed in determination.

“Hah, you poor fool. Don't you get it? You and I are the same.”

“No,” Twilight shook her head. “I’m nothing like you! You're a murderer! You killed Pinkie Pie, Rarity, everyone! I’m going to stop you!”

“Hmm, you're a lot slower than I thought; guess we’ll have to start from the beginning.”

Twilight’s confusion grew as her double spoke. “What do you mean?” she asked, voice wavering.

“Did you think because you are an alicorn Princess that you’re invincible? That no matter what you went through, no matter what horrors you faced, you would come out the other side unscathed? That the magic of friendship would heal all? Ha ha ha ha. You really are a fool.”

“I … I don’t understand.”

“You don't really remember the time you spent in the changeling dungeon, do you Twi? Of course you don't, it was to painful. I wonder, do you know what happens to a pony when they experience more pain than they can handle, Twilight? Come on, of course you do. You were always a straight A student.”

“... The pony’s mind can fracture, leaving the dominant persona free to operate while the repressed persona deals with the pain being experienced.”

“Ding ding ding, we have a winner!”

Twilight fell silent for a moment as she attempted to process the information. Her double waited patiently, still grinning.

“So … you're saying that … I’m crazy?”

“Alright, finally we are on the same page! Although I'm afraid it’s much worse than that.”

Twilight shook her head, not understanding.

“Ugh, I have to spell everything out here. Listen Twi, pain is one thing. Pain is something you can work past. Pain doesn't necessarily make you kill. Problem is, changelings don’t just hurt your body when they take you. They feed on the love inside you, wherever they can find it. Whatever you love most. Like your spouse or…”

“Your friends,” Twilight finished.

Her double’s smile grew. “Exactly. We were in that dungeon for over a month, Twilight. A month. Those disgusting little worms crawling all over us, ripping and tearing at the love we held for our friends. By the time we were rescued, it was too late. Do you know what happens to you when your love for someone is constantly slashed and torn for such a long time?”

Twilight shook her head, eyes filling with tears.

Her double snarled. “It HURTS! That's what happens! Every time you look at them. Every time you think of them. Every time you touch that love held in your heart, all the scars are ripped wide open. It hurts so bad that you wish they were dead and gone so you could just forget them. Forget they ever existed and leave those scars alone.”

Other-Twilight stepped closer, face contorted in rage as she continued.

“But you never had to worry about the pain! About the hurt! Because I protected you! Because I took all that pain so you could continue having your friends. Your family. They needed you, and Equestria needed all of you together. So I took all that hurt and all that pain, and I kept in inside. But after a while it started to be too much, even for me. I started dreaming. Terrible dreams about them being killed. Killed by us. I wanted so bad to make the pain go away that I actually considered it. But I couldn’t do it. Because I’m you, which means I love them too. Just as much as you do. No matter how much I was hurting, I couldn’t bring myself do it.”

Tears were streaming down other-Twilight's face as she spoke, face still twisted in an ugly snarl.

“Then one day it was too much. I couldn’t take it anymore. I woke up one night while you were still sleeping. I walked out into the streets. I found a pony traveling alone, no one we knew. I lashed out. I took all that pain and all that hurt inside me and I used it against him. It was horrible. But after it was done and you woke back up, I didn’t hurt so bad. I could even have fun, enjoying the time we spent with our friends. Our family. But it didn't last forever. So I killed again. And again. I did it for you. I did it for our family. I did it for Equestria.”

Twilight stood, taking it all in. It made sense. It all made sense. “No … No!” she yelled, shaking her head. “If all that is true … If any of that is true, then why did you kill Pinkie? Why did you kill Rarity? They were our friends!”

Other-Twilight dropped her head, face filling with pain. “You don’t think I know that? I didn’t want this! It was your fault! You brought her into this! You saw her Pinkie Sense go off that night! You saw how she acted toward us! She knew! I had to do something before she blew the whistle! Nothing had changed, our friends still needed us, the people still needed their Princess, and Equestria still needed its protector!”

Twilight shook her head, trying to deny the logic. “What about Rarity?”

“Rarity crafted the lie detector. You saw it go off during Trixie's interrogation. What if someone else had been in the room? What if someone had seen the gem light up after you spoke and not Trixie? It was too dangerous. I had to make sure she could never make another one.”

This was too much to take in. Twilight shut her eyes and shook her head. “No ... No, no no no NO NO NO—”

“You killed Rarity?”

Twilight opened her eyes. Other-Twilight was gone. In her place stood the smaller form of Spike.

Spike’s face was twisted in angry determination. He spoke again.

“Answer me, Twilight. Did. You. Kill. Rarity.”

Twilight’s eyes lost their desperate anger.

“No Spike, you have to believe me! It was the other—”
The little dragon interrupted her by moving one claw from behind his back, revealing the brightly glowing fire ruby.

“How …” Spikes face fell he spoke, before rising back up in an angry snarl. “How could you!”

“Spike, you don’t under—”

Spike interrupted her again as he raised his other claw from behind his back. This one held a ripped piece of parchment. Twilight could clearly see the hastily scrawled message from where she stood. Twi is the killer. Send Help.

“No, Spike. Don't do it.”

He raised the parchment up to his mouth.

“Spike, please, no! Don’t do this!”

He inhaled deeply.

“NOOO!”

The two halves of Twilight Sparkle's torn psyche smashed back together and coalesced in one desperate act. It was a small spell, simple really. A version of the same one she had used to bind Trixie. But this one she wrapped around the snout of the little dragon as he attempted to breath out his dragonfire.

A loud boom cut through the early morning, followed by a sickening splatter as half of Spike’s face was ripped off in an explosion of contained green fire. His small form fell to the gore-strewn floor of the library; it twitched and writhed in pain and a dull moan emanated from his partially exposed throat.

“Spike! No!” Twilight screamed as she fell to her knees, a blood-splattered echo of her nightmares surrounding her.

Before she could process what her actions had wrought, she heard dulled voices from outside the library.

“That was Twilight! Sounds like she's in trouble!”
“Hold your horses there Rainbow, We’re right behind ya!”
“Guys, I … I don't think I can do this.”

Twilight panicked at the approaching sounds of her friends. Hastily, she jumped up and ran to the door to intercept them. Still several yards away from the library, the three of them stopped dead in the tracks at the sight of the blood covering Twilight’s coat.

Applejack was the first to act, taking a step forward. “Twi? What's goin on? The Captain rounded us up sayin Trixie was loose, but Rainbow went and checked. She’s still locked up.” She took another step, the concern in her voice being replaced with suspicion. “Where’s the blood from Twi?”

Twilight opened her mouth to answer, but before she could speak she heard a loud pained moan escape from behind her. Twilight watched as her three friends saw the mangled form of Spike crawl into view.

Applejack’s eyes hardened to steel. Her gaze was locked onto Twilight’s as she spoke. “Fluttershy, I want you to go in there and check on Spike. Do what ya can for him.”

Fluttershy, though clearly terrified, quickly took off and flew through one of the library’s open windows in search of her charge.

“RD, go get the Captain. Tell him to bring everyone.”

Rainbow looked as if she were about to take off, but stopped and turned back toward her purple friend, pain clear on her face. “Why Twilight? Why did you do it?”

Twilight opened her mouth to respond, but Applejack cut her off.

“It don't matter why she did what she did Rainbow. There ain’t no excuse, an’ there’s only one way to make this right.”

“What do you mean AJ, there has got to be a reason! Maybe she’s cursed or there's some weird magic thing goin on that we don't know about!”

Applejack responded with a snarl. “Well, what do ya say Twi? Were you under a spell when you killed Rarity? Or Pinkie Pie? Were you?”

Twilight opened her mouth again. She wanted to explain. To tell them of her psychosis. Of her pain. But all she could say to the Element of Honesty was, “No. I wasn’t”

AJ roared as she charged toward Twilight.

Rainbow Dash called after her, “AJ no, don’t do this! There has got to be another way! Something we can do to help her!”

Applejack ignored her, picking up speed as her powerful earth pony legs worked up into full gallop. Twilight stood her ground, eyes closed. She would accept what came.

“Applejack no! We’re a family! Don’t do it!”

As Applejack reached Twilight she pivoted on her front hooves, swinging her muscular hindquarters around and throwing all her forward momentum into her powerful back legs for a devastating kick.

“NOOOO!”

Twilight opened her eyes only to see a prismatic blur smash into the powerful earth pony in front of her. Applejack flew to the side and violently collided with the wall of the Golden Oak. A sickening crack was heard as her body immediately went limp and slumped to the ground.

Rainbow Dash sat flat on her haunches in front of Twilight, a lost look on her face as she turned it up to her purple friend. “... What … What did I just do?”

Twilight’s shock melted as her heart broke for her friend. She put a hoof on Rainbow’s shoulder. “You protected your friend. Your Princess.” She wrapped the other hoof around Rainbow’s shoulders and hugged tightly. “Your family.”

The Element of Loyalty looked up at Twilight, tears running down her face. “... What do we do now?”

“Let's go inside. We have to talk to Fluttershy. I have a lot to tell both of you,” Twilight said, helping the cyan mare to stand.

Together they walked back into the Library, only to halt suddenly, stunned by the sight before them. Fluttershy’s butter-yellow coat was covered with a shower of blood, a heavy tome held in her front hooves. At her feet, the lifeless form of Spike lay, head smashed completely to a pulp, sprays of gore covering the floor and shelves surrounding him.

Fluttershy looked at the other two ponies, tears flowing like rivers from here eyes. “Rainbow, Twilight … He … He was hurt so bad … I couldn’t … There was nothing I could do to help … the noises he was making … I had to do something, I couldn’t just let him … Oh Celestia, what have I done? What … What am I?”

Twilight stepped toward the Element of Kindness, the sadness she felt for her friend filling her voice as she spoke. “You’re family, Fluttershy.”

Rainbow Dash walked up to her yellow friend and wrapped her in a comforting wing, her own tears forgotten as she wiped Fluttershy’s away.

Twilight couldn't stop the warm smile take hold on her face as she looked at her two friends. “We’re all family. We’ll figure this out. We are together now, That's what matters.”

Author's Note

The final chapter! Please let me know what you think of the story in the comments, all thoughts are appreciated!

*Note, while this final chapter completes the story, I do plan on writing a short epilogue in the near future, so keep an eye out!