That smell...
Blood...
Pony...
Prey...
A young mare stood on a hilltop next to a telescope. The moon shone brighter than ever before, making it difficult to see the stars. They were faint dots on in the night sky forming various constellations from Capricorn to Ursa Major, Orion to Pisces, Ursa Minor to Taurus. She wore a pale lab coat with a pair of glasses sitting snug in a pocket. A notebook sat to the side, various sketches of the stars and their images scattered around the pages. Her coat was sky blue complimenting her silver mane that curled outwards.
She alternated from looking into the telescope, to scribbling coordinates, then drawing the constellations. The scratch of the quill against the paper easing her nerves some. Tomorrow the constellations shifted, and she'd miss out on what could be a big find.
"Scorpius. Made up of Antares, Dschubba, and Shaula. Located South between 90 and 40."
She scribbled down the coordinates and the picture on the same page before turning to a fresh one. The telescope was turned slightly to the right towards the castle observatory. The astronomer looked into the eyepiece once again focusing on a faraway planet. It held 6 rings and a yellowish tint to it.
"Huh." She whispered to herself. "Never seen that one before! Let's see if I can't get a closer look..."
She adjusted the telescope to a clearer vision of the target. A small gasp escaped the mare as she continued to gaze at her newest discovery. She quickly jotted down some notes before returning. She was so involved with her research, that she didn't hear the faintest growling resonating behind her. She went to scribble down another note when finally the growls hit her ears. She immediately perked up glancing around wildly.
"Who's there!?" She called out in a frightened voice.
Another growl was her answer.
"S-Show yourself!" She challenged.
Her ears honed in on a growl emanating from her left. She quickly snapped her head in that direction, scanning the area for the source. Out of nowhere, a pair of beady white eyes appeared with their focus trained on her. She felt as though they were stealing her soul, marking her as it's own. She could see the faintest outline of a body. It wasn't pony though, it was something else. Timber wolf maybe? No, Timber wolves weren't indigenous to this area, nor could they get up to Canterlot. The being stepped out from the shadows of the trees revealing itself to be a wolf alright. Yet this one had navy blue fur and eyes whiter than the moon itself. It's teeth matched it's eyes. Pearly white and sharper than a guard's blade.
The beast took a step towards her, lowering it's front end ready to attack. The mare could only watch, paralyzed by fear. The wolf inched closer and closer to it's still prey. Small dribbles of saliva hung from it's mouth and it's nose twitched every which way. This wolf was bigger than average, in fact, it was about the size of Princess Luna! It growled for a while longer before letting out an ear shattering bark. The astronomer covered her ears with her hooves to drown it out. The bark echoed for a while longer before dissipating into the night. Once she was sure it was ok, the mare slowly dropped her hooves from her ears.
Then all hell broke loose.
The beast took that moment to leap at it's prey, fangs fully visible ready to plunge into her flesh. The astronomer's natural instincts kicked in, forcing her to dodge to the side just short of the wolf's range. The wolf clamped it's jaw around the telescope. It swung it's head violently before crushing the metal instrument in it's jaw. It threw the telescope down the hill towards the city. It set it's eyes back on it's prey and lunged again.
The mare dodged one more time, except this time the wolf's claws scratched her leg. She winced as she landed, slowing her slightly and giving her attacker the opportunity it needed. The wolf jumped again with a fire in it's soulless eyes. It's prey wanted to dodge it's attack, but her wound slowed her down allowing the wolf to sink it's teeth into her leg. She let out a scream that rivaled that of the wolf's bark echoing into the night.
The wolf swept a claw across the mare's body leaving a large claw mark across her side. Blood began pouring out of her body, sending her predator into overdrive. She screamed again before collapsing onto the ground. The wolf immediately began ripping apart her body, grabbing whatever it could in it's mouth. It's prey's eyes lifeless, staring into the void. Her mouth was agape and her glasses rested a few inches away, blood staining the lens. Her lab coat was ripped to shreds where the wolf was feasting, blood trickling onto it. The beast lifted it's bloodstained muzzle from the carcass and towards the sky.
It gave a loud howl signaling it's victory. It then bounded off into the night leaving the torn up remains of it's meal.
Princess Celestia sat anxiously in her chariot. News of the pony's death had reached her a short while ago, and the castle's forensic team was already on the scene. Word of it hadn't reached the public yet, and that's how she wanted to keep it. There hadn't been a murder in Equestria since the Thundercloud incident 2 years ago. Celestia shivered at the thought of the stallion. She had thought there wouldn't be anymore senseless killing for some time, apparently she was wrong. She had wished that her sister could've come with, but she was out cold.
Within minutes she could see the team and body in a clearing. The already dried pool of blood could be seen from her current altitude along with the flashing of cameras. The guards landed in a clearing a short distance away. Both of them turned their heads away at the site of the rotting carcass. Celestia stepped off the chariot beginning her walk over to the body.
One of the forensics detectives approached the princess with some papers. He was a unicorn with a dark green coat and blue mane. His cutie mark was of a horseshoe underneath a magnifying glass. He wore a black overcoat with the words CFD printed in white bold letters.
"Ah, Princess!" He bowed. "My name is Cold Case. I'm the one leading the investigation."
"What happened here?" Celestia asked moving towards the body.
"Well, the victim's name was Skylight. Age is 24, female. We estimate the time of death around midnight. We think she was out here doing some late night stargazing when she was attacked."
"What makes you think she was stargazing?"
"We found some notes and a quill with her hoof prints on 'em. We also found a telescope a while away from the notes. We believe it to be hers."
"Have you found anything else?" Celestia asked inspecting the body.
"We found a pair of glasses with some blood on 'em, but it's just the victim's."
"You said you found a telescope?"
"Yes we did. Actually, Princess, I wanted to talk to you about that."
Celestia drew her focus from the body placing it on Cold. "What about it?"
"We found teeth marks on the telescope along with some saliva left on the base."
This was certainly a surprise to Celestia. She had been told that Skylight was murdered, yet taking a closer look at her injuries, it looked as if something had ripped her apart. That would explain why there were teeth marks on the telescope, but the question is what attacked her? The first animal she thought of was a manticore, but while they are aggressive and prone to attack they aren't indigenous to the Canterlot area and rarely leave the Everfree. It couldn't have been timber wolves, there was no way they would survive the trip up through the tundra. It could be a dragon, but there were no scorch marks on the ground. However there were also those dragons who didn't have the ability to breathe fire.
"Have you been able to find out what did this to her?"
"We have.."
"What?" Celestia asked with curious eyes.
"The saliva contained the DNA of a wolf, but it's not Timberwolf."
"What do you mean, not Timberwolf?" She only knew of one kind of wolf and that was it.
"It means what it means, Princess, it doesn't match up."
"Then what kind of wolf is it?"
"That's what we're trying to find out. We've already got someone searching through Clover's codex."
"As soon as you find something send for me."
Cold Case nodded in understanding. Celestia looked at the body once more. It was completely picked clean except for the skin. Nothing remained on the inside except broken bones. The muscle lining was a duller crimson color with the veins and arteries sticking out. It looked like someone had dissected her in the most brutal way possible.
She shut her eyes breathing a heavy sigh, then turned away. She was no stranger to death, but she rarely saw corpses torn up like this one. She opened her eyes again stepping away from the scene and towards her escape. Her mind lingered a bit longer on the incident before moving onto to what attacked her.
As Cold had stated before, it was a wolf who had done it, but it wasn't a timber wolf. They said they were checking Clover's codex for anything resembling it, but last time Celestia had checked it there was over 2,681 different animals listed. It would take a long time before they could narrow it down and they didn't have the time. The sooner they found this thing the better. One attack was bad enough and she didn't want to risk another.
"Cold!" She called back.
Cold Case turned his head trotting over to the princess. "Yes?"
"Did anyone see what happened?"
"Negative. As far as we know, a guard was on his way back from the bar when he spotted the body."
"When was this?"
"Two a.m."
Then that means no one could have seen her...except Luna. She always goes for a flight after raising the moon.
"Thank you, Cold Case. I've some matters to attend to."
"Understood, Princess." Cold Case bowed.
Princess Celestia nodded to one of the guards pulling the chariot signaling for them to take off. They started galloping and in moments they were up in the air. Cold Case and the rest of his team all became smaller and smaller with the passing seconds. She hoped they would find something to prevent this from happening again. Right now, however, she would have to talk to her sister not only to alert her to the recent attack, but to ask her if she had seen anything whilst flying around.
Speaking of her sister, she had returned very strangely. She just walked in, jumped into bed, and fell asleep. Normally she wasn't this tired and she would go through her routine before hand. Not only that, but it looked like she had gotten into a fight with a manticore and just barely won.
Perhaps she wasn't watching where she was going and had an accident. She could've just not been feeling well and wore herself out. Or she did get into a tussle with a manticore. Whatever it may be, she was definitely worn out last night.
Maybe a trip to the falls would do her some good
Meanwhile in the Castle...
"Ah...my head."
Princess Luna let out another groan. Her eyes blinked themselves awake while she moved her hoof to her forehead. The ache spread across the front all across the sides of her head. Her horn was numb to the pain, thankfully, but her jaw wasn't so lucky. She groaned again as she clenched her jaw. A sharp pain shot up into her gums forcing her to wince. She opened her mouth holding her teeth.
She rolled over pulling the covers with her encasing her in a layer of warmth. She closed her eyes trying to drift off into sleep, but the pain emanating her mouth prevented her from doing so. After a few moments of lying, the princess threw the covers in a frustrated manner. She got up on her hooves already heading for the bathroom.
She flicked the light on illuminating the room in a baby blue glow. The tiled floor was snow white, leading up the bathtub with a gold lining. The sink sat a pace to the right, next to that was the toilet and a shelf holding various toiletries. Luna walked over to the mirror on instinct and looked up at her reflection.
Her man was matted down in some places while in others it was sticking up in strands. She looked raggedy and worn out. Not to mention she had bags under her eyes. She breathed a heavy sigh opening the shower curtain and stepping into the tub. Her blue aura surrounded the shower valve, turning it towards the hot water setting. After a slight delay, the water spurted out from the shower head. The warm water trickled down her body matting down her fur and mane. She used her magic to pick up the bar of soap sitting on a shelf, but as she did her head began pounding tremendously and she dropped it.
"Ugh."
She rubbed her temples gently. The pain lessened, but it didn't disappear. Luna tried using her magic to pick up the bar again only to have the headache come back in full force. She let out a frustrated groan, then picked up the bar with her hooves. She fumbled with it a while until she had a grip on it. The soap glided on across her surface leaving bubbles and a lavender scent on her fur. The water rinsed it down the drain in a steady stream. She ran a hoof through her mane, then stepped out dripping water everywhere.
Her headache faded slightly allowing her to levitate a towel over to her. As soon as it was close enough, she grabbed it running it over her mane and face, then her legs, torso, and back. Her mane returned to it's flowing manner along with the constellations present in it. She looked in the mirror watching as a grin snuck it's way onto her muzzle.
Without warning the door shot open revealing a violet mare with a yellowish mane. Luna yelped in response.
"Goooooood Morning, Sunshine!" The mare exclaimed.
"Goddess, Azalea! Why did you do that!?" Luna yelled back.
Azalea was the Castle's royal gardener and a close friend of Luna's. They would spend time out together in the garden watching in awe as the new flowers blossomed and occasionally watch the stars. She was also one of the first friends she had made after her return to Equestria, hence why Luna had requested her to be her assistant. The two had grown close over the years.
"What? Can't I give my ol' pal Lulu a great big good morning before she leaves for her trip?"
"You can just knock first next time." Luna giggled, but adopted a confused look after. "Trip? What trip?"
"Your sister's taking you to Rainbow Falls! Wish I could go too, but she said it's only you and her." Azalea pouted crossing her arms.
"Right now?" Luna asked as she grabbed her tooth brush in her magic.
"Nope. In a bit though so hurry your butt up!" Azalea leaned up against the door watching Luna go about her daily routine.
"Did Tia say why?" Luna asked while brushing her teeth.
"Nope! I think it might be one of those sister bonding thingies." Flora stated. "Have you been to the falls before?"
"Just once, when we were younger. The falls were smaller and more secluded back then." Luna sighed.
"So like a fountain of rainbows?"
"Yes."
"Sounds like quite the vacation spot. You'll have to take me there sometime."
Luna laughed then spit in the sink. "In time, Azalea."
"We're gonna go next week, during the night and you can light it up with" Azalea waved a hoof over her head "the stars."
Luna giggled. "If I'm not busy that night."
Luna placed her toothbrush back where it belonged. She ran another hoof through her mane matting down whatever stray locks remained. She trotted past Azalea to her wardrobe picking out her signature tiara and shoes. She turned around spotting Azalea standing on her bed. She hopped once or twice testing the bed's strength, then started bouncing on the bed. She began flipping and flopping all over the bed giggling like a maniac. Luna watched her bounce up and down smiling gently. Azalea noticed Luna's stare and smile bouncing towards the princess and in one swift motion, hoisted the alicorn up onto the bed.
Luna squeaked out of surprise taking a moment to regain her balance. Balance restored, she joined Azalea jumping on her mattress giggling like a maniac. Neither mares noticed when Celestia entered the room with a serious look. Celestia watched her sister and the gardener bounce on the bed together. It reminded her of when she would do this sort of thing with Twilight whenever she wasn't nose deep in a book's binding. She smiled softly, recalling those memories of fun and joy.
Luna, after a minute or two, spotted her sister over by the door. She looked to be in a blissful daze, not paying attention to her surroundings. An idea formed in Luna's head, and she snatched one of the pillows with her magic taking aim at her sister.
Just a little closer to the left...Perfect!
The pillow launched across the room towards it's target. Luna watched it soar landing on Celestia's horn. Celestia, as a result, was in utter shock of what had hit her. From what she could see and feel, it was white and soft. A pillow, but not just any pillow, Luna's pillow. The alicorn removed the fluffy mass from her horn noting Luna and Azalea's laughter.
"Tia, you should have seen the look on your face!" Luna said.
"She's right!" Azalea yelled. "Y-You, you were all: "Wha"?"
Celestia smirked. "Very funny you two."
Neither ponies noticed that the pillows behind them had been enveloped in a golden aura. Celestia picked up the one thrown at her, which now had a decently sized hole in it, adding it to the mass assembling behind them. Flora eventually glanced up spotting the white mass hovering above them.Her smirk faded almost immediately along with her laughter as she nudged Luna's side. Luna glanced at Flora still giggling.
"W-What?" She asked between giggles.
Flora simply pointed up. Luna followed her hoof focusing on the same mass hovering above them.
"Oh, buck me."
All the pillows came crashing down on them. Luna and Azalea both screamed while the pillows rained down all around them. Luna took cover behind a dresser while Azalea squeezed underneath the bed frame. The gardener laid there watching all the pillows fly by her snout. Then something nudged her flank drawing her attention to whatever it was that nudged her. She saw a pillow seemingly staring her down, then it was joined by two more, and another, and another.
Azalea screamed while darting out from beneath the bed.
Luna peeked around the side of the dresser just in time to see a pillow slam into her face and another lodging itself on her horn. Every sound was muffled by the pillow hanging on her head, but there was a distinct laughing coming from her sister. She removed the pillow from her horn manually, careful not to accidentally hit her horn. Vision restored, her eyes found her sister stifling a giggle fit. Luna smirked at her sister, enjoying their fluffy battle. Azalea peeked her head out of a pile of pillows spitting out the feathers that accompanied her. Her mane maintained it's chaotic curls somehow managing to make it out unscathed.
The two mares trotted over joining Celestia by the door. Luna's smile was one that belonged to a sibling who had finished playing with her sister. It warmed the sun goddess's heart, but didn't manage to deter her mind from the matter at hand. Celestia still managed to keep a smile for her sister, keeping her blissfully unaware of what lurked in the city.
"Woo wee! That was fun! Not as much fun as a pillow war, but still pretty fun!" Azalea yelled.
Luna laughed. Azalea always knew how to make Luna laugh and smile, more so than the element of laughter herself!
"Yes, it was." Celestia replied. "But I'm afraid we must be going if we're to reach the falls before noon."
"Why must we go before noon?" Luna asked.
"The mayor from Fillydelphia requested a meeting with me to discuss the city's financial problem." Celestia replied flatly.
"Oh." Luna stated stagnantly.
"Then you two had better get going! If I were you I'd want to get to the falls as fast as possible." Azalea said happily.
Azalea and Luna exchanged a quick goodbye before going their separate ways. Azalea returned to the gardens while Luna accompanied her sister out the front doors and into a chariot. Two gruff looking white pegasi were harnessed to the chariot, their stoic looks revealing nothing about their personality. It scared Luna to think that a pony could be so skilled at hiding their emotions, but then again, she knew how dangerous emotions could be. Luna stepped in and took a seat across from her sister.
