Chapters Oh, what's this, this lovely shade of red
legalize, MPL:FIM is owned by Hasbro, please support the official release so that we can keep doing what we do. Also thanks to Twystron500 for the character Quick Fix and the date rape set up, it worked too well not to go in here as well.
Berry Punch was staggering home again.Nothing new , thought the world at large, was anypony going to help her? But no pony did. she just staggered and wandered, stopping now to let most of the vile drink she had consumed spill out of her mouth. It was really better going down all things considered.
But now, as she stood there, vomiting in the alley way, some pony decided to help her, or at least help themselves to her. Quick Fix was sauntering over to her quickening doom, but again, the world only thought who cares, this has happened before, it will happen again. With out a word, Fix pushed Berry forward, a dirty move. She was too weakened by the drink, not to mention the drugs Fix had slipped in those drinks when Berry turned her back, to stand a chance at defending her self.
Fix was at the ready, an advantage of evolution one sick soul could say, that they wore nothing, so there was nothing to remove. He pushed into Berry, even as she yelled against him. She screamed, but no pony would listen. This happened all the time here in Canterlot. Regal city, but only to the untrained eye. She cried, she pleaded, but again, Fix just pushed his filthy member in and out of her. Berry was a brave soul though, she fought back, and all it got her was a busted eye socket, two loose teeth, and a womb full of rapist seed.
She cried, and cried. This was not fair, she thought, I just wanted to see my friend, I only wanted a quick drink, I stopped after 3 drinks.
But the world didn't care. It just turned it's eyes from the scene all together. All eyes that is, except those of a lone artist, who happened to be moving in the morning, and had been unable to sleep from the excitement. This pony had no real interest in helping Berry Punch, though. He didn't like what he saw, he hated it to be honest, but not for the reasons other ponies would hate it. He thought Berry had rather nice symmetry, and that worthless idiot down there just ruined it. It was like painting a phallus on the Mare-a Lisa.
No pony could get away with such crime. He waited though, and watched, biding his time til just the right moment. He knew the best time to strike. He wanted to yell at the bastard, this pony did, to tell him off for what he had done. And there in the alley way, he would have his chance.
So it was a shock when Fix bucked the artist in the face as he came around the corner and made his declaration. Or at least the artist thought so. He was no weak pony, he was a sculptor, and painter, a Renascence pony so to speak, So he was rather mad to be struck by the very destroyer of art he had come to correct. The Artist rose up, jaw aching, and ran full speed at the dealer Fix. He collided with the scum with such force that Fix had two broken ribs, not to mention being shunted through a three pane window, with all that entails. The artist jumped through, and savagely beat the foul horse with his fore hooves, yelling at him the while.
"You Bastard! You scum. You ruined the art that woman had! I was painting her, I even had a name for it, 'The lost soul of the alley.' It was a master piece! But now, all I see looking at it, is the travesty you made of her flawless face, the perfect check bones, the brow! All ruined! You disgust me. Isn't it bad enough you have to deal drugs to the foals here, but destroying the natural beauty of her? It was a crime!" He yelled as his hooves fell, time and again.
He saw a shard of glass, at least 8 inches long, coming to a point. The Artist Picked it up gingerly in his mouth, and brought the razor sharp edge to slash the hide of the dealer in several sharp, quick blows, twisting his head this way and that, blood droplets flying through the air. The glass cut into the mouth of the Artist, his blood pooling around the edge of the impromptu knife and dripping rather pleasingly to the floor. The steam rising of of the dealers now clearly visible entrails was almost thick enough to cut in this cold, empty storefront. There was no shortage of crime in this part of town, but now, there was art.
"Oh my..." The artist said looking around him now, seeing the spray of the blood from his hooves, to the cascading arches made by the glass. They where random, yet delicate. Placed where ever they wanted, but meshing together in the eyes of this beholder in a perfect pattern. It was like nothing he had ever seen, The closest medium he could think of was Jackcolt Pollock, But that had just been paint and a rag in comparison to this.
This was life itself ending. So much more beautiful than life or chaos, but rather the aftermath of their glorious union in this dusty room. The smells, the feeling of the cooling blood on his deep blue fur, the way his silver mane now flowed over his brow, drenched with sweat and blood. It was madness, it was passion. This was art.
The Artist threw his head back and laughed. Over and over he laughed, his whole body shaking from the jubilant quivering of his diaphragm, the shaking of his lungs, the dance of his Adams apple in his throat. He sang to it even.
"The splatter, the Splatter/
Running down the wall, Oh what a ball/
My glorious art, cut straight from his heart/
The splatter the splatter, oh what a clatter/
To the grave with his life, save his blood by my knife/
The splatter the wonderful splatter/
His days were waste, of him I made haste/
The splatter oh thy wonderful splatter/
Cutting through his skin, leaving only a pool so thin/
The splatter, the lovely splatter/
Ponyville be upon high call, Jean-Luc Pastel will cut through them all/
To make the splatter, the glorious splatter, to me it is no matter!"
He laughed and danced his way to his second story studio, where the Stallion grabbed his things, when back down, and painted the scene he had carved of the damn drug dealer. He laughed all the while, barely sitting still as he put to canvas the rage he put to the carcass.
Why, oh why, has no pony ever thought of this before me? Art from life, this has opened my eyes, I was a foal before, I was blind, but Now I see the glorious Red writing on the wall! He laughed, slashing with his brush just as he did the glass, red oil paint flying and splashing on his canvas the way he had made the blood behave. But when it was over, he was angry. It was not the same.
"Not the same not the same not the same. This is just a drawing of what I made from life itself. It has no soul on the canvas... It does not fit the canvas! That is my problem, for sure. Only the real deal will do. I must make more art!" Jean-Luc cried to the sky.
No pony was listening, this was not their problem. Besides, guards poking around meant trouble, just to shut up one dumb pony that was being loud. No pony knew he was telling the truth, no pony cared to know here.
Jean-Luc went back to his studio, and plopped down with gusto as he let the adrenaline subside. He knew it could not be just anypony he carved into his works, most ponies where beautiful, living art. But there is scum out there, Jean-Luc thought to himself now, Scum that destroy art, carry no beauty in their souls. They should be the ones I transform into my masterpieces. They are the ones for whom my knife will seek.
He was too wired to sleep, and for once, too bored to paint. So he packed, And looked up Ponyville again to see what sort of art they had out there, He was traveling there because he had heard the country did wonderful things for an artist soul. He laughed, his soul was alive now, what could this little town offer next to this? But he had already agreed to move, and had a nice studio waiting for him, so it would do while word of his master piece here spread.
the stage is set, let the show begin
There is a little store front in Canterlot, next to a now empty art studio, right up the alley from where a poor mare was brutally raped last night. This store was closed, the cost having inflated too much because of the Changelings destruction, like a lot of shops on the south side of the city, near the walls. But this shop had one pony staying in it. Nothing new, thought the world at large, many homeless ponies sleep in the abandoned stores. Though this shop had no pony in it last night, alive at least. The Guard moved around the room, taking pictures and magically spreading hoof print powder. The Captain of this guard hung his head low. He was a kind stallion, patent but stern, like a big brother to the force. He was in charge of this investigation, and was not happy, this was a rather ugly murder, and so soon after his wedding.
"Captain Armor," one guard called, "We have the weapon here."
"Great, let's wrap this up then," Shining Armor said, "What are we looking at Keen?"
"Glass shard, 8 1/2 inches in length, blood dried on it, and the tip has a secondary break, should match a piece we found in the Victim," Keen Eyes said. A rookie to the Squad, but great at this work, Shining thought.
"Good work Kid, And do we have an ID on the Vic yet?" Shining asked as he peered around the scene. There had been quite a lot of emotion in it, that was for sure. It was just a brutal beating, then the killer cut up the vic, while the victim was most likely already dead from the tackle, or the trampling.
"Sir, he was a Mr Quick Fix, local dealer. last seen at a bar right up the street around midnight," Keen said.
"Good, I think I remember bringing him in once actually, check the logs, see if he had any unfriendly ponies waiting for him," Shining said.
"Roger," Keen said, happy to leave the scene. He was very detailed, but he hated the blood. Shining walked around the room, looking at the Spatter. It was just blood to him, but that was not what got his interest. It was some colors by the window the Vic went through.
"Keen, get in here," Shining called to the kid, who begrudgingly trotted back into the room. "What am I looking at here?" Shining asked waving a hoof at the floor, the red colors lying sprayed out.
"Blood spatter sir?" Keen said. Smart kid, but didn't like blood. Maybe homicide was not his ideal fitting after all.
"Look closer, there is spray, but it ends, like something about 4 hoofs tall was in the way, after the window was broken and the Vic killed," Shining said. The kid leaned in to get a closer look.
"Yes sir, also it's not blood over here, it's paint?" Keen said a little confused.
"Yes, red oil paint with varnish added in, a favorite of artist, it keeps its sheen long after it has dried. Some pony last night liked what they saw, and decided to paint it," Shining said. looking out of the window to the alley. "Keen, canvas the area."
"Yes sir. What should I be looking for?" Keen asked rising from the paint with even deeper respect for his Captain.
"Some pony that likes canvas would be a good start."
Jean-Luc stuck his head out the window of the train as it approached Ponyville. The town looked quaint and charming, but Jean-Luc didn't give two shits about the town. He just wanted to waste some time, let the heat come off his last master piece, then go back and make a new one, a better one. One with some real splash. Ahahahahaha! the artist laughed within his mind as the train rounded the last corner, What fun, what fun. Where do we go from here, what next? Maybe a dumb modeling pony that gets surgery to change the natural beauty they already had, Hmmm? Jean-Luc would admit that not all changes were bad, but sometimes, he was just angry that a mare could not see her own beauty, and destroyed it because reality could not live up to her standards. Jean-Luc knew this was always a risk with art, so he learned. But why couldn't the idiots of Canterlot learn like he did? But for now, a nice quite day in a new town.
The train rolled to a stop and out the window Jean-Luc could see many ponies gathering for a celebration tonight, there were lights going up, streamers, a stage and yadda yadda yadda, Jean-Luc didn't give a buck. He only cared about his new medium. Sculpting from life. The thought made his breath shallow, his pulse quicken. Was this love? No pony ever made him feel this Luna Damned Good. But getting to create art from a worthless waste of wandering wanton wanker was absolutely amazing, even better then sex. He got off the train and walked down the platform stairs, his eyes high, his mane clean and slicked back now, not ruffled, loose, and hanging like... like that glorious moment. Celestia, Why couldn't he thing of anything else? He was lost in thought, and almost stumbled over two mares talking about setting up the festivities.
"Oh, no no no, draw the eye to the Stage, but don't overwhelm ladies, we want the focus on the models," A white Unicorn with a purple mane and tail, rather nicely styled. Jean-Luc could appreciate beauty still, but it was nothing next to his art. But she did seem to be the local head of culture. The lavender unicorn she was talking to was familiar though...
"Of course Rarity. Oh," she said noticing Jean-Luc now and turning around, "Hello there, new in... town... Hey wait, I know you don't I?" Twilight Sparkle said with a quizical look on her face, trying to remember exactly from where.
"Ah, Miss Sparkle, yes. I'm Jean-Luc Pastel, I did a painting of you and the Princess one year. A nice sitting," Jean-Luc said remembering. He was great with the recollection of all the natural beauty he painted.
"Yes, that's it, hello Jean-Luc. Please just call me Twilight," She said with a great forced smile. Jean-Luc was used to it. He had not made a great impression that day, telling that joker princess to behave and sit still. Other ponies would worry about banishment, he worried that she would ruin his painting. But now he had a new piece to paint, and maybe one day, he would repaint the princess, in his new found style... Hmmm, Thought the Artist, Not a bad idea, regal blood drops adorning the halls of Canterlot, a fallen god at the base of her throne... But later, first the scum, then the Political pieces.
"Please Darling, where are your manners?" Rarity said.
"Oh, right, Jean-Luc this is Rarity," Twilight said.
"Charmed," Rarity said.
"Likewise. So did I hear right that there will be a show tonight?" Jean-Luc asked.
"No, tomorrow, my annual fashion show, why Darling, are you into that sort of thing?" Rarity said batting her eyelashes at him, teasing him a little. "I do believe Mr Pastel, that you are a colt companion?" Rarity said with a laugh.
"Rarity!" Twilight said.
"It's okay, I believe you must have seen my exhibit then in Canterlot, when I showcased the Stallone Di Guerra last summer?"
"Yes I did good sir, a lovely sculpture, so detailed. I heard you lived with the Stallion that modeled him for a month just to make sure you got every nook and cranny, Am I mistaken?" Rarity said while Twilight blushed and steamed, and odd combo to pull off at the same time.
"Actually, I am just detailed. In truth I am celibate. Flesh makes the art suffer I believe," Jean-Luc said. Well, except for now, when flesh is the art.
"Too true. I refuse to date when ever I am drafting a new design," Rarity said.
"Well maybe I could come check out these designs later, I love all mediums of art," Jean-Luc said with a smile. So convincing, almost real, but behind it was nothing, no heart, no emotion. His emotions were now only for IT. Oh how he craved another playmate, some one to let his blade dance and sing, cascading their blood onto his canvas for the world to see. To feel their last breath, smell their scent as only their last ever will. Taste his sweat and their blood as it mixes withthe air, it could be a dark store room again or a stage like the ... one ... right... here... Oh my, said the inner Artist, That is something... Can I? May I please create a masterpiece there tonight for all of Equestria to see and marvel in as only my art is fit to? We just need a muse.
"I thought you were celibate?" Rarity said.
"I am. I never said do you want to get dinner, I merely asked if you would like to show case your designs for a fellow artist?"
"Then of course dear, 7 pm good?" Rarity said with a laugh.
"Yes, see you ladies later. Rarity, I look forward to learning from you later tonight."
"Sir," Said an unremarkable beat colt to Shining Armor, "We have a filly in Canterlot ER, rape victim. Says it was Fix."
"Huh, thank you East," Shining said. Even though the colt was nothing special, The Captain made a point of knowing all of his officers by name. "Did she say if he was alone, maybe anyone else in the alley way?"
"No sir. She only remember Fix because he beat her pretty bad. He messed her up and we believe he drugged her, fits hid MO," East said.
"Hmm, Thank you. Send a letter to my sister Twilight, will you, I need her quizzical mind to help me with this." Shining said leaning back from his desk. Maybe Cadence would make today better, because his job was not helping him today.
Interrupting his train of thought of his new wife, the Profiler, Dr. Goodspeed walked in and sat down rather harshly next to Shining.
"Hello Doc, Whats the word?" Shining asked of the gelding here now. He was getting on in years, but there was no pony better at this job then Goodspeed.
"We might have just missed the only witness, a Mr Jean-Luc Pastel, artist and sculptor, just moved to Ponyville this morning," Goodspeed said with a little wheeze and a slight huff.
"You good doc?" Shining asked.
"Ha, get your head in the game kid. I'm too suborn to stop now, you know that," Goodspeed said with a grin. He took a roll of clove out of his saddle bag, tucking the foul smelling plant into his lip.
"I hate when you do that in my office doc, it stinks," Shining said scrunching up his nose.
"Try some, takes years off your life," Goodspeed said with a laugh.
"Why the hay would I do that?"
"Because the last ones suck kid, stick it too em while you can," Goodspeed said, pulling an empty Styrofoam cup from the bag and spitting the foal clove juices into it.
"Yeah, no. And don't forget your cup in here again doc, that's just messed up. So why do you think Pastel is the pony in the know?" Shining asked of his old friend.
"Only artist around really. Keen Eyes gave me the report earlier, He was reclusive, frequent insomnia, living poorly despite having as much money as Fancypants. He just lives like a bum to make his art better. He might have seen the aftermath, Neighbors said he would often take long walks to the outskirts of town at night to think, trying to find a muse I bet. Probably saw the scene coming back. Kid was not the most well guarded emotionally, might have snapped, could only process it by painting it. Might help to talk to the colt," Goodspeed said with a cough at the end. Shining was afraid his good friend was not long for the force anymore.
"Alright, thanks doc. Send East back in here, I need to update the letter I'm sending my sister, and get Windrunner and Cloudchaser in, they are going to Ponyville to question Pastel."
There was a knock on the door to the Library, and Twilight was a bit taken Aback to find it was two Royal Guards at the door.
"Yes, Windrunner and Cloudchaser, right? Is everything okay?" Twilight said, She knew Shining had most likely sent them, but why?
"Hey Twilight, Your brother has sent a letter to you, asking for any insight you could have into your case here," Cloudchaser said pulling the letter from his saddle bags and giving it to Twilight. Twilight read the Letter fast, uh-huh's and ah's every now and then.
"Your looking to Question Jean-Luc Pastel? I just met him. He is staying at the old art studio now. The one just past town hall, it closed last year, but he bought it a week ago. So how can I help with this?" Twilight said putting the letter down.
"Please just review the profile since you have met the Subject," Windrunner said.
"Of course, is he just a pony of interest right now?" Twilight asked being given a folder which she took hold of magically and starting flipping through it.
"Yes ma'am," The officers said.
"Huh, this does not seem like the Jean-Luc I met today, but exactly like the one I dealt wit h4 years ago," Twilight said.
"You knew the subject before hand?" Cloudchaser asked, one eyebrow raised.
"Sort of. He did a painting of me and Princess Celestia for her Birthday back then. He was nervous, controlling, and rather quick to anger. I honestly thought I was about to see a banishing for a minute," Twilight recalled. "Is there anything else gentlecolts?" She asked seeing they were ready to go, having all the info the needed.
"No ma'am, have a good day Miss Sparkle," Windrunner said as the two coppers walked to the studio, and unwittingly their doom.
At 4 pm, the two Guards knocked on the door to the studio, hearing a far away sounding answer to come in, that the colts work was too important to stop right now. The two guards nodded to each other, the Subject was not wanted for anything, only a pony of interest, and there was no reason to believe otherwise.
"Yes, come in Gentlecolts, Sorry but when the muse strikes, you know..." Jean-Luc said with a great fake smile. It was award worthy really.
"Mr Pastel, Where were you last night shortly after midnight?" Cloudchaser asked the earth pony wit ha chisel supported by his hoof, a hammer tied around his neck so he could let it hang and talk. They were in the back of the large studio, poorly lit, with one subject they had not removed due to professional respect, a terrible flaw. Neither one was ready for what came next.
"Midnight, let me think... Oh yes, I was creating a new art piece," Jean-Luc said, same smile as before, but now, it held malice in it. Death loomed in the air, and these guards had no idea.
"Yes, we discovered a painting had been made of the crime scene shortly after the event, Mr Pastel, did you see anything?" Windrunner asked.
"Not really, It's hard to watch yourself kill scum like that, well from the outside at least, but if I could have, I think I would have a splendid orgasm," Jean-Luc said with a laugh that set the nerves of the cops on edge.
"Dear Celestia, Cloud, run and UHG!" Windrunner started but was cut short by the hammer around the Artist neck, connecting with his skull. The cops had taken their eyes off what they thought was an easy target. An easy mistake, but a fatal one. Before Cloudchaser could even turn to face the Artist, The hammer fell swiftly onto the copper head. Blood poured out of the good cops eyes and ears, he lay there silent, but still alive. Jean-Luc laughed his wicked laugh.
"Oh yes, how fun, how fun indeed! Two for the price of one! All I need to do is take them now to the stage. Its Curtain time boys!" Jean-Luc said with glee. But it was to be short lived. Getting the Guards to the stage, Jean-Luc found things were different this time around. For one thing, they had passed away during the 15 minute haul to the stage and unloading, but more than that, it was just... boring. "No no no no no no no no no! No Luna damn it! This is not the same! Whats Missing? Last time I killed, It was wonderful, It was joy. It was Art itself. But now, This is just two dead cops. Complete garbage! What was different?" The pained Artist cried ot the world. He dropped his knife, kicking close to the door. Then it hit him. He was trying to create this piece, but the best art, the muse finds you! Of course, thought the artist inside, the muse was not there, this was a sad attept to reclaim that muse. No, there needs to be a better muse, a greater muse! One the world would feel missing, cry at the display, feel the artistic genius of! Be patent, the muse will show itself soon enough. So instead, Jean-Luc set about taking the cops away, and dumping the bodies in the Everfree Forest, where ponies die all the time from mythical creatures. No big deal. And with that, the Artist left for his set meeting with Rarity. But getting to the boutique, Jean-Luc discovered she was not alone. There was another pony there. Jean-Luc let himself in, He was expected after all.
"My dear Rarity, It has been too long!" Said the other pony, that with great dismay turned out to be Hoity Toity, premiere Art critic in Equestria. Jean-Luc hated Hoity, the colt was a louse as far as Jean-Luc was concerned. But this did not stop the designer from seeing Jean-Luc and ruining an already spoiled evening.
"Ah, my dear Rarity, you never said two bit painters were among the patronage here, I would have thought you better," Hoity said lifting his snout to Jean-Luc. So what is the problem, thought the Artist inside, You know several ways to make this one art. He is the one you should make a piece out of, by rendering into pieces! His blood splattered high up the back wall, his cold corpse slumped at the bottom. His eyes gashed out! But leave the shades! use a real knife, one for quick cuts, aim for the arteries. Make his own heart paint with his foul blood! Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes! Jean-Luc smiled at this thought, a dangerous idea for being in front of some pony that knows you hate them. Hoity made eye contact, the nerve of him!
"Hoity, first you reduce my designs to rags, then assault my Boutique! Lastly you insult my friends! I don't care if you are the big to do in Canterlot Fashion, you uncouth ass. Leave my store!" Rarity shouted at him. She was nearly in tears though, his word meant a lot to her, not that Jean-Luc cared about that, he saw a face at it's most delectable when smiling, destroyed by his actions, his useless words. This crime against art was the last straw.
"Hoity, my old friend, I think you miss judge the fashionably fantastic filly here Messieurs, Let me show you her stage, what the world will see tomorrow, You will die for it. Rarity, love, I can not let this crime go, but I want you to stay here, no need to put up with anymore abuse tonight. Go to sleep, take a bath, whatever you need to do," Jean-Luc said with a cold smile, no emotion, hiding the rising muse. So with out a word, Hoity Toity followed Jean-Luc to the stage, and allowed himself the honor of being First to go in. Jean-Luc was more than happy to let Hoity turn his back.
As Jean-Luc approached Hoity, He silently grabbed the very vegetable knife he had left there earlier, and raised his blade high, the light was too him, the stage was sound, no creaks, and Hoity was looking earestly at the dresses muttering approval! This was it! Jean-Luc's pulse was through the roof, his mouth watered for the cut to come down, rendering the Critic critical. He stepped, silent as a feather, and then it came.
"My friend, I applaud your style, as well as your new taste in miraculous mediums, but you are quite out of your league," Hoity Toity said with a smirk that Jean-Luc could not see. It was the shock of Jean-Luc's life. He froze. Slowly he let the knife fall loudly to the floor, the Artist was stunned.
"Did you just compliment me?" Jean-Luc asked the critic.
"You saw the scene in Canterlot last night, no, even came by to paint it! But now you wish to try it. But you are not that pony, whom ever that pony is, they made true art. You are just a poser," Hoity said, turning around with his snout held high.
"Hoity you foal, That was me. I killed the Dealer Quick Fix, Slicing him up wit ha glass shard from the window. It was glorious. It was rage and passion, emotions I have never felt before!" Jean-Luc yelled at the critic. If anypony was listening, they were more than likely running to get help now, for no pony interrupted these two killers in their stand off. Hoity dived for the knife first, but Jean-Luc had distance on his side, He dropped low and grabbed the knife back up, but was hit before he could right himself enough to fight. The two artists rolled now, hoof connecting with face, Hoity had his mouth on the back of the blade as Jean-Luc fought for position. their breathing was hard, labored even as Hoity lay atop Jean-Luc and curtly brought his hind leg into the groin Jean-Luc. The artist flinched at this, causing his hold on the handle to weaken, and Hoity came up, knife in mouth, but didn't have the time to position the Blade for offense.
With Hoity's head held up, Jean-Luc brought his head forward sharply, connecting the thick of his skull with Hoity's throat. Hoity coughed and dropped the knife, the handles weight pulling it down and into Jean-Luc's ready grasp, and with a flick of the lower stallions neck, brought the cold steel blade across Hoity's Artery, blood spraying into the air as Hoity panicked and let up off of Jean-Luc, applying pressure to his cut throat. Jean-Luc bucked hard, and rolled onto the Critic, bring the blade down time and again, blood flying throught the air as it let go of the blade, the soft thud of each drop on a surface sending waves of pleasure through the Artist. He slashed and stabbed, making wide arches to spread the blood even more. there was only one curtain between him and the world right now, but he didn't care, this was his greatest piece yet. He was making a destroy of the worth of art into art itself now! Jean-Luc laughed and laughed, his voice cracking into a cackle as he shook with joy and ecstasy, buckign the dead colt or stabbing it repeatedly, dancing around the body sing to the splatter yet again.
"My friend it seems your time has come, as this world you exit from! You made a mess, now take a guess, you are my new piece tonight. You made light of my hard work, giving credit to a random jerk! Killing you though was quite the perk! You are my new piece tonight. Life so fragile, always fleeting, but worry not, your heart's not beating! You are my new piece tonight! With my old knife I took your life, thought I did enjoy our little strife. Hope to hell you had a wife! You are my new piece tonight! What's done is done, and you're long gone! You are my new piece tonight!" Jean-Luc Pastel sung to himself, unaware of things to come with dawns first light.
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Cold coffee, crime scenes, and an interrogation.
Cold coffee, crime scenes, and an interrogation.
"Somepony's been killed!" the shouts rang out early the next morning. Jean-Luc laughed when he heard this in his sleep, and roused to find him self slumped into the corner of his studio, covered in blood still and reeking of booze. His head pounded as he fought a hang over, but upon trying to brush his teeth, he found old Hoity Toity had knocked two of them loose. Sly colt, Jean-Luc mused in the shower, washing off the evidence, even in death Hoity was a pain. Jean-Luc just laughed it off though, for it had been a truley magical night, one of his best works. Unlike the statue in his studio... Damn he had gone at it drunk hadn't he? Oh well, somepony would buy it. There was a knock at the door of his studio, but Jean-Luc didn't really care. They knocked again, with a lot more force.
"Yes, What the buck do you want?" Jean-Luc said opening the door to find two unicorns he would rather not see first thing in the morning, Twilight and Rarity.
"Jean, somepony murdered Hoity Toity! What is that horrible smell?" Rarity asked trying to enter the studio.
"Jean-Luc."
"I beg your pardon?" Rarity asked the angry sounding artist who was positively rancid with the drink.
"My name. Jean-Luc, not Jean. Not Luc. Jean-Luc. Now what were you saying?" Jean-Luc said with a huff, his head and missing teeth were killing him.
"Jean-Luc, somepony killed Hoity Toity last night. You were the last one to see him alive, do you know what might have happened?" Twilight asked the artist as he walked into the studio and grabbed a cup of coffee and poured in a half cup of whiskey. "Do you really think you should be drinking?" She asked watching the display of alcoholism.
"Why not, the art world just lost a sharp eye, and forked tongue. Hoity should be remembered, but when I think of him, it makes me want to drink," Jean-Luc said drinking his cup in one fail shot. "I should heat the coffee up first though, shouldn't I?"
"Probably. But now this case is a Royal matter, so the Guard will likely come talk to you again. By the way, what did the guard want with you yesterday?" Twilight asked, remembering the visitors.
"There was a murder on my street the night before I moved. The were questioning me as a potential witness. How did you know they were here?"
"They stopped by to ask me where you lived. I knew them from when I lived in Canterlot," Twilight lied. Something was bugging her. "So Jean-Luc, you were the last to see Hoity?"
"Unfortunately, I showed him some of Miss Rarity's works at the stage. But his manner insulted art, so I departed, and, in my rage, drank," Jean-Luc said. "Where was the plothole found?"
"The stage, just where you saw him last," Twilight said in a tune rather accusing.
"Humph, no lie I hated Hoity, but I didn't kill him Miss Sparkle. I will help how ever I can though," Jean-Luc said with some rather slurred speech.
"Drunk much?" Rarity asked.
"Not enough," Jean-Luc said looking through his unkempt mane and bloodshot eyes. Jean-Luc left his company to escort themselves out as he forgot the coffee and just hit the bottle direct.
"Mmm, Cadence... Oh yeah..." Shining Armor said while his new wife showcased a few of the Royal bedroom traditions. Shining was more than happy to enjoy this royal perk, but was rather against his new title.
"Does this please the Prince?" Cadence asked as she came up for air.
"Yeah, but please, talk dirty. Call me Captain," Shining said to a laugh from his wife.
"Very well Captain, I've been a bad little pony, I need punishment," Cadence said rather seductively.
"Yeah? Well little filly, I'm going to have to lock you up then," Shining said as he placed a magic pair of hoof cuffs on his wife, securing her to the bedpost. The gods of bad timing had a gift for Shining though, a knock at his bedchamber doors.
"Armor, we got a problem in Ponyville. Windrunner and Cloudchaser never showed back up, and now Hoity Toity has been killed in town. Same style as Fix," Doc Goodspeed said from outside. The down side of living in the castle, others who lived there could come to your chamber doors. "We gotta go, next train leaves in 20. Your sister has already been informed of us coming down."
"Um... Could it wait...." Shining said as he came up from attending to his wife.
"No kid, now put it up and come on. Grab your crap," Doc said walking away.
"Bucking hell. I'm Sorry Cadence, I'll be back as soon as I can," Shining said to his wife, magically putting on his red uniform coat and kissing her goodbye.
"Shining... Hey love... COME BACK HERE AND UNLOCK ME!" Cadence yelled as Shining tried to leave the room, making him double back with a guiltily look on his face.
"Shining, Doctor Goodspeed, it's so good to see you both again," Twilight said, wrapping her neck into her brothers in a kind embrace.
"Thanks Twily," Shining said with a smile as he and Doc Goodspeed stepped off the platform.
"So whats the news on your case in Canterlot?" Twilight asked as they headed towards the Stage that sat right across the town square from the platform.
"Nothing new Hun," Doc said, spitting his foul clove out, "but there might be a connection here. Your letter said the vic had been in a fight before, then slashed up repeatedly?"
"Yes. But this was a planned attack, there was no improvised weapons here," Twilight said as she lifted the crime tape with magic to let Shining and Doc into the scene. They flashed their Royal Guard Crests to the local colts and took over the case. Ponyville PD was more than happy to give away this paper work.
"So, we have a vic with 56 cuts and stabs to 'im... Bucking hay," Doc said checking out the scene.
"Excuse me, Officer, what was the stage being set up for?" Shining asked.
"Rarity's annual fashion show Sir. All of her newest designs were in here when it happened. Most are blood covered, but nothing's missing," The colt ran down the list. "Sir, is Miss Sparkle allowed in here?" The colt asked as Twilight tried to peer around the Colts and shrunk back when she was called out like that.
"Of course. She is my liaison to your Department as of now. Give her the full run down. Twily, could you preen the case for any relevant patterns?" Shining said.
"Sure, I thought you would ask me anyways. The last person to see Hotiy alive was a Mr Jean-Luc Pastel. Didn't you send a couple guards to talk to him yesterday?" Twilight asked remembering the mornings events.
"Yes I had. They never came back, and that scares the hell out of me. I want to meet this Pastel now, Twily," Shining said, his voice set like ice.
"Sure thing, But you might want to let him sober up first."
Another knocking sound? So soon? What is it now? Jean-Luc thought hauling himself up on all fours to go answer the door. With a lot of stagger and more fumbling than he was proud to admit, Jean-Luc opened the door to find Miss Sparkle again, with two higher ups from the royal guard. Had he been sober, he would have recognized the signs to run.
"Yes, Miss Sparkle, I thought I was clear earlier," Jean-Luc said, earning Twilight a quick glance from the younger of the two. By the looks of him though, he was in charge.
"Mr Pastel, I'm Captain Shining Armor, Canterlot Royal Guard. This with me is Doctor Goodspeed. You apparently already know my Liaison Twilight Sparkle," Shining said with a cold voice.
"No no no no no no no no. You fool, it's Jean-Luc Pastel," Jean-Luc told the cop in front of him in a bit of a drunken rage.
"Mr Pastel, Don't ever call me a fool. Got it paint colt?" Shining said leaning in on the artist, eyebrows knit with anger.
"Let me guess, good colt, bad colt?" Jean-Luc said eyeing Armor and Goodspeed.
"Yeah," Shining Armor said, "I'm the good colt, so talk fast."
"Pathetic," Jean-Luc said looking Shining in the face, with a dead serious expression.
"Excuse me? I don't think I heard you," Shining said as Doc put up a hoof to stop the Captain from committing police brutality.
"I said Pathetic. Your whole tough guy act. Its worthless. You have not lost anything in life, so what do you know about taking what matters most?" Jean-Luc said with a coolness usually reserved for life or death quotes in showdowns. Shining was letting off some sparks from his horn now as his magic boiled over in his rage. "If you're here about Hoity, I told Miss Sparkle and Miss Rarity everything earlier Sir (with enough disrespect on the word that even Twilight was offended) that I could remember from last night. I tried to change Hoity's mind about Rarity's designs, but he was an ass, so I left and in my rage, started down the bottle."
"So did Miss Rarity know where you where?" Doc goodspeed said at last.
"Yes. I told her I was taking Hoity to the stage. Why?" Jean-Luc asked.
"And she was here earlier during the questioning?" Doc asked, cool, calm, and collected.
"Again, yes. Why?" Jean-Luc asked of the police.
"Miss Sparkle, you failed to mention that earlier," Doc said turning to the small lavender unicorn.
"Oh, well it was irrelevant to the case..." Twilight stammered out. She didn't like her brother or Doctor Goodspeed mad at her.
"That would be for us to decide Twilight. Your job is to give us all pertinent information to the case. Rarity had motive, and now she knows about the case so far. She could be building an alibi, or fleeing town. Damn it Twilight!" Shining said as he stormed away from the studio to Rarity's boutique. Doc Goodspeed just hung his head and thanked Jean-Luc for his help, telling him to not leave town as a person of interest, then walked over to join Shining Armor. Twilight just looked dejected and slowly, with her tail tucked in tight followed along, almost in tears from what her brother had said to her.
"That," said Jean-Luc closing the door, "Was a little too close."
As the trio headed to the boutique, a little purple dragon came running up to them yelling for Twilight.
"What is it Spike?" Twilight asked the exasperated Dragon as he caught up to them, wheezing for breath.
"Letter from Princess Celestia. They found Hoity's Journal. It's addressed Captain Armor's Eyes only," The dragon said and handed them a small, tweed bound book closed by a bit of twine with a dark red-ish black spot on the cover. Shining took the book and Magically flipped through, his sour looking face getting worse and worse with each page he read. Finally he stopped on one page, his face awash with anger, as he slammed the book shut and stowed it in his uniform pocket.
"Son of a Diamond Dog! Giddy up!" He yelled to the group as he reared high and tore off to his now most urgent destination. He reached the door and slammed hard on it, shaking the windows as he did.
"Rarity, open up! Royal Guard!" Shining said loud enough to be heard across town. The door was quickly opened to a rather messy looking Fashion designer, which was not how Twilight had seen her earlier.
"Rarity, what happened to you?" Twilight asked the Unicorn as the others entered, not even waiting for permission, just barging in as Rarity side stepped a little.
"I was... um... erm...," Rarity started, looking to the floor or a point on the ceiling.
"The answer ain't up there Missy," Doc Goodspeed said watching this, "How bout you get your head on straight real fast like, and talk." There was no threat, no order, nothing, but Rarity treated this like a word from Celestia herself, Doc had a way with ponies.
"IwaslayingwithApplejack," Rarity said in one short breath.
"I don't care who you fool around with Miss Rarity, you are hence forth being put into custody as a suspect in the murder of Hotiy Toity, as well as the possible interference in a royal guard investigation. You have the right to an attorney..." Shining went on as he magically placed a bridal and lead on Rarity and magical shackles that would bind together if she tried to run. A blanket was placed over her face so the ponies in town would not be able to see what exactly was going on, but after seeing a white mare come out in shackles, it would not be hard to guess. The four left the Boutique now, Shining magically calling for a guard unit to perform a search after talking to Mayor Mare for a warrant.
Rarity now sat in the interrogation room in the Ponyville PD headquarters, while Shining and Doc recieved the latest word from Canterlot about the search of Hoity's personal estate. Things were to say the least, interesting. Goodspeed and Armor walked into the room swiftly now, Doc holding a rather thick folder and letting it drop right in front of Rarity, neither one saying a word yet. Rarity's eyes quickly shifted form Doc to Shining, both keeping the silence. Finally, Rarity's worst nightmare entered the room, head hung low, taking up the seat across form her.
"Rarity, In Hoity's journal, He mentions you two going to an art show in Canterlot two weeks ago. Is this true?" Twilight asked her friend in a calm, smooth voice. One that promised nice things in the future with out the words ever being said.
"Oh Twilight, it's not what I thought!" Rarity Burst out crying now, slumping into her forelegs on the table as she let out sob after sob. For all the crying the drama queen did, this was the worst she ever seemed.
"Please, tell me what happened. We have Hoity's journal, so please, just be open now, it will all be better if we understand you," Twilight said with that voice that could make a rock turn over just to please her.
"A while back," Rarity started through the subsiding sobs, "I got into Anatomical Artworks. Things like Statues, and violent paintings to start, but it grew. Hoity told me about his obsession with it one night. He asked if I would like to go to a show," Rarity said to Twilight.
"What kind of show?" Shining asked, Stepping up from his leaning spot against the wall, moving in close to Rarity and taking a seat looking at her.
"A, a body exhibit," Rarity said looking down now, her voice so full of shame.
"Like a museum exhibit?" Twilight asked.
"No, it was underground art. Real ponies, made into statues after death. I thought they were cadavers or maybe scientific models at first, but then..." Rarity started but soon chocked up.
"You found them to be real ponies, that had been killed just to make these artworks," Shining said, his voice softer than it had been all day it seemed.
"Yes... It was horrible. I left right away, Hoity stopped my in the street, told me that if I ever told anypony what I saw, they would make a new exhibit from me. They threatened to make me into a statue doing unspeakable things to Sweetie Bell! I couldn't tell anypony after that, and I just tried to forget it," Rarity said breaking into tears again. Twilight moved to comfort her friend, but Shining motioned to her to stop, they still had things to ask.
"So Rarity, why was Hoity over at your place last night then?" Shining asked as Rarity started to ease up.
"He was making sure I understood the situation. Checking to see if I would crack," Rarity said, crying and looking a mess. Her nose and mascara running, her eyes red and puffy. Rarity would never allow herself to look like this.
"So when he left, you made sure to neutralize him, right?" Shining asked of Rarity as she looked down, but hearing this accusation, she snapped up and looked at Shining with shock and anguish.
"Never! I could never bring myself to hurt Hoity! Even for his threats, all he wanted was silence!" Rarity said, so emotional she didn't even care she spilled her coffee on herself, ruining her coat.
"Twilight, please step out for a minute," Doc said to clear the room for what came next. Twilight tried to stay, but one glance from Doc was all it took to shoo her out the door. "Now Rarity, Talk."
"I didn't kill him, I had no idea he was even dead til I went to the stage this morning!" Rarity plead.
"Where you were the first on the scene?" Shining asked.
"Yes, I am always first in last out at one of my shows," Rarity said turning to the Guardscolt.
"Where were you last night around 8 o'clock?" Doc asked making Rarity spin to face him.
"My Boutique! Where I live!" Rarity cried.
"What were you doing there?" Shining asked. A odd question, true, but a necessary one.
"I was reading to my kid sister as she slept," Rarity said, backing up from shining and drawing her hooves close to her chest. It was obvious to the two law ponies, she was lying. Her body said it all.
"Truth. Now," Doc said. Rarity burst into tears again.
"I... I was... smoking..." Rarity started.
"You smoke Rarity?" Shining asked, leaning in more ot the Mare as she broke down again.
"I was smoking poison joke weed," Rarity said with her head hung low.
"The weed? Well that's bad Rare, but not our main worry right now. Where did you get it?" Shining asked, placing a kind hoof on Rarity's shoulder as she cried again.
"Quick Fix, he used to be my dealer in Canterlot, til he ruffied me and tried to have his way," Rarity said to two now stunned Guards. "What is it? Did I say something?" Rarity asked seeing them looking at her.
"Well, We kind of found Fix yesterday. He was killed, same style as Hoity Toity," Shining said.
"And we don't believe in coincidence much round the Guard. Two dead ponies, both a brutal slaying, both with ties to a Miss Rarity that has plenty of bits, and connections to an underground Death art rink... Do you see where this evidence is pointing? It ain't looking good Missy, you have motive for two contracted kills now. You need to give us something to work with, a show of good faith. We'll see what we can do bout them Drug charges if'in you can help us," Doc said putting a foreleg on the table and leaning in. Rarity was feeling the pressure now more than ever.
"I told you everything I know. I swear!" Rarity said, tears starting to roll again. She was being honest, her body language was completely open. She just wanted safety.
"Rarity, I'm afraid we have to hold you here on charges of..." Shining started to be cut off rather fast like.
"My account! You said I have a lot of bits, I'll give you my financial records to sort through, you will see I had no money taken out to pay anypony for a.. a hit," Rarity said, eyes bright as she saw the light of hope.
"Thank you Missy, that's a might helpful," Doc said, getting up to leave with Shining, letting Twilight back in to see to her friend.
"Oh darling! Oh sweetie! I'm so sorry!" Rarity balled into the shoulder of her friend.
"Hey, it's alright. I believe you," Twilight said hugging her sobbing friend tight as she started to cry with force renewed.
Twilight came into the impromptu office for the guard, seeing Shining and Goodspeed spilling over Rarity's records and purchases for the past 5 months. She had been away all of thirty minutes, enough for two guards to completely rout through every aspect of her life.
"So Shining, Do you feel like questioning anymore of my friends? I think Fluttershy would love that kind of treatment, send her right into a nervous breakdown," Twilight said a bit miffed.
"I'm sorry, are you really mad at me, Twilight?" Shining asked not looking up from his work.
"You are a piece of work. You knew she wasn't guilty, why put her through that?" Twilight said.
"WE don't know anything Twilight. She has no alibi, and now drug possession charges. Or are you hiding something else sister?" Shining said finally looking at the lavender mare.
"Well she wasn't alone last night at 8 o'clock. She had company over," Twilight said, taking a seat opposite her brother.
"Shining, we got something..." Doc started, looking at one note he just found.
"Just a sec Doc. I know Twily, she had AJ over apparently. But not last night, we spoke to AJ about that already," Shining said.
"No, not AJ, it was me," Twilight said hanging her head low.
"Twilight? Are...are you saying?" Shining said staring at his sister, not even glancing at the note under his hoof yet from Doc.
"Yes, she got that weed from me last night. I was smoking it with her. She refused to go back to Fix, but I get mine from Zecora. Brother, Rarity didn't want to ruin our friendship by telling you this. But now it's my call, and I want to come clean," Twilight said, holding back tears of her own. Her brother shifted from anger to pity, to laughter at the sight of her.
"Leave home for three years, and you start smoking weed and solving murders. What am I going to do with you Twilight. I am going to have to bring this up to the Princess you know," Shining said at last.
"Yeah... about that..." Twilight said looking around now refusing to make eye contact.
"Oh hay, what now?" Doc said feeling where this was going.
"Well, let's just say Celestia is a big fan of puff puff pass," Twilight said with her sheepish grin. Doc and Shining facehoofed at this news.
"Well I see a pardon in both of your futures now..." Shining said.
"Well, that fits. Shining, the note. Its from Canterlot HQ, they found a money link from Hoity to Fix," Doc said bringing things back on track.
"The buck you say!" Shining said happy, a new break in the case.
"Yep, Hoity had paid some ponies to rough up Fix after he tried to rape Rarity there. Fix learned from it though, bought his own security. But he started to feel safe, dropped the ponyguard just two nights ago. I'm guessing Hoity didn't like that..." Doc started the ball rolling in the Captains head.
"So Hoity gets a friend from the underground art to take out Fix. But they come here, try to get more outta Hoity, and when he's alone at the stage, they jump him. The two ponies roll, and in the heat of things, a knife came out, Hoity was cut. Then they cut up Hoity like they had Fix to try and cover their tracks! Of course!" Shining said.
"But then why cut up Fix with glass?" Twilight asked.
"Makes sense, darlin. The killer was sloppy, an amateur, probably his first kill, only a foal would take a paid job in that kind of ring. That's why the kid made the mistake of trying blackmail," Doctor Goodspeed said.
"So we are looking for an artist that's taking money for hits. We need to get an artist on the scene to look for clues then, don't we?" Shining asked Doc.
"Yup, but you won't like the pool of candidates you have to pick from here Shining," Doc said sticking in another roll of cloves.
"Buck me, time's a wasting, we need that paint pony now more than ever," Shining said in defeat to have to ask the painter Jean-Luc for help.
A lone Artist danced around his sculpture now, the alcohol strong with in him as he chipped and cut the stone into shape. All the while a little song escaped his lips. "Line up everypony, come on now, there's no time to squander. What I have planned will leave you all in my amazing wonder. Heads up every pony, you fall just like sheep, so easy to slaughter. Give me your fears, I will let you sleep, the world feeling my laughter. So don't blink little ponies, please do just hurry, my knife hoof is slipping. I will make you in to my splatter, just as your life is slipping away... So, run in Fear, no cover here, Stay for the after show. Watch them bleed, then take heed, for you it will be slow. I will slice, I will dice, you will be low. I will cut, I will stab, but you will be mmmmmmmiiiinnnnneeeeee! The hole world is going to me Mine, all mine and Woooha! *bam!* Ouch!" The artist said as his rather gruesome song ended with him falling of the scaffold and hitting the floor. Little did he know of things to come.