A Changed Town

For the last few hours, Cruicible's pharmacy had been under an extensive investigation. Multiple guards poked through stock, store records and even some of Cruicible's personal belongings to find any further evidence that would further insinuate his guilt. So far the search had turned up crates and boxes filled with 'enchanted' potions, a few records of customer complaints to do with the 'addicting nature' of Cruicible's medications and the stallion's personal journal.

As well as that, the mare who ran Cruicible's second shop at the opposite end of Canterlot had been brought in for questioning. So far, the guard had concluded that she was unaware of Cruicible's intentions with the bottles and just thought that ponies in the region became ill very frequently. Behind the counter, Crimson was explaining the reason behind Cruicible's incrimination to him.

Sticking around with Shockwave and the others, Crimson was making sure the situation remained under control and Cruicible didn't try anything stupid. It was a welcome change for him. Usually he would stand around, giving speeches to recruits and occasionally running training exercises.

"But you don't understand! Making enchantments isn't illegal! I never would have done it if it was!" Cruicible argued.

"Okay, smart guy. Tell me, is stealing illegal?" Crimson retorted, going over this for what felt like the thousandth time with the old apothecary.

"Well, yes... But-"

"Then you're breaking the law. Because this can be considered a scam, and scamming somepony is just as bad as stealing from 'em." Crimson sighed. "Now, do you understand that?"

Cruicible went silent and began staring at his hooves, clearly he had no further cards to play. Crimson sat down and sighed contently, keeping a watchful eye on Cruicible. Although the old colt wasn't likley to make a run for it, like Moonlight always said, 'it never hurts to be vigilant'.

Meanwhile, Shockwave was speaking with Cruicible's apprentice of sorts, the mare who ran his other shop.

"No... He had never told me about these 'enchantments'... He was teaching me to make medicines and letting me run the other store but that was it! I had no idea he was stealing from ponies!" The mare cried, frightened by her current situation.

This was the reason Shockwave was called over, although at times Shock liked to remain silent, she was adept at keeping ponies calm as well. "Don't worry, nothing is gonna happen to you ma'am, we just need to be sure that you had nothing to do with this."

"I don't!" The mare had tears in her eyes, she looked as if she was just old enough to have finished college. Obviously the accusation of both her and her mentor being criminals was very traumatizing for her.

"It's alright. Can you do me a favour? Just wait here for a minute or two, we just need to make sure everything is in order."

"Okay..." She responded meekly, sniffling.

Shockwave left the worried mare and joined the conversing of the other guards in the pharmacy.

"How're we doing?" Shockwave asked.

"We have enough evidence to convict him, we're just trying to decide on what to do with his business while he's, uh... 'Away'" One of the guards responded.

"I say we just leave the place to rot and give it back to 'im when he gets out..." Another added.

"We can't do that. For one thing, we don't know if he's gonna be put away for this or not, and what's stopping him from trying it again afterwards?" A third guard argued. "We should just take the place apart, close it down for good. Make sure the old guy doesn't get an opportunity to repeat this."

"Both good arguments. The problem is, he probably wouldn't be allowed to run a shop again after this little... 'setback', and the best he would get for this would be a little while incarcerated and a pretty nasty fine... But don't worry, I have another soloution." Crimson joined in. "Shockwave, you've been speaking with his 'apprentice' for awhile now, would you say that she's fit to run the place? She has the experience."

Upon hearing mention of herself, the mare in the corner looked up, confusion in her eyes. "Me?"

"Well, you are experienced with medicines and potion making from what you've told me. Plus, you've been running Cruicible's other store for long enough to know the trick of the trade..." Shockwave added.

"Right, and the place would be yours. You could decide what to do with it, and you would get to decide how the profits are used. Instead of working for Cruicible, you'd be working for yourself." Crimson said.

The mare stood up, a look of purpose taking over her face. "Yeah... You're right! I could run this place! I could fix it all up, make some bits and maybe even start up my own chain!"

"Heh heh, one step at a time, ma'am" Shockwave laughed.

The other guardsponies in the room shared a laugh, things seemed to be falling into place for everypony... Well, except for-

"Ahem!" Everypony in the room went silent and turned to the source of the interruption, Cruicible, who was still sitting behind the counter, looking very frustrated. "I believe you're all forgetting that this is still my store! You can't just give it away like that!"

"Be that as it may, after this, you're not going to be able to keep this place open for long. Nopony will want to buy from somepony who might be using them for his own gain." Crimson responded. "You would start losing bits, use what little common sense you may have to do the smart thing here. How about you sign the place over to your apprentice here."

"Er... My name is Spirit... Spirit Leaf..." The mare spoke up.

Shockwave went a little red in the face, "Heh, I knew there was something I forgot to ask..."

The silence in the room was replaced by another quiet round of laughs from the guards, as well as Spirit.

Cruicible, on the other hand, remained seated, considering his options.

"How about this?" Spirit said, "I take over the store, we close the other one down. And after Cruicible serves whatever sentence he gets, he could come and help me run the place. He could work for me."

Crimson stood up, moving from behind the counter to join the group of guards. "It's a risky idea, what if Cruicible tries something like this again?"

"I'd be in charge. I'd make sure that he wouldn't." Spirit argued.

"Hm... Sounds like a solid plan..." Crimson said. "What do you think, Cruicible? You'd still get to be involved with the place, so it isn't like you'd be forced into retirement."

Cruicible sighed, "I suppose that's the best I can hope for... Isn't it?" The colt stood up, using his magic to unlock a small strongbox under the counter, obtaining a piece of paper, most likley the deed from it. "Maybe you'll do more good with this place than I did... Just don't make the same mistake as me." He leviteted the deed over to Spirit, whose eyes widened at the offer.

"Thank you, sir-" Spirit went to respond.

"I think that 'Cruicible' will do for now, Spirit."

"Thanks, Cruicible..." Spirit replied, "I won't let you down."

"Cruicible, now that everything is dealt with, we're going to have to bring you into Canterlot Castle, you'll have a trail in a few days time, whatever happens to you from there on is out of our hands." Crimson said, almost saddened by the fact that he had bring the old colt in.

Cruicible looked at the General, nodded and gave a slight smile. "Look on the bright side, I've never been to the castle before..." The old stallion's smile faded, "This isn't the way I thought I would get to, though..."

Crimson led the colt outside, the rest of the guards followed. Except for Shockwave. "Hey Spirit, good luck with all of this. I'll make sure somepony who can help you start everything up comes by within the next day or so." Shock smiled at the mare, glad that some good could come of the situation.

"Thanks so much, er..."

"Shockwave." She added with another quick smile.

"Thank you." Spirit added, before Shockwave followed after the other guards.