The Framing of Marble Pie (DISCONTINUED)

Chapters

An Unexpected Turn
Finding Answers
Going to the Princesses
Tapping
Interrogation
The Lookout's Duty
Below
Freed

An Unexpected Turn

Marble thrust her muzzle gently onto Big Mac's cheek.

"I can't wait for my next visit," Big Mac whispered into her ear.

The gray pony looked up at him, her purple eyes gentle from her love for him. "Mhm," she answered, her voice squeaking slightly, as it always had when she uttered her usual phrase. The two ponies pulled away from each other, and turned. Big Mac, before joining his family at the train station, looked back at Marble walking towards her own family, who were ready to go back home. He smiled, remembering the earth pony's embrace, and turned.

The red stallion waited with his family, and Pinkie, for the train to come.

"When will we visit again, granny?" Applebloom asked, excitement filling her words. "Ah'm really starting to like Limestone. She's really nice!"

"Nice?" Applejack echoed, slight shock in her words. "Ah like Limestone, too, but ah don't think nice is the right word to describe her personality. She's definitely a dependable pony, but ah would describe her as fierce much before nice."

Big Mac silently agreed with Applejack's statement. He remembered how Limestone had threatened to hurt him if he ever let her sister down.

"Well, you gotta get to know 'er first," Applebloom countered.

"I completely agree with Applebloom!" Pinkie Pie declared.

"Alright, alright," Applejack said. "Granny, why don'tcha answer Applebloom's question?"

"Oh, yeah. To answer your question, Applebloom, I would say about three weeks," Granny Smith said. "After all, it will be Maud's birthday."

Applebloom was satisfied by this answer, judging by her wide grin. Although, her excitement couldn't compare to Big Mac's. Despite the fact that he barely showed it, happiness filled every inch of his body.

Suddenly, the shrieking sound of a train approaching grew louder, until it came to a shrieking stop in front of them. All five ponies walked onto the train, finding a seat and sitting. Big Mac soon became lost in a tidal wave of thought. He remembered how difficult the Pies had been after announcing he had loved Marble. The family only let them date because it wasn't clear if they were family at all. The fact that Marble couldn't bare not being able to love Big Mac most likely had something to do with it, as well. It seemed the Pies were the only ones who cared about it too much. Pinkie and his family were completely fine with it. They even supported it. Even Applejack and Pinkie's friends were okay with it. Twilight and Rarity congratulated him. Rainbow Dash cheered. Fluttershy gave a feeble 'good for you two.' He knew she was happy for him. She was just a quiet pony. Suddenly, the train stopped, interrupting Big Mac's thoughts. He, Pinkie, Applejack, Applebloom, and Granny Smith all got off, and made their way to the farm.

One week later, Pinkie got a letter requesting her find the Apples and get to the Pie household, due to urgent news they had to share. Pinkie quickly got the Apples and rushed them onto the train, curiosity filling her to the brim.

The ponies rushed to the house, and ran inside, not even thinking to knock.

"Mother? Father?" Pinkie called, urgently.

"Coming," Cloudy Quartz called, with a sniffle. She walked into the room, heart-breaking sadness visible on her face.

Pinkie rushed to her mother;s side. "Mother, what's wrong? I've never seen you so upset!" Pinkie wailed, clearly not pleased seeing someone so close to her so sad.

Cloudy sighed, and said, "follow me."

The five followed her into the next room, where all of the Pies, except for Marble, were gathered. Their faces displayed sadness, regret, and sorrow. The great disturbance on Big Mac's face was visible. Did something happen to her?

"What's happened?" Pinkie repeated, even sadder seeing one of her beloved sisters were not in the room.

Cloudy Quartz started, "It would seem... that-" She was interrupted by a burst of tears and sobs coming from herself. She couldn't finish. Her husband rushed to her comfort.

"Marble was accused of murder. Sh-she is to be executed," Limestone explained before burying her face into Maud's shoulder, starting to sob. The Apples stared in horror, as Maud tried her hardest to stay strong and not break down in tears. Pinkie Piejust stared, shock in her eyes.

"P-Pinkie, it'll be okay," Applejack said, walking towards her. Pinkie still stared, not moving. Before Applejack could hug her distraught best friend, Applebloom started bawling. Granny Smith and Applejack rushed to her side. Big Mac took Applejack's place, to hug Pinkie. Both of their worlds were crumbling.

Pinkie still didn't move. Although, she silently uttered, "no."

Finding Answers

Pinkie's eyes, darkened from sadness, blazed with sudden anger. She shoved Big Mac off of her and stood. "Whoever's framed her will pay! Dearly!" She screeched.

"Framed?" Maud asked. "No one said tha-"

"You would think Marble actually murdered somepony?" Pinkie Pie asked, anger filling her words.

"O-of course not! I'm only questioning the framing part," Maud explained. "Who would want to frame Marble? Why would they want to frame her? None of this makes sense, Pinkie."

"Well, clearly, somepony had something against her, or she wouldn't be facing execution right now!" Pinkie retorted. "I want answers, and I'm going to the princesses to find them. Who's with me?"

Limestone pulled herself away from Maud and walked over to Pinkie. "I'm in," she announced.

Big Mac and Applejack stared at eachother for a moment. The two nodded at eachother and exclaimed, in unison, "we'll join ya."

Maud stood by her parents. "I'm staying here, with them, to keep everything in this house, and rock farm, in order," she said.

"Can ah come with you guys?" Applebloom begged Big Mac and Applejack.

"Actually, you'd better stay here, and help Maud and I take care of Igneous and Cloudy," Granny Smith said, wrapping her hoof around Applebloom's shoulder.

Applebloom perked up. "Ya mean they'll need me? Sure!" Applebloom exclaimed. She must've been eager to be needed by ponies who were much older than her.

Pinkie, Big Mac, Applejack, and Limestone wished the staying ponies good luck, and made their way to the train.

"So, where are we going first, Pinkie?" Limestone asked.

"Ponyville," she answered.

"Uh, Ponyville?" Limestone asked. "I thought we were going to see a princess."

Pinkie looked at Limestone like she grew a second head. "Did somepony forget about Twilight?" Pinkie asked.

"I guess, but how will she help? Marble is in the Canterlot prison," Marble explained.

"Twilight still has close ties to the princesses in Canterlot. She may have a way to help us find answers, or even get Marble out," Pinkie said. Applejack couldn't believe how much this event had affected Pinkie. She went from a bubbly optimist to a justice seeking mare full of determination.

The four ponies sat in the train, waiting to be back in Ponyville. Soon, it stopped, and they rushed to the door. The ponies were immediately greeted by Rainbow Dash, Twilight, Rarity, and Fluttershy. Although, they weren't good greetings. They were full of pity and sadness. The four ponies were all saying different things at the same time, although, the words 'sorry', 'Marble', 'murder', and 'falsely accused' were repeated through their ramblings.

Pinkie quickly shushed them. "We all know you feel bad, but we want answers," Pinkie said, looking to Twilight.

Twilight nodded and teleported everypony to her castle. "Honestly, I don't know much. The most I know is Princess Celestia was given an anonymous letter that said a previous murder had been Marble's fault. You'll need to ask Celestia if you want more."

The entire time, Big Mac had sat, a look of distraught in his eyes, not believing any of this was happening. Fluttershy wanted to help him feel better. After all, she'd always admired him.

"I think Big Mac should stay here," Fluttershy announced. "After all, this all may be troubling for him, since he loved Marble so much."

"That sort of makes sense," Twilight said, thoughtfully. "What do you think, Big Mac?"

"It could be good, I guess," he answered quietly.

"Wonderful. He can stay with me. Animals are wonderful to help to heal from troubling events," Fluttershy said.

Pinkie paced impatiently. "So, let me get this straight. We have to go to Princess Celestia to get more answers?"

Twilight nodded.

Pinkie smiled and, signalling to Limestone and Applejack, left the room. Applejack and Limestone followed.

` Big Mac watched them go, sad he couldn't join them. Despite that, staying with a good friend like Fluttershy could be good for him. Rarity and Rainbow Dash waved goodbye to Fluttershy, Twilight, and Big Mac, as they left. Fluttershy got up and looked to Big Mac, signalling that it was time to leave. He followed her, as she walked towards the door. They said goodbye to Twilight, and made their way to Fluttershy's cottage.

As soon as they left the castle's main doors, Fluttershy wrapped her wing around Big Mac's shoulders. "Don't worry, Big Mac. I promise you'll feel better when staying with me," the pegasus promised.

Big Mac nodded. "Eeyup."

Going to the Princesses

As Pinkie, Limestone, and Applejack made their way to Canterlot, a magenta flash appeared in front of them. The three ponies shied away from it, covering their eyes from the unexpected brightness. After it left, three more ponies stood in front of them. Rarity, dressed in the outfit she wore, trying to prove Rainbow Dash's innocence, Twilight, wearing the same hate she wore when she and Pinkie tried to find out who ate the M.M.M.M. cake, and Rainbow Dash, who had the same pipe in her mouth Twilight had during the M.M.M.M. fiasco.

"What are you dong here?" Applejack asked, thinking they went home.

"You think that we would pass up a chance to play detective?" Rarity asked.

Limestone sighed. "This isn't a game! My sister's in jail, in case you hadn't noticed," she hissed.

"We don't think it's a game. We just want to lend our skills to help you find information," Twilight explained.

"What skills?" Limestone interrogated.

Pinkie stepped forward. "Twilight has brains, Rainbow is very fast, and Rarity has solved a case before. Honestly, they would be very helpful," she explained, stating what she knew, and not wanting her friends to be let down.

Limestone nodded at Pinkie. "Okay. I'll trust your blessing, but if they put one hoof wrong, they're gone," she threatened.

"Ya hear that? Put one hoof wrong, and you go home," Applejack repeated to the other three, who nodded in response.

After, yet another, train ride, the six made it to Canterlot, going to the castle, ready to find out new information. They kept walking, ignoring the surrounding ponies, who were requesting pictures and greetings from Twilight. Pinkie started rethinking letting Twilight come with them. Limestone was clearly getting annoyed by the attention, as well. Finally, the castle laid before them. They raced up the stairs, and opened the doors.

"Who- Oh! Princess Twilight," a knighted stallion said, dipping his head. "Follow me, and I'll take you to Princess Celestia."

The six followed, impatience running through them. The royal guard opened another pair of doors, leading to the throne room. Princess Celestia and Luna looked over, their gaze brightening as they saw Twilight. Their gazes darkened as Limestone and Pinkie walked in, although, they said nothing against the two.

"Princesses," Rarity started, walking forward dramatically. "We desire information on Marble Pie's arrest."

Celestia looked weary, while Luna looked a bit irritated. "Well, we can't give you much. The information you are searching for is confidential," Luna explained.

"Even to me?" Twilight stepped up, now wanting the details even more.

To this, Luna and Celestia exchanged worried glances. "I wouldn't say so. No," reasoned Celestia.

Twilight brightened. "Since I have the authority to see those details, do I have the authority to allow access to regular ponies?" The purple alicorn queried.

Celestia sighed. "Yes, you have the ability," she answered. Luna now looked a bit appalled.

"Then I ask of you to share it with all of us."

Celestia nodded. "Follow," she said, walking from her throne, into a hallway. The six ponies, and Luna, followed. They walked in the long corridor, until they came to a light yellow door, with a sun painted on it. She invited the ponies into her room, rather nervously, and walked in. Surprisingly, eight ponies in one room wasn't crowded. It felt much more roomy than it looked. Celestia made her way to a drawer, and opened it.

"Celestia," Luna started. "Are you sure?"

The pink alicorn turned, looking at her, now desperately worried, sister. She dipped her head to Luna. "I wish not to lie to my prime student, no matter how it may hurt."

Luna heaved a sigh. "Of course," she said shakily.

Everypony except Celestia and Luna were completely lost, but they dared not speak, fearing it may cause the princesses to change their minds about sharing such secret information. The light pink pony turned back to her drawer, and slowly lowered her hoof into it. She pulled out a blank folder, and opened that, as well. She turned to the gathered ponies, her eyes now full of sadness. She opened her folder and pulled out a paper.

"Is that the stupid anonymous letter that got her arrested?" Limestone challenged, angrily. Everypony was surprised to see Celestia shake her head.

"This was found with Marble, when she was interrogated, after her arrest," Celestia explained. She sighed shakily, and started explaining what it was. "It's a page from what seems to be a diary. We don't know why this page alone was with her, but it's enough to warrant immediate execution. It's a horrible cri-"

"Sister, stop stalling. You chose to show them, so just do it," Luna interrupted, irritation spiking her words.

"I am stalling. Okay, I'll get on with it," Celestia said. "To summarize it, it writes of plans to murder a weather pony named Snowy Wind, who lived in Ponyville on the 16th of May. Guess what happened to Snowy? She was found murdered on the 16th of May in her home in Ponyville. Since it was confirmed when we found thi-"

"Lemme see it," Limestone interrupted, reaching for it.

"Why?" Anger edged Celestia's voice, as she protected it from Limestone's grasp.

"I know Marble's hoof writing. I can tell you if it's hers."

"We found it with her, and only her hoof prints are on it. That's proof enough."

Limestone looked confused now, but her eyes still blazed with determination. "Princess, please, I'll never rest easy until I'm able to confirm whether Marble truly did it." And whatever you're trying to hide, I'll find it out, once you pass it.

Celestia looked down. "Fine," she gave up, handing it over.

Limestone grabbed it, and skimmed through it, looking at the hoof writing, but also key words that would need to keep hidden.

"You've looked long enough," Celestia said, reaching. Limestone pulled away.

"Who's Night Light?" Limestone asked, shocked.

Twilight stared at her. "T-that's my father. W-why do you need to know?" Twilight asked, defensively grabbing the page from Limestone. Twilight read the familiar hoof writing aloud. "If getting away with this is possible, Night Light of Canterlot will be next on the 1st of June."

Celestia flinched. "We decided we had to execute her to protect you from the death of your father. He should die of old age. Not to a sadistic earth pony."

"Excuse me?" Limestone screeched. "I never said it was her hoof writing, and I'd like to announce that it's not!" Pinkie Pie peeked at the paper, gripped tightly in Twilight's hoof.

"It's definitely not," Pinkie claimed. "Marble takes her time when writing things. This looks rushed, and a lot more clumsy than Marble's writing style. Although, I've seen this hoof writing before."

"How does writin' looks rushed?" Applejack asked.

"Does that matter right now?" Twilight growled, the shock welling away, and being replaced with anger. "If they're right about it not being Marble's hoof writing, that means this pony could still be out there, planning to kill my father!"

"Twilight, calm down. W-we'll send guards to his home that day, so nothing happens," Celestia said.

"Did you even do a test?" Twilight challenged.

"Test?" Celestia asked.

"Did you test Marble to see if it was her hoof writing?" She elaborated.

Celestia looked guiltily at Luna. Luna returned the look. "We never assumed it was a framing, so no."

"What kind of ruler are you?" Twilight asked, hurt and anger in her voice. "What happened to everypony is innocent until proven guilty? Have you no mercy? What sane pony puts a pony up for execution before conviction?" Tears streamed from her eyes. Her trust for Celestia had been badly bruised. She wiped away the tears. A magenta aura surrounded the paper, as Twilight turned to the door, and dragged it after her.

"Uh, Twi, where are you going?" Rainbow asked, still shocked to have talked to the ruler of Equestria in such a way.

"I'm going to test Marble's hoof writing. Limestone, Pinkie, and Applejack, come with me. She'll want to see you."

The three chosen ponies perked up, and followed Twilight where she led. They went farther down the hallway, and reached a door made of steel.

"This leads down to the dungeons. Stay close to me, and don't talk to anypony." Twilight said, getting many nods. She opened the door, being greeted to a hallway that led down wards. Coming from the hallway's depths, a guard asked, "who's coming?"

"Princess Twilight of Ponyville with interrogators. We are no threat. We merely wish to speak with a prisoner who goes by the name Marble Pie," she answered.

The ponies watched as the guard came towards them from the darkened dungeon. He examined Twilight, and dipped his head to her. "Go ahead, your majesty. The pony you're requesting for is in cell 12," he invited, and handed her a set of keys.

"Thanks," the purple alicorn said.

The four ponies walked forward, until they saw a cell marked '12'. As they looked through the bars, they saw the figure of a mare sitting on a stone bed. It was difficult to see much in these dungeons, but they could see that she was covering her face with her hooves, as if she were crying.

Twilight pulled out the keys the guard had given her, and unlocked the cell. Marble's ears pricked, and she looked up. Her eyes were half closed and dim, as if she hadn't slept for days. She yelped, thinking they had come to execute her.

"Calm down, Marble. We just want to ask something of you, and then we'll bring you back here." Twilight soothed.

Marble slowly stood on her bed, and stepped down, trying to see the ponies' faces through the darkness, to identify them, but couldn't. She dragged herself out of her cell, now being able to see te other ponies better.

"Limestone, Pinkie, Applejack!" She said, hugging them, as soon as she knew who they were.

Twilight waited for them all to finish their meeting. After they were done, she said, "follow me, if you please." She brought them back to the first cell. Next to it, there was a door. Next to that was the hallway they took from the castle's other hallway to the dungeon. Twilight unlocked the door with one of the keys. It was an interrogation room. It was much more brighter here than the dungeons. Now, everyone there could see the bad shape Marble was in. Her mane and tail were unkempt. She was very skinny, as if she hadn't eaten for a day. "Sit there, Marble," the purple alicorn invited, pointing to a chair in the middle of the room, which was beside a table.

The gray pony walked there, and sat down, pulling it in, towards the table.

Twilight walked to the table, and placed a blank scroll on the table. "If you please, describe the wall behind me." She pointed to a white wall and handed Marble a quill. Marble nodded, and started writing.

After a few minutes, Marble handed it to Twilight. Twilight took it, and was amazed to find a perfectly organized paper, describing the wall. Twilight pulled out the planning paper and compared it to Marble's wall essay. Pinkie was right! The wall paper's writing was much more paced and careful than the planning one.

While Twilight was analyzing the papers, Marble piped up, "is that the paper detailing Snowy's death?"

Twilight looked up at her, narrowing her eyes. "Yes."

"I didn't write it. I can tell you where I found it, though," she offered.

Twilight's ears perked and her eyes widened. "Yes, please!"

"Remember when I visited Ponyville, and met you for the first time?" Marble asked.

"Yes I do."

"Well, I went to one of your friend's houses and found it there. I decided to take it. That was stupid of me, I know, but they were plans, so I thought if I took them, she would rethink it. I was wrong. I don't remember her name, though."

Twilight's eyes and mouth widened in shock, and she looked ready to cry. Were one of her friends capable of murder? Twilight looked at Pinkie, Applejack, and Limestone. None of them looked guilty. Just shocked and scared.

"I think her name was Butterfly or something," Marble continued.

Now Twilight was shaking. "F-Fluttershy...?" She didn't want to say it, fearing if it was true.

Marble gasped. "That's it!"

Twilight could barely breathe. The world was spinning. The element of kindness. A murderer. Applejack rushed to her side.

"Twilight, don't panic. Breathe," Applejack cooed.

Twilight breathed deeply, thinking she was dreaming. She looked behind her, and saw Limestone rubbing a shocked Pinkie's back. Marble looked concerned at Pinkie, but didn't move, for fear of getting in trouble.

After a few minutes, Twilight brought Marble back to her cell and leaded the three other ponies out, who were whispering to eachother.

Twilight didn't want to take part in their conversation. Her mind was still whirling. Would Fluttershy actually murder somepony? Then another question struck her mind. Was Fluttershy truly planning to kill her father?

Tapping

Big Mac looked around him. There was inky blackness. Only blackness. Suddenly, he could hear a faint Tap. Tap. Tap.

The tapping grew louder. The tapping was becoming deafening now. Tap. Tap. Tap.

Big Mac woke with a start to the white rabbit he saw when he first came to Fluttershy's cottage tapping it's foot on his ear. Big Mac slowly picked him up and put him on the ground. Angel always seemed to tap his little paw, when Big Mac was around. The stallion looked around the guest room Fluttershy let him sleep in. It was cozy. He reached for the glass of water he got the night before, which stood on the nightstand. He sat up, and sipped from it.

The stallion got up, from the bed, and left the room. "Good morning," a delicate voice came from the living room.

"Mornin," Big Mac replied.

"There are some pancakes n the kitchen for you. I made them a few minutes ago," Fluttershy said.

Big Mac felt a bit hungry. Why not? He made his way to the kitchen. Big Mac located the pancakes by the oven, and started eating them. Tap, tap, tap. The rabbit was back. Big Mac looked down. He wasn't surprised to see Angel standing at his hooves.

He finished his pancakes, and went to the living room again. Fluttershy was gone. In her place, there was a note. 'Went out to the market. I'll be back soon, I promise.' Big Mac knew she would. She seemed to fancy him. It was more obvious than the cutie mark on her flank. Despite that, when he expressed his worries for his imprisoned love, she gruffly changed the subject. Big Mac was surprised when she kept on doing it. You'd think a pony like her would care for anypony's problems.

Tap, tap, tap. Big Mac looked down. Angel tapped his paw one last time, before running towards Fluttershy's room. The rabbit stopped halfway and stared at Big Mac. Tap. Tap. The stallion followed the rabbit, as it hopped into Fluttershy's room. Big Mac felt uncomfortable, but Angel clearly wanted to show him something.

Angel hopped to a closet. He tapped his little paw on it. Big Mac walked over to it, and, with another tap from Angel, he opened it. There was nothing unusual. Just clothes used for special events. Big Mac pushed some clothes aside, and saw something white with blotches of other light colors on it. He pulled it out. A dresser?

The red stallion pulled on the handle and saw many folded scrolls. "Letters?" Big Mac was about to read the one he'd picked up, but he was stopped by a bird. It started tweeting loudly, in the living room. Angel started frantically tapping his paws. Big Mac felt like he was in danger, so he scooped up some letters, put the dresser back, and ran from the room.

The stallion swiftly hid away the letters, when he figured out why the two animals had started freaking out. He heard the front door to the cottage open.

"I'm back," Fluttershy called.

"Welcome back," Big Mac answered Fluttershy's exclamation, so she wouldn't get suspicious something was wrong. Big Mac realized that the animals all wanted him to find these and not get caught. Whatever they were, he knew it was bad.

Interrogation

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Twilight knocked her hoof slightly on Fluttershy's door. She knew she had to handle this with care, which is why she sent Rainbow Dash and Rarity home. Rainbow's brashness could affect Fluttershy's ability to answer and Rarity's dramatic personality could bring possibilities that could frighten Fluttershy. Twilight had planned to ask Limestone, Pinkie, and Applejack to stay outside since they were closer to Marble. That closeness would definitely affect the interrogation progress. Although, Twilight still hasn't told them she wished to interrogate Fluttershy alone. She feared their reactions, especially Limestone's.

The door was opened silently. There stood Fluttershy. Her questioning gaze scanned the ponies at her doorstep. She clearly had no idea why they were there. Fluttershy opened her mouth to question them, but Twilight quickly answered.

"I know you may be confused, but I would like to ask you a few questions."

Fluttershy still looked confused, but shrugged, and opened the door. As Limestone, Pinkie, and Applejack got up to follow Twilight, she stopped them.

"Please don't be mad, but you three should stay out here," Twilight said. She knew she would have to explain further, due to their angry expressions. "The fact that you three are so close to Marble, it may cause bitterness to occur, if you come. Overall, it's better for you to stay out here."

They looked angry, still, but they nodded and sat. Twilight turned back to enter Fluttershy's house. Now, Fluttershy looked more confused and a bit worried. Perhaps it was because Marble was mentioned?

As Twilight entered, she watched the yellow pegasus sit down. The alicorn did the same.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" Fluttershy asked.

"Marble. I doubt that you murdered Snowy, but you have something to do with the case, I know it."

Fluttershy looked appalled. "Y-you think I would involve myself in such a case?"

"I know, somehow, you did. I have proof," Twilight said, pulling out the paper Marble found.

Fluttershy snatched it from Twlight's hoof, and started reading it. "What does this have to do with me?"

"Marble found it in your house," the purple mare explained. "What was it doing there?"

"I don't understand. Why would this be in my house?"

"Maybe because you were involved," Twilight said, irritated by Fluttershy's poor attempt to cover whatever involvement she had here.

"My question still stands. Do you think I would involve myself in such a case? What if this was planted by the murderer to get me falsely accused? There's no motive, there's no witness, and there's barely any evidence. Also, the scrap of evidence you have amounts to almost nothing."

There was a pause. Twilight had to think. The only evidence she had against the Pegasus was the letter, but there was no evidence that Fluttershy wasn't involved. Just her claims. Twilight thought abut motives. What could be a motive for Fluttershy?

"You claim there's no motive, but there is," Twilight explained. "I've noticed the expression of pure distain when you saw Marble Pie and Big Mac together. It's no coincidence that, after she gets arrested for murder, you quickly volunteer to help him heal over the fact that Marble may not come back."

Fluttershy looked speechless. "W-what kind of friend would let another lose a loved one, and not try to make them feel better?"

"That's not the point. Your obvious expression of jealousy for Marble, added with that you are a bit too friendly towards Big Mac just points to the fact that you're involved," the purple mare explained.

Fluttershy opened her mouth to argue, but was cut off by a door being pushed open. Twilight watched, as Big Mac emerged from the room. He walked swiftly over to Twilight, holding a stack of paper in his mouth. He dropped them in front of Twilight, and simply said, "read them." Afterwards, he immediately turned around, and went back into the room.

Twilight's horn took a magenta glow, which surrounded the papers, as well. Her magic caused a bright flash. After the blinding light, Twilight stared at the papers, an unidentifiable expression on her face.

"What did you do?" Fluttershy asked, confused.

"I copied, and transferred the information on the papers into my mind. You really think I'm gong to go home and take my time to read all of these, and give a suspect of murder time to leave town? I'm not ignorant and I don't waste time."

Fluttershy looked scared. She knew the contents of those letters.

"Most of these have you writing to an unknown pony, speaking of your raging jealousy for Marble. Who?" Twilight asked.

"I-I can't tell," she answered, backing away in fright.

"This is no joke Fluttershy. Whoever you're protecti-"

"I'm not protecting anyone!" Fluttershy exclaimed. "W-well, sort of. I don't want to protect them, but I have no choice. Th-they threatened me."

Twilight was shocked for a moment. "F-Fluttershy, you know we'll protect you, right? They can't get you."

"Yes they can! They can be anywhere at anytime!" Fluttershy started shaking, a look of realization flashing across her face. "E-even right here, listening."

"I'm sure that no one's here," Twilight pointed out, but was a bit creeped out by how seriously Fluttershy was about this whole situation. "Let's not forget that I'm one of the most magical ponies in Equestria. I can protect you, if you need it, but you need to tell me who this pony is and your involvement in this."

Fluttershy took a deep breath, and started her explanation, "After I had realized my jealousy for Marble, I had tried to ignore it. I just couldn't, though. One day, I got a letter in my mail. It came from a mare called Sword Stance. She saw that I felt pain from them. She manipulated me. She told me instead of living through the pain, I could embrace it as an advantage to get what I want. When I read all of that in the letter, it sounded true. It sounded logical, so I believed it. The letter ended out with a request to destroy it, since it contained her name, so I did. We returned letters back and fourth, planning, scheming. My involvement was getting information, gathering evidence against Marble, and keeping everything a secret. So, just denying evidence against me or Sword and getting things like hair samples from Marble to leave on the crime scene. After Snowy was dead, and Marble was arrested, Sword Stance stopped being as empathetic and caring as she had seemed to be. She threatened if I gave anything away, an accident beyond anyone's imagination would occur. I was so scared to risk anything, I kept silent. I feel like my knowledge on Marble was used by a crazed maniac, who cares for no one but herself. What have I done?"

All of this was so hard to take in. Fluttershy, the accomplice. Sword Stance, the unknown murderer. Lies. Jealousy. Manipulation. How could they catch the murderess? Where would this all lead to? Would anything ever be the same? So many more questions were inspired by this information. So many more questions than answers. Despite this, Twilight knew one thing. Sword Stance would come back. If Fluttershy was right about her ability to be anywhere, she would take revenge for Fluttershy's telling. Twilight then knew what she would do. Set a trap. Although, Fluttershy couldn't know.

"Fluttershy, considering the situation and the potential danger of Sword Stance coming here," Twilight said, teleporting a strange looking communication device with a shield-shaped button on it. "I give you this. All you have to do is press the button, and say 'danger', and guards will be here In seconds." Twilight handed it to her.

Fluttershy nodded. "Anything else?"

"Yes, there is. I wish to take Big Mac home, as Sword may attempt to hurt him, and I'm not risking that. At his home, I will give him one of those. If you wish to know why I must take him home for this, it is simply because he knows his own home better than yours, and knows of any hidden defense weapons or secret emergency exits. This should be no inconvenience to you, as it will be much safer there."

A look of hurt flashed across Fluttersh's face, but it was replaced with understanding. "It's no inconvenience," she echoed.

Twilight guided Big Mac out, waving a 'bye' at Fluttershy. She instructed Pinkie, Applejack, and Limestone to go to Sweet Apple Acres, and gave them each the device. She watched them go, and, when she was sure they were gone, made herself invisible. She walked carefully and slowly back to Fluttershy's cottage. She was about to teleport, but thought about how it always made a loud noise when she teleported. Instead, she quietly opened a window, and let herself in. Fluttershy was walking into her bedroom. Twilight found a place where she could see inside, and she got comfortable. The alicorn silently waited, keeping watch.

The Lookout's Duty

Twilight could barely keep her eyes open. It had been 3 hours, with no activity. Just a sleeping Fluttershy. A few moments of thinking made Twilight want to leave. She had prepared to get up, before hearing a sound. It sounded like a loud tapping, then a smash. Twilight heard Fluttershy gasp, clearly alerted by the ruckus. Twilight looked to the door. It looked fine, but was cruelly pushed open. There, stood a pony, with a shiny, curved object in her mouth. It slightly reflected the waxing moon, before being spit out of the pony's mouth, with a small clink on the floor. Twilight watched the pony. In the darkness, she could make out that the pony's pelt was a brownish color, and she had some sort of metal headgear on her head, which covered all of her face, mane, and neck, except her glowing, amber, eyes. Her red and magenta tail was cut short, and she also had a scabbard strapped on her left flank. The end of it had a handle coming out. Twilight automatically knew who this intruder was.

Sword Stance!

Sword Stance looked around, an angered fire in her eyes. She spotted the bedroom in which Fluttershy sat, most likely cowering in fear, and walked close to it. Twilight looked back into Fluttershy's bedroom, surprised to see the pegasus had vanished. Twilight was confused. She hadn't seen Fluttershy come out. The brown swordsmare advanced on the door. She quickly walked in, ready to attack. Suddenly, as she entered, Twilight heard a loud bang, as a black object hit Sword's headgear. The intruder let out an amused cackle, and jumped from where the object came from. Twilight heard a terrified shriek, from Fluttershy.

Twilight, still invisible, ran up to the door to see what happened. She saw Sword Stance on top of Fluttershy, holding her, now unsheathed, sword to Fluttershy's neck. Fluttershy was clutching something in her hoof. It looked to be a frying pan.

"Silly little filly," Sword hissed, a bit annoyed. "My headgear had better not be dented because of your petty attempt at saving yourself. It's not meant for your poor excuse of a weapon." As the pony spoke, Twilight could see small droplets of spit come out with her words.

Fluttershy looked surprisingly smug. Suddenly, Twilight remembered.

The Safety Device!

Twilight was relieved. Although, the guards should've been there by now. Well, it didn't matter. Twilight had to help Fluttershy. Now.

A magenta beam erupted from Twilight's horn, hitting the murderer. Fluttershy ran out of the room, not knowing what had happened. Sword Stance pulled herself up, clearly angered by the assault.

"Come out, you piece of dung!" Sword challenged. "Did that wimpy pegasus hire you? Are you a royal guard? Whoever you are, I'll kill you! Just face me, like a true warrior."

Twilight was considering it, until she had thought it over. This wasn't a duel. This was stopping a murderer. She shot again, hitting Sword again.

"So, unicorn, you want to duel unfairly? Fine by me!" Sword Stance readied her sword and lunged to where Twilight stood, barely missing her, after the alicorn jumped away.

As Twilight panted, Sword Stance kept on striking towards her with the sword. The alicorn silently cursed her exhaustion which gave away her location. The brown pony turned to Twilight, as fast as lightning. Before Twilight could think of moving, Sword's hooves had tripped Twilight, causing her to flop onto her side. The murderer held Twilight's, still invisible, body down with a hoof. With the other, she held the sword close to Twilight's throat. Similar to the position in which the sword was when Sword was pinning her down.

"Reveal yourself, unicorn. I want to see your face before I decapitate you."

Twilight didn't want to give her face away to this psycho. She prepared to teleport, but Sword Stance's hoof covered her horn swiftly.

"Don't even try your teleportation spell, coward. Ya know, I'll jut kill you and look at your face when you're dead," the murderous pony hissed menacingly, bringing the sword closer and closer towards Twilight's fur.

Now the purple pony was flailing her hooves and body, attempting to free herself. Sword Stance's left hoof was the one supporting her. It was also the hoof that was holding Twilight down. Twilight struggled and struggled, trying to free herself from the strong grip in the, slightly armored, brown hoof.

For a moment, Sword Stance raised her hoof slightly. Twilight immediately attempted to get up, but was intercepted by Sword's hoof. The metal shoe that armored the bottom section of her hoof caused Twilight to fall back to the spot she was in. The room spun slightly, and Twilight felt a lot of pressure in the area. She felt like she was on the brink of passing out. The alicorn looked to Sword Stance, and saw the brown pony looking at her face. Twilight looked to her hooves. She could see them! The spell must have stopped, when Twilight got hit in the head.

"Ah, the princess of friendship. What a wonderful way to m-" Sword Stance had stopped. There were multiple voices and hoof steps coming from the living room. Sword Stance cursed under her breath, and quickly ran to a roll of tape. She laid her burning gaze on Twilight. The alicorn stared back, very frightened. She squirmed backward, still very confused from the hit. Quickly, Sword Stance ran to Twilight, covering her horn, mouth, wings, and hooves in the tape. The pony stared for a moment, then turned to the closet in Fluttershy's room. Sword Stance quickly pulled out a large filing cabinet. The pony slammed the bedroom door and blocked it with the cabinet. Immediately, Twilight heard pounding hoof steps coming towards the door. Harsh knocking came from the other side, as well as a deep voice, demanding, "Royal guard. Come out immediately!"

"We will use brute force, if required," another voice said, in the same tone.

"Not if you wish to see your wittle Ponyvillle Princess in one piece, you won't," Sword Stance replied, adding a fake accent to her voice.

"Princess Twilight?" The guards asked, in unison, not expecting to find that Twilight was a hostage. "L-Let her go, immediately!"

Sword Stance turned to Fluttershy's bedside desk. She pulled out a piece of paper and a quill from a drawer. "I will, I will," she answered, clearly not paying much attention to anything but her paper and whatever she was writing.

The guards were silent now. Most likely thinking of ways to convince Sword to let Twilight go. Twilight started to squirm toward the door, hoping to somehow budge the cabinet. Sword Stance put the quill down and turned. The purple pony expected to see anger in her eyes, but was surprised to see two innocent, golden, eyes staring at her.

"So hopeful. It's truly unbelievable how you believe you could possibly escape." After that, her gaze turned cold. "It's too bad hope will get you nothing, but pain. The earth pony slowly walked toward Twilight, her movements swift, yet calm. Her gaze was still cool, but, like her movements, had a certain calmness to it. She stopped next to Twilight, whom looked up in fear. Sword picked her right hoof off the ground, as if she were preparing to step, but quickly slammed it down, aiming for Twilight's head.

Everything went black.

Below

Twilight gained consciousness, her eyes still closed. She suddenly felt a rush of pain in her head, and remembered what happened. Twilight, distracted by the pain of Sword Stance's hit, didn't realize that she wasn't laying on Fluttershy's floor, but rather, something softer. She struggled to open her eyes, expecting Fluttershy's cottage, but found herself in an unknown room. It was a darkly colored room, which was lit by a small lamp, on a table across the room. There were no doors or windows. She looked downwards, finding the soft thing she was laying on was a white sheet, decorated with flower imprints. Once she was aware of her surroundings, Twilight attempted to teleport home, but found it didn't work. She put her hoof to her horn, finding nothing out of the ordinary. The alicorn assumed it was due to her injury from Sword Stance. She pulled herself onto her hooves, and walked around, examining the seemingly exit-less room.

"So curious, aren't you?" Sword Stance's voice asked. Twilight turned around, ready to challenge the earth pony. She was surprised to find nothing there.

"What the-?"

"It's a speaker. You'd think somepony with your intelligence would be a bit less dull, and think more on her hooves," Sword Stance said.

Twilight had no patience with this villain anymore. "Let me go! You can't keep me here forever. I'm sure the princesses have already sent search parties."

"They can search all they please. They won't find us. Not here," Sword Stance explained.

"What do you mean they won't find us? The princess will send out no less than her best investigators to find me," she argued, knowing how close she was with Celestia.

"Oh, don't fear, she has. It's just that not many ponies even know the place we are exists."

"What? That's not possible! The princess knows everywhere in Equestria," the alicorn protested. "W-We are in Equestria, right?"

"Of course we are. We're just in an unknown area of Equestria," she answered.

Twilight couldn't believe any of this. She just wanted to go home. She noticed her head pain had faded quite a lot since she woke up. The alicorn again attempted to teleport away, failing once more. She cursed under her breath.

"Ah, so I see you want to leave? How rude to try and leave so early. You just got here," the earth pony taunted. "How about I show you around the facility?"

"Wait, what?" Twilight asked, confused.

"I'm going to show you around. You're going t be staying in this place for a long time, so I may as well."

Twilight couldn't believe what she was hearing. All she had to do was find an exit, and sneak away. "I would love to be shown around. Thank you."

"Fine, then. Give me a moment."

After a few minutes, Twilight heard a strange noise coming from a wall behind her. Afterward, a small section of the wall was pushed open, like a door. Standing in the opening was Sword Stance, who was now armor-less. Her pelt looked dark beige, and her mane, which was styled similarly to the Pie sister's usual flatness, was magenta and red. As for her cutie mark, it was a large feather. Twilight had no idea what it meant. The alicorn's gaze rose to Sword's amber eyes. She glared at Twilight, as if challenging her to try to escape.

"Follow me," the earth pony invited, a deep rasp in her voice Twilight hadn't heard before. "And don't even think of trying to use magic or fly. You won't be able." The purple pony had logic, and knew Sword Stance was very dangerous, so she complied. The two entered a hallway.

"I can't help but notice your cutiemark isn't a sword. Isn't using a sword your special talent?" Twilight asked, hoping to get answers, as well as start a conversation.

"Nope. My talent is something much different. You'll know more about that later. For now, you get to see my home," Sword Stance explained, leading Twilight out of the hallway, and into an open room. It had a eight other ponies in it, who were talking. "These ponies live with me. They'll be interested to meet you."

Twilight now had many doubts. They all looked like normal ponies, but they were friends with Sword Stance, whom was clearly not stable.

As the two ponies made themselves known in the room, the talking group of ponies stopped, noticing Sword was with an alicorn!

"Who is she," One voice asked.

"Why did you bring a princess," Another asked.

"How did you ponynap a princess," Many asked.

"I understand you all are very curious, but I can only answer one at a time! Be patient!" Sword demanded, clearly showing her dominance over the eight ponies. "This is Princess Twilight, of Ponyville. She attempted to stop me in my attempt to get vengeance on the puny pegasus who betrayed me! After that, I simply knocked her out and brought her here," Sword's last sentence was full of mocking, as if knocking out and ponynapping a princess is a worthy thing to show off.

Twilight looked back at the group of ponies. They looked angry at her. The ponies were angry she'd stopped a murder! How could anypony in their right mind be loyal to Sword and her ways, like these ponies were?!

Sword Stance noticed their anger, and tried to cease it. "Worry not, friends. Don't forget she's our prisoner," She turned to Twilight, a threatening gleam in her eyes. "This means if she dares to try anything to oppose me, she will be severely punished."

The alicorn's thoughts of escape ceased. As she'd been walking and listening, she hadn't seen any kind of windows or doors to escape out of. To add to that, she had now been threatened. What am I going to do? Twilight thought to herself, panicking.

"Now, follow me," the earth pony demanded, snapping Twilight from her thoughts. "I'm taking you back to your room." She turned back towards the door.

"M-My room?"

Sword Stance sighed heavily, as if Twilight's question exasperated her. "The room you were just in! I didn't think you were this dull!"

That comment provoked Twilight. She began ranting, "Stop treating me as if I'm lower than you! I've accomplished feats demented and cruel minds, like yours, couldn't hope to imagine! I am not dull! I am not stupid! I'm worried and confused! How would you feel if you were taken to a place against your will by a psychopath who has no empathy for other living creatures?!"

Twilight heard a gasp from one of the group of ponies in the room. She looked at them, seeing shocked looks on their faces. She turned back to Sword Stance, who had now turned around. She looked malicious. Twilight had now realized how badly she'd messed up.

"Why don't you get it? You are below me! I don't care what you've done for Equestria! It doesn't matter. Not in here. Also, from what I know of, your feats in Equestria have had you taken to places against your will by other psychopaths. I figured you would be used to it by now. Also, you're completely correct in calling me a 'psychopath who has no empathy for others', because I don't! If I did, that would develop into guilt. That guilt would develop into weakness. I have no weakness, so I have no guilt or empathy. It's too bad for victims like you, as I don't care if you suffer or not. I just care to get my work done and always win in the end," Sword Stance explained, leaving Twilight feeling helpless. "Now, I recommend you do as you are told, or I will punish you with injury, instead of lecture, next time."

The purple alicorn now felt no hope. She had hoped to find a way out, using empathy as her weapon. Now, that was down the drain. Her only hope was to be let out. Twilight nodded, letting the beige pony know she understood.

Sword Stance smiled mischievously. "Good. Now follow me to your room."

Freed

Marble Pie, whom looked completely ungroomed, due to being in the dungeon, pulled herself from the small, uncomfortable bed that the dungeon was supplied. The day before, she had been finally visited by members of her family, although, it was only for her to tell Twilight Sparkle of her innocence in the crime she'd been falsely accused of. Right after, the group had left, leaving Marble to her loneliness once more.

The gray pony walked to the center of the cell, and sat, waiting for someone to come. She didn't care who. Seeing her family had given her hope of another visit. Whether it was from one of the Pies, the Apples, one of her friends. Heck, she would accept a visit from a pony she didn't know. Just the thought of seeing and talking with another pony would bring her happiness that no pony could describe.

After sitting for an hour, Marble heard multiple hoofsteps coming down the stairs, which led to the dungeons. She gasped expectantly, and rushed to the cell door, hoping to see somepony familiar. Her smile faded when she saw that it was just a few royal guards. Although, her curiosity grew when she'd realized that they didn't have food for the prisoners. She was confused because, usually, when guards came down to the dungeons, it was to feed the prisoners.

She was shocked to find that the guards had moved to her cell, and were surrounding the door. By this time, she'd backed up, fearing that her time had run out. She just remembered that she'd been sentenced to execution, and was panicking. The door was opened, and the guards came in, trying to calm her down.

The earth pony, scared for her life, didn't stop. One guard told her to stop, explaining that wasn't going to be executed. Marble stopped, trying to process what he'd meant. The guards soon led her out of the cell, bringing her upstairs. She'd hadn't been on these stairs since she'd been imprisoned. The gray pony calmly followed them, as they led her to the Princess' Quarters.

Marble hadn't felt fear anymore. Now that she was allowed to talk to the princesses she could explain her innocence! Although, the mare hadn't expected that both princesses would go up to her, and explain how she'd been found as innocent. The two had quickly explained how Pinkie, Limestone, Applejack, and Fluttershy had defended her and showed evidence to prove it. They had also apologized, terribly sad about the whole situation and it's outcome. Marble was shocked when she'd heard that Fluttershy was an accomplice. She'd seemed so gentle. Can jealousy really drive somepony to that kind of extreme? Who was this 'Sword Stance' that Fluttershy had said led the whole plot? What did she do with, the now missing, Twilight Sparkle?

Marble was let out of the castle, escorted by the princesses, whom apologized one last time before watching Marble leave. The gray pony was still deep in thought, as she was grabbed by her sister's pink hooves, and pulled into an embrace. She had been snapped out of her thoughts, and saw Pinkie, Limestone, and Applejack. They'd waited for her to be let out. She felt Limestone and Applejack's hooves join Pinkie's, wrapped around Marble. The, now freed, pony sighed, and hugged them back, grateful to be out, letting herself briefly forget about all that had just happened.