“Why are we heading back to town if you already know where our next stop is?”

“We need permission from Lord Swaine in order to enter the mines and catacombs”

Spike and True Shot walked through the night as they made their way back to town. They had left Silky Sweet’s manor after Spike had identified the substance and stated where they needed to investigate next. Silky argued with the Captain for an hour about staying for dinner and for the night. In any other circumstances True Shot might have stayed but the fact that Spike had a time limit before executed rendered the opportunity invalid. Not to mention the fact that in just a day the seemingly dangerous beast had found more than one piece of crucial evidence towards the case.

“Listen, Spike.”

“Whoa, what’s with the respect in your voice? That came out of nowhere.”

“Shut up.”

“There we go. That’s the sourpuss I know. Anyways, what’s up?”

“I want to take this time to say that I believe you about not being responsible for the murders. Granted, I did suspect you in the beginning but the fact remains you’ve done more with the limitations put on you than the guards have in weeks.”

“I’m doing what I need to in order to live Captain. I don’t deserve such praise, it’s completely for selfish reasons.”

“Selfish or not; I want to thank for what you are doing and I apologize for my harsh treatment. If you can promise me that you won’t try anything then I promise to keep my crossbow back until I need it.”

“I promise. Thank you, Captain.”

“You’re welcome. Now, stick out your arms. I need to put the cuffs on you again before we enter town. Oh, and don’t mind the rest of the guards. Once this is all over and the criminal is caught, I’ll try my best to put in a good word.”

“If we catch him or it. Right now all we have to go on is the next location and two strange marble things. Frankly, with only two days left, even I’m starting to get nervous about all of this.”

“I never thought I’d live to see the day when a dragon got nervous around ponies.”

Spike smiled sadly and looked towards the horizon as the town came into view. He put forth his writs and the iron clamped down.

“Anyone would be nervous when they only have so long to live… Anyone…”

The Captain called out to the guards on post as they reached the gate and it slowly started to open. The guards that had previously been in charge of Spike along with True Shot came into view as gate lifted from its position. They raced forward and clamped more chains on his legs and neck. Two extra guards joined the Captain with crossbows of their own and stayed behind them. True Shot took point just in front of Spike and they walked through the streets. The few ponies that were still present as the sun went down were the ones that enjoyed the night life. They would work the stalls selling their wares for any of the guards that had night shifts and put out extra stools for the ponies that joined them in their talks. There were ponies that washed and combed the streets for debris every night to prepare for the morning and keep things sanitary. Mares of the night that would lure any of the dwellers or workers to spend coin on them or their stalls.

The streets were as lively at night as they were in the morning for the town, if not more so. However, tonight, everything stopped as the chains resounded through the alleys and stone paths. The houses were all lit as the procession of guards trudged forward with their prisoner. The ponies watched on as Spike followed without resistance. He would occasionally glance at the stalls only to have the ponies that were gawking run in terror. He saw them wear the same expressions other ponies made when meeting him for the first time. The same expressions the few ponies that were awake when he left the town wore. Only, these were different than any other time he got them. These looks were of true fear and disgust. Where the rest of the ponies of Equestria only feared him for not ever seeing him. They would quickly forget about what he was due to the knowledge of the Princesses regarding him as an important individual.

These ponies knew nothing of the Princesses and that meant they knew nothing of him helping the elements of harmony. It meant that no matter what he did or say nothing would change their minds about what he was. A blood thirsty, dangerous, pony eating monster; he thought back to his meeting with Silky Sweet and realized that, while many of these ponies would never change their opinion, there were at least some that tried to understand him. It gave him hope that he might indeed be welcomed here at some point.

His train of thought was disrupted as a rock hit him in the face. It didn’t hurt but it had caught him unaware and made him flinch reflexively. The chains shook as the guards were pulled slightly closer to him. They panicked and pulled back on their ends forcing him to the ground. The armed guards readied their crossbows and took aim. The citizens that took that first rock as a signal threw more rocks in his direction. They started to yell as the guards sported smiles at each impact made. He could hear the Captain ordering his squad to stand down and to put away their weapons but it was mostly drowned out by the yelling of the crowds.

“Monster!”

“Filthy Savage!”

“Give me back my son!”

“Give me back my father!”

“Throw more stones! Aim for his eyes!”

“What are the guards doing?! Kill the beast!”

“Kill it!”

“Kill the beast!”

“Kill the beast! Kill the beast! Kill the beast! Kill the beast! Kill the beast!”

The ponies were stomping and working into a frenzy as more and more stones were being thrown. The whole time during this Spike didn’t move an inch. He simply watched as they kept shouting at him. Their faces contorted with a mixture of fear and pure anger. The guards ignoring True Shot’s words and sky beginning to grow darker and darker. It would have easy for him to break free. He could throw the guards away with pure strength, use his flames to melt the chains or even just use them on the ponies. However, he didn’t do any of those options; he was taught better by Twilight and the girls. He knew what sorts of consequences him breaking free would bring. So he simply knelt in the street and took the brunt of their hysteria. It wasn’t until a thunderous sound echoed through the town that everyone went silent.

Spike tried to look in the direction it came from and watched as familiar figure came into view. Surrounded on all sides by elite guardians who commanded even more authority than the guards holding his chains. The mare walked past him and stood in front as True Shot joined her side at once. Silky Sweet looked at Spike briefly and smiled his way before turning her face back to the crowds and adopting a mask he knew all too well from his time around the Princesses.

“Enough! How dare you call yourselves civilized earth ponies when you treat him this way! We don’t know whether or not he is responsible for anything that has happened these past weeks!”

“But Madam Sweet, that thing is dragon. It couldn’t have been anything else!”

“Do you think I’m blind?! I know he’s a dragon and I know what he is capable of unlike the rest of you! Do you think that a dragon would just sit around taking the brunt of your violent actions without retaliating?! Do you think that the fact chains are on him means you’re safe?!”

The ponies surrounding the them started to murmur and back away slightly.

“Spike?”

“Yes, Madam Sweet?”

“Show them.”

“But…”

“Now!”

Spike stood up and the guards panicked as they were being pulled closer. They tried to get him on his knees once more but failed. Everypony watched as snapped the chains off his wrists and neck and melted the ones on his legs. He threw them off and stood next to Captain True Shot who backed away from Silky Sweet. The ponies that had once been livid were now shaking and panicking as they watched him easily break the only things that caused them to have a boost in courage.

“Do you see?! Do you see how easily he could have done that? Do you see how he only did it when I asked? He is not a monster! He is a living being! He might be a prisoner but that does not mean he is the one responsible for the deaths of ponies lately. This gathering is finished! All of you disburse and return to what you were doing before!”

Murmurs were once more being exchanged through the air as the ponies started to separate. Some stayed behind as other just left to go about their business. It wasn’t until Silky stomped the ground and caused a quake that the rest ran away. She took a moment as her personal guard finished keeping any other pony away from the three in the middle and sent the town guards back to their posts.

“I’m sorry about that Spike. I didn’t expect them to do anything like that. Tensions have been high ever since the first murder and the walls have done nothing to dissuade such things going on inside of town. On behalf of the ponies in this town, I apolo…”

True Shot stopped her from bowing and shook his head as she searched for why he had done so.

“Madam Sweet, thank you. If everyone was as kind as you then there would be less sadness in the world. However, don’t apologize to me about anything. This much is something I can handle and for someone of your standing to apologize to a “beast” it will only hurt your standing among your ponies.”

“He’s right Lady Sweet, for your sake and for his, don’t do something that could lead to a misunderstanding or used to fuel the fires.”

“Fine, I won’t say anything else about the matter. I will, however, accompany the both of you to my brother’s mansion. I have need to talk to the lout about why he insists on keeping me locked up. Now, come along. We need to get there soon or I’ll be missing a few hours of beauty sleep this night.”

The group walked through the streets without any more incidents. They were only victims of the occasional glance and shout from those that were otherwise occupied to be in the crowd that formed. The path to the Lord’s manor was a relatively short one, the only problem was that it consisted of going through many winding roads to reach the center of town. Much like the one Silky Sweet lived in, the Lord’s manor was encased in a wall practically identical to the other. The only difference between then was that there was no back garden as it was all within the town. The manor itself was twice as big as the one they came from, whether it was built that way or remodeled by the current owner no one could say as it looked new yet ancient.

They were met at the gate by a butler and several other guards that matched the ones following Silky. They took over for the ones Silky brought with her and continued on with the butler leading the way. As Silky and the Captain entered the manor, the guards that were following them pounced on Spike and shackled him. True Shot and Silky turned only to be stopped as several more guards appeared. Spike didn’t resist and just lay face down on the ground with several hooves pressing up against his back.

“I really wish you’d stop acting on your own my dear sister.”

The guards and butler stood firm and everyone else turned (some better than others) to face the stallion coming down the steps with a maid carrying a tray with glasses and what appeared to be some form of alcohol. Dressed much like when Spike first met him he watched as his guards tied up the dragon.

“Swaine! You let him go right now!”

“You know I can’t do that.”

“Swaine, I swear if you don’t let him go right now…”

“You’ll do what?! I think you’re forgetting who you’re talking to dear sister. I am the Lord of this place and my word is law! Now, get inside and ready yourself for dinner. I must speak with the Captain.”

“Swaine!”

“Silky Sweet! Now!”

She backed away at the yell and walked past him going upstairs to get ready but not before taking one of the glasses on the tray and smashing it on the ground. Several maids came at once to clean the mess and some went after Silky to cater to her. Swaine walked closer to the two left behind and looked past True Shot at the captive.

“I heard of what Silky did in town. Damn idiot could have gotten herself caught up in that mess.”

“She’s the same as ever.”

“Silence True Shot. I want to know why you let it happen.”

“She’s my Lord’s sister. I can’t rightly go against her wishes; it’ll be the same as disobeying your orders.”

“Typical, you were always quick to find an excuse.” Swaine took a sip of his glass and walked towards Spike still pinned to the ground.

“I know from what I’ve heard of the incident in town that you can just as easily break free. However, I trust you understand what’ll happen in case you do?”

“I understand…”

“That’s a good beast. Now, Captain!”

“Yes, Milord?”

“I want an update on the investigation.”

“We’ve found clues that were otherwise unknown to us at the first crime scene and one important lead at the manor Lady Sweet resides.”

“What are these clues and the lead?”

“They are marble sized items that have the properties similar to dry ice and the lead is the compound known as Calcium Carbide.”

“What in blazes is Calcium Carbide?”

“It’s what leaves that metallic smell at the scenes. It’s typically used in the production of steel or as a fuel substance for Carbide Lamps.” Spike said trying to move his head to the side to speak clearly.

“And how do you know that?”

“I was taught a lot of things at an early age by a Princess and have an excellent memory.”

“Again with these Princesses. Enough, Captain True Shot to what do I owe this unwanted intrusion?”

“Sir, we came to request permission to access the mines and catacombs near the southern forest. We believe that we should be able to find more conclusive evidence towards what is happening in our town.”

“We?”

“Milord?”

“Captain, I trust you aren’t getting friendly with the prisoner. I would hate to see one of my best soldiers be tempted into colluding with such a monstrosity. Remember that if he doesn’t prove he isn’t responsible he will be executed without remorse and I’ll make sure you’re the one to carry it out.”

“Yes… Milord.”

A foal came by with writing tools on a tray and stood firm as Lord Swaine wrote a few words and stamped the document. He shoved the paper at True Shot who took it firmly and bowed.

“Go at once. Keep me updated on your progress and if you need permission for anything else let the guards at the town gate know before you come back with this… thing.”

“By your leave.”

The Lord turned and disappeared inside the manor as the doors closed. The guards hauled Spike outside and exchanged the chains with Silky’s guards who allowed him to stand before heading outside the town. True Shot followed in silence the whole way. They didn’t encounter any forms of aggression from the populace on their way out and arrived outside with ease. The chains were undone and the guards headed back towards the manor leaving True Shot alone once again with Spike.

“Don’t you just love that guy?”

“Let’s get going. We don’t have the luxury of wasting time.”

“Normally I would agree with you but why are you rushing? I’m the one that’s going to die.”

“Yes, and I am the one carrying it out. I would rather not have it come to that.” The Captain took out a lamp and tried to light it. He was starting to get frustrated until a small green wisp flew inside and lit the lamp. “Thanks.”

“No. Thank you, Captain. Let’s go catch us a murderer.”

They headed south passing by the wall under the eyes of several guards as the two figures were illuminated in the eerie green glow of the lamp.

Author's Note

Working on this story is a delight and I try and take what I do here into consideration when I write any other stories with OCs because I'm still new to the whole character building from scratch thing.

As always, thank you for taking the time to read my story. Please leave a comment or critique below as any critique helps me grow as a writer. Have a great day!