The Doctor of Death

The coroner's office was cold, as it must be to preserve the bodies of the ponies. Well it was just one body but that body was the most important. Twilight felt a chill run through her fur, it was the first time that she had ever seen a body; Spike however took off his suit jacket and put on a lab coat, then he hung up his hat on a rack and put on blue latex gloves over his claws.

“Twilight could you please hand me my suitcase?” Spike requested and Twilight used her magic to set it down on a tray next to him.

“Sorry if I’m apprehensive it’s just-”

Spike cut off Twilight, “There’s no need to explain, the first time I saw a cadaver it shocked me. I’m not going to pressure you if you are uncomfortable, though if you are going to help you’re going to need a closer look in order to reach logical conclusions.” Spike took a penlight out of his suitcase and opened the eye and looked at the gray eye of pony. “Hmm, no visible damage to the eyeball or the soft tissue around the eye which suggest that the suspect either attacked from behind or surprised the victim.”

Twilight stepped closer and closer looking over his shoulder. “What do you mean?”

“Occasionally the suspect will attack the eyes in attempt to keep the victim from seeing their faces.” A new voice added as a pony walked in. “Good afternoon Dr. Gilspotten. I’m Dr. Steady Cut. It’s a pleasure of mine to meet the Doctor of Death himself. May I ask who this is?” He motioned to Twilight.

“She is my current assistant, I’m used to having someone to assist me during my investigations.” Spike said. “We’ve already signed the disclosures from the Chief so she is allowed to go where I go. Have you determined the cause of death yet?”

“I have a suggestion, do you see the contusions and the impressions surrounding the neck. I have a feeling that the suspect tried to kill him by choking him, but finished him off using a weapon. I reason it was a chain or rope.”

“It’s too thin to be a chain so I would say a rope, because of you look closer there is smaller impressions within the markings.” Spike observed. “Was there any signs of a struggle?”

“Yes, but there was nothing conclusive. There are impressions and contusions on the back suggesting that the suspect killed him from behind.”

“Spike?” Twilight asked.

“Yes Twilight?”

“I think I’ve got a lead.” She said.

“How so?”

“Well around two weeks ago Applejack was complaining that her rodeo rope was missing. Do you think that the pony that stole it could have killed the victim with the same rope?”

“It’s possible, do you know where Applejack was when the victim was killed?”

“We were having a slumber party at the library we were there for the whole weekend.” Twilight said.

“Excuse me, do you mind if I ask that we get back to the victim?” Dr. Cut asked.

“Of course, is there anything else notable about the victim?”

“The angle of the contusions suggest that the suspect was taller than the victim and the suspect seems to be much stronger. I’d assume an earth pony, or a pony that at least knows how to defend themselves.” Dr. Cut said.

“Thank you Dr. Cut. I trust that you have already processed the body?”

“To my fullest extent.” He nodded. “I’m also to inform you that you are to meet with Detective Nightstalker after your examination of the body.”

Spike took off his gloves and the lab coat, and put his other things back on. “Do you mind if I keep my tools in here Dr. Cut?”

“It’d be my honor, I have a place to put them if you don’t mind?”

“Not at all.” Spike said while taking his hat off the rack. “Come along Twilight.”

Twilight followed Spike and thought to herself. “Hey Spike?”

“Yes?” Spike didn’t turn to face her.

“For what it’s worth, I’m sorry.” When she finished saying that Spike paused in his stride.

“Twilight, can we please discuss this later. I don’t mean to be rude but when I’m on a case I can’t get my personal feelings mixed up with this, it keeps me from thinking clearly.”

Twilight acknowledged his mindset and nodded. “That’s fine, as long as we don’t put it off. I really do want to discuss what happened between us when you left.”

“Sure thing.” Spike sighed. “May we continue now?”

“Lead the way doctor.” Twilight suggested.

Spike started to continue his stride. The pair walked up to the desk of Detective Misty Nightstalker. “Detective Nightstalker?”

The purple maned thestral looked up at the Doctor and Librarian with her teal eyes. “You must be Dr. Gilspotten and Ms. Sparkle.” She stood up and reached out her hand. “Pleasure to meet you both.”

Spike shook her hand as well as Twilight. “I must admit I’ve never seen a bat-pony in Ponyville before. My apologies if I offended you.” Spike said as he sat down in front of her desk.

“I take no offense to that at all, bat-pony just helps the others to differentiate between. I do know that some of us prefer to be called thestrals but I take no offense to either term. Now onto the business at hand, I know that the Chief has already had you sign the disclosures and all that stuff but I have a few personal rules if you don’t mind.”

“Please proceed.” Twilight said.

“First thing I ask is that you don’t undermine me; as in don’t go against any standard procedure during the investigation. The second thing is that, I’m not strictly by the book, you can ask your own questions and reach your own conclusions and when off duty I like to be referred to as Misty.” She said. “The last thing is that if I tell you to stay put, please PLEASE follow my orders. I’ve had a lot of partners injured and almost killed because they didn’t listen to me, I’ve been a police officer for 10 years and a detective for five of those years.”

“Of course Detective you are in charge, though if I have a concern I will bring it straight to you.” Spike nodded.

“Here’s a copy of the case file. I trust you to not disclose any information within. But I want you to swear to me.”

“We swear to not disclose any sensitive information.” Twilight said as she took the case file, Spike nodded and they both got up.

“We will return to the library and start our investigation. If we need to question anyone we will contact you.” Spike concluded.

“That’s fine, I’m glad to have you two on board; especially you doctor.” Misty said.

The pair got up and were escorted out of the precinct by the detective, and then they walked to the library. “Where do you want to put the evidence?” Twilight inquired

“The library basement, which means that we have to move all the books in the library system out of the basement.” Spike walked alongside Twilight.

“I might need your help.”

“I will be glad to lend a hand.” Spike said when they reached the library. Twilight opened the door to see the other Element bearers within.

“Hi Spike!” Pinkie said.

“Hello Pinkie. May I ask what you girls are doing here?”

“Twilight left a note and a key asking us to take care of the library today.” Rarity answered. “We had no prior engagements so we accepted.”

“Twilight the files please?” Spike asked and Twilight handed it over.

“Is that-” Pinkie started.

“It’s confidential Pinkie, only Twilight and I are allowed to view these files.” Spike cut her off.

“Okay.” Pinkie sighed.

Spike walked down to the basement with the others in tow. Twilight looked around and grimaced. “I admit, I could use your girls help with the basement.”

Spike set aside some filing cabinets and put the files in them then locked the cabinet with keys that Twilight levitated over to him. “Alright girls let’s get started.” Applejack clapped her hands together. The girls all helped clean out the basement and get everything organized.

Time passed and soon the basement was much cleaner that it was when it started, and Spike looked around the girls soon left except for Twilight who just stood there. “Spike. I wanted to apologize.”

“What for?”

“Everything. I mistreated you as a friend, I’m not going to cry over it but I did have Celestia’s assistance and she helped me see how you felt. Or at least gave me a perspective of how you might have felt.”

Spike took a deep breath. “I admit that I did feel used, going day after day not being acknowledged for my accomplishments. It really hurt Twilight, and I still feel a little pain from that but I’ve mostly moved on.”

“How have your cooking skills been?” Twilight asked. “I really missed your cooking Spike.”

“I didn’t come back to be your personal chef.” Spike smirked. “Though I don’t mind for old times sake.” Spike walked back up the stairs and Twilight followed after him shutting off the lights. Spike cooked supper and his cooking skills were sharp as his intellect. Sitting down at opposite ends of the table poking at their meals and carried on a conversation about how they struggled when they had decided to go their separate ways. "How well did that go?" Spike asked.

"As well as a cart crash." Twilight admitted and she decided to start telling Spike all about what had happened.