Hunting season

Twilight and Spike were reviewing photos the photos taken of corpse of Derpy Hooves, When a gentle knock was heard on the door. Twilight opened the door to find the local courier.

"Package for...Twilight Sparkle." The courier said briefly to Twilight

"Oh. Who sent it?" Twilight politely asked

"Doesn't say. Not even an address." The courier responded

Twilight took the package, and signed the required papers, and then went to resuming her work with Spike.

"Who do you think the package is from?" Spike asked, Scratching his scaly head

"I have someone in mind." Twilight said as she was opening the package

"Well, What is it?" Spike asked

"The autopsy of Derpy Hooves." Twilight replied

After reviewing the paper; Cause of death, What time it occurred and other miscellaneous stuff, Twilight became even more confused as the document brought of more questions but barely answered questions.

"Why would some pony kidnap another pony, Hold them captive for X amount of days then just decide to kill them?" Twilight asked Spike

Spike thought for a moment then came to a sudden realization "Interrogation!" Spike said, With a hint of excitement

"What are talking about?" Twilight asked Spike

"Think about it, Maybe Hooves knew something that a powerful agency didn't. They tortured her and when they got their answers, They killed her." Spike replied.

After thinking for a moment, Twilight was about to ask another question but Spike interrupted her.

"Then, They use obscene amounts of gore to make it look as it was a serial killer." Spike finishes.

"It could make sense." Twilight responds

"But do I need to add privileges on the books you read again? How do you come up with this?" Twilight adds

After the brief conversation, The duo go back to reading/research (Now with the Autopsy) but with Spike's theory lingering in her mind, She couldn't stop thinking Filthy Rich had something to do with the murder. He is rich, powerful and maybe needed someone to shut up, Instead of speak up. But maybe Spike WAS on to something.

It was about dark when Twilight heard yet another knock on her door. Twilight opened the door to find Princess Luna.

"Twilight, You are needed at Canterlot. Immediately." Princess Luna

"Why? I'm in the middle of study." Twilight asked

"Just go." Luna snapped.

It was a little after midnight when Twilight arrived at Canterlot, Only to be escorted by 5 guards to the castle. The guards were escorting Twilight to the decision room, Where Celestia, Luna and Twilight would come up with ideas to stop the killer, if the pony's plans were to continue. As Twilight arrived, Only two of the five guards followed Twilight into the room where Celestia and Luna were practically screaming at each other about their ideas.

"If we put a curfew and travel ban on Ponyville, There will be panic!" Luna (Not so practically) screamed at Celestia

"If we don't, There is a HUGE chance that another pony could be murdered!" Celestia (Also not practically) screamed at Luna

"What are you ponies yelling about?" Twilight asked

"I believe that we should place bans and curfews on Ponyville, But my sister ignorantly disagrees." Celestia said, Tense with fear of losing another pony

"If we do what my sister, Ignorantly, believes, There will be panic and panic leads to riots." Luna said, Feeling the same as Celestia.

"How about we place the curfew, But no bans. You know, A compromise." Twilight said to the princesses.

Both the sisters look at each other, and give a slight nod. Celestia speaks up, "I agree this is the best path."

"Yes, I also agree." Luna replies.

"Then its settled." Twilight says to the sisters. Things go silent for a minute than Twilight decides to speak up. "I have a suggestion on who the killer might be." Twilight says.

Both the sisters, Eyes widened, look at Twilight in shock.

But before Twilight could say who, A guard busted through the door.

"We may have caught the killer." the guard boldly says

This time Twilight is looking at the guard, In shock.

"She is in the interrogation room." The guard adds

Twilight and the sisters, After taking a brief walk through the dungeon, arrive at the interrogation room. Twilight takes a breath and pushes the door open to find 3 guards in the room, and Applejack tied to a chair where said chair is bolted to the ground. As Twilight walks in, She realizes Applejack is struggling against the rope until a guard hits her.

"I reckon you stop hitting me, Or when Twilight proves my innocence, I'll hit you." Applejack says to the guard. Applejack soon looks up and sees Twilight and the sisters (But mostly Twilight)

"Thank Celestia you're here, Twilight. These damned guards are starting to annoy me." Applejack says, With a smile on her face.

Twilight looks at the guards, "What is going on here?" Twilight boldly asks.

One of the guards speak up, "We found her chasing a hooded pony. Applejack had the handle of knife in her mouth while she was chasing said pony."

Twilight looks at Applejack, "Is this true Applejack?" Twilight asks

"No. The pony I was chasing WAS the killer. I was chasing it with their knife as it was chasing me with the knife." Applejack said.

"Interesting. Release Applejack." Twilight said.

The guards glanced at each other, Confused.

The guard nearest to Applejack looked at Twilight, "Are you crazy?" The guard asked

"I said, Release Applejack!" Twilight yelled at the guard

The guard swiftly releases all the rope on Applejack, And as he does so, Applejack gets outta the chair

"Now how did you manage to get that knife?" Twilight asks

"Just some good ol' fashion CQC." Applejack responds

"You trained in Close-Quarters-Combat?" Twilight replies

"Sure did." Applejack says.

The pony that lives deep within the Everfree forest returns to their worn-down cottage. Scared as the victim almost killed the killer. The pony grills and finishes the last of Derpy's heart. After a brief moment of thinking, The strange pony comes up with a brilliant idea. The pony then goes towards his toolbox and grabs 3 important tools. Rope, Hammer, Tape recorder and sets them on the table. Then goes to sleep as tomorrow will be a busy day.