An alleyway in Manehatten was closed off. The guard wouldn't let anyone through, only detectives and other guards. It was drizzling lightly, but it looked like gently falling snow in the early moonlight. Two were let through the guards. A dark blue pegasus stallion with a bright green mane and a notebook cutiemark. He was wearing a stereotypical duster and hat. His companion was a griffon lioness. She was primarily black furred with dark gray feathers. Her front half was a raven and the rear was that of a panther. What was in front of them was barely recognizable as a pony.

Among the trash of the alleyway was the body of the now deceased Biblical Study. His once white fur was now mostly stained red. His ribs were separated from his spine and lung were pulled through the opening. The forensic study showed that it happened while he was alive. A hole in the lower spinal region was inflicted before the killing blow, implying that the killer paralyzed him before going for the kill. As if to humiliate him, his horn was severed; the bone cut cleanly.

The pegasus was looking a little green at the sight. "What the fuck?" He whispered. Crime wasn't common in Equestria, the pegasus had only done investigations on cheating couples, the occasional robbery, that sort of thing. Never had he investigated murder, let alone one of this brutality. "I'm not sure why we are out here, the forensics team hasn't been able to draw up any conclusions and all leads came to a dead end. So tell me, Brynhild, what could we possibly find that the forensics teams couldn't?"

Brynhild, on the other claw, has investigated murders. In fact, she had come from Griffonia, following the trail that has been left behind by this mysterious murderer. The cause of death wasn't always the same, but there was always two similarities. The slashes didn't look like cuts, but precise ripping. The other was the nauseating feel the entire scene always has, regardless of if one is aware of the crime. The tamest of the deaths were beheadings, but this was an example of the most brutal yet. "What those teams didn't have was someone well versed in Griffonian lore. Seeing the corpse myself proved my assumption about the murderer being Griffonian in origin correct."

The pegasus quirked an eyebrow. "What makes you say that? It just looks like an extremely brutal murder to me."

Brynhild shook her head. "This wasn't a simple murder. This is a Blood Eagle." The pegasus looked at her questioningly, causing her to elaborate. "The Blood Eagle is a sacrificial rite that, while rare, often was done in the name of Odin, one of the old Griffonian gods. Biblical was both tortured and sacrificed in the same action. What ever sick monster had done this was either doing it for irony, or to send a message." The pegasus almost lost his lunch, being reminded that this poor pony was alive until it was over. Brynhild looked up into the night. "And I don't think it was just irony. This is clearly a message, but of what?"

The Following Day

The train pulled into the station in Ponyville, coming from Manehatten. Departing from the train was a pale, bipedal creature. His body was burly in build, but his face was gaunt. A dark gray beard hung from his sunken features. Atop his head was matching, shoulder length gray hair. His attire practically screamed functionality. A plain blue shirt beneath a set of overalls. His feet were adorned with dark brown boots and his hands were gloved in similar brown material. His outfit always seemed to carry an oil stain somewhere on it. He lightly hummed to himself as he carried his luggage off the train.

"Scrappy! You're back!" He turned his head towards the pink pony approaching him.

"Pinkie, you know I prefer the name Grim." Grim replied, his accent distinctly Scandinavian.

"I know, but Grim makes you sound dark and evil. Or as you sometimes say, 'edgy', whatever that means." Pinkie and Grim shared a laugh. Despite the fact that they are visually opposites, the two of them became instant friends when Grim first came to Ponyville three years ago. "So, did you have a good business trip?" Pinkie asked as they made their way to Sugarcube Corner.

Grim grimaced. "Not really. Some uptight rich lady wanted something fixed and decided to call for the 'best of the best' which then changed to 'worst of the worst' when she saw I was not a pony. Still, I did the work and she payed me; which was lower than our agreed price. Last time I work for Golden Ring." He sighed, then smiled. "It was still a lot of bits though. That means more bits to spend on sugary goodies."

"Try not to damage our stock to much, we need to be prepared for tomorrow."

Grim raised an eyebrow. "Tomorrow? What is going on tomorrow that requires Sugarcube Corner to closely watch it's stock?"

Pinkie giggled. "Why, it's the Summer Sun Celebration tomorrow. They're hosting it in Ponyville this year. That hasn't happened in the history of forever!"

Grim stopped at the door to the pastry shop. "Wait, that is tomorrow!? Sorry Pinkie, but I have to go make sure my shop is set up for that. No doubt tourists will come by and purchase some souvenirs from Grim Scrap's Scrap Yard." Grim recited his shops name with pride. He set it up almost immediately after arriving, and it helped Ponyville out tremendously. Having a mechanic straight out of Griffonia certainly made Ponyville stand out more than it already did.

"Just getting back from a business trip and already getting back to work. Sounds just like the Grim Scrap we all know and love." Pinkie shook her head. "Make sure nothing blows up this time."

"Hey, that only happened once." He said while turning to leave. "See you later, Pinkie." Pinkie replied by shouting 'Bye!'. Grim hurried back to his shop. Everything has to be perfect. He could feel it in his gut, tomorrow is going to be a big day.

Author's Note

Okay, I know my chapters are short. But if time and my muse wills it, then the next few chapters will be long and exciting.