It was just a peaceful morning in Ponyville when in the Castle of Friendship, Twilight Sparkle was pacing the floor, getting more antsy by the minute. She looked at the letter she had placed on the Cutie Map with an accusatory glare. The letter was neatly written by pony standards and read like so: “A million Bits or you’ll be on the front page of every known newspapers, tabloids, and magazines in Equestria!”
Twilight let out an aggravated sigh as she took her place at the Map. She had been getting these letters for the past two weeks ever since she went to Hay Burger with Flash Sentry. That thought made her frown.
“How did they even know we were there?” she asked herself. “I was sure that I wouldn’t be noticed by anypony.”
As she pondered, she heard the door open and then close after a while.
“We got a package!” she heard Spike shout as the little dragon came in with a small box.
“Just bring it here, Spike,” Twilight said as she cleverly hid the letter.
Spike walked over to the Cutie Map and placed the box on it. Twilight looked to see that there was no return address and went to open it, making sure to not let Spike sneak a peek in case it was from her mysterious blackmailer. When she opened it, however, instead of finding anything that indicates blackmail, she saw that there was a revolver that was made for pony hooves as well as what she assumed to be clothes and a letter. She removed the letter and read it as Spike looked into the box. It was also neatly written, but it wasn’t in the same style as the threatening letters she was getting. She read the letter as Starlight Glimmer walked in.
“Dear Princess Twilight Sparkle,” she read aloud. “I am aware of your circumstances and I wish to help you. Inside the package along with this letter are an item and a disguise, both specifically for you. Meet me in Canterlot in three days’ time as soon as you get this. Be sure to wear this disguise as well as prepared to work with others in about the same predicament as you are. Sincerely, Sir Jet.”
“What does that mean?” Starlight asked.
“I don’t know,” Twilight admitted. “I mean, it doesn’t seem like a practical joke or an excuse to hurt me. What do you think?”
Starlight Glimmer walked over and looked at the letter.
“Well…” she started. “From the looks of it, the writer wanted to hide their identity without sounding like a creep. That’s why they addressed themselves as ‘Sir Jet’. Another factor is that it seems that they are aware of the situation that you’re currently in and that they truly wanted to help, otherwise they wouldn’t have sent this.”
She then looked at the items that Spike had taken out of the box.
“Though,” she began, “you got me on the reason why they sent you a gun and a disguise.”
Twilight thought for a minute before sighing.
“Well, the only way we’ll know for sure is if I see this Sir Jet for myself,” Twilight said finally. “Think you guys can handle everything while I’m gone?”
“Of course,” Starlight Glimmer said. “I’m sure Spike and I can handle it.”
“Okay,” Twilight said before getting up and levitated the outfit.
As soon she did, she walked to her room to get ready for the three days’ journey by means of her teleportation spell.
~~~
Meanwhile at the Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack was working on bringing the baskets of apples to the cart when she let out a sigh. She looked towards the dirt road next to the property to see the FlimFlam Brothers selling something. She made a face before resuming her work. Flim and Flam both claimed to have redeemed themselves after their shot at resort business in Las Pegasus went under. However, Applejack has had her doubts about that. She had just loaded the last of the baskets as Apple Bloom ran up with a package balancing on her back.
“This just came in the mail fer ya,” the filly said as she showed Applejack.
“Okay, let me see,” Applejack said as she took the package and set it onto the ground, noting that there was nothing mentioning where it had come from.
She opened it to see a letter along with a rope tied into a noose as well as some clothes. Raising an eyebrow, she took out the letter and looked at it. It was written in what she would’ve called “fancy writin’” as it was written in a neat and elegant style.
“Dear Miss Applejack,” she began to read aloud as she loaded the box onto the cart. “I know that you have been having doubts about the legitimacy of a pony’s or ponies’ redemption. I would like to help you, so I included both an item and a disguise made especially for you along with this letter. Meet me in Canterlot in three days after you receive this letter. I advise you to both wear the disguise and prepare for working along with others in your horseshoes. Sincerely, Sir Jet.”
Applejack made a face as she put the letter back into the box, hitched herself to the cart, and started walking as Apple Bloom walked alongside her.
“What’cha gonna do about that?” Apple Bloom asked.
Applejack thought for a bit before sighing.
“I ain’t too sure,” she admitted. “I mean, it might be safe, but at the same time, it might be dangerous.”
“If it is dangerous, ya could easily handle it,” Apple Bloom said.
“You’re just sayin’ that ‘cuz I’m yer big sister.”
“It’s also true.”
“… Okay, you’re right.”
With that, she ruffled Apple Bloom’s mane as the two walked up to the barn. As they unloaded the apples, Applejack thought about the letter as well as the items that were sent to her. How did this Sir Jet know that she was having doubts about Flim and Flam’s redemption? There was only one way to find out for sure.
“We better talk with Granny Smith and Big Mac about this,” Applejack stated.
“Okay,” Apple Bloom said with a nod.
The two then finished their work and went back to their house. After a while of discussion, the four Apple members all agreed that Applejack should at least see for herself if it was a trick or not. Applejack soon got her things ready and, after being reassured that things are in good hooves, made her way to the train station.
~~~
Rainbow Dash let out an aggravated noise as she put the last of her things into her saddlebag, closing her Wonderbolts locker door when she did. It had been a hectic few days to say the least for the Pegasus. While practicing for a show in Fillydelphia, the Wonderbolts learned that the Royal Guard had gotten word that somepony in the group was using performance-enhancement drugs. Even though Spitfire said that they weren’t using drugs, the Royal Guard finding drugs in Rainbow Dash’s locker told a different story. Despite Rainbow swearing up and down that the drugs weren’t hers, Spitfire was forced to dismiss her either for a while or until they can somehow clear Rainbow Dash.
“You okay?” she heard a familiar voice ask, snapping her out of her thoughts.
“Could be better, Thunderlane,” she admitted, looking towards the Pegasus stallion in question.
“How bad is it?”
“Suspension for two weeks. Or at least until they prove that I wasn’t on drugs. They already sent out a sample to testing, but Spitfire warned that it could be ages.”
“It’ll turn out all right.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah,” Thunderlane said with a smile. “You’ll see. This will all blow over before you know it.”
Rainbow Dash thought for a bit before sighing.
“I really hope you’re right,” she said before the two exchanged good-byes and she flew straight home.
When she finally arrived, she set her bags down and sat onto her bed. She went to get a book when she heard a knock on her door.
“Coming!” she said as she got up and flew over to the door.
She opened it to see Derpy standing on her porch, holding a package.
“Hi, Rainbow Dash!” Derpy said before putting the package down, accidentally putting it on top of Rainbow’s hoof, much to the pale blue Pegasus’s pain. “Good thing you’re home! This is for you!”
“Thanks,” Rainbow said with a pained smiled as she picked up the package. “Say hi to Dinky for me, okay?”
“You got it!” Derpy said before she flew off.
Rainbow watched the light grey Pegasus fly off before closing the door. She then looked at the package before making a face. There was no return address and it was addressed to her as well. Shrugging, she opened the box to see a letter, an outfit, and a wrench. Raising an eyebrow, she took out the letter and looked at it.
“Dear Miss Rainbow Dash,” she began to read aloud as her tortoise Tank joined her. “I know that you have just been accused of using illegal substances even though you say otherwise. I would like to help you prove your innocence. Included with this letter are an item and a disguise made especially for you. Meet me in Canterlot within three days of you receiving this letter. While you’re there, there will be others in the same circumstances as you. Be ready to work alongside them. Sincerely, Sir Jet.”
Tank looked up at her with a curious look on his face.
“Yeah, I know,” Rainbow said. “This does seem weird. Not to mention kinda risky. But what’s life without a little risk, though? Who knows, maybe that Sir Jet guy might actually want to help me out.”
Tank gave her a little nod, as if to say ‘go for it’. Rainbow smiled and nuzzled noses with him.
“I’d knew you’d understand. I better tell Scootaloo so that she knows where I’ll be for the moment.”
With that, she flew off. After a while, she found Scootaloo and told her about what had happened. Surprisingly, Scootaloo was understanding and actually encouraged Rainbow to go for it. After that bit of a confidence boost, Rainbow flew back to her house and got ready for her trip. She then petted Tank good-bye as she left for Canterlot by means of flying.
~~~
Rarity sat on the bed of her dungeon cell, looking antsy. It all happened so fast. She was in Canterlot, getting ready for a fashion competition when the Royal Guard came in and arrested her for possibly murdering Suri Polomare, even though she said she had not done the deed. Rarity let out a sigh as she glanced at the clock outside of the cell. She had been in here for at least an hour. Soon, the sound of hoofsteps were heard as a Pegasus Guard walked up.
“Your bail’s been paid,” he told her as he opened the cell. “Don’t try to leave Canterlot until we get this straightened out.”
“I don’t plan to,” Rarity said as she walked out of the cell.
The Guard nodded as he led her towards the entrance. Once they reached it, Rarity went through the door to see a pony dressed in black with a black hat hiding the mane and eyes as well as a black scarf covering their muzzle standing there. The only clue she had to the pony’s identity was a white coat. The pony noticed her and walked up to her.
“Play along,” the pony whispered to her before he started speaking. “Oh, thank goodness you’re okay! I came as soon as I heard about your arrest.”
Rarity blinked before regaining herself.
“Oh, it was awful!” she said. “I’m so glad that you came to bail me out.”
“Well, let’s go,” the pony said as the two walked out of the area they were in.
As soon as the pony was sure that they were in the clear, he took Rarity by the hoof and dashed into a nearby alleyway.
“Okay, we’re safe for now,” the pony said before looking at Rarity. “Miss Rarity, I know you’ve been accused of murder even though you didn’t do it.”
“I know,” Rarity said as she slumped over. “But my past experience with Suri Polomare in Manehatten proved that I at least have a motive. I couldn’t provide an alibi, much less somepony to corroborate.”
“That’s why I bailed you out and brought you here. I want to help you clear your name.”
With that, the pony opened his saddlebag and gave Rarity a candlestick as well as an elegant outfit.
“This item and disguise are made specifically for you,” the pony explained. “In three days, there will be others in similar conditions as you. I ask that you meet me in three days and work alongside them.”
“Do you really think you can help me?” Rarity asked. “I don’t even know your name.”
“As far as you and the others know, I am to be known as Sir Jet. We shall meet again soon.”
With that, the pony walked off, leaving Rarity standing there. She then looked at the items before placing them in her own saddlebag. If Sir Jet was indeed trustworthy and wanting to help her, then she would have to do as the pony requested. She went back to her hotel room to prepare for her meeting in three days.
~~~
Fluttershy walked into the hospital room, a nervous look on her face. She only saw Braeburn lying on the hospital bed, not moving as well as hooked up to machines. She let out a sigh of relief as she walked up to the bed.
“Hey,” she said softly. “The doctor told me that you still haven’t woken up yet. It’s okay, though. As long as I know that you’re doing okay.”
She then let out a sad sigh. Braeburn had been over for a visit to Applejack and her family, but he and Fluttershy had been dating for some time since the Buckball scenario. However, while on one of their dates, Fluttershy had given him some tea that he drank only for the poor cowpony to collapse. She had rushed him to the hospital where they told her that he had ingested some kind of poison that was immediately treated with an antidote. The only drawback was that now Braeburn was in a coma with no definite about how long he will be in that state and ponies began to think that Fluttershy had poisoned him, with the exception of her friends and family as well as Applejack’s family.
“I’m really sorry, Brae,” Fluttershy said, sniffling. “I must have been a terrible fillyfriend to you. I just wish that I could prove that I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
No sooner had she said that, she saw Nurse Redheart walk in with a bouquet of flowers.
“Who are the flowers for?” Fluttershy asked in confusion.
“They’re for Mr. Braeburn,” Redheart explained. “The pony that delivered them also asked to get this to you.”
She then handed Fluttershy an envelope. Fluttershy looked at the envelope after thanking Redheart as the nurse pony left. There was no indication of where it came from, even though it had her name on it. She opened it to see that it was a letter.
“Dear Miss Fluttershy,” she read aloud. “I know that you had nothing to do with the attempted loss of the one you love most. I want to help you prove it. I have already sent an item and a disguise made especially for you to your abode. Meet me in Canterlot within three days of you receiving this along with the flowers for your special somepony. Be there and be ready to work with others in similar situations as you. Sincerely, Sir Jet.”
She looked at Braeburn’s sleeping face after reading the letter. Her face then became determined as she put the letter in her saddlebag.
“I will get to the bottom of this,” she said as she took Braeburn’s hoof into hers. “I promise.”
With that, she let go of Braeburn’s hoof and then flew out of the room as well as the hospital. It took her a while to get back to her house, but once she did, she entered to see Angel Bunny with a small package addressed to her. Fluttershy walked over and opened it to see a lead pipe as well as a disguise.
“Angel, I’m going to be away for a while,” she said to the bunny. “Would you mind making sure things are okay?”
The bunny only shook his head before saluting. Fluttershy smiled as she went to get ready. After a while, she was ready and stepped outside. She tacked a note onto her door in case Discord decided to come by and started flying towards the Twinkling Balloon, paying Cherry Berry the necessary Bits for a trip to Canterlot. As soon as she boarded, the balloon started flying towards its destination.
~~~
At the Pie Family rock farm, two ponies waited on the front porch. One, Limestone Pie, was getting more anxious by the minute while the other, Maud Pie, was calmly looking forward. Maud calmly placed a hoof on Limestone’s back, causing the other to look at her.
“It’ll be okay,” Maud said.
“I hope so,” Limestone said with a sigh. “I just don’t like how it’s been going on like this.”
Maud only nodded and continued looking forward. Soon, the familiar shape of their cheery sister, Pinkie Pie, frantically running towards the farm.
“Maud, Limestone!” Pinkie shouted towards them as the two ran towards her as well.
They soon met in the middle of the path towards the house, hugging each other. The three broke off the hug as Pinkie looked at them in worry.
“I came as soon as I read your letter,” she said, tears beginning to form. “Please tell me it’s not true.”
Maud and Limestone looked at each other before looking back at Pinkie, Limestone’s face becoming saddened.
“I’m sorry,” Maud said, “but it’s true. Marble’s injuries have gotten worse.”
Pinkie gasped as her hair quickly deflated.
“I knew it!” she started sobbing. “I knew something was wrong when you first wrote that Marble started coming home with cuts and bruises! I only thought it was just from working on the farm!”
Maud walked over and hugged Pinkie, soothingly rubbing the pink mare’s back with one hoof. Limestone walked over as well and held one of Pinkie’s hooves in her own.
“Hey, it’s okay,” Limestone said. “There’s no way you could’ve known for sure.”
“I know,” Pinkie said with a sniffle.
They continued to be in that position for a good while up until Maud broke off the hug when Pinkie’s sobs soon lessened to sniffles.
“Come on,” Maud said as the three made their way to the house. “The doctor’s probably done by now.”
Pinkie only nodded. They had reached the porch when the door opened as a doctor pony walked out, followed by Igneous and Cloudy Quartz Pie, the Pie Sisters’ parents.
“Make sure she stays within the premises for the next couple of weeks,” the doctor said. “In case her condition worsens, let me know.”
“Of course, good doctor,” Igneous said while Cloudy Quartz nodded.
The doctor nodded as he walked off, giving a nod of greeting at the three Pie Sisters as he did. Everyone was silent for a moment until Pinkie decided to speak.
“How bad is it?” she asked.
Igneous and Cloudy Quartz looked at each other before looking at Pinkie sadly.
“Tis best you see for yourself,” Cloudy Quartz said as the two led the sisters inside.
Pinkie knew that it was as worse as how Maud had put it, and when they entered the sisters’ room, she was proven right. Her baby sister, Marble, was lying down in her spot on the bed, bandaged up in some of the places on her body. One of her forelegs was bandaged up as well as in a sling, an ice pack was placed over one of her eyes, and several bruises were all over her. Marble’s remaining eye looked at them and managed a small smile. Pinkie sadly smiled in return and walked over.
“Hey,” Pinkie said in greeting. “You doing okay?”
“Mm-hmm.”
That was the sole response from Marble. Pinkie wasn’t surprised, though. Her sister was not much of a talker, rather letting the others speak for her. She looked at Marble straight in the eye.
“You know you can tell me if something’s wrong, right?” she asked.
“Mm-hm.”
“Okay. Do you think you can tell me now?”
“Nm-hmm,” was the only response from Marble as she looked at Pinkie with a sad look in her eye.
“Okay, then,” Pinkie said, equally sad.
She should have expected that. She knew how some ponies did not want to admit that they needed help. She gave her little sister a gentle hug.
“I’ll come by and visit,” she said with a sad smile. “Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”
Marble only smiled and patted Pinkie on the back. After a while, Pinkie, Maud, Limestone, and their parents had left the room so that Marble could rest.
“How long?” Pinkie asked, a hard look in her eyes.
“Months, from the look of it,” Igneous said before giving her an equally hard look. “I know what you are thinking, Pinkamina Diane, and I agree with you. Something or someone is hurting her.”
“It could not have been any of us,” Cloudy Quartz stated. “Apart from the occasional playfights you four had as children, no one got hurt.”
“It must have been someone from outside the family,” Maud surmised.
“She has been sneaking out a lot,” Limestone recalled. “That was before her injuries got worse.”
Pinkie thought long and hard about this.
“I’ll be back,” she said to her family. “And in the meantime, I’m gonna find out who had the nerve to hurt Marble, or my name isn’t Pinkamina Diane Pie!”
Her two sisters and parents looked at her before nodding. The five then shared one last hug before Pinkie left the house. She was about to leave the farm entirely when a pony walked up to her.
“Are you Pinkie Pie?” the pony asked.
“Yeah,” Pinkie answered before the pony handed her a piece of paper.
“Telegram,” the pony said as he did so.
“Thanks,” Pinkie said, the pony nodding in response before trotting.
Pinkie looked at the telegram before her face contorted into shock. She ran towards the train station, where she bought the ticket for the return trip to Ponyville. One train ride later, she soon found herself back in the Ponyville Train Station where Mr. Cake was waiting.
“I came back as soon as I got the telegram,” Pinkie said as she ran up to him. “Something was in the mail for me?”
“Yes,” Mr. Cake said as the two started walking. “It came to the Sugarcube Corner while you were gone. It had your address, but it didn’t say who it was from. We both thought that you should see what was inside before we got the Royal Guard involved.”
“Okay,” Pinkie said with a nod.
Eventually, they reached the Sugarcube Corner and entered. Mrs. Cake saw them and walked up.
“Thank goodness you’re back,” she said. “I set it down on the table over there.”
Pinkie looked at the table to see a box sitting on top of it. She walked over to it and cautiously opened the box. What she saw was a letter along with a knife and a set of clothes. She took out the letter and began to read from it.
“Dear Miss Pinkie Pie,” she read aloud. “I know about your belief that someone you care about is being hurt. I want to help, so I included an item and a disguise made especially for you. I only ask that you meet me in Canterlot within three days of you receiving this. Also, you should be ready to work alongside others that are in the same scenarios as you. I will see you as well as them in three days. Sincerely, Sir Jet.”
Pinkie thought long and hard about the letter. On the one hoof, this Sir Jet seems to genuinely want to help her with figuring out whether or not Marble is being abused. But on the other hoof, it could be a trap for Pinkie and anyone else that Sir Jet had reached out towards. She then looked towards Mr. and Mrs. Cake with a determined look on her face.
“How soon can we reach out to Cheese Sandwich?” she asked.
“If you want, we can reach out to wherever he is immediately,” Mrs. Cake offered.
“Last I heard, he’s in Baltimare,” Pinkie said. “If you manage to get him, tell him that I have to leave town for a few days and that if there are any parties that need to be thrown, he can go ahead and plan them in my stead when he comes here.”
“Of course, Pinkie,” Mr. Cake said. “Just promise you’ll be careful.”
“I’ll try,” Pinkie said before she dashed towards her room to get ready.
After a while, Pinkie walked back into the dining area. Exchanging good-byes with Mr. and Mrs. Cake, she then ran out and towards the flying contraption she had not used since she fixed it following Gilda crashing it. After getting onto it and giving it a couple of tests, she activated the flying contraption and made her way towards Canterlot.
Author's Note
Here's a new story I'm working on alongside the Daring Do one. I had this idea racking around my brain for a good chunk of time and I am glad that it's going out there. This is kinda like the game Clue, except there's gonna be the Main Six solve several problems. Anyway, enjoy!
