Author's Note

1. The story happens at the end of Season 3, in the start of Season 4 (Somewhere in between)

Questions

After some moments, Twilight managed to ask for details.

"Two days ago, at Mareami Beach. She had some shows scheduled there," informed agent Block.

"But how? She was not ill, at least, didn't look like..."

"Murdered." Said Full Circle.

"What? No, no, no, no, impossible. There hasn't been a case of murder in Equestria in decades, it's not possible."

"You seem shocked, Twilight. Imagine us at Bridle. More than 40 years without such case. Imagine ponies at Mareami. The most serious crime there until this case was one senior pony stealing the dental fixtures of another."

"I can't... just... poor Trixie."

The visiting unicorn got closer.

"Twilight... we are all shocked. And let me tell this to you, as a schoolmate, not an agent... it hurts, yes, but we must be strong. For her. She is begging us to solve this crime."

The alicorn tried to wipe her tears with her hooves.

"You're right, Flower... Full Circle. I will try to help you."

"Good. Are you ready?"

Doing the breath exercise she learned from Cadance, Twilight nodded.

"Twilight Sparkle, can you think of a reason for this crime?"

"No! Why would anypony do such thing?"

"The Alicorn Amulet, perhaps?"

Twilight shook her head. "It was no longer with Trixie."

"But did she know about its whereabouts?"

"I don't think so."

"You know about its whereabouts?"

"Yes."

"Where?"

"Hidden."

"Yes, where?"

"Agents, the whole idea of hiding something is to not tell where it's hidden. Rest assured, it's on a safe place."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I am sure."

"But you have to agree, princess, that somepony needs to know about power and dangerous objects. We asked Princess Celestia for advice on this case and she said not even she knows where we might find the Amulet. So you didn't mention its location in your letters to her. A simple overlook, I'm sure.

Twilight raised an eyebrow at that line of questioning. "Most likely."

"So..."

"So what?"

"Where is it?"

"Do you want to know about Trixie, or are you only concerned about some artifact?"

"It's something vital to the investigation."

"Why?"

"Let's face it. She was a second-tier showmare. What else could she have that could make her life more...Powerful?"

"You tell me. You're the law agents. Maybe it's not what she had. Maybe something she knew. Maybe somepony had a disagreement with her. Maybe there's a madpony around. Maybe I, I don't know."

"So allow us to follow and discard the Alicorn Amulet line of investigation. Where is it?"

"Why do you need it?"

Agent Block took a step forward.

"If we're right, Princess, whoever is hiding the Alicorn Amulet can be the next to be murdered. It must be locked at a safe place, in Canterlot, otherwise...well..."

Full Circle put one of Twilight's hooves between hers.

"Please Twilight. You're a new Princess. You don't want to be involved in this murder scandal. You know the media. Please let us help you. Give us the amulet, and we'll continue our investigation elsewhere."

"Furthermore," said Block "if the worst happens, the blood will be on your hoof, your highness."

Twilight lowered her eyes and sighed, walking slowly around the library.

"See these two shelves, agents?"

"Is the amulet behind them?"

"No, but they are full of detective novels, and I read through most of them. So I know you're making a very old routine, to unsettle me and make me lead you straight to the amulet, for reasons I ignore and, frankly, I don't care. Full Circle, you said you would leave after getting the amulet, without asking me anything else about Trixie."

"Twilight..."

"Princess Celestia trusts me to keep the Elements of Harmony. I can deal with an amulet."

"There's no ponycidal maniac after the Elements."

"And what makes you so sure there's one after the Amulet? Aren't you going to investigate other possibilities?"

Full Circle sighed "At least, make sure it's really in a safe place, all right?"

"We already established that."

"No More Alicorn Amulet talk, then. We'll just install the magic detectors and leave."

"The what of what, now?"

"Small devices that will tell us about any potential danger. You're royalty now, and one of Bridle responsibilities is to protect you."

"And what do those magic gizmos do, exactly?"

"Like I said, they protect you."

"How?"

Full Circle and Block exchanged worried looks until the mare nodded. Her companion than spoke the truth:

"Transmitting everything that is said here to our dragons, so Bridle can..."

"In that case, I'm sorry agents, you will install nothing here."

"Very well, the choice is yours, Twilight. We will now let you rest. Forget all the talk about the amulet, if it makes you feel better, but please remember this: be careful."

Twilight nodded. "Anything else, agents?"

"Just one thing: Bridle is the one protecting you. Trust no one else. No one."

"I am already following the advice of trusting no one, Full Circle."

"Twilight, we're on the same side."

"Good night, agents."

Closing the door, Twilight was not able to hold her tears any longer. Spike, holding a bath brush and with a towel around his waist, rushed downstairs to the alicorn.

"Twilight, what...?"

The answer was a hug on the baby dragon, followed by a heavy cry.

"Trixie was killed, Spike. Why? How could something like this..."

Another knock at the door made her frustration go. "Aaaaaaaaargh, if it's a paparazzo, Celestia help him!"

She opened the door violently. "Sorry, the library is..."

Twilight Sparkle quickly recognized the Earth pony in front of her. Dark red coat, short green mane which was partially hidden by a black beret and the most disturbing feature, a pony skull for a cutie mark.

"A peaceful night upon you, your highness."

"Captain Sugar Skull."