“Yak know he past test! Kayma best at Friendship Honesty class!”
Luster Dawn lay on a bench reading a book, her book bag leaning against it on the ground as her friends sat together at their usual spot in the gardens of the Friendship School after classes; a couple of benches placed in a circle just under the buildings windows at the corner with a small tree behind them, the sounds of the fountain and creatures walking by a white noise to their conversations. The sun shone down as her teacher, Princess Twilight Sparkle slightly moves the celestial orb even higher, indicting to all it was noon and time for lunch. Her yak friend Kayma sat beside her, slamming his hooves to emphasize his point, making the benches hop enough to jar the unicorn from her reading. Beside him, resting on the tree’s overhanging branch was Geneva the griffin, or as everyone calls her, Eva.
“Hey, K? Let’s keep the smashing to a minimal.” She said, stretching out her large wings and claws while yawning. “This mornings Loyalty class wiped me out.” He crosses his hooves in a hmph as their Kirin friend, River Song taps her chin; a smirk begins to grow.
“The restless and the wiry hang out in the garden…that could be the start of a funny joke.” She said with a chuckle. “I wonder if Lil’ Cheese could think of something.”
“Yak not restless!” He shouts in his ‘normal’ volume. “Kayma share achievement with friends. Like how Honesty class teach!”
“You sure you’re not mixing your classes up, buddy? I’m pretty sure they teach that in Kindness class.” An earth pony stallion, Gallop J. Fry said before sitting down beside River and biting into his hayburger. He chews on the burger for a moment, examining the different flavours before swallowing. “Hmm. Maybe less snow pea and more carrots next time.”
“What difference make? Yak share with friends.” He flashes them a smile as his eyes barely show through his bangs. “That all that matters.”
The three creatures express agreement as Eva lazily beats her fist up. “Yay, friendship…bonding and sharing…” She said, allowing her arm to hang loosely over the branch. “Now, let me nap.” Kayma and Gallop chuckle before he takes another bite as River rolls her eyes with a shake of her head, turning her attention to the pony.
“Speaking of sharing, come up with any new burgers to share Gal?”
Swallowing his food he replies. “Almost. I just need to figure out the right combination for my latest one.” He holds the burger in one hoof before digging through his bag, grabbing a note book and quill. As he was distracted River shares a mischievous look with Kayma. They both nod before she turns to the held out burger and, using her magic, grabs it and quickly takes a bite. Gallop quickly drops his quill and gives the mare an almost hurt look. “Again? You promised you wouldn’t do that anymore!”
“I did—“ She said, mouth full of the burger. Swallowing, she continues. “—but I didn’t Pinkie Promise.” She grins at him innocently as Kayma laughs aloud. “This is great, by the way.” She ignores the stallions silent plea for his burger, floating it over to their yak friend. “I don’t see what adding carrots will do for it.” The remains of the burger reaches Kayma who takes a large bite of it, leaving nearly any for the remaining two.
“River Song…(munch)…right!” He tries to say with his mouth full, gulping it down before he continues. “Gallop make great burger! Why improve?”
Giving up on getting the burger back Gallop picks up his note book and scribbles down his notes before answering his friend. “If I don’t improve, I’ll stop growing.” He smiles with confidants and drive. “I can’t hope to keep The Hayburger going without mastering the art of burger crafting! Right, Luster?” The stallion looks at the unicorn beside him.
“Mmhmm. Yeah…” She responds in a monotone voice, making her friends slightly annoyed. The tension is broken when Eva yawns again, turning over to look at Luster with sleepy eyes.
“Are you still reading that? Luster, class ended ‘Hours’ ago. Take a break already.” The griffin reaches for the nearly eaten burger only for River to float it out of her reach and towards Luster.
“It’s only been half an hour, sleepyhead. Less even.” As she corrects her friends exaggerated claim, the Kirin playfully pocks Luster on the horn with the remaining burger, startling her out of her reading.
“Uh! What…? What just poked my—mph!” She began until River stuck the burger in her mouth. Watching her friends laugh at her expense she bit into the burger as River pulls the rest away, giving it to Geneva. The mare takes her time tasting the burger before swallowing, giving her friends a guilty smile as she closes her book. “Sorry guys. I’m not use to the whole ‘socializing’ thing.” She looks at Gallop. “As for the burger, have you tried adding grounded Foal’s Breath? I read there flavour adds nicely to the snow pea.” She gives a shrug. “I don’t understand ‘how’ but…”
“Foal’s Breath…” He mumbles, tapping his chin. “Why does that sound so familiar?”
“Oh, it’s nothing really. Just the cure to the Stream of Silence my mother ordered the Kirin into when a fight broke out before I was born.” River Song said, looking annoyed as Gallop turns to her. “Something that was taught in both Honesty AND Kindness class.”
“Kayma remember that! Kayma passed that exam, too!”
“Thank you, Kayma.” She nods to the yak before staring at her stallion friend, a touch upset. “At least one of you remembers.” The mood change was heavy as everyone, ironically, remains silent as a little stream of sweat ran down his forehead.
“Careful, Gal.” Eva said with a smirk on her beak. “Your next words could be your last.”
Shifting his eyes from one to the other, the pony gulps before speaking. “Do…do you think you could…get me some?” A few seconds pass as the breeze carries the sound of trotting ponies and splashing water through the air, the three creatures give him looks of disbelief while Geneva picks a flower from below her and lays down on the branch, pretending to be dead.
Finally, River Song drops her head and lets out a heavy sigh. “Yeah, sure. I’ll grab some when I get back to the Peaks of Peril.” Gallop sighs in relief as Geneva gawks at her while Kayma roars aloud Luster lightly giggles at her friends, realizing for the millionth time how wrong she was about Friendship and how great her life has become because of it.
Kayma calms down, catching a glimpse of the book Luster was reading, making his eye rise in confusion. “Luster Dawn!” His sudden address startles the pony.
“Jeez, Kayma!” She said, placing her hoof on her chest. “Please, tone down the volume before you scare me to death!”
“Yak sorry, Luster.” He replies in a less shouting manner. “Kayma just wonder what you reading?”
“Oh, this?” Her horn flares up as a bright orange aura surrounds both it and the book, lifting it up to show the others. “It’s a book on biology.”
“What does biology have to do with Honesty?” Eva asks.
“It’s not for school. Just something I’ve been curious about lately.”
“Oooh!” River Song dances over to Luster, throwing a hoof around her with a smirk on her muzzle. “Luster Dawn! Are you pinning after a creature that isn’t a pony?”
“What!? NO! That’s not it at all!” She shouts as a dark blush grows on her face, causing her friends to laugh even more.
“Who is it, Ash the Dragon? That Hippogriff, Salt Fin?” Geneva teases before gasping, flashing the unicorn with a cheeky smile. “It’s my brother, Garrus isn’t it?”
“NO! NO! No! I’m not looking for—“
“Hey now, let’s not forget our buddy Kayma!” Gallop said as he stood beside the yak, playfully punching his shoulder. “Maybe all that complaining about your shouting is really her way of expressing interest!”
“I hate you all. You can all go to Tartarus!”
“Yak appreciate pony’s interest in me. Kayma politely declines.”
“Aww. Too bad, Luster! Guess you have to keep looking!” River said before falling over in a laughing fit along with the rest of them. With a jaded look on her face Luster cast another spell that zaps all for creatures in the rump, replacing their laughter with yelps of surprise and pain.
“Ouch. For a pony who likes learning, you should learn to take a joke.” Eva said, giving the unicorn a look while rubbing her rump.
“I can take a joke. Can you take another zap to the rump?” She threatens as sparks fly out of her horn, making the griffin flinch.
“Okay, okay. Let’s calm down now. No need for plots to get zapped…” Gallop looks at his own butt to see a tiny scorch mark. “…again.” Standing between the two creatures, he turns to address the mare. “We took it too far, and for that I’m sorry.” He flashes her a smile. “But think of this as a preview for your Laughter class this afternoon.”
Luster looks at him and sees the genuine sorry on his face as well as on the others. She relaxes her magic as she brings the book beside her again. “Fine. But just know…” She narrows her eyes. “…there WILL be a reckoning!” Eva, River, and Gallop exchange worried looks.
“Kayma still want know about biology book!”
“As I was saying, when I first came to Ponyville and met the creatures that live here, I saw pony couples of different races and it got me thinking about what their kids traits would be like.” The group was silent for a moment before Gallop coughs into his hoof.
“Is…that a problem?”
“What? Of course not.” She places the book down as her friends released the breathes they were holding. “I just got curious because I come from a long line of unicorns. Naturally, this makes my magical skill quite impressive.” To demonstrate, she grabs Gallop, River and Kayma with her magic and lifts them into the air with ease. This startles Eva, making her take to the air as the three of them wot and holler; the griffin crosses her arms, giving the mare a glare as she smiles up at her friends. After another moment she gently returns Gallop and River to the benches as Eva lands beside Kayma on the ground. “Going to Sweet Apple Acres and meeting Big Macintosh, his unicorn wife Sugar Belle, and their Earth Pony son. Talking with the Cake twins about their Earth Pony parents. Learning Professor Scootaloo has an Earth Pony dad.” A passionate smile appears on her muzzle. “It got me curious about what traits would a pegasus get if both their parents were unicorns. Or two unicorns had a earth pony child. Or a pegasus and an earth pony had a unicorn daughter! Or, or…”
“Okay! Okay! We get the picture.” Geneva said landing before the unicorn with a confused look. “But why though?”
“…because I’m curious.” She replies rudely. The two creatures exchange nasty looks that causes the other three to worry. Gallop cautiously steps closer to intervene when Luster and Eva began laughing, braking the tension completely.
“Never change, Bookworm!” Eva throws her arm around the mare, catching her in a one arm hug.
“Only the parts that need improving, Featherbrain!” The two lightly rough around, causing Luster’s bag to fall over. The flap flies open as the contents fall out, including a PonyVille Chronicle newspaper. “Eva!” She cries out, hoping down to gather her things.
“Oops. That’s my bad.” The griffin admits, picking up the newspaper to a crossword puzzle. “Readings not enough for you?” She waves the newspaper around. “You gotta add puzzles to the mix?”
“It’s not just the puzzles.” Luster said, her supplies covered in her magic’s aura, floating back into her bag. “I like reading the comics, too.”
“Oh, really?” Geneva opens the paper to look. As she flips through the pages she provides River Song with a clear view of the back page. The Kirin raises an eyebrow before moving closer to read the article’s headline that featured a picture of a statue she recognizes.
“Huh. Did you guys know the Villains Statue is missing?”
“What?” Luster and Gallop say in unison while Kayma and Geneva give her a started look. River grabs the newspaper with her magic and shows them the article she was reading.
“Villains statue missing. Officials suspect rogue changeling?” Luster reads.
“What makes them think it was a changeling?” Gallop asks.
“Yak heard Professor Ocellus say Head of Guard Pharynx found group of changelings that want Queen Chrysalis back! Threaten to do whatever takes!”
“But why now?” Luster ponders, placing her bag on her back. “It’s been moons since they were defeated and imprisoned. Why steal the statue now?”
“Who knows.” River Song closes the paper, returning it to Luster’s bag. “All I know is, if Professor Ocellus finds out, she’ll be—”
“Upset?”
The sudden appearance of the new speaker made the group turn to see Smoulder standing behind them. Not yet fully grown, she still towers over the five as her wings, while not fully open weren’t completely unfurled, but were enough to indicate her mood. “She isn’t the only one.”
“Professor Smoulder!” River said as the five of them back away, gathering together before the dragon.
“Luster.” She addresses, causing the mare to stand at attention. “I’m surprised. You of all ponies should tell what time it is.” Flashing them a smile, she tilts her head up, revealing the suns new position.
“Sweet Celestia! Generosity Class!” She turns to Kayma and Geneva. “We’re gonna be late!” Luster leaps over the bench and runs pass Smoulder, still grinning at the mare.
“Argh! Yak HATE Generosity Class!” Kayma follows at a deliberately slow pace until Smoulder breaths fire directly behind him, speeding him up while Eva hovers over him.
“Speak for yourself. I’m finding it quite revealing.” She said as they caught up to Luster. “Who knew giving stuff would lead to getting even MORE stuff back!” Smoulder rolls her eyes as they vanish from site, turning to eye the remaining two.
“And where are you two suppose to be?”
“Magic Class.” River floats her bag to her and heads toward the classroom. She looks over her shoulder with a smile and waves. “See you after school, Gallop!” She trouts away as the stallion turns to leave the school grounds, making the dragon raise and eyebrow.
“I have permission from Vice Headstallion Sunburst to use my Magic and Cutie Mark classes to work at The Hayburger.” He reaches into his bag and grabs said slip, showing it to Smoulder. She glances at it, spots his seal and nods.
“Well, what are you waiting for? Get going!” He nods, returning the parchment to his bag and galloping off. The garden empty of students and her class about to start, Smoulder spreads out her wings and takes to the air, angling herself towards the Buckball court. As she rises however, the dragon glances into a window, spotting Ocellus by her desk, greeting her students. The changeling held a bright smile and eyes full of joy and wonder, enough that she began to hover off the ground as the students greeted her with just as much warmth.
This just made Smoulder even more sad. “Please, Twilight. Don’t make her pay for this stupidity!” Clutching her fists she flies away, unaware of Ocellus waving to her with that same bright smile.
The air was cold as Twilight’s Moon hung in the sky, casting its calming glow over all it covers; the Villains Statue silhouette against the mighty orb. A pony, shrouded in a cloak stood before it, the cloak lightly flapping in the breeze.
“What do…you want…with them..?” The figure slightly turns their head; behind them lay Rainbow Dash, Captain of the Wonderbolts, Hero of Equestria and member of the Friendship Council, beaten. Her broken wings lay useless beside her as blood flows from the many cuts along her body. Her once kept mane curtains her aged face, its once rainbow pattern stained red, making her resemble an raging beast as she shoots daggers with her eyes at the mystery pony before her.
The pony turns towards the downed pegasus, remaining silent.
“They’re trapped!” She calls out in a strained voice, a cut along her throat making it difficult to talk. “Nothing you do…with free them…”
The cloaked figure approaches Rainbow Dash, the Moon’s glow bouncing off the blade of the knife they held between their teeth.
“You’ll…fail. You don’t…stand a chance…against…Friendship.”
The pony kicks Rainbow in the muzzle with enough force to both brake it and flip her on her back, further braking her cherished wings. Rainbow grunts in pain before the ponies hoof slams down on her chest. They lean down, pressing the knife to the mares throat, giving her a glimpse at her attackers face and the smile they wore around the knife’s handle.
“Friendship…has its own failures.” They spoke in a soft whisper, akin to a mother saying goodnight to their child. Then, with skillful precision, the pony turns their head delivering a swift, clean cut across her latests victims throat. The blood sprays from the wound, splashing across the murders hood, sparring their face from the fluid before rising up to examine their work. “It’s just about ready.” The pony turns, their cape flicking in the air. “One final piece.”
The killer walks away towards the Villains Statue, leaving Rainbow Dash for dead. The proud pony lay on the ground as the life fades from her eyes and onto the dirt. With her final breath, Rainbow Dash, the Element of Loyalty spoke the name of her love as a weak smile settles on her muzzle with the last of her life fading away.
“Apple…jack…”
“SHE’S DEAD! Rainbow’s dead and she’s never coming back! Just like the others! Oh, sweet Celestia WHY? WHY RAINBOW OF ALL PONIES?”
Princess Twilight Sparkle sat in her meeting hall in Canterlot Castle. The table was similar in design to the Crystal Map back at her old castle, as well as the seven chairs that belong to each member of the Friendship Council; one of them belonging to the late Rainbow Dash. Poor Applejack wept furiously as Rarity and Pinkie Pie stood beside the distraught pony, having little success in calming her down. “Her death caught all of us off guard, Applejack.” She said before taking a deep breath, bracing herself for the unavoidable backlash she was going to receive. “However, we need to set that aside for the moment and address other matters first.”
“How can ya say that, Twilight?” Applejack shouts, startling the two mares beside her. “She was our friend and ah member of this Council! Her death should take top priority!”
“Believe me Applejack. I want nothing more then to focus my entire being into finding her killer.” The Alicorn replies darkly, causing her friends to stare at her in worry before softening her features to a sad understanding. “But Rainbow Dash understood the importance of this Council and its ability to run Equestria. Deviating from our responsibilities for her sake is the last thing she would want.” The earth pony sat back in her chair, using her hooves to wipe away the tears before Rarity floats a handkerchief to her. “We WILL address her murder, but only at the appropriate time. Until then—“ She turns to Spike, who is sitting on her left. “—what’s the first item?”
The dragon opens a scroll before beginning. “Queen Skystar is requesting a representative of Equestria to accompany her when she goes to speak to Dragon Lord Ember regarding the increasing dragon presence near Mount Aris.” Spike looks up from the scroll. “Apparently, they’ve been harassing their Navy while on patrol, claiming to be protecting their gem hordes.”
Twilight addresses her pink friend. “Pinkie, can I count on you to oversee their talks?”
“Absolutely! I’ll even bring Cheese Sandwich and Lil’ Cheese along with me!” She said, hopping onto the table with a bright smile. “Lil Cheese has always wanted to visit Seaquestria!”
“What about your husband?” Rarity inquires as Pinkie backflips back into her chair.
“I enjoy his company!” This manages to put smiles on their faces, save for Applejack.
“Okay, the next thing is Captain Gallus has received a letter from Gabby in Griffinstone requesting his return.”
“What for?” Fluttershy asks
“A band of pushy Minotaurs have arrived and are trying to con the griffins out of their city. She says Gilda’s doing what she can to stop them but would like a griffin with business smarts and Royal Guard training close by just in case.” As he finishes the explanation Twilight conjures a scroll and quill, writing down her orders for Gallus before sending it with her magic.
“Done. Anything else?”
“King Thorax has sent a letter informing us he is on his way to Canterlot with Pharynx, as per your request.”
“Does this have to do with that nasty rumor flouting around?” Rarity asks while expressing disgust. “That a group of changelings are plotting to free Chrysalis?”
“Yes. But also…to help us determine if the murderer could be one of them.” Twilight replies, getting Applejack’s full attention.
“Have the investigators found new clues?”
“Unfortunately, no. Only confirmation on what we already know; the killer is refining the knife they’re using to murder ponies…with each victim.”
“Who would do such an awful thing?” Pinkie asks, her long mane deflating slightly.
“A better question would be, who ‘could’ do such a thing.” Twilight’s horn lights up as pictures and files appear on the table. “This is…Rainbow Dash’s case file.” She looks at Applejack barely keeping herself together at the mention of the pegasus. “The autopsy report shows the cut is a much smoother one then what previous victims had.”
Rarity uses her magic to grab two photos from the file; they both had a pony’s neck that bore a cut on them; one was a jagged mess while the other was much more clean. This was Rainbow Dash’s wound. “So, they’ve confirmed the knife is of a Pegasi material and design?”
“Correct. Which brings me to the statue.” Twilight levitates numerous pictures of the crime scene where the Villain Statue stood. “Aside from the hoof prints found, there was no other sign that anypony was there.”
“Have the investigators made any leeway with the prints?” Spike asks as he takes a file and looks over it. “A gender at the vary least?”
“They believe the chances the killer is a mare are eighty-seven percent.” Twilight replies before a frown forms on her muzzle. “But without any official records to compare them with, we have no way of knowing for sure.”
“Couldn’t a unicorn have teleport them away?” Pinkie offers, having recovered from her sad mood.
“It’s possible.” Spike replies as Twilight studies the pictures intently. “But the investigators couldn’t pick up any magical trace whatsoever. They did, however discover that the ground the statue stood was lightly damp.”
“‘Under’ the statue?” Fluttershy asks tapping her chin. “That could mean they used a cloud to steal the statue.”
“That seems to be the most likely theory, enforcing the idea that the killer is a pegasus or a changeling using a pegasus form. They’ve already sent pegasi guards and Wonderbolts to search the skies for any sign of the statue.” Spike replies, his mood turning sober. “Regardless, Thorax isn’t gonna be happy to hear a changeling is a suspect.”
“A potential suspect, Spike.” Twilight adds before placing the picture she was studying down. “There’s just not enough evidence to suggest it was.” She turns to Fluttershy. “Unless you found something in the Dream Realm.”
The pegasus hangs her head as a frown appears on her muzzle. “I’m sorry, Twilight. Even with Luna’s guidance I can’t seem to find anything that could help us. The closest thing I could find were dreams of a cloaked pony wielding a knife.” She looks up to her friend. “But Luna warns not to consider them as fact or evidence.”
“How can that be? Surely this monster has to fall asleep eventually.” Rarity funnels her brows in thought. “Perhaps they sleep during the day?”
“If that were the case, it would include the Bat ponies as suspects, which is something Luna would hear none of.” She replies. “It’s also possible this criminal just doesn’t dream when they sleep.”
Suddenly, Applejack slams the table drawing everyone attention to her infuriated face. “How is this happening? How has this maniac managed ta evade capture, much less detection, for so long?” Her outburst was so intense her hat slips off her head and lands on the table where Rainbow’s chair was placed. “Sneaking into Canterlot, overpowering Rainbow Dash, and stealing the statue that holds three of our most dangerous villains…are we so inept that we can’t even stop ah single murderer from killing one of our own?” Her words hung in the air as they fell into silence. It was clear to them that Applejack was speaking from a place of hurt and grief as the Friendship Council has lead Equestria for many moons successfully. These murders have only been a recent dilemma they’ve had to contend with. The mare turns to Fluttershy. “What about Discord? He has his Chaos magic; hasn’t he found anything?”
“I’m truly sorry, Applejack.” Discord said, appearing above them seconds later with a sad expression on his face. “But even with all my power…I’m coming up empty.” This caused the mare to look at him in disbelief before collapsing into her chair as Pinkie and Rarity mirror her expression. Fluttershy and Spike share a look of surprise, being two of the draconequus’ closest friends before they turn to look at Twilight, who was staring at him in shocked awe.
“How in Equestria is there a creature that can evade you?”
Discord’s hardens his features to a near angry scowl. “That’s precisely what I’d like to know!” He snaps his claws conjuring a view window with the site of an alley in Manehattan within. “This window shows my memories as I experience them. This particular memory is from the night before the unicorn stallion, Blue Note was murdered.”
“What were you doing in Manehattan?” Rarity asks as the view window shows ponies walking past the alley entrance. She then gives the Lord of Chaos an annoyed look. “And don’t just say ‘You were in the neighbourhood’.”
“Come now, Rarity. You’re not the only one that enjoys the hustle and bustle of Manehattan.” He replies with a cheeky smile, only to receive a deadpan look from the mare.
“I asked him to go.” Fluttershy chimes in. “That night, I stumbled into a dream that had seen a cloaked pony and it gave her a nightmare.” She bent her head forward. “I wasn’t sure if it would lead to anything, but I asked Discord to see if he could find something that we could bring to you, Twilight.” The Alicorn gave her friend a nod.
“And, in a way, I did.” Discord brought everyone’s attention back to the window as a shadow creeps at the alley entrance.
“What are we looking at, Discord?” Applejack asks, her voice hoarse.
“Watch what happens just before this pony comes into view.” They all watch intently as the shadow on the sidewalk grew until…the screen blinks; on the window they saw the street that connects to the alley as ponies rush by, the sun already in the sky.
“What just happened?” Pinkie asks in a startled shriek. “I blinked and missed it!”
“Whoever this pony is, not only are they immune to my magic—“ He rewinds the memory to just before the blink, showing the shadow on the ground. “—but they can also mess with memories.”
“That sounds familiar…” Spike said, before turning to Twilight. “Didn’t you help Sunset Shimmer with something like this?”
“Yes. In her world, someone had found an Equestrian artifact that effects memories.” She addresses her friends. “But she and her friends destroyed it.”
“Couldn’t the magical power within the artifact have returned to Equestria and possessed another item?” Rarity suggests while looking between her and Spike. “For example, that book you found in the Castle of the Two Sisters.” He guiltily rubs his neck as Twilight shoots him an irritated look. “Even though you ate the book, I could still use its magic. It wasn’t until we broke the spell did the magic fade away.”
Twilight taps her chin in thought. “That’s a plausible theory. Spike and I will look into it once this meeting is over.”
“So…we have a nasty pony going around Equestria using a knife that is made of Pegasus materials that can use clouds to steal statues, wears a cloak, and can avoid all means of magical detection…killing…other ponies.” Pinkie sums up in her normal fashion, looking at Twilight with sad eyes. “It kinda seems like the nasty pony is either a unicorn, a pegasus, or a changeling.” She taps her chin as a thought appears. “Or an Alicorn.” All her friends give the mare jaded looks as Discord tries his hardest not to burst into laughter. “What? I’m just saying!”
“It’s too early to be narrowing down suspects.” Twilight said with authority while rising to her hooves, drawing everyones attention. “Chances are the murderer is a unicorn or a pegasus, but there are earth ponies that are capable of creating devices that replicate similar abilities.” Pinkie and Applejack share a look and nod in agreement. “I’m also not convinced they’re a changeling either as none of the victims showed any sign that a changeling fed off them.” A look of relief appears on Spikes face. “Why would a changeling that hasn’t gone through the metamorphosis kill a pony and not feed of their love?” She looks at Pinkie with un-amusement. “And as for Alicorns…” Pinkie shrinks into her chair with a nervous smile as Twilight continues. “…all five of us have airtight alibis.”
“Is that so?” Discord asks as Pinkie lets out a breath of relief.
“Celestia and Luna have been by Starswirl and Mistmane’s bedside since they were admitted into the hospital after their heart attacks.” Spike explains. “Cadence and Shining Armor are still in Saddle Arabia on their retreat and Flurry Heart has been overseeing the Crystal Faire since these murders began.”
“And I’ve been in Canterlot and Ponyville, overseeing my duties as well as checking on Luster.” Twilight explains as a small smile appears at the mention of her student.
“It has been a very long time since Flurry’s birth.” Fluttershy began. “How do we know another Alicorn hasn’t appeared without anypony noticing?” Twilight looks at her with a raised eyebrow, causing a light blush to appear on the mares face. “There are a lot of ponies that dream about becoming an Alicorn.”
Discord hovers between the two mares. “I can assure you, Fluttershy. If such a thing were to happen, I would know of it.”
“Which is why I am tasking you with…an important job.” Discord and Fluttershy turn to Twilight as her friends held somber looks.
“Why don’t I like where this is going?” Pinkie said, her mane deflating even more.
Twilight closes her eyes. “We have to find this pony, before they take another life. To that end…” She slowly opens her eyes, a dark look of certainty emerges as she addresses Discord. “…how many duplicates can you make?”
This catches the draconequus off guard, causing him to burst into laughter. “Oh, my dear Twilight! You really had me going. By your tone, I imagined you were going to ask me something sinister.” In a flash, six more copies of Discord appear over each member of the Council. “And this is me giving no effort what so ever.”
“Then…you can create enough copies to monitor every creature in Canterlot?” The room fell silent; even Discord’s duplicates gave the Princess of Friendship a questioning look before Fluttershy spoke up.
“Twilight…I know we have to catch this criminal; whatever it takes. But…” After the Friendship Council was established, Luna chose Fluttershy to be her successor as Protector of the Dream Realm. Not only because the other members had responsibilities that prevented them from giving this task its much needed attention, but because she was the Element of Kindness.
“What better way to guard ponies against Nightmares then with Kindness?”
After much convincing Fluttershy accepted the role, spending many nights traversing the Dreamscape with Luna as she taught her how to properly manage it. Among the many lessons she taught, Luna was adamant in regards to invading a ponies most private moments.
“The ponies you meet inside their dreams are often vastly different then they are in the waking world. After all, a pony’s dream is their most purest sanctuary. The one place in all creation they can go to truly be themselves, for better or worst.
Lean on your kind nature to temper yourself when you witness such privacy. Ponies have a vast imagination, resulting in the most wildest dreams that would horrify even the bravest of ponies. Regardless, it is their dream. Their most private thoughts and feelings to express and display and not for us to judge, for even though we have the power to enter their dreams, we do not have the right to violate their trust.”
“…if we go through with this, it would mean crossing a line we have no right to cross.” She gives Twilight a firm look. “Even as leaders, we don’t have the authority to spy on other creatures daily lives.”
“I’m not asking Discord to spy on them, only monitor them in case the killer makes a move.”
Fluttershy leans forward, refusing to back down. “Where’s the line, outside their homes? What if the killer murders somepony in their bed, will you move the line to inside their homes?” She challenges while holding Twilight’s stern eyes. “This decision will lead us somewhere dark, fast!”
“Do you really think I WANT to do this?” Twilight said, getting her say on the matter. “Ponies are dying, Fluttershy! We’ve exhausted the normal methods of investigations and got next to nothing! Rumors are beginning to spread about the murders since the statue was stolen and we can’t keep them from the public much longer!”
“Nor should we have!” Applejack said, butting in to the argument. “Ah was against that from the start! Me and Rainbow! Had we told the public about the first murder, ponies could’ve been more aware and have reported suspicious activities more frequently!”
“But Applejack, it would’ve caused a panic.” Rarity adds. “Not to mention how that would reflect the Friendship Councils image. The first murder in Equestria since King Sombra? Ponies would question our ability to lead them.”
“Isn’t that what they’re suppose ta do? Keep us at our best at all times, not just when things are going our way?”
The two arguments rage on; Spike trying his best to calm Twilight and Fluttershy down while Pinkie does the same for Applejack and Rarity. The seven Discords remained surprisingly silent throughout the entire exchanges, almost revelling in the chaotic disputes going on below him. “If only Celestia had this much arguing going on during her rule.” The Discord over Rarity said. “I might not have had to take over Equestria back then.”
“This is a rather refreshing change of pace from the ‘normal’ meetings they have.” The Discord over Twilight replies as the mare got to her hooves in an intimidating way while speaking about safety over security only for Fluttershy to hover out of her chair to the Alicorns eye level to challenge her notion.
“It IS getting a tad bit heated, isn’t it?” The Discord over Spike said as the dragon attempts to force his way between the two mares.
“Are you kidding? I haven’t seen these mares go at it like this since the feud between the Buffalo and the Yaks!” The Discord over Applejack said as Pinkie literally holds back the farm pony from jumping at Rarity as she argued against revealing the murders, dismissing Rainbow’s stance regarding loyalty towards their citizens.
“Didn’t that feud end poorly for the Buffalo because these mares were arguing too much?” The Discord over Rarity points out as the Discord over Pinkie gasps in horror at the vocabulary Applejack was using that made Rarity absolutely livivd.
“Good point.” The ‘original’ Discord concluded with a deadpan expression. “Besides, Fluttershy was devastated afterwards. Can’t have that happening again.” With a snap of his claws the four mares snapped back to their chairs, startling everyone while Spike and Pinkie look around in confusion. “As the Lord of Chaos I simple enjoy a good argument as much as the next draconequus. But, and I can’t believe I’M the one saying this, lets all step back and take a breath.” The group of friends exchange looks with each other as they slowly realize how far they were taking things. “Let’s not forget; there is still a killer out there and you all need to find a way to capture them.”
Twilight utilizes her breathing technique to calm herself further. “You’re right, Discord. Our focus should be on catching this monster.” She looks at Applejack. “You’re right, Applejack. We should have warned Equestria much sooner, but what’s done is done.” Applejack humphs angrily as Twilight addresses Fluttershy. “As for our next course of action, do any of you have anything better to suggest? Anything at all?” Twilight said, pleadingly. Her fellow Council members remain quite until Twilight releases a sigh of defeat. “Alright then. Discord?”
“If that’s your final word, then so be it.” With a flash, multiple Discord’s appear then vanish like an assembly line, teleporting all across Canterlot. The main Discord turns to Fluttershy with a sad look on his face. “Fret not, Fluttershy. I won’t do anything that might damage the Friendship Councils trust.” The mare looks up at him with a regretful smile as he grins down on her. “Trust me. I’ll have this criminal caught faster then you can say ‘Handsome Draconequus’!”
The post-dawn sun causes a dark shadow to fall over a back alley in the heart of Canterlot, its citizens paying it no mind as they go about their day as they normally would. Suddenly, a unicorn mare looks up and gasps in surprise as the skies fill with Discord copies, scattering throughout the city in a massive show of force in hopes of stunning the elusive killer. It had the opposite effect as the cloaked pony watches with disdain and fascination, hiding in the darkest portion of the alley.
“Now isn’t this suspicious.” The cloaked pony tilt their head to the side as a Discord copy hovers behind them. “A cloaked creature hiding in a dark alley? I’m getting the sense of deja’vu.” He snaps his claws with the intent to capture this suspect, but only for his magic to drift through the air and float directly to the hooded figures cloak where their mouth is. “Hmm. A very interesting trick you got there.”
As he spoke, the pony slowly grasps their teeth around the hilt, a dark green substance, ready to draw at a moments notice.
“It reminds me of Chrysalis’ magic sucking throne. That’s the only way you’re able to avoid my magic.”
Slowly, they pull the blade free from its confines, a faint bluish green glow emanating from the hilts centre.
“But the more frustrating thing that I don’t know is…how are you able to meddle with MY memories?”
The blade free, the figure prepares to strike. “For a creature that holds the title ‘Lord of Chaos’…” Discord ignites his claws, ready to defend himself. “…you have become painfully predictable.”
“Pridicta…” Discord began, dropping his guard from the insult to his very nature and giving the cloaked figure the opportunity to turn and face him. Too late, Discord rushes the pony as they draw the knife at him, causing a bright green flash to blind the draconequus.
Suddenly, Discord finds himself floating alone in the alley as Princess Twilight moves the sun closer to its noon position; the entire morning had past as he looks around the alley, lost. “Where am I? How did I get here?” He checks over his body, growing more frighten. “What am I?” He continues to ask himself questions as he floats out of the alley, leaving the cloaked figure hiding around the corner, sliding the knife back into its sheath.
“They’re finally taking me seriously.” The cloaked pony said turning away from the confused Discord and walking away down another alley. “Better late then never, I suppose.” They reach the end of the alley, covered in shadows and look out to the Canterlot Hospital that stood across the street as dozens of Discord’s float around it. “Hmm. This new development my prove to be a challenge.” They back away, deeper into the shadows. “Now’s a good time to put my contingency plan into motion.” They turn and cross by another path leading to the streets. “But who should it…be.” The cloaked killer spots a creature hovering through the air before being stopped by a Discord. Seconds later, a large piece of cake appears, drawing the Discord away and leaving the creature alone. The pony’s light green muzzle slowly turns into a sinister smile.
“Perfect.”
