"Good morning every pony!" A voice echoed. Said voice belonged to a stallion of unknown age. "Now I have some breaking news for some of you bored ponies out there." The stallion chuckled before continuing. "Now you remember those horrific murders that's been happening for a few months now?" The stallion paused. It was as if he was expecting some pony to actually answer him. "Well Apparently the Smiley face killer's once again solved the case." The stallion chuckled once more. Howver this time it was more out of relief than amusement. It made sense considering that the stallion lived in Bolthoof as well.

At least that's what they assumed anyway.

"Apparently a group of screaming ponies attracts alot of attention." "As such the locals in downtown called the police." The stallion shrugged. Unfortunately there was no pony around to witness said action. "When the police arrived they found two ponies hanged in the alleyway, but not only that Apparently said ponies had smiles carved on thier faces. The stallion paused. Letting the silence linger for a moment before speaking, and when he did speak it was in a grim tone. Now the police ponies aren't saying names. But according to my Intel the two ponies found were well known doctors."

The stallion sighed.

The sound of shuffling cards could be heard in the on suing silence.

The stallion spoke up. His voice much more cheerful and enthusiastic than befor. "Well if you ask me they totally deserve it!" The sound of robotic laughter can be heard in the background. An action that wasn't exactly anything new. At least not to the ones listening in.

"For the ones who are wondering who exactly the Smiley face killer's are allow me to explain."

The stallion cleared his throat.

"I have very little idea!"

A pony rolled thier eyes.

"Not munch are really known about them." "However what we do know Is that munch like the killers in Bolthoof there is likely more than one." The stallion shrugged once more. "At least that's what the experts say." "With that being said the Smiley face killer's have been active in equestria for over 10 years now."

The stallion paused to let the information sink in.

"Sense thier debute they have killed an estimated 64 ponies." "However we can't exactly know for sure." The stallion grinned. "What's that viewer?"

Silence.

"You wanna know what I mean by that?"

No pony said a word.

"Well Apparently their not exactly big on leaving thier mark." The stallion chuckled. "They either A carve a smile into thier victims." "Or B paint a smiley face on a hard surface using blood." The stallion once again paused for dramatic effect. "However that isn't always the case."

"Sometimes a pony or two would just wind up mysteriously missing never to be found again." The stallion sighed leaning his back against a chair. "Now I know what your thinking" he stated dully. "What does a pony going missing have to deal with the Smiley face killers?"

He smirks.

"Well before I answer that! I need you to listen closer." For a long moment the only sound that was heard was the shuffling of papers. Once done the stallion cleared his throat. "Sandy Grey a pony wanted for the murder of her own foal." "Lighting Hoof a two counts convicted rapist." "Leaf storm suspected spouse abuser." He paused to let the information sink in. "These are just three ponies out of possibly hundreds that the Smiley killers have targeted over the years."

"So!" The stallion continued. His voice turning chipper once more. "It just so happens that the ponies who went missing fitted thier MO."

"For instance one pony that went missing was an alleged gang member." "Said gang were accused of rape, drug smuggling, and forced prostitution." the stallion chuckled darkly. "It so happens that said gang"s leader was found hanging by his intensities." "A smiley painted on the wall behind him using his own blood."

"Afthere that and several other instances ponies began to regard them as heroes of equestria." The stallion laughed. "Of course local authorities would say other wise." "Regardless they aren't any closer in finding out who the Smiley face killers are." The stallion hummed in amusement "of course that dosen't stop ponies from theorizing."

"One such theory is that the Smiley face killers are actually working under the crown."

A pony snorted.

"Of course princess Celestia was quick to deny this." The stallion rolled his eyes. "Like were dumb enough believe she actually isn't capable of such a thing."

"Howver the most well known and regarded theory is the Smiley face killers themselves were victims of abuse." "As such they take thier anger out on those who they deemed a threat to pony society."

A mare blinked before shrugging.

"Whatever the case maybe i myself respect thier line of work." The stallion sighed. "Ever sense Celestia raised taxes due to what she calls necessary reasons everything's been going to shit." The stallion shook his head, and it's not like we can count on law enforcement to protect us." He snorted. "You saw how useful they've been lately." "Now I don't know about you, but I can sleep peacefully at night knowing that there are a group of ponies out there doing whatever it takes to protect us."

He grinned.

"Anyway though that's enough out of me." "Stay safe ponies and as always I'll see you next time, and remember the only thing to fear Is fear itself."

Limestone rolled her eyes. Walking over to the fridge the mare takes a look inside. One glance and she could tell that it was a lost cause. Sighing the mare looks over her shoulder. The others were busy playing cards. Unfortunately for Pinks and Marble Jazz was winning.

Again.

The sight itself was nothing knew. Jazz was a wild card when it came to alot of things, but challenge him in a card game and you might as well just give him all the bits you got.

"Pinkamena."

Said mare blinks before looking over at her second youngest sibling.

"What?"

"Were out of milk" Limestone grumbled. The mare was well known for her temper and attitude, but when it was just her family she kept herself in check.

Most of the time at least.

The pink mare blinked. "Well then go get some more." The tone in her voice spoke volumes. If there was one thing Pinks hated it was ponies who complained about a problem that they could easily fix themselves."

"With what bits?!" Limestone snapped. She didn't want to remind her sister that they were low on cash. While Pinkamena was indeed the head mare she tended to be forgetful. At least when she's having a really good time. One such example being a friendly card game between family.

Pinkamena faced hoof herself in realization.

"Oh right" she mumbled putting her cards down. "I could go get us some more bits" Limestone offered. They still had thier main income buried right under thier hooves. All it would really take is a one way trip towards one Griffin in particular. Unfortunately the pink mare was having absolutely none of it. "Absolutely not!" She stated firmly. "For one we go as a family just like we always have." Pinks planted her hoof firmly on the table. A authoritative expression on her face. It was an expression Limestone knew all too well. If she were to go against her sister Limestone would end up in a world of trouble,

"And secondly it's not even that time of day yet." Pinks cast her gaze towards the window. Sure enough the sun looked as if it wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. With not munch else she can do Limestone noded. Her sister's expression turned into a munch more cheerful one. "Don't worry! I'm sure time will fly with the four of us here toghere."

"Besides" she continued. Picking her cards back up and turning away from her sister. "What would you need milk for anyway?

"Ceral" Limestone stated flatly. Pinkamena opened her mouth to respond. Probably another bout of reassurance. That was until Marble spoke up.

"I have some bits left."

Both mares looked over at her in surprise. Said pony already reached into her saddle bag and pulled out a bag full of bits. Fortunately for Limestone Marble always keeps a hoof full of bits with just in case of emergencies. The grey mare would refuse to spent it on anything else other wise. "Thanks" Limestone stated as Marble threw her the bag. Just then Jazz jumped up in excitement.

'Oh! Can I come?!

Limestone opened her mouth. Then closed it.

Looking back she saw Pinks shrug. "Up to you!" She stated with a smile. Looking back at the stallion Limestone hummed in thought. It wasnt long before the mare had her answer. Lifting a hoof she gestures for Jazz to come closer. Jumping off the table the stallion did so. Once he was close enough Limestone puts her hoof around him in a rare display of physical contact.

"What are the three s words? The mare asked.

Stay close, stay safe, stay aware,

And when you can't stay close? The mare questioned. The stallion stop shaking and took a deep breath. Execeling he forced himself to relax.

"Stay calm."

Limestone smirked before ruffling his mane. "Alright let's go."

The trip to the nearest grocery store wasn't exactly an eventual one. Mainly it consisted of ponies talking about the event that happened a few days ago. That and constantly getting in Limestone's way. As such the mare reverted back to her passive aggressive nature rather quickly. Jazz on the other hoof was having the time of his life. The thing is however that this wasn't exactly his first time out and about. However the mentally damaged stallion acted the same way every single time. Down to the directions in witch he will tilt his head towards. Suffice it to say Jazz was indeed an odd pony. However the same could be said for his sisters. As such during his moments of calm the stallion never once felt alone. Witch is a good thing all this considered.

It didn't take long for the pair to reach thier destination, and once they did Limestone decided to pick up various food items while she was at it. Afthere all they weren't only low on cash, but on food as well. Witch is why she is currently browsing through the snake aisle. Afthere all, all three of her siblings had a thing for sweets. The pink mare most of all. Second only to Jazz. Though too munch and the stallion could end up quit literally running through town. The last time that happened a net and a dozen elephant tranquilizers were involved.

Humming quietly to herself Limestone cast her gaze towards the stallion. Who for this part looked like he was a kid in a candy store. Biting her lip to hide her smile Limestone nudged him on the side. He looked at her. His mixed colored eyes beaming with excitement. "Hey why don't you go ahead and grab your favorite juice okay?"

He looked at her questionably. Howver Limestone knew full well that he was capable of such a feat. Beaming he noded, and just like that he was gone before she could even blinked. Chuckling to herself the mare continued browsing. Honestly she was surprised at how much Marble was able to save up. Of course the mare was very choosy on how she spent her bits. If it wasnt a necessity like food then she ignored it unless it was a snack every now and then. Pinkamena on the other spends nearly half of hers on said items. Limestone herself was pretty big on regular food. However Jazz would never accept any money they tried giving him. Instead the stallion would split the money he was given towards his three sisters. It gotten to the point were Pinkamena had to go and talk to him about it. There was alot of yelling mainly on Jazz's part. Shortly followed up by another mental break down. Though it didn't last very long. In the end the stallion agreed to keep a portion to himself at all times. He would usually spend it on candy. That or a sharp looking knife. Hell more than once he would spent it all on a costume for nightmare night. Of course that would always get a laugh out of her sisters.

Shaking her head Limestone tossed a pack of oreos in the cart. However just as she was wondering what was taking said stallion so long she heard a shout.

"YOU TOUCH MY FLANK YOU PERVERT!" Upon hearing this Limestone sughed.

Looks like that was her que.

It didn't take long for her to find were the noise had came from. Hell all she really had to do was look for a crowd of ponies. Once she found said ponies Limestone wasted no time in pushing her way through. What she saw next made the mare's blood boil.

In total there was about five ponies. One of them was a mare while the others were all Stallions. If Limestone had to guees that was probably the mares sons. Regardless said ponies were huddled around Jazz. Who for his part kept his eyes low to the floor. Slowly rocking back and forth in an almost creepy manner. When the mare suddenly raised her hoof Limestone decided to step in.

"Hey!' She snapped.

All thier eyes fell on her.

"What's your problem?!" She growled walking towards the mare. Said mare in question merely crossed her hooves looking down at Jazz with disgust. "He touched my flank!"

Limestone gasped. "He what?!"

"He touched my flank!"

"Say that again."

"He touched my flank!"

Limestone blinked. Leaning forward she turns her ear towards the enraged mare. "Say that one more time." Said mare turned her head toward her. A expression of annoyance mixed with rage on her face.

"HE TOUCHED MY FLANK!"

Limestone nods smirking. "Gotcha."

Turning her head towars Jazz her smirked dropped. "Okay so what really happened?"

Jazz mumbled something under his breath.

"Jazz."

"I went to grab the juice and I accidentally bumped into her." Limestone noded. Yeah that sounded about right. Last time Limestone checked Jazz didn't have the capacity to check out mares like that. "You liar!" The mare screeched. "I turned my head for one second and I felt someone's hoof on my flank." "I look right behind me there he is!"

Limestone looked at him.

"It was my shoulder" he clarified.

Limestone nodded.

Turning her attention back towards the mare she glared. "Look bimbo it was a misunderstanding simple as that." Limestone hope that it would be enough to resolve the situation.

Unfortunately she had poor social skills.

"What did you call our mother?!" One of the stallions shouted. He then proceeded to get directly in Limestone's face. The mare however was unphased. "You don't say ?" Limestone muttered. Looking towards the other three stallions she nodded. Glancing back towards the enraged mare she shrugged.

"Should have just aborted."

Suddenly Limestone felt a hoof impact her jaw. The force was enough to send her stumbling two ot three steps back. She heard the ponies in the crowd gasp in shock. Rubbing her jaw looks at the stallion who punched her. Said stallion had a look of satisfaction on his face.

"Serves you right."

Slowly Limestone glances back towards the crowd. A nonchalant expression on her face. "You saw that right?"

The ponies nodded.

"Good."

Turning back Limestone took a step forward. The stallion looked at her. A smug look on his face.

Limestone then proceeded to deck said stallion in the chin. However the force was enough to send his entire body flying backwards. As such he landed on top of a near by cart. A daze expression on his face. The rest stared at her in shock. Cracking her neck Limestone spoke.

"Jazz!?

He looked at her. His eyes vacant of any and all life.

"You remember what I said earlier?"

The stallion nodded.

Limestone grinned. As the other three stallions began to charge. "Well fuck being calm."

She lunged.
.....
"They locked me up and they won't let me out!" Jazz sang. The stallion was currently rattling the bars of his jail cell. Other than that he looked no worse for wear. The only thing out of place was a slight bruise on his right cheek.

"They got me here until the sun comes down." Limestone joined in. Said mare stood across from him. Like Jazz She looked no worse for wear. All though there was a few scrapes here and there.

"Really thinking I was afthere the crown!" Jasper continued.

"They locked up and they won't let me out!" They sang in unison.

"I knew at the beginning I should have drowned!" Pinkamena sang. Said mare skipped into the room with Marble behind her. Aslo with with them was a police pony. "Finally" Limestone mumbled rolling her eyes.

"Hi Pinkamena!" Jasper waved.

"Missed me?" Pinkamena grinned. In reponse Jazz nodded his head viciously. "Let me guees were free to go because they attacked me first right?" The pony nodded. "Yup that's pretty munch it." With that said he unlocked the two cells. "What am I gonna do with you two?" Pinks wondered out loud. Amusement leeching from her tone.

"Hey it was self defense!"

The pink mare merely rolled her eyes.

"Did you at least get the food?"

Limestone noded. "I'm amazed that they even let you pay after all that." Pinks giggled as Jazz enveloped her in a hug. "I'm even more amazed you convinced a pony to drop them off at home.

Limestone shrugged. "Just got lucky I guess."

Author's Note

I made that song up in the end lol