Danger in the Dust

by Joshua Crapo

Rating: everyone
Tags: Lightning Dust, Discord, Slice of Life, Main 6, Changelings, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Mystery, Other
Length: 7196

Lightning Dust gets a letter in the mail about a rental chariot she used to move to Ponyville, not only delaying her welcome-to-Ponyville party, but also ends up landing Discord in hot water. It's up to Aita and those involved to fix this.

Shortly after the Grand Galloping Gala, Aita is on his way home from the CMC clubhouse when Lightning Dust engages in a conversation with him. Unfortunately, after Aita tells his friends, Lightning Dust gets a U-Fly letter about a rental chariot that not only postpones her welcome party, but, once found out, also ends up getting Discord framed. To get everything figured out, Aita will have to put his deductive skills to the test with the help of Fluttershy and Lightning Dust.

Published 2022-11-03 18:30:01 UTC
Last updated 2022-11-05 14:01:52 UTC

Chapter I

Another successful meeting with the Cutie Mark Crusaders down, and the whole team is here too, Trace Light included. I’m the first to leave, so the other four say their goodbyes to me, prompting a look back to them and a smile from me.

I sigh happily. “Another good afternoon with the Cutie Mark Crusaders. I can’t wait to tell Twilight.”

Looking forward to the first weekend of the autumn, I buzz my wings to mimic the music to the ninth level in Planet Puzzle League as I walk home. There’s just something about that stage that sticks out from the rest of the music, even with Sim Hive’s quasi-phonographic sounds. Maybe it’s the howling in the two chorus sections.

Across from the western side of Town Hall, one of the ponies out and about seems to notice the music coming out of my wings. Huh, what’s that from? …hello? …kid?

I stop the music and turn around when it’s clear the mare is referring to me. “Yeah?” The mare looks a little familiar. She’s a pegasus with an aqua coat, a crooked golden mane and tail, and a cutie mark with a lightning bolt and three stars underneath. Behind her is a empty freight pegasus chariot next to the stump of a “for sale” sign.

“I couldn’t help but notice the smooth music you were playing with your wings. I thought I was the only one who enjoyed that kind of music.”

“Oh that? It was just from a puzzle game I took with me. Nothing special.”

“So what’s your name, kid?”

“Aita. And yours? Because you look familiar.”

“I do? Wherever you saw me, name’s Lightning Dust.”

“I thought so. Were you at the academy?”

“Oh yeah!” Lightning Dust performs two backloops, then offers a hoof bump, which I accept. “So, where you headed?”

“Home. I just got done with a meeting with my friends after school. So, what are you doing in Ponyville?”

“Just got moved in so I can go on tour as a stuntpony across Equestria. I may be barred from the Wonderbolts, but that doesn’t stop me from getting my thrills.”

Well now I’m impressed. “You’re a stuntpony now? That’s so cool…”

“Isn’t it? I’ve been an adrenaline junkie my whole life, and finally getting paid to have fun one way or another was my life mission.”

“Whoa…”

“Well, I have to return the chariot, then I’ve gotta unpack. Great meeting you, Aita. We should hang out sometime.”

“Yeah we should! See ya!”

As I run home now a hyped changeling, Lightning Dust and I wave goodbye to each other, me with my hoof, and her with her wing.

Not long after my encounter with Lightning Dust, I make it home, where everyone is at the throne room, including Twilight’s friends.

When I open the door, it creaks, getting everyone to look at me. Rainbow Dash is the first to approach.

“Aita! What’s up, buddy?” she asks in the gruff but friendly and enthusiastic tone we’ve all come to expect.

Rarity approaches me now, softly rubbing my head. “My, you look more chipper than usual. What’s the occasion?”

I clear my throat to the voice of Lightning Dust. “Somepony’s JUST moved to Ponyville.”

Everyone - sans Twilight, Starlight and Spike - shrinks their pupils in surprise.

“WHAT?!? You’re kidding!!!”

“Calm down, Pinkie,” says Twilight. “Aita, is this true?”

“I just talked to her today,” I answer in my normal voice. “She’s moved here so that she can go on tour all over Equestria! And boy, did we get along well!”

Twilight flies up to me and hugs me. “That’s wonderful Aita! You made a friend all on your own! Here in Equestria!”

“Wait, who’re we talking about?” Starlight asks.

“Oh that’s right. You haven’t heard of her,” I remember.

“Her name is Lightning Dust. That imitation Aita did earlier was her voice. And she was the reckless pegasus that almost got us killed by a tornado,” explains Fluttershy. She doesn’t even flinch explaining her past encounter.

I change into Lightning Dust to show Starlight what she looks like.

“Ah, I see.”

Once Starlight notes, I change back.

Applejack puts a hoof under her chin. “Y’know girls, Aita is not one to hide anything from us. If he says Lightnin’ Dust is makin’ a new name for herself, then darn tootin’ am Ah givin' her the benefit of the doubt.”

Spike happily anticipates everypony believing Applejack. And three, two, one…

“Good point Applejack,” Rarity replies. “Everything Dashie recapped at the academy about Lightning Dust’s actions may be awful, but atonement worked for Chrysalis. It should work for ponies who’ve done less.”

“At least all we had to deal with was recklessness instead of some power-crazed crazy-prepared unicorn trying to take back an entire empire,” admits Pinkie.

“Or a former legend trying to keep his record intact,” Rainbow Dash adds.

“We should throw her a welcome party! I’ve never tried the stunt theme before. Think you can help with that, Rainbow?”

“You can count on me, Pinks!”

“Wanna help send out invitations?” Spike asks Fluttershy, who nods.

“Why don’t Twilight and I accompany you, Spike,” suggests Starlight. “And Aita, you know what to do.”

I jump into the air and nod. “So, where are we holding the party?”

“The usual place… you know where it is,” Twilight answers to me. I think I actually do: Sugar Cube Corner.

Unfortunately, I remember what Lightning Dust said before.

“Um, before I go, I just remembered you might have more time than usual to set up the party. Lightning Dust is returning a rental since everything’s inside.”

Twilight nods. “It’s okay, Aita. Just meet up with her at her new home. Based on what I’ve heard about her, she should be back in no time.”

“Okay. See you all at Sugar Cube Corner.”

I’m the first to head out of the room, but instead of immediately going out, I detour to the library to grab my DS, which has been charging on the mirror all day. With the DS in my magic, I start heading back to where Lightning Dust and I first met.

Author's Note

If anyone's wondering what the song Aita plays with his wings is called, it's "Neon Isotope".

Chapter II

As I approach town hall again, I look around for Lightning Dust. When I see the tracks left by the rental in the grass, and the stump left by the “for sale” sign, I conclude that’s Lightning Dust’s yard, so I approach house that occupies the yard and knock on the front door.

I hear hoofsteps from inside before the door opens.

“Aita? What are you doing back so soon?”

“When I got home and told my friends about you, they were pretty interested in welcoming you.”

Lightning Dust is a bit flattered. “Really?”

“Well, yeah. The Hearth’s Warming party was my welcome party. I hear yours will have a stunt theme to it.”

“Well sign me up. What do you think I should perform?”

“I don’t think it really matters, Lightning Dust. Whatever you think is the most impressive should be enough.”

“Aw, you’re no fun. There’s a whole slew of stunts I could do. With a recording of twenty on the anemometer, anything is possible.”

“Well, if you needed the space, I could gather everypony around and move the party to the park.”

“That won’t be necessary, Aita. I can do stunts in the middle of Ponyville. What’s the danger if we’re out on the clouds above?”

I start thinking. Maybe just in front of Sugar Cube Corner could work. She is right about clouds bearing no hazard to Ponyville. “I think we can agree. We’ll keep the destination, and also have it outside.”

“Sounds great! See you at the show, alright kid?”

I nod at Lightning Dust and fly off.

On my way back to Sugar Cube Corner, I end up bumping into another pony. Recovering, I see a pegasus stallion with Rainbow Dash’s coat, but with a greyed mane and tail and a flight helmet for a cutie mark.

“You alright there, kid?” he asks.

“I guess so. You came out of nowhere… wait. Cyan coat, aged hair, flight helmet… are you the former legend himself?”

“Wow… very observant. And yes…” Wind Rider holds out his wing, but I just shake it with magic. “So, anything going on today?”

“Uh… not really,” I lie. “Last time anything significant happened was nicknames getting abolished at WBHQ.”

This fact surprises Wind Rider. “What really? Forgive me not following ‘bolt news since I was kicked out… and you were part of that?”

“...I was on a mission by the tree of harmony. I was actually the only one called.”

“Huh, I never knew such a young minor could make it big on his own. Well, I was invited to Sugar Cube Corner just about ten minutes ago, but I might have to delay my arrival.”

“Um okay. See you later?” I look as Wind Rider continues on his way. Then I turn back to the way to Sugar Cube Corner. “Well that was weird. I better talk to Twilight…”

I run to my destination and find Apple Bloom building an obstacle course with Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Trace Light.

Trace Light is the first to notice and run to me.

“Aita! Are we glad to see you! What do you think? Does this scream Cutie Mark Crusaders Coursemaker or what?”

I take a closer look at the obstacle course, and see hoops towering and facing completely random directions, flagpoles everywhere as well. Lightning Dust, let alone any pegasus, would have a very hard time getting through. “Um, I’m sure it does, but where’s the finish hoop?”

“That’s the point!” Apple Bloom chimes in, approaching me now. “Trace Light decided to make it a sandbox obstacle course! Hoops and flags every which way! Lightning Dust is surely gonna have a lot of fun!”

“And besides, nopony is more dangerous than her!” adds Scootaloo.

Sweetie Belle looks around once she notices the other three have come to me. “...Um, are you girls gonna help? Hoops are hard to float!”

I watch as Trace Light, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo come back to help Sweetie Belle finish setting up the sandbox obstacle course. “While you’re setting that up, I gotta talk to Twilight.”

Heading inside Sugar Cube Corner, I see Twilight hanging out with Applejack, the former noticing and coming to hug me. I look around some more and see Rainbow Dash and Rarity telling some story to Pinkie Pie and… Muffins, was it? Meanwhile, Fluttershy, Spike and Starlight seem to be sharing a laugh with Lyra and Sweetie Drops.

“So how was the trip, Aita?” Twilight asks before taking a slight sniff.

“Not bad, but a little weird. …uh, did you invite anypony that used to be important?”

“Not that I know of. Invitations went off without a word. Fluttershy, Spike, Starlight and I made an invitation each. Our fourth guest should be here in a little bit to watch the show, who I guess was the pony you were referring to.”

Suddenly during me and Twilight’s conversation, Rarity and Rainbow Dash stop talking and sniff the air, the latter flying over to me. “I didn’t know you were into Juniper Pheon… ix… Aita, did you meet who I think you met?”

“Weird,” Twilight remarks. “that’s what I smelled when Starlight invited our last guest.”

Rarity gasps. “You too, Twilight?!? Seriously, what is it with Ponyville lately and attracting Rainbow Dash’s greatest rivals?!? Pinkie Pie, Muffins, you’ll have to excuse me and Rainbow Dash while we give a certain somepony a piece of our minds!!” Rarity starts walking over to Starlight Glimmer, Rainbow Dash and Twilight following in the same direction, Twilight gesturing I should evacuate Sugar Cube Corner personally before things get ugly inside.

I take the cue to step out and close the door.

I think I know who Rarity was referring to; who she, Rainbow Dash and Twilight are going to confront. Starlight did apparently invite Wind Rider, but she didn’t know; they never met.

I only wish my friends would stop keeping me in the dark of their situations. It seriously is getting pretty annoying, and it’s always a drag trying to find out myself.

Chapter III

Here I sit on the front steps of Sugar Cube Corner when the door opens. I look around to see who’d ever be checking on- whoa… never seen wall that close up before. This must be Muffins.

“Hello there,” Muffins greets. “Pinkie Pie wanted me to check on you. Are you okay, Aita?”

“I… I guess I’m a bit annoyed. This isn’t the first time I’ve been led away from something so vital about my friends.”

“Aw… It’s no fun being left out isn’t it? What happened last time?”

“In my homeworld, two members of me and my mother’s makeshift family rented out a recording of the Canterlot Hearth’s Warming pageant without bothering to tell me or Mom about it. It happened again with Twilight and her friends leading up to my first birthday party in Ponyville. It just feels like something that flies in the face of what friends should do.”

I close my eyes as my cheeks begin to itch, only to be patted on the back by Muffins’ wings. “Aw, Aita… I know. Sharing your experiences is how you build trust with somepony else. But I do know Twilight sent you outside for a reason. Do you remember how your party started out?”

“Yeah… I walked out because I needed some alone time away from all but my closest friends after standing up to Chrysalis and Areola.”

Muffins nods. “And…”

“...And Twilight told me staying like I wanted would’ve made things worse, but at least back at the party, there was a reason to step out. This probably wouldn’t have changed if I stayed now.”

“Well, I may not be a Sunset Shimmer, but hopefully everything for you will improve when Lightning Dust gets here.”

With Muffins’ words, I think I feel a little better. I hug her. “...I hope so too.”

Suddenly, I feel a blast of wind, meaning Lightning Dust is here. “Aita! I’m so glad you’re here. Unfortunately, I have to return to U-Fly in Cloudsdale; they sent a letter regarding the rental chariot. In the meantime, could one of you two tell the party pony to hold off on the welcome?”

“I’ll do it, Lightning Dust,” Muffins volunteers, promptly heading back inside.

“How long do you think it should take?” I ask.

“Obviously it’s so late, even if I were in-and-out at the snap of a feather, sundown would hit before I came back. Sorry to say, we’d have to push it into tomorrow.”

Now, what’s this about U-Fly? I hear Rarity ask as Lightning Dust departs. I turn around to see her forehooves over the bottom half of the front door.

“Oh! Lightning Dust got a letter that was apparently from U-Fly.”

Rarity’s perplexed now, tilting her head to her right, left brow lowered. “That’s odd. No pegasus ever has trouble with that moving organization.”

“I might see that happening back in my homeworld, but in Equestria? Do you think it was a fake letter? Because Lightning Dust’s a stuntpony, not a con artist.”

“Aita darling, you should write a letter to U-Fly so you can get the full picture.”

“A letter?!? Rarity you’re a genius!”

When I teleport to the library, I look for something about U-Fly, which I actually do rather quickly. I find out that the one running the lot in Cloudsdale is named…

“Lend Out! Aha!”

I look around and find a pile of scrolls on the roundtable across from the mirror, so I float one to write on.

Dear lot owner Lend Out,

One of your customers, Lightning Dust, had gotten a letter in the mail about a problem regarding the rental chariot. Was this authentic? Might there have been a mistake if the letter was? I ask on her behalf.

Yours truly,
Aita Bagley-Handy.

So, I send the letter then teleport back to Sugar Cube Corner.

“Alright, Rarity, miss- …Rarity?”

I wander inside, wondering where everyone went. Turns out it’s just Pinkie Pie.

“Huh? Where’d everyone go?”

“Oh they went home,” Pinkie replies. “So you feeling any better?”

“A little, Pinkie. Even if it wasn’t much, talking with Muffins did improve my mood.”

“Well, it’s a start. But boy did Rainbow Dash and Rarity give Starlight the what-for. I really wish Twilight didn’t shoo you out like she did; you should’ve seen it!”

Pinkie saying the same thing I was before actually makes me laugh a bit. “Yeah. Seems like I’m not the only one. Maybe Twilight just wasn’t at her best.”

“Eh, everypony has their off-day. But I’m glad to see you holdin’ that chin-up high, Aita.”

“Me too, PInkie.”

When I get home, Twilight is waiting out the front door with an envelope under her left wing.

“Ah, Aita. There you are,” she calmly greets with a faint smile on her face. “Before you say anything, I would like to apologize. While Rainbow Dash and Rarity did chastise Starlight about inviting Wind Rider, it didn’t seem anywhere near the heat I thought it would be. No hard feelings?”

I reply simply with a hug. “Now, did U-Fly respond? I’m guessing from the mail under the wing, yes.”

Twilight nods, takes the letter out with her magic and reads it. She suddenly gasps. “They never sent her any mail regarding the rental. That letter was a fake.”

“I knew it! Rarity was onto something when she said nopony had any trouble with U-Fly! She even got me to write to the owner of the Cloudsdale lot!”

“Is that how that happened? Is that why we got this? …Aita, I… I don’t know what to say; you’ve been doing so much without me. Fulfilling missions, making friends, problem solving… it’s all happening so quickly.” Twilight hugs me, realizing everything I’ve been up to just this month alone. “I guess we should focus on the task at hand for now though. Aita, go get Lightning Dust and let her know about the letter. I’ll stay here and gather our friends to discuss the matter of who’s responsible.”

“You got it, Twilight!”

So now, I start zipping back toward Lightning Dust’s house.

Chapter IV

During the trip back to Lightning Dust’s, I’m still in shock about the letter being forged.

“Seriously who would forge a-”

I end up flying into Lightning Dust, hearing her grunt giving it away. An envelope of her own glides to the ground as she tries to regain her bearings. However, I also see Fluttershy by her side.

“Lightning Dust? What’s going on?”

“Aita! I need your help! Discord’s been framed for forging the letter I got!”

“WHAT?!?” I yelp.

“He’s been taken to Canterlot Castle for interrogation. With your magic, you, Lightning Dust and I should be able-”

I interrupt Fluttershy by grabbing her and Lightning Dust so they can go with me as I teleport to Canterlot Castle. Once there, I can hear deep chatter going on in the distance. I gesture Fluttershy and Lightning Dust to follow me, then dash to the source of the chatter. Right next to the door, I can hear the guards’ conversation with Discord clear as day.

The first voice I hear is Discord’s. ...You don’t think I would do this, right?

I hear a thud on what seems to be a table. We’ll see about that, says a guard with a tenor-like voice, with an accent from down under. You have the powers to send the letter to Lightning Dust and replicate every trait about the U-Fly printing press.

Interesting, so U-Fly has a press to write their letters. Gonna have to put a pin in that.

Just because I do have the power doesn’t mean I would use them for my own selfish needs.

Your friend, Fluttershy, had a sour encounter with her though, right? another guard asks, who has about as deep a voice as Discord’s. That’s not very selfish to do that under those pretenses, but it’s still a considerable offense.

But I promise you guards, retribution is ONLY observed for the worst of the worst. We’re dealing with a pegasus starting a stunting career; her misdeed was YEARS ago. Do you really think I would have anything against Lightning Dust?

Lightning Dust was reported to’ve received the letter at five after five. Where were you then? asks a third guard with a vocal range between the first two.

In Chaosville of course; that’s where I live!

After about a fifteen seconds of indistinct deliberation between the three guards, the tenor guard talks to Discord. Listen, if you could prove you didn’t forge that letter, we will let you off the hook. Enlist the help of anypony you need to get the job done. Otherwise, we’ll have no choice but to toss you in the slammer.

But how could I get the help I need?!?

Upon hearing Discord’s question, I take the cue for me, Fluttershy and Lightning Dust to enter the interrogation room.

“You have us,” Fluttershy replies.

Discord turns around immediately bear hugs Fluttershy. “Oh thank goodness you came, Fluttershy! I’m in a bit of a jam here,” he says before teleporting out and back in, now inside a preservatives jar. “I was just hoping somepony would help me out, but I never knew it would be you.”

Once he gets out of the jar as he explains his situation, he notices me and Lightning Dust. “Oh, that’s what this is about. I know we haven’t properly met, but Fluttershy can’t do this alone. You must be Aita, the changeling Princess Twilight adopted after that disaster in the real world. I must ask: have you watched anything clue-based in your hometown?”

“I watched one… that was how I was able to figure out I was getting Sim Hive for my birthday. And I’m willing to put those deductive skills to the test to clear your name, Discord, in defense of my new friend, Lightning Dust.”

“Well, if you’re gonna play that game, break a leg, Aita,” says Lightning Dust. “I know you got this.”

I nod, teleporting in a dress from home. It’s a replica of the dress Rarity initially wore when she took Rainbow Dash in as her client, fitted for me. The dress in question is a trench coat colored a mix of rose and brown, complimented with a similarly colored - but darker - hat, a bowler to be specific. Both the coat and the hat have slightly lighter bands around them, the band on the trench coat in front of my wings to secure the outfit.

I also teleport in a notepad and quill to take notes. “And I know too. Discord is going to be not just my client, but ours. Teaming up with Discord’s best friend and the one of mine most relevant to this case is all the motivation I need. Now as I can imagine, Lightning Dust, you got the forged letter at home.”

“Obviously; I was still unpacking.”

I write the location name of the crime scene down on the notepad, then write Discord down as prime suspect. Then I take a note on the second page about the printing press at U-Fly, which might be useful later. Finally, I close the notepad so we can proceed.

“Then that should be our first destination,” Fluttershy declares as I write.

On the train back to Ponyville, my motivation reaches a point where I start thinking in my head pretty clearly.

Now, Fluttershy, Discord, Lightning Dust and I have a long road ahead of all of us. The letter in question is invalid anyway, so we have more time than Rarity and Rainbow Dash did with Wind Rider. Of course this isn’t nearly as easygoing, since this is a more serious offense, the criminal in question posing by mail as a professional moving company, rather than a single pegasus… but no matter the case, us ponies were up to the challenge for our client. Klutzy he may be, he is an innocent draconequus all the same.

“WHAT?!? SERIOUSLY?!?” Discord shouts, hearing that last sentence of my inner monologue.

“Oh, um, whoops. It’s the bowler, isn’t it? Was I too caught up in the moment?” I think I was.

Chapter V

At Lightning Dust’s house, first thing in the morning, I start narrating in my head again as the other three cover the rest of the house.

There I am, surveying the yard, the mailbox, the foyer… anywhere I can reasonably look for mail.

I spy an envelope near the living room, a letter on top. “This has to be the forged letter.”

I pick up the envelope and its contents with my magic, suddenly seeing strands of hair falling out of the former, but it doesn’t surprise me. “Beige and grey, two prevalent fur colors. Shedding season is starting after all.” Discord gulps in anxiety as I straighten out the strands to determine their lengths, something I’ll also have to put a pin in for later.

Discord may be getting tense, but I wouldn’t raise those shoulders quite yet. Reading the letter, just as the guards say, it looks typed rather than written.

I take the letter with me when I approach the kitchen, Lightning Dust and Fluttershy across the room. “Lightning Dust, do you know what font U-Fly uses?” I ask.

“Sure. Consolas at 12 pt.”

I rock my hat back and forth in confirmation. “That checks out. U-Fly replied to my letter, and that’s what their text looked like when Twilight read it. But this letter does not have that specific text. If I had to guess, this is the same font as I see at school: Roboto Mono at 14 pt.”

Fluttershy joins in on the conversation. “You mean the Foal Free Press?”

I nod. “Exactly.”

Well, it’s time we move out and get back to school.

While arriving at the school with my friends in tow, my thoughts kick in again.

If we’re gonna get to the bottom of this case, Lightning Dust’s printed forged letter indicates that somepony at the Foal Free Press must have seen the culprit.

I lead everyone around back to the entrance of the basement. At this point, I can see the editor-in-chief, Featherweight.

“Aita? I thought you were home.”

“Oh don’t worry about me, Featherweight. I just wanted to get some eventual information. It won’t be long, I promise.”

I teleport in the forged letter to show while Lightning Dust explains the situation. “See, when I got a notice in the mail about the rental chariot I used to move in, we found it to be the same font the news writes here.”

Featherweight examines the message and sits down. “Roboto Mono, size 14. That’s ours. Someone must’ve been in here yesterday after school was out.”

“Would you happen to know any student that was still here before five-o-five in the afternoon?”

Featherweight nods at me. “Yes. Somepony actually asked me to give him the grand tour of the school when I got around to work yesterday, about three hours earlier. It was quite hard to tell what he looked like though.”

“Hmm…” I better write that down. The culprit was discrete… his actions should help then. “Could it be somepony rich? Somepony inexperienced in printing?”

“Well, I don’t know about the former, but definitely the latter. It certainly was a riot seeing him fiddling with the press… I suppose U-Fly has a different configuration.”

Configuration… that means my school uses the same press model U-Fly does.

“Eeyup… seventy point two point one,” Featherweight announces.

I blush a little when I realize I got caught up in the moment again, but then clear my throat. “Thanks Featherweight. I think I know where our next stop is. Discord?”

Discord snaps his claw and teleports me, him, Lightning Dust and Fluttershy to Cloudsdale, specifically in front of the main U-Fly lot. Chariots line the lot like cars at a dealership back in my homeworld. It’s hard to see the building with that many of them.

One pegasus spots us from the other side of the lot and flies right up to us. “Aita! Lightning Dust! What are you doing back?” This must be Lend Out. He seems to sound like a wrestler instead of a dealership owner, but I never flinch at that.

“Hello Lend Out. We’re in the process of solving a case revolving around Lightning Dust.”

“You mean the fake?” Lend Out asks.

“Eeyup. See, Discord’s been framed for sending it, and that’s how we’re back, identifying the culprit.”

Lend Out widens his pupils. “Ah, I see, Aita.”

“Did you see anything going on yesterday shortly after I signed the agreement?” asks Lightning Dust.

“Hmm… I did see somepony. He made himself as discrete as possible; I know that. The only thing he revealed when I questioned him using the press here was… well, he had a friend moving to pursue cosmetics.”

“Cosmetics?” Fluttershy says. “There’s an actual job for that?”

“I believe it, Lend Out.” I write about the crime being a collaboration. “So there was a partnership involved. Did this friend of his happen to be… wealthy?”

“Not that I knew,” replies Lend Out. “I only know that I had to reconfigure the font at the press once the stallion left.”

Discord groans. “This isn’t going anywhere…”

Discord is doubting my methods, but I know exactly what I’m doing.

“Yes it is, Discord,” I reassure. “We at least know there were TWO culprits rather than one: one was a pegasus, and one excelled in cosmetics. That at least explains the two different types of strands. Now, why don’t we take the snap back home? I have a couple of questions for a couple of our friends.”

“Ugh, fine.” Discord rolls his eyes and snaps his claw to take us back to Ponyville.

I take a quick look at the notepad, flipping through all the notes. All this text, moving, school, and whatever else is really captivating. Now I know how Rarity felt when she did the same in Canterlot.

I have now taken up to five pages worth of notes, and everything is pointing to ponies our friends have had encounters with in the past. A dash of apple won’t hurt investigations here. They have the deepest links to these criminals.

Chapter VI

My suspicions are solidifying each place we cover. We need the most honest pony there is if we want to confirm them.

On the way over to Sweet Apple Acres, Rainbow Dash has joined the party. All I asked of Rainbow was to come with us while we got Applejack.

Finding Applejack and especially Rainbow Dash were easy. Chrysalis certainly taught me well on that front. Things go along much more smoothly, knowing how to trail.

So now at the front of the farm, I see Applejack, who also spots me and company.

“Aita! How y’all doin’? Mighty fine get-up ya got there.”

“Thanks for the compliment Applejack, but I gathered you and Rainbow Dash here for a reason.”

“So what did you need us for?” Rainbow Dash asks.

So as we are trotting our way back to Lightning Dust’s house, I start giving Applejack and Rainbow Dash the scoop.

“I’ve been taking notes as Fluttershy, Lightning Dust and I investigate the framing of Discord. These notes are pointing to ponies that you have strong links to based on past encounters. Anypony happen to know a pegasus that can get to Cloudsdale and back from Ponyville in an hour? How about a pony with a history of cosmetics? They appear to have collaborated.”

Having entered the foyer, I float the hair I found earlier and show the two of them.

“What?!?” they interject.

“These strands smell just like you did at Sugar Cube Corner, Aita,” Rainbow Dash points out, sniffing the grey strands.

Applejack looks carefully at the beige strands. “All I can see about these ones are the fanciness compared to the grey ones. They’re so curly.”

That settles it. We have just confirmed my suspicions. “Discord, can you take us to the pony responsible for shedding the grey hairs? I’m sure the other is right with him.”

Discord snaps his claw one more time, taking me, him, Lightning Dust and Fluttershy to Canterlot Castle, specifically to the east tower, where the similar previous crime happened. And right in front of us on the bed of the room are the two ponies I knew were behind this.

“Aha! I found you out, criminals!” I declare, pointing at these two ponies.

One of them I already met, the one with the flight helmet for a cutie mark. The other one I recognize too though. I made a passing mention when explaining the projection spell I used to Rainbow Dash’s parents. He’s too dressed up to see his cutie mark, but he has a beige and white mane and tail along with a white coat.

“Ho ho! Did you hear that Wind Rider? The little runt has gotten us…” he jokes, elbowing Wind Rider.

“And you better believe it, Svengallop,” Discord scolds. “This respectable changeling put his skills to the test. I cannot fathom why you’d frame me for something I have no business in, much less forge a professional letter!”

“After that dishonorable discharge, I had a plan to break the spirits within the circle of the reservist I framed. No matter how many times the extent of my legacy is noted, enlisting taste was better than going alone.”

Lightning Dust looks infuriated with everything Wind Rider explained. “That’s not how to be a good sport about losing your ambitions!”

“Lightning Dust is right!” Fluttershy declares. “Svengallop, Wind Rider, you two ought to be ashamed of yourselves for putting my friend’s livelihood in jeopardy!”

I step toward the bed with a serious look on my face. “I had a feeling you and Wind Rider were behind this. Your respective past victims confirmed it. You seriously never learned anything from your downfalls, have you?”

“Aw, come on, kid,” Wind Rider rebuts. “We learn all the time. Otherwise we wouldn’t be able to come up with the ideas we have in our heads.”

“Wanna bet?” I teleport in four pears and give them to Discord, who peels off all four innards to reveal the seeds. I plant those seeds in front of me the same way I did last time at WBHQ, which causes the changeling throne room to appear as a hologram. Chrysalis and Areola are on the throne together.

Young Aita, you called at the right time. I’ve been having my teacher visit regularly in case this would happen. Are you in Canterlot?

“Why yes I am. I have these two in hot water,” I point to Wind Rider and Svengallop.

Alright, what did they do? Areola asks.

“Wind Rider and Svengallop posed by letter as the moving company I used to begin life in Ponyville, then framed Discord for it.”

Chrysalis and Areola drop their jaws in shock at Lightning Dust’s explanation. Pretty appropriate reaction honestly. Chrysalis suddenly teleports into the room, causing the signal from the seeds to quickly fizzle out. She then marches toward Wind Rider and Svengallop.

“I… am SO sick of you ponies misbehaving! I’ll go easy, since you never hurt young Aita, but the moment you two frame another innocent soul again, you won’t be so lucky! You hear?!?”

Discord seems stunned with Chrysalis’ performance. “Well… this is quite the contrast compared to the last time we met, Chrysalis. What’s changed?”

“Not important right now, Discord. But I do have something to ask. Do these two stallions have a history with your circles of friends?”

I nod. “Svengallop micromanaged the career of one of Applejack’s friends by force, and Wind Rider faked a letter from Stormy Flare.”

“Ah, so we have a repeat offender here,” Chrysalis remarks, floating Wind Rider closer, who gives a sheepish smile. “I take back what I said. This pegasus has a special place back home…”

“Aw, seriously… why did you guys have to tell authority?!?” Wind Rider complains as he is set down on Chrysalis’ back.

“Because you would just hit harder otherwise.” Fluttershy turns to Svengallop. “Let this be a warning, Svengallop! You do NOT want to end up like Wind Rider! If ANY of us catches you doing this again, this is what will happen!”

Svengallop begins walking out in a huff. “Pfft, like THAT will ever work on me.”

“She isn’t wrong…” Chrysalis plainly points out as he leaves our view.

Chapter VII

Chrysalis now looks at the rest of us with a smile. “I’ll be right back, everyone. I have to drop off Wind Rider first before I do anything else.” She jumps and teleports out momentarily. When she comes back, Wind Rider is off her back.

I’m the first to be hugged by Chrysalis. “Aita, I must thank you for coming to me when you did. You’ve come such a long way since you moved to Ponyville. Time and time again, I am impressed by your actions.”

“Thanks, Chrysalis. Each time I advance, I grow more confident about Twilight’s premonition of me being a leader. I just don’t know how ready I’ll be when that time comes.”

“Hopefully you’ll be mentally ready.” Chrysalis turns to Discord. “I suppose I owe you a bit of an apology, Discord, for my actions before getting dethroned. I am a completely different queen now than I was back then.”

Discord waves and laughs. “Chrysalis, Chrysalis… I could already see that with the way you handled Wind Rider and Svengallop. It’s been almost a year since that happened, so I hold nothing against you. Remember yourself for the times you played mother bear for sweet, young Aita, the times you’ve helped your subjects out with each of their problems.”

When Discord refers to me, he picks me up and rubs my head, making Chrysalis smile.

“You’re right. I should. I’m always in a better mood when I celebrate my best moments.”

With a comforting smile, Fluttershy meets Chrysalis at eye level. “You know, Chrysalis, there’s an open invitation if you want to attend Lightning Dust’s welcome party in Ponyville.”

Chrysalis, however, shakes her head. “Actually Fluttershy, take Discord. The guest of honor is with us…”

Lightning Dust perks up hearing Chrysalis mention her. “Oh, would you like to come? I’m gonna be performing there.”

“Absolutely, Lightning Dust. I look forward to seeing your career in action.”

Shortly after Lightning Dust’s welcome-to-Ponyville party starts later the same day, Chrysalis arrives at Sugar Cube Corner with Carve accompanying her. Currently, all the same guests from yesterday attend again, but this time with the addition of the aforementioned queen and stand-in queen and Discord. As I stand on the table closest to the south window facing west - that’s to the right as you walk in, with a beam of accomplishment on my face, I have one last inner monologue.

With Discord now free in the eyes of the law, Lightning Dust’s party can go uninterrupted, a stunt show happening at the latter half of the event, high up with the Cutie Mark Crusaders’ sandbox obstacle course, and I get to watch with pretty much my entire circle of friends, feeling the accomplishment of clearing Discord’s name coursing through me.

“I’m sure you feel that way, Shadow Spade,” Twilight replies as she approaches me, implying she heard my inner monologue. “Now why don’t you get back to safety before that table tips over.”

Muffins taps Twilight. “Let him have this moment. He looks like he’s having fun.”

I hover off the table and back on the floor. “Thanks, Muffins. So Twilight, I’ve been thinking.”

“Yes?”

“I know you had to miss me going full-blown sleuth, but maybe next time I do, do you want to see it projected?”

Twilight gasps. “You know that spell too? I would LOVE to see that!”

“Awesome! Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye,” I say as I do the motions…

Pinkie Pie knows exactly what this is. She races to me in shock, which scares away Muffins. “WHAT?!? You just made a PINKIE PROMISE?!? What’d you promise to do?!?”

“Share my next investigation with Twilight. I can do projection spells that reference my memory, so keeping this promise will make sure Twilight doesn’t miss out like last time.”

Twilight blushes and pulls me in with her wing. “Aw, thanks Aita. That’s so thoughtful. That kind of dedication is very much appreciated. I don’t know where I’d be without you, what we’d all be doing right now if Carve was never thrust into Rolling Acres all those years ago.”

Spike catches wind of Twilight bringing up this what-if scenario. “I dunno… air our very livelihood, meet some limbo’d ponies, go on a road trip, open an unaccredited school?”

“Whoa… those all sound terrible, ’cept for the road trip, as long as it’s a casual one,” I remark, which Twilight and I share a laugh over.

“Okay, so I suppose the butterfly effect is at our benefit. But for now, somepony is about to make an announcement.”

As Twilight points out, I spot Lightning Dust flying to the main entrance. “Attention everyone, if we all could step outside momentarily, we can get the show started. I’m excited to try out the sandbox obstacle course and show you all what a stuntpony is capable of. Let’s all go.”

Everyone except me and Discord exits the building to watch Lightning Dust’s show. We look at each other.

“Aita, I must thank you for all that sleuthing around. It really paid off having such a young changeling have my back.”

With a smile, I bark “You’re welcome, Discord,” in the closest Blue voice I can muster, then I quickly get back to my normal voice. “Anytime.”

“...I guess you weren’t lying about where you get those smashing deductive skills. Let me know when you need some assistance, Aita. For now though, I must join Fluttershy.” Discord starts flying out of Sugar Cube Corner, but then looks back to me. “Aren’t you coming?”

“...I’ll catch up in a bit.”

With me now alone, I watch from the south window as Lightning Dust is quickly navigating the aimlessly placed hoops and flagpoles.

“I sure hope I’ll be ready to lead one day. Twilight could be right about my future. Clearing Discord’s name was certainly a confidence boost, but it’ll be a while before the day I’m ready comes. For now though, I’ll just have to remember to show Twilight the next time I prove someone innocent, which is something I know I’m going to be ready for.”

With a smile, I finally trot my way out of Sugar Cube Corner to watch the rest of Lightning Dust’s stunt show.