Sanguine Joy

Chapter 5: The Meeting

Scisco frowned as he watched the guards failing to pull out a dead body from Ponyville’s lake. He didn’t know the victim personally, but from what Corporal Greenleaf told him, she was the town’s drunk.

“How is it going, Corporal?”

“Not good, sir. Someone tied a large boulder around her neck to stop the body from floating. It was pure luck there were ponies scuba diving today, or we would have searched for her for weeks. How was your talk with the Sergeant, if I may ask, sir?”

A smile crept upon the detective’s face – Greenleaf finally showed at least some personality. So far, he seemed like a machine to Scisco.

“Not good, Corporal – especially because it didn’t happen. I tried getting to him three times already, but his secretary always told me that he’s busy, not feeling well or some similar excuse. I have a feeling that Sergeant knows well our talk won’t be pleasant, and so he tries to avoid it.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, sir. Would you like to see how our men fish out the body, sir? They are right over there.”

Scisco nodded and walked towards the waterside. Two guards were in the water, diving with knives in their mouths so they could cut the rope that held the boulder.

At least they’re having some fun. Celestia knows they needed a bath anyway.

“Corporal,” Scisco said, turning back to Greenleaf. “Did the results from morgue arrive yet?”

“Yes sir, just a few minutes before you came here.”

“Well, what do they say?”

“The body is of a stallion in his twenties. His height is–”

“Skip the irrelevant parts, Corporal!”

“Oh, um, err... The victim was killed by a sharp object that sliced his throat. Presumably a razor or a very sharp knife. He then drowned in his own blood.” Greenleaf gulped as his eyes slid down the report and the images attached to it, his face turning slowly greener.

“There are four bite marks on the neck of the victim, through which the blood was, presumably, removed. The other wounds and broken bones were probably caused after death, presumably by timberwolves and other forest predators.”

“Presumably, probably... Who did this report?” Scisco asked, furrowing his brow.

Greenleaf took a step back, bowed his head and spoke with a shaky voice.

“A doctor at the hospital, sir. We don’t have a specialist on this kind of thing. I’m sorry, sir!”

Scisco facehoofed and shook his head, while Greenleaf seemed to get smaller and smaller from all the cowering.

Idiots, idiots, idiots. How am I supposed to work with this?

“We’ve got it!” a guard in the lake shouted.

Soon, the guards carried the dead body of a purple mare out of the water. The body was in good shape – no sliced throat, no injuries. She looked like she was sleeping.

“Sir! We’ve found something!”

Scisco moved towards the body and looked closely at the area the guards were pointing at. There, hidden in her wet coat, were two bite marks.

“Well, well ,well. It seems like we have a serial killer on our hands. Let me guess – no blood in this body either?”

When the guard nodded, a small smile briefly appeared on his face.

“I think it is safe to assume that the killer of Mr. Caramel is also the murderer of... eh...”

“Berry Punch, sir.”

“...Miss Berry Punch. Have her transported to the morgue, and this time, I want to know exactly how the blood got out of the body! Send for a specialist from Canterlot if you need, but I want the results lying on my desk tomorrow!”

The case gets more and more interesting. This might not be such a waste of time as I originally thought.

Scisco turned around and went back to his office.

———

Pinkie found herself lying in her bed. She was woken by a ray of sunlight that pierced through a gap in the blinds and found her eye with deadly accuracy. She rolled around for a little while, but eventually got up.

I had such a terrible dream... baking cupcakes will make the bad memories go away in a jiffy!

Dream? Suuuuure... I bet you can’t guess where I was yesterday. I had so much fun...

Pinkie started bashing her head against the nearest wall, words escaping through her clenched teeth. “Why– won’t– you– leave– me– alone?”

I thought you have already realised that I am here to stay. Also, hitting your head only hurts you, not me. But continue – it looks funny.

Pinkie’s mane was even flatter than yesterday, and the scowl plastered on her face promised suffering and death to anyone who would dare to annoy her. She then went downstairs, where the Cakes were having breakfast.

Well? What did you do? Killed someone again? Or did you settle for some bloody midnight snack this time? Meanie!

You are so funny when you’re angry, Pinkie Pie. I think I’ll just leave you in the dark. You’ll know what I did soon enough anyway.

“Good morning, Pinkie Pie! Did you sleep well? You seem to be in a rather bad mood today,” Mr. Cake said.

“What are you talking about? Everything is just damn swell, isn’t it? What could possibly annoy me on such a fine day like this?” she replied, spitting out every word.

“Eh... Everything’s fine then,” Mr. Cake said, quickly looking away from Pinkie’s eyes.

Pinkie started eating her breakfast, consisting of three cupcakes and a cup of milk, biting into each cupcake like it was her mortal enemy.

“So, any news about what happened to Caramel? Or is everything ‘classified’?” Pinkie asked.

“Only that the funeral is on Saturday,” Mrs. Cake replied, stepping into the conversation. “I know his death hit you deeply, Pinkie, but you should just... let it go. Death is just a part of life-cycle after all. Even when it comes unexpected, like in Caramel’s case.”

“Oh, really? I bet you would talk differently if it was Pound Cake or Pumpkin Cake who died. Would it still be just a part of life-cycle?” Seeing their open mouths, she stood up from the table and moved towards the door. “I thought so.”

She slammed the door behind her, leaving two wide-eyed ponies on the other side of them.

———

Pinkie walked out into a beautiful, sun-filled day. The birds were singing, the people chatted and laughed, someone was even singing. It was all in sharp contrast to Pinkie, who walked with her head down, growling at anyone who got in her path or even dared to say ‘Good morning’ to her.

What are you planning to do?

What I should have done several days ago. Twilight’s machine will get me rid of you.

You mean the same machine that couldn’t tell that you are a vampony the last time you were there? Good luck with that! I’ll just mask all the unusual thoughts that could give me away.

“Mornin’ to ya, Pinkie. Why so glum?” a familiar voice asked.

She mustered all the joy she had left, and put it all into one, small smile.

“I’m on my way to Twilight’s...”

“I reckon ya want to talk ’bout what happened to Berry, right? Bad stuff happenin’ these last few days.”

The smile vanished from Pinkie’s lips in an instant, making place for a loud gasp. “What happened to Berry?” Pinkie screamed and started shaking Applejack. Applejack got out of Pinkie’s grasp and slowly pushed her away.

“Ahm’ sorry, Pinkie. I didn’t realize ya didn’t know...”

“Know what?”

“How do I put this... Berry just... eh... isn’t with us anymore, y’know?” she said, and, seeing Pinkie’s watery eyes, hugged her.

So this is what you did last night...

Pinkie freed herself from the crushing embrace the muscular farm mare gave her, and turned away from her.

“I’m sorry Applejack. I have to go to Twilight, doubly now,” she said, and ran away, not looking back.

———

Pinkie Pie almost rammed the door out of its hinges when she ran into the library. She looked around the room, her gaze shifting from shelf to shelf, until she finally spotted a suitably large pile of books.

“Twilight!” she yelled and started to dig through the book layer. “You have to help me! Something terrible has happened! Quick, this is not the time for studying!”

She finally found a purple leg and yanked it with all her might. Twilight was pulled from her book hill with enough force to knock Pinkie on the ground.

“Ow! What’s the matter, Pinkie Pie? Did something happen?”

“Yes, Twilight! I have to tell you that...”

That I am a vampony!

“...that... that something had happened to Berry Punch. She’s... she’s not with us anymore. First Caramel, and now Berry? I can’t go on anymore, Twilight. I need help!”

The shift in Pinkie’s mind went smoothly; nothing out of the ordinary could be seen on the outside.

I didn’t want to say that! And how come I am not in the dark this time?

Simple – your survival instinct told you not to tell Twilight what you are, so when you disobeyed, it took my side, shifting the scales in my favour. I’m not sure how long this will last, but it will certainly be longer than ever before. Time to have some fun...

“Don’t worry, Pinkie,” Twilight smiled and hugged her. “There’s a detective now. I’m sure he will catch whoever did these things. I was afraid that all this will be too much for you, but don’t worry; I’ll help you get through this. How about I gather the girls and we’ll all go someplace nice?”

Pinkie wiped her tears and gave Twilight a smile.

“I would like that very much, Twilight.”

———

Pinkie was sitting at a local café with her friends, sipping her hot chocolate while listening to Rainbow Dash’s bragging.

“...and then I did a double tail spin, dived straight down, and ended it all with hitting a cloud, where I took a well deserved nap!”

Pinkie looked around her and saw Twilight reading a book while nodding and saying things like ‘Uh-huh. That’s nice. Please continue, I’m listening.’. Rarity was checking her looks in her hoof mirror, Applejack was desperately trying to keep her eyes open, only Fluttershy seemed to pay attention.

“Did I guys tell you about the stunt I managed to pull yesterday? Listen, it all...”

“Stop! I mean... ya outta let other ponies get a word in sometime.”

“Pffft. Whatever, you’ll all just talk about the murders anyway.”

“Rainbow!” Twilight said, scowling at her. “Remember why we all came here – to cheer up Pinkie Pie. Talking about these... incidents won’t help!”

“Do we even know whether Berry was really murdered? It could have been just an accident, right?” said Rarity, her gaze jumping from one face to another.

“An accident?” Rainbow replied, raising her brow at Rarity, as if unsure whether she was joking or not. “Are you serious? Does a millstone tied around the neck sound like an accident to you? There is some psycho running around killing ponies, that’s what’s happening.” Twilight glared at her through narrowed eyes. “What? It’s true.”

“A... a murderer? Oh my... maybe I should take my animal friends and hide in the forest. I’m sure Mr. and Mrs. Bear would let us stay in their cave.”

“Could you all please stop panicking?” Twilight said, giving each of them a stern look. “There is a detective from Canterlot who will solve the whole problem. Now, can’t any of you think about something else to talk about? And no more flight tricks, Rainbow!” she said, after Rainbow Dash grinned and inhaled deeply, prepared to start another word waterfall.

“Did you change your manestyle, Pinkie? I must say I approve,” Rarity said, pointing at Pinkie’s now completely straight mane.

“Yeaaaaah... I... remembered the rock farm and decided to uh... have them like I used to...” she said, and gave them the biggest smile she could muster.

They will never fall for this! They know that I like my hair fuzzy!

“It certainly looks better than the fuzzy hair you usually have.” Rarity said, while the others nodded.

Whaaaa...? I thought they liked my hair fuzzy!

1:0 for me, then.

“The detective sucks!”

“Rainbow! I thought we were clear about this!”

“Sorry, Twilight, but he does, and I don’t feel like talking about manes. I mean Berry died while he was here, but the killer is still on the loose!”

“Now, now, Rainbow Dash,” Rarity said, wearing a grin that even Pumpkin Cake could tell was fake. “I’m sure he does everything he can, and if he needs more time then let him have it. Maybe the killer has already left anyway.”

“Are you feeling alright, Rarity? This is the second time today that you said a complete nonsense. If the killer wanted to leave, then he would have left right after killing Caramel! No, the killer is somewhere out there, waiting for the right time to strike. It could be anyone! Even someone from the guard, which would explain why they are all so clueless,” Rainbow Dash said.

“Rainbow! Look what you did!” Twilight said, and motioned towards Fluttershy, hiding under the table. “Talk about something else!”

There was silence, long and awkward, that seemed to last for ages. Finally, it was Rainbow Dash again who spoke.

“I bet it was a vampony. I heard that there were bite marks on Caramel’s neck, just like in the old stories!”

“Rainbow!” Twilight facehoofed. “I said that we should talk about something different, and besides, vamponies aren’t real.”
“Agreed. Vamponies are definitely just an old mare’s tale, nothing else,” said Rarity.

“Yes, Rainbow! They are nothing but an old mare’s tale. Even I know that, and I believe in these things!”

They all looked at Pinkie.

Do you think I overdid it?

Definitely.

“Ah think,” said Applejack, saving Pinkie from their glares, “that vamponies are real. Granny Smith told me all ’bout them, and she’s no liar.”

“Yeah, they are real!” Rainbow said, hitting the table with her hoof. “I haven’t seen one yet, but I bet it’s because they are scared to pick a bone with me!”

“Vamponies... oh my... vamponies... help... vamponies... oh no...” could be heard from under the table.

“Stop with this nonsense! If it makes you feel better, then I’ll study something on vamponies, all right?” Twilight said, and scowled at both Applejack and Rainbow Dash.

“Yeah!”

“Yes!”

“There is no need for that, darling!”

“Definitely unnecessary!”

“Please, do that. If you don’t mind, of course...”

“It is decided then! I will find out everything about vamponies, and you will drop this stupid theme. Now, did I tell you about the new spell that...”