Sherlock And The Jewelled Bud

A rather excited voice sounded from within quite an unusual library. The storage of knowledge had been moulded to fit inside a huge, magnificent tree which stood tall above many of Ponyville’s establishments. The mare’s voice was that of Twilight Sparkle, a lavender pony whom was both the town librarian and the Princess’s student; quite the jobs if you asked most ponies.

“Not at all, Mr Watson.” She said as she slipped a few books into one of the hundreds of shelves circulating the library. “I think it’s a very interesting idea seeing as how you’re experiences have left you with quite the mindset.”

Twilight was speaking to a pony of about the same age as her. A dirty blonde mane covered his head and neck, stopping at the pale woollen jumper he wore over his khaki coat. Watson had recently retired as a royal guard pony, and many had told him how his cutie mark stood out different to most of the royal guard’s. Sure it was a green medical cross but there was more to it as a miniature magnifying glass was centred inside it, and even Watson wasn’t sure why he had it in the first place.

A smile came across his face. It had been a fair time since he got on with anypony, never mind have one agree with him. “Really?” He asked ecstatically “It’d be an honour if you could look after them here.” He gave out a slight chuckle “I’ll have to write the books first, of course, but when it comes to it I can’t imagine just leaving them lying about my house.

The librarian turned to face him after she ran out of books to put away. Her cutie mark was a series of stars, all different shapes however Watson hadn’t bothered to ask as he had only arrived a few days prior and knew little of her and her friends’ exploits. She noticed his right hoof shook rather violently for a few seconds, and then returned to normal. Watson caught her look and shook his head. “It’s nothing” he reassured “just happens sometimes.

She stared at him for bit, but she couldn’t seem to get anything more.

“Like I said; if you manage to finish one I’ll happily keep it safe. After all, look at them all.” Twilight spoke proudly, and rightly so! As there were many, many books to keep in check. An after thought suddenly struck Twilight causing her ears to perk. “I’ll even set up an exhibition, or celebration! Believe it or not I don’t get many authors’ visiting and I know just the pony to help me-“

Watson feared a large group of ponies reading something he wrote, especially as he hadn’t written anything since he was a colt. He immediately tried to talk her out of it. “No, no that won’t be necessary. A place for them to stay will be fine. Besides, I’m not sure if I’m even going to be able to write a single page yet.” Watsons tone lowered to a serious and sad one. “Nothing much happens to me.”

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The sun rose up high, indicating Watson it was noon. Not a cloud could be seen in the crystal blue sky and everypony was out enjoying the warmth. He had decided to have a long walk around Ponyville to get himself more acquainted with the large town while on his way to the station to find some work. He passed numerous friendly ponies, each with their own ‘good morning’s and good wills. He also passed a particular pony whom he narrowly avoided after remembering how rudely he treated her.

On the first day he arrived in Ponyville his mind was set on sour memories from his job. As he turned a corner a pink pony corner unexpectedly burst out with confetti and song. He was feeling down so as polite as he could he told her he wasn’t interested in what she was selling, however things turned bitter when he barged passed her as she tried to explain herself, leaving the energetic pony in the dust.

Up ahead Watson could see a vendor selling bouquets of roses, tulips and the sorts. “Convenient.” He said with a sigh to himself, knowing it was the prefect time for an apology. He approached the stall in embarrassment and browsed the flowers for a moment. When he finally made his decision he said with a gulp “Roses please.”

The salesman looked up from his newspaper and peered over to his price list. “Five bits” he said with a grunt, looking back to his paper.

Watson reached into his jumper pocket and retrieved five bits. He threw them onto the counter and waited for the florist to get him the roses, though after a while of waiting Watson grew impatient and simply picked his own; a beautiful set of white. He set them on his back and began to head off, but a voice stopped him in his tracks.

“Oi, you never said white.” The florist said with a harsh voice. Clearly it wasn’t his day. Red anger flushed his orange face as he dropped the paper and stared into Watson’s eyes.

Watson rolled his eyes. “What difference does it make? White are cheaper than red anyway.” The florist grunted and returned to reading is paper. Watson stood there confused with a frown, trying to work out a decent explanation for the words exchanged.

As he headed off the pink pony appeared from inside a bakery of sorts. Sweet smells seeped from every window and door as Watson neared Sugarcube Corner, though he reminded himself that was not his purpose. Once he felt he was within decent range he called over the pony.

“Excuse me!” he shouted, now trotting over to the bakery. “Excuse me! You! Yes!”

The mare had caught his eye and a mixed expression came over her. She bore a nervous smile, though Watson ignored it for he bore a nervous smile also.

“Well... um... Hi!” He said kindly, trying to find the right words. “About that incident a few days ago. I’m sorry I pushed you its just... I was in a foul mood and I really wanted to get home. Will you accept my apology?”

A spark glistened in the pink pony’s eyes as she conjured up a grin the size of half her face. “Of course I forgive you!”

Watson chuckled in joy. “Really? I... got you these” He bowed his head to reveal the roses on his back, and bucked slightly to roll them down his neck to the mare’s feet “you know, something extra.”

“Oh wow! These are beautiful Mr...”

“Dr Watson. Glad to meet you.”

“Pinkie Pie.” She replied, shaking his hoof with a smile.

Watson took a glance down the street and reckoned it was time he’d be off. “Anyway Pinkie Pie I need to head over to the station so I’ll leave you be. I’ll see you later.”

Pinkie seemed saddened by his sudden leave but she quickly regained her enthusiasm. “Yep, I’ll catch ya later!”

With a grin Watson took in a deep breath of relief and walked towards a large, rectangular building with the sign ‘Royal Yard’ printed above the doorway which was situated a ways down the road. It was then he noticed how few roads connected Ponyville and instead there were various long stretches of path. He liked it. Everything was easier to find.

The stallion had nearly reached his destination when he had to look twice at a dark alleyway between two towering houses. He thought he saw a shape there, of a stallion against the wall. But then something else took form. Something on the floor.

Watson bolted towards the opening, only just avoiding a collision with a panicking child. As he grew closer a figure took shape on the ground and Watson feared the worst. As he entered the shadow of the alley he nearly fell over what he saw.

“No, please no, not today” he muttered as he realised what he had come across; a mare’s body lain against the moist floor with a bloody wound piercing her chest. “S... Somepony! Somepony help! Get the guard!” He yelled at the top of his voice into the street, attracting the attention of many folk. “Murder for Celestia’s sake, get the guard!”

Instantly a rush of hooves galloped to the station, some more panicked than others. Adrenaline kicked into Watson and without thinking his medical days came back to him. He checked her pulse and felt nothing, so without fearing further damage he inspected the wound. He tried not to get blood on his hooves but the murder was a messy one, and it turned out to be useful when he did.

“Blood still warm, recent... stab through lung meaning no scream... eyes open in shock... cut jarred so quick removal of blade, somepony else saw? Blood from ear most likely cause by fractured skull pushed away? Quick getaway? Bags of food on floor, through here for a short cut then?”

“Go on.”

Watson’s heart skipped a beat as he realised somepony was looming over him. He jumped up to view a stranger with an intrigued look on his face. He could just make out the stallion’s dark grey coat and curly jet black mane, and the scarf around his neck.

“No please, carry on.” He sounded sincere, and on top of that he handed Watson a wipe to clean off the blood from his hooves.

Watson gave a few odd looks from the body to the stranger but he eventually pieced together his theory. “Well from the looks of things this mare usually takes this route as a shortcut when getting her shopping home, however on this unlucky afternoon she ran into a particularly bad equine. This pony knew their stuff as he or she stabbed her in the lungs to prevent her from screaming.

"However the killer must have seen somepony close by as he quickly pulled the knife out of the body causing the bones around it to move according to the blade, a very unnatural look for a ribcage indeed. The killer then pushed away the body to stop any blood from spurting onto him therefore causing her skull to fracture as it hit the ground hard.”

The stranger was impressed, though his cheeky smile said something wasn’t clear. “Well the autopsy is correct however the reason behind this murder isn’t.”

“Why?”

“Because my good sir if you’ll follow me you’ll see there is no exit from this alleyway other than the way you came in.” The grey stallion had lead Watson further into the alley and showed him that the path which branches off left leads to a brick wall, whereas to the right an iron gate locked tightly blocks anypony’s escape. “Therefore she was lured in. Bait, perhaps, or maybe she knew the murderer.”

Before Watson’s new acquaintance continued he stopped the investigation. “Wait a minute, who are you?”

The stallion’s eyes narrowed in disgust. “Dr Watson! There is a murder at hand and you are wasting valuable seconds investigating the wrong pony. Now then, if you have nothing further to add could you please remove yourself from the scene. It would be greatly appreciated, as is your help so far.” Watson tried to argue back a reason to stay but all the mysterious pony said was “Good day!” with a slightly agitated tone.

Watson sighed and exited the alleyway, suspecting the pony was an inspector or something. He constantly looked back, even locking eyes with the stallion a couple of times in which he panicked for a moment for he was a very intimidating pony. As the sunlight shone against Watson's coat he was forced to give way to several guards who had finally shown to answer the cries of murder, and in good time too as they didn’t catch him scanning the body.

His ears caught hold of the conversation as he overheard one of them asked who he was and what he was doing there, however the stallion lied to them, claiming “He’s with me”, finally giving Watson a reason to smile.

Then after a pause he heard the same voice shout “Dr Watson! Name’s Sherlock Holmes, a pleasure to meet you!”