A Shadow of a Whisper

"Twilight, are you aw–" Spike called from the main hall of the library.

"I'm awake, Spike," Twilight replied. It was the same as last time, but this time she wouldn't waste her precious time. Twilight quickly got herself prepared for the day, and made her way out the door. Her breakfast lay untouched.

Twilight made her way towards the scene of her death, remembering to act casual. She had no idea what she would do once she found out who it was, but she would think about that later. Now she had to focus.

"There you are, Sugarcube!" Applejack called. the orange mare stood in front of her barn, awaiting the arrival of her friend. Twilight would normally not be of much use on the farm, but a simple job like cider bottling should be something she could do. "I've been lookin' all over for you!"

"Listen, Applejack," Twilight began. She wanted to gather information this time, she knew she wouldn't solve her murder just yet. "I read a book on mysteries, and was wondering if you could answer a question." Twilight lied.

"Sure thing, but then we gotta get started here. What's the question?" Applejack asked, turning back towards the barn. She wondered why Twilight would wear jewelery when she would be working, but figured it must be a unicorn thing. Rarity probably would have done the same thing. She also didn't know why Twilight would ask her of all ponies, but she wasn't going to turn down her friend.

"Is there anypony in Ponyville that would benefit if somepony was dead?" Twilight inquired. She knew it was a weird question, and Applejack's face confirmed it's oddity.

"Whata ya mean by that?! I don' think anypony would ever do somethin' like that!" Applejack shouted in response. Twilight sighed. She hadn't really expected an answer, but still...

"If I think about it though, there are some ponies, but they ain't in Ponyville, they live in Canterlot." Applejack replied.

"Who are they? You have to tell me who they are!" Twilight pleaded, laying on the ground and clasping the orange hooves in front of her. This was the best lead she had so far, and she couldn't let it slip through her hooves.

"Boot Leg and Smuggle Run. They're my second cousins, at least Boot Leg is, Smuggle run is his stepbrother. The family don't like them much though; we heard they have some weird stuff goin' on in the city. Matter a' fact, if Apple Bloom, Big Mac, Granny Smith and myself weren't here, they'd have the farm torn down!" Applejack answered. Twilight stood up, composing herself.

"How can I find them?" Twilight asked, her voice showing how serious she was. If she could find these two, she just might find her killer.

"I saw them at the Grand Galloping Gala, and they said they lived and worked at their warehouse, I have the address somewhere around here..." Applejack replied, beginning to look around at her workbench in the barn.

"Did you say the Grand Galloping Gala? What were they doing there?" Twilight questioned. The Apple family wasn't exactly known for being the type of ponies that would go to a gala.

"They're really well known by the upper class. Princess Luna invited them. Here it is!" Applejack exclaimed, pulling out a wrinkled sheet of paper. On it was scrawled 'Painted Avenue', underneath a number: 5741. Twilight took it and ran without another word.

"Only ten hours left! I don't know if I'll make it." Twilight mumbled to herself aboard the Canterlot Express. The train pulled into the station, and Twilight headed straight for the industrial district. She remembered the address layout of Canterlot from her time there as a filly. If she remembered right, the 5700's should be just around this-

"Wake up already!" A voice said as Twilight awoke. The voice was accompanied by a swift kick to the ribs. The voice was not the same as the time keeper, as Twilight had begun to call him. Twilight glanced around as she stood up. She was in a large, dimly-lit warehouse. Around the edge stood stallions in suits, who did not look friendly.

"Where am I?" Twilight asked, making a point to sound defensive. She didn't know how she got here, but at least she was alive, for now.

"According to this slip of paper here, you're exactly where you want to be. I assume that's also why you stepped on our territory," said a second voice. Twilight now focused on the two ponies in front of her. The one that she presumed had kicked her was very thuggish; a large, bulky monster. He had an emerald green coat, with a neon yellow mane that was gelled down. Next to him was the second voice, a slim, tall stallion. He had white fur, which slowly turned to maroon near his hooves. His dark gray mane was neat and trim, yet also slicked down. He looked far more approachable than his companion. Both wore black suits, with ties that matched their deep blue eyes.

"So you two are Boot Leg and Smuggle Run?" Twilight asked, still wary of the two stallions.

"Yes, and Boot Leg here has been wondering why you have come to us." The second pony declared. Twilight could tell he was highly educated, unlike his brother. "Come, we can talk on our way to my home." Twilight followed the two as they made their way across the cold cement floor.

"My friend Applejack told me you could answer some questions I have, but what is that?" Twilight asked, gesturing towards a large machine in the corner as they passed. Above the main pipe were seven clear tubes, each containing a different color of the rainbow. Several of the suited ponies were gathered around it, filling barrels with a strange rainbow colored liquid.

"Oh, Applejack sent you? Hmmm. That's the reason our family isn't too fond of us. We run a zap apple distillery. We artificially make zap apple jam, add water, and let it ferment. It's not exactly legal, but you won't tell anyone, right?" Smuggle Run explained. At his last statement, two of the suited ponies began walking very close to Twilight, making the threat clear.

"Right..." Twilight said, trying not to draw the wrong kind of attention, even though she might already have it. Boot Leg opened  a door, and the five ponies walked inside.

Twilight instantly knew that these two were part of Canterlot's upperclass. She was met by a mahogany floor, with several intricate designs inlaid into the wood. A gold chandelier hung from the ceiling, with gold sconces illuminating the corners of the room. In the room stood two oak wingback chairs, covered with blue linen. Twilight stood behind the small oak table in front of the chairs, while the stepbrothers took their seats. The two suited ponies maintained their post on either side of Twilight.

"So you have questions?" Smuggle Run asked as he motioned to the ponies behind Twilight. The pair left silently out the door that the group had come through. "Now that it's just the three of us, ask away."

"First and foremost, do you know who I am?" Twilight asked. If they didn't know who she was, they couldn't be her killer. Then again, she wouldn't be able to tell if they were lying. If she could keep them talking, they might reveal something important, regardless of their possible guilt.

"We know all about you. We know everything that there is to know in Canterlot. You are Twilight Sparkle, a student of Celestia's. You usually stay out of the city, and your connection to Applejack suggests you stay in Ponyville." Smuggle run replied, earning him an eye roll from Boot Leg. "Next question?"

"Have I done anything to... upset you?" Twilight asked. If they had a motive, they would become prime candidates for closer observation.

"Hmm... Can't say you have." Smuggle Run answered.

"Except for coming here." Boot Leg shot back.

" Pardon my brother, he doesn't respond well to visitors." The kinder brother apologized. "You might have irritated some of our associates though. Do you know a certain mare by the name of Rainbow Dash?"

"Yes, why? Is she mad at me?" Twilight inquired. After that kiss, surely Rainbow Dash wouldn't be her killer!

"No, but her relatives might be. Have you met her family?" He asked.

"I can't say I have." Twilight responded

"Hmm, I see. She has two older brothers that live in Cloudsdale; Cloak Dash and Dagger Dash. We call them when we have to... take care of somepony. Rainbow Dash didn't follow her family's business, so they disowned her, and did their best to make her life miserable. That's why she fled her home. I fear that if you make her life happy, they would be extremely upset to hear about it." Twilight's jaw dropped. She had not known any of this about her friend. Even though the kiss hadn't happened in this timeline, what if her brothers had heard of her intentions?