//------------------------------// // Skeleton // Story: Not So Cheery Times // by Poia //------------------------------// "Here we are." The gray pony said. He gently floated down into a clearing in the Everfree forest. Several ponies in flight suits were huddled around, talking. "Attention! Princess Celestia and royal guard here!" The rest of the ponies landed behind him. "Show her what you found." "This way m'lady." One of the ponies said. He made his way through the forest a short way. "Right here." Celestia looked where he pointed. Her jaw hung open in awe. "A-a-a skeleton?" "Yes ma'am. By the coloration of the bones, it is obvious it hasn't been here long and has been picked clean. Judging by the size and pelvic bone shape, female, middle aged, maybe slightly older. No holes in the skull suggesting either a horn was removed or foul play. Bones too thick to be a pegasus. She was most likely an Earth pony. The only signs of her possible death we could find were a few pink hairs in the immediate area and two gashes here in the ribcage, possibly a predator's claw mark." "A predator's claws? But the only predator in the Everfree is the manticore. Not only is the only known one domesticated, but they'd leave much more of a scene." "So what are you saying?" "Either we're in for a surprise about some giant beast, or this is a murder." The covered pony looked at the gouges again. "Whoever did this is not a first timer." A letter materialized in front of Celestia. "A letter? From Twilight? But, she's not supposed to write to me for a few more days. Odd." The princess used her magic to unroll it then read it aloud. "Dear Celestia, We have reason to believe that the school teacher, Cheerilee, has gone missing. Several foals are running around the town claiming that the teacher never arrived and the janitor let them leave. I've asked around, and it seems as though nopony knows where she is and the latest she was sighted was leaving town last night, towards the Everfree. What's more, the janitor cannot be found. The only description I could get out of the kids made him sound well built, with a gray coat. Sadly his hat covered his mane and uniform his tail. If you do not say otherwise, I will send out an amber alert tonight at 8. Please write back. -Sincerely, Twilight Sparkle" "Missing?" The weather pony asked. He stopped himself from showing his fear. "Do you think this is her?" Celestia walked around the skeleton. She stopped at a tree that had a clump of pink hair hanging off of a branch. She plucked it off and examined it closely. "I'm afraid to say so. This skeleton," she pointed at the object in question, "is clearly equine, one missing pony, one found skeleton. It makes perfect sense. GUARDS!" The four guards rushed towards the princess. "Wrap this skeleton and take it back to the castle. I have to write to Twilight." "Oh Spike, it's nearly seven. Do you think she got my letter? I need to know if I should put out an amber alert." Twilight said, pacing the floor. "Uhh, Twilight?" The small dragon interjected. "I mean, what if we're just overreacting and she, she went to see Zecora for some medicine and she's spending the night there?" "Twilight." Spike clutched a claw over his mouth. "No you're right, she doesn't like Zecora. Maybe she just went to talk to Fluttershy? We haven't seen either one." "Twiiliight." He doubled over, keeping himself from hurling. "Why would she do that? If she'd have gone anywhere, it'd been to the Apples' house to talk to Mac." "Tw-" spike burped some fire and a scroll appeared. "Celestia's letter!" Twilight grabbed it with her magic and began reading it. "Dear Twilight I received your letter concerning the disappearance of the pony named Cheerilee. Unfortunately, we have some grim news. The weather team discovered a corpse. If the townsponies ask where she is, don't tell them the truth. We have strong reason to believe she was murdered and we don't want any pony to panic. -Yours Truly, Celestia "Murder." Twilight mumbled. "But, ponies can't do that, it's illegal." Spike said, tears welling in his eyes. "Laws are just rules Spike. Some ponies break them, and they get punished." Spike looked at the lavender alicorn. She was looking at the ground, face ridden with anger. "But you said it was impossible to break rules." "I know what I said Spike. It was to keep you from doing it, I lied all right? Now, let's just go get some sleep, I'll go to Canterlot and ask Celestia what to do tomorrow."