//------------------------------// // Tenth Principle // Story: The Manual of Heroes // by Kaliann25 //------------------------------// Tenth Principle: Powers doesn’t make the hero; will makes the hero It was a beautiful morning in Mane-Hattan. But, being the city that never sleeps, unlike the rest of Equestria, the dawn didn’t mean that the day was starting for everypony. For half of the population, it was ending, and they were on their way home. But, it was starting for certain unicorn mare. Beautiful, with electric-blue mane, lavender-colored eyes, and soft gray fur. Her Cutie Mark was a CD, with a Bit symbol on the middle. Her name was Beat Box, daughter of Octavia Melody and Vinyl Scratch. The sunrays slowly awoke her. She took a good look of the unfamiliar surroundings, and smiled as the memories from last night started coming back. She began to look for her partner, and found him right about sneak out of the room. “Hey, dude!” called Beat Box, as she yawned without caring. “What are you trying to do, to run away?” The other pony blushed furiously, being caught in the act, but managed to stay calmed. “What? No, of course not! I just wanted to surprise you by bringing you breakfast to bed. I swear!” “Yeah, right!” said Beat Box, rolling her eyes. “Don’t mind me, moron. We made it very clear last night: this was a one-night-thing only.” She grabbed a bit from her wallet, and showed it to the pony. “But, before you go, at least let’s play heads of tails to see who pays the room’s fee.” The stallion couldn’t help but smile, and lower his head apologetically. “Oh, don’t worry about it. I’ll do it. Consider it my way to say I’m sorry for trying to sneak away. Is just that, I’ve always had bad luck with chicks. Most of my one-night-stands end up asking for something more permanent. That wouldn’t be so bad, if it wasn’t that I’m a heir of an important firm and…” “Shut up, I never asked for the story of your life.” said beat Box, as she headed to the door. “Thanks for paying for the room, I guess. Good sex, let’s do this again someday. Now, if you excuse me, I have to go to work. See ya’, or not. I don’t really care.” The stallion stared at the door, smiling. He liked this mare, and hoped he see her again at the club. Beat Box exited the motel, and went to her office. Not before stopping for a cup of coffee, and a cinnamon roll. Then, she went to Orange Records, one of the titans of the music industry. Beat Box sighed happily, she loved her job. She put on the playful smirk that characterized her, and sat in her cubicle. Small but comfortable. The two square meters of her work-space were decorated just the way Beat Box liked it, with comic book pages, fan-arts, and even a few vinyl figures on her desk. After stretching on her chair, Beat Box began to work. Beat Box’s job consisted in getting contracts to make the complete suites for theater adaptations of comic books that were at the top of their popularity. Fans from all over Equestria loved to buy their albums, with the complete suites, plus opening and ending themes. “Miss Beat Box!” somepony called. Beat turned, only to face the owners of the company. Music Profit and Landed Money, husband and wife. They both greeted her with a polite nod, as Beat Box gave them her best smile. “What’s up, boss, other boss. What can I do for you?” “We heard that yesterday, you managed that the author of Dragon Cube Y sign with us for the suite for the next story arc. And, also, you managed to seal the deal with the brains behind ‘Attack on Ponytan.” “Hay yeah!” assured Beat Box. “And, the fans can barely wait since we did such a good job with Pony Art Online. Thanks Faust you listened to me when I told you that you had to hire Yuki Kajiura. She is a true artist for manga adaptations’ music.” “Yes, as you said the day we hired you, comics are a great market we needed to exploit.” said Landed Money with an indifferent tone. “That’s why we wanted to discuss your future in this industry, Miss Box. “Cool.” Said Beat Box. “Shall I go to the conference room or something?” “In fact, Miss Beat Box, we wanted you to have dinner with us. Tonight.” explained Music Profit. Beat Box raised an eyebrow. “Uuuuh! That would not be possible. You see, I have dinner with my grandparents tonight.” “They’ll understand!” said Music Profit. “This is for your career, after all.” “You don’t know them!” said Beat Box. “They are really short-tempered. They won’t like me dumping them because of a meeting.” “Maybe we don’t, but you must think what’s best for your future.” said Landed Money- “Fiiiine!” sighed Beat box. “Then, at LeGrand’s Coussine sounds good?” “That’s what we were going to suggest you, Miss Beat Box.” They left Beat Box, who continued with what was she doing: organize the new soundtrack for the revival of Power Ponies, ‘Fresh 54’ they called her. Anyway, she continued working, when her cubicle neighbor payed her a visit. “Hey, the bosses are watching you carefully. Who would say that comics and soundtracks would be this profitable.” “Hey, ask any geek, and they all tell you that there’s nothing better than reading your favorite comic with the right music. The drama, the action, everything is perfect.” She said, showing the other pony her figurines. “The best feeling ever, my friend.” The rest of the day continued normally for Beat Box. To continue arrange contracts, scheduling appointments with creators, writers and musical talent, and, actors. Nothing to do with music itself. Despite being the daughter of two of the greatest musicians of the last decades, she had no real musical talent. Finally, at six o’clock, Beat Box exited Orange Records’ building and walked to the restaurant of the griffin Gustave LeGrand. She gave the name ‘Profit’ at the counter, and the kind hostess guided here where her two bosses were waiting for her. “Beat, is so good to see you.” greeted Landed Money. “Please have a sit, it’s been a while since we talked calmly for the last time.” said Music Profit. Beat Box sat, as she relaxed. “Hey, grandpa, grandma. How is it going?” “Just fine, thank you, darling.” Smiled Landed Money. “Just glad that you could join us.” He turned to the waiter. “Please, good sir, can you bring us your best wine, and three cups?” The waiter made a polite bow, and went to get what they asked him. “Yeah, I’m glad I could make it too.” said Beat Box, calmly. “You should know my bosses. Can you believe they wanted me to cancel my appointment with you, to have dinner with them, to discuss my future in the industry?” The three of them laughed. “Okay, enough joking for today.” said Music Profit. “How’s your mother, Beat Box?” “Which one?” asked Beat Box. Landed Money frowned. “Octavia, obviously. Our daughter.” Beat Box shrugged. “What do you want me to tell you? She’s still the head of the Royal Ponyville Orchestra, and headmistress of the Princess Luna’s academy of music and arts. And, she still doesn’t want anything to do with you.” The two older ponies nodded, sad. But, truth be told, they caused their daughter to hate them. When Octavia was barely eleven years old, they kicked out of her home because she decided to become a musician, instead of taking the reins of the family business. Later, Octavia made an effort to make things up, and invited them to her wedding. But, they rejected, saying that they would never accept her to marry another mare. Especially a commoner, like this so-called ‘Miss Scratch’, instead of somepony of the gender and status they would accept. Octavia understood, and decided to forget about her parents from that day on. In fact, the two business ponies never knew they had a granddaughter until recent years. Later on, Music Profit had a cardiac arrest. It almost killed him, but, they realized how alone they really were. They sent a letter to Octavia telling her the news, and asking her to come to visit. But she answered by a simple not that read: SO WHAT? Several years later, they heard news about anew employee who started to make deals between their sponsored artists, theater producers, and comic writers. She managed to start a new branch on the business, the soundtracks. Unbelievably enough, her unique work line gave them a lot of profit. They decided to meet this employee, and paid her a visit at her cubicle. First thing they noticed, was a framed picture of Beat Box’s mothers, Vinyl Scratch; and their daughter, Octavia. Octavia would never forgive them, but meeting their granddaughter was the perfect chance to make things right this time. “Then, darling, we just met a young stallion, from a family of bankers. He would be in charge of the family business one day, and we were wondering if you…” “Let’s not getting started!” sighed Beat Box. “It was bad enough when mamma Vy and mamma Tavi tried to introduce me to the daughter of their best friends.” “Seriously?” asked Landed Money. “Awkward as hell for Tootsie Flute and me.” Said Beat Box. “At least, now we’re sure we don’t swing to that way. Whatever.” The rest of the dinner went normal, and even fun. Beat Box and her grandparents got along just fine, and really appreciated their efforts on her to make amends with the past. But, she couldn’t tell her mom that she have met her grandparents, and, that she worked for them. She knew that the first thing their moms do, was to get on the first train to Mane-Hattan, and drag her back to Ponyville. Later that night, Beat Box was back on her apartment. And, right in her mailbox, it was a letter from the commissioner of Mane-Hattan. “I guess I’m going to have a rough night. Well, this is my duty!” She got inside the apartment, where she changed to her superhero suit. Two minutes later, the superhero known as Elementary, transformed into air, and flew to action. Right to a pent-house, where the commissioner was waiting for him already. “Elementary, about time you show up.” “Hi there, commy! What can I do for you tonight?” “Oh, right. The owner of this pent-house, is the son of a respected family. Yesterday he spent the night with a lady…” “Is that information necessary for the case?” asked Elementary, a bit uncomfortable. “He doesn’t stop bragging about it, what can I tell you? Anyway, he spent the night in a motel, and, when he returned home, noticed that the box had been opened, and the jewels he inherited from his mother have disappeared. We’ve been here the whole day trying to figure out this mystery, but we haven’t figure out anything.” “And that’s why they called me, always the same story.” said Elementary. “Is the victim in here?” The commissioner called the owner of the pent-house, who ended up being the same pony Beat Box spent the night with. “Is a pleasure to meet the famous detective superhero. The name is Wing Song.” “Alright, Mister Song, my friend the commissioner says that you keep your mother’s jewels in a safe. My only question is, isn’t the daughter who usually inherits the jewels, instead of the son?” “I’m an only child, and mom and I always got along well. She gave me her jewels. She made me promise that I’ll give them to my especial somepony, when I find one. I don’t care about the jewels, it’s my promise that bothers me! Look!” He gave Elementary the note the thief left behind. IF YOU WANT TO GET YOUR RING BACK, YOU BETTER GIVE ME WHAT I WANT. SEE YOU IN CENTRAL PARK AT MIDNIGHT. IN 3 DAYS. Elementary put a hoof on his chin. “Curious, curious indeed. My only question is, why a ring?” “Is because that’s my mother’s wedding ring. The most important thing I have in that box.” Elementary nodded. “So, whoever did this, knew that the ring you had was especially important to you. What kind of safe do you have?” “Stainless steel, magnetic seal with electronic lock and biometric recognition…” “I get it, the one designed by the wacko Princess Sparkle haves for son.” Interrupted Elementary. “This doesn’t have any sense.” “What do you mean?” “We’re talking about super advanced technology, superior even to the Princesses’ magic. Completely invincible.” The commissioner gasped. “You’re right! If somepony is capable to do anything against Spark’s technology, Equestria is doomed!” “Maybe not!” said Elementary, taking a magnifying glass, examining the box. “First of all, if the culprit knew that it was the ring what matters to you, why did they take all the jewels? Okay, the impact may be bigger if they take all of your mother’s jewels, but, have anyone tried to examine this box closely?” The commissioner and Wing Song exchanged a look, and the pony approached. “Hey, this is not my safe!” “Yes, only the same brand as yours.” Said Elementary. “I knew it was impossible for anypony to open any of Spark’s safes. Also, that explains the three day time limit. This things only open when you put your eye on the lock, so, they are organizing an ambush, to force you to open the safe. Elementary, my dear Wing Song, this is a trap. A stupid trap, but still a trap.” The commissioner made a small nod, in approval. As for Wing Song, he simply hugged Elementary. “You are the best detective in the world!” “Yes, yes I am!” said Elementary proudly. “But, tell me, do you have an idea of who knew this ring meant this much to you?” “Well, there are only a few people I’ve told that I suppose to give it to my future wife. But, hey! I know! It was a girl I met in a bar a few days ago. I got drunker than usual, and told her more that I was intended to. She must have organized all this to steal my safe, and blackmail me into marrying her!” “I get it, this is karma for being an idiotic playboy who drinks too much!” interrupted Elementary. “Where she lives, and how she looks?” “She lives at the building next door, at the top floor. The whole pent-house is hers. She is pink, with blonde mane. And she dyed a violet strip. She is good-looking, but that’s it. Her attitude is just repellant.” Elementary sighed at this pony’s idiocy, and he turned himself into air. He flew to the other pent-house, where he found that all the curtains were closed. Strange, it was a rather nice night. But he noticed there was a light behind. It was time, Elementary transformed himself into rock, and got in the apartment by literally crashing through the window. Inside the apartment, Elementary found a group of mercenaries he have faced before, along with the mare in question. Everypony around the safe. “It’s Elementary!” shouted the mercenaries. “Guys, long time no see you!” greeted the detective superhero. “So, what do you prefer? Fire? Ice? Water? Or be beaten by a rock? Oh, or maybe I can try a new trick I’ve ben working on!” Turning himself into water, Elementary began to control every single water source in the apartment, using the shower, sink, and toilet to throw the thugs out of the apartment. Only the mare remained, trembling in fear. “How?!” “Elementary, my dear rejected. Your little game of making anypony think that there is somepony who is able to open one of Spark’s safes played against you.” “But I did it for love! Wing Song is everything I always dreamed of! And I am what he dreams of, without knowing.” Elementary sighed. “Wing Song may be an idiot, but he is honest about what’s he’s looking for. One-nighters. Anyway, I’ll give this back to Wing Song, and, what will happen with you is up to him. I’m only here to make sure justice is served! And, to solve mysteries.” Elementary then took the box, and went back to the apartment next door, where Wing Song and the commissioner were waiting for him. Being water, it was easy for him to drag the safe with little to no effort. “You are great, mister Elementary! How did you do this?” “Elementary, my dear Wing Song. A series of elementary reasoning lead me to the truth. Also, the elementary information you provided me helped. And, of course, a hero is a hero not because of his powers, but his will to do the right thing, and our natural talents.”