//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: The Master Blackmailer // by keithsterling //------------------------------// Its 1500 hrs several years earlier, Royal Blue stable, noble ward, City of Canterlot, Capital of Equestria, estate garden. The garden of the Royal Blue Stable is celebrating the upcoming wedding of Baroness Alexandra Royal Blue to Captain Lancer Cadet. Walking into the main manor home of the Royal Blue stable was a lovely looking, blue colored earth pony mare with a dark pink mane and tail. Her physically fit 5ft 1in Equine figure was attired in an elm green slightly below the knee-length dress. Her ten and one-third inch blue bare feet were encased in white ankle-strap pumps with a three-inch heel. This earth pony mare was Baroness Alexandra Royal Blue. She was summoned by one of her stable' maid’s when a package arrived for her. Watching through the window outside was a handsome navy blue colored earth pony stallion with a crimson red mane and tail. His face was twisted in anguish upon seeing his fiancée opening the package that she was sent to her. His physically fit 5ft 1in equine figure was attired in the light gold uniform of Princess Celestia Silverlight’s troops. His ten and one half inch feet were encased in black boots. This earth pony stallion was Captain Lancer Cadet. Its 1700 hrs, that same day, Royal army barracks command office, Military ward, City of Canterlot, Capital of Equestria. Crouched down next to the body of a blue earth pony stallion was a drop-dead gorgeous light blue unicorn mare with a crimson red mane and tail. Her athletic 5ft 8in equine figure was attired in an orange-colored mid-knee length dress. Her ten-inch long light blue, bare feet were encased in black boots. This unicorn mare was Princess Blueberry Swirl Silverlight, the youngest daughter of Princess Celestia Silverlight and Royal Coroner for Equestria. "Any thought your highness?" a Solar Guard officer asked the Princess who closed the eyes of the earth pony stallion with her fingers. "From the entrance wound location on the side of the head and the position of the gun, it was self-inflicted, was there a note, officer?" Blueberry asked as she slowly rises to her feet and looks around the room for a note. "None have been located, your highness. But we have not searched the whole room yet." The Solar Guard officer explains as Blueberry sighs. "All right officer send the body to the morgue." Blueberry orders as she walked out of the command office into the central area of the military barracks, then outside the barracks. Waiting outside the barracks was a gorgeous light blue Alicorn mare with a crimson red mane and tail. Her shapely 6ft 6in equine figure was attired in a blue-violet mid-knee length dress. On her ten-inch long light blue bare feet were black leather boots. Her light blue feather bird wings were folded on her back. This half Alicorn mare was Princess Aurora Silverlight, the oldest daughter of Princess Celestia Silverlight and overall commander of the Solar Guard division in Equestria. "Was the victim Captain Lancer Cadet the commander of 10th Royal Army Company based in Canterlot, Blueberry?" Aurora inquiry as Blueberry slowly sighed again. "Probably, Aurora, Why do you ask?" Blueberry asked, gesturing two of her medic ponies to pick-up the body and take it to the morgue. "The Lieutenant Colonel asked the Solar Guard Internal affairs to investigate Captain Lancer Cadet," Aurora explains as Blueberry's face glazes with shock. "For what, Aurora?" Blueberry asked as she watches her two medic ponies load the body into the coroner van to transport it to the morgue for processing. "The Lieutenant Colonel was going to petition our mother to allow the 10th Royal Army Company to become separate from the Canterlot Royal Army Battalion because Captain Cadet had great leadership ability. As the Solar Guard Internal affairs unit was investigating Captain Cadet’s Background, there were numerous inconsistencies in his background. So I sent a Solar Guard investigation team to his hometown of Silver Shoals to investigate his background." Aurora explains, pausing momentarily to catch her breath before continuing. "Anyone who knew him had moved to other equestrian cities. We are currently tracking down those ponies. As the Solar Guard investigation team was leaving Silver Shoals, the local law enforcement asked them to look at some skeletal remains of an earth pony stallion that was found in a long-abandoned home. The team said it looks like cut marks on the bones so they sent the skeletal remains to your morgue to look them over. The team found a deteriorated wallet and Military ID card identifying the body as Private Lancer Cadet. That was also sent to your morgue." Aurora explains as Blueberry eyes widen with alarm. "I see sister; I'll get right on it when I get back to the morgue," Blueberry said, shocked as she climbs into the coroner van. "Thank you, little sister; I'll continue the investigation here at the barracks." Aurora's comment waving her hand as the coroner van drove off to the morgue to begin her investigation of the bodies. It's 1200 hrs that afternoon, Silverlight stable, Noble ward, City of Canterlot, Capital of Equestria, estate garden, small backyard patio area. Sitting at a small round patio table was an everlasting beautiful morning, blue, older unicorn mare with a pink mane and tail. She was sipping from a small teacup. Her perfect 6ft 11in equine figure was attired in a mint green mid-knee length dress. On her twelve-inch long, morning blue bare feet were light blue strap sandal with one fourth inch heel. This older unicorn mare was Duchess Ophelia Silverlight, the boss mare for the Silverlight unicorn family and grandmother to the Royal foals. Sitting across from her was an elegant looking, yellow, older unicorn mare with an orange and pink colored mane and tail. Her toned 5ft 10in equine figure was attired in a deep pink color, below the knee-length dress. On her ten inch long, yellow, bare feet were gray peep-toe pumps with four and one-half inch heel. This older unicorn mare was Countess Clarice Brightly, the boss mare for the brightly unicorn family and a Canterlot Noble mare. "How long are you here for, Clarice?" Ophelia inquiry as she took a drink from her cup. "I am here permanently, Ophelia, after what happen in Pearis." Clarice comments as she takes a sip from her cup. "What happened in Pearis, Clarice?" Ophelia inquiry taking a drink from her cup. "Someone on my household staff betrayed me. They gave a political rival some of my compromising letters. I was forced to flee Prance before the firestorm started and return home to Canterlot. Well, here in Equestria, my family standing is great, so I don't have to worry about a firestorm." Clarice comment as she shook her head, telling Ophelia no more question about Prance. "I am sorry, Ophelia, for the loss of your grandson Lord Justice Silverlight. His name was well known in Prance." Clarice comments as a single tear ran down Ophelia's cheek. "I thank you, Clarice. But my grandson left me with three wonderful Grandchildren." Ophelia comments as Clarice looks dumbfounded. "Ophelia, you are a great grandmother. Who are your grandchildren?" Clarice asked as Ophelia softly chuckled. "Princess Aurora, Prince Somnus, and Princess Blueberry," Ophelia answers as the breath catches in Clarice's throat. "The royal foals are your grandchildren, Ophelia. I heard rumors that Princess Celestia wed her personal guard. But I didn't know that guard was your grandson, Lord Justice Silverlight. So your grandson was Prince Justice Silverlight." Clarice exclaims as Ophelia chuckles softly once again. "But Ophelia is that a conflict of interest with you being the head of the House of Lords in Canterlot," Clarice comments as Ophelia shook her head ‘no’. "Their mother makes my stable independent, and the Royal foals don't live here at the stable. They live up at the Grand Royal Palace with their mother and their aunt. They do come and visits my stable when they are in the noble ward as a family member of the Silverlight family." Ophelia explains as the two old unicorn mares begin talking about other subjects. It's 1700 hrs, the afternoon of that same day (present), Royal ward, City of Canterlot, Capital city of Equestria, family living room, private living area, Canterlot Grand Royal palace, second floor of the palace. Sitting on the sofa was Princess Aurora Silverlight, attired in a tangerine-colored top of the knee-length dress. Her ten-inch long, light blue feet were bare. Nearby, was a pair of light gold heeled sandals. Her light blue feather bird wings were folded on her back, and she was wearing her Princess' regalia. She was reading over the final coroner report for the skeletal remains found in Silver Shoals. Sitting in a chair, in the same room was Princess Blueberry Swirl Silverlight attired in a green colored, mid-knee length dress. Her ten-inch long, light blue bare feet were encased in light gold gladiator sandals, and she was wearing her own Princess' regalia. "So all the medical reports that you requested from the Silver Shoals base hospital for Private Lancer Cadet are inconclusive that the skeletal remains belong to him," Aurora comments as she sits back on the sofa, and Blueberry shook her head. "To make identification of the skeletal remains even more difficult, Captain Lancer Cadet wanted to be cremated." Aurora said, aggravated snorting loudly at the report. "What about your leads, Aurora?" Blueberry inquiry as she reaches down to unclasp the claps on her sandals to remove them from her feet. "All the leads were dead ends. It seems that Private Lancer Cadet became a recluse after the death of his parents. And those ponies that said they knew him didn't know him at all. They didn't even know he left Silver Shoals and joined the Royal army. Until a Solar Guard officer spoke to them." Aurora explains as Blueberry removed her gladiator sandals and set them beside her chair. A few moments later, a gorgeous, light blue, unicorn stallion with a crimson red mane and tail walks into the living room and sits down on the other chair. His athletic 6ft 2in equine figure was attired in a white comfort dress shirt and gray classic fit suit pants. On his socked eleven and one-sixth light blue bare feet were black dress boots. He was wearing his own black metal royal regalia. This unicorn stallion was Prince Somnus Silverlight, the brother to Aurora and Blueberry. "Greeting sisters, what is up with you two?" Somnus inquiry noticing the coroner report tossed on the coffee table. "Greetings, brother." The two mares said in unison as they both sigh. "Oh, it’s nothing brother, we are unable to identify some skeletal remains that were found in Silver Shoals. They also found a deteriorated wallet with a Military ID card." Aurora explains as Somnus looks a bit puzzled. "Well, that Military ID card should belong to the skeletal remains," Somnus comments as Blueberry shook her head no. "That’s where the problem is, Somnus." Blueberry comment floating the coroner report over to him from the table. "Say what? The Military ID card belongs to Private Lancer Cadet. How can there be two Lancer Cadet a private and a Captain? That makes no sense at all, sisters." Somnus said very much lost as both his sisters shook their heads. "What was the cause of death for Captain Lancer Cadet, Blueberry?" Somnus inquiry looking toward his little sister Blueberry. "It was suicide, brother, a single gunshot to the right side of the head with his own revolver. But I don't know why he did it?" Blueberry explains as Somnus' jaw drops. "I might be able to answer that question for you, Blueberry," Somnus comments as a news article appears with a case file in front of his sisters on the coffee table. Blueberry picks up the news article, and Aurora picks up the case file to read it over. "It seems that Captain Lancer Cadet was going to marry Baroness Alexandra Royal Blue. But she broke it off. If you notice the date of the news articles its one day after his suicide, Blueberry." Somnus explains as Blueberry gasps with the revelation. "Damn it, brother! She’s our mother as well. Why did you not tell us about this Master Blackmailer that has our mother's stolen letters in his possession. I could have helped and have found a way to pay the ransom off for mother's stolen letters." Aurora said hotly as tears come to her cobalt blue eyes. "I am sorry big sister, but mother didn't want you two involved in this messy situation with this Master Blackmailer. It was hard enough for mother to seek out my help. You know how protective our mother is of us." Somnus explains apologetically as Aurora shook her head. "Something must have changed in the situation for you to bring us into it now, big brother," Blueberry comments as she weighs Somnus' reaction with a critical squint. "As I stated in the case file, I tried to negotiate for a lower price for mother's letters but the attempt was unsuccessful. So with the failure to negotiate, I've set my feelers out watching the noble families that would benefit the most from mother's letters. So far, none of the families have hold of mother's letters. So, I believe the Master Blackmailer still has them. I think the only way to rectify this case is for some breaking and entering to retrieve mother's letters." Somnus explains as Blueberry face glazes with shock. At the same time, Aurora hysterically laughs. "What so funny about doing something illegal like that, Aurora? We are the foals of Princess Celestia Silverlight. The embodiment of law and order." Blueberry said sourly as Aurora stopped laughing. "Being the firstborn foal of Princess Celestia Silverlight and Prince Justice Silverlight. I saw father do many illegal things for our mother. He never told mother what he did for her, as her knowing, would break her heart. He would go beyond the law but remain in the law. This Master Blackmailer is beyond redemption. He would use what our mother holds the most precious and hold her hostage for nothing more than riches.” Aurora said as she sighs slowly. “Our father wouldn't stand for that; he loved our mother too much for that. So I am going to support Somnus in his plan. If you want out, Blueberry, it’s your decision." Aurora comments, sitting back on the sofa. "No, Aurora, you are right; the Master Blackmailer is way beyond redemption. He would use us to hold our mother hostage for nothing but money. As father died when, I was a baby, I have seen how much mother loved our father, so I am in." Blueberry said as she placed her hand on the table in front of her.