Celestia’s sun grazed the land to signal the start of another beautiful day in Equestria. As Equestrians all around arose from their slumber and started their day, two ponies stepped off the train in the city of Canterlot.
Nosey smiled and looked around. “Feels good to be home.”
River nodded. “This is the last time we’ll get to call it home.”
Nosey bit his lip. “How do you think Pearl’ll take it?”
River shrugged. “We’ll find out later. First we need to report to Quill.”
Nosey nodded. “Then let’s do it.”
At the CPD, Chief Quill groaned and facehoofed. “For the last time Blitzkrieg, my answer is NO!” He told YET another noble who was calling for him to persuade for Sparkler’s descention.
Blitzkrieg growled as he paced back and forth. “Quill, it was the unanimous vote of the nobility that voted that that imposter surrender her Alicorn power, and you are the only one—“
Quill cut him off. “I will not advise ANY Princess to descend Miss Medley JUST because YOU don’t like it. There must be a legitimate reason and opinions do NOT count in this context! Miss Medley has not broken any Equestrian Laws and so I will not condemn her just because she was born with extra bits!”
“Careful Quill.” Blitzkrieg warned. “I implore you to rethink your decision. Lest you—“
“What?” Quill interrupted. “You’ll have me replaced? Ha! We both know the Princess has the final say in that matter and she won’t want me replaced with somepony under your hoof. And besides. I’d rather resign than wrongly punish an innocent pony anyway. So go ahead and try Blitz.” Quill got out from behind his desk and stared Blitzkrieg right in the eye. “It won’t end well.”
At that moment, there was a knock on the door and Quill, his anger at Blitz on all cylinders, whipped his head to the door. “What!” He shouted at whoever was at the door.
He saw Nosey and River jump and back up a little. “Uh, mornin chief.”
“Something wrong?”
Quill’s expression immediately softened as he smiled. “Nosey. River. I’m so sorry. I’ve just been having a rough morning. Come in.” He turned back to Blitzkrieg. “If you have nothing else to discuss than get out of my station. And relay this to your friends. The Canterlot Police Department will have no part in your POINTLESS quarrel with Sparkling Medley. We’re on her side rather than yours.”
Blitzkrieg was fuming as he stormed off. Nosey and River watched him go, and then turned back to Quill. “Nobles are still mad eh?”
Quill sighed as he sat back down behind his desk. “He was the eighth noble in three days to try and get me to sway the Princess to their demands. All eight times I’ve turned them down.” He nodded at them. “Tell me you two have good news. I could really use some right now.”
Nosey smiled and magically summoned Thunder Kicker’s case file. “Remember Sparky and Misty? Yeah. They were at last apprehended.”
Quill smiled. “You mean I finally get to permanently close this case?”
River nodded. “That’s right.”
Quill smiled as he took the stamp and stamped the folder closed. “Finally! I’m usually not one to lose hope, but even I was getting pretty grim about our odds.”
Nosey chuckled. “And it’s all thanks to Sparkler.”
Quill nodded. “I knew that Alicorn had to be good for something.” He sighed in relief. “Well. Don’t leave me hanging, when did you get them?”
River chuckled. “We got them last night. They tried to reclaim Thunder Kicker.”
Nosey nodded. “Fortunately for us Sparkler was on their tails almost immediately. She sent her parrot to get us and Twilight.”
“When we got there the three were having a beam battle that the parrot interrupted.”
“And that’s when we took their magic away.”
River nodded. “After that, Luna came to collect them. And Kicker was rushed to the hospital.”
Quill raised an eyebrow. “Hospital?”
Nosey nodded. “Yeah. Sparky and Misty beat him real good.”
Quill shook his head. “Typical.”
River nodded. “At least it’s over now.”
Quill sighed. “Maybe where the foal is concerned, but unfortunately as you just saw, the Nobles are still on the warpath.”
Nosey nodded. “You really think transferring us will make a difference?”
“It’s the best idea I can come up with.” Quill replied. “Those Nobles are on a warpath, Miss Medley is busy with Thunder Kicker so she probably won’t appreciate Nobles sending after her. If the Nobles know you were assigned to watch over her, it just might deter them.”
River nodded. “That makes sense.”
Nosey chuckled. “Let’s just hope the Nobles take the hint.”
Quill nodded. “Hopefully.
Celestia took a sip of her tea as she noticed Luna enter. She smiled. “Good morning Luna.”
Luna nodded and rubbed her eyes. “Good morning sister.” She let out a yawn.
Celestia giggled. “Busy night?”
Luna nodded as she sat down across from Celestia. “Remember the investigation our fellow Alicorn Sparkler has found herself in?”
Celestia nodded. “Indeed.”
“Well, those two miscreants were apprehended last night.” Luna replied.
Celestia smiled. “That’s good.”
Luna nodded. “Though not before they used their magic against the foal. He had to be rushed to the hospital by the time Sparkler stepped in.”
Celestia gasped. “That’s awful.”
“I am more disgusted than surprised sister. If the countless nightmares Thunder Kicker has had is any indication, those two have been inflicting harm on him for many moons.”
Celestia bit her lip. She remembered back when she first learned of this case three years ago. The resulting ponyhunt was a failure. Now she was learning that the foal had been abused constantly before Sparkler came along. She shook her head. “It’s sad. There are some that the Magic of Friendship has not touched.”
Luna nodded. “It is sad indeed. Even sadder when you account for what that meant for Thunder Kicker.”
Celestia nodded. “Bless Sparkler’s heart for finding him when she did.”
Luna giggled. “And she does not believe herself worthy of her wings.”
Celestia nodded. “One of these days.”
They both chuckled, knowing that Sparkler did not see herself worthy of her Alicorn status.
After a second, Celesta calmed down and drank another sip of her tea. “So, anything else happen last night?”
Luna shook her head. “No. After me and my guards threw those two miscreants in the dungeon, the rest of the night proceeded normally.”
Celestia nodded. “Good.” An idea came to her. “Luna, do you believe Mina would like to visit Sparkler’s parrot Flappy?”
Luna chuckled. “I would let Raven know to clear your schedule for today.”
Celestia nodded.
“We’re moving?!” Pearl exclaimed.
River nodded. After reporting to Chief Quill, while Nosey hopped on the train to head back to ponyville to do some house hunting, River went home to tell Pearl the news. “Yeah. Nosey and I are being transferred to a different town...effective as soon as possible.”
“Why?” Pearl asked.
River bit her lip, she didn’t want to lie to her daughter, but the reason was beyond her understanding for the moment. “Let’s just say some mean ponies are threatening another pony and Nosey and I are being transferred to deter the bullies.”
Pearl sighed. “Mom, don’t try to sugarcoat it. I know exactly what’s going on with that new Alicorn and the Nobles.”
River’s eyes widened. “You do?”
Pearl nodded and scurried off to the kitchen. After a second, she came back, holding a piece of a parchment in her mouth. “Somepony named Silver-Mane sent this to every police officer in the CPD, at least according to the other foals in my class yesterday.”
River’s mind raced at the mention of Silver-Man. She took the parchment and read it’s contents.
Any officer of the CPD who can persuade Chief Quill to advise an immediate revocation of Sparkling Medley’s Alicorn Status will enjoy permanent job security.
River’s eyes widened like saucers. “Sweetie, when and where did you come across this?”
“It was in our mailbox the day before yesterday.” Pearl replied. “And I managed to get a copy of the Ponyville Daily since you’re always saying that that’s the most reliable source of news. That’s how I learned about Sparkler. And this note has Nobles written all over it.”
River put the note down and smiled at Pearl. “How is it that you are a brilliant detective?”
Pearl chuckled. “I have you for a mom. I think it runs in the family.”
River chuckled and hugged her daughter. “I bet you’ll get your Cutie Mark in no time.”
Pearl chuckled and pulled away from her mom. “So, am I right to deduce that you and Nosey have been sent to Ponyville to deter the Nobles from taking action against Sparkler?”
River chuckled and nodded. “I won’t accept it if you don’t want to move.”
Pearl rolled her eyes. “Live in a city that accepts threatening Canterlot’s finest? I’m six and I know that’s not cool. Ponyville on the other hoof is the capital of Friendship. Should be much nicer.”
River couldn’t help but laugh. Sweet Faust, her daughter was smart. Pearl chuckled. “Next time don’t dumb things down. If I don’t understand something I’ll say so.”
River giggled and nodded. “Alright.”
Pearl nodded. “I’ll start packing.”
To be continued...