//------------------------------//
// Chapter 3 
// Story: Horror At Sandstone Manor 
// by WinterStormed 
//------------------------------//

Wrong. Nothing was adding up.  Dissonant chords of events have transpired, the mystery becoming an enigma. What is going on ?  Hitch sighed as he sat on the bench, next to a snoring Sprout. At first the entirety of evidence pointed to the Rosewood case. The centre binding of it all being the single metal feather. At the time, when Venti agreed to visit and comply at Sprout's place, he 'tasted'' the connection. The Pegasus were definitely involved. It was just the matter of  ' to what extent '.  But then, the whole caboodle came crashing down. Anemo's disturbing tale that transpired  in company with Zipp, prior to his arrival did stow the case away, albeit the details he spoke of were eerily similar to how Sunny acted towards him that very night Anemo and Zipp arrived.  Following Izzy's stunt at Sprout's place it became clear that this whole situation was a ball of tangled lines pointing to nowhere.

Hitch momentarily winced, his head already a steaming train. Was the Rosewood Manor case connected to these incidents ?  Or were they two completely different mysteries ?  Okay.  The Rosewood Manor case. Case Report Summary : Couple found dead and  badly burnt near fireplace. Assumed to be an accident as remains of oil- like substance used to start fires. Reasons to support such theory : The whole Living room was scorched since most items were flammable. Doubts on Theory : The path of the fire seemed to be obstructed  by unknown means. By right and by principle the fire should have engulfed the entire Manor. Also on the Victim bodies, although hard to identify due to extreme burns the coroner stated in his report that it would not be incorrect to assume that  certain markings of the body were of deep bite marks.....and that according to all of the wounds that they were most likely tortured to death.

The Sheriff closed his eyes shut as he tried to get rid of the image out of his head. Recalling when the coroner conveyed his suspicions on what happened...it gave him the chills. Sprout actually vomited. It was his first 'real' case. He was also there at the scene.....heavens the smell of burnt flesh....

There was not much to go besides the strange like needles found outside, confirming that there were third parties involved, most likely Pegasus. There were no suspects, the couples daughter, Moon Light, had a solid alibi. She was seen, multiple reports of her, at the movies theatre when it happened.

Now the confusing parts. Sunny, Izzy and Zipp.  Sunny became crazy possessive when he spoke with Pipp at the party but eventually calmed down when he explained it to her.  Izzy on the other hoof was turned down by Sprout before she went crazy. Zipp....well he did not know what was going on between her and Anemo but the way he recounted his encounter foretold  that Zipp was madly in love with Anemo but was possibly turned down as well.

A Light bulb went off as Hitch perked up at his discovery. Love !  All three scenarios had something to do with Love.  Hitch stopped his train of thought.  He knew it had something to do with love but why did it feel...off ? Hitch groaned as he massaged his temples. "I think that's enough for now." He muttered.

There was the Black rose  too. It was familiar for some reason. He could not put a hoof on it but he had a nagging feeling that he was not going to like the revelation when he remembers. All in all, he is force to conclude that there is no connection between these three incidents with the Rosewood Manor case.....for now.

Hitch perked up when he heard the ding of the sliding doors of the hospital opening. "Sprout !" The sheriff said, tapping his shoulder. "Anemo's out of the hospital. We got to go."

Sprout yawned, his eyes still closed shut. "Five more minutes Mommy, just Five more Minutes and I will cook breakfZzzzzzzzzzzzzz."

Hitch rolled his  eyes as he brought his mouth to his ear.If this was not going to wake him then nothing will . " SPROUT WAKE UP !"

Sprout shot up straight. "I'm Awake ! Geez....." The deputy scowled at Hitch. "Couldn't you just tap my shoulder or something ?"

Hitch shook his head as he chuckled lightly. "Come on. Anemo is approaching us. We need to continue this investigation at once ."

Sprout immediately groaned. "Uggggghhhh ! Why can't we continue this troublesome work tomorrow ? "

Hitch wagged his hoof. "No Sprout, as a great pony once said.  What you can do tomorrow, do it today and what you can do today, do it now."

Sprout sighed, no doubt hearing the same advice countless of times. "Ohhhhhhh, I hate Mondays. Let's go Mr Perfect. I'll die of old age by the time that snail comes here."

Hitch smirked at the  Deputy. "I'll take that as a compliment." They proceeded towards Anemo.


Hitch knew Anemo was troubled. His face conveyed as much.  "Hi Anemo. I take it you want to continue the investigation ? " Anemo gave a sigh. Hitch did not know what Queen Haven said to him but he did know that he was no longer part of her elite force, his missing wing blades accentuating the point.

"Something is not right. He majesty was acting.....not like her self."

Hitch gave a puzzle look, no doubt his mind working, and Sprout, well, being Sprout. 

"I know, right !" Said Sprout matter-of-fact. "Why does she use so much of make up ? I mean even with it on you can tell she's an Old H-mphfff."

Hitch gave a sheepish grin towards Anemo. "Sorry Captain but Sprout does not come with a filter......or a mute button."

Anemo gave a sad smile. "It's fine. I am no longer in her majesty's service. Though it is offensive, I have no grudge and Please Anemo is fine. "

The sheriff smiled brighter. "Only if you call be Hitch. All my friends call me that."

"Deal....Hitch." The two shook hooves. "Deputy ? What about you ?"

Sprout gave a smug look. "No, I think I will prefer you calling me Deputy."

Anemo nodded. "Whatever you say Sprout."

Sprout smirked only to realise what he said. "H-H-Hey !"

Hitch and Anemo began to laugh  at the scowling Sprout, his  expression, comedy gold. "Ha,ha,ha,ha. Soooo funn- guys ?"

"Y-Yesss." Hitch said as he brushed a tear from his eyes. Sprout pointed his hoof towards the sky behind them. " If the mare we saw in the Hospital was Queen Haven then who the heck is she ?" 


Both stallions gazed upon the sky. At first glance they were confused. A chariot being carried by dozens of Pegasus guards followed by two squads. They eyes widened in shock. In the chariot stood, appeared to be....Queen Haven.....waving at them. 

"Captain  ! And you two ponies I forgot  about !"  She shouted from a distance as the chariot descended towards them. "Sorry for all the guards ! I just read Sunny's letter about the situation. "

Sunny. Hitch felt a chill in his heart. All the girls were in the hospital !


"Shit." Anemo began to sprint towards the hospital. "Hitch, Sprout ! Explain the situation to her majesty. I'll get the girls !"


Hitch looked at his  confused Deputy. " Sprout, you heard him. Tell Queen Haven seal all exists to the hospital. No pony must come out !"

Sprout sighed as Hitch took off in the direction of Anemo. "Why am I always the one to do the talking ? Ah yes ! How can I forget ? It is due to my eloquent form of conversing with others." Sprout scoffed at the thought as Queen Haven approached. "Yeah right. Eloquent speech my flank."

"Yo  Granny ! I got some orders for your stallion dolls." *******