//------------------------------// // Chapter 4, Newspaper // Story: The Brotherhood of Equestria // by Jack2023 //------------------------------// The Next Day Knock Knock Knock! “Spike! Get the door!” Twilight called out. Knock Knock Knock! A groan comes from the small boyish purple dragon as he moves towards the door, “Hold on!” He gives a simple yawn as he extends his clawed hand to the door, but as he does his face lightens up to the two mares standing at the threshold, “Oh, good morning Rarity, AJ...” Spike’s warm welcome comes to an end as he notices the mare’s slightly angered faces, “D-did I do something wrong?” “No spike, but we need to talk with Twilight.” Rarity said trying to give Spike a reassuring smile. “I'll be down in a minute!” Twilight yelled from upstairs. Spike showed the two mares in and they took a seat on the couch as Spike ran into the kitchen. Soon Twilight came down the stairs. “Good morning... is something wrong?” “Yes. But we don't know if we should be worried because of it.” Rarity said pulling out a newspaper and levitating it to Twilight. After getting off the stairs, she used her magic to hold the newspaper for her to read. The front page read, 'Canterlot Guard Murdered.' She gave a quick glance to her friends before continuing. 'One of the gate keepers of the Canterlot Guard, Iron Blade, was found murdered at the Royal Saloon in Canterlot City last night. Ponies that attended the saloon that night said that the murder probably occurred around the time that the saloon's popular on stage saloon mare dancers were performing. Some ponies said that they spotted Iron Blade talking to another pony that was wearing white robes that included a hood that perfectly hid their face.' “You don't think that its-!?” Applejack's voice breaks through Twilight’s as she speaks up, “We do Twi, and there’s more!” Her hoof comes to the newspaper still in Twilight’s purple puppeteering as she finishes her comment, “...Just keep read’n.” Twilight follows the mare’s hoof as she turns her eyes back to the news print. 'A small brown packet and dagger were found on the table that Iron Blade was next to. Canterlot Guards confiscated the packet before we could see what was inside. But asking one of the Canterlot Guard Detectives about its contents only lead to him saying, “It holds the reason why the pony murdered Iron Blade.” He would say nothing else after. “I got you coffee.” Spike said, walking back into the room holding four mugs. AppleJack and Rarity picked one up with their hooves as Twilight used her magic to levitate one to her. Spike took the last one and sat on the couch between the two mares. As Twilight continued to stand in the center of the room reading. 'Asking Princess Luna about the murder lead her to say, “whomever did this knew what they were doing... This was planned and not some random bar fight.” She would say nothing after this. We could find nothing else about the murder and ask if you know anything about who and where the killer could be found, please go to the Detective Office of Canterlot Castle.' “T-t-that doesn't make Alice the prime suspect!” Twilight yelled, setting the newspaper on the coffee table. “That's why we came to you Twi; we don't know if she did or didn't” AppleJack’s words come back in a rushed tone as she holds her concern to her friend. “Well she didn't... err I hope she didn't. I can't tell if she did unless I have evidence from the scene.” She said walking around the room. “Can you ask Celestia for that packet they found there?” Rarity said. “You do know, you still have that coffee darling?” Twilight gave a glance to the mug she was still holding with her magic. She took a quick sip before talking. “I'd rather not. Celestia might think I know something about the Brotherhood.” “Wait!? You three know about the Brotherhood and who did this!?” Spike said slamming his mug on the coffee table. “Why haven’t you told me anything!?” “Reasons Spike. And don't tell anypony about this!” Spike only crossed his arms to Twilight's words. But the stare he was receiving from her made him nod with a growl. “Good. But I don't know what to do. I want to make sure that it wasn't Alice or the Brotherhood that did this, but I need evidence. But Celestia has it, and if I ask her, she'll get suspicious that I know something!” “Its okay Twilight. Maybe something will come-.” Rarity said, but was interrupted by. BURP! A green flame came from Spike's mouth as he burped, making a scroll re-materialized in the flame. “Looks like that 'something' came early.” AppleJack said with a smile as she picked up the scroll. “Yep. From Princess Celestia.” Twilight used her magic to pick the scroll up from her hooves and levitate it to her. Unrolling the scroll, she read out loud. “My faithful student. I am sure that you have heard about the murder of Iron Blade. So I will have one of my detectives coming to your home tomorrow with all the evidence from the crime scene and I want you to look over it and see about finding the culprit. As you know, crimes like this are extremely rare in Equestria and this is probably your only chance in showing me your detective skills. Princess Celestia” “... GAH!” “What's the matter Twilight?” Spike asked as Twilight slammed the letter on the coffee table. “That's great! I get a chance to look over the evidence, but Celestia apparently, wants to test my detective skills! So that means I have to tell her everything I learn. And if Alice did do it, then I have no choice but to make her the prime suspect!” Twilight’s yell comes to an end as the lavender mare starts up in a nervous and thought driven trot. “Its okay darling, I'm sure you'll think of something.” Rarity holds her hoof up as she tries to shoot a warm smile to her friend, through her own concern building face and tone. “I might have no choice but to expose the Brotherhood.” Twilight said with her head low. “Hold on Twi. If it does turn out to be Alice, then you need to find out why!” AppleJack said getting from her seat. “Rarity, do you have a estimate on when Alice will visit again?” Twilight said as her pacing around the room continued. “She comes by once a month during a weekend. Other then that, I have no clue.” Twilight's pacing was forced to stop as AppleJack placed her hoof on the lavender mare’s forehead. Making her drop the mug she held. Spike growled and walked away to the kitchen and back with a mop in claw. “What we should be worried about is the detective that Celestia is sending here.” AppleJack said as she gave a little bop on Twilight's head to make her stay out of deep thought. “On that note. When did Canterlot have detectives?” “Well they have always been part of the Royal Guard. But the reason they're not well heard of is because crime in Equestria is at an all time low. Most of the members consist of veteran Guards that have great skill in tracking and other attributes that would make them effective crime solvers. Some have had served in special forces missions.” Twilight's eyes widened. “For a crime like this, Celestia... oh no.” “What's wrong Twilight?” Rarity asked as she got off her seat. “For a crime this severe, Celestia is going to have one of the best detectives on the case. And if his skills are as good as I suspect. There's a good chance he's going to get information out of me!” Rarity did a quick trot to Twilight, and placed a hoof on her. “Then you need to harden yourself up!” Rarity moved her face close to Twilight's. “You can't tell him anything.” She only nodded and looked to the ground. The rest of the day was spent trying to get Twilight's spirit up for tomorrow. She is going to need the support.