“Hey, did any of you see where Apple Bloom went? She was just here a minute ago!”
“Hmph. I didn’t see her And I don’t give a damn. Why should I when you dumbasses are accusing me of murder?!” Grace’s glare wasn’t sending any shivers down my spine today. Whatever she feels, it’s way stronger for me.
“I didn’t see her myself, and she didn’t say anything to me either. Doesn’t she realize that her actions are making her look too suspicious?” Sweetie Belle gave her answer. A more composed one, compared to the one Grace gave.
“Eh, didn’t see her either. But hey, that’s pretty suspicious!” Dinky grinned, then turned to Grace, “You were hoping I meant that, huh? Well too bad!” Sticking her tongue out, it’s no surprise that she’s only fueling Grace’s ire for all of us.
But still, it’s possible Apple Bloom slipped away when Monobear popped up.
“Hey, at least you have no reason to open those floodgates!” Dinky cheerfully explained to Grace.
“Your ranking on my kill list just continues to rise, huh?” Grace said in a deadpan tone.
“Oh, I notice you’re not struggling anymore.” Sweetie mentioned.
“Whatever. I’ll be dead by the end of this crap anyway. Everypony’s too damn stupid to hear me out, so whatever!”
“We would hear you out if you’d just tell us the truth!” I retorted.
“That’s how it works, huh? You were always quite the pest when trying to get info out of me for your stupid articles.” Grace rolled her eyes. I guess her irritation is contagious.
Seriously. I put a lot of work into getting the scoop for those!
“It’s called making a worth-while read.”
“Who needs to freakin’ read a research paper on how I win!? Just make one single sentence: The Genociders crush the competition again in this week’s roller derby! Just how hard is that to write!?”
“It’s way too short!” I put a hoof to my face, realizing that I’m going way off topic. “Ugh, I don’t have time for this! I need to find Apple Bloom!”
It’s clear she has no intention of talking.
I ran off, heading for the first alleyway, but my gallop came to an immediate halt the moment I saw light peering from a certain door that’s open wide.
The storage room for the Coffee Shop. I realize I haven’t investigated that yet, and Apple Bloom might have ran there.
I look inside, seeing that there are several open cardboard boxes surrounding Diamond Tiara, Snips, and Snails. The two unicorn stallions were using their magic to levitate several coffee products from the boxes, seemingly searching for something.
I’ll speak to Tiara first. Might not be the best idea since she looks pretty grumpy.
“What do you want?” She asked in a subdued tone, yet irritated to see me.
“What are you doing?”
“Look for yourself.” Tiara pointed her hoof around the room, showing off the boxes. Snips and Snails return the products to the boxes, turning their attention to me.
That’s when it hit me.
“The killing goods! They’re gone?!”
What am I saying? A murder happened, of course the culprit used something from those boxes we packed!
“Just the first box. That girl thinks she’s smart, trying to hide evidence from someone as good as me!” Tiara narrowed her eyes and grinded her teeth as she searched every box in the room.
I didn’t bother saying anything. It’s hard to say whether Grace killed him or not, but she definitely was involved in this somehow. I don’t have enough evidence to say she’s innocent though.
But from the look of things, they were searching for killing goods under the assumption that the culprit stole them.
“So why just the first box?” I asked.
Snips turns to me and answers, “Dude, I don’t know anything. All I did was put my lethal stuff into a box. I mean, there were sixteen of us, so obviously everything wasn’t going to fit into one box! I say Diamond Tiara’s onto something.”
“Yeah, and don't forget the ones from that clothing shop too! Those were the ones gathered first!” Snails followed up.
He’s right. The number of killing goods was big enough as it was, and because of that, Ginger had to get another box from the storage room for the rest of the items.
Ah, now I get it.
Grace was never around to get her items into the box. That would give her free reign to use’em as she sees fit.
Unless...
“Hey guys, is it possible that she probably took them to her own home?” Snips asked exactly what I thought. “Because she’s the culprit, right? She had to take the goods with her!”
Except for that last part.
“You know what? I bet she did!” Snails replied, turning to Tiara.
Tiara perked up, and gave them both a diabolical grin. “Heh, I guess you two aren’t dunces after all! Let’s break down her door!” She stormed out of the room past me, Snips and Snails galloping right behind her.
Huh... that is possible.
I follow the three of them out of the storage room and to Grace’s assigned home.
I looked at her nameplate, an eight-bit picture of her just like everypony here. However, something’s strange.
It looks like someone placed it wrong, similar to incorrectly hanging a frame on a wall. Compared to the door plates for everypony else, this is one that seems off. I’ll have to note that.
“Alright you two! You’re not making me get my pretty hooves all dirty!”
“Well, alright! Here goes...!” The horn on Snails’s head lit up as he readied a spell to open the door.
“Err, wait, you know an unlocking spell!?” Snips looked to Snails, surprised.
“Dude, I was never taught that! She-who-must-not-be-named-around-you would kill me!” Snails answered.
“Well, okay, let’s imagine the lock, then we unlock it together!” Snips suggested, still preparing his magic.
“Just buck the door already! Don’t make me stand out here all day waiting!” Tiara griped, tapping her forehoof as her patience wore thin.
“Don’t say it like that.” Snails shifted his eyes away.
I’m not sure if I want to know what he’s thinking.
*DING*
“You won’t get any of those hooves dirty!” Monobear popped up again.
Tiara whipped her attention to the toy bear, giving a well-deserved glare. “You! What do you want?!”
“To tell you that those lockpicking mechanisms are immune to your cute little pixie dust! A convenient imagine breaker!” Monobear scolded the three.
I don’t get what he means by imagine breaker though. Probably just more of his nonesense.
“It’s magic! Get it right, o-or I’ll get all great and powerful on you!” Snails nervously retorted, shaking his hoof at him.
“Wait, whaddya mean!? How the heck do we get in then?!” Tiara asked, growing steadily irritated.
“You won’t if you haven’t discovered the secret method! Otherwise, you have to bow down to me and say, ‘Oh our great, wonderful, powerful, and handsome king Monobear, please open the door for us for the sake of our pathetic investigation!’ And don’t leave out a single word!”
Secret Method?
“Hmph! You must be out of your wooly little mind if you think I’ll-” Tiara obviously wasn’t going to do what Monobear says, but she was shocked to see Snips and Snails bowing down to the teddy bear.
“Oh our great, wonderful, powerful, and handsome king Monobear, please open the door for us for the sake of our pathetic investigation!” Snips was the first to bow down, acting in such a hurry. Of course, Snails bowed down as well.
“Ugh! For the love of Celestia, I can’t believe you two! Getting so close to that ugly belly button! Disgusting! Sick!” Tiara scolded the two as her eye twitched.
“Hey, you’re just jealous that you don’t have one!”
Monobear, did you just seriously take offense to that?
Snips whipped his head, glaring at her, “Didn’t you wanna get in there!? I did what needed to be done!”
Monobear put a hand behind his head, seemingly blushing, “Aww, did you really think I wanted you to bow down to me like that? I’m so flattered, it makes my heart flutter! But I just said that because I knew you bastards would do it! Anyway, I’ll open the door!” Monobear clapped his hands together, triggering a clicking sound. “Happy investigating!”
“Stay away from me you two! Especially you, Snips!” Tiara stormed ahead.
“Well excuse me for wanting to help!” Snips retorted, as he walked inside the home before being stopped by Snails.
“Snips, do we really have time for this?” Snails asked, sighing afterwards.
“Look, I just don’t really appreciate being told off when I offer to help. But as always, you fail to understand that much.” Snips rolled his eyes.
“Snips!” Watching Snails sigh like that in frustration, I decide to go in to.
Did they seriously forget I’m here? I mean, I know I like to snoop, but come on.
“Hah! I knew it!! The Killing Goods box is here, open for ALL of us to see! Looks like somepony dug through it too! Gee, I wonder who??” Tiara asked, knowing the answer.
But she was right, and this is only making Grace even more suspicious now.
I walk into the kitchen, and open the drawers. Looking inside, I can see that all of Grace’s knives and such were still present and neatly placed.
Which reminds me about that list of items that came with these things. Seeing the note on the countertop, I read off the list of equipment here to myself.
Forks: 5
Knives: 5
Skewers: 2
Fine utensils for butchering the competition!
And then there’s that other note:
Plates: 5
Teacups: 2
Small dishes: 3
Glass cups: 5
Have a bloody fun teatime!
Then again, knowing that these notes are here in the first place is surprising. I thought for sure Grace would’ve burned them with the stove or tore them to shreds. I took the time to look through all the utensils, counting them off one-by-one.
...
They’re all in tact. not a single one is missing. Not a trace of blood, nor any sign of them being tampered with.
So just when did she come back? I’ll have to note this.
“Hey, what are you doing!? You’re tampering with evidence, you blank!” I didn’t feel like dealing with her right now. She thinks she has this whole thing figured out.
“Then let me ask you this: Don’t you think this is strange!? It looks like everything’s in tact! Did she really come here?”
“Of course she did! Why do you think the killing goods are here!? And you can’t think she’d be dumb enough to use a knife with her initials on it, right!? That means that there’s definitely somepony’s knife or something at the crime scene!”
But you already think she’s too stupid to hide evidence.
“Point is, I’m beginning to think Grace is innocent.” I voiced my opinion, despite her claims. And she had a good point on that last bit. Even the dumbest of ponies wouldn’t commit murder with a weapon that had their name on it.
“Whatever blank theory you have, it’s just circumstantial at best!”
“And I checked the crime scene through and through. There was no knife! There wasn’t anything with initials at that crime scene!”
She’s really beginning to get under my skin.
“I guess you didn’t look hard enough! Why don’t you leave the investigating to me; when I figure out the culprit, you’re free to kiss my hooves and thank me!” With that declaration, Tiara laughed triumphantly, like her victory was assured.
I know what I’m talking about, Diamond Tiara. And it’s safe to say, you’re an idiot. You can’t half-ass this. We’ll die if we’re wrong.
Featherweight would want me to reach the truth and live on. If Grace isn’t the killer, then I’ll know for certain when I find enough evidence and put the pieces together.
“Dude, you’ll be better off leaving things to us. Unlike you, she’s definitely one smart cookie.”
“Since when the hell did you suck up to her, Snips?” I asked. Judging by his immediate glare, I must’ve pushed a button.
“Suck up? I’m just agreeing with her! How is that sucking up!?”
Wow, way to bite my head off, Snips.
“Err, Shady does have a pretty good point. You normally don’t like sucking up to anypony, much less take orders. Aaaaaaaand, didn’t she just chew you out earlier?” Snails hesitantly agreed, treading lightly with Snips’s emotions.
“No, I just think his little revenge binge is clouding his senses! I’m outta here.” Snips galloped out, chasing after Tiara.
Revenge binge?
Whatever.
Snails heaved a deep sigh, “I think we need to prove him wrong. I mean, dude. If something ever happened to Snips, I think I’d want to turn over every bed just to find out who did it. It’s not very fair on how they’re kinda dogging ya. You have a very sensitive and personal attachment to this thing, so let me help you out, man.”
“Can I even trust you?” I rose an eyebrow.
“Hahaha... well, I’m used to The Great and Powerful Trixie not trusting me to walk in on her during a shower, so come on. If you know what I’m saying, then I know you can trust me.”
That sounds so backwards.
But whatever. Guess I’ll do it, but I think I don’t wanna know what goes on during your apprenticeship anymore.
“Okay, so you got those lists, right? Suppose Grace really did bring these things here. Why don’t we try counting everything that’s in the box, to show nothing’s been tampered with? I mean, the stuff won’t stay perfectly arranged if somepony’s lugging it around, right?”
With his magic, all the killing goods were levitated out of the box and neatly spread across the floor.
“Okay, so she’s got a list just like the rest of us. The numbers are the same, so we’ll know for sure if anypony’s missing anything.” Snails said, sighing afterwards. It’s as if he’s trying to tell himself that everything’s going to be fine.
I doubt it.
Taking the time to separate the goods found in everypony’s home from the ones found in the clothing shop, we began counting everything up, matching whatever’s on that list.
A few minutes later...
“Well that settles it: looks like nopony’s missing anything.” I muttered, organizing that last knife, which belonged to Featherweight’s set.
“Yeah, but we got a little problem; two, in fact.” Snails hesitantly said. Was he afraid of me or something?
“Two?”
“Well, you know, for the stuff from the clothing shop, we never got a list for those, so proving Grace’s innocence is probably going to be like making up a story of taking down an Ursa Major.” Snails explained.
“I knew that one already. I was going to point out, that not everypony’s stuff was in that box. The only ones here are Ginger’s, Snips’s, yours, Featherweight’s, Sweetie Belle’s, Apple Bloom’s, and Scootaloo’s. The other goods are in the second box, meaning-”
Snails whipped his head to me quick, cutting me off, “But Snips told me that there was nothing wrong with the second box. It’s still in the coffee shop!”
“I see.” I simply nod.
I stand on my hooves after Snails magically places all of the weapons into the box again, and start to walk out of the door.
“Hey, where are you going?” Snails asked, clumsily dropping the rest of the goods into the box.
“To check out the second box. Can we be so sure that it wasn’t tampered with?” I answered, intent on leaving in a hurry.
“Well true, but still! I mean, why would the culprit have any need to-”
“You know what, I’ll just come right on out and say it:” I exhaled, then narrowed my eyes, focusing on the wanna-be magician, “Try to stop me, and you’ll be a prime suspect. Got it?”
“Got it!” Snails stood up straight on his hooves, seemingly paralyzed by my declaration.
Whatever. I don’t have time for this.
So I storm out of Grace’s home and head straight to the coffee shop. I don’t know why, but something’s bothering me. Why just the first box, and not the second? And why wasn’t anypony’s items in the first box used? What if the culprit used one of the clothing shop items to begin with?
I guess I just want to be sure. To be certain that the culprit isn’t using somepony else’s knife. Maybe I’m hoping that one of mine isn’t the murder weapon.
I don’t know how I’d respond if that were the case. But then again, if that were the case, it would determine whether I’m surrounded by idiots or not.
When I reach the Coffee Shop, I find Truffle and Twist at the table, talking to Rumble, while Scootaloo is holding a pencil with her mouth. I notice that her left hoof is bandaged too. In front of her, is a white sheet of paper that she’s drawing on, following Rumble’s instructions.
I approach the table to get a closer look at the sheet, noticing a series of complex lines and curves. At the top center under the half circle, I see a small doodle of a unicorn.
“You’re here. Took you long enough.” Rumble commented.
“I was investigating.” I replied.
“What was it like? Looking at the body I mean. Was it fascinating? Interesting maybe?”
“Rumble, come on! The poor guy just lost his best friend!” Scootaloo chided, but that made my eyes narrow, focusing on her instead.
“Don’t pity me. Let him say whatever he wants. I’d rather save this feeling for the culprit.”
I know Scootaloo meant well, but still.
“You should direct half of it to Monobear.” Twist’s words steered my glare towards her. She shrieked back, waving her forearms at me. “I-I’m, sorry! I didn’t mean to, I was just-”
Rumble began by vocalizing a loud “Sorry,” then continued, “I got a little carried away. I can’t help that I prefer to learn the inner workings of everypony and what affects them.”
Guess he wanted to shift things back on topic quickly.
I simply sigh in defeat, and hear what they have to say.
“Okay Everypony, listen up! It’s clear there’s somepony among us who’s lying!” Truffle chimed in.
“And?” Rumble asked, raising an eyebrow, smirking at him.
“Uhh, well, you see, you got that map, right? I’m seeing some escape route shenanigans!” Truffle answered. With the way he was hesitating a minute ago, it’s as if he were looking for the right word to describe what he thought.
“Heh, that’s funny. I thought you were a Culprit-is-Grace sheep, just like the rest of the herd.” Rumble held back from laughing. I’m beginning to think this is somehow amusing to him...
“Come on, he doesn’t know any more than the rest of us.” Scootaloo sighed, finishing the map.
“So what’s with the map anyway?” I asked, wanting to gain their input on the case. The thing about using one of the alleyways as an escape route has me curious. Definitely noted.
“Well, Rumble said he could create a ‘mental map’ or whatever and have me draw it out.” Scootaloo dropped the pencil and scratched her head, “What I don’t get is why he even needed me. I can’t even walk much right now.”
“Well, you did get that screw stuck in your hoof, right? I doubt you wanted to hear a certain somepony’s complaints about your lack of investigating.” Rumble gave Scootaloo a quick pat on the back, making her scowl at him a bit.
“Can I see that screw?” I asked Rumble.
“It’s right there.” He pointed next to Scootaloo’s left forearm, a screw with a spot of blood around the tip. Looking at it closely, it resembles the screws found near Featherweight’s body, though not nearly as bloody. I better note this.
“I guess. I just don’t know why the heck it was there!” She continued. “It wasn’t there before!”
“Actually, can you go into detail about that?”
“What, about a screw? Come on,” Scootaloo dropped the pencil again, "It’s just a stupid little metal thing that just happens to be pointy! What kind of answer do you want!?”
She sounds agitated.
“Not what I meant. Like, when did that happen, and where?” I asked for clarity, hoping I won’t get chewed out this time.
“Well, the second alleyway, see?” Scootaloo pointed a hoof of the map, showing the second alley, where she ran through. “It happened when we finally cornered that idiot at the Rarity statue. Like I said, that screw wasn’t there before! I know it wasn’t! I ran through it three times today, and that was where Featherweight and I had a chat yesterday!”
That would explain the spot of blood I found in the second Alleyway. And for some reason, I think that screw is somehow important. Noted.
“Bad Luck I guess.” Twist muttered. She even heaved a sigh of relief, believing nopony heard her.
“Huh... I was wondering what he was up to yesterday!” Truffle said.
I am not telling this guy what transpired yesterday. But what did Scootaloo mean she spoke to him yesterday? Last I recall, he was practically freaking out.
“What did he say to you?” I asked, trying my hardest to not glare at her.
“Alright, before you go pointing hooves, I'm not your killer!” Scootaloo began defensively before pursing her lips and answering. “All he talked to me about was the motives and why not to go through with’em.”
“And what did you tell him?”
“He asked for my motive, but I didn’t answer, because I told him I don’t believe it. Even now, I still don’t believe it, just like how I don’t believe in this stupid title of mine. Funny enough, that may have reassured him that I wasn’t gonna kill anypony.” Scootaloo answered.
“Don’t believe it, huh? You’re more positive than I thought.” Rumble said.
“Or naive...” Twist muttered under her breath again.
“I am NOT naive! I just refuse to quit, got it!? I learned from the best to never quit!” Scootaloo seethed.
“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean it! I was just saying that-” Twist tried to apologize with some sugar coating, but Scootaloo wasn’t having any of that.
“Save it! We have to focus on finding the culprit!”
“Y-yeah...”
“Twist, maybe you should-” Truffle tried to chime in, but...
“I get it already. Please don’t tell me any rehashed Cheerilee life lessons.” Twist looked away from the pudgy stallion, looking somewhat crestfallen. But when she hides behind those glasses, I can never tell what kind of expression she’s making.
“........” Truffle went silent instantly. “I think I’ll go get some coffee.” He muttered to himself as he got out of his chair and headed for the back room to get a cup.
“Anyway, that’s pretty much all I have to say. You might wanna see what Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom have to say. I know he talked to those two as well.”
“Actually...” Twist rose a hoof, turning my attention to her, “He spoke to me as well.”
“Really now?” Rumble rose an eyebrow, even making a pretty devious smirk.
“Yes, but well, I’m not sure how to put it.”
“You mean, the nicest way to put it?” Rumble asked, once again, making that same suspicious smirk.
“Right. Umm, see, it went the same way it did when he spoke to Scootaloo.” Twist answered as quickly as possible.
“So he asked you to not buy into that motive and kill anypony and you agreed. Sounds about right.” Rumble guessed the rest.
I see.
Yet, this makes sense. I have to find Apple Bloom.
Out of the ones he talked to, she’s my prime suspect. Why else would she slip away?
“Thanks.”
I thanked her. Scootaloo’s testimony about the nail and speaking to Featherweight the day before is definitely going to be a big help, and it may even narrow down the number of suspects. I’ll note it.
“No prob!” Scootaloo grinned happily.
I still need to track Apple Bloom down. if she’s the killer, then...!
No. Calm down. It’s not time yet. It’s not time.
“Eh?” The question escaped my lips, as I tried to contain this pressuring feeling.
My eyes were drawn to the box near the door. Getting closer to it, it became clear that this was the second box of Killing Goods, especially getting a good look at the makeshift label.
Looking closer, the tape used to seal it is loose with bits of cardboard paper stuck to it, as if somepony already opened the box. There’s even a small stain at the edge, underneath the tape.
Blood?!
I can’t forget this.
I’m not sure if I should tamper with it. my priorities keep getting screwed up, and my head’s all jumbled. I really can’t think straight today.
But I have to. I can’t let my emotions stop me.
Still, that bloodstain on the second box is interesting. Definitely noted. I’ll check the box after confronting Apple Bloom. I wouldn’t be doing this if she hadn’t slipped away.
So I head out of the Coffee Shop, and back to the housing sector of the district. I pass by Featherweight’s house, thinking about his motive, thinking about what he could’ve told Scootaloo’s friends.
I think she might be here.
If he spoke to her, then she’s probably in his home...
My steps are slow, hesitant even. My vision is slowly blurring a bit thanks to all the good times. But I have to shake it off.
Now’s not the time to be overwhelmed with weakness.
My steps become more fierce, taking me into Featherweight’s home, and allowing me to confirm my suspicion.
Apple Bloom is here afterall, with Miss Cheerilee in tow.
I should’ve known.
“Hiya! Yer here for that motive, huh?” Apple Bloom greeted, all cheerful as ever.
“Where is it?”
When I asked that, Miss Cheerilee kicked a box over to me. I quickly put a hoof on it to stop it’s momentum. What was she doing with the box?
“Well, lemmie tell ya! Ah thought Ah’d get a cutie mark if Ah burned the one thing that made ol’ Featherweight suffer! Ah wanted to help him even in death, see?! But Miss Cheerilee’s such a stick in the mud, even after I told her I’ll burn everypony’s motive! Cute lil’ bear’s plans go up in smoke!” Apple Bloom was literally pouting.
Honestly, I just about want to hurt her myself.
But I shouldn’t. This overwhelming feeling isn’t right. It’s not, and he wouldn’t want me to feel this way, but it’s easier said than done.
All I could do was glare.
At that moment, before I could get a word in, I heard those blaring royal horns again in the distance.
“Alright you bastards! Make yourselves more useful than pack mules and report to the king’s court so we can have our main event: The Class Trial!!” Monobear announced.
I turn my head, focusing on the exit, only to meet the gleaming, robotic eyes of one of the Monoguards standing outside.
“Let’s get going! My cutie mark awaits at last!!” Apple Bloom galloped out of the home with our dogged teacher in tow.
................
I reluctantly had to follow. I get the feeling that the guard is just here to take action against any defiant pony.
Leaving Featherweight’s home, even leaving his motive box behind, I bit my lip, wanting to open it, but knowing I couldn’t. I’m not going to take a chance at letting this robot slice me open.
With the guards escorting us to the King’s Court, I reunite with everypony as we followed the bright red carpet inside the large tower before us.
Inside, only the double doors were up ahead inside this dark hall, illuminated by the dim lights on the ceiling and floor to highlight the path.
It wasn’t long before we reached the doors, revealing an elevator, which didn’t move until everypony stepped inside.
The ride, which put a light pressure on my upper body, was enough to tell me that we’re ascending higher. I could feel everypony’s anxiousness as we rode our way to what may be our final destination.
“Great, I feel like we’re all getting arrested.” Dinky complained.
“If you think about it, it was like that since the beginning.” Silver Spoon sighed.
“Hah. I get my sides treated only to go to court. Well shit.” Grace scoffed.
Looks like Everypony’s on edge.
Somepony’s going to die after all. With the way this crazy system works, either the culprit dies, or we do.
But for me, that’s perfect. I’ll avenge Featherweight through the power if exposure. It’s not the first time I’ve done it either.
Our matto at the press is, “Exposing the truth out of everypony’s conspiracies.”
This won’t be any different.
The brakes on the elevator kick in, and the doors open at last, revealing the dreaded trial room...