//------------------------------// // Chapter 9: Internal Struggle // Story: Memoirs of the Mindless // by Writey the writer //------------------------------// Chapter 9: Internal Struggle The crowd dispersed after the execution. The plaza felt empty. Twilight’s parents stood in front of the podium as they came to terms with their loss.  Clock stood beside the body of their daughter. He absorbed their sadness and became a beacon for their hatred. It was the only kindness he could offer them now: a face to blame for their daughter’s death. Although that decision was of her own making. The hanging was short-lived. The fall had broken her neck and she stopped convulsing forty-seconds later. Her body would hang until midnight, and then it would be disposed of. “One down,” he said under his breath. The sun bathed him with its warmth, but it wasn’t comforting. It was a stark reminder that Red-Mane was watching the same sunset. She was still out there—still dangerous. His ears pricked up as the sound of galloping hooves approached from behind him. The sound resonated through the hallway that the prisoner had walked through. He turned as a grey-coated guard stallion slowed to a trot in front of him. The guard was catching his as he spoke. “We found Rainbow Dash. She was in the tunnels below the guard house,” he said.   Clock nodded and gestured for the guard to lead the way. He had expected Rainbow to have played a role in the escape. It was obvious in hindsight. Rainbow Dash was the Element of Loyalty. It was expected that would try and help them. It gave further credence that she deserved the title. It was this title which would result any charges against her being dropped. She did exactly as she should have. The princesses would only see fault in the guards for putting Rainbow in a position where she was able to help. Friends in high places were one thing, but friends in palaces were another. Rainbow was untouchable on the legal side. Clock cast a narrow glance behind him at the suspended body of the former Element of Magic. Nearly untouchable. They passed two mares as they walked down the hallway. One was trailing a rubbish bin behind her while the other spoke amiably. Clock listened in on their conversation as they passed. “-and then the guards were swarming everywhere,” she said. “I’m surprised Red-Mane isn’t caught. Either the police have underestimated her again, or they’re just plain incompetent.” Clock groused at that. Some of the public were losing faith, although it was foolish to base a public reaction on a single mare. Her reaction was honest, however, and worst of all, she had a point. They had underestimated her reach into their ranks and her ability to manipulate. Still, they had taken down the sidekick. Clock thought back to a few days earlier and contemplated whether that was as much of a good thing as it seemed. On one hoof, one of the perpetrators against his brother had been brought to justice. On the other, Red-Mane had become very dangerous when she thought Twilight had been killed back in Ponyville. She had killed six and injured eight in that single attack on a small town. Now, she was in a dense city, and she had nothing else to lose. Her identity was known. Her partner was dead. Her legacy and body count was revealed. She was in a corner and in the spotlight, but was not, by any means, at the end of her rope or noose. She could wait. She was cold enough to wait. To bleed the city until she got him. Part of him wanted her to do that to some extent. Some of the ponies of this city need to see the blood. They need to feel the dirt on their coats. To know they are not above this, that everypony could bleed to a monster. But Red-Mane had to be stopped. Not for the public, but for Detective Clock, the real Detective Clock. If she escaped, any statue in memorial would be a reminder that he had failed. She had to be put down. By noose, by steel, or by bullet she needed to fall. The guard stallion stopped abruptly pulling him out of his reverie. He oriented himself as his brooding was drained away. Rainbow Dash was being held in the detention wing while legal accusations were hopelessly thrown her way. They walked through the door and entered the first room on the left. Clock smirked as he realised that this room had formerly been that of the warden. The warden’s oak desk had been replaced by a metal one. Rainbow sat on the opposite side of the desk facing the door as they entered. Other than the removal of filing cabinets, it was difficult to tell if anything else had truly changed. The lack of décor was identical. It even seemed a little livelier with the walls white rather than grey. Clock walked in and the room fell silent. It felt good. It felt empowering. He had a presence. He sat down opposite Rainbow without looking at her. She also had the good sense to fall silent. He pursed his lips as though the next words were difficult, but he knew exactly what he was going to say. He looked up toward her. She was scowling. She was unbroken; there was still information to be gained. A smile broke across his lips. “Tell me, Rainbow,” he said just loud enough to be heard. “Do you know how many ponies Red-Mane has killed?” Rainbow’s scowl fell for a second then hardened again. “Yes, I know how many Pinkie has killed. No, I do not approve. I’m her friend, not her life coach.” Clock nodded, feigning understanding of her logic. “Yet, even for you, to be loyal to a murderer who is disloyal to Equestria,” he paused letting those words sink in. “Does your loyalty lie with a criminal, or to the good ponies of Equestria?” “I am loyal to both. Pinkie Pie will always be my friend. I would trust her with my life. She would also never force me to be disloyal to Equestria.” Clock nodded again and looked down to the desk. “Fifty-eight,” he said without raising his head. “Fifty-eight ponies have fallen by her hooves. Their blood, and the blood of any more she kills, will be on your head, Rainbow.” He looked at her. She was staring vacantly at the edge of the desk. “Pinkie Pie was bad, corrupted. Your loyalty lies with the real Pinkie Pie, the Element of Laughter, and your friend.” Rainbow looked at him. Her eyes glistened as the first tears began to form. Clock leaned forward. He nearly had her. “We need to put down the monster that takes your friend’s body. Please tell me where she is.” Rainbow was trembling as tears slowly fell down her cheeks. This decision was tearing her apart. Clock held his gaze. This might be the only chance they had to speak with her. She squeezed her eyes shut and began sobbing. “Under the watch of Princess Celestia, I am not required to divulge any information I do not wish to.” Clock’s eyes widened. The Princess already had Rainbow under her wing. Untouchable. “My actions and yours may be held against us if the Princess sees fit,” she said before covering her head on the desk as she wept. He resisted the urge to slam his hooves on the desk and demand the location, but he had a reputation now. The detective who had captured Red-Mane—who had held her so close to the fire, but the heat had loosened his grip and dropped his guard. Now, the public saw the statue and saw vengeance. That fire, too, burned him and he knew it would keep burning him. Red-Mane was scorched, but she was hiding while he stood in the spotlight as a hero: a painted target. She would not lick her wounds in the dark. She would sharpen her knives. She would come for him. Clock stood making one of the guards jump. He glanced at her. She was the guard in the room when he had attacked Red-Mane, when he had been so close. He sighed. “Take me to her belongings in the vault,” he said dourly. The mare who had jumped nodded and unlocked the door, leading him out of the room. As they exited the room, Print spotted him and ran over. “Watcha doing here?” Print asked, matching her trot to his. “They found Rainbow Dash,” Clock said. Print’s face lit up expectantly. Clock shook his head as they turned a corner. “We got nothing, and I doubt we’ll get any more.” Print nodded. “So what are you doing now?” Clock fixed her with a look. He did not appreciate the questioning. “Taking a look at Rainbow’s things. See if there’s any trace or evidence that might help us find-“ “-like a clue?” Print interrupted. Clock gave a hmph. “Yes, like a clue.” The entered a room and the mare pulled out a key opening a metal door. She gestured inside. “Locker twelve has Rainbow Dash’s items Detectives.” Clock thanked her then stepped inside. He stopped as his mind caught on a single word. “Detectives?” he asked casting glances between the guard and Print who was smirking. “Detective Print was promoted following her work on the initial Red-Mane case,” the guard stated. Print produced a badge from her uniform and tapped it with a hoof. Clock paused, analysing the new situation. This had to be one of the fastest promotions he had ever heard of. Not entirely undeservingly, she had saved his life, but her experience to be a detective and to lead a case was limited. “Congratulations,” he said in strained tone. Print nodded. “Thank you, Detective.” She gestured into the room and followed him in. Clock opened the locker and pulled out a plastic box filled with uniform and various items. He dropped it onto a table and began sorting through the evidence. “Why’d you think I was asking you what you were doing?” Print asked laughing slightly. “Normally, ponies return the question. It’s called being polite.” “Haha,” Clock said as he lay the uniform flat on the table. “Now help me sort through this.” They both examined the items closely. Anything significant about them was old and unrelated. They searched each item carefully, individually over half an hour. Clock stepped back running a hoof through his mane. Print was quiet for a moment until a smile broke across her lips. She smothered it, playing it cool. “Well, at least we have one clue from this,” she said. Clock turned to face her. “Which is?” Print dramatically feigned surprise. “Surely the experienced Detective Clock—the detective who captured Red-Mane—can see such an obvious clue.” Clock frowned. "I mean, its so clear if you think about this logically." Clock sighed. “This is because I didn’t ask you what you were doing, isn’t it?” Print nodded. “There’s nothing here which is of any significance.” “True, but what isn’t here which every guard carries?” Her voice was painfully smug. She chuckled as Clock turned to faced her. “A radio.” *   *   * Clock ran a hoof down the page as he read through the ledger. Print sat beside him looking through another of the dozen ledgers. His hoof reached the bottom of the page. He grunted and threw it to the opposite side of the room into the pile of others. He picked up the last ledger from the unsearched pile and opened the cover “I’m beginning to suspect Rainbow got her radio privately,” Clock said. He leaned closer to the ledger reading some smudged ink closer. “Either that, or she took somepony else’s radio.” Print shut her ledger and threw it into the pile. “Or she could have signed in with a different name. I doubt she did any of that. I don’t think she thought that far ahead.” Clock nodded and kept reading. Rainbow was fatally short sighted, evident of her temporary removal from Ponyville’s police force following an alleged assault on a suspect. She was quite like him in that way, he mused. He was about to turn the page when Print slammed a hoof on the book crumpling the paper. “There,” she said. Her voice carried a sense of relief that this ordeal had not been in vain.   R. Dash   09:30   The boxes of radio and baton were ticked indicating their removal. The radio and baton ID codes were in the comments box. Clock smiled. They were one step closer. Clock wrote down the ID code and closed the book. They picked up the rest of the ledgers and put them back in the cabinet, locking it securely. Print held the door for him as they left. “Comms?” she asked. “Comms,” Clock agreed.  They began walking down the corridor. The radio could not be accessed by a simple hoofheld; it required a more refined system to contact the single device, to isolate the call. The communication department of Canterlot had such a machine. Although they would not likely let them use it unless a reason was declared. They rounded a corner and were confronted by two stately unicorns. They both wore commissioner's uniforms and both significantly outranked each of them. Clock stopped abruptly and Print a step later. He threw a hoof in salute and stood to attention. Print watched him and imitated his actions giving a novice salute. “Good day, Sirs,” said Clock.   One of the stallions nodded. “At ease, you two,” he said. He exchanged a look with the other stallion. “Detective Clock, we have some…business to discuss with you.” He glanced at Print. “I take it you are helping Clock in this case as well, Detective Print?” “That’s correct,” she said smiling. Clock winced. The stallion nodded. “I see. In that case, we have matters that involve you too.” He looked back to Clock. “Head office, second floor, six-thirty. I’ll have an associate waiting for you.” Clock nodded and gave another salute as the two stallions walked away. When they were out of earshot Clock relaxed and resumed walking to communications. “What was that about?” Print asked as she trotted to catch him. “I don’t know. But I don’t think it’s good.” He considered telling her about his meeting with Celestia and of his deeds which had been ignored. That was the only reason commissioners would actively go looking for him. “It could be a promotion,” Print suggested. “I’ve just gotten one. Surely you are owed one as well for leading the case. If not, you should be.” “Thanks, but I’d rather be a detective. There’s no way I’m gonna spend a couple of decades on my ass when I’m this young. Give it ten years, and I’d consider the position.” They reached an elevator. Print hit the switch. “I doubt it was a promotion,” said Clock. “Something big is going to happen. And I think it has something to do with Red-Mane.” There was a whirring sound in the elevator and the doors opened with a ding of a bell. They stepped inside and Print hit for the third flood – Communications Department. “Red-Mane?” Print asked. She racked her mind for any connection. “What would Red-Mane have to do with senior staff?” Clock shrugged. “A hunch. I doubt it is coincidence that this business needs to be discussed while Red-Mane is out there.” The elevator doors opened and they stepped out into a lobby. The department was small holding only a few ponies. Most of them had no experience of crime outside of these rooms. They were the relay between departments and sectors. Clock trotted up to the desk where one of the stallions was slouching by a computer. As he approached, the stallion sat upright and began typing quickly. His eyes were focused on the computer screen and did not sway to see Clock. “Hello?” Print asked. The stallion looked toward them and visibly relaxed. “Sorry,” he said letting out a sigh of relief. His voice was raspy. “We don’t get many visitors, and the last two were commissioners, in person.” He emphasised that last part. “I didn’t want to be seen to be slacking again.” Print nodded understandingly. “We have a need for the ACD. We need to get in touch with a single radio,” Clock explained. “And we may need your help setting it up.” The stallion nodded and pulled out a ledger. “All ponies using the ACD are required to state the reason and give details. I’m sure you remember the incident in Manehatten.” “What happened in Manehatten?” Print asked. She leaned onto the desk. “Ponies started calling each other with fake events as a joke. It started okay, but ended up with a robbery in progress call being ignored leading to a murder.” The stallion scribbled in the ledger. “Don’t ask me on the details on how a joke about robbery got ignored by several officers on patrol,” he said. “Wow,” Print said. “I know,” replied the stallion. “So, your business?” “Contacting a single handheld radio unit. A possible-“ “That’ll do,” said the stallion. “And your names?” Clock pulled out ID. “I’m Detective Clock and this is Detective Print.” He gave her a sideways smile. “Silver Clock?” asked the stallion. He had put down his pen. Clock studied his face trying to gauge his reaction. “Yes, that’s correct.” The stallion stood. “One moment, Detectives.” He walked over across the room and approached a higher-ranking mare. The stallion gestured toward them. The mare gave a badly disguised glance toward them. The mare entered an office. Through the slightly tilted blinds, the mare could be seen picking up a phone. The stallion sat down in front of them. “Sorry Detectives, but the ACD is currently in use and has been booked for the rest of the day.” Clock scowled. “Then we shall return tomorrow, morning. May you book it for us then?” The stallion paused and then smiled. “Of course, Detective.” *   *   * Clock leaned around the corner. A uniformed unicorn mare stood outside of the meeting room. She would likely be the associate he was sent to meet. He turned back to Print. “If they separate us,” he said slowly, carefully. “We have no evidence pertaining to this case, we were going to use the ACD to contact the warden. We wanted to speak to him personally about his views on the case.” Print nodded. “Gotcha, what about searching Rainbow’s belongings? They may have record of that.” “We found nothing there. Like I said, there was nothing there of interest. If I missed it, so might they.” He gave her a smile. She smiled back. She had a beautiful smile. He stood upright and walked around the corner, approaching the mare. She smirked as they approached. “Clock n’ Print?” she asked. Clock nodded. “In here.” She pushed open the door and held out a hoof, guiding them inside. Clock was taken aback initially. Princess Luna was sitting at a table opposite to the door. By her sides were the two stallions. He was caught between the urge to bow and salute. The princess gave a gratuitous smile. “They are no need for the formal pleasantries, Clock,” she said. Her voice was soothing. It was like a mother speaking to a child. Clock stood, dazed for a moment by the delicacy of her voice. She smiled. “Please, sit you two. We have matters to discuss.” Clock nodded and sat down. Print sat beside him. The princess glanced at Print but her gaze returned quickly to Clock. “This business, Clock,” said the stallion on the princess’ left. “It relates to your involvement with the Red-Mane case, and this new case to recapture Pinkie Pie.” They was a pregnant pause. They air in the room suddenly felt brittle. “You should never have been involved in the Red-Mane case.” The princess held up a hoof to silence him. “We know your brother meant a lot to you. We know this case has been eating away at you. We know Red-Mane is responsible,” she said. Her eyes looked him over as though she was reading his thoughts. “You are not the one who has to bring Red-Mane to justice. You are not at fault. This is not a debt, or a,” she paused. “Or an act of reprisal.” Clock tensed a little at that. “I started this case,” he said. “This is no act of retribution, it is my commitment to the case. I want to see Red-Mane brought justice for Equestria. Just like Twilight Sparkle was. This case is not personal any more than it is for you with Equestria being your home.” The princess did not look convinced. Although, to her credit, she did seem to mull that over as though trying to believe it. “You struck Pinkie Pie on the day before her execution,” she said with her gaze averted. “We do not hold that against you, she antagonised you. But despite what you believe or want to believe, this case is personal to you. We cannot allow you to continue.” Clock sat back in his chair. Red-Mane was escaping again. “However,” said the stallion on the right. “We know you will not want to sit on the side-lines. You may review the evidence from your department, but you may not be involved in the search or have any direct contact with Red-Mane.” “Then, you will need a new detective?” Clock asked. The stallion nodded and glanced to Print. “If she is willing, we would allow her to take this case. If you trust her enough, Clock, she may lead it.” Clock nodded. “Of course she will not be alone, one of our trusted detectives from Canterlot will be at every evidence review, and the entire department is at her disposal. We want Red-Mane caught, but Clock.” His voice dropped and the air seemed to chill. “You will have no contact with Red-Mane. We can’t lose you to that.” The princess spoke up, quickly. “If that is all?” said asked, glancing to the stallions at her sides. They both nodded. She turned back to them. “We request that you turn over all evidence you currently have for this case to our trusted Canterlot detective at the next meeting, we will forward you the details.” The princess stood, as did the two stallions by her side. “Good day, Clock. Good day, Detective Print.” *   *   * “They’re cutting me out,” Clock said, speaking up for the first time in the entire cab ride. Dusk had begun to settle in Canterlot. It nestled itself down across the horizon. The light fell across Clock’s face. Print tried to decipher his tone, but all she could see was his face. He looked tired. “You can still help with the case,” she said. “Your experience is more useful than the department they offered me.” Clock shook his head. “She wants me,” he stated. “If she believes Twilight lives, then she has no reason to be here. She will leave and I will lose my chance.” “We will,” Print corrected. Clock turned to her, the sunset covered one side of his face. The other half remained dark. “She wants me,” he repeated, emphasizing each word. “She will bleed this city to get to me. If we want her, we need to act now while she is near. I need to speak to her, but I cannot communicate with her directly according to the Princess.” The cab stopped outside of the apartment block in the lower regions of Canterlot. Despite its close proximity to the capital, this part of the city was run down. Print opened the door, but did not get out. “Okay, Clock. I’m with you. I always will be.” Clock smiled but it quickly faded. “We need to use the ACD.” He paused. “We need to break in.”