//------------------------------// // Day 2: Investigation // Story: Turnabout Bully // by Paradox Theory //------------------------------// April 3rd, 9:00 AM Ponyville Detention Center I sighed as I entered the detention center. I was so blind to what was hurting my lil' sister that I hurt her unintentionally. I wonder if she'll even talk to me. As I entered the building, I bumped into Filthy. "Watch where you're going filth!" Filthy growled. "Is that anyway to talk to your business partner Filthy?" I asked him. Filthy's face turned red as he replied, "Until your brat of a sister stops lying and is found guilty, you are no partner of mine." I decided not to press him on that, as that is the last thing I need. "Filthy, if the fur Rarity found matches Silver Spoon, Applebloom may be innocent yet." Filthy scoffed "That was obviously planted, Diamond's friend has always been good. Ask her teacher." Suddenly, a mare cleared her throat. Me and Filthy turned to see Cheerilee standing there. "Hi Miss Cheerilee, what brings you here?" I asked her. "Oh AJ, I was asked to write down a testimony on Diamonds behavior in school. It requires her classmates opinions" Cheerilee explained. Filthy smirked as he said, "And now we have proof Applebloom is a liar." But Cheerilee gave him a stern look. "The only liar, was Diamond." Filthy looked stunned, he opened and closed his mouth a few times before trotting off. "Before I leave Cheerilee, may I have a copy of tha' testimony?" I asked. "Certainly Applejack!" Cheerilee replied as she handed me a copy. As I held the testimony in my hooves, I looked down. "Why didn't ah listen sooner Cheerilee? This could've all been prevented had ah did my job." I bemoaned. Cheerilee put a hoof on my shoulder, "You aren't to blame, we don't know if this was preventable." But I didn't listen, I had a sister to see. April 3rd 8:50 AM Ponyville Schoolhouse I watched as the kids each put their thoughts on Cheerilee's testimony. Sweetie Belle was clinging to me and sobbing. "You'll prove it wasn't her. right?" Sweetie asked me. "You bet I will. I know she's innocent. I'll prove t." I told her with a smile. "Rarity, can yo watch the kids for a few moments while I go to the Detention center?" Cheerilee asked. "Of course." I replied, after all, it was only for w few moments. "excuse me Miss Rarity? But could I help in anyway?" A small purple grey coated unicorn asked. "You could tell me more about Diamond and Silver Spoon. What's you name Miss-?" I replied, watching her for anything off. The filly saluted, "Dinky Doo! And if you want to know about Diamond and her friend, I can help!" I smiled at the enthusiastic filly. "That's the Spirit." Dinky scrunched her nose in thought, "Diamond was always a bully. She liked to pick on those without cutie marks more then anyppony else. . " "Why?" I asked her. "I don;t know, I always thought she was like what mommy said. . ." "Mommy?" Dinky nodded, "My mommy, Derpy. She told me 'Dinky, you know why we aren't rich?' 'No.. I would say. 'Because rich ponies always abuse their power, they always make ponies feel down.' 'Why?' I would ask. 'Because they have nopony to love.' She would say, 'That's why we don't need money.' 'Because we have love.' I would finish.' ." ". . . ." I literally had no words for that, I could only stare. Dinky pasued for a moment, "My mommy would always get quiet afterwords." "I bet." I thought to myself. "Thank you for the input, Miss Dinky, but I think I'll be leaving now." "Why?" Dinky asked. I quietly pointed to a beaming Pegasus mare with tears trailing down her cheeks. As Dinky looked to her, the mare held her arms out. Dinky ran to her mother and embraced her. "I'm proud of you my muffin." I heard the mare whisper. I then noticed Cheerilee standing there with a smile as well. Nodding quietly to her, I left the school house. April 3rd, 9:30 PM Rich Manor Gatehouse I looked at the security station, it had only one guard there. He had a white coat and a bright blue mane. Deciding to get this over with, I walked over to him. "Excuse me Mr.?" I asked hesitantly. . . "Call me Gatewatch." He said. "Why?" I asked. He gave me a look, "It's better if you don't know." He answered. Deciding to let it go, I asked anther question, "Can you tell me about how this gate works?" Gatewatch studied me before continuing, "It's set to open to specific numbers, it gives me a list of each time a card was used daily." "So you have a record of card uses for the day of the murder?" I asked. Gatewatch nodded. "I do." "Did the police or Prosecution ask for a copy?" I pressed. "No/ But they seem to think I'm a witness." Gatewatch replied. I flinched, "A witness?!" "It seems so." He replied. "Before I examine more of the crime scene, could I have a copy of the record sheet of the day of the murder?" I asked him, watching to se what he might pull. To my surprise, he smiled, "Anything to help that filly off the hook." "Wait, you think she's innocent? Why?" I asked in surprise as he gave me a copy of the records. "That would be revealing what I have to say tomorrow. Sorry." I nodded with a smile as I entered the grounds. The first thing I did was inspect the window. Outside, glass was strewn everywhere. I noticed a small pair of hoof prints around it. I looked around some more but sighed in defeat, there was nothing else. "Wait!" Pinkie yelled, jumping out of nowhere. "You have to examine evidence!" "What?" Was all I could say. "It's easy!" Pinkie beamed, "Just click on the button labeled "Court Record" then click on the evidence button! After that, Click examine!" "Pinkie!" I shouted, "What was that? I didn't understand a thing!" "Don't worry, the readers will." Pinkie said with a wink before disappearing. "Sometimes, I don't understand that mare. . . ." I thought as I looked through the evidence. I dropped the card record in shock as I read it. Rich Manor Gate Card Records for April the 1st: 9:00 AM. Card # 11511234 10:30 AM. Card # 11241563 3:00 PM. Card # 11378450 8:35 PM. Card # 11478923 I read the last card number in disbelief. Somepony else had entered the property a good fifteen minutes before the murder. But who? April 3rd, 9:30 AM Ponyville Detention Center Applebloom turned her back as I entered the room. "Listen, sugar cube, Ah'm sorry for not listening to ya before, Ah just thought it was a joke between ya and Diamond." I explained. Applebloom huffed. "Ah know you're mad at me, and ya have every right t' be. Ah-ah'm not living up t' m element at all. . . " I felt tears run down my face. "But Ah'm sorry Applebloom! I'm scared Ah'll lose ya forever, Ah want to help in anyway. If ya'll still hate me afterwords ah deserve it.! Ah.m a horrible sister!" I then began to cry against the glass. After a minute of crying, I hear a soft 'clink' against the glass. Applebloom looked down at me. "Tha' ain't true. Ya are the best big sister in the world. An' while ya made a mistake, so have ah." I looked at her in disbelief. "Ah shoulda told ya the truth. Before this all happened. Ah love ya sis." Applebloom said as tears trailed down her cheeks. I placed my own hoof against the glass as I said, "Looks like ya ain't so little after all."