//------------------------------// // IT'S ME // Story: Catatonic // by FaelaArts //------------------------------// “Great work tonight girls, get some sleep, and I’ll see you tomorrow night.” Watching her friends leave, Twilight’s ears flopped down. Heaving a sigh, she glanced toward the restaurant as staff began to arrive. Walking once more over to the chief, Twilight waited for his current conversation to end. “We’ll discuss it more later.” Turning around, Music Box waited for Twilight to begin. “Have you found any news?” It was worth a shot to ask about it, even if there was no new information. Shaking his head, Music Box paused, putting a hoof to his chin. “I doubt this is relevant, but the old uniforms of this restaurant were purple. Could it be plausible the purple pony you saw was not purple, but purple-clothed?” Looking toward the same four guards from yesterday, Music Box noticed Fritz heading into the building with a few other ponies. “Well, it wouldn’t be wise to rule it out, but I don’t think so. I’ll discuss it with the others tonight. Thanks.” Giving a grateful smile, Twilight turned, and went on her merry way. Returning to the others, Music Box sighed. “Let’s get back to work.” “T-Thanks for walking me home again.” Looking down, Fluttershy gave Dash a grateful smile. Rolling her eyes, Dash watched Fluttershy unlock her door, and turn to wave goodbye. Glancing inside, Dash saw something purple inside, and her heart skipped a beat. “Look out!” Diving between Fluttershy and the purple thing, Dash prepared for a fight. Upon seeing it was a pair of clothes, she relaxed slightly, walking inside and looking around for anything suspicious. “I-Is it safe?” Peeking her head inside, Fluttershy looked around wildly. Picking up the hat, Dash scowled. “Yeah, just some clothes. Why do you even have these here?” Placing it down, Dash tilted her head, hearing water running. “T-They belong to a new friend. He’s scared of the murderer, so I offered to let him stay here until it’s safe. We got home earlier than normal, otherwise you-you’d probably be able to meet him.” Stepping inside, Fluttershy gave a warm smile, before shrinking back under Dash’s glare. “He huh? Are you sure this guy’s trustworthy? What color is his coat?” Narrowing her eyes, Dash heard the shower click off. “W-Well it’s been a few weeks, and I’m still o-okay so I-I don’t t-think it c-could b-be him…A-And he’s a nice stallion. As for his coat color, it’s-“ Cut off by the door opening, both looked to the grey stallion as he walked out. Bath towel around his waist, his Cutie Mark was hidden from view. Looking between them, the stallion gave a warm smile. “Oh, hello, you must be Miss Rainbow Dash.” Looking between them, the stallion reached out for his clothes, and walked into the guest bedroom. “Alright, he checks out,” sighed Dash, wiping worry off her forehead. There was no way someone that polite could be a murderer. From what she knew, anyway. “Just be careful, ‘right Flutters?” Hovering near the door, Dash waited until Fluttershy had nodded, before saluting and taking off into the sky. “I’ll have my shower a little earlier in the future,” spoke the stallion, drying his mane as he walked out of the guest bedroom once more. “N-No it’s alright.” Taking a seat at the table, Fluttershy wondered if she should make tea today. Without any reaction, the stallion began brewing the tea, and gave a warm smile. “No, it’s best I’m dressed by the time you come back. I wouldn’t want your friends to react like that a second time.” “Hello? Hello, is this better? Hello? Right, I can hear you now. I have the documents here ready to be sent by mail. You want them delivered? This is a bad week for me, mind if I send an employee? Okay, bye.” Placing the phone down, the stallion stood up, and walked over to Fritz. “Fritz, can you come see me once you finish that order?” Receiving a nod, he turned, heading back to his desk. Pulling out a pen, he began to write his signature on various documents. “You wanted to see me PG?” Approaching the desk, Fritz tilted his head, waiting for a response. “Yeah Fritz. The main branch in Canterlot want me to deliver the receipt for the construction we had done here shortly before the murderer showed up. Mind delivering it for me? I’ve got too much paperwork piling up to consider it because of the killer.” Waving a hoof over the documents, PG pulled a briefcase onto the desk. “Sure, I’ll head out on the first train tomorrow morning.” Giving a bright smile, Fritz was thankful he would be out of town for a least a little while. “You’ll be paid for your time, of course. That’s all, back to work.” Nodding once, PG returned to signing papers. Placing the briefcase with his belongings, Fritz returned to work. After work, Fritz stepped outside, noticing that the five guards were on duty. Walking over to them, he waited as they finished their conversation. “Hey, just letting you know I’ll be out of town for a few days. I got to deliver some documents to the main branch in Canterlot.” Looking between them, Fritz lifted up the suitcase. “Stay safe, and let us know if you see anything unusual,” ordered Music Box, turning back to the others and continuing their conversation. Shrugging, Fritz went on his merry way. “Afternoon everypony, sleep well?” Looking to her friends, Twilight spotted more than one exhausted face. Biting her lip, she wondered if they should reduce the amount of nights they were searching. “Don’t worry about us Twilight, we’ll always have time to dedicate to catching that perp.” Grinning, Dash flexed a muscle. Seeing their confident faces, Twilight chuckled. They were her friends after all, she should have known better. “Well, I have some news that might be interesting. You know how the pony was purple?” Pausing, Twilight saw everypony nod, and continued. “Well, according to the guards, the restaurant used to have purple uniforms before they were changed. It was pouring down that night we saw him, so the chief suggested we might have actually mistaken his uniform for his hair. What do you girls think?” Looking between them, Twilight frowned as Dash began glaring at Fluttershy. “I think Fluttershy has something she needs to share. Or better yet; somepony.” Narrowing her eyes, Dash ignored the pointed glances she was being given. “D-Dash, j-just b-because he happens to w-wear that outfit d-doesn’t mean he’s the killer. I hope.” Shrinking even closer to the ground, her voice grew fainter and fainter. Rolling her eyes, Dash turned toward Twilight. “You see? Fluttershy has been allowing a pony with a purple uniform to say at her home. Think about it, it’s the perfect cover!” Nodding once, Dash smiled in victory. “N-No y-you don’t understand. H-He is-“ Cut off, Fluttershy whimpered. “I’m sorry Fluttershy, but we should at least interrogate him about it.” Giving her friend an apologetic smile, Twilight held out a hoof to help Fluttershy up. Taking it, she gave a small nod. “Okay,” she whispered. Turning the page of his book, the stallion smiled. It was a decent adventure book, if a little too wordy for his tastes. Shrugging it off, he continued reading. There was the sound of a door opening, and he raised his head, seeing six ponies enter the small cottage. In the back, he noticed Fluttershy looking guilty, before coming face to face with Dash. “Alright buster brown, you’re going to tell us the truth. Are you the-“ Pulled back by her tail, Dash glared daggers at Twilight, who merely rolled her eyes. Looking the stallion over, she breathed in, and then out. “Excuse me sir, but how long have you been staying with our friend Fluttershy?” Pointing a hoof at the pony in question, Twilight kept her voice even, glancing to Applejack as the stallion answered. “A few days after the first…incident here. Why?” Tilting his head, the stallion seemed clueless. “Second question; where were you on the night of the latest incident?” Watching the stallion, Twilight noted the sudden stiffening of his body. “Here, sleeping and reading. Not in that order.” Shifting uncomfortably, the stallion was becoming aware of the tension around him. “So there was nopony here who could confirm your alibi?” Stepping forward, Twilight sighed as the stallion shook his head. “I’m afraid we’re gonna have to bring you in for Questioning. Do you comply?” Reaching into Pinkie Pie's hair, Twilight pulled out some cuffs. Gulping, the stallion offered his front hooves. “Uh, s-sure. Bring me where?” Watching the cuffs be clasped on him, the stallion’s glances grew more fearful. “To the guards so you can be placed in a holding cell while we get an expert down to Ponyville.” It was almost amazing to witness. At the very mention of the word ‘guards’, the stallion began to struggle violently. “O-On second thought today's not a good day for me, pl-please come back tomorrow and I’ll be-be sure to set out enough cups at the t-table to-“ Cutting himself off, the stallion tried to make a break for it, but was stopped by Dash. “What’s the problem? Afraid to return to the scene of your crime?” Narrowing her eyes, Dash prepared to fight off the stallion. “N-No that’s not it!” Looking between them, the stallion tried to get past Dash, but failed. “He’s lying,” commented Applejack, grabbing the stallion by the tail. “No I’m not! Ok-Okay maybe I am lying about it being d-due to the crime scene, but it’s not what you think! I-I’m innocent, p-p-please!” Struggling, the stallion found himself levitated up in lavender magic. “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can, and will be used against you in the court of Celestia.” “No! Please Stop!” All five turned, looking toward the group of six carrying a pony in purple clothes toward them. Breathing in sharply, all but Music Box shared a glance. “Good evening, I think we’ve found the culprit. I was wondering if you could get him escorted to the holding cell while we wait for the official questioning pony to arrive tomorrow.” Placing the stallion down, Twilight noticed he was no longer struggling, and was instead shaking violently in a fatal position. “Let me see his eyes.” Leaning down, Music Box forced the stallion to look at him. Releasing the stallion, Music Box sighed, and glanced toward the others. “Hey, that pony is purple, should we apprehend him too?” Dash flew over to one of the guards, glaring him down. “Guitar String was on duty with a pony called Sharp Sight at the time of the previous incident. His alibi checks out.” Music Box wondered about the personality of the rainbow one, and glanced once more toward the stallion. Country Singer slowly approached the stallion, and crouched down. “Mike?” Upon Country Singer speaking, the stallion’s head rose, and their gazes met. Paling to an almost ghostly white, the stallion’s eyes rolled into the back of his head, and he collapsed into a faint. Stepping back, the other three sighed. “No wonder he’s petrified,” sighed Pizza Party, looking towards the others. Frowning, Twilight took a step forward, mouth opening. Music Box turned to face her, and she felt a shiver pass up her spine. “This stallion is not the killer.” With that simple sentence spoken, Music Box was finished. “And how do you know,” spoke Dash out of turn, folding her arms. Turning towards her, Music Box answered without skipping a beat. “The eyes. This stallion does not have the eyes of a murderer.” Music Box watched as Dash rolled her eyes. “Oh sure, and you’ve seen these ‘eyes of the murderer’ before.” Glancing to Twilight, Dash opened her mouth to call out the stallions lie. “I have,” replied Music Box. Turning, he began walking away. “Ask your honest friend if you do not believe me.” Sharing a glance, the other four guards trotted after Music Box, Country Singer quietly picking up the unconscious stallion. Growling, Dash turned toward Applejack. “Well, he aint’ lyin’, as much sense as that makes.” Glancing between them, Applejack watched as Twilight began to trot after the guards. “Do you mind starting the patrol without me? I want to ask these ‘guards’ a few questions.” Glancing back, Twilight noticed the smirk on Dash’s face, and quickly moved to intercept. “Dash, you’re our best chance of catching him if he does show. You have to be in the patrol.” Once more looking where she was going, Twilight could hear Dash’s grumbles from her current distance. ’Seems like there’s more than one mystery going on in Ponyville.’