Trixie Lulamoon - Consulting Detective

by DEI Caboose

The Adventure of the Disposable Damsel

As Trixie would eventually come to say; the game was on. A mystery was at hoof, a clue had been discovered and the pair of us were conducting our investigation into the case of the Life or Death murders.

I was still a little in the dark about some details Trixie had elected not to mention during her exposition, specifically about who the murdered pair actually were; their employment, their lifestyle, but most of all their names. Their names needed to be remembered.

These details will be known to you eventually as they were to me, however for the moment Trixie and I were delving deeper into my former home of Canterlot Castle, into the darkest corners of its deepest tunnels. I heard stories in my youth of curious little fillies who’d ventured too deep and had become lost forever; stories most likely invented to deter us from exploring ourselves. One such place in the expanse was our destination; the Blacklist Archives, the library where magic and darkness had festered for the ages.

The Great and Powerful Trixie pranced through the marble hallways with a straight neck and lifted knees. Her companion, Twilight Sparkle, followed on with far less enthusiasm, the criminal details of Trixie's reveal weighing down on her mind; it was as if she had been wearing her heavy crown ever since.

Her crown was also something that every so often nudged her with the unwelcome feeling of concern, as its significance to their current affairs had yet to be elaborated on by Trixie, along with a plethora of other questions that continued to endlessly form in Twilight's thoughts.

But what concerned Twilight most of all was not her questions on the matter, nor her feelings of dread for the coming future. It was simply the very idea that all of this was even possible, that a pony like any other was capable of such acts of violence and evil. It was almost forgotten to Twilight that you did not need to be an ancient evil or a fairy tale villain in order to be just as able to perform such an action of depravity.

Trixie appeared to notice Twilight's growing unease, and decided to attempt to comfort her, slowing her pace so that they were next to each other in their stride. "No reason to fear, Sparkle. Trixie can understand if this all feels rather daunting, her first real case didn't exactly make it easier for her to sleep at night. She did find however that it's better to think about all of this way..." Trixie closed her eyes and raised her head, with Twilight watching her with a distant stare.

"If we do nothing, they will win, and we can't have that now can we?"

A few simple words, which in any other context would hold no significance whatsoever, yet to Twilight Sparkle, it felt as if Trixie had just pulled her out of a sinking boat on a decimating tide.

Twilight could hold no apprehensions, no second thoughts and no second guesses. She could not allow it. Two ponies were dead, and if Trixie was right, it's true perpetrator would not face justice, not from the hooves of the police at least. Trixie was willing to do something about that, whatever her reasons may be, and Twilight had faced down enough monsters and evils to know that two ponies, or six, was always better than one. She had agreed to help Trixie solve this mystery, and that was exactly what she was going to do.

This train of thought brought her back to the magician herself, still pacing at her side. Who was this mare really? Twilight had no idea, since in reality they had only really known each other for a few hours combined. Trixie was just as much a mystery as the one they were currently facing, if not more so.

She had been a stranger, enemy, and now partner in that order. Were the two of them even capable of considering each other as friends yet? Twilight considered herself something of an expert in the subject, and yet she did not know for certain.

Was Trixie loyal? Kind? Honest? Generous? Twilight didn't know, sometimes Trixie was and sometimes she wasn't, going from pompous and selfish, to comforting and open seemingly without any rhyme or reason! She held concern for Twilight's well-being and yet had not appeared to have cared all that much about Twilight's inconveniences before she had turned up on Trixie's doorstep. Had she simply warmed up to Twilight since then? Or was that just how Trixie was and always had been?

Was Twilight even right about any of this?

"Oh no. No no no no no!"

Her pondering was brought to an abrupt end. Twilight's head rose slowly as she refocused back to the ancient halls of the castle’s underground. Marble and glass had made way for dust and rock, the eroding passage they were in was adorned by flaming torches and twisted statues of beings whose original names had been lost to time. They had descended quite far into the catacombs under the castle, and Twilight suspected correctly, potentially deep into the mountain itself.

"I've told you before, consulting detective or whatever you are, I don't care. I'm not letting you in! Go away!" The voice was gruff and irritated, belonging to a male royal guard concealed by white fur and traditional golden armour. He was stood before a large black door, the wood cracked and splintered, as if it had been broken apart and put back together over and over again for a millennia; and it very were could have been, considering behind it was housed some of the most taboo texts in the history of Equestria, which many had clambered for over the years just to get a glimpse at.

Trixie greeted the stallion, who she was evidently familiar with, with a smile and fluttering eyelashes. “My good Sir!” Trixie began, with prolonged overemphasis on the 'good.' “Trixie is afraid that this time you will not have your way. You informed me during my previous attempt that nopony is allowed into the Blacklist Archives unless they're in accompaniment by a Princess. You will find that Trixie has satisfied your ultimatum.” Pointing a hoof back, Trixie drew the guards shocked gaze in Twilight's direction, who was lagging behind after retreating into her thoughts previously. She greeted the stallion with a polite wave.

He tutted. “You think I'm going to fall for that? It takes months to arrange for a Princess to come down here, and you expect me to believe you managed to get Princess Twilight in less than a week? She doesn't even live here anymore!”

Trixie's smirk shrunk into a frown, her hoof dropped and her eyes narrowed in barely concealed annoyance. “Trixie sees that you're a difficult one. Sparkle, your left saddlebag, perhaps that shall be evidence enough to convince our loyal compatriot here of your authenticity.” Trixie said with a prompting roll of her hoof and eyes.

Twilight responded with a nod and reached with her magic into the bag, her golden tiara floated out of it seconds later. The guard's harrowing gaze faulted for a moment, but he remained determined, if a little dreary. "It's... A good forgery, but it ain't the first time someponies made a fake of Princess Twilight's crown, and I'm not going to fall for that one again! Try harder next time."

Both mares groaned, with Twilight now stepping forward in order to plead to the stallion herself to let them enter. As the light grew better and the stallion was further revealed from the shadows she could not help but feel like she recognised him from somewhere. Aside from the standard white coat and typical armour frequented by all the guards, his mane and voice were undoubtedly familiar, his figure also reminded her of-

Cutting the thought off, Twilight looked at the stallion with tarnished cheeks. She took it his roguish posture and the distinctly wild blue mane peeking out from beneath his helmet. All bore an uncanny resemblance to a pony she had only came across a few times, yet had left a rather large impression.

"Can I ask, Sir. Have you ever been positioned in the Crystal Empire?" Twilight asked. The question seemed odd to Trixie, but she found the image of the stallion's face dropping to be one of the most delightful sights she had the pleasure of experiencing during her long, hollow week.

"How could you? I never-? I look different! There's no way she- you-?" The stallion's pathetic stammering of questions, and the fact she could here his voice clearer now, confirmed Twilight's suspicions of the guard's identity. It was enough to make her smirk in triumph.

"Hello, Flash Sentry. I almost didn't recognise you," Twilight giggled. The now white coated pegasus slammed a hoof to his face.

He returned his hoof to the floor and looked at Twilight meekly. "Well this is embarrassing. Look I wasn't pretending that I didn't know it was you. I need to treat everything and everypony with suspicion, Princess Celestia's orders. Security has been beefed up mainly because somepony broke in last week," Sentry cast a particularly seething glare in Trixie's direction, who suddenly found the crevasses in the walls to be quite interesting.

Twilight decided to ignore the look, instead choosing to focus on Flash's new pristine white coat, a sharp contrast to its previous orange colour. "You look... Different," was Twilight's dim conversation starter.

A conversation which Trixie had no intention of letting commence further. "Oh no! You are not soiling my night with your flirtatious behaviour, do it in your own time, Twilight Sparkle! Tonight, Trixie has you all to herself!" With a flick of her mane, Trixie waltzed past Flash Sentry with her head held high.

Twilight couldn't help but feel a sudden sense of dèja vu.

The guard could not have looked more reluctant as he opened the barred door behind him with the crank of a heavy metal lever at his side. The door swung inwards with the heavy sounds of clanking gears and turning cogs, and a gust of dust and grime blowed out as fresh air rushed in. As Trixie went on her way inside, Sentry turned back to Twilight, his outwards anger melting into an expression of utter defeat. "Please don't let her break or steal anything, I don't think I could sink much lower than this, but I'm sure it's possible."

Twilight had so many questions for the stallion, chief of all was why was he stood in a catacomb under Canterlot, and not within the palace of the Crystal Empire? It was a rather big jump. But as much as Twilight wished to ask and have her queries answered, the investigation took presence, but that didn't mean that she would not ask him about it all later… preferably over some coffee, or maybe the theatre, he might like the theatre.

Breaking into a steady walk, Twilight followed Trixie while concealing her practically fluorescent cheeks. "I hope I can talk to you again sometime, find out how you've been, you know?" Twilight asked socially, talking and spinning as she walked in order to ensure she caught up with the mare ahead.

Flash Sentry looked hopeful, but the defeat was still very evident on his face. "Yeah, that would be cool. Oh... Congratulations by the way, to you and Trixie. I'm real happy for you!" Sentry yelled into the tunnel once Twilight had disappeared from his sight. He sighed, and once again clanked the lever with his hoof.

Twilight was thankful he was too far away to see her expression of now burning embarrassment. "But me and Trixie- We're not- I'm not- !" She spoke with panic, trying to will herself to shout, in vain however, as Sentry had already closed the door behind her, leaving her in utter blackness. She let loose a deep sigh.

"Twilight Sparkle, if all you wish to do tonight is observe stallions in the dark I think you're heading to the wrong wing of the library." Trixie's voice broke through the darkness; right next to Twilight's face.

If Flash Sentry had not closed the door behind him he probably would have ran back in with a vengeance because of how loud she screamed.

Wiping the spit off of her face, Trixie's horn alit with a spark, illuminating the nearby area in a magenta light. The glare she gave Twilight was hardly one of amusement. "Though it is plainly obvious that you want to do far more to that stallion than just exchange compliments, I really must insist that we be on her way. Time waits for nopony, but I wait the least."

Twilight picked herself up, dusting herself off as her own horn lit up with a purple glow. "I wasn't doing anything!" Twilight retorted in denial. Rather than stand and bicker, Trixie and Twilight dually but wordlessly decided to walk and bicker instead; that way they were at least making some progress.

"Trixie saw the way you were looking at him, and it was heavily implied that you’ve had past dealings in the Crystal Empire, he was most likely present during that whole debacle that involved the theft of your crown some months ago. I assume nothing came of it, judging by your and his reactions to meeting,” Trixie said with nonchalance, her eyelids drooping as she turned away from her companion.

Twilight could practically hear her head sizzling due to Trixie's commentary, from both anger and embarrassment. She did hold one of Trixie's comments with particular contempt however. 'Even if I did want something to come of it, fat chance it will happen now that he thinks me and Trixie are an item! Trixie! Of all ponies!'

Having a laugh at her side, Trixie turned her head towards the grumbling and quickly depressing Twilight Sparkle. Deciding that she’d had her fun for the evening, Trixie's playful look faded to one of utter concentration and curiosity. “Serious question now, Trixie must ask why you did not recognise Flash Sentry immediately; Trixie accepts that you might have forgotten his voice, but she finds it unlikely that you of all ponies would forget what he looked like, especially if you met in the Crystal Empire, an Equestrian pony would almost certainly stick out like a broken horn there.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow at the query, and at the sudden change of subject. She obliged in answering however, happy to explain as best she could, if only to move as far as possible from their prior conversation. "He had his natural colours last time we met. You've heard about Royal Guard perception filters right?" Twilight asked with expectancy.

Trixie scoffed. “Of course I have! But my knowledge of the specifics is undeniably lacking.” Trixie paused as she and Twilight entered through another stone archway, both groaning upon realising that they still hadn't reached their destination. “It appears it will take time for us to reach the library proper. Would you mind explaining the perception thingy? Trixie finds that random assortments of information can be essential at understanding the most obscure of situations.”

Silently cringing at Trixie's referral to one of the most revered spells ever conceived as a ‘thingy,’ Twilight chose to explain in as simplistic terms as she could manage. “Sure. Well you know how all royal guards look the same? Or at least all guards in Canterlot? They all have white coats and blue manes. Think of it like a sort of uniform. They don't all actually look like that, they all have their own individual coats and colours. But through a specific magical enchantment, usually applied to the helmet, their outward appearance can be altered so that they bare a passing resemblance to another pony, usually a ‘base’ or ‘prime’ pony who the spell is molded around.”

Trixie whistled at Twilight's side, though Twilight had an underlying sense that Trixie wasn't all that impressed. “Trixie admits that it's sounds intriguing. But what about the drawbacks? If an enchantment exists that is capable of making one look like another, it could undoubtedly be utilised by those with less than desirable intentions,” proclaimed Trixie with confidence in her reasoning.

Twilight disagreed, and voiced her argument immediately. “Impossible! Only Princess Celestia, and a few other high-level mages she trusts have the knowledge of the spell, and it is only used to make royal guards look like each other, it's not used for anything else. It was outlawed for use by all except for the guard soon after it was created because of fears of it being misused like you said. Even I don't know it! And believe me I've tried more than once to replicate the effects by studying my brothers recruit armour. Not to brag but if I can't crack it I don't see how anypony else will.”

Trixie snorted. “Getting a bit ahead of yourself aren't you, Sparkle. Just because you can't understand it doesn't mean their isn't a pony alive who can. What about the nerd who invented it in the first place? If they could do it somepony else can, will, and probably already has.”

Ignoring Twilight’s widening eyes, Trixie clicked her teeth in evident annoyance, which drew a curious gaze from the Princess. “It is all a bit of a shame though, a spell like that would certainly have its uses to somebody of my profession. You wouldn't happen to know where Princess Celestia keeps the spell’s inscription would you?”

“Ah! That I do know, the highest point of the Agra tower, under lock and-” Twilight halted herself immediately, realising too late that she had already said too much. She cast a suspicious stare at Trixie, who once again avoided eye contact, cranking her neck to the side, forcing her to unintentionally walk at an angle. “Trixie, why do you want to know where Princess Celestia hides one of the most potentially dangerous spells of all time?” Twilight seethed out.

Trixie decided not to hide her guilt, mostly to try and convince Twilight that her view on the matter was correct. “A spell such as that would be of such tremendous use, especially considering my new line of work! Could you imagine its application for disguises? It makes me giddy just thinking about it.”

Twilight groaned, while Trixie continued to mesmerizingly ponder how she could utilise such a spell. “Trixie you can't steal the inscription from the Princess! The spell’s illegal!”

Trixie whined in response. “Trixie won't steal anything, she just needs to memorise it. She wouldn't even need to touch it!”

"Still illegal!”

“What if Trixie petitions to have the law changed?”

“Illegal!”

Trixie was now starting to grow annoyed, but neither of them intended to let up on their argument. “And I intend to use it for just reasons! The impertinent acts someponies would commit do not justify the spell being cut off from those who could use it for good.” Twilight was ready to retort, but Trixie cut her off with reluctance. “Besides the spell is flawed, the pony only resembles another, they don't become them. Voices remain unchanged, and a ponies own mannerisms and distinguishing features could give them away. You could tell it was Flash Sentry with little more than a glance.”

Both parties calmed down, and both noticed the passage starting to expand outwards and upwards as they drew ever closer. Twilight decided to conclude. “Even so, the spell does its job, and it's kept away from those who would abuse it.” Twilight paused as her thoughts wandered to a different issue. “I'm just wondering why Flash was using it, and why he’s down here at all. High ranking guards usually have their own colours like he used to, it distinguishes superiors from the rest.”

Trixie rolled her eyes and rocked her head, as if Twilight had just stated the obvious. “Well he's clearly annoyed somepony then. For starters he's using an enchantment frequented by low ranking soldiers, and he’s sat at the bottom of a cave in the least exciting part of Equestria. You don't end up like that overnight without causing a colossal cock-up.”

Twilight ignored Trixie’s language but still desired her input, her demonstration in the cab earlier proved that she had some ability in deductive reasoning, so it was worth a shot. “Any theories as to why?”

“Nothing I'm willing to expend energy thinking about, the case at hoof holds more value and excitement.” Was Trixie’s disinterested response, which Twilight turned her cheek to.

They entered through the final archway, and they both found themselves in the familiar local of a library, with large bookcases lining the obscenely spacious environment. Both unicorns took a moment to light the torches and candles that hung along the walls and laid upon the desks between the bookcases. Once they had finished, Trixie turned to Twilight, her horn glow illuminating her stoic expression. “Now Sparkle, as tempting as you may find it, we are here to find a description of the ritual conducted on our murdered couple, or one that may have inspired it or is sufficiently similar. I don't want to walk over and find your face buried in an obscure magical text from a thousand years ago.”

Twilight waved her hoof and scoffed. “Of course I'll stay on task, Trixie. You can trust me!”

’What I would give to look at those words.’

Trixie rolled her head, her vigor returned and she rose a hoof with passion. “Excellent! Onwards then, let us discover our modus operandi!”

We must have searched for hours, book after book after scroll after carving. Every possible piece of magical literature at our disposal and we appeared to be neared the dead end of defeat.

I grew frustrated at the futility, taking a short break so I could observe my companion Trixie in the middle of her own research. It wasn't exactly an easy task, she would appear in view, snatch up a book and then disappear around a corner before returning after a certain period of time. I couldn't tell if she was deliberately avoiding me, or if she was just that invested in what we were doing that she had forgotten I was even there.

There was also an almost unsettling perkiness, for lack of a better word, about her, which only seemed to intensify as the night wore on. It was in that same state of perkiness that I, to great satisfaction, eventually heard a cry of “I've found it! I've found it!”

Twilight’s head shot out of the book it was glued to, partly from Trixie's cry of joy, but mostly because of the book that was thrown onto her table, slamming down and jolting her up and out of her seat with a shock. “Trixie!” Twilight blurted out, but quickly refocused her attention onto the aging tome presented before her. “Wait. This is it? You found it?!” Twilight asked with a smile.

A smile which Trixie enthusiastically returned. “Life or Death? Word for word, details, instructions, suggestions, expectations, everything we could hope for! Oh I'm in love with Fro Bronze, the stallion who wrote it, he probably didn't make it with the best of intentions in mind but his summary of the ritual may be the key we need to discovering why these ponies were targeted, and help us to discover the villain’s identity or their next possible move!”

Twilight took note of Trixie’s jumpy and fluid behaviour, her motions appearing as wavy and robotic at the same time. “From what I can gather after a preliminary skim read, the ritual isn't that old, around three to four hundred years, the book itself is much more recent, written just over a hundred years ago. Secondly, the ritual is much more than a method of murder or humiliation, it's a form of punishment; revenge, and a rather complicated way of going about it if I may say so myself.”

Twilight lifted the book, wiping away some of the dust that littered the front cover. It possessed no title or author, but upon opening to the first page Twilight worked out what the book was at once. “This book… It's a journal!”

Trixie gave one swift nod. “Correct. The one and only copy I presume, hence why the ritual was impossible to find. Fro Bronze kept a catalog of different forms of curses and rituals he had learned about over the course of his life and documented them all for study, of which our allusive Life or Death? is among. I'd wager that he was a bit too specific for the Princesses taste, as it's basically an instruction guide for any aspiring killer out there.”

Twilight read through the first page, which reiterated everything Trixie just said but in the author's own words. A sudden thought took over, which Twilight decided to voice aloud. “Do you think this is how the killer found out about the ritual? They could have read this very book!”

Trixie nodded once more. “It's a possibility for certain, it wasn't even on a shelf, just left on a table for the world to see. I will be sure to chase it up, but we can never rule out the possibility that copies exist, or there was another pony with access to the information, perhaps a descendant or family friend. For now let us go over the specifics of the spell and see if it can help us in any way. Bronze received his info second hoof, from an inmate on death row at Lake Orion, so it's possible it's not entirely accurate, but we'll have to make due with what we have.”

At this point Twilight was barely paying attention to Trixie, as her eyes were locked onto the book. She flipped through each page, scanning the notes and illustrations present for the one that was relevant. Trixie took notice and forced the book to the right page with her magic, which Twilight was wordlessly thankful for. “I'd very much like to have a more intrusive look at that myself, but I feel that the research is more your forte, wouldn't you agree?”

“Yrr,” Twilight mumbled.

Trixie sighed, and lifted the book from Twilight’s sight, who was more than a little annoyed by the gesture. “Hey!”

“I'll give it back! But listen, now that we have an actual lead I'm going to see Sentinel Brit, my police contact remember? Hopefully she'll agree to help, maybe even give me access to the case files so we can start to work all this out and see how it all fits together, and as much as I love this filthy library I would prefer if we worked in the comfort of my own home, wouldn't you agree?”

Twilight honestly didn't care, she could work well in basically any environment but Trixie obviously preferred to be in her own home, so Twilight accepted Trixie’s proposal, who replied with a smirk and a shake of her body. “Excellent, I shall meet you back at Basil Street. Get the kettle on Sparkle, it's going to be a long night!”

She ran out of the door seconds later, I barely even had the chance to say goodbye. There was something odd about her behaviour that I couldn't put my hoof on, but I decided to ignore it while I tended to the matter on both our minds.

I had a book that seemingly answered why these ponies were targeted and killed, and to Trixie this was more than enough to get the case reopened. I didn't voice the fact that I was skeptical at the time, but after reading the book myself I realised that Trixie was completely right in her assessment. Somepony else was involved in all this, and they were most unsavoury indeed.

Twilight had returned to Basil Street within the hour, it was late into the night now but Twilight only realised the time proper when she had returned to Trixie’s flat and gazed upon the grandfather clock located within her room, finding that it was nearing ever closer to midnight. “The day’s gone by pretty quick, everypony is probably wondering where I got to,” Twilight mumbled to herself, hoping that her friends weren't too worried at her absence. She thought about sending a letter, Trixie had a fireplace so it was a possibility.

Occupying her time with tea and reading, Twilight studied Fro Bronze’s writings of the ritual in their entirety during Trixie's absence. She had since discovered that the ritual was informally known as the ‘Opus Judging Curse,’ a name which Twilight found to be a bit overdramatic, it's true name was unknown to the author so he had just made something up that seemed appropriate enough.

Twilight knew of its intricacies and of its purpose, all of which she would explain to Trixie when she returned. Closing the book, Twilight rose from her seat at Trixie's desk and stretched her back out to relieve the uncomfortable feeling she felt. She had arrived back at Basil Street at around eleven o’clock, and was starting to wonder where Trixie had gotten to. Surely this Sentinel Brit character she spoke of didn't live that far away?

Twilight jumped upon hearing a sudden bang of wood, immediately identifying it as the sound of a door striking a wall. She had heard it downstairs, and came to the conclusion that it must be Trixie; and if the stomping of hooves on the stairs were any indication, she was not in the best of moods.

Twilight turned to the apartment door, ready to greet her acquaintance. She gasped when the door swung open and she was meet with the indisputable image of Trixie, with a large cardboard box perched on her back, dried blood clinging to her scalp and mane, and her right cheek shining a shade of purple not unlike the colour of Twilight's own coat. If Twilight didn't know any better, she'd wager that Trixie had been in a fight, one which she had probably lost.

Twilight immediately addressed Trixie in alarm. “Trixie, what on earth-!”

“Before you start Twilight Sparkle, Trixie would have you know that her unsightly appearance is unrelated to our investigation. She was following up a lead she discovered after a quick glance through Brit’s case files, which she has brought with her. The lead turned out to be quite profitable, but some unsavoury characters didn't appreciate Trixie's way of achieving her goals, hence her current injuries. She'll have you know that they are far worse off than Trixie is, and she intends to visit them in hospital after we have concluded our business here so that she may taunt them further.”

Twilight just gawked her, convinced Trixie must have suffered some form of head injury due to the way she was rambling on. Wetting a towel from Trixie’s bathroom, Twilight handed it the injured detective, who accepted it with a silent thank you and began to wipe her forehead clean. “Now, pay no attention to Trixie. You tell her what you have discovered from that book, and she shall tell you everything from the files and her own pursuit of evidence.”

Making sure that Trixie was okay, mainly by checking her injuries under her protest, Twilight concluded that Trixie was fine if a little bruised in the face and ego, and would not require immediate medical attention. She grasped the book in her magic, flipping to the right page while Trixie prepared her own cup of tea. “There's a lot to get through so you'll have to bear with me,” Twilight stated with her eyes closed while Trixie made herself comfortable in her large red cushioned chair.

“Fro Bronze discovered the ritual in 889 c.r. after speaking with a prisoner named Warmer Harp, who had used the ritual for one of her own crimes which was why she was incarcerated in the first place. She explained that the ritual was designed to bring about a curse, to punish a pony for some suspected wrongdoing against the curse’s initiator. Two ponies must be involved, but only one is to be cursed. One pony is killed, often by strangulation, and is then posed at somepony else, who may already be present, or is meant to stumble upon the corpse at a later time. The posed pony is a pony that the other held in high regard, maybe through family, respect or love. Their pointing hoof represents that the other pony is being judged for a perceived crime against the instigator of the curse, and that their loved one's life has been taken as punishment.”

Twilight paused briefly to look over the notes she had made, while Trixie sat lazily sipping her tea, the wet cloth held against her head with a hoof. “So it's meant to be a curse, so one may enact revenge against another. What does the curse entail? And what about the Life or Death carving on the wall?”

“I'm getting to that. The words of Life of Death? are for the pony being cursed. They are to choose between ending their own life so as to ensure the other does not suffer in death, or they can choose to live, where they shall live a seemingly cursed existence along with the pony murdered. I can't find evidence that the curse actually worked, and the author didn't think it did either, but he does point out that the curse and many others like it were developed at a time when superstition was rampant and magic was still an unknown entity to many, so most would think it was really possible. Times have changed but even today there are those who believe in curses, damnation, and horrors beyond what we can perceive.”

Trixie nodded, sinking into her chair as her hooves linked together in front of her face. “Interesting. Quite a peculiar method of ridding oneself of an enemy, I bet you're relieved Trixie didn't hold you with that much contempt, Sparkle. Possibilities time!” Trixie finished with a shout, leaping up from her chair while Twilight fell back into her own. “We have found the method, now Trixie will add on with her own findings. I had a look through the case notes on my cab ride over here and from my lead locating brawl, from these we can start to close in on our perpetrator.”

Grabbing the evidence box she had walked in with, Trixie threw the lid off to the side and took out a seemingly random assortment of papers and pictures with her magic. She also threw her back coat and scarf off, which Twilight noticed were noticeably worn and frayed, probably because of the fight Trixie was in. “After some persuasion, Sentinel allowed Trixie to have the box and will be along tomorrow to check on our progress. So pay attention, Sparkle. Trixie will only explain once.”

Twilight nodded in understanding, and Trixie commenced. “Our deceased pair went by the name of Mr. August Plough and Ms. Tempest Token, Earth ponies. Both met and were recent graduates of Coronet University in eastern Canterlot, which was where Trixie went earlier this evening. I attended the local meeting point they frequented, a bar populated by the ever disappointment that is ‘youth culture.’ I asked around for any relevant information; where they studied, friends names, tutors, potential enemies, etcetera etcetera. I found out some useful info which we can follow up in the morning. Later on I tried to bribe them all into giving me some suspects, those they thought might wish our couple harm, and long story short some delightful individuals tried to take my offer by force.”

Twilight gasped and was at Trixie's side in an instant, her worry just as prevalent as her anger. “Trixie why would you put yourself at risk like that? You're not a cop, you could have hurt yourself, more than you already have!”

Trixie crossed her legs, sticking her nose up at Twilight’s concern. “Trixie already told you, she handled the situation and discovered new information. The only worthwhile casualty tonight was Trixie's fabulous coat!”

“It doesn't matter, Trixie. It was reckless of you to go alone,” Twilight finished sternly, before one of her eyebrows rose in questioning. “Why are you focusing so much on the university anyway? What makes you think that's where the connection is? What about the other parts of their life's? Family? Work colleagues?”

Trixie responded with an annoyed groan, laying across the armrest of her chair as if she was wounded. “Is it not obvious, Sparkle? The university is the only viable option. Both were only children with no living relatives, probably the reason they grew so close to each other in the first place. They were both unemployed at the time of their deaths, and were living off of their inheritances. They studied ancient history and graduated university together, then four months later they were found dead in the same room. Quite frankly if there is another connection it's impossible to find with the information we have. They made an enemy at that university, they must have, known to them or not.”

Twilight was ready to voice more questions, but Trixie cut her off once more. “I was also given a name worth looking into, Fauna Thaw. Apparently she was close to Plough and Token and was one of their classmates, possibly a former friend of the pair. I was tipped off when I went questioning around the bar, supposedly she was not too happy when Plough revealed he was getting married.”

Twilight’s eyes bulged, ecstatic that Trixie had found what was seemingly a viable clue. “You think she's the one? You think she killed them both out of jealousy or something?”

Trixie shrugged, taking more papers from the box on the floor. “We'll find out tomorrow when we go question her. It is a capital mistake to theorize before you have all the evidence, biases the judgment. For now she is just a name another name gave me. I shall write to Sentinel tonight and suggest that she should prepare her ponies for a morning round of questioning. I recommend you get some sleep, Sparkle. I expect you up bright and early. I shall look through the evidence and see if I can form a better link towards Ms. Thaw. Goodnight.”

Though Twilight agreed with Trixie that sleep was probably best, she instead just sat and stared blankly upon realising she hadn't anticipated the fact she would be staying the night… and that Trixie probably only had one bedroom.

“Oh don't look at me like that, Sparkle. This apartment has two bedrooms, I did account for the possibility that I would require a residence capable of housing more than myself. Plus a two bedroom flat came with a bigger kitchen so it was worth the extra price,” by the time she had finished Trixie wasn't even looking at Twilight anymore, instead focusing her gaze on the book by Fro Bronze and the box of evidence she had since tipped onto the floor. Twilight simply ignored her and walked to the room Trixie had directed her towards, finding a double bed and a pristine oak-painted room.

Realising how exhausted she actually was, Twilight resisted the urge to simply collapse into the bed and let her dreams take her away. She approached a desk that accommodated the room, and removed a parchment and quill from her saddlebag. Laying them both upon the desk, she immediately started to write, hoping to finish before the ever welcoming embrace of sleep inevitably overcame her.

Dear Friends

By now you're all probably wondering where I am, and are most likely assuming that Trixie has something to do with it… Well you'd be right, but I'm also responsible since I'm the one who ultimately decided to stay. Trixie has a little problem she wanted help with, so I'm staying with her for the time being. It's actually been a good way to get to know her, she's nothing like I'd thought she'd be and she's completely different from when she visited Ponyville before. I'll probably be on my way home tomorrow, and I'll be sure to explain everything in detail then. I'll tell you one thing though, I'm probably going to return with one more friend than I had when I left.

Yours

Twilight

Twilight folded the letter, and despite the lateness of the day she thought it was best to send it off immediately, even if it probably wasn't going to be read until the morning. She would enchant the fireplace in Trixie’s living room and send it to Spike, since he was probably the most worried by this point. Preparing to leave, Twilight returned the quill into her bag, but halted herself upon realising after some frantic searching that something was missing from her bag, and she had a fair idea of who was responsible.

“TRIXIE DID YOU STEAL MY CROWN?!”

“Trixie was going to return it! Bribing requires an incentive!”

It turned out that Trixie didn't need me to bring my crown only to convince Flash Sentry that it was really me, but also wanted it on the off chance it would come in handy during her investigation, even though she stole it from my saddlebag in the library before she knew she would even need it. I let her know that I did not appreciate having my crown stolen, and Trixie decided to imply that I didn't seem all that bothered the first time it had happened in the Crystal Empire.

It was so tempting to give her another black eye after that.

In the end I let it slide, since Trixie did get results and had gone through a lot of punishment already, however deserved it may have been. I sent my letter and went to bed, my thoughts drifting to how the next day would go, wondering whether or not this Fauna Thaw was our perpetrator, or if Trixie had jumped the gun and was twisting the facts to suit her theories, instead of her theories to suit the facts.

Twilight fell out of the bed, not from clumsiness or from rolling over at the wrong time. But instead due to Trixie, who was stood over her bed playing a deceptively loud tune on a bugle of all things. Twilight reacted as any sane pony would be expected to in such a situation.

“Trixie, why in the name of Celestia did you decide to wake me up by playing a BUGLE!?” Twilight had started off calm and tranquil, but by the end of the her sentence her composure was lost, and she let the intrusive Trixie know exactly how she felt.

Trixie dropped the instrument to the floor, her movements just as jerky as they were at the library the day before. Twilight took a moment to take in Trixie's new attire, quite a change from her previous black coat and purple scarf; instead she now wore a blue-striped collared white shirt and black waistcoat, very businesslike overall, though her spiky and unkempt mane and shining right cheek destroyed any sense of formality she possessed. Fashion wasn't exactly one of Twilight’s stronger attributes but even she thought Trixie looked more than a little ridiculous. “And you've changed clothes again… Why a waistcoat?”

“Sentinel Brit will be along within the hour to pick us up, we are to accompany her and her officers as they detain Ms. Fauna Thaw. You know where the bathroom is, Sparkle. Breakfast will be on the table shortly, see to it you are ready on time. I made croissants.” Trixie replied robotically, walking out the door a second later, leaving Twilight to bury her face into the pillow to allow herself a few more precious seconds of comfort.

Eventually, she did reluctantly exit the bed, bathe, groom and bush. She entered the kitchen about half an hour later, and found Trixie balancing several baking trays filled with different assortments of food with her magic. Twilight had to admit that it all looked rather appetising, though admittedly she hadn't really eaten anything for over a day now so her judgement was rather impaired.

“Just in time, any longer and they would have burned. Eat up, Sparkle. Meet me in the study, I wish to go over everything before we head out.” Twilight obeyed, and devoured the literal fruits of Trixie's labour as fast as she could. Placing the dishes in the sink, Twilight walked out into Trixie's living room, where she found the magician slouched in her seat staring at the wall, which had previously been out of Twilight’s view when she was sat in the kitchen.

She couldn't help but gasp went she laid eyes on the, for lack of a better word: monstrosity. “You've been...busy,” was Twilight’s hollow comment.

The wall was adorned with pictures, notes, newspaper clippings, sketches, everything that seemed of relevance to the current investigation. Trixie he even added strips of red ribbon to the collage, with all the strands consorting on a sheet of paper pinned to the middle; a picture of a pony outline adorned by a single giant question mark.

“I went over the case files a couple of times, see if I could open up any new avenues of thought. I've come to the conclusion that our pony was close to Plough and Token, why else would they devise such a means of demise? They hated these two. They wanted them to suffer in the most horrific way they knew of, in fact I think after killing Ms. Token they remained at the scene to confront Mr. Plough to explain what he must do to satisfy the ritual, unless Plough himself knew of the ritual too in which case the killer wouldn't need to remain since Plough already knew everything so he probably-”

“Trixie!”

Trixie stopped immediately, jumping upon finding Twilight stood next to her with a concerned expression which Trixie almost appeared to dismiss. Twilight chose to continue on account of Trixie's moment of silence. “Trixie, I get it. You're smart, you want to work this out. But you've already done enough, you found a likely suspect and you know everything you’d need to about the curse and the ritual. Isn't that enough? Can't you just be satisfied with everything you've accomplished so far?”

The dark patches under Trixie's eyes flickered, and she snorted at Twilight’s suggestion. “I'll be satisfied when we have this piece of pony filth in chains. We have one name, that's not enough. We need proof, a motive; why would Fauna Thaw want these ponies dead in the grotesque manner presented? We do things to gain things, so what did the pony gain from all this?”

A ring of the doorbell downstairs interrupted the conversation, which was swiftly followed by a knocking at Trixie's own door. Twilight couldn't help but smile upon realising it must be this Sentinel Brit she had heard so much about, here to to take them to Ms. Thaw’s home for questioning. “How about we go ask Ms. Fauna Thaw herself, eh Trixie?”

“A coincidental sense of timing does not make your point any more valid, Twilight Sparkle.”

This was when I was finally introduced to Trixie's police contact, Detective Inspector Sentinel Brit. I had many questions I wished to ask her, mainly about her relationship with Trixie, but overtime I found myself minorly surprised to find that we would become friends ourselves. We shared a keen interest of the politics of Canterlot and had relationships with many noble families, she'd even attended Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns many years before I did.

The three of us and an assortment of Sentinel’s officers rendezvoused at Ms. Fauna Thaw’s address in two police carriages. Trixie had suggested we have backup, since she didn't see the point in taking an unnecessary risk.

“Trixie tends to prat-along as I'm sure you're aware, but I never thought she was telling the truth when she said she actually knew the Princess Twilight. This is surreal!”

Twilight laughed at Sentinel’s joke, though she wordless noted that she needed to look up the definition of ‘prat’ later. For the moment they were just killing time as the drew ever never to Thaw’s home. The police carriage they were in rocked about, jolting the three mares who were sat within. Twilight took notice of Sentinel’s splintered-greying mane and wrinkling aqua coat, both aged beyond their years. She also observed the dark vest the mare wore, which looked quite thick and padded for protection, she clearly wasn't taking any chances with this encounter.

Sentinel appeared uncomfortable with the relative silence, and started along another topic of conversation. “I gotta ask though, why are you even here? Trixie can make a persuasive argument, but how’d she convince a Princess to help out?”

Twilight answered cheerfully. “Trixie asked for some help with research, and I decided to stick around after I heard about everything that was going on. Honestly I'm glad I stayed a bit longer than I intended, it's been excited watching her work all this out.”

“So my consultant has a consultant huh? Well I'm just happy for both your help, Trixie and I knew there was something up with the initial murders but my hooves were tied. You getting what that ritual thing was all about and a potential suspect for this has gone a long way in my book.”

“Oh I was happy to help, no trouble at all!” Twilight grinned.

“I can walk if you two would rather be alone, the tinted windows might help too.”

After an unwelcome intrusion by Trixie, both mares turned away and remained in silence for the rest of the trip's duration. Twilight was noticeably the more embarrassed of the pair, seeing as her face was providing more illuminating light than the lantern provided.

After rounding another corner, Sentinel stuck her head outside the window of the carriage, she banged her hoof on the side of the door, indicated to the driver that they needed to stop. The wheels ceased to turn, and Sentinel was out the door a second later, followed by police officers that had been following in another carriage behind them. They converged on the destined house, a simply little cottage in an unassuming neighbourhood. They had strategically set off in the early morning when the streets were still quiet as to not cause too much of a scene.

Trixie and Twilight remained in the carriage for the time being, though Trixie had decided to swing on the opened door in an effort to relieve her boredom. Twilight watched in anticipation as Sentinel knocked at Thaw's supposed door, waited, knocked again, and then peeked in through the window at the door’s side.

She kicked down the door a second later.

Twilight stood stunned at the sudden change, what had begun as anticipation before had now evolved into outright fear. Fear of the possibilities, fear of what they would find behind the now shattered door that had been kicked down with enough force to split it clean in two.

“Well, Sparkle? Are you going to come or just appreciate the architecture?” Trixie voice broke through into Twilight’s thoughts. The Princess turned to her company, who had already started to walk towards the house, the only thing apparently occupying her mind being intrigue.

“Wait, Trixie?” Twilight said as she raced up next to the detective, walking at her side while Trixie continued to look ahead. “Isn't there like a procedure to all this? We can't just walk into someone's home, we're not police!” Twilight proclaimed, standing still while Trixie neared the window Sentinel had looked through mere moments ago.

“No, we're not. But you are a Princess, what are they going to do, arrest you?” Trixie replied as she tilted her head to peek behind the curtains. Her eyes widened ever so slightly and she took a sharp intake of breath. “On second though, Twilight, perhaps it's best you wait outside for the moment.”

“Trixie, what on earth are you-” Twilight began as she looked over Trixie's shoulder, who realised too late what Twilight had done. Trixie turned and watched as Twilight recoiled in horror, the image of the room’s interior forever burned into her memory from that day onwards. The early morning sunlight was streaming into the room, and it was bright with a vague and shifty radiance. Looking straight at her, and suspended in the air, there hung a face, the face of a young mare, her features were set, however, in a horrible stare, in a fixed and unnatural state of fear, which in that still and sunlit room was more jarring to Twilight's nerves than any scowl or contortion she had ever had the displeasure to lay eyes upon.

Turning away from the glass, Twilight took a heavy and unsteady breath, her anticipation overcome by her shock at the sight. Trixie took another peek through the glass, and saw the Detective Inspector pacing about within. Sentinel had clearly seen the sight herself and had rushed inside in hope that she could do something about it, obviously these efforts were in vain.

Trixie knocked on the broken-down door, drawing out Sentinel from within, a hoof rubbing her mane while she composed herself. “Young mare, in her early twenties if I had to guess. Possible suicide by hanging by the looks of it. Fauna Thaw is registered as living alone, and until we identify the body we won't know for sure, but I'd wager that it's her.”

As Sentinel rubbed her head once more, Trixie attempted to walk past the older mare, who held a hoof out to block her way almost as if by instinct. Trixie gave an unamused glare, which Sentinel returned. “Trixie, you know full well I can't just let you walk about an active crime scene, even if you are the reason we found it in the first place. There are rules-”

“Rules which you will ignore this one time, Detective, so that I and Trixie can continue to carry out our own investigation.” Sentinel was surprised when the Princess spoke up to her, as was Trixie. Twilight was attempting to remain stoic, but her view through the window had undeniably rattled her. She let her mind speak for herself, not putting much thought behind her words. “So far she's done more than your entire department combined in finding out who was responsible for Mr. and Mrs. Plough’s murders, and she did it with nothing more than wit and perseverance. Let her in, and let her do her job.”

Sentinel was not reluctant, but instead more saddened, not for Twilight asserting her authority over her, instead because of the room’s contents and the fact there was nothing she could do to prevent Twilight from being exposed to it any further than she already had been if this was her decision. Trixie could handle the sight of a corpse, that she had no doubt of based on prior experience. But Princess Twilight Sparkle? She wasn't so sure.

“I really don't want you to see what's in there, Princess. It's never a pleasant sight.” Sentinel said soothingly, trying to convince Twilight to stay where she was.

Trixie was surprisingly remaining silent, which Twilight was somewhat thankful for, as it made it easier for her to speak her mind. “We can help you, and we need closure to this. Whatever is in there, I can handle it.”

Or at least, Twilight hoped she could.

Sentinel could not protest, she may not agree with the Princesses ruling, but there was nothing she could do to argue against it any further. “Fine, go in. Just don't make this a habit please, the guys upstairs in their ivory towers don't take kindly to outside interference, even if it's coming from the crown.” Sentinel warned before turning and returning back into the house. Twilight turned to Trixie in expectancy of an answer, and Trixie replied with a curt nod before walking into the house herself. Twilight couldn't help but hesitate, but she eventually entered as well on unsteady legs, wiping the sweat off her brow and the dirt off her hooves.

The home was simple, cosy and solitude. Fauna Thaw had apparently only moved in recently, as everything had a gleam and a shine to it, as if it had all just been recently unpacked and brought. Trixie took in the sights on her left as she walked through the front door; a single armchair, a distinct lack of plates and cutlery in the kitchen, as well as a rather small quantity of food. She concluded that the mare lived alone as she was previously told, but also came to the conclusion that the mare didn't receive many, if any, visitors at all. She could spot multiple photos lining the walls and dressers however, all included her, accompanied by one or two ponies, the same ponies who had been lying in a morgue at the police station for about a week.

“One conjoined kitchen and living room, and through here…” Sentinel spoke as she pushed open a door that led into the right side of the house into the bedroom, the side where they had seen the thing through the window. The door opened without a sound, and inside the trio found some of Sentinel’s police officers observing the scene, examining different areas of the room, or simply staring at the sight of a hanging golden pony with a silver mane who swung and stared out of the window in an eternal last expression of dread.

Twilight covered her mouth and ventured no further into the room. She slightly hoped that Trixie would stay with her, being the only familiar face in the crowd, but the magician was already inside, whizzing around the circumference of the room like a hound caught on a scent. She bounced her hooves of the bed made to precision, ruffled around the inside of the closet, rubbed her face upon the floor, and peeked over the shoulders of an officer fiddling with some papers on a dresser. Once she had concluded with everything else she turned her attention towards the hanging figure undividedly, staring back into it’s silver eyes as if she was waiting for it to give her an answer.

“Found something, Ma'am!” Exclaimed an officer on the other side of the room, the one who had been fiddling with the papers. He ran over to Sentinel and Twilight by the bedroom door and handed the pair the papers. “What do you think it is?” He asked.

Sentinel took a quick look over the two sheets of text and pictures she had been given, but before she could begin to understand any of it Twilight essentially erupted at her side causing everypony in the room, with the exception of Trixie, to halt what they were doing. “Wait that's it! The ritual used at the murder, this is a copy of the pages from Fro Bronze’s journal! It's all the same word for word!”

Sentinel gawked and splurted out an unbelieved response. “Wait hold up, this is it?” She paused to skim read the contents of the pages, finding that the descriptions in the text were remarkably similar to the situation faced by the murdered Plough and Token. Her grin grew the further she read. Pointing at the hanging corpse that Trixie was still examining, Sentinel asked the one thing plaguing her thoughts. “So going by this, what Trixie told me in her letter, and assuming this is Fauna Thaw. We have her. Less than alive maybe, but still!”

“Ma'am, look at this. University library card!” Another officer shouted out, pulling a piece of laminated card out of an opened dresser draw. Sentinel immediately snatched it off of him and took a long look at the photo; the pony’s face may not have been as purple as it was now but the golden coat was undeniably similar, as were the silver eyes, mane colour, and cutie mark of a worn and ancient scroll. The name in accompaniment confirmed it all, ‘Fauna Thaw’.

Twilight exhaled upon laying eyes on the card herself, looking back and forth between it and the pony hanging several times, before she began to truly accept it. They had found their pony.

“Guess our mare couldn't live with herself after killing her only friends, and she studied history right? Probably how she found out about that ritual in the first place,” Sentinel checked her watch, smiling upon realising how early it still was. “Well fellas, pat yourselves on the back for a job well down. Oh and Trixie, first round's on me, whatever you like, after all we would never have found this mare if it weren't for you!”

“Sentinel Brit, do shut up while I'm working please.”

The room became cold, far colder than it had been before. The junior officers watched as their superior and Princess sported looks of confusion and shock. “Trixie, ain't no need for that. You caught her! You can stop working, these journal papers alone are enough to prove that she did it!”

Trixie stopped fiddling with the hanging mare's flank, turning to her police acquaintance with a look that Twilight almost couldn't believe, but identified as genuine fury. Sentinel grew further confused at the sight, while Trixie held her directed glare firm and unfaltering. “If you would think for one second you would realise that you have been played for a foal, Detective. Quite honestly I'm amazed that you're stupid enough to close a case based on two sheets of paper and a library card alone. I hope the entirety of Canterlot isn't a victim of your blunders.”

Now Sentinel was undeniably growing angry herself, she did not appreciate Trixie undermining her in front of her peers like she was. “Alright, Trixie. What is it now? Everything is saying that Fauna Thaw killed those ponies, if she didn't who did?”

“What are you talking about? Of course Thaw killed those ponies can't you see that?”

Sentinel brought both hooves to her face and leaned back with a groan. Twilight didn't really want to see the situation deteriorate any further so she attempted to salvage what she could, and asked the questions they all wanted answered. “Trixie, tell us what you see. We agree that Thaw killed those ponies yet you're saying we've been played. How? Thaw’s right there in front of you, how is she playing us?”

“Simple, Sparkle. This pony is not Fauna Thaw.”

Sentinel lowered her hooves, looking as if she was even more confused and exasperated than before. Twilight didn't look much better, and non-verbally motioned for Trixie to continue, so she may attempt to dispel their collective bewilderment. Trixie gave a quick sigh, before monitoring towards the suspended body. “The body is a close match; she's been dressed up, styled mane, pedicured hooves, all recent. Her left hoof has been dyed to match the rest of her coat, probably to cover up a discoloured fetlock, but the overall hue is slightly off. I could, if I wanted to, name twelve other discrepancies between this corpse and the photos in the living room but I'll just go for the most obvious.”

Trixie started rubbing the mare's flank, and all watched in anticipation before Trixie backed away. If she had been on a stage, she would have revelled in the collective gasp that sounded. “The... cutie mark!” Twilight exclaimed in shock. The previous scroll mark the deceased mare had adorned had been scratched away by Trixie's hoof, flaking off of the mare's flank to reveal instead a cutie mark of a violin. Trixie dusted her hooves off before turning back to her crowd.

“Fauna Thaw is not dead, but she went to a lot of trouble to make us think that she was. Now, the body is still fresh, maybe about a day? She has a head start and it's possible she's already left Canterlot. Good news though, if she hasn't left already we still have some time left, the first train out of Canterlot isn't for about ohhh… Thirty minutes? Probably how she's making her escape, as it’s unlikely she’d walk down the mountain after going to all this trouble.”

“Wait wait wait.” Sentinel interrupted, which Trixie did not appreciate. “So… Thaw killed a pony who looked like her, dressed her up, all to give her more time to escape? And how do you know that she's ran? Maybe she's just out getting groceries, we can't just assume that-”

“Yes, and I suppose that every time you go shopping, Detective, you take all your other clothes and most of your food with you as well? Or is that just an eccentricity of Ms. Thaw here?” Before Sentinel could retort, Trixie pointed towards the closet she had rummaged through, Twilight jolted up upon realising that the inside of it was completely empty, devoid of all except some discarded coat hangers.

“There's no clothes!” Twilight proclaimed as she took a look inside herself.

Trixie returned to her position next to the body, staring at Sentinel with ever growing smugness. “The bed also wasn't slept in last night, no sweat on the interior. I'd wager that the Plough’s and our Jane Doe here weren't killed during the same timeframe by coincidence. Thaw's probably got this all planned out, the crime up until the escape. Whoever this pony is...” she motioned to the corpse. “...she was just a pawn in a much larger scheme, a pony caught in the crossfire. Thaw will not hesitate to end more lives to make her escape. We do have more time than she anticipated however, this ruse was to delay us but she knew it wouldn't stop us.”

Trixie turned to Sentinel, any and all anger forgotten, the rest of the room looked on in expectancy and wonder. “Detective, the nearest train station is Dove Park, I suggest you start there before you make your way to Canterlot Central station, you have about, oh twenty-seven minutes now before the trains start and we potentially lose Thaw forever.” Trixie adjusted her waistcoat, and waltzed out of the door. “Tick tock goes the clock, Detective.”

The officers followed her out seconds later, with far more franticism. Sentinel ensured that Tixie saw her nod to her before she was on her way off in a police carriage to the nearest train station. The other police split up with some heading back to the local police department so they could mobilise as many officers as possible, taking a photo from Thaw’s home to use in a wanted poster as they went. Two others stayed at the scene so it could not be contaminated by the soon to be inquiring public, keeping it secure until such a time when it could be attended to properly for examination and clean up.

Twilight approached the stationary Trixie, who was busying herself by ruffling her mane around. “Well then, Sparkle, it appears that our business is concluded. Come, let us return to Basil Street so you may collect your things, it's seems you'll be able to make the morning train after all.”

Twilight’s jaw fell open, and she sat stunned while Trixie started on her way towards a street more populated with ponies a little away from them both. Twilight suddenly rushed up to cut Trixie off, her expression deepening in confusion and anger. “Wait, on my way? But the case isn't over yet! Thaw’s still out there!”

Trixie’s expression didn't change, which did nothing to smooth Twilight’s neves. “Trixie discovered the identity of the crime’s true perpetrator, proved Mr. Plough innocent of his wife’s murder, and discovered a third victim intended to have been nothing more than a scapegoat. Trixie feels like she has earned the rest of the day off, it's not as if I can deduct and anticipate Thaw’s every move.”

Twilight refused to yield, there was no way they were done with all this yet, not while the criminal was still at large. “But we can't just stop while she's still out there! She could still hurt somepony!” Twilight desperately pleaded, using her Alicorn height to tower over the disdained Trixie.

The magician grew impatient, not appreciating how Twilight was now blocking her way. “Trixie has fulfilled her obligation, whatever happens next is out of her hooves,” she stated simply, shrugging past Twilight, disinterestedly continuing on her way.

Twilight remained frozen in thought, stunted by shock. She lifted her gaze as she watched Trixie waltz away, as if she didn't have a care in the world. “You know you can still help,” Twilight said as Trixie continued to retreat, every step she made only causing Twilight’s frown to deepen. “I'd have thought you of all ponies would realise the importance of using your talents to help others.”

Trixie halted immediately, but refused to turn and face Twilight, but if her raising shoulders were any indication, she was not happy. “And just what are you insinuating, Twilight Sparkle?” Trixie growled, her mane concealing her expression from Twilight.

Twilight took a gnarled intake of breath. “That you can still find this pony and stop her before she-”

“No!” Trixie shouted, spinning in place so she faced Twilight once more, her back arched like she was ready to pounce like a feral animal. “You know full well that isn't what you meant! What have I ‘of all ponies’ been doing except using my talents to help others, Princess? Come on, you tell me the story for once!”

“It's like you don't care!”

Time stood still. The pair stood alone in the deserted street, and for the first time in a long time, Trixie Lulamoon didn't know what to say. Twilight loomed over in height, her wings flaring unconsciously at her sides. “You're not acting like this is a big deal, when it is! I'm not going to just… sit on a train and go home knowing that there's somepony out there, somepony I know you can stop! You are better than that, Trixie!”

Twilight allowed herself to relax, her wings manually returning to her side with a flutter. She averted her gaze from Trixie, unwilling to look her in the eye despite knowing she had to keep speaking, even if they both didn't like what they heard. “I won't believe that you help the police and solve these crimes just to satisfy your ego, you have to be doing it because you believe it is the right thing to do.”

Twilight waited, staring at the floor for an amount of time she could barely comprehend. She didn't want to speak on the off chance Trixie would be deterred from replying further, but upon being met with several more excruciating moments of silence, she couldn't help herself from asking if what she had said was the truth.

“Right?” She whispered.

“Professor Arch Manger.”

Twilight's head bolted up. Trixie was now facing the side, her shirt and mane ruffling against the morning wind, her face was just as expressionless as it was moments earlier. “Lecturer at the University of Coronet. Teaches ancient history. Personal tutor of August Plough, Tempest Token and Fauna Thaw, oversaw their thesis’. Found it out last night when I spoke to his secretary on her way home.”

Trixie jerked her head away, and Twilight watched and stared as Trixie seemed to be battling her own undesirable thoughts, her face shifting between several different emotions as if she was trying to decide what the most logical course of action was and how it should be pursued. Soon her emotionless mask returned, and she turned to Twilight with an evidently concealed smirk. “Not much to go on I know, but he might be worth talking to.”

Twilight formed a smile, and Trixie would never admit to anypony that she found it infectious.

I still don't know why Trixie changed her mind. Perhaps I appealed to her maternal instincts? Or perhaps she simply saw the benefits of pursuing further leads rather than just throwing in the towel early. She would never tell me why, but for some reason I don't think I would like the answer.

I would never forget the time that she said that her life is spent in one long effort to escape from the commonplaces of existence, like life was one long game she refused to stop playing for even a moment, lest she become bored from all the quiet parts in between; the times regular ponies like you or I take time to relax or reflect, the times Trixie uses to find the next relief from normalcy.

Arch Manger was the only name we had left, and any hint of light he could shed on the situation would be nothing short of desired. I hoped he could tell us something, anything of use. For I did not know how much longer Trixie would be willing to go on, and I even had to agree up to a point, the further we went the more frivolous it all seemed.

“Hi! Who is it you're here to see? Do you have an appointment?”

The secretary could not have been that much younger than Twilight, displaying a pugnant youthful air about her. Situated at a golden wooden desk, Trixie leaned towards the pony, instantly recognising her from the night before. She wore as false a welcoming grin as she could muster. “You may remember me from yesterday, I spoke with you briefly about Professor Manger?”

The mare smiled in recognition, clearly remembering the event, “Oh yes that's right! Ooh, that's a nasty shiner you got, I didn't notice that yesterday,” said the mare with squinted eyes and a pointing hoof.

Trixie didn't exactly appreciate the attention, and attempted to bring the conversation back on track. “Long story, happened after we spoke.” Pointing at the door behind the mare’s desk, Trixie asked her desired questions. “Is Professor Manger in? We kind of need to speak to him about a relatively urgent matter.”

The secretary looked down at her desk and began to fiddle with various papers organised in a chaotic pile. Her smile dipped as the seconds wore on and her visitors grew ever more impatient. “I think so. Or wait does he have that meeting now or… Wait this is next week's schedule. Where'd I put that- and this is last weeks!”

Twilight scrunched her face up at the sight of the mare’s confusion, cringing at how one could be so disorganised despite having no reason to be. She voiced her own questions while Trixie grew silent, who was currently resisting the urge to simply walk out of the door. “Uh, no offence but as his secretary shouldn't you know where he is, like at all times?” Twilight asked with a raised eyebrow, Trixie was meanwhile contemplating if she should just go out and start another fight, weighing which option would provide the most relief.

The mare gave a sheltered grin, adjusting her glasses as she refocused on Twilight. “Sorry, I've only had the job for about a week now, the old secretary just up and left and the professor has a habit of not sticking to his schedules, I'm basically learning as I work,” responded her with a shrug.

Trixie averted her gaze from the exit door, immediately forming a connection between the missing secretary and the impertinent mystery they were pursuing, both having occurred over the past week could not have been a coincidence. “His secretary, do you know their name?” asked Trixie with sternness.

The secretary rubbed her head in contemplative dimness. “Floora Thor, or Frost or something like that,” she answered with yet another shrug.

Twilight and Trixie locked eyes, both unable to voice their unbelievable luck. Trixie walked past the secretary's desk without even giving her a second look. “I'd like to see the Professor now, please,” was the only thing she said while the young mare pathetically attempted to stop the pair.

Trixie practically barged through the door, and was met with the image of a stereotypical scholar’s study, with bookcases, display cases, busts and a commemorative wooden desk all adoring a room that looked as if it was as old as Canterlot itself. By a large window that overlooked the university below stood a stallion who was shorter than most, with a hunched back and aged features making him appear quite frail. He turned his olive face towards the door, and narrowed his silver eyes at the intruding party of ponies. “Thread Bare! I told you no visitors, not when I'm working!” He growled in a soft voice, likely having become hindered by age.

The secretary was very worried, convinced that she was about to lose her new job, but thankfully Twilight unintentionally came to her rescue, deciding to make up an excuse to explain her and Trixie's premature entrance. “Actually we kind of let ourselves in, mainly because I'm such a huge fan of yours, Professor Manger! I'm Princess Twilight by the way, and this is Trixie!” Twilight lied, much to Trixie's concealed delight and approval.

The old unicorn stallion’s anger faltered, and he allowed a hollow smile to adorn his face. “Wait, Twilight Sparkle? Well… Gosh!” He turned and approached his desk, hobbling along and struggling into his seat with a groan, he gave the pair another smile. “This is a surprise. How can I help you? You want an autograph? Drinks? I can also schedule in a consolation if you’re interested, I hear Celestia speaks highly of your intellect,” he flattered Twilight, who looked to the floor with a blush.

Trixie wasn't even watching the stallion, instead turning her attention towards a pile of luggage lying near a table on the left side of the room near the window, where two suitcases sat filled to the brim. She paid it all her attention that she didn't even notice that the secretary had left in a huff. “Going somewhere, Professor?” Trixie asked as she walked by the bags, nearing a display case at that side of the room.

Professor Manger's smile grew with a stutter. “Ah yes! We're about to start digging in the Yaket Range, a preliminary report suggests that there may have been an ancient pony civilisation in that region, I'm heading off soon to oversee everything,” he responded with pride, fiddling with the collar of old tweed jacket.

Twilight watched as Trixie leaned in towards the display case, while she took a seat on one of two chairs positioned in front of the professor's desk. Trixie let out a whistle as she turned away from the case, finished with her observation of it. “A royal guard pennant, I take it you're retired?” She asked once again with a smile, drawing closer to his desk now.

The professor’s smile lopsided into a smirk. “You're perceptive. I have eighteen years and one less leg to show for it all.” He rose his front left leg, knocking it with his other hoof twice; a distinctly wooden sound rang out. “Damn jasconius, took it before I'd even noticed. Couldn't go on after that so I drifted back towards and honed my love of history,” he finished with a shrug, putting his legs under the desk again.

Twilight watched as Trixie took a seat, half expecting her to be impatient under his rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, she was listening with the greatest of concentration and attention. Trixie gestured towards the door they had entered through with a swing of her neck. “I also couldn't help but notice your secretary is fairly new to the job, whatever happened to the old one? I'm actually an old acquaintance of hers,” she stated with a hoof on her chest.

Arch Manger's smile fell for the first time since they had entered. “Really? Fauna never mentioned any of her friends,” his said in confusion and knitted eyebrows.

Trixie feigned shock, gesturing outwards with both her hooves. “That's rather odd, you tutored her and them when they were still students here. Plough and Token ring any bells?” Trixie queried, attempting to sound as clueless as she could. Twilight watched the display in silence, afraid that by speaking up she would ruin Trixie's performance.

The professor clopped his hooves together, as if a thought had just come to mind. “Ah yes! Now I remember, boy were those three inseparable! I guess they must have drifted apart because Fauna never mentioned them after she took the job as my secretary when they graduated,” he leaned back, sighing as he grew more comfortable.

Trixie tilted her head. “Well that's rather odd, considering she killed them a week ago.”

The stallion’s eyes flew open, he leaned forwards again and stuttered out a response with his weak voice. “Ki- Killed? You mean August and Tempest are dead?!” he cried in alarm.

“That's generally what killing entails,” Trixie deadpanned.

The unicorn rubbed his greying mane, distressed by what he was hearing. “I'm sorry, you'll have to give me a moment, this is all rather sudden,” he said shallowly, his words broken and scattered as he spoke. He turned back to the resting Trixie. “You said Fauna killed them? Have you caught her yet? I can give you her address if you want?” he asked in support.

Trixie rolled her head to indicate ‘no’, her expression now remaining quite stoic. “That won't be necessary. It turns out she killed herself not long after the other two, the case has been closed, we just wanted to come and tell you in person before the media starts knocking at your door looking for a statement once the story breaks,” Trixie said positively. Twilight resisted the urge to widen her eyes at Trixie's lie.

The stallion almost looked like he didn't know how to act, clearly not anticipating Trixie's reveal. “Oh, well that's very kind of you, I appreciate the gesture,” he said with a polite nod.

Trixie smiled and tilted her head, and spoke with the perkiness of a school teacher. “Think nothing of it. Anyways we better be off, we'd hate to occupy your time any further than we already have, as we’re sure you're a busy unicorn. Good luck with your dig, Professor, and watch out for those pesky pony-eating lindworms while at Yaket Range, oh who am I kidding, you probably know all about it!” Trixie said with a laugh, and reached a hoof forward to shake the stallion’s.

Professor Manger chuckled. “Wouldn't exactly be smart of me to go off to an uncharted land without doing my research now would it?” He said as he shook Trixie's welcoming hoof. Both mares promptly stood up, with Trixie walking hastily out of the door while Twilight followed after giving the stallion a quick goodbye wave and shutting the doors behind her.

They walked past the secretary without even giving her a look, and Twilight sped up so she was walking next to Trixie, her face contouring into a mixture of confusion and questioning at their encounter. “I don't know why but something seemed off about him. Don't you think?” Twilight asked her companion with uncertainty.

Trixie gave a single jolt of laughter, halting in the hallway in order to explain to the mystified Twilight. “You kidding? You can't fail at lying more than that idiot.” Trixie shook her head side to side as if she was criticising someone's work, and whirled her head in Twilight’s direction, who continued to stand in waiting. “Take a letter, Sparkle, tell Sentinel to converge on the Coronet North train station, in two hours, incognito.”

Twilight didn't even move, instead allowing her eyes to widen as Trixie grew smug. “Wait, you mean you know where she's heading? How'd you work that out?!” She half shouted in exasperation.

Trixie simply giggled. “My dear Sparkle, the case has practically been solved.”

The clock struck nine and the bells rang out in sequence. Coronet North was being watched like a hawk by us and the police, but Trixie still had not told me any of what she had discovered from our visit with Professor Manger, it was almost as if she wanted to keep me in anticipation until the very end.

We had returned to Basil Street briefly so Trixie could change her wardrobe once more, back into her traditional purple witches attire she had previously frequented, when I asked her why she changed so suddenly she said that it was the only thing appropriate for the coming moment.

The crowd at the train station was still young, not full enough yet to be a nuisance. Picking the Professor out of it was perhaps the most obvious reveal of our adventure so far.

“Detective, did you do as I requested?” asked Trixie with a glare.

“All trains from platforms five and six have been quietly diverted to other platforms… You have no idea how much arse kissing that took,” grumbled Sentinel Brit at Trixie's side. Trixie allowed her smirk to grow, and watched as the lone frail unicorn sat alone on a bench near platform sixes edge. He had walked right into the trap, and he hadn't even noticed.

“I wish you would just tell me though why all this is necessary, who is this guy and why is he so important? What about Fauna Thaw?” pleaded Sentinel, who looked back and forth between Twilight and Trixie with expectancy. Twilight simply shrugged, much to the older mare’s annoyance.

Trixie patted the mare on the back. “All in due time, Inspector. I will tell you this though, before the hour is up you shall have the murderer of August Plough, Tempest Token, and the imposter Fauna Thaw, in chains,” she said with glee.

“You just had to make this more dramatic than it needed to be, didn't you?”

Trixie ignored the disgruntled detective, and turned her attention back to the platform. It was deserted by all except their target, by design of course; the moment he had walked upon the platform the police blocked off the stairways that led down to it, and diverted the trains that were destined to arrive at it. The stallion had arrived early, and was the only passenger to arrive to wait for his not to be coming transport out of the city.

Trixie checked the clock, and adjusted her hat. “It's time, Detective. Shall we?” Trixie started on her way down the stairs, with Twilight and Sentinel following at a distance behind her. Trixie walked along the platform edge, her cape blowing lazily in the wind, and neared the pony sat upon the bench. The police watched from their vantage points on the stairs, all were without their uniforms so to not give themselves away.

Trixie made sure her hoovesteps were audible, and was delighted when Professor Manger drifted his gaze in her direction. His eyes narrowed in an instant at the approaching trio. “Ms. Trixie, may I ask what you are doing here?” he asked with an unamused glare.

Trixie halted, as did Twilight and Sentinel behind her. “I could ask the same thing of you, ‘Professor’, but I'd rather you just sit and listen while I explain what's going on.”

Manger stood up, but Sentinel was quick to speak. “I must warn you, Professor Manger, if you attempt to run, me and my officers are authorised to stop you, by any means necessary,” Sentinel stated firmly, gesturing her head towards the nearby Princess to prove that she wasn't joking.

The deprived of options Professor looked up the stairs, and saw the male stallions watching him menacingly. Deciding to play it safe, he reluctantly turned back towards the considerably smug Trixie. “Okay, Ms. Trixie, I'm listening. What is it that you want?”

Trixie snorted. “Well for starters, how about you drop the nom de guerre and I instead refer to you by your real name?”

The stallion shook, his hunched back arched rearwards in a way that should not have been possible considering his age, and his mouth fell open in a silent scream of fear. Twilight watched the display with a concerned and curious gaze. “Trixie, what do you mean? Who is this if he's not Professor Manger?” The question was on Sentinel’s mind also.

Trixie turned to the Princess, bowed and threw her hooves to the side as if she was about to present a new act for the world to gaze upon. “Princess, Detective, allow Trixie to introduce to you, the perpetrator of this mystery.”

“Fauna Thaw!”

All the ponies stood in silence, while Twilight and Sentinel cast a questioning gaze in the ‘Professor’s’ direction, whose mouth was open and ears were flickering up and down, one after the other. “Th- That's ridiculous! Fauna Thaw is a mare, how on earth could I be her?!” he yelled in a rage.

“It is, of course, a problem with a most elementary answer,” tutted Trixie, who lounged herself on the bench. “You drew my suspicion the moment I laid my eyes on you. Your luggage, too small and soft to be anything other than clothes and food, and what self-respecting professor carries his own bags around a train station? Also, would such an organised and exemplary professor such as yourself really not be at all annoyed that your secretary cannot even keep your schedule in order? You should have fired her on the spot!” She gave a single laugh. “And lindworms? Really? You couldn't tell that was a lie?”

The stallion stomped his hooves, annoyed at Trixie's immature narrative. “That doesn't prove anything! I'm still Professor Manger!” he cried in anger, drawing curious stares from the ponies situated on the platform opposite, across the train tracks.

Trixie shot up and rapidly approached the pony. “Oh yes of course, perhaps I'm mistaken. After all, everypony knows that Professor Manger, who you clearly are! Only has three legs!” The ‘stallion’ yelped as Trixie struck his left leg, and Twilight watched in shock as a distinctly wooden sound did not ring out.

The pony cradled his leg, and Trixie spoke out to the clearly befuddled Twilight, who had heard the leg make a distinctly wooden sound a mere hour earlier. "Oldest trick in the book, he, or should I say 'she', kicked the desk with her rear legs while we were watching from above, presenting the illusion of a false leg." The pony leaned forwards as he rubbed his foreleg, and Trixie used the opportunity to reach behind while he were distracted and ripped the tweed jacket he wore straight off of his back. Everypony in the vicinity watched in awe as the pony immediately morphed from a frail and olive stallion into the form of a golden coated and silver maned mare.

Sentinel rubbed her eyes as if she was seeing things, while Twilight simply sat in shock. Trixie revelled in the silence, but composed herself quickly as she knew her company would not appreciate being dumbfounded for much longer. “A history buff such as yourself who had a former royal guard as a mentor would undoubtedly have knowledge of perception filters, somehow you gained knowledge of how to perform it, maybe you found a preserved copy of it somewhere, prehaps you even developed a version of it yourself, then you enchanted this jacket so you could resemble Professor Arch Manger. Either way, you truly are a gifted unicorn, Ms. Thaw.”

The revealed Fauna Thaw lunged, but was quickly subdued by Sentinel, who had, unknowingly to the mare, approached her during Trixie's gloating. She wrestled the mare's hooves behind her back, and cold cuffs found their way around her legs. A similar metal ring was forced down her horn, by one of Sentinel’s officers who had arrived as backup. “Ms. Thaw, you're under arrest,” Sentinel spoke calmly, but was cut off by Trixie before she could continue.

“Actually, Detective, I'm afraid we're not done yet,” Trixie spoke, in a noticeably harrowing tone. Twilight replied instead while Sentinel was occupied with a still struggling Thaw. “But we have her, Trixie. What else is there left to do?”

Trixie glared at the subdued mare, who responded in kind. “Assuming I'm correct, a perception filter only works so long as you have an ‘original’ pony to base the spell off of, if that pony is let's say… deceased, the spell should cease to function, right?” Trixie grinned when Twilight nodded to indicate that what she had said was true. “In that case, we still have time to save the real Professor Manger, since the spell was clearly still active when Ms. Thaw arrived here.”

“I'll never tell!” shouted the mare, in a high and shrieking wail. She spat at Trixie. “He deserves whatever's coming to him! Just like that liar August and his bitch wife!”

Trixie frowned and whispered something in Sentinel's ear, the mare hesitated, but eventually nodded. “Ms. Thaw, stand up please and sit on the bench,” spoke Sentinel softly. The mare resisted, but complied nonetheless. Trixie sat next to the sulking mare, and thought about her next words very carefully.

“Fauna, why does Professor Manger deserve to die?” asked Trixie in a whisper.

The cuffed mare’s face contorted. “He gave up on me, he was going to turn me in, after… After I-”

“After you killed Tempest and August.”

Thaw began to cry, whether it was genuine or not was anyponies guess, but Trixie wasn't fooled in the slightest, assuming the mare just felt sorry for herself for getting caught. “Tell me, why did you use the ritual to kill them? Why not just do it and get it over with?”

The mare steadied her breath, and looked up at Trixie with tired eyes. “I guess there's no point in keeping it a secret now that you caught me right?” Trixie nodded, Fauna sighed. “August was always superstitious, he had a dream catcher, never walked under a ladder, and was always afraid of magic. I guess that's why me and him never really hit it off, me being a unicorn and all.”

“You loved him, didn't you?” spoke Twilight on the other side of the bench.

Fauna coughed. “With all my heart, we'd been friends for years, it should have been us who walked down the isle. Then he met that skank Tempest, she stole him right out from under me!” she banged her hooves on the wood, and Sentinel instinctively drew closer, but Trixie warded her off with a raised hoof.

“So you found out about the curse in the Blacklist Archives, copied it down from Fro Bronze's journal, and then killed Tempest and carved the writing on the wall. How did August die?” Trixie asked in wonder.

Fauna smiled. “I told him what he needed to do to save Tempest’s soul… He had those pills down his throat before I'd even finished, the look on his face made all that effort worth it,” her tone was serene, and as unsettling as could be.

Trixie remained undeterred, and probed further with her questions. “After you killed them, you knew you had to run, so you killed a mare that looked like you and strung her up like a puppet in your home, with the belief that by doing so you could buy yourself a few more hours.”

A reflective sigh was heard. “Ah yeah, that part I made up as I went along, it was almost too perfect. She was in town for a concert or something and it was just too good of an opportunity to let pass.”

Twilight growled at Thaw’s side, which drew her deranged but curious expression. “You didn't even know her name, did you?” she snarled at the detained unicorn.

Thaw shrugged in nonchalance. “Wasn't important,” she stated factually.

Twilight couldn't believe what she was hearing, and backed away with a grunt while Trixie continued with the relatively civil interrogation. “So that answers the ritual, Plough and Token, and the mare you used as a smokescreen.” Trixie leaned forward, her features hardening, quite a change from her previously relaxed expression. “Now, what about the Professor? Where is he?”

A snort was the only response Trixie received, as Thaw turned her nose up to Trixie’s request. “Ain't nothing you can do to make me tell you that, he's nice and comfy where he is for the moment, and probably for the rest of his life, seeing as I didn't leave him food this morning.”

Sentinel resisted the urge to perform rather illegal procedures on the smug mare, and was thankful when Trixie continued to speak. “Fauna, what did Manger do to deserve to die?”

The mare scowled. “He asked too many questions! All he had to do was keep his darn mouth shut! I didn't want to do this to him, but he knew too much,” as threatening as Fauna was trying to sound, Trixie could not help but hear an underlying tone of uncertainty.

“You told him that you killed August and Tempest didn't you?” Trixie deducted, speaking with confidence.

Fauna looked away, as she was evidently crying again, with fresh tears trickling down her face. “He was the only one I could talk to…” she said softly, sniffing every so often. “He was so nice to me and I thought… I couldn't bring myself to-”

Trixie saw an opening, and she seized it. “If you couldn't bring yourself to do it before, why does he deserve to die now?”

Thaw had no answer, and bawled into her lap.

Trixie sat in stoic and mild annoyance, while Twilight stood back with a noticeably unsympathetic expression. Trixie leaned forward as the mare continued to cry, and whispered into her flapping ear. “You can save the Professor. Do you really want him to remember you as the mare who killed him? Or as the mare who saved him?” Trixie had to think of what was best to say to influence the mare, personally she hoped that Thaw would be spending the rest of her days locked in a box in Tartarus, but for the moment she had one more pony to save, and Thaw was the only one who knew where he was.

Trixie sat in anticipation as Thaw shivered besides her. If she didn't speak now, Trixie doubted that she ever would again.

“In my house, under the boiler, old sealed off bunker from the war I found. He's in there.”

The police wasted no time, the two that had ran down to assist Sentinel earlier sprinted back up the stairs immediately, leaving the senior Inspector, the lone Princess, the aspiring Detective, and the blubbering mess of a murderer alone on the platform. The relative silence continued for several moments more, and none of the mares had any real idea of how to proceed.

Sentinel took the reigns, and lifted Thaw from her position on the bench. “I'll take her down to the station, get this all processed. If the professor's still alive, I'll call you,” was the short exclamation. Sentinel then began to drag the criminal away, but halted when Thaw started to thrash about, desperately trying to halt the Inspector for one moment more.

“Wait! Wait!” she called out, and locked her sight onto the now standing Trixie, whose cape continued to flow against the cold morning wind. “How'd you find me? How'd you know I'd be here? In this station?” Thaw desperately pleaded for an answer, which Trixie was more than happy to oblige.

“Your train tickets were on the professor’s desk, Coronet North to Las Pegasus.”

Knowing that she was ultimately foiled by a stupid little mistake on her part. Fauna Thaw erupted in unrelenting laughter.

It was one of the most tense, degrading, unpleasant and exhilarating moments of my life.

Professor Arch Manger was found alive and well, if a little shaken. He shed light on why Fauna Thaw had stolen his identity; apparently, from some of his stray hairs, she used his image in order to get close to Tempest Token on the night of her death, she thought she was inviting in her old mentor, when instead it was her old friend wanting to kill her. After she told Professor Manger what she had done, she locked him up and planned to run away after claiming his last paycheck while still using his image, which as his secretary she would have knowledge of when it was due.

Trixie had found the adventure's conclusion to be quite fulfilling indeed, and our tale came to an end after one final stop at her humble home on Basil Street.

“Honestly, Twilight Sparkle, you have been scribbling in that book the whole ride home. What on earth are you writing about?”

Trixie's disgruntled voice broke through the serene silence. Both mare's had just returned from the police station in order to give their statements of the occurred events of the morning of the day and yesterday’s night. They had also stopped for a late dinner, which Twilight more than willingly paid for, on the way back to Basil Street. Now, they were both sat in front of Trixie's roaring fireplace, who questioned why, even now, Twilight continued to scribble into that insufferable brown journal.

“You sure you can't just deduce what I'm doing?” Twilight responded with a glint in her eye.

Trixie rolled her own eyes at the comment. “Hardy har har. Will you tell me or do I need to snatch that book away?”

Twilight laughed aloud, and after blowing on the ink on the page, she closed the book so she could face Trixie proper. “I didn't think I'd get much use out of this when I started, but I've decided to document our adventure together, perhaps I'll even publish it someday!” Twilight decided not to mention that she was barely even on the fourth page, and that it would probably take her several days before she had anything close to a rough draft; a published book was probably many months away from happening.

Trixie tutted, leaning back against her red chair even more than she was before. “Interesting. And what have you decided to call your coup de maître? Trixie has a few suggestions!”

Twilight obliged to answer her. “It's called… The Reminiscences of Princess Twilight Sparkle!”

A gagging sound interrupted Twilight’s exclamation, and she found the source to be Trixie, who appeared to be choking on thin air. “Gag! Boring! We need something with pizazz! How about, The Casebook of Trixie Lulamoon!”

“But the story's from my perspective!”

“The Adventures of The Great and Powerful Trixie!”

“I'm the author!”

“Trixie Lulamoon - Consulting Detective!”

Twilight slapped a hoof to her face, and did not encourage Trixie any further. She instead turned her attention back to the book, before discarding it onto a table at her side and turning back to Trixie with a reflecting gaze. She realised that there was one more thing she needed to ask Trixie before she was on her way. “Trixie?” she called, seizing the magician's undivided attention.

“Before I go, I just want to know… Are you happy?” Twilight paused, thinking about how she could phrase her next sentence. “Is this truly what you want to be doing with your life?” The pair remained in silence, the only sound being the crackling of wood in the fireplace. Both were illuminated by the flickering flames, which drew Twilight’s attention to Trixie's contemplative gaze; she was watching the flames as if she was in a trance.

“My life is spent in one long effort to escape from the commonplaces of existence. I rebel at stagnation. Give me problems, give me work, and I am in my own proper atmosphere. I abhor the dull routine of existence and I crave exaltation. That is why I have chosen this particular profession, Twilight Sparkle. I cannot live without a purpose of my own design. What else is there to live for?”

The room grew cold, even with the presence of the warm fire. Twilight watched her company with a shrunken stare, and recoiled when Trixie turned to face her from the fire, the minimalist hint of a smile upon her muzzle. “To answer your question, Twilight Sparkle. Trixie is happy, but she was much happier on this occasion when she was able to enjoy the pleasure of your company.”

Trixie jumped as she was met with an unfamiliar feeling of warmth surrounding her, it did not feel like heat from the fire, instead it felt cleaner, more personal. Twilight Sparkle had leapt up from her seat and had wrapped her forelegs around Trixie's sitting form, and Trixie, for the life of her, did not know how to react. “Sparkle, are you cold? You're shivering.”

Twilight wiped her eyes before Trixie could see. If Trixie was confused by a hug, Twilight didn't know how Trixie would even be able to comprehend why another pony was crying because of the heartfelt things she had said. She'd probably jump to the wrong conclusion, or deduce the wrong information based on subjective factors. Twilight flew back from Trixie, who sat stunned for the most part while Twilight fiddled with her saddlebag next to her chair.

She was reluctant, but she knew she had to. Time was growing short, and the last train for Ponyville would be leaving soon. “Trixie,” Twilight began, placing the bag upon her back, she met Trixie with a smile. “I don't know what I should've expected when I came here to meet you. But I'm glad I did.” She walked closer to Trixie, who reasonably shrunk into her seat. “I want you to know that you are always welcome in Ponyville, and if you'd like, I'd like for you to come by sometime so you can meet my friends, of which you are one.”

Trixie sat with a straight back, her expression was marginally unreadable, but ultimately betrayed her joy at the revelation that Twilight considered her a friend. There was also sadness to be found; sadness at the realisation that Twilight was leaving now, leaving Trixie in the solace she had so often seeked out, but now feared.

“Or, Twilight Sparkle!” Trixie suddenly announced, her tone betraying her darkened feelings. “You may return to Canterlot whenever you please! Sentinel Brit has allowed for Trixie to become something of a permanent addition to her resources, on account of her performance today. There will always be another adventure of excitement and daring should you wish to confront it together… As Trixie’s friend.”

Twilight couldn't refuse.

Someday she would return. Someday she and Trixie would head out into the night for adventure and danger once more. That day however was not today, and Twilight bid Trixie adieu with a hug and a parting wave from her carriage on the street. Trixie watched from her now fixed window, reflecting on their battle with the desperate and deranged damsel with a disposable disguise. It was everything Trixie lived for presented on a platter, but the platter was now gone, as was her partner, and she found her blue hoof nervously reaching for a hidden pouch concealed under the window frame.

A few words may suffice to tell the little that remains. All that should be known is that from that moment on, Trixie and I were a close team, and would go forth to solve many cases together. However, I will always look back on that first with the most fondness. My reintroduction, to Trixie Lulamoon, the Great and Powerful Detective.

Author's Note:

This took sooo long. But was fun.

Some text is actually lifted straight from the novels, notably Trixie's speech at the end. The next adventure will be up eventually, but expect it to take awhile. As always, comments will be loved, as they sooth my fragile ego.

Try to guess though. What was in the pouch? Who was the pony at the end? Both will be answered in due time, prehaps in The Adventure of the Broken Floorboard. Update may be a long way off, these chapters are big and I want to get my other ongoing story finished first before moving back to this one.

Edit: I've decided to mark this story as complete because it stands well on its on as its own independent story and I'm unlikely to update anytime soon.

That may change.

But for the moment this story is not cancelled, it's complete.

Comments

[Tehsandmaster]

Well. Seeing as how holmes was addicted to cocaine and morphine to escape the boring commonality of life i would think trixie is a user of the equastrian equivalent? Like breezie dust or manticore venom or something like that...

[RTStephens]

Wow, did not expect this to be wrapped up in one go.

Definitely not show appropriate, but I was enthralled the whole way. It's fun to see a platonic relationship between Trixie and Twilight grow like this, bouncing off each other in interesting ways. Trixie comes across as a little too perceptive, but that's also part of what makes this fun to read. It's just an untapped talent of hers!

The next question is, who gets royalty rights for the book?

Poor Flash, though. Whatever did he do?

I will certainly look forward to more!

[DracoDarastrix]

Well this was an enjoyment. I hope to read more in the future about The great and powerful detective. It would be interesting for a future if Trixie would be asked by Twilight to come to ponyvile to help her friend whom she believed (and rightly so) being wrongly accused for murder. Just food for thoughts. By expending this version Trixie with interaction between all the members of the main six rather then just Twilight.

[Mooncalf]

An excellent conclusion to an excellent story. Solid logic in the deductions, and the readers had a fair amount of clues to deduce things along the way. Definitely interesting characterizations as well. The only negative mark I can give is the grammar; there's an overabundance of comma splices.

All said, a very enjoyable read. I look forward to future continuations.

[DEI Caboose]

7027432
No comment... But Trixie was quite bored by the end.

7027693
Platonic Trixie and Twilight, to me at least, just feels more natural, romance isn't exactly a speciality of mine. Your questions though will undoubtedly by answered in time, and Trixie's seemingly random ability to deduct will be partially addressed also.

7028821
Trixie might be heading to Ponyville sooner than you think!

7045020
Commas I've found are literally the bane of my existence. Thank you though for the feedback and comment.

Thanks to you all for your support. Next chapter is on the way!

[horizon]

Oh man, that 18,000-word chapter. I've been trying to sneak this into my schedule for like two weeks and keep not having 45 minutes free all at once.

I don't regret the time spent, and good on you for posting a completed arc all at once, but you might want to consider in the future splitting it up into smaller chunks (e.g. parts 1, 2, and 3). As a bonus, that also would let you space out the chunks by a day or two to create cliffhangers and stimulate discussion.

[DEI Caboose]

7048553 The first and second chapters were originally one long chapter put together, but I split them up for precisely that reason, I just wanted to get the introduction and premise set up and future chapters will either be shorter since they won't need as much set up, or will be split as they will start to be part of a larger serial story. I just didn't feel like there was an appropriate enough point in Damsel to cut it off, and I felt like it would destroy any sense of urgency somewhat. Will keep it in mind in future though, thanks.

[DEI Caboose]

7084385 More is coming!

Eventually

[Scrutinizing Chump]

I am the fiftieth like.

I am not sorry.

[PhantomPain]

Mmm yes. Very solid story.
11/10

[EveningShadows]

This is awesome! Really captures the feel of Holmes without losing the feel of Trixie.

[Gungnir7]

[...] desperate and deranged damsel with a disposable disguise.

Great use of alliteration. I approve.

[Zaid ValRoa]

This... was pretty damned entertaining. Kept both Trixie and Twilight in character while still being reminiscent of Holmes and Watson. Also, kudos on crafting an interesting and believable mystery.

I don't know if you still plan on making more stories in this continuity. I hope you do, but even if you don't, you've done a mighty fine job.

Thanks.

[Antiquarian]

This was an exceptionally fun story. It's not a premise that I would have expected, but it is one that works oddly well. I hope you write a sequel.

[Prince Leviathan]

Super Detectives Twilight and Trixie!
God i love this story.
I'd had loved a series of these two solving simple robberies to ancient mysterys.

[fanreader999999]

Heavy on the Holmes.

[Thranx]

This was fun read. Twilight and Trixie has that perfect chemistry if done right and done right you did! I'm really looking forward for your next work if you feel like doing it. Great job!

[PaulAsaran]

You can has review!

[MiracleFactory]

This was such a great fic. As a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes, I consumed every part of this with relish.