A murder mystery at the circus reveals more of Trixie's past.
When an accident takes the life of acrobat Spindle Wire, Private is once again called to investigate. But when he arrives at the circus, he's met by Trixie. Turns out, this circus holds a lot of personal memories for her. The pair arrive and find that the circus is a lot darker than the bright lights would have you believe. Especially when Trixie vanishes mysteriously and a note is found: "If you want her to live, Kill the Ringmaster"
When one lives in Ponyville, you learn quickly to expect anything when waking up. Sadly Ponyville never fails to sucker punch me with whatever it has in store. So now, I’m paying witness to the greatest battle of the century playing out in my living room.
Ahuizotalites, and Cryptdos.
“Oh come on Twilight!” Rainbow said. “You can’t ignore that there is something between a good guy and bad guy!”
“For the last time, Doctor Crypto and Daring Do are made for each other. You can’t just base a romance off mild speculation,” Twilight shouted back.
“Crypto is boring though! He has about as much personality as Tom the rock.” Rainbow fired back whilst I drank generously from my coffee.
“Yes, but A.K. Yearling clearly set things up for their romance! Ahuizotal is a villain! There’s no way a romantic relationship will come up!” Twilight yelled back as now both of the were glaring at each other whilst hovering.
Geez, I can’t believe ponies can get so worked up over fictional relationships. Kind of reminds me of the hullabaloo over whether Handsome Guardian, or Dark Supplanter would be the perfect match for Beautiful Purity. Boy what a mess that was.
I guess I shouldn’t talk after the angry letter I sent as a teenager to Joss Whinny after Willow Tree became a fillyfooler. At the time I thought she and Sawdust were absolutely made for one another.
The doorbell rang and was ignored by the ship to ship battle going on. I went over to the door and opened it to see Spike standing there, looking like he just ran a small marathon.
He looked past me at the battle going on, “Let me guess, the wait’s getting to them?” He deadpanned.
“Sadly I doubt this’ll let up even when the book does come out next week.” I said with a roll of my eyes. “So, what’s up?”
“I ran by the office today and got a call for a job.” Spike said, “You know the Ringing Sister’s Circus?”
“Of course who doesn’t?” I said. “It’s one of the biggest circuses in Equestria. I used to go to it when I was a kid.”
“Well, as it turns out, one of the acrobats got killed and the ringmaster wants you to investigate it personally.” He said. “Come on, the circus is at Canterlot, if we hurry we’ll get the train.”
“Hold on,” I said, and turned around to the arguing girls. “Say, Twi, do you want to tag-”
Both glared at me.
I took the hint and went outside of my house, leaving a note as to where I was. Hopefully none of them decide to use our furniture as projectiles….
The Ringing Sister’s Circus was a traveling circus that has been active even before my dad was born. It apparently started off in the smaller cities before Celestia attended one day and she fell in love with the show. Well, pretty much everypony followed suit after that and the show has been a hit for decades.
Although in recent years with the advent of television and movies there has been a declining attendance at the circus lately. But apparently it’s still trying to go strong.
I’m glad I didn’t cancel any of my magazine subscriptions.
Spike and I hopped off the train as Canterlot was abuzz as usual with activity. Honestly it seemed worse than usual, thanks to one of Princess Celestia’s favorite pastimes being in town. Colorful buntings decorated the lightposts, with posters for the circus posted around the city. There were performers of all types, including a griffon fire-eater, and Earth Pony acrobats. There’s just something thrilling about seeing normally ground-bound ponies defying gravity. Elephants from Zebrica were also featured, they doing some kind of ballet, or interpretive dance. Lion tamers, snake charmers, and other acts were also widely advertised.
Spike and I moved quickly through the crowds. It got so bad Spike had to sit on my back as we went. I saw the familiar looking police wagons up ahead, all around one of the biggest collection of tents I’ve ever seen.
Of course the biggest tent was for the main performances. It was striped in red and white had three peaks, and was obviously the centerpiece of the area. Behind it, in what was obviously the “personal area” was a collection of travel carts, all having a similar design. They were meant to be light-weight, and easily pullable by your average pony. The other tents held a variety of venues. These included sideshows, refreshment stands, souvenir sellers, and games. Along the “roads” of the circus roamed one-pony venders, selling bags of peanuts, cotton candy, and lip-beakers of soda. It was colorful, and quickly brought a rush of nostalgia to me.
Spike and I pushed our way through the gathered crowd. I came up to the police line and saw Yang standing there. She blinked at the sight of us, “What? No princess this time around?”
“She’s... dealing with very important business,” I replied.
Spike smiled confidently and began, “I’m Spike! Savior of the Crystal Empire and Twilight’s number-”
“Yeah, you’re with Private so odds are you’re helping out,” Yang went on. “Now are you going to come inside before the chief gets here and we both get our asses chewed out?”
Spike grumbled as we ducked under the police tape and made our way towards the main tent. “So what happened?” I asked.
“Spindle Wire, one of the main acrobats here at the circus. A cleaning mare found him dead this morning,” Yang said as we walked.
“How’d he die?” I asked.
“Well, let’s just say Gravity didn’t take kindly to being defied anymore,” She said as she held the flap open for us to enter.
The floor of the tent was soft dirt, covered with sawdust, and three brightly colored wooden rings delineated the three performance areas. Bleacher style seating was placed around the circumference of the tent. The seats were made to fold up, easily, for travel, and had been lovingly crafted so no pony would end up with a splinter in their flank from sitting upon them. Up above there was the tightrope, a braided metal cable that was meant to hold the weight of three to four ponies who performed up there, and their props.
Over another ring was the trapeze. Strong cables that support bars from which flightless ponies would swing through the air. On either side, connected to one of the strong support posts was the platforms from which the acrobats would launch themselves, swinging over the awe-struck crowd. The flying trapeze was the most death-defying trapeze act, and one of the more dangerous. This was evidenced by the poor blanket-covered pony that lay in the sawdust in the ring.
The CSU ponies; dressed in their emblazoned black jackets, with their kits by their sides; were in the center ring, carefully going over the area, making sure not to miss anything that might be a clue. Off to the side a family of Earth Ponies huddled close, obviously mourning the passing of one of their own. Nearby a unicorn mare with a sunny yellow coat and pink hair was obviously offering moral support. She wore a top hat, and a bright red coat, and bore the cutie mark of a trio of rings.
I looked up at the trapeze, and saw that one of the handles was cut, looking down I saw the handle laying next to a blanket covered body. Forceps looked over at me from the body, “Well, some stiffs get stabbed, others get whacked, but this one tried to fly and failed,” He said, giving his rather unsettling laugh along with it.
“What have we got?” I asked, as Spike hopped off my back.
“Spindle Wire, male, mid forties, member of the Wire family. They’re the family over there,” He said, gesturing to the Earth Ponies. “Cause of death, he fell on his head when he hit the ground.”
“Yeah, I think we’ll keep the blanket over him, Doc,” Spike said, gulping.
“Judging by the fact the police are here, it was no accident right?” I asked.
“Right again,” He said, bringing over the handle. He pointed to the ropes with his covered hooves. “It looks ripped, but the rope is brand new, somepony sliced into it.”
“Sabotage,” I said firmly.
“Exactly,” Forceps said. “We’re having CSU looking at what could have cut it. So far I’m guessing a knife of some kind, but I’m a Pathlogist, not a forensics expert.”
“Let me know if CSU finds anything,” I said. “I’ll talk to the family and see what I can find.
“Spindle was the best out of all of us,” The stallion, Copper Wire said as he and his wife spoke to us. Copper was tall, rugged and his mane was a deep silver, his blue eyes looked distraught over everything that happened. “He was our youngest, got into acrobatics when he was a foal, been making us proud ever since.”
The wife, Loosy Wire, wiped her wrinkled eyes, “He was such a good colt, he would never hurt anypony. Why does it always have to happen to the good ones?”
“Believe me, Lady, I ask myself that every day,” I said. “When was the last time any of your family had talked to him?”
“About two days ago when he said where we were going to see him when the circus came to town,” Copper replied, then he blinked and narrowed his eyes, “Why do you ask?”
I debated in my head whether to tell them it was sabotage. Unfortunately, Copper saw right through me in that moment of hesitation.
“What the hell happened to my son!?” He yelled at me.
“Sir, please remain calm,” I said firmly. “Yelling at me won’t bring your son back.”
“Why you little-” He said, raising his hoof.
“Dear, please,” Loosey begged, “let’s not do this now. This stallion is just trying to help us. Please, can we resolve this so we can put little Spindle to rest…?”
Copper stopped after that, he let down his hoof and calmed down. “Sorry, I know you’re doing your job. But, are you saying that his death wasn’t an accident?”
“We’re trying to figure that out,” I said. “Has he been acting strangely at all?”
Copper and Loosey looked at one another. Copper then spoke, “He, did seem a little on edge when he talked to us. Seemed like he was in a hurry to get somewhere, but he didn’t say when we asked, just hanged up.”
Something tells me Spindle got himself into something...and it wasn’t good…
One of the trailers was for the office of the Ringmaster, or in this case, Ringmistress. Inside the door was obviously a public area. It was carpeted in a stain-proof brown berber. Off to the left was a business-like desk in a dark wood, with a circus tent styled trim. On the desk was a couple of inkwells, and quills. A Zebrican elephant fetish, carved in soapstone, served as a paperweight. Behind the desk was filing cabinet with at least four drawers. In front of the desk was a couple of chairs, fairly comfortable looking, for when somepony needed to discuss business with the Ringmistress. Closer to the more personal area of the trailer was a couple of couches, and a coffee table.
“He was my best act,” The Ringmaster, an older mare by the name of Bella Ringing, said as she sat behind her desk. “He was gonna open for the big show tomorrow night. Now what am I supposed to do when our big act bites the dust?”
“Well you sound highly concerned,” Spike pointed out, snarkily.
“Look, lizard breath, it’s hard running a circus, especially nowadays when everypony and their mother are going to movies.” She sighed and looked to a picture of two older mares on her desk. “My mother and aunt started this business back when I was barely a toddler. Their show ruled Equestria for a while, but nowadays I’m lucky if I even see a full house.”
“You picked it up after they retired?” I asked.
“Yes, my mother passed it down to me. I was so happy when she told me the news, now I have a dead acrobat and a show tomorrow night without a main act,” She then looked to me, “I hope that we can at least give Spindle some closure.”
“Did Spindle get along with the rest of the cast and crew?” I asked. “Did he have any enemies or rivals? Being on top of the big top can make a few enemies.”
She shook her head. “None that I’m aware of. Spindle was a really nice guy. Didn’t let the fame get to his head unlike some of my performers. He was very humble and good too, he wasn’t a show off and everypony liked him.”
“Maybe the guy was in some kind of trouble?” Financially perhaps?” Spike suggested.
“Never thought I’d see the day when I’d be interrogated by a dragon,’ Bella observed, shaking her head. “No, I gave him a good salary, as much as he would take. As far as I know he wasn’t in any real trouble. Wasn’t in a relationship either, as far as I knew. I mostly let my performers keep privacy in their personal lives.”
“Did you know anypony who was here last night?” I asked. “Anypony who could’ve saw what happened?”
“I don’t think so,” She said, tapping her chin with a hoof. “He practiced a lot alone. It freaked me out the first couple of times he went outside late at night to practice.”
“Without a net?” Spike asked.
“Well, he’s really good, but you’d be crazy to practice without a net,” Bella answered. “Why there wasn’t a net there is freaking me out too.”
Maybe he got so absorbed into what he was doing he didn’t notice the net was missing. Still though, there had to have been somepony who committed the Sabotage. I was going to find out just why such a nice guy was dead.
“I don’t get it, the guy was as clean as Rarity’s house and he ends up dead,” Spike said as he lounged on my back. “It just doesn’t add up.”
“We’ll just have to ask around the circus and see if anypony saw him last night. Odds are somepony ought to have seen him,” I said as we walked along the way through the tents.
Spike and I rounded a corner and...what the…? There was a very familiar yellow wagon with a red roof. On the front was a sign, depicting a light blue crescent of magic, and a magic wand tipped with a star, and it sat on yellow spoked wheels. On the side was a pair of shutters, with heart-shaped cut-outs. On the front was an arched window, a purple-painted crescent moon decorating the wall below it.
Pulling said wagon was a very familiar looking blue unicorn with bluish silver hair and wearing a purple cape and wizard hat on her head. She was arguing with Yang. “The Great, Powerful, and Extraordinarily talented Trixie demands to be let in!”
“Look lady, I don’t care if you’re Princess Celestia’s personal toilet cleaner, get lost before I report you. This place is a crime scene after all.”
“Indeed it is a crime scene! For the crime of my mother being cheated out of her dream!"
“Excuse me?” Yang said, raising an eyebrow. “You’re telling me your mom was cheated out of this circus?”
“Yes, and if you will not pass Trixie shall banish you!” She said, pointing her hoof.
“Riiight,” Yang replied with an eye roll, “Come on, we all know the joke. I’ve heard about your not so peaceful takeover of Ponyville. Without an amulet you have about as much magical talent as a wheel…”
“WHEELS ARE EVIL!”
All of us blinked at Trixie’s outburst.
“Trixie, just wants everypony to be aware of that.” She said firmly.
I walked over towards the pair and said, “Trixie, what are you doing here?”
She looked at me and huffed, “Well, if it isn’t Twilight Sparkle’s hubby.”
“You know her?” Yang asked.
“My wife’s student,” I said. “Kind of a long story.”
“Whatever, she’s your problem now, just make sure she doesn’t encase Manehatten in a dome or something,” Yang replied with a shrug.
“That was one time!” Trixie yelled.
“Yeah right, hun,” Yang said with a laugh, walking aways away.
I raised an eyebrow at Trixie. “This may be off subject but, what was with the wheel thing?”
“Trixie would rather not say,” She said firmly. “And also would like to make note that wheels, rocks, and cheese graters are never a good combination to use when trying to vanquish.”
At this point I don’t even wanna know.
“Trixie, just what are you doing here?” Spike asked coming over. “If you’re looking for the show, it’s not for a few hours.”
“Trixie was hoping to speak with the ring master, she must know about my mother being cheated!” Trixie said, a foul expression on her face. “My aunt cut my mother out of the picture!”
“Wait, you mean to tell me your mother was one of the ‘sisters’ that owned the circus?” Spike said. “I find that a little hard to swallow.”
“Trixie knows it! Trixie saw it in the royal archives!” She yelled back.
“Abusing your teacher’s access huh?” Spike deadpanned, crossing his arms.
“Look, can we just stop for five seconds and take a breath?” I said. “None of this arguing is helping out.”
Both parties ignored the breathing part, just sort of glared at one another. Spike always made it perfectly clear he did not like Trixie being a roommate at the library. I had my misgivings about it at first too, but then again Spike didn’t see what that crowd did to Trixie all those months ago…
Maybe I just have a bit more sympathy, since it was partially my fault it all happened.
“Trixie, you, come from a caravan of performers don’t you?” I asked. “Shining Armor told me about it a while back.”
Trixie’s expression sobered after that, she got uncharacteristically quiet. “Yes, I, did come from there. It was where I learned my craft.”
“Your parents were performers?” I asked.
“My mother was, she had a talent and flare for illusion magic,” Trixie replied. “A joke magic to many unicorn circles. She and my father married when they were young, he was the owner of the caravan and he convinced her to leave home to become a star on tour. She left her family behind for him.”
“If your mom was going to be a star, then why haven’t I ever heard of it?” Spike asked.
“Because she never did make it big,” Trixie said somberly. “She had the flair certainly, but audiences on the road are far less kind than those that are friends and family. She did manage to hold the caravan together, barely, and she had me not too long after she started performing. But…”
“Your home life wasn’t pleasant was it?” I asked.
“No it wasn’t,” She said with a shake of her head. “My parents argued about everything, from my mother’s performances, to attendance, to… well like I said, everything. I was, surprised when you and Twilight Sparkle seemed to get along so well. Then, one day she just up and left, she said she was looking into something...she never came back.”
“You assumed…” Spike began.
“Of course we assumed, it was obvious that my parents hated each other,” Trixie said firmly. “Trixie had to endure such horrible things! My home caravan falling apart, my father dying by being a drunken fool! Everything! This wagon is all I have left of that caravan!”
Spike and I blinked, comprehending all that was said.
“Trixie, neither of us had any idea.” Spike said. “All this time, I never bothered to ask…”
Trixie huffed, “There, now you know the truth. I found out about my relation to one of the sisters who owns this establishment. I planned to talk to the Ringmaster about it until miss yellow cop decided to butt in.”
“Right, Trixie, we’d love to let you in, but we got our own case to investigate here.” I said. “Maybe you should check out the library, see if you can find any newspaper articles about what happened all those years ago. Just tell the librarian I sent you.”
Trixie frowned and said, “Fine, but only because you are Sparkle’s mate.”
With that, Trixie walked off.
“Geez, she’s just getting more and more agonizing to deal with,” Spike said with an eye roll.
“Come on, we got to ask around, maybe one of the workers saw him last night.” I said.
“Hey Private,” Yang said, walking over. “I got that info for you.”
“Going behind Insight’s back?” I said, with a smile. “Nice.”
Yang smiled in turn. “Hey, I don’t care what the chief said, he’s just jealous you actually solved some cases instead of having me stand outside of crime scenes for days on end. But just so you know, if you blab to anypony about this stuff I’ll beat you to next year.”
Okay note to self, don’t piss her off. More than usual anyways.
“So what did you find?” I asked.
“Well, CSU did some digging around the area, found this.” She reached into her uniform and pulled out a plastic bag, with a bottle inside of it.
Spike read the label, “Flairy and Flimsy’s magical coat coloration potion. Guaranteed to give your coat a shine you’ll never forget.” He shook his head, “What is with us and running into bad slogans?”
“Some kind of coat dye?” I asked.
“Yep,” Yang said, “Used to make your coat a different color. Honestly unless your coat is peuce I wouldn’t want it.”
“You sure it doesn’t belong to any of the workers?” I asked.
“CSU already showed it around to everypony in the staff, nopony’s claimed it yet.”
“Then odds are, it may belong to our killer., I said, making a note of the color...Grass Green. “Did you guys find anything on Spindle? Was he in any sort of trouble?”
“Everypony we talked to said he was on edge but the guy’s record is clean. We’re gonna look over his financials, maybe he just got desperate or something,” Yang replied, “Now, there’s something else that’s important. Everypony we talked to, wasn’t there the night of the murder.”
Spike shook his head in disbelief. “You gotta be kidding me, the staff, vendors and all?”
“A janitor found out about the body this morning,” Yang said. “Nobody was in the tent all night because it was locked up, everypony else already went home.”
“Yet he stayed...something tells me this whole thing was a set up.” Spike said firmly.
“That’s what I was thinking too Spike,” I said, “But the question is, just what was he so knee deep in-”
Suddenly a mare almost hit Spike, she was older looking wearing a sun hat, a coat that covered her fur and sporting long silvery hair. She looked at Spike and said, “Oh, terribly sorry, I wasn’t watching where I was going.”
“Ma’am,” Yang spoke up, “Are you one of the staff here?”
“In a way,” The mare said, “Oh, sorry, I didn’t introduce myself. I’m Fawna,” Her blue eyes turned to me, “I’m the aunt of the ring master here.”
“Fawna Ringing?” Yang said, “Wait! Oh my gosh you were one of the original performers?!”
“Well, that was years ago, hun,” She said with a small laugh. “I’m retired now, my niece runs the circus now. I couldn’t be more proud of her. But this business with Spindle Wire, very unfortunate and bad timing.”
“Bad timing?” Spike asked.
“Well, we are going to open soon, this business of a murder incurring on our doorsteps could lead to bad press. I do hope everything gets wrapped up well,” She said with a smile.
“Ma’am,” I said, “Did, you ever have any other siblings?”
“Why ever would you ask such a question?” Fawna asked.
“Because, I was told you had another one, that one of my friends was related to the family.” I answered.
She, blinked at that, and then said, “I’m not sure what you are talking about, I only ever had the one sister. Now, if you all will excuse me, I should be heading home, I have a bridge game to host.”
With that, she walked under the police tape. Yang called after her, “Be sure to stop by the station in case we need you!”
“Very well dear! Taxi!” Fawna called, stepping into one that pulled up.
Huh, usually you’d have to throw yourself in the street to get a taxi around here…
“You think Trixie was lying about it?” Spike asked. “The whole, her being related to the owners?”
“I doubt it, trust me when I say that I know when Trixie is lying,” I said firmly. “And she rarely jokes about her family.”
“Right, so what now?” Spike asked.
“You, are going to occupy yourself at that comic book store over there, I’m going to do some digging. I know exactly who to talk too if something shady was going on here.” I said.
“What, that Enchanted Comic Book store?” Spike said, pointing across the street. “Whaddya take me for anyway?”
“A fan who should know they got the latest issue of Power Ponies in stock.” I said with a smile.
“You know me too well.” Spike said, sighing as he walked across the street.
The redolent smells of garlic, baking bread, and marinara made me a bit hungry, as I walked into the Bitalian restaurant. Strangely enough the griffon community loved Bitalian cooking, even though they utterly ruined it by adding meat. True, it was from the bovine community, and only when somebody passed away of natural causes, but it’s still pretty disgusting. Even with its griffon clientele the place looked quite classy. Dark wood panelling, heavy oak tables, with cheerful red-check tablecloths. Linen napkins, glassware imported from the Crystal Empire, nice cutlery, and comfortable upholstered chairs were all set to make dining an experience to be savored. The griffons, and few ponies, that were eating there was dressed to the nines, too. Suits and ties, and simply elegant dresses abounded in this place.
To me it was like being a casual dressed pony at a comic book convention, I stood out like a sore thumb. The griffons not so casually looked over at me every five minutes. I certainly hoped none of them were considering me in place of the scampi.
I made my way towards the back, seeing Grimwing awaiting me.He had changed little since I last saw him. Still the black headed, fedora wearing intimidating griffon with a metal tipped beak I remember. “Got yer call, whaddya need this time?” He asked nonchalantly.
“Look, I need a favor.” I said firmly.
“Ya seem ta be askin’ dat a lot dese days. Fact, day we first met ya were askin’ me a favor.”
“Look, are you going to help me or not?”
“I mean, it’s either I help ya and ya keep yer mouth shut about our relationship, or I squak and every cop will be ridin’ yer ass fer associating with me.” The black headed griffon said as he put a cigar in his mouth and took a long inhale.
“I need to find out information about the Circus that’s come into town.” I said.
“You too?” He asked.
“What do you mean?”
“One of my men, nice guy, big family griffon, he started lookin’ into it too.” He said, puffing out smoke from his nostrils. “He took his kid to that show one time, only some things didn’t add up. The sets were huge, probably costing enough bits to buy a joint like this. Normally it would’ve been just a good show, only thing is the audience was small, could never have paid up enough tah pay fer all that.”
“So what you’re saying is, your boy found out that the circus was doing something shady?” I asked.
“He didn’t find out about it, had tah protect his family. I respect that, I don’t let one of my boys into somethin if family is on the line. Ya gotta look out fer them, I learned that da hard way.” He took another puff of his cigar before squashing it on the ash tray.
“So, what did he find out?” I asked.
“Found out that there was definitely somethin’ suspicious goin’ on, I’m no expert on finances, but that circus shouldn’t have the budget it does and stay open after some sorry turnouts. So yeah, we all smelled a rat.”
“Connected to any of your gang friends?” I asked.
“If it was, don’tcha think I would’ve known about it?” Grimgwing said, “No, it ain’t one of my boys. It’s not drugs either, I don’t let that kind of shit fly in our town. Somethin’ fishy’s goin’ on in that circus.”
“Maybe their finances will turn up something…” I said.
“What? Who ya gonna contact tah let ya have a look, ya ain’t exactly popular at the station nowadays.” He said, looking at me.
“No, but I know one lawyer who’ll at least give me a look.”
“Private you know this could get me in serious trouble.”
“I know Sanda, but this is really important.”
“Okay, I used some connections to dig into their financials. Your hunch was right, something is definitely not adding up.”
“What do you mean?”
“For one thing, the circus was totally in the red a few years ago, several notices were posted and final notices and you get the picture. Then suddenly, a few months back, the circus was in the black again.”
“Did the circus receive any donations? Maybe some sort of third party?”
“Yeah, there was a third party alright. A loan was given out to save the circus at first. Then the place starts bringing in the green over the months, but in smaller and smaller amounts.”
“Who’s the party?”
“Some place called Jingle Jangle Savings and Loan, I don’t have the place on any official lists. So I’m smelling a loan shark.”
“Got an address?”
“It’s in town, lower east side on Fifth and Lex. I had to call one of my contacts to find that one out.”
“Thanks Sanda, you’re a lifesaver.”
“Hey uh, any word on Raiden?”
“He didn’t call you?”
“No, I tried contacting his apartment, but they said he moved out months ago. Just what happened?”
“He...he didn’t take what happened with Soyokaze well…”
“Have you seen him at all?”
“Sanda…”
“Look, yes he’s a troublemaker but he’s still my brother, I’m worried alright?”
“I get you, if I see him I’ll...see what I can do.”
“Private…”
“Yeah Sanda?”
“Just...make sure that Baka knows he’s still got a family…”
“I know from personal experience how hard that can be…”
“Are you ever going to get your nose out of that comic?” I asked Spike as he rode on my back. He just held the newest issue of some new superhero group called the ‘Power Ponies.
“Are you kidding me?” Spike said excitedly. “I could read this all day! It has everything! Action! Superpowers! So many awesome heroes. Well, except Humdrum anyways, I dunno why they keep him around.”
“Well they have to get comedy relief somewhere.” I said. “I mean, you can’t rely on wit anymore in comic books. It’s always about how to make superheroes more edgy and dark nowadays.”
Spike frowned. “Look, you can just say you were disappointed by Batmare and Robinwing alright.”
“HOW DO YOU SCREW UP BATMARE!” I exasperated.
“Hey, maybe this Dark Horse guy could be a good replacement,” Spike suggested. “He’s kind of like you, uses a gun, sword, dark and moody and he’s dating Masked Matterhorn who’s kind of like Twilight.”
I rolled my eyes. “Spike, the day you see me in tights is the day Pinkie swears off sweets,” I grumbled as we rounded the corner to the office. The place itself was built into a shanty building. A neon sign out front had two cowboy boots kicking each other but it was clear that the lights hadn’t been replaced in years, so part of the boot just disappeared as it hit the other. Talking about a low budget account office.
The office was rather threadbear. Shabby gray berber carpeting covered the floor of the area. There were counters along the back wall that separated the customer service area from the back. There were small tables around so ponies could fill out the forms. The windows that the tellers interacted with their customers had bars on them. The wooden panelling was super cheap, probably covering brick to keep the money in the back secure.
Upon my entrance a bell rang and the most slimiest looking unicorn came up to me. His bluish coat was covered by a business suit that looked like it was taken out of a dumpster of a second hand store. His black mane was slicked back and reeked of hair gel and bad cologne. He rubbed his hooves together upon seeing me, “Oh, good sir welcome to Jingle Jangle savings and loan! My name is Compound Interest and you my friend have just walked into the haven of financial security! We have all manner of ways to help you make it through the month, or help you buy that cart you’ve always wanted. Looking to receive a low interest loan with almost no fine print?”
“Actually,” I said, smirking. “I’m not here for a loan. I’m here about another loan that was made from here, one to the circus that’s in town.”
The unicorn’s eyes grew wide and his horn glowed, “I, do believe we will be closed for...EVER!” He used a spell to shove the desk in my direction. I barely dodged it as he made a bolt for the back door. Spike and I chased after him,as he tried crossing the street. Taxi’s got in our way before Spike and I could cross. I then looked at Spike.
“What? He’s getting away?! What are we gonna do-” He was cut off when I suddenly lifted him into the air.
“What I am going to do is try out for the Equestria Games right here!” I said, chucking Spike across the street at Compound. Spike crashed into him causing the unicorn to land face first on the sidewalk. Spike then stood as if he stuck the landing.
I managed to cross the street at a crosswalk as Spike held the unicorn down. Spike smiled at me, “So, how’d ya do?”
“Eh, I think a solid eight,” I said, with my own smile.
“Unhoof me you ruffians!” Compound said, struggling under Spike. “If you do not let go I’ll call the police!”
I pointed Blackhawk at his muzzle, “Oh, I think you’ll find I’m with the police. I have a few questions about that circus loan. And if you don’t talk, I’ll have you make payments in dance moves.”
As with the theme of Canterlot, the interrogation room was fairly nicely appointed. The walls were nicely plastered, the table was a high-quality oak, and it was a room that a noble troublemaker would feel comfortable. Thankfully the seats were not upholstered. That would have had me asking for “commoner chairs”.
Compound was looking very nervous as I came in, “Well, seems you have quite the record on you Compound. Threats in the mail, harassment, fraud, and not to mention running away from a cop. You’re looking at jail time if you don’t talk,” I said as I took a seat opposite him.
“Look!” Compound yelled, “My establishment is perfectly legal! My lawyer will be here in a sec to explain everything!”
I smirked. “You’d be surprised what can be accomplished in a second. Also, your lawyer will be lucky to have any luck in front of a jury.”
“Look! Just what is going on here?! You barge into my place, say something about a circus and then throw a dragon at me!” Compound said, nervously pointing at me. “That’s-that’s grounds for Police harassment!”
“You seem to ignore the part where you ran,” I said. “See, that’s the funny thing, they always run. It doesn’t help them, it just makes them look more guilty. But I’m not here on your fraud counts. I’m here about a murder.”
“Whoa! Wait!” He yelled, his false air of sophistication was replaced by sheer panic. “I didn’t kill anypony!
I got up, glaring down at him. “Spindle Wire, one of the employees at the circus was killed because he found something out! You can take one look at the circus and the audience and figure something doesn’t add up. Now, just what do you know about the circus.”
“I told you! I didn’t know anything!” He yelled. “I had no idea what I was getting into when that circus lady showed up!” He covered his mouth with his hooves.
I just raised an eyebrow.
He sighed. “Okay, a few months ago, the circus lady, Bella, comes around to my place and asked for a loan. She sought my place out specifically! She said the circus was in trouble and she needed a loan. I gave her enough to make the circus play another day. Then the time came for payments to pony up and she showed up with a wad of cash. I didn’t think anything of it, I figured the place sold out.”
“But you knew better, didn’t you?” I asked.
“Then she asked me for a second loan about a month later, she said the circus was in trouble again due to poor attendance. I gave out a loan again and charged her interest this time. Then she comes by a week later with a wad of cash, enough to pay off the loan payments with interest but not much else. She then comes in a few weeks ago and asked for another loan. I told her she was pushing her luck but she just looked desperate. I give her the loan but tell her this is the last one, and I would charge double interest.”
“And she made the payment again?”
“Barely.” He said, “She was two bucks short, she was so desperate to pay it off she ran out into the street and begged for it.”
“And let me guess,” I said, “Spindle somehow found out about this little relation and you found out where he was practicing, and wanted to make sure word didn’t get out about your little cash cow. So, last night at midnight, you killed him.”
“That’s not it at all!” he yelled desperately. “I wouldn’t kill the guy! Sure I would have swindled him for everything he’s got but I wouldn’t kill him! You can check my alibi! I wasn’t anywhere near that circus! I was at Genie Bottle’s place!”
I stepped out of the interrogation room to find, Spike on the phone...I could just hear the conversation going on.
“Uh, hello?” Spike said.
“Hello, there, cutie. You’ve reached Genie’s Bottle. I may be the Genie, but I’ll be sure to rub you in all the right places.”
“Uh, what kind of place is this?” Spike asked nervously. “I’m calling to see if a guy named Compound Interest was there last night at around midnight.”
“Compound Interest? Yes, he was here… After he left I closed up for the night. That was around one on the morning. So… What can I do for you, sweetie? You sound very cute.”
“Uh... I...” Spike said blushing.
”Oh… A shy one? I love shy guys. They’re always so sweet,” Genie said. ”What’s your name, hon? I’m fine with just talking, if that’s what you like.”
“Uh...Spike..” Spike said, dumbfounded.
I should be stopping this, but this is too entertaining to watch.
”Hello, Spike. You in law enforcement? Checking on an alibi, and you’re talking with little old me. So… Is there anything… else… I can do for you? I’d love to meet you, you sound like a real sweetheart. I’m sure that any of the girls, here would love to meet you. You’d be quite the change from the usual jerks we tend to get. *sigh* Just because we’re escorts doesn’t mean we’re any less pony than everypony else.”
“Uh, actually, I’m in a relationship right now. Her name is Rarity.” Spike said, still looking nervous. I tried not to laugh.
Twilight would kill me if she saw this...
”Oh? Wait… I know that name… She’s designed some of our better outfits! You’re her coltfriend? Now I am totally jealous of Rarity. She got herself a nice guy. Wait… *laughs* You’re ‘Spikey-Wikey’? Oh my gosh! Let me tell you something important… Don’t worry about getting her expensive things, or the finer things. She’ll get those for herself, a lot of the time. Just make sure everything you do is from the heart. She may seem high maintenance, but she really isn’t.”
“Uh...thanks, I’ll...keep that in mind…” Spike said with a nervous laugh. He then quickly hung up. “That, was just plain weird.”
I laughed, “Come on, let’s get going and uh, don’t tell Twilight that happened okay?”
“What’s it worth to you?” He said with a cocky smile.
“Spike for the last time I’m not telling you where Twilight keeps the key to her diary.” I said with an eye roll.
Bella sat at her desk, frantically going over the books. She was, obviously, sweating bullets, and muttering to herself. Around her desk was wads of paper. The only sounds, aside from Bella’s muttering, was the scritch-scritch of her pencil on paper, and the clack of abacus beads.
“Looking for something?” I asked nonchalantly as we entered.
“Oh!” She said, suddenly dropping papers as she saw us. “Detective I, uh, didn’t see you there. Any luck on finding out about Spindle’s killer?”
“You can get rid of the act,” Spike said, “We know about Compound Interest.”
Bella’s face paled at that name. “I-I don’t know what you are talking about!”
“We know that you’ve been taking out a lot of loans,” I said. “What happened? The Circus lose business and you became desperate enough for money? Poor attendance get you down?”
“Look! You’ve got it all wrong! I didn’t kill Spindle!” She yelled.
“We never said you did,” I replied, “But, you seem to have been in serious enough trouble that simply knowing about it would be cause to kill. Spindle found out about your loans, and when he confronted you about it, you didn't want him to talk. So, just what are you hiding Bella?”
Bella was, quiet for a bit and then she said, “When, I was little I always dreamed of owning the circus. I was so happy when I finally inherited it. But, it was around this time I realized it was one ginormous vacuum. No matter how big our sets got, no matter how elaborate our stunts or performances, our audience just kept getting smaller and smaller.”
“Yet, you kept making the loan payments,” Spike said. “In smaller and smaller amounts.”
“If you needed a loan in the first place, how were you able to pay it off so quickly, let alone two more times,” I asked.
Bella looked down, “I...when the audience wasn’t looking, some of our workers...I had them steal from the guests.”
“You told them to steal!?” Spike yelled.
Bella nodded. “Not a lot, but just enough that nopony would really notice.”
“And everypony went along with this?” I asked firmly.
“If they wanted to keep their jobs they did! All of us put everything we had into this circus! We kept it a secret so that we wouldn’t get in trouble! It was to keep the circus open! We were desperate!” She said, almost crying.
“And when Spindle found out, he wanted to expose you,” I deduced.
Bella wiped her eyes. “He, when I first told him about it, he did threaten to tell the police. But, I didn’t kill him! I swear I didn’t! Spindle is a good friend of mine! I wouldn’t kill him to cover up my mistakes!”
I then reached into my pocket, and pulled out part of the rope taken from the handle Spindle used in his last moments. “This, is rope from the crime scene. We stoped to pick it up before coming here. We found something very, interesting…” My horn glowed...and the rope glowed green...as well as Bella…
“DNA spell,” Spike said. “You, did kill him.”
Bella looked down, “I...I only wanted to injure him, I just, cut the rope a little. I figured it would put him out of commission, that he wouldn’t go snooping for any more evidence...I...I had no idea...no idea it would...kill him…” She broke down in sobs after that. “I...it’s all my fault...it’s all...my fault…”
“Now,” I said, pulling out hoofcuffs. “Bella I’m placing you under arrest fo-”
Suddenly, the phone rang…
I picked it up and said, “Ringmaster’s office…”
A familiar, male voice on the other end said, “If you want this loudmouth show off to live! Kill the Ringmaster right now!”
“What the hell is this!?” I yelled.
“I’m serious! Listen!” The stallion said...and then I heard…
It didn’t take us too long to find Trixie’s wagon in the circus parking lot. It hasn’t been broken apart, but there were obvious signs of a struggle. The interior was completely trashed. The door was standing wide open, if there had been items on the bolted-down table they were scattered on the floor now, and several cushions were thrown about, some of them torn.
“This guy really was serious,” Spike said, picking up a broken prop. “Looks like Trixie put up a fight.”
“I didn’t mean for her to get involved in all this…” Bella said, shaking her head.
“She was probably just around when you confessed to the killing. Figured she’d make a good hostage,” I said. “Most crimes are like that.”
“So what do we do?” Spike asked, and then picked up a piece of paper. “Hey, I found something.”
I held the note to my face and read it. “‘If you want her to live, kill the ringmaster’? That’s strange. This looks kind of like a script.”
Bella gulped, looking very nervous. “Look, there’s, no need to get dramatic here…”
I slowly pulled out Blackhawk. “You got yourself into this mess, it’s time you paid.”
“W-what, y-you aren’t going to k-kill me are you?” Bella stammered.
“Of course not, but I’m not going to have you just run off either,” I said, and then turned to Spike, “Grab something that belongs to Trixie.”
“Will this work?” Spike said, pulling out what looked like part of Trixie’s cape.
“Perfect,” I said, activating a DNA spell on it, soon enough, a path leading out of the wagon and into the street was formed. “Come on, the DNA won’t stay there for long.”
“Oh goodness! Well I’ll just call the police th-” Bella said, backing up slowly, trying to look innocent, but it was obvious to everypony, and dragon, that she was trying to escape.
Spike stood in front of her. “No lady, you’re coming, Trixie is one of our friends and I’m not about to let her get hurt because of your mistake.”
“Look, I didn’t have any choice in the matter! It was either one person took the fall or the entire circus would’ve died!” Bella yelled...then covered her mouth with her hooves.
“Exactly, who was the pony to take the fall…?” I asked.
_________________________________________________
The DNA path led us into the vacant circus tent. I walked with Bella in front of me, Blackhawk loaded if she tried anything. We went in to the dimly lit tent, the smell of sawdust heavy in the air. This tent was obviously used as a general storage room for the circus’ supplies. Upon entrance, I saw…
Spindle’s father, Copper Wire...was holding a gun to a tied up Trixie’s head.
“Private!” She yelled, struggling in the bindings.
“SHUT UP!” Copper yelled and glared at me, “I told you to kill her! Make her pay for what she did to my son!”
“Please Copper!” Bella yelled. “That mare has nothing to do with this!”
“I don’t care!” Copper yelled, “You took my son away! He was a good boy, he never hurt anypony! But when he found out about your secret, you murdered him!”
“It was an accident!” Bella pleaded. “I only wanted to hurt him a little, I didn’t mean to kill him! I cut off his rope at the wrong time! He fell, there was nothing I could do!”
“Excuses!” Copper yelled.
“Copper, if you put the gun down now, I’ll see if the police can cut you a deal,” I said. “You can walk away from all this.”
“Not until somepony pays for murdering my son! If it’s not Bella, then it’ll be this girl!”
“YOU CAN’T KILL HER!” Bella yelled.
“I thought she was a stranger, Bella, an innocent,” Copper said.
Trixie glared at Bella, “Oh, so I’m still a stranger cousin?!”
“COUSIN?!” Copper yelled, looking shocked.
“She’s the daughter of my mother’s eldest sister! The one who was supposed to inform my mother of the inheritance of this circus! My mother was supposed to get it after her mother died!” Trixie yelled.
“Trixie…” Bella said, “No, that can’t be true, my aunt said she only ever had the one sister.”
“Another lie, on top of a whole bunch,” Spike said, crossing his arms.
“What are you talking about?” Copper asked.
“This is too good of a story,” I said. “Think about it, a acrobat uncovers corruption, revenge of a grieving father, a perfect innocent. This kind of story would get the circus closed for good…so why don’t you just drop the act Copper.”
“But...she said…” Copper said, looking at Trixie. “If I kidnapped you...that..Bella would pay…”
“YOU FOOL!” I looked over, and saw...Bella’s aunt standing at another entrance. “What’s taking you so long I-” She then saw... Bella. “Bella...dear...you weren’t supposed to be here…”
“What’s going on Aunt Fawna?” Bella asked. “I learn that Trixie is my cousin, that you made Copper kidnap her, and that he was told that Trixie wasn’t my cousin.”
Fawna laughed, “Bella, dear, let’s just have you leave now, I’ll handle everything.” She started to walk away, before my horn sparked and the ground formed a seal on the exit. “What the?”
“You’re not going anywhere until you talk, witch,” Spike said.
“Aunt Fawna, just what is going on?” Bella pleaded.
“FAWNA!?” Trixie yelled, and then glared at her. “You are my Aunt Fawna!”
“No!” Fawna turned. “No I am not you aunt! You are not my niece! You have no relation at all!”
“What is going on here?” Copper asked.
“This was all one giant set up.” I said.
“You, you were the one who suggested I hurt Spindle, to discourage him from looking into the financials…” Bella said.
“I did it to protect you my dear! Everything I’ve done was for you!” Fawna yelled. “You are the daughter of my one and ONLY sister! That worthless two bit magician never had the talent! I was the one with all the skills! I was the one with the know-how! I was better than that worthless skank any day! But what does my dear sister do after she’s passed? She has the gall to suggest that we allow her back into the family! That this worthless trash be allowed a job!” She pointed at Trixie.
“You mean,” Spike said. “That if everything had gone according to plan, Trixie would’ve lived here?”
“I…” Bella looked at Trixie, who was fuming. “Trixie, I had no idea. I didn’t even know I had a second aunt...I’m sorry…”
“You DON’T have a second aunt, Bella!” Fawna yelled. “She left the family for good reason! Because she was just as worthless and pathetic a unicorn as her daughter! Illusion magic! BAH! Mere parlor tricks! We disowned her after she left! I was supposed to get everything after your mother died! EVERYTHING! I was going to sell this worthless dying circus and leave behind the family shame forever!”
“But, I thought you always believed in the circus…” Bella said, heartbroken.
“This place is nothing but a ginorumous waste of money! My NON sister wanted to keep it going, but she didn’t deserve it…” She said, her eye twitching. “She didn’t deserve any of it...she deserved nothing less than death...shame….yes shame…”
“YOU WITCH!!” Trixie yelled.
“I did everything...I tried to get you to stop this circus…” Fawna went on.
“You were the reason the circus was failing,” I said. “You probably convinced Bella to make the bigger and more expensive sets in the hopes to bankrupt her.”
“Which led to her stealing from the guests,” Spike added.
“And then you heard that Spindle had caught on to the scam.” I continued.
“So you arranged an ‘accident’,” Spike contributed.
“Then when you heard Trixie was in town, so you hatched a plan,” I stated.
“You lied to Copper, telling him that Bella will confess if an innocent was involved,” Spike accused.
“You used his grief in the hopes he would kill Trixie, the ultimate revenge against your sister,” I concluded, with finality.
Spike and I smiled, and hoof/claw bumped.
“YOU!” Fawnwa yelled, and suddenly pulled a pistol out of her business blouse. “I’ll kill you all! Say it was a shoot out! That way this circus, this shame will finally be buried forever! I’ll kill you all just like I killed that worthless sister of mine!”
Suddenly a bright flash came from Trixie...I watched as the ropes were blown into minute scraps of fiber, and scattered around the area.. Before my very eyes Trixie floated in the air, her eyes becoming white and her horn glowing brightly. I had only seen Twilight do this, before. Apparently Trixie was more powerful that we had thought.
“What’s going on?” Spike said, shielding his eyes.
“Magical surge!” I yelled.
“Wait, I...this wasn’t how it was supposed to go..” Copper said, backing away.
“Trixie…” Bella said, watching.
Trixie pointed at Fawna. “You! You are the reason my family was destroyed! Mother didn’t return because you killed her!”
“Yes! I killed her!” Fawna yelled. “I arranged an accident! Everything was perfect! Nopony knew a thing! Everypony was happy! So long as my sister didn’t exist everything was fine! Until you came along you little hellspawn!”
“I WILL BURY YOU!!!” Trixie yelled, her horn glowing brighter and she fired a bolt of lightning that was so hot I’m surprised the sand didn’t turn to glass when it nearly hit Fawna.
“I have a few tricks of my own, wench!” Fawna shouted...and pulled out a syringe…
“NO!” I yelled, firing a bullet at the syringe, sending it flying through the air. It landed in the sand, across the room from Fawna. From there, Trixie then fired a magical bolt, sending Fawna flying into the stands. Trixie ran over, and glared down at her.
“So many years of my life I wondered if my mother abandoned me. I wondered if maybe I was cursed to always fail in life. I wondered if maybe I didn’t deserve to live. But now, I know it was you who I have to blame for everything in my life!” Trixie yelled, her horn glowing.
“You are truly pathetic! You and your mother always were pathetic! I was the perfect one! I did everything!” She then fired a bolt of magic, sending Trixie back. She then magically lifted her gun and aimed it at Trixie. “Now, I will end all of you!”
I grabbed Spike. “Spike, fireball!” I yelled as I chucked him at Fawna. Spike unleashed a torrent of fire once he got close to her gun and….
BOOOM!
The gun exploded in her face, she screamed at the pain. Trixie used this opportunity to tackle Fawna and pin her to the ground. “NOW PAY FOR RUINING MY LIFE!!!” she yelled, her horn glowing brightly.
“TRIXIE NO!” Spike yelled, moving Trixie’s horn away just in time for a blast of magic to fire out of it, creating a hole in the ceiling.
Trixie let out a breath, her eyes returning to normal. She looked to Spike, “You... stopped me.”
Spike just gave a look, put a hand on her shoulder and said, “Don’t become her.”
I made my way over to Fawna, and started cuffing her. “Alright, you are under arrest, don’t even try to sneak your way around this one.”
Spike went over to collect the syringe as Fawna madly shouted: “You all just wait! I’ll sue all of you! I’ll break out! I’ll kill you all!”
Bella walked over to Trixie as Fawna kept ranting about this or that plan for vengeance. Bella awkwardly spoke, “Trixie I-I don’t know what to say.”
Trixie just shook her head. “None of this was truly your fault. Both of us suffered because of what that witch did.”
“I’m still am going to do time for Spindle…” Bella said, and then put a hoof on Trixie’s shoulder. “But, if you ever need a home, or a job, you need only ask.”
“You’d...do that for me?” Trixie said, blinking tears.
“Of course, anything for my cousin after all…” She said, and then the pair hugged. Bella broke away as Copper came up. “Copper, there’s, nothing I can say is there?”
Copper shook his head. “I know it was an accident but. I just wanted somepony to pay for my son. Now that I know who’s really behind all this. I...I won’t forgive what you did for a long time. But, I can start trying.”
“That’s, all I can really hope for,” Bella said, smiling.
Spike walked over to me, the syringe in his claws as he said, “Another case solved, wait till we tell Twilight this when we get home.”
“If her and Dash will finish their ship to ship combat within the next few years,” I said with a chuckle. “Now, let me see that syrin-” I blinked as I looked at the label…
Glimmer made these too...these syringes…
I turned and glared at Fawna. “Where did you get this?”
Fawna just smirked, “Like I would tell you. I’ll be exercising my right to remain silent…”
“Hey! You can’t just blow us off like that!” Spike yelled.
“It’s alright Spike,” I said, narrowing my eyes at Fawna. “We’ll figure things out eventually...until then.” My horn glowed, “Lights out coo coo clock.”
The anaesthetic spell dropped Fawna like a rock. I looked at the syringes. These things have been popping up ever since the Grapes case. But how do these unicorns keep getting their hooves on them? Who’s making them...and why?
“Typical days work for you huh?” Yang asked as the police worked at cleaning up the mess. “Crazy mares, wacked out conspiracies, old grudges…”
I smiled. “All in a days work.”
The police had arrived a little while after everything calmed down. The cops quickly went to work arresting Copper for kidnapping Trixie. Once we explained the situation, they also took Fawna. She screamed and kicked the whole way through once she regained consciousness. Thankfully the police wagon will keep her quiet.
Bella was also being cuffed by the police, she explained to the police about her involvement in Spindle’s murder. Even if it was an accident she’s still going to be serving time. Copper less so because he only kidnapped Trixie in a spur of the moment. But, Fawna was going away for good.
“I’m gonna start looking into this whole business with Fawna’s sister. There’s no way I’m going to just let that case stay cold,” Yang said with a firm nod.
“Thanks, we’d really appreciate it,” Spike said as he sat on my back.
Yang went to go handle some business with a pair of uniforms.
I saw Trixie walk up to Bella as the police were about to carry her into the wagon. Trixie said, “I-I have no idea what to say. I’m...sorry we had to meet this way cousin…”
Bella smiled and asked, “Trixie, can I trust you to look after the circus while I’m gone?”
“You would... ask that of me?” Trixie said, tearing up a little.
“Of course. It’s technically yours, too,” Bella said with a smile. “I’ll send a letter once I’m settled about how to run things. Hopefully, you’ll do things honestly.”
Trixie smiled a little. “Trixie knows first hoof that being honest can go a long way.”
It certainly would keep an Ursa Minor from going to town on a town.
“Thanks Trixie, I’ll, see you around…” Bella said, smiling as the police gently put her in the wagon.
Trixie and I watched the wagons ride away. Trixie looked back at the circus. “This... was Mother’s world. I... only hope I can keep it in good hooves.”
I put a hoof on her back. “You’ll do fine, but it will put your studies with Twilight on hold.”
“Finally I get the library to myself!” Spike cheered.
“Spike, you know what will happen if you make a mess of it right?” I asked.
“Yeah yeah,” Spike moaned, “Twilight’ll go crazy and make me start making out with Smarty Pants again.”
Trixie blinked at that.
“You really don’t want to know,” I said firmly.
“Trixie will take your word for it,” she replied.
“So you’re sure you’ll do fine?” I asked.
Trixie smiled at me, and said, “I have been through worse. I will do my best. I am a student of Twilight Sparkle after all.”
“So, Trixie, I’ve been meaning to ask,” Spike interjected. “What is with you and wheels?”
“And they are still going at it?” I asked as Spike and I entered the house to find Rainbow Dash and Twilight kept arguing in the living room of our house.
“For the last time Rainbow! I can look up at least seventeen examples of Crypto being romantically interested in Daring! I can also point out at least twenty examples of her having romantic interests in him. Do I need to put things on flash cards?”
“Geez, you always gotta think in the box!” Rainbow yelled at her. Ahuizotal and Daring are totally into each other! Bad guys and good guys can like each other ya know!”
“But you have no proof!” Twilight yelled.
“Your ideas are boring! Just like your books that aren’t Daring Do!”
“Uggh! You’re more thick headed than Applejack and that’s saying something!”
“Geez, if you’ll excuse me I’m going to find some place quiet to read,” Spike said, hopping off my back and walking towards the library.
“This is going to take forever,” I said with a facehoof.
Grapes peeked in, and looked at me. “Are they still at it?” she asked raising an eyebrow. From the saddlebags on her back, she had come into town to do some shopping.
“This always happens whenever a new book comes around,” I said, “They can’t go one discussion without bringing up shipping.”
“Oh… I know how to get them to stop. Stand back,” Grapes said, going in, with a smirk. She went up to them, and said, casually: "You know, I personally think she'd do better with Laurel Crown, anyway."
“What?!” both of them yelled.
“But there’s never been any instance of them interacting romantically! They were rivals more than anything!” Twilight said.
“Besides, Daring isn’t gay!” Rainbow yelled.
“She might be bi, for all we know. A. K. Yearling doesn’t really go into her personal life. However, from my observations, and the correlation of their likes, dislikes, and hobbies; they are, in my personal opinion, the most compatible. Enough in common to have common ground, and the rivalry keeps things… spicy,” Grapes observed with a waggle of her eyebrows. “Just something for you two to consider. After all, life is strange and love has always proven itself to be even stranger.”
“But they are total opposites!” Rainbow yelled. “With your logic AJ and Rarity could be an item!”
“At one time I thought they could be,” Grapes said with a shrug. “I’m willing to admit that I could be wrong. After all, there are some pretty good stories, published in the fanzine with all possible ships. I’m not an exclusive shipper. I have my favorites, just like you do, but I’m always willing to read a good story. I’ve even noticed fanworks that you two have submitted. Rainbow couldn’t put together a coherent plot if her life depended upon it, and you, Twilight, tend to get caught up in the scientific and esoteric details of the piece that the plot gets lost, completely.”
Twilight and Rainbow sort of smiled.
“Good, now can we put this argument to-” I began.
“I’ve also noticed that Private’s submitted entries, too. You ship everybody, I’ve noticed, even making up original characters to give somepony a happy ending. Your writing is very good, you come up with some great plots, and some pretty amazing story arcs. You really could use a proofreader, though, you tend to not know how to use commas properly with quotes,” Grapes observed.
“So, Private, who do you ship Daring with?” Rainbow asked.
I was not getting out of this one alive am I?
Nope but if we break the fourth wall anymore with all these references we’re going to start running into crazies.
Hey! Who’s up for Chimichangas?
Hiya Deadpool!
Let’s get back to the plot please… ______________________________________________________
Perspective: Octavia
I was dressed to the proverbial nines, as I walked into the upscale restaurant, my hooves clip-clopping on the well-polished hardwood floor. The walls above the paneling were a warm buttercream colored stucco. Savory smells of tomato sauce, garlic and creamy alfredo teased my nose. The place just oozed class from the dark wood paneling and floors, the linen tablecloths and napkins, the sterling silver cutlery, the fine china plates, and cut crystal glasses. It felt kind of good to go into this venue. So different from the places where Vinyl felt comfortable, the clubs bars, and what-not. I was not here for personal reasons, however, but to meet with an associate. I had important business to discuss, and nopony would interfere, here.
“So, the great Val Jean, who knew ya was a dame,” A voice I recognized said. I looked up at Grimwing with a smile. He just sidled into the chair opposite mine and said, “Ya know, I ain’t nobody’s callin’ bird. Ya and Private have a nasty habit of interuptin’ whatever I’m doin’.”
“I’m sure whatever illegal activity you were involved with can wait,” I said, taking a sip of some rather fine wine. Grapevine Hills? Hmm, maybe I should thank Grapes later. “I trust you got Private’s letter about the, syringes.”
“Yeah,” He said, “another one, first on that doll Pave, now this. They were also apparently made by a dead mare.”
“I did have an associate of mine analyze the liquid inside,” I said.
“And what didja find?”
“That the contents were pretty much your typical mana booster. Used to help unicorns when their magic isn’t strong enough. Mostly to help them grow. Only, these were made to increase the potency of one’s magic ten fold,” I said, putting my hooves together.
“So yer sayin,” Grimwing replied, “that if this stuff gets in any unicorn…”
“Who knows what kind of damage this could do if it fell into the wrong hooves.” I replied.
“And Private wants us tah look into it,” Grimwing said, tapping his claws on the table. “Typical. Never thought in all my years doin’ business I’d end up listenin’ to some punk who dresses like my pop.”
“He knows both of our identities, plus he’s done right by both of us. It’s because of him that I’m even able to speak with you now,” I said. “Now, are you going to have your boys look into things?”
“Ya, ya,” Grimwing said. “But let me tell ya somethin, if either of us gets caught, we don’t know each other, capiche? “I understand...things are really getting serious aren’t they?” I asked.
Grimwing looked down at the table and said, “Seems like every day the world turns upside down just a little bit. The question is...who’s gonna fall off when everything flips over….?