The Truth Seeker
A dark figure paced before a large wall of newspaper clippings illuminated by lantern and horn light. Each piece of paper organized methodically and purposefully by specific articles. Clippings varied from missing ponies, heists, shady business ventures… all related to crimes or alluded to illegal activities. Further inspection would uncover that some clippings were of a pony in a dazzling armored costume. These articles were paired with certain crime articles that Mare-Do-Well was involved with.
"Manehattan definitely has a lot of crime." The pony sighed, focused on the topics before her. As she stepped into the lantern's light, her silver coat with fire red and orange mane shimmered around her horn. On her flank, a white Peace Symbol was pronounced on her form.
"But it's more than a single pony can handle. It's like Knight Mare isn't making enough of an impact. If one crime is stopped or a criminal taken down, more take their place."
More clips were placed upon the wall of the most recent event of Knight Mare and Leger de Mane's clash on the rooftops.
"Obviously, Leger de Mane has the people on her side. Of all the things, a criminal being celebrated for committing crimes is paradoxical if you ask me. Admittedly, I do write good articles on her." She mused, but was slightly conflicted at this realization.
Even if she was inadvertently contributing to Leger's infamy, her journalistic integrity wouldn't allow her to misrepresent the facts as Hoofdini's Lucky Horseshow was later found at a family's home. Although it didn't change the fact that she did steal it initially.
"A thief who doesn't keep what they steal…hmmm." She pondered when a knock came at the door. "Who is it?" She approached the door, opening it
"Good morning, Peacemaker. Getting ready for work?" Asked a yellow, older mare with a sweet smile.
The mare suddenly looked at the lone clock in her room and panicked. "Oh no. I'm gonna be late!" She grabbed her sachel and bolted, barreling through the other pony.
"Sorry!" She shouted as she entered the street and greeted by the bright Manehattan sun. "Stupid all-nighters." She groaned as her eyes adjusted.
Not wasting anymore time, she bolted down the street, weaving through the crowd to the nearest walkway as she was halted by the red signal. The traffic was heavy this morning and it seemed endless. Not to mention the endless arguing between drivers was in full swing.
"Just great." She groaned as she jogged in place. The light turned green and she bolted. "Excuse me. Pardon me. Sorry. Make way." She apologized, making the next few blocks to the Maneway Station.
Not taking a moment to breathe, she ran into the building and blew though the check-in. "Thanks." She shouted to the teller as a bit landed at the window.
The railway had just started to close the door as she gave a final burst of energy to leap through the door to land on her stomach. "Made it." She said with a sigh of relief. She smiled sheepishly as several ponies were staring at her sprawled form. She got up and dusted herself off as she made her way to an open seat as the train pulled out of the station.
"Ok." She said as she opened up a piece of paper from her sachel. "Just who are you?" She asked the letter before her.
XXXXX
The silver mare was busy on her typewriter, furiously typing away among other ponies who were also typing away on their typewriters. The Manehattan Times was indeed a busy business being one of the largest newspapers in the city if not all of Equestria.
Peacemaker finished up the piece she had been working on all morning. "Hey, Page Turner. Can you proofread this for me?" She asked the mare to her side. A red earth pony with white fluffy mane and an opening book cutiemark.
"Sure Peace, trade ya." She bit her project and gave it to Peacemaker, who used her horn to swap papers.
"Hmmm, the Manehattan Boutique is ramping up its Fall Lineup I see. Rarity sure is making a big impact in the fashion world. If she gets a foothold here, she may become one of the biggest fashion designers in history."
Page Turner nodded with a smile. "I know. Her outfits in Canterlot were amazing. I even bought a few while I was there. I was so excited that she would be coming around after the leaves fall that I did extra shifts to make sure that I would be chosen for this piece."
"I can tell. Have you ever thought about getting work in advertising? Just reading this makes me want to go buy some outfits." Peacemaker suggested.
"Oh you jest. I'm just passionate about celebrities. Getting to know about their lives and dreams just fascinates me. I've been interested in being a reporter just so I can get the chance to rub shoulders with them." She squealed just thinking about the opportunity.
"Not me. I don't like too many ponies around me."
"What do you mean? We're surrounded by ponies."
"But I don't have to talk to them if I don't want to."
"I think you're splitting manes here."
"Sorry, but I like it here. All I have to do is write about what's going on in the city. I don't mind writing about other ponies' lives as long as nopony bothers mine."
"Yeah, like these last page articles involving Leger de Mane and Knight Mare?"
"What? The Ponies have a right to know that this city isn't all bright lights and excitement. There is a dark underbelly nopony wants to acknowledge."
"You're not wrong, but these topics will never make the front page. You have to know that bad news is not what sells papers."
"I'm sure somepony appreciates my work." The mare crossed her hooves and pouted.
Page Turner sighed a little. "Despite your stubbornness, this is a good paper. If you asked for a different topic say, the Running of the Leaves, you may just make the front page with your writing talent."
"That's not why I got into journalism, Page. That's a field pony's job. Not to mention that's the biggest event before winter. Do you know how many ponies will be there?"
"This being Manehattan…tens of thousands." The red mare thought about it.
Peacemaker visibly shivered. "That's a lot."
"Well that's my suggestion if you want to get ahead in this career. Once I submit my request, I'll be off reporting the news, not just writing about it. Maybe even become a celebrity myself in the process. Oh, maybe I'll get to report on the Princesses. Can you imagine?"
"I'd rather not. Too high profile for me."
"Peacemaker! My office!" Shouted a large gray earth pony with short dark gray/white mane and dark gray mustache.
"Coming Long John!" She answered. He wasn't yelling at her, that was just his normal speaking voice, loud. Peace set down the paper and walked into the stallion's office. "What do you need?" She asked as she shut the door behind her.
"You're going to cover the Running of the Leaves." Long John informed.
The look on her face was priceless. "What? Why? Did I do something wrong? Was it about the outbreak of boosted taxis I wrote about? You know that public transportation is an important part of Manehattan's livelihood. Manehattan would grind to a halt if this matter isn't addressed."
"If you want to write about crime, go to the police and no this not a punishment. You do good work, but your choice in topics is not what sells papers." Long John peeked through the blinds of his office that overlooked a large part of the city. "It has been brought to my attention that this could be a good opportunity to get you more field experience."
Peacemaker's eyes landed on Page Turner, who waved with a smile. "You shifty mare."
"Page Turner is just looking out for you." Long John said, knowing where her gaze was as he sat at his desk. "She's very experienced in journalism and has been vocal about her career path. Once she becomes a reporter, she'll be leaving this section for good. In my opinion, you should thank her. She's the closest thing to a friend you've got here."
"But, but."
"You're going to write on the Running of the Leaves and that's final." He commanded, more sternly than before as he slammed a hoof on the table. "However, the local area is already covered so you'll being running the piece in the White Tail Woods as a representative of the Manehattan Times."
"But that's so far away. No to mention that it sounds like you're just trying to get rid of me."
"If I were, I'd tell you, because I am. You need a change of pace from all of your somber pieces about street-level villainy. And don't get on another soapbox. That business shut down a week ago."
"Because of a corrupt business practice of trying to make soap into a liquid. Like that's ever going to take off. It was in my article a month ago. 'The Dirty Business of being Clean'."
Long John just rubbed his muzzle with a hoof. "That's why you'll never make the headlines despite your writing talents. You see conspiracies everywhere you look. Most ponies think it's all fake. Hogwash and Horsefeathers if you ask me."
"I'm just trying to shine a light on the problems of this city." She tried to explain.
"Enough! You're going to Ponyville and that's final. Keep receipts of your purchases for your hotel room and food to be reimbursed when you get back. And don't be late!"
Peacemaker grunted in her displeasure. "Fine… when do I leave?"
"Tomorrow morning. Now get out of my office!"
Peacemaker was shoved out the door as it slammed in her face. After a brief moment, he silver coat glowed red with fury.
"Page!" She growled as she recovered from her shock and stormed over to her 'friend'.
"What? I merely suggested to Long John that your skills could be put to better use." She said in her defense. "Plus, you really need to get out of the city for a change. You'll thank me for it."
Peacemaker could barely hold back her anger as she fought to keep her control. After a moment, she took a breath and sat back down. "I'm doing this under protest, you know. Not because of that windbag."
"Did somepony call my name?" A distant pony said.
"Whatever gets you moving. I know you've got the talent, but you're limiting your potential."
Peacemaker sighed as she looked at her desk to collect her things.
"Where'd this come from?" She asked as she picked up a letter written to her.
"A mail pony dropped it off. Doesn't say from whom, though."
"Snooping in my private matters?" She said accusingly, although a bit more playfully as her anger had subsided.
"Wouldn't be much of a future reporter if I didn't start sniffing for a good story." Page Turner joked as she tapped her nose with her hoof. "But aside from that. Seems ordinary enough."
"Maybe it's a threat from a shady mobster who didn't like one of my articles." Peace said out loud.
"Why don't you open it and find out?" Page provoked, eager to see what the envelope held, her hooves practically tapping as she leaned over her friend's shoulder.
"Well I've got to get packing for my trip." Peace stuffed the letter in her satchel as well as a lot of other items on her desk.
"Whaaaat? After I stuck my neck out to get you one of the biggest events of the season?"
"Yep." She simply replied. "See you next week." Page Turner was left speechless as Peacemaker let out a smirk as she left.
XXXXX
Peacemaker made it to her apartment where all of her news articles were tacked on the wall. "Now who would you be?" She asked quizzically as she turned on her lanterns to help her see.
She raised it to the light, but the shadow cast within the envelope did nothing to help. The paper within was too thick for the light to pierce.
Being careful not to touch it physically, she kept it at a safe distance and slowly tore it open. Luckily, nothing nefarious happened as she pulled out the paper within as she read its contents.
TO FIND THE TRUTH YOU SEEK. GO TO THE CASTLE OF THE TWO SISTERS AT MIDNIGHT AFTER THE RUNNING OF THE LEAVES. THERE YOU WILL FIND A STORY.
XXXXX
Peacemaker was too lost in her thoughts to really make sense of the letter before her. She decided to take a break as she needed to focus on what was in front of her and returned it to her bag. All she knew is that she had to find out who it was. Luckily, this task thrown upon her will allow her to knock out two birds with one stone.
"Well, it's been a long night. It's gonna be a while until I reach Ponyville so I'll just close my eyes for a bit."
She made herself comfortable as she leaned against the window and let the rhythm of the tracks lull her sleep. "Next stop, Ponyville."
XXXXX
A/N
And that makes six to round it out. With all of them answering this strange call for a strange purpose from a pony or ponies unknown. How will it all turn out?
Long John is based on J. Jonah Jameson
