Pinkie Pie's face lit up with joy as she hopped energetically inside the bakery. The delightful aroma of just-baked cupcakes filled the air, making her mouth water. However, upon closer inspection, you could spot a tiny burn mark on her upper lip, a result of her impatience. Pinkie couldn't contain her excitement and had hastily taken the cupcakes out of the oven without allowing them to cool. With the sun shining brightly outside, she swiftly utilized her super speed to decorate and arrange the cupcakes in a medium-sized, pink box. Once she finished, she carefully placed the box in her mouth, being cautious not to aggravate the fresh burn, and headed towards the exit. To her dismay, what she witnessed next caused the cupcake box to slip from her grasp and fall to the ground with a soft thud. ''Twi-Twilight-'' As the sun rose in the sky, casting its warm glow over the bustling town, no one could have anticipated the shocking scene that awaited them. The sight that unfolded before her eyes, and the eyes of the ponies who were going about their day, was nothing short of horrifying. It was a moment that took everyone by surprise, as they had all been hoping for a peaceful and serene morning. But alas, fate had a different plan in store for them.
The tranquility of the morning was shattered as a dark cloud loomed over the town, casting a shadow of fear and uncertainty. The ponies, who had been going about their daily tasks, paused in their tracks, their expressions filled with disbelief. It was a sight that no one could have imagined, and it left them all feeling a sense of unease. The beauty of the sunlight that they had been enjoying just moments ago now seemed distant and forgotten, as they were faced with a sight that would forever be etched in their memories. In front of them stood the princess of Friendship, but something was different. Her body stood tall, but her eyes lacked any spark of life. Even her once vibrant purple color had faded to a dull gray, as if she had lost all her light before her demise. The absence of her horn and wings, along with the torn patches on her skin, gave the impression that they had been forcefully taken away. Forcefully ripped away from the skin and very muscle underneath. The gruesome scene before them was enough to make even the bravest of stallions shudder. The princess of friendship stood before them, her entire body, covered in dark stains that reeked of blood. As the wind blew through the princess's lifeless, unmoving, mane, the stench grew stronger, assaulting the senses of all who happen to be near by. It was clear that she had not simply died, but had been brutally murdered.
Upon closer inspection, it became apparent that there were fresh burn marks, or those that resemble them, around all four of her hooves. This suggested that she bad been taken, then tortured, before being killed. The townsponies stared in horror, some of them had angry expressions, others seemed to curl into themselves and weep softly. As for Pinkie Pie, she felt the pressure in her throat as thick chunks of previous cupcakes threatened to rip themselves out of her stomach and out her mouth, as she exploded into a heap on the ground, the contents of her baking staining the ground.
''Who the hell did this!'' A thunderous roar erupted from the depths of a random stallion, voice filled with rage and disbelief at the horrible sight. Pinkie Pie's trembling hoove reached up to her lips, her face contorted in agony as she expelled the vile remnants of her stomach onto her hoove. Her glare drifted upwards, her eyes clouded with a hazy mix of pain and confusion, as if searching for answers from the heavens. What had been a bright, beautiful, morning, had become dark and horrible in a matter of seconds. The once radiant morning had swiftly transformed into a sinister abyss, shrouded in darkness and despair. The sun's warm embrace had been replaced now by an eerie gloom that seemed to suffocate the very air itself. The once vibrant colors of nature seemed to fade into a haunting monochrome, as if drained of all life, kind of like Twilight. Shadows danced menacingly, their elongated forms casting an ominous presence upon the desolate landscape. The tranquility that once enveloped the surroundings had been shattered, replaced by an unsettling stillness that sent shivers down the spines of every pony present to the horrible, image in that town square. It was as if the world had been swallowed by a malevolent force, leaving only a haunting void in its wake.
The arrival of the police ponies was a shift one, it was as if they had been lurking in the shadows, simply waiting for the moment to show up. In a matter of moments, the lifeless body of their dead friend was swiftly whisked away, concealed beneath a chilling shroud of pure white. They stood there, helpless and captive, their eyes fixated on the mesmerizing dance of red and blue lights that cast an eerie glow upon the scene. Time seemed to stand still, as if their world had been plunged into a dark abyss, where only the haunting echoes of tragedy remained. The stillness of Starlight Glimmer was palpable as she sat alongside the rest of the main five, watching in agony as the police ponies loaded the lifeless body of Twilight Sparkle into the back of their vehicle. The redness of their eyes was a clear indication of the pain and sorrow they were experiencing, with tears streaming down their faces. The group remained silent, each lost in their own thoughts and emotions. Each one unable to comprehend the tragedy that had just befallen them and everyone else. The weight of the situation was heavy, weighing down upon their hearts, at the reality of Twilight's dead. As they watched the vehicle with the body drive away, the main five were left with a sense of emptiness and despair, unsure of how to move forward. Only then was Rainbow Dash the first to break the silence.
''Hey! You there!'' she shouted as she flew as fast as she could, over to the few remaining police ponies left to check out the scene. It was clear her patience had run out as she soared full speed towards the dwindling group of police ponies. With fierce determination, she called out to them, demanding each of their attentions. In a split second, she had seized the reins of the investigation and became its fearless leader in mere seconds. That's what Twilight would want from her, right? To be brave and find out the truth. Her powerful voice echoed through the sky, cutting through the heavy silence like a bolt of lighting. ''Tell me you have some information! I'm ready to catch that sick bastard! Look what they did to Twilight!''
A female pony officer, adorned in a striking light blue uniform and cap, responded with an air of authority, "We shall remain oblivious until the body undergoes a more intimate examination." Her lustrous mane and tail boasted a captivating shade of solid purple, while her eyes shimmered in a delightful hue of blue. A testament to her profession, her cutie mark showcased a resolute pair of silver handcuffs. ''That's a load of bullshit!'' Rainbow barked, curling her front teeth at the female officer. ''What are you doing until that happens! This is my friend we're talking about here!'' The female officer's voice was stern but soft as she addressed Rainbow's outburst. She took out a deep breath and composed herself, knowing that any display of emotion could jeopardize her position. She sympathized with the mares, but she couldn't afford to let that cloud her judgement. On duty, there were exceptions. ''I understand that this is difficult for you and your friends,'' she stared, as she drew her bright eyes over to look at the rest of mares. Sitting together, try as they might to comfort one another, Rairy, fluttershy, applejack, and Starlight Glimmer sat into each other, no signs of Pinkie Pie, though, for she had hidden herself away in Twilight's castle. ''But we must follow protocol. We need to approach this investigation like any other murder case. We have a duty to the community, and we can't let out emotions get in the way.''
''I understand, this is a challenging situation for you and your comrades,'' began a male officer, his voice filled with empathy. He donned the same uniform as the female officer, but his coat was a warm shade of brown, perfectly complementing his majestic mane and tail. Surprisingly, his cutie mark resembled that of a pistol, which puzzled everyone present as firearms were no longer utilized in Equestria. The brown officer pony with the pistol cutie mark couldn't help but stare at the three ponies, huddled together, a mere inches away from the scene. Desperately attempting to console one another, Rarity, fluttershy, applejack, and Starlight Glimmer, as they were leaned onto one another. But there didn't seem to be any traces of Pinkie Pie. No, she had sought refuge in Twilight's castle. ''I'm so sorry ladies, but my partner is correct. We have to stick to the rules. We have to handle this investigation just like any other homicide case. Our responsibility is to the land. Please try to understand. The princess would expect nothing less.'' With that, the two officers turned to walk away, leaving Rainbow alone to process her emotions. However that didn't happen. Instead if it hadn't been for Starlight Glimmer's magic, Rainbow Dash would have done something utterly stupid, as it looked like she'd have been trying to launch herself at the two officers.
''Calm down, Rainbow! This won't solve anything!''
''Rainbow Dash, for the love of Celestia, get a grip! This reckless behavior won't fix a darn thing!'' Applejack's voice echoed with frustration, her words laced with a tinge of desperation. It was the first time she had spoken since the chaos had unfolded, her determination shining through her emerald eyes as she struggled to stand up from the rest of the group. She knew deep down that this wasn't what Twilight would have wanted for them. The thought of their dear friend, the one who always sought out peaceful resolutions, lingered in her mind, urging her to find a better way. As Applejack's words hung heavy in the air, Rainbow Dash's fiery spirt flickered for a moment. The weight of her actions beginning to sink in, as she felt a pang of guilt tugging at her heart. Locking eyes with her friend, her mind racing to find a response. The perplexity in Applejack's gaze mirrored her own internal struggle, as did the rest of them. In that moment, they knew they needed to find a different path, one that honored Twilight. And for starters, that was taking care of Pinkie Pie. ''Applejack...I...I didn't mean for things to get this out of control. I just I can't believe she's really gone. Twilight's really dead..'' Rainbow Dash's voice wavered, her usually confident tone now laced with remorse and sadness. She could feel the tears welling up in her eyes again, the weight of her rage starting to crash down all around her. ''I just...'' Her voice cracked, the pain in her heart becoming evident, as her voice became limited for words. Regardless, Applejack softened her gaze, understanding the depth of Rainbow Dash's despair, for they were all feeling the same way.
"I can understand your feelings, Dash. We're all feeling the same way," she responded, her voice now gentle and empathetic. "In times of chaos, it's important to stay calm and level-headed. Twilight would want us to find a solution that doesn't cause more harm."
"We have to find the culprit who did this to Twilight, Applejack," Rainbow stated firmly.
"And we will, Dash," Applejack replied urgently. "But we can't let our emotions cloud our judgment. We need to approach this carefully and think before we act. Twilight wouldn't want us to rush into things and make matters worse." Rainbow Dash took a deep breath, her voice trembling with a mix of frustration and determination. "I understand, Applejack, but we can't just stand by and do nothing. We owe it to Twilight to find the person responsible. We can't let them get away with it." Applejack placed a reassuring hoof on Rainbow's shoulder. "I'm not saying we won't find them, Rainbow. We just have to do it the right way. We'll gather all the information we can, talk to anyone who might have knowledge, and work together to bring justice for Twilight. But we mustn't let vengeance consume us. We need to approach this with a clear mind." Rainbow Dash nodded, her voice filled with determination. "You're right, Applejack. We'll uncover the truth and ensure that whoever did this pays for their actions. But we won't lose ourselves in the process." Applejack smiled, her tone now resolute. "That's the spirit, Rainbow. Together, we'll find the truth and bring justice to Twilight."
"Darlings, I suggest we start by checking on Pinkie Pie. I'm very concerned about her well-being." Spoke Rarity as she slowly wiped away a few drops of tears that were staining her white cheeks.
''So am I.'' Squeaked Fluttershy. ''Pinkie was the closest to the crime scene when Twilight was found. I can't imagine how she must be feeling.'' Fluttershy's voice trailed off, her eyes appearing soft and vulnerable.
"Ladies, I almost forgot to mention that we discovered this item on the deceased's body. We're unsure if it holds any significance." Abruptly, the chestnut stallion materialized. There was a small piece of paper in his hoof. There was a sizable opening in the center of the surface, allowing for the insertion of a nail or any other pointed object. Rainbow Dash was the first one to spot the blood splatters, which were scattered along the upper part of it. The note seemed to have been affixed to the body as if it had been hammered in. Rainbow Dash quickly stretched out her hoove and grabbed the delicate paper, which was a light blue color. She carefully read through the words, making sure not to overlook any of them. To her astonishment and puzzlement, she brought down the sheet of paper to make it visible to the rest. Written in big, bold letters was a single word.
''EverFree.''