It's been three days since they started their search, the warehouse with the return address was completely empty. They searched the whole building, moved what was there around, tested everything to make sure there were no secret entrances, just a dummy address somepony used. Twilight's group hadn't found anything either.

Rumors were already spreading throughout Equestria about the human in Ponyville possibly on the run for something. Though from the sounds the rumors so far none of them seemed very detailed. From what Twilight said for some reason the guard had yet put him on the suspect list.

"So, doesn't that mean that package got in the right hooves?" Lyra asked as she read the scroll.

"Could be, but I doubt it since it barely had anything to do with the assault. Though it would slow down the process it wouldn't have stopped them from putting him on the list. Most likely Sparks has yet to give her statement." Luna answered.

"Makes sense since all they have right now is circumstantial evidence if I remember right." Applejack said coming back into the hotel room.

"Yes, but that only buys us more time and right now we need as much as we can," Luna said. "Did you find anything?"

"Just the same graffiti," Applejack answered.

"Are we sure that graffiti doesn't have some kind of message?" Lyra asked for the second time.

"That's why we're looking closely at them Lyra like we've already told ya." Applejack replied.

"I know, but are you sure you haven't found anything yet? Maybe I can take a look," Lyra suggested getting up.

"Just be careful, remember don't use the same route you used before," Luna said making Lyra nod before she left.

"To be clear, I really haven't noticed anything. If we don't find something then this really was a wild goose chase." Applejack said.

"I know, but it's the only thing we really have right now. But we can talk about this later, I want to follow Lyra just in case." Luna said getting up and going towards the door.

"Just one thing, I understand that whatever it was in that box was important but will it help us at all?" Applejack asked.

"Like me and Lyra already told you if it all plays out right then yes. As for what's inside, all I can say is it told us who we can't trust at the moment and it'll be enough to clear Brandon's name if we can find him." Luna replied walking out the door making the earth pony follow.

"Then why do you think they'll still see him as a suspect then if it'll prove his innocents?" Applejack asked after catching up.

"It's difficult to explain but to put it simply if we find Brandon and thus we find this group that is nothing more than rumors it'll put in solid fact behind what's in that box," Luna answered looking around.

"At least from the sounds of it and the fact that you have one of his feathers that has that lifeline spell we know he's alive." Applejack said. "Still wish we had an idea of what to look..."

"Ssshhh..." Luna raised her hoof still looking around, or at least that what it looked like.

"What is it?" Applejack whispered seeing if she can't spot anything.

"That's the stallion who gave me and Lyra the information about who was chasing Brandon. Do you see him? The one with the black eye?" Luna asked making Applejack look out of the corner of her eyes and caught a glimpse of the stallion Luna was talking about before he disappeared into a casino.

"So that's the one huh?" Luna nodded in response and Applejack could see the suspicion on the alicorns face.

"Now why would he be here?" Luna asked.

"Let's go find out," Applejack suggested.

"No, it may be a mere coincidence but we need to find Lyra fast just in case," Luna said and the two mares started to pick up the pace.

-------The Group---------

"Sir, are you certain this'll work? I mean that mare hasn't given her statement yet and that creature is far from being broken down to give a confession..." The stallion who spoke shrunk under the gaze of the stallion in front of them.

"Listen all we need is the rumors to get ponies angry and fearful even if he never officially becomes a suspect. For when ponies make a mob and try to find that human is when we have won and we will give those ponies their prize. After we've dealt with him before hoof because we all know the truth about what happened." The stallion replied his gaze fell on a particular pony.

"But what about the elements and the princess?" One pony asked.

"They won't find anything no matter how hard they try. Now back to that mare, I would like to set up a little experiment." The stallion said before getting up making all the other ponies avoid his towering gaze.

"What are you planning on doing if you don't mind me asking?" Lemon asked as the stallion's cold eyes fell on the young stallion.

"It's the time you truly prove your loyalty since you failed to keep your sister in check. Remember it's that reason why that human got close enough to her to do such a crime. Just know we will always be here for you." The stallion said putting a hoof on Lemon's shoulder giving him a smile.

"T-thank you, and I promise I won't let you down this time," Lemon said making the older stallion give a smile that sent shivers down everyone's spines.

"Good, cause I think it's about time you get to give that human a piece of what you really think of him." The stallion then began to move towards the door. "Follow me boy, and the rest of you are dismissed and now go back to your duties!"

"Yes, sir!" All the ponies in the room as they said that and saluted.

Lemon looked nervously at the stallion in front of him for despite him being about the same size as Big Mac the stallion was still very imposing to most. But Lemon focused on his task on hoof which he already knew part of what this stallion wanted him to do. Knowing he couldn't hold back even if he wanted to could end his own life.

"Now Lemon Grabs, you understand what I expect?" Lemon gave a nod. "Good, because if we even show the slightest bit of mercy then this human will take advantage. Just like how he did with your sister."

The Pegasus guard outside of Brandon's cell saluted at the dark brown and scarred stallion as they walked up. After telling the guard to drop the salute and open the door the guard gave Lemon a hard look before doing what he was told. Lemon stepped inside to see Brandon strapped down, and in better condition than what he thought he would be in.

"We send in a doctor to treat him after our sessions, now go ahead and head inside. Remember just because I'm not staying doesn't mean I don't have ways to make sure you didn't hold back you got that?" The stallion said sending a chill down Lemons back and he quickly nodded and went into the room and the guard shut the door behind him.

"Hello Brandon, nice to see you again," Lemon said walking close but stopped as Brandon just stared harshly at him.

"Just tell me, is your sister apart of all..." Before he could finish he grunted and spit out as Lemon's hoof made contact with his stomach.

"You do not mention her after what you did to her! You're nothing more than a monster!" Lemon said bringing another hoof back landing his next punch on Brandon's jaw.

"I didn't do anything to Sparks!" He spat out before another hoof connected.

After a few more punches Lemon stepped back out of breath and looked at Brandon who for his part wasn't letting the pain show that much. Though Lemon knew he had done his part well as Brandon spat out some blood before returning his hard gaze back to Lemon. The stallion went in for one last hit connecting with Brandon's stomach yet again.

"I promise to be back," At that, Lemon stepped back and gave Brandon a nod before heading to the door which opened for him.

"You did good, but what did you say to that creature?" The guard asked.

"I just told him I wasn't quite done with him and I'll be back for him," Lemon answered making the guard give a nod.

"Alright, I'm sure the boss will be satisfied now go back to your normal duties." The guard said making Lemon nod before heading back to do some filing work.

---Brandon----

As the door shut he finally gave a wince as the pain spread throughout his body as it did since he had been here. He knew that soon a doctor will be in to give him treatment, just enough to heal almost everything so they can do it all over again. Though he didn't know exactly how long he had been in this room or how long he could hold out, he had to keep his hope alive by thinking about his marefriends and Grace.

Though as he shifted he noticed that the strap on his right arm had come loose and he couldn't help but wonder how that had happened. No matter what the straps never seemed to loosen until this time. That's when it connected when Lemon leaned over to whisper in his ear.

He knew he had been given this opportunity but he knew that he had to do this right or else it could make things a lot worse, and not just for him now. But he couldn't help but think of why Lemon would help him now, after all, it seems that they pretty well convinced the stallion that he was the one who beat his sister up. Unless of course, Lemon was playing them.

------Las Pegasus-------

"Luna, I think I've found something!" Lyra said as Luna and Applejack came into the warehouse.

"Wait, you did? Where and what is it?" Applejack asked a little surprise seeped into her voice.

"Well, not much but it's something. Look at this graffiti right here and tell me what you see!" Lyra said moving out of the way to let the other two mares look.

"I see a hand, but why do you think this is important? I don't mean to sound like I'm doubting you, it's just that this could have been done by a random Minotaur." Luna said.

"Ah, but you see when most ponies and Minotaurs draw hands they only put four fingers on the hand. That's because that's what we're used to, but look closely. While it may seem to only have four fingers..." Lyra started before it clicked with the other two mares.

"This one has five, like a humans hand. It also looks old, but if this has something to do with this group that kidnapped Brandon why paint a human hand long before he arrived?" Applejack was the one who asked.

"That is simple, this group very well dates back to the group of exiles who came here so it would make sense that they knew what a human hand looks like. But it is odd if this group used it as some kind of logo..." Luna started before trailing off.

"Did you think of something?" Lyra asked.

"Yes, an old memory of Las Pegasus. One of the first casinos built had a five-fingered hand as it's trademark, though no pony really understood it. From what my sister told me that the casino had eventually changed it to something else. But I can't remember what they changed it to," Luna replied giving a frustrated sigh.

"Hey now, I think I may be able to help." Applejack said making both mares look at her. "My grannie and her friends come here every year, and she said that the cities history was all written down and stored in the library. According to her, they go into great detail about each casino, both new and old."

"So, in other words, it might tell us which casino we will be looking for then," Lyra said.

"Just might have, but we can't go now it's too late." Applejack said as she looked out to where the sun was starting to lower.

"Agreed, and Lyra you did a good job," Luna said giving the unicorn a kiss on the cheek.

"T-thanks, but why did you two come here so fast and together?" Lyra asked making Luna give her a concerned look.

"Do you remember that stallion from the alleyway?" Luna asked.

"Wait, you can't be serious that he's actually here!" Luna nodded. "But why? I mean after what he said had happened when he tried to step in and help Brandon he made it sound like he was going to lay low."

"Apparently his definition of laying low means following the ponies you gave information to. I have had my suspicions about him but before you ask I don't think he is apart of this group we're looking for." Luna said.

"Why?" Applejack asked.

"Because if he was then he would have tried to throw us off by now or even when he gave us the information about Brandon being chased. He could have simply lied, no I think this stallion is apart of something entirely different. I'm just not sure what his intentions are like I said, but I have a feeling he's been watching us for a while now." Luna answered making the other two mares give each other a paranoid look.

"Do you think he was the one who sent us that box?" Lyra asked.

"No, otherwise I have a feeling he would have come here looking himself before he talked to us. Though it could be possible, but I don't think so." Luna said. "Now let's get back before the night crowd comes out to party, we have a lot to think about."

-----Manehatten--------

"Luna just sent a message that said that they may have found a lead that may help them. But they still have to look into it tomorrow." Twilight said as she finished the scroll.

"At least it sounds like they're having better luck than us. I mean we looked at where that stallion who attacked Brandon was found and came up with nothing, asked the surrounding neighborhoods if they knew the stallion and nothing!" Rainbow said in frustration.

"We know Rainbow, but we still have to look for Brandon's sake. The poor dear, who knows what that group is doing to him!" Rarity said.

"Agreed, let's just keep looking. There has to be something, if not to help us to help Luna and them on their side. I just hope we're not too late because the rumors have already started to get a little more detailed. Which means at this rate even without him being listed as a suspect ponies will jump on board with the idea that he did do it and I don't have to remind you all what that means." Twilight said which made them all go silent.

"R-right, I'll try again with some of the critters to see if they found anything tomorrow." Fluttershy was the first one to speak up.

"I'll keep up with some of the fashion ponies here to keep an ear open about those rumors and try to minimize them as much as possible." Rarity said.

"Alright, and I know you don't like this Rainbow but you and Pinkie are coming with me back to the alley just in case," Twilight said making rainbow roll her eyes. "Let's just hope we still have time because Brandon really already been through a lot."

"We have to find him and bring him home! Because he is one of us now, and he has more ponies counting on him returning safe and sound!" Pinkie finally spoked up and as the rest of them looked they couldn't help but see the determination in the party mare's eyes.

"Right, we will find him and bring back as Pinkie said. If they do anything to him before hoof then we will teach them a lesson that they will never forget!" Rainbow said giving a confident smile.

"This group had to of made a mistake somewhere that'll help us," Twilight said though a knock at their door made them drop their current conversation as Twilight went to answer the door. "Who's there?"

"It's me Twilly," Twilight heard Shining Armor say making all of them give a sigh of relief as Twilight opened the door.

"What are you doing here Shining?" Twilight asked.

"To help, of course, that and letting you know Brandon has been officially cleared of Sparks assault," Shining said leaving the entire group speechless.

Author's Notes:

Hmm, now I wonder how that would have happened...

Anyway hope you all enjoyed and remember to smile, smile, smile!