"You look like shit."

I sighed in frustration, sitting in front of the bathroom mirror in my hotel room, out of the street clothes I'd been wearing in favor of putting myself back in a suit. If it were at all possible, her picture would be the only definition for the antithesis of 'tact' in the dictionary.

"Yes, I'm all too aware of that, thank you." I muttered, gently dabbing a cotton ball soaked with rubbing alcohol around a long cut on my cheek.

Despite her gauntlet, she didn't manage to do as much damage to my face as I expected. Of course, on the flip-side, my face still looked like it got pretty mashed up by someone. My snout was broken and the fur there was soaked with blood from my nostrils, my cheeks and my eyes were swollen, and I had multiple small and large cuts hiding away under my fur. Each one had to be carefully tended to, and the tenderness of my snout didn't make that any easier. I'd need to eventually go to a hospital to get it looked at, preferably sooner rather than later.

"Right, we have to talk, and we need to make it quick because I don't know when or if the police will arrive," I said, looking over at her through the reflection in the mirror. "We need to have our story straight."

"What? Why would the cops show up?" she asked, currently in the process of drying herself off after getting out of the shower.

"Because I didn't take the time, nor did I have the time, to clean up my magic signature from when I blew up that hallway."

"Magic signature?"

"Something that gets left behind for a certain period of time depending on the intensity and complexity of the spell cast," I explained, frowning a little. "On average, the spell I cast would take around a half-hour to an hour to dissipate, granted there aren't outside factors extending or shortening the lifespan of the signature. If there were unicorns near all of those blasts that released a lot of raw magic into the air upon death, it would shorten the time, but...no, we still need our stories straight."

"...You know, magic is not as useful as it seems to be when you read about it in books," she said, shaking her head slowly. "Glad I never learned to depend on it."

"Neither did I, outside of daily activities. In combat, magic is often a blunt instrument you bludgeon your opponent with, albeit from a distance. There's nothing subtle about calling lightning down from the skies and causing a lightning storm."

"Wait...you can do that?" she asked in a tone of disbelief.

"Getting back on track...I need to know everything you can tell me about Ruby and your working relationship towards her," I said, tilting my head a little. "Also, the guards in her home. Do they have any affiliation with the guards that keep an eye out at her arena?"

"No, she prefers to keep them separate," she told me, walking out of the bathroom. "The ones at her home were hired from some private security company a lot of the rich ponies in Stalliongrad consult with."

"Oh. That's unfortunate," I muttered, feeling a bit of guilt welling up in my chest. "If things had gone according to plan, I wouldn't have had to kill hardly any of them."

"Shit happens," she said so casually, the creaking of one of the beds telling me exactly where she was. "Nothing you can do about it now. You can answer for it when you wind up in Tartarus, right?"

"Somehow, that doesn't comfort me. Anyways," I said, clearing my throat and hissing in pain as I pressed the cotton ball against one of the cuts on my face. "Your working relationship with her. What was it like outside of the arena?"

"Well...."

It was weird, honestly. If I had been anyone else, it would've sounded like she and Ruby had been courting each other. Outside of work, Ruby occasionally went out with Gadget, sometimes as associates just picking up lunch, other times as two mares going out on a date. It didn't always end in sex, but it never surprised Gadget when it did. If there was one thing she was confident in, it was her ability to seduce a mare...even one like Ruby Red.

Still, I could work with that. I explained our story to her, one that we would have to follow to the letter, and I prayed with hope beyond hope that she could at the very least put on a convincing act. Well, if the cops actually showed up, that is. There was always the off chance that they wouldn't do a very thorough investigation, or miss my magic signature entirely.

Of course, to make this convincing, I couldn't afford for the police to not show up. I mean if they didn't get my signature, it would be fine, but I had no way to be sure of that. Best to err on the side of caution. As soon as Gadget and I had our stories straight with each other, I picked up the phone and gave the police a call.

I made sure to sound frantic. Not out of breath, but talking very fast, concern weaved into my words to really sell the performance. I had to sound innocent and young. Inexperienced with stuff like this. I'm just a young mare starting her journey through adult life, and all that nonsense. I needed to seem scared.

They had some officers on the way, and I took the time to collect myself and put some obvious bandages over my face to really work the whole pity angle on them. If I could make them feel sorry for a poor, innocent victim like myself, it'd be that much easier to convince them to just dismiss my magic signature, and thus my presence there, as nothing more than an unfortunate coincidence that has no real bearing on the investigation.

To think, all of this could've been avoided if it weren't for that fucking camera....

A lot of ponies make the mistake of thinking that when you're putting on an act like this, you just need to sound scared, innocent and vulnerable. That's not true very often. What you really need to do is understand yourself, and how others perceive you, and then you need to understand how you would react were you actually in this situation. What would your state of mind be? Are you determined, or brave? Are you a coward? Would you be curled up on your bed, trembling from what you'd just been through? Would you be sniveling like a bubble-blowing baby? Whatever you would be, don't lie to yourself and just conform to that image.

When the cops showed up, I had Gadget answer the door while I went into the bathroom. Gadget let the investigators in while I limped out of the bathroom, only slightly exaggerating the ache in my bad leg and the pain in my foreleg where Ruby had battered it when she had me pinned to the ground. The investigators were a pegasus and an earth pony.

"Hello ma'am. My name is Feather Duster," the pegasus said, motioning to his associate. "This is my partner Ramshackle. We got a call from dispatch, mentioned you rang about the attack on miss Ruby Red's home, yeah?"

"Yeah," I said, sitting down and rubbing the sore area on my foreleg. "I'm Twilight Sparkle, this is Gadget Steelmare. We were there."

"Mmmhmm. You weren't subtle about it," he said, pulling a notepad from a pocket on his uniform. "Left a magic signature the size of Manehattan in there! That hallway your doing?"

I nodded slowly. "The whole thing happened so fast, I didn't have a lot of time to think."

"Well, maybe you should start at the beginning. You got a license to cast?" he asked, sitting down and pulling out his pencil.

"Of course I have one!" I said, as if shocked they would even suggest otherwise. "I'm Celestia's personal student. A License to Cast is only natural."

"Mind showing it to me?" he asked, looking up from his notepad at me.

I nodded and reached into the pocket of my suit, pulling out a small wallet where I kept my ID, a few spare paper notes in case of emergencies, things like that. I pulled out my caster's license and my ID, hoofing them both over to him. I had to make a conscious effort to not use my magic to float it over. Non-unicorn cops tend to get a little twitchy when a potential suspect uses magic around them.

License to Cast. It was a standard thing for any trained mage to get, and the only thing that allowed me to learn spells beyond the second tier. Tiers one and two were civilian-grade, and they were all open to independent study, or being used in self-defense by your average unicorn, granted they put the time into learning said spells. There are still certain caveats and exceptions, but for the most part, you can find copies of most first and second-tier spells in your public library.

Getting your Caster's License is one of the first things you do if you're on the path to becoming a proper mage...after you've completed your basic studies of the first two tiers of magic, done sufficient study of the various schools...yeah. Spells of the third and fourth grade are very dangerous, and beyond that, you're getting into territory that could lead to a lot of issues...such as demonology studies, or creating golems. You can imagine how shit could hit the fan if an uncertified and unprepared individual attempted either of those particular magic studies. Accidents can still happen even with a certified individual of course, but at least they're less likely to fuck up summoning a succubus than some unlicensed street mage.

Mind you, studying magic isn't limited to just unicorns. If you're an earth pony or a pegasus and you want to study that stuff, you can to your heart's content. You just need to pass an entirely different series of tests. They may not be able to cast magic the way us unicorns can, but they can easily write those spells down, and the last thing we want is a fifth-tier spell becoming available to the public...or worse, criminals that actually have the gumption to learn them.

"Alright, everything seems fine here," Feather said after flipping both forms of identification over to examine them more thoroughly. "You know how it goes. The signature you left behind had the estimated intensity of a third-tier spell, so we're gonna need you to go down to the station when you've got some free time, fill out a form or two, give the details of the spell used, that sort of thing."

He hoofed my ID and my license back to me, and I tucked them away. Ramshackle just snorted and shook his head.

"Yeah, s'fine," Ramshackle chimed in, looking between Gadget and myself. "But what were you doing there?"

"Yeah, what's got a pony like you in Stalliongrad, lady Sparkle?" Feather chimed in. "Seems like a weird place for a Canterlot noble to be, let alone a hero, if the papers are to believed."

"Well, Stalliongrad has a lot of opportunities as long as you aren't aiming for millions. That's what I've been doing the past week or so," I explained, smiling a little. "Getting out from under Mom and Dad's bank accounts. Some spoiled nobles I won't name are content with living off of old money, but I'm not one of them."

Feather Duster had his notepad out again, and he was rapidly scribbling some things down as I spoke. When I paused, he looked up at me and motioned for me to continue with his hoof. I reached up and tapped my horn while looking between him and his partner.

"You mind if I use my magic real quick? I've got papers from some business deals I've been working on," I said, pointing over to my suitcase. "I'm investing in businesses here. That was actually the whole purpose of my trip, and that was why I was in miss Red's home."

I purposely ran a hoof through my mane and faked a shiver, slowly shaking my head and rapidly blinking my eyes while looking away from them. I needed to sell the fact that I was actually shaken by the supposed events that had happened, and just sitting there calmly wasn't going to do that for me.

"I-I'm still not entirely sure what happened. One moment I was looking for the bathroom, next thing I know, things are going crazy and I'm under attack."

"Uh, yeah, that's fine. Anything you can tell us about your attacker? That spell you cast dropped the security room into the basement," Feather told me, his faint smile fading just a little. "Security tapes didn't survive the fire that started."

How fortuitous for me! That saved me the trouble of having to go and get those tapes later that night. I was fully prepared to mess with some heads and have an officer retrieve them for me from evidence. Small blessings, right?

"Well, I know my attacker was a mare. Unicorn, I think. I can't imagine she could've survived my spell without a more significant amount of resistance to arcane forces," I said with a small shrug of my withers. "I remember dark green fur and blue eyes, but that's about it. Oh, aaand she definitely wasn't Stalliongradi."

"What makes you say that?" Feather asked, his pencil scribbling away at the notepad, held in one of his wings.

"Uh...she was my size, instead of my friend's size?" I said, pointing over at Gadget.

Gadget blinked a few times. "We are friends?"

I leaned over to give her a playful shove. "After what just happened? Pretty sure we are."

She hummed happily and nodded. "Hm! Friends then. Perhaps I will buy you dinner in an attempt to make it more than that?"

"Don't push it." I stated quickly, rolling my eyes.

"Alright, we're getting off-topic here," Ramshackle said, motioning between Gadget and I. "What were you doing at miss Red's home?"

"Well, I tend to wander, it's just something I do when I travel," I started, reaching out with my magic to float over several papers to let Feather have a look at. He seemed like the smarter of the two. "Invested in a few small businesses, conversed with a few of the locals...nothing special. Then I ran into Gadget here."

"Da, I met her when I worked for one of those tourist traps, around...I think three years ago?" Gadget offered, looking to me for confirmation. I just nodded. "Yes, three years ago. We talked a little, but it was nothing special. When we ran into each other on the street, I was surprised she recognized me."

"So was I! I just called out your name and you reacted."

"Probably one of the few nobles I have met that did not make me feel stupid." she said, smiling at the cops.

"Alright, so what?" Ramshackle asked, the irritation in his voice telling me that he was getting frustrated at not getting a straight answer.

"Oh! Well, Gadget knew miss Red, and when we got to talking and I mentioned why I was in Stalliongrad, she said she'd take me to meet miss Red. Really unofficial and spontaneous, but she didn't think that'd be a problem."

"How did you know miss Red?" Ramshackle asked Gadget, seeming to become a bit more invested now that he was getting some more important answers.

"I used to work for her. Small things, I think she took pity on me," she said, sniffing dismissively. "I was not always the beautiful image of pony perfection you see now. I grew up on the streets."

Feather chuckled at that. "Alright. So you worked for her. That's how you knew her then?"

"Da! This is obvious," she said, smiling just a little at him. "She and I had a few lunches here and there together, I would hesitate to call us friends, but knowing ponies in high places is a sure path to a more comfortable life."

"Uh, hey, sorry, I know this is an investigation, but...did you grow up speaking Gradios?" Feather asked Gadget curiously.

"Uh, yes? My смотритель spoke it very fluently, and she got me when I was just a little foal, so I grew up on it," Gadget explained to him, tilting her head. "You could not tell from my accent?"

"Well it's not that, it's just, it's so rare these days!" he said, grinning widely. "Could you say some more? I've actually never heard someone speak fluent Gradios before!"

"Не очень-то хочется с нуля в новом городе начинать. Я только в этом месяце с тремя кобылками переспала, и ты такой мягенький, что четвертой был-бы, если бы не был жеребцом," she said, letting out a small sigh. "Печально, что придется новую конюшню заводить."

I could see the excitement in Feather Duster's eyes. I didn't expect this, but it certainly wasn't unwelcome. The more they could endear themselves to them, the easier it would be to subtly convince them that we were innocent. I would have to get a good look at those police reports.

Feather was about to say something, but Ramshackle was there, seeming much more gruff about the whole thing, and gave his partner a small push with his hoof. His brow was furrowed and he seemed a bit more tense. I guess having the conversation derailed again had really bothered him. No bullshit, that one.

"If we could stay focused, Duster," he growled out, turning his attention back to us. "Please continue."

I nodded, then frowned a little. "There's not much to say. Gadget walked me in, went to speak with Ruby, I went to find the bathroom, and next thing I know there's gunfire and I'm in the thick of it. I didn't have any time to react properly."

"Soooo...you responded with a quickly-cast spell," Feather offered, returning to his notepad. "Quite a spell to default to...."

I shrugged at that. "It was meant to just be a kind of outward burst, to get an attacker off of myself with potentially lethal force, but it came out as a series of uncontrolled blasts. I felt them swirl randomly through the air, there were explosions, then bam. I'm waking up in a pile of rubble, there's more gunfire in the distance, and Gadget's helping me up and getting me out of there."

"Well, you look awfully clean for someone that dropped through the floor," Ramshackle noted, looking me up and down a few times. "Your clothes, especially."

"Oh, that's because I changed," I said, motioning to a small pile of dirty laundry I'd stacked in the corner. "I was actually wearing these."

I reached out and picked up the two garments I'd slipped on for that particular outing, floating them over to show them to the officers. They were dusty and scraped up from the explosion in the hallway and my tussle with Ruby, but if I threw them in the wash, they'd be fine. Both Ramshackle and Feather Duster looked the clothes over before glancing at me in confusion.

"Why would a noble wear street clothes?" Feather asked. "They're not even brand-name."

I frowned at that, flicking my tail a little. "You know who I am and how much the newspapers are calling me a hero and giving me all this attention. Aside from me being a noble of good standing, it's been getting me a lot of questions and on-lookers that I'd like to avoid when I'm not working. You'd be surprised how much a simple shift in one's clothing from formal and fancy to commoner on the street can help you blend in as if you're nopony special."

Ramshackle snorted and shook his head. "No, I wouldn't be surprised."

"So, wrong place at the wrong time, huh lady Sparkle?" Feather asked, chuckling good-naturedly and tucking his notepad away. "Can't say it's the worst thing I see. You should probably stop wandering the streets like that though."

I smiled at him and shrugged. "I've been doing that since I was little! If I can't handle myself by now, what in Tartarus is wrong with me?"

Feather just shrugged at that and looked over to Ramshackle. "Eh, think we need to bring 'em in for questioning?"

Ramshackle's attention diverted to us, and he rubbed his chin a little in contemplation. There were a lot of factors here, and either we were going to be called out because someone saw Gadget helping me, or this would go over a lot smoother than I expected. Of course, that carried little hope for me, because things rarely go as smooth as I want them to.

"Nah, I don't think so. No one mentioned 'em, and if miss Steelmare's around often enough, it wouldn't surprise me if they just got used to looking past her presence," he said, turning and heading for the door. "C'mon, let's get outta here, we got more work to do."

Well, never let it be said that things never went as smoothly as I wanted them to....

There was a sigh of relief from both of us once Feather and Ramshackle had left. I'd fully expected Ramshackle to insist that I come in for further questioning. As it stood, our story was passable only if other eye-witness accounts didn't contradict things, and I'm fairly sure no one alive actually saw Gadget or myself. Even if they did, their accounts could be called into question, considering how many unknowns there were. Body modification may be illegal, but illusions aren't, and if there was more than one intruder...well. You see where I'm going with this.

Regardless, I needed to be sure. But first and foremost, I needed to get Gadget out of the city for a while. That would buy me the time I needed to ensure that they didn't count her as a suspect. If they did, I would be called into question as well.

"Well, that was a hot load of bullshit we spewed from our mouths," Gadget cued in, wrestling me from my thoughts. "What now?"

"Well now, you're going to get some sleep, then you're leaving Stalliongrad."

"...Just like that?"

"Yes. I have a place you can go until I return from my business here. Red's fighting arena will have to go dark for a time, but I can restart it later. I just need to get the diamond dogs to dance to my tune," I said, a few addresses running through my mind. "The place I have in mind may or may not have a pegasus there waiting for me already. Goes by the name of Shady Wings."

"Alright...will he shoot me on sight or something? I have never met him."

"No, he'll be fine as long as you give him a message from me. He knows my penmareship."

I quickly reached out with my magic for several blank pieces of paper from my suitcase, picking up a pen and rapidly writing a message over them. It was nothing special or specific, I just needed to make sure it got the message across that she was trustworthy and could be let in to stay there until I got back home.

"Here. Knock on the door three times at the address on that paper when you get to Canterlot, and hoof it over to him if he's even there. If he's not, there's a small opening on the left side of the steps, you can pull it open with magic or a magnet," I explained, floating it over to her. "He'll set you up in one of the rooms, and there should be a small stash of bits still there from the last time I restocked. You can use that to, I dunno, go out to eat, buy a hooker, I don't really give a fuck. Just don't spend all of it."

Gadget hmph'ed and shook her head. "I would never lower myself to banging a hooker, хитрожопый."

"Hey. Prostitution is perfectly legal in Equestria as long as you're registered and your license is valid. Don't go looking down on them just because they get paid to fuck," I said, smirking a little. "I'm surprised that isn't your chosen profession."

"Hah~! Fuck you." she said, turning away from me.

"You wish." I shot back, giving her a nudge.

She snorted at me and stood up, looking to the paper for a moment before glancing back at me. "I have no way to carry this. I will have to go to the arena first to pick up my things."

"I'll go with you then. Will the guards be a problem?" I asked, reaching for my own saddlebags, and my bit pouch.

"Not if you go in disguise."

"Can't. The magic could agitate my injuries in really bad ways."

She shrugged at that. "Then I suppose you cannot come along."

"No, I'll just watch from a distance. There are still some unknowns, and if anyone really knew you helped me, well...you might be in trouble," I explained to her, frowning a bit. "I don't have any guns, but I can throw rubble without leaving a magic signature, and I can be pretty damn accurate with it. If the guards pull guns on you, just focus on getting out of the way."

"After what I saw, I will simply take your word for it. Shall we?"

I made a point of changing clothes once again before heading out. Another pair of casual commoner clothes, this time a thick hoodie and a pair of track pants I'd picked up while I was traveling around Stalliongrad. Nothing special, just something to blend in better.

Fortunately, when we arrived at the arena, things seemed pretty chaotic, but no one suspected Gadget. She was able to walk right in, grab her stuff and get back out. She had a bit pouch full of bits, a big pair of saddlebags that were packed full of her things, and no one gave her a second glance. I suppose with all the chaos Ruby's death kicked up, it was only to be expected.

We got back to the hotel with zero fuss. She got her things together, and the next morning, she was gone. Made sure to get up nice and early too. Me, I had two things to take care of myself, but one would have to wait until I healed. I would probably wind up going back to Stalliongrad in a month or so, so that wasn't a problem. Gadget would be able to get me in contact with who I needed to talk to in order to get that arena going again.

That left one very important task that I needed to absolutely deal with: the police. There were still far too many unknowns regarding the investigation, and I needed to make sure nothing really...sprang up on me by surprise, y'know? How fortunate that I would blend right in at the police station while filling out the paperwork they needed from me.

Compared to the infiltration of Ruby's house, this was far more of a cake-walk. Without Gadget around observing my actions, I could get away with a lot more. Specifically, when Feather Duster showed up to observe me and read over the paperwork I filled out, it was all too easy to plant some very specific thoughts in his head. A few little things I'd cooked up ahead of time, similar to what I'd used on the two guards, but nowhere near as complex.

Rather than fabricating a complicated series of memories by planting the seed in his head, this was more like...planting a thought. I needed to get him to come back to my hotel room, of his own volition, without saying a word to anyone. I went with curiosity as my basis for him coming back to me, and I cast it all under the guise of using my magic to hold my pen while I filled out my paperwork. Just a small crush, a tiny ember in his thoughts that maybe, just maybe, could become something more if he played his cards right. I could only count myself fortunate that he was naturally confident. It would've taken me forever to actually get him to have the balls to show up unannounced with the intention of getting closer to someone of my standing.

So many ponies romanticize it, try to play love and crushes and stuff like that up like it's some sort of magical thing. Perhaps to some extent it is, but that's not all it is. Love is a complicated blend of emotions in a sapient mind, influenced by the release of various chemicals in the brain and the body. I would even argue that it's an altered state of mind entirely. It was something I could work with. I could game the system, so to speak.

I went about the rest of my day as expected. I went to the hospital, got my face looked at by a trained medical professional, and the end result was a whole lot of bandages hiding a somewhat uncomfortable brace, since apparently my snout was broken a bit worse than I thought. It actually made it a little difficult to breathe. Of course on the flip-side, they gave me some vicodin, so...silver lining. That stuff's fun as long as you don't abuse it.

Feather Duster didn't show up at the hotel until later in the afternoon. Right around three-thirty, just a little after if I'm remembering correctly. I let him in without a fuss, and the moment the door was closed, I knocked him out with a spell. With him asleep, his mind was an open book for me, and I could take my time weaving very specific, and much more complex instructions into his head.

First, I erased his memories of his thoughts towards me. I searched his mind for memories of friends, perhaps a favorite hangout of his, and carefully fabricated a memory of going out drinking before going home for the evening and getting some rest. I kept those fake memories locked away for later. What came after that was...well, just a bit darker.

I took control of his consciousness, and established a series of commands for him to follow without question, without acknowledging that he was following orders at all. It was similar to hypnosis, but far more direct and far more reliable. I didn't need to be there to flick his ear as some sort of trigger. He would simply do as he was instructed, without error. He was to get me a copy of every single statement and any security videos the police may have secured, just in case he and Ramshackle had been lying to me about that.

The whole process took me a little over two hours. If anyone asked questions, he was simply taking his work home. If anyone tried to hold him up, he'd dismiss himself as soon as possible. I didn't need him lingering around when I was working mind magic on him. I waited anxiously in my hotel room, too worked up to watch the television in the meantime. All I had was the tick-tock of the clock on the wall, and my own slightly labored breathing that was bordering on being an annoying nasal whistling sound.

He returned just over a half-hour later, a thick folder tucked under his wing. He was still in his police uniform, and once he'd closed the door behind himself and he'd passed the folder off to me, his eyes became vacant and distant. I ordered him over to the bed and bade him to lay down. He moved with such robotic motions, it was a bit unnerving. I'd seen it a few times before, when I'd been experimenting with mind magic more, but it'd been a few years since then.

The room was silent save for the shuffle of papers and the light breathing of my vacant-minded companion. There was the clock as well, but that faded into the background as I took in the statements from several members of security in Ruby's house, and several of her staff. I combed over each statement slowly and deliberately, comparing each one and making sure those stories matched. I made several amendments to the statements from the security guards and kept the corrected ones aside from the ones that didn't need to be fixed. Just three security guards making mention of me in the hallway, followed by a powerful blast of magic. They never saw Gadget and I leave.

None of the staff had spotted Gadget, which I was thankful for. It would suck to have to alter every single statement. One member of the staff actually saw me however, but since I was in disguise, well...all I needed to change was the description of the clothes I'd been wearing. Considering neither Feather Duster or Ramshackle had bothered to take me in the moment they saw my dirty clothes, I could only assume they either didn't put two and two together, or they hadn't really looked over the statements as carefully as they should've. Their loss, my gain.

With his mind already prepped for what I needed from him, I created another series of commands, something a bit simpler this time. He was to return to the police station, and pick up the previous statements. Rewrite them, print them out, replace them, and take the original statements home to be burned. Nothing complicated, nothing excessive. Once that was done, he could go home, fall asleep, and wake up the next morning remembering nothing of the previous night. After that, it was just a waiting game for me.

This all worked out in my favor. By the time anyone discovered the changes made to the statements, if anyone ever found out, my influence on Feather's mind would have faded enough that no one would be able to figure out that it was me. All that would be left after that is suspicion, but no one to point hooves at...other than Feather Duster. What would he be able to say, if someone actually found out he'd altered the evidence? That he didn't do it? He didn't remember doing it? A lie detector test wouldn't even work because, well...without knowing that he actually did it, having zero recollection, how could he truly lie if he said he didn't do it?

The whole thing would lead them on a wild goose chase, no doubt about it. Still, I couldn't help but still be worried about the whole thing. Sometimes, investigators can be really crafty and cunning, beyond what you expect, and there's always that feeling that you forgot something important. Three days later, that feeling faded somewhat, which I was thankful for.

I went about the remainder of my week finishing up my business around Stalliongrad. Compared to the storm of events involving Ruby Red, striking business deals was dreadfully boring, but necessary. I had hit a snag in the sense that the arena would have to fall apart for a time until my next business trip there, because my injuries sure weren't going to heal up properly within a week, but I'd been patient my entire life about things like this. I could wait a little longer.

By the end of the week I was exhausted and more than ready to head home. I knew I had more work to do when I got there, but I was already starting to miss Spike. He really was the light of my life, when I wasn't doing disgusting shit like killing some mare I didn't even know...not to mention probably killing a lot of mares and stallions that were just hired to watch a house. Just ponies doing their jobs. That was another taint on my soul I'd willingly bear.

Celestia had drilled it into me, and I respected her wisdom a whole lot more than any of the ponies I'd learned from in the Mafia. Strength of will and a good moral compass matter more than anything. If you make a mistake, especially a mistake that hurts others, you face it. Don't turn away from it like a coward. None can show loyalty to a leader that lacks courage to accept their faults and do their best to overcome them. A leader does not turn and run in that regard.

Initially, I'd dismissed that lesson as foolish. What place does honor have with criminals? But as I got to know her better, got to learn more from her, well...I agreed with her, to an extent. Not everyone has the fortitude to think back on the innocent ponies they've killed and accept it. It eats away at them on the inside. I'm a sick monster though, so I can cope. More of a halfbreed, really. A mix of a dark and psychotic monster that loves killing her prey, and a sensible mask of a pony that can blend in with the rest of society.

I would remember what I did to them. I refuse to allow myself to forget.

It almost felt like a final push, when I started packing my things to head home. I still needed the brace around my snout when I boarded the train, and I was sure Spike would be very, very worried. I suppose that sort of thing just comes with the territory. How could I blame him for being concerned? Mom's coming home with her face all busted up like she decided to box with a minotaur. I mean, my only equivalent moment of genuine concern for my parents was when my Father took a pair of bullets to the knees and my Mother got shot in the ass, but still. Couldn't blame him.

As soon as I was settled into my seat on the train, I deflated and slumped in my seat. I'd seen enough of Stalliongrad for a while, and doing this sort of thing without a crew was a whole lot harder than I'd predicted. Not having contacts and influence with the police, not having reliable assistance...yeah. This was an uphill battle, definitely. I could do it though. I had to do it.

With a hiss and a loud whistle from the train, I cracked a smile and laid myself down in my seat. I was finally heading home. Maybe once I got back, I'd take Spike back to Ponyville for a couple days. I promised I'd visit after all, and he already had friends there. I had friends there...that was a weird thought. It made me feel warm inside, though. Friends....

Yeah. Maybe a few days. A week, or something. I couldn't claim to understand why they would call me their friend so easily, but I was curious enough to find out. After what I'd been through in Stalliongrad, I could've used the down-time. My ears were still bothering me from how I'd abused those alterations I'd made to how my brain works. I kept hearing...really weird, melodic sounds, like wind chimes or ice shattering. Probably just a symptom, nothing more. I'd have a look at myself once I got back home.

For now, I just laid my head down over my forelegs, closed my eyes and let the rumble of the train lull me to sleep. A nap sounded nice.

Author's Notes:

It must be fun to lie so fluently, eh? Let's hope Twilight and Gadget actually got away with it.

Credit goes to fatalerror328 and Stoned while writing for the Gradios/Russian seen in this chapter!