Clover Clues and the Fugitive Fawn

I stood around a table in the Maretropolitan Police Department Headquarters with the batpony guards, the MPD Chief of Police, a couple of very stern-looking agents from the Celestial Bureau of Investigations, and Princess Luna. She pointed at a sketch she had drawn of her stolen possessions: her crown, necklace, and hoof ornaments. "If the Royal Vestments were merely jewelry, I would consider them lost and have a new set made." Her face darkened. "Unfortunately, the Vestments are objects of devastating magical power. They were made thousands of years ago to aid me in my royal duties. Wearing them, I am able to raise and lower the moon and walk amonst dreams without exhausting my powers nightly."

I stared at the picture. "What would happen if somepony else tried to use them?"

Luna gave me a sorrowful look that broke my heart. "In the wrong hooves, they could be used to cause great harm and chaos. A sufficently capable magical creature could use them to control the tides, or bend ponies to their will through their dreams."

A very worried batpony spoke up. "Could it be possible for somepony to just crash the moon into the earth, just like, BWOOOSH." He ground one hoof into the other while making explosion noises.

"Um...no Sunshine. Mortal magic is not that powerful. And the moon doesn't work like that."

The Chief grumbled. "Even if they can't destroy the planet outright, they could certainly wreak some widespread havoc. Alright Detective, could you present your report?"

I adjusted the bandage around my head while magicking a folder out of my saddlebag. I opened it to a sketch of the suspect. "Sure thing Chief. Our thief is a female deer. About ten hands to the withers, amber eyes, light brown headfur, and a tan coat. She has white spots on her sides, meaning she is still a fawn. She was wearing black from nose to tail, complete with a mask that covered her ears and mouth until I knocked it off with magic. She is an extremely skilled fighter, employing thrown weapons and some seriously impressive hoofwork."

I flipped to another page that detailed the layout of the thief's escape route. "She entered the penthouse suite from the window here, which means she had been hiding on the roof or somehow managed to scale the entire building without anypony noticing. Once she stole the Vestments, she exited from the same window and started running from rooftop to rooftop like...like I don't know what. A comic book superhero. That's when you, ahem, caught up with me, Princess. And once again, thank you for saving me." I bit my lip and, after some thought, threw my hooves around the Princess in a grateful hug.

The batpony guards both took a step towards me but relaxed when Luna warmly returned the hug. "You are very welcome. Is there anything else you can tell us about this fawn?"

I furrowed my brow, flipping to the last page of my report. "We lost track of her at the docks. Oh, and one more thing. When I magicked off her mask, she cursed at me in a language I hadn't heard before. It sounded like 'kutabaray' or something close to that." I tried to mimic the fawn as closely as I could remember.

Luna laughed. "She told you to drop dead. In Neighponese."

One of the CBI agents chimed in. "Princess, things could get very messy very fast if word gets out that a foreign agent has stolen powerful Equestrian artifacts. I recommend that their recovery be a clandestine operation."

Agent #2 replied with, "I agree. This needs to be quickly and quietly resolved before things escalate."

Luna nodded resolutely. "Then it's settled. Detective Clues will be heading to Neighpon right away to retrieve my Royal Vestments." I tensed up and gave the Princess a panicked look.

The CBI agents gaped. "But your Highness, we have much more capable operatives who can--"

The Princess levelled her gaze at the objecting pony. "Agent Halter, this is not a debate. Clover is the only pony who got a good look at the thief, and he has proven himself to be both brave and capable. With our Neighponese allies at his disposal, he will have more than enough backup to complete this operation."

I raised a hoof nervously. "Um, I'm glad you think so highly of me Princess, but I'm not sure I'm up for this task on my own. I'd like to bring along somepony from the local force to be my partner."

The Chief nodded slowly. "Good idea, Clues. Laser Focus is an experienced field agent as well as an expert investigator. If she is willing, she can accompany you."

I grinned. "You know me well, Chief."

He grunted in assent. "I wouldn't be a proper Chief if I didn't know my officers."