Chapters The cases of Mystery Mare
Case of the missing Jade Dragon
It had been a few days since my last case. Mr. Lucem and I had brought my cat Nancy a collar and we had went to my old partners to say goodbye. I told them, I would write few days so that they knew how I was or they could call me. I sit in my office with my saddlebags by my desk, I haven't had time to put them away since I had been making new arrangements for some furniture. Today was the day for it to come and I heard a knock at the door, I walked over and answered it. I was some stallions brining in the new furniture. I prop the door open and headed back to my office as the stallions carried in a new couch for my living room. It was a dark red which I liked. As I wait for them to finish a light blue unicorn with a sandy colored mustache and a grey hat entered. I look at him. “Why hello, good sir. How may I help you?”
He sits down in the chair in front of my desk. “I have a case for you. My name is Karot, I’m a jeweler and I was delivering a gift to the princesses in my old wagon. It is a jade in the shape of a dragon.”
I take out my typewriter and start typing what he was saying, i nodded. “Go on, Mr. Karot.”
He nods. “So I was passing through town when I got hungry. So I stopped at Sugarcube Corner to get something to eat and when I get back, my wagon is gone.”
I finish typing. “I see Sir, I’ll be bringing one of my assistants so we can speak more about this at Sugarcube Corner. Order a hot chocolate on me.” He nods and leaves my office. I walk over to my assistant files and start searching for one to use. I decide to go with a bluish color pegasus, with a red, white, and blue mane. Her name was BluegrassTune. I have her come down to my office and she comes down minutes later. I hand her the file that I just finished typing up and she starts reading it.
“Hmm. Only one question. Do we know when this happened?” She asks me.
“It was around Noon today, The client came straight here after it happened. " I said to her as I pet Nancy. She purred.
“Strange. I wonder why somepony would steal something that valuable in broad daylight.” Miss BluegrassTune says as she was reading.
“That is our job to find out. We are going to meet the client in Sugarcube corner Lets go." I said as I stopped petting my cat as she ran off to another roo and was on my way out the door with my dark red saddlebags on my back.
“Ok then. Let's go” She said and together we headed out to Sugarcube Corner. As we walked over there she looks at me and asks. “So, the wagon was parked in front of Sugarcube Corner?”
I nodded looking around at the other ponies that passed as they gone off to do their normal tasks. "Yes it was,then when he came back out it wasn’t there."
I shrugged at her question. “I am not sure. I haven’t been out searching for it until now.”
Miss BluegrassTune nods as she was thinking. “Hmm. There has to be one unless it was covered up.”
"I suppose we'll find one when we start looking." I said. As we got closer to sugarcube corner we saw several wagon tracks.
My new assistant pointed them out to me even though I already had seen them. “Here are some right here.”
"You are indeed right Miss BluegrassTune." I open up my saddlebag and pulls out a magnify glass and looks at the tracks. "Judging by the size I would say that these tracks have come from more than one wagon. "
“There was more than one wagon you think?” She asks me.
"It could be but from what I know this area can be really busy at times so perhaps our client wasn't the only one hauling a wagon. " I stated and slipped my magnify glass back in my bag. We walk into the colorful bakery and I see our client sitting at a table. We both walk over to him and take a seat. I look to my assistant and make introductions. "Miss BluegrassTune, this is our client Mr. Karot. Mr.Karot, this is my assistant Miss BluegrassTune."
“Hello Karot. Um, can you describe what the wagon looked like?” Miss BlugrassTune said as she looked at him.
"It is a brown wooden wagon with an old paint job." He answered.
I nod. "And when was the last time you say it?"
"It was around lunch time so I figured I would stop here to eat. I leave my wagon for like 5 minutes and both it and the jade dragon is gone." He says.
Miss BluegrassTune nods. “Hmm. That narrows down things a lot.”
"Indeed it does." I said and thought for a moment. "Did you notice any strange ponies before you came in here?"
He nods. "Yes, a pink pony who acted like she was full of sugar. She kept asking me questions."
“Pinkie. I know her. She never stops bouncing around.” My assistant said. I nodded. I met Miss Pie before and she did seem as if she was full of sugar and bouncing around. I always wondered why she was that way. I think to myself if she could be the thief.
"What questions was she asking?" I ask as I grab my notebook and put a pencil in my mouth so I can write everything down.
"She was asking who I was, what I was carrying stuff like that." Mr.Karot said.
I continue writing things down, occasionally stopping to speak. "How big is the jade dragon?"
"Its not that big. About 6 inches long or so. It was in a box in the wagon." He answered.
I nod writing it down. "Alright, hmm.. that is all I got at the moment good sir. Me and my assistant will be sure to find it."
“Thank you Karot.” My assistant said as we both raised from our seats.
"You're welcome Miss. I hope you both find my wagon and gift for the princesses." He said. I put my notebook and pencil in my bag and started walking away from the table, my assistant followed.
As we walk down the street I turn to her. “I suggest we go look for Miss Pie."
She nods. “Yeah. Maybe she saw something.”
I nod. "Yes perhaps."
“I wonder where she's at right now”
"Hmm..I suppose we will have to find out. We could try asking her friends." I suggest looking around seeing several ponies playing. I smiled slightly.
“I see her down the road.” She said and points to where Pinkie is. Miss Pie was bouncing around singing a silly song. She was making everypony smile which is something she does often.
"Nice eye Miss BluegrassTune. Lets go question her." I said and we headed over to Miss Pie.
Pinkie pie smiles. "Hiya."
I get out my notebook and pencil. "Good day Miss Pie. We are here to ask you some questions."
Before I could ask any my assistant had already started. “Hi Pinkie. At lunch today, did you see a wagon with an old paint job?”
"Oh yeah I did, I accidentally took it thinking it was the cake's wagon. I had to make a delivery to Rarity." She said cheerfully.
I wrote it down. "Did you notice a box in it?"
"Oh yeah I did” She nodded.
“Then it's at the boutique. Thanks Pinkie.” Miss BluegrassTune said with a smile
"Welcome. I hope you find the dragon thing it was really shiny." She said as she bounced off.
I look at Miss BluegrassTune. "We didn't mention anything about a dragon."
"Or the box could have broken. Lets go chat with Miss Rarity." I said as I headed to the boutique. I never really been inside there since I never really had an eye for fashion. As we get there I take notice how nice it looked on the outside and we knocked on the door. Miss Rarity answers right away.
"Why hello darlings." She says with a smile on her face.
"Hello Miss Rarity did Pinkie pie bring a wagon over?" I ask.
"Why yes. She delivered some cakes for a party." She says.
My assistant asks a question. “Did it have an old paint job?”
"Yes it did. its in the backyard. I remember looking at it thinking it needed to be a new color like maybe orange or grey." She answered.
“You don't mind if we could see what's inside the wagon?” Miss Bluegrass added.
“Why of course." Rarity answered. I nodded and headed to the backyard with them. There we saw the old wagon that belonged to Mr. Karot but when we looked inside there was no sign of the box.
“Where's the box?” My assistant said to no one in particular.
"Yes where is the box Miss Rarity?" I ask looking at the unicorn mare.
"Let me think. Pinkie pie dropped off the cake boxes with the wagon and then as Spike helped walk them in, he dropped a box that held a beautiful gem in the shape of a dragon. It would have looked perfect in my boutique." She says
“Where is it now?” I asked.
"I suppose it could be inside. I sort of got busy with a large order of dresses so I had to get to work and plan for a tea party at the same time. " Rarity said.
"Then lets check there." I replied.
We head inside the boutique and looked around. On the racks there were several finished dresses and on the mannequin there was some in progress. We all split up and start searching. After several minutes of me looking under stacks of papers that were covered with design ideas my assistant showed me a box she found my the cake boxes, It was a wooden box. “I think I found it.” She said bringing it over to me.
"Good job." I said, I take the box and opens it. Nothing was inside. "It seems like its empty."
“Miss Rarity, did you happen to take the gem out of the box?” Miss BluegrassTune asked.
"I did no such the. The box fell open earlier when me, Spike and Pinkie were unpacking the cakes. I picked it up and set it where you found the box and got back to work." She says.
"And where was Mr. Spike while you were working?" I ask.
"I thought he went back to Twilight's house." Miss Rarity added.
“Could Spike may have have grabbed it before he left?” Miss Bluegrass asks as she looks at the mare.
"I dont know. He could have." The unicorn said.
I nodded. "Then we head to the library, Thank you Miss Rarity for your time, I wish you luck on your tea party and your dress order.”
Miss Rarity smiled as we both went on our way, heading for the library that was home to Princess Twilight and Spike the dragon. I turn to my assistant as we were walking. “Do you think this spike has the gem?"
“Possibly. He loves eating gems and stuff like that” She answered.
"Then I suppose there is a chance he has it." I said as we approached the library door. I let my assistant knock and the princess answered.
“Hello.” She said.
I let my assistant speak first as I waited a minute before speaking. “Hello Twilight. Is Spike here?”
"Uh yeah He's inside. Why do you need him?" She asks.
"We just need to ask him a few things." I said.
“Were looking for a missing gem, and we think Spike may have it.” Miss BluegrassTune added.
"Well come on in to ask him." Miss Twilight said as she moved aside to let us in. We thank her as we enter and see Spike in the kitchen doing some cooking.
I looked over at Spike. I take note that he wore an apron and a chef hat as he was stiring a bowl full of dough. "Mr. Spike, we need to speak with you."
Spike looked over. "What is it?"
Miss BluegrassTune looks over to him as she spoke “We are looking for a jade dragon. When we found the box at the boutique, it was empty. Rarity said you were there helping her. So, we think you may have picked it up on the way out”
"Um...jade dragon...yeah I have it...I was going to make it into a cake..." Spike said.
I look at him. "May we please have it back. "
Spike sighs. "Sure."
“Thank you Spike.” My assistant said with a smile.
Spike brings out the jade dragon and hands it to me. I can understand why he would want to get this since it was a gem. His stomach probably overpowered his brain. "Thank you spike."
He nods as he stomach growls. "Your welcome."
We both smiled at him as we headed out. I thanked Miss Bluegrass for being my assistant and asked her how much she wanted me to pay her but she declined and said she was glad to help. I smiled and we both hoped that one day we would work a case together again soon. I headed back to Sugarcube Corner where I set down the box with the Jade dragon now in it in front of him. His eyes filled with joys seeing it. “Thank you Miss Mare. Please tell your assistant thank you as well. Did you find the wagon as well? ”
I nodded. “I’ll be sure to pass along the message. We did find the wagon, it was mistaken for another pony’s wagon and the pony who took it didn’t mean to. She just used it for a delivery. The wagon is behind the boutique here in Ponyville.”
He smiled and placed a small bag of bits and a small emerald. “This is for your troubles, thank you so much.”
I placed the small bag in my saddlebags, holding onto the emerald and smiled. “Your welcome, No mystery is too big for this mare, I’ll tell you that.” He nods and heads out the door. I smile and took a seat at the table. I tighten my bow as I relax for a moment. I notice a piece of paper on the ground and pick it up. It was just a scrap piece of paper with red ink. It reminded me of a piece I found in Manehatten on my last case, I placed it in my bag as I got up wondering if the two pieces could fit together. I started to head back to the office but I stopped in my tracks and make my way back to the library. I looked at the emerald thinking of spike and how he was going to use the jade dragon to make a cake, maybe he could use this instead and with I smile I approached the door and knocked.
The cases of Mystery Mare
Case of the Golden Tea Pot part 1
It was another day in my office. I had to do some cleaning of everything since I have been working a lot lately. I haven’t had no time to clean it and I haven’t felt like asking my butler to do it. I had just finish dusting one of the bookshelves when a dashing brown unicorn entered. My door was always open so I expected a case. I lead him to my office and I sit behind my desk.
He took a seat in the chair across and spoke as I set up my typewriter. “You see, a golden teapot was recently stolen from a friend's house. I need help from someone to find it. I'll pay well.”
“hmm I see. Who is this friend?” I ask as I started to type.
He's called Dark Blade, but I call him Pitchy. However, I think it would be better if he didn't know our involvement on the case.” He said calmly. I raised my eyebrow at the last part,finding it interesting that the stallion didn’t want this Mr. Dark Blade to know.
I decided to ask why he would not want this. “Why is that?”
“I don't know what are we going against, and I don't want him to get in danger. “ He tells me and I nodded.
“I see. Why would somepony steal the teapot?” I asked as I typed.
“Well, it's golden. That's a start.” The stallion tells me.
I looked up from the typewriter “what else?”
“It also has engravings. It was made by a famous jeweler, I think.” He adds as the sound of my typing played again. I nodded as he continued. “Definitely something one would want to steal. Anyways, I have some suspicions on who it was…”
“Who may that be? “ I asked.
“An unicorn by the name of Cinnamon Heart, he's a long-time rival of ours.” The stallion answered quickly.
A question rose to my head as quickly as he answered. “Why are you rivals.”
“Different ways of seeing life. We believe on the common good, while he only cares about self-gain.” He said simply.
“I see. So where was this pot stolen from?” I said as I asked my next question.
:His house, on Monday night. He keeps it inside a vault.” He replied.
“I see.” Hearing that made me wonder who could have the code for the vault.
He nods. “I can even tell you the exact place if we get there.”
I liked the idea of heading to the scene very much. “Then lets go sir”
“Not now... he's probably at home. Plus, we'd be seen as robbers, ourselves.” He tells me before I have the chance to rise up from my desk. “Tonight, at 2 AM. Okay?”
“Got it sir” I replied wondering why at this time. Would his friend be out or would he be asleep. He hands me a map telling me to be there. I told him I would and with a smile, he left and only after he left did I realize I had no clue what his name was. That night I pack up my red saddlebags as I always do once I get a case. I set in my crime scene tool box in there. I don’t bring it often but I figured this may come in handy. I look up at the clock, it was eight and with me getting up to be there at two in the morning I would need the sleep. I whistle for my cat and she curls up by my feet.
Hours later I awoke and silently get out of bed and head down the stairs. Once I closed the door behind me, I started to follow the map I was given and start flowing it. It was a beautiful night, the moon was out and the stars were shining. After some time of walking I saw the mysterious stallion standing in front of his friend’s home. I walk over. He nods and motions me to come closer, which I do immediately. He takes a few steps towards me, and we meet exactly at the house's entrance. "We're here. I have keys to the entrance." he says, opening the door.
"Then open the doors if you please." I said watching him open it.
He takes a step back and lets me inside. "Don't make a noise."
"I won’t." I whispered as we walked in. I understood the importance of being quiet. If we weren’t we could possibly be getting arrested and I couldn’t bare to think of how my reputation would be shattered if that happened. The stallion nods, he calmly walks over to a spot behind the stairway where I followed him.
He points at something. "This is the safe, can you pull out hoofprints or anything from it?"
I nod. "Yes I can. I figured we may need to do something like that." I open my saddle bag and pull out my crime scene tool box. He sits at my side, watching as I take out some powder and puts it on the safe and starts dusting for prints. After I work for a bit I see a print, I turn to him. "I believe I have something"
"Oh?" he asks, his voice sounded eager
I point to the spot on the safe where a hoof print could be seen. "Yes it seems I have a print, good sir."
"Awesoooome." he says. "Let's get out of here before somepony finds out."
"Give me a second." She lifts the print and puts it away for safe keeping.
He nods and waits. "Don't make a noise."
"I know." I said sounding slightly angry, I hated being reminded about anything. We both tiptoe out of the house, looking at the floor to avoid stepping on anything. If we did it would risk us getting caught. Once we got out the stallion slowly closes the door and locks it making it seem we were never there.
"Let's go." He said.
I nodded "Where to?"
"Anywhere. But I think your office is the best option." He says.
I nod and head in the direction of my office. "Alright" He follows me and we continue walking. I notice that he was looking around carefully. "See anything?" I asked.
"Fortunately not. Wait..." H e notices a figure moving behind a tree. "Wait here." He runs after it. I nod at first letting him go but I slowly walk over to where he went and took out my notebook prepared to take notes. I watch as he tackled the suspect. I barely hear the stallion say the figures name and learned it was the suspect, Cinnamon Heart. I write down what they were saying.
"What are you doing here?" The stallion asks.
Cinnamon Heart replied as he tried to get the stallion off of him."Nothing of your business."
"Oh, really? Why are you following me?" The stallion said glaring at him.
Cinnamon Heart shook his head. "I'm not."
"Then why are you in such a hurry?" The stallion asks.
"Umm... because it's late at night.” Cinnamon Heart replied to him. I look at him thinking that would be a reasonable reason why he would be in such a hurry. I yawn and continue recording their transaction.
"You're always around late at night." He notices something shining on his coat and takes it off. "This is one of the jewels of the teapot."
"What teapot?" Cinnamon Heart said.
The stallion replied sternly. "You know what I'm talking about."
"No, I don't. I bought this coat at the market." He looks in the coat's pocket. "Here, I have the receipt right here." He shows it to the stallion
He looks at it. "Hmm."
"This is getting interesting" I said getting my voice heard for a moment as the stallion let Cinnamon go. "This gem is from a teapot that belongs to Dark Blade. It was stolen recently."
Cinnamon scoffs as he dusted himself off. "No reason to tackle me like that."
"I know you too well. Now give me that coat."
"Of course not, I paid for it and now it belongs to me." Cinnamon Heart said in a whining tone. The stallion points his sword at Cinnamon's neck, why I didn't notice the sword before I had no clue. It was probably because it was dark. "Fiiine." Cinnamon takes off the coat and gives it to him, before running away.
"Thats one way to get what you want." I said, watching the suspect leave.
"He usually does the same to others. But he knows I'm stronger. Let's go." The stallion says, grabbing the coat. I nod as we continue back to my office. He walks after me. "It's a nice coat. Shame it has stolen components."
"Real shame indeed" I said looking at the coat.
"So, more evidence." He adds as we get to the office, he opens the door for me. I say my thanks as I head in first and he trots after me. We arrive in the living room, he puts the coat down, taking the receipt out of its pocket. I watch as it goes on.
He sits down on one of the couches and looks at it. "Canterlot Market, huh... bought a few days ago.
"So its new.” I said as I took a seat of my own.
"Interesting looks like we have a suspect." I said with a nod.
"Yes. The Canterlot Market opens at 8 AM." He tells me. I look at the clock, it was now around three thirty.
"Then lets take the train there." I said trying to remember the train schedule.
The stallion seemed to have know when the next train was before me. "If we take it now, we'll arrive around 6 AM... giving us enough time." I nod and takes my hoof. "Wait." He lets go. "Make sure you have anything you might need."
"My bag is always ready." I said. I look over and see my pet cat. I go and pet her. "’Ill be back soon girl."
"Cat!" He smiles and gets closer to the feline. "What's her name?"
"Nancy. She was a stray that I found in Manehatten." I said. Nancy meowed.
"She's a cutie. I love cats."He said as I watch him pet Nancy before getting up and walking to the door. "So, ready?"
I nodded. "Yes, I am good sir.”
He smiles and opens the door for her. "After you." I thank him as he opened and walk through, together we head for the train in full gallop not wanting to be late.
The cases of Mystery Mare
Case of the Golden Tea Pot part 2
I was going to buy the tickets but the stallion was already ahead of me as he approached the ticket booth.He buys two tickets for the next train, which is due in fifteen minutes."I could have bought the tickets." I told him
"You're already doing a lot." he said with a smile. "It's only fair."
"Alright good sir." I replied with a small smile. He sits on a bench, waiting, and pats the spot at his side. I go over and sit by him. He starts singing softly, I listen as he starts enjoying the small show. He closes his eyes and keep going, as if he forgets I am here. He opens his eyes after some time and realizes he's been singing out loud, and blushes in embarrassment.
"Its ok. You sounded great." I said with a chuckle.
"Why you have a lovely voice." I said
He still smiles. "Thank you." I told him you're welcome as the train arrives. He takes my hoof once more and we head inside. I don’t understand why he must take my hoof but I do not ask as we look around the train for a seat. We find one and sit down. He looks back at me. "So... is Mystery Mare your actual name?"
"Yes but I prefer to go by Miss Mare." I said, how he knew my name I had no clue but I would guess because of my cases.
He nods. "Alright. I think I told you, but I'm Araziel Kael Dynnian, or just Araziel."
"No you didn’t.” I said with a shake of my head.
"Well now you know it." he says with a nod and a smile.
I smiled. "So where will we be off to?"
"Canterlot. We're headin' to its market. Where this was bought." He takes out the coat.
I nodded. “Good to know good sir.” He lays back on the seat and closes his eyes as he falls asleep. I let him sleep as I open up my favorite book. About an hour later, the train stops and the driver calls out the passengers. "We have arrived at Canterlot."
Araziel blinks and wakes up, rubbing his face. "We're here."
I place my book in my bags and nod. “Yes we are.”
He gets up and grabs the coat, then gets up from the seat and offers his arm to me. I take it and get up. I look around and head for the exit. He helps me climb down onto the station and looks around. "The Canterlot Market is 3 blocks north."
“We better head there right away and speak to this Fancypants correct?” I said looking around as well, taking note of my surroundings.
"Yes... it's going to be a bit of a hard task, though." He said to me as we begun walking.
“Why is that? Is it because Mr. Fancypants is a busy stallion or something along those lines.” I asked.
"He's a famous... businesspony on fashion-related topics. Getting to him will be rather hard." He tells me as we exit the station.
“I realize that but it is quite easy to get the attention of somepony who is famous, if you are famous yourself. I have been getting very well known for my detective abilities.” I smirked.
"Well, then, you're a valuable asset in this quest." He smirked as well. "Let's get to the market before it opens."
I nodded. “Yes I am. We better get there then before the swarms of ponies do.” He nods and suddenly places me on his back as he broke into full gallop. “I can walk you know sir.”
He smiles as he says. "But you cannot deny that this is more fun."
"True it is but it is not my style." I said sternly.
“I'll let you off when we get there." Araziel said.
"Fine." I replied as we stopped in front of the market. He lets me off and I fix my shirt. I follow Araziel towards the most fanciest stand as he held onto the coat. We look at the ponies inside, trying to see if Fancypants is there. He was, at the bottom. Araziel calls his name and the businesspony comes up to him. I look at Fancypants. “Hello Sir,”
Fancypants smiles. "Good evening, Miss, Mister. What brings you to my stand so early?"
Araziel passes the coat to me to hold it. "The receipt is in the left pocket."
I nodded and opened the pocket and took out the receipt. I hand it to Fancypants. “We are here because of this.”
Fancypants looks at the receipt. "Yes, I do remember selling this. What is wrong with it?"
Araziel is about to open his mouth, but lets the professional handle it.
"We were just checking to see if the pony who bought this did. In the front pocket we found a gem." I said to him
Fancypants keeps looking at the receipt. "Most of the coats I sell have some sort of ornament in them."
"Oh they do?" I said sounding surprised.
"Yes, that's the reason why they're expensive. Anyways, what's the problem here?" Fancypants asked.
" A gem resembling one to a golden tea pot was in the pocket." I said.
Mr. Araziel looks at me to correct what I just said. "Button. It was in a button."
Fancypants looks at me as well. "Hmm, what do you mean by golden teapot? Are you implying that I sold stolen merchandise?"
"No it was a jewel. " I said to Mr. Araziel. I look at Fancypants and shook my head. "No I am not good sir. I do not imply. "
Araziel rolls his eyes. "The jewel was in the button."
Fancypants puts the receipt down. "Can you prove it? If so, I'll happily tell you what I know."
Fancypants gasps. "Impossible."
"Not impossible. Please, tell us who you bought it from."
Fancypants sighs. "Only if you don't spread the word about this."
"We won’t, you have my word." I said
"Promise." Mr. Araziel says.
Fancypants nods. "I bought it from a mare called Stitchy Twitch, she lives on the borders of town."
I smile and nod. “Thank you for the information Sir.”
Fancypants waves and goes back to his business.
"We have someone to look for. Notice how he wasn't specific about where on the borders did she live” Mr. Araziel said.
I nodded at him. “Yes that is very true. We also didn’t get a description of the mare. Only her name.”
"We can ask around. Or go to the castle and browse through the citizen lists." He whispers. "I have contacts."
"I am fine with whatever you choose." I said.
"Hmm... the castle is a few blocks away from here." He tells me as we started walking towards the castle.
The cases of Mystery Mare
Case of the Golden Tea Pot part 3
"Then lets head there sir" I followed him.After a while of walking, they arrive to the castle. Mr. Araziel walks near one of the guards and talks to him, the guard walks inside.We wait outside as I hear my companion humming softly, the guard comes back and asks them to come inside. We enter the castle and head down a stairway. On the end of that stairway, a sign reads "Resident archives"
I look at the sign."Oo the archives."
Mr. Araziel nods. "Stay as quiet as possible."
I nodded. "Ok" We get to the archives and Mr. Araziel starts looking on the files. I pick some up to read too figuring I could be of some help but the guard puts my hoof down. "Stick to the one you must check. Everypony has the right of privacy."
I rolled my eyes. "Fine then sir."
Mr. Araziel pulls out the file for Stitchy Twitch, and opens it. He gestures me to come closer.
I nodded. "Yeah well I suppose we will still have to talk to her, even if she doesn't want to."
He nods. "Thank you, buddy." He says to the guard.
The guard pats his back and escorts us back outside.Mr. Araziel looks at me.
"Ready to go sir?" I asked. He nods and offers his hoof. I didn't take it this time and just start walking. I notice him shrug and walks at my side, We both were looking around.
"Nothing unusual here." He tells me as we see several ponies walking past us as they went on with their normal business.
"Yeah nothing at all” I said as I walked. I noticed that Mr. Araziel knew his way around Canterlot so I allowed him to lead. We finally arrive at Stitchy Twitch's homestreet. I looked at him."Want me to knock?"
"Go ahead." He tells me. I nodded and knocked on the door and waited for a answer. No pony answers, so he knocks himself. I watch as we see a pair of eyes peek out as the door cracked open a little. I could only guess that those eyes belonged to Miss Stitchy.
"What is it you want?" She asked
I look at the pair of eyes as I spoke. "We would like to speak with you Miss"
"They all say that." She closes the door again.
"Your coat has a stolen gem on it." Mr. Araziel says.
There was silence, then we heard the sounds of steps coming back to the door, We watch it open up as Miss.Stitchy opens it from the inside. "Oh gods! What could that possibly mean?"
I noticed that the hoof holding the door twitches, it makes sense since her name is Stitchy Twitch. I cleared my throat before I spoke again."It means whoever you got the coat from possibly stole a teapot we are searching for."
She gasps and puts a hoof to her mouth. "B-but I-I bought the teapot at the market! How can that be?"
Mr. Araziel looks into her eyes. "Tell us who sold it to you."
"Please tell us Miss" I added.
She invites us to come inside and closes the door."I bought it from a blue-coated pony... he was in a dark corner of the market. It was beautiful, and I had to get it... didn't know it was stolen. I'm sorry."
I nodded understanding she had no clue it was stolen. "It's okay. Can you guide us to it?"
"Yes. tomorrow." Miss. Stitchy
I nodded. "Thank you."
I noticed Mr.Araziel smiles as he spoke. "Do you know anything else about them?"
"One had a gold engraved mallet... another had a scar on his left eye. They were both stallions." The mare told us. I got out my notebook and started writing everything she said down so I would not forget. "The non-scarred one always wears a coat. The scarred one uses a hunting cap."
I nodded as I finished up writing. "Okay got it"
"I'll take you to them tomorrow... do you have a place to stay?" She asks us.
We both shake our heads and I replied. "No we don't."
Miss. Stitchy frowns. "You can stay at my home."
Araziel tilts his head, not sure if he should.
"Thank you for the kind offer Miss Stitchy. What do you say Mr. Araziel?" I asked him noticing him tilting his head with an expression on his face as if he was unsure.
He looks at me then at Miss Stitchy."Hmm... can I talk to my friend privately, Miss Stitchy?"
"Of course, go right ahead" She replied.He walks a bit farther away, and motions me to come closer.
"Are you sure she's being honest?" He asks me.
"It is hard to tell Sir. I suppose we will have to see." I said honestly. There are only certain times I could tell if a pony was lying and this time I could not tell.
He nods and in a serious tone. "If anything happens to us, run."
"Miss Mare doesn't run from trouble." I said in the same tone. I don’t run, I am fine with facing danger than run away like a coward.
"This is not your usual trouble. It might be much more dangerous." He sighs. "And I wouldn't forgive myself if something happened to you, after all you've helped."
"The life of a detective is one that is always full of trouble. I'm ready for it if it comes." I told him.
"Still. If anything happens I'll take the most of the beating. You try to stay safe." He replied.
"We will see about that" I nodded, if anything like that happened I would be ready for it. I don’t like it that much when ponies protect me.
"So, should we accept?" He asked.
I shrugged. "If you think we should." We both agreed that staying here would be helpful so we accept Miss Stitchy’s invitation and she guides us to her guest room. Miss Stitchy shows us two beds.
"This is where you'll sleep, there's a closet there." She said as she pointed to the small closet on the other side of the room.
I nodded. "Thank you Miss"
Mr. Araziel smiles. "Thnak you so much."
Miss Stitchy giggles. "No problem. Now, sleep." She walks out as I set my saddle bags down and walk over to the bed. I noticed that Mr. Araziel places his saddlebags by his bed and jumps on it. He starts to get comfy as I undo my black ribbon and set it down then get under the covers
"Be ready for anything." Mr. Araziel says as he looks at me.
I nodded. "I will be"We both close our eyes and just when that happens, we heard a crash,followed by screams. Then we hear a pony yelling at Miss Stitchy
"Where are the visitors?"
"What visitors? I don't know what you're talking about?" She pleaded wanting to keep our being there a secret. We heard the sound of a slap as the pony that spoke before speaks again.
"You know what I speak about! Trygvi, search the house!"
I quickly get on my ribbon tying back my mane. "We have some trouble."
"I noticed" says Mr. Araziel, quickly getting up and searching through his saddlebags. "Can you use a knife?" He takes out a razorblade and a combat knife.
I nodded being familiar with how to use a knife.. "Yes. I can."
"Good." He gives me the knife. "Use the bigger one." I nodded and took the knife in my hoof.
I go after the other one and slash him with the knife. I aimed making sure only to injure him.The pony falls back screaming, distracting his buddy. Mr.Araziel grins and stabs the hoof of the one he's struggling with, before kicking him down and pointing the knife at him. "Miss, make sure to keep the other one down! Where is the teapot?!"
I nodded. "I can do that sir." I make sure the other one doesn't move as I point the knife at the other pony.
The pony Mr. Araziel stabbed screamed in pain. "W-what teapot?"
He presses the tip against his neck. "You know what I'm talking about."
"T-the golden teapot... it's in our mallet... outside..." The pony replied.
Mr. Araziel pulls him up and places the razorblade on his neck, pushing him outside. "You will give it to me."
"O-okay..." He said nervously. I watched as he left. Stitchy gets up, she had been hit, most likely the one that got the slap we heard earlier.
She looks at Mr. Araziel. "I’ll try to get a guard” She ran out of the house. During the few minutes that went by I was making sure the pony I was watching stayed down. I look up and yelled.
"Find it?"
"Yes, it's here! Keep that guy on the ground." I heard him call. I nodded as I did what I was told.
I nodded and stand back, I soon follow him as they headed outside. The guard drags this pony behind him and places him at his partner's side. "We had been looking for them, thank you." He tells Stitchy.
She smiles and nods. "A pleasure. Nothing I wouldn't do for my friends." She hugs Mr. Araziel tightly. I smiled going over to them, I noticed that Mr. Araziel held the teapot now. It was beautiful, probably the most beautiful teapot I had ever seen.
"So, is this the teapot?" Stitchy says, looking at it. "It's beautiful."
He giggles. "Yes, that one. It'll give my friend a smile."
Mr. Araziel looks at me and Miss Stitchy. "So... should we end our sleep?"
I nodded. "I suppose. Im glad we found your friends teapot and Im glad to have seen it. It is a work of art indeed."He giggles and then goes back inside,Stitchy skips after him and I followed behind them.
"So, you know where the guests room is." Miss.Stitchy says with a smile.
"Yeah we do." I said.
Araziel giggles and nods.
"Well then, feel free to sleep. Good night..." She yawns and walks into her bedroom. I head to the guest room and get ready for bed as I did last time.
Araziel yawns and walks after her, then drops on his bed. "G'night."
"Night" I head to bed after a minute of laying my head on the pillow I was sound asleep. The next morning, I woke up seeing Mr. Araziel hugging the teapot, he mumbles something in his sleep and me being curious I try to listen but he mumbles incoherently so I fix my mane and head out of the room. He woke up a second as I exited the room."Miss Mare?"
"Yes?" I said poking my head in.
"Oh, nothing... just wanted to see if you were around. good morning."
"Morning." I replied the greeting.
"How did you sleep?" He asks me with a smile.
"I slept well and yourself?" I replied.
"Rather good... calm, finally."
"That's good. I suppose this case is over" I said.
"I suppose. How should I pay you?"
"Anyway you would like, I normally accept my payment in bits." I tell him.
"Well, I cannot give you the teapot." He laughs. "How many bits?"
I chuckled. "It is whatever you feel like paying me, I have no set rates."
"Well... do 5000 bits seem right?" He asks me.
I nod. "That's fine"
"Given that I put you in danger and all... I'll pay you tomorrow in your office. Promise." He says.
"I don't mind the danger, that is the life of a detective." I replied.
He smiles. "What next? Do you wish to go home?"
I nod. "If there are no other cases then my job is done and I must go home"
He smiles and nods. "Alright. But let me invite you to a cup of tea." He laughs. "And don't worry, I'm not proposing a date."
I chuckled. "I would be delighted to join you sir"He smiles and hugs me tightly. "Uh..im not much of a hugging kind of pony" I tell him and he lets go.
He rolls his eyes. "Okay. Now hurry, breakfast will be done soon." I nodded and we went to eat breakfast, this mystery was a wrap. When I returned home later that day I found another piece of paper like all the others I found in the past few cases. I take it in my hoof as I went inside, it was like the piece was waiting for me. Maybe I should start hunting down the meaning to these pieces of paper.
The cases of Mystery Mare
My butler prepared more tea for me as normal, checking the temperature and ensuring it had brewed to the proper strength. His name was Bubblegum Burst and had been my employee for awhile now, I had gotten use to his company. He approaches my desk with the pot, noticing the empty cup sitting there. "May I offer a refill, Miss Mare?"
"Yes please do, Mr. Bubblegum." I said as I was reading a file for a new case. I had just received it from the Mayor earlier today and it was some puzzle.
"Very well, Miss." He said, pouring the tea, adding cream and sugar, knowing how I take my tea and stirring it gently, placing the spoon back on the saucer. "Perhaps this can help you focus."
“Perhaps, this new case has my mind spinning. It is a strange case indeed.” I set the file down and take a sip of tea.
"Well, you certainly have been spending quite a bit of time in your study."He bows and return to the kitchen to return the teapot.
I nodded and sighed. “Yes. The Mayor gave me this case, involving strange sighting and a blue box.”
"A blue box?" He ask as he return. "As in a blue box for shipping items in?"
I shook my head and took another sip of tea. “No. A blue box as in a telephone box. Whenever it is here it is always after the sightings of strange things like metal ponies or weird statues.”
"That is highly unusual, indeed. If it was one incidence I would be certain they had been mistaken or were ill somehow. I gather there has been numerous sightings?" He says to me.
“Indeed there has been. At random times, nopony knows when the next time it will happen.” I said.
“Hmm..very interesting. Have you picked an assistant to help you?” He asks me.
I nodded. “Yes, I’m off to see him now.” Before he had entered I did look through my files and decided on a pony known as Zerathur, he was an interesting pony that always seemed to know more than he would tell me. I grab the file and my bags and headed behind Lyra’s house where we agreed to meet.
When I get there I see a stallion and the best way to describe him would be a black unicorn with a blue and red mane, mechanical looking wings, armor and goggles. “Hello.Finally got an Case that I'm needed? “
I nodded looking at him. “Yes I do sir.”
“Good.” He takes off goggles to clean them,showing two holes where the eyes are supposed to be. “So,tell me,what’s the case?” He slips the goggles back on.
I tilt my head seeing his eyes. He was a very strange pony indeed. I hand him a file. "The case of the Blue box."
Zerathur takes the paper,and starts reading it. "Blue box...Well,tell me,what did the victim said about the crime?"
"There is no victim. The mayor wants us to investigate this box. It usually comes whenever it comes there is always the sighting of strange creatures a few days before." I watch him as he reads it.
"Creatures...It may be chaos spells,depending in the creatures." He takes out a notepad and starts writing in weird characters. "I just have a few ideas for the Blue Box,but all them are impossible."
I nodded as I watched him write, it didn’t surprise me seeing him writing strange characters. "Hmm..well I haven't got much on the descriptions of the creatures only that there have been metal ponies and weird statues. The blue box has been described as a telephone box. "
He stops annotating "Oh,it is that day...Well,I'll send one of my Dark Templars to the 'archives' and search up for some very specific names" Then he look to an wall "En Taro Tassadar,Arcturium." An white tall unicorn slowly become visible,and we both start talking in a strange dialect . I watch them and think about what he said. He seemed to have known what I may be talking about with the blue box and creatures but he is the type of pony who gives spoilers. I look over at the white unicorn he summoned. “Godspeed,Arcturium"
I looked confused and asked. "Wait wait, Who is Arcturium? Is he one of the dark Templars you mentioned? " I look at the clock, checking the time. "No clue, it just happens at random times but always in the same spot."
“That white unicorn was Arcturium,he's one of our councilmen,and he guards The Archive. And about the telephone box,tell me where it appears,the coordinates would be great." Then he takes some pills from his jacket,and swallow them "Gah,don't mind about my painkillers".
I nodded. “I won’t mind at all. The box appears after a strange sighting of one of these creatures. Mostly happens close to the Everfree forest.“
"Ok,soon Arcutium will be back with the names I asked...But for now,I'll go back to Lyra's party,if you let me." He said,slowly putting a headphone in just one ear.The music is só loud that I could hear it.
I nodded. “Go ahead.” I leave and head back to my office. I spent the next few hours thinking about this case deeply. Who were the creatures that turn up here? Where is the blue box from?Questions like this swirled in my mind. As I was thinking I heard a knock and answered it. It was Zerathur with several pieces of paper. “What are these?”
“Search for The ponies that are still alive with those names.Yes,im bleedin,and poisoned...but don't worry,my Medicines are working in it,and The cut will close once its done." He laughs a little "Tell me if your find any in this list."
"Why should I search for these ponies on the list? How would they help me with my case?" I ask.
"They know what is the box.They'll probably tell what it is...But if not,I'll give some...assistance." He finally walks in,with some blood falling on the ground."Oh,sorry about that,I may clean this later..."
I look at the list to read the names and looked to him. "Thank you Mr. Zerathur and its fine. I can clean it up."
"Ok,Miss. Mare...I'll be in New Aiur,and once you find any of those ponies,search for me there.If you don't know where's New Aiur,head towards Ponyville's fountain,and then follow the star of the morning." He slowly disappear,and,a little bit before,he says "My work is done,for now." He disappears completely and I set the list down and went to clean up the blood. Mr. Zerathur was a interesting pony, since he is a dark templar. I don’t know much about them because they have some regeneration power, disappearing, and some mind control but it would only work on simple minds. When I was done cleaning off the blood, I went to the only pony on the list who was alive. It was a Miss Derpy Hooves.
I knew she was a mail mare with a young daughter but nothing else. I wondered what she knew of the blue box. I knocked on her door and she answered. She looked at her with her yellow crossed eyes. “Hello Miss Mare. Is there something you need?”
“I need to know everything you know about the blue box.” I said to her as she lets me in. I look around seeing an average looking home.
She shuts the door. “Why do you need to know about a box?”
I looked at her. “The mayor asked me to do some investigating. So please if you will tell me about the blue telephone box.”
I had a confused look on my face. “Tardis? Doctor?”
“Let me explain. The Doctor is from another world, he travels around inside time machine that is a blue box that is bigger on the inside. He saves equestria almost everyday.” She said with a smile on her face.
I nodded slightly. “Ok...do you know when he will show up next?”
She shook her head. “It could be any day.”
“Ok. Thank you for speaking with me” I get up and leave. She saw me out and I went walking back to my office but along the way I heard the strangest noise. I looked and saw it was the blue box I had heard so much about. I found it strange that it showed up now. The doors open and a light brown stallion earth pony with spiky mane and a hourglass cutie mark walked out.
“Hello Miss Mare, good to see you again.” He said to me.
I looked shocked. “Are you the Doctor? How do you know my name?”
He thought for a moment and chuckled. “Yes I am, I guess this is your first time meeting me when when you're awake, we met before in my past which would be your future. I’m here to give you this.” He holds out a piece of scrap paper with red ink. I took it and it looked just like all the others I have been finding. “He told me you would be needing that.”
I looked at him dumbfounded. “Wait who is he? What do you mean we met before but in the future. I’m so confused.”
“I can’t say spoilers.” And with that he headed back into his box of blue and disappeared into the night. I headed back into my office and looked at the file. I just set it on my desk and headed for bed. I looked at the scrap piece of paper and placed it with the others. It was strange that he knew about theses and it made me wonder who was the he, the Doctor spoke about but those were all part of a different mystery now.
The cases of Mystery Mare
I think back to my assistant files and remember the stallion that appeared in my office one day wanting to help me. His name was Iron Gaze if I remember him correctly. I remember he lives by the Everfree and head there. It didn’t take long to find him as he stuck out with the coat he always wore. “I have a case for you to help me with.”
He nods. “Yea? What is it?”
"It is about a missing book. " I said
"A book? from where?" He asks me.
"It is a book that belongs to a Miss Musicnotes. You know her?" I ask.
He nods. "I know her, she's a good friend of mine"
"Good. Well she was in Canterlot and lost a purple covered book." I tell him.
"A purple book.." He thinks
I nod. "Yes. She did not tell me much of it. It was very late when she arrived at my office. She only told me it was one of a kind."
"Ok, I'll get on it" He tells me as he was about to leave.
"We will be on it." I corrected him
"I thought I said that I work alone" Mr. Iron Gaze said.
"Yes but I don't. She gave me the case so we are doing it together." I crossed my arms.
"You do realize I'm a earth pony!" I yell to the Pegasus.
"Exactly"The wind says behind me. I start walking toward the train station. I buy my ticket and read a book on the train ride. A while passes and so does the scenery as it arrives there. I get off and see that Mr. Iron Gaze was there waiting for me.
"So you waited for me." I said sounding surprised. He held up a book with a purple cover. "Is that it?"
He nodded "It wasn't really lost, she had just dropped it and a guard picked it up and found me to return it to the owner."
I look over to the book. "It would help if I knew what was in the book, to confirm it."
"Her name is written inside the cover, she does it to most her books, unless they're lent to her" He says as he hands it to me. I look in the book seeing the mare’s name. I flip through the pages and noticed where a bookmark was and that the page was missing.
“Was this page always missing?” I asked holding the book open.
He looked at the book "It's one of those books where you have to find pages."
"Hmm..it looks like it has been torn recently, if it wasn't why leave it booked mark to a ripped page." I said looking at the page closely.
"There are often reasons" Mr. Iron said
"Hmm..From what I learned about the client, she doesn't seem to be the one to tear pages out, Who found the book?" I shut the book and start walking.
He follows me down the streets. "One of the luna guards"
I nodded. "Please take me to him or her. I have a few questions." I put the book in my bag and pull out the list Miss Music had given me that showed all the places she went.
"He'll be in the mess hall now, or in the barracks" My assistant said. I nodded as we walked, my eyes glued to the list. It said that Miss Music had went to a jeweler and a cafe, I wondered why she went there. We arrived at the barracks first and when I tried to enter a guard stopped me.
"Excuse me ma'am you're unable to enter this building without authorization" He said.
"I don't care sir, I'm on a case." I said in a serious tone.
Mr. Iron walked up. "She's with me so it's fine"I nodded and looked at Mr. Iron as he spoke, the guard nodded and moved aside. We both walk in and look around.
"Do you see the guard Mr. Iron?" I ask and when I turned to look at him, I noticed he was already speaking with another guard. "Looks like he found him." I muttered and walked over, by the time I got there my assistant was already thanking the guard. "What did he say?" I asked feeling left out.
"He said he found the book on the floor, and all the pages were intact when he gave it to me" He says.
"Hmm.. is he sure about that?" I asked.
Mr. Iron nods. "He had a look to see who the owner was"
"Then how could the page have gotten ripped out..did he set the book down at anytime?" I start pacing.
"Nope" He tells me as he watches me pace.
I stopped for a moment and looked at him."Then how could a page have gotten torn out."
"No idea"He replied.
"Hmm.." I continue pacing and I open up the book to try to think what page could be missing. The book just contained old songs that didn’t even make sense to me. Under any of the songs it gave information about them like how there was a song to give ponies strength and what not. Why would the client care about this book, she had said it was the first clue in a quest she is on but how would this book help her? I started to think back to the articles I had one of my contacts find for me but my thoughts were stopped when my assistant spoke.
"The page could have fallen out?"
"Hmm.. it does seem like an old book so I suppose that is possible." I muttered as I was pacing trying to regain my thoughts.
"Hmmm, one second" He flew off quickly as he did when he ditched me in Ponyville.
"Please stop doing that!” I shouted as he flew off. Where he went I have no clue but he hasn’t even let me solve the case, he was doing everything himself. He hasn’t even let me leave the station. That truly has pissed me off completely. As I stood there waiting I noticed a small piece of paper with red ink. I instantly picked it up, I knew this was like the other scraps I have been finding. Why I keep finding them in these strange places I have no clue, maybe it had something to do with the Doctor character I had met. I now wonder if I have found enough pieces to solve that mysterious puzzle.
The cases of Mystery Mare
Mr. Iron returns minutes later. "I got it" He took the book from my hooves and turned it to the missing page and he started to unfold the bookmark. Once he had unfolded the bookmark it was revealed to be the missing page. "It's the bookmark"
"Hmm so it is." I read the missing page to myself, the song on this page was a lullaby, I had never heard of this lullaby and what the page was suggesting about it had me very skeptical. I look at him knowing that I would hate to receive in this condition. "Is there any book restorers in town? I would like to return this to the client in good condition."
He doesn’t answer my question as he spoke. "She knows it's like this, and this book is too old to restore" How he knew that she knows how the condition of the book is made me wonder a little bit more about their history.
"Yeah, I suppose it is. It is indeed a lovely book, this page has lyrics to a song called magical lullaby. " I chuckled as I spoke about the missing page. "Magical lullaby, like such a thing exists."
I noticed he was holding the urge to slap me after I said that, making me think he knows of this lullaby which was confirmed while he was speaking to me. "It does exist and it's quite a nice one too, but only few can sing it"
I raised an eyebrow. "Oh really? That is what it appears to say in the book, only one family could sing this specific song correctly to make it work. Sounds like a silly story to me. "
"Yes, it exists, you believe what you want but I know it exists and that it works" He said sounding serious.
"And how do you know this?" I ask curiously.
"I've seen it work"
I putted pieces together in my mind, thinking about how he had heard the song in this book and how he knows the client. "That is interesting, I'm guessing you heard it from the client?"
"Indeed, now if you don't mind I will return the book” He says.
"Hmm..why will you be returning it? This is my case" I said.
"You said it was mine"
"What I meant by that it is my case that you are helping me with so it is also your case. It is my case but I needed your assistance." I told him getting slightly angry.
Mr. Iron tries to provided some argument. "I know where the client lives, plus it'll be safer with me"
"That doesn't matter, the client came to me for the case..I am really arguing about this matter." I sighed. "Lets just both deliver it."
He crossed his hooves. " I was the one who actually retrieved the book and found the page"
"Oh pish posh if you wanna deliver it go on, if it makes you happy" He said giving up.
"Yes, it would good sir." I snatch the book and head back on the train station.
I heard him chuckle "Talk about ill mannered." I didn’t respond as I rolled my eyes, continuing on my way. When I get there I follow my normal routine of getting a ticket and taking a seat on the train. It started up as soon as I took my seat and head back to Ponyville. Once I was back, I asked around to figure out where the client lives and learn that it was a cottage close to the Everfree forest. I travel down to it and knock on the door. Miss Music answered with a smile.
“Oh hello Miss Mare, care to come in?”
I nodded and walked in. “Me and my assistant found your book. I didn’t even need your list of places you went to. He did it all on his own, it was no fun whatsoever.” I take out the purple covered book.
Her eyes light up when she saw it. She gave it a small hug and opened it to the ripped page. “Oh,the page finally came out.”
I nodded. “Yes, My assistant Mr. Iron Gaze said you knew about it.”
“I knew it would come out sooner or later, just not sure when. Iron was your partner?” She said with a surprised tone in her voice.
“He was, he says you both know each other and that he heard you sing the song that is on that page.” I pointed to the page with my hoof.
Miss Music nods with a little blush. She tried her best to hide it but I still saw. “We know each other, he is a very good stallion.”
“A stallion who steals my fun and glory.” I added.
She chuckles. “I’m sorry he did that.” She looks at the page with a small smile. “I’ll fix it with some tape. This song means so much to me.” She looked at me as if she knew I was wondering about the song and if it really was magical. “The magical lullaby works not just because of the lyrics but the pony that sings it. When just the right pony sings the lyrics, they seem to sound completely different to other ponies causing them to sleep.”
“It was your first clue to finding your parents correct? Before I went on to Canterlot, I had a friend pull out some articles for me. You were left at a farm when you were a foal so I suppose you finding that book has helped you find out where to start your search.” I smiled at her.
She nods. “Yeah you could say that.” She closes the book and sets it on a table. “It didn’t help me figure out where to start but what my family can do. I get closer every day but I’m told its not the right time to meet so all I can do is follow the clues and wait.”
I shake her hoof. “I wish you luck Miss Music, you will finish your quest one day.”
Miss Music smiled. “I know, I can feel it in my heart.”
I nodded and left her residence and I head back home. This case was over for now and I still had plenty of other mysteries to get to. I pull out the newest piece of scrap paper with red ink. Just like my other cases, I seem to find one when I least expect to.
The cases of Mystery Mare
I sit in my office going over a file for a new case. I just received it from the mail mare, Derpy Hooves the one with the blonde mane and crossed eyes, the last time I saw her was when I wanted some information of the blue box that I later learned was called the Tardis. These days it was now just me and Nancy in my house since I had gotten rid of my butler because I was hardly at home to enjoy his company. I look over the case file, it was from Appleloosa and it seemed word had spread down there about my agency. They wanted me to investigate a string of robberies that have taken place there. The items were often jewelry and small bags of bits like the kinds of bags I would carry when I’m on vacation. The locals already had a suspect. I decided I will need to call an assistant to help me on this. I look through the files and decided that a pegasus named Reihk Angul would be my assistant for this case. I go and have somepony fetch him for me.
Several minutes later, suddenly a knock was heard on the office door as a familiar silhouette waited for an answer on the other side.
Hearing the knock I go up and answer it. Mr. Reihk stood before me, he had a white coat and a blue mane, a smile decorating his face. "Hello!" He said with his juvenile voice. "You called?" He asked with a grin.
I nodded. “Indeed I did. I have a case.”
“Truly? What seems to be the problem? " He asked me with an inquisitive smile.
I let him come into my office and I closed the door. “A string of robberies in Appleloosa.”
Mr. Reihk entered. "Okay. Got any leads? Any info on gangs or anything of the sort in there?" He asked me as he looked at my office.
“The locals believed it to be the work of a robber known as the masked pony. There is reward for his capture.” I said.
He cracked a smile as he heard about the reward. "Any witness accounts, descriptions on this masked pony?"
“Not any good accounts. All of the masked ponies robberies take place during all times of days and none of the ponies there can give a good description. Its like he just appears and disappears.” I said as I sat back in my chair.
"I see... well then, what places has he robbed? What times of day of each robbery?" He asked me as he sat down on a chair.
“Mostly from the saloon but also from the train station, mostly at noon.” I answer as I read the file.
"Hmm.. Alright then. Time to go in undercover." He said with a smile.
“Alright Mr. Reihk, you would like us to go undercover as what then?” I ask shutting the file.
"Well, I can go from vagrant hero warrior to vagrant criminal badass. What about you?" He asked me with a smile.
I chuckled. "I'm not really sure. Normally on my cases, I am just plain old me."
"Well then. Seems like a plan. You interview people while I attempt to infiltrate the criminal ranks in there. You agree with this?" He asked as he stood up.
I nodded and stood up as well. “Very well. I suggest you get a bag packed, I’m not sure how long we will be there.”
He smirked. "I don't carry food... I hunt for it!" He said as he looked at me, his eyes seemed to flash for a moment as he said so.
“Alright then but I meant to have it packed with anything you may need.” I said looking at him.
Mr. Reihk blushed from embarrassment. "Oh..." He cleared his throat. "Uhh I guess that could work... I would need my sword, a bottle of my special cocktail and some money." He said with a grin.
I nodded. “Then go get it please sir and meet me back here.”
"Understood." Reihk said as he began to leave.
"I just have one question. Do you mind cats?" I asked before he left my office.
"Not at all why?" He asked with a smile.
“Since I don’t know how long we will be and cause this is on such short notice I need to bring my cat Nancy with us.” I said as I got up from my desk.
"Oh sure, go ahead. Wait... why did you ask if I mind... Are we staying.. in the same room?" He asked with a raised brow.
"Of course not. We will have separate rooms, we will probably be staying at the inn." I replied.
He breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh okay. Then why ask if we're gonna be in different rooms?" He asked with a smile as he opened the door.
I smiled. “Because Nancy sometimes follows me around.”
"Oh okay!" He said with a chuckle. "See ya in an hour." He said as he left. I go get my things ready.
Reihk finished and arrived at the office within the agreed hour. "Ready!" He said with a smile as he entered the room. I sat at my desk drinking some tea with my dark red saddle bags on the ground. My orange and black cat sat next to it “So shall we fly or go by train?" He asked with a smile.
“Im a earth pony I cant fly." She said.
"But I can. Although the cat would have to ride in a bag." He said.
“Nancy always travels in my bag."
"Good. Let's go!" He said with a grin.
“Alright “ I nodded grabbing my bags after Nancy jumped in them and headed outside. It was a nice sunny day with no cloud in the sky.
Once we were outside, Mr. Reihk kneeled down. "Ready?"
I get on making sure Nancy was in my saddle bag. "Yes I am good sir."
“Alright. Hang on tight!" He said before taking off at great speeds. I hold on as he flies doing my best not to scream with how fast he was traveling. This was also the first time I rode on a pegasus. He laughed at my terrified expression as he carried me. I just held on tight not loosening my grip. Mr.Reihk kept laughing at the look on my face as he flew around making twists and loops. I held on tighter not loosening my grip as we went through the loops.
"You okay there?!" He asked me with a laugh.
"I am fine.." I said nervously as I held my grip. "About how long until we arrive?"
"I'd say about twenty minutes. Why?" He asked grinning.
“Just wanna know.” I replied.
"Alright!" Mr.Reihk said as he spread his wings side, making me fall. As I fell he quickly caught me and held me on his chest. "Agh finally." He said as he laid his neck back.
“You could have given me a warning.” I said.
"Sorry, my back was killing me!"He said as he flew backwards, towards their destination. Our pace had slowed down a bit as well.
"Okay." I waited till he landed. Within the predicted time frame, Mr. Reihk landed just outside Appleloosa. It was very dry and sandy, the sun was overhead shining bright. "We're here." He said as he stopped beside a tree. I get off of him and brush myself off. "Good"
The cases of Mystery Mare
Mr. Reihk chuckled. "You remember the plan?" He asked me with a smile.
"Yes I do good sir." I said nodding.
"Good." He said with a smile as he began to walk forward. I walked with him until he went to the bar and I went to speak with the sheriff in his office. I enter the office to see Sheriff Silverstar relaxing. He was an earth pony like myself, he had a brown coat, brown mane, a mustache, a blue vest with red bandanna and silver sheriff badge that matches his cutie mark.
"Hello there." He said as I entered the room. "How may I help you... Miisss?"
I stood in the doorway. "Miss Mare, Im here cause I was given a case.”
"Oh, Miss Mare yes. A pleasure to meet you. My name is Sheriff Silverstar." He said as he approached her, offering his hoof.
I shake it. "Pleasure to meet you sir."
"So, uh, Miss Mare. What are you going to do to get to the bottom of these robberies?" The Sheriff asked as he gestured me to sit down.
I sit down in a chair. "I'll be speaking with the victims, getting an account on what happened, and I also have my assistant working to." Nancy poked her head out of my bag and meowed.
The Sheriff flinched as the cat popped out of the bag. "Oh, heavens it scared me!" He said. "And you say, an assistant? Where is he or she?"
I chuckled. "My assistant is doing some undercover work."
"Oh good. How long will this take?" He asked me.
"I am unsure at the moment. We will have to see as the case goes on." I said as Nancy hopped out of my bag and walked around.
"I see. And how much will this cost me?" He asked as he took out a bit bag.
"You will pay at the end of the case and I have no set rate I take whatever the client is willing to give me as payment." I told him.
"Oh ok." He said putting the bag away. I nodded. "Well, I wish you the best of luck!" He said with a chuckle.
"Thank you. " I get up and Nancy hops back in my bag. She didn’t do much around the sheriff’s office just sniff around.
"I will see you later then Miss Mare." He said with a nod.
I nodded. "Yes you will" I leave the Sheriff’s office and was on my way to the saloon to see how my assistant was doing. As I trotted along past the rustic buildings all around me and out of the corner of my eye I noticed a stallion that was following me. He was a pegasus with a wild spiky mane that was gold and silver, he wore a brown vest and a blue bandanna. I take a few steps before I turn to the stallion. “Why are you following me?”
He smiled. “That isn’t your concern. Miss but I suggest you leave town.”
I glare at him. “Why should I leave good Sir? I have a case here and I need to solve it.”
“That’s classified. Now leave.” The stallion told me.
“Classified..” I muttered. I thought for several moments and there was only one group of ponies that I knew said that. “Your working with him aren't you! You work with my brother! I’m not leaving this town and I don’t care if I get involved your case because the only reason you would be here is if you have an investigation.”
He chuckles. “Your brother was right, you are a smart one. I’m undercover if you must know. Have fun on your case I’ll see you around.” He turns and leaves. I storm off to the saloon, I hated when things are classified and I hate ponies that work with my brother. My brother is a very important pony but I don’t like talking with him or seeing ponies from his work. Everything is always classified with them. After a minute I entered the saloon still not in the bests of moods.
Mr. Reihk chuckled and nodded to a mare with honey colored coat and a curly dreamsicle mane, she walked away to a table. I got a strange feeling from her, it was the same feeling I had gotten once during the Lovedale case with a suspect named Blacktip. He then looked at me as he acted as if he didn’t know me. "Hello there sugar. What's your name?" He asked me that with a playful grin.
"Miss Mare." I looked at the bartender and shook my head as he asked me what I wanted. I turn to Mr. Reihk. "How are you."
"I am good. How about you?" He asked with a smile. "Are you sure you do not want a drink? It's on me." He said pointing at the bar.
"Thank you for the offer sir but I do not drink when I'm on a case. As for your first question I was good until I came here, I ran into somepony." I said.
"A case?"
"You know, a case, a situation requiring investigation or action." I said stating the definition
"Oh so you're an investigator huh?" He asked with a friendly grin.
"Detective." I corrected and looked around seeing several ponies none really paying attention to me, which was good.
"Oh, my bad." He said. "And you say you ran into somepony?" He asked me out of curiosity.
"Yeah somepony who works with my brother." I answered.
"Oh, so you have a brother Miss Mare? That is very interesting." He said as he took a sip of his cider.
I nodded. "Yeah an older brother." I lean in and whisper. "How has the undercover work going? "
Mr. Reihk's eyes widened with a lewd smile. "Oh gladly! Let's take it to my room baby!" He said as he left the bits for his drink and stood up, offering his hoof me. I rolled my eyes and took his hoof. I can’t believe he is making it seem I’m like some sort of call mare. After walking out of the bar and into the hotel Mr.Reihk gently let go of my hoof "I think I have a potential lead." He said between his teeth as he smiled looking around. He was making sure nobody related them. "Alright baby my room is around here." He said as he gestured towards the stairs. I nodded and followed as I kept my eyes out for anypony.Soon enough, they reached his room, he probably had gotten it before he went to the saloon. It was a small room with a bed, trunk and a window..After closing the doors, Mr. Reihk made sure nobody was around the room or anything. "Alright, I may have a potential lead. We'll wait let's say... 15 minutes to create the illusion of our intercourse and then I'll go back to the bar. That cute mare said someone with "dangerous work" would arrive soon." He said as he sat down on his bed.
I nodded as I just stayed standing, he must have been doing a good job going undercover if he already found a lead. "Alright then sir, who gave you this lead?"
"A very cute mare called Honey." He said as he laid on the bed.
I nodded. "Was that the mare I saw leaving your side on my way over to you?" Mr. Reihk simply nodded."Good to know Sir" I said. I figured it would be best if I go question this mare when I see her. My assistant began to swing his hooves in the air, expressing his boredom. Nancy jumped out of my bag and started walking around the room. I pull out a book to read, it was one of my Sherlock Hooves books.
"So what are we to do for ten minutes?" He asked me.
"Well Mr. Reihk, I'll be reading, you may do what you like within the time being" I said as Nancy hopped on the bed and rubbed her head against him as he looked out the window. He smiled as he petted her.
“Hello.” He continues petting her as she meowed as if she was saying hello back to him. Mr.Reihk chuckled as he petted her. "Wassup little kitty?" He asked her as he laid down beside her. She just purrs and he nudged her before looking out the window. "I think I should leave." He said as he stood up looking at me. "Be careful." He said as he opened the door and left, closing it as he did so.I nodded letting him go. I waited a few minutes to put away my book and have Nancy jump into my bag and then I left as well.
The cases of Mystery Mare
I walked down the street looking around seeing if I could find the stallion I spoke with earlier. I knew if a coworker of my brother was here then he must be looking into something interesting. My brother works for a special department in the equestrian government that was originally set up by the Princess years ago. Not many ponies know of it unless you work in it. The only reason I know of it is because I had gotten involved with it in past cases. As I walked I noticed the honey colored mare with the dreamsicle curly mane. If I remember right her name was Honey. I trotted over to her getting the same strange feeling as I did earlier.. “May I speak with you Miss?”
“Sure sugar cube. Honey is my name, how ya doing?” She asks and flashed me a small smile.
I returned the smile as I spoke. “I am doing well. I am here to investigate the robberies going on. I have a few questions for you. Have you been in the saloon anytime the robberies took place?”
Miss Honey nods. “Yes, I was there several times they took place. Sometimes it would be like the watches the card players use for the jackpot and one minute it would be gone. Other times it will be covered in some magic aura and just disappear in a flash.”
I nodded as Nancy popped her head out of my bag with the notebook in her mouth. I take it to start writing. “Did these happen before or after the masked pony thief was first came out as a thief. Also may you please explain the first sighting of this masked pony?”
She rolled her eyes, it seemed she did not want to answer any of my questions. “He showed up before all this happened. His first thing he stole was from the train station, he stole some bits. It happened so fast nopony could give a description.” I wrote it down and wondered why did the mask pony target the train station first, why according to my reports does he steal at noon? These are questions that I will have to answer. I then decided to ask Miss Honey about her personal life but she started walking off. I naturally followed her, asking my questions until she asked me to leave her alone. I told her I would when she finished answering my questions. She ran into the saloon. A few minutes later out came my brother’s coworker.
“So you're the one bothering my mare?” He chuckles.
I rolled my eyes. “I was only doing my job and she wouldn’t answer the questions I had about her personal life.
“Well not everyone like being questioned about that. Now have you decided to leave town yet?” He asked me.
“I will not unless you tell me why you're here” I smirked
Before he had a chance to respond I noticed Mr. Reihk walked over to the pony I was speaking too.. "Hey, what seems to be the problem Flash?" He asked him.
"Just seeing why this mare is bothering Honey." He answered.
I rolled my eyes. "Really Flash? That is what you're going by? " I knew that if he was undercover then he wouldn’t use his real name.
Mr. Reihk looked at us both. "Is something happening that I am unaware of?" He asked confused.
Mr. Flash smiles. "Yeah she doesn't like guys like me. "
Mr. Reihk looked at Mr. Flash. "I'm sorry. I'm a bit confused. So... Miss Mare here who is a... Investigator was it? Knows you because of her... brother?"
"Im a detective." I corrected him.
Flash nods. "Yes, her older brother often talks about her."
"After what happened a while ago, I have a thing or two to say about her." Reihk said with a chuckle.
Flash nods. "Okay. Well so I take it this is your current assistant Miss?"
I nodded. "Yes"
Mr.Reihk just glared at Miss Mare. "Really?"
"What?" I said looking at him.
"Nothing." He said with a Hmph.
"Its not nothing, you're mad about something." I replied
He frowns. "It's nothing really. I work so hard to get in and you just like to make my house of cards crumble!!"
I looked at him."Sorry but I'm confused”
"We'll talk about this later." Mr. Reihk said. Before turning to Mr. Flash. "Anyways. What are you going to do now?"
"Fine." I stated.
Mr. Flash looks at Mr. Reihk. "Well I have my own investigation to do, so you know my investigation has nothing to do with your case."
"Wait... You're undercover?" He asked him confused.
Flash nods. "Yes I am but what I'm working on is classified."
"My brother and the ponies he works with go undercover a lot" I said
"... oh... Now I feel stupid... Ahem, anyways, do you know anything about the robberies around here Flash?" Reihk asked the agent.
"Well the specific robberies you are working on.. well I know it happens in the saloon around noon" He answered
"So... in an hour?" Reihk asked him. He placed his right hoof on the hilt of the Katana hanging on his waist. "Anything else? About the robbers maybe?"
"Nope not really, I better get back to my investigation. I would appreciate if you don't blow my cover" He said.
I nodded. "Of course"
Mr. Reihk nodded. "Alright. Oh, and good luck with Honey." He said as he patted his back and winked at him.
The cases of Mystery Mare
"Thanks." He grinned and went back into the saloon.Mr. Reihk followed him. I watched for a moment as they went in and decided to go in to speak with the customers. I sat down at a table full of stallions. They were playing cards, I chose to sit by them because Miss Honey said that it some would get their things stolen during while they were being used to bet. I take a look at the current pot, it had several bits, a watch and a gemstone. I kept out my notebook as I was ready to speak with the stallions.
“Do you always play cards at the same place and time?”
A stallion nods as he was dealing the cards. “Yes sweetheart we do.”
I wrote it down. “Have you had anything stolen?”
Another nods. “Yes, I got my watch stolen.”
I nodded, watching them play. “Was it stolen with magic?” They all just shrugged. I watch looking around noticing my brother’s co-worker Mr. Flash as he is going by with Miss Honey. Whatever his investigation was about I knew I needed to speak with him again. I silently tear a piece of paper and write on it telling him to find me in the hotel room. I slip it into his hoof as he goes by. While he leaves a few ponies enter, they obvlious look like tourists with their cameras around their necks and also their several pieces of jewelry. Judging from them I could guess that they were on vacation and seemed mostly like a family. They took a seat at a table. I heard the bell from the clock go off as it became noon. "Noon time, time to see if the thief will try anything." I muttered. I noticed Mr. Reihk glanced at and I look over at him. He nods slightly and looked around, I did the same. I watch as the ponies who just came in had their jewelry taken by a vomit colored magic aura.The jewelry floated off the ponies and disappeared in a flash. I took notes on what happened, I made sure to study all the unicorns to see if the magic had came from one of them. I then walked over to the ponies and get their statements, I then headed over to the bar and ordered a drink. While I was waiting I watched the bartender make my drink, he was a unicorn with a light brown mane, a dark colored fez and his coat was a peach sort of color. He seemed really good at his job. I decide to ask him some questions. “Are you always on shift when the robberies happen?”
He nods. “Mostly but sometimes I’m not and my brother is. If he is then I’m playing cards. I’m Redwood” He finished making my drink and I nodded finishing writing it down. I pretend to take a sip as I see Mr. Reihk exit the saloon. I follow him out.
"I have much info from speaking with the patrons at the saloon and the bartender. “ I told him
"There is a group of stallions who always play cards at the same time every day, one had his watch stolen but the players said that they weren't sure if it was stolen with magic like the time just now. The bartender is usually there when the things get stolen but sometimes it's his brother. I also think that we should check the train station since this mask pony has been seen there. Maybe we could get more info on him there." I said following him there.
"Alright. First thing tomorrow then." Mr. Reihk said with a smile.
I nodded. "Okay."
Mr. Reihk entered the hotel and began walking up the stairs. "What are you going to do this evening?" He asked her.
"I have a meeting with "Mr.Flash". Right before he left I slipped him a note. " I said as I walked up the stairs.
"Alright. If you need me I'll either be singing with the patrons at he bar or puking my guts out on a curb." he said with a chuckle as he reached his room. "Good night Miss Mare." He said with a courteous nod.
I nodded. "Good night Mr. Reihk." I suddenly remembered something I wanted to ask him. I turn and look at him. "Wait Mr. Reihk I have something to ask you."
Mr. Reihk stopped and looked at me. "Yes?" He asked me that with a smile.
"When we both spoke to Mr. Flash you seemed not to like it when he asked if you were my
He blinked in surprise. "Wel... you have one good memory... Well, what I meant was that I was trying to stay in cover. But I didn't know he was a fellow detective so I basically made a fool of myself." He said with a shrug.
I nodded understanding now. "He isn't a detective. He said is work is classified, I take it you can use your imagination for what he does. " I start heading to my room.
"Hm..." He remained quiet as he nodded.
"He wants us to leave town, probably so we don't blow his cover or ruin his case. I hope by talking with him he can get me more info about this case, maybe he will work with us." I rolled my eyes. "As much as I hate working with ponies who work with my brother I know when to try to get different pair of eyes here since he has been in town here longer."
"Any way I can help?" He asked.
"No I believe not." I answered.
"Alright then. I'll see you around." He said with a nod before entering his room.
I head into my room slipping off my bags as Nancy walks out of them and sat on my bed. I look over to a chair in the corner and see Mr. Flash sitting there. He held the note I passed to him in the saloon. He smirked. “You wanted to speak with me?”
I nodded. “I know you're not investigating whatever you told my assistant. I know you said it is classified.”
“I told him I work with ponies who are robbing trains, that is my cover story here. He offered to be of some help, thats all. I’m looking into ponies here. Thats all. It will be getting dangerous so you should leave.” He crossed his hooves.
I shook my head. “That will not be happening. I want to know what you think about this case.”
Mr. Flash smiled. “You need to take notice to not just one location the crimes have taken place but others. Find some details in the past thiefs and use your brain Miss Mare. I have my own things to do so maybe I will see you in the morning.” He gets up from the chair and heads to the door. “You're more cuter than your brother gives you credit for, got a stallion? Or mare if you swing that way? Cause if you don’t we could...” He smirked.
I frowned angrily at the comment. “First I do not have a stallion, never had. Second I am not into mares, thirdly I do not believe in having relationships in my kind of work and lastly I suggest you get out of this room before I kick your flack into next week.” He smiles not saying another word and left the room. I lock my door and sit on the bed next to Nancy. I pet her, “Stallions..” She meows and jumps off to my saddlebag and takes my notebook out of it. She held it so cutely in her mouth. She walks it over to me. I take it. “You want me to go over my notes.” She nods and curls back up. I start reading over my interviews with the stallions in the saloon, the bartender, Miss Honey and anypony else I spoke with. I found it interesting that at times magic was used to steal the objects and other times not. I soon set it down and fell asleep.
I got up the next morning and quickly fixed my mane. I leave Nancy some treats in a small bowl promising her I would get her a mouse if I find one. When I exited my room I saw my went to my assistants room but he wasn’t there. I decided to check the saloon remembering he said he would head there. While I was walking I found my assistant passed out on the sidewalk, a mug still attached to his hoof. I go and shake him. "Are you alright good sir?"
He mumbled a few slurred words before sitting up and blinking. "Hwhat?" He said as he looked around. "What happened?"
"My guess you got drunk or something along those lines." I told him.
"Probably." He said as he quickly placed his hoof on his forehead. "Darn... Got a hangover.. just great.." He muttered as he stood up.
"And that reason is why I do not drink on a case. Come now we have places to go and ponies to questions." I said walking.
"Meh. Alright let's go!" He said as he stood up and shook his head. Mr. Reihk began to slowly limp along as he was still dizzy from the hangover.
"Now we will be heading to the train station first since that has also been where the thief has been seen stealing." I replied.
"Alright. Where did you get all this information?" He asked me as he walked along.
I look over to him. "I spoke with the ponies at the saloon and I spoke with Mr. Flash."
"I see." Mr. Reihk said with a nod. "Alright. I'll see you later. No point in going undercover if we're seen together right?" He said as he began to walk away. "See you there~!"
"Well there hasn't been much of a point to go undercover." I chuckled.
Mr. Reihk sighed. "Fiiine!" He said before returning to my side. "Next time we're doing it my way though." He said with a smirk.
I rolled my eyes. "Maybe"
"Yay!" He said with a big grin. While we were heading to the train station I look over my notes just as I did last night in my room. Everypony I talked to mentioned that the items disappeared by magic or they just disappeared. Why would the thief use magic sometimes but not at others. I know I didn’t talk about much with the bartender but from the question I asked him about if he is always on shift when these happened can help me decided to rule him out or not.
I look at Mr. Reihk after I finished looking over my notes.. "If you were this thief what would you do with goods that you have taken."
"Well... I guess I would sell it all. Store the money somewhere safe... And when the heat dies down, slip away and use it to live an awesome new life." He said with a shrug. I nodded thinking about his answer and what the thief could be up to with using the mon ey.We soon get to the train station. I go over to the ticket booth to speak with the stallion there.He had a peach coat, green glasses, a brown mane and he wore a light brown hat. He reminded me of the bartender except that he was an earth pony not a unicorn.
He looked at us and smiled. "Hello I'm Oak. How may I help you?"
"Well then, Mr. Oak, we would like to ask you some questions." Mr. Reihk said with a polite smile. He seemed rather calm and collected but with my skilled eye I could tell his raging headache was driving him mad.
"Sure ask away partner." Mr. Oak smiled.
I nodded and grabbed my pencil out of my bag. "Is it true that the masked pony has been seen here?"
He nods. "Yeah a few times."
"Were there any eyewitnesses around?" Mr. Reihk asked him.
"Yeah a few." He answered.
I nodded. "Can you give me a description?"
Mr. Oak shook his head. "No not really."
Mr. Reihk asked the next question as I was writing. "Hmm... Did you see the masked pony sir?"
I nodded writing it down. "Alright."
"Uh.. Ok. Anyone else who might have witnessed the crime?" Mr. Reihk asked.
"Maybe some tourists. " He answered. I nodded writing it down as my assistant asked another question.
"Uh, ok. Do you know of any tourists who are still here?"
"Normally they just go into town or they leave on the train. I don't keep track." He said.
I raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure sir? I would expect that tourists would ask for directions or something?" He didn’t answer my question but he did answer Mr. Reihk’s next one.
"Could you at least point us to the nearest hotels?"He asked with a smile.
"Yeah, they are over there"Mr. Oak answered and pointed.
Mr. Reihk looked at the appointed direction and nodded. "Alright then. Thank you sir." He said with a courteous nod.
"You're welcome." He said.
I nodded. "Mr. Oak, I do have one final question."
He nods adjusting his glasses. "Yes?"
"Do you have any family around here?" I asked.
Mr. Reihk raised a brow and looked at me. "Hm?"
"Of course I do. " He answered. "Lots of families are here."
I nodded and started walking. "Thank you sir."
Reihk approached me as we were now walking. "Why'd you ask that?"
"He looked familiar to me. " I answered not telling him that I thought he looked like the bartender. I knew the bartender had a brother but he said that his brother worked at the saloon too.
"Oh.. Oh ok. It just seemed a little out of place." He said with a shrug.
"Sometimes the most out of place questions can help."
Mr.Reihk chuckled. "Alright." He said as he walked along. "Where to next boss?"
"Hmm. lets head to the saloon for a bit." I said.
"Alrighty then." My assistant said and nodded. I headed to the saloon with him following closely behind., when we get there we take a seat at the bar and went to chatting.
"Let's hope we can catch him." Mr.Reihk said as he ordered a drink.
I nod. "Yeah lets hope." The bartender went to making Mr. Reihk’s drink and I noticed he was a different one from the last time we were there. He was a peach colored unicorn stallion with a brown and green mane and he wore a fez. He did look alot like Redwood, the bartender from last night.
I noticed as Mr.Reihk eyed the stallion and smiled before looking at me. “Is there something different about the bartender?"
I open my notebook, flipping through some pages."Must be the brother that bartender last night told me about." I look around and notice a group of stallions playing cards, one of them was the bartender from last night. "And there is the one from last night."
"Oh. Alright." he said as he took his drink.
"Yes, according to my notes usually it is one or the other working here.” I said to him as I was flipping through the pages of my notebook, an idea popped into my head. “ Hmm.. I think I may have an idea where we could go next"
"Throw it at me." The stallion said as he finished his drink with a gulp. "That'll be enough for today." he said with a small burp. "Oh, excuse me."
I looked up from my notebook and at him."I was thinking that since most of the goods stolen have been jewelry, money and such we should try to find some pony with money troubles."
He nods. “That would explain why somepony would steal all that stuff. Hmm.. lets go check the financial records.” I nodded and we both headed to the town records and examining them I found that three ponies we have met all had money troubles. I had a plan to catch the thief. I mentioned my plan to my assistant and head back to the hotel and grabbed Nancy, I went to the general store and was able to find a few fake jewelry. I placed a gem on my cat’s collar to use it as bait and went to the saloon with her. In The saloon Mr. Reihk was sitting on a stool pretending to enjoy a drink, the bartender being the same one from earlier, the one who I believe to be the brother of Redwood. I scan the room seeing a few stallions playing poker, one of which was Mr. Oak, the stallion who works at the train station. I only had to wait a few minutes before a glow wrapped around the fake gem on the collar. “Mr. Reihk now.” I commanded and he headed outside the door and tackled a stallion dressed in black. He brought him back in the saloon.
“Here he is.” He said taking off the black mask the stallion wore, revealing it to be Redwood, the bartender we met the first day here.
“Red?” The current bartender said. “Why would you do this brother?” He spoke sounding surprised but it wasn’t convincing.
I smiled. “Don’t sound so surprised sir. Your brother couldn’t do this alone. He did have help.” I look over to one of the stallions playing cards. “Go get the sheriff for me.”
Mr. Oak stood up. “I can do it.” He was about to leave but I shook my head.
“Not you Mr. Oak.” I said as another stallion goes to get the sheriff. “You were also involved in this.” I waited for the Sheriff to arrive before I started talking. “Now that you are here Sheriff, I’ll explain what is going on. For you see the thief was not one pony but all three of them. If you notice the three ponies all share several things in common, they all have a peach colored fur with a red mane but the only difference is that two are unicorns while Mr. Oak is a earth pony. So I’m guessing that Mr. Oak is a half brother, probably younger and if you think about it they all have similar names. Oak, Redwood, and..” I turn to the bartender who never spoke his name to me or my assistant. “Your name?”
“What is the motive Miss Mare?” The sheriff asked me.
“My assistant and I went into the public records and found that your mother is very ill. You probably stole the items and cash to pay the bills.” I answered.
“You got us.” Redwood said. The sheriff took the three stallions away and I went over to the bar and looked at my assistant.
“Good job Mr. Reihk. I might have to bring you along again some other time.” I said and he smiled.
I later went home with Nancy at my side, the case was over and I have more things to do. I have no clue what my next case would be but I hope it will be a challenging one.
The cases of Mystery Mare
Case of the missing brother
It was another day in my office. It was early in the afternoon and I was going through some of my files while I took a break from trying to solve the mystery of the paper puzzle pieces I been finding. It seemed like I would never solve it. I peaked my head up hearing the sound of a familiar voice. “Ms. Mare! Ms. Mare!” It was an assistant of mine a blue pegasus with a red, white and blue mane. Her name is Miss Bluegrass Tune and the last time we spoke was when she helped me solve the case of the jade dragon.
“Yes Miss Bluegrass Tune?" I asked after she ran into my office.
“My brother gone missin'!”
"May I have a description and his name? " I asked as I got ready to type on my typewriter
“His name is True Blue. He has a dark blue coat with a red white and blue tail and mane like mine and dark blue eyes” She said.
I nodded and I typed it all out. "When was the last time you saw him?"
“I last time I saw him was at 8:30pm. He said that he would be back from the game by 11:30pm. I waited til then, but he didn't show up. I assumed he was late or the game was in overtime. By 2am, he still wasn't home, but the game had ended. So, I flew to his friends' houses to see if he was there, but none of them had seen him last night. His marefriend saw him going to the navy yard. I checked there, but he wasn't there and one of the ships were gone which was the CCS Canterlot (CV-11). We don't know where he or the ship has gone. We assume he's on that ship somewhere overseas.”
"Does he have any enemies? " I asked. She replied no that question, as I finished typing I looked at her. "Thank you for bringing this case to me, I'll take it on. Would you like to assist me with it?"
“Being his twin sister, I must assist.”
"Are you close with him?"
“Yes.” She answered.
I nodded. "I have a brother as well, he is older than me but we don't get along that much." I get up from my desk. "Let us go search for your brother Miss Bluegrass." She nodded and I grabbed my saddle bags from upstairs, stopped into the kitchen to make sure Nancy’s food bowls were filled and went to the door. She follows me. "I suggest we head to the navy yard to see if we can find any clues. " As we walked I continued to ask questions wanting to get as much information as possible. "Do you think there would be a reason why your brother would be on a boat?"
“Not at this time”
“Him and I are in the Navy”
I nodded. "I see"
“My ship is still there” She said referring to the port.
"So are you two not on the same ship?"
“No. We had to be on separate ships since we were scared that we both would die on the same attack” She tells me as we kept walking, we were headed to the navy base in Baltimare so we needed to head to the train station first.
I nodded. "That seems like a good reason." She nodded as we got on the train station, I took the liberty in buying the tickets and within several minutes we were on the train. We spent the trainride in silence as we were lost in our own thoughts. I understood how Miss Bluegrass would be worried about her brother. There was a time when I felt the same way towards my own, my brother’s job involves investigation, undercover work, and much stealth. He has as many enemies as I do. I wouldn’t be surprised if I found him dead one day. Many ponies have asked me in the past why I hate my brother, the reason would be because of something he did long ago and it’s something I would rather not talk about. The train arrives in Baltimare and we get off and walk for several minutes, it was a clear day with a slight breeze. "Are we close to the navy yard?"
“Yes. My ship is on deck 20.” She told me.
I nodded. "What deck is your brothers?"
“12”
That number surprised me, I suspected that maybe their decks would have been more closer. "Alright then lets head there"
“12 or 20?”
"12" I said and she lead the way once we got to the Navy yard. I look around to get the layout of the place. When we get to deck 12 I pulled out my magnifying glass and look around for any clues.
“See anything? “ She asked me as she looks in the water.
"Not currently Miss Bluegrass" I keep looking.
“Okay. I'll get my ship ready in case we need it.
"Great idea." I replied as she left, for the next fifteen minutes I searched the deck and found nothing. Not even a piece of trash. I look over seeing my client has returned.
“I got the ship ready to go.” She said.
"That is great to hear but I do not know at this time if we will be needing it" I said to her and watch as she looks over the horizon. "See anything?"
“No.” She answered. I nodded as she keeps looking. I look around still trying to find more clues.
“See anything?” Miss Bluegrass asks.
I shook my head sadly. "No, I see no clues. I am sorry miss Bluegrass." A minute later she said.
“I see something, at 1 o'clock.”
I go over to her looking at when she pointed out. It looked like a grey ship but saying anything else about it I had no clue. Ships all look the same to me. "What is it Miss Bluegrasstune?"
“Looks like a destroyer” She said to me.
"Does it look familiar to you?" I asked.
“Sorta”
I nodded. "How does it look familiar is it like your brother's ship?" I was thinking that maybe it could be his ship since I had no clue what kind of ship he had. If it was his ship them things will be over swiftly then.
She shook her head. “No, his is much bigger. I recognize the ship because it's in my ship class”
I started pacing as I was thinking. "hm..what could have happened.." I muttered. Miss Bluegrass was looking around, probably looking to see if she could see anything that could be connected to her brother True that I probably missed. I look over to her stopping my pacing."I am currently stumped."
“Same” She nods agreeing with me.
"What do suggest we do?"
“We'll have to search.”
“We should get on the ship now”
"Then lets get on it Miss Bluegrass." She nods and I follow her to her ship. We go up the ramp and head to the bridge. I look around as we leave port. "So where will we be heading?"
“Baltimare” She answered.
I almost started laughing hearing her say that since Baltimare is where we were currently "I thought that was where we were already?"
Miss Bluegrass facehoofed. “Sorry, I mean Hoofington. I'm very fatigued.”
I nodded. "That is quite alright ma'am I understand that completely."
“So where in hoofington will we be headed." I asked also wondering why she chose to head there.
“The coastal region.” She yawns. “Were a good 400 miles away.”
After she yawns I decided to ask her if she wanted to go rest. She has been worried alot and I know when I’m worried I sometimes can’t sleep."Do you want to rest?" She asks me.
"You go ahead and rest. You're no good to me if you pass out from lack of sleep. " I said with a small smile
“Okay. “ She said and dropped one of the anchors. “If anything happens, wake me up.”
"I will.” I replied and she went into the captain's cabin to sleep. While she was doing that I pulled out a book and begun reading it. As I was reading my mind wandered to about her brother. I wondered where he could be now, if he was okay, and where would he be going without telling his sister. I look outside seeing that it was getting dark by now and that I have been out of Ponyville for hours. I hopped Nancy had enough food to eat while I was gone, I yawned and fell asleep for a few hours. I was up before Miss Bluegrass got up and I just read for a few minutes before she came out yawning. "Hello Miss Bluegrass, sleep well?"
“Yeah.” She nods as she sleepily walks over to me.
I nodded. "Good then"
“Anything happen?”
I shook my head. "Not at all"
“What time is it?” She asks me.
I look out the window taking note that the sun has not risen yet. “Some time before sunrise.” I pull out my pocket watch from my bag. “ Around 6:00” I put it away after checking the time. "When we get to hoofington what do you suppose we do."
“First, see if his ship is there.” She answered.
I nodded. "And if it is?"
“We search the city.” She replied and sighed.
I looked at her and put a reassuring hoof on her shoulder. "We will find him. I know we will." I smiled as she nods, the sun begins to rise and Miss Bluegrass releases the anchor and puts the ship at half-speed. I watch her control the ship as she asks me a question.
“Ever been on a naval warship?”
I shook my head. "No I haven't."
“So this is your first?” She said.
"Yes it is. My brother I know for a fact been on a few of theses before. " I remember one time during the holidays he spoke about it.
“Which type?”
"I believe an aircraft carrier. He couldn't tell me much about it." I shrugged, it was the life of my brother to only tell me half the story while the other half is classified.
“Nice” She said.
"I guess" I look out the window."How long till we arrive?"
“About a hour.” She answered. I nodded as she was staring at something.
"What are you staring at?" I asked.
“The main gun.”Miss Bluegrass answered and sits back down.I look over to the window and see a ship in the distance, I wondered if it was her brother’s ship.
She pulls out her binoculars and looks at the ship. “It's a destroyer from Hoofington. That means were close.”
"That's good" I nodded.
She nods as we turn towards Hoofington Harbor. “I don't see any aircraft carriers.”
"So your brother's ship isn't here." I said. She shook her head no as I nod. We were silent for a moment and heard the radio sound as there was an announcement.
"Attention all ships, we have a blazing ship 15 miles west of Hoofington, all ships respond!"
I look at Miss Bluegrass wondering if it the ship could be her brother She goes full speed to the radioed location and I look around, when we get to the location we see two ships in flames, one was an aircraft carrier and I couldn’t recognize the other. Miss Bluegrass looked shocked. “Oh my…”
"How did that happen?" I said watching the flames dance on the ship.
“I don't kn- wait, is that him?” She points at a pony that looks like her.
I look at the pony on the ship and look at her seeing the resemblance easily. "I believe so." I watch as the pony on the ship had gotten into a lifeboat and it moves toward our ship and she pulls it up. Once it was up I see the blue stallion True with the red white and blue mane like Miss Bluegrass. “Hello.” I said to him.
“Hi.” He replied.
Miss Bluegrass hugs him tightly. “True! What happened?”
“A bomb unexpectedly exploded, starting a chain reaction.” Mr. True said.
"Why did you not tell your sister where you were heading in the first place, she was very worried about you." I asked.
“Secret mission, which blew up in our faces...literally.” He replied.
I nodded. "Secret mission, that makes sense then. My older brother been on several"
“I know him.” He said.
"You know Cryptic? Do you work for E.D.F?" I said surprised. The E.D.F. stands for the Equestria Defense Force, they go on all sorts of missions where they gather intelligence and such. Most of the missions are classified and nopony really knows about the Defense Force as it is all hush hush, I met several agents over my time as a detective. The last agent I saw was a stallion going by the name of Flash during my case in Appleloosa.
“Yes. I have worked with him once.” Mr. True nods.
I rolled my eyes. "I'm guessing it was a classified operation."
“Yeah.” He responded.
"Figured. Always is. Well I take it this mystery is now solved." I said.
“Yep.” The siblings replied smiling.
I smiled. "Alright. Back to Baltimare then and I'll take the next train back to my office."
Miss Bluegrass nods as the ship sets course for Baltimare. The two siblings chatted during the ride home and I just read one of my books quietly. When we arrived back to Baltimare I bid the two a farewell and headed to the station to catch the train home. I turn thinking I heard a noise, it sounded familiar in a sense like it was from out of this world. When I look around I see nothing except for two pieces of paper. “Not another one.” I pick it up and see the red ink and knew it was like the others I had. When I get back home I definitely need a vacation so that I could relax and to try to put these pieces together. I knew that I would keep finding these for awhile but I couldn’t help but wonder what puzzle these would lead me to.
The cases of Mystery Mare
I was glad that I was getting a break from the cases I been getting. I have been getting exhausted and needed a well deserve rest. I sat on my couch drinking some tea, Nancy was upstairs laying on my bed. I was reading the latest edition of the Ponyville times taking about strange attacks on several cities. I heard the door open and when I look up seeing a white pegasus stallion with a blue mane wearing a green vest, red boots and goggles. I seen him around only a few times but I did not know much about him aside from his name which was Dusk Dash.“Hey....um.... Miss Mare?”
“Yes Sir?” I motioned for him to sit down.
He took a seat opposite of me on my other couch. “Somepony took all of my robots from my lab.”
“Hmm I see.” I sip my tea and I start thinking looking the stallion over. So he has a lab, that must mean he has a good source of income and if he builds robots then he must be very skilled and intelligent. I take another sip of tea as I listen to him speak.
“And used them to attack cities From Manehatten To Canterlot.”
"Why do you have these robots in the first place and how much damage have they caused." I take a glance to the paper I was reading seconds ago.
“I am working on increasing ponies lives to to the high demand the ponies don't live long enough so that's why the robots. And the damage is billions of bits worth of repair.” He said to me.
I nodded. "Do you have any suspects?"
"None"
This case interested me somewhat and even if I wanted a vacation from my cases I knew I couldn’t turn him down. I set my tea down as I stood up I slipped on my saddle bags glad that I haven’t had the chance to put them away yet. "I will need to go to the scene of the crime."
Mr. Dusk nods. "Of course follow me" I nodded and headed out the door with him as he lead me to his lab. When we get there I see that it was damaged beyond repair by the thief, the ceiling was caved in in certain areas, the floor was covered in blood and uneven, there was sparks everywhere and there where hole where the robots escaped on the wall. Even as it looked severally damaged it reminded me of something where my brother works. He would love to see this.
I open up my saddle bag pulling out my small tool box where I keep my things for collecting evidence. "Was there a struggle here?"
He nods."Yes this was were I fought the thief and the blood is mine."
"I thought you said you had no suspects?" I said as I took samples of the blood.
"The thief wore a mask"
"Alright. Can you give me a description?" I get out my notebook to write it down.
"I saw the mask for maybe a split second before passing out"
"Describe it please" I asked
"Ummm do you know what a noh mask is?"
Shaking my head I replied."Nope."
"The mask was a show mask."Mr. Dusk said.
"Still I will need a description like shape, color and that stuff" I held my pencil ready to write it.
"It covered the face completely, I remembered it being blue oh also it was formed to well" He conforms his hooves to cover his face perfectly like a mask. I nodded as I wrote it down. "And that is all I saw." I put my notebook away and pull out my magnify glass and start searching for any clues as he watches. While I was searching I noticed that Mr. Dusk had fallen asleep. I go over to him.
"Wake up!" I said to him in an almost angry tone.
He wakes up. "What?"
I look at him. "I don't like ponies sleeping when I'm working"
"I'm sorry"
"It is fine good sir" I nod as I start pacing.
"Alright" He replied.
As I paced I looked over to him. "How could the thief gotten into your lab"
"Only my friends know how to enter my labs so they could've told their friends and one of their friends may have been the thief"
I nodded. "How many of your robots were taken Sir?"
"Two thousand nine hundred ninety nine." He replied.
I looked stunned. I wondered how somepony could have gotten ahold of all those robots, didn’t Mr. Dusk have some security in this place. "That is a lot of robots."
"That's all I made." He said as I nodded. "please solve this!"
"I will" I told him, this was indeed an important case that I needed to solve. Almost three thousand robots could cause great damage in the wrong hooves and they probably already have.
"Thank you." He smiles.
"You're welcome. Before I leave is there any way you can remotely shut down these robots?" I figured if they could be shut down then it would be easier to bring them back and to stop them from causing any damage.
He nods. "There is a prototype remote."
I raised an eyebrow wondering if a prototype will still work on the robots."Will it work?"
"Yes but you have to be 100 feet from the robots" He tells me as he looks around the wreckage for it. After a few minutes he holds out a grey colored box with several buttons and lights.
"Got it" I nodded. "May I have it sir?"
"Yes you may and you can keep it." He holds it out to me and I take it putting it in my red saddlebags. I take the next few minutes gathering up any evidence that would probably not help at all but I gathered it just in case. We exchange our goodbyes as he tells me to be careful as I leave the lab to search for more clues. When I got outside of the lab I see an anonymous letter meant for Mr. Dusk. It said something along the lines for him to pay an outlandish amount of bits or Ponyville gets destroyed.
"Hmm interesting. " I pick up the note and go show it to Mr. Dusk as he was fixing the lab as much as he can."Excuse me Mr. Dusk, I found this." I hold out the note to him
"WHERE?!" He screamed seeing it.
"Outside the lab." I told him.
"I wish you didn't find it" He took off his goggles.
I raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"I'm supposed to keep Ponyville Safe... But I have nowhere near that amount of bits and now the thief know I hired you look on the back of it" I nodded and looked on the back of it, it revealed to be have a hoofprint scanner that the thief probably made. It was made to look like the paper and feel like nothing. I seen a few of these when I once snuck into my brother’s work. I looked at him as he spoke. "I was about to burn it."
"Why" I honestly wondered since this could be valuable evidence.
"To prevent him from knowing I hired a Detective."
I nodded "I see. The thief must have access to some advance technology to made this hoof print scanner on the back of the note."
"Now Ponyville is in danger!" He proclaimed.
"I’ll make sure its safe. I'll get back on the hunt" I leave the lab once again in search of the thief. I look around to find another note, this one said that if I poke around more the thief will blow up my house. I just throw it away not worrying about the threat. After I throw it away I see Mr. Dusk run past covering his face,I follow him and hide watching him.
His fur was getting darker. "Dammit why now."
"Hmm what could be going on" I whispered.
"That detective ditch my case." I heard him say as I continue watching my interest in this case increasing. "Seem I have to stop that thief myself."
"Why was his fur getting darker?" I asked myself.
"I KNOW YOU'RE HERE MISS MARE!" He yells at me. I walk out and look at him taking observations of his look. He summoned a table with a glass of wine right by him and he picks it up.
I was surprised by this."How could you summon a table?"
Mr. Dusk drinks some of the wine.“I am Part of the Royal Family.So I have some magic"
I nodded finding this interesting. "Hmm good to know"
"The fool I reside in doesn't have a clue."
Him saying that got me thinking about a book I once read. "So it is sort of like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde"
"Except I try to kill this fool so I have full control"
"So may I guess it was you who destroyed the lab?" I asked.
"That and I let the thief in."
He must know the thief then. I thought "Then who is the thief?"
"He goes by a code name"
"Tell me it." I said to him sounding serious.
"He said he will kill me if I said it"
"Doubt it "I replied.
"He is a very good spy. he has way of killing ponies." He said to me as I see sword marks all over the dark fur. He continues speaking. "So I will keep my life."
"May you give me any clues?"I said asking another question.
"He never shows his face and can be anypony." I nodded as he asked me a question of his own. "How about a deal?"
"What's the deal?" I asked in reply expecting some outrageous deal.
"I tell you the thief's codename in return I want protection"
I nodded. "Fine then sir:
"His codename is the Phantom." I wrote it down in my notebook."Now hold your part of the deal."
"I'll protect you the best I can sir. How may I please speak with the regular Mr. Dusk to tell him." After I said that I watch as the table with the glass of wine disappeared and slowly this dark version of Mr. Dusk’s fur retuned white and changed back to normal.
He looked at me."Ugh what happened?"
"You appear to have a darker version of you inside yourself. who was working with the thief. "I told him and as I speak I notice him becoming shaken.
"Well still My Darker version knows better than let the thief see the robots" He told me.
"Why is that?" I asked.
"He knows the secret about the robots."
That got my attention. What secrets could the robots be hiding, could it be what they were made of or what they could do. "What would that secret be?"
He turns away."I rather not say, lets just say Omega or the end."
"Is there a nuclear bomb in it or is that like their power source?" I suggested for an answer.
"Nuclear Reactors and it's about their ability to combine with each other" I nodded understanding now why it was so important for me to find these robots. He asked me again to please stop the thief and as last time I told him I will. He wished me good luck and I went on my way. Of course I knew that after I left the lab once again that Mr. Dusk was following me. I look around seeing that everything was normal and an idea popped into my head.
"Hmm they could be able to blend in." I said to myself. I heard a reply of they can and I turned around and saw him. "Why are you following me?"
"I wanted a piece of the action of solving crimes." He told me.
I nodded "I see. Well come along but keep your dark self under control."
"I'll try It is a matter of time before he takes control."He replied.
I nodded once again. "Okay sir" I get back to walking looking around as he follows me.
His fur turned dark as the dark Mr. Dusk took control."What do you think?!"
I roll my eyes seeing that he has reared his ugly head. "Oh I see your back."
"Yes I did with a message." He told me.
"Yes what it your message Hyde?" I smirked.
"Stop!" He commanded.”If you continue you put me, you and everypony you care about at risk"
"I rarely care about anypony." I said coldly not saying who I do care about which is only like four or five ponies.”
"What about your maid?"
I looked confused at what he said, I never had a maid. I had gotten rid of my butler a few weeks ago but that was it. "I had a butler and I got rid of him."
He smiled. "So you see ponies as a waste."
I shook my head. "I do not. "
"You and me aren't that much different"
I avoided what he said the best I could as I glared at him. "I don't care. Why are you in control Hyde anyway?"
"I don't know myself" He tells me. I told him we should be getting back to the case and he returns to the normal Mr. Dusk who hired me. We get back to searching which was painstakingly boring. I started to think about the thief wondering his motives, where he could be hiding and his skill level. As I was thinking he spoke to me. "Only if the old mask used by the phantom are useful."
I looked stunned. Did he have the masks and did not tell me when I asked for a description of it. Was it in the wreckage in the lab? Why didn’t he tell me this earlier. I try to sound calm and recompose myself as I speak. "It can be. "He hands me them as they feel like real flesh.
Mr. Dusk nods. "I agree."
"Aside from the material used which is disgusting I can tell that this seems well made, the person most likely had expertise in making masks." I said giving it back.
As he takes them back he replied. "I don't know any mask makers. This might be a fake clue."
"Most likely is." I replied knowing that some criminals leave clues on purpose to try and throw the police and ponies like me off the case.
"Hmmmm. Something doesn't seem right." Mr. Dusk said.
I nodded. "Indeed it does not."
"Why are these mask here when the Phantom prides himself on his realistic mask making?"
I take a quick glance at the masks once again. "The masks could represent something"
"Like?"
"Hmm not sure. Does the mask look like anything to you or maybe it was made from a certain pony you know." I said to him and watched as he took a closer look at the masks, a look of recognition appeared across his face.
"These masks look like Dark Dusk's personal Army."
This was the first time I heard of this, I wondered why he would have an army. Yes I could understand that he could have once since he is part of the royal family but why the evil version of my client have an army. "He has an army?"
"Dark Dusk Does." He nods. “When he want to kill ponies."
"Then I suggest you make him stop or else I will be going to the police on this matter." Even if you are part of the royal family I will not condol the killing of ponies.
"Okay." He replied and then he decides to tell me more hoping it's relevant "He has a little gem for each thing in his army."
"And what does that mean good sir?” I asked wanting more clarification on it.
"He can call anyone of them whenever he wants"
I nod. "Oh I see. We should get back to the case.” I nod once more and start walking down the street as I search for more clues. Mr. Dusk continued to follow.
"I wish I was more helpful." He told me.
I sighed. "It is fine, this would be easier if I find more clues or if the clues we had make sense to me."
"Can I have a run down of all the clues?" He asks.
"Let's see, we have the notes that we found in you lab stating the amount of bits and such." I started pacing now as I ran off the items. "And of course the masks." The next thing Mr. Dusk said surprised me as he put the pieces together.
"He used the masks to trick my dark side into the lab then after a struggle defeated my dark side. Then after securing the robots and making off with them he wrote the notes to make me go to the black market and sell my blueprints so I would have the bits to pay him and after I did he will go to the black market get the blueprints and make his own army of robots"
I nodded hearing his explanation. It did help put things together. I knew of the black market he talked about as I think of my older brother and the times he was sent to go there. "You thought about this a lot I see."
"I started to put the pieces together after seeing that the Masks are of Dark Dusk's army and how hastily they were thrown off. It makes sense."
"It does good sir" I said to him.
"So does it help?"
"It does incredibly." I smiled. "It helps me think and helps me think about what is going through the phantom's head as well. Now back to the case. Where should we head to next?"
"Up to you." He replied
"Well the phantom would need someplace big to hold all your robots, is there any place like that?"
"There's my Manehatten lab."
"You have another lab? Does anypony besides you know where it is located."
"Oh A bunch of Ponies. That's where I take orders for designs and there is a large back room." He said.
"Then to Manehatten then. Do expect us to be there long?"
"Depends if the Phantom is there or not"
The cases of Mystery Mare
"Then I will need to head to my office to get some things." I started heading in the direction of my office/home. Mr. Dusk said he would be waiting at the station while. I went back home and made sure my saddlebag had everything I needed. I restocked the first aid kit, made sure I had some spare bits, and of course since this week was suppose to be my vacation I was going to have to bring Nancy with me. I call her down and place her in my bag. I then headed to the station where I see Mr. Dusk waiting for me.
"Your good?" He asks.
He had a questionable look in his eyes as he glanced at my bag. "You're bringing your cat?"
"I might be." I go over to the ticket booth to buy the tickets, once I buy them I walk back over and I hand him his ticket. We get on the train and I take a seat by Dusk, I read a book as I always do on a train. I glance over to Mr. Dusk seeing that he fell asleep, he must be tired from following me around and all the transformation of going back and forth between his evil self and normal self.
Time goes by as I was almost done with my book and the train pulls up in Manehatten station. I turn to my client and shake him gently as I spoke."Get up Mr. Dusk." He wakes up right away and I stood up. "Lets go." Once we were off the train I allow him to lead the way to his lab.We ended up walking towards the high class part of Manehatten. I recognized it instantly from my past cases.
I look at Mr. Dusk as he walked in front of me. "Your lab is here?"
He nods."Yeah my great Great Great Grandfather gave me a house in this district to use as a lab and a hideout." I nodded as we headed inside the property, we walk through the rusty gates and looked and saw a lovely garden. When we got closer I look at the red mansion with old gargoyles on it. We walk through the doors and it revealed a front room that was filled with feng shui.
"Nice place." I smiled.
"Thanks." He replied.While we were walking down the hall,he stops and looks at a picture of Celestia battling Sombra.
"Interesting picture." I said once I stopped and started looking at it.
"It feels alive" He tells me. I nod as he talked and turned to see a doll walking in front of us. It looked like an orange and white bear with several metal stitches, the shoes were red with a white stripe and it had a red diamond above it’s head.
"A doll?" I said confused.
"Yep a living doll. Made it myself. He is the first thing I made"
I nodded. "Interesting."
I watch as he looks at the doll closely. "Where’s the gem?"
"Was there suppose to be one? " I asked thinking it was a decorative gem. He nods to tell me yes. "Somepony might have taken it or it could have fallen off."
Mr. Dusk shook his head now after I said that."It couldn't have been any of those,the gem is his power source."
"Oh" I said realizing that if it didn’t have the gem then it wouldn’t be able to move but if the gem wasn't there how could it be moving.
"So there is only one way to hide it and have the doll stay alive." He said to me. ”And that would be inside the doll and that would mean the culprit came here."
I nodded. "To your lab then sir." We head to the chrome silver lab, the pounding of pistons and the hums of machines can be heard everywhere around us. We look and see a stallion wearing a mask that looked like Mr. Dusk, he also wore a neon vest like my client wears. He was trying to steal Mr. Dusk’s designs, this had to be the phantom. "Hmm interesting." I said looking at the Phantom.
"Who?" He said turning to me.
"Your interesting. You look look a lot like my client." I said taking a few steps forward.
"Maybe I am your client"
I ignored what he just said since I didn’t think he was my client as he has been with me for most of my case. I turn to Mr. Dusk. "Do you recognize this stallion besides that he looks like you."
"No.Never in my life." He told me.
I nodded crossing my hooves "Good to know. Now Mr. Phantom. I suggest you explain yourself."
Phantom looked at me. "There is nothing to explain"
"Oh really?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Equestria is Doomed"
"No it is not." I said pulling out the prototype of the shutdown remote.
He looked surprised and confused. "What is that?"
"A remote to shut down the robots." I smirked
He pulls out his gun. "Do you want to test me?"
Nancy popped her head out of my bag and hissed at him. I smirked. "I really doubt you will use it."
He fires at me and I dodge it. "I am a professional assassin."
"I'm a detective your point?" I said as the bullet I dodged hits Dusk's leg."Are you okay Mr. Dusk?"
Mr.Dusk nods "Yes"
I nodded. "Good." I look towards the Phantom. "Where are the robots."
"Being combined." The Phantom said.
"You will release them back into my client's hooves." I said in a commanding tone.
"Why will I do that?"
"Because I am asking you." I replied.
"You expect me to listen to a useless Detective?" He said.
"I am not useless. " I stated.
“You are bound to laws."
"Yes but that does not make me useless. " I slip my saddlebags off but the Phantom quickly fires at it, Nancy was lucky and jumped out of my bag before the bullet could hit it. I glared at him. "Put the gun down." He then shoots at me and I dodge it not wanting to get hit. He then punches me and I fell back slightly and once I recovered from the hit I punched him back. He grabs my hoof and slams it into the ground,I yelped in pain for a second. He continues attacking me and I keep dodging it. I kick him in the stomach but only to see that it wasn’t Phantom who felt the pain but Mr. Dusk.I look over to him wondering why he felt the pain. "Are you okay?"
He shook his head at me. "No I was kicked in the stomach. He is able to direct pain to the real pony he's impersonating."
"Hmm..That is interesting." I turn to Phantom. "How can you do that? Is that your special talent?"
The Phantom nods "Yeah, along with many other things"
I wondered what other things this stallion could do, he really was interesting. "Like?"
"Why should I reveal my secrets now?"
"Hmm you have a point there. How about we play a game? If I win you tell me your secrets, give up the robots and we take you jail." I smirked wanting to buy some time for me to come up with a plan to capture him.
"What kind of game?"
"Your choice in the game." I answered.
"I don't have time to mess around"
"What makes you think we are going to be messing around. I am just saying we could just play a simple game. It would put an end to us just hitting each other around like we were a punching dummy."He told me no for the game so I glare at him as I tried to think, he returned my glare with one that felt like it could freeze a stone. That is one tough glare. I thought. I look around and notice that nothing besides us were moving. I couldn’t even see Mr. Dusk take a single breath.
"Strange.." I muttered. Time was frozen, was this another one of the Phantoms so called talents?
"That is another one of my many talents." He said confirming my assumption.
I nodded "So I see. So you can control time. That does explain how you stole all the robots."
"That's small time."
I tilted my head. "Really sir?"He nods yes and I continue to speak. "Interesting,"Now what do you want?"
"You leaving."He said.
I shook my head. "That will not happen. You have stolen from my client so I would like to have the robots back and then take you to jail. Then I would leave"
"No jail can hold me." He smirked,
"We will see about that"I wait for his next move and the next thing I knew he was gone."Where did he go.." I look around as feel something hit me hard on the back of my head. Everything went black. I groan as I wake up not knowing how long I been out. I could tell time was moving again as Nancy licked my face. "Ow." I said to myself.
"Ummmm we have a huge problem." I heard Mr. Dusk say.
"I realize that." I replied to him as I stared at the ceiling. After a minute I sat back up. "Where did he go."
“No clue.” He told me.
I nodded and I stood up. "Okay we need to find him."Mr. Dusk nods agreeing with me. "Lets go." I rub my head.
“Are you okay?” He asks.
"My head hurts from when I got knocked out." I said as I rubbed it a little bit more. I felt goose egg starting to form and knew that I may get a bruise.
We start walking and he informs me. "He's now you"
"WHAT!!" I shouted, Mr. Dusk seems to know a lot about this Phantom that he is only bringing up now.
"When he kills or knocks a pony out he get’s a mask of the pony also the body type and clothes and also the memories." He replied.
"How...also he may not like what he sees in my memories..." I said thinking a lot about the memories of past cases, the feelings I felt from them and memories from my childhood.
"One of his talent. Also he has no fear"
"Good to know.."
"But he is good at faking"
"My brother could tell the difference I bet." I pick up my bags, Nancy hopping back in them. Luckily there was only one bullet hole so nothing was falling out. I start walking out of the lab. Mr. Dusk follows me. "Where should we go next?" I asked.
"No clue." He said looking angry.
"Why are you angry?" I asked.
"SHUT UP!" He yelled at me. I looked at the ground.I didn't say anything not wanting to make my client madder.We get out of the lab and I see his fur turning black, it made me think that Dark Dusk/ evil Dusk was coming out.
"Is Hyde coming out?" I asked calling the evil side Hyde. He shook his head and I then noticed the blood. Did he get more hurt from the fight with Phantom? If not then where was the blood from. "What happened?"
"I decided my case can't be won." He said looking at the ground.
"What did you do.." I looked at him.
"I used magic"
"And?"
"That's it." He replied. I knew magic could be used to kill somepony but I never thought a pony would do it to themselves.
"Why don't you think your case can't be won?" I asked him if that was the only reason why he wanted to kill himself then I wanted to know.
"He's too smart."
I rolled my eyes, "That doesn't mean we can beat him."He coughs up blood in response as his fur returns to white."Why is your fur returning to white?" I asked wanting an explanation
"It seems I can’t die."
"Why can't you die?" I asked. He said that he was using his magic to kill himself but now it was not working. This is interesting.
"I honestly don't know"
I tilted my head at him as I heard his explanation. "You and the Phantom interest me more with every minute that we are on this case."
Mr. Dusk raised an eyebrow. "Should I be scared?"
"Why? That I find you interesting?" I asked.
"Yes." He nods.
"You shouldn't be scared." I said walking.
"Okay" He replied as he keeps up with me.
I turn to him. "Is your leg okay?" Referring to when he got shot.
"It's perfectly fine" He responded.
"That's good." I said and keep walking, I noticed Mr. Dusk kept up without a problem so that was at least good. As I walked I wondered where we need to head to now. I was worried if the Phantom did take my form what would he do with it. He knows all my memories, the memories of me with my father and brother growing up in Manehatten, the ones that contained my past memories with my other relatives that were not so well as they blamed me for why my mother vanished a few days after I was born, they treated me as I was cursed and unlovable. He had some of the important memories I had with my two oldest of best friends that made me smile and didn't mind my coldness. My thoughts kept going on like that as I walked down memory lane in my mind. I was snapped out of them when Mr Dusk spoke.
"He couldn't have gotten far"
I sighed. "I hope not." We get outside the house we see the streets were filled with blood, houses were completely demolished, ponies body were reduced to ashes.
"Oh god." I heard him say.
"We must find the Phantom now!" I said as my voiced filled with anger seeing the scene of destruction. It made me more angry knowing that he was probably wearing the mask of me.
"Okay" He said as we walked and see a pony looking afraid of me. I knew the pony was afraid of me because of the Phantom as I never seen the pony before.
I look to the ground as I heard the pony say. "Don't hurt me again."
"I wasn't the pony who hurt you." I said softly.
"You weren't?" The pony responded.
I nodded. "It was an imposter. I would never hurt a pony if they haven't done anything wrong."
"Then it said we are condemned and sentenced to death" The pony told me. I didn’t want to hear any more.
"That wasn't me." I said coldly and turned to Mr. Dusk. "Let's go." I silently walk ahead as I quickly wiped away a tear. I never cry in front of other ponies and I wasn't going to start now. I started to feel like my reputation would be ruined because of the Phantom.
"Hey calm down if you need to cry I'll give you as much space as you need."Mr. Dusk said.
"I don't cry." I said coldly as I walked.
"Liar" He responded.
"I know I am." I said still in my cold tone.
"Cut the act" He said but I didn't respond as I continued walking. Just as the Phantom I wear my own mask but I wear mine to protect myself and to not show others that I’m weak. I look around for another me knowing that Phantom would still be wearing the mask of me. I find it on the ground and I pick it up to examine it. Like the masks we seen in the past it looks well made and made of flesh like the last one.
The cases of Mystery Mare
"Who did he make it out of this time." I muttered as my tone became colder.
"I don't know" Mr. Dusk said. I nodded with a frown on my face, I felt sad to see that somepony’s flesh was used to make a mask of me. I made me sick to my stomach. He looks at me. "You okay?" I just nod not wanting to say a word I start walking once more looking for the Phantom. I saw no clues besides the ash that was once ponies on the blood stained streets by the crumbled buildings. Mr. Dusk suddenly hugs me and I instantly push him hard away.
"I'm not the hugging kind of pony."
"Sorry."He responded. Nancy meowed in my bag and she peeks out watching.
"No need to be." I muttered to Mr. Dusk as I walked. In the shadows there was a glowing gem and he went towards it. "Whats that?" The gem seemed to put him into a state of hypnosis as he now had it on his head and he suddenly starts to attack me. "Mr. Dusk, snap out of it." I demanded blocking his attacks. When he doesn’t respond I realized that he had no control over himself. Seeing him like this reminded me of the doll back at the mansion. Was the doll a prototype for something like this, is that why it was inside the doll’s head to make it move.
I go to take the gem off his head and he slashes a sword and it sends a shock wave at me. I wondered when he got the sword as I stumbled back a bit.
He nearly stabs me as I tried to get to the gem. Nancy jumps out of my saddlebag to help me and tries to knock the gem off of his head but he tosses Nancy. That made me know for sure that he was under hypnosis of some kind because I never would have thought that Mr. Dusk would never do that, luckily for her she landed on her paws and watches us. I try to get closer to Mr. Dusk as I hit him but I tried to be gentle as I did it. He blocks it and as I tried to get behind him he disappeared into the darkness. I look around for him and sigh,I try to think of what to do. Nancy was stiffing the ground trying to get his scent but then again she wasn’t a dog so I had no clue if she could find a pony. A fish, maybe if she was hungry enough. I start walking off trying to see if I could find Mr. Dusk , Nancy walked next to me. As we walked I noticed something that looked alot like him but I knew it was a fake to distract me. "You can't fool me!" I yelled.
Mr. Dusk’s voice comes from all around "OH REALLY?!"
"Yes really. Stop hiding and come out." I responded looking around.
"And ruin the fun?"
"For now yes. I would like Mr. Dusk free from the gem's control." I look around as Nancy sat by my hooves.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA NEVER!"
"Why?” I raised an eyebrow.
"Why would I give back a useless pony?" He asked.
"No pony is useless. We all have a purpose." I glared as I looked around. "And if he is useless why did you take him then?"
"He is the only one to control the completed robot."
I nodded."Then he is not useless. "
"Then he'll take the fall just like his only friend Tails Doll."
The tails doll? Was that the orange and white doll that was in the mansion. I guess it must be that. "What did you do to the doll?"
“Made it so it can't open its mouth and that Dusk has to incinerate it soon.”
"Why?" I asked as I got confused by that.
"Nosy ponies like you getting close to stopping me."
"Well I was handed a case so I'm trying to solve it." I crossed my arms and smirked as I looked around trying to see if I could figure out where Mr. Dusk’s voice was coming from.
"You solved it." He tells me.
"Yes but not fully. You still need to be put to justice Phantom." I said.
"Well then try it." When he said that it sounded slightly arrogant. I knew I would be able to solve it, it just takes some hard work and a little elbow grease.
"I will. " I replied and looked around to see if I could see Phantom or Mr. Dusk and the only thing I see in the shadows around me was a faint red glow,I move closer to it and it fades completely. "Where did it go." I look around for it but there was nothing. I start pacing to think. Nancy copied me as she followed right behind me."Where could they be.." I muttered to myself as I tried to think of where the Phantom or Mr. Dusk could be.While I look around for anything to lead me to them,I see pots and pans in a line. It was very strange, it was in a perfect straight line. Who ever placed it here must have wanted to lead somepony somewhere. I lead me to a small building with a red roof. The pizza shaped sign said pizzeria, I push the door open finding that it was unlocked, the smell of rotten pizza hit me once I entered. It was pitch black except for an creepy red glow. and flickering lights of the main hallway.
I suddenly hear a voice as it spoke weakly "Help."I run towards the voice and find Dusk behind the counter. I couldn’t really see the condition he was in but I could guess it wasn’t that well judging only by the sound of his voice. I held out my hoof to him and pull him up."Thanks" He told me.
"What happened? Are you okay sir?" I asked.
"I'm fine" He replied.
I nodded. "Wheres Phantom?"Mr. Dusk shrugs as I look around the pizzeria I take mental notes of everything as I note that nothing was out of place so it could be guessed that Phantom just dumped Mr. Dusk here."Where could he be?" I asked myself.
"This is weird" Mr. Dusk told me.
"It is." I nodded.
"I feel like I know this place but can't be sure." He said as he was looking around.
I nodded as I suggested an explanation. "Maybe you been here before to eat." He shrugs and suggests that we leave. I nodded and headed out as he follows. I wondered where we were going to head to next and look around for some clues but sadly saw none, the Phantom was excellent at covering up his tracks. When I notice that Mr. Dusk wasn’t following me any more I turn around and find him passed out on the ground. I go over to him and examine since it wasn’t dark out here as it was in the pizzeria. I look him over to figure out what was the reason he passed out, I see that the gem he had on his head when he fought me was gone and that his body was beat up an bruised showing signs of struggle. "Interesting." I said to myself as I pick up Mr. Dusk and start walking with him on my back. I decided to head to my ex-headquarters. I enter the building taking note that neither or my ex-partners were here. They must be on a case I thought and placed my passed out client on the couch, I treated any wounds I saw on him and started thinking about my next move. I knew that Mr. Dusk probably learned some things while he was hypnotized by the gems and because he never told me he was the only pony who could control his robots.He soon wakes up. "How are you feeling?"
"Sick." He answered
"Why? What happened to you?" I asked.
He looks at me. "I was beaten up by the Phantom because I refused to help."
I nodded. "He mentioned that you were the only one able to control the robot."
"I am being part robot and all"
I looked surprised at that explanation. That is really interesting, I thought. I am still going with my earlier comment to him that I he gets more and more interesting with every minute."You are? I guess that explains why you couldn't kill yourself with your magic earlier when you claimed that we couldn't win this case."
"Yea but Tails doll can also control it."
I nodded."That's interesting, so that would mean that Phantom would be going after the Tails doll correct"
"Yes." He nods.
I put my hoof to my chin."Hmm. If my memory if correct I believe the Phantom stated that he made it so it can't open its mouth and that you has to incinerate it soon.”
"Yes but he never stated why?"
"Hmm..I wonder why." I stated as I headed into the kitchen. Nancy jumped on Mr. Dusk and rubs her head against him. I hear her meow at him when I come back with some tea. I looked at Mr. Dusk as I set it down. "In case you're wondering we are at my ex-headquarters. 22 Ponystreet detective agency Manehatten division. "
Mr. Dusk looks around at our surroundings. "Maybe I can work here to have a secondary job"
I shrugged. "Don't ask me. You need to speak with my ex partners, Madam Thursday and Mr. Samual."
He nods understanding he would have to talk with my ex-partners if he wanted a job and changes that conversation as I sip my tea. "Okay this case went from robbery to a national crisis"
I thought about what to do next and came to a conclusion that we would be needing some help from one of my enemies. The agency my brother works for, it is a agency full of secrets, information, and undercover operations. I look at Mr. Dusk."I noticed. I believe we may need some help."
"From who?" He asked with a questioning look.
"Equestrian defense force." I answered.
"NO!" He screamed.
Seeing that he didn’t want their help made me glad since I honestly didn’t want any agents here and I can’t stand my brother. "As much as I would hate to have them join us in this case, I know when we need extra help. If we do not have them help up then we will need the help of my ex-partners."
"The EDF want's me dead." He replied.
"Most likely because of the robots I'm guessing." I sip my tea now knowing we would need to continue this by ourselves.
"No,they think I control the Phantom.”He said to me.
"Makes sense." I replied as it honestly made sense to me for why the EDF wants him dead.
"If I did would I order this?"He asks me.
"Order the destruction of all Equestria as we know it? I can't say." I shrugged
"And ordering him to beat me to near explosion?"
"Good point. You don't look that stupid to do that." I stated
Mr. Dusk shrugs. "Thanks I guess"
I nodded. "You're welcome"
"I figured out why the Phantom made sure Tails Doll can't open his mouth"
"Why is that?" I did wonder that when the Phantom told me about it. I mean it is a doll and even if it is a moving one, dolls don’t do much.
"So Tails Doll can't fight back." He said.
"How could it fight back?" I asked.
"If it sense danger to it it would open his mouth and proceed to bite the former attack till all the blood oozes out of the pony's body." He explained to me.
I nodded. "I'll make a note to never make it mad. Now I would be guessing that the Phantom would be headed back to the mansion for the doll?"He nods confirming that Phantom would be there. I stand up."Are you feeling up to going back there? Or would you like to rest?"
"Let's go." He said.
I nodded. Nancy hopped in my saddle bag and I pick it up. "Then lets good sir. Time to stop the Phantom once and for all."
"Yeah" He responded but I could tell by the look on his face that he thinks we would only stop the Phantom if he doesn't outsmart us. We head out of the building and swiftly get to the mansion where we hear fighting. I wondered who could be fighting. It would obviously be the Phantom but who would he be fighting with, could it be the Tails doll? Maybe it was a robot. I storm in to see who was really fighting and I see the Phantom fighting Tails doll who had his mouth unsealed.
I grinned slightly seeing the fight and seeing that my guess on who was fighting was correct. I turned to Mr. Dusk. "You do build an impressive doll sir."
"Why do you say that?" He asked me.
"Well I never seen a doll fight before. "I replied.
"Okay"
"I wonder if the doll will win." I said and watched the Phantom fight with the Tails Doll.
"I don't think so" Mr. Dusk said.
"Then lets go help him." I suggested
"How?" He asks.
"Are you seriously asking me how we can help a doll fight our enemy. It is simple we go in and join the brawl. You know we go hoof to hoof with him, three on one it should be cake. Come now." I tell him.
"Fine."
"Good." I nodded slipping off my saddlebags, not wanting Nancy to get hurt and ran towards Phantom who grabs me using me as a tool to hit the Tails Doll. After I hit the dollI, I turn and punch the Phantom.
"Oof." He said. Before he could respond I hit him several times in the chest and he blocks it when I try to hit his head. I keep punching him trying to aim for any weak points and he clearly looked angry. I was surprised to see him pull out a sword from his version of Mr. Dusk’s vest. That explained where the sword came from earlier when I fought Mr. Dusk while he was under hypnosis.
"Mr. Dusk may I borrow your sword." I asked him figuring the only way to bear a sword is to use a sword. I never used one but I had to try.
Mr. Dusk nods. "Sure" He tosses his sword towards me and I catch it with ease and swing it at Phantom. He blocks my attack as I keep going, he suddenly kicks me and I fall to the ground.
"Just die." Phantom said.
"I will not." I stand and go to stab him with the sword, he blocks it easily as sword fighting is not my specialty. I kick him in an effort to try to let him let go of the sword. I glance to Mr. Dusk. "Mr. Dusk, will you be helping me fight him or just stand there."Mr. Dusk doesn’t respond as I continue fighting the Phantom waiting to see if he will join in. When I kick the Phantom, he dodges but gets punched by Mr. Dusk. "Nice shot." I said to him.
"Thanks." He replied. I nodded and used the sword to try to hit the Phantom.but he pulls out his gun and shoots me,.I try to use the sword to block the bullet before it could hit me but instead of the sword blocking the bullet it was Mr. Dusk who takes it. I looked surprised as I heard him cough. I would have asked him why he took that bullet for me but I knew it would be a better guess to keep my attention to Phantom, I swing the sword in an attempt to knock his sword away. It was close but Phantom barely blocks me.
"So close." I muttered. Phantom shoots another shot at Mr. Dusk and I hurry to try and block it with the sword, not wanting him to take another bullet, he is my client after all, if he dies I don’t get paid. The bullet gets cut in half and I take the sword and slash it at the Phantom who blocks it with fear. He goes and shoots at the Tails doll, it shatters Tails Doll's gem causing him to collapse. I figured without the gem the doll was pretty much lifeless. I went back to fighting Phantom and he beats me to the ground.I try using my hooves to block.
"Just die." He said to me.
"I will not. " I slowly get up and he knocks me down again."No matter how many times I fall, you will never win." I stated in a cold tone as I got up more quickly this time and try to kick him, he blocks.
"JUST STOP!” He yelled as I kept fighting.
"I will not." I stated again as I went to go behind him to slash him, I was pretty surprised at how I was doing in this fight. I wasn't sure how long I could keep this up as I was losing energy but I had to win this fight. He some how blocked that attack, he yelled stop once more but I didn’t. "I will not give up. I have a job and I will stop you."
"You're all alone." He stated.
I glare at him. "If I'm alone, I'm alone so be it." He shoots me and I dodge it, he switches to use his sword and slashes my hooves. My blood now covered the handle of the sword I was holding and dripped to the floor. I ignore the blood on my hooves as I kept fighting, I knew I couldn't fight for much longer as I was getting exhausted. I felt a weird power around me and I wondered what was going on as I take notice of what was going on. Somepony was using magic to heal me, I see the cut marks on my hooves start to close. I look around briefly and see Mr. Dusk laughing. “Why are you laughing.” I asked him.
"Just what the Phantom said" Mr. Dusk replied.
"About me being alone?" I said.
He nods. "Yes."
"Yeah it was funny wasn't it. " I smirked and turned to Phantom. "Like I said if I'm alone then I'm alone but it seems that I'm not alone this time." With the healing magic gone and my strength restored I run at Phantom and hit him with the sword.
The Phantom looked shocked as he blocks. "WHAT?!"I keep striking him causing him to go. "UGH!" I kick him to the ground when he suddenly said. "Stop."
"Why" I asked.
"I'll go in quietly"
I couldn't tell if he was lying but I didn't trust him. "I need proof of that."Phantom puts his front hooves his head."Mr. Dusk may you help me detain him and take him to the authorities?" I asked keeping an eye on Phantom.
"Sure." Mr. Dusk said. I watch as he goes to detain Phantom but Phantom pulled a knife from the vest he wore and stabbed Mr.Dusk.
"Knew I shouldn't have trusted you. " I go to punch Phantom and he dodges it. When I try to grab him he vanishes."Where did he go.."I look around not seeing him anywhere, how could he just vanish like that.
"Ugh." I heard Mr. Dusk say.
"Are you okay?" I asked him.
"Yeah." He nods.
"Thank you for taking that bullet for me." I told him, he nods saying okay, I return the nod. "Lets find Phantom again."
Mr. Dusk tries to get up but couldn't,when I look at him to see why he couldn't get up I notice he was missing his front hooves. There was exposed wires and some blood where his hooves once where. My eyes widen. "What in the names of Celestia and Luna happened?"
"Hm?" He said.
"Where are your hooves?" I ask him.
"I don't know." He replied.
"How could you not know!" I yelled at him
Mr. Dusk looked terrified."I shut down for a little bit"
I had a questionable look on my face when he said that."You shut down?"
He nods."Yes basically I died, so that is why I don't know where they went."
"But I was right here how could you lose your hooves." I started pacing.
"I don't know" He responded.
"Could the Phantom have taken them..wait what does it your robot need to be controlled? Maybe it needs your hoof prints." I said as I took a guess at why his front hooves were gone.
"It's need three things of the creator. Hoofprints, eye color and voice." He answered.
I nodded "And with the Phantom's ability to look and act like the pony he makes a mask from he could accomplish that easily correct?"Mr. Dusk nods yes as I keep pacing trying to think. Nancy meowed from my bags as she just talks to me. I look to Nancy as she kept meowing. "Yes Nancy we should do something about the exposed wires and blood. "
"Hmm?" He said
"We should clean up the wires sticking out and make it so that it doesn't shock me or you." I tell him.
"Okay." He replied. I nod and walk over to him. "Hm?"
"Just want to clean off the blood and stuff." I said getting an handkerchief from my bag and gently started to wipe away the blood. "There done. Can you stand on your hind hooves?” Mr. Dusk nods and proceeds to stand on his hind hooves."Good. Let's go." I said.
"Okay" He replied.
"Where do you think the Phantom went?" I asked.
"Canterlot I feel the robot's there"
"I'm guessing its because you are a robot and what not and that is how you know its there. " I said
"Yeah"
"Good then. Off we go then." I said and started walking, heading toward the train station, Once there I go and swiftly buy our tickets.I hand Mr. Dusk his ticket once I return and head for the train with him following behind me. I take a seat with Nancy on my lap and Mr. Dusk sats across from me. I look at him. "Since the start of this case you have become more and more interesting to me. From having a dark side that knows Phantom, to having magic and being part of the royal family and now that you are part robot. This has been an interesting case."
"In a good or bad way?" He asks me.
"Maybe both." I replied with a tilt of my head as I pet Nancy. She looked at me and meowed. I chuckled as she looked at me with begging eyes. "You want some food?" My cat meows. I smiled and pulled out a small bag of treats from my bag. I toss one of the treats in the air and Nancy catches it. I look up at Mr. Dusk noticing the look of sadness on his face. "A bit for your thoughts?"
"I never had a pet." He said sadly.
"This is my first one." I said remembering when I got my cat in Manehatten when I had a stallion as an assistant for a case . His name was Mr. Lucem Diem, he was a very nice stallion, always giving me hugs even if I was uncomfortable with them. I remember how he first picked up Nancy back when she was a stray. My reminiscing ended when I heard Mr. Dusk crying. "Um..Don't cry.." I responded seeing him cry. Nancy hopped off my lap and nuzzles him, he looked confused by what she was doing. "She doesn't like seeing you sad." I said to him as the cat licked him.
The cases of Mystery Mare
He hides his wires since there was still live electricity running through them.Nancy tilts her head at him and he said. "Don't want to shock you"Nancy nods and meows as if she understands and curls up on his lap. I chuckled seeing the look of shock on Mr. Dusk’s face. "Ummmm"
"Yes?" I said as Nancy purred.
"Shouldn't you get your cat back?" He asks me,I nodded and called Nancy over, she hopped back on my lap. Mr. Dusk falls asleep and I take notice that he was sparking. I figured it was because of the wires, I hoped that he would get some new front hooves soon. I yawn after a few minutes and fall asleep. Some time later I wake up and see Mr. Dusk trying to exit the train, specifically by trying to break a window.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"We're starting to lose time."
"Hold on." The train stops as we got to Canterlot. "Come on." I said as Nancy hops in my bag
"Okay" He replied and we left the train.
"Where is the robot?" I asked him since the only reason we are in Canterlot is because he said it was here.
"I can't sense it anymore." He said. I nodded as I walked around looking around, while we were walking I notice the look of sadness on my client’s face. "Is something wrong sir?"
"I feel useless" He said.
"You are not. No pony is useless. "
"How am I usefull now?" He asks me as he glances at the spots where his arms once were.
"You still have your brain don't you?" I asked him with a smirk.
He nods. "Yea"
"Then you are still useful. As long as the Phantom is you he should think like you." I said referring to the mask the phantom makes to look like the pony he took it from and also gain the memories of that pony.
"Okay" He said as he started thinking, after a minute he replied. "I would destroy the castle to weaken the government of Equestria"
"Then lets head there." I said. We headed to the castle and found it in bad shape. There was nothing but a cave now and we could see the Princesses Celestia and Luna away from it badly injured. I looked shocked seeing this while Mr. Dusk runs knowing that the royal guards are looking for him.
As I was searching for the Phantom or the robot I hear Mr. Dusk yell. "OH GOD!"
"Mr. Dusk?" I said.
"Good news I found the robot bad news there is no sign of the Phantom anywhere" He said as I got over to him.
"That's good at least. " I said and found him petting the robot like a dog.I chuckled seeing this and the robot starts saying something in beeps and boops.I look at Mr. Dusk. "Do you know what he is saying"
"Hush Ms. Mare." He said to me. I be quiet even if I never like to be told hush. To the robot he said "Aww sorry to hear that."
"So what did it say?" I asked.
"The phantom treated him like crap." He said.
"That is indeed sad, does he know where Phantom is? " I asked.
Mr. Dusk shook his head. "No"
I nodded. "He's no help to us then."
"Wait..." He said as the robot started to make more boops and beeps. I listen quietly so he can listen to whatever the the robot was saying. When Mr. Dusk suddenly yelled. "NO!"
"No what?" I asked.
"The phantom is going to blow up all of Manehatten"As he said that I heard true concern in his voice.
"We must get there now" I said. "You must have some sort of spell or machine to take us there in a blink of an eye." Mr. Dusk points me at a purple robot with two tail like arms."What does it do?"
“Flies fast." He answered and climbed in,I nodded and climb in."Hold on to something.”I held onto a bar after he said that and we start flying at supersonic speed.I held on tight as I hear Mr. Dusk yell. "AWW YEAH!" It made me chuckle.
"Are we there yet? "I asked.after several minutes later.
He nods as the robot lands."Yes" After we get out he locks it. ”Lets find him now." I said with a determined look in my eye.
Mr. Dusk nods. "I agree, My town will.... I mean Manehatten won't be leveled.
I nodded. "I feel the same way. I grew up here as a filly."
"I'm the mayor"He said.
"You are?" I said flabbergasted. He nods telling me yes. "You really are something." I said as we walked and found Phantom setting up the bombs. "We need to hurry and stop him."
He looks at the ground. "Yea sadly you have to."
I glare slightly at him. He has been helping me since we left Ponyville and now he is not going to help me at all. "Aren't you going to help?"
"Can't the wires would detonate the bombs automatically" He explained.
I nodded and took off my saddle bag. "Can you watch Nancy for me then?" I didn’t want to risk her getting injured this time. Who knows if Phantom would try to shoot at her.
"Sure." He says as Nancy hopped out of the bag and stood by him.
Phantom looks at me. "Finally"
"You should stop running if you wanted this to end finally. I suggest you deactivate the bombs." I demanded.
"If I don't?"
"Then you would have to face me." I smirked knowing that he would not give up easily. I figured I would be nice enough to give him a chance to give up.
"Then come at me and watch out for land mines."
"I will." I ran towards him, watching for landmines.He looked surprised as I was pretty good at dodging them. Once I got close to him I punched him in the face.
He skids a little. "It was stupid of you to leave Dusk with your cat."
"Why?" I asked. He turns his watch a little bit as I look over to see Mr. Dusk starts attacking Nancy. Nancy cries in pain and starts clawing at Mr.Dusk. I try to get the Phantom's watch knowing that would make him stop hurting my pet but as Phantom was keeping his watch away from me. Nancy hurried over to my hooves, wanting me to protect her. They both come at me as I covered Nancy. I take a few hits and I start hitting them back but they both were good at blocking. When I try again to get the watch Phantom goes to punch me and I block them.
Phantom suddenly sounding like my father, his voice I knew from anywhere. I figured copying voices must be one of his talents. "Just give up."
I knew my father would never say that so it didn’t bug me one bit. "I wont." I got forced to the ground and Mr. Dusk and Phantom stomp on me. I try kicking them and I ended up hitting Mr. Dusk. "Im sorry Mr. Dusk." I said and get up and hit Phantom to get the watch
Phantom grabs my neck and I struggle to get free of his grasp. He holds it tighter as Mr. Dusk grabs the watch. Phantom lets me go and I rub my neck. He then starts beating Mr.Dusk. I go to help Mr. Dusk and Nancy decides to get back into this fight and jumps on Phantom and starts scratching him.Phantom grabs Nancy and tosses her away, she lands on her feet.
The next move Phantom made was when he drags Mr. Dusk by a wire closer to one of the bombs.I kick Phantom to get him to let go of Mr. Dusk. He lets go of him and I punch him, I then take notice that Phantom had gotten his watch back from Mr. Dusk and uses it to starts the bombs with his watch then runs.I chase after him thinking if I get the watch it could stop the bombs.
"SHOULDN'T YOU SAVE YOUR OLD HOME!?" He yelled.
I got closer to him. "If I get the watch then I can turn off the bombs."
"NO YOU CAN'T" He said yelling again.
"How can I disarm the bombs then?" I asked.
"Manually" Phantom replied, I sighed and raced to the nearest bomb to defuse it, hating that I had to let Phantom get away.I look over and see Mr. Dusk with his front hooves on now defusing bombs very quickly which surprised me since I thought he said if he got close to a bomb he would set it off. We both soon finished defusing all the bombs. I wondered when he got his arms back, it was most likely during the time when he stole the Phantom’s watch.
"There we go." Mt. Dusk said as he looked at me.
"We must catch Phantom now." I nodded
"Yea" He replied.
"Lets go." I started walking and when Mr. Dusk didn’t follow I looked at him and he finally spoke after a second.
"I'm useless"
I glare at him. "Stop saying that."
"I'm just a body with wires even my brain is wires"
"You're more than that, now come on." I said sternly. After I said that he finally follows, while we were searching for Phantom I take notice that ponies looked scared at me. "He must be wearing my mask again.." I muttered looking at the ground. Nancy hopped on my back and Mr. Dusk suddenly runs off. "Where are you going"
"Just stop being on this case" He said to me.
"I wont!" I tell him, once I take a case I will not just leave it willingly.
He sighs. "The more involved you get the more he hurts me mentally."
I raised an eyebrow. "How?"
"He's at the Rainbow factory where I lost my first wife." He tells me.
I have heard of the Rainbow Factory before rumors said that it pegasi who couldn’t fly end up there where their blood gets turned into rainbows or something along those lines. Also him having a wife, I did not know that before, its like with every step I walk with him here is like I’m taking another step to learning about his life. "Oh, I really am learning a lot about you aren't I? Well I can't get to the rainbow factory anyway since I am not a pegasus."
He crosses his hooves. "I can get you in"
"I wont be able to stand on the clouds." I replied.
He then informed me. "The floor inside the factory is solid steel"
"What about the ground outside the factory? Isn't that clouds?"
"Yea but I am a Pegasus and I can walk on clouds so I can basically air lift you till we get inside the factory" He then said.
I nodded. "Okay. I do have one more question."
"What?" He asked.
"You said the more involved I get the more he hurts me mentally. you never answered me how that is."
"He can make you live your worst nightmares"He answered, it made me think that he could probably do the same to him.
"We'll see about that." I said. He nods and picks me up and starts flying.I look around seeing only white clouds."How long till we get there?" I asked.
"Pretty long." He answered.
"Oh okay" I answered.
"It's sad."
I nodded. "I suppose so." We soon got to the Factory and I hear Mr. Dusk crying. Nancy looked up from my bag and quietly meowed.I look at him crying but I say nothing, honestly thinking he was going to stop soon but he continues. "Are you alright Mr. Dusk." I asked when I couldn't take the crying anymore.
"No" He answered.
"Would you like to talk about it." I asked and then he started to tell me what was on his mind.
"I lost my first wife because of this Factory" He answered.
I nodded remember when he told me that earlier. "Sorry for your lost then."
He nods. "This is why I asked you to leave the case."
"I see" Mr. Dusk flies inside still holding me as there was the sound of machines and yelling ponies everywhere.
Hearing the noises I look at him as he places me on the cold steel floor.. "I always thought that this place was just a legend."
"Its real, this used to be my lab"He tells me.
"I'm starting to think you have a lab everywhere." I said looking around trying to keep my cool as I hear yelling ponies. We then hear the Phantom over the PA.
"Will Dusk and Ms. Mare Come to the machine room for 1 last battle?"
I rolled my eyes hearing him over the PA system . "Who does he think he is, a supermarket clerk."
"Ummm that how the owner talks to his workers here he meets them face to face if they fuck up badly, lets go and kill him" Mr. Dusk tells me.
I shake my head. "I don't kill ponies. I take them to jail."
“Okay.” He stated.
I nodded "Lets get Phantom for once and for all. I'm tired of this game of cat and mouse." We start walking. I let Mr. Dusk take the lead after I started walking the wrong way towards the workers lounge instead of the machine room. When we got there we heard the sounds of machines running, Mr. Dusk kicks the door down as we see the Phantom. He currently was looking and speaking Like Mr. Dusk. The room was was metallic grey in with a thin walkway over the machine we been hearing and the only room that where pony's screams can be heard. I ignored the screams not wanting to hear them.
"It's time to end this" He said.
I nodded. "It indeed is."
"Then bring it." Phantom says and draws his sword.
I look at Mr. Dusk. "May I borrow your sword once more?"
Mr.Dusk nods. "Sure." He gives me his sword and I say my thanks to him. I turn my attention back to Phantom and ran towards him with the sword in my hooves,I go to slash him and he blocks it. He then nearly slashes me and it barely missed me. When I tried to knock the sword out of his hooves he kicks me.
I look over to Mr. Dusk. "Will you be helping me?"
"The thin walkway prevents help." He tells me.
"Your a Pegasus you could fly." I stated as I ran towards Phantom and slashed him."So get your sorry flank over here and lend me a hoof." Mr. Dusk flies over as I swing the sword at Phantom but my opponent had aimed his block so the sword would fly out of my hooves causing it to fly towards Mr.Dusk and he sadly gets his left hoof cut straight off. "You okay?" I asked him.
"No" He answered.
"How am I suppose to know, you are a robot after all." I go kick Phantom but he dodges.
When I tried again he blocks again and asks. "How are you good with a sword?"
"I'm not, I'm a fast learner." I said and he slashes at me, causing me to get a small scrape.
"I wont." I slash at him and we keep going several times as we each blocked each others attacks. When I went to punch him hoping he wouldn’t see that coming he grabs me and punches me hard in the face. “Ow!” Phantom then holds me over the edge of the walkway that we have been fighting on.
"No problem" He replied with the Phantom following us.
I turn to Mr. Dusk. "Do you have a plan?"
He nods."yes"
"Spill it" I said.
“Sadly It involves ghost so I can’t or else it won't work.” Mr. Dusk tells me.
I looked confused but I nodded. "Fine then" He lands in the cell chambers of the factor and sets me down. "Scary." I said looking around seeing dead corpses of ponies everywhere. They didn’t really bother me much since I have seen plenty of dead bodies in my time as a detective.
"This is where the plan happens"
"Then start it."I said wanting to know what the plan was before hand but I had to trust Mr. Dusk and his ghost friends. I notice Phantom land and the ghosts of all the ponies he killed surrounds him, they close in and latches on as he struggles. I look over at Mr. Dusk seeing that he was just watching. I turn back to Phantom and there was no sign of him."Where did he go.."
"To hell." Mr. Dusk answered me.
I nodded"Then this case is over?"
"Yes how much do I owe you in bits?” He asks.
"I have no set rates you pay me how much you feel it is necessary. " I tell him and he gives me a bag which looked like it contains one million bits. I had no clue he had this much on him and I don’t believe I have been given this much for a case in my life. I look at the bag in my hooves and looked at Mr. Dusk."Umm this may be a bit much."
He shook his head smiling. "No you solved my case and helped me get closure."
I raised an eyebrow. "I did?"
"Yes. If it wasn't for you I wouldn't come here in the first place." He nods.
"Well alright then sir."I replied and Mr. Dusk took me back to solid soil. I checked making sure my bag was still secured tightly to me as I check on Nancy as she slept in it. I smiled and headed to Manehatten bank to deposit this money. Before I could even enter the building I saw a stallion dressed in a black suit. He held out a badge towards me.
“Miss Mare. I’m with the Equestria Defense force. I will be taking the money you got from Prince Dusk. It will be used to rebuild the cities the robots destroyed and such.“
I sighed. “I have no choice in this do I?”
“No you do not. Now I suggest you tell me where Dusk is as well.”
“Find him yourself” I said coldly, he didn’t respond and took my bag of bits and walked off. As he walked off I heard a familiar noise of the Tardis. I had no clue where it was coming from since I saw nothing of the blue box, the only thing I saw was the wind carrying a piece of scrap paper. There was red ink on it like the others I have been finding. Maybe I finally have enough to solve my puzzle.
The cases of Mystery Mare
The case of Mr. Lucem part 1
With my last case over with, and the cities now have been rebuilt with the money the EDF took from me. I didn’t really stay around in any of cities that were being rebuilt because I didn’t want to since I just wanted to rest. On this day I was sitting on my red couch enjoying some tea. I had been trying to put together the scraps of paper that I have been finding on my cases since they have felt like a link to me since I found them. I was getting nowhere with them so I decided to rest my brain for a while and relax on the couch with my orange and black cat Nancy. I went to my room to set them down and went back to the couch and relaxed. I should have known my peaceful day would change once he came in. It was my assistant Lucem Diem or as I call him, Mr. Lucem. He worked a case with me months ago. I noticed him enter as I sipped my tea. "Hello Mr. Lucem."
I notice him smile as he entered. I had the feeling that he was starting to like me calling him that. "Hello Miss Mystery, Nancy" Nancy meows, jumps off the couch and walks over to him. She tilted her head and her yellow tag catches the light from the window.
“It is Miss Mare.” I said taking another sip of my tea. “Have a seat, I got some new furniture since you been here. Would you like something to drink?”
He stroked the cat’s head and walked to the opposing couch so he could talk face to face "Im alright Miss Mare" He said smiling "How are you feeling?"
I smile as Nancy hopped back up by me. “I am well, been working and such. Why are you here? No pony comes here unless they have a case for me.”
He nods and the smile disappears and he whispers loud enough for me to hear "When gods play, mortals lose" He turned to face me "I've just been confronted by a new case, a missing mare who's only lead was being seen with a black stallion who has a white mane and a red puddle cutie mark" he said staring at me waiting for my answer.
I sighed thinking of the Lovedale case, remembering by the time we got the case the mare was dead. “Gods play, mortals lose. That is interesting.” I set my tea on the coffee table. “Why would somepony contact you? Where did this confrontation happen? Who is the mare?”
"At the train station, why he went to me, I don’t know. His name was Silver Shield and his daughter was Crescent Moon, she's the missing one" He said "He called me Gaia and told me to find a cycle" He spoke remembering each word "HE was the stallion I was looking for, the last one she was seen with."
Nancy had jumped off the couch and came back a minute later with my notebook. I start writing what he was saying down, nodding as he spoke. "Very strange."
“No, I was ready to leave but as soon as I entered the station he was by my side" he looked to Nancy.
"So this happened in Manehattan? " I asked figuring that he went back to Manehattan recently, probably after the government had finished rebuilding
"Yes it happened in Manehatten" He smiled at me.
I nodded. “Now I guess we are headed to Manehatten then?"
He nods "Yes, but before that I saw a stallion on the street. I had stayed in Manehatten for a few days and when walking to the station I saw this red earth pony with a black mane, no cutie mark, when I looked back he was gone and looking down the alley he was next to led to a dead end, I don't know where he went as the crowd was so dense, he couldn't get away fast enough for me to not see him" He looked confused.
"Hmm..very strange indeed Mr. Lucem. Thank you for coming to me for it." I pet Nancy. "I'll be ready to leave when you are."
"I was ready five hours ago" He said with a look on his face as if he was remembering something.
I looked and sounded surprised "Oh?"
"I never unpacked my bags, I just put them in my house near the tree library and came here" He smiled.
I chuckle. "I see, my bags are usually packed, never know when I will have a case."
"...Do you think he meant Cronus's sickle?" He said to himself as he had gotten lost in thought, it was so quiet it was almost not understandable.
"hmm..what sickle?" I asked as I heard him. I only heard him cause I was so use to hearing whispers. "And who in the name of Celestia is Cronus? "
He nodded to me. "Cronus was one of the first few titans created by the god Gaia and Chaos, he was given a sickle created by Gaia which he used to kill his father and the other titans until him and another two existed, they were locked in tartarus forever, they were created to inhabit this world" He said "The sickle erased the very essence of whoever it cut, so no hell or heaven existed for them after death, they were erased from reality, its truly the worst way to die" He said with a grimace.
I looked at him as he spoke, I raised an eyebrow listening. More questions go through my mind. "Wow. How do you know this?"
He was at a loss for words until he thought about it and looked confused. "I don't know"
"Hmm..you don't know. You are an interesting pony Mr. Lucem, an interesting pony indeed. " I said with a nod.
He shook his head "Not interesting, just...not normal" he nodded "I'll go home and get my saddlebags, I'll be back within the hour" he said now standing.
"What pony is normal I ask you." I said and nodded. "I will be here."
"The ones society chose to rule it" He said with a smile leaving the room..
I chuckle. "Very excellent answer. " I headed to my room to gather anything I may need. I open my box that I keep all my secrets in. I look at the pieces of torn up paper that I have been trying to solve for sometime. "’I’ll just have to wait till I find more pieces maybe then this will make sense." I place a few items in my saddlebag and looked at Nancy. "Be good while I'm gone." She meows. It was now a half and hour since I spoke with Mr. Lucem. I headed down to my office where I saw that he was waiting.
He looked around as it now looked more homely "Really nice in here" he said smiling as he looked around at the new pictures of me with different partners as they solve crimes. "They look like nice ponies" he said smiling at me.
I smiled. "Thank you. They helped me out a lot "
"They look like good detectives" He said looking at the pictures. He turned to me. "Do you remember all these cases?"
"Most are just assistants. They don't do detective work for a living, they just volunteer to help." I nodded. "Yes I do." I point to one. "That was the case of the Missing Jade dragon."
He nods "How did it end?"
"Spike ended up having it. It was all a pretty funny case in my mind." I said with a small chuckle.
"Sounds like it" Mr. Lucem chuckled as well. "This case shouldn't be logged" He said to me sounding serious. It was rare for me to not long a case but if he doesn’t want me to then I won’t.
"Its just...I don’t think anypony will believe us on what's happened even if we do get to the end." he said worried "And before we begin, I need to tell you the full story" I nodded as I listened, he told me of how a stallion passed him with no cutie mark, how he got to the station and the father of the victim wanted him to investigate her disappearance out of nowhere. Leading him to the part where the stallion who the father said took his daughter confronted Mr Lucem. It was a strange case indeed as I listened to him finish. "...He gave me three days to find the sickle, or she dies, but that’s if she even existed in the first place" He finished his story.
I nodded. "This is indeed an important case."
"I know, thats why I came to you" He nodded to me."You can help the best in cases like this."
“Yeah, I can. Plus I bet you don’t know anypony who can help you with this.” I said with a smirk. “So will we be off?”
"Twilight Sparkle" Was all he said grinning at me. "Yes, lets go ma'am" He began walking toward the exit. I made a quick check to see if Nancy’s bowls were filled and then I went to follow Mr. Lucem.
He spoke as we got outside my home."So, we need to find out who these ponies were in the society" He said talking about the mare who was taken and her father who had contacted him. I nodded as I looked around the town, seeing that Ponyville bustled around them, laughter and conversations ruling all causing Mr Lucem to speak with a slightly louder voice to be heard. "Maybe we can find leads into what the hells going on."
“Yes, knowing these ponies will help greatly so that we know how their lives were, why this mare was taken specifically, to know if they have any routines and that if these ponies even exist. By the sound of the story it sounded as if they just seemed to disappear as soon as you spoke to them, like the father.” I said adjusting my saddle bag as I walked.
"He appeared to me, not knowing my name but calling me, not knowing I helped the case but knowing I did and seemingly needing help when he gave me no details on where he lived to get in contact or where the girl might be" Mr. Lucem said emphasising on the word might. The station was coming into view and the clock on it struck four o’clock pm. "We might just be running out of time."
I nodded, tightening my bow. I spoke in a serious tone. “We better not be. “
"We will not be able to save her if she doesn't exist though" He said as we entered the station, the inside was like the outside, bustling with life and conversation.We could hear some about me and my detective abilities from cases like the golden teapot, the Lovedale case, and a few others. I just ignore the conversations and nodded. I did not like hearing gossip about me, I have seen what gossip and ponies talking about you could do to somepony’s reputation. I walk over to get two tickets to Manehatten. He follows me. "I can get my own ticket this time" He pulled out a small bag of bits as we walked to the counter. I was glad that he was going to buy his own ticket this time but either way it didn’t matter to me if I bought it or not. I heard the conversations about me stop, causing me to look around and notice that as all eyes were set on me and the sound of applause could be heard in the station when some ponies started to clap. I ignore the claps and turn my attention to the ticket pony, I give them enough bits to pay and waited for Mr. Lucem to get his.
“Let’s get on the train sir.” I said muttering.
He paid for his and turned to me. "Mr not sir. So, straight to the police and see if there is any pony by the names of Silver Shield and Crescent Moon or should we find more about this mysterious pony and these...gods" We both started walking towards the train and I started thinking. We could go see if we could find information on the pony that hired him and his kidnapped daughter or we could go and see if we could find information on the stallion with the red puddle cutie mark who is the kidnapper. I remember in the story how the stallion kept calling my assistant Gaia. That really was confusing me.
I turn to him after a few minutes of thinking on the subject. “The stallion who spoke of these gods seems like a good idea to go and figure out first. And as you know Sir, saying sir or mr. is how I speak.”
"Tha’ts why I said call me Mr, when you say Sir I feel like killing myself" He was joking obviously and I knew that cause if he did kill himself then he would never know the answer to this case. I look around and notice that the train wasn't like the outer world, in fact it was just the two of us in the cart, it was unnerving to say the least. I turn to Mr. Lucem as he voiced his worry "Where is everyone? with how many ponies were in that station we can be the only two on her for Manehatten."
“Yes this is strange, I take the train very often and it usually is packed. This is the first time I seen it this empty.” I said to him as I took a seat.The other end of the cart started to seep with a darkness over its walls as the pony in question walked through the train door. He was just as Mr. Lucem described, he was a black stallion with a white mane, his cutie mark was a red puddle.
"My, my, my Gaia, trying to find out about me while the girl suffers."His voice was mocking, "Wont her father be sad." I get up from my seat and walk towards him showing no fear, I thought about every word he spoke.
“You owe us some answers. “ I said calmly.
He looked at me smiling "No fear, why you disappoint me" Images of the dead Lovedale sister appeared, as well as other dead ponies in many of my cases. Mr. Lucem looked at the walls as the pictures appeared.
“I seen things far more worse than you. You don’t feel scare me and you won’t anytime soon. Now I suggest you start talking, I am now on the case, I need answers Sir.” I said to him, not looking at the images, continuing forward until we were face to face.
He grinned, his shadow fading and appearing behind me "Silly mare, you think I care what you do on this case, my dear sister behind us is the only one I care about in this whole thing..." He leaned in and whispered as Mr. Lucem just watched "...And when I get that sickle, her avatar, and her will both...die" his voice said it with pure joy.
I turned to him after he finished speaking. “You won’t accomplish it. I won’t allow it.” I tried to figure out what he meant by sister and avatar. I thought of the story when he called Mr. Lucem, Gaia. I think hard coming to the conclusion that Mr. Lucem wasn’t a normal pony after all. “He is the avatar of Gaia, isn’t he. Who are you anyway?”
"Smart one ain't ya" He disappeared and reappeared once again this time by the door "You're the mystery solver, solve it. But if you want to finish this case..I suggest not mentioning it" His eyes flicked to Mr. Lucem who looked confused as the darkness seeped away and the train started departing, the demon pony disappearing.
"What did he say?" Mr. Lucem said putting a hoof on my shoulder. I think about what the demon pony said. I look around expecting him to be watching us.
“I won’t lie to him. If he asks, he asks. I won’t hide anything from him and you can’t stop me.” I said. I turn to Mr. Lucem. “Several things.”
On a small wind the demon pony’s voice carried "Then you can watch him die as I become the only god to rule this world..." His words faded away instantly.
"What were they on?" Mr. Lucem asked patting my back.
I move his hoof from my back as I spoke in my cold tone. “Please don’t do that.” I became silent for a minute and thought on what to say. I would rather not risk his life so I just tell him some of it. “Stuff about gods, finding the sickle and that stuff.” I walk over to my seat.
He looks bored "Really, back to a cold tone instead of asking nicely...me trying to be nice and you being cold, even, very fair" He sat on the opposite side of the train seats just looking out the window, I could tell that he knew I had missed a lot out. I sighed and looked out the window.
The cases of Mystery Mare
The case of Mr. Lucem part 2
"Have you ever heard of a Silver Shield in the city before?" Mr. Lucem asked me as I was looking out the window. I didn’t respond at first as I was watching the scenery change. My mind kept thinking on who this demon pony was, he said I was smart enough to figure it out but could I?
I finally answered after a minute with a shake of my head. "No."
"Crescent Moon?" He looked towards me.
I kept looking out the window and shook my head once more, repeating the answer I gave him before. “No”
Mr. Lucem watched as the train entered the station of Manehatten, life bustling just like in Ponyville as ponies, griffins and the like climbed onto the train as he stood "Come on, we need to see Miss Thursday about finding out who these ponies are" He held a hoof to me to help me up while wearing a warm smile.
I take his hoof and nodded. “I’m sure Madam Thursday can find them.”
"And if she doesnt?" He asked pulling me up, letting me pass him as he nodded to two griffons who stared at them.
"Then we know they are not real." I thought about what the demon pony had said to me. "I think we should look up Gaia, whoever she is."
"Why? I think it was just a name in passing" He said walking forward "This town gets louder every time I come here" He stated just staring around.
"You get use to the sound." I said as I walked looking at the ground mostly. "I think we should look her up because he mentioned the name to me." I left out the part where the demon pony said that Mr. Lucem was the avatar of Gaia.
He sighed and nodded walking next to me "Why did he mention her to you?" He looked confused at me and looked forward smiling "Library by the way?"
I bite my lip slightly, not really wanting to lie to him but I didn't want the demon pony's threat to become reality. "He just did. The library is past the news building, close by the fruit stand." He nods and walks behind me, following me. It took us a few minutes to get to the Library which was larger than the modern home, filled to the brim with thousands of books, most likely on all subjects. I been there plenty of times before for past cases and school work, it was always a good place to go to help me gather knowledge on something or to do some homework. I walk right in and look around on the bookshelves trying to find something that can help us on this case.Mr. Lucem followed me in looking at the sections, seeing there was fiction and non-fiction. He chose fiction and walked through that section, finding one on pony Greek mythology. I look over to him. “Find anything interesting?”
He answers after a few seconds "The gods: Tartarus, Eros, Chaos and...Gaia!"
"Grab that one." I tell him and walk over to the table.
He does and walks to the table "You read" He said, pushing it to me. I nodded,opening the book and started reading to myself first. He looked at her and waited for her to finish "So, what does it say about Gaia?"
"Gaia was the great mother of all: the primal Greek Mother Goddess; creator and giver of birth to the Earth and all the Universe; the heavenly gods, the Titans, and the Giants were born to her. The gods reigning over their classical pantheon were born from her union with Uranus the sky, while the sea-gods were born from her union with Pontus the sea" I said not looking up from the book.
He nods listening to every word, Gaia was the god of life but why did the creature call him Gaia if she was female "Whats her gender?" He asks.
“Female.” I answered.
He nods again and looks over the book "Has this solved anything?"
"Just that she is part of a myth." I replied.
Really? After what we have seen you still think that?" He asked me.
"No I don't but myths are born from the truth." I said with a nod.
Mr. Lucem nodded as well "So, we are following a lead on a sickle with next to no information and a myth name aimed to me...buck this is hard" he rubbed his temple.
"It is." I said. I look in the book again reading about the Titans.
"So, we know he means these gods with little giveaways, but why Gaia, what does it mean" He asks me.
"Hmm..not sure but I have found something about a sickle." I said as I was reading.
"Whats it say?" he looked over my shoulder, trying to read and listen as I read the words to him.
"Well a sickle is a symbol to the titan Cronus." I tell him pointing to the page on the titian.
"We already knew that from what i said earlier" he stated "Isnt there anything on say...avatars?"
I nodded remembering how earlier he spoke of Cronus but had no clue how he knew it. "You have a look." I pass him the book.
"The gods are in three sections: Immortals which are Tartarus, Gaia, Chaos and Eros, Titans which were the children of Gaia and uranus and the titan Cronus's offspring which are gods known as Zeus and his brothers, hades and poseidon and then the gods children known as demi-gods or deities" he read aloud.
"So anything about avatars?" I ask watching him read.
"Nothing, but thats more personal and these are myths, we don't even know if its real" he said "But they had immense power and a long life line, they possibly could get bored."
"Yeah maybe an avatar is like a character they become." I said looking at him.
"Hmmm, I think it might be for them to live a life as a mortal" He looked at the book.
I nodded remembering the conclusion I came to earlier about Gaia and Mr. Lucem when I was speaking with the demon pony. I remembered what Mr. Lucem had said in his story when he first encountered the stallion. "Didn't you say that when you first met that stallion that he said something like choosing your avatar more wisely like he did. Maybe that stallion is an avatar to some god."
He looked to her and thought on it "Your right, and that red stallion on the walk to the station...it wasn't just any pony, it was him before starting this game" he sighed...things were coming together but were also so far apart "But which Immortal would he be, he can't be Eros because he had no love, not Gaia because he isn't trying to preserve life, so that leaves Chaos and Tartarus."
I knew that from the story he told me of when this all started the red stallion was somepony he had seen when this whole mess happened. I wondered if he could change forms if so that would explain why he was a black stallion now. "Yeah its definably not Gaia. I already know who that one is." I said that mumbling.
"So out of those last two, who could he more closely be?" He remembered his first encounter "Tartarus" there was conviction in his voice "He showed me the death of two ponies...definitely the god of death" He smiled.
"Okay so we now know who he is. Now where could the sickle be." I asked.
He keeps reading "I-it doesn't say" Mr. Lucem was beginning to worry as all the library blacked out.
"Hmmm is there a power outage? Did somepony turn off all the lanterns." I said as soon as the lights went out. Small whispers and light touchings glide across our hoofs like ghosts touching them, leaving an icy feeling wherever they touched and then, nothing but darkness
"I don't like this..." Mr. Lucem’s words echoed even if they didn't before.
"Yeah neither do I sir." I said looking around trying to see.The world faded and re-appeared as we stood on a cloud surface, feeling soft as if we were outside, the blue sky and sun above us but the ground was what it felt like, clouds."What in the name of Celestia happen....Am I standing on a cloud!" I said noticing the ground was like a cloud.
In front of us stood a godly figure, her mane was a light pink, her body white as her mane flowed in a non existent wind. She was an alicorn and radiated love of her but yet she looked angered "Dear sister, we must talk" She stared straight at Mr.Lucem.
He looked shocked and confused "Sister?"
The goddess nearly tripped as she walked "You don't know?" Mr.Lucem shook his head as she spoke the words again, this time not as a question "You don't know...this just got harder" She stood before them and a light love feeling filled our bodies.
It felt very strange to feel this feeling inside me. I looked at the goddess. “You have a lot of explaining to do, just so you know Ma’am. “
"Child, my explaining starts when this all ends" She didn't say it in annoyance only understanding and love "Let me introduce myself...my name is Eros" She smiled and kissed both of our heads heads, pushing the feeling of love into both of us. As I normally hated being called a child, I couldn’t stay mad at the goddess long enough because as soon as she kissed my head the warm feeling of love made me smile brightly. Mr. Lucem smiled a warm smile towards the goddess. She smiles in turn, seeing us both happy but the smile turns sour as she made Mr. Lucem go unconscious "How does he not know...?" She sounded as if she spoke to no pony but yet still aimed it at me.
I looked at her. “He just doesn't.”
"Probably our-...my brothers doing" She sighed. "Don't trust Tartarus, he wants that sickle to do something and it won't be good...what he's planning I don’t know but...don't trust him" She walked towards me. "Why follow him?" she sat before her.
I sat down. "Because Mr. Lucem brought me a case and I'm always up for a mystery."
She nods "I thought as much...but he sprouted everything on you in the beginning, why follow him when even I thought it was nonsense?"
"I did it to help him and I guess to me it made sense." I said with a shrug.
She sighs "Nothing about demons make sense, come on, you know the truth" she smiled down at me.
"So what if demons don't make sense they are just another mystery then." I said to her.
"But you never follow blindly into a mystery, you want to solve it, why follow blindly into myth when true mysteries lay beyond him?" She held me in her wing.
I move to get out of her wing. "Please don't do that." I said sounding cold. "He's my friend and he wanted my help so I am giving it to him. Also you don't know me so stop sounding as if you know what I do when I'm on my cases."
She rolls her eyes "Child I’ve watched your race grow for millions of years, I helped in creating this universe with...Gaia" She looked to Mr. Lucem "I watched as the titans they created became monster and after them we created you" She smiled down at me. "And I've watched my sister with you, and when you don't exist in time or space its easy to watch somepony’s life as days pass" Once again her smile was warm.
I look away from her. “Don’t call me child.”
“But that is what you are, barely above the understanding of reality, so much younger than us immortals...you are a child as through our eyes we shape your world, guiding you" She smiles "I am compassion itself, giving love to the world, but yet you deny me when there is no choice but to accept, why?"Again, no anger raised, just her tender voice talking soothingly.
"I have my reason you don't need to know Miss Eros. Are you going to wake Mr. Lucem up yet?" I fix my black ribbon that always kept my mane neat.
She sighs "Gaia if only you were here..." She said it in mutter but loud enough to hear. "You could help her break the shell" Turning to Mr. Lucem she smiled "You know, Gaia was the second of us to create an avatar, chaos plays in his avatar...Discord I think" Turning back to me "Keep him safe, whatever Tartarus is doing...after he will aim for him and try to kill him" The goddess sighed.
I chuckle hearing Discord's name remembering all the trouble I have heard he caused back when he was evil. I look at Miss Eros. "I promise I will make sure he is safe."
She pulled me closer and hugged me, pushing more love into my body "And dont forget, friendship is a love as well" She said sweet and loving holding me close. "Pushing him away will destroy him more than you can imagine" Letting me go she smiled and kissed my forehead, the world disappearing and reappearing back in the library.
I smiled nodding as she finished speaking,my body felt as if it was filled up with the warmth feeling of love. When I noticed we were back in the library I looked over to Mr. Lucem. He was asleep but he quickly woke up."I must have fallen asleep while reading the book, what happened?" He rubbed his eyes once again.
I realized that he didn’t remember what happened so I smiled not really sure if I should tell him at the moment.. "It was nothing." He nods and looks at the book, realizing it had been replaced by a small piece of paper, upon closer examination it was a map. I thought to myself thinking that Miss Eros had left us the map to guide us to the sickle. I look at it. “A map.”
"Where did it come from?"Mr. Lucem rubbed his head, feeling a headache.
"Must have fell out of the book." I said making something up. I really was not ready for any questions.
"But...wheres the book?" He said looking around.
I shrugged. "Back on the shelf maybe"
"How did it get there?" he asked looked over, not seeing the book.
"The librarian could have took it when we both fell asleep." I said making something up.
"I don't know, read that map. "I replied
He picks it up and its just a plain piece of paper then words started appearing "North to find the sickle lost, hidden in plain sight, find the keys that will forever cross, hidden beneath cold, littered with traps stay careful, do not go alone, for the mystery you seek is not too far, for one to grab alone"
"Hmm that is some riddle. "I said after hearing him read it.
He nods "So we go north, to the Crystal Empire" he said "This shouldn't be too hard."
"Okay to the Crystal Empire." I said with a nod.
Mr. Lucem began walking to the door and smiles "Its gonna be really cold"
"Yeah we will be needing some coats and scarves. I know where we can get some." I followed him but then he let me take the lead. I figured I would go head to my old apartment.
"It's Miss M..." I shook my head to myself letting him call me Mystery. I remembered what Eros said about me letting him in and not pushing him away. "Nevermind Mystery is fine."
The cases of Mystery Mare
Case of the lost Lovedale
It was an average morning for me as I enter my office/house 22 Ponystreet Detective Agency. There are 3 levels to my home and office. The first is my bedroom, the second is my living area with a kitchen, living room and office, and the last level of my home is the basement that acts as storage. I stroll through the rooms as enter, I had just came back from a short vacation in Canterlot so it was nice to be back. I make myself a cup of tea and take a seat at my desk as the bell rang meaning that somepony had entered. They seemed to have found my office easier than most who ended up either in the bathroom, the closet, or was just staring aimlessly in the living. The pony was a burgundy pegasus stallion wearing a white fedora and black striped scarf. I knew who it was, it was one of my ex-partners Samuel Clue back from when I was in Manehatten. I nod at him. “Good Morning Sir, Do you have a case for me?”
He nods and hands over a manilla file. “Its a missing pony case, I would have gotten more info but I was in a hurry.”
I nod as I glance over the document. It had a picture of a pink unicorn mare and it said. “Missing pony, Harp Lovedale. She was reported missing by her older sister Two-Step Lovedale. She was last seen with her fiance Copper Hoofer during a party in their mansion in Manehatten, three days before the report was filed. The police are clueless with no leads.”
“Is there a reason why you and Madam Thursday, can’t handle this?” I said referring to my other old partner.
Mr.Samual chuckles as he took a seat in front of my desk. “I see you are still are with the formalities, you would think we known each other for years and you still use Miss, Sir, Mr, and Madam, to address us.”
I look at him as I close the file. “Mr. Clue, you know how I speak. I will address you as Sir, Mr. Samual or Mr. Clue. Now may we please stop with the side conversation and answer my question.“
“Same old Mystery Mare, always wanting to stay on point. Thursday and I can’t handle this because the Lovedales and Hoofers are two powerful families if you remember correctly and they only want to work with you not us. So will you take the case?” He asks.
“Yes, I’ll take the case and may I remind you it’s Miss Mare.” I look at the near by clock checking the time. “Now I believe you have a train to catch.”
Mr. Samual nods as he looks at the watch on his hoof. “I do, I’ll see you in Manehatten.”
I nod to dismiss the him and he leaves. I look over the assistant applications I have received a few weeks before I left for vacation. “Hmm I’m going to need some help, who should I pick.” I spend the next few minutes looking over the pages and decided to go with a unicorn stallion called Lucem Diem. He had a white coat, yellow mane and a reddish color horn. His file interested me so I decided to contact him right away. I give him the directions to get to the agency. I waited outside until he arrived and once he did, I let him in.
As he follows me in, he shuts the door and looks at the interior of my home/office. "When did it occur?" He sees that the rooms on this floor of the building were decorated with carpets, photos, awards, and little trinkets here and there from my cases.
"It occurred three days before the report was filed. The local police have no leads so I was summoned to the case." I said as I was heading into my office.
Mr. Lucem followed my every step until I stopped, he was looking at all the pictures and trinkets as we past them "Cozy, its nice in here."
I nodded. "Why thank you Mr. Lucem."
He had taken notice of a picture of me opening up a building in Manehatten. "You have one in Manehatten?" He smiles to me and looks around the room smiling seeing similar decor as in the other room. He gets back on the topic at hoof. "Three days? What leads do we have?"
"Yes I do. I run between them at times but mostly that one is run by some of my old partners. " I get over to my desk, move my typewriter over a bit and hand him a file. "Here is the file. The police have no leads."
He skips through it, scanning over the same information I had gone over earlier "Hmmm, any leads on who the kidnapper is or motives, maybe family background or something?" His eyes stayed fixed on the paper in front of him.
I takes a seat in my chair. "The Lovedales and the Hoofers are both powerful families. Last time I checked they both were wealthy. I suppose the motive could be for the money but for us to know more we must head to Manehatten."
"I heard the sites were nice, but you're right, money can motivate the worst things out of people but...if she was last seen at the party did anyone see her leave?" He walked around the office still reading the papers.
"My ex partner was in a hurry. All I know is that the family wanted me to investigate. We will have to ask them that when we get there. I suggest you pack a bag good sir." I say to him as I watch him walk around.
"I travel with nothing, I have enough bits in the bank to go anywhere and not worry, to shortly say I’m ready when you are" Mr. Lucem places the file before me. "We need to know how big the house is and how many guests were there, if all exits were blocked she may still be in the house" He walked out of the room to go to his own home to get his bank cards.
I rolls my eyes as he leaves. "I know what to ask and do sir. This isnt my first case."
"Yea, but it is mine!" He shouted back to me.
I chuckle and go and grab my dark red saddlebag from my room, before I go I look around to see if it needs any cleaning. It didn’t, my bed was still neatly made and the floors were spotless so since I still had a couple of hours left to wait, I double check my bag and then I went down to the living room and read one of the books I owned. I set my bag down on the floor, picked up a book and went to reading.
Mr. Lucem returned a couple hours later carrying some saddlebags. I found it funny since he had stated earlier that he travels with nothing. "I thought you said you travel with nothing Mr. Lucem."
"I usually don’t but i like to make sure I’m ready" He smiled at me and settles his bags by the door as he walks further in "What book are you reading?" he asked since he couldn't see the book cover.
"The hound of baskerville." I answered and closed the book.
“Good book, Sherlock Hooves" He nodded, showing his liking to the series.
"Yep." I nod and sets the book down. "We have a train to catch."
"I just put my bag down" Mr. Lucem looked at his bag and then at me "Can’t we sit and talk a little?
I looked at the clock. "ok we have time."
He smiled and looked around the room, there was only one couch "Room for two?"
I nodded and sat up, giving him room. “Yes there is. I’m getting a new couch soon so I have more room to entertain clients.”
He sat down next to her and looked the book over "So, who do you live with or is it just you?" he laid his head back relaxing a little.
“Just me. I been thinking about getting a pet but haven’t really decided. “ I said looking at him.
He nodded his head, eyes closed "Why not get a special somepony?" He didn’t open his eyes through the question.
“Never thought about it. I honestly have no need for a relationship in my business.” I answer.
"Eh us all to ourselves" He looks back down his eyes glowing a little "So, what can Iexpect from this partnership, adventure?"
“You can expect adventure and much more my good stallion.” I said to him.
He nods and looks at me "This will be fun won’t it” he hugged me a little and stood up.
Mr.Lucem does the same walking to me "So, how many times do you catch this train?" he stretched a little and opened the door for her letting me go through.
“A few times. Only if a case calls for me to be out of town or if I’m on vacation.” I say as I’m walking through the door. I wait for him walk through and once he did I locked the door.
He nodded and began walking down the street when I was ready "So what do you do on a usual case, how would it go down?"
I walked ahead of him with the urgency I usually have with a case but with more so since I did not want to miss the train. “Depends on the case. I normally speak with the client, take notes, talk with witness and search for clues.”
He nods and moves to me putting a hoof on my shoulder, causing me to stop "Want me to teleport us to the station?" he asked smiling "It would be faster than walking to the train station."
I nodded and smiled. “Sure, go right ahead Mr. Lucem, we can’t afford to miss the train.”
Pushing on some magic he quickly teleported us to the station, I noticed the small act was taxing on his magic seeing him panting a little. I look at him. “Are you alright good sir?”
“Drop the sir and I will be"He said as he calmed down a little, his golden iris glowing a little as he stared at the sun.
I shook my head noticing his eyes glow but decided not to comment on it at this time. “You should know that is how I speak and to this day I still call even my closest friends by Sir.”
"Then call me Lucey, for my sanity" He smiled at me and walked to the train looking around at its times.
“I shall try Sir but it is hard for me to break a habit. I’ll be off getting the tickets.” I said with a nod and headed over to the ticket booth. While I was gone I didn’t really notice that his eyes slowly stop glowing as the sun is covered by clouds
"This is certainly going to be fun" He muttered to himself.
I came back a minute later and handed him a ticket. “Here you go. Mr. Lucey.” I say trying to compromise with me still speaking the way I normally do and him wanting me to call him by a nickname.
"Wow, that sounded awful, go back to sir" Mr. Lucem shook his head He looked up finding clouds covering the sky. "I need the sun to come back out"
I chuckle agreeing with him that it indeed sounded awful. “Why is it that you need the sun back out?”
“Yes, I noticed it but I didn’t feel right to comment about it at the moment.” I answer.
He nods "Thats me drawing my magic from the sun...I've done it since birth" He sighed as the clouds covered it again.
“An interesting ability,I am positive the sun will reveal itself in due time. I see our train, we better hurry the longer we take to get their the less time we may have to finding the victim alive.” I said looking at him for a moment, my eyes then moving to the cloud covered sky and then to the train.
He looked at the train and he followed me on and sat in a small booth for two, awaiting me. His eyes laid outside the window as he felt the tug of the train start. I take my seat next to him and open my book to read, I always come prepared for train rides knowing how bored I could get. While I was reading I noticed that Mr. Lucem was looking out the window watching the scenery pass trying to relax. He soon falls asleep quickly for the rest of the train ride and once it stops he flies out of his seat. I hold back my chuckling as I set the book back in my bag. “Are you alright good sir?”
He sat upside down on the other side of me. "Yep" He rights himself and I notice a little blood by his nose.
I open my bags and pull out a handkerchief, I hand it to him. “Here, you have a little blood by your nose.”
He nods his thanks to me and wipes his nose. "Already here and blood spilled the dark day" he shook his head.
I looked really confused with what he said, it was mostly the dark day part. “Dark day?”
“It was supposed to be sunny but it looks like night outside" he looked back out the window seeing the darkness.
"Oh, Im sure it will be sunny soon. You just got to wait." I said.
"Yea but it went from light to dark so fast" Mr. Lucem stands up and holds a hoof to help me up.
I take his hoof and stand up. “Well we have been traveling for quite some time, it could be because it is getting closer to the evening.”
“Maybe, but I don't know, just seems weird" he begins walking out of the train and gets to the train station platform.
“I’ll go get a taxi. “ I said as I got off the platform. He followed me close behind, watching the ponies around them and looking at the sights. He could see several ponies walking past them looking as if they were in a hurry, several tall skyscrapers and a few billboards flashed up in lights. I stand on the side of the street and yelled “Taxi!” In mere seconds a taxi pulled up. I get in and he joins next to me, still staring at the skyscrapers but still watching the ponies around them, this city was big but it was connected, few things get around without everyone knowing within hours or even seconds of events going down, he was sure the city knew the mare was gone, and most would know where she is.
I look at him. “We will find her, I’m sure.”
"Yea, just can’t get rid of a feeling of worry" He shook his head staring at the crowds "Is it always so crowded?
I give the address to the driver. “I know. “ I look seeing the crowds and shrugged. “Pretty much. There is always some sort of event going on.”
"Event?" Mr. Lucem looked intrigued "So close to this case going off and the mare missing?"The last part he muttered to himself but I still heard him and just made no comment. I could tell he was trying to make a picture of everything and some pieces weren't fitting.
I smile. “True, true.” Like last time I was surprised by the hug and I nod. “It’s an interesting job but it can also be dangerous.”
He moves back "I know, but I like mystery and danger, especially if i can help others" He smiled. "Why are you surprised by the hugs?"
“If you must know good sir, it is because it is rare for me to receive hugs from ponies who I barely know and to tell you the truth I'm just not a hugging type of pony.” I replied sounding a bit cold. My coldness made him shut his mouth as he looked the other way, he had realized he had hit a chord and didn't want to push his luck in case he blew everything. I remained quiet during the rest of the ride as we arrived a mansion with an eggshell colored paint coat. I had the driver some bits and turn to him. “Come now Mr. Lucem. Time to do some questioning.” He remained quiet as he was,getting down, he tipped the driver with a smile and a nod and walked to the large home, looking at the size and thinking how it could have happened. I walked in front of him and rang the doorbell. The butler answered.
“How may I help you two today?” He asked.
“I am Miss Mare from 22 Ponystreet detective agency Ponyville division. I am here to investigate the disappearance of Miss Lovedale. This is my assistant Mr. Lucem.” I answered him.
He nods. “Oh yes. Let me escort you to the parlor.”
We follow him and were doing the same thing as we walked, looking down each hall and every corner, thinking about exits that the kidnapper could have taken Miss Lovedale. Lucem noticed me doing the same thing so he started to watch the employees that came by. He only saw a few maids but he could notice that there was still some party decorations on the walls. It made him want to know why decorations were still up but decided to hold his tongue until they were in the presence of the household master. The butler lead us to the parlor and I took a seat in one of the chairs.
“May I offer you any refreshments?” He asked us.
Mr. Lucem took the seat across from me as he answered first "I'll be fine." He looked around the room seeing mostly family photos and gatherings. One of the pictures showed the two Lovedale sisters together.
I looked at the photos judging from them that the family was probably close and turn to the butler. “I’ll take some tea with cream and sugar.”
He nods. “I’ll bring it to you miss. The master should be here soon.” He leaves us in the room.
Mr Lucem stands and walks to the picture he had saw of the sisters "Twins?" he asked me as he looked at the two closely.
I shook my head. "Nope but they are sisters the oldest with the dancing cutie mark is Two-step Lovedale and the one with the lyre cutie mark is Harp Lovedale, the one who is missing."
I shrug. “I do not know but those are excellent questions to ask.” The butler soon comes back and sets down a tray of tea with some cookies. Behind him was Two-step Lovedale who had a light brown reddish mane with purple highlights. Her fur was light pink and wore a light pink vest. She looked a lot like her sister, the only difference was the sister’s mane had dark green highlights and she also had freckles by her nose. Standing next to her was a stallion. The stallion was a green earth pony with sandy colored mane with yellow streaks and had a money sign cutie mark.
Mr. Lucem found a tense feeling in his stomach at seeing no tears on both of them, in fact below there eyes was not any kind of damp, he sat back down waiting for them to start talking as he stared at me and though on his questions and what he could ask at certain times.
I look at the two and I stood up to shake their hooves. "Hello. Im Mystery Mare but call me Miss Mare, this is my assistant Mr. Lucem." They shook my hoof.
The stallion spoke first. "I'm Copper Hoofer. Harp's fiance."
"I'm Two-step Lovedale. I filed the report." She said.
That pushed all the wrong buttons on Mr Lucem’s mind, fiance and a sister but not tears at all. He nodded showing he was listening but he allowed his mind to think on everything it was thinking on. I nodded at them and sat down. I pulled out my notebook and pencil, ready to take notes. “Where was the last time you saw your sister Miss Lovedale?”
“It was during the party we had a couple of nights ago. We were celebrating those her getting engaged with Copper. We both went to our rooms to fix our hair and I left the room first, I figured she was with Copper later that night or with the other guests.” She says.
I nodded as I had the pencil in my mouth writing it all down and turned to Mr. Copper. “Same question to you sir.”
“It was at the beginning of the night. We chatted with guests and then she said she wanted to speak with her friends. She said she would meet me at my house later that night.” Mr. Copper said looking at the ground.
"How many guests filled this house at the part?" Mr. Lucem asked both of them "And how many have found jewelry belonging to the missing mare?"
"Around a hundred or so and no one told me they found any jewelry belonging to my sister." Miss Two-step said.
I write this down and set my pencil down to sip some tea. “How many days has she officially been missing.”
“Four days. Three before we filed the police report and then today.” Mr.Copper answered.
“Why did it take you so long to file a report?” I ask.
Miss Two-step starts to get teary eyed. “After the party I figured that she left with Copper and she was with him getting ready for the wedding. You know picking out the chapel and ordering food. When I finally saw Copper three days after the party and he asked me where Harp was, thinking she was with me. “ She starts crying and in between sobs me and my partner could make out. “I swear he took her. Its all my fault.”
"Who is he?" Mr. Lucem asked noticing she had said he, not them so it wasn't a large group, just a pony.
“Her ex..” The mare sobbed.
Mr.Copper pats her shoulder. “She is talking about Blacktip. A bat pony who Harp dated before me.”
I write these facts down. “I see. Did this Blacktip show up at the party?”
The stallion nods at me and with a sad look he replied. “Yes at the beginning. He stormed in saying Harp was too good enough for me. We told the police did when they first investigated, they got no where with it. Since there wasn’t a ransom everypony thinks she’s dead.” He looked at the ground as he held back tears and I opened my bag and pulled out a few handkerchiefs and gave one to each of them.
Mr. Lucem couldn’t help a smile that crossed his lips, the bad feeling he had about them was now gone. He quickly got rid of it and stared to the ponies with concern "So, would he be your only suspect or is there more to it?" He still looked around the room, keeping each piece of a puzzle in his mind.
Miss Two-step wipes away some of her tears with the handkerchief I gave her and nodded. “Yes, there is no one else who would want to take my little sister.”
“Do you know where we can find this Mr. Blacktip?” I ask looking at the two.
Mr. Copper nods slowly, he continued to hold back tears, not wanting us to see him cry. “Yes. He lives in an old rundown apartment by the docks.”
"Hmmm, why are they always rundown" My assistant stated. His eyes laid on Two-step and he put a hoof on her shoulder "We will find your sister" he said calmly and with control and turned to the missing mare’s fiancé "And I will see the wedding done even if it kills me."
I took down my final note and put them in my bag. “I believe that is enough questions for the time being. If we require to look around more or ask you any more questions we will.” I stood up and shook their hooves once more.
“Please find her.” Two-step replied as she wiped away the tears from her eyes.
“I promise you we will figure out what happened.” I replied knowing better than to promise to bring her back alive. It has been four days and I know that normally after twenty-four hours of the disappearence the chance of her being alive was slim.
Mr. Lucem smiled at Mr. Copper and Miss Two-step while he stayed next to me as he watched the me finish of the situation so we could leave, we had somewhere to go.
The two of them nodded to us as we walked out of the parlor. I could hear Mr. Copper sobbing as soon as he thought we were gone. I sigh and continue for the exit. As Mr. Lucem kept following me towards the exit, I noticed him flinch from the sound of sobs. "This is gonna be a puzzle..." He said to himself.
I nod. “My cases normally are.” I start thinking of my next plan of action. I knew I was going to have to question this Blacktip but first I’m going to need more information about when the police were investigating this case before they started to give up. I dislike going to the police station so I knew that for me to get that info I need to head somewhere else.
As my assistant was walking, I noticed he nearly tripped on a small bracelet, he proceed to pick it up.I stopped right away when I noticed he wasn’t following me. “Find something Mr. Lucem?”
"I found a bracelet" He showed me it in his gold magic, making sure not to disturb it in any way at all.
I nod and open my bag to produce a plastic bag to place it in. “Good eye.”
"But it wasnt there on the way in..." His eyes looked around "That means it was placed there, but why...?"
“Good question indeed. Lets take the bracelet and head out. This could belong to either of the two sisters or one of the employes.” I said and once the bracelet was placed in the plastic bag I started walking. We soon end up back outside as the sun was still behind the clouds making everything a little bit gloomy. I call a taxi and one comes right away and we get inside.
At that moment Lucem asked me where we were headed, I didn’t respond to him as I look at the driver. "Take us to 22 ponystreet detective agency Manehatten division. "
He nods."right away." He starts driving.
As we were riding Mr Lucem at looked at me confused as he asked. "Why your HQ?"
"Its not my HQ. My ex partners run it. I need them to help us out and get us info." I said and looked out the window. "Plus we need a place to stay and the place has beds."
The clouds started to move out of the way as he looked at the sky and smiled. "But how many rooms?"
"A few." I answered.
"So I know you will have your own but will I ?" He asks.
"Yes or you could sleep on the couch. My ex partners don't use the rooms unless they work late." I said as the taxi soon stops in front of the building. The name 22 Ponystreet detective agency was on the sign. At the end in red paint the letters M.D. was added.
"And since they will be working late looks like its the couch" He sighs slightly.
“You haven’t seen them work. They can get some stuff done quickly” I said and paid the taxi driver and hopped out of the taxi and walked toward the entrance. I noticed two small bowls that looked like they were filled with cat food and milk. As we walk in Mr. Lucem looks at all the framed photos and little knicks and knacks that covered the hall. One of the pictures was the grand opening on the place. There stood me, my two partners and a stallion. He looked closer to it, at the stallion and her partners smiling at their happy faces. He continued to walk with me. As we got to the end of the hall I opened up a door, there stood Mr. Samuel Clue, the burgundy pegasus stallion wearing a white fedora and black striped scarf and Madam Thursday, the purple colored unicorn with a white and green mane with a pink bow, and wearing a white dress and a pearl necklace.
“Nice of you to finally make it here Mystery.” Mr. Samuel said looking at me. Mr. Lucem just watched us talk with one another.
“Its Miss Mare. We went through this when you dropped off the file. “ I said to Mr. Samuel. I turn to Madam Thursday. “You look lovely as usually Madam Thursday.”
She giggled. “I guess Samuel was tight when he told me you still act all proper and such. You don’t change will you.”
“You're right I don’t, now less get to the reason while I’m here. First this is my assistant Mr. Lucem Diem.” I look at my smiling assistant who had been watching. “Mr. Lucem, the stallion is Mr. Samuel Clue, he is a private eye or a detective like me if you want to call it that and the mare is Madam Thursday, she is a writer who helps create the files on clients and such. She also is excellent at finding information.”
"It is nice to meet you both" My assistant said and holds out a hoof to each. They both take his hoof and shake it.
“Nice to meet you too, Lucem.” Madam Thursday said with a smile on her face.
Mr. Samuel nods and shakes. “Same as well. Hope Miss Mare hasn’t dragged you along against your will.” He chuckles.
“I did no such thing. He came willingly.” I stated and glared at the pegasus. “I need to know the info the police got and the report they made, that you left out of the file.”
He nods and pulls out a stack of papers. “The officers didn’t have them done when I got the case so I couldn’t put them in the file when I went to Ponyville.”
Mr. Samual hands two copies of the report to us and Mr. Lucem looked at the files as he stood by Madam Thursday. I took a seat on the near by couch and look over the file, it stated that when the police interviewed Mr. Copper Hoofer and Miss Two-step Lovedale, they both seemed distraught and it took several minutes for them both to calm down so they could get a good report of what happened from them. The police soon questioned some of the guests and then they interviewed Mr. Blacktip, Mr. Blacktip claimed he had no clue where Miss Harp Lovedale was and said nothing else. I heard Mr. Lucem sigh as he read the papers. I just kept thinking saying nothing. Mr. Samuel and Madam Thursday just watched me as I was working my brain around the case. I noticed when my assistant started to pace behind my ex-partners. "If the motivation was money then why is there no ransom? If its anything why is there no letter to the family?".
“That is a good question. By now there should have been a ransom letter or if a phone call.” I said after I heard his question.
"So its not money, but its a single motive against her, if it was the family then some word would reach them about what they did and how she would pay, but nothing has been sent" He looked at me. "This is one of two things, murder or soon to be blackmail".
I nodded. “I was thinking the same thing good sir but we still have to hope that Miss Harp Lovedale is alive. Madam Thursday, Mr. Samuel, I hope you don’t mind if you gather information on both the Lovedale family and the Hoofer family and whatever you can find on the ex-boyfriend.”
Madam Thursdale nodded. “I’ll start making calls.”
“I will go talk to some of the guests who were at the party and see if they remember anything from the party and the relationship with Miss Harp.” Mr. Samuel nods.
“Good. Now Mr. Lucem and I will go question Mr. Blacktip.” I said as I got up off the couch.
Mr. Lucem walked toward me. “So down to the docks?"
I nodded. "Yes." I start walking towards the exit.
He nodded and followed her out of the room As we walked out of the building I noticed a orange and black cat covered in dirt eating out of the bowls of food and milk that were set there. “Cute cat.” After I said that I watched as my assistant clicked his mouth a little, calling the small cat over. The cat came over a little and licked his hoof. He stroked it and picked it up, walking next to me with the cat nestled on his back.
“Why are you bringing that stray?” I ask.
“I dont know, just...thought I needed to" He strokes the cat. The cat looks at me with her periwinkle colored eyes and meowed softly. As we were walking, the cat jumps onto my back.
“I guess that’s okay, as long as it doesn’t call us trouble.” I said looking at the cat as it sat on me.
He nodded and stroked the cat on my back as we carried on walking "You two are cute together" he smiles to us.
I look at the cat and tilted my head. I never really had a pet so I wasn’t sure if I did look cute with this stray. The cat tilts its head at me, meows and licks my nose. I look at Lucem. “I suppose.”
"Its cute" He walked by me. "So why does this part of town give me a few chills down my spine?"
“In the past there was a few murders around here.” I said after a few minutes of walking, the cat stayed on my back not moving an inch.
"Murders?” He replied.
"Yes murders. Two crazy ponies who were on a killing spree for anypony that had a cute flank. I caught them with the help of Madam Thursday, for a writer she can defend herself pretty well." I said as we got closer to the docks. I could hear the sound of waves.
Mr. Lucem nods and followed me silently as we approached the apartment by the docks. It was an old building with several broken windows. A few of the doors looked as if they couldn’t even lock. I could tell that he looked worried by just the site of the home. I look at him as he spoke.
"That makes me so worried just looking at it" he said and nuzzled the cat. The cat purrs softly.
“Yes the appearance of this place is unpleasing.” I said.
He smiles. "So, what questions should we ask first, we can't tell him straight on we are with a detective agency because he will just not tell us what we want."
“We will ask him where he was when Miss Lovedale became missing. We will figure out more questions as we speak with the fellow. He will probably figure out who we are since we are asking questions.” I say as we walk in. The inside of the building looked bland with no taste of style.
The manager sat in his chair by the front desk. He took one look at us and said, “ No pets allowed.”
"Sorry, but I’d rather have her with us, we aren't staying long anyway" He smiled to the manager.
The manager rolled his eyes. “ I don’t care in your the princess herself. I will not have a filthy animal in my building. Now out.” The cat jumps off of my back and hissed at him. He frowned. “Stupid cat.”
I clear my throat as I look around, taking in any information I could get out of the room. “We will be out of here soon good sir. I am here to speak with one of your occupants.”
“ Leave the filthy animal outside or get out.” He said.
Mr. Lucem’s eyes glowed a little darker with every word the manager said, looking to the cat smiling she walked outside and he looked back to the manager, his eyes still crossed.
“It’s my rule.” He said. My assistant just glared angrily at him. I headed out the door for a moment and placed the cat in my saddlebags, glad that I forgot to take them off. I walked back inside.
“Alright sir, the cat is gone. Now where is Mr. Blacktip’s apartment?” I asked the manager lying about the cat.
“Room 13B” He replied.
I nodded and headed to the room. Mr. Lucem growled slightly as he passed the manager. When we got outside the room, the cat popped her head out of the bag and meowed. He smiled at the cat and kissed its head softly smiling at the cute meow. I chuckle softly and tap my hoof on the door. The door was soon open by a dark blue bat pony with a zig zag black and red mane. His cutie mark was three stars. “What do you want.”
We noticed that resident appeared to have a short temper. I knew we had to be careful of this. I look at him. “We need to ask you a few questions if you don’t mind good sir?”
“Who are you? The police?” He asks.
Mr. Lucem stared at him "Nah, we just want to ask some questions about a missing mare.”
Mr. Blacktip crossed his arms. “You mean my ex-marefriend.”
“Precisely. We heard you saw her at the party she was having with her fiance.” I said to him.
“I was there. Telling her, she was making a big mistake with marrying that rich colt. She should be with me and not him.” He responds in an angry tone.
I set my bags down to grab some things and the cat pops her head out of my bag again with my notebook and pencil in her mouth as if she knew I needed it. I smile slightly,take them and write down everything that the stallion had said. “Why would you say that?” I said after I finished writing.
“He is spoiled and only cares about money. I mean his cutie mark is a dollar sign.” Mr. Blacktip said.
"Wouldnt she know if he only cared about money, he seemed to be in tears when we asked about her...'Disappearance'" Mr. Lucem said looking at the stallion.
The bat pony glares at him. “Love can make a pony not see things the way they are.”
"But its still love" My assistant said keeping to his point.
“Yes. I don’t know why you are questioning me about her disappearance. If you want to find her then I suggest you look into that fiance of hers. I seen him around the alleys here talking with some interesting looking ponies.” He said.
“Interesting ponies? Tell me about them.” I said ready to write things down.
He rolls his eyes. “Members of one of the gangs here in Manehattan.”
Mr. Lucem knew using the tactic of anger was a good idea "What do these gangs do on a normal day to day basis?" He looked closely to the stallion.
“Sell things, trade, hunt down ponies if they need to, I can’t really say much else.” Mr. Blacktip said. I stopped writing, placing the notebook and pencil back in my bag and started to walk around the stallion taking a closer look at him. I got a strange vibe off of him.
"What alley are they in or which one are they seen in the most?" Mr. Lucem asks.
“Few streets down look for the broken heart that is spray painted on a wall.” He replied to him and looked at me. “What are you doing?”
I stop walking around him and said. “Just getting a good look at you.”
My assistant grinned at what I said, and evil joke entered his mind but never left his mouth as he stayed silent "Steam on the water but...I guess we can give it a try" he looked to me. "Wanna get going?"
I look at him and nod. “Yeah lets, we will be seeing you again Mr. Blacktip if we need to.” He doesn't say anything else and slams the door shut.
He looks to me "Getting a good look?" he says picking my bags up and starting to walk, giving her a backward glance.
“I got a strange vibe off him. That is all.” I said moving my hoof through part of my mane. “I can carry my own bags you know.” The cat meows peeking her head out of the bag.
"Lets go to the alley first. I'm pretty sure I know where it is. Then we could head back to the agency. It is getting late." I said.
He nodded and followed, walking a little slower to let me take lead "So, where do you originate from?" he asked trying to make small talk.
“Im from Manehatten but I spent most of my foalhood in several towns like Ponyville or Canterlot, I would only be here when my father wasn't working an out of town case." I answered as I walked.
"Yea, how was it growing up?" He looked around them as they left the building, giving a backwards glare at the manager still behind his desk. The manager just rolled his eyes at them, glad to have them leave.
"I suppose tough at times, always going from one relatives house to another, they normally hated me pointing things out to them." I replied as we were approaching the alleys on the cross-section
"This the place?" He asks me looking at the gloomy and slightly scary alleyways, it looked like anything could happen.
I looked at the walls seeing a red broken spray painted heart, below it was a crumbled piece of paper, it was small and looked as if the rest of it got cut up and it was just some red lines. “Yes this is the place.”
He looked at it "What’s it say?" He started his magic and shun some light on the darkness between the walls of the ally "It looks deep, possibly a couple hundred meters in" he estimated.
I nodded. “I can not read it at this time, it is just a small piece of a different puzzle. It could have come off of a poster or a piece of paper.” I look down the alley and started walking. “We better look for those ponies, that Mr. Blacktip spoke of.” He nodded and followed my step for step into the depths of the darkness, never letting his horn light go. I continue walking down the alley for awhile until I saw two stallions. They both wore black jackets and one had a watch on his hoof. I clear my throat to speak. “Hello, I would like to know if you know a Copper Hoofer?”
“Who wants to know?” One of them asks.
“I am Miss Mare and I am just looking into him, I don’t work for the police so you don’t need to worry your head about that.” I said lying a bit. I had worked with the police in pass cases but these stallions didn’t need to know that.
Mr Lucem looked at the stallion as he lied, knowing that if he said he was also looking into him it may tip the balance of this, keeping it simple he lied by making out he wanted something from him, wanting something that cost money. “I’m a stallion looking for certain...'things' that he might be able to help me with"
The other stallion spoke after he brushed some dust off of his jacket. “Yeah we know Hoofer, he owes us a lot of dough. He came around her like five days ago saying he will get the money soon.”
I look at Lucem. “Hmm..five days ago. Interesting.” We both had started to put the pieces together knowing that it took just about that amount of time for them to get the case. The fiance was now our prime suspect. I go over to my bags that my assistant was still holding and was about to grab a small change purse but the cat already had it in its mouth. I smile thinking that the cat was one step ahead of me. I pet the cat’s head and pull a few bits out of the purse and hand it to the stallions. “Thank you for the information, we’ll be on our way now.”
Mr. Lucem nodded "Is there anyway we can find this stallion faster?" He had to keep his image up of wanting to buy something of him "And any information on him incase he screws me over would be nice to know" Thinking it would help the case he asked that, this stallion was doing something, piecing together his mind would help figure out what hes doing next.
The stallions turned to each other and started whispering to each other. After a second of whispering they turned back to us. The first stallion that spoke to us spoke again. “Hoofer is always at that mansion belonging to his mare friend. A real pretty young thing, she has some excellent dance moves. If he does screw you over, I suggest you threaten him or beat him up.”
That tipped Mr. Lucem’s hoof a little "Which mansion would this be?" He looked to me, looking slightly worried.
The second stallion spoke. “Lovedale mansion.” My partner had a shocked look on his face after hearing that and the wheels started to turn in his head as new feelings came to mind. .
I nodded after I grabbed my notebook writing everything down quickly, I look to Mr. Lucem. "I say we get going, don't you agree Sir?"
"Yes I do ma'am" He turned to the stallions "Thanks for your time". He turned back to me followed as I walked. I take my bags back from him and set them on my back as we got to the exit of the alley I look at him. “Interesting development on the case, don’t you suppose.”
I nodded. “I will call for a cab.”I look around as a cab went by,I called for it and it stopped. I stroll up to it and gives the driver the address and waits for Mr. Lucem to join me in it.
He walks to her and joins her on it "I hope to dear god that couch is comfy" He muttered to himself.
The cab starts moving and I turn to him as I heard him speak. "Yes the couch is comfy but you can have a bed if you want good sir."
"You said there won't be any since all the others are there" He looked at me clearly confused.
“I said they will be taken if Madam Thursday and Mr. Samual unless they work late but I gave them pretty simple tasks, one of them should be done with them by the time we get there just wait and see Mr. Lucem.” I smiled at him.
He looked at me, confused in movements of emotion, I acted cold when he shows affection but shows happiness when he stays distant, I was more of a mystery than the mystery. The ride continues on and the cat hops out of my bag and rests on my lap. Mr. Lucem smiles, for some reason he was happy bringing the cat, she was more help than anything. I smile at the cat, thinking how much of a help she was even if it was just getting my things out of my bag. I found it funny how she seemed to know what I needed. The cab soon stops in front of the agency, I pay the driver as the cat hops off my lap and runs outside by the doors where the bowl of food and milk were. Mr. Lucem gets out the cab and levitate the bowls inside with the cat smiling down at her. The cat meows at him. I chuckle as I head inside.
“Madam Thursday? Mr. Samual? We are back.” I called.
Mr. Lucem placed the bowls by the couch and used his magic to fill them with some fish and milk. The cat happily goes over and eats. Madam Thursday walked down from some stairs and smiled. She looked over and saw the cat, her smile got bigger. She pets it as she got to the couch. “Why hello, my little outdoor friend. I see you finally came inside.”
“You know this cat?” I ask.
She nodded. “Yes a few weeks ago it started to show up, so I left some food out and hoped to have it come inside one day. How was the interviews? Are you both hungry? I have some left overs in the fridge if you would like some.”
My assistant shook his head and sat by the cat, petting her as she ate and smiled down at her "I’m okay."
“I’m fine as well, the interviews were interesting to say the least.. Do we have any pet shampoo?” I ask as I head to a small closet.
Madam Thursday nods. “Yes. A case involving a missing puppy happened about a week ago. We found it but the poor dear was all muddy so we cleaned it up. It should be in the bathroom.”
I nodded. “Okay. How was your search on information about the Lovedales and the Hoofers.”
“It went well. Would you rather hear it now or after you give the cat a bath?” She asks.
“Go ahead and tell us.” I said coming out of the closet and taking a seat on the couch.
"From what I found the Hoofer family lost several thousands of bits in the stock market so they have severe money troubles at the moment." She responded not missing a beat.
Mr. Lucem thought for a minute as it all clicked together "So...he sold his fiancé to a stallion to be used for Celestia knows what for the money" the words were on his tongue like a foal poison "I hope to go we find her alive and well or HE WILL BURN" His eyes flashed a light gold with a little flame.
I look at him. “We don’t evidence to suggest that. Madam Thursday has there been any transfer of funds to any of the Hoofer accounts?”
She shook her head. “No Miss. Samual said he will be in tomorrow morning. He said he found out a little bit more about the couple’s relationship. I’m going to head home if you don’t mind.”
I nodded to her. “Go ahead, you deserve the rest. Thank you for the help.”
“It was my pleasure. Goodbye Miss, goodbye Lucem, goodbye kitty.” She said as she headed out the door.
Mr. Lucem looked to her leaving "Bye miss!" he shouted to her and stood up stretching his back letting go of the tension that was in there "I need rest..." He shook his head, trying to keep his eyes open.
I pick up the cat seeing that she had finished eating. “You get some rest, just go upstairs and pick one of the rooms. I’m going to give the cat a bath.”
"Morning" Mr. Lucem shook his head, his mane falling in place in front of his face as he sipped at his coffee.
"Why did you sleep on the couch Mr. Lucem?" I ask as I sit down. "Thank you for breakfast Mr. Samual."
He smiles. "No problem. Enjoy you got fruit and tea with cream and sugar."
"...Nightmares" My assistant said it with distaste and a little pain as he stared at the cover on the window, he had made. It was a the woods with birds and animals, finding relaxation in the picture as well as peace and serenity.
"I'm sorry to hear that." I drank some of my tea. The cat jumped on the table. I look at it as I thought of a name. "Nancy down." She nods and gets off the table. I set my tea cup down. "So what did you find out about the case?"
"I interviewed some of the guests. They said that it seemed like Harp Lovedale and Copper Hoofer were really close. " Mr. Samual said.
"I found out that the missing pony had written a will leaving everything to her fiance a few days before she disappeared. " Madam Thursday replied.
Hearing that my assistant spit up his coffee making it cover the table. "What the buck...?"I noticed him as he thought on it even more while cleaning the table.
“Thats what I thought.” Madam Thursday said with a nod.
Mr. Samual drinks his coffee. “I guess Copper Hoofer is your prime suspect.”
I nodded. “That’s what it seems to be. It’s interesting to see how so far everything is pointing to this suspect. Tell me about Miss Lovedale’s personal life.”
“She was sociable, a great musician, her friends said she couldn’t dance well.” Mr. Samual says as he gets his notes.
“Hmm..couldn’t dance well.” I muttered to myself as the phone rang from the office. Madam Thursday went to get it.
"So we know he most likely manipulated her to get the money but how did he dispose of her..." Mr. Lucem said as his mind went to dark places on what could and might have happened.
Madam Thursday came back moments later with a sad look on her face, she had heard what Mr. Lucem had said and looked at him. “Funny thing was according who I talked to she was with her older sister.” She turned to me. “You remember that old classmate of ours the one who now works at the police station. He called to tell me to tell you to go down to this one diner, its call Crown Diner. There is a crime scene you need to see.”
I nod and take a bite of my fruit. “Alright we will be down there.”
"Why do i get a feeling that that will correspond with what i just said..." Mr. Lucem said looking extremely troubled.
I get up and look at him. “Because it probably did. The only ponies who know I’m in town are the ones who know I’m working this case. Let me grab my bags and lets be off good sir.” I walk out of the door with Nancy the cat behind me.
"Lucem!" he shouts to me as I walk away. "I hate being called sir in any form, it just angers me" He was talking to no one yet everyone as he sipped his coffee, letting the cover over the window fall showing the outer world of the crowded streets again.
I go and grab my bags from my room. I make sure I have everything I would need, I placed a few evidence collection bags in there that I had gotten from a pony who works in the labs and I look at Nancy. “You wanna come with don’t you?” Nancy meowed and shook her head. I pet her head gently and nodded. “Okay, when I get back you will have a new collar and tag so you will be officially mine.” I smile and head downstairs with my bags in tow, I walk in hearing my old partners laughing.
I look at them all. "I'm ready to go. Mr. Lucem remind me before we get home to go to the pet store."
. He looks up "You just listened in on us, waited for the right time then walked in didn’t you" he had a cocky grin and was smiling as he stood.
He deadpans at her and shakes his head following her "Nothing Miss. Mare"
“Bye guys good luck.” Mr. Samual said as him and Madam Thursday watched us leave. Nancy was sitting by them.
I walk out of the building thinking about what we will see at the crime scene. I wondered if I would be seeing any old acquaintances from school or past cases. I decided to not take a cab since the diner wasn’t that long of a walk from the agency.
"She said one diner, how do we know which one it is, there must be hundreds here" Mr. Lucem asked looking confused.
“I memorized every map of the city, I know where it is." I answered as I continued walking.
He looks around at the passing alleys."But she didn’t say the name, how do we know we are going to the right one..."
I look at him confused. "Madam Thursday did say the name. Its called Crown Diner."
"I didn’t get enough sleep last night" he simply stated it and found that the ground looked even more interesting than the city.
I nodded figuring that was a logical conclusion for not hearing the name of the diner. After a few minutes we could see a group of ponies standing behind a yellow police tape area. There was also a few white and black police carts with a red and blue blinking light. I recognize several of the ponies working the scene and was ready to speak with them as I got out my notebook. A yellow stallion with a black mane and wearing a police uniform notices me and starts walking toward us. "If it isnt the daughter of the famous private eye Wargrave, Mystery Mare what are you doing here? I thought you were running a detective agency in Ponyville."
I look at him. "Hello Captain Barret, do I need to remind you not to call me Mystery. Please its Miss Mare. I'm here because I was informed by one of your colleges about this crime scene."
"So friends can’t call you by your first name, or is your first name a mystery so you call yourself Mystery Mare because you forgot it..."Mr. Lucem said not even listening, too busy watching the scenery, he hadn’t even noticed he had talked as he jotted down possible ways the attacker could have escaped. The places around the diner looked pretty busy even at night these places would certainly be busy and there was always carts rolling down the street.
I ignore him and look back at the captain. "This is my assistant Mr Lucem."
Captain Barret nods. "Nice to meet you."
I turn my attention to the scene noticing right in front of the entrance to the diner there was a sheet covering the body. I found it strange how nopony could notice this happen. My assistant turns back and looks at the Captain "And your name is? And don’t say any rank, sirs or mr.’s, I mean full name" he said all that smiling.
“I’m Duty Barret.” He answered.
"Okay Duty, explain the situation if you will" He looked down at the covered body, no blood surrounded it which was strange. I crossed the police tape to get a closer look as they spoke.
“Victim is Harp Lovedale, not sure how long she has been dead, we believe this is a dump site and it appears she was stored somewhere cold like a freezer” The captain answered noticing that I had crossed the tape. “Don’t compromise my crime scene. “ I ignored him as he talked, slowly removing the sheet.
Mr. Lucem just look at the captain "Did you really expect her to stop? I mean really" He just shook his head and followed me, looking at the lifeless body. As I remove the sheet I see the pink unicorn mare with the dark green and reddish brownish mane. I pull down the sheet more seeing she was missing a gold bracelet with a green gem. I think of the one Mr. Lucem found earlier.
“Definitely a body dump but it looks like somepony way careful on how they placed her. “ I said quietly.
He didn’t hear as I noticed her body was mark free, which means she was either strangled or drowned as her body also looked much more pale making the drowned theory much more believable "Notice how there aren’t any marks on her body" he told me, pointing around her body and how no marks were visible.
“Possibly drowned. We would need the M.E.’s report once they do the autopsy. Captain sir do you think we could have the report once you get it?” I ask.
He nods. “I will cooperate with you on this Miss Mare but you have to tell me all your findings.”
“That can be arrange.” I said and turned to my assistant. “Remember the bracelet you found in the Lovedale residence? It seems like she is missing one. I wonder why the killer chose to dump her here.”
"I don’t know, most likely to make it public...or to distract us from a real plan, make us go somewhere that is idiotic so he can do something else while we are away but I choose the former to the latter" He nodded and looked to the body, she was a cute mare, Sad to see her like this, he thought.
I nodded as I see the medical examiner walk over with a gurney. “We better let the M.E. take the body.”
“We interview our suspects again later but I would like to go inside the diner. If the killer wanted to make this murder public why not leave it in front of something more famous and why freeze the body if you just want it to be found.” I said as the M.E. took the body away on the gurney.
He thought on it and looked at the body "What if the mare at the party was a changeling, and she was killed before but froze to keep her body from rotting?" He looked to the body "This murder could have been done months before but then the question is...why?" He followed me inside.
I shook my head as I walked inside. The diner had a checkerboard floor and several round wooden tables, black booths and it had several pictures black and white pictures on the wall of well known ponies in the city. I look and see my picture on it, I was sitting at a table with my father and my older brother, we all wore party hats as we were celebrating my birthday that day. I look at Mr. Lucem. “I believe all the changelings fled after Princess Cadance and Shining Armor used the power of love to defeat them. But we will see how long the body could have been frozen once we get the report in.”
He looks to the picture "Cute filly" he said smiling at my younger self’s happy face "How old were you on that day?" he said turning back to her then looking over the diner and seeing a small trail of hoofs made by mud.
“I was like 8.” I look over to the trail of hooves. “Judging by the size it’s a mare’s print,”
“His name is Copper Hoofer, that is possible but..” I point to two separate pictures. The both had Mr. Copper Hoofer with one of the Lovedale sisters and both pictures clearly looked like a date was happening. “The picture of Mr. Copper with the elder Lovedale sister is older. I can tell because the dish they are having isn’t on the menu any more.” I look at him as in my head the pieces started to fit together. “We need to get a warrant for the Lovedale mansion.”
He nodded and looked to the door, ready to leave "So he was here before with her sister" he said more of a matter of fact as he then stared at the photo "Its all coming together".
I nodded as I headed out the door. “It is.” I think about everything that I seen and what I learned from questioning the suspects and what Mr. Samual and Madam Thursday told us. I look at Captain Barrret. “Captain Sir. We need a warrant.”
He crossed his arms. “On what grounds and who for?”
"The Lovedale mansion and Mr. Copper Hoofer with the Lovedale sister" Mr. Lucem said following me out and smiling to the stallion.
“You're telling me that just after we found the body of Harp Lovedale, that you already know the motive and killer?” The captain said looking at me.
“I’m sure on a few things but we need the warrant to draw up the final clues and to make sure I’m right on this.” I said.
“You know last time you said that to me, the clues you found pointed to me in the death of a judge.” He replied.
I nodded remembering the case well. “Yes, but I later proved your innocence.”
He smiled watching them bicker "I think she's right, I've watched everything and seen all the clues" He began walking by them and sat down.
The captain rolled his eyes. “I’ll try to get it for you. “
My assistant nodded and followed me. "So to the mansion?" he said looking at me.
“Yes. Let us be off.” I said. He nods and calls a cab by whistling it, when it stopped he got in and held a hoof to me, ready to help me in. I take his hoof and get in, he nods to her and tells the driver to go to the Lovedale mansion. The driver heads off and I review my notes.
I look to her and smiles "So, tell me about your childhood”
"I thought I told you about it?" I replied
"Not all of it, you didn’t tell me about your father or brother" he looked closer to her.
“There not much to tell about my father. He was a private eye when I was a filly, when ever he was on a case out of town I was always at a relative’s house with my brother. As for my brother I don’t talk about him.” I responded a little cold once I mentioned my brother. I never like talking about my family. It was always just the three of us as long as I could remember, I place my notes back in my bag and look out the window. The driver soon stopped when we arrived at the house and I got out.Mr. Lucem gets out and keeps to himself as he walked to the house, awaiting for me at the door as he simply sits and waits.
I soon get to the door. “Its best if we don’t tell them we suspect anything until we get the warrant.”
“I didn’t call you an idiot, did I? “ I smirked. “It is your first case, I’m just letting you know.” The door opens as the butler answered.
“Why hello Miss Mare, here for more questions?” He asks.
I nodded. “Yes may we come in.”
He nods and allows us to come in. Mr. Lucem looks at us and follows me in "Yea but I don’t need my hoof held through this...I am thankful though but all the coldness is hurting me..."
I sigh. “I’m sorry.”
“Dont be, just simply tell me when im out of line" He smiled slightly, the apology was meant and not a lie.
I smile slightly as we got lead to the parlor room like the last time we were there yesterday. “I will try but its not how I am sir.”
"All you are and ever will be is a mystery so no problem" He said sitting down, he didn’t think on what he said he just said it. I nodded and sat down next to him as the butler went to get Miss Two-step Lovedale and Mr. Copper Hoofer. Mr. Lucem awaited their arrival but I noticed he liked the time alone with me as he tried to figure me out, I was often told that I was a mystery that was in a riddle.
I look around noticing that the decorations that were up yesterday were down. “I guess the cleaning crew has been at it.”
He noticed a few boxes in the corner as well and pointed them out "Do...do they say moving on them?" he said looking closer.
I go over to the boxes. “Yes they do, these look to be some clothes.”
Miss Two-step entered. “Did you find anything out?”
Mr. Lucem looked up and smiled a grim smile, I knew it was fake but we both believed that Miss Two-step wouldn't know that as he acted "Yes, would you mind sitting, where is Copper Hoofer?"
She sits down. “He is on his way. He was helping me clean out the attic, did you find my sister? Is she alright?”
I take a seat and got a handkerchief ready for the water works. “We will wait to discuss this when he gets here.”
"Please have a seat." I said. I noticed as when Mr. Copper sat down my assistant tapped his nose but to them it looked like he was wiping it. I knew he was telling me to use my nose.I smelled the air and there was a certain smell on them but it mainly came from Two-Step. I look at the two. "Im sorry to tell you this but Harp Lovedale was found dead this morning." They both had tears in their eyes as they heard me spoke.
We almost believed the show they were putting on, but the evidence we found out pointed against it, but I noticed that Mr. Lucem was ready to give them the benefit of the doubt "We are sorry to give you this information and wish it was a better time or better things to say" he said it with a calmness that spoke volumes.
“Blacktip did it. I’m sure.” Miss Two-step said as tears ran down her face.
I handed her a handkerchief. “We really are sorry to deliver the news but we aren't sure who yet. The medical examiner will be doing the autopsy, hopefully we will find her killer. “
Mr. Lucem decided to put them on edge, try and push them to their point of nervousness "But we have an idea, we found a bracelet on her hoof that didn't belong to her" When she walked in he noticed she was missing one and played that in as a factor.
“What.” Mr. Copper said sounding surprised.
“Oh really.” Miss Two-step said not sounding nervous.
"We found a weird bracelet on her, kind of looked...familiar" He pretended to think on it. I knew the fact was that Harp’s body was missing a bracelet and just listened as he spoke.
“Are you sure it wasn’t one of Harp’s. She always wore four gold bracelets with a green gem.” Miss Two-step said.
“No, we found one on her body, but it wasn't hers, it had a different magical...aura" His first try failed, but he wouldn't stop.
“So it could have come from the killer?” Mr. Copper Hoofer asked. “If it is couldn’t you use it to find the killer?”
"Thats what we were thinking." Mr. Lucem said turning to me.
I nodded. “It is. May I ask are you moving?”
Miss Two-step shook her head. “No, just using the old boxes to clean up.”
"May I ask how you both met." I lock eyes with them both. My assistant smiling thinking how perfect of a question that was.
"That is none of your business" Miss Two-step said.
"We met years ago. " Was all Mr. Copper said.
Mr. Lucem looked taken aback by that,"Where?" he asked nicely and calmly.
“A club.” The stallion said as there was a knock on the door.
That was ominous "Do you remember the name?" he looked to me so she could tell him what the place was, he didn't know manehatten.
“I don’t remember.” Two-step said as a group of crime scene investigator ponies walked in. Captain Barret showed them the warrant.
"We are here to search the house. Also here is the autopsy report." He said handing me the report.
I smile. "Your team works fast like always."
"For a high profile case we do." He replied.
I nodded and read the report. It said that the time of death was 5 days ago. That means she never was missing but dead when Miss Two-step filed the report. I hand my assistant the report while Miss Two-step was shouting. "Get out of my house. I don't need your men messing it up."
"Messing what up?" Mr. Lucem said back to the mare as he looked over the files and mouthed to me '5 days'.
"I just organized some things." Miss Two-step said. The Captain's men started searching the house.
I nodded and mouthed. "She's been dead since the beginning. "
He nodded again "Let them do their work, now it says here she was dead since you filed the report so she was murdered somewhere near here" he looked back up at them.
Mr. Copper gasps. “What!”
I nodded. “Yes now I will be exploring the house.” I get up and start heading up a giant staircase. I hear Mr. Lucem sighs and he follows me up the staircase, trying so hard to not look up as my flank was in his face everytime he did, when we got to the top he was as red as a tomato. I pretend not to notice as I go to a near room. It was Harp Lovedale’s room, I could tell because of the harp that was in the corner and her name was painted on a wall. I start looking around.
His blush was gone by the time he was in the room and looked around "What should we be looking for?"
“I believe this may be where she could have been murdered.” I knew that in some mansions like this that the bedrooms may have a private bathroom somewhere but this room looked like it had a couple closets. I open a door thinking it to be a closet but instead it was a bathroom that connected to the room next door to this one.
"Who's room is connected to this one?" He asked walking through with me, but the door to the next room was locked with powerful magic "Its locked, someone powerful did it as well and it seems to be setting of a few alarms the closer we get" he said with his horn lit, analysing the spell matrix behind the lock on the door. As he was analyzing it, the door they came in opened revealing one a unicorn who was part of the crime scene technicians.
I look at the new arrival. “Hello.”
She nods. “I was asked by my partner to try to open the door. They are working at it from the other side as we speak.”
“What room is behind it?” I asked.
“Miss Two-step’s room.” She answered.
Mr. Lucem smashed the last spell and the door flew open as he smiled "That spell was easy" he said walking through into the very girly room. The other C.S.I that was working on the door looked stunned as he opened it.
I turn to the unicorn who had come in to do that job. “Well it seems as if my assistant has finished it first.” I walk through the room seeing that there was many dance posters, a giant mirror, and a small shoe rack that held all dancing shoes. I look to Mr. Lucem. “According to when we first interviewed Miss Two-step she said that her and her sister both went to their rooms to fix their hair, they both must have fixed it in the bathroom that connects the rooms.“
He nods knowing I was right, the rooms were connected so if anything happened it was in the bathroom..."We should make the bathroom priority one then" he said with a tone of slight victory.
I nodded and looked at the C.S.I ponies. “Please examine the bathroom and tell me anything you find.” A few nod their heads and head into the bathroom as I start looking around Miss Two-step’s room. I start thinking what I would do if I was in a situation where I was the one who killed somepony and where I would keep my secrets. In my agency back in Ponyville all my secret things are locked in a box in my room so a logical place to check would be in a jewelry box. I hold a handkerchief in my hoof so I wouldn’t get my hoof prints on the box when I found it. I trotted over to a pastel pink vanity and look and see a wooden box, I used my covered hoof to open it and saw it had several letters inside. “I found some love letters, they are about a year old.” I said as I scanned the letters for a moment.
I look over and see that Mr. Lucem thought on where he would hide it, it would be in plain sight where everypony would both miss and see it. He went over to one of the pictures where instead of eyes it was rubies, he shot it with a little of his magic and the wall started to move out the way to show a secret room. He came out of the room and turned to me looking slightly shocked "I found a love shrine to Copper Hoofer" he said, behind him a shrine of picture of Copper in heart frames, several pictures had lipstick kiss marks on them, others had a dampness to them that could only be guessed about but anyone would know what was done to the pictures while she was alone.
I went over and looked and the final pieces have clicked. “Lets go back to the parlor now.” I noticed that my assistant looked scared by the shrine, the smell was musky and perfume was sprayed all over to cover it, it was disgusting and he gagged as he followed me. I had seen far worst of shrines in the past, I just decided not to tell him. I look over to the C.S.Is and told them to bag, tag, and takes pictures, they nodded knowing the drill. I trotted down the stairs and headed to the parlor.
We walk in the parlor like nothing happened and I look over to Captain Barret, Mr. Copper Hoofer and Miss Two-step Lovedale. I could tell that they have been talking but what about, who knows. Mr. Lucem sat on the couch to listen while I cleared my throat as I spoke. “I know what happened.”
Captain Berret raised an eyebrow. “You do? Go on Miss Mare”
I nodded as I started to pace. “It all started after Miss Two-step and Mr. Copper met in a club. From what I seen from a picture in Crown diner you both were in love and that could be seen from the love letters we found but around last year you both broke up. For reasons I’m not sure of, it could be because you fell out of love or it could be that Mr. Copper had found a better companion in you if I say more attractive sister.”
Miss Two-step interrupted me as she spoke in an insulting tone. “She is not prettier than me. I am the more mature one.”
I look to her as I stopped pacing. “Please shut your mouth Miss, I hate being interrupted when I’m telling what happened”
"After that you went into a dulgence path where you tried to be better than her, this path led to more misery so you decided to the best way to get to somepony’s heart is to destroy the shield, Miss Lovedale...your sister was his shield" My assistant said pointing to Copper and smiled, nodding back to me.
I nodded to Mr. Lucem and restarted my pacing back and forth. “Exactly. That misery lead you to become obsessed with Mr. Copper, leading you to save all the old love letters he wrote you and much more. Then came around the time when he proposed to your sister, that broke you. It snapped the final threads of your insanity and lead you to plan her murder. I believe you never planned to do it the night of the party but later since you went with her to form a will leaving everything to her fiance. You were probably planning on letting him take the blame, now back to the night she was killed, perhaps you both were chatting as you fixed your manes and you filled up the tub so you could wash yours, she probably said how Mr. Copper was the apple of her eye and maybe you said that he should be yours. That caused you both to fight where you drowned her in the tub.”
Mr. Copper looked pale and turned to Miss Two-step, he was lost for words. I watch the interaction go down and kept on talking. “Seeing as this is an old mansion there may be secret rooms like the one your shrine was in and also could be secret passages like one leading to the freezer in the house. You stash the body there and locked the door, you waited a few days probably telling everypony she was with her soon to be husband and once he finally said that he didn’t know where she was, you filed the police report. Once they were stumped you decided to file a report with 22 Ponystreet detective agency but requested for me, that is one of your mistakes.” I said taking a pause.
Miss Two-step slowly got up saying nothing at first before she finally spoke. “I do not need to hear such things.” Captain Barret made her sit back down.
"But the first time we came here when we walked in there was no braclet in the hallway, not one as i walked it and yet when walking out-" Mr. Lucem levitated a small bracelet out of my saddlebags "-I found this in there, now I’m willing to be this case that if i go into that hallway i will find a secret door that leads to a freezer and a passageway out of town, thats why her body was so far away because it led there, why there?" he smiled "This house was built in the griffon wars, it was an escape route you used to hide the body in the diner, it wasn't public it was just the nearest thing you could do, now back to it, I’m sure that when we started asking questions and you left the room on that first day you checked on the door and it fell out, you didn't notice but...I did” He had a cocky grin as his magic started and a door opened by the staircase, showing everything he said.
I look to my assistant. "How did you know that it was built during the griffon wars?"
I had a shocked look on my face. “How could I have missed that. Anyway let me continue. I believe that you left the body of your sister there not because it was convenient but because you probably both went there for a first date. That can be shown because of the pictures that are hanging on the wall. Now as my assistant said, the lost bracelet was another mistake. So while we spoke you tried to get us off your track by telling us about your sister’s ex and of course everypony can believe that the ex did it when you don’t have all the facts now, Miss Two-step tell me, have we done so far?” I smirked.
She looked at us. “How did you know.”
“Elementary.” I said with a slight chuckle. “When we went to speak with Mr. Blacktip he lead us to some stallions who Mr. Copper owed money to. They said that his mare friend lived in this mansion and she was an excellent dancer, that was the main clue that pointed to you since from what my ex-partner Mr. Samual said that he found out that your sister can’t dance. “
Mr. Lucem looks at me. "Thats not your catchphrase, get one thats not taken by a pony in a book"He sighed laughing, "All in all Miss Lovedale,since you will be heading to prison, you won’t be getting any of your sisters things and because you made her write a will to make it seem like Copper Hoofer had a motive to kill her, he gets all her stuff. Mr Copper, welcome to your new house" He said happily but also sad.
Captain Barret slaps hoof cuffs on her and was about to lead her out of the room but I stop him. “Answer my question, why hire me?”
Miss Two-step looked at me dead in the eye. “I figured you wouldn’t suspect me Miss Mare, I put on quite the act, didn’t I? Also I choice for you to come here and try to solve it cause Lovedales hire the best. I figured you would give up and quit.”
I did a small nod. “Well you should know that.No mystery can stop this mare and I mean it. Captain, take her away and call me whenever the trial is."
Captain Barret nods. “Ok Miss Mare, make sure you give all the info you have to my guys.” I nod and he leaves.
Mr. Copper Hoofer looked very pale as he stared at the ground still a lost for words. Mr Lucem walked to him and helped him up walking him to the police. "Take this stallion to a psychiatrist"The police personal nodded and they walk with Mr. Copper out of the house.
The cases of Mystery Mare
It was getting late tonight I was getting ready for bed. I just untied my black ribbon that was always in my greyish silver mane. I set it down on my dresser when I heard the bell go off down stairs, meaning somepony had entered. Even if my office has no official closing time, I do send my only official employee my butler out before I lock my doors. I walk down the stairs from my room with Nancy by my side, when I get there to my surprise it was a dark blue alicorn with pink hooves, she had a long brown mane blue highlights by her side was a light pink bunny. She speaks first, her voice was quiet at first but sounded sweet. “Sorry to barge in, Miss Mare. I just came back into town.”
I nodded as I took note of the saddlebags she wore. “It’s fine, have a seat Miss…”
“Musicnotes but everypony calls me Music for short.” She smiled and took a seat on the couch. Our pets were sniffing each other. I chuckled at that.
I head toward the kitchen. “Would you like some tea, Miss Music?”
She nods and looks around, her eyes settled on the bookshelves. “I would love some, thank you. You have several books here, I love to read and I try to when I can.”
I spent a few minutes in the kitchen and came back out with two cups of tea, I placed them in front of us. “Thank you, its nice to see another pony who loves books. Now then you are here for a reason correct?”
Miss Music sips her tea and nods. “Yes, for the past few days I have been in Canterlot and while I was there, I lost something. It is a purple covered book.”
“And why can’t you just go buy another book or go to the library?” I ask her as her bunny and Nancy were playing with a ball of yarn, they became fast friends.
She frowned and sighed. “It is a special book, the only one of it’s kind. It was one of the first clues I got to start my quest.”
“A quest?” I raised an eyebrow.
She nodded. “I’m sure you noticed, the horn and wings. I’m an alicorn and I’m searching for some ponies. I just need you to find the book,its important to me, haven’t you ever wanted to find something that seems hidden from you? That book is the first of me finding the truth about many things but mainly the truth about myself.”
I nodded knowing the feeling of wanting to find certain answers to things that were just out of reach. I thought of the scraps of paper I found and how that was one puzzle I have been trying to solve. I sip my tea. “I have, I will take the case Miss Music, please make sure to drop off a list of where you went when you were in Canterlot.”
She smiled and stood up as she shook my hoof. “Thank you so much Miss Mare.” She looked over to her bunny that was now covered in yarn, Nancy pawed at it. The alicorn’s horn glowed blue for a second flickering as she used her magic to lift up the bunny and get it out of the yarn. The flickering of her horn seemed strange to me, it was as if her magic wasn’t that strong. “Come on Bubble.” She said in her sweet voice and heads to the door. As soon as she leaves I start thinking about her. The one thing I needed to do was in the morning I would need to speak with one of my contacts to see if they could get me some information on this mare. I can understand losing a book but I wondered why there was only one copy of this book. I yawn and figured I would get it to it in the morning. I climbed back up the stairs and went to my room and fell asleep.
The next morning I had gotten up early, I left a note for Mr. Bubblegum Burst as I usually do, letting him know I got a case and was off to see a contact. In the pile of mail on the ground I notice the list of places Miss Music had remembered to drop off. I slip it into my saddle bags as I grab them and I went off to Mr. Lance’s home. He was a contact I had who offered to do whatever he could to help me, like getting information or working with electronics. I enter his house several minutes later. “Hello Mr. Lance, I have a job for you.” I look over to the yellow pony with the three four leaf clovers for a cutie mark.
He smiled. “Oh? What is it?”
"I need you to get me some info on a client for a new case. Do you think you could find me any articles on her?" I told him.
“I can do my best for you. What's her name?”
"Musicnotes." I answered. Mr. Lance nods and searches for a few minutes, looking in his archives for "Musicnotes" and finds four articles. He hands them to me and I start reading them.
“Hmm..very interesting.” I said to myself as I was reading. One of the articles was an old one from a city called New Saddle, it spoke about a foal who was left on a farm. The owners of the farm tried to find the parents but nopony came forward and instead of sending the foal to an orphanage, they kept her. The article went on saying that the princesses said that at the time there was only three alicorns and all of them were princesses. They said it was impossible and it was probably a rumor of that a baby alicorn was found. I check the date seeing this was the point in time before Twilight became a princess.
“Anything else you need while you're here?” Mr. Lance asked me.
"No but thank you sir. I will come if I need any more." I nodded and headed out the door. I had my nose in the papers as I read them. The other articles were about a talent show she was in as a filly and a music shop she opened to help finance her quest as she said to the papers. The store wasn’t opened often and when it was she sold instruments and gave lessons. It wasn’t much background info but it was enough for me.
The cases of Mystery Mare
The case of Mr. Lucem part 3
He smiled "Thanks" he looked around at the surrounding ponies, ten of which stared and smiled as they passed. I replied to him a you're welcome as he continued to speak, walking next to me."So, we need tickets north right?”
I nodded as I turned a corner, we were heading down to my old street. I figured my dad would have some old coats that would fit us so that we wouldn’t have to waste our bits. "Yes we will need tickets. Are we going to be in the crystal Empire or more north passed it?"
"I dont know, it just said north and something about two keys that will forever cross" Mr. Lucem said as tried thinking on the riddle they were given but all his mind came to was a stop.
"Hmm..what could those keys be.." I said to myself as we headed towards an apartment building. I knew the building quite well since it was my old home.As we got inside the building Mr. Lucem commented how roomy the lobby was. I waved to a couple of ponies and they waved back saying hi and things like that. I headed for the stairs, he just follows behind me silently for now and smiles to anypony that waves or notices him, trying to keep close to me. We noticed a red stallion like the one from the story he told me but looking again he had disappeared into the crowd.I wait for him at the top of the stairs. "Did you notice that stallion as well?”
He nods. "Red as the purest blood" His eyes glowed brightly as he look up "Mystery, I need to talk"
I nodded. "Go ahead, speak'
The next thing he says shocks and surprises me. “The information you were given isn't complete, Eros told you all she could but, theres more. The keys are in the bottom of the Crystal Empire, at the darkest corners of its last emperors time you will face the demons he locked away, shadow creatures...abominations, be ready, but the keys you seek aren't the ones you think at all" He kissed my head. "Child watch out for my brother Tartarus, he will soon attack" The feeling of life flooded into me causing a gold streak to form in my mane as he smiled again and then fell on his face.
"Gaia?" I muttered to myself seeing Mr. Lucem fall on his face. I go to pick him up thinking about the words he said. I knew that he had no memory of Eros so it must have been Gaia.
He rubbed his head while laid on the floor, one second seeing my face the next the floor, something was wrong with him and it felt as though he had lost part of himself.
"You alright sir?" I asks.
"No, I feel slightly...empty" He said standing, opening his formerly gold eyes were now brown and as he looked up he noticed a golden stripe down my mane "Where did that come from?"
I looked at my mane slightly stunned, I haven’t even noticed it before, did it happen when I felt a strange feeling go into my body. "I'm not sure..."
He rubbed his eyes. "Has anything changed about me?"He asked looking at himself.
"Your eyes are brown if that is anything." I answered.
He looked up, for his entire life he had gold eyes "T-they should be gold..." he sighed "What happened"
"Im not sure, you were just talking to me...anyway I know where we need to find the keys"
"How?" He got a headache, he tried concentrating but his vision started to blur.
"You told me." I said trying not to lie to him about where I gotten the information. "Are you alright."
His vision blurred more "I-I-I told you" his own words slurred to him as the world kept spinning for him.
"Maybe you should just sit down for a minute." I tell him when I notice him slurring his words. After I said that he fell unconscious this time,it looked like his magic was drained and close to dead.I looked worried. "Oh no oh no. what's happening.."I looked closely at him, he laid still, breathing but lightly. I wondered what was wrong with him.
As I just wondered what happened to him a new voice in my head spoke. "He's drained of magic, sleep and bed are the best for him"
I look around slightly, hearing the voice. I nodded and carried him onto my back. I headed towards one of the apartments and knocked. My father answered and he allowed us inside. He is an earth pony like myself, he had grey fur and mane, wore white glasses, a red bow tie and a brown vest, his cutie mark was A1 B2 C3 in the shape of a triangle. He was a retired private eye and his talent was to solve codes. He looked at me with a questionable look. He was wondering why I showed up carrying a stallion. I didn’t say anything as I walk into the living room. There was a couch, two chairs and a small coffee table. The voice continued to speak to me as if it was helping me.
Get water, he will sleep for hours and dehydration will take hold soon enough
"For him or for me?" I asked softly to myself.
Both, and I’d advise against talking to yourself in front of others.
"Its only my dad here, he doesn't care if I talk to myself." I said softly and set Mr. Lucem on the couch.
For my sanity then. I heard the voice softly laugh in my head, it was a laugh I from anywhere it was Mr. Lucem’s laugh.
I nodded. Ok. Your laugh is just like Mr. Lucem..are you Gaia? I thought going over to the kitchen to get some water. My father waited in his chair expecting me to give him an explanation by now I would have already told him what happened.
I’m...nothing, yet everything, I’m life in the world and...my brothers death and change, my sisters love, my name?...I don't know. It was silent as the voice turned feminine and spoke again I prefer this to the other.
Okay so why am I hearing you? I thought as I filled up two glasses of water.
I dont know.... It sounded uncertain as I look over to Mr. Lucem as he still laid still. I notice my father was looking at him trying to figure out what was happening. I nodded understanding what the voice said and set one glass of water on the coffee table by the couch. I took a seat in the only remaining chair in the room. The voice spoke again sounding innocent and confused like a new born foal’s thoughts. Why doesn't he look pleased?
Lucem? I thought to it looking over at my father and Mr. Lucem.
Your dad… She spoke calmly, still full of innocence.
He wants an explanation to what's going on. Its not everyday I walk back into my old home with a stallion on my back. Knowing him he will figure it out after I say only a fraction of what's happening. I drank some of the water from the glass I kept with me.
Though it couldn't be seen I could feel as if the voice nod, Why don't we bring him with us then?.
I shook my head. No I would rather not have him involved in my cases. I wouldn't want him to get hurt.
A pause comes from the voice I think...he wouldn't allow that, she said, as I looked at Lucem so I know that she was referring to him. But he should be awaking, and drink, you haven't in a while. I looked over at the clock surprised by the time, it had been a few hours since I brought him inside. It seemed time had went slower to me. I took a drink of water.
My dad looked and saw Mr Lucem was waking up. "Looks like your friend is getting up."
"Mystery?" He held his head as the voice quieted down to let him talk "Where am I?" Mr Lucem looked around and smiled setting eyes on me and my father.
"My dad's place." I answered
He nods "I remember the picture from the diner with you two." He sighed "Faint?"
"Yeah you did." I said taking a sip of water. I remembered the photo he spoke of, it was a black and white photo from my birthday as a filly with my dad and brother, just the three of us like it had always been.
My dad spoke."I'm Wargrave."
"Lucem Diem" He nodded to the older stallion "Its nice to meet you sir" He raised a hoof to him in a show of respect.
He shakes it. "Same here." He looks at me. "Will you please explain to me now why for you show up here and then for the past few hours just sit down, in the chair."
I looked at the ground for a second. "Its a long story sir."
I could see that Mr. Lucem had nearly laughed over that. "Sir?" Raising an eyebrow he looked at both of us. "Sounds more like a company than family...let me start as, I was the one who started all this" He spoke of everything we had learned and done, all the parts he knew anyway.
"She acts very formal." He nods while listening to Mr. Lucem tell the story. Once he was finished he looked at me and pointed to the gold streak in my mane. "That has to be something magic related since I know you would never do that to your mane."
Mr. Lucem looked at the gold streak and stroked his eyes "And my eyes used to be pure gold, like her new streak" he sighed "But magical, I‘m getting no radiance of it, unless its made of an infinite mass which nothing is then what that is...I don't know" He rubbed both his eyes.
"Hmm..interesting." My father stated as he started pacing to think.
I look at my father. "Yes it is interesting, trust me."
"We have no idea where the keys are either, or if there even in the north..." Mr. Lucem sighed once more "This is a conundrum inside a riddle"
"The keys are in the bottom of the Crystal Empire, at the darkest corners of its last emperors time." I said looking at Lucem
He looks at me. "How do you know that?" He looks skeptical but knows he can trust me.
"You told me before you passed out." I replied.
"I dont remember that, and I remember passing out...what happened?" He asks me.
"Your eyes glowed brightly and you told me somethings." I said drinking the rest of my glass of water
"Okay, you have hidden stuff from the beginning, like what Tartares said to you" He stands "I want to know now" His tone was demanding.
I heard the tone of his voice and knew I had to tell him."He kept calling you his sister and when he gets the sickle you're going to die. I figured out when I was talking to him that you are the avatar of Gaia. I would have told you after it happened but Tartarus said if I wanted to solve this case not to mention it to you." I looked at the ground. "Want to know what happened at the library....."
