Chapter 1: Where's Pinkie Pie?
All of the mane six, well all of them but one, were gathered in the throne room of Princess Twilight's castle. They were having one of their scheduled meet ups.
"Have any of you seen Pinkie recently?" asked the princess of friendship.
"Can't say I have, since a couple of days ago. I reckon you haven't either, since your asking," Applejack concluded.
"Me either," added Rainbow Dash.
"Nuh-uh," Fluttershy murmured with growing concern.
"Nor have I," Rarity said destroying everypony else's last bastion of hope that Pinkie wasn't missing.
"In that case, we need to find her!" Twilight started. "Rarity and me will search Sugarcube Corner. Fluttershy and Applejack, you two search the hospital. Who knows what could have happened. Applejack, try asking around. Everypony, rendezvous in town square."
"Ronda what?" Rainbow asked perplexed.
"Meet back up in town square, darling," Rarity explained. The five ponies ran off, in their groups, in different directions after exiting the castle.
"What do you think happened to her, Twilight?" Rarity asked on the way to Sugarcube Corner.
"That's what we're going to find out right now, no need to speculate," Twilight replied. They arrived quickly to be greeted by the Cakes.
"Twilight, Rarity, how's it going?" Mrs. Cake asked calmly.
"Have you seen Pinkie within the last couple of days?" Twilight inquired, ignoring her question.
"I haven't, why?"
"No one has, she's missing."
"You should know Pinkie better by now, Twilight, she'd disappear for a week to chase a balloon. No need to worry."
"Pinkie may be random, but there's no way she would go this long without interacting with one of us. Either due to consideration or necessity. She isn't the kind of pony to lose all contact with her best friends, even for a day.
"Maybe you're right..." Mrs. Cake conceded.
"Don't worry Mrs. Cake, we'll find her!" Twilight proclaimed. She and Rarity trotted to the previously agreed on location. When they arrived they saw that the other three had already returned. "Any luck?" Twilight asked. The other four shook their heads in unison. "We haven't either unfortunately," Twilight said with her head down.
"How about we hire one of those PI fellows for help?" Applejack suggested.
"Who needs to hire a private investigator, when you can have a detective for free?" Rarity asked, suddenly changing into her costume modeled after Shadow Spade. "After all, I did save Rainbow from being falsely kicked out of the Wonderbolts not long ago."
"I can back her up on that," Rainbow blushed.
"We could be talking about Pinkie's life, Rarity, we need professional help," Twilight argued.
"Not confident in my skills? Fine then, be that way! We'll split up, I'll be the detective for my group," Rarity snarled, blinded by her own vanity.
"Separating when bad things are happening never works out well. I don't think it's a great idea. "
"Well, I do, AJ and Fluttershy, you're with me!" Rarity insisted. Fluttershy, not wanting to anger Rarity anymore, walked over to her quickly. Applejack followed shortly after, seeing no way to change her mind. Twilight shook her head in annoyance.
"Don't do this Rarity!" she warned Rarity.
"You aren't changing my mind Twilight," she responded before going out of sight with the other two.
"There's nothing you can do," Rainbow said.
"Your right we have to focus on what matters, finding Pinkie," Twilight agreed.
"Alright Rainbow, we need to find a map" Twilight said as she started searching the immediate area. "Oh, here we go!" she exclaimed, as she began levitating a map she found in a trash can. She closely examined the map and mumbled "Hmm, can't seem to find one," her voice amplified "there isn't a single private investigator in all of Ponyville!"
"Well there isn't a lot of crime, so I guess there's not much need for them here," Rainbow speculated.
"Then maybe Canterlot has one," she changed her focus from Ponyville to Canterlot. "Yes! There are three of them."
"Sweet, let's fly there right away,"-Rainbow takes off-"race ya!" Twilight followed her at a reasonable pace but didn't have nearly as much horsepower as when she was powered up by the other princesses. Rainbow arrived on the streets of Canterlot about forty seconds before Twilight. "Still undefeated," she said with a smirk on her face, remembering the day Twilight raced her over and over again. The pair began walking down the street.
"The closest PI should be right there," Twilight informed her partner, pointing at a building about 12 yards away. They arrived at a door with a sign reading:
"Private Investigator-
High crimes-800 Bits
Low crimes-300 Bits
Missing ponies-100 Bits
Fact checks-45 Bits"
"Hopefully he gives discounts to princesses," Twilight hoped. She opened the door to reveal a dimly lit and rather small room. To their left was bookshelf filled completely with spell books. "Wow, some of these spellbooks are really advanced, even beyond my abilities," Twilight thought to herself. To their right was a large scroll with a long list of names.
"Why are you here?" asked the brown stallion in the back of the room with a suit on minus the coat.
"I'm Princess Twilight Spar-"
"I didn't ask who you were, I already knew that. I also know your friend here, Rainbow Dash. You two are quite famous around here. What I asked was 'why are you here?' Only answer the questions you are asked."
"My friend, I guess you know her, Pinkie Pie has gone missing. I need your assistance."
"I see, when was the last time you saw her?"
"At a birthday party she organized."
"Whose birthday?"
"Derpy Hooves."
"Could she having something to do with this?"
"No, I say that with one hundred percent certainty."
"You seem to be a good judge of character, do you think anyone would want your friend, out of the picture?"
"No, literally everypony she knew was friends with her."
"Do you mean literally in the correct sense, or do you mean figuratively?"
"I mean what I say. Pinkie Pie was friends with everypony she knew."
"So, the job was done by somepony who didn't know her, perhaps a crime of passion."
"Why are you assuming she's dead? She isn't!" Rainbow Dash cut in.
"It's best to assume the worst. If you're right, then you won't be caught off guard. If you're wrong, then you'll be pleasantly surprised."
"She isn't dead!"
"Rainbow, calm down," Twilight chimed in. "He's just doing his job."
"Speaking of jobs, perhaps I'm mistaken, but I don't believe you've payed for my services yet." The detective reminded them.
"How much do they cost?" Twilight asked.
"Didn't you read the sign? 'Missing ponies-100 Bits.' If you thought being a hero to all the land got you a discount, you're sadly mistaken," the detective informed her. "Also, if this turns out to be more than Ms. Dash thinks it is, well the price will be going up." Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes.
"I don't have that much money," Twilight said with tears beginning to form. The detective sighed. He then levitated a small red box out of the drawer from his desk. He opened it and looked at the contents for almost five seconds. His eyes then looked back at Twilight.
"I know what it's like to lose someone too," The detective stated with a shaky voice, completely different from his regular deep and confident voice. "I'll help you."
"We never got your name." Twilight reminded him.
"I never gave it, nor will I. Call me detective," Rainbow bucked the air, annoyed. "I can see you're the irritable one of the group," said the detective
"How about you tell me what your doing with those advanced spellbook?"
"Reading them obviously. Yes, my magic is powerful."
"What's that scroll with all the names on it?"
"Enough of these pointless questions!" the detective responded, before teleporting all three of them to Ponyville.
"You know where we live?" Twilight asked.
"Like I said, your story is quite a well known one," The detective reminded her. "Where was the birthday party for this Derpy character?"
"Right over here," Twilight pointed at a house with her hoof. They entered the house. Inside were two mares, Vinyl and Octavia. The detective went up to Vinyl.
"Do you know anything about the disappearance of Pinkie Pie?" She shook her head. "How about you?" the detective inquired.
"Detective?" Octavia turned around.
"Octavia, you know this joker?" Rainbow asked.
"Octavia, long time no see."
"How long has it been?"
"Years, thank you for what you did."
"As I've said every time you say that, I'm the one who should be thanking you. You were only in danger because you were helping me."
"It's nice to see you again, but I'm here for a reason. Do you know anything that could help with my investigation?"
"I do actually."
"Go on."
"She said that she would head to the Everfree Forest, after the party. She was supposed to meet someone."
"Who is this someone?"
"She didn't say, unfortunately."
"This is quite the lead regardless," he turned to Twilight, "Let's go." The three galloped to the Everfree Forest.
On the way Twilight asked "how do you know Octavia?"
"I met her during the first year of being a detective. She was my client. She had her cello stolen. Apparently it meant a lot to her. I found the no good crook and well, the pony was a powerful unicorn. I wasn't quite there yet. We got in a fight. He won. He was going to end me well, at least until Octavia knocked him over the head with a lamp she found on his table. She saved my life. I was... scared, I didn't want to ever be in that situation again."
"Enough of the life story!" Rainbow interrupted.
"Very well then, let's focus on your friend." They arrive at the entrance of the forest.
"I should warn you. Some very dangerous creatures live in this forest," Twilight informed the detective.
"You're an alicorn, I'm a powerful unicorn, and your friend here is... fast, I guess. We should be fine," the detective responded.
"Hey!" Rainbow responded to the insult.
"Let's get going," said the detective. Twilight and Rainbow followed, one more reluctantly than the other.
"Maybe we should see if Zecora knows anything," Twilight suggested.
"Who's that?" asked the detective.
"She's a zebra who lives in here."
"That's perfect! She has to know something," the detective said. Twilight took the lead.
"Get demoted?" Rainbow laughed at the detective.
"Keep that up and I'll just leave. Did you forget I'm doing this for free?" the detective warned.
"Whatever," Rainbow responded.
"Right up here," Twilight informed the detective.
"Is that a tree?" he asked.
"That's Zecora's hut."
"I see, interesting," the detective took point again. He knocked on the door.
"You have knocked on my door, but what for?" Zecora opened the door.
"I'm investigating the disappearance of one, Ms. Pinkie Pie."
"She is missing, surely you must be kidding?"
"No, do you know anything?"
"She met me on the way, do you suspect foul play?"
"You were the one she was meeting?"
"She met me on the way to another, some kind of long lost brother."
"Brother? It sounds like Pinkie was tricked into meeting someone. Do you know where she was headed?"
"Hmm, this is quite the case, I will take you to the place," Zecora led the group to a clearing not far from her hut. "I must be going now, staying here my schedule would not allow," with that Zecora was gone.
"What's that?" Rainbow asked pointing at bush with something pink sticking out.
"Sweet Celestia!" Twilight levitated the pink pony out of the bush, "Pinkie Pie!"
There was silence.
Something was wrong.
Twilight brought her closer. "Pinkie!" she begged, "please be ok!"
The detective put his right hoof over Pinkie's heart.
There was no pulse.
"She's gone," the detective grimaced.
Twilight instantly fell to the ground, crying "I failed one of my best friends!" Rainbow Dash couldn't contain herself after Twilight was crying. She also burst into tears.
With that Pinkie was no more.
Author's Note
This is my first fan fiction. It's actually the first time I've written anything this long. I'm planning on writing somewhere between 10-20 chapters if this first one does well. Any feedback would be much appreciated.
Twilight and Rainbow cried for what seemed like days as the detective stood there, not knowing what to say. Rainbow eventually ran out of tears to shed. She went over to Twilight to comfort her.
"We'll get whoever did this!" Rainbow said with a raised voice.
"Get?" the detective asked.
"You know get, crush, destroy, end, demolish, take your pick."
"Oh, I see," the detective responded almost under his breath but still audible. Silence returned. Twilight, still lying on the ground, finally ran out of her own tears after awhile longer.
"Get up Twi, we can't stay here forever," Rainbow said gently, hugging Twilight.
"Okay, yeah, you're right," Twilight responded, getting up for the first time since she began crying.
"Let's go to my lab to examine the body, it's opposite my office," The detective said beginning to teleport them.
"Wait!" Twilight said, "I need to walk, might as well go there on hoof."
"Why?" the detective asked.
"Because she's hasn't stood in who knows how long, genius," Rainbow responded for her.
"Oh, of course," the detective acknowledged "I suppose I'll go with you."
"No need," Rainbow responded "seriously leave us alone, you didn't know Pinkie, you don't understand what we're going through!"
"I suppose I don't, but that doesn't mean you couldn't use the protection of my magic."
"Get out of here!" Rainbow screamed as loudly as she could muster.
"As you wish," the detective responded shaking his head before teleporting away along with Pinkie's body.
"One less problem," Rainbow said as they began walking to Canterlot.
"You need to stop feuding with him, how else will we find who did this?" Twilight asked.
"Just because we need him right now doesn't mean we need to be friends."
"Just try to stop, for me... and Pinkie."
Rainbow spat to her right, "no promises." Suddenly ten timberwolves appeared. Twilight blasted each of them, one-shotting all of them.
"Good thing I haven't exhausted my magic like last time," Twilight said, "now let's get out of here before they reassemble." With that they flew out of the Everfree Forrest, landing near Fluttershy's Cottage.
"Looks like they're still looking for Pinkie since Fluttershy isn't back," Rainbow speculated, "should we look for them?"
"They could be anywhere right now and it's probably best if we examine Pinkie right away."
"Alright," Rainbow responded. They now reached Ponyville.
"Good evening, Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash," said an unfamiliar voice coming from a cloaked mare.
"Who are you?" Twilight asked.
"I have to withhold that information at this time."
"Okay then, what do you want?"
"To give you information about what happened to your friend. I saw somepony give Pinkie Pie a letter. I have reason to believe that it contained a note claiming to be her brother. He asked to meet her in the Everfree Forrest. I presume that's why you went there. The pony who gave her the letter was a yellow Pegasus named Mail Runner. Maybe he knows who sent the letter."
"How do you know all of this?"
"Again, I cannot reveal that information for the time being. That's all the information I have, good day to you both," she revealed a pink horn and used it to teleport away.
"That was weird," Rainbow said.
"Agreed, but that information could be helpful. Now let's get back to Canterlot," Twilight said resuming course.
"Twilight!" Minuette blurted out as Twilight and Rainbow entered Canterlot, "I thought I was supposed to visit you next."
"It's great to see yo-"
"It's great to see you too Twilight!" Minuette quickly embraced her friend.
"But, I have business to attend to," Twilight finished sternly.
"Oh, okay, see you later," Minuette responded in a less perky voice. Twilight and Rainbow reached the detective's lab.
"Good to see you made it here safely. I've already begun the autopsy," the detective opened the door as soon as they arrived.
"What have you found so far?" Twilight asked.
"It appears that she was struck by magic twice. If you look through this microscope, you'll see magic burns all over her body. Interestingly the burns are darker near her heart which suggests magic was used on her entire body once then a more direct spell was used on her heart as well."
"Twilight, what are magic burns?" Rainbow asked.
"They're marks on a pony's flesh whenever magic is used on them. These burns aren't only created by offensive magic, simply being levitated could cause them. They're almost always invisible to the naked eye, but thanks to this microscope we can easily identify them." Twilight informed her.
"So what spells were used on her?"
"My theory is magic was first used to hold her down, then a much more powerful spell was used to stop her heart," the detective answered.
"I wasn't asking you, but whatever."
"Rainbow, you're not even trying!" Twilight scolded.
"Don't worry about it Twilight, I can't assist you any further anyway," the detective said.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Rainbow asked loudly.
"I mean what I said, I can't help you find out who did this. I helped you find Pinkie, for free might I add, but I didn't sign up for this. I will not help you seek vengeance on whomever did this."
"Isn't that your job!?"
"It is, but as I said, I'm doing this for free. I don't have to help you do anything I'm uncomfortable with since this is my free time rather than a job."
"Uncomfortable? I'll make you more than that if you don't help us find the scumbag who did this!" Rainbow said pointing at Pinkie.
"Threats won't get you very far in life, Ms. Dash. I got the impression you didn't want my help anyway, why do you want me now?"
"I don't want you! I nee...," Rainbow stopped herself, "look, I don't want revenge anyway."
"Coming from the mare who just threatened me to find the culprit, and outright told me you wanted to 'get whoever did this', that's the least convincing lie I've ever heard."
"Is there anything we can do to change your mind?" Twilight asked.
"Either pay me or convince me neither of you will seek revenge on whoever did this."
"How can we convince you of that?"
"Well, there is a place called revenge temple. Only those with pure hearts can pass its challenges. Pass them and I'll help you."
"Where's it located?"
"Deep inside the Everfree Forest."
"Could you be a LITTLE more specific?" Rainbow asked annoyed. The detective gave them a map that looked ancient. Twilight teleported Rainbow and herself to the Forest.
"Here we go again," Twilight said. She used her illumination spell to light up the unusually dark forest. They followed the map to the best of their ability, but it was in less than pristine condition. The ink was smudged making it very difficult to follow. They spent a couple of hours trying to follow it until it got really late. "We should probably get to shelter to sleep," Twilight attempted to teleport them back to Ponyville; however, the spell failed. "My magic!" Twilight was concerned.
"What happened?"
"I'm running low on magic, I guess we'll need to find somewhere near here to sleep. I should probably conserve what's left of my magic." Twilight stopped using her illumination spell. They looked around in the dark forest until they found a cave to sleep in. Twilight and Rainbow tried to fall asleep, but then they started hearing scratching noises. "Wha... what's that?" Twilight asked.
"Beats me, but don't worry, if it's something dangerous we can take it down!" Rainbow said. The scratching turned to howling.
"With my magic, sure, but without it..."
"We'll be fine," Rainbow responded. The howling got louder and soon even more noises joined it. At least five different creatures were making vicious noises at this point.
"We're fine, there's no problem, nope, none at all. I'm sure it's just the wind. Yes! The wind, of course what else could make so much noise!" Twilight rocked back and forth freaking out.
"Whoa, calm down Twilight," Rainbow said as compassionately as she could.
Steps could now be heard.
They grew louder and louder.
Every second, they came closer and closer.
Suddenly, a bright light flashed.
Twilight focused all her remaining magical energy into making a magical beam that she shot at the light.
"ARRGGGHHH!" Screeched a unicorn mare about ten yards away from the entrance of the cave.
"Sweet Celestia, I'm so sorry!" Twilight grimaced. The unicorn didn't move. Eventually Twilight noticed the colt standing over the mare in shock and horror.
"She's dead, you killed my mother!" the colt screamed at Twilight. He then ran off.
"Wait, maybe I can help!" Twilight ran over to the mare, "no, no this can't be happening!"
"Twilight..." Rainbow didn't know what to say. Twilight checked her heartbeat. There wasn't one.
"I'm... a murderer."
"No, you're not. You didn't mean to kill her."
"I intended to shoot whoever caused that flash of light. She did, so I intended to kill her."
"That's not how it works, Twilight!"
"Yes, it is. I was careless and she payed for it."
"..."
"..." Twilight went back to the cave and Rainbow followed. "Stay away from me, Rainbow. I'm no better than whoever killed Pinkie."
"You're crazy!"
"Yes, a sociopathic murderer."
"Sociopathic? If you were a sociopath, you wouldn't be feeling so bad about this. You clearly regret it!"
"Whatever."
"No, not whatever! You're still the same charitable, compassionate, and devoted pony you were when you got those wings!"
"Maybe, you're right. Maybe, I've always been a disgrace to ponykind. Maybe, Celestia was wrong about me."
"You know that's not what I meant and you know that isn't true!"
"It may not be what you meant, but it is true."
"Twilight, you made a mista-"
"Yes, a mistake that costed a pony her life! A mistake that costed a child his mother!"
"Twilight, I..." Rainbow was at a loss for words.
"You want me to feel better. I appreciate it. You're a good friend, but I don't deserve it."
"You do deserve it, Twilight. You're a better friend than you'll ever understand. Now stop feeling sorry for yourself, so I can stop this gushy stuff."
"We should give up on this quest of ours, I can't pass the test anymore. I want revenge now, on myself."
"How about we get some sleep before making any final decisions?"
"Alright," Twilight said. They once again tried to fall asleep. This time they heard nothing. No scratches. No howls. All was quiet. Well, everything but Twilight's conscience. Rainbow fell asleep easily. Twilight had trouble, but after a significant period of time, she fell asleep as well.
Boom! A rock near Twilight's head exploded. "What was that!?" Twilight was shocked.
"You're going to pay for what you did to my mother!" yelled the colt from earlier as he shot a magical blast from his horn. Twilight's magic was somewhat restored from before, so she could easily defend with a magical shield.
"Huh, what's going on?" Rainbow woke up but was far from fully awake.
"It's the colt from earlier. He's powerful for being so young." Twilight said right before he fired another blast this time it barely missed Rainbow.
"What are we supposed to do. I can't beat up a kid!" Rainbow said.
"Maybe I should just give him what he wants," Twilight recommended.
"Let him kill you? Not happening," Rainbow responded quickly.
"What else can we do?" Twilight said weakly.
"I hate to say it, but RUN!" Rainbow took off and Twilight shortly joined in. It was still dark, but they got away fairly easily. "I think we put enough distance between him and us," Rainbow speculated. They landed near another cave. "Sleeping take two," Rainbow said before immediately falling asleep again. Again Twilight took a little longer, but eventually she was able to pass out from fatigue.
WAABOOOOOM!!!
