A Spider's Web

Data Mine and Chilly Chase were disgruntled when they were assigned to the case of a missing pegasus from Ponyville. They were quite distinguished investigators in Fillydelphia, and were generally hired for gang related drug crimes. Why they were dispatched to Ponyville for a missing pony case was beyond them, especially since cases as such were usually directed to local authorities.

"Chase, wake up." Said Data. "This is our stop."

"Huh?" Chase snorted blinking his eyes open. He looked out the window to see the platform of Ponyville Station. "Oh, right."

"Come on, let's get this over with so we can go back home." Data sighed, using her magic to levitate her suitcase down from the overhead rack. She set it down and retrieved Chase's luggage as well, shoving it into his chest.

Twilight paced in her library, a pensive look on her face. The other four mares sat watching her.

"I don't know why we couldn't have just gotten the local police to do the investigation." Applejack said.

"Yeah." Rainbow Dash groaned. "We've wasted hours waiting around. That's valuable time!"

Twilight sighed. "I know that every hour counts. But I really think that we should get the best in on this. This is Fluttershy we're talking about. She's our friend. We want the best chances of finding her."

She quickly trotted to the door when she heard a stern knock. Opening the door, she was greeted by two ponies. The first was a grey unicorn mare with an intimidating steely gaze. The second was a rather distracted looking pink pegasus with a teal mane and tail.

"Twilight Sparkle?" The unicorn asked.

"Yes, that's me. You're here to find our friend Fluttershy, right?"

The unicorn nodded. "We are."

"Please come in." Twilight said quickly, moving aside. "These are my - and Fluttershy's - closest friends. Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie." Each nodded as she mentioned them.

"I'm Detective Data Mine, and this is my colleague, Chilly Chase." The unicorn said.

The latter nodded to the five mares. "Pleasure."

The two investigators took a seat. Data Mine took a battered black notebook from her bag and placed it on the table before her, Chilly Chase following suit.

"So, your friend, Fluttershy, is it?" Data Mine asked, scribbling in her book as the mares nodded. "Can you describe her appearance for me?"

"Of course." Twilight offered. "She's a yellow pegasus. Pale pink mane and tail, she wears them long and straight. Here eyes are kind of turquoise."

Data Mine jotted this down in her book. "And could you tell me about where she lives, what she does for a living?"

"She lives in a cottage near the Everfree. She's a caretaker for the animals in the area." Twilight said.

"She's very quiet." Apple Jack added.

"Tends to be a bit of a pushover." Rainbow said, getting a few glares from her friends.

"I don't mean to intrude, Miss Data Mine," Rarity said. "But, I think you should take a look at Fluttershy's home before any evidence gets removed."

Data Mine looked at her, her hard stare making Rarity shrink back a little. "Just 'Data' is fine." She said. Sighing, she nodded to her colleague and shut her notebook. "Alright Chase, let's go have a look."

"This is... interesting." Rainbow Dash said, hovering over Data's shoulder. "What is it?"

Data sighed. "Miss Dash, I did ask you and your friends to stay outside to avoid contaminating the crime scene."

"But I'm not touching anything!" Rainbow exclaimed, flying a circle around the investigator.

"Please just let me concentrate." Data said, unimpressed. "In fact, I think it would be a wise idea for you and your friends to go around town asking ponies if they've noticed any strange activity, or when they had last seen Fluttershy."

"But I want to investigate!" Dash complained.

"But you would be investigating," Chase interjected before Data could snap at her. "You could probably find a lot more leads interviewing ponies than we could find just based on this empty cottage."

"Oh, I guess that makes sense." Dash floated out the door to meet her friends. "Hey guys, the detectives say that we should go question ponies and figure out what they know!"

Data sighed. "Honestly, I didn't realize Ponyville would be so..." She waved her hoof.

"Aw come on, I don't think they're that bad." Chase said. He smiled at his partner. "They're cheery."

"And their friend is missing." Data growled. "I think we should be investigating them."

Chase rolled his eyes. "Just because they're being optimistic doesn't mean they're suspects. We've barely started the investigation."

"Which means we haven't found any evidence to rule them out."