A Spider's Web

"You wanted to see me, Detectives?" Twilight asked, walking up to a table in a quiet restaurant. The two investigators were sitting on one side, beckoning for Twilight to sit across from them.

"Yes," Data said, "We want to ask you some more questions about the disappearance of your friend Fluttershy."

"Oh, okay." Twilight said. "If you just wait fifteen minutes, I can fetch my friends-"

"Actually, Miss Sparkle, we want to talk to you alone." Data said sternly.

Twilight blinked. "Oh. Okay then." She sat down across from the two. "Any reason why?"

"We just want to collect some unbiased accounts of what happened in the days surrounding the incident."

"Are you... implying that my friends and I are suspects?" Twilight asked, slightly shocked.

"Of course not, Miss Sparkle." Data said. "We only want to make sure that we hear each individual story one by one. This ensures that any details in individual accounts aren't missed. It's a common tactic we use when looking for missing ponies. You and your four friends are Fluttershy's closest friends, and the most likely ponies she came in contact with in the days leading up to the incident. We'd like to track her movements and behaviours and see if we can detect anything unusual that might provide us a lead."

"Oh." Twilight said as a waiter approached their table. The investigators ordered themselves coffee and offered Twilight a beverage, but politely asked for a simple glass of water.

"So, Miss Sparkle. When did you first meet Fluttershy?" Data asked, pencil poised above her notebook.

"When I first moved to Ponyville a couple of years ago." Twilight answered.

"How many?"

"Two. And four months, to be precise."

"And what is your relationship like?" Data asked, not looking up.

"Well, I'm not as close to her as Rainbow Dash is. They've been friends since flight school. But we see each other a lot around town, and when we all hang out together. I guess we don't really interact a whole lot outside a group setting."

"When was the last time you saw Fluttershy?"

"The evening before she disappeared. She invited Rarity and I over for tea, and we stayed and talked for a few hours. Eventually it started to get late and I still had to write a letter to Princess Celestia, so I left before Rarity did." Twilight answered.

Chase looked up. "Oh yeah, you're the Princess' personal student, aren't you?" He asked excitedly. Twilight nodded, blushing a little. "What's it like?"

"Oh, it's pretty great." Twilight said sheepishly.

"Chase, stay on topic." Data said, causing Chase to suddenly return his nose to his notebook.

"So you left before Rarity did." Data said. "And when did you first discover she was missing?"

"The next day, in the afternoon. Rarity came running to my library saying that Fluttershy was gone and that there was blood all over her cottage." Twilight answered. "So we got the others together to look for her and get help."

"Are there any other details that you would like to share with us? Even if they seem on the irrelevant side?" Data asked. Twilight shook her head, and Data continued to scribble in her notebook.

Finally, she looked up. "Thank you, Miss Sparkle. You may go now."

"Thank you, detectives. Let me know if there's anything else I can do to help." Twilight said, leaving the restaurant.

"So..." Chase said after Twilight left the building. "You think it was Rarity?"

Data glared at the pink pegasus. "We don't have any evidence."

"But-"

"That was just one account. Let's see what the others say first." Data said. "We can't make accusations without sufficient cause."

"I'd call that sufficient to call her a true suspect." Chase said, pouting.

"And that's why you're the rookie, and I'm in charge of the investigation."

The next of Fluttershy's friends called to visit with Data and Chase was Rainbow Dash. She flew over to the same restaurant that Twilight had her interview at.

"Hello Miss Dash." Data said, inviting the pegasus to sit down.

"Hey. You have some questions?" Rainbow asked.

"We do." Data said. "Please do not take any of them too personally, we're only asking to gather data about the events surrounding your friend's disappearance."

"Sure," Dash replied, "Anything to help bring her back."

"Alright. Let's get started. How long have you known Fluttershy?"

"Oh, that's easy. We met waaay back in flight school." Rainbow Dash said. "She got pushed around by some bullies, and I swooped in to rescue her with an epic Sonic Rainboom TM! We both got our cutie marks, and we've been friends ever since."

"I see." Data said flatly. "When was the last time you saw Fluttershy?"

"Hm..." Rainbow Dash thought back. "Oh yeah, I saw her the morning before she went missing. I was clearing the clouds around her place and I stopped by to say hi to her. I couldn't stay long, she was pretty busy with her animals that morning."

"Clearing clouds?"

"Yeah, I work on the weather team. I help change the weather in Ponyville." Rainbow said proudly. "It doesn't sound like much, but it's pretty cool."

"What were you doing the night before Fluttershy was reported missing?"

"It was movie night down at town hall. They play movies once in a while on a projector and we sit on the grass and watch together. I went with Pinkie. The rest were busy."

"And what did you do after that?" She asked.

"I walked Pinkie back to Sugar Cube corner. Then I went back to my place and got some Zs." Rainbow replied. "I didn't hear Fluttershy was missing until Twilight woke me up and told me to go to the library because Fluttershy was gone."

"Did you talk to anypony after leaving Sugar Cube corner?" Data asked, continuously writing in her notebook.

"No, it was pretty late. Nobody was around."

"Any suspicious activity?"

"Like I said, nobody was around at that time."

"Thank you, Miss Dash." Data said. "You're dismissed."

Pinkie Pie had gone back to work, despite her friend's disappearance. She figured that the baking would help keep her worries at bay. After all, Fluttershy would be back soon, she was sure this was nothing to worry about. She took the opportunity to ask each of her customers about Fluttershy, so she was still being helpful in finding her friend. The bell at the door rang as another customer entered.

Pinkie looked up and smiled. "Hello! Welcome to Sugar Cube Corner, how may I-" She cut off, seeing who had just walked in. "Oh hi Data, hi Chase. What can I do for you guys?" She asked, just as cheerfully.

"May we have a moment of your time, Miss Pie?" Data asked. "We would just like to ask you a few questions."

"Sure thing!" Pinkie said. "Would you like some free samples?"

"Thanks for the offer, but-"

"Heck yeah!" Chase interrupted. "I've heard this place has a good reputation!"

Data rolled her eyes.

"Also, I've never seen a stallion with a pink coat before! That's so cool! We match!" Pinkie exclaimed.

Chase blushed. "I-It's not pink... It's lightish red."

"Uh-huh!" Pinkie chirped.

Data rolled her eyes. "Anyways..."

"Well, that all lines up." Chase said as they walked away from Sugar Cube Corner with a bag full of treats. "She said she was out at the movie with Rainbow Dash, and when we talked to the Cakes they told us she came back right after, and was there for work bright and early. Guess it wasn't her."

"I dunno, Chase." Data said. "She's awfully cheery. It's unsettling."

"I think she's just coping." Chase said thoughtfully, stuffing a muffin in his mouth.

"Hm."

It wasn't long before they reached their destination: Carousel Boutique. Rarity welcomed them into her shop, and invited the two into her workroom to talk.

"How goes the investigation?" Rarity asked, concerned. "Have you found any clues yet?"

Data shook her head. "Sorry Miss. Nothing has been uncovered yet. We're still collecting some information, which is why we're here right now. We'd like to ask you some questions."

"Of course."

"When was the last time you saw Fluttershy?"

"Twilight and I were at her cottage with her the night before I discovered her missing." Rarity replied. "Twilight left around nine thirty, she said she had something to do. I stayed until around eleven. I left Fluttershy's and went straight back home. Went to bed around midnight. The next day, Fluttershy was supposed to meet me at the spa, like we do each week. I waited for her, but she never showed up, so I went to her cottage to see what had happened, and... well, I found what you already saw."

There was a silence as Data jotted down some notes. "I see." She said. "Do you live alone?" She asked.

"No, my sister Sweetie Belle lives with me." Rarity asked. "Why do you ask?"

"Just curious." Data said, pointing at a rather foalish drawing pinned to a cabinet. "I was wondering who made that."

"Oh, yes." Rarity replied. "My little sister is still in elementary school. Her art skills are... improving."

"I see. Miss Rarity, have you noticed anything strange about Fluttershy, or any of your friends as of late? Strange behaviour, anything uncharacteristic?" Data asked seriously.

Rarity thought for a moment. "No, I don't think so. I do think they seem a little unconcerned about Fluttershy, though. I think maybe it's just how they cope with the worry. Pretend everything is okay."

"I see. Thank you Miss Rarity." Data said, packing up.

"Thank you, detectives. Let me know if there are any developments."

"Applejack's account wasn't very helpful." Chase said, as the two left the farm that afternoon.

"She never left the farm between that evening and the discovery of the crime scene." Data said. "Her family attests to that."

"And you know, element of honesty and all." Chase added. "So, we've talked to all of them. Now what?" He asked as they approached the schoolyard. Instead of walking past it, Data lead Chase down the walk.

"We have one more pony to talk to."