Equestria Noire Case #2: Saving Scootaloo

by MysteryLover17

Rating: mature
Tags: Profanity, Drama, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Mystery, Rainbow Dash, Cutie Mark Crusaders, Other, Scootaloo, Adventure
Length: 7109

Scootaloo goes missing. Will she be found in time?

Scootaloo is reported missing by her very distraught aunts. So, Detective Shadow Haze, along with Rainbow Dash, are now on the case to find her.

However, what happens when an unknown family member of Scootaloo comes into the picture? And why was she not that known in the first place?

Will Scootaloo be found all safe and sound? Will Shadow be able to keep Rainbow Dash from acting irrational on the case?

Find out in the next chapter of Equestria Noire.

Sequel from my first story.

Published 2019-11-29 16:20:01 UTC
Last updated 2020-02-12 00:52:37 UTC

Chapter 1: A Missing Filly

It’s been a few days since my last case. After the party, Twilight helped me get settled into my new home. She also introduced me to her friends as well.

Yeah, that was kinda awkward.

"Girls, I'd like you to meet Detective Shadow Haze. He's gonna be staying with us at the Castle of Friendship." Twilight introduced me to her friends. I've already met Pinkie Pie back when I was on the Royal Guard Case. She was... interesting to say the least.

Speaking of Pinkie Pie, she looked excited to see me again. And the fact that I was staying with her and everypony else.

"This is gonna be fun, fun, fun. We can be Detective buddies. We'll solve cases together and bust the baddies together. Won't that be fun?" She started asking me in an excited tone.

I cleared my throat. "I'll keep that in mind, Pinkie Pie." I told her. "Anyway, it's nice to meet you all. It's feels kind of honorable to meet all the Elements of Harmony in pony." I said to them.

And when I did that, I happened to notice something about the four mares in front of me.

For instance, the Element of Kindness, Fluttershy, she seemed a bit intimidated by me. She looked somewhat frightened by me. Either she's just shy, hence her name, or she fears me for my physical looks. I guess when you look like demon, you tend to get looks like that.

Then, there was Rarity, the Element of Generosity. The way she looked at me, I'm not kidding, was a flirtatious look. So, I guess she feels attracted to me. Well, if she's attracted to me of all ponies, I think one word would describe her when it comes to relationship status: Lonely. Though, to be fair, I've felt lonely before as well. So, I guess I shouldn't judge.

Next, was Applejack, the Element of Honesty. She seemed to have a look of uncertainty. Like, she didn't know what to make of me. Like, she had doubts of whether or not I was a good stallion or not. She's smart.

Finally, Rainbow Dash, the Element of Loyalty. And I knew the first moment she looked at me, I knew she couldn't trust me as far as she believes she can throw me. Heh. I dare her to try.

After all that went through my head, Applejack walked up to me and extended her hoof. I guess I give her credit for at least having the guts to test her belief against me.

"It's nice ta meet ya, Mister Shadow Haze. I saw that whole case in tha papers. It's good to know that we have somepony here to help us when something as bad as that happened." She told me. I could tell she looked a little on edge when she talked about that.

I nodded my head. "No need for the thanks Applejack. I'm just doing my job." I told her.

"Uh, yeah, thanks I guess." Rainbow Dash muttered. She looked like she made herself say that. I know she didn't mean it though.

I saw Fluttershy gulp, and then nod her head. "Uh-huh." She quietly said.

"Yes. It's nice to know that a hero is gonna be here to protect us at all cost." Rarity said in a flirtatious way. She winked at me.

I looked at Twilight, who just smiled all nervous like.

Oh, this was gonna be awkward living here.

So, now I’m sitting in my new office in the Castle of Friendship. It’s somewhere in the basement of the Castle. And it looks a hell of a lot nicer than my old one in New Colt City. I’m having my lunch right now. A nice hayburger with hay fries and a Cola. A classic kind of meal.

Then, I hear a conversation coming from outside my door, which says:

Shadow Haze: Private Detective

It was Twilight and her friend Rainbow Dash. They were coming into my office.

“Meetings can be interesting, Dash.” I saw Twilight say to her.

Rainbow “blehed” at that. “No way. You have to sit down for so long and not get up and do shit. I’m glad my wonderbolt meetings are short, sweet and to the point.” She said with a smirk on her face. This mare has an ego. I can tell.

After they were done having a conversation, I decided to ask them why they were here.

“Twilight, Rainbow, what are you two doing in my office? Do you need something?” I asked them. Rainbow looked at me with a stern look in her face. I don’t care though. I’ve been scared of far worse things in my life. And she isn’t one of them. Nor will she ever be.

Twilight noticed the look, I could tell. She cleared her throat before she spoke to me. “Good afternoon, Shadow. First, how are you settling into things here? Do you like it?” She asked me.

“Yeah, cause if you don’t, you can move out. I certainly won’t stop you.” Rainbow Dash chimed in. Twilight gave her a look now too. I didn’t care about the comment. Rainbow can have her opinion on me. I just don’t care about it though.

I stood up from my desk, which was dust free. “I’m doing very well, thank you. I’m already starting to like this place.” I said to her.

Twilight smiled. “I’m glad, Shadow. Our home is your home.” She said. I saw Rainbow roll her eyes.

Twilight then heard a noise. It sounded like knocking at the front door. Thankfully, my office was close to the front door. There was a staircase that was in the main room where the front door was that lead to the basement. Where my office was.

“I wonder who that could be.” Twilight said as she flew out of my office. She quickly turned her head back into the doorway. “Maybe it’s a new case for you.” She said looking interested before she continued to the front door.

Now, it was just me and Rainbow Dash alone. In my office together. I could see that look on her face. She still doesn’t trust me. She must think I’m some creep, or something.

We didn’t say anything for a few more seconds, before Dash finally spoke to me. “I don’t like you, ya know.” She said to me.

I just shrugged. “Tell me something I don’t know, would ya?” I told her.

She then got close to my face. This bitch is making a big mistake if she even thinks about touching me.

“I don’t trust you, but obviously Twilight does. So, I’ll deal with you living here. But, if you hurt my friend in ANY way, I’ll best the shit out of you. Ya hear me?” She said, trying, at least to me, to sound intimidating.

“Noted. But, I should warn you not to fuck with me in any way.” I said, before I stood up and got in her face as well. “Or you’ll regret it. Ya Hear Me?” I told her, with that last part as a way of mocking her.

I knew that must’ve pissed her off. Cause she gave me a pretty good death glare. She knows she can’t touch me, an officer of the law. Or, I could arrest her. And she couldn’t do anything about it.

Heh. Stupid bitch.

After all that, I saw Twilight come back into the office. “Detective Shadow Haze, I have a few visitors who want to see you. They need your help.” She told me, before leaving in a hurry. I guess she has a meeting with Celestia. Hence why her and Dash were arguing about it just a few moments ago.

Okay. My first official case as a resident of Ponyville. Here I go.

In walked two mares. One of them was a mare who looked about in her forties. She was plump looking mare with an amber coat and a long tangelo looking mane. She also looked to have a flower earring and a blue scarf around her neck. She also had a sailer boat for a cutie mark.

The other mare that was next to her looked about her age, maybe a year or two older than her. She was a skinnier looking mare with a pale yellow coat with a short artic blue and cyan mane. She was currently wearing a purple sweater. And her cutie mark was a sewing needle and thread.

And when they walked in together, they appeared to be pretty distraught about something. The plump mare more so than the skinny one, but they both looked really terrified about something. The plump one even had a few tears in her eyes, while the skinny one appeared to comfort her, and even give her a nuzzle and a kiss on the cheek.

So, these two are a lesbian couple. Well, it’s Ponyville, I guess.

I guess it’s time to get this started. “Hello. I’m Detective Shadow Haze. How can I help you two?” I asked them.

Then, Rainbow Dash, quickly spoke next. She must know these two. “Yeah. Holiday, Lofty, what’s wrong?” She asked, actually sounding considerate.

The plump one spoke first. “Mister Shadow Haze, my name is Holiday, and this is my wife Lofty. We came here to file a missing pony report.” She said, sounding a bit emotional.

“Who is the pony that’s gone missing?” I asked them. Lofty then gave me a photo with her wing. I levitated the photo and saw a young filly, about 10 years old. She had an orange coat and a shaggy purple mane. Her cutie mark was a wing with a lightning bolt inside on a red, pink, and purple shield. She was posing on a scooter, which had a blue board and red wheels with red handlebars.

Rainbow Dash took a peak at the photo, and I saw her shutter in fear. She must know this filly as well. Cause she looked just as terrified as Ms. Holiday and Ms. Lofty.

“SCOOTALOO IS MISSING?” She asked out loud.

Lofty nodded, looking scared as well. “Scootaloo spent the night at her friend Apple Bloom’s house and she hasn’t come home yet. We called and asked if Scootaloo left, and her sister Applejack said she did. It’s been hours and she still hasn’t shown up.” She told me.

"When did you make this call?" I asked her.

"About noon." She said.

"Are you sure Scootaloo didn't just wander off somewhere, and lost track of time?" I asked them.

Holiday shook her head. "No. Not Scootaloo. She would never do that and keep us worried." She said.

Then, Rainbow Dash spoke next in defense of Holiday. "Yeah, she's right. Scootaloo is a good kid. She would never wander off on her own. She knows better. I know her." She told me.

I brought out my notepad and pen. I wrote down what they just said. Now, it's time for an interview.

"Where and when did this sleepover take place?" I asked them.

"It was last night. At Sweet Apple Acres. It was her, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle. They're her best friends." Holiday said.

"Have you noticed anything off about Scootaloo lately? Has she acted different than she normally does?"

Lofty shook her head. "No, not that me or Holiday have seen."

"Yeah." Rainbow Dash added. "And I would've noticed it too. She's still the same Scootaloo we all know."

"And what is Scootaloo like?" I asked.

Rainbow chuckled. "Only the most daring little filly I've ever seen. And she's my number one fan." She said proudly. Huh. Kinda like how Comet is with me.

"Scootaloo is the kindest, most out going filly I've ever met. She and her friends help other ponies try and find new ways to get their cutie marks." Holiday said, sounding proud of her niece.

"Yeah. They call themselves the Cutie Mark Crusaders." Lofty said next.

I'll have to speak with her friends after this. They'll wanna know about their friends disappearance.

"So, you guys are her aunt's, correct?" I asked them.

They both nodded their heads and replied, "Yes."

"So, where are her parents?" I asked.

"My little brother Snap Shutter, and his wife, my sister-in-law, Mane Allgood. They don't live in Ponyville. They live in Shire Lanka. They travel around the world and study plants and animals. So, Scootaloo stays with me and Lofty." Holiday said.

"Have you told her parents about what's going on?" I asked them.

Lofty nodded. "Yeah, we did. Celestia, I've never heard them sound so scared in my life. They're on their way here right now." She said.

Okay, so the parents actually give a fuck about their daughter. That not only leaves them off the suspect list, but it's a good alibi as well.

"Have you guys ever heard Scootaloo talk about somepony she doesn't like all that much? Has she ever had any problems with anypony in particular? Somepony who would want to hurt her?" I asked.

They both shook their heads. "No. We've never heard about anything like that from her." Lofty said.

"Plus, if she had a problem with anypony, especially from school, she would kick their flank." Rainbow Dash said proudly.

"Did you two notice anything odd about yesterday before Scootaloo left to go to that sleepover? And it doesn't just have to be about Scootaloo herself. It can be anything, ma'am. Sometimes the littlest thing could help." I told them.

"Well." Holiday started. "I did get something in the mail. A letter. It looks like it was sent to the wrong address. So, I quickly brought it over there." She said.

"What was the address?" I asked.

"43 E Maple Rd. The stallion lives there with a filly of his own. I believe her name was Locket." She told me.

An accidental misplacement of letters in the mail? Doesn't sound like much of anything, but I guess it'll have to do. I shut my notepad.

"Thank you both. You've been a big help. I promise you I'm gonna find Scootaloo. I'll bring her back safe and sound." I said to them.

Holiday sniffled a little bit, with Lofty comforting her. "Oh, thank you, Detective. Just, please tell us immideatly when you find her." She said.

I nodded. "I will." I said, as the two walked out of my office. I then grabbed all my belongings I need whenever a case is in the midst.

Just before I walked out the door, I heard Rainbow Dash call out to me. "Hold on. I'm coming with you." She said looking seriously.

I raised an eyebrow at her. "Why are you wanting to go on a case with me? You don't like me, you just said." I told her.

"I may not like you, but if Scootaloo is out there somewhere, lost, or hurt, or scared, then I'm not just gonna sit around and do nothing." She told me.

I gotta give her credit. She looks determined to help me find her. Plus, Twilight did say that her friends could help me if they asked, and if I was okay with it. It could help speed things up. And Rainbow is the supposed "Fastest Flier in all of Equestria." So, she could be an asset. Whether I liked her or not.

I turned to her. "Fine. But, you know the rules Twilight and Celestia gave you if you want to work with me. Right?" I told her.

Heh. She looks frustrated. "I'll do what you say. But, don't think you're gonna order me around like a slave. You don't control me. Ever." She said.

"So, that's a yes, then?" I asked, sounding like a smartass.

She grumbled. "If doing what you say helps us find Scootaloo, I'll be okay with you leading the case." She said, which was immideatly followed by a grunt.

I nodded. "Good."

"So, where are we going first?" She asked.

"Sweet Apple Acres. Apple Bloom can probably tell us something." I said as we left my office.

Sweet Apple Acres

I got kinda lucky here. Cause, not only was Apple Bloom home, with her sister Applejack of course, but her other friend Sweetie Belle was as well. They must've heard about Scootaloo not coming home after the sleepover. They looked just as scared as Holiday and Lofty were earlier. We were sitting in the living room.

Applejack was there too. I guess for moral support for her little sister. However, I think she's there to make sure I don't upset her in any way. I guess I understand.

"So, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, how long have you two been friends with Scootaloo?" I asked them.

"A long time. We're like sisters." Sweetie Belle said, looking worried.

"And, you would know if she was acting strange, correct?" I asked.

Apple Bloom nodded. "Yeah. But, we didn't notice anything at all last night. She seemed like her normal self. At least, to us anyway." She said.

I wrote all that down in my notepad. "Did you notice any changes in her behavior BEFORE the sleepover?"

They both shook their head. Damn. I don't think I'm getting a lead. Maybe later, I'll head over tonight address that Holiday told me about.

"Did Scootaloo ever talk about somepony, recently? Maybe, somepony she doesn't like? Or if she felt threatened by somepony?" I asked them.

This time, instead of shaking their heads, they both looked like they remembered something, but were trying to figure out what exactly it was. This might be something.

"Well" Sweetie Belle said. "I did see some guy at school yesterday. This was before the sleepover. We had recess. He was walking past the school yard, and I saw him look at Scootaloo. Like, he knew her or something. It was kinda weird." She told me.

When she said that, Rainbow and Applejack looked pretty angry. Can't say I blame them. This could be an instance of a fucking pedophile. But, I'm not entirely sure yet.

Before I could ask what he looked like, they both did it first. Looking quite intense while doing so.

"Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, what did this stallion look like?" Applejack asked.

"Yeah, did he approach you guys after school?" Rainbow asked them.

They then started bombarding them with questioning regarding their safety.

"Did he touch you?"

"Did he try to follow you?"

"Did he come up and talk to you?"

"Did he ask you to come with him?"

These fillies were looking even more scared now then ever. They were scared because they upset their sister/guardians, and the fact that they didn't know that there could be a possibility of a pedophile in town.

I could tell they couldn't take it anymore. So, I intervened.

"That's enough!" I shouted, getting all their attention.

"Look, I haven't even gotten started with this investigation yet. I don't even have a clue as to where Scootaloo would've gone missing in the first place. Hell, I don't even have a lead yet. This could be something, but we can't automatically jump to conclusions just yet. So stop this already." I told the two adult mares.

Applejack didn't look pleased, however. "But, your gonna look into that, right?" She asked.

"Of course. It's my job. But, we don't even know if this stallion even took Scootaloo." I said, now turning my attention to Sweetie Belle. "Speaking of which, what did this stallion look like?" I asked her.

She cleared her throat. "Well, he was kinda skinny. He had a purple coat. A white mane. He had glasses on. And he had a necklace on him too. It was a heart shaped one." She said.

"And that was weird, because I thought only mares had heart shaped necklaces." Apple Bloom commented.

"What happened after he saw Scootaloo?" I asked.

"He just ran off in the other direction. He kinda looked like he saw a ghost, or something. Then, we never saw him after that." Sweetie Belle said.

Maybe this could be a lead. I sure hope so.

"Thanks you two. You've been a big help. I'll find your friend. I promise." I told them. Then, they both rushed over and hugged my legs. That was unexpected.

"Thank you sir." They both said at the same time before letting go and going off somewhere else.

Before me and Rainbow left, I turned toward Applejack.

"Applejack. I need you to promise me you won't say anything in town. Or any of your other friends." I turned to Rainbow. "And that includes you as well." She rolled her eyes at me.

"Like I said, this is just a possibility. We don't know if there is a pedophile in town or not. So, don't go telling anypony. We don't want to set up to something we'll regret later on. Am I understood?" I asked her.

She huffed at me. "I promise. But, if there is, you BETTER find him. Cause if you don't, I'll do it myself. I'll do anything to protect Apple Bloom. Ya hear me?" She told me looking intense.

I nodded. "I'll keep that in mind." I said as me and Rainbow walked out the door.

As we walked on the path toward Ponyville, Rainbow started up a conversation with me.

"So, do you think Scootaloo was foalnapped by some perv?" She asked me.

"I have no idea. I haven't even gathered enough evidence or proof of a foalnapping or a pedophile." I then turned to Dash.

"Remember the rules, Rainbow. If you want to help me find Scootaloo, you need to be professional. So, promise me you won't start accusing or attacking ponies left and right. Or else I'm kicking you off the investigation. Am I clear?" I asked her.

She groaned. "Fine. Whatever. Just whatever it takes to find Scootaloo." She said.

"Good." I nodded and continued walking toward town.

However, I stopped in my tracks when we stopped at a bridge. Or, Rainbow stopped. She looked over the bridge and just turned white. It was the first time, so far, that I ever saw her with fear on her face. More so than my interview with Holiday and Lofty.

"Dash, what is it?" I asked her. She flew to the bottom of the bridge. I looked over and saw what made her fly down there.

It was a scooter. That looked dirty and appeared to have crashed. Down at the bottom of the bridge. I looked at the side of the bridge. It looked like tire tracks. From a scooter.

I looked at the photo again. It was the same scooter in the picture.

So, this is Scootaloo's scooter. Except, Scootaloo is nowhere to be found.

Author's Note

So, yeah. Here's my official second case. Hope y'all like it. If you do, make sure to comment, like, favorite, and follow for future updates. Thank you all and goodnight everybody.

Chapter 2: Family Secrets

I walked toward the bottom of the bridge to get a good look at the scooter. It was covered in dirt, and it looked like the pole that held the handlebars was bent a little bit. Judging from the tire tracks at the top, and the state that the scooter was in right now, it appeared Scootaloo must’ve, somehow, lost control of her scooter and crashed at the bottom of this bridge.

But, the question is, where is she now? If she accidentally fell down here, wouldn’t some pony have noticed her? Or, if she didn’t get hurt all that bad, why didn’t she just climb back up the hill and head home where Holiday and Lofty would treat her wounds?

I turned around and saw another set of hoof prints in the mud. Oh no. If there are two sets of hoof prints, then that must mean....

“Scootaloo was here.” Rainbow Dash said, looking worried.

“I know. And somepony else was too.” I said, looking around.

I took a look at some bush that was near the underside of the bridge. It looked like a piece of cloth. A white piece of cloth to be exact. It looked like it was ripped off from a full clothing set. Unless Scootaloo was wearing a white type of dress last night, which judging from her appearance in the photo would prove she doesn’t like to wear dresses, then I’m thinking some pony else was here at the bridge.

Another thing I noticed, was that the cloth itself looked like it was from some sort of gown. I think I’ve seen something like this before. But, I’d need to be 100% sure about it.

I levitated the cloth and put it in a small baggie. Trying not to interfere with any potential hoof prints. There were a little bit of twigs with it, but Cadaver could probably still get a print on the cloth.

“Shadow! Look over here for a sec!” Rainbow yelled.

I turned around and saw what Rainbow was making such a fuss about. There was a small patch in the ground near the scooter.

And it looked like there was blood. Oh fuck.

“I-I-Is that S-Scootaloo’s blood?” Rainbow asked, looking sick.

I went over and touched it with my hoof. Which, by the way, was now covered with a hoof glove. Wouldn’t want to risk an infection now, would I?

I felt it, and it wasn’t as fresh as it was before, but it still wasn’t dry yet. So, I got out a test tube, which was part of my chemistry test, among one of my other things in my trench coat, and gathered the blood in the test tube. I then placed that in another baggie.

“I think some pony was here when Scootaloo crashed her scooter.” I said to her.

“Are you sure?” She asked me.

I nodded. “Yes. Look at this cloth.” I showed it to her.

I turned to Rainbow, and levitated over the cloth and the test tube to her.

“Rainbow, take these over to the Detention Center. Ask for some pony named Cadaver. He’ll look over them for any traces of DNA. Also, have some pony look at where this type of cloth is used at.” I told her.

“Why the cloth?” She asked.

“I’m thinking it could help us find out what happened to Scootaloo here. While you do that, I’m gonna head over to that address that Holiday and Lofty gave me.” I told her.

Obviously, that didn’t set well with her. “Woah, Woah, Woah, hold on. I am NOT missing out on a chance to catch a potential pervert.” She said to me sounding very cross.

“You will if you want to keep helping me find Scootaloo. Plus, I already know what will happen if I take you along for this one.” I said.

“Oh yeah.” Rainbow said. “What’s that?” She asked, sounding very rude.

“You’ll start accusing him before I hit him with actually facts and evidence about Scootaloo’s disappearance. Plus, if he lies about something, I just know you’ll start to physically harass him. I can’t allow that.” I told her.

“No, I won’t!” Rainbow Dash denied.

“Even so, it’ll speed things up with the investigation. Just drop it off over there quick, tell Cadaver to call me when he’s done, and head over to the address. But, if you do any of the things you allegedly DO NOT do, then I’m kicking you off.” I said to her.

She looked pissed off at me. But, I don’t give a fuck.

“Fine. I’ll be quick.” Rainbow Dash said, flying away as fast as she could to the Detention Center.

Then, I started to walk over to the address that Holiday and Lofty gave me.

-/- 43 E Maple St -/-

I was just about to the door, when a big streak came rushing toward me. I thought at first it was some pony trying to attack me, but I looked, and it was Rainbow Dash.

She got that done already? Wow.

“That was quick.” I said to her.

She looked proud of herself. “Well, I am the fastest flier in all of Equestria.” She boasted.

“Whatever.” I said, which caused her to give me a stern look.

“Okay, you’re here now. Do you promise to let me do the questioning? And not pounce on him with accusations and questions?” I asked her.

She folded her hooves together. “Yeah, yeah. Let’s just get some info outta this guy.” She said, now sounding impatient.

......

I knocked at the door, waited a few seconds, until the door opened. Only, it wasn’t a stallion that answered. It was a little Pegasus filly.

She looked about the same age as Scootaloo in the picture. She had a light purple coat with a short orange mane. Her cutie mark was a necklace, which was what she was wearing right now around her neck.

This must be Locket. The one Holiday said. But what I didn’t expect, was when you swap the mane and tail, she’d look exactly like Scootaloo. Like a twin.

She looked at me and Rainbow, but mostly at me, and looked quite intimidated. Well, when you are a freak like me, you tend to intimidate ponies. Children especially.

“Hello, little filly, what’s your name?” I asked her.

“Uh, L-L-Locket.” She stammered. So, I was right.

I was right. I put on a little smile. To try and make sure the filly knew I was an ally. “That’s a cute name. I’m Detective Shadow Haze.” I levitated my badge. “And you probably know Rainbow Dash. So, tell me, is your father home? I need to speak with him about something.” I told her.

When I showed her my badge, and that smile, it seemed to work a little bit. She seemed less intimidated of me. Granted, she still looked put off by my physical features, but she at least looked ready to cooperate if needed.

She nodded and cried out, “Daddy, there’s some ponies here that wanna see you.”

Almost instantly, a very skinny looking Pegasus stallion, around his early thirties, possibly late twenties, came up to the door. He was exactly how Sweetie Belle described him on that day at school. Purple coat and white mane, with a heart shaped necklace around his neck. Accompanied by the glasses on his face as well.

“Yes, can I help you?” He asked me, with Locket hiding under his legs.

Out came my badge again. “I’m Detective Shadow Haze. You know Rainbow Dash. I need to ask you some questions. May we step inside?” I asked.

“Uh, of course. Come in.” He said, allowing us inside. I made sure, while we stepped inside, to keep an eye on Dash. Cause, when the stallion came up to the door, I saw a look on her face. That looked spelled attack. She still had that look on her face.

The stallion brought his head down to Locket. “Honey, why don’t you go play in your room for a little bit, while I talk with Mr. Shadow. Okay?” He told her.

She nodded. “Okay.” She hugged him before she flew over to her room. Away from us.

“You seem close with your daughter, Mr.....” I said, wanting to know his name.

“Just call me Valiant.” He said, looking a bit intimidated. Good.

I levitated the photo of Scootaloo to him. “Do you know this filly?” I asked him.

He looked at it, and all of a sudden, got white in the face. “T-T-That’s Scootaloo.” He looked at me and Dash with a worried expression.

“Is she okay? Has something happened?” He asked us.

He did look genuinely concerned for her. That felt odd. “Last night, she disappeared. We found her scooter at the bottom of a bridge. Apparently, she had an accident.” I said to him.

He shuttered at my statement. “Oh no.” He said.

“So, you admit you know her. How so?” I asked.

“She’s my niece.” He said.

Both me and Dash had a WTF look on our faces. I didn’t see that coming.

Then, against my orders, Dash started questioning him.

“What do you mean, she’s your niece? Scootaloo never mentioned having an Uncle. And I never heard anything about you from Holiday or Lofty, or her parents.” She asked, sounding suspicious.

“Why the hell should we believe you?” She asked, now sounding angry.

“Look, I know this sounds weird.” Valiant said, looking nervous. “But, it’s true. Scootaloo’s mother and my wife, Light Heart, are sisters.” He said.

“I think your lying you son of a-Ugh!” I pulled her tail with my magic, before she finished that sentence.

This dumbass bitch is gonna get a talking too when we’re done here.

“Disregarding my partner’s comment, she does have a point. One of Scootaloo’s friends puts you at their school the day before her disappearance. And Holiday did describe you when she delivered a letter to you earlier today when it was brought to the wrong address. I don’t want to automatically think that some perv grabbed Scootaloo. And looking at you, I don’t see it. But, if you want to be in the clear, you better come clean with me. Why did you run when you saw her?” I explained everything to him.

He sighed. Okay, he looked like he was ready to talk.

“I did see Scootaloo. But, the reason I ran, was because I saw a police pony walking by, and I didn’t want to give anypony the wrong idea. So, I ran off. I would NEVER harm Scootaloo. I love her like I love my daughter. I swear.” He told me.

“What did the police pony look like?” I asked him.

He shrugged. “She was a mare. Red coat, violet mane. Pretty young looking.” He told me.

He described Ruby Glow. I’ll have to ask her if she walked past the school yesterday. That’d clear his alibi.

“By the way, where is your wife? I don’t see her here. I’d need to ask her some questions as well.” I told him.

“She’s not here.” He said.

“Do you know where?” I asked.

He sighed, and actually looked pretty sad when telling me this next part.

“She’s at the Cloudsdale Correctional Facility. She’s a paranoid schizophrenic.” He said.

.....Shit.

-/- A Few Moments Later -/-

We left just now. This guy is going through a lot. First his wife is away, and now his niece is missing.

Speaking of the wife, from what he told me, his wife was at that correctional facility, because, about 5 years ago, when she was off her meds, she viciously attacked a mare out of nowhere at some park over there. He told me the voices in her head were SCREAMING at her that she was a secret agent, wanting to take him and Locket away from her. So, she just snapped.

Thankfully, the mare wasn’t seriously injured, just a lot of scratches on her face, and a shattered muzzle. The one thing that was a miracle was the mare didn’t die. Cause, schizophrenics off their meds are extremely dangerous to other ponies.

And, when she was dosed with the drugs, after the cops brought her in, she damn near had a nervous breakdown after finding out what she did. She almost had to be put on death watch, just in case she tried to commit suicide. He had to be there to see all of that. Thank Celestia, Locket didn’t see it. That would’ve surely traumatized her.

Maybe as almost like how I was back then.

“That’s so messed up with the wife.” Dash said to me.

Now, it’s time to talk to her. I spun around, and got in her face.

“Dash, what did I tell you before we interviewed Valiant?” I angrily asked her.

She crossed her hooves at me. “Hey, I wanted to know how he knew Scootaloo. And I got that outta him, didn’t I?” She asked me.

“You got it out of him, by trying to intimidate him. You didn’t even listen to his statement. You can’t go accusing ponies, Dash.” I said.

“Well, I didn’t know his wife was away, and that he’s a single dad.” She argued.

“That’s no excuse. You fucked up. Thankfully, I was there to stop you from doing anything else.” I said.

“Look, I’m sorry, okay? But, I’m worried Scootaloo might be out there somewhere seriously injured, or worse, dead.” She said.

“I get that. But, please, try to be professional. Or I’m throwing you off the case. Got it?” I slightly yelled at her.

Dash growled at me, and was about to say something, before I heard my phone go off.

“Shadow.” I answered. The voice on the other end was Ruby Glow. She told me to come down to the Detention Center.

“On our way.” I said, and hung up. I looked at Dash, and told her to follow me.

“What’s going on?” She asked.

“Snap Shutter and Mane Allgood just arrived at the Detention Center.” I said to her.

-/- Ponyville Detention Center -/-

We walked inside, and not even two steps forward more did I take, until a big stallion came up to me, who I’m guessing is Scootaloo’s father.

“DETECTIVE! DETECTIVE!” He practically screamed as he ran over to me. He was a pretty buff looking dude, with a grayish gamboge coat, a dark cerise mane, and a cutie mark of a map and flash camera.

He grabbed me by my shoulders, looking as terrified as any parent would, and asked, “Have you found her? Have you found my little girl yet?”

Then, a very skinny looking mare, which I’m guessing is his wife, making this Scootaloo’s mother, came up to me as well. This mare had a light tangelo coat, a blonde mane that was tied in a ponytail, no pun intended, and had a cutie mark of a swirl of wind with a compass to it.

So, these two are the traveling adventurer parents of Scootaloo.

The mother looked just as terrified, seeing as how her eyes were filled with tears of fear for her daughter.

“Mister Detective, please tell me you found her. Please tell me you found Scootaloo.” She said with a sob in her voice. Snap had come over and put his hoof around her in comfort.

Celestia Damn. This is what every parents worse nightmare is. They’re child going missing, and not knowing what to do to find them. I can just see the fear in there eyes. These two clearly LOVE their daughter very much.

I cleared my throat. “Mister Shutter and Miss Allgood, I assure you, me and Rainbow Dash are working hard to find your daughter.” I told them.

Dash nodded. “Yeah. We’re not gonna give up trying to find her. I promise.”

They both still looked so worried for Scootaloo.

“How did this happen? How?” Mane said emotionally.

I told them everything that we found at the scene where Scootaloo crashed her scooter and fell off the bridge. Also, unfortunately, the part about the blood and her possibly being kidnapped.

Mane almost fainted. And Snap looked about ready to fight some pony.

“Are you telling me my little baby girl could not only be injured, but in the hands of a fucking foal molester?” He yelled.

I put my hooves up at him. “Sir, calm down. That was a possible rumor. I don’t know for sure if there is even a pedophile. I’m still collecting evidence. Plus, my pathologist Cadaver is looking over everything as well. So, please try to remain calm.” I said to him.

Mane put a hoof under his chin. “He’s right, honey. Getting angry isn’t gonna solve anything.” She said, before turning to me.

“Detective, if you have any questions you want to ask me or Snap, we’ll answer them. Anything to help find Scootaloo.” She said.

I nodded. “It’s funny you say that, cause I was gonna ask you some questions.” I told them.

But, before I could ask anything, Cadaver, my pathologist, came over to me.

“Shadow, you’re gonna wanna see this.” He said to me, motioning me to come back to his lab.

I told Dash to stay with Snap and Mane. Help calm them down a bit. She did it, reluctantly I might add, and I followed Cadaver.

-/- Forensics Lab -/-

“So, I take it you gotta hit on the blood samples Dash gave you.” I said to him.

He nodded. “Yes. Dash told me everything. Pretty fast, I might add. I’m surprised I understood everything.” He chuckled a bit.

“Anyway.” He continued. “I checked both blood types. It took a bit, but I found something.”

Both? As in, two types? “Wait, I thought there was only one.” I said.

He smiled. “That’s what I thought too, until I took a look at some of the twigs in the bag with the cloth. There was a little bit of blood on one of them too.” He said.

He then brought up some projector that showed the DNA results.

“Now, you’ll see here that on one side, they look the same. And the other, they’re a little farther off from each other.” He pointed to the one on the left.

“This one here is indeed Scootaloo’s DNA. And, judging from the blood in the test tube you gave me, I’d definitely say she hurt her head, or somewhere near her head at least in the fall. So, we better find her. I don’t know how serious her injury is, but it could be bad.” He explained to me.

Fuck. Celestia, it’s bad enough Scootaloo is probably in the hooves of some pony dangerous, but she could also be injured really badly as well?

I need to find her after everything here is done. And fast.

He showed me the other DNA photo. “You know how they look so similar, but so different, right? Well, that’s because these two are blood related. Honestly, I think it’s an aunt or uncle who abducted her.” He said.

“Are you sure?” I asked him.

He nodded. “DNA doesn’t lie, my friend.” He said.

I shook my head. I can’t believe it. Scootaloo’s abductor is a member of her own family.

How hard this will be to tell Snap and Mane is an understatement.

Author's Note

Yeah, it’s been a while, but I had some other interests that kept me from writing. But, here ya go. Make sure to comment, like, favorite, and follow for future updates. Thanks to you all, and goodnight everybody.