Autumn Turns to Winter

by Dead_Account_0

Rating: everyone
Tags: Dark, Cutie Mark Crusaders, Silver Spoon, Gilda, Adventure, Diamond Tiara, Sad, Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 6124

Sweetie Belle is preparing to strike out in the world when she and Diamond Tiara are foalnapped.

(Cancelled/ indefinite hiatus - I like this, but I've got too many stories running. I may come back to this.) It's been ten years since the Cutie Mark Crusaders received their cutie marks. Life has gone on, but the trio remained best friends forever. In two days time Sweetie Belle leaves for Canterlot to pursue her singing career, so Scootaloo and Apple Bloom prepare to throw her one last party. Meanwhile, Diamond Tiara goes missing.

Published 2012-01-19 11:13:17 UTC
Last updated 2012-02-08 01:00:40 UTC

Autumn

Diamond Tiara sat on the balcony adjoining her room, sipping a bluegrass and petunia shake. The soft pink earth pony watched the shimmering water with a sigh. The moon was full tonight, its rich pallid light dancing off of the lake. A trio of suitcases sat by the door, the room itself emptied of furnishings. Posters on the wall displayed different bands, all signed by their respective members. Diamond Tiara took another sip from her glass before placing it back onto a small glass end table that sat next to her recliner. Tiara seemed put off, her normally composed smirk replaced with a thoughtful scowl. There were damp patches under her eyes, a wet tissue sat beside her on the table. The moon continued to rise ever so slowly as Tiara stood up and trotted to the edge of the balcony. She watched from above as her father, Filthy Rich, walked away from the house and into the dark of the night.

A sudden crash coming from inside the house snapped her out of her reverie. Tiara walked back through her room and into the corridor.

“Silk Handkerchief!” she called down into the house, her voice wavering as she did. “Was that you?” she called again when she heard no reply. She began to pace tentatively down the corridor. She could hear hushed whispers coming from downstairs. The pink pony peered around the corner to see a trio of griffons standing at the bottom of the stairs. At their feet sat a white unicorn in a tuxedo, blood pouring from a wicked cut on his forehead.

“Silk Handkerchief!” she screamed before realising her folly and covering her mouth. The three griffons turned around to face her.

“That’s the one! First griffon to grab ‘er won’t got slapped in the face!” the female boss shouted. Her two male griffon cronies looked at each other and gulped audibly. Turning back to the pony they began to advance menacingly up the stairwell.

“Stay back!” Diamond Tiara screamed in fear at the two brutes that clambered up the stairs towards her. She turned around and sprinted back down the corridor into her bedroom, slamming the door shut behind her. Out of breath, she collapsed on the other side of the door and tried to hold it shut with her body. Her chest raised and lowered rapidly, ragged breaths forcing their way out of her mouth. Tears welled up again as she began to picture the bruised and bleeding body of the butler.

Fists began to batter against the door behind her.

“Use your claws Clyde! We’ll tear our way through!” one of the griffons shouted to the other.

Diamond Tiara held back the door as the griffons began to scrabble and scratch at it.

“Go away!” she yelled, fear weighing down her voice. She just managed to hold the door, pushing against it with all the force she could muster. A loud stomp came from the balcony. Tiara turned in fear to see the female leader strut through the French doors, her beak curling into a self-assured smirk. Diamond leapt to her hooves, her eyes searching wildly for an escape route, but she couldn’t find any. The griffon kept advancing, backing her into the corner. Then, the other two griffons burst through the door. The head griffon shot them both a withering glare that made them both step back into the other corner. Satisfied with their reactions, the ringleader walked forwards, holding her sharp claws in front of her face.

“Now, Little Miss Rich, there’s two ways this can play out. We can play this the easy way,” the head griffon said as she paced along, “or the hard way.” One of the male griffons pulled his claw across his throat with a cruel smile.

“Please, my father will pay anything. He’s the richest pony in Ponyville! Just don’t hurt me,” Tiara sobbed, collapsing to the ground in a pathetic bundle of tears.

The lead griffon snorted derisively, “Little punk’s barely worth it. Bag ‘er and tag ‘er, boys.” The two males almost tripped over each other in their rush to get to Diamond Tiara first.

The griffon commander walked back out onto the balcony and put a claw to her ear.

“Package is secured,” she announced smoothly into the earpiece. A short burst of static made her wince in pain before it
cleared, to be replaced by a familiar voice.

“Excellent job, deliver the package to the rendezvous point and we’ll take it from there,” a colt’s voice sounded clearly in reply.

“And the money?” she asked in a serious tone.

“It’ll be waiting for you there too. I’ll activate the security systems remotely in five minutes. Grab the suitcases and hightail it here,” the voice replied.

The female griffon smirked once more and turned to her two lackeys. They had bound Diamond Tiara with rope and gagged her, eyes wide with terror.

“Both of you have failed me, I gave you the simple task of detaining a small pink pony and you can’t even get through the door.”

“But boss...” one of them began which earned him a claw to the face. A flash of scarlet dropped onto the floor as the griffon shrieked in pain.

“Anything to add Clyde?” she said with a smile to the injured griffon.

“No... no mistress,” Clyde babbled back nervously, a large red scratch on his face. The other griffon just stood at attention
with his eyes closed, his mouth moving but no noise coming from it. The boss griffon examined her bloodied claw with a satisfied smile before placing it back onto the ground.

“We’re moving out boys. Keep tight and don’t let go off the hostage she’s our meal ticket.” She laughed before adding,
“For the rest of our lives.” Diamond Tiara tried to scream again, but only let out a muffled cry, much to the head griffon’s delight. “Comfy there, friend?” she joked. “The name’s Gilda and if you so much as move on our flight back... well, I’ll kill you myself. The job didn’t mention what state you had to be in when you arrive. Don’t make me do that, do you know how hard it is to get blood out of white feathers?” She burst out laughing again, an evil glint in her eye. The two griffon subordinates lifted the pony between them and followed Gilda out onto the balcony. With a beat of their wings they lifted off into the night,
flying towards the waxing moon in the distance.

Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom stood in the centre of their clubhouse for perhaps the last time. The garish paint on the walls had faded and the once bright red carpets had worn to a dull pink. Cobwebs coated the furniture and paintings, it was evident that they hadn’t been in here for a long time.

“What’s it been now? Ten years?” Scootaloo sighed, a smile on her face from all the memories that flooded her mind.

“Yeah, what times we had.” Sweetie Belle looked more sad than happy, her smile clearly forced.

“Those were the days. We could do whatever we wanted.” Apple Bloom joined in the nostalgia trip.

“And we did!” Scootaloo added excitedly, raising her hoof. She then sighed again and her expression softened, “And look where it got us. Nowhere.”

“I can’t believe it took us so long to figure it out. All we had to do was nurture our existing talents,” Sweetie Belle laughed, proudly rubbing her cutie mark, a trio of quarter notes rising upwards.

“Yeah, I just wish it had never ended,” Apple Bloom mumbled before sitting down on the old, creaky, wooden floorboards. The young yellow mare had a hammer diagonally crossed with a pair of callipers as her cutie mark. She could still remember the day it showed up, and sniggered suddenly out loud at her memories of Applejack’s reaction.

“We all had to grow up some day.” Scootaloo smirked and turned to look at her own cutie mark once more, a flaming tire.

“I’m really going to miss you guys,” Sweetie Belle mumbled, tears gathering in her eyes. “I promise the second I’m finished in Canterlot, I’ll be right back.”

“Well you’ll have to get here before the Amateur Motocross in Hoofington next month.” Scootaloo almost shouted with excitement.

“Always knew you had a flair for danger. Is Rainbow Dash showing up to support you?” Apple Bloom clasped Scootaloo’s shoulder with her hoof and smiled.

“If her schedule allows it. You know how the Wonderbolts are.” Scootaloo laughed it aside, but her eyes told another story.

“You guys'll keep in touch, right?” Sweetie Belle asked with a sad smile, her eyes still moist with tears.

“No matter what happens though, we’ll always be friends,” Scootaloo said, placing a hoof in the middle of the circle they
had formed.

“Always,” Apple Bloom said adding her hoof.

“Of course!” Sweetie Belle sniffed, placing her hoof in the centre together. The three of them then looked at each and laughed.

“Cutie Mark Crusaders Best Friends Forever!” They shouted in unison, raising their hoofs in the air, before they all fell back laughing hysterically.

The trio walked back into Ponyville still chatting excitedly. The bright, colourful town was bathed in the orange of the sun setting at their backs. Ponies still rushed around, trying to finish all their jobs before night officially arrived.

“Hey guys! I’ve got to pick something up from Sugarcube Corner. I’ll see you all tomorrow,” Scootaloo said as she suddenly stopped.

“Okay, Scoots! We’ll catch ya tomorrow,” Apple Bloom replied, giving Scootaloo a knowing wink which Scootaloo returned with a smile.

“Okay, we’ll have to make tomorrow extra special. It could be our last day together for a long time.” Sweetie Belle laughed, waving a hoof as she and Apple Bloom walked off into the distance. Scootaloo returned the wave before walking towards the bakery.

She pushed the door open, causing a bell above the door to go off, its happy ting announcing another customer’s presence.

“Just a miiinute,” a sing-song voice came from the bakery proper.

Scootaloo walked up to the counter, admiring all the cakes that sat around the room on display tables. The sight of the sweet treats made her mouth water and her stomach rumble. Great, now I’m going to have to pick something up for myself while I’m here, Scootaloo thought to herself. A pink pony emerged from the bakery and stopped at the counter. The second she saw it was Scootaloo she burst into a wide grin.

“Don’t worry, everything’s arranged for the surprise party tomorrow,” the pink mare said in a kindly voice.

“Thanks, Pinks, there’s no party like a Pinkie Pie Party,” Scootaloo laughed.

“Don’t mention it. Seeing the three of you reminds me of me and my sisters. What adventures we had." Pinkie chuckled to herself before continuing. "Just remember that this is going to be the biggest adventure yet.” Pinkie Pie smiled knowingly before turning to face the bakery door.

“Pumpkin Cake! Could you fetch the special order for Scootaloo!” she shouted through the doorway.

“Come on, Pinkie. It’s closing time. Can’t we just go upstairs already,” a yellow-orange unicorn filly said as she appeared in the doorway.

“This is a special order. We always make exceptions for special orders. Don’t you remember the song?” Pinkie rolled her eyes and laughed.

“I’ll… I’m just going to go get that order now.” The unicorn filly vanished back into the shop, her cheeks the colour of beetroot.

“That always gets her.” Pinkie Pie laughed but then her mood suddenly became more serious. “You guys are about to embark on your own journey. There will be lows and there will be highs. You’ll meet loads of new ponies, new friends, but never ever forget the ones you already have.” Pinkie Pie’s face was dead serious for a moment.

“Don’t worry, Pinks, that’s not going to happen anytime soon.” Scootaloo gave her a genuine smile to which Pinkie Pie replied with a nod.

“Here’s the order,” Pumpkin Cake said through gritted teeth as she levitated a large white box, gift wrapped with a pink and purple bow, onto the counter.

“Thanks, Pumpkin,” Scootaloo said with a nod of appreciation before picking the parcel in her teeth. “I hope I see you both at the party tomorrow,” she added with a smile.

“Wouldn’t miss it!” Pumpkin shouted excitedly.

“It wouldn’t be a party without me, now would it, silly.” Pinkie laughed, waving as Scootaloo opened the door and left.

Scootaloo skipped along happily, the pegasus’s purple mane bouncing up and down. Just one thing left to check before the party could definitely go on tomorrow. As long as Apple Bloom was keeping Sweetie occupied, Scootaloo could check up on Rarity in Carousel Boutique and see how it was on her end. The young mare picked up speed as she noticed the sun begin to dip behind the horizon. A full moon began to rise on the opposite side of the planet, journeying upwards as if to replace the tiring sun. Scootaloo wished she still had her scooter. Although her bike was so much cooler, she wasn’t allowed to drive it around town. Still she galloped to the aging fashionista’s store. She stopped at the purple door and knocked thrice with her hoof. Now that she understood the value of manners, she tended to stick to them when Rarity was around.

The top half of the door opened with a flourish to reveal a white unicorn and her luxurious purple mane, curled as neatly as always. Rarity immediately recognised Scootaloo and her package, swiftly opening the bottom half of the door and waving her in. The orange pegasus didn’t hesitate to follow Rarity in to the richly decorated room.

“How’s the fashion empire doing then?” Scootaloo asked as the two of them trotted into the kitchen.

“Hah! Like you wouldn’t believe, darling. We’ve made all the main magazines with our new autumn line. Fleur de Lis herself modelled them and sales are through the roof. I’m thinking about opening up a new chain in Trottingham. We’ve already taken over the Fillydelphia and Manehattan markets, whilst Canterlot’s been in our pocket since the start!” Rarity announced proudly with a huge smile. “But enough about me, this is all about Sweetie Belle’s going-away party tomorrow. She’s grown up so fast. I’ve got her outfit ready. Let me tell you, darling, she’s absolutely going to love this. It’s adorned with some exceptionally rare gemstones. She’ll be the belle of any ball she attends with an outfit like this,” Rarity said as she lifted up the dress in question. A long, flowing dress of regal, purple silk stitched with gold and silver. Pink rubies lined the sides while a belt studded with real diamonds fastened in the middle.

“Whoa!” Scootaloo said in wonder, the bedazzling dress filling her sight. “Beautiful,” she said in amazement, her mind ensnared by the dress’s brilliance. Rarity noted Scootaloo’s expression with a smile and put the dress back into its box.

“But you must be here to ask about the entertainment. Don’t worry it’s all sorted out. The Great and Powerful Trixie will be putting on a private show.”

“No way! You got the G & PT for a party!” Scootaloo shouted excitedly before realising how much of a foal she was making herself appear to be. “I mean, that’s pretty cool.” Scootaloo tried to feign a lack of care but it was too late.

“It’s quite surprising how much she’s changed since her return. I swear I saw Twilight hanging out with her the last time I was in Canterlot,” Rarity began, then stopped herself. “Sorry, you don’t care about gossip. Well I’ll take this cake and set everything up for tomorrow. You should get some rest. It’s a big day tomorrow,”

“That it is. Goodnight Rarity,” Scootaloo said cordially and turned to leave.

“Goodnight Scootaloo,” Rarity replied with an inward smile as the pegasus walked out of the door and shut it behind her.Who would connect that polite young mare with the motorcycle-riding ruffian that she became the second she left town? Rarity thought to herself.

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle finished up their dessert, a huge strawberry ice cream sundae for them to share. The duo had gone out to dinner. Apple Bloom had insisted on paying for everything - her treat. Apple Bloom had purchased the Quill and Sofa store with a bit of capital that Applejack had given her for all the work she had put into the farm when she was younger. Now it sold all manner of furniture, hoofmade by Apple Bloom herself. She even did custom pieces upon request. She had made quite a splash in Ponyville, and always made a tidy profit from her pieces.

“Argh! Brain freeze!” Sweetie Belle suddenly cried out, dropping the spoon and clutching her head with both of her hooves. Apple Bloom couldn’t help but giggle at the white unicorn as she fell onto the floor and started rolling around.

“You do this… every time…” Apple Bloom blurted out among a fit of giggles. She clutched her chest in a vain attempt to stop laughing. After another ten seconds or so Sweetie Belle stopped rolling around and looked straight up into the moonlit sky. Apple Bloom offered her hoof, which Sweetie Belle graciously accepted, being lifted back to her hooves with a smile on her face.

“Well, look at the time, it’s getting pretty late.” Sweetie Belle yawned widely, stretching her arms.

“Yeah, I guess that’ll do it for the night. Don’t worry, tomorrow will be the best day ever! Just you wait,” Apple Bloom said with a knowing smile.

“Yeah… I can’t wait. I’ll see you tomorrow Apple Bloom,” Sweetie Belle replied, sadness welling up inside her once more.

“Sleep tight,” Apple Bloom said with a smile before turning and walking back home. She still stayed at Sweet Apple Acres, in the farmhouse with Applejack.

Sweetie Belle trotted in the other direction, towards Carousel Boutique. The crisp night air did nothing to alleviate the pain she felt inside. Tomorrow was to be their last day, her last day with all her friends in Ponyville. Tomorrow she was to carve out her own life. Rarity had gotten her a position at The Gilded Carafe, one of the swankiest clubs in Canterlot. The mixture of nerves and sorrow felt like it was tearing her apart from the inside. Once more, tears ran freely down her face as she stopped at the river opposite the Carousel Boutique and stared into its clear waters. A white unicorn mare with a purple and pink mane stared back at her. Her mane was straightened and fashioned regularly at Rarity’s behest. When it came to fashion she was the mare in the know. That was just the problem however:underneath all the make-up and fashion she was still that little filly, the one that yearned for adventure. She sat down on her haunches and put her hooves to her eyes. She then started sobbing loudly, just letting it all out. The months ahead were going to be hard and friendless, and she didn’t think she could last. After a few minutes, she cast her gaze once more towards the water-borne image of her tear-stricken eyes. The glassy ripples betrayed a flash of white feathers behind her. Her eyes shifted towards the new image that manifested before her, a griffon smiling back at her.

Silver Spoon's Search

A grey mare with a tidy white mane and fashionable blue gasses galloped through the village square. She knew time was running out, but she couldn’t risk a glance at her watch; at this speed she’d probably trip over if she tried. She panted as she ran, taking a left at the library and hurtling down a worn path. There was a heavy rainfall scheduled for ten a.m., and she wanted to be at Diamond Tiara’s by then. Her frantic dash had her weaving past ponies in the street, and earned more than a few questioning looks from passersby. Risking a look up, she saw that a group of pegasi were already manoeuvring the clouds into place. Silver Spoon narrowed her eyes as she looked back down, coaxing more speed from her already tired legs. A few more turns later and she finally saw it, looming in the distance: Filthy Rich’s Manor.

As she grew closer she realised something was wrong. A group of ponies seemed to be milling around the normally locked front gate. A duo of earth ponies in police uniforms appeared to be blocking them entry. Silver Spoon visibly paled as she maintained her sprint towards the gate.

“What’s happening? Why are so many ponies here?” a blue unicorn asked his neighbour. Silver Spoon couldn’t help but listen in, that was the exact same question she was going to ask.

“Din’t ya here? Filthy Rich’s place gots broken into! If y’ask me, that slime ball deserves it!” the pony replied.

“Really?! They must be brave to risk incurring Rich’s wrath,” the unicorn said surprisedly. “Not that he doesn’t deserve it. Did you hear the other day that he closed that deal with the Diamond Dogs? What kind of pony deals with Diamond Dogs?” the unicorn whispered conspiratorially.

“Hey, you two! No lollygagging! Go on, clear off!” the larger uniformed pony shouted to the two chatting unicorns.

“Officer! Officer!” a familiar voice cried out as a short blue unicorn colt wearing a fedora shoved his way through the crowd.

“Oh Celestia, not this kid again,” the smaller police pony groaned, putting his hoof to his forehead.

“Officer Shields, it’s me, Snips, from the Ponyville Publication. Have you got a minute?” the unicorn said as he hopped to the front of the crowd.

“Stay back there, Snips, this is an active investigation. You’ll hear nothing from me,” the smaller police officer said boringly, in a tone which suggested he’d said it a thousand times.

“Can I be in the paper?” the larger offcer said, shifting his hooves awkwardly.

“Of course, if you give us a statement, you might make the front page!” Snips said excitedly. Silver Spoon noticed a small card labelled press tucked onto the side of his hat.

“Don’t do it, Beat; you’ll be lucky to get a footnote with this guy,” Shields said insistently to his larger friend.

“Hey! I take care of my informants. It’s not my fault Mr. Breezy had that freak accident. If he hadn’t of somehow fallen into one of his fans, we could’ve made the front page,” Snips argued.

“If you can get my picture on the front page, then I’ll tell you everything!” Officer Beat said excitedly.

“Fine, go ahead if you want, I’ll just stay right here. Doing my job!” Officer Shields shouted angrily before turning his back to the pair.

The unicorn walked up to the police pony and the two started talking in hushed whispers. Silver Spoon couldn’t hear from her vantage point in the crowd, so she started to inch closer. Once she reached the front of the crowd she could just make out Beats half of the conversation, if she strained her ears.

“… is still missing. We have signs of a struggle in her bedroom, claw marks on the doors.”

Silver Spoon’s blood froze in her veins. He had just said “her bedroom” hadn’t he? That could only mean one pony, Diamond Tiara! Silver Spoon began to feel faint, something had just happened to her best friend. With a shock she suddenly realised that the two ponies were still talking and listened in again, sniffing loudly.

Snips must have said something in reply as Beats nodded and replied, “Yeah, we’ve got one of those crime lab guys identifying them now, but I’ve seen marks like that before.” Another pause for Snips followed by: “I’d wager a month’s pay that those are griffon claws. I know I shouldn’t jump to conclusions, but we’ve been on the trail of a trio of griffons in the area; a gang of hoods calling themselves the Silver Talons.”

Snips jumped at the news and replied quickly and excitedly, but Silver Spoon could only catch a few snippets, “exclusive… tiara… headline.” Beats nodded along, a beaming smile spreading across his face, before giving a final resolute nod. Snips then turned abruptly and galloped back along the path he had just come from.

“Wait!” Silver Spoon screamed impulsively. Snips stopped instantly and turned around. Silver Spoon began to trot slowly towards him and he recoiled as their eyes met.

“Uhh… Silver Spoon. What a surprise, uh… I’m kinda in the middle of something so... uh,” he began to babble worriedly

“Where is Diamond Tiara!” she yelled angrily.

“Well… uh… you see… um,” Snips looked around awkwardly and massaged the back of his neck with a hoof.

Silver Spoons lower lip began to wobble and tears began to stream down her face. “Something’s happened… hasn’t it?” she said quietly now, looking down sorrowfully.

“Look, Silver Spoon, something has happened,” Snips said, regaining some confidence now that she had lost hers. “She’s uh, she’s gone missing. Her butler called it in and uh, I’m writing the uh, plea to the public,” Snips said, his eyes darting in every direction except her own.

“That’s horse apples and you know it!” Silver Spoon rushed forwards with anger stopping mere inches from his face. “I overhead you mention griffons and kidnapping!” she shouted at him. As soon as she’d finished she found herself being pulled away from the crowd and into his tight grasp.

“Meet me at ten p.m. round the back of the Farrier’s Arms,” he whispered quickly and seriously before releasing her and galloping away.

She watched him leave through bleary-eyes, before sniffing again and turning back to the crowd. They had all stopped talking to listen in but turned back to their conversations the second Snips was gone. A sympathetic mare trotted through the crowd.

“Miss Cheerilee?!” Silver Spoon shouted, straightening up instinctually.

“Calm down, Silver Spoon, and it’s Mrs. Cheerilee now. I don’t suppose you know what’s happened, do you?” she asked quizzically.

Silver Spoon opened her mouth as if to say something but suddenly stopped herself. Something is definitely up here; Snips must have been being so secretive for a reason. Maybe it’d be better to give everypony the doctored truth that Snips had told me.

“Are you quite all right Silver Spoon?” Cheerilee said concernedly as she walked right up to Silver Spoon.

“I’m… I’m fine, it’s just.” Silver Spoon took a deep breath. “Someponies broke into Diamond Tiara’s house, and now she’s missing,” she said quickly but the words still left an acrid taste in her mouth.

“Oh, I’m so sorry Silver Spoon. I know how close the two of you were, are you going to be okay?” Cheerilee said; her voice full of empathy as she clasped Silver Spoon’s shoulder.

“I’ll be fine, can you just uh… give me a moment,” Silver Spoon said faintly, putting a hoof to her head. Her mind was swimming; her best friend in the world was missing.

“I’ll just get out of your way. If you’re feeling lonely or just want some help, don’t hesitate to call on me,” Cheerilee said with a warm smile before turning and leaving.

“Thanks, I’ll… I’ll see you around,” Silver Spoon called after her as she left.

“Okay all of you can clear off now. Go back to your homes. Thank you for your civic concern, but you’re now disrupting an active investigation,” Shields said as politely as he could manage.

“Aww, come on officer, tell us all what you told that journalist,” a purple pegasus begged.

“There will be a press conference in the town hall later today, until then I have to ask you all to leave,” Shields insisted.

“Where’s Filthy Rich?!” an orange unicorn called from the back.

“This will all be covered in the conference later! Would you all please leave,” Shields said, slightly irately this time.

“Is he dead?” a green mare asked quietly.

“That’s it! If anypony is still here after I count to five, then Beats here will take you down to the station for obstruction of justice!” Shields shouted angrily.

“Ya can’t be serious,” a colt called out.

“Five, four, three…” Shields began. The other ponies lost their nerve and practically fell over each other in their haste to gallop away leaving just Silver Spoon and the officers. “…two, one,” he finished, letting out a laugh as the crowd fled in all directions away from the gate.

"Officer?” Silver Spoon asked politely.

“Oh for Celestia’s sake, didn’t everypony get the blasted memo?” he shouted loudly and, frankly, quite rudely at the young pony. “We.” He motioned to himself and his partner with his hoof. “Cannot,” he continued, shaking his head. “Help.” He motioned downwards with both of his hooves. “You,” he finished, pointing once more at Silver Spoon.

“Yeah! So clear off; get out of here!” Beats added enthusiastically.

Silver Spoon looked up at them with tear-filled eyes that could have melted the heart of anypony, anypony except Shields.

“Yeah, nice display. Now, hop it,” Shields said, distinctly unimpressed.

“Aww! But, Shields, she’s so cute…” Beats began.

“Shut it, Beats! One more word out of you, and you’re going back to the Traffic Division,” Shields turned on his friend angrily, advancing on the larger but lower ranking police pony.

“But Traffic Division is so boring! There aren’t even enough carts to warrant a darned division!” Beats whined.

“I know it’s blooming boring! That’s why I’m using it as a threat, you dolt!” A vein in Shield’s forehead was visibly bulging as he clenched his teeth and pulled back his hoof.

“Okay! Okay! Calm down, Shields! Remember what the doctor said, don’t stress out!” Beats grasped his compatriot by his shoulders. “Come on; take deep breaths, in and out. In and out. Come on you can do it!” Beats said demonstrating the process in case Shields had somehow forgotten.

Shields seemed to grow visibly redder before finally giving in and starting to breathe in and out. After around thirty seconds he was once again calm and composed. “Thanks, Beats. Sometimes the red mist descends and I just can’t do anything about it. Sorry about that,” he apologised calmly and returned to his default position. “Hey, where’d that filly go?”

“I… uh… think that… uh… you scared her off. Yeah she got scared when you got angry, and galloped away,” Beats replied, hoping to Celestia that it was true.

Silver Spoon tried not to cheer as she quietly galloped down the long driveway to the large house at the end. As she approached the manor she began to clearly hear talk. Diving into a conveniently placed shrub, she managed to just avoid a pair of police officers as they walked out the front door. She couldn’t help but hear a snippet of their conversation.

“…look at that thing. I thought motorised bicycles would never catch on, but a steel death-trap like that? I mean come on!” a distinctly masculine voice shouted.

“You can’t stop progress; it isn’t a huge leap from motorised bikes to motorised carts,” a feminine voice replied.

“You wouldn’t catch me dead on one of them!”

“Why not? They’re sorta like personal trains, y’know? Trains that don’t need tracks.”

“Bah! They’ll never catch on.”

“Lay of ‘em, grandpa.”

"I hate you sometimes…” his voice trailed off as they passed out of earshot.

After waiting another minute and hearing nothing, Silver Spoon poked her head out from the shrub. A quick scan revealed the coast was clear so she darted to the house to find the front door collapsed inwards, lying on the floor inside. Surrounding it were small splinters of wood, dirtying the otherwise immaculate white carpet. That is, if you disregarded the red bloodstains that coated the foot of the stairs. A voice suddenly made her look up as she saw a pair of unicorns turn onto the stairwell. She leapt around the corner, her heart pounding in her chest. The voices continued as normal, they probably didn’t see her.

“So what’s your verdict Swab?” the green female on the left asked.

“Definitely griffons. Three of them I’d say; we found two unique claw marks on the bedroom door on top of a third set on the butler.” The red male replied, who Silver Spoon assumed must be Swab.

“Is he going to be fine? He lost a heck of a lot of blood.”

“Time will tell, but the wounds were mostly superficial. I don’t think they wanted to kill him, just get him out of the way. The real goal still appears to be the kid.” The voice stopped moving at the foot of the stairs.

Silver Spoon risked a quick glance to see the two ponies were still talking, but appeared to be staring back up the stairwell as if waiting for a third pony. Seeing her chance Silver Spoon snuck past them and into the adjoining room. She stopped there and continued listening to the conversation.

“All her bags are packed; she must have been leaving for somewhere, probably for a long time. I think she caught wind of this and was trying to escape it, but left too late. An empty bottle of white rum was sloppily concealed under her bed. I’m thinking something bad happened recently in her life, and she’s trying to cope with it,” Swab said.

“Well, I’ll get Brass to bring in anypony she was close to. A friend or co-worker should be able to shed some light on this,” the female replied.

“Yeah, you go do that. Any clue where the parents are?”

“Separated. Her mother lives in Prance whilst her father’s away on business in Canterlot.”

“Has he been told?”

“A letter’s been sent, but he won’t be back until tomorrow either way.”

“Hey Kite! We’re going to go without you if you don’t hurry it up!” Swab shouted after a brief pause.

A faint voice returned from upstairs, “I’ll be there in one second!”

“Hurry it up! We’ve got leads to chase down!” Swab shouted back up. The sound of hooves galloping along the carpeted floor banged upstairs.

“Yeah, yeah, I’m here; let’s go,” Kite said as he trotted downstairs.

“About time,” Swab mumbled as the three of them trotted outside.

Silver Spoon waited another minute before galloping upstairs. She almost screamed in horror when she saw the huge chunks torn from her best friend’s bedroom door. It looked like a savage beast had tried to tear its way in, rather than two sapient creatures. Inside the room was almost completely bare; all that remained was the furniture, and a few old posters on the wall. Silver Spoon had been up here many times and it had never been this sparse. The cases appeared to have been taken away as evidence, leaving Silver Spoon with nothing. A memory suddenly forced its way into Silver Spoon’s consciousness, one she hadn’t thought of in a very long time.

Diamond Tiara had a safe hidden in the back of her wardrobe. She had once hidden Silver Spoon’s glasses in there as a joke. She could still remember the code: it was the date Diamond Tiara’s parents split-up. With a sad sigh, Silver Spoon pulled open the wardrobe door and knocked on the rear of the wall. A compartment opened up revealing a classic metal safe with a dial on it. Five twists later the door sprung open to reveal a folder. The safe was completely empty of all personal effects, all that sat inside was a brown paper folder. Silver Spoon removed it and looked at the title. It didn’t appear to be written in Equestrian, a glance inside told her the rest of the contents were the same. Why would Diamond Tiara have something like this? I can’t believe this is the only lead I have. If only Twilight was still in town… wait! Today’s the day of Sweetie Belle’s leaving party! Twilight is in town for the party. Silver spoon shut the safe and resealed the compartment.

She carefully trotted back out of the manor and up to the front gate. All the ponies had left, but a police line lie stretched across the front gate. Silver Spoon crawled under it and galloped back into town. With folder in hoof she rushed to Sugarcube Corner; the only place in Ponyville big enough for a party like they had planned. She just hoped that Twilight would know what language this was, and, more importantly, know how to translate it.