Deduction is Magic- The Mysterious case of the Missing Magicby RaotChaptersTea and BrainsUnderhoof and OverheadThe Needle to The EndIron Hooves and Silver TonguesTea and Brains“Sherlock, are you still on this?” Clopson asked, walking into the library, where Sherlock had set up camp and was currently residing in what seamed to be a fortress of books. “Nothing. Absolutely bloody nothing.” He threw another book into the walls that surrounded him. “Mooriaty is nowhere. There is nothing on him.” He stomped against the ground. He took a deep breath and sighed. “It seams that that trail has gone cold.” He said sadly. “Well, I might have some news to cheer you up.” Clopson said smiling. “…Is it a murder?” Sherlock asked hopefully. “Er, no… I just got back from a date.” Clopson said excitedly. “Oh, who’s the lucky filly.” Sherlock said, feigning interest as he looked for another book that might hold the secrets he desired. “Rainbow Dash.” He said. “Gave myself a spell to walk on clouds, she gave me a tour of Cloudsdale.” “Hmm.” Sherlock acknowledged. “…Isn’t that surprising?” Clopson fished. “What? That you would ignore my advice? Not really. But I had hoped…” Sherlock was interrupted. “She seamed to enjoy it very much!” Clopson said angrily. “I truly think that you are mistaken in your assumption of her. We had a good time, she showed me some tricks, gave me a tour of the rainbow factory, and she said she wanted to hang out more often…” “That’s what FRIENDS do Clopson.” Sherlock responded. “Now if you are done vainly trying to prove me wrong could you help me look for anything concerning this bovine and his want for the Elements of Harmony…” “We may have something for you.” Said a deep voice. Sherlock looked around and saw a guard at the front door. “The princess has asked for your presence immediately.” Sherlock took on a grin. “It seams my enemy has made the first move my dear Clopson...” “Wait! I was going to meet Rainbow Dash down at sugar cube corner…” Clopson said. “She will also be present.” The guard responded. “It is very urgent.” “What? Why…” Clopson asked. “Did you not hear him? It’s urgent. I’m sure we will learn what happened once we get there.” Sherlock spoke, showing uncharacteristic patience. “What?” Clopson asked in greater surprise. “Sherlock, you aren’t being yourself…” “I’m usually eager to get the game over with… but this time, I may have an equal.” He smiled. “I will have to watch my step this time, I lost him before. I must think out my plans in much more detail. Clopson, you may have to be prepared to not be in the loop.” He said. Clopson followed Sherlock and the guard and sighed, defeated. “So you mean it will be like every other day?” Clopson took accounts of everything he saw when entering the palace. Gaurds were everywhere, security was very high, and there were almost no ponies without an armed escort. As they reached the throne room, and Celestias personal chambers, he began to hear somepony yelling… “The GREAT and POWERFUL Trixie will not be treated in this way…” the doors were opened and Clopson took note of the blue Unicorn, with her star covered cloak and hat and her commanding demeanor. “You just shut up you freak! I have half a mind to…” the other speaker was not a pony, and was in fact, a griffon. “Stop it Gilda! The’re here…” It was Rainbow Dash flying in through the two. “Dash! I’m so happy to…” Clopson started. “Out of the way.” Sherlock pushed Clopson as he walked past. He seamed to ignore everyone else in the room… and there were quite a lot of ponies at that. There Vinyl Scratch, Prince Blueblood, many other royal ponies, Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Applejack, Breaburn had come all the way from Appaloosa, and countless others. There was even a Dragon, though, not fully grown. In the middle of the room lay Celestia, a blanket wrapped around her legs, sides, covering all but her head and face. She seamed very sickly, and tired. “Oh… Sherlock… thank you for coming.” Celestia said in relief with a smile. Sherlock did not respond, and instead looked around the room… She continued, hoarsely, “Tea…” a guard obliged, quickly leaning and coming back with a tray of tea. “Please sit.” She said to Sherlock. He did so. Celestia poured them both a cup. “I have not been feeling well.” She said. “And… I’m afraid… I know why.” Sherlock nodded as she bent down to the cup on the floor and soothed herself with sip. “I… I suppose I should tell you all why you are here now.” The room went deadly silent. “… I can no longer lift the sun.” there was a collective gasp inside the room. Sherlock nodded calmly, indicating to go on. “… and that is not all.” She nodded to the cup. “My magic is gone. I can no longer even lift a cup to my lips.” She bent down once more, but had not the will to take another gulp. “and… I was given this message…” he nodded to a scroll by her side. “If you would please read it… I fear that my voice is going too.” She closed her eyes in sorrow as Sherlock stood, took the letter, and read it aloud… “Dear Princess Celestia, for too long have you ruled this land. I have acquired the Elements of Harmony, and with them, I have stolen back what is rightfully mine by birthright. Then sun and moon are now mine to command, And if you ever wish to see the sun again, you must relinquish you tyrannical hold over the throne as well as it’s treasury, it’s castle, and all other privileges. Your faithful sister, Luna.” The room was once again silent. “She was gone this morning.” Celestia said. “Half her breakfast was eaten, but nothing else. As if she left on a whim…” Celestia stopped, trying not to let herself cry. “I… I called you over Sherlock… to make sure this was her writing.” She sniffed, a single tear going down her face. “The other detectives said there was no doubt… but if there is, please… please, tell me.” Sherlock kept quiet, deep in thought. He took his time, going back to his seat before the princess, reading the letter over and over again, and sipping his tea. “I am keeping this a secret now.” Celestia broke the silence once more. “but when the next morning comes, and the sun does not rise… All of Equestria will panic. And I will be forced to give into her whims. That’s why I brought you all here. Twilight, all your friends, and Gilda and Trixe… to spread to word to Ponyville, the other griffons, and Hoofington. This disaster affects us all…” Sherlock quickly stood, and all eyes fell upon him. He said not a word, turned, and walked to the door. No one stopped him. He opened the door, and trotted off. “What does that mean…” Twilight said from her place in the room. “Sherlock!” Clopson yelled, going after him. He quickly left the room and found Sherlock looking closely at the dirt in a nearby flour pot. “What wrong?” Clopson said, immediately alarmed. “Interesting plant.” He said. Clopson eyed him suspiciously. “This is one of those things your not letting me in on isn’t it?” “You getting more perceptive by the minute my dear Clopson.” Sherlock said with a wry smile and turning his attention to him. “Did you get the names of all the ponies… er, creatures inside.” He asked. “Of course.” Clopson nodded. “Now… when I walk back into that room, just act natural, and pretend to believe everything I say.” Sherlock ordered. “When everypony… er, every… one? Everyone? That’s sounds weird…. No, lets stick with everypony, sounds better.” He said. “Anyway, when they leave, stay. Eventually, there will be another letter. But do not be alarmed by what it says.” He continued. “well… act concerned.” He corrected himself. “Sherlock, are you sure this is necessary…” Clospon asked. “If we are to arrest all those involved and bring them to justice, yes.” He responded. “Now, I will need that list,” he said. Clospons took it from his pocket and gave to the detective. “Good.” He trotted back into the room. “Sherlock?” Twilight was waiting nervously by the door. Everypony awaited Sherlocks next words. “… I’m sorry. Those are in fact her words.” He said. Celestia bowed her head in shame. “However, all is not lost. If we can find her, I’m sure we can fight back against her.” Sherlock replied. “… I am so sorry everypony… I am so sorry.” Celestia spoke, putting her head down against the ground. “I am personally not feeling very well.” Sherlock said. “I believe we should warn our respective nations, and return here before the ‘morrow .” He said. “by that time I’m confidant I will find the location of your sister.” “… of course.” Celestia said raising her head, and mustering the strength to reply. “I… I’ll rally the guards. And make an official statement.” “I’ll help with anything you need…” Clopson said politely. “You won’t leave her side.” Sherlock added. “Oh, you really mustn’t, my guards are more the capable…” “He must be there to… take notes… just in case.” Sherlock stated. “Now I really must go, I’m truly not feeling well, but I assure you, I will settle this.” Sherlock then left the room rather quickly. The others then began to leave, Trixie, Gilda, Twilight and her friends, the small dragon, and all the others. And once they had all left, Clopson was alone with Celestia and her guards. “Don’t worry your majesty, I’m sure things will clear up soon. Sherlock is on the case…” An incoming letter then interrupted Clopson. It appeared before Celesta and fell to the ground. “Oh, I will get that for you.” He picked it up with his magic. “Will you read it out for me?” Celestia said. “I did not wish to scare anyone… but I feel my sight is failing me as well.” Clopsosn obliged, but was dumbstruck by what it said, “If you attempt to fight back, I will use my magic to tear Sherlock’s brilliant brain apart, piece by piece.” Clopson paused and his heart skipped a beat. “In fact, I have already started.” Underhoof and OverheadAfter the letter, Clopson decided to leave the princess and return to the library once more. There was nothing else for him in Canterlot, and he needed to find Sherlock. He returned to find no pony home, but he did find a letter sitting right inside the door with Sherlocks crude writing style all over it… “Twilight, since you will probably find this first, I would like to ask you to ignore anything Clopson, or anyone, says about my mind. I am perfectly sane, for the time being at least, but I will need some materials. By Froggy Bottom Bog is a peculiar light blue plant by the name of “Brazzalberry.” It is a berry with a bitter, acquired taste, and the juice will easily stain, so do be careful not to get any on your coat. I will need about two buckets full. Now then, Clopson, if you are reading this then you have disobeyed my orders. Good for you, your taking the initiative. I doubt I will be able to dissuade you from attempting to aid me so I have a job for you as well. I have a contact in the criminal underworld that I was about to meet later today, but under the circumstances, I am currently preoccupied. They were to meet me just south of Ponyville when the sun was at it’s highest, they don’t know what I look like, so you will have to impersonate me. The password is, “password”. They are not very intelligent criminals. And if you are worried for my well being, rest assured, I have everything taken care of. I am currently on my way to an old friend and the one of the greatest and most knowledgeable scientists in Equestria. Good luck, if all goes well we will see each other soon. But I must cut this letter short, I am short of time, and truly do not feel well…” And from there, there were no comprehensible words. It looked as if he had given up halfway through and simply scribbled a few words of goodbye in chicken scratch. Clopson considered trying to track down his old friend, but finally reasoned to follow the directives. If it was true that Luna could disassemble his mind… he had to get to the bottom of this as quickly as possible. Clopson arrived at the scene at the designated time. “Hello?” he asked. The rocky and dirt covered landscape was very different from what Clopson was used to, especially the holes that eerily littered the ground all around him. “Password!?” Asked a hissing sound from the blackness of one of the holes. Clopson jumped and tried to look down. “Password?” Clopson responded. “Yes password!” A diamond dog jumped from the crevice, followed by two others from behind Clopson, surrounding the unicorn. He prepared for a fight, but continued to look at the diamond dog in front of him with the most diplomatic intention possible. “You are Sherlock?” asked the one that Clopson supposed was the leader. “Yes.” Clopson replied. “I heard you had information…” “First, deal.” The leader hissed. “We want gems.” He said manically. One of the others started to drool. “Precious harmony gems! We give you information, you give us gems!” “No deal.” Clopson replied. “Those are the princesses...” “No No No!” The dog interrupted. “News travels fast, yes, we know Luna is the one. The one he called Gappy. She is who you want. Princess wants sister more then gems…” “Gappy? Him?” Clospon asked. One of the diamond dogs smacked the leader from the back of the head. “No! Why did you tell him that! Now the bull will stop giving us gems like said he would…” “Stupid!” the third dog smacked both of them to silence them. “No talking about Gappy! No Bull talk till he promises Harmony gems…” Clopson thought for a moment. “… I don’t think you know anything.” He started. “You could just be making it up…” “We no lie about Gappy, Bull had paper with Gappy’s name. Said she gets the gems and not us!” the Dog said in a rage. “We no lie! We want gems, you want Gappy, we give you Gappy, you give us gems!” the dog reasoned. “No lies!” “Really?” Clopson asked with a smile. “I don’t think you even know what the bulls name is.” “Yes we do! He is…” on of the diamond dogs covered his mouth with a paw. “Mooriaty said not to say his name!” “Oh… right…” the other remembered. “…Well, this has been very illuminating.” Clopson said. “but I am afraid I will have to decline to your deal…” “NO! Wait! We have more…” said one. “Yes! Yes! There is more!” spoke another. Clopson hesitated; he wondered how much more he could trick out of them… “I don’t believe you. Besides, everything you’ve given me already is useless. I can’t deduce anything from it, nor can I find a trail to follow…” “A cave!” said the leader. “Where?” “A cave in a mountain is where we met with a dragon. No one sees Mooriarty except the dragon. No one else knows…” the dog said. “Promise us the gems, and we will tell you where. But we will say nothing else till then!” he shrieked. Clospon could tell that was all he could get without any promises. “… I’m sorry, I can’t promise anything. Because they are not mine to give…” “What?!” the leader exclaimed. “But I, and the rest of Equestria, thank you for your information…” “No No No!” the leader shrieked again. “Pony give us gems, or we take pony and make you find gems!” the dogs stepped forward. Clopson quickly knew what his odds here against three diamond dogs, and waited no time in turning tail and fleeing from the scene diamond dogs where known for digging, not running, he could easily escape them. At least, that is what he thought before a dog in armor came up from a hole right in front of him. Clopson quickly dodged the fiends claws, just to find his path blocked by another. He zig zaged between the numerous holes in the ground, barely keeping out of the reach of the dogs, until he realized, to his utter horror, that he was already surrounded. They had herded him into a corner, with his back to a rocky stone wall, he turned to face his pursuers, who now numbered in the dozens, and tried to ward them off with a glow from his horn… he was not nearly talented enough to actually cast some sort of combat spell, but perhaps it would scare them off… It didn’t and they closed in, their tall bodies started to block out the sky and cast his body in shadows. He soon lost sight of the sun, the clouds, and the sky. He then suddenly heard a kind of cracking sound that shook the foundation of the earth he stood upon. He looked up and saw the huge rock wall he had his back to start to crunble and fall, forwards, onto him and the dogs. They all began to bark out wildly and Clospon knew that he had no chance to escape. It was chaos, everywhere, and he would not be able to weave through the crowd and save himself in time. He closed his eyes tightly, shutting out all color and light from his sight as he prepared himself for a crushing pain and an eternity of darkness. But to his surprise, he felt no pain. In fact, he felt a sort of… weightlessness. And instead of darkness, he saw light. Bright light, in the form of every color of the rainbow, and, with no small amount of fear, he peaked open an eye to see what death looked like. He was looking down upon the world from hundreds of feet up, traveling at a dizzying speed. He was flying. There was no pain, and no darkness, and no cold. He felt a strange, tight warmth in his chest and he found great wonder in simply staring down at the world as a spirit, like a god. “Your welcome.” He heard Rainbow Dash say. Clopson felt great confusion and looked around, unable to see the Pegasus. Until he finally chose to look up, and saw her bright blue face looking down at his own. He then looked down and saw her hooves wrapped around his body. “Oh… why yes, thank you.” Clopson said, still in shock. “The diamond dogs sometimes don't look where they’re digging and make the mountains fall. Not very bright.” Dash said. “Yes... quite.” Was all Clopson could muster. “You uh… thank you. Very much.” He let out a long sigh of relief as they began slowing down and gracefully falling lower to the ground. They touched down and Clopson returned to his shaking legs trying to regain his equilibrium. “So.” He shook his head, turning towards Dash once more, with his senses slowly returning to him. “You… how did you know? How did you get there so fast…” “Well, I saw the letter on Twilights door and I thought it could be dangerous around here so I decided to, you know… check up on you. ” She said with a smile. “That’s very thoughtful, and dare I say, I owe my life to you because of it.” She blushed. “It was nothing, really.” Clopson began to feel another warmth inside his chest when he saw her face, and cleared his throat, trying to keep his mind on the task at hand. “So, er, they said something about a dragon. Do you know of any dragon caves nearby.” He asked. “Yea, there’s actually only one close enough to reach in a day.” She said. “I’ll take you there.” Clopson smiled as she once again held him tightly and lifted him up into the air. Clopson truly felt that he was bonding with her now. He began to scoff at Sherlocks warnings now. What did he know of relationships. “Thank you, I’m not sure what I would do without you.” He said with all the charm he could muster. Rainbow Dash smiled and responded, “What are friends for?” The Needle to The End“Where are the Elements of Harmony?” Clopson asked the immense dragon. “Further in my cave.” The dragon answered. “Hidden by the Bull, Mooriaty.” “And who is Gappy?” Clopson asked. “Oh, you will meet her.” The dragon said, raising one of his arms. Beyond the wall of scales was a thick swath of darkness that Clopsons eyes could not penetrate. “Just remember… all is not as it seems.” The dragon whispered as Clopson began walking. He heard another set of hooves and turned back to see Dash limping after him. “No, Dash…” “You can’t stop me, I’m going with you.” She said in annoyance. She winced at every step. “I’m fine, I think it’s just a sprain…” “You can’t. Look, the best thing you can do is go back to Ponyville and get help. Tell them I found the Elements and to come here.” “No! I Said I’m going with you!” Dash insisted. “I won’t let you go in there alone.” “I can take care of myself…” “So can I!” She fought back. “See, I can walk…” She winced and fell to one of her knees in pain. Clopson tried not to show his annoyance toward her, as he helped her up. She flew a foot into the air with one flap of her wings and smirked. “Dash, Please, I love you, but you need to go back…” he tried to push her out of the cave with his forehead on hers. “Well what if I love you too! I don’t want you to…” Clopson turned his head up, and met her lips with his own. Dash was immediately silenced in the air as Clopson kissed her in anger and passion. It lasted only a moment, or at least, it felt like only a moment, and then Clopson broke it off and spoke, “If there is any trouble, I want royal guards on their way here. That it the best way you can help.” Dash, still shell shocked, nodded once. “Thank you. I promise I will come back safely after this is all through.” Clopson then turned and walked into darkness, still wondering what had come over him. After a few moments the dragon lowered his arm, and all light was gone. Clopson sighed and spoke to himself. “Ha… if only Sherlock could have seen that.” He began to light up his horn. “Just wait until he finds out…” “You can tell him in just a moment.” Clopson suddenly noticed two eyes, and two horns, just inches away from his face. He could not react fast enough, the eyes burst forward at him, the horns going to either side, and he felt the massive skull of a big black bull crash into his own. “I used to wonder what friendship could be!” Clopson awoke to the singing of some horrendous creature and a pounding headache. Clopson observed his surroundings, he was in a dimly lit room with some obnoxious Pony singing the tune. “Until you all shared this… this… erm…” Clopson suddenly recognized the voice and stood up. Clopson was in a small cell with a iron bar door. The voice was coming from an adjacent Cell that he could not see into. “Sherlock?!” he asked in amazement. “No…No… not Sherlock… Horseapples, what’s the next word…” The voice said. “Sherlock is definitely not the right word… wait, what is a Sherlock?” There was no doubt. That voice was Clospons companion, Sherlock Hooves. “Sherlock, it’s me, Clopson.” He said anxiously. “How did you get here? Did you find the Elements? Are you okay?!...” “Big adventure, tons of fun!...” Sherlock carried on, but stopped. “Tons of fun, tons of fun… what comes after tons of fun?… The song can’t end there.” Clopsons heart sank. “Hey, er, who’d you say you were? You know the next part?” he asked Clopson. “I’m… I’m your partner, Clopson…” He tried to remind the deteriorating Sherlock. “No no that’s not it…” Sherlock said in anger. At this point there was a metal clang from elsewhere down the hallway. “Oh, it that who I think it is?” Clopson heard Sherlock say. “The old G.A.P.T. is it?” Clopson recognized those letters. Gapt, Gapy… he could see a Diamond dog misreading that… but whos G.A.P.T.? “That’s Great And Powerfull Trixie to you!” Shouted the blue unicorn as she passed Clopsons cell. Clopson was immediately at the bars. “You! It was you!” he said. Trixie flinched at the sudden movement, but then smiled. “Hmm, foalish colt…” she continued walking until she got to Sherlocks cell. Clopson tried to adjust his head, but he was still unable to see what was going on. “Get up!” Clopson heard a smacking sound “Don’t you hurt him!” Clopson yelled, slamming himself against the grate. there as a silence, a grunt, and Sherlock walked out of his cell with a ball and chain around his back leg. Trixie then unlocked Clospons door and locked another ball and chain around his leg as well. Sherlock seemed to be nursing his eye as both Colts were pushed down the hallway as fast as their chain would let them. “Well well well.” A booming voice was heard after traveling through the darkness for some time. They were now in a large cavern, and with a click, a skylight opened and the coliseum type room lit up from the moons rays up above. The voice belonged to a large black bull near the center, waiting for them. The Elements of Harmony were on the ground around him at his feet. “We finally meet face to face.” Mooriarty finished as the Colts were forced to bow down below the Bovine. “Face to face… to face… to face…” Sherlock mumbled incoherently. The bull chuckled. “Now you see the power of the Elements. Now you know that Lunas threats were justified. She has an army on her side, and a new Republic is on the rise.” He said. “With me as treasurer, And Trixie in second command. You were good to come this far. But even you could not fight against The Magic of the Elements. Even you, can loose” He spoke to Sherlock. Sherlock looked up, around, and then stood up as if at a dinner party and dusted himself off. As if he had suddenly become sober, “You sir are mistaken.” He took a hoof up and pointed at the bull. “You are the one who has lost.” Mooriarty chuckled loudly again. Clopson kept hoping that Dash and the Royal Gaurds would show up soon… “Please, Explain.” The Black Bull asked politely, like a gentlecolt. ”I want to hear this because when absolute power shifts, and Luna demands that you be sent to the sun along with her sister…” “You have no magic.” Sherlock interrupted and explained. “And you never did.” He spat on the ground, trying to remove something unpleasant from his mouth. “I realized,” he started his story, “The moment I saw Celestia, that the Elements had nothing to do with this crime. And I knew that my greatest challenge would not be securing them, but finding you.” He looked deep into the bovine’s eyes. “Celestias entire body was covered by a blanket, but she was not suffering from fever or cold, so the blanket must have been to cover some deformity…” He cleared his throat, every moment seamed to portray the brown colt as a little more sane then he had been before. “And when I got a good look at her up close, my theory was confirmed. She was covered in blue spots under her cloak. It was Poison. She was suffering from Poison Joke. A peculiar plant that grows in the Everfree forest, sometimes the effects of which take away the magic from unicorns, and betray the natural abilities of anyone who touched it. It’s highly potent, but I needed to know how it had gotten into the princess system.” “This too was easy to solve, as I recognized the taste in the tea immediately. Realizing that the culprit had access the tea, they must have been able to sneak about the castle, and they were almost certainly in the room at the time as well to make sure their lie was believed. Also, I knew it could not have been Luna…” “Why not?” The Bull was actually impressed, and was enjoying the spectacle before him. “Firstly, she had left her room on a whim, with breakfast half eaten. No one commits treason on a whim. Secondly, the letter. It was addressed as “Luna.” Not “Nightmare moon” but, “your faithful sister, Luna.” And Luna would never do this. Not to mention that, while the writing was her style, her word choice and syntax portrayed vanity and greed, not jealousy or anger. So I knew that some greedy, vain person in the room was the prime suspect.” Sherlock smiled. “I quickly left the room as calmly as I could and spat my tea into the nearest flowerpot. I had already touched it, but I knew it was only a small dose. Lunas kidnapper, and the thief I was looking for, had seen me drink the poison, and I knew they would believe that my mind, my greatest asset, would soon be deteriorating. A good criminal would jump on the chance to take credit for such an event. Especially one that is already accustomed to taking undue credit.” He motioned to Trixie with a smile. “So my mission was three fold. Get myself cured quickly, find the criminals involved, and save both princess Luna and the Elements of harmony. I told Clopson to stay and give me a list of everyone there so I could start my search, and I also gave a note to Clopson on the door so that he would eventually meet me here as well. While this was going on, I visited the greatest chemist I know, Zecora of the Everfree forest. She quickly gave me a cure and I was on my way…” “And that was when we found you.” Mooriatry chuckled. “… yes. You did find me quite quickly…” “That’s because I knew.” Mooriarty laughed. “I’m not just muscle Sherlock, and I’m not just a criminal… my job is to think like you. To outsmart the law. I knew every step you would make. I knew your would find the poison joke, and I knew you would not tell anybody.” The Bull then leaned down at the small ponys before him “And I know your plan now. You just want to waste time until the Royal Gaurds come to rescue you.” Clopson gulped. “Well, that’s not going to happen. Because you’re not in the Everfree forest, and your not in a dragons cave. No one knows where we are. Face it hooves… you’ve been outmatched.” “That was Clopson plan.” Hooves motioned to Clopson. “Not mine.” “Oh?” The Bull giggled. “And what was your plan?” “Brazalberry.” Sherlock spoke the single word. “… And that is?” Mooriarty asked. “A peculiar berry found in Froggy bottom bog. Very bitter tasting…” He spat on the ground again. “But a little goes a long way. It is a very powerful light blue dye that can make even the darkest pony look a bright blue, especially in moonlight. Concentrated and filtered, about a bucket of berries can be swallowed, but easily vomited. And a stomach full of the berries is enough to dye a small Alicorn…” Trixie lifted her eyes and threw off her cloak, showing a pair of wings. “Luna wasn’t that hard to free, and it wasn’t that hard to knock out Trixie… you really need to get smarter comrades.” Mooriatry flinched at the realization that he was now alone. “So, as I was saying.” Sherlock once again spat out the last of the dye in his mouth. “You are the one who has lost.” Mooriarty quickly tried to dash towards an exit, but Luna quickly blocked the exit with her horn aglow. Sherlock and Clopsons manacles were quickly released and they two went after the Bull. He jumped up, climbing up onto the wall and inched his way up towards the skylight “Don’t let him get away!” Sherlock yelled as Luna swooped up and rammed the huge Bovine off the wall and back to the ground. Morriarty reeled and rolled back to his feet, trying to exit through one of the doors. But Clopson blocked his way “You’ll have to go through me first…” Mooriaty lowered his horns and charged faster. “Oh bugger.” Clopson dived out of the way as Mooriarty charged out the door in order to save himself. He quickly gave chase along with Sherlock and Luna as well through the caverns of the huge underground tunnel. Clopson wondered where they were for a moment, but could not keep his mind on that for long. The bovine kept blending with the shadows around him, making him harder to follow and track, until finally the three reached an exit. As they found the opening to the outside, Clopson gasped. They were exiting the very mountain that supported the Princess castle. He could very easily see Ponyville from here… “Stop!” The ponies turned to see a patrol of guards flying their way. “Mooriatry just escaped!” Sherlock stated. “Luna has been apprehended and the Elements are in that cave.” He motioned to the cave. The guards quickly divided, and checked the authenticity of Sherlocks story as well as sent out and search party for the missing Bovine. The gaurds quickly authenticated and acquired the Elements of Harmony, but after many hours, the guards had returned with nothing. Mooriaty had escaped. 12 hours later. “Well, at least the sun is up.” Clopson said cheerily, Sherlock holding a steak to his bruised eye. He gazed out of the window of their apartment in Canterlot at the sunrise. “And Luna gets a bit of attention. Until Celestia gets better, she will be doing double time I guess with the sun and the moon.” “Yes, And the Elements were found… Job well done.” Clopson looked to his friend in surprise. “Your not angry that Mooriarty escaped? After all that work to corner him?... you even vomited on a princess! I’m sure she didn’t appreciate that idea…” “We will find him.” Sherlock assured Clopson, not addressing the other issue. “But we won this time,” Clopson suddenly noticed Sherlock was holding a blue syringe in his hooves. “What that?” Clopson asked in surprise. “Concentrated Poison Joke…” Sherlock explained with interest. “It seams that it actually had the opposite of the intended affect. While under it’s influence I felt… clearer. Faster. I actually doubt that I would have outwitted Morriaty if it weren’t for this drug…” “You can’t be serious, don’t…” it was too late, and Sherlock stuck the syringe in his arm and injected the poison. ”Sherlock!” Clopson exclaimed in surprise. “Don’t worry.” Hooves sat back in his chair “It’s just a test. I made sure it was a safe amount.” Clopson angrily left his seat and the stormed out of the apartment. “Oh don’t be like that!” Sherlock said, rolling his eyes, but by that time, Clopson had already slammed the door “He never listens to me!” Clopson said in Pony Joes donut shop next to a cup of hot chocolate. “I can forgive him most of the time but now he’s gone too far. I’m his Doctor! And he went and…” “I think we should stop seeing each other.” Clopson stopped rambling and turned to Rainbow Dash in shock. “W… What?” Clopson asked. He felt his heart skip a beat. “It’s not you, it’s just… I want to stay friends.” She shrugged in embarrassment. “And… we’re just not right for each other I think.” “What do you mean?” Clopson asked in dismay. “Do… did I move to fast? I’m I too British? Is it because of Sherlock? Oh, of course it’s because of Sherlock…” “No, that’s not it.” She said awkwardly. “I just… lets just stay friends.” She tried to smile. Clopson was silent, and speechless. Dash awkwardly grimaced and muttered, “I’m sorry,” as she left his side and trotted out the door. “Wow.” Pony Joe put down another donut down by Clopson, “Here, This one’s on the house buddy.” He then walked back into the kitchen, leaving Clopson utterly, and completely alone, with nothing but a lukewarm Chocolate and a jelly donut to ease his sorrows. Elsewhere “Mooriarty sends his regards…” spoke a messenger as she passed a letter to another pony. The pony opened up the scroll a read the lone sentence on the parchment… “10,000 bits for Sherlock’s head.” Iron Hooves and Silver Tongues“Are you okay?” Dash asked, setting Clopson down at the caves entrance. “Yes, of course.” He said, attempting to hide the degree at which her previous statement phased him. “You uh… you should stay out here. In case things get hairy…” “No way!” Dash responded quickly. “I can handle myself. I saved you last time didn’t I?” “I just don’t want anything happening to you that’s all…” “Well, I don’t want anything happening to you either. We’ll go together.” She said. And that was that. He didn’t try to convince her further, but he did lead the way, with his horn aglow. Through many twists and turns they found themselves in a huge cavern, with the biggest dragon Clopson had ever seen taking up most of the space. Surrounding him were mountains of gems and gold, so much so, that if the cave went any further, Clopson could not tell, because the dragons girth and the treasure abounding around him filled every last crack. The dragon, at the sight of them, bared his fangs, each tooth was the size of Clopson, horn to tail, and he spoke in a booming voice, but Clopson realized by the tone that he must have been whispering. The Dragons voice could bring the whole Mountain crashing down with a word if he wished… “What business do you have?” the Dragon asked. Clopson looked over the dragon once more. The teeth had distracted him, but he now looked along the face and body of the creature, finding a long beard coming down from his chin, a moustache stretching from one side of his face to the other, and his scales chipped and torn. Clopson had never known an old dragon, and wondered how old the thing truly was… he nervously introduced himself. “I am Clopson, and this in my… Friend. Rainbow Dash. I am a detective, and I would like to ask you some questions…” The huge eyes wavered on him, and then turned to Dash. His massive eyelids blinked for a moment, and showed a slight dilation. “You… the rainbow one.” He spoke. “…My son spoke of one such as you. He said you kicked him in the face.” Clopson gulped and looked to Dash, who, wide eyed, nodded and winced with a degree of fear, and remarkably, a bit of pride. The titanic beast giggled, making the earth shake slightly, and debris fall from the walls and ceiling. “I’m sure deserved it… little brat. But I am sorry, I digress..” He spoke slowly, like every word was precious, and deserved great care to speak. “My Name is Death-Engine McRail-Spike.” “Er, that’s… that’s quite the name.” Clopson started. “Dragon names are a bit… Different then Pony names.” He explained. “My father, Rail-Spike McDagger-Fire, once told me a story…” “Not to, um, interrupt, I am sure you have many good stories.” Clopsosn tried to interrupt the slow speaking dragon as politely as he could. “But I am trying to find The Elements of Harmony, And Luna, Celestias sister.” He said. “I heard that a dragon in the area has some… connection to the crime. That is why I am here.” “Oh.” The dragon scales cracked loudly from disuse above his eyes as his one of his brows rose. “And who told you that?” “A Confidential source.” Clopson said, fearing for the Dogs safety against this thing. “They told me you had a connection with Luna, Mooriatry, the Elements of Harmony, and someone called Gappy…” “Gappy?” the Dragon showed genuine confusion. “Gappy… Gappy…” he mumbled to himself. And then in a moment, a loud booming sound came from the belly of the beast, Dash and Clopson covered their ears in pain and fear before Clopson finally realized that the roar was one of laughter. Once he had his fill, he continued, “Those illiterate Dogs…” “What do you mean by that?” Clopson asked. After a short, not as loud chuckle, the dragon responded, “Nothing. Nothing at all. I’m afraid I can’t help you with your investigation.” “Do you expect me to believe that?” Clopson asked. “What are you going to do?” the dragon moved his gargantuan face, which was the size of a three story house, and moved it closer to The Unicorn. “Arrest me?” Clopson kept silent for a moment, and the dragon continued, “I’d like to see you try.” He quickly realized that this dragon would not give him anything. And there was no way force way he could force a confession… “Challenge accepted!” Clopson heard Dash cry and leap into the air in response. “Dash! No!” She darted over the slow dragons head and grabbed one of his massive, bone horns, and tried to pull it back with all the force in her wings… to no avail. She then dashed down to his beard and moustache and grabbed a clump of hair in her hooves, using her legs and wings to pull as hard as she could towards the mouth of the cave. Again, the Dragon did not budge, and simply watched the poor pony make a fool out of herself. With a grunt, she tried to lift on of the dragons claws from the stone ground, but it stayed stiff, and unmoving. With roar of anger, she zoomed out of the cave, turned, gained speed and aimed a hoof to the dragons forehead. A horrible sound, resembling the sound of a bell shattering onto hard earth, was created from this clash. Dash hit the ground nursing her fore hoof in agony as the Dragon maneuvered his old eyes down to gaze upon the tiny creature. “Dash…” Clopson made his way over to her and tried to comfort her. “I’m fine!” she snapped in anger, ripping her hoof away from the doctor. Dash curled into a ball on the floor, facing away from Clopson in shame. He heard a sob and tried laying next to her with a comforting hoof on her side. “Was there anything else you wished to try?” the Dragon asked wryly. Clopson now looked at the old dragon with more confidence. A more powerful instinct to beat this thing gave him the will to try. But what? What could he possibly do to get this dragon to talk… “…How about a game?” Clospon asked. The Dragon raised his brow once more. “A battle of witts. I will ask you a question, a fair question, and you will do the same. And we will continue until one of us outwits the other.” He said. “If you win, I will leave, and whatever plans you have with Luna and Mooiraty will go on unmolested. But if I win. Then you will tell me everything.” The dragon smiled, using muscles and scales that had obviously gone unused for perhaps a century. “I have a mind that has eons on yours. Do you know how many I have triumphed over in the past?” “No. But I doubt you have ever had a true cause other then treasure motivating you… and I have something I fight for.” He said. “Fine. But what is a, “fair” question?” The dragon asked. “It cannot require information that either party is not privy to. No ‘what is jingling in my pocket’ bullocks.” The dragon nodded his house of a head. “And if multiple answers exist, all must be accepted.” Clopson racked his brain, trying to think of anything the dragon could use to corrupt that game. “Sounds fair.” The dragon agreed. “But if I win, I want a reward” “What do you want? I suppose I could help you get more gems…” “I don’t want gold or gems. I have enough riches.” He spoke. “I have gold and Emeralds, and Rubies and Topaz, and Turquois and Opal, and Diamond and Perl, they have simply lost their color in my eyes.” He spoke with great age. “I have had every treasure known in Equestria, from food to books and magical items. But there is something I have not had. In many, many eons… youth.” His eyes went down upon Rainbow Dash. “I can no longer see your colors, but I can feel the vibrant life inside her… I want her. Should I win, her life is forfeit.” “I can’t let you…” “Do it.” Dash said. Clopson gaped at her for a moment as the pony wiped her eyes. “But, but…” “We need to get the elements, and this is the only way I can help… fine.” She said. “Do it.” “I will let you start.” The dragon responded with a smile Clopson gulped. He was not Sherlock, but he had his fair share of puzzles to ask. “Alright, so, a plane flies and crashes on the border of Equestria and Canterlot…” “Survivors aren’t buried.” “Horseapples. I guess you’ve heard that one.” Clopson said. He now realized what kind of predicament he was in. this dragon had probably heard every riddle ever made… “My turn.” The dragon spoke. “The man who made it does not want it, the man who needs it does not know it, and the man who bought it does not need it. What Is it?” Clopson knew this one! What was it though?! It was on the tip of his tongue… no… no… He stomped his hoof against the ground and shut his eyes tight. Think Clopson think… “Time is ticking.” The Dragon spoke. “I am getting impatient.” “There were no rules on a time limit…” Clopson said. “That was your fault.” The dragon responded. He then, slowly, took a claw to one of his treasures, a huge hourglass, and turned it over. “So now I get to make my own. And I want an answer before the sand runs out.” “I… I…” he had to think of something. The hourglass was not set for an hour… he had only a minute. And the seconds went by at the speed of his every breath. “Three, two…” the dragon counted down as the last grain was about to fall. “A bra!” Clopson screamed. The cave was filled with silence. “That’s not the…” “But it works. ” Clopson smiled, his face filled with sweat. “The rule says if a question had multiple answeres, they must all be acceptable.” The dragon was deep in thought for a moment, “The man who made it does not want it…” the dragon repeated under his breath. He chuckled. “Fine. It passes.” He said. “This time.” Now it was Clopsons turn. He tried to think of the most abstract riddle he had ever heard… “Your turn.” The old dragon spoke again in impatience. “Okay, so…” Clopson started. “Two brothers stand at a crossroads, one always tells the truth, and one always lies, and you get one question to find out which way leads to salvation…” “If you were your bother which way would you say lies salvation?” The dragon stated. “So I… guess you heard that one too?” Clopson said awkwardly, tried not to look into Dashes glaring face. “I swear, next you will be asking me what walks of four legs in the morning.” The dragon rolled his eyes. “I hadn’t actually heard that one…” Clopson said, but then he quickly corrected himself. “Oh, well, I mean, yes, everyone has heard of that one. Four legs and all that. Good classic.” The dragon sighed and then spoke, ”Many years ago, Before Luna fought against her sister, and before The Elements of Harmony were ever created, Celestia and Luna where testing their magic. I had only just spawned, I was a baby dragon, in an old world that many say is filled with arcane magic… but to me, it is simple magic…” Clopson knew right away that he had not heard this one before… “It was Celestia who opened my egg, but it was not her face that I saw first… it was Lunas. She was beside Celestia, and try as she might, she failed to open my brothers egg.” The Dragon closed his eyes, remembering the sad fate he witnesses so long ago. “She never passed that test. And I grew up an only child, and though I had been hatched by Celestia, I bonded with Luna at birth, and always saw her as a teacher… and a mother.” There was a silence. And then he spoke. “What is my brothers name?” “That’s Bull!!” Rainbow Dash accused with a scream. “You’re breaking the rules…” “You already have all the information you need.” The Dragon spoke nonchalantly. “But I will give you time. If you need it.” Clopson took a deep breath and Dash continued to curse and cradle her injured hoof. He looked at the dragon, his eyes, his scales, his horn, his moustache, he recalled the dragons name, “Kill-Switch McRail-Spike…” Clopson had an epiphany… but was it possible?... “…Your Brother.” Clopson started. “…Is it Spike?” The dragon sighed. “Correct. Though, I doubt even Celestia recognized the egg.” “Wow… Spike’s gona look like you?!” Dash asked in surprise. “Yes… the mustache is unique in our family.” He said. “It shows our sea serpent lineage… but I digress. It is your turn Clopson.” The Dragon continued. “…” Clopson had an idea. “Though I never hide, I only come out at night. The blacker it is, the brighter my light. Only in darkness am I seen. Death is my brother, and life my bride to be. What am I?” The Dragon paused… his eyes shifted up and to the right, and then he smiled once more. “Where did you hear this riddle…” “Answer, and then I will tell.” Clopson responded. The mass of scales shifted and he brought a single claw to his temple in thought. “… I give up.” The Dragon said in pleasant defeat. “Now tell me.” “The answer, is “A Dream”.” Clopson said. The Dragon snapped his claws in frustration and smiled. “Of course! But where did you hear it…” “I made it up!” Clopson said with pride. The Dragon guffawed and slammed his hand against the ground, shaking the mountains very foundation. “Of course you did! It has been so long since I spoke to a creative soul…” he took a short breather to regain his composure. “A deal is a deal, I will cooperate.” He said happily. He rested his body back onto the stone earth and finished, “What do you want to know?”
Tea and Brains“Sherlock, are you still on this?” Clopson asked, walking into the library, where Sherlock had set up camp and was currently residing in what seamed to be a fortress of books. “Nothing. Absolutely bloody nothing.” He threw another book into the walls that surrounded him. “Mooriaty is nowhere. There is nothing on him.” He stomped against the ground. He took a deep breath and sighed. “It seams that that trail has gone cold.” He said sadly. “Well, I might have some news to cheer you up.” Clopson said smiling. “…Is it a murder?” Sherlock asked hopefully. “Er, no… I just got back from a date.” Clopson said excitedly. “Oh, who’s the lucky filly.” Sherlock said, feigning interest as he looked for another book that might hold the secrets he desired. “Rainbow Dash.” He said. “Gave myself a spell to walk on clouds, she gave me a tour of Cloudsdale.” “Hmm.” Sherlock acknowledged. “…Isn’t that surprising?” Clopson fished. “What? That you would ignore my advice? Not really. But I had hoped…” Sherlock was interrupted. “She seamed to enjoy it very much!” Clopson said angrily. “I truly think that you are mistaken in your assumption of her. We had a good time, she showed me some tricks, gave me a tour of the rainbow factory, and she said she wanted to hang out more often…” “That’s what FRIENDS do Clopson.” Sherlock responded. “Now if you are done vainly trying to prove me wrong could you help me look for anything concerning this bovine and his want for the Elements of Harmony…” “We may have something for you.” Said a deep voice. Sherlock looked around and saw a guard at the front door. “The princess has asked for your presence immediately.” Sherlock took on a grin. “It seams my enemy has made the first move my dear Clopson...” “Wait! I was going to meet Rainbow Dash down at sugar cube corner…” Clopson said. “She will also be present.” The guard responded. “It is very urgent.” “What? Why…” Clopson asked. “Did you not hear him? It’s urgent. I’m sure we will learn what happened once we get there.” Sherlock spoke, showing uncharacteristic patience. “What?” Clopson asked in greater surprise. “Sherlock, you aren’t being yourself…” “I’m usually eager to get the game over with… but this time, I may have an equal.” He smiled. “I will have to watch my step this time, I lost him before. I must think out my plans in much more detail. Clopson, you may have to be prepared to not be in the loop.” He said. Clopson followed Sherlock and the guard and sighed, defeated. “So you mean it will be like every other day?” Clopson took accounts of everything he saw when entering the palace. Gaurds were everywhere, security was very high, and there were almost no ponies without an armed escort. As they reached the throne room, and Celestias personal chambers, he began to hear somepony yelling… “The GREAT and POWERFUL Trixie will not be treated in this way…” the doors were opened and Clopson took note of the blue Unicorn, with her star covered cloak and hat and her commanding demeanor. “You just shut up you freak! I have half a mind to…” the other speaker was not a pony, and was in fact, a griffon. “Stop it Gilda! The’re here…” It was Rainbow Dash flying in through the two. “Dash! I’m so happy to…” Clopson started. “Out of the way.” Sherlock pushed Clopson as he walked past. He seamed to ignore everyone else in the room… and there were quite a lot of ponies at that. There Vinyl Scratch, Prince Blueblood, many other royal ponies, Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Applejack, Breaburn had come all the way from Appaloosa, and countless others. There was even a Dragon, though, not fully grown. In the middle of the room lay Celestia, a blanket wrapped around her legs, sides, covering all but her head and face. She seamed very sickly, and tired. “Oh… Sherlock… thank you for coming.” Celestia said in relief with a smile. Sherlock did not respond, and instead looked around the room… She continued, hoarsely, “Tea…” a guard obliged, quickly leaning and coming back with a tray of tea. “Please sit.” She said to Sherlock. He did so. Celestia poured them both a cup. “I have not been feeling well.” She said. “And… I’m afraid… I know why.” Sherlock nodded as she bent down to the cup on the floor and soothed herself with sip. “I… I suppose I should tell you all why you are here now.” The room went deadly silent. “… I can no longer lift the sun.” there was a collective gasp inside the room. Sherlock nodded calmly, indicating to go on. “… and that is not all.” She nodded to the cup. “My magic is gone. I can no longer even lift a cup to my lips.” She bent down once more, but had not the will to take another gulp. “and… I was given this message…” he nodded to a scroll by her side. “If you would please read it… I fear that my voice is going too.” She closed her eyes in sorrow as Sherlock stood, took the letter, and read it aloud… “Dear Princess Celestia, for too long have you ruled this land. I have acquired the Elements of Harmony, and with them, I have stolen back what is rightfully mine by birthright. Then sun and moon are now mine to command, And if you ever wish to see the sun again, you must relinquish you tyrannical hold over the throne as well as it’s treasury, it’s castle, and all other privileges. Your faithful sister, Luna.” The room was once again silent. “She was gone this morning.” Celestia said. “Half her breakfast was eaten, but nothing else. As if she left on a whim…” Celestia stopped, trying not to let herself cry. “I… I called you over Sherlock… to make sure this was her writing.” She sniffed, a single tear going down her face. “The other detectives said there was no doubt… but if there is, please… please, tell me.” Sherlock kept quiet, deep in thought. He took his time, going back to his seat before the princess, reading the letter over and over again, and sipping his tea. “I am keeping this a secret now.” Celestia broke the silence once more. “but when the next morning comes, and the sun does not rise… All of Equestria will panic. And I will be forced to give into her whims. That’s why I brought you all here. Twilight, all your friends, and Gilda and Trixe… to spread to word to Ponyville, the other griffons, and Hoofington. This disaster affects us all…” Sherlock quickly stood, and all eyes fell upon him. He said not a word, turned, and walked to the door. No one stopped him. He opened the door, and trotted off. “What does that mean…” Twilight said from her place in the room. “Sherlock!” Clopson yelled, going after him. He quickly left the room and found Sherlock looking closely at the dirt in a nearby flour pot. “What wrong?” Clopson said, immediately alarmed. “Interesting plant.” He said. Clopson eyed him suspiciously. “This is one of those things your not letting me in on isn’t it?” “You getting more perceptive by the minute my dear Clopson.” Sherlock said with a wry smile and turning his attention to him. “Did you get the names of all the ponies… er, creatures inside.” He asked. “Of course.” Clopson nodded. “Now… when I walk back into that room, just act natural, and pretend to believe everything I say.” Sherlock ordered. “When everypony… er, every… one? Everyone? That’s sounds weird…. No, lets stick with everypony, sounds better.” He said. “Anyway, when they leave, stay. Eventually, there will be another letter. But do not be alarmed by what it says.” He continued. “well… act concerned.” He corrected himself. “Sherlock, are you sure this is necessary…” Clospon asked. “If we are to arrest all those involved and bring them to justice, yes.” He responded. “Now, I will need that list,” he said. Clospons took it from his pocket and gave to the detective. “Good.” He trotted back into the room. “Sherlock?” Twilight was waiting nervously by the door. Everypony awaited Sherlocks next words. “… I’m sorry. Those are in fact her words.” He said. Celestia bowed her head in shame. “However, all is not lost. If we can find her, I’m sure we can fight back against her.” Sherlock replied. “… I am so sorry everypony… I am so sorry.” Celestia spoke, putting her head down against the ground. “I am personally not feeling very well.” Sherlock said. “I believe we should warn our respective nations, and return here before the ‘morrow .” He said. “by that time I’m confidant I will find the location of your sister.” “… of course.” Celestia said raising her head, and mustering the strength to reply. “I… I’ll rally the guards. And make an official statement.” “I’ll help with anything you need…” Clopson said politely. “You won’t leave her side.” Sherlock added. “Oh, you really mustn’t, my guards are more the capable…” “He must be there to… take notes… just in case.” Sherlock stated. “Now I really must go, I’m truly not feeling well, but I assure you, I will settle this.” Sherlock then left the room rather quickly. The others then began to leave, Trixie, Gilda, Twilight and her friends, the small dragon, and all the others. And once they had all left, Clopson was alone with Celestia and her guards. “Don’t worry your majesty, I’m sure things will clear up soon. Sherlock is on the case…” An incoming letter then interrupted Clopson. It appeared before Celesta and fell to the ground. “Oh, I will get that for you.” He picked it up with his magic. “Will you read it out for me?” Celestia said. “I did not wish to scare anyone… but I feel my sight is failing me as well.” Clopsosn obliged, but was dumbstruck by what it said, “If you attempt to fight back, I will use my magic to tear Sherlock’s brilliant brain apart, piece by piece.” Clopson paused and his heart skipped a beat. “In fact, I have already started.”
Underhoof and OverheadAfter the letter, Clopson decided to leave the princess and return to the library once more. There was nothing else for him in Canterlot, and he needed to find Sherlock. He returned to find no pony home, but he did find a letter sitting right inside the door with Sherlocks crude writing style all over it… “Twilight, since you will probably find this first, I would like to ask you to ignore anything Clopson, or anyone, says about my mind. I am perfectly sane, for the time being at least, but I will need some materials. By Froggy Bottom Bog is a peculiar light blue plant by the name of “Brazzalberry.” It is a berry with a bitter, acquired taste, and the juice will easily stain, so do be careful not to get any on your coat. I will need about two buckets full. Now then, Clopson, if you are reading this then you have disobeyed my orders. Good for you, your taking the initiative. I doubt I will be able to dissuade you from attempting to aid me so I have a job for you as well. I have a contact in the criminal underworld that I was about to meet later today, but under the circumstances, I am currently preoccupied. They were to meet me just south of Ponyville when the sun was at it’s highest, they don’t know what I look like, so you will have to impersonate me. The password is, “password”. They are not very intelligent criminals. And if you are worried for my well being, rest assured, I have everything taken care of. I am currently on my way to an old friend and the one of the greatest and most knowledgeable scientists in Equestria. Good luck, if all goes well we will see each other soon. But I must cut this letter short, I am short of time, and truly do not feel well…” And from there, there were no comprehensible words. It looked as if he had given up halfway through and simply scribbled a few words of goodbye in chicken scratch. Clopson considered trying to track down his old friend, but finally reasoned to follow the directives. If it was true that Luna could disassemble his mind… he had to get to the bottom of this as quickly as possible. Clopson arrived at the scene at the designated time. “Hello?” he asked. The rocky and dirt covered landscape was very different from what Clopson was used to, especially the holes that eerily littered the ground all around him. “Password!?” Asked a hissing sound from the blackness of one of the holes. Clopson jumped and tried to look down. “Password?” Clopson responded. “Yes password!” A diamond dog jumped from the crevice, followed by two others from behind Clopson, surrounding the unicorn. He prepared for a fight, but continued to look at the diamond dog in front of him with the most diplomatic intention possible. “You are Sherlock?” asked the one that Clopson supposed was the leader. “Yes.” Clopson replied. “I heard you had information…” “First, deal.” The leader hissed. “We want gems.” He said manically. One of the others started to drool. “Precious harmony gems! We give you information, you give us gems!” “No deal.” Clopson replied. “Those are the princesses...” “No No No!” The dog interrupted. “News travels fast, yes, we know Luna is the one. The one he called Gappy. She is who you want. Princess wants sister more then gems…” “Gappy? Him?” Clospon asked. One of the diamond dogs smacked the leader from the back of the head. “No! Why did you tell him that! Now the bull will stop giving us gems like said he would…” “Stupid!” the third dog smacked both of them to silence them. “No talking about Gappy! No Bull talk till he promises Harmony gems…” Clopson thought for a moment. “… I don’t think you know anything.” He started. “You could just be making it up…” “We no lie about Gappy, Bull had paper with Gappy’s name. Said she gets the gems and not us!” the Dog said in a rage. “We no lie! We want gems, you want Gappy, we give you Gappy, you give us gems!” the dog reasoned. “No lies!” “Really?” Clopson asked with a smile. “I don’t think you even know what the bulls name is.” “Yes we do! He is…” on of the diamond dogs covered his mouth with a paw. “Mooriaty said not to say his name!” “Oh… right…” the other remembered. “…Well, this has been very illuminating.” Clopson said. “but I am afraid I will have to decline to your deal…” “NO! Wait! We have more…” said one. “Yes! Yes! There is more!” spoke another. Clopson hesitated; he wondered how much more he could trick out of them… “I don’t believe you. Besides, everything you’ve given me already is useless. I can’t deduce anything from it, nor can I find a trail to follow…” “A cave!” said the leader. “Where?” “A cave in a mountain is where we met with a dragon. No one sees Mooriarty except the dragon. No one else knows…” the dog said. “Promise us the gems, and we will tell you where. But we will say nothing else till then!” he shrieked. Clospon could tell that was all he could get without any promises. “… I’m sorry, I can’t promise anything. Because they are not mine to give…” “What?!” the leader exclaimed. “But I, and the rest of Equestria, thank you for your information…” “No No No!” the leader shrieked again. “Pony give us gems, or we take pony and make you find gems!” the dogs stepped forward. Clopson quickly knew what his odds here against three diamond dogs, and waited no time in turning tail and fleeing from the scene diamond dogs where known for digging, not running, he could easily escape them. At least, that is what he thought before a dog in armor came up from a hole right in front of him. Clopson quickly dodged the fiends claws, just to find his path blocked by another. He zig zaged between the numerous holes in the ground, barely keeping out of the reach of the dogs, until he realized, to his utter horror, that he was already surrounded. They had herded him into a corner, with his back to a rocky stone wall, he turned to face his pursuers, who now numbered in the dozens, and tried to ward them off with a glow from his horn… he was not nearly talented enough to actually cast some sort of combat spell, but perhaps it would scare them off… It didn’t and they closed in, their tall bodies started to block out the sky and cast his body in shadows. He soon lost sight of the sun, the clouds, and the sky. He then suddenly heard a kind of cracking sound that shook the foundation of the earth he stood upon. He looked up and saw the huge rock wall he had his back to start to crunble and fall, forwards, onto him and the dogs. They all began to bark out wildly and Clospon knew that he had no chance to escape. It was chaos, everywhere, and he would not be able to weave through the crowd and save himself in time. He closed his eyes tightly, shutting out all color and light from his sight as he prepared himself for a crushing pain and an eternity of darkness. But to his surprise, he felt no pain. In fact, he felt a sort of… weightlessness. And instead of darkness, he saw light. Bright light, in the form of every color of the rainbow, and, with no small amount of fear, he peaked open an eye to see what death looked like. He was looking down upon the world from hundreds of feet up, traveling at a dizzying speed. He was flying. There was no pain, and no darkness, and no cold. He felt a strange, tight warmth in his chest and he found great wonder in simply staring down at the world as a spirit, like a god. “Your welcome.” He heard Rainbow Dash say. Clopson felt great confusion and looked around, unable to see the Pegasus. Until he finally chose to look up, and saw her bright blue face looking down at his own. He then looked down and saw her hooves wrapped around his body. “Oh… why yes, thank you.” Clopson said, still in shock. “The diamond dogs sometimes don't look where they’re digging and make the mountains fall. Not very bright.” Dash said. “Yes... quite.” Was all Clopson could muster. “You uh… thank you. Very much.” He let out a long sigh of relief as they began slowing down and gracefully falling lower to the ground. They touched down and Clopson returned to his shaking legs trying to regain his equilibrium. “So.” He shook his head, turning towards Dash once more, with his senses slowly returning to him. “You… how did you know? How did you get there so fast…” “Well, I saw the letter on Twilights door and I thought it could be dangerous around here so I decided to, you know… check up on you. ” She said with a smile. “That’s very thoughtful, and dare I say, I owe my life to you because of it.” She blushed. “It was nothing, really.” Clopson began to feel another warmth inside his chest when he saw her face, and cleared his throat, trying to keep his mind on the task at hand. “So, er, they said something about a dragon. Do you know of any dragon caves nearby.” He asked. “Yea, there’s actually only one close enough to reach in a day.” She said. “I’ll take you there.” Clopson smiled as she once again held him tightly and lifted him up into the air. Clopson truly felt that he was bonding with her now. He began to scoff at Sherlocks warnings now. What did he know of relationships. “Thank you, I’m not sure what I would do without you.” He said with all the charm he could muster. Rainbow Dash smiled and responded, “What are friends for?”
The Needle to The End“Where are the Elements of Harmony?” Clopson asked the immense dragon. “Further in my cave.” The dragon answered. “Hidden by the Bull, Mooriaty.” “And who is Gappy?” Clopson asked. “Oh, you will meet her.” The dragon said, raising one of his arms. Beyond the wall of scales was a thick swath of darkness that Clopsons eyes could not penetrate. “Just remember… all is not as it seems.” The dragon whispered as Clopson began walking. He heard another set of hooves and turned back to see Dash limping after him. “No, Dash…” “You can’t stop me, I’m going with you.” She said in annoyance. She winced at every step. “I’m fine, I think it’s just a sprain…” “You can’t. Look, the best thing you can do is go back to Ponyville and get help. Tell them I found the Elements and to come here.” “No! I Said I’m going with you!” Dash insisted. “I won’t let you go in there alone.” “I can take care of myself…” “So can I!” She fought back. “See, I can walk…” She winced and fell to one of her knees in pain. Clopson tried not to show his annoyance toward her, as he helped her up. She flew a foot into the air with one flap of her wings and smirked. “Dash, Please, I love you, but you need to go back…” he tried to push her out of the cave with his forehead on hers. “Well what if I love you too! I don’t want you to…” Clopson turned his head up, and met her lips with his own. Dash was immediately silenced in the air as Clopson kissed her in anger and passion. It lasted only a moment, or at least, it felt like only a moment, and then Clopson broke it off and spoke, “If there is any trouble, I want royal guards on their way here. That it the best way you can help.” Dash, still shell shocked, nodded once. “Thank you. I promise I will come back safely after this is all through.” Clopson then turned and walked into darkness, still wondering what had come over him. After a few moments the dragon lowered his arm, and all light was gone. Clopson sighed and spoke to himself. “Ha… if only Sherlock could have seen that.” He began to light up his horn. “Just wait until he finds out…” “You can tell him in just a moment.” Clopson suddenly noticed two eyes, and two horns, just inches away from his face. He could not react fast enough, the eyes burst forward at him, the horns going to either side, and he felt the massive skull of a big black bull crash into his own. “I used to wonder what friendship could be!” Clopson awoke to the singing of some horrendous creature and a pounding headache. Clopson observed his surroundings, he was in a dimly lit room with some obnoxious Pony singing the tune. “Until you all shared this… this… erm…” Clopson suddenly recognized the voice and stood up. Clopson was in a small cell with a iron bar door. The voice was coming from an adjacent Cell that he could not see into. “Sherlock?!” he asked in amazement. “No…No… not Sherlock… Horseapples, what’s the next word…” The voice said. “Sherlock is definitely not the right word… wait, what is a Sherlock?” There was no doubt. That voice was Clospons companion, Sherlock Hooves. “Sherlock, it’s me, Clopson.” He said anxiously. “How did you get here? Did you find the Elements? Are you okay?!...” “Big adventure, tons of fun!...” Sherlock carried on, but stopped. “Tons of fun, tons of fun… what comes after tons of fun?… The song can’t end there.” Clopsons heart sank. “Hey, er, who’d you say you were? You know the next part?” he asked Clopson. “I’m… I’m your partner, Clopson…” He tried to remind the deteriorating Sherlock. “No no that’s not it…” Sherlock said in anger. At this point there was a metal clang from elsewhere down the hallway. “Oh, it that who I think it is?” Clopson heard Sherlock say. “The old G.A.P.T. is it?” Clopson recognized those letters. Gapt, Gapy… he could see a Diamond dog misreading that… but whos G.A.P.T.? “That’s Great And Powerfull Trixie to you!” Shouted the blue unicorn as she passed Clopsons cell. Clopson was immediately at the bars. “You! It was you!” he said. Trixie flinched at the sudden movement, but then smiled. “Hmm, foalish colt…” she continued walking until she got to Sherlocks cell. Clopson tried to adjust his head, but he was still unable to see what was going on. “Get up!” Clopson heard a smacking sound “Don’t you hurt him!” Clopson yelled, slamming himself against the grate. there as a silence, a grunt, and Sherlock walked out of his cell with a ball and chain around his back leg. Trixie then unlocked Clospons door and locked another ball and chain around his leg as well. Sherlock seemed to be nursing his eye as both Colts were pushed down the hallway as fast as their chain would let them. “Well well well.” A booming voice was heard after traveling through the darkness for some time. They were now in a large cavern, and with a click, a skylight opened and the coliseum type room lit up from the moons rays up above. The voice belonged to a large black bull near the center, waiting for them. The Elements of Harmony were on the ground around him at his feet. “We finally meet face to face.” Mooriarty finished as the Colts were forced to bow down below the Bovine. “Face to face… to face… to face…” Sherlock mumbled incoherently. The bull chuckled. “Now you see the power of the Elements. Now you know that Lunas threats were justified. She has an army on her side, and a new Republic is on the rise.” He said. “With me as treasurer, And Trixie in second command. You were good to come this far. But even you could not fight against The Magic of the Elements. Even you, can loose” He spoke to Sherlock. Sherlock looked up, around, and then stood up as if at a dinner party and dusted himself off. As if he had suddenly become sober, “You sir are mistaken.” He took a hoof up and pointed at the bull. “You are the one who has lost.” Mooriarty chuckled loudly again. Clopson kept hoping that Dash and the Royal Gaurds would show up soon… “Please, Explain.” The Black Bull asked politely, like a gentlecolt. ”I want to hear this because when absolute power shifts, and Luna demands that you be sent to the sun along with her sister…” “You have no magic.” Sherlock interrupted and explained. “And you never did.” He spat on the ground, trying to remove something unpleasant from his mouth. “I realized,” he started his story, “The moment I saw Celestia, that the Elements had nothing to do with this crime. And I knew that my greatest challenge would not be securing them, but finding you.” He looked deep into the bovine’s eyes. “Celestias entire body was covered by a blanket, but she was not suffering from fever or cold, so the blanket must have been to cover some deformity…” He cleared his throat, every moment seamed to portray the brown colt as a little more sane then he had been before. “And when I got a good look at her up close, my theory was confirmed. She was covered in blue spots under her cloak. It was Poison. She was suffering from Poison Joke. A peculiar plant that grows in the Everfree forest, sometimes the effects of which take away the magic from unicorns, and betray the natural abilities of anyone who touched it. It’s highly potent, but I needed to know how it had gotten into the princess system.” “This too was easy to solve, as I recognized the taste in the tea immediately. Realizing that the culprit had access the tea, they must have been able to sneak about the castle, and they were almost certainly in the room at the time as well to make sure their lie was believed. Also, I knew it could not have been Luna…” “Why not?” The Bull was actually impressed, and was enjoying the spectacle before him. “Firstly, she had left her room on a whim, with breakfast half eaten. No one commits treason on a whim. Secondly, the letter. It was addressed as “Luna.” Not “Nightmare moon” but, “your faithful sister, Luna.” And Luna would never do this. Not to mention that, while the writing was her style, her word choice and syntax portrayed vanity and greed, not jealousy or anger. So I knew that some greedy, vain person in the room was the prime suspect.” Sherlock smiled. “I quickly left the room as calmly as I could and spat my tea into the nearest flowerpot. I had already touched it, but I knew it was only a small dose. Lunas kidnapper, and the thief I was looking for, had seen me drink the poison, and I knew they would believe that my mind, my greatest asset, would soon be deteriorating. A good criminal would jump on the chance to take credit for such an event. Especially one that is already accustomed to taking undue credit.” He motioned to Trixie with a smile. “So my mission was three fold. Get myself cured quickly, find the criminals involved, and save both princess Luna and the Elements of harmony. I told Clopson to stay and give me a list of everyone there so I could start my search, and I also gave a note to Clopson on the door so that he would eventually meet me here as well. While this was going on, I visited the greatest chemist I know, Zecora of the Everfree forest. She quickly gave me a cure and I was on my way…” “And that was when we found you.” Mooriatry chuckled. “… yes. You did find me quite quickly…” “That’s because I knew.” Mooriarty laughed. “I’m not just muscle Sherlock, and I’m not just a criminal… my job is to think like you. To outsmart the law. I knew every step you would make. I knew your would find the poison joke, and I knew you would not tell anybody.” The Bull then leaned down at the small ponys before him “And I know your plan now. You just want to waste time until the Royal Gaurds come to rescue you.” Clopson gulped. “Well, that’s not going to happen. Because you’re not in the Everfree forest, and your not in a dragons cave. No one knows where we are. Face it hooves… you’ve been outmatched.” “That was Clopson plan.” Hooves motioned to Clopson. “Not mine.” “Oh?” The Bull giggled. “And what was your plan?” “Brazalberry.” Sherlock spoke the single word. “… And that is?” Mooriarty asked. “A peculiar berry found in Froggy bottom bog. Very bitter tasting…” He spat on the ground again. “But a little goes a long way. It is a very powerful light blue dye that can make even the darkest pony look a bright blue, especially in moonlight. Concentrated and filtered, about a bucket of berries can be swallowed, but easily vomited. And a stomach full of the berries is enough to dye a small Alicorn…” Trixie lifted her eyes and threw off her cloak, showing a pair of wings. “Luna wasn’t that hard to free, and it wasn’t that hard to knock out Trixie… you really need to get smarter comrades.” Mooriatry flinched at the realization that he was now alone. “So, as I was saying.” Sherlock once again spat out the last of the dye in his mouth. “You are the one who has lost.” Mooriarty quickly tried to dash towards an exit, but Luna quickly blocked the exit with her horn aglow. Sherlock and Clopsons manacles were quickly released and they two went after the Bull. He jumped up, climbing up onto the wall and inched his way up towards the skylight “Don’t let him get away!” Sherlock yelled as Luna swooped up and rammed the huge Bovine off the wall and back to the ground. Morriarty reeled and rolled back to his feet, trying to exit through one of the doors. But Clopson blocked his way “You’ll have to go through me first…” Mooriaty lowered his horns and charged faster. “Oh bugger.” Clopson dived out of the way as Mooriarty charged out the door in order to save himself. He quickly gave chase along with Sherlock and Luna as well through the caverns of the huge underground tunnel. Clopson wondered where they were for a moment, but could not keep his mind on that for long. The bovine kept blending with the shadows around him, making him harder to follow and track, until finally the three reached an exit. As they found the opening to the outside, Clopson gasped. They were exiting the very mountain that supported the Princess castle. He could very easily see Ponyville from here… “Stop!” The ponies turned to see a patrol of guards flying their way. “Mooriatry just escaped!” Sherlock stated. “Luna has been apprehended and the Elements are in that cave.” He motioned to the cave. The guards quickly divided, and checked the authenticity of Sherlocks story as well as sent out and search party for the missing Bovine. The gaurds quickly authenticated and acquired the Elements of Harmony, but after many hours, the guards had returned with nothing. Mooriaty had escaped. 12 hours later. “Well, at least the sun is up.” Clopson said cheerily, Sherlock holding a steak to his bruised eye. He gazed out of the window of their apartment in Canterlot at the sunrise. “And Luna gets a bit of attention. Until Celestia gets better, she will be doing double time I guess with the sun and the moon.” “Yes, And the Elements were found… Job well done.” Clopson looked to his friend in surprise. “Your not angry that Mooriarty escaped? After all that work to corner him?... you even vomited on a princess! I’m sure she didn’t appreciate that idea…” “We will find him.” Sherlock assured Clopson, not addressing the other issue. “But we won this time,” Clopson suddenly noticed Sherlock was holding a blue syringe in his hooves. “What that?” Clopson asked in surprise. “Concentrated Poison Joke…” Sherlock explained with interest. “It seams that it actually had the opposite of the intended affect. While under it’s influence I felt… clearer. Faster. I actually doubt that I would have outwitted Morriaty if it weren’t for this drug…” “You can’t be serious, don’t…” it was too late, and Sherlock stuck the syringe in his arm and injected the poison. ”Sherlock!” Clopson exclaimed in surprise. “Don’t worry.” Hooves sat back in his chair “It’s just a test. I made sure it was a safe amount.” Clopson angrily left his seat and the stormed out of the apartment. “Oh don’t be like that!” Sherlock said, rolling his eyes, but by that time, Clopson had already slammed the door “He never listens to me!” Clopson said in Pony Joes donut shop next to a cup of hot chocolate. “I can forgive him most of the time but now he’s gone too far. I’m his Doctor! And he went and…” “I think we should stop seeing each other.” Clopson stopped rambling and turned to Rainbow Dash in shock. “W… What?” Clopson asked. He felt his heart skip a beat. “It’s not you, it’s just… I want to stay friends.” She shrugged in embarrassment. “And… we’re just not right for each other I think.” “What do you mean?” Clopson asked in dismay. “Do… did I move to fast? I’m I too British? Is it because of Sherlock? Oh, of course it’s because of Sherlock…” “No, that’s not it.” She said awkwardly. “I just… lets just stay friends.” She tried to smile. Clopson was silent, and speechless. Dash awkwardly grimaced and muttered, “I’m sorry,” as she left his side and trotted out the door. “Wow.” Pony Joe put down another donut down by Clopson, “Here, This one’s on the house buddy.” He then walked back into the kitchen, leaving Clopson utterly, and completely alone, with nothing but a lukewarm Chocolate and a jelly donut to ease his sorrows. Elsewhere “Mooriarty sends his regards…” spoke a messenger as she passed a letter to another pony. The pony opened up the scroll a read the lone sentence on the parchment… “10,000 bits for Sherlock’s head.”
Iron Hooves and Silver Tongues“Are you okay?” Dash asked, setting Clopson down at the caves entrance. “Yes, of course.” He said, attempting to hide the degree at which her previous statement phased him. “You uh… you should stay out here. In case things get hairy…” “No way!” Dash responded quickly. “I can handle myself. I saved you last time didn’t I?” “I just don’t want anything happening to you that’s all…” “Well, I don’t want anything happening to you either. We’ll go together.” She said. And that was that. He didn’t try to convince her further, but he did lead the way, with his horn aglow. Through many twists and turns they found themselves in a huge cavern, with the biggest dragon Clopson had ever seen taking up most of the space. Surrounding him were mountains of gems and gold, so much so, that if the cave went any further, Clopson could not tell, because the dragons girth and the treasure abounding around him filled every last crack. The dragon, at the sight of them, bared his fangs, each tooth was the size of Clopson, horn to tail, and he spoke in a booming voice, but Clopson realized by the tone that he must have been whispering. The Dragons voice could bring the whole Mountain crashing down with a word if he wished… “What business do you have?” the Dragon asked. Clopson looked over the dragon once more. The teeth had distracted him, but he now looked along the face and body of the creature, finding a long beard coming down from his chin, a moustache stretching from one side of his face to the other, and his scales chipped and torn. Clopson had never known an old dragon, and wondered how old the thing truly was… he nervously introduced himself. “I am Clopson, and this in my… Friend. Rainbow Dash. I am a detective, and I would like to ask you some questions…” The huge eyes wavered on him, and then turned to Dash. His massive eyelids blinked for a moment, and showed a slight dilation. “You… the rainbow one.” He spoke. “…My son spoke of one such as you. He said you kicked him in the face.” Clopson gulped and looked to Dash, who, wide eyed, nodded and winced with a degree of fear, and remarkably, a bit of pride. The titanic beast giggled, making the earth shake slightly, and debris fall from the walls and ceiling. “I’m sure deserved it… little brat. But I am sorry, I digress..” He spoke slowly, like every word was precious, and deserved great care to speak. “My Name is Death-Engine McRail-Spike.” “Er, that’s… that’s quite the name.” Clopson started. “Dragon names are a bit… Different then Pony names.” He explained. “My father, Rail-Spike McDagger-Fire, once told me a story…” “Not to, um, interrupt, I am sure you have many good stories.” Clopsosn tried to interrupt the slow speaking dragon as politely as he could. “But I am trying to find The Elements of Harmony, And Luna, Celestias sister.” He said. “I heard that a dragon in the area has some… connection to the crime. That is why I am here.” “Oh.” The dragon scales cracked loudly from disuse above his eyes as his one of his brows rose. “And who told you that?” “A Confidential source.” Clopson said, fearing for the Dogs safety against this thing. “They told me you had a connection with Luna, Mooriatry, the Elements of Harmony, and someone called Gappy…” “Gappy?” the Dragon showed genuine confusion. “Gappy… Gappy…” he mumbled to himself. And then in a moment, a loud booming sound came from the belly of the beast, Dash and Clopson covered their ears in pain and fear before Clopson finally realized that the roar was one of laughter. Once he had his fill, he continued, “Those illiterate Dogs…” “What do you mean by that?” Clopson asked. After a short, not as loud chuckle, the dragon responded, “Nothing. Nothing at all. I’m afraid I can’t help you with your investigation.” “Do you expect me to believe that?” Clopson asked. “What are you going to do?” the dragon moved his gargantuan face, which was the size of a three story house, and moved it closer to The Unicorn. “Arrest me?” Clopson kept silent for a moment, and the dragon continued, “I’d like to see you try.” He quickly realized that this dragon would not give him anything. And there was no way force way he could force a confession… “Challenge accepted!” Clopson heard Dash cry and leap into the air in response. “Dash! No!” She darted over the slow dragons head and grabbed one of his massive, bone horns, and tried to pull it back with all the force in her wings… to no avail. She then dashed down to his beard and moustache and grabbed a clump of hair in her hooves, using her legs and wings to pull as hard as she could towards the mouth of the cave. Again, the Dragon did not budge, and simply watched the poor pony make a fool out of herself. With a grunt, she tried to lift on of the dragons claws from the stone ground, but it stayed stiff, and unmoving. With roar of anger, she zoomed out of the cave, turned, gained speed and aimed a hoof to the dragons forehead. A horrible sound, resembling the sound of a bell shattering onto hard earth, was created from this clash. Dash hit the ground nursing her fore hoof in agony as the Dragon maneuvered his old eyes down to gaze upon the tiny creature. “Dash…” Clopson made his way over to her and tried to comfort her. “I’m fine!” she snapped in anger, ripping her hoof away from the doctor. Dash curled into a ball on the floor, facing away from Clopson in shame. He heard a sob and tried laying next to her with a comforting hoof on her side. “Was there anything else you wished to try?” the Dragon asked wryly. Clopson now looked at the old dragon with more confidence. A more powerful instinct to beat this thing gave him the will to try. But what? What could he possibly do to get this dragon to talk… “…How about a game?” Clospon asked. The Dragon raised his brow once more. “A battle of witts. I will ask you a question, a fair question, and you will do the same. And we will continue until one of us outwits the other.” He said. “If you win, I will leave, and whatever plans you have with Luna and Mooiraty will go on unmolested. But if I win. Then you will tell me everything.” The dragon smiled, using muscles and scales that had obviously gone unused for perhaps a century. “I have a mind that has eons on yours. Do you know how many I have triumphed over in the past?” “No. But I doubt you have ever had a true cause other then treasure motivating you… and I have something I fight for.” He said. “Fine. But what is a, “fair” question?” The dragon asked. “It cannot require information that either party is not privy to. No ‘what is jingling in my pocket’ bullocks.” The dragon nodded his house of a head. “And if multiple answers exist, all must be accepted.” Clopson racked his brain, trying to think of anything the dragon could use to corrupt that game. “Sounds fair.” The dragon agreed. “But if I win, I want a reward” “What do you want? I suppose I could help you get more gems…” “I don’t want gold or gems. I have enough riches.” He spoke. “I have gold and Emeralds, and Rubies and Topaz, and Turquois and Opal, and Diamond and Perl, they have simply lost their color in my eyes.” He spoke with great age. “I have had every treasure known in Equestria, from food to books and magical items. But there is something I have not had. In many, many eons… youth.” His eyes went down upon Rainbow Dash. “I can no longer see your colors, but I can feel the vibrant life inside her… I want her. Should I win, her life is forfeit.” “I can’t let you…” “Do it.” Dash said. Clopson gaped at her for a moment as the pony wiped her eyes. “But, but…” “We need to get the elements, and this is the only way I can help… fine.” She said. “Do it.” “I will let you start.” The dragon responded with a smile Clopson gulped. He was not Sherlock, but he had his fair share of puzzles to ask. “Alright, so, a plane flies and crashes on the border of Equestria and Canterlot…” “Survivors aren’t buried.” “Horseapples. I guess you’ve heard that one.” Clopson said. He now realized what kind of predicament he was in. this dragon had probably heard every riddle ever made… “My turn.” The dragon spoke. “The man who made it does not want it, the man who needs it does not know it, and the man who bought it does not need it. What Is it?” Clopson knew this one! What was it though?! It was on the tip of his tongue… no… no… He stomped his hoof against the ground and shut his eyes tight. Think Clopson think… “Time is ticking.” The Dragon spoke. “I am getting impatient.” “There were no rules on a time limit…” Clopson said. “That was your fault.” The dragon responded. He then, slowly, took a claw to one of his treasures, a huge hourglass, and turned it over. “So now I get to make my own. And I want an answer before the sand runs out.” “I… I…” he had to think of something. The hourglass was not set for an hour… he had only a minute. And the seconds went by at the speed of his every breath. “Three, two…” the dragon counted down as the last grain was about to fall. “A bra!” Clopson screamed. The cave was filled with silence. “That’s not the…” “But it works. ” Clopson smiled, his face filled with sweat. “The rule says if a question had multiple answeres, they must all be acceptable.” The dragon was deep in thought for a moment, “The man who made it does not want it…” the dragon repeated under his breath. He chuckled. “Fine. It passes.” He said. “This time.” Now it was Clopsons turn. He tried to think of the most abstract riddle he had ever heard… “Your turn.” The old dragon spoke again in impatience. “Okay, so…” Clopson started. “Two brothers stand at a crossroads, one always tells the truth, and one always lies, and you get one question to find out which way leads to salvation…” “If you were your bother which way would you say lies salvation?” The dragon stated. “So I… guess you heard that one too?” Clopson said awkwardly, tried not to look into Dashes glaring face. “I swear, next you will be asking me what walks of four legs in the morning.” The dragon rolled his eyes. “I hadn’t actually heard that one…” Clopson said, but then he quickly corrected himself. “Oh, well, I mean, yes, everyone has heard of that one. Four legs and all that. Good classic.” The dragon sighed and then spoke, ”Many years ago, Before Luna fought against her sister, and before The Elements of Harmony were ever created, Celestia and Luna where testing their magic. I had only just spawned, I was a baby dragon, in an old world that many say is filled with arcane magic… but to me, it is simple magic…” Clopson knew right away that he had not heard this one before… “It was Celestia who opened my egg, but it was not her face that I saw first… it was Lunas. She was beside Celestia, and try as she might, she failed to open my brothers egg.” The Dragon closed his eyes, remembering the sad fate he witnesses so long ago. “She never passed that test. And I grew up an only child, and though I had been hatched by Celestia, I bonded with Luna at birth, and always saw her as a teacher… and a mother.” There was a silence. And then he spoke. “What is my brothers name?” “That’s Bull!!” Rainbow Dash accused with a scream. “You’re breaking the rules…” “You already have all the information you need.” The Dragon spoke nonchalantly. “But I will give you time. If you need it.” Clopson took a deep breath and Dash continued to curse and cradle her injured hoof. He looked at the dragon, his eyes, his scales, his horn, his moustache, he recalled the dragons name, “Kill-Switch McRail-Spike…” Clopson had an epiphany… but was it possible?... “…Your Brother.” Clopson started. “…Is it Spike?” The dragon sighed. “Correct. Though, I doubt even Celestia recognized the egg.” “Wow… Spike’s gona look like you?!” Dash asked in surprise. “Yes… the mustache is unique in our family.” He said. “It shows our sea serpent lineage… but I digress. It is your turn Clopson.” The Dragon continued. “…” Clopson had an idea. “Though I never hide, I only come out at night. The blacker it is, the brighter my light. Only in darkness am I seen. Death is my brother, and life my bride to be. What am I?” The Dragon paused… his eyes shifted up and to the right, and then he smiled once more. “Where did you hear this riddle…” “Answer, and then I will tell.” Clopson responded. The mass of scales shifted and he brought a single claw to his temple in thought. “… I give up.” The Dragon said in pleasant defeat. “Now tell me.” “The answer, is “A Dream”.” Clopson said. The Dragon snapped his claws in frustration and smiled. “Of course! But where did you hear it…” “I made it up!” Clopson said with pride. The Dragon guffawed and slammed his hand against the ground, shaking the mountains very foundation. “Of course you did! It has been so long since I spoke to a creative soul…” he took a short breather to regain his composure. “A deal is a deal, I will cooperate.” He said happily. He rested his body back onto the stone earth and finished, “What do you want to know?”
