“There is an undeniable exhilaration in moment of even the smallest discovery”
― Graham Moore, The Sherlockian
Equestria Daily
‘Tragedy strikes Canterlot as a murder had been committed in the very bowels of its business avenue. The strange activities relating to a possibly Germane murderer and the identification of the body as that of…’
The Canterlot Chronicle
‘A Germane assassination performed by an unknown assailant on an Equestrian victim by the name of…’
The Ponyville Confidential
‘Germane assassins and how they affect YOU! Ten tips by Germaney expert Aryanne…’
Time Turner read over the many articles spread out on the kitchen table while Sheerluck was slowly losing any remaining shreds of sanity he had left.
“Blast those bloody Guards! Blast Germane-phobia! Blast these reports! And blast the murderer! Hiring Changelings?! How the bloody Tartarus does one hire a Changeling anyways? They’re hive creatures; they can’t even be hired!”
“I don’t know, Sheerluck.” Time Turner said for the umpteenth time in a row. He and Sheerluck had stayed up all night, pondering about the Changeling agent hired by the murderer and waiting for the morning issues of the most important newspapers available. Derpy and Dinky had already awoken to go to work and school. Derpy kissed Time Turner goodbye and gave Sheerluck a great hug, which he had barely noticed.
“Now how are we supposed to figure it out? Changelings are involved. That takes everything we know about the case and throws it out the window.” Time Turner informed Sheerluck, who was so angry that all he could do was nod. Suddenly, the grey stallion burst into fits again.
“Oh, bless you, it doesn't matter in the least,” he shouted. Time Turner wasn’t sure if Sheerluck was being sarcastic or not. “If the murder is caught, it will be on account of their over-exertions; if he escapes, it will be in spite of their over-exertions. It's heads I win and tails you lose! Whatever they do, they will have followers. Fools always find bigger fools to look up to."
“So what are we going to do? Obviously the Changelings were hired. Because Changelings feed off pony emotions, but there are no records of a Changeling murdering a pony. So who hired them to steal the ring? And how did he hire Changelings?”
Sheerluck was silent as he pondered Time Turner’s questions. Then his face lit up like a lightbulb as he rose a hoof triumphantly into the air.
“Princess Twilight Sparkle has dealt with Changelings before, has she not?”
“She has.”
“Well then, maybe we should ask her on the behaviors of Changelings.”
With that, Sheerluck levitated his trademark cape and cap behind him as he pulled out his bubble pipe. This time, Time Turner didn’t mind the silly instrument as bubbles filled the air when they ran all the way to the Friendship Castle. When Time Turner had told the detective the name of the castle, Sheerluck had scoffed and muttered something about tactless Equestrians.
He reached up a hoof and pounded on the castle doors. Seconds later they were met by a grumpy purple baby dragon.
“Hello. Welcome to Friendshi-”
“We seek an audience with Princess Twilight Sparkle. This is an important demand regarding a murder that has occurred in Canterlot. We are investigators who seek information on Changelings.”
“Yeah and I’m Spike the Dragon. Why should I let you see the Princess exactly?” The dragon grunted. Sheerluck studied the baby while the Doctor gaped incredulously.
“Yes, you are Spike the Dragon,” Sheerluck said quickly, “you are insecure about your capabilities, so you take advantage of every method of control you possibly can. You have an intense crush on a mature mare with a purple mane. Your insecurities also make it hard for you to tell her, further explaining your hunger for power.”
Spike took several steps back, his mouth hanging open and his face suddenly pale.
“Ah so we can come inside now? Excellent.”
As they trotted together towards the main chamber of the castle, Sheerluck took the time to explain his deductions for Time Turner.
“The way the dragon carried himself and spoke indicated he was not ordered to question us. He was simply ordered to answer the door and he took it as a chance to make a loophole, where he would have some control over the matter. He also has purple hairs in his scales, long ones indicating a full-grown mare. And no full-grown mare would engage in any romantic activities with a prepubescent drake.”
“Incredible!” Time Turner praised.
“Elementary.” Sheerluck countered.
Waiting for them in the large decadent chamber was Twilight Sparkle. She was flying up among what appeared to be tree roots stretching down to a holographic map of Equestria surrounded by six thrones and a small stool. She noticed her visitors.
“Hello, how can I help you?”
“Changelings. Need information. A-SAP.” Sheerluck grunted. Twilight looked taken aback and she blinked for a good ten seconds before the Alicorn landed beside them and started lecturing them.
“Changelings are usually mindless creatures. They have a capability to think for themselves, but they always need somepony to take orders from. Their Queen. And the Queen controls them directly, via pheromones and speech. A Queen can accept payment to order her hive to perform duties, but that is rare. She usually only orders her hive about for personal gain.”
“So,” Sheerluck asked, “our suspect is presumed to have hired a Changeling Queen. From what you say, we can infer that he did not pay her in bits, but in promises. Now not only do we have to find the identity of our suspect, but we need to find out what sort of deal he has made with the Changelings.”
“It can’t be a good deal either,” Twilight added, “Changelings feed off pony emotions. Which means this ‘suspect’ you speak of is obviously exchanging help for ponies. Which means you need the Elements of Harmony to help you!” She puffed up her chest in pride and was halfway towards the cutie map when Sheerluck coughed loudly, attracting her attention.
“Actually, Princess. I would much rather catch the pony who is evading my client myself?”
“Your client? Who are you, anyways?”
“Sheerluck Hooves. Consulting detective. I was hired by the Royal Guard to find a murderer who has killed a stallion in the gardens of Canterlot.”
“Well listen here, Mister Hooves, if that is your real name, me and my friends wi-”
“Yes, yes. Friendship is magic. Lovey dovey. Let’s all hug.” Sheerluck gagged. Then turned to Time Turner. “Now we haven’t got much time. We need to catch our crook before whatever plans the Changelings have made with him are run into action. We don’t have time for the Friendship brigade to try and solve a mystery that I am more capable of solving myself. Let’s get going.”
“Hey! Friendship is one the most-”
“-powerful forms of magic. I know. But this isn’t magic. This is deductions and solving mysteries. Now please. I simply must find this murderer, so I can collect my paycheck and resolve whatever conflict is about to explode between Changelings and ponies.”
Just as Twilight opened her mouth to let off a retort, another pony burst into the room. She was panting and out of breath, but Sheerluck and Time Turner knew that mouth cutie mark from anywhere.
“Chatterbox? What the hay are you doing here?” Time Turner asked the usually talkative mare. Chatterbox continued to gasp for breath. Time Turner guessed she had ran all the way from Canterlot to get to them.
“I… I… I tried to get to your house… But you weren’t home… Somepony said they saw you come here… So I came… As quick as I could…” She slumped onto the floor, coughing.
“Chatterbox,” Time Turner said, putting a hoof on her shoulder, “What’s happened?”
“There’s… There’s…”
“What is it already? Spit it out.” Sheerluck demanded, getting impatient.
“There’s been another murder. Somepony’s killed the Captain of the Royal Guard.”