Solutions
Puzzle 001
The key is to work the answer out by going backwards through the puzzle. This would land you at Fisherton Street.
As for the house number, if the highest house number on the street is 30 and the one you need has its digits adding to 11, then only one solution is available: 29.
Puzzle 002
The number that brings good fortune: 7
The number that lets bad luck reign: 13
Multiply, then once more each: 7 x 13 x 7 x 13 = 8281
And spin them 'round again: 1828
The answer, therefore, is 1828.
Puzzle 003
The whopping big problem with the first pony's claims is that if he can't stop lying then how can he tell the truth on the same point? This must mean that the first pony could either lie or tell the truth.
This leaves one pony always telling the truth and one always telling a lie. Taking a look at the third pony, he states that the first pony is indecisive on his truths, and we now know this to be true. Therefore, the third pony must be the one that always tells the truth.
By process of elimination, the second pony must be the one who always lies.
That means we must follow the third pony's advice and take the left wall.
Puzzle 004
If "LADLE ACHE!" has 7 different characters, and we have 7 different buttons, they must each represent a character. Take a look at the shapes or, more specifically the number of edges or angles each one has. The circle has 1 edge, the six-pointed star has 12 edges, the pentagon has 5 edges, the four-pointed star has 8, the square has 4 and the triangle has 3 edges.
The letters connect to this relating to where they are in the alphabet. A is 1st, L is 12th, E is 5th, H is 8th, D is 4th and C is 3rd.
Connecting one to the other, the buttons must be pressed as follows: six-pointed star (L), circle (A), square (D), six-pointed star (L), pentagon (E), circle (A), triangle (C), four-pointed star (H), pentagon (E), !
(A stinker, I know, but only the best for Princess Celestia.)
Puzzle 005
If Courage and Jimmy are both pulled by two ponies only, they must share their circle. Not only that but Excelsior, pulled by four ponies, cannot share the same circle at all. Regardless of whether the top circle represents silver carriages or open-top carriages (of which Gallant is both), Excelsior cannot share the circle. As no carriages are kept outside of the circles, Excelsior must be where it is marked on the diagram.
Puzzle 006
The other eight markings can be flipped and rotated to match each other, but the one circled won't match at all unless you swap some of the colours with each other.
Puzzle 007
From the top of the pile down, you have Line 5 (grey), Line 6 (blue), Line 2 (red), Line 7 (purple), Line 4 (green), Line 1 (orange) and Line 3 (black) at the bottom. The middle of the pile has three lines above and three lines beneath, which is Line 7.
Puzzle 008
The letter K.
In the alphabet, start off at the destination’s first letter, i.e. P. Then go backwards in the alphabet however many letters forward the last letter in the destination is in the alphabet.
Ponyville: P O N M L K
- A B C D E
Puzzle 009
If you look carefully, it is the only shape in the picture that doesn't have a diagonal line running through it.
Big thanks to shadow0knight for helping me retrieve those lost little answers!
Hello, everypony. The slightly nutty author here. I never realised that everyone would take so quickly to the story! (Waking up with 30 e-mails in your inbox after 2 months of receiving nothing but occasional Amazon and Ebay ads is a surprise, to say the least.) Many have requested solutions as we go. As I intend on releasing the story in three-chapter bursts, I will put in an extra chapter after each burst with solutions to the puzzles. This is due in part to not having anticipated the thirst, but also to make sure people don't just look at the problems, give up, look at the answers and go 'meh'.
Thank you again, everypony. May your days be pleasant!
Russell "Crystal Blue" Smith
231389
I did intend on bringing Luke along, but a little canonicity stomped the idea flat, what with the events of 'The Lost Future'. I am still trying to gauge the level of difficulty for the puzzles, and comments like yours are helping greatly. I appreciate the feedback, it is very useful.
Thank you again!
231251
It is a reference to an upcoming event in the show itself, namely that of Princess Cadence.
232241
Of course, references shall be made to Luke. I'll see how the story flows and where would be best to include Master Triton. The one thing I would want to avoid is shoehorning him uncomfortably into the story, else it would just be jarring.
233282
Well, it is far afield, just not as far as Celestia was thinking.
Uhh.....Do you have the answers for Puzzle #007 through #009?
255628
Excellent observation! Those completely escaped me. I have put them in their rightful place in the first solutions chapter, and you have been namechecked for your vigilance.
Thank you!
Oh good, an answer to why Luke isn't here. I was starting to get scared...
This has piqued the interest of my Layton fanboyism...watching/tracking!
I couldn't get 6 or 8. Oh well.