Officer Constable rushed over to the pony approaching from the main street. At first she thought she was just meeting another curious onlooker who needed to be turned back from the scene, but as she drew closer to the rain soaked unicorn she realized that she was dealing with an entirely different kind of pony.
The unicorn stood before the police officer with furrowed eye and curt frown upon his face. Though his dark green eyes shone brilliantly in the streetlights around them, they carried a cold expression within them that almost seemed to imply that the pony had never been happy and never will be. But what drew the officer's attention the most was the dark blue uniform rendered even darker by the rain pouring around them. No badge was on his chest, but no badge was needed, Officer Constable immediately recognized the pony as an inspector from Equestria's highest civil authority, the Royal Equestrian Police Nationale.
Rainwater poured out of the inspector's hat as he slightly tipped it towards the officer. Officer Constable immediately saluted and began guiding the Inspector towards the scene of the crime, half shouting over the sound of the storm around them.
“Good evening, sir. I'm Officer Constable. They told me you'd be coming, I assume you're going to be taking the lead on this one?”
The pause in the conversation caused the Inspector to turn his head briefly towards Constable.
“I am Inspector Javanner of the Royal Equestrian Police Nationale.”
Instinctively, Constable put her hoof out for a shake, but Javanner's cold eyes caused her to retract it almost instantly. Observing the obvious retreat from the police officer, Javanner tipped his hat again.
“My apologies, this evening's business is rather grim, and of the highest priority. I tend to forget my manners under such...circumstances.”
Constable quickly nodded and continued.
“Of course, no trouble. Umm, as I was saying, the locals aren't going to fight you for jurisdiction on this one, they understand just how high up this goes.”
Inspector Javanner turned his attention back to the building before them, specifically the door.
“That is good. Tell me, what do you have so far?”
Noticing the object of the inspector's attention, Constable cleared her throat and began.
“The door shows no sign of forced entry. To be honest, we don't have too much to go on, this was the last place...she was...seen...”
Officer Constable cleared her throat again and tried to start again, but choked up once more as the thought came to her mind.
“I'm sorry, it's just that...the princess...she's been here for so long...we all know her, you know?”
Inspector Javanner's curt frown remained, but Officer Constable thought that she could almost see a look of pity in his otherwise unfeeling eyes as he glanced towards her.
“I understand your concern. I can assure you my superiors are...equally concerned. But that is why we are here. We are going to find Her Highness and return her home.”
Constable nodded, barely able to whisper a “thank you” to the inspector as he turned and walked into the library-turned-castle. Inside, the castle looked as mundane and uneventful as a magical castle could. All of the furniture was upright and in place, books were in the process of being unpacked and put on a shelf across from the doorway, and other signs that the place was just now being transformed from a distant castle into a home.
Stopping to examine the books on the shelf, Inspector Javanner's eyes scanned the volumes present and the box that contained, at least, some of the rest. His eyes narrowed and never left their targets as he spoke with Constable behind him.
“I presume you have already searched the...facility?”
Sensing a certain emotion in the word “facility”, Constable leaned in closer.
“Yes sir, everything looks as though Princess Twilight just...just left. Like she had gone somewhere and did not return.”
Inspector Javanner pushed the uncharacteristic emotion from his mind as he turned back towards the door. The last time he had been by Ponyville's library, it was significantly smaller. He felt he owed the Princess of Friendship something after that investigation, but he would not let that alter his judgment. Shaking his head ever so slightly, Javanner firmed his resolve. Emotion had no place in an investigation like this. He would find her because it was his job, he would arrest the criminal for their crime, and he would punish those responsible in accordance with the law.
“The door was unlocked?”
Constable nodded quickly.
“Yes, sir. Ponyville is a small town sir, we all know each other you see. It's not that uncommon for ponies to just leave their doors unlocked.”
“Even when they will be away for extended periods of time?”
Officer Constable looked toward the door.
“Well, that's less typical.”
Inspector Javanner nodded and resumed his walk through the castle. Everything was in order, as he would have expected from Princess Twilight. The beds were made, carpets clean, and the tables and chairs were set with each other.
Pausing in the kitchen, Javanner noticed a teapot, two cups, and three saucers set out to dry. They had long since dried, as they had been put out since before Twilight Sparkle's disappearance, but there was something about them that drew Javanner's attention. Observing his eyes locked onto the dishes on the counter, Constable stepped up beside him.
“That's exactly how we found the place. Washed and dried, waiting to be put up.”
“There is a cup missing.”
“Sir?”
“There is a cup missing.”
Constable moved to the dishes to look at them with a closer eye.
“Only the Princess and her baby dragon live here. Perhaps she used the third saucer for cookies or something?”
Javanner walked carefully towards the kitchen counter that held the dishes, using his magic to carefully pick up the third saucer and levitate it closer to him.
“I am not certain how familiar you are with Her Highness, but there is one thing I have learned in my past experience involving her...”
Inspector Javanner's eyes began to glow an eerie shade of red as he examined the saucer under a magnification spell.
“...and that is that Her Highness is very...particular about how things should be done. I am doubtful that she would use a saucer for a plate.”
Seeing nothing but a perfectly clean saucer, Javanner carefully set the dish back down as it was.
“Have you examined the trash? What did you find?”
Constable opened the trashcan next to the kitchen counter. Inside, on top of all of the usual kitchen refuse, was the broken teacup. Immediately Javanner levitated the cup from the trash, his eyes already glowing as he lifted the cup closer and closer to his face.
“It still has dried tea leaves in it.”
Officer Constable said nothing as Javanner looked around the kitchen, his eyes still glowing under his magic as he scanned the room. As he began to slowly move about the room in a spiral pattern, his eyes would shift colors every time he altered his spell, looking for anything out of the ordinary, no matter how mundane.
Time almost seemed to stand still until, at last, Javanner's eyes fell on the table. His eyes shifted to a purple color as he leaned in over it. The silence was almost enough to break Officer Constable until suddenly Javanner's eyes went wide.
“I see, but then...”
Constable carefully approached the table, taking the utmost care to not get in the Inspector's way.
“What is it? Did you find something?”
The Inspector slowly hunched down near the table's legs, his eyes were almost touching the floor as they became a bright scarlet.
“Yes, Officer Constable, and if I can see...yes...yes, look...”
The Inspector's voice trailed off as his mind caught up with his words. Though the tone of his voice never left the dull, hushed monotone that he had started the conversation with, Constable could easily hear the excitement in his voice as his eyes returned to their more natural dark green. Holding the broken teacup between them, Inspector Javanner began.
“I believe there was a third guest who shared tea with the princess that day.”
Constable placed a hoof to her chin.
“How do we know? It could have been that the cup was broken in an everyday accident.”
Javanner nodded towards the saucers.
“It is unlikely that Her Highness would have produced a third saucer if she had simply had tea for herself and her dragon. Regardless of how it was broken, I believe it is a safe assumption that there was an additional guest present.”
Constable nodded.
“I understand, do you think the third guest was the perpetrator?”
Javanner looked towards a specific spot on the table.
“Examine this carefully, what do you see?”
Constable leaned in, careful not to touch the table herself until at last she backed up, her eyes wide.
“Purple fur.”
Inspector Javanner nodded with what Constable could only barely consider a smile.
“If you examine the floor closely you will find scuff marks on the tile around the table's legs, indicating that it has been moved at some time in the near past, by being pushed across the floor.”
Javanner's eyes began to glow a supernatural red again as he leaned in and motioned to a spot on the floor.
“It is rather difficult to see, but you can see some faint streaks of brown here on the floor, tea that had been cleaned up in a hurry, but a small amount was left behind to dry, leaving this faint stain.”
Constable bent over and placed her eyes as close to the floor as she could and caught sight of the faint brown left behind on the floor tiles.
“So, what do you think happened?”
“I believe that Her Highness fell forward, impacted the table and dropped her cup, this cup, which broke on the floor. Whoever cleaned up after her was in a hurry, as they did not return the table to its original position nor did they fully mop up the tea spilt on the floor.”
Inspector Javanner looked around at the room again.
“We will continue searching for clues regardless, but the door was unlocked and un-tampered with, there are no signs of altercation, excepting the table before us, which leads me to believe that whoever entered the Princess's home that day was someone that the Princess knew, perhaps was friends with, or at the very least, was familiar enough with to invite into her home for tea.”
Looking back to the table, Inspector Javanner continued.
“Her Highness is not clumsy. Something or someone forced her head to hit this table, rendering her unconscious, allowing the perpetrator to easily and quietly remove her from the premises without drawing any attention. The perpetrator cleaned the area hastily in an effort to hide their method and took Her Highness with them.”
Constable stood there silent as the Inspector's eyes changed from red to violet.
“Her Highness is an alicorn. It would be exceedingly difficult for anypony to outmatch her and render her helpless, even with the element of surprise.”
Javanner's eyes returned to their natural color as he levitated the cup back between himself and Constable.
“You should have your specialists look at this. I suspect there may be residue from some form of sleeping agent within it.”
Constable nodded as she took hold of the cup.
“Don't you want the Police Nationale's lab to look at it?”
Inspector Javanner shook his head as the last of his magic began to fade away and his horn finally stopped humming.
“If this is a kidnapping, then time is of the essence and there is no time to send this all the way back to Canterlot. I trust your labs are sufficient for this task?”
“Yes sir.”
As Constable turned for the door, Javanner looked back towards the trashcan. His mind began to wonder what other secrets the simple object might hold, but as his horn began to glow, another officer entered the kitchen.
“Inspector Javanner? Sir, there is a pony here to see you.”
Javanner turned towards the officer, who continued.
“It's...it's very important, sir.”
Without a word, what tiny presence of a smile was on Javanner's face instantly vanished. He nodded towards the officer and walked past him and back into the rain. He didn't have to look far to find the nondescript carriage sitting on the roadside, surrounded by the night guards.
The guards said nothing as one opened the door for him to enter. Javanner removed his hat and stepped inside. Though he already knew who was waiting for him, Inspector Javanner waited until he had sat down and had a chance to look at his superior with his own eyes.
“Your Highness.”
Princess Luna nodded slightly from her place opposite of him in the small carriage. Her dark robe may have protected her from the cold, but did little to hid her identity.
“Inspector. We trust thy skills continue to serve thee well. Prithee, enlighten us as to what thou hast found so that we relay to our sister what is known.”
Inspector Javanner, with his eyes as neutral as he could keep them, look directly at the robed figure.
“We do not know anything yet, Your Highness-”
“Thine eyes can withhold many things from many a pony, but they cannot deceive us.”
Javanner closed his eyes and, with a rare glimpse of emotion, sighed. Luna leaned forward in her seat and placed herself directly in front of him.
“Thou knowest something. Prithee, recall thy Princess of the Day and her grave distress. How can we return to her with nothing? Canst thou truly be so cold? Art thou not aware of the relationship betwixt the two?”
Javanner opened his eyes an nodded.
“I am aware that Her Highness was the pupil of Princess Celestia.”
“Theirs is not some simple relation of student and master, nay, our sister has raised the young Princess Twilight since long before our return. Since the young Princess was but a mere foal, she has been at thy Princess's side, ever learning, ever loving. I tell thee the truth, thou shalt not find a more loving mother in this land than the maternal spirit that has manifest itself upon our sister's brow. She weeps, e'en now she weeps, in fear and despair for the one that would be her daughter. How can we go back to her with nothing to report? With nothing that might bring even the smallest release unto her burdened heart? Prithee, tell me, what dost thou know?”
Javanner's face hardened again as he looked out the windows to both sides, as though he were afraid that somepony might hear him.
“There is little we can say for certain at this point, Your Highness, however I can, in...decent confidence, give you this: Her Highness, Princess Twilight Sparkle, is almost certainly still alive.”
Luna's eyes widened as she leaned in closer.
“Truly? Art thou certain? How canst thou be certain?”
Javanner paused momentarily in order to put his words together as carefully as he could. He had dealt with enough families to know that a loving aunt could be just as passionate, and just as dangerous, as a loving mother.
“Your Highness, I am sorry, but I do not wish to reveal any more until I know more. Speculation now could do far more harm than good.”
Luna's eyes narrowed in on him, trying to pierce the hardened gaze of the inspector that had so often pierced into other ponies.
“Inspector Javanner, As Princess of the Night I hereby command thee to render unto me what thou dost hide.”
“We have found...evidence of...foul play.”
Luna's eyes dilated rapidly.
“What dost thou mean foul play? Dost thou mean to imply that some rogue has...has...to what end doth such misery come upon us?! Wherefore would any pony lash out against so noble and innocent a soul as young Twilight?!”
Inspector Javanner began to doubt his word choice as tears began flowing from Luna's eyes.
“Your Highness, I do not yet know why, only that some pony has taken great lengths to enact this plot. Because of the efforts made by her captor, I can only believe that their intention is to keep her alive.”
Luna said nothing as she finally leaned back into her seat. Inspector Javanner slowly replaced his hat and reached for the carriage door.
“I will not rest until she is found, Your Highness.”
Princess Luna wordlessly nodded as the Inspector opened the door and left. The cold night suddenly seemed all the more chilling as he hurriedly walked back toward the castle.
Inside, Officer Constable was waiting for him.
“Inspector, we've found something you might find interesting.”
Javanner looked to the officer calmly, his face hiding all of the emotion from his recent meeting.
“Go on.”
Constable nodded and held up a small sheet of paper.
“We have a small field kit on hoof. It can't get into too much detail, but we thought we would run a sample through it anyways.”
“Get on with it, Officer.”
Constable gulped as she stepped back. Though Inspector Javanner's tone never changed, she could easily sense that his meeting had not gone well.
“You were right. There are sleeping agents and natural depressants mixed into the tea's remains. They were probably used to render the Princess unconscious.”
Javanner nodded as Constable continued.
“It's quite possible that the same substance was used on the dragon, if all three of them were having tea.”
“I am aware of that, Officer. Tell your ponies to wake up every drugstore and pharmacy owner in town. We need to know who has purchased any form of sleep aid in the last week.”
Constable saluted and she turned to execute her orders, but she suddenly stopped and turned back.
“Sir, there is also...well, two things really.”
Noticing the fidgeting appearance of the officer in front of him, Inspector Javanner took a slow breath and began walking with Constable towards the door.
“The more, the better. Please, continue, Officer Constable.”
Constable nodded and produced a small bag with a strand of hair in it.
“First, we found a stray hair in the trash. It's quite red and doesn't match the highlights in Princess Twilight's mane. It probably belongs to the perpetrator.”
Inspector Javanner's eyes glowed a deep crimson as he took hold of the bag with his magic and held it in front of his eyes.
“Very good, Officer. And the second?”
“Second, as I mentioned earlier, we found a number of herbal components in the tea, components like what you would find in the Everfree Forest.”
Javanner's eyes returned to normal as he passed the bag back to Constable.
“I see. Is there a known herbalist who frequents the forest?”
“Yes sir, it's just that, she lives rather deep in the forest. We might not...be able...to get...”
Constable's words trailed off as she looked into the stern gaze of the inspector.
“It will be difficult to get to her tonight, sir.”
The small hut was a decent distance into the woods, as Officer Constable had said, and the trees were so thick the neither Javanner nor Constable knew if the storm was still raging on above them or if water was simply still seeping through the canopy above them. Still, they pressed on until at last they were standing at the door.
Constable was exhausted, covered with mud and briars, and unable to tell if the sun had risen yet or not, beside her stood Inspector Javanner, who seemed more like a machine than a pony to her now. Though his uniform was also splattered with mud and rife with briars and burrs, he did not show even the slightest sense of weakening as he pounded on the wooden door.
For a moment, there was nothing but silence, to which the Inspector responded by pounding on the door again. At last a tired looking zebra opened the door. Rubbing her eyes and yawning the zebra looked over both of the ponies before her.
“This is indeed a most unusual sight. What brings you ponies here tonight? Please forgive my mood most sour, but perhaps you should call back at another hour.”
Javanner nodded and tipped his hat.
“I apologize for the interruption at this hour. I am Inspector Javanner of the Royal Equestrian Police Nationale. This is Officer Constable of the local Ponyville Police Department. We would like to ask you some questions, may we come in? Again, I am sorry, but this is a matter of national importance and time is of the essence. I'm afraid I must insist upon your aid...now.”
The zebra's eyes widened slightly as she looked back and forth between the two ponies and slowly opened the door.
“If this is how you want to go, then please tell me what you want to know. We got off onto the wrong hoof, I did not mean to be so aloof. Please come in while I make my coffee stout, then won't you please tell me what this is about?”
Inspector Javanner nodded.
“Thank you.”
The zebra, who identified herself as Zecora, rubbed her chin as she carefully thought about the simple question they had asked her.
“I do have the answer that you seek, for not many ponies visit me in a week. Those who do ask for medication, but not usually for sleep deprivation. First one who did my potions buy, was a dear sweet pegasus named Fluttershy.”
Inspector Javanner's eyes shot across to Officer Constable, who was writing the information down. Zecora paused for a moment to sip her coffee before continuing.
“Two more came before the week was done, but I did not know them, neither one.”
Javanner nodded.
“Did they come in together?”
Zecora took a longer sip on her coffee, but appeared to struggle with it for a moment before she answered.
“Forgive me, this coffee is too hot. But to answer your question, no they did not. The first one came and was gone quite soon, the last one came Tuesday at noon. While the first was in and gone, just like that, the second stayed and decided to chat.”
Javanner's face remained expressionless as the zebra recited her verses. His appetite for such language was already gone, but he decided it better to leave the cooperative witness alone.
“I see. Can you describe the two ponies?”
“First was a stallion with a coat of blue, his mane was green and his eyes were too. Second was a mare with hair of red, poison joke had gone to her head.”
“What do you mean?”
“Poison joke is a peculiar flower and contains within it a peculiar power. Your inner thoughts it can hear and then will alter what you hold dear. This poor mare thought highly of her mind, and thus found her head the size of a pumpkin's rind.”
“So she had been affected by the plant?”
“Indeed she had and curious was, about the plant and her curse's cause. A conversation began quite soon, about my friends Twilight and Applebloom.”
“You talked about Princess Twilight?”
“We did indeed to my delight, she also knew the Princess Twilight.”
Officer Constable swiftly scribbled the verses down and, signifying she was ready, asked the obvious question.
“What did you chat about?”
“As poison joke was on her mind, I told her of a similar time. When Twilight and her pony folk fell under the spell of poison joke.”
Javanner cleared his throat as he leaned in slightly.
“What effect did the poison joke have upon Her Highness?”
“Twilight did look so forlorn, the flower disabled her magical horn.”
Both Javanner's and Constable's eyes widened as they immediately turned toward each other.
“Sleep aid to render her unconscious...”
“Poison joke to render her helpless...”
Both ponies turned back to Zecora, who was now looking concerned.
“Tell us, what did this pony look like? What specifically did she buy from you?”
Zecora reached back behind her to grab hold of a few glass jars, passing them carefully to the Inspector and the Officer.
“As simple potion to help her sleep, a cure for poison joke, made from leek.”
Javanner's eyes began to glow, shifting colors rapidly as he quickly examined both of the jars, leaving Constable to continue taking notes. Once he was satisfied, his eyes returned to normal and he placed the jars into his saddle bag.
“How much for the medicines?”
“You are looking for a pony lost, please take them free of cost.”
“Lastly, can you describe the mare that purchased these in as much detail as you can?”
Zecora closed her eyes as she tried to recall a mental image of the pony from before.
“Her coat was yellow her robe was black, it covered up the cutie mark upon her back. Her head was swelled so I could see, she was a unicorn filled with vanity. The name she gave if it was true, was short and simple Berry Blue.”
Inspector Javanner closed his eyes as he thought about Zecora's words.
“As you suspect, it is unlikely that she gave her real name. I suspect that is a pseudonym, no doubt somepony she does not care for, but we shall record it regardless.”
Officer Constable nodded as she finished scribbling in her notebook.
“Thank you very much for your assistance, Miss Zecora.”
“It is only what a good citizen would do. I wish good luck to both of you.”
Inspector Javanner gave a curt nod as he rose and approached the door.
“Thank you for your assistance. Please, do not hesitate to call upon us if you should catch sight of “Berry Blue” again. We will have questions for her as well.”
The room was as dark as the night itself, despite it only being one hour past noon. Although Inspector Javanner was aware that Princess Luna was now raising the sun while Princess Celestia took a leave of absence, he did not expect to the Princess of Day to have closed herself away in such a dark seclusion.
Now she sat before him, in a pitiable state, attempting to regain some of her dignified appearance for her subject. Even though she now wore the crown and regalia, her mane was an absolute mess, her eyes bloodshot and still watering with tears, and the bags under her eyes indicated to the Inspector that she had not slept in a very long time.
“Thank you for coming, Inspector. I'm sorry, I did not want to pull you away from the investigation. I know...time is invaluable...”
Inspector Javanner remained at attention, not too different from the near countless guards stationed just outside the small room.
“Do not fret, Your Highness, I have dispatched my aide to take care of things while I give my...report.”
Celestia's eyes widened slightly.
“I was unaware that you had an assistant.”
“She is a local Ponyville police officer. She has proven quite adept.”
“I see...”
Princess Celestia nodded as her voice trailed off. Her eyes narrowed and her brows furrowed slightly, but at last she looked up from the floor towards Inspector Javanner.
“Inspector...please, what can you tell me?”
“Do not lose hope, Your Highness.”
“Is that all?”
Javanner had always had a respect for the Princess. Though he was never as close with her as Twilight Sparkle had been, Princess Celestia had presided over ever promotion ceremony since the beginning of his career. Her words of wisdom in every speech she had given to him rang out louder in his heart than anypony else's. Indeed, there was a part of him that was envious of Princess Twilight, who was able to look upon Celestia as a daughter looks upon a mother while her real mother was still living.
“That is not all, Your Highness, but I must warn you, I have leads, but little in the form of suspects or motives.”
Celestia's breath became bated and she quickly reached up and wiped her eyes with her hoof.
“Luna tells me you believe she is okay. Do you still believe she is still okay? Can you find her?”
Inspector Javanner's stance never wavered.
“I can, and I will, but it will take time, Your Highness. I have good reason to believe that Her Highness, Princess Twilight Sparkle, is still alive and well.”
For the first time since he had walked into the darkened room, Inspector Javanner noticed a tiny smile begin to form on Princess Celestia's face as the tears began flowing freely.
“You believe so? Truly?”
“Truly I do.”
Celestia closed her eyes and put a hoof to her chest.
“Thank you, Javanner.”
Inspector Javanner still remained motionless, but Princess Celestia had worked with the Inspector enough to be accustomed to his unemotional nature.
“Is there anything I can do to assist you? Anything at all?”
Despite his desire to say that he would rather not discuss the case with so little information, Inspector Javanner instead pulled a copy of his notes from his pocket.
“I am looking for a pony that matches a description given to us by a herbalist who may have...unknowingly provided assistance to the perpetrator.”
Inspector Javanner paused for a moment to gauge the Princess, but if there was anypony in the entirety of the world that he could not see into, it was her.
“The witness describes the suspect as a yellow unicorn with a red mane. Evidence found at the scene of the crime indicates that this pony may be somepony that Princess Twilight is familiar with, possibly even friends with. As a close friend of Princess Twilight's, do you know of any pony who might match this description?”
Princess Celestia froze, her lavender eyes growing wider and wider.
“No...no...it couldn't be...”
Javanner resisted the urge to step closer to his princess. He leaned in closer, but said nothing as he waited for Princess Celestia to continue.
“No...No...They were friends! Twilight told me herself! It was resolved! It was over!”
The last of Princess Celestia's composure rapidly began to crumble and she ran over to her dresser, grabbing old photos from times long past. As she grabbed hold of more and more images the impact seemed to grow worse and worse and her words became less and less coherent.
Then, as though on cue, Princess Luna appeared next to Inspector Javanner. The scene before them was powerful enough that even the ever stoic Javanner was visibly startled by Luna's appearance.
“Inspector, We thank thee for thy service. Prithee, wait for thy Princess of the Night in the sitting room down yonder hallway and all will be made clear.”
Inspector Javanner nodded quickly and made a hasty exit from the room. Outside, two guards were waiting to escort him to the room where Princess Luna would rejoin him. Pausing once to look back at the closed doors, Javanner heard a wail that a shiver down his spine and without another pause, the Inspector raced his guards to the room that he hoped was rather far away.
It had felt as though days had past, but the clock on the wall indicated that he had only been here an hour and a half, though ultimately, Javanner did not mind the wait. It gave him time to put his thoughts in order as he sat on the cushioned sofa and readjusted his uniform.
It surprised him how much Princess Celestia's condition still bothered him. He had dealt with grieving families before with far worse information, but even though he could not quite put his hoof on it, there was something far more personal in this one. The ghostly wail that he had heard leaving the Princess's room still echoed in the back of his mind and soon he was standing and pacing the small waiting room.
A quick glance at the clock revealed that another hour had passed by and Javanner's pacing increased. If Princess Luna was still not here, then that must mean that she was still consoling her sister, which seemed to bother him more than if she had simply forgotten about him. At last a knock came at the door and Princess Luna, her own mane now a terrible mess, slowly slipped into the room.
“You have our highest gratitude for thy patience, Inspector. Thy service to the Crowns shall not be unnoticed or forgotten.”
Inspector Javanner gave a courteous bow.
“My most sincere apologizes, Your Highness. I did not expect Princess Celestia to react in such a manner. Had I known-”
“There is no way that thou couldst have known. Indeed, even we would have been sorely pressed for such knowledge.”
Princess Luna walked to the seat across from the sofa and motioned for Javanner to sit down as she produced one of the pictures that Princess Celestia had gone scrambling for.
“In truth I told thee that young Princess Twilight was as much a daughter unto my sister as any true kinspony might be, but what I had failed to reveal to you was that there was another who once held such a prestigious position within my sister's tender heart.”
The small photograph levitated in front of Javanner who took hold of it with his own magic. There was a single pony, young and grinning wildly as she was evidently running in between Princess Celestia's legs. She was a unicorn with a yellow coat and a fiery red and yellow mane.
Immediately Javanner looked up from the photograph to Princess Luna, who continued.
“Her name was Sunset Shimmer. She held the position that Princess Twilight held previously, that of the Princess's prime pupil. I had never met the dear foal, as she had come and gone from the castle long before my own return.”
Princess Luna closed her eyes and sighed as her magic began to render the room darker and darker until at last Javanner could seen nothing but himself and the Princess across from him. The only sound Javanner had heard inside the tiny room had been the clock's dull ticks, but now everything was silent and the two ponies looked directly at each other, illuminated only by Princess Luna's magic.
“What I am about to say unto thee is something I dread. For Sunset Shimmer did not leave this castle of her own accord. Though she was held in such high esteem by my sister, she was rash and became impatient, demanding more power day by day. Eventually she became uncontrollable and my sister, much to her own sorrow, removed her from her position and banished her from the castle grounds.”
Inspector Javanner said nothing as his eyes went back to the picture.
“It pained my sister to no end that she was forced to remove the student that sat so close to her heart, but Sunset Shimmer, in her anger, vowed revenge.”
Immediately Javanner's eyes shot up towards Princess Luna, who nodded as she continued.
“This appeared to have come upon us in the form of an incident, not too long after Princess Twilight was crowned. Sunset Shimmer reemerged, attempted to steal Princess Twilight's crown, and seize control of the Element of Magic. However, Twilight was able to regain her crown and, we were told, Sunset Shimmer was rendered into a repentant state. In truth, Princess Twilight has visited her numerous times now, and has even kept correspondence with her, such was so that we truly believed that she was repentant.”
Princess Luna paused and looked to the ground, a small tear welling up in her own eye.
“In truth we all believed her to be a new pony. Last month, Princess Twilight sent a letter to my sister, expressing a hope that perhaps Sunset Shimmer would return to Equestria, at least for a short while, long enough for the two to finally make amends.”
Luna gave a quick sob into her hoof.
“I am truly sorry, Inspector, 'tis difficult to bear this news. To see the joy that was once my sister's now turned to such bitter sorrow. Even I had hoped to meet the pony who held my sister's esteem, who had fallen unto temptation as I had, and was recovering as I still am. That this should all have been a ruse to render my sister's...my niece...asunder is...is...”
Javanner nodded as he looked over the picture again.
“Your Highness, we do not know if Sunset Shimmer is the culprit and we would be...unwise to jump to that conclusion with so little evidence. However, if you know where she makes her residence, I would very much like to ask her a few questions.”
Princess Luna took a moment to regain her composure, during which Javanner studied the picture again. It was clearly from well before the fallout between the two. She looked like such an eager and happy young foal that Javanner could almost hear the child's laughter from the picture.
“I am afraid, Inspector Javanner, that finding Sunset Shimmer will be most difficult. Inside of Princess Twilight's castle is a portal that leads unto another world. That is where Sunset Shimmer has made her home.”
Javanner said nothing as he processed the Princess's words and the two sat in an eerily still silence until at last Javanner cleared his throat.
“Your Highness is no doubt aware, I do not have jurisdiction in another world.”
“Dost thou believe Sunset Shimmer may have taken Twilight Sparkle back unto her world?”
“It is possible, but difficult to say. I will have more information once I meet up with Officer Constable, who has been working, and continues to work, this case diligently alongside me. When this is over, I would like to offer her up for commendation.”
Princess Luna nodded.
“'Tis already done. I trust that thou art eager to depart?”
Inspector Javanner nodded and instantly the darkness was gone and the dull ticks of the clock sounded out the passage of time again. Rising from his seat, Inspector Javanner bowed to the Princess.
“Thank you, for the information, Your Highness. I would like to take this picture back to Officer Constable and we can begin a search.”
Princess Luna nodded as she rose and stepped towards the door.
“Then take what thou dost need. Do whatever is necessary, Inspector, but please, bring her back.”
There was a small cloud of steam from the locomotive that passed by the car door as Inspector Javanner stepped out onto the Ponyville platform. There was a certain familiarity that he had gained in riding the Midnight Express between Ponyville and Canterlot, but the notion was quickly dismissed as Officer Constable raced up to him.
“Sir! I've spoken with the stationmaster and I believe he has some news that might interest you.”
Inspector Javanner looked behind Constable to see a nervous looking pony in a suit as he slowly stepped up to them.
“Good evening, sir, I'm the stationmaster here, my name's Logbook.”
Inspector Javanner gave a curt nod.
“I am Inspector Javanner of the Royal Equestrian Police Nationale. Did you see something?”
Logbook quickly nodded.
“Y-Yes, she came by not too long ago, the one matching your description. Unicorn, yellow coat, red mane, wearing a dark cloak.”
Logbook paused for a moment, but the Inspector's patience was already incredibly thin after his meeting with the Princesses.
“Go on.”
“Oh! Yes, she wanted to mail a box, or rather she wanted to travel with it. She was very insistent that she travel with it, but the box was so big, it was too big to be a carry-on for Santa Neigh Railroad policy, you see.”
Inspector Javanner's eyes at first widened, but immediately narrowed as he leaned into the nervous stationmaster with a piercing gaze.
“How big was this box? Big enough to hold a pony?”
Logbook nodded as he looked up into the tall unicorn's eyes.
“Y-Yes, it was far too big to travel in the passenger car, but she was adamant that she ride with it. When I told her it couldn't be done, she left in a huff.”
“When did this happen? How long ago?!”
Logbook stepped back.
“J-Just a just a few hours ago, she left with the box in a wagon.”
Inspector Javanner immediately turned towards Constable, his eyes wide as he immediately stomped the floor and motioned for her to follow him. He was already in a run as they reached the edge of the platform.
“Get a description of the wagon from the stationmaster! I think I might know where our suspect is heading!”
Sunset Shimmer's eyes fell down to the backpack at her feet. It wasn't that the teacher was boring, in fact, when it came to lecturing, this professor was perhaps the most animate storyteller in the entire school, but Sunset Shimmer's heart just wasn't into it.
Waiting for the professor to turn his back, Sunset reached down into her open backpack, taking hold of a small, leather bound book. She didn't bother taking it out of the bag, she only took hold of the bookmark and opened it to where she had left it, a blank page.
“Miss Shimmer, I would be very much obliged if you would do me the honor of ignoring your phone and paying attention to the lecture. Indeed, it is considered rather rude to ignore all of the effort I have placed into the noble and important task of preserving this, our beautiful and glorious history.”
Sunset Shimmer's face began to flush as she let go of the book and slipped further down in her chair.
“I'm sorry, Mr. Rocinante.”
Mr. Rocinante smiled with a slight bow.
“Think nothing of it. Now, if you will all please recall from yesterday's lecture...”
Sunset Shimmer sighed as the professor continued. Though she hadn't been checking her phone, she felt as though he wasn't too far off, since it served as the only communication she had with Twilight since she went back to Equestria. Finally the bell rang and everyone filed out of the classroom.
“How are you holding up, darling?”
Sunset turned back towards Rarity and Applejack behind her.
“I'm doing alright. I'm just...I dunno, it's not like Twilight to just suddenly stop responding like this. I guess I'm kinda worried, was it something I wrote?”
Applejack gave her a warm smile as she patted her on the back.
“Look here, Sugarcube, we all read your letter, and though we may not understand what all happened between you and this “Princess Celestia” I think we can all tell that you mean the best and I know Twilight can tell it.”
“Then why hasn't she said anything?”
“Oh! I know!”
The sudden appearance of Pinkie Pie sent everybody reeling backwards, but Pinkie never even seemed to notice as her ever racing words continued.
“What if because she's a princess she's been kidnapped by an evil dragon and she's waiting for someone to come and rescue her?! Or what if she's the one doing all the rescuing and is so busy saving Equestria from all the mean evil baddies that she hasn't had time to write back yet?! Or what if-”
“I guess you still haven't heard from Twilight, huh?”
Sunset Shimmer shook her head as Rainbow Dash joined the group in their walk down the hallway.
“I don't see why you don't just jump through that portal and ask her what's going on.”
“It doesn't work that way, Rainbow Dash. I don't even know how Twilight managed to open the portal in between its natural cycles, so unless she opens it, I can't go through.”
“Umm...I was standing next to the portal the other day, and...umm...I accidentally dropped a chew toy for the nursery and it bounced through the portal.”
Everyone stopped and looked towards Fluttershy as she fidgeted slightly in the back of the crowd. No one was even sure when she had gotten there, but to Sunset Shimmer, that didn't matter.
“When?!”
“Umm...yesterday. I didn't check it today.”
Without another word, the group raced towards the statue at the front of the school, with Sunset Shimmer leading the charge until suddenly she stopped.
“I don't know. What if I'm just overreacting?”
Applejack pushed her towards the portal with a grin.
“Then Twilight will help set you straight. Listen here Sunset, we all know Twilight, there's no way she won't be happy to see you.”
Sunset Shimmer looked to her circling friends and smiled. She had come a long way since she first left Equestria. Reaching forward slowly, Sunset Shimmer pushed her hand through the statue's pedestal.
The other side of the portal had not been the Crystal Palace that she had been expecting. Shaking her head a bit, Sunset Shimmer looked down at her hooves. There was a strange sense of both nostalgia and something that she could only describe as foreign. On the one hoof, she was home again, but on the other, where was her home really?
It was a unique question that she had never really pondered before, but the scene around her quickly drew her attention. All of the lights were out, except for some lights on the machine that Twilight had devised to power the portal, and the place looked as though somepony was in the process of moving in.
“Is this...Twilight's place?”
Sunset Shimmer looked around, but there was no pony visible as she slowly made her way down the stairs.
“Hello? Twilight? Are...are you in here?”
Opening a door at the base of the stairs, Sunset saw a set of thrones set about in a circle. This was definitely a castle, but not one she was familiar with.
“H-Hello? Anybody?”
“Good evening.”
The flat voice from above her caused Sunset to jump. Behind her, further up the stairs was a lone unicorn, stepping out of a side room. He was difficult to make out in the darkness around them, but he was clearly a tall unicorn and the light faintly radiating from his horn revealed a uniform that made Sunset Shimmer's heart sink.
“The Police Nationale...”
The unicorn's face was as set as stone as he glared at her with piercing yellow eyes that felt as though they were examining her very soul.
“I see you remember us, but then again, I suppose recent events would bring us to mind, wouldn't they?”
Sunset Shimmer stepped back and looked around.
“What's going on? Where's Princess Twilight?”
“Strange, I was about to ask you the same thing.”
“What?!”
“Where did you hide Her Highness, Princess Twilight Sparkle?”
What little part of her was glad that it wasn't her fault that Twilight had stopped responding to her was quickly overwhelmed by the fear for her friend's safety.
“I just got here! I'm looking for her too!”
“I see...”
The unicorn slowly began walking down the stairs towards her.
“You will, of course, be willing to answer the questions of the Royal Equestrian Police Nationale and Her Highness, Princess Celestia.”
Sunset backed up again, but the unicorn pursued. The very idea of seeing her former mentor sent a shiver down her spine. It was already hard to think of what she would say to her as things were, but now that she was clearly a suspect in Twilight's disappearance, the very idea of facing Princess Celestia terrified her.
“I didn't do anything! I want to find Twilight as much as you do!”
The unicorn frowned as he stopped on the stairs.
“That would be Princess Twilight Sparkle, to you. Now, will you come with me to the capital?”
Sunset Shimmer felt her heart racing as her breath grew quicker and quicker. Sensing the fight or flight urge rising in the young mare, the unicorn's horn began to glow brighter.
“I see...Sunset Shimmer, I hereby place you under arrest for the abduction of royalty. Surrender both yourself and Princess Twilight Sparkle and the law may be lenient.”
Sunset Shimmer opened her mouth to speak, but her words were cut off as a green dome suddenly appeared over her. Her eyes went wide and at first she panicked, pounding on the dome's edges with her hooves, but as the dome began to shrink around her, Sunset Shimmer suddenly sighed and reached up to rub her head.
“I'm sorry, who were you again?”
The unicorn's expression remained as neutral as ever.
“I am Inspector Javanner of the Royal-”
“Do you know who I was before I left Equestria?”
Inspector Javanner's horn began to glow brighter and his dome began to glow brighter in response, but Sunset Shimmer could only smile.
“That's right, I was Princess Celestia's pupil.”
A teal ray shot out form her horn and instantly shattered the dome surrounding her. Javanner stepped back, but he did not retreat.
“You are resisting arrest, Sunset Shimmer, and convincing me further of your guilt.”
“I didn't do it, Inspector. Twilight- Princess Twilight Sparkle is my friend and I have to find her.”
Javanner dug in his hooves and gritted his teeth. His eyes shifted to a dark blue as he barred the path back towards the portal, but Sunset Shimmer no longer had any interest in returning to the other world.
“We need to go and find Twilight, Princess Twilight. Will you help me?”
“You must think me mad! You expect me to drop all of this evidence against you just because you say it wasn't you?! Stand down or you will be subdued!”
Sunset Shimmer took another step back, but it was no longer because of fear.
“Don't fight me Inspector. You can see it, can't you? Those magical eyes can easily tell I'm the stronger pony by far.”
A dark green bolt fired from Javanner's horn, but Sunset Shimmer deflected it easily.
“I studied under Princess Celestia. It may have been a long time ago, but I still know magic better than anybody except Princess Twilight!”
Firming her stance, Sunset Shimmer pointed her horn towards Javanner.
“I'm sorry Inspector, but you should go and look for Princess Twilight!”
A teal blast threw Javanner up the stairs and against the wall behind him, but Sunset could already tell by the Inspector's obstinacy that he wouldn't be stopped for long. As she turned and raced down the stairs she heard the Inspector call out after her.
“No matter where you go! No matter where you hide! I swear to you, I will be there!”
Racing through door after door, Sunset Shimmer at last emerged into a town she did not recognize, but she couldn't let it stop her. She had to find Twilight, and she had to find her fast.
“What in tarnation? Applebloom, go get Big Mac and let him know we got another wanderer coming through.”
Applejack opened the large barn door slightly wider, causing the newly raised sun's light to fall onto the sleeping unicorn. The mare stirred slowly at first, but when she seemed to realize where she was, she shot up immediately.
“Whoa there filly, ain't no pony gonna hurt you here. The Apple family is always willing to help a fellow pony who's down on their luck.”
Sunset Shimmer looked at Applejack intently for a moment.
“A-Applejack?”
Applejack stepped back slightly.
“Umm...have we met?”
Sunset Shimmer immediately looked away.
“No, I'm sorry, I just...Do you know Princess Twilight Sparkle?”
Applejack's eyes widened and immediately she was in Sunset Shimmer's face.
“Strange enough, I happen to know her real well. So tell me, what do you know about Princess Twilight?”
Sunset Shimmer sighed as she sat down on the pile of hay that had served as her bed.
“I actually know her pretty well myself, which is why I came looking for her, she hasn't answered any of my letters lately, so I came to see why and now it looks like she's gone.”
Sunset Shimmer looked at Applejack's eyes. Applejack was looking at her with almost the same piercing gaze that Inspector Javanner had given her, but Applejack smiled as she down next her.
“Where are you from, Sugarcube?”
“I don't expect you would believe me.”
“Maybe from a magical portal in Twilight's castle?”
Sunset Shimmer's eyes widened as she looked at the earth pony.
“How did you-”
“Twilight mentioned that she had a pen-pal when she came back from that mirror world. I guess that would make you Sunset Shimmer?”
Sunset nodded as Applejack tipped her hat.
“As you guessed, I'm Applejack. So, if you're a friend of Twilight's, why are you sleeping in a barn?”
Sunset Shimmer's voice grew quiet as she looked out towards the door.
“Evidently, the police think that I kidnapped Twilight.”
“You do look like the pony they described a while back.”
Sunset Shimmer looked at Applejack directly with pleading eyes.
“It wasn't me! I promise! I'm a changed pony! I wouldn't even dream of hurting Twilight! She's my friend!”
“Easy there Sugarcube, I ain't accusing you of nothing. I doubt you'd be staying in my barn if I did.”
“But, who did this? How did they describe them?”
“A yellow unicorn with a red mane. I have to admit, you do look like you fit the description.”
Sunset Shimmer looked at the ground as her mind raced to put the puzzle pieces together.
“When did they release that description?”
“About two days ago. When did you get into town?”
“Last night. How could a unicorn have taken Twilight? Her magic is too strong to be taken out so easily.”
“They think it was a sleeping potion of some kind, but that's all I've heard.”
“That will only keep her out of it for so long. What will they do when she wakes up?”
Sunset Shimmer stood up and began walking towards the door.
“Where's the nearest pharmacy?”
“Where are you going?”
“If the Police Nationale think I'm the culprit, they're going to waste time looking for me. Somebody needs to be looking for Twilight.”
Applejack straightened her hat and walked up next to her as Big Mac and Applebloom approached.
“I think I know just the place we can go that will keep you out of sight while answering your questions. Are you familiar with the Everfree Forest?”
It was a small hut, not too deep in the forest. Sunset Shimmer couldn't even remember the last time she had even looked at the Everfree Forest, but she knew she had never heard of a pony living inside the boundary of its woods.
“Who lives here?”
Applejack smiled as she knocked on the door.
“A friend of ours. She's zebra named Zecora. She may talk a little weird, but there ain't a pony wiser in all of Ponyville.”
Zecora opened the door and smiled as she made eye contact with Applejack.
“Who is this that at my door does rap? Why it's none other than my good friend Applejack!”
“Howdy Zecora, Sorry to trouble you, but I have a friend here who wanted to ask you a few questions.”
Zecora smiled as she turned toward Sunset Shimmer.
“This for you I will gladly do, to help a friend of yours is to help...you!”
Zecora's eyes widened as she pointed directly at Sunset Shimmer.
“Could it be you came to attack?! Do you know her, Applejack?!”
Applejack carefully raised a hoof to show that they meant no harm.
“Now Zecora, I know she looks like the pony the police are looking for-”
“It is not by description that I recognize, but by recalling what I saw with my own eyes!”
Applejack turned and looked back at Sunset who was speechless.
“What do you mean?”
“She bought potions from me this week! She is the one the police seek!”
Sunset Shimmer stepped back as the Zebra pointed an accusing hoof towards her. She had thought that she had grown accustomed to people blaming and suspecting her, but suddenly all of these ponies accusing her brought back the shame she thought she had gotten past.
She wasn't certain when she had started running. It was almost as if she had just regained consciousness as she raced through the woods with tears in her eyes. Uncertain where she should go, Sunset Shimmer paused for a moment amongst some blue flowers and tried to catch her breath and dry her tears.
Princess Luna was already lowering the sun by the time Applejack got back to the farm. She was hungry and tired, but she also knew she didn't have time to worry about herself. Zecora was adamant that Sunset Shimmer was the pony responsible for Twilight's disappearance, but somehow, Applejack just couldn't believe it and she knew she needed to let Sunset Shimmer know.
Applejack carefully poked around the farm. She somehow suspected that Sunset Shimmer didn't have anywhere else to go. Slowly opening the barn door, Applejack called out into the darkened building.
“Sunset? You in here?”
“It wasn't me! I promise! Please believe me!”
Applejack slowly closed the door behind her, but strangely, the barn still seemed to be slightly illuminated, despite all of the light sources being gone. But Applejack paid little attention to that and took a step towards the weakened voice.
“I believe you. It's alright. Just come on out and let's talk about it.”
Slowly, Sunset Shimmer came out from behind a bale of hay at the back of the barn, but what surprised Applejack, was that she was glowing a bright series of neon colors.
“What in tarnation?”
“Applejack, I didn't do it! You believe me, don't you?”
“Of course I do, Sugarcube, but umm...why are you glowing?”
“P-Poison joke, I guess it can tell that I'd rather not be seen by anypony right now.”
Applejack sighed in relief as she sat down.
“Don't worry, Applebloom's been studying under Zecora for a while, I bet she can whip up a herb bath that will fix you up in no time.”
“You've seen it before?”
“Shucks, it gave all of us a hard time, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, all of us, even Twilight was hit by it.”
“What did it do to her?”
Applejack smirked as she slowly got up and approached the nervous pony.
“It made her horn all floppy and useless.”
Sunset Shimmer's eyes widened.
“That's it! That's how they're keeping Twilight prisoner!”
“Umm...what?”
“Poison joke will render Twilight's magic useless. Without her magic, she's just like any other pony!”
Applejack nodded as she turned back towards the door.
“I'm going to fetch Applebloom. We'll get you cleaned up and make a little extra for Twilight. If you're right, we'll want her cured as soon as possible too.”
Sunset Shimmer nodded.
“Can I stay here tonight?”
“Shucks Sunset, you don't need to stay out here, you can stay in the house.”
“No, if the police find me here, they won't think you did anything to help me, but if they find me in the house, they'll arrest all of you too.”
“Now don't you worry yourself about that. Applebloom will get you all set and tomorrow I'll grab everypony else and we'll help you find Twilight.”
Sunset raised her hoof, but Applejack was out the door and gone before she could say another word.
Sunset Shimmer stretched as she crawled out of the bed. Even though she had only slept in the hay pile for one night, it was enough to make her appreciate having a bed again. But it was not a luxury that she was willing to enjoy too much.
“I wonder how Twilight is able to sleep...”
Sunset Shimmer put a hoof to her chest and sighed. She didn't have time to waste with pointless worrying. She had to resume her search immediately. She was almost down the stairs when her heart was stopped by a familiar voice from the doorway.
“We believe the perpetrator was using a stolen wagon. Are you missing any wagons?”
A calm voice answered the voice that she immediately recognized as Inspector Javanner.
“Nope.”
“I see. Have you taken inventory of your wagons recently?”
“Ee-yup.”
“I see. Is there any other pony here?”
“Nope.”
“I will be frank with you, sir. I have received a report that a fugitive may be hiding around this area. Would you mind if we searched the area?”
“...”
“Excuse me, but I didn't hear you. May we search the area around here for a fugitive from the law?”
“Ee-Ee-yup.”
“Thank you.”
Sunset Shimmer held her breath as she pressed herself flat against the stairwell and soon she heard the scuffling of hooves from the doorway.”
“Nope.”
“You just gave me permission to search the area.”
“The area, not the house.”
“I see. Of course you would not hide a fugitive from the law, would you?”
“Nope.”
“Very well. If you will excuse me...Officer Constable! Tell your ponies to start sweeping the area.”
The door closed with an audible squeak in its rusted hinges and soon Big Mac was looking up the stairs at Sunset Shimmer.
“The police know I'm here?”
“Ee-yup.”
Sunset Shimmer felt her heart start to beat faster and faster.
“I need to go. I'm endangering all of you.”
“Nope.”
Big Mac looked out the window and shook his head. Following his eyes, Sunset Shimmer could see there were policeponies everywhere. Gritting her teeth, Sunset Shimmer looked around and tried to think of a way out. She may be able to fend off one or two ponies with her magic, but she certainly couldn't fight an entire battalion.
“Is Applejack off to go find Fluttershy?”
“Ee-yup.”
“Applebloom off to school?”
“Ee-yup.”
“Granny Smith gone shopping?”
“Ee-yup.”
“Alright, listen, Big Mac, you've fed me and given me a place to stay. You've all been very kind to me, especially since the only thing I have to prove my innocence is my word. I want you to know I'll never forget it.”
Big Mac narrowed his eyes as he looked from the window to her and back again.
“What are you going to do?”
“I'll teleport...behind that wagon there. They'll think I was hiding without you knowing about it. Nopony can prove you helped me.”
Big Mac raised a hoof to stop her, but it was too late.
“Thank you, thank you all.”
Sunset Shimmer materialized behind the wagon with a pop. Careful to look around, Sunset didn't have much time before she heard the police whistle.
“There she is! Stop her!”
Sunset Shimmer raced towards the town as fast as she could, casting a small shield behind her to deflect the magical bolts fired at her from the pursuing police. As she turned down the road, she saw Javanner and another officer in front of her.
“This is the end of the line, Miss Shimmer!”
Quickly teleporting behind him, Sunset Shimmer never even broke her stride as she continued running. Javanner teleported after her, but as before, he was no match for her in magic, however, he had another ace up his uniform sleeve.
“I've got it chief!”
The chillingly familiar voice immediately caused Sunset Shimmer's head to spin around. There, flying directly behind her at full speed was a blue pegasus. She had never seen this pony before, but she already knew her as this world's Rainbow Dash.
She barely managed to teleport to the side as Rainbow Dash's attempted tackle passed right beside her.
“Hey! Hold still!”
Rainbow Dash pulled off and around for another pass. There was no way Sunset Shimmer could hold her off for long. Even with teleportation, she figured that the Rainbow Dash she knew as a pegasus would be far too fast for her to deal with. She would only get one more chance to get away now. As Rainbow Dash zoomed in to tackle her again, Sunset Shimmer released a bright flash, blinding everypony around her as she continued running.
“Where is-! Ah!”
Rainbow Dash plowed into the ground behind Sunset Shimmer, sending dirt and grass everywhere. Down, but not quite out, she bounced up and stumbled after her, her eyes blinking rapidly.
“Come back here! Coward!”
The police were still pursuing as they reached the outskirts of town, but as she teleported in and out of the buildings around them, she could tell she was losing them and she finally stopped beneath a bridge, hugging the stone arch as she heard ponies racing over it above her.
Once the immediate rush of adrenaline began to fade away, Sunset Shimmer found her heart was suddenly broken. It had been hard for her to deal with everybody back in the mirror world being suspicious of her. It had been surprisingly hard for her to reconcile herself with the fact that everypony here was now suspicious of her, but the fact that her friends were now accusing her of betraying Twilight destroyed her spirit.
Tears were pouring out of her eyes as she shivered under the bridge. It wasn't fair. She had learned the lessons of friendship, but now here she was fighting her “friends” again. If only her friends from the mirror world were here, then she felt like she could do this.
Holding back a sob, she tried to review what little she knew in her mind in an effort to get her mind off of her situation. The actual culprit must look like her, after all, the police were clearly convinced that she was the perpetrator before she even arrived in this world, but that was all she had. Closing her eyes, Sunset Shimmer gritted her teeth, partially in frustration and partially to hold back her anger and her tears.
“If only my friends were here. They'd think of something.”
Thinking of Applejack's help from yesterday, Sunset Shimmer smiled slightly.
“It's almost like they are here. After all, they have their mirror...selves...surely...no...”
Suddenly Sunset Shimmer stood up and looked towards the castle in the center of town.
The dark-robed pony was careful to make sure that nopony else saw her as she pulled her wagon up to the door and opened it carefully. The wagon axles creaked loudly, but surprisingly the castle was empty as she slowly made her way up the stairs with her sensitive cargo in tow behind her.
But once she reached the top of the stairs, she scowled. The castle was apparently not completely empty.
“Hello, Sunset Shimmer.”
The robed pony unhitched herself from the wagon and pulled back her hood.
“Hello yourself, Sunset Shimmer.”
Sunset Shimmer looked at her mirrored self, but her eyes were quickly drawn to the wagon behind her.
“Is Princess Twilight in there?”
“I'm surprised you have the courage to be here. Aren't there plenty of ponies looking for you?”
Sunset Shimmer gritted her teeth.
“I'm surprised to see you here as well. I was just looking for clues, but I didn't think you'd come by to reveal yourself to me.”
“What can I say? I need to go somewhere else now. That little police chase you led through town got a bit too close for comfort. They're still tearing the town apart looking for you.”
“You mean looking for you. You're the one who kidnapped the Princess.”
“Well, according to the National Police, you were the one who committed the crime and I must say, the ransom letter with your hoof prints all over it certainly won't help your case.”
“Why are you doing this? What did you hope to gain from it?! Bits are useless back in our world.”
“MY world. But, yes, your currency has no value, however gold is gold. It isn't exactly what I came here for, but once I have my gold, and you're sitting in jail for my crime, everything will be just fine.”
“I'm from this world, I actually know how to use magic. You can't get past me and you know it.”
The Sunset Shimmer across from her smiled as she shrugged.
“I was hoping you wouldn't make me resort to this, but I suppose I should have expected you to pick up on that fact. Of course, you should know I have a plan to deal with you as well.”
Without another word, she kicked the wagon hard, sending it racing towards the stairs.
“Twilight, No!”
The moment Sunset Shimmer stepped out of the way, the other Sunset Shimmer raced by her to the door where the portal was kept. But suddenly the wagon stopped, seized in place by a dark green magic. Seeing the danger to Twilight was suddenly gone, Sunset Shimmer quickly turned back to her mirror self. Using her magic, she slammed the door on the unicorn who, in turn, stared at the frozen wagon.
“But, how-”
“That would be my doing.”
Both unicorns froze at the all too familiar voice as Inspector Javanner and Officer Constable crested the top of the stairs.
Upon seeing the two Sunset Shimmers before them, Officer Constable's mouth dropped, but Inspector Javanner remained as emotionless as ever.
“I must admit, I was not expecting this. Twins? A changeling perhaps? Well, no matter. Officer Constable, secure the box.”
Constable ran over to the box, prying open the lid and finding a bound and gagged Twilight Sparkle with Spike tucked in between her legs.
Twilight looked completely exhausted as Constable hoisted her out of the box and untied her.
“Are you alright, Your Highness?”
Twilight nodded as her stomach growled to the contrary.
“You have to...to listen to me... Sunset Shimmer is innocent. The other pony is...is from the mirror world...She's...Sunset Shimmer...but she's not...”
Twilight lifted her weary eyes to the standoff just outside the doorway to the portal. Two Sunset Shimmers stood there, both with concerned looks on their faces.
“Which...which one...”
Sunset Shimmer immediately stepped forward.
“Twilight! You're okay!”
Immediately Sunset Shimmer followed after her.
“Twilight! Are you okay?”
“What are you talking about?! You did this to her!”
“I did not! You did!”
Inspector Javanner cleared his throat as he stepped forward.
“I see. We have a conundrum on our hooves don't we?”
Sunset Shimmer's face became crestfallen as she looked to Twilight and smiled.
“There's only one option, arrest us both.”
The other Sunset Shimmer, clearly distraught that the other Sunset Shimmer beat her to her own words, nodded in agreement.
“Yes, that's the only way.”
Immediately both Sunset Shimmers glared at each other, but before they could protest each other's pleas again, Inspector Javanner took another step closer.
“Thankfully, I have another solution.”
Javanner opened his saddlebags and produced a small vial of blue liquid.
“You see, when Miss Zecora explained what she saw and heard yesterday, alongside...another pony's testimony...”
Javanner's eyes looked between the two ponies, uncertain which one was the Sunset Shimmer he met earlier, but ultimately he decided it was irrelevant.
“...I decided to purchase something that might help in such a situation, though I did not expect quite this situation, it will still work all the same. This is a tonic made from Poison joke extract. You will find it has the same effects as brushing up against the flower, though this will do its work much faster.”
Javanner levitated the vial in front of the two unicorns and a small smile began to appear on his face as he removed the cork from the vial.
“I do not believe I need to explain what happens next.”
Javanner levitated the vial above each Sunset Shimmer and dropped a few drops on each one's head and almost instantly one Sunset Shimmer began to glow a shimmering array of neon colors while the other Sunset Shimmer's head immediately swelled to twice its size.
“I see.”
Without another word, Javanner dropped the vial and a immediately a green dome encapsulated the big-headed Sunset Shimmer.
“Sunset Shimmer, you are under arrest for abduction of royalty, abduction of a baby dragon, evading arrest, extortion, framing-up an innocent pony, theft of a wagon...”
The glowing Sunset Shimmer felt a few tears well up in her eyes as she took a step towards Twilight, but almost immediately Javanner cut her off.
“I'm afraid I have questions for you as well.”
Twilight slowly and with Constable's help, began to walk towards Sunset Shimmer.
“Inspector Javanner, thank you...thank you, but I know this pony, she is my friend. Let her come to me.”
“As you wish, Your Highness.”
Without waiting for another word, Sunset Shimmer raced to her friend and embraced her tightly.
Princess Luna couldn't help but smile as she watched the three ponies sitting out in the Royal Gardens below. Celestia's wings enveloped the two ponies next to her and held them close to her as tears of joy poured from her eyes. From here, their words were inaudible, but in Princess Luna's eyes, the three should be left a degree of privacy.
“Truly, they are as close to thee as thine own kin, my sister.”
Turning her back on the situation, Luna slowly began to walk down the stairs. She would have to join them soon, but as eager as she was to meet her “new niece”, she wanted her sister to be able to savor this sweet moment to herself for as long as possible.
Officer Constable looked over the report on her desk again.
“So, you could say, we weren't wrong about Sunset Shimmer being the culprit?”
Inspector Javanner didn't shake his head, but he didn't nod either. He only reached into his uniform pocket, produced a few wheat berries, and popped them into his mouth. Realizing she wouldn't be able to get much more out of the Inspector, Constable flipped over the report's cover page.
“This has Princess Twilight's statement, right?”
“That is correct.”
“So how did the other Sunset Shimmer get to our world?”
“Nopony knows for certain, as the culprit has been...less than cooperative. However, as best as we can put together, she discovered the portal accidentally after Princess Twilight accidentally left it on overnight.”
“I thought you said she wasn't clumsy?”
“Everypony is prone to error, Officer Constable.”
“I see. But how did she know how to kidnap an alicorn? That's not something you just think of on the fly.”
“Evidently she evaded detection for some time, during which she learned a great deal about our world and the real Sunset Shimmer's relationship with Princess Twilight. A criminal she may be, but dangerously smart, indeed, quite the reflection of her other self.”
“Her motive was gold then?”
Inspector Javanner turned back towards the Officer.
“Do you intend to read the report or not?”
“Sorry.”
Officer Constable flipped through the pages. According to Princess Twilight's statement, the other Sunset Shimmer had evidently learned about the Element of Magic during her stay and was attempting to seize control of it. However, as the crown no longer houses the element, she was unable to get her hooves on it. As her plan began to fall apart and the police drew closer and closer, she decided to frame her other self and make her escape back to her world. It is possible that the gold was only a cover up to better set up the pony Sunset Shimmer, but no one can say for sure.
Closing the report, Officer Constable looked back up at the Inspector.
“Has Princess Celestia decided what to do with the perpetrator?”
“Not yet. Her Highness has wisely decided that judgment should be postponed until tempers and passions die down. While the letter of the law looks grim for the culprit Sunset Shimmer, Her Highness has been known for leniency in the past. But that is out of our hooves. Our job is done.”
Constable nodded as she rest her head on her desk. It felt as though this was her first time to relax in ages as she breathed a sigh of relief.
“So I guess this is goodbye then?”
Inspector Javanner turned and looked at the tired officer.
“Not quite. Your work on this case has been both exceptional and invaluable. All of the princesses would like to meet you, after that, I have been authorized to offer you a new position with the Royal Equestrian Police Nationale.”
Officer Constable's mouth dropped open as her head shot up from her desk.
“Are you serious?!”
“I do not joke about such things, Officer Constable. We board the noon train for Canterlot. I suggest you think about the offer until then.”
Officer Constable sat at her desk, dumbfounded while Inspector Javanner, fishing a few more wheat berries out his pocket, calmly left the room.
