//------------------------------// // Chapter 28: Changing the Guard // Story: The Phoenix King // by Turtlehaus //------------------------------// The whole of Trottingham Yard was in a mad frenzy to find Duke Wellington. To be bringing in a member of Royalty for questioning was nearly unheard of, but even more that the Duke was now their prime suspect in the disappearance of Sir Lancaster. It was going to be nearly impossible to keep this from the Press, and the Duke had made off with the only solid piece of evidence they had. With no pony having even considered the Duke being a possible suspect, no Police Pony took any notice of him when he left or where he was going; which meant the Duke had a head start on wherever he was planning on going. The Constable was coordinating a massive pony hunt to find the Duke, using his connections to discreetly inform the Royal Guard of the Duke's involvement with the case; hoping to intercept him before the Duke knew they were after him. Pinkie Pie was having a rather hard time believing that the Duke himself would have done such a thing. "There is no way the Duke is responsible for this." Pinkie Pie stated decisively. "We have several Police Ponies that can place him at the Evidence Locker. Unless the bag itself just magically got up and left, we have to assume the Duke took it." The Constable replied. "The Duke organized the whole Research Team, it doesn't make sense for him to steal Sir Lancaster's saddle bag or even kidnap him. That would be counterproductive." Pinkie Pie insisted. "Perhaps the Duke had ulterior motives for doing what he did, and perhaps Sir Lancaster caught on; forcing the Duke to take drastic measures." The Constable guessed. "He wanted to help Sparky! He told us so himself! He wouldn't do something like this!" Pinkie Pie shouted; visibly upset by this. "He lied, Detective. That much is clear now." The Constable stated rather bluntly. The tension had become awkward, it was clear that the Constable and Pinkie Pie were at different ends of this new lead. Heading for the door, the Constable was getting ready to discuss his plan with the rest of the Police Ponies on the Duke's capture. "I need to speak with my officers, remain here until I return." The Constable stated; in a warning like tone. Stepping out of his office, the Constable closed the door behind him, leaving Rarity, Trixie, and Pinkie Pie alone to sort out a plan for themselves. Pinkie seemed rather frustrated with herself, the Duke was considered to be a friend, but now with his possible involvement she was going to have to figure out whether or not she was the donkey she thought he was. "Pinkie, darling, are you alright?" Rarity asked sounding sympathetic. "You don't believe the Duke did it, do you, Rarity?" Pinkie Pie asked her sounding rather hopeful. "Well, Pinkie, the evidence so far does make it rather difficult not to suspect him." Rarity mentioned, trying not to hurt her feelings. "It really doesn't make any sense, does it?" Trixie asked, sounding defeated. "This whole case really has become quite the conundrum." Rarity remarked, massaging her temples. "There has to be something we're missing, something that we've overlooked." Pinkie Pie growled, rocking back and forth trying to figure it out. "Let's review what we know so far. Sir Lancaster feels that he cannot trust a pony, so he begins to keep tabs on every pony, trying to figure out who he can trust. Eventually, he is accosted by one or several ponies that force him to flee with his saddle bag; containing information about the Void." Rarity began, reviewing what they knew. "Sir Lancaster comes to me to safeguard his saddle bag, and that following day he is pronounced missing. I arrive at the moor, per his instructions, where I am arrested and brought here." Trixie added to the story. "We scope out the museum, find the parchment that has kept tabs upon every pony, we crosscheck all our suspects and find them all innocent of any wrong doings, which then leads us to the Duke stealing the Sir Lancaster's saddle bag from evidence lockup." Pinkie Pie concluded sounding very depressed. "So… what are we missing?" Rarity asked, trying to sound hopeful. "I… I… I don't know…" Pinkie Pie mumbled, covering her face with her hooves. "Oh Pinkie, to be too hard on yourself, you've done such an incredible job so far in solving this case so far. I bet no pony would have suspected you to be such a great detective if not for your brilliant mind and your rather tasteful ensemble." Rarity encouraged her, patting her on the back. Pinkie Pie sat up straight so fast that it startled Rarity and Trixie. Her eyes were wide, as if having a sudden revelation to this case. "No pony… would suspect…" Pinkie Pie repeated the question to herself. "Pinkie, are you al-" Rarity began. "Rarity! You're a genius!" Pinkie Pie shouted excitedly. The Constable strode down the hall towards the Meeting Room where several of his Officer Ponies were waiting to receive orders on what to do next in their hunt for the Duke. Entering the room, the Constable could see every pony speaking amongst themselves over what had transpired. "Every pony sit down so we can get this underway. The faster we're done here the faster we can find the Duke." The Constable announced. The Captain Ponies all sat in their chairs, the room falling silent to allow the Constable to speak his mind. "We're trying to keep this under our saddles for as long as we can before the media ponies get wind of it. This means we'll have at least half a day before we start getting some reporters here asking questions, but hopefully by that time we'll have the Duke in custody." The Constable began taking some chalk from the table and turning to the chalkboard behind him. Drawing the chalk across the board, the Constable began to explain the methods in which to begin their search. Determining how far the Duke would have been able to travel on hoof, and by cart. Targeting specific areas in which the Duke frequented often, and the places of friends that might harbor him. "If we mobilize within the next hour, we can have all of Trottingham on lock down and keep the Duke from leaving the city. Our priority is to apprehend the Duke, discreetly if possible, but it is imperative that we recover the saddle bag he had taken. Are there any questions?" The Constable asked in his conclusion of the meeting. "Does the Royal Family know about any of this?" A Police Pony asked. "As of right now, no, we're trying to minimize the amount of ponies that are aware of this current situation." The Constable replied. There didn't seem to be any more questions, every Police Pony looked to one another nodding their heads in understanding. "Alright, let's go." The Constable stated. The Police Ponies rose from their chairs, heading towards the door, but as the first Police Pony arrived at it he locked it. The Constable looked rather confused, his Police Ponies turning towards him, sinister grins appearing on their faces. "Wh-What are you all smiling at?" The Constable asked, sounding unnerved. The Police Ponies rushed the Constable, taking him by surprise, wrestling him to the floor and using their hoofcuffs to keep him subdued. "What is the meaning of this? Have you all gone mad?" The Constable demanded; struggling against them. The Constable felt himself become gagged with an apple from some Police Ponies lunch. A large brown sack being dragged towards him, the Police Ponies stuffed him in before tying off the opening. The commotion coming from the Meeting Room had drawn the attention of some of the other Police Ponies that were dealing with the day to day problems plaguing Trottingham. One Police Pony decided to see what all the noise was about, reaching for the door, but found it swinging open. The Constable standing over him, with dozens of his Police Ponies crowding behind him, and was carrying a stern face about him. "C-C-C-Constable?" The Police Pony stammered in surprise. "We have three suspects within my office that are accomplices of the Duke, arrest them and hold them for questioning." The Constable commanded. "O-O-O-Of course, right away, sir!" The Police Pony stated, throwing him a salute. Back within the Constable's office, Pinkie Pie was hugging Rarity firmly; bouncing up and down in excitement. "We've been looking at this all wrong!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, taking Rarity's shoulders and shaking her a bit. "Looking at what wrong?" Trixie asked feeling confused. "It's so obvious now! I can't believe I hadn't thought of it before! It's brilliant!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed hurrying to the door. "Pinkie! Where are you going?" Rarity shouted after her. "We are going to solve this case! There's not a moment to lose! To the moor!" Pinkie Pie cried in delight; opening the door and leaving the room. Rarity and Trixie looked at one another, obviously missing some crucial detail Pinkie Pie had just discovered. With a confused shrug, Rarity took off after Pinkie Pie as Trixie galloped after her. Just before reaching the door, Pinkie Pie reappeared, but being held by a Police Pony. Pinkie struggled against the Police Pony, who had a hoof clasped over her mouth, and an arm around her chest; holding her tightly from escaping. Rarity hit the brakes, sliding to a stop right before the Constable who emerged from the doorway. "C-C-Constable?" Rarity stammered in fright and surprise. "Seize these two as well." The Constable stated coldly. "Wha-What is the meaning of this?" Rarity demanded, struggling against two Police Ponies that took a firm grip of her arms. "You have been deemed cohorts with Duke Wellington, on the grounds of interfering with this missing pony case, and the aiding in stolen evidence." The Constable replied. "That's completely unfair; we have had nothing to-" Rarity was quickly silenced by a Police Pony's hoof covering her mouth. "Don't forget the other one. I'm sure she's tied into this somehow. Her friends would not have tried to clear her name otherwise." The Constable instructed the remaining Police Ponies. Trixie's heart was already halfway to Ponyville at the speed it was beating. Slowly backing away from the approaching Police Ponies, Trixie looked to Pinkie Pie who was still struggling against her captor, trying to mime to her that she should run. Her magic wasn't all that powerful, she could not take on Police Ponies horn to hoof, but she still had a trick or two of her own. Feeling herself bump up against the front of the Constable's desk, Trixie quickly mantled it, standing upon it, and her horn beginning to glow brightly. This caused the Police Ponies to stop short, looking to the Constable who looked quite surprised by her sudden move. "Now, now, Ms. Lulamoon. You haven't been charged with anything yet, and I can assure you a fair investigation. There's no need to do anything rash." The Constable said to her, trying to talk her down from using her magic. "I now know how Sir Lancaster felt, unsure of whom to trust, but just like him, I will choose to trust in my friends, Constable!" Trixie declared; bravery and fear in her voice. With a sudden explosion of light, Trixie disappeared on the spot in a cloud of white smoke. Leaving every pony baffled by spectacle. "Find her! Find Ms. Lulamoon and take her into custody!" The Constable shouted angrily; having been made a fool of. "Sir, what of the two suspects?" The Police Pony asked, looking towards Rarity and Pinkie Pie. "Have them loaded into the Police Cart, we're taking them to our sister location across the River Reigns. We're locking down the Yard until Ms. Lulamoon is in custody. We're not letting her escape." The Constable ordered. Rarity was saying some very unladylike things to the Constable, only muffled by the hoof of the Police Pony, who pulled her down the staircase. Pinkie Pie was no longer struggling against her Police Pony, her narrowed eyes met the Constable, he smirked at her, knowing that she had come close to solving this case, but being too late to stop it. Trixie peeked out from the door of the Observation Room, neighboring the Interrogation Room. She could see several Police Ponies running up and down the corridor looking for her. Lucky for her, her magic came through for her this time, having actually accomplished the teleportation spell and allowing her to avoid capture, but she wasn't sure how long her luck was going to hold out. With the hallway clear of any Police Ponies for the moment, Trixie knew it was only a matter of time before she would be discovered here, and decided to relocate. Carefully stepping out into the hallway, Trixie looked around one last time to see if the coast was clear, and bolted down the corridor towards the back of the Yard. Turning the corner, Trixie slammed on the brakes, having spotted two Police Ponies searching the rooms at the other end of the hallway. Turning to head back, her luck ran out once more as two more Police Ponies emerged at other end of the corridor she had just come from. "Oh no! Oh no! Oh no!" Trixie whispered to herself, unable to figure out where to go. "Trixie! Overhear!" A voice hissed at her. Trixie looked about quickly seeing Misses Minerva peeking out from a door, motioning for her to come inside. Without much deliberation Trixie complied, rushing into the as Misses Minerva closed the door behind her. Once inside, Trixie saw it was not only Misses Minerva, but Mr. Bartlesby, and Mr. Montague as well. "Where are the Detective and her assistant?" Mr. Montague asked quickly. "Pinkie Pie and Rarity have already been taken into custody by the Constable." Trixie replied, feeling a bit of relief in seeing these ponies. "Pastry bits!" Mr. Montague muttered in frustration. "We're too late then." "Too late? What are you talking about?" Trixie asked feeling confused. "I was returning from the lobby, after seeing my father off, when I found myself rather hungry. I made my way to the cafeteria near the back of this place when I witnessed something very disturbing. Through a small crack in the doorway to the cafeteria, I witnessed several Police Ponies were struggling to detain one of their own. At first I thought that the officer struggling was the culprit, but the cruel way they seemed to subdue him made him seem more like the victim. They hid him with a sack before dragging him away into the back of the cafeteria." Mr. Bartlesby explained to her. Trixie's eyes grew wide upon hearing this. "Oh my sweet Celestia! Rachel, what did James's father say? About you two being together?" Trixie asked quickly, taking her hooves; her eyes intensely staring at her. "I hardly think that this is the time to be discussing-" Mr. Bartlesby began, flushing at the concern she had over their private life. "Senior Bartlesby didn't seem all that happy with it to begin with, but when we told him that he was going to a grandpony he couldn't help but seem excited about the notion." Misses Minerva replied, flushing herself. "They are to be married at the first of the month." Mr. Montague stated, wrapping his arm around the very embarrassed Mr. Bartlesby. "That is so wonderful, Minerva! I'm so happy for you!" Trixie exclaimed embracing her. "Could we get back to the hostile takeover of the Yard?" Mr. Bartlesby asked, trying to get back on track. "Takeover?" Trixie asked in disbelief. "It would seem so, we aren't sure how many Police Ponies have been replaced by these… imposters, but it is safe to say that we cannot trust any pony in uniform." Mr. Montague stated. "What are we supposed to do? If we can't go to any Police Pony for help, how are we supposed to rescue Pinkie Pie and Rarity?" Trixie asked worriedly. "I'm not the detective that Ms. Pinkamena is, but I feel that this is the problem that Sir Lancaster had run into." Misses Minerva mentioned. Trixie couldn't help but see the resemblance to the problem Sir Lancaster was facing. Although, to her, it was unclear what the overall goal was for whoever was behind all this. Some raised voices were heard coming closer to the room; Trixie was pulled by Misses Minerva to hide behind the sofa while Mr. Montague and Mr. Bartlesby approached the door. Opening it ever so slightly, Mr. Bartlesby leaned in to listen. "The Constable is transporting the captives to the Queen as we speak; it won't be long before the final move is made against the Trottingham Empire." A rather sinister sounding Police Pony remarked. "To think that little pink pony almost ruined everything." Stated the second sinister sounding Police Pony. "It doesn't matter. We've have the the Duke and the Constable sacked away in the back. No pony has clue to what's really going on. All we have to do is find that last pony." The imposter Police Pony chuckled to himself. "We have to do something and fast." Mr. Bartlesby insisted, peeking out the door. "What can we do?" Misses Minerva hissed. "We take matters into our own hooves." Mr. Montague stated courageously. Mr. Montague moved Mr. Bartlesby to the side, opening the door wide, drawing the attention of the two imposter ponies. "What do you want?" The imposter Police Pony asked, looking rather surprised to see him step out so suddenly. "The pony you two are looking for is hiding inside this room." Mr. Montague declared to them. Mr. Bartlesby and Misses Minerva looked horrified by what he has just said. Trixie felt her stomach tighten at the thought of being discovered, peeking underneath the sofa to see the hooves of the two Police Ponies stepping into the room from the door. "You're kidding?" The imposter Police Pony remarked looking around the room in amazement at their stroke of luck. "So where is the po-" The other imposter Police Pony didn't get to finish. Mr. Montague had taken hold of both their heads, slamming them hard together, knocking them out cold. The two imposter Police Ponies dropped to the floor unconscious, as Mr. Montague slapped his hooves together; feeling that it was a job well done. "Mr. Montague, I am surprised!" Misses Minerva said looking amazed by his underhoofedness. "I was part of the Royal 5th Northumberland Fusiliers, veteran of the Chimeras Rampage of High Basin Peak and two year champion of the hoof to cuffs Tournament held in our old barracks. It seems I haven't lost my touch." Mr. Montague stated proudly. "What exactly are we supposed to do with them now? Surely they'll know they've gone missing." Mr. Bartlesby questioned him. "Were you not listening, young colt? The Duke of Trottingham and the Constable himself are sacked away in the back of this place; namely the cafeteria. We pilfer their uniforms, sneak in, rescue our comrades and stop the coup before any of these fakes are the wiser." Mr. Montague explained to him. "I-I-I-I'm no soldier pony." Mr. Bartlesby stated, looking rather nervous. "You have a duty to this city, to the Queen, to yourself, but more importantly to the family you are starting. Stand up for what is right and help save our Empire's future." Mr. Montague stated firmly. Mr. Bartlesby looked rather flabbergasted by his words. Some of his fear turned to courage, feeling that his precious Minerva may be harmed by these imposter ponies. Nodding his head in agreement, the two started to relieve the imposter ponies of their garb. Upon touching them, the two imposter ponies suddenly flared in a sudden turquoise flame. What was left lying before them had every pony gasping at the sight. Rarity and Pinkie Pie had their hooves shackled, having been placed inside the Police Cart. The doors locked from the outside. Rarity was given magically enchanted shackles that could not be dispelled by any means of a regular Unicorn Pony magic; anything short of a veteran spell caster or even an Alicorn could not break the bonds. The cart had been traveling for quite some time, bumping along the cobblestone road as they went. "Pinkie, what has happened? Why has the Constable arrested us? We've been nothing but an asset to him this entire time." Rarity questioned her; cringing at the unsightliness of her ugly shackles. "Everything came together too late, Rarity. I was a fool not to have noticed it earlier." Pinkie Pie muttered, sounding rather dramatic. "Have you solved this case, Pinkie?" Rarity asked in surprise. "Sir Lancaster knew exactly what he was dealing with, his tabs on ponies were not out of suspicion, as I had thought previously; he was keeping watch over them." Pinkie began to clarify. "Keeping watch over them?" Rarity asked sounding confused. The rumble of the cobblestone streets disappeared. The sound of dirt under wheel could be heard. "When he uncovered the truth, he ran that to protect his friends, to protect his family, because he knew that his disappearance would spark the investigation. Trixie was the only pony far outside the realm of suspicion that he could trust, giving her his saddle bag for safe keeping and telling her exactly where to find the very next day." Pinkie Pie continued. "The moor!" Rarity exclaimed in surprise. "I believed it was merely a place so far away from the museum that the culprits would not think to look, but I never thought to question why the Police Ponies knew where to find her." Pinkie Pie elaborated further. "What are you saying, Pinkie?" Rarity asked sounding very enticed with her deduction. "I'm saying is that the Police Ponies are in on this, trying to make Trixie a scapegoat, trying to divert our attention away from the bigger picture with the rest of the research team being considered suspects. It was all a ploy to keep us busy while the culprits cleaned up their mess. The kidnapping of Sir Lancaster, George the Security Pony, even our capture is part of their plan." Pinkie Pie stated. "What plan, Pinkie?" Rarity asked, unable to contain the suspense. "We've been looking at our culprits' right in the face, the unexplained creature at the museum, the one that scared Sir Lancaster and Julian the Janitor Pony, the theft of Sir Lancaster's saddle bag by the Duke, and even the Constable arresting us." Pinkie Pie mumbled looking rather annoyed by it. "I don't follow." Rarity remarked, trying to figure it out. The cart lurched to a stop. The sound of many hooves approaching the Police Cart. The latch of the doors clicked open, swinging wide, the bright sun illuminating the dark cart. Rarity and Pinkie Pie were pulled from the cart, pushed to the ground by the Police Ponies who chuckled in their cruelty. Rarity blew a puff of air to move her mane from her face, having taken notice of her surroundings. They were still very much near Trottingham, having not even crossed the river of Reigns. "This is the moor." Rarity remarked in surprise. "You're quite the detective aren't you?" A familiar voice asked aloud. Rarity watched the group of Police Ponies disband to allow for the Duke to step into view. The Duke wore a rather sinister grin upon his face with Sir Lancaster's saddle bag strewn over his shoulder. The Constable appeared from the crowd, strolling up alongside him, an equally evil grin adorning his, every Police Pony snickering to themselves. "What is the meaning of this?" Rarity demanded. "Haven't you figured it out, darling?" The Duke asked teasingly. "You won't get away with this you two faced, bug eyed, monster!" Pinkie Pie shouted attempting to lash out at her. The Police Ponies had firm grip of their shackles' chains, preventing Pinkie or Rarity from getting to close to the Duke or the Constable. "It was very surprising to see the two of you again, although, I can't say I'm surprised. What really was surprising is how close you came to ruining everything, but now that you're my prisoners, my plan can proceed." The Duke stated with an evil grim. Rarity watched the Duke, the Constable, and every Police Pony suddenly plume in a turquoise flame. Standing before her was none other than Queen Chrysalis, and her changelings all laughing together at their misfortune. "Surprised? At least one of you is. Then again, the Duke, the Constable, the Security guard, and even poor little Lancaster were rather surprised to see me. But when you're attempting to gain control of the Trottingham Empire it is imperative to remain unseen." Queen Chrysalis remarked. "So that's why Sir Lancaster couldn't go to any pony for help, he knew you were here and didn't know who to trust." Rarity stated, feeling everything making sense. "Well that would be Mandible's fault, now wouldn't it?" Queen Chrysalis said rather harshly towards one the changelings. The changeling named Mandible seemed to shrink in embarrassment. "It matters not, the Trottingham Empire will soon be under my control and with the research I have collected from that fancy pony I will be able to unlock the unstoppable power of the Void!" Queen Chrysalis declared; her changelings cheering.