//------------------------------// // Another One Bites the Dust // Story: How to Tell Your Friends You're Dating a Changeling // by Infinite Carnage //------------------------------// Rarity had squealed so frequently in the past few hours, Rainbow Dash felt like she should’ve built up some sort of resistance to it by now. This current squeal in particular was a long one, so much so that even Pinkie Pie seemed mildly fazed by it.  “This is simply amazing,” she announced with a twinkle in her eye. “Rainbow! How dare you keep this amazing stallion from me for so long!” “H-hey, he’s my coltfriend y’know?” Rainbow answered, feeling strangely insecure.  “And it’s a changeling, rare,” Twilight cut in with a deadpan stare. “I’ve dated worse.” “Mmm, that is true,” Shy whispered under her breath. “So this ‘ere mystery?” AJ spoke up with a rising suspicion building up in the back of her throat. “Do these things happen a lot to ‘im?” “Eh? What do ya mean?” Dash asked. “Well I mean, this fella just waltzes in on a night that just happens to be a big ‘ol crime? And he just ‘appens to be the only one who can solve it? Seems a little funny for my liking.” “Oh hogwash, Applejack. Have you never read a mystery story in your life? These things happen all the time. The detective visits abroad, or perhaps arrives to meet an old friend or relative. During their trip, or perhaps at the destination itself, a crime occurs. A murder perhaps? Or maybe a robbery? Either way, they're all trapped in the middle of nowhere with no place to run to, and the detective is the only one who can solve the mystery!” Rainbow swore she could see little love hearts flutter above Rarity’s head. She made a mental note to keep her and Question apart. Still she smiled all the same. Rarity’s love for mystery was infectious, and even Twilight found herself grinning at her excitement. Still, Applejack seemed unfazed by her case. “Rare, those are stories. Fiction. This ‘ere is real life. How’d we know he didn’t set this all up?” “Oh sure, AJ. He totally set it all up just to impress me, that's sooooooo more believable,” Dash finished with a roll of her eyes. “Girls, let’s stay focused here,” Twilight cut in before a fight broke out. “Okay, so Rainbow, what are your feelings during this time?” “Huh?” “Sorry, let me rephrase. From your story, you seemed to be treated rather coldly by your coltfriend. Am I correct in my assumption? How were you feeling at this time?” For a moment, Rainbow Dash grew quiet. With a furrowed brow, she kept her focus on the background below and grew deathly still. Her friends around her shared worried glances with one another. None of them quite knew how to react, but before they even could, Rainbow spoke back up. “Me and him, we’re different ponies. Not in a bad way, we just are. I didn’t think I’d love anypony like him. He's smart and shy and awkward. Like we got similarities too, we’re both super good at what we do, and passionate about it too. Then there's this other side of him, where he’s confident and kinda crazy. I love that part, I really do. But I’d trade that away if I never had to experience his ‘detective mode’ side again. He’s a real ass when he’s like that. He’s gotta take charge, I get it, but that whole thing rubbed me the wrong way.” “You really love him, don’t you?” Twilight blurted out unthinkingly. Colour formed on her cheeks as she cleared her throat. “I’m sorry, it might be obvious, but hearing you say it aloud so casually, it just really hit me.” “Well yeah, I mean I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.” “Honestly darling, I understand your perspective,” Rarity confessed. “If I were in your shoes I’d be taken aback too.” “You know why I think you don't like it when your hubby gets all grumpy?” Pinkie asked after having been quiet for an abnormally long period of time. “We’re not married… but go on, shoot.” “Cause it's when he’s most like you,” Pinkie announced. The room grew so quiet you likely could hear a pin drop all the way from Canterlot. “When you get all bullheaded you try and take control, puff out your chest like you’re super serious, and can be super obnoxious. So then you see your coltfriend do the same things and it gives you the heebie jeebies. Like looking in a funhouse mirror.” To demonstrate her point, Pinkie molded and contorted her face in several horrifying expressions. While this would normally freak her friends out, they were more preoccupied with her statement, none more so than Rainbow who found herself growing quiet again. She had never considered that point,  perhaps Pinkie’s ramblings were anything but. “Let’s get back on topic,” Twilight spoke up again. “I’m eager to see how this mystery plays out.” “Well he started ordering ponies all across the room, myself included. Scoot was sticking close to him the entire time, like she was watching a superhero go to work. At first it all seemed random, like he was trying to make some weird pattern, and I was still miffed with him, so I just flat out asked him.” “What are you doing?”  “A little experiment,” he answered. “You’ll see soon enough. Stay beside me and keep watch.” “No point asking, Hun,” Gumshoe cut in. “He’s showing off. He’ll only let you know when he wants yer to know.” Both Rainbow and Question grumbled. She rolled her eyes while he kept his focus on what was in front of him. Gumshoe had ordered his guard to watch the perimeter and scour the halls to make sure nopony else was hiding, which also gave Question the space to work. It was clear to Rainbow that these two had history, and she was unsure exactly how that made her feel. Despite the relatively short time they had been dating, Rainbow had felt a rapidly growing connection from the start. Gumshoe, Trottingham, and Question’s behavior had all been harsh reminders that she did not know him quite as well as she had thought. As they all settled in and the last pony had reached their spot, Question Mark began to address the room once more. “Each one of you is now standing exactly where you were when the lights came back on. I also believe none of you are much further out of place compared to when they first switched off. What this test will do is determine who of you had the opportunity to deface the portrait.” The furthest away was Gulliver, who was near the exit. To his right and in the corner was Petty Cash, and to Cash’s left were Blabber Mouth and Tattle Tale. On the opposite end were Spitfire and Soarin who stood a few steps away from the corner, and a little further downwards was Sweet Nothings. In the centre, but only a few feet from where Gulliver stood was Blueberry Crush. The closest to the portrait Noctis Moon, who stood off to the side of the portrait, and finally the Baron himself who was only a few feet from her.  “So why am I here then?” Rainbow asked, unable to hide her frustration. “What do you mean?” “Don’t you want me in position too?” She pressed him, pointing towards Spitfire and Soarin. “Rainbow, you’re one of the fastest mares in all of Equestria, I already know you could have done it.” “... Oh.” She felt her cheeks grow bright. Whether from the compliment, or the embarrassment of missing such an obvious answer she was unsure. “Scootaloo,” Question addressed the filly. “What can you gleam from the scene before you?” She blinked at him in confusion before looking out toward the menagerie. She wracked her tiny brain as she felt a bead of sweat trickle down her forehead. Noticing her discomfort, Question knelt down and patted her mane. “To be more specific; who here has the best opportunity to deface the painting?” “Noctis?” She answered slowly, afraid she had got it wrong. “Correct, she is the closest. Anypony else?” “Baron Fiet is kinda close too.” “That he is. What else is interesting about Noctis’ position?” “Um… I’m not sure.” She squinted as if that would make the scene clearer. “Specifically; what is she not blocking?” “The painting!” “And what does that mean?” “That anypony could reach it?” “Exactly. Noctis is one of the only ponies I am certain is in the same position she was in before the lights went off. Assuming she had remained still that entire time, it gives anypony else in the room the opportunity to reach the painting. We now need to determine who can actually do it.”  Breaking off from his entourage, the detective waltzed into the centre of the room, eyeing up each and every pony along the way. “Now as my assistant has made note, you all have had the opportunity to reach that painting, and obviously Noctis and Fiet could easily do it in the time frame-” “Are you still accusing me of defacing my own painting!?” Fiet screeched. “This is slander, you know? Do you truly wish to dig yourself a deeper hole?” “No bigger than the one you’ve already dug yourself.” “I am a respectable member of the Trottingham elite, my family built this city. You are nothing.” “You certainly are defensive for such a respectable gentlecolt, no? As I’ve told all of you, I will find the truth, and it starts here.” Turning on the spot, he focused on the mare in the centre of the room. “Blueberry Crush, why don’t we start with you.” “Huh?” The blue mare blinked her eyes as if she had zoned out, her angry fixation having remained on Counter the entire time. “I want you to run to the painting and back to your spot.” “What?” “You heard me, run to the painting and back.” She did not move at first, instead eyeing the Detective up and down, trying to figure out his motive. “Something the matter?” “What if I say no?” “Then I arrest yer on the spot,” Gumshoe shouted out behind her, causing Blueberry to jump. “And trust me love, I’m looking for an excuse.” Blueberry needed little more convincing. With no warning she leapt forward as fast as she could and reached the painting, before running back to her spot. Despite the short run, she found herself panting in a mix of shock and panic that quickly left her out of breath. If there was one thing she had shown Question Mark for sure, was despite all her bluster, she really didn’t want to go to jail. “That took you 4 seconds to complete that run. If we’re generous and say it would take you an extra 2 seconds to deface the painting, it means you clearly had enough time to commit the crime.” All at once it dawned upon everypony else exactly what was going on. What was once a series of confused stares became a mix of wide-eyed panic. Question left little time for his lab rats to formulate a way out of this, turning to his next subject. “Miss Nothings, you’re up next.” “O-oh, me?” She spoke innocently, but for the first since he met her, a crack had formed in her perfect visage. “Is there another Miss Nothings I am unaware of?” “I hope not,” She said with a tiny laugh, correcting herself. “I’m afraid I can not do as you ask, Detective.” “And why is that?” “I have a prior hoof injury. I’ve sprained the inside of my cleft, I can not put too much pressure on it I’m afraid.” “Really?” He replied, narrowing his eyes. “You walked around earlier just fine.” “It comes and goes you see, and frustratingly it’s playing up again. I do hate to make a handsome gentlecolt wait, so perhaps it's best you move-” Unbeknownst to the prim and proper mare, she had a predator at her heels. Rainbow felt herself grow angrier with each syllable that passed by Sweet’s lips. As she spoke, she stalked behind her, waiting for a chance to show her up. As her excuses continued on, Rainbow spied her elongated tail trailing along the floor. With a simple hoof pressed upon it, Sweet took a mock limp forward, but instead fell flat on her snout. At a pace that could rival a Wonderbolt. Sweet shot back up and stared down Rainbow Dash with murderous intent. Dash innocently whistled and tried to walk back to her spot, but Sweet cut her off. “You bloody oaf!” Anything but sweet nothings passed by her lips, her charming accent replaced by a ‘northern’ and less appealing tone. “You paying for my extensions are ya!? Did your mum teach you how to walk!? Was she as stupid as you!? You wanna have a go? DO YA!?” “Why, Miss Nothings!” Question exclaimed, making a mocking gasp. “You seem to be all better!” Sweet’s mouth went agape. “Surely you can demonstrate for us how quickly you can run now?” Sweet switched between her look of anger and disgust towards Rainbow, and her puppy dog eyes for Question. Neither had much effect. With an expletive muttered under her breath, she awkwardly ran towards the painting and back. It took her eight seconds with the time added on to deface the painting. In part due to her dress which made the trip awkward for her. While Sweet could still have done it, for a task that would require her to be nimble enough to avoid mistakes, Question had to acknowledge her poor choice of attire. While she was not cleared of suspicion, the likelihood of her involvement went drastically down. “Now hopefully with little more incident, we turn to Mr. Mouth and Mr. Tale.” Neither looked particularly happy about their continued involvement, and Question could already feel another lie being planned out between them. “Be very careful with the next words out of your mouth. If it's anything but, ‘yes, sir’-” “Actually, we would be happy to show you.” Tattle Tale said suddenly. “We will?” Blabber Mouth said in a sudden state of panic. “Of course, honey. What do we have to hide after all?” And true to their word, they did. Blabber was nudged forward first, and before he even took off he seemed winded. His gluttonous personality had paid off for him the strangest of ways, as Question quickly came to the conclusion that there was no feasible way he could make the run with a time of fifteen seconds. Tattle fared little better. He ran with a noticeable limp, one that slowed him to a time of eleven seconds. Close, but too far out for the detective to keep them on the suspects list.  “Wh-what did I say?” Tattle Tale spoke as he tried to catch his breath. “Were as innocent as the day we were born.” “I think I might have a heart attack,” Blabber barely wheezed out. “Interesting,” was all Question said as he started to walk away. Tattle caught him before he could leave. “Is that all? Are we not free stallions now? Have we not proved our innocence?” “For this crime, perhaps. But I don't think you’re in the clear yet. Get comfortable, you’re not going anywhere.” He spared them no further pleasantries as he moved onto Petty Cash, who was limbering up. “You’re eager I take it?” “Absolutely, my good sir.” He said as he stretched out his forelegs. “It’s been sometime since I was able to show off my athletic prowess for a viewing audience. You’re in for quite a show.” “Uh huh.” “Why back in my college days I was the lead player for my college basketball team. Many tried to put down my accomplishments by claiming my father was the financier for the team. That was true, but I led us to quite a few victories.” “Right.” “I can run this entire hall several times over and well within the time limit you require. Just watch me.” “I will.” “Now don't you blink. I will gone from your field of view befo-” “Just get on with it.” Petty found some of his bluster evaporate into nothing, but he let Question’s sudden command roll off his back. He got himself into position. He arched his spine, flexed his muscles, geared himself into high gear, and took off like a bolt of lightning… or perhaps he would have, if not for him tripping on his own hoofs the second he had any momentum. He tumbled onto the ground and slid across the room, plowing pathetically into a wall, causing a notable dent. “I’d send you the bill, but I doubt you actually have any money to pay it off!” Counter scoffed. “Somepony help him, would they?” Question mumbled out as he rubbed his eyes with his hoof. Noctis scooped the fallen stallion with her magic and looked him over. “It would appear he is concussed.” She noted. “I would see him to the hospital this instant.” A small triage team rolled in within moments, taking the fallen noble away and to the nearest hospital. Not only did Question doubt Petty could actually make the journey there and back in time, but he was so woefully incompetent that he would have fumbled any chance to do so. He was safely scratched off the list of suspects.  “So now we come to the Wonderbolts,” Question bypassed Gulliver all together and went straight for the show ponies. “Hey, wait a minute,” Rainbow Dash spoke up.  “How come you scratched me off the list cause of how fast I am, but you don’t rule out the literal wonderbolts! C’mon dude.” “You make a good point, Rainbow.” “I did?” “Indeed, it’s a logical inconsistency, but I’m not playing favourites with you. There is a reason for all of this.” As he reached the two soldiers, they kept themselves at full attention. It was as if they were being inspected by a superior officer. “Soarin, how long has your wing been injured?” Both Spitfire and Soarin turned to the other in surprise. Rainbow went wide-eyed in astonishment. Question remained stone faced all the same. “Oh wow, you noticed huh?” Soarin confessed, almost with a relieved smile. “I had a similar injury not too long ago. Though yours doesn’t seem quite as severe.” “Got it back at that joint-show.” Soarin unfurled his left wing, revealing the stitching still embedded alongside it. “Whacked right into a Shadowbolt and we went tumbling. She got off unscathed, I wasn’t so lucky.” “Can you fly on it?” “Sorta. Can fly short distances and slowly, but can’t build-up speed at all.” “I figured as much. As good as a flyer as I’m sure you are, you’d have struggled to pull it off with your busted wing.” He turned towards Spitfire. “I take it you don't have the same excuse.” “Unfortunately not,” she answered. “Fit and healthy as always.” “For the sake of argument then, could you demonstrate to us how quick-” Question didn’t get the chance to finish his sentence before Spitfire took off. In less than three seconds she reached the painting on the other side of the room and landed with ease on her starting position. “I take it I’ve passed?” “Unfortunately so.” The detective mused. “You could have slowed down you know? You’re the furthest from the portrait, could have made yourself look a bit less guilty.” “I’ve got a reputation to uphold.” “Fair enough.” For the first time since they had begun, Question showed a moment of genuine warmth as a smile bloomed on his face. He cleared his throat and excused himself, walking back up to Gumshoe and Rainbow Dash. “Hey, um...” Scootaloo prodded the Detective’s leg. “Where are we at then?” “Well the suspect list has been successfully narrowed down. Noctis, Fiet, Sweet, Blueberry, Rainbow, and Spitfire all could have done it. Theoretically Soarin could be an accomplice as well.” “And tweedle dee and dum over there are still suspicious,” Gumshoe spoke up. “Need to follow that up too.” “Exactly, make sure they don’t make a quick escape,” Question agreed. “Quest, c’mon,” Rainbow pleaded. “Do you really think I did this?” “Genuinely? No. Even if you were at your prankster peak, this was way too thought out for a trip that was a last minute holiday. But I have to treat everypony fairly, Rainbow.” He brushed his tail against hers, just so it was out of view of everypony else. Daedalus sat down in the corner, drinking in the drama of it all. Right now this was better than going to one of those murder mystery dinner shows he used to adore, and no pony actually died this time so that was a plus. He wished he had some popcorn on claw, but dreamstate popcorn always tasted foul to him. “What about me then?” Gulliver cut in, walking up to the group. “Skipping over me are ya?” “Not quite. I’d take it you’re in your seventies, correct?” “Seventy six to be precise. Good eye there, a lot of ponies can barely tell a Griffon’s age.” “Tips of your wings give it away.” Question explained. “Even if you were in your best condition, your age will slow you down considerably. I doubt you’d make it in time. I’ll need you for something else though.” “The lights, yeah?” “Exactly. Would you care to lead us to where the breaker is?” Gulliver led Question away, with Scootaloo, Rainbow and Gumshoe in tow. The inspector ordered his guard to block the door as they left, making sure nopony could flee. Just as the old griffon had said, it was not far, but what the Detective had not expected was it would be located inside the security room. “Well, this is new,” Daedalus admired as he strolled in with them. Indeed the room was considerably advanced. “Gotta say, never been one for all the high tech mumbo jumbo, but it’s a big improvement from my old office.” “Old office?” Question questioned. “You’re security as well?” “Not officially, but I’ve been around for so long now it's basically my second job around here. I know every nook and cranny of this place. Even the actual security ends up reporting to me.” “What is half this junk anyway?” Rainbow rudely inquired. “I would like to know as well,” Daedalus muttered. A series of square mirrors were pressed against the side wall. Each one showed a different area of the museum. Scootaloo and Rainbow recognised a few spots from their tour, others were focused on the store rooms and employee quarters. From here, one would have eyes on every key part of the building. In front of them were a series of security uniforms, all hanging in a row, and just to the right was the fuse box in question. The room was dark and for a moment the detective considered the possibility the lights were still on the fritz here. “They haven’t suddenly developed the technology to see in the dark with these things, have they?” Question spoke up, motioning towards the camera monitors. “If they have, I wasn’t told.” Gulliver answered.  “What are these Quest?” Rainbow asked. “Security mirrors. They reflect what they’re pointed at through these separate mirrors. They can even replay events from before.” “Can they see who did it then?” “As I asked, they can’t see in the dark. So it's useless unfortunately.” “Not as useless as you might think.” In the very corner was a separate door, where a familiar figure emerged. Lens Turner poked her head outside and gave a cheeky grin. “I see you’re keeping yourself busy.” “And there you are,” Question said with a smile. “I was wondering where you ran off to.” “Whoa!” Dash exclaimed. “I totally forgot you were here.” “Ponies tend to do that,” Lens confessed. “Hell of a boon for my line of work.” “Wait! You let her go?” Rainbow cried out. “You knew she was gone?” “Of course. I know Lens well enough that whenever there’s a story she’ll sniff it out. Better to leave her to her own devices. We always meet up part way.” “So she’s not a suspect then?” Scootaloo questioned, giving the Detective an incredulous look. “Lens is many things; a liar, a lunatic, a loafer, but she’s not a petty vandal. She’d never try anything like this around me. She would have abandoned ship the second she spied me at the museum.” “And I’ve been doing some spying myself,” she interrupted. “I take it you’re here for the fuse box?” “That we are.” “Good, take a look at this.”  She led them to the box in question, swinging the shutter open to reveal a series of switches that controlled nearly all the power for the entire building. It was a strange place to keep it, considering this wasn’t electrical, but the Detective did concede the point it was secure in here. What did seem odd was the strange orb placed inside a smaller box at the bottom of the panel. It clearly did not belong there, and both Daedalus and Question recognised it instantly. “An energy drainer,” they bellowed simultaneously. It was a perfect sphere, hauntingly black from top to bottom. Smooth to the touch, they were often mistaken for gems, but it was closer to a pearl in complexity. “A what now?” Rainbow inquired. “Literally drains energy of any type,” Lens explained. “Magical, electrical, you name it, it drains it. This stuff is old, like ancient magical trinkets kind of stuff. Now look what it was stored in.” Lens pointed at the small box the drainer was in. Attached was a tiny lock on it. The lock had an even smaller hourglass at its centre. “Energy drainers have to be kept sealed shut, even a crack open and it drains anything close by.” “And the lock has a timer,” Question surmised. “The box doesn’t shut properly unless its locked, meaning the second the last grains of sand hit the bottom-” “All the power cut out!” Scootaloo exclaimed. “Shouldn't it like, be still draining power then?” Rainbow asked. “Look at the cracks in the side,” Question pointed out. Sure enough they were there, a flaw in a seemingly perfect gem. “It’s been sabotaged. Can't actually hold in energy anymore. At best it can suck in a small burst, and out it flows again. This too was intentional.” “So no possibility this whole malarkey was spur of the moment then?” Gumshoe hoped. “If there had been any doubts before, they’ve been permanently erased now.” Question hummed to himself, glaring at the oddity. “Quest? What’s the matter?” “The thing is, you don't just find these things just anywhere. They’re rare these days. Someone had to have connections to get a hold of one.” “Give me strength,” Gumshoe mumbled. “You’re about to tell me this gets a lot more complicated, aren’t ya?” “Potentially. One of two possibilities exist. Somepony set this all up on their own, or they had a stallion on the inside. I think this was a team effort. Factor in they got themselves into what I presume is a locked room, and either placed this in here before or during the opening tour, that’s a lot to set up all on your lonesome.” “You’d need a key to get in here,” explained Gulliver, who had been quiet for a short while. “Was this place locked when you got here?” “Yep,” Lens answered. “Had to pick the lock to get in. Again, would imply official capacity.” “But all this to deface a single portrait?” Gumshoe countered. “It's a bit much don't you think?” “I don’t disagree. So let's turn our thinking on its head. We're so focused on who, we have yet to actually establish why. Why do all this? I can safely rule out Rainbow, perhaps the Wonderbolts too, their motives have been so simple and petty it's hard for me to believe they’d go to these lengths just to vandalise one portrait. There’s something more here, perhaps more sinister.” “I wasn’t there, so I don’t know any motives you’ve established,” Lens explained. “What have we got?” “Blueberry Crush, junior member of the cult solar. She’ll have some contempt for Luna, no doubt about that, but does she have the means? Sweet Nothings, she’s got something on Baron Fiet, no question. Would that lead her to do this? As a threat? Then the stallion himself, he’s so guarded, so cagey. These high society types very rarely drop their masks, to do so quickly for something that can be fixed suggests this is playing against him. Then lastly Noctis. The biggest enigma of the lot. What is her game here? The way she speaks, acts, it suggests something quite concerning if true.” “Like what?” “I don't want to say, not yet anyway. For now, we’ll have to move on to the next step.” “Interview time!” Gumshoe cackled. “Love this part.” “Sorry old friend, I’ll take the lead on this one, I’ll need you to check on something else for me.” “Eh? What’s that supposed to mean?” Dash blurted out. “Don’t worry, I’ll explain on the way. Shall we go?” “Before you do, I have something to show you,” Lens practically sang with joy, stopping Question in his tracks. “You remember what I said? These security mirrors weren’t quite as useless as you might think?” “Oh?” “In fact, while they may have missed one crime, they might just have caught another~” The atmosphere in the gallery was a tense one. The remaining suspects had not said a word since Question and company had left the room. All but Baron Fiet, who had proceeded to rant at mind numbing tedium to the guardsmen left behind. His topics ranged from his own upbringing, to suing everypony present, to how important he was, then back to suing, and so forth. A collective sigh of relief was made by everypony present as the Detective made his return. “My apologies for the wait, I assure all of you we are now on the road to having all of this settled.” “Finally!” Fiet cried out. “I hope you haven’t made any big expenditures recently. You’re going to need all the bits you can scrounge up to pay back your imminent debt to me.” “Baron, your threats are as empty as your head. Now be quiet.” “So this is what’s going to happen,” Lens explained, taking a step forward. “Everypony left here will take part in a brief interrogation led by myself and Question-” “Where has she been!?” Fiet screeched. “You’ve let this one run about while keeping us under duress?” “Baron, you're on your last warning, pal,” Gumshoe barked out.  “Am I!? Who’s one of the biggest donors to the guard of this city? Public services? The arts? Hospitals? All me! I’m not on a final warning, all of you are!” A sideways glance was all it took for Question to gauge the potential of that threat. The colour drained from Gumshoe’s burgundy coat, and the Detective found himself in a very unfortunate position. Counter Fiet was indeed powerful, meaning any hope of prosecution - if he indeed was involved in any crime - would need to be damning, and be carried out by the highest authority. While the second part would be tomorrow's problem, if his suspicion was indeed correct, he could nail Fiet right here and now. “Before I was so rudely interrupted, while I will be heading up these interviews, Gumshoe here will be tasked with handling our most key evidence.” With a single pointed hoof, Question Mark presented all. “The portrait of Princess Luna.” Counter Fiet saw his life flash before his eyes. Wide-eyed and on the edge, he ran towards the work of art and stood firmly in front of it. “Absolutely not!” He screeched. “This is my museum! My art piece! I will have none of you lay a filthy hoof upon it.” “C’mon sir, be reasonable,” Gulliver spoke softly, laying a gentle claw of the Baron’s shoulder. The old griffon had calmly strutted around the room without anypony noticing, sliding up to his employer with surprising grace. “We have to check how severe the damage is. No pony thinks you’d deface your own painting, that’s absurd, so why-” “Don't touch me!” Fiet pulled away, a wild look in his eyes. “So help me, if any of you touch it, you’ll be buried in so much litigation the sun itself will become a distant memory! THIS IS MY MUSEUM! And I-” “Have said enough,” Noctis stepped in, her voice booming with unnatural force. “No matter your wealth, no matter your prestige, you are not free of the consequences of your actions. You are judged in this life or the next, so pray be it is this one.” “You have no say in this matter!” He fired back. “You’re the one who did this!? I know it! Who else would!?” “Baron, my love, are you sweating?” Sweet sang across the room. “Goodness, I thought you only got like that with me.” “You stay out of this as well! I am in control here! I refuse to be controlled by the likes of you any further.” “That’s what it's always about to you, isn’t it? Control!” Blueberry shouted out. The mare who barely said a word at all was now unleashed. “If you're not in charge of it then you throw it away like it's nothing to you.” “You will be dealt with later, young filly! Do not think I have forgotten you.” “Baron Fiet,” Question called out, his voice deafening all others. “Save your breath. You’ll need it for the interrogation.” Daedalus felt his heart stop. Enraptured with every word, he was unable to take his eyes off his dear friend. Question looked towards Gumshoe, his final play of the game. He mouthed a single phrase to him, ‘trust me.’ And just when it looked like the inspector might buckle, he took a deep sharp breath and puffed out his chest again. Nothing else needed to be said, King Daedalus knew that they had him. “Baron Fiet, stand down,” Gumshoe ordered. “We will be taking the painting for inspection, and you will remain here until you are called for questioning.” All the fight left in Counter Fiet was knocked out of him. He stood there in silence with his eyes cast downward as the guards worked around him to carefully remove the painting. The next few seconds almost felt like a blur as Question got everything ready. He rounded all the suspects back up again… all except for Tattle Tale and Blabber Mouth. The couple noticed quickly that the Detective had barely paid them any attention since his return. In fact it was almost if he was avoiding them entirely. They looked towards the entrance and noticed the entrance was still blocked off. Everyone was led to wait against the wall, but again they had been left behind. Without a word, they agreed on their plan of attack as snuck up to Question Mark. “My dear Detective!” Tattle began. “Have you forgotten about us?” Blabber continued. “Hmm? Not at all?” Question was unnervingly calm. “There is simply no reason to interview either of you further.” “I-i-is that so?” Tattle stuttered out. “A-a-nd what does that mean exactly?” Blabber asked with shaken breath. “Well, it’s clear to me not that neither of you defaced the portrait of Princess Luna. In fact I am almost positive of this fact. So in truth, I have no further need for either of you.” For a moment, the briefest second of time, Blabber and Tattle were filled with hope. They had done it, they were home free. They squealed and danced around together, before regaining their composure. “Wonderful to hear.” “Oh just wonderful.” “It was delightful to meet you, Detective.” “Simply delightful.” “We might still make our reservation.” “My stomach is grumbling already.” “So we can go, yes?” Both stallions asked in unison. “... no.”  “What!?” They screeched together. “Well you’ll both be leaving now, but certainly not to dinner. I’m afraid you two will have to answer a different set of questions for these fine ponies behind you.” Faster than either stallion could react, they both found a set of cuffs clasped over their forelegs. Behind them was a trio of guards who looked at them as they had just caught them in the act of a serious crime. For that is exactly what had occured. “What is the meaning of this? I thought we were innocent!?” Tattle pleaded. “Would you sentence innocent stallions for nothing?” “Not nothing, Blabber Mouth. You’re both innocent of defacing Luna’s portrait, because you wouldn’t dare destroy such precious art. Because the pair of you know its true value.” Without warning, a bag was gently placed between them. The burlap sack unfurled to reveal trinkets, artifacts, small sculptures and even a painting or two all piled on top of each other. The couple looked down at their ill gotten goods and realised their figurative goose was now cooked. “Shit,” they muttered. “I take it you lads weren’t familiar with the museum's new security system?” “What?” Tattle asked. “Pardon?” Blabber inquired. “I was just shown your activities before coming into the room. Some classic pilfering techniques, I must say. Keeping the bag in plain sight and making it look like its own exhibit was a stroke of genius too. Needless to say though, not only did the mirrors see everything you lot attempted to steal, but recorded it all too. With so much focus on the defacement, you gents might have even got away with it, but luckily for me, there's somepony here who’s even more paranoid than me.” “That’s me,” Lens gave a little wave. “Games up, lads. A goodnight to you both.” Question Mark did not spare either another breath. He panned back round and returned to what he was doing before. Naturally, both Blabber and Tattle tried to bolt, but both fell flat on their faces. As they were carried away, Question was treated to the bemoaning of two stallions who knew their time was up. “Mother was right,” Blabber started. “I should never have married you.” “Your mother was a homophobic piss bag. But maybe she was right, I might have married a stallion who could actually tell a convincing lie!”  Their argument soon faded into the background, it would be the last time Question would meet either stallion. In the coming days, it would be revealed that both Blabber and Tattle were in actuality infamous art thieves who traveled up and down the country stealing minor sculptures and reselling them on the black market. This had been their most daring score, and both had bitten off more than they could chew. King Daedalus could sense it in his old bones, they were in the endgame now. Not soon after the case would be revealed. He almost felt sad, as this had been a most enjoyable moment in time, a memory he would likely treasure to the end of his days. Yet it could not be helped, before the night was through, the true culprit would be revealed.