The Spoon That Refused Polish

by Hollyfern


Investigation Squad!

The morning rush of ponies in the Chocolade signaled the beginning of the work day for most ponies in Ponyville. With each pony waiting in line, varying degrees of anger were present. Small bodies banked through the line serving the few customers that sat contently at tables, nibbling on cakes and other small delicacies.

“Double ‘thot ‘thinny latte up!” A curly maned filly called as she placed a steaming cup on a silver platter.

“Silver Spoon,” shouted a commanding mare from behind the register. “Take that double shot skinny latte to Clockwork!”

A gray filly responded, balancing the platter with ease on her head. “Yes ma’am, Ms. Bon-Bon,” she nodded to the two tone maned mare. Her violet eyes combed the masses until she spotted the auburn stallion in question then moved to the booth in the back.

“Here you are, Mr. Clockwork.” Silver Spoon smiled, offering the stallion his beverage.

Clockwork pulled his attention away from a small device he was tinkering with to retrieve his coffee. “Aaaah, molto bene!” He chirped, smiling back to Silver Spoon. “Another way of healing those all too vital synapses.”

“Uh... huh.” Silver Spoon put on an awkward smile. He always has been a little odd. She giggled to herself. “Enjoy.” The gray filly dipped her head.

“C’mon ya slow-poke!” Chided a familiar voice.

“S-Sorry, Apple Bloom!” Silver Spoon called, approaching a pale yellow filly.

“All this rippin ‘n runnin an I still don’t got mah cutie mark,” Apple Bloom griped. “Ah may as well be workin on th’ farm. Least then ah could enjoy myself.”

“I don’t know,” chirped another voice. A powdery white unicorn filly trotted over, beaming a large smile. “This is kinda fun.”

“Sweetie Belle, it don’t take much t’ please you.” Apple Bloom giggled. “Ah mean ah like coffee, but this stuff’s kinda sugar-y. BigMac has me hooked on black coffee.”

“Doesn’t Ms. Rarity like Green Tea lattes, Sweetie Belle?” Silver Spoon asked, tapping a hoof to her chin. “Maybe we should bring her one after we’re done here.”

“Hey, yeah!” Sweetie Belle nodded, a grin growing on her face. “Good idea, Silvy. I’m sure she would LOVE that.”

“That’s good ‘n all, but...” Apple Bloom pointed with a hoof to the line of ponies. “Ah think we got our work cut out fer us here...”

“Where’s Scootaloo?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“With her sisters.” Apple Bloom said. “Apparently Ms. Cheerilee ain’t too happy wit’ th’ way her grades are comin’ along.”

“Oh my!” Sweetie Belle gasped, covering her mouth with a hoof. “First week of summer and she’s already pent up at home.”

“How long will she be grounded?” Silver Spoon asked.

“Girls, please,” Bon-Bon called as a customer trotted away after tossing bits on the counter. “We still have quite a bit to do.”

“Yes, Ms. Bon-Bon,” the fillies sang.

“Kinda glad this didn’t lead to mah cutie mark.” Apple Bloom chuckled, shaking her head. “Ah don’t care how desperate ah am fer a cutie mark, ah don’t think ah want t’ be known as a pony good at waiting on tables.”

“...But we aren’t sitting on them.” Sweetie Belle blinked, slowly shaking her head. “If anything we’re waiting on ponies to order and even then we aren’t sitting...”

“Classic Sweetie Belle.” Silver Spoon giggled. “True though, Belle.” She nodded.

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. “C’mon y’all before Ms. Bon-Bon has our hides.” She groaned. “Ah may as well be workin on th’ farm...”

---

“...And thanks again for the latte, Ms. Bon-Bon!” Silver Spoon waved as she and the other crusaders left the cafe.

“Thank you all for the much needed help this morning!” Bon-Bon smiled, waving to the fillies. “Oh, and Twist, dear,” she motioned to the tallest of the group. “Do try to be home at a reasonable time, alright?”

“Ye’th aunt Bon-Bon.” Twist nodded.

“Have fun, girls!” Bon-Bon chirped, beaming a smile before disappearing back inside the cafe.

“‘Tho, what ne’tht, girl’th?” Twist eagerly asked.

“Me and Silvy should take Rarity her latte!” Sweetie Belle commented.

“Awright,” Apple Bloom nodded. “Meet us back at th’ clubhouse.”

“Okay,” Silver Spoon nodded. “We’ll meet up with you two later.”

The group split in two, one headed for Sweet Apple Acres and the other for Carousel boutique.

“That was nice of you to think of Rarity, Silver Spoon.” Sweetie Belle widely smiled.

Silver Spoon couldn’t help but and giggle. “W-Well, she’s always letting me stay over, this is kind of my way of thanking her.”

Sweetie Belle brushed her head against Silver Spoon’s and smiled. “You didn’t have to do anything for us. We really appreciate your company!”

Silver Spoon blushed, touching noses with Sweetie Belle. “Even so, I’m always visiting. I need to show my appreciation! You girls gave me a second chance; bits are no issue.“

“But you give too much!” Sweetie Belle protested. “Last week you had saddles imported for us! That must have costed you so much, even Rarity couldn’t tell what fabric it was made of...”

“Please, it really was nothing.” Silver Spoon shook her head. “All I did was have a favor done. If you’d like I could get in touch with the doe that tailored them.”

“A... doe? As in a deer?” Sweetie Belle blinked. “No more gifts, Silver Spoon.”

“But—”

“Not another word!” Sweetie Belle placed a hoof over Silver Spoon’s mouth before she could protest.

Silver Spoon frowned and begrudgingly nodded. “Alright,” she sighed. “I guess it looks like I’m trying to buy you two.”

Sweetie Belle paused. “But... we aren’t for sale..?”

Silver Spoon shook her head and giggled. “Nothing, Sweetie.”

“Aww come on!” Sweetie Belle pouted. “You know I hate it when you and the others do that...”

“Alright, alright.” Silver Spoon blew a raspberry. “Now I’ll stop.”

Sweetie Belle giggled and rolled her eyes, pressing open the door to Carousel Boutique. “Come on, silly.”

“Thank you.” Silver Spoon smiled, stepping inside the boutique. She looked around as Sweetie Belle trotted up next to her; the two fillies walked about, searching for Rarity, until a familiar melody drifted from upstairs.

“Thread by thread...”

A heavenly voice echoed from upstairs. She must be working on a custom order. Good thing Sweetie Belle and I thought of this. Silver Spoon thought to herself.

“Must’ve gotten a custom order.” Sweetie Belle said. “Come on, she could probably use this right about now.”

Yes, I really DO spend too much time here. Silver Spoon giggled. “But, Sweetie Belle, if she’s busy maybe we should just wait until after she’s done.”

Despite her protest, Silver Spoon followed Sweetie Belle upstairs to the end of the hall. The singing became clearer as they trotted inside to find the poised fashionista hard at work on an exotically dressed ponyqinn.

“Hi sis!” Sweetie Belle squeaked.

Rarity visibly cringed, the thread and needle she held in her magic abruptly fell to the floor. The mare took a deep breath then slowly exhaled her obvious frustration. “Hello girls,” Rarity turned and smiled.

“Sorry, Ms. Rarity.” Silver Spoon said. “We brought you something!”

“Your favorite kind of treat!” Sweetie Belle eagerly added. “Guess!”

Rarity paused, tapping a hoof to her chin. “Well, you two did say you were going to be at the Chocolade this morning... so, a cherry cake pop?”

Both fillies giggled and shook their head. “No.” They said in unison in a sing song tone.

Rarity giggled and smirked. “If not that then... some of Bon-Bon’s trademark Godiva dark chocolates?”

“Nope!”

Rarity huffed, looking slightly annoyed. She blinked then shook her head with a slight smile. “I see, a green tea latte, isn’t it?”

“That’s riiight!” Silver Spoon and Sweetie Belle moved aside revealing the green beverage in a cup holder on Silver Spoon’s saddle bag.

The cup glowed with a faint blue aura as it levitated from the bag and over to Rarity. The mare sipped it gingerly, her eyes fluttering as the taste spread through her mouth. “Mmmm...Thank you girls!” She chirped. “I’m not sure how Bon-Bon manages to do it. I cannot make these things myself, Celestia knows I’ve tried.”

“It was Silver Spoon’s idea!” Sweetie Belle proudly declared.

“I do appreciate the gesture, Silver Spoon,” Rarity started. “But, Silver Spoon...”

Here we go again... Silver Spoon shrank back as Rarity pouted, expecting the same chiding she got from Sweetie Belle. “I-It was nothing, Ms. Rarity.”

“Let me finish,” Rarity sternly said.

“Yes, Ms. Rarity...” Silver Spoon nodded, hanging her head.

“Now, obviously you know where I’m going with this, I suppose Sweetie Belle has mentioned something similar?” Rarity cocked a brow to her younger sister for confirmation. Sweetie Belle nodded. “I thought so.” Rarity continued. “Now, no more gifts, darling. You really do too much.”

“Yes, Ms. Rarity.” Silver Spoon frowned.

“Secondly, you’re here more often than most, you’ve spun entire weeks here; please, feel free to address me as just ‘Rarity’ from now on.” She smiled.

Silver Spoon smiled. “Alright, Rarity.” She giggled, beaming a giddy smile upon speaking the mare’s name.

“There’s a smile.” Rarity warmly smiled. “Now, if you two are going to be in Sweetie Belle’s room please keep it down, I have an order to finish up before the week is out.”

“Actually,” Sweetie Belle suddenly said. “We shouldn’t be keeping the others waiting.”

“Oh, one more thing then,” Rarity asked. “Silver Spoon, will you be sleeping over again?”

“No, my mother and father will be home for the week the day after tomorrow before leaving on more business.” Silver Spoon slightly frowned.

“I understand,” Rarity nodded. “And, what Mayor Mare?”

The mayor..? Silver Spoon tipped her head to the side and blinked. “What about the mayor..?”

Rarity gasped, placing a hoof over her mouth. “U-um, w-well, you know, I figure since your mother and father are important ponies and all...”

“Oh, well I suppose they might discuss things with her as well.” Silver Spoon shrugged.

“Come on!” Sweetie Belle stressed, trotting in place with impatience. “Before everyone starts without us!”

Rarity giggled. “Fine, fine. Run along, girls, I’m done.”

Sweetie Belle galloped off, Silver Spoon shook her head then took off after her.

---

“...I’m telling you girls, something is up with Cheerilee!” A suspicious voice said.

“I thought Scootaloo was grounded.” Sweetie Belle commented as she and Silver Spoon approached the clubhouse door.

“She said something is wrong with Ms. Cheerilee.” Silver Spoon said with increasing worry.

“Let’s find out.” Sweetie Belle pressed open the door.

Twist, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo unanimously turned and greeted their fellow crusaders.

“What took y’all?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Sorry, Apple Bloom.” Silver Spoon spoke up. “Though, I’m surprised to see Scootaloo here. I thought Ms. Cheerilee grounded you.”

“Scootaloo, is something wrong with Ms. Cheerilee?” Sweetie Belle anxiously asked.

“Yeah, she actually cut my sentence short!” Scootaloo narrowed her eyes. “I’m suspicious, she’s never this easy on me, usually Berry Punch is the one to talk her out of things. And even she’s been on my case about ‘being an example’ why should I worry?”

“Scoots, you were grounded because of yer grades.” Apple Bloom flatly said. “Maybe that’s what she meant.”

“Maybe M’th. Punch talked to M’th. Cheerilee?” Twist suggested.

“See, I WOULD have thought that too, but get this! Big Mac visited...”

“That ain’t no surprise.” Apple Bloom shrugged. “We did a right good thing last year fixin those two up.” She smirked. “Big Mac’s in love with yer sister, nothin strange ‘bout that.”

“Hold up, hold up!” Scootaloo said waving a hoof. “Now, I might not be the sharpest crayon in the toolbox, but of all the times I’ve seen your brother around... he’s never looked this... off.”

“Off?” Apple Bloom echoed, a bemused expression on her face. “Ah know mah brother, he looked... hold up... nah that ya mention it... he did seem kinda... off.”

“What about AJ?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Ah don’t think AJ’s been actin funny.” Apple Bloom shook her head. “Ah think we oughta investigate.”

“Investigate?” Silver Spoon echoed, tilting her head. “How would we go about doing that?”

“Are you ‘thure thi’th i’th a good idea?” Twist cautiously spoke up. “Maybe we ‘thouldn’t meddle...”

“Ah’m worried ‘bout mah brother.” Apple Bloom firmly stated. “T’ me that’s reason enough t’ want t’ find out. Ah know he tends t’ keep t’ himself, so askin him straight up won’t get nothin.”

“Yeah, and Cheerilee won’t say anything either.” Scootaloo commented. “We should start our investigation with Berry."

"Awright!" Apple Bloom announced, looking to her fellow crusaders. Each of the filles looked back with a smile. "Let's do it!"

"CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS INVESTIGATION SQUAD!!!!" They cheered, clapping their hooves together with one another.

"I love it when we do that." Silver Spoon grinned.

"Yea, who'd a thunk it a year ago Diamond Tiara leavin'd be the best thing t' happen fer ya!" Apple Bloom chuckled. "No offence."

Diamond Tiara... Silver Spoon shook her head. "None taken. I just hope she makes new friends..." She sighed, hanging her head. “I hope I wasn’t too hard on her, she might not look it, but she’s on the frail side.”

"Hey, hey, hey now!" Scootaloo soothed. "I thought I bucked you outta that funk already. Do I gotta remind you?" She chuckled.

"I'm fine." Silver Spoon smiled, waving a hoof. "I'm just... thinking is all."

"We're Cutie Mark Cru'thader'th now!' Twist chimed in.

"All for one and one for all!" Apple Bloom and the other crusaders cheered, their voices bouncing off the walls of the clubhouse.

All for one and one for all... Silver Spoon giggled and nodded. “Yeah.”

“Hey! I have an awesome idea!” Sweetie Belle squeaked.

“What is it?” Scootaloo asked, cocking a brow.

“Well, since we’re investigating this, I think this calls for costumes!” Sweetie Belle proudly grinned.

Twist cooed, her eyes wide and sparkling with excitement. “Omigo’th! Like Fetlock Home’th!? Ohohohoh! Or, better yet, Detective ‘Thpade! ‘Thakeout’th, interrogation’th..!” She squealed, suddenly pausing and blushing with embarrassment.

The other crusaders were speechless for a moment, stunned by Twists knowledge of detective knowhow.

“Freaky.” Apple Bloom commented with a chuckle. “Twist, Ah didn’t know ya liked all that mystery stuff.”

“I read alot...” Twist admitted, still blushing.

“Well that’s great then!” Sweetie Belle chirped. “We have a filly that knows what to do! I can ask Rarity for the costumes!” She said with growing excitement.

“Now if there were only a way to make things grayscale, this would be perfect.” Silver Spoon giggled.

“Why not see if Twilight Sparkle can do something about that?” Scootaloo suggested. “She can do all kinda of other magic things, maybe she can make us look like professional detectives!”

“Awright,” Apple Bloom nodded, sticking her hoof out in front of her. “T’morrow we meet fer our first case. Sweetie Belle, check with yer sis on costumes, Twist you go t’ Twi ‘bout that spell. We meet here before we get on the case officially.”

“Wait, what about you and me?” Scootaloo asked.

“I think you and Apple Bloom ‘thould keep a low profile.” Twist said with authority. “‘Thin’the both of you are related to the ‘thu’thpe’thts, if either of you act’th odd, you might tip them off.”

“That’s going to take a little getting used to.” Silver Spoon giggled. “I think Twist should be in charge since she knows the most about what we’re doing.”

“Yeah!” Sweetie Belle smiled. “Good idea.”

“No objections here.” Scootaloo smirked.

“Ditto,” Apple Bloom nodded.

Twist shook her head frantically. “N-Not me, Apple Bloom ‘thould ‘thay leader. ‘The’th good at that kind of ‘thtuff...”

“C’mon, we totally have faith in you, Twist!” Scootaloo winked.

“Yeah, this oughta be cake fer ya.” Apple Bloom chuckled. “‘Sides, we’ll back ya up.”

Twist looked to each of her friends’ confident and supporting gaze. A blush appeared on her face as she meekly nodded, accepting her new title. Silver Spoon smiled, pride welling in her chest, the glare from the setting sun in her glasses punctuated how late it was getting.

“Girls, I better get home before I worry Seabastion and the others.” Silver Spoon sighed. Just when things were picking up too... She inwardly pouted.

“Awright,” Apple Bloom nodded. “Just don’t forget our plans.”

“See you tomorrow, Silvy.” Sweetie Belle embraced Silver Spoon in a tight hug. “I can’t wait to get this investigation going!”

After bidding farewells to the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Silver Spoon was on her way home, her mind abuzz with the ensured excitement for tomorrow. I do wonder what’s going on with Ms. Cheerilee and Mr. Big Mac... that’s a mouthful. She giggled.

Before Silver Spoon was aware, she had already passed through Ponyville and stood at the doors to her home. I kind of don’t want to go home, maybe I should spend the night at Rarity’s.

“Ah, Silver Spoon,” came a regal voice.

Silver Spoon blinked, torn away from her thoughts. The front door was cracked slightly, an onyx stallion stood in the doorway wearing a classic black and white tux and a warm, welcoming smile. “Oh, Seabastion.”

The stallion’s brow furrowed as the little gray filly brushed past him. “Something on your mind? I thought you would be the least bit ecstatic for the return of master Sterling Archer and Mistress Sunset Uppercrust.”

“Oh, I am.” Silver Spoon turned smiling faintly.

“Why is your smile, then, plagued with an edge of sadness?” Seabastion cryptically said.

Silver Spoon giggled slightly. “When you talk like that I wonder how old you actually are, Seabastion.”

“My age is unimportant,” Seabastion chuckled. “However, what is important is that I got you to smile. I do know something is on your mind, you do know you can confide in me.”

Silver Spoon smiled genuinely. “I know, thank you. Say, do you know anything about detective work?”

“There is a chance back in my day that I studied old noir films.” Seabastion admitted with a slow nod. “I am quite adept at finding things out. Reading ponies.”

Silver Spoon’s eyes widened. “Really? You never talk about your past, tell me more! Do you still have old detective contacts?” She gasped placing a hoof over her mouth as an idea struck her. “Are you like a... a spy?”

“Those are tales for another time, my dear.” Seabastion chuckled, waving a hoof.

“Awwww.” Silver Spoon grunted. “You’re no fun...”

“Have you eaten?” Seabastion asked, trotting over to the dining hall.

Silver Spoon shook her head. “No, I’m fine. I was planning on showering then going to bed, actually.”

“So, I’ll have Emerald prepare something that will await on your bed before you emerge from your shower.” The aged stallion disappeared behind the doors.

I just said I’m not— Silver Spoon’s growling stomach abruptly derailed her thoughts. He must be psychic or something. She giggled.