//------------------------------// // 6: Love Located // Story: The Disappearance of Sacred Records // by Lillup //------------------------------// "Do not fret, darlings! Detective Rarity has returned!“ "Sorry for you having to go looking for Spike, Rarity,“ Twilight apologised. "You're sorry, right Spike?“ "Really sorry.“ "Oh no, it's no worries, I understand your panic, if my dear Sweetie Belle went missing, I don't know what I would do.“ "Oh, are you the pony 'ere to interview me?“ Love Joyful smiled. "it's called an *interrogation*, darling; don't get the two confused. I'm afraid this is a little more serious.“ "Oh well that's okay, if I tell ya what ya want, I'll get to go, I can't see it taking migh'y long.“ "If you're co-operative, then absolutely.“ Luna was also in the room to watch the interrogation unfold, Celestia was here but she went to leave the room. "Where art thou going, dear Sister?“ "I have another suspect to attend to, but I am in need of the Crystal Mirror.“ "Ah, you mean Sunset Shimmer.“ "Wait," Spike said "but that's at our place.“ "No need to worry Spike, I've moved it back to the castle, just temporarily of course. Once it's all done, I'll return it.“ "Oh, but you're gonna see Sunset through there?“ "Yes, I will have her come straight here to be interrogated too.“ Detective Rarity sighed melodramatically. "No rest for a good detective, I see. Well, let's get through this one before Celestia is done.“ Love Joyful sat with her legs crossed on the stool provided for her. Her smile was small but consistent. She was an earth pony with a brown mane and a cutie mark with indescript purple markings. "So Love, or how may you be referred“ "Love or Miss Joyful be okay, miss...“ "Rarity, pleased to meet you. So I have a few questions to ask you Love. Firstly, where were you at the time of the incident?“ "Why, I was at the festival celebration, I must have been spotted, had I not?“ "Were you with anypony at the time?“ "Oh I was making my rounds through some of the pony folk, see how they're doing.“ "Okay, so no solid alibi, but I can confirm that Luna saw you after the books were stolen, so that's something I suppose.“ "Oh Rarity, I saw her there too“ Spike added. "Oh really? Well I suppose that makes at least two. When did you see her?“ "Oh I saw her about halfway through the party.“ "Huh, that's roughly when the theft took place, so that's pretty solid. I must ask more questions to be sure though, Miss Joyful. Especially your address, there is no formal writing of your address. So where may that be?“ "Oh, that's an easy un, I'm a travelling pony miss, all of errrrquestria's ma home.“ "I see. You move in some locomotive?“ "Yeah, my wagon, I'll show ya sometime.“ "Now now, no flirting with a lady on the job.“ "Beg ya pardon?“ "Anywho, how do you explain your disappearances? You're rarely ever seen in Equestria, I only know of a few ponies who have even heard of you.“ "Tis' the life of a hermit. We don't associate too much with other... folk.“ "Huh, makes sense I suppose. Okay well, I don't believe I have any more questions for you.“ "Great, then I'll be-“ "Well I have one," Luna stated. "Why were you at the party?“ "Yer- Excuse me?“ "If you really do not speak to others, then why had thou attended the party?"“ "Well I-“ "Infact, did you not mention you were 'making rounds with the pony folk?'“ "Well, I just wanted to see everyb- everypony once in a while, I don't like talkin' ta folks regular, but a party's different you know?“ "Hm, okay. I have no more questions.“ Love Joyful aired a sigh of relief. "This interview has migh'y tired me out, so Im'ma hit the hay, is that a thing?“ she asked. "Anyways, I'll be off, uh travelling.“ "Where may we find you darling?“ "Er... I just go where the road takes me. Maybe south or something.“ "Stay in touch.“ Love left out the door, trotting carefree out. "Well she seemed pleasant enough,“ Rarity commented. "She even has a bit of an alibi, that feels unique here“ "Hey wait. I have an alibi too,“ Twilight pointed out. "I was with you guys the whole time.“ "Not quite,“ Luna commented. "I know you had excused yourself for about twenty minutes or so, did you not?“ "I was not feeling too well Luna, but yes I did do that I suppose. But Spike was there.“ "That's true, but he is suspicious for other reasons. Remember, we have strong reason to suspect a Changeling was involved in all of this, disguising themselves as Celestia. It's likely two, maybe even more, may be at fault here. For the same reason, I do not completely rule her out, but I agree she does not strike me as high on the list. Now we just wait for Celestia to return to continue the investigation. After that, I suppose Discord would be contacted next. After, I dread to consider.“ While waiting for their return, Rarity had a couple of Royal Guards grab up a sofa for her to collapse on, Twilight and Spike were pacing a little, both visibly stressed and Luna spoke to the guards. "Twilight, can I go out for a bit please?“ "No, Spike.“ "But I'm not really needed her right now, I'm just a notetaker.“ "I apologise Spike“ Luna chimed in "but I concur. I wish for everypony to remain present here.“ "Right. Guess Spike the Notetaker has a long day ahead of him“ "Come now Spike, this is serious, but it won't be too long I'm sure.“ "Only if Sunset did it.“ "Don't joke about that Spike; Sunset would never do that.“ "I know, that's why I'm saying it's not gonna be over.“ "Speaking of, she's still not here. How long has it been now? An hour?“ "I am starting to worry,“ Luna admitted. "It has been a while, I must know what is occuring. She's in the other world, we need to find her, but I don't know that other world.“ "But I do,“ Twilight smiled. "I can go there and find them both“ "Excellent, I shall accompany you“ Luna smiled. "I mean you can, butttt it's school time for them and you and Celestia's other half are the principals of the school, so it might be too risky. But if Celestia is there, maybe it won't hurt.“ "No no, I trust you, just please bring my Sister back safe.“ "I'll make sure. Take us to the portal.“ "Well, guess I'm gonna have to be a dog again.“ "Hey, at least you don't have to remind yourself how to walk on two legs.“ "Ahem, I'm on four, remember?“ "Oh, yeah. Well, we shouldn't be there long. We'll be in pretty quick and out the same.“ Luna guided them up to the portal room. "I wish you luck Twilight,“ Rarity shouted. "If you could snap a piture of what I look like, I'd love to know, unless it's unfabulous, in which case, just enjoy yourself.“ "Just come through with us and hop back through.“ "Twilight, this is not a plaything,“ Luna scolded. "If there is another Rarity near the portal, let's not take unneeded risk, correct?“ "I suppose you're right. Come on Spike, let's get this done with.“ "Twilight, two minutes, I need to use the lavatory urgently.“ "Ah, alright, hurry up.“ After ten minutes of waiting, Twilight was ready to head in alone but Spike came rushing back. "You were a long time Spike, there's no time to waste.“ "What? Right, Twilight let's get this done with. Let's do this, Operation: Princess.“ "Come now, be serious“ Luna moaned as the crystal mirror flashed before her. Rainbow Dash (Her evidence was planted?) Gray Tank Little to offer, never made it past Reception, backed up by Amethyst Amethyst Maresbury Seems emotionally incapable and tricked herself Love Joyful Has a reasonable alibi, but she's kind of an oddball. Discord Starlight Glimmer Far from bulletproof, but seemed busy and had nothing to add. Twilight Sparkle Library staff No suspicious or helpful people Sunset Shimmer(?) Spike (Even more suspicious) Changeling (A changeling seems to be almost certainly involved) What is the motive?