//------------------------------// // Chapter 20: Unknowns // Story: Fabrication // by Bomber //------------------------------// “This honestly makes no sense,” Sergeant Ebony irritatingly stated, his morning oatmeal bowl already thoroughly depleted of the gooey breakfast meal. “Two full days of searching, totalling around twenty-five hours of intense investigation and we've come up with absolutely nothing. We've found several decisive clues, yet they lead to nowhere. We’re missing something important from the big picture here. But what is it?” Lyra bobbed her head back and forth, desperately trying to grasp onto some vague idea of what they were truly unable to discern. Tomorrow was the day of the grand wedding between Captain Shining Armor and Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, and their investigation would inevitably have to come to a sudden halt as they wouldn’t have any opportunities to question ponies or wander about town with the whole event almost forcefully drawing the attention of an enormous mass of ponies from one corner of Equestria to the other. “There must be something we overlooked,” Lyra figured, chowing down on her own mushy oatmeal. “Impossible,” Ebony said, burying his toned face beneath his jet black hooves. “We’ve triple-checked everything, gone over every miniscule possibility, and even questioned some of the same witnesses twice. The only logical explanation we can deduce from our current understanding of this case is that our kidnappers have taken the human outside the city limits.” “But you said it yourself,” Lyra pointed out, her mouth half-full with food, “there was no way these ponies could’ve found a way to leave the castle walls since Blake is practically immune to any form of magic.” “Which is why this makes no sense,” Ebony softly shot back. Sidestep entered Lyra’s field of view, briskly taking Ebony’s finished dishes and quietly slipping away, knowing that the two were undergoing a heated discussion and did not want to be bothered. Ebony only glanced at the maid pony, hardly giving any sign of acknowledgment. “The most logical conclusion is also the most unlikely,” he continued, audibly sighing. “I’ll give it until midday. If nothing new happens to show up, I’ll have to postpone the investigation until a couple of days after the wedding. It’s going to be party-central in Canterlot. Those uptight nobles absolutely adore their ‘important’ and ‘salient’ events.” Lyra chuckled briefly, but her expression then immediately turned sour. “We can’t resort to procrastination,” she solemnly voiced, he eyes slightly squinting. “We have to find him soon, or else… or else…” “Or else what?” Ebony questioned, urging for her to go on. “I don’t know…” Lyra frankly replied, her sight drooping downwards. “But it’s something terrible, it has to be.” “Miss, from what I’ve gathered so far, this human, Blake Johnson, is a close friend of yours. Am I correct?” he asked. Lyra lightly nodded her head in return. “Then trust me when I say that I will do everything in my power as one of the head detectives in the Canterlot Police Department to find your missing friend. Cases as extreme as this one don’t come by too often, but we always solve the case in the end. Always. We haven’t failed a single one since our founding.” “There’s always a first for everything,” Lyra silently whispered, only loud enough for her to hear, drawing a suspicious look from the detective. “I’m sorry, did you say something, Miss?” he asked inquisitively. “No, it’s nothing,” she said. “Don’t worry about it.” “Alright, if you say so,” he exhaled, shaking his head. “We better start now if we’re going to get anything done today.” Midway from steadily leaving his seat, a guard from the opposite side of the room shouted assertively, “Attention! The Princess of the Night has arrived!” All twenty guards plus the sergeant immediately saluted in unison, standing tall and firm. Swiftly realizing that she wasn’t a member of the military or police force, Lyra respectfully bowed at once, as she wanted to avoid standing completely out of place. “At ease, gentlecolts,” Luna calmly stated, setting her sights on the lone pair in the far corner of the mess hall. After the rest of the guard took note that the princess was not here to lecture or command them to do something imperative and out of the blue, they gratefully sat where they had before, finishing their small and insufficient breakfast. “Sergeant Ebony,” Luna greeted. “Your Highness,” Ebony addressed courteously. “I’m here to relieve Lyra Heartstrings as your partner,” Luna said, causing a large, yet unnoticeable shocked expression from the mint-green unicorn. “You’re on your own from here on out. I hope she didn’t impede on your investigation too much.” “Not at all,” Ebony smiled, seemingly for the first time in a few days. “In fact, Miss Heartstrings was quite helpful. She would make a great detective’s assistant, and we really could use a few more ponies like her in the force.” Lyra slightly blushed at his humble praise, but quickly managed to cover her cheeks with a hoof. “Well I’m glad to hear that,” Luna chuckled, subtly glancing at her. “However, I’d like her to come with me. There are some items that I’d like to discuss with her.” “Of course, Princess,” Ebony nodded, then proceeding to crane his head towards Lyra. “Until next time, Miss.” “Until next time,” she repeated, and with that, the jet black unicorn promptly trotted out the mess, his tiny notepad and pencil in tow. “A good pony, that stallion is,” Luna said as she watched him briskly leave. “But we have some important matters to attend to, Lyra. Please, follow me.” As the princess took the same route Ebony did to depart from the mess, Lyra trailed closely behind her, certainly glad that she wouldn’t have to spend the dreary mornings in that bland place anymore. The second the duo stepped foot outside the mess hall, they were flanked by two of Luna’s ominous personal guards. With their dark-hued coats, intimidating bat-like wings, and piercing yellow eyes, they looked eerily similar to an enigmatic demon from a foal’s storybook. “I apologize for the unwanted security, but my sister was very persistent,” Luna said, figuring that Lyra would unavoidably inquire about it sooner or later. “Though, I cannot blame her. I feel like we’re being intensely spectated at any given moment.” “Do you have any idea who’s sent the threat yet?” Lyra asked. “Unfortunately, no,” Luna lifelessly replied. “I fear that it will be the doom of us all if we cannot uncover the mystery behind the maleficent letter. My sister and I have been alternating taking watch in the observation post. We have sent messengers to every police department in every city, town, and settlement not just in Equestria, but to the Griffin Kingdom and Saddle Arabia as well. We have received no reply as to whom or what could have sent the original letter. Equestria’s three greatest threats: Nightmare Moon, Discord, and King Sombra are no more. It’s impossible for any of them to be behind it.” “Then it has to be a fake,” Lyra assumed. “Some sick pony conjured the whole mess to get a couple of twisted laughs…” She paused, a potentially brilliant idea forming in her head. “Or it could’ve been Blake’s kidnappers! It’s very possible that they were trying to draw your attention besides the castle itself, trying to force you to search for an impending army so that they could slip inside and capture Blake right under your hooves.” “An interesting theory,” Luna stated, “but also highly unlikely. This is very serious business, Lyra, and no kidnapper would go as far as to sending a direct threat to the rulers of Equestria. Nopony has attempted anything of this sort before. It’s unfathomable.” “There’s always a first for everything,” Lyra whispered for a second time. She thought she made it only loud enough for her own ears to reach, but the princess caught on as well. “That’s correct, there is always a first for everything,” Luna agreed. “But the odds are one in a million. I have lived for over a thousand years, Lyra, and not once have I met a soul who is more deceitful and vicious than Nightmare Moon herself. But the Elements of Harmony have purged her from this world and into the deepest pits of Tartarus. No mere mortal could ever be as appalling as that terror of an entity.” Lyra was tempted to repeat to what she had just barely said, but remained from stating her opinion once again. “I suppose this is like piecing together a complicated puzzle,” she said. “Only there are several significant pieces missing from the box. Until we can locate them, we’re going to be kept in the dark.” “And that’s what I’m worried about,” Luna heavily sighed. “There are only a few trails to follow, but they all lead to dead ends. No matter how hard we push forward, we keep being shoved back.” The princess stopped walking, pondering in deep thought. “Have you been able to communicate with Blake?” “If I did, we probably would’ve found him by now,” Lyra drearily said. Luna grimaced. “I don’t know why I asked that question, if I already knew the answer.” “It’s okay, Princess. I don’t mind,” Lyra said. Luna, however, refused to say anything back. She resumed her tight walking pace, albeit a bit faster than before. The two bat-winged guards continued to emotionlessly scan every hallway and individual doors leading to various rooms. The small group marched endlessly, taking a longer route to arrive at the opposite end of the castle. Lyra had a small sense of déjà vu, with decorations once again being set up for the wedding; rather they were beautiful white streams of ribbon and flowers instead of the more party-going items for the Grand Galloping Gala. The castle had a distinctly different atmosphere surrounding it. That was for sure. Twenty long minutes later, they finally came to a set of crimson red doors adorned with a neat golden trim around the edges. “Do you remember this place?” Luna mumbled under breath. Her expression was fairly tried, clearly from avoiding long periods of sleep for the past couple of days. “Of course,” Lyra nodded. “This is the study we used to meet at a couple of months ago, when Blake first came to the castle.” “You have some visitors waiting inside,” Luna informed, yawning profusely. “Best not keep them waiting. I’ll be at the observation post. Come to me once you’re finished speaking with them, if you would.” The princess suddenly half-smiled and winked, then proceeded to not-so-elegantly trot down the hallway, almost tripping over her own legs on a few short occasions. Lyra snickered, shaking her head briefly. She snuggly grasped the shiny doorknob with a hoof, twisting and lightly pushing outwards. Inside the room were five easily recognizable mares, all idly chatting amongst each other. “Hello, girls,” she waved, immediately attracting five separate pairs of eyes. “Heya!” Pinkie Pie cheered merrily, darting out of her seated position and vigorously shaking Lyra’s hoof. “It’s been so long since I’ve last seen you. How are you? How’s Bon-Bon? Have you been on any adventures lately? Do you like cupcakes?” Without any prior warning, Pinkie forcefully shoved a dark chocolate cupcake slathered with a rich vanilla frosting into Lyra’s unsuspecting mouth. She chewed in content, eagerly tasting the enjoyable sweetness of the sugary treat. Regardless of the odd attack on her taste buds, she liked it nonetheless. “Uh, thanks Pinkie,” Lyra said with a bright smile. “I didn’t expect that, but it was pretty dang good!” “Glad you enjoyed it,” Pinkie grinned, hopping in place with an apparent boing every time she leapt into the air. “So, I’m guessing you’re all here for the wedding then?” Lyra asked. “I wouldn’t miss an extravagant wedding like this even for a lifetime supply of precious gems,” Rarity stated, twirling her curly hair. “The captain of the royal guard and one of Equestria’s princesses? The entire event screams ‘romantic’ from miles away!” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, sticking out her tongue and pretending to gag. “You always have to like that sappy stuff, Rarity,” she mocked, rolling her eyes. “Just wait until you see me perform another Sonic Rainboom! It’s gonna be twenty-percent cooler than the one I did at the Best Flyer’s Competition.” “There’s no need to be so uncouth, Rainbow Dash,” Rarity shot back. “Hey, don’t forget that I’m the one who saved you from turning into a pancake!” Rainbow reminded the fashionista, folding her arms grudgingly. “And I thank you very much for that, but don’t forget the time—” “Girls!” Applejack interrupted before the small argument could intensify into a heated debate, stepping briskly in between the two mares. “Ah think we’ve had enough bickering fer one day. Let’s not ferget what happened with Twi’. Ah really don’t wanna see us more torn apart than we already are.” “Yeah, what happened with Twilight?” Lyra asked, noticing the obvious absence of the purple bookworm. “I don’t see her anywhere.” “Twilight actually had the nerve to call Princess Cadence ‘evil’ at the rehearsal earlier this morning,” Rarity informed, shaking her head. “We haven’t heard a single peep from the poor girl since then. All of us are still wondering what lead her to make such an accusation.” Lyra’s jaw noticeably hit the cold stone floor. “Twilight actually called Cadence evil?” she reiterated, unable to believe what she had just head. “Yeah, she said it right to her face,” Rainbow confirmed, agreeing with Lyra’s befuddlement. Lyra implanted her face into a velvety, fuchsia chair. She hopelessly attempted to say something intelligent, but the only audible sounds that came out of her throat were a bunch of incomprehensible mumbo-jumbo. “Could you repeat that, darling?” Rarity asked sweetly. “We can’t understand you with your head facing flat on a cushion.” She slightly lifted her head so a flow of air could reach the interior of her mouth. “I said, ‘Why can’t anything good happened to us?’” “What do you mean?” Fluttershy quietly asked, still a tad nervous around the presence of the mint-green unicorn as they hadn’t many opportunities to get to know each other. Lyra carefully positioned herself in the chair to resemble Blake’s seated posture, but modified it to some degree so that it would be much more satisfactory to her sore legs and hindquarters. “Have you guys not heard?” she asked, lifting an eyebrow. “Blake’s been kidnapped.” Five gasps shot loudly in unison. “Ya can’t be serious,” Applejack said, narrowing her eyes. “I wish it wasn’t true, but sadly, it is,” Lyra sighed. “I’ve been helping a private detective for the past couple of days, trying to track Blake’s current whereabouts. We’ve been… unsuccessful so far.” “No, really,” Applejack continued. “Ya can’t be serious.” “If you don’t believe me, ask Princess Luna. She just as plagued about this as I am,” Lyra shrugged, resting her head on the side of the comfortable chair. “Well that’s jest fine an’ dandy,” Applejack mumbled. “So what do we do now?” Fluttershy asked, cautiously hiding behind her freshly combed, bright pink mane. “I suppose we’ll have to carry on with the wedding as planned,” Rarity replied, draping an arm across the shy pegasus’ neck to lend her support. “There’s not much we can attempt to do besides sit and wait for this fiasco to be all said and done. Oh, Lyra, that reminds me, I have something for you!” A light blue aura engulfed her horn, a pony mannequin sailing effortlessly into the air and landing faultlessly not ten feet away from Lyra’s chair. “My Gala dress?” Lyra asked curiously, recalling the beautiful designs embodied onto the silky fabrics. “Yes, but I made a few revisions to match the perspicuous air of the wedding,” Rarity said, pointing towards the modifications she made. “I planned on giving it to you last night as a little surprise, but Princess Cadence’s sudden objections to the dresses forced me to alter them even to an even higher degree. Although I for one can’t postulate why she chose you as one as her bridesmaids considering you two hardly know one another. I suppose it must be your ties with Princess Luna and—” “Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Lyra cut in, holding out her hoofs. “I’ve never seen Princess Cadence in my entire life! I’ve only seen pictures of her in magazines and newspapers. I actually haven’t met her face-to-face before.” “Are you sure?” Rarity asked incredulously. “I could’ve sworn that you were one of the three bridesmaids that followed Cadence into my room last night to inspect the wedding dresses. The gold eyes and lyre Cutie Mark were unmistakable. Unless you have an identical twin, that had to have been you, I know it!” “That wasn’t me,” Lyra denied. “I was with Sergeant Ebony of the Canterlot Police Department, checking out an abandoned warehouse for most of last night. I’m pretty sure you mistook me for somepony else that looked like me.” “I would be inclined to agree,” Rarity said, “but I’m absolutely positive that I heard you say, ‘I love them,’ in your distinct voice! It’s rather unfortunate that Twilight isn’t with us, because she witnessed the whole thing too, but I don’t know of a single pony in Canterlot or Ponyville that has a voice similar to yours. Isn’t that right, Pinkie?” “Right-a mundo!” Pinkie concurred, grinning widely. “I’m telling you, that wasn’t me. It couldn’t have been, considering I wasn’t even inside the castle!” Lyra argued, swiftly hopping off the chair. “Are you calling me a liar?” Rarity gasped, clutching a hoof to her chest as if she had been mortally wounded. “Well, I ain’t calling you a truther!” Lyra bickered back. “GIRLS!” Applejack boisterously shouted, instantly causing the room to fall into a deep silence. “This is not the time an’ the place. There’s a lot hangin’ over our heads, and the last thing we need is ta’ shout ourselves inta’ submission. Rarity, we have no reason ta’ believe that Lyra is lyin’ ta’ us. Ya probably saw somepony else an’ accidently thought it was Lyra. And you.” The orange pony paused, pointing a hoof towards Lyra. “There’s no need ta’ argue. We’re all friends here. Everythin’ may be a bit crazy right now, but please, hear me out. We have ta’ stick together. Fer better or worse, we can’t be turnin’ our backs on each other like Twi’ did to us. Not now. Not ever. That’s all Ah have ta’ say.” The silence lingered for quite an extended amount of time, with nopony able to make any comments about Applejack’s awfully inspiring speech. They stood noiselessly, making only very short instances of eye contact. Thoughts hung heavy in their minds. There were too many dreadful happenstances occurring left and right, with seemingly no escape nor obvious solutions. It’s like what Rarity said, Lyra thought, her golden eyes staring inanimately towards the cold floor beneath her hooves. We’re just gonna have to follow through with the wedding and pray that nothing else goes wrong. The next few days were going to be the longest of her life. <><><><><><><><><><> “This day is going to be perfect The kind of day in which I’ve dreamed since I was small Everypony with gather ‘round Say I look lovely in my gown What they don’t know is that I have fooled them all!”