December 14, 2:12 PM
Manehattan Police Department
17th Precinct
***
The ride to the police station was thankfully without incident, besides some minor traffic issues. You cannot imagine how relived I am to say that. Solely based on Sojobo's rhetoric and bravado, I was certain that he had a plan to break out of his restraints and attack us. Luckily, that didn't seem to be the case. Then again, perhaps he was still recovering from Vinyl's brutal assault. That tends to happen to ponies that really make Vinyl mad. It doesn't happen that often, but when it does, well, you already saw how she reacted to my kidnapping. I still want to know what the big idea behind that was.
"Tavi-doll~!"
My musings were interrupted by a familiar voice calling out to me. As soon as I got out of the police carriage, Sapphire Shores and Lockdown ran up to greet me. When they got close, I could see that Sapphire's eyes were all red and puffy.
"Oh, Tavi-doll. Y-you don't know how happy I am to see that you're still kicking," she said, dabbing her face with a handkerchief. "I thought for sure that... Well, never mind what I thought."
"Yep, she's alright, thanks to you," said Vinyl, placing a foreleg around my shoulder.
I tilted my head at Vinyl. "What do you mean?"
"After you disappeared, Ms. Sapphire expounded on her story," Puzzlement explained. "Apparently, your hunch was correct. There was a whole plan being set in motion, and you were the target. What's more, I deduced that the map of Centrot Park had some significance to the culprit's plan; otherwise he wouldn't have hidden it in the ventilation system. From there, it was just a matter of following the sound of his ocarina once he started blasting it every chance he got."
I suppose that makes sense. Of course, had I not experimented with Pan's Music Code like I did, they probably wouldn't have heard him at all until it was too late. Well, no use dwelling on a tragedy that didn't happen.
"I see," I said with a nod. "But, I'm confused about something. What are you doing here, Sapphire?"
"While your friends went off to look for you, Detective Puzzlement sent me here so that I could give them the full story," said Sapphire, rubbing the back of her head. "I'll admit, I was kinda holding out on you, Tavi-doll. But I figured as long as you knew the important stuff, you'd leave Manehattan before that birdbrained dock-hole tried to punch your ticket."
"Well, you can't win 'em all, Sapphie," said Vinyl with a shrug. "The important thing is we caught the motherbucker, and Tavi's safe and sound."
"That's a happy ending I can get behind," said Sapphire with a chuckle.
"Indeed," Rarity concurred. "So, what are your plans now, Ms. Sapphire? That uncouth scoundrel ruined your concert, and I don't think Lincolt Center is going to let you reschedule. From what I understand, you need to make these kinds of reservations months in advance."
Sapphire smiled. "Don't worry 'bout it, Rarity. You know what they say: The show must go on. You're right that we won't be able to book Lincolt Center again on such short notice, but the Ponytones and I will be performing in Manehattan. That, I promise you."
"Awesome," said Vinyl with a wide grin. "And I promise you that Octy and I will be there to see it."
"I'm counting on it," said Sapphire with a wink. "Well, we'd better get going. Good luck with the rest of your investigation, Tavi-doll. Oh, and give Princess Twilight my regards, yeah?"
"I'll be sure to do so," I said with a bow. "I'm glad you're alright, Sapphire."
"Same to you and more of it, Tavi-doll," said Sapphire. "C'mon, Lockdown. Let's shake a leg."
Lockdown nodded, and with that, the two headed to the curb in order to hail a cab.
"Do you think she'll be alright?" asked Fluttershy.
"Of course," I said with a smirk. "Sapphire Shores has always been a tough pony. Besides, she has that confidence spell to help her."
"Hey, Puz! Tell those girls we ain't got all day here!"
I turned my head to see that Shamus was standing at the top of the stoop leading to the police station. He and several other policemen had Sojobo restrained, and he was tapping his foot impatiently.
"That's our cue," Puzzlement sighed. "Honestly, Shamus's impatience really tries my patience sometimes."
"Um, actually, we were kind of holding things up," Fluttershy said meekly.
"I suppose," said Puzzlement, adjusting her monocle. "Well, best not keep him waiting any longer. Let's see if we can get the culprit's testimony to match up with Ms. Sapphire's."
With that, we followed Shamus inside and marched straight to Criminal Affairs. I felt a certain uneasiness as we made our way through the busy offices and past the prying eyes. Although I'm relieved that things turned out for the better, I know for certain that this isn't over yet. We still need to find out what happened with Mare-Do-Well, and Sojobo here is our best lead. But considering the nation he hails from, I believe that getting answers out of him will not be easy.
***
We gathered around the other side of a large one-way window that peered into a dark and desolate room. Sojobo sat in a chair, his talons, feet, and wings bound and restrained. A bright light flashed on, revealing Shamus and Puzzlement. Puzzlement took out a tape recorder and turned it on.
"Right then, let's get this over with," said Puzzlement. "Interrogation starting at, 2:30 PM. Please state your name, sir."
Sojobo said nothing, but instead gave Puzzlement and Shamus a cold glare.
"Hey, my partner asked you something," Shamus growled. "I think you oughta listen to her."
"You do not realize your folly for bringing me here," Sojobo snarled back. "Mark my words, everyone in this building will die."
"Idle threats don't scare me, pal," said Shamus firmly.
"Once I escape, I'll show you how idle those threats really are," Sojobo retorted.
"That's assuming that you will escape, which we will not allow to happen," said Puzzlement in a matter-of-fact tone.
Sojobo scoffed and remained silent. Shamus's face darkened.
"Listen up, buddy. You've got a lot to answer for," he said, leaning in close to Sojobo. "We already know you're the one who kidnapped Ms. Melody and tried to kill her. Everypony in Centrot Park can attest to that. Now, we can do this the easy way, or we can do this the hard way. What's it gonna be?"
Sojobo responded by spitting in Shamus's face. Shamus recoiled and sputtered.
"This is a waste of time," Sojobo stated coldly. "If you want me to talk, you'll have to cut out my tongue first."
Puzzlement blinked. "But if we did that, you wouldn't be able to talk."
"Precisely."
Wow. I'd say he's as stubborn as a mule (no offense to any mules out there), but I don't think even mules would go that far. Shamus and Puzzlement were equally disturbed by his bold declaration. After a pause, Puzzlement cleared her throat.
"Um, excuse me for a moment," she said, marching out of the room and making a beeline for us.
"You're giving up already?" said Vinyl, raising an eyebrow. "I thought it would take longer than that."
"So did I," said Puzzlement, looking in through the window. "But I feel that if we try anything else, it'll only get the same result. He can't be intimidated; he can't be reasoned with. As it stands, we're out of options."
"Not quite, darling," said Rarity. "After all, we have an ace in the hole."
I gave Rarity an odd look. "We do?"
"Well, of course," said Rarity, nudging Fluttershy with her elbow. "Isn't that right, Fluttershy?"
Fluttershy twiddled her hooves. "I-I don't know, Rarity. I mean, it's not like I have much control over it. And whenever I try to force it out, it either doesn't work or something bad happens."
Puzzlement rubbed the side of her head. "I'm afraid I'm a bit out of the loop, girls. What are you talking about?"
"I wish I knew," I said, equally curious.
"Ditto," Vinyl concurred. "Last time I checked, Fluttershy wasn't a good interrogator."
"Ah, but that's because you haven't seen her cut loose," said Rarity with a knowing smirk.
"B-but I don't feel like 'cutting loose,'" Fluttershy murmured, hiding her face with her bangs. "Th-that bird thing is scary."
"I assure you, Ms. Fluttershy. He's no threat to anypony as of this moment," said Puzzlement. "Especially not with Shamus being in the same room."
It was then that we heard a snicker coming from the interrogation room. We all looked through the window to see that it was coming from Sojobo.
"You know, it's only a matter of time," he said. "No prison can hold a tengu. I'll find a way out of here and do you in as slowly as possible. And once I'm free, I will not stop until this entire land is bathed in crimson. Nothing sentient will escape my wrath."
Fluttershy gasped. When I turned to see if she was alright, her demeanor changed. Her brow was crinkled, and a subtle inferno burned in her eyes.
"Let me in there," she said darkly.
Puzzlement flinched at Fluttershy's change in attitude. "A-are you sure?"
"Positive," said Fluttershy with a nod.
Puzzlement paused for a moment, and then shrugged. "Alright. I hope you know what you're doing."
She then opened the door, and Fluttershy flew inside. Shamus raised an eyebrow.
"Hang on, hang on," he said. "What're you doing in here?"
"I'm going to settle this," Fluttershy stated plainly. Sojobo snickered again.
"Are you really?" he said between scoffs. "Because I watched you and your comrades running around trying to figure things out. You spent the entire time cowering in the corner like a scared rabbit. You're no threat to me."
"Think again, buster," Fluttershy snapped. "You think just because you have a scary weapon and fancy magic, you suddenly have control over who lives and who dies?"
Sojobo's eyes glistened. "That's exactly what I think, equine. What are you going to do about it?"
"This."
Suddenly, Fluttershy's eyes became wide and intense. There was almost a sort of hypnotic quality to them. Sojobo laughed.
"Now I know this is a joke!" he chortled. "Th-there's no way that it isn't! You honestly believe that—?"
He stopped mid-sentence, staring back at Fluttershy. As he looked into her disapproving eyes, his whole body began to shake.
"Wh-what kind of magic is this?!" he stammered. "S-stop it!"
"Why did you hurt Ms. Sapphire and Sweetie Belle?" asked Fluttershy.
"Th-the songbird? Sh-she was... Nngh... She was suppose to be b-bait."
Sojobo grunted and growled, as if his testimony was actually causing him pain. Shamus's jaw dropped to the floor. Vinyl took off her shades and rubbed her eyes in disbelief. As for me, well, I-I have no words for what I'm looking at right now. All I can say is that I did not see this coming.
"Bait for what?" said Fluttershy.
"Th-the one you call Octavia," Sojobo said in a strained tone. He tried desperately to look away, but for whatever reason, he couldn't do it.
"Why did you try to kill Ms. Octavia?" Fluttershy inquired, maintaining her glare.
"I-it was all part of a plan t-to destroy Mare-Do-Well," Sojobo stuttered. "W-we lured her to the park because we knew she often operated there. W-we ambushed her, but the songbird caught us. I-I would've killed her if she didn't tell me not to."
"Who's 'we?'"
"I-I cannot reveal their names. Sh-she'll kill me if I do."
Fluttershy's gaze intensified, causing Sojobo to squirm.
"I-I can tell you what she was planning, though!" he said. "Sh-she wants to destroy Mare-Do-Well. T-to do so, she has set traps across the land."
"And this was one of those traps?" asked Fluttershy.
"Y-yes! A-and so were the others! E-even if I failed, the rest are surely dead by now!"
Fluttershy got right in Sojobo's face. "That is not true," she said, her voice filled with intensity. "My friends are a lot stronger than I am. They'll find a way out of your little traps, and they will save Mare-Do-Well. You got that, mister?"
"Y-yes, of course!" Sojobo stammered.
"Good," said Fluttershy, flying back a ways. "Is there anything else you want to add?"
Sojobo's eyes darted every which way. "I-I slept with my kusarigama until I was fourteen years of age. I call him Mr. Hooky."
A low growl emerged from Fluttershy's throat as she narrowed her eyes. At that moment, Shamus coughed loudly and stepped in front of her.
"L-listen, buddy. My friend here is pretty impatient," he said. "She needs to get this info back to the Princess of Friendship as soon as possible, you see. So, if you want her to stop, you just tell her what she wants to hear, yeah?"
Sojobo hemmed and hawed for a while, sweat trickling down his face. Puzzlement looked on in disbelief.
"Wow. I never thought I'd see the day where Shamus would be playing the Good Cop," she muttered.
Rarity shrugged. "Everything's relative, darling."
Just then, Sojobo let out a pained yell.
"Alright, alright! I-I'll tell you everything!" he said. "W-we were interrogating Mare-Do-Well about her comrades. Sh-she wanted to know who they were. The songbird tried to take the fall for the one you call Octavia, but when she did, Mare-Do-Well told the truth. After that, she brought her to a place you call Canterlot while I set up my trap for Octavia. Th-that's all I know. N-now please stop staring at me!"
Fluttershy closed one eye and looked at Sojobo intently. "Now, you're going to be a good bird person and not kill anybody anymore, right?"
"I-I promise, I promise! J-just lift the curse!"
Fluttershy's eyes returned to normal. "Good. I'm glad to hear that," she said sweetly. "Thanks for sharing this information with us."
With a bow, she flew out of the interrogation room. There was a pregnant pause which was broken by Vinyl.
"I, uh, pff, wow," she said. "I mean, wow. Sheesh, remind me never to get on your bad side."
"Oh, don't worry, Ms. Scratch. I never use my Stare on ponies that don't deserve it," said Fluttershy, blushing slightly. "At least, I try not to. Again, I don't control when it happens; it just happens."
"Usually when she gets mad," added Rarity. "Which in all honesty is not an easy feat."
Huh. I guess Sojobo's threat to kill all of Equestria was enough to raise Fluttershy's ire. It seems we lucked out on that front.
"Alright, I think we can take it from here," said Puzzlement, adjusting her monocle. "His testimony fits in with Ms. Sapphire's story perfectly. Thank you girls for your help."
"Don't mention it, Detective Puzzlement," I said. "Honestly, I'm just glad we all managed to get out of it alive. Although I can't say I'm all that thrilled about our entire investigation being a ruse to kill me."
"I don't think anypony is thrilled about that, Octy," said Vinyl with a snort. "Not to mention whoever that prick's working for also set her sights on Spitshine and that Sparkler pony."
Oh dear, that's right. The others are probably walking into their traps as we speak, if they haven't already. I got out of this by the skin of my teeth; I shudder to think of what the others are going through. I mean, Spitfire's a Wonderbolt; she can probably handle things. But everypony else, I-I just don't know.
"Are you alright, Ms. Octavia?" asked Rarity. "Something seems to be troubling you."
"I-it's nothing," I said, clearing my throat.
Vinyl smiled. "Translation: She's being a worrywart."
"Vinyl~," I sputtered, my cheeks feeling warm.
"Hey, it's true," Vinyl said with a shrug. "And it's totally okay, Octy. You have a very good reason to be worried. This is some pretty scary stuff. But worrying about it isn't gonna change things. We just have to cross our hooves and hope for the best."
"I think they'll be okay," said Fluttershy. "I believe in my friends, and if we got out of that mean bird's trap, then they can get out of their traps, too."
"Agreed," said Rarity. "Although I have to wonder if this accomplice Sojobo kept bringing up was the impostor we've been tracking down all this time."
I'm honestly thinking the same thing. And if that's the case, Princess Twilight is in for a rude awakening. We need to get her this information, and fast.
"Detective Puzzlement, when does the next train depart for Canterlot?" I asked.
Puzzlement looked up at a clock on the wall. "If you hurry, you can probably make the two forty-nine. Barring that, the three twenty-two's your best bet. We'll send a communique to Canterlot to let them know you're on your way."
"Thank you ever so much," I said with a bow. "Alright, everypony. Let's get a move-on. Time is of the essence."
With that, we galloped out of the percent as fast as our hooves (and wings, in Fluttershy's case) could carry us. We didn't even bother to stop and flag down a taxi; there wouldn't be any time. Honestly, even after everything is said and done, I'm still having trouble wrapping my head around all this. This doppelgänger doesn't merely want to ruin Mare-Do-Well's reputation. She's trying to kill some of her closest friends. But, why? What does she stand to gain from this? And furthermore, I can't stop thinking about the others. Are there more assassins like Sojobo out there, waiting to strike their prey when they least expect it? D-does that mean one of them is going to try to kill the Princess of Friendship herself?! Nngh, i-it's just too much to bear.
I know, I know. I'm just being a worrywart. But, I can't help it. It's part of who I am. And you know what? In a very odd way, I'm kinda proud of being a worrywart. If nothing else, it means I'm able to stay on my toes no matter what life throws my way. Living with Vinyl, that trait is a bit of a godsend. Still, I'm not sure I'm prepared for what's to come, whatever it may be...