//------------------------------// // The Investigation Begins // Story: The Twilight and Moondancer Investigations // by KingJoltik //------------------------------// “No doubt about it, Spike. There's definitely something strange going on at that school.” said Twilight Sparkle as she looked at her conspiracy web she had made on the wall of her basement. ARF! ARF! “I know Spike...no matter how you look at it, whatever this reading is...its not like anything I've ever seen...” Twilight pulled up a chair and sat down. She continued to stare at all of her work she had put into the conspiracy web on the wall. Twilight removed her glasses and began to clean them as she thought, 'Hmm...in all my years of studying, going to college and getting my PhDs in Science and Chemistry...I've never seen anything quite like this...it's like the readings I'm getting are something that has never been discovered before...' Twilight put her glasses back on and glanced at her dog Spike who was just standing there, staring at her after finishing his meal. “Already done Spike? Come here.” Twilight waved her hands to Spike in which he immediately ran up and jumped into her lap. “How about we go over the information again?” ARF! “Alright...first, approximately a few days ago, I began getting several strange readings, very minor at this school called Canterlot High School. According to what I have looked into, this happened after three students suddenly enrolled at the school. Their names are Adagio Dazzle, Aria Blaze and Sonata Dusk. However, the trio has recently vanished a few days ago at the same time this large reading showed itself along with a giant rainbow colored light in the sky...Not only that, according to what I've investigated, a similar incident happened a few months ago. Unfortunately, I wasn't there to get the reading that time...” Twilight began to pet her dog as he slowly fell asleep in her lap. “Second, there are six other students that seem to be part of both incidents, according to the official student records. Their names are Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack and Sunset Shimmer. The records I've found on these six are...varied at best. First is Pinkie Pie, who seems to be a party lover. She has won multiple cake, hot dog and hamburger eating contests. She has above average grades despite being a girl who participates in multiple clubs and programs at the same time. Second is Rarity, she has high grades and works at a place called the Carousel Boutique. Third is Rainbow Dash, which has to be the most opposite person of this group. Has low grades and is part of Canterlot High soccer team. That and other multiple other sport teams...Fourth is Fluttershy, she has high grades and is part of the local animal shelter.” Twilight looked down and smiled at her sleeping dog. “I bet she would love to meet you. Next is Applejack who has average and low grades...part of the Apple family who own Sweet Apple Acres. Finally is Sunset Shimmer...her records are very spotty though she has high grades as well. I could only find records of her joining Canterlot High but nothing before it. Perhaps she changed her name or something...I haven't found any other records over Sunset Shimmer except the fact that she was responsible for some property damage a few months ago. The records say it was to the front entrance of the school...didn't say how much though...” Twilight scratched her head as she continued to stare at the wall. “All my years of studying and I still can't figure this out...the biggest mystery is this latest reading I got from my machine...its like its some kind of energy that can't be regularly identified...is it a new element that has just been discovered...or could it be something entirely outside the laws of physics?” Twilight slowly got out of her chair with Spike in her hands, where she then walked over to his bed and laid him there. “Good night Spike. I think I'll try figuring out this mystery tomorrow.” A few days later... BZZT! ZAP! ZAP! ZAP! BZZT! “Okay! I think its done Spike!” Twilight then gave a huge grin. ARF? “My invention Spike! It's finally done! I shall call it...the Twilight Scanner!” she said as she held up a small device that began to make small beeping noises. “If I programmed this right Spike, it should detect readings similar to that reading I got from that rainbow colored light from a few days ago.” Twilight pressed a few buttons on the device and it gave a few beeps. “Alright, time to take the Twilight Scanner for a test drive!” ARF! ARF! “Yes...I know I'm not good at naming things Spike. Don't rub it in!” Twilight put Spike up in his cage and went to her bedroom closet. 'Hmm...its been getting really chilly recently. Guess fall is coming sooner than I thought.' Twilight put on a hoodie and some jeans. She cricked her neck as she began to leave her house. “I'll be back later Spike!” Twilight slowly walked down the street as she began to look at her scanner along with a map of the town. 'Okay...first up is the Carousel Boutique since it's the closest to my house...I don't expect to get a reading there but there's no shame in covering all of my bases...' Twilight soon approached the shop. There she saw a blue haired girl talking to a purple and pink haired little girl. “So Rarity isn't here Sweetie Belle?” “Nope, sorry Coco Pommel.” said Sweetie Belle as she shook her head back and forth. “Sis said she had to meet her friends about a band gig or something.” “Oh...” said Coco Pommel as her head drooped down. “I was hoping she could give me some advice over the next fashion festival...” “Sorry.” “It's fine Sweetie Belle, I'll just come back later.” “Okay!” Twilight looked at her device. 'Hmm...no reading...well, its showing a small signal from these two but nothing significant...maybe its because these two are probably around Rarity a lot.' Twilight turned around and looked at the map again. 'Now where do I go? It looks like the high school is the closest place now...' Twilight looked around her, seeing the people walk by. 'I've only been here for about a week and it always seems lively despite it being a small town...No...I shouldn't think about that right now, I need to solve this mystery!' Twilight slowly approached the school, constantly looking at the school and her scanner. She slowly got closer to the school's statue when suddenly... BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! “What the-” Twilight slowly got closer to the statue. “This reading...” Sweat began to drip down Twilight's forehead as she looked at her invention. There, she just showed a face filled with confusion. 'I don't get it...this reading is totally different from the rainbow light reading...The reading this statue is giving is like two different energies are colliding with each other...not only that, I can't identify either energy signature!' Twilight began to press several buttons as the readings continued to show themselves on her device. 'Okay...let's just record a few of these readings...there!' BEEP! BEEP! CLICK! “And there...we...go! All done!” she said to herself. “Now...what to do next...I didn't expect this...” Twilight glanced around only to notice nobody was around. 'Well, it is Saturday...guess I should record some more readings before going home and printing these results off...” Some time later at Twilight's house... WHIR! CLICK! BZZT! WHIR! CLICK! Several pages came out of Twilight's printer. Twilight grabbed the papers and began to scan them over. “Hmm...unbelievable...do you see this Spike?” ARF? “This reading...I think it could be the key to something huge! This reading shows two energies responding in a matter that shouldn't be possible! It makes it look like the energies are flowing from entirely two different areas...could this a sign of teleportation? Or maybe a type of dimensional shift like a portal or something? Either way, these energies are something else Spike!” Twilight turned to her dog who just looked at her with expectant eyes. “Unbelievable, isn't it Spike? I mean, I went around the school and got some minor readings but...that statue gave so much.” Twilight looked back at her conspiracy web. “Now...what's my next move?” she said as she looked at the six student profiles she had put on the conspiracy web. “Perhaps I should go after one of you...then again...no matter how I look at this, I can't help but think there is just one little thing I'm missing...a seventh person perhaps?” The next day... Twilight got up and did her usual morning routine. Brush teeth, shower, breakfast, etc. She went down to her basement again, ready to stare at her conspiracy web again. She looked down at Spike, who had just woke up and was looking at her with an expectant look. “Want to help me?” she said as she grabbed and hugged him. “Thanks Spike.” She sat down and stared at the web again. “I don't get it Spike...the more I investigate this place, the more confused I become. Its like this school is connected to something...something either outside the law of physics...or something so...so unusual and hidden.” Twilight looked at Spike again, where he rose up and licked her face. “Heh heh...thanks for the help Spike...” Some gears turned in her head until a certain thought came out. “That's it!” Twilight scanned over her entire conspiracy web again. She glanced at Spike and said, “I need a second opinion! But...who could help me with this?” Twilight put Spike down and went to her computer. There, she looked over all the notes and references she had from her days at the college. 'Hmm...' she thought, 'I could call good old Professor Starswirl, my mentor from college...but I need someone who can come here and see everything I've gathered...' Twilight sat there for several minutes, trying to think of another person. Then, something clicked. “Moondancer!” she said as she began to remember her old friend. The two had been friends since early childhood and the two had passed multiple grades together during their years as kids. However, due to Moondancer's parents' jobs, she had to move away. Twilight knew she entered into college early as well but the two had just stop communicating after a year or two. Twilight got on the internet and began to look for any information on her old friend. Soon she saw several news reports on how Moondancer had won several science fairs and other achievements. Twilight thought, 'Yeah...she hasn't changed, she obviously still loves science. According to this...she graduated early as well with a PhD in...Advanced Physics...that will do nicely...' Twilight spent the next few minutes trying to find a way to contact Moondancer. Soon, she found a way to get her email address. A few emails later, Twilight finally got Moondancer's phone number... “Let me get this straight...you found a energy reading that should be impossible at a high school?! I'm sorry but that sounds absurd.” Moondancer said in a bitter tone. “But I emailed you the photos I took. Surely you must admit the readings are something different.” replied Twilight. “I didn't say I denied it.” “So you agree this is interesting?” There was a slight pause from Moondancer. “Yeah...I agree.” she said with a huff. “So...why did you show me this?” “I need help. My current investigations have been...lacking. I need a second opinion and possibly someone else to help me create a device to understand these readings better.” “And you want my help?” “Yeah. I mean, you just graduated right? I can get you a place set up and you can help me make something extraordinary! You saw these readings, we could be looking at something beyond the laws of physics!” Moondancer took off her glasses and began to rub her eyes. She let out a huff. “I hate to say it...but you're right. But if I help you, I want you to agree on some things.” “Sure.” “This isn't some big 'let's be friends' thing. If I come over there, its to figure out this energy reading and how it works.” “That's fine.” “Two, we don't do this for some glory seeking thing. Got it?” “I'm not looking for fame Moondancer, I'm doing this because I'm scientifically curious.” “Good. Now, how do we make arrangements so I can get over there?” “I think I have an idea...” A few days later... “I say we go and interrogate those six!” Moondancer yelled as she slammed her fist into the wall. “And I say its too early Moondancer!” Twilight said as she grabbed a few papers and showed them to Moondancer. “Look at these readings! Even you said that this reading is similar to a type of energy signature that only a portal could make!” “I know it is! But it came from a statue that we've gone to for the past five nights! We need to expand our field of investigation! Why are you so against meeting these six?!” “I...I...I don't know.” Twilight said as she put the papers down, slumping down in a chair. “I just...I don't know.” “Still shy as ever huh?” Moondancer said with a cocky grin. She sat down in another chair and said, “But...I understand your pain...I'm not much into talking to others either...I just want to understand all of this though...” “Yeah...me too.” Twilight said with sad expression. “Sorry.” “It's fine.” Moondancer said as she lifted her head. “Tell you what...why don't we go to statue one more time and if we don't find anything new, we investigate those six. Deal?” Twilight stared at the ceiling for a few seconds and glanced at Moondancer. “Deal.” A few hours later, the duo left the house. The two slowly proceeded to the school under the shadow of the night. As the two approached the statue, Moondancer spoke up, “I forgot to tell you Twilight...uh...um...” “What?” “Thanks for letting me stay at your place...you didn't have to let me stay in your spare room...” “It's no problem Moondancer.” Twilight said with a small smile. “Though I am a little concerned about tomorrow though...” “What's tomorrow?” “My brother is supposed to come over for a few hours.” “Oh. I'll stay out of your way if you need me too.” “Thanks.” Twilight said as she pressed a few buttons on the Twilight Scanner. It began to beep as the two got close to the statue. Moondancer spoke up as they finally arrived. “Still nothing...just the same old readings, isn't it?” “Yeah...its kinda depressing...” Twilight said as she put her hand on the statue. She let out a yelp as her hand suddenly went through the statue like it was made out of water. She quickly pulled her hand out and said, “Whoa! What was that?!” “What was what?” Moonancer asked as she adjusted her flashlight. “What happened? What's wrong?” “Shine the flashlight at my hand.” “Okay...” Moondancer said as she shined the light on Twilight's hand. Moondancer's expression changed from confusion to pure shock as she saw Twilight's hand disappear into the statue. “How...how did you do that?!” “I...don't know...” Twilight said in a shocked tone. “I just put my hand on the statue and...” Her hand went through the statue again. “That happened...” “Whoa...no way. We've been here for the past five nights and that's never happened...right?” Moondancer said with hesitation in her voice. “I am right, aren't I?” “Yeah...I've examined every bit of this statue and...” Her hand came out of the statue again. “That has never happened before...” The two stared at each other in disbelief for a few minutes. Then, Twilight spoke up, “Hey...why don't you try your hand?” “My hand?!” “Yeah. Your hand.” “Um...er...okay.” Moondancer said as she slowly put her hand on the statue. Just like Twilight, her hand went through. “That's creepy...” she said as a shiver went down her spine. “Is thing a portal?” “I don't know...I guess it could be, though its odd that it activated now...” “Yeah...though it feels really weird...” “I agree. I'm gonna try to use the scanner in the statue, see what kind of readings we can get....” Twilight said as she prepared the Twilight Scanner. She put her hand in with the scanner in her palm. As her hand went into the statue, she quickly noticed something odd. She couldn't feel her fingers. That and her scanner immediately fell out of her hand as soon as her hand went through. Her face went pale as looked at Moondancer in despair. “Uh...we have a problem...” “What?” “I dropped the scanner...” “YOU WHAT?!” “Yeah...sorry.” Moondancer showed a pained expression. “So...uh...what do we do now?” Twilight looked at the statue for a few minutes and said, “I'm going in.” “Huh?” “I said...I'm going in.” “You...want to go into the statue? In other words, the portal...” Moondancer said in a dumbfounded face. “Are you crazy?!” “How else are we going to get the scanner?!” “Uh...um...er...” Moondancer twiddled her thumbs. “No idea...” “Okay...” Twilight turned and took a deep breath. “Um...” “Are you scared now?” “Yeah...wouldn't you be?!” “Well...” Moondancer put the flashlight down and went up to Twilight. “Do you want to...uh...” “Could you come with me?” Twilight said in a slight panic. Moondancer gulped as she heard those words and said, “Um...er...I don't know.” “But Moondancer...this is a portal. Think about it...there has to be an entrance and an exit...” “Yeah...I know. But what if we go in there and we get lost?! What if we can't get back here?!” panicked Moondancer. “It'll be fine. I'm sure of it.” “But...how can you be so sure?! I mean, you could be stuck there and not be able to get back to your dog!” “My brother's coming tomorrow and he's got a key to my house.” “Oh...” Moondancer continued to twiddle her thumbs. “But...um...okay.” “Okay?” “Yeah...let's do it.” Moondancer said as she glared at the statue. “But we're going in to get the scanner, that's all.” “Agreed.” Twilight said as she readjusted her glasses. “Alright...let's do this.” she said as the two began to enter the statue. The two felt shivers down their bodies as they slowly went into the statue. It was then that the duo began their adventure into Equestria.