The Disappearance of Sacred Records

by Lillup

8: Damming Discovery

Twilight and Rarity went through the statue, finally returning to Equestria. When they got through, they heard loud mutterings down the hallway.

"What in Equestria is going on in there?“ Rarity said.

They ran into Celestia's room, where Luna, Celestia, Fluttershy and the Royal Guards were stood around. Celestia was raising her voice at one of the guards. Spike ran off down the hall.

"Spike, where are you going?“

"Oh, I'm rushing to the little dragon's room, I'll be quick.“

"Spike, you went before you left! Uh.“

After a couple of minutes, Spike was back just as a Royal Guard was getting berated by Celestia.

"Have you truly not found any leads? Any at all?“

"I'm sorry Princess Celestia, we have done all I could.“

"I suppose that is true, sorry, please tell me everything, even if there is little of nothing to report.“

"Y-yes your highness. So for the Changeling situation, we did as you asked and questioned ponies if they had experienced anything recently that could be the doing of a Changeling. We had one elderly pony say that some stranger pony suddenly morphed into their wife, but it turns out they weren't wearing their glasses, so their sight was all blurry.“

"Okay, next manner of business. Finding Discord. All you could find was Fluttershy, but we've just asked and she hasn't seen Discord in a few days.“

"I'm sorry I can't be of more help Celestia“ Fluttershy apologised.

"It's okay Fluttershy.“

"Okay, lastly, how did the guarding of Twilight and Spike's home go?“

"Dear Sister, I actually got an update on that. Please tell them, Royal Guard.“

"Yes well, Spike exited the building earlier today while we were guarding.“

"Well, Spike did go missing for a while, but how in Equestria did you not stop him entering?“

"Well we never saw him enter. I swear we were guarding diligently, Your Highnesses, but somehow Spike made it in.“

Everyone turned straight to Spike, he started to back towards a wall.

"Anything to share Spike?“

"Uh, um, well the reason why is that I felt really homesick and I wanted to go quickly and take a moment inside. How, well, I admit I had to distract your guards guarding the entrances at the top. I'm really sorry, it wasn't right of me.“

"If I may be frank Spike, I've been suspicious of you from the start; your behaviour has been strange to say the least. Even if you did not steal the books yourself, I cannot shake the feeling you are involved. I swear this to you, if you tell us everything you know, you will not be held accountable. I just want the books returned, nothing more.“

"I'm sorry, I really don't know anything.“

"Can you tell me Spike“ Twilight asked. "After all this, I know Celestia keeps her word.“

"She does, but I have nothing to say“ Spike replied.

"Spike, this investigation is going nowhere! I want to believe in you, but your behaviour at times has been odd, but you won't explain.“

"You're on the list of suspects too Twilight.“

"That's not the point Spike, I've helped all I can.“

"Sister, may we adjourn for a moment? I believe the stress is causing everypony agitation“ Luna suggested.

"You may be right. Very well. We will take a couple of hours, but at 18:00, we all return to this spot.“

"Sounds grand,“ Rarity sighed. "This detective business is hard work, I need some me ice cream time.“

The group dispersed with heavy eyes; Twilight and Spike head toward their temporary living spaces.

"Spike, how would you like to stay in my room tonight? I can go on the ground if you'd like.“

"I knew it, you don't trust me Twilight.“

"Spike, I want to trust you, truly I do. If you can do this for me, I'll have no more doubt.“

"Twilight.“

"I really do believe in you, but I get upset at seeing everypony point the hoof at you. We don't want to do this, but if you stay with me and anything happens, you have an alibi; they suspect me a little, but they know I'm a poor liar.“

"Twilight, I... I want you to hear me out please, but you have to promise me you won't tell anypony else.“

"Cross my heart and hope to die, stick a cupcake in my eye.“

"Okay. So, I may or may not know who has been doing this, but I want to turn them in, but just telling you who it is won't do anything. If I can get out of here alone right now, I can trap them and get them to confess or at least get them all panicked. If it doesn't work, I'll tell everypony.“

"Will you tell me who it is?“

"Not yet, but very very soon you'll know. Twi, I really really need you to promise you you'll keep this quiet.“

Twilight felt there was still more to it, but if Spike was going to trust her with this much, she felt obliged to give some trust back.

"Thank you Spike, I promise. But you need to go alone, right? Are you sure I can't help?“

"They'd be suspicious of you Twilight.“

"Well in that case, I leave it to you Spike. Please come back safe.“

"I'm sorry I've been annoying lately Twilight, but I'm sure this will all end soon. I'll see you soon.“

With that, he flew out, trying to be careful not to be caught by a guard. Twilight waited without real rest for twenty minutes, then fourty more, when the two hours had nearly expired, Spike had finally returned.

"Spike, I was worried sick. Is everything okay?“

"I'm sorry Twilight, I tried to find them but they must have been hiding.“

"Well it's okay, there was no guarantee.“

"I think they might give up though. They're the type who knows everything going on, so they might know I'm going to tell Celestia; they might surrender themselves.“

"I'll give it a couple of days Spike, but after that please tell them what you've told me, every detail you can.“

"Of course Twilight. When are we meeting again?“

"Oh, we have about fifteen min-“

"Sweet Celestia!“

A young mare they knew screamed from downstairs.

"Rarity!“

They both rushed down alongside the elite guards, Celestia and Luna.

"Are you okay Rarity?“

"Oh, Twilight, I just found this uncouth note stuck onto the main gates.“

"How did the guards not see?“

"We haven't left, they must have snuck behind us.“

"Shall I read the note, Princess Celestia?“ Rarity asked.

"Proceed.“

"Yes, it was I who committed a crime at the library yesterday, tomorrow will be more of the same until you catch me. My clue I generously give unto you: My old prison is my new resting place. You have two hours.“

"Who would dare make a mockery of this?“ Celestia demanded. "We need to determine who this is. There are many foes who we have had to imprison in the past.“

"Could it be Lord Tirek again,“ Rarity pondered. "He was imprisoned in Tartarus before and he was sent back there by us.“

"It's not impossible,“ Celestia concured "That's one possibility. Perhaps the Pony of Shadow? No, the pillars would have returned if that was the case.“

"Wait, what about Discord?“ Spike chimed in.

"Discord's been reformed, Spikey,“ Rarity pointed out. "Surely we wouldn't cause this much trouble just for a gag unless he really did turn to evil again, but why?“

"I don't know why he would want the books, but we'll have to find out,“ Celestia frowned. "I think we have two likely leads. Luna, take half the Royal Guards to Tartarus and I will take the other half to the place he was turned to stone.“

"What should we have, Princesses?“ Twilight asked.

"You may come with me Twilight; everypony else should stay back for now. Wait for further word.“

Twilight joined her mentor in flying back to that stone statue. It didn't make sense to Twilight for Discord betraying them pver a few books when he doesn't even seem to read a whole lot. If it was a prank, it was a little too long for the punchline. Either way, nothing added up, but Spike swore to her he knew the perpetrator and he even named Discord, so this had to be right.

"I promised to believe in Spike, I can't take it back now.“

They soon made it to the statue podium, Discord mimicking the pose he made on that faithful day against the Mane six.

"Does he see this as some kind of joke?“ Celestia grimaced. They all landed down near Discord, his body breaking its still position.

"Whew, finally I can stop holding that, do you even appreciate how hard that was? I've been here for 20 minutes, it's not easy I tell you.“

"Discord, you are being detained under suspicion of commiting theft at the Canterlot Library. Do you have anything to say for yourself?“

"No I did it, kind of, basically, in a manner of speaking,“ he spoke casually as he placed his mis-matched hands into the hoofcuffs. "Oh come on, is this the best you have on you right now? You know I could break out of these with a single thought, you know? Come on be more creative, a suit that shocks me whenever I think of escape, a giant vat of jelly that gets me stuck there, something.“

A mere fifteen minutes later, they arrived back at Canterlot Castle.

"How did it go, Princess Celestia?“ Rarity asked.

"I believe this case is drawing to a close at last“ Celestia smiled.

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 (Apprehended, the true criminal, any additional ponies involved unidentified
Starlight Glimmer Far from bulletproof, but seemed busy and had nothing to add.
Twilight Sparkle
Library staff No suspicious or helpful people
Sunset Shimmer, seems to be hiding something, but according to Spike, she went back home.
Spike (Even more suspicious)
Changeling (A changeling seems to be almost certainly involved) What is the motive?

Author's Note:

A long time once again, been busy unfortunately. This was intended to take a week or two to finish, but hasn't turned out that way.

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