“And then we found Trixie inside AB's shop.” StarStep wrapped up his story of the attacks and threats against him and his friend. The unicorn mare across from him nodded, her magically held pencil scribbling away in a notepad. At last she set it aside and looked up with a slight smile. The quiet office inside of Ponyville PD was well insulated from the noise of the department.

“Thank you Mr. StarStep. I'm sure the information will be helpful to build a case against this Trixie.” She slid from her chair, and gestured for Star to follow her out of the room. Side by side they wandered down the hallway out to the lobby where Lighthoof and the CMC's waited.

Scootaloo hopped up and ran over to hug him, planting a kiss on his cheek before turning her attention to the mare detective, “Do you have enough to lock that crazy unicorn up?”

The detective gave a sigh, “Only on charges of destruction of property, assault, vandalism, breaking and entering, and some other minor stuff. My partner has been questioning her intensely for an hour now. But about the only thing she'll tell us, is her name, and that she's Great and powerful. As much as we'd like to believe we caught the Foal-napper. We don't have any evidence to support it.”

Apple Bloom trotted over, “Isn't there like, a spell y'all can use to make her tell or somethin'? There's pony's lives at stake. How long those charges gonna keep her locked up?”

Glancing over her shoulder back towards the interrogation rooms, the detective shook her head. “No, Miss. We can't use spells like that. I wish we could but they're against the law.” She gave AB a slight smile, “I'm sorry to say, but unless we get something more substantial to hold her. Well...if she has the bits, she'll be able to post bail and be on her way till court.”

AB stomped a hoof against the tiled floor, “But that's not fair! She's dangerous, she done wrecked mah shop and everything!”

“I know, Miss. I know. Sometimes, doing the right thing isn't always the best thing. But the law is the law. We're going to keep trying till we have to release her.” The detective bid them all a good day and wandered back into the heart of the station.

With a heavy sigh, Star led the CMC and a rather quiet Lighthoof out of the building. He glanced at his partner. “Thoughts, Light?” The group wandered down Ponyville main street.

There was a long pause before the tan pegasus opened his mouth. “I donno, dude. The whole thing just seems...odd. Like the pieces don't fit. Perhaps this Trixie mare really is the foal-napper but...my gut it telling me different, yah know?”

Star nodded in agreement, glancing back at AB. She walked between her two friends, head hung in defeat. They were whispering amongst each other, leaving the colts to their own conversation. “Yeah, Light. I know it was her colors I saw in the colt's-room yesterday. But you're right, something about the whole thing is bugging me. I wish we had a chance to question her ourselves. We could have pulled Guard rank on them.”

“And piss off your mare-friend in the process. Come on dude, let these ponies do their jobs. For now, we'll just enjoy the last few days of our time off and keep our eyes peeled. You're suppose to be recovering, not getting into fights with crazy jealous unicorns.”

Star chuckled, “Yeah, you got a point. It hasn't been a very relaxing week with all that drama.” He took a deep breath. “I'll try hard to trust the Ponyville PD. It's hard resisting that urge to stick my hooves in.”

“I know dude, I know.”

The rest of the evening was fairly quiet. Sweetie Belle and AB headed back to Apple Acres together. Star, Light and Scoots headed back to Star's house and enjoyed a hot dinner with his parents. When the dishes were cleared, Lighthoof curled up on the couch with an old Daring Doo book, while Scoots and Star cuddled up together on the back-porch.

Tucking her head under Star's chin, the orange pegasus gave a soft sigh. “Are things always this crazy around you?”

The colt closed his eyes, gently rubbing his chin along the mare's soft fuchsia mane. “Honestly. Only since I started trying to date the Princess. Before that, guard duty was really simple. And maybe a little boring.”

Scootaloo gave a soft giggle as she unfurled a wing to drape over her colt-friend. “Do you ever regret pursuing Luna's heart?”

“No.” Star did not hesitate in his answer. “I figure, a lot of this stuff would have happened anyway. Sweetie Belle's trouble with the mob, AB with a stalker. Twilight and Cheerilee would have eventually gotten together, but I think I sped it up a few hundred years. You know how Twilight gets with her books.” They shared a light laugh. “I suspect, if it wasn't for all the lessons the Princess has taught me...well...I don't think I would have ever really come to love you Scoots.” He nuzzled his beautiful mare-friend. “Whatever may come. I'll be forever grateful to the Princess, for helping me learn I can love her and you equally.”

The mare returned his loving nuzzles, kissing lightly at his jaw. “I'm grateful.” She smiled, “And I expect Luna is too. When I first met her, she had this...sadness in her eyes. Now, when she's with us, I see her eyes sparkle in joy and contentment. It's like the sky twinkling merrily with stars.” She gave a little sigh, “I wish she was here with us.”

“Oh, am I not enough pony for you? Not what your body was telling me in the gardens back in Canterlot.”

The mare's orange cheeks reddened. She swatted Star's rump with her tail. “Haha, silly.” With a smirk, she nipped at his neck. “You're always enough colt for me. But...I'm...starting to love Luna.” She glanced around to ensure they were alone. “I have...fantasies sometimes. And my heart always beats so fast around either of you.” The mare sighed, “I'll be honest Star. Luna and I first agreed to share you out of mutual love. But now...I'm starting to understand how you feel. When she gazes at you it's like...like...” She fumbled for words.

“Like falling into the vastness of space, and being lost in her eyes. Heart and soul.”

Scootaloo nodded, “Yeah...that. I...shiver at her touch.” Her body gave a slight shake, and cuddled up tighter against his. “I think I'd do anything for her. Just as I'd do for you, Star. I'm...worried she doesn't feel the same about me though. Maybe it's just a friendly front she puts on for your sake.”

The colt tilted his head to tuck the mare's up against his neck. “You should ask her. If nothing else, I can tell you that the Princess is always firm but fair. Whatever she says, we have each other.” The mare nodded against his grey-blue coat. The colt grinned as he looked up at the stars. “So...what kind of fantasies?” Scootaloo replied by swatting his rump with her tail.

A heavy knocking on the front door startled Star from his sleep. Groaning, he shifted on the couch and blinked sleepily at the door. Again a heavy rapid thudding echoed in the living room. The colt glanced at the clock above the mantle, it was only six in the morning, with the hints of Celestia's sun peaking through the curtained windows. Rolling off the cushions, he staggered his way over to the front door and opened it enough to show his face. Through blurry eyes he found himself looking up at a huge red stallion on his porch.

“Erm...heeeey, Big Mac. Uh...Morning. Listen...about Cheerilee.”

The large earth pony snorted and shook his head, his trademark halter jangling about. “Reckon we can talk 'bout that another time, StarStep. Is Apple Bloom here?”

Star's brow creased in confusion. “I...don't think so. She went to Sweet Apple with Sweetie Belle last night.”

“She did. But she's not there now. Might you be so kind as to check and see if she's here?”

“Uh, yeah sure. Hold on.” He softly clicked the door and stumbled his way up the stairs. He first peeked his head into the guest room. Lighthoof was sleeping, tangled up in the sheet and clutching a pillow to his chest, moaning about Sherry and Peach. He rolled his eyes and softly shut the door. In his old room, Scootaloo was snoring lightly, laying on her back. He resisted the urge to tickle her exposed belly before closing that room too. He wandered the rest of the house, checking the bathrooms and kitchen and even the back-porch. But no AB. At last he returned to the front door and shook his head at the large pony.

“Sorry, Big Mac. She's not here. Just Scoots. What about Sweetie?”

The stallion frowned, “She's at the farm still.”

“What about AB's shop. Maybe she got up early to clean it up after the vandalism.”

The red pony's frown deepened. “I checked. Who was it that done wrecked her shop?”

Star tilted his head slightly and narrowed his eyes, “Did...AB not tell you what happened yesterday?” The stallion shook his head, “Oh-boy. Ok, look. We found some crazy unicorn trashing her store. She caught the mare and we took her to the police. I wouldn't be surprised if AB got up early to do repairs.”

“Enope. She's not there, and not even Pinkie done seen her. Apple Bloom always stops in to get an early morning doughnut from SugarCube. But she didn't show up this mornin'.” He glared at Star, “What's tha name of this fool mare that y'all caught?”

Star hesitated under the wilting stare of the much large pony, “Um...Trixie I believe.”

“Bucking...” The stallion seemed to growl. “I done saw that no good pony this mornin'. She was pullin' a small covered cart.” He turned to look back over his shoulder. “Cart just big enough for ah pony.” The large pony spun and galloped off towards town.

“Wait, Big Mac. You don't know she's responsible!” But Star's words fell on deaf ears. The earth pony was long down the road. He frowned, it was unusual to see Big Mac act so rashly. Shaking his head he clicked the door close and bound up the stair to the wake Lighthoof.

The two colts were soon trotting down the road, the morning sun just crested over the distant mountains. Glimmers of dew still on the grass and leaves and a crisp breeze to occasionally ruffle their coats. “And then the big guy just flips out and charges for town.”

Lighthoof frowned, “I know we suspect this mare, dude. But...does Big Mac know this pony? Sounds kinda crazy for him to just go off half-cocked like that.”

“Honestly. I don't know. Big Mac keeps his personal life on the down-low. I know he's had other relationships before Fluttershy, but he never talks about em and his family doesn't say a word either.” The two of them passed by the first of the buildings that marked downtown. “What bothers me more is how fast Trixie got out on bail. I was hoping she'd sit there for a while, see if any other mares go missing. That'd at least help us figure out if she's the one.”

His partner nodded. “Right on dude. Good point.”

“Star!” They two colts glanced over their shoulders to see a descending orange pegasus. She landed lightly beside the blue-grey pony and gave him a kiss. “Morning. You two are up early.” She flicked her eyes between them.

Lighthoof cleared his throat, “Hey uh, Star. I'm gonna take to the air and scout.” He gave Scoot a nod of greeting before taking wing.

Shaking her head in confusion, the orange pegasus raised an eyebrow at StarStep. “What's going on?” After a quick recount of the morning, Scootaloo's confused expression deepened. “That is kinda weird.” The two of them were trotting down one street then another, glancing about for sign of Apple Bloom or Trixie. They'd stop and chat with the various ponies setting up their stalls for the market. No pony had seen AB all morning, but a few had seen the blue mare wandering about town pulling a cart. When they stopped at AB's shop, they found it just as they left it the night before. Nothing had been cleaned and the door still hung awkwardly from one hinge. A bit of worry began to grow in Star's belly. It wasn't at all like AB to up and vanish. Scootaloo, perhaps, but not good-ol' reliable Apple Bloom.

Just before noon, as Scoot's belly gave a growl of hungry protest, they rounded a corner and found Big Mac staring down the great and powerful Trixie.

“Trixie knows nothing, you big dim-witted jerk. Trixie made it quite clear she wants nothing to do with you anymore. Now move from Trixie's path.” She made to step around him, a small covered cart hitched to her saddlebags, but the large red pony shifted to block her again.

“Enope.” He glared down at the smaller pony. Her light blue coat and white mane were dirty and slightly unkempt. The cutie-mark of a crescent moon and magician's wand upon her flank. “What's in tha cart Trixie. I know yah been right angry at me for years. But I'll not be having you threatening family.”

The small unicorn frowned, “What's in the cart, is no ponies business but Trixie's. Now MOVE or the great and powerful Trixie shall make you move!”

“Enope. Pull back that tarp, and I'll move.” He planted his massive hooves.

“Trixie shall do no such thing!” She ground her teeth, “You always were a stubborn jerk. Fine, if this is how you wish to play, we shall.” Her horn glowed and picked the large pony up and planted him on top of a nearby roof. “Humph. Maybe your little wife will save you.” She turned up her nose and began to walk down the street.

Star and Scoots exchanged glances. He nodded his head towards the cart before galloping up, sliding to a dusty stop in front of the unicorn. “Hey, Trixie. Got a moment?”

Rolling her eyes, the mare sighed. “Trixie swears, this town is full of annoyances. Why Trixie...wait.” Her eyes narrowed. “You're...” She turned up her nose. “Trixie has nothing to say to you.”

Glancing over the unicorn's shoulder, he noticed Scootaloo slip up behind the cart and carefully pulling up the edge of the tarp. “Look, Trixie.” He began. “I don't know what what it is you got against me, but you shouldn't take it out on other ponies.”

“Trixie has nothing against you she...uh.” The unicorn's facade fell for a moment as she nervously glanced her eyes side to side. “Yes, she hates you. Yes, that's it. Begone scourge of Ponyville. Return to your little mares. That fat pink one and the uh, ugly chicken.”

“HEY!” Scootaloo's shout spun the unicorns head around. The pegasus had pulled back the edge of the tarp and had her fore-hooves up on the edge. “I'm not a chicken!”

There was a sharp gasp and a growl of annoyance from the unicorn. “How dare you pry into Trixies private things!” She jerked the cart back, knocking Scootaloo to the dirt. “Does no pony respect others personal property?”

Star poked the mare in the chest with a hoof, “Funny thing to say, seeing as you trashed our friend's shop. Scoots was just checking your cart to make sure our friend wasn't hiding in there. You know, to jump out later and get revenge?”

There was a pause as the unicorn regarded the two of them. “Yes, well. Still. Trixie has nothing to to say about the matter until court. If you are through harassing her, Trixie has business elsewhere.” She used her magic to pull her tarp back down and walked around the colt in her path.

He watched her trot down the street as Scootaloo helped Big Mac down from the roof. He could feel her slide up against him and give him a light nuzzle. “Sorry, Star. Nothing in that cart but random magician act stuff. Caps, hats, wands, random boxes of just stuff. No AB.”

He glanced to his other side. Big Mac was also watching Trixie wander off. “Did you uh...used to date her, Big Mac?”

There was a long pause, and a flicker of a frown, “Eyup.” Without another word, the stallion turned and trotted away.

“A colt of few words.” Star sighed as Scoot giggled. They spent the rest of the day wandering the streets and asking every pony they saw about AB. No one had seen a hair of her since the previous evening. Defeated, as the sun was setting in the distance, they were heading back to Star's home when gangly cream colored colt stepped out to block their path.

“Well, hey there cutie!” Star glanced up at the high pitched voice of the unicorn.

“Uh...Scribe, right?” He asked as Scootaloo looked at him questioningly.

“Oh, right on one! Cute and smart.” He gestured towards the small store next to them. “Listen darlings. Would you be so kind as to come inside?”

StarStep hesitated, he was pretty confident he knew who awaited him inside the building. The question being, was this a trap or something else. With a glance at his mare-friend, he accepted Scribe's invitation and led the way into the darkened interior. It appeared to be an antiques shop. There were random bits of furniture and home decorations of everything from iron bats to silver trout. Much of the store's inventory was coated in a fine dust.

“Mister StarStep and Miss Scootaloo. What a pleasant surprise to find you here.” The massive silver earth pony had his back to them, admiring himself in an old standing mirror. He was trying on a bowler hat, a small stack of other hats neatly piled on one side, a discarded pile on the other. The owner of the store, an aging mare, handed him the next hat from the pile as he tossed aside the current. “I trust your vacation is going well?”

“Mister Steel. What are you doing here?”

“Trying on hats. You're not very observant for a guard, sir.” He tossed aside a top-hat and accepted another from the elderly mare.

Star glanced around, noting that Scribe was standing outside, guarding the glass door. “Ok, besides that. What brings you to Ponyville? You didn't have me stop into an antique store just to say hello.”

“True enough, Mister StarStep. True enough.” He gave a soft sigh, turning his head one way then another. His mane was so dark blue it was almost black, making it hard to distinguish the hat from mane. “Hmm...maybe I should try a colored hat. Anyhoof. Yes. I happened to be passing through on my way to deal with business in Appleloosa. I wanted to let you know I found Mister Granite in Canterlot.” He shifted the ten-gallon hat around on his head. “Envelope to your left has his current hide-out. I suggest you deal with him promptly. He's been asking around for hired-hooves to do a little dirty-work.”

Star glanced to his left, noting the plain white envelop sitting on the counter. He reached out hesitantly and slid it off, tucking it under one of his bandaged wings. “Thanks.” He hesitated, looking to Scootaloo.

“What's wrong Star?” Scoots looked back, concern in her voice.

“I....nothing I can't handle.” He sighed. “Mister Steel. Do you know anything about a Trixie? In particular, if she's been foal-napping ponies here in Ponyville?”

Without turning to face them, the large stallion chuckled. “Oh, I know all about the Great and Powerful Trixie Lulamoon. Information is my profession after all.” He reached out for a new hat. “Of course, information isn't free, Mister StarStep.”

“Alright. How much?”

There was a long pause, the stallion busy admiring a new hat in the mirror. “That envelope under your wing. And your promise that you'll allow me to deal with Granite myself. I mean to make an example of him. As a professional curtsey, I granted you and your coworker the rights to handle his punishment. I assure you, that if you relinquish this right, it will not be a pretty ending for Mister Granite. Also, I will be unable to deal with him until I return from my business in the south. Perhaps a week or so at best. This would leave him at large to cause mischief.”

“I wouldn't call what he does...mischief.” He shifted his bandaged wings.

“Star?” Scootaloo whispered, “Is he saying what I think he's saying? Are you really going to let him go kill some pony?”

The colt looked down into her light purple eyes. “He tried to kill me, Sweetie and Dinky. Even putting that aside, information on Trixie will help us find AB.”

“Star, we don't even know if something bad has happened to AB. She could have just taken a hike into the wilds or something.” She pleaded.

“Perhaps when Zecora was still around but...now...” He sighed, “If you have another idea that will help us find out the truth faster, I'm all ears, Scoots.”

She hesitated, searching his eyes, then shook her head. “Alright Star. I trust you know what you're doing.”

At that, he returned the envelope to the counter and cleared his throat. “Mister Steel. Granite is yours to deal with.”

The large silver earth stallion smiled into the mirror, adjusting a rich blue bowler on his head. “Excellent. Now, ask your questions regarding this Trixie.”

“Alright, did she foal-nap Apple Bloom.”

“No, nor was she the one who took the others.”

“Who was?”

The large pony shook a fore-hoof back and forth, “Tisk, Mister StarStep. That information is of a different price. Miss Trixie is not the one kidnapping foals. However, she is being forced to play a role in all of this. She's not completely innocent, but has done things under duress.”

“So...she's helping whoever it is?”

“Oh, 'help' is not quite the right word. Assist, perhaps? A queen in a bigger game. Force to move about to protect the King. A powerful playing piece, but a piece all the same. You can rush out of here and attempt to force the information from her.” He waved a dismissive hoof, “But she will tell you nothing. She is protecting those weaker than her from the foal-napper. And no threats of any kind will force the words from her lips.”

A terrible knot lodged in Star's belly when the next question came to mind. “Was Apple Bloom foal-napped?”

There was a pause. The stallion slowly turned from the mirror, no hat upon his head. “That, is not part of the price. However, I am fond of you Mister StarStep, so I will give this one as a free sample.” He wore a professional smile. “Miss Apple Bloom has indeed been taken against her will and is at this moment being carried away to a life of misery.”

Anger tightened his chest, “Tell me where she is, please! This is a pony's life we're talking about here. A good, kind pony. She doesn't deserve this. I bet none of the foal-napped mares deserve this.”

“Be that as it may, Mister StarStep. I cannot divulge such critical information for free. Why, this would destroy another pony's business. If I made it a habit to do such things, many many ponies would suffer. However, the information might be bought.”

Scootaloo stomped up to the stallion, “Oh yeah? What if I brought the Princess in on this? Told her you were hiding information about missing ponies and protecting a criminal.”

“My, my. Quite the fireball. Threats of that nature will not work, Miss Scootaloo. By her own law, the Princess cannot force me to divulge information and torture was outlawed a thousand years ago. Certainly, she can lock me up. But with my connections and resources, do you really think I will remain long?” He smiled down at the little mare. “And then, I shall disappear. You will never find the answer you seek, and I assure you, you will never find the mares in your lifetime without help. Your friend will be gone forever.”

Scootaloo roared and launched at the stallion. With a graceful side-step, he dodged the filly as she catapulted past and slammed into the wall. “Temper, temper, Miss Scootaloo. It is not as though I am refusing to answer. Simply asking for payment to compensate me.”

Star trotted over to help Scoots to her feet and hugged her close. “How did you get this info if this criminal is so hard to find?”

“I did business with the pony in question. Until they invited me to see their operation. Disgusted, I cut ties and placed watchers. I knew that if I involved myself with this pony, I would become entangled in their dealings and suffer the fall-out when they eventually were caught.” He smiled. “And here we are. On the verge of bringing this retched excuse for a pony down. So, now the question becomes, how much do you value your friend.” His bronze eyes glanced from one pony to the other. “Because of the rewards you will reap if you are successful. I'm afraid this bit of information will not come cheap. I told you this day would come. You know what I want.”

Star glanced at Scootaloo before the stallion, stroking the blue alicorn feather against his chest. “Luna's feather...”

The information broker's smile broadened. A glint of triumph in his eyes.