After many hours of physically scraping dirt and germs off multiple rooms such as gym lockers, empty classrooms and even the bathrooms.
The two were finally able to reach Celestia's main office without a word of warning from the football coach or the other janitors of the school in their way.
And boy did it take a while for them to get there at that point, too.
"Well that was fun, wasn't it?" Chip asked, sarcastically, knowing how Dale would react while closing the office door behind him.
"I swear Chip. If you ever ask me to scrub another toilet with my bare hands again, I will rip that smile off of your face!" Dale threatened harshly in a grumble as the two begin climbing up their little selves over to the top of her desk.
"Ouch. And I thought for a minute there that you were going to thank me for helping you." Chip said, rhetorically.
"Ha! There is no way that I'm going to appreciate you putting me through all of that junk. I would've rather done much better cramming my body into some vent or pipe hole to avoid being seen by other people than clean any more of these rooms here at this stupid school. It's disgusting and certainly not what I signed up for as a private detective." Dale stated, clearly.
"Well, we're here now. So, that's all that matters, right?" Chip asked, rhetorically again.
"Sure. Let's just get this over with and see what we can dig up." Dale said, shaking his head annoyed as they start looking through the first few file folders in front of them, carefully.
Searching for a potential clue ahead in the case.
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After going over some of the files, Chip was able to make a little connection with a whimsical theory of his own.
"Well, according to this profile here, it would seem like Twilight Sparkle is a part of her own circle. And I don't think Celestia or a lot of these other ponies here were well aware of what she has been doing all this time." Chip explained while taking quick pictures of key elements that he believed would help support his thesis.
"Okay Mr. Pony guy. Would you care to fill me in on your silly details and elaborate please? How do you know that she was the only one involved?" Dale asked, confused.
"I didn't say she was the only one. But..." Chip was going to explain until suddenly he was interrupted by a woman opening the office door, whose looks seem to be of a much older pony and possibly more likely to be the assistant principal for the school.
"Hey! What are you two doing? You're not even supposed to be here!" The lady shouted out to the both of them as if they were code red intruders!
"Run!" Chip yelled before grabbing Dale's hand and took off like the wind.
The lady at that time, attempted to grab ahold of them but they scurried away so fast that her high heel feet were unable to reach either of them much further and stopped in a halt.
"Pant. Wait! Oh forget it. Kids these days have nothing to do all day but to prank us old ladies." the lady mumbled, shaking her head while walking away, elsewhere.
Leaving Chip and Dale to a far off distance until they suddenly noticed that she wasn't even following them anymore and stopped abruptly near a corner so that they can rest from all that running.
"Phew! I think we lost her." Chip said with a huff of breathless air in exhaust.
"Yeah? Now what? I mean none of this even makes any sense. What does any of it have to do with the missing politicians?" Dale asked, feeling a familiar fatigue while holding onto his knees in a heave.
"Look, I know it's a lot to take in but I think the answer lies within the tree of harmony. However, in order to get there, we need to find the human version world of the crystal cave. Which should be located underneath the oasis of the heart. Hence the main center of the entire universe. Practically each and every one of those ponies' fate lies in the hands of the protectors for that tree." Chip explained in a simple but yet, compelling summary.
As if he was rewriting history of the greatest invention ever made.
"Somehow that doesn't surprise me that you would know any of that stuff." Dale stated with a 'really?' look on his face.
"Oh please. You would be so jealous if you knew what my personal collection of My Little Pony would be worth, back home. It's got comic bundles, rare edition toy collectibles and even a conspiracy book that redefines their whole entire existence. Can you imagine if you are in possession of a hidden gem like that? There would be thousands of fans just waiting to get their hands on it. It'll be like Jason Borne, you have yourself marked with a bounty ticket, stapled to your head." Chip expressed colorfully but not impressive to Dale, who eventually just went along for the ride and nodded his head simply.
"Oh yeah, sure. Sure. So, what is it exactly?" Dale asked in a mild sarcastic tone of 'alright, alright, enough already. Keep going' so that he can get to the next point of their mission.
"Well, I'm glad you asked. Basically it's a tree that harvests the life of these elements, filled with red star seeds. Which enables peace, stability and prosperity to their world. Without it, the world would be filled with lies, cruelness and darkness that could plague any one of their hearts at any given chance." Chip informed, proudly.
"Okay. And the elements?" Dale asked in an attempt to prompt Chip to give out more information.
"Are stored into artifacts that are shaped into average looking jewelry. So that no one would be suspecting on exactly who or how shall the powers be given. Each one represents a different part of morality and friendship that makes up the entire world of fulfilling peace. And to this day, 5 gold necklaces were given during the 'End To A New Beginning War' to Applejack for Honesty, Fluttershy for kindness, Pinkie Pie for laughter, Rarity for generosity, and Rainbow Dash for loyalty. While the last and most powerful one, belonged to the very famous princess, Twilight Sparkle. At which was formed into a gold tiara for the strengthened greater forces of magic. Together the team of pony girls work together to help protect and guard Equestria in hopes of making it a better world." Chip finished with a grand finale tone to his explanation, hoping to get credit for coming up with a lead to the case.
But sadly, it didn't faze Dale one bit.
Not even a little.
"And?" Dale asked, with a sarcastic shrug, waiting for the end to this annoying lecture.
"No, Dale. Don't you see? She has the ability and power to control the universe however the way she wants it. And now that New York most prestigious politicians are out of the way, she can use this as an opportunity to not only take over Equestria, but potentially New York as well. And with just the right amount of magic to do so in a quick snap." Chip emphasized drastically, shaking his shoulders in an attempt to get him to understand the depth of the situation.
To which at this point, Dale then decides to let him lean on forward with this idea and follow along so that it can be much less of a headache to deal with later on.
"Alright, I guess that would make sense. I don't know what kind of information we can use for court, but... if there are people out there somewhere in this world, then that place has to be a start, right?" Dale asked, rhetorically, with his mannerisms now easing down to a much more patient state.
Realizing, that maybe this kind of excitement and happiness was the only thing that is necessary to keep him going.
Because then, it would give him a lot more to remember their friendship by.
With all the good times that they had.
And all of the nostalgic memories that are kept close to his heart.
This.... is exactly what he needs right now.
"Exactly! So let's go." Chip insisted in a jumpy mode as if he had been on a joyous sugar rush.
"Woah! Hold up a minute, Chip. Do you even know how to find this place?" Dale asked, laughing at the goofball in a good chuckle while grabbing gently at his arm to help slow him down, a bit.
"Pfft. Trust me. When you know a place that involves your favorite childhood show, you'll be able to find in no time." Chip said with his finger pointing up, confidently.
"Okay, Mr. Explorer. Lead the way." Dale said simply, arm extended.
"Really? Are you sure that I am ready for something this high profile and professional? Am I....really back on the case now as your partner?" Chip asked flabbergasted, in awe of the honor.
With his eyes perked up, sparkling of excitement.
Making Dale's heart lightly air up in a breeze.
"Yeah, I think you are." Dale said, with a soft smile on his face.
"Yes! Oh! And can I drive your car too when we get back? I can't wait to test my skills on the road. It's been so long. I don't think I have any drivers license." Chip mentioned, excitedly.
"Ah ha. No. I don't think we're there quite yet." Dale said, rubbing his neck nervously, afraid that poor Chip would wreck the vehicle, the minute he's on the streets with that car.
And he doesn't have much patience or the time to teach him either.
"Fine. But someday, maybe not today or tomorrow, I'll prove to you that I can be an excellent driver. And then you'll have to let me drive your car." Chip said confidently with a wink of determination.
"Haha. Okay, I'll keep that in mind." Dale chuckled as they walk their way over to the tree of harmony.
With their adventurous journey to the place filled with light peace.
And possibly a deeper feeling that is holding the two of them, together.