It's Thursday and you are settled in the Marcus theater's living room,ready to watch the fifth episode of a new series after the MLP:Make your mark series has ended. You remember Zipp talking about three rules. Number one was verify your facts. Number two was looking for anomalies. And Number 3 was to find the Root Cause.

This time,you have your notebook to write down the clues and a snack ready just in case. It's an interactive show that could effectively teach real-world investigation skills by using her adventures as practical examples for everyone or everypony to follow.

Detective Diaries:

Episode 5:The Missing Map. (Part 1)

You clicked play as you watched the scene carefully,eating your pretzel bites with Cheese dip as a snack. The scene starts with A quaint, brightly painted building that sits in the sun. Inside,the museum is quiet and dusty, filled with exhibits detailing the new Mare time bay's history. Zipp Storm paces the empty display area, her eyes scanning every corner. She wears a simple,practical vest. You noticed Pipp Petal bounces in,an enthusiastic apprentice ready for action as if this is the first time in a case.

Pipp:Okay,Detective Storm! What’s the scoop? Did some pony steal the giant crystal heart? Did the ghost of Mare time Bay’s founder steal the treasure chest? Tell me everything!

Zipp stops pacing,a wry smile on her face as she is glad her sister is ready for action but holds her hoof steady. You recognized her in one of her livestreams for her fans called the Pippsqueaks.

Zipp:Settle down,Pipp. It’s not quite a giant crystal heart but it’s still a problem. The “Sunstone Scavenger Hunt Map.” The original one from a hundred years ago is gone. Vanished overnight.

Pipp:Oh no! That’s terrible! The annual scavenger hunt starts tomorrow! Who would do such a thing?

Zipp walks over to the empty display case. The glass is intact but the pedestal inside is bare.

Zipp:That’s what we’re here to figure out. And since you’re officially my new investigation partner, we’re going to do this my way. Lesson one:Observation.

Zipp pulls out a small notebook and pencil as she looks at those who are watching on screen like the last episode.

Zipp:Most ponies just look. Detectives observe. You have to train yourself to see what others miss.

Zipp gestures to the display area.

Zipp:What do you see?

Pipp squints,looking around the room dramatically while the camera is looking around also along with her.

Pipp:I see dust motes... a historical plaque... some old pottery... Mr.Double Diamond crying over there by the broom closet...

Zipp:Good looking. Now,let’s observe. Look closer at the display case itself. Anything unusual?

Pipp trots over to the case and peers at it. Zipp stands back,hooves crossed.

Pipp:The lock is still secure. The glass isn't broken. It looks...fine?

Zipp:Exactly. If nothing’s broken,how did it open?

You are writing anything down in your notebook as you write out a question on how it went open. You were determined to figure it out as you watch. Zipp crouches down,pointing a hoof near the bottom hinge.

Zipp:The museum security log says the last pony to touch this case was the curator,Alphabittle,yesterday afternoon. He locked it with the Master Key. But look here.

Zipp points to a tiny,almost invisible scratch near the hinge plate.

Zipp:That scratch wasn't made by a key. It was made by a hoof—a careful hoof, but a clumsy attempt to jimmy the lock after it was already secured. Which means someone might have been locked inside after hours.

Pipp:Inside the museum? That’s so sneaky!

Zipp:Or maybe they had a copy of the key all along. Lesson two:Question Everything and Everyone. The truth is usually found in what ponies don't say.

Zipp leads Pipp over to the broom closet where Double Diamond is dramatically dabbing his eyes with a handkerchief.

Double:Detective Zipp! This is an outrage! That map is irreplaceable! The historical society will have my job!

Zipp:Easy Double Diamond. We’ll find it. We just need some facts. You locked up last night at 6 PM sharp?