The Stallion Who Can Never Die

In the quiet office of the Vanhoover Police station, an Earth Pony mare walked around the desks of other officers, towards the closed door, where Chief Chief's office was. She knocked on the door lightly.

"Come in." Came the voice from within. She opened the door enough to let her head fit through. Chief stopped his packing up and looked at the pony intently.

"Sorry to disturb you, Chief, but Princess Luna is here, she wishes to speak to you."

Immediately, the Chief police pony stood up and followed the mare out the door, rubbing his hoof through his mane. On the other side of the room, he saw the dark Alicorn standing regally, her wings tucked in as she idly looked at some of the pictures displayed on the wall, the police force throughout the years. Upon hearing his approach, she turned to face him, and he saw the look in her old eyes, the look of a pony hard at work. Looks like I'll be working overtime... He thought as he quickly bowed.

"Highness, what brings you here?"

"I apologize for the intrusion Chief, but I require your aid in a matter."

Chief stood up straight. "Of course, what do you need?"

"I need you to find me the address of a pony named Candlelight, as well as any documents on strange 'explosions' in the city's history."

The police pony raised an eyebrow, but nodded and moved to a silver drawer, pulling it out, he sifted through the numerous folders and pulled out the one he was looking for. Luna's eyes widened when she saw the title on the folder. Missing Ponies.

Chief placed it on a nearby table and opened it up, pulling out the documentation of the Earth Pony. "Candlelight was a stallion who worked in the city's electricity department during the nighttime shift. He went missing a week after he began claiming there was some sort of explosion in the city's power station."

"He's missing?" Luna asked, shocked.

Chief nodded. "We've no idea what happened to him. He's been missing for almost 2 months now."

Luna frowned. "What about the explosion he mentioned?"

"We investigated the power station, but we found no evidence of an explosion, no damage whatsoever to the station. We did, however, find a strange object on the ground. From what I know, it was donated to the Museum's 'Mysterious Artifact Collection'." He raised his forehooves to emphasize the fake quotations. "As for these explosion stories... Well, they've been happening throughout the city's history. And almost every time they have been told, a strange object is found nearby and the pony or ponies who witness it go missing shortly after."

Luna's eyebrow's raised at this. "They all go missing?"

Chief nodded. "Never to be seen again. It's a classic horror story if I ever saw one and, frankly, I don't know what to make of it."

Luna looked down at the folder, which gave a description of Candlelight and where he lived and when he was reported missing, all useless compared to the information she had learned. She looked up slowly. "Chief, have any strange ponies been found after an explosion instead of an artifact?"

Chief gave the Princess another odd look, thankful she wasn't looking at him. "No, Princess, only strange objects. Why do you ask?"

"What was the last reported case then?"

"It was just a few nights ago, actually, by a Pegasus named Wind Heart. She found a set of strange clothing on the road."

Luna raised an eyebrow. "But no pony? Not a certain silver stallion that we saw at the Black Sea bar?"

Chief opened his mouth to ask what she meant, when his eyes widened. "You're kidding... But, who was that stallion?"

"Apparently he doesn't exist," the Night Princess answered. "He said he was found after a strange explosion, he has no memory of himself and the government has no documentation of him."

Chief blinked. "W-why weren't we informed of this? We'll have to question Wind Heart immedia-" He stopped and he felt the blood drain from his face, his eyes shrinking into pinpricks. "Oh no..."

"What?" Luna turned to look the police pony in the eye. "What is it?"

"I'm so stupid... If every pony who has reported an explosion goes missing, then Wind Heart..."

Luna didn't need him to finish. "Where does she live? Give me her address."

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Seconds later, Luna was in the air, zooming towards the apartment. She was there in a matter of moments, landing hard on the pavement, she quickly walked through the front door, up the stairs, until coming to the appropriate door. She tapped her hoof lightly on the brown wood, and stood waiting impatiently in the silent lobby. After a moment, she knocked more forcefully, and waited. Still no answer came. Not wasting anymore time, Luna closed her eyes, her horn glowing a dark blue, before she vanished in a silent flash, reappearing inside the dark living room of Wind Heart's apartment. The Night Princess looked around, feeling the cold air throughout the room. She looked in the nearby rooms, all of them deserted, including the Pegasus' bedroom.

Luna cursed, her eyes flashing in anger. She was too late...

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Harness stared glumly up at the ceiling as he laid on his bed, unable to sleep, despite his exhaustion. When he tried to sleep, he found his mind too busy in asking the innumerable questions, over and over again. Yet, even then, his mind eventually stopped, too tired to continue on, but he still found himself unable to sleep. So, here he was, staring at the ceiling, too tired to think. A cold breeze caught his attention, and he turned to see his window open.

He blinked as he sat up. I don't remember opening that. With a quick stretch of his wings, which were sore from hours of being laid on, he stepped down from his bed and moved to the window, the curtains billowing gently from the wind. He lifted his hoof and grab the window, but quickly stumbled back with a yelp of surprise. Just outside the window were numerous rose petals, swirling around and... taking a shape... a shape of a pony.

"What the buck...?" He muttered, his eyes widening as the rose petals changed colour and form, the coat becoming a cream coloured, while the mane became two different shades or red, one a deep crimson, the other a light pink. The mare before her opened her eyes, revealing their pale green colour and staring straight at the shocked Pegasus. Although at first glance she looked like an Earth Pony, every few seconds Harness saw the petals ruffle from the wind slightly, revealing what she was made out of. It was quite beautiful, he realized, but his wings remained in a defensive position when he saw the hostile gaze within those fake eyes.

"Who... What...?" He asked, trying to find the words. The strange pony made of rose petals stared, before she opened her mouth, an odd echo coming from her lips.

"I am a messenger bearing a warning. Your presence here bodes a terrible omen on this beautiful land and its inhabitants. Leave this city, preferably this country, before They come for you..."

Harness stared, his mouth partly opened, his brain processing this. "Woah woah woah, you come here, all mysterious and creepy-like, though admittingly very gorgeous, and then you tell me I'm some sort of terrible omen? I don't even remember who I am! How am I a danger?"

The Earth Pony glared. "They have something planned for you... I can't say who they are or what they're planning, it's taken me years to infiltrate their ranks, and I'm risking it all just by speaking to you..."

Harness raised an eyebrow. "Then why are you speaking to me? Why can't you tell me who 'they' are?"

"Because you've worked for them before and I fear mentioning even their name will trigger your memories to return... and make you an enemy..."

Harness snorted. "Why come here in the first place, then? Give me a reason why I should leave this city?"

"They need you... For what I am not sure, but I know what they intend to do, what their whole purpose is and it cannot come to pass. For this, you must leave... now!"

The Pegasus scoffed. "Sorry, not buying it. You'll need something more solid to convince me."

The mare sighed. "Fine, you leave me no choice but to show you. Follow me..." With that, the mare disintegrated back into the red rose petals, blowing away in the wind. Harness immediately flapped his wings and jumped over the ledge. It wasn't hard seeing the mass of petals flying around, a small cloud that stayed just in his eyesight. After flying over rows and rows of buildings, the petals began descending towards a dark alleyway, Harness followed but slowed when he wondered if this was a trap. He shook his head though, he couldn't die and he wasn't as scared as he probably should've been. It was actually exciting... addicting even... He landed hard on the rough cement, grunting as his hooves felt sore. I need to work on my landings...

He looked around where he was. The alleyway was thin, barely big enough for two ponies to fit through, garbage bins leaned against the brick walls, and several dark green bags sagged next to them. And among the bags-

"Oh god!" Harness cried out, his eyes widening at the sight of a light brown Pegasus pony laying completely still, her wings splayed out. He galloped over the still mare, the petals swirling around overhead. He placed a hoof on her neck and the blood drained from his face. He leaned his head against her cold chest and pulled back a second later. "S-she's dead..."

"And that will be nothing compared to if they succeed, but they need you for their plans. I ask you, I beg of you..." Her words echoed around him as the petals began drifting apart, flying away in random directions. "...Leave..."

Her voice faded away as the petals flew off, leaving Harness next to the body, staring wide eyed into the darkness. Someone died... because of him? How could this have been his fault? Who was this mare? The slow clip clop of hooves drew his attention. He turned his head and his eyes widened at the sight of Luna, her mane blowing away slowly in an invisible wind.

"There you are!" She said as she turned and stepped into the alleyway towards him. "I saw you fly overhead, listen, I heard about-" She gasped and stared in complete shock at the prone Pegasus mare next to him. Galloping towards the body, her horn glowed as she looked the mare over with her magic and she stared in horror.

"No... This can't be..." She immediately turned her gaze onto Harness, who stared at her with wide eyes. Her own immediately transformed into one of suspicion. "Did you do this?"

"Wha- No, I-" Harness stuttered but stopped when Luna's eyes flashed briefly and her wings flared open.

"Do not think to lie to us, Pegasus! You will answer honestly and clearly this instant!!!"

Harness shook his head quickly while simultaneously struggling to maintain his balance from the Alicorn's Royal Canterlot Voice. "I swear, Luna, I only found her like this! It's-" He stopped. "Argh, you'll never believe me, but there were these rose petals, they formed into a pony, she took me here and told me to leave the city because I'm a danger to it, somehow!"

Luna stared in surprise. "Rose petals..." The memory of the mysterious voice and the rose petals twirling in the wind flashed through her mind. She looked over the dead mare again with her magic and found something. "She's been killed by Unicorn magic..." Her features softened as she looked down. "Forgive my outburst, Harness. It was wrong for me to jump to such a conclusion so quickly."

Harness looked from the body to Luna. "Don't be. I probably would've assumed the same thing in your place."

They were silent as Luna walked up to the body and placed a hoof on the mare's head, softly stroking it with a sad look. "This was Wind Heart... She was the mare who found you after the explosion."

"Oh sweet Celestia..." The silver Pegasus muttered as his breathing quickened again. "So I do having something to do with this..."

Luna looked up and gazed straight into Harness' eyes where she stared. His eyes... They've seen so much, like my sister's... How many years of experience could be locked away behind them? She also saw the sadness in them, and the guilt. She felt the same tugs on her heart to pull. "I promise you, Harness. I will find out what is going on, and I will make the ones responsible for this pay dearly for their crimes."

He nodded, her voice calming his beating heart and his face hardened. "I'm going to head back to my hotel..."

Luna nodded. "I shall escort you, I do not think it is wise to be alone at night anymore. But first..." She closed her eyes and her horn glowed, a small orb of light appeared for the briefest of seconds before vanishing.

"What did you do?" He asked, his wings opening in preparation for the flight.

"I cast a beacon that only Unicorns of the police force can detect, they'll be drawn here and take care of the body, I'll explain to the Chief what is going on after I make sure you are safe."

They took off into the air, flying close by to each other. Despite the situation, Harness found himself chuckling a little and smiling. "So... You want to keep me safe, huh?"

"But of course." Luna said simply, causing a frown from the Pegasus.

Ah, who am I kidding? He told himself. She's way higher up then me... literally...

Luna continued. "As Princess it is my duty to protect our subjects," She frowned and added under her breath, "...whenever we can..."

"Well," Harness said. "There aren't any documents whatsoever on me, I'm not a legal citizen of the country so technically I'm not even really one of your subjects."

"Even so," Luna replied. "I would not want any harm to come to you. Which reminds me..." She glanced at the silver Pegasus who flew next to her, and saw his form clearly in the night, the moonlight shining brilliantly off of his silver coat. She quickly got back on track and gave him a stern look. "I wish for you to cease your attempts to take your life."

Harness stared in shock. "What? How did you-"

"I had a guard keep an eye on you while I slept during the day. Your emotional plight last night left me..." She hesitated for split second. "...concerned." She puzzled over the sudden hesitation before shaking her head. "Regardless, you will no longer make such attempts. Suicide is something I will not tolerate, regardless of your immortality, understood?"

Harness nodded. "Alright, it's not like I was going to do it again anyways. Coming back to life is..." He shuddered mid-flight. "Not pleasant."

They were silent for the rest of the flight over to Harness' hotel. When they approached, he flew into the open window that went into his room and landed... halfway in. His flank hanging out, he kicked his hindlegs frantically as he fought to push himself in. After a few seconds, he managed to climb in, landing on his stomach with an 'oof!' and quickly getting back onto his hooves and straightening himself. Good thing no one saw that... wait...

He turned to see Luna hovering where she was, her head tilted as she gave the Pegasus an odd look. Harness blushed and rubbed the back of his head. "Uh... still working on my landings."

Luna chuckled, causing a flutter in Harness' chest. "Apparently..." Her smile dropped. "Rest well, Harness, and be careful when you're outside."

Harness nodded and grinned. "I think I'll only go out during the night, that way I know you're awake and out there somewhere."

Luna nodded. "I will make sure you are adequately protected." With a respectful bow of her head, Luna turned and flew off, heading towards the Police HQ building. I may need to call more Night Guards here... things are far worse then I thought they were.

Harness looked out the window and saw the dark Alicorn fly away, admiring her beauty. "Damn she's not bad to look at..." Putting it mildly there, don't you think?

He silenced his conscience before closing the window and turning around. "But you're not the only one who's gonna be looking into this, Princess..." He opened the door and moved down the lobby, keeping his eyes peeled for a certain door. This pony made of roses says I worked for these ponies before... and someone already died because she found me after that explosion... He stopped at the door he was looking for and knocked on it in four, loud taps. ...So, if I can get my memories back, I may be able to figure out what's going on, or at least know who's responsible.

A moment later, the door opened to reveal a surprisingly well groomed White Stripe, still wearing his suit. He blinked. "Oh, hello there-"

"It's Harness."

White's eyes widened. "Y-you've got your memories back?"

Harness shook his head. "No no, it's just a name I chose, I can't walk around without a name, can I?"

"Oh... no I suppose not..."

Harness' eyebrow nearly raised as he saw White's posture lower. Did he... relax? Shaking the thought off, he continued. "What are doing up so late?"

White shrugged. "Well, since I'm staying here with you, I've got to get some work done early, needless to say it's kept me up but this isn't the first time, I've gotten quite used to it actually."

"Ah, well, speaking of my memories, I am wishing to get them back and I think I have a lead on how I can..."

White Stripe raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"Yes, you see, I was found with some clothes and items, but the Police ponies confiscated them while I was unconscious because there was some 'dangerous magical properties' or something like that. I'd like to see if I could get them back."

White Stripe nodded and placed a hoof on his chin. "Well... They might have finished sterilizing them by now, it depends on what sort of magical properties they were contaminated with. Still, we can certainly pay the police a visit in their HQ. But, uh, does it have to be now? Cause I'm..." He yawned. "...Quite tired as of this moment, it is very late, after all."

Harness nodded in understanding. "We can go tomorrow."

"Great..." The old Unicorn yawned again. "We'll go first thing tomorrow then. Have a good sleep, Harness."

"You too, mister Stripe."

With that, White Stripe closed the door and Harness made his back to his hotel room, yawning as he felt exhaustion creeping back into his limbs. Hopefully getting those clothes will be easy... and hopefully I'll be able to sleep...