Noise from the busy streets of Canterlot mixed with the constant humming of my fan. It had been a warm and slow day and I would have done anything for a case or just a chance to set some smart guy straight. Anything...

I walked over to the window to appreciate the sunset. This was just like any other day. And again, I was wondering if I did the right thing in leaving Ponyville. It was too late to change, I left everybody there. No point in going back now. Suddenly a voice pulled me out of the quick-sand that was my memory.

”And yet again, you’re drowning in your regrets?”
I turned to face my assistant, Twilight Sparkle, while trying to make out a comeback, but I could only force myself to reply: ”Eeyup.”
She always had a strange way of expressing herself. She’d also been a real book-worm, so that didn’t come as much of a surprise anymore.
She smiled and tilted her head a bit, so the last warm rays of the setting sun were caught in her glasses, obscuring her eyes for just a moment. ”Also, you have a visitor from your home.”
I thought about turning the visitor down. It could only mean trouble, but then again, that was what I asked for.
”Sure, send them in.”
I positioned myself nonchalant in my chair and awaited my mysterious guest. She swayed into my office almost as if she’d been carried on wings. Next thing I noticed was her bright pink hair that almost hid her face. Then her eyes, deep, blue and gentle, a rare set these days.

I leaned back in my seat gesturing her to sit down too. She gracefully placed herself in the seat in front of my desk. She didn’t say anything, so I decided to kick-start her:
”You know, I have other cases today.”
That seemed to startle her and she mumbled:
”I’m... um, I’m sorry. I’ve been sent here to get you by Granny Smith.”
My heart jumped. It couldn’t be. Granny Smith had disowned me, after I left Ponyville. I didn’t see a future in Ponyville, everything just seemed to go downhill there, that’s why I left. Left Granny Smith, Applejack... Little Apple Bloom. I turned my chair and looked out at the now dark skies.
”Bullshit...”
I could hear the girl shift in the chair behind me and her tender voice reached my ear.
”You need to return to Ponyville. Granny Smith, she’s... She’s dying.”
I immediately turned around and stood up, making the girl cower before me.
”You’re lying! You don’t know anything about her or me!”
Tears formed around her eyes and she turned her head away, so her hair covered her face. Twilight, who had probably heard me yelling came in and gave me a mean look, while she kneeled down next to the girl to comfort her. With a sigh I sat down again.
”Shit... I’m sorry.”
Twilight gently rubbed the girl’s shoulder and stood up.
”You might have gotten more out of her, if you didn’t yell at her. Like the fact that she worked for Granny Smith, helping any way she could, when SOMEBODY decided to run away.”
I leaned forward and hid my face in my hands, mumbling:
”I’m an id...”
Twilight quickly interrupted:
”An idiot, correct. I believe you owe this poor girl a heartfelt apology and your poor grandmother a visit, don’t you agree?”
Twilight always knew how to work me. She wouldn’t let it go, until I’d apologized, so I sat down next to the girl and took her hand.
”What’s your name?”
She tilted her head a bit and spoke so low that I could hardly hear her.
”...Fluttershy...”
I tried to lift her chin slowly and did my best to smile at her.
”How about you take me back to Ponyville?”

We agreed to take the next train same night. As Twilight showed Fluttershy out, reality hit me square in the face. How would Ponyville look? What would my dear sisters say? Would I arrive home in time to apologize for all I’ve done to the family. I started packing only the most necessary. I didn’t plan on staying for long. The best part about living in your office is the fact that you’d never have too much stuff to pack. I told Twilight to fetch Fluttershy for me and meet me at the trainstation. I’d need some time to sort out the big old mess in my head.
The streets were deserted and an evening breeze flew by my face as I made it to the station.
As I neared my destination, I noticed a figure shifting in the darkness, making its way towards me.
At first I could hardly recognize the person, as her face was hidden under a dark-blue Fedora, but I was certain the minute she spoke to me:
”You know, I would advise you to stay here in Canterlot. My sister wouldn’t like it if you suddenly dissappeared with that Ponyville-hussy.”
I replied with a respectful nod, but accompanied it with a cocky smile and a sarcastic remark.
”So Celestia couldn’t even see me off herself, she had to send little sister to do the dirty work.”
She turned away, clearly offended.
”I’m not here on behalf of anybody. I’m just warning you. Going back to Ponyville is going to hurt you. A lot.”
I looked past her towards the station and noticed Twilight and Fluttershy looking puzzled in our direction, slowly I walked by her and whispered:
”Wouldn’t want it any other way.”
I walked over to the girls with a straight face and was handed a ticket. Twilight looked a bit concerned and asked me quietly:
”Was that...?”
I simply shook my head in denial and boarded the train with my companions. The trainride itself was pretty uneventful as Twilight had burried herself in a book the second she sat down and Fluttershy had leaned her head against a wall, trying to get a little sleep. I decided to follow her example.

The train came to a screeching halt in the early hours of the morning. Though my eyelids were heavy, I still managed to open them and stretch my back. A ride like that does wonders for your neck. For a second I lost myself to a memory of the farm and working in the fields on a sunny day.
I looked over at Twilight. She was still reading although a new book. I really hoped there would be a book-store or library in town, otherwise she’d have a major problem. I looked over at Fluttershy arching her back, while letting out a small groan, ending in a yawn. For the first time I noticed her body. The way her breasts gently moved up a bit as she stretched. I caught myself staring just before she looked around, which was mostly caused my a small giggle from Twilight, when she saw my curious expression. I stood up, paying Twilight no mind, and got my bag from the compartment over our seets. Just before stepping off the train I felt a hand on my shoulder and Twilight saying:
“Are you going to be okay, Macintosh?”
I nodded and stepped off the train, taking a deep breath and trying to remember how it all looked, when I left.
“Eeyup. I’ll be fine.”
I didn’t plan on returning to this place anytime soon. But now I was back and I just wanted to get it over with as quickly as possible. I’d come home.

Author's Note

This will be the only part of the story to have a first person narrative. The rest will be third person.