Chapters Awhile back I was cast out, left to die. My family, my friends, shunned me. Why you ask? Because I thought differently, because I see the world in a different way. They saw that as a threat, so I was left all alone, scared. I was young, and I didn't know how the world works. My kind didn't want me, and if I showed the ponies I know what I really am, I doubt they would want anything to do with me either.
My name is Arigos and I am a Changeling, and all I have is the company of myself.
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Arigos glanced down at a puddle of water on the sidewalk, what he saw was not himself, but a pony with a white coat, and a lime green mane. It was how he had remained unnoticed in such a large city like Manehatten. Though most ponies knew him around here as Starstrider. Nopony knew him very well, and few really wanted to. So he mostly kept to himself.
He worked a simple job loading and unloading boats at the dock. He was saving the money he earned for a ticket to Los Pegasus. Word on the street was that jobs were better there. It could be just a rumor, but there was only one way to know for sure, so Arigos was saving his extra bits for the trip.
The only problem was that Arigos didn't have many bits to spare, he was behind on his rent, and he was deep in debt. To say that he was in a pickle would be an understatement. Of course, he could always just change his name, change his colors, and be somepony else, but what then? In the end he would still have few bits, and he would end up in debt again.
With these thoughts in his head, he continued walking down the crowded sidewalk, watching as carriages thundered by. It was at this moment that he noticed a sign in the window of one of the buildings across the road.
Help Wanted, Detective Work.
Dangerous, Pays Well.
Nothing to lose I suppose... but...wait a moment one problem, traffic. I can't fly over it, I'm disguised as a unicorn. Well I could take advantage of that alleyway, change form, come back out as a pegasus. I think that would work. Arigos trotted into the alley, and out trotted a blue pegasus with an orange mane. Arigos looked at his back, and took note of the feathery wings. With a thrust of the wings, he was in the air, and flew across the bustling road, straight to the building which he had first seen the sign. He quickly trotted into another alleyway, and came out his usual white and green self. He looked up and read the sign that stated what exactly the building was.
"Manehatten Police Department, heh." With that he strode in, and was greeted with a main lobby with grey walls, a few chairs, and a large desk that took up much of the one side of the room. Behind that desk was an older mare, her coat a dull pink and her mane a lighter grey then the walls. Arigos strode up to her.
"Can I help you?" She asked in a voice that reeked with boredom.
"Well, I'm here about the detective work?" Arigos responded.
"Oh yeah, I'll inform Mr. Intent your here for the job." She said, pushing a button, then speaking into the microphone on the desk. "Sir? We've got another fool who thinks he's got a chance."
That didn't sound good.
"Well send him in." A burly voice on the other end of the line responded.
"Good luck, you'll need it." The Secretary told him. Arigos only managed to grin weakly back at her before he trotted to the door labeled Commissioner Good Intent's Office. The office was small and simple, and behind this specific desk was a large earth pony stallion, with a very cliché mustache and cigar combo. Arigos however, didn't notice the cliché, let alone mention it.
"So... you want to try detective work? You know how dangerous this line of work is son? There's a reason we leave that sign up. For everypony that signs up, we lose two on the job. Its high risk work, but pays well. I can't guarantee you'll come out in one piece, but I can guarantee you'll be compensated for your efforts either way." Good Intent said.
"Sir, I have little to lose and everything to gain. I want this job." Arigos informed him, his voice level and determined.
"Fine... theres some basic paperwork to be filled out first, then we'll get started."
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Half an hour later, and Arigos was finished with the paper work. It mostly consisted of waivers and disclaimers, saying that the Manehatten police department was not liable if he we're to die on a case. Well that didn't sound good at all.
Still, it had to be better then unloading boats for a living, right? If not he could just walk out. Simple as that.
"Alright now that that's all done, let me introduce you to your partner." Good Intent told him.
"Whoa whoa whoa, I never agreed to a partner." Arigos said.
Good Intent grinned. "As a matter of fact you did, that IS your name on that sheet of paper is it not?" Arigos face hoofed. Good Intent continued, "Plus, you have no idea what your doing, rookie. So we have to have someone show you the ropes."
"Oh joy." Arigos muttered.
Good Intent led the new rookie to another room. A unicorn stood there, apparently waiting for them. He had a light grey body and a chocolate brown mane. Arigos noticed his light blue eyes seemed older then the rest of his body, while he stood there his face blank of all emotion, his eyes seemed almost pleading. HIs cutie mark was a magnifying glass. So Arigos could assume that this had always been his line of work.
"Search, I got you a new partner, you'll have to show him the ropes. Try to go easy on this one." Good Intent said.
"No promises, but he seems well and able to handle himself, but we will put that to the test soon enough." Search responded, his voice deep and slow.
"Alright, well I'll leave you two alone for awhile. Oh, and Search? I do NOT want a repeat of last time, am I clear?" Good said.
"Crystal clear, Sir." Search assured.
"Excellent. I will see you both in an hour once Search brings you up to speed." Good Intent finished, trotting out the door.
"Well kid, lets get to work." Search announced.
"Ok rookie, lets see what ya got. I want you to attack me." Search told Arigos.
"What? Why?" Arigos asked quizzically.
"I need to see how well you do in a combat situation. If you can't, then there's no real point in any of this, is there?" Search said, a hint of malice in his voice.
"Ok, fine." Arigos muttered. He could tell that they we're going to get along swimmingly .
Arigos lunged at Search, and was shocked that he wasn't where he was three milliseconds before. Arigos turned his head, just in time for his face to meet Search's hoof. Arigos let out a short gasp. Search quickly followed up the first hit with a jab to Arigos's ribs. Arigos was not expecting it and just of a moment, just one moment, his changeling disguise faltered. The average pony might have missed it.
Search doubled back till he was almost up against the wall. Arigos looked him over for a second. In Search's eyes, his very old looking eyes, he found no fear. No fear, but something that made Arigos wince. Hatred. He saw in that ponies eyes an anger that unnerved him. It was not blind rage, it was the kind of anger that was sharpened like a knife. A determined hate that burns all in its path.
Arigos could guess exactly what that anger was directed at. Him, his kind, all changelings probably. It had only been a few months since word of the changeling invasion at Canterlot spread, and with it all sorts of rumors about changelings. It turns out that ponies can be quite xenophobic.
Arigos noticed Search's horn starting to crackle with magic. Uncontrolled magic at that. If he we're to let that loose in his direction it would rip him to shreds. There was only one way he could get out of this alive.
"Wait! I mean nopony any harm." Arigos exclaimed, as he dropped his disguise entirely
"Oh really? Well then I guess we can all just be friends " Search mocked.
"Listen, I was abandon by my kind. I was different so I was rejected when I was little. I have done nothing wrong." Arigos pleaded.
"So what? Am I suppose to believe you? You could be lying through your teeth."
Arigos raised one eyebrow, "Would a criminal walk willingly into a police department office?"
"No..." Search responded, uncertain.
"I'm just trying to survive a crazy world full of crazy ponies. The worst crime I could be accused of is being behind on my rent." Arigos joked.
"Just one question.... Was there ever a REAL Starstrider?" Search said accusingly.
"No, it was just a persona that I have been using. My names Arigos, Its a pleasure to meet you formally."
"Intent's gonna want know about this." Search informed him, powering down his horn.
"Well...I suppose, but I prefer to keep my secret a secret ok? Changelings are not everypony's favorite thing right now." Arigos warned.
"Ok so we tell the commissioner only. Good enough for you?"
"I guess." Arigos conceded.
"Well," Search said with a big sigh, "lets go tell him."
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"Great Sombra's Ghost!" Good Intent swore. In all honesty, he was taking the news fairly well.
"Its ok sir, he's friendly." Search told him.
"You are making it sound like I'm a dog." Arigos said rolling his eyes.
"Search I want you to detain him at once!" Intent shouted.
"Sir, if he was a threat he would have been detained already. I can vouch for him. He's with us." Search confirmed.
Good Intent lets out an exasperated sigh. "I can't trust him, not yet, but I trust Search. If he says your fine. I will have to assume your fine. However, let it be known. I will be keeping an eye on you."
"That's fine by me." Arigos said.
Intent picked up a file from on top his desk, and gave it to Search. "This is your first case, I don't want you screwing it up. Search, show him how this all works, and try to keep him alive. Good luck to you both."
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Once the duo had made it to the crime scene, which was a local park that Arigos recognized, Search started reading the file.
"A Ms. Little Pepper, pegasus mare, age forty-two, restaurant owner. Death by magic induced heart attack. I'm going to rule out suicide right now, because she isn't a unicorn therefore can not use magic." Search explained.
"Well, lets start looking at her restaurant, seems like a good place to start." Arigos said.
"Indeed, you catch on quick." Search told him.
The duo walked two blocks down the street and found the victim's place of work. As they walked in, a stallion behind the counter welcomed them. "Welcome to the Pots Restaurant! How may I help you two fellas today?"
"You seem quite cheerful for someone who just lost their boss." Search said, showing him his badge.
"Service With a Smile. She would have wanted us to keep our spirits high and keep feeding the ponies of this city." He said.
"Well I don't suppose we could ask a few questions?" Arigos inquired.
"I don't see why not. how can I help you?"
"First, do you know anypony that had a grudge against Ms. Pepper?" Search asked.
"Just about ever other restaurant owner in the city. She was a kind mare, but when it came to competing with other businesses, she was ruthless." the pony behind the counter admitted.
"What do you mean?" Arigos asked.
"When ever another place had a lunch special, she would do everything in her power to top it. She would make sure our prices could not be beaten, and made sure we had the best food to serve."
"Just one question," Search said, noticing the pony behind the counter was an earth pony, "Are any of the ponies that work here unicorns?"
"I don't think so...actually our cook, Sugar Drop is. Why?"
"Where is she right now?" Search asked, not answering the stallion's question.
"In the back, why?"
"Just need to ask her a few questions..." Search said, his voice trailing off as he trotted to the "employee only" door. Arigos followed right behind. They soon found who they we're looking for. She was a mare with a light green coat, and a teal colored mane.
"Miss Drop?" Arigos inquired.
"Hm? Can I help you?" She asked.
"Actually, you can," Search said," Were you involved in the murder of Little Pepper?"
"I Didn't, I swear!" Sugar Drop exclaimed.
"I'll need proof of that." Search Light said, squinting at her.
She sighed, " Mrs. Pepper was a kind pony, was always rough on her employees, but she was a great boss. I wouldn't do something like that!" Sugar began to sob.
"Rough on her employees? What is that suppose to mean?" Arigos questioned.
"S-she *sniff* She has always been a little harsh, especially if any of us messed something up. She always wanted things perfect." She explained.
"Ok, thank you for the information. We are just here to make sure that who ever killed her gets the proper punishment, and that they don't hurt anypony else." Search reassured her, and turned to Arigos. "Come on, we have work to do."
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"Well, we might be able to confirm what the stallion at the counter said, and we might have a motive." Search told Arigos.
"Hmm?"
"Well, if Little Pepper was pushing her employees too hard, one might have snapped under the pressure. Pressing the mind to extremes like that is enough for somepony to kill." Search continued.
"Ah, that sounds reasonable." Arigos said. "So what's the plan?"
"Ask a few more employees about how hard exactly she was pushing them to do their best." Search said.
"Well then, lets get to it." Arigos said cheerfully.
The next few hours consisted of Search and Arigos asking the other employees about how they felt bout their boss. The answers ranged, but all had the same beginning. She had been harsh to her employees. Always pushing them to their limit so that the restaurant was perfect.
"Well, at least we were able to confirm what Sugar Drop said." Arigos muttered.
"Yea, I suppose so... Hmm." Search mumbled.
"What is it?"
"Well, Sugar Drop is the only unicorn at the restaurant. So she must be the killer." Search concluded.
Suddenly an idea struck Arigos. "What if she isn't the only one here that could use magic?"
"What are you getting at?" Search wondered.
"What if another changeling is here, working at the restaurant?" Arigos said.
"You're insane! How would we even be able to find out if he even IS a changeling?" Search exclaimed.
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"So, Mr. Register was it? Was there anything you neglected to tell us about the murder?" Arigos began.
"I...Have no idea what you are talking about." He lied.
"Well, for one, you neglected to tell us you we're in fact a changeling." Search told him.
"I...uh..." Mr. Register sputtered.
"One other thing, what's your first name Mr. Register? Arigos questioned.
"But...I..." Was all Mr. Register managed to say before he bolted out from behind the cash register. Before Arigos could even react, Search had body slammed and pinned the poor cashier on the ground. The force of the impact caused the disguise to drop, and it was plain to see that he was in fact a changeling.
"Now then, I'm going to ask nicely. Did you kill Miss Pepper?" Search hollered in the creature's ear.
"N-no! We swear! Please, I beg you, we do nothing wrong!" It cried.
"Well, its not like your on vacation. Your here for a reason." Arigos accused. The changeling stared at the ground for a moment, and sighed.
"We gather love for hive. We can explain further. Please let us up. We swear not to run." It begged. Search glanced are Arigos, looking for confirmation. Arigos nodded and Search got up and off the changeling.
"What's your name, and why are here?" Search questioned.
"We already said. We gather love for hive."
"And your name?" Search asked.
"We have not name. We live and die for hive. Hive all that matters. Name is pony thing. Not changeling." It explained.
"I have a name." Arigos said.
"You are pony. You have name." the changeling muttered.
"Wrong." Arigos said, dropping his disguise, and thus playing the duo's last ace in the hole.
"No, impossible! You changeling. You help me, yes?" It begged.
"The hive is not my home, and never will be." Arigos said, his face blank.
"What....are...you?" the changeling wondered.
"My name is Arigos. and I do not work for the hive, or the queen." Arigos said, his eyes narrowing. "I do what I do because I am alone. The hive abandon me. I would have died if not for the kind help of....It doesn't matter. You know who killed Miss Pepper, and that's all that matters." The Changeling marveled at Arigos. No Changeling has ever survived without the hive. What made him special?
"B-but, she lives still. Not dead! She changeling!" It exclaimed.
"Whoa whoa whoa. What ?" Search said.
"She group leader. She fake death. Benefactors need us no more. Better to fake death then die." It confessed.
"Benefactor? Who would aid a group of changelings?" Search Light questioned.
"We not know. We are only drone. Only Leader knows."
"Take us to her then." Arigos commanded.
"That...not good plan." It muttered.
"And I...Not care." Arigos said, a deep frown on his face.
"Your corpse. Not Mine."
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As the cupboard was opened, Search said, "So you honestly want us to believe that the changeling base is underneath this restaurant?"
"Yes," said the changeling. He began poking around inside, until a small click was heard.
Suddenly, the cupboard began slowly sliding over to reveal a tunnel leading down into the dark.
"Crafty," muttered Search.
"We try," said Argios.
The trio continued down a slanted path that did a 180 degree turn and continued down. The temporary hive was right under the restaurant. The place was incredibly dark, lit only by sparsely placed globs of luminescent goo**.
"How much further?" Search wondered.
"Not much. Almost there." The changeling said.
The changeling was not lying, and soon they reached the main hive quarters. There stood a changeling slightly larger than the two guard changelings flanking her.
"So, you are the two that have blown holes through my escape plan?" She asked.
"Afraid so." Search said. "What exactly are you escaping from?"
"Our benefactors." She said.
"And who might they be?" Arigos questioned.
"You don't know?" She said, surprised.
"No? Should we?" Search said, cautiously.
"I would have hoped so. Even I do not know what their agenda is....but nothing good can come of them."
"Who are they?" Search asked.
"I will answer a question for a question." She bargained.
"Hmm, I'll bite. What do you want to know?" Search said.
"Who, are you ?" She asked, gesturing to Arigos. "Who are you and what are you. To survive being abandon by the hive? It is unheard of."
"Heck, even I don't know." Search said.
Arigos looked at them both for a moment, hung his head and sighed. He looked up at the being who had once been Miss Pepper. "Lets just say, I have my own benefactor. Now I want to know who yours is."
"I will tell you all that I know. But you must promise my safety. My allies are done with me. They will kill me. Don't like loose ends."
"Can we do that?" Arigos said, looking at Search Light.
"Yeah. Come with us. The other changelings stay here." Search commanded.
"No! They will be killed! Let them return to hive! They have done nothing wrong." She exclaimed.
"Fine." Search scoffed.
"Who were you helping?" Arigos asked.
"Spectral."
**The exact origin of this glowing gelatinous mass is unknown. It has been studied by a very lucky, and then sequentially unlucky scientist who succumbed to an unrelated changeling attack that set his home on fire. The only notes recovered from his research (presumably the first ones) read: "It jiggles when poked" and "Dissolves copper."
Author's Note
Well, this chapter was way overdo. Sorry for the long wait. I hope to be posting more chapters in the very near future.
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"The plot thickens." -Promotional251
