Fact Finder: The Show Must Go On

by Zombi

Rating: teen
Tags: Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Original Character, Adventure
Length: 19691

Canterlot: The greatest city in Equestria. This is what many ponies will tell you... but there is more to Canterlot than meets the eye. Beneath the stunning and perfect cover, darker forces are at play. A string of murders throughout the city have caught the attention of a young detective mare whose highest priority in life is to put guilty ponies behind bars. But this case is more complicated than she expected, and only gets worse when she meets the grotesque pegasus stallion named Zombi. But is he friend... or foe?

Rated Teen for harsh language and gore.

Published 2012-04-22 23:04:02 UTC
Last updated 2013-04-08 22:40:16 UTC

Fact Finder

]Zombi[: Deception

                                                                    -Chapter 1: Fact Finder-

"So how many are we at, now?"  inquired Fact Finder. A pale green aura surrounded her horn as she ignited the cigarette that rested between her lips. As the officer consulted his notebook, the grey-coated mare thought back to when she had first arrived in this city. Canterlot. She remembered the moment she first laid eyes on the towering buildings, the looming golden spires and the rising sun, as it elevated over the palace of Princess Celestia herself. She remembered being so awestruck by the beautiful mountain-side city, that she had to grip the rim of the flying chariot to prevent herself falling out and plummeting into the mountains below. Fact Finder had initially thought nothing could go wrong in a city such as this, and that her transfer from Fillydelphia could be counted as a vacation.

Then she woke up to reality.

The shining decor was only a mask; covering the darkness that lay beneath. Crime rates in Canterlot were high, ranging from petty theft to all out murder. Which was exactly what the unicorn detective was investigating here. Though it seemed to be that the inhabitants of Canterlot were completely oblivious to such activity, it was likely they chose to be ignorant of it. And who could blame them? At last the officer spoke, shaking Fact Finder back to the present.

"Sixteen, detective... Though it's hard to keep track; It's like there's another murder every day..." Fact knelt down, pulling back the cover so she could inspect the face of the unfortunate victim. It was a mare, not much older than she was. Her coat was originally turquoise, yet now it was stained crimson with blood, and her bright pink mane was matted in the dried fluid also. The wound was large, but it was it was obvious the mare had died quickly, so she was luckier than some of the other victims. Fact struggled to contain her blazing fury. What kind of monster would do this? She thought solemnly. She covered up again the corpse and looked up at the officer. The blue stallion had been watching her, not daring to speak. Fact Finder had built up quite a reputation as having a short fuse. In fact, the chief had this to say about her: "I've seen a lot of things that would make your tail twist; from brutal murder to Griffon gang-wars.... But I tell ya, none of that is as scary as a pissed off Fact Finder.".

"Still no witnesses...?" She asked him. The stallion shook his head. Fact sighed and rose to her hooves. "sixteen victims, all with the same wounds, but we don't even know what the culprit looks like..." She cradled her head, wanting nothing more than to go home, feed the dog and sit reading her favourite book. "When I took this job, I never expected it to be so damn hard..." The blue coated earth pony patted her shoulder.

"You're doin' all you can on this case, Miss Finder. I'm sure you'll crack it eventually." He smiled reassuringly. "You head home now. It's getting late..." Fact Finder nodded and attempted to smile back, but ultimately gave it up as a bad job. She turned and began to walk away, deep in thought. As she left the cordoned off area, she had to wonder...  Why?

Why had these murders suddenly taking place? Why is the culprit doing it? Why is he so elusive? These were just some of the many questions whirling through the unicorn's mind as she made her way through the busy street. It was late,and the streets were illuminated by the lamplight, yet the city was still bustling. It was as if nopony in Canterlot slept. At first, Fact found that she stuck out like a sore hoof. While the other ponies in Canterlot went about their day in expensive, classy clothing, she was wearing, well, nothing. Nothing, but her favourite tie. This bothered Fact Finder for about an hour after her arrival, but she soon became accustomed to the snobbish glances and snickers from the "upper class" inhabitants of the city. Before long, the weary mare reached her apartment block; Nothing fancy, but it was a place she could call home. Exhausted, Fact Finder dragged herself up several flights of stairs until she reached her apartment. As soon as she unlocked the door, it was flung open by a furry hurricane. This hurricane's name was Ace.

"Whoah!" Fact cried out, as she was tackled to the floor by the bundle of energy. "Down, Ace! Down boy!" She forced the dead weight of a dog off her chest and sat up, scratching him behind the ear affectionately. Ace's tail thumped on the hard floor repeatedly, which roughly translated as "You're home. Now feed me." Smiling, Fact rose to her hooves and entered the apartment, closing the door behind her. "You hungry, Ace?" Ace followed, wagging his tail in anticipation.

After feeding Ace, the grey coated unicorn settled into a comfy chair and pulled out one of her favourite books: "

'Daring Do and the Maze of Scorpio'. Although, while she was reading the book, she found it impossible to concentrate on the words before her. Her mind was only on the case. How is it... She thought. ...That the murderer has managed to claim 16 victims in the space of 9 days, without ever being seen? She was alerted by the sound of a light pattering on the window, which proceeded to become a heavy beating. Fact turned her head slightly and saw that it had begun to rain. She sighed heavily, hoping the body had been moved and that the forensics team had gathered up all the evidence they could find on the scene, before it had been washed away. After a few minutes of trying (and failing) to immerse herself in the story, she tossed the hardback aside and scowled. The sound of the heavy book hitting the floor caused Ace to raise his head and tilt it toward his owner inquiringly. Fact Finder picked herself up out of the armchair reluctantly, running a hoof tiredly through her shoulder-length, brushed mane (a habit she had for when she was deep in thought). The unicorn sauntered over to the window and stared out of it, pressing her cheek against the cold glass. "You're probably out there now..." She whispered sadly. "You're probably tracking your next victim as I speak... Waiting for the perfect moment to strike..." Ace came to sit by his master and Fact stroked his fur gently. "What is your pattern? Your motive?" She continued to stare across the illuminated cityscape,her vision partially obscured by the pouring rain.

Then she shrieked.

Something... Large, had just fallen past the window. It was impossible to tell, at the speed it was falling, exactly what it was, but it looked like it had... hooves. Without thinking, Fact dashed out of the door, slamming it behind her, completely forgetting to grab her raincoat on the way. She raced down the stairs and through the main entrance, into the treacherous rain. It was pitch black, save for the streetlights which illuminated the hoofpaths. As the soaked unicorn galloped around the building towards the alley, she suddenly halted herself. Wait. She thought to herself, forcefully. You are dashing into a dark alley, at night, with a murderer on the loose, because a mysterious object fell past your window? Fact continued on her way, but cautiously now. She was much too curious to leave this be; she was, after all, a detective. She craned her neck, peering around the corner. The alley was dark... incredibly dark. It was impossible to see a thing for the shadow and rain, but she could hear something... a whimpering... Slowly, Fact Finder crept into the alley, her horn acting as a flashlight. She shone the light into the narrow alley as she proceeded, brushing her soggy red mane out of her eyes. "H-hello? Is... somepony there?" There was no answer. The whimpering had stopped, but she could still hear a slight shuffling. Her light skimmed across the trash cans and plastic bags. A couple of rats fled from her, scurrying into the darkness.  "A-anypony?" Still no answer. Ignoring the warnings her common sense was  screaming at her, she kept going, trying hard not to show her fear. But no matter how hard she tried, she could not stop her knees from trembling violently. All four of them.

What if the mystery murderer was here? What if she was to be his next victim? Or hers?

Fact Finder's racing heart sank as she realised she could actually die this night. Something rustled in the blackness behind her and she whirled, about to scream. Her light fell upon the creature, illuminating the pale green eyes... of a cat. Just a cat. The terrified mare breathed a  shaky sigh of relief as the brown and white tabby mewled up at her, nestling into the filthy plastic bags. It was obvious the cat was just as frightened as she was. Fact let out an involuntary giggle; mostly due to her sheer anxiety. Without any warning, the unicorn detective's knees gave way, causing her to fall to the ground. "Damn..." She chuckled. She found it impossible to believe that she had been so scared... so terrified over a sweet little cat. She relaxed her tense muscles, taking a moment to calm down and gather her thoughts. Eventually she smiled up at the feline, rainwater beating against her back and running down her face. "You must be cold...Why don't you come with me? I can take you somewhere warm and dry..." Fact rose and began to approach the cat. At first it seemed curious, clambering down from its nest of refuse slowly. But then it stopped. Something had caught it's attention.

The cat arched its back and began to hiss viciously, its soaked fur matted against it's back. Fact Finder whispered softly. "It's ok... I'm not gonna hurt you..." This did not help. The tabby only hissed louder, backing away. But it soon came to the exhausted mare's attention, that it was not hissing at her. It was hissing at something else... behind her. She frowned, wondering what it was that was causing the cat to make such a fuss, and turned slowly.

She gasped.

There was something... something large among the heaps of garbage. Something with hooves. It groaned and struggled to rise, pushing itself up from the pile.

"Ohhh.... My leg..." It sounded like a pony; obviously pained. Fact Finder swallowed her fear and spoke.

"S-sir, are you... alright?" The pony (if that's what it was) froze. It looked up at her in pure shock and regarded her with what seemed like fearful eyes; though it was impossible to see in the pitch black and pounding rain. She shone the light upon the face of the creature before her...

This time, she did scream.

End of Chapter

Dammit Instinct...

]Zombi[: Deception

                                                                    -Chapter 2: Dammit instinct...-

Fact Finder awoke in her apartment. At least, she felt like she had just woken up, but she knew for a fact that she had been conscious the entire time. The mare found herself leaning against the door; rainwater dripping from her trembling form, onto the soft, cream carpet. She raised her head to see that every lock had been drawn with great haste, as if she had wanted to stop something getting in... Then it all came back to her.

She could not remember exactly what she had seen; only brief flashes. The soaking unicorn could remember the dead grey coat... the leathery wings... the crimson eyes... and the teeth. Fact Finder's pounding heart skipped a beat as she recalled the razor sharp maw of teeth.

"Oh, Celestia... oh, Celestia..." She rested her head in her hooves, on the precipice of bursting into a flood of uncontrollable tears. She could not even remember running. But she must have done, otherwise she would not be here, in her warm, safe apartment. What was that? It was couldn't have been a pony... It was some kind of... monster. Could it have been a... vampony? Fact slapped herself in an attempt to beat some sense back into her overwhelmed mind. "Don't be stupid..." She hissed at herself firmly. "There's no such thing..." A zombie? "Shut up!" She yelled, her voice cracking slightly. Ace raised his head; startled by his distressed master's raised voice. The frightened mare tried to relax, but she could not purge the horrific image from her mind. What if it was the murderer? She froze for a second, Then groaned loudly. "Perfect... I just let him go..." She staggered to her hooves and shakily made her way to the bedroom, turning off the lights as she went. Once the scarlet-maned mare had crawled under the soft covers of her bed, she found herself deep in thought. "Then again, what if it wasn't the murderer?" She had no proof... And what was she going to tell the commissioner? Storming into his office with ramblings of grotesque vamponies falling into alleys would surely only buy her a one-way ticket to being suspended, or even worse, the madhouse. She turned onto her side, frowning broadly. But then again... This was too unusual to not tell him. And Commissioner Stars had been a close family friend since she was only a filly; he would listen to her. Surely he would take her seriously. "Yeah..." Fact closed her eyes. "I'll tell him in the morning... I just need sleep...." But Fact Finder could not sleep... as she was haunted by the nauseating after images of what she had witnessed.

-------------- The next morning------------

"Wow." The Commissioner raised an eyebrow, crossing his large, coal-coloured forelegs as he regarded Fact with surprise. "You hit the bars pretty hard last night, didn't you?" Fact Finder found it almost impossible to believe what she was hearing.

"Sir, I know what I saw!" She was quickly losing her patience. "It was there! This... This... thing! Right in front of me! It had wings and... and teeth and eyes like-" The heavy stallion on the other side of the wooden desk waved his hoof, silencing her. He pushed a mound of paperwork aside and leaned forward, resting his chin on his hooves; staring at Fact intently. There was a long, awkward silence. The only sounds came from outside the office, of muffled chatter and the clopping of hooves against the hard floor. It slowly dawned on Fact Finder how crazy she must have sounded that moment.

"Fact..." Stars sighed at last, breaking the agonizing silence. "There is a murderer on the loose.... This murderer has claimed 16 victims... We have no witnesses, no leads... You're supposed to be working on cracking this case wide open. But here you are, running to me with stories of strange creatures with bat-wings outside your apartment block?" Fact shuffled in the plastic chair. Stupid... She scalded herself. This was a stupid idea... Commissioner Stars pulled something out from a drawer in his desk, before showing it to her. It was a photograph of Fact when she was just a filly. Her scruffy, unkempt mane brought back memories. She had never been a girly girl; quite the opposite. "I remember when I used to pick you up from school. It seemed you were always a detective. I looked forward to hearing the stories of the little crimes you solved on your lunch break. Remember Prissy Prance and her stolen mane clip?" Fact nodded, struggling to prevent her smile from showing. "You tracked it down and returned it to her. But you didn't accept any reward... I will never forget what you said. You said-"

"It's my job..."

"Yep. It was then I realised you were always meant for the role." He jabbed a hoof toward her sternly. "But you gotta take the job seriously. Unless you can get me proof of this... creature's existence, I'm not interested. Got it?" The mare nodded again, solemnly. What else could she do?

"Yes, sir..."

"right..." He waved her away with a hoof. "dismissed." Fact Finder rose from the chair, trying oh-so hard to suppress the groan which was eager to escape, and left the room quietly. A slender pegasus breezed passed her on the way out.

"S'cuse me!" She exclaimed breathlessly. Fact merely grunted in reply. She needed a drink. As she made her way towards the exit, something caught her attention. Just before the office door closed behind the hurrying pony, she squeaked. "There's been another one..." It didn't take a detective to work out what that had meant. Fact stopped in her tracks; rage slowly building up within her. She needed to get her act together and catch this monster before he took another innocent life.

"And I will..." She growled. "Oh, I swear to Celestia, I will..."

After an inevitably  fruitless trip to the scene of the crime, Fact returned home. But as she made her way up the winding stairs of the block and reached the door to her apartment, she was greeted with something rather unexpected. There was a note pinned to the door. Confused and curious, the unicorn removed it carefully with her magic, and read the writing upon scrap of paper carefully. Fact Finder could not quite believe what she was reading... This seemed to be a day for the unbelievable...

I am truly sorry for frightening you last night. I would very much like to speak with you and apologise. Please meet me at the train station tonight at 12. Or do not, if that would be inconvenient.

Fact blinked. The note wasn't signed, but really, it didn't need to be. Is this guy serious? she thought. Her brain was in a muddle as she attempted to make sense of this. It was most likely an attempt to eliminate her, probably because she had set eyes on him. But, why like this? It would have made far more sense if he had posed as an anonymous source; offering information on the case. Even then, she would have been cautious, but come on... It was as if he wasn't even trying. Yet for some unknown reason, he chose to be...Himself. "Weird..." She murmured quietly, opening the door and bracing herself for another warm welcome from Ace. The scarlet-maned detective's common sense was screaming at her, begging her not to go. But if this... grotesque creature was in fact the murderer, this may be her one chance to catch him, before he claims yet another unfortunate victim... Which hopefully won't be me...

-------------- Midnight------------

The station was astonishingly dark; illuminated only by the flickering lamps; their amber glow failing to repel the surrounding shadows. It was also incredibly empty; making it the perfect location for an ambush. Fact slowed her breathing, trying to remain calm and collected, with only her echoing hoofsteps for company. Scarcely a train rushed by... While she kept her outward emotions thoroughly in check, inside, the unicorn was in a state of emotional turmoil. Her heart was pounding and her stomach lurched violently. She felt as if her breakfast was about to make a surprise reappearance.The icy air sank its invisible teeth into her flesh as she examined her surroundings with utmost caution. Not that the mare could see much... She nearly jumped out of her skin as the wind picked up, rustling old scraps of paper and litter across the damp concrete... a newspaper brushed her leg, causing her to shiver. The quaking detective's horn and the paper were enveloped in a mystical green aura, as she picked it up and strained her emerald eyes to read the headline:

Hunt for Atom Discharge dropped

Fact Finder frowned and tossed the paper away with a heavy sigh, allowing the wind to catch it and sweep it into the night. Growing increasingly impatient, she called out. "Okay, I'm here! Just as you wanted!" She growled, fiercly. "Show yourself!" For a while there was no response, until a hushed shuffling noise caused her to whirl and stare at the source. The very creature who had appeared outside her apartment block. Her breath caught in her throat as the horrifying memory returned to her. The dull grey coat, the bone white muzzle, the leathery wings, the crimson stained lips, the dagger-like teeth... and the eyes... like blazing ruby rings in a sea of darkness... It stood before her, the nightmarish vision,  mere metres away, regarding her with curiosity and what looked like... Fear? At last it spoke.

"Ah... w-well, yes... I..." It said in a quivering voice, wringing it's hooves anxiously. Despite his tone, he sounded like a rather sophisticated speaker, although there was a slight growl in his trembling voice. While this behaviour was certainly unexpected, Fact kept her guard up. She was certain that this... thing was the elusive murderer... intent on making her his next victim. "I... I suppose I should introduce myself... M-My name's Zombi..." He continued, extending a cold hoof toward her. Fact Finder gazed at the hoof in shock for a few short seconds, before extending her own...

... Which impacted upon the stallion's face, knocking him to the hard ground, unconscious.

Fact dared not move for a while as she tried to figure out what had just occurred. She groaned loudly and her hooves flew to her forehead when she realised at last.

"Dammit instinct..."

End of Chapter

No more

]Zombi[: Deception

                                                                    -Chapter 3: No more-

Upon closer examination, the stallion, who had referred to himself as 'Zombi', did not seem quite as frightening as Fact Finder had initially thought. As he lay, sprawled on the wet concrete, he actually looked kind of... innocent. His eyes were large and round, and even in his unconscious state he retained an anxious crease in his brow. His dark mane had a ruffled, wind-swept look to it and his coat was smooth, yet slightly tarnished by dirt. Looking at the unusual Pegasus now, Fact almost felt guilty for punching his lights out. Almost. The  weary unicorn mare had seen her fair share of psychopaths that had been innocent on the outside, but possessed a twisted, blackened mind within them. Not taking any chances, Fact Finder knelt down beside the sleeping stallion, lowering her head slowly and pressing the tip of her pale grey horn against his wrists, never once taking her eyes off him. An emerald glow emanated from her horn and wound its way around Zombi's motionless wrists, restraining them in magical bonds.

"Thank you for cooperating..." Fact chuckled breathlessly, certain her heart was about to give out from the excitement, several decades before its time. To her surprise, Zombi's leathery wings fluttered and he murmured.

"You're welcome..." The mare leapt back in shock, her horn glowing fiercly, preparing to retaliate. But the grotesque pony did not move. It seemed he had responded to her giddy statement in his sleep. Fact Finder raised an eyebrow inquiringly and stepped closer. Still nothing. She leaned down and gave Zombi another thorough study. She still could not come to terms with how... frightening... yet innocent, he appeared.

"I've seen some crazy stuff in my time..." She breathed. "But you... you're just.. just..." The unicorn's mind seemed unable to come up with a word that could even come close to describing the being lying before her.

Thunder rumbled suddenly; causing Fact to raise her head to the moonlit sky. A light drizzle began, which soon developed into a heavy downpour. Zombi stirred slightly as the rainwater fell upon his limp body, soaking his fur and running into his open mouth. The stallion spluttered and his face contorted into a look of shock. His blood-red eyes opened slowly, trying to keep the icy rain from flowing into them.

"Unnhh... Oh!" He groaned, clutching his snowy muzzle as the sharp pain suddenly took effect. "W-What happened...?" Fact fixed Zombi with a piercing gaze, from which he shrank back and whimpered pathetically. "Y-you punched me..." Fact rolled her eyes.

"No shit." She exclaimed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "What gave it away? Was it the hoof hitting you in the face, perhaps?" The grey stallion frowned heavily, obviously taken aback by the detective's less than apologetic attitude.

"B-but... What have I ever done to you...? I never hurt you..." He sounded as if he were about to burst into tears. Fact, however, was not falling for it... She knew this creature was a cold-blooded killer... Although she could not prove it; it was obvious. How could he not be, with his frightening features and over-the-top fragility? It must all be an act to save his sorry hide...

"No." THe mare said bluntly; displaying her polished silver badge. "Not me." Her expression was as hard as stone as she recalled the victims' lifeless faces... all seventeen of them. All of which murdered brutally at the hooves of this freak. Any sympathy she had felt for this creature disintegrated in an instant. "You are under arrest on suspicion of murder..." Zombi paled; his dull grey coat becoming as white as his muzzle.

"M-murder...?" He squeaked in distress, The odd pegasus scrambled into a sitting position, wringing his hooves desperately. "There... Must be some mistake! I... I never-" Fact cut into his sentence abruptly, nearly screaming into his grotesque face.

"Don't play games with me!" She growled, her eyes blazing with fiery rage. "Their blood is on your hooves, you bastard! And I swear; You're going to pay for every last drop!" The furious mare puctuated each emphasised word with a stomp; causing Zombi to flinch every time her hoof struck the ground. Rain pounded her, matting her Scarlet mane against her head. Fact Finder leaned in close, her breathing ragged, so that their noses were mere millimetres apart. "I'm gonna make you wish you'd never-" She was interuppted by a piercing scream. The detective whirled and cursed. The sound had come from within the city, not far from her current position. She seized Zombi by the scruff of the neck with her magic and proceeded to dash towards the source of the shriek at breakneck speed, dragging the stallion along behind her.

Soon, they were rushing through the busy streets of Canterlot, dodging ponies and attempting to pinpoint the origin point of the sound. What could possibly be happening that could cause such panic? This was just one of the many questions circling through Fact Finder's mind as she forced her way through the crowd of despairing ponies. The bustling rabble was becoming rapidly denser as the grey-coated unicorn progressed; pushing civilians out of her path as she galloped through the rain to the centre of the disturbance.

Then she stopped.

Somewhere amid the excitement, Zombi had disappeared. Fact had been so caught up that she had been unable to maintain the magical restraints binding his wrists, allowing him to slip away, unnoticed. "Buck!" She hissed, scanning the crowd for any trace of the unnatural stallion, which of course proved to be completely in vain. Shaking her head and focusng on the task at hoof, the furious detective worked her way to the source of the noise and gasped. How...?  she thought, struggling to keep her quaking knees from buckling beneath her. How!?

There was a unicorn, lying in the middle of the cobbled street as rain beat the ground in a relentless rythm around her. She was very young, very pretty... and very dead... Fact knelt down, examining the corpse in disbelief; as the blood merged with the already murkly puddle which surrounded her. The beige pony's once spectacular dress was now bloodied and torn; her pale face bearing the same expression that had been frozen on the faces of all the other victims... She even bore the same wounds...  "How could this happen...?" The trembling mare breathed, the spot in which she knelt pooled with the orange glow of the streetlamp, as if it was all some kind of performance... in which she played the starring role. But Fact Finder did not feel like a star... She felt stupid... helpless... a failure... "I'm sorry..." She whispered in a quivering voice, reaching down to grasp the deceased mare's already cold hoof in her own. A single tear rolled down her cheek as her eyes closed, blocking out the collective sounds of the muttering crowd which surrounded her. "I let you down... While I made mistakes... You lost your life..." Fact Finders's heart felt heavy in her soaking chest, yet empty.So Zombi was not the killer... It seemed the unicorn had simply wasted vital time; judging a pony by his appearance. Yes... That's all it was wasn't it? She had no proof of him being even remotely related to the murders... She merely Judged. And now this beautiful young mare with so much to live for has become just another lifeless shell... because the detective had judged.

Fact lowered her head in anguish, staring into the crimson puddle, as it gleamed in the amber glow of the streetlamp.Her murky reflecton sighed and wiped the tears from it's eyes, just as the detective did the same. The distinctive sound of hooves gallopping through the murmuring mass of panicked ponies caused her to raise her head; tears still streaming from her red-rimmed eyes. She could hear shouts of authority and reassurance as a group of officers forced their way to the center; backed by a pair of  guards clad in silver armour, and led by a familiar face.

"Alright, everypony, back off! This is-" The caramel coated stallion froze when he laid eyes on the despairing mare, and the lifeless corpse that lay beside her. "Fact!?" He cried, kneeling down. "What in Luna's moon happened here!?"  Fact Finder shook her head furiously, raindrops scattering around her, as she struggled to find her voice.

"I... Pursuit... I just..."  She muttered helplessly. The stallion named Pursuit... Or Hot Pursuit, as is his full name, held the scarlet -maned unicorn close; stroking her soaking mane comfortingly as the rain continued to beat down around them.

"Shhh..." He whispered in an attempt to console her. "Keep calm... breathe slowly..." Fact followed his instructions; slowing her ragged breaths and gathering her senses. Pursuit had always been close to the fiery mare. Not in a romantic way; but more as if he were an older brother to her. He had always been there to defend her when she'd needed it most, to comfort her in times of stress and to give her a hoof to hold, when nopony else understood. "I don't know what happened..." Fact Finder nodded toward the young mare's cold, motionless body solemnly. "I heard a scream... I came running... She was just... dead... when I got here..." The raven-maned unicorn officer stood slowly, and carefully helped Fact to her hooves.

"It's not your fault FF." He patted her on the back gently. Pursuit was always gentle with those he cared about; especially Fact Finder. "There was nothing more you could do." Fact opened her mouth to protest, but the stallion raised a hoof abruptly, cutting the grey-coated detective off before she could even begin. "And don't you dare try to blame this on yourself." He snarled sternly. Yet despite his tone, deep concern was evident in Pursuit's sapphire eyes. "I know you, Fact... You just can't accept that it's impossible to save everypony.You have to learn that you can't blame yourself every time a life is lost..." Fact looked away, glancing around at the bustling crowd of well-dressed mares and stallions, before Pursuit turned her head back gently to face him. "You can't have that kind of guilt riding on your shoulders..." Fact stared into his eyes; her expression as hard as the strongest steel.

"I have failed eighteen ponies." She breathed; her voice filled with determination. "eighteen ponies. Believe me, HP... I'm feeling the guilt." She turned to one of the guards; the last of the tears leaving her to merge with the rainwater which ran down her cheeks, which were down red with rage. "You." The crimson-maned detective said bluntly. "What'syername. Any witnesses?" The guard bit his lower lip; blushing fiercly.

"W-Well..." Fact grew increasingly impatient as Pursuit backed away a little; fearful of the mare's reaction to the incoming answer.

"Oh!" The detectives hooves clamped her head in despair. "Oh, you've gotta be kidding me!" She stepped forward and jabbed the snowy-coated guard in the dripping, silver chest plate with a firm hoof. "Are you telling me..." She growled; struggling to suppress the scream that rose in her throat. "...That this guy jumped an innocent mare in a busy street and absolutely nopony saw it!?" The frightened stallion looked down at her, trembling violently. An amusing sight, despite the circumstances, as Fact was significantly smaller than the guard.

"I-I'll ask around again..." He muttered hastily, scurrying away. Fact brushed her damp, red mane out of her eyes as the downpour persisted.

"Yeah." She sighed heavily. "You do that..." The unicorn turned back to Hot Pursuit; shaking her head slowly. "I don't believe this Pursuit. This poor kid was killed in public and nopony saw a bucking thing!" She lifted her gaze with a look of dire helplessness on her pale grey face. "Sometimes I-"

She stopped.

Pursuit wasn't looking at her. He was looking up, past her.

"Fact... look." Fact Finder turned, slowly and followed the stallion's gaze; squinting through the heavy rainfall. She gasped when she caught sight of a figure... standing on the rooftop, overlooking the scene; a twisted, maniacal grin pasted across it's shrouded face.

"Son of a bitch..." She breathed. A smile worked it's way aross Pursuit's lips.

"we've got him now. Hey!" The caramel coated officer signalled to his team and pointed toward the figure, who immediately began to flee. The officers and guards followed suit, galloping, full pelt, away from the scene; leaving Fact and Pursuit alone in the rain. The crowd parted as if it were cut with a blade, and a group of ponies dressed in specialised suits and masks made there way toward the crime scene. "So, whaddaya say FF?" Pursuit grinned, nodding at the soaking mare with his trademark mischievous wink (that never failed to make the mares swoon). "Wanna give me a hand with this?"  Fact took one final glance at the pony she had failed. No more.

"We're taking that bucker down." She growled icily, before galloping, full speed, after the suspect; pursuit not far behind.

The chase was on.

End of Chapter

Pursuit

]Zombi[: Deception

                                                                    -Chapter 4: Pursuit-

"We've got to get up there!" Fact Finder called to her ally as they galloped into the narrow alleys, trying not to lose track of the shadowy blur that fled across the tall buildings, leaping the gaps with practiced ease. Hot pursuit cast a sceptical glance toward the mare as he swerved to avoid the trash can which blocked his path.

"And how do you propose we do that!?" He retorted impatiently. "The guy's seven storeys up!" It was true... The suspect definitely had the high ground. In more ways than one. The wind and rain pelted the detective's face as she ran; trying to deduce a means to reach their quarry and level the playing field. This was proving to be difficult, however, as there were no fire escapes to climb in order to ascend to the rooftops.

"There must be something we can try!"  Fact cried desperately, nearly slamming into a wall when they came across a sharp turn. The killer was drawing further and further away, now. The questions pooled in Fact Finder's overwhelmed mind. They had never even caught a glimpse of the murderer before now... and suddenly he turns up at the scene of the crime; practically allowing himself to be spotted? Something was not right here... not right at all. It was as if he had revealed himself...

...On purpose.

But that did not matter. Nothing did, except the pursuit. She crammed every question she had into the back of her head and focused, transferring all the energy she possessed into her pumping legs. They had to put a stop to this monster, no matter the cost.

"Wait..." Pursuit gasped, confused. "Where is my team?" Fact had actually been wondering the exact same thing. The pair had not caught sight of the officers or the guards since they had set off after the suspect. Suddenly, one of the armoured stallions appeared on the rooftop, blocking the fleeing figure's path. Their quarry skidded to a halt and tried to turn back, only to run into the other guard. It was not long before the rest of the group closed in around him. He was trapped. Pursuit grinned and slowed his pace; eventually stopping and turning to his exhausted friend. "Well, well..." He chuckled, exasperated; brushing his golden fringe out of his eyes. "Looks like my boys have already got it covered."  Fact could not help but relish the despair of the shrouded suspect, as he looked around frantically for a way out.

"Like a bug in a jar..." She breathed; releasing an enormous sigh of relief. Can it really be over? The detective thought; not quite able to believe what was happening. Have we stopped him? At last? The shadowy figure stopped and turned slowly, staring at the scarlet-maned mare through the torrential downpour... then he grinned broadly. Fact's relief soon transformed into pure panic, as her thumping heart sank and her face began to pale. What she had failed to recognise, is that some bugs... Had a deadly bite.

Lightning flashed, temporarily blinding the ponies at a crucial moment. The suspect seized his chance... but he did not try to escape... Fact Finder's vision recovered, just in time to see the guard hit the ground before her with a sickening crunch, as his skeleton shattered and cracked upon the collision with the hard, unforgiving cobblestone. Her hoof clasped to her mouth and her eyes widened in horror when she spotted the bloody gouge in his neck, part of his trachea dangling out of it as warm, crimson fluid spilled out of the wound onto the cold, wet ground. Pursuit stared at his late colleague blankly; the colour drained from his face.

"Sweet Celestia..." He drew in a sharp, trembling breath, before raising his gaze toward the rooftop once again. The officers were equally as terrified, as the murdere twisted his body in one smooth movement and lunged for the next guard, pinning him to the roof. Due to the angle, Fact Finder could not observe what was happening to the stallion, but she knew it would not be any less gruesome than what had been dealt to the first. The screams of pain and spurts of blood soon confirmed her theory. The mare turned quickly and gripped her partner by yhe shoulders, shaking him violently.

"Dammit Pursuit, we have to do something!" She cried, in a state of terror and panic. "W-We have to do something!"

"Like what!?" Fact gripped her head and struggled to hold back her tears as she watched the horror unfold on the rooftop, a jade-coated stallion's hind leg being wrended and gnawed from it's socket as his excruciated howls filled the air.Suddenly, an idea came to the unicorn mare.

"Launch me!" She yelled, whirling to face Pursuit, who fixed her with a shocked expression.

"What?" He breathed; unable to comprehend what was occurring before his very eyes.

"Launch me!" The detective screamed. "Get me up there!" Pursuit bit his lip, trembling.

"I- I don't... I don't know if I c-"

"Just do it!" With that, the stallion mustered up all the magical energy he could, enveloping Fact in a deep-blue aura. He gave a mighty roar as he strained; sweat already running down his forehead, along with the rain and his face turned a bright scarlet. Whipping his head around with immense force , Pursuit flung the sodden, terrified mare as hard as he was able; sending her rocketing skywards, the ground rapidly becoming so far away. The combination of the sudden jolt, speed and height caused Fact FInder's stomach to clench, as she began to lose altitude and started to fall to the ground. No... She thought, as the icy grip of fear embraced her. If I fall from this height, I'll be killed! The plummeting unicorn flung out her hooves in desperation. And as if by chance; she managed to dig it into a small crevase in the wall of the building. However, at the speed she was falling, the sudden stop resulted in excruciating pain. As if her leg was about to pop out of it's socket. But as she dangled there, gasping and gritting her teeth, trying not to scream, Fact Finder knew she could not give up. She raised her head, squinting through the pounding rain, while the howling wind threatened to tear her away from the side of the swaying structure. The detective's eyes burned with determination, as she raised her other leg, probing the wall for another hoofhold. Pretty soon she was ascending at a steady pace... refusing to let the elements get the better of her. She was ending this... byany means; even if she ended up a murderer herself.

It would merely be the price of Justice.

Fact cast her gaze to the alley below, to check if Pursuit was still alright. Big mistake. The ground seemed miles away... One wrong move now could result in her being carried away in a body bag; and this cheery thought was only made worse by the mangled corpse of the guard, who lay in a crimson puddle far below. The petrified mare squeezed her eyes shut and tried to compose herself. She had to focus now, more than ever, in order to catch the monster responsible for the deaths of a growing list of innocent ponies. Before long, Fact clambered onto the ledge and breathed a deep, ragged sigh of relief. She lifted her gaze to see the killer, standing above the dismembered, bloody form of the last of the officers. This sight filled the detective with an untold fury, a blazing fire igniting within her.

"You..." She growled venomously, causing the  murderer to whirl and fix her with a piercing stare. It was still too dark to make out his features, but something about him seemed... familiar... However, although she could not see his face clearly, the glint of his twisted, sickening grin was unmistakable; the fresh blood of Hot pursuit's former team dribbling from his lips. He kicked the corpse aside, as if it were little more than litter on the street, and began to circle her, grinning wildly. Fact Finder watched him in silence; the only sounds to be heard were the beating rain as it impacted on the rooftop and the ghostly moaning of the forceful wind.

Without warning, the killer leapt at her, shrieking like a wild animal. But the feisty young mare was not afraid... She was enraged. Instead of trying to avoid the sudden assault, she span quickly and drew back her legs, thrusting them out as hard as she could when her attacker drew close enough. Her hind hooves impacted against the killer's face with a horrific crack, sending him flying across the rooftop until he hit the damp gravel. However, this only slowed the murderous stallion slightly, for as soon as he hit the floor he rolled and sprung to his hooves again, preparing for another lunge. Despite the immense pain he must have been experiencing; the disturbing, bloody smile never once left the assailaint's lips. This only fuelled Fact Finder's burning fury. "Stop grinning, you twisted son of a-!" She roared, galloping, full pelt, towards him;  her head down and her horn forward. The killer skipped around and released a burst of mocking laughter, whipping his tail around and wrapping it around Fact's throat. She drew in a rattling gasp as he tugged, constricting her. The mare's hooves flew to her neck and she pulled at the tail; but this only succeeded  in making it tighter. The rain soaked pony's air was rapidly running out, while the shrouded killer continued to tug; throttling the detective mercilessly. Fact's vision was beginning to blur and darken... and she felt the cold veil of death flutter over her, waiting to claim her... It was all over...

"You have been a thorn in my side for too long..." Hissed a familiar voice in her ear. Though it was slightly muffled by her consciousness slipping away, the words were as clear as crystal. "You should have left the case alone... given up.. But you persisted... and now..." He tightened his grip, threatening to crush her windpipe. "...You shall pay the ultimate price!" Fact did not struggle. It was much too late for that. Any resistance now would be completely futile... for she had lost...

Or had she?

"Hey, freak!" The helpless mare and her assailant turned their heads simultaneously, to see a drenched Hot Pursuit; his sharp, dripping horn glowing dangerously. "Any other time, I would've asked you to step away from the detective and surrender. But now you've royally pissed me off..." He lowered his head suddenly and unleashed a powerful blast of sapphire magic, which struck the killer full in the chest, sending him rocketing across the rooftop with a shriek; impacting on a ventilator with enough force to shatter a few bones. "...I'm not feeling so generous." Pursuit stood panting, his horn emanating a blue smoke as it cooled down in the rain. After a brief rest he galloped over to Fact, who was sprawled on the floor, coughing and spluttering violently.

"Could you have taken any longer?" She gasped, glaring heatedly at the caramel stallion, who shrugged and helped the recovering mare to her hooves.

"Hey, you're lucky I got here when I did!" Pursuit retorted, patting his companion down. "You just love gettin' yourself into trouble don't you, Fact?" Fact did not answer, for their enemy was stirring again, clutching his side and groaning. But his pained moans soon transformed into a demented chuckle, sending chills down the spines of the detective and the officer. He raised his head and cracked his neck loudly, regarding the ponies with cold, bloodthirsty eyes. Lightning flashed suddenly, lighting up the scene, and for the first time, Fact could see her target clearly... Though what she was seeing, she was having a hard time believing.

"No..." She gaped, her voice trembling. "I-It can't be... You were with me when... when..." The bewildered detective could not continue, as the monster rose, spreading his leathery grey wings and grinning like a hyena, exposing a horrifying maw of razor sharp teeth behind crimson stained lips. His eyes were fixed on her and her alone, like burning rubies, shining through darkness.

Zombi.

End of Chapter

Unforseen complications

]Zombi[: Deception

                                                                    -Chapter 5: Unforseen complications-

"Oh, are you confused?" Zombi giggled icily. "No wonder... It really is quite impossible!" The terrifying stallion took a step closer. "But then so am I..." Fact Finder sank to her knees, staring at Zombi in a combination disbelief and horror. How could this be? Zombi had been with her when they had heard the piercing scream. Yet here he was; blood dripping from his grinning lips, as the ponies looked on in awe and terror.

"Fact..." Pursuit breathed shakily, not taking his eyes off the grotesque pegasus for even a second. "W-what is that...?" Zombi surged forward suddenly, until he and the officer were face to face; their noses almost touching.

"Ohhh..." Zombi stuck out his lower lip in mock sadness. "Did Miss Finder not tell you about me? I'm hurt!" His bone white cheeks stretched into an enormous blood-drenched smile and he gripped the golden-maned unicorn's chin between his cold, grey hooves, staring deep into his fearful eyes. "I am Zombi." His grin broadened further, exposing more dagger-like teeth. "And I killed those ponies."  He turned and strutted away, throwing a foreleg to his forehead and sobbing dramatically. "Oh, you have caught me! I am clearly guilty!"  But his theatrical sobs soon became hysterical, screeching laughter. "Yet this is far from over, detective!" The murderous pony whirled and jabbed a hoof at the Fact, causing her to fall back in surprise. "You may know who I am... But only because I have allowed it to be so!" Pursuit struggled to process this information.

"Y-you mean all this... was deliberate!?" Zombi snorted at the officer, clearly amused by his shock.

"Oh, puh-lease!" He scoffed, raising an eyebrow. "You really think I would be clumsy enough... foolish enough... to return to the scene of the crime, at the risk of being spotted? No..." He rubbed his hooves together gleefully, the icy wind flicking his dark sodden mane around as he grinned maniacally. "I wanted to give you a sporting chance! Albeit at the cost of your most formidable player..." He gestured towards Fact, whose jaw dropped as if it were about to separate itself from her skull.

"'player'?" She growled breathlessly; her rage rapidly building. "Is this some sort of game to you!?" Zombi tapped his chin thoughtfully as rainwater rushed down his unnatural face.

"Hmm... Well, perhaps actor is a more appropriate term. I see this as more of a... play." He clapped his dull grey hooves  and tilted his head, smiling brightly with blood-soaked lips, his deep red eyes wide and wild. "And what a play it is! Mystery, tradgedy, comedy.... Simply marvellous!" The unicorn detective could take no more of this. She leapt up suddenly and threw herself at the sick-minded pony, preparing to tear him, limb from limb. However, she did not get the chance; for she immediately collided, head first, with a solid wall of blue magical energy. Zombi watched her slide down the translucent barrier with an amused smirk, the rain beating down on his leathery wings loudly. Fact Finder scowled up at her partner, infuriated and confused.

"Why the buck did you stop me!?" She screamed at him, her light-grey cheeks glowing a hot red. Pursuit fixed her with a stern look, which silenced her instantly. She had never seen him so grim. All of his usual cockiness and confidence had deserted him; leaving only cold, hard anger and sorrow... The loss of one's friends can do that to a pony...

"Listen to me, Fact." He said forcefully, brushing his mane out of his sapphire eyes. "You've seen what he can do... Do you want to end up like them!?" The caramel stallion gestured around them, at the mauled, disfigured remains of their former colleagues. "Just think for one second!" Fact observed her tragic surroundings, tears welling in her desperate eyes. Pursuit was right of course; she had not thought. And it could have cost her her life. While the detective sat in the icy wind, despairing, Zombi was finding it rather difficult to refrain from bursting into tears himself... of mad laughter, that is.

"Oh, Miss Finder!" He giggled maniacally, his wings fluttering slightly. "I would love to stay and gloat, but unfortunately I have a list of things I need to get through..." He began trotting away cheerfully, glancing over his shoulder with a wide grin plastered onto his gruesome face. "You live, Fact Finder... But only because you entertain me so..." He leapt onto the slippery ledge and spun to face the mare  as lightning tore through the night sky like a wild beast, ripping hungrily through its prey. Fact watched helplessly as the stallion she had failed to stop bowed theatrically, his bat-like wings spreading suddenly. "...And you know what they say!" He sneered, beginning to tip backwards, falling from the ledge. "The show must go on!"

Then he was gone.

Fact Finder sat in silence, glaring at the spot in which her enemy had stood with burning hatred, as if she could somehow bring him back and impale him on the end of her horn. Pursuit leaned down and layed a gentle hoof on her shoulder. "Come on." He muttered solemly. "We have to clean up this mess..."

-Two hours later-

Fact Finder and Hot Pursuit had decided to stay and overlook the corpses being removed from the scene; mostly due to Pursuit's insistence. He had known every single one of his team personally... they had been through so much together. Even the armoured stallions were close friends oh his. And now they were all gone. Murdered at the hands of Zombi; a psychotic stallion who Fact had already captured. But still managed to kill a pony... while she was looking at him. There was much the detective did not understand about this case. So much about it seemed... impossible. After the bodies were removed from the scene, the pair should have reported straight to the station for questioning... But... How could anypony be expected to believe their extraordinary story? No. Instead, they travelled back to Fact's appartment.

Fact opened the door weakly, and was surprised to find Ace in his bed, staring at them. The canine could apparently sense his master's sadness, and had decided that this was definitely not the time to be over-friendly. She stepped back to allow her partner into the living room, completely silent. He did not thank her... And after what he had been through, who could begrudge him for being a little bad-mannered? Fact fetched him a towel from the bathroom and handed it to him, not daring to meet his eyes. But she could feel him staring at her. She could feel his contained fury. The damp stallion accepted the towel and begn to dry his golden-mane, while Fact sauntered to her untidy bedroom, dropping her plot onto the unmade, yet highly comfortable bed. Water dripped from her pale grey body, soaking the sheets. But she did not care. She had him in hoofcuffs. How the buck could he murder another pony in cold blood... from so far away? it made no sense... She rested her head in her hooves, wishing it would all just stop. That Zombi would be apprehended and everypony could sleep peacefully.  But it was clear to her that outcome would not be likely. The weary mare gasped when she felt a hoof touch her shoulder, but when she raised her head quickly, her horn channeling magic, she was relieved to see it was Pursuit. She breathed an enormous sigh of relief, shaking her head. Who else could it have been?

"Oh..." She chuckled nervously, her cheeks reddening due to her rather embarrassing reaction. "P-Pursuit, I... I..." But she could not go on; For the stallion had pressed his hoof to her lips, silencing her. He gazed deep into her anxious, emerald eyes, not a word leaving his mouth. Fact was not oblivious to the situation. She had read and seen enough romance novels, plays and films to know exactly what was occurring at this moment in time. But that did not mean she believed it. Hot Pursuit lowered himself onto the damp bed slowly, not once taking his eyes away from her. After several moments of chilling silence,despite the warm orange glow of the bedside lamp, the caramel colt removed his hoof from Fact's lips. The young mare was incredibly confused; she had always considered Pusuit as a brother... What he was doing at this very moment seemed...wrong... maybe even frightening. "Pursuit... I... I don't-" She was interuppted yet again, as Pursuit had replaced the hoof with his own lips and was currently kissing her passionately. The unicorn had no idea what to do; She had never been caught up in a scenario such as this. As the stallion's mouth moved against her own, a chill ran up Fact Finder's spine like an icy current of electricity, causing her body to quake violently. How long has he felt this way? She wondered anxiously as her "friend" began to wrap his forelegs around her soaking, shivering waist gently. Questions buzzed through the detetctive's mind like a hive of disturbed bees, but she could not process anything properly... not while she was in the warm embrace of the one who she had always seen as an older brother. Fact's fear continued to rise in her stomach, as Hot Pursuit began to deepen the kiss, laying her back onto the soft, though slightly soggy, bed. Fact quickly decided she had had enough. This was far too... strange... for her... She raised her hooves to the golden-maned stallion's chest and pushed forcefully, breaking the kiss. Fact Finder shot up into a sitting position and struggled to find her breath. "Pursuit.. I don't... How.." She stared at him; her fearful, yet fiery eyes demanding an explanation. Pursuit stared back, in a state of shock. It was evident he had not anticipated such a reaction from the mare.

"F-fact..." He stuttered, panicking. "I thought you... felt the same way... I.. I..." But Fact cut him off, leaping off the bed suddenly and yelling at him, causing Ace to tense in his bed.

"And what the buck gave you that idea!?" She screamed. "You were like my brother! You stuck up for me like a big brother would! I never thought you... You... This is... This is just wrong!" She stood shaking for a few agonizing minutes; neither of the pair daring to say another word lest it result in further, undesired conflict. The only sound to be heard, was the tireless rythm of the rain pounding the window pane. Eventually, the scarlet-maned mare simmered down, hanging her head, sorrowfully. "I... I'm sorry, Pursuit..." She whimpered.  "I'm just... I never thought you... Felt that way 'bout me..." She lifted her gaze; meeting the stallion's brilliant blue eyes. "How long...?" The anxious officer looked down toward his hooves and sighed, obviously disheartened.

"From the moment I met you, Fact..." He murmured, trying to keep the quiver from his voice. He regarded her with saddened, yet understanding eyes; his anguish shining through. He had suffered so much this night. "I'll be honest; I've dated a few mares... But I found you kinda... different." Pursuit shrugged, shaking his head glumly. "Maybe it was 'cause you never seemed the least bit interested in me. I ain't one to toot my own horn but... Well..." Fact knew exactly what the  stallion was reffering to. Hot Pursuit had always been... popular... with the females; possibly due to his exceptional good looks and charming personality. It seemed as if Fact remained to be the only mare in the entire city of Canterlot, to ignore the stunning stallion's appearance and allure; her mind completely focused on her hectic job, with no time for such follies. In truth, Fact Finder had never expressed an interest in males at all, and was often reluctant to involve herself in the love lives of others. The detective noticed, early on in her life... that most relationships, no matter how strong they seem, always end in heartbreak and tradgedy. Years of watching her Mother and Father's love for each other degenerate had taught her as much. Fact had vowed to save herself the trouble... and the pain.  "I've loved you for so long..." Pursuit continued, his cheeks glowing a heated red. "I just.. thought you felt the same way, and... you were just pretending..." To the mare's total shock, he began to sob. He clutched his head as tears began to stream across his blushing cheeks. "I- I needed to be sure though! I was going to w-wait! P-put it off until I was sure you felt the way I feel about you!" He hid his face, not bothering to restrain his agonized sobs. "I- I only tried tonight because... because..." He raised his head. Staring at the silent unicorn with red-rimmed eyes; and an expression that could evoke nothing but the deepest pity. "They're all dead, Fact... That bastard killed them... my friends..." The despairing stallion wrung his hooves helplessly. "All gone...  You are all I have left... And I don't wanna lose you too..." He rose from the bed and moved closer, his expression desperate. "So I took a chance... and it failed.." Fact was positively dumbfounded. She had no idea her long-time friend's feelings for her were so powerful. Something stirred within the exhausted unicorn... Something new; that she had never felt before. Could it be possible, that deep down in her heart... She did have feelings for Pursuit? She bit her lip, blushing heavily. This unexpected news had transformed the way in which she viewed her ally entirely... Now she began to see him; not as a brother... But as a potential lover. While Fact was not absolutely certain of her feelings for the stallion... she was sure of one thing... He loved her. This caused the detective's heart to thump strongly, making her feel... strange... A little... warm... A timid smile spread across her lips, as she realised what she must do. She just couldn't stop herself... It was instinct now... "No..." She whispered, utilising her magic to undo her red tie and dropped it gently on the ground. "I think it worked..." She edged forward, sidling up to Pursuit on the bed and resting against him softly, before closing her eyes, cold water dripping from her form. Pursuit's eyes widened a little and his jaw dropped open.

"Oh... uhh... O-Ok." He breathed, completely taken by surprise. Fact Finder smiled warmly. This... "companionship"... would be a completely new experience for her... but one she was certain she would enjoy...

End of Chapter

Speedy Breeze

]Zombi[: Deception

-Chapter 6: Speedy Breeze-

Fact Finder's bright green eyes began to open hesitantly, as the first rays of the morning sunlight pierced the crack in the drawn, black and white pinstriped curtains. The beams of light illuminated each individual raindrop on the window, making for a simple, yet fascinating sight. The scruffy-maned mare smiled brightly, slightly addled in her sleepy state, pushing the covers back and preparing to rise from the warm, comfortable matress. This was the best weather Canterlot had recieved in weeks and she was not going to waste it.

She froze.

A foreleg had moved across her stomach, preventing her from leaving the bed and pulling her towards the owner of the leg. She turned her head slowly; her heart skipping a beat, until she saw who the gentle limb belonged to... then she grinned broadly, her cheeks growing warm as a slight blush painted her pale grey face. The previous night had been... different to say the least. Hot Pursuit's spirits had certainly risen once Fact had released her softer, more caring side after so many years... Truth be told, the detective had no real idea of what she was doing, and ended up heavily improvising. But that obviously proved more than satisfactory to the stallion, who possessed far more experience in that specific area. Fact snuggled up close to her partner, nuzzling his chest softly, causing him to chuckle quietly and mutter something incomprehensible in his sleep. The unicorn mare giggled, caressing the stallion's shining coat with a caring hoof... But something irritated her... In the very depths of her mind, Fact Finder began to doubt herself. Thinking back, the whole event was spontaneous, without any time taken for careful consideration. Did she really love him? the young mare's smile wavered as she thought about it.  It was true that she had been extremely flattered by the revelation of Hot Pursuit's warm feelings toward her; but were the feelings really mutual? It was impossible to be certain, as Fact had never experienced any form of romance in her life: She just wasn't that kind of pony... In all honesty, she did not believe now was the time to be developing such a relationship either. Given the dire situation, it was  imperative that the detective remained focused; with absolutely no distractions. She sighed deeply, clinging to the larger stallions body, listening to his steady heartbeat. Fact closed her eyes again; allowing the rythmic beating to soothe her and wash away all of her doubts. Yet they still remained. The red-headed unicorn opened her emerald eyes again... and she was met with a surprising sight. Ace had clambered onto the bed, and was currently pressing his wet muzzle against her neck, sniffing curiously.

"Ace!" She chuckled, attempting to push hound away."Get off! Down boy!" Ace ignored her and settled in between the ponies, staring at her with round, innocent eyes... Like Zombi's were before... Fact shook her head vigourously, trying to dislodge the thought of Zombi from her already crowded mind. No... She told herself, sternly as the rays of Celestia's warm sun cut across the comfy, yet undeniably untidy bed. Don't ruin the moment for yourself... Just close your eyes and enjoy life for once! But the queries persisted, filling her head. What is Zombi? Where did he come from? What happened to him that resulted in him becoming so... malicious? Suddenly, the grey-coated unicorn's train of thought ground to an unexpected halt, as the stallion she was clung to began to stir, alerting Ace, who leapt from the matress and scurried through the open door hurriedly. Pursuit turned his head, groaning, until his nose brushed against Fact Finder's, causing his sapphire eyes to flicker open in confusion.

"Unngh..." He moaned quietly; his brain still only half-aware. "Fact...?" The detective's cheeks warmed in a gentle blush the moment her name left the golden-maned stallion's lips.

"I'm here, HP..." She whispered, running a soft hoof across his reddening cheek. Pursuit chuckled, relief evident in his facial expression; as he had feared that the previous night had all been a product of his imagination. He gazed, deeply and lovingly into her eyes, brushing her mane out of her smiling face.

"Damn, Fact... I wish I could start every mornin' like this!" Fact Finder smiled and treated the stallion to a light peck on the nose, making him turn a brilliant crimson colour.

"Play your cards right and maybe you can!" She laughed, dragging herself into a sitting position and stretching, releasing a gargantuan yawn. "But first thing's first; how about some breakfast?" She cast her eyes toward the stallion expectantly, who retruned the stare with a blank expression. Obviously he had not realised what she was hinting at. Only when Fact had cleared her throat, rather loudly, did the drowsy unicorn see.

"Oh!" He gasped, slightly surprised by the feisty detective's implied demand. "You want me to...?"

"Yup."

"Ah..." Fact Finder raised an inquiring eyebrow at her partner, resting her hooves on her hips.

"There a problem, Pursuit...?" She asked, icily, daring the caramel colt to refuse her. Pursuit tapped his hooves nervously, trying not to meet his partner's eyes. He was about to say something... something he would most definitely regret at some point in time.

"W-well..." He began, failing to restrain the fearful stammer in his ususally confident voice. "I- it's... your kitchen, r-right...?" Fact glared at him meaningfully, warning him to tread carefully.

"Yeah, so?"

"W-well... Shouldn't you make breakfast...?" There was a long, dreadful silence as soon as the words had tripped off the stallion's careless tongue.There was still so much he needed to learn about this young mare. After an excrutiating pause, Fact spoke, her voice sickly-sweet, which feebly disguised the venom and impatience in her tone.

"Pursuit..." She said, in a sing-song voice that sent shivers rushing down the caramel-coated officer's back. He gulped audiably and brought the untidy covers up to his blushing cheeks, in a pathetic attempt to conceal his fear.

"Y-yeah...?" He responded, trembling: while the fearsome, scarlet-maned mare's terrifying stare intensified.

"I want my breakfast..."

Pursuit opened his mouth to protest, but quickly snapped it shut as common sense kicked in. He nodded and clambered off the bed hastily, dashing through the door in a similar manner to Ace, not long ago. Fact Finder grinned broadly, lying back and releasing a relaxed sigh. Female dominance is victorious once again. Although it was not long before the mare's moment of triumph was interrupted by a harsh knocking on the front door; which sounded as if the source of the beat had something extremely important to say. Fact glared at the ceiling hatefully, wishing she could just lie back and allow the pony at the door to keep knocking, until they eventually give up and leave her in peace. The unicorn detective knew, however, that was not going to happen. Groaning loudly, she dragged herself out of bed, and towards the door, with a face like thunder. The knocking came again; much louder this time. "Alright!" She growled viciously, hastening her journey through the mess of a kitchen, where a certain caramel-coated stallion was struggling to locate the milk. "Relax will ya!? I'm coming!" With more force than was actually necessary, Fact flung the door open and glared at the slender pegasus who awaited her on the other side, whose face seemed equally as grim. The weary detective recognised this winged mare as the pony who had rushed past her on the way out of the commissioner's office... Not that she actually cared much. The pegasus wasted no time in conveying her point to Fact... She was clearly a pony who did not mess around.

"My name's Speedy Breeze," She began, almost too quickly for Fact's still drowsy mind to comprehend. "The Commissioner wants to see you right away!" Speedy's face was fixed in a constant scowl, pyres of fury burning behind her eyes, as if the unicorn had dealt her a rather personal insult. Fact Finder leaned against the door, resting her head in her hoof and regarding the pegasus with a severely irritated expression pasted across her face.

"Now..?" Speedy Breeze's eye's narrowed to slits and her tone became almost threatening for such a small, seemingly harmless pony.

"Now." Pursuit had abandoned the tedious task of searching the wasteland his partner called a kitchen for some cutlery, trotting over to join the conversation, despite his lack of an invitation...

"What's going on, ladies?" He inquired, attempting to use his charms to calm the situation. It appeared to be successful, for as soon as Speedy laid eyes on the rather handsome stallion, her expression and voice softened considerably.

"Oh, good morning Pursuit..." She breathed, almost dreamily, leaning against the door frame, which caused Fact to cast the slender pegasus a glare that could crush even the bravest souls. While she may not have been entirely certain of her feelings for Pursuit, she sure as heck wasn't going to let another mare speak to him like that until she found out.

"Boss wants to see us..." The unicorn mare grunted abruptly, her gaze flicking from Speedy to Pursuit threateningly. Hot Pursuit nodded in response; trotting back to the bedroom to retrieve Fact's tie.  Almost as soon as the caramel stallion had left; Speedy Breeze's harsh attitude had returned.

"So..." She began; a light sneer crossing her lips. "Are you and him... Y'know... Together?" There was a hint of envy in her voice; making it rather apparent that the pegasus had had her sights set on the officer for some time now. The air between the two mares practically rippled with tension as Fact Finder mulled over the question in her  preoccupied mind. After a considerable amount of time, she shrugged; which ruffled Speedy's feathers considerably.

"Maybe." She answered; as blunt as an old mallet. The Pegasus mare was not pleased... Not at all.

"'Maybe'?" She hissed. "'Maybe'!? If he was mine, I would bloody well appreciate him you stuck-up bitch!" She prodded the scarlet-maned detective in the chest; earning a look of pure hatred for her troubles. Fact opened her mouth to come back with something that would send this troublesome pony packing, in floods of tears; but at that moment, Pursuit returned, handing Fact  Finder her tie. An emerald glow surrounded the crimson tie, wrapping it around the detective's neck; who never once stopped glaring at the pegasus before her with blazing hatred.

"Thanks..."

Pursuit shuffled anxiously. He was fully aware that the two ponies were an explosive mixture; and he did not want to get caught in the middle if sparks began to fly.

"So, uhhh... L-Let's get goin' shall we, girls?" The stallion smiled, running a hoof through his golden mane sheepishly. "Don't wanna keep the commissioner waiting, right?"

"No need." Speedy growled; her stare fixed on her nemesis. For once she wasn't interested in Pursuit. "He's coming here..."

Those four syllables made both the unicorns freeze; their jaws dropping open. It was evident from Speedy's victorious smirk that she was relishing the distress and utter shock the pale-coated detective was currently experiencing and loved to watch her squirm in this tight spot. The room was filled with a long, agonising silence as Fact and Pursuit gaped in disbelief. However; the silence was eventually broken, when the Hot Pursuit summed up the collective thoughts of he and the mare, in a single, overly basic word.

"Buck."

Whilst this news was somewhat surprising; it was only to be expected. After the events of the previous night, the two ponies should have reported directly to the station to provide accounts of what they had seen but, obviously, they had not. They had been far to tired and frightened to deal with such a procedure. The fear that clenched tightly around Fact Finder's innards only continued to intensify as the entrance of the apartment block opened and slammed shut audibly. It was apparent the commissioner was not in the best of moods at this point in time; and had come to direct his fury... at her. Heavy hoofsteps thundered up the staircase, emphasising her superior's bottled rage with each thud. As the approaching steps grew louder; Speedy Breeze's smug grin widened.

"You're in for it now, detective..." She smiled, mock-sweetly. "Wish I could stick around to watch the fireworks, but I have places to be; ponies to see..." She turned, pivoting on her hooves and casting a sneer back at a quaking Fact, who was barely managing to contain the blazing anger within her. "See you around... You too Pursuit." She winked at Pursuit and fled hastily, just as the commissioner reached the door. He was not happy to say the least.

"What in Celestia's name did you two think you were doing!?" The heavy, coal coated stallion rumbled; clearly infuriated. "You should have reported directly to the me after last night! The guy could be anywhere in Canterlot by now!" Fact and Pursuit cast their eyes to the ground guiltily. They were completely aware that they were in clear violation of protocol... But of course, Fact Finder could not keep her mouth shut, which surprised nopony at all.

"But... Hot Pursuit's team, sir... They.. We saw..." Pursuit cut her off bluntly; there was no point in sugar-coating  an already terrible truth.

"They're dead sir. We saw them die." A foreboding silence fell upon the room, aside from Ace's pitiful whimpers as he sensed the slowly increasing tension in the surrounding air. The commissioner regarded Hot Pursuit with a mix of emotions, unsure how he should react to this sudden statement. "They were all slaughtered... My- My closest friends... I..." The sapphire eyed officer swallowed and shook his head; the gruesome images returning to terrorize his shaken mind. Fact stroked his back in an attempt to console him. Unfortunately, offering emotional support was not something the detective excelled at. Stars sighed; his expression softening significantly. He stepped forward and placed a large hoof on Pursuit's shoulder.

"I know son..." He spoke gently; rather surprising due to his bulkiness and age. "I... I understand but... but you... Ahhh, forget it..." He stepped back again, looking from one pony to the other. "I get what you experienced, Pursuit... What you both experienced. And I understand how you feel... But an occurrence like that makes you think doesn't it?" He began to make his way back through the open door, nodding at Fact and Pursuit in turn. "You think about the things you are afraid to lose. About the pony you want to spend your days with." He chuckled quietly, shaking himself. "But enough of that, eh? I'll leave you two to uhhh... whatever it was you were doing. Just make sure this never happens again. I let you off this time, but only this time..." The commissioner winked and grinned broadly, causing the Scarlet-maned mare to blush fiercely, her cheeks becoming almost as vividly red as her hair. She would have to try to keep a lid on this whole relationship affair... At least until she was absolutely certain she loved him. Just as the large stallion began to close the door, he called through. " Just make sure this never happens again. I let you off this time, but only this time... Oh, and you might wanna close that window! There's a bit of a chill coming through." As soon as the door closed, Fact and Pursuit froze. They cautiously cast their gazes towards the window beside the bedroom door, a deep and foreboding fear rising within them. The window had been flung wide open, the sun had been drowned within a sea of threatening storm clouds and the rain, that had only just begun to fall, fell upon the soft cream carpet, the bedroom door left slightly ajar...

"D-did you...?" Fact began, even though she already knew her companion's reply.

"No..." They gulped in unison, edging towards the door with great care, the chilling breeze from the open window gnawing at their weary bones. Fact's horn glowed dangerously, as if it were engulfed by a changeling's emerald flame, preparing to retaliate in case whatever lay on the other side of the door turned out to be hostile. Which, given the current chain of events, seemed more than likely. Pursuit nodded, pressing his caramel hoof lightly against the wooden door; tensing as it opened with a long, painfully loud creak. The two ponies' jaws dropped and an untold terror clawed at their insides. For there, sat on the bed, before their very eyes... Was a monster...  murderer... a psychopath... a sadist...

He was in her home...

End of Chapter

Further Confusion

]Zombi[: Deception

  -Chapter 7: Further Confusion-

Fact Finder gaped in a combination of shock, disbelief, and complete and utter terror. The one responsible for the deaths of 18 innocent Canterlot citizens was sitting on her bed, right in front of her. How did he find her? How did he know where she lived? Did he follow her? But the most important question of all was.... What happens next? It was now horrifyingly obvious that there was nowhere she could possibly escape from Zombi's seemingly unquenchable blood-lust.

The grotesque stallion sat awkwardly, staring at her with his round, black and red eyes while his leathery grey wings twitched at his sides... As if he were preparing for the perfect opportunity to strike. None of the three ponies said a word; two of them couldn't. They had become paralysed with unquestionable fear. The rain, however, refused to join them in their silence, continuing to pound the windows relentlessly, the shadow of each droplet speckling Zombi's cold, emotionless face as the dull light of the outside world shone through the window. Without warning the bloodthirsty pegasus arose from the bed, leaving a damp imprint on the covers behind him as Fact Finder and Hot Pursuit leapt back, struggling to contain their cries of horror. He tilted his head to one side, observing them both with an unreadable expression pasted upon his unnatural visage. The red-maned mare could feel her the current of magical energy flowing through her horn at increasing speed as her heart pounded against her ribcage as if it was desperate to escape the horrible fate that awaited her... She tried to suppress the rapid flow of energy, just enough so that her horn did not glow. If Zombi were to notice then he would surely strike before she had a chance to attack, and he would tear her limb from limb...  This mental image almost caused the detective to regurgitate; not only because it was so horrible, but because it was possible. It was true... Her and Fact were completely at the demented stallion's mercy. And from what she had seen as of late...

...She doubted he had any mercy.

He opened his mouth; his razor-sharp teeth glinting in the dull light of the obstructed sun, ready to sink into the flesh of the first unicorn to make a move. At last he spoke, his voice sending shivers down the young mare's spine.

"Miss Finder..." He said in a low growl, taking a few slow steps towards her. Suddenly his stance altered dramatically; his head hung guiltily and his wings clung to his dull, grey form tightly. He patted the floor with an awkward hoof, looking up at her with an expression filled with regret and fear, like a foal who knew he had defied his parent's will. "I... I am truly sorry for running away from you last night... B-But you see, I was ever so scared... A-And I didn't want to be arrested..." While  Fact Finder stood, slack-jawed and awestruck, Zombi turned his attentions to Pursuit, who was equally as confused. "O-oh.... I... I do not believe we have met, good sir..." He extended a slightly hesitant hoof, obviously unsure whether or not the caramel-coated stallion would accept his greeting, given the way he appeared to be gaping at him. "M-My name is Z-" The unusual pegasus never managed to finish his introduction however, as Pursuit had swiftly gathered his senses and grabbed zombi's throat in a ring of deep blue magic, constricting it and throwing him to the floor with great force before pouncing on him and pinning him down.

"You son of a..." Fact could not be sure if the officer had bothered to complete that sentence, for if he had, it had been drowned out by Zombi's scream of intense pain when Pursuit's hoof impacted upon his face with incredible force. Pursuit did not stop there... He continued to pound Zombi's face relentlessly, desperate to avenge those he had lost. So this was why he didn't grieve the night before... he was containing it within him. Saving it for now.

Fact cringed and winced every time the vengeful stallion's hoof struck Zombi's face... Even though she was fully aware that she felt nothing but hatred for the ruthless killer. However, her detective's instincts were warning her that something was amiss in this entire situation. That something was... out of place... She swallowed her squeamishness and watched the odd pegasus' actions, to observe how he reacted to his current predicament; and what she found was mosy surprising indeed. He was not fighting back. Not even a punch. The unicorn's emerald eyes widened and her brow creased in confusion. What in Luna's name is goin' on here!? Suddenly, another unexpected thing happened. Zombi's face contorted into an unreadable expression; somewhere between anger and grief. His  eyes closed as the next punch caused the deep red blood to pour from his bruised and beaten muzzle; his mouth opening and closing in an odd manner, almost as if...

Then he began to cry.

Fact's jaw dropped and she stared in amazement, as the cold-blooded killer before her began to gush salty streams from his tightly closed eyes, sobbing like a wounded child.

"I-I'm sorry! I'm so, s-so sorry! P-please! S-stop hurting me! I- I'm..." He gasped though his tears. Pursuit paused for a moment... But only a moment. Once again he drew back his leg, preparing to strike Zombi full in the face.

"I'm not falling for it..." The unicorn officer growled, viciously. "Don't expect me to go easy on you, just 'cause you're blubbing... Not after what you did to them!" The next few words to be spoken, stirred the detective into taking action. Zombi curled up and squealed through his incessant tears of pain and confusion.

"I don't know what I've done!!!" Fact Finder could tell immediately that  the puzzling pegasus was telling the truth, and she leapt forward, grabbing Pursuit's powerful hoof with both of her own before he could strike his wailing target again.

"Wait!" She gasped as her partner struggled against her grip. "Ngh... Stop, dammit!" She refused to let go of his hoof, forcing it back with all the strength she could muster; which was a surprising amount given her size. The caramel stallion glared back at her, surprised and astounded that she would even consider defending the creature that lay beneath him.

"Fact, what the-!?" Fact returned with her own heated glare, while Zombi peeked from behind his blood-drenched hooves, still whimpering and shuddering violently.

"Look at him, HP! He hasn't got any idea what's happening or why!" She relaxed her tense grip, allowing Pursuit's hoof to slide down between hers slowly, until she released it and it fell to the dumbfounded colt's side. He stared down at Zombi with a blank expression, refusing to believe that he had no clue what was going on around him. Eventually, Hot Pursuit shook his head vigorously.

"N-No! H-He's lying!" He gripped the battered, bat-winged by the foreleg, who squealed pathetically and started to release rivers of oblivious tears once again. Pursuit didn't know what to do... He had almost beaten this pony within an inch of his life, for something he could not even remember. His expression transformed into one of complete and utter horror as he rose from the bloodied and bruised pegasus, trembling with unimaginable guilt and fear. "What have I done...?"  Fact stepped forward and hauled her partner away by the shoulders. from the blubbering wreck who lay bleeding on the carpet. She then, crouched down before Zombi, inspecting him thoroughly, making sure the emotions he was currently displaying were as sincere as they appeared. After a short while she was satisfied. The red-headed pony reached forward with a slightly quivering hoof and placed it gently on the stallion's back, resting between his wings. The unexpected contact caused Zombi to shudder violently and stare at her with large, fear-filled eyes. The ruby rings of his irises no longer fazed the mare... nor did the sea of darkness that surrounded them.

"I-I'm sorry..." He whispered through shaking gasps. "I sh-shouldn't have run aw-away..." His dull, grey eyelids had started to flutter, struggling to keep themselves open. Fact Finder merely nodded and shushed him quietly...

"You're losing a lot of blood Zombi..." She muttered, stroking him behind the drooping ear lightly. "Don't fight it... You rest and we'll take care of everything, won't we?" She cast a backwards glance at Hot Pursuit, who was still gaping in shock and horror. At last he shook himself, grasping reality firmly and nodding. Although he could not believe the words that left his lips.

"Y-yeah... W-We'll take care of ya..."  Satisfied, the unicorn detective turned to Zombi again and forced a smile, desperately attempting to conceal her inner turmoil. What is going on!? Her mind was screaming as it strained itself to process the information it was taking in. The expression appeared to have been successful, as Zombi returned the smile wearily, exposing his blade-like teeth. Though it may have simply been the blood-loss...

"I'm so s-sorry..." He sighed quietly, his round eyes flickering shut as he slipped into the realm of sleep; a final tear rolling down his snow-white cheek. "M-Miss Finder..."

Then there was silence.

Half an hour later, Fact and pursuit had cautiously tended to their "guest's" wounds, constantly aware that he might spring up from his weakened state at any moment and slaughter them both... Which, thankfully, did not happen. The pair had agreed on allowing Zombi to sleep in Fact's own bed, until he regained consciousness and recovered from the beating Hot Pursuit had dealt to him. Meanwhile, The two unicorns were sat, slumped in their chairs in the living room; processing the  events that had occurred this night.

"Well..." The redheaded mare began, shrugging; seeming oddly nonchalant about the whole affair. "I've got nothing to say..." She cast her gaze over to her shell-shocked partner, an expression of deep concern pasted across her pale yet steely face. "Except that I'm confused as buck..." Pursuit shook his head slowly, screwing up his features.

"I don't get it!" He exclaimed loudly, but not so loud that he would wake Zombi, who slumbered soundly in the next room. "We saw him murder my friends! I saw him with his tail around your throat! He admitted everything!" The caramel unicorn gestured towards the bedroom with a still trembling hoof. "But he's in there, sleepin', and he doesn't remember a damn thing!"

Fact Finder leaned back and sighed, staring blankly out of the window; into the dark, stormy skies as the rain slammed against the glass pane with a series of rapid, audible smacks. Though her face seemed devoid of all emotion, the officer knew, thanks to years of experience with her, that this meant the mare was deep in thought.

"Could be that his mind... Ain't all there. He could suffer from a multiple personality disorder. But a super extreme case; where it is literally two minds occupying the same body." She tilted her head, resting it against the cool window, and closed her eyes."You know what I mean, right? He probably doesn't remember what he did because it was never  really his doing." Pursuit stood suddenly, causing Fact to open her eyes and stare at him, without actually moving her head from the window.

"Y-You really think so?" The golden-maned stallion inquired, biting his lip. He was evidently in a state of panic. "Y-you mean he could switch at any moment, kill us both, and not remember any of it?" He paused, a look of realisation in his sapphire eyes. "Wait... wait a minute. He recognised you." The Detective raised an eyebrow, confused by Pursuit's sudden outburst.

"I'm not sure I-" She began, before she remembered. She had never informed him of her very first encounter with the frightening stallion named Zombi. "Oh... yeah." The emerald eyed detective rose in the chair slightly, shuffling into a comfortable position so she could fill her partner in on the entire event. The taller pony glared at her sternly, crossing his front legs and slumping in the chair with a huff. He seemed so childish at times...

"Are you hiding something from me, FF?" He growled, causing Fact to return a glare of her own. The mare sighed and shook her head wearily.

"No... No of course not... I've just... " She rested a cheek on one of her pale grey hooves as Ace padded over to sit beside her for support. "Been kinda too busy to tell you."

"Well, I'm here now. An' we have plenty of time!" The stallion puffed loudly. "Care to tell me how that freak of nature knows you?" Composing herself, the unicorn sat up in her chair, clearing her throat and preparing to begin her tale. And while she spoke; in the dark, silent bedroom...

Zombi stirred...

End of Chapter

Trusting Me

]Zombi[: Deception

  -Chapter 8: Trusting Me-

They were talking about him in the other room. He knew were; there was no questioning it. He observed his surroundings carefully, not that there was much to see... The bedroom was as dark as the deepest pit in Equestria, the only light emanating from the next room, which shone brightly through the minuscule gap below the closed oak door, creating a narrow blade of light that sliced through the darkness like a hot knife through a block of butter. His dull grey ears pricked and he listened closely, sitting up in the cold, slightly damp bed. There they were... Still talking, despite it being so late... Or so early. It was always impossible to tell whether the sun was rising or setting; for the passage of time always seemed so strange to him. Like a concept he understood, but at the same time he could not grasp. Still, the hushed voices persisted...  So familiar, yet so alien to his ears... Finally he recognised the unusual voices.

They were his parents.

Little Zombi edged his way to the end of the bed, taking care not to fall as he had done on numerous occasions, on all of which his floods of tears were left unanswered. He eased himself down from the high bed, ensuring his stubby, foal legs were set firmly on the dusty wooden floor before allowing himself to release his firm grip of the mattress. Even then the abnormal pegasus landed clumsily on his infant flank. He rose, dazed and confused by the sudden jolt, but eventually regained his composure, scampering quickly yet quietly to the thick oak door, which had been sealed shut my countless locks from the opposite side, pressing his small, sensitive ear to the wood.

"I don't know how much longer we can keep him here like this..." sighed the more feminine of the two voices; which Zombi assumed was the voice of his mother. "We feed him, we give him shelter-"

"It, dear." The other, more masculine voice cut in. His father? "Stop talking about it as if it's a pony. I keep telling you: We don't have a son." Zombi took his ear away for a moment, staring at the door with an expression of complete and utter confusion pasted across his pale grey face. His Scarlet lips parted slightly as if he were about to correct the stallion  who was probably his father. Silly! The oblivious foal thought to himself, realising, (in his infantile mind, at least) that this must be some kind of unusual joke. His enormous black and red eyes twinkled in childish amusement and his round, bone-white cheeks pulled into a fanged grin. I'm your son!

"B-But... we made him!" The mare despaired. "I gave birth to him!"

"Don't associate yourself with that thing, hun... Remember; we just keep quiet about him and keep him out of sight. As far as anyone else is concerned, we never had a child."

"It feels wrong... Locking him in that room... He actually believes that everypony in the outside world will try to kill him if he leaves!" A sound came from the room. The sound of a heavy hoof impacting upon a glass table impatiently.

"Amber..." The stallion muttered, icily. "If that little... creature... believes every word we tell it. then that's fine... Personally, I should have slit its freakish little throat myself when I had the chance..."

Then there was silence.

Zombi understood. He comprehended what he had just heard perfectly... But he didn't want to accept it. His short, grey legs quaked violently as they wheeled away from the door, causing Zombi to collapse back onto his blank behind; trying to suppress his agonised tears and wails. Had every smile they had shown him been a mask to disguise their utter disgust and shame? The pegasus foal retreated into himself; curling himself into a protective ball. All this time he had been shut away from the warm, welcoming sun and the light of day... He thought they cared... He thought they loved him, and only desired to keep him safe...

Zombi awoke in silent tears...Why should he make his misery known when he was certain nopony would come to his aid? He had always been alone. Why should thing's change now? If I cannot trust my own parents... He thought to himself. Can I truly trust anypony?His ears pricked as the voices from the other room continued to discuss what should be done with him... But, wait... These new voices were not those of his "loving" parents. The still half-asleep pegasus strained his mind; trying to recall recent events...

"Hold on..." The female cut in. It was evident in his voice that she was struggling to comprehend something. "That still doesn't explain how he was able to slaughter a pony from such a distance!" Zombi recognised the familiar, slightly aggressive voice as the detective, Fact Finder. Yes... It was all coming back to him now... The grotesque, grey-coated pony sat up in the bed, painfully; his body covered in prominent bruises and his bones creaking with severe aches. As he remembered, this unfavourable condition had been delivered to him by the detective's unofficial partner, Hot Pursuit.

"Well..." Pursuit began, obviously mulling over a preposterous thought, deciding whether or not to burden the fiery tempered mare with such a ridiculous idea. But even before he could change his mind, it was too late.

"'Well'?" Fact snapped impatiently. "'Well' what?" Zombi was listening curiously; eager to hear an explanation for his accusation. The timid stallion would never even harm a fly, let alone murder innocent ponies!

"Well; what if there were two Zombis?" The silence that followed was almost painful to listen to, as Fact Finder scowled for a moment, before considering the suggestion carefully. It was clearly far fetched. Although no more so than Zombi himself...

"Ah..." The Fillydelphian detective sighed, thoughtfully. "It's a long shot, HP... I mean; how can two ponies look exactly the same? Especially somepony as weird as him?" Zombi took no offence from the remark. Instead, he shuffled to the edge of the bed and lowered his hind hooves quietly on to the soft, carpeted floor, wincing from the burning aches and pains of this simple movement. Even so, he held no grudges against Hot Pursuit; knowing that the officer must have been deeply disturbed by recent events. The thought grated against Zombi's sensitive mind. Two of him? He could not even begin to comprehend how such a thing could even be possible... He brought his front end down painfully, planting all four of his shaking hooves firmly, before stumbling slowly and awkwardly towards the door. Despite his clumsiness, his hooffalls were silenced by the thick, damp carpeting. It could be a changeling, or a unicorn using magic to disguise him or herself... But how and why? Nopony ever saw him. And when they did he was gone before they could get a good look. Zombi pressed his grey hoof against the door gently, pushing it open while taking great care not to frighten Fact or her companion. But despite his efforts, the door released an enormous creak, alerting the two ponies in the living room. The bat-winged stallion sighed heavily and pushed the door open, sauntering in slowly and making it perfectly clear to everyone that he did not wish to harm either of them... As he made his way to the center of the warm, brightly lit room, he could feel the piercing gaze of the two unicorn ponies trained intensely on him; deeply unnerving him. Eventually he stopped, his leathery wings clinging to his quivering form as he rested his flank hesitantly on the floor, glancing at both Fact and Pursuit in turn.

It was Fact Finder who spoke first.

  "Feeling better, hun?" The scarlet-maned pony inquired in her best attempt at a soothing tone. Her expression had twisted into something resembling a concerned smile; but her inner confusion prevented her from completing the gesture. She instead appeared exhausted and desperate. Zombi nodded slowly, forcing down his tears of despair. He had absolutely no idea what was going on... All he wanted was to be left in peace; out of the way of all the complexity and business normal ponies had to contend with every day of their lives. His presence would only complicate their lives further; And he was well aware he would never be accepted as anything even remotely normal... Pursuit rose from his seat and walked over to the slightly smaller pony with a look of embarrassment and guilt furrowing his caramel brow. He stopped in his tracks when Zombi flinched and cowered at his approach.

"Look, I'm... I'm sorry about what happened earlier..." He murmured, although the grey stallion could sense his words rang true. his many experiences with strangers taught him that he could never trust anypony. Not even himself. A patter of padding paws alerted Zombi, and he diverted his gaze to the floor beside him, where Ace had come to investigate the visitor in depth, his canine body crouched low in a cautious position so as to spring away should the bat-winged creature choose to attack. Such fears never came to pass, as Zombi simply stared blankly at the curious dog, who soon deemed the pegasus "friendly enough" and curled up by his side, shuffling against slivery his fur to warm himself. This kind gesture urged Zombi into a sense of relative security; enough so that he could respond to questions and provide simple responses at any rate...

"I-it's alright, sir..." He whispered in a small, stammering voice. His wide, ruby eyes flashing between the other ponies, though always coming to rest on Fact Finder. She was pretty, in an aggressive sort of way... She had a certain fire and venom to her personality; visually represented by her blazing scarlet mane and toxic emerald eyes... Yes... Rather pretty...

Zombi shook his head furiously in an attempt to dislodge the thoughts from his wandering mind. This triggered an involuntary reaction in one of the detective's eyebrows, causing one to lower and the other to rise, almost disappearing beneath her thick, blood-red fringe, as well as a slight upward twitch in her lips. She appeared both amused and deeply concerned. Hot Pursuit had chosen to stand back with the same expression; only his lips had opted to twitch downward, and his body tensed considerably. Suddenly aware of what he had done, Zombi immediately and desperately tried to think of a way to explain his unexpected action. When he ultimately came up with nothing, he resumed staring regretfully at the carpet; his mane forming a makeshift curtain over his pale face as his cheeks reddened with sheer embarrassment.

More silence. More staring.

"You, uhh...You ain't all there, you know that?" The caramel coated stallion breathed, earning himself a swift, yet gentle(non-crippling) punch to the gut from Fact Finder, who had apparently risen from the chair while Zombi was engaged in his staring contest with the cream carpet. The audible thump of hoof against stomach made Zombi raise his head in curiosity, his dull grey ears pricking and his wings flapping lightly.

"If anypony's gonna be insensitive around here it's gonna be me! You're meant to be the considerate one. And besides..."  She crouched beside the smaller stallion, who backed away slightly, before sitting completely still. The mare reached out a pale hoof and stroked the oddly-featured pegasus soothingly... "He looks like he could use somepony considerate, right about now..." Once again, Zombi allowed his fragile mind to wander. So, she does have a gentle side... But wait. There was something amiss, here... What was it? Her face? Something about her face. The quivering colt studied the detective's expression carefully, growing paler and more anxious the more he looked. Her face carried a message. And that message was clear. "I'm trusting you... But as soon as you step out of line, I'll kill you where you stand. Got it?  Zombi blinked as shivers surged down his spine, almost causing his dark tail to whip. Would she do that? Would she really kill him? Whoever they have confused him with has obviously made the unicorn detective extremely desperate... Maybe even afraid. Pursuit craned his neck to peer past his partner. He grimaced and patted Fact on the shoulder softly.

"Hey, Fact... He's not looking too good. D'you think he should head back to bed? Rest up a little more?"

Fact turned a little bit, never one taking her brilliant green eyes away from Zombi. "Hm...? Oh, no. He'll be just fine, won't you?" The pegasus' head tilted up and down ever so slightly, not daring to use any unnecessary motions lest he incur the wrath of this vengeful mare... "See?" She said brightly, smiling directly at Hot Pursuit. "Just fine!" The golden-maned stallion merely shrugged and trotted into the bedroom to check if Zombi had made any kind of mess. Just what kind of mess the unicorn suspected of him was a mystery... And not one Zombi really cared to solve all that much. He  grew out of his bed wetting stage a good while ago; A few months, perhaps. Fact Finder opened her mouth, all sympathy in her expression had completely vanished... However, there was no hostility to speak of. Only desperation and ice-cold fear remained. "Zombi..." She whispered softly. It felt strange... Almost alien to hear his own name from another pony's tongue... He had been alone for so many years. So very alone... "I need to know something from you. Something extremely important." As she spoke, Zombi absorbed every word. He could tell his answer would be of the utmost importance. For once, after all this time... He was being trusted. And that notion of responsibility terrified him... Nopony trusted him. Not unless there was imminent danger. "I need to know exactly what happened after I captured you." She continued; her hooves were planted firmly on his shoulders, while her beautiful, venomous eyes bore holes in his skull with their fearful gaze. "Exactly. I want to know if I can truly trust you..." The bat-winged pegasus opened his mouth to speak. To tell his cowardly tale of fleeing and hiding... Before he was suddenly cut-off. Somepony had barged through the wooden front door. Zombi's pale grey head snapped to the side to stare at the intruder in utter horror. No! He couldn't let so many ponies see him! She would tell everypony about him! The slender pegasus mare stood, fuming in the doorway. Her cheeks were red with rage and her eyes blazed like orbs of burning hatred.

"I can't believe you got away with it!" She screamed in frustration, which appeared to be directed at the crimson-maned unicorn. "You should have been fired in an instant! I bet the Commissioner's just playing favourites... If it had been anypony else he-!" The screaming ground to an abrupt halt, as the infuriated, slim mare realised something was wrong here... Out of place... Her round eyes surveyed the apartment, on the hunt for what exactly it was that seemed to be niggling at her subconscious. They found Zombi. Her eyes widened to an almost unnatural size and her pupils

contracted equally so.

"There's this thing called a doorbell." Fact Finder said simply; not yet registering the urgency of what had just occurred.

"I suppose you've heard of it?"

End of Chapter

Fright at first sight...

]Zombi[: Deception

  -Chapter 9: Fright at first sight...-

The slim pegasus stood silently, obviously in a state of immense shock as her wide, lavender eyes surveyed the freakish display before her. Everypony else in the room followed her lead, not speaking a word and allowing the snow-white mare to collect her senses before even attempting to explain the situation. This was going to be messy... Speedy jabbed a quivering hoof at Zombi, who instinctively retreated slightly.

"H-He's... That's... We..." She stuttered, unable to find the appropriate words for the current situation. Fact folded her forelegs impatiently and scowled, her normally tense face now resembling nothing more than a storm of rage and intolerance; but in mere moments her expression softened.

"Speedy," She spoke, in a mockingly concerned tone. "Don't think too much, or you might hurt yourself." Normally, such a remark would send the pegasus reeling in a tantrum, however, at this moment in time her body was locked it absolute terror. He was real. After somepony had overheard Fact Finder's tale of the mysterious bat-winged murderer, rumours and whispers had begun to stir within the police department... Many of which went as far as to bring the fiery detective's sanity into question, Of course, Speedy Breeze knew it was all nonsense.

That was, until mere moments ago. Now she could see it all, clear as day. A dull grey coat, blood red eyes, ragged bat wings... He was real. And he was staring at her. She wanted to turn and gallop away, never to return... But she feared that if she so much as twitched, he would be upon her. How could her colleagues be so calm? Eventually, Hot Pursuit stepped forward and spoke softly; a tone that heavily contrasted his cocky and confident attitude.

"Speedy... There's a lot you don't understand here.  Heck, even we don't have the full story! But, you're gonna have to trust us on this..." Even now, the cold-blooded murderer never shifted his gaze. Trust them? Trust her? Speedy knew the Scarlet-maned detective hated her with a passion; and the feeling was mutual. Could she have brought this creature here to rid her of the pegasus forever? Despite her burning hatred, Fact Finder wasn't evil. The slender mare had always secretly admired the purity of the detective's heart... Even though violence came naturally to her, she always meant well... A trait of  which Speedy had always been envious. She was all to aware that she was a selfish and snide pony... But it was who she was; she could not change it if she tried. And, admittedly, being a complete and utter bitch can be rather empowering from time to time!

However... This was no time to get sidetracked. She had to run, She had to warn somepony! So, of course, that's exactly what she did. The slender mare spun on her hooves, and in the blink of an eye she galloped through the doorway, her heart racing as if Discord himself were pursuing her. Who in Equestria would have thought... Two of Canterlot's most respected and capable enforcers of the law; affiliated with a wanted psychopath?

"Dammit!" Fact hissed in annoyance, before whirling around and dragging Zombi to his hooves, who squealed in surprise. "Zombi, get after her!" The grotesque stallion's crimson eyes widened in amazement and his dull grey legs became a blur, hopping from one hoof to another in a sudden panic.

"M-me!?" He stammered, startled by the detective's bizarre demand. "B-but, Ms.Finder! I-I'm not sure I'm the correct choice to-" But he was instantly silenced. After a quick, yet blazing glare from the emerald-eyed unicorn; Zombi shot out of the room like a bullet, displaying a bewildering amount of agility for such a small and withdrawn, albeit unusual, pony. Not entirely sure of himself or where he was going, Zombi slammed against the landing wall, with a loud crack. Though he could not be entirely certain whether he had just damaged the wall itself, or almost shattered his own skull. It was all a blur... All he knew was that he had to catch this "Speedy" mare, and bring her back to the detective. Why was he so swift to obey? Was he frightened? Well... That goes without saying. But...He thought as he barreled down the flight of carpeted stairs, as light as a pond skater on the surface of a still lake, having regained his composure... Did he fear her? The unicorn mare with the mane as red as blood, and the eyes as green as the sourest apple? He would be a fool to think she was not dangerous... But it was something else about her that caused Zombi to spring into action. Something alien to the unworldly stallion.

Speedy Breeze spared a fearful glance behind her and squealed in terror; now that the supposed murderer was nearly upon her. She skidded around the corner, her friction almost tearing away the carpet beneath her trained hooves, before launching herself down the next flight of stairs, her only thoughts were of escape... and what gruesome fate may await her if she were to fail. Fact followed swiftly, cursing under her breath and praying that the seemingly timid stallion could out-gallop the quick, slender mare. The detective was alerted by a creaking to her left, as one of the apartment doors opened and an elderly unicorn with a dulled purple coat and a silver mane appeared in the doorway. She was quite pitifully small, and wore gold-rimmed glasses. Upon moving in, Fact Finder had thoroughly analysed every single inhabitant of the block (just in case), and had deduced that this aged mare had evidently led a life of leisure, which is far from uncommon in Canterlot... But the young detective had also discovered a tragic fact when she had studied the aged pony's medical records... It does not bear to go into detail; but she was grateful that the purple coated mare had lived such  a healthy, fruitful lifestyle so far, and hoped that she would enjoy the 2 years that remained... It was a tragedy... She had always been so friendly towards Fact...

"Mrs. Glimmer Lace!" Fact smiled, attempting to mask her panic as she zipped into the doorway so that Glimmer could not get through and see the ruckus Zombi and Speedy were currently creating on the stairwell. "W-what are you doin' up at this time? Aren't you usually napping?" The purple coated mare smiled sincerely, as she always had, which once again ignited a pain in the fiery unicorn's sensitive heart...

"I was awoken by a rather loud noise. Yes, most distressing for an old girl like me, you see." She laughed quietly. Fact Finder was rather surprised that nopony else had come to investigate, despite the tumbling pegasi. "I assume that's why you're here, Fact? Investigating are we? How exciting!" Her still stunning smile broadened ever so slightly. In her youth her warm grin must have been near lethal to the stallions. At this moment, a deafening, high pitched shriek bounced off every wall in the large apartment block, as well as a monstrous thump that bore similarities to a large mattress hitting the ground. The elderly mare peered around Fact, her eyes wide with confusion and surprise. "What in Equestria was that?" Fact Finder moved like lightning, leaning against the white, chipping door frame in what she hoped would appear as a casual stance to obscure Glimmer's view. In reality it simply appeared as if she were about to wet herself.

"Oh, that?" Fact stammered, struggling to retain her false grin. "Oh, you don't need to worry about that, ma'am. It's just Ace getting spooked. Ran straight out the door, You know how he can be..." The silver maned unicorn regarded Fact with a degree of cynicism, raising an eyebrow.

"He certainly has grown since I last saw him. To create such a dreadful clamour..."

"Mmhm! He's a regular timberwolf nowadays, ma'am!" Fact was unsure how long she could maintain her charade, and only hoped that Zombi would drag Speedy back before anypony else could notice. "So, uhhh... I suppose there's nothing to worry about. W-why don't you head back to bed?" The sound of approaching thumping and muffled screams led the detective to assume that her unusual acquaintance was literally dragging his captive upwards along the stairwell. They were not making her job any easier... Glimmer Lace's old, tired eyes, flicked from the landing, to Fact Finder, and back again. A skeptical expression remained pasted across her usually kind, wrinkled muzzle. In the end she shook her head and sighed, chuckling quietly.

"Very well, Fact," She said as she turned back into her apartment, yawning. "Good luck with Ace, dear. I am certain he'll calm down soon enough. Give him a pet from me!"

"Now, don't you worry ma'am, I will. Have a good rest!" The detective beamed, before slamming the door shut behind the elderly pony and breathing an enormous sigh of exasperation. She rushed to the top of the stairs and glared ferociously at the Pegasi below, as Zombi dragged Speedy Breeze up the stairs with his hoof clamped firmly over her mouth. Even so, he was unable to prevent her legs from flailing around as if she were experiencing a form of fit. "Could you two be any louder?" Fact Finder hissed, causing the unusual grey stallion to stare up at her with his large, round, ruby eyes, which were brimming with liquid guilt.

"I-I'm sorry..." He stammered, evidently feeling dreadfully ashamed of himself. "I-I tried to calm her down, but she just kept sc-screaming and screaming... So I ... Well..." He nodded timidly at the hoof securing the slim pegasus' lips shut. She fired venomous, yet pleading glances at Fact Finder, who merely shook her head; causing her messy scarlet mane to sway with the motion.

"Just bring her up to the apartment..."

As she turned to head back to her abode, thoughts began to swirl in the stressed mare's already troubled mind... She was effectively kidnapping her colleague. But it was the right thing to do, wasn't it? Speedy would only have galloped to the station for help, thus complicating everything. But even so... This was illegal... Soon, another thought hit the weary mare, and Fact Finder halted, leaning herself against the wall to steady herself against the shock of realization.

The realisation that she had almost become a murderer.

Her pale legs began to tremble and her stomach clenched as everything she stood for... Every moral value she ever held... was being called into question. She felt as if she were about to be sick. Back on the rooftop... In the rain... She wanted nothing more to put an end to the evil she thought was Zombi. But in doing so, wouldn't she too become a killer? No. No this was different. She was doing it for the right reasons. She was doing it to protect the innocent... Just as she had vowed to when she was but a foal, playing the righteous detective around the schoolyard... Protect them all from harm... If she killed him. If he died there and then. Then the threat would vanish forever. So... It was alright.

wasn't it?

It would merely be the price of Justice. That is what she thought at the time. In time the young mare would learn... There is a difference between what is legal... What society would view as justified...

...and what is truly right.

End of Chapter