Chapters Chapter One: Welcome To The Valley
It's been a very long day for me as the sun vanishes beyond the mountains, opening the doors to dusk. As this happens, the iconic neon lights of the city become active.Not only are the lights ready to shine, but so are the Las Pegasus Metropolitan Police Department officers, the city's special task force, and the Equestrian Investigation Bureau, also known as the "EIB ." The city's task force was created by the director of the EIB whose name's Roya Shine, a pink unicorn with a special cutiemark that resembles her job in Las Pegasus. A police baton with white sparkles around it.
Las Pegasus is one of the major tourists attractions in Equestria. Though the iconic Las Pegasus Boulevard is what makes this city one of the most familiar destinations in the Equestria. Everything here is widely available for 24-hours. Food, movies, beverages, groceries, cash, nonstop parties, sex. You name it. This place attracts ponies on tour, new citizens, and of course criminals. The criminals call this place, "Neon Hell ." The ones who live here call it, "The Neon Vale ," which also means, "The Neon Valley."
About the visitors, what I find a bit strange is that ponies can go through a portal to become a human in their world, and humans come through the portal to become, well, humans. On the bright side, humans aren't an issue in Equestria. They come here, drink, and pass out on the spot waiting for AAA to take care of them. They're not stupid, they just get ridiculously drunk when they come over to be entertained, especially when they arrive with their own cases of alcohol.
Later in the night, the Las Pegasus Task Force receives a call straight from the LPMPD Headquarters requesting for an immediate interrogation to be held between one of the officers and a changeling. Changelings are the ones who commonly commit crimes, for most of them are part of an infamous group called "The Shadow Army ," which is controlled by Queen Chrysalis .
You see that red pony with the black mane sitting at the metal table? Yea, that's me. My name's Ridgee, and I'm one of the the colonels of the Las Pegasus Task Force. That metal table I'm sitting at is located inside the interrogation room, and this table has been replaced...A lot due to the angry suspects that always get mad over the truth. This room is basically 4 concrete walls with an inaccurate analog clock and a shitty surveillance system. Perfect enough to be called a holding cell .
An officer walks in with the suspect, switching out the handheld cuffs , to the cuffs attached to the table. I am given the report and history files, as well as the burger I asked to be ordered at the shop next to the Bon Bon & Clyde Museum . The officer then gives a sign of approval before leaving with the door shut tight behind him. The interrogation begins.
"So," I started, "the record shows that you are in for simply jaywalking across a busy street, and refusing to cooperate with police officers. The officers also suspected that you were trying to break into a revenue security truck."
The changeling slowly smiled and exposed its sharp fangs while I also felt threatened by its gestures.
"Let me ask you something," I said. "Are you, by any chance, a member of The Shadow Army ?"
The changeling keeps the same expression, and kills at least five seconds of my time before responding.
"I don't speak of this as you ponies hold accusations against my race," it finally responds.
"It's a simple question whether you're part of it, or not. There are some changelings within Las Pegasus that are innocent civilians with no criminal background, but a majority of changelings in this metropolitan area are part of this infamous group."
I look straight into its eyes and took off my glasses while giving an angry look. I began feeling more pissed off, but went about asking the question once more.
"Are you part of The Shadow Army, or not?" I ask.
"I hope you realize that I set this up myself," it finally says. "I've actually been preparing for this moment my entire life."
I was very confused, and became lost in the changelings words. Though I didn't seem to be nervous, I was terrified by what might happen. I redeemed myself from anxiety by demanding the specific answer to what my question is asking of the changeling to tell me.
"Listen, what I'm asking for you to tell me is-"
Suddenly, the cameras begin to make an annoying beeping noise, and shut off completely. The doors automatically sealed me in the soundproof room with the suspect, the lights began to flicker for an entire minute before shutting off completely, and the changeling's horn began to glow. The changeling began to alter its shape, but I could only see the shadow it casts from the glow of its horn. Then the suspect's voice began to change from that of a male's, into a female's, and the character was triggering something in my memory, but I couldn't quite make it out. Then, the only two lights above our heads were turned on, revealing the mysterious figure to being something far more than I expecting.
"I don't believe it," I said as I widened my eyes and mouth. "You're th-the, uh, Queen Chrysalis?"
"That's right," she said, "I'm only here to make an agreement between us that will help me and my colleagues seem like we're no longer the trouble. Except we'll be doing a business more secretly, as not to draw the tourists away."
"Yea, not happening," I said as I turned my back on her. "You may or may not be planning something that will harm the city. I cannot take that chance."
"I see. You're going to let your city down like that?"
"I'm not letting my city down. I'm avoiding the negotiation between me, and a wanted criminal. Besides, what are you going to do about it?"
"I'll easily take your spot, and make you look like the enemy."
"Good luck with that, you have no idea of my life's background. When you get close to my family, they'll know something isn't right."
"Mr. Ridgee, born on July 16, 1987. Your family is from fillydelphia, but currently makes a living in Las Pegasus. You summon human 'officers,' to Equestria for illegal assistance. Your sister has autism, brother is suffering from depression, and a grandfather with Alzheimer's disease."
My heart stopped, because I knew that she would easily replace my family members with her army if something had gone wrong. She knows everything about me, and I worry for the damage she can have done in the matter of minutes. Most of this is mostly due to how much power she has over me, unless I had a plan. She can easily trick my sister on to joining the largest pony trafficking business in history without payment. She could put an end to my wife's misery, while I didn't have the chance to tell her, that I love her, and so it races through my mind. Kira, you are the one who turned me into a better person, and I will do whatever it takes to keep you alive for one more day.
I took a few deep breaths and ignored the sweat that dripped from my forehead, into my cup of water.
"I'll accept the agreement for the sake of my family," I said.
"Very well then," she started, "I will kindly ask that you clear our records by this Friday. You have a good 3 days. In return, you get the safety of the ones you love, and some of my earnings. Just stay out of my way, and you won't have to pay."
She sure did ask me kindly to do as told. I think to myself, what a bitch!
"You know what to do," Queen Chrysalis said as she used her magic to to take a bite from my burger, and forcing it in my mouth.
She then transformed back into a changeling and made the scene look as if nothing happened. I immediately spit out the burger and use the edge of my badge to scrape the leftovers from my tongue. The lights came back on, cameras turned on, doors unlocked. I waved my hand at the camera, letting them know that the interrogation was over.
The officer opened the door, and I notified him that everything went well, and that I didn't even know the system had failed. I then handed in the file in which I had written lies in. I took my time entering the case as a misdemeanor under another pony's name. Then I watched as Queen Chrysalis was simply released. I already knew, I'm in the agreement for good, until I could figure something out.
I've dealt with many conflicts on the streets of Las Pegasus. From Changelings to dragons, trafficking to robberies. I've never been targeted by any of those criminals, but I was being watched by one of their notorious leaders. So I finally learned that the uncommon things that happen in The Neon Vale, I could be the victim of. Welcome to the valley.
Chapter Two: Confidential
The department headquarters was nearly empty and no work had been given to me outside. So I decided to take the late shift for today, already knowing that I could get access into the file room alone as most of the officers were performing their duties off-campus. For as long as this could keep this up, I knew I had an advantage. The Las Pegasus Task Force isn't allowed to be within the file room at any given time without permission. Doing so could result in me losing my job and slightly mess up my record, marking me for the tampering of federal information.
What I was supposed to do was completely unclear. I had already duplicated Roya Shine's two keys which unlocked both the filing room, and the filing cabinets. Am I supposed to destroy all of the Shadow Army's records? I thought to myself. Of course it will draw in suspicion and would be almost impossible to carry millions of criminal history out of this room. So my only thought was simple: I'll just remove the serious crimes and leave the minor crimes.
I tried not to get distracted by the movements going on in the hallway, because I know that ponies usually don't come inside the filing room unless absolutely necessary. The filing room is mainly for the infamous offenders, this included all of the affiliated changelings. The files were organized in alphabetical order, making it easy for me to find Chrysalis's name in the C column.
Her file had been loaded will criminal charges such as fraud, rape, identity theft, but murder did not show up. Neither does she have a criminal history prior to her birthday on July 16...in the year of 1987 at two O'clock PM. This is starting to make me think about the reason she chose me to do this. To help her and become somewhat affiliated with the Shadow Army.
I began to hear the sound of hoofs hitting the tile floor coming from outside the filing room. I was unsure what actions I should take, so I immediately took the files and locked up the filing cabinet. I then grabbed a marker and crossed out Chrysalis's name, and stamped it with a confidential stamp. After all of that was done, I left the room through the exit on the other side of the room. Mission complete.
As I walked down the hall, I was afraid that somepony might call me out. As I heard clopping coming from behind me without seeing anypony there, I picked up the pace and put the files in my bag. Even though the files were hidden, I still had the urge to panic, so I went through the building's backside exit which led me to long dark alley. Again, clopping at a distance.
I walk down the alley faster than ever just to get to my unmarked cruiser. The same noises just follow me, and I start to get suspicious of what's going on. There can be a chance that anyone is following me. I just went along my way and tried to get to the cruiser as fast as possible. I built my speed up and made it to my black sports car. I then popped the trunk, dropped my bag in there, then-
"Holy shit!" I screamed. "Trent you scared the living shit out of me!"
"Sorry buddy, didn't mean to scare you there," said my partner, Trent. "Just thought I'd give a tap on your shoulder and say hello."
"Well, how's everything going? I haven't seen you around."
"Yea, just got back from fillydelphia with the kids and I. Just love it there."
"Yea. I'm from there."
The unexpected moment grew awkward for the both of us. I was just hoping for something to happen, like for somepony to break the silence. For somepony to do something.
"Hey, I've got tickets to go to a show, are you down or on duty?" asked Trent.
"I'd love to," I said "What show are we talking about?"
"DJ-PON3. I've got VIP just to convince my friend to go."
"Sure, I've got plenty of time."
Trent led me to his silver vehicle, also a sport car. The engine roared into the night as we took off the the famous Las Pegasus Boulevard. The city's lights were so bright, it cast a cloud of light in the atmosphere. This glimmering city has always been my favorite. Wasn't born here, but it really does have a good connection with me.
Trent was always my favorite partner, but I don't want to lie to him about the situation. I need to come forward with the truth when I'm ready. When he's ready. Sooner or later, when the department's ready. Which is why I think I should lock these files up in my home until things aren't going to shit. I'll be the one hoping the Shadow Army doesn't converge to kick my ass.
Trent and I pulled up to the Laser House Club on the strip. As the both of us walk into the club and presented our tickets, for some strange reason, I was already in the mood of dancing. Muffled remixes vibrated the entire building in a slightly funny way, but when we walked in there was nothing funny about the serious dancing that took place on the dance floor.
"You ready?" said Trent.
"To dance?" I asked.
"To meet somepony special to me, then hit the dance floor."
"Sure thing," I said. "I'm ready."
He lead me to a stage where a white unicorn with purple glasses with a slight shade of pink stood at her turntable. She had blue hair with light blue stripes and a music note for her cutiemark. The glasses were tinted so dark, her eyes were unnoticeable. This has got to be me dreaming, which means I'm probably late on the files which means...Trent and DJ-PON3 are hugging. She then notices me.
"Hey dude!" she shouted. "Friend of Trent's I see."
"Yes," I simply said. "My wife is a big fan of you."
Stupid thing to say . I thought.
"That's awesome, I can hook her up with an autograph!" she said.
"That'd be great. Because she currently has cancer."
"Oh gosh, sorry to hear that."
"It's alright," I said as if she never had cancer at all.
Tonight has been an eye-opening night for me. Beside the fact that I had just stolen a wanted criminal's records for the safety of my family. Just as I had took a moment to think about how my career has gone this far, I see a familiar face in the audience. The mixes went on, but for me, it slowed down. Everything literally began to slow down as it came clear to me of who was in the crowd. The queen.
After I went home that one night, everything turned back to normal for me. Since then, I haven't thought not once of Chrysalis' presence, nor any of the hostile changelings. I fear that the harmless changelings are dealing with other ponies discriminatory behavior, just because all of the Shadow Army is full of changelings. These things are terrorizing Las Pegasus while holding up an area in Hooflin, Equestria.
Now I rise again after last night's hangout. I thought it was all a dream until I found Vinyl's autograph for my wife, tucked inside my jacket. I have not thought once of Chrysalis's presence, not even seeing a changeling walk down the street bothers me. I look at them, they look at me. No problem. Maybe I just need to stop thinking of work so much, lucky for me, I've got today off.
My grandfather trots downstairs in his happy mood and makes lemon tea (as he always does) then sits beside me as if I were a random person sitting at a park bench. He stirs away and mixes in the flavor, without adding the packet of sugar I placed on the counter for him. He then turns his head at me and gives me a look as if he didn't recognize me. Here I sense him about to ask the same question the same exact way he did before.
"How is your day young man?" asks Grandpa.
"Better than a couple nights ago," I said.
He talked away for quite some time telling me about his old job that even I had to work as to support my family. Talks about his classic rod, everything that I had already known. It looks too much to me as if he forgot everything ahead of 2000, except for his times hunting, and moving to Las Pegasus.
"You know, my grandson is the best around. Good student, good kid, no doubt he'd be a good stallion," he said.
It crushed me to know that his Alzheimer's has gotten this bad. I know somewhere inside, he can recognize me. I just need to bring it in, say something. The "he'd" was the major clue in his sentence.
"You look like Ridgee, except older," said Grandpa.
"I love you a lot, Grandpa," I said without hesitating.
The facial expression my grandfather gave me then appeared to me as surprised. His entire face began to rest with his mouth slightly open. Right there I knew that something clicked in his mind, that he knew who this red Earth pony was. I am his grandson. My grandfather sat closer to me and asked, "Ridgee" You're a stallion?"
"Yes," I said as a tear streamed onto my mane. "It's Ridgee."
He grabbed onto me with his hooves and pulled me closely to his chest. His muscles being no match for mine as he nearly snaps my spine in his loving hold. This pain for me, expresses undying love as I also show undying dedication to my family and department. What my grandfather doesn't realize, is how serious his medical condition will get.
He lets go of me and says, "I'm proud of you Ridgee, I love you too."
"Thanks," I said while still crying. "I will always love you."
We pulled away from each other after that moment. I then began to feel like a new person, and rushed down to the hospital moments after out bonding. I went outside to smell the fresh air, and the wind blow against my snout. I quickly got in my unmarked black sports car whose white racing stripes spoke for me. It's time to roll out.
The traffic in Las Pegasus was fairly quick. It's a beautiful morning here in the city I love. I see the neon lights fade away as the sun touches the buildings. I remember how our technology was quickly inspired by the human world. We caught on fast but it zipped past my grandfather's head as it became to hard for his use.
I pulled up to the hospital parking space and placed the vehicle on park. I got out, locked the door, took a deep breath and said to myself, "Keep love, keep working."
I walk into the hospital asking about my wife, she directed me straight down the hall to a door on the left. After visitation request was accepted, I was let inside to see her for the twentieth time. Nearly all of her mane has fallen off from therapy. Some strands stuck out, but looked lazy. She noticed me during our dismal moment and said, "Honey, you're here."
"Of course I'd be here," I said. "I'll always be beside you, even when I'm gone."
"You don't have to worry about it," she said. "I feel it."
"What did the doctor say about your conditions."
"One more week and I'm off therapy."
"That's amazing, I'm very happy to hear that, sweetheart."
Her breathing seemed uncontrollable, but I know deep down inside that she will make it.
Suddenly, I receive a phone call. I look on the screen of my smartphone to find Roya Shine's name, and I think once again. This better not be about the stolen files I've hidden.
"Hey Roya," I said. "How's it going?"
"Not good," said Roya.
"What's the issue?"
"Not only has Chrysalis's file been left with minor crimes, but the shadow army has breached Trent's home."
"Is Trent okay?"
"Trent is fine. I need you to meet the EIB and I at the LPMPD Headquarters."
"Understood."
I kiss my wife and give her the autographed. It appeared to the nurse and I that she loved what she had gotten, and will keep it wit her forever. I've got a case to get cracking with, even though the files were stolen by me, I've got to bring the truth out when it is safe. I cannot afford to end up in a ditch and having only the names "changeling" and "Chrysalis" roaming around the streets of Las Pegasus followed by the death of my, Ridgee. It's time.
I race down the Las Pegasus Boulevard in code three. Lights and Siren force traffic ahead to pull to the side. As I make a tacit turn and swerve I make, my tires screech. Just ahead of my was the police headquarters with bullet holes on the the same office floor I worked on. I quickly assumed that somepony was after me. Or some changeling had wanted to put an end to my life by the orders of the queen. The only way to find out is to see what the evidence tells us.
I leave my vehicle in the parking lot and move to the entrance of the headquarters. There by the door was Roya Shine who diverted her attention to me and rushes in my direction. Helicopters flew overhead and obstructed my view of the building with its glare from when the sun's rays touched it. Busy officers with metro cruisers surrounded the area and closed the building off with police tape.
"Ridgee!" shouted Roya. "I need you to help me figure some things out."
"Understood," I said. "Any killed on sight?"
"Just one. You may know him."
"Better not be Trent."
We take the elevator to the fifth floor. The office was torn apart from walls to furniture, ceiling and police tech. Lights dangled around by the wire and flickered. I looked closely at the blood splatter on the wall, this floor has been shot up from the inside instead of the outside. Desks were tipped over, fire alarm tripped, as soon as I tied these items together, I discovered that a plan had been made for this murder. The real question is, whose body does this belong to?
I came closely to find a much more older partner. The evidence shows that Colin Canterson had been shot as he stood alone on this very floor. Black spots melted the carpet strands as to show that embers had appeared from somewhere, but nothing else around the room was burnt, and the fire alarm was physically pulled by somepony. Even though it may not seem like it, things will eventually link to me.
Chapter Four: Keep Working
The search for Colin Canterson's killer has been continued by the Equestrian Investigation Bureau. Tourist helicopters fly around as if tonight were a beautiful night. Reflective light from Princess Luna's old prison shines on the police headquarters, especially the floors that had been closed off by Roya and myself. So the police department stood busy in the night, but quiet from the outside. Office lights on the bottom floors created the checkerboard effect for the most.
My late night canter had come to an end as I trot off the broken memories that left me in despair. Insects made their calming and soothing noises as I continue to trot down the street and towards my home. As I pass Trent's house, I then had a quick rush of warming memories that included us on our favorite missions. Golden from the past, but no longer happening to this day. So I look at the lights of his house turn off before I kill my grin and look away.
Winter had arrived quickly. Just one day after the shooting, and I feel that I may never find the killer within the the only week that I am given. After one week is gone, the case is federal. All those royal police assholes take the case from my hands and run away with the files.
The murder of Canterson has shaken the task force, and quaked the trees upon impact of the first bullet. I knew that if I wanted to find the killer, I'd have to go back to where it all had started. I must connect the evidence to create the story that had existed the day before. Without a doubt, the only story I know is that our friend had been killed by a firearm, hoof fitted. The only way I could really understand is if I go back to the crime scene and get back to work.
I drove past the twelve-thirteen highway in my unmarked vehicle. I pulled up the the headquarters parking lot and put the cruiser in park. I took the office division entry on the other side of the campus. I slide my card to verify identity, and the LED light quickly glows green. The door gave a faint buzz followed by the click of the locking mechanism.
The entire fifth floor was seized of electrical power moments after the shootout. I find it difficult to find a link to anyone I could imagine who would kill somepony like Canterson. None of the evidence I scrutinized had a link to the Shadow Army, not even O. J. Clopson. This was no partner, this was my friend. Now that I got something on my mind, it's time to help a friend who had saved my ass in the past . As I started to ponder, my assumptions started to get the best of me.
A sudden image of an evil changeling standing across the room flashed, smiling, and soon disappearing before my eyes. I remove my pistol from its holster and closely watched for more images that kept flashing, flying, coming around corners like shadows . These angering figures of my imagination kept appearing. I blasted a couple of rounds, only causing the ghostly images to catch me at another angle. The bullets only went right through them, destroying the crime scene. The images faded away as I kneeled down and effaced my tears, “It’s all my fault.”
The door unexpectedly swung open with the Las Pegasus Special Weapons and Tactics Team rushing through. Their guns all pointing at me, and I can tell they’re on high alert. Especially when they shouted, “LP Metro, officer put away your weapon!”
I threw the hoof fitted pistol to the side and placed my hooves on my head. As soon as I thought my ass was being taken in, my ass was saved by the one pony I have been depending on.
“Stand down,” said Roya Shine. “He’s with me.”
“Understood ma’am,” replied the unit.
Roya approached me with all of her disappointment. Her eyes were glistening as if she were crying. She stopped beside me and kneeled down, “Here now. Let me take you home.”
Roya guided me to her car just outside of the department. The neon lights at that perfect moment casted the most distinct cloud of light in the sky. It quickly disappeared as I hopped into Roya’s red coupe. She turned on the car and left the parking spot vacant as she inched backwards in her car. Then she clicked the gear all the way to drive, and pulled up to the stop sign.
“Roya,” I said. “I’d like a drink before I go home.”
“So you can go home drunk to your family?” she asked rhetorically. “I don’t think so.”
“It’s just a drink. I can take care of myself.”
“If that’s what you want.”
Roya began to speed up above the legal limit of sixty kilometers per hour. She began to light up at intersections and honk her distinctively heard police horn along the way. As we get closer to the bar down the street, her driving only got more aggressive for the longer she drove the vehicle. When she met the curb of the bar, she slowed down to a complete, yet gentle stop.
“Get in. Get out,” said Roya. “That’s all I ask of you.”
“Yes ma’am,” I said sarcastically.
I look at Roya, whose head was faced forward, hooves on the steering wheel. I unbuckled my seatbelt and slowly let it retract. Still staring at Roya, I slowly open the car door and leave at a fast pace. I close the door and make my way to the entrance of the bar.
Walking beside me was a dark blue human with light brown eyes and shades resting atop of his black hair. I gave eye contact, as for he did not. As my attention is being diverted, I couldn’t tell how far I was from the door, that was until I bumped into it. The human pulls the door open and asks,”You alright?”
“Yea,” I said, acting as if I were okay. “I’m perfectly fine.”
“Let me get that for you.”
“Thank you, I appreciate it.”
I walk into the bar and sit at the oakwood counter just ahead. As I take a seat, I notice the human also taking a seat right next to me. He signaled the stallion bartender for a Corona. I turned my attention to the mare who looked dead center at my pupils.
“Excuse me,” I said to the brown-maned mare. “One filly style martini please.”
“Coming right up!” she exclaimed followed by a questionable wink.
As I waited for my drink, I studied the character of this human. He had a very interesting look on his face, almost as if he had seen a lot. Experienced a lot. I look back at the mare who finished the mix, and gently places it in front of me with a tiny piece of ripped paper attached to it. The note spelled out, “Need anything ‘else’ just call me.”
“Enjoy,” the mare said in a seductive tone.
I didn’t feel a bit nervous at all, but a bit uncomfortable due to the fact that I am already married. That’s just how the Neon Vale works. Anypony would assume the same based on the background of the city.
I sipped away and faced the powerful kick the drink delivered. When I was three quarters done with the glass, I opened my wallet and left ten solid bits on the counter. I then reached the end of my drink, and didn’t bother sipping up the pale blue liquid at the bottom of the glass.
The atmosphere of the bar was beginning to get boisterous. I then noticed a drunk human tossing his chair over and standing up straight. He burped as he stood up and began to sway from side to side. Next movements I predicted, he’ll be heading my way.
The man pulled out the stool next to me and sat down. From that distance I could smell the strong scent of alcohol under the man’s breath. He had gigantic fists and veins making his skin stand out by a centimeter. Hair blond and cut short, as if this man were in the armed forces of the other world we know.
“Hey red guy,” he said. “What do you think about a little brawl?”
I pulled out my badge and taser and demonstrated a high voltage shock without contact.
“The only brawl we’ll be having will be between an unarmed man and the law,” I said.
“Oh hell no,” said the man. “Johnny ain’t havin’ this shit today.”
He slid off of the stool and turned his attention to the blue man that I have been studying by the minute. Johnny seated himself next to the human and displayed the most strangest looks for facial expressions that anypony could imagine. What worried me most was the two other men he was just sitting with. The blue human kept his composure, no sudden movements.
“Hey you,” said the man. “How about a little competition, my style.”
“Walk away,” said the blue human. “You may be lucky enough to stand on two feet.”
“Oh so you’re saying you’re better than me? Not on my watch. Gentlemen, let’s teach this guy a lesson.”
The two men got up and began to surround the human. I watched as this happened, and kept my hoof on my taser at all times. Roya should be here by now, I thought. What’s taking her so long?
My hesitation wasn’t helping the situation. I sure wouldn’t let fight or flight determine how this man will end up. It’s time I take action. Two against three.
“Buck it,” I said to myself.
I stood on my three legs and kept my body facing away from the three men. I held on to my taser and kept an eye on the reflection of the dusty mirror leaning against the wall in the corner. As soon as I saw an arm move back in the motion of a punch, I spun around and pointed my taser to the man next to Johnny, but it was too late.
The blue human did something extraordinary. Maybe even out of the ordinary, and this is something that will make me wonder. Who is this being? He acted fast almost as if he were slowing time down in his mind. No critical hits were taken, in fact, the individuals were the ones taking the damage. Most of the damage was done to themselves.
When another punch darted towards his face, he held on to the bottom of the arm, and slammed big Johnny on the ground once he got a hold of his armpit. I came in for the arrest while the others brought the fight to the center of the bar. I placed Johnny in handcuffs, and watched as the blue man performed his defensive moves, and switched them around to an offensive attack. As an officer I will call this self-defense against dangerous individuals.
“This is unit red, need slammer transport at the Las Pegasus Grand Bar,” I shouted into the radio.
I turn away briefly to read the rights to Johnny, the cause of it all.
“You have the right to shut your ass up, anything you do or say will definitely be used against you in the Royal Equestrian Court. Do you understand me?”
“Go suck it, Mr. Cloppity,” said Johnny.
“Just know this: you’re the one in the cuffs.”
I turn back around to see where the fight had lead. There lying in the center of the room were the heavily beaten bodies of the two rolling on the ground and holding onto to the mostly “damaged” areas. I scan the room and find a door that had been opened. Through it I saw something blue moving in the fading light. This decision was tough, but I need to know who this guy is, and so I chased after him.
I galloped to the top speed I could possibly reach. It seemed to me that the bar was only meters away. As I looked back I could see Roya’s red car still in my vision. My breathing was controlled, and I looked back to find my snout only inches away from the biggest impact I would regret. I jab my hooves into the fresh soil of the Earth and lean back slightly to stop myself completely. There it was. In front of me stood an interesting looking garage. It had a resemblance to a warehouse by size, but it looked luxury for the most. I take my hooves out of the ground and run up to the steel door at the side of the building. To my surprise, the door was unlocked.
I swung open the door to find nothing but mostly darkness. The moonlight still shined through the glass windows acting as the unseen fluorescent lights hanging by the ceiling.
“Hello?” I shouted. “Is anypony here? Human?”
“Clockwork,” said the mysterious figure. “Just like clockwork.”
I made out a silhouette of a human coming around objects I could not tell the names of. The door behind me closed tightly, but at that very time, light had opened up. Row-by-row the fluorescent lights hanging in checkerboard style switched on. Each light flickered before becoming stable, and standing in front of me was the human I had been looking for.
“H-Hi there,” I said, trying to keep calm. “I’m-”
“Ridgee,” said the human. “Las Pegasus Metropolitan Police Department. I read up on you. Enough to know that we are looking for the same thing.”
“There aren’t really any papers about me, and my records are supposed to be secure.”
“I’m a pretty creative guy. When I put my mind to it, I can find whatever I need.”
“Understood, sir. I saw what you did back there, the most interesting show I’ve seen all night. Better than what happened at H.Q.”
The human kneeled down to my height and gave me the eye contact anypony would be asking for. Focused.
“I need your help, to be honest,” said the human. “You’re the only chance I’ve got.”
“One,” I started. “We just met, I know I chased after you, but that was only because I wanted to question you for a bit. Secondly, what you did back there was awesome, but may I ask what your name is?”
“Skyline, and only Skyline. It’s your choice, officer. If you want this city to go to shit, that’s on you. But we are both looking for something. I know you’ve seen her,” he said, “I can tell by the look in your eyes, by the redacted Shadow Army files.”
He made quotations with his fingers when he said “redacted.” Then something came to my mind that he couldn’t be talking about…
“Chrysalis?” I asked.
“The one and only. You and I, we have a job to do,” said Skyline.
“Well then. Let’s go find this evil witch.”
I adjusted the thick vest under my plaid shirt, and loaded up my taser before having it rest at my side. While trying to remember to meet Roya as soon as possible, a loud scream alarmed the two of us. It was faint, but distinct. It sounded as if she were shouting out, “Ridgee.”
“Roya!” I shouted. “I think she’s in trouble!”
“Your partner, hm?” said Skyline. “We’ve got no time to lose.”
I went ahead of Skyline and galloped faster than before. The wind blew into my eyes and tears began to form, blurring my vision and turning the rear lights of the suspicious vehicle into diagonal rays shooting towards the sky in my perspective. Once I reached her red coupe, it was already too late. Somepony had gotten to Roya leaving nothing behind, but her car and her hoof-fitted pistol. She must’ve left her car unarmed.
“No!” I cried. “No, no, no, no!”
I throw my entire body to the ground and try to catch my breath with my eyes open. I looked dead outside, but I had some details. I then closed my eyes to try and remember the plate of the van that snatched her up. So the plate came in, more clearer than day.
I force myself off the asphalt and kept everything within me in a calm state. I hop into the coupe with Skyline, who somehow was sitting in the passenger seat already.
“Damn,” I said. “You scared the living crap out of me, dude.”
“I’ve heard that before… Let’s get going,” Skyline replied.
I take the backup keys from her special hiding spot, under the rubber lining that connects to the undercover lighting of the vehicle. I turn the key, and find that the vehicle starts just fine. I unpin the radio from the side of the the air conditioning vent and announce the plate of the vehicle. All remembered by one glance.
“This is Ridgee,” I said. “Unit 567. We have a 427 on Roya Shine in progress, need info on plate Mary, Queen, Easy, Frank, two, one, nine. Do you have any flags?”
Static came from the radio after my question, but I got just what I needed.
“We are looking at a white grand timberwolf,” said dispatch. “expired license, two citations and owned by Glacier Shine. Proceed with caution.”
“10-4,” I acknowledged. I placed the radio back next to the vent and adjusted the laptop to be more on the passenger side. “Let’s go catch these fools.”
We went down the roads in code two. I only lit up at intersections to get traffic out of the way. As I remain the driver, Skyline moves the computer and hops right on the database without even logging in.
“What the hell are you doing, man?” I asked.
“Can’t chase that vehicle if you don’t have eyes on it.”
He opened up the traffic cameras and found the van moving eastbound on Blue Pegasus Road. I look at the computer screen briefly, and screech my tires on the road just to circle around.
“Manual cars these days,” I muttered. Skyline chuckled to himself.
I then shifted the gears and slammed the pedal to accelerate immediately. While doing this, I hoped that Roya’s car wouldn’t be damaged in any way. The car exceeded one hundred and twenty kilometers per hour within city limits. I decided to go code four, but we weren’t catching up to a mother’s soccer van any time sooner.
The coupe’s sirens bursted through the intersections. With vehicles moving over, we finally had a visual on the white timberwolf that fled from the scene. The windows were limo tinted and were impossible to see through, but the plate was a match. The vehicle failed to pull over, but with this coupe, it’s not going anywhere.
The two back doors securing the interior of the van then swung open. There stood Roya, gun to the head. Two masked changelings then reveal their faces that looked just like the rest. Then suddenly, the guns were not pointed at Roya, but right at our faces.
“Get down!” I shouted.
Bullets zipped passed our heads and rang our ears. I pulled out my weapon and depended on reflection so I may not hurt Roya in the process of pulling the trigger. Luckily, one of my rounds had one of the changelings.
The changeling shoots the siren dead, even some of the flickering lights on the car were taken out. Suddenly, a loud pop alarmed Skyline and I. I lose control of the car, and drive straight into the ditch beside the road. I tried braking, but we ended up in the darkness of the unclaimed land and rolled the coupe upside down.
I remained drenched in my own sweat, heard no more than the insects chirping away, and felt like nothing but a failure. At this time, I was unaware of the presence of Skyline. I did not look into the passenger seat, I just unbuckled my seatbelt and let the blood in my head flow properly. As I rest on the windshield, I had sworn I heard the voice of Skyline. Instead of paying attention to it, I saw darkness.
