When Ghouls Cross Over

Chapter 12: The Article

“What...is this?”

Mrs. Cup Cake was awake. A few rays of light made their way through the curtains of her horizontal slider style window. And judging from the time on her miniature desk beside the bed it was just a few minutes past dawn.

Her ear twitched a bit as she felt two arms wrap around her, she smiled sweetly at her husband Carrot Cake who’d spent most of the day and a majority of last night working on a order that had been requested by an important client in Trottingham.

He’d probably had it delivered by now and recently came to bed judging from the circles under his eyes, she thought nuzzling him gently.

A pleasant smile crossed the stallion’s face as his grip loosened around his wife just a bit. Mrs. Cake smiled once more, slowing sliding out of the sheets and giving her husband a gentle peck on the check she headed to the bathroom to get ready for the day.

A couple minutes later Mrs.Cake was downstairs, and not much to her surprise Kaneki was sitting in a chair near the register counter sipping coffee as he usually did every morning. She smiled at him, he nodded back.

The older mare noticed he was no longer wearing the same clothes that had been slightly torn the previous two nights before.

In all honesty it was a bit worrying for her. Being a mother Mrs.Cake always had to think about her children and take into account their safety, and seeing Kaneki with torn clothes at times somewhere in the night was...unsettling.

But she would not ask. Mrs.Cake trusted the human and she would not question him unless it was absolutely necessary. Besides, Pinkie Pie trusts him and her husband and two foals seem to like him just fine. That was enough for her.

Moving past Kaneki and heading towards the back where the kitchen was Mrs. Cake began taking out the necessary tools to begin baking cupcakes. Today’s specialty; cinnamon.

Taking out the flour, cupcake pans, whisk, eggs, cinnamon, salt and other necessary equipment and ingredients Mrs. Cake began getting to work. Kaneki came in a few minutes after with his empty mug, moving to the sink to wash it and place it back in the dishwasher.

“Did you sleep well?” Mrs. Cake’s voice asked after a few seconds of awkward silence was held between the two.

Kaneki paused, slightly caught off guard by the question. He nodded then spoke: “Yes, thank you. And how about you Mrs?”

Mrs. Cake smiled, glancing over her shoulder at him and nodded back. “Just fine thank you.” She went back to work placing the cupcake batter now inside the oven.

Kaneki was now sitting in one of the chairs nearby the register not too far off the kitchen’s entrance. He was staring silently at the front door, something she’d noticed he’d been doing for the past two days.

“Kaneki” she said kindly, the boy’s pale gold eyes looked in her direction. “Is there something wrong? You’ve been staring at the door for the past two days and haven’t been going out as much with Pinkie, she’s starting to worry about you a bit you know?”

Kaneki simply shook his head then looked back at the front door. “There is nothing wrong Mrs.Cake” he said dismissively. “I just have a lot on my mind.”

Oh she thought. It wasn’t the first time she’d noticed the human had had a lot on his mind. He’d become even more wary of going outside nowadays ever since Mrs. Cake mentioned that a large man with glasses, and a scary look came by here with Dinky.

Mrs. Cake had wondered if Kaneki knew him from the way he grew a bit stiff upon mentioning his name.

Now that she recalled she felt that the man, Hachikawa, that had been with Dinky had something dark that had happened to him or about him that made him give off such a menacing look that could eat you up or rip you to pieces without a moment’s hesitation.

An image of Hachikawa popped into her mind. That callous almost soulless look in his eyes. It was...almost terrifying, yet Dinky seemed to see something in him that she hadn’t had the full opportunity to notice. Since all she had wanted to do upon sensing the faint hostility that loomed in his presence was stay as far away from him as possible.

Pushing those thoughts away into a furnace, Mrs.Cake looked at the time. It read it was 6:35 in the morning. In a couple of minutes, possibly around 7 or so Mr.Cake would be awake. Then she’d need to check on Pound and Pumpkin and make sure they were still asleep or needed a changing.

Since the shop opened at 8 in the morning she’d have some extra time to kill. But with Pinkie still asleep there wouldn’t be anyone to talk to aside from Kaneki

She glanced over to Kaneki who’d remained motionless, just staring at the door. Lost in thought.

Mrs.Cake’s hooves clopped gently against the hardwood floor as she made her way past Kaneki and gently patted him on the shoulder. He looked up at her, seeming to return from a daze.

“Kaneki, come let’s sit in the living room dear. We haven’t had a nice talk in a while right?” she asked kindly.

Kaneki looked at the cerulean mare with a slightly confused expression, but Mrs. Cake’s smile only widened

“Come on now. I’ll make us another cup of your favorite coffee and then we’ll have a talk.”

Kaneki feeling slightly confused by the events simply nodded and got up to go to help Mrs. Cake with the coffee beans.

“Oh no don’t worry about that Kaneki. You just go wait in the living room, I’ll be there shortly” Mrs. Cake said reassuringly.

“Um..” he nodded and left for the living room. Unsure of why the mare wanted to talk with him.

It took a few minutes but eventually Mrs. Cake came to the living room with two mugs in her hand. One was hers the other was Kaneki’s favorite. She handed hers to him and sat beside him.

“Is there something I did wrong?” Kaneki asked as he gently blew on the hot liquid. Mrs.Cake smiled and shook her head before patting him reassuringly on the shoulder.

“You’ve done no such thing. I simply wanted to talk to pass the time.”

“I see” Kaneki said staring at his own reflection from within the mug.

“So Kaneki, I’ve been meaning to ask you. You and those detective aren’t from here right? Don’t you ever miss home? Or is there a specific reason you came here.”

Mrs.Cake noticed how Kaneki’s shoulders tensed at the question. It must have been personal, she frowned her ears slightly dropping just a bit.

“I apologize, I didn’t mean to touch on something per-”

“No” Kaneki said kindly. “It’s alright. I don’t mind.”

Mrs.Cake nodded and took a sip from her cup. The coffee’s bitterness with the cream she had added into hers even out with some sweetness. It was nice and it gave her a warm feeling as it went down her throat and warmed the rest of her body.

“Do you miss your home?” she asked after a few seconds of silence.

Kaneki took a sip from his cup, stared at his reflection, closed his eyes as if he were lost in thought before opening them and speaking again. “...There are times I do...miss my friends, the ones I left behind back home...but then I recall the new friends I have made here. And that empty feeling I get...that....keeps me from overreacting or over thinking things when things are at their worst” he pointed to his chest with a calm expression as he looked up at Mrs. Cake.

“It goes away” he said with a small smile. A smile that in Mrs. Cake’s opinion threatened to break her heart.

Smiling sadly at Kaneki the older mare moved closer and gently placed her hand on top of his with motherly affection, and gave it a squeeze. Kaneki smiled kindly and gave a small squeeze back in return.

“Thank you Mrs. Cake. It’s...it’s been awhile since I’ve been able to talk like this to anyone.”

“Even to Pinkie?” Mrs.Cake asked in almost a whisper.

Kaneki nodded.

“I...I would prefer not to burden her with my problems. My problems are my own, and it is my job to protect everyone from as much harm as I possibly can.”

Mrs.Cake’s head tilted to the left in slight confusion by the statement, but she let it slide.

Kaneki and Mrs.Cake talked for quite sometime till Pinkie and the rest of the Cake family woke up. As the two talked, Mrs.Cake finally began to felt she could understand why Kaneki always seemed so closed off to others.

He was in his own way, trying to protect them.

Streamlight now lay asleep in his very own hospital bed. His torso wrapped with bandages and his arm now propped up in a cast. The fight with the ghoul siblings the two day before had taken a lot more out of him than he had expected.

Apparently he’d broken his left arm and hadn’t even noticed. Three of his ribs had been fractured and it had taken four hours the following morning when Doctor Helpinghoof got in, along with the aid of a unicorn doctor called Check-Up to fix his busted ribs.

The bandages had been placed there to make sure he didn’t move around to much to weaken the mending spell they’d placed on him. He’d been advised to wait yesterday and today, but he had refused to do so.

Silver Star would be preparing to publish the photos if he didn’t get back to Manehattan yesterday night.

Sadly, he’d been stopped from doing so. Getting hit with a sedative by Nurse Redheart had knocked him out for the majority of the day and well into today’s morning.

Helpinghoof had said while he lay on the ground ready to pass out that if he moved too much he’d only weaken the spell and worsen his state. So Nurse Redheart had done good with her job.

Now slowly coming out of his sleeping state, Streamlight blinked a few times as he stared at the checkered ceiling of the hospital. Lifting his good arm to rub his face, the stallion tried to sit up. Only to wince a bit from the pain.

Forcing himself to sit up anyway, gaining a lack of breath for his efforts Streamlight looked around and remembered he was back in the hospital.

He sighed, then looked at the clock. “7:43 a.m.?” he muttered. Something in the back of his mind was trying to make a comeback but he couldn’t recall what this urgent thing was.

His ears twitched as he heard clopping coming towards him. Looking up Streamlight watched Nurse Snowheart’s voluptuous form come inside. She smiled kindly at him and asked how he was doing.

He grumbled a “fine.”

“Well well, that’s no way to treat the nurse who helped get you out of those officer clothes” Nurse Snowheart said walking past him and fixing a bed nearby.

“What?” Looking at down Streamlight noticed he was no longer in his uniform but was wearing a medical gown. He gulped, looked up at the ceiling full of worry as he slowly lifted the gown up to check if he was still wearing his boxers.

“They’re still there” Snowheart said saving him the trouble and possibly hinting at something else.

Streamlight sighed feeling a bit better. Then immediately feeling a bit embarrassed he turned his attention to Snowheart who was now walking towards him.

“You do know that I could have stayed in my uniform without you having to remove all my clothing, right?”

“You do know it is my job to make sure the safety of my patients come first be it, royal guard, officer, or detective. Correct?” the mare smiled when Streamlight nodded.

“Good, I just came to check on you and let you know that you’ll be leaving later today.”

“Today?” It took a second but finally the thought that had been resting in the back of Streamlight’s mind suddenly came rushing back with a full force as he slowly rose from his seat on the bedside.

“What’s wrong?” Snowheart asked slightly concerned at seeing the detective’s look of shock.

“The article. Oh Tartarus, the article!” he said rushing to grab his clothes.

Snowheart stepped back looking confused. “What do you mean “the article” ?”

“Silver Star! She’s a friend of mine. I was supposed to be in Manehattan by last night or this morning. If I don’t get there now she’ll publish those photos in her article and it’ll be all over Equestria! I have to stop her!”

“Wait you can’t leave!” Snowheart stated as the unicorn quickly began changing into his attire, hurling the strap that kept his left arm up and wincing before he quickly slipped on his shirt and button up after it.

“I have to! If I don’t, things won’t look good for him!” Streamlight stated using his magic to return the strap on his cast around his neck.

“Who?” Snowheart asked as she watched him fumble with the door knob.

“Can’t say! Bye!” he called.

And before the nurse could even move to stop him from opening the door, Streamlight was already halfway down the hall.

Location: Manehattan; Manehattan News Corps. Executive Director One Shot’s office.
Time: 7:45 a.m.

Walking through a bunch of cubicles and standing in front of a door that said “Chief” was Silver Star.

The mare had received a call from her boss earlier today, and had sounded furious. She’d been postponing the due date for those pictures she had mentioned to him for the past four to five days now and her boss had ordered her to come straight to his office when she checked in.

She gulped, then knocked. “Come in” a voice called, followed by the clang of a phone on its receiver.

Walking inside with the photos in an envelope, tightly gripped in her hand Silver Star nervously walked into the room to meet her boss.

Sitting in a large armchair behind and even larger desk that was full of different notes, photos, and had one framed picture that was most likely a picture of his family was One Shot.

The ginger stallion with the orange mane and grape highlights stared silently at his journalist as she took a seat in front of him. One Shot rubbed his chin as he stared meticulously at the envelop in the mare’s hand.

“Those the photos?” he asked when he was sure the journalist had endured enough silence.

Silver Star nodded, not speaking unless said to.

“Good. Hand them over” he said with a raised hand.

Silver Star hesitated. The deal she had made with Streamlight still weighed heavily in her head and betraying Streamlight’s trust despite time already being up was bothering her. Her boss’ voice however drew her attention.

“Silver Star” One Shot said sternly. “Give me the photos. Don’t you want to get first page on Equestria Daily?”

The slight glint and look of joy in the journalist’s eye didn’t go unnoticed. One Shot gestured with his hand to have the envelope placed in it.

With reluctance Silver Star complied, handing the pictures to him. When the director took a look at the photos, Silver Star noticed how his eyes slightly slanted as he stared at each individual photo.

“What do you think?” Silver Star asked after a few minutes. She was twiddling her fingers around out of a nervous habit, waiting for what may or may not be praise. One Shot didn’t look up at her as he stared at all five pictures of Kaneki. Four of which showed him dodging attacks from Haru.

“What do I think?” One Shot repeated after a few more seconds of careful observation. He lifted one photo that showed Kaneki and the ghoul staring at each other from a distance. One Shot could clearly see the intensity in Kaneki’s eyes.

“I think these are...Amazing!” One Shot exclaimed standing up in front of his desk, looking down at the photos. “These shots get first page, inevitably! Well done Star” he said fervently patting her shoulder. “Hey Film! Get your butt over here and get these photos published asap!”

“Coming Boss!” Film called from behind one of the cubicles.

“W-wait! Sir, I was wondering, would it be too much to ask if we delayed our usual morning newspaper for the next few minutes?” she asked as she watched the director show the photos to the pegasus who just walked in.

Both Film and One Shot stared at Silver Star in amazement, then looked at each other. Film didn’t know what to say to this question, One Shot on the other hand was laughing.

Silver Star felt her cheeks burning with embarrassment, knowing that she was asking something impossible but felt it was necessary to at least try.

“Look Star, what do you think this is a restaurant? If we can get Sapphire Shores to agree to a public photo shot with a diamond necklace then I can tell you without a doubt that this isn’t happening. Film” he said turning to the brick red pegasus and handing him the envelope, “get these published now. I wanna see this kid on front page in the next half an hour stat!”

Film paused looking between the director then back to Silver Star who’s cheeks were still a little red. “Well what are you waiting for a tip?” One Shot’s voice asked him, snapping the pegasus back to attention.

“Uh, no sorry sir” Film apologized before backing out of the room.

“Good, cause you wouldn’t get one” turning his back to Star, One Shot moved towards Silver Star “And you!” One Shot said with a grin as Silver Star rose from her seat.

“Nice job getting those pictures. They’ll make front page in today’s article.”

“Sir” Film said taking a look at the photos.

“What is it?” One Shot asked spinning in his direction.

“What’s the article’s title?”

“Let me see one of the pictures” he said with a wave of his hand.

“Which on sir?” Film asked.

“It doesn’t matter Film just pick one!”

Handing one of the photos to the director One Shot stared at the photo in silence for a few seconds before a grin slowly crossed his face.

“I’ve got it! Film, let’s go. Silver Star, good job once again. Keep up the great work!” With that the director and his partner left the room leaving Silver Star to wonder if this would cause any problems for Streamlight when he got back.

After a few seconds of silent pondering Silver Star stepped out of the director’s office and into the area full of other workers, busy typing, filing reports or handling calls.

She sighed, “I’m sure nothing too bad will happen.”

It was still in the morning the time now 11 in the morning. Derpy Hooves had sent Dinky off to school quite some time ago and had returned to see if Hachikawa needed anything.

As the mare flew towards her home she saw from a distance Hachikawa grab the newspaper lying in front of the door, before heading back inside. It’d been only a couple minutes since she’d seen the news truck deliver papers all across Ponyville and she got the feeling that something interesting would be happening today.

Call it a pegasus or mare’s intuition if you want, but when Derpy landed in front of her door she noticed something strange. A few ponies that had gotten their mail that’d she’d delivered and were now staring at the papers were all looking either shocked or confused.

It was strange. Nopony ever looked that confused unless something unbelievable had happened. And living in Ponyville, the unbelievable happened quite a lot.

Opening her front door Derpy noticed it wasn’t locked. Maybe Hachikawa saw me from afar and decided to leave it unlocked she thought with a smile. What a sweetheart.

Walking inside and going towards the living room where she decided to check first Derpy held a pleasant smile on her face, ready to surprise Hachikawa with a hug.

Hachikawa was standing, facing the window as he read the newspaper. Derpy stopped her snuggle assault, noticing how the muscles in his body were rigid, his shoulders up, and his stance slightly edgy.

Something wasn’t right.

“Hachikawa, what’s wrong?” she asked her eyes slightly lidding, giving her a worried expression.

Hachikawa said nothing at first. He merely stared at the page he was reading in silence before responding. “Did you know?” he asked quietly. Every word filled with a blinding fury.

“Know what?” she asked taking a cautious step forward.

“Don’t come any closer!” he yelled over his shoulder. Derpy winced, her ears drooping submissively as she took a step back.

“Hachikawa, what’s wrong? Talk to me.”

The investigator took a deep breath, relaxed, then exhaled. “Did you know Kaneki Ken could do this?”

“Do what? Hachikawa you’re not making any-” there was a flop sound on the ground as he tossed the newspaper at her hooves. The mare looked at it, picked it up and stared. Her eyes widened.

On the first page titled: The Boy With Two Sides, there was Kaneki. Facing off against Haru. All four photos displayed Kaneki fighting with the ghoul with ease, yet at the same time emanating such a form of violence in his body language, his movement. His eyes, that it made Derpy shake. There was a fifth one that displayed him with a softer side as well.

“I see” Hachikawa said, as he stared at Derpy’s reflection and confusion from the window. “You didn’t know.”

“Know what, Hachikawa, none of this makes sense! Talk to me what’s going on! Why was Kaneki fighting one of these things? You’re an investigator right? Don’t you know?”

“No. No I don’t know.” He replied.

Turning around and facing Derpy, the mare froze as she saw the look in his eyes.

“But I sure as hell intend to find out.”