When Ghouls Cross Over

Chapter 19: Arrival At Trancelvania

Something feels off

“Final Destination, Trancelvania!” called Pass Director. And with that call came the loud roar of the train’s whistle and smoke that left its pipes soon accompanied by the loud hiss of steam.

“Pinkie, Pinkie darling wake up” Rarity coaxed gently with a light shake of her friend.

The mare’s eyes slowly opened as she looked around and turned her attention to Rarity sitting beside her. Pinkie smiled sleepily at her.

“Are we here?” she asked, to which Rarity responded with a nod of her own head.

“We should be heading off this train soon, before it departs for its next stop.” A voice called from above the two. Pinkie looked up, slightly unfamiliar of who it was talking but Rarity didn’t, having already known who it was.

It was Kill Shot. The man readjusted his glasses, holding his own briefcase as he stared outside the window. In the distance from their perspective just beyond the station’s departure dock, revealed a large road that made a winding path through a large pair of steel gates leading out the station and towards the metropolitan city just ahead.

Beside Kill Shot, Kaneki. He said nothing as he also looked onwards towards the distant city that was Trancelvania.

Trancelvania Kaneki thought as he watched several passengers walk by and head out the exit to their train cart. Till a couple hours ago Kaneki had never heard of such a city. In fact, now that he thought about it this city hadn’t undergone anything noticeable or noteworthy in terms of the recent ghoul attacks. Not a single mishap had occurred here, at least as far as the papers covered.

Yet despite how good this may have sounded, to Kaneki and the senior investigator, this only meant they had to keep their eyes and ears alert and open if they wanted to make sure everything was alright here to begin with.

For now they’d just need to focus on helping Rarity and Pinkie Pie with whatever they needed to get done here as quickly as possible and get out of here. The sooner they finished the better, Kill Shot reasoned.

A voice clearing itself dourly drew the two’s attention to their comrades. Rarity and Pinkie now stood near the door with the station master peeking in at them through the only exit out of the passenger cart.

“Are you two here leaving with your lovely friends here or will you be staying for another destination?” The station master asked with a quick glance at his pocket watch.

Kaneki merely rubbed the back of his head while Kill Shot looked away in a slightly embarrassed fashion as he readjusted his lenses.

“We’re coming” Kill Shot said to the two mares. “Just got a little lost in thought.”

Being in Trancelvania was no different than being in Ponyville. Everywhere you look someone was always staring at you be it out of interest, confusion, a slight sense of fear in one’s eyes or simple wonder it was hard to tell.

Mainly because it wasn’t just a single pony that sought to look upon the group of four that now made their way through Trancelvania’s streets.

Whether it was because it was the first time ponies had ever seen creatures like Kill Shot or Kaneki before, or whether it was once again out of fear or uncertainty due to their addled appearance yet confounding abilities, one could not say for certain. Regardless however this not stop Rarity and Pinkie Pie from searching for a place to stay since it was quite possible they would be here for most likely more than a few hours leading into the night.

Earlier during the walk through the station, it had been fairly decent.

Rarity and Pinkie having asked a few questions about Earth, then later on discussing a few topics about where Kill Shot, Kaneki, and Sting Ray were from, along with some of the traditions and things they ate there.

Kill Shot doing most of the talking while as usual Kaneki remained silent and simply watched.

But once actually entering the city all manner of discussion as previously mentioned ceased, due to the few looks they received and the even fewer greetings they got.

“So, is this a common thing in your world?” Kill asked Rarity as the group moved through the cities streets in search of a place to stay.

“I beg your pardon?” Rarity asked with a raised brow.

“I mean no offense by the question, Miss Rarity. I simply ask because it’s been almost a month since our arrival here, yet we still seem to acquire the same looks no matter where we go. I was simply asking out of curiosity is all.” he explained.

“Well” she said thoughtfully. “I suppose you could say it is a common affair here. I mean you two, Sting included, aren’t what us ponies would call a normal occurrence around here. And trust me darling, when I say we rarely have anything close to normal ever happen in Equestria without some sort of catch to it.”

“Hm” Kill Shot sounded in understanding. It was an understandable answer for their inconceivable situation. It was quite obvious that humans were anomalies here, ghouls even more so. Then again if the roles were reversed and there were in fact anthro creatures popping all over the world one day people wouldn’t hesitate to stare just as much as these ponies were doing to him and Kaneki now.

It was strange yes, but that was their situation. I suppose it’ll take a bit more time than two and a half weeks for the inhabitants of this world to get used to us. A slight frown crossed Kill’s face as he followed the others. But getting along with them will prove difficult if this ghoul issue isn’t solved soon.

“We’re here!” Pinkie’s voice called in excitement, both snapping Kill out of his thoughts and disrupting Kaneki and his silence.

“The Trot and Stay?” Kill Shot read.

It sounds like a bed and breakfast inn.

“Yes” Rarity said with a smile. “I had the luxury after discovering we were coming here to get some information on a inn we could stay in.”

“I see” Kill Shot said staring at the large building in silence. But after a few seconds of patient waiting the man broke that silence.

“Well then, I suppose it’s best I take a look around this city and get to know our surroundings a bit. Miss Rarity if you would please, register a room for me, I’ll be back shortly, I think it’s best if I go do a little looking around.”

“Oh” she said slightly confused by the investigator’s behavior. He had been fairly silent when they were leaving Ponyville, but perhaps it was just curiosity that had a hold of Kill’s attention today? “It shouldn’t be a problem. Um, what kind of room would you like then?” she asked.

“A single would be just fine” Kill stated, his attention now focused on a certain mare closing up her shop about four to five blocks down their current street.

When she looked up and saw Kill Shot with the others a strange look overcame her. It was hard to tell from the distance, but it wasn’t fear, nor was it a sense of shock either. Plainly said to Kill it looked more of one such as, anxiety. Kill unsure how to take this reaction, waved at her, Rarity and the others watching on from the sidelines.

Trying not to be rude, the mare waved back as she shut the door to her salon shop with a very and quite obvious, forced smile. Once her little wave was done and she’d locked the door, she continued to smile forcefully while making her way down the street.

It wasn’t until the mare was a good yard or so away did her smile fade and she suddenly begin picking up the pace in her already brisk walk.

The senior investigator continued to stare off in the general direction the mare had gone in. He didn’t say a word for a good few seconds, all the while Rarity and Pinkie Pie feeling increasingly uncomfortable with how rude that made had been.

“Um, Ren, Darling why don’t you wait for us to finish up here at the register hm? Then we can all go on that walk you were talking about?” Rarity said gently, trying her best to change this awkward situation to a brighter one.

Ren Tokoshima, a.k.a Kill Shot, did not reply immediately. But when he did speak again his tone was...different.

“No, no. I’m fine. I understand, we are still...new to your world so it’s only understandable some of you would be nervous.” The investigator said silently. He didn’t speak for a few seconds causing Rarity to look at Pinkie for some kind of help, but the mare shrugged with a just as “I don’t know” expression as the fashionista.

When the two looked over at Kaneki they saw that like the investigator, he to was staring off down the street the mare had quickly scurried off to.

“Ahem” Kill coughed, before a slightly choked up sound escaped his throat as he cleared it. “Excuse me. I’ll be going around for a bit and getting a look at this place. Feel free to explore around without me.” He stated before promptly walking off down the street without so much as another word.

Rarity’s ears dropped ever so slightly as she walked Kill Shot walk off. It was too bad also, she’d been hoping to have talked a bit more with him about their world’s traditional clothing styles again.

Pinkie’s ears were also falling almost flatly against her skull, she rubbed one side of her arm and frowned as they watched the senior investigator call a carriage, get in, and disappear down a turn in the street.

“Do you think he’ll be alright?” Pinkie asked after a few seconds of silence had passed.

“I hope so, he seemed a bit disturbed by that mare’s reaction to him. Honestly, that was just too rude” Rarity said with a slight huff as she turned back into Trot and Stay.

Pinkie turned to follow Rarity in, but stopped when she saw Kaneki still staring after Kill Shot’s no longer visible carriage.

“Kaneki?” she called with a bit of confusion, checking for herself to see if the carriage or any sign of the investigator still being there.

There wasn’t.

“Pinkie, Kaneki!” Rarity called from within the inn. “Our host wants your signatures.”

“Coming!” Pinkie called back. She turned her attention back to the boy who still hadn’t seemed to notice his attention was required elsewhere.

Sneaking up silently on Kaneki the mare prepared to surprise him in the most inconceivable manner possible.

Popping up just behind him, Pinkie dug a hand into her mane, tongue sticking out as she fished around for something. When finding it she slowly began to pull out a blow horn, and then moved to place it right behind Kaneki’s head, holding herself back as she thought how funny his reaction would be. Especially since it was so rare to even get one from him.

But when the mare pushed the button no sound came out, but a very muffled wailing noise. She opened both her eyes in surprise, when she felt a hand grasp the horn and looked up to see Kaneki staring at her.

Pinkie smiled sheepishly. “Hehe, Rarity needs us.” she said after seeing his deadpanned expression, one that reminded her very much of a displeased Maud.

Kaneki nodded, then used his other hand to point towards the horn he was still muffling with the other hand. “You’re still pressing it.”

She stopped almost instantly, a slight blush hitting her cheeks as she gestured for him to lead the way.

Once everything was set and their places in the inn settled, the group of three decided to follow Kill Shot’s example and take some time to explore this town. It was mainly Pinkie who had voted for exploring, after she’d put it in such a convincing manner by stating, “We can’t help someone if we don’t even know where they are.”

And so a trip of exploration began, after they’d gotten a bite to eat.

The streets of Trancelvania were far more spacious than Manehattan’s, less crowded, less about the hustle and bustle of getting somewhere on time, and more about an easy and steady pace.

Overall Trancelvania seemed like a calm place, despite the recent events of the sudden appearances.

Yet despite the calm nature and easy going vibe that one could get as they walked on the cobblestoned sidewalks and past the few lakes that surrounded the cities countryside and farms, if one were to pay attention close enough, they’d be able to sense that something, though minor, was slightly off about the surrounding residents.

Kaneki noted this instantly.

It was the way they were being looked at. Earlier he had cast it aside as simple paranoia on their part on never seeing any creatures like this before, but the more the three walked and the more ponies they met, the more they seemed to notice this vibe in the air was anything but normal let alone friendly.

“Perhaps going out for a walk wasn’t such a welcoming thought as I imagined” Rarity muttered to the other two as they crossed the street.

“Yeah, I mean you’d think ponies wouldn’t be as surprised to see a human considering the other things Equestria has faced.” Pinkie said, casting a frown at a small group of fillies and colts that shied away as they approached.

Needless to say, much of the walk for the rest of the afternoon did not go as decently as Pinkie had hoped, or Rarity had expected. Aside from receiving a few looks here and there, things went mildly smoothly, that is till Pinkie ended up catching a particular farm off in the distance being surrounded by Royal Guard members and a few officers belonging to the city.

When Pinkie had inquired somepony nearby what had happened, the group were briefly told somepony died in that farmhouse, one that used to belong to an old farmer that had helped Trancelvania’s establishment back in the day. Though from the tone of the older stallion that informed the group, it was quite obvious he was implying murder had occurred.

It put a sour mood on the entire walk entirely making Rarity wish to return to the inn immediately. It was bad enough they hadn’t found the pony they were supposed to help, hearing about murder happening somewhere in the city just ruined the day entirely, and frankly Kaneki agreed.

Upon arriving at this town the vibe had been friendly, yet somewhat bizarre, but the further they went the less friendly things seemed and the more paranoia or anxiety presented itself everywhere they looked.

It was a relief to be back at Trot and Stay just as the sun set over the horizon and began to slowly disappear over distant hills.

Opening the door to their three split rooms the group walked into the hall, only to find Kill Shot sitting at the front entrance with a leg crossed as he watched the city from their balcony.

“Kill Shot?” Rarity asked somewhat surprised. “You’re already back? The innkeeper didn’t mention-”

“I told her to keep it a bit of a secret in case you and Pinkie Pie were tired” the senior investigator said gently. “I just came by to talk to Kaneki, if you two wouldn’t mind. I’m sure you’re both tired after exploring the city, right?”

Pinkie and Rarity looked at each other and nodded. “I suppose we’ll go to the spa below, care to come Pinkie.”

Hesitant, though yearning, Pinkie glanced over at her other two friends. Kaneki nodded, the investigator offered a smile of assurance. “We’ll be here for a bit don’t worry.”

Pinkie nodded and smiled before giving Kaneki a quick squeeze then suddenly popping up behind Kill Shot and doing the same. The mare popped into her room, grabbed a towel and followed a waiting Rarity out. “Be back in a few” she sung before the sound of the door closing behind them left the two in silence.

Once they were alone, Kill Shot turned his attention away from the door and looked Kaneki in the eye.

“Have you noticed?” he asked, his voice all manner of business.

Kaneki nodded.

“Then you know as well as I that there are ghouls here also. But there’s been no news from this town. Any theories on why.”

“It’s possible the media is hiding it.” Kaneki simply stated as he pulled up a seat.

“Possible, yes. I don’t think the princesses would want every single city or country all over this world to be stating the sudden appearance of these creatures since they don’t want to cause a frenzy let alone a nationwide panic. But I don’t believe they're the ones behind this.”

“Then you’re suggesting otherwise?” Kaneki asked with a raised brow.

“Of course. You noticed it when I arrived. We all did. That friendly atmosphere faded the deeper and deeper we got into this town. This town hasn’t seen as much danger as Ponyville has but that doesn't mean they’re not wary of it. If the recent reports are anything to go off and the recent attack that happened far off in that distant farm are anything to go from then it’s obvious we’re here for one reason.” Kill Shot explained.

Kaneki said nothing.

“You won’t protest?” the investigator asked.

Kaneki shook his head. “I have no reason to. If it means any harm will come to my friends, it doesn’t matter what their reason was.”

“Then it’s agreed” Kill Shot stated, slowly rising from his seat. “I’ll go ahead and do some further investigating. If anything happens I’ll let you know. For now keep an eye on Pinkie and Rarity and let’s try to make sure nothing happens to them. Whatever reason they’re here obviously isn’t a good thing, we just need to keep them out of the way of any of the ghouls as best we can and solve this ourselves.”

Kaneki nodded, as Kill Shot moved towards the door and picked up his briefcase. “Oh and Kaneki” Kill Shot said stopping at the door.

Kaneki glanced over his shoulder.

“Be careful with Pinkie Pie. I’m sure you’ve already noticed but if you’re not careful, she’ll find out soon enough. She may not look it, but she’s perceptive. Far more than she lets on. Don’t do anything to let her know what we’re up to. Understood?”

The boy said nothing, and did nothing in response.

Kill Shot waited a second or two before he let out a small chuckle. “Good. See you later, if the girls ask. Tell them I went out for a walk.”

Click

The door closed and Kaneki was left alone in the room with silence as his only company.

A second later, his stomach grumbled. He needed to eat.

Perhaps it was best he wait later on in the night before going to get a bite.

It was late now. Rarity was in her room and so was Pinkie. Kaneki had his own separate room as well.

A low yet ravenous, growl came out from Kaneki’s room and it was quite clear almost instantly that he’d procrastinated his meal long enough.

Getting up and sneaking out of his room was easy. Putting on his shoes and taking up the sweater wasn’t difficult either as he made his way towards their inn door.

What was difficult was him suddenly hearing something behind him.

Spinning out of instinct, Kaneki stopped his movement when he saw Pinkie Pie staring at him with her hands behind her back, her head slightly tilted at his sudden reaction.

“Going out to eat again?” she asked, her tone low, curious. Almost questioning.

Kaneki hesitated, but nodded his head regardless.

Pinkie opened her mouth to say something but closed it after a few seconds, thinking better on it afterwards. “Alright. Well, don’t be out too late alright? We still need to find what it is we came here to do so we can head back home. And if you see Ren, make sure you tell him to come back here before midnight understand?” she said as she began walking back to her room.

Being caught off guard by the last statement was beyond what Kaneki had felt. The girls had never asked where Kill Shot went after they got back, but upon their return he’d informed them anyway since Rarity had glanced over his shoulder when they entered. Telling them the investigator had went to his room.

It was a lie, yes but how did she-

"She may not look it but she’s perceptive. Far more than she lets on."

Kaneki watched Pinkie Pie go into her room, and begin closing her door. Before it was fully closed he caught her smile and wave goodbye at him as he turned to go.

A cold bead of sweat fell from Kaneki’s neck down the rest of his body as he left the inn and made his way down the now street lit lights of Trancelvania.

I need to stop underestimating her.