Chapter 4: The First Kill

"I will Kill."

Location: Manehattan, Haymake Rd
Time: 11:59 p.m.

It was dark, out. The stars were twinkling in the sky and a stallion and his friend were just making it back from their late night picnic heading towards the mare’s home as Streamlight went to drop her off.

It had been another long day, at the Manehattan Detective Agency. And in all honesty Streamlight was just glad his female comrade had offered they do a picnic that very night during his break. Sweet Treat had really done him a favor by doing this picnic. Recently a bunch of strange rumors that started almost two days ago had started about people seeing strange figures around the allies at night.

The MDA had merely ignored such complaints though.

But in the process the young detective had been tasked with all the paperwork for those complaints. Manehattan’s populace were the type of ponies to throw fits and complaints about almost anything. Especially when the city was always bustling with work, and consisted of ponies that were either extremely arrogant because of the jobs they had or were frustrated with the load of crap they received on a daily basis, from those jobs.

There was always bound to be gossip of some form or another, Streamlight thought as he and Sweet Treat turned a corner.

“Are you alright?” the bright pink earth pony asked. Her dark blue eyes scanning Streamlight’s face, with concern.

Streamlight merely smiled at his friend. “I’m fine” thanks for asking. The mare nodded with a content smile as the two continued walking in silence.

Streamlight’s eyes glanced back over to his childhood friend as he stared at her. The mare ran a candy store around Manehattan and was well known in some parts of the streets for her candy making skills, most definitely what had earned her the lolipop cutie mark she had, although it wasn’t visible now. The insignia for the mare’s cutie mark stitched on her pants, where the mark would be visible if not for the clothing.

Suddenly Streamlight found his thoughts wandering on what Sweet Treat would look like with her cutie mark showing.

It was normal around some areas for ponies or others to wear clothing, some had been styled in such fashions to expose only the cutie marks, where others could be designed to display said cutie mark on the material. Streamlight however didn’t mind either. But as a junior detective the unicorn was required to be fully clothed at all times, only having his clothing depict what type of mark he had underneath the garments he wore.

Now that I think about it is kind of annoying to constantly wear such tight clothing when I’m on duty. But at least when I’m off I can wear whatever the heck I want he thought with a smile.

“Streamlight” his comrade called for his attention. The stallion could sense the nervousness in her voice.

Stopping and looking behind him he could see that the bright pink mare had frozen in place, her short violet hair almost magnifying the slightly nerving look she had on her face.

“What’s wrong?” Streamlight asked walking over to her.

“Don’t you hear that?” she asked her ears slightly twitching.

“No what are you-” he stopped.

Now taking in his surroundings the unicorn realized that they weren’t too far away from the mare’s home. And just a few feet away from them was an alley, where said noises were clearly coming from.

Almost instantly a cold sweat formed on the cinnamon colored unicorn’s brow. Something wasn’t right.

Although recently becoming a detective after making it from the police department almost a month ago, the young stallion had grown quite accustomed to reading situations, a skill he had trained himself to do quite frequently since he was an officer. And right now that skill was telling him to carefully pass by that alley without a sound.

A skill which he ignored.

The strange sound that almost sounded like munching or an animal eating of sorts something in between- that was still audible but just barely enough to be heard, luckily ponies have good hearing though because it was still slightly audible to them.

“I’ll be back” he said giving Sweet Treat a gentle pat on the arm, before he began backing towards the alley, his back still facing the strange sound. “If those rumors are true I need to get a report out to the rest of the agency immediately” he said to her, when she gave him a warning look to not go.

“I’ll be fine” he whispered as he got closer.

The noise now growing louder with each step. Streamlight could feel his heart beating. It was pounding rapidly against his rib cage but it wasn’t loud enough to be heard, or at least that’s what he hoped.

Moving towards the sound and away from his spot at the side of the alley the unicorn could now see a small faded lamp light flickering weakly over a hunched up figure, as it dug into whatever meal was before it.

CRUNCH!

The sound made the unicorn wince at what sounded like bone being broken. Whatever that pony was doing it was making quite a bit of noise.

Feeling slightly calmer that it was probably just a hobo the unicorn sighed, noticing the creature freeze and tense up.

Behind him Streamlight heard something fall to the ground and knock over the trash cans that made a long lasting sound echo throughout the hollow alley. Spinning on his hooves the stallion saw Sweet Treat had dropped the empty picnic basket, staring at the figure in front of her friend with nothing but fear.

Her eyes were dotted with terror. Her light pink lips shook, her legs shaked along with the rest of her body. And as she tried to call out to her friend no sound managed to escape the mare’s throat.

Streamlight was confused, shocked that his best friend was behaving in such a way until.

He smelled blood.

Having formerly been a police officer before becoming a detective the unicorn had seen a few incidents involving blood, like robberies at the homes of important diplomats, here in Manehattan. As well as a few drunken fights he had been tasked with breaking up. So the scent wasn’t something that surprised him much. Till he heard the pony behind him move.

“Niku” the pony said, his figure still darkened by the cloak he wore.

“I-I’m sorry?” Streamlight asked backing away a bit at the weirdo in front of him.

The pony didn’t reply. It didn’t need to, the wind gave the unicorn his answer to what he was facing.

Before him was not a equine, but a creature of similar caliber that also stood on two legs. And the light that now shone on that creature's face was caked with blood around it’s mouth.A mouth that appeared much much smaller than the likes of which the equine had ever seen.

Streamlight felt his stomach clench. Behind him he could hear Sweet Treat gag, as she forced herself to remain strong, most likely still trembling.

Streamlight’s attention went back to the strange creature before him, and behind that creature he could see what looked like the disemboweled form of a pony that had been gutted with a sharp object.

The expression that mare wore was one mixed with terror and fear as Streamlight stared at the utter terror filling those lifeless eyes.

“You-” he swallowed hard ignoring every fiber in his body that told him to run, to flee and just get out of here. Out of this nightmare as fast he could, because he knew that with Sweet Treat terrified he couldn’t just abandon her like that.

“You killed her?” he asked.

The creature nodded as it wiped the blood off its lips. “Yes, I did. I had to feed” he said.

Streamlight almost vomitted. That was more than he had expected.

“And now that I think about it” the ghoul said as it’s eyes suddenly took on a demonic form, the likes of which neither equines had ever seen, as drool began to dribble down it’s lip.

Something strange shot out just around its shoulder and stuck out like a sword, which the ghoul pointed at the two equines. “I believe I’m still hungry.”

Streamlight gulped. “What in Celestia are you?”

The drooling beast grinned, trying to maintain the drool dripping from it’s mouth. “I’m a ghoul.”

Instantly turning towards Sweet Treat and running Streamlight grabbed the mare and took off out of the alley and down the road. The ghoul smirked, there was no escape for it’s prey.

With one foot sliding across the ground while the other positioned itself for a jump, the ghoul leaned forward and launched itself towards a light post, using it’s ukaku like a hook to swing around and launch itself after the two running down the street.

“Itadakimasu!” he yelled with a crazy look in both those demon eyes.

“SHIT!” Streamlight yelled as he now saw the ghoul flying towards them. Seeing Sweet Treat was in it’s sights Streamlight pulled the mare towards him just barely getting her to escape certain death as the ghoul slashed at the air, where her head would have been.

Landing with a soft thud that both equines thought should have been impossible the beast glared at him with rage.

“Don’t mess with my meal!” the ghoul screamed, down the street, causing a few lights in some houses to turn on.

“Run!” Streamlight said after he had released the mare from his firm embrace.

“But-”

“Run damn it!” he ordered.

Sweet Treat hesitated. That was a mistake.

Appearing out of nowhere the ghoul was on top of them, merely inches from both unicorn and stallion. Punching Streamlight in the gut faster than the stallion had been trained to react, Streamlight was knocked only a few feet away from both ghoul and friend.

And as Streamlight began rolling, along the ground he kept thinking Why didn’t I listen. Why did I go? Why did I- a cold scream pierced the night causing more lights in the area to turn on.

Oh no Streamlight thought as he could see a few lights turning on in nearby houses. “If that pony was his first kill then who knows what he’ll do if he finds out there’s more!” the unicorn wheezed, before turning to the side and throwing up all the contents in his stomach.

“Streamlight!” Sweet Treat, yelled. “Are you alright?” she asked to his amazement as he cleared the tears forming in his eyes.

“Been better” he chuckled weakly. Expecting the mare to be a safe distance away but instead as he rose to his hooves he came to see Sweet Treat now in the ghoul’s grasp. All manner of amusement faded from his face, replacing it with utter rage.

“Release her” he order the beast, but it ignored him, tilting the mare’s neck to the side so her neck was fully exposed it inhaled the fragrance of her coat deeply.

“Mmm” he groaned. “Someone I once knew would say this fragrance is delicious” the ghoul’s eyes moved towards the shaking mare’s face. “I wonder how you’ll taste” he said, earning a whimper from Sweet Treat.

Streamlight couldn’t take this anymore. This thing was toying with them.

Getting up and weakly walking down the street towards them the unicorn’s horn glowed, his gun appearing to his side in orange magic. “Release her” he repeated.

“Stay back Streamlight!” Sweet Treat said, despite the fear in her voice. “If he gets you it’ll be over. Run, use me as an-”

“Shut up!” he demanded, not wanting to hear what she was about to say. If he did that then there was no way he could ever become a detective. No way he could face his family or hers when they asked what had happened.

Lifting his gun up towards the ghoul who’s back was facing him, he let out a breath to calm himself. It didn’t help.

“I’ll say it worn more time” he said with confidence he did not feel “Let go of my friend.” The gun clicked.

The ghoul turned slightly to look at the weapon in the boy’s hand only to chuckle and then mockingly lick Sweet Treat’s neck.

“Make me.”

Streamlight shut his eyes, not sure if this would work, but prayed to the gods and Luna and Celestia that it would, somehow, someway it just would. Please.

BAM!

The ghoul fell with a thud, releasing the mare in his arms as she went slack and fell forward for Streamlight to catch her and help her stand up straight.

Sweet Treat smiled weakly through the tears pouring from her eyes. “Y-You did it” she said trying to wipe away the tears only for more to continue flowing.

With the crying mare in his arms Streamlight stared at the creature that lay lifeless on the ground, the bullet he had shot on the ground crumpled and small like it were a piece of paper that had been stepped on, while a larger ice shard like projectile lay embedded right between the monster’s eyes.

“I didn’t” Streamlight said, as his eyes followed the spot where the shard had been shot from.

From a distance on a building, stood a tall man with white hair and glasses, holding a bow like weapon, that now lay at his side.

“Who are you?” the unicorn asked, but the tall man with white hair and glasses said nothing. Merely turning around and walking away, before disappearing once he’d jumped off the building.

Turning his attention back to Sweet Treat, who was now trembling a few people began making their way towards the two, all seeing the horrendous display before them.

Within minutes a medical team had been brought over and disposed of the body. The rest of the team now tending to Sweet Treat’s small bruises and the injuries the young detective had received.

“Hey” a medical officer whispered to Streamlight who was being taken care of and checked for internal bleeding.

“What was that thing?” the medical pony asked pointing a thumb in the direction of where the dead ghoul’s body had been.

Streamlight remained silent, staring at the small splotch of blood that showed where the shard had pierced.

“That was a ghoul. And I think it might have been my first kill.”

The two medics looked at each other confused before helping the detective inside, where Sweet Treat was waiting.

“Alright well let’s get you to the hospital and make sure everything’s alright. Okay?” The medic got out and tapped a hand on the side of the truck watching it pull off, towards the nearest hospital. Looking back at the spot where that thing had died, sent a shiver up his spine.

Those eyes were terrifying.

Kaneki had left with Pinkie later in the afternoon. The two had walked in silence as they made their way back to Sugarcube Corner.

Mrs. Cake upon their arrival had prepared the boy the cup of coffee he had requested. And now the two sat in silence; one drinking coffee, the other drinking tea.

As Kaneki sipped from his mug the boy couldn’t help but notice the glances the pink mare would send his way every now and then. It had been like that ever since they got back from Twilight’s. And though it didn’t bother Kaneki it was starting to attract unwanted attention as he could feel the air getting a more strange feeling to it as Mrs. Cake set all the cooking supplies back in their allotted places before retiring for the night.

“Is everything alright between you two?” she asked once she had finished everything.

Kaneki looked up from his mug staring slightly surprised, by her sudden reaction. Mrs. Cake smiled.

“I’ve known Pinkie long enough to tell when she’s hiding something” she said. “Pinkie what’s the matter? Why do you keep throwing glances at him?”

The pink mare remained silent, giving one last glance at Kaneki before drinking the rest of her tea. “It’s nothing Mrs. C, sorry if I worried you” she said getting up.

“Are you sure?” the cerulean mare asked with a raised brow.

“Positive, isn’t that right Kaneki?” Pinkie asked looking over her shoulder at her strange friend.

He nodded.

Mrs.Cake obviously not convinced, but deciding better on the matter remained silent and changed the topic. “How was your visit with Twilight?”

“It went well. She apparently has some new friends that Kaneki knows” Pinkie stated placing the cup in the sink and turning the pipe on.

“Oh really?” Mrs. Cake asked leaning over the countertop. “What are they like?”

“They’re like Kaneki” Pinkie replied, not saying anything else. Upon catching the older mare’s confused look she added, “Their detectives.”

“Oh!” Mrs.Cake exclaimed. “I didn’t know you were a detective Kaneki” she said with a smile.

Just barely Kaneki caught Pinkie say “Neither did I.”

“Well then. I guess I’ll head on to bed. I’ll see you two later, try not to stay up too late Kaneki” she said waving goodbye to the two who waved back as she headed up the stairs.

When she was gone Pinkie’s slightly chipper persona became less than chipper. Rounding on Kaneki who had just finished his coffee she placed her hand on the table and another on her hip as she leaned forward giving him a quizzical look.

Seconds passed.

“What?” he asked.

“You know what!” Pinkie said in a whispered shout. “The girls and I just witnessed you get attacked by a detective and you just pass it off as if it were nothing! He could have hurt you!”

“No he couldn’t” Kaneki said reassuringly as he got up to wash his own mug.

“How can you be so sure!” she raised her voice.

“Pinkie” Mr. Cake said from above.

“Sorry, Mr. C” Pinkie said. Turning her attention back to the boy who had just finished washing his mug the girl continued to stare at him with a quizzical look both hands on her hips.

“Well?” she said.

He said nothing.

After a few seconds of quizzical staring Pinkie groaned quietly, before turning around on her hoof, her tail flicking Kaneki’s nose. “I’m going to bed!”

Kaneki waved goodbye ushering another loud groan of frustration from the mare.

“Pinkie” Mrs. Cake said warningly.

“I’m sorry Mr and Mrs. Cake, Kaneki’s just being difficulty” she stated as she frustratingly, yet quietly went up the stairs.

“Stallions will be stallions” Mr.Cake said with a chuckle.

“But-”

“Pinkie, it’s almost 12:30 a.m. we’ll talk about this tomo- later today okay?” Mrs. Cake said. “We don’t want to wake the foals.”

Hearing Pinkie sigh dramatically and grumble an okay Kaneki moved over to sit outside for a bit and soak in the pleasant silence he had taken in the night before.

As he sat outside Kaneki let today’s or rather yesterday’s events unfurl in his mind. The incident with the investigators was not one he had expected. He thought he had been the only one that had made it to this world and left everyone else back in Japan. But if what Kill Shot said was true. Then they were in serious trouble.

His stomach grumbled. Sighing Kaneki got up, moving his hands over to the back of his neck where the hood lay. The boy lifted it up to provide a cover over his face as he scaled the buildings, tonight where he would get his meal at the cemetery.

“Guess it’s time to eat.”

Morning struck.

Kaneki had gotten back a couple hours ago and was already awake before the rest of the Cake’s and Pinkie Pie when he heard a loud knock on the door. Hearing a small thud before someone moving on the steps he saw Pinkie rush over to the door and open it.

“What’s wrong Rainbow Dash?” she asked still in her pajamas.

The cyan girl with wings floated inside and landed. “You’ve got to see this” she said to both Pinkie and Kaneki. “I think you’ll need to.”

*** ****** ***

Now at Twilight’s castle the group of mares and the two humans sat in silence, as Spike gathered the cups they had all drank from. Right now the group was waiting for Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie and her new friend to join them in the common room.

Twilight was holding the newspaper in her hands, biting her lower lip as she stared at the words in front of her.

“Manehattan Officer Attacked by Strange Creature.”

“Last night junior detective Steamlight and local Manehattan baker Sweet Treat were attacked by a monster or “demon” as the injured detective stated, who consumed equines. The MDA has posted an alert in Manehattan and spread other alerts across Equestria to be careful when walking alone at night.”

Silver Star- Manehattan Journalist.

How could this happen? Twilight thought as she heard Rainbow Dash, Kaneki, and Pinkie’s footsteps echo through her staircase.

When the group had finally emerged Twilight stood up concern and worry written all over her face. “Do you know anything about this?” she asked the two investigators who had once again sat adjacent from them.

Sting and Kill Shot said nothing. Both looking quite grim. This only served to put Twilight’s nerves on further edge.

“Well do you?” Rainbow Dash asked turning her attention to Kaneki who was behind her.

Kaneki didn’t say anything. Not because he wouldn’t, but because he couldn’t. He was too shocked to do anything right now. The boy had suspected something like this would happen but not this soon.

“Well!?” Twilight’s voice asked bringing his attention back to the two investigators sitting in front of her.

Kill Shot’s expression was one of contemplation, but Sting’s was one of annoyance.

“How could we know anything about this huh?” he asked. “We’ve been here this entire time. Rather rude of you to assume we had anything to do with this!”

“Hey!” Rainbow Dash scolded. “We never said you were involved in anything we’re asking if you know what that thing out there was and tried to do. And what the hay does that article mean it was trying to feed on ponies?”

“For the last time we-” Kill Shot silenced Sting with a raise of his hand gaining a silent curse from the younger investigator.

“You’re sure you want to know?” his voice asked with both caution and austerity.

Twilight gulped. Of course she wanted to know. If anything Princess Celestia and Luna would have seen this article by now, and any second could be preparing to take action on the matter. As another princess she needed to know what exactly they were dealing with, so she could inform the princesses.

“I do” Twilight nodded with conviction.

Kill Shot didn’t reply, his eyes were now looking at Kaneki. Rarity, and the others turned their attention to the boy behind them who merely stared back at the investigator in silence.

The look Kill Shot gave Kaneki, was one that asked “Should I?” at least from Rarity’s studious eye that’s what she could tell.

Kaneki nodded, “Go ahead.”

Turning his attention back to the mares who were once again looking at him Kill Shot began explaining the creature that had attacked at Manehattan.

“That was no monster, but a ghoul. Ghoul’s are well slightly similar in appearance to us. The difference being that, bullets, knives and any normal weapon used against them is ineffective and useless. If you were to face a ghoul right now and think you could win with a knife you might as well be hitting them with a rubber toy.”

The group of mares were shaken, with both Rarity and Pinkie gasping. “Are they really that dangerous?” Fluttershy asked once they had all managed to calm down a bit.

Kill Shot nodded. “Some are much worse, and the reason that one attacked that detective is most likely cuz he was hungry.”

“H-Hungry?” Pinkie asked. Both investigators nodded. “Y-You’re joking right? What kind of thing eats ponies?”

“Well they don’t” Sting said plainly. “They eat us. It’s the only thing they can eat. At least that’s what reports say.”

Silence ensued as the group took in what had just been told to them. Fluttershy had begun shaking and Sting had moved over to comfort the yellow pegasus.

“It’ll be alright though” Kill SHot said in an attempt to curb the group. “You have us. Our weapons are made from the only thing that can hurt them. Which is the same thing they use to hunt or fight. It’s a long story” he said waving Twilight’s curious look away.

“Besides” the investigator said pointing to Kaneki. “You have him. He won’t let anything horrible happen. Won’t you Kaneki?”

The six mares, along with Spike who had overheard the conversation from the kitchen all stared at Kaneki with concern in their eyes, concern and hope. And as the six mares and dragon stared at him, Kaneki couldn’t help but feel like he was back at Anteiku again...with the others.

A small smile crossed his face, as he gave them a reassuring nod. “I will. Don’t worry.”

Smiling immensely at the boy’s proclamation of protection, Pinkie jumped towards the boy and hugged him tightly, with Fluttershy leaving Sting’s side (much to his chagrin), Rarity and the rest getting in on the hug as well.

As the group hugged him and the two investigators watched with Kill Shot holding a grin of his own, the boy continued to hold the smile on his face. And though he stated he would protect them, a part of his mind said: “Yes. I will protect them.

“Even if I have to kill every single ghoul that tries to harm them. To harm, my new friends.”

Author's Note

Parfume