Chapter 8: CCG Meets MDA

“You’re a investigator?”

Chuu Hachikawa made his way slowly towards Sugarcube Corner, the grayish violet unicorn girl leading him by the hand the entire way to the bakery shop.

Every time a pony passed by him they would stare. Gawking at his massive figure that was being led by the little girl. In all honesty if any of the other investigators saw this he would find this quite degrading, but for some reason, he couldn’t move to harm this filly or her mother when they had approached him two nights ago.

Hachikawa sighed, both annoyed by the looks of the civilians of this town and the way this child seemed to lead him by the hand as if he were her friend. He scowled from the safety of his trench coat collar.

Why did you approach me? he thought as his eyes now looked on at the filly. Why did you bother to talk to a stranger who you know clearly is not from your world?

In all honesty the investigator did not understand, nor did he like it. As a CCG investigator his task was civilian protection first, ghouls second. Obviously he had chosen the latter over the former. His past always bringing back dark memories whenever he saw a ghoul, be it adult or child. And when he had sacrificed that old lady for his cause he felt no qualms or regrets for his actions.

So why? he thought. The mare he had seen the day prior to his arrival called Ditzy upon approaching him, must have sensed how he had this dark vibe about him, due to her sudden hesitant state. But she had still approached him. Even more so when the child followed after the mother and came up to him.

Any other day of the week I would have walked off and ignored you. His glasses now reflecting the image of Dinky. But you, your sister, and your mother weren’t scared of me, approaching me like I was a friend who needed help.

He couldn’t help but scoff as he recalled the thought earning a curious look from the child before she turned her attention back to leading him down the street.

One thing I’ve come to notice is that your species are a little too friendly. His eyes now moving away from the child and scanning the area; the curious eyes and looks of concern, doubt and interest of each pony be it pegasus or unicorn, stallion or mare, looking at him as they passed.

He knew what they were thinking. They didn’t revolt now because they weren’t sure of what he could do. The skills he had, the horrors he had seen. But the moment he slipped up, they would attack. And since his kind did not have magic proof clothing, armor or weaponry, if he slipped up he would be at their mercy. But if it came to that he would be sure to take down as many as the multicolored beasts before they could end him. And any ghouls nearby before he drew his final breath.

“We’re here!” the sweet gentle voice of Dinky chirped, drawing the man out of his dark thoughts.

Hachikawa looked up his dark expression disappearing as he stared with a mixed expression of confusion and slight amusement. Before him now was a treat based home. Consisting of frosting, chocolate cake, and candy as its infrastructure.

His eyes scanned the strange building as if this were some kind of joke before he looked down a Dinky who smiled at him.

“This is it?”

She nodded. Hachikawa diverted his eyes away from the child before looking once more at the building.

He shrugged his shoulders. “Lead the way.”

Once inside Hachikawa’s nose was met with the fragrance of freshly baked goods. However he was not hungry at the moment so he could restrain himself.

Looking around the ghoul hunter could see the place was well decorated and ahead of him he could see a mare walking up to the register counter with a smile on her face. However when she looked up and saw Hachikawa her smile almost instantly disappeared.

Hachikawa ignored this. It was a common reaction he’d grown accustomed to since he’d been roaming the streets of this town aimlessly the day after his arrival.

“Hello there” the cerulean mare said with a small smile. A very small smile. “Is there anything you’d like to order?”

He shook his head then nodded it towards the filly in front of him. She took the hint.

“Hey there Dinky” Mrs. Cake said with a smile. “What can I get for you today?”

“The usual please” Dinky said sweetly.

Mrs.Cake smiled and patted Dinky’s head, ruffling her mane just a bit in the process. “Two bakers dozen of muffins?”

Dinky nodded her head. Mrs.Cake simply smiled at her before glancing back at the man standing beside her and sending him a small smile in return.

“It’ll take a few minutes since I put a fresh batch in. Why don’t you sit in the room with your uh” she looked back up at Hachikawa. “With your uh friend and wait till they’re ready?”

Dinky nodded, then gestured for Hachikawa to follow, he did so willingly.

Sitting beside the mare as she looked around the room Hachikawa said nothing, merely remaining silent as the sweet scent of muffins and other baked goods wafted through the air and into his nostrils. It was pleasant, too pleasant to his liking.

The two sat there for almost a minute before Dinky hopped down and told the human she was going upstairs to see if Pinkie and the twins were there. He merely nodded, watching her climb the stairs before turning his attention back towards the window, allowing himself to watch the creatures of this world pass by.

“Oh.” a voice said. Hachikawa turned his attention to it. An amber stallion with a orange hat, matching his mane walked in. If the picture he could see near the table set across the room was any evidence this must be, the father and husband of the foals and wife.

“Hi there, I’m Mr. Cake it’s a uh pleasure to meet one of Pinkie’s friends.” He offered his hand to the man in the trench coat but the human made no signs or attempts to shake it.

After a few seconds of awkwardness Mr.Cake retracted his hand back to his side. “Anyway, its always nice to have a friend of Pinkie’s visit” he said with a smile.

Hachikawa raised a brow. “Pinkie?” he asked.

It was the baker’s turn to give the human a confused look. “Are you not one of Pinkie’s friends?”

Hachikawa shook his head. “I came with the girl, Dinky. I do not know a “Pinkie” as you have described.”

“Hm” Mr. Cake said turning around and heading towards the stairs. “I was sure you might have been one of her friends, if not hers then maybe one of Twilight’s investigator friends or even Kaneki’s.”

Hachikawa stared silently as the stallion walked away; part of the sentence catching his attention but he simply brushed it off without a care, since he did know of a 'Kaneki'.

“Anyway, I’ll be going upstairs for a bit. Hope Dinky enjoys her order, speaking of which I’ll send her down” Mr. Cake said with a small smile before heading up the stairs.

Once the stallion was gone, Hachikawa continued to stare outside for the next couple of minutes till Mrs. Cake’s voice called that the muffins were done.

Hearing the sound of hoofsteps rushing over to, and down the stairs, Hachikawa got up as Dinky ran past him and moved over to where the cerulean mare was waiting with a basket full of freshly baked muffins.

Dinky licked her lips, as the scent of the baked goods wafted through her muzzle.

“Thanks Mrs. Cake!”

“Your welcome dear.”

Hachikawa had now returned to Dinky’s side. Once the muffins had been payed for Dinky waved goodbye to Mrs. Cake who waved goodbye back. Hachikawa said nothing in return as they made their way out of the bakery, which seemed to be perfectly fine to the mare as she obviously sensed a vibe about him that she clearly did not like.

“Stay safe Dinky” she called out as the filly waved goodbye one last time, before shutting the door.

Now outside Dinky had once again taken the lead to lead her strange mother’s friend back to their home. However they hadn’t gotten more than 10ft away from Sugarcube Corner when Hachikawa suddenly stopped.

“Hachi?” Dinky asked. “What’s wrong?”

Hachikawa didn’t look up, his eyes fixed on the pony or person ahead. Slowly Dinky’s eyes rose to stare at a light blue unicorn who also wore a trench coat, that had the insignia M.D.A on it. The stallion’s cutie mark fashioned on as an insignia on his left shoulder, appearing to be that of a bright burst of blue light, that seemed to be enhanced by a magnifying glass, and that same unicorn had his own eyes now firmly placed on Hachikawa’s.

The two stared at each other in silence, a few ponies passing by sensing tension in the air as the did so.

Then the unicorn spoke. “Hello. I’m Streamlight of the M.D.A precinct and it seems you may be just the being I need to answer my questions.”

Hachikawa raised an annoyed brow in the unicorn’s direction; speaking in a rather rough, cold voice he said. “And if I refuse to talk?”

“Well then I can’t make you” Streamlight replied calmly. “That simply means I’ll have to look for the actual person I came here to look for.”

Hachikawa scowled, taking note of the gun strapped to the unicorn’s side. Streamlight took note of this and place his hand on it.

“Don’t get any sudden ideas” he warned, his eyes now moving over to the slightly confused Dinky. “There’s a kid here and I don’t want to see her getting hurt.”

Hachikawa’s scowl though impossible to see from behind his coat still seemed to give off that feeling of animosity. A few more seconds of silence were exchanged as the two stared at each other in observation before Hachikawa began walking in the direction of Streamlight.

Backing away from him Streamlight watched the strange being pass, Dinky following right behind him as she stared at the unicorn her look of confusion only growing as she heard Hachikawa speak in a harsh, yet calm tone.

“If you want to talk follow me. That’s my final offer” and with that, the investigator continued his steady pace in the direction of Dinky’s home, the little girl now taking the lead once more, as Hachikawa picked up the heavy basket of muffins.

Streamlight watched in silence as the human headed down the street, no doubt heading home with the little girl. Before nodding his consent and following them in the direction they were going.

Looks like my trip really is going to pay off.

Ditzy Doo brought over a plate of cookies and placed them on the table between her human friend and the stallion he had brought over. The mare smiled warmly at the unicorn, who smiled back, before she left, making her way upstairs to check on her daughter Dinky, Sparkler having gone to spend a sleepover with friends.

“Dinky” she called. “Where are those muffins I asked you to buy dear?”

A muffled voice called back through the filly’s closed door. “Down stairs! Hachi left them downstairs!”

Ditzy smiled at her daughters attempt. “Nice try Dinky” she said opening the door, her more dominant eye focusing on her daughter a bit. “But I know you’ve got the muffins” she said moving towards her daughter’s hunched over form that was covered by the blanket.

Pulling the cover off her, Ditzy grinned as she saw the muffins Dinky held in her magic and in her hands, a few crumbs falling off her muzzle in her haste.

The filly smiled sheepishly, and held a muffin up to her mother. “Want one?”

Ditzy placed her hands on her hips, still smiling at her foal warmly. “Of course I do.”

*** ***** ***

Meanwhile downstairs the investigator and detective agent sat in silence drinking the tea the pegasus mare had so kindly offered them.

Hachikawa had not said a single word since they’d gotten here, and Streamlight had preoccupied himself with taking in the decorations of the home. It was well done all and all. There were some pegasi ornaments here and there and actually some posters of Rara or Sapphire Shores and a few other mares and stallions who were quite good at singing.

It gave Streamlight a warm feeling to see such an array of different musical styles so well mixed in this pegasi’s home.

Turning his attention back to the being before him Streamlight took another sip of his tea before taking one of the cookies and biting into it. Allowing a few more seconds of silence to pass before speaking.

“So” he said. “If you don’t mind me asking, since this is my first time personally seeing your kind around here. What are you?”

Hachikawa took a bite of one of the cookies, chewed slowly swallowed, then finished the rest of the cookie before he spoke; “I’m human.”

“I see.” Streamlight said. A few more seconds without either talking passed. “So um, Mr.-”

“Investigator Hachikawa is fine.”

Streamlight cocked a brow. “You’re an investigator?”

The only response he got from the human was another nod before he rose from his seat with his cup, and moved into the kitchen to get some more tea.

“And what about you? You some kind of officer to the rest of your race?”

“I am” Streamlight replied, his ears twitching just a bit as he heard tea being poured into the mug. “I work for the Manehattan Detective Agency.” A chuckle escaped Hachikawa as he came back in with his cup of tea, carrying the entire pot with him as he entered and took his seat across the unicorn.

“Something funny?”

“Actually yes there is” Hachikawa stated. “Where I’m from, we have a city called Manhattan?”

“Your point is?”

“Your city’s name is a bad joke based off a real city from- well where I'm from.”

Streamlight’s eyes narrowed, his expression turning into one of anger. “Are you insulting my home?” he asked leaning into the table.

Hachikawa shrugged. “That’s up to you. Did it sound like I was insulting your home?”

The unicorn stared silently observing the human who hid behind his coat. He backed off after a few seconds before sitting up again. “Anyway, I didn’t come here for small talk. I came here because I think you might be able to help me with something.”

Hachikawa made no response, simply sipping his tea slowly. His lenses reflecting Streamlight’s own reflection back at him as he spoke. The unicorn’s horn glowed and out of his trench coat pocket that hung on the coat tree in front of the door, came a folded up news article dating back to three night ago.

“I’m sure you’ve seen the papers since your arrival. Am I correct?” Streamlight said unfolding the paper, creasing it out neatly before sliding it in front of the detective.

Hachikawa leaned in reading the article carefully. His face remaining blank till his eyes came across one word.

Ghoul.

Both eyes, twitched, an action not lost on the junior detective.

Placing his finger on the word, Streamlight gently tapped it three times watching Hachikawa’s eyes raise towards him with a look of malice as he stared at him.

“What can you tell me about these ghouls?” he asked. “You said you’re an investigator, you never said of what exactly though. So tell me, what do you investigate? You spill the beans, I spill mine. Scratch my back, I scratch yours. So go ahead, enlighten me. What. Is. A. Ghoul?”

The look of malice in the investigator’s eyes was still present for awhile before he sat back up straight once more in his seat, taking a nice long drink of his tea before speaking.

“Ghouls are nothing but scum. Their the most vile creatures from where I come from and are nothing but wolves in sheep's clothing, less than so in my eyes. They feel nothing, hunt for sport, and are disgusting vermin that deserve nothing but death” his glasses flashed almost reflecting the anger in his eyes before looking up at the light blue unicorn once more. “And I won’t rest till every single one of them dies by my hand.”

“Quite the opinion you’ve got there don’’t you?” Streamlight said, but froze when the human slammed his fist on the table causing the laughter they’d been hearing upstairs to stop.

Hachikawa glared daggers at the unicorn through his spectacles. A look of rage by which the likes the unicorn had never seen before. If anything the very glare would make Nightmare Moon herself, if she were still in existence to cower before it. But considering the fact that he’d come this far and experienced a near death experience by one of these creatures the junior detective wasn’t going to give up anytime soon, shoving the anxiety he had begun to feel deep within him..

“Is everything alright down there?” Ditzy asked, the sound of her hoof coming closer.

Streamlight’s eyes glanced up towards the stairs, before he looked back at the investigator who looked like he was ready to kill him. He stalled for a seconds before Hachikawa nodded his consent, his tightly gripped hand backing away from the table and falling back to his cup.

“Everything’s fine Miss Hooves” Streamlight said with a somewhat reassuring voice, his eyes never leaving Hachikawa’s side the entire time.

“Everything’s just fine.”

Hachikawa continued to give the unicorn as much information he thought necessary, only telling small facts till Streamlight decided to ask another question.

“They eat flesh don’t they?”

The CCG investigator merely nodded. “Not the kind my species eat. They eat us, or in this case. They’ll start eating you. And considering I’ve seen this article, then who knows how many more are out there, feasting on your kind as we speak.” A chuckle escaped Hacikawa’s lips after he said this. “Disgusting things all just need to die.”

Streamlight shuddered at the thought. It was disturbing, sickening to think of the very fact that while he and this human were talking there could be other ponies somewhere in Equestria suffering a fate he had just barely managed to escape by chance.

Hachikawa merely watched in silence at the stallion’s shudder before speaking again once he’d stopped shaking. “So you’ve met one?”

Streamlight simply nodded, fighting the urge to shake once more. “They’re nothing like I’ve ever seen before.”

“Of course they’re not” Hachikawa answered flatly. “They’re not from here. They belong in my world.”

“Then tell me how they got to our world!” Streamlight snapped, a sudden flash of rage surging into him.

Hachikawa however remained unaffected and shook his head, taking another sip of his tea before pouring himself another cup. “How should I know?” he said. “I’m not even sure how I got here.”

Streamlight remained silent for a few seconds, simply staring at the human with a somewhat exasperated expression, noticing how he always drank his tea from a hole where his mouth would be in the trench coat. Feeling like it wasn’t his place to ask the detective simply pushed it aside, moving on to ask another question.

“So what are those things that come out of their bodies?”

“Kagune.”

“Ka-goo-ney?”

“Kagune” Hachikawa stated.

“Kagune?” Streamlight repeated, Hachikawa nodded. “What are they?”

“A ghouls claws and means of defense. An organ made out of RC blood cells, ranging from various types. Koukaku.” He pointed to his shoulder. “Emerge from the shoulder blade, they are like blades, lethal and deadly. Their RC blood cells are heavy and robust, making them the perfect type of defense against Ukaku wielders. And just as I said they can be used as blades.

“Ukaku, feather like kagune. These type of ghouls have agility. And their kagune is adaptable, being capable of forming projectiles or even a small maelstrom that can give you serious damage if you aren’t fast enough. Ukaku users however grow slower as their kagune uses up energy, the longer the battle, the more stamina they use.

“Rinkaku, emerging from the back around the midsection of the waist. This kagune is one of the most lethal.”

Streamlight gulped. “Why’s that?”

“Because the users have both agility and power. The RC cells of this kagune are akin to liquid, therefore they can shape, or form anything the user desires. Combine into one kagune, split into multiple kagune, provide a form of protection by being hardened or even be used as a means of propulsion. Not to mention their user’s insane regenerative prowess.

“Then finally there’s the Bikaku. Bikaku, can overpower the rinkaku and emerges from the tailbone. This bikaku generally has no weakness like the others. Durability, speed, offense. It’s got it all. However it is weaker in terms of long distance fights against a ukaku wielder.”

Hachikawa took another sip from his cup, finishing the rest of the tea. After which he said no more, feeling he’d given enough information to a complete stranger. Not like it mattered anyway, the only thing capable of killing a ghoul was his very own weaponry. A quinque, but he had lost his since arriving here so he had no sort of weapon to use in case of a ghoul ever attacking. Didn't mean he wouldn't rip off a ghoul's own kagune and beat them senseless with it.

Getting up Hachikawa moved towards the other side of the room, leaving the stunned and speechless detective to process everything he’d said. Before entering the bathroom though the investigator said one more thing before shutting the door.

“Oh yes, before I forget so you don’t get anyone killed and add a load of paper work I may or may not get depending on whether my colleagues are here. I suggest you don’t try using any of your primitive weaponry, such as guns, knives, swords, and spears.

“I’m sure you know why already.” He shut the door, leaving Streamlight to his devices.

Streamlight was not only stunned by the amount of power these ghouls had but by the fact that they seemed capable of regeneration. Not that it mattered since his own Automag V had done nothing, not even place a scratch on the ghoul that had tried to kill him three days ago. What made things worse was the type of weaponry he needed, he didn’t have. So there was no way as to mass produce it for the other authoritative offices around Equestria.

Streamlight sighed, then looked at the time. It was 7:58 p.m. had he and this man been talking for the past four hours since he got here? Boy did time fly, when you’re dealing with a massive crisis.

The beautiful pegasus mare came downstairs and smiled at the unicorn, before casting him a worried look when she saw how tired he was.

“Hey” she said gently. “What’s wrong Mr. Detective?”

“Please Miss Hooves, call me Streamlight” he said with a small smile after running a hand through his mane and face.

“Then call me Ditzy” she said with a warm smile. Although reluctant and refusing to do so at first the pegasus mare ended up winning the debate, with Streamlight calling her as such.

“So Miss Ditzy. How exactly did you come to meet this um...Investigator Hachikawa?”

Ditzy smiled, recalling the memory. “I’d actually met him before, I think it must have been the night he arrived. It was more of an accident really” she said biting into her muffin and smiling as she chewed, then swallowed.

“I don’t know why but one day during my deliveries through Ponyville I found him just sitting in the town square, oblivious to anypony else. He seemed to have been reading the newspaper article at the time and looked absolutely furious. To be honest I was a little scared, to find him still sitting there after I picked up my daughter. But I also felt there was something about him that I couldn’t place my finger on” she said honestly.

Streamlight merely nodded the entire time. He had no idea what it was the mare had seen in this human to invite him over to stay with herself and her daughters but obviously she’d must’ve seen something good in him. Because all the junior detective could see was nothing but hate in his eyes.

Then he remembered, the photo. “Ah yes. Miss could you possibly direct me to where I may find this person. I was told he was at Sugarcube Corner but instead ran into your er friend. It was a pleasant experience though talking with him.”

“A lot of ponies seem to say that” Ditzy said warmly oblivious to the “I’m not surprised” expression Streamlight held on his face.

I’m sure they do. Pulling out the photo and showing it to her Ditzy, the pegasus took the picture in her hand and blinked a few times with a somewhat surprised reaction.

“I-Is that Kaneki?” she asked in a hushed voice.

“So his name is Kaneki?” Streamlight asked, Ditzy nodded her approval.

“Why do you ask if that is him? Does he usually look any...different?”

Ditzy shook her head, the concern not leaving her face. “No. No no, nothing like that it’s just” she lifted the photo closer to her face scrutinizing it, as she bit her index finger nail. “I- It just- He looks so...angry. I’ve never seen him like this before. Where was this um, taken?” she asked handing Streamlight the photo.

“I’m not sure. My subordinate was the one who took the photo and she would not tell me where. But you sound quite surprised, is he usually a placid person?”

Ditzy nodded. “Quite placid. He rarely shows any emotion around other ponies, except Pinkie Pie and her friends. As well as those two investigators that I see come out of Twilight’s castle every now and then.”

I see, Streamlight thought staring at the photo of the white haired boy. Sensing once more the anger and determination through his eyes. He hadn’t noticed when Hachikawa had silently walked up to them till Ditzy made a comment.

“Oh hey Hachikawa” she said smiling at him. “What’s wrong did you drink to much tea?” she teased with a grin, but the grin faded on the look that she was grace the human’s face. “Hey Hachikawa what’s wrong?”

Streamlight looked up and almost froze instantly. The look of animosity he had seen seconds before, was like a furnace in the pits of hell compared to what it had been those two or so hours back.

“That photo.” Hachikawa said. “Let me see it” he ordered, not asking, but demanding.

Streamlight slowly shoved the photo into his trousers pocket, before getting up and looking at the time. It was 8:01 p.m. If anything, it was time he made his leave.

“I’m sorry, but I can't do that” he said with a not to apologetic smile as he rose, before turning his attention to Ditzy. “Miss thank you for the cookies they were very well made. I hope I’ll be able to have some more on my next visit.” Ditzy beamed him a smile before shooting a stare at the human who rolled his eyes and said, “Thank you for coming.”

She smiled nodding at Hachikawa before turning her attention back to Streamlight and offering him a hug as his coat floated over to him.

Complying he took it, then heard the steps of Dinky come down, who he patted on the head before turning his attention back to Hachikawa. The two exchanged a silent stare before Hachikawa bowed lowly.

Streamlight did the same, then offered his hand before having it gripped rather roughly and shaken. “Thank you once more for having me Ditzy, Dinky” his eyes glanced over to Hachikaw. “Investigator” he said with a nod as he put on his trench coat. “Have a wonderful night.”

With that said and done Streamlight walked out into the night, seeing a major less crowd of ponies on the streets as he made his way towards a inn where he’d spend the night. Though something told him to look back at the house so he did.

Standing there in the doorway with the door still open was the human he’d been talking to. His lenses reflecting his image before the reflection disappeared and revealed his light red eyes.

Hachikawa simply stood there, Streamlight sensing a new depth of rage and curiosity emanating from this being for a few seconds before he turned around, then shut the door.

Streamlight merely stood there feeling as if he might have just gained an enemy. And if this man was as strong as his hostility, he probably made a huge mistake. But he’d sort that out when the time came.

Turning his attention away from the house the unicorn made his way back to the inn, pulling the photo of the white haired boy out once more he stared at it quizzically.

“Just who are you Kaneki? And what on Equestria is your story?”

Author's Note

Man this chapter was something. It took a lot of debating and thought before I actually decided to have the two officers meet, but hey I think it went pretty well.

Now the question just remains, what will Hachikawa do next?

Leave a comment if ya want and let me know what you guys think.