Spectral Ace: Ponynormal Investigations

Chapters

Case File No.1: Canterlot Castle
Case File No.3: The Valley of Tenochtitlan
Spectral Log No.2: █████'█ ███
Case File No.5: Sweet Apple Mystery
Spectral Log No.4: Night in Ponyville
Case File No.8: Private Ace
Spectral Log No.5:
Spectral Log No.1: Introductions
Case File No.2: Diamond Thief
Case File No.7: On the Late Night Train to Manehatten

Case File No.1: Canterlot Castle

My name Spectral Ace and it's my job as a paranormal investigator to separate fact from fiction. My life's work has taken me all across Equestria and beyond on my journey to find the truth. Today I'm at Canterlot Castle to talk to some members of the Royal Guard who have been hearing strange noises during late hours of the night. What will I find withing the castle walls, and who or what is causing these mysterious noises.

First up I talk to Lancestriker, a member of the Guard, who I hear has serving in the castle for quite the number years now.

"So Lance, why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself and and the work you do here to start things off," I say.

"Well Mr. Ace I've been here for fifty three years," he tells me.

"That is quite the number of years. Do you think you be retiring any time soon? Maybe spend some time with the misses?" I ask.

"What and leave my post!" He proclaims, "No never, I'll be serving until it kills me."

"That's uh, very noble of you Lance. I, I admire your enthusiasm." I say not really knowing what else to do, "Well before we move on, may I ask one more thing that I have been dying to know?"

"Go right on ahead," he tells me.

"Okay, here goes. I was wondering, in all your time as a member of the Guard, what is the funniest thing you have ever seen while on duty?" I ask.

"Oh that one's easy. I'd have to say it was this most recent Gala when Discord spiked the punch bowl. Princess Twilight was furious, but Spike didn't really seem to mind too much. He said that it felt nice on his scales, but that's a story for another time," he tells me

"Alright then down to business. So I've heard that you and some of the other guards have been hearing some strange noises." I say despite my want to know the rest of the story.

"Yes we've been hearing noises every night," he says.

"Every single night?" I ponder.

"Every night between 2:15 and 2:30. Quite strange if you ask me," he explains.

"That is quite strange," I repeat.

I went and talked with a few other guards and their accounts did indeed concur with that of Lance's. It seemed to me that this would call for a stakeout, but not just any stakeout. Tonight I would have to become a member of the Royal Guard.

"Well , how do I look?" I ask Lance.

"I'd have to say you look like a guard-" he starts.

"Oh, I knew it," I interrupt.

"Hold on, you didn't let me finish. You look like a guard, however you look nothing like a Royal Guard," he tells me to my disappointment.

The night was nearing 2:15 and I was getting a tad bit antsy, to say the least.

" Is it 2:15 yet?" I ask Lance.

"How about you stop asking me every two seconds and I'll tell you," he says.

"Oh right, heh heh, sorry 'bout that."

Soon Enough it was 2:15 and right on queue the noise began.

"Alright we'll only have fifteen minutes to find the noise's source, so let's... wait hold on a second, why haven't any of the guards ever look into this until now?" I ask.

"We never really thought it was necessary," Lance tells me.

"Not necessary, what if what ever is making the noise is dangerous," I explain.

"Well, that didn't occur to me."

We manage to track down the source of the noise to a darkened kitchen.

"Okay Lance let's put an end to this noise once and for all." I whisper.

We slowly make our way into the kitchen. I turn on the light and to my surprise.

"Celestia," I cry out.

I couldn't believe it, here she was making a sandwich when there was a potential danger in there with her.

"Oh, you startled me," she proclaims to me.

"Princess it is a great honor, but I must ask that you leave for your safety while we locate the source of a mysterious noise." I tell her.

"Well, I just grabbing something to eat like I do every night."

"Hold on, did you say every night?" I ask.

"Yes. Why does that have anything to do the mysterious noise?" She whispered.

Well there you have it. Another case debunked by I Spectral Ace, paranormal investigator. Where will my journey take me, and what will I find? Will it be the truth, I don't know. I'll just have to wait and see.

Case Closed

Case File No.3: The Valley of Tenochtitlan

My name Spectral Ace and it's my job as a paranormal investigator to separate fact from fiction. My life's work has taken me all across Equestria and beyond on my journey to find the truth. Today my journey takes me to the Valley of Tenochtitlan, a jungle of mystery brought to life in the works of A.K. Yearling. Her Daring Do book series has inspired many a pony, I myself haven't actually read them but I hear that they're absolutely superb. Why am I here her you might be asking yourself right about now. Well I'm here to find out if the mystery of this valley is truly real or merely a bit of creative licensing.

I've already been here for a little while, and so far things just seem really normal. Oh, wait hold on I can hear something in the distance. Let me just get a closer look. Alright, I see some kind of big creature, with the most peculiar tail I've ever seen, talking to someponies. I think that I'll walk over there and introduce myself.

"Go make sure that she doesn't escape," I hear him to a pony.

"Hello there."

"What, who dares to greet the great Ahuizotl," he growls why turning to me. "Who are you and what are you doing here? Did she send you?"

"Well my name is Spectral Ace, and I came here to see what I could find in the valley," I tell him.

"But did she send you?" He asks again.

"Who's she?"

"Daring Do," he proclaims.

"What, like the books?"

"Like the what? Oh, never mind can't you see that I'm very busy right now," he says.

"Um, right then I guess I'll be on my way then," I start to leave, but I have an idea. "Could I interview you?"

"Interview me?" He asks.

"Yeah, why not? There's not much here to investigate around here, and I'd rather not return empty handed."

"Well it's just that no one has ever wanted to interview me before."

"So, um Owie Yodel was it?" I begin.

"Ahuizotl," he corrects.

"Ah, yes Ahuizotl," I say embarrassed at my mistake. "So, Ahuizotl what is it that you do here in Tenochtitlan?"

"Well I'm sort of the ruler here."

"What do mean by sort of?"

"It's just that I have followers and I have big plans for the valley, but every time I try to fulfill my plans Daring Do gets in my way," he says as something explodes in behind us.

"D-did something just explode?" I ask him.

"Oh, it's probably just nothing, please continue the interview."

"Yes, um do you know why Daring Do is getting in your way?" I ask despite the fact that I know Daring Do is a fictional character.

"She says that I'm some, 'Tyrannical monster that can do no good.' It hurts my feelings because I'm trying so hard to make this valley great again."

"Have you ever tried democracy?" I ask as another explosion sounds and a pony comes running up to us.

"Ahuizotl, she's getting away." The pony exclaims.

"Not now Caballeron. I'm in the middle of an interview right now," he says. "Now Ace, where were we."

"I was uh, wondering if you had ever tried democracy," I says despite my fear of any further explosions.

"Democracy?" He questions.

"Yeah, you know ask the people what they want. Take a vote maybe," I elaborate.

"Hmm, I never thought of it that way. Do you really think that will work?"

"Oh yes. I think you're just a nice somepony who's has been misunderstood."

"You really think so?"

"Without a doubt. I see this as the start of a beautiful new friendship," I say to him.

"You know, I've never had a friend before. I mean I've had followers and business partners, but never a friend," he tells me.

"Well sometimes one friend is all it takes." I tell him, "We should hangout sometime. I know this place that serves the best apple cider."

Well seeing how there was nothing paranormal about this valley I guess it's another case debunked by I Spectral Ace, paranormal investigator. Where will my journey take me, and what will I find? Will it be the truth, I don't know. I'll just have to wait and see.

Case Closed

Spectral Log No.2: █████'█ ███

So, I just got back from Tenochtitlan and I found that somepony had slid a manila envelope under my office door. I've already taken a quick glance at it's contents. It's about some old relic called the █████'█ ███. From what I'm seeing this might somehow connected to that night all those years ago. If not it'll surely help me find the truth. However, I've got a strange feeling about this. I don't know whether it's a good or bad feeling, it's just there. Anyway this isn't just some case I turn down, which probably why I was chosen for it. Whoever put this under my door did their homework, but how much do they know about me I wonder. Did █████ send this to me for me to find. If so that would explain a lot, but why come to me now after what happened. Is this just some kind of sick joke? Maybe so, but I have to find out the truth.

I'll make sure to make to another log when I get back from... what will this be like Case No.4 now. Well anyways I'll just make sure to do an update when I get back.

Case File No.5: Sweet Apple Mystery

My name Spectral Ace and it's my job as a paranormal investigator to separate fact from fiction. My life's work has taken me all across Equestria and beyond on my journey to find the truth. Today I'm here at Sweet Apple Acres to investigate sightings of a giant pony walking through the trees at night. Who might this pony be and why are there only ever blurry pictures of things like these. I mean come on how hard is it to invest in a good camera.

I start by interviewing one of the farm hoofs to get an idea of what I might be dealing with.

"So would you like to share what you do on the farm," I ask.

"Yup..." He says.

"Well go on," I urge.

"Yup."

"Oh don't mind Big Macintosh here isn't much of a talker. Probably not the best pony to interview, if you ask me," a mare says while walking up.

"Nope," he agrees.

"You must be Applejack, I presume."

"That's me alright," she says. "Big Mac why don't you run along while I finish up here. That alright?"

"Yup," he says as he trots off.

"Is he always that way?" I ask after he's out of earshot.

"Like you wouldn't believe."

I had been talking with Applejack for a little while when she drops a paranormal bombshell on me.

"You know at this point I think that it might even be Bighoof," shes tells me.

"Bighoof?" I couldn't believe it. I mean it's Bighoof, and I had the chance to finally be the one to find him, or her.

"Yes you heard me right Bighoof," she says. "Normally I don't believe in the paranormal, but for some reason I always believed in Bighoof. Probably because Big Mac is so big that another pony being a little bit bigger didn't ever seem to far fetched. You know what I mean?"

"Oh yes I understand you completely," I say trying hard not to fan over another Bighoof believer.

It was then that I knew that a stakeout was in order.

The moon was out and I was ready to begin our search.

"Alright I have everything ready to go. The traps are set-" I say just as one of the traps go off. "Well that was fast."

We begin to gallop to where the trap was, but a pain in my shoulder reminds me that I have to be careful not to re-open the stitches I had to get after my last case. I tell Applejack this and we slow to a quick trot.

We get there and we look up to see what we got. "Hold on, what is Big Mac doing in the trap?" I ask a little bit annoyed, "And why is he wearing stilts?"

"Big Mac!" Applejack proclaims.

"Wait shh, is he snoring?" I ask.

"Well I'll be," she starts. "I knew that he tended to sleepwalk, but never to this extent."

"I wonder what he's dreaming about?" I ponder, "Guess only Luna know the answer to that question."

"Yeah, only Luna," Applejack says almost sarcastically.

"Why'd you say it like that?" I ask her.

"It's a long story."

Case Closed

Spectral Log No.4: Night in Ponyville

Tonight I'm in a hotel, because I've decided that while I'm still here in Ponyville I should check something out that I forgot to the last time I was here. I'll go see what I can find in the morning and be on the late night train back home to Manehatten. I think that I might just take a day or two off. Things have been kind of busy recently I probably deserve the break.

You know, it's on night like these that I really miss her. I have to remember why I left, but that just makes me miss her even more. Right now my past needs to be put behind me. It's just a distraction at this point anyway. Even if I could go back she probably already moved on, and I really wouldn't blame her for it. However, a part of me wishes that I could go back and be with her.

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Case File No.8: Private Ace

My name Spectral Ace and it's my job as a paranormal investigator to separate fact from fiction. My life's work has taken me all across Equestria and beyond on my journey to find the truth. Today however is my day off. Right now I am in my Manehatten office going through some of my very early cases. I think it was running into ███████ a while back that made want to reminisce over my ████████ days. I was a younger stallion then and the world was so much different, oh how things change. I remember when I-

Knock Knock

I'm brought out of my reminiscent trance to find the day lost to the tick of time.

"Come in," I say as I put away the file I was holding.

The door opens and in comes a purple maned beauty of mare. I recognized her from the occasional newspaper article, the most recent being about some new boutique she opened here in Manehatten some time ago.

She was gorgeous standing right in the front of me wearing a slick red dress, that mind you only proved her skills as an exceptional fashion designer.

"Are you Spectral Ace?" She asks.

"Yes I am, and you're Miss Rarity," I reply.

"Yes that would be little old me."

"So, what brings a pony such as yourself here at this late hour, and dressed so fancily?" I ask her.

"If you must know, which you must. I'm looking for a P.I." She says.

"Well, I'd say you came to the right place. I am indeed a paranormal investigator."

"A para-normal investigator. I'm sorry I thought you were a private investigator." She wasn't the first to make this mistake and certainly wouldn't be last.

"Don't be upset I'm not exclusively a paranormal investigator. I've a been known to do a bit of private investigating in my time," Enough in fact to label myself a Paranormal and or Private investigator, but I'd like be spared of all the boring ordinary cases.

"Oh that's a relief."

"But I must ask, why don't you do it yourself? I heard about the time you did some sleuthing of your own to help Rainbow Dash. I know you're fully capable so why come to me?"

"Well normally I would, but tonight I have a fashion show featuring my latest line-up, that's why I'm all dressed up."

"Understood. Now what is that you wanted me to do for you this fine evening."

"It's my cat."

"Your cat?"

"Yes my cat Opal. She's missing, and I have to find her before I have to go back to Ponyville tomorrow morning."

"I see."

"I can pay you."

"No, that won't be necessary. I'll find Opal and bring her home."

"Thank you."

I lead her to the door, and I go to grab my hat off the hook only to remember that it's in tatters from a previous case. It was a good Macguffin brand hat with some mighty fine memories, but I should probably get a new one and move on seeing that this one is in no way usable anymore.

I start at her Manehatten boutique the last place Opal was seen. I take a quick look around the place and then I go out back. I hear a noise coming from trash can, so I take a peek inside to glimpse a stray cat. It hops out into the light and I see it has a purple bow in it's mouth.

"Where did you get that?" I ask it.

I go to grab it, but the cat takes off down the alley.

"Wait, come back here." I call as I chase after it.

After a long chase through bustling Manehatten I manage to catch up and retrieve the bow. I look up and behold myself in just another alley. I begin to leave, but spy a some shedded white fur on the ground. I find some more fur leading into the back of the building I'm behind. I head inside to see that it's the backstage of some sort, and with some sort of show going on.

It doesn't take long to find Opal from there, but just like with the stray she runs and I chase her into a dressing room.

"Oh, good the new guy's here," a stagehoof says.

"What?" I ask as I spot Opal leaving the dressing room.

"No time for questions Charming Vogue, just put this and we'll be ready for you in five." She says handing me some clothes.

"But I'm not-" who ever this Charming Vogue pony is, I try to say to no avail.

"Hey it's okay Mr. Vogue. I know it's always nerve wracking the first time you go out there, but it'll be fine." She says.

"Oh... Kay."

I put the outfit and go backstage to try to find Opal again. I don't know who they think I am, but I still have a job to do.

I spot her by some curtains and make my to get her.

"Mr. Vogue we ready for you now." The stagehoof from early says startling Opal through the curtains.

I follow through the curtains, and to find more curtains. I look around cautiously as to not spook Opal again. I eye her and go after her through the second set of curtains.

As I emerge I hear an announcer call out Charming Vogue's name. I'm confronted with a runway that I continue to chase Opal down while being surrounded by tons of onlookers to the sides.

"Opal, he found you," I hear Rarity callout.

"Rarity is that you. Wait if you're here that means that I'm currently in a..." The realization hits.

"Uh huh, now strut your stuff darling." She says with a smile.

"Well, it looks like the train to Ponyville will be leaving shortly."

"Yes and thank you again for finding Opal for me. It really means a lot."

"It was nothing. Nothing but the complete and total embarrassment of being in a fashion show." I tell her.

"Well, I thought you looked great up there." She says. "And speaking of fashion I made you a little something."

"You really didn't have to."

"Oh, but I insist," she replies handing me a round box. "I felt it the least I could do. Now open it up."

I take off the lid and inside it a black fedora with a red band that held a brilliant orange feather in the side.

"It's a phoenix feather, Celestia let's me use the ones that Philomena drops," she begins. "I thought it matched your personality kind, courageous, and full gusto. However, it's also a reminder to always stay optimistic. It can be hard, but sometimes you just have to stick with it to the end to find the light. " she tells me.

"Yes that is right I suppose, and this is absolutely amazing. How did you know that I needed a new hat.?"

"Now don't think that I didn't notice that tattered old Macguffin on your hat rack. You said it yourself I'm fully capable of some sleuthing of my own," she states. "Now try it on, I'm dying to see it on you."

I reach inside and pull it out, the feather almost glowing like fire in the morning light. I place it on my head, and it fit perfectly.

"It looks fabulous darling," she says. "Hold on. I almost forgot I found a note for you, strangely enough, in Opals collar last night."

"It's incredibly lucky then that you came to me to find her." I say as she hands me a folded piece of paper.

"Well, you know what they say about phoenix feathers. They say that they're known to bring luck, and I wish you the best of luck."

"Thank you."

Case Closed

Spectral Log No.5:

I'm on the way back to Ponyville right now. I would have left with Rarity if I had gotten ███████'█ note sooner. She says that she has a case for me. It'd be the least I could do for her after all she's done for me, not to mention keeping the █████'█ ███ safe from dangerous hooves. She's done so much, and she knows that I could never repay. Friends don't care for repayment I guess. They just want you to be there for them you need them.

I know that I probably haven't been the best of friends, not in a long time. It's not that I don't want to be. It's just that I can't be right now, if not ever. In this line of the work there are too many secrets, and I'd rather not lie to my friends. That's why I'm glad that ███████ is there for me. She can protect herself, and already knows most of my secrets while keeping some of her own.

I remember the old days when we worked for ████████ with the others, we solved some many cases together back then. It's been fun working with her again, and as long as this case isn't another ███ ████ it should be like sweet old times again.

Spectral Log No.1: Introductions

My name Spectral Ace and it's my job as a paranormal investigator to separate fact from fiction. My life's work has taken me all across Equestria and beyond on my journey to find the truth, to find answers. I've been on my journey for quite awhile now, and I don't think that I'm any closer to finding the truth than when I first began all those years ago. To most ponies that would seem like an excuse to give up, but it's not. It's a challenge to press forward and never give up, even if it takes my whole life to do so. I won't ever stop looking, because at this point finding the truth is my only hope.

Why is the truth so important, you may be wondering. Well it's simple really, It's all because when I was but a colt ████ ████ ██ ██████ and I've been looking ever since.

It won't be easy, but as I said before I'm never going to giving up.

Case File No.2: Diamond Thief

My name Spectral Ace and it's my job as a paranormal investigator to separate fact from fiction. My life's work has taken me all across Equestria and beyond on my journey to find the truth. Today my journey takes me to Ponyville, or more specifically the Castle of Princess Twilight. It is there that a bowl of diamonds was stolen by a mysterious thief.

To start things off I talk to Spike who claims to have seen the diamond thief in action.

"You know I've never interviewed a dragon before, let alone a baby dragon. Wow, this is exciting," I begin. "Okay now that I've gotten that out of the way I heard you saw the thief."

"Oh yeah, I saw it. Except it wasn't any ordinary pony." Spike says to me.

"If it wasn't an ordinary pony, then what was it?" I ask.

"Well, to be completely honest I think it was a ghostpony." he tells me.

"A ghostpony, now that must have frightening." I say.

"Uh huh," he adds.

After I finish with Spike I had my suspicions, because he had shown all the signs of somepony who was lying. I decide to tell Twilight this.

"I could have told you that if you had come to me first, there's no such thing as ghostponies," she says.

"Oh, if you only knew." I say under my breath while she continues to talk.

"What was that?" She asks to my surprise.

"Nothing, do go on," I tell her.

"I was saying that I think that Spike lied because he didn't want to get in trouble for eating the diamonds, and now he's too afraid to tell me the truth," she elaborates.

"I have an idea. I'm just going to need one more pony to help us." I say just before a pony flies into the room calling-

"Hey, Twilight did you hear the new Daring Do book was announced today."

I finish explaining my plan, and we set everything up and I make sure everyone is ready.

"Rainbow are you ready?" I ask.

" Yeah, I always ready, but do we really need all this stuff? I mean-"

"Yes we need all of it," I reassure her. "What about you Twilight?"

"Ready over here." She says

"Quick places, here he comes."

We get to our hiding places and wait.

"Oh, why would someone just leave a bowl of diamonds out, don't mind if I do," he starts. "But I lied last time and now I feel kinda bad. You know what maybe I should tell Twilight."

"What, no." I say while bursting from my hiding place, "I had a plan and everything."

Case Closed

Case File No.7: On the Late Night Train to Manehatten

"Or you are in a deep sleep," a mare's voice suggests.

"Who said that? Where am I?" I call out.

"Right now you're asleep on the late night train to Manehatten."

"What's that suppose to mean?" I ask.

"Isn't obvious," the mare says appearing from shadow. "You're dreaming."

"Oh, Princess Luna it is quite the honor," I say bowing. "But may I ask what all of is about."

"You arranged an Interview me with me if I'm not mistaken."

"Well, I didn't really mean like this."

"You said when ever was convenient," she says.

"Touchè," I say. Productivity in my sleep was always a dream of mine.

"Shall we start the interview. If you'd like you can dream your office to make things more comfortable for yourself," she tell me.

"Oh no, this black void is quite alright. It's like that one movie with Dicaprihoof," I say. "So, yes the interview. Huh let's see here where should I begin. How about with what you do as the Princess of Dreams?"

"I do my best to stop nightmares from entering the sleep of all who dream," she says.

"What about my nightmares? I can't remember the last didn't have one." I say to her.

"I knew that this would be what you asked, and I'm afraid my answer for you isn't going to be what you want."

"I figured as much, but I must know."

"The truth is, I don't know what is the cause of your nightmares. It's something that I've never seen before. All I do know at this point is that it is incredibly powerful. Even now I'm having trouble keeping it at bay."

"Well, in that case I've gotten what I came for. I wouldn't want to pain you further your Highness."

"Ace you must be careful this may be just the start of your journey, but please just be careful," she pleads.

"Thank you Princess. Now leave me to my demons. You need to help the ones you can."

Case Closed