The Anthology of Detective Pipe Glass

Chapters

The Shadow Bolt Part 1
The Shadow Bolt Part 2
The Shadow Bolt Part 3
The Shadow Bolt Part 4
The Shadow Bolt Part 5
Broken Clock Part 1
Broken Clock Part 2
Broken Clock Part 3
Broken Clock Part 4
Broken Clock Part 5
Disguise for Comedy part 1
Disguise for Comedy part 2
Disguise for Comedy part 3
Disguise for Comedy part 4
The Curtain Hath Fallen Part 1

The Shadow Bolt Part 1

Van Hoover, the city of dreams. Ponies, Griffions, Hippogryphs, Changelings, and dragons of all descriptions make the city home. The moors to the south of the town host a large hive, which is run by Queen Fenland Knight, and the overflow reside, turning the surrounding safelands in the moor into a full on city. However, with all of that, the city has a crime rate.

To combat this, the 75th street precinct works round the clock. It's star attractions are a Changeling Queen to be, Moorland Mist and her Sergeant, Desk Jockey. The two are as fierce as bulldogs once they are on the case and when their metaphorical “Teeth” are sunk into the criminal they are pursuing, they don't let go. Like every good cop, they have their enemy, who is a private detective.

The detective, Pipe Glass, is Moorland's most despised frenemy. He was a pegasus with a Cedar Brown coat with a Dull Pine Green mane. He had smoky gray eyes and the build of an average Wonderbolt, with speed to match. His cutie mark-A Smoking Pipe and Magnifying Glass in front of a Candle, is a sign for any cop who sees it to start growling and barking at him uncontrollably.

His office, on the corner of 84th and Maresford, is a short jaunt away from the 75th street precinct, where it wasn't unusual to see him being barked at or booked on a charge. After 24 hours, he was out, only to horn in and get them on his case. Usually, whenever Moorland was out and passing his office, and seeing a pony or whatever creature exiting the building where his office was caused her blood to boil over.

Pipe's office was tied to a small apartment, where everything could fit on a postage stamp, but that didn't stop him from getting clients. Many times, he had no clients. Other times, he had crack job clients. A rainy, dreary and cheerful Wednesday saw Pipe out to do some shopping and get a startling bit of news.

“Trench coat, hat, camera and film, and notepads with pencils and pens, and a few missing office essentials,” he muttered, exiting to the sidewalk to be greeted by a familiar pale lime green coat, gnarled horn and faded whitish silver tail greeted his vision. Noting the Briefcase and oak desk cutie mark, he couldn't resist a jab.

“Oh? The desk mouse got let loose?” he asked.

“Can it you,” the unicorn growled.

“Oh come on,” Pipe said. “What's got you all twisted like a pretzel?”

“This weather and the case we're on,” the unicorn said.

“Case?” Pipe asked.

“You haven't heard the news?” The unicorn asked.

“No, fill me in,” Pipe said.

“Rainbow was charged early this morning with theft,” the unicorn said.

“Charged with the theft of what?” Pipe asked.

“Read the paper,” the unicorn said. “It's front page. Have fun and don't get a client. This case is in the bag.”

The unicorn trotted off. Pipe raised a brow and all the way to the coat shop, he couldn't stop wondering about the theft. Once in the shop, he found a trench coat that fit his build, with interior pockets to boot.

“It's about time,” an elderly Earth Pony stallion said.

“Don't remind me, Button Strip,” Pipe said.

He laid 25 bits on the table and put it on, then walked out. The hat shop was in downtown Van Hoover and getting a taxi would be impossible, as it was 10:30 am and the traveling public wanted quick ways to get everywhere and avoid the rain. Sighing, he set off to the shop.

The rain seemed to pick up in intensity as he neared the shop. When he was able to, he dove into the shop.

“Going for the “drowned rat” look?” a voice asked.

He turned to see a soft pinkish blue pegasus mare. Her golden red eyes lit up.

“You know it, Feather Cap,” he joked.

She chuckled as he picked up a silverish black fedora hat and with a bit of a test, he found the hat not to be the best for him. Trying on other hats, he eventually found one-a dull glass brown colored fedora.

Paying for it, he trotted out and down to the newspaper stand and grabbed the paper and tucked it away in his coat before heading to the camera shop. That, thankfully, wasn't too far from where he normally got lunch.

The shop owner, who he had done favors for in the past, wasn't in. He'd come down with a case of the flu and his son was in charge when Pipe entered.

“Morning,” the unicorn colt called.

“Morning Flash Bulb,” Pipe called back. “Dad's still out?”

“Yeah,” Flash Bulb replied. “The flu.”

“That's rough,” Pipe replied.

“It is,” Flash chuckled softly. “Anyway, can I help you?”

“Just looking for a camera and some films,” Pipe said. “Dad's been riding me about that.”

“Typical,” Flash said. “Note Clue left you a tall order to fill.”

“I don't doubt it,” Pipe replied. “And with Moorland on my tail every five minutes about horning in, it's not gonna be easy.”

The two chuckled, then Pipe went to check out camera's and find the right one for his work. It took him an hour to find the right one, as many of them were awkward, bulky and added extra weight. He wanted something streamlined, so he could easily pull it out and take as many photos as possible.

Once done, he trotted out and over to the cafe. Heading inside, he saw a familiar sight.

“Ah, hello Moors,” he said. “Lunch break?”

“Yes,” she replied. “What brings you here, drowned rat?”

“Lunch and a catch up,” Pipe said.

“You heard about the case,” she asked.

“Heard about it, yes, but know nothing,” he pointed out.

She chuckled and joined him at his usual table, and watched him unfurl the paper and read. His brows knitted together and he looked up at her.

“So, you have her tagged for the crime?” Pipe asked.

“Yes, and the evidence is clear cut,” she said. “So you can't horn in and mess it up.”

Pipe chuckled and worked on a white rose sandwich and coffee while Moorland worked on pan roasted kippers, stewed in vegetables and seven different herbs and iced tea. Once done, the two parted ways. He went to the convenience store down the road a little way to collect some note pads, miniature notebooks, stenographer pads, pens, pencils, trash bins, a coffee maker, and a box of file folders. Moorland went back to her precinct, feeling smug.

Pipe couldn't help feeling like this smugness that Moorland exhibited as they parted ways would blow up in her face.

The Shadow Bolt Part 2

Another two weeks passed since he found the case. He had more crackpot clients come and try to hire him to either spy on lamp posts, mail boxes and get evidence a letter was selling secrets to enemies.

“Can't I get a decent client?” he groaned.

Another dreary, rainy and cheerful Wednesday came around. He was in the small postage apartment, cooking up a roasted pepper stew. Reading a recipe book he got from his dad, he was up to the part where all the ingredients had to stew in the oven for 20 minutes. Placing the pot in the oven, he went to grab a book to read.

Walking into the small hallway that attached the apartment to the office, he glimpsed a light pink coat and crystal heart cutie mark.

“Why is Cadence here?” he thought. “Surely Spitfire or one of the Wonderbolts would be here to hire me, not the Princess of the Crystal Empire.”

He walked out and took his seat behind the desk and faced her.

“How can I help you?” he asked.

“I'd like to hire you,” she said. “To investigate this crime Rainbow Dash is convicted of.”

He chuckled.

“Princess, may I ask why you, of all ponies, are the one hiring me?” he asked.

“Because the rest of the Wonderbolts and the others who read the paper believe her to be guilty,” Cadence said. “Even Aunt Celestia believes her to be guilty.”

“I see,” Pipe replied. “Well, I'll consider taking the case. Expect a letter either later tonight, by express messenger or tomorrow in the morning post if I take the case.”

She nodded.

“Thank you,” she said. “One minor question.”

“Yes?” Pipe asked.

“What's your rates?” she asked.

“150 an hour,” he said. “I'll send you a bill for expenses.”

“Sounds great,” she replied.

She bid him farewell and left. He returned to the kitchen and pulled the stew out and tasted it, finding it just right for his tastes. Dishing up a bowl, he sat on the bed and ate, considering the case.

“It seems that she's convinced that Rainbow is innocent,” he said after swallowing a spoon of stew. “And it seems that Celestia's not herself. She'd be defending Rainbow, after all she did for the princesses. Something smells here and there's no rotten food around.”

After finishing his lunch, he went for a stroll. The rainy weather picked up, but it brightened his spirits. His first stop on his stroll was the newspaper stand, in hopes the paper had some new information on the case. Reading the headline, he saw it had nothing new.

“Wanna a paper?” a rather grouchy unicorn mare asked in a tone that would have soured the ocean.

“Nah,” he said. “Maybe later.”

He hurried away to the newspaper office, where he was shown into the office of a pegasus mare. Bright red coat, soft snow white mane and a printing press cutie mark. Her soft pink carnation eyes lit up.

“Ah, Pipe, what's up? Need something?” she asked.

“Yes, Paper Press,” Pipe said.

“What?” Paper Press asked.

“Any information on the crime that's not being published?” he asked.

“One thing, the party, the honor party had an unnamed guest,” she told him.

He wrote down the fact in his note pad. After getting a few more questions answered, he left. Heading down to the precinct, he bumped into Desk Jockey.

“What're you doing out of your little office?” she asked.

“On a job,” he replied.

“What kind of job?” she asked him.

“Oh, I was asked to investigate something,” Pipe said innocently.

Desk Jockey began to growl. Whenever he used his innocent tone, it meant he was going to straight up horn in and that he had a client he wasn't going to spill.

“You just have to stick your big, fat muzzle in!” she snarled.

“You know me too well,” he smirked.

“I should! After 25 years of you sticking it in!” she snarled again.

“The Precinct should keep you on a leash,” Pipe told her.

She growled and he made his way down to the precinct and after playing a game of “Who's the prisoner?” with the desk sergeant, he was allowed to see Rainbow Dash. He was taken to the interrogation room, where two officers stood waiting. Fifteen minutes later, a Cyan pegasus with a rainbow mane was shown in.

“So your the famous Rainbow Dash,” Pipe said.

“Yes,” she said.

“What can you tell me about the party?” Pipe asked, cutting to the point.

“Well, it was a party to celebrate the new additions to the Wonderbolts. Spitfire said it was a custom in the Wonderbolts before she started. As for the party, it was a complete mess. It started two hours late due to half the guests being delivered to the wrong destination, the food was delayed, Spitfire was delayed in her office and the hosts were either running around or constantly stepping outside,” Rainbow said.

Pipe wrote that down in his notepad and continued to question her, getting nowhere. Once done, he returned to his office and wrote a letter to Cadence, accepting the case. He hurried out once finished and found a messenger system and had it sent off, urgent delivery. He went back to his office, but didn't get a chance to relax.

No sooner had the door shut, he heard a familiar bang. Peeking through the glass, a familiar Brownish Silver chitin in a large black trench coat stood there, with a red face. He swung the door open.

“Inspector, isn't this a sur....” he began.

“Can it, clown,” she interrupted. “I came to ask a few questions.”

“Take a seat,” he said. “What questions do you have?”

Sitting, Moorland barked out, “You have a client?”

“Yes,” Pipe said.

She growled, “Figures. You get a client and horn in.”

He chuckled and sat back.

“Have you learned anything?” she asked.

"Many things,” he said.

“What have you learned?” she asked, raising a brow.

“Many hidden facts,” he said sweetly. “Things your officers missed. Now, before I divulge, care to answer a question for me?”

“Shoot,” Moorland replied.

“What's Dash's Alibi?” he asked. “I tried to get it and she stalled out.”

Moorland sat back and closed her eyes. In five minutes, she opened them.

“During the time of the theft, she was in the bathroom, tending to a feather that caused her no end of bother,” Moorland said.

“I see,” Pipe said.

“What did you get out of her on the alibi front?” Moorland asked.

“ “It's embarrassing”,” he said.

Moorland chuckled.

“Doesn't surprise me,” she said. “That mare's ego is bigger than Canterlot.”

Pipe chuckled as well.

“Agreed,” he said.

“Anything else?” Moorland asked.

“No,” Pipe replied.

“Good,” she said.

He nodded and she left. Once gone, Pipe sat back.

“I think it's time to question a certain princess,” he said at last.

The Shadow Bolt Part 3

“Luna?”

“Yes?”

“I'm going out. Just got a letter from a detective. Apparently he wants to question me.”

“Take care, dear Sunny.”

Celestia just sighed and prepared to leave. Something told her that this detective would be a pain in her rear end. Her two guards could also tell that.

“Princess, just ignore it,” one of the guards said.

“I can't, Sergeant Stone Axe,” she said. “He's been hired to investigate.”

“By who?” the other guard asked.

“I don't know Lance Corporal Titanium Bow,” she replied. “But it does beg the question, who can believe Dash is innocent?”

The two gave each other puzzled looks. Saying nothing, they accompanied the Princess to her chariot and to the office. The building's exterior didn't exactly please the guards when they arrived.

“Let us go in first,” Titanium Bow said.

Celestia nodded. The two guards walked in and walking up the stairs, after finding Pipe Glass's office was on the third floor, the smells of must, coffee and every other conflicting scent filled their nostrils, making them choke.

“Don't they believe in airing this place out?” Stone Axe complained.

“Apparently not,” Titanium Bow replied, straining for fresh air.

They reached the second floor and the smells of cleaning chemicals, mixed with the other unpleasant smells, started to turn their stomachs. Hurrying up, they smelt roasting vegetables, and, as a massive shock to their lungs, fresh air!

“Thank the clouds and the sane mind on this floor!” Titanium Bow gasped, relieved.

His partner concurred and the two knocked on door of what was the only occupied office on that floor. It was opened by it's occupant, who had a wooden spoon tucked behind his ear.

“Hello,” he said to them. “May I help?”

“Are you Private Investigator Pipe Glass?” Titanium Bow asked.

“Yes,” he said, “And I assume your one of Celestia's guards.”

“Yes,” Stone Axe said. “She got your letter and is waiting to see you. Before she comes up, can we ask why you want to interview her?”

“I believe she may have seen something, but popular opinion swayed her,” Pipe explained.

“You are barmy,” Stone Axe replied.

“Maybe, but if it's hiding in plain sight, I want it,” Pipe said. “It'll be in the strictly confidential.”

“I see,” Stone Axe said.

Pipe nodded.

“However, I have other witnesses, who I had to call at the last minute, as they came forward last night at 11:58 pm and told me they had information,” he added.

“So, it's a mass interrogation?” Titanium Bow asked.

“Yes,” Pipe replied. “Bring her up and then I'll have you two wait somewhere close.”

They nodded and headed out, collected Celestia and hurried up to the office. Once inside and the door shut, Pipe showed the guards to his apartment and told them to wait. He returned in time to hear a knock on the door. He opened the door to reveal four unicorns, two gryphons, four changeling beat guards and one pegasus.

“Welcome,” Pipe said. “I trust you all don't mind a mass questioning session.”

“No,” Celestia replied.

“Very well. Celestia, can you give me a full recount of your perspective of what you saw at the party?” Pipe asked.

“Well, I arrived late, due to several miscommunication errors with the guards and chariot haulers,” she said. “Arriving, I was greeted by Spitfire and helped myself to some hors d'oeuvres and mingled with the other guests, and welcomed some new recruits.”

Pipe made notes, despite this being common knowledge. He gestured for Celestia to continue.

“From there, I saw Rainbow Dash mingling. She then disappeared off to the bathroom to tend to some issue, and I noticed a pony leaving a room, where jewels were kept, but thought nothing of it,” Celestia said.

“Describe the pony,” Pipe said.

“I could make out a silverish mane and soft red coat,” Celestia said.

“I saw the same thing,” one of the Changeling Beat Guards said.

The others agreed with them. Pipe tensed up and his smokey gray eyes became hard and were zeroed in.

“Right, did any of you see the cutie mark or did did the pony have any distinguishing marks?” he asked.

“A scar on the left eye,” the pegasus said.

“Also, if it's any help, it was an earth pony,” another Beat Guard said.

“That, my dear guard, is vital,” Pipe said, tapping his notepad.

They were about to say more, but a bang took their attention. Pipe peeped through the glass to the left of the door and saw a familiar and unwelcome sight.

“Come this way,” he said, ushering them into his apartment and running back to open the door.

They attempted to peek out to see the caller, but heard an explosion.

“YOU ARE REALLY TESTING ME!”

“I know, my dear Moors. I have bravado unrivaled to you, don't I?”

“DON'T GET SMART WITH ME!”

“Am I? I didn't know you were a teacher.”

“YOUR ALWAYS COCKY!”

“Of course I am, I have a right to be. I'm a colt of my word.”

They heard a chomping noise and grumbling, then the door open and bang shut hard enough to rattle the pans. Thirty minutes passed and Pipe came back.

“Alright, come on out. The danger has left,” he said.

“Who was that?” Stone Axe asked.

“Police Inspector and Van Hoover Moors Changeling Hive Queen to be Moorland Mist,” Pipe said. “She and I go round and round.”

They nodded. Once seated, he continued to question them until quarter of six in the evening. Once done, he sent them on their way and sat back, considering his notes.

“Something's funny here,” he mused. “And we're not in a funny farm.”

He grabbed his hat and coat and ran out of his office. He had one place to be and that was the crime scene.

“If there's any clues to be had, it's there,” he muttered, making a stop off to grab a package of envelopes from the general store.

Once he had a pack of 65, he made his way to where the party was held, in the city's government center. He was admitted and looked around the main room where the party was held.

“Great,” he grumbled, noticing the state of the room.

It had been cleaned in the intervening time and there was no way any form of oddities left to collect. That was until he noticed something. A storage room door had a damaged lock. Going over and examining it, he saw it wasn't broken by any means of overuse. Being careful, he removed it and placed it in an envelope. The door swung open and the stolen goods toppled out.

“Whoever pulled this crime's a bungler,” he muttered.

He trotted out and found a beat cop from the precinct and reported he found the goods and turned over the lock. The cop took it and after following Pipe in, the two examined the goods.

“I'll call it in, stick here and don't let any pony near that,” the cop said and galloped off.

Pipe stood, waiting for eons before the cop returned with two sergeants and two Hive Beat Guards. He was dismissed by one of the Hive Beat Guards and he began to scan an opposite corner of the building, where he found several clues despite the room being cleaned.

“Well, Hearts Warming came early,” he thought.

Pulling the envelope package out, he tucked the clues inside and then tucked the loaded envelopes into another pocket and he left. He wanted to examine the evidence before he was interrupted by Moorland or Desk Jockey.

Returning to his office, he emptied the first envelope onto his desk. It's contents, used contact lenses, clattered out onto the desk and he noticed that there was all sorts of stage makeup on the edges. He pulled out a book and flipping through it, found the brand of make up and found out who carried it.

Noting that, he turned his attention to the second envelope, and emptied it's contents. Bits of mane fell onto the table and he noticed some strands were of a burnt copper color and the rest were a dyed violet color. He jotted that down and put that back into it's envelope.

The final envelope held folded papers. Unfolding them, Pipe saw they were safe combinations and the contents of all the safes.

“Okay, this had to be a two pony job. One a bungler and the other a cold, calculating individual,” he muttered and scooped the papers back into the envelope and put them in his lock drawer.

He stood up and after stretching, he walked over to his bookshelf and scanned it.

“If only I had the collection of books on Moorlings and Swamplings,” he mused. “That'd be an easier case to crack right now.”

He chuckled at his own wit. After scanning the bookshelf, he pulled down a novel on a romance gone wrong.

Meanwhile, in Moorland's office, she was getting a report from the officers who brought in the stolen goods. When it came down to who had found it first, and the name Pipe Glass left one of the beat guard's mouth, her eyes became narrowed and her face hardened with rage.

“Get back onto your patrols,” she snarled.

They nodded and hurried out.

“She's definitely on the war path now,” one of the beat guards said.

“After you spilled that Pipe was the one who found it, Compound Wing,” the other grunted. “Now come on, we have a downtown patrol to take up.”

They left and she stormed out. She had one destination on her mind and this time, she wouldn't cut short the barrage of questions she had.

The Shadow Bolt Part 4

Pipe was in the kitchen. It was late and he had done nothing but considered all the information. Now, at 10:30 pm, he was preparing his dinner before heading out to bed.

“It still makes no sense,” he said. “Why would any pony want to partner up with a bungler?”

Sighing, he pushed the thought out of his head when it hit another brick wall. Dropping in some salt to a boiling pot of water for his pasta, he tried tackling it from another angle. That failed and he sighed again, dropping the pasta in and letting it self cook.

“Useless evidence, useless interrogations, useless information,” he thought. “if there was some way to make use of it.”

As he checked the pasta and made sure it was ready to eat, a sudden realization came over him.

“Wait a minute,” he said aloud. “The bits of mane....those aren't Dash's by a mile and the bungler wasn't a bungler, but....what if it was a pony who was trying to get something out of criminal? She broke the lock when the thief didn't uphold his or her end of the bargain.”

He dished the pasta up, dumped two ladles of home cooked mushroom and bell pepper Alfredo sauce onto the bowl of pasta, twirled the fork with a hoof and swallowed it down, then chased it with a tall glass of Lemonade. The clashing tastes began to put the thought more and more into his head that he was dealing with a criminal and a partner who had fallen out.

“It makes the most sense,” he said aloud again, before depositing another payment of pasta.

The bowl and pot were soon empty and he stood up and stretched.

“Time for a bit of “fly by night” work,” he chuckled and headed out.

Once outside, he spread his wings and took to the air, flying towards the Government Center and he landed. This time, he began to examine the outside of the building and in the garden bed in back, he found some freshly disturbed soil and several uprooted roses. He gently pawed the soil away, to reveal.....nothing.

“Dead lead,” he growled.

Taking to the air and resting on a cloud, he began to play with his “Falling out” theory. He began to looking at other ideas. As he was ready to throw his hooves up and just send a bill when he returned, he felt the cloud sink.

“You okay?”

He turned to see Moorland standing beside him.

“No, flustered and ready to pack it in!” he growled.

“Really?” She asked. “Why?”

“I've hit nothing but brick walls,” he said. “All the evidence has been no help. I don't know where to go now.”

She smiled and laid next to him.

“You sound like me, “ she said. “When I started, I was constantly bashing into brick walls.”

They chuckled softly.

“Yeah,” he said.

“Do me a solid,” she said. “Take a breather and look the evidence over with a fresh mind.”

“Sure,” he said.

She smiled softly.

“Tell you what, let's put aside this rivalry and why don't you come to my apartment? It'd be my treat, as I want to know more about you,” she said.

“Same,” Pipe said.

The two flew off, Pipe following Moorland and the two soon arrived at her apartment. Landing outside the brick building, which was once somepony's mansion, according to Moorland, she let them in and up to the sixth floor. Once inside, Pipe saw it was a well furnished room with plenty of space.

“So, what would you like to know?” Moorland asked.

“What are Moorlings?” Pipe asked.

“We are Changelings who have developed to live in the moors, which are different to Swamplings or Swamp dwelling Changelings. In the moors, we are trained to hunt our own food. Feeding on emotion....that's an afterthought,” she said. “Swamplings are developed in a way to eat poisonous fungi and other harmful items to make sure those lost in the swamps don't end up knocking themselves off by stupid's chance.”

“I see,” Pipe said.

Moorland brought over two hot mugs of Chamomile tea. As she set the mugs down, she turned a curious eye to Pipe.

“Care to satisfy my curiosity now?” she asked.

“Shoot,” he said.

“I noticed you don't keep liquor in your office,” she said. “Is that a business thing or is it something else?”

“I don't keep any forms of wines or beers in the office following a mishap with my dad. He loved to have a brandy every 30 minutes or so to “steady the nerves” while on cases. He eventually took to using it as a crutch after mom died,” Pipe said. “It eventually ruined him and left me with a tall order to fill.”

“I understand,” Moorland said. “Mom's made the same rule after several of our stallions took to liquor every time their loves ended up in hospital for general maintenance.”

Pipe chuckled.

“Good for her,” Pipe said.

“Thanks,” Moorland said. “I intend to keep that rule up.”

“I see,” he replied. “Now, a question, what's a queen to be doing in the public eye?”

“Mom wants to test me,” she said. “In her mind, queens should be able to get stuck in with any problems that need attention.”

“Interesting,” Pipe said.

“And a fair warning, don't use “Queen Mother” around mom,” Moorland said. “Given that Chrysalis exists, mom has forbidden those two words to be spoken in that combination and also forbid the word “Mother” as it has negative connotations.”

“Thanks for the warning,” Pipe said.

She nodded.

“So.....now what?” Pipe asked.

Moorland chuckled and the two spent their time talking about the legacies they were left to fill. The best part to them was the headaches they dealt with on a daily basis.

“You know, if it ever comes to this....want to room here?” Moorland asked.

“May I ask why?” Pipe asked.

“Sure. It's that...with all this space, it feels so empty and I feel alone. In the hive, it's different as we were connected through hive mind, but now, without it, it's admittedly scary,” Moorland said.

“Sometimes, it can be scary,” Pipe said. “When I started, I was scared I'd crash and burn.”

“Yet look at us now,” Moorland said.

“True,” he said.

They chortled and downed their teas. Once done, she took him to the master suit and made up the spare bed while he drew a bath. Once things were done, they swapped over and Pipe grabbed a couple robes while Moorland took a bath. Walking out, he soon realized what Moorland meant. The space there was now massive and by one's self, it did feel intimidating and as if said individual was standing in an empty world.

“She wasn't kidding,” he said to himself.

Once she was out and drying off, she shouted that she had drawn him a fresh bath. He swapped position and found the bath relaxing. His mind wandered around. At last, he stood up, stepped out and dried himself off. Once done, he slipped into a bathrobe and found Moorland sitting on the couch in the front room.

“You okay?” he asked her.

“Just a little lost in a whirlwind,” she admitted.

“Oh?” he asked.

“It's you,” she said. “How come your so laid back around Changelings? All other ponies are afraid and even disgusted.”

“Close minded fools,” he said. “Outward appearances mean nothing. I'm more interested on the inside. Your mind. Your beliefs. Your heart. The real you. Never shut a door you aren't prepared to reopen,” he said.

“Your philosophy?” Moorland asked.

“The Philosophy of my house,” Pipe said.

“Ah,” Moorland said.

“So, let me get to know the real you,” Pipe said.

She nodded.

“I'm fighting for what I believe,” she said. “That there is justice out there, that needs to have solider. If it isn't me or the precinct, then who? Chrysalis maybe the big bad villain, but she's not the only evil that needs facing.”

Pipe nodded softly.

“I also want to bring the belief of my own hive-“Neither Villain or evil deed shall go undetected or free”,” she said.

He smiled. She saw the smile and smiled.

“You have some confidence in me?” she asked.

“You, my dear Moorland, are the mare I would love to marry,” he said. “You and I compliment and bounce off each other so well.”

“You can tell that just from that little bit about me? Are you some kind of mind reader or psychic?” she asked.

“No, I applied common sense,” he said.

She chuckled, “I should let my Hive and Mom test you out.”

He chuckled.

“Shall we get some sleep,” he said.

She nodded and the two made their way to the bed room and each claimed a bed and fell asleep. Moorland was softly snoring while Pipe was still, breathing when necessary. As he slept, his mind kept going over the conversation. His mind landed on “You and I compliment and bounce off each other so well”.

“Now, I have the culprits and the motive,” he thought and continued to sleep.

Author's Note

The apartment scene is taken from a Private Detective RP I took part in many years ago and it was on my mind as I wrote this. Also, I wanted to give both the detective and the Police inspector a more human side.

The Shadow Bolt Part 5

The next morning, Pipe smelled something cooking. He yawned and after stretching, he walked out to see a plate with toast, eggs, and hay bacon with a cup of coffee and a cup of freshly squeezed orange juice. In the kitchen was Moorland.

“Morning,” she said.

“Morning,” he yawned.

She gestured to the table and he sat down.

“Go ahead and start,” she said.

Pipe sat and as soon as she was sat down, he dove in along with Moorland. When the two finished, they went their separate ways. Pipe returned to his office and began to look the evidence over again.

“So, I know what's missing,” he said aloud.

After gathering everything, he made a call.

“Is Moorland in, Desk Jockey?” he asked.

“She is. Why?” Desk Jockey asked.

“Tell her I have the case solved,” he said.

“You what?” Desk Jockey growled.

“I have the case solved,” he repeated.

“This better not be a fast one,” Desk growled.

“It isn't. Can you also have, at my office: Safecracker, Storm Break, the on duty security guards, yourself, Moorland, and four officers, by say, 11:45 am?” he asked.

“Right,” she said. “I'll relay the message.”

“Good,” Pipe said and hung up.

He drafted two letters-one to Cadence and one to Celestia. Once they were perfected, he sent them off “Urgent Delivery”. Once done, he sat back and waited.

“Talk about obvious,” Pipe chuckled as he prepared all the evidence.

11:45 am on the dot came and there was a knock. He opened the door and Cadence entered with two guards, followed by Celestia and her two guards, then in came the ones he requested, with Moorland bringing up the rear.

“So what's going on here?” Moorland asked before noticing the large gathering. “PIPE! YOU SAID THIS WASN'T A FAST ONE!”

“it isn't,” he said.

“Then why is Celestia here?” Desk asked.

“She has a vested interest now,” Pipe said.

Desk said no more and watched as Pipe turned to the Pegasus and Earth Pony sitting between Cadence and Celestia.

“You two are the best case bunglers I've seen,” he said.

“I don't know what you mean,” Safecracker said.

Pipe pulled out the envelopes and laid their content out.

“These were found in one corner of the room where the stolen goods were found,” Pipe said.

Moorland jumped up and ran over to examine the evidence as Pipe continued.

“You, Safecracker, have got to pick better friends. Storm Break was planning to sell you out,” Pipe said. “A piece of paper I found had plans to sell you out to the police after you helped him secure his place in the Wonderbolts.”

Celestia turned to Storm Break, who was sitting composed.

“That's a blatant lie and I'll have you on charges,” the Pegasus said.

Pipe chuckled and sat back. Five minutes later, Safecracker cracked from the anxiety and stress mounting in the room with the Princesses looking at him.

“Alright! I admit it! We pulled the job to frame Dash!” he blurted. “Storm Break had a vested interest as he's protective of his position!”

“Safecracker....” Storm Break said in a growl.

However, the dam was now broken and the truth rushed out.

“He bribed the security guards for the safe combinations, had plans to hire Wind Ryder and then frame Spitfire,” Safecracker spilled.

Moorland jumped into action and immediately ordered her officers to lead the two out. After the officers were out, Celestia and Cadence had their guards wait outside. Cadence looked at the detective.

“How'd you get the confession that quickly?” she asked.

“Knowing him, something underhoofed,” Moorland said.

“You know the “Plans” I said I had in my desk?” he quizzed.

“Yes,” Cadence said.

“You fabricated that, didn't you?” Moorland asked.

“Yes,” Pipe said. “They're like us, thick as thieves. However, with a name like “Safecracker”, he'd crack when told he'd be sold out.”

Moorland chuckled and left, followed by Celestia, leaving Cadence.

“Thank you,” she said.

“Your welcome,” Pipe said.

She smiled and after getting confirmation from him he'd send a bill, she left. He sat back and relaxed.

A few weeks later, he got a package from Cadence. Opening it, he saw it contained his payment and another wrapped package. He cracked the package to see that it was an entire collection of research books on Moorlings and Swamplings. Tucked at the bottom was a little note.

“Pipe,

As a thank you, along with this payment, accept these books on Moorlings. Hope this helps as you're friend and Police inspector is one such Moorling and it would help to have a full understanding of them.

Many grateful wishes,

Cadence.”

He wrote her a thank you and had it sent off. Once done, he sat back and cracked open the fist book and began to read up on Moorlings.

“Now this is a mystery I can solve without straining my mind with idiot criminals,” he said.

Broken Clock Part 1

Author's Note

This case will be a more serious case. If you don't like it, please skip all five parts of this case and wait until "The Vanishing Moon" is released.

Broken Clock Part 1

Van Hoover was facing a large rainstorm. That wouldn't stop the normal bustle of the town from happening. The day saw local frenemies Moorland Mist and Pipe Glass stuck in Pipe's office. The two were working on a hot soup and pasta.

“I'd hate to be the poor newcolts, who have to stand in this weather and give out papers,” Moorland said.

“Agreed,” Pipe said.

She gave a sigh.

“Pipe?”

“Hmmm?”

“Ever faced something you know is disgusting, and felt powerless to stop it?”

“No. I have answers to any problem that arises.”

Moorland nodded. She noticed a clock sitting, with a cracked glass shield, on the back cabinet.

“What happened to the clock?” she asked.

“Clock was broken when it was shipped here,” he said.

“Ah,” she said.

The two sat in silence. Some time later, when the rain lightened off, Moorland left. Her journey took her passed the local high school. She stopped and noticed bullies mercilessly picking on a filly who was having trouble standing up for herself.

“Knock that off!”

The bullies turned to see Moorland marching up to them.

“It's the fuzz!” One yelped and ran, but Moorland stopped them.

“What are you playing at?!” she barked.

“She has got no right to even be here!” the ring leader snarled. “She's getting special treatment for having some stupid thing called a “Learning Disability”. A fake disability.”

“Those are real,” Moorland snarled. “Don't you dare say it's fake, you close minded wretch!”

They were locked in a glaring match. The bell rang and they all ran away, leaving Moorland to lift the battered filly up. Walking in, she had the filly in the nurse's office, while she called the parents of the bullies and turned to the school staff, who didn't even give two flying cares about what happened.

“I've seen bungling criminals more intelligent and up to speed than you,” Moorland muttered under her breath.

The parents came and took their daughter home and when the bullies's parents arrived, Moorland proceeded to rip into them. Every pony across Equestria could hear her snarling and barking. When she finished, she returned to her office.

“Pipe crawl under your chitin?” asked an officer.

“No, Desk Sergeant Dial. Rich types,” she growled.

She sat down and was preparing to do some paperwork when the phone rang. She answered it.

“Moorland speaking.”

“Moorland, it's Pipe....I hope your sitting for this.”

“What?”

“That filly you helped....she's in hospital, in a coma...”

“WHAT?!”

The entire building's glass would need to be repaired from that explosion, if they weren't reinforced glass.

“Her parents found her hanging from the ceiling fan in her room. I just raced her to the hospital.”

“Pipe, get your trench coat, hat and sense of justice and meet me at the hospital.”

“I'm at the hospital. I'm using a pay phone. The mom's on the verge of insanity, the dad's boiling over and her twin brothers want to find these bullies.”

“Wait there. I'll be down.”

After getting the confirmation he would wait, she grabbed her coat and hat and hurried out. She only hoped time was on their side.

Broken Clock Part 2

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Broken Clock Part 3

Moorland had stayed home to help tend to Pipe. Doctor Ventricular Quadrant had come by and after an examination, he left to get some medicine. Hive Detective Evidence Locker was holding down Pipe's office while he recovered. As for Pipe moving in, majority didn't care. Moorland was surprised to see Cadence come down and present her with a gift of roses and a parcel, which contained orders for custom bookshelves.

“Thank you Princess,” Moorland said, awestruck.

“No, thank you,” Cadence smiled. “Frankly, I hated that tiny apartment. I'd expect that from some halfwit detective who couldn't find his tail with a roadmap, compass, all four of his hooves and a team of explorers.”

The two mares laughed. Moorland poured themselves some tea and as they drank, a wreck walked out of the master bedroom.

“Ah, he's alive,” Moorland said. “Want something to eat?”

“Two packs of tacks,” he groaned. “I feel like I just came back from a bender.”

“Stress induced pass out,” Cadence replied. “Also, Moorland had your apartment moved here.”

“May I ask why?” he asked.

“I'm too proud to let you sink,” Moorland said. “You're my top tier friend and also, you've got a sense of justice that I can't match.”

He chuckled softly and sat down. A beat guard brought up some hash browns and coffee.

“Hope you'll have something to eat,” the guard said. “Princess Cadence and Princess Moorland are preparing for lunch.”

“I'll wait to eat until they've been served,” Pipe said. “Right now, my stomach's clocked out to vacation.”

The two mares laughed. The guard gave Pipe a puzzled look and Pipe couldn't help but feel like he just made himself into a champion ass.

“Pardon me, I need to find my sleeping sanity and get it to wake up and rejoin me,” he said and hurried out.

“That colt,” the guard grumbled. “Always making a wisecrack or something stupid.”

“At least he's able to help me unwind with his wisecracks,” Moorland replied.

The guard grunted. Pipe returned, looking presentable and up to standard. He reached for the coffee cup and downed the lukewarm coffee and downed it. By the time he set the cup down, the guard brought lunch.

“Your meals,” he said, then quipped. “I don't get paid enough to be a butler.”

“You don't get paid to be a butler,” Cadence deadpanned. “Your paid to be a beat guard for the precinct.”

“I know that,” the guard shot back. He wasn't going to admit to Cadence he didn't work for the Precinct and was a Hive Patrol Guard.

“Plus, you were on tap for use,” Moorland said. “So I put you to work.”

The guard just grumbled and continued to work around the apartment. Cadence and Moorland looked at Pipe.

“You going to be alright?” Cadence asked.

“Yes,” he said. “After I put all my resources into fin....”

“You are not an island!” Moorland bellowed, slamming the table.

“Excuse me, but since when do you actually care about me and my well being?” he asked.

“Ever since I heard you took the filly to hospital and spent time consoling the family,” Moorland said. “That and I actually have a respect for you. Not many can do what you did and hold up well under such news.”

Cadence nodded.

“Also, may I ask why Cadence is down here from the Crystal Empire? Slow day with the political types?” he asked.

“No, Shining Armor sent me down here to get me out of the castle, and I wanted to meet up with you for a lunch,” she said. “However, I didn't expect this.”

“None of us did,” Moorland said. “This whole thing just threw a wrench in the plans.”

“I understand,” Cadence said. “It is a sad affair, but with you two, I can just see it ending badly, for the perpetrators.”

Moorland smiled and agreed while Pipe nodded. Lunch time continued with an air of content. Cadence and Moorland talked mostly about the qualities of being a great princess or queen while Pipe and the guard, who's name was Glass Furnace, talked about criminal minds. Glass had to choke down surprise at how stupid half the criminals Pipe put away were.

“Seriously? That moron waved at two cops while robbing a bank?!” Glass asked.

“Yup,” Pipe said.

Glass facehoofed. Pipe just chuckled. Cadence and Moorland, overhearing, couldn't help but chuckle at the guard's response.

“At least the crook was nice enough to make friends with the arresting officers,” the Love Princess joked.

“Don't remind us,” Moorland said. “According to one of the beat guards, Pipe slammed a dictionary into his head upon hearing that.”

At that, Cadence couldn't help but laugh to the point she tipped the chair back and nearly crashed to the ground had Glass Furnace not dove behind and grabbed the chair.

“Thank you,” Cadence said as the chair was returned to it's normal position.

“No problem. Prince Armor would have our heads,” Glass said. “According to him, “There's no such thing as a good Changeling”.”

“Judging before he knows,” Cadence said.

“I don't blame him,” Moorland said. “Chrysalis gives us changelings all a bad name.”

Cadence nodded, then changed the subject.

“So, the “suicide” of the filly,” she said. “What stance do you two take?”

“It wasn't suicide,” Pipe said.

They stared at him.

“Explain,” Moorland said, her senses kicking in.

“I heard from the parents that the filly had bullies because she has a disability, which made it hard for her to get along in society,” Pipe said. “And due to her getting special treatment, a bunch of the jock types decided to “make her an example”.”

“An example of what?” Glass asked.

“An example of “No pony with disabilities are allowed special treatments”,” Pipe said. “In other words-they don't deserve help.”

“Sick,” Cadence replied.

“I couldn't agree more,” Glass said. “Now, can we arrest them?”

“No,” Pipe said. “Evidence.”

“Evidence?” Cadence asked.

“We don't have sufficient evidence to even get a warrant,” Moorland said. “Any judge would throw what we have out.”

“That's the most imbecilic thing I've heard,” Glass snarled. “We know who did it and we have the motive! That's good enough to warrant a conviction straight up! We don't need any evidence, as it would sink the case!”

“That's not how the law works,” Moorland said. “I spent years as a beat cop and tried the method of the hive, which is what your saying Glass, but that got me in trouble.”

Pipe chuckled.

“A question for Glass Furnace here, do you work in the precinct?” Pipe asked the Changeling guard.

“No, I work the Hive Patrol and Moorlands patrol,” he said.

“That explains it all,” Pipe said. “If he were to work in the precinct, Moorland and Glass would go head to head over every little thing.”

“Ah,” Cadence said. “But....the question is....what are you going to do? I mean this is something that needs dealing with.”

“Yeah,” Pipe said. “But I'm kind of afraid that we'll never get the evidence needed to convict the perpetrators.”

Moorland nodded softly.

“That's my fear as well,” Moorland said.

“You mean....they could get away with it?” Cadence asked.

“Yes,” Pipe said.

Cadence and Glass Furnace said nothing more and sat there.

“Isn't there any way you two can let these unsavories see that they crossed the wrong ponies?” Glass asked.

“There is, but as was previously stated, this is our case,” Moorland said.

“So, you have no clients,” Cadence said.

“Precisely,” Phoenix said. “But seeing as it's a case of “Pride on the ground”, Me and Moorland are going to spare nothing.”

Cadence said nothing and walked out with Glass Furnace after the lunch date was up. From there, Pipe and Moorland came up with a plan.

Author's Note

I wanted to give more of a lecture and a bit of explanation to the ones who don't understand.

Plus, I wanted to show Moorland with a more caring and human side.

Broken Clock Part 4

“Care to answer a question for me?” Pipe asked a grouchy looking school receptionist.

“Whaddya want?” the receptionist asked.

“I want to know about the filly, who hung herself,” he said.

“I got nothing to tell you,” the receptionist huffed and disappeared, slamming the door to the office in Pipe's face.

Pipe said nothing and growled away. He was hoping to get somewhere, but he was getting somewhere by standing still and that somewhere is....nowhere.

It had been several days since the lunch event and Pipe was out, trying his hardest, but he kept hitting brick walls. The school staff wasn't answering any questions and even when he seemed to get somewhere, the information was useless as it was just the same line-“She was that depressed and never got help”.

“That's it,” Pipe growled hotly. “This game of “liar liar” is getting old.”

He walked out of the school and decided to find some pony to ask questions.

“This better work,” Pipe grumbled again.

He hit the streets and began digging up ponies who knew the filly. He started with the mother and father, but they were no help. As for the other fillies and colts as well as their parents, they were no help at all. After the eighteenth witness, he left and walked out as the skies started to darken and open up. Soon, it was dumping rain.

“Next stop, the cafe,” he said. “Moorland would strangle me if I skipped out on a meal and a consideration.”

As he walked up to the nearby cafe, which was the closest to where he was in the middle section of town, he saw the mother and father sitting off in a corner. After ordering his lunch, he made his way over to the two.

“Hello there,” he said. “May I join you?”

“Please,” the mom said.

As he sat down, the father looked over.

“Any luck?” he asked.

“No,” Pipe said.

“Rats,” the father said.

“That leads me to ask...did she have any enemies who wanted her gone?” Pipe asked.

“None that we know of,” the mother said.

“That leaves me with nothing but an empty bag,” Pipe said.

“Sorry,” they said apologetically.

The trio finished lunch and Pipe excused himself politely and walked down to the local haunt of the jocks. Peering in, he found it empty.

“Nuts,” he growled.

Turning, he saw them, heading towards the small dockyard. He quickly followed them down, unaware of two beat guards behind him. He dove into a pile of cardboard boxes and old wooden pallets, and listened.

“Well, she's taken care of. Now for the rest of the school to figure out we're serious,” one said.

“Yes, indeed,” the others chorused.

Pipe hadn't heard all chorus the agreement.

“Something wrong, Hinge Pin?” the one, who was assumed to be the leader, asked.

“Look, you said we were going to send a message, not drive some poor filly to that extreme!” a male barked at last. “You've gone too far Ace Grade!”

“Don't start getting a moral around me! The only reason your popular is because of me!” Ace Grade barked back. “Our messages need to be extreme! We own that school!”

Pipe listened. At the right moment, they walked away. He popped out and eyed the two guards.

“Scion Light?”

“Pipe Glass?”

“Orion Auras?”

“What are you doing down here?”

“After them for the suicide. You?”

“The same.”

The trio returned to the precinct, where Moorland was waiting.

“Well, I have something,” Pipe told her.

“What?” she asked.

“Names,” Pipe replied.

She whipped out a notepad and had him rattle off the names. When he finished, she sat there, quiet.

“Who knew,” she said.

“Our families,” Pipe said.

“How come they never told us?!” Moorland asked.

“I'll explain later.”

She nodded.

“Now, we know who, and we have a motive, we just need to get Hinge Pin on his own,” Pipe said. “From what I know, he alone just might sink them.”

Moorland nodded.

“However, that's the problem,” Scion Light said. “He's scared. He's afraid to lose his popularity.”

“That's where we can....” Pipe began, but stopped.

“We can what?” Moorland asked.

“I was thinking “that's where we can assist him. Help him find friends who are trusting” but he'd resent us for this,” Pipe replied.

“A colt that lives in a group home, resenting you? He's afraid of that getting out there!” Scion pointed out.

Moorland's eyes lit up.

“That's it! Scion, your a genius!”

Pipe said nothing. Moorland explained her plan. Once done, Scion looked at her.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. You know what your name means, right?”

“Guardian, yes.”

“Your a scion of the city, so why not be a scion to a scared, hurt and lost colt?”

“Clever.”

She nodded. After finding out where the group home was, she sent Scion down to fetch him.

“Pipe, I hope this works.”

Broken Clock Part 5

Pipe's office saw Orion Auras, Scion Light, Captain Silver Marsh, patrol officers Still Mist and Savanna Mire, Patrol Sergeant Peatlands, Hinge Pin, Moorland, Desk Jockey, Pipe Glass and Glass Furnace.

“Hinge Pin, this is important,” Pipe said. “You're the only one who can help us sink these jocks.”

“O...okay.....” Hinge Pin quivered, trying to keep his nerves.

The officers sat back, trying to give a relaxed atmosphere to the office. Hinge Pin began to open up.

“Okay....Ace Grade comes from a family of wealth and believes she's impenetrable. Ever since she came to the school, she began to run it and the filly who hung herself, we never learned her name, was her first victim,” Hinge Pin said.

Pipe noted that down and gently persuaded Hinge to continue.

“The filly had a learning disability, which made it hard for her to socialize, which lead to her sitting alone,” Hinge said. “I took to staying with her whenever Ace wasn't around. It was hard to lead two lives, especially since my foster home wanted me to be popular.”

Pipe nodded.

“It's hard, but to thank you, we have something for you. Scion Light, you care to speak up?” Pipe said.

“I took the liberty of adopting you,” Scion smiled softly.

Hinge Pin couldn't believe it!

“Why?” he asked at last.

“It's simple, it's to provide you with a more level moral,” Scion smiled. “Besides, it's an officer's honor to help those in need.”

Hinge smiled. Pipe turned to Moorland.

“Care to summon up the jocks and their parents, as well as a just mind?” Pipe asked her sweetly.

“Certainly,” Moorland replied sweetly and headed out.

They waited. The first pony in was the Governor of Van Hoover, then Marshland Knight of the hive, and bringing up the rear were the perpetrators.

“What is the meaning of this?” grouched Ace. “Can't you see I have things to do?”

“Oh, that is true,” Pipe said, his tone turning nasty. “You will have things to do...in jail!”

“What are you dreaming about?” Ace growled.

“You are finished!” Pipe snarled. “Thanks to a witness, we have enough to convict you of first degree and trust me, it'll stick.”

“Pah!” Ace's dad snorted.

“Ace Grades, I arrest you on charges of first degree murder,” Moorland said.

She began to protest. Her father attempted to bribe, but was arrested. The rest soon followed suit and were out. As she left, Pipe turned to face her.

“You wanted a message? I have one for you-cross me and you'll regret it for the rest of your life!” he chortled.

She snarled, but was escorted away. Marshland smiled and left, leaving the original changelings that had been there with Pipe.

“Well, it seems we need to sort things out,” Pipe said.

“Not necessary,” Scion said after seeing his new son was safely escorted home. “Me, Orion, and Glass Furnace are your...erm...”agents” as it were.”

“Oh? But I thought...” he began but Scion cut him off.

“The three of us worked on our detective's licenses, so we're like you,” Glass said. “Marshland wanted us to move around a bit and try out something new.”

“I see,” Pipe said.

“Yup,” Glass said.

Pipe inwardly groaned. He was now being tortured. His job would now be a bit harder, and funnier.

Author's Note

Orion Auras, Scion Light, Captain Silver Marsh, patrol officers Still Mist and Savanna Mire, Patrol Sergeant Peatlands, Moorland, Desk Jockey, Pipe Glass and Glass Furnace are the main players from this point onwards.

Disguise for Comedy part 1

“Hey, Pipe?”

“Hmm?”

“Up for a Nightmare Night in the Hive-City?”

“Please. I need a holiday out of the town. It's starting to fill with stupid and I'm now allergic to stupid,” Pipe said, giving his best performance of being sick.

“Gee, who could have guessed?” Moorland teased.

“Oi!” Pipe called, giving her the most over the top, comical and sappy 'Hurt' look possible, causing the Changeling Queen to be to break down in hysterics.

“Anyway,” Pipe said, regaining composure. “What about your job?”

“I have a stand in,” she said. “Though, she couldn't mangle cigars and be intimidating.”

“So you had to train her?” he asked.

“Yes, but she still managed to mess it up,” Moorland grumbled.

Pipe chuckled softly.

“Nothing can replace you,” the pegasus replied. “Besides, if she's that bad, why not get a member of the dream guard to do your job?”

“Daydream Guards, Lunar Dream Guards and Solar Dream Guards are needed in their respective fields,” Moorland replied.

“Wait....your hive has Daydream guards?” Pipe asked. “May I ask why such concept exists?”

“Many ponies and other creatures often daydream and have terrors within Daydreams. Since Luna doesn't do Daydream walking or Dream walking in those who sleep in the daytime, she had to relegate that duty elsewhere,” Moorland said. “Since My mom was Luna's old friend and even her foalsitter for a few years, Luna basically asked if it'd be alright.”

“I see,” Pipe said.

“Yes. Our guards take and act as anchors, so if said pony or other creature is scared or having some form of a nightmare, they can tend to matter with no issue. They are able to help push the victim through their nightmare to a more relaxed dream,” Moorland said.

“Ah, I see,” Pipe replied.

Moorland nodded.

“However, that comes with a drawback,” she said.

“Oh?” he asked.

“Many who are born with those powers are afraid to use them, as many characters are disgusted with them,” she said.

“We'll sort it out,” Pipe said, walking over and draping a wing over her.

She smiled up at him.

“Thank you,” she said.

“That's what friends are for,” he said, smiling.

The two continued to plan out the vacation. However, a problem soon arose.

“It's a themed Nightmare Night and said theme is “underappreciated workers”,” Moorland said.

“I can find a costume,” he said.

She gave him an unsure nod and watched him leave. Pipe had a plan, though. He made his way down to a small shop in the back corner of Van Hoover.

“Morning Pipe,” a silverish Blue mare said.

“Morning Prop Kit,” Pipe said.

“Need some help?” she asked.

“I need bits and pieces for a Chimney Sweep costume,” Pipe said.

“Ah,” she said.

He perused the store, grabbing the necessary pieces and even a make up kit. He decided to look around before spotting the pieces necessary for a fish monger costume. He grabbed them up, and hurriedly paid for them.

“Something fishy?” Prop Kit teased.

“Nope, just attempting something stupid,” Pipe said.

“Attempting to date a princess while in disguise?” she asked.

“No, out changeling a Changeling,” Pipe said.

“You are one nutty colt,” Prop said.

“Considering she's the only one who can put up with me,” Pipe teased. “You left me after five minutes.”

“I know,” she teased.

He left the shop, stopping on the way to do some grocery shopping. He had promised her he'd pick up some groceries. It was an easy in and out job.

Returning, he found Moorland writing up lists out the wall.

“Your acting like Twilight, you know that?” he teased.

“Shaddup!” Moorland huffed.

“You train under her?” he teased again.

Moorland grabbed a stress ball and threw it at Pipe, getting it to bounce off his head.

“Ouch,” he said, feigning pain.

“Baby,” Moorland snorted.

Pipe doubled over, laughing to the point of bursting.

“You clever little so and so,” Moorland said. “If I wasn't so nice right now, I'd throw you out.”

Pipe straightened up and put all the groceries away after setting his costumes to the side.

“Anyway, I've got everything ready,” he said. “We can work on costumes later. Right now, what're you in the mood for?

“A salmon lasagna,” Moorland said.

Pipe set to work cooking one up while she sat and examined the contents of the bags.

Author's Note

This story's a more light hearted story, to take the stress and heartache off of the last chapter.

Disguise for Comedy part 2

“Okay, I can't tell if it's you or a chimney sweep,” Moorland said.

After lunch, Pipe had gone into one of the two bathrooms and costumed up as the Chimney Sweep. The way Moorland spoke, any pony listening in would have thought she was talking to one of her own Changelings. If they were to peek in, they would see Moorland talking to a dirty, beyond all respectable levels of working grime covered chimney sweep.

The chimney sweep chuckled.

“It's me,” he said.

“Can I complain?” she asked.

“Complain about what?” he asked.

“Your ability to blend in,” she pointed out.

“I studied in the theatre for years, when I was a lot younger,” he pointed out. “However, I blundered many times before finally getting to where I am today.”

She chuckled. He smiled up at her.

“Anyway, we better get going. We don't want to keep them waiting,” he said.

She nodded and after making sure everything was taken care of, she locked the door behind them and lead the way down to the Hive. The journey under the fast fading light was peaceful.

“That's beautiful,” Moorland said.

Pipe smiled and kissed her on the cheek.

“Just as beautiful as you,” Pipe said.

She giggled as they continued onwards. The two walked along the pathway to the hive as a low mist rolled in. The way it wrapped around Moorland, it gave her a mystic, almost mythic vibe. As for Pipe, the mist made him seem like a cold, calculating mastermind.

Moorland softly chuckled and the two made their way into the hive. Passing the gate, two guards in cloud patterned gold colored armor greeted them.

“Ah, Princess Moorland, Master Pipe, please, come with us,” one guard said.

“May I ask why, Sergeant Solar Knightmark?” Moorland asked.

“Your mother has requested you two to join her for dinner,” he said.

“Ah,” Moorland said.

The guards said no more and lead them onto the dining room, which was nice and large. Sitting there was Marshland, with a surprise-Princess Luna.

“Your Majesty,” Pipe said, bowing to Marshland. “Your Grace,” he added, bowing to Luna.

Marshland gave him a dirty look.

“Come now,” she said in a tested manner. “Is such a....feeble formality necessary? You, Master Pipe, are not Ms. Harshwhinney.”

“I know,” he replied. “I was taught to show respect.”

“True, but you know about the arrangements of our families,” she replied.

“Yes, I do,” he said.

“You need not bow around me,” she said. “Also, address me by name. “Your Majesty” is what all the members of the Moorlands Court use to, as the residents say, suck up to me.”

Pipe chuckled. “I have no intentions to suck up,” he said.

“Good,” she said. “Now, I have been discussing a proposition with Princess Luna and Princess Cadence.”

“What proposition, mom?” Moorland asked.

“As you know, Moorland, you can't take over the hive unless you have a king, right?” Marshland asked.

“I know,” Moorland said. “But with the failed attempts at coltfriends......I'm close.....to giving up.....”

“I know the feeling,” Luna replied softly. “But your dedication to Mr. Pipe Glass has been honorable. We were thinking, in agreement with his father, that both your hive and his family become one.”

“Wait, you mean...marry Pipe?” Moorland said.

“We have taken all into account,” Marshland said. “We wouldn't make such a decision if we thought him incapable. You have a heart of gold to match his moral compass. Also, you and him are two halves of a whole. You are just, yet sweet and loving while he is much more cold, calculating and to an extent a cynical loner.”

Moorland gave a soft, tear filled smile.

“Thank you mom, Luna,” She said on the back of a relieved sigh.

“I share the sentiment,” Pipe added.

Luna and Moorland smiled as the waiters brought out all sorts of drinks and food. Luna had a lemonade while Marshland had a Earl Gray Tea. Pipe and Moorland had Chamomile tea to drink. They talked some more about general business, before Marshland excused Pipe and Moorland. As they walked out, one of the guards walked up.

“Care to come with me?” he asked.

“Why?” Moorland asked.

It wasn't normal for a guard to be so casual. She sensed something was up.

“The Hive's prepared a little treat for you two,” he said. “This time, you need to let us show you what you mean to us.”

Pipe looked over at Moorland.

“Come on,” he said. “If it's something they see us as, we better investigate ourselves.”

They followed the guard down to where a stage was set up.

“Hmm, either it's a play or a sick practical joke,” Pipe muttered.

“Just wait,” the guard said.

The lights dimmed as the spotlights came on. There was a full band on stage. A Changeling stepped forward and after being enveloped in a brownish black flame, was standing as Pipe in a scientist's coat. Behind him was a 25 Changeling chorus. The real Pipe and Moorland had to look at each other and raise brows. They waited as the band began to play.....

Pipe (Changeling): I was working in the lab late one night
When my eyes beheld an eerie sight
For my monster from his slab began to rise
And suddenly to my surprise

Changeling Chorus: He did the mash
He did the monster mash
The monster mash
It was a graveyard smash
He did the mash
It caught on in a flash
He did the mash
He did the monster mash

Pipe (Changeling): From my laboratory in the castle east
To the master bedroom where the vampires feast
The ghouls all came from their humble abodes
To get a jolt from my electrodes

Changeling Chorus: They did the mash
They did the monster mash
The monster mash
It was a graveyard smash
They did the mash
It caught on in a flash
They did the mash
They did the monster mash

Pipe (Changeling): The zombies were having fun
The party had just begun
The guests included Wolf colt
Dracula and his son

The scene was rockin', all were digging the sounds
Igor on chains, backed by his baying hounds
The coffin-bangers were about to arrive
With their vocal group, "The Crypt-Kicker Five"

Changeling Chorus: They played the mash
They played the monster mash
The monster mash
It was a graveyard smash
They played the mash
It caught on in a flash
They played the mash
They played the monster mash

Pipe (Changeling): Out from his coffin, Drac's voice did ring
Seems he was troubled by just one thing
He opened the lid and shook his fist
And said, "Whatever happened to my Transylvania twist"

Changeling Chorus: It's now the mash
It's now the monster mash
The monster mash
And it's a graveyard smash
It's now the mash
It's caught on in a flash
It's now the mash
It's now the monster mash

Pipe (Changeling): Now everything's cool, Drac's a part of the band
And my monster mash is the hit of the land
For you, the living, this mash was meant too
When you get to my door, tell them Boris sent you

Changeling Chorus: Then you can mash
Then you can monster mash
The monster mash
And do my graveyard smash
Then you can mash
You'll catch on in a flash
Then you can mash
Then you can monster mash

Pipe raised a brow as the disguised Changeling returned to normal. He turned to Moorland, who was on the floor, laughing her cellophane mane off.

“That fits you just perfectly!” she laughed. “A mad scientist look!”

“I'm not Twilight Sparkle,” Pipe groused.

“No need to suck on a lemon,” Moorland teased.

Pipe just stood up and helped Moorland up. She gently hugged him and managed to soften him. As they walked out, she looked over at him.

“You hate it?” she asked.

He turned to her.

“No,” he said.

“But why so sore?” she asked.

“It was my initial viewing of the performance and I had it cataloged that they thought I was some evil genius,” he pointed out. “And in my family, initial viewings are what give you the best sample of a character.”

“I see,” she said. “Trust me, that wasn't their intention. I heard from mom that they actually want you to lead them.”

“And why is that?” he asked.

“Something about you being a fit and trusted King,” she said.

He chuckled.

“Somehow, I doubt it'll fly,” he said.

“Skip it. Let's enjoy the party,” she replied.

He nodded and the two walked out to the courtyard, where a Carnival that was only ½ a stall away from matching the Crystal Empire.

Disguise for Comedy part 3

The stalls had all sorts of carnival events and snacks. Changeling and pony foals ran around while young gryphons and hippogryphs ran around. The adults casually walked around, some sampling the candy or the snacks and others playing the games.

“Reminds me of me at their age,” A gryphon said to a thestral.

“It does,” The thestral said. “However, I enjoy my slower sauntering age, my dear Mystic Tornado.”

The gryphon, Mystic Tornado, chuckled. The thestral, Blue Moon Eclipse smiled up at him and placed a hoof over her necklace, which had a locket on the end, showing their happy family.

“Same, Blue Moon Eclipse,” he said, “Also, I wish you'd stop wearing that on nights like tonight.”

“Don't be silly dear,” she said. “It'll be fi.....”

She stopped as they noticed Pipe wandering around.

“Is that....?”

“It is. The Colt himself. The new legend of Clue.”

The two stood up and walked over to a tent. Some time later, Pipe stopped by the tent.

“Hello there,” Blue Moon said over to Pipe.

“Hello. Blue Moon Eclipse, Mystic Tornado, I heard about you two,” Pipe said.

“Really?” they asked.

“Yes,” Pipe said. “You two are local on call doctors. An achievement in and of itself.”

They smiled and talked over cotton candy. A few minutes later, a Changeling guard came and asked Pipe to come to a costume contest. As he stood up, a glint of silver caught his eye and the guard turned to see a hooded figure swing in, catching Pipe unawares and sent him flying into a tree, crashing into a treehouse that was built for the local colt scouts.

“What the ta...stop!” The guard shouted, as the figure swiped at Blue Moon Eclipse, aiming for her necklace.

Mystic Tornado swiped at the figure and saw it was a hippogryph. The lights didn't help identify the attacker and the attacker was able to get fast away. Orion, running up, tried to throw some goo to stop the fleeing attacker, but every glob missed.

“Damn!” he hissed and charged after the fleeing figure.

The figure dove down an alley and disappeared into the shadows. Orion hurried back and helped Pipe up and into the Hive Castle's medical ward, where Mystic Tornado tended to his injuries while Orion talked to Blue Moon Eclipse.

“So why would the attacker go for the necklace?” he asked her.

“I don't know,” she replied.

“Mystic, do you know why that attacker would go for the necklace?”

“I don't know,” he replied, wrapping a bandage around a splint on one of Pipe's legs.

“Any....distinguishing....features?” Pipe asked between grunts.

“All I know is that the attacker is a Hippogryph,” Mystic said.

Orion scratched that into his notebook. Mystic sat down and looked up at the ceiling.

“Who would want to steal from her?” Pipe asked.

“Well, there's still prejudice from all quarters against thestrals,” Mystic said.

“That shouldn't be possible here,” Orion said. “Queen Marshland passed a law in this Hive City that any form of prejudicial attack is illegal.”

“It's a case of “I've got the system beat”,” Pipe said. “However, I think we need to start an elimination.”

They stared.

“Execute them all?” Orion asked.

“Not at all,” Pipe said. “Get me a list of all the hippogryphs and gryphons in this town. From there, we question them each and from there, eliminate the ones from the list who lack the motive.”

“Sounds hard,” Mystic said.

“It's not really that hard,” Orion said. “To make it simple, imagine a shopping list and your crossing off each item on the list as you put it in your cart.”

“Makes sense,” Mystic said.

Orion turned to Pipe.

“I'll see what I can do. Also, since it's Nightmare Night, our mystery hippogryph maybe hiding under a mask of promises,” the Changeling detective said.

Pipe nodded and lay there, as Orion hurried off.

“If this is a disguise fest, let the laughs commence,” Pipe thought as he placed his head on the pillow.

Author's Note

Short chapter, but honestly, I want to save the longer part for the comedy. Also, Mystic Tornado and Blue Moon Eclipse are joining the main cast as the on call doctors.

Disguise for Comedy part 4

Carnival grounds are great for covering one's tracks. The Hippogryph smirked and looked at the necklace.

“Now, I have what I need to complete my little....room,” he chuckled.

Disappearing off, he left his mask in the trash bin. He chuckled and said that he had no need for the mask. However, he should have taken the evidence with him. A figure lifted the mask out and placed it in a packing envelope.

“Young and stupid,” the figure said and turned to the castle. “Now to get this to my sister's potential husband.”

She disappeared towards the castle, her gait speeding up as she drew near to the castle. Meanwhile, Fenland Knight had come down to check on Pipe.

“Hello there,” she said.

“Hello,” he replied. “I have a question for you, if you don't mind.”

“I don't,” she said.

“Your daughter, Moorland, said your the queen, yet I see Marshland running the hive,” he said. “May I ask why that is?”

“She's the stand in queen. As you know, I'm on my last stand. I'll be passing with time into the obscurities,” she said.

“I understand,” he replied.

“I wanted to meet you,” she said. “And having done so, I am content.”

He smiled up at the queen. Just then, there came a knock and admitted was a Changeling in Royal Guard's armor.

“Knight Peace? What is going on?” she asked.

“I found something in the trash on the grounds,” she said.

Moorland, entering, took the envelope and opened it, revealing the mask.

“I'll have the labrats run tests to see who this belongs to,” she said.

Pipe raised a brow.

"Knight's my sister,” Moorland said. “She's the captain of the Solar Guard.”

“Ah,” Pipe said. "But isn't Solar Cloud the captain?"

"Not all the time," came Knight's reply. "He's actually my second in command.

"I see," Pipe said.

Knight turned and walked out. Fenland smiled down at Pipe, who was smiling softly. She then pulled up a chair and sat down.

“So....what's it like having an inspector up your rear end?”

“It's fine,” he said. “I'm not going to stop giving her sh....”

He was cut off by a dirty look from Moorland.

“Language, or you can sleep on the couch tonight,” she said.

Fenland chuckled softly.

“It's fine. I'm used to “Rough Language” as it were,” she said.

Moorland chuckled sarcastically.

“Don't go getting sarcastic,” Pipe teased. “Or I'll use that to tease you more often.”

“Oh just wait until later,” Moorland said. “I'll get even with you tonight.”

Pipe chuckled, until he noticed the evil “Don't worry darling” look in her eye. He couldn't wait to have Nightmare Night end. Before things got out of control, Knight returned with the name of the culprit on the mask.

“It's Talon Rate,” she said.

“They worked fast,” Pipe said.

“Well, they are the most scientifically advanced members of our species of Changeling,” she pointed out.

“Good point, and now, what?” he asked.

“Well, we have him arrested and ready to stand trial. However, Solar Cloud has asked for you to join them in an event at the plaza,” she said.

“Alright,” Pipe said.

He wondered what the event would be.

The Curtain Hath Fallen Part 1

“Morning,” Pipe said as Moorland came in to join him for breakfast.

“Morning, and now, piss off,” she grunted.

“What's up?” he asked.

“Oh, a trafficking ring,” she snapped. “Selling and buying colts and fillies.”

“Damn,” Pipe replied.

“The worst part is that they are being sold as slave labor,” Moorland hissed.

Pipe growled. Moorland knew that growl all to well and sat next to him.

“I know it's hard,” she said, gently stroking his mane. “But.....”

“Hard?!” he growled. “That son of a bitch is still alive!”

“Wait....you mean....?”

“Yes! The one asshole our two families have been chasing!”

Moorland sat there and thought back. There had been one criminal they hoped to never come across again-Gold Bit.

Gold Bit, or better known as Gold Bit VIII was known by both the Hive and the House of Clue as the one who escaped punishment. His family ran drug rings, sex and slave trafficking rings, drug smuggling operations, forgery operations and had their hooves in just about every other illegal activity that could easily be imagined.

Gold Bit I first crossed blades with Evidence Clue and Fenland Knight when he was caught trying to sell kidnapped fillies and colts to the hive as slave labor. They had tracked him down and nearly had him, but he escaped by way of burrowing through an old warehouse to an underground bunker, where his operations took place.

Over the years, the rest of the generations followed daddy's example, and were very nearly caught but squeaked by. One guard, a Captain Lunar Cloud of the Royal Lunar Dream Guard, had a habit of saying “Their lucky rabbit's foot ran out.”

As for Gold Bit VIII, he crossed blades with Moorland during a bank heist and crossed blades with Pipe during a forged money ring. The two had begun to expend energy to put this crime ring in the ground.

“Hand me a dagger, I'm going to see it to a crimson end,” Moorland hissed.

“We need to get at him first. And he's being crafty, waiting in the shadows,” Pipe replied. “I'd honestly love to see him turned into a sieve as well, but I'll have to settle for either the noose or letting the bastard off the hook.”

“You know what, screw that! I don't care how, just end the bastard!” Moorland snarled, slamming a hoof into the table.

“I never thought you'd say such things,” Pipe said. “Because I know many dirty tactics to put him in the ground.”

She nodded. The two finished breakfast and went their separate ways. Pipe made his way to his office, where he found a note on his desk. He glimpsed it and saw it was from, of all ponies, Gold Bit.

To the detective,

I will end you if you interfere with any of my plans.

Pipe chuckled and crumpled the note.

“He's in for one rude awakening,” Pipe muttered.

He grabbed the phone and called up Moorland.

“Get ready,” he told her once she answered. “He's made his move.”