Equestria Noir Case 6 "Music Of The Night"

by Jacoboby1

Chapters

Chapter 1: "Overture"
Chapter 2 "Symphony"
Chapter 3 "Requiem"
Chapter 4 "Sonata"
Chapter 5: "Ballad"
Chapter 6: "Finale"
Epilogue

Chapter 1: "Overture"

Equestria Noir

Case 6

“Music of the Night”

Chapter 1

“Overture”

Our train rolled into a stop at Queen’s Cross station in Trottingham. I stepped off the train and looked around the massive station. I turned to see Twilight getting off the train behind me her eyes were looking at me with concern.

“Private, you’ve only recently got out of the hospital” She said concerned “Are you sure you're well enough to be out and about like this?”

I sighed a little and nodded “Twilight I’m fine really, the doctors said I’ve recovered completely and I could travel”

Rarity got off of the train behind Twilight. She looked at her friend “Don’t worry so much Twilight, Private is perfectly fine”

Twilight’s amethyst eyes continued to look at me “Sorry, It’s just that it’s only been two weeks since you’ve ended up in the hospital in the first place” She walked to me and put a hoof on my shoulder “I want to make sure you’re okay”

I smiled at her “You don’t need to worry about me Twilight I’ve been through worse” I gave her a peck on the cheek that caused her to blush a little “But I’m thankful for your concern”

Twilight’s ears flattened in embarrassment “It’s nothing really”

Rarity suddenly grabbed Twilight by the hoof and said something along the lines of “We need to talk”

I turned to Spike who was trying to balance Rarity’s bags (All 15 of them) on top of each other. I used my magic to save the bags from collapsing on top of him. I chuckled a little “You’d think she was packing to live here”

Spike set down the bags onto a nearby trolley “Rarity was always one to pack the necessities” he smiled a little “And I’m always willing to carry them for her”

I turned my eyes to Twilight who was talking with Rarity in a rather heated conversation. I didn’t expect to bring both of them along on this trip. I was really coming here to see a friend, but when I told Twilight she insisted she come to make sure I could make the trip without having another coughing fit. Rarity decided to come along the minute she heard I was going to Trottingham. And if you can’t figure out why Spike came along you haven’t been paying much attention.

Spike tugged on my trench coat to get my attention “We’d better pick them up, our ride is here”

__________________________________________

I sat in the carriage seat looking out at Trottingham. Trottingham at one time was considered a second Canterlot. The city itself was quite large and filled with the upper crust of Equestria. I’ve never been here myself but the place hardly seemed as interesting as Canterlot. Maybe that was because it didn’t have the royal palace? We soon stopped at our destination; The Trottingham Opera House.

The building itself was huge and towered over some of the other theaters around it. It had a set of pillars in front of it that supported the main entrance. I stepped out of the carriage and my companions followed me. Twilight’s eyes sparkled a little at seeing the old theater “This is the Opera house! Some of Equestria’s greatest performers got their start here!”

Spike shrugged “Looks a little run down to me”

I looked up at the old opera house. Indeed it did look like it had seen better days. Some of the paint was chipped and the stonework had some cracks in it. I had heard this place was having financial trouble but I didn’t expect this.

Rarity tapped her hoof to her chin “Well, so long as the stage is still intact we can still enjoy a good show” She turned to me “You said you had a friend that lives here?”

I nodded “Yeah, she was an old friend of mine from elementary school”

Twilight looked a little worried “She?”

I turned my glance back to Rarity “Her name is Moongale, she moved to Trottingham after her mother died. I recently found out she’s been living here ever since”

Twilight looked at the theater “She lives in an opera house?”

“A very lovely Opera house if I might be so bold to add” A very refined and accented voice spoke up from behind us.

All four of us turned to see a pair of unicorns walking towards us. The one who spoke was a tall unicorn with a short blue mane and a white coat. He wore a black suit jacket and a monocle that was settled on one of his blue eyes. The other was a rather skinny looking mare with a white coat and a long pink mane. She wore makeup in a similar manner to Rarity. Her legs were the most prominent feature on her; they were long and lanky almost like she had sticks for legs. Rarity smiled as her blue eyes showed recognition.

“Fancypants! I can’t believe you’re here to!” She exclaimed as the gentlestallion came to us.

He chuckled upon seeing Rarity “It’s good to see you again Miss Rarity, it’s been a while since Canterlot”

“It’s good to see you as well Fancypants” The white unicorn said smiling “These are my friends, you’ve already met Twilight”

“Ahh yes” Fancypants said looking at Twilight smiling “The one that made quite a splash at the garden party”

Twilight smiled at the gentlestallion “I promise I’m not here to crash any of your parties Fancypants”

The gentlestallion laughed a little at that “Oh do it some more please, my parties seem so terribly dull now that I know you and your friends” Twilight and Rarity laughed a little at the joke. The gentlestallion turned to Spike next “And you must be young Spike, Rarity has told me a lot about you”

The baby dragon flushed a little “Yeah, I’m Spike. Twilight’s #1 assistant!” He gestured to me next “Who in turn is the assistant to Private Eye here”

Fancypants looked at me with searching blue eyes. He brought his monocle closer to me as if I was some indecipherable tome. “You wouldn’t happen to be the Detective I’ve heard about in the papers?”

I smiled and nodded “Detective Private Eye, I guess my reputation precedes me”

He smiled “Quite so my dear boy" Then his eyebrows raised as a thought dawned on him "You wouldn’t happen to be related to Irenius Eye would you? You bear quite the resemblance to him”

My ears flattened at this. I would’ve figured the subject of my dad would come up. Fancypants seemed like an alright guy so I wasn’t going to lie to him about this. “Yes, he’s my father”

“You don’t say my dear boy” He said smiling a little “I have worked with your father on many an occasion for my charity work. In fact it was from him I got this monocle” He showed me the monocle which had my dad’s symbol on it “A gift from my dear wife Fleur”

The unicorn standing next to Fancypants finally spoke. She had a heavy prench accent, but not to the point where you couldn’t understand what she was saying. She leaned into her husband lovingly “Only the finest for you Mon amour”

Fancypants continued on speaking to me “I must ask though, what are you four are doing in Trottingham?”

I gestured to the opera house behind me “A friend of mine is at the opera house and I wanted to come and visit her”

“My dear boy, I happen to be an investor in that very opera house” Fancypants spoke proudly. “Would you four like to come and see a rehearsal?”

Rarity looked at Fancypants “Oh Fancypants we wouldn’t want to impose”

The gentlestallion shook his head “I insist, think of it as payment for the wonderful inspiration you’ve given me Rarity”

All four of us followed Fancypants as he led us up the opera house steps. I looked at his wife Fleur, she seemed…somber. She saw me look at her then made a show of pressing up affectionately against her husband. He didn’t even react at all. I looked at Twilight who shrugged and went off to follow Rarity and the others
______________________________________________

“This Opera house was built in 789 and was influenced heavily by the designs at the time” Fancypants spoke like he was presenting his finest piece of artwork. Then again he was an investor so this technically was a fine piece of artwork to him. “There is actually a tale about how this Opera house came to be”

Twilight looked at Fancypants her eyes glistening at the prospect of a history lesson. “Do you know it Fancypants? I’d really love to hear it”

The gentlestallion chuckled at her enthusiasm. He then took on a storyteller’s tone. “Long ago there was a pony by the name of Artherect. He was a great builder whom was responsible for many of Trottingham’s buildings. Big Bonny, The Tower of Luna, he even oversaw one of the many rebuilding’s of Canterlot Castle”

“Quite a resume he had” I observed

Fancypants continued “Yes but this Opera house was his greatest gift. You see Artherect was in love with a beautiful singer named Rouge. She was an incredibly talented singer, but in those days you were lucky to sing at a tavern let alone a proper venue, for she was a peasant girl and couldn’t ever hope to sing anywhere of prominence. Artherect saw her plight and poured all his fortune into constructing this very opera house for her”

Spike whistled “And here I thought diamonds were a mare’s best friend” He frowned then “Next thing you know girls will be demanding palaces on the first date”

Rarity sighed happily “It’s so romantic, that he would do all of that for her”

Fancypants nodded but his expression changed “Sadly it was all for not”

All four of us spoke at the same time “What do you mean?!”

Fleur spoke next looking at all four of us “She did not return the love he held for her” She shook her head “Poor thing was heartbroken by the news that she did not love him like he loved her. He would die alone and unloved after she told him…”

Spike spoke up “Talk about ungrateful! He built an entire opera house for her! And for what? So that she could turn around and break his heart like that?!”

I put a hoof on Spike’s shoulder to get him to calm down. He did and I spoke sagely “Not everypony can be swayed by gifts no matter how large or important they are”

Spike crossed his arms “Still, I think it was mean of her to not at least tell him she didn’t feel the same” I couldn’t help but notice that Rarity’s eyes looked guilty for a second. I ignored it and Fancypants led us into the actual theater.
________________________________________________________

The theater itself was large and very well decorated. On the stage actors were hard at work rehearsing lines and musical lines for the upcoming rehearsal. This brought back memories of my time in the drama department back in elementary school. I wasn’t the best actor in the world and only got minor roles but I always enjoyed watching the more professional actors work their craft.

I was also reminded of the fact that mom gave up this life when she had me…I shook my head and moved to catch up with the rest of the group.

An earth pony stallion with a mottled brown coat and a long red mane turned to greet us. “Fancypants! It’s an honor to meet you at last good sir!” He said shaking the gentlestallion’s hoof profusely.

Fancypants smiled at him “Good to see you as well Ponder, how is the rehearsal going?”

Ponder sighed after letting go of Fancy’s hoof. “Not well to be honest, we are having a bit of a problem”

“What kind of problem old chap?”

“WHERE IS MY DOGGIE!!!?!!?!”

We all turned to see a rather plump and snobby looking pony take the stage. She was older then I was but seemed to be trying desperately to hide it. She was a unicorn with a long silver mane and a dark violet coat. She glared at a nearby stage hand “I asked specifically for my doggie to be here! And he isn’t!”

Ponder gestured to her “That is our problem. That’s Madonna, she’s the star of the play”

Fleur spoke up “But Madonna hasn’t had a starring role since I was a wee filly. She hardly has any talent at all”

Ponder sighed again “You wouldn’t know it by the way she talks about herself. She’s been nagging me on and on to change this or that about the play”

I raised an eyebrow “You’re the director, can’t you tell her to…” I remembered that a baby dragon was in the room “…cut it out?”

Ponder shook his head “Not with Raustam running things”

Twilight looked to Fancypants “Who is Raustam?”

Ponder pointed with his hoof to the top box. There was an older looking earth pony stallion with a bright green coat and a short white mane. He wore a suit jacket and a prominent top hat as well. He did not look happy to be here at all. “That is him. He owns the theater now and whatever he says goes”

Rarity frowned “Somepony ought to teach him a thing or two about opera”

Ponder shrugged “With him in charge there is nothing I can do to salvage this play from the pit it’s dragged itself into”

I scanned the actors looking for anypony familiar at all. When my labors proved fruitless I turned to Ponder. “Do you know a unicorn mare by the name of Moongale? She’s supposed to be living here”

Ponder tapped his hoof on his chin in thought “Leopony’s daughter?” He then nodded “She should be in the back”
_______________________________________________________________

I knocked on the door of the room Ponder said she would be in. My ears were greeted by a familiar and sweet as pure honey voice. “Who is it?”

I smiled “An old friend, it’s been a long time Moongale”

The door opened to reveal a unicorn mare I almost didn't recognize. She was my age; her coat was a beautiful baby blue with a shining midnight blue mane. Her blue eyes took a second to recognize me then her mouth formed into a wide smile. “Private?!”

I opened my front legs and we hugged one another. We both laughed in joy at being reunited. I set her down and my grey eyes looked at her “I was expecting pig tails to be perfectly honest”

She smiled in turn “At least I was dead on with that hat of yours” She flicked my hat down on my face with her hoof. She laughed a little “I almost couldn’t believe it was you when you sent the letter. It’s been years Private”

I fixed my hat and looked her over “You’ve certainly done well for yourself, how have you been?”

Her blue eyes looked a little saddened “Not well, Raustam is hell bent on keeping me in the chorus role”

“Chorus!?” I said incredulously “You and I both know that’s a total waste of your talent!”

She sighed “I know, but it’s alright I guess” She smiled a little “I wasn’t expecting to get a big role anyway”

“You’re one of the best singers I know Moongale. You deserve to be up there”

She blushed a little and then shoved me playfully “Flatterer, I’m fine where I am”

I shook my head. There was no stopping Moongale once she made up her mind. “How is the old song and dance?” That was my phrase for Moongale’s voice.

She smiled “I’ve been practicing every night ever since father died…”

“I heard about that” I put a hoof on her shoulder “I’m sorry to hear it. He was my violin teacher for many years. He was like a favorite uncle to me”

She smiled at me “You always were a favorite student of his” She sighed “I will miss him very much”

I nodded “Yeah, I will to”

She then turned to me with a strange expression on her face “Private?”

“Yes Moongale?”

She didn’t speak for a long time. She was looking for the right words to say. She finally opened her mouth and spoke plainly “Do you believe that angels can visit ponies here on Equestria?”

“Why would you ask that?” I said very confused.

“Because” She looked out a nearby window “I think father sent me an angel of music”

Chapter 2 "Symphony"

Chapter 2

“Symphony”

I simply stared at Moongale. She was never one to lie or make up stories when we were foals. But this was just beyond bizarre; her blue eyes looked at me as I finally answered. “An angel of music? Moongale what are you talking about?”

“I knew you wouldn’t believe me…” She said casting her eyes to the floor.

“Just tell me what you’re saying” I said earnestly “I want to understand”

She slowly nodded then spoke “Father said before he died that he would send an angel of music…since then I’ve been hearing this voice that claimed to be that angel. He told me he would help me become a better singer and he asked nothing in return”

I gave her a puzzled look. She didn’t seem crazy; she wasn’t twitching at the eyes or threatening to turn my intestines into cupcakes. She seemed to be telling the truth, I couldn’t help but be skeptical but I wasn’t about to put her in the same place I file Glimmer.

“And this angel has helped you become a better singer ever since?”

She nodded “Without payment or anything in return like I said. He has been encouraging me to become the very best I could be” She sighed “I just hope I can use what he taught me…”
____________________________________

“This is an absolute outrage!” A very refined voice shouted as I reentered the stage. The voice belonged to Raustam who was waving a piece of paper in his hoof while glaring at Ponder. “You expect me to listen to this nonsense?!”

Ponder fired back “I’m not one to deny a wish from the Phantom!”

I found my group standing off aways from the arguing pair. I walked up next to Twilight and spoke quietly while the argument went on “What’s going on?”

Twilight looked at me “A letter came for Raustam this morning; Ponder is saying it’s from some kind of Phantom”

Fancypants who was standing opposite Twilight spoke up “Not just any Phantom mind you, but the Phantom that is said to be Artherect ghost. He would make periodic demands for this or that from the staff here”

“And what was the demand this time?” I asked, my curiosity reaching a high level.

Fancypants spoke simply “That Moongale should play the part of Princess Leonada instead of Madonna”

Rarity then exclaimed with stars in her eyes “The opera they’re doing is ‘Jade and Leonada’!? I love that opera! The romance, the music, the glamour! I’ve wanted to see it since I was a filly!”

I looked at Fancypants “So what’s the problem? Moongale has boat loads more talent than Madonna ever will”

“The public doesn’t want her that’s what’s wrong!” Raustam said walking up to us. He got right in my face “The public is expecting a star! Not some nobody from nowhere!”

Ponder stomped over to us clearly not happy “The Phantom understands the folly in your plan Raustam!”

The green upper crust pony glared at Ponder “You stay out of this! I will not be bullied by some rabid fan with half a brain! The show will go on with Madonna on the stage!” He then pushed past me and grumbled something that I really wish Spike didn’t hear.

Ponder sighed “There is nothing I can do, would I have it my way I’d put Moongale in Madonna’s role in a heartbeat”

Fleur spoke up then “You could always try having Moongale be an understudy no?”

Ponder leapt into the air in joy “Brilliant! There’s no way Raustam could argue against that!” He then sped off after the theater owner with reckless abandon. I smiled at Fleur whom smiled in turn. But her violet eyes casted a glance at Fancypants…was she seeking his approval?
_______________________________________________

“And they will let me perform should anything happen to Madonna!” Moongale’s voice spoke happily over the phone receiver. I held the phone to my ear as I sat on the hotel bed. We got the hotel pretty cheap thanks to Fancypants’ suggestions about places to stay in Trottingham. It was comfortable and affordable, just the way I like my vacation rest stops.

I smiled brightly “That’s great news Moongale! You’ll be on stage in no time!”

“Oh I don’t know if I’ll make it on stage” her voice spoke with a small nervous laugh “But it will be fun simply learning the part of Leonada. I have a lot of work to do to learn her role in a week”

“You keep working hard then, I look forward to seeing you on stage should the worst happen”

“I look forward to seeing you and your friends in the audience. You have come to know such wonderful ponies Private. That Rarity is quite the character, she’s already insisted on making my dress for my performance. But it’s Twilight I want to know more about”

My face became puzzled “Why Twilight?”

She giggled a little over the line “I’ve seen the way she looks at you Private. You’ve left quite the impression on her. Are you two…seeing each other?”

My face turned a deep scarlet and I blabbered out something that sounded like this:
“NowayImeanyesImeannoImeani’dlike to but dah!!!”

She was laughing out loud on the other end “I’m happy that you’ve found a special somepony Private. She seems like a wonderful mare that I would pick for you”

“You’re starting to sound like an older sister” I said flatly

“I’m a year younger then you Private”

“Metaphors don’t have ages”

She gave a small laugh “Well I should go, good luck with your special somepony”

“It’s been great seeing you again Moongale, good luck”

“"You to Private, I’m so blessed to have a friend like you”

“The blessing goes both ways Moongale”

We hung up and my ears turned to hear a knock on the door. Spike was sound asleep in his own bed and I was careful not to disturb the sleeping dragon. I opened the door with my magic and saw Twilight was standing in the door.

“Twilight?” I said looking at her “What are you doing up? I thought you and Rarity went to bed”

Twilight was flushing a little “Well, I was hoping to talk to you…alone”

I nodded knowingly and gestured for her to follow me. We made our way to a deserted part of the hotel lobby. Everypony else had retired for the evening and only a desk pony was there listening to music. Twilight and I sat on a couch together out of sight and she looked at me with those beautiful amethyst eyes of hers.

“Private…I wanted to talk about…” She flushed a little “Us…”

“Us as in…” I said my own face turning a little red “The kiss…”

Twilight sighed “It’s just that…I’m worried”

“About what?”

“About" She shook her head "Oh you’re going to think I’m stupid…”

I shook my head and moved closer to her “Twilight you’re a lot of things and stupid isn’t one of them. Socially awkward and a little too book smart but not stupid”

Twilight let out a breath “I’m worried that…you’ll just leave me for the first mare to flash her flank at you…” She turned scarlet and put her face in her hooves in sheer embarrassment.

“What brought this up?” I said looking at her.

“Just something Rarity said…I pointed out to her how great Moongale looked in that dress Rarity made for her. When I get back to the hotel she goes on and on about how you and Moongale are so close”

“That’s what this is about?”

Twilight looked up at me “Yeah, I mean…she’s beautiful, a talented singer, and above all you two are the best of friends. I can hardly compete with that…”

I put a hoof on Twilight’s and she and I locked eyes for a moment. I simply whispered so only she could hear me “Whoever said you had to compete for me…?” I shook my head slowly “Twilight, Moongale and I are friends and we go way back. But the only pony I could ever want is sitting here. With me…right now…”

“Oh Private…” Twilight’s eyes started watering and she smiled “That’s so sweet…”

“So is the next two minutes…”

“What are talking abou-“She was cut off by me pressing my lips to hers. Her face turned a deep scarlet at this and she slowly closed her eyes and returned the kiss.

I pulled away after that and smiled at her “I don’t feel for Moongale the same way I feel for you Twilight” My face flushed a little “You’re something far more special to me…”

Twilight then threw her front legs around me and pulled me into another kiss. I felt my hat fall off my head in the process. I didn’t care though and simply returned the embrace. I was happy…for once in my miserable life I could say I really was happy.
_________________________________________________

A week passed and the opening night finally occurred. Rarity managed to pack me a suit somehow and I was able to attend in formal evening attire. I still insisted on wearing my trademark grey fedora though. You wouldn't catch me dead in anything else. Spike had a smaller evening suit provided by the love of his life with a sparkling red bow tie.

We both waited outside our carriage for the girls to show up. Spike and I looked up as Rarity and Twilight exited the hotel. My face turned a deep scarlet when I saw Twilight clad in a beautiful midnight blue dress and matching jewelry. Rarity on the other hand looked just as stunning to my dragon companion as she descended the steps in a shining violet gown and
feathered hat.

We arrived at the opera house just as the line started to form. We managed to get in and find our seats despite Rarity complaining (remember there is a difference between whining and complaining now) about our seats being subpar for the occasion. After some whining (remember the difference) we managed to get seats in a private box.

“Over here my dear friends!” Fancypants called from his seat as we arrived.

He was clad in his usual suit and he had something attached to his hip. I gestured with my hoof at it “What’s that?”

The gentlestallion smiled “This, my dear boy is a family heirloom” His horn glowed and the object was revealed to be a rapier sword. It was very well decorated but finely crafted. “My grandfather always wore this whenever he wanted good luck. I was hoping it would help Moongale”

I smiled “That’s very kind of you Fancypants”

He chuckled “Quite so dear boy” He turned his attention to Rarity “Rarity I simply must have you meet some of the guests attending” He and Rarity along with her escort Spike ran off into the rows of seats to greet the guests.

After about two minutes Twilight went off to powder her muzzle. Fleur looked over at me; she looked quite nice clad in a gold colored gown. She smiled at me “Is she yours?”

It took me a minute to figure out what she meant. When I did I felt no less embarrassed “Um, yeah…her and I are…a thing I guess”

She gave a small laugh “Young love, such a beautiful thing no?”

I flushed in embarrassment “Yeah, I guess it is”

She then gazed longingly in no direction in particular “I remember when I felt as you did…”

This struck me as curious “Don’t you and Fancypants care for each other like me and Twilight?”

Her violet eyes turned to me; I could sense the somberness in them. She sighed and looked at me “To be honest…things are not going well between me and mi amour…”

“I don’t mean to pry” I spoke simply “But how bad are things?”

She shook her head “Fancypants and I were in love when we were married…but after a while I guess he just got used to me...” She sat down in a chair hanging her lanky head somberly “After a while it’s like I’m not even there…I tried everything to win his attention, dieting, makeup, even buying him some of his favorite things…but it was stérile”

“Have you ever talked to him about it?” I asked sitting down next to the lanky unicorn.

“I tried to” She shook her head “But every time he moves on to this event or that…hardly any time for just us…”

“I’m sure he’ll come around” I said putting a reassuring hoof on her shoulder “He’ll figure out that he needs you just as much as you need him”

She smiled a little at that “You are most kind mon ami. I hope you are right and we will come around”

______________________________________

The lights dimmed as the show finally began. A narrator stallion stood in the center of a spotlight and began to tell a tale.

Long was the battle between east and west

Growing fiercer by the day!

And on this evening princess Leonada

Fair and beautiful both in heart and appearance

Was asked to marry the prince of the west

In order to bring peace to the two rival nations

The play went on to show that Leonada wanted to bring peace to her kingdom. She was willing to marry the supposedly handsome prince in order to bring about peace. But her frustrations over the constant delays in her wedding were vented out to her servant stallion named Jade. Despite this, Jade was in love with Leonada but feared that his love would not be returned.

Spike got a kick out of rooting for Jade throughout the play. I got a kick out of booing Madonna. She played a horrible and bitter Leonada. Who made sure that her desire for peace was known by all those around them, most of the time loudly and with bland acting.

It all came to a head as the first act was about to close. By now I had my tomatoes primed and ready to aim at Madonna. The rest of the gang was more than happy to join in as Madonna took the stage.

Madonna, clad in a dress that she shouldn’t be wearing anymore, spoke to Jade who was standing nearby. “Twas a tragedy! The prince turned out to be an ugly man!”

Jade spoke next “I warned you milady but you wouldn’t listen to me”

“Silence fool!” Madonna snapped at the poor guy “Peace will be brought about! This is simply a minor setback!”

Jade shook his head and walked forward. The actor was a young guy about my age with a short brown mane and a green apple colored coat. The poor guy had been Madonna’s whipping boy throughout the whole show. Spike was ready to aim his tomato at the actress but one look from Twilight called a cease fire.

“You would rather enter a relationship where you will never be loved for who you are?!” Jade yelled at Madonna

“Who cares what I want!? It’s my kingdom that matters you servant boy!” She reached up and smacked Jade across the face with her fan. Madonna then turned to the crowd. She opened her mouth to sing the song about her doing what’s right for her kingdom…but what came was….

Squawk

Everypony in the room gasped at this. Madonna laughed a little then opened her mouth to speak again.

Squawk

Three Squawks later and everypony started laughing hysterically. I saw stage hands frantically fight to close the curtain as Madonna complained in various forms of Squawking.

Twilight looked at me “Somepony must’ve had her drink chicken spray”

Spike looked over at her in between laughing his guts out. “You mean somepony pulled a prank on her?”

Twilight smiled and laughed a little “Let’s just say she won’t be singing anytime soon”

After two minutes Ponder came out from behind the curtain and spoke out to the now calmed down crowd “We humbly apologize for the incident. Madonna will be unable to play Leonada for the rest of the evening. The part will instead be played by her understudy Moongale”

Ponies in the audience whispered quietly. All wanted to know who this mysterious understudy was and, more importantly, if she could play the part better then Madonna. Then again a tone deaf one legged chicken could play Leonada better then Madonna but I’m disqualified due to bias.

I looked at my companions who were about to walk around during the intermission. “I’m going to go wish her luck”

They all nodded and I went off for backstage.
___________________________________________

I looked over at Moongale who was clad in the most beautiful white gown I’d ever seen. Her midnight blue mane was tied back in a long braid with flowers entwined in the hairs. She lifted her eyes from the script and smiled at me.

“You look great” was all I could muster.

She walked to me and nodded “I’m so nervous though, I’ve never been on stage in front of so many ponies…”

I smiled “You remember back to the elementary school play?”

She laughed “You threw a fit because you were so convinced that nopony was good enough to play opposite me. You were like an overprotective little brother”

“You’re a year younger than me remember?”

“I guess over protectiveness doesn’t care for age”

“You blew everypony away that night…I swear you were like an angel on stage…you just remember that and you'll blow them away again tonight”

She smiled at me and hugged me “Thank you so much Private…for all you’ve done”

I returned the hug then noticed something on her vanity. It was a note. “Who’s that from?”

Moongale smiled and levitated the note to me. I read the contents.

Dear Moongale

I apologize for keeping myself hidden for so long. We’ve worked hard and I want to see the fruits of our labor tonight. You will be able to see me at the empty top box tonight just to your right looking at the audience. I’m so happy for you my heart cannot bear the weight of seeing you truly shine. I’m proud of what you’ve become…I hope you will blow them away tonight…

Love,

Your Angel of Music

“You think it’s really the same guy?”

Moongale nodded “I’m sure of it; I look forward to being able to see him”

I smiled at her “Go out there and make us all proud”

She smiled and turned as the music began to play. She looked back at me one last time “Tonight I put all of that faith into action…”

_____________________________________

Moongale was a vast improvement on the production overall. She was different kind of Leonada, a gentle but hopeful young mare who started to realize that there was a stallion that cared for her. One that loved her not for her status…but simply for her, that stallion was Jade.

She was so beautiful and graceful on the stage. She had the audience completely enthralled with her. Every laugh, every note of her singing, every line delivered was all perfect.

But tragedy would strike the young lovers. For the prince figured out about the romance between servant and princess. When threats would not deter Jade from his love of Leonada…death did. For the prince had Jade killed by the blade of an assassin. Nopony could prove the prince’s involvement in the murder so Leonada couldn’t stop the prince from forcing the marriage.

It all culminated in Moongale standing on a balcony in the Prince’s castle. She looked out longingly towards the endless horizon. She looked up towards the empty box. I followed her eyes and that’s when I saw him.

He was unicorn stallion that was my age. He had tan coat and a short black mane that was slicked back. He wore an evening suit and a long black cape as he sat in the empty box. But the most distinguishing feature was a mask he wore. It covered the right side of his face, but it did not detract from his encouraging smile.

Moongale, now more determined than ever to give it her all, then opened her mouth to sing…what followed…was simply glorious…

Chapter 3 "Requiem"

Chapter 3

“Requiem”

“A toast to the lovely Miss Moongale for a simply stunning performance”

We all cheered in response as we sat around a table at one of the finest restaurants in all of Trottingham. Moongale’s performance was met with overwhelming praise from the audience. Many stopped her on her way out to congratulate her on her performance. Fancypants was generous enough to treat us all to his favorite restaurant. This toast was simply one of the many that we’ve given to Moongale this evening.

The singer flushed in embarrassment “You’re all too kind”

Rarity spoke up “Darling we cannot give you enough praise for what you’ve done! I’ve never seen anypony perform as you did tonight”

I smiled at the blue singer “You’d better get used to it they’ll cheer for you all- Spike!”

Spike was about to take a sip from my champagne glass. I snatched it with my magic before he could take even a whiff of it. Spike looked at me like I’ve just stolen a ruby cookie “I was only going to take a sip!”

“You know you’re too young to be drinking any alcohol Spike!” Twilight scolded to the young dragon “Private was right to take that away from you”

“Aww come on! You guys get to drink all this fancy stuff!” He then looked to me for appeal “Come on Private just one sip!”

I waved my hoof in a chastising manner “No Spike you listen to Twilight on this one”

Rarity and the others were holding back chuckles at our display. I looked over at Rarity who was finding it hardest to contain her giggles. “What’s so funny?”

Rarity giggled a little then spoke “Just the way you treat Spikey-wikey, you are like his parents and it’s simply adorable”

Both I and Twilight turned scarlet at this. Spike folded his arms and grinned a little “So dad can I have a ruby when we go home?”

I glared at the dragon “You keep this up and I’ll send you to your mother for a time out young man!”

We all laughed at this display of parenthood toward the young dragon. It was then that I noticed a unicorn stallion enter the restaurant. He was my age with a long brown mane and a light brown coat. He was wearing a fancy suit jacket and he had a cane that was obviously used for show. His blue eyes were trained on Moongale. We all stared at our new arrival as he approached. He finally spoke after about two minutes of simply staring at Moongale “It is you…I couldn’t believe it when they said your name but…here you are”

Moongale stared at the stallion for a bit but then recognition showed on her face. She got up from the table and walked to the stallion. “Roland? Is that you?”

“I didn’t think you would recognize me after all this time” He smiled at her “It is me, Moongale”

Moongale let out a joyous cry and hugged this new arrival. She then turned to us and gestured with her hoof to him “Everypony, this is Roland. He was a friend of mine in high school”

Fancypants looked over at Roland and recognition crossed his face as well. “Roland?! As in Roland, sole heir to the house of Hunter?!”

Roland smiled “And you must be the legendary Fancypants. I must say your ponytarion works are quite extravagant”

Fancypants smiled in turn “I thank you for the compliment my dear boy, Will you be joining us this fine evening?”

Roland shook his head “Sadly I simply came to speak with Moongale. We have much catching up to do” He smiled at Moongale who smiled in turn. The two unicorns walked out together.

Twilight looked over at me “You know him?”

I shook my head “Not personally but I know of him. My dad did some work with his dad about a decade ago. The Hunter house is not exactly a very…reputable place. I’ve arrested many of their associates back when I was on the force”

“What kind of dirt are we talking about here?” Twilight whispered so as to not interrupt Spike answering some of Fancypants’ questions about dragons.

“Murder, extortion….anything that you could get away with by being of the upper crust they would use to their advantage. I wonder what Roland wants with Moongale” My eyes narrowed in suspicion.

“Maybe they really are friends and they’re just catching up?” She said hopefully

“For Moongale’s sake I hope you’re right”

_________________________________________

“He asked you to what now?” I asked over the phone. I had been talking with Moongale for a while now. The current topic of our conversation: Moongale’s talk with Roland.

“He asked me if I wanted to leave the theater and expand my career”

“Isn’t that a good thing? Wouldn’t you want that?”

“Normally I would” she sighed for a moment “But I don’t know if I want to…I don’t want to disappoint him”

“Him? You mean Roland?”

“No Private, the angel, I feel like I’d be abandoning him”

“Surely he would understand…” I said playing along with this. I wondered if this “angel” was the stallion I saw in the top box. It was no coincidence that he was there just like the note said he would.

“You did not see his eyes after the performance…he seemed so lonely…I wanted to meet him but I couldn’t find him after the show”

“You be careful Moongale…he could be dangerous”

“I understand Private; you’ve dealt in cases like him before. But I can handle myself. I’m not a little filly anymore”

“I just hope you know what you’re getting into…”

______________________________________

“An absolute outrage!” Raustam shouted waving yet another piece of paper. Tomorrow was the second performance of the opera and Raustam got another call from the Phantom. To say that he was happy about it would be like saying ponies don’t eat hay. Twilight and I were paying witness to this event. Everypony else had gone to tour Trottingham but I wanted to keep an eye on Moongale.

Ponder shouted at Raustam “You saw the overwhelming praise of last night Raustam! You cannot deny the logic of the Phantom’s demand. Madonna is finished”

The green gentlestallion (I use that term loosely) shouted back at the director “I will not be bullied around by some unseen thug! Moongale is an understudy! Nothing more! Madonna will resume her role as Leonada tonight and that is final!” He stormed off to his office.

I looked over at Twilight “Why is Raustam so hell bent on keeping Moongale off stage?”

Twilight tapped her chin in thought “Maybe he has some sort of agreement, a bribe perhaps?”

“Maybe” I said looking over at a swearing Ponder “Either way the audience and the Phantom won’t be too happy with what is about to go down. I just hope nopony gets caught in the crossfire…”

“Have you talked to Moongale about this at all? She seemed rather upset all week long”

“She’s having a moral dilemma” I said simply “Roland wants to expand her career beyond this theater but she feels compelled to stay because of the angel of music she keeps talking about”

Twilight then looked over at me with wide eyes “Private, I just had a thought”

“What is it?” I said my own grey eyes getting wide.

“What if the angel and the phantom are the same pony?”

__________________________________________

“Phantoms, lost lovers, and a mysterious note” Fancypants said as we sat in our private box as ponies started filing in on the second night of the performance. The place was practically packed to the brim. Fancypants chuckled next to me “I must say this whole trip is turning into quite the romp”

I looked over to find Roland walking to a seat next to me. The gentlestallion's blue eyes betrayed nothing. “May I speak with you Private? Alone?”

I looked over at the gang then back at Roland. I got up and the two of us ventured into the hallway. He stopped and his blue eyes looked at me sternly “You’ve known Moongale for far longer than I have. I want your advice about something”

“Sure” I said warily “What is it?”

“You see Private, as I’ve watched her in rehearsal this week I’ve developed some old feelings for her…”

“You’re acting like she’s my sister and you want to ask her out” I observed

“To put it frankly that’s what I want” Roland said “She has no parents of her own now and I would like to know if you would object to her entering a relationship with me”

“Why ask me?”

“Because you and her are like brother and sister by the way she talks about you” Roland smiled “I have found myself drawn to Moongale, I would like to take her from here and make her into something special”

“To be frank Roland” I said bluntly “It’s not me you should be asking permission, its Moongale herself”

He looked at me like I’ve just said the moon was made of cheese. (Theory disproven by Princess Luna herself) “But she is a mare; she must have somepony to give her away”

“She’s not an object Roland, she’s a pony just like everypony else” I narrowed my eyes “And don’t you go around saying otherwise, she’s my friend and I would never want anypony to harm her or mistreat her”

His eyes narrowed in turn “Very well, then I shall speak to her myself on the matter. We should get back to our seats…”

We both glared at each other as we returned to our seats. The curtains slowly rose and the narrator spoke the familiar opening. Many in the audience were returning from last night hoping to see Moongale again. What they got was a fully restored Madonna…they were not happy.

The purple mare started singing on stage and she was met by boos and shouts from the audience. One by one ponies started throwing garbage and random objects at her. She swore at the audience and mocked them for “Not understanding true talent”

I was tempted to throw something myself but caught myself when what I was about to throw was revealed to be Spike. I set the young dragon down as the crowd got more chaotic and destructive…and that’s when it happened.

Out of nowhere a body shot down toward the stage floor. It stopped halfway in its descent…it was Raustam hanging in a noose.

Pure chaos followed, ladies started fainting and ponies panicked as many of them have never seen a dead body before. I had so I kept my cool during the entire venture. It was then I noticed a pony in the top box…the Phantom was making a run for it. I turned to my companions “Fleur! Rarity! You two go and get the police!” I turned to Spike “You make sure nopony goes near that body”

“On it Private! Hey has anypony seen Roland?” We all looked around and saw no sign of the stallion.

Twilight then looked over the balcony of our box and shouted “He’s down in the crowd! He’s going after the Phantom!”
I looked down and sure enough there he was, pushing his way through the crowd to get to backstage. I looked at Twilight and Fancypants “Come on! Let’s follow him!”
______________________________________

My two companions and I entered backstage to find Ponder lying on the ground. I nudged the director and he slowly gained consciousness “Detective! He took her!”

I grabbed the stallion by his shirt with my magic “Who took who!? Speak up!”

“The Phantom! He came and took Moongale!”

My grey eyes grew with a newfound determination “Where did he take her!?”

Ponder managed to free himself from my grip and pointed to a door marked private. “That way! It leads to the catacombs under the opera house! I’ve long suspected he lived down there! If Moongale is anywhere she’s down there!”

Fancypants opened the door with his magic “Then we don’t have much time, who knows what the Phantom has in mind for the poor girl”

I nodded with determination and pulled out my revolver “Let’s go”

_______________________________________

I led the way as the three of us descended into the catacombs. Our horns glowed like flashlights, lighting the way into the dark and damp tunnels. “How far could these go?” I pondered aloud.

Twilight held her light along the walls of the tunnel “These were built years ago during the griffon wars. Used mainly as escape tunnels to avoid the bombings”

“Now it’s being used as a hideout for a very different kind of villain” Fancypants spoke as he trotted alongside me. His magic was on his sword just in case.

“Either way that Phantom isn’t going to do anything to Moongale on my watch” I said looking around.

BANG!!!!

“That was a gunshot!” Twilight shouted.

I nodded and ran toward where I heard the sound. I pressed myself to a corner and loaded my gun. I then jumped out from behind my cover and aimed at…Roland?

The unicorn stallion looked up at me; he was trying to stop his left front leg from bleeding with a hoof. “Thank Celestia you’re here Private!”

All three of us ran to Roland and Twilight ran her horn to check for any serious injuries. I looked at Roland “What happened?”

Roland glared off in the opposite direction where we came “It was the Phantom! I saw him take Moongale deeper into the catacombs and he shot me when he saw me”

Twilight looked at me after her examination was complete “He’s alright; the bullet didn’t go very deep”

I nodded “He’ll still need medical attention” I looked over at Twilight “You and Fancypants take him topside and call an ambulance”

“What about you?” Twilight said looking at me concerned.

I cocked my gun with my magic “I got a friend to save”

Fancypants looked at me “I will protect them with my life Private”

I nodded at the gentlestallion “Hurry, don’t worry about me”

Fancypants lifted Roland onto his back and started to walk out. Twilight stopped before following him and then kissed me on the lips. Her violet eyes showed her concern “Be careful…”

I ran a hoof along her cheek and kissed her back “I will Twilight…I promise”

_________________________________________

I ventured deeper into the caverns. I came across a small canal and a small boat was there. I stepped into the boat and used my magic to make the ship go. I rowed the boat along the canal. That’s when I started to hear the music…

It was a strange duet alright; I recognized Moongale’s beautiful soprano voice was complimented by a powerful baritone voice I didn’t recognize. I could only guess it was the Phantom…but why would he sing with his captive?

Those who have seen your face

Draw back in fear…

I am the mask you wear…

That was Moongale…I’d recognize that voice anywhere. The baritone voice sang along with her…

It’s me they fear…

That tone…so sad…so longing

Then both voices sang in one single motion.

My spirit and my voice

In one combined!!!

The Phantom of the Opera is there!

Inside my mind…

________________________

I finally came to end of the canal long after the duet ended its song. I got out of the boat and ascended some steps to find the Phantom’s lair. It was a rather large and decorated room for a recluse. An entire side of the cave wall was replaced by a large pipe organ. There sitting at the organ was the same pony I saw in the top box. His horn glowed a soft brown and the keys pressed themselves to create as soft melodic melody.

He turned upon hearing my hoof steps. I held up my gun at him “Don’t move Phantom!”

His face was expressionless, at least from what I could tell from the part of his face not obscured by the mask. He spoke in a smooth baritone voice “If you are looking for Moongale she is asleep now”

“Let her go now!” I shouted not wanting to play any games

“She is not my prisoner Private…”

My grey eyes changed to a puzzled expression “You know my name…”

He nodded slowly “I know of Leopony, he spoke highly of you as a student. I had hoped to meet you and Moongale under better circumstances however…”

“Why did you kidnap Moongale? Ransom? Lust?”

He shook his head violently “I was only trying to protect her! You must keep her safe Detective!”

“I plan to do that! But you’re coming with me!”

He smiled strangely “I wouldn’t be a Phantom if I came quietly…” Suddenly he dropped a small black ball and a bright flash of light came to my eyes. I shielded them and when I looked again…he was gone.

I looked over at the large four poster bed and saw Moongale there “Moongale!” I ran up to the bed and there she was, sound asleep on the bed. I shook her “Moongale wake up!”

Her blue eyes slowly fluttered open. She looked up at me “Private? What are you doing here?”

“Rescuing you!”

She then sat up and looked over to where the Phantom was “He was here…all this time he was under my nose…”

“You know him?!” I exclaimed

She smiled “He was…my angel of music…”

Chapter 4 "Sonata"

Chapter 4

“Sonata”

Moongale leaned against me as we reentered the theater backstage. Spike had used some stage rope as impromptu police tape. I set Moongale down in a one of the audience seats and made my way to Twilight. She took one look at me then ran into my open front legs. She smiled and kissed me on the cheek. “I’m glad you’re okay! Did the Phantom hurt you at all?”

I shook my head “No I’m fine, he got away though”

“Then why are we just standing here?!” A voice shouted from a nearby seat. Roland was sitting there having his leg wrapped in bandages by a medical pony. He glared at me with his icy blue eyes “He’s still out there! He kidnapped Moongale and murdered Raustam!”

Remembering the corpse I made my way to the stage. Raustam’s corpse lay on the ground rather unceremoniously. Spike bent down to look at the body then looked at me. “I had a stage hand cut him down; he was hung from the rafters above the stage”

I nodded and pulled out my magnifying glass. Even on a night out I was never unprepared. I examined the body of the theater owner. I noticed a set of bruises along the back of his neck “These bruises here” I gestured with my hoof “Were made pre-mortem”

“Mort what now?” Spike said looking at me

“Before he died” I clarified “He was hit in the back of the head by a very heavy object”

“Any idea what could make that kind of bruise?”

“Anything from a baseball bat to a vase” I speculated “Our killer hit him on the back of the head, and then hung him from the scaffolding”

“Not a very glamorous way of dying dear boy” Fancypants said as he came to look at the corpse.

I looked at the gentlestallion “Have you seen Fleur and Rarity?”

“I believe they were depositing their dinner into the nearby *ahem* latrine”

Like clockwork I tell you. I turned back to my dragon companion “Have you talked with the stage hands at all?”

Spike nodded “I asked around and none of the actors or stage hands were anywhere near the door at the time. There’s only one way up onto the scaffolding” He pointed with his claw at a set of double doors. “Only stage hands are allowed to have keys to them. The key has gone missing since then”

Fancypants smiled at the young dragon “Quite the resourceful young chap aren't you?”

Spike flushed in embarrassment “I get it from working with Private”

I spoke up “So somepony stole the key and used it to get to the scaffolding”

Fancypants nodded “We find our key, we find our killer”

I turned to Spike “You go looking around in the dressing rooms for that key. Also look for anything that could be used to cause this kind of damage” I gestured with my hoof at the bruises on the back of the theater owner’s neck. Spike nodded and ran off towards backstage.

Fancypants looked at me “You think the Phantom did this?”

I was about to nod then I stopped. Something about this whole set up with the Phantom just seemed too…convenient. “Let’s look into the other actors first. The Phantom isn’t the only pony who would want Raustam out of the way”

I looked over to see Twilight returning with Rarity and Fleur. Both unicorns looked a little green but otherwise they seemed over their loss of dinner. Fleur was immediately at the side of her husband when she came in. To both of our disappointments Fancypants was too occupied with the body to notice.

I looked to Rarity “You go help Spike backstage, Twilight and I will go talk to Ponder”

The white unicorn raised an eyebrow “Ponder? Why are you going to speak to him?”

My eyes turned to the director pony who was sitting a little off to the side. “He’s one of the ponies that wanted Raustam gone…”
____________________________________________________

“Raustam may have been a complete prick but that doesn’t mean I would kill him!” Ponder said from his seat behind his desk.

“You were backstage during the performance” I said my grey eyes not leaving him. Twilight was circling the desk ready to pounce on Ponder should he make a break for it. “Nopony would question the director wanting to go up to the scaffoldings so you could’ve gotten a key easily”

“I didn’t kill him!”

“Then who did?” Twilight said matching my tone almost exactly. She was learning.

“It was the Phantom! Think about it! Raustam ignored the demand of the Phantom! He paid for his mistake with his life!”

My eyes narrowed “Has this Phantom ever killed anypony before?”

Ponder slowly shook his head “No, he would make demands from time to time but only for small things. Sometimes money, sheet music, the occasional instrument but never anything as drastic as a cast change”

“Did Raustam ever give a reason why he didn’t want to give in to the Phantom’s demands at all?” I didn’t break eye contact with Ponder. “His reasons seemed vague at best to me”

Ponder then leaned forward “Truth is, Raustam apparently made this secret deal with Leopony”

“Moongale’s father?” Twilight said observing “What kind of deal are we talking about here?”

Ponder shook his head “I don’t know, the deal was made long before I came to the theater. He had some kind of contract that he kept locked up in his safe”

“I have one more question” I said looking right at Ponder “Where were you when all this went down?”

“I was backstage, talking with the head composer during the whole thing before the Phantom came by and hit me on the head and you found me” He said simply “The composer will testify I was there”

_______________________________

“Well Ponder’s alibi checks out” Twilight said walking beside me. “I just talked to the composer and he said Ponder was arguing with him before Raustam died”

“That checks him off the suspect list” I said crossing out Ponder’s name in my notebook. “Let’s hope that Spike and the others find that key”

“You don’t think the Phantom really killed Raustam did you?” Twilight said looking at me.

“So far he has motive and opportunity; I don’t want to put cuffs on him until we found out just what kind of agreement was struck between Raustam and Leopony”

“Moongale said that Leopony was your violin teacher” Twilight observed “I wouldn’t think you would take up violin when your talent is solving crimes”

I laughed a little “That’s what I always said whenever I became frustrated with the damn instrument. I would yell that I didn’t need to learn how to play it in order to become a detective. But Leopony would smack me upside the head and say” I imitated a very refined manehatten accent “Private, a pony should never limit himself. A great pony is a well rounded pony”

Twilight laughed in turn “Reminds me of when Celestia tried to get me to take up knitting”

“You knitted?” I said

She shook her head “Never had the talent for it, I quit after my sweater was made to have five legs instead of two”

We both laughed but then stopped when we saw an argument brewing in the theater. Moongale was glaring at Roland “I’m going to find him and that’s final!”

Roland yelled back “You’ll do no such thing! He’s dangerous Moongale! He could’ve killed Raustam!”

“There’s no proof that he killed Raustam!” Moongale fired back “He only took me to try and protect me!”

“You’re obviously suffering from shock Moongale!” Roland shouted “You can’t see how lucky you were to have got out of there alive!”

I got in between them before either could spout out more insults “This won’t help us find the real killer” I looked at each of them “For now I will investigate this and we will see if the Phantom had a hoof in this at all”

Roland glared at me then began limping back to his seat. I looked over to see Rarity with Spike on her back come to me. “Did you two find anything?”

Rarity smiled “Quite a bit darling, we found the murder weapon” She turned to her passenger “Spikey-wikey, if you’d please?”

Spike pulled out a large bloodied vase. I picked it up with my magic and looked at it. After careful observation I walked to Raustam’s corpse. “The bruises match” I turned back to Rarity and Spike “Where did you guys find this?”

Rarity smirked “In the dressing room of a certain insult to the name of the opera”

_________________________________________

“You would accuse me of such a thing!” Madonna said as she sat on her coach in her dressing room “I have never been so insulted in my life!”

“The murder weapon was found in your room Madonna” Twilight said firmly “You also must’ve felt terribly insulted by Raustam letting the Phantom embarrass you on stage”

“I will not hear these insults!”

“You will be hearing your rights if you don’t come clean” I said not wanting to play games with the drama queen. “You were on stage during the whole thing but you could’ve gotten one of the stage hands to do it for you”

“Then why would I put the murder weapon in my room!?” The drama queen fired back. “I never would kill Raustam! He was going to elevate my career!”

Twilight whispered in my ear “From where? From tarterus?”

I turned my gaze back to Madonna “Did you see anypony suspicious at all backstage?”

Madonna shook her head in as snobby of a way as possible “No…though...”

“Though what?” I said leaning forward.

“I did notice a unicorn stallion I hadn’t seen before…” Madonna tapped her chin in thought “He took a scaffolding key, I assumed he was a stagehand or something”

“Did you get a good look at him?” I said writing all this down

She shook her head “No, but I do remember he wore a suit coat…and a mask on the left side of his face”

Twilight looked at me “Looks like the Phantom was there…”

____________________________________________

“Ma parole! What a stink!” Fleur exclaimed when we entered Raustam’s office. I had Spike and Rarity keep an eye on the other suspects along with Twilight. Fancypants and Fleur were flanking me as we entered the office which smelled strongly of goat cheese. All three of us held our noses as I desperately applied an air freshener spell.

“I concur my dear!” Fancypants said still covering his nose as the air freshening spell continued its work “I will never touch anything made by goat again!”

When the air became breathable me and my companions began searching the place. Fancypants lifted a painting with his magic “My dear boy I think I’ve found it!”

I walked to him and sure enough there was a safe. I reached into my suit jacket and pulled out a screwdriver and some bobby pins. I worked the tumblers on the safe and lost three bobby pins before it finally gave way. The safe door opened to reveal a single document. I levitated it with my magic my eyes scanned the paper.

“I can’t read it” I said in frustration after a while “It’s in legalese!”

Fleur looked over my shoulder “Perhaps I could read it?”

Fancypants looked at her astonished “You can read this?”

Fleur smiled and levitated the paper with her own magic to eye level. “I am a semanticist; I study words and what they mean. I studied it before I married you mon amor. Legalese is merely a mish mash of words no?”

Both I and Fancy dropped our jaws at this. I wasn’t expecting Fleur to be helpful to be perfectly honest. She ignored our faces and put a set of glasses to better read the document.

She mumbled to herself as she read the document “Ah! It says here that should Moongale ever appear on stage she would be allowed to venture out to a career of her own”

“This was made by Leopony correct?” Fancypants said looking at his wife with new eyes.

“Oui! This document would’ve guaranteed that Moongale move to a great career in music…however”

“However what?” I said my grey eyes not leaving the lanky unicorn.

Fleur removed her glasses and looked at both of us seriously “It says that should anything happen to Raustam…Moongale would be forced to stay here”

Fancypants looked at me “That would explain why the Phantom would want to kill Raustam. You said he was close to Moongale right?”

I nodded “Moongale did say the Phantom seemed lonely…maybe he killed Raustam to make sure she would stay here?”

Fleur shook her head “I don’t know whether to hate him for trapping her here or pity him for having to take the action he did to keep the one he cared for”

Fancypants nodded firmly “For now, we should begin a hunt for the Phantom…if he didn’t kill Raustam then he could probably tell us who did”

I nodded to both of them “Alright, let’s go”

Fleur left first and I noticed that Fancypants was simply staring at her. I walked up to the gentlestallion and looked at him “Something wrong?”

“She never told me she did anything" He fought for the right words "Intellectual prior to our marriage”

“Fancy, I hate to pry but…she might’ve said it and you probably didn’t hear it”

His blue eyes looked at me with a puzzled expression “What do you mean dear boy?”

“I mean that you’ve been ignoring her” I said rather bluntly

“I haven’t been ignoring her!” Fancy snapped back at me, his usual calm long forgotten. “I just…hadn’t noticed some things before" He sighed and looked down "I thought I was doing everything right…I’ve given her anything she ever asked for”

I smiled and walked past him “Well, there’s one gift that will win a mare’s heart any day of the week”

“And that is?”

“Affection from the pony she loves…” I said after walking out the door. I didn’t bother to see Fancy’s expression. But for Fleur’s sake, I hoped he got the hint.

____________________________________________

“I shall have my men guard the outside” Roland said, a bunch of thug ponies behind him. “We will cover any and all exits from the catacombs”

I nodded at him “Just keep Moongale safe alright?”

Roland nodded “I will, I won't let that villian touch her!”

Just then a loud voice spoke over the theater

YOU DARE CALL ME A VILLIAN!!?!

We all looked up and there on the top box was the Phantom himself. He glared at us with his dark blue eyes. I held up my revolver at him “Come peacefully Phantom and I will hear you out!”

He shouted back at me “You would have me thrown to the true villain! I refuse to come quietly to you or to anypony while I am still in suspect! Everything I do…” He casted his blue eyes at Moongale, who was looking back at him with a mix of fear and…longing? “Is for her…”

Roland stood protectively in front of Moongale “You will never have her!”

Moongale tried to push past Roland to no avail “Wait! Don’t fight you two! Don’t hurt him Private! He only wanted to protect me!”

I was conflicted…On the one hoof the Phantom was a suspect in the case. I had to bring him in. But he wouldn’t come if I went in guns blazing. I set my revolver on the ground. I looked up at the Phantom. “I will make you a deal Phantom! I will enter your lair alone like last time! I will hear your story and nopony gets arrested!”

The Phantom looked at me for a long time. His mask that covered the right side of his face didn’t obscure his expression. He was wondering if I could be trusted…he turned his eyes to Moongale. She looked at him for a long time then slowly nodded. The Phantom looked to me and said simply “Deal…but enter my home alone. If Anypony follows inside they will be trapped forever!” He dropped another smoke bomb and vanished.

I turned to my five companions. “I’m going to venture down there. Wait here in case the worst happens”

Twilight shook her head “I’m not letting you go down there alone again. I’ll take you as far as the lair. I can’t risk losing you twice…”

Spike spoke up and walked to his surrogate sister's side “If Twilight is going then I’m going to!”

Rarity stepped forward next “I will not let that brute lay a hoof on my Spikey-wikey. I’m going to.” Spike flushed a little at this statement by Rarity.

Fancypants spoke up next “I shall come as well; you will need somepony to help protect these fair ladies”

Fleur stepped forward next to her husband “I shall not let you go alone mon amour” Her violet eyes looked into his blue ones. “I will be there at your side like always…”

Fancy’s expression softened at this and he touched a hoof to his wife’s cheek. “Thank you Fleur…Je serai heureux de vous avoir à mes côtés mon amour ...” he spoke in Prench. Accented and stilted, but prench that seemed to make Fleur’s smile grow.

I looked at each of them in turn, and then we began to lead the way into the catacombs. I was very lucky to have friends such as these. I stopped for a second and came up to Twilight. She looked at me with those beautiful violet eyes of hers. “What?”

I planted a kiss on her forehead “Just…glad that you all are here…”

Chapter 5: "Ballad"

Chapter 5

“Ballad”

“Stay close, you never know what kind of traps the Phantom could have ready for us” I said to my companions as we walked in the labyrinth of catacombs beneath the opera house.

I knew I promised the Phantom to come alone but everypony else insisted on coming. Hopefully he would understand and we wouldn’t end up half drowned in some chamber. We all had our horns aglow (except for Spike) Fancypants held his toward where he saw movement. Big mistake…

Rarity screamed upon seeing a huge rat in Fancypants’ light. “A rat! A dirty disgusting rat!!!” She leaped behind Spike for protection. Spike made a motion for the rat to scat. When it wouldn’t move Spike let out a spout of green fire in its direction. That caused the rat to run off. Rarity peaked from behind Spike “Is it gone…?”

Spike smiled and puffed out his chest proudly “The rat has been vanquished Rarity!” Rarity gave Spike a nuzzle that caused the young dragon to blush.

Twilight and I rolled our eyes. It was then I noticed the rat was standing on something. It was shiny and it reflected off the light from my horn. I walked to it and picked it up with my magic…it was a gun.

Twilight spoke up “This part of the catacombs…this is where we found Roland after the Phantom shot him”

My eyes looked at the gun with an expert’s eye. “.32 caliber…the handle has been modified to allow quick access with a flick of a hoof. If you would put this type of gun on your leg like so…” I slid it onto my leg and made a flicking motion with it. The gun folded itself out and it fired automatically. Everypony jumped a little at the sudden gun shot. I levitated the gun out and opened the firing chamber. “It’s six shot…and there are four bullets inside”

“You used one to demonstrate your firearm prowess dear boy" Fancypants observed "What happened to the other bullet?”

I thought for a moment, that was the only place it could’ve gone. “Roland’s leg…that’s the only place it could’ve been shot into”

Rarity spoke up “So the Phantom shot Roland in self defense?”

Twilight shook her head “If the Phantom shot him then why leave the gun here? He would’ve kept the gun on him and left with it”

Spike looked at me “So what’s a gun doing here if it doesn’t belong to the Phantom?”

Fancypants’ blue eyes then widened as he examined the gun himself. “Look at this symbol at the bottom” He gestured to the bottom of the gun, there was a symbol of an eagle on top of a pole. “This symbol…it belongs to Roland’s house…”

I nodded slowly “Roland’s gun…and the bullet in his leg. It’s not the type of gun that you can just pull away…”

Fancypants just looked at me “Are you suggesting…?”

“That Roland shot himself? Yes”

Spike shook his head “That doesn’t make sense Why would Roland shoot himself in the leg?”

It was then that the skinny unicorn spoke up at last “To make it look like the Phantom shot him” Fleur spoke knowingly “Also, take a look at the contract again”

“The one that said that Moongale’s career would elevate if she came on stage?” Twilight said looking over as Fleur levitated the paper so we all could see.

“Oui, but take a look at this seal here…” She gestured to the seal next to Leopony’s signature “This seal is a current symbol used by theater owners when making a contract. If the date on the contract is correct…this seal should not be here”

Rarity looked over at Fleur “You’re saying somepony tried to copy the contract? That would explain why the seal is off”

“Not only that dear” Fleur went on “But somepony has tampered with the document, some of the letters do not match up. Certain spaces are wider then they should be and some of the letters are in a different font”

“The document is a fake…” I concluded “I will see if the Phantom knows of this…”

We ventured on into the catacombs when I came across the canal again. All of my companions looked at me as I climbed into the boat. I used my magic to begin rowing towards the Phantom’s lair. I looked back one last time and blew a kiss to Twilight. She made a show of catching it with her hoof and putting my thrown kiss to her own lips. My heart melted at the smile she gave afterwards.

I wonder if this is what drove him to do what he did…

__________________________________________

I entered the Phantom’s lair to find him once again sitting at the organ. His horn glowed as the keys pressed themselves a somber tune…

He continued playing and didn’t turn when I entered. “You came alone?”

I kept my eyes trained on the Phantom “My friends are at the edge of the canal but I come into your home alone”

He was quiet for a second then he spoke. “I saw that last kiss you gave her…”

My pupils dilated in shock “How did you!?”

He smiled “I have lived in the darkness my whole life; I know it better then anypony”

“Very well…why mention Twilight?”

“Because Private, I realize now you also share in the sweet drink of love”

“You’re in love with Moongale aren’t you…?”

He stiffened a little. Then he sighed and simply spoke “Yes, I love her more than life itself…”

I stepped a little closer to the Phantom. I was cautious in case he lashed out at me “You know the question I’m about to ask next then…”

He shook his head “I did not kill Raustam…I couldn’t”

“What do you mean you couldn’t? According to the contract Moongale would’ve elevated to a great career should she appear onstage. You were afraid she would choose her career over you…”

“You were made aware that the document was forged then…”

“I am, if the document my friend has is a fake. Then what was in the original?”

He turned around in his seat to look at me with those mysterious blue eyes of his. “It read the opposite Private, should Moongale appear onstage she would become the star of this theater. But should anything happen to Raustam…the next theater owner could release her to any theater he wanted”

I nodded slowly “So killing Raustam would’ve cost you the mare you love…you were the angel of music the whole time…”

He nodded smiling a little “Leopony was an inspiration of mine. He was a musical genius who could turn even the sourest of singers into a star. He didn’t know it but he was my teacher. I would imitate him whenever he would perform a show or practice. I get all my musical ability from him…and it’s also through him I saw Moongale for the first time…”

“Leopony died…and you became the angel”

“Yes” He admitted “She was in such sorrow and tears that I pretended to be the angel in order to cheer her up. She was so happy…I would spend hours waiting so that I could sing with her. She was talented beyond even my ability. She deserved to be happy for all the sorrow that fate had dealt her”

I looked at him for a long time with my grey eyes. “Then why?”

He looked at me “Why what?”

“Why hide yourself? She’s known you for years yet you wait until now to reveal yourself…Why spend all this time with her but hide yourself from the mare you care about? Do you not love her?”

“I do love her…”

“Then tell me! Why kidnap my friend when you could’ve told me what happened?! Why make yourself a recluse!?”

He looked at me for a long time. Then his horn glowed and the mask covering the right side of his face…I gasped at what I saw. His face was horribly scarred and burned; his right eye was almost completely hidden by skin. He slowly put the mask back on. “That is why…to the world I am a monster. Had I told you, you would’ve feared me a monster as well…I’ve only recently found the courage to show myself at that concert”

“You were afraid she would fear you…how did you get those scars?”

“I was once a noble. I was quite handsome and charming in my youth. I earned my cutie mark in music at a young age and was shown to be a prodigy. My parents adored me and went out of their way for me…and then…”

“What happened?”

“Forgive me” He sighed “It is not a good memory…my brother…he was always jealous of the attention that was showered on me. One day when we were colts he thought he would play a prank on me. He made it so that I would fall into a pan of hot oil…I slipped and…” He ran a hoof along his mask. I can imagine he still felt the pain.

“Your parents rejected you didn’t they?”

“They did…my mother could not bear to look at me…my father thought me a monster. They tossed me out of the house like trash…”

I remembered my own father doing that. It was for far different reasons though. My hoof scrapped the ground at the memory. I refocused and looked at the Phantom “So you came here?”

He nodded “Yes, I found a home in the catacombs. I made money writing music for the directors that would come here. Using Leopony’s teachings I was able to make a fine living for myself. But I’ve always longed for something more than this shallow life…I longed to be accepted again…”

“Moongale gave you that”

“She didn’t know what I looked like…” He smiled to himself “Even still she was the only true friend I’ve had in a long time…”

“So that was why you kidnapped her…”

“Yes, I kidnapped her not to hurt her but to protect her. She was so distraught when I did take her down here. She was scared of me at first but after I explained the situation to her she calmed down. She then noticed the organ and…we sang…”

“That was you two singing?”

He nodded smiling all the more “She didn’t care that I hid my face. She only wanted us to sing together like we used to. I’ve never felt so much joy in my life”

“You two sounded great by the way…”

He made a bow “It was her that carried me most of the way. She was the talent…I was merely the encourager and the muse”

“Sometimes that’s all that’s needed, which is why I want you to come to the surface with me”

His pupils dilated in shock “What!? You would take me in!?”

I shook my head slowly “No, you are innocent…I want you to come up and see Moongale again”

He just stared at me “You…believe me?”

I nodded solemnly “Yes, you saved Moongale from the true murderer. She misses you…I saw the look of longing in her eye”

A tear came to his one good eye. He felt it with his hoof and simply stared at the tear. “She…longs for me?”

I walked to the Phantom and put a hoof on his shoulder “You love her; she longs to see you again. Do not deny the longing she has to see her angel of music again”

He smiled at me but then his expression turned sorrowful “But…what if she were to see my face? She would cower in fear…”

I shook my head “Moongale isn’t like that, she may be scared of you at first but she’ll learn to accept you. Love has no eyes Phantom…it only has ears for what it yearns for”

He looked up at me “I will go…I will see the mare I love again…”
__________________________________________

The Phantom did the rowing as we ventured down the canal away from the lair. He looked over at me “You didn’t tell me who the real killer is…what ghastly fiend would put my love in danger”

“You’re about to see him…”

We came to the exit of the canal. There were my companions all staring at me…and Roland flanked by two thug ponies. I got off the boat and marched past my companions and went straight for Roland.

He opened his front legs to me “Private my friend! You’ve brought the monster here! I will take it from here”

“You will take nothing…” I grabbed him with my magic and yanked his leg with telekinesis

My companions didn’t move to stop me. I gave them one look and they knew I was onto something. I used my magic to begin unwrapping the bandages on Roland’s shot up leg.

“What are you doing!?” He protested “Unhoof me!”

I finished unwrapping the leg and looked at the wound. I glared at Roland “Shoot yourself in the leg lately Roland?”

“What are you speaking of!?” He gestured with his free hoof at Phantom who stood still as a statue. “He is the pony who shot me!”

“Not according to the wound…this wound is too large to be shot from anywhere unless you aimed the barrel right on your skin” I glared at him “You shot yourself to blame the Phantom…”

He pulled his leg from my magical grip. “He killed Raustam! Why are the cuffs not on him?!” He pointed accusingly at the Phantom

I kept my face neutral “Because…you killed Raustam”

“What?!”

“Moongale was bound to this theater…her contract said so. You knew about it and you knew that Raustam wouldn’t go back on the contract. You wanted her didn’t you? I saw the looks you gave her…you wanted her like a dragon wants a gem”

“Hey!” Spike piped from his position next to Rarity

“That’s why you asked me if I would release her…you wanted to be legitimate with how you wanted her. When I refused you decided to take matters in your own hooves. But you knew that Raustam dying was the only way you could get her. But you needed a scapegoat…somepony to take the fall for Raustam’s murder”

“That Pony was me” The Phantom said behind me “I was with Moongale during the time of the murder”

Roland shook his head violently “What of Madonna!? She said she saw a pony with a mask and suit jacket backstage!”

I grinned “She did, but the mask was on the wrong side of the face. Phantom’s mask is on the right side of his face, not the left”

Roland growled as my companions got behind me. “But why would I want Moongale!? I desired her yes but to kill her so that I could have her!? Why would I kill Raustam to claim her?!”

Phantom looked directly at Roland “Because…you are my brother…you wanted her because I loved her”

Chapter 6: "Finale"

Chapter 6

“Finale”

Roland stepped back his blue eyes betraying his guilt over the situation. He was in a corner now. He couldn’t back out from me or his brother now. The Phantom advanced on his brother his blue eyes looking at his brother pleading. “All this time Roland…has vengeance gripped you so much that you would frame your own brother?”

Roland glared at the Phantom “Vengeance was all I’ve ever desired when it came to our relationship brother. Our father always went on about your talent and ability. Mother adored your handsome features and every damn thing about you!” He turned around “What did I get? Nothing! I built this house up from the pit father dragged it into and received nothing for it!!”

Phantom put a hoof on his mask “So the oil…wasn’t simply a harmless prank gone wrong…”

“I did it so that you could finally get what you deserved brother! The truth is you never wanted the house at all! You would’ve squandered it on some venture or another with your damn music!”

“You monster!” Spike said as he tried to rush Roland. Rarity held Spike back with her magic. I thanked her inwardly for it.

Roland glared at the young dragon “But that wasn’t enough! Even after father rejected him he still haunted me!” He turned back to Phantom whose face was neutral “When I finally met Moongale I fell in love for the first time…but then she started talking about her angel of music…suddenly all the pieces fit together. I knew it was you…”

Twilight spoke up “So you tried to frame him so that Moongale could be yours”

“She would’ve become my bride like a proper mare! But no! It wasn’t me she cared for! It was my sorry brother who should’ve died!”

Just then more thug ponies started springing out from among the catacombs. I and the rest of the gang were surrounded by well muscled thugs. I glared over at Roland “You plan to cover up your crimes Roland!?”

Roland smirked from behind his men “With you all dead I will explain to the constable that the Phantom killed you all in a fit of passion!”

“Moongale will never love you for that!” I shouted at him

“What do I care if she loves me or not?” Roland said “She’s a mare…she will listen to what I say. Simply having her is the ultimate revenge against my brother! She’s merely a pawn in my game of revenge!”

….”Is that true Roland…?”

We all turned to see Moongale standing behind Roland. She looked directly at him her blue eyes laced with understanding and fury.

Roland’s pupils dilated in shock “Moongale…you were…supposed to be…”

“Upstairs?” She retorted “Where I would not see you murder my friends!? Not only that but you would blame Phantom for this?!”

Phantom looked up at Moongale his blue eyes meeting hers. Moongale continued “In truth…Phantom was always there…when I was sad or lonely…he was there even if I didn’t see him”

Roland scoffed “Don’t tell me you’ve grown to care for this monster!”

Moongale glared at Roland “He’s not a monster Roland! You are!” She slapped him across the face with her hoof.

“You go girl!” Spike cheered next to me. I gave a smile as well; I wanted to smack Roland myself.

Roland glared at Moongale then hit her with his cane. She fell like a rock and he picked her up with his magic. He turned to his guards “Kill them all!!” He then turned tail to run with Moongale on his back.

I looked around…there were at least twenty guards surrounding us all well muscled and dangerous. I looked over at Phantom and withdrew my gun. “You go after Roland! We’ll hold them off!”

Phantom nodded “Let me give you a distraction!” He threw down a smoke bomb and made a break to follow Roland. I used the distraction and tackled the first thug I saw. I delivered a swift punch to his face and turned and kicked another with my hind hoofs.

Twilight used her magic to smash the heads of two thugs together. She turned and blasted another thug with her magic. Spike clawed at the face of one of the thugs. When one tried to pick him up with magic he gave him a facial a la flame blast to face. The thug dropped the baby dragon and Spike delivered a swift kick where the sun don’t shine.

I looked over at Rarity expecting her to be having trouble. But I was surprised to see she was flipping a stallion twice her size. She then turned and delivered a swift kick to another thug and dodged a blow from another stallion. She then grabbed the stallion with her front legs and flipped him over wrestler style so he slammed his head into a nearby wall.

She dusted off her hooves and caught me staring. She smiled “Black belt…fifth degree…with the little pink truffles”

Spike just stood there agape at this. I smiled down at the baby dragon “Careful Spike, you’re drooling”

I turned to where Fancy was protecting Fleur from a nearby thug. Suddenly a gunshot was heard. I looked at Fancypants “Go after the Phantom! Make sure he’s okay!”

“Righto my boy!’ the gentlestallion said as he broke off in a run. Fleur went to sprint after her husband. I punched another thug and fired my gun in the leg of another.

Twilight, who just finished dispatching another two thugs, shouted at me “Private you go to! We’ll take it from here!” She slammed another thug into the wall with her magic.

I nodded and broke into a run for the surface.

_______________________________________

I came into the theater and found Roland holding a gun in front of Phantom. The Phantom was holding his shoulder, the gunshot was one given by Roland. Roland was grinning with sheer evil. Moongale was next to the Phantom trying to provide him comfort.

Roland laughed “What can he give you Moongale! He has nothing that he can provide for you! He’s a recluse! A fool!”

Moongale glared at Roland “You have no idea what true love is! Stallions like you will never understand why I stand with him instead of you! I love Phantom! He was my angel of music! Even now I stand with him after all he’s done for me!”

Phantom fell over onto the ground. Moongale kneeled to him and gently nuzzled him. Phantom looked up at Moongale “You…even after I showed you what I looked like under this mask…”

“Scars can heal and be made better Phantom…” Moongale said gazing lovingly at the brown stallion “I can’t replace you…”

“This is beyond rich!” Roland shouted

“That’s enough Roland!” I said pointing out my revolver “You’re under arrest for the murder of Raustam!”

“You cannot arrest me!” Roland shouted madly. “I own Trottingham! Without proof you cannot bring me in! My worthless brother is the only witness!” He aimed his gun at Phantom and Moongale “If he dies, you cannot arrest me! I will have my revenge!”

“YOU WILL HAVE NOTHING!!!” Suddenly a white blur hit Roland in the side. Fancypants was wrestling with Roland. Roland kicked the gentlestallion in the stomach and Fancy flew back. He got up and glared at Roland “I will not let you murder again!”

Roland grinned “You cannot stop me…nopony can…” He aimed at Fancypants with his gun “Now die!”

“Mon amour!!!” Was heard as Roland fired his gun at Fancy….Fleur leaped into the path of the bullet…It hit her across the cheek and left a bleeding cut on her thin face. The bullet didn't hit her husband and simply embedded itself into the bricks behind Fancy.

Fancy’s eyes grew wide and he ran to his wife. He bent down and took her hoof “Fleur! Fleur speak to me!” He looked desperately for some sign of life from the beautiful mare.

She opened her violet eyes and smiled at him “Mon amor...you’re alright…”

The gentlestallion shook his head “Fleur my love…you almost died trying to protect me…”

“I would do it a thousand times for you my love…” She said softly

“All this time…” Tears began to show in the stallion’s eyes “I should’ve…I should’ve done more for you…I should’ve been a better husband to you…”

Fleur made a shushing sound and ran a hoof along her husband’s cheek. “Simply by you being here…right now…makes me love you all the more…I know you are a good husband by you simply being here…with me…”

Fancy put a hoof over his wife’s and kissed her where she was bleeding. It wasn’t a bad cut but it was enough that it would probably leave a scar when it healed.

I took this opportunity to aim my gun and shoot Roland’s gun away. I aimed my gun at Roland but then Fancy spoke up “Private! Let me have at him…”

“YOU?!” Roland laughed “What can a worthless noble like yourself do to me!?”

Fancy got up and glared at Roland. His blue eyes filled with a fury I’ve never seen before. “Quite a bit…” His magic wrapped around the sword on his waist and he unsheathed it. “You hurt my wife…I plan to return the favor…”

Roland reached for his cane and pulled on the handle. A sword came out from it and he held it with his magic. “She was a worthless mare anyways…”

Fancy swung his blade and it clashed with Roland’s. He turned to me “Private! Take care of Fleur!”

I nodded and ran up to the stage. Moongale and Phantom made their way to me as Fancy and Roland clashed with their blades. Their steel sang a cruel melody as I made my way to Fleur. Moongale ripped the skirt of her dress and began to press the fabric to the cut on Fleur’s face.

I looked back at Fancy who parried a blow from Roland. Roland counter parried and cut Fancy across the cheek. Fancy made a cut and cut Roland across his cheek as well. Roland glared at the gentlestallion “You truly are pathetic Fancypants! All of this for a mare!”

Fancy kept his blue gaze on the murderer “You are a cancer to the high society that I plan to drive out…” The two clashed blades twice and Roland cut Fancy across the chest drawing blood. Fleur let out a yell but we restrained her from joining in the fray. This was Fancy’s fight.

The gentlestallion was hit by another cut from Roland. He was cut across the leg and he bent down from the pain. Roland held his blade to Fancy’s neck. “You will die for your precious love…I’ll say that you died valiantly trying to kill the Phantom…and your wife in grief will be mine…”

“Don’t you dare touch her…” Fancy growled

“You are a fool…you are all fools to have fallen prey to love…” He lifted his blade to try and cut Fancy across the head. Fancy blocked the blow…then he said one phrase…

“Hello…my name is Fancypants von Trottanam…you hurt my wife…prepare to die…”

Roland backed away as Fancy’s blows became fiercer. Their blades clashed again and again until Fancy spoke again “Hello…my name is Fancypants von Trottanam…you hurt my wife…prepare to die…”

“Stop saying that!!” Roland said and swung his blade downward. Fancy expertly dodged it and sliced one of Roland’s legs.

Fancy spoke again “Hello…my name is Fancypants von Trottanam…you hurt my wife…prepare to die…”

Roland swung again and missed. Fancy then cut him across another leg. This process repeated until Roland was on his knees before Fancypants. The murderer then spoke in a pleading voice “Stop! I will reward you with anything you want!!”

Fancy pressed the tip of his sword to Roland’s neck “Make the offer bigger…up to half your land…”

“Yes even my whole land!”

“Everything in it…”

“Yes anything you want!!!”

“Anything I want…?”

“Yes Anything!!!!”

Fancy then got within inches from Roland’s face. He spoke in a low and threatening voice “I want you to remember everyday what you did to my wife you son of a bitch….” He raised his sword and sliced Roland across his right eye. Roland held his bleeding eye as Fancy sheathed his blade.

I got up and aimed my gun at Roland’s face “Roland…you’re under arrest for the murder of Raustam…and the attempted murder of me and my friends”

________________________________________________

The police came and took Roland away. His eye would have a scar forever. Fancypants walked to Fleur whose face was bandaged up. She smiled at him “You fought for my honor…”

“I fought for far more then that Fleur" The gentlestallion's voice was betraying guilt "I fought so that I could forgive myself…”

Fleur put a hoof to his cheek “I only wished I didn’t have the bandage so that I may look proper to such a hero”

Fancypants shook his head “You will always look beautiful to me Fleur…”

“Mon amour….”

Fancypants embraced his love and whispered in her ear “Tu es mon amour toujours Fleur…”

She then wrapped her legs around his neck and kissed her husband on the lips with all the passion and love she held for him. The two finally realized how much they truly loved each other. No barriers kept them apart now.

I felt a weight on my shoulder and turned to see that Twilight was there. She smiled at me then at the kissing couple “I think they’ll be alright…”

I smiled “Yeah, once they realized that all they needed was each other…the rest was easy”

Spike ran up to us “Hate to bug you guys but Ponder wanted to see us”

We followed the young dragon and left the husband and wife alone. Rarity was with us as we walked to the stage where the Phantom had his leg in a sling. Ponder smiled upon seeing us “Detective I cannot thank you enough for all that you’ve done!”

I smiled “Just doing my job Ponder”

“You’ve done more than that!” Ponder exclaimed in joy “This whole incident has given me a brilliant idea for another opera! One where prince was locked away in a shining castle but became a horrible beast and a young girl is to…wait that sounds like a novel I read once”

Rarity laughed a little “I believe you’ll find it in Prance somewhere”

“Even better!” Ponder shouted with joy “I’ll contact the author and see if he’s willing to have his story adapted for the stage!!” But then his face turned somber “If only our composer didn’t quit after Raustam died…”

Moongale spoke up “Perhaps Phantom could do so?” She smiled at her love “He has an impeccable talent for music”

Phantom blushed a little “I don’t claim to be anything spectacular…”

Ponder tapped his hoof “If only I had a sample of your music…”

I then reached in my trench coat and pulled out my tape recorder “I kept this on when I went into the lair” I used magic to turn it on. Phantom’s music played and it rang throughout the theater. Ponder’s eyes turned to Phantom.

“You created that music?”

Phantom smiled and nodded “Had I known I was auditioning I would’ve given you something far better to listen to”

Ponder’s eyes glowed “If this is merely your average I would love to see your best!” He shook Phantom’s hoof vigorously to the point where Phantom had to hold on his mask with his other hoof “We will begin talks as soon as you are well enough again!”

“You will not hate me because of my involvement with Moongale’s kidnapping?”

“Are you mad boy?!” Ponder said “You saved my best singer and actress from Roland! I should practically hand you the deed to the opera house!”

“It’s enough to simply make music for Moongale…” Phantom said laying a hoof on Moongale’s. She leaned into him lovingly.

“I never got your name dear boy in all of the excitement” Ponder said looking over at Phantom. “I’ll need something to put on the posters”

Phantom looked at Moongale then back to Ponder. He smiled “Arson…Arson Lloyd Hunter”

__________________________________________

“I think I’ve had enough of Trottingham to last a lifetime” Spike said as we rode the train home. Luna’s moon was shining down on our train as we made the journey home. “Too many crazy nobles for my own good”

Twilight laughed “Can’t be much worse the Canterlot was”

Rarity was working furiously at a notebook “I will have so much work to do when I get back home. I’ve become so inspired by Trottingham’s fashions! Oh the dresses I’ll make!”

I leaned back in my seat “I’ll just look forward to getting some much needed rest” I smiled over at Twilight “This’ll make quite a report to the Princess”

“I can’t wait to start writing her about all that’s happened” She replied “It was quite an adventure all in all”

Spike nodded “Too bad Fancypants and Fleur can’t come with us back home”

I looked over at the young dragon and smiled “They need some time alone…they deserve it after all they’ve been through”

“I know” Spike said shrugging “Would’ve liked him to give me some pointers though…”

I looked over at Rarity to see if she heard this…she was leaning against the window sound asleep. I looked over at her and pulled off my trench coat. Spike looked at me expectantly and I levitated my coat to him. Spike smiled and took the coat and laid it on Rarity.

Spike smiled at the white unicorn “Sleep well Rarity…you deserve it after all that’s happened”

Rarity then did something unexpected…just as Spike was about to return to his seat he was picked up by Rarity’s magic. The white unicorn reached out with her hooves in her sleep and took Spike in them. Spike’s face turned as red as a tomato and I gave him a smile. Rarity smiled contently as she held the little dragon in her front legs. “Thank you for being there Spikey-wikey…” She said as she drifted off to sleep.

Spike closed his green eyes and fell asleep on the beautiful white mare. I gave a cheer inside for the little guy. Then I felt a weight on my shoulder. I looked over at Twilight who had also fallen asleep. She smiled contently as she held her head on my shoulder.

I gave her a kiss on the forehead “I’m lucky to have friends like you do…sleep well Twilight…” I then whispered into her ear “Thank you…mon amour…”

Epilogue

Case 6

Epilogue

I sat alone in my living room. We’ve just gotten back home and it was late at night. Tailspin was long asleep in his bedroom. I sent Pinkie who was babysitting him home and sat on my couch.

The whole business in Trottingham got me in the mood to dust off the old violin. It sat in front of me and I began to play a tune. One that I hold dear in my heart because of a very special memory…
_______________________________________________

“I’m never going to get this stupid thing!!!” I shouted as I slammed my violin on my bed. I spent nearly all day practicing it and so far I couldn’t play it. My ten year old mind couldn’t contemplate such an instrument being so hard to play. I sat on my bed crossed my front legs and pouted.

Just then I heard a voice speak behind me. A kind gentle and feminine voice that I always loved to hear. “Preventus? I heard you shouting. Is something wrong dear?”

I turned around and there she was standing in the doorway. My mom looked at me with those loving grey eyes that I shared with her. She smiled at me then her grey eyes turned to my cast aside violin. She shook her blue head, her electric blue mane moving with her. “You’re giving up so soon?”

I returned to my pouting “I’m never going to get it”

She walked beside me and sat beside me on the bed “You’re never going to learn if you give up Preventus”

“But I practiced for hours!” I said looking at her “Leopony is going to fire me at this rate!”

She smiled gently “Can I hear you play Preventus? Maybe I can find out what’s wrong”

“Mom…”

“Do it Preventus, I’ll keep bugging you if you don’t” She smiled and ran one of her wings across my nose. I sneezed and laughed a little. I got off the bed and picked up the violin with my magic.

“Um…presenting Preventus the not so good violinist…” I said before putting the bow to the strings. Mom clapped a little to try and cheer me up. I smiled a little and began to play. The notes came out as horrible sounding scratches. Mom had a lot of patience not to cover her ears during the whole thing.

I looked up at her after about a minute of playing. I sat down crestfallen “You hate it…”

“No sweetheart…” She got off the bed and nuzzled me gently. “It’s just you’re trying too hard”

“What do you mean?” I said meeting my own grey eyes in my mom.

She looked over at the violin. “You’re trying to force it to do what you want…music isn’t something you can force”

I shook my head “I don’t get it…”

“Let me show you…” She picked up my violin and used the bow strap to allow her to use it. She set the bow on the strings and she relaxed. She played the most beautiful tune I’ve ever heard. I sat there in awe as she turned my instrument into a creator of pure art. She smiled at me “You must learn to let music flow with you…like love you cannot control it…simply let it flow like a river”

I looked up at her as she finished her song. She smiled at me and set the instrument in front of me. She bent down to my level and put a kiss on my forehead. “Never forget what I said Preventus…With this knowledge you’ll grow into a fine stallion one day”

I pushed my head into her chest. She wrapped her front legs around me in a warm embrace. “I’ll make you proud mom…”

“You already have…”

__________________________________________

I stopped playing…the tears started flowing. I set the instrument down and sat back on the couch. Oh Celestia how I missed mom…

It was cruel what father did! He shouldn’t have forced you to take that drug! You should’ve had Tailspin naturally!!

I slammed my hoof on the coffee table as my anguish grew. You shouldn’t have died mom…I miss you so much…

I wiped a tear from my eye and found myself lying on the couch on my back. I stared up at the ceiling of my living room wondering. Are you up there mom? Did I make you proud? Did I become the stallion you wanted to be…?

Silence greeted me…then I heard wheels and saw Tailspin rolling towards me. “Private, you’re up so late”

“I should be saying that to you Tailspin” I said in a scolding tone “I’m a grownup I can handle staying up”

Tailspin rubbed his blue eyes “I heard you playing your violin…what triggered it this time?”

I couldn’t lie to him he knew me far too well. “Just…thinking about mom again…”

He rolled up to where I was on the couch and looked at me “Private…mom wouldn’t want you crying…”

I wiped my eyes and smiled “You’re right; I’m fine Tailspin really…”

His blue eyes looked at me “I’m worried about you bro…you never really talk about mom all that often”

“Who’s the big brother here?”

“Look” Tailspin said laying a hoof on my leg “I’m here for you bro. You are hurting about what happened…”

I shook my head “Maybe when you’re old enough we’ll talk about mom…but until then off to bed”

Tailspin was about to argue but he saw the look in my eyes and turned to roll away. I followed and we ended up back in his room. I set him down in his bed and his blue eyes looked at me. “Private…could you play for me?”

I smiled at him and levitated the violin…and began to play and sing a little… The song that mom played for me. The one I still remember by heart.

When I am down…

And oh, my soul, so weary…

When troubles come…

And my heart burden be…

Then, I am still and wait here in silence…

Until you come…and sit awhile with me…

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Author's Note

Link to Next Side Story: http://www.fimfiction.net/story/48749/equestria-noir-side-story-brother-of-mine
Link to next case: http://www.fimfiction.net/story/48944/equestria-noir-case-7-into-the-west