-/- Cloudsdale Morgue -/-

*bleugh*bleugh*

I heard Rainbow Dash in the bathroom tossing her cookies. She took one look at the body and just couldn’t handle it. Kinda like when Twilight did it after her and I found Steel Spear.

As that was happening, Cadaver and I were standing next to the body of Gust Gale. I still can’t help but feel so much sympathy for this poor mare. So young. She had her whole life as a Wonderbolt ahead of her. It’s just so fucking sad.

Now, she won’t ever do anything ever again.

“So, have you found a cause of death?” I asked him.

“Yes. It’s the strangulation. Surprisingly, the bruises on her face were postmortem. The suspect apparently beat her with his hooves after he strangled her to death.” He said to me, showing me her face. “I’m starting to think our suspect had a personal vendetta against Gust Gale. With this sort of rage, there’s no way this was some fling gone wrong.”

I guess this makes sense. The ligature marks on her neck looked really bad. It felt like the suspect must’ve wanted her to suffer. So, he used as much strength as he could to choke the life out of this mare. Then, to purify his rage even further, he punched her around some more. Even after she was already dead.

Seems cowardly if you ask me.

“What else have you found?” I asked, as I saw Rainbow Dash coming out of the bathroom toward us.

“Well, this was something really strange to me.” He said, as he walked over to some projector that showed us what appeared to be chemical samples.

“I took the sheets were we found Gust Gale, and ran them for any DNA evidence. I’m still getting into who was with her that night. But, this is what I found that was strange.” He said, showing us a side view of the chemical samples.

“I found traces of Ethanolamine, Ammonia and Paraben on the sheets. Now Shadow, when you were on that case for what happened to Steel Spear, was it true that Rocky used coat dye and mane dye to dress up at night to go to that gay club?” He asked me.

I nodded. “Yes, his ex wife showed me empty bottles of them, as well as a picture of him in a compromising position with another stallion. Why do you ask?”

“Well, these traces that you see here are commonly found in those types of products. If I’m correct, I think he must’ve sweated a lot during that night. That’s why there’s traces right here.” He said.

That was surprising. I guess our suspect likes to dye his hair. For some reason.

“So, he sweated while raping her?” I asked. Rainbow cringed after I asked her.

Cadaver nodded. “That’s what I’m thinking.” He told me.

“So, how long until those DNA samples are available?” Rainbow asked Cadaver, sounding impatient. I almost had to hold her back.

“We’re working very hard on it. It shouldn’t be long by now.” He said, which was now followed by a sad sigh.

“Also, her family is coming in a little bit to identify the body. So, you might want to be here for this Shadow.” He told me.

I looked over at Rainbow, and she looked like she was about to break down in tears. It was bad enough her friend was murdered. Now, she has to be here to tell her family about it? She didn’t need to do this like how I have to.

“Rainbow, if this part is too much for you, I can do this myself.” I said to her.

She shook her head with intensity. “No. I can do this. I know I can.” She said, trying to hold it in.

“Are you su-?” I began to ask.

“I said I’m fine!” She blurted out, sounding angry.

I raised my eyebrow at her, letting her know she should watch herself around me. However, I guess she’s just emotional right now. She doesn’t mean the things she’s saying. Oh well.

As we were about to leave, Cadaver stopped us.

“One more thing you guys should know.”

We turned back and said, “What’s that?”

He shuttered. “Her hymen was broken when I looked over her. And it looked like it had just happened recently. I even found blood around her legs.” He said with a sad look on his face.

Rainbow’s eye twitched in anger. I could see how much she was trying, that’s the keyword, to hold it in.

“She was a virgin before she was raped?” I asked.

Cadaver nodded.

I looked at Rainbow Dash and knew we needed to leave. She looked like she was gonna flip a table any second.

So, I pushed her flank out the door, while I said “Thanks” to Cadaver.

When we were out of there, I asked Rainbow if she was alright.

She didn’t answer me. She just looked at the ground in anger and sadness.

I’m already starting to think bringing her along might not have been a good idea.

-/- A Few Moments Later -/-

*knock*knock*knock*

I lightly tapped on the glass window. The blinds went up, and there was Cadaver standing next to the dead body of Gust Gale in the window.

Her parents did indeed show up. As well as her two sisters. Both older by the looks of them. The family was all Pegasi. I’m guessing they must’ve grown up here in Cloudsdale.

This was another notch on the sadness belt. The baby of the family dies first instead of last, like how the opposite should in theory happen.

As minute they saw her, they all burst into tears. Moaning and wailing while holding each other.

“It’s her. That’s our baby.” The mother said. Her name was Chinook Puff. She looked a lot like Gust Gale. The differences were that her mane looked a lot shorter than Gust’s. There also happened to be an early sign of graying. Her orange coat was also a bit lighter than Gust’s.

She was burying herself into her husband’s chest as he also cried into her shoulder, hugging her. His name was Air Blast. He was a bigger stallion then me. Although, his physique was a bit slimmer than me, due to Pegasi having a naturally smaller physical frame then Unicorns and Earth Pony’s. He had a light grey coat and a pure white mane, which was also showing signs of graying as well.

The two sisters, who were named Whirlwind and Cyclone, also hugged each other and cried. Whirlwind looked like the eldest, due to the facial features looking a bit older then Cyclone. She had a white coat, like her Daddy, and had a dark orange mane that looked about like what Gust’s used to be.

Cyclone, obviously the middle child(now youngest, unfortunately), she had a dark grey coat and a bright yellow mane. Talk about clashing differences. Guess that’s why she’s named Cyclone.

Anyway, Cadaver got the idea and shut the blinds. I even saw that depressing look on his face as he did it. It’s never easy when you see a family member like how Gust’s family is right now.

When the blind was shut, I put my game face on again(whatever that’s called), and proceeded to talk with them. I gave Rainbow Dash a look. To let her know that she’s welcome to ask questions if she likes. She was Gust’s friend. She had every right to be involved with her family in this.

“Would you all like to go some place more comfortable to talk? I don’t know if a morgue is a good one for that.” I offered them.

Chinook looked up at me with tears on her face. “Well, we could go back to our house. I don’t think I can do this with....with her there.” She said with a sob in her voice as she pointed over to the window where Gust was.

I nodded. “That’s no problem. Show us the way, and Rainbow Dash and I will get down to business with you.”

-/- Chinook Puff and Air Blast Residence -/-

Their place did look very nice. Seems that Puff and Blast, probably mostly Puff, really keep this place spic and span. I hardly noticed a speck of dirt, a stain on the floor, or even crumbs. Man, how I wish I could keep MY place like this.

Anyway, Me and Dash sat on a sofa with our backs facing the window of their humble abode. Blast and Puff were sitting opposite of us on what appeared to be a loveseat, while Whirlwind was sitting on a small sofa chair to the left side of us. Cyclone was in the kitchen making Chinook Puff some tea. Now, I’m no tea drinker, but I gotta admit it smelled pretty fucking good.

“Now, when was the last time you saw or heard from Gust Gale?” I asked them. And by them, I mean every pony here. The parents and the sisters are all being interviewed at the same time.

“We all got together for Mom and Dad’s Anniversary a couple of weeks ago. We went out to the Cloudsdale Family Buffet.” Whirlwind said, now letting out a small chuckle. “She even took a picture with a little fan of hers. This little 8 year old filly. She was so happy to meet her.” I saw a slight tear run down her face when she said that.

I nodded my head in sympathy for her. “During that time, did you ever notice anything off about her? Any changes physically, personally, or emotionally wise?” I asked. Cyclone then walked in and gave her mother her tea. Chinook Puff thanked her daughter and gave a small sip from the cup.

“Well, there were a few things I noticed.” Air Blast said, his wing draping over his wife’s shoulder.

“What would they be?” I asked.

Cyclone immediately interjected. “She was wearing makeup that day. We know our little sister better than anypony Detective. And Gust HATED wearing makeup. And the whole reason she gave was suspect as hell.” She said, looking intense.

“What was the reason?” I asked.

“She said “Oh, well, I guess I just wanted to give it a try. YOLO, am I right?”. That didn’t seem like her at all.” She said, kinda doing an imitation of her deceased sister.

“I think that Damn Corkscrew made her do it.” Air Blast said, looking angry. Chinook Puff rubbed her husband’s leg with her hoof, as a way of trying to calm him down. That’s good, because this guy looked like he was gonna go crazy. Can’t say I blame him.

“What makes you think that?” I asked.

This time, it was Chinook Puff who spoke. “She seemed like she was different. More like, she was acting different.”

“Define “acting different “?” I said.

“Well, Detective, my youngest child is-or was-always so shy and introverted. She didn’t go out to parties a lot. She had only a few friends. And she was nervous meeting new ponies. She was my little shy Lilly. That’s what I called her growing up.” She said, giving a small shutter. Air Blast was right there to rub her back with his wing.

“Okay.” I said, urging her to go on.

“I knew she was spending a lot of time with her Captain to help her come out of her shell a little bit. And it did seem to work. But here, it was like she was trying too hard to be like Spitfire. She never acted like that before. It was just strange to me.” She continued.

“So, you all have met Spitfire?” I asked.

They all nodded their heads yes. “She can be a bit scary, but really cool as well.” Cyclone said.

“What about High Winds, or any other Wonderbolts?” I asked.

“We actually did go to a bar called Drought Season a few months ago. It was just me and Cyclone. Her and High Winds were like to peas in a pod. We met her and she almost became like another sister to us.” Whirlwind said.

Before I asked a question, Rainbow Dash chimed in. “They’re telling the truth. I was at that party too. It was after a few day tour for Independence Day weekend.” She said.

I nodded. “Okay. Now, since Rainbow established your alibi, what can you tell me about this party?” I asked them.

Cyclone looked cross as she spoke. “That’s when we met Corkscrew. He just came across like some know-it-all show off, even though he wasn’t even a Wonderbolt.” She told me.

“Not to mention” Whirlwind spoke next “He looked like he was more focused on Captain Spitfire more than our little sister. The way he was checking her out when she had her back turned. Like, he was studying her or something. It was weird and creepy.”

After I wrote that down, I asked “Did you tell Gust what you saw?”

“Yes.” Whirlwind said. “But, she was just making these bullshit excuses for him. Like, just because he was checkin her out, doesn’t mean he’s cheating on me. Or other things.” She shook her head in disgust after that was said.

“I think she knew deep down that he was a cheating piece of shit. She just didn’t want to lose her first relationship cause she was lonely and wanted a boyfriend.” She said with some type of remorse in her.

“Did your ever meet Corkscrew again after that?” I asked them.

“No, and I don’t think either one of us wanted to.” Cyclone said, looking just as disgusted as Whirlwind was.

I turned to their parents. “How about you two? Did you ever meet Corkscrew?” I asked them.

Air Blast nodded. “We did. Gust introduced him to me and Chinook at a restaurant called The Rain Cloud Cafe. I tell you Detective, only a few minutes in and I thought this guy was the most narcissistic pony I’ve ever met in my life. He would constantly talk about how great he is at things, and he barely payed any attention to Gust on that date. I thought about saying something to Gust after our get-together was over. But, I didn’t want to upset her because of her first relationship. I guess I should have looking back.” He said, now looking depressed. Chinook Puff rubbed his back with her wing to comfort him.

“My pathologist Cadaver told me that the bruisings on her face were postmortem. In other words, he beat her up after she was already dead. With what you’re telling me about this Corkscrew, do you ever think he was abusive to her?” I asked them.

“Pfft.” Whirlwind said. “No. I think Gust could’ve beat him up if she wanted to. She was built a little like him. And even if he was, she never told either of us if he hit her or not. Maybe she did get hit, but she kept it secret.”

I didn’t remember hearing Cadaver tell me or Dash that Gust showed any signs of physical abuse. So, maybe the bearings happened where she wouldn’t even feel them.

“Quick question: Does the name Skyler Storms mean anything to you?” I asked them.

They all shook their heads. “No. Never heard of him.” Chinook Puff said.

After that was said, I stood up from the couch. Dash did the same.

“Thank you all. You’ve been a big help. And I promise you, I’m gonna find the fucker that did this to her. You have my word.” I told them.

They all thanked me and just as I was about to leave, I did two more things. One I told them, “I’m very sorry for your loss.” as I put my hoof on Chinook Puff’s hooves. She shuttered a little bit as Air Blast hugged her.

Then, as I was leaving, I asked Cyclone, “Is her Wonderbolt uniform here?”

She shook her head. “No. She kept it at her place. Where you found her. And it’s not at mine or Whirlwind’s place either. Why? Is it missing?”

Her Wonderbolt uniform isn’t here either? It wasn’t in the house, which now I know did indeed belong to Gust Gale; it wasn’t in her locker, which would have been an obvious place to put it; it wasn’t at her parent’s place; it wasn’t at either of her sisters’ place either.

Okay, this was getting more interesting by the minute.

Anyway, we went outside after gathering all this information, when I received a call. It said it was from the Cloudsdale Detention Center.

“Shadow Haze?” I answered.

“Yes, Detective. I’m Captain Barrens. I’ve gone through the information you’ve asked me for. I’m gonna need you to come down here. There is something you need to see.” He said to me.

“Okay. On my way.” I said and hung up.

So, I threw up my hooves again and allowed Rainbow Dash to lift me up off the cloud to fly me over to the Detention Center.

As she flew me, I saw the bummed look on her face.

“You okay?” I asked her.

She sighed. “I just don’t understand how Gust could be okay with all the shit that Corkscrew was doing.” She said.

I shook my head. “I get you Dash. However, as somepony who has been in love before and seen other ponies in love, I can tell you this: Love is the biggest weapon anypony can use to make ponies do whatever they want. They can manipulate you, motivate you, degrade you, inspire you, anything. Love is powerful Dash. But, it’s powerful on both sides.” I said to her.

She was silent for a little bit before she asked me, “But why do ponies even want love if it could make them do that? Why would Gust want somepony as Corkscrew?”

“Like I said, love is powerful. She felt like she was in love. And she didn’t want to lose it. Even if this love was tainted. It’s like an addiction.” I said to her.

She sighed sadly again.

“Look, Dash, we are gonna find the fucker. I promise.” I said.

She was silent again for a little bit before she said, “Hey Shadow Haze?” I looked up at her face to show she had my attention.

“Sorry about what happened at the picnic. After we’re done with this case, can we start over and try to be friends?” She asked, now looking at me with a warm smile on her face.

For some reason, I think she looked good with that warm smile. It almost made me smile too. A little bit.

“Well, Twilight is giving me friendship lessons. So, I guess it’ll be nice to start making friends. So sure. I’d like that.” I said.

She nodded her head in agreement as we continued on toward the Detention Center.

-/-Cloudsdale Detention Center-/-

We walked inside and unlike the Wonderbolt facility, there were ponies walking around and flying around all over the damn place. Handing out coffee, police files, forensic evidence, and even a box of donuts like in the movies.

Me and Dash headed over to where a group of police ponies were at. There were a lot desks for ponies to do their shit here. Looking over evidence or paperwork and what not. There were young colts and mares learning from their elders, older ponies who have become veterans, and even older ponies who were soon to be retired.

A lot of ponies whom I have so much respect for. I should know, because I worked in this type of environment before. With so many ponies. With partners. Most notably Angel Blossom. Granted, she wasn’t my actual partner, but we did work out together a few times on cases together.

So much of these memories are going through my head right now. Some good, but also some bad.

Mainly, how I left the force and became a private detective.

Before I could even think back to that day, I was called out by somepony. Thank Celestia. I don’t want to have to deal with shitty memories right now.

This must’ve been the Captain I spoke to on the phone. Captain Barrens if I remember. He looked a LOT older than me. I noticed it with the bald spot on his head with the receding maneline. The rest of it had a bit of a dark silver color to it. He also had a light brown coat to him as well, with a police badge for a cutie mark.

He stuck his head hoof out. “You must be Detective Shadow Haze. Good to meet you.” He said. He looked at Rainbow Dash and got confused.

“Why is she here? No disrespect Miss Rainbow Dash, but-“

I cut him off right there. “She’s working with me on this case. Don’t ask why, it’s a long story. Anything you tell me, she can know too.” I said.

Captain Barrens looked at Dash, who flashed a humble smile at him.

He nodded. “Okay. So, my ponies here have gathered as much info as they could on Skyler Storms and Corkscrew.” He said.

“What have you found Captain?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Well, I’ll do Skyler first because that’s the easiest one.” He said. Easiest one? What does that mean?

He had a file splayed out on a table in front of us. It had pictures, a birth certificate, files from places, you name it. The ponies here must’ve busted their asses to get this shit.

Admirable.

“Skyler Sheldon Storms.” Captain Barrens called out. “27 years old. Mother is famous actress Climate Storms.” He said.

My eyes widened. “Get the fuck outta here.” I said.

Dash’s eyes widened too. “From the Texas Raiders films?” She asked.

“No joke.” He said, showing me the pictures. “Anyway, it says he’s also an actor, although he’s been in mostly B movies. Crap films if you know what I mean. Also, he works on set with his mother whenever she has a film coming up. Most recently, the film The Bad Omen. However, it says that work is mostly part time. Says he doesn’t have a full time job.”

“Any criminal records?” I asked.

“He was charged with harassment when he was in high school. Amazingly, he went to high school with Spitfire of the Wonderbolts. She filed a complaint to the school, her mother got involved, Climate Storms didn’t help her son, and he got charged. However, he didn’t serve jail time. Only community service. Other than that, nothing.” He told us.

“Where does he live?” I asked.

“He lives in a condominium complex called Cloudsdale Clearwater Condo’s. Condo number 316. Payments come from mother.” He told us.

Guess we have a momma’s boy as a suspect. I’m already guessing she’s gonna defend her son like crazy and flash her money around.

Though, to be fair, there is not any evidence against him right now.

“Okay, well that’s good. Now, what have you got on Corkscrew? This guy looks like prime meat suspect to me.” I told him.

“Yeah, I’m already calling it that he’s our guy.” Dash said confidently.

Then, I saw Captain Barrens give us a doubtful look. Like he was about to tell us some bad news.

Ugh, great. Here we go.

“Well, guys, that’s what I was talking about when I told you the “easiest” one.” He said.

What is he talking about?

“What do you mean?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Well, me and all my guys here, and I do mean ALL of my guys, looked through every record, file, birth certificate with Corkscrew. We did a sketch artist with the appearance you gave. We looked through missing pony reports. We even looked through old case files. Cold or solved. We checked everything.” Captain Barrens said.

“And?” I asked.

“Nothing. Not a thing. We also looked through Cloudsdale Hospital birth records with the appearance you mentioned as well as the name. No file on them.” He said.

I was starting to get a little confused and, frankly, weirded out. I saw Rainbow Dash was too.

“What are you saying?” I asked.

He paused before he told me, “This Corkscrew doesn’t even exist.”

Author's Note

Hope y’all liked this chapter. If you do, comment, like and follow for future updates. Thank you all and goodnight everybody.