Author's Note

It’s a live! So sorry for the delay on this story but I’ve been busy with relief stuff an my other stories. Hope you guys enjoy this longer chapter. Next one well be Sunset and Levi meeting up. Looking forward to that i am.

Thanks for reading

Ghost Alvasa out!_!

Back Alleys and Bar Brawls

Day Three...

Levi hadn't gotten much sleep last night. He'd spent most of the night going over what he'd found out about this town and over some of the behavior patterns that Sunset Shimmer had developed since coming to this world. He'd had half a mind to send a message to Celestia to instruct the Portal team to shut down the portal in order to allow him to not worry about a time crunch. The other half of his mind then thought of how Celestia wouldn't even consider it, let alone how the kids would react. Thus he didn't even give it a second thought. He was also very very grouchy as he hadn't had his coffee yet.

Currently, Levi was out in the dark part of this World's Canterlot. He'd decided to get an early start and went ahead and checked out of his hotel room. He returned the room key and hit the bricks before the sun even cracked over the horizon. As soon as he reached the dirtier alleyways he went to work.

He came across many broken windows and run-down builds. It was really a shame as many of them looked to be in pretty good overall shape in Levi's opinion. He is a neat freak found it completely disgusting how people could just let these places rot away. Personal disorders aside, he was here to find a missing filly.

Soon he came across a group of homeless people. He knew better than anyone that the best informants were those that lived in the area that no pony ever paid no heed or mind to. Typically the homeless would often be more than willing to help in exchange for food, drinks, clothing, and or money. Though they would never sell out one of their own unless it was for a very good reason.

He decides to take a chance. If they didn't know anything they could at least point him in the direction of someone who did or someplace where he could find a decent lead.

Levi confidently made his way over, "Excuse me!" he calls out.

An older man with a salt and pepper beard what a green overcoat tattered blue jeans a black shirt with bleach stains and brown suede shoes that had seen better days looks at him.

The man decides to meet Levi halfway, "Names Rusty Haul. What can I do for ya son?" The homeless man asked.

"I'm looking for someone or any information that may lead me to them," Levi answers. "I'm more than willing to provide you with some form of compensation for your time. More so if the info is recent and fruitful."

Rusty eyed Levi up and down, "You're obviously not from around here son but ya have this air about ya..."

Levi raises an eyebrow.

"Them scars in your face is a dead giveaway that ya been in somethin nasty," Rusty points. "Ya don't even try to hide'um which mean yer proud of um. Same for those scars on yer hand and those missing fingers," he pulls a couple of cigarettes out and holds one out for Levi.

Wanting to make things go smoothly Levi graciously accepts the offered item. He then pulls out a matchbook he'd gotten from his hotel and strikes one of the matches. Using the lit match Levi light the cigarette and then waves it out. He strikes a second match, using it to lite Rusty's cigarette.

"Personally I prefer cigars to these," Rusty says with smoke on his breath, "These are for women but these are much cheaper, still taste like crap thought." He then looks at Levi who returns the book of matches to his inner pocket, "Yer a man of few words. I get it. The air about ya demands respect. From the way yer standing and the scars, I have to guess yer ex-military right? What branch?"

"Something like that," Levi remarks. "About that info?"

"Hold yer horses there," Rusty holds up a hand. "I have to as, why are ya looking for this person? What are ya? A bounty hunter of sorts?"

"More like a... private investigator," Levi says with a harsh stare. "Can you or anyone in your community help me or not?"

"Okay a PI," Rusty holds up a hand, "No need to get mean. We're a cautious lot round here is all. Why are ya looking for this person any who?"

"Her mother asked me to find her and bring her home," Levi explains as best he can as smoke pours from his nose.

"A runaway aye," Rusty says as rubs his chin, "That won't be easy. We got a lot of those round this part of town. A lot of guys like you that are tryin to find them too. Why'd she run away in the first place?"

"They didn't see eye to eye," Levi looks out of the corner of his eye. "I'm not here to stir up trouble old-timer. This girl's mother is... very dear to me. She asked me to bring her little girl back. This girl has an older sister, a twin sister, and two younger siblings too. The younger ones have never met her before but still want their big sister. If you can help me then by all means, if not I'll be out of your hair."

Rusty crosses his arms, "Do ya have a picture of her at least?"

"I'm sorry I don't," Levi lies through his teeth.

Rusty snorts before relenting, "What she look like? How old is she?"

"Thank you," Levi smiles a bit, "She'd be in her early to mid-teens. Green eyes with a very distinct color pattern for her hair. Amber and blonde stripped, similar to gold and crispy bacon. Her name is Sunset Shimmer, but she could be going by Sunny to stay under the radar," He takes a drag off the cigarette and then blows the smoke into the air, "You're right these are terrible. She'd keep to herself unless she needs something then she'd probably try and get it through intimidation. She's from a warmer climate and would wear heavier clothing too. Layer to not look too suspicious, I've heard she mainly wears a black leather jacket and bright colored tops with jeans usually."

"That's pretty damned detailed," Rusty says tapping his cheek. "I think I might have heard the name Sunset Shimmer a few times. She's a pretty lookin little girl but from what scuttlebutt says about her she's got a nasty entitled attitude."

"That matches what I've heard about her too," Levi nods as he pulls out a wallet he'd bought to keep his 'icash' in.

"Anything you can tell me would be appreciated old-timer," he remarks as he pulls out three hundred dollar bills.

"Well," Rusty says taking the cash, "I've heard tell she comes around to a lot of the other commutes gettin a lot of different signatures. What she does with them I can't say. She did come round these part a time or to but none of us wanted anything to do with her and her schemein to we ran her off as best we could."

"Anything about where she likes to hold up?" Levi pulls out another hundred.

"Nope," Rusty says immediately as he throws the used butt of his cigarette on the ground. "Try heading further in. Try a bar bay the name of the Wobble Stool. Mah buddy Hank runs it. Lets us stay in the shed out back when it gets cold round here. If anythins goin down he'd know about it, especially with a little spitfire like Sunset. I hope ya find her and get her home to her momma. A young girl like that... needs to be at home surrounded by the folks that care about her, not on these damned streets."

"Thank you for your time and info Rusty," Levi says as he placed the hundred in the man's hand.

"If ya don't mind," Rusty remarks as he places the bill in his inner coat pocket. "I never got yer name son."

"Levi, Levi Ackerman," Levi says as he shakes the old homeless man's hand goodbye.

"Odd name," Rusty raises an eyebrow, "Well, ya take care Levi. I hope you find the girl. and be careful out there and watch yer six."

"Will do Rusty," Levi nods before turning and throwing his cigarette on the ground and placing a foot over it. With a swift wrench of his foot, he put the butt out and went on his way. "Well do..."

Levi walked through the darkening no streets of the city, or Canterlot as the humans of this world called it. He’d spent a majority of the first part of his day canvassing the alleyways and back streets. Talking with the local homeless or apartment residence to see if he could get anymore information on Sunset and or where she might call home or home base.

His investigation didn’t bear much fruit as he found more of the same intel from before. At the least, he was able to a current picture of Sunset to show people. He got it from a child’s Polaroid collection and had promised to return the photo once he’d found Sunset.

He was currently on his way to the bar that Rusty Haul had directed him to early this morning.

Looking up from under his hat Levi spots a sign in the distance.

It was a rather old place with iron bars over the windows and a flickering neon sign. The sign depicted a wobbling still the rocked back and forth before falling over. In bright orange neon the letters spelled out The Wobbling Stool.

“This has got to be the place,” Levi says out loud to himself as he looks up at the sign. “The Wobble Stool is what he called it. I really hate accents some times,” Levi sighs as he walks up and pushes open the door and walks in.

He looked around the place.

It was definitely old an antique actually but there was much care put into it. The most of the Paterson’s were the less than desirable sort of people though. Many of them were younger punks who got their rocks off bullying anyone and anything they could extort money out of. Of coarse Levi being dressed the way he was stood out in this part of town but here, he really stood out.

Paying no mind to the eyes on him Levi walks over to the bar and takes a seat.

“You’re not from round this town,” the keep says as he wipes a mug down. “You’re also known here to. Hard to miss a man in fancy duds like that walking around a broken down part of Canterlot like this,” he says as he puts the mug in front of Levi. “What‘ll it be?”

“Cider if ya have it,” Levi says as he places his elbows on the bar and enter laces his finger.

“One cider comin right up,” the keep says as he fill the mug from the tap. “Names Hank. I don’t want no trouble from ya. Keep the peace and we’ll be good.”

Levi turns on the stool looking up at the bar keeper from under his hat to reveal his face.

“I’ve seen my fair share of it so I’ll try,” Levi remarks as he runs his metal fingers over the scars on the right side of his face.

“Names Levi Ackerman, private investigator.” That got Hanks full attention. “I’m looking for someone and I was told by our mutual friend, Rusty Haul, that you might know something.”

Hanks sets the cider in front of Levi, “The damn raggedy bastard,” he sighs, “If Rusty sent ya then ya must’ve hit it off pretty will. Well who ya looking for? I can’t help if ya don’t say.”

“I-“

“Hey money bags,” a drunk puck comes over. “From the way you dressssed you gots some extra cash… You needs to buy me ands my boys a few rounds!”

Levi immediately let the back of his fist land square with the mans face knocking him to the floor with a gushing bloody nose.

“I’ll make a deal with you Hank,” Levi remarks as he quickly downs the cider in one goal. “In exchange for the any info on my target you can provide I’ll pay for any you. I’ll also pay for the damages.”

“Try not to destroy to much though,” Hank sighs as he walks over to thje door and locks it before turning of the neon sign and turning on the ‘CLOSED’ sign. “All yours bud.,” he says as he walk into the back of the bar and turns on load rock music.

“You should bought the booze money bag!” A punk growls as he pulls out a knife. “Now we gotta cut our bros hospital bill outt a your skin!”

He runs at Levi only for the mercenary block moving the knife out of the way and land an upper cut into the punks jaw knocking out several teeth on the counter.

“You idiots have now idea how fucking grouchy I am,” Levi his as he removes his hat and cracks his knuckles. “I’ve been looking for an outlet and you guys just gave me one. And what’s better,” he smirks as he puts brass knuckles on his right hand on pulls out a massive revolver with the other, “I can you a lot of force!”

Levi jumps into the next up and comer landing a blow in the guy’s stomach, knocking him back. He quickly trunks and shoots another white a bolt of what appear to be electricity and he went down spazzeuming on the floor.

Levi turns to the other, “you be smart to stop but your drunk not smart,” He retorts as the other charge in.

Four the next several minute flashes and yelling went off in the bar. Once Hank was sure things were done he came out from the back to see only a few bust tables but mostly chair. The punks were all gone with the only traces of them having been there being blood and many teeth on the floor.

“Not my worst refurbishing,” Hank nods before happily pouring Levi another cider. “So about that repost your were looking for? And my pay?”

Levi takes the cider while reaching into his pocket and pulling out something yellow and glint. He then slams the object on the table with enough force to cause an echo to reverberate through out the bar. Levi pulls his hand back to reveal a solid gold brick.

“Will that cover it?” Levi asks as he sips the cider.

Hank slowly nods with his mouth hanging open.

“Good,” Levi says setting the mug down and pulling a picture from his inner jacket. He sit it on the bar and slides it in front of Hank, “I’m, looking for this girl. Her name is-“

“Sunset?” Hank say s picking up the photo. “What you looking for her for? Did she steal something?”

“Her mother hired me to find her and bring her home,” Levi said for the umpteenth time. “Seeing as how you know where name you must know something useful.”

“We look out for her round here,” Hank says sliding the picture back. “She lives all by her lonesome.”

“Look if you don’t trust me fine,” Levi holds up a hand. “But that girls has her mother and siblings that want to find her. I was tasked with do so. So where is she?” He glares.

“Uh-huh…”

“Whatever?” Levi scoffs as he puts his hat back on his head and stands up. “I’ll find her…”

“Go to the Canterlot Suites just out side town,” Hanks sighs. “Please be nice to her… she’s a good girl… just a bit of a bully…”

“Thanks,” Levi looks over his shoulder with a nod. “Sorry about the miss,” he says before walking out.

“Not my first one,” Hank says to himself, “Sheryl! Got you fat ass out of bed and help me find the damn mop!”

“WHAT?!” Cried a shriek voice.