Equestria Noire Case #3: The Hate Case

A week has gone by since Me and Rainbow Dash solved the rape and murder of Wonderbolt Gust Gale. The do’er was her boyfriend Skyler Storms, who was disguised as an alter ego. Corkscrew. We were able to find out what his plans were. And thankfully we were able to stop him from murdering tons of other ponies. Then, I found out he got gang raped and tortured to death in prison. If you ask me, and I know this might be wrong to say, but to a nicer guy it couldn’t happen.

As for what’s happened afterwards, well I found out that Climate Storms actually paid for Gust Gale’s funeral. And I mean, she paid for everything. Her parents and two older sisters didn’t have to pay for anything. I didn’t expect that from her, but if I’m just guessing, I think she felt like she owed them for her son taking their loved one away from them.

Regarding the Wonderbolts, they actually did a big tribute show for Gust Gale when they first went back to doing shows. It was said to be an emotional night for every pony there. Fans and Wonderbolts alike.

What’s really sad, according to Dash, High Winds is still grieving her best friend. She hasn’t been handling her death very well. I’ll just leave it at that, and hope she can find a way to continue on.

So, right now I’m walking back from a candy store here in Ponyville. It’s was called Bon Bon’s Super Sweet Shop. I remember her because she was one of the few ponies who ACTUALLY waved at me in a courteous and friendly manner. She wasn’t intimidated or looking at me all seductive like. She was just a normal, decent pony who happily greets ponies like me.

I went over there to buy a birthday present for my Aunt Mystique Shine. Or, in this case, my adoptive mother. She and her husband Dark Moon took me and my big sister Melody Rays in after I killed my mother in order to save Mel from being beaten to death by her.

They and their seven daughters took us in and we were instantly welcomed into the family. She’s turning 63 in a few days. And she LOVES sweets. I mean LOVES them. She’d always make cookies or bars or brownies or types of candy, you name it. She’d make them a lot when me and Mel were growing up. And they always were delicious. So, I decided to get her a nice package of chocolate covered peanuts. She liked those.

When I walked in, I was greeted in a friendly manner from the store owner. Bon Bon.

“Hello, and welcome to Bon Bon’s Super Sweet Shop. My name is Bon Bon. How can I help you today?” She asked me in a welcoming voice.

Since she was being so friendly, I decided to try and be a little friendly myself.

“Yeah, my aunt’s birthday is coming up. Do you have any chocolate covered peanuts?” I asked her.

She smiled and nodded. “Yep, right over there on that shelf. To the left.” She pointed toward it.

I looked and there it was. A nice, decent enough sized package of chocolate covered peanuts. This looked just right for Aunt Mystique Shine. So, I picked it up and brought it to the counter.

“You’re that new Detective guy, right? What’s your name….Shadow Haze, right?” She asked, making small talk from what I was seeing.

I nodded. “Yes. I am. Nice to meet you Bon Bon.” I extended my hoof toward her. She happily shook it.

“Yes. It’s nice to meet you as well. I’ve always wanted to meet an actual Detective in pony before. I’m a huge fan of R.G. Willis’ Detective Hargenson series.” She said to me.

“I’ve never read her novels, but I’m sure they must be worth a read.” I told her.

“Oh yeah, they are.” She said.

“Hey Bon Bon, what are—“ I heard a voice coming into the store from the back. When she appeared, I saw her freeze when she saw me.

This mare had a mint green coat and a light green mane with a lyre for a cutie mark. She looked about a couple years older then I was.

The look she gave me was one that I see a lot from other ponies in town. She looked intimidated.

“Oh, uh, Hello, uh, you must be, uh…uh…” She said, sounding nervous talking to me. She was even darting her eyes back and forth.

Bon Bon came over and put her hoof around her neck.

“Shadow Haze, this is my best friend and life partner, Lyra Heartstrings. Sweetheart, this is Detective Shadow Haze. He’s the guy who found that Wonderbolt pony’s murder.” She said. So, Bon Bon is a lesbian, huh? Well, it’s Ponyville.

I nodded at her. “Nice to meet you Lyra.” I said.

She gulped. “Ehehehehe.” She nervously chuckled, again darting her eyes back and forth.

Bon Bon came back over to me to tell me what I owed her. After Bon Bon left Lyra’s side, she darted back into where she came from.

Bon Bon rolled her eyes at her girlfriends behavior. “Don’t mind her. She’s just a big fradie baby. Anyway, that’ll be 9 bits.” She said.

I gave her my money, some of which is what I earned from the last case I was on. She put it in a nice bag, and I walked out. She bid me farewell and I did the same.

Now, I’m walking back toward the Castle of Friendship. Where my little office area and room is at.

As I walked, I saw a few ponies giving me looks again. And I saw two ponies giving me looks that told me they were… interested in me, let’s say that.

One was a Pegasus mare. She had a very light yellow coat and a bright crimson red mane. With strawberries for a cutie mark. I saw her wink at me and give me a smile. Not a friendly smile like the one Bon Bon gave me, but a seductive one. I will admit she’s pretty good looking, but I barely know her. And I don’t know what’s she like. That would be an issue if I decided to ask her randomly if she wanted to fuck. It would just be weird.

The other one was a unicorn mare. She had a yellowish white coat and a spiky cobalt blue mane with cyan stripes in them. I think I’ve heard about her. Her stage name is DJ P0N-3. She’s a pretty famous DJ, who has performed in a few cities outside of Ponyville. I saw that look she gave me. She didn’t just give me a seductive look, I saw it in her eyes that she wanted me in bed with her. I can’t deny she looks hot as hell. Although, I honestly see her as a one night stand kind of gal. This may seem mean to say, but I see this mare as a total whore. She probably gets action every fucking day and night. What’s funny is I heard a rumor that she was also a lesbian and was living in Ponyville with her girlfriend Octavia Melody.

I remember her. She was one of those ponies who looked intimidated by me at my Welcome to Ponyville party that Pinkie Pie hosted for me after I got done solving Steel Spears’ murder.

So, if Octavia and DJ P0N-3 are a couple, then why is she giving me bedroom eyes? Is she just fucking around, or is she serious?

Either way, it doesn’t matter. If she is, she is. If she’s not, she’s not. If she makes a move, and I wanna bang her, I might. If she tells me she was just kidding, I’ll just deal with it.

After all, I still think about Angel Blossom from time to time. If I fucked any of those ponies, what would she think? I mean I know she’d still be professional around me as an officer of the law, but I’m talking personally. Would she hate me? Would she feel jealous? Would she tell me she has feelings for me, kinda like I have feelings for her?

Ugh, I’m overthinking shit. I need to make myself some coffee right now.

-/- 1 Hour Later -/-

That feels better. I’m currently sitting in my office with a nice cup of coffee. It was a French Vanilla kind. With a few spoons of sugar in it.

As I continued with my cup, I heard a knock at my door. A potential client?

“Come in.” I said loud enough for the visitor to hear me.

In walked Twilight Sparkle. I haven’t seen her since the picnic before I was first put on Gust Gale’s case. It was good to see her again.

“Hey Shadow. How are you doing?” She asked me in her kind hearted voice.

“I’m well Twilight. So, how was whatever you and Princess Celestia had going on?” I asked her.

She rolled her eyes. “Ugh, it could get so boring sometimes. I’m just glad I got it done.” She said. I couldn’t help but chuckle at that. Yes, meetings could get REALLY boring. I should know.

“But I should be asking how you’re doing after that case in Cloudsdale. Are you feeling okay?” She asked, sounding concerned for me.

I waved my hoof. “Twilight, I’m fine. I’ve been doing this for almost a decade now. If a case ever fucked me up mentally, you’d probably see it clear as day. I appreciate the concern, but you ain’t gotta worry about me.” I told her.

“I know.” She said, flushing in embarrassment. “It’s just a friend wanting to help another friend.”

“Yep. I get ya.”

“Speaking of Friendship” Twilight said, now perking up, “I have a bit of a request for you. A friendship assignment so to speak.”

“Friendship Assignment?” I asked. What the hell is that?

“Yes. See, I have a friendship mission in Baltimare. I promised Applejack I’d help her out on her farm today. Obviously, that’s not gonna happen now. Soooooo….” She grinned and got excited in her eyes.

“You want me to work on Sweet Apple Acres. And while working, you want me to get to know Applejack, and the rest of her family probably, to learn something about the Magic of Friendship, am I right?” I asked her.

“You read my mind.” Twilight said, looking as happy as can be.

I sighed as I got up from my chair. “Well, I don’t have a case going on right now. So, I guess I could get a nice work out in.” I said, now stretching my hooves out to make sure I don’t get injured while working.

“That’s the spirit Shadow Haze. I’ll even come with you to introduce you to the rest of the Apple Family. I’m sure they’ll love to meet you.” Twilight said, now trotting out the door.

I soon followed her. Everything Twilight just said, I hope she’s right. I’m just worried if this whole thing will just be a big waste of fucking time. And I hate wasting time.

-/- Sweet Apple Acres -/-

We eventually made it to a farm that was near the town of Ponyville. Me and Twilight were standing at the main gate, which had a big sign saying Sweet Apple Acres on it.

Before we even walked up to the gate, I couldn’t help but be amazed at the field of trees in this big orchard. Trees with Apples on them to be exact. It looked beautiful. Applejack and the rest of her family must work their asses off to make this place look amazing as it appears to be.

We walked inside and I quickly took a look around the place. There was a pig pen with about 7 or 8 pigs. There was a chicken coup. There was a fenced in area with about 6 or 7 cows.

But all that paled in comparison to the sheer size of the home of the Apple Family. From what Twilight had told me, the only ponies who live here are Applejack(No Shit), her two siblings, her grandmother and a dog. With how big this house was, you could’ve fit about 4 or 5 more ponies here if you really wanted to.

As I continued to be amazed by this place, I saw the pony who I was going to be working with for the next little bit or so. The orange coated, blonde maned, apple for a cutie mark pony known as Applejack. Also, along with Twilight, one of the six Elements of Harmony, with her being The Element of Honesty.

She saw us and came right on over. She tipped her Stetson Hat at us as a way of greeting.

“Howdy Twilight. And Howdy to you Mister Detective Shadow Haze.” She said in the most humble voice I’ve ever heard in my life.

Huh. She actually might be a pony I might like.

“Hey Applejack. I’m afraid I’m gonna have to take a rain check for today. I have a friendship mission in Baltimare.” She said, now turning her head to me.

“So, I’ve asked Shadow Haze here if he’d like to help. And he has accepted.”

I saw Applejack’s interest peak up. “So, ya’ll want to help me for today?” She asked. I swear she had one of the thickest southerners accents I’ve ever heard.

I nodded. “Since I’m not on a case right now, I figured I could use a nice work out.”

Twilight look pleased with our progress. “This is good. Anyway, I’ve gotta get going. I’ll see you two later.” She said, flying away from us. Guess she’s heading off on her “Friendship Mission” now.

Whatever the hell that means.

“So” Applejack said, snapping me out of it. “Y’all want me to show you around?”

I was indeed interested in seeing this whole place. It has perked my interest.

I nodded. “Sure. Lead the way.” I said, motioning her to go for it.

So, she showed me around the farm. The first place she showed me was the front porch of the house. It was here I saw an elderly looking mare sitting on a rocking chair. She had a green apple colored coat and a white mane and tail both tied up in buns. I know who she is. I’ve read about her when I was still in school. This was Lady Smith. One of the reasons why Ponyville is even in existence today. A true legend in Ponyville folklore.

“Hey Granny. This here is Detective Shadow Haze. Shadow, this here is my Granny. Granny Smith. He’s gonna work with us today.” She said, introducing us.

I walked up on the porch and extended my hoof to her.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Miss Smith. I’ve read about you back when I was a colt.” I told her.

She smiled very warmly at me. “Oh, it’s good to meet you too, youngin. And I’m honored to meet the feller who arrested those dirt bags that I’ve read about.” She told me, taking my hoof and shaking it as lightly as she could. Old bones, ya know.

“Thank you very much, Miss Smith.” I said, now walking off the porch and rejoining Applejack.

We then came across the area where the cows were. There was a little filly there, who looked about my nephew Comet Chaser’s age of 10. She had a pale yellow coat with a bright red mane, which had a light red ribbon tied upon it. She was currently giving one of the cows a scrub down. Giving it a bath from the looks of it.

“Apple Bloom, I’d like ya to meet Detective Shadow Haze. He’s gonna be helping us out today. Shadow, this here is ma little sister, Apple Bloom.” Applejack said introducing us.

I looked down at her with a small smile. “Pleased to meet you Apple Bloom.” I said.

When she looked at me, she instantly looked intimidated by me. She gulped and responded.

“Uh, h-hi M-Mister D-Detective.” She said nervously. She had a nasally sort of southern accent in her.

I looked at Applejack, and all she could do was shrug. I guess you can’t tell somepony not to be afraid of somepony else.

Then the filly looked at Applejack. “AJ, I’m finished cleaning Bessie. Can I be excused? I promised Zecora I’d help her out today.” She said, trying to avoid eye contact with me.

Applejack nodded. “Sure thing, sis. Run along.”

“Okay. Thanks, bye.” She said, now running off. She was headed in a direction where a big forest was at. I’d heard about that place. The Everfree Forest. I’d heard it’s not exactly a place ponies go to have a fun time. If anything, at night, it’s a terrifying place to be in.

“Are you sure it’s a good idea to send a little filly into the Everfree Forest?” I asked Applejack.

“She knows her way in and out. She should be okay.” She said, as we walked around again.

“Who’s Zecora?” I asked.

“She a zebra who lives there in a little hut. She practices potions and other sorts of things.” She answered.

I was surprised. “A zebra? I didn’t know a zebra lived near Ponyville.”

Applejack smiled. “Ya might like her. She’s a pretty nice mare.” She said.

We were then going into the north field. This was where we were going to buck some apples, I guess. Or in my case, just pick them off with my magic.

As we were walking toward the field, I saw two ponies coming toward us. One was a HUGE, muscular looking stallion. I mean, this guy was ripped. He had a bright red coat and a dirty light orange shaggy mane. The other was a mare. She had a pink coat and a poofy looking dark purple mane. They were carrying a bucket of apples on their backs toward the house. Applejack stopped both of them and began to introduce me.

“Big Mac, Sugar Belle, I’d like ya to meet Detective Shadow Haze. He’s gonna work with us today. Shadow, this is ma big brother Big Macintosh. And that’s my sister-in-law, Sugar Belle.” She said.

“Pleasure to meet you both.” I said.

I saw instantly that Sugar Belle looked intimidated by me. Maybe not so much as Apple Bloom just a minute ago, but it was still there. She put on a nervous smile to try and greet me happily.

Big Macintosh, on the other hoof, I knew front the first moment he laid his eyes on me, he felt like he couldn’t trust me as far as he could throw me. And he probably could throw me. Granted, I’d still put up a fight, but I know this guy could EASILY take me in a fight. Look at him. Just LOOK at him.

With his eyebrow raised, he said, “Eeyup. Nice ta meet ya, Mister.” He said, in that untrusting kind of voice.

Sugar Belle gulped. “N-Nice to m-meet you as well.” She nervously said, looking back and forth.

After that awkward little exchange, me and Applejack got to work. I did do some bucking like how AJ showed me(No not THAT kind), and I figured if my legs get tired, I’ll just use my magic.

While we were working, Applejack told me, “Sorry bout that, partner.”

I looked at her. “What?”

“My family not greeting ya very well. It wasn’t right that my siblings and my sister-in-law didn’t treat ya warmly like my Granny did.” She explained.

I shrugged. “Well, they ain’t the only ones. Most ponies in town are intimidated by me. But, that’s part of what I am.”

“What do ya mean?” She asked, bucking an apple tree, which was followed by a bunch of apples falling into a huge bucket.

“When you’re in law enforcement, you have to be intimidating. It could make potential suspects and criminals tell you everything you want to know when you need info on a case. And I’ve been doing this shit for almost a decade now. I’ve just become naturally intimidating.” I told her.

She sighed. “I get it, but it’s still not right.”

“Maybe.” I said. “But I get it.”

She shook her head in shame as she kicked another tree and watched as the apples fell in the big basket.

We did this for about 25 more minutes, before I saw something out of the corner of my eye.

I turned and saw Apple Bloom running toward us.

“What are ya doing-“ Applejack began to ask before she saw what I was looking at. She instantly looked worried at what we were seeing.

Apple Bloom wasn’t running. She looked like she was sprinting. And the look I saw on her face. She had tears run down her face. And she had a look of true fear in her eyes.

“APPLEJACK! APPLEJACK!” She cried out, with some sobs mixed in. What was going on?

I didn’t see anything behind her. No creature was chasing her. So, what was going on?

Applejack ran toward her little sister at a huge speed. If Rainbow Dash was the fastest flyer in all of Equestria, then Applejack was the fastest runner.

I followed behind her to see what had made this little filly look so terrified.

We made it over to her and Applejack’s big sister instincts kicked in.

“Apple Bloom, what’s wrong? What happened?” She asked, sounding incredibly concerned.

“It’s Zecora. She-She-She-“ She couldn’t spit it out, so I interjected.

“What’s wrong with your friend, Apple Bloom?” I asked.

She was shaking like a leaf. She had more tears run down her face.

“Just follow me.” She said, running back into the Everfree Forest. Me and Applejack followed.

After running through tangles upon tangles and bushes upon bushes and tree branches upon tree branches, we finally made it to a little hut. A small house so to speak.

I saw the door was ajar. So, I instantly barged in, and there I saw what made this little filly looking so distraught.

There was a zebra mare laying on the ground on her side. She had blood running from her head, forming a small pool of it near a chamber pot. Why that was there I have no idea. There was also bruises and cuts along her side. Looked fresh. New. Like, this had just happened recently.

Applejack came in and just gasped.

“ZECORA!” She yelled out, and now I saw tears starting to form in her eyes.

I instantly got out my phone. “PPD, I need a carriage down here in the Everfree Forest. We got a zebra down here. Looks like a victim of assault. She needs medical attention now. Get over here as quick as you can.” I yelled out.

As I hung up, I turned back to Applejack. “Take Apple Bloom to where the Everfree Forest begins at. When you see the Medical guys coming, guide them over to me. Hurry, she’s bleeding out.” I told her.

With that Applejack scooped up her little sister, put her on her back and ran toward where we entered the Everfree Forest.

I put my gloves on my hooves and went to work, trying to help this zebra survive. I tilted her head upwards, got some paper towels I found near a desk that was next to the chamber pot. I put the towels on her head where her wound was. I just hoped that causes the bleeding to stop. Or at least not flow as much as it was just a few moments ago.

So, I just laid here with her. Hoping and praying that help comes very quickly and soon. Celestia, please don’t make them too late. Please get here on time. Don’t die on me, Zecora. Please, don’t die. Please.