After Gavin’s little outburst in the courtroom, he was officially sentenced to life in prison. He wasn’t gonna go to some bullshit mental health facility. He was going to prison where he belongs.

However, what was even MORE satisfying the Gavin’s sentencing, was just seeing the look of defeat on Major Matlock’s face. Guess he didn’t expect his client to lie to him about his father being dead all these years. His look was just priceless.

Anyway, all of us were now at Sweet Apple Acres. We were sitting on a picnic table outside, just shooting the shit about what all had happened.

“So, y’all kept Gavin’s father being alive from us, just so you could surprise the courtroom?” Applejack asked.

“Mhmm.” I nodded with a smile on my face. “Not to be rude, but I knew you guys would probably tell some townfolk, so I met Gene at the Train Station that morning in secret. I told him to go to a motel and stay there until the court proceedings began. Then, he’d sneak into town and then wait by the door until after Gavin gave his testimony.”

Twilight glared at me. “Still, it wasn’t right of you to keep something like that from us, Shadow. That’s not what friends do.” She said. I saw Applejack look to the right. As if, to avoid Twilight’s gaze. That’s pretty weird.

“The ends justify the means Twilight. Gavin is in prison now, and that’s all that matters. It wasn’t to mess with you, it was just me doing my job. Okay?” I told her in my stern voice.

She snorted and looked away, slightly getting red in the face in embarrassment.

“Overall, we got ‘em, Shadow. We got the varmit.” Applejack said proudly.

I shook my head and chuckled. “Yes we did, Applejack. Yes we did.”

As we continued our conversation, I saw Zecora, Zakwani, and Zara coming up to us from the side of Sweet Apple Acres where the Everfree Forest started at.

Zecora didn’t have her head wrapped up anymore, but her brother and niece were staying with her, from what I’ve heard, until she is stable enough to be on her own. Her concussion, as well as internal injuries, were going to take a while to heal up altogether.

Thankfully, she has her family there for her.

“I see you’re up and about. Its good that you are doing that.” I told her as they were close enough to our table.

Zecora giggled. “I would be doing it myself. However, my big brother even won’t even let me dust my shelf, without his help.” She teasingly glanced at him. I saw Zara giggle a little bit. It was kinda cute seeing her like that.

Zakwani just looked flustered. “Well excuse me for looking after you, dear sister.” He said, sarcastically looking offended.

Twilight and Applejack laughed at this exchange, while I just snorted lightly in amusement.

“Pie’s ready, every pony!” I heard Apple Bloom shout out to us as she brought an Apple Pie out on her back. There was a cloth between the pie pan and her back, so she didn’t get burned.

“Ah see Sugar Belle’s lessons have been paying off, lil’ sister.” Applejack said.

As she set the pie down on the table, she went up to the three Zebras.

“How ya doing, Zecora?” She asked, sounding concerned for her well-being.

She smiled. “I’m doing quite fine, my dear. Even if my pain is still here.” She said, patting her head. Apple Bloom hugged her friend gently.

“Ah’m just so happy you’re alive, Zecora. Ah was so scared when I found ya like that.” She said. Zecora just smiled a warm smile down at her friend.

Zakwani did the same, which then followed him gazing down at his daughter. He motioned for her to talk to her. Zara looked a little hesitant.

That’s when I decided to chime in. “Ya know you three, if there’s one pony you should thank for all this, it would be Apple Bloom.”

I saw Apple Bloom look at me with surprise. She must not have expected that. Twilight and Applejack looked that way too.

“Shadow Haze, you were the one who solved this case. You should get some recognition for it.” Twilight said.

I nodded to her. “I agree, however if Apple Bloom hadn’t have come and got us, Zecora probably WOULD have died.” I then glanced back at Apple Bloom.

“You’re a very brave filly, Apple Bloom. You testifying in court, standing up to those ZRA guys, being strong in that scary situation, you truly are one of the bravest foals I’ve ever met.” I said to her.

She blushed while fidgeting with her bow. “You’re too kind, Shadow.”

All of a sudden, Zara walked up to Apple Bloom. She shyly rubbed her front foreleg, looking away from her.

“Thank you, Apple Bloom.” She said, then looked up at me. “And thank you, Detective Shadow Haze.” I saw that smile again.

I saw Zakwani proudly look at his daughter. Could she FINALLY start to come out of her shell? Possibly, make a friend?

“Alright every pony, let’s dig in. This pie looks good.” I said. Every pony agreed, and we all had a slice.

-/-

“This pie is quite good. I don’t think I can eat more, even if I should.” Zecora said, finishing a bite of the apple pie.

“This is delicious, Apple Bloom. You and Sugar Belle did a good job.” Twilight said to the little apple filly. I saw her flush in sheepishness.

“Well, I’m glad you all enjoy it.” I heard a voice coming toward us. Speak of the devil, and Sugar Belle arrives. With Happy Hayburger by her side.

I stared down Big Macintosh for a little bit before I asked, “How’re you two doing?”

Sugar Belle smiled. Seems she doesn’t look too intimidated by me anymore. Guess that’s good.

“I’m well. And Big Mac has something he’d like to say to you, Detective.” She said, eyeing her husband. She tilted her head toward me while staring at him with a serious look on her face.

Big Macintosh closed his eyes and sighed heavily.

“Ah’m a might sorry about the way Ah treated you, Shadow. It wasn’t right of me to judge you like Ah did. Or almost start a fight with ya. That was stupid on mah part. So, Ah apologize.” He said, not looking me in the eye. He looked as if he was embarrassed to be apologizing to me. Guess his wife made him, or she won’t speak to him. Or, and this is my guess, no sex until he does it.

Every pony looked at me in silence, awaiting my answer.

“I’ll accept that apology. No hard feelings, Happy Hayburger.” I said to him. Sugar Belle giggled, while Big Macintosh flushed in embarrassment. He may have to get used to that nickname. Cause that’s what I’ve given him.

Suddenly, I saw Sugar Belle’s giggle turn to a look of surprise. And a little bit of concern.

“Some Zebra is coming toward the farm.” She said, pointing toward the front gate of Sweet Apple Acres.

Sure enough, Zane of the Zebra Rights Association was heading toward us. He didn’t have his followers with him. Seemed kinda odd.

“Apple Bloom.” I said, getting the filly’s attention.

“Yeah?” She asked.

“How about you and Zara run along and go play somewhere? We need to talk with Zane.” I said.

She nodded her head and turned to the Zebra filly. “Come on Zara. Ah’ll show ya mah clubhouse that me and mah friends use.” She said, motioning for her to follow.

Zara looked a little nervous to follow a filly she didn’t know very well to a place she hadn’t seen. She looked at her aunt and father for approval. They both nodded.

“O-Okay.” She said nervously. They both got up from the picnic table and walked away together.

Hopefully, they can have some fun.

I stood up from the picnic table after they left and made a beeline for Zane. I told the others to stay back. I’ve got this.

“You’re trespassing Zane. I’m gonna have to ask you to leave.” I said, now standing face to face with him.

“I will. Until I get a word with Zecora and Zakwani. My fellows need some type of word from them.” He said, not moving a muscle.

“Zecora and Zakwani are none of your business. You have no right or jurisdiction to come here and demand to see them.” I told him.

He just shook his head while smiling sarcastically at me. “Denying a Zebra what he wants is almost like denying him or her Justice, Detective.”

“That’s enough, Zane.” I heard a voice say from behind me. It was Zakwani, with Zecora following right behind him.

“I’m only wanting to help you two.” Zane said.

“Insinuating racism and trying to manipulate laws and regulations is not helping us. If anything, it hurts us and you even more.” Zakwani said to him.

Zane frowned at him. “Why are you defending Detective Shadow Haze? He’s not a Zebra. He’ll never understand what it’s like to be a Zebra in Equestria.” He asked, sounding angry.

“He saved my life. Because of that, my decision is suffice.” Zecora said, her eyebrows furring.

Zane had a look of disbelief on his face. “What about loyalty to your fellow Zebra, Zecora? What about certain other Zebras who are victims of hate crimes? What about Zebras who have to deal with stuff like this everyday?” He ranted. I could tell this guy is passionate about wanting to fight racism toward Zebras. And, I can’t deny, I probably would root for this guy.

If his motives and how he handles it was in the right way.

“I get what you’re saying, Zane. I can’t ever understand you and several other Zebra go through in this country.” I said, attempting to continue before he cut me off.

“No you don’t. And I’m glad you’re smart enough to know that.” He said, looking more intensely upset.

“However, you going around, accusing other ponies and businesses of racial discrimination, just because a Zebra doesn’t get his or her way, or is even attacked or killed, doesn’t help your organization. All you’re doing is making more enemies. Rioting, intimidating, assaulting, accusing racial discrimination, will result in MORE of your fellow Zebras deaths.” I explained to him. He appears to not be budging.

“Sometimes, you have to MAKE ponies see what you mean.” He said.

“And THAT is why I am NOT a supporter of your group Zane.” Zakwani said, which caused a glare from Zane.

“You may have the best goal in mind. However, you plan to achieve them with all the wrong ways. In case you haven’t forgotten, Gavin was imprisoned. We won the case. You accusing Twilight Sparkle of being prejudice was uncalled for and unnecessary. Deal with it and accept it.” He said, now getting face to face with him. The tension was pretty thick here. You could almost cut it with a knife.

That’s when I decided to end this. “Enough. Zane, as you can see, Zecora and Zakwani are doing okay. Not perfect, but okay. They don’t need you to help them. I’m sorry, but it’s the truth. You are trespassing and harassing these two. And if you don’t leave right now, I’m gonna have to arrest you. What’s it gonna be?” I told him, now with he facing me.

He sighed, calming down. “Negative Peace over Positive Peace, I guess.” He said, attempting to turn away, before I said the last word.

“Using Zandayu’s words won’t lend credence to your’s Zane. He walked with Angels. You’d gladly slide through shit just to get the things you want.” I said. He grumbled and walked away from the front gate, looking disappointed.

I motioned for them to follow me back to the table, where we all rejoined the others.

“What’d he want?” Big Macintosh asked.

“He wanted information on how Zakwani and Zecora were doing. It wasn’t his business, so we told him to leave. It took a bit, but he left. And I’m sure him and his followers are leaving town in a little bit too.” I told them, taking another bit of the apple pie.

Twilight sighed in relief. “Thank goodness.” She said.

“Yeah. I don’t think Ah could deal with that varmit anyway.” She said.

“I don’t think his heart is in a bad place though.” I told them, which got them all to look at me in surprise.

“The way he goes about it is wrong, I stand by that. However, I can’t deny that Police brutality in Zebras has been an issue within the Police force. I’m sure there was a few of my coworkers who were apart of that back when I was on the force.” I explained, with them cringing at the thought of Police brutality. Uncomfortable, I know.

“However, it’s ultimately wrong to say somepony is racist or whatever just because they’re ponies. Ponies aren’t born racist. No creature is. Gavin wasn’t. He was taught racism by his mother. And I’m pretty sure his mother was taught that by her parents as well. At the end of the day, racism isn’t hereditary. It’s a learned and taught experience, and ponies need to understand that.” I explained to them.

Zecora smiled and nodded. “That is very true. And I agree with it, yes I do.”

Sugar Belle sighed sadly. “I guess just creatures, not just ponies are the ultimate evil. Teaching the next generation terrible things like that.”

“That’s unfortunately true as well, Sugar Belle.” I said, before my phone went off. I saw the caller ID was the Ponyville Prison.

I answered them and was shook by what I was just told. I thanked them and hung up.

Twilight looked concerned. “Shadow, what’s wrong?” She asked.

“Well, Zecora, Zakwani, it appears you had a few supporters on the inside. Gavin was just stabbed to death in the courtyard at the Ponyville Prison.” I calmly told them.

Every pony looked stunned. I even heard Twilight gasp, while cupping her hooves to her mouth.

Then, for the next few hours, we just decided to shoot the shit with each other. To hopefully get this news out of our heads, and move forward with our lives.

Hopefully, it’ll be easy to do.

Author's Note

Well, this marks the end of this case. Side note, I plan on doing some side stories with a few characters from my Equestria Noire stories. You may see a short story revolving around Shadow and his nephew Comet. Stay tuned for that.

Anyway, I hope y’all liked this story. If you did, make sure to comment, like, favorite and follow for future updates. Thank you all and I’ll see ya next time.