Gunner(or Gavin, possibly)was thrown into an interrogation room by a few of the Ponyville Police Officers here at the Detention Center almost instantly when Applejack and I trotted in here.

Like the last case I did with Rainbow Dash, I saw how busy every pony who worked here was. Pegasi flying with documents, Unicorn carrying evidence from a case of their own, and Earth Pony who were at a desk, looking up criminal history on potential suspects.

I was here when Twilight and I worked together to find who murdered The First Active Royal Gaurd who just so happened to be gay. And coming toward us was one I almost forgot about. She looked about in her early 20’s, with a red coat and a violet mane.

I think her name is Ruby Glow.

“Hello, Detective Shadow Haze. Nice to see you again.” She said in a friendly voice. Yeah, that was her name. I remember now.

“Good to see you again as well, Ruby Glow. I’m sure you know Applejack, right?” I said, introducing her.

She chuckled a little bit. “Well, of course I do. I come to Sweet Apple Acres every year for Zap Apple Jam. Freakin delicious stuff.” She said.

Applejack gave a chuckle. “It’s coming up in a little bit, Ruby. Ah’ll make sure ya get some.” She said as she gave a hoof bump to Ruby Glow.

“Okay, now Ruby, me and Applejack here are gonna interrogate Gunner here. I need you to look up any piece of information on him while I’m doing so.” I told her.

She nodded happily. “No problem.”

“Also, I’m gonna need you to see if their are any name changes in this area.” I said.

She looked puzzled. “Name changes? Why do you need that?”

Applejack spoke this time. “We think Gunner here had his name changed before he moved to Ponyville.” She said.

I nodded in agreement. “There was another attack in New Colt City by a Griffon named Gavin. I was told this by a former coworker of mine. Detective Angel Blossom.”

Ruby looked surprised. “Are you talking about Zakwani? That hate crime from 7 months ago?” She asked.

I was surprised she knew that. “You heard about that?” I asked her.

Before she could answer, I heard a voice coming up from behind us. This guy I remember. Sort of.

This was the Captain of the Ponyville Detention Center. He was actually only 5 years older than me. About 30. Pretty young for a Captain.

Anyway, he was an earth pony. He had a Grey coat, an Indigo colored tail and mane(that had a buzz cut), and had a Police Captain Hat for a cutie mark. Which was weird, because he wasn’t wearing a Captain hat right now.

Kinda ironic, am I right?

“We all have heard about that brutal attack. Every pony here has. We all make sure to study at least a few cases that are going on in other parts of Equestria.” He told me.

I smiled, as I remembered who he was now. “Good to see you again, Captain Stone.” I told him.

“Likewise. I’ve been looking forward to working with you again after you caught Steel Spear’s’ killer.” He told me, also sporting a smile.

It changed when he saw Applejack. “Why is Applejack with you? She’s not a detective.” He said.

“True.” I said to him. “However, I have a deal with the Princess’ where any of the Elements can work on a case with me. So long as I am the one that leads it.”

His and Ruby Glow’s eyebrow raised. “You work with the Princesses of Equestria?” Stone asked me.

“How?” Ruby asked.

“Long story, and we’ve got some Griffon to interrogate.” I told them.

Stone looked about ready to object, when he stopped himself. Guess he agrees with me on that part.

“Alright. Ruby, go search up what Shadow asked you to. Then tell us what you find.” He told her. She nodded in agreement and walked over to her desk, where a computer was at.

Hopefully, she can find information. And fast.

“Alright.” Applejack said, looking giddy. “Let’s go talk to our guy.”

“That’s my line, Applejack.” I said, as we walked to the interrogation room.

-/- Gavin/Gunner Interview -/-

“So, you like calling Zebra’s “mud ponies”, do ya?” I asked him, as me and Applejack walked in.

Gavin/Gunner was sitting at a table in the middle of the room. There was only one window in the room, which had a chain link fence bolted into it. They do that to make sure suspects don’t try and commit suicide by jumping out of the window, or prevent flyers like him from flying away. That is, if we weren’t in the room with him.

He didn’t say anything at first. Just glared at us.

“Ya know” Applejack said “Ponyville is a town where we don’t exactly tolerate racism and homophobia, Gunner. Or Gavin.”

“I’ve never had the name Gavin before.” The Griffon said.

“Oh?” I asked. “Then, why does your description match a similar attack in New Colt City about 7 months ago? A purple Griffon, who attacked a zebra from behind with one of every mechanic’s favorite tools.” I said, taking out a certain piece of evidence from a bag I brought into this interrogation room with me and Applejack, and tossing it on the table.

“Socket wrench handle.” I said, showing him that very one we found in Zecora’s hut.

“The same one used in Zecora’s attack.” Applejack chimed in with a smirk.

Gavin/Gunner growled. “You have no proof that that’s even mine.” He said.

Ah, lies. I LOVE it when a suspect lies.

“Then why did your boss tell me you told him you lost your socket wrench handle? Or, I should say FORMER boss, because you fucking clawed his face.” I told him, getting close to his ear. Intimidation factor. It worked, because I saw him start to get a little anxious.

Applejack spoke again. “The same socket wrench handle that your late father gave to you before he died.” She said. I noticed after she said that, her head went down a little bit. And she looked….sad. Why would she get sad at this time?

“That father of yours, who apparently was murdered by a Zebra.” I told him. “Come on, Gavin, admit it. It’ll just be easier if ya do. You saw Zakwani in New Colt City and decided to attack him, from behind mind you, to channel your inner rage for zebra’s. Then you fled that very city like a little bitch.” Gavin/Gunner rose up from his seat and got in my face after I said that. He surprised Applejack, but he didn’t surprise me.

“I ain’t no bitch. You hear me? Call me that again, and I’ll..” He told me, trying, the keyword, to look intimidating.

“You’ll what?” I interrupted him in a threatening tone.

“You don’t want to know what I’ll do.” He said pointing his talon at me.

I chuckled. “Ya know, Gavin, ponies who give that type of threat usually have a bark bigger than their bite. Especially, creatures like you, who flee the scene of the crime when a little filly is about to catch him in the act of an attempted murder. You don’t intimidate me. And I know you don’t intimidate Zakwani or Zecora.” I said.

He was looking filled with rage. I’m daring this mother fucker to swing at me. I’ll gladly hand him an ass whoopin.

But, he didn’t. He sat back down and started breathing heavy. Trying to control his apparent rage.

“You guys can’t prove that that socket wrench handle is mine. Or that I was there. Where is your proof, you demon looking motherfucker? Huh?” He asked, sounding arrogant.

I was about to say something, when the Fuck You Fairy came in to deliver our suspect the bad news.

It was Cadaver. He has a clipboard with him.

“Actually, Mr. Gunner…slash Gavin, we can. Your talon prints were a match on the socket wrench handle. Also, the feather you left at the crime scene IS a DNA match to you.” He said, as another pony came into our room. Ruby Glow.

“Also, I’ve read your criminal history. You were charged with assault back when you were in middle school, when you attacked a classmate in the hallway. That very student was, you guessed it: a zebra.” She said, with a grin on her face.

“Oh, and there’s also this” She continued. “You also were arrested 4 years ago for dumping garbage on your neighbor’s lawn in New Colt City. That very neighbor, who just moved in was, again, a zebra. And, I also checked with Mayor Mare’s office records, and she says you had a name change. You changed it to Gunner, originally named Gavin.” She told him.

I was stunned she was able to find out all this much. It was, actually amazing, to see this all happen.

I looked over at Gavin. He looked defeated. Like, somepony had figured out his whole plan and crushed everything.

He was about to say something, until another pony, wearing a suit and tie walked in. He was about my height, except just a hair shorter than me. He had a dark yellow coat with a thinning grey mane.

As soon as I saw who, or what, this type of pony was, I thought Ah, Shit.

“This conversation is over. Me and my client are leaving.” This lawyer pony said to us. Gavin/Gunner looked relieved to see him.

“And just who are you?” Applejack said, looking cross. I even saw her snort too.

“I’m Major Matlock. I’m representing Mister Gunner here.” He told us. He even offered his hoof to me for a hoof shake. I didn’t accept it. He kind of had an offended look on his face.

“Your client here is guilty of not one, but two assault’s. Both of them, were CLEAR evidence of hate crimes. He’s had a history of racism toward zebras.” I told him, pointing at Gunner/Gavin. I could feel frustration build up inside me.

“Not to mention, his DNA was at the scene of the crime. And we have a witness who says that he lost his socket wrench handle, which we found with the victim’s blood on it.” Cadaver told him, showing him the results on his clipboard.

Matlock just huffed at it. Did I mention how much I HATE lawyers? Yes, they ARE a part of the job, but it’s ponies like THIS guy that make me not STAND them.

“My client is a bigger victim. A victim of severe mental health problems.” He told us. I looked over at Applejack and thought she was gonna get in this guys face. If she did that, it would jeopardize the whole case.

“Y’all are HONESTLY going for tha Insanity plea?” She asked, looking angry.

Matlock nodded in a snooty, prissy kind of way. I almost laughed at that.

“Doesn’t attacking random zebras he doesn’t even know sound “normal” to you, Miss Applejack?” Matlock asked her in a really snarky tone.

Applejack looked ready to pounce. So, I put my hoof in front of her.

“Try fighting this in court, Matlock. You’re gonna lose.” I told him, while taking Applejack with me out of the interrogation room. Cadaver and Ruby Glow followed us.

“We’ll see about that.” He said, now sitting at the table with his client.

As the door closed, there stood Captain Stone. Not looking too happy.

“I’m worried.” He told us, while shaking his head back and forth.

“His DNA was at the scene. He’s gonna go to jail.” Cadaver said.

“And his history with zebras will be enough to indict him.” Ruby said.

“Yes, but will he get the maximum sentence like he deserves?” Captain Stone asked, looking in on the conversation between Major Matlock and Gunner/Gavin.

“You’re saying this bullshit insanity plea might get him a lesser sentence?” I asked. I took a quick peak at Applejack. She had her head down. This time, looking really frustrated. Can’t say I blame her.

“Well, this is Major Matlock we’re talking about here. This guy once convinced a jury that his client murdered his wife out of uncontrollable anger, due to her infidelity with another stallion. The guy only got a 10 year sentence.” Stone said, now looking away from the conversation in the interrogation room.

“That is fucking bullshit!” Applejack exclaimed. The rest of us were silent for a bit, before she walked away. I saw she was headed out of the Detention Center. I guess she needs to be alone.

“So, what should we do?” Ruby asked us.

Captain Stone turned to me. “You said your old coworker gave you information on the Zakwani case, right?” He asked me.

I nodded. “Yes. Detective Angel Blossom. She’s a Detective in New Colt City.”

“Did you also say that Gunner, or Gavin’s, father was murdered by a zebra when he was very young?”

“That was told to me by his boss, Rod. Over at Grease Monkey.”

Captain Stone thought for a little bit, then turned to Ruby Glow.

“What else did you find out about him?” He asked her.

“He was born in Baltimare, but him and his mother moved to New Colt City when he was about 3 or 4. Says he’s worked as a mechanic, pretty much all his life. Apparently, followed in his Dad’s clawsteps. Cause he was a mechanic too. Guys name was Gene.” She told us.

He turned back to me again. “Can you contact Detective Angel Blossom again? Ask her for information regarding Gene’s murder?”

“I could do that, but we’re talking about a perhaps 20 year old case.” I told him.

“Tell her by any means. I wanna know about that murder. It could be helpful for our case.” He told me, as he walked away to his office.

“You guys’ll inform me of anything as soon as you find anything, right?” I asked Cadaver and Ruby Glow. They both nodded before returning to their jobs.

As I proceeded to walk out of the Ponyville Detention Center, I heard my phone go off. Heh. What timing.

“Hey, I was just about to call you again?” I said.

“Hello Shadow. I was gonna call and check up on the case you’re involved with.” Angel Blossom told me.

I decided to be a cheeky little fucker when I asked her this.

“Oh? Are you sure you didn’t call me to check up on me? Make sure I was okay?” I smiled with a huge grin on my face, as I knew she was getting flustered again. She’s so adorable when she’s flustered.

“W-Well, t-that is o-one of the reasons, for sure. Because, I DO care about your well being.” I heard her embarrassingly say. I could tell her cheeks were pink.

“But, I also want to know if Zakwani made it there. I sent him there to see you.” She said.

“Yeah. I found him at the Castle of Friendship, waiting for me with his 10 year old daughter, Zara. And for the record, yes he did make it here okay.” I told her. I realized now that I was already in the town square. Ponies looking in on my conversation. While also looking intimidated of me.

“Well, that’s good. And I just have to say, Zara is the cutest little zebra filly I’ve ever seen.” She told me with an “Aww” tone in her voice.

I chuckled on the inside. That’s a big reason I’ve always liked Angel. And maybe even developed feelings for her. She always has a soft spot for kids.

Just like me.

“So, what was the reason you needed to call me for?” Angel asked me.

I cleared my throat. “Yes, well, I need you to look up a case from about 20 years ago. This might help us with what’s happened with Zecora and Zakwani.”

“A cold case, huh? Which one is that?” She asked me.

“There was an apparent murder that happened in Baltimare. A Griffon named Gene. He was apparently murdered by a Zebra.” I told her.

“I don’t believe I’ve ever heard of that. Why is that case significant with this one?”

“Well, you’re not gonna like this, but Major Matlock is representing our suspect. Gunner….slash Gavin.” I said to her. I expected a surprised reaction, and I was NOT disappointed.

“MATLOCK! That fucker is representing him? W-W-Wait, what about DNA evidence or witness statements?” She asked me, now sounding NOT very happy.

“Oh, we have that. However, Matlock is going for an insanity plea. And the Captain over here, Captain Stone, believes he could make that happen in front of a grand jury. I mean, he convinced a jury to give a guy 10 years after murdering his own wife.” I explained to her.

I heard a very frustrating groan on the other end. She sounded pissed off. Like I am.

“Alright. I’ll see what I can do. I’ll send you what I have when I find something.” She told me.

“Thanks. I know I can count on you.” I told her.

I could tell she was blushing again. “No problem. And hey, just to let you know, you might see me a lot sooner then you think.” She told me.

Huh? What?

“What does that mean?” I asked. Now I’m feeling flustered.

“Can’t talk now, Shadow. I gotta go. Bye.” She said, hanging up.

I put my phone back in my pocket, before realizing I was a few yards away from Sweet Apple Acres.

What time does when you’re having a conversation, am I right?

As I walked through the front gate, I was surprised by Big Macintosh making a B line toward me. His face looking seriously pissed off.

“WHAT DID YOU DO?” He exclaimed in an angry tone of voice. I know he doesn’t seem to trust me, or even like me, but what’s his big issue with me now?

“What?” I asked him, sounding seriously confused.

Big Macintosh snorted in anger. “AJ came back here looking all sorts of frustrated and angry. I even saw some tears in her eyes.”

Now I kinda see. Applejack must’ve felt really pissed at Major Matlock. That’s why she left the Detention Center in such a huff.

“And you think I had something to do with it, huh?” I asked him, my eyebrow raising.

“I KNOW it was you.” Big Macintosh said in a gruff tone. This guy is seriously asking for an ass whooping.

“Well, you’re wrong, Happy Hayburger.” I said to him.

His face got a bit red in anger when I said that. “STOP CALLING ME THAT!” He yelled at me.

“I can call what you what I want, you big dumb mother fucker.” I said, now MY voice raising.

He got close to my face now, trying to intimidate me.

“I’m telling ya now: don’t fuck with me.” He said.

“No, I don’t think YOU should fuck with me.” I told him in a threatening tone. “You lay your hooves on me, I will beat you to within an inch of your life, and THEN arrest you for assaulting an officer of the law. What would your wife think?”

At this point, it was a foregone conclusion that we were gonna start fighting. I was just daring this mother fucker to have the first hit, and then I’m gonna proceed to commit police brutality on this guy. Only difference between this situation and others that were bad, is this guy is fucking asking for it.

“STOP IT, BIG MAC!” I heard a voice shout over at us. We both looked and it was Sugar Belle. Tears were flowing down her face as she galloped toward us.

“WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?! Are you fucking crazy? Threatening a police officer with violence?” She yelled at him to his face, her back facing me.

“Sugarcube, listen, he-“ Big Macintosh was trying to tell his wife before being cut off.

“NO!” She exclaimed. This mare was not having any of it.

“You should let Detective Shadow Haze give an explanation as to why AJ ran home like that. You can’t make accusations. I expect better from you.” She told him, poking him in the chest with her hoof.

I saw Big Macintosh sigh in defeat. Ha. Fuck this asshole.

“Now that this situation is handled, can somepony please tell me what all is going on?” I asked Sugar Belle.

She turned to me and explained everything. Apparently, Applejack came home with tears in her eyes. She ran into the fields somewhere. Which had….oh Celestia….

The gravestones of her parents. I saw Big Macintosh look sad too. These guy’s parents were dead? I was wondering where their parents were, seeing as how Granny Smith was still here.

“I need to speak with Applejack. Can you point me to where she is?” I asked Sugar Belle.

She smiled and nodded. Then pointed to where her direction was.

I nodded. “Thank You.” I said, turning and walking in that direction.

I turned my head back and said to them, “By the way, when I’m done talking with Applejack, I’ll need to talk with all of you as well. Including Apple Bloom and Granny Smith. It’s very important.” I then continued to trot to where Applejack was.

-/- Apple Family Memorial Site -/-

I saw her there. Her back to me, looking at the apparent gravestone of her deceased parents. I heard a few very light sobs and sniffles coming from her. Her Stetson hat was even off her head, and was on her hoof, placing it near her chest.

Damn. This poor mare misses her Mom and Dad a lot. I wish I could relate, but I can’t.

And I do hate seeing a mare cry.

-/- Flashback to 16 years ago -/-

He had heard a strange noise.

9 year old Shadow Haze was walking around the home he lived in with his aunt Mystic Shine and Uncle Dark Moon. As well as his 7 cousins, who have adopted him as their other older sisters.

Another pony who lived here, was his ACTUAL older sister. The pony whom he saved from getting beaten by their evil bitch of a mother.

Melody Rays, who was 14 now, was the source of that noise.

He looked in the room she shared with one of his other sisters. And there she was. Sitting on the bed.

Crying.

Why was she? Did she feel sad? Was she hurt?

Shadow couldn’t stand seeing this. Thankfully, it was just him and Melody alone.

He walked over to the bed she was sitting on. She saw him coming in. She looked at him with visible tears in her eyes.

They just looked at each other for a few seconds before young Shadow wrapped his forelegs around his big sister. Attempting to stop the crying.

She sniffled and hugged back. They were like this for a few minutes. Just the two of them.

Just the two of them. Against the world. Against everything.

-/- End Flashback -/-

“You okay?”

Applejack turned to me. I saw the tears in her eyes and on her face. She quickly wiped them away, while putting her Stetson hat back on.

“*sniff* I-I’m fine, Detective. And I’m sorry I walked out like that. I just got a little emotional. That’s all.” She told me, trying to keep a strong face on.

I walked over and put my hoof on her shoulder. As a source of comfort. While I did that, I got a good look at the gravestones.

Bright Mac. Pear “Buttercup” Butter.

“Those are your parents, huh?” I asked her.

She sniffled and nodded a little bit.

“Did that part with Gavin’s father being murdered remind you of your parents?” I asked. She had her head down. However, I did see one tear fall down her face and hit the dirt below.

“I feel like I empathize with Gavin a little bit. And I hate that.” She said, still looking down.

“Why’s that?” I asked her. Although, I kinda had a feeling I knew where this was going.

She looked up to face me. With the most serious face I had seen on her since I first met her.

“Because my parents were murdered too.”

Author's Note

Hey everyone. Yeah, I know this is so fucking late. I recently got a new part time job. I have two jobs now. And it’s been rewarding, but also tiring as well.

But, I finally got this chapter updated. If you like it, make sure to comment, like, favorite and follow for future updates. Thank you all and goodnight everybody.