Author's Note

It's slow going as Elden Ring has absorbed my time for writing. But I will continue none the less.

Race For Vindication

Race For Vindication

It was a harrowing two hours. Ponies had gathered outside, wondering why so many Securitrons were guarding the building while several others were now invading personal privacy to find the culprit. I couldn’t help but frown in disgust as I stared out the window. I had finished my own questioning session with Mr. House, who had surprised us by taking over a Securitron in the room to begin questioning. I have to admit, despite being behind a screen and changing the face to a neatly groomed looking pony with an imposing stoic face, he did have that air about him that made him intimidating.

But I wasn’t necessarily worried about what the House imposed anymore. Dusty had opened the door and walked out with Mr. House. The Securitron looking between all of us. Shining looked rather grim as he leaned against the wall, eyeing Chipper, who was just humming happily on the other side of the room. The Swashington gal, who we now know as Prattle Tale, had a blanket and some hot coffee brewed, sitting as far away from the now headless pony that used to be House’s ambassador. Mr. House broke the silence by speaking, his voice sounding unamused and serious.

“I appreciate you all for your compliance in this matter. As unfortunate as the situation is, however, The Empire doesn’t have many detectives. Or detectives that are even worthwhile. I can only name of one, but he is currently on another case.” Mr. House sighed. “I’ll be frank, this is not a pleasing matter. I am still repairing the damages caused by the invasion of changelings in my city. So, I don’t have much time to really deal with this matter.” He then turned to Dusty. “Is everything in order?”

Dusty shifted uncomfortably and looked at the table. The once pristine paper now coated in blood and mixed with a bit of spilt ink from the bullet. And speaking of, I couldn’t help but notice a small glint in the wood. I narrowed my eyes and adjusted my sight a little to see it clearly. Something was embedded into the floor. As I was using my magic to wriggle out what I can tell was the bullet itself, Dusty spoke up to Mr. House.

“U-unfortunately, Mr. House, we were about to sign when the assassination happened. The uh… transferal paper is in bad shape.” He said with a bit of a stammer. Mr. House waved the Securitron’s claw in a dismissive manner.

“That doesn’t matter. Paper is easy to make. Quite simple, really. Plenty of dead trees around the wasteland. But that’s beside the point. Since I can’t get a physical copy of the transferal papers, which my ambassador was here for entirely, I here by declare that Ironshod R&D is now a Swashington Tail Armory company. My word is final.” Dusty looked like he wanted to say something, but he thought better of it. However, I wasn’t going to drop it.

“Perhaps you should reconsider, Mr. House.” I stated as I was now working at getting the bullet out with my magic, which was using a lot of my concentration. Shining looked worriedly over to me as well as Dusty did, giving a sigh.

“Goldie, please. I told you, it’s no use to argue with this matter. This was a long time coming.” Mr. House made a nodding motion with the robot.

“Agreed. And I do not care to discuss the matter any further. Business is concluded.” I grunted and growled as I then finally pulled out the caved in bullet. It was as I suspected. A 50 cal round. I let out a huff before holding it up and examining it. I then looked to Mr. House.

“That maybe, but wouldn’t it hurt your reputation to just leave a murder unsolved?” I asked. Mr. House turned to me.

“What are you implying?” He asked, keeping his serious tone. I couldn’t help but smirk. Tyrants like House are easy to read.

“I’ve heard the tales of how you reformed three families of tribals into working under you. The Family, am I correct?” I continued. Mr. House sighed.

“Yes, my reputation proceeds me. What of it?” He replied. I motioned to the body.

“He was your ambassador. If I am to wade into the water here, usually ambassadors are also messenger representatives of their affiliated party. Yours was just assassinated. And a pony like you definitely makes quite a bit of enemies, both politically and literally.” I held up the bullet. “So, wouldn’t this be considered an attack on your person? More of a message that you are being hunted and this time you may not be safe behind the screen?” Mr. House may be a static face of a pony on the screen, but I can’t help but think he smirked behind the screen.

“And your point being? I do make enemies and some enemies my friends. It’s not the first time I’ve had representatives on business trips and had been attacked. The land is full of savages and I hope that ones I’ve reformed would be my enforcers.” Shining shook his head.

“But as we learned from the changeling invasion, The Pride took advantage of the situation and wrecked just as much havoc.” Mr. House turned to Shining. I could tell, he wasn’t enjoying this. But, I had an idea and so far, the lead up is working.

“Yes… quite. The Pride may need a little more discipline than I had anticipated. Desecrating their shrines wasn’t enough. And I am quite livid still about one of their members owning a special piece of tech that doesn’t belong to them.” I shivered, remembering having faced the said tech. In fact, we were quite surprised when we had arrived at the conflict to see giant mechanical alicorn being piloted by one of The Pride’s members. Its’ arsenal was meant to be a full force to be reckoned with.

Yet, we had defeated it before, haven’t we? Yes… we have. I remember… somepony. Somepony sealed its’ fate as well as the member of The Pride. Who was that pony, though? An image of a distorted figure was seen moving away from the robot as it exploded. The shade morphing with every movement.

Walk with Equestria

I shook my head. Ever since that shade has shown up in the Frozen North, and this strange gap in my memory, my mind has been feeling muddled and confused. It was quite bizarre. I wasn’t the only one experiencing this either. New Pegas has had some individuals on his talk show relay their vague memory gaps. And it all started with that mysterious broadcast that started to cut in and out of New Pegas’s radio station. The gruff and raspy voice of a pony telling somepony that Equestria would awaken once more and a garbled voice followed after it, telling to “walk with Equestria”. No pony really has any idea what it means.

I focused my attention back to Shining, nervously looking at the Securitron.

“Y-yes, well. I know for a fact we, being my friends and some of your Omareta friends, have bested the tech in question. But, back onto the point, despite the law and disorder, you do have the desire to ‘tame’ the savages?” Mr. House was silent for a bit.

“Go on.” He said. Shining adjusted his glasses as he pushed off from the wall, trotting over to the body.

“So, it’d be rather concerning that, with your reputation of upholding civility, as mixed as it is, that letting a murder in the very company that you now own with your partnership of Swashington, would go unpunished. Wouldn’t that hurt sales? The company’s reputation? Your reputation?” I couldn’t help but smile at my lover. Quite the smooth talker when he isn’t nerding about over some relic of the past. Mr. House made a thinking motion with his Securitron.

“I see your point. It would be rather tiresome to have to deal with bad sales at the same time I am trying to rebuild my city. And while the destruction has been great, it does lead open to newer possibilities of better operations and business to expand. Even new ones.” He said. Shining nodded.

“Now, since I know a pony like yourself doesn’t like to keep being indebted to others and prefer to have them indebted to you, our victory over The Pride’s attempt of take over with this tech you speak of. I’d say, if we can solve this murder, you’d return the favor of… let’s say… keeping Ironshod open, having Dusty keep his job. You’ll still have Swashington as your partner company, what with the new open areas of Las Pegasus now.” Mr. House was quite again as Shining continued.

“Think about it. With Swashington built in the city, all the resources from the company will continue to flow into your pockets, if not more since there are no Ironshod competitors in your city. This Ironshod is too far from The Strip. And while you do have a Swashington placed here in Wheatfield, it shouldn’t matter if you are just going to make a better and newer factory production in the city. Ironshod is outdated, no offense.” He nodded to Dusty, who was a little speechless at this. “So, instead of shutting it down, keep the ownership as it was before and instead, they can provide you materials to supply Swashington with imports from the Central Wasteland. Everypony would have a job, you would have more bits and caps for your city and in the end, The House wins.” Everypony was quiet.

Mr. House specifically, was quiet the longest. It did give me time to examine the bullet more. The brand is R&D on the bottom. And based on how the bullet isn’t completely bent fully in, the rifle must have been in poor condition. I then eyed the bullet hole and visualized the direction it came from. I looked out the shattered window and trotted over to it. I scanned the area, my eyes catching nearly every detail. I then remembered the sound of the distant crack. From the sound, I remembered hearing it and the second the bullet broke through the window.

It took, from putting everything together, the bullet to travel 500 yards. And upon scanning the horizon, the closest landmark to that would be…

“The abandoned hotel.” I said quietly to myself. It was a building that did peek over the others at six stories high. It used to be brothel hotel before Mr. House decided to evict the ponies and set it as to be demolished. I snorted, catching the attention of Chipper, to my chagrin.

“The scenery is quite amazing, wouldn’t you say?” He spoke in an eerily cheery voice that sent an uncomfortable chill down my spine.

“Yes… quite…” I replied with a furrowed expression at the machine. It returned my look with only its’ all too happy cartoonish expression.

“It’s just so swell to see another pony admiring the view. You know, this place used to be nothing more than a toxic filled dump. But thanks to our ever so tyrannical overlord, Mr. House, it’s been refurbished and revitalized as a place where you can learn not only medicine, but guns as well!” He explained. I frowned.

“I know all that already.” I grumbled. Chipper spun on its’ wheel.

“Oh, I know most ponies here know the history of this dump of a town, thanks to our ever so vigilant and suave businesspony, Mr. House.” Chipper said. “But what most ponies don’t know is that Mr. House has an ever expansive web of info that currently runs through all of The Strip all the way to Tennpony.” I arched a quizzical brow. How odd. A Securitron was divulging certain secrets that I felt would have been secret. But maybe, if we think about it, with the info Mr. House acquires through his network, it may not concern him as much to have something like him bugging Tennpony. It just made me even more frustrated that I would have stood no chance against House in changing his mind. I then glanced over to Shining, who was still conversing with Mr. House, who now seemed thoroughly convinced on the matter.

“You made your point, hunter. An interesting proposition. Very well. If you can figure out who murdered my representative, be it savage, tribal, mercenary or otherwise, I don’t care who or what is responsible, and bring them before my Securitrons stationed here in Wheatfield, I’ll reconsider this transferal process.” He then turned to Dusty, who looked even more impressed with Shining. “Mr. Trail, if they succeed in this investigation, consider yourself rehired and lucky. Farewell.”

The stoic, imposing static pony face on the screen flickered and a gruff, military face of the Securitron took his place. I walked over to Shining, who was giving me a pleased smile. I returned it, knowing full well what had happened. I then gave him a peck on the cheek that made him stiffen with a cute, dumb smile on his face. Dusty smiled as well and gave me a playful pout.

“Damn. He’s already taken. How’d you get yourself a stallion like him?” He asked. I gave him a sly smirk and waved my hoof.

“Oh, you know. A bit of eye fluttering here, some special favors there…” Shining blushed brighter than I thought he would as he shifted and readjusted his glasses.

“E-err… sh-shouldn’t we be going?” He stammered cutely. I nuzzled up against him, wrapping a foreleg around his.

“Of course, honey.” I cooed teasingly. Dusty shook his head and sighed defeatedly.

“Always getting ahead of me.” He said with a smile.

We walked out of the building, Dusty and Prattle Tale behind us as well as Chipper. I sighed, turning to Prattle Tale. It was bugging me how quiet she was.

“You’ve been awfully quiet. Just a while ago you were walking around like you owned the place.” I stated. Prattle looked a little pale, but she shot me dagger eyes.

“I would have too if all of that hadn’t gone down!” She retorted. I frowned.

“You know, I can’t help but be a little suspicious of somepony who hasn’t said a word over the matter. For all I know, you could have tried to sway Mr. House in your favor with the questioning.” I began. Prattle snorted.

“What, you think I did it?” She began. “I’ve got better things to do than hire an assassin! Let alone one that would ruin the transferal, something I’ve been working hard towards!” I bristled a bit. I was not liking her attitude.

“You had no right to barge in and decide to say ‘Oh, I’m going to bitch at Mr. House to get me to own Ironshod so I can make it Swashington!’” I said mockingly. “And not only that, you had to act all smug and proud that you are ruining the life of somepony’s dreams.” Prattle stomped her hoof and got right up into my face. Our snouts scrunching and foreheads pressed hard against each other as we shot venomous looks at each other.

“And what about my dream!? I worked my flank off for the past several years doing Swashington proud! I’ve bent over backwards for the company to get where I am!! I wanted this job for a long while!! It’s the only thing I have left in this pathetic dump of a Wasteland!!” She growled. “I’m going to run Swashington one day, and damn me to the moon if I am going to let some marshmallow thief run off with Swashington product!” I pushed back with my head, growling as well.

“Thief!? Pot, meet kettle!! That wasn’t Swashington product!! You sold an Ironshod product under the guise of a Swashington product and instead of lowering the price, you had it raised at a ridiculous amount!?” I fired back. Prattle returned fire.

“Oh yeah? I hear rumors about you!! You call yourself a business?! You charge your patients per visit!! And knowing that taking one hoof step outside of this dump you could get shot, just like House’s ambassador! I’ve seen the way you’ve handled those couriers too! Their service to the Empire isn’t without a price and you feel the need to charge them lower prices while normal patients have to pay a little more than that?!” She pulled away and spat at the ground between us. “Some ‘Angel’ you are!!”

I balked and was about to retort when Shining got between us and pulled us away from each other.

“Ladies, please! You’re causing a scene and this isn’t the time to be at each other’s throats.” I huffed and while I appreciated Shining stopping this from going any further, I did feel a bit annoyed that he got in the way of me telling off Prattle. Prattle snarled and continued to shoot daggers my way, but I stuck my tongue out. Shining sighed and rubbed his muzzle. “Look, what happened six months ago was just that. Prattle, Goldenlee would have given it back, but when she returned to Wheatfield, she was bombarded with over due appointments.”

I looked at Shining with furrowed brows. I remember having arrived back to my office after that unusual ordeal of being in Pleasant Town. Having gone our separate ways with our friends, when I arrived back, I couldn’t help but notice that there were ting camps outside my office. When they saw me walk over, I was suddenly being asked to heal a lot of ponies. I was dumbfounded, wondering why they wanted to go to me and not every other surgeon in town?

Turns out, the other surgeons were booked full. I have also come to realize that our settlement was the conflict of the RCE facing off against a ganger group calling themselves the Jackals. Apparently, the Jackals had a couple of heavy weapons that did damage and caused a lot of injuries. Some fatalities. I didn’t get a wink of sleep for four days straight. I was surprised that I managed to patch up a majority of the ponies. The majority being RCE troops. Some civilians and then the occasional Road Warrior. I couldn’t help but be amazed that the two couriers that happened to be stopping by got caught up in the conflict and they looked no worse for wear, just battered barding and only mild lacerations and concussions.

Our couriers are quite the force to be reckoned with. You would almost think they were war veterans. But no, it’s just the extensive training they get in Pleasant Town. Yet, I had this inkling feeling that if I said this to a certain pony, she would be either laughing or stating how gruesome being trained in the Stable is. And now that I think about more, I never really been in a Stable. My thought process was cut short when Shining turned to Prattle.

“We already settled the situation with House. You’ll still be on the job; with the position you desire. We just need to figure out where the shot came from.” I looked to see Prattle, having calmed down a bit but still looking sour, glance around. I then cleared my throat.

“Ahem, I do think I have a lead.” I said. Shining and Prattle looked at me. Prattle scoffed.

“From that bullet you wrenched out?” She asked. I nodded and smirked as I raised it up.

“With careful observation and a bit of math, the direction came from the abandoned hotel about 500 yards away from us.” I said. Shining smiled and nodded. He then turned to Prattle.

“If you want, you can come along with?” He asked. Me and Prattle shot him a glare, which made him shift uncomfortably and rub the back of his neck. “N-not as a way of trying to get you two to come to a truce! J-just figured you’d like to see some evidence and get some closure on who ruined your dream and helping out House.” He said quickly. I sighed and couldn’t help but smile. He definitely picked up a thing or two from her. I had a slight flash of looking at the back of a pony in a black duster. I frowned and shook my head of the thought. That shade will have to wait. I’ve got other important matters to attend too. I looked up at the sky. The rays were slightly dimming in and out of the clouds.

“If we can get there with the rays still bright, we’ll be able to make it back before they are gone completely.” I said.

“A road trip? That sounds wonderful! Get those legs stretching!” A robotic chipper voice chimed in. I groaned in disgust and looked over to see Chipper roll up to us. “I think I can help out with this investigation.” The cartoon pony’s face was that of a salute and wink with that overly eager smile. “Chipper, reporting for duty!” I whinnied slightly.

“It’s not a road trip. It’s just about several blocks away from here. If my hunch is correct, the terrain would match that of the direction of where the bullet came from.” I began, annoyed now thanks to Chipper.

Chipper was awfully ecstatic about tagging along. His humming was starting to get annoying by the minute. Out of all the robots in Equestria, who decided to make this one the “special case”. And why am I unlucky enough to be in this situation where he had to tag along. Shining walked next to me, looking quite flustered with himself. He was having me worried. Prattle was quiet and hung behind us. She seemed more interested in the decrepit metal shacks that spaced out quite a bit away from each other. I sighed as we turned a corner and a decrepit hotel began to loom over us. The hotel indeed has seen way more better days in the past. But if I were to think on this more, this hotel was built even before the Great War. Before the Ministry Mares existed. To me, at least, that’s what I think how old the hotel is.

I heard Prattle gulp and Shining gather himself before turning to me.

“L-listen, Lee? I-I know this isn’t what you were expecting to happen today. But, I just want you to know that I am trying to do my beat to benefit all parties.” He slumped and bowed his head. “I’m sorry if it makes you upset that we have to do this with present company. I really had no intentions of having you two make up. I just figured if she came along, she would be able to get a better situation on the issue and not be so uptight about it. And err…. As Chipper is, well, it would be great to have something that is Mr. House related to relay updates.” I smiled and pet his perfectly quaffed mane.

“I know your intentions, sweetie. I’m not holding it against you. Though if you are trying to impress me, you’d have to do a littler better than that. Let’s say later this evening?” I fluttered my eyes at him and Shining flushed bright red.

“O-oh! U-uhhh… I mean uhh… I-I’d be happy too.” He stammered. I giggled quietly.

‘Cute.’ I cheered in my head. Playfulness aside, I looked up and stopped as we were at the steps of the hotel. The building looked like a manor on the outside. Grimey copper gargoyles decorated the two outside pillars at the top and bottom of the entrance. The window boarded up and the wood around the outside of the building showed ages of weathering and peeling. The color that previously coated the hotel was now just white faded wood and rotten as well. This building looked on the verge of crumbling any minute. I shared Shining’s gulp. To think that somepony came in here and managed to assassinate from this place.

“Wow! I hope our assailant had fallen through a hole in the floor and is stuck there. Ripe for the detainment! The assassin with no where to go.” Chipper said happily. Prattle knocked on the metal shell.

“Uhhh, hello?! This place is very unsafe! It looks like it’s going to collapse any minute!” Prattle protested. She then looked us me and Shining and shook her head. “I’m not going in there! I’ll wait outside if I have too, but I’m not going to risk my life just on some hunch!” She growled, taking a seat where she stood. Chipper waved a claw.

“I agree! While I maybe along for the ride on this exciting adventure, my weight will probably cause the whole place to sink!” Chipper laughed. “If only I had a proper diet!” We all shivered unnervingly at the care free robot. But I perked up from it.

“Fine by me! We’ll let you guys know if we find anything.” I said with a small hoof wiggle towards them. Shining was about to say something, but stopped as I leaned and whispered between my teeth. “I don’t want that robot following us.” Shining blinked at me before giving a nervous nod. I then spun him around and gave the other two my best smile, pushing Shining towards the hotel. “Don’t get too cold! And uhh… up and away and all that!” I turned to Shining, who was confused and unsure of how to respond to this, but I just hissed under my breath. “Just smile and wave, dear.”

We reached door, seeing that the gargoyle face was the knocker. I reached with my magic and jiggled the handle. I frowned, realizing it was locked. I stepped back a bit and studied the front of the house.

“Time to find another way in.” I stated. But Shining smiled and reached into his coat’s pocket. He pulled out a lockpick and a bobby pin.

“Or, we can still try the front.” He said as he trotted up, taking the pick and pin in his teeth. He had just reached down to the lock when the door suddenly creaked and fell forward with a loud thump. Shining blinked and turned to me. I smiled and shrugged.

“You just have a certain magic about you, babe.” I teased, trotting past him. Shining rubbed his head quizzically, stuffing his kit back into his pocket and following after me.

The place reeked. The foyer was about as expected. Peeling wall paper. A broken chandelier in the middle of the room. The red carpet rug moldy and ripped. The stairs leading up to the second story on both sides had collapsed. To our left, the door was destroyed and blocked off with debris from the floor above it. The ground was littered with paper, clothes and decay. This place is indeed, super unsafe. But, I can’t go back empty hoofed. I have to find the exact place that the assassin camped at. Shining had to cover his snout. Poor dear was looking a little green.

“A-and I thought I’ve been to worser places. Just mind where you step.” He said. I giggled and nodded.

“Yes, sweetie.” I teased as I trotted forward and scanned the foyer. There was an open back room hall that I am certain if I can get around the fallen debris that would lead me to other rooms. I looked to my right and saw a hole having been blown out. The hole wide enough for us to fit through. Motioning for Shining to follow. He kept close, his eyes darting around in an alertness that I’m certain most Wastelander wanderers would do. Yet, I found myself staring at cracked and faded out pictures and some decor.

To think, this place used to have ponies coming to and back. Either to take a break away from everything or on the road. There were some left over luggage on a bell dolly that was leaning against the wall. I was curious to see what were in them, but with the awful smell of the place, I feel like we would have choked on the fumes that would exhibit out of them. I started to gag a bit as we made our way through another hole in the wall that lead to small, dingy and rotted room.

“Urgh…. I-I don’t think I can go any further… This smell and decay is awful…” I said, turning green and trying to keep my lunch in check. I then blinked when something was placed onto my muzzle. I started to breath air. The smell lingered a bit, but then vanished completely. I looked over and saw Shining wearing a rebreather. He nodded to me and I smiled underneath my own. Strapping on the rebreather and able to continue further, I took a moment to gather myself. Feeling refreshed, we proceeded with caution.

The further in we went, the more the fumes were beginning to increase. We had to wear some smudged goggles to continue as our eyes were starting to tear up. I had to hand it to Shining. His relic expertise is really saving our hide right now. We kept walking down the hall, our hooves crunching over the peeled wall paper. Our eyes darted in a heavy alertness, as if we were being watched. Which, strangely didn’t feel too far off. Even Shining was checking over his shoulder. When he did so again, he stopped and quickly tapped my shoulder. I looked to him and I saw the color have left his face. I turned around to see what he saw.

I’m not necessarily a huge believer of the paranormal, unlike a certain friend of ours. But even I had to question my skepticism. There were several spectral figures down the hall. Each one moving about as if it was an ordinary day. We backed away as a ghostly figure of a mare was pushing alongside a spectral cart. It knocked on the door, which was broken beyond repair. But she made the motion that it was still there. My ears were soon starting to pick up voices. Softy and distant at first, but soon, the hotel seemed to have erupted into chatter.

Ghostly figures of ponies wearing old fashioned attire I didn’t know existed were walking up and down the hall. Shining turned around, only to stop and breath heavily through his rebreather. He came face to face with a pupilless stallion. The ghost was neatly groomed and smiled handsomely at him. It reached out a hoof and Shining planted himself against the wall as he saw a spectral hoof shoot out of his chest and take the hoof. A ghostly mare nodded to the ghostly stallion and side by side by side, the glided down the hall, their motion looking like they were walking, but a wispy trail followed them as they moved. I could tell Shining was having a panic attack. I went over to him quickly and muffled through my rebreather.

“Sweetie, it’ll be alright! They don’t seem to know we exist. Let’s just keep going.” I said as I put a hoof on his shoulder. He looked me in the eyes, fear on his face. But he nodded weakly and pushing himself off against the wall, we continued.

It was so surreal. These ghostly apparitions were acting like the hotel was still in business. Bell ponies escorting luggage with the guests behind them, ponies sitting on decayed furniture, chatting and seemingly having a good time. The figures even acted like they were going in and out of their rooms. One in particular made me flush a bit as it seemed they were giving each other looks before vanishing in a completely collapsed room. It felt like the hotel had suddenly sensed them and wanted to tell its’ story. And something told me that while believable, my skepticism remained true.

We had to be under the influence of hallucinogenic. The fumes we inhaled earlier. We may just be experiencing psychedelic residue and our brains are tricking us into thinking things are there. We kept going, eventually turning into a room and seeing the ceiling had collapsed, making a ramp up into the next floor. Shining knew what I was thinking and without hesitation, we scaled up the makeshift ramp and it surprisingly lead us to a room that lead out to the second story foyer. Here, we had to becareful. While the ghostly ponies had no problem pretending the floor wasn’t soft, we however felt our hooves sink into the ground a bit. I gasped as the foyer was suddenly alive.

Below us, the ponies came and went. The employees helping the guests. Chatter hummed in our ears. There were even fillies and colts. I saw in the corner of my eye, Shining having another panic attack. I was starting to get worried. We hardly got to start exploring and already Shining was suffering a bad side effect from whatever is in the air. I was almost tempted to just tell him it’ll be okay and we’ll come up with a different plan. But I stopped as he then turned down the hall. We both saw it. A darker and more solid figure. It stared at us, white pupilless eyes staring us down.

I really wished I had something to defend ourselves with. It was a stupid idea to explore a place like this without proper defense. But I half expected to just find the right area and knew that this place had been explored before. And I never heard of this place being haunted or otherwise. The ferals that were occupied here had been cleared out. So… something else was going on. The shade turned and walked into a wall. As it did, the wall it vanished into seemed to crumble and lead into a room. This one lead out to a balcony. Me and Shining exchanged glances, ignoring the ghostly figure of a stallion phasing past us. We cautiously entered the room, my heart skipping a beat as there was a fancily dressed stallion sitting on the bed.

His transparent body a little more solidified than the rest. Shining gulped as we watched him mess with a gun on the table. It was a small snub nosed revolver. He was filling it with rounds in the barrel, clicking it closed and spinning it. There was a knock on the door, well… at least there should be a door. The stallion quickly hid the revolver in his suite and got up. While his ghostly expression was unnerving to loon at, it was his actual expression that made us shiver. He looked on the verge of snapping any minute now. He tipped his hat and his blurry motion disappeared through the doorway. Shining sighed and looked to me.

“W-wouldn’t it be funny if a ghost actually killed House’s ambassador?” He asked weakly. I shook my head and placed the back of my hoof on his forehead, putting my other hoof on mine. Our temperatures were about the same. I smiled under my rebreather and replied.

“Glad the fumes haven’t gotten to us too much. We should hurry up and find whatever we can that can give us a lead and get out of here.” I said. I then looked out the balcony. I could see Wheatfield expand a little further below us. I happened to perk below us and surprisingly, I could see Prattle and Chipper chatting to each other. I could see Prattle’s decision through her expression, regretting the choice of staying behind. Chipper was the more vocal and while I hadn’t paid attention to what he was saying, I could hear his unnervingly chipper voice from below.

“Hey, Lee. Look at this.” I turned my head over to where Shining called my name. I saw him in front of a terminal. It was humming quietly to life. I cocked my head.

“A terminal in this place? I thought this place was too old fashioned to have something like a terminal installed.” I stated quizzically. Shining shook his head, clearly having a bit of trouble hacking into it.

“You’re right. This place appeared to be too old fashioned to be involved in the technological advancement of Equestria. Even with the Ministry Mare’s influence hardly touching the Empire, that didn’t mean the country wasn’t open to trade from the south and central. But I can say this.” He backed out of his attempt and pointed at the screen. “This was recently installed. I also couldn’t help but notice.” He motioned past me and I looked back. I could see an open suite case. In it was several opened cans of cream corn and beans. Several used cigarettes were dumped into an ash tray. There were some scattered rounds around a chair. My eyes immediately shot to a larger shell on the ground.

I withdrew the bent caliber round and lifted up the shell. I put them side by side and visualized it. It was a match. At least, from an outside point of view. I looked around and saw a couple of books stacked on top of each other. The top book read “The Wings of Icarus” while the bottom one was Dante’s Comedy. I hummed in thought before holding up the Icarus book.

“Somepony was a little into deeper meaning.” Shining adjusted his glasses and smiled.

“Nothing wrong with studying mythology. The pegasus that wanted to save the land by flying to the sun, only to have his wings burned and came crashing to the ground. A tragedy, but one that exhibited morals. And dare I see Dante? Indeed, whatever taste they had, they might be a little cultish.” He said as he managed to get into the terminal. My eyes darted the room and I saw something glinting in the dimly lit room. I furrowed my brows and looked under the bed. I reached with my magic and balked. I withdrew a .50 cal anti-material rifle. But this one was familiar.

Of course it was familiar. This was my anti-material. I looked quizzically at it, many thoughts rushing to my head. How did it get here? I had this locked up in a gun cabinet? And it definitely doesn’t leave my sight. The design of an Ironshod product. In perfect condition no less. This was the rifle I took from Swashington to argue a point for Dusty, only to have unintentionally stolen it. Well, it felt like I stole it. But Dusty paid for the gun. His own product. To Prattle Tale no less. It made my blood boil. But calming myself, I still don’t know why it was here. I heard Shining hum.

“Well, we do have a slight idea now. Take a look at this.” He said, staring at the screen. I walked over to him and looked at the screen. Shining pointed to a file. “This was recent. About a couple of weeks ago. And it’s the only one in here.” I looked at the file. It read “Descendant Angel”. I clicked my tongue.

“They certainly have a bit of edge to this. Play it.” I said. Shining pressed a button and the audio file played.

“I leave this message for the one who descends from the heavens. You have inspired me. Saved my life. I have an eternal debt and gratitude to you. And thus, like Dante, I descended into the very hells to search for your sin. And I have found it. The shackles that held your wings down. The meeting will take place and if you have found this, I have returned the favor. Yet, with one sin, another can take its’ place. Like a seed of evil attempting to germinate inside of you. Dante never gave into his sins. No matter how tempting. I will watch over you, my fallen angel. As you have with me when I was on the brink of death. I will be your shadow. Even, if you have to turn your light away from me.”

The audio file blipped and the room went quiet. I rubbed my chin in thought. ‘Fallen angel? Dante? What does all of this mean?’ I heard Shining tap the desk in thought.

“It seems like whoever was here had a strange dramatic fondness for you.” He said. I blinked and looked at him.

“What do you mean?” I asked. Shining stood up and tapped the side of the terminal, as if looking for something.

“Your title given by your patients, specifically the couriers. They like to use code names more than actual names, if they aren’t too acquainted to you. Not saying all the couriers here do so." He smirked. “Just the ones that are a little over the top.” I had feeling somewhere out there, somepony, a courier that belonged to the Empire, sneezed at the mention. As funny a thought it was, this matter is pretty dire.

“So… our culprit is a courier?” I asked. Shining shrugged.

“Or somepony you nursed long ago. Meet anypony that stood out?” He asked. I thought long and hard about it. The Road Warriors has their unique mixes of personality, but I can only think of one that truly stuck out. Yet, their name alludes me. I sighed and shook my head.

“Unfortunately, I get a lot of personalities in and out of the office. I can’t say where to begin. But I will say…” I held up my rifle. “Someone used my rifle.” I even cocked the bolt back to show an empty chamber. I then took out the cartridge and was a little surprised to see it empty. I frowned. “And it seemed they were pretty confident with the kill.” Shining studied the rifle and rubbed the back of his neck.

“Well, let’s see if Chipper has a magic residue detector.” He said. I blinked. Shining took my confused look to explain. He adjusted his glasses. “I’ve done some observation on House’s new and improved Securitrons. They apparently can detect magical residue now. A way to cover basis on everypony. Pegasi, Unicorn, Earth. Our species does have magic. Earth with their affiliation with the earth itself, and pegasi to be able to fly. Unicorn is a no brainer. Easier to detect now.” I frowned again. House is starting to sound like a paranoid tyrant.

“So… if we give my rifle to Chipper to scan it, wouldn’t my magical residue be picked up?” I asked. Shining nodded.

“Indeed. But it will also tell us if there was another magical aspect on it. Unicorns have a variation of color when it comes to their magic. You think two purple unicorns who look alike have the same magical aspect color. But if you look carefully, you can really tell one is a shade lighter or perhaps a shade darker. Rarely would you get the same magical aspect. Not saying there isn’t the same shade. But the residue don’t overwrite each other. Because not only do the colors not match, the density of the magic is also a thing.” I arched an amused brow as he continued. “So, even if two magical aspect match, their density would be on trial. To see if one measures per speck.” I ruffled his mane playfully.

“If you say so, nerd.” I teased. He adjusted his glasses with an embarrassed. I holstered my rifle over my back and gathered the evidence together. Shining, unfortunately, could not withdraw the holotape from the terminal. And we couldn’t lift the terminal either. It was too heavy, even for my magic to handle. As interesting as Shining’s speculation of magical aspects in ponies was, perhaps it was the same with the other species. Brick maybe surprisingly strong in his own right, but Shining lacked a little err… strength despite his affiliation. But that’s not a big deal for me. He came with the right packages. With certain thought invading my mind, I put them aside for now to focus on getting out of here.

We peeked out of the hole in the wall and heard the hotel being eerily quiet. I could feel the tingling through my mother’s bomber jacket. The atmosphere of the place felt alive now. All the more reason to get out of here. Shining was probably feeling it too, as he put a hoof on the wall.

“Sorry, but you’ll have to stay asleep for now. We aren’t the ponies to help you.” I cocked my head. It was ridiculous, if I am to be frank, to think a building would be alive. But the atmosphere is different, that’s for sure. And no signs of ghostly apparitions either. The psychedelic fumes must have left our systems and the protection we wore kept us safe until we made it out. After descending the second story carefully from the main foyer, we exited the hotel and took off our rebreathers, taking in the fresh and usual tainted air of the Frozen North. Shining looked to have regained his color as he spoke.

“Well, ready to test our theory?” He asked. I wasn’t that in a hurry to go to Chipper. But the two had saw us step out. And I could see Prattle eyeing the rifle on my back suspiciously. And sure enough, as we got closer, she spoke.

“Now, ain’t that a familiar looking gun. I wonder where that came from.” She snorted. “Did you at least find anything else?” I was about to retort when Shining chimed in.

“As a matter of fact, yes. Quite a few bits of evidence. From the balcony up there” he motioned to the balcony we were just at. “A terminal with an audio file and what looked like somepony having recently camped up there. Food cans were littered and shell casings and cigarettes. And we found a gun that belongs to Lee.” Prattle was already shooting me suspicious looks.

“Figured it looked familiar. So why’d you put it there?” She asked. I growled and looked to Chipper, holding it up to him.

“Chipper, do you think you can scan the magical residue on this rifle? It’ll have mine on it, but it might have another pony’s.” I asked. Chipper hummed, the image turning into a cartoonish pony thinking with their tongue sticking out in thought.

“Hmmm, I believe I can! Thanks to the co-operation of the Lightbringer and our ever illustrious Mr. House for the upgrades, all Securitrons are equipped with-“ I nodded quickly.

“Mhm, yup. I know. Just scan it real quick.” I stated. Prattle spoke up as Chipper began making blips and bloops.

“What’s to say she didn’t set it all up?” Prattle began. “You didn’t like me getting up in your boy toy’s business and deemed to ruin me. You even tried to convince Mr. House to change his mind.” I arched a brow.

“Go on. Enlighten me on why you think it’s me.” Prattle spat.

“You’ve been trying to bring down Swashington operations for a while ever since you got back. For six months I had to deal with complaints and rumors about how our products were cut throat.” She growled. “It brought bad business. I had to turn away no good ponies over the couple of civilians that were scared shitless in the store.” She stuck a tongue out disgustedly. “Hell, one of them did shit themselves and that was a bitch to clean up!” I couldn’t help but nicker at the thought. She shot her glare at me when I did. “The point is, you knew Dusty was in a bind. And when that clock ticked down to the eventual meeting, you probably hired a mercenary or assassin to disrupt the proceedings. Even made it a direct threat to Mr. House himself!” I scoffed.

“I may bitch and moan about Mr. House ruining my childhood friend’s life, but whose life has he not ruined before.” I retorted. “Think about it. The more Swashington and House are in bed, the more you’ll end up being pawned on. You’re at the expense of a tyrant, Prattle. I hope you have another job opportunity. Because what’s to say House won’t make your life living hell?”

“Everything, if I must chime in.” A voice said. I stiffened and turned around to see Chipper’s cartoon pony face replaced with a stoic and imposing loom of a neatly groomed stallion looking down at me. “I maybe a tyrant to some, but I can recognize talent when I see it. Reforming the tribals wasn’t an off job. They have their uses. I, however, cannot say the same to you.” I blinked and shrunk back a bit.

“What do you mean?” I asked, his intimidation actually snuck into me. He motioned the claw over to my rifle.

“I’ve matched the residue and traced it back to you. Density, molecules and aspect all match. Your magic is the only thing on this rifle.” I felt my heart sank. No other residue? Only mine? B-but that’s impossible!

“Impossible! Why would I keep my rifle in a dangerous place like this?!” Prattle smirked triumphantly.

“So I am on something then! You probably planted it there for the assassin to use. You went in there and discarded any trace of evidence. Whose to say there really is a terminal with an audio file in it. It was probably your manifesto!” She pointed a hoof at me. “You’re a thief and a murderer!”

“And a saboteur. The attack on my ambassador really threw a wrench into my plans. And I have you to thank for it.” Mr. House spoke, creeping closer to me. I backed away a little. Shining sprung out in front of House and me. He held up a hoof.

“W-wait just a moment, Mr. House! I can attest to this situation! We did find a terminal in there with somepony’s voice. They were reading Dante and Icarus. Freshly put out cigarettes! Shell casings! Food cans! Somepony camped out here for a couple of weeks.” Mr. House waved his Securitron’s claw dismissively.

“I never said I didn’t believe you. But you have the murder weapon. The gun’s tag matches the bullet fired.” I balked again and Mr. House noticed. “You need to brush up on your forensics a little more. My robots were able to collect all this info in the amount of time you left the building. Bringing the rifle back, or the murder weapon, solidified it. Everything points to you ordering the hit.” I sputtered.

“B-but that’s not true! Why would I do something like that?! I try to save ponies, not kill them!” I stated. Prattle whinnied.

“I think that Angel title is getting to your head. I hear the chats coming from other ponies in town. Your patients, specifically, have heard you mutter under your breath about how much you despise House and Swashington being cut throat. You have all the more motive to do this! Hell, you would have probably aimed for me too! I was in direct line of sight as well!” She spat again to the side.

“Ptoo! You make me sick. I can’t believe you are a surgeon. Some noble goal you have! You probably sell some of your patient’s organs!” Shining butted in, his expression annoyed.

“Or, have you thought that she would be too overwhelmed with work to do anything? When she got back, all she did was work. Mentioning those things was to vent frustration. And believe me, if she wanted you dead, she wouldn’t miss.” I blushed a little but also felt like that hadn’t helped. “Mr. House. Please reconsider. We have only just begun investigating and need more time to gather the remaining evidence!” He stated. Mr. House sighed and made a frustrated gesture with his robot.

“I grow tired of this game… fine, I’ll give you the rest of the day to find what you can. But by early sunrise, you better have evidence or turn yourself over to face House justice. Court adjourned.” The screen flickered and the happy go-lucky expression of the cartoon pony took House’s place. He hummed happily.

“That was a swell nap. Did I miss anything?” He asked. I bit my lip and me and Shining exchanged glances again. Without saying much of anything, I trotted past everypony, Shining trotting after me. Prattle growled.

“Can’t wait to see you hang, thief!” She stated. I said nothing, growling myself. I couldn’t believe this. I was being accused for something I didn’t commit. Why would I possibly spend time setting up something like this? I was busy with patients! I don’t have time for something so petty. Let alone one that doesn’t benefit Dusty. Dusty would never approve of it. Hell, Shining wouldn’t approve of it. He’d dump me right then and there. And I know for a fact she wouldn’t let it slide. I blinked. Who is she? The name keeps escaping me. And anything of trying to remember events from six months ago?

I shook my head furiously. That’s not going to help my issue. I looked back at the hotel. Whoever camped there had made on thing clear. They were doing something for me. It may have been vague, but with my title and my profession, it made me sick to my stomach that I may have treated our culprit. But that’s the hypocritic oath for you. Now… who have I treated before that would do that? My eyes furrowed. I could make out the shade standing over the balcony. It stared down at us. Shining stopped ahead of me and looked back.

“Something wrong?” He asked. I sighed and looked back at him, having blinked once and the shade vanished. I looked at him tiredly.

“Just a lot of paperwork to go through when we get back to the office.” I said with a tired smile.

When we arrived back around the area to my office, I couldn’t help but notice the Securitrons now patrolling the settlement. What was even shocking was that on a screen of one of them that was static in front of my office had an image of me. I was baffled when I read:

Goldenlee (Angel); Wanted on charge of murder in 5 hours 47 minutes 18seconds

Shining rubbed the back of his neck.

“Mr. House isn’t taking chances. Took my advice a little too far.” He said with a nervous smile. I sighed and was tempted to short circuit the Securitron, but I didn’t want to add “tempering with House property” as a charge. Mr. House is giving us the rest of the day to find the culprit. Not enough time, but I am hoping a quick look over of notes and some talking around town will help. I noticed the screen flicker and saw Shining’s image.

Shining Star; Wanted as accomplice to murder in 5 hours 46 minutes 58 seconds

I grumbled and turned around, putting my hooves on Shining’s cheeks and bringing him in. I looked into his eyes, my face determined. He returned my determined look quizzically.

“Shining, I need a favor of you. Ask around town. Anything about any recent suspicious activity. Don’t miss a single detail. Our lives depend on it.” I said, my tone serious. Shining spoke through his squished cheeks.

“What about you?” He asked. I let go of his cheeks and pat his head, my dazed lover adjusting his glasses.

“I’m going to look through my patient files and see if I can remember anypony that stuck out. And be careful, I’m sure if this assassin knows we are looking for them, they may set up a way to get rid of us.” Shining gulped but gave a salute before turning around and galloping off into town. I sighed and spun back around, heading to my office. I slowed my pace when I noticed a strange looking pony sitting on the waiting bench outside. His leather armor showing a lot of wear and tear. He was messing with a revolver. I then saw two other ponies with him. Their barding showing just as much wear and tear. But they were dressed in a way that was very familiar. These were bounty hunters. And they were gathered outside, cleaning and messing with their guns. Their eyes glanced up to me as I walked up to my office.

I had to be the business pony for this matter. I still have time, but it unnerved me that my hunters were waiting outside my office. I opened the door and looked at them.

“Please, don’t loiter in front of the patient waiting bench. Those are for patients.” I said. The grizzled stallion looked out from under his helmet. He eyed me up and down and grinned.

“No worries. We’re patient enough. After all, angels gotta fall at some point.” He said in a gruff manner. I bit my lip, feeling quite intimidated. The others continued to do what they were doing. But they were casting the same glare and smirk. I gave them my best smile.

“Th-then can I ask you to at least sit somewhere else? This area is meant for patients and from what I can gather, you are all in perfect health.” I think at least. Maybe a little unhinged, but they exchanged glances and stood up. The mare in leather roadie barding nodded, her eyes serious and stern.

“We won’t be far, Angel.” She said. The three moved just a block further down. I quickly closed the door and looked around my office. Those ponies really got to my nerves. I was in a bit of a panic. I had to take a few deep breaths. Gathering myself, I went upstairs to my desk and began pulling out files out of the filing cabinets. I quickly stacked them over up, being a bit messy in a hurried panic. I sat down and sighed, going to the first file.

With my hunters outside, the time was ticking and I couldn’t afford to waste anymore time. My own clock ticking away as I silently went through the files as quick and thorough as I could. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was also being watched. Somewhere in the corner of my office, was a presence. One that I ignored as I couldn’t afford to look up. It was a familiar presence, but it was also unfamiliar. The shade in the corner watched me. Unmoving and silent. But physically there. A soft whisper reached my ears:

The answer lies within the heart.