Author's Note

I thank TheShadowKnight, my buddy, for helping me finish this chapter. And as always, thank you for all your patience and support and remember to stay tuned for more chapters to come in the future and always remember to keep on bronying on everypony.

Take The Shot

Canterlot City; July 1946

It was just another routine night on patrol for the two rookies and were about to finish up when suddenly, they got a call from HQ.

"Car 11k, Car 11k, do you copy? Over!" HQ said on the police radio.

"11K copies, go ahead HQ," Israel said.

"We got a code 415 at the Tune Tavern, repeat 415 at the Tune Tavern." HQ stated.

“A disturbance? At a nightclub? What else is new?” Inferno commented sarcastically and in mutters.

"Probably just some drunk-ass dipshit causing problems." Israel replied before responding back. "10-4, we're on our way. 11K over and out." he then turns on the police siren and Inferno quickly speeds over to the scene.

They drove a few blocks and it didn’t take long for the two to arrive on the streets where the nightclub was. As they were driving, the two formulated a plan of how to handle the situation.

“Ok. Let's treat this like any other. We go in, have a nice chat with the perp, hogtie him, take him to the precinct and fill in more boring paperwork.” Inferno suggested.

"Sounds like a good plan to--" before he could finish, he noticed someone running outside and into the streets. "LOOK OUT!!!" he panicked.

Inferno immediately slammed on the brakes as the tires of the car shrieked loudly of rubbing against the payment before their vehicle had come to a halt.

It was at this moment where the boys could get a good look at the person who ran in front of them, thanks to the headlights of their car.

It was a young lady.

But it wasn’t just a young lady. The boys instantly recognize her face as clear as day.

It was the lovely, talented singer they saw at the Tune Tavern several months ago. Somnambula.

She was wearing a beautiful, yet simple teal dress with gold trims on it. She also had a long, silky skirt reaching down inches below her knees. And a white fedora hat on her head.

Even without her Egyptian clothing for her showbiz, she still looked astoundedly beautiful.

But all that beauty was overshadowed as the boys got a closer look at her face. And her facial expressions were of stress and fear.

As soon as she saw them staring at her, Somnambula didn’t waste a second as she rushed over to the driver’s side of their vehicle and started tapping on the car window. Loudly and impatiently.

Seeing her behavior, Inferno quickly rolled down his window and professionally asked: “Are you alright, ma’am?”

“Please! You have to help me! Let me in now!” She responded with absolute fear in her voice. And after she said that, she kept looking back behind her.

Which was a dark alleyway that she might have come from. The boys recognize the alleyway as the route they used to take to make deliveries to the Tune Tavern.

“Ma’am, what’s the ma-” Inferno tries to ask her again, but she interrupts him.

“PLEASE! HE’S GONNA KILL ME! LET ME IN!!!” Somnambula shouted with impatience and dread.

"Hang on one moment," Israel said before hopping out of the car and helping unlock the back door and opening it. "Jump in, keep your head down and put your seatbelt on."

Somnambula didn’t fuss for a bit as she complied with his instructions and quickly got into the back seats before Israel closed the door and hopped back in the passenger seat. Her behavior and fearful expressions had gotten the two young policemen to glance at each other with concern and suspicion

“Don’t worry, ma’am. You’re in safe hands.” Inferno assures the young lady before he glances over at the alleyway she came from and then towards his partner. “Arrow, stay here and watch her. I’m gonna go check out the alleyway.” he instructed his partner.

"Alright, Knight. Should I take the wheel just in case something’s up?" he asked.

“Better to be safe than sorry. Take the wheel.” Inferno replied as he quickly exited the car and proceeded towards the dark alleyway. Meanwhile, Israel hopped over to the driver's seat and waited anxiously while keeping his eye on the lady.

Upon entering the alleyway, Inferno takes out his flashlight and turns it on to see in the dark. He took slow and cautious steps as he strolled deeper into the alleyway.

He points his flashlight side to side, trying to see if he can spot anyone. But upon seeing nothing, Inferno scoffs it off and turns around. But when he did, his light revealed something that he had missed… and it spooked him quite a bit.

“Jesus Christ.” Was all he could say at the moment.

Laid behind a couple of boxes and trash cans, there was the body of a deceased woman; laying face down in a small pool of blood.

But Inferno couldn’t take the time to inspect the body to identify the victim when he soon hears sounds of a trash can being knocked down and footsteps running.

Upon instinct, Inferno pulled his revolver out and turned to where the noise was. Shining his flashlight, he could see the silhouette of a person fleeing away from the scene.

“HEY! STOP RIGHT THERE!!!” He shouted at the suspect, ordering them to halt.

Upon hearing him, the suspect turns around quickly, before they soon raise something in their hands. A sawed-off shotgun.

Seeing the weapon, Inferno didn’t hesitate and pulled the trigger.

Meanwhile, back with Israel and the panicking Somnambula; the officer in question patiently waits for his partner’s return, while also trying to help calm down the young lady in the back seat.

"Listen, everything's gonna be okay. You might not know this and he might not look like much, but my partner's the best marksman there is. If anyone can handle any gun, Shadow Knight can do it." Israel assured, patting her on her hand while holding it.

Somnambula stayed silent, but she nodded her head towards him. Feeling slightly grateful for him calming her down.

*BANG!BANG!!!*

But their moment of calmness was shattered when they heard gunshots coming from the alleyway, which spooked them a lot.

And when silence takes over once again, Israel turns his attention back over to the alleyway, and soon he sees his partner, Inferno, running out from the darkness.

Grasping his bloodied shoulder as he ran towards their vehicle, shouting: “START THE CAR! START THE FUCKING CAR!!!”

Which was soon followed by two more gunshots. *BANG! BANG!*

Israel started the car immediately and Inferno quickly hopped into the back seat of the car with Somnambula, not wasting a second to get back into the passenger seat on the other side of the car, to which Israel quickly stepped on the gas pedal and drove off.

Then the suspect, that Inferno encountered, emerged from the alleyway, with their face obscured by the darkness, raising their shotgun up and firing upon their vehicle as they drove away; but they were out of range.

After having made their quick get-away, Inferno grunts in pain as he clenches onto his bloodied shoulder. Next to him, Somnambula stared at his injury with traumatized eyes.

“Fuck!” He grunted out loud.

“Shadow, what the hell happened back there!?” Israel asked out of concern for his friend.

“The damn punk only grazed me, but it hurts like a bitch!” Inferno responded

"That's not good. I'll phone ahead to let HQ know." Israel said before turning on the police radio.

“That’s not all! We have a ‘stiff’ on our hands! Tell them we have a code 140 down in the alleyway next to the Tune Tavern!” Inferno added on before Israel could speak into the radio.

"HQ, this is Officer Straight Arrow, calling from Car 11K, do you copy? Over!" Israel asked in an urgent tone.

After some static, there was a reply back. “Car 11K, this is HQ, we copy. Over!” the operator responded.

"10-4, we got a code 140 at the Tune Tavern. Repeat, code 140 at the Tune Tavern. We're returning to base with a witness in hand and Officer Knight took a hit! Over!" Israel said.

“10-4, we read you loud and clear. We're sending in some units to cover for you. Return to base as soon as possible. Over." HQ said.

"10-4. Officer Arrow over and out." Israel then stepped on it, but also made sure not to crash into anything along the way.

Thankfully, it wasn't long before the trio managed to arrive at the station safely. Israel got out of the car and went over to the back seat, opening the door.

"Need a hand, partner?" he asked.

“Yeah! That or a bullet!” Inferno responded while grunting in pain

Following behind the two, Somnambula quickly got out of the car as well before running up ahead of the two to open the door for them.

“Here you go.” She said while holding the door open.

"Thanks. Come on inside, you can brief us on the matter later." Israel said. Somnambula nodded and followed the two young cops inside. The sensational singer then takes a seat while Israel and Inferno brief the cop behind the desk about what happened.

And the first thing Inferno said was: “Can I get a fucking doctor here!? I’m ‘bout to die from blood loss!”

"I'm on it." the cop behind the desk said before picking up the phone. He has the operator put him through to dispatch before telling them his name and badge number. "We're gonna need an ambulance at Canterlot Police HQ, an officer's been wounded with a gunshot, needs serious medical attention."

The dispatch agrees and arranges for an ambulance to arrive before he hangs up. Israel then takes his partner and sits him down next to Somnambula. Before sitting down with them as well.

Upon waiting, Inferno takes the time to then ask Somnambula: “So… What's your story?”

The lady turns to face him while remaining silent.

“I mean, you don’t have to share it immediately. You can wait until you’re ready to be interviewed. We have all the time in the world right now.” Inferno proclaimed while trying not to force her to speak.

"Thank you. I'm still a little shaken up from tonight," Somnambula said, looking down.

"I can understand that. But thankfully you should be safe here where you can't be touched. Just gotta wait for my partner to get his medical attention and then later on, once you're ready, we'll conduct the interview." Israel listed, pulling out his notepad.

“Medical attention? More like a goddamn surgery.” Inferno exclaimed sarcastically, while still feeling some stinging pain from his injury.

“So tell me again how the hell did the suspect manage to land a hit on you?” Israel asked with confusion, knowing that his friend is one hell of a shot and that someone bested him was a big surprise.

“It was freaking dark! I couldn’t see him clearly even with the goddamn flashlight. And also the fact, he had a shotgun with him. I bolted the hell out of there, but not before he grazed me.” Inferno said, with the sound of wounded pride in his voice.

“Well, did you get a good look at them?” Israel asked.

“Nope! Like I said; too dark and shotgun.” Inferno replied.

"Just our luck." Israel said, slightly frustrated.

Moments later, the paramedics arrive at the station. Two of them rush inside to get Inferno.

"Come with us, sir." one of them said.

"I'll be waiting for you, Shadow." Israel said.

"I'll be fine, you just be sure to keep our witness safe, Straight Arrow." Inferno replied as he was escorted into the ambulance. The van then took off to the hospital and Israel was left with Somnambula now.

Some time later, after she was fully calm, Somnambula was brought into an empty room with a table and soon, the interview began.

The chief had called in two of the best detectives of the precinct to interview the woman and find out what had happened

"Alright, miss. So, here's how it goes. I'm just gonna ask you some questions and I need you to answer them honestly and to the best of your abilities. Can you do that for me?" the first detective asked calmly and politely.

"Y-Yes, I understand," Somnambula nodded.

"Okay, good. First, tell me about what happened before things got heated." he asked.

"It was supposed to be a normal routine work day at the club. I would be backstage, getting ready to sing. I came out on stage that night, sang a few songs, then later, I went backstage to rest my voice." Somnambula explained.

"And what time was it when you went backstage for your break?" the detective asked.

Somnambula went silent for a bit, taking a deep breath to calm her nerves before she continued the rest of her story.

*Flashback; Tune Tavern, several minutes earlier*

After finishing her last show for the night, Somnambula was backstage, walking towards the dressing room to grab her belongings.

Standing in front of the dressing room, was a tall 6’8” man, wearing a black suit and had a stern look on his face. You can probably guess he was the bouncer/or security of the nightclub.

However, when Somnambula approached, the man gave an acknowledging smile as she stopped at the door of the dressing room.

“Calling it a night, madam?” he spoke with a gruff, but polite voice.

“I sure am, Bruce. What about you? Can’t wait to go home and see Emily.” Somnambula responded.

“Well, I’m supposed to tuck my little girl in bed. And her birthday is tomorrow.” Bruce proclaimed.

Somnambula chuckled. “Well, tell her I said hi.” She said before entering the dressing room.

Upon entering, Somnambula soon spots another woman in the room. Which was one of the dancers who had performed in a show before hers, and from the looks of it, she had fully changed into her casual dress. And soon the young woman noticed Somnambula in the room and gave her a smile.

“Ah, Somnambula! How was your show?” The lady asked.

“It went fine, Pearl. Just like it always is.” Somnambula responded as she walked towards the wardrobe closet to get her casual dress and then walked behind the vintage room divider in the corner of the room to change. “How was you and the girl’s show? I bet you had the men all hollering and cheering.” She proclaimed.

“Oh please, dear. The audience cheered and hollered for you more than they did for me and the gals. You could even make Cleopatra herself envy you.” Pearl teased as she reached for her purse that was on the dressing table in the room.

Somnambula chuckled in response to her comment.

“Oh my, Pearl. You’re such a tease!” She replied back.

“Just stating the obvious, girl. Anyway, I’m heading off. Have a good night's sleep, Somnambula.” Pearl said before she walked out of the dressing room.

“You too.” Somnambula responded back as she heard the dressing room door close behind Pearl.

And now, she was all alone.

But soon enough, she had finished putting on her casual dress and walked out from behind the room divider to put away her show dress. Then she grabbed her purse and her white fedora hat, and left the room.

Upon leaving, she bids goodnight to Bruce before walking out the back door of the Tune Tavern, and walks out into a familiar alley.

Inspecting her surroundings, Somnambula then starts walking down the dark alley, while still being aware of the world around her. She often hears stories of what happens to women out in the dark, and she definitely doesn’t want to add herself on the list.

But as she was walking, she soon stopped in her tracks as she heard sounds coming from up ahead of her. As she listened closely, she could hear faint voices or whispers of a man and a woman coming from the darkness.

With curiosity overpowering her concerns, Somnambula treaded lightly as she drew closer to the sounds. And as soon as she got close, what she saw surprised her.

She had located where or who the sounds came from, and one of them she instantly recognized.

It was Pearl! Being pinned on the brick wall of the alley by a mysterious man.

Somnambula thought that Pearl was going to be… well… you know. However, the man didn’t look like he wanted to have a ‘good time’. No. He looked like he was demanding something else from Pearl. And while his face was obscured by the darkness, he was wearing a trench coat and a fedora, which also hid his face from Somnambula. Which further proved he doesn’t look to be the kind of man wanting to take advantage of women.

Pearl was crying and silently pleading, as if pleading for her life. And while Somnambula couldn’t hear what she was saying, she could at least make out one sentence.

“...P-Please! I-I just need a little m-more time!...” Pearl spoke, fearfully.

And then the man lets go of her and steps back a few feet, but not before he pulls out a sawed off shotgun that was hidden underneath his coat. And to Somnambula’s horror, he aimed it at Pearl.

“No! NO! PLEA-!!!” Pearl tried to beg, but was soon silenced as the man fired two shots, point-blank, into her stomach and chest. Leaving two large holes in the poor woman’s body as Pearl fell to the ground, choking on her own blood and bleeding out excessively.

Somnambula gasped in horror at the sight of her co-worker and friend being murdered.

Which unfortunately, caught the mysterious man’s attention.

He turned around and noticed the Egyptian gal nearby. And it didn’t take him a few seconds to figure out that she saw everything. The man soon opens up his shotgun to load in two more shells into it.

And just seeing him about to reload, Somnambula doesn’t hesitate and runs the other way. Attempting to get as far away as she could. She didn't dare to stop as she could hear the man’s footsteps following behind her.

As she runs, her mind is plagued with mass amounts of guilt and despair, of how she did nothing to save Pearl, or at the very least, try to help.

As those thoughts ran through her mind, she didn't realize that she exited out of the alleyway and onto the streets.

And she doesn’t pay attention to a certain police car approaching her.

*End of Flashback; Tune Tavern.*

"And that's when the two officers showed up. One of them went in to investigate while the other stayed by my side and allowed me to take shelter in their car. Moments later, there were more shots fired and his partner came running with his arm all bloodied. We got out as quickly as we could and made it back here. Then later, one of the officers was taken to the hospital. That's everything that happened." Somnambula explained.

"I see. So, this man that shot your friend, did you happen to know him?" the detective asked.

"No, she never even mentioned anything about being in debt. If I had known, I'd have tried to help her. But… now it's too late." Somnambula said, looking down, sad and filled with tears. "It should've been me."

"Now don't go getting suicidal on us. You did what you had to so you could survive. Now, take a deep breath and calm down." the detective said.

The interview went on slowly and Israel just stood there and listened, leaning his head down, hiding his eyes underneath his hair and police cap. He was beyond pissed and wanted nothing more than to catch the bastard himself and book him, but not before tearing him a new one.

And while he was busy sulking, the sounds of footsteps were approaching, which caused him to turn up and to his surprise, it was Inferno. Of course, he didn’t say anything as Inferno started talking.

“Hey, sorry for the holdup. The doc managed to get four pellets out of my wound and then they tried to give me stitches, and I was like ‘hell no!’. So I stole some gauze, patched myself up and ran out of there as fast as I… Oh I know that face, what did I miss?” Inferno asked once he saw the grim look on his partner’s face. And he knew it could only mean one thing.

"A friend of hers got mixed in with some loan shark, drowning in debt. She couldn't pay it up in time and bit the dust. The suspect used a sawed-off shotgun to shut her up for good. When I find that son of a bitch, I'll paint the streets with his blood before throwing him in a jail cell." Israel said in a quiet, low tone.

“Ok ok ok ok ok! Chill the eff out before you decide to go all Rambo up in here.” Inferno responded to his partner’s desire for bloodshed, but not before he processed everything Israel said in his head about what Somnambula went through. “Fuck…. Ok, so… you’re saying that the suspect had a shotgun, right? That almost sounds like the punk that shot me. That can’t be a coincidence.” He claimed.

"Let's see… are there any gun stores in the city that sell sawed-off shotguns?" Israel asked.

“Pfft! Hell no! At least…” Inferno looks around to see if there’s anyone nearby before continuing. “... Not in this time period. Sawed-off shotguns weren't manufactured in the 1940s. In fact, any shotgun with a barrel length less than 18-inches were deemed illegal in 1935.”

"So, could that mean that our perp might've gotten his illegal firearm from overseas through weapons trafficking?" Israel asked.

“Not likely dude. Sawed-off shotguns are more-likely customized. You see, criminals take your typical regular sized double barrel shotgun and use a handsaw to cut off the rest of the barrel for the appropriate length he wanted. So that means our suspect bought his gun when it was at its regular barrel-length before he sawed it off. Which means it’ll be hard to identify the type of shotgun he bought and where he got it.” Inferno explained.

"Hmm… What about the pellets that hit you? Do you still have at least one of them? Maybe we can narrow down our search that way." Israel pointed out.

“Dude. Even if I wanted to catch this asshole and hang him up on a flagpole, we’re not permitted or assigned to investigate this. We’re rookies; the runts of the litter. Plus there is no way the Chief or those two bozos in suits will want to hand this case over to us.” Inferno said, while gesturing to the wall next to the two that lead to the room where Somnambula and the two detectives were in.

"Fuck! Then that means we're stuck while that prick roams free hiding in the shadows." Israel sighed in frustration and defeat.

“We don’t know that, bro. And besides, the chief brought in two of the ‘best detectives’ on this case. I’m sure they'll catch the guy in no time. And until then, we’re staying out of the way.” Inferno suggested.

“ARROW! KNIGHT! IN MY OFFICE, NOW!!!” The police chief shouted out for the two, which echoed across the precinct.

And after a few seconds of silence, Inferno only said one word: “Aw, fuckberries.”

'I'm starting to prefer J. Jonah Jackass over this blowhard and Jonah ain't even real.' Israel thought to himself.

The two rookies then headed over to their chief's office for what might be yet another scolding.

“Do you two mind explaining to me why I have been hearing of you two rookies trying to steal a case from two of our finest detectives in this precinct?!” The chief sternly asked the two.

“Whaaaaat? Who told you that? Was it Jeff from forensics? I bet it was Jeff!” Inferno responded.

"I don't think that's helping our case, Shadow." Israel said. "Anyways, chief, we didn't plan on stealing any case from the detectives. All we did was respond to a disturbance and secured a witness before another victim turned up ‘cold fish’."

“Don’t play smartass with me rookie!” The chief exclaimed.

“How was that being smartass?” Inferno whispered to his partner

“While I can commemorate you two for securing the safety of a witness, I must remind you both that you are not detectives or high ranking officers! You are still rookies. And do not have the permission to even take on a case. Your jobs are to patrol the streets, enforce the law, and diffuse the disturbances. So the only thing you have to do is stay out of the way of this case and go on with your duties.” the chief stated it out for them. “Are we clear on that?”

"Yes, sir." Both rookies nodded.

“Good.” The chief spoke with a less sternful tone before he looked down at the paperwork on his desk. “Oh and, one last thing. Once she’s finished being questioned, I’m tasking you boys to escort Ms. Somnambula home.” The chief stated.

The two rookie officers were dumbfounded and wide-eyed by the revelation.

“Say what?” Inferno spoke for both of them.

“Did I stutter!?” I want you two dimwits to take the young lady home and come straight back here and file the paperwork!” The chief repeated himself.

"Of course, sir." Israel saluted.

“No problem, boss. You’re a jolly good fellow.” Inferno saluted as well before he started singing ‘Jolly Good Fellow’.

“GET OUT OF MY OFFICE!!!” The chief shouted in annoyance and rage, which jolted the boys in fright and they bolted out of the office.

"What the fuck was that for?! You trying to get us booted outta here?!" Israel asked in a hushed tone through his teeth.

“I thought I was getting him in a good mood! Clearly I was wrong!” Inferno responded in a husked tone as well. “Anyway, let's just wait by the front desk for the lady and get out of here.” he suggested.

And so the two did just that. They walked up to the front desk and sat down in the wooden waiting chairs, while patiently waiting to take Somnambula to her home.

After a few minutes of waiting, the two rookies can hear footsteps approaching and when they look up, they see Somnambula approaching, looking to be heading towards the doors. The two goofballs of the law quickly got up on their feet and approached her before she walked out the door.

“Uh, excuse me, miss?” Inferno was the first to speak, which caught the lady’s attention.

“Can I help you, gentlemen? I was just leaving.” Somnambula spoke.

“Uh, no, actually, our chief has ordered us to escort you home. You probably remember me and my partner here. I was the one that got shot. And he’s the one with the goofy face.” Inferno said.

Israel looks towards his partner with a soft glare before smacking his hand onto Inferno’s injured shoulder, which stung for the blood-red haired young man as he held in his pained noises.

"Officer Straight Arrow, at your service." Israel said, introducing himself.

“And I’m Officer Shadow Knight.” Inferno spoke in a pitched voice.

Seeing their interaction between the two young men, Somnambula can’t help but give a small giggle at their antics. Honestly, she never thought she would laugh again especially after witnessing a murder. And soon she does eventually recognize the two officers.

“Ah, yes. You’re the two that saved my life. I’m most grateful to you two.” She said in gratitude.

"Just doing our jobs, ma'am." Israel said humbly. "Come on, we'll give you a police escort so trouble won't find you so easily."

"That would be helpful, thank you." Somnambula nodded and followed the two young cops to their car outside.

Since Inferno couldn't use one of his arms, Israel climbed into the driver's seat. Inferno opened up the back door for Somnambula. She steps in and Inferno closes the door before climbing in the passenger seat in the front.

Israel starts the engine up and looks back to the Egyptian beauty. "So, where do you live so we can drop you off?" he asked.

"I'll guide you so you'll know." Somnumbula said.

After that, they drove off into the night. Somnambula was very efficient in letting her saviors know which road to turn on while still keeping a watchful eye.

Eventually, they reached a beautiful two-story house surrounded by an iron fence and brick pillars on each corner.

"Nice place you got here." Israel said. "You live alone?"

"No, of course not. I share this house with my two other roommates. They're probably asleep by now, so I'll let myself in. Thanks again for dropping me off," Somnambula said.

"No problem. You be safe now and if you ever find yourself in a pickle, you let us know." Israel said with confidence and assurance. Somnambula felt relieved and then surprised the two rookies by rewarding them with a peck on the cheek each.

The two boys were stunned for a few seconds, before they realized that they had to let her out of the car. So Inferno quickly got out and opened the back door for Somnambula as she got out and walked up to her house. But not before she turned around to bid farewell to the officers.

Once the lady was safely inside her house, Inferno got back in the car. And soon, he and Israel sat in their vehicle in complete silence for a while.

“You know… I think my shoulder feels a little better after that peck.” Inferno commented.

"I'm definitely not gonna forget this moment," Israel commented with his eyes shrunken. But he quickly shakes his head and smacks his own cheeks. "Okay, breaktime over. We'd better get back to HQ before that hard head of a chief yells at us… again." he said, deadpanned.

“Ugh, I'd rather get shot again.” Inferno exclaimed.

"I'll gladly trade places with you if given the chance." Israel said before making a U turn and heading back to the precinct.

With the boys gone, Somnambula heads to her front door and unlocks it. She heads inside and closes the door, locking it. The house is dark… until the lights up above are turned on.

"Somnambula? Where have you been, we've been worried sick about you!" said a woman from the upstairs balcony.

The Egyptian halted and then turned to look up at the upstairs balcony, and standing there was the most beautiful young woman you ever laid eyes on. She had light-mulberryish gray skin and beautiful hair in gradient colors of moderate opal–to–turquoise, and moderate turquoise–to–pale, light grayish spring green. And the irises of her eyes were pale, light grayish cerulean.

You can say she’s the most beautiful woman in the 1940s… And she looks mad… Uh oh.

"I'm sorry, Mistmane, but I ran into a bit of trouble after the show. I… I don't know if I can tell you everything about tonight." Somnambula said, a little shaky.

“What trouble?! And why weren’t we informed of this?!” Another voice spoke from the living room.

Somnambula turned towards the living room, and standing under the archway that leads into the living room was another woman.

She had light cerulean skin, pink and moderate scarlet hair, and brilliant turquoise colored eyes. And she too, looked upset as much as Mistmane.

“Oh hi, Meadowbrook.” Somnambula spoke sheepishly while waving nervously at her 2nd roommate.

"Somnambula, what kind of trouble were you in?" Meadowbrook asked again.

"Well… it's hard to say, but… I just lost a good friend tonight," Somnambula replied in a somber tone. "And… And she…" she couldn't find the words to tell them and just dropped to her knees as the memory of her friend being shot and killed crashed down on her like a huge ton of bricks.

"Somnambula!" Both ladies exclaimed with concern. They rushed over to their friend to try and comfort her, getting her back on her feet.

"Maybe you should sit down. We'll go and make the tea," Meadowbrook said.

Quickly, but not hastily, the two women led their friend into the living room and sat her down on the nearest sofa chair. Meadowbrook rushed to the kitchen to make tea while Mistmane stayed to provide comfort for Somnambula in any way she could.

“Ok, ok, just try and calm your mind. And the best way is breathing. Breathe in with your nose…” Mistmane takes a deep breath in order to encourage Somnambula to do the same; which she did. “And out through your mouth.” She exhales which gestures Somnambula to do the same.

The two kept going with the process at a steady pace before Meadowbrook finally returned with a cup of tea in her hand.

“Be careful, it's hot.” She said before handing over to Somnambula, who carefully took the hot cup of tea. She blew on it a little before taking a sip of it and let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank you, girls. I needed this," Somnambula said before taking another sip of her tea.

“You must’ve had a very bad night, indeed. But don’t worry, dear. We’re right here for you and you’re home safe and sound.” Mistmane assured her friend.

But the calm and quiet didn’t last as soon as the three ladies heard loud knocking at their door. They paused in silence for a moment before the knocking continued again.

“Were you girls expecting company?” Somnambula asked her friends.

The two young ladies looked at each other while having confusion written on their faces.

And after a moment, Meadowbrook responded with: “No… We weren’t.”

Meanwhile, driving back to the police station, Inferno was glancing out of his passenger window and Israel’s eyes on the road while driving. The two were awfully quiet, not because they didn’t want to talk. But something was itching at the back of their consciences.

Deciding to break the silence, Inferno turned away from the window and stared towards his partner and said, “Do you have that same nagging feeling that we’re forgetting something?”

"Yeah, something doesn't seem right here. What exactly could we be forgetting? You think we should head back just in case?" Israel asked.

“No, it's not that… well kinda… maybe. But I don’t know.” Inferno replied.

As they went quiet for only a moment, that nagging feeling they both shared kept itching in their minds. And in that moment, they came to one, single mindset.

“Fuck it!” They both said as Israel does a U-turn and drives back to Somnambula’s residence.

“We’ll just tell the chief that we had to make sure, that’s all.” Inferno said.

"Fine with me. But I'm not gonna like having him breathe over my shoulder again." Israel shrugged with a deadpan expression.

“It kinda reminds me of Vice-Principal Luna when I had detention with her one time. Except the difference is, the chief ain’t a beautiful woman and he smells like cigars.” Inferno humorously stated.

"Ya got that right," Israel chuckled.

The two boys in blue then arrive on the street where Somnambula resided, only to hear something loud coming from her house. It sounded like… multiple loud explosions… like…

"Hey… is that gunfire?!" Israel asked, his eyes widened in horror.

“Yeah… Yeah!” Inferno said as he quickly pulled out his revolver and then got out of the car before he looked back at Israel. “I’ll take the front, you go around back.” He instructed his partner before he closed the door and jogs over to the front door of the house.

"Got it." Israel then jumps out of the car and closes it before bringing out his pistol. He runs around to the back of the house as stealthily as possible, ducking under every window to avoid being spotted.

Inferno also avoids the windows, making sure whoever was inside doesn’t see him. And soon he was right up close to the front door, and upon a quick inspection, the door was left slightly opened; more like it was kicked open due to the damage of the door lock. Which made his job of getting in a lot easier. He gently nudged the door to open more and once it was wide enough, the young officer quietly entered the house.

Israel turned the corner and could see the light on over the back porch. He slowly crept towards the light and saw the back door leading into the house. He peeked through the window of the door and found that the coast was clear… at least as far as he could see. So, he carefully, slowly opened the back door and quietly tip-toed inside, readying his pistol, keeping an eye out for anyone who might be lurking nearby.

Upon entering the house, the two officers each took light steps, not to make any noises along the wooden floor. And soon the paths that both officers took soon led them towards one another. And they almost pulled their guns on each other out of being spooked by each of the two.

Then all of a sudden, the sounds of glass breaking and movement came from upstairs, and without hesitation, they both rushed up the steps with quick haste until they arrived at the hallway of the second floor.

They walked along the hallway, trying to locate which room that the noises came from. Until soon they walked past a door where muffled crying and shouting could be heard. Quickly the two young officers backed up against the wall on opposite sides of the door. Inferno uses his fingers to silently countdown to three.

One.

Two.

THREE!

In a quick fashion, Inferno and Israel kicked open the door and pointed their revolvers into the room as they swiftly entered.

“PUT YOUR HANDS UP!!!” Inferno shouted.

And what the boys saw in a room where three men looked to be in their early 30s, with two of them holding a gagged Somnambula and Meadowbrook at gunpoint, who were crying and scared for their lives.

One of the men then shouted. “DON’T TRY ANYTHING OR THE BITCH GETS IT!!!” while pointing his gun at Somnambula.

“HOW ABOUT YOU PUT THE GUN DOWN AND I’LL SAVE YA THE TRIP TO THE MORGUE!” Inferno shouted back.

"If there's one thing I can't stand, it's a bunch of fucktard shit-pricks who think they're all hot shit with their big-ass guns, going after defenseless women! I say we off these fucking assholes, leaving us with a few less gang fuckers to worry about!" Israel ranted, pointing his gun at the creeps with a spiteful glare in his eyes.

“YOU TALK TOO MUCH COP!!!” The lead man in the room responds before he gets a bullet in his brain by Israel.

And before the other two men, who held the two ladies, could react; Inferno puts his gunslinger skills to work and swiftly takes them out with two instant headshots, while miraculously not endangering the two women.

“My partner may talk too much, but he’s a man of his word.” Inferno proclaimed.

"Are you ladies okay? Sorry if I scared you," he asked, going over to untie the ladies and ungag them in the process.

While still being traumatized, Meadowbrook responded clearly with; “Its fine, but we’re more scared for our friend.”

“Yes, there were four of them and their fourth took our friend with him to her bedroom down the hall!” Somnambula added.

“Don’t worry, your friend will be fine. Arrow, take them outside, stay with them and radio to the station. I’m gonna go find their friend.” Inferno said before he soon leaves his partner with the two ladies.

"Alright, be careful out there, Knight." Israel said before looking at the ladies. "Come on, follow me, I'll keep you safe."

With Inferno checking on their friend, Israel led the two ladies downstairs and towards the front door, keeping his eyes peeled and his pistol ready. The girls stayed close to him, making sure they're not in danger. Once they reached the car, Israel opened the door for them.

"Okay, inside, both of you. Hurry!" he urged.

Israel escorted the girls downstairs and out of the house, while Inferno proceeded down the hallway, heading towards, what Somnambula informed him, would be her friend’s bedroom.

Without hesitation, Inferno kicked open the door and entered the room. There he was met with an almost naked Mistmane crying next to the bed.

Upon seeing her, he quickly tries to reassure her.

“It's ok, I'm here to help.” He said, but soon noticed that she was looking behind him.

And then she screamed: “LOOK OUT!!!”

Hearing her words, Inferno quickly turns around and before he could raise his gun, he was tackled by the fourth thug that was hiding in the wardrobe closet, which caused the officer to lose his gun in the process.

The two men wrestled and grappled, trying to overpower the other, with Mistmane crying and screaming in the background.

Soon the thug got back on his feet, while pulling Inferno up along with him before the thug began throwing hooks at the officer’s face and kicked him in the stomach, forcing him back against the wall. Then the thug placed his hands around Inferno’s neck, proceeding to choke him.

From the thug’s perspective, he was winning the fight.

But Inferno was just getting a second wind.

The officer’s adrenaline rushed in as he raised his arms up and slammed them onto the thug’s arms, breaking the criminal’s grip on his neck. Then Inferno brutally headbutts the thug, staggering him back. The criminal tries to throw another punch at Inferno, but the young officer bobbed and weaved before he uppercuts him in the face. The young officer then delivers body shots to the thug’s torso.

Then Inferno mercilessly jabs and punches into the thugs face repeatedly, before finally he delivers one last powerful uppercut which knocks the thug into the window of the bedroom, causing him to crash through the glass and fall towards the ground screaming.

After defeating his opponent, Inferno wiped away the small trickle of blood that ran down his lip before saying: “I didn’t hear no bell.”

Then the officer turns his attention back towards Mistmane, walking towards her and kneeling down in front of her.

“Are you ok?” He asked her, while sounding a little out of breath. Well, he got into a brawl a few seconds ago.

Mistmane nodded frantically, still shaking from the traumatizing experience. "Thank you… thank you so much. I thought… I thought I was… I was gonna…" she hyperventilated, almost about to faint right then and there, had Inferno not rushed to her side to calm her down.

“Shh… Shh… It's okay. It’s okay. It's over. You’re safe now.” He whispered softly to her while gently holding her in a comforting embrace.

He held her for a while until she eventually calmed down. And with that, he lets go of her in order to look at her face to face.

“Feeling better?” He asked.

"A little, yes. But… umm," she stopped mid-sentence, having a huge blush on her face, looking away and… covering herself. "It's… kind of embarrassing."

“What’s embarass-Ahhhhh!” Inferno was going to ask, but when he stupidly gazed downward, his vision was overwhelmed by the massive cleavage of Mistmane’s covered bosom. And in a quick motion, Inferno covers his eyes with his hand, while almost stumbling backwards and landing on his ass. “Okay.. Okay, I can see why.” He exclaimed.

He looked like a total idiot at that moment.

Mistmane blinks at his reaction and slightly giggles before recomposing herself. "If you don't mind, could you wait outside while I get changed? I promise it'll only take a moment."

“Yeah! Yeah sure!” Inferno nodded frantically as he got up on his feet and walked backwards to the door of the bedroom, while still covering his eyes. “I’ll wait by the door.” He said before he turned around, expecting to walk out into the hallway, but was met with a wall; which he crashed his head into. He groans in pain before quickly rushing out of the room.

Mistmane gives another giggle before seeing him out and gets straight to dressing herself. 'Poor young man must be flustered. It's kind of flattering if he finds me that attractive,' she thought to herself, halfway through dressing herself.

As he promised, Inferno waited 3-ft next to the door, since he had kicked the door down, the door couldn’t shut all the way, so he distanced himself from the door to give Mistmane her privacy.

After a few minutes of patiently waiting, Inferno then hears footsteps exiting the room, signaling to him that Mistmane had finished dressing up. As soon as he turns to greet her, he is soon stunned by what he saw.

She was dressed in a silk white dress shirt with a minty green, glittering miniskirt. Her shirt could barely contain her beautiful milk mounds and her miniskirt could only hug her lovely curves.

"Apologies for the wait." Mistmane said.

Inferno stood there dumbfounded, staring at her with awe and speechlessness.

“W-Wh-Whoa… Y-y-You look… beautiful, ms…. Uhh, may I know your name?” Inferno stuttered foolishly.

"Oh, right. My name is Mistmane. And you are?" she asked.

“Uhhhh… Knight! Officer Shadow Knight… Uh, at your service!” Inferno responded while bowing a bit like a fool. ‘Why you bowing, you idjit?!’ He mentally screamed at himself.

She giggled again, finding him to be quite adorable for a police officer. "You're too kind. But, uh… shouldn't we get going now?" she pointed out.

“Uh right! Right! Almost forgot. Shall I escort you out, Ms. Mistmane?” Inferno responded while holding out his arm. ‘Fuck! This is way worse than how I acted in front of Sunset when we first met!’ he mentally remarked.

Mistmane giggles at his response and then proceeds to lock her arm with his while giving him a kind smile. “I think that would be nice, Mr. Knight.” she said.

Not wanting to make more of a doofus out of himself than he already has, he escorts this busty beauty out of the house and out into the front yard where his partner is waiting in the car with the other two ladies.

As he reaches the car, he hears sirens in the distance getting closer to their location. The sirens grew louder and louder until Inferno spotted a few patrol cars coming this way, along with a few vans to transport the stiffs and a transport unit just as a necessary precaution.

A few of the cops got out of their cars and approached Inferno and Mistmane.

"So, what's the status here, Officer Knight?" one of the cops asked.

Before he answered them, Inferno turned to Mistmane and whispered to her in a gentle tone.

“Why don’t you go on over and wait by the car where my partner and your friends are. I won’t take long.” He said.

“Okay.” Mistmane replied while nodding her head. And with that, she left Inferno’s side and walked towards he and Israel’s car.

And with her far away, Inferno then proceeds to give his report to his fellow officers.

“We got four stiffs here, all of them thugs. Three of them, Officer Arrow and I shot, the fourth one I threw out the second floor window, you’ll find his body around the side of the house. Our witnesses and victims: three women. One of them is a witness to a murder that happened an hour ago, and two of the others are her companions. One of the ladies was almost raped by the bastards, if I hadn’t gotten into room before he gotten all the way. Do I need to report anything else?” Inferno explaining everything that happened.

"No, we're gonna have a look and gather all the evidence we can. You and your partner head back to HQ with the witnesses. You did good out there," the cop replied.

“Thank you, take care, boys.” Inferno said as he then walked back to the car.

Upon drawing near the vehicle, Inferno could see Mistmane was sitting in the back with Somnambula and Meadowbrook; which was good to see that she listened to him. And seeing his partner in the driver’s seat.

Then he went over to the passenger side, opened the door and got in. And when he did, he took a moment to grasp and rub his wounded shoulder, while feeling a damp wetness on it. He brings his hand up to his few and he can see his fingertips covered in small bits of blood.

“Fuck.” He muttered in annoyance. His wound reopened. Likely from his brawl a while ago.

And this does not go unnoticed by his partner.

"You gotta get back to the hospital after this, bud." Israel commented.

“Wait? You’re hurt?!” Mistmane asked out of concern from the backseat.

“I’m fine. It's nothing.” Inferno responded.

“Perhaps I can help with that?” Meadowbrook volunteered to be of assistance.

“That's kind of you, miss. But I don’t think…” Inferno tried to deny his injury.

“No really, she can help. Meadowbrook is a nurse. In fact, she’s a member of the Army Nurse Corps during the war.” Somnambula vouched for her friend.

"If she can patch up my partner, then she's got my full trust," Israel said.

Inferno slumped back in his seat in defeat, knowing that he can’t talk his way out of it.

Back in the present timeline, the girls had arrived at a family diner and were currently taking their seats at a big round table in the corner.

"I feel… like such… an idiot. How could I have forgotten to charge this stupid thing?" Twilight asked in frustration.

"It's okay, Twilight. Nobody's perfect." Fluttershy said.

“Yes, it was just a simple mistake, darling.” Rarity added on to Fluttershy’s statement.

“YEAH BUT NOT LIKE THIS!” Twilight shouted hysterically before she lightly slammed her arms, crossing them, onto the table and then burying her face into them.

"Calm down, Twilight. Look, it'll be okay. Once it's charged up enough, Rainbow Dash will go and get it and we'll do some investigating. In the meantime, you should relax. You're not yourself when you're hungry." Sunset said.

"Ooh! I could give her a Snickers!" Pinkie chimes, pulling a Snickers bar from her hair.

“I don’t need Snickers, I need answers.” Twilight muffled through her arms.

"And we'll get them, Twi. Just chill out for a while, Ms. Cranky Pants. Seriously, Inferno and Israel weren't kidding when they said what a handful you were." Rainbow said before covering her mouth. But it's too late.

Twilight sat up straight at speeds that will give both Rainbow and Pinkie a run for their money, then she turns to glare at Rainbow with such fury. And it added on more to it as Twilight’s skin turned white, hair lit on fire and the color of her eyes went from violet to blood red.

Rainbow Dash, frozen with fear, had only one moment to say one word: “Uh oh.” Ok. Maybe two words.

“Why you little…!” Twilight then lunged at Rainbow and then wrapped her hands around her neck and started to strangle her and shake her like a rag doll.

"Twilight! Self control, girl!" Applejack intervened, trying to restrain her. "Seriously, Twi, we're in a restaurant, you're makin' a scene!" An’ also close ta burnin’ down the place!” She said as she tries to not get burned by Twilight’s fiery hair.

“My word, how is that even possible?” Rarity asked while also trying to pry Rainbow out of Twilight’s grip with some help from Fluttershy.

"Wow, she's all fired up just like Princess Twilight was before she became a princess and tried to make sense out of the doozy my pony self was having." Pinkie specified with a squee.

Just then, Twilight's anger is replaced with confusion… same with the others.

"What?" they all asked.

"Oh nothing." Pinkie shrugged.

"May I take your orders, ladies?" said the waiter. "I can start you all off with something to drink."

"Oh, thank you. I'll have a refreshing glass of water, if you please." Rarity said.

"I'll have some orange juice," Sunset added.

"Same for me, please." Twilight chimed in.

"Apple juice fer me, partner," AJ said, no surprise there.

“And I’ll… have the same as her…” Rainbow said in a hoarse tone, while rubbing her sore neck.

"Strawberry milkshake please," Pinkie squealed.

"Oh, umm… water please." Fluttershy chimed.

"Of course, right away." the waiter said, writing them all down before going to get their drinks.

“Well… At least that shift of the plot calmed the situation.” Pinkie whispered to the readers.

"Uh, Pinkie? Who are you talking to?" Fluttershy asked.

"Oh, no one." Pinkie said with an innocent smile.

“Ok, now that we all are now at ease, and no one is choking the other…” Sunset said while briefly glancing at Twilight for only a few seconds. “... Let’s go over our plan one more time and make sure we don’t skip a step.”

"Alright. After breakfast, we’ll have Rainbow Dash grab the device so we can trace the magic disturbance over at Town Square. Hopefully, it should detect the source of what caused the anomaly.” Twilight proclaimed.

"And once we do find it, we'll try to pinpoint exactly where our boyfriends wound up at. Once we know where and/or when they're at, we'll come up with a machine to bring them back home safe and sound." Sunset finished.

"And then we throw a party to celebrate their return!" Pinkie proclaims.

“That’s yer answer to all our plans, Pinkie.” AJ commented.

“Because it’ll be a fun way to ease them down after their troubles!” Pinkie responded.

“Well, I guess we memorized everything we need to do, now all that’s left is Twilight’s device to be fully charged and…”

Before Rarity could finish the rest of her sentence, the waiter from earlier returned back to their table, and he had their drinks on a large tray in his hands.

“Here are your drinks, ladies.” the waiter said, as he held the tray in one hand as he grabbed each of their drinks and placed them down on the table. Which the girls accepted with gratitude. “So are you all ready to order a meal or the drinks are fine?” He asked them.

The girls looked at each other and thought about how to answer. Soon they remember that it’ll take a while for Twilight’s magic radar device to fully charge up. And besides, they did arrive here for a quick bite before they could execute their plan.

And with that they all made their decision.

“Yeah, we’re ready to order.” Sunset spoke to the waiter.