The shepards nightmare part 1
The name’s Close Eye, I’m a private detective who only just moved to Ponyville. It had been hard moving here, I missed the never ending hustle and bustle of Manehattan, but because of my expert skills all crime had come to a halt. And without crime I didn’t have a job so moving to fresh spots was the next best thing.
Ponyville came to mind when I read about a disaster at the grand galloping gala in Canterlot being caused by a group of young mares who came from the small village. With trouble makers like that running around jobs weren’t going to be hard to find. What I did find, however, was far from what I expected.
It began about a week after I had moved into my new office, my first job as a matter of fact. A dame came walking in, her face full of worry, and the white freckles on her face just as pale as the rest of her. “Hey, ya’ll wouldn’t be that private detective fella’ would ya? I… I need some help.” Her accent was of no doubt country, I’m surprised the rest of the town didn’t talk like that.
“Yea, I’m the guy. Close Eye is my name. So what kind of help do you need doll?” I took a deep sip of the glass of whiskey sitting on my desk, ready for whatever sob story came. A lost antique, puppy, or a dead ended murder case was often in this job, and just big wastes of time.
“It’s ma littler sister, Apple Bloom. She’s been missing for three days, an’ no one can find her. Ah thought if no one else could help, then maybe you can.” A missing person case eh? Finally, a case worthy of my time, and her money. “Please, ah don’t know who else to turn to. You gotta help us!”
I just love it when the dames get all worked up. Really brings out those adorable round eyes. “No need to worry doll, Close Eye’s got his eye on it now.” Cheesy I now, but it sells it. “Now, tell me what you know ‘bout little Apple Bloom.”
After half an hour of listen, I got the idea of what I’m working with. A little foal, about nine, goes out often with her friends doing Celestia knows what. One day she just doesn’t come home. Her friends say she was by herself, went to get a treat at the local treat shop. Was never heard from again. Last seen around the shop “Sugercube corner” and disappeared at about one o’clock afternoon.
Going from that I thought, One: She might same met somepony, somepony strange, while having her adventures, and then that pony got a little too close; Apple Bloom panicked, tried to tell somepony, and “disappeared”. Two: Some sweet maker likes to taste sweets other than sugar, and then got carried away. Three: Her two friends found someone new and she felt left out, wanted some attention, so she ran for the hills when no pony was watching.
I thanked the dame, Apple Jack, and sent her on her way; promising to do what I can. The place to be at the moment was the sweet shop, where I would need to talk to some sweeties around town. The first one was a spicy, pink one, sitting behind the counter. Pinkie Pie, hard to forget her face, especially when it’s the first thing you see of the town, no matter how you arrive.
“Oh, hello Close Eye! Here to buy some sweets, sugars, or caramels? We have a sale on all cakes! Want one?” By the time she had finished her salespony introduction her head had twisted round three times, before spinning comically back to normal. She’s one weird gal, I like that.
I would’ve brought some gum or cake as I usually would on the way home after sitting around doing nothin’, but today was business. “Not today Pinks,” Taking off my hat (I love that thing) before giving my dirty gold hair a scuffle, “It’s all business today. Working on the case of that missin’ filly, Apple Bloom. You wouldn’t of been any blooming apples round here would ya?” Her face brighten up, a huge smile creeping across her face. She took a deep breath as if about to give a speech. I knew what this meant and prepared my old ears for a challenge.
“Why of course I’ve seen her! She’s been hanging out with me after she and Apple Jack got in a fight! She’s upstairs if you want to talk to her yourself!” Well that was easy. I would have to remind Apple Jack to visit the crazy house next time a filly went missing.
“Err, right. Thanks Pinks.” I took her advice and headed for the stairs, taking my hat with me of course. And as Pinks promised at the top was little ol’ Apple Bloom. Hanging with some crayons and paper. “Hello little Bloom. You’ve gotten into a wee bit of trouble lately young lady.” Before she could turn I took a dramatic pose, leaning against the wall with my hat tiled forward and my jacket collar up.
“Oh, ahh, hello mister. Do I know you?” I couldn’t blame her for the cautious approach; it shows she was raised well.
“No, you don’t. But it is good that you are weary. Too many fillies these days trust adults too easily. Now for why I’m here. Your sister has been all over the place looking for you. Next time your hanging with friends, be sure to tell somepony.”
The answer came not from the filly sized filly, but from the mare sized filly. “Oh, did I forget to tell Apple Jack? Oh how silly of me. *giggle* I’m so sorry for that. I’ll go tell her now!” Before she disappeared into a cloud of smoke that would ruin my funds, I grabbed her tail and gave a yank.
“I’m sorry Pinks, but I think I can handle that. You should return to selling treats. Thanks for the help.” Smooth, I know. But I can’t have the dames getting in the way between me and supper for the next week.
The sun was about to die for the day when I arrived at the apples house. Strange enough, not a soul was to be found even though I was pretty sure it my mid apple bucking season. That was another thing I had to remember, to tell the apples to pick the apples, not buck them. Why anypony would buy bucked apples is beyond me.
I knocked and waited, then got bored and went for a wonder around the family house. Strangely all the other doors and windows were boarded up blocking all entrances and views inside the house except for the front door.
Returning to the front door I knocked a second time, this time the door creaking open, as if someone had left it slightly ajar. The inside of the house was near pitch black, and getting blacker as the sky did. With the choice of going in or going home with no money for food later, I decided to enter.
I felt cold and uneven, as if walking in a graveyard. This place wasn’t right. All my detective skills screamed that this was not the right place to be or the right time. But ignoring your detective skills is what makes you a detective, and most ponies don’t know that. I found a candle in the darkness and whipped out my matches from my coat pocket. Striking never was easy, being an Earth pony and all, but I got it done and lit the candle. With that lit I got a better look at the room.
The place looked like it had been ransacked. Tables and chairs were lying all over the place like somepony was trying to avoid something. There was also a tattered piece of clothing with blue and white strips. I would’ve left and got the local sheriff but I could hear thumbing noises from upstairs. Looks like someone is home after all.
Up the stairs and in the hallway it looked the same as in the front room, with everything flipped and knocked over. The thumbing was coming from the room down the hall, with the words “Apple Bloom” printed onto the door. My heart began racing as I turned the handle, and with a nudge of the door it slid open.
And revealed me looking back at myself. My blues eyes looking right back at me. Somepony had placed a mirror in front of the doorway, completely covering it. Things were just getting weirder it seemed. With the thumbing still going on behind the mirror I was still not satisfied. Pushing the mirror told me that it was jammed in-between the door frame was not going anywhere.
The only other option was to buck it down. Backing away to give myself some kicking space, I spun and unleashed a mighty smack. The mirror shattered and I was met with yet another shiny object to stare at myself with. This one was round and had two holes at the front, and a lot more fearful then just a reflection.
“Who are ya’ll and what are you doing in ma house?” Came a deep gruff voice from the other end of the barrel. Looking up I was met with a stare from a huge red stallion who had a very angry tone.
“Ahh, I’m Close Eye and I am a private detective. I was hired by one Apple Jack to find little Apple Bloom. I’m here to say that has been done and to collect my pay. Though I might let you keep it to replace that mirror. What are you doing in there anyway?” Looking past him I saw scared face of the doll, Apple Jack, and who must be the granny, Granny smith (How original). “Matter of fact, what are you all doing in here?”
The doll was the first to answer. “Y-you mean ya didn’t see it?”
“If I saw anything, it was a messed up house and boarded up windows. And what was with the mirror?”
“Whew, thank Celestia it went away. You were right Big Mac.” I’m guessing Big Mac was the big one. Don’t ask how I knew, must have been a detectives instincts.
“Woah, whoa, what thing? Am I missing something here?” I smelt another case coming on, and I wanted a piece of it.
“Ah don’t know what it was. It was big, an’ hairy, with massive fangs! And these giant wings!” As if to emphasize the point, Granny Smith stuck a couple sewing needles in her mouth and waved her arms like a bird.
“Umm, right. Big bird thing with sharp teeth. Got it. Anyway doll, I found your missing sister. She’s been hanging out with the Pinks since you lot got into a “fight”. I know it’s not my business but exactly were you lot fighting about?”
She gave a weird look. The kind of look that said “I don’t know how you know but I don’t like it”. “Your right. It is none of your business.” I have the feeling that something big was happening, and it would possible end with juicy cash.
Getting paid looking for lost fillies would have to wait. I’ve got monster hunting to do. “Well if that’s all, I’ll be off. You lot take care.” Their eyes followed me closely as I made my way to stairs. Well, if I’m going hunting I’m going to need to know what I’m hunting. A good place to find that would be the library.
Outside it was pitch black. Looks like any monster or book hunting would have to wait until tomorrow.
It was cloudy outside today. That meant that rain was due today and everypony would be inside. Leaving my cozy house to step into wind, I made my way downtown (If this place had a downtown). The library was a tree, which made no sense unless they also made books out of the tree itself. Making my way inside I found the place brightly lit with candles, books all over the place but on the book shelves, but a little dragon cleaning up. Wait, a dragon?
“AAHHHH!! SOMEPONY HELP!! THERE'S A BLOODY DRAGON IN HERE!!” The dragon in question yelled out an equal response. “AAAHHHHH! TWILIGHT, THERE'S A CRAZY GUY IN HERE!!” Me and the dragon, each hiding in our own little corner, stared at each other from across the room, our eyes full of fear and terror.
I was rescued by a dame, which does not go well with my reputation; I was the one who was meant to do the rescuing. “And what is going on here? I’m trying to do some peaceful studying today with the weather and all.” She was purple with rage. Or just purple over all. I think I remember from the party Pinks threw me that this unicorn was called Twilight. Why the dragon was calling her name was beyond me. “Spike, I told you to clean all his up. I was sure my number one assistant could handle it.” Oh.
“It’s not my fault!” protested the scaly beast, “It’s that guy! He came in here and started screaming!” He pointed to me, and I realized I was still hiding like a foal. I quickly jumped back to my feet and took my detective pose.
“In my defense, he’s a bloody dragon! It’s not every day you run into one of those things and not get your head chopped off. Sorry doll, but where are my manners. I’m Close Eye, private detective.”
I extended a hoof in good faith, and she shook it warmly. “I guess that explains the coat. My name is Twilight Sparkle, and sorry about Spike. I should put a sign on the door. Anyway, how can I help you?”
I explained what I found at the apples farm and that they seemed to be hiding something. Being me, I had to know what did it, and what they are hiding.
“Oh my! They were attacked? That’s horrible! Thank goodness Apple Bloom wasn’t there.” It seems they have already met. That saves introductions later.
“Okay doll, I going to need a book about big, hairy birds with sharp teeth. You got anything like that?”
“Well, we have an encyclopaedia on dangerous and forgotten beasts, creature, and demons. I hope that will help. Spike! Get the Encyclopaedia on dangerous and forgotten beasts, creature, and demons!”
“I’m standing right here you know.” He gave twilight an annoyed glance, like a child would to a mother, before walking off to another branch of the library. He returned with a book nearly his own height and only just got in the doorway before collapsing with it on his head.
“Thanks Spike.” She said dragging the book over all her and leaving Spike on the ground. Wow she’s cruel. “Now, bird like figure… razor teeth… hairy… Ah! I think I’ve got it!” Twilight turned the book towards me showing a gruesome figure of what looked like a wolf with wings, bodies of ponies littered around the ground beneath it. “It’s called ‘Shepard’s nightmare’. It’s said to be an ancient beast that would destroy entire flocks of sheep, but never eating a single one. Just leaves the corpses at the Shepard’s doorstep. Once all the sheep were dead, it would then attack and eat the Shepard.”
Spike and I, who had recovered from the book sandwich, looked at each other with wide eyes. This was not going to be such a walk in the park after all. Nor will it be anywhere close to the normal cases I have dealt with over the years. “Wait, does it say anything about mirrors?” I asked, remember the way the apples had jammed one in the doorway.
“Well, it says that its face is so vile, that it can even scare itself if it sees it. Oh! That explains the mirror the apples had on their door! Wait a minute; they farm apples, not sheep.”
“Well I guess,” I tilted my hat forward; “Close eye has got his eye on another case.” Twilight face-hoofed. Is it really that cheesy?
“Oh! Oh! Can I help? I’ve always wanted to be a detective!” Spike disappeared and reappeared with a matching coat and hat to mine. “Please Twilight! I clean up twice the amount next time!” He gave the cutest puppy dogs eyes a dragon could, which was surprisingly not half bad.
“Ahh, I don’t mind. But it’s up to Close Eye really.” She gave me a raised eye brow and spike threw himself at my feet. I’ve always wanted a side kick, and a dragon was just that much cooler. Plus if we ended up getting chased by that thing I could throw him at it, and with his tough scales, it would take longer to eat him.
“Sure kid, just don’t go doing anything stupid and stay close.” He nearly hit the roof with happiness before giving me a giant dragon hug.
“Oh thankyouthankyouthankyou! I won’t let you down!” This… was strange that a dragon would be doing this but today has been full of strange.
“Okay, first rule: Don’t touch the coat.” He jumped off instantly and gave a detective pose. “Better. Now sorry we can’t hang around doll, but we’ve got work to do.”
“Yea doll. We need to go hit some clues!” I raised an eye brow while Twilight face-hoofed expertly, I think she does that often.