Equestria Noir Case 12 "The Vinyl Scratch!"

by Jacoboby1

Rating: teen
Tags: Twilight Sparkle, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Other, Romance, Original Character, Octavia, Comedy, Tragedy, Adventure, Crossover, DJ P0N-3
Length: 18762

A murder mystery starring Octavia and Vinyl in Equestria

The Vinyl Scratch is a radio show known for providing entertainment to the masses. It's not however known to be a murder scene. A technician with a mysterious past is hung from the radio tower and Private is going to find out why. The mysterious Octavia joins him in this venture along with her co-host Vinyl Scratch herself. Private also learns that this isn't the first death in this manner. A secret reaching back decades will present itself as the danger rises. Private will need all his wit and instinct to solve this age old mystery, but can his new ally Octavia be trusted?

Who is this mysterious cello player?

(References to Les MisÃ�ï¿½Ã�Â©rables allow for the crossover tag)

Published 2012-10-16 23:50:01 UTC
Last updated 2012-10-22 20:28:55 UTC

Chapter 1 "Dead Sound"

Equestria Noir

Case 12

“The Vinyl Scratch!”

Chapter 1

“Dead Sound”

Dear Private Eye,

I’m sorry to write to you under such horrible circumstances. Vinyl and I found a body hanging from our radio tower. Vinyl identified the stallion as one of our technicians, Lucky Zevan. We could really use your help with this situation. If you would come to our radio station at your earliest convenience, we would greatly appreciate it.

Sincerely,

Octavia

I folded the letter after reading it and frowned, “Another day another murder it seems.”

Twilight who was walking beside me on the path also frowned, “Seems to be happening a lot more frequently than normal. You’ve only been back in Ponyville for two days and this happens.” She looked over at me concerned, “If this ever becomes too much for you-“

“I’m fine Twilight,” I smiled, touched by her concern, “I can handle a case don’t worry.”

In truth, I did have an odd feeling about this whole business. Ever since I left Manehattan I felt like there was more to this Octavia mare then meets the eye. It was unusual to receive a request for a case by mail, but I wasn’t complaining, anything to keep myself sharp.

I kept walking ahead, “Shame Spike can’t come with us”

Twilight tilted her head in thought, “He’s going gem hunting with Rarity today. Ever since that whole incident in Manehattan she’s been hanging out with Spike more.”

I sweated a little as I recalled that Rarity tried to seduce me up at Manehattan. I looked over at Twilight, “What did she say to you exactly?”

Twilight frowned “That she tried to… take advantage of you.”

“Oh…”

She looked over at me "Then she told me all of what you said to her. I guess I should’ve expected something like this to happen, Private. I just didn’t think Rarity would be the one to do it.”

I nodded slowly, “Twilight, I hope this doesn’t destroy your friendship with her.”

Twilight shook her head, “No, Rarity wasn’t herself in that situation. I don’t think she will ever do something like that again, especially after what you said to her”

I sighed in relief. Thank Celestia I didn’t have to deal with Twilight holding a grudge with Rarity over what happened.

“She’s also hanging around with Spike a lot more,” she gave me a sly look. “I think some detective had something to do with that.”

“Guilty as charged,” I grinned at her. “I just couldn’t stand Rarity going on and on about how she wanted somepony to care, when Spike was right there”

“I just hope it works out for both of them,” Twilight said, with a small smile “Rarity deserves to have something to herself after all she’s given.”

I was about to continue the conversation when I noticed the police carriages surrounding the radio station up ahead. The radio station was a small two story building with a radio tower next to it. I looked up and saw a pair of Pegasus uniforms lowering a body from the radio tower, the body was attached by the leg with a piece of wire.

I looked at Twilight who nodded firmly. We both walked up to the first uniform we saw. He was a young earth pony with an orange coat and bright blue eyes. Upon seeing me he saluted, “Officer Hoof Dunnit sir!”

“At ease officer,” I replied, with a nod. He relaxed a little, and I looked on as the pegasi lowered the body onto a stretcher. “What have we got here?”

Dunnit looked over at the body with a frown, “The poor sap was hung from the radio tower sir, by his hind leg. He was already dead when we got there”

“Why would somepony hang a dead body from a radio tower?” Twilight asked with a raised eyebrow, “Could somepony be trying to send a message?”

“I’d say so, ma'am,” Dunnit replied, with a nod. “We have somepony ready to examine the body.”

“Forceps?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Nah,” Dunnit said with a shake of his head “Somepony new on the force. Forceps got a cold and had to ask her to take his place.”

“Who is she?” I wondered aloud.

“’She’ is standing right behind you”

I turned around to see a unicorn mare a few years older than I am. Her coat was a light grey with a long purple and blue streaked mane. Her violet eyes were accented by a small collection of freckles on her cheeks. She walked past me and bent down to the body.

I looked over at Dunnit, “Like I said, who is she?”

“Sherrie Illusion,” Dunnit answered, watching the mare as she went to work. “She’s a transfer from the Canterlot Guard, and is working over in the police force for the experience. She’s smart as hell, sir, and able to work a body quickly.”

Illusion was still bent over the body, examining it, as I approached with Twilight. She looked up at me, a look of surprise crossing her face, “The great, Private Eye. It's a pleasure to meet you. I read all about you finding that model, Sweetlight, in the newspapers. That was some fine detective work, sir." Then she looked back down at the body frowning, "It's a shame to meet you under such unpleasant circumstances. Are you on the case?"

I nodded, turning my gaze to the body, "Do you have a cause of death, yet?”

"The cause of death appears to be strangulation,” Illusions replied, turning her full focus back to the body.

Twilight looked at the body and pointed with her hoof at the thin red markings around the stallion’s neck. The stallion was an earth pony with a short black mane and a bright teal coat. “Looks like some kind of wire if it made marks this small.”

“What else can you tell me?” I asked, looking at Illusion.

“Judging by the temperature of the body I’d say the time of death was around midnight.” She gestured to the marks, "It does appear to have been done with some sort of wire. I’d have to look at them in the lab for a more accurate analysis. Also, it appears he was hit on the back of the head by something heavy. I would venture to guess that wound was post mortem, based on how little it bled."

I nodded at Illusion, “You take care of the body we’re going to ask around and see if anypony saw somepony putting up the body”

She nodded and went about to her work. For some reason she seemed familiar somehow. I couldn’t quite put my hoof on it though.

I shook my head and walked to the side where the stallion’s things were laid out. There was a wallet, a small ticket, and a folded sheet of paper. I picked up the wallet and opened it. Inside was a carriage license with his picture on it “Lucky Zevan?” I said with a frown “Sounds like a band name, in my honest opinion”

I picked up the ticket and looked at it, “Las Pegasus? This guy came a long way to get hung from a radio tower.”

I picked up the paper and opened it:

Come to the station, do so and you shall find peace in the arms of the law.

Jocvert

“You know anypony named Jocvert?” I asked, looking over at Twilight.

“Doesn’t ring a bell,” she replied, shaking her head. “Though the name does sound familiar.”

I looked at the name; I recognized it after some thought, “It’s a character name, from the play, ‘Les Ponies Misreables’.”

“The Miserable Ponies?” Twilight said with a raised eyebrow, “I remember Princess Celestia going to that one a lot.”

“It’s a great play,” I said putting the paper in a plastic bag. “A story about that tells of constant balance between mercy and justice. Mom starred in it once herself, played Filltine.”

“Our killer is a play goer it seems,” Twilight said frowning.

A rather rude voice spoke up, “Still a meddler as always, I see.”

I turned and saw the chocolate colored head of Clippers. He flapped his wings in annoyance at me, “Once again, I find you trying to interfere with a police investigation.”

“Well if it isn’t Clippers,” I said, not trying to hide my contempt.

“That’s Clippard to you!” He said pointing a hoof at me, “Now this is my case, Private.”

“Who’s this jerk?” Twilight asked ignoring Clippers.

“Somepony who thinks he’s Sam Spony. Even though he couldn't find his flank if he was sitting on his forelegs,” I said flatly. “This is Clippers, he was my partner when I worked Traffic.”

Clippers snorted, “Now that introductions are out of the way, I think you should leave and let me get on with my investigation here.”

“What makes you think this is worth your time, Clippers?” I questioned, rolling my eyes.

“While you were galloping around playing a hero I’ve been investigating the Jocvert murders,” he answered with a smirk.

“Jocvert murders?” I raised an eyebrow, “What the hell are you talking about?”

“Well, this isn’t the first body we’ve found like this. There have been six other victims over the past few months,” he said maintaining his smirk. “They were all killed at separate locations and the only thing they have in common was the note sent by this Jocvert character.”

I nodded and gestured to Twilight, “I want you to give my assistant everything you have on the previous victims, and see if there’s a connection.”

“You forget this is my investigation you bastard!” Clippers said with an audible snort.

“It’s not yours if you aren’t qualified,” I heard a dignified voice speak up.

All three of us looked over to see Octavia herself walk up to us. Her black mane shone in the sunlight and her ashen coat I noticed was well toned. She was quite fit for a cello player. Her violet eyes looked at Clippers with obvious dislike.

“If you cannot help Private in this investigation, I will have to ask you to leave,” the cello player said with a frown.

“Who are you to tell a detective what to do?” Clippers demanded, angrily.

Octavia then got right in Clippers’ face and her violet gaze was even scarier than Fluttershy’s, “I am the client, I can make your life a living hell and I have plenty of bits to afford a proper lawyer. I could sue you for misconduct on this case and I’ll make sure to bleed you dry.”

Clippers sweated and glared over at me with his gold eyes, “I’ll see about getting you those papers then.” He flew off in a blur, hoping to get as far away from Octavia as possible.

Octavia looked over at me and gave a small smile, “I didn’t expect to run into you under such circumstances Detective.”

“It’s good to see you again, Octavia,” I said with a nod. I gestured to Twilight, “This is Twilight Sparkle, my assistant”

Octavia nodded and smiled at Twilight “I remember you, your pink friend tried to get me to play that impromptu piece what was it… the pokey pony?”

Twilight flushed in embarrassment at the memory of the Grand Disaster Gala. She let out a sheepish smile at the cello player, “Sorry about that, I didn’t mean for my friends to cause so much trouble.”

“Well, it gave me practice for Vinyl. Anyways,” Octavia said with a shrug, “Detective, I think you and I should talk with her.”

I nodded and turned to Twilight, “You get those files from Clippers and I’ll meet you back at the office.”

My marefriend nodded and set off to speak with a very nervous Clippers.

Octavia looked over at me, “Why do you call him Clippers, anyway?”

“When we worked together he always made such a fuss about his mane being too long,” I explained. “One day it got so annoying I said ‘Your mother should’ve named you Clippers you cut your mane so much!’ the name has stuck ever since.”

“I suppose I’ve heard stranger names,” Octavia said with a roll of her eyes. “Come along, I’ll get you talking with Vinyl.”

I did find it odd how well Octavia had control over such a situation. She seemed to know her way around a crime scene despite not being on the force.

Just who is she?

_________________________________________________________

Good Morning Equestria, this is DJ PON3 here to give you the latest update. Sadly folks I can’t be on air today, we’ve got an investigation going on in this studio so I’ll leave music for you guys to listen to on auto play.

Before we convene, here’s a public service announcement: Don’t feed the Parasprites! That is all.

Until Next time, this is DJ PON3 bringing you the truth, no matter how bad it hurts…

Vinyl stepped away from the mic and walked over to me. I was sitting on a chair in the studio across from her. She was a pony about a year younger then I was with a white coat and a spiky blue mane. Her red eyes showed with her shades placed above her horn and out of the way. I could see the grief in them.

“I only hired the guy a few weeks ago but he’s always made himself useful. He never complained whenever I asked him to do something. I even asked him to stuff Octy’s cello with cotton balls and he did it”

“I had to get the cotton out for weeks thanks to that little stunt,” Octavia huffed as she sat next to her friend with a look of clear annoyance.

“Hey, it was all in fun,” Vinyl said leaning back in her chair. “You really need to lighten up a little, Octy. Go and have some fun once in a while.”

“I do have fun,” Octavia said way too fast.

“I meant fun by Everypony else’s meaning,” Vinyl said with a smirk.

I spoke up, “Vinyl, could you tell me about Lucky?”

“Like I said he was a nice guy when I hired him. I hired him on to fix the music players every time they broke,” she gestured to the various machines around the room. The place looked more cluttered then the Tardis and only half as much space.

“Did you get background on the guy?” I asked, looking at Vinyl.

“I did that part,” Octavia explained. “Vinyl would hire a Diamond Dog if they asked”

“Hey! Those magic beans seemed totally legit,” Vinyl retorted.

“I rest my case,” Octavia said with a sigh. “Anyway, the pony came from Las Pegasus. He graduated from a university there with a technical degree. No criminal record that I could find, so I felt it was safe to hire him.”

“Did he have any enemies? Did he feel like he was being watched at all?” I asked.

“He did seem to feel uneasy around Octy for some reason,” Vinyl answered. “Then again, anypony would feel uneasy around Miss Uptight.”

“Anyway,” Octavia glared at her co-host. “No detective, as far as we knew, he didn’t have any enemies to speak of. No family either, sadly.”

Just then a gold earth pony with a long black and blue mane and suit jacket entered “Vinyl, you’re going off the air!?”

“I am, Jumper,” Vinyl said firmly. “One of our buddies just got hung like a rag doll from our tower! I’m going to find out why.”

“You can’t just go off the air! We have listeners expecting DJ PON3 to be on the radio!”

“Then they can wait until after this is done, pal!” Vinyl barked, getting in the stallion’s face.

Octavia whispered in my ear, “That’s Jumper. He took over managing the studio about a month ago. He and Vinyl get along as well as oil and water.”

“Looks like the argument is going to take a while,” I said gesturing to the arguing pair. “Let’s have a look around to see if we can find out if Lucky was killed here.”

Octavia nodded and we left the room together. As we walked down the halls, I looked over at Octavia, “You have an interesting friend.”

Octavia sighed “She may annoy the hell out of me but I can’t honestly imagine my life without her anymore. I still remember how she pulled me onto the show. I had no idea what I was getting into. She’s wacky and crazy, but she means well, and is endearing to Everypony.”

“You ever tell Vinyl this stuff?” I asked, giving her a sly look.

“No, should I?” Octavia wondered aloud, starting to look nervous.

“I guess opposites do attract,” I said with a shrug.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Octavia demanded, glaring at me.

“I’m just saying, you speak awfully highly of her, despite her annoying you.”

“Shouldn’t a friend compliment her friend when she is a good pony?” Octavia defended herself, with a hint of red on her face.

“So tell me, do you two make sweet music together?” I asked teasingly.

Her ashen face turned crimson, and she yelled at me, “I’m being very generous by helping you! You are being uncouth and I would appreciate some civility!”

I held up my hooves in defense “Okay okay, I’ll not ask,” I smiled at her. “You two just seemed good for each other is all.”

Suddenly Octavia frowned a little, “In my life, I don’t know if it’s such a good idea.”

I was about to ask her to elaborate when she looked over at the hallway ahead, “Detective! Blood!”

I looked to where she was pointing and saw a blood trail leading into a nearby closet. I kicked it open and looked inside. There on the floor was a bloody pipe. I levitated it with my magic, “Looks like we found what Lucky got hit with”

“Detective, look up,” Octavia said forebodingly.

I looked up and on the wall written in smeared blood were the words:

Jocvert comes for Val Jean

Chapter 2 "Pictures in my Head"

Chapter 2

“Pictures in my Head”

I put the pipe inside a plastic bag slowly, then looked at the message with a shake of my head. “This Jocvert seems to have a flair for the dramatic.”

I looked back at Octavia and she turned visibly pale. Her violet eyes stared at the message. Before I could say anything Octavia ran out of the place. She must be on her way to make a vomit deposit at the nearby bathroom.

I looked at the blood and tapped my horn on it. I scanned the blood with a spell and recorded what blood type it was in my notebook. I guessed that the blood belonged to Lucky, but it didn’t hurt to take notes.

“Dude that’s a lot of blood!” I heard a voice speak up behind me.

I almost dropped my notebook as I looked back to see Vinyl with her shades on looking at the message. “Who’s this Jocvert dude?” she asked with a hoof on her chin.

I raised an eyebrow at the DJ, “You aren’t going to puke at the sight of blood?”

“Dude, I’ve gone to enough Heavy Metal concerts not to freak out at the sight of blood,” Vinyl explained not looking away from the message. “Now who would just put a message up for everypony to see?”

“Looks like he prefers to do things in style,” I stared at the message. “At least that’s what I can gather from the evidence, so far. We just need to figure out who this Val Jean fellow is”

“Sounds like a Prench name,” Vinyl mused aloud.

“That’s because it is,” I replied, knowingly. “Val Jean was a character in the play Les Ponies Misreables.”

“Never saw that play.” Vinyl glanced over at me. “Who was the guy?”

“A thief who became an honest pony,” I explained. “I better find out if the other murders were like this one at all”

Vinyl nodded. “Look dude I’m going with you on this.”

“Vinyl, I can’t ask you to help me hunt a killer.” I warned her, “It’s dangerous.”

“Hey! I shot Discord with a bass cannon,” Vinyl shot back, grinning. “How bad could this be?”

I did remember the papers talking about that. Vinyl could handle herself, that’s for sure. Looks like I got another free loader on this business. I sighed, relenting, “Fine, you can come.”

“Awesome!” she exclaimed with a leg pump. “So, where do we start?”

______________________________________________________

Vinyl looked over the files of the victims in the previous killings and sighed, “This isn’t what I had in mind.”

We were in my office as the sun reached its zenith. Twilight looked up from her desk and snorted in frustration. “None of these victims have anything in common!”

Vinyl nodded and picked up a file. “This guy, Jelly Donut, owns a donut shop in Baltimare.” She picked up another file. “This one, Strawberrycake, lives in San Franciscolt and owns a cake store.”

“Unless our killer has something against sweets, I can’t find a connection,” I said looking at another victim “Even that wouldn’t work, this one, Stampfile, works at a weather factory in Cloudsdale.”

“What could they all have in common?” Twilight asked lifting another file, “This one, Winebrandy, is a drink mixer at a bar in Hoofington.”

“Hmm,” I put a hoof on my chin, deep in thought, “what could a bunch of random ponies have in common?”

“It’s like they were just randomly picked out of a crowd,” Vinyl growled tossing a file onto the pile, then a small paper slipped out. Vinyl’s blue magic picked up the paper and she stared at it, “What’s this thing?”

I walked over to Vinyl and looked at the paper, “That’s a Subpoena, a paper to summon somepony to jury duty.”

“Jury duty?” Twilight perked up, suddenly opening a file. She levitated out the same paper. “There’s another one in Teravolt’s file.”

I opened up Stampfile’s file again. Sure enough, there was another Subpoena with the same date on it. “There’s one here too!”

We opened the files of all six victims and lo and behold, they all had Subpoenas in their files. I lifted one up with my magic and looked at the date “994? I was in traffic at the time”

“So they all were on a jury for a trial?” Vinyl asked, looking over at me. “That’s what they all have in common?”

I nodded at Vinyl. “The Question is what trial?”

________________________________________________________

Twilight walked back into the office fifteen minutes later with a paper in her magic. “There was only one trial that day, and it was a big one.”

Twilight set the newspaper on my desk and I looked at the headline.

Lady Operetta’s Trial ends with accused declared innocent!”

“Operetta?” I asked, surprised. “I know her!”

“How do you know her?” Vinyl glanced at me questioningly, “Is she somepony famous or something?”

“She was a friend of my mother’s” I replied, looking over at Vinyl. “She played Éponine, while Filltine was played by my mother”

“She was some kind of famous actress?” The DJ asked raising her shades.

“She and mom were fairly good friends during the production,” I said knowingly “Mom would talk about her occasionally, but I never met her before. Mom quit acting when I was born.”

“What happened to Operetta?” Twilight wondered aloud.

“I don’t know, mom died before she could tell me anything much about her,” I closed my eyes for a moment, missing my mom.

Twilight put a hoof on my shoulder in comfort. I smiled at her lovingly, appreciating her concern. I picked up the article, and read it aloud.

“Lady Operetta, known wife of the late Neigh Val Jean, was murdered six months ago in a hit and run shooting. The accused, Neigh’s right hand pony who wished his name to be unrecorded was found at the scene of the crime by Detective Fenlock Rusty…”

“Your mentor was on that case!” Twilight exclaimed.

“Dude, your mentor was Fenlock Rusty?” Vinyl asked her jaw dropping.

“Now that I think about it,” I closed my eyes, thinking back. “Fenlock did mention a high profile case he was on. Could this have been it?” I didn’t tell them I was getting an uneasy feeling of déjà vu about this whole thing.

I read on:

The defense presented evidence that the accused was there to protect Operetta not kill her. The jury decided that the accused was innocent in a unanimous vote, despite the valiant cries of the prosecution. The accused is to be released as the police continue the investigation.”

“Somepony is attacking the ponies that were on that jury,” Twilight said grimly.

“Is there a list of the ponies on that jury?” Vinyl asked peering over my shoulder. “Maybe we can figure out who will be attacked next.”

“Doesn’t say.” I frowned in disappointment. “You two look over any court records you can find. See if you can find the record and the name of everypony involved in that incident."

Both mares nodded as I prepared to walk out. Twilight looked over at me concerned. “Where are you going?”

“To have a drink with my mentor,” I stated simply.

______________________________________________________________

“You actually told them you were coming for a drink?” Fenlock sat in front of me at a booth in the Violet Rose.

“Well, I was somewhat honest,” I raised my glass to him and took a sip of the cider. I was one of the lucky few to get some cider before it was gone for the winter.

Fenlock chuckled. “So, you want to hear about that Operetta Doll?”

“I’d like to,” I replied, looking at him.

“You don't remember it?” My mentor looked over at me, raising an eyebrow. “You were working with me that night."

That’s when I remembered…

__________________________________________________________

A cold rainy night…

A young mare crying over the corpse of her mother.

Holes in the victim’s body from gunshots.

Fenlock talking with somepony about taking the mare home.

I walked to her and put a comforting hoof on her shoulder.

Her violet eyes gazed at me in confusion.

I smiled.

She smiled in turn…

______________________________________________________

“I do remember that night!” I exclaimed, realization dawning. “I just didn’t recognize Operetta at the time.”

Fenlock nodded grimly, “I remember how you handled the kid too.”

I did remember…

_______________________________________________________

Fenlock looked down at her as the mare took a seat in his office, “You stay here kid, I’m gonna talk to some of the other officers okay?”

She nodded slowly.

Fenlock left the room without another word. I stood in his office and listened to him talking to some of the other officers outside.

“Is she going to be okay?”

“She’ll be fine, Kid like that with all that money. She’ll be just fine”

I heard Fenlock speak outside “Shut up now! She’s only sixteen and all alone in the world, money can’t fix that!”

“Whatever you say Fenlock, her butler is coming get her. Can you believe she has a butler?”

I swore under my breath and looked over at the mare. Her violet eyes just stared at the floor. I could see the remains of tears in her eyes. I hated seeing a mare cry.

I walked up to her and put a comforting hoof on her shoulder “Hey sorry about all that, can I ask you any questions?”

She shook her head, her black wet mane moving with her.

“Can I get you anything at all?” I asked, tilting my head.

She just shook her head again.

I kept my hoof on her shoulder as I spoke firmly, “Look I know you don’t feel like talking to anypony right now, but it’s the only way to find the bastard that did this.”

She looked into my grey eyes, tears shimmering in hers. She wiped them and spoke in a quiet but refined voice, “Why did he do it? Why?”

I gently hugged her and she started crying fresh tears onto my shoulder. I knew Fenlock would slap me on the back of the head for getting this friendly with a witness, but she needed somepony to comfort her. She didn’t need an interrogation.

“I can’t give you exact reasons," I replied, patting her comfortingly, "but I can tell you that Fenlock will do everything in his power to catch him.”

She stopped crying for a minute, and looked at me with soft eyes. “Thank you, I don’t believe I know your name.”

“Private, Private Eye,” I smiled at her. “I’m Fenlock’s student.”

“You’re not much older than I am,” she observed, studying me.

“I’m nineteen, that’s old enough to start figuring things out,” I said with a small smile.

“Thank you, Private” She wiped her tears away with a handkerchief.

“Hey, could you wait two-seconds?” I asked, walking to the door.

She nodded and I ran outside the room. Fenlock was heading out to revisit the crime scene and told me to look after the mare. I was happy to oblige and came back to the office with my violin case.

“You play the violin?” she asked surprised.

“Yeah, kind of a hobby of mine,” I said with a smile

She then walked to her things and yanked out a large case with her teeth. I watched her open the case to reveal a large cello. She picked it up and looked over at me.

“Would you play with me?” She asked, hopefully.

“I’d love to.”

We played together various classical pieces together. I was surprised by how much mastery she held over her instrument despite being an earth pony. Most earth ponies had trouble handling string instruments because of the intricacy it requires. But when this mare played the music seemed to flow like a river.

When we finished she smiled at me, “Thank you, Private, for helping me with all of this.”

I returned the smile, but then I raised an eyebrow, “I don’t believe I caught your name.”

“Octavia, Octavia Val Jean”

____________________________________________________________

My grey eyes grew wide, “Octavia is Neigh Val Jean’s daughter!!”

“Neigh Val Jean,” Fenlock said with a wistful smile

“You know him?” I looked at my mentor curiously.

“I knew him as Tanker Val Mensue,” Fenlock took a sip of his drink “He and I were war buddies during EW2”

“You fought in EW2?” I asked, with wide eyed admiration

“A lifetime ago” he said with a chuckle “I was an infantry man and a sergeant at that. About two years into the war a Prench man comes along to my unit. He showed he was very good at killing and I got a little suspicious. One day he got shot up by a Berman machine gun and when he thought he was going to die he told me who he was”

I raised an eyebrow. “Who was he?”

“A gangster,” Fenlock, replied honestly. “He used a fake name to enter the army, hoping to reform himself”

“You worked alongside a criminal?”

“When he got out of the hospital I promised him I wasn’t going to tell”

“Why not?”

“He was on the reform path,” Fenlock stared into his drink, his brown eyes somewhere else. “Told me he had some doll back home, and he was hoping to leave behind his criminal ways for her.”

“I guess I can see why you didn’t tell anypony now.”

“After that we became the best of friends, Celestia must have a sense of humor I guess.” He said taking another sip of his drink “We climbed the ranks together, we both made captain before the war let out. But on the last days of fighting we were going to ambush a nearby Berman patrol,” He sighed in sadness. “Our unit got shot to hell when the Bermans fought back. I should have known that something like that would happen. I got the rest of our unit out of there, but the idiot insisted on staying behind for me to get to safety.”

“He sacrificed himself to save you” I stared into my own drink.

“Played a Luna damned hero” Fenlock said taking a generous gulp of his drink. “Had I know that Octavia gal was his kid I would’ve done something for her at least.”

I got up from the booth and prepared to walk out.

Fenlock spoke seriously “I know what you’re thinking, Private.”

“Octavia has a lot of motive for taking revenge on those jurors. I want to know who she really is, every part of her”

With that I set out to find the mysterious cello player…

Chapter 3 "Story of a Girl"

Chapter 3

“Story of a Girl”

I walked around Ponyville in the hopes of finding Octavia, before she left town. I couldn’t deny just how pale she got when she saw the message. I was tired of being in the dark about this cello player. I wanted answers and I want them now.

I eventually found her as I walked down the street leading to the train station. Sure enough, there she stood. She handed a train worker her luggage and was about to step onto the train. When she saw me, I made a break for the train.

She leaped onto the train just as it started moving. I galloped along the tracks behind the train, and leaped onto the caboose. I climbed the ladder onto the back platform of it. I looked over and saw that Octavia was climbing on top of the train car. I followed by climbing on top of the caboose.

As we stood facing each other on top of the train, I glared at her, “I know who you are Octavia Val Jean!”

“So you finally remember me,” Octavia said, with a small smile “It was quite a pleasure to see you again.”

“Enough games, Octavia,” I growled, lowering into a fighting stance. “I know that the victims were all jurors at your mother's killer's trial. I want to know why they are ending up dead!”

“Ask the killer, for I had nothing to do with their deaths.” Octavia replied, lowering into a practiced fighting stance as well.

“Then why are you skipping town?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.

“My reasons are my own, Detective” She met my eyes. “I will not let you stop me from protecting the ponies involved.”

“You think you’re protecting them?” I questioned her, as the train picked up speed, and the wind rushed by. “I’m sorry, but that is police business.”

“Still thinking like a cop,” Octavia growled, as she leaped at me.

She almost got me with a swift kick, but I managed to dodge it. I swung a left hook back at her, but she dodged as well. She grabbed my left leg and twisted it around cussing me to fall over onto my back. Clearly, she had martial arts training.

“Pudo? Tai Buck Do?” I asked, delivering a swift kick to her stomach.

She fell back, letting go of me. She sprang back to her feet. “My own brand of martial arts, thank you. I spent a good portion of my life honing it”

“For what purpose?” I asked, wiping the sweat from my brow.

“To do what the cops can’t,” Octavia charged towards me.

I was prepared to fire a stun spell, but she kicked my horn before I could. She then grabbed my jaw and slammed my face into the roof of the train. I shook my head to clear it, and managed to fire a magical bolt into her neck.

She flew back a few feet but landed upright on her hooves, despite us being on a moving train. She was good…

I decided enough was enough, I pulled out Blackbird and aimed it at her, “I’m sorry Octavia but you’ve forced me to play my hoo-“

I was cut off when Octavia suddenly appeared in front of me and slammed her hind legs into my chest. I fell back dropping Blackbird; it fell between cars onto the platform below. I wiped blood from my mouth and looked up at Octavia, “You’ve forced me to play my hoof as well” she gloated, with a slight smirk

I got up and charged the cello player again. We grappled for a minute, before I finally managed to pin her to the ground. Octavia had flexibility, but I had the brute strength. She didn’t stand a chance up close like this. My horn glowed and my aesthetic spell took hold of her. Her violet eyes slowly closed.

I wiped sweat from my brow. “I hope nopony saw that; if Twilight found out that Octavia almost kicked my ass I would never live it down.”

____________________________________________________

Octavia’s violet eyes opened slowly to find herself handcuffed to the seat in the private car. I sat in front of her with my legs crossed. She struggled for a minute before giving in. She glared at me, “If you think I’m going to talk to you, you're quite mistaken!”

“It's a long train ride to Manehatten,” I said smoothly “You didn’t think I would ask the conductor where your ticket was bound to. Just what are you planning on doing in Manehatten?”

“None of your business,” She replied, flatly

“It is my business when I know who you are. I only know your name, though; I want to know how you fit into all of this.”

“Or what?” She scowled at me. “You’ll keep my leg cuffed until I sing like a birdie?”

“I’m trying to help ponies here. I don’t see why you have something against me helping you.”

She got quiet for a minute, and then sighed, “If I tell you what I’m doing, and who I am, will you promise to hear me out until the end?”

I narrowed my eyes, “You helped me once before, what's so different this time?”

“Last time I helped you because somepony was in trouble,” She explained. “This time, it’s a personal venture, and if you
try and send me off to some cop, you’ll find I’ll only talk to you.”

“Why me?” I asked, looking at her. “Is it because of what happened six years ago?”

“Yes,” She replied, nodding. “Everypony else only wanted to get my case closed. You helped them remember that there was a pony that lost her mother in the whole business.”

“All right then, I’ll hear you out.”

Octavia sighed then spoke looking at me directly in the eyes, “You are aware who my father is?”

“Neigh Val Jean, He was a gangster wasn’t he?”

“Yes, originally he was from Prance. He left the city to get away from EW1 as a teenager. He came to Manehatten and chose to set up a business there.” She frowned a little, “He didn’t have much luck since nopony was willing to deal with the messy business of hiring an immigrant. After the war, however, came his pot of gold.”

“Prohibition?” I guessed, looking at her.

“Indeed, some Canterlot nobles got the idea of banning alcohol and it was passed through the lines to Celestia herself. It was a noble idea but in reality all it did was create opportunity for my father, and others to make it big. He turned an old store into a speakeasy. He believed firmly in giving ponies a choice rather than simply taking the choice away”

“I don’t understand,” I said shaking my head “Do you think banning alcohol is a bad thing?”

“Everypony always wants what they can’t have,” Octavia replied, matter of factly, “its simple pony nature. Sadly, when ponies desire something really badly they’ll do anything they can to get it. There were a lot of gunfights over speakeasys and shipments of alcohol. My father made quite a living on the whole era.”

“You don’t sound too proud of it.”

“I’m not one to say that playing on ponies suffering is a good thing, but my father did create quite an empire off it. I do not condone the means he used to build it, but my father did change for the better.”

“Your mother,” I stated, remembering my earlier conversation with Fenlock.

She nodded “My father’s real name is Lamount, but he always loved the play Les Ponies Misreables. So, when he came to Equestria, he changed his name to Neigh Val Jean to hide his identity. His love for that play led him to meet my mother as she played Éponine on stage for the first time”

I thought for a moment, that was also how my dad said he met my mom. Crazy how musicals can bring couples together too.

“So, colt meets filly, and your dad decided to leave the life of a criminal behind?” I asked.

She nodded “Yes, he decided to leave his criminal ways and marry my mother. He was afraid, however, he couldn’t provide for her. So, he decided to join the military and earn money honestly”

“Didn't he still have all that money from his criminal empire?” I wondered aloud.

“Yes, but if you don’t add water to a pot, you can’t keep pouring it,” Octavia said. “When my father decided to reform he spent a lot trying to keep his new family in comfort. He joined the military to bring some honor back to him.” She lowered her head “He didn’t make it back.”

“I heard about that,” I said, putting a hoof on her shoulder. “I’m sorry.”

She slapped my hoof away with her own free one “I don’t need your sympathy! I need you to let me go!”

“You were willing to have it before, I’m going to give it whether you want it or not."

“Why do you have to be so noble?” Octavia asked, with a shake of her head.

“Octavia, did what happen that night change how you viewed law enforcement?”

She slowly nodded, “Yes, when I was sixteen my mother and I received a threat letter in the mail from somepony. We tried to call the police, but the minute they heard who my father was they only sent a minor detail.” Her hoof quivered in anger “When we got to that damn alley the pony who was supposed to protect us wasn’t there! The cops didn’t come until after she was shot full of holes! My mother died because of some bureaucratic bullshit!”

I noticed there were tears in her eyes and I reached up to wipe them. “Octavia, you can’t blame me for what happened.”

“I know I shouldn’t,” She said wiping more tears away. “When I was sitting in that office, all I could think about was how everypony let me down. Then you came along, and offered sympathy, when everypony else was willing to just toss me to my butler the first chance they got.”

“It’s hard to look at the big picture, Octavia.” I offered her a small smile “I still have to know what you’re doing now. Why you’re on this train to Manehatten?”

“I know who the next victim is going to be,” She said calmly. “All of the victims are members of the jury at Jocvert’s trial.”

“You know Jocvert?” I looked at her with wide eyed.

“I don’t know if he’s the same Jocvert who failed to show up in time to protect my mother,” she replied, with a shake of her head “I do know that the only victim who could be next is in Manehatten. A pony by the name of Matzo Roll”

“Matzo Roll?!” I asked, astonished. “I know him!”

“You know a pizzeria owner from Manehatten?” Octavia shot me a questioning look.

“Of course I do! I’m best friends with his son!”

____________________________________________________________

We got to Manehatten and exited the train in a flash. Octavia and i were galloping side by side, along the streets of the metropolis. “The Rolls have a Bitalion restaurant over in Bucklyn! They should be open by now!”

Octavia looked over at me “Why are you letting me help you? You have every reason to arrest me for resisting arrest”

“Right now is not the time!” I yelled back at her as I moved past a couple walking down the sidewalk. “I need you to help me get your- why do you have your cello case?”

Indeed, Octavia had her cello case strapped to her back. She showed she could move surprisingly well despite the extra weight. She smiled at me, “You never know when an emergency might call for a cello.”

Its official, everypony in Ponyville is crazy!

______________________________________________________________

We got to Bucklyn and found the restaurant with the window broken in. I rushed inside and saw to my horror Matzo Roll, a large red coated pony with a brown mustache was standing before a pony covered from head to hoof in black.

“You get out of my home!” He said trying to sound braver then he probably felt.

I saw Potso leap out from behind a counter and swing a frying pan held in his mouth. The pan hit the mystery pony in the back of the head. The pony just turned and bucked my friend into the wall. Potso wiped blood from his red mouth, “You’re not gonna get my family, you bastard!”

The black covered pony looked at me and Octavia, as we entered. He ran towards me and got to me before I could pull out Blackbird. He tackled me into the wall, and slammed his left front hoof into my stomach. I let out a gasp of pain before shooting him in the face with a blast of magic.

He fell back and he then was surrounded by all four of us. He made a motion with his hoof and a blade appeared from under the fabric of his covering. He made for Matzo but Potso grabbed the intruder from behind.

“Papa, run!” Potso yelled, as he struggled with the obviously stronger pony.

Octavia ran for her cello case and opened it. I yelled at her, “This is no time for a musical number!”

She ignored me, as she pulled out her bow and shook it. Suddenly the wooden part folded inversely into a sharp sword. She then rushed at the enemy with the blade. He slammed Potso into a nearby wall before clashing blades with Octavia.

I just stared at her; she kept a sword in her bow! She looked at me as she clashed blades with the intruder “Take care of them! He’s mine!”

I nodded and went to Matzo, “Are you all right, Mr. Roll?”

“I’ma fine Private! Who is this man?” He asked, frantically.

“Trouble, now get out of here!” I exclaimed, pointing to the door.

Potso stopped before he left with his father, “Seems I owe you once again, Private”

“Stay alive, that will be your payment. I'm too busy to make a new best friend.” I grinned at him in relief, as I drew Blackbird.

My best friend nodded and galloped out with his father in tow.

I aimed Blackbird at the enemy pony as Octavia clashed blades with him. Her sword caught on something around his neck and the chain holding it broke off. The object fell onto the ground as I fired Blackbird into the enemy’s leg.

He let out a grunt of pain, and fell back as the bullet entered his leg. Octavia tried to slice him across the chest, but before she could he dropped a small ball. The ball exploded, and a light filled the room disorienting me.

When the flash was gone so was the intruder. I looked over at Octavia, as she flipped the bow back to its normal state. She looked at me, “What?”

“Your bow can change into a sword.” I stated, inanely.

“Well,” She said in a very dignified manner. “One can’t be too careful in today’s society.”

I rolled my eyes; this whole mystery thing was getting annoying. My eyes landed on the object that had fallen on the floor. I picked it up and examined it, my eyes narrowing. It was a necklace with a strange seal of two interlocking rifles with a sword in between them. On the bottom was an inscription, “221st Special forces unit?" I read, aloud. "This guy is ex-military!”

“Did you say 221st?” Octavia asked, her own eyes growing wide. “That was my father’s unit in the war!”

“Which was also Fenlock’s unit,” I pointed out. “Our killer is military…”

Chapter 4 "Citizen Soldier"

Chapter 4

“Citizen Soldier”

The police arrived about ten minutes after the killer left. Luckily he didn’t have the guts to come back for Matzo again. Matzo himself sat in a chair inside his restaurant as police combed the area. Potso came to offer us some drinks.

Matzo took a large gulp of his then smiled at me “It’s good to see you again, Private. It's a shame it’s under crazy circumstances.”

Potso’s blue eyes looked at his father then at me. “Private, who was that stallion?”

“We don’t know,” I replied. Potso deserved my honesty “All we got was that he is ex-military, and he’s offing members of a jury.”

Matzo’s eyes grew wide and he shook his head, “Non ci posso credere. To think that still haunts us after all these years.”

“What trial is he talking about, Papa?” Potso asked. looking at his father.

“A trial for the murder of Operetta Val Jean, wife of the gangster Neigh Val Jean,” Matzo admitted. “It was six years ago, I never told you about it because you were just starting your own restaurant.”

I looked right at the Bitallion Pony “Can you tell me how the trial went down?”

He nodded, “Six years ago, I was called in for jury duty on the trial. The accused was a stallion by the name of Smooth Shot. He was Neigh’s right hand pony, before Neigh died in the war.”

Octavia’s expression soured a little, “He was supposed to be in that alley to protect Operetta and her daughter. along with a cop right?”

“Yes, how did you guess?” Matzo asked, looking at her.

Octavia just shrugged, “Read about it somewhere.”

She was careful to omit the fact she was that daughter. I’m surprised that Matzo didn’t recognize her. The Bitallion pony went on “As the trial went it became clear that him, as well as the cop, disappearing in that alley was no coincidence. The evidence pointed to the connection being sospetto.”

“He was declared innocent,” I pointed out.

“He was, because the rest of the jurors were afraid to convict him,” Matzo said slowly.

“They were bribed to look the other way?” I asked, darkly.

“In a manner of speaking, yes; I was convinced he was innocent after he gave a passionate defense, so I voted honestly. Several others, however, voted for less than honest reasons.”

“How many took bribes, and who was giving them?” Octavia asked, her voice developing an edge.

“I don’t know who was giving the bribes, but I have a high suspicion that Smooth Shot had something to do with it.” Matzo, said grimly. “I know that at least six of the twelve of us took the bribes.”

“Was one of them named Lucky Zeven?” I asked looking at him.

“I’m not aware exactly who accepted the bribes. I just know they weren’t interested in seeing Smooth Shot jailed.”

“You knew about this and didn’t tell the judge or the police?” I said looking at Matzo

The Bitallion pony shrugged “I tried but for some reason the police dismissed my claims”

Odd that the police would so easily dismiss Matzo’s accusations of bribery. Something else must be going on here…

________________________________________________________

I got outside as Matzo reported what happened to the police. I looked over at Octavia, “We need to find out who was in that unit; I have a strong suspicion that Fenlock knows who was in that unit.”

“You’re not suspecting that he might be the killer?” Octavia asked.

“Fenlock would never do anything like this,” I said, in defense of my mentor. “He’s an honorable pony, and I can’t see him killing anypony.”

“You’re blinded by your bias for him,” She claimed, her eyes narrowing. “He was in the military like you said it’s logical to assume that he knows the killer or at least had somepony from the unit kill Lucky Zeven.”

“You’re just saying that because of what happened six years ago,” I spit venomously.

“Don’t make me fight you again, Detective,” She growled, frowning. “I will not hold back like I did last time if you make this personal.”

We stared at each other for a long minute. I held a deep respect for Fenlock, and I couldn’t stand anypony going around accusing him. Wait…

“Private?” I heard a voice speak behind me.

I turned to see Twilight and Vinyl standing on the sidewalk. Twilight smiled at me, “We got a list of the jurors from the trial.”

Vinyl looked past me at Octavia with a smile, “Hey, Octy! I didn’t know you and Private were working together on this case.”

Octavia simply sighed, “Vinyl, meddling in others affairs again I see.”

Vinyl just shrugged, “What can I say? I’m a helper.”

Octavia simply rolled her eyes again as Twilight handed me the list.

I looked down the list of jurors, “Where’d you get this info?”

Vinyl spoke up, “Called in a favor from Celestia, she got the list from her legal department.”

Octavia sighed again, “I’m surprised she let you do anything after the crazy interview you gave her on air”

“Hey it’s all good,” Vinyl dismissivly waved a hoof. “Anyway, all of the victims Jocvert killed were indeed ponies that were on the jury during the trial.”

I looked at the list; there were the names of all six victims. The other six included Matzo and several other ponies. I looked up at Twilight “Did you get the police on the other five?”

Twilight nodded “As it turns out, most of them moved after the trial. The police should be able to get on them now.”

I nodded, “I want you three to do some background checks on the victims. See if anypony was in trouble financially at the time.”

“Why do you want to know that?” Vinyl asked, lifting her shades.

“I want to know if anypony was desperate enough to accept bribes,” I replied walking away. “I’ve got some ponies I need to track down. We’ll meet at Central Park later.”

They all nodded while I ventured off alone. I didn’t want to believe Fenlock had anything to do with this.

Then again, everypony thought Shinebadge was solid until Vice…

________________________________________________________

“He was in my unit?” Fenlock asked, as he sat down in his chair. “Unbelievable…”

Fenlock’s apartment was humble by most standards. He only had a small kitchen, one bedroom, and a living room with a couch and an old TV. I was sitting on the couch as my mentor looked at me with his brown eyes. “You’re thinking that I might have be Jocvert.”

“Fenlock I-“

“Don’t lie to me Private, I would think the same thing,” He interrupted, in that tone I was used to hearing from him. The kind when a teacher tells a student something he should learn “However, I didn’t kill them. I have no reason to kill a bunch of ponies I don’t know.”

“Well, somepony from your unit does.” I said, leaning forward on the couch “Fenlock, I can imagine…”

“You want me to talk about the war don’t you?” He asked, taking the words right out of my mouth. “I know you too well, Private”

“Way too well for your own good, old timer.” I rolled my eyes at him.

He chuckled a little then got up and went into his closet. He came out with a large box and set it on his kitchen table. I looked inside and saw all manner of old war items. A uniform, a helmet, a pair of old pistols and a lot of pictures filled the box. Fenlock reached in and pulled out an old black and white photograph of his unit “We were the 221st special forces division, called ourselves the Hell Hounds”

I looked at the old picture, I barely recognized a young Fenlock. “How old were you when you entered the war?”

“Nineteen,” Fenlock shook his head. “Didn’t want to be a farmer anymore; so I did what all colts did when the war broke out. I joined the fight”

“Nineteen,” I looked at Fenlock “You were fighting wars at the same age I was starting to solve crimes.”

“Our unit was mostly comprised of young guys like me,” Fenlock explained. “Bunch of kids who grew up fast on the battlefield”

“Where is Neigh Val Jean?” I asked

“Right there” He said pointing to a young earth pony leaning on a machine gun “The Thompson was always his favorite weapon. He and I were buddies in the war, always gave the sergeant hell”

“Your sergeant?” I asked curiously.

“Yeah, guy by the name of Tamper Cable.” He explained pointing at the only stallion standing at attention “Complete and utter hard ass, always wanted everypony to play by the rules. None of us listened to him, and for some reason he always liked to pick on Neigh. Heard he became a lawyer after the war.”

“What about a pony by the name of Smooth Shot?” I asked, looking at my mentor “Somepony who was a friend to Neigh?”

Fenlock pointed to an earth pony smiling while sitting on wagon back. He had a sniper rifle in his hooves “That’s him, came into the unit a few weeks after Neigh got shot up the first time. Nice guy, had a decent sense of humor.”

“Do you know where he is now?” I said looking at Fenlock

“Nah,” He shook his head. “We all just drifted apart after the war, haven’t heard from him in a long time.”

“Then I know who to ask next,” I said grimly

“Private, you know she can find anypony”

“That doesn’t mean I’m going to look forward to talking with her,” I said with a sigh.

“You’re going to anyway?”

“I have to talk to Larksong if I want to get anywhere,” I admitted with another sigh. “I gotta go find her.”

Fenlock nodded and was putting away his stuff before I asked, “Fenlock, where were you at midnight last night?”

Fenlock paused for a minute, then spoke firmly, “I was here at my apartment all night. My neighbors and doormen can tell you I never left. I was watching the Red Chaps game.”

“Sorry, Fenlock,” I said guiltily. “I had to ask…”

Fenlock came to me and smiled, “That’s good. You didn’t let the fact I was your mentor cloud your duty as a detective. No, I didn’t kill those poor saps, but I am glad you asked.”

“I would think you would be mad at me for asking.”

“Nah,” He said dismissively. “I would have been mad if you didn’t. The thing you gotta remember Private is that, in a case, anypony is a suspect. Could be anypony connected with this whole business.”

I smiled at my mentor, “Thanks Fenlock, I’m glad you had nothing to do with this.”

“Eh I’m not suave or sexy enough to be a criminal,” He said dryly.

I chuckled a little and turned to walk out

“Private,” Fenlock’s voice said behind me. “Remember, sometimes you need to look for the crime that didn’t happen, to find the crime that did.”

“Always cryptic as hell” I smiled.

“Would I be a mentor if I told you everything outright?”

“No I guess not” I replied, as I left my mentor behind.

______________________________________________________________

I walked in St. Ponel’s cemetery. Two days ago I walked here to visit the grave of my mother. Today though, I’m looking for the grave of somepony else’s mother. There laying flowers on a gravestone was Larksong, My ex-marefriend, and information broker.

Her gold coat shone in the autumn light, her light green mane blowing in the breeze. Her blue eyes opened slightly as she spoke to the grave of her mother. I remember something like this years ago…

___________________________________________________________

4 years ago:

“All right, Lark, you said we were going to meet your parents today” I said looking over at Larksong. She wore a simple jacket to accommodate the increasingly cold Manehattan air.

She smiled at me, “I am.”

“We’re at a cemetery,” I pointed out. “Not only that, but my mother is buried here…”

She pressed herself to me in comfort “I’m sorry, Private, had I known your mother was buried here too…”

“Too?” I asked looking at her as we entered the graveyard.

She nodded as we walked the aisles of gravestones “My mother died when I was only two, Father raised me by himself ever since.”

“He sounds like a good man.”

She gave me a very odd expression, before stopping in front of a gravestone. She smiled and spoke to the gravestone, “Mother, this is my coltfriend Private Eye.”

I looked at the gravestone, then at Larksong who encouraged me to speak. I decided to humor her and spoke to the gravestone “Hi, I’m Private, a pleasure to meet you.”

Larksong’s expression changed again as I spoke.

“You got a great daughter here; she’s beautiful, smart, and an incredibly good singer. I would have loved to have met you. I’ll bet you were just as amazing as your daughter.”

I heard crying behind me and I looked back to see Larksong with tears in her eyes. I tilted my head in confusion, “What’s wrong?”

“Nopony has actually spoken to her before,” Larksong said, wiping her eyes. “It’s just so like you, Private”

I smiled and nuzzled her on the cheek, “Hey, no need for tears okay. I’m here…”

________________________________________________________________

“I’m here,” I said looking at Larksong.

“Long time no see, Private,” She said getting up and smiling at me “You here to see mother?”

“Not really, to be honest,” I said with a shake of my head, “I’m here to see you.”

“Don’t you think Twilight would be worried about you seeing your ex behind her back?” Larksong asked, in that voice where you can’t understand what she’s thinking.

“This isn’t about that, Lark,” I replied, not giving in.

“I knew romance would spark between you two” She said with a sly smile

“Lark...”

“She’s absolutely adorable; I think she’s perfect to keep you from breaking down like a rusted building.”

“Lark I didn’t come to banter with you” I said firmly

“Yet, that is what we do every time we meet.” Larksong walked towards me. “I do so enjoy it.”

“I need to find somepony,” I said, ignoring her comment. “Guy by the name of Smooth Shot.”

“Smooth Shot, eh?” She said tapping her hoof on her chin. “Yeah I’ve heard of him. He lives over in the Broncox, has a fishing business by the river.”

“Thanks, you got an address?” I asked, holding out my notebook.

Larksong’s horn glowed a pale blue and she wrote down the address on my notebook. “You aren’t going to ask how I got this information?”

“Something tells me I don’t want to know,” I replied, looking at the paper. “1985 West Street.”

“Private, is that a friend of yours?” Larksong pointed behind me.

I looked and saw Octavia running off behind me. When did she get here? Oh no, she heard the address. She was going after Smooth Shot…

Chapter 5 "Revenge Ain't So Sweet"

Chapter 5

“Revenge ain’t so Sweet”

Smooth Shot walked inside his apartment with a smile on his face. Today’s haul was great and would put his debt to rest. He sat down in his chair and smiled at a picture of his granddaughter. She would be four this year, just starting school.

Hard to believe so much time had-

“Lovely Granddaughter you have there,” A voice said from behind him, as he felt a gun muzzle press against the back of his head. “Does she know what you did?”

“Who are you?” He said looking around for anything he could use as a weapon “What are you doing in my house?”

The refined female voice spoke again, “Don’t you recognize me? The mare you abandoned in that alleyway six years ago? After you swore you would protect me and my mother.”

“Octavia?” Smooth Shot got up out of the chair and tuned around. Octavia was clad in a black fedora and suit jacket. She held a tommy machine gun in her hooves, her father’s favorite weapon “You’re- I heard you on the radio but I didn’t think you were the same…”

She held the rifle so it was aimed right at the earth pony’s head, “I finally have you.”

“Octavia, wait, listen-“

“No, you listen to me!” She said with an edge in her voice “My mother died because you failed to show up! Then Fenlock finds you just a few blocks away? That can’t be a coincidence!"

The old earth pony backed away from her, “Octavia, I didn’t mean for anypony to get killed!”

“That man that shot my mother, it was you wasn’t it?” Octavia said slowly.

“No, it wasn’t!” Smooth retorted “Look, I loved your mother to death and I loved you like my own daughter. When your father died, I promised I would protect you.”

“You didn’t protect my mother! Then you had to go and bribe your way through the trial instead of accepting responsibility.”

“You know about that?” Smooth Shot's eyes grew wide. “Octavia I-“

“You knew you would be found guilty,” Octavia said slowly “You knew, so you had to bribe the ponies involved. When you heard I was back, however, you thought you would be discovered by me. So you had the members of the jury killed to try and cover up the bribes.”

“Cosette,” Smooth Shot said slowly, his old eyes almost on the verge of tears.

“Don’t call me that!” Octavia yelled. “Only my mother gets to call me that! You don’t deserve to even speak my name after what you did.”

He bowed his head in shame, “It’s true, I didn’t protect you that night, and for that I’m sorry. I only tried to kill Matzo Roll though; I didn’t kill those other ponies you’re talking about.”

“You seriously expect me to believe you?” Octavia asked, fury burning in her eyes. “After all the lies you told me? I’ve searched for you for six years to find out what drove you to leave us in that alleyway to die! Now, I see you’re a spineless coward, not a worthy man for my father's trust.”

“Octavia, I’m sorry,” He said looking at her “I hope you can forgive me.”

“Save your begging for Celestia,” She raised her tommy gun, but it was suddenly shot out of her hooves.

I came out of the shadows with my gun raised, “That’s enough, Octavia”.

She glared at me, “Do not thwart me in this, Private! This man killed my mother!”

“No, he didn’t,” I pointed my gun at her, and levitated the Tommy gun off the ground, aiming it at Smooth Shot. “He did try to kill Matzo, but he isn’t Jocvert.”

“What are you talking about? By killing Matzo-“

“He gains nothing” I said simply “Matzo knew about the bribes, but the police wouldn’t listen to his accusations. Killing a pony who didn’t accept the bribes doesn’t make sense for a guilty man.”

“What are you saying?” Octavia asked, glaring at me. “He didn’t kill the others?”

“No, think about the crime that didn’t happen. Matzo wasn’t killed, the others were. I know that Smooth Shot is our man, as far as attacking Matzo is concerned.” I pointed to Smooth Shot’s leg, “I shot him there.”

Smooth Shot rolled up his sleeves to show he indeed had a bandaged leg, “You’re a good shot, Detective.”

“He only attacked Matzo,” I explained. “He didn’t kill the others.”

“No,” Octavia's eyes filled up with tears. “He’s not getting away twice!”

She tackled Smooth Shot, and grabbed her tommy gun from my magical grip, before I could stop her. She aimed the gun at Smooth Shot’s face, “You’re not getting away again!”

“Octavia, put the gun down,” I said firmly.

“Why should he go free? My mother is in a grave because of him!” She looked at me beseechingly.

“Revenge will get you nowhere, Octavia. I know you’re hurting, but you can’t let your anger and grief take over. He didn’t kill the jurors, but maybe he can tell us who did.”

Octavia dropped her gun and started crying. Her tears soaking the carpet as Smooth Shot tried to get up. He looked like he wanted to run out, but one gun point in his face kept him in place. I looked over at Octavia “I lost my mother too. It hurts a lot I know, but you can’t let that turn you into a monster.”

Octavia wiped her eyes, “Damn it, why does it have to be so hard?”

Smooth Shot spoke, “Detective, you probably want to know why I attacked Matzo.”

“I would appreciate that,” I replied firmly. “Why did you attack my best friend’s father?”

“I got this letter in the mail this morning,” The earth pony said. “He said he was going to expose me. Tell the police about the bribes.”

“Do you still have this letter?” I asked.

“Yeah, over on the table over there,” he said gesturing with his hoof to the table. Octavia went to go get it and passed it to me without saying another word.

I looked in the letter

I will expose you for what you’ve done, Smooth Shot. Your crimes will not go unanswered even though you’ve been “innocent” for six years. I will bring you behind bars. You can avoid this, however, if you kill Matzo Roll.

Jocvert

“Do you know Jocvert?” I asked, looking at Smooth Shot.

“Jocvert is what Neigh called all the cops and lawyers that tried to take us down,” Smooth Shot explained. “I never thought one would take the title like a badge of honor, though.”

“Also, I have to ask” I said looking right at Smooth Shot “Did you kill Operetta?”

He slowly shook his head “No, I wasn’t in the alley that night when it happened. I was called away because it was my daughter’s birthday. When I came back, Operetta was dead…”

______________________________________________________________

Octavia just sat on the sidewalk staring down at the concrete. I sat down next to her. “You took over your father’s empire didn’t you?”

“Yes,” Octavia replied, with a short nod. “I did it to try and make sure I could do what the cops couldn’t. I fought gang wars, stopped mafia bosses from taking over, all while doing it under the nose of the cops.”

“All to get ready for when you found Smooth Shot?”

“I planned for five years on how to get revenge on him,” she admitted. “Five years of my life, constantly fighting, to find him. I wanted to make somepony pay for what happened”

“You said five years,” I pointed out. “What did you do during that extra year?”

“That was this year. I met Vinyl and she asked for me to come on her show,” she explained, with a small smile. “She was an incredibly good distraction from revenge plots and mob bosses.”

“You like Vinyl, don’t you?”

Her violet eyes seemed to drift off somewhere else, “Vinyl, doesn’t really have a plan for the future. Every day is just a brand new day to have fun, and cause mayhem. She allowed me to stop thinking about Smooth Shot, and for once in my life I was finally happy again. It was good to get away from all of this mess, and do something fun.”

“Does Vinyl know about your,” I fought for the right word, “activities?”

She shook her head “No, Vinyl doesn’t know any of this. I kept it a secret for her own protection. I enjoyed somepony not knowing what I did.”

“You know eventually you’re going to have to tell her,” I said firmly.

“Maybe someday, Detective” she said, with a shake of her ashen colored head. “I don’t know if I’m ready to tell Vinyl about such a large part of my life, yet.”

“You remind me of myself,” I said, with a small smile.

“How so?” she asked, looking over at me. “Aside from the fact we both are motherless?”

“I have a brother named Tailspin; he’s crippled and can’t walk or fly on his own. I thought I was the only pony who should worry about him. I kept him a secret from even my closest friends, to keep ponies from trying to get involved. When Twilight came along, she said that friends shouldn’t keep secrets from each other. So, I told her about Tailspin.”

“So, you’re saying I should tell Vinyl?” Octavia asked, looking down. “How would she react? Knowing all that I’ve done...”

“You’ll find friends can be very supportive, if you are willing to open up to them.” I smiled at her. “Now are you going to help me stop Jocvert, or not?”

“You’ll still let me on board?” Octavia looked at me with surprise. “Even after all I’ve done?”

“That’s for another day,” I climbed to my hooves. “Right now we should find the true mastermind behind all of this.”

_______________________________________________________________

We headed back to Ponyville, and hooked up with Vinyl and Twilight. Sherrie had finished examining the body, and she said she found something interesting. I left Matzo with a protection detail, just in case Smooth Shot tried to go through with the deal a second time.

When we got to Ponyville’s Morgue I found Sherrie, sound asleep on her counter.

I poked the unicorn, “Miss Illusion?”

She got up, yawning widely, and looked at me bleary eyed. “Ah, Private, it’s nice to see you again. I'm sorry about falling asleep; I’m a bit of a night owl.”

Twilight frowned, “Its noon, how could you be sleeping?”

“Like I said, night owl,” she waved dismissively. “Now let me show you what I found.”

She walked over to the table where Lucky Zeven’s body was lying; I looked over at the mares with a raised eyebrow. Nopony was making run for the bathroom. Sherrie noticed me stopping. "What's wrong?"

“Usually whenever I bring a pony near a dead body they start puking,” I said,

Twilight shrugged. “Used to dead bodies by now.”

Vinyl just smirked at me, obviously far too cool to throw up over a dead body.

Octavia just shrugged “Not my first dead body either.”

Sherrie just rolled her eyes and gestured to the marks on Zeven’s neck, “These marks were made by radio wire.”

“The wire we use for our broadcasting equipment?” Octavia asked.

“I would say so,” Sherrie replied, nodding. “We even found the wire used during the attack. It's over on the counter.” She pointed with a hoof to where she meant.

I walked over and picked up the wire. It was a thin black wire, the same kind that I saw coming out of the machines at the station. I held the wire with my magic over Zeven’s neck “The marks on the neck perfectly match the marks on the wire”

“Where did you get this wire?” Twilight asked the Medical Examiner.

Sherrie looked at Twilight, “We found it in a garbage can by the entrance of the radio station.”

Vinyl put a hoof on her chin “Funny, if the killer got in, wouldn't he have been seen on video camera?”

“We checked them,” Sherrie said shaking her head. “The only pony that we saw go in near the time of the murder was Zeven. Shortly after that the cameras just go dark. Somepony shut them off."

“Who would have access to the camera room?” I asked the radio hosts.

“Well, Octy and I both have keys to every part of the station,” Vinyl explained, “but we both had our keys on us when we left for the night.”

“Is there a third key?” I asked

“Zeven had a third one,” Octavia chimed in helpfully.

Something was not right here. Something was starting to flicker in the back of my mind.

“I’m going to look over the crime scene again,” I said firmly. “Let’s see if there’s anything the police missed.”

________________________________________________________

We got back to the station and I went to where Sherrie said the wire was found. I looked in the garbage can “All right, this might stink a bit.”

I dumped the contents of the trash can and started sifting through it. I didn’t find anything in it until…

Vinyl pointed it out first, “Hey something shiny! I wonder if it’s a bit!” Her horn glowed a soft blue and the object rose out of the garbage.

It was a silver key with no teeth on the end, “What’s this thing?”

My own grey magic picked it up as I examined the key. “This is a master key.”

“A master key?” Twilight asked. “You mean like what cops use to open certain doors?”

“Only this key has some minor magic on it,” I explained. “You insert this thing into any key slot and it’ll automatically morph into the key that will open the lock.”

“Cool!” Vinyl grinned mischievously. “This means I can bust in to see Octavia’s private Raiden Bolt shrine anytime I want!”

Octavia blushed and glared at her friend, “You will not touch that key if you know what’s good for you.”

“Raiden’s music doesn’t really seem like your style, Octavia,” I observed.

“No, she just thinks he’s cute.” Vinyl teased, grinning widely.

“Urge to buck Vinyl to moon rising…” Octavia growled through gritted teeth.

Twilight stifled a giggle and looked back at the key. “The real question is, what’s this key doing here?”

“Only a cop would have access to this kind of key,” I explained. “This one’s also an older model, so there’s no way one of the cops investigating the scene could have dropped it."

“Jumper’s going to be so pissed knowing that our station can be broken into so easily,” Vinyl said with a small laugh.

“That’s Jumper Cable for you,” Octavia grinned “Always such a perfectionist in everything. That's what got him fired from his last job.”

Wait…

“What was Jumper’s last job?” I asked my mind racing.

“I heard he was a cop for a long time,” Vinyl shrugged. “Why?”

“Octavia,” I said slowly. “What was the name of the cop who didn’t show up to protect you?”

“Officer Cab-, “Octavia’s eyes grew huge. “He’s the one! Jumper is the pony who-“

We were cut off by a small object landing between us. I looked down and saw it was a gas grenade. It emitted a foul smelling gas that entered my lungs before I could warn the others, or even hold my breath.

The mares and I fell to the ground in a heap.

My grey eyes slowly closed as some black suited ponies surrounding us. The last thing I saw was a gold earth pony with a long black and blue mane standing with them.

Val Jean, at last, we see each other plain. Madame, la reine, you wear a different chain…

Chapter 6 "The Final Countdown"

Chapter 6

“Final Countdown”

My grey eyes slowly opened and I found myself tied up with Twilight behind me. We were sitting on chairs back to back. She didn’t wake up yet but I saw that we both had inhibiter rings on our horns. Any attempt at magic was useless.

I looked back at Twilight “Twilight, are you alright?”

She only let out a small groan; she was alive, that was good. I looked around at our surroundings. We were in an old foundry with light coming in through windows on the high ceiling. There were conveyer belts with several old boxes on them. This place had been abandoned for a long time. It was the perfect hideout for our culprit.

“Come out Jumper! I know who you are!” I shouted to the air.

“How did you figure it out?” Jumper asked snidely as he came out of the shadows. He was flanked by two earth ponies clad in black suits. They were both armed with assault rifles.

“You used to be a cop,” I said simply. “You were the cop that didn’t show up six years ago to protect Octavia’s mother,” My grey eyes narrowed at him “Also your father’s name was Tamper Cable, he was the prosecutor on the case, wasn’t he?”

Jumper glared at me, “He was.”

“It must have been so humiliating,” I said darkly. “Your father was this great lawyer, and yet one case later, his entire career is in shambles. So you decided to get revenge on the ponies who you knew accepted bribes from the defense. In all honesty, he would’ve won anyway, but you knew that the trial would’ve been set back months if the corruption of the jury was discovered. Your father was too stubborn to wait and decided to go through with the trial, despite all of the opposition.”

“And he lost…” Twilight joined in, having awoken during our exchange. “Once he did you dedicated your life to hunting down the ponies that destroyed your father’s career.”

“You were a patient pony,” I added, knowingly “You waited long enough for ponies to forget about the trial. Once some time had passed you would get hired where you knew one of the ponies worked. Once you killed them off you would leave pretending to be in grief. You did this six times, in long enough time gaps that nopony would connect the murders.

Jumper grinned at me, “All to bring justice to ponies who thought they could escape judgment.”

“This isn’t justice!” Twilight shouted. “This is petty revenge!”

“Exactly, Twilight,” I said, smiling. “It is petty revenge, elaborate and well done, but petty none the less.”

“What are you talking about?” Jumper asked, incredulously?

“When you were ready to kill Zeven, you found out about Octavia. She was the only pony that could make the connection that you were the killer. So you decided to persuade a guilty conscious to help you in your venture. You told Smooth Shot to attack Matzo, knowing that Octavia would assume he was the killer.”

Jumper’s eyes narrowed, “What makes you think I give a damn about some cello player?”

“Because… you are the true killer of her mother. ” I said, knowingly.

Jumper’s eyes grew wide and I heard a voice speak up, “You bastard! I'll kill you with my bare hooves!" I looked over and saw Octavia tied up to a chair. I didn’t see Vinyl anywhere though, where was she?

Jumper walked over and slapped Octavia across the face. She struggled against her bonds,a look of pure rage on her face. Jumper ignored her and glanced at me, haughtily.“What makes you think I killed her mother?”

“The cop that wasn’t there?” I smirked at him. “I found it a little odd that he wasn’t called into suspicion. Look for the crime that didn’t happen, like my mentor said. You weren’t accused during the process, because your father kept your ass from getting busted. Also, your father knew about Val Jean’s identity during the war.”

Octavia glared at Jumper “You killed her! My father died fighting for Equestria honorably! Why did you kill her? She never hurt anypony.”

“Somepony had to pay for your father's crimes.” Jumper said evilly. “Justice must be served. Father and I figured it should be you and your mother who would pay. I didn’t count on Fenlock showing up so soon though, so I couldn’t kill you.”

“So you hatched up this scheme to get her,” I said, glaring at Jumper. “You knew Octavia would try and kill Smooth Shot. You used her lust for revenge against her. She would go to prison for her crimes, and you would go scot free! You’re a monster; playing a hero, when you're really just as evil as the ponies you are judging.”

“Silence!” He shouted at me “She is a criminal! She will get her just punishment!”

Octavia struggled in her bindings and yelled, “Come and face me like a real stallion, you bastard!”

“I wouldn’t struggle too hard, Octavia,” he said slowly.

“Let me go, you jerks!” I heard a voice cried, from behind a box. Walking out with a gun pointed at her back was Vinyl. Octavia stopped struggling upon seeing her friend being held at gunpoint. "Octy!” She called upon seeing Octavia.

“Vinyl…” Octavia's eyes narrowed to slits. “You let her go now!”

“She's just insurance to make sure you don’t try anything stupid.” Jumper grinned evilly. “You won't struggle,” he pulled out a revolver out of his pocket and aimed it at Octavia’s head “and I will exact proper justice for everything Val Jean did"

Vinyl looked at Octavia tears streaming down her face, “Octy, I’m sorry! I’m sorry for everything I did to embarrass you! I only did all those things to get you to have fun! I’m sorry.”

Octavia smiled at Vinyl through her tears. “I would do the Vinyl Scratch a million times for you.”

“Octy,” Vinyl said slowly, a faint blush coming to her cheeks.

“Enough games!” Jumper cried. His hoof tightened on the trigger of the gun he was pointing at Octavia's head. “Justice shall be…”

Bang!!

The thug holding Vinyl went down with a bullet in his shoulder. Jumper looked around and shouted, “Who’s there? I’ll kill her!”

“You ain’t got nowhere to hide ya bastard” I heard a voice saying from a little far behind me.

Bang!

Jumper’s revolver went flying, as Fenlock stepped out of the shadows. His silver magic was surrounding a pair of pistols, his signature style of firearms. He looked over at me “Nice work figuring things out, Private.”

“How did you know where to find us?” I asked, looking at him in awe.

“I figured you would head back to the radio station after your investigation ended in Manehattan. Luckily I found the tracks where these bastards went off with you.” He smiled at me proudly.“Ya did good, Private.”

“I had a good teacher,” I replied, returning his smile

Jumper looked over at my mentor with a glare, both of his henchmen raised their assault rifles “Fenlock? You dare to try and thwart me?”

“I dare to stop an idiot from killing innocent ponies,” Fenlock answered, dryly. “but you can say it however you like.”

“What can an old broken war horse do to stop me?” Jumper asked, an evil grin spreading across his muzzle. I saw five other henchmen come out of the shadows

“I ain’t broken, yet. I ain’t old either, don’t like bingo”

Fenlock’s magic wrapped around the bindings on me and I felt them loosen. I didn’t slip out of them yet, Fenlock obviously had a plan.

“Kill him men!” Jumper shouted “Kill them all!”

CLANG!!

I looked up and saw Potso sitting on top of a knocked out henchmen. He smiled at me “I thought you could use a hoof, Private.”

“Potso!” I exclaimed, grinning at him.

As the other henchmen began shooting, I slipped out of the bounds, and dragged Twilight with me behind cover. I yanked the inhibiter ring off Twilight’s horn and she pulled my ring off my horn. She kissed me on the cheek before firing a magical blast at a henchmen that tried to sneak up on us “Well Private Eye, you certainly know how to show a girl a good time.”

“I aim to impress,” I said smiling.

Just then Octavia was thrown by Fenlock’s magic over the crates. She struggled out her bounds and looked around “If only I had my cello case”

“Ta-Da!” Potso said from a scaffolding above, he dropped Octavia’s cello case into her waiting forelegs. “Those idiotas left that behind when you got captured.”

“Good work, Potso!” I said, as Octavia opened her cello case. She opened up the cello and pulled out… a sawed off shotgun.

I gave her a look and she simply said "You can never be too careful in today's society"

She leaped on top of the cover and fired her newly acquired shotgun at the first henchmen she saw. Fenlock took shots at two other henchmen, before taking cover again. I just watched as Octavia moved around, dodging bullets with the grace of a ballerina on a stage of death. She made her way over to Vinyl who was hiding behind a crate.

“Vinyl, are you all right?” She asked her friend, as she reloaded her shotgun.

Vinyl’s red eyes just looked at Octavia “All right? I think I’m in love.”

Octavia rolled her eyes, “Save the charm until after we’ve won.”

Twilight and I fired blasts of magic at another henchmen, and he went down like a ton of bricks. Potso, up at the scaffolding, leaped over another henchman and spun around in the air, slamming his rump onto the henchmen’s head. Potso smiled and dusted himself off, “Back in Bitallia, we call that the Terra Libra!”

One by one all of Jumper’s henchmen fell to gunfire or Terra Libras. Octavia’s shotgun clicked as she fired her last shot into the kneecap of the last henchmen. “I’m out!”

Just then Jumper appeared and put a foreleg around her neck using her as a pony shield. We all held our fire as Jumper held a revolver to her head. “Everypony back off, or she dies!”

“Using a lady as a shield!” Potso said, from his perch on the scaffolding “You really are a bastard!”

“What does it matter?” Jumper asked, glaring at all of us. “You will all let me go or she dies!”

“Hey Plothole!” I heard a voice shout.

Vinyl was standing there leaning on a small box. Twilight and I looked at each other and we ducked behind cover quickly. One look from me also sent Potso and Fenlock running for cover as well.

Jumper just laughed at Vinyl, “What, pray tell, is that?” He said pointing with his revolver at the box.

Vinyl smiled widely and Octavia smiled as well “Aww, it’s nothing special it’s…

JUST MY BASS CANNON!!!"

Octavia elbowed Jumper in the chest and leapt behind a crate and covered her ears as the box opened revealing the bass cannon. Jumper was soon blown away by a blast of pure bass sound hitting him like a wrecking ball.

When it was over Jumper was planted to the wall and I peeked out from behind cover “So…awesome…” Was all I could say.

Potso nodded “I agree my friend, così impressionante.”

I walked up to Jumper and aimed an assault rifle at him, “Those who do not weep do not see Jumper. Your inability to see the bigger picture puts you under arrest for the murders of all six of those ponies.”

“I spoke,” Jumper said looking down “Now I am condemned.”

______________________________________________________________

Jumper went with dignity into the police carriage when they came for him. In actuality, they came to investigate a massive explosion of pure bass but, details.

Twilight and I stood in front of Fenlock. I smiled at my mentor “Looks like you saved my tail yet again, Fenlock.”

My mentor laughed, “Just try not to make a habit of it, Private.”

Twilight smiled at my mentor as well, “Thank you for saving us, Fenlock. I can see why Private holds a lot of respect for you.”

“He still acts like an ass around me though,” Fenlock said, rolling his brown eyes. "No offense."

We all looked at a nearby donkey but he simply smiled and said, “None taken.”

Fenlock put a hoof on my shoulder and smiled, “You keep things safe while I’m retired okay, Private?”

“I will, Fenlock” I said beaming at my mentor.

He turned to Twilight, “You keep this crazy stallion out of trouble you hear?”

Twilight smiled slyly and brushed against me, “I’ll try and keep him safe."

I blushed bright red at Twilight being intimate when my mentor was watching. Fenlock laughed at my blush and said, “Ya sure know how to pick em dames, Private. You keep this one, she’s got a good head on her shoulders.”

“Yes, sir,” I said smiling shyly.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me,” he said, as he walked away to talk with the police.

Twilight smiled at me, “He’s a good stallion; I see why you hold him in such high respect.”

“Now you’ve increased his ego past Rainbow Dash level,” I said dryly.

I heard a hearty laugh behind me and I turned to see Potso smiling at me “Private, it’s good to see you, amico. It’s been a while since you dropped by my pizzeria in Manehattan.”

“Sorry we didn’t have much time to talk,” I apologized. “How’d you end up saving our lives back there?”

“I wanted to follow you guys,” Potso said, with a shrug. “Since, I missed you guys on the train, I ran to tell Fenlock what was going on. He said he was going to Ponyville, so I decided to tag along.”

“Typical Potso” I said, with a roll of my eyes. “Always thinking with your heart rather then your brains.”

“It’s a good thing I did come along because I rescued you, no?” He said running a hoof along his mustache.

“So are you heading back to Manehattan?” Twilight asked

“After coming to this bella terra?” My friend said looking around Ponyville with wide eyes “Reminds me of my home land of Tuspony. I think I’ll stay around and set up a pizzeria here.”

“You sure about this?” I asked my best friend “Ponyville can get hectic.”

Potso smiled, “Ponyville should get a taste of good ole fashioned Manehattan pizza. I’ll ask Linguini if she wants to come along.”

Twilight smiled, “We’ll be happy to have you two here in Ponyville”

I slapped my friend on the back, “Welcome to the craziest town in Equestria.”

“Say Private, I’ve been thinking," Potso said his blue eyes looking at me “If this whole detective thing doesn’t work out.”

“For the last time, Potso” I said glaring at my friend. “I’m not forming a Polka Band with your friend Al”

Twilight just laughed alongside Potso. I chuckled a little at the craziness of it all. That’s when I noticed that Vinyl and Octavia were gone. I wonder where they ran off to?

Octavia, maybe if circumstances were different, we could’ve been good friends…

Epilogue

Case 12

Epilogue

Perspective: Octavia

I found myself sitting in the apartment that I shared with Vinyl, staring out at the Ponyville countryside. We had been sharing this apartment since I came to Ponyville a year ago, after joining Vinyl Scratch. I didn’t expect to become a permanent residence in the town though. I guess life does tend to throw a monkey wrench into the best laid plans.

I got up from the chair I was sitting in. Vinyl was out today, for some reason. After we left Private Eye behind, I thought about returning to Manehattan. Private seems like a gentle stallion though; he wouldn’t turn me in after all that’s happened.

Revenge had so consumed my life; I had no idea what to do after it was done. Do I keep my father’s work going? Do I pick up my musical career? Due to Jumper’s imprisonment, suddenly a lot more doors were opening.

My eyes wandered to my cello and I picked it up, reverently. Music always calmed me whenever something bad happened, and helped me express my joy at the good.

Life has a lot in common with Vinyl it seems, completely and utterly senseless.

I put the bow to the strings and began to play that old tune…

“Hey, I know that song,” I heard a voice behind me say.

I turned and saw Vinyl, smiling at me widely, “That’s the song from that play you like, Le…Le Misreabloles?”

“It’s pronounced Les Ponies Misérables,” I replied, with a roll off my eyes. “Where did you go after the arrest?”

“I went to find this,” she held up an old tape. “I called in a few favors from the casting agent from the production company. Did a couple of shows for their rock operas so it was easy to have them dig up an old record”

“Record of what?” I asked with a smile, as I kept playing. “Some rock band named after a carriage brand?”

“Nah,” Vinyl shook her head. “It’s a tape of your mom.”

I almost broke a string as I was pulled out of the music, and back into reality. I glared at Vinyl “You had no right to pry into that!”

“I found your mom’s audition tape, and you’re saying I did a bad thing?” Vinyl waved her hoof at me dismissively. “I thought you’d like hearing your mom.”

I set the cello down and glared at Vinyl. “Why are you doing this? I didn’t ask you to go looking for that tape!”

“Just because you didn’t ask doesn’t mean I shouldn’t do it!” Vinyl retorted. “Now, what’s your problem?”

I looked down, I was mad for what Vinyl did without asking, yes; but somewhere deep in my heart I knew she did something kind, and I wasn’t helping by yelling at her. “Vinyl, I’m sorry, it’s just been a rough day.”

I felt her place a hoof on my shoulder, “Hey, it’s okay, I only wanted to cheer you up after everything that happened.”

I nodded, unable meet her concerned eyes. “Once again you're just trying to help and I yell at you for it.”

“Hey, it’s no big deal, really,” Vinyl said, with that shrug of hers. “Now, are we going to listen to your mom, or not?”

“You still have that old, what's it called… bam box?”

“Boom box,” Vinyl corrected, while patting me on the head. “You’ll get it eventually.”

She dug through what I called “The Vinyl Scratch Junkyard," which is my pet name for Vinyl’s bedroom. She eventually pulled out an old boom box and plugged it into the wall. Before Vinyl could insert the tape, however, I stopped her. “Vinyl, I’ve never actually heard my mother sing. What if she’s not how I imagined?”

Vinyl simply shrugged. “Life doesn't always hand you things in a neat package, Octy. Sometimes, you just get what you get."

Typical Vinyl. I stepped away from the boom box, so I wouldn’t be tempted to stop it. Vinyl inserted the tape pressed play. “It used to be on an old record, but I got somepony to salvage it onto a tape for your listening pleasure. I have the entire cast on here but it’s your mom I want you to hear”

I smiled as I heard a familiar voice on the other end…

Hello, my name is Operetta and I will be auditioning for the role of Éponine.

Go ahead, Miss Operetta.

On my own…

Pretending he’s beside me…

And all alone…

I walk with him, till morning…

But without him…I feel his legs around me…

And when I lose my way I close my eyes and he has found me

And I love him…

And every day I’m learning

But all my life I’ve only been pretending

But without me, his world will go on turning

A world that’s full of happiness that

I have never known….

______________________________________________________________

Perspective: Vinyl Scratch

When the music stopped playing, I looked over at Octy and she was crying. I put a hoof on her back and tried to give her a cool smile. “Hey Octy, it’s okay, your mom was awesome!”

She wiped tears out of her eyes and smiled at me. “Thank you Vinyl, I should say that far more often.” She shook her head. “Some friend I am, I guess.”

“Are you kidding me?” I asked my jaw dropping. “When you came around with that shotgun, you were beyond awesome! You’re a total badass, Octy!”

She blushed a little, “Like I always say, one can’t be too careful in today’s society.”

“Can you teach me all that stuff you can do?” I asked, eagerly. “We’d be the world’s most badass duo; we could be secret agents or something!”

She just laughed, “I doubt you could keep your mouth shut long enough to be sneaky at anything.”

I crossed my legs in mock offense. “I can be civilized when I want to be. I just choose to be awesome instead!”

She rolled her eyes, and walked to eject the tape from the boom box. “I should put this in a safe place. Thanks for digging it up for me.”

“No problem, Octy” I replied, with a smile. “Anything for you.”

She stopped in her tracks, and looked back at me with her violet eyes, “Listen Vinyl, about what I said back at the foundry...”

“The whole, you’d do the Vinyl Scratch a million times for me?” I asked smiling. “Did you really mean that?”

“I did,” she answered, setting the tape down on our small table. “At first I thought you were simply an attention wanting maniac.”

“I prefer the term, excitable individual,” I said, imitating her accent.

She giggled a little; I've never seen Octavia giggle at all. Something’s got her in a good mood “Then you come around and do something sweet like the tape. I don’t think I’ll ever truly understand you, Vinyl.”

I shrugged. “What can I say? I’m mysterious like that”

“Vinyl,” she said as she got closer to me. I felt a faint blush come to my cheeks as she moved in. “I want to thank you for letting me on the Vinyl Scratch, and for being the first true friend I’ve ever had.”

Okay, Octy is in a very good mood. Should I take advantage of this? I mean she just admitted we were friends. Do I tell her I want more?

For once in my life, I was speechless, so I just blurted out, “Uh, no problem, Octy. Like I said anything for you.”

“Are you all right?” Octavia asked, concerned. “I’ve never known you to act like this.”

“It’s just,” I said, looking away from her, “we’ve known each other for a long time now and I'm just learning all of this stuff about you. How you’re this badass mob boss, and can fight like one of those action heroes.” I blushed as I admitted, “What mare wouldn’t fall for that?”

“What you said back there,” Octavia asked blushing even redder than me, “you were serious?”

“Of course I am!” I said opening my arms “I know it’s weird; but when I really start thinking about it, I can’t imagine my life without you!”

“Vinyl...”

“I just realized it when I saw what you were doing all those times you would leave in the middle of the night, or go away on long weekends" I confessed to her. "Octavia Val Jean, I’m head over hooves in love with you!”

Octavia’s face was bright red as she looked at me. She was going to tell me she’s straight, or has a coltfriend, or something. I knew it.

Then Octavia did something I never expected her to do, she wrapped her hooves around me and kissed me.

It was only a quick kiss on my lips but it felt like all the most awesome flavors of ice cream rolled into one. I looked at Octavia tenderly, “Octy…”

She looked at me, still blushing. “I can’t imagine my life without you either…”

“Octy…”

We went back to kissing right then and there. Life really does throw a monkey wrench into everything doesn’t it?

___________________________________________________________

Perspective: Private Eye

“For the last time,” Tailspin said to Pipsqueak for the fourth time, “I won the game so you gotta do it!”

“That’s not fair!” the colt retorted. “You cheated somehow!”

“Somepony is a sore loser,” Tailspin said crossing his hooves. “Now go and do it to her.” My little brother pointed to Dinky, who was sitting on the couch reading her book.

“Fine!” Pip huffed, as he walked past Tailspin to where Dinky was sitting. Dinky was so engrossed in her book she didn't notice him coming up beside her. Pip’s face turned bright red as he looked at the periwinkle unicorn. He prepared to pucker his lips when…

I walked in, and conked my brother on the head. “Tailspin, you causing trouble a-“

Tailspin put a hoof over my mouth and gestured for us to head into the kitchen. When we got there I crossed my hooves, “What did you get Pip to agree to?”

Tailspin smiled innocently, “Well, we had a bet that the loser of our game would have to kiss Dinky on the cheek.”

“You make it sound like a punishment.” I raised an eyebrow.

“It’s not!” He defended. “He’s got a huge crush on her, but he’s too nervous to do anything about it. I made him lose, so he could finally get the chance to act on it.”

I shook my head bemused, “Let’s see if he had the courage then.”

We peeked out from behind the kitchen doorway and saw that Dinky took notice of Pip when he planted his lips on her cheek. Dinky blushed bright red and looked over at Pip, “Pipsqueak! What’d you do that for?”

“I’m sorry!” The pinto cried, blushing even redder then Dinky. “I lost a bet to Tailspin and he said I had to do it!”

Dinky touched her blushing cheeks and looked at Pipsqueak, “You kissed me because you lost a bet?”

“Well yes, but,” Pip looked down, his brown mane covering his eyes “I've been wanting to do it for a while…”

Dinky smiled, hopped down from the couch, and planted a kiss on Pip’s cheek, “Thank you, Pip, you’re very nice for saying that.”

Pip blushed furiously, and I turned back to Tailspin. “I guess getting involved in romantic affairs must run in the family.”

“What can I say?” Tailspin asked, with a shrug. “I’m an Eye through and through.”

“Just warn me before you start hooking up everypony in Ponyville,” I said, shaking my head. “Next thing you know, you’d be hooking up Diamond Tiara with Chrysalis, or something.”

I left the three trouble makers to their play and went to my room. I opened the closet door; all this time thinking about the play has gotten me in the mood to listen to it. I opened a box, pulled out a tape, and put it inside my tape player.

I remember this conversation well…

_________________________________________________________

Fifteen years ago…

“Irenius, must you record it?” My mother asked, as she sat on the couch blushing a little in embarrassment. “I mean, I haven’t sung it in a while.”

My father looked up from his place on the couch. “I know, but it’s our anniversary, and I want something special to commemorate it.”

“So, you’re having me record singing a song I haven’t sung since we met?” She said with a sly look in her grey eyes. “You are an odd romantic.”

“What can I say?” My father asked with a shrug. “I’m an Eye through and through.”

My mother was about to sing when she noticed I was standing in the doorway. She smiled and whispered to dad, “Don’t look now but we’ve got a spy.”

My father smiled slyly. “Well, you know what we do to spies, don’t you Sparrow?”

I was about to run off when Mom zoomed off of the couch and scooped me up in her forelegs. I struggled a little as we landed on the couch, “No! I don’t want to be tortured!” I said, while trying not to laugh.

“We have you now, spy,” my father said, grinning at me. “Now you must suffer the punishment” His horn glowed a soft grey and I felt his magic tickling me.

“Dad-hahaha-stop! Dad that tickles!” I shrieked, laughing and squirming.

“Let me have at this cursed spy!” My mother said in mock zealotry.

“This foul spy must suffer the punishment, my lady!” My dad declared, holding me down with one hoof.

“I shall do so, my lord!” My mother saluted then blew raspberries on my belly, causing me to giggle all the more.

“Mom!” I cried, laughing “Cut it out, I surrender!” I wiggled as she kept blowing raspberries on my belly, my father laughing the whole time.

My mother stopped and I sat up on my rump. “Alright, Preventus,” She said with a smile “we accept your surrender.”

“So, what were you guys doing?” I asked.

“Well,” my father explained, “it’s our anniversary, son. I was hoping your mother would sing the song she sang the day we met.”

“How did you guys meet anyway?” I asked, looking from mom to dad.

“Well, I was in a play called Les Ponies Misreables,” my mother explained. “I was playing this pony called Filltine, who was having a hard life. I was having a hard time as well, with work being hard to find for a Pegasus. My family was suffering greatly, trying to make ends meet, because we were a large family.”

“I came to see the show when I was only fifteen” my dad reminisced, a faraway look in his eyes. “Your grandfather spent the whole play criticizing this or that about it. When we got to the part where your mother came to the stage, I saw just how desperate she was, and how cruel everypony was to her. I sympathized with her, and then she sang…”

He gave a look to my mother and then she began to sing:

I dreamed a dream in time gone by…

When hope was high and life worth living…

I dreamed that love would, never die

I dreamed that Celestia would be forgiving

She looked right at Dad and smiled wide as she sang the next part.

But still I dream he’ll come to me…

That we would live the years together,

But there are dreams that cannot be…

And there are storms we cannot weather…

I had a dream my life would be…

So different from this hell I’m living

So different now from what it seems,

Now life has killed the dream…I dream…

I just stared at my mother with wide eyed wonder, “You’re amazing mom! Those jerks shouldn’t have been so mean to you.”

My mother smiled and nuzzled the top of my head. “That’s what your father said to me, though, he may have used more colorful language.” She looked at my dad and winked.

He rubbed the back of his head “I just couldn’t stand how nopony was willing to help you. You were poor and destitute, I was like Neigh Val Jean and I came to rescue you.”

“Only you didn’t have to worry about a filly that I had from an old lover,” my mother said with a smile. “You were so sweet after the play, bringing me flowers and saying how moved you were by my performance.”

My father’s ears flattened in embarrassment, “I was only being a gentle stallion”

“Well, I’m glad I married a gentle stallion like you,” my mother said, kissing my dad on the cheek.

I gagged at the sight of my parents getting all lovey dovey. “Gross…”

My dad chuckled “Just wait until you’re older, Preventus. You’ll find that the fairer gender has quite a few wonderful things to offer.”

Mom smiled at him, “Such a charmer, Irenius, just like the day we met.”

I hopped off the couch. “Happy anniversary you two,” I said, smiling at both of them. “I hope you guys are always this happy.”

Dad walked to me and put a hoof on my shoulder. “Just keep this in mind, son. Love isn’t just admiring somepony. It’s about action, what you are willing to do for that special somepony. Remember that, Preventus.”

I will dad…

_________________________________________________________

I did Dad.

I hope one day I can tell you that.

I will treasure the happy times.

The days when we were a family.

The days when Mom was with us…

Until then,

One day more…