CSI Manehattanby AlamutChaptersWhat a beautiful morning...FacesLiaisons part 1What a beautiful morning...Good morning Manehattan! “Mmm...”A moan left my muzzle. ”Night... Why don't you last forever...” I muttered under my breath still half asleep. Here’s Rainbow Swirl with the news. Princess Celestia has announced that she and Princess Luna will both attend this year’s running of the leaves in Ponyville on Friday. This is surely a great honor for the little community and some of the bearers of the Elements of Harmony should also be expected. The Mayor announced... The voice in the radio didn’t stop blabbing. I clenched my eyes in hope the sound would finally stop and I could get back to sleep. ... what a happy donkey isn’t he folks? Nevertheless the champs and gals from the weather patrol say that today’s gonna be sunny but a little bit windy. Don’t forget your scarves! And here, for all of you cute fillies comes Justin Beaver with his newest hit BABY! “Oh no you don’t!” I jerked up and slammed my hoof on the radio clock. The horrible sound stopped. I fell back on my pillow and let a sigh leave my breast. I rubbed my eyes with my hooves and after another pained sigh left the warmth and cosiness of my bed. I couldn’t risk falling asleep again. I stood before a full length mirror and frowned as I saw my puffy bed mane. I took a hairbrush and started to comb my mane while holding it in my fetlock. I sighed. Morning toilet was surely way easier when being a unicorn. I smiled while looking at my healthy greyish pink coat – not that I was vain or anything, you need to be healthy as a cop – and the three question marks of my cutie mark. Two blue ones on the sides and a yellow one in the middle. Seeing that my mane was straight as it always was I laid down the brush, grabbed my black hoodie, hung my badge around my neck, bonded my mane into a ponytail and trotted out of my apartment. Three stories lower I turned left and started my morning canter. 10 miles every morning. From my flat to Canterlot Park and back. It was a good way to keep my body in shape. The hardest part was always waking up before dawn... It was still dark outside yet the faint glow in the east indicated that Celestias day was going to start any moment now. The streets were almost empty. Three bucks with a garbage cart were emptying the dumpsters along the road. As I cantered beside them I noticed the look one of them was giving me – he was checking out my flanks. Perverted gelding... It was fairly normal run. Shopkeepers cleaning and opening their little stores for early customers. Dailies getting delivered to the newspaper stands. Two stallions, merely colts mugging an elderly gentlepony in a sight alley... Fuck. I stopped in my tracks. The morning canter wouldn’t be as peaceful as I hoped. I trotted into the narrow alley, some old papers rustling under my hooves. “MCG! Don’t move!” I shouted while pulling out and showing them my badge. The two bucks looked my way. One was a skinny, lime colored unicorn with a purple mane, wearing a grey hoodie showing the logo of the Manehattan Maulers on its back. He had a cannabis leaf for a cutie mark. Way of a special talent... The nervous way he smiled seemed pretty high for my taste. The other one was a brutish earth pony with a copper coat, a yellow mane and stubby beard. There was a baseball bat on his flank. Unlike the unicorn he was very muscled and at least a head taller than me. “Fuck da gard!” Screamed the hornhead, pulling out a switch blade with his magic. “We sure will bro. Look what a fine piece of flank we got here.” Laughed the other fucker, walking at me with a wicked grin. I eyed to the stallion on the ground. He seemed unconscious but I couldn’t see any traces of blood. At least they didn’t stab him. I gazed back to the red buck and grinned myself, as he came in my range. “I’m sure you would like to you lunkhead.” I said and spun around. Both my hind legs shot out as I bucked his muzzle with all my strength. The stallion fell back with a yelp, blood streaming from his nose. I hoped it was broken. “Fugh hou bikh!” He roared while holding his muzzle with both of his fore hooves. I jumped ahead and slammed my right hoof into his temple. The goon fell to the ground. “Bitch!” I turned my head and felt a waft of air by my face. If it weren’t for that movement the other buck would have slashed my throat open with his switch blade. I dodged another wild swing and rolled under the second one. The third sliced through my hoodie. I snarled and used an opening to shorten the distance between us. The magic field imploded around the knife as I slammed my left hoof into his horn. I heard a satisfying crack and the unicorn screamed in pain. I slammed my right hoof into his face and he hit the ground, still whimpering and holding the cracked horn in his hooves. I stood above him for a few seconds, but he wasn’t in any shape to fight further on. I was breathing heavily and I had to force myself to not to pummel his head any further. I took a deep breath and took a few steps to the stallion the two had mugged. He was an older buck with a grey coat and a bluish mane. He had a pocket watch for a cutie mark. Surely a shop owner, who took a shortcut through the alley. Bruised as he was he was still alive. I took out my phone and called 911. I brushed away some lose pink strands from my face and saw blood on my hoof. The swing that sliced through my hoodie had also cut my cheek. I growled under my breath eying the whimpering unicorn. “911 emergency. How can we help you?” Asked a voice on the other end of the line. “Detective Pie speaking. There was a mugging in an alley near Grain Avenue and Fetlock Square. The victim is injured and unconscious. There are also two suspects. I need a guard patrol and an ambulance.” I said with a calm voice. “Understood. A patrol and an ambulance are on their way.” “Take your time” I sighed and looked up into the now lead coloured sky. A few raindrops fell on my muzzle. “So much for a sunny day I guess...” FacesI flipped another site of my magazine and sighed. The subway carriage was shaking wildly making reading almost impossible. The cut on my cheek from the other day was itching terrible. It took all of my willpower to not scratch the bandage with my hoof. I sighed, loosened my tie and started the next article. Trends in Violence in Fillydelphia In Fillydelphia, as in many other parts of Equestria, violence constitutes an important focus for the public and political debate on crime. Much of what is said in the public debate, and done in the field of criminal policy, stems from a perception that violence is on the increase. This paper presents a new social indicator of trends in violence— hospital admissions resulting from acts of violence—and evaluates this measure in the light of more traditional indicators of violence—crime statistics, victim surveys and homicide statistics. The hospital data comprise 90,000 admissions from the years... “Excuse me.”A voice called. I looked up and saw that a stallion took the place across me while I was absorbed with my lecture. He smiled apologizing, almost sheepishly. “Please excuse my intrusion, but is that the newest Veterinarian Physics Quarterly in your hooves?” I gave him a deadpanned look, closed the magazine and showed the cover. “Oh wonderful! I was looking forward to read professor Clops article about the upward trends in the current criminal statistics since months. His last article about the effects of different neurotoxins was simply...” He continued on gleefully with a slight Trottingham accent. I cocked my head eying him closely. The buck, a, good looking I have to admit, grayish gold coated unicorn with a black mane, was wearing a red shirt with a black vest. A sand colored mantle lay beside him. He had a joker card as a cutie mark and his eyes... “Is your heterochromia inherited or the result of chimerism?” I asked pointing out to his eyes, the left having a crimson red and the right one a golden iris. He seemed taken aback by my question but composed himself briskly and smiled. “I’m not sure about that.”He shrugged.”I never knew my parents and I’m too afraid of needles to go for a medical examination.” He grinned at me. “You’re joking, right?” I asked and he laughed. “Maybe?” He smiled slyly and reached out with a hoof towards me.”I’m Joker and I’m new in Manehattan. So would you maybe...” “Not interested.” I cut him off abruptly. “Pardon?” “Oh sorry. My comment really seemed a little bit too vague.” I gave him a sheepish smile on my account.”I think this whole ‘we’ve just met but I would like to rut you maybe’ pickup line is infantile and derogatory for any mare. Not counting easy bimbos. Aren’t you full of yourself? Did you really think that by showing interest in the same things you would have an easy game with me? So once more: Not. Interested.”I eyed him with a somber glare and growled.”And now fuck off.” With mouth and eyes agape he fell silent. I opened the Veterinarian Physics Quarterly on the page with the article but I was too agitated to read any further. I snarled with irritation and stuffed the magazine into my saddlebag. From the corner of my eye I saw that he was watching me. I growled.”What?” “Nothing. I only wanted to...” “Then shut up!” The buck was so irritating!“If you...”I wanted to start another rant but was cut off by the announcer and his monotone voice. “Next station: Shetland Yard.” I muttered something about arrogant stallions under my breath, buttoned my black overcoat and put on my saddlebag. I didn’t pay him any more attention and trotted to the door. There was a movement in the corner of my eye and I saw the buck standing at my side. “Are you following me or what?” “Excuse me little miss arrogant but the world isn’t spinning around you.”He eyed me with a amused grin.”According to the city plan this is where I have to get out.” “Suit yourself.”I pouted and stared in front of me. The moment the doors opened I jumped out of the carriage and cantered to the exit. Taking two or three steps every time I quickly found myself on the surface. A cacophony of sounds assaulted my ears the moment I left the station. I took the turn right and trotted in the direction of the headquarters of the MCG. After a few steps I allowed myself a look to the back. The unicorn stallion was standing in front of the entrance to the subway station, a city plan held in a white magic field in front of him. He didn’t lie about that part and he seemed a little bit lost. I shook my head. Serves him right. After a few minutes I found myself in front of a giant building, with a facade that took up an entire city block. Six stories high it seemed imposing and intimidating. You could always see pegasi and an occasional sky carriage flying in and out of the upper levels. I smiled – I felt at home around here. I went in through the main entrance and nicked towards the elder guardpony behind the desk.”Good morning Mister Leaves.” “Good morning Detective Pie.”He cocked his head.”What happened to you face?” “Oh, this.”I touched the bandage with my hoof.”A buck tried to rob an older pony with a switchblade. It seems I wasn’t fast enough.” “Fucking geldings.”He murmured angry.”Not showing any respect to their elders nowadays. And harming cute fillies like you.” “Stop that. You’ll make me blush.”I waved my hoof, irritated yet accustomed to his rambling.”I kicked his flank and horn so it’s fine. But now I got to go.” “Have a nice day Detective.” “Thanks.” I cantered to the elevator, pushed the button for the 4th floor and sighed the moment the doors closed. I looked at my reflection in the metal doors and turned my face. Once to the side with the bandage and once to the one without it. I sighed again and muttered.”Always a mare. Never an officer... Buck these horse apples!” I slammed my hoof on the polished surface and composed myself again. There was a short “ding” and the doors opened. I trotted out of the lift. I exchanged greetings and a few witty remarks with my colleagues on the way towards my office. A black coated pegasus with a cobalt mane looked out of his room as I passed it. “Hey D.!” He called me with a merry tone in his voice. His name was Night Reader and he was a friend. Of sorts. “What is it Night?” I looked back towards him cocking my head. “The cap wants to see you.” I rolled my eyes.”Did the old featherbrain say what it was about?” The flier shrugged.“Beats me. He only said: Tell that pink mayhem that I want to see her arrogant flank in my office the moment you see her. Eamedietly!’” I rolled my eyes again but smiled at his impression of the captain.”Yeah, I will move my flank to his office eamedietly the moment I get some spare time.” The pegasus made a salute with one his wings.“See you around D.” “Yeah, later.” I waved at him with a hoof and continued towards my office. After a few meters I stopped in front of a door with a brass plaque saying: Detective P. D. Pie I took out my keys and opened it. My saddlebag flew into the corner on my left the moment I passed the threshold. I quickly hung my mantle on rack to the left of the door and walked towards my work desk. It boasted the usual organized chaos – countless notes, unfinished rapports, files from related cases, numerous books and... “Oh, gross...” I muttered to myself while pulling the sorry remains of my lunch from two days ago. I think I lost appetite for the local neighponese for the near future... I dumped the oyster pail and its contents into the trash bin and sat behind the desk. I looked at the two pictures standing on top of it. One showed me and my two sisters the other my late mother. I smiled warmly and started the computer. Twelve new emails - some regarding my last case, others being merely office gossip. Only three got my attention. The first one was from the captain but I stopped to read it after the line: ...and I know that you’re already in the building Pie, so move your lazy... DELETE. The second was from Vesper. Hey D.! I’ve heard the cap’s searching for you. Don’t make him wait, ok? You know how he is. Vesper Good sweet old Vesper, always caring... The third one was a surprise. Heya Pinks! I rolled my eyes. There weren’t many ponies calling me that. I’m back in town for the time being. We should totally meat again! Give me a call! Or I will give you a call! Whatever. Cya. Kisses! V.S. I smiled. The idea seemed nice I stretched and looked at the clock. It was almost 9 o’clock. I sighed.”I think I shouldn’t let the captain wait any longer.” I shut down the computer, stood up and trotted out of my office. After a minute or two I was standing before another plaque with a set of letters carved in the brass. Captain H. Grimmfeathers I neatened up my attire and knocked on the door. “Come in Pie!” A baritone voice called from inside. I rolled my eyes. The old featherbrain and his supreme hearing... “You wanted to see me commander Grimmfeather?” I asked cheerfully while entering his office. It was held tidy, something too tidy for my tastes. On one of the walls hung a case with a few medals in it. The beautiful Solar Flare in the center. It was surrounded by a halo of framed photographs showing a black feathered griffon with groups of different ponies and people. A talon unit drinking with a bunch of night guards. The city guard parade held during the celebration of the 350’th anniversary of the founding of Manehattan. A medal award ceremony showing Princess Celestia pinning the Solar Flare on the chest of the same griffon who now growled from behind his desk.“I’m not longer in the military and you know that Pinkie.” “And you know that I prefer Pinkamena Haakon.”I smiled at him and sat in front of the desk. He eyed me menacingly.“CAPTAIN Grimmfeathers is enough.”He sighed and shook his head.”You took your time. As always.” He added to the end. I shrugged.”I wasn’t here yesterday, so I had to check on some things.” “I’ve seen the report, quite a good job with the trash the other day.” “It could have been better...” I muttered while touching the bandage on my face. The griffon snorted and pointed to the large scar running through his right milky eye with one of his talons. “Yeah... But I’m a mare and I need the looks for my retirement.”I said with a sly smile. “You won’t retire.”He shrugged and added nonchalantly.”Knowing you, at least not alive.” I brushed of his remark.“What was the reason you wanted to see me again?” “We’ve got a new guard assigned to our unit. You’ll be the one working with him. He’s...” “No.” I cut him off. “Pardon?” I looked him firmly in those blue, predatory eyes.“I said: NO. You know that I’m unable to properly work with people I knew for years. How am I supposed to work with a newbie?” “He isn’t a newbie. He already worked at the Canterlot City Guard for five years.” “Like I care.”I shrugged.”He should have stayed where he was.” “He asked for a transfer to Manehattan. Specifically to the CSI unit.” “Then he’s stupid. Only a total weirdo would want to work on all the shit we’re dealing with in here.” The old bird smirked.”You would probably even work for free.” I smiled back.”And I’m proud for not being normal.” “Nevertheless you will work with him. He seems a decent buck according to his file and he shouldn’t make any problems. He’s also very talented in our field of work.” I rolled my eyes.“Any proofs for that?” “The solving of the Bloody Rain case was his doing.” My ears perked up.”Wasn’t that the one with the killer dumping the remains of his victims into the clouds?” “Indeed.” I cocked my head while thinking and watching the ceiling. “You know that I’m not asking about your opinion, right Pie?”Pointed out the slightly irritated griffon. “What’s his name?” “Sour Note.” That sounded simply wonderful... I shrugged.”Alright. He can always have an accident in the case he starts to get on my nerves.” He rolled his eyes.“I’m sure the whole station will start making bets the moment they hear about you getting a partner.” “Give me a share and you’ll be the winner” His laugh was cut off by a knock on the door. He looked towards the door.”That should be him. Come in!” The door opened and I looked behind my back to get a proper look of my new “partner”. I saw a grayish gold coat and my blue eyes met a mismatched, red and gold pair. We both blinked and stammered in unison.”You... What?” I spun around and slammed my hoof in front of Grimmfeather while pointing the other one at the stallion. I yelled at the old griffon.”What the fuck is this shit supposed to mean?!” Liaisons part 1I landed on my haunches with a loud thump as the door slammed behind me. “Ouu...” I groaned as I stood up and reached with a hoof to my hurting rear. I looked back at the brass plaque and yelled. ”That’s sexual harassment!” The door sprang open and the unicorn buck with the grayish golden coat flew head first into the hallway. The menacing frame of captain Grimmfeathers hovered above me and I took a step backwards from his glare. He leaned towards me with a grimace of anger on his face. I meeped weakly. “PLAY. NICE.” He growled and slammed the door behind himself. I could hear him mumbling to himself something about shitty ponies, insubordination and the benefits of executing someone for talking back to a supreme officer in the old days. I guess being simply thrown out of his office wasn’t that bad after fifteen minutes of shouting and cursing at each other... I eyed the stallion. My, goddesses preserve me, “partner” was still lying on the floor, staring gloomily on the opposite wall. He muttered something under his breath. I growled at him. “What was that?” He looked at me from the corner of his golden eye. ”Go to Manehattan they said. It will be fun they said.” I rolled my eyes. ”Follow me.” I hoped over him and began to walk back to my office but looked back after a few steps. He didn’t move from the spot. I stopped and frowned. ”Didn’t you hear what I said?” His red iris rested upon me. ”I’m not deaf” “So come on, I don’t have the whole...” “No.” He’d thrown me of. ”Pardon what?” He was once again staring at the wall in front of him. ”I’m not going anywhere.” He mumbled. ”The floor’s comfy and I had a bad morning. First a mare gave me a slating for no reason, afterwards I got lost and finally I got into an argument with my new boss.” He pouted. ”I’m staying where I am.” I looked at him speechless as my right eye began to twitch. I wanted to scream and even drag him by force if I had to, but I put a hoof to my temple. Take a deep breath Pinkamena, think about your social skills, you can do it... I sighed and sat next to him. He eyed me flatly. I tried to smile. “I know we had a bad start but we’re supposed to work together, so we should make the best out of it.” I reached a hoof towards him. ”Hello, I’m detective Pinkamena Diane Pie.” He smiled faintly, sat up and shook my hoof. ”Detective Sour Note. But as I said earlier you can call me Joker.” “Good detective Note, come on I’ll show you my office.” Conventions fulfilled I began to stand up and turn as I said it. He’d risen to his legs and grinned. “Can I call you Pinkie?” I spun around and found myself muzzle to muzzle (actually I had to look a little bit upwards, as he was a few centimeters higher than me) and growled. ”Don’t you ever. Never ever call me PINKIE.” He stared me in the eyes and his grin broadened even further. ”You know, you’re kinda cute when...” He didn’t get to finish the sentence as I cut his legs from under him in a quick spin. He fell to the ground and I put a hoof on his horn while leaning towards his face. “Did you learn your lesson?” “Y-yes?” He stammered slightly confused. “And that would be?” I asked clinically. “That I... um...” I added a little bit of pressure upon his horn. ”That my opinions are irrelevant and that I shouldn’t compliment you!” I rolled my eyes at the latter and straightened up. ”Good. Shall we?” I asked with a smile. He sighted and smiled. ”Yeah, sure.” He stood up and fell by my side as I walked down the corridor. I eyed him from the side. There was a little smile on his muzzle as he looked around. Suddenly he turned towards me. “Sooo... You’re middle name is Diane?” He asked cheerfully. I gave him a deadpan look.“Yes, and?” He glanced into an open office.”That’s quite an uncommon name.” I shrugged.”So is Pinkamena.” The little smile slightly crept towards his ears as he cocked his head. ”Family tradition?” “You could call it that way.” I answered vaguely while opening the door. He trotted inside right after me and hung his sand colored overcoat on the rag beside mine with his magic. I waved my hoof not looking at him. ”Take a seat wherever you want.” “You aren’t a tidy pony, aren’t you?” He whistled while looking at my work desk. I shot him a glare and he waved a hoof apologetically. ”Believe me I don’t mind that. It’s way cleaner than my former office.” He scratched his chin. ”And place and life and...” The buck was certainly irritating... I forced a smile to fob him off. “I think I get what you... Hey!” I shouted as he grabbed my photos with a white magic aura. He smiled as he looked at them. ”Are those your sisters? Their coats and manes are maybe earth colored but there’s a strong similarity of the features and the bone structures of your faces. If yes, then this would surely be your mother! She has the same...” He stopped as I jumped towards him. I torn the pictures from his magic field and put them back on the desk. “Don’t touch my things without asking.” I said quietly, eyeing him somberly. He run a hoof through his mane looking at me sheepishly. ”Sorry I traced of a little bit. I simply always asked myself how it would feel to have siblings.” I cocked my head. ”Only child?” He shrugged and cracked a smile. “I grew up in a orphanage so I can’t tell.” That put me off. He certainly said something similar in the subway when I asked him about his eyes, but I didn’t pay him that much attention anyway... I also couldn’t tell if his smile was honest or forced. After a few moments of silence I asked the obvious. “You grew up in an orphanage in Trottingham?” His smile brightened. “Was it the accent that betrayed me?”That side of him again... “That and your weird sense of humor.” He laughed. ”So you do have one on your own. I was already afraid I would have to work with a machine.” I rolled my eyes. ”Don’t get used to it. How come you ended up in Canterlot?” He shrugged. ”I wasn’t that bad at school and somehow qualified for a long term scholarship. There wasn’t anything holding me in Trottingham so I stayed in the capital after I finished my studies.” I was a little bit impressed. But just a little. “Hm... Let me guess...” I eyed him while cogitating. ”If you were able to study in Canterlot you surely qualified for the Starswirl Program of the Luna Foundation, but I bet they’ve chosen you for the Clover.” “You would win that one.” He nodded approvingly. ”How did you know?” I shrugged. “You seem quite free spirited. They like that about their candidates.” He laughed at my answer and gave me a sly smile. ”From your knowledge about the programs I take you were also a participant?” It was my turn to smile slyly. I watched as Sour Note cocked his head while looking at me with a frown. He sighed and shook his head. ”My first guess would be the Starswirl, because you seem so uptight that it hurts.” A menacing glare was my only answer to this statement. ”But witnessing your tantrum with the captain and the small details of your behaviour I think you would also fit in the Clover. But on the other hoof...” “What details?” My question cut of the unicorns monologue. He blinked a few times and seemed a little bit insecure. ”You know... For example the chaos in your office or the way you talk or walk...” “What’s with the way I walk?” My voice was emotionless. “E... You don’t walk like the control freak you seem to be.” I looked at him flatly. “Goddesses preserve me... You walk strong on your legs, almost with joy or pride. Like if you were saying ‘just look at me I’m the best’ or something.” There was an odd silence after that. I eyed him with a surprised, if not disbelieving look. I didn’t know how to react to such a statement. Was it a complement? A taunt? Another stupid pickup line like in the subway? Or was he simply honest? Before I could even think of an answer to this I felt a twitch in my right ear and the hair standing up on my neck. I looked at the unicorn buck. ”To your left” “To my left? What are you... Whatthefuck!” He screamed and fell on his right side at a dull poof sound and the appearance of a dark mass that followed after it. The shadows whirled for a second and instantly formed themselves into the shape of a pony. An onlooker could think the lead coated mare with a midnight blue mane was a pegasus if it weren’t for the leather wings and emerald eyes with cat-like slit pupils. She wore a set of purple guard armour with a blue gem on her breast. The mare stretched her wings and looked at me with a smile. She moved her lips but the only thing that left her muzzle was a sequence of barely hearable chirps. I smiled at her. “Hi Vesper I’m also glad to see you but we have guest.” I waved towards the unicorn buck on the floor. Sour Note was eyeing the bat-pony with a shock. ”What... How... You’re a bat-pony?” Vesper smiled at him and chirped another sequence. He looked at her with a deadpanned look. ”Sorry but I can’t understand.” I giggled at the surprised look on the bat-pony’s face and her hectic fiddling with the blue gem of her armour. ”She said that...” I began but was cut off shortly. “HELLO! MY NAME IS VESPER EVE! I’M...” She stopped and put a hoof to her lips as she saw us holding our hooves to our ears with pained expressions. There followed another hectic fiddling and she smiled sheepishly with her ears drooped. ”Sorry... I sometimes have problems with adjusting the enchantments of my armour... Are you guys ok?” “Don’t worry I got used to that.” I waved a hoof at her although I could still hear little bells in my head... The stallion was looking at Vesper with amazement. ”You’re a bat-pony? “That’s what I am.” She said cheerfully. “A real bat-pony?” She looked at me from the corner of her eye and smiled nervously. ”Yes... That’s what I said.” “Simply fascinating!” Again, there was this glee in his voice. ”I worked in Canterlot for a few years but I never met any bat-ponies in person!” Vesper smiled proudly. “Yes, our kin in the capital are mostly the exclusive guards of her Royal Highness Princess Luna and seldom leave the castle but here... Yikes!” She jerked as he caught her wings in his magic field. “Fascinating!” He exclaimed while stretching her wing. ”The skin is so elastic and the bones are way more flexible than those of pegasi wings, which surely gives you a greater manoeuvrability in the air. And the tufts on your ears.” He moved in front of her, almost bumping his nose in her face. ”There surely helpful when you’re using echolocation and...” Vesper disappeared in a cloud of darkness. Sour Note blinked a few times and grinned maniacally. ”She can teleport!” “We call it shadow jump...” Said a voice from behind me. I looked back and noticed she was using me to shield herself from the crazy stallion. I eyed the unicorn with a menacing glare. ”Stop creeping out every mare you come along.” “Oh no... It was just weird.” She said a little bit embarrassed, but a perk of her ears, a slight wave with the hoof and a movement of her wings said the contrary. I made a hoof movement on the floor to which she smiled and told, while eyeing the buck. ”Please excuse my new partner, he’s just weird.” Her eyes lit up and she gave Sour Note an interested look. ”You’re D’s new partner?” Sour Note looked at me smiling slyly. ”So you do have a nickname?” I rolled my eyes. ”D.’s the name my friends call me.” He grinned. “It suits you.” I frowned and Vesper cocked her head. The Stallion smiled at her. ”Where are my manners! I’m Sour Note, but you can call me Joker. I used to work as a detective in Canterlot but now I’m here in the great city of Manehattan.” He exaggerated the last part in an almost theatrical way. Vesper giggled as I frowned even more. ”Nice to meet you Joker. I’m Vesper Eve, an officer of the MCG and, as you already noticed, a bat-pony.” He smiled sheepishly while driving a hoof trough his mane. ”Oh... Sorry for my antics earlier.” Vesper gave me a sly look and made a few hoof and wing movements that I interpreted as something like “You’re lucky, he's a looker.” I glared at her and made the gesture for “Shut up.” The lead coated mare continued to tease me while the stallion watched our silent argument cocking his head. ”Is that some sort of secret language?” Vesper smiled at him. ”It’s called tulpar. My people use it when they can’t talk vocally.” He pointed a hoof at me. ”And how comes that you know it?” I shrugged. ”I used to work during the graveyard shift for two or three months. My colleagues where a bunch of earth pony machos with a whimsy unicorn mare, and a wing of lunar freaks.” I smiled at Vesper. ”Short story: I spent most of my time with Vesper and her squad mates and they taught it to me. Although it's a bit complicated to express yourself properly without wings.” He watched us in amazement. ”This is awesome.” Me and Vesper looked at each other and the flyer giggled. ”Yes, I guess you can say so.” The armoured mare perked up. ”I almost forgot! Dr. Green Teal wanted to tell you that he finished his report for the file of your last case.” I rolled my eyes with a smile. ”He knows we have computers and internet, doesn’t he?” The bat-pony shrugged. ”You know how he is.” I stood up and looked at the unicorn. ”Come on we will fetch some files from a friend of mine.” He shrugged. “Sure why not.” “I’ll get on my way.” Vesper hugged me and gave a wave with a wing towards Sour Note. ”It was nice to make your acquaintance.” And in a poof of shadows she was gone. He smiled towards me. “An interesting gal.” I trotted towards the door. ”And you totally creeped her out.” His ears drooped but I smiled towards him as I left the office. ”But you were right.” One of his ears perked up. ”About what?” I gave him a sly grin. ”I qualified for both scholarship programs.” “And you’ve chosen...?” “Both and now come on!” I trotted down the corridor towards the elevators, smiling to myself at the sight of his surprised muzzle. Author's Note Big thanks to Hubi Koshi, that he took his time to eradicate some of my misspellings and other mistakes! Important thing! Please comment upon the story especially if you didn't like it. I need some motivation to do better...
What a beautiful morning...Good morning Manehattan! “Mmm...”A moan left my muzzle. ”Night... Why don't you last forever...” I muttered under my breath still half asleep. Here’s Rainbow Swirl with the news. Princess Celestia has announced that she and Princess Luna will both attend this year’s running of the leaves in Ponyville on Friday. This is surely a great honor for the little community and some of the bearers of the Elements of Harmony should also be expected. The Mayor announced... The voice in the radio didn’t stop blabbing. I clenched my eyes in hope the sound would finally stop and I could get back to sleep. ... what a happy donkey isn’t he folks? Nevertheless the champs and gals from the weather patrol say that today’s gonna be sunny but a little bit windy. Don’t forget your scarves! And here, for all of you cute fillies comes Justin Beaver with his newest hit BABY! “Oh no you don’t!” I jerked up and slammed my hoof on the radio clock. The horrible sound stopped. I fell back on my pillow and let a sigh leave my breast. I rubbed my eyes with my hooves and after another pained sigh left the warmth and cosiness of my bed. I couldn’t risk falling asleep again. I stood before a full length mirror and frowned as I saw my puffy bed mane. I took a hairbrush and started to comb my mane while holding it in my fetlock. I sighed. Morning toilet was surely way easier when being a unicorn. I smiled while looking at my healthy greyish pink coat – not that I was vain or anything, you need to be healthy as a cop – and the three question marks of my cutie mark. Two blue ones on the sides and a yellow one in the middle. Seeing that my mane was straight as it always was I laid down the brush, grabbed my black hoodie, hung my badge around my neck, bonded my mane into a ponytail and trotted out of my apartment. Three stories lower I turned left and started my morning canter. 10 miles every morning. From my flat to Canterlot Park and back. It was a good way to keep my body in shape. The hardest part was always waking up before dawn... It was still dark outside yet the faint glow in the east indicated that Celestias day was going to start any moment now. The streets were almost empty. Three bucks with a garbage cart were emptying the dumpsters along the road. As I cantered beside them I noticed the look one of them was giving me – he was checking out my flanks. Perverted gelding... It was fairly normal run. Shopkeepers cleaning and opening their little stores for early customers. Dailies getting delivered to the newspaper stands. Two stallions, merely colts mugging an elderly gentlepony in a sight alley... Fuck. I stopped in my tracks. The morning canter wouldn’t be as peaceful as I hoped. I trotted into the narrow alley, some old papers rustling under my hooves. “MCG! Don’t move!” I shouted while pulling out and showing them my badge. The two bucks looked my way. One was a skinny, lime colored unicorn with a purple mane, wearing a grey hoodie showing the logo of the Manehattan Maulers on its back. He had a cannabis leaf for a cutie mark. Way of a special talent... The nervous way he smiled seemed pretty high for my taste. The other one was a brutish earth pony with a copper coat, a yellow mane and stubby beard. There was a baseball bat on his flank. Unlike the unicorn he was very muscled and at least a head taller than me. “Fuck da gard!” Screamed the hornhead, pulling out a switch blade with his magic. “We sure will bro. Look what a fine piece of flank we got here.” Laughed the other fucker, walking at me with a wicked grin. I eyed to the stallion on the ground. He seemed unconscious but I couldn’t see any traces of blood. At least they didn’t stab him. I gazed back to the red buck and grinned myself, as he came in my range. “I’m sure you would like to you lunkhead.” I said and spun around. Both my hind legs shot out as I bucked his muzzle with all my strength. The stallion fell back with a yelp, blood streaming from his nose. I hoped it was broken. “Fugh hou bikh!” He roared while holding his muzzle with both of his fore hooves. I jumped ahead and slammed my right hoof into his temple. The goon fell to the ground. “Bitch!” I turned my head and felt a waft of air by my face. If it weren’t for that movement the other buck would have slashed my throat open with his switch blade. I dodged another wild swing and rolled under the second one. The third sliced through my hoodie. I snarled and used an opening to shorten the distance between us. The magic field imploded around the knife as I slammed my left hoof into his horn. I heard a satisfying crack and the unicorn screamed in pain. I slammed my right hoof into his face and he hit the ground, still whimpering and holding the cracked horn in his hooves. I stood above him for a few seconds, but he wasn’t in any shape to fight further on. I was breathing heavily and I had to force myself to not to pummel his head any further. I took a deep breath and took a few steps to the stallion the two had mugged. He was an older buck with a grey coat and a bluish mane. He had a pocket watch for a cutie mark. Surely a shop owner, who took a shortcut through the alley. Bruised as he was he was still alive. I took out my phone and called 911. I brushed away some lose pink strands from my face and saw blood on my hoof. The swing that sliced through my hoodie had also cut my cheek. I growled under my breath eying the whimpering unicorn. “911 emergency. How can we help you?” Asked a voice on the other end of the line. “Detective Pie speaking. There was a mugging in an alley near Grain Avenue and Fetlock Square. The victim is injured and unconscious. There are also two suspects. I need a guard patrol and an ambulance.” I said with a calm voice. “Understood. A patrol and an ambulance are on their way.” “Take your time” I sighed and looked up into the now lead coloured sky. A few raindrops fell on my muzzle. “So much for a sunny day I guess...”
FacesI flipped another site of my magazine and sighed. The subway carriage was shaking wildly making reading almost impossible. The cut on my cheek from the other day was itching terrible. It took all of my willpower to not scratch the bandage with my hoof. I sighed, loosened my tie and started the next article. Trends in Violence in Fillydelphia In Fillydelphia, as in many other parts of Equestria, violence constitutes an important focus for the public and political debate on crime. Much of what is said in the public debate, and done in the field of criminal policy, stems from a perception that violence is on the increase. This paper presents a new social indicator of trends in violence— hospital admissions resulting from acts of violence—and evaluates this measure in the light of more traditional indicators of violence—crime statistics, victim surveys and homicide statistics. The hospital data comprise 90,000 admissions from the years... “Excuse me.”A voice called. I looked up and saw that a stallion took the place across me while I was absorbed with my lecture. He smiled apologizing, almost sheepishly. “Please excuse my intrusion, but is that the newest Veterinarian Physics Quarterly in your hooves?” I gave him a deadpanned look, closed the magazine and showed the cover. “Oh wonderful! I was looking forward to read professor Clops article about the upward trends in the current criminal statistics since months. His last article about the effects of different neurotoxins was simply...” He continued on gleefully with a slight Trottingham accent. I cocked my head eying him closely. The buck, a, good looking I have to admit, grayish gold coated unicorn with a black mane, was wearing a red shirt with a black vest. A sand colored mantle lay beside him. He had a joker card as a cutie mark and his eyes... “Is your heterochromia inherited or the result of chimerism?” I asked pointing out to his eyes, the left having a crimson red and the right one a golden iris. He seemed taken aback by my question but composed himself briskly and smiled. “I’m not sure about that.”He shrugged.”I never knew my parents and I’m too afraid of needles to go for a medical examination.” He grinned at me. “You’re joking, right?” I asked and he laughed. “Maybe?” He smiled slyly and reached out with a hoof towards me.”I’m Joker and I’m new in Manehattan. So would you maybe...” “Not interested.” I cut him off abruptly. “Pardon?” “Oh sorry. My comment really seemed a little bit too vague.” I gave him a sheepish smile on my account.”I think this whole ‘we’ve just met but I would like to rut you maybe’ pickup line is infantile and derogatory for any mare. Not counting easy bimbos. Aren’t you full of yourself? Did you really think that by showing interest in the same things you would have an easy game with me? So once more: Not. Interested.”I eyed him with a somber glare and growled.”And now fuck off.” With mouth and eyes agape he fell silent. I opened the Veterinarian Physics Quarterly on the page with the article but I was too agitated to read any further. I snarled with irritation and stuffed the magazine into my saddlebag. From the corner of my eye I saw that he was watching me. I growled.”What?” “Nothing. I only wanted to...” “Then shut up!” The buck was so irritating!“If you...”I wanted to start another rant but was cut off by the announcer and his monotone voice. “Next station: Shetland Yard.” I muttered something about arrogant stallions under my breath, buttoned my black overcoat and put on my saddlebag. I didn’t pay him any more attention and trotted to the door. There was a movement in the corner of my eye and I saw the buck standing at my side. “Are you following me or what?” “Excuse me little miss arrogant but the world isn’t spinning around you.”He eyed me with a amused grin.”According to the city plan this is where I have to get out.” “Suit yourself.”I pouted and stared in front of me. The moment the doors opened I jumped out of the carriage and cantered to the exit. Taking two or three steps every time I quickly found myself on the surface. A cacophony of sounds assaulted my ears the moment I left the station. I took the turn right and trotted in the direction of the headquarters of the MCG. After a few steps I allowed myself a look to the back. The unicorn stallion was standing in front of the entrance to the subway station, a city plan held in a white magic field in front of him. He didn’t lie about that part and he seemed a little bit lost. I shook my head. Serves him right. After a few minutes I found myself in front of a giant building, with a facade that took up an entire city block. Six stories high it seemed imposing and intimidating. You could always see pegasi and an occasional sky carriage flying in and out of the upper levels. I smiled – I felt at home around here. I went in through the main entrance and nicked towards the elder guardpony behind the desk.”Good morning Mister Leaves.” “Good morning Detective Pie.”He cocked his head.”What happened to you face?” “Oh, this.”I touched the bandage with my hoof.”A buck tried to rob an older pony with a switchblade. It seems I wasn’t fast enough.” “Fucking geldings.”He murmured angry.”Not showing any respect to their elders nowadays. And harming cute fillies like you.” “Stop that. You’ll make me blush.”I waved my hoof, irritated yet accustomed to his rambling.”I kicked his flank and horn so it’s fine. But now I got to go.” “Have a nice day Detective.” “Thanks.” I cantered to the elevator, pushed the button for the 4th floor and sighed the moment the doors closed. I looked at my reflection in the metal doors and turned my face. Once to the side with the bandage and once to the one without it. I sighed again and muttered.”Always a mare. Never an officer... Buck these horse apples!” I slammed my hoof on the polished surface and composed myself again. There was a short “ding” and the doors opened. I trotted out of the lift. I exchanged greetings and a few witty remarks with my colleagues on the way towards my office. A black coated pegasus with a cobalt mane looked out of his room as I passed it. “Hey D.!” He called me with a merry tone in his voice. His name was Night Reader and he was a friend. Of sorts. “What is it Night?” I looked back towards him cocking my head. “The cap wants to see you.” I rolled my eyes.”Did the old featherbrain say what it was about?” The flier shrugged.“Beats me. He only said: Tell that pink mayhem that I want to see her arrogant flank in my office the moment you see her. Eamedietly!’” I rolled my eyes again but smiled at his impression of the captain.”Yeah, I will move my flank to his office eamedietly the moment I get some spare time.” The pegasus made a salute with one his wings.“See you around D.” “Yeah, later.” I waved at him with a hoof and continued towards my office. After a few meters I stopped in front of a door with a brass plaque saying: Detective P. D. Pie I took out my keys and opened it. My saddlebag flew into the corner on my left the moment I passed the threshold. I quickly hung my mantle on rack to the left of the door and walked towards my work desk. It boasted the usual organized chaos – countless notes, unfinished rapports, files from related cases, numerous books and... “Oh, gross...” I muttered to myself while pulling the sorry remains of my lunch from two days ago. I think I lost appetite for the local neighponese for the near future... I dumped the oyster pail and its contents into the trash bin and sat behind the desk. I looked at the two pictures standing on top of it. One showed me and my two sisters the other my late mother. I smiled warmly and started the computer. Twelve new emails - some regarding my last case, others being merely office gossip. Only three got my attention. The first one was from the captain but I stopped to read it after the line: ...and I know that you’re already in the building Pie, so move your lazy... DELETE. The second was from Vesper. Hey D.! I’ve heard the cap’s searching for you. Don’t make him wait, ok? You know how he is. Vesper Good sweet old Vesper, always caring... The third one was a surprise. Heya Pinks! I rolled my eyes. There weren’t many ponies calling me that. I’m back in town for the time being. We should totally meat again! Give me a call! Or I will give you a call! Whatever. Cya. Kisses! V.S. I smiled. The idea seemed nice I stretched and looked at the clock. It was almost 9 o’clock. I sighed.”I think I shouldn’t let the captain wait any longer.” I shut down the computer, stood up and trotted out of my office. After a minute or two I was standing before another plaque with a set of letters carved in the brass. Captain H. Grimmfeathers I neatened up my attire and knocked on the door. “Come in Pie!” A baritone voice called from inside. I rolled my eyes. The old featherbrain and his supreme hearing... “You wanted to see me commander Grimmfeather?” I asked cheerfully while entering his office. It was held tidy, something too tidy for my tastes. On one of the walls hung a case with a few medals in it. The beautiful Solar Flare in the center. It was surrounded by a halo of framed photographs showing a black feathered griffon with groups of different ponies and people. A talon unit drinking with a bunch of night guards. The city guard parade held during the celebration of the 350’th anniversary of the founding of Manehattan. A medal award ceremony showing Princess Celestia pinning the Solar Flare on the chest of the same griffon who now growled from behind his desk.“I’m not longer in the military and you know that Pinkie.” “And you know that I prefer Pinkamena Haakon.”I smiled at him and sat in front of the desk. He eyed me menacingly.“CAPTAIN Grimmfeathers is enough.”He sighed and shook his head.”You took your time. As always.” He added to the end. I shrugged.”I wasn’t here yesterday, so I had to check on some things.” “I’ve seen the report, quite a good job with the trash the other day.” “It could have been better...” I muttered while touching the bandage on my face. The griffon snorted and pointed to the large scar running through his right milky eye with one of his talons. “Yeah... But I’m a mare and I need the looks for my retirement.”I said with a sly smile. “You won’t retire.”He shrugged and added nonchalantly.”Knowing you, at least not alive.” I brushed of his remark.“What was the reason you wanted to see me again?” “We’ve got a new guard assigned to our unit. You’ll be the one working with him. He’s...” “No.” I cut him off. “Pardon?” I looked him firmly in those blue, predatory eyes.“I said: NO. You know that I’m unable to properly work with people I knew for years. How am I supposed to work with a newbie?” “He isn’t a newbie. He already worked at the Canterlot City Guard for five years.” “Like I care.”I shrugged.”He should have stayed where he was.” “He asked for a transfer to Manehattan. Specifically to the CSI unit.” “Then he’s stupid. Only a total weirdo would want to work on all the shit we’re dealing with in here.” The old bird smirked.”You would probably even work for free.” I smiled back.”And I’m proud for not being normal.” “Nevertheless you will work with him. He seems a decent buck according to his file and he shouldn’t make any problems. He’s also very talented in our field of work.” I rolled my eyes.“Any proofs for that?” “The solving of the Bloody Rain case was his doing.” My ears perked up.”Wasn’t that the one with the killer dumping the remains of his victims into the clouds?” “Indeed.” I cocked my head while thinking and watching the ceiling. “You know that I’m not asking about your opinion, right Pie?”Pointed out the slightly irritated griffon. “What’s his name?” “Sour Note.” That sounded simply wonderful... I shrugged.”Alright. He can always have an accident in the case he starts to get on my nerves.” He rolled his eyes.“I’m sure the whole station will start making bets the moment they hear about you getting a partner.” “Give me a share and you’ll be the winner” His laugh was cut off by a knock on the door. He looked towards the door.”That should be him. Come in!” The door opened and I looked behind my back to get a proper look of my new “partner”. I saw a grayish gold coat and my blue eyes met a mismatched, red and gold pair. We both blinked and stammered in unison.”You... What?” I spun around and slammed my hoof in front of Grimmfeather while pointing the other one at the stallion. I yelled at the old griffon.”What the fuck is this shit supposed to mean?!”
Liaisons part 1I landed on my haunches with a loud thump as the door slammed behind me. “Ouu...” I groaned as I stood up and reached with a hoof to my hurting rear. I looked back at the brass plaque and yelled. ”That’s sexual harassment!” The door sprang open and the unicorn buck with the grayish golden coat flew head first into the hallway. The menacing frame of captain Grimmfeathers hovered above me and I took a step backwards from his glare. He leaned towards me with a grimace of anger on his face. I meeped weakly. “PLAY. NICE.” He growled and slammed the door behind himself. I could hear him mumbling to himself something about shitty ponies, insubordination and the benefits of executing someone for talking back to a supreme officer in the old days. I guess being simply thrown out of his office wasn’t that bad after fifteen minutes of shouting and cursing at each other... I eyed the stallion. My, goddesses preserve me, “partner” was still lying on the floor, staring gloomily on the opposite wall. He muttered something under his breath. I growled at him. “What was that?” He looked at me from the corner of his golden eye. ”Go to Manehattan they said. It will be fun they said.” I rolled my eyes. ”Follow me.” I hoped over him and began to walk back to my office but looked back after a few steps. He didn’t move from the spot. I stopped and frowned. ”Didn’t you hear what I said?” His red iris rested upon me. ”I’m not deaf” “So come on, I don’t have the whole...” “No.” He’d thrown me of. ”Pardon what?” He was once again staring at the wall in front of him. ”I’m not going anywhere.” He mumbled. ”The floor’s comfy and I had a bad morning. First a mare gave me a slating for no reason, afterwards I got lost and finally I got into an argument with my new boss.” He pouted. ”I’m staying where I am.” I looked at him speechless as my right eye began to twitch. I wanted to scream and even drag him by force if I had to, but I put a hoof to my temple. Take a deep breath Pinkamena, think about your social skills, you can do it... I sighed and sat next to him. He eyed me flatly. I tried to smile. “I know we had a bad start but we’re supposed to work together, so we should make the best out of it.” I reached a hoof towards him. ”Hello, I’m detective Pinkamena Diane Pie.” He smiled faintly, sat up and shook my hoof. ”Detective Sour Note. But as I said earlier you can call me Joker.” “Good detective Note, come on I’ll show you my office.” Conventions fulfilled I began to stand up and turn as I said it. He’d risen to his legs and grinned. “Can I call you Pinkie?” I spun around and found myself muzzle to muzzle (actually I had to look a little bit upwards, as he was a few centimeters higher than me) and growled. ”Don’t you ever. Never ever call me PINKIE.” He stared me in the eyes and his grin broadened even further. ”You know, you’re kinda cute when...” He didn’t get to finish the sentence as I cut his legs from under him in a quick spin. He fell to the ground and I put a hoof on his horn while leaning towards his face. “Did you learn your lesson?” “Y-yes?” He stammered slightly confused. “And that would be?” I asked clinically. “That I... um...” I added a little bit of pressure upon his horn. ”That my opinions are irrelevant and that I shouldn’t compliment you!” I rolled my eyes at the latter and straightened up. ”Good. Shall we?” I asked with a smile. He sighted and smiled. ”Yeah, sure.” He stood up and fell by my side as I walked down the corridor. I eyed him from the side. There was a little smile on his muzzle as he looked around. Suddenly he turned towards me. “Sooo... You’re middle name is Diane?” He asked cheerfully. I gave him a deadpan look.“Yes, and?” He glanced into an open office.”That’s quite an uncommon name.” I shrugged.”So is Pinkamena.” The little smile slightly crept towards his ears as he cocked his head. ”Family tradition?” “You could call it that way.” I answered vaguely while opening the door. He trotted inside right after me and hung his sand colored overcoat on the rag beside mine with his magic. I waved my hoof not looking at him. ”Take a seat wherever you want.” “You aren’t a tidy pony, aren’t you?” He whistled while looking at my work desk. I shot him a glare and he waved a hoof apologetically. ”Believe me I don’t mind that. It’s way cleaner than my former office.” He scratched his chin. ”And place and life and...” The buck was certainly irritating... I forced a smile to fob him off. “I think I get what you... Hey!” I shouted as he grabbed my photos with a white magic aura. He smiled as he looked at them. ”Are those your sisters? Their coats and manes are maybe earth colored but there’s a strong similarity of the features and the bone structures of your faces. If yes, then this would surely be your mother! She has the same...” He stopped as I jumped towards him. I torn the pictures from his magic field and put them back on the desk. “Don’t touch my things without asking.” I said quietly, eyeing him somberly. He run a hoof through his mane looking at me sheepishly. ”Sorry I traced of a little bit. I simply always asked myself how it would feel to have siblings.” I cocked my head. ”Only child?” He shrugged and cracked a smile. “I grew up in a orphanage so I can’t tell.” That put me off. He certainly said something similar in the subway when I asked him about his eyes, but I didn’t pay him that much attention anyway... I also couldn’t tell if his smile was honest or forced. After a few moments of silence I asked the obvious. “You grew up in an orphanage in Trottingham?” His smile brightened. “Was it the accent that betrayed me?”That side of him again... “That and your weird sense of humor.” He laughed. ”So you do have one on your own. I was already afraid I would have to work with a machine.” I rolled my eyes. ”Don’t get used to it. How come you ended up in Canterlot?” He shrugged. ”I wasn’t that bad at school and somehow qualified for a long term scholarship. There wasn’t anything holding me in Trottingham so I stayed in the capital after I finished my studies.” I was a little bit impressed. But just a little. “Hm... Let me guess...” I eyed him while cogitating. ”If you were able to study in Canterlot you surely qualified for the Starswirl Program of the Luna Foundation, but I bet they’ve chosen you for the Clover.” “You would win that one.” He nodded approvingly. ”How did you know?” I shrugged. “You seem quite free spirited. They like that about their candidates.” He laughed at my answer and gave me a sly smile. ”From your knowledge about the programs I take you were also a participant?” It was my turn to smile slyly. I watched as Sour Note cocked his head while looking at me with a frown. He sighed and shook his head. ”My first guess would be the Starswirl, because you seem so uptight that it hurts.” A menacing glare was my only answer to this statement. ”But witnessing your tantrum with the captain and the small details of your behaviour I think you would also fit in the Clover. But on the other hoof...” “What details?” My question cut of the unicorns monologue. He blinked a few times and seemed a little bit insecure. ”You know... For example the chaos in your office or the way you talk or walk...” “What’s with the way I walk?” My voice was emotionless. “E... You don’t walk like the control freak you seem to be.” I looked at him flatly. “Goddesses preserve me... You walk strong on your legs, almost with joy or pride. Like if you were saying ‘just look at me I’m the best’ or something.” There was an odd silence after that. I eyed him with a surprised, if not disbelieving look. I didn’t know how to react to such a statement. Was it a complement? A taunt? Another stupid pickup line like in the subway? Or was he simply honest? Before I could even think of an answer to this I felt a twitch in my right ear and the hair standing up on my neck. I looked at the unicorn buck. ”To your left” “To my left? What are you... Whatthefuck!” He screamed and fell on his right side at a dull poof sound and the appearance of a dark mass that followed after it. The shadows whirled for a second and instantly formed themselves into the shape of a pony. An onlooker could think the lead coated mare with a midnight blue mane was a pegasus if it weren’t for the leather wings and emerald eyes with cat-like slit pupils. She wore a set of purple guard armour with a blue gem on her breast. The mare stretched her wings and looked at me with a smile. She moved her lips but the only thing that left her muzzle was a sequence of barely hearable chirps. I smiled at her. “Hi Vesper I’m also glad to see you but we have guest.” I waved towards the unicorn buck on the floor. Sour Note was eyeing the bat-pony with a shock. ”What... How... You’re a bat-pony?” Vesper smiled at him and chirped another sequence. He looked at her with a deadpanned look. ”Sorry but I can’t understand.” I giggled at the surprised look on the bat-pony’s face and her hectic fiddling with the blue gem of her armour. ”She said that...” I began but was cut off shortly. “HELLO! MY NAME IS VESPER EVE! I’M...” She stopped and put a hoof to her lips as she saw us holding our hooves to our ears with pained expressions. There followed another hectic fiddling and she smiled sheepishly with her ears drooped. ”Sorry... I sometimes have problems with adjusting the enchantments of my armour... Are you guys ok?” “Don’t worry I got used to that.” I waved a hoof at her although I could still hear little bells in my head... The stallion was looking at Vesper with amazement. ”You’re a bat-pony? “That’s what I am.” She said cheerfully. “A real bat-pony?” She looked at me from the corner of her eye and smiled nervously. ”Yes... That’s what I said.” “Simply fascinating!” Again, there was this glee in his voice. ”I worked in Canterlot for a few years but I never met any bat-ponies in person!” Vesper smiled proudly. “Yes, our kin in the capital are mostly the exclusive guards of her Royal Highness Princess Luna and seldom leave the castle but here... Yikes!” She jerked as he caught her wings in his magic field. “Fascinating!” He exclaimed while stretching her wing. ”The skin is so elastic and the bones are way more flexible than those of pegasi wings, which surely gives you a greater manoeuvrability in the air. And the tufts on your ears.” He moved in front of her, almost bumping his nose in her face. ”There surely helpful when you’re using echolocation and...” Vesper disappeared in a cloud of darkness. Sour Note blinked a few times and grinned maniacally. ”She can teleport!” “We call it shadow jump...” Said a voice from behind me. I looked back and noticed she was using me to shield herself from the crazy stallion. I eyed the unicorn with a menacing glare. ”Stop creeping out every mare you come along.” “Oh no... It was just weird.” She said a little bit embarrassed, but a perk of her ears, a slight wave with the hoof and a movement of her wings said the contrary. I made a hoof movement on the floor to which she smiled and told, while eyeing the buck. ”Please excuse my new partner, he’s just weird.” Her eyes lit up and she gave Sour Note an interested look. ”You’re D’s new partner?” Sour Note looked at me smiling slyly. ”So you do have a nickname?” I rolled my eyes. ”D.’s the name my friends call me.” He grinned. “It suits you.” I frowned and Vesper cocked her head. The Stallion smiled at her. ”Where are my manners! I’m Sour Note, but you can call me Joker. I used to work as a detective in Canterlot but now I’m here in the great city of Manehattan.” He exaggerated the last part in an almost theatrical way. Vesper giggled as I frowned even more. ”Nice to meet you Joker. I’m Vesper Eve, an officer of the MCG and, as you already noticed, a bat-pony.” He smiled sheepishly while driving a hoof trough his mane. ”Oh... Sorry for my antics earlier.” Vesper gave me a sly look and made a few hoof and wing movements that I interpreted as something like “You’re lucky, he's a looker.” I glared at her and made the gesture for “Shut up.” The lead coated mare continued to tease me while the stallion watched our silent argument cocking his head. ”Is that some sort of secret language?” Vesper smiled at him. ”It’s called tulpar. My people use it when they can’t talk vocally.” He pointed a hoof at me. ”And how comes that you know it?” I shrugged. ”I used to work during the graveyard shift for two or three months. My colleagues where a bunch of earth pony machos with a whimsy unicorn mare, and a wing of lunar freaks.” I smiled at Vesper. ”Short story: I spent most of my time with Vesper and her squad mates and they taught it to me. Although it's a bit complicated to express yourself properly without wings.” He watched us in amazement. ”This is awesome.” Me and Vesper looked at each other and the flyer giggled. ”Yes, I guess you can say so.” The armoured mare perked up. ”I almost forgot! Dr. Green Teal wanted to tell you that he finished his report for the file of your last case.” I rolled my eyes with a smile. ”He knows we have computers and internet, doesn’t he?” The bat-pony shrugged. ”You know how he is.” I stood up and looked at the unicorn. ”Come on we will fetch some files from a friend of mine.” He shrugged. “Sure why not.” “I’ll get on my way.” Vesper hugged me and gave a wave with a wing towards Sour Note. ”It was nice to make your acquaintance.” And in a poof of shadows she was gone. He smiled towards me. “An interesting gal.” I trotted towards the door. ”And you totally creeped her out.” His ears drooped but I smiled towards him as I left the office. ”But you were right.” One of his ears perked up. ”About what?” I gave him a sly grin. ”I qualified for both scholarship programs.” “And you’ve chosen...?” “Both and now come on!” I trotted down the corridor towards the elevators, smiling to myself at the sight of his surprised muzzle. Author's Note Big thanks to Hubi Koshi, that he took his time to eradicate some of my misspellings and other mistakes! Important thing! Please comment upon the story especially if you didn't like it. I need some motivation to do better...
