Chapter 8: A helping hoof.

Twilight couldn't believe what she was hearing, Sandova suspected for being involved in a murder case?

"Now hold on sir, our friend was with us in Ponyville for the last two months. Besides, we had only arrived in Manehattan ten minutes earlier before he got arrested! There is no way he is involved with this."

The guardspony across the table arched an eyebrow.

"Then please explain miss Sparkle, why does your friend have a dark magic-related Talent Mark? And why does he claim that he is no real pony? Please, enlighten us."

Twilight sighed, she knew she should have prepared something to warn the local guard in advance. She looked sternly at the guard.

"Nothing I say will be leaked to the public, right?"

The guard snorted.

"Of course! Until the investigation needs the press to be involved we keep a close lid on acquired information."

Twilight nodded and began her story
~
Two burly earth ponies had been watching the guard HQ intently for hours now.

"Are you sure this is the place boss asked us to watch?"

The other snorted.

"Yes, now shut up and keep watching."

The other nodded and went back to watching the entrance. After five minutes he nudged his partner again.

"We needed to look for a necromancy Talent Mark, right?"

The other grumbled an affirmative.

"Then I've found one."

They both saw a light grey unicorn leaving the guard HQ, followed by a group of mares. When he turned around to answer one of the mares they could both see his Mark: A strange skull wreathed in black flames.

Both stallions looked at each other and nodded.

"You follow them, I'll contact the boss. Try not to attract attention."
~
Sandova was glad he could finally stretch his legs again, it felt like he spent days in the interrogation room.
"Sandova, what happened there exactly? I still don't really understand why they arrested you."

Sandova turned around and smiled.

"Excellent question! You see, I saw two guards roughing up a scared colt, so I voiced my disagreement with them. Considering that I'm usually not very nice in those situations they got a little..agitated. When they noticed that my Talent Mark was nearly identical to the colt's they wanted to bring me in for questioning, but because I let my mouth run off they decided I was 'dangerous' and took me with force, even though I didn't resist. So now they'll be chewed out by their superior."

Twilight looked aghast at this.

"Roughing up? The guard is a respected force tasked with keeping the peace! There's no way something like that happened!"

Sandova shook his head, chuckling bitterly.

"I'm afraid that's exactly what happened. I've seen how adorably naïve you ponies are, so I guess things like murder are incredibly rare in Equestria."

He nodded at their horrified expressions for emphasis.

"If you react like that to the mere thought of murder, imagine what the guard must feel like. They're in charge of solving this mess after all. It's only logical that they'd overreact, but that doesn't mean I agree with their methods at the moment."

Rainbow spoke up.

"So, what'cha going to do now? I mean, you got out and stuff."

"She's right dear, didn't you want to go to the museum?"

Sandova sighed and shook his head.

"No matter how much I'd like to see that ancient magic exposition I can't ignore this. Not when there's necromancy involved. Besides, I kinda volunteered to help with the investigation."

Everyone looked at him like he'd gone mad.

"Why'd ya do that? Ah thought ya didn't like the guard."

"I never said that, I just didn't like the guys that arrested me and the kid. Speaking of the kid, there is something awfully familiar about his story."

The mares shot him a questioning look. Sandova, however, held up a hoof and pointed to a nearby snack bar.

"I'd rather not explain this on the street. Besides, I'm getting kinda hungry here."

After they found a table and ordered dinner Sandova decided it was time to talk.

"Okay, I believe that all of you have been questioned about me, right?"

The mares nodded.

"You see, this afternoon three colts were murdered in an alley. There was negative energy involved, and the colt that got arrested was found near the crime scene, radiating excess negative energy. The guard reacted immediately, if a bit excessively, and the poor kid was scared out of his mind. It seems that the kid had no idea where he was or what happened after the victims roughed him up a little."

The waitress brought their dinner, and Sandova stopped talking so that he could take a bite out of his hayburger.

"As I was saying, that's when we came along. I voiced my opinion and got myself arrested as well. In the station I played some word games with my interrogators until the lead investigator finally showed up. She started with the standard questions I had answered a hundred times by then, then went on to the specifics. After they cross-referenced my story with your testimonies I was finally free to leave. I then offered to help this investigation, and they agreed. So here we are."

Twilight looked thoughtful.

"Okay, I can see that you want to help, but what can you do? I thought your specialties were combat and magical theory, not investigation."

Sandova smiled before taking another bite, followed by a swig of bitter lemon.

"Yes, but I also have a lot of experience with investigations from my adventuring days. Besides, I have you girls to help me."

Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie looked excited, the rest, not so much.

"Aw yeah, a real investigation! It's like we're spies or something."

"You mean like that time where Twilight and I had to find out who took a bite out of the MMM when we were going to that cake contest? That sounds like fun!"

Fluttershy trembled a little.

"B-but doesn't that s-sound dangerous?"

Sandova smiled reassuringly at the shy pegasus.

"Don't worry Fluttershy, I have handled worse things on my world. And I will only ask you for advice, no need for you to become directly involved."

Fluttershy seemed pleased with the fact that she would not be directly involved, and nodded.

"I have another question, did we check into a hotel already? It's getting awfully late, and If possible I'd like to see some sights while we brainstorm."

"Don't worry Sandova, we have already checked in before we came to get you. At least somepony was smart enough to realize we didn't know where the guard HQ was, or that we had our luggage to take care of. Unlike some other hot-headed individual."

Rainbow Dash huffed.

"Well, at least I wanted to help our friend immediately. What's wrong with that?"

Sandova nodded, smiling a little.

"Nothing, I appreciate your concern, but Twilight did have a point there. But that's the past, shall we go to the hotel then? We have a lot to do tomorrow."

The others nodded and stood up. After they had paid they left for the restaurant, talking about what they would do tomorrow. After they got to the hotel Sandova turned to Twilight.

"Do you have something to write on? I'd like to write down the address of the Hotel so that I can find it again if I get lost here."

"Sure, here you go."

Sandova thanked Twilight and started scribbling on the notebook, he then ripped off some notes and passed them around using his magic. Everypony stiffened when they read the notes.

We're being followed, act normal and go to your rooms. I'll see what I can do, don't worry.

The mares quickly went inside, except for Rainbow dash, who looked around furiously before Sandova shot her a look. She smiled sheepishly and went to him.

"Hey, you don't know which room you're in, right?"

"Hm, oh yeah. Thanks Dash, can you tell me? I wanted to ask the receptionist about the city before going to bed, I come right afterwards."

"Um, sure. You're in room 402, next to mine and Pinkie's. Since you're the only guy here Twilight thought you'd like a room to yourself."

Sandova smiled, it was not like he'd try anything. Sure, they were female. But Sandova was human, there'd be no way he'd be attracted to them. Besides, he'd rather not jeopardize his stay here by doing something stupid right after his previous fiasco in Ponyville. Even if the girls thought him friendly, the rest of the town was suspicious at best. He'd need at least some friends to be able to stay here.

"That was most considerate of her. Well, I see you tomorrow then?"

"Oh yeah, before I forget. You don't have your room key, either, but I think Twilight has it. She stays with Applejack in room 400, so you should get it from them. See you tomorrow."

Sandova watched her leave and turned around. The lobby was almost empty, which was not surprising considering the hour, but for the receptionist and a burly earth pony lingering around the entrance.

Sandova took a good look at him. He had a brown coat, a grey mane in a buzz cut and his talent mark told he was either very clumsy, or very good at breaking bones. Sandova hoped it was the former.

The earth pony caught Sandova looking and narrowed his eyes, then nodded at Sandova and left the hotel.

"Well, that was anticlimactic. No sense in standing around here I guess."

Sandova took the elevator to the fourth floor and knocked at room 400, but nobody opened. He tried room 401 and Rarity opened the door.

"Sandova! What was all that about? Who followed us, and why?"

"Easy Rarity, there won't be a problem. They know I was onto them, so they'll move a lot more cautiously. It was probably just some guy that recognized you girls and wanted to see if he could either get an autograph or try and seduce a celebrity. I mean, you girls are famous you know."

Rarity looked thoughtful, then nodded.

"Yes, that must be it. Why did you knock on my door then?"

Sandova was glad she'd bought his lie, he didn't want them to be too nervous. He could handle it himself.

"Well, Rainbow Dash said that my room was room 402, but since I don't have my key yet I Wanted to get it from Twilight, but she's not opening the door."

Rarity blinked, then shook her head.

"Oh that featherbrain. You have room 400, Twilight and Applejack are staying in room 402. She must've mixed them up. Well, goodnight Sandova."

Sandova bade her goodnight as well and then got his key from Twilight. After he had told her the same he told Rarity he went to his room, dumped his stuff in a corner and dropped onto the bed. He was asleep in minutes.
~
Hard Facts was exhausted.

"Ugh, this is one of those days that just keeps giving you headaches."

"Heh, tell me about it."

She turned around to see her partner coming over, two cups of coffee in his telekinetic grip.

"Case, you're a lifesaver."

He grinned and offered his partner a cup.

"I know, I do my best."

His face turned serious.

"So, what do you think of this Sandova guy?"

Hard Facts grimaced, remembering the strange not-pony's words.

"He's a pain in the ass, but probably a useful one. We confirmed his story, and he has offered his help on the case. As far as I know, we're going to need it."

"Whoa, seriously? Is it that bad?"

Hard facts nodded and took a sip from her coffee.

"Yes, our only suspect couldn't have done it even if he wanted to, and the other clues are getting us nowhere. This Sandova guy knows a lot about necromancy, and annoying or not, he is decent enough to object the rough treatment of some kid he hasn't even met. That's the reason they arrested him, actually."

"Huh, and I thought it was because his talent mark is nearly the same as your suspect's."

Cold Case took a sip and gestured towards the snack bar across the street.

"You want some hay fries? We've been at it the whole evening, and we still need to finish our paperwork."

"That'd be great. Put them on my desk when you get them, I'll go check on our suspect. Speaking of which, have his parents arrived yet?"

"Yes, I have spoken with them already. They are quite distressed, of course. I have told them we're doing our best to clear their son's name. They are also filing complaints against some guardsponies, not that I can blame them. The kid was treated way too harsh."

Cold Case nodded and left for the snack bar, and Hard facts went on to their young 'suspect'.
~
Moonless Night was sleeping in his cell, so Hard Facts went on to the visitor's area. She knew the colt's parents were still in the building, and wasn't surprised to see them there. Bright Night was asleep, but her husband Crescent Moon looked up as soon as Hard Facts came in.

"Good evening detective, any news yet?"

She sighed, why do civilians always think crimes could be solved so quickly?

"I'm afraid not, sir. We are busy looking over the facts, and we have some help now. I believe we will find the true perpetrator soon. You two should get some sleep. You live nearby right?"

Crescent Moon nodded.

"But we will not leave our son in here by himself. I'm sorry detective, but if you want us gone you should get a warrant and some big officers. We're not going anywhere without Moonless Night."

Hard facts sighed, but relented. She could understand them, and the kid would be more at ease if he knew his parents were around.

"And who is that nice blond stallion we met earlier? He seemed nice, but his talent mark was a little unsettling? Is he some kind of coroner?"

Hard Facts whirled around, a shocked look upon her face. During the conversation Bright Night had woken up and was looking at her questioningly.

"Blond mane, grey coat and blue eyes. Talent mark a strange skull wreathed in black flames?"

She nodded. Hard facts forced herself to calm down, she'd give that guy a lecture he'd not soon forget as soon as he came back. But for now, she needed to deal with the current situation as professionally as possible.

"He is the help we got earlier, an expert on cases like this. He's a little, eccentric, but he understands your son's situation the best, or so he says. Get some rest, we'll handle this case. I promise."

The couple smiled sadly.

"Thank you detective."

Hard facts nodded and left for her office. This would be a looong night.
~
"Boss, we've found a stallion matching your description. He's staying at the Pegasus Wing Hotel with some mares."

Abyss looked up from his desk.

"Fool! I told you to bring a colt, not some grown-up player."

The big earth pony in front of him flinched, stammering a reply.

"B-but boss, you told us to look for a colt with a necromancy talent that was arrested recently. This guy walked out of the Guard HQ matching most of the description, so I told Snap to follow him. If he isn't the guy we're looking for, he could still be related to our target. How many unicorns are even aware of necromancy in the first place, let alone be specialized in it?"

Abyss looked thoughtful. His subordinate made some valid points, he could capitalize on the situation.

"Very well. Tell Loud Snap to come in as soon as he returns, I want to know everything we can about this guy. You better hope your theory is correct, I do not care for failure within my organization. Are we clear?"

His subordinate nodded.

"Y-yes sir. Right away ,sir"

Author's Note

Finally! I have returned!
Man, I cannot apologize enough to you guys, three months without update is a terrible sin. I hope this chapter helpes making up for it. you see, I had the terrible combination of writer's block, university business and most importantly, me being a chronic procastrinator holding me back.
I have some more chapters in the making, I even finished another. The bad news is that they are al later chpters that are supposed to come after this arc is over. But fear not! I am going to do my absolute best to start posting more regularly now!

Sandova out.