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- >You sit in your office going over the case notes.
- >It’s too late for this shit, but this isn’t gonna let you sleep.
- >The Honeymoon killer, as the newspaper had taken to calling him.
- >Well, you don’t know if it’s a him, or anything about the killer.
- >The way the newspapers write it, you’d think they’ve already figured it out.
- >17 ponies dead.
- >All the information you have matches the culprit being a Changeling.
- >One of the detectives already has a suspect ready to go up in front of a judge.
- >But you can’t shake a gut feeling that it’s just wrong.
- >You look over the notes again.
- >Cause of death: shock, leading to heart failure.
- >Every single one.
- >Something that happens if changeling suck too much love.
- >All the dead are either prostitutes, or patrons.
- >One or the other would make sense, but both is weird.
- >Maybe some kind of moral crusade to clean the streets.
- >Or, a Changeling getting greedy. Sucking patrons dry, and stealing from non-changeling prostitutes.
- >Time of deaths are all after midnight, all in the red-light districts.
- >A Changeling dense area, mostly love collectors. Legal prostitutes.
- >Recovered evidence: A small derringer bore no bigger than 1/16th hoof. Nothing unusual, though very small bore size.
- >Various jewelry, some removed very violently. Evidence suggest post mortem removal.
- >Weird the perp didn’t take the jewelry, probably not interested in money.
- >But then why take the jewelry off?
- >Nothing else of note, various pieces of clothing, hair brushes, lipsticks, etc. All things that seem to have been the victims.
- >Except one, A piece of chitin.
- >For some, this is the end all be all of evidence. You’re not so sure.
- >Every other detective has concluded the perp is a ‘ling.
- >You’d think that too. Except for one thing.
- >One victim to be exact, a Changeling.
- >Aged about 25, mare. From the pictures, clearly a physically blessed individual.
- >Though you like to stay in the bounds of professionalism, you have to say she is kind of...
- >Cute.
- >No Changeling would harm another Changeling. They’re simply too loyal.
- >Though you’re the only one here who thinks that. Everypony else has concluded it’s an isolated case.
- >Perp is a lone wolf of some kind, killed a sister in a bad phase.
- >Maybe. But you’re not convinced.
- >Shock. Still the cause of death doesn’t make sense for a Changeling.
- >A ‘Ling can’t suck all the love from another. They have ways to stop each other from doing it.
- >Simply put, the cause of death just doesn’t add up.
- >You think of anything else, any other pieces of evidence that would point to something.
- >But the trail is cold.
- >You sigh, and pour yourself another scotch, giving up on the case for now.
- >”Detective Heart?”
- >Your secretary calls standing at the door.
- >”A pony is here to see you.”
- >You raise an eyebrow at your secretary. She knows full well, you don’t like weird visitors.
- >You bought her that Chicacolt typewriter for a reason.
- >”She won’t say much, just says that she knows something about the ‘Ling case.”
- >Normally you’d tell anypony to fuck off right now, but this case has frustrated you for the past 2 months.
- >If you had a marriage, this case would be ruining it.
- “Send her in.”
- >You sit properly in your chair, and check your drawer for you gun.
- >In walks a grey mare, with a red mane, with a single silver streak.
- >”Detective?”
- “Please take a seat, Ma’am.”
- >You scan her. She has a look of professionalism and confidence.
- >But you can sense her faltering, she won’t meet eye to eye, and simple missteps give her away.
- >She’s like a filly, who grew up too fast, but at the end of the day is still a filly.
- >You know the kind.
- >”You’re being politer than you want to be detective.”
- “You’re right. Who are you?”
- >She straightens up, as if she wasn’t expecting that but thought she was.
- >”My sister’s been taken.”
- >You raise an eyebrow at her, almost scolding like a parent.
- “Why didn’t you report to the police?”
- >”Because police are loud, messy. You on the other hoof-”
- “Am a detective. I don’t do daring rescues.”
- >”I don’t need a daring rescue, detective. I need somepony who...”
- >She thinks for a minute.
- >”I need somepony, who understands when to use force, and when to use words.”
- >You’re confused by her vague answer.
- >No clue what she’s on about, but she has a point with you being less likely to scare the perp off.
- “But why come to me of all ponies? I’m nowhere near the best detective.”
- >”Because, I know you’ve been working the Honeymoon case.”
- >She holding out something, it’s obvious.
- >You can’t put a hoof on it, but you can see it in her.
- >Like a filly who doesn’t want her crush to know, an apprehension.
- ”Sure, so are 20 other detectives. Why come to me?”
- >”Why does that matter? I came to you, now will you help me?”
- “Look, sweetie. In my game, everything matters.”
- >”Look... My sister is in danger right now. I know you don’t care, but she’s the only pony to have seen the killer and is still alive.”
- >She thinks for a second.
- >”I know you care about that.”
- >Sometimes you drink wishing you could help them all, her reminding you can’t doesn’t help.
- >You can see she’s not as stoic as she first was, her confidence is see through as glass.
- >You’re too nice to simply say no, and want to hear what she has to say.
- “Fine. How did you know your sister was taken?”
- >Pulling out a notebook, you begin taking her statement.
- >”She was working, gets a normal looking customer. Colt pays upfront and leads her off.”
- “What’s this colt look like?”
- >”Orange coat, red mane, a rake cutie mark. He leads her to the one night motel. She gets nabbed at the side entrance. You know the one.”
- >One night is a seedy motel, well named for what it’s worth.
- >Their entire business is around prostitution. Rumor says changelings run the place.
- >The famous side entrance is the secret everyone knows about.
- >No one looks there, not even cops.
- “How’s this colt connected to the killer?”
- >”He’s not. He was clearly paid by someone to lead her there.”
- “How do you know?”
- >”The business runs in the family, detective. You learn.”
- >Though you know that wouldn’t stand up in court, street experience is respectable.
- >at least as long as they’re on your side.
- ”How did you see all this happen?”
- >“hmm. It’s a long story. I’m just gonna say, I keep an eye on my sister.”
- “Did you see whoever got her?”
- >”Kinda.”
- “Anything strange about it? Weird body structure? Thin wings?
- >”He wasn’t a Changeling, detective.”
- >She looks at you like you opened a can of worms.
- >More importantly, how did she pick that up?
- >Newspapers still haven’t put a race on the perp, even though they’ve given him more background than anypony has.
- “Most detectives pin a ‘Ling as our perp.”
- >”The killer isn’t a Changeling!”
- >You’ve struck a nerve, and though it hurts you to twist a knife, you really can’t let it go.
- “I don’t know how you can say that! The ponies killed! Time of death! Cause! Area!”
- >”The killer is not a Changeling!”
- >She’s fuming at this point.
- “Denying it doesn’t make it not true darling, we already have a line of ‘lings in custody!”
- >”I’M A CHANGELING!”
- >She flashes a brilliant green, and turns to her true form before your eyes.
- >Before you is a smaller than average Changeling.
- >Her pink pupils dilated behind her thick bug eyes. Angrily looking at you.
- >Of all things, this was the last you expected.
- >You know you’re showing shock.
- >”That’s why I came to you! Because you’re the only one who doesn’t blame us!”
- >Her anger’s slowly turning to despair.
- >”I just want somepony who won’t put us behind bars for trying to get help.”
- >She looks away and at the floor.
- >”Help me...”
- >She looks back at you with big moist bug eyes.
- >Celestia knows if she’s controlling your mind right now, but you can’t look away.
- >”...Please?”
- >She sounds unsure of herself.
- >You’re unsure with yourself too.
- >You have firsthoof chance of interviewing a changeling. This could have been exactly what you needed.
- >On the otherhoof, changeling aren’t cute bugs. They once controlled the mind of a prince.
- >You’re entirely unsure of what to do.
- >You stand up, turn around, and close the window. Bringing the curtains together afterwards.
- “OK.”
- -------------------------------------------------------
- >You take what you think is your hundredth drink, and recollect all the facts.
- “The kidnapper grabbed your sister, dragged her all the way across to the edge of the red, and is now keeping her somewhere in an apartment?”
- >”I know it sounds crazy...”
- >She stopped sounding sure of herself after her outburst.
- >You really hope nopony heard that.
- >For her well being if anything.
- “I stopped caring about crazy a while back, sweetie.”
- >Checking over any details you wanted clarification, you found none.
- >You close up and put your notebook away.
- “What I care about is truth.”
- >Eyeing her as you speak, you see she shifts.
- >”You don’t believe me?”
- >She almost sounds heartbroken, like she’s hoping for something.
- >You slide open your drawer.
- >Pull out your new winggun, and release the slide with your strong feathers.
- ”I didn’t say that.”
- >The gun makes a satisfying noise, and you check to make sure a round chambered.
- “Let’s find out.”
- >You put your gun into your flank hostler, and slide on your trench coat.
- >Yea you have a hard time flying in it, but it’s warm, concealing, and has a ton of pockets.
- >Eying the changeling, you see she has new hope.
- >She’s relived, almost looks like excitement.
- >Have to keep an eye on her, or maybe her ‘sister’.
- >You’ve seen stronger set up games.
- >Walk out of your office, the mare follows you.
- >Putting on your hat, you feel for your hostler one last time.
- >It’s the last thing you’re forgetting going to the red.
- “Keep an eye on anypony who comes through. Keep yours ready.”
- >You whisper to your secretary, and she nods.
- >”Happy hunting, detective.”
- >Make sure the Changeling is behind you, you walk down the hallway and down a flight of stairs.
- >You notice she’s wearing her disguise again, the redhead mare with grey coat.
- >Stepping out into the early night, you check your watch.
- >It’s only 8 but Celestia puts the sun down faster on these rainy seasons.
- >Canterlot will have it’s share, hopefully not tonight, though the Pegasus in you feels the humidity in the air.
- “Say, I didn’t get your name.”
- >You begin walking towards your car; the black hardtop is parked on the road.
- >”Call me whatever you want, detective.”
- “Not even a last name?”
- >”We don’t have a last name.”
- >You didn’t know that.
- >Though that raises questions about some of your acquaintances through the years.
- >”I won’t tell you a first name, unless you tell me yours.”
- >You open the passenger door on your car, and hold it open for her to enter.
- >”Thank you detective...”
- “What if I said that Heart is my name?”
- >”I’d know you’re lying.”
- >You walk around and sit in the driver’s seat.
- “If you can figure that out. I’m sure you can find my name.”
- >Your engine rumbles to a start.
- >This car costs you a chunk of bits, but it was worth it.
- >You pull out of the parking, and drive down the road.
- >The redlight area isn’t too far from your office.
- >You look in the rear view mirror.
- >A two tone Royale is behind you. You make note of it’s hood ornament.
- >You turn at a place, going towards the freeway.
- >”Where are you going? Red light is that away.”
- “We’re being followed.”
- >Sure enough, in the rear view mirror you can see the Royale behind you.
- >You make sure to drive calmly, make sure he thinks you don’t know he’s there.
- >But even then, you go in circles, take weird routs down unknown roads and so on.
- >Just to be sure he’s following you, and learn how he drives.
- >He’s a charger, knows how to speed for sure, but can’t handle his way around obstructions.
- >You can tell by his wide slow turns, but him quickly catching up with you.
- >Finally you board the freeway; I’ll drop you off at the northern side of the redlight.
- >That colt sticks on you, you eye the traffic pattern, looking for gaps.
- “Hold on, darling.”
- >You shift down and floor it. Your engine roars and rumbles.
- >This is why you got this car.
- >Quickly weaving into the 1st, then 2nd lane, then 3rd, 2nd and 3rd again.
- >Staying in the 3rd, you see the Royale stuck behind many cars, struggling to gain.
- >You change to the second clear lane far ahead.
- >Flooring it, you upshift to keep your engine quiet.
- >”You spend a good bit on the car, cheeped out on the auto?”
- “Auto may be nice sweetheart, but manual is where the speed is.”
- >Soon you’re off the freeway at the edge of the red light.
- >You make sure the Royal isn’t following you.
- >It’s almost 9:30, by the time you make it to the apartment where the sisters held.
- “You didn’t tell me it was abandoned.”
- >”There was a fire a couple years back. Place wasn’t really built to code, a ton of walls collapsed.”
- “And now it makes the perfect hideout.”
- >”You’d think. Place has always been calm, nothing but kids and the odd junkie.”
- >You study the place a bit, and turn your car off.
- >There’s somepony inside, counting up it’s the 12th floor.
- >They’re shadow is clearly visible, and you can see he’s got a gat.
- “Stay here. I’ll be back with your sister.”
- >You know she’s not gonna stay, but she knows you won’t let her come with you.
- >You give her a look to make sure she understands.
- >”Fine. These stairs are collapsed halfway.”
- >She points to the left side of the building.
- “Thanks.”
- >Walking into the building, you notice the whole place dimly lit.
- >Looks like it’s drawing from the main grid, so it never lost power.
- >The whole place is covered in rubble and garbage.
- >You’re surprised it managed to stay standing while looking like this.
- >Exposed rebar, and collapsed structure is everywhere.
- >It almost looks like a demolition job in progress.
- >You walk to the stairwell she said not to use.
- >The stairs go up a good way; before you see the collapsed part, she was mentioned.
- >You climb up as far as the stairs go.
- >At each floor is a window, you watch the mare in your car.
- >You spy on her for a good 5 minutes, you can see the child like impatient in her.
- >She steps out onto the pavement and eyes around the building for you.
- >You’re not worried about being seen, changeling night vision isn’t too great.
- >More importantly, you knew she wasn’t gonna stay.
- >She walks around to the stairwell that isn’t damaged, taking the predictable path.
- >You knew she was gonna do this.
- >You enter the floor numbered with a faded 7.
- >Walking around the back, you’re startled by a rat scurrying away.
- >Knowing how these old buildings where built, you know of a secret passage.
- >There should be a maintenance tunnel that runs around the building.
- >It should also have a ladder that can reach every floor.
- >Search around the walls for it, you see a collapsed section of wall with a hole.
- >Judging by the pipes and wires, this is it.
- >The hole is just big enough for you to slip in; you make sure you have everything.
- >Now track down that ladder, you climb straight up to the 12th floor.
- >You get off and hear a confrontation of sorts has already begun.
- >Hearing a few gunshots, you poke your head out of the door.
- >Drawing your piece, you sneak around the place.
- >Eyeing every corner.
- >Up until yo-*BANG*
- >---
- >”I know yer there can’t hide from me, bug.”
- >The orange stallion sweeps the room, trying to find the mare.
- >”Comeout, wherever you are!”
- >He shoots a few rounds into the next room.
- >”Don’t worry; we’ll put you with your friend.”
- >He continues checking every room, stepping over rubble walls that once separated rooms.
- >Then he stops when he hears something rustling behind one of the closed doors.
- >He aims his gun, and ready to pull the trigger.
- >Bursts out from behind is a masked pony, his partner.
- >He nearly shoots, before he sees he’s holding a mare with his wings.
- >”Holy shit!”
- >”You jump like a little filly, coal.”
- >”Shut up, almost lit you up, featherbrain.”
- >He puts his gat down, and eyes the grey mare in his partners grip.
- >”What do we have here?”
- >He reaches a hoof to touch her, but his partner moves away.
- >”Buck off, coal. I get first.”
- >’Coal’ laughs.
- >”Broads always take away your generous side, plank.”
- >”Finder keeper, coal.”
- >’Plank’ walks out the room into the open hallways.
- >”C’mon, let’s put her with the other. I’ll let you have first on her. Jus’ don’t tell the boss.”
- >”There’s the generous plank, I know.”
- >Plank fights to keep the mare in line, while Coal leads on.
- >”You oughta calm it sweetie, that detective friend of yours isn’t coming.”
- >”What did you do to him?!”
- >”Just tagged him a few, y’know, the usual.”
- >The stallion answers with little guilt or feeling.
- >His partner laughs, and the mare seems to accept her fate.
- >They walk through the rubble-covered halls, taking short cuts through rooms.
- >Coal leads them up the stairs, to a locked room.
- >Opening up, and inside is a Changeling, tied up and gagged.
- >”Hmmmf!”
- >”Nophy!”
- >The grey mare struggles against the larger stallion.
- >Coal laughs at her struggle.
- >”Don’t worry, you’ll be spending a lot of time with her soon eno-...”
- >*BANG*
- >---
- >The stallion falls to the floor, with a loud thud.
- >You were considering keeping him alive, but decided against it thinking over what you read.
- >You let go of the mare in your wing, and she looks at you in shock and confusion.
- >Using your wing and a hoof, you remove the mask on your face, and reveal yourself.
- “Sorry. Are you ok?”
- >You really had no choice; you wouldn’t have done so well against his typewriter.
- >The mare looks at you, on the verge of tears.
- >You feel bad for her, didn’t mean to scare her like that.
- >She’s just a filly pro-
- >*SMACK*
- >-You probably deserved that.
- >She runs off to untie her sister.
- >You rub your cheek and eye the dead stallion in the corner.
- >Welking over to him, you start searching through him.
- >Bag of bits, multiple weapons, and a few other things.
- >You find his wallet, and open it.
- >’Coal Cart, aged 31’
- >He used to work at the coal farm out of Appleloosa judging by the memorabilia.
- >”Why did you kill him?”
- >It’s not your mare, it’s another one.
- “I found a couple notes his partner wrote. He’s not the kind of guy I trusted alive.”
- >You put his wallet on his body, and stand up.
- “Detective Heart. Do you need an ambulance miss..?”
- >”Nopha. No. No I’ll be fine.”
- >You can see she’s a little shaken up, but not nearly enough.
- “Are you sure?”
- >”I appreciate you worrying, detective.”
- >She gives you a smile, and you study her.
- >She’s a changeling, different from your changeling.
- >For one, her coloration is darker, almost black chitin. Her eyes are red along with her wings, with light grey iris.
- “We should head out of here; I’ll get some uniforms to sweep the place. Unless you know anything of interest.”
- >”No. I was cold when they brought me here. I only woke up a few hours ago.”
- >She’s somepony... Somebug?
- >She’s somebug who’s been through a lot, she looks old and weathered.
- >But you can’t close an avenue of investigation based on that alone.
- “You seem pretty calm for somepony who’s just woken up in an abandoned building. Not to mention being tied and gagged.”
- >”Haha. Detective. I guess you could say this isn’t my first time. By choice an otherwise.”
- >You can see, hear and feel the seductress in her. That makes you uneasy.
- >”Changeling have been through a lot, Detective. Being bound and gagged isn’t something new.”
- >She sounds like an old mother now.
- >Though that you can trust.
- >You try not to give her too much to judge you on.
- “Let’s get down to the floor level then.”
- >The walk to the floor level isn’t eventful at all
- >The smaller mare keeps eyeing you, until you eye her back and then she looks away.
- >You can see she’s blushing, but your pony reading skills have limits and it’s really bugging you.
- >The party get back to your car.
- >You open the door for the mares, and hold it open.
- >”Thank you detective.”
- >You head to the driver’s seat, and start the car.
- >Once the car is on, you pick up the radio mic.
- “Heart, badge 1972.”
- >”Go ahead detective.”
- “Requesting uniform officers, at the abandoned apartment, Stable Street, between Colt and bath.”
- >”Please hold detective.”
- >You sit around looking around your car.
- >You see the Royale from earlier parked a few buildings down.
- >Same emblem, same ornament, same two-tone paint.
- >”Detective, the Captain would like to speak to you. Putting him through now.”
- >Why would the captain want a word on you?
- >He doesn’t normally like you, doesn’t like your ways of doing things.
- >Jock it up to his old age.
- >”Heart, What are you doing calling back up for?”
- “I was following the honeymoon case. Ended up at this abandoned building, found a would be victim.”
- >”Was there a confrontation? Casualties?”
- “Yes sir. Two kidnappers.”
- >The captain pauses for a minute.
- >”The kidnapping victims are with you?”
- “Yes sir.”
- >He pauses for a long while.
- >You stare out the windshield at the Royale.
- >The grey mare eyes you with worry in her eyes.
- >You can see her out the corner of your eye, though you’re not sure she knowns that.
- >”I’m sending officers. Continue with your investigation, but come to my office tomorrow.”
- “Yes sir.”
- >You put the hoofset down, and push into first.
- >Making sure to drive away from the Royale, can’t have him seeing your mares.
- >He doesn’t pull out thankfully.
- >But he probably already knows where you’re going.
- >”Bad blood between you two?”
- “Huh?”
- >You snap out of your thought and realize the mare in the back is speaking.
- >You also didn’t realize she has a disguise on.
- >A light blue mare with blonde hair, and light green eyes.
- >”The captain and you.”
- “No, not really.”
- >You try to leave it at that, it wouldn’t be professional to air out dirty laundry.
- >”I thought so.”
- >You’re not sure what she means by that, but you leave it at that.
- >The drive back is uneventful.
- >Occasionally the two mares would come really close and rub muzzles.
- >You think they’re whispering, but all you can’t hear anything.
- >Eventually, you reach your office building.
- >The passengers get out of the car, and stand on the side of the curb.
- >You lock your car, and signal them to follow you.
- >The party reaches the top of the stairs and into your office.
- >Your secretary eyes you over a typewriter.
- >”Hello detective Heart.”
- “Hello, Ribbon.”
- >Walking into your office quickly, you make sure the mares are following.
- “Now. I know you’ve been through a lot.-”
- >”You don’t have to worry about me detective. Really I was kidnapped only a few hours ago.”
- >”Nophy, you-.”
- >”Hush, Nectar. Go outside while the Detective and I speak.”
- >So, Nectar huh.
- >Cute.
- >Fitting.
- >The smaller mare blushes and walks outside your office.
- >The older one takes a seat.
- >”Now detective. I am willing to answer any questions you may have.”
- >And damn you have many.
- >You pull your notebook out, and a pencil.
- >”But first.”
- >You look up to see the mare transform in a cloud of green.
- >Back into the old changeling.
- >”I understand trust is a rare commodity.”
- >She leans forward and offers you a smile.
- >You respond cautiously, this mare is interesting.
- >Not to be taken lightly.
- -------------------------------------------------------
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