Equestria Noir

Case 20

“Red Snow Fall

By Jacoboby1 and ShatteredIllusions

Chapter 1

“A Test?”

I filed what had to have been the hundredth request today. This one came from a noble named Lord Tenpony, who wanted to commission a tower in Manehattan. Personally, I found that while his intentions were good, the way he worded his request was rather insulting. Did he really expect anypony to take him seriously when he wouldn’t accept workers that were ugly? I’ll never understand politics, no matter how long I help Tia with them.

I set the request on top of the growing pile beside me. I was seated in a small throne area that Tia used once in a while when her other one was getting cleaned or something. Tia loaned it to me so I had somewhere to work while I helped her with some of the less important administrative matters.

She had also assigned me some guards, called Dragoons, for protection. With the recent happenings in Canterlot, I can say not everypony appreciates nearly getting blown up. So having guards was considered necessary.

I motioned one of the guards forward. The stallion was clad in black and red lined armor with frills on them. I gave him the forms and was prepared to move on when another Dragoon burst into the room. He walked to me, bowed low, and said, “Lord Voidera! Forgive my intrusion, but I have news of a matter most urgent!”

“We’ve just received word from Northern Equestria, milord,” he replied, looking up at me with slitted gold eyes, a part of the magic that came with his armor. “I was simply told to inform you, that it has returned.”

My red eyes grew wide as I nodded. “Thank you, return to your post then,” I commanded.

As he turned and walked off I looked to the Dragoon on my right and said, “Inform Tia that my part of the plan is underway.”

I used my magic to conjure a piece of paper and wrote quickly, Private Eye, you must come to Canterlot immediately.
_______________________________________________________
Tia and I looked upon as stained glass window depicting Private Eye, and the other Elements of Harmony, fighting Discord. After a few moments, I turned my red eyed gaze to Tia and asked, “So it’s true then? The Crystal Empire has returned?”

“Indeed,” Tia replied, looking over at me “Has your search come up with anything?”

“I have, the Snowlands need Private now.” I informed her, meeting her eyes. “I just pray to Faust that they will succeed.”

“Private and Twilight will succeed,” said a voice behind me. I looked and saw Luna coming to stand between us. Every time I saw her it amazed me how much she's grown. She eyed me warily and continued, “I still do not understand why we must put them in such danger though.”

“It is to test them, dear sister. In order for both of them to master their elements, they must be put in danger. We do not take pleasure from it,” Tia replied, closing her eyes.

Tia squinted her eyes past the stained glass, peering down at Ponyville and said, “She should be getting it right about…”

Suddenly the tree that housed Ponyville’s library flew into the air several yards and then fell back down to earth. I blinked in surprise and Celestia smiled to herself. “That’s my faithful student alright,” she said with a grin.

“Again, I protest against this,” Luna said, looking between us. “You both know what will happen once he sets hoof in that kingdom.”

“Which is why he will be able to keep Sombra away from the empire,” I said slowly. “The Crystal Empire will have it’s full power soon. Shining Armor and Cadence will use that time to create a protective force field, but in order to do that, they need Sombra’s eye focused on another target.”

Tia nodded and said, “Once the shield is up, Sombra will try to take the Empire. With his focus there, Private will be able to complete his part without worry,”

Celestia gently ran a hoof along her sister’s back and said soothingly, “I know he is a good friend to you, but Private can take care of himself, and he will not be alone.”

I looked at the train coming out of Ponyville and announced, “That is them now.”

Tia nodded and left with her sister. I watched the pair leave, they had both grown so much. Lunard, if you could see your daughters now…
___________________________________________________________
Perspective: Private Eye

“4xyp divided by 66831 multiplied by 72 and divided again by 81! Also known as Starswirl’s principle!”

“Okay bonus question,” I said, lowering the list of questions, as I walked down the streets of Canterlot with Twilight at my side. “What mare was so worried about a test she had to blow away the library just as I was about to finally beat Raiden at Marelo?”

She blushed a little at the memory and answered reluctantly, “That um, was me.”

“Twilight, I keep telling you, you don’t need to worry so much. Whatever these tests are, we’ll both get through them, alright?” I said, looking at her lovingly.

“You’re right,” she said with a smile, nuzzling me just as we entered Canterlot castle. We walked the many hallways of the place. When we finally reached the crossroads where we had to part, Twilight turned to me and said, “Spike and the others are outside. I hope all goes well.”

I nuzzled her tenderly and said reassuringly, “I know you’ll do great Twilight, no matter what the test.”

She smiled at me and I was about to turn around before she called out, “Wait!”

I turned back to find her reaching in her rather well packed saddlebags. She pulled out a long violet scarf with her cutie mark on it. I tilted my head as she presented it to me. “Private, I um, wanted to give you this.”

“It’s just something that Cadence told me once,” Twilight explained, blushing a little “When a knight was to fight in a tournament or something, his love would give him a scarf. It was meant to show that he was fighting for her…” She blushed even more as she held it before me and continued, “After the whole Reeflet case, I thought I’d do something for you.”

I looked at the scarf and a slow smile came to my face. I took it in my magic and wrapped it around my neck. When it was secure I walked to Twilight and kissed her lovingly. “Thanks Twilight, I’ll wear your colors proudly," I said with a big smile.
She kissed me back, and then we parted. I looked down at the scarf; it was comfortable, made of wool and looked hoof made. Twilight put a lot of care into this. Sweet Luna, I always seem to find new ways to fall for her.

Some guards, clad in black dragon esk armor led me to a room. I had heard of these Dragoons. They were supposed to be the most elite guard in all of Equestria. Rumors said that their ranks were harder to get into than the Wonderbolts. One of them opened a door for me and I stepped inside.

Voidera sat there on his haunches before me. He waved his hoof for the guards to leave us and they obeyed, closing the door behind them. I was left alone with the Dracorn, unsure of how to proceed. I decided to be as polite as possible and asked amicably, “You wished to see me, Voidera?”

He nodded his dark head and spoke in his deep bass voice, “I am glad you could come so swiftly. The task I have for you is a great one.”

“Your letter mentioned a test of some sort. What kind of test are we talking about here?” I inquired, channeling Twilight.

I nodded and said, “I was born around the time. Dad said the nation was a country of ponies that live to the far north. They were a largely industrial nation, they provided many tools and metal for Equestria, but around the time when I was born, they sealed off their borders completely. Nopony has gotten in or out in decades”

“Until recently,” Voidera explained, his horn glowing scarlet as an image appeared in front of me. I saw pictures of earth ponies on streets. Many children were crying and looking starved. I saw the ponies were covered in soot and I could count the ribs on several of them. Just how long and hard did they work in those factories?

“Using Luna’s power over dreams we’ve managed to spy on the country,” Voidera said, images moving around like a magical slide show. “While details are inaccurate and some minds cannot be entered, we managed to get a general estimation of the situation. Suffice to say, it isn’t good.”

Voidera flashed an image of a regal looking Alicorn. It was definitely male, as the blue facial hair showed. His coat was snow white, his mane long and icy blue that matched his blue eyes. “Twenty seven years ago, King Frostwind ruled the land, from most accounts he was a kind stallion, and he cared deeply for his people,” Voidera said.

“He can’t have been beloved by all if his kingdom is in such a state,” I pointed out.

“You are correct,” Voidera affirmed, and then he showed a picture of an earth pony stallion. He looked at least two decades older than I was. He had a red coat, a slicked back black mane, and soft blue eyes. I got a strange feeling from looking at him. It was one of contempt that I couldn’t explain.

“The stallion before you is Red Hammer,” Voidera explained. “He was once a soldier in Frostwind’s army. He fought in the Griffon Wars as an ally to Equestria. He was known as the ‘Sky Breaker’ for having killed several griffons in his day. He won several awards for his victories, however with victory came hubris.”

“Before I tell you, allow me to explain something else,” he said. “Frostwind’s power was essential to the survival of the land. You see, because the Snowlands are largely earth pony populated they have no dedicated weather team. Instead they relied on Frostwind to control it manually.”

“The guy could control seasons?” I asked, astonished by one Alicorn’s power to handle a task that a whole team of pegasi had trouble accomplishing sometimes.

“Specifically winter,” he answered. “He had the power to cause winter to come and go in the land. One year, it went on so long that the people became suspicious. Red Hammer used that suspicion to make the accusation that Frostwind was doing it on purpose.”

“I can probably guess they didn’t settle it over a nice cup of tea?” I said, almost scared to find out what happened.
“Hardly,” he answered, closing his scarlet eyes. “Red Hammer’s old partners from the war joined him and he gained a huge following. With it, he rebelled against the king and slaughtered his whole family.”

I saw a family portrait in front of me. Frostwind was standing stoically next to a beautiful unicorn mare. Around their hooves were four fillies and a pair of colts. They smiled in the picture, just as a red x appeared on their faces one by one.”
“They were all killed in the fighting,” Voidera said somberly, “Save, one.”

I looked at the smallest filly in the picture. I nearly gasped when I saw she had a pair of wings as well as a horn. Frostwind’s daughter was an Alicorn?

“Her name is Snowflake,” Voidera said. “She was born just months after Princess Mi’Amore Cadenza.”

“How come I haven’t heard of her?” I asked, looking at the innocent looking child.

“She hasn’t made a public appearance before or since the rebellion,” Voidera said. “Having an Alicorn child is a rare thing indeed, many would want to kidnap and exploit the young filly for dark purposes.” He closed his red eyes again, I could tell he was reliving bad memories by the way his leather wings flapped.

“This is all well and good,” I said, looking at the Dracorn, "but something tells me you didn’t call me all the way here for a history lesson.”

“Of course not.” He closed the images and a picture teleported to his side. He levitated it to me, the picture showed a much older Snowflake, same age as Cadence, wrapped in a cloak as she was walking down a busy street. “Our spies found and brought this picture here at great personal risk. Your task Private Phelps Eye, is to find Snowflake, bring peace to the nation, and stop whatever Red Hammer is planning.”

“What are you talking about?” I asked, a little daunted by what he’s asking of me.

“Red Hammer has set himself up as ruler of the Snowlands. His people suffer under his iron hoof, I want you to put a stop to it.”

“You’re asking me” I pointed at myself “To go into hostile territory, find a princess that may or may not be alive, and topple the most powerful stallion in said territory?”

“Your grasp of the situation is quite welcome, Private,” he smiled a little smugly.

“This is insane!” I cried. “I’m a detective! I don’t know anything about spying, or toppling dictators or anything."

“So, you shall have help again,” he clapped his hooves and the doors opened.

My eyes grew wide at what I saw. Voidera chuckled and spoke up, “Four volunteers have been told of the situation, and have insisted on joining you.”

In stepped Raiden, Big Macintosh, Swarm, who was looking pretty uncomfortable being in the palace, and Applesnack. Raiden smiled and hovered over to me, “Hey dude, sorry we’re late, had to put up a great entrance right, Big Mac?”

“We wanted to help,” Swarm answered simply. “We couldn’t let you go alone.”

“Are you out of your freaking mind?” I shouted. “Three of us are civilians, only two of us have had formal combat training, and only one of us is a soldier!”

Voidera nodded and replied calmly, “Your concerns are noted, but I believe you failed to hear the part about them being volunteers”

I looked at each of the four stallions before me. Raiden spoke up first, “Dude, if I let you go into some crazy dangerous place alone, Rainbow would kill me. You and I have been best friends since grade school, and I’m not leaving you.”

“Raiden do you have any idea what you’re signing up for?” I asked, desperate to make him understand.

I should’ve expected that, but I face hoofed anyway. I looked to Big Macintosh, but he just gave me a resolute look and said, “Ya helped me outta jail, Ah still haven’t rightly repaid ya fer that. I reckon that alone is enough fer me tah tag along.”

“I have similar motives,” Swarm added. “You freed my hive, and I am indebted to you.”

“Swarm,” I said shaking my head, “it’s going to be dangerous, and I don’t know if I could face Applejack, Fluttershy or any of our marefriends if something were to happen to you guys.”

Raiden spoke up, flapping his wings in affirmation, “That’s why we’re here, to look out for one another.”

I looked at Applesnack and said, “You never explained why you wanted to come along.”

His eyes just gazed at me for a long moment. Finally he simply gave a shrug and replied casually, “Perhaps I have nothing better to do.”

That was about the only answer I was ever going to get out of him. He was just as stubborn as his companions here though. I knew he wouldn’t back down, no matter how much I tried.

I sighed and looked at each of them in the eye “Alright, I’ll let you guys come along, but know this. I’m not going to bring any of you home in a body bag. I’d never forgive myself if I had to look into the eyes of the mares you all love and see my own guilt in them. We’re all getting out of this alive or not at all.”

They all nodded at once, and I turned back to Voidera. “I accept the task before me, how do I begin?” I asked him.

“You will begin by receiving proper equipment for your travels,” he answered. He clapped his hooves again and unicorn dragoons came in. They each levitated a bunch of strange items in with them. Voidera pointed at Applesnack and explained, “For you, Private First Class, a modified battle saddle.” One of the Dragoons laid a large battle saddle in front of the soldier.
The green apple colored soldier gave the weapon a look over and said, “It’s been modified to accommodate a grenade launch and the eye piece has a sight on it. Useful in more hectic situations.”

“What were you expecting?” I asked. “That Voidera would give him a machine gun that shoots grenades?”

We all rolled our eyes as Applesnack went through the process of examining the weapon. Another dragoon laid a set of strange shoes, that resembled the armor that a guard would wear, in front of Big Mac.

“These are strength enhancers,” Voidera explained, as Big Mac slipped them on. “Your strength is already considerable Macintosh Apple, this will increase it tenfold.”

Big Mac smiled at the shoes, and said, “Wonder if Ah’d snap one of mah trees if I bucked with this?”

“You’d probably send it flying,” Voidera said with a chuckle. Then another of the Dragoon's walked to Swarm and eyed him warily. Just about everypony knew who, or rather what, Swarm was. The Changeling seemed a little tense at the look, but then eyed the strange flute in the dragoon’s magic with interest.

“This is a Hive flute,” he said, lifting the flute to his eyes. “It was once used in ancient times by changelings to call their hive. The sound from this flute could attract a horde from miles away.”

“Which is why I ask you to use it wisely,” Voidera cautioned. “Only use it, when your brothers and sisters are necessary.”

Swarm nodded and put the flute around his neck with a leather strap. The next Dragoon walked to Raiden, and only had a small package in a leather pouch; it looked like a flat disk judging by the outline. The object was so small you could fit it into your hoof. Raiden’s eyes however, betrayed the importance of the package.

“Your father wished for you to have it should the need arise,” Voidera said cryptically. “He said you would know what to do with it.”

Raiden nodded and put the pouch inside his pocket. My friend was the quietest I’ve seen him in all the time I’ve known him. I wonder what was in that package?

I looked up as the last Dragoon levitated a pistol before me. It was painted white, appeared to be a .22 caliber pistol with a silencer on the end. I’d say the model was a Ruger by the looks of it. Voidera spoke up, “This is the White Tiger model of handgun. Designed specifically for use in snow, I trust you will find it’s silent approach quite useful.”

I held the weapon in my magic, it felt much lighter than Blackbird or even my old .32 revolver. This was a gun obviously designed for stealth in mind. I’m guessing it could be useful if I needed to break into anywhere.

“Last, but not least, there is one more item that Luna wanted you to have,” Voidera said, walking towards me personally. The tall black Alicorn held a medallion in his hoof. I recognized it almost immediately.

“That’s a Lunar Stallion’s armor?” I said, gazing at the medallion as it rested in Voidera’s hoof a chain attached to it.

“He did Macintosh Apple,” Voidera affirmed, “but that was training armor, designed to be used so a trainee could get used to the weight. This, however, is the genuine article.”

“You just tap it while you’re wearing it,” I explained, “and it will form on you, right?”

“Yes, this armor in particular, belonged to your ancestor Nocturne,” he said with a smile. “Luna was quite insistent that I at least send you this.”

I was about to reach for it when Voidera pulled it back. “However, I must warn you,” he said, “The armor is only to be used as a last resort. Once it bonds with you, it will take over your mind and body. It takes weeks to master it’s use, and even longer to control all of the urges it can bring on. I cannot stress enough how dangerous it can be to a beginner.”

I nodded and said, “I will be careful.” I then took the medallion and put it inside my trench coat.

Voidera nodded and spread his wings to get our attention. “With that, I have done all I can to prepare you for this,” he said.

All five of us stood in a line in front of the Alicorn. He spoke regally in his deep bass tone, “You have all been selected, not because you have had steep military training, but because the Elements of Harmony have brought their cases to me personally.”

“They all do,” Voidera said, closing his red eyes. “I approached each of them and they all agreed that you were capable. They all protested your involvement though, but they understood that Private needed help on this venture.”
We all slowly nodded, I wonder if Twilight knew where I was going. I subconsciously put a hoof on the scarf she gave me. I miss her already.

Voidera casted his ruby eyes to me “Private, remember before you leave, that during this test you will be asked to make a choice. Always remember, whenever facing adversity on all sides, there is always a third choice”

“Now, I shall use my power to teleport you all behind the area’s defenses,” Voidera said, his red horn glowing brightly. “It will require care, but the spell will get you all there swiftly. I wish you all the best of luck.” He smiled and said, “May you all come home safely.”

Equestria Noir Case 20 "Red Snow Fall"

by Jacoboby1

Chapter 1 "A Test?"