//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 "Lightning Strike" // Story: Equestria Noir Season 2 Case 5 "Shadowhoof" // by Jacoboby1 //------------------------------// Chapter 5 “Lightning Strike” I left the mansion behind and found myself on the sidewalk again. I yawned widely, I didn’t realize how tired I was until I stopped to take a breather. I was up almost all night. I looked up at the sky and saw Luna was about ready to retire her moon. Man, what I wouldn’t give for a bed right now. Preferably one with Twilight in it. I shook my head to refocus and walked over to a nearby phone booth. Like clockwork, it rang as I was about to pass it by. I walked inside, checked to see nopony was looking, and lifted the phone to my ear. “I know you’re there, let’s get this over with.” I said, my grouchiness leaving an edge in my voice. “Sounds like somepony could use a nap.” “I’ll sleep when my friends are safe.” I glowered at the receiver. “Oh, they will be. Private, your next assignment is to venture into the office that Lightning Strike was killed in.” “Are you insane?” I asked. “It’s a crime scene, they’ll know something is up if I go there. Plus, there’s all the security from last time.” “But thanks to my agent you never got caught on camera.” “So, how do I get in?” I asked. “You’re a detective, you’re there to solve a crime, there should be nothing suspicious about that.” “What am I looking for?” “I think it should be obvious once you get there. I suggest taking a cab there, you have been running around all day and are probably exhausted. I need you awake and alert.” “For what exactly?” “For, the little surprise at the end of this venture…” __________________________________________________ I did take a cab there as he said. I got some much needed few minutes of sleep as the carriage took me across town. When the driver asked what I was doing, I just told him I got away from a party I didn’t want to be at. He didn’t ask anymore questions after that. I once again saw Lightning Electronics tower in the distance. I yawned again as the tiredness from before faded away as my focus set in. We pulled up to the front gate to find the police standing in front of the entrance. No reporters were here, the death was yesterday’s news. But the police still stood outside, ever vigilant in case anypony wanted to get into the crime scene. I stepped out of the cab, paid my fare and watched the driver ride off to look for more customers. I walked up towards the police tape. Once again I found Yang standing there. She said something to a uniform and he went inside. The yellow earth pony looked on me as I came up. “Honestly I expected you to show up when the body was still here.” She said, looking slightly confused. “It’s been hauled away already?” I asked. “Chief’s orders,” She replied. “Nothing I can do about it, I just make sure the right ponies get in.” “Listen, Yang,” I said, walking up to the police tape and looking her right in the eyes. “I need to get inside.” “Detective Clipboard was on the case last I checked,” Yang said with a raised blond eyebrow. Good, with Clippers on the case the police can expect this case to be solved in about...thirty moons or so. Either way, that gives me a method to get in. With Clippers out questioning, I can get in and out before anything else comes up. “So, if you’re not here to see the body,” Yang started, “Maybe you’re here about the message?” “What message?” ________________________________________________________ What is it about executive offices that make them all look like cookie cutter copies of each other? There was the big wooden desk, topped with faux leather, stained in a dark tone, the big chair, more faux leather and overstuffed. Green wallpaper covered the top half of the wall, with a very ornate border, and the bottom wall was dark wood wainscoting, with a deep burgundy carpet on the floor. True there looked like there had been a massive fight in here, leaving the corporate knick-knacks scattered about willy-nilly, and blood stains on the expensive carpeting, but aside from that… Seen one big-shot’s office seen them all. But, that wasn’t what was what grabbed my attention and wouldn’t let go. There was the white outline of chalk where Lightning Strike’s body was leaning against the wall. On said wall...was a message written in blood. Charcoal 987 March 6 A date? This is what Shadowhoof wanted me to find? “We tried looking up what it could mean,” Yang said as she stood beside me, “It mean anything to you?” I shrugged and sort of lied, “Nah, although, the date does seem important.” Yang shook her head. “Nothing much happened that year, I was a kid at the time,” She said. “There was that fire though.” “Fire?” I asked. “You know, that fire uptown that happened around that time. I remember cuz my mama was helping to clean it up.” “She a cop too?” I asked. “Five generations of Yangs have been in the force,” She said with pride. “In one form or another.” “So, what does she remember about it?” I asked. Yang shrugged, “I dunno, I don’t remember much. I do remember it was some fancy home. Big Mansion, I heard the dad didn’t make it out alive. Went back inside to try and rescue his kid.” “Did the mother and son make it out okay?” I asked. “I think so,” She said with a tilt of her head. “Again, this was before I was even out of elementary.” “Right, I’ll check the library and see if the newspaper archives have anything on the fire,” I said. “You don’t want the chief to know you’ve been here?” Yang said with a knowing smile. “The less Gunry knows the better,” I quipped. “Thanks for letting me in Yang.” “Hey, you seemed like the alright sort. Plus you helped us with all those cases before. I don’t care what the chief says, you and that princess are alright in my book,” She said with a smile. I gave a smile of my own as we left the crime scene behind. ___________________________________________________ I took another cab to get some much needed sleep. Manehatten rolled by as I laid in the seat. I just hope all this will end soon. I’m exhausted, I haven’t even eaten as far as I know. I hate not having anypony here. I miss Twilight….I...I want her… I want her here with me…. I closed my eyes...and drifted into...slumber… _________________________________________________ Prometheus! Izanami it’s great to see you! Wow, who knew the colt I used to groom all day would grow up into a handsome stallion such as you. Aww stop it Izanami, I’m not a colt anymore. You’ll always be one to me silly. You seem to be doing well for yourself. Yeah, I built this city myself. I was hoping for all of you to come and meet Aria. We’ll all have fun just like we used to. Prometheus...about that… ….they aren’t coming are they? You can’t blame them. Izanagi is starting up his kingdom. Askus is training his army to fight against those gryphon things. Emblem is trying to keep Adamus from cutting down too many trees. As for Evona, well, Evona is Evona. I, I guess it was too much to hope they’d come to see it. Oh Prometheus, I’m sorry they couldn’t come. No, it’s okay, you were all busy… Promy… I’m fine, I’m a stallion now remember. I can handle it. If you’re sure… I’m fine really. Okay, so, let’s go see this grand glorious city of yours. I wonder if it’s as nice as the one Izanagi and I made. Aww well, Izanagi never really had much creativity to be honest. Always gem studded this, gem studded that. I’d love to see what you did with those crystals. Okay, I’ll catch up, Aria should be up ahead. Okay, see you Promy! You really do make me proud! ….. Oh Izanami...why can’t you ever see me as anything... than just that little colt… _______________________________________________________________ I blinked open my eyes as the dream faded. It was the same as the last few times, no pictures, just voices. Izanami and Prometheus, the ancestors of Twi and me respectively. I really wonder, just what caused him to do what he did to her? Was it truly that he loved her? For that matter, do I love Twilight because of that? Man, I’m really tired to be thinking like that. Of course I love Twilight because she’s the most amazing mare in the world. I wanted her with me. I wanted us to talk about our future together. But, until Big Mac and Fluttershy are safe, there was little I could do. I looked out the little window as Manehatten’s library came rolling into view. It was Ancient Pegasi architecture rendered in white granite, a three-arch arcade decorated with Hippolytian columns, supporting the placket in which reliefs of scholarly ponies on togas were depicted. A large staircase divided in the middle by a support rail, and flanked by statues of manticores lead up into what looked like an ancient temple of books. The columns continued along the wall, in between were arched windows, below post unification style square windows on the second floor. Well if Twilight were ever to start a cult I think this would be the place to do it. Dang I can never get my mind off her. I paid my fare and moved up the long steps towards the library. Again, I’m in the library of Twilight’s more torrid dreams. Arrayed in the center were oak tables with reading lamps, with lecterns at the end, for books to be placed. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, illuminating the entire place. Arrayed around the perimeter were the shelves made of oak, stained a golden honey color, and full of books. I looked up, and saw the ceiling was decorated with fancy mouldings, with pegasus-painted frescoes of clouds. I wish I had come here to study. This place would make me feel all important, and super smart, if I had. It was still early in the morning so the place was relatively deserted. I walked up to the front desk and saw an old mare with a smooth blue coat, a silver mane tied in a bun, and a pair of glasses on her muzzle. She looked up at me as I entered, her jaw dropped a little. “Private Phelps Eye is that you?” She said in shock. I blinked and it took me a moment to recognize her. “Literary? Literary Story?” I said. She smiled at me, “Why it’s been years since I saw you here last. I haven’t seen you since you started attending the Police Academy.” She said, closing a book she was putting down. “Yeah, well I’m not here to clean out the mystery section like I did when I was seven,” I said with a sheepish smile. “Ah, how the years go by,” She said with a wistful smile. “I do miss the days when I found you sleeping on the latest book from Agrippa Cantly when we got it in stock.” “Just blame Grandma for getting me into those books.” I said with a chuckle. “So, what can I do you for?” She asked. “I’m looking for any newspapers that came out on this date.” I said, showing the date on my notebook. “Are you looking for a specific event?” She asked, adjusting her glasses and looking at her catalog. “Something about a mansion catching fire uptown.” I said. “I do believe I can find it in the archives, make yourself comfortable until I get back with it.” ____________________________________________________ Sanctuary Mansion Burns A week ago, uptown was given a startling sight today. Sanctuary Mansion, home to Cantry Sanctuary, Her Husband Double Blaze, and their ten year old son Charcoal, was burned today. The fire broke out during Charcoal’s birthday party, causes of the fire are still under investigation. During the fire, Double Blaze managed to get his wife and the guests of the party out. But during the escape young Charcoal was trapped when some debris fell. His father heroically leapt back into the flames to rescue him. Blaze was forced to toss his son out of an upstairs window, Charcoal’s landing was made safe by firefighters. However, more debris fell on Double Blaze, causing the stallion to become trapped inside the burning mansion. His body was recovered after most of the fire was under control. Paramedics were unable to save him due to the massive amounts of smoke inhalation he suffered. His family mourns their loss today at a funeral service. Hidden Sanctuary, Cantry’s father, had this to say about the incident. “While me and Double Blaze may not have gotten along, Cantry loved him dearly. I will honor that, for nothing is more precious to me than my daughter, and now my grandson.” Hidden Sanctuary is head of the Sanctuary Security Inc. a company that specializes in magical security. He too plans on attending the funeral. The loss is felt by the family of the heroic Double Blaze. Cantry, clad in a morning gown and veil, had this to comment. “My husband was one of the bravest, strongest, and most kind stallions I ever knew. I love him and miss him ever so dearly. Let him be remembered as he was, a hero, who risked his life to save his son.” His son Charcoal, in elementary school at the time of this article, refused to comment to the reporters. His mother said that Charcoal was closest to his father, and loved him dearly. His grief is evident as the little colt tries everything in his power to hold back tears. ___________________________________________________ I sat at the table, reading the article while my head was propped on my hoof. I should’ve guessed it would have to had something to do with the mansion. My curiosity about why Shadowhoof was so adamant about showing me this grew. So, in the between period before Literary got me the article, I dug around a little more. The property hadn’t been demolished in so long. In fact, it was relatively untouched. I looked up some property report books and discovered that an anonymous owner had control over the property. That owner continually refuses to sell or let the debris be cleared away for a new building. Uggh, I wish I wasn’t so tired. Wait… I know this...I know the name… But I had to confirm it. I know one stallion who was friends with Cantry. He should have woken up by now. ________________________________________________ “Eye Residence” “Hey Dad, it’s me Preventus.” I said as I stood in the phone booth outside the library. “Ah, Preventus, it’s good to hear from you. How’s the marriage going?” “Great Dad, Twilight is amazing. I couldn’t imagine life without her.” I said with a cheeky smile on my face. “That’s good, it means I’ll be seeing my grandchildren really soon.” “DAD!” I yelled into the receiver. Dad was laughing on the other end at my reaction. “Anyways, what can I help you with Preventus?” “Dad, you remember Cantry right? Cantry Sanctuary?” I asked. There was a slight pause and then dad said, “Yes I do remember her, I was betrothed to her for a while. But after I met your mother, she helped Cantry develop the courage to follow her own heart and marry Double Blaze.” “Have you been talking to her recently?” I asked. “That’s kind of impossible.” “Why do you say that?” “Cantry died about eleven years ago” I blinked and said, “What of?” “According to the autopsy, it was a heart attack. I didn’t learn till few months afterwards, but she died on the same day your mother did. At the same hospital, what a bizarre coincidence.” There are no such things as coincidences here. “A shame she died when she did. The last time I talked to her before your mother and her passed, she was utterly miserable.” “Well yeah, she lost her husband,” I said, “Takes a while to mourn.” “I don’t mean just her grief over her husband. She was forced to remarry after having her second child. Her damn father is worse than your grandfather when it comes to this. Forced her to marry a man named Kalos Imperictus.” “So, not exactly a flowers and roses marriage?” I guessed. “Far from it, he was terrible to her. Imagine your grandfather about forty years younger, and you had Kalos. Kept her practically locked up in the house. He treated her son and daughter from her old marriage like garbage.” “The boy’s name was Charcoal wasn’t it?” I queried. “Yes, but Kalos had the absolute gall to change the poor boy’’s name. To completely erase any memory of Double Blaze.” “What did he change his name to?” _______________________________________________________ I hung up the phone and waited about two seconds for it to ring again. I lifted it to my ear and heard the familiar distorted voice. “It seems you’ve made a discovery.” “I know who you are.” I said plainly. “Then, you can probably guess my final task.” “Find you?” “I’ll tell my secretary to cancel all my meetings for the day. It seems I will have the most welcome of guests.” “This is the end Shadowhoof,” I said firmly. “I know who you are, I know where you are. I don’t care what your motives were for taking my friends. You may have helped me in the past, and I’m grateful for that. But make no mistake.” “I will make you suffer for what you did to my friends.”