//------------------------------// // Way Back "Home" // Story: Equestria Noire // by PonyManne215 //------------------------------// Author's Note: Sorry for the short chapter, but I need time to work on the next one. The next is going to be a Case. I was thinking, should I put "Case" in front of chapter names with cases? Tell me in the comment section what you think. Also, pay attention to the last major Case with Lyra, because all of the oncoming cases add up to the last chapter which is arrviing soon. By the way, there are two more cases, and one more filler chapter. ‘A lot of things allow people to judge each other. These things, whether money, status, actions, views, thoughts, they all count as the important part of people. I don’t think in the same way. I judge a character by his personality and good-deeds. If someone is a kind-hearted soul, then they’re good in my books. If they aren’t, well let’s say I wouldn’t exactly give them a Christmas present. I also respect a person if they speak in a noble fashion. I hate jerks who think they’re all high and mighty, but I prefer those who are humble and forthcoming. If you can gain my attention and speak the truth, we’ll be the best of friends.’ Everything within Cole’s sight was blurry. He could hear sound, but it was being drowned out by the noise of ringing in his ears. There were multiple figures, one purple one, one blue one, and a final one being pure white. He tried to move his arms but they felt like hundred pound weights. His legs felt no better. He could do nothing but sit there and vegetate. More figures started to form, the same form as the other three but they were white at the middle and then different colors on the ends. His vision was starting to get more focused as he could make out a window on his left side. The sky was still blue and cloudless. That constant ringing was still paining his ears though. It was as if someone had shot a heavy machine gun next to his ears. He had suffered this pain multiple times during his deployment. Rookie gunners would lie next to him and open fire, not even regarding their superior officer. He was just glad he had not gone deaf from it like many of them men in other platoons had. Still though, this ringing was lasting longer than all of the other times combined. It was faltering however, as some words w ere reaching his sensory organs. “…..he……okay?” A distorted voice asked. “Not……….might be…paralysis…” Another voice answered. “Luna…….voice?” The previous voice asked again. “We……….did not……harm..” Cole could recognize this one, even if it was only for a second. If only he could make sense of what they said. He tried yet again to raise him limbs but nothing. He could still feel them there, so dismemberment was not a possibility. He wasn’t paralyzed, as he could move his fingers and toes. He tried to arch upward to see everything. Cole Phelps, ace detective, was met with failure when trying to move his body. “It looks like he’s waking up!” Twilight said. Phelps’ hearing was restoring itself. His hands could now move a few inches and his feet as well. He pushed himself off the bed he was on and arched forward. The human rubbed his head, trying to recall the events that had caused this. It was seriously all a blank. “What happened?” Cole groaned. “We…I can tell you what hath happened. When I first saw you, I was just fascinated with thou. Thou art a being that I have never seen before. So We…I..held myself together until you spoke to me. I may have accidentally…used the Royal Canterlot Voice..” Princess Luna looked away in shame. “Royal Canterlot Voice? Alright…I’ll take that as a bad thing. So what exactly happened after?” Phelps motioned for her to continue on. “The force and wind of the Voice may have thrown you a good distance away and right into a marble column…” “So that’s what happened.” The detective concluded. “Well, is there anything else I can help you or the other Princess with, or is that all?” “Yes, We wish to speak with thou on the matter of history, technology, and other important trivial matters.” Reluctantly, Cole nodded his head in agreement while Twilight sat by his side, watching them converse. All throughout the questioning, which felt ironic to the detective seeing as how he always did it, doctors and nurses would come in and check his wounds and so forth. So far, he showed no fractured ribs or bones. His wound was still a bit rough but they assured him that it would be fine. Canterlot Castle 3:13 PM “So thou art telling Us that there is a contraption that can fly? Luna was skeptical from what Cole Phelps had told her. “Yes ma’am. The first known sketched out plan was by Leonardo Da Vinci. Then the Wright Brothers perfected it and created the first working model. And from those great men, came the working plane that is still used on Earth to date.” The human explained. “Well, that…intrigues Us. That concludes all of the questions that We have for thou. You may go now, back to Ponyville.” Cole, after his clothes were cleaned and pressed by the medical staff, took his pile of belongings and went to the bathroom and changed quickly. His attire felt as soft as it had felt when he had first put it on. He tugged his fedora forwards and walked out. He motionied Twilight to gather her things as well and they made for the door. “Hark, Cole Phelps. We are..sorry for the incident earlier and as such allow you to buy anything from the Canterlot wares as a token of Our apology. Be sure to tell the owners that We have decreed so.” Luna added. “It’s alright Your Highness. I don’t need anything.” Phelps was being completely modest. Princess Luna, formerly Nightmare Moon, furrowed her brows at him with a look that visibly stated “Take the offering or feel my wrath.” Cole, evaluating just the gusto of her windy voice, gulped and nodded, then hastily began to jog down the hallway towards the castle gates. Twilight was just a few feet behind him. “So airplanes? Why didn’t you ever tell me about them?” His partner asked in an annoyed tone. “You never asked. Besides, I never knew that Pegasi could control the weather. That sounds ridiculous!” “A flying piece of metal sounds ridiculous! Especially since it has no magic powering it!” Twilight retorted. “Oh it has magic alright. The magic of sweat, blood, and gasoline.” Cole Phelps felt pretty proud seeing as how his race was more technologically advanced, despite the ponies’ magic and flying capabilities. Twilight huffed at his response and they continued on. They rushed past a group of castle guards who watched the gates. Before the guards could even speak up, the two inspectors were gone in a flash. They ran down the white stone flooring until they reached the marketplace of Canterlot. “I thought you didn’t need anything?” Twilight reminded. “I don’t. But Rarity would probably like a thing or two. She talk about this place all the time.” Phelps remembered in most of the conversations the tenant and the manager gad, the latter had always dreamed of living in this metropolitan city. Twilight gave him a cocky grin. “So you talk a lot, huh?” “….I don’t like that smirk you’re giving me.” Phelps scowled at her attitude. “What smirk?” Twilight asked rhetorically, still having the same look. “Never mind. Let’s just check this place out. ‘Fancy Pant’s Formal Attire and Camaraderie’, wow that’s a pretty unique name, don’t you think?” Cole looked at his rookie but she didn’t answer, only nodding in agreement. (Let's add some music, eh?) The two walked inside and found a wide assortment of clothing and fabrics. If this wasn’t Rarity’s Boutique, then it would be a front-runner to it. The store itself was so large that one could even think it to be a castle in itself. There were hundreds of mannequins, in pony-form of course, laden amongst the millions of assorted outfits. Unable to decide for himself, he turned to his friend. The lavender mare just stood her ground, dumbfounded by the multitude of dresses. Deciding he was on his own, Phelps moved to the counter where a very refined gentleman wearing a monocle and suit, not to mention a moustache, was reading a book. The human cleared his throat and gained his attention. “Mmm..Yes? Can I help you, my gentleco-” The stallion was cut short when he saw his new customer. “Name’s Cole Phelps, it’s nice to meet you. I was wondering if you had anything you could recommend for a mare. Something…exotic or fancy. I’m not sure what Rarity would like…” Cole trailed off. The store owner snapped out of his daze and regained his fancy-like composure. “Why, you know the fair Miss Rarity? You must be quite the character then. Pleasure to meet you; I am the procurer of this fine establishment. And if you haven’t read the name already, then my name is Fancy Pants.” The two shook hand and hoof together. “Here are the finest things in this place, sir. Take them as a complimentary gift to the fair lady.” Fancy Pants gave Cole a bag full of many expensive looking materials. “Wow, these look like something. Well, if there’s anything I can do..” “Not at all, my good man. This is courtesy of friends, is it not? Please greet her for me.” “I will.” Cole and Twilight left the store after waving farewell to Fancy Pants. They began to walk to the train station, not having to pay for a ticket this time. The entire station was crowded this time, unlike their trip to Canterlot. This time, the two friends just decided to remain quiet on the return trip. As if on cue, the whistle sounded yet again. The train itself came speeding after. “Now hear this, the Canterlot to Ponyville train is now arriving. Departure is in three minutes, please take your seats.” The conductor called. The two made their way to the seats, the train this time being more polished and furnished, seeing as how it was from Canterlot. They sat down and let out a sigh of content. The sound of the whistle and the tracks passing under the train floor filled their ears as they began to slumber. Cole Phelps was just closing his eyes to be specific. His partner, on the other hand, was leaning her head on his arm and snoring the evening away. Cole chuckled to himself, the little unicorn reminding him of his daughter, and just looked out of the train window until they reached home. “Home. I’d never thought I’d be calling a place full of ponies home.” He said to himself. Ponyville 7:46 PM Cole Phelps had to carry the weary unicorn, along with his and her belongings, to the library. The walk was very solemn. Many of the citizens of the town were wrapping up their business. Shoppers were beginning to leave the marketplace and go back to their homes. Shop keepers were collecting their leftover wares and storing them for the next day. Nopony paid the over-encumbered detective any mind whilst he dragged the things through. With the giant, hollowed-out tree in sight, Cole used all of his remaining might to sprint to the finish line. And within seconds, with some sweat running down his face and onto his chin, he knocked on the wooden door. He could hear some footsteps inside shuffling about. Finally, they rested at the doorway and the door creaked open. “Hello? Oh, hey Cole. Twilight’s asleep? You can drop her wherever, I can take care of the rest.” Spike gestured to the bean bags in the corner of the room. “Okay, make sure to get her things too. Have a good night, Mister Spike.” Cole slowly lowered her onto the floor and dropped her saddle bags onto the ground. “Will do, Cole. And stop calling me ‘Mister’. Jeez, you make me sound like I’m old.” Cole let out a half-chuckle and made his way to Carousel Boutique. “See you later.” The walk to his temporary home was like a blank. It went briskly by as he thought about how the rest of his life would go. If this was truly an afterlife, then it wasn’t one to him. He kind of missed the action back in LA. The sounds of gunshots, police sirens, and threats were just imprinted in his mind. They were like an everyday thing to him. There was almost none of that here. There weren’t any cars, any guns, and any heavy artillery. How did these things fight? He wasn’t even sure if he would actually use his Colt handgun for purposes other than clearing crowds. He put the though aside when he abruptly bumped into the front door. Pulling his spare key from his pocket, he put the brass metal into the lock and turned. The sounds of sweet jazz filled the air. The entire front of the place was lit up like a Christmas tree. He looked all around, and as per usual, it was clean. The floor itself was spotless and the walls were lined with various designs and outfits. Back in the inspiration room, Cole could see little pieces of paper hanging out. If there was one room that was always messy, it was Rarity’s room. She called it “organized chaos” when it was really just a big trash heap. He breathed in deeply, feeling the stitches on his wounds and called out. “I’m back home!”