//------------------------------// // 2 - Reputation -- Part 1 // Story: Flipper Choco - Maretropolis Stories // by EliteLenny223 //------------------------------// How long has it been since I moved in Maretropolis? Hm… I guess you could see it’s about three years. Can’t say it was easy here, and you really gotta get used to the atmosphere here too. It’s not like the rest of Equestria, since it’s the busiest city compared to Manehattan, since there’s more industrial and logistic activity going on here. Not to mention… the Chocolate Sweets Family Corporation also resides here. Typical. And I’m not doing that much, except being a good detective. I used to think the city can’t completely influence me to do the stupidest things. Worse… if I do the stupidest things, it would be when I’m in a trance and I wouldn’t even remember. The Dazzlings happened. Let me tell my side of the story. Ever since I took my job, I was closely monitoring crime activity and it was on the rise when I started out as a patrolpony in the city at first. When vigilantes, eventually trusted to do jobs the boys in blue can’t, I’m somehow raising my eyebrow in whatever way. Are they necessary? It seemed they were. With what happened to me when the Dazzlings disappeared after they mind-enslaved a big portion of Maretropolis? I began to think otherwise. That morning, Flipper was looking at his desk in his assigned police district station in Maretropolis. He was breathing quickly, trying to calm himself down as he stood in front of his desk with multiple picture frames containing him laughing and smiling while being beside pictures of the Dazzlings. He was seen drinking beer and holding balloons. Other police officers in his district station told him he was out of it and even- He never wanted to hear of it. He picked up a trash bag and put every single picture frame of himself with the Dazzlings. He calmly left the station to throw it to the nearest large disposal bin. When he was around, he breathed quickly and gritted his teeth, before using his magic to slam the bag down, hearing cracks of the frames and glass. He did this repeatedly, stronger than the last at every hit just to vent out his anger. He even slammed the trash bag containing the now broken pieces of picture frames before finally putting them in the big bin. The moment those frames appeared on my desk while I was out in a trance was the most humiliating thing I had in my own career as a patrol officer. My faith in the normal system of things? It’s wavering. I felt as if I was being pushed to a sharp needle if I didn’t make that difference. Flipper sat just beside the bin before he noticed there was someone else beside him, and he recognized the teal-skinned mare he was childhood friends with. It was then he was remembering again of Lilac's trimmed mane which had the color matching her name. And when he peeked only by moving his eyes seeing her carrying a paper bag on her back of what he would think as food inside it, he just looked away. Lilac was in a patrol officer's uniform while seeing Flipper like this, making her sigh. "Look... We never saw it coming. The Dazzlings are big... fakes. And we both got caught in their music. And... um... I kinda knew what you threw out... Picture frames of yourself with The Dazzlings?" "Thanks for reminding me," Flipper replied. "See, this is the thing. The Dazzlings came and wowed us with their voices. Next thing I knew, I was drinking crazy that I don't know what the heck to think about!! I was actually crazy about thinking of them I never even knew what the heck to even expect! Oh, COME ON!!! Of course I'm drawn to beautiful voices, but a spell?! I'm insulted!" "Not to mention you're upset they've-" "It's getting crazy. It started with the Power Ponies! Now there's the Mane-iac, and just now... the Dazzlings who were frauds keeping us under a spell? What's next? Para-sprites invading this city and we'll depend on-" Flipper stopped and just groaned. "Darn it... Maybe they're all just doing it only to get something in exchange when everything had already died down and they're not needed anymore." Lilac raised an eyebrow. "You're still talking about the Power Ponies? Okay, you have got to stop being so much more obsessed with them just because you couldn't collect more evidence." She knelt down to get her head almost leveled to Flipper's before turning her head to pick up the paper bag off her bag. She puts it down beside him. "You should pretty much get something to eat. Crusty apple pie, and a few slices are inside that." "T-Thanks." Flipper saw the paper bag and let a light purple aura of his magic surround it. The bag hovers to his face before something else hovered to his magic: a piece crusty apple pie that could actually be to his liking. "Apple cart again?" "Yup. It's really rare apple carts come and go. But with what's happening I don't see why new ideas can't be given a chance. This city needs a good color. Like the apple pies that are becoming more noticeable? I don't see why we shouldn't accept the Power Ponies. It hasn't been a year yet either, so it's not that bad, right?" "Maybe." Flipper then takes a bite out of that crusty apple pie slice, before he chewed quick, then took the whole pie slice in his mouth before he quickly chewed and swallowed it. "Okay, I'm gonna be honest. Maybe I should look into this apple cart thing since this pie slice is delicious." And Flipper hears his cell phone ring before it hovers near his ear. "Yup? Huh? Captain Pillar?" The sound of a 30 year old woman was heard on the other line on the phone. "Detective Chocolate, I'm going to be clear. I appreciated you'd leave to throw your unnecessary trash away, but something else came to my mind. Meet me in my office, immediately." "Wanna tell me what it's about, Captain?" "Well, let's just say I want to express my... concerns regarding your current course." Lily Pillar's voice was one of seriousness, but she's wise as any of the mares who are in leadership anywhere in Maretropolis. Already seeing Flipper in her office while seated behind her desk in the office, she was acknowledged to be a unicorn having pale yellow hair with a royal blue-colored mane and tail, wearing her corporate uniform. "I need to be very considerate of how you operate as a detective in our district, but you should know. I have an idea of how you became the best detective for just a year. You didn't accept promotions. Why?" Flipper looked away while seated to think for a little before looking back to the captain. "Tell ya the truth, I'm not one to suddenly climb up the ranks while I'm given responsibilities for such. Maybe my pay isn't so much, but it's already helpful. Besides... I like the job anyway. And... Don't think the trouble I caused didn't benefit our district. Still, it's something I didn't represent myself with. You're in it the whole time." "Yes, yes. I recognize the moments you had. But..." Lily used her magic to lift a folder up and put it on her desk. "I found this in your desk, hoping that you would tell me what in Tartarus you were thinking." She glared at him for what she said before her magic opened the folder, which contained some papers and then some pictures of Rarity Belle herself. "I recognize the photos with the identity of the pony concerned just as anywhere as I’d find a hard-published advertisement with her own reputation on the line without looking at the other information. Rarity Belle. Are you going to tell me something that is credible or will you keep pointing out the evidence you know here is only related to two events we cannot prove without her consent?" Flipper sighed knowing that eventually he’d have to speak out his own evidence about what he’s gathering about Rarity. “Captain, I want to explain.” “You’re given the opportunity.” “Rarity Belle might just be the beginning since from the beginning, the Power Ponies were all founded by the two of its members. They could have done better in making sure that damages they made to the city were actually being compensated BY them, not just some from a grateful pony like Twilight Sparkle herself from the Labs. As for why I investigated Rarity Belle first? Maybe I would want to begin knowing of Rarity’s stake in providing the costumes on the newest members of PP. Oh, did I mention I’m beginning to suspect of Saddle Rager’s identity as the same monster from way before the Power Ponies were dubbed? I’m speaking out of context, so I’m sorry. “What I’m trying to say is… Rarity may just be the link I have to every single identity of the Power Ponies. I know I don’t have evidence yet, which is why I was keeping silent. I’m sorry if you had to see this now.” After Flipper explained, he closed the folder with his magic. “Captain, I’ve been doing a lot for the department and it’s all thanks to what I’ve been learning. A simple mystery doesn’t simply maintain its mystery. Sure it’s not always meant for the public, but at least if it’s uncovered, only the ones who cracked it would have to know the right to do with the information. I put my duty first, and putting it above all else without disrupting myself if that’s what you’re wondering.” Lily Pillar had it to herself to remain silent for a while as she pondered on what he explained to her. In the same courtesy, Flipper practiced patience. She’s usually strict on this kind of behavior and has the motivation to limit this kind of behavior. This however applies, to the ones who don’t stick to protocol. Flipper may be beginning to jump off the rail, but he’s not one to get away from what he’s limited to. She sighed, before speaking up. “I believe you.” “Excuse me?” “What I meant is… You have so much to go on but you haven’t had evidence that is solid yet. And also… I want to remind you of how in some angles this IS wrong. Then again… There’s always this atmosphere in Maretropolis that even I want to hate.” She groaned, getting off her seat and looking at the window past her blinds. “What I’m talking about hating, is the feeling of every single inhabitant of this city to rest its dependency on a higher power. Civilians look up to the Power Ponies like they’re gods coming to save the city one day at a time. And though the criminal-justice system Is top-notch, it unfortunately bends itself badly to what Maretropolis is now. Deep in this city, though it provides jobs and makes great opportunities, is a rotten core we all haven’t unlocked. And I fear as we go on with our lives without noticing it, we’ll be the first victims. I suppose with that kind of belief, it makes me think that I shouldn’t depend on a higher power, although it might be for anypony’s mind to have that right anyway.” She then looked away from her window back to Flipper. “What this city needs is not a higher power to enforce the law and keep its citizens safe, but more hardworking ponies who have the right mind. At this day and age however, those kind of values aren’t what is always expected. Nowadays, officers of the law usually are just required to give the right kind of impression while they’re trained. They’re only used. But are they exploited for their darkness? No. That’s what I don’t like.” Flipper expected that Lily keeps the folder, but he sensed her use her magic as the folder levitated towards him, before he reaches out and holds it with a hoof. “Wait… You’re letting this go? Not dutiful of a captain, huh?” “It’s not about duty, Flipper Chocolate. It’s about seeing that any established city or municipality for this matter I talked about to see balance, and not to let corruption even slow down its true potential for a peaceful environment. I find this district enough to be sickening enough. Which is why… I’m doing you a favor. I plan to transfer you to District 1 of Maretropolis Police.” “Wait, hold up! Somepony already told me I’m getting this meeting so you’d scold me and demote me for hiding this info.” “That’s only Police Corporal Goodshoes who’s loyal to me. He thinks you might be destructive, but thinks otherwise from the statement of damaging a police department’s pride by using their resources. He thinks highly you have what it takes to divert the damage to something else we’re fighting against. Lies and Corruption are two that are given. I see it fit you need to try and take this perspective at another place. This district doesn’t have enough ponies. At least near Chief Spitfire’s presence, you’d be more recognized. I’m grateful for the work you’ve done here. You’ve contributed to more than 10 arrests just this year, and a few group arrests. And that’s only when you’re either going solo or you’re working with Patrol-Pony Ruby.” “Ah wait! Now that you said her name, what about her? Is she staying in District 6, or is she moving too?” “You may visit District 6 if you want, but she’s not going anywhere. This is YOUR shot, Detective Chocolate.” Flipper mutters. “Tch. I was hoping you’d say that.” Then he was walking for the door. Lily raised an eyebrow seeing Flipper leave, making her groan. “You’re just pushing buttons, Detective. I will TRY. And that is clear.” Flipper stopped to look back towards the captain and grinned. “Didn’t mean to push buttons!” “That’s one trait I’m really hoping you’d lessen.” Lily rolled her eyes in annoyance. “You make me grow in you quickly when we talk.” Of course after that, I packed up all my stuff. When I told Lilac about it, of course she’s happy for me. This friendship of ours… Let’s just say there was this bond I didn’t think back then of acknowledging. From moving a few boxes from District 6 to District 1 of Maretropolis PD, of course I was known among District 1. Some others even looked at me in surprise when I arrived. I got some reputation, so that stands for something. When I was called in by Chief Spitfire, let’s just say the atmosphere is different in her office. She’s the type to get things moving since I was seeing a mix of Pegasi and Earth Ponies being efficient around the station. That counts for something. So I’m counting on her to be strict. Flipper was in Chief Spitfire’s office. At that time, Spitfire revealed herself wearing aviators over her eyes when the chair spun to face the lone desk in the room before the bright-yellow female Pegasus, with a fiery pattern to her mane and tail and auburn eyes, walked to where Flipper stood straight. “Chief Spitfire?” he called out. “Reporting for duty, and transferred from District 6 to here. Ranked Detective, designated-” “Flipper Chocolate,” Spitfire finished his sentence, putting a hoof on her aviator glasses and lowering them to see him. “Gosh… She wasn’t kidding when Captain Pillar said you were pitch black… Whoo.” She saw him roll his eyes, but smiled even if annoyed. “Hear that too much, Detective?” Flipper tried to get a laugh out but was uneasy in it that it was cut short. “Too often.” She played her poker face or something? Well, something told me that it won’t be easy to read my new boss. Great. Just great.