I shook like a wet dog as I sat in the royal sister's dining room, staring back at the Princess of the sun herself. I tried not to stare, but also, I tried not to look away for too long. Everything matters when dealing with the princess. The slightest offensive action is a felony.... I think.
I would know, I have a knack for knowledge on law, my line of work requires it. I'm a private investigator for the citizens of Canterlot. If you don't know what that is, a Private Investigator is a detective that is hired by someone to solve a more personal conflict; like scouting out business competition, or finding evidence of a cheating spouse. Now, I don't mean to brag, but I happen to be the best private investigator in Canterlot! There has not been a mystery I couldn't solve.
I suppose that might be the reason the princess called me here today, actually. But it is still very nerve-wrecking being in the presence of the princess who raises the sun every morning and lowers it every night. The only thing that could make this situation worse, is if Luna were in the room as well. I swallowed the lump in my throat as she cleared her own. "I assume you know why I called you here?" she paused for a long moment as she speculated me. "Are you alright, Spy Glass? You seem nervous." She said to me after I wiped the sweat from my brow.
"Yes... I-I mean... n-no?" I gave her a forced smile, hoping to not concern her. She giggled in response before speaking again.
"Relax, Spy Glass," she started, "You're in no trouble."
"Well... I know that... I assume y-you require me for my abilities. I-It's just not everyday that Princess Celestia invites someone to lunch to discuss it.... Y-you'd have to expect SOMEPONIES t-to get nervous," I stated.
"Well, a detective you ARE then. I've heard the stories of your many cases and I have yet to hear of a single flaw in any of them," A sense of pride washed over me, quickly washing away my anxiety.
"I DO suppose my talents are outstanding. Though, I'm a private investigator, not a detective," She smiled at my moment of confidence.
"Ah, indeed you are! And that is exactly why you are here, Spy Glass; I can not afford failure," My anxiety returned with these words. There was long pause for it to settle in before she spoke again. "I'm quite certain you have noticed the recent attack on Canterlot," she continued before turning her attention out the window. The reconstruction of homes and the repairing of city damage caught her gaze.
A shiver went down my spine as I remember the attack clearly. The images of swarming enemies hovering over the cowering guards, the city crumbling into destruction, and homes and families being destroyed rushed back to him; and on top of that, The Elements of Harmony almost didn't prevail.
"Y-you couldn't mean the.... Changelings, c-could you?" I said with a shaky tone in my voice.
"I'm afraid that's exactly whom I speak of, Spy Glass. I believe that they may still be around, watching us, taking note of our actions. I believe that we have spies, gathering information and bringing it back to their ruler. I believe, Spy Glass, that are are preparing for war," another shiver ran down my spine at the thought of it.
"B-but how can you be sure?" I ask in response.
"I can't be sure, that is why you're here. Spy Glass, I want you to find out," My heart jumped as I heard this. "I want you to do what you do best; use your abilities to keep not just Canterlot, but all of Equestria safe," I would have argued about not having a lead, but finding one IS part of my job sometimes.
"But changelings are dangerous! Heartless! I have a home life that I can't afford to lose!" My thoughts flickered to my wife as I said that.
"I understand your reluctance, but you should hear all my words before making your decision. I will be willing to provide a couple of bodyguards for your safety whenever you may need them," I was relieved to hear her say this, and I calmed down a little more. "And if something WERE to happen to you despite that, I would be happy to provide compensation for your family," all weights were lifted, I composed myself once again.
"In that case, Princess, I'd be happy to complete this task for you! I'll begin tomorrow," I turned for the door, anxious to return home and tell Melony all about it, before Celestia spoke again.
"We aren't finished quite yet, Spy Glass. Do not think I'm asking free labor of you, we have yet to discuss your payment."
"Oh, right! What is your offer?" I asked. Her answer seemed distorted, my mind must went into a haze as she spoke, and I could have sworn I was about to faint. "D-do you suppose you could repeat that, please?.... I must have misheard you," I said to her, waiting for her to respond again.
"200,000 bits for each changeling you can identify and bring to custody," she said, this time with a knowing smile.
"D-don't you think that's a little much?" I responded, scratching at the back of my neck. I remember being in some tough situations. Everything from cheating spouses to missing ponies to business fraud. They've all been really challenging, but I never got paid any more than 15,000 bits for a case, and even a payment at that size was rare. "As long as I find a good lead, this case shouldn't be more challenging than any other case. And I don't receive THAT much for cases like those, "
"Though it may seem excessive, there is a large bounty on changeling spies. Where there are spies, there are plans for war, or worse; either one would could us MILLIONS of bits if we just let it happen. We're already looking at a little over a million for this most recent attack, and that's small-scale if we do end up going to war. The less information they can get back to their queen, the safer Equestria will be. So, Spy Glass, we not only are we paying you for doing your job, but we are also paying you for what you are preventing. Does that make sense?"
"Well, I suppose if you put it that way.... I don't know how to thank you, enough! You have no idea what this can do for me!!" She giggled before speaking again.
"I'm sure I know what it could do. I expect you will be successful, and thank you for coming to discuss this with me." She waved as I practically skipped out of the door. I quickly came to a full gallop as I raced home. I couldn't wait to tell Melony all about it. I could already picture her, jumping and squealing in excitement. My thoughts then shifted to her alone; my hooves slowed down and my heart sped up. Melony, my beautiful, loving wife I thought as I slipped into a semi-conscious trance.
I can still remember I day I met that beautiful, blue unicorn. It was a magical night that changed both of our lives. The images, thoughts and sounds of that night rushed back to me, remembering it as if it were yesterday, despite being 6 years, 10 months, and 12 days ago (Yes, it is something I keep track of).