//------------------------------// // Introductions Are Sometimes Necessary // Story: The Hunted: Monsters, Ex-Girlfriends, And More // by Dusty Tome //------------------------------// In the urban city of Manehattan, it was kill or be killed. For Applejack, the saying was literal. Her line of work wasn't just your normal run of the mill detective work. She was a supernatural detective. Someone who came into the scene when the regular cops couldn't handle it. Extinguishing her cigarette, she put her Stetson on and shook her head as she looked over the police report again. Damn vampires. Always leaving a bloody mess behind. There was a knock at her office door. She beckoned for the knocker to come in, and sighed in relief when she saw it was her partner Twilight. “Any more info on the Sunny Rays case?” She asked as the other girl crossed the room. “Nope. Though someone interesting is here to see you.” Twilight smirked, pushing her glasses up on her nose. She took her place at her desk that was diagonal to Applejack’s. She watched as the woman put her combat boots on her desk and her hands behind her head. “Interestin’ huh? Who could be so interestin’ that you personally needed ta tell me they were here?” Applejack frowned at the amused look on Twilight’s face. She had a sneaking feeling that the girl was up to something. Then the familiar click clack of heels hit her ears. She curiously looked up at the door to see a woman about her age enter. She was tall, but had a full, curvaceous figure. She wore a black dress and red heels, hair falling around her face in loose purple ringlets. Her ebony skin made the color of her hair stand out even more, and her plump lips were painted an attractive and captivating red. It took Applejack a moment to realize she was drooling. She cleared her throat. “Uh, hello...Miss. May Ah help you?” She glared at her partner, who was giggling over the book she was reading. The blonde detective then quickly turned her attention back to the woman in front of her. She couldn’t help but let her eyes settle on her evident bust before looking up at her. “You’re Applejack Apple, correct?” The woman asked, holding up a flyer that had Applejack’s name on it. She had a transatlantic accent that made Applejack start to take a keen interest in her. “Yes ma’am.” Applejack responded, nodding. “Oh perfect! I was wondering if you could help me with something darling? It won’t be much trouble at all!” The woman clapped her hands and giggled. “Alright then. What do ya need me for?” Applejack leaned forward on her desk. She was relaxing before, but now she was all business. Even Twilight put her book down. “There’s a vampire. She’s been around the city for a while. I need you to find her and protect me from her.” The woman told them, showing them a picture of a pink haired girl with evergreen eyes. “She’s only in town for the next few days, so you might want to get on her trail now.” “Um, may Ah ask what your relation to this vampire is?” Applejack asked, looking the photo over. “She’s my ex-girlfriend.” The woman answered simply. “And she’s out for revenge. I broke up with her and now she wants to suck me dry.” “Hell have no wrath like a sexy vamp scorned.” Twilight whistled, looking over at the picture. Applejack’s eyes widened. That was new. She never had a case like this. Usually her cases consisted of tracking down supernatural criminals or catching murders. Not...this. Though she felt like she should help this woman. There was something about her that she definitely liked. She tipped her hat up. “What’s in it fer me?” “Well, seeing how my daddy owns most of the city, mostly anything you wanted.” The woman shrugged, then as it appeared that an idea had struck her, she took her check book out her bag and wrote down a few numbers. “But how does this work for you?” She slid the paper over to the detective. Applejack nearly choked on her own spit. She hadn't seen that many zeros since her sister’s last report card. With this much, she could fix up her office, find a new place, hell she could even move to a better part of the city. There was just one thing... “Ya said ya father owns half the city. Who is he?” “Oh, how rude of me. I didn't properly introduce myself. I am Rarity Belle. But you may just call me Rarity.” Rarity extended a hand for Applejack to shake and the women shook hands before briefly smiling at each other. Twilight rolled her eyes and picked up her book again. Of course Applejack would be oblivious as to how famous the heiress really was. “Well, I must be going now. Thank you for all your help.” She winked at Applejack, then waved to Twilight before leaving out the door, the echo of her heels fading as she made it down the hallway. There was a silence between the two after that. Then Twilight sighed. “This isn’t a real case.” “Ah know that.” “You’re gonna take it anyway because she’s hot.” “You and Ah both know that ain’t the reason I’m takin’ it.” “Then why, Applejack? Hmm? Care to enlighten me. Because I think this is going to be a waste of our time.” Twilight turned to face her. She noticed the detective was staring at the photo Rarity had given them. “Oooh.” She dragged out. “I know what this is about.” “What?” Applejack put the photo down and gave her a questioning look. “This is a chance for you to get out and start looking for Rainbow Dash.” Twilight told her. “Look, I know she was taken by a coven of vampires....but who’s to say that this one is connected to that? There are tons of vampires everywhere in this city. It could be any one of them.” She gave Applejack an apologetic look. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought it up.” “Nah. It’s fine.” Applejack waved her off. “Yer right. Ah’ve been gettin’ so hung up on findin’ her these past few months that Ah’ve just let it take over my life again. Thanks for being there for me, Twi.” Twilight laughed. “Sure. I mean, who else would help you home after long drunken nights at Pinkie’s bar?” She stuck her tongue out at her, earning an eye roll from the detective. “Yeah, yeah. Besides, I got a good feelin’ about this one.” Applejack looked at the photo again. There was something about that girl that looked familiar. It was like she had seen her before. As if she knew her from somewhere...