//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 "Heart Song" // Story: Equestria Noir Season 2 Case 14 "Hearts of a Feather" // by Jacoboby1 //------------------------------// Chapter 4 “Heart Song” Perspective: Private I ran down stairs and saw the strange Grapes lookalike. Twilight was looking shocked at something. I then looked to my wife hurriedly, “Twilight! Somepony tried to kill Grandpa!” “WHAT!?” Twilight yelled, coming out of her stupor. “Oh, Private this is, uh, actually I didn’t get your name.” She said to the Grapes lookalike. “Somebody tried ta kill Blue? Now who would go an’ do a nasty thing like that?” the mare asked, looking rather angry. “An’ I’m Muscadine, honey, Muscadine Grapes. An’ you would be tha newest princess, Twilight Sparkle. Was all over tha papers.” “Uh, yeah, that’s me.” Twilight said, humbly. “Anyways, what are you doing here miss?” I asked. Twilight spoke up, “She said she saw a pony coming out the window and flying out to her yard.” “That I did, honey,” Muscadine said gliding into the house, like royalty on a state visit. “Flew right over my yard, moltin’ feathers like she was a tree in fall. Didn’t rightly recognise tha filly, but her coloration suggested she was a Heart. Hm… If y’all would get one of the young’ans to rake up the feathers out of my yard, I’d greatly appreciate it. In tha meantime, I smell a gumbo that needs to be saved from mediocrity.” “Wait hold on, do you have one of the feathers?” I asked desperately. “Yes, Ah do. Had ta bring proof that one of these here Hearts flew over my yard, didn’t I?” Muscadine said, hoofing the feather over. There was no mistaking it… _____________________________________________________ Perspective: Tailspin I finally managed to get away from my cousins. They all decided they wanted to play nap and went to sleep under the nearby tree. Honestly, I wanted to play nap as well. Man, this has been a pretty tiring day. “Tuckered out?” I heard a voice said. I looked up, Aunt Meadowlark was looking at me, holding...OHMYGOSH COOKIES!! “One of the few things I can cook right,” She said with a smile, handing me some. I tried oh so desperately not to seem like a pig and wolfed down all the cookies. Oh my gosh! These were so good! They had to be made from scratch! Meadowlark kept her smile, “Eat up, there’s plenty I got to get rid of.” “Thanks Aunt Meadowlark,” I said, smiling gratefully up at her. “My pleasure... we... haven’t really had the chance to talk,” She said, looking away a little. “I’m just glad there’s a relative here who isn’t afraid to talk to me or force me to play house,” I said with a sigh. Meadowlark looked a little uncertain for a sec, then she said, “Tailspin, do you, remember your mother at all?” I tilted my head, thought real hard, and then said, “Not really, all I remember is kind of an image, and a lot of crying...mostly bro’s…” A guilty expression came over her face, must be tearing her up to hear about it. She then took a breath and said, “Tailspin, I for one, am not angry at you.” “Really?” I asked. “Could you tell me about her?” She smiled again, sitting down in front of me. “Well, your mother was one of the most selfless ponies anypony would ever meet. I remember when I was little, both of us were playing inside and accidentally broke mom’s favorite lamp. It was my fault really, I kicked the ball too hard. But when your grandma came in and asked who did it, I was ready to lie through my teeth about it.” I listened intently, trying to imagine mom being my age and running around with a young Meadowlark. “Only I think Sparrow knew about it, so she lied and said she broke the lamp. She then volunteered her allowance in order to repair it. It finally got to the point where I felt so terrible for lying that I told your Grandmother the truth. Suffice to say, I never tried to lie again, at least not while Sparrow’s listening.” We both laughed a little at the crazy story. Then my face turned a little serious, “You miss her a lot do you?” She nodded a little, “Yeah, we all do. She had this nasty habit of worming her way into everypony’s heart and making you want to care. Which is why I see a lot of her in you.” I smiled at that, glad to know my mother was a great pony...and I was like her...that was awesome! Meadowlark looked excited again. “Wait till I tell you about the first time your father visited our home. Boy was he sweating bullet-” She stopped as she looked off behind me. I turned around, there was Aunt Hummingbird, she was looking frazzled, and some leaves were on her suit. “Hummingbird? Where have you been?” Meadowlark asked. “All of us were going to play pin the tail on the pony.” “No time, I got to um, head back to the office,” She said, seeming to be in a hurry. “Got some, paperwork to do.” Before Meadowlark could protest, Private and Twilight burst into the yard, everybody looked at them. Private eyed everypony and said, “Come out and confess, pony who tried to murder my grandfather…” _____________________________________________________ Perspective: Private Eye I glared at the gathered ponies as everypony took in what I said. Twilight was at my side, ready to fire a spell if needed. Uncle Hawk and Aunt Robin came stomping forward. “What’s the meaning of this accusation?!” Robin yelled. “What are you doing going off about somepony killing dad?!” Hawk yelled. Before I could yell, Grandma came stomping out, once again adopting her commanding presence. “Everypony calm down, somepony attacked Eagle and tried to murder my husband! I will not stand for it!” “You seriously expect us to believe his word?!” Hawk yelled. “For all we know, this mutt could be the one responsible!” “Funny thing about us,” Twilight said, “I have wings, but my husband doesn’t, especially not...these…” She held up the bag containing...a pair of violet feathers. “These were found in the neighbor’s back yard, right near where the window to Blue’s room exits.” Robin looked to Hawk in horror, “How could you!? He may have been old and deluded! But he was our father!” “What?!” Hawk yelled, “I didn’t do anything!” “Your feather matches,” Grandma said. “Both you and Robin have made no secret of your selfish intentions with the will.” “But I-” I looked past Uncle Hawk, and saw Hummingbird was… I quickly did a dna spell, the feathers glowed green...and so did Aunt Hummingbird… She stopped in her tracks, and looked back at us. “You, can’t seriously believe I-” “I’m sure if we go up to Grandpa’s room, we’ll find your DNA on what took out Uncle Eagle.” I said firmly. “Hummingbird,” Meadowlark said, looking at her sister. “You, tried to…” Hummingbird looked at all of us, “You, all can’t believe him? He’s obviously covering for his own murder! He was the last one to see Father!” “That would work,” A voice said behind me. I looked to see Grandpa leaning against Uncle Eagle, looking very much alive. Aunt Hummingbird was looking very much shocked, “If’n Ah didn’t see ya stab me with the syringe. That little jolt woke me up enough to see your face…” “Hummingbird, why,” Meadowlark asked. “Why would you do this?” Hummingbird’s eye twitched, and her hair started poking out of her perfect bun. “Why? You want to know why? It’s because if anything I deserve whatever this miserable family has made! I’m the one who spent many a sleepless night trying to get and pay for my education! I have doctorates, degrees, everything that counts in the world of the self made mare! But what does Sparrow do to get happiness and fortune? Flash her plot to some rich unicorn bastard!” “Humming!” Grandma said in shock. “I did all the real work for this family!” Humming shouted. “While Sparrow got all the attention and praise! Her little happily ever after story should never have happened in the real world! You don’t get to move to the top just by marrying! And now, I’m going to set everything right!” Suddenly, she grabbed Tailspin as I pulled out Blackhawk and aimed it at her. I could’ve hit her square in the eye, but I couldn’t risk hitting Tailspin. “You let my brother go!” I yelled. “It’s because of him that all of us are suffering right?” Humming said, looking unhinged, “If I kill him now, all will be made right, perfect! We won’t have to suffer scorn or shame because this little brat is still breathing!” “Let me go you witch!” Tailspin yelled, struggling in her grip. “Oh no, you’re not going anywhere,” She yelled at Grandpa then, “Make a new will! Give me what I rightfully de-” BONG! Hummingbird went down like a ton of bricks as Meadowlark slapped her on the head with a gardening shovel. Meadowlark grabbed Hummingbird with her hooves and pinned her sister down. “You don’t GET it do you!? You don’t get to pick who you have as your family! You don’t get to just get rid of what you don’t like! Family is family! Tailspin belongs just as much as you do!” “Meadow! We can have everything! Just kill the-” “I’m done listening to you…” Meadowlark punched Aunt Hummingbird in the face. The mare went out cold. All of us stared at her sudden display of force. She smiled and said, “Well, I didn’t get to be on my school’s softball team just because I was hot.” I was too busy laughing to even care. ________________________________________________________ The local police arrived to pick up Hummingbird, thankfully I didn’t have Insight hounding on me. Everything was relatively back to normal, nobody was really hurt. I sat at the garden table, Twilight at my side as I talked with Grandma and Grandpa. “We’re, sorry to have caused so much trouble.” “Don’t you worry none,” Grandpa said, “None of us expected Hummingbird tah fly off like that.” “Luckily nopony was hurt,” Twilight said with a sigh. “Still, sorry that the reunion became such a hectic hassle.” “And miss seeing my grandchild in action?” Grandma said with a laugh. “Not a chance.” “What are they going to do with her?” Grandpa asked. “They’re gonna put her away for a while, hopefully get her some help. There’s a lot of pent up anger inside her,” I said with a sigh. “In the meantime,” Grandma said, “You are welcome to enjoy the rest of the reunion.” “Mind if I do too?” All four of us looked up as Dad stepped in, beside him was Muscadine Grapes, holding a huge pot of gumbo. Dad walked over, “Miss Muscadine called me up, said there was a reunion I was missing?” “Hey Dad,” I said, “Wanted to invite you, but we figured with work…” “Son, I would stand up to Princess Celestia herself and call her fat if it meant I could spend time with my children.” Dad said with a good natured laugh. Twilight came over and gave dad a hug. “Glad you could make it.” “So am I, daughter,” He said with a grin. Grandpa stood and walked over to Dad, looking like he was about to size him up again. “So, ya show up again, fella who stole mah daughter’s sweet little heart.” Dad gulped, and suddenly I remembered all the times Shining Armor would glare down at me like that. “Hello Father,” Dad said with a nervous smile. “Ya ain’t ever wrote or nothin,” Grandpa said, “I nearly died today….” he got within inches of Dad’s face. “Without even telling ya…” Suddenly he pulled Dad into a good natured noogie, “How darn happy I am ya married Sparrow and gave me all these chillins!” “Uh, you’re welcome, sir,” Dad said, struggling. Twilight and I laughed our flanks off. “Now Irenius, I would be sore if you didn’t come in and try Muscadine’s gumbo as well as mine.” Grandma then shouted at Muscadine, “You hear that ya old boat! I’m finally going to win out this year!” “And WHO is it that has their own restaurant? It ain’t you, honey!” Muscadine said, wagging her hoof at Grandma. “I’m tha one who’s got all tha customers.” “And who’s the one who helped you attract those customers by letting you hire her daughter?” Grandma snarked back. “Ugh. That Meadowlark… She still has a loooooong way ta go before she can actually cook somethin’ other than cookies,” Muscadine said with a roll of her eyes. “Ah DON’T give up though. She’s gotta learn how ta cook proper to feed those young’ans. So, our new little ole princess… can’t cook, either? Ah thought you were smart, honey. My niece said so in her last letter.” “Come on, Irenius, I’ll show you some real cooking.” Grandma said, dragging Dad away. Grandpa then looked at me. “There’s, still the matter of the will.” “Grandpa,” I said, “to be honest, I don’t want the inheritance.” “But, that’s-” Grandpa said. “I don’t need a house in New Orneigh, honestly just being here with you guys is all I really needed. I’m just happy some of you actually care. If you want to give your house and stuff, give it to Meadowlark, she’s the one who needs the money raising a bunch of foals.” Grandpa smiled at me. “You’re mo’ like ya mother than I ever could’a hoped. Alright, Ah’ll give it to her, but Ah still got a few years of kickin’ yet. Ya ain’t gonna lose me dat easy.” “I hope not.” I said with a smile. “Now, Ah’m gonna try to sneak some cake while your grandma ain’t noticin.” He said, sneaking off. Twilight smiled at me, “That was really kind of you.” “I was being honest,” I replied, “I didn’t need the house, honestly all I need is Tailspin and you, I can live anywhere after that.” “After my own heart I see…” She said, giving me a kiss on the cheek. “Eeeewww” A chorus of fillies said. Twilight and I looked over at the fillies, Tailspin’s playmates were obviously looking for a new vi-I mean, playmate. “Why hello all of you.” Twilight said with a smile. “Are you weally a pwincess?” One of the younger ones said. “Yes I am, Twilight,” Twilight said, bending down to their level. “Do you all wanna play?” “Play with Pwincess!” They cheered, grabbing Twilight's forelegs and dragging her away. I smiled and waved after her. Dad came out of the kitchen, coming to sit back with me. “I managed to get away, your Grandmother is so easy to get away from once she’s cooking,” he said with a laugh. “Glad you could come,” I said with a smile. “What a day it’s been.” “To think, in a couple of years I went from not coming to these at all, to witnessing my son, his wife, and my other son attending. So much has changed, all of it for the better.” He said with a smile. “Glad too,” I said, sighing. “But I’ll be ready to take a long nap after this.” “And speaking of changes,” Dad said, and looked at me sternly, “Where are my grandchildren?” DAD!!