Meet Critical Hit, the newest private investigator of Ponyville.
Ever since he was a colt, Critical Hit wanted to be a detective. Now, his dreams have come true. However, being the only private investigator in Ponyville is a larger undertaking than he once thought...
There I was, sitting in my new office at the end of the day. I took a look around, silently congratulating myself. I had worked long and hard to get to that day, but it was all worth it.
I hardly even noticed when the door opened. When I did notice, my attention was drawn more towards the door than to the visitor. I couldn't help but smile inwardly at the words inscribed on the door: "Critical Hit, Private Investigator."
I turned my attention to the figure who had come in. I was instantly almost blinded with color; the mare's pink mane and coat contrasted hugely with the somewhat drab interior of my office. She stood in the doorway for a moment longer, then came bouncing towards my desk, giggling.
"Hi, Crit!" Pinkie Pie called. "I just heard that you got the detective job that you've been wanting ever since you were just a teenie little colt, and that you got that office you've been wanting for like forever, and I decided to come over here to congratulate you!" She panted for a moment, out of breath, and looked around. "Hey," she started, noticing my choice of decor. "Why'd you paint everything grey?"
I couldn't stop myself from smiling at the party pony's antics. I straightened my posture and adjusted my hat before responding. "Hello, Pinkie. Thanks for stopping by; it means a lot to me. And as for the grey... well, I was just trying to get into the spirit of things. You know, make everything like a real detective's office."
Pinkie Pie was silent for a moment, then burst out into another fit of laughter. "Oh, silly Crit, you've been watching too many of those old movies!" she said. "Everything isn't actually supposed to be black and white!" By then she was rolling around on my area rug, getting grey powder all over her coat.
"Oh," I responded, slightly embarrassed. I paused for a moment to gather my thoughts before continuing. "In that case, would you happen to know a good way to get twelve pounds of chalk dust out of somepony's mane?"
I peered up at the building that Pinkie Pie had led me to. It was a round tiered structure with highly ornate decorations and patterns on the outer walls. "Are you sure this is the place?" I asked, somewhat unsure. "It looks like some fancy restaurant or something."
"Don't be silly!" Pinkie responded. "This is the Carousel Boutique, where my friend Rarity lives! If anypony knows how to clean you up, it's gotta be her!" Before I could respond, she knocked on the door to the shop.
After a few seconds, the door swung open. In the entryway stood a white-coated unicorn with an expertly curled indigo mane and tail. "Oh, Good evening, Pinkie," Rarity said, almost in a yawn. "I was just about to close up for the night. What is it that you wanted?"
Pinkie Pie wordlessly nodded in my direction and stepped back. Rarity turned her head to look at me, her eyes beginning to droop from fatigue. She stared at me for a moment, not really taking in what she was seeing. As soon as she did notice, however, her eyes snapped wide open and she involuntarily took a step back. "My goodness," she said, wide awake now.
"Whatever happened to you?" she asked me, a hint of concern in her voice.
There's really no point in denying that I was pretty embarrassed by then. Standing in front of me was a gorgeous mare who clearly knew a thing or two about style, and there I was, completely covered head to tail with grey chalk dust.
"Err... well, you see..." I began, unsure of how to tell Rarity what had happened without seeming like a complete fool. Pinkie Pie, however, didn't seem to care about that at
all.
"This is Critical Hit," she told her friend. "He's the new detective in Ponyville, and he thought from all those old movies that detectives had to be all black-and-white and stuff." I glared at Pinkie, but she didn't seem to notice. "We need your help to get all this chalk dust out of his coat. Do you think you can help?"
Rarity peered at me. I sincerely hoped she couldn't see me blushing underneath the grey powder. After a moment, she spoke. "Yes, I do believe that I may be able to help with your situation," she told me, and she turned around and walked back into the boutique, motioning for me and Pinkie Pie to follow.
I quickly followed, wanting as few ponies as possible seeing me in the state I was in. As I crossed the threshold, I noticed that the interior of Rarity's store was just as opulent as the exterior. The walls were painted in pastel colors with designs of swirls and curves. Scattered through the room were mannequins and racks showing off dresses and various outfits. Rarity headed over to an area directly across the room with mirrors and various beauty supplies.
"Here we go," she said, using her magic to lift a hairbrush. "Now just sit tight and try not to fidget. This'll be over before you know it."
About twenty minutes later, I inspected myself in the mirror. My coat and mane were completely clean of dust, and I must say looked rather impressive. Rarity had really done a nice job styling my green mane, which now contrasted strangely with my old grey fedora. My maroon coat really didn't match the old grey trenchcoat, either.
Rarity and Pinkie Pie were about five feet away, Rarity critically assessing her work. "Well," she said. "Your coat and mane have been fixed up nicely, but we still need to work on that wardrobe."
"Does that mean I have to get rid of my hat?" I asked, concerned.
"Well, of course," Rarity replied. "Honestly, it looks rather hideous."
"You see," I started, trying to seem polite. "This hat means a lot to me. I'd hate to get rid of it."
Rarity looked to her friend for help. "He's had that hat a long time," affirmed Pinkie. "It wouldn't be a good idea to change that."
Ponyville's resident fashionista sighed in resignation. "At least allow me to make you a new fedora," she pleaded. "Your current one doesn't really-- how should I say-- match your status. It's rather beat up."
I levitated my hat off my head and floated it in front of me. I examined it from all angles and sighed. "Okay, if you really must. It is pretty old," I admitted.
"Not to mention that you covered that one in chalk!" Pinkie Pie butted in. I shot her an irritated look, but she just giggled.
Rarity smiled. "Perfect," she said. "For this one, I'll need a day or two. Be sure to come back then to pick up your new hat! I can guarantee you it'll be a hit!" she promised, leading me out of her boutique.
Pinkie Pie followed me outside, and Rarity shut the door. "All right," I said, placing my old hat back on top of my head. "Is there anything I can help you with, Pinkie? Did you really come to my office just to say hello?" I asked my companion.
"We-ell," she said, thinking. "I'm sure you could help Fluttershy! She always needs assistance with something or another! She's another one of my--"
"Friends?" I asked, supressing a smile. "Yes, Pinkie, I know. Everypony in Ponyville is your friend. I believe we've established that fact."
"It's true!" the party pony said. "Everypony is my friend! And right now we should help my friend Fluttershy with something!"
I shrugged, and followed her to her friend's cottage. I really needed the business, after all.