A murder at a nearby high school sets Private into a mystery involving a strange Batpony, and a school that has turned against the colt. Can Private navigate the high school before another victim is hit?
Teenage cheerleader Star Flare being found dead near a dumpster is not the typical way to end up back at your high school. Private returns to his school to find that the young cheerleader was found dead with a filly in the dumpster. Who's filly is it? Who killed her? And what does the strange Bat Pony floating around school have to do with all this? Private will soon find this school holds a lot more dark secrets then he remembers.
Potso’s Pizzaria had been getting some great business ever since he arrived at Ponyville. It was great knowing that my friend since foalhood was doing well. The only problem? Was the overpopulation of single mares sitting at the counter. All of them charmed to death by the sheer power of Potso.
Right now, Potso was trying to juggle making pizzas and dealing with Carrot Top, Cheerilee and Cloudchaser over at the counter.
“So Potso, why is such a charming pony like you still haven’t found a somepony?” Carrot Top asked.
Potso smiled behind his mustache, “Ah, well its-a constant thing, I am surrounded by so many-a beautiful mare, and yet my heart belongs to the one and only.”
“You’re, already in a relationship?” Cheerilee asked. “Well, good now my kids can stop hounding me about this one.” With that, she walked out. Huh, looks like the CMC are still up to their old schemes of finding her a somepony.
“So Potso, who’s the lucky mare? It’s me right? Because then I already have the perfect date in mind. Then afterwards we ca-” Cloudchaser started a mile a minute.
Uggh, this again? When will he just get over it!
“Ladies, don’t bother, Potso’s dream mare is completely out of his reach,” I said, flatly.
“Ah, you only say that mio amico, because you were-a not there.” Potso said confidently.
“What are you talking about Private?” Carrot Top asked.
“Potso is wholly convinced that he saw the love of his life while we were in high school.” I said, sighing. “He claims he saw her at the train station as he was going to pick up some relatives.”
“It is not a claim and you know it Private!” Potso yelled, “She was la più bella mare I had ever seen. A coat of the richest cream, a mane a glistening blue that would make the sea itself geloso.”
“Yes, except nopony else saw her,” I replied firmly, “and you only ever looked at her, you can’t tell who is your true love just by one look. For all we know you probably just daydreamed the whole thing.”
“You just-a wait!” Potso yelled back. “One day, she’s-a gonna walk through that door, and she will be just as bella as I described!”
Uggh, I didn’t have time for this. I’d better head down to the office before I lose brain cells trying to argue with pseudo love struck Potso.
I opened the door to my office to find, somepony already sitting there. NO WAY!
There stood an older mare, at least in her late sixties. Long silver hair and brown eyes accented her tan coat. She smiled at me behind a pair of large glasses. That familiar cutie mark of a blackboard laid on her flank proudly.
“Forgive me for intruding dear, I saw the door was open and just thought I’d settle in,” She said, a little bit of the Manehatten accent showing.
“Mrs. Standard?” I said, totally shocked upon seeing my old Equish teacher for the first time in years.
She chuckled a little, “It’s Principal Standard nowadays, Private. It has been quite a long time since you sat ever so attentively in my class.”
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
“Well, aside from wanting to congratulate my student on all he’s done over on the news,” Her voice suddenly turned serious. “I’m afraid there’s been an incident at the school.”
“Elk Ridge?” I asked, coming closer.
“Still the same as you remember it,” She said with a small laugh. “Only, this time we have police coming in, I’m afraid one of our students has been murdered.”
“Your student? Who?” I asked, pulling over my notebook from my desk and writing things down.
“Her name was Star Flare, one of our model students. She was our head cheerleader, student council president and next in line for Valedictorian.” She reached into her small purse and pulled out a school picture.
The mare in the picture was definitely befitting the stereotype of the everymare in high school. Long blond mane, deep blue eyes and a bright red coat all showed themselves in the picture along with a prominent horn. Not the kind of girl you’d expect would get into trouble honestly. But then again, who knows with teenagers?
“Please, if it will be convenient for you,” Mrs. Standard said, “ Come down to the school. We could really use your help.”
“What about the police?” I asked.
“I tried talking to the police chief, but he wants to write it off as suicide.” Mrs. Standard said with a frown.
Typical Insight…
“Why a suicide? Why not random gang violence or something like that?” I asked.
Unfortunately, without Twilight I had to venture to Elk Ridge alone. I walked the familiar streets towards the school. When I got there, cops were swarming in one of the back alleys. I looked up at the school itself, just the same as I remember it…
Red brick rectangle buildings, joined with covered sidewalks, metal doors, metal framed crank windows. The interior was probably cinder block, painted calming colors. I could just imagine the lockers, inside, metal double-stacked things, needing your own lock, and your own shelves, to store your stuff without just tossing it all inside. The centerpiece if the buildings was the gym, where basketball was played. Off to the side was what was probably hallowed ground, at this school. The hoofball field, surrounded by bleachers, the refreshment stands set up to be convenient to the fans.
I ignored the nostalgia for a minute, and walked on over to the crime scene. It was a two way alley, an opened dumpster on the side, now filled with police doing dumpster diving. A payphone was also next to the dumpster, leading out to the alley looked pretty old. A small tent was set up, I could see a nurse moving frantically in and out. Must be…
“Heya Private,” A familiar voice said. I looked up, and there stood Officer Yang, guarding the crime scene as usual. She smiled at me, a friendly air about her. “Been a while, some of us were saying you’ve gone into retirement.”
“As much as Insight probably hopes, I have no plans on retiring yet,” I said firmly.
“Where’s your princess?” She asked, looking around me. “My niece wanted an autograph or something.”
“Sorry, she’s attending a fashion show with some friends,” I replied. “Got left behind to watch the office.”
“All work and no play huh?” Yang said with a laugh.
I laughed back. “Anyways, Principal Standard has hired me to look over the crime scene. I can’t believe this was a suicide.”
“Chief is going to be pissed if I let you in,” Yang said with faux worry. “He just wants us to write it off as a suicide so he’ll look like he actually can solve a crime. But I have my doubts.”
“So, you’re going to let me in and actually do a good job?” I asked.
“Totally,” She replied, holding up the tape with her hoof.
I ducked under and stepped into the crime scene. Forceps was once again standing over the body. Star Flare looked nothing like her perfectly prepared school picture. Her mane was matted, looking like she hadn’t brushed it in days. Her coat was just as ratty, and a little wet by the looks of things. Must’ve rained a little last night.
Forceps chuckled as he saw me, “Well ain’t you sight for sore eyes. I thought it was just going to be me and the stiff this time around.”
“Not quite you old stallion,” I said with a roll of my eyes. “What have we got?”
“Not a suicide, I’ll give it that much,” Forceps said, gesturing to her chest, I could see two bullet holes embedded there.
“Two shots to the chest, looks like a 9mm.” I said to myself, “No way this was a suicide, why would she shoot herself twice in the chest? If she wanted to kill herself, she’d just hold it up to her head.”
“That, and that payphone over there,” He said, gesturing to the old machine, “was used to call the 911 number that lead us to the dumpster. Gal on the other line said that she heard two shots.”
“Can’t be a suicide then, what the hell is Insight smoking?” I said, facehoofing.
“Either way, we have no idea where the gun is, and no idea who our killer is. We only found a few bits and pieces, we got them all over at the tent.”
I walked over to said tent, and saw a table was set up. On it were several evidence bags, I looked the first one over. It was her purse, along with her wallet on the side, bits still inside. “Wasn’t a mugging then, guess we can cross that off the list.”
I went over to the next bag, and saw a picture of Star Flare along with a large muscular pegasus with shaggy blond hair and a deep brown coat. “Boyfriend, probably a jock, typical high school.”
I looked over the next bag, and saw a hairpin with a small bat on it. “Secret goth side? Or does this belong to our killer?”
Finally I turned to the last piece of evidence. Laying down inside a glass protector, with enough tubes and instruments attached to make her look part cyborg, was a filly. She had a bright red coat, little tufts of blond hair sticking out of her head as she breathed ever so slowly. Her little stub of a horn was sticking out of that tuft of hair. She was so small, she could fit right in my hooves…
The nurse came over and saw me, “Are you Private Eye? Forceps said you would be coming.”
“uh, yes,” I said, looking over at her. “Is this the kid?”
“Found inside a little basket in the dumpster,” The Nurse said, with a sigh. “Probably left there in the hopes the police would find her and take her into the system. We’re lucky we found her so fast, otherwise she wouldn’t have made it?”
“Is she sick?” I asked.
“Barely holding on,” The Nurse said, looking worried, “She was born premature, her lungs weren’t developed well and now we have her hooked up to machines that can help her stabilize.”
“Keep working on her, Doc,” I said, about to turn away.
“Um, there is one other thing,” She said, her horn glowing, slowly opening one of the baby’s eyes..oh my gosh…
The eye was bright yellow, and slitted, the baby wailed pitifully as the nurse put the lid back. This baby...was part batpony.
A batpony? Here in Manehatten?
“Have you got DNA on the parents?” I asked her.
“We’ve tried, but Bat Ponies were never exactly forthcoming with medical knowledge. It’ll be a while before we can provide an accurate test as to who the father could be.” The Nurse replied.
“I’ll leave you to your work then, do what you can.” I said hopefully.
She smiled at me, and went about adjusting the instruments.
I walked outside and spotted Yang coming over. “I called in a few favors and we managed to track down some of her associates,” She said, giving me a list.
“Quite a list of associates,” I said, looking things over. “Well, school’s about to head in, would be the perfect time to ask around.”
“You think you can handle high schoolers?” Yang asked with a grin.
Well, they can’t be too different from the Human high schoolers I had to deal with. Right?
As I thought, the interior was cinderblock, painted a nice cream color. Apparently I had went into one of the class buildings, rather than the administration building. Maybe I should have went there. Down the hallway was the classic double-stacked lockers, all festooned with the combo locks that were so popular among students. Guess it’s one less key for the latch-key kids to worry about. A bunch of teen-aged ponies trotted along the hallways, all looking somewhat half-finished, and unformed. As usual there were the jocks, and the popular girls, the geeks and nerds… Why must high school always have these silly groups that divide ponies?
“Ooooh mah GOSH!” A group of mares suddenly popped up next to me, judging by their fashionable clothes and loving relationship with make up, these would be the popular clique. “He totally looks like Bean from Supermagical!”
“No way! He’s, like, totally in hipster clothes! Who does he think he is? My grandpa?”
“Uh, can I help you ladies?” I asked.
“Are you like, a detective or something? We saw those cops outside,” One of them said.
“Uh, yes, I’m Private Eye.” I said, smiling.
Blank stares…
“Private Eye? Married to Princess Twilight? Element of Hope? Solver of mysteries? Nothing?”
“Are you, like, on TV or something?”
Internal double facehoof.
And Supermagical? Seriously?
Okay Private, just focus on your objective.
“Do any of your girls know Star Flare?” I asked politely.
“Uh, duh,” One of them said. “She’s like, only the most popular mare in the school.”
“Was the most popular mare,” Another said. “She, like, disappeared the last few months.”
“Is she like, in trouble or something?” The first one asked.
“She, yeah, she’s in some pretty big trouble,” I said, trying to put things gently. “Do you know who her boyfriend was?”
“Oh, that would be Field Goal. He’s, like, the best soccer player in the school,” The second one said. “So, what kind of trouble is she in?”
Better not say anything, knowing these girls it’ll be spread around the school like wildfire.
“We’re still investigating, and can I just say something up front? Stop with the cliques, they aren’t cool, they never will be cool. You’ll look back on them and laugh at how stupid you were for forcing yourself into some predetermined role.”
“Pshyeah, right. Just like a total loser to say that,” said one with a roll of her eyes. “What were you, like a total nerd?”
Well it was worth a shot. “Thank you for your time girls.” I replied with a curt nod. “Now, where would Field Goal be?”
“Probably, like, under the bleachers,” muttered one of the clique fillies.
They were certainly close, out in the field a group of young stallions were running around doing gym. Laps appeared to be the main task at hand as they ran around the large gymnasium. Still the same as I remembered it.
A large stallion with muscles as big as Bulk...actually they do look a lot alike now that I think about it.
The large stallion looked back at me, “Sorry pal, gym-” He blinked as he recognized me, “Private Eye? What the hell are you doing back here?”
“Hey Coach Mountainback,” I replied with a smile. “I see you’re now causing more students to suffer through drills.”
“Yeah yeah, it helped put you in somewhat shape.” He said with a good natured chuckle. “So, what brings you back here?”
“Kind of serious business,” I replied. “I’m looking for Field Goal, your star soccer player.”
He blew his whistle and yelled out to the kids, “Alright take five everypony! Field Goal get yer ass over here!”
Field Goal was pretty much the same as I saw in the picture. Long messy blonde hair that nearly covered his green eyes, dark brown coat and an athletic build. Definitely your textbook definition of your average jock.
“What’s up coach?” He asked, looking between Mountainback and me.
“This ere is Private Eye, you may have heard of him.” Mountainback said.
“Are you like, the dude on Criminal Equines or somethin?” Field Goal asked. “Reed Provisioner?”
Well, closer, but I don’t think I’d make a good profiler.
“You dated Star Flare?” I asked.
“Yeah, have you seen her?” He asked desperately. “Is she okay? What happened to her?”
“She’s dead, I can’t believe it dude,” Field said as he sat on the chair opposite me in Mountainback’s office.
“How long have you too dated?” I asked, trying to get him to open up.
“Since Freshman year homecoming,” He said, a smile slowly creeping on his face. “She was like, totally hot, but like, totally full of life ya know. She was super smart too! I loved being around her…”
“Some of the girls say she was gone the last few months. Anything on that?” I asked.
Field shook his head a little. “Nah, her parents told me she was studying abroad or something like that. But it was pretty sudden dude. Like, one minute we were making out under the bleachers, next thing I know, she’s calling me and telling me she’s going on a pretty long trip.”
“She didn’t write to you or anything?” I asked. “Did you have any idea where she went?”
“Hey! Are you saying my girl was messing around or something?!” He yelled. “Star Flare ain’t that kind of girl! She was one of the nicest ponies you’ll ever meet! She ain’t doin nuthin’ illegal!”
“I never said that Mr. Goal,” I said firmly. “I’m simply asking, did she contact you?”
Field Goal calmed down after that. “Like, a couple of times, I would call her like, all the time but her parents would be there to answer. They just told me she’d be back soon. I got letters from her, but they were just ‘hey how’re you doing that’s great’ sort of letters. She didn’t tell me anything at all about where she went or anything.”
“Did she hang out with anypony suspicious before she, well, vanished?”
“Well...she did talk with that Batpony dude before she disappeared…”
I gave Field Goal a look that displayed my skepticism fully. “A batpony?” I asked him. “You’re saying there’s a Batpony that goes to your school?”
Field Goal nodded, “Yeah man, he doesn’t like, go to school all the time he takes mostly night classes and stuff. He’s kind of shady to be honest.”
“This Batpony have a name?” I asked.
“Even..something, I dunno dude, I never really paid attention to him until now.”
Even? Strange name for a Batpony…
And on top of that, a Batpony living in the middle of Manehatten? That’s a little upsurd. Most Batponies tend to avoid the big cities because their overly sensitive hearing didn’t take kindly to the bustle of the city. But, this was my only lead, that foal was definitely a hybrid. The question was, just who was this Batpony kid exactly? Could he have been connected in the worst possible way…?
I still got a small feeling of dread coming in here. Behind the partition where the school’s secretaries worked, lay the dreaded Principal’s office. There were the two metal desks, with their requisite filing cabinets. The berber carpet on the floor was typical school budget faire, and barely had any padding beneath. The intercom mic peeked out from behind the partition, shelves with baskets, and a lost and found were along the walls. Maybe the secretaries knew something about the batpony.
I then heard arguments coming from the office of Mr-I mean, Principal Standard, she must’ve come back while I was walking about…
“For the last time, Guideline, I do not believe we should rile up the students.” Standard’s voice said, trying very hard to keep calm.
“But we both know that he is the most likely suspect, we should inform the police as soon as possible.” A rather young sounding voice yelled back.
“And announce it to the whole school? What would making a huge show of poor Evenstar accomplish?” Standard replied cooly.
“It would be putting the suspect in-”
I opened the door at that point, both mares stopped talking. The other mare I didn’t recognize, she had to be just fresh out of college, maybe a couple of years older. Curly orange mane, sandy brown coat and glasses obscured by a pair of thick shades that would make Rainbow jealous.
She also looked very cross at my intrusion. “And you are?”
Standard spoke up for me, “This is Private Eye, you may have seen him on the news. He’s helping us with the case.”
“A private detective? That isn’t with the police force and we are supposed to trust him to handle this case?” The other mare replied cooly.
“Yes Ma’am, although I’m not directly a part of the police I have been given the authority by Celestia to help out with any case I deem needing attention.” I said firmly.
Bout time I got the line down right.
“Private,” Standard began, gesturing to the mare, “This is Guideline, our student counselor, came to us out of Royal State University.”
“You guys were talking about a boy named Evenstar?” I asked.
Standard nodded, “Yes, he hasn’t been seen since last night, Miss Guideline here says we should inform the police and I vehemently disagree.”
“Private, can I call you that?” Guideline said, dropping the cool tone and taking to a tone I heard many a pony adopt when they want something out of me. “This boy, Even, is a very troubled child with a long history of delinquency, I am only doing my civic duty as a citizen of Equestria by informing the police and the student body about Even’s disappearance.”
I narrowed my eyes, I hated the fact I couldn’t see her soul windows thanks to the shades.
“And you do realize just how fast gossip and misunderstanding can spread in a high school environment?” I asked.
“Of course, but since the boy was obviously invo-”
“Guideline, I believe that is quite enough.” Standard said, rising from her seat.
“Obviously involved, because he was close to Miss Star Flare before her disappearance…” Guideline finished.
They were close, but, something just isn’t right here…
“If you would be so kind as to give Mr. Eye Even’s record?”
“To prove that he was the culprit and we can stop with this charade?” Guideline asked.
“No, to find the poor boy and get the truth before somepony makes the wrong assumption and hurts him,” Standard replied.
Guideline frowned and dismissed herself, I heard her muttering “Stinking brats…” under her breath...I’m pretty sure.
Standard sighed when Guideline left, “Young ponies, always a chore…”
“Oh come on, we weren’t all bad.” I said with a smile.
“Maybe not, but I remember a certain trio of colts that would often be found in my office for this or that reason.”
“More like one colt and two that keep trying to bail him out before he does something stupid.”
We both laughed at that.
I then took the seat in front of Standard and asked, “So, this kid Evenstar? What’s his deal?”
Standard sighed, “Poor boy, last time I looked at his record was two years ago, when we admitted him here. We found him trying to steal from the cafeteria for food one night. Instead of turning him in I offered him a chance to learn here, at night, where he didn’t have to worry about being teased for being a batpony.”
“You always did have a heart for the lost…” I said, feeling almost nostalgic.
“I did, I didn’t charge him tuition because I was effectively homeschooling him unofficially. He was such a well behaved boy in the classroom, but outside…”
“Trouble?”
“Majorally, many of our students sadly come from privileged backgrounds with...certain archaic views on those that are different.” she replied.
“Sorry, got lost for a minute there, so, bullies?”
“Yes, the few times Even had to come during the day he often get bullied or teased because of what he looked like. I tried as best I could, but I can only do so much, bullies are always the worst when teachers can’t see them.”
“So how does a kid like that know the most popular girl in school, Star Flare?” I asked.
“I have honestly no clue, the two were from completely different worlds…”
“You don’t think…” I suggested.
“A lot think it, that Evenstar, in a moment of blind anger took advantage of young Star Flare. The foal being his, and she took her life or Even killed her to keep the rape a secret…”
“And what do you think?” I asked.
“I think it’s a load of hogwash. Evenstar is a little crass but he’s no lunatic. It’s just a story that makes sense to a lot of ponies. I wouldn’t be surprised if it ended up on the news and was played up as this big racist story because Even is who he is.”
I slowly nodded and asked, “So, do you know where he lives?”
Standard nodded and gestured for me to move my head closer, I nodded and did so, listening in. “The address in the record is just the orphanage he’s officially attached to, I know where he actually lays down his head. He lives over in Downstreet Alley, not far from where the old donut shop we used to go to was.”
I nodded, taking a mental note. So far, none of this made sense, how could a delinquent and a rich girl end up making a foal. If it wasn’t rape then what…
“Here are the records you asked for…” Guideline said as she came in, holding some files. She gave them to me, “I hope you solve this case soon, that Evenstar could be quite the little danger to himself…”
“We’ll just see…” I said, stepping out of the office and entering the hallway. I saw a group of mares helping up a girl whose books had just fallen. She shook her head, “What the hell was Field’s problem?”
“You alright?” I asked, coming over.
“Fine, that idiot Field Goal came out of the office and almost ran me over.”
Field Goal...could he have...oh no!
I sped out of the school, leaving behind some knocked down girls, the first one then yelled. “Not again!”
I strolled down the grimy streets, looking around cautiously. This place was dark, foreboding, and very run-down. I couldn’t see how a kid from this neighborhood was going to a school like Elk Ridge. I kept aware of my gun, at all times, ready to use it should I have to. This was a place where the lowest of the lowlives lurked. Trash littered the street, I could hear an argument off in the distance. Rowdy singing came from a distant pub, and I could hear cats fighting in the alley.
Not a neighborhood anypony would want to live in…
I looked down at the record again, looking at Evenstar’s life before my eyes. Poor kid was left at an orphanage years ago, plopped down from one foster home to another. Finally was kicked out of the system when he became a teenager, pretty much the deadline for an orphan…
I heard a crash over in the next alleyway, I then remembered that was where Even’s place was supposed to be. I rounded a corner and saw...Field Goal was punching a teenage batpony in the stomach. That had to be Evenstar…
He was average height, thin, with messy dark violet hair, a smokey grey coat and glasses covered by a pair of goggles. His Batpony features stood out too, big furry ears, a pair of leathery bat wings and small fangs I could see when he gasped for air after that last punch, his flank sported a cutie mark with a single slitted eye on it, a star surrounding it.
Field Goal wailed another punch into him while his two cronies held Evenstar against the wall. “What the hell did you do to my girlfriend you freak!? You were with her last!” He yelled.
“I told you,” Even replied, his voice still showing the peaks and valleys of adolescence. “I didn’t kill her!”
“You’re a liar! All of you batponies were killers!” Field shouted at him.
Even...smirked…”So, you do pay attention in history class after all...”
Field punched him again.
3 guys surrounding him, one beating him up, almost completely helpless, and he still has the time to snark…?
I like him.
“Just tell me why did you kill her!?” Field yelled.
“I didn’t kill her…” Evenstar said, “I had nothing to do with her dying…”
“Stop lying-” Field was about to punch him again…
I used my magic to yank out Golden Eagle, the old Flintlock charged to it’s lowest setting and fired a small jolt of lightning at Field, right in the flank.
Field yelped and the three jocks turned to me.
“Aw shit, it’s the cop!” One of his cronies said.
“Let’s scram!”
All three jocks left Evenstar on the ground and took off. I fired a few light jolts at them to give them more incentive. When they left, I holstered Golden Eagle, then turned to see Evenstar try to get up...where have I seen him before…?
I gently helped him to his hooves. “Easy now,” I said, “Those guys did a number on you…”
Even turned his head to me, and then slowly lifted his goggles, revealing a pair of slitted yellow eyes, “You’re...you’re Private Eye…”
“Bout time one of you teenagers recognized me.” I said to myself, dusting him off.
“I, I can’t believe you’re really here…” He said, “I mean...I couldn’t believe it when I saw you last time a few months ago…”
“Wait? Months ago?” I asked.
“I, was the one that saved you from that freaky knife stabbing filly.” Even said with a humble smile.
That’s where I’ve seen him before! He was the pony that saved me from Scarlet! But...hold on Private he’s still a suspect…
“Evenstar, I presume?” I asked.
Even slowly nodded, “Yeah, that’s me, Evenstar, local batpony freak and the only one who’s trying to figure out what’s really going on....”
“You know something about what’s happening?” I asked. “Were you with Star Flare?”
“Yeah, but for different reasons,” He replied. “I was trying to find out why she was leaving so suddenly! I wasn’t going to kill her! I didn’t even speak to her before that day!”
“Why did you seek her out?” I asked.
“If you think it was because I had a sicko crush on the mare, that ain’t it! I didn’t even like her!” Evenstar said frantically.
“Hold up, calm down…” I said.
Evenstar took a deep breath, and then let it out, flapping his wings a little. “Private Eye...listen...the truth is...I need your help...I think I know what happened in that alleyway…”
“what happened?” I asked, eager for an answer.
“I think,” He gulped a little, as if the answer scared him. “I think Field Goal killed Star Flare…”
Evenstar’s statement racked in my brain all the way towards his ‘home’ well, calling it that would’ve given the place too much credit. Even led me further down the alleyway and moved aside a loose set of boards into an old building. The building looked like it should’ve been torn down months ago, if not years. Large, drafty, holes in the ceiling and walls showcased the abandoned feel of this dank building. The walls were stained with years of water leakage, and the place smelled musty, and slightly mouldy.
Even’s ‘room’ I guess we could call it, only held a small bed with an old mattress on it, some blankets and an old lamp next to it, sitting on a stool. I could see some personal effects, some clothes, old books that looked like they’ve seen the inside of a dumpster at least twice, and action figures that had been broken and lovingly restored.
“It’s... not really much,” Even said, scooting over an old chair over for me to sit on.
“You’re right, it isn’t,” I said, going to sit down on the old chair and feeling like I sat on one of Pinkie’s cakes. Even took a seat on the bed and his yellow eyes seemed rather uncertain of how to approach me.
I decided to take the first step, “So, you think that Field Goal was the one?”
Even nodded slowly, “Yeah, at least, that’s what it looked like.”
“Why didn’t you come forward to somepony?” I asked.
He smirked. “Yeah? You saw those jerks out there, one look at me and everypony would automatically assume I’m the killer. Thought you were supposed to be the detective.”
“Bit of a wordy guy aren’t ya?” I asked, trying not to smile at the snark.
“Had to be.” Was all Even said to answer that, before looking down at the old mattress.
I, was never comfortable around teenagers, even when I was one. Too many variables, hormones, and angst for my taste. But, something about this kid rang with me. There was familiar pain behind that sharp front he tried to give.
“So, what makes you think Field Goal killed her?” I asked.
“Cuz, I saw them…” Even said with a small gulp.
“You’re a witness?” I asked, a little surprised.
“Yeah, I am.” He said, and looked at me. “Guess I should start at the beginning, how I knew them both…”
“Actually, I think you have a much bigger story than just the murder.” I said, smiling a little.
“What do you care abou-”
“Do I need a reason to care?” I interrupted.
“Well, most ponies should have a reason to care about somepony…” Evenstar said, a mild glare coming on. “most don’t really have the best intentions for everypony.”
“You haven’t met the ponies I’ve hanged out with then.” I chuckled a little to myself. “So, tell me about yourself Even, all of it.”
Even sighed, “Well, as you can see, I’m a batpony.”
“That much is obvious,” I answered “you’re not from the Stygian Cove?”
“No, my mom was though,” Even answered, “She, was the batpony…”
I blinked, and it clicked into my head. “You’re a hybrid?”
“Yeah, Dad was a pegasus, Mom was a batpony,” He said, as if he had said this a thousand times.
“Both died then,” I said, recalling his record.
“Yeah, don’t know much about how Mom died, she was going back to the Stygian Cove right after I was born, didn’t come back,” Even stated, rather simply.
“And your dad?” I asked.
“Died too, cancer,” Even said, again, simply.
“And you’ve been living on your own ever since?” I asked.
“Yeah,” He answered, as if he’s been asked these questions a lot of times before. It was obvious he was losing patience with my line of inquiry.
Teenagers…
“Is there a point to all this?” He finally asked. “Or are you just going to do what every damn guidance counselor or handler has done before you? Just ask the same stupid questions to try and poke and prod out of me the perfect little orphan story you want?”
“Maybe,” I said, keeping my cool.
“How the hell is this supposed to help with Star Flare?” He asked, an edge in his voice as he looked up at me.
“You tell me,” I said firmly.
“Well I don’t get it, so far you’ve been just like every other pony I’ve ever met…” He grumbled.
“And that would be…?”
“Condescending, either you want me as the sad little orphan who spins a stupidly tragic tale about how my parents got axed and I have to act all sweet and meek. Or, you want me as the delinquent, to prove that all batponies are the same rotten little shits if they don’t fall in line!” He got up and walked over to me, glaring at me. “So which is it? Why don’t you just come out and say it?”
I simply straightened my hat, smoothed my trenchcoat and said, “Neither.”
“What?” Even blinked, a little shocked.
“Thanks for telling me so much about you.”
“But I ju-”
“Just told me that you’ve been getting the short end of the stick ever since you’ve been on your own. Judging by the shabby state of this place you probably live from dumpster to dumpster. You’ve heard all my questions before a billion times which tells me you were shunted from one foster home after another with little success, probably weren’t a troublemaker but were probably blamed for every little thing due to your heritage. On top of that, you’re fiercely stubborn and loyal to the truth, either that or you were the stupidest stallion in the world for standing up to three jocks and still using that smart mouth of yours.” I smiled at his rather dumbfounded expression. “Am I wrong?”
“No, you...got everything right…” He said, blinking at that.
“It’s not what you said, it’s how you said it. Apparently I’m the only one who’s actually listened to you, and paid attention,” I uttered with a shrug.
Even slumped down onto his haunches and looked down, “I…”
“Don’t need to apologize,” I said curtly. “You’ve got nothing to be sorry for.”
“So, what was the point of all that?” He asked. “I didn’t even tell you about Star Flare.”
“No you didn’t, but I needed to know if you were telling the truth. And, I needed to show you that I would listen and not just put everything in a little box. Ignoring all aspects of testimony puts you is what puts you on Clippers level.”
“Who’s Clippers?”
“Dumbass who probably would’ve treated you like every other teenaged Bat pony.” I replied curtly. “So now, why don’t you tell me how you know Star Flare first?”
Even nodded slowly, his eyes probably still taking in the fact somepony is actually listening to him. He finally spoke up, “Well, to be honest we didn’t know each other that well. We were in two different worlds as you can imagine. She was the super popular cheerleader, the one who would be singing Popular in ‘Despicable’”
My eyes widened at that.
“What?” He asked.
“A, teeanger made a ‘Despicable’ reference…” I said, dumbfounded.
“What? I sneak into plays occasionally,” He said, shrugging. “Everypony looks at the stage and not up.”
I smiled at that. “Anyways, back to Miss Popular.”
“Yeah, she didn’t give me the time of day, I wouldn’t either, not into blondes. One day though, she just up and leaves school for no reason. At first I just figured she changed schools or something. Then she came back and she was, different…”
“Different how?” I asked.
“Well, she was less flighty, lot more quiet. In the few times I was at school she would call me ‘dork’ or ‘freak’ or something. But, she didn’t even look up as we passed by a few weeks ago,” Even said. “So then, I started trying to talk to her. Not easy all things considered, but every time I tried to get an answer out of her she would just shuffle away and head to Guideline’s office.”
“Guideline? The rather snotty student counselor?” I asked.
“Yeah, that’s her,” Even replied. “I tried investigating her too, and started listening in on some of the students who visited her.” He gestured to his furry ears. “These things can pick up just about anything.”
“Even in a city as big and busy as Manehatten?” I asked.
“Yeah, you get used to the noise after a while. Anyways, I found out the students all had very similar things to say about the visits. They kept on saying stuff like ‘she totally gets me’ or ‘I just needed somepony to listen too’.”
“And what’s so strange about that?” I asked “Sounds pretty typical of ponies visiting a counselor.”
“The thing was it was too typical, like, I started to notice them repeating phrases when asked, like somepony programed them or something…”
“And you think this had something to do with Star Flare?”
“Well, I tried to confront Guideline about it, next thing I know she tried to do something, weird to me, I bailed out as soon as she tried though. She did seem real anxious for me to stop asking questions. So, one night I decided to follow Star Flare home, just to make sure she was okay. Then she comes out of her house with a big basket, I followed her to an alleyway, it was really pouring that night so it was hard to see. I then saw her put the basket in the dumpster, she then called and then, I saw somepony shoot her. I tried to rush in to stop them but I was too late…” He said, looking down.
“Did you get a good look at who did it?” I asked.
“No, not really, but, I did see a glimpse, rain kind of stopped me from really seeing him, but my night vision is still pretty good. I saw it was Field Goal. He ran away quickly after that and well..” He shook his head. “It’s, weird, I don’t remember what I did after that…”
“You don’t remember what happened?”
“Yeah, it like, was a total blank after that. When I woke up I was in an alleyway ‘bout a block down, just left there.”
This is weird...Even isn’t lying I can tell. He doesn’t really remember. This won’t hold up in court if-
Why am I hearing sirens out-
Oh no…
I peeked outside the boards outside and saw police carriages had pulled up in front of Even’s home. The carriages were all lined up to block off any means of running off. Several officers carried guns too and right in front of them all, was Insight. Chief, Insight.
He held a megaphone to his lips with his magic, steely blue eyes showing just how uncompromising he always was. “Give it up kid!” He yelled into it. “We have your building surrounded and there’s no way to fly out either! We got pegasi on the roof if you try anything!”
“What’s going on?” Even asked.
I turned to him, my face dead serious. “Even, there are police outside. They are going to take you in.”
“But I di-”
“Insight doesn’t care.” I said firmly. “Do not say anything to them, just come quietly and I’ll handle Insight. If the cops ask you anything, just say you want a lawyer and stick to that. Do not tell them anything. They can’t touch you if you don’t say anything.”
For the first time since I saw him, Evenstar actually looked afraid. I could tell this was every kid on the street’s worst nightmare. I put a hoof on his shoulder and said, “I know you didn’t do it, I’m going to find out who did kill Star Flare and prove your innocence.”
“Why are you doing this?” Even asked. “Like, really why are you doing this for somepony as worthless as me?”
I smiled, “Everypony is worth something.”
I gently moved the boards out of the way, the cops faltered a bit at the sight of me coming out with Even. I glared at Insight, “It’s alright, he won’t hurt anypony. In fact he probably never hurt anypony.”
“Typical Private Eye, I should’ve known you’d be involved in this.” Insight growled, coming up with a pair of cops. “Well either way, it seems we can finally bag this murder for sure this time.”
“I thought you wanted to peg this on a suicide.” I replied back.
“I was going to, but then some little batpony had to shove himself into the case. Perfect motive, perfect victim, honestly I don’t care at this point about the potential international repercussions coming from arresting a bat pony. As it turns out this little waste of space is a citizen of Equestria by birth, so he’s subject to our laws.”
Even looked like he was about to give a biting remark, but one look from me stopped him.
“Once again you’re biting the low hanging fruit.” I snidely said. “Even wasn’t the one who killed Star Flare, in fact he may be a witness.” “I’m sure that’s what you want us to think, so you can stall and stop the real detectives from doing our jobs,” Insight growled. Then he turned to his escort of cops. “Take the brat in, we’ll have our guilty verdict by dinner…”
Even struggled when the guards tried to grab him. I gave him a reassuring look and Even let out a breath, and came quietly. My heart broke a little when I saw him quietly moving into the police carriage…
“As for you, you are coming to the station…” He said, glaring at me.
“You can’t do that...Princess Celesti-”
“Isn’t here right now,” He said firmly. “Neither is Princess Twilight, so you’re out of luck. Plus, you’re a potential witness and/or conspirer in all this.”
“Once again you think I’m a criminal?”
“I never stopped thinking you were a criminal. You prance around like you own the place. You act like the real police are just there to serve you. Shinebadge may have put up with you, but I won’t. Cuff him you fools,” He ordered.
The two cops looked a little reluctant. “Sir,” One said, “This guy helped save my cousin when that Bolt freak was attacking the Wonderbolt Academy…”
“Are you questioning m-”
“It’s okay Insight, I’ll walk…” I said, crassly. “And if you do anything to hurt Even, I’ll make sure everypony knows about it…”
The sheer look on Insight’s face was enough to justify the long walk to the station.
The interrogation room was typically sparse. Just a table, four chairs, a two-way mirror off to the side, and nothing else. Recording equipment was probably built into the place, but it was unseen. And I was sure that somepony had installed an override button somewhere on the police’s side, so they could… more thoroughly interrogate a suspect. No witnesses, no crime, and the police could say the perp fell. In a city like Manehatten a lot of the local judges didn’t care if a suspect was a little bruised. The walls were painted a soothing blue, to try and get a perp to relax, not that would work.
I sat perfectly straight in the chair. Insight and another officer I didn’t recognize were sitting opposite me. It had been about ten minutes since my ‘interrogation’ started and so far Insight had gotten nothing that he wanted out of me.
“You were with the suspect!” Insight yelled at me.
“I didn’t know he was the suspect at the time.” I replied.
“You had no right to investigate this case and you know it!”
“All I know is that I do have a right. As a servant of Celestia, and a private detective I’m well within my rights. My client is Principal Standard, and as I’ve said a dozen times before, you can call her and all of this would be cleared up.”
Insight growled.
“How is Even by the way?” I asked.
“Apparently he did get a lawyer…” Insight growled again. “Sanda Bolt, one of the lawyers who you probably used your one phone call to contact.”
“Sanda is a good friend, and a damn good lawyer, the best. Even is in safe hooves.”
“You think you can just walk away from all this?” Insight yelled. “You think you can jus-”
“Yes I can, as I’ve stated at least seven times, yes I can come to your crime scene. Yes I can ask what’s going on because I’m a private detective that was hired by Principal Standard. Yes I can talk to a potential witness which you stupidly treat like a suspect. And no, I am not going to be intimidated by a chief who couldn’t find a killer if they stood in the middle of Manehatten and shouted ‘I’M THE KILLER’ with a megaphone.”
Insight didn’t speak after that, just left the interrogation room with his cop and shouted obscenities on the other side. I casually walked out after him, leaving him to yell at the other cops and promptly blame everypony except himself for all this. As I was going however, I noticed Yang walking by with a small purse in a plastic bag.
“What’s that?” I asked.
“Oh?” She looked over at me. “Hey Private, we found this thing near the crime scene, it was wet so we figured it probably belongs to a potential witness.”
“Because it’s wet?”
“It rained big last night. Like, right as the murder was happening. So, I’m guessing this belongs to somepony who was there and dropped it.”
“Can I have a look?”
“And potentially piss off my boss?”
“Yes?”
She smirked, and slid it over to me. “Go ahead.”
I looked over at the purse, it looked hoof made, very fine work...but it was the name that got me...it seemed so familiar…
One look in the phonebook led me to one Coco Pommel’s address. Well, specifically, her design studio. Turns out Miss Pommel was an aspiring fashion designer as well, but hasn’t quite made her break yet. All of this I gathered from the smallish building in front of me. It was a small storefront, with some very well-made fashions on display, with a discrete sign on the front of the shop. It had her name, of course, and advertised that she also did theatrical costuming. Some of the design elements, and some of the decoration on the storefront reminded me of Rarity’s design style, but not as overblown and baroque as the Carousel Boutique.
I gently pushed open the door, the bell rang, signaling my arrival. I looked over as...no way! A cream colored mare, with a cute little purple sailor collar, and two-tone turquoise hair, with the softest, and kindest turquoise eyes that anypony’s seen this side of Fluttershy. She wore a flower in her mane, and her cutie mark was a rather stylish hat.
Almost exactly how Potso described that mare...it can’t be…
“May I help you sir?” She asked kindly.
“Um, sorry,” I said, refocusing. “I’m Private Eye, a detective investigating the murder that happened up near Elk Ridge High School.”
“Oh my gosh, you’re the Private Eye? As in Rarity’s friend?” She asked, getting a little starry eyed.
“You know Rarity?” I asked, a little surprised.
“Yes! She helped me get away from my mean former boss Suri Polomare.”
Polomare, now that name I’ve heard before. Heard rumors of some shady business going on with that mare. Thank Celestia Rarity was able to get this mare away from Suri.
“Rarity also helped me get my break into theatrical costuming. I worked on the costumes for ‘Hinny of the Hills’. I’ve been asked to do the costumes for ‘The Tiger Queen’, ‘The Mare and the Monster’, and even ‘Despicable’. I’ve got some great ideas for that one. They never made the clothes look like proper boarding school uniforms, honestly…” Coco continued, looking thoughtful.
They must’ve met when Rarity was here for Fashion Week. I haven’t heard much from Twilight since I got here. She sounded rather tired on the phone, to be honest. Even so, it sounds like an adventure I’ll have to ask about.
“Anyways,” She continued. “You said something about a murder?”
“Yes, a murder that occurred last night, we found your purse at the crime scene.” I said.
Coco looked thoughtful for a moment, then her eyes grew wide. “Oh my gosh! That was a murder going on!?”
“So you were a witness,” I said, pulling out my notebook. “Tell me everything.”
She nodded and began her story. “I was picking up a late order of fabrics last night. I remember running home quickly because of the rain. I tried to take a shortcut through the alleyway, that’s when I heard yelling.”
“Did you see who was there?” I asked.
Coco started to look frightened as she recalled what happened. “I remember, there were two ponies standing over two ponies lying on the ground. I didn’t get a good look because it was so dark. One of them was a really big muscular pony, the other was a mare, kind of skinny.”
“The ones on the ground?”
“No, the ones standing up and arguing.” Coco said. “They were in a very heated argument over the two ponies laying down on the ground. I didn’t see who the ones on the ground were, but neither of them were moving…” She started tearing up. “Oh my gosh, did I witness a murder and...just…”
“Hey, don’t go getting worked up…” I said reassuringly. I reached into my trenchcoat and levitated out a hanky for her. She blew on it and wiped her cute blue eyes.
“Sorry, *sniff*” She said, still a little teary. “I, after I saw the pair, they noticed me and the mare started yelling. I turned and ran off, dropping my purse. I didn’t even look back until I was in my shop. Oh my gosh I feel so terrible about all this. I should’ve come forward to the police but I…”
“Again, don’t fuss up over it.” I said, trying to be gentle. “You were just scared. Anyways, did you catch a glimpse of the mare or the stallion? Even a little tidbit?”
“I… The stallion had a brown coat, and also I remember the mare was wearing, a weird little hairclip, I saw it when lightning flashed for a brief moment. It had, a tiny little bat on it.”
Like the one found at the crime scene!
The pieces were starting to form together...I just needed to clear one thing up before I head back to Insight with our killer.
“Um, before I go Miss Pommel, can I ask you something?”
“Of course Private, and please, just Coco is okay,” She said with a smile.
“Did you...ever meet a rather portly stallion at a train station about ten years ago?” I asked, a little nervously.
Coco started smiling brightly and blushed a little. “Oh yes, I did, and he was just the most handsome stallion I had ever seen. I never forgot the first time I saw him. Him with his bright red coat, a cute little mustache just growing in, and that Bitalion accent he had was just music to my ears when I heard him talk with his family.” She blinked and then said, “Why do you ask?”
“Just uh,” I said, trying to reel in my shock.”Stop by Ponyville when you can. Specifically the Pizzeria that opened a few months ago. I have it on good word you’ll find who you’re looking for.”
“Really? Do… do you know him? Oh my! I hope I do get to meet him,” she gushed, blushing all the more. “He seemed so nice, and caring… And I have been meaning to visit Rarity. She talked glowingly about Ponyville being so very inspirational. Maybe I could take a vacation, after I finish my theatrical jobs…”
I left the fashion studio, leaving behind a smiling and giddy Coco.
I returned to the police station to find it once again swarming with activity. I could hear Insight shouting obscenities from his office. Something about the perfect suspect down the drain, but with a lot more curse words sprinkled into the sentence to make it positively unprintable without some serious editing or bleeping. I was thankful no foals were nearby to hear. I then saw Yang pop out of the office, shaking her head a disgusted look on her face. She took a look at me and waved, “Hey Private, nice to see you again.”
“Insight still pissed at the thrashing I gave him?” I asked.
“No but that had him pretty mad before we found out an awesome clue. Turns out, Even has absolutely zero motive for killing Star Flair.”
My eyes grew wide. “How did you find it out?”
“I got the DNA results back from my friend who works at the nurse’s office. Turns out, Even isn’t the father at all.” She reached into her saddlebag and pulled out a form. “Says here that the batpony DNA didn’t belong to Even.”
Even isn’t the father. That’s a relief but it raises so many questions. Who is the father?
“So? What did you find out?” She asked.
“A witness testified to seeing what happened last night. Her name is Coco Pommel, you can find her over on 5th and Parnel, little fashion studio. She’s the one who left the purse behind,” I answered.
“I’ll get uniforms to pick her up for her official statement.” Yang said. “By the way, Forceps wanted to see you about something. Said he found something interesting about Star’s body.”
The morgue was the coolest area in the station. The wall was covered with doors where bodies would be stored. Tables stood in the middle of the room, where autopsies were performed, counters lined the walls, and cabinets was where some if the tools of the trade were stored. It was white, clean and very sterile, because, currently there were no bodies on the tables, thank goodness. There are some ponies that are fascinated with this sort of thing. Guess coroners had to come from somewhere, but I was always grossed out by autopsies. No clue why.
Forceps used his magic to gently unveil Star’s corpse. Death had marred what was once a pretty teenaged mare. Forceps looked up at me from across the table. “I was doing my standard look over little miss stiffy here, when I found out something truly bizarre given the nature of the case.”
“Aside from it not being a suicide?” I asked.
“Oh no. I got a real kicker of telling Insight that.” The old unicorn said with a chuckle. “No, the strange part is there is no possible way she could’ve conceived that little foal.”
“Uh? What are you getting at, Forceps?” I asked.
“Well, because frankly, this lady is a virgin.” Forceps said.
“Wait?! What?!” I yelled. “You’re telling me this mare is a virgin!? How did you-”
“Well, I cut her open and look in he-”
“Forget I asked that part,” I said, not wanting to think about Forceps at work. “But, she and the foal have the same color coat.”
“That’s what we thought,” Forceps opened a file and pulled out a picture. “Somebody did a coat dying spell on the little thing. It was through so we couldn’t pick it out at first.” He brought it over to me, “This is what the feller’s real coat looks like.”
I looked at the picture, and my eyes went wide. The pieces started to fall together...
Principal Standard was pacing in her office, glaring at Field Goal.
“Mister Goal, proper ponies do not allow their prejudices, and tribalism guide their actions. This is neither a democracy, nor will I allow this school to descend into the chaos of mob rule. If there was hard evidence for Evenstar to have committed the murder, he would have been turned over to the police. Not turned over to you, and your cronies, so you may form a lynch mob. You, Mister Goal, are suspended for two weeks, and will be barred from any sporting activities until you learn not to judge ponies because they are not exactly like you, do you understand?”
“But Mrs. Standard! He totally killed my girlfriend! He was there at the crime scene! Everypony knows he’s the-”
“Actually Mr. Goal, I think you are sorrily mistaken.” I said as I came in.
Field Goal looked up at me in shock. “Oh man! Look don’t shock me again dude!”
“No, I’m here to take care of a few things,” I said, coming face to face with him.
“Private what is this all about? I am already suspending him,” Standard said.
“Yeah? Well, I’m arresting him…”
“Look man! I didn’t kill the guy! We were just going to beat him up!” Goal shouted.
“Not that, there are some things about your story that just don’t add up. I have a witness that puts you at the scene of the crime. Also, where were you last night?” I asked pointedly.
“I was at football practice!” He yelled back.
“Yet Football practice gets off before Star Flare made the call,” I said.
“Wait? You saying that Star Flare called before she died!?” He said. “What did she say?”
I closed my eyes and said, “She was calling 911, in the hopes somepony would pick up her foal…”
Field Goal’s face went from shock, to contemplation, to absolute rage. “THAT BATPONY BASTARD KNOCKED UP MY GIRL! No wonder she disappeared! It was to hide her being pregnant from her parents! They have no idea she got raped by that bastard! I’ll kill him this time!”
“Private? Are you certain this is what happened? Even is the father?” Standard asked worriedly.
I shook my head…”No, the Foal doesn’t belong to Even. In fact, it doesn’t belong to Star Flare either...the foal had a red coat that was dyed using magic. It threw us off the scent for a while. But you can’t fool a well done DNA test.”
“Wait, you’re not making sense dude, you’re saying Star Flare didn’t get raped?” He asked.
“No, in fact she died a virgin…” I said firmly.
Field Goal looked down, and shook his head, “She, always said we were gonna wait till marriage…”
“So, if the baby isn’t Even or Star’s, then whose is it?” Standard asked.
I reached into my trenchcoat, and held out the picture. The picture showed the foal, with tubes attached to her to keep her little lungs going. But her coat...was distinctly brown…
“It’s yours, Field. You are the father of the foal.”
Field Goal looked at me in utter shock, and backed into the wall behind him. “Wait, no, you guys can’t be serious! I didn’t, that foal can’t be mine!” He yelled.
“It has to be,” I said, pulling out some of the baby’s mane in a plastic bag. I used my DNA spell on it, it glowed green, and Field Goal started glowing faintly green. Sign of partial DNA in him. “There’s no doubt about it, you’re the father.”
“But, this is insane!” He said, putting his hooves to his forehead. “I’ve never, slept with anypony. Nopony, this just doesn’t make any sense. How can I be the father?! I’ve never even touched another mare since Star Flare and I hooked up…”
“Dear, did you ever…” Standard started to suggest.
“No! I would never cheat on Star Flare! I loved her more than anything!” He then turned to me. “Look man, you gotta believe me! I’d never...I…”
“Yes, you are the father. So that leaves the mother as the murderer…” I said.
“But, I..”
“Yes, you were loyal to Star Flare, and never touched another mare. But, somepony had to have carried that foal. And somepony had to have done the deed with you in order for it to come to life.”
“Just what are you saying Private?” Standard asked.
“But, I’m not a batpony.” Field Goal pointed out. “So, how could it be part bat pony? None of my relatives are batponies at all.”
I then looked at him in the eye. “How about this? What do you know about Guideline.”
Field Goal stopped, then got a bit of a forced smile and said. “Oh, Guideline’s the best, she helped me with everything!”
“What is the meaning of this Private?” Standard asked. “What are you doing?”
“I’m proving Even’s theory.”
Field Goal shook his head, “What? What happened?”
“Yes Private, what is going on?” Standard asked.
“What’s going on is that Field here can’t remember his sessions with Guideline.”
“But, Guideline has been a loyal staff member for years.” Standard pointed out. “What does she have anything to do with this?”
“I don’t know exactly, but Even was investigating her just before he was arrested. Even knew something was up with Star Flare. And several other students that worked with Guideline. Field Goal was at the crime scene yet he claims he can’t remember. I’ve seen this kind of magic before, memory modification…”
“Somepony messed with my brain...and you’re saying it was Guideline?” Field Goal said, his face a picture of horror.
“Guideline..did take a long leave of absence for a while…” Standard said. “I thought it was just nerves from the job…”
“Where is she now?” I asked.
“She, went out for a walk, said she was going to get some fresh air…” Standard said, horrified.
Suddenly the phone rang. Standard picked it up, “Yes? Yes this is the place, no now is not a good ti-oh, yes he’s right here I’ll put him on.” She gave the phone to me. “It’s Officer Yang, she’s saying it’s urgent.”
I levitated the phone over. “Yang, we got a situation here, I need you to put-”
“There’s no time for that Private! We got a real emergency here!”
“Yang slow down, what happened?” I asked.
“Even was kidnapped out of his cell! Some of us were on break and when we came back, both of his guards were knocked out and there was a note left in his cell! Also one of the guns on the officers is missing!”
Even’s in danger?! What?!
“What did the note say?”
“It said, ‘Come to his house, alone’. What does that mean Private Eye? I thought you were going to nab our killer.”
“Our killer beat me to the punch, and she’s going to hurt Even if I don’t come alone.”
“Private, don’t be stupid! Tell us where he is and we’ll-”
“Sorry Yang, I gotta do this on my own. I won’t let anything happen to Even.”
“But Private, it’s our job just as much as it is yours to look out for him. I’m not as hard nosed as Insight. But I want to keep that boy safe as much as you do!”
I sighed, man, Yang can be a bit to handle. “Alright, I’ll give you the address but give me some time. She may try something.”
“You think you can handle her?”
“No, but I feel I got backup, so that’s something…”
It was quiet when I entered Even’s little home. The moonlight peeked it’s way into the abandoned building. I entered quietly, Blackhawk at the ready.
“That’s far enough!”
The lights turned on, and standing before me was Guideline, holding a police issue pistol in her magic. The glock was pointed at Even’s head as he sat there, tied to a chair. Judging by the injuries he put up a fight.
She smirked, smug in her victory. “Put aside your weapons Private Eye, unless you want this brat to get hurt.”
“Forget me Private! Shoot this bitch!” Even yelled.
Guideline frowned and smacked Even with the gun. “That’s enough out of you! You talking has gotten me into enough trouble already!”
“Alright! That’s enough!” I said, using my magic to set Blackhawk on the floor.
“Kick it away!” she demanded.
“I’ll just pick it up with magic anyway.” I pointed out.
“Do you want to see his brains on the floor!?” She yelled, pressing the barrel to Even’s head.
“Fine, just take it easy.” I said, kicking Blackhawk away.
“So, it’s come down to this, detective. You’ve been quite the little thorn in my side. Though not nearly as bad as this filthy brat.”
“Seems your true colors are showing Guideline,” I said, keeping my eyes on her. “You aren’t exactly the perfect Guidance Counselor everypony said you were.”
“Oh no, hardly. Do you realize how irritating my job is?! I have to listen day in and day out to some brats whining about grades or boyfriends! None of them know how hard real life is! All they want to talk about is their problems!”
“Kind of your job to listen…” Even snarked.
“So, I decided to use my daddy’s old gifts…” She said.
“Yeah, you have a batpony father and a unicorn mother. I’m guessing your powers came from the mixture of those two bloods…” I said.
“So,” She put her magic around her shades. “You’ve discovered my secret.”
She tossed aside her shades, revealing a set of yellow slitted eyes, Even’s eyes went wide. He looked to me, “She’s a…”
“Yeah, Field Goal was definitely the father of the foal, so that must mean you’re…” I said, glaring at her.
Guideline laughed. “Yes indeed, I’m the mother of that brat.. Everything was so perfect. I discovered my power to influence the minds of those little brats. Once in a while, I would get bored and decide that those little brats should give me exactly what I deserve for putting up with their whining!”
“You...oh Celestia…” Even said, a horrified expression on his face.
“But Field Goal made the mistake of impregnating me. I couldn't’ kill it because Celestia had that misguided and foolish idea that all life is precious. So I came up with the perfect story. Dear Star Flare would have been impregnated either by Field Goal who loved her, or Even, who was a foul batpony who longed for something above his station.”
“Only we stopped you…” Even said.
“IT WAS ALL PERFECT!” She yelled. “If everypony would just have fallen in line! Everything would’ve been fine! But you two miserable stallions had to stick your nose into things!”
“You do realize you just incriminate yourself.” I said firmly. “I have a witness that could put you out of a lineup. As well as a hairclip that dna will show belongs to you. You’re stuck at the scene of the crime.”
She grinned evilly. “Not if you fix everything…”
I frowned.
Suddenly her eyes grew hugely wide, and I felt my brain being attacked directly. I yelled in pain as voices in my head rang like bells in a steeple.
Arrest Even!
He did it!
You saw him!
Guideline is innocent!
The witness is lying!
OBEY ME!!!
“Yes! With this you will incriminate Evenstar! Everything will come out at last! I’ll disappear and nopony will believe you Evenstar!” Even...smirked. “Not unless they hear this..”
“WHAT!?” She yelled,
Even flicked his ears, and a bug fell out of it. “Snatched it from a friend of mine...I knew from the start you would try to pull something like this...now everypony will know exactly what you’ve been doing to the ponies at my school…”
I shook my head as Guideline’s concentration wavered. “No...no everything was to be perfect…”
“Not quite…” I reached into my trenchcoat with my magic and pulled out a flashlight, I then shined it right into her eyes. My hunch was right, she was still highly sensitive to light. She screamed in pain as I tackled her, knocking the Glock out of her magic. I glared down at her.
“Guideline I’m putting you under arrest for the murder of Star Flare, the rape of who knows how many students, and trying to kill my friend and frame him..” I smiled at Even.
For the first time since I met him...Even gave a real smile…
Yang and the rest of the force arrived just in time. A pair of cops were dragging Guideline away. At my advice they put a blindfold over her face to keep her from hypnotizing anypony. Even was seeing a doctor to get his wounds patched up from the fight he had with Guideline.
Yang smiled at me. “Nice job, we ran the DNA, turns out she really is the mother. She hypnotized Star Flare into thinking the foal was hers? How much of a witch can you get?”
“A very nasty one indeed.” I said, looking at Even with some concern. “How is he?”
“Eh, Doctors say he’ll be fine. Chief wants him sent to juvie, but somepony sent Even a damn good lawyer. Got all the charges cleared.” She smirked at me. “You wouldn’t have had anything to do with that now would you?”
“Nope, just doing my duty.” I said with a smile back.
Yang smiled and went to talk with some other uniforms. I looked over and saw Field Goal coming. He looked utterly miserable. “Hey uh, Detective...thanks, for everything.”
“No problem,” I said with a smile.
“I still can’t believe it, Guideline murdered Star Flare, with my help..”
“Hey, it wasn’t your fault.” I said, putting a hoof on the teenager’s shoulder. “You were hypnotized. You didn’t know what you were doing.”
“Still though,” He sighed, then asked, “What’s going to happen to the foal?”
“Well, she’ll be brought into adoption, I know a good few places she could end up.” I tried to reassure him.
He shook his head, “No, I think it’s right if I look after her, man.”
My eyes grew wide, “You’re a teenaged jock, and you expect to be able to handle a foal all by yourself?”
“Well, something about today has made me realize, I don’t wanna be anypony’s chump again. I want to, at least, do something to help that filly I brought into this world ya know?” He said, earnestly.
I sighed. “Alright, talk to Officer Yang, she’ll at least get you started.”
“Thanks detective, I won’t forget this.” He said with a smile as he ran off to see Yang.
He’ll be alright, I’m sure of it.
“EYE!!!!”
Me on the other hoof…
Stomping over to me with a look that would make even Angel pee his fur, was Insight. He glared at me. “YOU! You are coming to the precinct! Now!”
“What? So I can prove you wrong again? Need I remind you it was your shoddy security that caused Even to get kidnapped in the first place?” I said, trying not to sound smug.
“You think you’re all that, Private Eye?! This is going to be a disaster! Do you realize how much of an uproar this is going to cause once all those parents find out that Guideline could’ve done to their kids?!” He yelled.
“Good, let them find out. Let them find out that it took a batpony teenager to find out what a bunch of Equestria’s finest couldn’t in the name of solving a case quickly, and sweeping it under the rug. If it wasn’t for me, Even would’ve been in juvie, Guideline would’ve been off scott free, and who knows what would’ve happened to the foal.”
Insight growled.
“If anything, you should be thanking me. Instead of trying to preserve my reputation, I went out in search of the truth. And now Guideline’s in prison, Even is free, and the foal at least has a father to look out for her. So, waiting for that thank you Insight.”
He growled even louder. “You think you’re so smart?! You think just because you solve a few cases you get to walk all over me!? You are making me, and the entire Equestrian Police Force look like incompetents! Never mind all the disharmony you are causing! You may have won this round. But one day everypony will see you for who you really are! A smug, lying, immeasurably arrogant brat of a detective who has no idea how to handle his betters!”
I allowed my expression to get smug. “You, and a lot of other ponies I met keep using that word, ‘betters’ I don’t think it means what you all think it means…”
And with that, I strutted away, leaving Insight utterly enraged.
Even came up to me, some bandages on some spots. He smiled, “Thanks Private, really…”
“Don’t thank me, it was you who got this case rolling.” I said, smiling.
He looked down, “Wish I could’ve saved Star Flare though.”
I put a hoof on his shoulder, “Hey, you did better than most. In fact, you did very well, nice trick with the bug there.”
“They never think to look for listening devices on hostages do they?” Even said, tilting his head.
“Nope, and it’s one of the reasons I’m still breathing.” I said, we both laughed a little.
“So, what’s going to happen to you now?” I asked.
He shook his head, “I dunno, when parents find out I was involved, it won’t matter that I’m innocent. And, well, now everypony knows where I live, cuz it’s a crime scene.”
“You really have nowhere else to go?” I asked.
“No, no I don’t.” He said, his wings drooping a little.
I…
Well, he was good...real good…
With, time and training he could…
Nah Private you don’t have what Fenlock had…
But...he needed a home…
I smiled and said, “Come to Ponyville.”
“Hicksville?” Even said, tilting his head again. “You can’t be serious.”
“I am serious, Even, I’m going to extend an offer to you. I’ll handle your transfer papers, and provide you with a roof over your head, an actual complete roof, if you agree to come to Ponyville and be my apprentice.”
His eyes grew wide as dinner plates. “Me? Your...but...I..”
“Huh, Fenlock used to say that was my reaction,” I said bemusingly.
“But, I’m no detective, I’m just a batpony.”
“Yet you solved this case, with a little of my help but still,” I replied. “With some proper training, you could be just as good as a detective as I am.”
“I can’t believe this.” He said, shaking his head.
“Believe it Even, it’s better than staying on the streets of Manehatten all day.”
Even looked down, and said, “Would... I be wanted there?”
“Hey,” I said, looking him in the eye. “Yeah, you will. I was wanted there, you’ll be too. Whether you like it or not.”
“I...well most of my stuff is evidence…”
“Good, means you won’t have to pack much,” I said, smiling. “Come on, we’ll catch the last train…
Even smiled wide, and spread his wings to fly after me. He looked down at me, “This is going to be great!”
“Yeah, Even I think this is the start of a very beautiful friendship.” I said with a smile.
“Casabucka? Man you are old.” Even said with a smirk.
Even was sitting beside me as the train made it’s way towards Ponyville. I slid into my chair, exhausted from the day. Luna’s moon hung in the sky, the stars shining brightly. Overall, it was a nice, quiet train ride back towards home.
Well, at least my home anyways, Even just stared outside as the rolling countryside passed through our window. I could tell that the kid was feeling nervous.
I finally spoke up, “You’ve never been outside Manehatten before?”
“No,” He said, his yellow eyes still looking on the world passing him by. “I’m one of those kids where, if you ask me to draw a map of Equestria, Manehatten would cover everything. Now, I’m on a train and Manehatten looks so small and far away.”
“You get used to it,” I said, and gave him a concerned look. “You can still head back you know, I’ll pay for your ticket.”
“No thanks,” He said, looking back at me. “I said I’d come to Ponyville, and well, I’m keeping that promise.”
“It’s not gonna be easy work,” I told him. “You’re gonna be in the line of fire quite a few times in my line of work.”
“Remind who saved who’s life when a psycho mare was about to stab him?” Even said, with a smirk.
“Point taken,” I said with a laugh.
Even turned back to looking out at the countryside. “You’re sure I won’t be too much trouble.”
“Well, so long as you’re happy with living in a library’s spare room.” I told him.
“You live in a library?” He asked.
“Well, my wife Twilight did for a while. Now we kinda sorta live in both the library and my house.”
“You ever think about getting just one place to stay?” He asked.
“Nah, nothing short of a lightning bolt from Celestia is gonna get Twilight to give up that library.”
Yes, and Insight is still on our leash. He’ll not be reporting us anytime soon.
Good, see that he knows who’s in charge.
I must ask again, how exactly is this necessary? I could easily-
You speak out of turn Spera, the only reason I tolerate your presence here is because you are one of the few that have gone up against my grandson and lived. But don’t think for a moment that gives you leave to do whatever you please.
Has he spoken to you lately?
Eager to change the subject our we? No, Malice has not spoken to me in a long while. Speaking to us in the mortal plane is...difficult for him.
Without reaching the attention of Celestia.
Exactly, that princess is growing more and more cunning in her placement of Private. She does not publicly speak of your crimes until she has had proof. The word of just one detective is hardly anything to go on.
You still believe her to know of our plan?
Oh, I know that she knows. In fact, it matters little in the end. My grandson is destined to fall, just as Prometheus did. And with that, everything will be put in it’s proper place.
Right, with you as king of Equestria, why am I not surprised?
You think it’s a kingdom I want? No, Equestria can burn for all I care.
Then why? You mentioned penance earlier…
Your memory is sharp…
Yes, now, what is this penance you speak of?
…
Adamus?
Did I ever tell you how I got my name?
No, though I can’t help but notice you are named after the first Earth Pony…
Yes...and the reason is very closely twined...to why I offer my legacy as a sacrifice….
Your legacy…?
Yes...for you see Spera, once all of this is over, I won’t be simply a king...I will be…
The train pulled away as Even and I stood on the platform at Ponyville station. While having some lights, Ponyville was still darker and quieter than Manehatten. I could hear crickets in the background. You can see the stars more clearly, and it’s beautiful.
Even sat there, his large ears moving this way and that. “It’s, quieter here, a lot quieter than Manehatten.”
“Just how good are your ears?” I asked.
“Pretty good…” He pointed towards Sugarcube Corner. “There’s a lot of noise coming from there. A lot of noisemakers and party balloons being blown up.”
Hm, sounds like Pinkie is getting ready for Rainbow’s birthday.
“Over there…” He points over to Sweet Apple Acres. “I can hear an older mare giving a bedtime story to a younger mare. Though I can’t make out their exact words.”
“You care hear all the way to over there?” I asked.
“If I focus enough, my ears don’t pick up everything at once, I’d go nuts otherwise. Batponies learn at a very young age how to, sort of sift through all the noise to focus on one thing.” He then pointed towards Vinyl and Octavia’s apartment. “Doesn’t help if something is very loud though. I keep hearing, ‘wub wub wub’ coming from in there...along with some rather...uh, intimate noises…”
“Oh, you’ll meet all of them soon enough.” I said with a smile. “Got quite the characters living here.”
“If they’re anything like that lady from the dress shop singing about frocks and rocks, then I’m in for a show,” Even snarked as we walked towards my place.
We came up to my small home. “You can stay on the couch tonight until we can get you settled at the library.” I said, “Twilight’s probably there now studying anyways. Something about Aj having a bat problem. So we’ll just sneak in here.”
“I don’t mind, anything’s better than an old mattress.” Even said as I rang the doorbell.
The door opened and out stepped Sparkler, Ditzy’s teenaged daughter. Hmm, come to think of it her and Even are about the same age. Her purple eyes shone as she smiled at me. “Hey Private, put Tailspin to bed a while ago.”
“Good to see you Sparkler.” I said, reaching into my wallet to give her some bits for her trouble.
“Hey thanks for the tip,” She replied. “College isn’t gonna pay for itself. Til I ace all the tests anyways.”
“You really are a relief to have Sparkler,” I replied. I suddenly realized we went five minutes without Even making a snarky comment.
Turns out, it’s cuz he was standing there staring at Sparkler like an idiot. Sparkler took notice of him and trotted over, offering a pink colored hoof. “Hey there, I’m Sparkler, haven’t seen you around here. You new?”
“Uh,” Even stammered, “Ye-yeah! I’m Evenstar! Nice to um-...” He then blinked. “You aren’t, freaked by seeing a batpony?”
“You kidding me?” Sparkler said with a laugh. “Between an alicorn, a changeling, and a draconequs all living within walking distance of my house, you’re the least freaky thing in this town.”
“Um, thanks.” He replied, his face aflush with nervousness.
“Hey, just pop by my place, I’ll give you the tour, I always like meeting new ponies.” She said, “Oh, but I gotta go now. Mom will worry if I stay out too late. See ya.” With that, she trotted away, leaving behind a staring Even.
“Nice going there ace,” I teased.
“HEY!” Even said, his face red.
“So you have another reason to stay in Ponyville it seems,” I said with a laugh.
“I-I..she was just nice is all,” Even said, trying to remain cool and failing miserably.
“Don’t worry, I’ll try to keep the teasing to a minimum, just don’t say anything in front of my sister in law Cadence. She’ll follow you until you practically propose to Sparkler.”
Ah, another day, another successful run at that my pizzaria. I was justa getting ready to close her up for the evening. My store felt barren and a little empty now that all the i clineti are gone. The bustle and the buzz of the day were replaced by the soft sounds of my broom on the floor.
I sighed, Linguini left me here, all alone while she went out with her amiches. To say that I would not be able to handle myself responsabilmente around them. The absolute nerve of my beloved sister.
But, I pressed on and sweeped the last bit of dust from the floor. I wiped my hoof over my brow, cleaning was such hard work. At the very least I didn’t have strange changeling mares invading my home. At the very least I know to launch the power of my accordion at them. Melt like mozzarella they do, every time…
Now, with everything clean I should-
*Ring*
A customer? At this hour?
“Perdonami, we are closed for the eveni-”
I dropped my broom in utter shock…
Standing in the door. I could not believe it was her! The teal mane, the cream colored coat, those bella turquoise eyes. She was even wearing that cute little collar with the mauve bow, and the carnation in her hair. It was the mare I saw so long ago. Am I dreaming? Did I bash myself with the broom while sweeping? My goodness, she was looking back at me with the same expression of surprise.
I had to say something, anything.
I cleared my throat and said, “Signora, we are closed at this hour. I was just cleaning up the shop…”
“Oh! Uhm… Sorry for the intrusion,” she said in a soft, sweet voice. “This… this may sound a bit… strange, but were you in the train station in Mainhatten… about ten years ago?”
“Ten years ago…” I replied.
It couldn’t be...am I truly dreaming? Or…
“Si signora...I was, going to pick up some of my familia. That’s, when, I saw a mare who looked just like you signora. I…” I felt myself turn even redder than-a any of my tomatoes. “I had not seen more-a beautiful mare in all my life…”
“Oh! So that was you,” She said beaming. “Uhm… I guess we should finally introduce ourselves… I’m meeting you again, for the first time, after all… I’m Coco. Coco Pommel.”
“Potso, Potso Roll,” I replied, beaming. It is true...it is her, and..she was not a dream as Private always said…
“Coco...shall we, how do you say...catch up?” I said, still very nervous.
“I’d love that, Potso,” Coco said blushing. “I… I could help you clean up, if you like… You know, while we talk?”