CHAPTER 1

Hey everypony. Drake here, and I'm finally back with the latest volume of 'One Pony's Tale: The Drake Chronicles'. As always, I want to thank those of you who have been following the story of Lt. Drake from the beginning. February 19th. That's when chapter one of volume one was posted. Four and a half months ago, and we're already at Volume 7. By Luna, it feels like ages ago, but it's only been a few months. At this rate, I'll probably have the entire saga done by Christmas. After which, I have many more MLP works. Comedies, grimdarks, crossovers and parodies. But for now, I hope you all enjoy Volume 7. Please review.

I was angry. No, I wasn't just angry. I was also distraught, desperate and edgy just thinking about my situation. Dashie and Budder stood at one side of the kitchen, knowing just by the look on my face, the volatile and dangerous situation we were all in. Of all the things that could befall us in our domestic life, this was one of the worst. As the situation worsened, I began to feel deeply worried about my mental health. How could I possibly survive this calamity? I groaned, and finally tossed the empty metal can across the room, landing it perfectly in the waste basket, removing its mocking presence from my sight.

"Drake?" Dashie said cautiously.

"Famine..." I muttered. "That's what it must be, guys...the Four Horses of the Apocalypse have been loosed, and they come delivering War, Famine, Pestilence and Death...a plague upon our house..."

"Bubby..." Budder nervously chimed in. "Calm down...it's only..."

"Only?" I interjected. "You realize angel...how bad this is? How can I ever hope to get anything done without coffee? How could we have forgotten the most important food item in the house?"

"Dude...chill." Dashie stated. "I know how much you love your coffee, but..." She sighed. "Look, if it's that big a deal, we can just go back to the store and get some coffee, you know?"

"Ugh..." I groaned. I pulled out a chair, and fell into it. I put my head on the dining table and waved my right hoof dismissively. "It's too far..."

"Geez, Drake..." Dashie sighed. "I think your sister's laziness is rubbing off on you." I heard Budder giggle.

"Dog days..." I sighed. "It's hot as Hell outside, and muggy to boot. Don't feel like doing anything. I'd go to the store again if I felt like walking that far. If I had some caffeine in my system, I'd feel like walking. But I don't. Because my brain defied me and forgot the damned coffee."

"Hot?" Budder asked. "Didn't you fight in the desert...back in your cavalry days?"

"That was dry heat." I said quickly. I looked up at my marefriend and my sister. They seemed to be somewhat enjoying my misery, like they were watching a play about a great pony falling from power because of a well-placed literary weakness in his character. "I'll go to the Up-All-Night down the road tonight and get some." I explained.

"Only you go to a store to buy coffee at night." Rainbow Dash commented.

"Best time to go shopping." I returned. "Nopony else in the stores." I yawned. I hate being out of coffee. It always gave me a headache. In fact, my head was pounding like the knocking at the door. Wait...

"Can you get that?" I asked, rubbing my temples. Dashie moved to answer the door, and my sister sat down beside me, and started petting my black mane comfortingly.

"Ah, my favorite detective..." A familiar voice greeted. I looked up to see Princess Luna standing in my kitchen. Now my head really hurt. My marefriend and my secret admirer were together in the same room.

"Your highness." I greeted back.

"Oh Drake, how oft must we ask you to call...me Luna?"

"Always once more." I said with a grin.

"Are you well?" Luna asked. "You look ill, Drake."

"He's out of coffee, Princess Luna." My sister answered. "To him, that's almost like being turned into a zombie."

"Oh, I see." Luna mused. "Well, we must fix that so we can speak." With that, Luna's horn lit up with an aura of magic, and with a small flash of dark blue light, a large mug of dark, hot coffee appeared in front of me. I stared at it in disbelief for a moment, then turned to the princess of the night.

"Oh, my beloved Princess...thank you!" I praised, taking the mug, and drinking a third of it quickly, replacing the missing caffeine in my system. Luna giggled.

"Huzzah! I have un-zombied Drake!" She jested. My sister laughed. "Would'st you three like to know why I have called now?" Luna asked.

"A case?" Dash asked.

"Maybe." I answered. I turned back to Luna. "Usually if there's a regular run-of-the-mill case, your sister is the one to pay us a visit. And you're not one for social calls, Your Highness. My guess is that it must be a case involving something of your particular domain."

"Ha. Your powers of deduction are as sharp as ever." Luna said proudly. "In fact, I do have a mystery for you three. Even your sister can lend her expertise in this case, perhaps." I glanced at Budder, who was now paying close attention.

"Is this a...supernatural case then?" I asked suspiciously.

"There is indeed a possibility of that." Luna replied. "Are you familiar with quartz mining?"

"I'm afraid not." I said.

"Well there are numerous quartz mines in the western territories of Equestria, and the one which has particular bearing to this mystery is one of the largest and most profitable. The mine has been turning out an impressive amount of quartz, which is used in clocks, watches, jewelry and numerous other things. Of late...the mine has been somewhat...abandoned."

"Okay...I don't like where this is going..." I sighed.

"Miners have reported hearing the most ghastly noises inside the mine, and a few even claim to have witnessed spirits. I say witnessed, but in fact...they were chased from the mine by the apparitions."

"Uh-huh." I said, not really excited to get tied up in another paranormal case. The last one nearly killed us, and I have a personal philosophy about going up against things I can't kill, injure, arrest, or at least threaten.

"Wait..." Budder spoke up. "Isn't quartz like...able to hold energy in it? And ghosts appear around places where there's a lot of quartz and stuff underground?"

"Very good!" Luna smiled. "My dear sister was right. You are becoming quite the expert on the paranormal." My sister smiled proudly.

"Uh-huh." I said again. "Any chance that it's not ghosts?"

"Well...therein is the crux, Drake." Luna explained as I took another drink of coffee. "If the paranormal activity in the mine is as strong as the workers have reported, I should have been able to sense a deep reservoir of spirit energy. Nearly everyplace has a certain degree of energy attached to it, including the mine, but not enough to warrant the amount of activity that has been going on there. Unless there is some sort of barrier to prevent anypony from sensing it, like was the case in the evil house you three defeated."

"Okay...so let me try to work this out, milady..." I stated. "Either the mine is infested with evil spirits out for blood, or somepony's trying to make everypony think it is, maybe in order to get control of the quartz for their own profit...sound about right?"

"Indeed."

"So we're either up against some two-bit land-swindlers in Nightmare Night costumes, or it's gonna be the Hell House all over again. Wonderful."

"I wouldn't have come to you if there was anypony else I could trust with this matter. If anypony can solve this mystery, it is you." Luna said with a slight bow of her head. "Will you take the case?"

"I can't deny a request from a friend in need." I replied. Luna smiled gratefully.

"And do not worry, Drake..." She added. "I will make sure you are paid handsomely for your work."

"I do not doubt that, your highness, and we will take the case." I said in an unenthusiastic tone.

"Is...something wrong, Drake?" Luna queried.

"Eh, this muggy, hot weather is killin' me." I complained. "Not only does it feel like a Turkeyish bath, but my old war wounds are achin'. You'd think I'm too young for arthritis, heheh." Luna's face fell.

"When you get back, I'll make sure to send my personal doctor to treat you." Luna said seriously.

"Aw now, don't make a fuss over me..." I waved. "It's just some aching bones."

"Of course I will make a fuss. You're not only the finest detective in all of Equestria, but a loyal friend and confidant. I do not like to hear of your feeling badly."

"You and me both." Budder agreed, starting to pet me again, with a worried look on her face.

"Ahh." I groused. "I'm alright. And at least we'll be heading out west..." Everypony looked at me questioningly a moment. "Out there, at least it's dry heat." I drained the cup of coffee and stood, stretching my joints. "Alright guys, better get us some bags packed. Princess, just tell us where to go, and how to get there, and we're on the job." I thought for a moment. "And guys, don't let me forget to buy some coffee."

And so begins another adventure for Lieutenant Drake and family. What awaits them on this mystery? I hope you all enjoyed the opening chapter. I will try to have chapter 2 up late tonight or early tomorrow afternoon. I have nothing better to do with my time now but write and be depressed, so expect multiple chapters a day. Please review and tell me what you think. Until next chapter, as always, thanks for reading, everypony!