Chapter 12
Perspectives

(Duskwind/ Johnny Appleseed...)

I was in the office early the next firstnight. I’d put on a pot of coffee and was already well into my first cup as I scanned the latest edition of the Whinnyappleous Post. Despite the promise I made to myself the night before, I was not feeling like the same Johnny Appleseed that last sat at this desk. No, there was an undeniable taint of ‘Duskwind’ coloring my thoughts. I was happy, and I had no right to be.

People were being killed left and right, and I had a case I was no closer to solving. I needed to get to the bottom of this quickly before more innocents were harmed. There was no reason at all I should be feeling anything other that sadness and rage. And that was there, brimming with potential violence, ready to be set loose the minute I caught the ponies responsible. But underneath it all, where the old pain used to be, the pain that drove me forward all of my life, in that place there was now hope.

I admit, I didn’t really know what to do with it. At least not now. The best I could come up with was to ignore it until all this mess was over, and if I survived try to figure it out then.

It was while I was musing over these thoughts that Ori came in. To her credit, I think she was more surprised to see me drinking coffee, than she was to see me here at all. This is because all the previous times I was in the office before her, it was due to me staying here all night, and in those instances my beverage of choice was usually flammable.

I was about to call her into my office, when I heard the outer door open once more. A moment later Moonlight trotted up beside Ori, and gazed into my office in shock. What? Was I really so much an oddity at this point? Ah, I forgot. No mane, no tail, peach fuzz still not covering my runes yet. Goddess, what Ori must be thinking, I never trusted her about the runes before now. Dammit Duskwind, this is your fault. I’m slipping. You’re making my thinking sloppy. {Sigh} well, I need to talk to Ori anyway. But first I needed to talk to Moonlight.

“If you both are done enjoying the show,” I say, trying to sound angry, “I’d like to speak to Moonlight alone. But don’t make any plans Ori, you and I need to have a little talk when I get finished.”

“Y-yes sir,” she says, quickly leaving the room.

I think I may have scared her a little too much, but then again, if I were anypony else right now, she would have good reason to be. She’s realized that she did something she shouldn’t have been able to do. That means that she knows, that I know, that she knows things that she shouldn’t. If this situation was just slightly different, that would mean that I would have to ‘terminate’ her employment with my company... among other things.

Moonlight glances at the retreating form of Ori, for a moment, then turns back to me as I gesture for her to sit down. The expression on her face was a mixture of concern and relief. I imagine the concern was for Ori, but perhaps a little was for me as well. After all the last time she saw me I was in less than stellar shape. What happened next was all Duskwind... I couldn’t help it.

“So, like the new look? I decided to wear it short today.” I say, running a hoof through an imaginary mane. I thump my stub of a tail against the back of the chair for emphasis.

She just kind of froze for a moment. Shock and amusement warring inside of her, after a moment amusement won out.

“{Bwahahahaa}, Oh Goddess Johnny... really?!?” she asked. In response I merely thumped my tail stub some more. “S-stop that” she stammers out, as a second wave of laughter explodes from her.

“Stop what,” I say calmly as I fold my paper, by now my tail has a good rhythm going.

“I give up,” she says in exasperation, as she waves a hoof in my direction, “you’re hopeless.”

“Not the first pony to ever tell me that,” I say sipping my coffee.

“I take it by you’re juvenile attempt at humor that you are fully recovered?” She asks.

“Successful juvenile attempt at humor,” I correct, “and yes, for the most part. At least well enough to get back to work.”

“You know about... Betty,” she asks, her voice sobering.

“Yes, I’ve been told,” I reply, my jovial manner dropping away. “I also know that you let the killer get away so that you could come back and save me.”

“I stand by that decision,” she says defensively, in a tone that says she wont be backing down on this point.

I hold up a hoof. “I won’t be disputing your decision.” I say placatingly. “It already has the support of both our bosses. “I will however expect you to deal with the consequences of those actions, by helping me bring swift justice to the bastard that did it.”

Her face starts to cloud up. “Just calm down Moonlight, calm down. I’m not mad at you for your decision. In fact...” I pause and look directly into her eyes, “Thank you Moonlight, really. You saved my life, and I am sincerely grateful.”

“Wha... W-what? Who are you, and what have you done with Johnny?” she stammers incredulously.

“Heh, more like what has Johnny been doing with me,” I reply enigmatically.

“What does that mean?” Moonlight asks.

“Hmm, oh nothing, just thinking to myself.” I say absently. I pass her the firstnight’s paper. Pointing with a hoof to the article on the front page. It’s about the bordello. “You can read this if you want, the salient points are how many that died, and a mention that a private investigator, one Johnny Appleseed, was found dead on the scene as well. The cause of the explosion was listed as due to a break in a gas main. Interesting considering that the explosion occurred ABOVE where we were, and as Cherry already told us, she was using underground power cables to power the lights and air.” I say, tapping the relevant passage.

“Someone doctored the article,” she says without hesitation. “Someone didn’t want the cause of the explosion made public.”

“Correct, but it goes deeper than that. Consider all the facts Moonlight.” I say, rising to my hooves and beginning to pace. “Let’s start with the investigation. Supposedly before I was called in, the night watch had launched a thorough investigation into the case of our missing Babs Seed. During that time no members of the watch were attacked, no bombs gone off, nothing. Now add to the fact that although Cherry’s name was on the list of Bab’s friends and acquaintances, she was never called in for questioning, nor had any member of the watch come to see her.

Now let’s look at the bombs. The first one was while I was talking with Princess Luna. This was an unofficial visit, she came alone, without guards, and yet some pony knew about it, and teleported enough explosives inside to level the block. At first I thought, like she did, that it must have been an assassination attempt on her life. But as she said, the amount used wasn’t nearly enough to destroy her. It was however enough to destroy me, and my office, and any evidence that Luna might have brought to me. Our mystery bomber wasn’t trying to kill Luna, they were hoping to either take me out, or if we bolted for safety, then take out the file that Luna had brought along with all the info she had gathered on Babs. It was an act of desperation, with only a marginal chance of success, which means for them to take it, the stakes had to be very high.

The next set of bombs were used when the manager was about to clean out Babs’s locker where she worked. Obviously our bomber didn’t want something that might have been in there being found. A something that might have linked Babs to whoever it was that was doing this.

But,” I say, pausing my pacing. “There were no bombs planted at Babs’s apartment. Why? The obvious conclusion is that bomber already knew that there was nothing to incriminate him there. But how could that be? Night watch investigators are some of the best ponies in the world at forensic magic. How could our killer know that there would be nothing left to incriminate him.”

Moonlight’s eyes widen in alarm as she sees where I am going with this.

“And then there was the last bombing. Babs’s special somepony. Why didn’t our killer try to take her out before now? Why was there no investigation on her? Why did it happen on the night we came to visit? You know the answers as well as I do by now.” I say, looking intently at Moonlight.

“Somepony knew we were going to be there.” She says, following the logic chain. “Somepony knew that Luna was coming to see you. Somepony knew that Bab’s apartment was clean, because that same pony wash there during the investigation. And that same pony kept the investigators from snooping around where they didn’t want them to go.” She cups a hoof to her muzzle in shock. “It shouldn’t be possible, but all the evidence points to only one thing. I have a traitor in the night watch!” she says, rising to her hooves in rage.

“Now, now, calm down. Technically YOU don’t have a traitor in the watch, your BOSS has a traitor in the watch. She hoof picked each member herself remember? Out of the best of the best, she personally chooses the members of the watch, and then the best of those become her personal guards. You may be higher in rank, but that doesn’t mean it was your fault.” I say, trying to mitigate her fury.

“Y-yes, you’re right of course. I just... tend to take these things personally. Luna is my everything you see. It’s like finding out you have a family member who’s been plotting against you.” Moonlight explains.

“Believe me, I understand completely. I share a similar situation with Celestia.” I say. “But also consider this. The bomber, whoever it is, thinks that I’m dead. The pressure is off of us at the moment. They will assume that you will report back to Luna, and that she will try to find somepony else to track them down, and by then the trail will be so cold that no pony could find them. Instead, I want you to use this,” I say, pulling out the file Luna gave me. “Investigate all the members of the night watch that were involved in the original investigation. One of them is beyond a doubt involved with the bomber. While you’re doing that, I’m going to the undercity in disguise and track down whoever is supplying our killer with his explosives. Had it been a one time thing, I could see a box slipping through the cracks, but as much explosives as have been used, someone will have to have gotten a large shipment. That means some being knows something, and I intend to find out who, and then what.” I say with grim determination.

“Well, it seems we both get to look forward to a very dirty night.” Moonlight says, as she looks over the list of potential traitors in her hooves.

She starts to leave, and then almost as an afterthought, she turns around and trots over to me.

“Johnny... back in the bordello... when you told me you were going to hold up the ceiling until everypony was safe. I- I thought you were committing suicide. No pony should have been able to do what you did. I realized as I came back each time to take the next group to safety, that no matter how fast I was, very soon I would try to go back, and there would be no ‘back’ for me to go to, that you would be dead... crushed. It was then that I realized there were... things I had wanted to say to you, things I wanted you to know.”

“Moonlight,” I say in confusion, “what are you trying to tell me?”

She moves closer to me, I can feel her breath on my muzzle. I can smell her, her scent is that of some exotic night flower. Before I can react, she brushes my lips with hers. It only lasts a moment... it only lasts an eternity.

“I’m just glad to have you back,” she says, before vanishing in a burst of ebony magic.

I fall back, and just barely manage to land on the edge of my desk. I’m supposed to be a detective. I had no clue that was coming. She was beautiful. Strong, exotic, smart, the kind of pony way out of my league. I never even considered that a pony like her, could feel anything for some slob like me.

I shook my head, trying to clear it. This was a complication I did not need right now. I had a case, I had a chance to get Twilight back. This... thing, it just could not be. And yet, if I had known about how she felt BEFORE I read Twilight’s letter... Johnny Appleseed would have thought he had found his soul mate. An equal. A partner to share the endless night with.

Then the voice of Duskwind rises up inside of me like a lion and roars ‘you already have a soul mate! Her name is Twilight Sparkle!’ And he’s right. Twilight is all I/he ever lived for. Faugh, this is getting me nowhere. I need to focus on the case in front of me. This is no time for me to be getting soft... for ANY pony.

“Ori, please come in here!” I say, returning to my seat.

(Ori...)

My name is Shea Butter, but I usually just go by Ori. A long time ago I came to this city in search of my sister. Instead I found a new life and a job working for one of the toughest, and yet at the same time, most compassionate ponies I have ever met. He just summoned me into his office. I believe he intends to kill me. That’s not a figure of speech by the way. I’m pretty sure I’m about to die.

I rise from my seat, and get out from behind my desk. I take one last look around at what I have considered my own little kingdom, before making my way into the inner office where the boss is waiting on me.

I don’t know all the details, or even most of them. But what I do l know is that my boss isn’t what he appears to be. I mean, on the surface he’s the perfect hard boiled detective, just like one right out of a book. But for awhile now I’ve been noticing things. I’ve put together as much as I could. I know he secretly works directly for Celestia. I also know he isn’t afraid of ending somepony’s life. That much I witnessed firsthoof. I’ve also figured out that whatever it is he really does for a living, that it’s a secret he will kill to protect. And now he knows that I know something I shouldn’t.

When Agent Shadow brought Johnny in two days ago he looked worse than a corpse. The fact that he was still breathing was a miracle past understanding. Without even thinking about it I called Celestia. She was here in moments, and never even spared me a glance, let alone question why I was using one of Johnny’s candles to call her, or how I knew about them. All she was worried about was Johnny.

I’ve had two days to think about things while Johnny was recovering. There’s no way either of them have forgotten about it. There’s no point in trying to run away. If anypony could find me, it would be Johnny.

“Ori, did you hear me?” Johnny calls from inside his office.

Well, no sense trying to drag this out.

“Be right there boss.” I say, taking the last few steps I have left of freedom.

I open the door, and try to maintain my usual cheerful nature. Not an easy thing to do when my boss, who is my best friend, may be about to send me to my maker. Oh well, at least that means no more half hour commutes to work every morning...

“Sit down please Ori,” Johnny says, not unpleasantly.

Jeez he looks so strange without hair. And I don’t even want to know about all those weird metallic tattoo’s he has all over his body. I never figured the boss to go into that kind of thing. His coat is coming in pretty fast, but I can still make out the tats. It must be some kind of weird metallic ink, it can’t really be metal, otherwise how would his fur grow over it?

“Is my flank really THAT interesting?” He asks with a grin.

Oh goddess! He caught me staring! Part of me wants to tell him ‘yes it is’, because... well... yes it is. But whatever my last words may be, I don’t want them to be that.

“Sorry boss,” I say, “the um... artwork, just caught me off guard.”

“Heh, I’m sure.” He replies. “Look Ori, I’m going to be very busy for the foreseeable future, places to go, people to beat up, but before all of that, there’s a little something that you and I need to address. Do you know what I am referring to?” he asks, suddenly becoming all business.

No sense beating around the bush about it.

“You want to know how I got in touch with Celestia when you got hurt. And most likely want to know why I knew to call her instead of the local Helping Hooves.” Well, that’s done it. On the outside chance he was referring to something else, I’m sure I’ve focused his attention squarely on me.

“Yes Ori, the answer to those two questions are EXACTLY why I called you in here. And a lot of things may be riding on your answers, so, if you don’t mind, please explain yourself.” He says, steepling his hooves together under his chin. He seems so calm. Almost casual. But his eyes are still and hard. I imagine they looked like this the night he took care of those diamond dogs outside the club. That was the night we met. The night I got my first inkling that this was a pony who didn’t flinch at what he had to do. If I wasn’t about to die, I’d probably find it VERY arousing...

“I-it was an accident,” I say, trying hard to keep my voice from shaking. “It was months ago. When you were working on the Lily Belle case.” He nods at me to continue. “I came in that Tuesday firstnight. You were passed out on your desk. There was a tall white candle on the corner of your desk. I was pretty cross with you, all it would’ve taken was for you to fling your arm, and the whole office would’ve went up like a matchstick.

Well, I was just going over to blow it out, when all of a sudden a scroll appeared out of the fire. It scared the hell out of me at first. I knocked it off of the desk, sure that it was going to set the rest of your mess on fire, but there wasn’t even a singe mark on it. Well, you were still out, and I was curious, So I unrolled it and read it.”

Johnny gets a blank look on his face, he's about to do that freaky perfect recall thing he does. After a moment he says...

“Dear Johnny,

I am both relieved and saddened by your news. I know that you did everything you could to save Lily, and return her to her parents alive and unharmed. Despite the fact that she lost her life, at least you were able to recover her body. I know this doesn’t seem like much, but at least her family will be able to grieve. They wont waste years of their lives harboring the false hope that one day their daughter will somehow return home alive and well.

I’ve read the details of your report concerning what you did to the criminals responsible. Although I commend you on your thoroughness, it isn’t necessary to include ALL of the details of their removal from society. However that being said, I completely understand and agree with your methods. No being deserves what those bastards did to poor Lily.

Enclosed you will find your usual bonus for services rendered. Please try not to spend it all on booze Johnny. Also attached you will find a new spell that I believe you may find useful. It’s a voice amplification spell which can be tuned to any pony’s specific voice. Very useful when trying to overhear a particular conversation in a crowded room. Please sign and return a copy of your receipt for my personal records, and let me know what you think.

Celestia

P.S. On a more personal note I just finished writing the latest chapter of my new erotic novel. Tell me how this sounds...

‘Annabelle struggled against Stetsons powerful grip, knowing that she shouldn’t succumb to-’,”

Johnny breaks off mid sentence as we both go red faced. “Ah, I don’t suppose the rest is relevant.” He says rubbing the back of his bald head. “I remember waking up the next morning. The message was there, but the receipt page was torn. I assumed I must have sent it back before I passed out and just forgot about it. I’m guessing you sent back the reply, and kept the candle?”

“Yes Johnny. By then I was quite good at forging your signature. I knew you’d forget about it. I’m not sure why I kept the candle at the time. Part of it was curiosity. Obviously you knew Princess Celestia personally. And obviously you were keeping secrets from me. I guess back then I just wanted proof that what I saw was real, and not some made up fantasy. I-I’ve been known to do that from time to time.” I say with embarrassment. “As time went on, and you never mentioned the candle, I finally got the nerve up to light it once more. When nothing came through I was both relieved and disappointed. I mean I had no idea what to do if another letter for you showed up. I had some vague plan of putting it on your desk before you got there with the candle blown out next to it. But that never happened.

Instead, I wrote a letter to Celestia. It was in your handwriting. And it was short so she wouldn’t notice anything in what was said. All I did was ask her how her erotic novel was going. To be honest what she sent the first time was pretty steamy reading, but it was pretty good, and I guess I just really wanted to see if she would respond. Oh, and by the sky stallion did she ever! The next thing I knew fifty three pages of parchment came through, the final a personal note saying how surprised she was that I took an interest in it and to let her know just what I/ Johnny, thought of her latest efforts.

Well, after that it kinda sorta became our regular thing. I mean your Saturday secondnights were like clockwork when you weren’t on a case. You’d go out until 2am, then pass out until 2pm the following secondnight. So every Saturday evening, I’d light the candle and wait for a new piece of her novel.”

I stop speaking and notice Johnny’s reaction for the first time. I don’t know what I expected, anger, rage, a look of betrayal at least. But the bald fool is sitting there red faced, and is silently laughing at me! Seriously?!? I mean tears are running down his cheeks... I can tell he’s having trouble breathing. Okay, that’s it. Death is one thing, but I ain’t gonna sit here and be laughed at.

“What the BUCK is so funny?” I yell. This only makes him start laughing out loud instead of to himself. “Johnny Appleseed! You stop that right now! We both know this isn’t funny. I came in here expecting to die, NOT to be made a fool of!” This sobers him up some. I wait there fuming until he can regain his voice.

“I know, I know Ori. And walking into my office was one of the bravest things I ever saw. I’m not making fun of that. But you have to see this from my perspective. Those candles are attuned to Celestia’s particular magical signature. Just like the ones she has for me are attuned to mine. Her enemies would pay a fortune to get there hooves on one of those, just so they could disassemble the spells and try to find a weakness in her magic. They are quite possibly the most sought after magical artifacts in all of Equestria... and you were using them to... to... read bad romance fanfiction?!? {Bwahahaaa}” and with that he’s off again.

I start to rise, but he waves me back down with a hoof. “Sorry Ori, I’m sorry. I’ll be good.” he says calming down.

I know this can’t be easy for him. He’s putting it off, trying to stall, but we both know I can’t be allowed to know what I do. To be honest I’m really touched that he’s fighting so hard against himself. He really must care deeply about me.

“Ori, I feel at this point that there is something I should tell you.” He says, becoming more serious. “When I send a message to Celestia, she not only reads the paper and ink that I send it on. She also reads the impressions of the pony who wrote it. It’s a spell we both use to safeguard our missives just in case some other pony managed to get a hold of one of our candles. Ori, she knew it wasn’t me responding from the very first time you sent back that receipt.”

WHAT?!? She knew? All this time she knew?!? Oh sweet Zacherle!

“B-but she never said...” I stammer out weakly. Why am I not dead? I should already be dead? What the buck?

“No, she never said anything to YOU. But she sent me a package the following day, express mail from Canterlot. Inside was a letter saying how somepony else sent back a receipt in my name, along with a new set of candles with a different spell key. I messaged her back saying that nothing was missing and that the spell she had sent me hadn’t been tampered with. She kept the original candle and lit it once a day, hoping that somepony would try to use it again, and she could then send a tracking spell back through it to whomever had managed to steal it.

We both figured that whoever it was must have been a pretty high level spy to be able to get past all my wards and mess with my stuff without leaving ANY trace. Believe me I used every trick I knew trying to find any evidence that somepony had broken in. But the only ponies I could detect where you and me. And I KNEW that YOU weren’t a spy.” He says, openly grinning again. “You can’t imagine Celestia’s surprise when she finally got a nibble on that candle one night. When that message came through she was primed and ready with all kinds of nasty spells. But then you asked... asked about her NOVEL of all things... by the sky stallion Ori, you have no idea how close you came to cosmic death!

Well, naturally she traced back the spell to you. You can’t imagine the relief we both felt. Well, mine was a bit more short lived than hers. I got quite the tongue lashing for allowing you to find my candle.

We discussed the situation, and eventually concluded that if you had kept your muzzle shut this long, then we could trust you to continue to do so. And it wasn’t like you were doing anything nefarious. To be perfectly honest, I think the boss just really liked the attention. You’d have no way of knowing, but she has a pretty lonely life.” Johnny says frankly.

“T-this is... I... I don’t know what to say.” My head is swirling around. I lean my head back and stare at the ceiling for a moment, trying to get my head around everything I just heard. “So, I’m NOT going to die? I mean this isn’t all some elaborate trick to keep me off my guard?” I ask, hope beginning to form in my chest.

In response Johnny reaches into his desk, pulls out a candle and holder, sets it on his desk, and then pulls out pen, ink, and parchment. He takes a moment to write something before passing it to me. I hesitantly take the page from him, and begin to read.

“Dear Celestia,

I hope this finds you well, and full of cake. I made it back to work today, and will soon set out to try and lay my hooves on the person responsible for all the recent bombings. More on this later.

I’ve also made agent Shadow aware of my theories concerning the source of the information leaks. She’s currently gone to play ‘whack a mole’. More on this later as well, just as soon as she reports back in.

In other news, Ori and I just had a most revealing chat. She seemed quite pensive when I asked her to come and see me this morning. Due of course, in no small part, to your recent visit. (Personally I just don’t see why other ponies find you to be so intimidating). After our conversation, she seemed to be quite out of sorts, I was wondering if you might have any words of wisdom to share to help ease her mind.

Sincerely,

Johnny”

I handed the message back to Johnny, who without another word sent of off through the magical fire. We sat there for a moment silently. Each of us lost in our own thoughts. Suddenly the candle flared, and a small mahogany box appeared, the lid inlaid with a beautifully carved feather. On top of the box were two notes, one addressed to Johnny, and one addressed to me. Johnny passed me mine, and then opened his own, and leaning back in his new office chair, began to read. Wasting no time, I broke the seal on my own, and began to read as well.

"Dear Shea Butter, or if you prefer Ori,

It was a pleasure to finally get to meet you in person, even though the circumstances at the time were dire. I cannot thank you enough for getting in touch with me. You literally saved Johnny’s life.

For that you have my eternal gratitude. And unlike other ponies, when I say ‘eternal’ I mean it! Since you are reading this, I suppose our little game of pretend is over. This makes me both sad, and happy.

Sad that our naughty little Ori finally got caught, but happy to be able to speak with her as the mare she is, instead of both of us pretending I was speaking to ‘Johnny’. In regards to that, I assume that your little purloined candle must be just about spent. To that end you will find the enclosed box of specially made candles just for you. Take good care of that box Shea, it’s spelled to your own personal aura which you have been sending me bits of for quite some time. If anypony other than you tries to open it, the results will be quite... pyrotechnic. That phoenix feather on the lid isn’t just for show, and

Philomena was quite cross with me when I appropriated it from her.

Looking forward to sending you my newest chapter this Saturday!

All my best,

C”

I put down the letter, and run my hoof across the inlaid feather on the top of the box. I’m giddy. I can’t help it.

“Better?” My boss asks, from across the desk.

I nod yes, not trusting myself to speak yet.

“Happy?” He asks.

“Mmmhmm,” I managed to respond.

“Happy enough to get me a couple of those banana nut muffins from the bakery on second avenue?” He asks.

“Don’t push your luck,” I say, rising to my hooves and making my way back to my desk.

My name is Shea Butter, my friends call me Ori. I made a new one today, and I get to live to tell the tale...

(Moonlight Shadow...)

The name I currently go by is Moonlight Shadow. I am one of the three most dangerous ponies on the face of Equestria. And I am currently pissed off.

It seems these past few days that has become my default setting. And it all stems from the night I met a pony named Johnny Appleseed. Well, that isn’t his real name. No more than ‘Moonlight Shadow’ is mine. But in this time, and this place, he IS Johnny, and I AM Moonlight, and for better or worse, that’s the hoof we are dealt.

I am currently half a block away for what I laughing call Johnny’s office. I could have teleported all the way to my destination, or anywhere else for that matter, but I wanted time to think. Effortlessly I shift into my shadow form, and flow from shadow to shadow down the dark filled alleyways toward home.

The shadows, normally so cool and comforting, are for once, not helping at all. I’m still pissed. “Blast you Johnny, it’s been one thing after another, ever since I met you,” I mutter to myself, as I continue onwards.

I suppose in all honesty that I shouldn’t be mad at him. All he did was show me there was a traitor in my midst. It’s not like he put him there. I suppose I SHOULD be grateful to him. “Blasted pony… has to be all smart and sexy…” I mutter again. And that voice! Goddess! You just want to stroke his mane and listen to him read the dictionary… or at least all of the naughty bits… “And then I went and kissed him. By the sky stallion, what was I thinking?!?”

I step out of the shadows of a maintenance door, on a rooftop. I pause to gaze at the beautiful full moon. Every so often the weather ponies will waft a thin band of clouds across its surface. The effect is striking. Oh how I love the night. Such dark and tranquil beauty. I feel like I could leap from shadow to shadow forever.

I shake myself free of such thoughts. That freedom is forever denied me. And even this short romp is keeping me from the fulfillment of my current duties. No, for better or worse I am bound to Johnny until this assignment is over, or until he is dead.

To think I originally thought this would be easy. Like a vacation, I told myself at the time. Considering my normal night to night duties, the idea of being a unicorn detectives partner seemed like a breeze. Track down a missing pony, find Phil… After all it’s only one city. And really, the only reason I agreed to this insane partnership in the first place was so I could get my hooves on Johnny. And that should have been the easiest part!

From what intel I could gather he’s bedded more mares than a mattress company. And I know that I’VE got the goods… Tartarus, I AM the goods. Luring him away from Celestia should have been easy. He’s already working in this city, he LIKES it here. Binding him into service of the Night Princess, would have been quite the coup for me. And I suppose, if I had to be honest, the fact that he’s hot as hell doesn’t hurt.

Faugh, who am I kidding. I wanted that pony the moment I saw him. And not just for his looks. He’s a smart, devious, little bastard. A survivor. In any other age he would be a warrior general. He struts around this city like it is his. The wise know to avoid him, and the stupid he quickly crushes. All this I knew before I met him. But I was unprepared for who he really was.

He cares. He genuinely cares about people. People, not just ponies. And that’s a distinction his boss still has trouble with. When they hurt, he hurts. You would think that kind of compassion would be crippling him trying to do the job he does. But Johnny just turns that into the sharp edge he uses against his foes. Files say he can be as vicious as the scum he comes up against. Good. It’s no more than they deserve. But it makes things that much harder for me.

Seducing a pony is one thing. It can be fun, almost a game. Falling for a pony is another thing. A very dangerous thing. Falling for what is essentially the enemy, THAT is the most dangerous thing of all. If I could have kept it on the surface, I would have been fine. But that idiot keeps doing these stupid heroics that make me all weak in the knees.

Buck me, he held up a freakin building! Could I have done that? I’m not sure. Would I have done that? Oh hells no. I would have followed my training and nabbed the ponies of interest and let the rest be squashed flat. That is what a cold and ruthless agent does. But that isn’t what Johnny is. Hells, I don’t know what Johnny is… all I know is that he’s stirring up things inside me like I never felt before.

Without thinking I smash my hoof into the bricks of the doorframe, causing several of them to turn to powder. I’m still pissed. But I’m going to borrow a trick from Johnny, and use that anger, use it to ignite a fire that I’ll bring to the Night Watch.

Johnny doesn’t realize just how personal his information was to me. It was like a knife in my gut. After all that I have been through, and all I have accomplished, to find out that one of my own could be turned. No, this will not stand! I will not let the name of the Night Princess be sullied. No pony turns traitor on Luna. And before this night is over, every member of the watch will know that as a fact...