My Little Tactics

Chapter Fourteen: Not My Brand of Smokes.

The rumble of the train tracks was both soothing and upsetting towards the human in his bronze armor. His overly prepared pack rested nearby on the seat normally meant for ponies though too small for him and it contained everything from a bedroll and tent, though the bedroll was currently under his backside to cushion it, to even chalk and a small mirror. His cabin was small and private just the way he wanted it to be as he started to remove his armor. It would be a bit of a trip to Manehattan after all.

“I knew it was a matter of time, but still, didn’t think I would be called for something like this so soon.” Stripping out of his armor finally he set it down and locked the door then unrolled his bedroll. “I might as well get a few hours of sleep before I arrive and have to start working.”

As he lay down and started to doze off he quickly thought back to how it started.

“How big is that chicken going to get?” Spike asked as Boko nuzzled at Dustan’s side as he was sitting down. “I mean it’s as big as me now.”

Chuckling at the question as he rubbed the downy soft feathers on top of the Chocobo’s head, some of the last down that was still on the bird, he looked to the dragon and grinned. “Well the same could be said of you Spike, how tall will you get when you are grown?” Scratching under Boko’s chin earned him a rewarding kweh that helped to melt his cares. “To answer you though, she will be bigger than me by a good bit.”

“Oh wow.” The tiny dragon said as the Chocobo flopped down on Dustan’s lap to enjoy the attention.

If it wasn’t for Boko he likely would not have been able to keep pace with the ponies helping to build the wall at all. He had come home one day the first week and collapse nearly passing out. Sensing his distress and hurt body Boko had used her ability to heal him making him realize something. When you build muscles it’s the act of ripping them apart and them healing up stronger than before, well it was an oversimplification but it would do. Since then whenever he was feeling sore he would heal himself. That didn’t take care of his fatigue but it allowed him to keep up and build up muscles that much quicker.

There was also the practice with Twilight and Mystic when he wasn’t working, so he had been training both his body and magic to do more than they ever had each and every day. It was because of this that not only had he gotten a few levels, but also job levels as well. Monk, Mystic, and Time Mage had all unlocked and since his first time being found worthy, he honestly had not had the issue of gaining the power of the others at all.

His white magic had increased so much that he had an excess amount of points and had not yet decided what to buy outside of Protect and Shell. Black magic was easy, having brought the other two elements, Thunder and Blizzard, and moved on to Thundara. From Monk, he was currently saving points as he had not yet decided at all what to spend it on, Mystic was easy in that he bought Hesitation, a spell meant to disable to foe and prevent them from taking action, useful if he ever needed it. For Time Mage there was no question that he bought Haste straight out, it was too useful not to have in the game so why not here as well.

Whelp, his first interaction with it had left him feeling severally motion sensitive and caused him to hurl when he tried it by himself. It was a good thing too, as while Mystic and Twilight were still studying Cure and Fire, he had not yet let them know he had moved on, after all got to keep it a surprise if he needed it. Besides best to completely figure one thing out before moving on to another right?

However it was on a particularly lazy Friday, the crew was coming in a bit later than normal giving everyone time to sleep in a bit longer to feel better about the day. By then the crew knew where he lived with Zecora and he had been sleeping with Boko on his chest, though it wouldn’t be that much longer before she would be too big for that, when it was surprisingly Spike who knocked on the door first.

“Anyways thanks for the bits, it was thanks to those I got both you and I a copy of the latest comics this week.” Reading was fine and all but when comics were a thing and he had the money, he would always try to find a good issue to read. With his money being augmented by that nice little win he got last week during the Running of the leaves he was able to splurge a bit and get some comics and treated Spike as well.

“No problem, bros got to look out for one another right?” Dustan preceded to fist bump the dragon while yawning. “Did you wait in line or anything?”

“Nah nothing like that.” The dragon said puffing up his chest. “I just waited for the comic store to open up and went in and grabbed the new issues as they were brought out. Since I was there before anypony else there was no line.”

He had been very curious what comics were like in pony world so much and now was his chance to see. “Well I have time before I have to work want to read some?”

Spike’s face brightened up. “Sure, I am glad I could find somepony who appreciate comics like me. I mean Big Mac likes them too I think since I saw him come into the store right as I was leaving.”

With a knock on the door Dustan had to put the comic down before even opening it. “I’ll get it!” He called out to Zecora.

“I wonder if he would like to play Ogres and Oubliettes?” Though it was meant to be said only in his mind, Spike had not thought he would hear it judging by how low the dragon said it. Inwardly Dustan smiled at that as he opened the door.

“Hello and good morning Dusty!” The Pink pony was as hyper as normal as she pronked at the front door, though this time she was wearing what looked to be a mailman outfit.

“I thought Derpy was the mailpony around here.” He looked outside first down then up as with the loveable muffin loving pony it was hard to tell where she would be.

However it seemed as if it was just Pinkie. “Oh she is, this is from the guild though so I am delivering it to you.”

She hoofed over a letter to him as it appeared out of her mane before pronking off to who knows where because the moment he looked down to the letter and back up towards her, Pinkie had vanished. ‘I honestly can’t wait till Twilight tries to figure her out.’

Opening up the letter with the official seal of the guild he read it and sighed. What it all summed up to be was: Report for duty.

Allure had left about a month ago to visit another branch office but had promised to be back as Ponyville was fun and exciting. That left another in charge, a bland pony that would give Maud a run for her money for sure. The pony in charge simply stated an order had come from Allure herself for him stating that with his skills and talents as a leader and soldier that this would be perfect for him not only to show what he could do in front of high ranking individuals and make a name for himself, but to show off the guild as well. He was given three days to prepare before he had to be off on a train to Manehattan.

The details of his mission were sparse in that the individual he was supposed to guard was not named directly in that should the message be intercepted that they wouldn’t be compromised. Instead another copy of another letter was sent to the VIP to name them when they saw them. It was cryptic and roundabout and made him a tad worried to be honest. Enough so that he took the rest of the three days to pack a variety of things as well as set his affairs in order. The crew at the ruins had stated it was fine and that they should be able to start on the first building soon.

With all things taken care of he soon found himself buying a ticket to the big city itself.

The sound of knocking on his door woke him up with a start. “Yes?” He called out rapidly wiping the drool from his face.

“Sir we have made our stop and you had not come out of your room, we just wished to make sure that you were ok.” The attendant told him through the door.

‘You likely have a key if you are with the train so you knocked so as you wouldn’t have to invite trouble from the creature.’ The human thought before he started packing his things quickly and getting his armor back on. “Don’t worry I will be out in a few minutes.”

In truth it took him about fifteen minutes as getting armor on wasn’t the easiest of feats to accomplish when the rustling of the train had loosened some straps and tightened others. When he came out he spied some of the staff of the train looking at him nervously as some things never changed. He had grown too used to how Ponyville was used to him now that he forgot how others would view him. Such is life though and such a life was full of burdens of which this was one for him to bare.

Speaking of baring there was a pony in a suit that he would swear was secret service holding a sign with his name spelled incorrectly with an ‘i’ instead of an ‘a’ but that was fine. Moving up over to the pony wearing a pair of dark sunglasses the pony touched his ear piece, no doubt magical to compensate for the lack of technology here.

“Are you Dustin?” The pony asked of him, a stallion judging by the voice.

“I am Dustan yes.” Stressing the A in his name. “I was told to find someone waiting for me, but I expected a raspberry shake to come with it.”

“My client prefers blueberry.” The pony would fold up the sign at that and hold out a hoof. “Code phrases exchanged. My name is Secret Service.”

‘Seriously?’ He thought that with heavy sarcasm he smiled and fist bumped the hoof. “Dustan Warner. So mind telling me what all this is about, the secrecy, the hoops I have to jump through, or anything about who I am guarding?”

“In time, for now follow me.” The pony in the suit told him as the slick back mane turned and walked forward. “I am to escort you to the VIP and there you will meet with them so they can determine your value and if you are acceptable.”

“Right.” Dustan shifted his pack and walked behind the pony guiding him.

“I will be frank, while others may find it unneeded, I myself am happy to see you bringing various items to bare here. Chalk, a spare canteen, bedroll tent, even a small mirror and rope all in that pack just to name a few of what I can see.” He was about to ask him how but Secret cut him off. “My glasses are enchanted with a slight X-Ray spell so I can do checks on all those who come close to the VIP.”

‘Huh, neat, wonder where he got them. Also not for pervy eyes likely, bet there is a waiting period while someone runs a background check on you for things like that.’ Feeling the weight on his back he shifted his shoulder some out of habit. “It’s all good. I didn’t know who I was protecting or many details so I tried to pack with some variety in mind. Glad to know that, whoever I am here to guard, has guards like you to help ease my mind about possible gaps in protection.”

“Indeed, get in.” Dustan had been into talking to the stallion so much he had not realized they had come up to a black carriage that just screamed subtle if you spelled subtle with many exclamation points and bold font. As he got inside he found it to be taller than normal, a nice surprise, same with the seats, being wider than average.

“Finally something that fits me.” Dustan sighed relaxing in the seat after putting his pack on the floor.

“Yes, this carriage is meant for those whom are taller than the average pony.” Secret looked a bit out of place that was for sure seeing as he was so small in the seat he was in.

“Honestly it doesn’t matter at this point, considering train seats can’t fit me, and having to ride all the way over here with a bedroll under me isn’t exactly the most comfortable.” He had to cast Cure on himself before even attempting to get his armor on in the train, which every time it came in handy like that he thanked magic itself for being able to use it.

The windows of the carriage were tinted so it meant that no one in the big city could see the oddity that was riding in it, though the more and more he thought about it the more he thought it odd. Was the person he was sent to protect a Minotaur? The size of the carriage’s interior said that to be the case as it was too big for ponies. Maybe a griffon but still he wasn’t sold on that idea either.

Shaking the thoughts from his mind, he found his brain going to another place. ‘How long have I been in Equestria? I showed up in Spring and now it is late fall. Over half a year already huh, I can barely believe it. Would anyone back home even recognize me at this point? Question is do they even care if I am gone. Pat might, same with my parents, but…I don’t think anyone else would. Oh wait, its late fall…FUCK I am going to miss my first Nightmare Night. Well at least it’s not the one Luna shows up in. Hmm maybe I should consider not showing up for the next one either, if Luna still wants that match with me then her being angry at the time might not be good for my health.’

“We are here.” Secret said making him jump slightly and rattle his armor.

“Ahh sorry lost in my thoughts there.” Dustan chuckled sheepishly. ‘That has been happening too much lately. I really need to get that under control.’

As they headed inside the pony at the desk spoke up to Secret ignoring Dustan’s presence completely. “I am sorry sir you can’t bring pets in here.”

Honestly it caught Dustan off guard so much that he instantly reacted poorly by flicking the pony off. “Shut up asshole I am here on business.”

The gesture was lost on the pony for sure but not the words as the suited pony gave a huff and looked as offended as possible, not that it mattered to him in the slightest. They got into the elevator and the pony working the controls just gawked at him having seen the entire thing and it was obvious she couldn’t believe her eyes.

However Secret took control of the situation. “Penthouse floor.” That snapped the operator out of her stupor easily though she said nothing as the elevator rose higher and higher. Then the door dinged and they stepped off, he heard the metal box close and right away head down.

Shrugging at that, he looked around at the hallway leading towards the door. “Swanky.” At the end was two guards that were in Royal guard clothing, one from each, Day and Night, guard. More and more his previous thoughts on the matter vanished as new speculations came to him. The door opened up for him and Secret as they stepped in.

He turned to Secret to ask. “So now that we are here, care to fill me in on some of the details. Like who we are protecting and why?”

Instead of answering the earpiece wearing pony instead bowed as a voice answered Dustan instead. “That would be me, and because there has been a series of mysterious vanishes in the area.”

‘That voice!’ His MLP senses were set ablaze as he turned to look ahead. The sight before him made the carriage and all its oddities make so much sense now. The fact it was taller and more spacious, the tinted windows so no one could see inside, the penthouse, the secrets, and the royal guards. Giving his own bow he looked up to address the VIP herself. “Princess Mi Amore Cadenza it is an honor.”

The pink pony giggled with a hoof to her mouth as her three hued mane bounced especially at the end with the curls showing she took very good care of it. She wore a simple gold tiara with what looked to be an amethyst in it, a gold necklace and gold horseshoes or slippers, he never knew how classify the things he saw on ponies hooves at times. The cutie mark on her flanks was of the crystal heart, the artifact that wouldn’t be made known for quite some time to come.

She put her hoof down as she got her giggling under control. “Rise my pony and umm human was it?” Giving her a nod she smiled and let out a breath. “Oh good, my aunt has wrote about you but I didn’t think you were a part of the Misfit Guild, so it came as a large surprise when Allure wrote to me you were on your way.”

The knight was a bit surprised to find he was mentioned at all by Celestia, but found it flattering all the same. “Thank you Princess. I was told my skills would be needed here.”

“Indeed, I was told you were an accomplished swordsman by my fiancé as you reportedly managed to skillfully dodge two fresh guards at the castle rather easily.” That confirmed one thing he wanted to know about the foalsitter but not all of it. “My Aunts also tell of your strange magic both of which can be used offensively and as a restorative.”

“That is correct. I have the power to heal or harm with my magic at my choosing.” Now he was wondering what else was told about him.

Never did the smile leave her face and honestly he could see why she was very well liked, meaning the switch had not happened as of yet. “Very rare indeed as most Mages are known to polarize towards restorative, support, or offensive classes of magic. Also please, call me Cadance, while Princess is my title my full name is meant for strangers, and considering all I have read about you Dustan I feel as if we already know each other.”

‘That goes both ways I suppose considering all what I know about you.’ “Of course Cadance, that would make me feel better as well.” But while the interaction was great and all, someone or somepony had to spoil it.

“Princess, we need your judgment.” Secret spoke from the side of him.

Sighing at hearing that she lit up her horn. “Of course, thank you for reminding me Secret.” Turning towards the taller creature, though not too much taller as not counting her horn she was only a head shorter then himself, with her horn she was the same size. “Dustan, I am one a mage that is better at support then either of the other two, but I can do them. As such I would like to use my specialty to read your heart if possible.”

That gave him a bit of a worry as while he knew of her specialty for love magic and such hearing this made him think it was something different in this world and that bothered him. “What exactly is your specialty, and how intrusive will this be?”

“My specialty is of the heart. Reading love, affection, kindness and more and with it I can see what lies in yours.” The glow intensified for a moment before starting to wash over him with the light blue coloration. “Also its not intrusive at all, I don’t get thoughts or read your mind so much as images and feelings connected to them. I will start with the most recent and work back.”

He wasn’t sure how good of an idea this was and was a bit worried, he wasn’t sure how much she would see and feel. It was a moot point though as it had begun and the princess made various facial expressions throughout, a giggle here, and a snort of laughter there before she paled and gasped holding a hoof to her mouth as her tears leaked from her closed eyes. It vanished though and went in a cycle again happiness, laughter, sadness, before a pleased look came to her face.

Wiping her eyes and only a little bit of ruined make up away as well she smiled at him. “You have been through a lot. I didn’t go too far back only about five or six months I believe.”

‘Oh thank goodness. Oh wait, that means she felt what happened at the slave camp.’ Seeing her look at him he went over and gave her a hug which surprised both himself and her. “Sorry you had to see my pain.”

Dustan could feel her tremble as she hugged him back. “You accepted death at one point, you have done things for others knowing they wouldn’t be known, all to make things better. You feel so very alone at times and try so hard to make sure others are ok. You feel like your life is less than theirs, but I don’t know why.”

“I thought you said you couldn’t hear thoughts.” He asked suddenly wary of her again.

“I can’t.” She spoke holding him tighter and trembling more. “I am not sure who all you did those things for, but you feel so very alone that it's heartbreaking. You also didn’t answer my question, why do you feel your life is less important than others.”

Dustan was going to lie to her, he was going to tell her what she needed to hear in order to get herself back together, but the moment she pulled back and looked into his eyes, his will to fib vanished. “It's cause it’s the truth. Others lives are more valuable than mine. I have no skills to be of use, I do chores just to call things even when what I do is of far less value then what I provide dictates. Those I do the things I do for are meant for better things, especially when it comes at the price of them or someone who isn’t even supposed to be here.”

He realized what he said at the end there only after he had said it but luckily it seems as if fate gave him an out. “I was told by my Aunt you had been transported here against your will. Be that as it may, that doesn’t mean you don’t belong here.”

While the human was glad that she didn’t question what he said more that didn’t make things better for him. “I don’t Cadance, I never did and honestly, me being here might ruin so many things.”

“Don’t be silly, it’s not like you can know the future. You don’t know if you will ruin anything.” Cadance had put on a more happy face though she had no clue what she was talking about in this case if she knew what Dustan did. “Anyways, I approve of your guardianship and am in your care from now on.”

With that settled it seemed Secret was more at peace with things, or at least that is what Dustan assumed since the facial expression of the pony didn’t change at all. The only difference now was that the agent pony would leave the room occasionally leaving the two of them alone as Dustan was to be her personal guard while Secret was to oversee the others.

“Mind if I ask what it is you are doing here? It might make my job a bit easier.” Seems the princess had already anticipated that as she smiled and pointed to a nearby couch.

Once he was seated, thankfully seems the room was built for larger individuals to bunk down in, did she speak. “I am usually a peacekeeper between bickering tribes or diplomatic problems as you may or may not know, so that right there should give you a clue as to what I am about to say.” She sighed and looked upwards towards the ceiling before speaking. “Someone has been kidnapping ponies and murdering them.”

Suddenly a shiver went down his back. “You said someone, not somepony, meaning it isn’t a pony.”

Giving a nod she sighed and looked at him. “We aren’t sure what it is or if it is a pony or not. All we know is that from the very few survivors of the attacks there have been so many conflicting reports, some say it’s a unicorn, some say it’s a pegasus or earth pony. There have been some victims saying they think it’s a group as they could only see the eyes of many watching them. All we know is that the survivors of the attacks all are in a state of delirium for about seventy two hours before the effects wear off. Whomever or whatever is doing this has the three tribes at war with one another and with any other species in the city to the point where anything could set it off.”

“Fuck it’s a powder keg.” It seems his term missed the mark again as the confused look on her face said it all. ‘Guess that means gunpowder isn’t invented yet or isn’t common.’ “Umm it’s a dam that is about to burst.”

“Ahh of course.” With the second expression sticking Cadance continued. “My job here is twofold; to constantly reassure the citizens that everything is under control while keeping aggression down to a minimum, as well as to lead the investigation.”

“I take it you have something to go on then, or at least evidence?” When he asked she left the room to come back with a briefcase. What was inside was a ton of pictures that made his stomach turn. Most of them were the leftovers of victims though honestly it was hard to tell. It was mostly bones and everything looked like it was made of wax and left out in the sun too long. Whatever was attacking them was using some kind of acid to make sure no one could find evidence, and a strong type of acid as well as the pictures were in indents, sometimes in brick, sometimes in concrete where the acid had melted it as well.

Overall something nagged at him, a sense of unease that he attributed to the heinous crimes he was looking at. “It’s disturbing what kind of pony or creature could do this. I want it to be stopped, it NEEDS to be stopped.”

“I couldn’t agree more.” Dustan told her as he looked over the map. “Can I get a copy of this map? I might run out into the city to check some things out.”

She looked a bit uneasy at that but got a copy and started to note down various places. “I wouldn’t recommend this for a few reasons. The biggest ones being the citizens of the city are high strung and very aggressive right now. They might look to pick a fight. Second is you are supposed to be here to guard me. There are some…unsavory rumors going around that I am the cause and that I am covering up Alicorn eating habits.”

“What seriously?” That made Cadance nod and Dustan face palm. “Sometimes you ponies hurt my brain in the things you think.” Thinking for a moment he had to find a way to get to those places. For some reason the nagging unease still bothered him. “You are in charge of investigating right? Why can’t you go to the scene of the crimes and look, since I am your bodyguard I can go with you right?”

“Hmm that might work.” Cadance shook her head. “No that will work. Plus it will actively show the ponies of the city I am out there looking at things, even if I do not wish to see the gruesome scenes that will be there.”

Pacing back and forth, itching to get started the knight then asked. “When can we work to see the scenes?”

The Princess of love responded with. “Not till tomorrow sadly, I have to put in a request with the local authorities to let them know that I will be visiting the scene of the crimes.”

“Damn.” He was not that big into mystery novels or the like, but he remembered being younger his parents often watching crime shows and that the longer the trail runs cold the harder it was to catch a criminal. “Well what else can you tell me?”

Cadance would then pull out some other notes. “Well from what the coroners have figured out there is a regular pattern to the attacks. It happens every three days. There is at least one attack or one report of a missing pony that corresponds with this. So whoever the serial killer is, they are habitual from what the others say.”

“So we know when to start keeping our guard up.” Dustan smiled at that but saw Cadance frown. “There is more isn’t there?”

She gave a grave nod. “They tend to happen at night and today is the third day since the last attack.”

“Shit.” Was his only response.

The clip clop of hooves down the long narrow alleyway would be heard for quite some distance as well as the clinking of metallic jewelry of all kinds. “Piece of shit whorse. I swear she is holdin’ out on me.”

The pony in question wore a purple wide brimmed hat with a striking white feather and golden band on it. The same as the mark on their flank showing that it was either custom made or that they had it before the mark appeared. They wore rows upon rows of bracelets and necklaces along their legs and neck ranging from tasteful to outright gaudy.

The fog in the alleyway started to increase as the stallion continued to complain. “I let her off easy this time, only giving her the back of my hoof once, but next time, OH boy next time. That whorse better-” Suddenly a coughing fit took the stallion. “Celestia’s teet what is that reek.”

The fog intensified around the stallion as did the stink before the stallions eyes widened. He could no longer move for some reason and he could only look ahead of him. There was then the sound of something slimy moving around, something big, or perhaps it was multiple somethings, it was very hard to tell which it was. The sound of something breathing was heard, whatever it was, it was big!

The only thing for sure was that the stallions last thoughts were before his vision also started to fade were. ‘That is stranger then what my whorses come down with, why is that wall moving and why does it look like it has so many orange eyes?’

Dustan was stone faced this morning; they had been called to the scene of another crime this one fresh from last night. The killer had struck again apparently as there was another indent of fluids as well as a smell to the area that was attributed to the decayed remains of the pony. The only way investigators were able to tell that it was a pony was that the tail had escaped being destroyed by the acid the killer used and the partially melted jewelry was pony sized. The last notable artifact was a half melted purple felt, wide brimmed, hat with a feather in it belonging to a notable pimp in the area noted for mistreating his ‘whorses’.

“This is despicable.” He heard one of the guard ponies call out. “How does the killer keep getting away? There are Witnesses that say they saw the pimp head into the alleyway and nothing came out. Same with the other side as nothing had come into the alleyway.”

“Well there was no pony watching the skies and it has been too long to try to detect residual magic for teleportation or cloaking so we can’t rule out pegasi or unicorns in this.” The lead investigator told him while patting the other guard officer who was shaking with rage. “We also can’t rule out patience for an earth pony. Coming into the alleyway possibly hours before and leaving after the work was done would make it hard to know what times were supposed to be glimpsed to catch the scoundrel.”

While they were talking though Dustan, having permission to be there and interact as part of the Princess’ investigation crew started to move around, the puddle was no longer interesting him, instead it was the wall. “What is this stuff?”

One of the deputies had heard him and came over before shrugging. “Oh that slime, it appears on places that aren’t cleaned as regularly though it is curious that its purple. Maybe it has mold under it as well.”

The deputy’s words provided no solace of mind for the knight at all. In fact it called for the opposite, making the hairs on the back of his neck stand up for some reason. The guard officer left him alone as his mind wondered now, thinking of plenty of scenarios from MLP that could possibly be the result of this. His eyes were wondering around the scene to take in everything, but his concentration was broken when the raging officer slipped in fell.

“BUCKING SLUMS!” He called out and got back up trying to wipe the grime off him. “Slimy walls get hit with rain and run into the sewers constantly.” The pony spat towards the closed manhole cover as the hairs on the back of Dustan’s neck started to vibrate almost as he was now realizing something.

Going over to the officer in question to help him he asked. “When was the last time it rained around here?”

“Two weeks ago why?” Dustan had his answer, he now knew what he was looking at.

Quickly he pointed to the slime and down to the sewers. “I think whatever is killing ponies is making that slime. Purple isn’t the normal color for it right?”

His voice now was catching other investigators attention with how loud it was being, so much so the lead investigator himself came around. “True, but that can be explained with mold interactions, even if it is rare for such a color to come out.”

“What about the trail to the manhole cover?” For a moment the investigator didn’t seem to know what he was talking about.

Till the human pointed and went. “Oh you mean the ponyhole cover. That happens when there is a good bit of rain making the slime…run.” The lead investigator suddenly held a hoof to his chin. “Due Process, Civic Rights, teleport to the last three sites of the crimes and look for ponyhole covers and purple slime, if you find some and it connects teleport back and let us know right away.” The two ponies in question that the investigator called over saluted and popped away in a teleport. “How is it we never noticed this?”

Dustan chuckled at that and smiled. “You are used to seeing slime and such around this area right?” To his nod the human continued. “I am not, I have not lived here nor do I know the norms. To me this stuck out as strange cause slime doesn’t usually stick to walls like this and when I asked when the last time it rained the answer was-”

“Two weeks. Meaning since this slime is fresh, well as slime can be, it means that it shouldn’t have run to the sewers.” The investigator face hoofed hard enough to make Dustan wince as he heard it. “If you want to hide a tree put it in the forest. It was such a common sight we never gave two thoughts to it.”

At that moment there was a twin popping sound as the two unicorns came back. “Sir! We report that indeed there is purple slime heading to a ponyhole cover not only at the last three sites but the last five.”

“EVERYPONY this is the break we have been looking for!” He called out to the men around the area. “Put in an immediate request to investigate the sewer system below the city.” The detective turned towards Dustan with a hopeful look on his face. “You will join us right? We could use an untainted eye to look for anything out of the ordinary or to ask the right questions.”

He was going to agree to the request for sure but Cadance did so for him. “He will accompany you for sure, even if your higher ups won’t allow it, I will overturn that decision. In fact you have my permission to gather up able body ponies right now and gear up.”

The pony bowed and looked towards his scout ponies. “Civic, put out a broadband magical message to all officers and have it read: We have a lead, gather up and gear up at our position, we have the permission of the princess on this. Let us end this once and for all!”

“That goes for you as well Dustan.” Cadance told him beaming with pride. “Gather up anything you need. The ponies here have been investigating for so long and you gave them the break we needed.”

Chuckling the knight rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. “No problem, like I said it just seemed strange to me.” He then patted the belt pouch he had gotten and smiled. “I already brought everything I need for emergencies…I hope. If I brought my pack it would weigh me down too much.”

“Right.” The princess was looking overjoyed as Secret came up and whispered to her. “Right, I have a meeting to go to today, I had forgotten in all the commotion. Secret will protect me while you help the guard.”

“Ok, see you later then.” Problem was while she was leaving he could still feel that unease that had been plaguing him before growing worse and worse.

Two hours passed before there were several squads in place now, each one at a sewer entrance on one of the past crime scenes. The ponies who had gathered at the current one with Dustan were a little apprehensive about having him there but calmed down once the detective told them of his part in things giving them a sense of relief, or maybe they just trusted the detective that much. Either way with everyone and everypony now ready, the manhole cover was lifted and the soon all descended to the spacious sewers below.

As one could expect from this type of system it was fragrant to put it politely. “This smell is the worst!”

A pony called out from behind him and honestly he couldn’t argue with it. Dustan had once helped one of Pat’s friends empty a septic tank, as he was short on help on his job that day, and even that wasn’t as bad as the smell he was inhaling at this point. Tiny horses reek.

Once they were all down right away the purple slime was noticed as one of the unicorns was using their horn as a light looking around. However a gleam of white caught the attention of the detective having lit up his own horn and shown it towards the spot. What it was revealed were bones, a few of them all clumped up and half melted together.

“Looks like you were right. The killer uses the sewers to get around. Everypony on your frogs, we are in enemy territory now.” The trench coat wearing pony said as he started to lightly move forward.

Behind he could hear the raging pony before now suddenly very eager. “Let’s get this bucking horseapple and show him what happens when you kill innocent ponies and terrorize our streets.”

Dustan noted that there were more than a few agreeing with him and he thought that as a bad sign, and he wasn’t alone. “Cool your tails, we will handle this like normal. We will give them time to surrender before we resort to other methods.”

“Well I hope they don’t surrender then, cause I want to-what is that sound?” Pony ears were so much better than his hearing was, but with the echoing tunnels amplifying sound he too could hear it. It was deep, rhythmic, and an almost sighing or wheezing sound.

The detective stepped forward as a light mist started to rise up around them. “I am detective Book ‘em if the Manehattan Guard Department. Come out with your horn or wings unlit and at your side respectively.”

The mist in the area thickened to fog now making it hard to see, as well as causing the foul smell in the air to intensify. It was now making more than a few ponies start to cough as a squirming sound was coming closer to them.

A pain in Dustan’s lungs warned him too late though as it right away spread a burning sensation through his body and he fell to the ground as his muscles seemed to lose strength. Around him he could see other ponies having various experiences; one ran around in circles starting to jabber about nonsensical things, another seemed frozen in place, while another even turned to stone in front of him. There was even one pony whom turned into a frog.

That was what triggered a memory from Dustan’s mind, one that had been clawing at him to get him to realize it but only now could stare in horror. The massive body was now coming from the darkness ahead of them, multiple orange eyes on wiggly like tentacle stalks, all connected to the main body as was various tentacles. A black fog coming out of the mouth that made up most of his main body that was lined with rows upon rows of sharp teeth.

This was a nightmare made real, one that could end many games causing the user to reload a previous save. This creature was one of the most feared to run into when you weren’t prepared, and oh boy were they not prepared.

“We need to run, it’s a-” however his voice cut out as the silence status took him as did the blind status. Poisoned, blinded, and now mute, he could only think the name of the creature desperately. ‘Malboro!’

Author's Notes:

*Looks around for the mysterious being who always pushes the author off cliffs.* "They-they are gone right?" *Sees no one and no pony.* "Good, AHAHA CLIFFHANG-" *Mysterious shove* "EEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeerrrrrrrr."

*Mysterious Being appears.* "Ahem, Lets put a spoiler tag starting here." "For those confused by the title of the chapter, its a reference to the creature that appears in the story and how the Author called its name when they were younger due to their parents being smokers and it being very close to their brand of cigarettes. Also could be a mix of the breath being like a smoke if you want to look at it like that."