Night's Warden

By R. Lestia • 2017 • [OC]

Once upon a time, millenia ago, a quill and ink were set to parchment by six ponies, and the foundation of Equestria was laid, not in earth, but in writing -- the Constitution of Equestria.

For all its storied history, the document is surprisingly dimunituve -- but all experts feel that it doesn't need to be terribly long, because Equestria is adequately described with it's first Declaration:

Most experts notice the unusual wording and assume it was a well-thought-out measure to ensure neutrality and the open-border policy that the Founding Pillars desired, and prevent technicalities in using "pegasus" or "unicorn", and more recently, "alicorn" to describe a resident of Equestria and alienate their right to peace.

Most experts are right, but not for the reasons they think.

* * *

I adjusted my hat as I looked up at the sign showing a rainbow-hued dial ranging from a reassuring green to an alarming red; an arrow stuck on a pivot pointed somewhere towards the red side of the scale, and the sign had been modified to cover the word "fire watch" with "wolf watch".

"Don't worry, it only comes out at night, Mister Longstride," a refined voice said.

I turned around to see an elegant-looking white unicorn. She noticed my appraisal of her, and tossed her purple, curled mane gracefully, posing slightly. Not a shy pony.

I smiled. "I'm afraid you've got me at a loss, miss...?"

"Rarity," she said, introducing herself. "At your service. If you don't mind me saying so, you look every bit the detective I've been told about."

"Ah, my reputation precedes me," I said, taking my hat off and bobbing my head. "It is no less a pleasure to meet you, Miss Rarity, but I was expecting somepony else...?"

"Ah, yes, Cozy Home," Rarity said. She grimaced. "The poor dear has come down with something... ahem. Virulent. She asked if I would mind standing in for her today, and I certainly don't mind one bit," she added, smiling at me.

I nodded. "Well. I hope to meet Miss Home in person at some point. She's been a great help, especially at short notice. Did she mention what this was about?"

"Of course, darling," Rarity said, batting a hoof. "It's all been arranged; you just need to pick up the keys from City Hall, and I'll show you around."

"Ladies first, then," I bowed slightly and motioned ahead of me. Rarity smiled and took the lead as I picked up my suitcase in a haze of magic and followed.

"So, Mister Longstride," Rarity said conversationally. "I must say, your accent is interesting -- where are you from, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Just 'Longstride' will do," I said, chuckling. "Mister makes me feel old. I'm from Chickago, although, not for quite some time."

"Of course, Longstride -- and that's across the Avalonian sea, right?" Rarity asked. "Always have wanted to see the Magnificent Mile, myself."

"For the fashion and architecture, right?" I guessed.

"Oh, you are good," Rarity said. "Yes, I've always wanted to see for myself what happens when pony fashion meets Gryphon style, the Magnificent Mile seems like the perfect place."

I shrugged as I walked. "I couldn't say, sadly -- I left when I was young, and I wasn't terribly big on art and fashion while I was there."

Rarity sighed. "A pity. Still, I hope you enjoy Ponyville -- it's no Chickago, but I think we've definitely got our own style going."

I looked at all the thatch-roofed houses. "The rustic feel is a nice change of pace," I admitted.

"Isn't it?" Rarity asked. "I like the big city as much as the next gal, but it's always good to return home. Speaking of -- planning on being in town long?"

"Uh, I guess so," I said. "I'll be around for the foreseeable future, at any rate."

"Hm!" Rarity looked at me and smiled. "Well, if you ever need a companion for brunch, do not hesitate to call on me!"

I nodded, and we stepped into the shadow of the tall, dome-like building that was Ponyville's town hall. We stepped up to the doors, and using my magic, I levered them open. The massive slabs of wood pivoted, and with a gust of the chilly autumnal air accompanying us, we stepped inside, closing the doors behind us.

Ponyville town hall was nothing like Canterlot or Chickago; the city halls there were jam-packed with ponies going every which-way, and if you didn't have a firm idea of where you wanted to go and the confidence to cross the streams of traffic (or the ability to go over / around them) you were liable to find yourself in the wrong department.

Ponyville was... less so. The large foyer was empty save for the receptionist's desk, where a heavily made-up beige mare with ornate glasses sat, staring at a typewriter and entertaining herself with a hoof-file. The nameplate on her vest read "Emry Board".

"Good afternoon, how can I help yew?" she asked with a nasally voice, blowing dust off her file and looking up at me and Rarity.

"Good afternoon, Miss Board," Rarity said. "Mister Longstride is here to pick up his house key and property deed."

"Hmm?" Emry peered at me. "Do yew happen to have any ID?"

"Of course," I said, sliding my papers over. Emry peered at it, setting her face in a strange expression, and compared it to her own notes.

"Very good," Emry said approvingly. "Mister Longstride, if yew could please step this way, the Mayor would like a word with yew, if yew wouldn't mind."

The secretary got up, and bustled out from behind her desk and towards the depths of the town hall. I looked ar Rarity, and she smiled.

"Don't worry about me," she said. "I'll wait here until you're done."

"Thanks," I said, following Emry Board.

The secretary's path was reasonably direct, and we hadn't gone far before we came to a pair of reasonably-sized double-doors helpfully labelled "Mayor Mare". Emry knocked on the door firmly, yet delicately so as to not damage her own hooficure.

"What is it?" a mare's voice asked.

"Mister Longstride has arrived, Ma'am," Emry said.

"Oh! Come on in, Mister Longstride!" Mayor Mare responded. I looked at Emry Board, and she nodded, opening the door for me before turning around and walking back to the front desk. I stepped inside the Mayor's office, closing the door behind me.

The office was round, the walls lined with filing cabinets. Standing in front of the window and silhouetted by the sunlight was an elderly mare.

"Mayor Mare," I said, by way of greeting, and removed my hat.

"Sergeant Longstride," she said, looking back. "Have a seat, would you?"

I did so, pulling out a seat and sitting down at the visitor side of the desk. Mayor Mare turned around, and took her own seat on her side, sitting down. She reached under the desk, and pulled out a small envelope, placing it on the desk with a muted clink and pushing it towards me.

"First things first," the Mayor said. "Your house key and property deed."

"Thank you," I said, taking the envelope and tucking them inside my longcoat. "I feel like there's more you want to say, though."

"Yes," Mayor Mare said tersely. "As I understand it, you are to become the new town Warden."

"That I am," I said.

"Do you have any... experience being a Warden?" Mayor Mare asked, gesturing in a circle.

"I've served in the Guard, as usual, but this will be my first position as Warden," I admitted.

"Well, Ponyville has been without a Warden for quite some time, now," she said.

"Not since Warden Cane passed away a few years ago, right?" I asked.

"That's right," Mayor Mare said. "But if you'll allow me, I'll give you the same advice I gave him when he took the role." Mayor Mare leaned forward. "Stay out of our business, Warden."

"Well, you know I can't do that," I said, meeting her gaze levelly. "You know the Princesses 've got me honorbound, to make sure the supernatural community's business is my business."

"The Princesses have you bound to do right by the supernatural community," Mayor Mare clarified. "And I'm telling you, the best way to do that is to step back, and let us run ourselves. The last thing we need is some... mortal messing with the established order."

I sat up straight. "You're doing a fantastic job then," I said coldly. "'Wolf Watch'? Probability 'high' to 'severe'?"

"We have an interloper," Mayor Mare said. "Nothing to be concerned about. It'll get handled."

"It could stand to be handled a little quicker," I said pointedly. "As you said, my job is to do right by the supernatural community, and the best way to do that is to make sure it remains nothing more than a rumor -- not just here, but everywhere. The quicker we break this pattern, the less dots get joined by conspiracy theorists."

"You don't think I already understand that?" Mayor Mare asked tersely. As she did so, her mouth curled instinctively, and I spotted tell-tale marks of filed teeth. "I said, it is being handled."

"Alright, alright," I said, standing up. "If that's all, Rarity is waiting for me in the foyer."

"That's all," Mayor Mare said, eyeing me. "Obviously, I can't make you stay out, but take it from somepony with a few centuries of experience, and consider it, would you?"

"Of course," I said, nodding and putting my hat on before turning for the door. "I'll take it under advisement."

The door clicked as I closed it behind me, and I let out a breath slowly, shaking my head. Vamponies. One thing to read about them, and another to face one and put the First Declaration to the test. Thank the stars respect for authority and law was in their nature.

I composed myself and returned to the foyer; there, Rarity was entertaining herself with a Pony Weekly magazine, which she closed and set aside as she stood up.

"Nothing major?" she asked brightly.

"Oh, just an advisory regarding the wolf situation," I said.

"Hmm, yes," Rarity said. "It is rather dreadful and a shame -- it's not common for Ponyville to be unsafe after dark. You expect it from the likes of Manehattan and Detrot, perhaps, but certainly not here."

We exited the relatively warm Town Hall and emerged back into the brisk autumn air; Rarity checked a small note, and looked around, pointing. "You'll be situated over this way, Longstride."

We carried on, and I continued to get a feel for the town, looking around and watching what passed for 'normal' around here -- vendors sold produce in a market, ponies sat at cafes drinking hayshakes, and a gaggle of schoolfoals galloped past, freed from the temporary prison that was a an educational institute.

I had to give it to Mayor Mare -- aside from the wolf problem, they really did have things under control. I couldn't spot anything odd, and I knew what I was looking for.

"Something wrong, Longstride?" Rarity asked.

I blinked. "Oh. Nothing much," I admitted. "I'm just... looking around. In case there's somepony that happens to need my detective skills."

"Oh, I see," Rarity said. "I'll be sure to refer ponies to you if they need a detective to solve a problem."

"Thanks," I said, uncertain.

It wasn't far to what I would have to get used to calling my street; not far from the town square, a row of relatively narrow, two-story apartments stood; I checked the number on the paperwork I'd picked up, and found mine, right at the end of the row.

"So, this is your new home," Rarity said. "It's very... cozy."

"I don't exactly need much," I pointed out. "I'm only on my own, after all."

"That's true," Rarity admitted. "Was there anything else you needed help with?"

"I think I've got it from here," I said.

"Well, if you do need a local guide, do let me know -- I do enjoy showing off Ponyville," Rarity said. "I can usually be found at the Carousel Boutique." She winked. "Or you can put those detective skills to use and ask around for yours truly."

"I'll be sure to do so," I nodded. "Thank you for your guidance."

"It is no trouble, darling," she said. "Absolutely no trouble at all."

Rarity cantered away, and I hefted my suitcase as I walked towards the door. And I set it down again as I realized I'd been given a great deal of keys, and tried them in the lock one by one.

Halfway through the ring, there was a thud that reverberated through the wall, and I looked to my left to see an earth pony leaving her own apartment; a gray mare with a gracefully styled black mane and a bow-tie. She turned around and saw me, clearing her throat in surprise.

"Good afternoon," she said, with a clipped Canterlot accent. "Are you quite alright there?"

"Oh, yes," I nodded, pausing as I stood up straight. "I'm your new neighbor. Longstride, detective. A pleasure to meet you...?"

"Octavia," the mare said, nodding her head in greeting. "Octavia Melody."

I nodded slowly as something came to mind. "You sound familiar. Canterlot Philharmonic?"

Octavia cleared her throat. "Yes," she said tersely. "I was with the orchestra."

I grimaced internally. Bit of a raw subject there. I cursed my half-memory. "Well, I won't keep you from your business," I said. "Good to meet you, Octavia."

"Likewise," the gray mare said, tucking her key under her bow-tie and walking away.

I turned back to the door and exhaled. Not a mare of many words, was she? I tried one more key, and this time the lock clicked and the door swung open. I was in.

I stepped over the threshold and set my case down, taking a deep breath of that new house smell; the house had been pre-furnished and it looked like Cozy Home had given the place a dusting before she'd gotten sick.

"Home, sweet home."

* * *

By the time the sun started to touch the horizon, I'd finished unpacking -- what little I had to unpack -- and was sitting in the ground-floor living room's easy chair, taking in the decor.

I could not agree with the lace doilies, but could not think of what to replace them with, making them a necessary evil.

I looked out the window at the street outside; the odd pony passed by, but it was an otherwise quiet street. Mayor Mare's advice rang in my head; Ponyville was indeed taking care of itself, it seemed. If I followed her advice, this could be a profitably cushy job -- I might even wind up doing more work as part of my cover than my actual job...

I shook my head. That wouldn't do. I didn't get the position for having a poor sense of ethics. I was being entrusted with the care of the town by the Princesses, regardless of whether the inhabitants realized or wanted it. But Mayor Mare was quite adamant about me staying out, and crossing her was a sure-fire way to make my future in this town awkward at best.

I rubbed my chin. She just wanted me to let them handle it... surely there was no harm in me spectating? And if I just happened to be around if things went pear-shaped... well, no harm in that, right?

I got up, and grabbed my longcoat from the back of the chair. Ponyville wasn't a town where ponies regularly wore clothes, but I had my reasons for it, not least of which was maintaining my image.

I pushed open the front door, and something vibrantly pink caught my eye on the doorstep. I raised an eyebrow, and picked it up; an envelope, sealed with three balloons. I popped the seal open, and-

I flinched as the envelope spewed confetti straight into my face, complete with phantom party horn sounds. I spat confetti out of my mouth, and shook off the envelope before checking the contents more throughly. For the accompanying payload, the contents were simple, a single plain postcard with just a few words on it.

I turned the card over, and there was a helpful diagram showing directions. My nose twitched, and I smelled the card. Cake. Made sense, if it came from a place called "Sugarcube Corner". I looked at the address again, and checked my pocketwatch. It was almost time -- if I left now, I'd make it.

What was more interesting was how whoever had sent it knew who I was, where I lived, and that I'd just happen to step outside prior to the party. Unless Rarity was a phenomenal gossip, it had to be someone in the supernatural community. Somepony looking to reinforce the Mayor's warning? Or a sympathizer who disagreed that the Mayor had the wolf problem under control?

I rubbed the card thoughtfully, and put it away in a pocket. Best way to deal with a trap was from the inside anyway.

* * *

As I pushed the door to the confectionary-shaped confectionary bakery open, I had thought I was prepared for an ambush -- less than a few seconds later, I realized how woefully wrong I was, as the air around me exploded with yet more confetti, and more party horns.

"Surprise!" a mare exclaimed excitedly. "Welcome to Ponyville, Longstride!"

I cracked an eye open to see the inside of the cafe was filled with ponies, all stamping and cheering; front and center was the mare who had presumably set me up. Only somepony this pink and curly could be so loud. Also the three balloons on her flank betrayed her as the sender of the envelope.

"Ah, thank you?" I hazarded as the stamping died down, looking around. The party attendees smiled at me, and the party kicked off proper, the distant pop of corks as cider was uncorked and the murmur of general conversation as ponies negotiated for slices of cake. There were banners with my name on it stretched across the ceiling, and crude-but-accurate drawings of myself in crayon in places.

The pink mare emerged from the throng with a platter of assorted sweets balanced on her rump, and presented it to me with a flourish.

"For you!" she exclaimed. "I'm getting the vibe that you're a pony with no particular likes or dislikes about baked goods, so I got you a selection."

I took the platter in my magic numbly. "Sorry, have I done something amazing?" I narrowed my eyes. "Did I happen to help you in some small-but-significant way in the past, and you've never forgotten?"

"We've never met!" the pink mare exclaimed. "You've just moved to Ponyville!"

I relaxed a little. "Oh. Do you throw a welcome party for everypony that moves in?"

"Do you not?"

I took a breath to answer, but let it out. Guess it was a local thing.

The pink mare reared up on her hooves, striking a contorted pose. "Wait, I know what you're thinking -- your next line is "Who are you, and how did you know I was moving in"!"

"Who are you, and how did you-" I caught myself.

The pink mare giggled. "Pinkie Pie! And I'm very well connected! I know a pony who knows a pony, who knows a doctor who was filling out a prescription for a pony, who works with Cozy Home, who was there when she was asking Rarity to fill in for her!" Pinkie paused. "Also, I know Rarity, and she told me. Filly loves her gossip. Who would have thought, right?"

I blinked. "Right. Well. Thank you for the welcome party then -- I can hardly argue against a free party, right?"

Pinkie winked. "I like you. Keep it up, and there's more where that came from, Sergeant."

She turned and pranced away to check on other guests. And I realized something. She wasn't on my list...

"Longstride!" I was hailed by a familiar voice. I turned to see Rarity, accompanied by a purple pony and a small dragon.

"Rarity," I said, nodding. "Glad to see a familiar face -- Pinkie Pie certainly makes a strong first impression, doesn't she?"

"She certainly does," a purple unicorn next to her said. "I wound up taking a shot of hot sauce at mine."

I looked at the unicorn -- wait, she had wings, too, which made her... I bowed quickly, holding the platter high.

"Princess Twilight," I said quickly. "My apologies."

Twilight blushed. "That's quite alright, now please stop bowing?" I straightened, and she sighed, relaxing visibly. "Thanks. The whole bowing thing still makes me feel self-concious." She cleared her throat. "I hear you're a detective?"

I nodded. "That I am," I said.

"What kind?" she asked. "Forensics? Missing persons? Lost and found?"

I swallowed. I hadn't given it any thought. "All of the above?" I hazarded. "It's really all the same at the end of the day; paying attention to details and having a mind like a steel trap..." I shrugged. "I like puzzles, I guess."

"Oh, that's great," Twilight said. "Ponyville's a quiet place, but it's always good to have a deductive mind on hoof... I have book of brainteasers that you might actually-"

Twilight stopped abruptly and I started as Rarity stumbled on the spot slightly.

"Rarity!" the small dragon exclaimed. "Are you okay?"

Rarity shook her head to clear it, and straightened up. "I'm fine, Spike -- just more tired than I thought, I've been up since the early hours of this morning. I do feel out of sorts, perhaps I've caught something off poor Cozy Home?" she guessed.

"If you're tired, you should go home and rest!" Pinkie said. I jumped as I realized she was standing right next to me. She gave me a look and looked back at Rarity.

"I... think you're right," Rarity said. "I should rest up. So sorry to abandon the party so soon."

"If you gotta have an early night, take it! Can't party if you're pooped!" Pinkie dismissed. "You owe me attendance for the next party, though!"

"Of course," Rarity said. "Twilight, Spike, Longstride -- I'll see you around."

"Take care, Rarity," Twilight said. "Careful on your way home!"

Rarity waved, and made for the door. Twilight watched her go, and looked to me.

"Has anypony mentioned the, uh, wolf problem right now?" she asked.

"I... saw a billboard," I said, treading carefully. "High to severe?"

Twilight nodded. "A wolf, or something rather like it, has been lurking around town at night," she admitted. "Getting into trashcans, that sort of thing."

"Dangerous?" I asked. I hesitated. "Have you sent for the Guard?"

"Certainly dangerous, it's a wolf," Twilight said. "But it's not attacked anypony yet, thankfully. Seems to shy away from attention, nopony's actually seen it."

I paused. "Then how do you know it's a wolf?" I asked.

"Big pawprints and clawmarks where it's been?" Spike suggested. "I thought you were a detective?"

"A detective?" Pinkie asked. "Ooh! Ooh! Do me, do me!"

"I'm sorry," I said, entirely sidetracked. "Do what?"

"Detective stuff!" Pinkie bounced up and down. She reached into her mane, and pulled out a pack of cards and a couple of bits. "I've got cards and some coins, can you tell me what card I'm thinking of or make a coin appear in my pocket?"

"Pinkie," Twilight said. "That's "Street Magician", not "Detective"."

"Oh." Pinkie said. "Then what do you do, Detective?"

"I... solve mysteries? Find things?" I shrugged. "I detect?"

Pinkie looked at me skeptically. "I doubt that very much."

I blinked. "Why?"

"Where's your hat?" she asked. "Your pipe? Your clueless assistant? Feh!" Pinkie turned up her nose.

I touched my head. "I didn't realize those were pre-requisites for being a detective."

"Only if you want to be the finest detective in the world!" Pinkie exclaimed.

"We solved a mystery on a train once," Twilight said. "Long story. But back to the point, this wolf business is causing no end of trouble. I realize you've only just arrived in town, but if you're able to find out where this wolf is sleeping, that'd be a big help."

"So you can call the Guard to kill it?" I asked.

"I know the habits of wolves!" Pinkie said. "They prowl the streets alone, looking for one or two ponies alone, or maybe a whole crowd. They'll show them their sleeves, and take out a pack of cards, and-"

"Don't be ridiculous. Street magicians are totally different. They hunt in packs, and eat raw meat."

* * *

"Good." He looked me up and down. "You move in recently?"