Sherlock Hooves

Sherlock chuckled to himself and walked over to the back of the reception hall. He looked out the window at the chapel garden in an attempt to calm his nerves, letting out a long sigh he tried to mentally collect himself. It wasn't that he was unhappy for Dunder, quite the opposite in fact. He was very happy for his friend.... one of his only friends. For years Dunder had lived with him, one of the only ponies that was willing to put up with Sherlock's antics and oddities. When he wasn't going on adventures and the like he was back in Canterlot helping Sherlock with his cases, and though he wasn't as brilliant as Sherlock he was still invaluable as a partner. Sherlock thought what might become of him now, Dunder was getting married and most likely would be moving to Ponyville. While not a long way from Canterlot, it still wasn't a walk down the block. Sherlock might have to get use to doing the job alone again.

Sherlock nodded in appreciation and fell backwards on the couch, [colour=#800000]"There's another reason I don't eat while working very much.... I get very sleepy afterwards.... it slows me down." [/colour]He leans over and looks up at you. [colour=#800000]"Thank you for taking care of me Lilia...."[/colour]

Sherlock stared at the food and smiled, he was about to take a bite when he heard the tail tell sounds of Cherry's own hunger pains.[colour=#800000] "Hmmm seams like somepony should take her own advice." [/colour]He sighed and began to eat some, he wanted to get Cherry to eat as well but he was quite hungry. He had always had a bad habit of forgetting to eat. He ate the cobbler with controlled enthusiasm, he didn't want to make a mess or look like a slob, but it was really good.

Sherlock wobbles a little and stands up straight composing himself. [colour=#800000]"No... no I'm fine. I don't want you to go to all that...." [/colour]How ever as he stepped forward his leg gave out and he fell flat on his face before he could finish his thought. Lying there for a moment he looked back and chuckled [colour=#800000]"On second thought.... maybe you're right darling." [/colour]Sherlock made his way to the couch and crawled up. [colour=#800000]"I'm sorry about this.... when I get involved in my work I sometimes forget about most other things.... that's why I was so hesitant to get close to you.... I didn't want you to be one of the things I neglect."[/colour]

Sherlock looked down at himself and padded himself a little. [colour=#800000]"Hmm... No no, I'm quite alright. I just passed out due to lack of calories... sometimes I forget for a couple days." [/colour]He chuckled and tried to stagger his way to his pantry, [colour=#800000]"Just a little quick something and I'll be good as new.... happens every once and while dear nothing to worry on." [/colour]Sherlock made it to the pantry and reached up to take hold of the door only to wobble and fall over, not having the strength to stand on three hooves. [colour=#800000]"Hmm that hasn't happened in a while.... when was the last time I ate?"[/colour]

Sherlock twitched a little just laying on the couch, he was still breathing but not doing much else. After a few tense moments his eyes flared open and he sat up, then proceeded to sway and tumble over, [colour=#800000]"WHA?!...... Ooof Where am I?" [/colour]Sherlock got onto his hoofs still very unsteady and tried to walk around. [colour=#800000]"They... they... *blink* Where are they?.... WAIT.... Lilia are we... when did I come back to the flat? I was watching Le Stride take the criminals away..... Did I pass out?"[/colour]

Sherlock chuckled at Rarity's comment of him being a detective, however before he could answer Ice Storm began bouncing up and down announcing that the princess had arrived. Sherlock blinked a few times in surprise, [colour=#800000]"Princess Luna really? I hadn't realized you two were close Miss Storm." [/colour]Sherlock looked out the window over Ice's shoulder as Luna arrived, she made her way to the entrance and disappeared beyond his site. [colour=#800000]"Hmmm Well this is certainly interesting.... Miss Storm, Miss Rarity forgive me but I think I should take my leave. It was a pleasure meeting you both, and hopefully I'll be able to see more of you in the future Miss Storm." [/colour]He took Ice's hoof in his and gave it a kiss. [colour=#800000]"Be patient with him, he can be so stubborn and.... well to be honest thick sometimes. But he really is a good colt. Best partner I've ever had." [/colour]Sherlock turned around and left not before giving Rarity a quick wink and making his way to the main hall. He quickly scanned the room and found the princess sitting by herself near the front. Found it rather surprising that she hadn't been mobbed yet, but he shrugged and walked up next to her. [colour=#800000]"Your highness, a pleasure to see you again as always. Its been a little while." [/colour]Out of courtesy he bowed his head slightly and returned smiling.

Sherlock smiled as Granola and Luna both expressed their delight of the club, [colour=#800000]"Wonderful to hear you two, I do hope this makes up for the trouble I've caused this morning?" [/colour]As he turned back to his drink he noticed Granola scooting closer to him and giving him a, longing look. He inwardly gulped a little and fidgeted in his seat. Its not that Sherlock wasn't use to that kind of attention; being a somewhat infamous private detective, it came with the territory. It was more that he never thought of himself as the dating type. He was eccentric, messy, and could come across as rude and very abrasive. Most mares only liked him because he had been in the paper a few times; so he always kept a distance from relationships outside of his companionship with Dunder and his complicated relationship with one mare in particular. He took another sip of his drink and turned to talk to Granola when the princess began to verbally discipline Dunder for his choice of words to him. [colour=#800000]"Uh oh...." [/colour]He hopped up off his seat and put himself in between the princess and Dunder. [colour=#800000]"Your majesty if you please, there's no need to be upset at Dunder, he and I are old friends and that's just his way of showing his affection to me." [/colour]In his attempt to calm her down he turned back to Dunder, [colour=#800000]"He's very sorry and he certainly wasn't describing all earth ponies with that phrase, weren't you Dunder?"[/colour] Sherlock gave his flat mate a look saying, apologies you idiot.

Sherlock opened the door with Ice's permission and walked in. He smiled as he approached her, and took her hoof in his, [colour=#800000]"Ah well so this is the filly that captured him?" [/colour]He gave her hoof a light kiss and set it back down. [colour=#800000]"A pleasure to finally meet you Miss Storm. For the life of me I don't know why its taken him so long to introduce us proper." [/colour]Sherlock chuckled a little at his playful jab to Dunder, despite him not being there. [colour=#800000]"I just had to come and meet you before the ceremony, he's quite the lucky stallion." [/colour]After the pleasantries Sherlock turned to the other mare in the room and smiled, [colour=#800000]"Hello, my apologies I don't believe we've me." [/colour]Sherlock walked over to Rarity looking her over, as she opened her mouth to speak he stopped her. [colour=#800000]"Shh don't say a word, I like to see if I can do this myself." [/colour]After a few more moments, and looking over Sherlock stepped back and smiled. [colour=#800000]"Alright, white unicorn with an expertly styled mane and tail, you have a posh Canterlot accent however there is still a trace of that Ponyville inflection there. Which would mean you live in one place but make frequent trips to the other. I'm going to assume that you live her in Ponyville given that you're Miss Storm's mare of honor." [/colour]Sherlock reaches down and genitally takes one of her hooves in his. [colour=#800000]"Your hooves, despite being well manicured, have tell tail calluses most commonly found on dressmakers or ponies that are frequently around pins and needles. If I were to hazard a guess.... Miss Rarity, bearer of the Element of Generosity, local dressmaker, and up and coming fashion designer in Canterlot, am I right?" [/colour]

Sherlock smiled at Fleur and gave her a quick wink as he took a sip of his own drink, then turned his attention to Dunder. [colour=#800000]"Dunder! You never told me that you had a marefriend, and you never taken her here? Now that I would expect from me, right Fleur?" [/colour]He said while giving her a sly smile. [colour=#800000]"I mean I'm so absent minded about such things, but you should be more gentlecoltly to your lady." [/colour]Sherlock took another drink and smiled smugly to himself. Being one of Sherlock's only friends Dunder was often the target of his jabs. But they were always in good fun. After finishing his drink he turned attention to Luna's guard, [colour=#800000]"And my apologies to you miss."[/colour] He extended his hoof to her [colour=#800000]"Sherlock Hooves, at your service, not sure if you've heard of me, its more than a possibility that Dunder has never mentioned me. He's ashamed of me you see, we go on our adventures across Canterlot, solving cases and making up for Trotland Yard's incompetence. But he still doesn't like to be associated with such an infamous private detective."[/colour] He then turned his attention to his two guests, [colour=#800000]"Well your highness, Miss Granola, how are you two enjoying yourselves so far?" [/colour]

Sherlock adjusted his formal cravat as he walked to the church, he huffed a little trying to get comfortable in his formal clothing. He was wearing a black formal coat and white shirt, he left the first two buttons undone and tied a formal, red, cravat around his neck and tucked it under his shirt collar. He arrived to the reception hall and sighed, one would think that the detective was more stressed out over the wedding than the groom himself. With one last sigh he put on a smile and walked through the door; he looked around at the collection of strange ponies in the hall until he found a familiar looking brown pegasus colt. He smiled and walked over to the crowd speaking just loud enough for Dunder to hear him. [colour=#800000]"Well it's good to see the stag party last night didn't effect you too much today.... Surprisingly you look good in a tux Dunder."[/colour] He smiled and patted Dunder on the shoulder making his presence well known to the rest of the crowd. He nodded to the rest of Dunder's friends and after introductions were made he turned back to his old flatmate, [colour=#800000]"Well if you'll excuse me my dear friend, I need to do something that YOU should have done quite a long time ago. I'll be back after saying hello to your finance." [/colour]He winked at Dunder and proceeded off to the brides room. After arriving he collected himself for a moment then softly knocked on the door, [colour=#800000]"Excuse me Miss Ice Storm? I was wondering if I could take a short moment of your time? I'm Dunder's old flatmate, Sherlock." [/colour]He waited patiently for her reply

Sherlock chuckled at his flat mate a little, noticing the playful advances the young guard made to him. He took another sip of his scotch when Granola asked about his ponyfriend. As he was about to answer he was interrupted by a tap on the shoulder and a familiar Prench voice behind him; turning to see Fleur he smiled, [colour=#800000]"Fleur! Darling quelle agréable surprise. C'est si agréable de vous voir."[/colour] He reached out and gave the mare a hug and then turned to the rest of the party. [colour=#800000]"Here allow me to introduce everypony. Fleur this is Miss Granola visiting from Ponyvillie, my flat mate Dunder I believe you've met. Miss Fire Walker one of her majesty's royal guards, and of course Princess Luna."[/colour] He turned back to face Fleur, [colour=#800000]"My friends this is Miss Fleur De Lis."[/colour] After introductions Sherlock walked back to the bar and waved to the bartender, [colour=#800000]"A glass of wine for the lady please." [/colour]The bartender nodded and left for the wine cellar, Sherlock turned just in time to see that well sauced stallion that was attempting to flirt with Granola start his work on Fleur. The stallion was persistent he had to give him that, however his attempts were beginning to where on Sherlock's patients. When the bar keep returned with the glass Sherlock took it and made his way back to Fleur and the group.

The bar tender nodded to Granola then turned his attention to the princess, [colour=#006400]"And you, your highness?"[/colour] In the mean time Sherlock turned to notice the bold stallion's advances towards Granola and chuckled, her admiration of him was not lost to him but he was never the type to flirt, and to be fair he wouldn't really know how. Though rather than start trouble in his favorite establishment he decided to just observe for now, if things progressed too much onto Miss Granola he would intervene, though the young earth filly seamed like the type that was capable of taking care of herself. Strongly built, worked out doors, somewhat shy but she still had the boldness to spend her time with the princess and make friends with her. Just then his ears heard the familiar voice of his flat mate Dunder holler in the distance. He looked and waved a hoof at his friend, one of the only one's he had. [colour=#800000]"Glad you could finally get here. Spent the night checking your look in the mirror Dunder?" [/colour]He turned his attention to the three fillies at the bar. [colour=#800000]"Dunder these are my guests, you know princess Luna, and apparently you know Miss Fire Walker. And this is Miss Granola. Ladies and your highness, this is my friend Dunder Blust. What are you having Dunder, its my tab..... go easy tonight we don't need a repeat of the last time you had a bender." [/colour]

The night was cool and clear, the stars shined overhead as Sherlock escorted his two companions to his favorite night club. Princess Luna and Granola had run into him..... well he ran into them... earlier that day and to make up for his rudeness he invited the two to the Speakeasy. Hoping not to disappoint and to show the princess the joys of the modern Canterlot nights he lead them through the entrance and into the main hall. A large bar in the back with ample seating, further in tables and chairs for the ponies that preferred them. Next to the tables was the dance floor and the stage with a full jazz band playing a soothing slow song. There were already a few ponies on the dance floor already enjoying each other's company. Sherlock guided the two of them through the crowd back to the bar retelling the history of the club. [colour=#800000]"[/colour][colour=#800000]Originally it was a storage house for a local factory. They made carriage parts and the like, but then there was a dip in the economy and it shut down. Soon after the prohibition laws were put into place underground clubs and bars called "speakeasies" opened up all over. This is one of the most famous.... or infamous[/colour][colour=#800000]. It never really got itself a name, foalks just called it "the place" or "the speakeasy" but it was the place in Canterlot to go if a pony wanted a drink. After the laws were repealed the place ended up staying open as an invite only club." [/colour]They made their way to the back of the bar, many ponies greeted Sherlock with a smile or wave and he returned their hellos in kind, sometimes stopping to shake a hoof or two. They arrived at the bar and the bartender looked up and smiled, sliding Sherlock a glass of scotch on the rocks. [colour=#006400]"Your usual Mr. Hooves, and for your two friends?"[/colour]

The outside looked like any old run down warehouse. Abandoned and useless, no window, no signs, and no real entrance. But for those that were clever enough, or special enough for an invitation, they would find something amazing on the inside. The Speakeasy. was built during the days of prohibition as, well as its name describes, a speakeasy. It was a go to place for young ponies to get a drink, party, socialize, and just enjoy themselves in a time when the rest of Canterlot society forced them to do otherwise. In all the years she was acting as an underground pub she was never found out. After the days of prohibition ended the owner decided to play the hand he was dealt and the pub expanded to a night club. She already had a reputation in the underground, but now the knowledge of her existence could be made more public. So after a year of renovation she was reopened as an invite only night club, specifically jazz and swing. Don't expect to buy your way in though, its your character that gets you in. So sit back, have a drink, dance a little, and enjoy. (Okay the last Speakeasy didn't go too well, so we're just going to try again. Its open to all but please try and keep things in order so there wont be any confusion.)

The song had ended and the crowd cheered, Sherlock ginned and bowed a little. He had forgotten what it was like to be up here, this was one of his little pleasures in life and he had neglected it for a bit too long. He smiled and looked back at the band and nodded, "Okay enough of the slow stuff, last I checked this was a swing club!" The band started again this time with faster paced music, Sherlock tapped his hoof and started again, "Gal is like a race horse, I play her to win..." Another one of Dean's songs, Who's Got the Action. This time the audience cheered and filled the dance floor, swinging to the music.

Sherlock made his way around the back towards Discord, trying to stay as out of sight as much as he/she could. He/she kept his/her eyes open double checking the surroundings and taking note to Discord's position. Then he/she saw him, on his throne, lounging; he looked almost bored. He wouldn't be bored for long. Sherlock waited for Val's distraction, if Discord was anything like what he/she thought he was, then he would show off the dagger.

Sherlock blinked and blushed at himself, "Oh how rude of me, my apologies your highness. I'm a consulting detective of.... some repute, but still fairly well known in the Canterlot society. Sherlock Hooves, at your service princess Cadenza." After his introduction he turned back to Fleur, "Our hostess was gracious enough to invite me, even though I'm not much for these occasions. However I could never refuse an invitation from my dear Fleur."

Sherlock breathed heavily and looked intensely focused. "Well if I can pull this off it will all be back to normal... now I need you to sneak yourself around the opposite direction and get ready for my signal, I have a feeling that when I try and intimidate Discord with these items that he'll start to laugh, evil overlords love to do that. He'll more than likely revile the dagger to prove that he still has the upper claw. When he does.... hit him with everything you've got. Anything you can do just do it, I'll take care of the rest."

The taxi finally pulled up to Fleur De Lis' estate, Sherlock hopped out and paid the cabby and trotted to the house with an annoyed look on his face. From behind him he heard a gruff voice shout, "What no tip?!" Sherlock turned around and faced the driver, "As slow as you were? I was already pressed for time, now because of your inept driving I'm even later. Be happy I paid you at all!" He turned back around and trotted back to the house grumbling, "For Celestia's sake.... this is Canterlot, I could have chartered a balloon and gotten here quicker." He arrived at the front door and stopped for a moment, looking at his reflection in the window to adjust himself. Normally he didn't bother too much with appearances, outside of looking professional...ish for his clients. He straightened his mane, and adjusted his suit; satisfied he looked well enough he opened the door and made his way to the back. He waved to the butler, "No need I know where the party is." Fleur's butler sighed a little and let Sherlock threw, "Of course Mr. Hooves she's expecting you, though a little earlier than this." Sherlock groaned, "Yes thank you for the reminder." He made his way to the back patio and exited the mansion. He blinked a few times to adjust to the light; once he had he noticed Fleur sitting at the table with princess Cadence of all ponies. He trotted over, "Fleur, sorry I'm late I uh.... well lets just say sorry I'm late and we'll leave it at that." He turned to the princess and bowed slightly, Sherlock wasn't fond of formalities but he would endure for the royal family..... most of it. "Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, a pleasure."

Sherlock's head hung off his couch as he slumbered away, the previous night had worn him out. Chasing down a smuggler for the inspector, not something he normally did but it relived his boredom. There was a knock at his door, it didn't wake him, another louder this time. He grumbled a little but didn't move. Eventually there was a heavy sigh from the other side of the door followed by, "Mr. Hooves for Celestia's sake get up! Its 1 in the afternoon." Sherlock blinked awake and groaned. He trotted over to his apartment door and unlocked it allowing his landmare entrance. Mrs. Canter entered with a bundle of mail, "Honestly Mr. Hooves, keeping such hours. Its not healthy." "Yes thank you nanny, I'll keep your wise words in mind the next time I pull an all night stakeout and chase through greater Canterlot." He rubbed his eyes and yawned, looking at the pile of mail the older unicorn mare had brought in with her. "So what do we have for today Mrs. Canter?" She sighed and looked back at her tenant annoyed. "I'm your landmare, NOT your housekeeper or your secretary." Sherlock sighed and sat down at his desk waiting for her. Mrs. Canter rolled her eyes and floated the letters in front of her. "Lets see, request of your services..." "Just put all those in the in box I'll look through them later." "Request to appear in Canterlot court." "Jury summons or am I being brought up on civil charges again?" "Looks like charges" Sherlock groaned and held out his hoof "I'll have to show this to the inspector, I don't want to be drug in front of their majesties again. What's that last one?" Mrs. Canter looked and turned the envelope to face him. "Looks like an invitation" Sherlock's eyes shot open, "An... invitation? From who?" "Hmm... Oh its Miss Fleur De Lis the actress, I didn't know you knew her Sherlock. Oh you must introduce me to her sometime, or at least get me an autograph." Sherlock wasn't paying much attention to Mrs. Canter though, he was scrambling around his apartment frantically trying to clean himself up. "Oh for Celestia's sake! That's right it was today, how how could I have let that slip my mind?! Luna's Mane she's not going to be happy!" Mrs. Canter looked on at Sherlock with confusion, "Sherlock what's wrong?" "Not now Mrs. Canter I'm late for Fleur's party! Blast I'm a wreck. Thank you for reminding me and I'll make sure you get your rent but for now I need you to leave!" Sherlock started to shove Mrs. Canter out, "Oh alright alright Sherlock but you'll only be an hour late at the most." "Yes but I made a promise and I need to clean up. No way I'm going to Fleur's party looking like this. Now off you go nanny, thank you." And with that he slammed the door in her face and ran into his bathroom to wash up quickly. Soon enough he was clean and redressed in one of his suits. Light olive with a light blue shirt, no tie as he owned none; he combed his mane and tail and bolted out the door making his way to the street. There he gave a whistle and hailed a cab. "The Fleur De Lis estate and step on it!"

Sherlock smiled and patted his friend on the back. "Thanks Val, I'm glad you're going to be sticking around with me on this." Sherlock punched the accelerator and drove as fast as their vehicle could. "To Ponyville then... for Equestria" The two sped off in the direction of the quote "Chaos Capital of the World" What had once been the town of Ponyville, now Discord's personal playground.

Sherlock drove as fast as he could toward Ponyvilie, determination in his/her eyes. "Alright Val, now this is the plan. Its really risky but its all we've got. We need to make Discord nervous and aware that we've found the other artifacts that bind him to our world." Sherlock spoke quickly, "Once I show him the artifacts I'll try and make an obvious bluff that I've got the last one. If he's as arrogant as I believe him to be he wont be able to resist the urge to prove me wrong. Once he shows us the last artifact I need you to do whatever you can to get it from him. Distract him, tackle him, flirt with him I don't care! Just do WHATEVER it takes. If you can get that thing away from him...... we may just have a chance." Sherlock turned to Val and sighed, "This is possibly going to get us both killed Val..... If you want to back out now.... I would more than understand."

Sherlock thought to herself for a while, out loud as usual. "Yes we don't know what it is, but we know he has it. Though he doesn't know we have the other two... or maybe he does.... But then why wouldn't he have sent a full force to stop us? Or come after us himself... he is that arrogant. Wait! NO! That's it!...... Is it? YES!" She smiled and started the car, "Discord is going to show us the final piece himself. We just need to convince him that we're a threat. We know he has the last one, but he doesn't know we have the other two. So what do we do? We show them off to him. Then bluff that we've got the last one." She chuckled and started to drive off away from the Everfree "If he's as arrogant as I think he is. He'll just want to gloat over us that we haven't figured out his secret. Lets go Val, next stop.... Ponyville."

Sherlock blinked for a moment then, like a light going off in his/her head, stood up with a shout. "AHH Of course! The reason it was never recorded was that he kept it with him the whole time! This means he knows about them and knows how dangerous it would be for somepony to track them down. But if they were that dangerous then why didn't he just take all of them? ..... OHH Because he doesn't know where they are! He can't know otherwise he would have taken them by now!" Sherlock practically pranced around as he/she explained the situation. She was giddy with the thought, "This means.... we've got the upper hoof on him. We actually have an advantage. Val get in the transport.... we've got a world to save."