Sherlock Hooves

We all love you too. Thank you so much for this kindness to me, the members, and the site. This is really special.

Sherlock grumbled on his/her way out of the cave, something to the effect of being called that already. He for the most part ignored most of Val's laughter up until they made it to their transportation. Finally having enough, "Alright are you through?! We've got a job to do here and the sooner its finished the sooner we.... especially me... are back to normal." He/she stored away the item in the back with the pogo stick and pulled out they're map and took a seat to review the map and the last item to find. After a while of study he/she tossed the map at the ground in frustration and groaned with annoyance. "Ah its not there! There's nothing indicating a final location on the map..... So where can this item be?"

"Well I believe we're one step closer.... Have a look." Sherlock pointed toward the back of the temple. At the end stood an alter with a black ball resting atop it. "That must be it..... its the only think in here." He approached it and looked around it and the alter for a moment. "Double checking for traps. I've read enough Daring Do stories to think twice before just grabbing something." Satisfied that things looked safe enough his carefully picked up the orb and examined it. "What in the hay?..... This.... this is a magic 8 ball! Its like we're going through Discord's bedroom closet and collecting his old junk. Well whatever, its all we've got." He placed the ball in a saddle bag and started back the way he came. "Now lets get out of here..... What the....." Sherlock stopped, something wasn't right. He put a hoof to his throat and tried to clear it, he was right its pitch had changed. His eyes widened and he quickly looked down at his reflection. "No nonononononono! This is not funny!" He turned around to face Val. The once male detective had now turned into a mare version of himself, with the goat horns still attached.

Sherlock, after quickly returning home and cleaning up, waited outside the listed address to the club. The building looked nothing like what one would think a night club to look like. It looked like an abandoned warehouse; no windows save for the very top and no visible entrance except for one reenforced steel door. Sherlock stood outside the door and waited patiently; he was wearing a nice dark grey suit and dark blue shirt. No tie and he had left his hat at home. He shifted a little nervously, he usually felt that he was a confident stallion. He needed to be, in order to be a private detective. But he was pretty much escorting the princess and her friend around for the evening. He hoped that things would go well. (I am so sorry for the wait. I just got a promotion at work and my time has been all taken up I promise I'll be more diligent for this.)

"Well I'm sure he does know about them. But I believe its very doubtful that he created all this as a way to mess with us." He began to elaborate, "The history of these items was discovered in an anchient part of the library, that was still under the sheilding spell that Celestia cast over the palace. Its quite possible that he knows about these things, and that he's looking for them.... why wouldn't he? But..... what if he doesn't have any clue where to look?" Sherlock stopped for a moment and grined slyly. "Chin up Val.... I think we have one up on him. He doesn't know where these things are but we do. So even if he's trying to stop us or intentionally mess with us.... we still have a slight advantage. Besides as I said before. This is the only shot we've got and I'm going to take it. We beat him or die trying."

Sherlock hopped down into the entrance and looked around. "Hmmm not bad for being a couple thousand years old. Now lets see what's around." Sherlock grabbed a torch off the wall and gave it a light with some matches in his pocket, then proceeded to walk thought the cave. "You know something has been bothering me. On the map there were two very well defined locations for these objects. Easily found and tracked.... well for the most part. If we could find them I'm sure Discord could do the same. And if he can, then why hasn't he just taken the items himself and keep them close for safety sake?"

"Yes quite, fortunately for myself I've never considered myself to be all that sane. But that's besides the point..... Now were to find this... shrine I suppose." He started examining the area for any signs of normal unaltered objects. Nothing appeared to be standing out until the pair walked a little further and stumbled on a very large oak tree. "Hmmm That looks promising.... An oak tree." Sherlock trotted up to it and gave it a tap.... nothing. "Seams normal enough, I suppose this could be it. I mean until now I was expecting to find another pony made structure. I wonder if there's an entrance somewhere....." He circled the tree before noticing a gap between two of the tree's large roots. "This might be promising.... Go have a look Val." He chuckled slightly and smiled at his companion.

Sherlock looked back to the sound of the screams, he let out an exasperated moan and rushed over to free his partner. "Is it too much to ask, to just go 5 minutes without something trying to kill us?!" He leapt on top of the giant flower and gave its stem a hard buck. Nothing, again. Still nothing. "Oh come ON! Fine you want to play this the hard way?" Leaning down he placed his new horns right at the edge of the stem's base and gave a strong thrust, impaling it into the flower. With a quick jerk, and not any small amount of neck strain, he separated the flower from the stem. It fell to the ground with a thud. He walked around to help pry Val out of it's grasp. "The next time you have an urge to touch something...... just let it go."

Sherlock whipped the juice off his face and gave Val a stare. "Well we shouldn't have to deal with much more of this..... I believe we're here.... Wherever hear is." He looked around finding a great big amount of nothing... well nothing but a chaotic forest. "Like the desert there must be a temple or shrine somewhere nearby. Look around and see if you can find anything out of the ordinary..... well in a normal way.... if that makes sense."

Sherlock rolled his eyes at his companion's unintentional pun and proceeded forward. "That's something I would like to avoid as well my friend..... Now the location should be about two miles in, south east." They trekked for about an hour with luckily nothing to horrifying happening to either of them. Neither of their forms changed any more non were they attacked.... well save for the random two trees thinking the ponies would make excellent beach balls. "Well that was..... interesting.... I think I'll be demanding a few days off of work if we can pull this off." The two finally made it to their destination. A cave and carved around it were barely legible runes.

Sherlock turned back around to see the finished product. He smiled and picked it up giving it a once over, before slipping it on. "Magnificent Cross-Stitch! It looks and fits perfect; this is exactly what I needed for a replacement..... Well one replacement." He chuckled then slipped on the shirt, a red tie, and the jacket over it. "Well what do you think? ..... Oh almost forgot need the hat to complete it...." He grabbed his old fedora and flipped it in the air and landing it right on his head. "I think this says detective well enough don't you Mr. Stitch?"

"I see no reason for to be. Great selection, decent prices, and skilled tailoring at a speed one would usually find from a unicorn. I have a feeling that once word gets out you'll be a little more than just known." Sherlock glanced around at the designs adorning the manikins for a moment. "Well you wont have to fear about my tastes changing to drastically Mr. Stitch. I like to keep a practical professional look, rather than change styles every three months."

Sherlock laid his selection out with a smile, "Yes just a few replacements. I'm glad to see you cater to so many tastes, I prefer solid, narrower ties rather than the standard width that most colts wear these days." He looked around once more finding a few more items to pick up, smaller accessories to complete his outfits. "Keep this up though and you'll be one of the more popular clothiers in Canterlot, I know several business ponies that could use some new outfits. Glad I got to you before you got to busy." Sherlock chuckled a little while he waited patently for Cross-Stitch to finish his work.

Sherlock gave Val a dead pan stare before hoofing him in the arm, not too hard just enough to deliver his point though. "Yes thank you Val..... Anyway, you're right there's Everfree. Hopefully finding the next item wont be very hard..... but I doubt it. And I've just got to keep my mind together and I think I can keep the transforming to a minimum, I mean you've gone mostly deer and you still have your sane..... well saneish, mind in tact." He turned their vehicle toward the forest's edge and promptly stopped. "Its too think to drive through, we'll have to hoof it the rest of the way. We better take the first item with us. Last thing we need is something taking it while our backs are turned."

Sherlock blinked then sighed at Val, "What ever it is.... I blame you for this." And even before Val could complain about that, he was quickly interrupted. "Because you're the only one here, that's why." Resting his head on the steering wheel for a moment Sherlock tried to compose himself for the surprise he was about to get. He looked up into the vehicle's mirror and saw them. Two billy goat horns poking out of his head. "What the.... oh that's just..... How am I suppose to where my hat now?!"

Sherlock looked on, impressed at Cross-Stitch's speed; quite a capable tailor. "Well I can tell you've had practice, I've only seen unicorns work that fast." Having picked a few new ties Sherlock walked back over to Cross-Stitch to get a better look at the work. "Well it can be a little exhausting sometimes. Though I enjoy it far to much to complain. As much as I know the chief inspector would enjoy the thought of me not being in his way." He gave a small chuckle, "But the job does come with some degree of excitement; though that is how I managed to destroy my last set of clothes."

Sherlock waved his hoof and smiled, "Oh no by all means take your time. I don't want to rush you; I would rather wait and have a well made product than get something half completed the next day." He walked over to the selection of ties available for purchase and started picking out a few. "And there's no need to worry so much about the outfit for the Gala; a simple tuxedo jacket will do fine. I'm still perplexed as to why I received a ticket. Not many of the noble class here in Canterlot like me very much." His ears perked at the question, "Oh.. well not much to tell honestly. Born and raised in Manehatten. Came here to help relatives then opened up a consultant detective office.... That's about it hehe. How about you Mr. Stitch, I can tell you've just opened, but how long have you been in the clothier profession?"

Sherlock hesitated a little bit, the hat was very precious to him, but he soon enough let it go, as he trusted Cross-Stitch's confidence in his craft. "Of course.... now as far as the look goes. I try and keep myself looking professional but I'll be frank, comfort and durability are a major concern for me..... I suppose that's a hard request for stallion's professional clothing huh?" Sherlock chuckled a little bit as he walked over to Cross-Stitch to get measured up. "I was thinking; durable fabrics in a professional look. You think that's something that could be done? Oh by the way, good eye on the color choices, I've always liked how red and black look together."

Sherlock thought for a moment, "Well.... the antlers and tail make you look like a dear..... but with the wings.... I think I've heard of such creatures.... can't recall their name though.... starts with a P I believe. Anyway, we'll worry about that when we come to it. Right now we've got another item to find." Starting the engine the two turned the vehicle around and started south east back across the plains toward Ponyville and the Everfree Forest. "Now I can only hope we don't have to deal with anymore problems along the way.... but I know we will. But I can at least hope they'll be minimal and that Discord hasn't figured out what we're doing...... I would have been nice to have somepony distracting him while we were doing this."

Sherlock smiled and waved his hoof, "Not at all sir, I can see you are very passionate about your work. That's a good thing, puts my mind at ease that you have confidence in yourself and know what you're doing." Sherlock perused the selection of clothes, Cross-Stitch was right there was anything a stallion could need here. "Well for my line of work Mr. Stitch I need something professional but somewhat stylish. My normal dress is a white shirt with a black vest or suit jacket.... or both depending on my mood, and a tie. So I'll be looking to replace a few outfits if you have the time sir..... Oh one other thing. I somehow, and Celestia only knows, got invited to this year's Grand Galloping Galla, and I am in need of a formal tux. WHY I was is still a mystery to me... heh a bit of an ironic statement there" He began to pull the remains of his current clothes off and fold them as well as he could. "I'm not a sentimental pony when it comes to clothing, so don't worry about trying to save any of these, save for this." He removed the dusty hat last and set it on the counter. "On top of the clothes I was wondering if you could clean and re block my old fedora? It belonged to my grandfather."

Sherlock chuckled a little at the colt's reaction, warranted though it was. "Quite the long story.... lots of chasing, a little gallivanting, and a load of crashing." Sherlock walked further into the shop glancing around the wears as he spoke. "In the line of duty so to speak Mr..... Cross-Stitch was it? Anyway, the name's Sherlock Hooves, a pleasure to meet you. I was just walking by and I noticed your store. Quite convenient as these are.... were my last pieces of clothing not in some sort of disarray.... So I think I'll need to replace more than just these." The detective chuckled a little. "So if you're not too busy, I think I'll be needing a few items today."

A brown Earth Stallion walked through the streets of Canterlot, a bit late in the morning. He looked quite the wreak; disheveled mane, torn clothes, and a rather dirty hat. "Well that was a disaster. A night long stake out followed by another dash through the city only to find that I was chasing a plant..... I have to say they made sure to hide their movements well. I didn't even notice." The young stallion was talking to himself a bit, nothing to unusual for him, to anypony that knew him though. He was Sherlock Hooves, the famous... or rather infamous, private detective of Canterlot. Always known for his eccentric behavior, but he was a kind hearted colt. He examined his attire and gave a heavy sigh, "Just great, this was my best vest..... well my last one that was still whole anyway. I at least have to try and look appropriate for my job." Normally the detective wore a black vest, shirt, tie, and his old black fedora. But at the moment they were a sad state; his vest was torn open, his shirt coated in dirt and the collar ripped, and his silk tie ruined beyond any cleaning. Looking around the stallion noticed a new sign he hadn't before, "The Perfect Fit? Well.... that's convenient." He smiled and walked up to the door and entered, "Hello there? I believe I am in need of a clothier."

"Two more it would seam, one is in the Everfree and the last is..... hang on.... if my geographical knowledge is correct. Somewhere in the high mountains of Stallion Grad. Well no since sitting around waiting, right?" Sherlock hopped up and jumped into the driver's seat of their vehicle and started it up. "And don't worry Val. I'm sure when we break the cycle of chaos you'll return to normal...... well, mostly sure anyway."

Sherlock beamed as the two agreed to join him, "Fantastic! Thank you very much, I know you will not be disappointed." Noticing how he was now acting like a school colt he quickly composed himself. Taking a deep breath he smiled warmly and bowed to the two of them. "Then I shall wait your arrival at the address, I'll just go home and clean up. Don't want to go around looking like a bad night at a tavern." He chuckled and rose to head out, stopping for a moment he turned around to the two of them. "Oh and don't let the exterior of the building fool you, the address is correct, it will.... just seam like its wrong." And with one more bow of his head he turned and trotted off home to clean himself up and change. Leaving the two to their previous plans. ((I'm still here but I'll wait until after Luna and Granola have their time in the gardens. Oh and btw Granola I'm sorry I forgot that nopony had mentioned your name See you two at the Speakeasy ^^))

Sherlock blinked in kind with Val at the sight of these items. "What the..... is that it?" He pondered for a moment at the odd item then began to think, out loud as was the detective's habit. "Such odd an item.... but then it would makes sense.... in a senseless way. I suppose the Eight Ball could represent his chaotic personality....." Taking the item from Val he loaded it into the back of their vehicle. "Now just to find the rest of them...." He pulled out his notes to review for a moment before getting back on the road.... made of red licorice. "Hmmm now the next one should be...... Oh no.... the Everfree Forest...."