"Where is that darn book?", said Twilight Sparkle pacing around the library. "It was supposed to come here yesterday. I had my whole schedule yesterday cleared so I could read it."
"Come on Twilight don't worry about it. You are acting worse than when you got that visit from your future self.", said Spike. "I'm sure that the mail pony just got busy. It happens all the time. I'm sure that silly book of yours will be fine."
The purple unicorn runs up to Spike and presses her face against his, nearly causing him to lose his balance. "SILLY BOOK? Spike I spent over 100 bits to get my hooves on that thing. Do you have any idea how long it takes to scrimp and save to have that much at once?", she backs off.
"Several months I know, but it still seems a bit much for one book."
"That's because that one book is one of a kind, there are no other copies of it anywhere. Well actually there were two but apparently some idiot at the rare book shop in Canterlot lost it a couple of years ago. It took forever to finally track down the other copy. That's why it cost me so much."
"What exactly is this book?"
"It a spell book on advanced teleportation techniques."
"But you already know how to teleport."
"Yes but only short distances. With this book I will gain the ability to teleport my self anywhere in Equestria anytime I wish."
"Okay I can see why it costs so much but still..." A knocking on the Library door interrupts the little dragon.
"Mail Pony, special delivery.", says a perky voice from behind the door.
"Let me get that." says Spike. As he reaches for the door knob Twilight's magic makes the door fly open smacking him in the face.
"Oh sorry about that Spike." the mail pony a gray Pegasus with a blonde mane holding a clipboard to her face.
"Um package for... um...Twilight Sparkle?", she says.
"Oh hi Ditsy. Where do I sign?"
"Right here on the dotted line. You know it's funny many other ponies seem to be forgetting their last names. I would have had this package here yesterday except that I accidentally brought this to the wrong house."
"Yeah I can't imagine why.", Twilight says in a sarcastic tone. Levitating the pen as she signs the paper.
"Well anyways now that that's taken care of I'll be on my way. See ya." The mail pony leaves to continue delivering mail. Twilight lets loose a deep sigh glad that she finally got her book. She had always had to chooses her words closely around her, out of fear of offending her. She walks back into the Library and closes the door with her horn.
"How in Celestia's name is she a Mail Pony? That's the fifth time she's done that. Must have something to do with the fact her dads the Post Master." Twilight looks and sees Spike giving her a nasty look.
"Geez Twilight, let me know the next time you are going to do something like that."
"Oh sorry about that Spike got too excited."
"Well I am going to put some ice on this, I hope the book is worth it.", Spike leaves the library leaving Twilight alone with her new book.
Twilight sets the brown package on top of her reading desk which she had already cleaned just for the occasion. Like a child at Christmas she opens up the package. The bits of brown construction paper falling to the floor like snow. "Oh I will just let Spike clean those up." She quickly levitates through the pages to find the spell she has waited for. "Hmm... let's see here...OK here we go... Teleporting Over Long Distances. This spell is going to be so cool." Something in the text catches Twilight's eye.
"Whats this? Well I don't think I've ever seen a teleportation spell like this before. However it is an old book. Well the spell is still going to be useful."
She paces up to the center of the Library. The purple aura of her magic enveloping her horn. "Alright I am going to teleport to Canterlot and then use the spell to come right back." A purple orb materializes in front of her and just as quickly self implodes into a cloud of sparks. Twilight just stands there confused and puzzled. She quickly looks back through the book hoping to spot any mistake she might have made. Desperate to find an answer she begins speed reading through every page. Twilight too busy read through the book fails to notice a small blue portal opening up from behind her.
Slowly the portal grows larger and larger. Soon the blue portal begins to rotate pulling in suction. The suction begins tugging on Twilight's tail and mane. She turns around and gasps at the center of the blue portal. The suction it's creating becoming too strong for Twilight as it pulls her away from the desk. In her last attempt to avoid being dragged into the portal she calls out the name of her assistant.
"SSSSSPPPPPIIIIIKKKKKKKEEEEEE !"
NEW YORK
1898
"Mr Jacobson, please approach the stand.", said the presiding judge. The defense attorney Mr. Jacobson, an elderly man in a tweed business suit approaches the judges stand.
"Um.. Yes your honor?"
"Mr Jacobson, I have been very patient with you for the past two hours. Although the rest of the court may not know it but to me it is obvious you have stalled for time for your partner to arrive. And so far he has not shown any sing of coming. Now I have had enough of this, that fact that you are stalling shows that you have no other evidence to present other than what your partner was going to give. That is if he was going to give it I have no choice but to make my ruling now."
"Your honor if you can just give me some more time I am sure he will arrive"
"Mr. Jacobson, most other judges don't have as much tolerance as I. You were lucky I gave you the time I did." The judge raises his gavel over his head. Mr. Jacobson could tell from the look in the judges eyes that he was serious about his ruling. Once that gavel strikes the block his client would be declared guilty. Jacobson could see the gavel slowly descend from above . He closes his eyes, for he can't stand to see it make contact.
The French doors to the court room throw wide open interrupting the judge. In the open doorway stood Johnathan Harper wearing black pants, and a blue vest with thin red stripes over a white button up shirt. Under his arms he holds a small stack of manila envelopes.
"Your honor?" he says.
The judge rises from his seat in protest. "Young man, you better have a good explanation for interrupting my court." pointing his gavel at Johnathan. Johnathan maintains his cool in a situation where other would shake like a dog with its tail between its legs.
"Your honor if it may please the court I am Mr. Harper the defenses partner. I am sorry for any inconvenience that my tardiness might have caused the court."
The judge takes a deep breath, blowing off some steam in the process. "Let me give you a warning. My patience has been worn very thin waiting for you. If I even have the slightest suspicion that you are doing any misconduct I will cuff you myself."
"Understood you honor.", Johnathan makes his way to the defendants table. Mr. Jacobson pulls Harper to the side.
"John you have better found what you were looking for. I am in enough hot water already."
"I'm sorry Mr. Jacobson I would have been here earlier but I was preoccupied with a situation I did not expect."
"What happened might I ask?"
"My house was broken into last night."
"My god John are you alright?"
"I'm fine, it happened while I was gone carrying out my investigation. The odd thing was nothing was taken."
"Well did you find any evidence?"
"Yes and not just that.," He hands some papers to Mr. Jacobson. The lawyer flips through and quickly inspects the text on all of them. Mr. Jacobson jerks his head and Johnathan and makes a sharp stare.
"John are you sure about this?"
"I always am."
"I hope you are right about this."
"Don't worry I always am."
The judges gavel bangs drawing the attention of the two lawyers. The noise so loud it causes Mr. Jacobson to flinch. Harper keeping his cool at the judge.
"Mr. Harper I will not be kept waiting any longer. Are you ready?"
"Yes your honor I am. I would like to call our client Mr. Quincy to the stand."
The prosecutor stand up with such speed as if he had hell chasing him by the heels. "The prosecution objects, Mr. Harper is a private detective not an attorney."
"Your honor," says Harper, "Yes I make a living as a private detective but I also have a license to work in a court of law. I am fully qualified to be an attorney."
"Overruled, I will allow Mr. Harper to continue."
"Thank you your honor, Mr. Quincy will you please take the stand." From the defendants table a tall thin bald-headed man sporting a prominent handlebar mustache in a butlers uniform takes his seat next to the judge. "Now Name and occupation please."
"My name is Tim Quincy and I am..well...was Mr. Harding's butler."
"Could you explain to the court what happened to you on the night of the murder?"
"Certainly. It was around 7 that night and I was prepping the diner table for Mr. Harding. Now the dining room window has a clear view into the outside garden. I could see Mr. Harding struggling against an unknown attacker. The attacker then picked up a rock from the ground and hit Mr. Harding in the head. I quickly grabbed a revolver stored in Mr Harding's gun closet upstairs and ran outside. By the time I got outside the attacker was gone. I found my boss dead and called out for help."
"Now did you see the face of Mr. Harding's attacker?"
"No it was to dark out I just saw his outline."
"Yes the prosecution finds this excuse very convenient," Harper grabs a golden pocket watch from the defendants table and holds it up for the entire court to see. He then hands the watch to Mr. Quincy. "Now Mr. Quincy do you recognize this watch? Have you seen it before?"
"No never."
"Are you sure this doesn't belong you?"
"That's impossible, this watch is solid gold. I couldn't afford a watch like this with my salary."
"Right the police found part of a broken watch chain in the garden and concluded that it came from yours since your watch chain is also broken."
"What is the point of all this Mr. Harper?" inquires the prosecutor. "The facts about the watch and the chain have already been stated before."
"I agree with the prosecution," speaks the judge. "Mr. Harper I am afraid that if you don't come to the point of your argument soon I will have to make a ruling."
"Very well. The prosecution's evidence against my client is faulty your honor," Harper begins to pace in the center of the witness stand. "Their theory all rests on the golden watch and broken chain came from my client. That the watch was ripped from my client during his supposed struggle with Mr. Harding." Harper stops in front of the prosecutions table.
"I had both ends of the chain examined this morning by a local jeweler. And he is waiting outside to testify if the court will allow it."
"Will it illustrate your point?", asks the judge.
"It will your honor. But I will need some time to prepare him."
"Alright then, the court will have a brief 15 minute recess to allow the defense time to prepare their witness," The judge bangs the gavel and leaves his seat. Harper makes it back to his desk and pulls open a manila envelope and begins writing on it. Tearing of a corner he hands it to Jacobson.
"What is this?"
"It's the Jeweler's address. I need you to go and get him for me. Don't worry his shop is only a few blocks away."
Jacobson's face turns red in anger. It was this sort of recklessness that made him worry in having Harper help him with his case. But yet Harper always seemed to get the case solved, which is why he had put up with Harper for so long. Jacobson suppresses his anger by taking in a deep breath followed by a deep exhale.
"Johnathan do you mean to tell me that you lied in front of the court as to whether or not your witness is present?"
"Yes, but if you run you should have enough spare time to get him here," patting Jacobson on the shoulder. "You will forgive me for this right?"
"Only If we win this case Johnathan."
"Oh trust me we will."
A large man in a black business suit occupies the witness stand. In the courtroom center stands a coat hanger with a chain attached to one of the arms. The entire courtroom is in conversation. The spectators all debating the outcome of the trial. Their debates are brought to and end by the judge's gavel.
"Now let's get one thing clear Mr. Harper. I am aware of these types of antics that you have become infamous for. If I suspect anything far fetched I will have you removed from this court. And your case along with you. Do you understand that Mr. Harper?"
"Yes sir I do."
"In that case you may go ahead with your witness and demonstration."
"Thank you your honor," Harper gets up from his seat and approaches the man in the witness stand. "Now Mr. Hartford could you please tell the court what you do?"
"Why certainly sir. Well you see here I have been a master jeweler for over 30 years now."
"So its safe to assume that you are an expert on Jewelry and Ornate watches?"
"Yes sir."
"Now earlier today I had you look at a couple of chains of which watches were at some point attached to," Harper reaches his hand into his jacket pocket and pulls out two gold chains and hands them to Mr. Hartford. "In your opinion are these chains different?"
"Why yes they chains are indeed quite different."
"Could you please explain how?"
"Well the first chain I looked at was made from 18k gold while the second chain was made from steel and painted to look like gold," Hartford hands the chains back to Harper.
Harper exchanges the chains for a Gold watch sitting on the defendants table. He holds it up for Mr. Hartford and hands it to him. Mr. Hartford adjust his glasses and looks at the watch carefully. His hand trembles at the sight of the watch. He hands the watch back to Harper.
"Mr. Hartford I have just handed you a 18k gold Tiffany pocket watch. The prosecution claims that this watch belonged to the defendant and was yanked off by the victim during the conflict leading to his death. In your opinion could the defendant have given such a watch and chain?"
"No, not with that salary."
"Now lets say that he could afford just the watch for whatever reason. What would happen if a watch with that weight would be put on the steel watch chain belonging to the defendant?"
"It wouldn't turn out very well. A watch like that would cause the steel chain to break."
The courtroom observers begin to mumble among themselves. Harper takes out a brand new chain and hangs from the coat hanger. Light from the courtroom reflecting off the fresh gold paint.
"Now if I may have the court's attention please. This chain is the same make and model as worn by my client on the night of the murder.", he holds up the gold watch for every one to see. "Now I am going to use the victims watch for this demonstration which will illustrate my point."
Harper clips the watch to chain and let's go. The watch starts to swing fro side to side. Quickly at first, then slow as it loses momentum. The court remains silent as they wait to see what happens. With each second that passes the tension in the courtroom builds. Harper stares at the watch waiting for it hoping, no waiting for it to drop. He could feel the tension the most of anyone in the room. If this fails his whole case goes out the window and with that his client gets the chair.
Sure enough he sees it before his eyes. One of the chain links begins to warp under the weight of the watch. The gold taking its toll on the chain. The chain finally snaps, and the watch falls. His eyes following it to the ground. What happened in less than a second felt like 30 minuets to Harper.
The clang of the watch hitting the floor incites an uproar among the court room. Not even the judges gavel could calm this commotion. Through trial and effort he is finally successful in subduing the court. "ORDER ORDER!", he shouts.
The court room draws silent, not a word passing any ones lips. All too nervous to break the silence. The prosecutor stands, having the courage to speak. "Your honor. In the revelation of recent evidence the people move to drop all charges."
"Does the defense have any objection to this ruling?"
"No your honor. We do not."
"Very well the motion has been granted. I also order Mr. Quincy to be released from custody as soon as possible." the judge bangs his gavel for the last time and proceeds to leave the courtroom.
"Mr. Harper congratulations on your case.", says the prosecutor shaking his hand. "I must say I have never seen a case won from a such a small piece pf evidence. I don't know how the police could have missed it."
"Well sir, if you were to ever join me in the field you will learn I have solved cases with less than this. As for the chain I wouldn't blame yourself nor the police. I just happened to notice it by chance. My only regret is that the real killer is still out there."
"I hope that you find him Harper."
"So do I. Now if you excuse me I haven't gotten a good nights sleep in over two days and I would like to go home."
"Finally, home at last." said Johnathan opening the door to his house. The scratches on the brass doorknob reminding him of the recent break in. The laminated wooden floors creak and groan as he steps inside. Taking his jacket off and placing it on a nearby coat hanger, he walks over to his sofa. Harper so tired and unenergetic from the past few days he doesn't even bother going to his upstairs bed room. He flops himself down on the couch and closes his eyes. Hopefully he can get a good nights sleep. He turns his face towards the inside of the couch and quickly passes out.
A few hours pass with Harper deep in dreamland. A sudden breeze from within his apartment brushes against his back. "Some...one...close... the window", Harper says grudgingly. A faint orange light begins to fill the apartment. At first small but the light continues to grow more bright by the second. Harper remains oblivious to the process. The breeze also starts to get stronger causing papers and pages of books to fly about off their shelves.
Harper finally woken up by the ongoing commotion he turns over and opens his eyes. "What the...I've never seen anything like this.", he says awestruck by the light. He darts off his couch and runs to his desk. Pulling a drawer open he pulls out a revolver. He opens the weapons and begins to load the rounds one by one. He spins the cylinder and closes the revolver pointing it at the source of the light.
Harper losses focus as the light's intensity increases by three-fold. Practically blinded Harper drops his weapon and falls to floor. Shielding his eyes from the light he fails to notice an orange portal opening up right in his apartment. The whole apartment begins to shake as if a train was passing by. Harper hears a large thud coming from the portals direction. Seconds Harper could see the light fade from the corner of his eye.
He gets up and opens his eyes, the second they adjust and is shocked at the site in front of him.
"Who are you?" asked the purple horse. A sound of fear in her voice.
"You...you can talk?"
The fear seems to fade from the purple house. "Well of course I can. I am a pony after all."
"I uh... beg your pardon?"
"I'm not anywhere near Canterlot am I?", she says looking around Harper's apartment.
"I doubt it. I have never heard of such a place."
"They don't have ponies here?"
"Not purple ones that can talk! Wait...how did you even get here?"
"Actually... I'm not sure. I was trying to cast this teleportation spell when,"
"Spell?", says Harper cutting her off. "Great now you are going to tell me that you can fly next."
"Actually I can't but my friends Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy can. They are Pegasus ponies after all."
Harper holds his hands up in the air in front of him. "Hold on let's just stop for a moment. I need to think. What's your name?", he says while lowering his hands.
"Twilight Sparkle."
"Well Twilight Sparkle, can I ask you a question?"
"Um..I guess you can."
"Should I stop drinking?"
Twilight pauses for a quick second. "Um...stop drinking what?
"Great I'm not dreaming. I am actually talking to a spell casting pony." Harper walks over to his windows and closes all the curtains. "My name is Johnathan Harper by the way. You are obviously not from around here. So where are you from exactly? It sounds like that spell you talked about didn't seem to work."
"Ugh your telling me, I should be having a nice time in Canterlot right about now. Why are you closing the curtains?"
"Let's just say that compared to other people out there my reaction to seeing you was pretty mild. Is Canterlot the name of some sort city?"
"Actually it's the capital of Equestria, where I am from. I don't think I'm anywhere near Equestria now. I have no idea how I'm going to get back.", Twilight lets out a deep sigh.
"Look Twilight it's really late right now. I haven't had any sleep in the past two days, and from the looks of it you have no choice but to spend the night here. If you don't mind I would like to get back to sleep and we can figure out how to get you back tomorrow mourning."
"I agree, that spell took a lot out of me. Do you have any place where I can sleep? "
"Well I only have one bed. Are you okay with sleeping on the couch?"
"Yeah that's fine. Beggars can't be choosers."
"Alright then I guess this is it until tomorrow morning.", Harper starts heading upstairs.
"Hey Johnathan?", asks Twilight.
"Yes?"
"It was nice to meet you."
"It was nice to meet you too."