Part 2

The sun shines on John's face causing him to wake up. He tosses the cover and springs out of bed relaxed. He looks at the bedroom mirror and realizes he's still wearing the clothes from the night before. "Well I must have been tired", he says. He grabs some fresh clothes, a clean button up shirt, black pants, and a red vest from his closet and puts them on.

He then grabs a pocket watch from his drawer and notices the time. "Twelve O'clock. Maybe I was a little too tired. Good thing I don't have any cases today." Taking his time Harper looks over his outfit in the mirror making sure he does not miss any details. He puts the watch in his vest pocket and heads downstairs.

He passes thorough the living room and notices the couch to be empty. Shrugging his shoulders he thinks nothing of it and makes his way into the kitchen. Walking towards the sink he stops in place and slowly turns around. He finds Twilight Sparkle sitting at the kitchen table with a large stack of books, one of which she is reading.

"Ah!...You're real.", Harper screams.

"Well of course I am. You settled that with me last night when you asked if you should stop drinking."

"I know, but that trick doesn't work all the time. I though I was still dreaming."

"Apparently not."

Harper notices the names of the books that Twilight has stacked on the table. "How did you get those books off the top shelf of my library? My ladder is locked in the basement."

"Oh that was easy I just levitated them down."

"You can do that?"

"Yeah, all unicorns can use levitation."

"You mean you are a unicorn?"

"Don't tell me you didn't notice the horn?", Twilight points at her horn.

"I wouldn't be asking about it if I did. So can any pony use magic where you are from?"

"No, just unicorns. Pegasus ponies have wings which let them fly. Then there are the Earth ponies who are good with the land and animals," she points at the revolver sitting on top of the desk. "I found this under your couch."

Harper practicality lunges as he grabs the revolver. Inspecting the cylinder he realizes the weapons is still loaded. "Twilight don't you know what a gun is?"

"Um no. Judging from your reaction I take it that its some sort of weapon."

"That's a pretty good conclusion you made. Yes you are right its a weapon. A very dangerous one." Harper takes the revolver and places it back in his work desk. "How long have you been reading those books?"

"All night. I was going to go to sleep at first before I noticed the large bookshelf in the living room. I just couldn't help myself, I haven't stopped reading until you woke up."

"You're not tired even one bit?"

"Oh no, once I start reading I just don't seem to stop. I take it you are lawyer, a lot of the books you have are on court law."

"Well you are partially correct. I used to be lawyer years ago. Now I'm a freelance detective. Yesterday was the last time I had been in court in over three years."

"So what made you switch from lawyer to detective?"

"Well about 9 years ago I was a prominent lawyer here in New York, my parents both died when I was young so I was raised by my grandfather. He was arguably the best police chief in New York. But then he was found dead one day in his office. The police never found out who did it. So I quit my lawyer job and became a detective in the hopes I will eventually find my grandfathers killer."

"Oh I'm sorry to hear that."

"Don't be, you had no idea."

"What's Batari...Batarea... Ugh I can't pronounce the word."

"I think you mean Bataireacht."

"Yeah that. What is it? I found a book with that title on your shelf. I haven't gotten around to reading it yet"

"It's Irish Stick Fighting. Most people have trouble saying the name right so you can just call it Bata."

"Oh I see it's another one of your martial arts books. I didn't give them a look at but I was quite impressed with the collection you have. You have books Pugilism and Highland broadsword. I take it you can take care of yourself if you were ever attacked."

"More or less. What about you? All I know of you Twilight is your name and where you are from."

"Where do I start? I'm a student of the Canterlot School For Gifted Unicorns studying abroad in Ponyville. I am the personal apprentice to Princess Celestia the ruler of Equrstria, where I am from."

"How did you become the pupil to the princess?"

"You see all unicorns can use magic. But for me I was born with a natural aptitude for it. Princess Celestia noticed this and I have been her pupil ever since."

"Sounds like you are very talented."

Twilight's face turns red. "Stop it your making me blush."

Three knocks come from Harper's front door. A commanding voice calls for Johnathan, "Sir it's me Edward, we have a bit of a situation here. We could really use your help on this case if possible."

"Just give me a minute. I will be right out."

"Who's that?", asks twilight.

Harper walks to the front door and observes through the key hole. "It's Detective Edwards from the New York police. Most of my crime solving work is done with him. He usually asks for my help when the police get a troubling case. From the look on his face they just got one."

"I take it he is not the best detective out there. Otherwise he wouldn't need your help."

"Your right about that. He's not that incompetent, he just over looks some of the smaller details." Harper cups his hand around his mouth and paces around. "You obviously would make a much better detective then he would. If you were human I would ask for your help. Except you're not."

"Well that may be true, but I do happen to know a spell that could rectify that problem I have read enough books on your world it shouldn't be hard for me to adjust."

"You mean you have a shape shifting spell?"

"No don't be silly. I happen to know an invisibility spell. I can silently tag and when I'm ready to help you I can just deactivate it."

"You will have to be careful when you become visible. I already explained how others might react a lot worse than I did last night."

The door knocks once again. "Harper are you going to help us or not?"

"I will just give me a moment." He pauses for a brief second. "If I were you Twilight I would hurry and cast that spell now. Edwards sound a bit more impatient than he usually is."

"Alright fine." Twilight's horn glows while she casts the mentioned spell. A shower of sparks leaps from her horn and envelops the purple unicorn. In the span of just two seconds, she vanishes.

"Good but will I still be able to hear you?"

"Of course."

"Then let's get started on this case." Harper opens the front door and finds Edward with his hand raised in the air ready to knock again. The police detective wearing a Grey coat with a black bowler hat is shocked at Harper's timing. A fraction of a second longer Edward would be knocking the door once more.

"I'm sorry Harper I didn't know you were ready."

"Don't worry about it." Harper observes Edward's short red beard. "What's with the new look Edward?"

"Mrs. Edward seems to think it makes me look more professional. She insisted I grow one."

"I disagree."

"I told her you would say something like that. Who were you talking to in there?"

"What?"

"Before I knocked for the first time I was certain I heard two voices coming from your apartment."

"Oh you mean that. I was reading a new play manuscript I had obtained in the mail yesterday. Usually I will read the lines out loud to get the full effect of the writers work."

"Are you sure you weren't talking to someone else?"

"Quite. See for yourself."

Edward takes a step inside and inspects the place. The kitchen, couch, and study, the place was, empty not a soul to be found. "Well I am sorry for doubting you sir. I could have sworn I heard two distinct voices."

"Not a problem. So what is this case anyways?"

"Forgive me for my secrecy but it is hard to explain. I think you should just see it for yourself and you will understand."

"Harper looks around the street. "Fair enough Edward. But, where is our transportation?"

"Oh the crime scene is only a few blocks away we shall be walking there."

"Alright then Edward could you show us..er I mean me the way."

Pointing his finger down the street. "Right this way sir."