Cricket nodded. "I'm surprised she didn't have Sil take care of it. Night Guards don't go bad often, but when they do..." Those who were familiar with the Night Guard knew what they were capable of. An elite fighting force, trained in both conventional and unconventional warfare, as well as assassination, investigation, and diplomacy. A single trained Night Guard was widely believed to be worth an entire platoon of Royal Guards, a belief that was supported by their combat record. Simply put, Night Guards didn't lose. Ever. Naturally, all of this meant that a rogue Night Guard would be classified as a major threat.
"Killed him in his sleep," Dusty added. "Explains how you came out alive. Hmm... Loving, elderly parents, nothing odd there. Failed contract in Hollow Shades some years back. A... wait."
Dusty spoke very quietly, "Unicorn, unknown name, unknown origin, fighting style similar to that of the legendary Azrael, with more ripping and tearing. Heard him coming and ripped his leg off, though it was able to be reattached."
"Dammit." She looked over at Az. "He fought like you. He attacked your old house. Azrael, if you're hiding anything, Nightshade's going to find out eventually. And that won't end well for anypony. So who was this pony? Old friend? Partner? Lover? Brother?" She could, with the right song, make him tell the truth. But she didn't want to go that far if she didn't have to.
"Azrael," she said, her voice taking on a melodic echo, "don't leave. Sit down. Relax. Unburden yourself." She began singing, and Az would have felt himself wanting too be honest. Needing to be honest. "Azrael, tell us all you know."
Azrael stopped and slowly made his way to a booth, slouching back in it, failing miserably to resist. Raven noticed what was happening, clearly confused. "Hey, what the heck is happening?"
(Pulls out earplugs glowing with an electric blue, and puts them in his ears before going back to work.) Raven, somepony is using highly powerful magic.
"Azrael was about to tell us what he knows about the pony who killed your parents," Cricket said bluntly. "Weren't you, Az?" ********************************************************************* Nightshade circled the police station a few times, planning her strategy, then went into a dive and landed lightly on the roof.
Azrael nodded. "Yes... I suppose I was." Raven blinked a few times. "But he doesn't know anything. Right?" Azrael sighed. "I know... I know everything."
"Tell us," Cricket said, briefly wondering just how much trouble she was going to be in when the song's effect wore off.
"The pony who killed them. He was..." Azrael looked down, his ears falling to the side. "My younger brother. He went by Belial." Raven's heart skipped a beat. "Az..."
