Unique: Vengeance is Magic

CHAPTER TWO: THE OFFER

A moment of silence had passed before Unique finally spoke. "Is that you, Sky Wind?''

The pegasus stallion broadly spread his fore hooves out, his grin growing even wider. ''The one and only Sky Wind in all of Equestria, my old brother-in-arms!''

Unique frowned at him. "I'm not a soldier anymore, Sky Wind. Don't call me your 'brother-in-arms'." He pointed at the table and added, "And we happen to eat our food there, by the way." Sky Wind, taking the alicorn's hint, quickly moved his legs from off the table, almost knocking his helmet off in the process, and sat up straight in the chair.

Unique's frown then softened into a small smile as he approached the table. ''It's been a while, Sky Wind. I never imagined I'd be seeing you again.'' Suddenly, a thought struck the alicorn's mind. Raising an eyebrow, he looked at the red pegasus with curiousity. ''Come to think of it, Sky Wind, how did you even find me in the first place? I don't remember ever telling anypony where I was going after I left the military. And why are you here?''

The pegasus shrugged. ''You aren't related to the princesses, and you're not of royalty, so obviously you wouldn't be living it up in Canterlot Castle. And you never seemed the type to live in some big fancy house like the nobles, so I assumed you'd be living somewhere outside of Canterlot. I didn't know you'd be living this far out, though.'' Sky Wind paused and looked around the small cottage. ''It took me about a month to find this place. Not many pony-folk know this village even exists. And I would have thought an alicorn would at least be living in a more...'decent' abode,'' he added, a clearly disapproving tone in his voice as he spoke those last words.

Unique frowned again. ''This may not be luxury, Sky Wind, but it's home. MY home.'' He felt a hoof on his shoulder, and Unique turned his head to look at Serenity, who was stood by his side with a gentle smile on her face. Unique smiled back, and put his hoof around her before looking back at the pegasus. ''This is OUR home,'' Unique added.

Sky Wind just shrugged, and continued. ''Yeah, well anyway, Unique. As for why I'm here, I have an offer to give you. One that I think you will like very much.''

Unique raised an eyebrow. ''An offer? What kind of offer?''

Sky Wind grinned that same grin as he looked straight into Unique's eyes. ''How about I tell you over supper?'' The red pegasus glanced over at Serenity, and then back at Unique. ''If that won't be a bother, of course...''

Darkness was just beginning to take over the sky, signalling the arrival of Luna's night. A few stars had already appeared amidst the black canvas above the world, making themselves known to all those below who should look up to the heavens. Back in the village, most families had decided to retire to the warmth and comfort of their beds, no doubt still tired from their exhausting day. Those families who had not yet gone to bed were either still finishing their suppers, or had decided to extend playtime with their fillies and colts for a little while longer.

At their own cottage, Unique and Serenity, along with their guest Sky Wind, were sat at the dining table, tucking hungrily into their meal, served upon small wooden plates, each with a glass of water next to them. In the centre of the table was a large wooden bowl, of which its contents - or what remained of it after the ponies had helped themselves to it - consisted of a mix-up of dandelions and lettuce, served with just the right amount of sunflower oil. Next to the bowl was a jug of water, and a lit candle - one of several which had been placed throughout the cottage, partially illuminating each room.

Much of the meal had been spent in conversation, and much of the conversation revolved around Sky Wind himself. Between mouthfuls of dandelions and lettuce, the red pegasus told the couple a tale of how he had found life in the Equestrian military service boring shortly after Unique had left. With the war now at an end (a topic which Sky Wind quickly dropped after he received a deathly glare from Unique upon mentioning the word 'war'), and with his alicorn comrade having left the army with Serenity at his side, there had been very little action and excitement for the pegasus. And when Princess Celestia decided to disband the military in favour of creating the Equestrian Royal Guard, Sky Wind had chosen not to accept the offer of joining that group. He had wanted thrills and the adrenaline rushes that only life-and-death situations could provide, not the dull task of patrolling streets while being on the lookout for petty thieves and criminals.

Sky Wind had decided then to sell his home and properties, and set out to find the adventure-packed life he had been craving for. The next three years of his life on the road had seen the pegasus fending off highway ponies, the occasional timberwolf pack, and one occasion, to the amazement of Unique and Serenity, he had somehow managed to survive an encounter with a manticore. These small adventures had given the pegasus plenty of thrills and excitement, but none of it had been enough to truly satisfy his thirst for adventure.

Unique had been eating his food during Sky Wind's tale, but he had stopped every now and then to look up at the pegasus, to show that he was listening. Serenity found Sky Wind's tale quite fascinating, and now and then she would ask the pegasus a question about the places he had been, and about the things he had seen. To her disappointment, however, Sky Wind spoke very little of the cities and towns he had passed through. He did not seem to care for the sights he had witnessed as much as he had cared about the conflicts and fights he had gotten into during his travels. Nevertheless, she did not show her disappointment, mostly out of politeness, but also so as to not sour the mood and atmosphere of the evening.

"It seems like things have been quite interesting for you since your leaving the army, Sky Wind," Unique said. Sky Wind made that same wide grin again. "Nowhere close to as interesting as what I have been doing this past year, old friend," the pegasus replied, silently reminiscing over the events of the year thus far.

Wiping her lips with a napkin, Serenity turned to Sky Wind. ''Would you care for some more dandelion salad, Sky Wind?'' Serenity asked politely, gesturing to the bowl.

Sky Wind looked up from his plate to the mare. He swallowed the mouthful of food he had been chewing and nodded his head. "I believe I shall, madam. Right after I finish my first serving of this tasty delicacy. Which by the way is one of the best meals I have had the pleasure of eating, madam." Serenity's cheeks turned slightly red as she blushed. She was always complimented on her culinary skills by her alicorn husband, who was happily consuming his food and savouring the taste of every mouthful. Receiving appraisal from a stranger, on the other hoof, was another kind of compliment in itself.

"I'm glad that you enjoy it so, Sky Wind. And you can call me Serenity," the mare smiled cheerfully. "Is there perhaps anything else I can get you?" she inquired.

Sky Wind reached out for his glass, which was empty, and held it out towards Serenity. "For now, I wouldn't mind a refill".

Serenity smiled. "Certainly." She was about to reach out to grab a jug of water that was on the table, when a blue aura appeared around it. The jug then proceeded to lift itself into the air, and float towards Sky Wind. It tipped itself, pouring water into his glass, and once it was near enough full, the jug then returned itself to its place on the wooden table. Serenity and Sky Wind both looked at Unique, who had his head down as he tucked into what was left on his plate. The same blue aura covered his horn, and quickly began to fade away as the alicorn ceased his magical spell.

Sky Wind smirked and raised his glass to Unique. He gave him a nod and took a sip of his drink. "Cheers."

Unique swallowed a mouthful of his food, and looked up from his plate to Sky Wind. "You're welcome." Picking up his own napkin in his hoof, he wiped his mouth and pushed his plate aside. He cleared his throat, and then turned his attention back to Sky WInd. "So, what about that offer you were talking about before?"

Sky Wind had actually nearly forgotten about that, having been lost in his previous conversations earlier. He straightened himself and faced Unique. "Ah, yes. Well you see, Unique. About a year ago, I was travelling through a town - I think it was Trottingham, if I remember correctly - and I was very thirsty, so I head over to the town's local bar to get a drink..."

Sky Wind pushed open the wooden door and stepped inside the building. After travelling for three days straight, and after having to fight off a particularly nasty timberwolf, as well as having exhausted his water canteens, he was in much need of a drink. As soon as he set one foot through the door, his nostrils were assaulted by the stench of musky, yet oddly alluring tobacco. Venturing further into the establishment, Sky Wind traced the source of the stench to several stallions who were seated at individual round tables in the room, contently puffing away on their smoking pipes. There were a dozen ponies within the room, including the smokers. As Sky Wind stepped into the room, they each flicked a gaze towards the red pegasus, and quickly resumed whatever it was they were doing before.

Ignoring the stench of tobacco, Sky Wind proceeded towards the bar counter, where the bartender - a bulky brown-coated stallion with a neatly combed black mane, and a black moustache to match - watched him with wary magenta-coloured eyes, cleaning a recently used drinking glass as he observed this newcomer. Behind him were large wooden barrels, each with a tap sticking out from their sides. There was also a small shelf on which there were a number of bottles, which were most likely gins and tonic and other mixable liquids.

Sky Wind spared a moment to look around the room as he walked over towards the counter. The room was quite large, but it would have had to be to accommodate for the ponies of the town, and any travellers who should venture through it.. Paintings of rivers and meadows and grassy fields hung from the walls; and hanging from the ceiling, above the heads of the ponies sitting at the tables beneath, was a large ornamental chandelier. The ponies themselves seemed to be cheerful enough. At one table, a trio consisting of two earth ponies and a unicorn, were sat together laughing, presumably from sharing jokes or some hilarious story, Sky wind thought. At another table, an elderly unicorn stallion sat with his eyes close, wearing a content expression as he smoked his tobacco pipe, puffing out smoke like a steam engine. Sky Wind approached the counter and seated himself on the bar stool, dropping the saddlebag he was carrying down by the side of him.

The bartender put his glass down on the shelf underneath the counter and addressed his customer. "What will it be then, sir?" he asked Sky Wind. Sky Wind, not knowing really what beverages were served here, and caring less about inquiring on what was on offer, shrugged his shoulders and gestured to the other inhabitants within the room, all of whom had glass mugs that were filled or half-empty with alcohol . "Just give me whatever they're having", Sky Wind answered wearily.

With a nod of his head, the bartender knelt down to retrieve a clean glass mug, and turned his back to Sky Wind to face one of the wooden barrels. He twisted the knob, allowing the alcohol contained within to escape from its wooden-and-metal-ringed prison as it poured from out of the tap. As the brown liquid flowed into the glass mug, Sky Wind took another glance around him, seeing if there was anything particularly eye-catching on the walls in the paintings, but found nothing that of any interest to him. Half a minute later, the bartender placed the glass mug in front of Sky Wind, now filled to the brim with beer, and with a frothy head.

Sky Wind was about to grab the mug and take a swig of its cold alcoholic contents when the bartender stopped him. The bartender held out his hoof. "That will be five bits please, sir."  Sky Wind leaned down to retrieve the bit jar he kept in his saddlebag. He had only just opened his saddlebag when he heard the sound of something metallic landing upon the counter, followed by a deep, cold voice saying, "Allow me to pay for my friend here" Looking back up, Sky Wind saw five shiny gold coins already on the counter. From the corner of his eye, he saw somepony taking a seat next to him, and he sat upright to see the stranger at his side.

Sitting on the bar stool next to him was a stallion wearing tattered, worn robes and cloak. A hood covered his head, obscuring his face to Sky Wind. A horn protruded from a hole on top of his hood, which immediately led Sky Wind to assume his 'companion' was a unicorn. The stallion's hooves were jet-black in colour, and his tail, which swished side to side behind him, was a dull grey colour, although the tip of his tail was blood-red in colour.Although Sky Wind couldn't quite put his hoof on it, the air surrounding this stallion seemed - felt - cold, as if all of the life present within the establishment had suddenly been drained. Even the bartender seemed uncomfortable in this strangers' presence, quickly scooping the five bits into his hoof and moving hastily to the other end of the counter to serve another customer who had chosen that moment to appear there.

Sky Wind took his drink and looked at the stranger who had paid for him. The stallion did not look his way, keeping his head down and staring forwards, though Sky Wind couldn't help but feel as though the stranger was looking his way from underneath that hood. The red pegasus raised an eyebrow, a questioning look on his face. ''Thanks for buying, but I don't think we've ever met.''

''No. We haven't met before," replied the stranger, still keeping his head low, staring forwards. Sky Wind still felt as though the stallion was looking at him from beneath that hood. "But that doesn't mean that we can't become friends now, am I right?''

Sky Wind scoffed. ''You're going to have to buy me a lot of drinks before I start calling you my 'friend'.''

The stranger raised and turned his head slightly towards Sky Wind - not enough for the pegasus to see his face, though - as Sky Wind raised the mug to his lips to take another sip of his drink. "Or maybe I could make you a better offer, Sky Wind?"

Sky Wind's eyes widened, and what of the drink was in his mouth was spat straight back into the mug. This seemed to amuse the stranger, as he started to chuckle sinisterly at the pegasus, who stared at him, his face an expression of both confusion and surprise. "How in Tartarus do you know my name?" demanded Sky Wind.''I have many ears, and I have many eyes. I see things, and I hear things. But only that which interests me, that which is worthy of my attention, do I listen and watch with my own true eyes and ears,'' answered the stranger. Sky Wind swore the stranger was smiling as he said this. ''And you, Sky Wind, do so interest me.''

Sky Wind stared at the stranger for what seemed like the longest few seconds of his life. He blinked a couple of times, and opened his mouth to speak, but could form no words. The stranger paid no heed to this and continued. ''I know what you are looking for, Sky Wind. I can give it to you. I lead a small group called the Brotherhood. My followers were once ponies who were like yourself. They hungered for adventure, and thirsted for purpose and wealth. I gave them their desires, and much more.'' The stranger turned his head to look directly at Sky Wind, who froze at the sight of the menacing purple orbs staring into his own, and quite possibly into his very soul. The smile that accompanied the stare didn't help matters either.

''And just as I have given them their wants, so can I give them to you, Sky Wind. You have talent - much talent - and it would be such a shame for that talent to go to waste. You also yearn for the same adrenaline-rush you experienced during the war, do you not? I can give you the satisfaction that you long for, but that is only if you decide you wish to join the Brotherhood. If you join me, you shall serve as my General, and lead your own task force to do my bidding. You shall be given the most...exciting missions, of course, and you'll be rewarded well for your servitude.''

''Or you simply continue to travel around the land, if not the world, searching for what you seek, but never finding it, or ever being satisfied by what little adventure you do find. So I shall let you decide as of now, Sky Wind. Yes or No?''

Sky Wind considered his options in his mind for but only a moment. He had already decided his answer seconds ago; he didn't need to be given time to think. If this was the opportunity he had been waiting for, he was sure as hell going to take it. Bringing the mug to his lips and gulping down every last drop, he wiped his muzzle and looked at the stranger, a smile forming on his own lips. ''When do I begin, 'friend'?''

''...and since then, I have had everything I could want given to me, Unique. And I even get to keep a memento from each mission I'm sent out on as a trophy, and as a reminder of the good service I am doing for Equestria. Thanks to the Brotherhood, I am living like a king, and doing our nation a great deal of good.''

Sky Wind leaned back in his chair and sighed contently, as he reminisced over the memories of charging straight first into the heat of battle, and of the enemies falling before him and his fellow soldiers as they slayed them, one by one, one at a time.

Serenity had excused herself from the table a little while ago to take the empty pots and dishes into the kitchen to be cleaned, leaving her alicorn husband alone to listen to the pegasus' story. Unique listened to Sky Wind's tale closely, taking in every word he said.

Sky Wind snapped out of his daydreaming and returned to the subject at hand. ''Anyway, Unique. Everything I have told you is the reason why I have come here. You have a wife who is with child. Your child. And you obviously care a great deal for her and for your unborn foal. Well, the Brotherhood is in need of new recruits, Unique. We need ponies like you to help us make the world a safer place. Think about it - in exchange for your service, you can provide your family with a better home. You'll be rewarded with as much money as you could possibly need to help look after your family. Why, you could even have your own servants to care to your every need, and to see that your loved ones are all cared for in your absence. But most importantly Unique, is that you'll be making a huge difference in the world. You'll be keeping the world safe for your family to grow up in, and you'll be making it a safe place for other families as well. You'll go down in history as one of the greatest heroes Equestria has ever had the privilege of having!''

Sky Wind leaned forwards in his seat, resting an elbow on the table. He held out his other hoof towards Unique, a smile on his face, his eyes wide with hope. ''So, what do you say, my old friend?''

And, after considering the offer for a mere three seconds, Unique's immediate response was a simple, ''No''.