Canterlot, city of the elite. Inside its walls lie the greatest of elites, and those who wish to become elites. Here you can find some of the greatest artists, entrepreneurs, and 'entertainers' in the world. It sits in the center of Equestria, atop of a mountain if that can be believed. It has long stood to be one of the most beautiful cities, and that also means, some of the greatest myths and legends can also be said to have been here, if hearsay is meant to be believed. That leads to me coming to Canterlot, recently strange activities have occurred around a resident's home, and I was finally dispatched to find out what the problem is. More than likely it is nothing serious, but this is my first mission in a while, and this world is very
As I enter Canterlot proper, I give them my identification and get admitted. They say something about expecting me, but I pay it no mind. Our jobs can get messy on occasion. After a recent attack from changelings, long thought myth, security around the world vastly increased, and business boomed. Originally we received very few calls to arms, but nowadays our business is booming. Walking the streets of Canterlot, it is easy to understand why. Though there are more guards here then anywhere else in the world, there are plenty of places for several creatures of myth and legend to live, hide, and feed. Though I never catch a glimpse of one, you have to be good at hiding to make it here in Canterlot. As I finally reach the address in Canterlot and read the nameplate, My heart nearly stops. 'Property of Melody Phillharmonica. Keep out.'
'Miss Melody! Sweet!' Melody, one of the most amazing women in Canterlot. She possesses amazing skill with a variety of instruments, and was the lead cellist for the Canterlot Royal Orchestra. She quit to go for a solo career, something she was told was foolish, and succeeded in making the top ten records sold for three years in a row. Then she partnered up with the well known artist DJ Pon3 and made number one for twenty-two consecutive months for a single song they released. Her house doesn't show off as much as I would expect though. It is only two stories and each floor is the size of a standard house. It is a nice shade of purple, and has a small porch, though no chairs are there to sit in. Though a large, stone fence with metal gates stands at the ready, it seems rather basic. A simple home for a woman who knows what she wants. And today, I will actually get to meet her. I look around the gate and see no method to alert her before approaching her home, so I have to open her gate and enter. As I do, I find a rather large pile of dung sitting in a corner of the yard, hidden by the brick portion of her gate. Taking note of its size, I can see why we were called. As I knock on the door, she responds rather unlike what I expected.
"Go away!" Taken aback, I quickly go to reassure her, the sun beginning to descend below the horizon.
"Excuse me, Miss Melody, I am from the 'Supernatural Mystery Squad'. You filed a report that you needed help?" In an instant, I hear multiple door locks give way as the door is hastily thrown open. She certainly doesn't look very much like her poster, but given how she looks, I am inclined to give her some leeway. her long, black hair, always seen in a well styled manner, is completely disheveled and seems to have been cut by an idiot. Her dress, her white blouse, ripped terribly and showing off far more then she would normally want, though she doesn't show off too much thankfully. Her black pants have on one leg been sheared off, though she appears unharmed for the situation. It is when I see her eyes that I understand just how bad a situation she is in. Her eyes, always showing such pride, are on the verge of tears. This beautiful woman, is on the verge of collapse. She looks me over, some bolts still holding the door closed, as she looks me over. When I listen closely, I hear her comparing me to a description.
"White hair, almost silver in color, light blue eyes, average height and build, wearing an informal suit, and carrying a suitcase." She quickly closes the door as she unbolts it completely to let me in. "Thank the heavens you are here, are there others?"
"No Miss, but rest assured that I should be able to help you." She sighs as she loses her footing, I catch her and help her to the ground, she begins to tear as she looks at the ground.
"Maybe not. Last night my friend, DJ Pon3, was here to help me find out whatever was sneaking into my yard to spy on me and claw at my doors. I told her to wait, but she didn't listen. We found what it was, but it destroyed the flashlights we had brought before we could get a clear view. It attacked us, and a few more showed up. I got in my house, but, but they severely hurt my friend."
"Is your friend here?"
"Yes, but-"
"I am trained to help in all emergencies, if she is hurt, I can do a lot of things. Please, take me to her." She nods, gaining some strength as she drags me to her friend, laying on a couch just inside the room. Upon seeing her, I remember someone's paperwork from a few years ago, even though all I can see is her face, the rest of her covered by a blanket.
"Is her real name Vinyl Scratch?"
"Y-yes, but how did-"
"I saw some of her files, this isn't her first run in with something super natural."
"W-what was the first?"
"Can't say just yet, but let me check." Without waiting, I am upon her, lifting the blanket, I see the extent to which she was injured. No human could survive this, and to her credit, she was quite dead, but from her records, I should have expected that. Her neon blue hair has patches missing from it, her lips are dirty and have multiple puncture marks. Her small body, though well endowed, has many cuts and lacerations. Her vagina shows signs of having been cleaned, probably by Melody after she found her friend. Vinyl was brutally raped. Opening her eyes, they are a dark red, but they do not move or react. I quickly remember my training for this situation, her outward wounds weren't that bad, most of her wounds around her mid-back, breasts, and butt. I placed my hand on her chest, and began to push in, as if jump starting her heart. I bend down and whisper something into her ear, and in a few moments, she sits up, taking a large gasp of air, before falling backwards, her body and wounds on full display.
"Oh my goodness, Vinyl!" Melody quickly joins me, taking her place at Vinyl's head.
"I-I thought I was dead."
"Close, but not quite."
"Who are you?"
"Vinyl, this is the guy from the mystery squad I contacted. He is here to help."
"I doubt that Tavia."
"We will see, how many of them were there?"
"Well, five of them raped me, so at least five, though one tried to find a way into the house."
"But, why would they attack us at all? This is Canterlot, we would be missed."
"Not entirely. The two of you are close friends, it wouldn't be hard to craft a story about you two being lesbians in love who ran away from Canterlot to elope. That is probably why they won't break in. They don't want people to suspect foul play."
"B-but why us?"
"Two beautiful women with no way to defend themselves versus five strong male attackers? So long as you are outside and they can quiet you, they can easily take you somewhere to use as living toys."
"B-but what are they?"
"Well, they may be werewolves. Werewolves move in packs and have a pack mentality. They are probably entirely male, and if I had to guess, they are waiting outside right now."
"How can you be certain?"
"One: they left Vinyl to keep you here, tonight they will come back for you. Two: I can see a pair of eyes out there watching us." Both of the women go stock still, and as expected, a loud howl sounds into the night. "Stay close to me!" As I shout the order, I quickly grab Melody, making sure to knock her out. The less she knows the better. I then grab the suitcase I had brought with me, opening it to grab my weapon, a folding-sword made of silver and steel. It was just in time as the back door was broken down, the first of the werewolves charging in. He ran almost dead into my blade, sealing his fate as his body fell limp, my blade retreating from his body. The next one jumped in the window, but with a quick sweep of the blade, was dealt a deep wound to the neck. A quick stab took him out of the fight forever. Another one came through the door, targeting Vinyl, but thanks to a quick dodge, only the furniture had any real damage. It actually impaled itself on a silver candle stand, ending its attempts to do anything. Two more came, finally attacking as one. They immediately focused on me, wanting the only trouble out of the way immediately. They soon got antsy, trying to end my life, giving me ample opportunity to kill the two of them. With all five dead, I see that Vinyl is no worse for wear. The night is still long, but hopefully, we can make things at least look decent. The less she needs to know the better.
"W-what happened." Melody, finally awaking just as the sun begins to rise, looks around, clearly disturbed.
"Well, what was the last thing you remember?"
"Uh, I remember you saying the word 'werewolves' and then, nothing."
"Well, this time, everything can be explained away. The dogs and that you saw moving about were some guys with dogs that didn't like you, but were too cowardly to do much else then stare menacingly at you. The large pile of, manure, sitting on your lawn was a prank by what I assume to be another person who is jealous of you. Vinyl and you have both been attacked by rapists, but none were anything out of the ordinary."
"But, she was dead when I found her!"
"No, just in a state of stasis brought on by immense shock and emotional turmoil. She seems to have little memory of it so she should be fine physically. As for the rapists, some of the guard came by earlier to take them into custody and will be return-" *Knock Knock Knock* "Speak of the devil." I go and open the door, greeted instantly by a man in guard armor.
"Good morning, I am Sergeant iron Bark. I suppose you are the one who called us?"
"May I see your badge to confirm?" He quickly pulled out his badge, showing it to me. It was a real Sergeant's badge alright.
"Good to meet you Sergeant. The two ladies are back over here." Bringing him into the home, he immediately greeted the two of them with the same formality. After taking a few statements from me, a complete formality, he took both Melody and Vinyl in for a more detailed account and evidence. We had to make it seem legit after all. I excused myself as they prepared to leave, my job done. As I reached about halfway, I ran into yet another guard.
"Don't you work for the 'Supernatural Mystery Squad'?" I turned and looked, a pretty boy in the usual guard armor.
"Yes, who is asking?" He pulls out his badge as he answers me.
"I am Captain Stalwart Defense, head of the town guard. Were you the one helping with the incident at Lady Melody's estate?" I instantly disliked the guy, he had ruined a rather childish dream of mine, but it was how he got it that really got me. Putting my feelings aside as much as I can, I answer him honestly.
"I am."
"I thought we asked you to wait for the guard before leaving them."
"I did, Sergeant Iron Bark came and collected them not too long ago."
"There, isn't a Sergeant Iron Bark." My heart skips a beat.
"What do you mean? I saw his badge and confirmed it. It was as legitimate as yours."
"Well, the problem lies in that Sergeant Iron Bark is currently Corporal Iron Bark, and is stationed on the border. He hasn't been in, oh no, changelings!" We quickly break our orderly pace, dashing through the streets towards Melody's estate.
"I doubt that, Captain, but let's just get there quickly, I have a bad feeling about this." We finally made it back to the estate, finding it vacant. "Shit, of all the things that could go wrong. I have been lead along a little chain right to where they want me. FUCK!"
"Keep calm, they can't have gone too far. No guard may leave this city and if their badge was real, they can't have left through a normal means. The sewers are too small to move such a large group and the openings are in plain view of most people, so the only possibilities are along the mountain in some cave. I suggest we split up, I will take a small unit to assist me, will you be fine on your own?"
"Yeah, I got it under control. I will hopefully meet you when this is all over." With a simple nod of confirmation, we parted ways. I can't help but curse the guard armor that is mandatory. It makes all the guard look the same, which makes them more imposing, but also allows things like this to happen really easily. I decide that time is important, so I take multiple short cuts, creating quite a scene as I rush towards my destination, at least until I run into trouble.
"Halt criminal scum!"
"Out of the way, this is an emergency, Class six, Section twenty-four!" The guards take a step back before resuming their stances.
"Then show me your identification." I reach into my pocket and show them my ID card, given to everyone of the squad when our current backer took us in.
"Alright, it all checks out, but why were we not informed of your arrival?"
"That, is an interesting oversight, and I have a bad feeling about this, I would ask you to send a messenger, but I suggest you stay on guard, things might become hectic soon." With a nod, they continue their march, as I take back to my course. Things are going very wrong, very fast. Or maybe, it has been wrong for a lot longer then I thought. Upon reaching the mountain, I notice the 'Captain' hasn't yet gotten here. If this is what I think it is, I have no time to waste. I quickly venture into the tunnel, kept dark, but with just enough light to see. As I get deeper in, I hear the occasional noise, but it is when I reach the depths of it, that I come across a terrible sight. Hundreds of skeletons. Mostly female, and all of them died the same way. Continuing deeper, I proceed more slowly, I am in 'their' territory now.
Finally, I catch sight of my target, Melody. Vinyl is nowhere to be seen, though I can assume she is safe right now, I can't leave much up to chance now. They have her chained to a wall below me, so I assume this is where all those skeletons started off. I decide to take one other thing out that I may need, a flask, and down its contents in an instant. Things have finally gotten nearly out of hand. Failing to notice anyone else, I take another look at Melody. She is now solely clad in her underwear, a black bra and panties of simple design. It is then I finally take notice of the one odd thing about this room, it is the only one with lit torches. Carefully, I make my way down, finally coming into her sight.
"You! You said they were only rapists!" She spits the words out like venom, the final piece of the puzzle is fitting into place.
"And you shout to alert them when I am stealthy, why?" She blushes for a moment, before her rage returns.
"Like it matters, they bit me and killed Vinyl!"
"Well the former is a problem, but by this point do you really think I told you anything of the truth? Vinyl isn't dead." Before she can retort, she whimpers in pain, her body beginning its change. Her nails grow longer, her hands more built to fight than to play an instrument. Her transformation is unstoppable, but if I can coax her mind I may be able to keep her in control.
"It seems we were to late, she is already bitten." Looking over my shoulder, the captain is standing there, his blade brandished and ready for combat about twenty feet from me. "If you will allow me, I will strike her down with this blade, and put the poor soul to rest." Melody struggles as I step in between the two of them. "What are you doing? She is turning over there!"
"You really need to learn a few things. First, that steel blade won't kill a werewolf, you would be causing so much damage to her, it would be a torturous death. Second, why do we need to kill her? The transformation doesn't change people's minds, she will still be herself, and from what I have seen, she is an absolutely wonderful woman. Finally, you should choose better company."
"What are yo-" In an instant I am beside him, pulling him by the shoulder as a bite narrowly misses his throat, backing off, I come face to face with the faker himself. His features are similar, only hairier, with a tail, claws, and yellow eyes. Being eight feet tall must be an advantage as well. I am rather thankful Melody got this type of werewolf for a physical form, she can keep her cute face with puppy dog ears, just a bit hairier.
"Seems you don't know when to quit, boy."
"Well, fake 'Sergeant Iron Bark', I wasn't exactly going to let you get away with hurting two innocent women for your perverse pleasure."
"Okay, I will give you knowing we took them, and most of everything up to this point, but how the fuck do you know-"
"Large pile of female corpses gave it away. I assume they were 'toys' that you just couldn't turn?"
"It is surprisingly hard to find some willing females, but once she is changed, I will have my own bitch to have fun with. Maybe I will make her finish eating her little friend for some fun!"
"Does ANYONE understand how werewolves work around here?"
"All of my men gladly followed me here, why won't she?"
"Maybe you didn't exactly turn her with her being willful of the matter. Seriously, being a werewolf only changes your diet and makes you slightly more aggressive then normal. That and the obvious physical changes are it. Seriously, you would think an actual werewolf would understand this. How the fuck did you pull off being a 'sergeant'?"
"Why you little- I will kill you!" As the pack charges, I draw my silver blade. I never waver, these idiots may have strength, but they are still idiots. Though they attack as a group, a step up from the previous group, they fall easily to my blade, as I literally dance around them. Thirty and some change werewolves fall before me, leaving the 'sergeant' as the sole survivor, though currently missing both his arms. I finish just in time to hear the clanging of metal, Melody is full changed, and she is pissed.
"I want to kill him!" Her body has changed rather nicely, a grayish-brown fur covering her body, her hair frazzled, but still recognizable as her hair style, her claws could use a trimming, but her figure is virtually untouched, though I imagine far more muscular. Her eyes, now yellow, glare at the 'sergeant' with only rage.
"P-please no, I will tell you anything, anything at all!" The former 'sergeant' was now begging for his life. How pathetic. Then again, this could be useful. As I place my boot on his heel, I hold up my hand to Melody.
"Alright, how many more of your 'pack' are still in the guard?"
"T-twelve more, in both guards, though only two more in the day guard. I can help identify them for you! Just please, let me live!"
"Hmmm, I don't know, I am going to need more than-"
"The Captain put me up to this!" In an instant, I heard footsteps, seems the captain was as guilty as I thought. He quickly moves to hold Melody by the waste, his blade at her throat.
"Well since the cat is out of the bag, now we go to plan Z! I am going to kill you and the 'sergeant'. Make it look like Melody and Vinyl met a gruesome end here, and the two of you killed each other. Meanwhile, this bitch will sit at my heel for the rest of her life!"
"My goodness, it seems I get the opportunity to thin the herd of idiots out quite a bit."
"Don't lump me together with this dimwit fur-ball, I may control them, but I am no werewolf scum! They were only supposed to take her, not turn her. Then I would show up, victorious and take her hand in marriage, as was arranged forever ago!"
" That stu-" Melody tried to say something, but he pressed his sword deeper at her throat, silencing her instantly.
"I never said you were a werewolf, but let me just say this. You are messing with a woman I find very interesting. She is so strong that she actually asked to kill instead of acting on it, rare for immediately after a first-time transformation. If you don't drop the sword, I will have to make you suffer." I begin to walk towards him as his sentence ends, and he tenses his muscles, confident he can make me stop.
"One more step, and she dies, pathetic, low-life, shit-stain, plebeian, human, scumbag!"
"First, a pathetic person couldn't come here alone without batting an eye-lash. Second, low-life? I carry myself in society just fine without committing crimes. Third, scumbag? If I was a scumbag, I would have taken Octavia and Vinyl the moment they were safe from the werewolves that were sent that night. Finally, human. Such an odd thing to call me, someone who walked through thirty some-odd werewolves.
"As a human, and as a guard, you really should learn a few things about combat. Specifically, when the person you are facing, is in range to kill you, and you can't kill them. That is the perfect time to run, or charge. You are doing neither."
"W-what are y-GAAAAAAAH!" Before he can finish, I am passed him, his arms now shattered messes on the wall where Octavia once was restrained.
"Because, the sooner you realize when something superior to you is there, you should plan accordingly." With a final swing, I behead the captain, his magical mask coming off, revealing quite a few blemishes. Melody, instantly cowers into a wall, finding what was on the first floor around her. They are cages, with even more female skeletons, and the name 'Melody' written over and over again into the stone walls. These women died in varying ways, mostly their heads were bashed against the wall, I guess this captain took it harder then most, but that is what happens when fools get power, then learn its limits.
"W-what are you?" Melody, still in her werewolf form, cowers still, more comfortable with the bones then me.
"I am a member of the 'Supernatural Mystery Squad'. Now I must ask you, Melody, what do you want to do with your life?"
"What do you mean? I am a monster now! My life is ruined! Even if I do have control, I will never be the same again!"
"Indeed, you are faster then a normal human, your figure will barely change no matter how much you eat, you can smell things better, see in the dark better. The list goes on, and it improves when you enter the form."
"H-how can you act so calm about this?"
"First, I can't change what has happened, and second, you have three options open to you. These options are as follows: First, you can ask me to execute you, right here and now. I don't recommend this as your friend Vinyl is alive, which I will get to. Second, you can try to go back to normal everyday life. You will be constantly surveyed, but you can live your life, albeit more than likely without Vinyl."
"W-what is the third?"
"Join us. It may seem odd, but joining us gives you the greatest freedom. We can help you learn a lot, you get to travel the world, and you would be able to live a normal life if you go to the office work. Though if you wanted to do field work with me, that would be far more pleasant."
"Why would that be?"
"It gets lonely on the road, and even in my office. Just having an interesting conversation would be a lovely change of pace." Turning her head away from me, she responds.
"Why me?"
"At first, it was because I liked your music, but I have gotten to see you in all of these situations, and I see a lot of myself in you. Anyway, I better find Vinyl Scratch before I hear your answer and we head back." Finally facing me, I see the trail end of a blush leave her face as she looks to me for answers.
"You keep saying she is alive, how is that possible?"
"You probably have most of the clues already, she is, not amongst the living. Hasn't been for years." Turning to the tunnel, I yell loudly. "Get out here Vinyl, or the next body you get will have bladder issues." In an instant, a see-through version of Vinyl comes through the wall of the cavern, clearly distraught.
"Please no! Not again!"
"S-she's a, ghost?" Melody nearly faints when Vinyl rubs the back of her head.
"Yeah, I'm a ghost. Been under the squad's watch for two decades now. They provide 'bodies' they make from a combination of donor animals and people to ghosts that are willing to be a normal part of society, though they set a budget since sometimes we can get a little, careless with our bodies. Heh."
"Just-just give me a moment, please. I need to think on things." Nodding, Vinyl and I head out, and wait for her to come to a decision.
"Well, this sure escalated quickly. By the way, you were joking before, right?"
"No Vinyl, I was not. You are already out of your allotted fund for spare body parts, and since I would have to do it from scratch, this is going to be terrible. So either you pay us for it, or you work for us. And yes, I can find out how much you have in your bank account, and I will be checking it. No, you can't pay me with 'favors'."
"Even sexual ones?"
"That implies I care enough about sex to drop quite a bit into them."
"Come on! I can, you know, do a few months of it."
"While that would probably pay for it, I have to say no. I am only interested in sex with those I care for, hence I have never had sex."
"Are you sure there isn't another reason? Like, say, saving yourself for a certain cellist perhaps?" With a small blush I respond as if she hadn't struck a cord.
"That rule does apply to her, though from what I can tell, I would actually like being in an actual relationship with her. You, I know your file. You always get a virgin, somehow, and you lose it before your first check up two weeks after you get the body."
"You are just trying to keep me away from the fact that you have a crush on Melody. But let me tell you this, she isn't going to be interested." Vinyl seemed a little too involved in this discussion, but I decided to go with her playful attitude.
"Well, that isn't our call is it?"
"A-hem" The sound draws our attention, a very red Melody, having found the cloak I kept in my suitcase, which she holds in the hand not keeping the cloak together. It is rather, provocative, but with the few options around, it will do. Hopefully, she didn't hear too much of that discussion.
"Before you give me your decision, there are clasps-"
"I broke them off by accident. Um, sorry."
"Don't worry, it is nothing special. As for your decision." She takes a few deep breaths, making herself calm to make certain this is what she wants.
"I will join as an operative in the field."
"I thought you wo- wait, you actually said yes? Um, wow, honestly expected a no."
"Well, it may take some, getting used to. But I always wanted a more exciting life. Playing my cellos is my life, but sometimes a girl wants to do more than just that."
"Awww, dammit! I was hoping you would refuse. I won't let my best friend get into this alone, I'll join as well. Same stuff." I suppress the urge to start hugging them and instead leave it to my smile to show my gratitude.
"Alright, we will make it to the city. There are a few ways to manipulate the story told for you, but odds are, we need to hide your identity while going out on missions. You are still a famous musician after all."
"Maybe, after the events of this day, I go into protective custody. However, I only use Melody as a stage name. My real name is Octavia. I never allow others to call me by it, so it should get me out of any troubles of fame."
"Liking this more and more, already not doing as much work. Well, we better get to the castle."
"W-why the castle?"
"Our leader works out of the castle. Always has."
"I-I see. But how will we get in to the castle?"
"The front gate. It is 'their' shift right now, so we should get in rather quickly actually. Anyway, unless you want to walk through to- wait, got to remember, first night you are stuck like that. We better take the scenic route then." We made our way around the city, avoiding as many people as possible. Vinyl moved through the ground under us, keeping pace so that the castle's defenses wouldn't hurt her. As we got to the castle, we were greeted by the guards I had talked to earlier, now standing guard at the entryway.
"Well if it isn't our 'Squad' guest. You are expected, though the two of you will have to go through a security check."
"Three actually, two class five life forms, and me." They instantly stand at attention.
"Prisoners?"
"Victims." They momentarily show sadness, before reverting to the cool, calm, intimidating postures expected of them. Though, they did not do so for me.
"I see, they must have been through quite a bit." Tall, naturally blue hair and eyes, he had wide shoulders that made him stand out as a 'paragon' of the guards. He was rather good looking, if the drool from Melody's mouth was any indication. This also lifted my possibilities up a bit. If she was interested in any man, I have more then a flat zero as my chance.
"Good to see you Captain Shining Armor, tell me, how is your wife Princess Cadence doing?" Seems I crushed Melody's dream before it could even start. I actually felt a little bad for her as he continued.
"She is doing fine, but I must ask, 'What is the ultimate force that creates harmony'?"
"'Tis friendship and camaraderie, my dear prince'." With a sigh of relief, he takes us through a few well decorated hallways, Vinyl still following in the ground.
"So, where is guest number three?" He eyes Melody, expecting her to be the source.
"Below our feet."
"I see, thought for a moment you had finally found someone for once."
"Hahaha, nice joke." We remain silent as we go further down. Several turns and flights, and the extravagant decorations disappear, this area of the castle meant for a far less, open, purpose. As we open one final door, we reach our destination.
"W-what is this place?"
"Part of the cave system, this part is closed off and only accessible from the castle. It is surrounded by crystals that give off an odd frequency that can quickly kill if you get too close, and prevent arcane arts form witches and warlocks from being used. This also means Vinyl, it is time to join us." As she ascends, she has a smug smile on her face.
"But I so enjoyed the look under Melody's coat." Melody snarls at Vinyl, only to discover she is no longer so hairy.
"Seems the day has dawned giving you your original form back. That is good."
"Indeed, but for now, we are here." Before us lie two large doors, bearing the emblems of the sun and moon. "Lady Luna will greet you personally in a moment." I turn to make some small talk, but discover that both of my companions are a lot paler then usual.
"L-l-lady L-l-luna? By the Gods, I thought she was a myth?"
"Nope, real as you and me, and just as powerful as legends say, if not more so. She and her sister like to keep themselves out of the lime-light, preferring to allow a substitute, like Prince Blueblood and Princess Twilight Sparkle, to rule in their place, but with their decisions. Lady Luna and Lady Celestia are our backers after all, and the reason we still exist at all."
"Y-you m-m-m-mean-"
"Yes, she is our boss." We wait for a few minutes, Melody and Vinyl both whimpering, before the doors open, showing two of the night guard, one male and one female, greet us. Their armor is very different from the gold armor of the day guard, their black armor giving off an aura of darkness. Most of them, like the two before us, are normal individuals with bat-wings upon their back. They can fly, but contrary to popular belief, none of them are vampires. The ones that are guard this place with their lives. As they part thought, they reveal a far different creature.
"Good morning, little boy, ghost, and my latest daughter of the moon." Her short stature and less then noticeable assets may make her seem young, but the woman before us is as if a goddess. Her hair, reflecting the night sky, waves beautifully in the air. Her black crown and necklace amplify her royal radiance, each ingrained with a silver moon. Her long, flowing dress, black as the darkest night, shows her femininity. Truly a beautiful creature.
"Latest daughter of the moon?"
"Her way of saying werewolf. Werewolves power fluctuates with the moon, so it isn't far off."
"I-I see."
"So tell me, boy, why bring such a recently turned werewolf to me?"
"She was turned against her will by a pack of werewolves working as guards."
"What! How defiant! All guards are supposed to state if they have any supernatural tendencies in them. If you find any, I authorize the use of force to take them in if necessary as no guard under either the day nor night have stated they are werewolves. Now then, onto matters, I expect you told her her options?"
"I did Lady Luna."
"Excellent! Now, I guess you would pick living here, so I-"
"I picked to work, your majesty."
"Oh, well that is unexpected, but we will find a place in need of a secretary and-"
"I chose field work."
"... Seriously?"
"Yes."
"SPLENDID!" With an unearthly force, she shouted, knocking Melody back into me with merely the force of her voice. "Sorry, I got a little excited there. We have so few agents and, seeing the trend, I guess you wish to tutor under your rescuer?"
"Yes, I didn't know I got to choose, but I know I can trust him, and my friend Vinyl over here said she would join us."
"Ah friendship, it so makes the decision of how to pay off a new body easier, doesn't it?"
"Please don't remind me."
"Anyway, I will assign you two to work under your rescuer here. His name is 'Zero'."
"That, is an odd name."
"Indeed, but that is not the purpose of this meeting. We will get you two dressed up, prepare a body for Vinyl, and send word to the Ponyville office of your arrival."
"Ponyville office?"
"It's were I work out of Octavia. It is, rather nice for a small town. You will grow to like it. Mostly."
"Wonderful. And what were you again? After all of this I can't exactly think you were a human."
"And that, is one of the few questions I won't be giving an answer to anytime soon. Maybe one day, but not right now." With a somber look, we begin to finalize the entire plan for both Vinyl and Melody's work, and their training. Things were finally interesting.
It was four months later that Octavia and Vinyl finally got the okay to start doing field missions. Vinyl received a body made for combat, built with parts from a few soldiers who were signed organ donors upon their deaths. In the end, she just had to be taught by our resident specialist in ghostly combat, Mayor Mare. Most may not realize it, but she was the first mayor of Ponyville. How she hides it is a mystery I will never know. Even Granny Smith, the oldest woman in town doesn't remember her from back then. She trained her well enough though.
As for Octavia, I trained her in controlling her power, allowing her to change at will though full moons always change her. As an odd side effect, she becomes much more, tempting, while changed. It made training her to fight in her altered state a pain, though she did learn enough in her human form to keep herself safe in most situations. I was chosen to be their squad leader by my the public leader of the 'Supernatural Mystery Squad', Princess Twilight Sparkle, Demigod. She was born mortal, but thanks to everything that happened to her, she became far more than mortal. She has since helped to lead us against what is currently 'unknown' and that includes giving us our first mission.
"So, now that we are on the train, what is the mission?"
"Easy, we are going to be taking a look at a supposed 'haunting' in the town of 'Fieldsburg'."
"It's a lovely town."
"That it is Octavia. Also, I want to say this now because it is starting to become an issue. If you are going to 'have fun' let me know so I can leave. Hearing two women moaning in pleasure doesn't exactly make good sleep."
"You just wanted to join in Z."
"Vinyl!'
"What? You say that more than me Tavia!"
"It is not proper! I only say it because of my, condition."
"Admit it, you just want his-"
"Vinyl!" Octavia and I yelled simultaneously.
"What? I was just going to say tongue in your mouth. You need to get your minds out of the gutter." She grinned as Octavia and I groaned. This was going to be a long day.
"Anyway, the place in question is an old warehouse."
"Typical stuff you write in a horror novel." Octavia tried to sound interested, but with such a weak sounding mission, I guess her new blood doesn't flow well.
"Yes, but the problem is it could be something else entirely, that is where we come in. If it is a ghost, Vinyl will fight it. If not, we will fight it. More than likely though, it is two or three different things working together."
"What if it is a Poltergiest?"
"Vinyl, if it is one we are leaving immediately. We are not equipped for fighting one of those."
"What are Poltergeists?" Octavia asked.
"To quote the book I lent you that you clearly didn't read-"
"I read it!" Octavia and Vinyl shouted simultaneously.
"It was page twelve, you didn't read it. But they are beings made of pure emotion. Some Poltergeists are born in places like churches due to weddings, and cemeteries from sorrow and anger. They are not spirits, they were never a living thing. They act irrationally based on the emotion they were born from."
"So, if one is born from lust-"
"Thankfully, that hasn't happened as of yet."
"So, I can totally shag one if we find one?"
"They are formless and, when they destroy ghosts, they rip them apart in horrifying ways. You are NOT to deal with them. And if they are 'born and driven by lust', even more so."
"Oh come one! What's the worst that can happen to me?"
"You get possessed and destroy everything you once liked while your own soul is slowly distorted and then destroyed. And with lust, that means fucking everyone you love to death in ways that probably don't feel good for the victim since they will find the most twisted ways possible to do things."
"Oh, that's bad."
"Indeed, though I doubt that will be the case. This should be rather easy."
"Thoughts?"
"Succubus. I will know for certain when we get there."
"Anything to know about a succubus?"
"They will offer you sex in various ways. Never get alone with them, never say yes, and never allow them to get close to me. I don't want to be enslaved by a single kiss. Besides, this is your trial test to see how well you studied. Remember, combat isn't always the answer." A single eyebrow raised from each of them made me want to, ensure them on something. "They can only enslave men with a kiss, not women. Same thing goes with Incubuses."
"Attention passengers, we are now pulling in to Fieldsburg Station! Please gather your belongings and head on to the station when we come to a complete stop." The cheery voice clicked off as the train began to stop.
"That was quick."
"Indeed, Twilight got us a train with direct transit to here. Normally we would have to buy a ticket to go further and then come back, but again, Twilight."
"By the way, is it true that Twilight is-'
"Yeah, a vampire. And yes, she made sure 'those' books were not findable in Ponyville."
"So, do you and Twilight-"
"She has a boyfriend; I don't have a girlfriend. That is all we will say."
"Dumped."
"Taken before I met her."
"Oh. Wait, how can she be a demigod and a vampire?"
"Who says the other half has to be human?" With that, we silently exited the train and head towards our first destination, the hotel. It was also the start of our first problem once we finally got to our room. And I do mean the singular.
"We are sharing a room?" Octavia was furious with me, her eyes rather accusing and close to changing.
"Saves money and I can't let either of you out of my sight. You are both new to this and we aren't exactly liked by everyone. for all I know in the middle of the night the hotel staff could try to kill us. Either in connection to the problem, another problem, or just out of spite. Normally, I would take the bed, but you two can use it while I use the fold-out bed."
"Oh really? There are no ulterior motives?" Her eyes growing more accusing, I could tell she was getting riled up. It was rather close to a full moon after all.
"None. The two of you may be lookers, but we are on the job, and neither, well, you are certainly not willing. You have nothing to fear from me doing anything at all." She looks at me for a time, before finally setting me down, a light blush evident on her face.
"So this is why you told us to pack decent pajamas."
"Something I totally didn't do. Wouldn't mind sharing with a third though Z."
"Vinyl, no." One glare from Octavia silenced Vinyl in her tracks. We unpacked in silence, minus my sigh of sadness to discover the couch did not fold out into a bed. As we finished, we headed out towards the warehouse where we would meet the client.
"Are you my investigators?"
"Depends, are you the owner of 'Warehouse 5'?" Seems Octavia is already taking charge, good for her.
"Yes, Metal Deposit is the name. I recently wanted to convert it, but my equipment keeps disappearing so if you could find the cause-"
"What kind of equipment?" Good question Octavia.
"Sonic chambers meant to shake apart minerals."
"So, you want to turn the warehouse into a mineral mill or something?" Vinyl, you could have said that so much better.
"Yes, that would be accurate." It is now that I notice his eyes, though focused on our faces, take large glances at Octavia and Vinyl in ways that he should not. I decide to take a closer look at him. He is rather short for a man, only four-foot-six or so with a large beard and dark hair and eyes. Something seems off though. He may be a really tall dwarf, but this warehouse is far too big for just mineral extraction. However, he might be legit and wanting to go beyond what most believe possible. Either way, the fastest way to get to the truth, is to head into the jaws of the beast. Octavia seems to agree, though Vinyl, being unusually quiet, observes our surroundings. If it weren't for her intense gaze, I would chock it up to simple boredom, but it seems the two of them have gotten the same funny feeling I have.
"Alright, I'll open it up. I'll come with ya since I want to know who is keeping me from my work!" His eyes tell me that this could still go any which way, he is quite determined to come with us. I still don't even know who this guy is. At first he was more interested in beautiful women, but now he seems interested in the warehouse, pushing us forward just slow enough to leave me in the dark. Octavia clenches her fist as we get close to the warehouse. It is bigger than I thought. Nearly sixty feet tall, five hundred feet long, and eighty feet wide. It was almost like-
"It was originally made to build boats. About twenty years ago, it was converted to a warehouse when it was no longer profitable to make boats. The guy that ran it was told he was to still own the building and was to collect everything for himself. Unfortunately, he was already barely making enough to live. He had been living on the edge and he eventually committed suicide. Some rumors would tell me he is to blame, but I wont let no ghost stop me from accomplishing my dream!" His story was already well researched. I didn't know what he had done, but the tale of the old owner was something I knew quite well. As he unlocked the door, we entered, keeping ourselves on alert as we saw what we were dealing with. Large stacks of crates were scattered about, thousands of them, each a different size and shape. A few were broken, revealing the objects within. Most seemed to have various machine parts, but a few had old cans of food. Our client was scanning the room, nervous despite his attempts to remain strong. Both Octavia and Vinyl were scouring the room, trying to figure out exactly what was going on. I had a few questions myself.
"So, a 'ghost' huh?"
"Yes, supposedly. I don't right believe in them, but I can't really be sure." We had been walking, putting us a few feet inside as the doors we had entered slammed shut. Octavia jumped, her body nearly changing from the start. I quickly ran over to open them again, but they weren't coming open anytime soon. A quick look around made it certain why.
"Welded shut."
"How? It was closed for only a moment, any weld should be hot still!"
"Calm down Vinyl. We aren't alone here, and we need to be prepared. Octa-" I never finished my sentence, a blow from the back of the head knocking me out. When I awoke, I was bleeding badly, my briefcase taken from me. Feeling myself, I found my flask, still full. Taking a swift chug of it, I quickly tried to get to my feet, only to find they were bound rather tightly. My arms had apparently been wounded, perhaps even cut off, but were somehow attached again. Judging by the fresh stains on the ground, I should be dead, but I am quite far from it. It is as something moves that I realize I am not alone.
"Show yourself, or I will make you wish you had." In an instant a ghost comes out into the open. Most of his figure is obscured, meaning he probably has been without a body for at least a decade. "Who are you?"
"My name is, or was is probably the better word, Doctor Hours, I used to own this warehouse."
"It seems to me I need an explanation, what's really been going on here."
"I'll tell you as we get out of here, your companions were captured, the small one sold out the three of you in exchange for his life, and the two women need help, now." He told me his tale as I got myself free, and coming up with a plan. sometimes, it is the lie you don't know is the truth that becomes your greatest weapon, and right now, I want a little revenge. After the explanation, and planning, I was ready to rescue my two lovely assistants. Octavia had managed to evade capture, but Vinyl had to leave her body to be safe. Now it was being used for my captor's pleasure. They will wish they had-
"Are you sure we shouldn't cement that fucker and throw him into the ocean?" Oddly appropriate. It may have bought them
the time necessary to get away from me.
"And what are you going to do if that damn bitch gets loose when we open the door? There was nothing special on him, his body was that of a normal humans. And if a single witness gets out, this won't work twice. We would have to abandon this place and try and set up in a different way, a huge waste of time and energy. Besides, you got yourself a nice pussy to fuck right now, so don't complain. It isn't so fun with their mouths after they are dead."
"There is still the backdoor. She didn't shit herself so I doubt she is going to suddenly do it now."
"She might not be dead retard, and I certainly don't want her to die and shit stain my dick and pants."
"But, you have had your dick in her throat for thirty minutes, I am certain-"
"Just finish up so I can have a go." They will regret their choices. Looking down I see the obscene display, and I decide to kick the plan into action. Octavia is still missing, but I can assume she is well hidden as I can't even see her, though I can still feel her presence to some degree. From the conversations, I will have a distinct pleasure in what I am about to do. Finally, the lights cut out, and I put my plan in action. It may seem a bit cliche, but nothing beats the old 'everyone is disappearing in a dark room' cliche. I start on the groups close-by that are heading towards the guys by Vinyl. Apparently the guy in her mouth hurt himself on her teeth. Seeing a small group of two, I quickly pounce, taking the one in the back, knocking him out in an instant, and take him up to the rafters, suspending him above Vinyl's body. The other one nodded to me, meaning I am getting to see some of the perks of having a ghost companion as the body glows a light blue for a moment. Moving along, I gather roughly ten bodies into the sky, suspended above the center as the enemy fully groups together, distributing flashlights and lanterns among them.
Half of them stay in the center, while the other half moves towards the fuse box. It seems they were somewhat prepared for another set of disappearances, but with my 'ally' still in the center, I planned to deal with the enemy walking around. They rarely let anyone out of each others' sights. In the end, I was only able to take three more before they got to the box, using distractions of dropping an item or two. This left the remainder at 5 for the center, and four at the fuse box. Now, it was time for the fun to really start. I made certain that I was well out of shooting sight, and let loose a high pitched cry, not unlike a yeti cry. It instantly unsettled the men, a few nearly using their improvised weapons and knives to attack each other as they scattered within the confines of the sitting group's light sources. The fuse box team seemed to have little trouble fixing the problem, illuminating the place again in a few places. However, I failed to realize there was one other group, split off from the fuse group so they could watch over each other. They found Octavia who had also failed to notice the second group, and captured her while she prepared to attack the fuse team. She was still in her human form, and the men were ever so happy to have caught her, bringing her in to the main group. It was then that their leader revealed his true form. A normally lower threat of monster called an ogre. He was probably a half-breed judging by the not-dead people at his sides. As I got on the ground and moved in closer to listen in, I found out just how happy they were to have caught their prey.
"I said strip her. I am going to fuck this bitch, and destroy her for what she has done!" His pants had bulged since he stopped trying to be discreet and let loose his form a bit. Any human woman to take that much inside there would probably die from pain. Being a werewolf didn't exactly make her that much more special.
"But sir, she is an excellent product, and-"
"And what? Are you going to tell me she deserves a chance to live after what she did to the others?"
"M-maybe that other guy-"
"That man is as dead as this other bitch! Besides, we can always set-up shop elsewhere and repeat the process. I will admit she would probably fetch us a high price on the sex trade, but this one has proven to be dangerous. Don't worry though, we can all keep going until it is time to end her life!" Their lecherous grins took over as they began to strip. It was then that I decided to really have my fun.
"If my friend down there is really as dead as me, I guess she is just fine, isn't she?" They stand stock still, paling as they look towards the ceiling, finally seeing the bodies of their friends suspended above them.
"Who are you? Show yourself!" As I step out into the light, I see my paint job did its trick. I used some of the blood I had lost and made sure I looked like the walking dead. I virtually was at this point. "H-how are you alive?"
"Well, you see, I just don't die that easily. Dead things in my presence, even myself, don't stay dead all that well. Let me, give you a demonstration!" I hold out my hand, palm towards the ceiling, and watch as one of their members, the one that nodded earlier, falls to the ground, unconscious. Then Vinyl began to rise. Even the half-ogre backed up, fearful at the man who now appeared to control death. I wave her over, and she gets to my side, hanging off of me while staring menacingly at her previous abusers, their fluids still falling from her body. Then, he wisely calls my bluff.
"Kill the bitch and I will handle this 'thing'. Then we can have our fun for some time." Their boss takes a wide stance, and changes even further towards looking like an ogre. He easily stands fourteen feet tall now, with large muscles across his frame. His clothes entirely rip off, revealing he kept a large dildo in his pants, though that was now the least of my worries. His peons grin, confident in their leaders powers, and their ability to handle what they think is just a 'weak little girl'. As I look to Octavia, she is fearful, but right now, things fall into 'emergency' rules.
"Well then, little lady, why don't you just, fight like the 'bitch' you are?" Taking my hint, she closes her eyes, then they back up, fear overwhelming them as the little girl they were after changes before them. Her body hair grew longer and fuller as her teeth elongate into serrated, knife-like teeth instead of the normal combination of human teeth. She didn't get any taller, but her eyes yellowed and became slitted, her shirt on her back moved a her tail grew into its rightful place. Her muscles also became bigger, ripping her clothes, showing the battle-ready uniform underneath. Then she howled, and I am relatively certain they lost all the will to fight before she swiftly started knocking them out. One blow to the head taking two instantly. As the remaining man and the half-ogre began to prepare, a swift blow knocked them back. The human was unconscious instantly, but the halfling was just fine, jumping back to lessen the blow and give himself the distance to think. An ogre with human level intelligence, and even worse, combat training, is a rather daunting, and frightening, scenario.
"I see, so you are also a monster, well then, you just became worth capturing again. How about it puppy, why not stop this and get yourself enough money, and sex, to satisfy any desire you may have?" She answered with a flying kick to its face, but if ogres are well known for their resistances. "Fine then, just the sex!" He swung his massive arm, trying to take her out of the fight in an instant, but Octavia's nimble body easily evaded. She took the combat lessons I gave her quite well, evading his blows and returning them. It worked, right up until she slipped on some of the blood and fluids Vinyl and I had dripped onto the floor. She was hit hard in the stomach, sending her flying into the opposite wall. As the halfling approached Octavia, I was glad I had already taken my flask. I close the distance rapidly, and prepare to stop the halfling as Vinyl reacts to the sounds of some more enemies approaching.
"Now then, I will give you a little knocking, and then I will be enjoying you, so please, remember, you could have saved your friends!" He pulled back and sent a crushing blow towards her, but it never connected. I had reached him and grabbed his arm, holding it in place despite all his efforts to move it. "What the hell are you?" His voice held none of its former confidence. It was like a moth versus a campfire, only one could win, and it was quite obvious who.
"Someone tired of shit like you." With one punch I send him flying into the several crates, and through them to crush into the wall. He fell silent, unconscious from the blow. "You alright Octavia?" Turning to look, I see a mix of emotion, fear being surprisingly far from her features, replaced by awe and wonder, before she blushes, rising to her knees.
"I-I am q-quite fine. H-how did you, do that?" She approached, reverting to her human state. I finally realize just how much of her clothes were shredded, and become very thankful of the expanding battle-suit made for werewolves.
"I'm not exactly human, thought that was rather obvious by now."
"What, what kind of supernatural individual are you?" Her word choice was, surprising. She is the second person I have ever met, to not use the word 'creature'. It was also, the first time she did.
"That, is a mystery I haven't even confided in our boss. Only Celestia, and Luna actually know what I am, and honestly, it is better off that way. No offense, but sometimes it can be rather hard to, get past what I am. We told one other, and they died trying to kill me." Octavia backed away from me in fear before I could quell her fears. "I didn't kill him, he killed himself by accident. He put enough poison in my water and food to kill five or six humans my size. He then mixed things up and accidentally ate it himself." She thankfully relaxes as Vinyl finally arrives, noticing the halfling and the destruction that followed him.
"Holy shit Zero, didn't know you had it in your arms to do that much." Her eyes drop noticeably. Vinyl may not be so interested in men, but right now, I think her body is trying to overwrite that.
"First off Vins, eyes up here." She blushes as her eyes meet mine.
"Don't call me Vins!"
"Second, there are a lot of things I can do that I don't exactly brag about." They both raised an eyebrow at it, somewhat questionably.
"Thirdly, I would rather what happened in my past, to stay in the past. It wasn't exactly a fun time, and it left me with a lot of garbage I could do without." With that, I simply turned around and headed towards the door, to hear a very familiar voice on the otherside.
"I'm back with what you guys wanted, let me in already!" He didn't exactly sound like a victim. Usually the 'fisher' who brings in clients is forced to do it without actually being a member of it. As he banged on the door, I decided I was done holding back, especially since this door was merely dropped down behind us to make us think it was welded. With little effort I lifted the door, probably about two hundred pounds and grab 'Metal Deposit' and toss him in the building, letting the door close behind him.
"Fancy meeting you again!" As he tried to crawl away, Octavia shifted again, pinning him to the door and giving him an eye-full of her fangs. "Now then, I have heard a lot of interesting things, and judging by how cheery you acted, I got to ask you a question."
"I won't talk! They got me by the neck on this!"
"I doubt that, because my question is why did you sell your wife and daughter to them so easily?" Octavia growled more deeply as 'Metal' stopped struggling.
"N-no, they-"
"I have more than enough proof you sold them willingly. You sold 'your' wife to join, and sold 'your' daughter on the grounds that they never let anyone know you were interested in girls her age, which is fourteen for your information Octavia the appropriately angry werewolf." Octavia nearly lost it, barely resisting the urge to bite off his face as she through him against the nearby wall, crushing the metal of the wall, before picking him up and resuming the same position.
"P-please, no more!"
"I don't think so, Vinyl, Maneuver E!" In an instant she left her body, punching 'Metal' and forcing out yet another spirit. In a quick motion, she produced an ethereal rope and quickly contained it. Thankfully, Vinyl is strong mentally, preventing the other ghost from moving even an inch. Octavia was still snarling though, and I needed to take care of that. "Wrong target Octavia, the ghost we got is the one that isn't exactly friendly." Putting all my focus on the ghost, I wonder just how bad things are getting in the world.
***
"So, we ever get any information on that perverted ghost?" Vinyl asked as we reached our newly assigned barracks in Ponyville. An average-size, two story house that was decorated for us by a long time friend of our boss. Her name is Rarity, and she is probably the only succubus that is choosy in her targets, though thankfully she is one of the two known that doesn't use her hypnotic charm to take over the hearts and minds of men. The last one that tried, well, we got that one under control in time.
"Nothing of any great value yet, just a few ship names, though finding the women taken by them would be rather difficult. Worst of all, some of them are known to be dead, having tried to escape their captors only to meet their end when they were deemed 'too much trouble'." It is unknown how many lost their lives, but soon, those that were still alive would be found. It was only a matter of time now. At least, that is what I told them before.
"Yeah, by the way, why are they moving us out here?"
"They didn't explain?" As we entered the first floor, we were met with Octavia trying to push her way out. With a bit of force, I kept her in as we entered. "Werewolves are in heat right now. She choose to deal with it instead of using the shot method, so we decided to keep her away from males that might end up getting forced to do things they don't want to do with a woman who isn't exactly in her right mind."
"Why are you here then?" With a simple smile and chuckle, I responded simply:
"Because I am stronger than her."
