“From my lips to Celestia’s ears let it be heard...”
***time: approx. 3:45 pm.***
***location: eastern housing dist. #486***
***status: bruising on face, cracked rib***
***equipment:N/A***
“By the goddesses!” exclaimed Jinx, “what happened to you?”
“Ehm… i… fell?” replied Dragoon in a guilty manner, “what of it?”
“Bull… Shit.” said Jinx, “You got into a fight with Vex again didn't you?”
“uh...” Dragoon paused. hanging his head he said, “Yes, i got into another fight with Vex; but this time, it was for good reason-”
“BULL!” shouted Jinx, “why are you constantly getting into fights? You’ve been acting like this since father died. wh-”
Dragoon punched Jinx in the face, hard, and sent him sprawling to the floor. with his hoof to Jinx’s throat and venom in his voice Dragoon said, “NEVER, bring up dad, EVER! or i swear, i... will... KiLL YOU!” with those final words, Dragoon lifted his hoof and brought it down on Jinx’s face, breaking his nose, then he added, ”you know very well what happened to the last pony who brought him up, don’t you?”
“yes.” Jinx said, matter-of-factly, “i do; you sent him to the hospital.”
“with four broken ribs and a broken leg.” stated Dragoon, “i won’t be as lenient with you; you will be in the morgue, with all of your ribs broken, a leg missing, and your skull cracked open.”
Jinx cringed at the thought saying “My lips are sealed brother,” and with that, they continued their day.
***time: approx. 5:00 pm.***
***location: eastern housing dist. park***
***status: healthy***
***equipment:N/A***
“Just give me time; i will bring you riches divine; please don’t kill me; i am still useful to thee…”
Those words have haunted Dragoon for years since his mother's death. as he mulled over the thought, he said, to no one in particular, “Why me?”
‘Do not worry about that.’
Dragoon jumped up in surprise, “what the fu-”
‘i’m going to have to stop you there,’ said the voice, ‘i am King Sombra, and i have a job for you.’
“i’m listening.” stated Dragoon in a bored tone, “what do you need me to do?”
‘kill Vex, then bring me her heart,’ stated King Sombra’s disembodied voice flatly, ‘and you will be rewarded in kind.’
“But...” said Dragoon, “i... can’t, kill her.”
‘Do you want to know what happened to your parents?’ asked Sombra, ‘Because i could tell you.’
“m-my parents?” asked Dragoon with sadness in his voice, “You killed them, didn’t you?”
‘n-no i-’
“DiDN’T YOU?!”
Just then, Vex walked by,“Kid, you scare me sometimes,” she said flatly, “who were you talking to?”
“None of your f*ing business,” shot Dragoon, then in a calmer tone he asked, “why do you ask?”
“Because i care.” said Vex with a tone of sympathy in her voice.
Dragoon’s face lit up at the thought, and he asked, “really now?”
“yes.” Vex stated matter-of-factly, “i do care.” then her voice took on a sultry tone, and she said, “come with me.”
***time: approx. 9:00 pm.***
***location: eastern housing dist. #486***
***status: high spirits***
***equipment:N/A***
When Dragoon returned home that evening, he was in very good spirits, “evenin’ Jinx,” said Dragoon, “Have a good day at work?”
“Umm, yeah i guess.” said a confused Jinx, “What’s got you in such a good mood?”
“Me and Vex made up,” said Dragoon mischievously, “apparently, we have a lot in common.”
“Like what?” Jinx asked, none-the-wiser, “You both like beating other people when they bring up sensitive topics?”
“Mabye...”
"Well, at least you made up." Said Jinx, "i would be very mad if you and she got into another argument"
“well, that isn’t the case.” said a pony from the corner of the room, “i saw them going to Vex’s place.”
“And you are?” asked Dragoon, “Wait a second, i think i’ve seen you before.”
“You should very well know me by now,” stated the pony flatly, “i’m the guard pony who keeps breaking up your fights.”
“Drake?” asked Dragoon, “well…shit. i thought i was going to get away with it.”
“Get away with what?” asked an angry Jinx, “What did you get into this time?”
“He was doing… things, with Vex” said Drake, “Last i saw, Dragoon was leaving Vex’s house with a look of childish glee on his face.”
Dragoon was blushing during Drake’s explanation, then he hung his head and said, “i-it’s true, Vex and I were doing… things, at her place. the punishment is up to you brother.”
“Well, while i am pissed at you for doing such a thing… wait, WHAT?!” exclaimed Jinx, “N-no arguments, you’re just going to let me punish you?”
“i believe it was already blatantly clear when he hung his head.” said Drake, “i’m actually very surprised myself.”
“Ehm… i actually don’t know how to punish you.” said Jinx, “i guess i’ll leave you to Drake.”
“Umm… yeah, sure.” said Dragoon, “Sooo, what should i do Drake?”
“i think we should go.” said Drake, “i’m going to be late for my shift.”
***time: approx. 11:45 pm.***
***location: eastern barracks #48 ***
***status: focused***
***equipment:N/A***
At the barracks, Dragoon and Drake were playing a game of chess when the captain of the guard burst through the door…
“Drake, we need you at the front gate immediately!”
“What is it now?” asked Drake, irritated.
“it’s your brother, he’s returned.” said the captain solemnly.
As the captain, Drake, and Dragoon left the barracks, it happened; the air raid sirens started their eerie wail, warning the ponies below of their possible doom, then several large Vertibucks landed in the nearby field.
“What the hell Boone?!” shouted Drake over the roar of the vertibuck’s engines, “At least make an effort to warn us before you land”
“Well ahm sorry fer tryin’ t’ surprise ya.” said Boone, “Excuse me.” there was a warbling hiss of static then boone said, “Mom did always like you more than i. But that aside, who’s your buddy there?”
“M-me?”Dragoon asked, “i’m Dragoon, pleased to meet you.”
“Pleased t’ meet you too.” said Boone, “i hear you’ve been naughty.”
“Ehm…” Dragoon was blushing fiercely, “i-i was… with… Vex.”
“Hmm… Vex.” said Boone thoughtfully, “Kaos’ daughter?”
“yeah.”
“Welp, good luck explaining it to him!” exclaimed Boone.
“He’s right behind me isn’t he?”asked Dragoon.
“Yes i am, and you’d do well to explain this immediately,” said a large, muscular, crimson stallion, “or you’re in for a world of pain.”
*****
“i sat at the park; listening to haunted words; haunted enough to silence the birds; i was told; by a being so bold; to kill your daughter; we argued over my parent’s slaughter; then she came up and brought me out of my stupor; she sympathizes with me sir; i know i am telling you this in such a blur; but we went to her house; played cat and mouse; and did… things; whate'er bell this rings; please tell me; for i have little choice; i must follow the voice; the voice of Sombra; lord of this city; in times of old.”
“Sombra; Sombra; lord? HA! he is dead; dead in a hole; in a hole far off of the coast of the crystal empire; you expect me to believe such farcity? ;well i do; i believe you; it is true; he has been whispering to my daughter too; so i ask of you; protect her; do not let her come under any harm.”
“i will do my best; this is no jest.”
“Good”
Footnote: LevelUp!
new perk: Vexing defense: you gain a 5% boost to damage resistance.
Author's Note
hopin' fer the best in terms of this story, 1-5 rating from you viewers (I hope for, at most, a 4 ratinging from you guys)
“see, the night blooms; blooms within me"
“i’m sorry Lilith” said a voice in the back of Lilith’s head, “This torture will end for both of us.”
“No, mommy. NO!” shouted Lilith, “Please, don’t go!” she woke in a cold sweat, “Why do i keep having that dream?”
*****
My old nightmare; it gives me such a scare; i sing for thee a lullaby; that you may not dream these dreams; these dreams of a corrupted land; a land of fear; a land of pain; a land that may ne’er bring you grief again.
*****
***time: [unknown]***
***location: project valeron HQ, eastern hospice***
***status: massive spinal damage, possible psychological damage***
***equipment:N/A***
Pain… all i could feel was an intense pain. i tried to struggle, but found i couldn’t move. i tried to call out, but found i had no voice. i tried to look around, but found i had no sight. i thought to myself, ‘Am i dead?’ and i remembered, i had agreed to get some biometrics, and this was part of the procedure. as i lay there, i couldn’t help but remember mom, the beautiful zebra who used to be.
*****
To my son; i always knew you were the one; the one to find who killed me; so i give unto thee; an ability; to see the truth within somebody; i hope you find who killed me.
*****
***time: [unknown]***
***location: project valeron HQ, eastern hospice***
***status: massive spinal damage, possible psychological damage***
***equipment: new biometrics present***
i awoke to find i had a series of tubes and wires protruding from my back, so i decided not to struggle.
“You’ve taken to your new biometrics well.”said somepony from my right, “i certainly hope there was no permanent damage.”
“Who...”i croaked, unable to find my voice.
“Well, arent you straight to the point.” said the doctor, “i’m Mellow, nice to finally meet you.”
“W… water.” i said, draining much of my already little energy.
“OH! Yes! Of course!” exclaimed mellow, then she flew off and got me some water. when she returned she placed a bucket in front of me, “Here, drink up.”
i lapped up every last drop of water in the bucket before me, “Thanks.”i finally said, after catching my breath, “i needed that. Also, what did you mean by ‘finally meet me?’”
“Well… i heard you were a spy, working directly with celestia and luna, and i really wanted to meet the pony behind the mask, so i started following you on some of your jobs.”
“Wait, wait, hold on,” i said, “you mean to tell me that you’re the one who almost ruined seven of my contracts?!”
“i…i…i” Mellow choked on her next words, “i-i’m sorry. i…i…didn’t, know, they…were that important.” she broke out into a fit of sobs and moans, “i DiDN’T KNOW!” she wailed, “i’M SORRY!”
i admit, that was very harsh, so i said, “it’s okay, you're just a fan who wanted to see ‘Zebra Bane’ do his work, theres nothing wrong with that.” i saw her pull a knife from her lab coat and cut a large gash into her foreleg.
“i’m sorry, Dragoon.” Mellow said as i watched her life drain away, “i didn’t mean to do what i did. i’m…sorry.” that last word was barely a whisper as she fell into a cold slumber, never to reawaken.
New perk: [quest perk] mother’s gift: you can see the ‘truth’ behind an individual’s eyes when engaged in dialogue.
***time: 6:00 am.***
***location: project valeron HQ, eastern hospice***
***status: possible psychological damage***
***equipment: new biometrics present***
When i awoke the next morning, i found i was in a hospital bed.
“Oh, well look who’s awake.” said a familiar voice from my left, “you gave me quite a scare last night.” i knew it! she wasn’t really dead.
“Mellow, is it?” i asked, “Do you carry a knife in your left coat pocket?”
“W-why yes! i do carry a knife in my left coat pocket.” Mellow responded, “how did you know?”
“Ehm…just a hunch, i guess.” i said, “You mind helpin’ me up?”
“Oh! certainly!” she responded enthusiastically, “But it’ll take some time before you can leave.”
“Why so?” i asked, “i’m notorious for my quick recovery time, so i’ll be able to leave in as little as a week!”
“No, i don’t think so.” said Mellow, “We had to remove your spine for some of the biometrics.”
“YOU WHAT?!?!” i exclaimed, collapsing onto the floor, “What the hell kind of biometrics require the removal of my spine?!” just then the door to my hospital room whooshed open.
“The stealth matrix” stated Drake flatly, “You were chosen as the test subject of ‘Project Valeron,’ a program dedicated to helping destroy the zebra menace.”
“yes, but that doesn’t change the fact that they removed my f*ing spine!” i exclaimed as I stood up, “i mean, seriously, what kind of idiot would agree to such a procedure?”
“You.” responded Drake, still with a flat tone, “You agreed to such a procedure.”
“i…” i couldn’t find the right words to provide a good argument, “Y…You put them up to this, didn’t you?”
“Yeah, thats him alright” said Vex from the doorway, “you do know that it’s almost impossible to intimidate Drake, don’t you?”
“Guh…” i collapsed to the floor again, “D-did you have to wear that?” i finally asked after catching my breath.
“Yes, i did have to wear this.” said Vex, a seductive tone in her voice, “i just wanted to greet my coltfriend in a ‘nice’ way.” she pounced on me, planting kisses up and down my neck, “come on, don’t you want to have some fun?” she asked after the fifth kiss, “i’ll let you lead this time.”
i was shaken by that hallucination, enough so, that i scared Vex.
“What’s wrong love?” asked Vex, a little shaken as well, “i was just excited to see you, that’s all.”
“i… i’m sorry.” i said, “i’ve just been having hallucinations recently.”
“Like what?” asked Mellow, “i am intrigued.”
“Well...” i said, “Last night, i could have sworn you had killed yourself Mellow.”
“Really now?” asked Vex, “what did you see just now?”
“Ehm...” i said, embarrassed, “Y-you jumped on me, and started loving all over me, saying that we should go to your place and ‘have fun.’”
“OH!” exclaimed Mellow, blushing, “i…i was under the impression your biometrics were malfunctioning.”
“Oh, well then, do you want to go and ‘have fun?’” asked Vex huskily, “‘cause i’d be more than willing to please you.”
“ACK!” i collapsed on the floor again, “N-n-n-n-no, please, n-not right now”
***time: 8:00 am.***
***location: eastern housing dist. #486***
***status: healthy***
***equipment: new biometrics present***
i woke up at home, in a cold sweat.
“Good morning sunshine!” exclaimed Mellow, wait Mellow?
“H-how did you get here?” i asked, out of breath, “A-and why am i so tired?”
“i came with Vex and Drake to take care of you until you’re able to start training...”
“...And you’re tired from the ‘fun’ you had last night with Mellow and i.” said Vex, “You can go for quite a while before ‘giving up.’”
“N-no, i refuse to believe that!” i exclaimed. Vex gave me a stern look, so i said, “S-so, Y-you, me, a-and Mellow, did…” the words died on my lips as Mellow brought me into a passionate kiss.
“NO!” i shouted, “why do i keep having those hallucinations?!”
“What was it this time?” asked Mellow, “Was it related to me?” i saw her turn her head slightly to her left then blush. Wait, to her left? i looked down and blushed fiercely, “C-cause i can tell it had something to do with ‘fun.’” Oh, dear.
i turned to my right, only to see Vex gawking at my…blessing, drooling as well, “i-it was one of those hallucinations again. Vex? VEX!”
“Huh, what?” said Vex as she was broken from her stupor, “i…i…i’m sorry Dragoon, i was just captivated by your ranting in your sleep, as well as whatever that last hallucination was about” she blushed lightly, “so, what was this one about, that that happened?” she motioned toward the ‘mound’ as she said this.
“Ehm...” i said, “You, Mellow, and i, had ‘fun.’” While i was saying that, i somehow started blushing even more than i already was, “i-it’s just a hallucination.”
“Yeah, but...” said Vex.
“...we could make it a reality.” stated Mellow, finishing Vex’s thoughts.
i thought to myself, ‘i’m in really deep now arent i?’
Footnote: Level Up!
New perk: Ladies man: when talking to one or both of two, certain individuals, you will get special dialogue options.
