The Demon Brother Chronicles; Book 1: Midnight Illusion
Client 1: Lyra Heartstrings (Part One)
It was a chilly night. A cold breeze forced anypony outside to shiver. Midnight Illusion and his two business partners Sat alone in their small, two-storied building. Dracko, having fallen asleep in that position. They hadn't had a customer all day, but then again, it wasn't every day you needed a bodyguard. Their business was called Demon Brothers Protection Agency(or D.B.P.A for short) all of a sudden, they heard the bell at the top of the door ring. Midnight Illusion, a mute shadow pony, quickly scribbled, I've got it. Anon just nodded wearily, almost asleep. Midnight then wrote,Dracko, snore if you'll let me get it. Dracko did snore.
He walked out front, to see a mint-green unicorn mare, no more than 5' 10" He nearly forgot his notepad, which he levitate into his hands. He tore off the page he just used and wrote, Can I help you miss?
She wasted no time wondering why he wrote on the board. "Well I hope you can, otherwise I'm in for a world of trouble.
What is it that ails you, miss? Is someone chasing you? A grudge perhaps? he wrote.
"Well technically yes, but a ex-coltfriend got out of jail, looking for me. I think he's still mad that I turned him in, which I'm not letting you know why he was there in the first place." She explained.
Fine by me. Now, how long will you be needing my services miss... he added the ... to indicate he didn't know her name.
"It's Lyra. Lyra Heartstrings. You also don't have to call me miss. Now your service, I'll probably need you for at the most three days, just until things die down, or you need to kill my ex-coltrfriend."
Alright then miss Heartstrings, I'll be right back. With that he dropped off the large notepad, which he wrote how long he'd be gone, as Dracko was asleep, although it was almost time for Dracko to get up. Anon was plugged into the outlet, charging up. Shadow then made his way upstairs to his room where. He grabbed his gear. A small, compact tube with a sleeping bag, Three days worth of clothes, and some pajamas, which he put in a backpack as well as personal toiletries. He then threw on his shoes.
With everything he needed in his backpack, he made his way downstairs, careful not to wake his friends in the process by bumping them. He then got out into the main room, to find Lyra pacing in circles. She looked relieved to see him. "Phew I thought you had just abandoned me. I couldn't hear you leave, or come back which got me worried. He then whipped out a smaller version of his notepad.
Well worry no more, as I'm here now and ready to go. But before we do, I have a few things I need to 'tell you'. First off, if I signify you to stop, I.e. putting my hand across your chest, you do so. Two, at some points I may be inclined to hide in your shadow, which means i basically become your shadow. Three, the reason you can't hear me walk is because from my years of experience I find the quieter you are, the better. Finally, absolutely should you NEVER assume I left you. That being all, I am now ready to go. He then ripped it off and handed it to her, putting the mini-notepad in his jeans pocket with his telekinetic grip.
"Alrighty then let's go. My house is roughly a mile away, so it should be a nice walk despite the cold breeze." With that, the duo headed to Lyra's house, stopping once to get freshly baked cupcakes at Sugarcube Corner, where they saw Dracko with one of his clients. "Who is that?" Lyra asked, pointing at the odd pony out, talking with a mare with a toothpaste-colored mane.
The vampony? That's my partner Dracko Gatrian. He works at night. As to why he and his client beat us here is beyond me. in fact, before we left, he was asleep. Without giving a second thought, he tore off the note and gave it to her. She had a small glint of fear in her eye after reading the note. He exchanged a wave with Dracko before he and Lyra kept on going.
They were nearly at Lyra's house, about a fifth of a mile to go, when Midnight shot out his hand to stop Lyra, who was confused at being stopped when it was quiet and peaceful. There wasn't even a cold breeze anymore. His other hand shot out and caught a throwing knife by the tip, causing Lyra to become momentarily taken aback. There was then rustling as a figure darted out of the bushes and towards the center of Ponyville, a hood covering most of their face.
"Aren't you going to go after them?" She asked.
My job is to protect you remember, not assassinate or subdue someone, although I used to do that occasionally. He showed her the note as they continued on their way. At one point Midnight unconsciously grabbed Lyra's hand is his as he always did with female clients, in case he needed to swivel in front of them if somepony came with fists a-blazing, causing her to blush. But he didn't notice. He was too busy thinking about the attacker.
As soon as they made it back, Lyra was greeted by her best friend Bon Bon, who was a bit surprised at seeing a stallion behind her. "Who's your new coltfriend Lyra?" Bon Bon teased.
Midnight started writing. Miss, My name is Midnight Illusion, but I am not miss Heartstrings' coltfriend. I am here to protect her.
"From what, the boogeystallion? Like I'm going to-" Midnight interrupted with his notepad.
Look Miss, just because I am mute, doesn't mean you shouldn't take me seriously. I am protecting her from her ex-coltfriend who got of jail, who threw this at her before we got here. He then placed the throwing knife on the small notepad. Now if it isn't too much trouble for you or miss Heartstrings, I'll need a place to put my items.
"Upstairs, first door on your left. It's a guest room." He nodded, and went upstairs, leaving the two mares to themselves.
"I wonder why you didn't beleive him, Bon Bon. What did he ever do to you? Have you ever met him?"
" No, but all I'll say, is that every time you bring a stallion home, something happens. For all we know, he might just be a catfish." She then put her hands on her hips.
"Not all the time. Besides, he actually is protecting me. I hired him roughly an hour ago, which he already seems to be doing his job." Lyra shot back. "It's not everyday you have your ex-coltfriend get out of jail wanting revenge you know."
"You won this round Lyra, but don't expect me to be miss maid to him for the duration of his stay." It was at that point that Midnight came back down, but in sleep gear.
I'm not sure about you mares, but I think rest is something we should probably get if we want to be more alert tomorrow. Id enjoy some sleep if you mares also got some rest. With that, he took his leave, leaving the two mares alone once again.
"Okay, so he wrote that nicely, but no reason to be super hospitable." Bon Bon said. Lyra rolled her eyes and headed to bed, but not before dropping in to say goodnight to Midnight, leaving Bon Bon by herself.
I hate it when Lyra brings back the hot ones. she thought as she made her way to the bed.I wonder why he's mute.
The Demon Brother Chronicles; Book 1: Midnight Illusion
Client 1: Lyra Heartstrings (Part Two)
Midnight woke up to Sun peeking through the curtains of the guest bedroom window. When he opened the window, he let out an inaudible sigh. It was very peaceful there wasn't a cloud in the sky and the birds were chirping. There was then a knock at the door. He opened the door to see a smiling Lyra. He grabbed his notepad. Good morning miss Heartstrings. he added a smiley face to the end indicating he was in a pleasant mood. Lyra giggled.
"I told you you don't have to call me that! Good morning to you too, by the way." She now noticed that his eyes were both all light grey. "Say, why are your eyes light grey?" She asked, curiousness entwined with each word.
All shadow ponies like me have, wellhadgrey eyes. he wrote.
"Well now that my first question is answered, here's the second one. Hungry?" She asked, lifting up a plate of salad. Midnight gave a curious look as he took the plate from her. He cautiously picked up a few leaves on the fork and inspected them. "It's not poisoned, if that's what you're thinking." She laughed as he visibly relaxed and took a bite. "Well?" She asked.
He swallowed and put down the plate, proceeding with picking up his notepad. I give it a nine out of ten. It tastes fairly good.
"Why not ten out of ten?" She asked with puppy dog eyes.
I'm not very fond of salad. he wrote. Nonetheless it was good.
"Well today seems like a pretty calm day. I'm just going to go talk to Bon Bon. Care to join me?" She asked, looking up into his eyes.
Sure. I don't mind, but I'm going to put on some new clothes and clean up. I feel like i slid in cheesecake batter and lemon pudding*. Do you think you could tell me where the shower is?
"It's just across the hall. I'll see you in the kitchen." She then left and went downstairs. He then grabbed his personal toiletries and a new pair of clothes and hopped into the shower.
"Lyra, I don't see why you needed him other than the whole throwing knife incident." Bon Bon complained.
"We went over this yesterday Bonnie. My ex is out to get me for turning him in." She rebutted.
"But why a mute bodyguard? Why not one that could talk?" Bon Bon said.
"He was the only one available at the time." She said. It was about that time she saw Midnight in a tee shirt and shorts with the word BOO in bold on his notepad. She grinned.
"What is- AAAAH!" Shouted Bon Bon as she saw the notebook quickly levitate in front of her, causing her to fall backwards. Midnight quickly dropped the notebook on the table the two mares were leaning on and caught Bon Bon. "That was uncalled for!" She exclaimed.
Serves you right for not trusting me. he wrote.
"How did you-" Lyra grabbed her arm.
"He can hide in shadows. I'm guessing he was ready pretty fast and was eavesdropping. Speaking of which..." She then punched Midnight in the arm hard as she could, but she brought back her hand and rubbed it from hitting him so hard. "How did that not hurt???" She said, cradling her sore hand.
Years of physical training. he wrote. Now I understand that you two may have questions, and that i will answer any and all openly. So who is first?
Bon Bon was the first to speak up. "Why are you mute?" Midnight was visibly taken aback. "You said you'd answer anything openly..." She began.
No, its not that, its just that last time somepony asked me that they wound up in the hospital for a month. You must be very brave. Since you are miss Heartstrings best friend, I suppose I could tell you. Alas, that story is a sad one, so you'd better read fast. The mares both nodded Roughly ten years ago, I owned an assassination business with my current business partners. We Only killed those such as corrupt nobles or psychopaths, etc... and at one time, there was rumors of Celestia being corrupt.
"I know those rumors.' Lyra muttered.
A Griffin noble hired us to take out Celestia, and we truly thought she was evil. It turns out he betrayed us, wanting to get rid of us for killing his corrupt nobles. Both my partners escaped unscathed, but not me. Oh no, the guard caught me. They slit my throat with a dagger. Due to my healing power and Celestia's magic, I was saved.
"So Celestia was nice." Bon Bon said unamused. "Next question."
Thats not it. She then actually took me to the royal dungeon where she tortured and questioned me, punching me every time I didn't use my voice. She gave me the minimal amount of food which was a few leaves of lettuce, and a glass of water. The way I grew tolerant to pain was by her hitting me. Since i was mute, I could do nothing but deal with it. When she got all she wanted from me, she left, and came back a few moments later with a whip. At this point, Bon Bon covered her eyes, and Lyra readied a trash can.
She whipped me five times for each corrupt pony, griffin, or zebra I had killed. I earned myself a total of 565 whips. You can even see the scars from it. He lifted his shirt and showed the mares his back, which prompted Lyra to bring the garbage can closer to her face. He began writing once again. Celestia then whipped me twenty more times from attempting on her life giving me a grand total of 585 whips. My back was practically ripped to shreds, and I was out cold on the floor, blood running everywhere, the only thing keeping me alive was my advanced healing powers. Celestia had even planned my execution.
Lyra couldn't hold it in anymore, and barfed, and Bon Bon kept shuddering seemingly while muttering a chant over and over. If it weren't for her sister, I wouldn't be here right now. Princess Luna took me in as a nervous wreck, refusing to eat anything she gave me because I thought it was drugged, so she made the food right in front of my eyes, saying calming, reassuring words all the while. Lyra then put down the trash can and Bon Bon gave her full attention to the paper. Midnight started writing on another page of paper. Luna too, knew how all the nobles were corrupt and she nursed me back to full health. Once I was better she let me stay a few more days before giving me three choices. One, was to become part of the Pony Protection Program, or P.P.P, where I would get a new name and have my coat changed along with starting a new life with a new family. The second, was to become the captain of the royal guard, where I was assured pay, and Luna would be able to keep a close eye on me, or have a government funded bodyguard business Celestia didn't know about. I presume you know which one I had chosen. She then said that I would always be welcomed back as a guard if I ever wanted, and I headed back to my partners who thought I was dead. So know you know how I became mute. He finished and let the mares finish reading before taking his notebook back. Both Lyra and Bon Bon were on the brink of tears.
"I...I'm so sorry midnight. I-I didn't realize how horrible that would be for you I'm s-sorry I even brought it up." Bon Bon stuttered.
Its not your fault you were curious. Just don't bring it up again, please. She nodded. There was then a knock at the door. Midnight opened it to find a white stallion with red hair and red eyes looking down at him.
"Is Lyra home?" He asked in a heavy Prench accent. He glanced back at Lyra who mouthed, NO!.
I'm afraid not, sir. He wrote.
"Liar." The stallion spat, pushing past Midnight into the house, looking around. "I suppose you're her new, stupid coltfriend? Well let me tell you I am better than you, and I'm taking her back. Midnight then grasped the stallion's throat with an astonishing grip for a small stallion. He then forced the stallion out the door, to Lyra's relief.
"NO." Stated Midnight, which caused him to grasp his throat in pain. Lyra and Bon Bon were both equally shocked to hear his gravelly voice as clear as daylight.
"Ah. So the wimp can talk, eh?" The stallion said, rubbing his throat. Well that wont be for very long." He said, advancing towards Midnight very quickly.