Chapters Ch 1: Trouble In Paradise
The rain pummeled the Crystal Empire. Sheets of rain blew across the gorgeous gem-like buildings, coating them in thick mud and grime. A thick cover of mud lay beneath the water in the streets. The rain lasted so long that everypony was stuck inside. Princess Cadence stared upon the muddy river that was once her peaceful empire with a grim expression. Her amethyst eyes shifted upwards to look towards the sky. The thick dingy gray still stayed. Not an ounce of sunlight shone through. If it did, anypony would see the princess’s state of sadness. Her eyes were swollen and red. Gray bags hang beneath both of her eyes. The tired alicorn stayed up crying throughout the night, not knowing what to do.
Her pink ears twitched as she heard gentle steps approaching her chambers. Without saying a word she knew it was her beloved husband. The alicorn looked to the clouds once more. Blue uniforms appeared for a second and then faded from sight. The Wonderbolts had spent weeks fighting against the clouds, trying to clear the weather. As the thunder boomed and the streaks of blue disappeared from view, Cadence's spirits dropped. "The Wonderbolts are leaving?" She turned to Shining Armor.
"They've spent so long fighting against it," said Shining. "Their wings are soaked to the core. They can hardly fly." The stallion forced a comforting smile for his wife. "It'll be alright." His blue eyes were just as red and irritated. He was in this fight just as much as the Wonderbolts were at this point. Part of his sapphire tail was missing as proof. The once proud stallion was now forced to hobble, injured, over to his wife. He stood as straight as he could manage, allowing a brace for her. She laid against him and was glad to have somewhere to rest after being so exhausted. Shining nuzzled his wife's mane and smiled warmly. He kissed her soft mane. The stallion realized that his wife managed to stay awake this whole time. He would fight just as hard as she did and give it his all. His sapphire tail coiled with hers. It was the best support he could offer, no longer able to fully embrace his wife to pull her in closer. One sleeve of his red jacket hung empty – Shining recalled the way his right foreleg was torn from his body so suddenly and effortlessly. He winced, remembering the pain, and nuzzled deeper into his Cadance's mane for comfort.
A firm knock at their door snapped both ponies back to attention. Shining took his usual pose so that the servants wouldn't realize he was crippled. Cadence stood upright on her own. Her horn glowed a deep pink as she drew the door open. "What is it?" Her eyes had a hopeful spark in them. Hopefully somepony could manage some good news for a change.
"The Wonderbolts have officially left," the pony replied. His emerald eyes were lifeless as if he didn't know how to take this either. He delivered the news so matter-of-factly. Even the servants were growing numb. "We have also opened the doors to allow some of the water to flow inside. Shining Armor's plan worked. The rain has flooded the bottom floor of the castle, but the pressure against the citizen's houses are down."
Cadence's ears dropped and her heart sank upon hearing the state of her castle. "I see," she murmured, finding it harder to hold herself together. Shining Armor stood by her side once more. The white stallion was once again her brace against collapse.
"We have also made contact with a few ponies to help track down the ones that started this. One brave stallion answered," the light blue pony continued. "He seems to be in high spirits. Hopefully it pays off."
"Does this stallion come with a good reputation?" Shining asked. He felt his wife's full weight against him and put more weight into his back legs to support her. The unicorn would have easily been able to if he wasn't so tired. The servant's eyes shifted to Shining's sleeve. His eyes grew wide for a second but Shining gave him a fierce look, so the pony dropped the subject before even asking.
"He's a well-known bounty hunter, your highnesses. Even Discord knows his name. He's managed to capture a lot of small-timers but it seems he's still looking for his big break."
"I sent names to all of the best bounty hunters in Equestria," Shining said with a sigh. "None of them responded?"
"I never said he was bad by any means. He was just never able to catch a heavy hitter like King Sombra or Queen Chrysalis on his own. He has a lot of guts and potential, judging by Twilight's research. We're actually lucky he came to our aid."
"So he's one of the ones we wrote to?" Shining asked, looking more confused.
"If I wasn't, I wouldn't be holding this!" A gray pegasus entered from behind the servant, black and white-streaked mane clinging to his head, feathers soaked and clearly damaged from the harsh storm. They noticed his brown trenchcoat was also torn and ragged as he took out a soaked white scroll from the pocket and tossed it onto the floor before the couple. It glowed pink as Cadence magically lifted it to her eye line, opened it, and began to read. "I'm Brad, THE Bronwcoat Pony!" the stallion continued, flashing a cocky grin. "By the way, nice swimming pool, princess!" Seeing Shining's glare, he quickly continued, "Just kidding, just kidding. But seriously, downstairs looks like fun if you're in the mood to swim."
After scrolling through the text and hearing the name, Cadence looked relieved. "I'm really glad you're on the case, even if your humor is just as twisted as they say."
Shining approached Brad and looked at the average stallion carefully. He had imagined him taller for some reason. "Has anypony told you about what's been going on around here?" Shining asked.
"Anypony can tell that you're having problems with the weather. It's something wondrous if the Wonderbolts are sent packing," Brad chuckled lightheartedly. "No worries though. I'm sure I can get to the bottom of those enchanted clouds!" He spread his wings and observed a few missing feathers, cringing. "They're pretty rough though."
Shining gave a nod and looked down at his missing foreleg. "You really don't know what you're up against. They're stronger than the weather. Nurse Redheart came all the way from Ponyville to take a look." Shining removed his jacket and revealed a few welts. "Most of the wounds are internal." He turned and let Brad see the nub where his limb used to be. "And they've got ways of dismembering ponies like it's nothing!"
Brad looked at the captain's wounds and smirked. "That looks like fun. Did you get a good look at him?"
"That's the thing," replied Shining. "He must be a unicorn. He was nowhere near me when he did this."
Cadence's eyes were wide as she stared at her husband's body. She eagerly helped him back into his jacket and then turned to Brad. "I hope that you can help us beat this." Her pink magic held up another item that floated towards Brad: a red and black ace of spades card. "This is something that we found that day. It could be of use," the alicorn explained, smiling weakly and once again leaning up against her husband.
Brad looked at the ace and tilted his head. The card didn't look unusual at all. He nonetheless put it in his pocket and looked to them once more. "Do you have any leads?"
"Twilight is the one who found the card. Some of her friends were nearby as well. They said a cloaked pony teleported near the scene," replied Cadence. "Please make haste."
The pegasus realized he wasn't going to get anywhere from sitting around with royalty. He spread his gray wings and trotted towards the window. "I'll come back soon." With that he flew out the window, his heart soaring as he battled the wind and rain. Nothing was more perfect than a trip back to Ponyville! Cadance mentioned Twilight and one of her friends. There was one that he was itching to see in particular. Finally, after years of trying, Brad would make her his special somepony!
Ch 2: Sun, Moon, and Rain
Princess Luna awoke from a nightmare. A chill ran down her spine as the princess of the night ran to her sister Celestia, who stood awake on the balcony. The white alicorn looked at the sky, eyes scanning the night sky as if she was already aware of the news Luna had to tell her. "Something is coming, Tia," Luna began. "A sinister storm is just around the corner. It is the same power that consumed the Crystal Empire."
"I am well aware, dear sister," Celestia said. She closed her eyes and allowed the wind to play with her multicolored mane. "We have been preparing for days. This is not something that you or I can beat." She then turned to her sister. "Nor can Princess Twilight or Cadence for that matter."
"The magic is not that strong. I do not understand why it is not something the two of us can defeat."
"Because we must remain here to aid our subjects. We must step in and fight only when needed." Celestia then smiled, still gazing at the stars. "It's such a beautiful clear night," she said unexpectedly. "The stars truly shine like diamonds and the moon is glowing so brightly that I can through see the densest of trees. You did a wonderful job tonight, dear sister."
"I wanted Ponyville to remember the best of nights while we are trapped in the darkness." As Luna spoke, a strange purple beam shot into the sky. Her eyes grew wide and she spread her dark wings but was stopped by her sister. "They are going to get away, Tia!"
"We could not catch them even if we wanted to," Celestia sighed. In seconds the beam of light cleared and the sky was filled with dark rain clouds. Lightning flashed. Celestia turned to Luna and smiled weakly. "They operate very quickly and if we were to do something drastic we might come out like Shining Armor."
Luna's ears drooped as she thought of the once proud stallion. Her eyes narrowed as she looked up at the sky, sensing the dark magic within the clouds. "I am not one to hide away, Tia. I will stand and fight for Ponyville and all of Equestria!" The angry alicorn turned back to her sister bitterly. "Shining Armor's fate does not scare me, for I am the night!"
"It might not scare you but it'd hurt like hell," a mare's husky voice suddenly said. Another alicorn, black and tall as Celestia though a bit more muscular, deep blue wings folded nobly, emerged onto the balcony. Aviator shades covered her eyes and she wore her blue and white mane in a mohawk. As she stood, the first raindrops began to fall. "I don't think you're prepared for that kind of pain, your highness," the alicorn continued, swishing her tail to swat rain off her flank. She turned to the two princesses. "That's why you have me. I won't fail you."
Luna looked relieved to see the captain of the guard before her, but she didn't look completely convinced. "Even the Wonderbolts haven't been able to conquer this storm," she said nervously and eyed the rainbow tornado on Dashing Knight's flank. "What can you do to help?"
"Get answers," the alicorn replied with a shrug. "Everypony needs you both here. Celestia, you've always promised them the dawn of a new day. Luna, you're their light in the darkness. I could never allow such you to put yourselves in harm's way. I left my vacation early hoping I'd make it back in time. The only thing that conquers darkness is light that's seen the darkness. That's why I'm gonna go and get answers… from Discord."
Celestia smiled sadly. "That seems to be your first solution to everything."
"Criminal minds think alike," said Dashing, turning and preparing to take off when a gray pegasus landed before her. She looked at him and blinked, taken aback. "Hey!" she said commandingly. "What brings you to the castle this hour? It's nearly midnight!"
"I was sent here by Princess Cadence," Brad said with a cocky smirk. "I have the scroll to prove it! I'm here to stop the storm!"
"So you stopped the rain in the Crystal Empire?" inquired Dashing.
"No, but I'm here to find a solution to the problem." Brad held out the scroll to Dashing. As she pried it open with her magic it glowed a dark blue. She read through it quietly as Brad continued, "I also have this!" and pulled out the ace of spades. "They said that it was some kind of clue. I was going to start with Twilight and her friends but I saw that you guys were awake," he said hopefully.
Dashing sighed and closed the scroll. "It's legit," she said, allowing it to float back into Brad's hooves. The situation had just gotten worse. She hadn't made it in time to stop the rain and now that lovestruck dimwit decided to send a mere pegasus to help. The alicorn captain debated on what to do, then finally looked to Brad. "The best plan of action for you would be to stop playing with cards and go home. I'll take care of this!"
"I figured we could work together," Brad replied promptly. He saw Luna's curious expression and tossed her the scroll. "After all, one pony on the case could complete it quickly but I'm sure it would be better to work double time! I'll talk to Twilight's friends and you can go to Twilight herself! You're an alicorn and all; you'd probably have easier access to her castle."
Dashing glared at him. "I am the captain of the royal guard. I am more capable of making strategic plans then some relative of Derpy Hooves." She then turned to the princesses to see what they thought.
Luna levitated the scroll back to Brad once more. "Brad the Browncoat Pony?" she asked.
"The one and only!" Brad exclaimed.
"Wait!" exclaimed Dashing. "This runt is Brad the Browncoat Pony?! The bounty hunter?!" She looked Brad over in disbelief.
"Eeyup!" Brad smiled. "So with your help I'm sure that we'll capture the perps in no time. We don't have a moment to lose!" He spread his gray wings and looked boldly at the sky.
Dashing's own massive wings spread, far wider than his Brads, downright dwarfing them in fact. "Seriously, you'll just slow me down," she berated. "Besides, I work alone." With that she leapt from the balcony and soared off into the night. Lightning revealed her body silhouetted massively against the clouds.
"That was so awesome!" Brad couldn't help exclaiming, grinning widely as he watched her fly. It was enough to give him chills.
"She grows on you," Luna admitted with a small smile.
"I have faith in you. I trust that between the two of you a solution will be found," Celestia said politely and smiled. Then her own magic passed the card to her sister. "What do you make of this, Luna?"
Luna's blue magic wrapped around the ace as she examined it. "I feel something very dark. There is similar energy in the clouds." She passed the card back to Brad and smiled as well before simply stating, "Be careful."
"That's no fun," Brad said simply and slipped the card back in his coat pocket. The raindrops began to grow thicker and heavier with each passing minute. The stallion had no more time to spare. He leapt upwards, caught a good thermal current, and began to fly. He was hoping not only to win the heart of the most beautiful pony in all of Equestria, but also hoping to gain the trust of Dashing Knight.
Ch 3: Muffins and Rainbows
The howling winds continued to tear at the wings of the gray pegasus stallion. Dodging the strong winds was hard, but he had no choice. It was either that or risk taking damage to his wings. Brad's blue eyes scanned the area beneath him. It looked as though the purple flash came from the center of Ponyville so that was as good of a place to start as any. Besides, it was still too late at night to bother his favorite pony.
The thick drops beaded onto his coat and wings. Brad sighed and realized that his wings were probably going to get weighed down once more with the rain. Looking forward he scanned the skies for traces of other peagasi who might have come across the culprit. In the clouds before him a rainbow streak flew by and tried to penetrate the clouds but seemed to end up bouncing off them as a result. "Rainbow Dash!" Brad shouted. As he watched, the sky blue pony gave up and fluttered down to the ground. As Brad got closer he could see Dash panting. Her magenta eyes shifted upwards at Brad who gave her a reassuring smile. "Those aren't just normal storm clouds. Trust me, I've tried that too." Then his eyes were torn away from her to see another mare, slate gray, sitting off to the side. "Excuse me. I'll be right back," said Brad and trotted over to Derpy Hooves. She gazed into a puddle and tried to focus her golden eyes.
"I just don't know what went wrong," she murmured, holding at a muddy muffin.
Brad's eyes went straight to her flank. Her bubbles cutie mark was replaced by an ace of spades. Glaring, he pushed gently on Derpy's flank to release the card. The mare blushed and turned towards him. "Believe me," Brad began. "You've done nothing wrong. In fact, you've helped me find a clue." He looked at the returning bubbles and then the muffin. "Pinkie's shop will be open in just a few hours. I'm sure she'd be willing to make another one for you," he reassured.
Derpy sighed. "But this one was special."
Brad smiled and took a small wrapped package out of his bag and hoofed it to Derpy. The pony took it in her hooves and unwrapped a new special muffin. Her face lit up like a filly's. Brad rolled his eyes but could not help smiling. He put the card in his pocket. "Fair trade," he smirked, then turned his attention back to Rainbow Dash not wanting to see if the muffin survived or not. Dash's hooves were red from beating against the clouds. The stallion sighed and sat down next to the flustered pegasus. "Still trying stunts to try and get the Wonderbolts' attention?" he asked.
"I heard about the incident in the Crystal Empire. Spitfire's never left a storm like that," Rainbow Dash sighed as she kicked the ground with her hoof. The soupy soil clung to her hoof. "If I can beat this then they'll notice me for sure!"
"So you left Twilight's side for this?" asked Brad.
The mare blushed and narrowed her eyes. "Sure. A throne's great and all but it doesn't beat the rush of the wind through your mane!" she exclaimed. "The pride of making sure Celestia's sun shines through! The cheers of the ponies around you as you tame the storms! I love my friends. I'd do anything for them! Taming the weather is just as important as anything else they do."
"True," sighed Brad.
"Being a Wonderbolt is my dream! I'm never going to give up on it! Just like your dream is to... Um, it's to do that… thing."
Brad chuckled. "I'm trying to become the best-known bounty hunter in all of Equestria!" he said proudly, then remembered what Cadence said about Twilight's friends being in the Crystal Empire at the time. "What happened in the Crystal Empire? Cadence said that you ponies were down there when everything went down. Do you remember seeing somepony?"
Dash looked to the darkened sky and murmured, "Lemme think." She closed her eyes and thought back to the time they were in the Crystal Empire. "We all went to visit the Crystal Empire for different reasons. Twilight was there for some royal business, Rarity went for some fashion thing, Fluttershy was there with me, and Applejack went for... something about food?" She smiled sheepishly. "I was there for the best thing in all of Equestria! Daring Do herself was giving a book signing!" She looked back at Brad and narrowed her eyes. "I know you saved her a few times here and there but she's still a big deal to me. Anyway, I was so excited! I waited in line for FOREVER to see Daring! Then just as my patience paid off, I was bumped into by some freak in a cloak!"
"A weird pony in a cloak?" Brad pondered for a moment.
"Yeah! That freak owes me a new copy of my book!" Dash said bitterly, kicking the ground once again.
"Was it a mare or a stallion?"
"I don't know but I'm pretty sure it was a pink unicorn." Dash then perked up. "So you think you can help me find them and get them to buy a new book for me?" Seeing the irritated look on Brad's face, Dash smiled sheepishly. "Sorry," she chuckled, then closed her eyes again and tried to think. "Anyway, after I saw her there was a weird uproar. I wasn't there during that but I saw the purple flash and Shining Armor's… nub." Her magenta eyes lowered as she remembered the proud unicorn's fall. Her wings slumped.
"I saw it too," Brad admitted. As he spoke, a large drop of rain hit his ear. The clouds above them turned a darker shade of gray. Lightning struck and lit up the area around them. The two looked at the looming skies above. They were going to get drenched.
"No, you didn't," Dash said suddenly. "Not like us. Fluttershy still hasn't recovered. I didn't really see anything but when the crowd got crazy we got separated. Fluttershy saw everything. I just heard the shrieking. There was so much screaming and running and… blood…" She trailed off, then sighed. "Somepony even said that his arm was there and then it just wasn't! Totally brutal magic! Nopony saw who did it. It got so dark. I think their memories are blacked out."
Brad nodded. The bounty hunting profession was heartless but as exciting as ever. He couldn't wait to unhood this culprit himself! "So Fluttershy wouldn't be of any use?" he asked.
"I wouldn't recommend trying to ask her. Discord won't let anypony near her. I haven't seen her in a while," Dash explained. She sighed and narrowed her eyes. "Fluttershy isn't a filly. Sooner or later she's gonna have to face what's happened. She's at her cottage. In fact, everypony came back to Ponyville for the most part. Discord has Fluttershy trapped inside her home! Spike came back with Rarity. The only two by Twilight's side are Applejack and Pinkie Pie."
"So Fluttershy and Rarity?" Brad asked slowly.
"Don't tell me you're still after Rarity?!" Dash glared.
"Yup," chuckled Brad.
"Give it up! You can't keep chasing the same mare for that many years and keep getting your heart trampled on! Trust me! There's gotta be somepony waaaay better for you! You just have to look!"
Brad sighed. "You don't understand. There's just something about her." The sky began to get a little lighter. Dawn was just around the corner. "Anyway, I'd better go to her shop and wait for her. Maybe I'll find something along the way."
"You do that," said Dash in an annoyed tone. "And while you're playing house I'll try to do something useful." The next second a rainbow streak zoomed up into the clouds. The stallion heard sharp thuds as the mare beat herself up trying to undo whatever spell Ponyville was under. Each of them loved this place. Each of them would fight to ensure that it didn't end up like the Crystal Empire. Brad trotted away and folded his wings. He was in for a rough night. As he followed the familiar path to Rarity's shop he thought about Dashing Knight. She was going to find Discord at Fluttershy's cottage. What would she find out? Would he be able to find out anything useful at Rarity's other than the unicorn's heart?
Scanning for Fluttershy's cottage wasn't easy for a normal pony in this storm. Luckily, Dashing Knight was a powerful alicorn. A shimmering blue aura surrounded her to shield her from the wind and rain. She beat her blue wings against the gusts and powered on through like they was nothing. Then, as if competing, the wind got worse. Soon it took all of Dashing's strength and concentration just to push against the air current. Sheets of rain beat against the shield she'd created until the water finally broke through. The mighty alicorn gave up. Her sunglasses at least helped her see through the rain and distinguish the buildings around her. A shield wasn't necessary; it was just a luxury to her. Where Brad was slightly clumsy with his twists and turns, Dashing was graceful. She flew through the storm with ease.
Then suddenly it was like night and day. The storm howled and raged behind her. A warm breeze blew across her tired wings. A moment later she touched down on the soft warm ground outside Fluttershy's cottage. The atmosphere was as nice and sunny as ever. It was refreshing to say the least after the cold Hell she had just flown through. She shook off the last remnants of the storm and realized that her mohawk was flopping pathetically onto one side. Even her floppy ears were drooping more than normal. The bitter alicorn looked up at the sky to see just how well Discord had been able to fight the storm. Judging by the small portion of the sky, his magic was no match either. What pony could do this?
The alicorn trotted towards the window and peered through the glass. The serpentine creature lay on the couch. His mouth was moving and Fluttershy was facing away from the window. Then Discord's yellow eyes met Dashing's. His lion paw pointed inaudibly towards the window, making Fluttershy turn to look as well. The yellow pegasus managed a soft and friendly smile but her large eyes were unusually dead. She trotted over and opened the door. Discord was the first to speak. "Ah, do come in," he began and snapped his talon. The door lengthened so Dashing didn't have to duck. "You look so tired. Could we offer you some tea?"
"Sure," the guard captain replied huskily. She looked up at Discord who put a finger to his mouth telling her to be quiet. She narrowed her eyes. As much as she'd love to play tea party with Fluttershy and her animal friends, there was a violent storm raging out of control. Surely Discord was just as concerned as everypony else. Then Dashing realized that lust had overtaken the master of chaos. Otherwise he'd probably be making all kinds of mischief during this critical period. She felt just as annoyed as she was relieved.
"My dear Fluttershy, this table could surely use some lovely flowers," Discord said innocently to the pegasus. "Surely you wouldn't mind going outside to pick some?"
Fluttershy looked to the door and began to tremble slightly. "I.. I'm quite sure I wouldn't!"
"I promise I'll be out there to join you. I do love a good picnic! I'll prepare the basket!"
"S-Sure," Fluttershy murmured and slowly made her way out into the outside, staring lifelessly out at the sunny field. She was probably under a spell that prevented her from seeing the rainstorm beyond the sunny skies.
Dashing's eyes narrowed as she looked to Discord. "Just the creature I'm looking for, but before that we get to that, what the buck did you do to Fluttershy?" she demanded.
Discord smiled and batted his eyes at her. "Why ever would the captain of the guard be looking for me? And why would I have harmed my dear little Fluttershy?" He teleported behind the alicorn and put his talons on her left shoulder. His snakelike body arched over her. "You wouldn't be afraid of a small storm, would you?"
"I don't have time for your games! Ponyville is in danger!" Dashing's eyes narrowed dangerously. "So either you give me some answers and quit wasting my time or I'll go elsewhere!"
"We both know that you have nowhere else to go. Instead of being so rash perhaps you should stay and drink some tea, cuddle some rabbits?" Discord eyed Angel deviously and then shifted his eyes back to Dashing. "Not to mention enjoy the sun," he continued. "You could really work on that tan." He ran his talons across her black coat lightly. "Is that some gray I see?"
Dashing sighed, knowing that she had nowhere else to go. She might as well sit on the couch and drink some tea. Wait, who was she kidding? Her long horn glowed blue and produced a sword-shaped aura, the tip poised at Discord's neck. "For the love of Celestia, don't make me do this."
Discord's eyes narrowed in disgust. He teleported once more towards the window. "Put that away," he implored, crossing his arms. "Fluttershy recently went to the Crystal Empire as you know," he began. "She was there with the others when a large crowd knocked her down, her little friends nowhere in sight. She caught a glimpse of this pony in a completely unfashionable purple cloak. Innocent little Fluttershy wanted to ask for help but was distracted by strange purple magic coming from this mysterious somepony." He held up his claw to recreate the scene with miniature ponies so Dashing could better understand.
A tiny Fluttershy sulked in Discord's palm. A beautiful violet cloak with black lace embroidery was wrapped tightly around another pony. There was also something else hidden amidst the lace: a red cobra. A flash of purple magic formed, masked by the cloak. Shining Armor stood proudly. His blue eyes narrowed as he saw the mysterious pony. He yelled something but the pony didn't seem to care. Soon his white fur bulged outwards. Blood began to spurt. He winced in pain. The stallion's horn glowed blue as guards circled to protect the prince.
"Sweet Celestia," Dashing whispered as she watched the miniatures fight. The ponies began to try and attack but they froze. Their prince's foreleg glowed with a strange purple magic and a moment later Shining Armor's arm was torn from its socket. Blood darkened the already crimson fabric as his limb remained dangling limply in its sleeve. His blue eyes were wide. Tears from the pain formed in his eyes. His mouth was open. The guard ponies stood around in shock. "Who… is that?" Dashing finally choked out, trying not to throw up.
"It was taken from deep within my little pegasus' memory. I can't say for sure," replied Discord, wearing a twisted smile. "All I can say is that somepony is planning all-out war in Equestria. This little pony is just a small piece of a big puzzle." He looked into Dashing's eyes, wide behind her glasses. "You might just be over your head," Discord continued. He then closed his hands and the images disappeared in a small black cloud of smoke. The creature smiled wickedly. "I haven't seen such talent for a while. It's almost refreshing. It would be more refreshing if it didn't scar my little Fluttershy." He turned towards the window. "I won't let the sun burn out on her. Even Princess Luna's nights have become more extravagant since the storms. It's a shame you won't come stargazing with us."
"What does that red cobra mean?" asked Dashing. "What kind of magic was that? How are we even supposed to beat that?"
"It's hard to beat a full house," Discord replied, fanning cards out in front of Dashing – the ace of spades stood out. Was this clown actually onto something? "Maybe the best place for you to start is at the beginning. Oh wait. I forgot! The beginning of the book is all washed out!" With that the cards melted into a black rain and disappeared into the rug. "So sad that most of the evidence was erased!"
"You know something about the card then? About all of this?" Seeing the hesitant look in Discord's eyes, Dashing looked towards the window. "If you really cared about her well-being you'd want her to be able to run free in the sunlight. The only way that'll happen is to clear the storm." She looked back with very determined look in her eyes. "Tell me what you know!" she demanded.
Discord gazed out at Fluttershy one last time before smirking. "There's a certain mare that's hiding somewhere. She's a bit psychotic and awfully chaotic. You could say she's an ace in the hole since the weather she does help control," Discord rhymed. The tiny figure of the hooded pony formed in Discord's palm again. No fur was exposed but a second look at the fancy cloak was a giveaway that it was indeed a mare. A second dark figure stood blacked out next to her. Even though it was silhouetted there was something familiar about it. The scene made Dashing uneasy. "Her companion there is as sly as a snake in spite of his feelings seeming quite fake," Discord finished.
"So this has something to do with a love affair?" Dashing cocked her head, not sure if she was following.
"Love is the strongest magic. It's cliché but true," Discord smiled. "Since you've been so patient I'll give a present to you." He snapped his fingers. A small, beat up gray pony doll appeared. Its mane was shaggy and its button eyes and stitched mouth made it look even creepier. A single stick pin pierced its ear. "Some of the strongest magic is the simplest and the sources are the strangest."
"Thanks a lot," the alicorn sighed. She wasn't sure what she was thanking him for. Black magic. Cards and voodoo dolls. This seemed like something that was too simple. It should've never been that powerful. She winced, remembering the sight of Shining Armor's bone and torn flesh. Glancing back at the doll, she realized one of its limbs was missing. She looked up at Discord with a hopeful smile, now knowing what she had to do. "No, really! Thanks!" She then threw open the door with her magic and sped outside, her wings spreading quickly. She shot into the sky, not wasting any more time.
"Anytime old friend. Good luck. Luck is always necessary in games of chance," Discord muttered.
"Did you get the basket?" Fluttershy suddenly asked, turning to her friend with dead eyes.
The creature of chaos's smile was the most gentle he'd ever worn. He tenderly put an arm on her and made a picnic basket appear. "Of course. Anything for you."
Brad looked at his reflection in the shop window. His mane was plastered to his head but not in an appealing way. His jawline looked as if it were jutting out of his head more than normal. Sighing, he observed his gray fur which had specks of mud and grime. His brown jacket looked more like a pathetic paper bag. His tail wouldn't even move due to how damp it was. His wings were a little more torn but at least no more feathers were missing. Yes, this was totally the way he wanted to see the fashionista.
"You've seen better days," a sarcastic voice said from behind. Brad turned to see his competition for Rarity's affections, Spike. The small purple dragon looked just as scrawny and pathetic as the last time Brad had seen him. "I'm sure that'll impress Rarity. Do you have some wilted flowers to go along with that new look of yours?"
Brad smirked and stood upright. He puffed out his chest and flexed his muscles. "At least I have muscles!" he exclaimed. "And I'm tall! Taller than you at least." The two locked eyes and glared. Neither wanted to lose this ongoing battle for Rarity's love. The two sized one another up. Both were wet. Both were covered in muck. Both looked just as pathetic as the other. The two suddenly began to laugh at their appearances, realizing that today they were on equal playing ground.
"What do you say we set our differences aside for one day?" Spike smirked.
"Not a chance," Brad grinned.
"Well at least we're in agreement on something." The dragon pulled out a bag full of rare gems. His stomach growled just looking at them. At least seeing Rarity smile would make this worth it. "What have you got?" he asked Brad
"The best thing I could give anypony: me," the proud stallion replied and trotted into the shop, making sure to shut the door on the small dragon. He couldn't take the chance of Spike foiling his chances again. All the years of fighting had taught him a lot. He locked the door and left Spike to face the thunder. Brad then turned around to see the dragon's emerald eyes in the doorway. The lightning flashed across the sky and the rain beat down on the beautiful gems. Not even the bounty hunter himself was that heartless. If he was going to beat Spike he was going to do it fair and square. It was nothing personal after all. He opened the door and let the dragon inside. The two smirked and waited for their favorite pony.
Rarity emerged fashionably late. Her mane wad done in perfect curls. Her stunning eye shadow enhanced her blue eyes as well as the diamonds on her flank. Spike caught Brad eyeballing her hindquarters and swatted at him, narrowing his eyes. The unicorn didn't seem to pay any mind to her fan club. She was too busy working on a dress. "Spike, darling! I've been waiting for forever for you to…" She turned and saw Brad and stopped speaking. Then a large smile formed on her lips. "Oh my! You look dreadful but you're just in time!"
"Always," Brad said with a triumphant smirk.
"Yes, apparently your work has become so popular that a customer wants a very special item." She put a doll on the counter. "I haven't been able to do what she said but if you wouldn't mind modeling I'd appreciate it." She fluttered her eyelashes, making both boys nearly drool. A towel drifted towards Brad. "Go freshen up," she requested. "I'll be waiting for you so please hurry. I hate to keep a good customer waiting."
After making sure that he looked his best, the pegasus quickly made his way back to Rarity. He stood upright, flexing a bit as she crafted the doll. "You wouldn't want an autographed doll yourself, would you?"
Rarity sighed in annoyance. "No, but I would like you to hold still and quit moving your tail around. So sorry Darling, but I'm in a bit of a rut today. All of this black is wearing my patience thin. This shop is starting to look like a funeral home."
Brad's eyes traced the shop. It was unusually grim. Black lace, velvet, silk, and other fabrics he didn't recognize hung about. Black hair bows and other accessories were placed on the dresses. He had never seen anything so grim and yet so oddly appealing. He pictured Rarity wearing one of the black ruffled dresses and began to swoon; her eyes would look even more appealing offset with black.
Seeing Brad obviously fantasizing made Spike sick. He wasn't any more thrilled that the stallion was modeling for Rarity. The dragon took this moment to carry his bag of jewels to the unicorn. "I gathered them all and made sure that the rain didn't mess them up!" He smiled brightly and resisted the urge to stick them in his mouth. His stomach let out a small growl.
"Oh my! Thank you!" Rarity exclaimed, and dropped the doll for a moment to look at the gems. She used her magic to shift them around until she found some rose-colored ones and some onyx. "Unfortunately this is what the customer requested." She looked grimly at the clothes before her. "The customer is always right I suppose. Perhaps there is a way to liven up the gloom somehow." She placed the small gems on the dresses.
"That looks better, but it's not really the same style," Brad noted out loud.
"I agree," said Rarity. "I have always admired your eye for fashion." She looked at his torn overcoat and gasped. "Darling, I just remembered! I made a new custom coat for you ages ago! I can't believe I forgot to send it!" She ran to the back and retrieved it. She then put a miniature one on the doll. "There. Now the next part is actually mildly creepy," she winced. "The customer asked me to get some of your mane and tail for the doll. She wanted it really exact."
Brad smirked. "Ah, fandom." He lowered his head, allowing the unicorn to retrieve some. "Just don't take too much."
"I only take what's needed," she replied and sewed it onto the doll. It was a very good replica of Brad. It looked exact accept for the cute button eyes. "This is a very old customer. She used to go to magic academy with me." Rarity sighed and looked down. "She was a bit of a troublemaker. She never seemed to fit in." The rain beat down harder outside. The water was starting to rise above ground a little.
"Why was that?" asked Brad.
"She was always so promiscuous," Rarity giggled like a schoolfilly sharing a dirty secret. "Soon her cutie mark even got a red A in the middle. It was bad enough that it was already a spade," she continued. "She had a way with stallions… and mares… in general. She really knew how to work a room and her magic would dazzle you! She could probably do this better than I could should she take the time to learn how to sew."
"A red A?" Brad looked at the ace of spades and his heart sank. Was Rarity somehow involved in this? Did she know who this pony was? Brad could hardly believe it. "Did you see your friend when you visited the Crystal Empire?"
"No. She wasn't there," Rarity smiled. "I saw that one pony pass me in a hideous purple cloak. The lace on the bottom made me think of her, but she never worn an ounce of color in her life." She gave Brad a serious look. "So you're going after the pony who's causing the rain now? Is that what you're doing in Ponyville?"
Brad's heart skipped a beat seeing her blue eyes fill with worry. She was so cute. This might finally be his chance! "Yes. I'm going to bring sunshine back to the Crystal Empire and to Ponyville," he replied, flexing once more. "You won't have to worry anymore! The muck and grime will all be gone soon."
"Stop!" Rarity suddenly gasped. Her eyes grew wide remembering the look on Fluttershy's face after the incident. "Stop now. I didn't witness but I heard. You can't go through with it. I would hate to lose one of my dearest friends."
"Oh, well. I'd hate to lose you too," Brad smiled reassuringly. His heart and his pride took a shot but he wasn't going to let her know that. "I'll be careful. I won't end up like Shining Armor." He looked at the clothes and was almost certain he'd caught the culprit. Instead of facing one of Rarity's friends in front of her he decided to be sneaky about it. "You know, these dresses are pretty fancy. I suppose all lolita dresses look like they belong at a masquerade."
A ball didn't sound like a bad idea. He could easily lure an ugly childish unicorn out of a ball with his charm and corner her. Twilight's castle was all that remained. He was adding the puzzle pieces in his head up carefully. Twilight was the last pony to see anyway. He might as well ask to host a party. He looked at Spike whose heart looked completely sunken into his chest and smirked at him. He wasn't going to be a sore loser. It wasn't his style. "Look after her," he bequeathed.
Spike knew what those words meant and nodded. No hard feelings between the two sounded like a great way to go. "Yeah," he said softly. "Take care in that rain."
Brad turned back to Rarity hopefully. "You don't need me for anything else?"
"Not at all," she replied and looked at her friend with the same worried expression. "Just don't rip that coat. I worked hard on that."
"I promise I'll try not to!" Brad smirked again and trotted outside. A nice flight was just what he needed to take his mind off the heartache. He spread his wings and flew upwards against the downpour. His eyes narrowed. Adrenaline was pumping. It still hurt to lose. He'd solve this case and beat the snot out of anypony who would dare do this to Equestria! He would become even more famous and feared than Dashing Knight herself! Maybe that would restore some of his pride...
Twilight quickly paced through her library, magic auras glowing around books as they soared towards Dashing. Dashing's blue magic consumed the books. She began to furiously flip through pages looking for a solution to her problem. The mares had spent hours going through books on black magic and voodoo. She narrowed her eyes and sighed. "There's nothing in here about a counter-spell."
Twilight glanced over and smiled sheepishly, a little intimidated. "As long as you aren't made into a doll then you should be fine," she said, her dark violet eyes continuing to scan the shelf. "Twisted Trims, Triumphing Terror… Oh! Here! Vast Voodoo!" Twilight trotted happily over to Dashing. "This spell teaches really advanced magic. It's very hard to produce some of the seals. I haven't even mastered most of them." She blushed slightly. "Maybe I should start."
"You never know what'll come in handy," Dashing mused and began to flip through the pages until she found what she was looking for. She smirked upon seeing the small pictures of dolls. "'When the user holds this doll, he or she holds your life in their hand,'" she read. "'They can control your actions and through advanced magic even your very thoughts. Using needles, the dolls can give you anywhere from slight, moderate, or crippling pain. If the user is advanced enough they can even rip limbs clean off the bone.' So this pony is very advanced?" she asked after finishing.
"More than you know!" Brad's voice suddenly said triumphantly. He flew into the library and landed in a chair next to Dashing. "She's one of Rarity's friends." Dashing cringed at the mere mention of the unicorn but continued flipping through the pages regardless. "She went to a magic academy and specialized in dolls." He pulled out a scroll. "Not just that, but she's wanted in almost every part of Equestria. Rarity said she could handle any task so long as some pony is able to remove the red A on her cutie mark." He narrowed his eyes and sighed. "It's kind of a boring motivation but one you'd expect from somepony who still plays with dolls."
"Well, so long as she doesn't have a doll version of me, I'm safe," said Dashing.
Brad's eyes went wide and his body went numb remembering the doll in Rarity's shop. He had forgotten to retrieve it. "How does voodoo work again?"
"Well, the doll has to closely resemble you. It doesn't necessarily have to be exact but it does for advanced magic to work," Dashing explained. "The user seals the deal so to speak by using a piece of your clothing or something personal to you. For advanced spells they need something with your DNA, so hair or even blood is preferred." Her eyes continued to scan the pages and a smirk spread across her lips. "You're not scared of someone who plays with dolls, are you, dimwit?"
Brad's eyes narrowed. "Who, me? No! I was just making sure that you had all of your facts straight before blindly rushing into this." A chill went down the pegasus' spine. "Is there a counter-spell in that book?"
"There's nothing here accept a few things that can only be attempted by unicorns or alicorns." She shut the book and looked at Brad. "Why so curious?" she asked. "You wouldn't be thinking of dabbling in dark arts would you?" Her smirk got more devious.
"No! I just wanted to make sure that you or anypony doesn't get hurt!"
Twilight appeared by Dashing's side looking unconvinced. "Voodoo is a very serious practice, Brad," she said worriedly. "Users are even made aware that by injuring a pony you put a curse on your life. There is good, but the bad can get… really bad." Her eyes shifted down to the table. "I knew everypony was in danger but I never thought we'd face anything like this!"
"She's a mare with a doll. I'm soooo scared!" Brad rolled his eyes but his statement was secretly half-truthful as he still remembered the doll in Rarity's shop. It was too late to go back for it. His stomach was turning. "Luckily Dashing and I are a great team! So nopony will have to worry about getti…"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! Hold the carrot!" Dashing interrupted loudly. "Nopony EVER said that you and I were a team." Hers eyes narrowed. "There is NOTHING that you've brought to the table that I didn't already know or think about. I've stayed two hoofsteps ahead of you through this entire process if not more! When I bring down Chaotic Ace and the pony she's working for, I'll have eternal glory!" She held her head up proudly.
"Then I guess I'll take my leave to catch them all myself!" Brad stood up and began to trot away.
Dashing let out a sigh. "You're probably going to hold a party for somepony who's a fan of dark things. The pony dresses in all black and wears frilly lolita clothing. You're probably going with a masked ball. It's big, flashy, and tacky but it's just how things seem to be done." She smirked. "This is not only a stupid waste of time and money, but it's a way to put hundreds of innocent ponies in danger."
Brad raised an eyebrow. "Yeah. So?"
Dashing rolled her eyes. "Well, I'm really bored and have nothing better to do. I've killed a lot of time having tea and looking at books. I guess a party IS productive since we have no leads on where they live. It could also bring a little joy to everypony so sure, let's do it. But let's make one thing clear: I am NOT wearing a dress."
"Wouldn't take you for that type," the gray pegasus smirked and trotted off to go talk to the other ponies about the party, leaving Dashing with a confused Twilight.
"I take it that just went over your head?" asked Dashing.
"Slightly," Twilight admitted. "You're going to want to hold this in my castle, aren't you?"
"You really are a clever mare," the dark alicorn smirked and put the book back on the shelf. She sighed. "I guess the only thing we can do is to get in the spirit to throw this oh-so-lovely bash." The two walked down the halls to find Brad sitting in a room with a bouncing Pinkie Pie as well as Applejack.
"I just hope they show up," Twilight said with a grim expression.
"They will! Everypony loves a good party! Even if it is dark and depressing and even a little scary!" Pinky shouted cheerfully. "I'll make sure the decorations are doom and gloom!" She hopped around the ball room inspecting every inch. "Maybe we can even play super spooky music and fill the halls with floating candles! And we can make evil shadows! And then we can even have ghost ponies hanging from the ceiling!"
"Now I don't know about ya'll but I think that's too much," Applejack chimed in. "But it's not a party without apple cider and a few fritters so I'll be sure to do my part! I reckon it'll be easy to catch 'em when their bellies are full of the best apple goods in all of Equestria!"
"Ooooh! Unless they think the food is full of poison because we turned it green!" Pinkie exclaimed.
Brad chuckled. "There won't be any need for that." He pulled out a small book from his coat pocket and passed it to Pinkie. "I took that from the library so make sure you put it back. It has everything you need for throwing masked balls."
Pinkie's eyes grew wide as she skimmed the pages. "Oh! So you want it dark, depressing, AND boring? Okay!"
"Food is always a good idea too." Brad's stomach growled at the thought of apple fritters. "The only other thing we'd need is…"
"…perfect attire! Sorry I'm late, darlings. The weather is dreadful!" Rarity said as she appeared. She sighed and smiled. "Dashing Knight! It's been too long!"
"Not long enough," the alicorn said with an annoyed look. "Oh, I mean hi, Rarity. It's GREAT to see you," she cringed.
"I can't wait to design your dress for the ball!" the white unicorn said excitedly as if she hadn't heard. "You're going to look amazing! Sorry, I couldn't help but overhear." Rarity turned to an exhausted-looking Spike. "Please go get my fabric as well as anything else from the carriage outside that we'll need to fix these lovely mares up for the ball!"
Spike perked up and smiled back with stars in his eyes. The tired dragon was suddenly a ball of energy. "Will do!" He ran for the door.
"And to think that could've been you," Applejack said teasingly to Brad.
"A stallion can dream," replied the proud pegasus as he trotted off to help the mares. After seeing Spike so whipped, rejection didn't seem nearly as bad. How could the best bounty hunter in all of Equestria be tied down to one mare anyway?
Dashing's eyes loomed through the room. She went upstairs to the library. Party planning wasn't really her thing. Setting traps on the other hoof was. Nopony was going to get out alive if she had anything to do with it. She was going to ensure that proper measures were taken against the targets. There was one piece of the puzzle that wasn't adding up though: the cobra. Why did that symbol on the cloak look so familiar? A red cobra...
The alicorn drifted off to sleep. She dreamed of her filly days. All of the blank flanked children gathered around and poked fun at a strange white colt. "Weird ears! Weird ears! Weird ears!" they sang.
"They aren't that weird," the colt said with a sigh. He then turned to Dashing. "Hey! You've got a horn and wings!"
"You're a princess!" a filly shouted.
"Am not," the dark filly said with a glare that could silence anypony. "I'm an alicorn but I'm not a princess."
"I bet you can use magic!"
"Yeah! Let's see your magic!"
The new arrival smirked and began to concentrate. She pointed her horn straight at the young ponies and spread her scrawny blue wings. All of her focus and energy went into making a single blue spark. "There!" she said triumphantly.
"Wow!" the fillies all said together. A crowed formed around her, sidelining the white pony.
A slender white stallion gazed out his window at the rain. Pictures of Dashing Knight were hanging around him. "Soon I'll catch her attention," he said to himself as he squinted his dark blue eyes. His voice was modulated due to a breathing mask with a blue-tinted monocle attached. "I know you've heard about this great ball they're throwing," he went on, turning to the cloaked mare behind him.
"It's in my honor. I have to go," she said bluntly. Glowing purple magic formed around a doll. She nuzzled the miniature Brad. "And this time I'll be sure to take him out."
"What is your grudge against that stallion anyway?" the masked pony asked with a sigh.
"Nothing really. I just want everypony to know I'm the best at what I do. Taking him out will prove it."
"Not if you do it with a cheap thing like voodoo, but whatever. You can't tell mares anything," the Doctor sighed and shrugged, looking at his latest invention. "I guess I'll change your cutie mark after the ball."
"She'll be there too so I'll have to be careful."
"Who?"
"The black alicorn in your pictures," Chaotic Ace said sweetly.
"Hmm. Maybe I'll make an appearance after all," the Doctor grinned thinking about the only pony who'd ever risen to his defense. Countless times she'd saved him from Snips, Snails, and even Trixie. Each time he'd always thanked her but she didn't seem to know he existed. He couldn't help his evil ways. The bullies caused him to want to get back at the world. Besides, if being good couldn't gain the attention of his beloved Dashing Knight, making the skies as dark as her sleek fur would. His monocle reflected the light from within the machine. "Soon she'll see me. Very soon," he hissed softly.
Black lace hung from the ceilings. The floor was tinted with a deep scarlet. The castle looked like something out of a horror movie. The lights were bright due to the fact that they needed to see everypony at the ball. Both Dashing and Brad scanned the crowd for any signs of Chaotic Ace. Both were unable to find her picture in the record books but they knew they were looking for a miniature Brad doll. "Sorry but it's really awkward that we're both wearing a tux," said Brad, looking at Dashing with a sigh. "You would've looked so pretty."
"Maybe but now I look more kick-flank then you," Dashing grinned as she peered over her glasses. Somehow the black tux with blue accents suited her. Brad wore a brown tux. He stood out a lot more in the sea of black. "Are you trying to put a target on your back by the way?" she asked him.
"No. I just look weird in anything other than brown," Brad sighed and turned away. He scanned the crowd just as intensely and finally stopped dead as he saw the beautiful white unicorn in her black and violet dress. Her black raccoon eyes were a bold look but it worked for her. She spotted Brad and waved a gloved hoof. Spike also sheepishly smirked and shrugged. The two disappeared into the crowd. Brad sighed again.
"You know sometimes it's better if those ponies get away. There's always better ponies in the herd, you know?" said Dashing.
"Easy for you to say. You've never loved and lost," Brad murmured in response.
"Maybe not. Love is stupid anyway. Being a guard I'm not allowed to get vulnerable," Dashing replied and smiled. "You're the closest pony I've had to a friend in a long time."
"I thought you didn't like me."
"I don't. But keeping you around made me realize how much I miss those quiet afternoons with Celestia and Luna. Maybe after this is all said and done I can chill with them for a while. It'd sure beat having tea with Discord and a rabbit." The alicorn cringed.
"Maybe," Brad sighed. "I don't know what I'm going to do after all of this is ov…" He didn't have time to finish that thought because his eyes suddenly alighted on the plushie he was looking for. He weaseled into the crowd and disappeared before Dashing could say a word. She was about to go after him but a familiar silhouette loomed in the corner of the room. She decided that it was time to part ways again.
Brad trotted to keep up with the mare. He sighed and braced himself for the ugly mare to be revealed. He followed her onto the balcony. Suddenly she turned around and revealed her face. The stunningly cute pink unicorn blushed even pinker. Her black and purple-highlighted mane accented violet eyes. She looked so timid and mousy. Her innocent gaze met Brad's nervously. "Hi," was all she said and waved her hoof weakly.
The gray pegasus relaxed and looked at her with a trademark smirk. "Hi. Nice doll."
"Thanks. I'm holding it for a friend." She turned to look at the night sky, admiring Princess Luna's work. "I've always admired the stars," she mused, closing her eyes and smiling warmly. "So you're the famous Brad the Browncoat Pony everypony talks about?" Her eyes trailed back towards him.
Brad trotted beside her. "Eeyup!" He smiled at the pretty mare by his side. Her long black dress fit her perfectly. There were dark purple accents. Surely he had the wrong pony. He might as well enjoy the night like her. He paused to stare at the three piercings in each of her ears and admired every inch of the pink unicorn before him. Brad hated to admit after admiring Rarity for so long that there was a pony that surpassed her. Maybe there were other ponies out in the heard after all.
Her sheepish smile didn't fade. "Your eyes are something." She stared nervously at the ground and pawed at the balcony with her hoof.
"Yeah. So are yours."
The wind blew through her hair. The pony closed her eyes taking it in. Brad's eyes widened. The slit in her dress revealed a black spade cutie mark with a red A in the middle. "Chaotic Ace," whispered Brad.
Her eyes opened, this time not as wide, but a small smile spread across her face. "When you say it like that it doesn't sound half as bad. I hope you always look at me with that dopey look." She bent inwards to kiss his cheek.
Brad moved out of the way and quickly drew his browncoat pistol from his pocket. He looked at her with an intense gaze. "Your days of causing trouble are at an end."
"Must you use those cheesy lines?" Ace's horn began to glow. Cards that matched the one in Brad's pocket flew out of her dress "I see you like collecting evidence," she went on slyly as the cards began to slant in midair. Brad fired his gun. The blast ricocheted off one of the cards. "Doctor Cobra's potions are amazing. They enhance powers so well," Ace went on.
"Is that who you're working for?" asked Brad.
"You didn't know? Perhaps I underestimated you." Brad aimed his gun at her again. He fired and she quickly used the plushie to take the bullet. Brad cried out as blood began to pour from his side. Clutching it, he glared at her. "Perhaps Doc's right," Ace mused. "This really is a cheap trick. But this isn't!" she cried, sending several cards Brad's way. The powerful force of them knocked him backwards and pinned him up against the wall by his tux.
"Now isn't the time to show off," Doctor Cobra said, emerging behind Ace. "Just do what we came here to do!"
"So you saw her?" Ace asked with a small smile.
"Yes."
"Talk to her?"
"I couldn't…" admitted the Doctor.
Ace shrugged and drew back her skirt, revealing a small device tucked in her garter. Her purple magic wrapped around it and activated it. The small unicorn looked over at Brad and trotted towards him. She kissed his cheek and grinned. "I can't resist. You're cuter in person." A large purple beam shot out of the device. The perky unicorn then trotted over to Doc's side and rested a hoof on his. The vanished in a burst of purple.
Brad stayed pinned to the wall as rain began to fall. He squirmed and sighed. Finally the magic glow around the cards faded. The wound in his flank was making him limp. At last, Dashing emerged from the door and hurried over, having heard the commotion. She examined his wound and said, "You stay here and get tended to by Nurse Redheart. I'll go after those two."
"No," Brad insisted. He managed to stand upright. "I'm coming with you, wherever it is we're going." The thunder roared overhead.
"You didn't think that far ahead did you, blockhead?" Dashing rolled her eyes. "I knew you wouldn't. I was hoping that you'd provide a good distraction. Whatever they were using to control the weather was too big to carry with them and nopony reported a big device. They did report a weird purple beam which means it came from something small. While you were providing the distraction I slipped a tracking beacon onto Ace."
Brad fought through the pain and flew up into the air. "Then let's go," he smiled. "We have no time to lose."
Dashing looked at him and shook her head. She hovered his coat hovered over to him and a smirk spread across the alicorn's face. "Still a rookie." She grabbed Brad's hoof and the two disappeared from the ball in a blue flash. The pair didn't know what to expect when they got to Doctor Cobra's lab or if they'd make it out alive. But they had to try for the sake of Equestria.
The two ponies teleported to an average-looking cottage. The surroundings were truly peaceful. Dashing almost thought they had the wrong place until her eyes caught sight of the red cobra cleverly inlaid in the woodwork. The alicorn shot out a blue beam from her horn hitting the cobra in the right places and the emblem began to glow. An electronic noise sounded as the door creaked open. Dashing smirked, "Mares first."
"Oh ha ha," Brad said lifelessly, rolling his eyes. "Everypony knows the expendable pony goes first."
"Are you saying you're not?"
"No, but I know a real stallion never leaves a mare in danger." With that Brad trotted inside, forcing himself not to limp. He was starting to enjoy the pain more with the adrenaline kicking in all over again. He even let out a small excited grunt. The two trotted close together not being able to make out anything. The darkness put both at edge yet neither one reached for a light. Dashing did her best to keep the sounds of her hooves muffled. She also did her best not to yell at Brad's clumsy clopping sounds. His voice echoed off the walls. "I owe Ace one for this." Neither were expecting a reply so soon.
"Do you?" Ace's sharp broke the silence. The room lit up with a purple spark that ignited a glowing purple ball. "Welcome to the viper pit. I hope you enjoy your stay."
Brad stepped in front of Dashing. "Let me handle her."
"You think you can take me on, gimpy?" Ace smirked, drawing out her doll. She began shoving needles into its body and Bred felt a piercing sensation in all four of his legs.
"Mmmm," he moaned. His eyes rolled back into his head. Then he charged.
"Wait, what?!" Ace was taken aback. Her wide eyes stared into his and her heart raced seeing the pained pony still charging. She clutched the doll. Her horn lit up again as did one of Brad's limbs. His right hindleg began to curl upwards like a doll. He tripped and the next second was dangling in midair by his leg. A slight ripping sound was heard from the muscle as the sadistic unicorn began to tear slowly at the stuffed limb.
A shock of blue magic shot at the doll counteracting it. The doll was released from Ace's grip as she was knocked backwards. She looked up at the triumphant alicorn who caught Brad and set him down. "Sorry. Took me a second to remember."
Brad's leg was stiff. The pain was a lot more than he was used to. "Yeah, well sorry that SHE ALMOST SNAPPED OFF MY LEG LIKE IT WAS A TWIG!" he raged. "SON OF CELESTIA, THAT HURT!"
Ace went to stick more pins into the doll, making sure to get the joints of the bones. Normally her opponents' bones would be fractured and then smashed. The pins didn't do anything, nor did Brad's legs. Her eyes narrowed in frustration as she took more stabs at the plushie. Finally her horn glowed bright enough to fully light the dim room. The room filled with swooping cards.
"Going up?" Dashing asked Brad as she began to fly. Her blue wings glowed with her magic. The cards bounced off her feathers.
"Staying down," Brad said as he carefully hovered just above the ground and maneuvered through the cards. The cards continued to slice at both ponies. A few grazed them. Blue sparks shot outwards and tons of cards began to fall as the unicorn lost control. Once cornered, Brad raised his hoof, poised to strike.
"DON'T TOUCH HER," a cold voice ordered. "My assistant was just doing her job." Cobra's voice was just enough to stun Brad for a few seconds. Ace scrambled to her hooves and fled the room. The room grew dark without the unicorn's magic but then Cobra clapped his hooves together. A white light lit up overhead. He gazed at Dashing. His heart skipped a beat. "And a job well done it was," he finished and held up his hooves. "I surrender."
Dashing looked at him and cocked her head. "Man, that was easy," she said. Glowing blue shackles quickly appeared around the doctor's hooves. He hovered in the air upside down. "I'm taking you back to Ponyville to stand trial before the princesses. Afterwards you'll be doing community service cleaning up this muck. What do you have to say for yourself?"
The doctor grinned beneath his mask. "Don't go easy on me. I deserve everything!" He then paused. "And I take it you'll be supervising the community service?"
"I'll be monitoring you and making sure that by the time you're finished you're a changed stallion," Dashing declared.
"Indeed I will be."
She shot a blue laser, destroying the weather machine. "I'll be waiting outside, Brad. You know what to do."
Brad nodded and trotted up the stairs after Ace. He found the pink unicorn outside looking at the grass blowing in the wind. The plushie was glowing with her magic, this time a lighter shade of purple. Brad felt his body once again under her control but he realized a second later that this time it was being mended. "The same power that can destroy can also mend," Ace said stoically as before turning back to Brad and smiling softly. "I think I might become a nurse."
Brad sighed. "You'll have a lot of time to decide that during your community service." A few cards flew out of Brad's pocket. He smirked watching them spin around him.
"You'll have to catch me first." She grinned and trotted over to him, closing her eyes and kissing his cheek. At the last moment he moved, so she missed and hit his lips instead. A single card slid into his pocket. He opened his eyes and watched her disappear into a burst of purple.
"The chase is on," he said with a smile.
Dashing narrowed her eyes as she arrived to see the gray pegasus standing alone. "I actually gave you a job. One assignment and you blew it!" she said in exasperation.
Brad sighed. "She's crafty. I'll give her that."
"Crafty doesn't even begin to cover what she is," grumbled Dashing. "I should've done it myself." She teleported Brad and her captive to Celestia's castle. The doors opened to reveal all four princesses before them.
"Well done, Brad," Cadence said with a big smile. "I knew you'd come through for us!"
"Indeed," Celestia beamed. "Perhaps you would like to join Dashing as co-captain of our guard."
"Wait, WHAT!?" Dashing shouted as guards led a perfectly willing Cobra away. "No! I mean, whatever you say your highness," she bitterly corrected herself, seeing the other ponies' narrowed eyes.
Brad smiled. "As much as I'd love to, I can't." He looked at Dashing. "I couldn't have done it without her help, even if it WAS mostly me out there." He chuckled. "Guarding you guys would be amazing but I still couldn't quit roaming and catching criminals. In fact I just figured out my next job."
"Going to practice poker?" Dashing said with a smirk.
"You know it," Brad winked and flew happily out onto the balcony. He held the scarlet card close to him in his pocket. Ace was no Rarity but she was definitely something special. He turned to see the black alicorn and the princesses smiling behind him. The gray pegasus jumped off the building and soared into the sunlight.
"Wait!" Dashing called to him, noticing something. "You're healed! She can heal?! HEY, GET BACK HERE!"
Brad smirked, leaving her cries and Ponyville behind. "Maybe next time," he muttered, feeling the relieving warmth of the sun against his dry coat. Ponies filled the flooded streets below him, working hard to remove the water and grime. Even the Wonderbolts flew by to make sure that each cloud was taken care of. Brad's eyes shone with bliss as he flew toward the horizon. Another day. A new adventure. With an ace up his sleeve he could take on anything!
