One Chance for the Damned

The stinging sensation on Last Chance’s neck had grown more bearable as the time he spent with the unicorn in front of him passed. The sensation was cold, a feeling which was strengthened through the suddenness of its coming. Chance didn't dare move his head, nor take his eyes off the unicorn as he tried his best to breathe normally and calmly, he knew that if he made one wrong move then his throat would be cut. It’s not a nice thing, having a knife pressed against your neck.

The unicorn, who was levitating the knife with his innate magical powers, had a stare as cold as the steel of the blade. Chance could tell that he wasn't enjoying this as his face had no hint of the joy or malice one would suspect some deranged, alley prowling killer to show in this situation; in fact his face seemed rather indifferent to the matter. From this, Chance considered the possibility that this was no random incident and that he specifically had been picked out by this unicorn and was left wondering why.

A full minute passed as the two ponies stared at each other, this confirmed Chance’s suspicion that this unicorn wanted something from him and that this little show was more to scare him than anything else. Letting out a small sigh, Chance cautiously began to speak, his voice cracked horribly though as he was too afraid of accidentally slicing his own throat. “Can I help you?” Chance forced a friendly smile, it was unclear even to him if he was trying to make light of the situation or if he was genuinely asking.

“Yes, you can.” The unicorn’s voice was calm and had a certain twinge of pride to it, he was either very proud of his work or was of high birth and Chance couldn't tell which. “Are you Last Chance?”

“Well…” Chance was considering how to respond, on one hoof this may be an assassin out to get him and on another he may just want to ask him some questions and might be angry upon learning that the white coated earth pony had lied about who he is. Chance gulped and closed his eyes; he had no idea if he should say yes or no. He decided that there was only one thing he could do and that was to make himself sound smart while giving the other pony an ego boost. “I assume that you know what you’re doing, and with that assumption I can also assume that you wouldn't have put me into this situation if you weren't entirely sure of my true identity. I’m sure that under your red mane you have a good head.”

The unicorn grinned. “I suppose you’re right.” He said while moving closer, unfortunately for Chance the knife was also moving closer which forced him to back up until he reached the wall at the end of the squalid Manehattan alleyway. Fortunately the knife also stopped but just as close to his throat as it was before. The unicorn stopped moving and sat on his haunches. “Then tell me, Mr Chance, do you know why I’m here?”

“Are you here to try and scare me? Because I must tell you, you’re very good at it. I’d say you were a professional.” Chance forced another smile. “Do you do Nightmare Night parties?”

“I’ll tell you why I’m here.” The unicorn got up. “I’m here because my employers have heard of your talents.” He trotted towards Chance’s side and looked at his cutie mark. “A magnifying glass over a pony, excellent, just as the description said.”

While he was inspecting him Chance couldn't help but notice that the unicorn’s cutie mark was covered by what appeared to be some sort of non-transparent tape.  At first he understood, one of the easiest ways to identify a pony was from their cutie mark and in this pony’s line of work it was probably best that he should keep his professional and personal life separate. However, Chance thought that someone as professional as this pony appeared to be would have used something better than tape. On that note wouldn't his cutie mark have something to do with this sort of thing? And wouldn't showing it help intimidate his victims more?

Chance’s pondering was short lived however as he felt the unicorn’s cold eyes fall upon him again. “I think you can understand why I’m here now?” The unicorn asked him. He was right, it was obvious to Chance.

“Okay then. Who do your employers want me to find?” Chance asked, it seemed as if whoever hired this pony was in need of Chance’s services and thus needed Chance alive which gave him a bit of confidence in this situation. “And please tell me why I should accept this job when this little negotiation tactic has been far from pleasant.”

The knife quickly rose and slashed at Chance’s cheek, eliciting a girlish squeal from his throat before the knife returned there, stopping it from becoming a full-fledged scream and draining every bit of confidence he had gained. The unicorn cocked his brow to emphasize his point. “Oh, I get it.” Chance said shakily. “I should do it to avoid getting blood all over your lovely orange coat, I see. If I may be so bold however I would like to ask if you could maybe put the knife away so we can have a proper discussion?” The knife dug into his neck a little more. “Please?” Chance begged but his requests fell on deaf ears. Apparently the magic word is useless against real magic.

“Mr Chance.” An orange aura much like the one holding the knife in the air formed around the unicorn’s saddle bag and out of it came a folder which was presented to Chance. “In here is everything you need to know about the pony my employers want you to find. Once you have located her send a letter to the address written on the folder and I shall come to collect her. You will then be paid and I promise you that it will be worth your while.”

“May I ask a question?” Chance asked.

“You just have.” The unicorn responded with a deadpan expression.

“Screw you. Anyway, I was just wondering why your employers decided to conduct business in this manner.” Chance’s eyes darted to the knife to emphasize his point.

“Because my employers are not the type of ponies you would want to disappoint and they asked me to make sure you understood that. And they also wished for you to understand that this is very important to them and if you do well then they will make sure you are compensated nicely, and I assure you that they won’t forget what you have done for them.”

Chance understood the threat but was confused as to why he also included those promises. Ponies that are willing to make somepony do something at knife point often don’t care for positive reinforcement.

“Well I suppose I have nothing better to do at the moment.” Chance smiled at the unicorn. “Sure, I’ll do it.”

Upon hearing Chance’s words the unicorn smiled and cancelled the telekinesis spell he had on the knife, causing it to drop to the ground. Chance also dropped to the ground clutching at his throat with his hooves and was relieved to find that there were no cuts or blood but just a mark which didn't seem serious. “Excellent.” The unicorn looked pleased. “If you ever have second thoughts about this though just remember what happened here.”

“I swear, if you weren't scary with a knife I would make sure that the ground and your face got well acquainted.” Chance said.

The unicorn grinned. “So the pathetic coward tries to talk tough? How surprising.”

“You want to know surprising? Finding out your marefriend has been using your basement to hide the bodies of her victims, now that’s what I call surprising.“ Chance spat on the ground and looked up at the unicorn with a scowl. “And I may be a coward but at least I don’t go around using spooky horn powers, not that I have any, to scare poor little ponies into doing shady jobs for ponies he’s never met.” Chance gave a triumphant smirk as if what he said was some profoundly clever retort. He knew it wasn't but if there was one lesson life had taught him it was that a good bluff can often be more convincing than the truth. He had been humiliated by this little encounter and unless he pays for it first he doesn't like being humiliated, he was determined to get a victory even if it was a small one.

The unicorn laughed as he picked up the knife and put it back in his saddlebag. “A bluffer, a liar and so easy to intimidate that I may have not even needed to bring the knife, not only that but everything seems to be a joke to you.” The unicorn looked down at Chance with disgust. “You really are a wretched pony, aren't you?”

Chance looked up at him and smiled. “I suppose you've heard of me then? It’s always nice to meet a fan.” Chance coughed and stood back up, meeting the unicorn’s eyes with his own. “I can’t say I like you but since it’s obvious you don’t like me I suppose it doesn't matter. What I will say though is that your employers have good taste. I’m the best at what I do.” He brushed his brown and black mane with his right hoof and smiled.

“That’s exactly what my employers are hoping for.” His horn was enveloped in an orange aura which also manifested around the folder which he showed Chance earlier. It floated over to Chance who caught it in his mouth. He sat down and spat it into his hooves, opening it up he began looking through the many pieces of paper in it, there really was a lot about this pony in it. “I trust that will be enough to get you started?” The unicorn said. Chance grinned as it was rare he ever got anything beyond a photo and a description of the pony’s social life. He had a reputation for getting the jobs he’s given done and this one seemed like it was going to be easy, if the unicorn wasn't lying about Chance being well compensated for this then he was in for quite a nice pay day as well.

“It seems this attempted evening stroll wasn't a complete waste after all.” Chance said. “It’s more than enough.”

“Good.” The unicorn turned to leave. “I suppose you've already worked this out but my employers are desperate at this point, they don’t usually hire outside help if you know what I mean. You’re literally their last chance, I hope you remember that.” He trotted away out of the alley.

It was quiet now as if nothing had happened. No matter how many times Chance was faced with silence after something weird happening he would never be able to get over it. It was surreal but somewhat comforting at the same time, it let him know that no matter what happened to him it won’t matter overall and life will go on as normal. He let loose a loud sigh and put the closed folder back in his mouth. He got up and trotted after the unicorn, after leaving the alley however Chance could find no trace of him. Not that it mattered.

He trotted down the street which, even though it was in Manehattan, was practically deserted. He knew what he was going to do next, he needed to put the folder somewhere safe for later and then go for a drink, maybe have an early night and start tomorrow. He couldn't help but feel there was something off about his current business associate though, it bothered him and he began to feel worried, as if there was a knife being held to his throat.