Guard Tiara: The Grand Guard Games

Blood.

Pain.

Fear.

Why?

Diamond Tiara shot up in bed, panting heavily. Tossing the sweat soaked sheets off of her (at least it was just sweat this time), she rolled out of bed. Her eyes glanced toward the alarm clock.

Four-fifteen in the morning. Later than the night before. That was at least a good sign, right?

Her gaze shifted to the other bed in the room. Dinky and Rumble were still asleep, snuggled up against each other. She had not woken them up this time. Another good sign. She did not want to keep waking them up, even if they were willing to keep her company the rest of the night.

Heading to the balcony, Diamond Tiara stepped outside. Straightening up, she took a deep breath, letting the cold night air of the north fill her lungs. There was a slight chill to her body as the faint bits of moisture froze and were whisked away by the faint wind.

Maybe I should head back to Ponyville, she thought as she looked at the city around her. It's not like I've really been paying attention to the games that much. She rubbed at one of her eyes, stifling a yawn. Plus, as nice as Rumble and Dinky have been, I would have dad and Apple Bloom there to talk to. She smirked. And I'm sure they wouldn't mind having the room all to themselves.

Pushing the thought away for now, she went back inside and headed for the bathroom. Climbing into the shower, she turned the water on, nice and hot. She let the warmth soak into her, washing away the cold of outdoors and the dreams. She thoroughly lathered her coat, mane, and tail, trying to wash the memories away with the remnants of sweat (just like she had been the past few days). She did not scrub herself as hard as she had before. Good thing. Otherwise, she would not have a coat much longer.

After drying off, changing the bandaging on her leg, and getting dressed, Diamond Tiara headed out. At this time of morning, it was pretty quiet both in the hotel and the city. There was still a skeleton crew working the building -- including a very bored looking mare who was stuck at the service desk up front -- and the occasional pony on the street that was either up early or late like she was, but most of the city was asleep in their warm, comfortable beds in their nice, safe homes.

Fortunately, not everything was closed up at this time of morning. There were places that were open all hours day and night, and others that would be open and starting the work for the day. During her other walks around town, she had found some that were interesting to her, and was heading toward one of them right now.

As she walked, she would occasionally cross paths with one of the guards on patrol. Most took a note of her, giving her a quick scan to take in details necessary to report her should something occur. Once in a while, a guard would give her a quick nod. Whether it was out of politeness, because they recognized her from prior patrols, or they had heard the (ever growing and exaggerated) story of how she saved and returned The Crystal Heart [one version even had her facing a pack of crystal wolves (which were supposed to be like crystal versions of timber wolves)], she could not say.

"Hey," a voice called out. "Hey, over here."

Turning, Diamond Tiara saw the entrance of an alleyway.

"Oh no," she called out. "I am not walking down a dark alley, in a city I don't know, in the middle of the night."

A female griffon stepped out from the alley. She had a cap and scarf on, as well as a pin that marked her as a member of The Griffon Kingdom's guard.

"You're that pony, right?" the griffon asked. "The one that got The Crystal Heart back?"

"Yeah?" Diamond replied, eyes narrowing as she studied the griffon.

"My name is Griselda. I'm a member of the griffon military. Although like you, I'm not here to participate in the games. I was actually hoping one of us would run into you. Didn't think it'd be here and now though."

"'One of us?'" Diamond Tiara repeated, raising an eyebrow. "Who might that be?"

"I'm part of a group that has been doing something around here the past few nights," Griselda told her. "Nothing actually illegal, but it's not exactly appropriate behavior either." She pulled out a piece of paper and passed it to Diamond Tiara. "If you're interested in a good fight and maybe making some money, come to this location at midnight. You have three nights before we move elsewhere."

Diamond Tiara took the paper and looked at it. It was a crudely drawn map with an address on it. Before Diamond could ask any further questions on the matter, the griffon took off, flying up and away. With a sigh, Diamond Tiara stuffed the paper into her jacket and continued on. She would decide about whether or not to go later.

Continuing on her way, Diamond Tiara soon reached her destination: Snow Sugar's Sweets. And they were open for the day. Pushing the door open, she stepped inside.

"Good morning," a white crystal mare called out from behind the counter "and welcome to Snow Sugar's." She looked up from where she had been putting some more of her baked goods. "Are you ready to order or do you need a moment?"

"Morning," Diamond replied as she walked up toward the counter. "Can I get one apple fritter to eat now, and four of the crystal berry turnovers for later, please?"

"Isn't that the same thing you got yesterday?" Snow Sugar asked as she pulled a fritter out of the display and passed over.

"And the day before," Diamond answered as she set the bits on the counter before taking the treat. She then took a bite, enjoying the taste. It was not as good as the ones the Apple Bloom's family made, but still pretty good.

"Keep this up, and it will be your usual just as you go home," Snow said as she started pulling the out the turnovers.

"That's what happens when you're the only place with fritters," Diamond said before licking the powdered sugar (or "snow sugar") from her lips. "Although my friends would enjoy turnovers every morning, as good as they are."

A giggle escaped Snow as she closed up the box of turnovers. Setting it on the counter, she grabbed the bits, counting quickly to make sure. Diamond finished the last little bit of her fritter, listened to the click of the register, then grabbed the box and headed for the door.

"Thank you for coming," Snow Sugar called after her. "Hope to see you again."

"You probably will," Diamond Tiara called back as she left. Stepping back out into the street, she started her return journey to the hotel. She would get back in time to enjoy one of the turnovers before Dinky and Rumble woke up... assuming that they had not already woken up, noticed she was gone, and decided to enjoy the alone time to have sex.

There was an itch at the back of her neck, giving her the feeling of being watched.

Diamond Tiara bit her lip, resisting the urge to turn and look back. If she did, it would possibly let whatever was following know she sensed something. Plus, there would be no guarantee of spotting it. Still, inexperience and curiosity ended up winning out. Despite herself, Diamond Tiara turned around to look back.

As expected, she did not see anything. Of course she would not. That was one of the most basic things in stories where a pony is being watched: even if they are, they do not see the tail when they look back. The character being followed had to get creative. Come up with some way of tricking the stalker into being caught.

Turning back, she continued along the road. As she resumed walking, her eyes scanned around, trying to take in what was around her. Maybe she could see something that would give her an idea. Some of the buildings were kind of shiny. Perhaps she could use one of them to catch the reflection of her follower? If there were other buildings open, maybe she could go in, slip out another door, and loop around to see who might go in after her.

Maybe she should have paid more attention to that Shadow Spade book...

"HELP!" a voice called out. "SOMEPONY! HELP! GUARDS!"

Diamond Tiara broke into a full run. Her ears shifted as she listened, following the shouts as she made her way through the streets. Soon she came upon a scared looking stallion standing next to a mare lying in the road.

"What happened?" Diamond asked as she approached the two.

"I... I don't know," the stallion answered. "I was just walking for work when I heard somepony cry out. Next thing I know, I found her here like this."

"Go get a guard," Diamond ordered as she moved closer. "I'll stay here with her."

With a nod, the stallion ran down the road. Diamond Tiara then turned her attention to the mare. Reaching down, she checked on her.

The mare was breathing, so she was definitely alive, which was good. Unfortunately, it was too shallow and fast. She was hyperventilating. A quick hoof against her chest revealed that the mare's heart was pounding like a jackhammer, the rhythm too fast for Diamond to keep count of. Diamond Tiara placed a hoof on the mare's face, trying to get a look at her eyes.

The mare grabbed a hold of Diamond Tiara, causing her to jump. She turned to Diamond, eyes wide and... something else about them seemed off.

"Sombra!" the mare gasped out. "It was Sombra! He's returned."