Game of Shadows

Chapter 3

“A dagger in the sandwich.”

Sugar cube was in Shadow mane’s kitchen. He was carefully going over the utensils, every cup, and every rag. He had everything laid

out and he was looking at a single black polishing rag and a notebook he then placed the notebook and the rag in his cloak and trotted out of the house.

Then he turned to the guards and said “No pony enters this house understand on any circumstances.”

They nod he then went down the street to the spic and span cleaning crew building. It was small with a single glass door. He opens it and sees a bunch of butler’s in their fancy suits leaving each one with a scroll in their coat pocket.

He shouted, “All of you stay here!”

They all turn their heads turns to the head butler he is a dark brown earth pony with yellow eyes and a grey mane and a cutie mark with a silver plate.

He then turned to Sugar Cube who then said “I’m heading the investigation on Shadow mane’s poisoning  so none of you are leaving!”

They all starred at him then he said, “Alright you you’re the boss correct?”

He nods then said “Yes and we have houses to clean so please make this quick.”

Sugar Cube then said, “Alright first I need to talk to two of your employees one is an earth pony he has an orange coat, blue eyes, and a yellow mane he is in his mid-twenties. Also I need to speak to the employee named Cody.”

The boss then said, “Well the first one is named Orange slice and he’s new. “

Orange Slice stepped forward then Sugar Cube looked him over he fit the description wearing the black jacket and wearing a perfect white blouse with his yellow mane combed back smoothly around his ears.

Sugar Cube replied, “Alright you need to stay behind. What about Cody?”

The boss replied, “He’s out sick still.”

Sugar Cube then said, “Can I have his address?”

The boss sighed goes behind his desk and then he takes a piece of scroll and takes a quill and dips it in ink with his teeth he writes something down and gives it to Sugar Cube then Sugar Cube puts it in his coat.

Sugar Cube shouted, “Alright the rest of you can go!”

`He then takes Orange slice out of the building then he turned a corner and headed back to Shadow mane’s house.

Then they trot inside he then said, “I heard about shadow mane being poisoned but you have to believe me I had nothing to do with that.”

Sugar cube then said, “I think I know who did but I need to verify something.”

He takes out the black rag he had in his coat then said, “Was this the rag you used to clean Shadow mane’s wine glass?”

Orange slice nods then said, “Yes it is. I had two of them one was black and one was white, the black was for the gold cup and the white was used for the black glass.”

Sugar Cube then said, “Just as I expected. Who told you this?”

Orange slice looked up and said “Shadow mane did. He told me he wanted his cups cleaned for his wife and him when they had their celebration.”

Sugar Cube replied, “I have another question you had no idea that this rag was poisoned?”

Orange Slice then said “No I didn’t I swear.”

Sugar Cube looked at him then said “I have another question was this rag used to clean anything else in the house?”

Orange slice shaked his head then said, “That rag was supposed to be used to clean Shadow mane’s wine glass that’s all. I was told specifically that.”

Sugar Cube then said, “Alright then I believe you. You’re innocent in all this.”

Orange slice sighed, “I bet I’m going to be fired still.”

Sugar Cube shaked his head then said, “You did what you were told. Don’t worry about it. I think I know who did this.”

He looked up then said, “So is there anything else you need me to do?"

Sugar Cube replied “Just one more thing. Do you know Cody?”

Orange slice nods then said, “He’s red with a short white beard and white mane and old brown eyes. He has a short temper and is very stern.”

Sugar Cube replied, “All right and I have another question. Does he serve any other pony other than Shadow mane?”

Orange slice then said, “He does a mare named Diamond heart.”

Sugar Cube swore then said, “Where is she going be today?”

Orange slice looked up and said, “I heard she goes with her date to this sandwich luncheon in the town square.”

Sugar Cube then said “Thank you. Also forget about being fired your quitting today and working at the palace.”

Orange slice looked stun then said “Really?”

Sugar Cube then said, “Just tell them Shade sent you. This is a thank you; you gave me everything I need to know. I know who poisoned shadow mane.”

He then galloped out of the house and then he galloped to the town square.

He waited that morning at the town square and looked at the luncheon from a distance he ordered a large mug of coffee and drank it

slowly he was staring at the tables intensely then he saw Diamond Heart.  She’s a dark purple unicorn with a swirl top of light velvet with royal purple eyes and a tail that swirled around with a distinct taste of being a snob with a cutie mark of a ruler and a dark umbrella. She smiled as a unicorn in a white coat with a perfect yellow mane with green eyes and unshaven beard that fell with a point he had a cutie mark of a scale with bits on either end. She then smiled as they sat underneath the canopy, Sugar Cube watched them and then he saw the waiter bring them glasses of water Sugar Cube waited some more. Then he got up and started to trot up to them then the waiter brought out two sandwiches. Then Sugar cube’s eyes lit up then as Diamond Heart was eating her sandwich, the colt had his sandwich in his magic. Sugar Cube took a dagger from his coat and threw it. It hit the sandwich and slammed it into the wall behind them.

They looked at Sugar Cube who then said, “Sorry to ruin your lunch but that sandwich was poisoned.”

The stallion then said, “What do you mean mate?”

Sugar Cube then went to the sandwich pulled out his dagger using his hoof cuff then placed the sandwich on the table then he lifted the top of the bread off then took out the salad and there was a small white powder underneath.

The stallion starred at him then said, “I almost ate that? “

Sugar Cube sat between them, wrapped the sandwich in its paper wrapping, and slowly placed it in his cloak then Diamond heart starred at sugar Cube.

He then said, “I know you! You’re that colt who took Butter scotch from my service.”

Sugar Cube then replied, “I would love to talk about how much she hated you but right now let’s talk about why your date almost died today."

The stallion nods and said, “I heard about Shadow mane.”

Sugar cube then said, “Let’s start with names I’m sugar cube.”

Then the stallion said, “I’m Iron hoof.”

Sugar Cube then said, “You don’t seem frightened?”

He laughed then said, “Look mate if some pony ain’t trying to kill you, you ain’t living life right. I fought in king Sombra’s war a poisoned sandwich doesn’t scare me.”

Sugar cube smiled and said,” You knew North Star?”

Iron Hoof laughed then said “Prince North star? No I didn’t know him personally but he’s the reason I fight for those farmers out there making food for us and bastards like Lord Silver trying to take what little they have its insane.”

Sugar Cube then said “What about the guard we assigned you?”

Iron Hoof then said “I left them hours ago and I bet their still looking for me. I don’t need any pony protecting me beside what would have they done if I ate that sandwich?”

Sugar Cube then said, “Yeah that’s why I’m here, look I need to ask both of you some questions then I’ll go.”

Diamond heart then said, “Make it fast I run a highly profitable nanny service I don’t have time for this nonsense.”

Sugar Cube then turned to her then said, “You have a servant named Cody correct?”

She nods then said, “He’s been my servant for five years now. Cleans the house from 12 to 4 why?”

Sugar Cube then said, “Well he was here earlier and entered this very shop just minutes before and from what I’ve heard he comes here daily when you have your date with Iron hoof.”

Iron hoof stroked his pointy beard then said, “He does, he carries diamond heart’s umbrella she hates the sun shining on her coat.”

Diamond heart then said, “You mean my mane it dries it out and it’s doing damage so please hurry.”

Sugar Cube then said “All right. Anyways he was here just moments before then this sandwich comes out laced with poison which means?”

Iron hoof then said, “Were not stupid mate. It means Cody’s jealous and he tried to kill me for you Diamond heart.”

Diamond Heart looked shocked then said “what? I didn’t think he even liked me. Yes he’s been a servant for me for a while but we don’t speak about anything except work?”

Sugar Cube then said, “It’s probably a social thing. You see’s he’s just a servant and doesn’t think he has a chance with you with Iron hoof being alive.”

Iron hoof replied, “Well what will you do now? You don’t have any real evidence.”

Sugar Cube replied “No but I’ve been here for a while and I bet he’s here still I never saw him leave.” Iron hoof smiled “I see you wanted to catch him in the act use me as bait. You’re a gambler mate I like that. You should come with me to the casino down the street you could make some good bits.”

Diamond Heart was disgusted “you gambled his life to catch this pony?”

Sugar Cube rolled his eye and said, “Well if the sandwich with poison wasn’t delivered and I chased him for no reason, and tell me who would be the bad pony then? What I do need is for you two to act as witnesses alright?”

  Diamond heart rolls her eyes then said “sure?”

Iron hoof chuckled, “Do what you got to mate.”

Sugar Cube got up then said, “It’s good to see you Iron hoof. Also Diamond heart, Butter scotch hates the way you teach nannies how to raise fillies and she thinks your mane is frizzy as hell.”

Then Sugar Cube sped though the tables and then he opened the doors and then he sees Cody he sees Sugar cube then he gallops through the kitchen in the back then Sugar Cube swore and started to gallops through the kitchen he sees Cody turn down a back ally.

Sugar Cube climbs one of the buildings next to it and chases him down the alley jumping over rooftops then he spots him down the street and then he pounces on him and slams into a wall.

He then shouted “Alright Cody. We’re going to take a trot."

He then goes down a dark alley throws him into a wall then Sugar cube reveals a dagger then said “Try to run this goes in your hind leg and you won’t be trotting for a while understand?”

Cody nods then Sugar Cube lets the dagger slid back into his cloak he then said, “Alright now you’re going to answer my questions first of all I know that it was you who laced Shadow Mane’s cup with poison. You knew his wife got the lead role a day before she announced it since she gets home before he does. On top of that you gave yourself an alibi by proclaiming you were sick so that Orange Slice would look like the one who laced the rag with poison correct?”

Cody gulped then said, “You have no real proof though there’s no evidence.”

Sugar Cube then took out a notebook form his pocket, opened it, and said, “There’s two dates distinctly circled in this notebook I found in the room upstairs. One date is  yesterday night Shadow mane’s and Sun beam’s celebration Shadow Mane had the wine from the winery preordered the day before just for the occasion. They would have gone down to the opera hall to watch a symphony but instead Shadow mane’s heart was giving out thanks to you. Then you have a date circled that says iron hoof and Diamond heart’s date.”

He takes out the sandwich wrapped in paper from his coat then said, “Now tell me when I show this at a court with iron hoof who saw you leave and Diamond heart claiming you knew where they go for lunch I think that’s more than enough evidence to put you away.”

Cody then said, “Looks like I’m literally and figuratively backed into a wall.”

Sugar Cube then put the sandwich in his coat then said, “Now you’re going to tell me who gave you the poison?” Cody then said, “I never saw his face. I don’t even know what he looks like. We met at a bar not far from here a week ago at the old barrel and he promised me a lot of bits and a way to get rid of my rival for Diamond heart. He told me if I followed his instructions, I could not be caught, stupid me for writing it down and not destroying that notebook.”

Sugar Cube then said, “It was really stupid of you.” He picked up Cody and put hoof cups on his front hooves then said, “You’re under arrest for two counts of attempted murder.”

   That night Sugar Cube and Butter Scotch were in his room in canterlot’s palace. She was laughing then she said “I can’t believe you said that to her.”

Sugar Cube then said, “Your right she does crinkle her face when she gets angry,” Butter Scotch then said “I told you and isn’t it hilarious.”

Sugar Cube nods then said, “Her date though is like her total opposite wild as hell. When he saw his sandwich with poison he just laughed and said “if some pony isn’t trying to kill you, you ain’t living life right.”

Butter Scotch then said, “Damn he is her total opposite. She would have feinted.” Sugar Cube then said, “She nearly did when she saw me throw that dagger.”

Butter Scotch then said “So any new leads? “

Sugar Cube shakes his head “Cody was a dead end. The pony I am after gave him the poison and told him the best times to assassinate the two of them. The thing is Lord Silver is still in the clear. There’s no proof that lord Silver had any real connection to Shadow Mane’s poisoning or the laced sandwich the only connection is that both almost victims are against the new bill. That’s not enough evidence to convict not by a long shot.”

Butter Scotch then said “Well if it weren’t for you two ponies would be dead. So I think you’re doing a great job.” He looked up then said, “So you like my place?”

She smiled and looked around it. It was a small room in the left tower with a small skinny window a private restroom, a drawer and a cozy bed and giant board over a desk full of knives daggers plants and bandages. On his right was his clean white coat with all of its inner pockets neatly hung on a coat rack. Over the table was a board with a map of Canterlot and with tacks and small notes on them with strings all over."

She then said, “It’s comfy and roomy. But what exactly are you looking for?"

Sugar Cube looked at the map then said, “Every tack is a banker or lord or mare that has a say in the vote for the new bill, the red ones are for and the blue are against. The thing is lord Silver is a viable suspect but I can’t rule out any pony and I have to protect the other potential victims.”

Butter Scotch then said “But they have guards and Celestia is flying around day and night.”

Sugar Cube then said, “That’s the problem. I’m fighting another assassin which means he fights in the shadows uses poison daggers and small crossbows he’s not going to be seen or noticed and when he strikes it’ll be when you least expect it. That’s the thing most ponies don’t get that in this kind of battle it doesn’t matter how powerful you are. It’s how clever you are.”

Butter Scotch then said, “Well you stop two assassinations and from what I see there is still more than enough votes to stop the bill. So I think everything is going as it should.”

Sugar Cube looked up at her and said “Yet he’s still out there.”

Butter Scotch then said, “So is this all you’re going to do worry about some rouge. What about the fillies huh? They cried all day wondering where you’ve been. It was a very difficult day for me to.”

Sugar Cube then said, “Oh okay? I guess me risking my life isn’t good enough.”

Butter Scotch replied, “That’s not what I meant I’m saying you’re feeling sorry for yourself and you don’t give a shit what others feel.”

Sugar Cube got up then said, “So you think I wanted to abandon the fillies to save other ponies? Is that what you’re saying? “

Butter Scotch the said “stop being so damn stubborn and listen to me. Just let me in and let’s talk. You clearly have a lot on your mind but you won’t let me in.”

Sugar Cube then said, “I can’t, not yet. “

She then said “Then this isn’t going to work. I’m not going to be in a relationship where you don’t trust me.”

She then turns then as she was going to leave.

He then said “Wait.”

She stops turns back her head then he said, “Your right I haven’t cared about your feelings. I want you to stay.” She smiled and said “But you have to tell me everything leave nothing out I can handle it.”

Sugar Cube then said “I’m going to tell you everything my past and what I did before I came to canterlot but it’s going to be up to you to decide if this is going to work I’m not going to guilt trip you if ..You hate me afterwards.”

She nods then he looks up her then said, “Butter scotch if you haven’t noticed I’m not just a nanny I’m an assassin. I was taken from Canterlot the day I was born my parents were killed and I was put to a vigorous training course deep in the south in a monastery. I literally woke every day and they drilled me for hours. I almost died a couple times. Then they sent me to what they call the pool of shadows and shoved its energy into me amplifying my ability to see into the future and my other senses. From that day, they trained me harder, they taught me to kill with no mercy or love or forgiveness. My mission was to kill every Alicorn in the north and Pine the rebel who lead the rebellion against king Sombra’s mines. I left and accidently treaded onto buffalo territory they sent me to their shaman eagle eye who gave me focus taught me to heal to use herbs for medicine even to amplify my abilities as a fighter. He was the one who taught me it’s up to you to decide your fate. Therefore, when I went north to kill Pine I had my blade to his neck. I could not do it I was too scared to mad too angry. I flung it aside and I asked him to kill me to end it. However he didn’t he sparred my life. Then I went to King Sol Celestia and Luna’s father he gave me the task in protecting them as they went east for three years to train and learn how to rule.  I left immediately and killed many assassins sent to capture them. Then I was given instruction to go to the holy empire in the east and kill the assassins who were going to kill prince luminous. Then I went south, stopped the chaos ponies from attacking Equestria by killing their two main chieftains, and brought civil war among them. Then after that, I went back north to report what I did to King Sol but he was dead. Therefore, I left south and found Celestia and Luna being attacked by king Sombra’s mercenaries and saved them again. Then from that day forward, I defended them killed for them. I captured my former master he’s in a prison cell below this palace and I killed Oblivion the Alicorn who used the pool of shadow to turn me into this. That’s everything.”

Butter Scotch then starred at him then he said, “If you hate me I don’t blame you.”

She then came close then she kissed him and then he held her and then she pulled back and smiled “What’s there to be mad about. I’m in love with a hero.”

Sugar Cube then said, “Wow? That’s the first time a pony called me that.”

She smiled and with tears, she flung herself on him.