Game of Shadows

Chapter 8

"The groom and the ring.”

The day passes by. Sugar Cube woke in the records room and he looks up to see the clerk. She smiled and places a cup of coffee at his face he gets up.

He then said “Thank you.”

She then said, “You must have been out all day. I just came in for my shift.”

He got up and takes the cup of coffee and sighs as he drinks some of it with his left off then he places it back on the ground then as the clerk went behind her desk.

He then said, “If I keep this up I’ll soon be nocturnal.”

She then said, “I practically am...I also heard what happened. That was just horrible.”

Sugar Cube nods he stares at his hooves and sees the list of guests and then he stares the profiles of every pony. Bankers mares stallions some fillies and the staff as well chefs butlers.

He then said “One of these ponies is Death I know it.”

She then said “So Death? Is he the one who killed Root and Cody?”

Sugar Cube replied, “I don’t know.”

He starred at them then said “I fought him over six years ago he was covered in shadows and was full of rage and anger. I threw a dagger at him and he fell of a building. I looked over but he was gone vanished. The thing is he was an earth pony then Celestia tells me from my former master only a unicorn or an Alicorn can use oblivion’s tome. My master also said that it can curse an object and the first pony to touch said object will die. Yet why did Cody die if Root touched the bag? Alternatively, did he use his horn to carry it the whole time? If he did, did he knew about the curse? Or was it just luck? I don’t buy it and Silver’s bits are stolen by him? Then that means lord Silver must have cursed the bag because the bag was never opened and we counted the pieces of bits in the bag and they were all there."

The clerk then said “then why can’t you arrest him now?”

Sugar Cube looked at her then said “tell me if we try lord Silver who just last night stopped his bill and now with no real motive for Shadow mane’s death or Iron hoof who would believe my former master that a book can magically kill another pony? We would have to prove it first of all? Better yet if he saw us coming, he can hide it or burn it and without it we have no real evidence that it exists. What I need to do is capture Death. He causes nightmares to fillies under five with his presence it happened in the Holy Empire in the east. So he’s the link in the chain I need a pony who had actual contact with lord Silver and can prove without a doubt that lord Silver is behind these murders.”

The Clerk then said, “Wow didn’t know law was so complicated.”

Sugar Cube sighed and said “Root and Cody would have been good witnesses too.”

He looked at all the guests who were earth ponies but none looked suspicious all had normal jobs some single some married some too old or too young. The staff was the same then he moved over the list repeatedly then as the night dragged on he then looked at the two who were getting married then he chocked. Then he saw the description of Black heat a black earth pony with orange eyes and a fiery mane of red and light orange and a tail of the same color. It wasn’t just that he was a former employer of lord Silver as a servant age 25 and he left his service two years earlier.

Sugar Cube then said, “No, lord Silver thought of everything this whole time I was so intent on capturing Death and he was right in front of me the whole time.”

The clerk then said, “So who is he?”

Sugar Cube looked at her and said, “I would tell you but…”

She then said, “I swear I’ll keep my mouth shut.”

Sugar Cube then said, “Its black heat the groom.”

Sugar cube was back at the palace princess Celestia then came down the stairs she sighed and looked up to see sugar Cube.

Sugar Cube then said “ How’s Sun Dancer?”

She then said “He’s fine he doesn’t know anything he played and laughed he‘s learning his alphabet now."

She then fell and collapsed and then he went over to her she then said, “What are we doing? Are we just trying to patch up my mistakes?”

Sugar Cube replied, “Were not you didn’t do anything wrong.”

Princess Celestia looked up then said “For three years since North Star and I defeated Omega  I thought I could rule without any more death now two ponies die under my nose. “

Sugar Cube then said, “Princess Celestia you’re not...”

She sighed and said “I know I’m not a god.”

Sugar Cube then said “Come on. “

He helps her up then the two go down the hall and turn left to a small room. Here the two enter a small waiting room it had two long couches with a single chair in the back. Princess Celestia lay down on the couch and Sugar Cube did too.

Then she said, “I’m guessing you know who Death is. “

Sugar Cube then said “It’s the groom. “

She looked at him then said “Lord Silver won unless we go and attack him directly we can’t do anything. Now that he has more political favor after cancelling his bill... we would look like the villains.”

Sugar Cube then said, “I want to talk with him.  His file says he’s been here for more than four years in peace. I’m going to talk with him and if he can help me capture lord Silver then we’ll go that route but if he refuses and he’s going to kill Crystal heart you know what I have to do.”

Princess Celestia starred at him then said “No you can’t. you can’t do this not to Sun Dancer. “

Sugar Cube got up then said, “Just tell him the truth when he’s ready but I’m not going to allow lord Silver and Death takes Equestria, not after North Star’s sacrifice, not after everything we fought and bled for.”

Princess Celestia then said, “We need to think about this you’re not thinking straight.”

He looked at her then said, “This is how it has to go. If I kill lord silver and Death then I’ll go down as a murderer I’ll leave everything behind hide in the south or the east I’ll be fine. Equestria will be safe.”

Princess Celestia starred at him then swore and said “Why is it every time one of my friends have to go do the right thing I know your right I know you have to do this if it comes down to it. However, like with North Star I don’t want you to do this. You deserve to live a happy life with Butterscotch. “

Sugar Cube then said, “Sometimes we can’t do what we want.”

She looked up then said, “Before you go talk to Sun Dancer he’s missed you for the last few days.”

Sugar Cube nods then said “The other day he asked about his dad.”

She then said, “I’ll tell him when he’s older. But sugar Cube just in case I want to thank you for helping him grow for helping me through all of this.”

Sugar Cube bows then said, “Like I said it was an honor serving you. If all goes well tomorrow hopefully I’ll serve you for a lot longer.”

She then got up and said, “I’m going to get some rest.”

Sugar Cube chuckled and said, “I should get some too. Try to get off this night cycle.”

They trotted out of the room and up the straight up the staircase and up to the right side of the palace here, Sugar cube enters Sun Dancer’s room.

He woke he smiled and shouted, “Sugar Cube!”

Sugar cube smiled and then went to his bed then stroked his mane then said, “Hey Sun Dancer."

Sun Dancer then said, “Where were you?”

Sugar Cube sighed and said, “Like mommy I have work.”

He then said “are you done?”

sugar Cube then said “I just want you to know that I love you and..."

Then he remembered his promise then swore he let a tear fall down his cheek then he looked back at Sun dancer then he bent down and hugged him, He replied “I got some things to do. Alright you just stay strong.”

Sun Dancer asked “why?”

Sugar Cube lets go then said “Just listen to your mother okay?”

He nods then he tucks Sun dancer back in bed and then he got up and went to the oil lamp then turned it low then he looked at Sun Dancer and then smiled at him. Sun Dancer smiles back .

Sugar Cube closed the door behind him then said, “I’m going to try to get some sleep.”

She nods then said “go I’ll be here tonight, I feel safer right now being next to him.”

Sugar Cube sighed then said “Alright  ...”

She then went into sun Dancer’s room then Sugar Cube went right and up the steps of the right tower. He then enters his room he sees Butterscotch.

She looked up and said “Hey .”

He smiled and sits by her then said “You probably want to know where I was all day?”

She then said “Are you okay?”

He sighed,“I’m fine.”

She then said “You promised me no more secrets.”

Sugar Cube then said “I found out who death it’s Black heat.”

Butterscotch then said “The groom?”

Sugar Cube then said, “We can’t arrest Lord Silver we have nothing on him and Death is the only link. I’m going to talk with him tomorrow see how things turn out. Maybe if I’m lucky I’ll get him to help me. If not if he’s bent on killing Crystal heart then he has to die along with lord Silver.”

Butterscotch then said, “You can’t do this? You’ll be labeled a murderer.”

He looked up then said, “I have to do this Butterscotch”

In tears she said “Don’t say that, you can’t, this isn’t happening.”

She fell into him he held her then she looked up then said, “I’m going too then."

Sugar Cube swore then said, “No you can’t this isn’t about us anymore it’s about Sun Dancer.”

She then said, “What do you mean?”

Sugar Cube replied, “Without me he’s going to need another pony to watch him, to care for him. "

Butterscotch slapped Sugar Cube then said, “shut up I’m not going to sit here while you’re gone, we leave together.”

Sugar Cube then said ‘Butterscotch I’m going to betray my best friend’s dying wish to me to care for his son. Tell me, do you think I want to do this? Leave you? leave everything? I told Oblivion even if I had to sacrifice my happiness to save the world I would do it. I’m not going to allow pinkie pie to grow up in a cruel world. I promised her and I’m not going to break that promise because that promise is the one North Star also swore to me to make sure Sun Dancer lives a good life as well. Please, I’m not asking you because you’re a mare. With me gone and Princess Celestia with a kingdom to run who does Sun Dancer have left?”

Butterscotch then said, “I’m not going to say goodbye not until you know for sure. When you do what you have to do met me in the gardens and tell me then by then I’ll make up my mind.”

She got up then left his room.

Sugar Cube sighed he took off his white cloak and threw it on the floor he kicked off his braces on his legs then he threw himself on his bed and fell asleep.

The next morning he went to Crystal Heart’s house it was small with a bright pink door two guards were posted outside standing sternly with perfect military bearing and knocks then crystal heart answers and then she opens the door she is a white unicorn with a bright pink mane and tail flowing gracefully. Her cutie mark is a golden heart she has dark purple eyes that glistened.

She smiled a cute smile and said “Your that stallion every Pony’s been talking about!”

Sugar Cube bows then said “Crystal heart I presume? I came to ask you some questions pertaining to the case I’ve been investigating.”

She bows and said “yes it is come on in.”

He enters her house with a pink heart rug and the walls were white with a beautiful white carpet and giant hearth and a couch facing it.

She then said “Honey we have a visitor.”

Black heat came forward he was an earth pony with a black coat bright orange eyes and a short fiery mane of red and light orange with the tail cut the same way he also has no cutie mark.

He smiled and said “Sugar Cube I believe.”

He bows then said “Black Heat.”

Black Heat said, “Come on I just made breakfast.”

Sugar cube and Crystal heart enter the dining room it was small with a single stove a wash bin and a small round table with a drape of pin over it. The kitchen tile was white and Black heat smiled as Crystal heart sat down. There on small whit chairs then Sugar cube sat across beside her on her left side then Black heat placed a plate of eggs sunny side up with pancakes shaped as hearts.

She smiled then said “Wow this looks good.”

He then placed a mug of coffee by her side and then he put a plate of pancakes on Sugar Cube’s side of the table. Then placed a cup of coffee on his side of the table then he placed a plate of pancakes across from Crystal heart and then put a cup of a protein drink on his side.

She rolls her eyes and said “I can’t believe you drink that.”

He replied, “I have to stay fit somehow.”

Sugar cube then said “well uh Black heat I’m going to ask some questions that pertain to the case.Some might be personal.”

Black heat nods then said “That’s fine I want to help you capture Root and Cody.”

As he started to eat some of his pancake and Crystal heart lifted a knife and fork and cut the pancake daintily then sugar Cube dug in and ate some then as he swallowed down some of his coffee.

Sugar Cube asked, “Okay first question , what did you do before you met Crystal heart?”

Black heat sighed and said, “I was a servant for lord Silver. I came from the east with nothing no name no life. I was ordered to do do something evil and was told to do it but I couldn’t. So I left and came here seeking a better life and I did. Lord Silver took me in gave me a job then he introduced me to crystal heart.”

She smiles and said “Well it was my birthday party and Lord Silver came up to me with this hunk of an earth pony and asked introduced me.”

Black heat then said. “You see I actually didn’t know she liked me and I was a shy as a filly.” She smiled and said, “Under all that fur and mussel is the most sensitive colt I know, and I dated a lot.”

He then said, “Well she’s not just kind she’s smart and she was asking me questions on the economy of the bank how revenue and profit worked. Most of it flew over my head. I’m such an idiot.”

She smiled and said “No your smart in your own way you fixed my bed, fixed the leak in my bathroom he takes care of my lawn I wouldn’t be able to do that and run a bank..”

Black heat looked up then said “Well anyways we got along and we dated more and it took us about a year.”

She smiled, "then he proposed I remember that day like it was yesterday.”

He then said “I took you to dinner that night I was scarred I ordered the band to play your favorite song."

She chuckled sand said, “When it played I knew you did it.”

He then said, “It was the song we danced to the day we met.”

Sugar Cube was eating some more then said “Black heat how you get the ring?”

He then said, “Lord Silver gave me a ring but I threw it away. Instead I got her another ring and bought it myself.”

She then said, “He’s been trying to pay it off. I told him to take it back but of course he declined.”

Sugar Cube then said, “Black heat do you have any back problems?”

Crystal heart got concerned and said, “Why would he have back problems?”

Black Heat smiled drank his drink then said, “No, I don’t.”

Sugar cube nods then said “Crystal heart don’t worry I was just making sure he was fine.”

Black heat replied “Crystal heart you know why I’m sacrificing so many bits to be with you?”

She looked up from her food then he said “I want to show you that I’m willing to do anything for you. Even die for you.”

Sugar Cube eyes widen then Black heat starred at him then Sugar Cube drinks some more coffee then Crystal heart smiled and then she said “Black heat that was beautiful.”

Sugar Cube finished his food then got up and said “Black heat it was great seeing you it really was. “

He nods then said “sugar Cube I’m glad I met you.”

Crystal heart smiled and said, “It almost sounds like you two know each other.”

Sugar Cube looked at Crystal heart then said, “No, I don’t know him.”

Black heat then said, “Well Sugar Cube if you want you can visit us any time. By the way maybe we can meet just you and I have a stallion night.”

Sugar Cube nods then said “sure when.” Black heat looked at his fiancée then said “my dear? We’re not doing anything tomorrow?” she smiled and said “No besides I’m glad you have one friend to drink with.” Black heat nods at Sugar cube he nods back then Sugar cube leaves the house.

That afternoon Butterscotch was staring into the sky with tears in her eyes Sugar Cube galloped to her with a concerned look then she said “I made my decision.”

Sugar Cube flung himself on her then they kissed.

Then he said “Death, Black heat he’s okay he’s on our side.”

She then said, “Are you sure?”

He then said “Butterscotch everything is going to be fine, he plans to meet with me tomorrow.”

Butterscotch asked, “What is he going to meet with you about?”

Sugar Cube then said “were going to take down lord Silver but I can’t do it alone. I’m going to tell princess Celestia and the changeling my plan.”

She smiled and said, “You have a plan? “

Sugar Cube then said “Let me explain…