A wounded dust

Just moments ago Adagio dazzle was deep in thought about that young boy she and her friend Sunset shimmer brought in a while ago, how he got all those nasty injuries on him, and who might be the cause of all his pain, but more importantly, does he even have a family left. All those questions in her head finally gave her an answer, but it came in the form of a very suspicious big teen. Just moments ago he just walked into the building and approached her saying he knows everything about this child and what happened to him. So of course this would grab Adagio's full attention on the teen.

"Go on dear im listening, please tell me everything!" Adagio said with a hint of desperation in her voice.

Knucklehead just stood there staring at the woman who had her eyes fixed on his the entire time. He sighed to himself and calmly decided to take a seat next to her. "Listen, before i tell you about him, i want to tell you another story connected to his.!" He finished.

"What do you mean by another story that's connected to his?. Adagio asked curiously.

Knucklehead sighed again and rested his forehead in his right hand." Listen very carefully from what i'm about to tell you, it's a long story."

Adagio swallowed nervously but nodded her head beckoning him to go on.

"A few weeks ago now this boy and his now late older brother lived by themselves in a run down apartment downtown, i don't know the reasoning of why they lived alone, that your gonna have to ask the kid when he wakes up, but know this." Knucklehead raised his head to look at Adagio in the eyes with seriousness spread across his face." That child is now all alone, he has no one to look out for him, no one to love him, no one to tell him what's right from wrong, and more importantly, he has no one to call a family. "Adagio's eyes both widened and she gasped and held her right where her heart was. "What h-" she was cut off by Knucklehead raising his hand signaling for her to stop and let him finish.

"Listen, i know you have questions. But for some of those questions i don't have an answer to, but i will answer the ones i do know." He spoke softly. Adagio regained her posture slightly and beckoned the big teen to continue which he did.

" That kid and his brother did not have a lot to live by so there only choice of survival was to steal from shops, markets, stores, and occasionally people who were clumsy. This happened alot and often around the downtown area where the bad side of town like to hang out and make residence. I know this because one, i live downtown, and two, i knew the kid's older brother, i ran into him a few times. He was a good teen, but very shady as well. He attended Canterlot high school not to long ago. But the poor teen had to live a double life all to support his little brother, the only living member of his family left." Knucklehead finished with a deep sigh.

Adagio was left speechless to say the least. She knew this city was not perfect like people say it was, every now and then she would hear or read about reports of crimes that happen here. from shoplifting, to mugging, to burglary, and on rare occasions, murder. She knows it all but it still gets her sometimes and hit her right at home, she was always a softie at heart once she reformed during her last years in school. Adagio took a few moments to process everything she was told so far. After sinking in this new information, she asked the question she was dreading to hear the answer too, but she had to know everything in order to understand and help this boy.

"You mentioned that the child is all alone now, what do you mean by that?" Adagio asked shakingly.

Knucklehead picked up on the grown woman's fear and frowned towards the ground. "I was hoping it would not come to this"

"Please i have to know, it's the only way that can help me care for this child!" She spoke with tears in her eyes.

Knucklehead was caught off guard at what this woman just said, but decided to drop it until his story was told. With one more sigh he carried on with his story.

"About two weeks ago the teen pulled off a robbery on the wrong person, and let's just say he paid an unfair price, earlier this evening i was down an alley relaxing with friends when this said person came back and wordlessly confirmed that he paid the price, in the form of his blood. After that, something really serious happened and we all split, but not me, i kept tabs on the area, because that little kid is still being hunted by the person his older brother robbed. He wont stop being in danger until that person is either arrested or the kid dies." Knucklehead finished coldly. Adagio was stunned beyond belief after hearing that part and it did not help her mood in the slightest, knowing that there is a monster in this city that would scoop so low as to murder an innocent child just for revenge. It made her sick to her stomach that there was such a person in this city to begin with. Then one question came to her mind. She slowly looked towards Knucklehead who was rubbing his face slowly and mumbling things to himself

"How do you know all this information?" Adagio asked sternly.

This question made the big teen freeze up and sweat for a few seconds, he was seriously hoping deep down to avoid this discussion and move on to more serious matters, as he did not like talking about himself or the business he does. After about another 10 seconds Knucklehead slowly raised himself from his seat and took of his hat, showing his messy long blonde hair which was no longer tied back. Adagio eyed the big teen with confusion as to why he takes of his hat now. Her curiosity gets the better of her as she eyed Knucklehead's long blonde hair covering his cheek and ear. Knucklehead then turned himself to face Adagio with a glare on his face which catches Adagio with complete surprise.

"Listen hear woman, i'm apart of something dangerous and serious, i'm risking my life here telling you this story because i don't believe ending an innocent life is fair!, so do me favour and watch how you speak to me and count yourself lucky that i'm a decent enough person to come here and help you out, when i could've easily just mind my own business and not interfere." He finished with an icy glare.

Adagio did not take kindly to this as she rose to her feet as well to confront the angry teen, though she only stood to his nose in height, she continued to stare down the bigger teen with a icy glare of her own.

"Well excuse me for being curious and caring for that child, i mean if you told this to anyone else they would ask you the same thing, because by the sound of it you know this child and his brother well enough to spark suspicion in your story. So why don't you do me a favour and tell me everything and stop hiding the real truth!"

Knucklehead gritted his teeth with frustration and anger.

"FINE!! if that's how you want it i'll you everything.! That child's big brother's name is Cliff dust, he was a few years younger than i was, but i knew him well enough as i said earlier, he stole just to keep him and his brother alive, hell he even attempted to steal from me once, but i set him straight and told him to stay clear of my business and my stuff. After that he never bothered me again, instead he told me his reasoning for the things he does and to be honest i did not care at the time....Until now, when it's too late." Knucklehead softened his expression and continued on." Look not too long ago Cliff mugged the wrong the person and that came back to bite him in the form of a butterfly knife. The person Cliff mugged tracked him down to his apartment a few days ago and i assume he killed him, but his little brother managed to escape and ever since that day, he has been on the run for his life. He does not deserve this, he's just a boy. Knucklehead finished with a solemn look on his face.

Adagio who was listening the entire time also softened her expression and looked on towards the emergency doors sadly before she turned her gaze towards Knucklehead.

"Why are you in danger for telling me this information?"

Knucklehead sighed before answering. "Look i'm apart of something very serious and dangerous right now and there is no turning back for me at this point. If you want to know my story, well your gonna have to wait until another time because i'm not important right now, but what is important right now is making sure that kid survives and gets a loving family to protect him and guide him along the right path." Knucklehead finished with a serious look on his face directed towards Adagio.

Adagio was touched by Knucklehead's words and gave a small smile towards him. "You know.. You are a decent person to come all this way for a child, though i would like to find out more about you, i wont rush, just come tell me in your own time." Adagio went up to the big teen and rested her right hand on his shoulder. At first Knucklehead gave her a puzzled look, but soon it turned into a slight smile. He gave Adagio a small nod and decided to leave at that point. But as he was about to leave, he was stopped by Adagio who held his arm in her hand.

"Wait!. Won't you tell me your name?."

Knucklehead was taken aback by this and he began to sweat a bit. (C'mon man why you so nervous, she's only asking you for your name, just tell her the truth and be out with it already.) With one more sigh he turned to look at Adagio one last time and spoke.

"Well miss dazzle, i go by two names but you can call Rio lights." He nodded one last time. Adagio was a bit confused when he said he goes by two names but decided to drop and find out later.

"Well Rio lights, thank you for your information, it was greatly appreciated, and before you go." Adagio reached into her pocket to bring out a small white card and gave it out towards Rio indicating for him to take it.

At first he hesitated but in the end he slowly took it and read it. After reading it he blushed slightly and looked back at Adagio who was smiling at him. "I don't hand those out often but after our little talk tonight i would like to hear more from you in the future." Adagio still had her smile.

Rio just looked at her stunned and confused before he just decided to go with it. After he put the card in his pocket he gave Adagio one more nod with his head and decided to leave because his work was done and it was getting late. Adagio watched him leave for a few more seconds before seating herself and thinking about everything she has learned from Rio lights.

"This is going to be an interesting week for sure" Adagio smiled sweetly to herself.

                                                                                                                           (Meanwhile location unknown)

Inside a very messy apartment there was currently three police officers and one body bag laying down in the middle of the floor. The officers was talking amongst themselves while cleaning the room and looking for evidence as a murder just happened. then the front door burst open revealing a very big and muscular man with yellow skin, blue eyes, very long red spiky hair and a big red beard, making him look like a human lion. He wore a black suite with a white shirt underneath with a plain black tie, black bottoms and a pair of black shoes. This man was huge to say the least, he was a good 6 ft 7 to 6 ft 9 and those muscles he had were not for show. The other three officers noticed his arrival and two of them began to shiver while a female officer approached the big man and stood in front of him at attention.

"Detective inspector Hard stone, what a surprise to see you here, i thought you were solving another case in the neighboring town?" the female officer spoke with a confused look on her face.

"Hmph, you young whipper snappers need to mind yer own business, it's rude to be nosey" Hard stone spoke with a deep voice that made the other officers tremble a bit. "Anyway what do we have here? Hard stone walked past the female officer and towards the body bag laying in the middle of the floor.

"It's the body of a young teen sir, his name was Cliff dust, 15 years of age, attended Canterlot high school, cause of death was a single stab wound through the gut, and by the looks of things he's been dead for about 2 days now." Another officer spoke while handing hard stone a photograph of the teen's body. Hard stone looked at the photograph for a minute before finally putting it in his blazer pocket.

"Another youngin huh. Who found him?" Hard stone asked.

"Landlord sir, she was coming to the house to collect his taxes but there was no answer, so she used her key to get inside and found Cliff lying dead and the apartment a complete mess." The female officer spoke.

"Any relatives that lives here as well, like parents or siblings?

"Well according to the landlord Cliff dust has a younger brother who has been missing for two days and an older sister who served time in prison before she died by suicide. As for their parents well both of them are confirmed to be deceased as well." The female officer spoke with a sad look on her face.

" Marble dust eh, i remember her case from years ago, she got into a fight and ended up using a knife on another girl, she survived but was scarred for life after that while marble was sentenced for 12 years behind bars for her crime, ended up dying only 2 years in her sentence by hanging herself. And now another one bites the dust like the other three." He said coldly.

"SIR!, THERE WAS NO NEED FOR THAT LAST COMMENT!" the female officer said with a small glare on her face.

"Oh calm down and get a cuppa would you" Hard stone dryly said. Before he could continue he got a call from his cellphone and decided to answer it. (Hello this is detective inspector Hard stone speaking what do you want? i'm in a middle of a crime scene here. Oh. Ok i'll be right there in a couple of minutes. Understood. Ok goodbye. Hard stone hanged up his cellphone and put it back in his pocket and gave a sigh before looking out the window sadly, Something the female officer noticed.

"Everything ok sir?" She asked with concern.

"It's a cruel cold night tonight"

                                                                                                                            (Meanwhile back in the hospital)

Adagio dazzle was pacing back and forth from the hospital while deep in thought. First she had a random teen just pop up out of nowhere to tell her precious information about the child she brought in the hospital earlier evening, only to find out he has no one left to call a family or people to call friends, and second of all his life is in danger because his older brother mugged the wrong person and paid the ultimate price for it.And now this monster is coming after him. In this situation Adagio has alot to think about and actions to take that could affect har career and her sisters, but it would be for a good cause. Adagio was smiling to herself thinking about the choices she would make when he wakes up.

Her train of thought was disturbed when she she heard two sets of feet running through the hospital and a feminine voice yelling her name. She turned to look towards the noise and she saw her two younger sisters running towards her with looks of concern on their faces.

"Adagio! are you alright?" said the second oldest sister, Aria blaze who stopped in front of her scanning her older sister for anything suspicious or injuries.

"I'm fine dear honestly." Adagio answered while hugging her sister close, something Aria returned.

"Are you sure your ok?" another voice asked this time coming from the youngest of the three, Sonata dusk, who had a sad look on her face. Adagio turned to face her younger sister and brought her in for a hug as well reassuring her that everything is fine with her and that she is well.

"So Dagi, why are you here then?" Aria asked her older sister.

Adagio sighed remembering the story she heard from Rio lights earlier on. But her sisters had to know the truth even though it's painful to talk about his story she had to tell them. "Well girls, it's about time i tell you a story" Adagio calmly spoke as she begun her tail.

(Moments later)

Adagio has finished telling the story and the looks on Sonata and Aria's faces told her that they understood how deep this goes.

"That poor kid, that's too harsh for a child to go through," Aria spoke with a sad look on her face.

"The poor sweetie sure had it rough huh, that's not how a child is supposed to grow up anyway" Sonata spoke quietly.

Adagio looked at how sad her sisters are after hearing the tale and could only frown slightly as well, until Aria spoke up.

"Say Sonata, that RIo lights teen, isn't he the same age or a year younger than you?" Aria asked her younger sister.

Sonata looked at Aria for a few seconds then she put a finger to her chin and began thinking about the name. " I mean the name rings a bell, but i have to see his face to remember anything else" Sonata sighed.

"That can come later dear, because right now the moment i have been waiting for is coming." Adagio spoke as she turned her back towards her sisters and was now facing the other doors were she the nurse who took the child in coming out. The nurse reached Adagio and before she could say anything she noticed the presence of her two younger sisters standing behind her looking at her.

"O-Oh my, this is a honor and pleasure to see all three members of the Dazzlings gathered here for a child" the nurse smiled warmly at the three, something they returned.

"So, how is the child's condition, is he gonna make it?" Adagio asked pleadingly. The nurse walked closer to the worrying woman and placed her hand on her shoulder.

"He's going to be ok, right now he's just sleeping, i thinks the poor dear has been through alot for the past couple of days" the nurse sighed. Adagio and her sisters looked a little sad after hearing that as they understood what that child has been through.

"But in any case, the young boy is going to make a full recovery and should be awake at some point tomorrow, if you would like you could come in the room and see him, i think he would not mind waking up to your warm faces." The nurse finished with a warm smile.

Adagio was happy at the idea but she remembered that her sisters were here as well so she turned to them to see them giving her a warm smile of there own and nodding there heads. "Are you two sure?" Adagio was surprised to say the least. Sonata gave her a beaming smile while Aria spoke up.

"It's cool Dagi, go see the boy and we will be here for support." Aria finished.

Adagio smiled warmly at her two younger sisters and went to hug them both.

"You girls are the best sisters an older sister could ask for!" Adagio was smiling widely.

The nurse smiled at this sight and thought to herself at how wonderful sibling bonds are. After a minute of hugging Adagio turned towards the nurse again and told her she was ready to see him. The nurse nodded her head in understanding and beckoned the three girls to follow her to which they did.

Outside the hospital entrance doors Rio lights was leaning against the wall looking up at the night sky while deep in thought.

"You know something, what you did was really risky and stupid!" A new voice spoke up which snapped the big teen out of his train of thought.

"How long you been here Neo glow?"

"Long enough to see and hear what happened" the dreadlocked teen walked out of the shadows and to Rio lights.

"Your usually antisocial one of the group, so i'm surprised to see you hear, but that's not the point, Rio turned his head to look at the dreadlock teen. Whose side are you on?" The big teen looked at Neo glow sternly. The dreadlock teen just closed his eyes and folded his arms.

"I'm always on the interesting side of things" Neo smirked.

"Humph, suite yourself" Rio lights walked past the dreadlock teen and and gave him a pat on the shoulder, "Interesting situation for sure" Rio smiled as he walked into the cold winter night.

"We will just have to wait and see how the whole thing plays out" and with that said Neo glow walked off into the night as well, both teens thinking about how the future will play out.