Chapter 1

Darkness Arrives

The day began like any other. Ponies got up went to the same job they’d been doing their entire lives. Ponies trotted back and forth across the crowded road at the bridge near nown. Nopony spoke when the hooded figure strode upon it. Like death himself, the stallion walked slowly, not acknowledging the confused and anxious faces trained on him.
He continued to stride towards the town despite the whispers of concerned ponies. Finally, the stallion known as Big Mac’’ trotted and blocked the hooded figure.

“Look, ah don’t like the look of ya, so why don’t ya waltz back down that path and leave us be?” the red stallion asked. The cowled stallion slowly looked up at the crimson face towering above him. The stallion’s brilliant mind already calculated thirty ways to end Big Mac’s life, but he deemed it unnecessary, a waste of energy. In a split second, Big Mac’ on the ground, gasping for the breath just ripped from his lungs. The figure looked down at Big Mac’s writhing body.

“Cross me again, and your breath will not be the only thing I steal from you.” He whispered. Big Mac’ coughed.

“You got it mister.” He croaked. Nopony dared come to Big Mac’s rescue, or even to move. The figure resumed his walk towards Ponyville.

By the time the hooded stallion reached the town square, the Princess of Friendship had already been alerted to the attack on one of her friends. She rushed down to the square, where the stallion was patiently waiting. She charged a spell, ready for anything he might do.

“Who are you? Why have you come here? Why did you attack Big Mac’” She blurted out.

“My name is Dark Tides, I’ve come to live here, and Big Mac’ was in my way,”, he glanced over to Twilight, good enough for you?” Twilight lowered her spell.

“For know.” She said.

“Then you will give me the living quarters I desire?” Tides asked.

“Not quite. I need to inform Princess Celestia of your arrival. If you’re half as dangerous as I think you are, she will need to know who you are.” Tides’ head snapped to meet her gaze.

“You will do no such thing.” He said. Suddenly, Twilight felt very calm about their new arrival, all concern for their left her mind.

“You’re right, she doesn’t need to know what will not affect her.” She droned, “You can live in the house at the end of the street, third house on the left.”

“I thank you.” Tides said. He trotted towards his new home, “That spell will not hold for long, sooner or later her suspicions will reignite, but she won’t be contacting Celestia.” He muttered. The voice in his head woke from its’ corner of his mind, We will be set up by then, that will make it harder for her to remove us, do some favors for the locals and they’ll be less inclined to vacate you. Tides always had that little voice in his head, he didn’t know what it was or how he got it, but he always liked it, it was someone, something, to talk to. He never told anyone about it, never saw the reason to. He trotted up the steps of his house. The home seemed well kept and was not in any disrepair. The furniture looked expensive and the style looked professional. Looks like your spell worked a little better than I thought, the voice spoke. Tides silently agreed, this home was certainly luxurious. He didn’t need a big and expensive house, but it didn’t hurt either. He removed his hood and cloak, letting his dark purple coat shine. He was not an unattractive pony, he had had his fair share of romance over the years, His mane was short and he had a 5 o'clock shadow from his restless days on the road. He hadn’t slept in days. He went to the bedroom and fell into a deep slumber.

On the other side of town, another pony was just waking up. The beautiful unicorn mare Rarity was just awoken by the noise of a crowd gathered outside.

“Good heavens, what could be so important that they need to gather this early.?!” She snapped. She threw back the covers of her bed and trotted over to her second-floor window. She saw a large crowd around the bridge on the edge of Ponyville.

“This practically begs my attention. It seems my morning will be restless until this matter is put to rest.” She didn’t dress up like she usually would for a crowd, if they woke her, they’d have to deal with her the way they woke her up. She left her boutique and rushed over the ever-growing crowd.

“Excuse me, pardon me!” She said as she made her way to the front of the crowd. The center of the crowd was circled around Big Mac’, passed out on the side of the road.

“Good lord, what happened?” She asked nopony in particular.

“Some new pony didn’t like him getting in his face.” A voice responded from the crowd.

“Well, who could do something so barbaric to such a peaceful stallion?” She asked.

“He went inside that nice house down the road.” Another voice responded. Rarity looked to where he was pointing. The Manor? Well that can’t be right. Twilight wouldn’t just let any old pony live there, she wouldn’t even let Fancy stay there, she thought. She walked down towards the Manor where the new pony was staying. The door wasn’t locked and she entered very quietly. She had no idea who this pony was, she had to be careful.

The Manor looked empty upon inspection, she couldn’t find anypony. Suddenly, she heard a crack behind her. She whipped around and saw a hooded pony glaring at her.

“Who is my first visitor?” The pony asked. Rarity caught her breath. The loud noise gave her quite the startle.

“Ahem, my name is Rarity, and yours’?” Rarity asked.

“Dark Tides, but a mare as ladylike as you may call me Tides.” Rarity giggled, He’s certainly a friendly stallion. Even after the beating he have Big Mac’.

“Pleased to meet you, er… Tides.” She responded. Tides sensed her discomfort.

“I apologize for my entrance, I had to be sure you weren’t a burglar. Of course now that I look at you, I see my suspicions were foolish.” He reassured her.

“Apology accepted. I understand ponies barging into your home can’t be commonplace where you live.” She responded.

“I don’t know, is it?”

“What? You’re living here?”

“Is that a problem?”

“Well, you can’t be on the Apples’ good side after the stunt you pulled at the bridge.”

“Oh? Anypony I should be scared of?”

“Well, after knocking Big Mac’ unconscious, there’s not many more stronger ponies in Equestria. I’m impressed.”

“It was not my goal, but thank you.”

Rarity was shocked by how accepting she was of Tides, if it were anypony else, she would have been furious at them. But there was something … charming about Tides that she dare not let go of.

“So why have you come to Ponyville?” She asked, not wanting to lose Tides’ interest.

“I got tired of the big city, decided to move out here. I guess I made the right decision.” Rarity could’ve swore the blushed. Tides was definitely as ladies man.

“Well, I’ve got to get back to my boutique, perhaps you’ll visit sometime?” She asked.

“Certainly.” Tides responded. And with that Rarity was out the door. Tides looked around his empty house, already saddened by its’ emptiness. Well, it’s not completely empty, the voice said.

“I guess.” Tides responded. Wow, ten seconds ago you were Prince Charming and now you’re just a lonely puppy? Pathetic.

“Oh shut up.” Tides snapped. Make me.

Author's Note

So, after the lack of success of my last fic, I decided to make a new one. I think, I hope, that this fic is going to to better.