Darkness Arrives

Chapter 2

Psychological Profile by Dr. Freepony

Life for Dark Tides was always the same. An endless cycle of misery and broken friendships. At least, this is what we think. No matter everypony’s best efforts, nopony has made a successful profile on him. He is just too unpredictable.

What we do know, from what he’s told us, whether or not this is true remains to be seen, is that he was born in Las Pegasus. At a young age, Tides’ family moved to Manehattan. His family, a Mrs. Star Tides and Mr. Rip Tides, were very rich and lived in the upper quarter of the city. Their life was just fine until Tides’ 15th birthday. Dark and Rip were fishing on the ocean just east of the city. Star had just finished dinner and was calling them in, when she noticed that their boat was getting farther and farther out. She continued calling, but the boat only got farther out into the ocean. After calling the city guard, fearing for their lives, the boat was pulled onto the shore. They searched the boat, only a few things were missing, a raft and some rations. Rip was nowhere to be found and Dark remained silent. His demeanor was reported as “lacking emotion, his eyes seemed empty and glass-like.” Rip was never seen again.

Presumed dead, Rip’s only will left all of the family money in the hooves of Dark Tides. With Tides the leader of the family, their fortune only grew. They acquired businesses from all corners of Celestia’s empire. Everything seemed to be going as good as it could get. Until it all went horribly wrong.

Like his father, Dark suddenly disappeared one day. All of the money his dynasty had accumulated was gone with him. Authorities searched far and wide, fearing that someone was after the Tides family business, but Tides nor any corporate villains were ever found. What they did find made them wish they were never searching in the first place. A body. Mutilated, broken, torn to pieces, it had no face, it was ripped off. It was never identified, but it was clear who it was. Dark Tides was dead, ripped apart by an unknown assailant.

Tides closed the folder. He had read over the report more times than he dared, or cared, count.

It’s fine, they’ll never find us. Who knows. They’re probably not even looking still, said the Voice.

“Oh buck no, Star would never let me die ‘while I still had work to do’.” Tides replied.

Ugh, is she even still in Manehattan, or did you lose her?!

“Don’t doubt my abilities, they are just as good as yours’, after all, I am a product of your attributes.”

Ok. Whatever, I wouldn’t even be here if it weren’t for what you did to your - wait someone’s coming.

“Alright, shut up then.” Tides snapped.

Tides looked through the peephole on the door to the Manor. It was Rarity, back for her third visit this week.

Somepony is rather taken with you, said the Voice.

“Oh shut up.” Tides replied. He opened the door and let Rarity in. She seemed confused.

“Darling, is there somepony else here?” She asked, her tone was curious yet friendly, “I heard you talking.”

“No, there’s nopony here just me in a lonely old Manor.” Tides replied.

“Well, like I said, we could rectify that if you’d only listen to me and pay me a visit at my boutique.”

“And I’ve been busy, Miss Rarity.” Tides said with a sassy tone.

“Well, Mr. Tides, all you do is sit in the lonely Manor. I’m beginning to think I’m wasting my time…”

“Oh, fine, fine, fine, fine, I’ll go to your silly boutique.” With a flair of success, Rarity sauntered out of the Manor, with Tides close behind.

Twilight suddenly awoke in her treehouse. She had no recollection of getting there or leaving the town square at all. Last she remembered she was hearing about that new stallion Tides. What she didn’t know was why everyone was so riled up about him. He was just a new pony. Ponyville got lots of them every year. What was so different about Tides? I have to figure out who he is if he’s going to stay in my- I mean, our town. She walked to the window in her bedroom. She saw Tides and Rarity trotting towards her boutique. He’s already gotten to some of the townsponies it seems. I can’t let that happen. If he gets a hoofhold in this city it’ll be impossible to get him out. Twilight sprinted out of her treehouse. She charged towards Tides and Rarity.

Unlucky for Twilight, Tides heard her coming. He heard her hoofbeats about 50 yards away. His mind did an automatic surroundings check. He was unarmed, possible improvised weapons could be… a fencepost, weeds as a garrote, rocks, his mind swam with plans, he could jump the fence to his right and make a run for it, or throw Twilight over it and run for the safety of the city. No she knew the city too well to be confused by it. Why don’t we just fight her, how much of a fight could she put up? Said the Voice.It wasn’t a bad idea. However killing the local hero would not put them on good terms with the locals. Perhaps a negotiation would sort this out, there had to be something she wanted. Or is the Princess too good to be bribed with common trinkets. We will need to sort this out with words and not hooves, it seems, how unfortunate. Said the Voice. All in about half of a second, Tides already had his plan of attack, or the lack thereof. Twilight will take awhile to get here, perhaps we could play the hero with Miss Rarity?

“Wait,” Tides paused for a moment, “Somepony’s coming.” He lifted Rarity over the nearby fence and “braced himself” for any attackers. When Twilight came into view, he loosened a bit.

“WHAT DO YOU WANT WITH RARITY?!” Yelled Twilight, still at a distance.

“Chatting, is that illegal in this dwelling?” Tides replied, keen to retain his dignity in keeping his voice at a polite volume.

“TAKING OVER THE TOWN IS ILLEGAL!”

“Twilight, what are you going on about?” Rarity interjected.

“DON’T YOU SEE WHAT HE’S TRYING TO DO?” Twilight yelled back.

“No, and why don’t you get closer so you don’t have to yell!” Rarity replied. Twilight reluctantly edged closer, never ripping her gaze from Tides. She stopped next to Rarity’s ear.

“Rarity, Tides is going to do something… something bad, I can feel it.” She whispered.

“Well I apologize, but ‘I can feel it’ is not enough, he’s done nothing that indicates malicious intent.” Rarity whispered back. Twilight backed off. A fight here would be most unfortunate, she thought. She trotted past Tides, bumping into his shoulder as she did, whether or not it was purposeful was unclear. Tides simply bade her a sideways gaze and a cold stare.

The rest of the walk to Rarity’s boutique was silent, Twilight’s outburst killing all desire for conversation. Rarity was the one, however, to break the silence.

“You’re lucky.” She said.

“You can say that again.” Tides mumbled.

“No, about Twilight, I said that you’ve done nothing of malicious intent, that’s not true, what you did to Big Mac’ was certainly malicious.” She replied.

“Is defending yourself considered hostile these days?”

“No, but nearly killing somepony over it is.”

“I’ll apologize if necessary, but I won’t justify my action, I needed to instil fear to prevent further confrontation.”

“No need to apologize to me, I think your actions were justified, however Big Mac’ may not take it as well as I.”

“But we know he won’t be confronting me about it.” Tides said with a wry smile. Rarity simply cocked her eyebrow with a sideways look towards Tides. You’re really hitting it off! Said the Voice.

They finally reached the boutique. They went inside and were confronted with an unholy mess.

“Cozy” was the only word that Tides could articulate.

“Oh shut up, I would've cleaned up if I thought you’d actually come over.” Rarity replied.

“No it’s fine, I don’t mind a mess. I wasn’t lying when I said ‘cozy’.” Tides plopped down on the nearest couch. Rarity simply looked at him with a mix of confusion and curiosity. Tides looked around nervously and lightly tapped the couch cushions next to him.

“It’d be a start.” He said. She also plopped down at the couch, silently marveled at the unprofessionality she was showing, almost unconsciously. He summoned a drink, “So why did you call me to this,” he looked around the room, “humble abode.”

“Well… at first it was to know you better, but over time it evolved, into almost an obsession.” she replied. Holy shitholyshitholyshitholyshitholyshit, said the Voice. Tides ever-so-slightly cocked his head to the side, a silent sign for the Voice to shut the buck up. Fine whatever, your welcome for the help, it said, and crept back into its’ corner of Tides’ vast mind.

“Is that right?” Tides said slowly and sultry-like.

“Truly…” She responded in kind.

Tides and Rarity talked for hours. The subjects were random and sometimes embarrassing. It was late by the time their conversation was over.

“I should get going.” Tides said.

“Oh no, it’s dark and you’d get lost, stay here, where it’s safe and ‘cozy’.” Rarity replied.

“Very well, as you wish.” It didn’t take long for Tides to settle in and fall asleep.

Tides awoke in the middle of the night. Rarity was resting on his chest. He deemed it inappropriate to be found in this state in the morning, both for him and her. He put on his hood and trotted out the door of the boutique, stealing one last glance at the sleeping beauty on the sofa. Oh c'mon, you know you want to! The Voice said.

“You’re damn straight I want to.” Tides said, and walked out the door.

He didn’t get far before he got tackled. It was Twilight. She pinned him to the ground.

“I don’t know what you’re up to Tides, but I’m going to find out.” She said.

“You can never imagine what I’m going to do,” Tides grabbed her neck, causing her to tense up, “and by the time you do, it will be far too late.” With a quick thrust, Twilight was propelled into the nearby ditch and Tides disappeared into the night.