A Thousand Lives

I quickly found out that all of Canterlot was not a literal Ivory palace. After running through the maze like roads I had found my true place. The criminal back alleys. While the Ivory palace was filled with wonder and glory, this was filled with danger and sin. I loved it almost as much. I moved like a criminal, sticking to shadows without hiding, and walking like I was the baddest bitch on the block. I saw my reflection in the mirror and stopped. I was blue... I was a blue freaking minotaur. I didn't know they came in blue. The only clothing on me was a chest wrap, and my bag. And I was still just as scarred. Each nail looked like a small circular scar that still faintly glowed. I also had my normal scars still, with the illusion making my scars seem larger to match the larger body. I never looked at mirrors, because I didn't want to know. But by God I looked terrifying. I smiled wickedly, looking like a pagan god of death. I turned to the alleys and walked forward, staring at the ponies as they walked. I bumped into a yellow stallion and waved a hand.

He paused, looking me over. "Hello zhere, you are new, no?"

I cracked a smile, which caused a minor flinch. I had to think of a personality. I went through my mental files as fast as possible, before settling on an old one. When I was on some oil platform I was a mercenary, who told stories. It was fitting for all the scars I had. Some mental adjustment made me an explorer with seedy backgrounds. With a mental mask on I began speaking. "Hello friend. I was told of a show in the area. I am in need of directions to some pony called Trixie."

The pony was staring at my scars before slowly nodding. He was still staring at the giant gash on my thigh. "Of course, Ze show vill be down ze street. Just exit the alley and turn to your right. Be varned, she haz a thing for audience participation."

I smiled and moved shouting behind me. "I shall tell you a story in thanks later. If we meet anyways. God guide you my friend!"

He looked confused as I ran off, but nodded and continued down the street. I walked through the alley, before leaving the alley and following the ponies directions. I found a sizeable crowd forming around a stage, a countdown written out of blue light sitting in the sky. It was going down, though I barely knew these pony moon runes. I moved up the crowd, my terrifying new suit clearing a path for me. I sat down directly under the stage, as a royal guard sprinted up to me. "Draitha you Celestia-forsaken fool!" She charged to a stop as I realized it was an armored up Silver.

She jumped up, and skid to a halt leaving a literal smoke trail behind her. I waved at her. "Ah, sister Silver. I have found the spot of the show. Would you like to join me in jolly cooperation?" Silver stared at me as if I spoke gibberish. I smiled wide. "Come my sister, we have a show to watch!"

"You are insane." Silver stated, trying to keep her face deadpan while siting beside me. She watched the countdown for a moment before leaning back. "Only a minute left, you gonna volunteer?"

I paused. The yellow stallion had mentioned that Trixie liked audience participation. I nodded. "Of course, I shall have to see this wondrous show from as close as possible."

The countdown flickered once, before exploding into sparks. A voice shouted from the stage. "Truly? A minotaur wishes to share a stage with the Great and Powerful Trixie? And what can she do that would even manage to pique Trixie's interest?"

I stood, smiling wide. "I am the most well-traveled being in the universe. I have seen things that would amaze and horrify, and I can share those tales with you. I have found the lost arts, and can wield them to inspire and destroy. I am the Vault Dweller of 13, and the Time traveller of Katorga 12. So I think what you should be asking, is why I should care about you." I moved up to the stage, and hopped up. Standing tall, I saw all ponies staring at my bared skin. But I didn't care, I was a bad-ass wanderer, not some lost little girl.

"Trixie supposes you sound impressive enough, we shall gladly see your show. Though be prepared to weep at Trixie's perfection when you see the peak performance she will put forth." With that the curtains parted wide, showing a rearing blue unicorn in a wizards hat and cloak. She stomped down, sending a path of glowing lights to the edge of the stage. She twirled her hair once. "Very well, Trixie will go first."

And go first she did. She raised a large circle of magic, before popping it with a hoof movement. The bubble exploded into multicolored light, as Trixie corralled the motes into a massive multicolored ball, which she bounced back and forth. "Would anypony like to play catch?" A stallion raised his hoof, and the ball sailed towards him. As soon as he touched it it exploded into a blinding white light, and the actual show began. I want to write down the show in exacting detail. I really do. But with God as my witness I couldn't do it justice if I tried. Giant illusionary creatures fought, and landscapes moved to Trixie's whim. It was glorious. By the end she had a slight sheen of sweat, but an immensely satisfied smile. "Well, can you match Trixie's skill?"

I shook my head. "Your illusions? No." Her face dropped an inch before I sat on the stage. "But I will show you how to truly capture a crowd." I ran through a few of the shows I had done before. I nodded my head at the show I had in mind. I would tell the story of the mask I had edited for this disguise. I looked over the ponies. "Hello, ponies of Canterlot and beyond. I wish to share with you the story of another world. I wish to tell you the story, of Genesis" With that word I rose my hands, and an illusionary globe appeared between them. There was a small gasp as I moved my hands, increasing the size of the earth in my grip.

"Long ago, in the far lands of Earth, there was a man. He was loyal to his country, a true patriot to his home." I closed my hands, making the globe disappear. "He only trusted one person, his teacher. A woman so powerful, she was only known, as the boss. However, as a loyal soldier, he was told to kill her." There were gasps, as I tried to remember the scene. I wasn't there for it, but I had seen it played in it's game. Which was still super weird. "Vigilous Boss" And the field was there. Snake pointing a rifle at the fallen boss. There was silence as the crowd stared, then the gunshot rang out. The boss jerked, and died as I dismissed the scene. "And what did he get? What did his land give him for this?" I paused, as I saw thoughts run through the crowd.

Some thought land or titles, but none looked close to the truth. "He was betrayed. Again and again. By the woman he loved, by the friends who helped him. He was betrayed by all, with only two exceptions." My arms moved, one of my rings being used to leave a chain of sparks. "Two friends stood by him, and made a new nation. A nation of soldiers, which they called, the Diamond Dogs." I showed the logo, and looked at the crowds confusion. I ignored it as I continued. "And while he had many adventures, they are not the tale I will tell. Today I will tell you of the final stand of a lone woman in his group. Laughing Dingo, the wandering soldier."

My hands clenched into a single, clubbed, fist. "Vigilous Dingo." I revealed myself, as I was then. Solid black fatigues, a ballistic mask, and a rifle on my side. "This woman joined freely, and managed many successful jobs. She even fell in love. I tinkered with the illusion, bringing in Grinning Hyena. He was a tall lean man, carrying only a revolver on his hip. "But alas, tragedy seemed inevitable. They were sent on a simple mission, on which should have ended easily enough." I dispelled this illusion, and wiped the sweat off my brow.

Unfortunately they were attacked, set upon by foes that would not rest until they were struck down. "Vigilous Failure Forty Two" I'm not gonna lie, this hurt even behind the mask, but I was to into it to back down now. Above me the sky turned into a large illusion. Bullets rained and mortars fell. Me and Hyena hunkered behind a rocky Afghanistan hill side. Rounds flying around us, Hyena peeked out to line up a shot, before a round split his head, making him fall as a lifeless husk on the dirt. "Hyena fell, and the true tragedy began. As I said, Dingo was a wanderer. What I didn't mention was that it was not of her free will." My past self held Hyena close, and you could faintly hear my true voice sobbing as I held him. I let out a sigh, and focused on the story. "Her time there was up, and after watching her love die, she left. A portal appearing, and dragging her away. Never again to see him, or even say goodbye." A white hole appeared beneath Dingo, and she desperately pawed at the dirt. I remembered trying my hardest just to hold him a moment longer, as the portal sucked me in. I flinched.

"And my friends, that is the sad tale of Laughing Dingo. She passed though that world, leaving all she loved behind. Take this tale to heart. If any of you have someone you love, grab them. Hold them close, for you never know when they will leave, or when you must leave them." I let out a sigh and stood, disrupting my illusion and taking a deep bow. "I hope you enjoyed my show dear ponies. I am not much for impromptu tales, so if you wish for me you must find me with a scheduled show." I looked at Silver's expression of mild horror and sorrow. "Though I doubt my business partners will allow it."

The ponies began filing out, and I heard several clinks as coins fell into waiting cups around the stage. Though they seemed a bit spooked. I guess they didn't like tragedy. I turned and saw Trixie staring at my face from the respectable distance of half an inch in front of my face. I responded calmly. "JESUS FUCK FRIEND!!"

I spasmed back as Trixie stared at my quick retreat. She quirked her head before smiling. "You have a talent worthy of notice. Trixie offers you a meal in her home in exchange for your wonderful tale."

I smiled wide. "I would love to." I paused and glanced at Silver, who was now chewing her lip thoughtfully. "Assuming my escort approves of our unscheduled change of plans."

Silver seemed to snap back up. She glanced around before finding a clock mounted on the next door building. "Yeah, we got until three before the train leaves." I followed her eyes and saw the clock. Luckily it was analog, so I could see it was about one-thirty.

I smiled at Trixie. "Lead on my fair-weather friend. We must hurry, unless I wish to miss my ride."

Trixie smiled. "But of course, allow Trixie to show you the way to her wonderful carriage." She led me behind the stage, to a small carriage. I stared at it a moment before Trixie spoke. "Do not worry, Trixie has placed a spell upon it. It is large enough for you on the inside, so long as you don't try to explore Trixie's various rooms."

I saw her walk in, her doorway was solid black, but seemed safe enough. I followed, ducking beneath the door frame and entering into a large dining room. I also heard a static discharge as a small bolt of lightning zapped me. I wrapped my fingers around Yasumori, and paused. Trixie had turned to look at me, and froze. That was probably less than good. I looked down. Oh. I'm not a pretty minotaur anymore. "Fuck."

I heard hoofsteps as Silver walked in behind me. There was another zap, and I heard her speak in barely more than a whisper. "Buck." Yeah. My thoughts exactly.