Chivalry Reborn

Chapter 27:

Meeting the Mare of the Night

Note: From here on out, expect to see background music links to appear in parentheses. They are not needed to enjoy the story, but merely pieces that fit the mood. Try to notice the trends between the music chosen and the characters in the scene. You may find some clues!

By the way, I'm adopting this element from great fanfic author k12314, the writer of fellow HiE stories How Did I Get Here and Le Retour. If you have not read his works, here's a spot to start.

Onto the chapter. Enjoy.

(Play this music if you wish. Not really needed, however.)

Running down the street that led to the other side of Ponyville, I sped my way down the path, giving chase to the burglar. Though my mind told me not to pursue her and just go to contact the authorities, something else told me I had to find out what the heck was going on here. Besides, with the whole ordeal of “possible human criminals” going about, I couldn’t exactly let this break-in slip by under my nose.

I could at least see my own footing though, thanks to the bright moonlight and stars now lighting the sky. If it wasn’t for Princess Luna being so elaborate, there wouldn’t be a chase to begin with. I would have to say thanks for her handiwork the next time I saw her.

I narrowed my eyes ahead, getting a good view of the thief. She was wearing all dark colors, obviously to blend in with the darkness. She had a gray fully woven bodysuit on, reaching all the way down her forelegs, stopping at the joint of her hind legs and with no holes or gaps in it; not even for her tail to come out (if she even had one). She had a small jet black sweater over her suit too, for some reason. It seemed to only reach halfway down her forelegs, and only covered about half of her torso.

She also had a mask on, covering her nose, mouth, ears, and mane. The only things that probably weren’t covered were her eyes. Most interestingly, however, was the fact that she had socks on her hooves. Was she wearing those to make sure her hoofsteps wouldn’t give her away? Not bad.

She was a fast one, alright, keeping a good distance between us. She was also very agile, leaping and sidestepping by boxes in the way without really regressing in speed. I kicked the boxes aside as I got to them. I didn’t have the skill to move very well as a pony, but I was strong enough to knock them away. I couldn’t afford to let her get too good a lead.I’m not letting her slip by that easily!

I stumbled every so often over my own legs, due to the lack of adjustment to galloping rather than running on two legs. I grunted, quickly regaining balance and boosting myself forward a little to make up for lost distance. I probably could move faster if I was a damned human... I mentally contemplated transforming back. I shook my head, dismissing the idea. No, that’d be careless. Not only was I chasing someone, but it was down a main street of the city. I’d be stupid to change back and risk exposing my dual identities to anyone who could be watching.

She slid around the corner, moving into the residential area. Residential is basically the most lined up section of all of Ponyville, with a good amount of the houses nicely in a row. She’d have more freedom there than she just did in the marketplace. I let my hooves skid across the pavement, swinging myself around the corner. I thrust myself forward, going back to a full gallop. It may be me imagining this, but I think I’m faster like this!

The robber seemed to be slowing down. She must be reaching her limit. I couldn’t blame her.I’m kind of running out of breath myself. The adrenaline is wearing off, and we’ve basically run across the entire city in a single chase.

The robber suddenly made a right turn into an alleyway behind an old workshop about 10 yards ahead of me. That stupid horse, now she’s trapped! There’s no way out now, that’s a dead end!

(Stop music)

I skid turning down the narrow opening, seeing the thief who spun around to face me. I sighed; getting my breath as I quickly analyzed the path.

She had come to a blind alley alright. There was nowhere in here for her to go anymore. There were only a bunch of boxes and crates here, and it’s not really possible for her to climb out, seeing that they were scattered, not stacked. Not to mention she was panting, obviously tired from all the running, and there was no way she could wriggle around me in a passage this narrow. Game over.

“What the hell were you doing breaking into that house?” I interrogated, slowly taking a step into the alley.

She just stared me down, cautiously taking a step back, not saying a word.

“Well?” I asked, raising my tone and moving forward more steadily. “You’ve got nowhere to run. Come clean and maybe we can work out something that doesn’t end up with you being behind bars in a prison cell.” In the back of my head I hoped there was such a thing as prisons in this world.

She just kept backing away, watching me with her green eyes.

“It’s the end of the road.” I said, closing in on her. I furrowed my brow, movingcloser. “Turn. Yourself. In.”

She kept moving away until her hoof tapped against a big crate that was against the back wall. She glanced back at it before looking back to me. Is that a smile I see under that mask…?

“…Hey.” I started, starting to walk faster towards her. She’s not seriously going to try, is she?

She crouched down slightly, leaping onto the crate.

“Hey!” I shouted, starting to dash towards her.

She leaned forward, pressing herself down against the crate as much as she could, before flinging herself upward, just before I could reach her.She arched backwards as she ascended toward the sky, soaring through the coolnight air. She flipped backwards in a perfect rainbow arc.

I just stood there, awe-stricken by what I was seeing. That’s just EPIC.

Tap

Not to mention unfair.

She landed on top of the roof of the workshop on all fours, making only the lightest tap on the top of the building. She raised her head, seeming to enjoy my shocked expression, her jade eyes shining in triumph as she looked down at me.

She gave a quick wink, before turning around and hopping from sight.

“Shit!” I grumbled to myself, turning and speeding around the workshop. There was no way in hell I could make a jump like that as a pony.

I slide in front of the short building glancing around myself, searching for the thief.Where are the damned feds when you need some!?

“Uuuggghhh…damn..!” I swore to myself, slinging my head around to look down another alleyway.

Nothing.I can’t hear anything, either. Damn my blasted assumptions.

…Wait, wait…

I was about to keep scolding myself until I thought about things more calmly. If she managed to ditch me, and she went this way the last I saw her….then…

I automatically spun to the northwest, running back down the same street I chased the thief on. If she ditched me…

…She probably came back to the scene of the crime.

I slowed to a careful trot, approaching the street outside of Town Square. I looked around the street carefully. The air was still, and the moon was higher than it had been before.

I quickly caught sight of the building I was looking for: a small house with a bright grape painting on it. It had a simple roof with a strawberry on one of the sides. I huffed, walking around the home slowly, trying not to make too much noise.

If I remember right, the window was wide open when she sped off. I started to reach the corner that had said window around it. Then if she came back, chances are the window was still open, right?

I peeked around the corner to get a glimpse. The window was closed shut.

Huh?

I walked out, glancing around for a moment to check my surroundings. No one nearby, and the lights in the house are out. I approached the window slowly, pressing a hoof on the underside and pushing up with a bit of force. It didn’t budge. Locked too…

I placed my hoof back on the ground, staring at the window. Did the folks inside wake up and find the window open and then just decide to close and lock it before going back to bed..?

I leaned over the windowsill, inspecting it closely. It had a simple locking mechanism on the inside. On the far left end was a small bit of a broken metal bar wedged into the bottom of the window.  I blinked, tapping the metal lightly with a bit of my hoof. It’s still warm. I blinked at the sensation. Must have broken off from the friction and she left it without noticing, which basically meant…

I glanced over my shoulder. Nothing but darkness and the light sound of crickets in the distance responded.

I had *just** missed her.* I smacked my lips in distain, going back to the metal bit.

So if she got in through the window, how’d she get out while locking the window, her point of entry, and leaving..?

I shot another quick peek inside. Nothing looked disturbed or moved out of place. Eh, I’ll have to think about that one later.

I began to turn around, walking toward the bridge to the park when I heard a light ruffling in the wind.

I sighed, looking back. There was a note right under the window, fluttering in the air, as it stayed tacked to the house.

I blinked, walking towards the small note.Why is that there? I bent down to look at the note. Is this from the thief? I slowly began to put my finge-

Hooves.

“…”

I deadpanned at my forelegs with a slight glare. Damn you nature, and your lack of animals with fingers.

I groaned in annoyance as I licked my teeth clean. I hate this…

Reluctantly, I wrapped my lips around the handle of the tack, pressing my teeth against it on both sides.I pulled out the tack with the note still hanging by the end. I then stuck the note on the wall beside the window, letting the small piece of paper bathe in the light of the stars.

The note seemed to be a small letter, written in a very clean and impressive penmanship. It was in cursive, and had the light smell of perfume on it. This had to be from that mare.Fixing my glasses that were just hanging really far down my snout, I began to read the note.

My, oh my. I wasn’t expecting to get that amount of exercise from my little routine. Certainly rare to see other ponies walking about when it gets dark.

Not to mention meet a dashing gentlemen like yourself. You certainly know how to make a lady work for her prize. But in the end, I got what I came for~.

Tell you what, next time you go out on a midnight stroll, see if you can find me hanging about. Consider it a date~. I’ll be waiting, Mr. Hero~. ♥

Ms. E.S.

At the bottom right corner of the letter, there was a hairpin clipped onto the sheet, probably as a trademark. I was annoyed. This bitch basically ditched me, and is treating me like a toy. I HATE cocky people. I’m gonna find and catch her if it’s the last thing I do!

I paused for a moment, glancing behind me once more. Still nothing but the sight of the town sound asleep. I glanced around still. Why does it feel like I’m being watched..?

I shrugged off the feeling, sighing as I looked back at the note.

You know, thinking back, I could have just turned into a pegasus back in the alleyway. There was a much lower probability of me being noticed, not to mention I could have flown overhead and possibly catch her. Then again, it’d take a moment, considering I’d have to FIRST turn back into a human and THEN transform into a pegasus, I’d take too long, and I’d probably lose her anyway.

“Guh…” I groaned lightly. I hated losing, it made me analyze my mistakes thoroughly, and then promptly lash myself over them. It's not really because I was a perfectionist, but rather a strategist. This was probably due to the fact that my parents always played puzzle games with me and little else that didn't involve tactics.

Screw it, I guess I’ll just go home, then... Slowly, I clamped my teeth around the tack, placing my hoof against the bottom of the note. I quickly pulled the tack out while keeping the note in place, putting it to some random spot on the side of the wall. I then wrapped my lips around the edge of the note, making sure I wasn’t getting it wet, turning around and heading back home pissed and annoyed.

Times like this make you wonder what exactly serves as police around here…

On the other side of Ponyville Town Square, a small shadow bubbled in the darkness. The dimly dressed mare peeked out from behind a pile of boxes in an alleyway across from the central opening of the square.

She had done it. She got away with the goods, and without being found out or caught. She slipped another small giggle at her victory.

She gently pulled out the light blue pouch in her jacket pocket. She had just gotten out of the house right before that black stallion came running into view, and she had gotten what she wanted.

Her eyes slid back to the tall, dark mustang pacing across the opening and towards the bridge to the park. She could see that he was a bit peeved, seeing that he had a slight scowl on his face and was grumbling something. It wasn’t everyday somepony noticed her. Heck, aside from her teacher, she was always ignored during her daily life and her new little hobby.

A small smile curled under her mask.

But him…he could be fun. Lots of fun, indeed.

She glanced at the moon to find the time. It was time to report back to the teacher. She slipped her prize into her jacket pocket, flipping the flap shut to keep it inside. She then turned around and leapt from box to box until she lightly landed onto the roof without a sound. She swiftly moved across the top of the building, jumping over to the next structure without making a single sound. She couldn’t wait for tomorrow to come, she was getting giddy from anticipating more interaction with the mystery colt.

Equine Step had found herself a proper playmate.

I had found myself a random bitch of a thief as a new problem.

I groaned for the tenth time as I reached my house. I pressed the tack against the frame of my door, sticking it in enough to hang there on its own as I let go. I worked my jaw slightly, annoyed with the tingling sensation in it. Bloody ponies, how do they do it?

I gave a quick glance around myself. No one’s around, right? Good.

I closed my eyes quickly, standing up on my hand legs and letting the image of a human pop into my head.

Release

The flash of light and the sudden sensation of having natural balance on two legs told me it worked. I lightly stretched, popping my legs and arms. I’m still a bit tired from that dash. I plucked the note out of the wall, leaving the tack as I thought. But then again, I can’t really just leave my studies alone. I’ve done that enough. I glanced at the note in my hand, coming to a conclusion.

I’ll investigate more tomorrow, maybe somepony knows about this thief. For now, let’s just practice. I nodded to myself as I pulled my key from its harness, quickly singling out my house key and opening my front door.

I quickly stepped into my home, closing and locking the door behind me. I pulled out one of the chairs, took off my glasses and pulled out all the scrolls I’ve read so far.

Let’s see what I can pick up...

About an hour later, I found myself yawning loudly. Sleepy… I look at my watch, lightly dazed. 11:05 P.M. My eyes slid down to my work in front of me.

I was spending most of the time trying to figure out just what that last scroll meant. It’s way too vague for me. “Pulling out an emotion from my heart and bring it out into the world” is a little too poetic for me to fully understand. In the end, I could only come up with the conclusion that it probably meant I could only use it when I felt a certain way. I just didn’t know what emotions to feel or “bring out”.

Other than that, I’ve just been reviewing the other scrolls. I pretty much deducted that if I learned how to channel multiple elements to my hand using the Magician’s Touch and the STAMP, maybe I could use it as some sort of enhanced weapon, or maybe a wand, or something. I’ll have to look into that sometime.

I….really need to go to bed. I yawned, standing up from my chair. I slowly trudged myself to my bedroom, slipping my feet out of my shoes and plopping onto my bed, letting my legs drape from the side. Screw undressing, I’m tired.

Slowly, my eyes drooped downward, leaving me to slumber.

I groaned slightly as I felt the air suddenly grow cold as it blew past my skin, giving megoose bumps. My feet were suddenly wet up to my ankles, making my legs curl up to get them out. Slowly, I flickered my eyes open to darkness, with the light dripping of water falling into a bigger body of itself. Am I where I think I am…?

I sat upright, sliding my hand across the surface I was lying on. It was rough, hard, and damp. A rock..? I could guess where I was now, but I wanted to make sure. Besides, I couldn’t see crap, I needed a light anyway.

I dipped my hands into my pockets scavenging for my white glove, thankfully finding it near the bottom of my right pocket. For some reason, however, I couldn’t find anything else in my pockets. No cell phone, no wallet, no nothing. Weird. I quickly slipped the glove over my left hand, holding it out and concentrating.

Now…focus. I slowly let the image of my hand being covered in flames enter my mind.

Focus… Small flickers of fire snapped out from my fingertips in small bursts, before falling and fading into the darkness.

Concentrate… Finally, a small flame snapped around my hand, spreading a small field of light around me like a torch. I casually glanced around myself.

Let’s see here…navy blue walls, dark, damp, water dripping from the ceiling, and it seems to go on forever…yep, I’m in the underground for my soul. I sighed lightly. It’s never just a dreamless slumber, is it? Then again, at least the trips are consistent and make sense. I could also remember what happened in these dreams unlike the ones I had on my last days on Earth, so there was that.

I stood up from the piece of rock I had been laying on, taking a few steps forward to look down the path. I couldn’t remember which direction I was going, just the fact that Shadow ran off, and then I was attacked by that…that FREAK.

Speaking of, I still had no idea where Shadow ran off to. I glanced behind myself to see if there were any differences in the path. I can’t tell… I sighed, turning back around and walking forward slowly through the water. Fuck it, let’s go this way.

“Shadow~?” I called out into the cave, hearing my voice bounce along the walls.

….There was no response.

Damnit Shadow, where are you? “Shadoooow~!”

….Still nothing.

Ugh, goddamnit. I sighed, continuing down the cave. No choice but to look for these “emotions” to bring out myself until he shows u-

Haaa…

I froze as soon as I heard the menacingly raspy breathing. Up ahead in the middle of the path was one of those things, crouching down on all fours, picking at something like a wild animal, it’s back to me. I honestly wanted to turn around and hope he didn’t notice me, but something told me this was the right way.

Slowly, I stepped toward the creature. My hands were shaking slightly from fear, making the flame waver a lot more than a strong wind could make it, slowly inching my feet forward without really picking them up to not make a noise.  I quickly checked my waist for a weapon, certain I would have to fight it like last time. I couldn’t feel either of my knives in their holsters.

What!? My eyes shot down to my hip. There were indeed two empty loops where my blades should have been.

**WHY!?* Why is it not there!? I always go out with a knife!* I mentally groaned. My mind is so fucked up for messing with me like this…

I kept moving my hand to the side, gripping the small metal rod that was in its proper holster.My mind knew it would probably be better to just use my fist, but my hand...just wouldn’t let go. I pause to try and make myself let go of it, accidentally lifting my leg a bit too high.

Splish

Ha!?

(Optional Music)

The creature spun around to see what made the sudden noise. It was definitely, not an improvement of the last one I saw.

Its nose was very obviously broken; almost seeming like there had been an attempt to twist, no, rip the thing off. It had an awful amount of blood around its mouth too; it’s jagged, rotting yellow teeth bared towards me.

Whatever it was eating it had clenched in its hand, looking darker than most things I’ve seen, and seemed to be shredded, blood dripping from it. The smell that it had was absolutely wretched, the very crimson drops contaminating the water, reeking of a repulsive scent.

Oh hell… My eyes widened slowly as I shuffled back.

KHAAAAAA!!! The creature lunged out at me full force, mouth opening to try and eat its target.

“AH!” I yelped, bringing out the staff from its holder without thinking and putting it in front of me. Staffstaffstaff, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, *STAFF!!***

It bit down on the rod, making a loud Clink sound throughout the section of the cave, grabbing my shoulders as he pushed me into the wall.

HII*ISSSSSS*

It gnawed at the metal bar furiously, wanting to get at my face rather than a stick.  It constantly and wildly wriggled the staff in its mouth, frequently pulling and shoving against it to bring it away from my hands.

“Ugh..!” I grunted with effort, struggling to keep my only weapon in my possession. I could feel some rocks dig into my back, causing a sharp pack to go up my spine, ignoring them to the best of my ability.

“Let go, you freak…!” I snapped at the abomination through my teeth, wrapping my other hand on the staff for extra support.

As soon as my still lit hand made contact with the staff, the flames flew across the staff, engulfing both my right hand and the creatures head in a bright blaze.

“Ow!” I pulled my ungloved hand away immediately, still holding the staff firm with the other.How!?

AAAHHHHHHH!!!!!

It screamed in pain, pulling its mouth away from the suddenly harmful stick.

Gotta take it out before it can recover...! I charged forward, slamming the staff against the creature’s neck. I sped forward, baring my teeth and steadying my balance as I slammed the freak against the opposite wall.

KAAAAHHHHH!!! It continued to yell in agony from the scorching hot pole pressed against its body, the sound of sizzling flesh and the smell of burning rotten flesh starting to fill the air.

I didn’t care; I wanted to survive this. I knew full well this thing would eat me alive if I didn’t kill it now. Not to mention it will still be here tomorrow night if I don’t. I needed to take it out before it took me out. It needed to die, RIGHT NOW!

I glared at the monster shrieking before me, focusing on the image of the flame around my hand more than ever. The flames around my hand burned more brightly, causing the staff to quickly follow suit and make the creature scream even more. I don’t care how this works, it’s damn effective!

Without thinking about it, I pulled my right hand back, thrusting it forward and punching the creature in the face.

BAM

Its already wiggling tooth flew out, letting a gush of blood fly out with it. I small bit splashed across my cheek. I didn’t care; I still had to finish it. I pulled my fist back, throwing another punch.

Whack

I kept punching the creature in the face without pausing, not wanting to let it get the upper hand. I didn’t give a damn if this was a dream or not, I can still feel realistically here, and by that logic I could possibly DIE from the trauma, and that’s all that mattered. I don’t want to take any risks, so hurry up and STOP MOVING ALREADY.

Haaa….Kuaaaa….It was now breathing heavily, trying to wiggle itself free from the barrage of blows I was dealing. It flung its arms at me and tried to kick me, but just couldn’t reach me.

WHAM

Kaaaa….Huaa-

CRACK

….

(Music stops here)

It suddenly stopped moving with that last blow. Its arms falling to its sides, as it began to slump slightly.

“…” I stared at the creature before me, pulling my fist back in case it moved again. Its already battered face was now bludgeoned, almost completely broken on the right side.  There was a large blood splatter behind its head.

….Did I actually kill it…?

I felt sick. I was normally never bothered by the sight and smell of dead creatures, always going to morgues for field trips or for the tour of the college without batting an eye, but this….Killing something like THIS with your own two hands so closely and brutally made me want to throw up. I coughed, becoming nauseated by the heavy odor of death and decay. With the adrenaline gone, I couldn’t help but be disgusted by such a smell.

I started walking back down the path a few steps, just wanting to get away from the scene.  I paused for a moment, letting myself calm down. I gathered my mind, looking at my left hand. It was still on fire, with the staff in a blaze as well. I guess it’s the staff’s ability. It really DID work… I narrowed my eyes at the red glowing bar in the flames. It’s too hot to touch with my normal hand…better fix that.

With a small pause to prepare myself, I switched the staff between my hands, quickly crouching down and dipping it into the water below.

Sssss… Steam blew up against my face, my hand quickly going from burning for a moment, to warm, to cool again.  I slowly stood back up, keeping my sizzling left hand in the air. I glanced around the cave once more, planting the staff into the ground beside me. Now what…?

Haaa….

My thoughts were caught off guard by more frightening breathing.

But I *killed** it! I know I did!*

I glanced behind myself slowly. In the middle of the darkness were two slightly dimmer eyeholes, staring at me.

Haaaaa…

I paused, moving away from it a slowly. Just as I moved, more dim eye-shaped figures revealed themselves from the darkness.

HAAAA…..

A spooky melody of monstrous breathing came towards me, almost following my every move.

Oh, come on…! I spun around, starting to dash down the cavern path to escape from the pack of demons.

Very shortly I could hear a group’s worth of hands and feet, splashing along in the water behind me, giving chase.