Chapters The Everfree forest was a source of unrelenting danger and death. Those that thrived in it, thrived off the thrill of the hunt, the adrenaline coursing through their veins as they tear into their prey. The meek and feeble herbivores who inhabited the forest spent their lives in fear of death, running from the hunters. Clearings being the only safe haven for the hunter's prey to hide, during the day.
One such clearing housed a large figure, sprawled across the floor and unmoving to the untrained eye. A large sword was held tight in its grip, with a small leather sack sitting on top of the thing. Attached to the sack was a long black stick made of various materials. The being's body was covered in hard red scales, horns on its head, and a long tail protruding from below its waist. Simple leather pants wrapped themselves around the being's legs. Scars covered its unclothed chest, some intersecting and some parallel to each other.
Suddenly, it twitched. Then again before it quickly rolled, stood, and held its sword up in a defensive position. Pivoting around, constantly shifting its stance, scanning the treeline. Sliding its sword back, it held it by the handle and halfway down the blade. The trees rustled in front of it before I deer jumped out, walking towards the massive creature.
The being put its sword in a sheath on its back and reached out towards the deer. “Young one.” The being hummed in a deep baritone voice. “These woods, they are alien to me. Guide me.” He asked the deer.
The deer turned and hopped off, the being following close behind. He truly felt like an intruder in these woods, as if they were just as surprised as the being that he was here. Though they did not know who he was, they guaranteed him Safe Passage through them.
After a long time walking, the being was guided to ruins of a Castle long abandoned. It was decrepit, depressing, and falling apart. He mused that maybe it had once been a Castle of great importance, but now? Now it was nothing more than rubble.
Stopping just before an old rope bridge, the deer looked at the castle and stepped aside to look at the being. He nodded, patting the deer on the neck before he started to cross the bridge. With every step, it creaked and sounded as if it would bust at any moment. At the end, one of the ropes started to strain as if it was ready to snap. The being quickly leaped for the edge as the rope snapped.
Looking back at the bridge, he sighed. “No turning back now.” Turning away, he walked towards the castle. Observing the architecture as he walked, he smiled as he dragged his hand across a broken wall. “Dwarves. Built to last.” Spying a banner of two horses in a ying yang pose, one representing the sun and the other the moon. “But what house?” Meandering through the front door of the castle, the being saw an altar of sorts to what he did not know.
Kneeling in front of the altar, he pulled the black stick made of different materials off his pack and set it in front of him. “Ithquenti di nomeno treski.” He started as he bowed forwards and touched his forehead against the concrete of the floor before raising back up. “Nymuer ve, renthisj ekess be.” Holding his arms up high, he raised his voice and shouted at the top of his lungs. “Si mi Amenadiel, Arytiss di wer Imperiium.”
Opening his eyes, he found himself in nothing but darkness. “Warrior.” A voice hissed from all around him. “I... am the Night.” A blue mist started to surround him. “My rightful place hassss been… usssurrrrped .” He could feel something drag along the underside of his chin. “Fight for me… and I will give you, whatever you desire.”
Closing his eyes and opening them again, he heard hooves behind him as he lowered his hands. “We will discuss more later.” Bowing down and touching his forehead against the hard floor, he heard hooves approach him.
“What are you doing with the elements?” A female voice asked uneasily from behind the being.
Grabbing the black stick, he slowly raised and reattached it to his rucksack before grabbing the handle to his sword. Wordlessly, he drew the large sword and stood, turning around to find six tiny horses of various colors. Holding the sword in front of him, the being grabbed his bicep and crouched down slightly. “My purpose.”
“Twi!” The orange horse shouted as she grabbed the purple one and pulled her back before the large creature could start swinging his sword above his head, driving it into the spot where the purple one once stood.
The group scattered as the thing swung its sword again. The purple horse fired a beam that hit the thing in its back. Shrugging, he swung his sword in that direction to hit nothing. The blue one with the rainbow hair flew up high and slammed down into the tall being, knocking him off balance. The orange one took the opportunity to buck him in the back. Pushing him forwards for the pink one to pull out a cannon and blast him with what appeared to be confetti.
The large being was thrown backwards and hit the floor with a thud. A blue mist swirled past him and started to form into an almost normal sized horse. “Useless.” It muttered before turning to the six tiny horses, becoming fully formed. “No matter. I don't need minions to achieve Eternal Night!”
“Not if we have anything to say about it!” The purple one shouted back.
“Eternal Night?” The being asked as he slowly stood. Fixing his grip on the sword and stepping towards the six tiny horses. “Without light, there can be no darkness.” As he stood in front of the six horses, he turned around and raised his sword in a defensive stance. “And without the darkness, light cannot thrive.” Crouching down slightly, he slid his hand down his blade until it stopped halfway down. “I… am Amenadiel, Warrior of the Light so I may serve the Dark, Imperial Guardsman of the Imperiium of Draconic kind, and Beast Master of the Order of the Forgotten Realms.” Narrowing his eyes at the horse, he crouched down even lower. “And you just wrote your name in big red letters on my shit list.”
“You dare stand against me, knave?!” The horse demanded as she stomped her hoof. “I am a Queen! A God compared to you! I can raze entire Kingdoms to nothing! You are nothing to me! You understand? NOTHING!”
Launching forwards, Amenadiel slammed his head against the horse's and watched as it collapsed in a heap on the floor. “Good thing I slay Kings for a living.”
Turning his sword to the horse, he prepared to drive it into her before something inside of him called out. “Stop!” And before he could do any more, a rainbow of light engulfed his vision.
Chapter 2: Fox on the Run
Amenadiel floated in darkness, feeling nothing as he floated. Turning to his sides, he peered nothing but emptiness and the feeling of direction. He was upside-down, something he quickly corrected before a set of double doors appeared in front of him and opened up. A white horse almost as tall as Amenadiel stepped out with a hard gaze fixed on him.
“A stranger in these lands and the first thing you do is assist a Tyrant's greatest enemy.” She asked Amenadiel as he remained floating.
“Without darkness, the light cannot thrive.” The warrior responded simply.
“You say that as if you rehearse it in the mirror.” The white horse chuckled.
Smiling, Amenadiel folded his arms over his chest. “I rehearse a lot of things.”
“You're gonna need them.” She cleared her throat as her horn started to shine. “You think you're slick, so let's be quick. You hide behind what you seek to find. Emptiness fills your blackened heart, and death will follow like a poisoned dart. Heed my warning or meet your end. If you do not, you'll be mourning your untimely end.”
====----________----====
Amenadiel sturred from his rest, a steady beeping coming from something beside him. He looked over to the large metal contraption and then followed the wires connected to the machine to a spot on his bandaged chest. Grabbing the wires, he pulled them from his chest and sat up. The machine had let out a steady flat tone as the warrior turned and attempted to stand from the bed, falling to the floor. His legs felt numb and he looked down to confirm they were indeed still there.
The door in front of the bed he lied on opened up and a small creme horse stepped in. It sighed and walked up to Amenadiel. “Come on, back into bed. You're not healed yet.”
“I'll live.” Amenadiel said in a raspy voice. Coughing, blood shot from his throat and landed on the floor.
“After what you went through?” The small creme horse started, guiding the scaled beast to the bed. “I'm surprised you're alive and in one piece.”
He chuckled. “Tiamat will never let me die. She likes to watch me suffer.”
“I don't know who that Tiamut pony is, but you still need to recover.” After flopping Amenadiel onto the bed, she reattached the wires to his chest and the machine started to beep again.
“Nurse?” A groggy voice asked from the other side of the room. “Miss Redheart?” The male asked as a curtain was pulled back to show a heavily bandaged small horse lying in a bed. “Nurse, can you get water for us?” Wordlessly, the small creme horse walked out of the room and the bandaged one laughed. “Can't ignore me forever!” Looking over to Amenadiel, the small horse lied back in his bed. “You stuck here too?”
Nodding, Amenadiel sat up. “I have visited infirmaries before, but only for small wounds. Scrapes, scraps, cuts, bruises, and arrows lodged in my chest.” He smiled and gestured to his bandaged chest. “Though these bandages cover my prizes, they tell my history.”
“Bruised, beaten, yet still fighting?” The bandaged horse scoffed. “Sounds like my career as a Guard.”
The two were silent for a moment before the small horse started to rip the wires off his chest. “Who are you?” Amenadiel asked as the bandaged horse hopped off his bed.
Peaking through the window on the door, the bandaged horse shook his head. “You're talking to yourself.” He muttered, just barely being heard by the warrior. “You can call me Fox, but there's no time for talk.” Fox trotted over to the cabinet near Amenadiel and opened a drawer. Pulling out a needle, he slid it under one of Amenadiel's scales and pushed the plunger. “Morphine, you'll feel it soon.” Pulling the wires off of himself, the scaled warrior started to get off his bed before the bandaged horse pushed him back down. “Shh, nurse is coming.”
Ducking underneath the bed, the bandaged pony hid as the nurse walked into the room with a pitcher of water and cups on a tray. She saw the wires on the floor and rolled her eyes. “You have to wear the wires, it monitors your heartbeat. You start croaking without the wires on and we won't be able to tell.” The nurse reattached the wires and handed him the glass of water. “Drink up, you probably need it.” Amenadiel grabbed the water and took a sip, the nurse smiling softly. “There you go. Cooperation leads to you getting out of here faster.”
She turned and trotted out of the room. Fox rolled out from under the bed and went to check the window again. “We're clear, let's get moving.” Amenadiel pulled the wires off his chest again and attempted to stand. He had to hold himself up on the bed, but he could take a few shakey steps. “Morphine still not working? Give it some time, just crawl until you can feel your legs.”
“Where are we going?” Amenadiel asked as he crawled up to the door.
“Don't know.” Fox replied, peeking out into the hallway. “Out of here, but whichever way that is.”
“You don't know where we're going?” The scaled warrior asked as he crouched and followed Fox out the door and down the hallway. “Is this not a Infirmary?”
“It is.” The bandaged horse responded as he looked back and forth between the doors as they walked. “Seems to me it's a military hospital. Though, security is rather light.” Pushing a door open, Fox led Amenadiel into a stairwell and down.
Suddenly, a speaker crackled to life and the voice of the nurse came through. “Code Delta Pharaoh Lima on floor four. I repeat, code Delta Pharaoh Lima on floor four.”
The bandaged horse looked around the stairwell and picked up his pace. “That doesn't sound good. Come on, we are leaving.” He said as Amenadiel stood up fully and followed close behind.
They could hear a door burst open from above them and the scaled warrior stopped to look up. A small white horse wearing a gold helmet was looking down at him before it grabbed a small black box on its shoulder. “Patient Dragon is on floor three heading down. Repeat, patient Dragon is on floor three.”
“Run!” Fox shouted as he started jumping down the steps, Amenadiel following him. “We gotta get out of here!” Running down the steps to the first floor, the scaled warrior shouldered the door open and started sprinting down the hall. “Go right! Go right!” The two turned down the hall to be met by a group of small horses in gold armor. “Shit! Go back! Go back!” They turned back and went down the hall, being chased by the armored horses. “Left!”
Amenadiel turned left and jumped over a tan horse in an orange maintenance suit with a crowbar on his back. “Where are we going?!”
“Emergency exit! Read the signs!” Fox shouted back, gesturing to the signs that Amenadiel had to duck under every now and again to avoid. They were in a language the warrior recognized, but couldn't read. “Go right!” They turned down an empty hallway with a red door at the end. “Shit, it's a dead end! Get ready to fly!”
Amenadiel shouldered the door open and suddenly felt himself go weightless. “Oh shiiit!” He shouted as he fell through the air. The ground definitely wasn't close, but it was approaching fast. Two hooves hooked under his arms and he felt himself starting to slow down until he just barely crashed into the ground. Looking behind him, he saw Fox tucking a pair of wings against his back before they disappeared in a green flame.
Panting, he cleared his throat. “You're fuckin heavy.” Fox grabbed the bandages on his face and started to pull them off. His coat was a light red and his mane and goatee was white with specks of grey dotting it. Fox held his hoof out to Amenadiel. “Fox. Swift ‘Red Fox’ Strike.”
Amenadiel grabbed his hoof and shook it. “Amenadiel. Beast Master, Imperial Guardsman, and Kingslayer.”
“I heard.” Looking up, Fox watched the Hospital. It was a massive building set on a bunch of clouds. “You've been out for… two weeks since they set you in my room. You had some rather interesting visitors. The Sun Princess, the Moon Princess, some other ponies. Redheart stopped talking to me three days before you woke up, I flirted with her too much.” Shaking his head, he cleared his throat. “Princesses’ guards said you were some kind of assassin. Had a massive sword and some contraption when they found you. You got knocked out, they secured your stuff, and brought you to me.”
“And you had a plan to escape?” Amenadiel asked, sitting on the ground.
“Oh yeah.” Fox nodded. “They plopped you down in that bed and I knew you were my chance to get out of there. Granted, I had no clue what was beyond that door, but I knew how to get out.”
Amenadiel looked up at the hospital and saw a group of figures fly out of the hospital. “I think we should be going now.” The two stood up and started to run across the field they were in.
Author's Note
Updates bi-weekly, or monthly. Depends how fast I write, rewrite, and edit.
Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter. Amenadiel awoke suddenly as a bucket of cold water was splashed on him. He was… in a barn? He did not recognize it but it felt familiar. His head swam in pain and he grabbed the sides of it.
“Hey!” The scaled warrior heard a loud voice shout. He audibly groaned and clutched his ears. “Hey! Don't ignore me! You need to get out of my barn!” Amenadiel turned his head towards the voice, but did not open his eyes back up.
Another splash of cold water hit him in the face and he quickly stood up before falling to one knee. “I'm up, Sarge.” He mumbled.
“Don't know who this Sarge is, but you need to get the fuck out of my barn, buddy.” The voice said. Amenadiel opened his eyes to see a rather small Gryphon standing in front of him with a third bucket of water at the ready. She did not look pleased.
“What time is it?” The scaled warrior asked as he rubbed his eyes.
The third bucket of water was thrown on him and the Gryphon spoke. “Half past nine in the morning. Now get the fuck out and go back to town.”
Amenadiel groaned and stood up, the Gryphon recoiling in shock. “You're an angry little bird.” He mumbled.
“Put on some fucking pants!” The Gryphon shouted as she covered her eyes.
Amenadiel looked down to see he did indeed not have his pants on and sighed. “If I knew where they were.” He stated as he started to look around the barn, spotting them on a rafter. “How'd they get up there?”
“Don't care! Put em on and get out!” The Gryphon shouted as she backed away.
“Amenadiel?” Fox called from outside the barn. He walked through the door and quickly shielded his eyes. “Fucking hell, dude. Do you sleep nude or something?”
“Not often.” Amenadiel responded as he climbed a ladder to the second floor of the barn. “I usually sleep with my equipment on.” He took a running start and lept off the second floor to grab his pants and land on the ground.
“Start that again, I don't need to see your dicks hanging out every morning.” Fox requested as the scaled warrior put his pants on.
“Noted.” Amenadiel responded as he approached Swift. “What's the plan for today?” He asked as they stepped out of the barn.
“Reconnect with the group, travel with them until we get to Las Pegasus.” Fox replied as he gestured to a cluster of familiar tents not far from a large farm house. “I was able to knick your sword from the tavern. You suck at poker.”
“What is poker?” Amenadiel asked as Joan started to approach from the tents.
“What did you do to Rover?” She asked, clearly angry at the scaled warrior. “The domkop has a broken nose and black eye.”
“He hit me, so I hit back. Considerably harder and with my head.” Amenadiel responded simply as he kept up his pace. “He is rather weak, do you wish for me to train him?”
“No!” The Gnoll shouted at the scaled warrior. “He took an oath of pacifism, he's not supposed to be fighting!”
“The best defence is a good offence.” Amenadiel stated as he ducked into a tent and grabbed his sword along with a new rucksack.
“It is best to die as a Martyr than live as a Conqueror.” Joan snapped back.
Amenadiel turned to her and pointed an accusing finger. “Do not tempt me, Gnoll. I come from a line of warriors, and though they served gods I serve no one but myself.” Stepping up to her and looking down to meet her eyes, he narrowed his. “I don't need diplomacy to take what I want.”
“Then you are no better than the Warmongering Gryphons or the Tyrannical Dragon King.” The Gnoll shot back.
“Call me what you like, but as long as I travel alongside this group, I am your ally. Pretend to like me, why don't you?” Without saying another word, Amenadiel stepped past Joan and out of the tent.
Fox was waiting outside with a concerned look on his face. “What was that about?” He asked as he walked alongside the scaled warrior.
Amenadiel simply shrugged. “Small disagreement, nothing to worry about.”
“You sure?” The pony asked and Amenadiel simply nodded. “Alright, but I'll be talking with her later.”
“Do what you wish with Joan, it is not my place to stop you.” The scaled warrior responded as he watched the male Gnoll from yesterday glare daggers at him. Amenadiel stuck out his arms as a challenge to the Gnoll and the Gnoll sneered. He put his arms back down and spat in the Gnoll's general direction. “Fucking coward.” He muttered.
“Please don't antagonize our only allies.” Fox sighed as he sat next to the fire pit in the middle of camp.
====----________----====
The group had set out not longer after Amenadiel's discussion with Joan. Though she did not seem to distance herself from him, she did stay at the front of the group as he approached. Neither said anything to each other as Amenadiel scanned the horizon. He wasn't even sure what he was looking for, he could just feel something watching him.
“Are we being followed?” He asked as he was about to grab the hilt of his sword.
“Don't.” Joan stopped him. “We are.” Amenadiel lowered his hand as she gestured to the horizon in front of them. “Bandiete are up ahead and their scouts are not far behind us. They wait at the deepest point of the valley.”
“Why do we not go around?” Amenadiel questioned as he prepared to draw his sword.
“We do not have the hulpbronne for it.” The Gnoll responded. “We did not expect two more to join the journey. Especially a Dragon.”
“Dragonborn.” The scaled warrior corrected. “I am not full dragon. I may live as long as them, but I do not have all the traits.”
“Either way, they are most likely gathering their numbers to prepare a roof .” Joan stated, pulling out a map and taking a quick look.
“A roof?” Amenadiel asked, confused.
“A rueb- roob- rooberry.” The Gnoll stuttered.
“A robbery?” The scaled warrior corrected.
“Yes. They wish to take our things.” Joan stated, face slightly red from embarrassment.
The group stopped as a larger group of heavily armed and armored of various species stood not far from them. The young dragon in makeshift plate armor lifted his shortsword and pointed it at them. “I think you all know the drill.” He smirked. “Gold, jewelry, trinkets, and weapons. Lay them all in a pile in front of you and step back.”
Amenadiel looked at Joan and grabbed his sword. “I'll handle this.”
He started to walk forward as the Gnoll shouted at him. “If you're going to fight, no killing!”
The scaled warrior pulled out his sword and drove it into the ground. “That won't stop me.” He muttered and stood between the two groups.
The young dragon laughed and his gang followed suit. “Ooh, I'm so scared. The shirtless mercenary is gonna beat me up. I still have a sword, jackass.”
“I invoke the code!” Amenadiel shouted and the young dragon's face fell. “My terms will be, if I win my group walks away unharmed. What are your terms?”
“I win,” the young dragon started as he drove his sword into the ground and started taking off his armor. “I get your stuff, and you get to be my newest weapon.”
“Boss?” One of the ponies behind the young dragon asked.
“I Razortooth, Exile of the Rockbiter Clan, accept your invocation of the Code.” He cracked his knuckles and rolled his neck, crouching down slightly to get in a loose boxing stance.
Amenadiel stood sideways and extended one arm out with the other going across his chest. “I assume you know the rules.”
“Shut up and come at me.” Razortooth shot back as he took two steps forwards.
They weren't that close, but they were close enough for one of them to strike first. Neither threw a swing or a kick for a while until Razortooth threw a hard left hook that Amenadiel leaned backwards to avoid and a swift back leg roundhouse to his opponent’s side. Razortooth was able to catch it, only being hit by a little force, and started to push Amenadiel back in an attempt to get him on the ground. Amenadiel quickly wrapped his right arm around the back of Razortooth's neck and used his free leg to kick his opponent's strong leg out from under him.
They both fell to the floor, Razortooth landing on his head and Amenadiel landing on his back. Amenadiel pulled his leg out from his opponent's grasp and rolled away before scrambling to get up. Razortooth got up too and they both got back into their stances. A short while of the two staring each other down, Amenadiel struck first with a front hand haymaker that Razortooth ducked under and put an uppercut into his opponent's side. Amenadiel winced and delivered a swift knee to Razortooth's muzzle, which connected and sent his opponent stumbling backwards.
Amenadiel attempted to tackle Razortooth, but Razortooth was able to sidestep him and sweep his opponent's leg out from under him. Using his momentum, Amenadiel dove forward and hit the ground to turn around and get up. Before Amenadiel could stand fully, Razortooth delivered his own knee to Amenadiel's face. Taking the full force of the knee, Amenadiel used the opportunity to tackle Razortooth to the ground. He was able to land a few punches into Razortooth's chest and face before the guard came up. Amenadiel slipped his leg under Razortooth and slid behind and underneath his opponent. Quickly snaking his arm under Razortooth's shoulder and his other arm across his opponent's neck.
He applied pressure as Razortooth grabbed his arm and gasped for air. “Submit!” Amenadiel growled through his teeth as he wrapped his legs around Razortooth's stomach. Razortooth clawed at Amenadiel's arm and continued to gasp for air, eyes darting all over the place. “Submit!” Amenadiel shouted again.
Razortooth rapidly tapped Amenadiel's arm and he was let go, gasping for breath. The scaled warrior threw his opponent off of him and stood. “Fuck you!” Razortooth choked out as several of his Bandit group ran up to help him and surround Amenadiel. “Bastard!” He coughed as a Gnoll started to pull him up, but Razortooth pushed him off. “I want a rematch!”
“You may have your rematch, but my terms will change and you won't like them.” Amenadiel stated before crossing his arms over his chest, unphased by the Spears pointing at his neck. “If you wish to invoke the Code again, my new terms are if I win, I get you.”
“What?” Razortooth snapped as he regained his breath.
“You heard me.” Amenadiel stated, louder. “I get you. I win the rematch and you are to be my slave, subject to my will, my choices, whatever I wish to do to you will be done. By extension, I get your little Bandit group to be my personal guard.” Amenadiel pushed the spears aside and stepped up to Razortooth, looking down on him. “Are you willing to take your chances or have you learned your lesson, hatchling?”
Razortooth growled as he looked up at Amenadiel, he was only a few inches shorter but the other dragon was definitely a lot more imposing. “Another day.” He growled through his clenched teeth. “Come back in three months, then we'll have our rematch.”
“Until then, we had a deal.” Amenadiel stated simply. Razortooth waved one of his hands and a path was carved out of the Bandits, with Amenadiel and Razortooth staring each other down in the middle. Amenadiel's group slowly approached, Joan grabbing his sword and carrying it with her past the Bandits. When the group passed the Bandits Amenadiel stepped around Razortooth and started walking past before stopping to turn around. “Be seeing you, hatchling.” He started to walk away again before turning back around and smirking. “Oh yeah, you're pretty good, but you'll never beat me.”
As the scaled warrior walked away, Razortooth clenched his fist to the point of drawing blood. “Pretty… good.” He muttered as he watched Amenadiel walk away.
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Chapter 6: Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell
Looking over the sprawling Metropolis of Las Pegasus was a mountain. On the mountain was a massive white sign that stated the name of the great City. Near that sign was an observatory that many tourists visited year round. Amenadiel's group currently stood on one of the stone paths close to the observatory, looking over the city. They all basked in the wonder of standing over the home of millions of beings from various species.
Amenadiel turned to Fox and pointed to one of the tallest towers, it had a sign on the top that said 'EBJ Public Offices, Las Pegasus Division’. “What is EBJ?”
“Equestrian Bureau of Justice.” Fox replied staring at the building. “They're the ones who ran that hospital we were in.”
“Are they spies?” The scaled warrior asked as he watched the streets of the city constantly on the move.
Fox shrugged. “Kinda. They're like the Royal Guard, but they do spy things and handle investigations on a Federal level.” He sighed and shook his head. “They're probably looking for us, shit. While we're in the city, we gotta keep our heads down. They'll be on the hunt for us if they figure out we're here.”
Joan walked up to Amenadiel and crossed her arms over her chest. “This is where we part ways, Amenadiel.”
The scaled warrior smiled softly and shook his head. “As long as this isn't goodbye, I'm okay with that.”
“No.” The Gn- Diamond Dog shook her head and looked out at the city. “We may meet again, hopefully on better terms.” They were silent for a moment before she looked at him with questioning eyes. “Why do you not want to say goodbye?”
Amenadiel sighed and shrugged. “I don't like goodbyes. Goodbye…” He started before stopping to think for a moment and looking to Joan. “Goodbye means that you're leaving and you might not come back. If you don't say goodbye then you aren't really gone, you're just… not there, at the moment.”
The two looked at each other for a moment before Joan wrapped her arms around Amenadiel's chest. “Then don't say it.” She mumbled weakly as he slowly wrapped his arms around her.
“I'll see you again, Joan.” Amenadiel whispered as the two embraced.
====----________----====
The streets of Las Pegasus were bustling with activity. Various beings in carts pulled by ponies raced down the streets as just as varied beings walked the streets. Amenadiel still had his sword on his back, but Fox had wrapped it in a cloth as to not start a panic. Their current plan was to find the nearest Adventurer's League and bunk there for a while until they could make a real plan. After walking for a while, they ducked into a diner to avoid a Guard patrol.
Taking a seat in one of the booths, a waitress walked up to them with a notepad in her magic. “Can I get you two anything?” She asked in a chipper voice that grinded like stone against Amenadiel's eardrums.
“Two waters and a coffee.” Fox said as Amenadiel tucked his sword under the table next to him.
The waitress placed two napkins on the table and walked away. Amenadiel silently scanned the room as Fox leaned back in his seat. “That was pretty close.” The pony sighed as he looked around the diner. “Couple seconds later and we would have been running through back alleys to get away.”
“Mhm.” Amenadiel mumbled subconsciously as he turned his head around and faked scratching the back of his head. After seeing what he was looking for he turned back to Fox and leaned forwards. “It might have been for nothing.” He whispered just loud enough for the pony to hear.
“You notice it too?” Swift mumbled as he flipped over one of the napkins. On the underside was the word 'HELP’ and the number 2 scrawled down sloppily.
“Two of them…” The scaled warrior said softly as he locked eyes with a pony in a coat sitting at the counter. He silently nodded and the pony narrowed his eyes.
“Don't fucking move.” A voice ordered from behind Amenadiel as he felt something sharp poke him in the back of his head. “Put your hands on the table and have your friend put his hooves there too.”
The pony in the coat stood up and whipped the coat aside to pull out a crossbow and point it at Amenadiel. “Do it now!” He shouted and the scaled warrior slowly put his hands on the table, Fox following suit.
“You're making a mistake.” Fox said loud enough for both of them to hear.
“Shut up!” The pony with the coat shouted and went to hit Fox in the back of the head. Before the pony could, a puff of green fire materialized a horn on Fox's head. Two knives from the kitchen flew through the window and impaled themselves into the head's of the robbers. They both stumbled for a second before collapsing to the floor dead.
All was silent for a moment before one of the ponies at the counter started stomping their hooves. The rest of the diner started stomping their hooves or clapping their hands as Fox grabbed the crossbow of the coated robber and inspected it. “Look at that, you have your sword and I have a crossbow.” He took the bolt off and pulled the trigger to release the string.
The waitress from earlier trotted up to the two as the applause died down. She had a weak smile on her face and her fur was matted on her face where tears had streamed down. “You two are heroes.” She said shakily. “Is there anything I can get you two? Anything, on the house.”
Fox flipped through the plastic menu real quick and looked back up. “For one, that coffee.” He started with a grin on his face. “And then two steaks with a side of potato fries.”
“Three steaks.” Amenadiel interrupted as he leaned back and rested his arms on the back of the booth.
“Three steaks from my friend.” Fox tapped his chin for a moment before perking up. “Oh, and directions to the Adventurer's League.”
“Of course.” The waitress nodded happily, writing on her notepad. “Thank you both.” She whisked away and Fox turned to Amenadiel.
“You know…” Swift started before Amenadiel interrupted him.
“You had a feeling something was wrong?” He asked with a smirk on his face.
“Yeah!” Fox looked around the diner and watched as a waiter left in a hurry. “We should probably get out of here before the Guards get here.”
Amenadiel quickly nodded. “Agreed.”
Fox waved to the waitress and shouted. “Make it to-go?”
Author's Note
Hey what's up guys, dead meme here. Gonna be a double upload.
Chapter 7: Dark Companion
“EBJ, stop running!” A Guard shouted as he chased after Fox and Amenadiel as they sprinted down a back alley. Amenadiel was doing his best to keep up with Fox, but four legs were indeed better than two. After grabbing their weapons and food they left the diner, running into the Guards outside. One of them immediately recognized the two and the two recognized him as the one from the stairwell in the Hospital. Then, the chase started.
They were currently on course to the local Adventurer's League, weaving through backstreets to get away from the Guards. “Left!” Fox shouted before they quickly turned and continued to run through the alleys. “We can lose them soon, turn right!” They went right and kept running. “There'll be a dead end up here, we can scale it and lose them!”
As they ran, Fox led them down a few more alleys as the Guards slowly got farther and farther away. “How do you know where we're going?” Amenadiel shouted as they turned again and started to run towards the dead end.
A plastic crate was pulled out in front of the brick wall and then a taller trash can was pulled out behind it. “Grew up here!” Fox shouted back. “Adventurer's League was situated outside the city! Guess they got better funding!” In a puff of green fire, Fox’s horn disappeared and wings appeared on his back. Taking flight, he latched himself onto Amenadiel's back. “Use the crates, jump!”
Amenadiel used the two crates as a stepping stone and lept for the wall. It was taller than he was, so he was glad he was able to get a running leap and grab onto the ledge before pulling himself over. Fox helped soften the landing by flapping his wings. They stood on the other side for a second before hearing the Guards run up to the wall. “Where'd they go!?” One of the Guards shouted.
“There! Back that way.” Another shouted and the two could hear the Guards start running again.
When all fell quiet, Fox looked to Amenadiel. “Are they gone?”
“Not all of them.” A voice said from on top of the wall. They both looked up to see a Gryphon lying on the wall with two hand crossbows aimed at Fox and Amenadiel. “Drop the weapons.” He ordered with a smile on his face. Amenadiel slowly reached up for his sword, but the Gryphon clacked his beak. “I wouldn't do that. These bolts are diamond tipped, they'll go right through those scales of yours.”
Amenadiel sighed and pulled the sword off his back and threw it to the ground, Fox throwing his crossbow to the ground. “Happy?” The Pony asked sarcastically. A pair of handcuffs and hoofcuffs fell on the floor in front of them.
“Not yet.” The Gryphon responded smugly. As the two put their respective bindings on, the Gryphon grabbed a small plastic box on his shoulder and held down a button. “Gamma Four Six Two to Command, Patient Dragon and Fox are in custody. How copy?” He sat up and checked his hand crossbow, nodding silently. Grabbing the plastic box again, he spoke. “Gamma Four Six Two copies, RTB five mikes.” Letting go of the plastic box, he waved his crossbow down the alley. “That way, go on.”
====----________----====
Amenadiel sat silently in an extremely clean room, handcuffed to a table. The table was empty except for a folder on the far side that he couldn't reach. Shortly after being escorted into a carriage, a bag was thrown over his head along with earmuffs. The ride felt like it took longer than it actually did and when they stopped, he was pushed around a bit until he found himself sitting down. Five minutes later, give or take a few, he was able to take off the earmuffs and the blindfold. The cuffs were strong and seemed like they were freshly crafted. They even felt a little warm.
Amenadiel sat in his chair, bored out of his mind. He banged on the table and yanked at his bindings. “Hey!” He shouted at the one way mirror in front of him. Struggling a bit more, the door near the mirror opened up and a large pony stepped into the room. She was a dark blue and had a crown on her head. Amenadiel recognized her, but not immediately. This was the pony who he first met, though something wasn't quite the same as before.
She sat at the other end of the table and opened the folder with her magic. “State your name for the record.” The pony ordered.
“Amenadiel di wer Kear Marinxari.” He stated simply, leaning back in his chair.
“And that is your full name?” She asked, writing something down in the folder.
“No.” Amenadiel responded. “My name is Amenadiel. I am of the Clan Kear Marinxari.”
The pony shook her head and looked up at the scaled warrior. “I have not heard of this 'Day Stalker’ clan.”
“I have been exiled.” Amenadiel stated simply as the door opened again and the Gryphon from earlier walked in with Amenadiel's rucksacks and his contraption.
The Gryphon set the contraption on the table pointing at Amenadiel and threw the bags next to it. “Some kind of plastic stick and two rucksacks. One, seemingly endless.”
Amenadiel nodded. “That is a family heirloom.” He attempted to grab it but couldn't reach it. “A bag with more space than a large chest. I have had it since I was exiled.” He then looked to his familiar black contraption. “This, this is not just any stick.”
“Then what is it?” The blue pony asked.
“My boomstick.” Amenadiel said before lifting one hand and kicking the table. The shotgun went off, shooting little metal balls at the handcuff chain and breaking it just enough for Amenadiel to force it the rest of the way. Grabbing his rucksacks and his shotgun, he pushed the table with his foot and slammed it against the two on the other side. Vaulting over the table and to the door, he shouldered it open. He found himself in a long hallway with many different beings staring at him.
“Freeze!” A pony shouted and pointed a crossbow at Amenadiel. The pony was just close enough for the scaled warrior to roundhouse kick him in the face and turn to run.
Down the hall, he saw Fox running towards him. “Amenadiel!” He shouted as several armored ponies chased after him.
“Go left!” Amenadiel shouted back as he approached the T section.
“Wait!” Fox shouted back as Amenadiel picked him up and sprinted towards the window at the end of the new hall. “Amenadiel, wait! We're on the forty-fourth floor!”
“Then fly!” The scaled warrior shouted back right before he jumped and impacted the window. The window was stronger than he expected and threw him back into the hallway. He groaned as he felt his arm hang out of socket.
“Freeze!” A Guard shouted as they surrounded the two, all aiming crossbows at them. “Don't move! Lie down on the ground!”
Amenadiel ignored them and started to stand up as Fox lied faced down. “Amenadiel, do what they say. It's over.”
Amenadiel grabbed his limp arm and grunted. “It's not over yet, Fox.” He said before forcing his shoulder to go back into its socket. Evaluating the situation, Amenadiel dove for his shotgun before he was tackled by several beings. He was just barely out of reach as they attempted to get his arms behind his back.
Once he had been restrained, the tall blue pony walked up to him. “There is no escape, Amenadiel. It is best that you submit and come with us.”
“Never submit, never surrender.” The scaled warrior growled as his vision quickly tinted red. Yanking his bindings, he ripped them apart and threw the ponies off of him. Standing up, he gave a loud roar before charging and knocking over the blue pony. He continued forwards until he broke past the line of beings in front of him. Stopping just past them, he grabbed a Gryphon by their beak and used them as a club to knock two ponies unconscious. Throwing the Gryphon at another, he placed a kick to the face of a nearby pony and grabbed the spear they were holding.
Chucking the spear at the window, it shattered and the spear continued to fly. Charging through a cluster of ponies and Gryphons, he was tackled by another Dragon. The white dragon landed a few punches to Amenadiel's sides before his opponent lifted him with his leg and threw him over his head. They both quickly stood up and Amenadiel wasted no time charging his opponent, hooking his arms under his opponent's legs and pulling them out from under him. Amenadiel landed several savage blows to the white dragon's face before grasping his hands together and slamming them onto his opponent's chest, knocking the wind out of him.
Amenadiel stood and picked up a nearby pony to use them as a club against their allies before they were thrown at a window and bounced off with a thud. Turning and grabbing Fox from the floor, Amenadiel ran for the open window and lept out. “Fly!” He demanded and Fox quickly reacted.
Swift wrapped his legs around Amenadiel's chest and started to flap his wings as the ground approached quickly. “You're fucking crazy!” Fox shouted as he slowed their descent.
“Better to die free, than live a prisoner!” Amenadiel shouted back as they neared the ground.
When they landed on the ground, Fox sighed and turned to look Amenadiel face to face. “Why?”
The scaled warrior rose a brow and turned to walk. “I don't understand.”
Fox quickly walked up next to him, still looking up. “Why do you fear being caught?”
Amenadiel stopped and turned to the pony. “I do not fear 'being caught’. I fear nothing.”
“Bullshit.” Fox spat back as they stared each other down. “If I get caught, I get a life sentence in Prison. If you get caught, they interrogate you for a little bit and send you on your way.” The pony narrowed his eyes at the scaled warrior. “What are you afraid of?” Amenadiel growled and walked away from him. “You can't run from your fears, kid.”
“I'm older than you.” Amenadiel stated half heartedly as he walked.
“That ain't true, Chief.” Swift said before erupting into a pile of green fire. After it dissipated, a creature of black chitin stood in Fox's place. “You're talking to yourself.”
Amenadiel stopped in place and looked over his shoulder. He said that back in the Hospital, but Amenadiel thought it was nothing. “What do you mean?”
The creature chuckled and shook his head. “You still don't get it, do you?” It erupted into green flames again and Amenadiel stood in the same spot after they dissipated. “I'm you, and you are me.”
Amenadiel turned to look face to face with his copy. It looked exactly like him, down to the scars on his form. The only difference was a large tattoo on his chest. It was an emblem of sorts and under it were the letters 'EBJ’. “You're a changeling. I will not be fooled by your tricks.”
The Fake Amenadiel walked up to the real one and grabbed his shoulders. “Everything about us matches, Amenadiel. Blood type, scars, even down to the strands of DNA in our cells. We are the same, the only difference is that I was born a Changeling and you were born a Dragon.”
Amenadiel pushed the Changeling off of him and pointed a threatening finger at him. “You're a traitor. I trusted you!”
“And it wasn't misplaced!” Fox shot back. He held out a hand towards Amenadiel. “Come with me to the EBJ. We can work together, your skills and my smarts, we can become legends.”
Amenadiel looked into the Changeling's eyes, reaching his hand out before stopping. Was he actually considering this? Did he really believe what was being said? How could he believe a single thing from this Changeling, from… himself, if he was telling the truth. He grabbed Fox's hand and growled. “If you betray me again. I'll rip your fucking guts out.”
Chapter 8: Master of Puppets
Amenadiel sat at the same metal table from earlier, though he was not bound to it. Sitting across from him was his copy, Fox. Fox was flipping through a file with a cigar hanging loosely out of his mouth. Every now and again, he would grab the cigar and flick the ash off the front. During his escape attempt earlier Amenadiel had miscalculated the spread of his shotgun, which was now leaning against his chair, and took a couple of pellets to the side. They had been removed and the wounds were cauterized before being bandaged. He had to remind himself not to grab his wound, even if the pain was bothering him, for it would make him look weak.
Fox cleared his throat and took the cigar out of his mouth. “I lied.” He started. “About a couple of things, but when we first met, I had been in that hospital bed for three days and you were in yours for a week and a half. They only called me in a few days after they discovered the… matching of our genetic makeup.” Flicking the ash off of his cigar and shook his head. “Where are my manners?” He turned the small wooden box on the table towards Amenadiel and slid it forward. “Cigar? Helps ease the mind.”
Amenadiel took one, clipped the beginning nub off, and blew a little fire on the other end before taking a quick puff. “Thank you.” He muttered as Fox continued.
“The only thing separating us, in the case of DNA, is that you were born a Dragon and I was born a Changeling.” Amenadiel nodded as Fox spoke. “You see DNA, don't know if your world got that far in technology, is like… the Architect of who you are. It orders cells to grow, what to grow into, and what you'll look like at what stage in your life. In DNA, certain lines dictate your traits.” He gestured to his red scales. “Scale color, eye color, height, everything about your physical appearance is dictated by DNA. Most important bit, is it dictates what parts you get. Even then, there's the rare cases that it fucks up.” Amenadiel nodded silently, only barely grasping the idea of what Fox was talking about. “You grew to be a warrior. I grew to be a scholar.”
Amenadiel scoffed and leaned back in his chair, smiling. “You missed out. I brought quite a bit of glory to the family name.”
Fox shook his head and ashed his cigar. “That's not what your memories say.” Amenadiel fell quiet. “You were exiled. Dishonored, hated, and left for dead at a young age. You fought the light, to serve the darkness inside of you.”
He was about to continue before Amenadiel slammed his fist onto the table and stood up, pointing a finger at his copy. “And you're any better?” He accused. “You're a fucking changeling, how can you be better than me?”
“I'm not.” Fox countered, setting the file on the table and sliding it to Amenadiel. He opened it up and started flipping through it. It had his name, but it was about the Changeling sitting across from him. He had multiple arrests to his name, all of them being non-violent crimes such as vandalism and larson. Serving a brief stint in the Equestrian Royal Guard, his abilities of investigation we're soon found and he was promoted to 'Detective’ in the Equestrian Bureau of Justice. “I was a delinquent. A misfit. I was abandoned by my hive and left to die, just like you. Only difference with me, is that I found someone to take care of me.” Fox shook his head and shrugged. “He found me, not the point.”
Sitting back down in his chair, Amenadiel puffed his cigar. “So what happens from here?”
“Well…” Fox started before reaching under the table and pulling out another file. “We get to work. I was working on your case while you were asleep, I found nothing.”
Sliding the file over to his counterpart, Amenadiel looked through it. It barely had any papers in it, just a few photos and a basic theory. “You found where I appeared?” Fox nodded as Amenadiel looked through the photos, eyebrow slowly rising.
“You feel that?” Fox asked as he saw the look on Amenadiel's face. “You just noticed something in the photos that only I was able to see.”
“What was that?” Amenadiel questioned as he examined the barely noticeable scorch marks on the grass where he awoke.
“You're getting my abilities.” Fox replied, leaning back in his chair. “I've gained some of yours, too. I found myself spitting fire the first day I met you. The more time we spend together, the more abilities we gain from each other.”
“As if the universe is attempting to join us as one.” Amenadiel quipped, closing the file.
“Um, close? It's not pulling us together, it's more like forcing us to be carbon copies of the best traits.” Fox scratched his head. “I've gotten your fire breath and your strength, you've gotten my intuition and my quick wits. Not only that, but I've lost some of my addictions.”
Amenadiel smiled and scoffed. “I have not felt the need to pick up a bottle of liquor in a while.”
“And I haven't felt the symptoms of cocaine withdrawal.” Fox replied. When Amenadiel was about to question, he waved his hand. “I was undercover. Trying to bust an arms dealer and ended up doing way too much coke to prove myself.” He sucked his teeth and nodded slowly. “Was kinda fun? Had a lot of sex, some I regret, but it was in the name of Justice.”
“That's a difference between me and you.” Amenadiel chuckled. “I've never laid a woman.”
“I thought you bed Joan that one night.” Fox countered.
“Oh no, I remember it clearly. We retreated to her tent, preparing for it, the moment I laid her down she must have passed out!” They both bursted into laughter, throwing their heads back. “I was making my way from her neck to her nethers and I heard snoring! I was already nude so I thought 'might as well sleep too’!”
They both laughed loudly, Amenadiel pounding a fist on the table as Fox held his face in his palm. “Oh god.” Fox wheezed as the two started to calm down. “Oh fuck, that's unfortunate.”
Amenadiel swallowed hard and nodded. “Yeah, she had a nice backside too. I was a little disappointed.”
Fox nodded in agreement and pointed to his counterpart. “Maybe you'll see her again.”
“And when I do…” Amenadiel started, pointing back.
“I'mma smash that ass!” They said simultaneously before bursting into laughter again.
The door to the room swung open and the tall blue pony walked in with a red face. “Alright, alright. That's enough. This has gone completely off track.”
The two calmed down and Fox wiped a tear from his eye. “Come on, Princess! I'm just trying to connect with myself!”
“Yes, yes. Your fun and games are over.” The blue pony said, rolling her eyes before looking to Amenadiel. “You have two options. Join the EBJ, or have a nice cozy cell in a Maximum Security prison somewhere in the north.”
Amenadiel kicked his feet up on the table and lifted his chair slightly. “Become a Guard or go to the Gulag?” He scoffed and crossed his arms over his chest. “Been to the Gulag before, in my world. I'll join your little Spy Group but on three conditions.”
“You're not in the pos-” The blue pony started before Fox cut her off.
“Be reasonable.” He ordered his counterpart.
“First, we're the same rank.” Amenadiel said, wagging his finger between himself and… himself. “Second, I get my stuff back. Sword, Shotgun, Bag of Holding, all of it. Third, I'll need a spell book. Preferably non-verbal spells.”
Fox gestured the blue pony over and they whispered to each other for a second. The changeling nodded and leaned away. “Deal, but your every move is being watched.”
Amenadiel stood up and clapped his hands together. “Perfect. Let's get to work.”
====----________----====
Fox and Amenadiel walked down a path through a small town. Fox was back to his pony disguise, but he wore a pale gold cloth coat that went past his tail. Amenadiel wore a similar coat, but his was grey and had his shotgun on the inside being held up by velcro. At first he had argued that he did not need a coat since he was able to regulate his body temperature, perks of having an internal flame. The blue pony, who he learned was a Princess and Director of the EBJ by the name of Luna, ordered him to quote 'put the damn coat on if you're not going to wear a shirt’. Since she was his boss, for now, he obeyed and wore the coat. It was… comfortable, to say the least. He didn't want to admit, but he kind of liked it.
As the two walked through the town, the ponies going about their day seemed to walk away from Amenadiel, even if they were approaching. It was almost as if the massive sword on his back and the fact that he was a dragon scared them away. “Don't worry too much.” Fox said as he looked around the town. “If they're afraid now, they'll warm up to you when you flash the badge enough times.”
Eventually they came across a bland building that had the words 'Ponyville Courthouse and Sheriff's Department’ on a sign out front. It seemed empty from the outside, but as soon as they walked in they were met with a small waiting room with a Gryphon sitting behind a desk. They were filing their talons and not paying attention to the two as they approached. The Gryphon only noticed the two when Fox cleared his throat.
Looking up from their talons, they jumped in surprise and fell back in their chair. “Spirits!” He shouted as he stood back up and fixed his chair. “Thought I fixed that bell above the door.”
Fox reached into his coat and pulled out a small faux-leather booklet, flipping it open to reveal his badge. “Detective Fox, this is my partner Detective Dragon.”
Amenadiel scoffed and crossed his arms over his chest. “That's original.”
“Wasn’t my call.” Fox replied as the Gryphon examined the badge.
“Shit.” The Gryphon muttered, staring in awe at the badge. “I thought y'all were a myth.”
Amenadiel rolled his eyes and was about to say something before Fox spoke. “Besides the point, we're here to see the Sheriff.”
The Gryphon nodded and sat back down in his chair. “Sheriff Blackjack is in her office. It's…” He looked at the clock on the wall. “Half past nine, so she's probably still passed out.”
“We'll wake her.” Amenadiel commented as he walked to the door saying ‘Sheriff's Department’ on it. Fox gave a silent 'thank you’ to the Gryphon and chased after Amenadiel.
Walking through the door, they came to realize that it was a rather small department with only about four desks scattered throughout the room. There was a set of metal lockers with names on each of them sitting near the door. A weapons locker sat on the far wall near a door labelled 'Lab’ with a piece of paper under the word saying 'and Evidence’ scribbled on it sloppily. On the left wall was a door with the word 'Sheriff’ on the window and a note taped to the handle. Amenadiel walked up to the door, Fox following behind him, and grabbed the note.
Unfolding the note, Amenadiel read it out loud. “Dear deputies, if it's not important leave me alone. If it is important, knock on the door before calling Canterlot for backup. They will no longer send units if they get one more emergency call to help find somepony's missing dog. Sincerely, your Sheriff.”
Fox groaned loudly and rubbed his face. “Oh boy, it sounds like this town got the short end of the stick.” He walked up to the door and opened it. The office was rather barren, a few awards were hung on the walls but not much else. The blinds were closed, blocking the sun from coming in the windows. There was a desk sitting in the center of the room with a pony draped over it. Her coat was a light grey and she had white hair with red highlights. She held a bottle in one hoof and a picture frame in the other. A stetson sat on her head, leaned over her eyes as she snored softly. Fox motioned for Amenadiel to go over to the windows as he held a hoof up to the door.
When they were both in position, Fox nodded and Amenadiel yanked the string to pull up the blinds. As soon as the first blind went up Fox rapidly pounded on the door, speaking with a country accent. “Sheriff! The Gryphons are invading! State of emergency! Get up! Get up!”
The pony behind the desk shot up and grabbed a dagger from under her desk, waving it around widely. “I'm ready to die, how about you Imperial fucks!?” She flinched and shielded her eyes from the light as Fox and Amenadiel burst into laughter. “Who the fuck are you schmucks?” The Sheriff asked, sitting back down in her chair and tossing the dagger on her desk. “Close those blinds.” Amenadiel shook his head and walked back around the desk to stand next to Fox. The Sheriff looked at him dumbfounded. “Shit, are we actually being invaded? The suits in Canterlot sent the fuckin cavalry.”
Fox pulled out his badge and showed it to the Sheriff. “I'm Detective Fox, EBJ. This is my partner, Detective Dragon.”
The pony scoffed and leaned back in her chair. “That's original.” Amenadiel laughed and the Sheriff continued. “What do the spooks want now? Y'all we're just here two weeks ago.”
“I'm familiar.” Fox stated. “I was on the case alongside two more Detectives and a team of CSI.”
The Sheriff was about to take a swig from the bottle before Amenadiel quickly reached out and swiped it from her hand. “Hey!” She shouted.
“Ma'am, focus.” Fox demanded. “We're here to wrap up the investigation and get on our way.”
“Might as well stay.” The Sheriff quipped as she looked down at the picture frame before lying it face down on her desk. “Ponyville, it's a strange town in a strange county. We have five hundred acres of land to cover and only five units including me. Two suits from Canterlot can help close some cold cases.”
Fox and Amenadiel shared a look before nodding in silent agreement. “We'll converse with our higher ups.” Fox stated as Amenadiel turned to leave the room.
As Fox was about to leave, the Sheriff cleared her throat. “The name's Blackjack, by the way. Sheriff Blackjack. Not my real name, but it's easier to call me Blackjack than my real name.”
“What is your real name?” Fox asked as he leaned against the office door.
Blackjack took a deep breath and spoke quickly. “Emily Blackburn Ruggedly Sly Jackal the Third.”
Nodding silently, Fox slowly turned to leave. “Sweet Celestia, that's a long ass name.” He said before shutting the door behind him.
Chapter 9: Pray for Villains
Fox and Amenadiel walked out of the Sheriff's Department and down the street. The day had only started and they didn't have any direction on where to start. Fox had pulled out a small plastic device he called a 'phone’ and talked to Director Luna over it. After about an hour of conversation, waiting, and arguing later and they were cleared to stay at a safe house somewhere in the town. The Director had also pointed them to a pony called 'Twilight Sparkle’ that would help them in their investigation. Apparently she was the personal student of the Director's sister, Princess Celestia.
The two were currently on their way to her home, which doubled as a library. When they got there the two walked in, Amenadiel having to duck to get through the door. The walls were covered with shelves of books while tables were scattered around the room. A small purple dragon was at one of the tables reading a book, occasionally flipping back and forth through it.
Amenadiel walked up to the table and knocked on it, startling the small hatchling to look up at the scaled warrior in front of him. “Young one,” Amenadiel spoke. “We are looking for Twilight Sparkle.” He felt strange saying that name, as if he heard it before today.
The small purple dragon didn't respond, he simply stared up at Amenadiel as if he was a Demi-God sent by Bahamut. Amenadiel looked to Fox, who shrugged, before snapping his fingers in the hatchling's face. He shook his head before looking back up at Amenadiel. “You're looking for Twilight?” The scaled warrior nodded and the hatchling swallowed hard. “She's at the park, with one of her friends.” Amenadiel turned to leave, but the small purple dragon called out. “Wait! Who are you?”
Turning back to the hatchling, the scaled warrior crossed his arms over his chest. “I am Amenadiel. Who are you, hatchling?”
The hatchling stood on his chair and held out his claw. “I'm Spike the Dragon.”
Amenadiel's brow slowly rose in question. “Do you forget who you are that you need 'the Dragon’ in your name?”
“N-No…” Spike stuttered, looking down and twiddling his thumbs. “I-It's what mom calls me.”
Amenadiel scoffed and shook his head. “Your mother must forget who she is as well.” Fox punched Amenadiel in the back of the leg softly and gave him a stern look. Amenadiel sighed and turned back to Spike. “Listen, hatchling, I have recently moved to this town with my brother-” he gestured to Fox “if you can show us around town, I will teach you what it means to be one of our kind.”
Spike perked up as Fox punched Amenadiel in the back of the leg again, harder. “Really?! It's not that big of a town, but I can show you what I know.” He then seemed to deflate a little. “Oh, but I have chores to do today.”
“It is early.” Amenadiel shrugged and gestured around the room. “It is only before mid-day, plenty of time.”
Spike thought about it for a second before nodding. “I can use the excuse of stopping by the scroll store.”
====----________----====
Walking through the town, Spike introduced Fox and Amenadiel to local hotspots. Everything was a lot more organized than the town's back home or Tombstone. Spike had shown them the six different restaurants in town, then Town Square, the Ponyville Market, and finally the park. When they reached the park, they approached the only two ponies there.
Amenadiel and Twilight quickly recognized each other and shouted “You!” simultaneously. Twlight shot a beam at Amenadiel which he quickly countered by throwing up a deflector shield.
“Twilight wait!” Spike shouted before she could fire another beam. Amenadiel stood ready to block any other attack that may have come as Spike spoke. “It's alright, he's a friend.”
Twilight stared Amenadiel down as he reached into his coat and pulled out his badge, flipping it open. “I'm with the EBJ now. My partner has a few questions.”
The purple pony cleared her throat and stood up straight as Fox approached. “Detective Fox, you've met my partner before. Miss Twilight, I'd like to talk about a few things.”
“Very well.” Twilight nodded, slowly lying back down. “What would you like to know?”
As Fox and Twilight conversed, Amenadiel and Spike turned to make their way back into town. “Went better than I expected.” The scaled warrior grumbled as he tucked his badge into his coat and pulled out his spell book. “That's one spell used.”
“We can use magic?!” Spike practically shouted as he walked alongside Amenadiel.
“Only some of us. Though I am not from this world, I can feel the magical energy pulsing through you.” He reached up and tapped his temple. “I can see your well of power. It is small, but with time I can help you increase it.”
“Can you shoot lightning from your fingertips?” The young drake questioned.
“Of course.” Amenadiel smirked, flipping through the book. “I will teach you one day.”
Spike scratched the back of his neck. “Like, mentor me in magic?”
“Yes.” The Dragon snapped the book shut and waved his hand over it before tucking it back into his coat. “If you are to learn what it means to be one of our kind, I must teach you many things and it will take a long time.”
“I dunno.” The young drake mumbled. “Between chores, helping Twilight, and my studies, I don't have much time on my hands.” He looked up to Amenadiel as they entered a gazebo and sat on the benches. “Can you at least tell me what it means to you?”
“To me?” Amenadiel scoffed, placing a hand on his chest. “To me it means…” He paused, bringing his hand up to scratch his chin. “It means… honor, glory, joy, and victory in the face of the Enemy.” Taking a deep breath, he sighed heavily and let his hand fall to his lap. “But it also means sorrow, pain, fear, and the unavoidable end of it all. Through battle we grow stronger, but through heartbreak we grow wiser.” Amenadiel stood up and turned to look at the Everfree in the distance. “You will die eventually, like myself and those around you. When you do you must look back in life and know that what you did was right. It may not have been right to the society around you or the people who follow you, but it was right to protect yourself and those you love.”
Amenadiel turned towards Spike and crossed his arms over his chest. “It means to be the shadow in the light, but never forgetting the light inside of you.”
Spike sat silently for a moment, nodding his head slowly. “Whoa.” He was able to mutter before a water balloon met the back of his head and exploded.
They both looked to where it came from to see a blue pony with rainbow hair walking alongside a gryphon towards them. “Hey Spike!” The pony shouted.
“Hey Rainbow Dash, what was that for?” Spike asked as he stood on the bench.
“Message from Pinkie.” 'Rainbow Dash’ stated as she leaned against the railing. “Beware! You're in for a scare!”
Amenadiel leaned against one of the support beams as Spike groaned. “Oh boy. Pinkie is out to get me.” He shook his head and nodded to the gryphon. “Who's your friend?”
“This is Gilda!” The pony responded cheerily. “She's my friend from Flight School.”
“Sup.” The gryphon greeted half-interested.
“Who's your friend, Spike?” Rainbow Dash asked as her and the gryphon laid their eyes upon Amenadiel.
The dragon pushed the sides of his coat behind him and stuck his hands in his pockets. “I am Amenadiel, we have met before. In the Castle in the forest.”
Nodding slowly, the pony clicked her tongue. “I knew you looked familiar. How'd you escape the rock?”
Amenadiel shrugged and pulled out his badge. “Guess I got a Royal Pardon and a job.”
Gilda nudged Rainbow Dash and she nodded. “I'm watching you.” Looking to Spike, she smiled softly. “Gilda and I are going for a fly, stay safe Spike.”
“Will do!” Spike waved as they took flight and flew away. Turning back to Amenadiel, he sat back down on the bench. “Teach me about Magic.”
Chapter 3: With Friends like These
Author's Note
Special "non-canon" chapters will be posted on select holidays. These will be small side stories more akin to "Slice of Life" type things or small adventures. Comments are open, I implore you to use them. I know there are questions or comments that people have and I want to hear them.
Chapter 3: With Friends like These
Amenadiel sighed and wiped the sweat from his brow. Fox and him had gotten a fair distance away from that hospital and crossed from the plains into a savanna like area. They were both dehydrated, exhausted, and sore from running. The guards were long gone by the time they had reached the savanna. Fox and Amenadiel had shed the rest of their bandages. Swift had nearly as many scars as the scaled warrior, most of them covered by his coat except for the largest ones.
“Just-” Swift croaked, coughing a dry cough. “Just a bit fur-further.” He looked around and pointed towards a few figures on the horizon. “There!” Fox coughed louder and fell to the ground. “It’s right there.”
Amenadiel reached down and picked up the small weak horse, placing him on his shoulders. “Come on, it's not over yet.” The scaled warrior swallowed nothing as his arms dropped to his sides. The figures on the horizon started to approach, slowly getting bigger and bigger until Amenadiel could tell what they were. It was a group of the small horses, along with some Gryphons, and a few Gnolls. Amenadiel swallowed hard and gave the strongest roar he could. It was shaky at best, and could hardly be called a roar.
Amenadiel fell to the floor and Fox fell alongside him. One of the Gnolls ran up to the scaled warrior and flipped him on his back, looking to the others she shouted. “Kry water hier bo !” She looked down at Amenadiel as another Gnoll handed her a canteen. “Drink.” The Gnoll ordered as she lifted his head.
Amenadiel greedily drank the water from the canteen before sitting up and grabbing the container. He handed it to Fox, who drank it almost as fast as he did. “Thanks kid.” Fox sighed as he looked at the group. “Who are you?”
The Gnoll next to Amenadiel stood up and put her hands on her hips. “Wanderers, roamers, T'Kan is an exile from his Homeland.” She gestured to the small zebra covered in silver jewelry. “I am Joan, the Leader of our Expedition. Ambassador for the Verbode Stam of Diamond Dogs.” Holding out a hand to Amenadiel, she gestured to the rest of the group. “Come with us, you will find your way through travel.”
Amenadiel stood and accepted her hand for a shake. “Diamond Dogs? I have only heard that name once, and that was…” Taking a step back, the scaled warrior put a hand to his forehead as his head started to pound. “Back home.” He was able to groan out before his headache subsided.
Putting a hand on Amenadiel's shoulder, Joan held the canteen in front of him. “Drink more. You are most likely dehydrated.”
“No shit.” Fox scoffed as he took a swig from his new canteen. “We've been walking for… two days?” He shrugged and screwed the cap on his canteen. “Haven't really had a moment to rest.”
“The woestyn is perilous.” The Gnoll turned and began to walk back the way the group came. “Come. We will bring you to safety.”
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The walk through the savanna was exhausting for Amenadiel and Fox. Joan's group seemed to be used to the dry heat, the overbearing sun, and the constant feeling of being watched. Amenadiel could not tell where it was coming from, as he walked alongside the Gnoll, but he could feel it inside of him. Before the sun set, they had found a village of the small horses and set up camp not far from it. One of the small horses in the group, a young one with a stetson on its head, had mentioned it was named Tombstone. Ironic, he called it, as it seemed to grow larger every time he came across it.
Looking over the town from their camp on the cliff, Amenadiel sat beside Joan on the ledge. “Why do we not stay at the Tavern in town?” He asked.
“They fear us, Amenadiel.” Joan replied, sorrow in her eyes. “They fear us for the side we chose in the Uprising.”
“The Uprising?” The scaled warrior asked as he looked to her.
She didn't turn to look at him, the Gnoll continued talking. “Long ago, before the banishment of the Night Guardian, there was an Uprising in these lands. The Buffalos had enough with the Ponies settling on their 'Sacred Land’.” She scoffed and leaned back on her hands. “So, they grabbed their arms, they banded their Stam with others, and they rose up. An Insurgency was declared by the Ponies and they sent their soldiers to quell it. What good it did? Nothing.” Looking to Amenadiel, she leaned towards him. “Some of my ancestors fought in the war. The fools sought to profit off the conflict.”
“The war economy is lucrative.” The scaled warrior said dishearteningly. “Train an entire village, you'll have an army. Fund an army, you have a war. Win the war, you have a Kingdom.” Chuckling, Amenadiel waved his hand to the town. “This village, it takes years to build and maybe a couple hours to tear down.”
Joan stood up and turned to the camp. “You speak as if you're familiar with these things.”
Amenadiel got up and walked alongside her. “I sought fame and fortune along with honor and glory. All I got was pain and regret.” As they walked up to the fire, he continued. “These scars I call prizes, they're reminders.” Poking at several on his chest. “They all have memories attached.”
Fox stumbled over to the fire and collapsed next to it, a metal flask in his hoof. “Yooo!” He shouted, muffled by the sand before he lifted his head. “They got liquor!”
“Hey!” The Zebra shouted as he ran up to the fire. “Give that back, that's ceremonial!”
Fox stood up and ran away. “It's mine now!” He shouted before taking a swig from the flask.
Joan and some of her group laughed as Fox and the Zebra chased each other around camp. “T'Kan is very protective of his things. We will get him more of his drink when we go into town tomorrow.” She put a hand on Amenadiel's shoulder. “That was a good change of pace. I do not like to dwell on the dark side of life.”
“Here here!” Amenadiel agreed cheerfully. “Fox!” He shouted to the pony who was fast approaching. Swift handed him the flask and Amenadiel held it up. “To new friends, new beginnings, and life.” The group cheered, except for the Zebra who was attempting to grab the flask from the scaled warrior. Amenadiel took a quick swig and handed it to Joan.
“I think we'll get along just fine, Amenadiel.” She said, taking a swig from the flask.