Chapter 2

--- The Big City ---

Manehatten, Train Station

Manehatten, the city that never sleeps. The loud obnoxious noise of the city was like somepony was pushing a drill through my ears. The smell of industry was like breathing in burnt ghoul entrails. I hated coming to this place to be honest, but a job is a job. And for once, I wouldn’t have to deal with alone.

Final was still asleep, leaning her head back against the headrest of the seat. As she was blocking my way, I had to wake her up. Now normally waking her up from a nap would result in a bitchy Final, but with just the right touch, that outcome could be avoided. I gently moved up to her ear and lightly nibbled on it.

She groaned and batted me away with a hoof, snuggling back into the headrest. Ok then, plan B.

I pushed her out of her seat, causing her to land on her back in the aisle.

“Fuck!” She yelled as she rubbed the back of her head. She then glared up at me in annoyance, which I only smirked back.

“The fuck was that for?” Final shouted as she got back to her hooves. I jumped over her and landed in front of her.

“You wouldn’t wake up, so I went with plan B. Not my fault you weren’t in the mood to get your fat ass up,” Shadow said as he walked down the aisle to exit the car.

“Who are you calling fat!?” Final said, stomping towards him.

“Well you’ve been hitting those snack cakes really hard babe. You’ll be as big as Celestia if you’re not careful,” Shadow said, keeping his smug look as he jumped down from the train car.

Final followed in a huff, “Don’t you dare compare me with Princess Thunder Thighs. I work hard to keep my figure, fuck you very much.”

“Oh you know I’m just playing hon. You’ve got the finest ass this side of the Everfree,” Shadow said, coming to her side and nuzzling her.

Final tried to stay mad but smiled nonetheless, “Buy me a coffee and you’re forgiven.”

Shadow chuckled at that, “Sure babe.”

They both walked out of the train station and into the great metropolis that was Manehatten. The loud obnoxious city hadn’t changed at all, still too much noise for Shadow’s liking. Final pranced around the streets looking into all the shops that lined their path. More than once Shadow had to drag her away from a few things, like jewelry stores and lingerie shops.

After a while they found a nice little cafe and found themselves a seat. An earth pony waitress came by shortly after they were seated. She was spring green with a yellow mane done in a bun. “Welcome, what can I get you two?”

“Water will suit me just fine,” Shadow said, trying to give a friendly smile.

“Alrighty then, and for you Miss?” The waitress asked after she scribbled in her notepad.

“One of your finest espressos sweetie,” Final said, winking at the mare. The waitress blushed and quickly trotted off to get their orders.

Shadow shook his head, “Final, do you have to flirt with everything that moves? Poor mare was blushing as bright red as your mane.”

Final simply smirked and winked at him, “Well if it gets us a discount it’ll be worth it. Also, I didn’t see her having a problem with it?”

Shadow simply groaned and looked around the cafe. Most of the other patrons talked amongst themselves, mostly about shopping and exploring the city. However one stood out from the crowd at the tables.

One stallion, who wore a tailored suit and tie, no doubt a well financed associate here in Manehatten. He had been staring at them since they arrived, switching between them with different expression. A clear look of disgust for Shadow, not uncommon given his lineage and occupation. And the other was a look of interest at Final, again not uncommon as she tended to catch many ponies eyes.

He kept his eye on him, mostly to see if he would have the courage to confront us. It was always fun to put rich brats in their place. The waitress soon returned with our drinks and stole glances at Final occasion before looking away in embarrassment.

“So that will be two bits for the water and five for the coffee. Would you two be paying separate or together?’ The mare asked looking in between us.

Final chuckled and pointed her hoof at me, “My stallion will be taking the check sweetie.”

He rolled my eyes, a promise was a promise after all. Shadow passed the waitress seven bits with his magic. She took them graciously, and before she could leave Final walked up behind her and slipped a piece of paper into her notepad, most likely her address. She looked at it and Final for a bit before blushing bright crimson and walking off quickly. We were left to enjoy our drinks in peace, at least for a moment.

As Final finished her coffee, the rich stallion from earlier finally got the balls to walk over to them and stood in between them.

He looked over at Final and smiled, “Well well well, what is a treasure like you doing sitting with this horrid half-breed?”

You would think this would anger Shadow and cause me to beat his face in the table, but he was use to this treatment. Besides, he would miss the show.

Final lowered her eyelids and smiled at the stallion, getting up from her seat to stand face to face with him. She brushed off his suit and placed her hoof on his chest.

“Well, you are quite the specimen I must say sir. And a flatterer as well. You certainly must catch the eyes of quite a few mares,” Final said, stroking his chest with her hoof.

He puffed out his chest in pride and smiled smugly down at her, “I most certainly do, but I’m sure I can find time to show a classy mare like you the finest cuisine in Manehatten. Far better than this mutant mongrel.”

Shadow simply leaned back and waited for the punchline. Final grinned even wider and leaned closer to him. Her nose nearly touching his as he was stunned by her forwardness. But as he leaned forward for what probably believed was a kiss, she leaned forward towards his ear instead.

“But unfortunately good sir, you have made some grave mistakes just now. The worst of which was insulting my stallion,” Final said, before using her strength to push his chest and cause to lose his balance, falling backwards on his back. She huffed, sticking her nose up in the air before returning to Shadow, nuzzling him under his chin.

The stallion recovered and was pissed, he huffed and marched over to us, “No mare rejects me, especially not for some striped bastard!”

He then locked up and his face showed great pain and surprise as he could not move. Final’s horn was glowing an amber red as she gripped the stallion’s family jewels. She had a calm yet stern look on her face as she had the stallion immobilized.

“I strongly encourage you to shut your mouth and leave, or I promise you all the money you have will not save you from the pain and torture I will put you through. I’ve been around for centuries you spoiled little shit stain, and I have learned many tricks in that lifetime. So do us all a favor and go jump off a balcony,” Final said, still with that calm look on her face, keeping her voice low so nopony but us could hear.

The stallion shook his head violently in agreement and Final let him go. He tripped over his own hooves and ran out of the cafe like a pack of timberwolves was on his tail.

Shadow looked over at Final and smiled, “You are so hot when you get like that, the poor bastard didn’t stand a chance.”

Final grinned at me, “No one disrespects my stallion but me.” She gave me a quick peck on the lips before pulling away. We both left the cafe, leaving a lot of confused and slightly frightened patrons. The waitress from before caught Final’s gaze and Final blew her a kiss sending her into another blushing fit.

Manehatten, Mayor’s Office

Walking through the streets of Manehatten once again, Shadow and Final made their way to the destination, the Mayor’s office. It wasn’t hard to find, as it was the tallest building in the city. Shadow walked inside the building, Final following close behind. The building was like any office building, ponies moving back and forth like ants in a colony.

At the far end of the entry was a large desk with a unicorn secretary, scribbling down notes, papers, and other documents. Shadow walked up to her and cleared his throat to get her attention.

She looked up and noticed him, giving him a friendly smile, “Welcome, how can I help you sir?”

“My name is Shadow Strike, and I am here for a contract under Princess Luna’s command,” Shadow said, showing the mare the letter Luna had sent him.

She looked it over and nodded, “Ah yes, the Princess sent word that you would be arriving. The Mayor has been expecting you.”

Shadow took the letter back and nodded in thanks to the mare, walking towards the elevator. Final however walked up to the mare and smiled her usual smile, causing the mare to look at her with a raised eyebrow.

“Hello sweetie, my name is Final, what’s yours?” Final said, fluttering her eyelashes. The mare blushed and looked back to her work, causing Final to move ever so closer.

Shadow turned back to look over his shoulder, “Final, no flirting while we’re on the job.”

Final snapped her head towards him, “I was just saying hello.”

“For you that’s the same as flirting,” Shadow said, rolling his eyes as he made it to the elevator, stepping inside.

Final huffed and caught up with the zony quickly so they could ascend the elevator to the mayor’s office. After pressing the button to the top floor where the mayor would most certainly be, but goddesses why did they have to put this corny music in these things. He should have just took the stairs.

Arriving on the top floor, Shadow and Final both walked up to the large expensive looking door, leading into the office. Shadow was unimpressed as it just seemed to be a big waste of money, Final also seeming not to be impressed considering her home.

The doors opened and inside the interior was just as expensive looking as the door. Fine looking furniture, carpets, frames of rewards, certificates and other accomplishments were hung on the wall for all to see. Clearly the Mayor was proud of his achievements and wealth.

Speaking of the Mayor, he turned his chair from looking out his large glass window to notice us entering and immediately broke into a smile. “Master Witcher! Thank the Princesses you’ve come.”

The Mayor was an earth pony, tan coat with a brown mane, nothing too unique. He did however wear a fancy looking suit and tie, making himself to look important.

Shadow walked up to shake his hoof, “My name is Shadow Strike, I came as soon as I received the Princess's letter. What seems to be the problem Sir?”

He sighed but soon regained his smile, “I am Open Ballet, Mayor of Manehatten, and I fear that a creature plagues my fair city Master Shadow. One that lurks in the dark and preys on the innocent.”

Final walked up and spoke up, “Well that is obvious or you wouldn’t need a witcher. Tell us the whole story.”

“Mayor Ballet, this is Final Verse, my assistant and marefriend. She will be helping me deal with this monster of yours,” Shadow said, gesturing to the mare who bowed her head in respect.

“Anypony who can say they are in a relationship with a witcher certainly must be used to dealing with horrors and nightmares. And you have an air of power and knowledge about you Miss Final,” Mayor Ballet said, looking over the mare.

“I’ve dealt with plenty in my lifetime, hardly anything surprises me,” Final said, smirking with pride.

“Yeah, like that Shaelmaar we ran into a few years ago. She screamed like a filly when it burst from the ground and rolled at her like a boulder,” Shadow said, chuckling under his breath.

Final blushed and glared at him, “I did not scream like a filly. I just never seen one before, and it startled me.”

Mayor Ballet looked awkwardly between the two before clearing his throat, “Back to the matter at hand Master Witcher. We’ve received several reports in the last few weeks of ponies disappearing in the streets at night. It wasn’t until last night that we found an eyewitness to one of these disappearances. A mare claimed that her roommate was dragged into the sewers by what she described as a tentacle. We contacted the royal guard soon after and now here you are.”

Shadow took in the information with precision. A monster in the sewer, with tentacles. That would narrow it down to a few creatures, but he needed more information before he made a judgement.

“Is there anymore information you can give us? Where was the last attack?” Shadow asked.

The Mayor hummed to himself, “Well, my officers did secure the street where the last attack. I’ve got a team of investigators there now.”

Shadow’s eyes grew and his tone turned from respectful to pissed, “And they are probably trampling over any evidence there. They don’t know what to look for and if the beast isn’t nocturnal, they are in danger.”

The Mayor was taken back from the witcher’s outburst, but soon recomposed himself, “I apologize Master Witcher, I’ll send word for them to clear the area and wait for you. Also, there is the mare who reported the attack. She is currently at Manehatten General Hospital.”

Shadow nodded, “Good, I’ll run by the hospital and check with her. After I’m done there, I’ll head over to the site, where was the attack?”

Mayor Ballet passed over a piece of paper detailing the site and how to get there. Satisfied with the information Shadow took his leave, Final right behind him.

As they boarded the elevator Final spoke up, “So hon, what’re we dealing with?”

Shadow didn’t turn to her, but she could see the look on his face showed deep thought, “Not sure yet. I have some ideas and if they’re right it is not gonna be a pleasant fight Final.”

Final smirked, “Come on, we’ve dealt with plenty of monsters in our lifetimes, it’ll be a piece of cake.”

Shadow smirked, “Overconfidence leads to misfortune my dear Final.”

Final just stuck her tongue out at him as the elevator stopped on the ground floor. She winked at the secretary mare as they exited the building, causing the mare to blush again.

Manehatten, General Hospital

Shadow and Final arrived at the hospital and the usual depressed atmosphere of a hospital was clear as day. Ponies in casts, coughing, and other signs of illness were all over the place. Nothing too out of place, for a large city.

Shadow walked up to the receptionist, a stallion nurse, “I’m here to see the mare that was attacked, Mayor Ballet said she’d be here.”

The nurse looked up from his paperwork and saw both of them, “Yes, the mayor contacted us and said you’d be coming. She is in quarantine right now, so you will need to be sterilized and prepped.”

Final raised an eyebrow, “Quarantine, what in Equestria for?”

“She was found covered in a slime like substance and it is still unknown what it is. What we do know is that it contains many pathogens and bacteria, the poor mare is quite ill but strong enough to talk I believe,” The stallion said.

Shadow’s eyes narrowed after hearing that explanation, and he quickly encouraged them to hurry up and let him see this mare.

After a thorough process of sterilization and preparation, Shadow and Final were allowed into the quarantine. The room had machines and talismans all over the place, filtering the air, killing any bacteria in the air. The mare in question was laying in bed, looking as comfortable as somepony in her condition could be. The red unicorn saw them approach and looked confused.

The earth pony doctor that was in charge of her care spoke to her, “Tulip, these two would like to speak with you about what happened to you. Is that alright?”

She coughed a little and sat up a bit on the bed, “Yes of course doctor.”

The doctor let them beside the bed, Shadow on the left side and Final on the right. Tulip looked to Shadow, a nervous expression on her face.

Shadow smiled, “There’s no need to be nervous. I’m here to help. What happened to you?”

Tulip took a deep breath and spoke, “It was just another night for us. Me and my roommate Jade, we’ve been friends since school and we got an apartment together. We were going to the bar when we walked past a sewer grate. Something came out of the grate and grabbed Jade. I tried to help her but the thing was slimy and I couldn’t do anything.”

Tulip started to tear up, causing Final to come closer and gently grab the mare’s hoof. Tulip gasped and looked up to Final, who smiled brightly at her, trying to calm her down. It helped a bit, and she turned back to Shadow to continue.

“After she was gone, I got covered in some kind of slime and it burned. My stomach churned and I threw up a few times. A policepony found me and brought me to the hospital. I’ve been here since then,” Tulip said, her breath back to normal.

Shadow took in the information and ran through his knowledge of monsters, he was closer to the answer he needed, but needed just a bit more. He turned to the doctor, “The slime she was covered in, is there any left over that I can examine?”

The doctor was shocked but nodded. Shadow turned to Final, “Final, stay here with her. I’m gonna get the final piece of this puzzle.”

Final gave him a deadpanned look, making him realize his words, “Ugh, no pun intended. Not my fault you’re a walking pun magnet.”

Shadow dodged a pillow running out of the quarantine. He then found the doctor who then led him to a lab. He brought out a vial with a green substance. “Here it is. I suggest you wear protective gloves Master Witcher.”

Shadow took the vial in his hooves and placed it on the table, “No need to worry Doc, Witchers are immune to disease and highly resistant to poisons.”

After some tests of the substance, the final pieces of the puzzle came into view, and Shadow had hoped he was mistaken. But the evidence was all there. The sewers, tentacles, slime filled with harmful bacteria, all of this pointed to one monster. And it only made his job that much harder.

“I know what this is, and we need to act fast,” Shadow said, writing down a list of ingredients and instructions for the doctor.

Passing it over in his magic, “Follow these instructions to help Tulip. It’ll nullify the bacteria in the slime, and be quick about it. She is still in danger.”

The doctor’s eyes widened and he quickly took the note. Shadow then raced down the hallway.

Final had been sitting with Tulip for a while, making small talk and trying to comfort her.

“I must look like a mess, and smell like a latrine,” Tulip said, looking down at her hooves while sitting upright in the bed.

“Hon, you had a death defying experience with a sewer monster and got covered in slime, I think we can forgive your condition. And don’t worry, once you get out, I’ll personally treat you to the local spa,” Final said, brushing the mare’s mane out of her face.

Tulip eyes widened like saucers and looked to the mare, “Really!?”

Final smiled, “Absolutely, you need some you time after all this shit. And I’ll not have no for an answer.”

Tulip hugged her, “Thank you, thank you, thank you. I haven’t been to the spa in weeks since me and…”

Tulip’s mood suddenly did a 180 as she looked near in tears again. Final quickly brought her leg around her shoulders, “Shh, its ok sweetie. Shadow and I will find out what happened and we will take of whatever is down there.”

Tulip broke down and buried her face in Final’s chest, sobbing her heart out. Final had seen this scene so many times in her long life. She just sat there on the bed, stroking the mare’s mane in an attempt to comfort her.

Shadow burst into the room, startling both mares and causing them to look his way.

“Shadow, we were having a tender moment. Ever heard of knocking?” Final said, looking mildly annoyed at the zony.

“Bitch at me later, we need to work fast. The situation is worse than I originally thought,” Shadow said, walking up to the bed.

“Did you find what you were looking for?” Final said, sounding less annoyed and more serious.

“Yes, and if I’m right, which I know I am, everypony in this city is at risk,” Shadow said, give off a dark vibe with that sentence.

“What do you mean? What attacked me and Jade?” Tulip said, pulling away from Final’s embrace to look directly into the zony’s eyes with desperation.

Shadow paused for a brief moment before speaking, “It’s a zeugul, and a mature one at that.”

Final and Tulip looked at each other with confusion, and both asked at the same time, “A what?”

“A zeugul, also known as a trash eater. They live in populated areas, mostly around landfills. They start out by feeding on trash, rotting corpses, and rats. A zeugul will eat constantly when its young, devouring anything in the vicinity,” Shadow explained, the mare’s scrunching their noses in disgust.

“But as it grows older and larger, it starts to get a taste for fresh food, mainly living creatures. There is one in the sewers below the city, and it’s grown so much, it’s feeding on ponies in the streets,” Shadow said, his anger growing with every word.

Final’s expression grew to one of deep thought, “Wait a sec hon. If this zeugul is so large, it’s been down there for quite some time right?”

Shadow nodded, “Most likely it’s been down there it’s whole life, feeding on the waste of one of Equestria’s largest cities.”

“And wouldn’t somepony had noticed it before now? Worker ponies that maintain the sewers?” Final said, growing suspicious.

Shadow and Final both wore dark looks on their faces, showing the rage they felt as more pieces of the puzzle came into view. Shadow stepped towards the door to the room, while Final looked at Tulip one last time.

“We will avenge your friend Tulip, then we can have some girl time at the spa,” Final said, shifting from a smile back to her scowl as she finished her goodbye moving to the door to join Shadow.

Manehatten, Mayor’s Office

“Sir, you can’t just barge in there!” The receptionist shouted as Shadow pushed past her and knocked out the security guards blocking the way.

Final walked up to her, “Honey, I suggest you keep out of the way.”

The mare grew pale and simply returned to the elevator, back to the ground floor. Shadow and Final however burst through the doors to the mayor’s office.

“What in the name of Celestia is going on? Have you two lost it!?” Mayor Ballet asked in a startled voice.

Shadow growled and punched him in the face, knocking him to the ground. Final sat not to far away spitting in his direction.

Royal guard burst into the room, Lieutenant Night Fang leading them. “Shadow, what in Luna’s glorious moon are you doing?”

“This scumbag knew what was in the sewers all along. It’s been there for years, no way in hell city workers haven’t seen it, or at least signs of it,” Shadow said, now holding the mayor up with magic by his suit collar.

Final got in front of the Lieutenant, “We found all the evidence at the hospital. The story we were told about the attack and the slime that was found all lead to one type of monster.”

Shadow threw the mayor at the feet of the Lieutenant, “A zeugul, a rare monster that feeds on waste, whether it be trash, rotten flesh or just biological waste.”

The Mayor’s expression grew pale and he screamed, “Alright yes I admit it! I knew it was down there, we lost a worker in the sewers 7 years ago. I couldn’t risk my re-election, so I lied and said he drowned in an accident.”

“So you lied and put the entire city in danger just to keep your position!?” Final shouted at him, getting right in his face before slapping him.

“I’ve heard enough. Guards, arrest this stallion. I will contact Princess Luna myself and she will decide your punishment Mayor Ballet,” Lieutenant Night Fang said, his guard quickly following their orders.

The Lieutenant then turned to Shadow, “So what now?”

Shadow took a deep breath, “Now we clean up his mess. Night Fang, make an announcement to the city, no one leaves their homes tonight, under any circumstances. I want guards at every sewer entrance.”

Night Fang nodded and led his ponies out of the office, Mayor Ballet in tow.

Final walked up to Shadow, “So, time for a fun little trip through the sewers?”

Shadow nodded, “I hope you didn’t bring your good heels babe, cause we are probably gonna need three baths after this.”

Both ponies left the office, to prepare for the hunt that was to come that night.

Author's Note

Here is Ch.2, had some free time.

I know no one really reads this, but a friend requested it. XP

Hades