Chronicles of Light I: The New arrival.by Marcbot2004ChaptersPrologue: A Moonlit NightChapter I: A New kid, a new mysteryChapter II: InvestigationChapter III: SecretsChapter IV: LiesPrologue: A Moonlit NightAuthor's Note This story uses characters and elements from the Bloodlines Continuity with their permission. Do check them out. Prologue: A Moonlit Night It was a late Monday night when Sunset Shimmer exited the glass doors of Canterlot High with Rainbow Dash as the two talked, the sun dipping into the horizon and bookbags slung over their shoulders. "Dash, why must you always wait till the last possible second?" Sunset asked the cyan guitar player in annoyance, "It's not my fault that Mr. Discord is so crazy with the due dates!" Rainbow Dash retorted in annoyance. "Yeah, I know. Just...don't push it back as often," Sunset requested, before checking her phone. "Darn, it's nearly seven! I should get home." "Yeah, same here, I kept mom and dad waiting long enough. See ya, Sunset!" Rainbow Dash waved good buy before running down the street in a rainbow blur towards her parent's house. Sunset shook her head, beginning to stroll to her own home as well. She walked along the stone sidewalk, her shoes making a subtle clopping sound, thinking to herself. Canterlot had been quiet for a month since the incident with Juniper Montage. Miraculously, it somehow never made it to the internet and no government agents came to cart Sunset and her friends away to dissect them for magic as she suspected would happen. Instead, everything has been peaceful. No secret wars. No magic transformations. No pocket-dimension hiding in mirrors. No magical stones. Certainly no over-competitive principals. No ancient vengeful kings. No witches. No long-dead kings. No demon friends. Nothing at all. It was boring, too. Much too boring for her tastes. While she did enjoy the quiet, for the last few weeks, something has been what she could only describe as off, lately. Sightings of comic book heroes and villains that seemed to jump out of the paper they were drawn on and appear in real life have plagued the Eastern Seaboard. Fortunately, no major sightings were reported in Canterlot. Sunset continued to walk along the sidewalk, passing Sugar Cube Corner. She stopped in front of the cafe's doors before looking at the horizon. The sun had already dipped into the distant hills, darkness falling upon Canterlot like a great veil, the only sources of light were the quarter moon, and the street lamps beginning to flicker on for the night. She entered the cafe, pushing the door open. Very few people were sitting at the cafe. Aside from her, there were four other people. Octavia Melody and Vinyl Scratch, chatting and drinking milkshakes. The other was a figure in a brown trench coat and fedora, hands wrapped around a cup of steaming coffee and his face looking mournfully at the bubbling brown liquid. Mrs. Cake was working the register, looking tired herself. Sunset walked up to the counter, her wallet at the ready. "Hello deary, what'll you be havin'?" Mrs. Cake asked, holding back a yawn. "Just some coffee, please," Sunset requested before taking note of the cafe's current capacity. "Slow night?" "Yeah, anyways, your coffee will be ready in a few," Mrs. Cake said, turning around and grabbing a cup. Sunset turned as well and looked for a place to sit for the moment. She saw that the figure's table was empty, and they looked like they could use some company. "Hello there," she greeted with a smile, sitting down at the person's table. Yet, strangely enough, she got no response from the stranger. Curiously, she peered closer to glimpse a better look at him. His shoulders and chest were rising and falling steadily, his eyes were shut tight, and small noises escaped his lips. He was asleep. Sunset sighed, sitting back into her own chair, resting her head in her hand and drumming her fingers on the table, waiting as her chances of passing the time with conversation were dashed. She looked across the cafe once more, as two more people entered. They were both men, looking like they were in their thirties. They both dressed in black trench coats and pants, a black leather belt holding them up as their feet were covered by black boots. Their hair and eyes were also a coal-black. They made their orders at the counter before sitting at a table and beginning to chat idly with one another. Sunset examined the two men for a few moments. For some reason, she felt suspicious of them. Something about the two, it just set off some sort of alarm bell in her mind. Something, she wasn't exactly sure what, was dangerous about these men. "Coffee's ready, dearie," Mrs. Cake said, breaking Sunset from her suspicions. Warily, she stood up from the seat taking out her wallet as she faced Mrs. Cake, who was holding a cup of steaming coffee in her hand. "What'll that be?" Sunset asked. "$2.99, please," Mrs. Cake said. Sunset handed her three dollars instead, Mrs. Cake taking the money and placing it in the register. She handed Sunset her coffee and her change. "Have a good night!" "You too," Sunset smiled, taking her coffee and turning around. She opened the door to the cafe and left, trekking to her home, the crickets chirping as she walked. Back in the cafe, the two men looked at each other and had a sort of silent conversation before nodding. They got up from their table, disposing of their waste, and walked out of the cafe. They walked down the sidewalk, Sunset in their sights. They quickened their pace, reaching inside their jackets, each one pulling out a 9mm pistol with a silencer. The men quickened their pace, nearly reaching their target. Yet, just about Sunset was going to make a turn, a noise was heard behind them, like a switchblade flipping from its chamber, and something sharp and metal pressed into both of their backs. "Now, now, now. What are you two doing out here?" A voice asked from behind them. They turned their heads to see the source of the voice, it was the person in a coat from the cafe! And he held a hidden blade to each of their backs. "Who the hell are you?" One of the men asked. "Oh, just an agent of light," The boy shrugged. "No one special. Now, I don't know about you, but I feel we should keep out of sight of the civilians. There is a building a few yards back, right across from the cafe. We can conduct our business there." "So, do we walk back?" The other man asked. "No," the boy smirked. The three of them were consumed in a golden flash, and in one minute, they were gone from the sidewalk. A minute later, and they reappeared on a flat rooftop of an apartment building. A few AC units and stray satellite dishes populated the roof. A golden light flashed, and the three also populated the roof. "You can teleport?" the first man asked casually. "Yes, and more," the teen replied. "So, are you going to try and kill us?" The second asked, looking to his partner. "Yes. But I am going to allow you a fair fight," the teen said, sheathing his hidden blades under his sleeves and backing away a few feet from the two others, who turned around to face him. They pocketed their guns, smirking. "Allow us a fair fight?" The first man asked in amusement. "I'm not sure if you know, but you're out of your le-AHHHHH!!" The man screamed as his forearm was suddenly blown off, the stub pouring out black blood like a fountain. The man fell to the ground and screamed in agony, clutching the stub. The teen had a long gun in his hand, smoke rising from the barrel. It was pitch black, with a foot-long muzzle. It had the words Shadow Breaker engrave on the side of the gun. "You little piece of shit! Do you know who you are fucking with?!" The other man asked in anger as the wounded man's blood finally stopped flowing. Bone started poking through the wound, forming the elbow. From there, the bones continued to grow out, forming a skeletal hand. From the wound, muscles and veins shot out, wrapping around the newly-formed bone. Finally, skin reformed around the arm, ending the regeneration. "Oh, I know exactly who I'm fucking with. Some demon shit-heals sent to dispatch the Seventh. Tell me, do you know who you are fucking with?" The teen asked cockily. "Now, come on. Show me what you got." The two men looked to each other, then to the teen. Suddenly, their skin darkened to be a dark grey. Two bat-like wings sprouted from their backs, and a grey tail with sharpened, tapered tips. Finally, two gray horns sprouted from their foreheads, ending their transformation as their teeth and nails sharpened to fine points. "You really want to try this, boy?" The first demon asked, his voice sounding split, distorted. Like two entirely different people talking in perfect unison. "Hmm. Yes. To protect the Seventh, anything," The teen said, aiming his gun. Te first demon charged, brandishing his claws and slashing at the teen. The teen simply dodged the assault, and uppercut the demon in the chin, stunning him. Next, he bashed his gun on his forehead. The demon attempted a wild slash, but the teen blocked it with his left hand, and aimed his gun into the chin of the demon. "Bwah," the teen said, squeezing the trigger. A loud bang was heard ringing through the night as the demon's head suddenly exploded in a fountain of gore and blood. All was still and quiet for a moment, before the lifeless body fell to the ground. "Impossible. No mortal weapon can kill a demon," the older demon, the one who got his arm blown off, said in shock. "This isn't a normal weapon. The interior of the barrel is completely covered with ruins and holy symbols engraved into it, and splinters of the True Cross are put inside each of these bullets. Held inside a small tank of Holy Water, and the bullet tips are made from Angel Silver. Any demon I hit with a bullet from this gun, won't get back up again." The teen said with a smirk. "No matter, I'll kill you, then the girl!" The demon said, charging at the teen. The teen simply fired off a few shots, yet this demon was much more experienced than his younger counterpart. He dodged the bullets and jumped into the air, his wings giving him greater height, before lunging at the teen, forcing him to jump out of the way. He was about to fire another shot, but the demon's tail slashed at him, cutting his hand and forcing him to drop his gun. The demon lunged at the teen again, this time managing to actually wound his face, four long, bleeding claw marks leading down the right side of his face. He slashed again, but this time he was blocked. The teen brought up his hand to stop the attack, holding the demon at the wrist. The demon tried with his other hand, but found it caught as well. The teen brought up his leg, and kicked the demon in his gut, sending him stumbling back. He scrambled to pick up his gun from the ground, the demon charging. Time seemed to slow down for the teen, and he aimed his gun. His eyes glew golden, and his wounds sealed themselves with a golden glow. He squeezed the trigger, firing off a shot. The hammer slammed into the gun, activating the spark. The bullet was ejected from its shell, ruins, and symbols lighting up from within the gun, and the bullet left the gun spiraling and slamming into the demon's gut, sending him back as he slammed into the ground. The teen smirked as he walked over to the dying demon. "Who.......who are you?" The demon asked. "The chosen one," The teen shrugged, freaking the demon out. "Nonononononononononononononononono! No! It's impossible! You died on Teenax!" The demon screamed. The teen breathed sharply through his teeth. "Sorry. If I did, you'd get to go home tonight. But I didn't. When you get to Hell, tell them that there are still those willing to fight for what's right up here!" He smiled, bathing the building in a golden glow and firing off his gun straight into the demon's forehead. The demon's head exploded, killing him. The teen simply then muttered a spell, and the various pools of blood and gore, as well as the bodies, burst into flame and burned away into harmless ash. He climbed down the fire escape, and strolled down the street, taking his merry time. Vinyl Scratch and Octavia stared in silent awe and horror at the scene that had just unfolded in front of them. They had been standing in front of Sugarcube Corner for the last few minutes, Vinyl recording the whole fight on her phone as they watched the fight. "Vinyl, did I, did we really just see that?" Octavia asked in shock. "Uh-huh. I have the proof right here!" Vinyl said with glee. "What do we do? Who do we tell about this? I mean, first those weird sightings, and now demons?!" Octavia exclaimed in exasperation. "Don't worry. I'm posting this on my EwTube channel." Vinyl Scratch smirked, pressing a button on her phone. "Vinyl, I don't think your little fanbase can do much help...for all we know, we are facing an invasion of these, these, demons!" Octavia said. "Well, they can certainly spread the word!" Vinyl said. "But, do we have a defense against these?" Octavia asked. "Does our government have ways of dealing with this stuff?" "Octy, did you really forget about the Girls?" Vinyl asked. "No, just....I don't think this is their forte...." Octavia trailed off. "Well, there was that time with the aliens...." Vinyl pointed out. "Well yes....but-" "And keep in mind, they have technically fought demons before. Sunset Satan. Midnight Sparkle. Gloriosa Everfree." Vinyl listed. "OK. OK. I see your point, but what of the third one. That.....golden man?" Octavia asked. "Who's side is he on?" "I don't know." Vinyl said, checking to see if the video was uploaded. She saw that it was, and how late it was. "Oh shit. We should head home....." "I guess so," Octavia mused. "Guess these mysteries can be solved another time...." The two then walked down the sidewalks of Cantelrot, heading home together. Chapter I: A New kid, a new mystery"OK, this is obviously fake," Rainbow Dash said staring at a video playing on her phone. "To be fair, we have dealt with stranger things," Rarity piped up, watching the video on her phone as well. The Rainbooms were all gathered in the music room during a free period and were watching the video DJ P0N-3 had posted last night to EwTube. "Rarity is right," Sci-Twi concurred. "The Fall Formal, the Battle of the Bands......" "Friendship Games, Camp Everfree..." Sunset trailed. "Velvet, am I forgetting anything?" The girl in question, however, did not respond. She was too entrapped by the video. Especially when the stranger gave off that golden glow. "Velvet? Earth to Velvet Breeze," Sunset said, trying to get her attention. She shook her head and looked at Sunset, showing a dusky blue face framed with shoulder-length hair in shades of teal and grey, held out of her eyes with a hair clip that was shaped like an inverted letter ‘V’. She wore a long white hooded coat with a red scarf wrapped around her waist. Underneath the coat, she wore simple a simple white t-shirt, as well as blue jeans and sneakers. "What is it?" Velvet Breeze asked. "We want to know what you think of the video. And what other strange stuff we have dealt with," Sunset explained. "Oh. Uh. Let's see. The Assassin-Templar war," Velvet began. "That was an interestin' time," Mused Applejack. "The Grineer Invasion," Velvet recalled. "Oh, that was exhilarating!" Pinkie said. "I wonder how those Tenno are doing?" "I think that's all," Velvet said. "Yeah, so we have dealt with stuff stranger than some glowing dude and a few guys with wings," Sunset said. "Yeah yeah, I guess so," Rainbow Dashs shrugged. "As for what I think on it, that glow......it seems......familiar in an eerie sense." Velvet said. "How so?" Sunset asked. "It reminds me of....of the sword," Velvet said. "What sword?" Sci-Twi asked. "Wait, the sword? As in...Excalibur?" Sunset asked, her voice becoming a whisper as if someone was listening in on them. Velvet nodded. "Yes. I know that it is probably a coincidence, but it seems similar." The group was interrupted when Principal Celestia's voice came over the PA. "Sunset Shimmer to the Principal's office. Sunset Shimmer to the Principal's office," Celestia said before switching the PA off. "Wonder what that's about," Sunset sighed, putting her phone in her pocket and heading to the office. Sunset pushed the entryway door to Canterlot High School open, walking into the courtyard and seeing her goal immediately. He was standing next to the Wondercolts statue and examined it. "Hello," Sunset greeted, catching his attention. "Hello there," he smiled. He had strange skin, a sort of pale-pink, and he dressed in simple clothes. Blue jeans and a blue polo, with a trench coat that was tied closed. He had sea-green eyes and dirty blonde hair. His chin had some stubble, and his cheeks were dotted with pimples. "My name is Sunset Shimmer, yours?" Sunset asked, presenting her hand. "Kurtzman. Marc Wayne Kurtzman. Nice to meet you, Madmoiselle Shimmer," Marc greeted, shaking her hand. "Nice to meet you, too. Welcome to Canterlot High!" Sunset said jovially. "Want to take the tour?" "Yes," Marc nodded calmly. "Then, follow me!" Sunset said, leading Marc into the school, pushing the twin glass doors open and showing him the spacious foyer. Marc let out a whistle as he drifted towards one of the trophy cabinets, seeing a picture of the baseball team before looking around some more. "What happened there?' Marc asked, pointing to above the doors, the entirety of the bricks and stone used to make it up seeming newer than the others on the rest of the walls. Sunset blinked, staring at the entrance before realizing it. That was the part of the school she destroyed when she went demonic. "Oh. Um.....construction accident. I wasn't here when that happened. I'm a...recentish transfer. " Marc looked skeptical but dropped the subject, allowing Sunset to take him further into the school. They passed various classes as they went through high school, Sunset naming them as they did. "Mr. Discord's science class," She pointed out the first class, the door opening to revealing a strangely dressed man with smoke lulling from the classroom, no doubt from his latest in-class science accident, grumbling about mixtures and bonding agents and the like. "Is he...OK?" Marc asked, jabbing a thumb at the teacher. "Eh. He's been in worse. Don't worry, his class is fun if a bit...chaotic," Sunset said with a chuckle. However, Marc seemed skeptical, but he once again dropped it. "I'll take your word for it," He said in the end. "Shall we continue?" "Yes." Sunset nodded before taking him deeper into the school, passing various other classes. The computer class, formerly taught by one Pierce Network, who died of mysterious circumstances. The English class, taught by the strict Mrs. Harshwhinny. History class, taught by Time Turner, as well as various others. "And here is the music room. It has no real teacher as of late, but it is here for the various school bands to practice their various musical skills," Sunset explained. "Hmm...is this where the famous Rainbooms I've heard about practice?" Marc asked curiously, examining the door critically. Sunset nodded in affirmation. "Indeed! I'm actually a back-up guitarist for the band." "Really?" Marc asked, stars in his eyes. "I admit, I've always had a passion for music. I actually sing pretty well, but I can't play an instrument to save my life, save for some rusty recorder skills." Sunset chuckled before replying. "Sorry. Um, the band is full, but it's always nice to meet a fan. Wanna meet them?" Sunset asked. "Yes please!" Marc said with excitement. "I like that enthusiasm," Sunset said approvingly, pushing the doors open. The Rainbooms were finishing up their practice, and packing up the instruments they could, with Velvet Breeze doing some unplugging and the like, her eyes falling on Marc as he walked in a looked around. "My my....." Marc whistled. "Never thought I'd be here." "Well, who is this handsome young man?" Rarity asked Sunset. "Oh, he's the new student! I'm showing around the school, and I thought we'd stop here," Sunset explained. "Marc Kurtzman. Charmed," he said, taking her right hand and plating a small kiss on it. "My my.....certainly a gentleman," Rarity blushed, taking her hand away. "My name is Rarity, Darling. Pleasure to meet you." "Believe me, the pleasure's all mine," Marc smirked, before his eyes locked with Velvet Breeze's. She suddenly felt cold, like a hare staring into the eyes of a hawk. His eyes. His piercing, sea-green eyes. They seemed to be piercing her very soul. Yet, she pierced his as well. She didn't see much, except the eyes of someone who had killed. "And who are you, Mademoiselle?' "Me?" Velvet asked neutrally. "Nobody, really. The name's Velvet Breeze." "Marc Wayne Kurtzman," Marc said, walking up to her and shaking her hand, allowing her to feel it. It was rough like he would often hold something heavy, with callouses and the like. His grip was firm and formal, almost militaristic. And his smirk. He looked like a fox in a henhouse. And while shaking his hand as his sleeves moved about, she could swear she saw something metal resting in them. Could those be....hidden blades? "Nice to meet you, Mr. Kurtzman," she said carefully, retracting her hand. "What brings you to Canterlot? You don't look like, nor sound like, to be from around here." "Nah. I recently moved here from somewhere else in the state. And I was raised in New Jersey, so that's prolly some of my accent from there slipping through. Never really get ridda that sort of stuff." Marc shrugged, putting his hands behind his back and holding his left wrist with his right hand. "You don't seem to be from 'round here either." "No, admittingly. I moved over from the Hollow Shades," Velvet said carefully, subtly activating her Eagle Vision and looking him over. The world turned gray, and her friends around her turned blue. "Oh really?" Marc asked, seeming gray at first before a subtle gold hue took over his body. So he was a person of interest, but not an enemy. That's good. "May I ask as to why?" "To get away from some family. You?" Velvet asked, deactivating her Eagle Vision. "The exact opposite. To get closer to my family. Well, on my mum's side." Marc shrugged. "And the school system here. Way better than Jersey." "Really?" Velvet asked. She was about to ask more, but the bell rang. "Oh my! Look at the time!" Sunset said, stepping between the two. "Uh....to get your schedule, head down the hall, to the left. The first door on your right is Princess Celestia's office." "Got it! Thanks for the tour!" Marc said, jumping on his heel and walking out of the room, closing the door behind him. "What the' hay was tha' about!?" Applejack asked after he left. "Yeah....what was going on there?" Twilight asked. "It was like they were dueling with their eyes!" Pinkie said. "Perhaps sparks were flying?" Rarity asked before everyone stared at her. "Sorry...." "Its fine Rarity...." Sunset sighed. "But, I agree what was with all....that? And, did you look him over with your Eagle Vision?" Velvet sighed. "Yes. But he turned up yellow. Which means he's a person of interest. At the moment. But....there's something about him I can't put my finger on. And I think, I think he had hidden blades under his sleeves." "Hidden blades? You mean the knives you Assassins used for stealth kills?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Yes! But, I don't remember hearing about him. Not from the storied of Masyaf, nor seen him in the Trottingham Buerue." Velvet sighed. "Hmmm.........you think he's a survivor?" Sunset asked. "From the war, I mean. I know the Assassins were pretty spread out." "Maybe...I need to do some investigating on him later," Velvet sighed. "For now....school." With that, the band left the music room, the lights flickering off as they did. Chapter II: InvestigationThe next day started with relative normality. Students bustled about the sidewalk towards school, eager to get the day over with. For today, was a Friday! Today was the last day of school before the weekend! So, with renewed fervor and interest, the students went to their first period classes with little to no problems. Velvet Breeze sat down in her chair for history class, Time Turner walking up to the board looking quite tired. The rest of the class sat down, with an empty spot standing out next to the teal-haired girl. She had discarded her look from yesterday, favoring her more modern look. Her white jacket was replaced with a leather black one similar to Sunset Shimmer's, just with steel studs. She wore blue jeans and sneakers, but still had the 'V' shaped clip keeping her hair from her eyes, and the red scarf around her waist. She waited for the teacher to begin his lecture with a sigh. Time Turner was a man in his late twenties, with light brown skin, brown hair and blue eyes. He dressed in a brown trenchcoat, and a blue suit. "Well, class...." He began, a subtle Scoltish drawl to his voice. "Today we are going to talk about something new. An oldie but a goodie. I hear my predecessor, Mr. Loregiver, began this. But I believe it would be a good way to wrap up the marking period. Don't ya?" the class replied with some murmurs, and Velvet raised an eyebrow. He couldn't possibly... "We are gonna talk about ancient Canterlot!" Time Turner said jovially. Velvet Breeze sighed. Great...this again. And here I thought I escaped this chapter of my life... Her musings were interrupted, however, when the door got knocked on. "Come in!" Time Turner said, taking a moment from putting together his lesson as the door opened, revealing the Pearl face of Principal Celestia. "Principal Celestia!" Time Turner said. "To what pleasure do we owe our fine and beauteous principal visiting my humble history class?" "Ever the flattered I see," the principal chuckled. "I need to speak with you. Outside." "Ah. of course. Behave while I'm gone, class!" He said before the two stepped out of the room. Immediately the class began to talk amongst themselves, with Velvet Breeze listening carefully. "Did you hear about that gold man?" One student asked. "Gold man?" Another questioned. "Yeah! A few days ago, there was this sighting of a gold man fighting what seemed to be demons!" Another student explained. "Psh...demons aren't real," A skeptical student said in response. "What do you call Sunset Satan and Midnight Sparkle?" Replied another. "Not demons! At least the way they could be defined here," the skeptic replied. However, the conversations were hushed before the doorknob turned. It revealed Time Turner, guiding in a new face with a book bag slung over his shoulder. "Class, this is Marc Kurtzman. He is a new Wondercolt who decided to join." Time Turner introduced. "Treat him as you would a fellow classmate. Cuz he is! Marc, would you like to say a few words?" He examined the class with that smile, yet his eyes seemed more similar to a hawk examining prey. "Pleased to meet you all!" He said with flair and a subtle bow and turning his head to take in the faces of the class. "I look forward to getting to know each and every one of you." As he said "you", his eyes resting on Velvet's once more as he corrected his posture. She didn't show anything outwardly, but inwardly, all sorts of alarms rung. That-that's exactly what I said! Who is this kid!? "Well said, Mr. Kurtzman! Choose any seat you like as we begin the class," Time Turner said, walking up to the front desk as Marc maneuvered past the various desks and book bags, before sitting down in the empty desk near Velvet Breeze. "Hoi," He greeted with a small wave and chuckle before pulling off the book bag and rolling shoulder. He opened it and pulled out a light blue notebook as the teacher began speaking. "Seems we cross paths once more, Ms. Breeze." Velvet glared at Marc, before taking out her own notebook, dutifully paying attention to the lesson. "Now, before we begin, I know there are numerous accounts and legends regarding the time period. So...keep them in mind as we explore the time period." Time Turner said, getting various looks of confusion. "Look. Myths have some garner of truth to them that written history doesn't tell." "What? Like the one where Dawn Saber's sword shot out energy?" a skeptical student asked. "Or that their mage's staff could control the wind?" Another chuckled. "Now now," Marc said, eyes resting on him. "Mr. Turner said that the myths have grains of truth. Not that they are true. Sure, his spymaster could've come from another world, sure his mages could've used magic, and sure, Dawn Saber could've shot energy from his sword. Or, hell, he could've had a prophet for all we know! It doesn't change anything really. It's still in the far past, and magic doesn't seem to exist anymore. So why not look back at the stories with an open mind? It could give us a new perspective." The class was silent before Time Turner cleared his throat. "Wise words, Marc," Time Turner nodded. "Now, onto the lesson." Velvet looked at Marc skeptically as he began to take notes, writing diligently every time the teacher said for them too as much. Eventually, they transitioned to a movie adaptation of the legends of Dawn Saber, although, it was more comedic, and made by a group whose name had something to do with a snake and a drunk. Towards the end of class, everyone began to pack their notebooks and supplies with light conversations filling the air. Marc slung his bag over his shoulder and was about to enter the hallway before Velvet Breeze walked up behind him. "Hey Marc," Velvet said cooly. "Where are you going?" "Second...period?" Marc blinked, pointing to the hall with his thumb. "What is it? You need help with sumin'?" "Uh....yeah," Velvet nodded. "Er...no. Do you need help getting there?" "Its Mr. Doodle's math class, right? I can get there on my own," Marc said, heading out into the hall. "Look, I insist on helping you," Velvet said, putting her hand on his shoulder with a firm grip. "You're new here, after all." Marc wordlessly grabbed her wrist, and pulled it off with a sigh. "Look, Ms. Breeze," Marc sighed, turning to face her. "I think there was a misunderstanding. You think I'm hiding something. Well, I'm no Siren, nor am I Tem...........a danger of any kind. So, your school is safe. Now do. Leave. Me. Be." He then released her wrist and turned on his heel and walked out of the class, saying one last thing, one last taunt as he did. "Nothing is true, everything is permitted, right?" "...and that's why I think Marc is a danger!" Velvet said to the Rainbooms. They were all gathered around a table in an empty part of the library's second floor, with the round table filled with books and notes. "Don'tcha think yer overreacting?" Applejack asked. "But he knew the Creed!" Velvet said. "He could just be another Ex-Assassin," Twilight pointed out. "I mean, logically there could be other branches that survived the war." "Or maybe he heard it from another Assassin that helped him in the past?" Fluttershy suggested. "I mean...uh....maybe?" "Or maybe he didn't hear it from an Assassin at all? Didn't they use the phrase in the Manslayers series?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Maybe he's a movie fan!" "Or maybe....and this is crazy, even for me, he's a Host for an ancient being that existed before time and space and all that jazz, and isn't even from our universe and in his, we're a fictional cartoon/fanfiction and the stories of the Assassins and Templars exist in a separate video game series that follows a similar series of events to yours, just with different events and more artifacts and that saying was used in the game!" Pinkie Pie said, getting stares. "What makes you say that?" Velvet asked. "Just a hunch," Pinkie said before going back to making a tower from the erasers. "Look, it doesn't matter where he heard it," Sunset said. "We don't know if he's a threat. If he is, we'll give him the ole Rainbows and Lasers treatment, if he isn't, then we won't. Either way, we should be fine." Velvet sighed. "I guess you're right...but if he is a danger, don't say I didn't warn you." "Fair enough," Sunset conceded. "Now, back to the matter at hand; English class." They then continued on their work in silence, until the sound of something falling filled the air. "What was that?" Twilight asked, adjusting her glasses before they fell from her nose. "I dunno. I'm going to check," Velvet said before pushing her chair out and walking out from the table and heading down several aisles before coming up on another table, at which was Marc, sound asleep. Several books and novels were scattered around his table, as well as several notes. On the table with his head resting on it, was his book bag, half unzipped. "You again," Velvet sighed, shaking her head and brushing past a bookshelf. As she did, she saw one of the books had fallen out. It had simple leather binding, with an unassuming spine. Yet it had an odd title written in gold ink. The life and times of the gold prophet of king dawn saber of canterlot writ by light sparker "How odd......I don't remember him ever having a prophet, or this book being here before." Velvet asked, before taking the book and heading back to the group, who had gotten most of their work done. "Hey Velvet. What was the mysterious noise?" Sunset asked. "Just our new student mucking around," Velvet said. "Though, I did find this odd book." "Really? Let me see." Sunset said, Velvet handing her the book as she looked it over. "Huh. I don't remember Dawn Saber ever having a Prophet." "I know! Right?" Velvet asked. "What do you think it's about?" "Well, only one way to find out," Sunset said, before opening the book and reading from it. A note to the reader of this booketh: while it may enwheel things yond seemeth impossible to the mind, and shatter any reasonings of the modern, 'r yond of the time I am writing this down, every and all events chronicl'd in this art as true as the fact yond gravity maketh things falleth. This may beest the most accurate chronicling of the events of the kingdom hath called canterlot to ev'r beest record'd. So, as thee enter this booketh, forget what thee bethink thee knoweth about history, and keepeth an open mind while reading. My own name is light sparker, 'r MK, and this is the story of my own time in the age of kings. "Interesting..." Twilight said, as Sunset turned the page. "Eke, I apologize f'r the lacking valor Shakespearean/shirespearean. I'm not yond valorous at early modern English and I needeth to maketh this as similar I can to the writings of this time so yond t doesn't behold out of lodging." Sunset recited a note. "This is weird, its almost as if a time traveler wrote this...." Rainbow Dash said. "And, who is...Shakespeare?" Twilight asked. "I don't know...." Sunset said before continuing. I wish I couldst bid the whole sooth. About how I cameth to this era in the history of this ordinary, but I believeth yond declaring yond demons, angels, and gods exist may beest a did bite of a stretch, coequal with mine own forewarning. but, tis not wherefore thou art reading this, eh? anon, alloweth's receiveth into the goods. chapter i My own story begins at which hour I did awake in a dank forest. I would anon learneth yond this wast the land of the ev'r free, though it wast not hath called as such yet. I forget the name it wast hath called ere the liberation from the corrupt sheriff. I would stayeth in the forest f'r quite some time until I cameth to findeth a clan of druids in the forest. They wast all from initially different clans, but at which hour the men of the grizzled handeth, 'r fir laimhe liath, beganeth their crusade 'gainst the kingdom of canterlot. they holp me gain moo knowledge of the time period I wast in, as well as the universe and kingdom. at which hour did question about my own odd choice of dress, I simply would reply I wast from a far-off land. Though, at which hour they hath given to lend me some robes, I tooketh the giveth fain. . I would then headeth further out of the forest, cap-a-pe with some local currency the druids hadst given me. I doubt unit'd states dollars would beest did allow to beest hath used as wage in the medieval era. I then made my own way into the famous den of the vigilant, posey hood. The lady wast an artful archer and I admit, the lady and I combated at which hour we first hath met, though, after giving an explanation close to the sooth, the lady did allow me passage. Anon at which hour the mistress knight cameth and the lady hath lived in the city moo oft, we would becometh valorous cater-cousins and allies. I then wenteth to the shop of jewel pin, a tail'r of this era. The lady gaveth me new robes to match the time period, and coequal custom arm'r anon. I would then findeth lodging, and ale, in an inn f'r a while, but soft exploring canterlot castle without the knowledge of the royalty. yet, one night, an intruder who is't hath seemed to knoweth something of the queen hath broken in to attempt to assassinate that lady. I confront'd him, and the vandal did get his hands on Excaliber, and nearly hath killed me with an energy fie. Wast it, not f'r mine own impeccable reflexes, I most forsooth has't kicked the bucket yond night. the next day, I did awake in the mage's tower. Thither, visage to visage, I hath met the mage moon tide, this ordinary's Morgana. As well as reaper of the queen and father to morn dread, this ordinary's Mordred. The lady did question me, and it wast only then I toldeth the whole sooth. The lady tooketh it oddly well. Though, I suppose that lady own secret did allow that lady a glimmer of understanding of mine own interdimensional troubles. It wast then I wast hath brought ere the king, who is't hath felt he shouldst reward me with a knighting. I did refuse, fearing f'r the timeline of this ordinary. At which hour hath asked to pray pardon me, I toldeth him the sooth as well, though moo simplifi'd f'r his simple, medieval mind. (dear, king, shouldst thee beest examining this text, I cullionly nay ill shall towards thee) (Who is't am I kidding, he's most likely illiterate ) It wast then we came to a compromise, with me suggesting I becometh his prophet. It wast then, I tooketh up the name light sparker, in hon'r of the host ere me The Rainbooms considered what they heard for a moment before Twilight asked a question. "Host? Host for what?" She asked. "Maybe he explains in a later chapter," Applejack suggested. "Whatcha readin'?" A new voice asked from behind. The group turned to see Marc was there, his bookbag slung over his shoulder. "What's it to you?" Velvet asked suspiciously. "No reason." Marc shrugged before picking up the book. "Ah, the Gold Prophet. A favorite story of mine. Such good writing. It was recently discovered, did you know? Only six copies exist! I own one. Worth a pretty penny, too. Original edition." "Really? How?" Twilight asked. "How did I get one? Well, 'a magician never reveals his secrets', as they say. And I may not be a magician, but I'm not in the mood for revealing secrets at the moment." Marc said with a smirk. "Oh, also, its next period. Thought I'd let you know." He then turned on his heel and left the group for lunch. "I admit...he's a bit weird," Sunset said with a sigh, closing the book as they began to pack up. "That doesn't begin to cover him," Velvet replied. Lunch was, relatively normal. Marc was secluded in a corner of the tables with little to now students sitting near him. He was happily reading a book as he munched on the Friday lunch, which consisted of long breadsticks with garlic on the outside and filled with cheese. He was flipping through a book labeled, most oddly, a year. The girls sat down at their own table, with Velvet examining the novel they had found earlier. "Still going on with that legend, darling?" Rarity asked, sipping on her grape juice. "Yeah. I just...I feel like there is somethng we're missing." Velvet sighed. "We are only one chapter in," Twilight pointed out. "A good author never reveals all their twists in the first chapter." "I know...but...something Marc said in history class earlier is still bugging me," Velvet sighed. "He mentioned that Dawn Saber could have a prophet. Before the book turned up." "He said he has a copy. Maybe he was just referring to that," Sunset pointed out. "Yeah, an Original Edition...." Velvet said. "Nevermind. Let's just keep reading it....later I mean." "Yeah. Best we leave this mystery be for now." Sunset nodded. Author's Note I will attempt to update weekly. Chapter III: SecretsThe rest of the day went normally, with little or no weird happenings. Especially from the new student. Eventually, the final bell rang out, and students filed out from their classes to the central courtyard. Either to catch home-bound busses, to drive home themselves, or to head home on foot if it was close enough. This time, however, there was something new. At the edge of the curb in an open space, was a dark blue motorcycle! It was expensive, with a pattern vaguely resembling a dragon painted on the body in gold paint. Most students ignored it for the most part. Maybe one of the seniors decided to bike instead of drive? After all, while not as prestigious as Crystal Prep, Canterlot High was one of the top schools in the county, so one of the students could afford such a thing. "Wow, that's a fancy looking bike!" Pinkie exclaimed. "Hmm...Eastern brand. The paint job isn't half-bad. Good quality. Must cost a fortune!" Sunset admitted as a small crowd of students surrounded the motorcycle to see who owned it. "Twilight? What do you think?" "I was never one for motorcycles. My standard is if its safe to drive, and practical use, its fine by me," Twilight admitted. "Hmph, Ah admit I gotta agree with Twi," Applejack shrugged. "'Scuse me! Comin' through. Excusez-moi, Mademoiselles et monsieur. Pardon Moi!" A new voice said as Marc shoving his way through the crowd, stumbling as he exited out, all eyes falling onto him. "Sorry. I had to get to my bike." He then walked up to the Motorcycle and took out a small blue key and plugged it in, the bike humming to life. "This is your bike?" Velvet asked in shock. "Damn right," Marc smirked, closing his trench coat before taking out a motorbike helmet. It was painted blue and gold with hints of white, but there were some parts of the paint were chipped off, and showed to be black underneath, with the visor itself just a plain black. He put pushed his hair out of his eyes, before placing the helmet onto his head. "Au revoir!" Marc said before the bike peeled down the road. The group stared as he went down the road, before filing to their busses and cars once again, eager to get home. Velvet Breeze exited the bus she had taken to get home, and trudged up the steps of her apartment. It was a decent apartment, with a cheap enough rent. The landlord was a nice older man and his family. Velvet had found work in the city mall recommended to her by Sunset. She just needed to attend in the following days. Before this, she just borrowed money from Sunset and the Rainbooms. Rarity was also a kind donor, more than willing to help the girl when she needed it. She trudged up to the second floor and unlocked her door, closing behind her and kicking off her shoes. She had a rack on the wall next to the door, fo hanging up coats and the like. Her door led directly to the living room, in which was a TV with a ZCube game console and controller, as well as a cable box and subsequent remote. There was an opening to the left of the living room which led to a small dining room, which had the kitchen right next to it, and her bedroom and bathroom separated by a single wall. She sighed as she collapsed on the sofa, clicking on the TV as a news anchor began their next report. "...ports of brutal kidnappings are still being reported in from all over the Eastern Seaboard, along with sightings of these so-called superheroes. Whether this is all one big hoax, or something sinister is afoot, we still have yet to see!" "Same old story," Velvet sighed, switching the channel to one of those Eastern Cartoons. It showed a young man in a school uniform in some sort of warehouse before getting cornered by some sort of mech, and he attempted to force the pilot out from the mech with his powers, but they wouldn't work, so he proceeded to persuade her to get her out so he could see her eyes, and then used his mental powers and took her mech. "Huh, Cipher Curse," Velvet mused, bringing up the title of the show. "Might watch it later." Deciding she had nothing else to do, she took out the odd book she had found earlier that day and proceeded to read the next chapter. Chapter ii I apologize f'r the odd text from hither on out. I did opt to useth mine own pen rather than a quill f'r the rest of this autobiography of mine. life in medieval canterlot is relatively halcyon. Thither art the occasional ogres and manticores at which hour I headeth out f'r supplies, as well as bandits. Yet mine own main fear is the fir laimhe liath, a group of druids did dedicate to the downfall of canterlot, leadeth by Duncan. Whilst their quest is destin'd to end in defeat, with moon tide and mistress emerald edge, of which the latter hadst only just arriv'd last week, killing Duncan, I still fear yond destiny may not wend the way t shouldst. I am, quite simply, a sir out of time. I assume yond by the time readers receiveth their hands on this novel, time travel fiction shall has't becometh mainstream. So, if 't be true t hast, taketh a moment to bethink of things like the doctor who is't, back to the future, the time machine, bethink of those folk all. Bethink of the effects of a sir out of time on the time stream. history can changeth easily. Easier than most things. While time wanteth to befall as t didst, as bizarre as yond sounds, if 't be true thee changeth certain events enow, then 'twill changeth. Heavily. F'r all I knoweth, mine own being hither and writing this can maketh history different than t is did suppose to playeth out. but, thither is another option. I couldst beest did suppose to beest hither. T couldst beest a time loop, 'r a bootstrap paradox. or, causal loop. f'r those of thee who is't knoweth not what yond is, imagine. thee enjoy a classical music composer. Like, very much like t. So much so yond thee've memoriz'd every single note of every single symphony they've putteth out. Anon imagine yond thee've somehow gotten thy hands on a time machine. So, humor like meeting thy hero, thee wend back in time and asketh 'round f'r the composer, only to findeth yond, they exist not! so, f'r the sake of history, thee becometh the composer. and this is only one example of a bootstrap paradox. Anyone of these possible scenarios couldst beest did apply hither. thither art other paradoxes yond couldst beest did apply hither. But, yond's bethinking linearly. By being hither, I couldst beest simply creating another universe. Similar to the original, but with an unknown new factor: me. this is wherefore thither art laws on chronal travel! I heareth yond the mage moon tide calleth f'r me. I shall continueth anon. ----------------------------------------------------------------- I returneth! t seemeth some bandits wast mucking 'round at one of the villages of canterlot, yet they hadst nay knights available, so they did request mine own holp. So, I didst what I doth most wondrous and hath killed those folk all and did free the village, and they reward'd me with some quaint coin. peradventure this is a lucrative business option. One yond couldst beest exploit'd until I findeth a way to leaveth this time. after all, I needeth coin to survive in this ordinary. Yond is a sooth, nay matter the time I findeth myself in Velvet sighed before closing the book. Time had passed quicker than she thought, with it now being close to sunset, a deep twilight. She stared at the blue ink, before closing the book and resting it on her end table on which a lamp was illuminating the room, the anime having been switched for an odd show with an old scientist with spikey blue hair, and his young sidekick with a yellow shirt. She walked out of the apartment and onto the sidewalk, having strapped on her old wrist blade on her left forearm, and pocketing a switchblade. She had often found herself taking late-night walks after that whole Friendship Games mess. They helped her clear her head and think, the weapons were in case anyone tried attacking her. While she wasn't in a bad part of town per say, its never a bad thing to be prepared. She walked further down the sidewalk, before she heard hushed voices speaking in an alleyway. It was an empty street, with only a few lamps illuminating it, the one she was closest to was broken, leaving her wreathed in darkness. "...OK, Agent. What is it?" A familiar voice asked, Velvet stopping suddenly and listening intently. "Well, Yang. I have reason to believe that the Seven are being targeted by...Him. And we have a few theories as to what dimensions got merged," a second voice replied. One that was also oddly familiar. "All right, Agent Night. What can you give me?" Yang replied. There was a brief sound of paper rustling. "Huh. DC and M. Knew those kidnappings were the handiwork of one of those bastards...." Yang sighed. "Head back to base, Frigid. I'll look this over." Velvet gasped, before covering her mouth. "Yes, sir," The voice replied as a man stepped out from the shadows of the alley. One all too familiar to the Ex-Assassin. He had dark yellow skin, and a mop of silver hair. He dressed in a dark grey coat with a hood. Yet, the only off thing about him was his eyes. They were now a piercing gold, rather than the original teal blue. Frigid Night? Velvet asked herself in shock. The last time he saw him, he had died on the floor of a safe house during the Assassin-Templar war, thinking of the woman who betrayed him. How?! Is this some sort of interdimensional stuff? Like, is this Mirror World Frigid? But I thought we'd know if someone came through. Her musings were cut short as the second member, Yang stepped out of the alley. It was difficult to see him in the low lighting, so Velvet activated her Eagled Vision, the world becoming grey and Yang highlighted gold. Yet as hard as she looked, she couldn't find Frigid anywhere. Looking back at Yang, who hadn't disappeared, she began to trail him. He was paranoid, often looking over his shoulder, but not giving Velvet a look at his face. He covered it with a brown trench coat and its collar, and a low matching fedora. She wouldn't be surprised if he was wearing some kind of mask either. They continued on, till they got to an even darker part of town, nearing the border to the slums. "I know your there," he called to the darkness. "I don't know who you are, or what you intend to accomplish by attacking me. So I suggest you come out and we can talk this out, or we can continue on like this and when you do eventually attack, it will end in either a hospital bill, or funeral service." Velvet raised an eyebrow, before stepping out, pulling her hood over her head as she did. "Your rather cocky," She chided, Yang turned around to face her, his eyes were a piercing sea green, but that was all of his face she could see. The rest was shrouded in darkness. "No. I've just been through this sort of thing too much. Now, who are you? Do you work for the Council of Shadows?" Yang asked. "Or Nebulon? Because if you do, this might get complicated fast." Velvet kept a calm demeanor, but confusion took her. "The heck is a Nebulon?" "OK. So your not a field agent..." Yang trailed. "Young, moderate build, a hidden blade on the left wrist with a switchblade in the right pocket, that means your an Assassin and are right-handed. I-...Velvet?" Velvet's confusion quickly turned to anger. "How do you know about the Assassins?! And how do you know who I am!?" "Oh, dear. This wasn't supposed to happen. At least not for a while...damn it," Yang sighed. "Look, you don't know me, but I know you. As you saw, I work with Frigid Night." "And how in the hay is he even alive?! I saw him die!" Velvet said angrily. "About that...." Yang trailed, but she had had enough. She took out her switchblade and pressed it, revealing the knife and then slashed at Yang, who skillfully dodged out of the way. "Look. There's no need for violence," Yang tried, but Velvet then switched her grip, and managed to cut his leg just above the knee, cutting deep. He winced, and mumbled a swear in an odd language, before shifting his weight, blood starting to stain his jeans. "Damn...that hurts...." Velvet was about to give the finishing blow, but Yang somehow summoned up enough energy to grab her wrist, and twist it, prompting a groan of pain from the fighter, and the switchblade to drop onto the sidewalk. She unsheathed her hidden blade and slashed at his face, feeling flesh give way, but Yang only removed his grip and rubbed his cheek, blood dotting his fingers. "OK. I need to end this quickly..." He muttered, before putting his index and middle fingers together. Velvet went in for another slash, but Yang dodged out of the way just in time, before tapping his fingers on her forehead and issuing a command. "Sleep," He said clearly. "What? What...was.....that...?" Velvet asked, shaking her head as her eyes became heavy, like lead. Her body swayed from side to side, before she fell towards the right, Yang catching her as to make sure she didn't hit her head. Her eyes shut, and light snoring came from the ex-Assassin. "That was close," Yang sighed. "She's not gonna forget this. Fuck." Velvet awoke back in her apartment with a start. She shot up on her couch and went to ready her hidden blade, but found that it was no longer on her wrist. Rather, the blade and knife were resting on the end table. The key to her apartment also resting there. Her door was closed, and her television had been turned off. "Whoever that Yang was, he sure was considerate. Taking me home after a fight.....but just who the Hell is he? And how is Frigid alive?" Velvet sighed. "And what does all this have to do with Marc?" Feeling too tired to keep musing on these questions, she fell into her couch, getting a few more winks of sleep. Author's Note Can you see the references? Note for this and any future stories, I use digenetic references as a form of foreshadowing, so if you see the references spoken out, it could be hints for things to come. Chapter IV: LiesThe next morning..... Velvet Breeze walked along with the stone of the sidewalk. One familiar to her. She had to know. She needed to know. She had to confirm it herself. She came to the Canterlot cemetery, near the edge of the Everfree Forest. There were a few other people there paying respects to lost loved ones, or the occasional bitter person spitting on the grave of the person they hated most in life. She shook her head, ignoring them, walking past the tombstones with various names inscribed, till she saw his. Inscribed on a simple stone, in between one labeled Blizzard Wind, and the other with the name covered in flowers, was the grave of Frigid Night. Frigid Night, one of the many Assassins who gave their lives in the Assassin-Templar war. Frigid Night, who was a skilled Assassin and defended the girls when the golems went after them after King Sombra killed almost the entirety of their Trottingham Buerue and Mentor Steel Shine. And Frigid Night who died at the hands of one of these golems, his last act being him reaching out for Mirror March who he saw waiting for him in the afterlife. She sped walked to the grave and examined it as closely as possible, checking the stone and the blades of grass, and even checking nearby graves briefly. No signs of tampering, nor breaks in the dirt and grass were visible to her. At least, to her naked eyes. She stood up straight and closed her eyes. Focusing her senses, the world greyed around her, and she saw things with a bright clarity as she opened her eyes. The people around her were all highlighted in a deep, dull grey. her vision fell onto the grave, and she saw that there wasn't anything else she could turn up with the enhanced sight. She removed her Eagle Vision and sighed. "Visiting an old friend?" A new voice asked. Velvet whirled around, entering a combative stand, but sighed as she stared into Marc's face, who held up his hands in a surrendering manner, in his right hand was a rose. His cheek had a bandage covering a cut. He dressed in a black t-shirt with the vague shape of an Eagle's skull, or an inverted V of sorts, printed on it, and the Roaman number for three imprinted inside the skull. "Uh....hi." He blinked. "Ugh. You. What are you doing here?" Velvet asked, adopting a relaxed pose. "Paying respects to the dead," He said, before bending down and placing the flowers on Frigid's grave, remaining there for a few moments with his fingertips touching the earth. , "What was your connection to him?" Velvet asked curiously. "None," Marc replied honestly. "I just felt like leaving the flowers on his grave. I come here often to think, and found that not many seemed to know him in life, so I felt I'd leave these. I know it may seem weird, but I do it either way." "It is kind of weird, mind telling me why?" Velvet asked. Marc shrugged. "I dunno. I felt like I'd do it. It felt like the nice thing to do. The kind thing to do. Is it really so odd? For a stranger to leave a rose? I may have never known him in life, but I chose to let him live on through me. Everyone deserves to be remembered. Even if I only know his name, I still chose to remember him, because no one else will. Even dictators and evil bastards are remembered. Or at least they should be. As a message to the future to try not to do this again. That's the true Hell. Being forgotten, because that means your actions in your life, never touched another. And while he didn't touch mine in life, I chose to touch his in death." Marc replied, a small smile on his face. "Wow." Velvet blinked, taking in what he said. "How...nice. Leaving roses for the forgotten." "Yeah. It's just.....I don't know why I do it, I just do," Marc said getting up from the ground. "You know why I'm here. May I ask as to why you're here?" Velvet wondered what to say, before sighing. "I.....was checking on an old friend." "An old friend? Like, Mr. Night here?" Marc asked, raising an eyebrow and jabbing a thumb to the grave. "Yeah," Velvet sighed. "May I....ask you a question?" "You just did!" Marc chuckled. "Just kidding. Ask away!" "What if....you knew someone, and were close to them, but saw them die? Yet.....what feels like years later, they suddenly came back?" Velvet asked. Marc pondered on this, an unreadable expression on his features. After a moment, he answered. "Well. I think I should leave them be," Marc said. "if you saw them die, that means that they made a sacrifice for you. best not to cheapen it with the thought of them coming back. Perhaps what you saw a look-alike. They exist. I mean, I can't tell you how many times I've encountered look-alikes of me!" Velvet nodded. "Thanks, kid. You've given me lots to think about." "No prob. I try to help," Marc smiled as Velvet got up and left. As soon as she was out of eyeshot, Marc scowled. "Bloody Hell, she knows about Frigid," Marc sighed. "I may need to take her out of the equation, in order for things to go well. If not, my plans are about to go South, really quickly. Its a shame. I liked her. She had such potential. Well, best keep an eye on her, lest she sees somethin' she shouldn't. Isn't that right, old friend?" The only reply he got was the light breeze. "Well then. Allons-y," Marc said weakly before walking after her. Velvet walked alone on the sidewalk, cars whizzing past her as she was deep in thought. Could it have been a double? A look-alike? That Yang fellow called the look-alike Agent Night. As in Frigid Night?[ And those eyes. Those unnatural gold eyes burned into her memory, causing her to shudder. Before she realized something Yang said he was Frigid Night. Yang said he worked with Frigid Night! "Why would he say that it was specifically Frigid Night if it was a look-alike?" she asked herself aloud. "I need to find him!" She then rushed down the sidewalk, a menacing figure following behind. Author's Note shorter chapter because I had no real clue how to end it. I'll post the next one eventually.
Prologue: A Moonlit NightAuthor's Note This story uses characters and elements from the Bloodlines Continuity with their permission. Do check them out. Prologue: A Moonlit Night It was a late Monday night when Sunset Shimmer exited the glass doors of Canterlot High with Rainbow Dash as the two talked, the sun dipping into the horizon and bookbags slung over their shoulders. "Dash, why must you always wait till the last possible second?" Sunset asked the cyan guitar player in annoyance, "It's not my fault that Mr. Discord is so crazy with the due dates!" Rainbow Dash retorted in annoyance. "Yeah, I know. Just...don't push it back as often," Sunset requested, before checking her phone. "Darn, it's nearly seven! I should get home." "Yeah, same here, I kept mom and dad waiting long enough. See ya, Sunset!" Rainbow Dash waved good buy before running down the street in a rainbow blur towards her parent's house. Sunset shook her head, beginning to stroll to her own home as well. She walked along the stone sidewalk, her shoes making a subtle clopping sound, thinking to herself. Canterlot had been quiet for a month since the incident with Juniper Montage. Miraculously, it somehow never made it to the internet and no government agents came to cart Sunset and her friends away to dissect them for magic as she suspected would happen. Instead, everything has been peaceful. No secret wars. No magic transformations. No pocket-dimension hiding in mirrors. No magical stones. Certainly no over-competitive principals. No ancient vengeful kings. No witches. No long-dead kings. No demon friends. Nothing at all. It was boring, too. Much too boring for her tastes. While she did enjoy the quiet, for the last few weeks, something has been what she could only describe as off, lately. Sightings of comic book heroes and villains that seemed to jump out of the paper they were drawn on and appear in real life have plagued the Eastern Seaboard. Fortunately, no major sightings were reported in Canterlot. Sunset continued to walk along the sidewalk, passing Sugar Cube Corner. She stopped in front of the cafe's doors before looking at the horizon. The sun had already dipped into the distant hills, darkness falling upon Canterlot like a great veil, the only sources of light were the quarter moon, and the street lamps beginning to flicker on for the night. She entered the cafe, pushing the door open. Very few people were sitting at the cafe. Aside from her, there were four other people. Octavia Melody and Vinyl Scratch, chatting and drinking milkshakes. The other was a figure in a brown trench coat and fedora, hands wrapped around a cup of steaming coffee and his face looking mournfully at the bubbling brown liquid. Mrs. Cake was working the register, looking tired herself. Sunset walked up to the counter, her wallet at the ready. "Hello deary, what'll you be havin'?" Mrs. Cake asked, holding back a yawn. "Just some coffee, please," Sunset requested before taking note of the cafe's current capacity. "Slow night?" "Yeah, anyways, your coffee will be ready in a few," Mrs. Cake said, turning around and grabbing a cup. Sunset turned as well and looked for a place to sit for the moment. She saw that the figure's table was empty, and they looked like they could use some company. "Hello there," she greeted with a smile, sitting down at the person's table. Yet, strangely enough, she got no response from the stranger. Curiously, she peered closer to glimpse a better look at him. His shoulders and chest were rising and falling steadily, his eyes were shut tight, and small noises escaped his lips. He was asleep. Sunset sighed, sitting back into her own chair, resting her head in her hand and drumming her fingers on the table, waiting as her chances of passing the time with conversation were dashed. She looked across the cafe once more, as two more people entered. They were both men, looking like they were in their thirties. They both dressed in black trench coats and pants, a black leather belt holding them up as their feet were covered by black boots. Their hair and eyes were also a coal-black. They made their orders at the counter before sitting at a table and beginning to chat idly with one another. Sunset examined the two men for a few moments. For some reason, she felt suspicious of them. Something about the two, it just set off some sort of alarm bell in her mind. Something, she wasn't exactly sure what, was dangerous about these men. "Coffee's ready, dearie," Mrs. Cake said, breaking Sunset from her suspicions. Warily, she stood up from the seat taking out her wallet as she faced Mrs. Cake, who was holding a cup of steaming coffee in her hand. "What'll that be?" Sunset asked. "$2.99, please," Mrs. Cake said. Sunset handed her three dollars instead, Mrs. Cake taking the money and placing it in the register. She handed Sunset her coffee and her change. "Have a good night!" "You too," Sunset smiled, taking her coffee and turning around. She opened the door to the cafe and left, trekking to her home, the crickets chirping as she walked. Back in the cafe, the two men looked at each other and had a sort of silent conversation before nodding. They got up from their table, disposing of their waste, and walked out of the cafe. They walked down the sidewalk, Sunset in their sights. They quickened their pace, reaching inside their jackets, each one pulling out a 9mm pistol with a silencer. The men quickened their pace, nearly reaching their target. Yet, just about Sunset was going to make a turn, a noise was heard behind them, like a switchblade flipping from its chamber, and something sharp and metal pressed into both of their backs. "Now, now, now. What are you two doing out here?" A voice asked from behind them. They turned their heads to see the source of the voice, it was the person in a coat from the cafe! And he held a hidden blade to each of their backs. "Who the hell are you?" One of the men asked. "Oh, just an agent of light," The boy shrugged. "No one special. Now, I don't know about you, but I feel we should keep out of sight of the civilians. There is a building a few yards back, right across from the cafe. We can conduct our business there." "So, do we walk back?" The other man asked. "No," the boy smirked. The three of them were consumed in a golden flash, and in one minute, they were gone from the sidewalk. A minute later, and they reappeared on a flat rooftop of an apartment building. A few AC units and stray satellite dishes populated the roof. A golden light flashed, and the three also populated the roof. "You can teleport?" the first man asked casually. "Yes, and more," the teen replied. "So, are you going to try and kill us?" The second asked, looking to his partner. "Yes. But I am going to allow you a fair fight," the teen said, sheathing his hidden blades under his sleeves and backing away a few feet from the two others, who turned around to face him. They pocketed their guns, smirking. "Allow us a fair fight?" The first man asked in amusement. "I'm not sure if you know, but you're out of your le-AHHHHH!!" The man screamed as his forearm was suddenly blown off, the stub pouring out black blood like a fountain. The man fell to the ground and screamed in agony, clutching the stub. The teen had a long gun in his hand, smoke rising from the barrel. It was pitch black, with a foot-long muzzle. It had the words Shadow Breaker engrave on the side of the gun. "You little piece of shit! Do you know who you are fucking with?!" The other man asked in anger as the wounded man's blood finally stopped flowing. Bone started poking through the wound, forming the elbow. From there, the bones continued to grow out, forming a skeletal hand. From the wound, muscles and veins shot out, wrapping around the newly-formed bone. Finally, skin reformed around the arm, ending the regeneration. "Oh, I know exactly who I'm fucking with. Some demon shit-heals sent to dispatch the Seventh. Tell me, do you know who you are fucking with?" The teen asked cockily. "Now, come on. Show me what you got." The two men looked to each other, then to the teen. Suddenly, their skin darkened to be a dark grey. Two bat-like wings sprouted from their backs, and a grey tail with sharpened, tapered tips. Finally, two gray horns sprouted from their foreheads, ending their transformation as their teeth and nails sharpened to fine points. "You really want to try this, boy?" The first demon asked, his voice sounding split, distorted. Like two entirely different people talking in perfect unison. "Hmm. Yes. To protect the Seventh, anything," The teen said, aiming his gun. Te first demon charged, brandishing his claws and slashing at the teen. The teen simply dodged the assault, and uppercut the demon in the chin, stunning him. Next, he bashed his gun on his forehead. The demon attempted a wild slash, but the teen blocked it with his left hand, and aimed his gun into the chin of the demon. "Bwah," the teen said, squeezing the trigger. A loud bang was heard ringing through the night as the demon's head suddenly exploded in a fountain of gore and blood. All was still and quiet for a moment, before the lifeless body fell to the ground. "Impossible. No mortal weapon can kill a demon," the older demon, the one who got his arm blown off, said in shock. "This isn't a normal weapon. The interior of the barrel is completely covered with ruins and holy symbols engraved into it, and splinters of the True Cross are put inside each of these bullets. Held inside a small tank of Holy Water, and the bullet tips are made from Angel Silver. Any demon I hit with a bullet from this gun, won't get back up again." The teen said with a smirk. "No matter, I'll kill you, then the girl!" The demon said, charging at the teen. The teen simply fired off a few shots, yet this demon was much more experienced than his younger counterpart. He dodged the bullets and jumped into the air, his wings giving him greater height, before lunging at the teen, forcing him to jump out of the way. He was about to fire another shot, but the demon's tail slashed at him, cutting his hand and forcing him to drop his gun. The demon lunged at the teen again, this time managing to actually wound his face, four long, bleeding claw marks leading down the right side of his face. He slashed again, but this time he was blocked. The teen brought up his hand to stop the attack, holding the demon at the wrist. The demon tried with his other hand, but found it caught as well. The teen brought up his leg, and kicked the demon in his gut, sending him stumbling back. He scrambled to pick up his gun from the ground, the demon charging. Time seemed to slow down for the teen, and he aimed his gun. His eyes glew golden, and his wounds sealed themselves with a golden glow. He squeezed the trigger, firing off a shot. The hammer slammed into the gun, activating the spark. The bullet was ejected from its shell, ruins, and symbols lighting up from within the gun, and the bullet left the gun spiraling and slamming into the demon's gut, sending him back as he slammed into the ground. The teen smirked as he walked over to the dying demon. "Who.......who are you?" The demon asked. "The chosen one," The teen shrugged, freaking the demon out. "Nonononononononononononononononono! No! It's impossible! You died on Teenax!" The demon screamed. The teen breathed sharply through his teeth. "Sorry. If I did, you'd get to go home tonight. But I didn't. When you get to Hell, tell them that there are still those willing to fight for what's right up here!" He smiled, bathing the building in a golden glow and firing off his gun straight into the demon's forehead. The demon's head exploded, killing him. The teen simply then muttered a spell, and the various pools of blood and gore, as well as the bodies, burst into flame and burned away into harmless ash. He climbed down the fire escape, and strolled down the street, taking his merry time. Vinyl Scratch and Octavia stared in silent awe and horror at the scene that had just unfolded in front of them. They had been standing in front of Sugarcube Corner for the last few minutes, Vinyl recording the whole fight on her phone as they watched the fight. "Vinyl, did I, did we really just see that?" Octavia asked in shock. "Uh-huh. I have the proof right here!" Vinyl said with glee. "What do we do? Who do we tell about this? I mean, first those weird sightings, and now demons?!" Octavia exclaimed in exasperation. "Don't worry. I'm posting this on my EwTube channel." Vinyl Scratch smirked, pressing a button on her phone. "Vinyl, I don't think your little fanbase can do much help...for all we know, we are facing an invasion of these, these, demons!" Octavia said. "Well, they can certainly spread the word!" Vinyl said. "But, do we have a defense against these?" Octavia asked. "Does our government have ways of dealing with this stuff?" "Octy, did you really forget about the Girls?" Vinyl asked. "No, just....I don't think this is their forte...." Octavia trailed off. "Well, there was that time with the aliens...." Vinyl pointed out. "Well yes....but-" "And keep in mind, they have technically fought demons before. Sunset Satan. Midnight Sparkle. Gloriosa Everfree." Vinyl listed. "OK. OK. I see your point, but what of the third one. That.....golden man?" Octavia asked. "Who's side is he on?" "I don't know." Vinyl said, checking to see if the video was uploaded. She saw that it was, and how late it was. "Oh shit. We should head home....." "I guess so," Octavia mused. "Guess these mysteries can be solved another time...." The two then walked down the sidewalks of Cantelrot, heading home together.
Chapter I: A New kid, a new mystery"OK, this is obviously fake," Rainbow Dash said staring at a video playing on her phone. "To be fair, we have dealt with stranger things," Rarity piped up, watching the video on her phone as well. The Rainbooms were all gathered in the music room during a free period and were watching the video DJ P0N-3 had posted last night to EwTube. "Rarity is right," Sci-Twi concurred. "The Fall Formal, the Battle of the Bands......" "Friendship Games, Camp Everfree..." Sunset trailed. "Velvet, am I forgetting anything?" The girl in question, however, did not respond. She was too entrapped by the video. Especially when the stranger gave off that golden glow. "Velvet? Earth to Velvet Breeze," Sunset said, trying to get her attention. She shook her head and looked at Sunset, showing a dusky blue face framed with shoulder-length hair in shades of teal and grey, held out of her eyes with a hair clip that was shaped like an inverted letter ‘V’. She wore a long white hooded coat with a red scarf wrapped around her waist. Underneath the coat, she wore simple a simple white t-shirt, as well as blue jeans and sneakers. "What is it?" Velvet Breeze asked. "We want to know what you think of the video. And what other strange stuff we have dealt with," Sunset explained. "Oh. Uh. Let's see. The Assassin-Templar war," Velvet began. "That was an interestin' time," Mused Applejack. "The Grineer Invasion," Velvet recalled. "Oh, that was exhilarating!" Pinkie said. "I wonder how those Tenno are doing?" "I think that's all," Velvet said. "Yeah, so we have dealt with stuff stranger than some glowing dude and a few guys with wings," Sunset said. "Yeah yeah, I guess so," Rainbow Dashs shrugged. "As for what I think on it, that glow......it seems......familiar in an eerie sense." Velvet said. "How so?" Sunset asked. "It reminds me of....of the sword," Velvet said. "What sword?" Sci-Twi asked. "Wait, the sword? As in...Excalibur?" Sunset asked, her voice becoming a whisper as if someone was listening in on them. Velvet nodded. "Yes. I know that it is probably a coincidence, but it seems similar." The group was interrupted when Principal Celestia's voice came over the PA. "Sunset Shimmer to the Principal's office. Sunset Shimmer to the Principal's office," Celestia said before switching the PA off. "Wonder what that's about," Sunset sighed, putting her phone in her pocket and heading to the office. Sunset pushed the entryway door to Canterlot High School open, walking into the courtyard and seeing her goal immediately. He was standing next to the Wondercolts statue and examined it. "Hello," Sunset greeted, catching his attention. "Hello there," he smiled. He had strange skin, a sort of pale-pink, and he dressed in simple clothes. Blue jeans and a blue polo, with a trench coat that was tied closed. He had sea-green eyes and dirty blonde hair. His chin had some stubble, and his cheeks were dotted with pimples. "My name is Sunset Shimmer, yours?" Sunset asked, presenting her hand. "Kurtzman. Marc Wayne Kurtzman. Nice to meet you, Madmoiselle Shimmer," Marc greeted, shaking her hand. "Nice to meet you, too. Welcome to Canterlot High!" Sunset said jovially. "Want to take the tour?" "Yes," Marc nodded calmly. "Then, follow me!" Sunset said, leading Marc into the school, pushing the twin glass doors open and showing him the spacious foyer. Marc let out a whistle as he drifted towards one of the trophy cabinets, seeing a picture of the baseball team before looking around some more. "What happened there?' Marc asked, pointing to above the doors, the entirety of the bricks and stone used to make it up seeming newer than the others on the rest of the walls. Sunset blinked, staring at the entrance before realizing it. That was the part of the school she destroyed when she went demonic. "Oh. Um.....construction accident. I wasn't here when that happened. I'm a...recentish transfer. " Marc looked skeptical but dropped the subject, allowing Sunset to take him further into the school. They passed various classes as they went through high school, Sunset naming them as they did. "Mr. Discord's science class," She pointed out the first class, the door opening to revealing a strangely dressed man with smoke lulling from the classroom, no doubt from his latest in-class science accident, grumbling about mixtures and bonding agents and the like. "Is he...OK?" Marc asked, jabbing a thumb at the teacher. "Eh. He's been in worse. Don't worry, his class is fun if a bit...chaotic," Sunset said with a chuckle. However, Marc seemed skeptical, but he once again dropped it. "I'll take your word for it," He said in the end. "Shall we continue?" "Yes." Sunset nodded before taking him deeper into the school, passing various other classes. The computer class, formerly taught by one Pierce Network, who died of mysterious circumstances. The English class, taught by the strict Mrs. Harshwhinny. History class, taught by Time Turner, as well as various others. "And here is the music room. It has no real teacher as of late, but it is here for the various school bands to practice their various musical skills," Sunset explained. "Hmm...is this where the famous Rainbooms I've heard about practice?" Marc asked curiously, examining the door critically. Sunset nodded in affirmation. "Indeed! I'm actually a back-up guitarist for the band." "Really?" Marc asked, stars in his eyes. "I admit, I've always had a passion for music. I actually sing pretty well, but I can't play an instrument to save my life, save for some rusty recorder skills." Sunset chuckled before replying. "Sorry. Um, the band is full, but it's always nice to meet a fan. Wanna meet them?" Sunset asked. "Yes please!" Marc said with excitement. "I like that enthusiasm," Sunset said approvingly, pushing the doors open. The Rainbooms were finishing up their practice, and packing up the instruments they could, with Velvet Breeze doing some unplugging and the like, her eyes falling on Marc as he walked in a looked around. "My my....." Marc whistled. "Never thought I'd be here." "Well, who is this handsome young man?" Rarity asked Sunset. "Oh, he's the new student! I'm showing around the school, and I thought we'd stop here," Sunset explained. "Marc Kurtzman. Charmed," he said, taking her right hand and plating a small kiss on it. "My my.....certainly a gentleman," Rarity blushed, taking her hand away. "My name is Rarity, Darling. Pleasure to meet you." "Believe me, the pleasure's all mine," Marc smirked, before his eyes locked with Velvet Breeze's. She suddenly felt cold, like a hare staring into the eyes of a hawk. His eyes. His piercing, sea-green eyes. They seemed to be piercing her very soul. Yet, she pierced his as well. She didn't see much, except the eyes of someone who had killed. "And who are you, Mademoiselle?' "Me?" Velvet asked neutrally. "Nobody, really. The name's Velvet Breeze." "Marc Wayne Kurtzman," Marc said, walking up to her and shaking her hand, allowing her to feel it. It was rough like he would often hold something heavy, with callouses and the like. His grip was firm and formal, almost militaristic. And his smirk. He looked like a fox in a henhouse. And while shaking his hand as his sleeves moved about, she could swear she saw something metal resting in them. Could those be....hidden blades? "Nice to meet you, Mr. Kurtzman," she said carefully, retracting her hand. "What brings you to Canterlot? You don't look like, nor sound like, to be from around here." "Nah. I recently moved here from somewhere else in the state. And I was raised in New Jersey, so that's prolly some of my accent from there slipping through. Never really get ridda that sort of stuff." Marc shrugged, putting his hands behind his back and holding his left wrist with his right hand. "You don't seem to be from 'round here either." "No, admittingly. I moved over from the Hollow Shades," Velvet said carefully, subtly activating her Eagle Vision and looking him over. The world turned gray, and her friends around her turned blue. "Oh really?" Marc asked, seeming gray at first before a subtle gold hue took over his body. So he was a person of interest, but not an enemy. That's good. "May I ask as to why?" "To get away from some family. You?" Velvet asked, deactivating her Eagle Vision. "The exact opposite. To get closer to my family. Well, on my mum's side." Marc shrugged. "And the school system here. Way better than Jersey." "Really?" Velvet asked. She was about to ask more, but the bell rang. "Oh my! Look at the time!" Sunset said, stepping between the two. "Uh....to get your schedule, head down the hall, to the left. The first door on your right is Princess Celestia's office." "Got it! Thanks for the tour!" Marc said, jumping on his heel and walking out of the room, closing the door behind him. "What the' hay was tha' about!?" Applejack asked after he left. "Yeah....what was going on there?" Twilight asked. "It was like they were dueling with their eyes!" Pinkie said. "Perhaps sparks were flying?" Rarity asked before everyone stared at her. "Sorry...." "Its fine Rarity...." Sunset sighed. "But, I agree what was with all....that? And, did you look him over with your Eagle Vision?" Velvet sighed. "Yes. But he turned up yellow. Which means he's a person of interest. At the moment. But....there's something about him I can't put my finger on. And I think, I think he had hidden blades under his sleeves." "Hidden blades? You mean the knives you Assassins used for stealth kills?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Yes! But, I don't remember hearing about him. Not from the storied of Masyaf, nor seen him in the Trottingham Buerue." Velvet sighed. "Hmmm.........you think he's a survivor?" Sunset asked. "From the war, I mean. I know the Assassins were pretty spread out." "Maybe...I need to do some investigating on him later," Velvet sighed. "For now....school." With that, the band left the music room, the lights flickering off as they did.
Chapter II: InvestigationThe next day started with relative normality. Students bustled about the sidewalk towards school, eager to get the day over with. For today, was a Friday! Today was the last day of school before the weekend! So, with renewed fervor and interest, the students went to their first period classes with little to no problems. Velvet Breeze sat down in her chair for history class, Time Turner walking up to the board looking quite tired. The rest of the class sat down, with an empty spot standing out next to the teal-haired girl. She had discarded her look from yesterday, favoring her more modern look. Her white jacket was replaced with a leather black one similar to Sunset Shimmer's, just with steel studs. She wore blue jeans and sneakers, but still had the 'V' shaped clip keeping her hair from her eyes, and the red scarf around her waist. She waited for the teacher to begin his lecture with a sigh. Time Turner was a man in his late twenties, with light brown skin, brown hair and blue eyes. He dressed in a brown trenchcoat, and a blue suit. "Well, class...." He began, a subtle Scoltish drawl to his voice. "Today we are going to talk about something new. An oldie but a goodie. I hear my predecessor, Mr. Loregiver, began this. But I believe it would be a good way to wrap up the marking period. Don't ya?" the class replied with some murmurs, and Velvet raised an eyebrow. He couldn't possibly... "We are gonna talk about ancient Canterlot!" Time Turner said jovially. Velvet Breeze sighed. Great...this again. And here I thought I escaped this chapter of my life... Her musings were interrupted, however, when the door got knocked on. "Come in!" Time Turner said, taking a moment from putting together his lesson as the door opened, revealing the Pearl face of Principal Celestia. "Principal Celestia!" Time Turner said. "To what pleasure do we owe our fine and beauteous principal visiting my humble history class?" "Ever the flattered I see," the principal chuckled. "I need to speak with you. Outside." "Ah. of course. Behave while I'm gone, class!" He said before the two stepped out of the room. Immediately the class began to talk amongst themselves, with Velvet Breeze listening carefully. "Did you hear about that gold man?" One student asked. "Gold man?" Another questioned. "Yeah! A few days ago, there was this sighting of a gold man fighting what seemed to be demons!" Another student explained. "Psh...demons aren't real," A skeptical student said in response. "What do you call Sunset Satan and Midnight Sparkle?" Replied another. "Not demons! At least the way they could be defined here," the skeptic replied. However, the conversations were hushed before the doorknob turned. It revealed Time Turner, guiding in a new face with a book bag slung over his shoulder. "Class, this is Marc Kurtzman. He is a new Wondercolt who decided to join." Time Turner introduced. "Treat him as you would a fellow classmate. Cuz he is! Marc, would you like to say a few words?" He examined the class with that smile, yet his eyes seemed more similar to a hawk examining prey. "Pleased to meet you all!" He said with flair and a subtle bow and turning his head to take in the faces of the class. "I look forward to getting to know each and every one of you." As he said "you", his eyes resting on Velvet's once more as he corrected his posture. She didn't show anything outwardly, but inwardly, all sorts of alarms rung. That-that's exactly what I said! Who is this kid!? "Well said, Mr. Kurtzman! Choose any seat you like as we begin the class," Time Turner said, walking up to the front desk as Marc maneuvered past the various desks and book bags, before sitting down in the empty desk near Velvet Breeze. "Hoi," He greeted with a small wave and chuckle before pulling off the book bag and rolling shoulder. He opened it and pulled out a light blue notebook as the teacher began speaking. "Seems we cross paths once more, Ms. Breeze." Velvet glared at Marc, before taking out her own notebook, dutifully paying attention to the lesson. "Now, before we begin, I know there are numerous accounts and legends regarding the time period. So...keep them in mind as we explore the time period." Time Turner said, getting various looks of confusion. "Look. Myths have some garner of truth to them that written history doesn't tell." "What? Like the one where Dawn Saber's sword shot out energy?" a skeptical student asked. "Or that their mage's staff could control the wind?" Another chuckled. "Now now," Marc said, eyes resting on him. "Mr. Turner said that the myths have grains of truth. Not that they are true. Sure, his spymaster could've come from another world, sure his mages could've used magic, and sure, Dawn Saber could've shot energy from his sword. Or, hell, he could've had a prophet for all we know! It doesn't change anything really. It's still in the far past, and magic doesn't seem to exist anymore. So why not look back at the stories with an open mind? It could give us a new perspective." The class was silent before Time Turner cleared his throat. "Wise words, Marc," Time Turner nodded. "Now, onto the lesson." Velvet looked at Marc skeptically as he began to take notes, writing diligently every time the teacher said for them too as much. Eventually, they transitioned to a movie adaptation of the legends of Dawn Saber, although, it was more comedic, and made by a group whose name had something to do with a snake and a drunk. Towards the end of class, everyone began to pack their notebooks and supplies with light conversations filling the air. Marc slung his bag over his shoulder and was about to enter the hallway before Velvet Breeze walked up behind him. "Hey Marc," Velvet said cooly. "Where are you going?" "Second...period?" Marc blinked, pointing to the hall with his thumb. "What is it? You need help with sumin'?" "Uh....yeah," Velvet nodded. "Er...no. Do you need help getting there?" "Its Mr. Doodle's math class, right? I can get there on my own," Marc said, heading out into the hall. "Look, I insist on helping you," Velvet said, putting her hand on his shoulder with a firm grip. "You're new here, after all." Marc wordlessly grabbed her wrist, and pulled it off with a sigh. "Look, Ms. Breeze," Marc sighed, turning to face her. "I think there was a misunderstanding. You think I'm hiding something. Well, I'm no Siren, nor am I Tem...........a danger of any kind. So, your school is safe. Now do. Leave. Me. Be." He then released her wrist and turned on his heel and walked out of the class, saying one last thing, one last taunt as he did. "Nothing is true, everything is permitted, right?" "...and that's why I think Marc is a danger!" Velvet said to the Rainbooms. They were all gathered around a table in an empty part of the library's second floor, with the round table filled with books and notes. "Don'tcha think yer overreacting?" Applejack asked. "But he knew the Creed!" Velvet said. "He could just be another Ex-Assassin," Twilight pointed out. "I mean, logically there could be other branches that survived the war." "Or maybe he heard it from another Assassin that helped him in the past?" Fluttershy suggested. "I mean...uh....maybe?" "Or maybe he didn't hear it from an Assassin at all? Didn't they use the phrase in the Manslayers series?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Maybe he's a movie fan!" "Or maybe....and this is crazy, even for me, he's a Host for an ancient being that existed before time and space and all that jazz, and isn't even from our universe and in his, we're a fictional cartoon/fanfiction and the stories of the Assassins and Templars exist in a separate video game series that follows a similar series of events to yours, just with different events and more artifacts and that saying was used in the game!" Pinkie Pie said, getting stares. "What makes you say that?" Velvet asked. "Just a hunch," Pinkie said before going back to making a tower from the erasers. "Look, it doesn't matter where he heard it," Sunset said. "We don't know if he's a threat. If he is, we'll give him the ole Rainbows and Lasers treatment, if he isn't, then we won't. Either way, we should be fine." Velvet sighed. "I guess you're right...but if he is a danger, don't say I didn't warn you." "Fair enough," Sunset conceded. "Now, back to the matter at hand; English class." They then continued on their work in silence, until the sound of something falling filled the air. "What was that?" Twilight asked, adjusting her glasses before they fell from her nose. "I dunno. I'm going to check," Velvet said before pushing her chair out and walking out from the table and heading down several aisles before coming up on another table, at which was Marc, sound asleep. Several books and novels were scattered around his table, as well as several notes. On the table with his head resting on it, was his book bag, half unzipped. "You again," Velvet sighed, shaking her head and brushing past a bookshelf. As she did, she saw one of the books had fallen out. It had simple leather binding, with an unassuming spine. Yet it had an odd title written in gold ink. The life and times of the gold prophet of king dawn saber of canterlot writ by light sparker "How odd......I don't remember him ever having a prophet, or this book being here before." Velvet asked, before taking the book and heading back to the group, who had gotten most of their work done. "Hey Velvet. What was the mysterious noise?" Sunset asked. "Just our new student mucking around," Velvet said. "Though, I did find this odd book." "Really? Let me see." Sunset said, Velvet handing her the book as she looked it over. "Huh. I don't remember Dawn Saber ever having a Prophet." "I know! Right?" Velvet asked. "What do you think it's about?" "Well, only one way to find out," Sunset said, before opening the book and reading from it. A note to the reader of this booketh: while it may enwheel things yond seemeth impossible to the mind, and shatter any reasonings of the modern, 'r yond of the time I am writing this down, every and all events chronicl'd in this art as true as the fact yond gravity maketh things falleth. This may beest the most accurate chronicling of the events of the kingdom hath called canterlot to ev'r beest record'd. So, as thee enter this booketh, forget what thee bethink thee knoweth about history, and keepeth an open mind while reading. My own name is light sparker, 'r MK, and this is the story of my own time in the age of kings. "Interesting..." Twilight said, as Sunset turned the page. "Eke, I apologize f'r the lacking valor Shakespearean/shirespearean. I'm not yond valorous at early modern English and I needeth to maketh this as similar I can to the writings of this time so yond t doesn't behold out of lodging." Sunset recited a note. "This is weird, its almost as if a time traveler wrote this...." Rainbow Dash said. "And, who is...Shakespeare?" Twilight asked. "I don't know...." Sunset said before continuing. I wish I couldst bid the whole sooth. About how I cameth to this era in the history of this ordinary, but I believeth yond declaring yond demons, angels, and gods exist may beest a did bite of a stretch, coequal with mine own forewarning. but, tis not wherefore thou art reading this, eh? anon, alloweth's receiveth into the goods. chapter i My own story begins at which hour I did awake in a dank forest. I would anon learneth yond this wast the land of the ev'r free, though it wast not hath called as such yet. I forget the name it wast hath called ere the liberation from the corrupt sheriff. I would stayeth in the forest f'r quite some time until I cameth to findeth a clan of druids in the forest. They wast all from initially different clans, but at which hour the men of the grizzled handeth, 'r fir laimhe liath, beganeth their crusade 'gainst the kingdom of canterlot. they holp me gain moo knowledge of the time period I wast in, as well as the universe and kingdom. at which hour did question about my own odd choice of dress, I simply would reply I wast from a far-off land. Though, at which hour they hath given to lend me some robes, I tooketh the giveth fain. . I would then headeth further out of the forest, cap-a-pe with some local currency the druids hadst given me. I doubt unit'd states dollars would beest did allow to beest hath used as wage in the medieval era. I then made my own way into the famous den of the vigilant, posey hood. The lady wast an artful archer and I admit, the lady and I combated at which hour we first hath met, though, after giving an explanation close to the sooth, the lady did allow me passage. Anon at which hour the mistress knight cameth and the lady hath lived in the city moo oft, we would becometh valorous cater-cousins and allies. I then wenteth to the shop of jewel pin, a tail'r of this era. The lady gaveth me new robes to match the time period, and coequal custom arm'r anon. I would then findeth lodging, and ale, in an inn f'r a while, but soft exploring canterlot castle without the knowledge of the royalty. yet, one night, an intruder who is't hath seemed to knoweth something of the queen hath broken in to attempt to assassinate that lady. I confront'd him, and the vandal did get his hands on Excaliber, and nearly hath killed me with an energy fie. Wast it, not f'r mine own impeccable reflexes, I most forsooth has't kicked the bucket yond night. the next day, I did awake in the mage's tower. Thither, visage to visage, I hath met the mage moon tide, this ordinary's Morgana. As well as reaper of the queen and father to morn dread, this ordinary's Mordred. The lady did question me, and it wast only then I toldeth the whole sooth. The lady tooketh it oddly well. Though, I suppose that lady own secret did allow that lady a glimmer of understanding of mine own interdimensional troubles. It wast then I wast hath brought ere the king, who is't hath felt he shouldst reward me with a knighting. I did refuse, fearing f'r the timeline of this ordinary. At which hour hath asked to pray pardon me, I toldeth him the sooth as well, though moo simplifi'd f'r his simple, medieval mind. (dear, king, shouldst thee beest examining this text, I cullionly nay ill shall towards thee) (Who is't am I kidding, he's most likely illiterate ) It wast then we came to a compromise, with me suggesting I becometh his prophet. It wast then, I tooketh up the name light sparker, in hon'r of the host ere me The Rainbooms considered what they heard for a moment before Twilight asked a question. "Host? Host for what?" She asked. "Maybe he explains in a later chapter," Applejack suggested. "Whatcha readin'?" A new voice asked from behind. The group turned to see Marc was there, his bookbag slung over his shoulder. "What's it to you?" Velvet asked suspiciously. "No reason." Marc shrugged before picking up the book. "Ah, the Gold Prophet. A favorite story of mine. Such good writing. It was recently discovered, did you know? Only six copies exist! I own one. Worth a pretty penny, too. Original edition." "Really? How?" Twilight asked. "How did I get one? Well, 'a magician never reveals his secrets', as they say. And I may not be a magician, but I'm not in the mood for revealing secrets at the moment." Marc said with a smirk. "Oh, also, its next period. Thought I'd let you know." He then turned on his heel and left the group for lunch. "I admit...he's a bit weird," Sunset said with a sigh, closing the book as they began to pack up. "That doesn't begin to cover him," Velvet replied. Lunch was, relatively normal. Marc was secluded in a corner of the tables with little to now students sitting near him. He was happily reading a book as he munched on the Friday lunch, which consisted of long breadsticks with garlic on the outside and filled with cheese. He was flipping through a book labeled, most oddly, a year. The girls sat down at their own table, with Velvet examining the novel they had found earlier. "Still going on with that legend, darling?" Rarity asked, sipping on her grape juice. "Yeah. I just...I feel like there is somethng we're missing." Velvet sighed. "We are only one chapter in," Twilight pointed out. "A good author never reveals all their twists in the first chapter." "I know...but...something Marc said in history class earlier is still bugging me," Velvet sighed. "He mentioned that Dawn Saber could have a prophet. Before the book turned up." "He said he has a copy. Maybe he was just referring to that," Sunset pointed out. "Yeah, an Original Edition...." Velvet said. "Nevermind. Let's just keep reading it....later I mean." "Yeah. Best we leave this mystery be for now." Sunset nodded. Author's Note I will attempt to update weekly.
Chapter III: SecretsThe rest of the day went normally, with little or no weird happenings. Especially from the new student. Eventually, the final bell rang out, and students filed out from their classes to the central courtyard. Either to catch home-bound busses, to drive home themselves, or to head home on foot if it was close enough. This time, however, there was something new. At the edge of the curb in an open space, was a dark blue motorcycle! It was expensive, with a pattern vaguely resembling a dragon painted on the body in gold paint. Most students ignored it for the most part. Maybe one of the seniors decided to bike instead of drive? After all, while not as prestigious as Crystal Prep, Canterlot High was one of the top schools in the county, so one of the students could afford such a thing. "Wow, that's a fancy looking bike!" Pinkie exclaimed. "Hmm...Eastern brand. The paint job isn't half-bad. Good quality. Must cost a fortune!" Sunset admitted as a small crowd of students surrounded the motorcycle to see who owned it. "Twilight? What do you think?" "I was never one for motorcycles. My standard is if its safe to drive, and practical use, its fine by me," Twilight admitted. "Hmph, Ah admit I gotta agree with Twi," Applejack shrugged. "'Scuse me! Comin' through. Excusez-moi, Mademoiselles et monsieur. Pardon Moi!" A new voice said as Marc shoving his way through the crowd, stumbling as he exited out, all eyes falling onto him. "Sorry. I had to get to my bike." He then walked up to the Motorcycle and took out a small blue key and plugged it in, the bike humming to life. "This is your bike?" Velvet asked in shock. "Damn right," Marc smirked, closing his trench coat before taking out a motorbike helmet. It was painted blue and gold with hints of white, but there were some parts of the paint were chipped off, and showed to be black underneath, with the visor itself just a plain black. He put pushed his hair out of his eyes, before placing the helmet onto his head. "Au revoir!" Marc said before the bike peeled down the road. The group stared as he went down the road, before filing to their busses and cars once again, eager to get home. Velvet Breeze exited the bus she had taken to get home, and trudged up the steps of her apartment. It was a decent apartment, with a cheap enough rent. The landlord was a nice older man and his family. Velvet had found work in the city mall recommended to her by Sunset. She just needed to attend in the following days. Before this, she just borrowed money from Sunset and the Rainbooms. Rarity was also a kind donor, more than willing to help the girl when she needed it. She trudged up to the second floor and unlocked her door, closing behind her and kicking off her shoes. She had a rack on the wall next to the door, fo hanging up coats and the like. Her door led directly to the living room, in which was a TV with a ZCube game console and controller, as well as a cable box and subsequent remote. There was an opening to the left of the living room which led to a small dining room, which had the kitchen right next to it, and her bedroom and bathroom separated by a single wall. She sighed as she collapsed on the sofa, clicking on the TV as a news anchor began their next report. "...ports of brutal kidnappings are still being reported in from all over the Eastern Seaboard, along with sightings of these so-called superheroes. Whether this is all one big hoax, or something sinister is afoot, we still have yet to see!" "Same old story," Velvet sighed, switching the channel to one of those Eastern Cartoons. It showed a young man in a school uniform in some sort of warehouse before getting cornered by some sort of mech, and he attempted to force the pilot out from the mech with his powers, but they wouldn't work, so he proceeded to persuade her to get her out so he could see her eyes, and then used his mental powers and took her mech. "Huh, Cipher Curse," Velvet mused, bringing up the title of the show. "Might watch it later." Deciding she had nothing else to do, she took out the odd book she had found earlier that day and proceeded to read the next chapter. Chapter ii I apologize f'r the odd text from hither on out. I did opt to useth mine own pen rather than a quill f'r the rest of this autobiography of mine. life in medieval canterlot is relatively halcyon. Thither art the occasional ogres and manticores at which hour I headeth out f'r supplies, as well as bandits. Yet mine own main fear is the fir laimhe liath, a group of druids did dedicate to the downfall of canterlot, leadeth by Duncan. Whilst their quest is destin'd to end in defeat, with moon tide and mistress emerald edge, of which the latter hadst only just arriv'd last week, killing Duncan, I still fear yond destiny may not wend the way t shouldst. I am, quite simply, a sir out of time. I assume yond by the time readers receiveth their hands on this novel, time travel fiction shall has't becometh mainstream. So, if 't be true t hast, taketh a moment to bethink of things like the doctor who is't, back to the future, the time machine, bethink of those folk all. Bethink of the effects of a sir out of time on the time stream. history can changeth easily. Easier than most things. While time wanteth to befall as t didst, as bizarre as yond sounds, if 't be true thee changeth certain events enow, then 'twill changeth. Heavily. F'r all I knoweth, mine own being hither and writing this can maketh history different than t is did suppose to playeth out. but, thither is another option. I couldst beest did suppose to beest hither. T couldst beest a time loop, 'r a bootstrap paradox. or, causal loop. f'r those of thee who is't knoweth not what yond is, imagine. thee enjoy a classical music composer. Like, very much like t. So much so yond thee've memoriz'd every single note of every single symphony they've putteth out. Anon imagine yond thee've somehow gotten thy hands on a time machine. So, humor like meeting thy hero, thee wend back in time and asketh 'round f'r the composer, only to findeth yond, they exist not! so, f'r the sake of history, thee becometh the composer. and this is only one example of a bootstrap paradox. Anyone of these possible scenarios couldst beest did apply hither. thither art other paradoxes yond couldst beest did apply hither. But, yond's bethinking linearly. By being hither, I couldst beest simply creating another universe. Similar to the original, but with an unknown new factor: me. this is wherefore thither art laws on chronal travel! I heareth yond the mage moon tide calleth f'r me. I shall continueth anon. ----------------------------------------------------------------- I returneth! t seemeth some bandits wast mucking 'round at one of the villages of canterlot, yet they hadst nay knights available, so they did request mine own holp. So, I didst what I doth most wondrous and hath killed those folk all and did free the village, and they reward'd me with some quaint coin. peradventure this is a lucrative business option. One yond couldst beest exploit'd until I findeth a way to leaveth this time. after all, I needeth coin to survive in this ordinary. Yond is a sooth, nay matter the time I findeth myself in Velvet sighed before closing the book. Time had passed quicker than she thought, with it now being close to sunset, a deep twilight. She stared at the blue ink, before closing the book and resting it on her end table on which a lamp was illuminating the room, the anime having been switched for an odd show with an old scientist with spikey blue hair, and his young sidekick with a yellow shirt. She walked out of the apartment and onto the sidewalk, having strapped on her old wrist blade on her left forearm, and pocketing a switchblade. She had often found herself taking late-night walks after that whole Friendship Games mess. They helped her clear her head and think, the weapons were in case anyone tried attacking her. While she wasn't in a bad part of town per say, its never a bad thing to be prepared. She walked further down the sidewalk, before she heard hushed voices speaking in an alleyway. It was an empty street, with only a few lamps illuminating it, the one she was closest to was broken, leaving her wreathed in darkness. "...OK, Agent. What is it?" A familiar voice asked, Velvet stopping suddenly and listening intently. "Well, Yang. I have reason to believe that the Seven are being targeted by...Him. And we have a few theories as to what dimensions got merged," a second voice replied. One that was also oddly familiar. "All right, Agent Night. What can you give me?" Yang replied. There was a brief sound of paper rustling. "Huh. DC and M. Knew those kidnappings were the handiwork of one of those bastards...." Yang sighed. "Head back to base, Frigid. I'll look this over." Velvet gasped, before covering her mouth. "Yes, sir," The voice replied as a man stepped out from the shadows of the alley. One all too familiar to the Ex-Assassin. He had dark yellow skin, and a mop of silver hair. He dressed in a dark grey coat with a hood. Yet, the only off thing about him was his eyes. They were now a piercing gold, rather than the original teal blue. Frigid Night? Velvet asked herself in shock. The last time he saw him, he had died on the floor of a safe house during the Assassin-Templar war, thinking of the woman who betrayed him. How?! Is this some sort of interdimensional stuff? Like, is this Mirror World Frigid? But I thought we'd know if someone came through. Her musings were cut short as the second member, Yang stepped out of the alley. It was difficult to see him in the low lighting, so Velvet activated her Eagled Vision, the world becoming grey and Yang highlighted gold. Yet as hard as she looked, she couldn't find Frigid anywhere. Looking back at Yang, who hadn't disappeared, she began to trail him. He was paranoid, often looking over his shoulder, but not giving Velvet a look at his face. He covered it with a brown trench coat and its collar, and a low matching fedora. She wouldn't be surprised if he was wearing some kind of mask either. They continued on, till they got to an even darker part of town, nearing the border to the slums. "I know your there," he called to the darkness. "I don't know who you are, or what you intend to accomplish by attacking me. So I suggest you come out and we can talk this out, or we can continue on like this and when you do eventually attack, it will end in either a hospital bill, or funeral service." Velvet raised an eyebrow, before stepping out, pulling her hood over her head as she did. "Your rather cocky," She chided, Yang turned around to face her, his eyes were a piercing sea green, but that was all of his face she could see. The rest was shrouded in darkness. "No. I've just been through this sort of thing too much. Now, who are you? Do you work for the Council of Shadows?" Yang asked. "Or Nebulon? Because if you do, this might get complicated fast." Velvet kept a calm demeanor, but confusion took her. "The heck is a Nebulon?" "OK. So your not a field agent..." Yang trailed. "Young, moderate build, a hidden blade on the left wrist with a switchblade in the right pocket, that means your an Assassin and are right-handed. I-...Velvet?" Velvet's confusion quickly turned to anger. "How do you know about the Assassins?! And how do you know who I am!?" "Oh, dear. This wasn't supposed to happen. At least not for a while...damn it," Yang sighed. "Look, you don't know me, but I know you. As you saw, I work with Frigid Night." "And how in the hay is he even alive?! I saw him die!" Velvet said angrily. "About that...." Yang trailed, but she had had enough. She took out her switchblade and pressed it, revealing the knife and then slashed at Yang, who skillfully dodged out of the way. "Look. There's no need for violence," Yang tried, but Velvet then switched her grip, and managed to cut his leg just above the knee, cutting deep. He winced, and mumbled a swear in an odd language, before shifting his weight, blood starting to stain his jeans. "Damn...that hurts...." Velvet was about to give the finishing blow, but Yang somehow summoned up enough energy to grab her wrist, and twist it, prompting a groan of pain from the fighter, and the switchblade to drop onto the sidewalk. She unsheathed her hidden blade and slashed at his face, feeling flesh give way, but Yang only removed his grip and rubbed his cheek, blood dotting his fingers. "OK. I need to end this quickly..." He muttered, before putting his index and middle fingers together. Velvet went in for another slash, but Yang dodged out of the way just in time, before tapping his fingers on her forehead and issuing a command. "Sleep," He said clearly. "What? What...was.....that...?" Velvet asked, shaking her head as her eyes became heavy, like lead. Her body swayed from side to side, before she fell towards the right, Yang catching her as to make sure she didn't hit her head. Her eyes shut, and light snoring came from the ex-Assassin. "That was close," Yang sighed. "She's not gonna forget this. Fuck." Velvet awoke back in her apartment with a start. She shot up on her couch and went to ready her hidden blade, but found that it was no longer on her wrist. Rather, the blade and knife were resting on the end table. The key to her apartment also resting there. Her door was closed, and her television had been turned off. "Whoever that Yang was, he sure was considerate. Taking me home after a fight.....but just who the Hell is he? And how is Frigid alive?" Velvet sighed. "And what does all this have to do with Marc?" Feeling too tired to keep musing on these questions, she fell into her couch, getting a few more winks of sleep. Author's Note Can you see the references? Note for this and any future stories, I use digenetic references as a form of foreshadowing, so if you see the references spoken out, it could be hints for things to come.
Chapter IV: LiesThe next morning..... Velvet Breeze walked along with the stone of the sidewalk. One familiar to her. She had to know. She needed to know. She had to confirm it herself. She came to the Canterlot cemetery, near the edge of the Everfree Forest. There were a few other people there paying respects to lost loved ones, or the occasional bitter person spitting on the grave of the person they hated most in life. She shook her head, ignoring them, walking past the tombstones with various names inscribed, till she saw his. Inscribed on a simple stone, in between one labeled Blizzard Wind, and the other with the name covered in flowers, was the grave of Frigid Night. Frigid Night, one of the many Assassins who gave their lives in the Assassin-Templar war. Frigid Night, who was a skilled Assassin and defended the girls when the golems went after them after King Sombra killed almost the entirety of their Trottingham Buerue and Mentor Steel Shine. And Frigid Night who died at the hands of one of these golems, his last act being him reaching out for Mirror March who he saw waiting for him in the afterlife. She sped walked to the grave and examined it as closely as possible, checking the stone and the blades of grass, and even checking nearby graves briefly. No signs of tampering, nor breaks in the dirt and grass were visible to her. At least, to her naked eyes. She stood up straight and closed her eyes. Focusing her senses, the world greyed around her, and she saw things with a bright clarity as she opened her eyes. The people around her were all highlighted in a deep, dull grey. her vision fell onto the grave, and she saw that there wasn't anything else she could turn up with the enhanced sight. She removed her Eagle Vision and sighed. "Visiting an old friend?" A new voice asked. Velvet whirled around, entering a combative stand, but sighed as she stared into Marc's face, who held up his hands in a surrendering manner, in his right hand was a rose. His cheek had a bandage covering a cut. He dressed in a black t-shirt with the vague shape of an Eagle's skull, or an inverted V of sorts, printed on it, and the Roaman number for three imprinted inside the skull. "Uh....hi." He blinked. "Ugh. You. What are you doing here?" Velvet asked, adopting a relaxed pose. "Paying respects to the dead," He said, before bending down and placing the flowers on Frigid's grave, remaining there for a few moments with his fingertips touching the earth. , "What was your connection to him?" Velvet asked curiously. "None," Marc replied honestly. "I just felt like leaving the flowers on his grave. I come here often to think, and found that not many seemed to know him in life, so I felt I'd leave these. I know it may seem weird, but I do it either way." "It is kind of weird, mind telling me why?" Velvet asked. Marc shrugged. "I dunno. I felt like I'd do it. It felt like the nice thing to do. The kind thing to do. Is it really so odd? For a stranger to leave a rose? I may have never known him in life, but I chose to let him live on through me. Everyone deserves to be remembered. Even if I only know his name, I still chose to remember him, because no one else will. Even dictators and evil bastards are remembered. Or at least they should be. As a message to the future to try not to do this again. That's the true Hell. Being forgotten, because that means your actions in your life, never touched another. And while he didn't touch mine in life, I chose to touch his in death." Marc replied, a small smile on his face. "Wow." Velvet blinked, taking in what he said. "How...nice. Leaving roses for the forgotten." "Yeah. It's just.....I don't know why I do it, I just do," Marc said getting up from the ground. "You know why I'm here. May I ask as to why you're here?" Velvet wondered what to say, before sighing. "I.....was checking on an old friend." "An old friend? Like, Mr. Night here?" Marc asked, raising an eyebrow and jabbing a thumb to the grave. "Yeah," Velvet sighed. "May I....ask you a question?" "You just did!" Marc chuckled. "Just kidding. Ask away!" "What if....you knew someone, and were close to them, but saw them die? Yet.....what feels like years later, they suddenly came back?" Velvet asked. Marc pondered on this, an unreadable expression on his features. After a moment, he answered. "Well. I think I should leave them be," Marc said. "if you saw them die, that means that they made a sacrifice for you. best not to cheapen it with the thought of them coming back. Perhaps what you saw a look-alike. They exist. I mean, I can't tell you how many times I've encountered look-alikes of me!" Velvet nodded. "Thanks, kid. You've given me lots to think about." "No prob. I try to help," Marc smiled as Velvet got up and left. As soon as she was out of eyeshot, Marc scowled. "Bloody Hell, she knows about Frigid," Marc sighed. "I may need to take her out of the equation, in order for things to go well. If not, my plans are about to go South, really quickly. Its a shame. I liked her. She had such potential. Well, best keep an eye on her, lest she sees somethin' she shouldn't. Isn't that right, old friend?" The only reply he got was the light breeze. "Well then. Allons-y," Marc said weakly before walking after her. Velvet walked alone on the sidewalk, cars whizzing past her as she was deep in thought. Could it have been a double? A look-alike? That Yang fellow called the look-alike Agent Night. As in Frigid Night?[ And those eyes. Those unnatural gold eyes burned into her memory, causing her to shudder. Before she realized something Yang said he was Frigid Night. Yang said he worked with Frigid Night! "Why would he say that it was specifically Frigid Night if it was a look-alike?" she asked herself aloud. "I need to find him!" She then rushed down the sidewalk, a menacing figure following behind. Author's Note shorter chapter because I had no real clue how to end it. I'll post the next one eventually.
