Nightshade: The Adventure Begins

They finally hit the base of the stairs where a red panda patterned unicorn paced nervously, her glasses threatening to fall from her muzzle. Her matted red mane tied back in a messy ponytail and her lab coat dingy.

She looked relieved when she looked up at Nightshade, "Thank Celestia, Nebula's waiting for you."

She must be the assistant, Nebula probably doesn't even let her sleep. Nightshade almost felt bad for the mare, all that missed sleep has to be affecting her negatively. The dark circles around her eyes confirmed his theory.

The assistant trotted over into the lab following Nightshade and shivered under Nebula's cold gaze met her, "I-I, they're here RS Nebula."

"What's the situation Nebula?"

The green maned blue unicorn looked almost hurt, "What? No hello? Ah well, we have more pressing matters to attend to. So, we already know Ace has a small but very powerful magic field around him. Similar to a defence matrix. With it, he can focus it to manipulate others and their emotions, he's had it since he was found- "

Nightshade's muzzle contorted into confusion, "What the hell do you mean, found?"

Nebula floated a black folder over to the stallion, "Read his file. Turns out we weren't the only ones who were keeping tabs on him. The Changelings, as well as Gryphons, dragons and even Discord in some cases, seem to all want him. Which is why I pulled some strings to get you here, Canterlot has been on lockdown for a while but the citizens are none the wiser. Celestia set a barrier over the city, invisible to the naked eye. The coronation? Cancelled. Another event taking its place, hopefully, the news of cancellation will ward off danger."

"That didn't answer my question. Well, I think the kid should stay in Canterlot," Nightshade offered pushing up his glasses and earning a wild look from the three ponies in the room. "Now hear me out. We called off the event, right? The safest thing he can do is hide in plain sight."

Strike rubbed her chin, "That's not the worst idea you've ever had. Though it- Nevermind. Alright, I'll arrange something with Ginger if he isn't too busy following Octavia's tail. Alright, this conversation doesn't leave this room just to be clear."

An abrupt knock at the door jolted Ginger awake, he yawned and attempted to roll out of his bed only to hear a sleepy groan in protest. Ace was tightly wrapped around his waist, a content look on his face. Over the course of the week, he'd grown accustomed to waking up this way, tangled with the grey pony every morning. He'd cared for a grown stallion. Made sure he brushed, ate, slept and a few things in between that he hoped Ace would keep his mouth shut about. He understood why Nightshade dumped Ace on him, the colt got attached quite easily. Physically and emotionally. Despite Ginger's best efforts at verbal abuse, Ace took an odd liking to him. He sat up and after peeling the prince's hooves off of himself, he grabbed his glasses and set them gently on his muzzle. He trotted to the door rubbing his eyes, who could be knocking at this hour?

Before he could reach the front door, he heard a mechanical click and Nightshade walked in wearing a dress shirt and a top hat. He blinked at Ginger's current dishevelled look as the tan pegasus squinted back in stern disapproval.

"We're... We're gonna have a serious talk about that. Now, what do you want? Ace is asleep and quiet for once."

Nightshade stepped forward into the flat and shut the door, "How's he been all week? Any fluctuations? Did he influence you?"

"No. None of that. He was really clingy. Wouldn't shut the fuck up. Needed help with everything."

The last thing didn't come out as annoyed as everything else Ginger said and Nightshade smirked, Maybe he and Ace got along a little better than he let on.

"Oh. Well he must really like- "

Ace trudged out from the hall adjacent to the front door, "What is Nightshade doing here? And why is he dressed up?"

Nightshade raised an eyebrow, "Did I interrupt something? You seem distracted."

"No!" Ginger was livid, "You're a sick puppy Nights."

"If you didn't do anything you wouldn't be so defensive."

Nightshade chuckled much to Ginger's bemusement, Maybe I can get Gin to join my little crew. Another logical mind might be good.

"Ace! Sorry to wake you, I've got a wedding to attend and I'm allowed a few guests and since you two are already in the city I figured you wanted to see Cadence and whoever the hell the other stallion is tying the knot. Plus I can finally get some answers outta that fat cow- Do you smell sulfur?"

An explosion rocked the house and Ace clung to Ginger nearly tackling him to the floor.