The Ghost: Assorted Adventures

The Manehatten waterfront shimmered in the light of the skyline above, light dancing along the ripples of the bay. A small vessel broke the serenity of the water as it glided through the bay almost soundlessly toward an illuminated dock. Worker ponies stood along the wooden limb, ensnaring the ship in rope and hauling it in toward its final destination. They boarded, unlatched the heavy cargo, and one by one carried the boxes along the gangplank and across the dock leading inland. They wearily laughed to each other in reverie of finishing this final haul. The crew and workers moved as one, disappearing into the large, dimly lit warehouse beyond.

Across the bay, devoid of any real light, a group of Lane’s thugs had gathered in force. They were hardy, and stood firm against the stiff breeze coming in from the black sea beyond. A vessel, dark and sleek, sat unattended at the dock and emanated the soft rumble of its magical engine. Then the clopping of hooves came. All eyes trained on its source, thugs tense and ready for whatever may emerge from beyond their vision. The distinct yellow fur of Victory Lane entered their view, accentuated by the glow of his most precious cargo. He stepped onto the deck and held aloft the Celestia’s Eye.

“Alright, I got your precious rock,” he hollered out into the darkness. “This concludes our business, yes?”

The glossy boat began to stir. From it’s cabin a dark figure emerged, one Lane recognized, and strode across the wooden planks of the dock. Each step seemed louder than the last, and Lane’s heart struck his chest as the object of his terror stepped into full view. A dark formal cape covered their entire figure, save for cold grey eyes that pierced a polished metal mask covering all but a stern green muzzle. A small velvet bag hung from their neck and was decorated in golden runes along the fabric.

“You surprise me, Lane,” the pony said in its distorted voice. “I had suspected you to turn tail and run.”

“And let you hunt me down like a rabid diamond dog? Fat chance.” He placed the Eye on the damp ground, tired eyes staring at his enigmatic employer. “Are we done?”

“Perhaps,” the masked pony hummed. Grey eyes rested upon the stone but soon scanned the area, searching. “Am I to suspect our competition perished in the explosion?”

“Along with my very expensive lounge,” Lane said, his voice like a razor. “But I doubt diggin’ through the ruins of my business to get your rock will earn me any hazard pay.”

“Too true, and neither will your tall tales.”

“You callin’ me a liar, mirror face?”

“It was a matter of time before they retrieved the Eye from you, which is why I placed explosive runes in your lounge. They were designed to demolish the building and topple it into the old service tunnels below, trapping them.”

“I watched those wack-jobs get cooked!”

“You watched the fire surround a pony in possession of a magically-impervious cloak and unparalleled survival skills, the same pony who you saw as your only escape from our arrangement.” A grin stretched to both corners of the mask. “So you struck a deal, correct? One to expose me and relieve you of any consequences.”

“H-How could you know all that?”

“Because you’re too predictable, Lane. The Ghost, on the other hoof…” The masked pony turned to the crowd of mobsters, grey eyes resting on a single pony. The other crooks followed their employer’s gaze and slowly prepared their weapons. “I must admit your infiltration was an inspired decision. I had expected you to swoop in from the eastern rooftop.”

A gloved hoof rose to the wide-brimmed hat and pulled it off his masked head, revealing a smirk and amber eyes that locked onto his enemy.

“I figured you’d appreciate it,” he chuckled. “But I suppose we’re both endeared to the theatrical. Correct, Maestro?”

The Maestro’s smirk faltered. Harsh words that fought to escape as the Ghost pulled the remainder of his disguise from his form, allowing the cloak to flow freely.

“You are aware? Then perhaps we should make things even.” The Maestro dragged the tip of a hoof along the edge of the mask. Runes sprung to life and worked their magic, removing the voice’s distortion before the Maestro cast off the cape to reveal a single-breasted coat buttoned to the neck. Before the ghost stood a pegasus mare, pale green and staring him down with a cold glare.

“I have to congratulate you, it’s not often I’m genuinely surprised by another pony. For that, I will give you a choice. Surrender the Eye and your cloak to me, and I will let you live.”

“A tempting offer, but one I have to refuse.” The Ghost spread his stance, sharing a glare between every threat now surrounding him. “Besides, I’m not the only one who wants a piece of you.”

The Maestro cocked an eyebrow before a rapid tapping came from below. She beat her wings just in time to dodge the explosive force with which Maud broke through the ground beneath. The blast sent debris hurtling in every direction, disorienting the criminals enough for the Ghost to strike unhindered. His cloak lashed out, seemingly on its own, to every enemy around him, but his eyes remained held to the Maestro’s calculated flight pattern as she dove for the Eye.

Her hooves grabbed the stone, but not before Maud launched her full weight into the pegasus. Instead of taking the strike the Maestro rolled, grabbed hold of Maud’s mane, and kicked her away and along the dock. The Maestro recovered in time to dodge a swipe of the Ghost’s cloak as two unicorn mobsters flanked her.

“Give me the Eye and surrender, Maestro,” the Ghost demanded. “I won’t allow you to unleash whatever sinister scheme you have in store.”

“A scheme you know nothing of. You don’t even know what the Eye does, do you?” With a quick strike to the unicorn beside her, the Maestro ensnared his horn within her grasp. “Why don’t I show you?”

She touched the Eye to her captive’s head, coaxing the magic from within and turning the stone to a deep red color. The glow sharpened before a single thundering beam of power ejected from the Eye and toward the Ghost. The sheer heat of the blast made his heart race as another rocketed toward him. Again and again the Maestro fired upon the Ghost, who desperately danced around the beam in an attempt to position himself. A final ruby laser pierced the air as it soared over the Ghost’s head, tearing through the Maestro’s vessel.

She winced at the damage, but was soon drawn to the sight of Maud gripping her remaining cohorts and slamming them into each other. She turned the Eye onto Maud and earned a solid hoof to the muzzle. The Maestro stumbled back, dropping the eye and allowing the Ghost to gain ground. He and Maud stood before her, panting from battle and ready to strike.

“I’ll say it again, Maestro, surrender.”

“A noble sentiment, Ghost, but not one I agree with. You should learn not to threaten an opponent who isn’t yet defeated!”

The Maestro gripped the bag around her neck and drew it open. A torrent of shadowy power spilled into the air, forming into a single ray and careening into the duo. The Ghost raised his cloak to shield them both but was nearly taken off his hooves by the sheer power of this new force. He grimaced at the pressure, prompting Maud to push back as well. Even with their combined strength they were pushed closer and closer to the water. Grey and black smoke, which jerked erratically, seemed to curl around the lip of the cloak and reach out for them. Maud pulled a hoof from their barrier and wrapped the Eye in the cloak’s other corner. The fabric stretched to accommodate its size, allowing Maud to twirl it as a make-shift sling before launching it overhead and into the Maestro’s face with a piercing metallic clang. The dark energy turned toward the sky, cursed lightning and swirling smoke filling the air before fizzling into nothingness. The remnants of the Maestro’s dark magic settled as a thick cloud. When the Ghost and Maud charged through to where the Maestro had fallen, there was nopony to be found. Instead, Maud turned wearily to collect the Eye.

“Sweet Celestia,” Maud sighed, collapsing on her haunches before the shimmering bay water.

“You said it,” the Ghost replied as he joined her.

“Are we going to worry about the evil storm and the masked pony?”

“Nope,” the Ghost said plainly. “Not until I’ve had eight hours rest in my own bed, then I’ll worry about it.”

“What about Lane?”

“I’ll catch up to him. He’ll slip up, if he’s as bad as I think he is, and when he does I’ll be there to put him away.”

Maud hummed softly to herself as she stared out over the waterfront. The two sat in silence, allowing the ache of their wounds to make itself known as memories of the night returned to them. The groans of a waking mobster broke off the Ghost’s reminiscence before he snapped the cloak against his head, sending him back to unconsciousness.

“Thank you,” Maud finally said.

“It’s what I do.”

“I mean thank you for believing in me.” Maud turned to her companion. “I don’t meet many ponies who appreciate what I do, and even less who respect me as a pony. What you said about being brave was the first time anypony’s ever told me that.”

“I’m kind of upset I’m the one who told you.”

“I’m not.” Maud’s candidness put the Ghost at ease, allowing him to fully relax before he spoke.

“You were a great help tonight,” he admitted. “Once or twice I was concerned we wouldn’t make it through this night alive. I’m serious, it’s like this place is ruled by the law of the jungle.”

“Yes?”

“The Eye isn’t the only dangerous object out there in Equestria. The Maestro is hunting a specific set of artifacts, for reasons unknown, and that gem is one of them. I need to keep it out of her hooves.” He swallowed before meeting Maud’s gaze. “I need you to give me the Eye.”

Maud sat absolutely still, processing the Ghost’s request, and turned her vision to the gem in question. She thought back to the first time she uncovered it, pulling the cold stone from the ruins of the kirin tribe she had been excavating for days. She had fought for it, and even now couldn’t help but feel some measure of resentment for the Ghost’s request. The more she pondered, though, the more images of their recent battle filled her mind. The power the gem could conjure. Silently she returned the Ghost’s gaze.

“You know how long I searched for this, right?”

“I do, and I saw how hard you fought for it.”

“This represents everything I’ve done, everything I’ve struggled to achieve.”

“I disagree,” the Ghost began. “You found it, you dug it up and hauled it out with your own bare hooves, but it’s just a trophy, and a dangerous one that a madpony is hunting. When I said you were brave it wasn’t because you found this gem, it’s because of all you were willing to endure to get it back. The fact you’re sitting here, alive, is what represents everything you’ve done.”

Maud took in the Ghost’s words, visibly weighing her options. She peered deep into the Eye, having returned to its usual yellow glow, and scoffed at it.

“I’ll make you a deal,” she said. “I hold onto it for the remainder of my exhibit, you stick around to make sure she doesn’t come back to take it, and when we’re done it’s all yours.”

“Deal,” the Ghost replied, extending a hoof to be shaken by Maud. “How long will that be?”

“Another week. More than enough time for you to find a clue to the Maestro’s whereabouts.”

“Are you asking me to run security for your exhibit?” The Ghost grinned at the thought.

“No, I think your civilian guise is much more appropriate.”

The Ghost opened his mouth to speak and let it hang there. He paused, twisting his face in confusion at Maud’s words as the revelation hit him. A sly smile crept across his face, earning him a lethargic wink from the monotone pony.

“How’d you know?”

“Maud Sense.” She rose from the dock and helped the Ghost to his hooves. “Let’s get out of here, sounds like we’re about to add ‘event planner’ to your list of skills.”