Stellar and Quartz: Ghost Town Showdown

The bar stood aghast at the sight of a Unicorn wielding magic; all at once, the formerly geeky and earnest Ledge had transformed into a terror now calling himself Sleight.

“You really think you’re going to get away with this?” Stellar asked.

“Just die.” He whipped the stool at Stellar, Arcus jumping in front of her with crossed arms and taking the blow.

“Arcus!”

Arcus didn’t respond, he reared back and sent fire at Sleight. Sleight pulled his fancy cape around his body and the flame spread away from its surface. With a mocking laugh, he threw the quartet of playing cards out across the room sending everyone ducking for cover as they started small fires where they dug in.

“This is nuts,” Hatch said as he held his arms over Cloudy and his sister. “How the hell are we supposed to stop him.”

“I don’t give a damn if he is magical,” Earnhardt hefted a table over his head. “We still outnumber him!” He yelled as he threw the table.

“Dumb brute!” Holding his hands up, the table slowed at is neared Sleight and levitated above his head. “It doesn't matter how many of you there are, my magic is unbeatable!” He launched it back, the wooden piece splintering against his raised arms.

“Get out, now!” Ridgeway ordered as he began moving Dandelion towards the door. “Go get the police!”

“Right!” Dandelion nodded as she, Cerulean and Oak hurried off.

“Yes!” Sleight began following everyone out into the street. “Bring them here! It will save me the trouble!”

“Come on, kid!” Earnhardt looked over at Arcus. “Let’s get him!”

“Ok!” Arcus concurred as they rushed him.

“Idiots!” Thick smoke began to pour from Sleight’s sleeves and the fog quickly obscured him from view. As Earnhardt and Arcus entered the haze, they swatted at the air while his laugh echoed around them.

“Get out of there!” Stellar called.

Arcus saw Sleight’s face appear in the smoke and he immediately swung at it.

“Hey!” Earnhardt grabbed his wrist. “Watch it.”

“But… I saw him.” Arcus looked around.

“Over here.” Sleight voice taunted as he appeared and pressed his stage cane into Arcus’ gut, a huge electrical shock flowing into the dragon’s body and doubling him over. As Earnhardt when to strike, he receded into the smoke with another laugh and vanished.

Stellar and Cloudy watched as Sleight stepped from the fog, thumbing back at the cloud. “Your boy toys are busy, so I’ll just deal with you two.”

“Try it.” Stellar held her fists up.

“Cute,” Sleight ran in and allowed her to take a swing, a scarf emerged from his sleeve and wrapped around her wrist; more and more emerged and her arms were quickly bound behind her back.

“Stellar!” Cloudy hurried over and grabbed his wrist.

“Back off, grandma.” He looked down at his arm and found it being wrenched.

“I do not think so,” Cloudy retorted as she overpowered him.

“I’m sorry,” He faux apologized. “Here, have a flower.” With a flick of his wrist a daisy appeared and sprayed her in the face with gas. Cloudy staggered back and choked, quickly growing dizzy and falling to the ground.

“Cloudy!” Stellar yelled as she struggled against her binding.

Sleight drew another card and held it ready. “Calm down, you’ll get your turn.”

“No!” Hatch flew through the air with a beat of his wings and tackled Sleight before he could harm Cloudy; as they hit the ground, Sleight growled up at him in irritation.

“Hold him down!” Stormy called as she dove onto him as well.

“Oh, now you want to be on top of me.” Sleight placed his hands against their waists and the siblings launched off of him and landed hard on the ground.

Arcus and Earnhardt emerged from the clearing smoke and saw what was happening. At the same time, the police officers were approaching with guns drawn. Arcus freed Stellar and Earnhardt took Cloudy up in his arms as the cops aimed their weapons at Sleight.

“Freeze!” The officer commanded.

“You might be more concerned about what’s behind you.” Sleight scoffed.

One of the officers glanced back and let out a startled scream as the monster hound appeared. He instinctively turned and fired which spooked the other officers allowing Sleight to release another plume of smoke to vanish from view.

“We have to find some way to pin him down.” Ridgeway glanced around at his friends. “What can we use?”

“I have an idea,” Hathaway called their attention. “But we need to push him back more.”

As Hathaway discussed his plan, the officers opened fired into the cloud of smoke to no avail. As it cleared, the saw no trace of the Unicorn.

“Up here!” Sleight called from the adjacent roof top, he leapt down into their midst and with a wave of his hands the guns were scattered to the ground. Using his cane, he shocked them and sent them to into the dirt. His attention was captured by Earnhardt who charged at him horns first, Sleight leapt backwards in avoidance and his own horn lit brilliantly; the bright flash blinded the bull momentarily and he was subsequently hurt when a series of razor sharp playing cards buried into his body.

“Hey!” Arcus shouted as he took over, breathing fire at Sleight’s feet and sending him back even more.

“You don’t know when to quit, do you?” Sleight asked as he flipped his cane around, the pointed bottom fired off like a missile and the spike dug into the dragon’s leg. “You’re only dragging this out and making yourselves suffer!” He spread his arms to the night sky. “No matter what you try, the show will go on!” The sound of old wood groaning in protest came from his flank, he glanced up to see the town's old water tower toppling towards him with the griffon siblings pushing it over from the top. “No!” He stumbled back but the old wooden water tank crashed and exploded on top of him, water rushing every which way. Stellar, Ridgeway, Hathaway and a revived Cloudy hurried over as he tried to free himself from the planks of wood. Hatch and Stormy swooped down behind him to block any escape. Dandelion, Cerulean and Oak got the officers back on their feet and over to the scene. As Sleight dragged himself up, the gathered townsfolk gasped at what they saw.

“Holy shit, look at that.” Stellar pointed to his horn which had broken off, revealing a stub filled with circuitry. The remaining length of horn on the ground sputtered and a beam of light emanated from it; across the way, the Ataata appeared and roared at them menacingly.

“A hologram?” Oak eyed the once fearsome creature.

“Damn you…” Sleight managed while coughing up water.

“Look, his coat.” Dandelion pointed at his face, the color washed away to reveal a particularly unique set of markings.

“Oh my god…” Hathaway held his hand over his mouth. “Hadewic?”

“What?” Ridgeway looked over at him.

“Heh… hi dad, long time no see.” Sleight looked up at him.

“Your tenth child?” Cloudy asked, recalling the conversation about his second son.”

“What… why?” Hathaway looked down at his lost child.

“I’m not going to believe you missed me,” Sleight stared up at him. “All the time I’ve been here I’ve never even heard you speak of me; like I was some kind of embarrassment. You think I forgot the last words you said to me?”

”Son, I…” Hathaway visibly shook as his mind tried to process everything. “I’m sorry… I know what I said and I’ve regretted it ever since. But… you’ve killed a creature and terrorized your friends and family. What would drive you to do all this?”

Sleight laughed and shook his head. “You know, for what it’s worth, I did try things your way. I left here to pursue my own life but I still approached it the way you taught me; hard work and farmer determination… and it meant nothing. I got chewed up and spit out by brutes like Earnhardt and fast talkers like Wheeler; I even thought about coming back home… but I couldn’t, so I… adapted.”

“By becoming a tech wiz pretending to be a real magician pretending to be a fake magician?” Stellar asked. “Kid, you need help.” She quickly glanced at Hathaway. “Uh.. sorry.”

“No, this is my fault,” He knelt down before his son. “I chased you away and forced you out into a world you weren't ready for. After all this time I realize I was wrong about trying to make you live life like the rest of us; and I’m sorry I never got to apologize before… but I am now, for what it’s worth. And I never thought of you as an embarrassment, but I did think about you every day.”

Sleight lowered his head with a listless chuckle. “It doesn’t matter, I’m not Hadewic anymore; I’m Sleight.”

“Sir,” One of the officers approached. “I’m sorry, but son or not, he’s under arrest and we need to take him in now.”

Hathaway looked up at them with heavy eyes. “I know…”

“Hathaway,” Ridgeway helped him up and pulled him aside as the cops dug Sleight out of the rubble and cuffed him. “I’m sorry.”

“So am I.” Hathaway sighed as he watched them haul his son off towards the squad car.

Bittersweet relief washed over the old town as Sleight was stripped of his weapons and taken away which meant that everyone was finally safe. Arcus and Earnhardt got their injuries treated and everyone began cleaning up the aftermath of the fight. Hathaway went home to tell his family what had happened and Hatch in turn traveled to see Blue Sky to do the same. Stellar met with Ridgeway back at his office, the two sharing a much needed drink after everything.

“I just wanted to close a sale…” Stellar thought. “But I wound up investigating a murder, almost getting killed, picking up a boyfriend and fighting a super villain; I’m taking a fucking vacation.”

Ridgeway laughed and nodded. “You’ve certainly earned it; I have to thank you again, were it not for your perseverance, Hadewic would have gotten away with everything. As Hathaway’s son, he could have claimed a bloodline link to the ownership of the town and done what he pleased if it was abandoned.” He paused to drink. “And thankfully, Wheeler can have justice; but at the cost of Hathaway’s heart, I have no doubt this will weigh on him for the rest of his life.”

“Cloudy filled me in on that; I do feel bad for the guy, but it isn’t his fault.” She pondered. “Still, it’s not easy for a parent to not feel responsible for their kid.” She sighed deeply. "It's a shame, he really is a sharp mind; I couldn't believe all the crap the cops pulled off of him. A chemically treated cape, phosphorus covered playing cards with metal edges, taser cane, smoke machines in his sleeves, gloves with electromagnets in the palms and a fucking holographic projector in a fake horn."

"He was every bit the technological wizard that Hathaway said he was." Ridgeway noted.

Stellar took a drink and changed the subject. “So, now that the sale can officially go through, what’s the plan?”

“I know Red Sky won’t wholly approve, but everyone here as been through enough.” Ridgeway noted. “With Wheeler gone, I’ll see to it that everyone here gets a portion of his share of the value so they can make new lives elsewhere. I don’t know what Hathaway will do, but it’s time for me to retire. I’ll miss this place, but it’s high time this outlaw hung up his hat and settled down somewhere quiet.”

“I hope you enjoy it,” Stellar raised her glass. “I’m sure Oak will make sure the history books remember you as much as your ancestor.”

Over at the bar, Stormy swept with a sullen face as she and Dandelion cleaned up the bar. “I can’t believe Ledg… Hadewic, could do all this.” She muttered. “He was never my type, but I did kind of like him; never caved in to his flirting though… guess I dodged one hell of a bullet.”

“I know,” Dandelion concurred. “He was such a sweet guy, he really fooled us all; it’s creepy to know how close we were to a nut case like that. I would have rather it been a ghost.” She dumped a dustpan full of wood shards into a trash can. “So, what are you going to do now?”

“My brother and I are going home; it’s been awhile and we’re going to visit family and plan out where we go from here.” She glanced over. “What about you?”

“Not sure,” Dandelion admitted. “Whatever it is though, it’s going to have a modern setting.” She said with laugh.

Over in the old doctor’s office, Earnhardt sat with bandages around his arms where the playing cards had pierced him. Hoofsteps sounded, followed by Cloudy as she came to check on him.

“Earnhardt, how are you?” She asked.

“I’ll live,” He snorted. “Little shit really took it out of me though; but only because of all those cheap tricks.”

“Most definitely,” Cloudy recalled the inventory they had observed before Sleight was taken away. “For a moment, he had us truly believing he was magical; but all his tricks were nothing but gadgetry. To think creatures like that exist; it reminds me of things from Limestone's old comic books.” She looked up at him. “What will you do now that the town is to be finally sold?”

“Not sure,” He huffed. “Unlike a lot of the others, I was basically raised here; and I’m sure a fancy research center won’t have much use for a heavy lifter like me.”

Cloudy set her hand to his bandaged arm with a warm smile. “Would you like to come with me?”

“Huh?” He quickly glanced down at her.

“My home is still precious to me, but it must change as I do; but I cannot do it alone.” She said surely. “I could use a strong friend to help me improve it and keep me company.”

“Wow,” Earnhardt was taken aback by the offer. “That… would be great, are you sure?”

“Of course,” Cloudy nodded. “It’s still rustic and quiet as we are both used to; but we can help one another start working on our new lives.”

The big bull smiled and put his arm around her. “Deal.”

The long night wrapped up in the wee hours of the morning; Hatch returned with news that Red Sky would be alright and passed on he and his son’s thanks for seeing justice done. Cloudy informed Stellar that Earnhardt would be coming with them as well and Arcus was able to once again join his new love interest as his leg continued to speedily heal. With everything finally well, the town enjoyed its first peaceful sleep in some time. Come morning, Stellar and Arcus began packing their things, both excited to get on with their lives now that the shadow hanging over the town had lifted.

“Good thing I don’t own much.” Arcus noted.

“Yeah, with Earnhardt coming with, we barely have enough room for this stuff.” She clicked her suitcase closed. “But, small price to pay; I’m glad Cloudy won’t be alone anymore, it’ll be good for her to have someone around.” She went to Arcus and rubbed his chest. “And you and I can start fucking in a comfortable bed, and in a bigger shower… and on my dining room table.” She smiled hungrily.

“Can’t wait.” He grinned.

A knock at the door came followed by Cloudy’s voice; Stellar answered and found her and Earnhardt with their own belongings. “We are ready when you are, Stellar.” She announced.

“Great, we’re about done here.” Stellar nodded. “Guess we’d better check out.” After officially checking out of the lodges and saying goodbye to Dandelion, the quartet made one last trip to the town hall to let Ridgeway know they’d be on their way.

“Well, I guess this is goodbye then,” Ridgeway smiled as they walked into his office; he went to Stellar with an outstretched hand. “It was good to meet you both, you certainly left your mark in this town’s final chapter.”

“I’m just glad everything has been resolved.” Stellar shook his hand. “I’ll contact my office and have everything finalized, our business office’s lead with be in touch to suss out the last bit of detail and send you the paperwork.”

“Wonderful,” He looked to Arcus and Earnhardt. “I’m sending a list that includes your information back with the paperwork, you and everyone else will receive your part of the sale when everything is said and done.”

“Thank you, Ridgeway,” Arcus smiled. “We really appreciate this.”

“Yeah,” Earnhardt nodded in agreement. “It’ll be a big help.”

“Thank you both for all you’ve done for me and this town, I wish you both luck out there.” He shook their hands respectively.

“And we certainly wish you a well earned retirement.” Cloudy added.

“Believe me, I’m going to enjoy it come hell or high water.” Ridgeway laughed. “Take care.”

With that, they left the office and headed back to the car; finding Hatch and Stormy loitering by its side. Hatch waved with a light grin as they approached. “Time to ride off into the sunset, eh?” He patted Arcus on the arm. “It was nice knowing you, kid; don’t let the big city eat you up.” He looked at Cloudy with a reluctant smile. “Going to miss you, Cloudy.”

“I feel quite the same,” Cloudy hugged him. “Thank you, I’ll always remember the brief time we’ve shared.”

“Oh me too,” He laughed, glancing up at Earnhardt. “Take good care of her.”

“She’s safe with me,” Earnhardt grabbed his shoulder. “Just worry about your own feathered ass.”

“I’ll keep him in line,” Stormy chuckled. “Thanks for everything, maybe if we’re lucky we’ll bump into each other sometime.”

“World gets smaller everyday,” Stellar noted. “I won’t count it out.”

After a last goodbye, Stellar squeezed everyone into her car and started for home. It was a long drive, but with higher spirits than when they were on their way the first time, it didn’t seem as much so. By the late afternoon, Stellar dropped Cloudy and Earnhardt off back at her house; Cloudy immediately going about getting her new friend settled. Finally, by mid evening, Stellar pulled into the driveway of her suburban home on the outskirts of the metropolitan area. Lugging their things in, Stellar collapsed onto the couch with a long sigh.

“Son of a bitch…” Her head fell back onto the cushion. “Home at last.”

“You have a really nice place,” Arcus sat on the couch beside her, taking her legs up into his lap and massaging her ankles and calves.

“Oh my god, kid… that feels amazing.” She babbled into her arm as she laid it across her face.

“Feels kind of weird to know I’m just going to be living here now,” He admitted. “Good weird, but it’s just really sudden.”

“We’re certainly taking a leap here,” Stellar agreed. “But don’t feel like a guest, this is your place now too so make yourself at home.”

“Thanks,” He smiled as he looked down at her, flopped over the cushions in her wrinkled business attire and her mouth hanging open in exhaustion. “So, were you serious about that vacation stuff?”

“Absolutely,” She raised a pointed finger to the sky. “I’ve more than earned one.”

“Can you show me around the city?” He asked.

“Sure,” She nodded beneath her elbow. “It’ll be good to get adjusted; just don’t be shocked if you get a lot of stares, not many dragons around here.”

“I can deal with that,” His claws moved up her thighs. “I’ll just assume their jealous of my girlfriend.” He chuckled.

“Pshh…” Stellar laughed. “Can’t believe that type of line is getting me at my age.” She pulled her legs back and got on her knees, shimmying over to him and taking his shoulders. “Trying to talk me out of my clothes?”

“Is it working?” He asked with a tilted head.

“Maybe…” Stellar stopped at the sound of a beep. “Huh?” She glanced over at the kitchen counter and saw her answering machine flashing.

“What is it?” Arcus asked.

“Phone messages,” Stellar reluctantly left the couch. “Probably just auto-dial bullshit.”

“You have an answering machine?” Arcus raised his head high and watched her. “Those things are so ol…”

“Watch it, kid,” She pointed a finger back at him. “It’s for business reasons.”

“Sorry.” He laughed.

Stellar hit the button and listened to the messages, only pausing at the final one. “Hi Stellar, it’s Evershy.” The message began.

“Holy shit.” Stellar muttered in shock. "Goody two hooves herself."

“I know it’s been awhile,” Evershy continued. “Too long… and I’m sorry about that; a lot has happened lately, so much I’d bet it surprise even you.” She laughed. “I’m sure you’re out on business but I really hope we can talk; Windy and I kind of had a big scare and a huge life change and… well, we just want all of us to get together again. I called Cloudy, Pear and Twilight too but they weren’t home either; I guess we’re all busy nowadays. Still, please give me a call so we can catch up; hope to talk to you soon, bye.” The message ended and Stellar hit the clear button.

“Who was that?” Arcus came over to join her.

“Evershy, she’s an old friend,” Stellar laughed in thought. “Fuck, I don’t think I’ve talked to her in nearly four years now. I wonder what the hell happened to her?” She pondered. “Her life is so white bread you could make a sandwich out of it.”

“Are you going to call her?” He inquired.

“Yeah,” Stellar nodded. “It’d be nice to talk to her again, Windy though… that lazy bitch.”

“Huh?”

“Nothing,” Stellar shook her head. “I’ll give her a call tomorrow; right now I just want a hot shower, a hard fuck and a long sleep,” She smiled up at him. “How about you give me a hand with all that?”

“Yes ma’am.” Arcus reached down at scooped her up into his arms.

“Whoa!” Stellar sounded in surprise; he started to walk but stopped as he realized he didn’t know where anything was.

“Uh…” He sheepishly eyed her.

“Down the hall and to the right, Romeo.” Stellar pointed with a laugh as he headed down the hall so they could enjoy the rest of the evening together.

A police car sped up the highway with an ambulance behind it; sirens blaring, they forced traffic aside and headed out onto the emptier roads that led into the city. As was detailed to them, a squad car sat on its side just off the road; the officers and EMT’s rushed out and went to work.

“What happened?” One of the officers asked, pausing in horror as he found the officer who placed the call flanked by the corpses of his fellow force members.

The officer on the ground held his wounded arm and spoke in a shaky voice. “Transporting a murder suspect, his hands and feet were cuffed in the back but he… he got out somehow. He threw something through the bars of the back seat into Marlow’s neck which made him swerve off the road. By the time I woke up, he was gone and Marlow and Burrow were… they were dead…” His head hung low.

“Alright,” The lead officer nodded. “Give us a description of the suspect and we’ll put out an APB, he’s on foot so he couldn’t have gotten far. After that, they’ll get you to a hospital.”

The other officers began taking the information he could provide as the EMT’s worked on his arm and prepped him for transfer. The lead officer went to his fallen comrades; he noted the badge of Marlow and reached down to move his head; with a confused muttering he saw an ace of spades protruding from the back of his neck.