The Lonely Mercenary

I lazily awoke from a blissful sleep. I felt at peace, laying there in the light of the sun. The first thing I noticed was, I had something tightly secured around my neck. And, glasses, on my face? But It didn't distract me from this peaceful feeling I had. But all that changed as I tried opening my eyes. "Fffffuuuuucccckkkk........." I groaned quietly. I was greeted by a very unwelcoming throbbing headache.

I tried to raise my hooves to block out the light, but only my right foreleg left the bed. 'The hay?' I looked down and saw two bulges under the blanket. Slowly I grabbed the Black cover and threw it off me.

What awaited me under made my eyes widen. A sleeping Octavia laid on my left foreleg, her head resting on my chest. Her mouth was slightly open, and a smile adorned her lips. Looking further down, I saw the back of Vinyls head. Laying on my stomach. By the feel of things, she was drooling too. Her right foreleg was placed over....

'WHOA!!! Getting up!'

I ungracefully shot myself free from under the sleeping Mares. But it only caused them to roll over continue sleeping. 'Fuck, fuck, fuck! We didn't do anything right?' I looked over the bed for any signs of 'play'. 'No stains, that I can tell. Everything being blue makes it hard to tell. Wait...Blue?'

I reached up and felt my face. Once I reached my eyes, I felt something sitting in front of them. I took whatever it was off and examined it.

They were Vinyls glasses. 'Why was I wearing her glasses.' And then I remembered the thing around my neck. I quickly took it off. '....Octavias....Neckband...'

I didn't even want to start questioning things right now. I walked over to my dresser and placed the objects on top. I turned right and walked into the bathroom. 'A nice shower should clear my head...' I hopped in and started the water.

I let it run down my body, it was icy cold at first, but soon it was a comfortable hot temperature. I stood there, just listening to the shower make its noise. Slowly I let myself start to think of possibilities of what happened.

'I remember, drinking. A lot. Some singing, dancing, games with all the Ponies. I went to talk to Vinyl...left to see Octavia...Then Element brought out...that...barrel...But, after that...I can't remember anything after that. What happened? Why was I wearing their things? Did we do anything last night?'

Questions like these swam through my head as I stood under the waters embrace. A good fifteen minutes past by before I turned off the water. I stepped out and looked at myself in the mirror.

My eyes were still Purple. Mane was stuck to the sides of my head and neck. My coat as darker, and made my scars more visible. I extended my wings, 'Holy shit...' My feathers were a mess. How were they so unkempt? I sighed and started to preen myself.

Feathers were going each and every way possible. 'How in Tartarus did this happen?' I continued to fix myself for a few minutes. Once I was in presentable conditions, I opened the door and walked out.

"Oh my..."

I froze in place. I slowly turned my head towards the voice. Octavia sat there on the bed. She stared at me, her face was bright red. I quickly turned my head to the mirror above the dresser. 'Yep. Fresh out the shower look....Oh and look! My wings are erect! Best way to greet a Mare in the morning.'

I turned back to her. Her eyes were traveling my body. Once done, she locked her gaze on my scar stretching down my left side. I coughed to get her attention.

"I'm going downstairs to talk with Element. I'll be back in a bit." She nodded and quickly ran into the bathroom. I walked out the door and down the stairs to the main room. Element was sitting at the bar counter rubbing his head. Next to him sat an equally hungover Stallion.

Looking around the room, Ponies were scattered everywhere. Passed out on tables and chairs.

I walked over and sat next to Element. "The fuck happened last night?" He looked up at me and shrugged. "Don't know. I was as drunk as you were..." The Stallion next to us leaned over. "I got pictures of last night." We looked at him with amazement.

"So that's why you came in with a hangover...Well, lets see them." Element said sitting up. The stallion placed a stack of photos held together by a rubber band down in front of me. I picked them up and looked at the first one. Element and the Stallion gathered around me, out of their seats.

It was a picture of everypony, nothing of interest. I flipped to the next one. It was of Element and his four girls. I smiled and handed it to Element. "Whats your name anyway?" I asked the Stallion. "Quick Snap." We shook hooves. "Do you have copies of these? In case I want to keep some?" He smiled and patted my back. "You can keep this copy. I got the originals at home." I thanked him and continued looking.

They were pretty innocent so far, shots of Ponies having fun. Some Ponies dancing, singing. One of me hoof wrestling a Stallion. The next one showed me as the victor. I flipped again...It showed me laying down in defeat as a Mare stood victorious. I blushed a little and quickly flipped to the next picture as they both laughed.

It showed me, standing with wide eyes and erect wings. Staring at something. I gave a questioning look. The next photo had Vinyl and Octavia making out on a table. Showing me in the background, looking like how I was in the last photo. I flipped again to see a close up on Vinyl and Octavia making out.

My wings shot out at the sight. Element and Snap started laughing a little to hard at me. Annoyed, I flipped to the next photo. Two Stallions boxing. Next showed the Elemental sisters singing together. Then some more shots of Ponies drinking.

Now things were getting heated. The picture showed a crowed of Ponies standing around Octavia and Vinyl. They stared at each other with competitive passion. They each stood by a Unicorn Stallion, staring at each other with equal passion. Octavia was by a Red Stallion, while Vinyl stood by a Blue Stallion.

The next picture showed the girls switched sides and were giving the stallions....Horn jobs....I went on to the next one, it had the Stallions passed out, laying on magical goo. With Octavia looking victorious. Waving her hooves in the air.

"Wow...I can't believe that happened..." I stated in disbelief. "Oh, it gets a little better." Snap smirked, pointing at the photos. Only three were left.

The first was a frightened looking me, surrounded by six Mares. Vinyl, Sweet Water, and Fire Flame stood to my left. While Octavia, Earth Beauty, and Calm Air stood to my right. All looking deviously.

The next picture had them all attacking my wings. Biting, licking, and pulling my feathers. I was sprawled out on the ground, reaching out for help, with the face of pure blissful torture.

The last photo was of a passed out me, being carried upstairs by Vinyl and Octavia. "...Well. Looks like you had a fun night!" Element Chuckled as I turned red. "Sh..shut up!" I said laughing. Snap, Element and I laughed as we went though the photos one last time. I said my goodbyes and went back up to my room with the photos inhoof.

As I entered, Octavia walked out the bathroom. We stared at each other. She wasn't wet like how I was. But she was extremely damp. She blushed again, this time at her appearance. Me, being who I was, just shut the door and walked over to the bed.

Vinyl snored loudly still. I placed the pictures on the bed and sat down. Octavia hesitantly walked over and sat down by me. "What's this?" She asked, pointing to the stack of pictures. "Pictures of last night. Crazy shit went down last night." She picked them up and started to flip through them.

She paused at the 'her and Vinyl making out' ones. "Oh...My..." She bit her hoof, turning red with embarrassment. "Oh. It gets better, much better." I stated excitedly. Patting her back.

Three uneventful months had past since we came to Manehatten. Each day I spent time with Vinyl and Octavia. We were getting pretty close, Vinyl knew a lot of my past, but I still have yet to tell her about Blood River. And I have been attending Octavias concerts. Giving advice and throwing parties after every show.

I still haven't told the girls about what happened the night we got here. And they haven't asked about it, or about my eyes being purple instead of brown. It was a part of my past I didn't quite like talking about. Only Element knew about what happened to me, all hose years ago.

But anyway, its a new day here at Elementals Inn! And I just awoke to the semi-warmness of no blankets. I opened my eyes and quickly rolled over. The source of my no blanket awakening laid before my eyes. Vinyl and Octavia were bunched together, rolled up in the black covers, snoring loudly.

'How dose Treble Cleft sleep with her snoring so loud?' I shook my head smiling and got out of bed. Well, more like rolled off, but whatever. My hooves made a soft impact with the floor as I landed. I took a few seconds to get my bearings straight, but I soon found myself out in the hall. I walked down the stairs and found it was still quite early. So early, that even Element was still asleep.

'I'm up first? That shit never happens! Element is usually up before the sun rises.' A quick look outside showed me the nonexistent brightness of day. I stretched my wings and walked outside into the cool morning air. The streets were empty, I took a ready stance and shot up into the sky.

I flew through the dark skies of Manehatten for a few minutes, thinking of what to do. "I could take the girls out today. As an apology for walking in on them last week." I shook my head. "Na. They didn't really seem to care after it happened. In fact, they didn't really care WHEN it happened. Hmm...."

I spotted some Royal Guards walking the streets. "I could always fly back to Canterlot for a bit. See Arcus and the Princesses." I smiled at the thought of teasing him more. "And maybe Op will be there as well." I turned around and started to fly towards Canterlots direction.

Before I left the city however, I thought of something. "I should probably tell the girls I'm leaving. Or at least Element." I looked around. A lone Pony walked the now dimly lit roads. I dived down to him and cautiously approached.

"Excuse me?" I said loud enough for the Pony to hear. The Pony perked up and spun around. He appeared to be a homeless Stallion, rags on his back for warmth, dirty, unkempt mane and coat. "Yes sir?"

I smiled at him. "I have a favor to ask. Do you know where Elementals Inn is?"

He thought for a bit then nodded his head. "Good, I need you to take a message to Element. Tell him that Black Foxx went out for a while, and should be back in a few days." He just looked at me with an impatient look.

"Oh! Um, and tell him I said to pay you fifty bits for doing this!" At this, he brightened up and took off down the road. I smirked at his behavior and took off towards Canterlot. As I flew, I looked over the land pass by below me.

Multiple shades of green seemed to tumble along the ground. I flew high to not distract myself with the detail of the land. And that's when I got bored. "It takes about a day to get to Canterlot from Manehatten by train. So, it should only take me a few hours to get there. In fact, it should be about midday or so when I arrive.

Over the next few hours, I thought of what I was going to do when I reached Canterlot.

Element was cleaning the bar top when he heard somepony come down the stairs. He looked up to see a tired Octavia rubbing her eyes. "Morning Octavia. Breakfast?" She nodded her head and went to the counter. Element went to the back room to fetch some breakfast for her. When he returned, she smiled at him.

"Do you know where Foxx went? He wasn't in bed when I woke up." Element placed her food down for her and shook him head. "Nope, can't say do. He must of left early this morning." Octavia looked down at her food.

"Hmm...He didn't leave a note or anything saying he was leaving?" She asked hopefully.

Element just closed his eyes and shook his head again. "Sorry, I haven't found anything like that. You'll have to yell at him when he gets back." She smiled at him and started to eat her meal.

That's when a Stallion walked in and walked up to the counter. He smelled bad, and looked even worse. "Are you Element?" He asked Element. He looked him up and down before responding. "That I am. You are?"

"Oh, nopony important. I just bring a message. Black Foxx says he'll be gone for a few days. And that you would give me fifty bits for telling you." Element just looked at the Pony.

"Honest! Dark Grey fellow with a black Mane with a green strip. Lots of scars." Element didn't respond. He just gathered fifty bits and hoofed them over to the Stallion. "Thanks for telling me. Can I get you something since your here?" The Stallion shook his head and left.

"So where do you think he went?" Octavia asked Element. "I'm not sure. But I know that bastard owes me fifty bits!"

As I predicted, I got to Canterlot around midday. 'I hope that homeless Pony got my message to Element.' I flew to the main gate and landed. I walked up to the guard post and waited for them to notice me. "Huh? Oh, identification please." I reached back and realized I forgot to grab anything when I left.

I facehoofed and looked up at the Guard. "Um. It seems I have forgotten my papers. My name is Black Foxx." He sighed and looked me over. "What's your business here in Canterlot?" I thought for a moment. "I'm visiting old friends. Maybe do some odd jobs for a few days."

He looked at me again. He obviously knew I lied. "Right. And who would they be?" I thought about ti again. 'Op was well known around here. But was not on good terms with the Guard. I can't say Celestia, he'd never let me in. Hmm. I could say Ruby. She was an instructor at the Flight school here.'

"Ruby Wings. And my cousin Night Flash who attends the Flight school here." I smiled at him. He sighed again and signed some paperwork. I signed it as well and was allowed in. I made my way to the school so I wouldn't look all that suspicious.

I made it to the school and wondered to the stadium behind it. I took a seat in the bleachers and watched as the little Fillys and Colts raced, and did basic flight maneuvers. I sat there reminiscing about my past here. How Op made me attend class so I could learn how to fly better. All the friends I had to leave behind when I graduated. My thoughts were interupted by a voice calling from behind me.

"Can I help you?" I looked over to the Stallion. "Yes, I'm looking for Ruby Wings....Blitz? Is that you?" The stallion was taken back from my statement. He studied me for sometime before speaking. "Foxx? Foxx! Where did you disappear to?!" He sat by me and we hoof bumped.

"Had somethings to take care of. Do you work here?" He smiled. "Yeah! Got the job a year after we graduated. Me and Ruby Wings both." I knew about Ruby, but didn't know Blitz worked here as well. "You said you were looking for Ruby right? She's right down there." He pointed to the only other instructor on the field.

I looked down and saw her. She was, like her name suggested. Ruby red with a pink mane and tail. I smiled and stood up. "Shall we?" We made our way down and he called her over.

"Hey Ruby! Look who I found!" She looked up and instantly recognized me. She smiled brightly and rushed over to me. I barely had enough time to brace myself from her hug tackling me.

"Black Foxx! Oh my gosh! Its been so long!" I laid on the ground being squeezed to death by the Mare. I reached out my hoof for help. "Haha..Ruby, your killing the poor guy. Let him breath." He laughed out. Even with how Red she was, I could still see her blush as she got off me.

I stood up and took some deep breaths. The kids were all laughing at us. But one called out, "Black Foxx!" A Filly ran towards me and hugged my leg. It was Night Flash. Her Golden Mane covered half her face. I smiled and picked her up. "Hey kiddo!"

"Oh, that's right. You sent Night to me a few months back right?" Ruby asked. "Yep, couldn't let this little Filly ruin her life out on the streets." Night smiled as she ceased to let go of me. Blitz and Ruby smiled at us. "I'll take care of the class, you two go ahead and catch up. Come on Night Flash." Blitz stated. Night Flash let go and flew off of me.

"Thanks for sending me here Black Foxx." She flew off before I could respond. Now it was just me and Ruby. She was looking me up and down, like some sort of item up for bids. "So many scars...What did you do to yourself?" She looked up with concern.

I smiled and started to walk off. She joined me and i thought of what to say. "After Graduation, I went with my dad. We traveled the world. We managed to get a big group together, called ourselves Dark Ascension. We all fought wars, stole things, helped Ponies. Did anything for bits. I was a Mercenary, Ruby."

She looked at me with a confused look. "What do you mean? I thought Equestria was a safe place?" I chuckled lowly. "Its not that safe of a place. But We worked mostly outside of Equestria." Talking about the past made my right hind leg hurt. I started to limp as we walked the track.

She noticed it and voiced her concern. "What happened to your leg? It looks like it hurts you still. When did it happen?" I sighed and walked over to the bench to our right. I sat down and stretched my leg. "Celestia happened." She looked at me. "What?"

"Celestia almost cut my leg off. If it wasn't for my dad, I would have lost it. Speaking of our Princess, I was going to go pay her a visit later on today."

"What?! If she did this to you, why would you go see her?!" I laughed softly. "Say hi, maybe have some tea. Me and her have made up, don't worry. She couldn't hurt me unless I wanted her to." Ruby looked extremely worried. I hugged her and got up. "Don't worry, I'll swing by before I leave for Manehatten. Deal?"

She looked up and smiled. "Deal."

I made my way through the castle grounds. I was just outside the main room where Celestia holds her court hearings. I eard voices from inside. I peeked through the window and saw the Princess sitting in her throne, while listening to a few Ponies talk about their problems. 'Good, she's distracted.'

I made my way over to the back entrance of the room. It was guarded by two Royal Guards. 'Damn, how to get by them?' I looked around and found some rocks. 'Basic, but effective.' I picked one up and threw it over them, into the bushes about twenty feet away.

"Huh? What was that? Check it out." The guard closest to me walked over to the bush. The other guard watched him closely. 'This is just too easy.' I crept up and slid silently through the door. I closed it without a noise and took cover behind a pillar. I looked out, nopony has noticed me yet. I smiled and swiftly rolled behind the throne.

"I declare in favor of Sunny Dew. Hammer Drop, you are to pay her compensation for her injuries. A total of Three hundred and eighty four bits. Next case." Celestia yelled. Ponies began to speak among themselves as some moved around the room. I took advantage of the commotion and flew up to the top of the throne.

"You know," Celestia gasped. "I was going to steal your crown again. But, I thought about how it would make you look in front of eveypony." I smiled, hoovering there. "That has never stopped you before Foxx." She replied quietly.

"I'm retired remember? I think about more than money now. So what do ya say? Tea in your room tonight? You can even invite Luna and Arcus."

"Very well..."

I interrupted her. "Good! Don't worry, I'll let myself in. Tata." I started to fly off but stopped when I heard her reply. "I thought you cared about more then money now? Dose my privacy not count?"

"It dose. But I'm still me." I smiled. "Still got my image to maintain after all!"

Her head flew around the throne as I flew off. "Foxx!" I laughed as Guards tried to give case, and Ponies in the crowed gasped. I flew out the window and made my way away from the castle.

"I'll let myself in later."