White Shadows

“Perhaps the hate for your friend isn’t so unjust, is it, Pillows? I mean, he did nearly kill the poor boy,” Said the Stallion, sharpening his small exacto blade.

He was tall and lavender colored. His mane was a purple hue, and his eyes were matching. His accent was thick, sounding as if he had his cheek torn out. His left eye was swollen, and the matching side was cut and bruised.

Pillows struggled against the tight binds of the chair, but with each forceful push, the ropes got tighter. The large stallion just scoffed at Pillows attempt at trying to get out, and walked over to him.

“You better hope that White Steam brings his head on a silver platter soon, or there won’t be much left of you to save…” Said the Stallion.

Suddenly, the door burst in, and Shadow stood there, his guardian blade in one hoof, a double barrel pistol in the other. His eye was full of rage behind his mask, and he lifted the pistol, delivering both shots to the captor’s head. The captor flew back, blood splattering all over the wall.

“Well, that is that…” Shadow said, dropping the pistol.

1 Day Earlier...

I sat at the table, Daring Do sleeping beside me. I was cleaning my equipment, and she wanted to help me. As always, I handed her the pocket watch, which she polished until she fell asleep. It was only six days until the Gala, and Daring wanted a date desperately, even though she was only 5. Many of the colts in her class had massive crushes on her, due to her uncanny mimicry of Daring Do, since she was the pony herself. Now, it was all I could do to keep her from stealing kisses from boys as favors. None of the other parents liked me either, due to my looks. I was usually just off duty when I would pick her up, so I never had my mask on, revealing my empty eye socket, and the screwed up main I always had. Along with that, I openly wore my weapons. Kids would always want to play with them. Along with my appearance, it was my age. They thought I had knocked up some poor filly at a young age, and now I had the daughter in custody.
I was a good father, regardless. I loved Daring, and she loved me. That’s really all that mattered to me. We had good friends, such as Luna, Pillows, Octavia, Shining Armor, and Lyra. Everything was perfect.
Until that night.

I had just finished cleaning my equipment, when the doorbell rang to my flat. Daring slightly woke up, but I quickly soothed her back to sleep. I then got up, and opened the door. Outside was Octavia, and two guards. They all looked grim, and I cocked my head.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” I asked, and the guards looked at Octavia, their rifles shimmering silver in the white light of the hall.

“Pillows. He… he was taken. I don’t know by who, I just know that they want you as well,” Said Octavia, and I narrowed my eyes.

“What? How?” I asked, and Octavia shook her head.

“I just came from his apartment in downtown. It was ransacked, and all that was left was a note. Really old paper, like one of the older guilds in the city,” She just said.

“Her majesty has put you on leave for the time being, Shadow. She doesn’t want you getting involved,” Said one of the guards.

“What, why?” I asked once more.

“Your life is in danger, and as the royal protector, you cannot put your life in harms way for reasons unrelated to the Princess’s safety. We’re sorry,” Said the guard. “but someone with equal skills is taking over the investigation. As soon as he finds the kidnapper, he’ll let you know. He’s got a certain set of skills that makes him suited for this. I told him to meet me here, though I don’t know why he hasn’t come.”

Royal tower, suite seven...

He was never a good looking unicorn. His mane unkempt. His goggles twisted sideways just enough for the commoner to notice. His clothes messy with blood. Ah, but that is the life of the Royal Weapon maker/Torturer. Only a few knew his real name, but those who didn’t knew him as “Sinner”, for he had probably sinned more than anypony on the planet. 503 tortures, 503 executions, and 503 successful data withdrawals. He was also trained in the art of Khengxi Dagger fighting, a martial art made from the tamed dragons of the far east. Altogether, he had killed about 859 ponies, griffons, dragons, monsters, and more. Yet, he was feeling regret about this certain mission. Sure, it should be an easy one. Find a kidnapper, interrogate him, execute him, report to the royal protector, and then let the bodyguard finish the job. He should have it done by tomorrow evening. But he knew this wasn’t any type of ordinary kidnapping. The criminals wanted the bodyguard to come after them, so they could kill him. So in the end, it most likely be Sinner to take the fall.

“Screw it, it’s just a job,” He muttered, tying the ribbon into his mane.

He put on his hat, straightened his goggles, lifted his scarf, and walked into the warm night of Canterlot. He had denied his meeting with both the bodyguard and the spouse of the victim purely because of the fact that stallions who did work that were too much alike never got along. Soon, someday, perhaps Sinner would have his time facing off with a stallion equal to his ability to fight, and he would finally fall. But at this time, he needed to focus on getting the important shit done. And he knew exactly where to start.

By morning, Sinner had made it to the Black House inn in the pit. Not a very nice place, known for the whores, booze, and crime. Many of the cities more notorious Mercs hung around, due to the cheap whiskey and flank. Sinner did not have a good reputation there, either, for the last time he had visited, he ended up killing most of the patrons and decapitating an easy mare. While the say that alcohol loosens the lips, it usually unsheathes the blade, or in Sinner’s case, his built in bionic claws. He stood outside a moment, taking in the sweet breeze that rarely showed its face in the industrial underground of Canterlot. He pushed the door in, unsheathing his claws.

“Shite! It’s a royal worker!” shouted one of the younger Mercs.

“Is that a problem, child?” Sinner asked, as he waltzed over to the bar.

One of the more experienced Mercs covered the younger Merc’s mouth. Bingo.

“You gentlemen wouldn’t know anything about a missing Janitor, would you?” Asked Sinner, sitting at the bar, ordering some cider.

The younger Merc shifted slightly, and the older one nudged him. “Can’t say we do, mate.”

“Shame. There’s a large award for any information or his return. Celestia might even knight whover gives some information. But its gallows for anyone involved in the plot who doesn’t work with her,” Said Sinner, putting a golden piece on the table as the cider was slid over to him.

A young mare walked over to Sinner, and brushed up against his leg on the stool.

“You wanna play, big boy? You like you could last a good long time in the saddle,” Said the mare, and Sinner politely shook his head.

“No thank you madam,” He said, taking a sip of his Cider.

“You’re missin’ out, but okay,” Said the mare, walking off.

Using that moment to arm himself, Sinner pried back both hammers on his flintlocks, and then charged his Electro pistol. The Mercs looked back at Sinner, and the younger one looked side to side.

“Don’t crack!” whispered the older one urgently, and Sinner just smiled.

“Too late.”

Sinner pulled out both flintlocks, shooting the older one in the head, and a different Merc across the room. He then deliver a kick to the younger ones head, knocking him out cold. The rest of the Mercs went to arms, pulling out their muskets. Again, it was too late. The Electro Pistol, or the “Zapper” was a powerful weapons that took the electricity from the air, and harnessed it so that it could paralyze or turn you to a crisp. Made by sinner himself. He sprayed rounds at the remaining Mercs, and then shot the bartender. He then grabbed the young Merc, and walked out of the bar, leaving it in a pile of bodies and blood.

Canterlot throne Room, 11:32 AM…

I sat there, watching the steam screen as it showed the gory details of the battle. Equine soldiers were pushing into Stalliongrad, tearing the city apart. Blood bathed the streets, but our soldiers were holding their own. We were looking through the eyes of one of the more accomplished soldiers of the special operations unit. His name was Captain Fire Walker, a native from the mild west. He looked like a barrel chested red stallion, with a fiery red mane, and a knack for fighting hand to hand. Even Octavia was there, seeing as how she awaited the word of Pillows return. But all we could do, along with the senior officers of Celestia’s council, was watch as our soldiers fought to keep the jewel of the eastern border of Equestria safe.

Stalliongrad, 11:32 A.M…

Fire Walker jammed his machete into the young soldiers neck, twisting his blade. His eyes focused in on the blood spurting out of the now-dead colts throat, and he sighed.

“Shame to waste their youth like this,” He said, his voice going through his gear mic attached to his wrist.

“We know, Walker. Continue with the mission, and you’ll be back at Canterlot in no time,” Said Colonel Philamonica.

“Aye, sir. Right away,” Said Fire, taking his musket from his back.

The city was in flames, and warships flew above the sky, dropping bombs. It was a hopeless battle, and Ponyville would be next if they didn’t destroy the gunships soon.

Walker turned around, and motioned for the soldiers to move forward. One stopped in front of him, laying down a map.

“Sir, we have confirmation of the gun battery still online. It’s getting hammered though, and all soldiers have abandoned the base. Its under control by Equine Zealots, sir,” Said the soldier, and Walker nodded.

“Take the marksmen up to hill 52, and arm the portable cannon. We have to take down those warships before they pass out of range. I want you to hit them with all you got, until they’re all dead, understand?” asked Walker, and the soldier nodded, running off.

He turned to the rest of the special operations group, and followed them, musket in hand. He ran through the destroyed buildings of burning Stalliongrad, covered in ash and blood from the bombings of earlier in the week. The ran past the town square, and found Equestrian Regulars fighting Equine Zealots, blood flying through the air. One of the special operations soldiers aimed at the town square, but Walked pushed his gun downwards.

“It’s too late for them. We have to continue to the gun battery,” He said promptly, and the soldier nodded.

The special operations soldiers didn’t look like average soldiers. Their blue fatigues were replaced by pure black, and most of them wore balaclavas or ski masks, along with goggles to cover their eyes. Their weapons were top of the line, such as autoloading muskets, that shot highly charged air charges instead of bullets, but producing the same effect. Many soldiers brought along portable cannons, or steam throwers, weapons that could melt others with superhot steam, so hot that they used it to destroy buildings. They looked extremely menacing moving through the shadows of the buildings, until they reached the gun battery.

The dual 70mm was state of the art explosive tech. 20 round clips were loaded into each gun, and they could be used for anti-armor, anti-air, or anti-personnel purposes. It seemed that the Equine Zealots were trained to use it, because they kept on shooting troop transports out of the air like pros. They were in a small plaza inbetween two buildings, which were small enough to let the guns shoot down aircraft.

“Sir, there’s a lot of them. How are we going to do this?” asked one of the soldiers.

Walker sighed. “First, the marksmen are going to bombard them with the portable cannon. Afterwards, we’re going to charge them. By then, there won’t be many left, and we’ll overtake them easily. Understand?” He asked, and the soldier nodded.

Suddenly, a cannon round struck the ground near the battery, causing a huge plume of flame to fly up in the air. More cannon rounds followed, causing flames to emerge, and cracks of lava to form in the ground. The Special operations soldiers charged, firing their muskets. The Zealots turned around, many of them having 3rd degree burns. They pulled their sabers, and charged at the special operations soldiers.

“Line!” Shouted Walker, and all the soldiers immediately formed into a line.

“Aim!”

“Fire!” shouted Walker, and musket rounds tore through the Zealots, leaving few standing.

The two sides clashed, blades hitting muskets. Blood splashed from both sides, and many fell. Walker ran to the gun battery, and reloaded the magazines. He then jumped onto the dual 70s, and started to slam out explosive rounds at the warships. Within seconds, the warships fell out of the sky in a flaming heap, and the sounds of cheers filled the city. The Zealots had been defeated, and Stalliongrad was safe from the bombardment of Warships, for now.

“Walker! You were too late! One of the ships slipped by!” Shouted the Colonel over the mic.

“What? How?” Asked Walker.

“We don’t know, but our air units will take over taking it down. You need to report back here as soon as possible,” Said the Colonel.

“Copy, I’ll be home as soon as possible,” Said Walker, reloading his musket.

Throne Room, 11:45 A.M…

I sat there, the link shutting down. All the leaders nodded in agreement, standing up. I sighed, standing up myself, when a figure busted into the room, covered in blood.

His clothing slightly resembled mine, in a way that looked more menacing. He was a unicorn, with a hood, goggles, and a scarf. He had a mane of deep black, and his coat was a contrasting red. He wore what looked like claw implants, and was carrying around flintlocks and daggers. He walked straight up to me, and pulled off his goggles, revealing milky white eyes.

“Ello lad. Name’s Sinner. I think I got your man,” He said, holding out his hoof, metal claws elongating.

“I’m Shadow. You the guy Celestia hired?” I asked, and he nodded.

“Got a wee lad about the age of 19 down in the interrogation room, caught him conspirin’ with a merc who looked up to no good. As soon as I said a word about Pillows, he cracked. Pretty sure he’s got somethin’ to do with the kidnapping.” He said, and I shook his hoof.

“Well, we better get down there then, shouldn’t we?” I asked.

Interrigation Room, 12:22.

It was a pure white room, sparkling clean. Almost too clean. There was a metal table and two chairs in the room, and a single one way mirror. I was on the other side of the mirror, watching Sinner and his subject. Sinner was going over the regular questions, in which the young merc would not answer. It was quite obvious that Sinner had dealt with such occasions.

“Where is Pillows?”

“Go to hell, you damn royal!”

“Ah, bravery for a lad who just watched all his mates killed by one sickly old stallion. How about I bring in my coworker before I bring out the tools?”

“I won’t crack, you pig!”

“Come on in, Shadow.”

I walked in, letting Sinner out behind me. I simply sat in the chair across from the hoofcuffed colt, and sighed.

“Do you want to do this the easy way, or the hard way?” I simply asked, placing my saber on the table.

“Screw you!” Shouted the colt, and I smiled.

“Hard way it is, then… I’m going to tell you a little story, okay?” I said, pulling off my eyepatch, revealing my eye socket.

“Fine, whatever,” He said.

“I grew up on the streets of Equine. The capital city Aftlan back then was much more forgiving. Orphans weren’t executed just because soldiers had surplus ammo. I was a merc just like you, except I wasn’t a pussy. I didn’t crack, I didn’t cry, and I didn’t have to act like a tough guy when I got caught. But, I’m beyond that. I work for her majesty, but that’s because I got co-operated. Do you know what happens when you don’t co-operate?” I asked, and the colt shook his head.

I silently pushed forward a couple photos I had gotten earlier from the intelligence team in Aftlan had sent us. It was just of Equestrian citizens being executed, except I was using it as bluff.

“We kill them, in front of everypony, just to make an example of you. Now, do you want to deal with that?” I asked, and the colt just scoffed.

“I doubt it,” He said, and I delivered a punch to his face, splattering blood across the room.

“Shut up. I didn’t give you permission to speak,” I said, and the colt scoffed again.

“Am I getting you mad?” He asked, and I grabbed the metal chair out from under him, and slammed it on top of his head.

Sinner walked in, putting his clawed hoof on my shoulder. I dropped the chair on the colt, and I spat on him. I walked out, going behind the mirror, when I realized I wasn’t alone. There stood Captain Fire Walker, complete with his special operations badge and equipment.

“Afternoon, sir. You must be Shadow. I was told to report here after I got back to the castle,” Said Walker, and I held out my hoof.

“No one here has a rank, so no need to call me sir. Welcome to the interrogation room,” I said, as he shook my hoof.

“Thanks. What’s this kid’s story?” He asked, and I turned towards the interrogation room, where Sinner was placing down a box of tools.

“Last night, a dear friend of mine and a castle employee was kidnapped. This kid may know something about it,” I said, and Walker raised an eyebrow.

“I see. So, I’m part of a hostage rescue now?” He asked, and I shrugged.

“Only if you want to be. I can give you leave if you want, so you don’t have to participate,” I said, and Walker shook his head.

“Just a question. So, is this like, our interrogator? He seems good at what he does,” Said Walker, as Sinner levitated a syringe up to his eye.

“Well, his reports on the table. Or, you could watch him. Either way, you’re going to learn something,” I said, my eyes fixated on the syringe, which was being filled with what looked like a poison.

“You leave me no choice, child. Prepare to enter a threshold of pain you have never entered,” Said Sinner, jamming the syringe into the colt’s foreleg.

The colt’s eyes dilated, and he started to sweat on the spot. Walker stood next to me, watching as the colt started to spasm.

“Now, tell me where Pillows is.”

“It hurts! Kill me!”

“Not until you tell me where Pillows is.”

“Go to hell!”

Sinner took out an exacto knife, and stabbed it into the colts foreleg, slowly cutting through bone and muscle. The colt started to spasm more, as blood spilled onto the floor. He started to gurgle in pain, and foam appeared at the side of his mouth. Finally, Sinner slammed the knife so that it tore through the bone and muscle, and jammed into the table. I saw tears appear in the colt’s eyes, as he started to scream in agony.

“How about now?!”

“Kill me!”

“Tell me where he is!”

“Kill me!!!!”

Sinner lengthened his claws, and tore them down the side of the colt’s face, leaving scratch marks. He then grabbed a wet towel, an placed it over his face. Blood trickled down his face, and Sinner grabbed a gallon of water, and started pouring it over the colt’s face. I could hear the colt gagging, and finally, he started to scream again. Sinner tore off the towel, and then looked the teen straight in the eye.

“Now, tell me, where is Pillows?”

“Go…to hell…”

“You’re rather fond of that phrase, aren’t you?”

Sinner finally pulled out a hammer and nails, and put them over each of the mercs hoofs.

*BAM*

*BAM*

*BAM*

The screams of the merc were blood curdling. After all 4 hoofs were pinned to their respected holders, the colt finally cracked.

“He’s at the Cherry Bomb Factory! Lavender took him!” He screamed, and I growled.

“Lavender. I knew the guy was psychotic, but I didn’t think he would go this far,” I said, and Walker lifted a brow.

“You know the guy?”

“Yeah, I got into a scuffle with him a couple days ago,” I said, and Walker nodded.

Suddenly, Sinner pulled out a wooden ball head club, and slammed it into the back of the kids head, and blood sprayed all over the room. He kept slamming It down on the kids head, until all that was left was a massive bloodbath all over the table. Sinner dropped the club, and walked into the mirror room.

“Cherry bomb factory, 5th and Solar. Abandoned for ages. We can either launch an assault with only us, and what forces we can gather, or we can wait a while til Celestia gives us some troops. Your call," Said Sinner, his claws slowly sheathing an unsheathing.

I looked at Walker, and then at Sinner. I sighed, thinking about my choice.

*Viewer Choice Time!: Launch Assault now, with a higher risk rate but faster response time, or launch the assault with more troops, with a lower risk level, but slower response time! Leave a Comment, and the new chapter will be up Saturday!*