Of Blood And Aces

The thunder rolled high above my head and the lighting clapped, the light flashing through my eyelids. My eyes opened suddenly as I felt a single drop fall onto my cheek. Looking around me, the heavily clouded sky shifted and retreated in favour of an ever-expanding darkness, black sand extending out beyond the bleak blank void, small tornadoes of sand cropping up around me.

I hear the sand shift beneath me as I see my feet become enveloped in the shadowy sand when I look down. My breath quickens while I try to pull myself out, the sand swirling around my legs as I'm pulled down just below my knees. A deep, soft growl sounds out before me as my eyes snap up to find its source, though still being met with the inky blackness.

My breath slows when a soft orange light slowly comes into view, emanating from a wide-framed silhouette. The being slowly crawls forward, stopping just before it can come fully into view, its form still swallowed by shadow as it slowly looks up at me while I begin to hold my breath.

I let out a small yelp as it scurries off to the side, vanishing from my side while I fall backwards into the sand. I hurriedly look around hoping to spot the creature before the sand swiftly swallows my hands. Another soft growl comes from in front of me, forcing me to look up and I see it again.

The creature had a wide jaw and a short, lipless square snout. Its bright orange-slitted eyes were staring right at me. Thick gnarled scales covered its large body as it loomed over me. But what caught my attention were the large horns jutting out from its head, almost forming a crown-like shape above its head.

"What are you?"

It gently places a claw on my chest as a deep, rumbling voice echoes around us, vibrating my chest as it speaks in an almost comforting tone. "You will know. Just give it time."

~~

I wake with a start, my sword appears in my hand with a burst of smoke and sparks as I glance around with heavy breath. With an exasperated sigh, I fall back into my bed's plush mattress as I drop my sword to the ground.

I was by no means a stranger to nightmares, having been a victim of them for the vast majority of my life. But the ones that had been plaguing me recently felt different to your run-of-the-mill night terror. I couldn't describe the feeling they gave me outside of they make me uncomfortable on a spiritual level. And seeing as Luna, or anyone for that matter, has a particularly hard time entering both my Mind and Dreamscape, it's not like it's an easy fix. Regardless, the only thing I could do was power through them like I used to.

I slowly get up and move around my room, going through my morning routine, cleaning myself and dressing in more casual clothing, not feeling up to donning my gear despite the fact I couldn't shake a certain feeling.

"Today's gonna be a long day."

Ducking under a well-timed kick, I went to swipe at the taller man's exposed leg, only to have it blocked by the shin of his other leg. Moving to grab it, my wrists were intercepted before I could and I was quickly brought up and had his knees placed on my chest as he used his heavier weight to throw me off balance, throwing me over his head and unceremoniously onto the floor behind him.

Quickly jumping to my feet, I stared Ghost down as he too rose, locking his piercing brown eye onto mine, both of us grinning widely.

Running forward, I bring my fist back for a haymaker. Ghost sidesteps me and grabs my arm as I pass and I feel my feet leave the ground as he chucks me over his shoulder and firmly boots me in the stomach as I fall. Tumbling on the ground, he slams his fist into my head. Blocking another hit, I punch him in the throat, giving me enough time to deliver a kick to the leg and bring him to his knees.

I aim for his head, only for him to shield it with his forearms and deliver a punch to my gut, forcing me to my knees. Quickly standing and planting his foot on my knee, he uses the momentum and flips over me, grabbing my neck and bringing me into a chokehold.

I struggle as my vision starts to blacken. In a moment of a split-second decision, I throw my elbow into his side, forcing him to let me go. Scrambling to stand, I quickly distance the space between us. Charging, Ghost unleashes a flurry of kicks and punches quicker than I was expecting. I step back as he sends his fist out, and I act quickly. Slapping it away, I bash him on the back of his neck, my hit disorientates him briefly, allowing me to get to the ground.

Pouncing for his legs and wrapping my arms around them, I drove all my momentum forward and threw him off balance. Locking my arms around his neck, I restrain his legs with my own. Hold the position, he struggles for a few seconds before I hear the rhythmic sound of him tapping the ground beneath us. Letting go the moment I heard the sound, he stood up from where we lay and I soon followed him.

"Score for Percy!" I cheer. "I'm up one!"

"Where did you learn to count?" Ghost replied, lightly rubbing his neck a little. "We're even."

"What? No, you won first, then I won, then you won again then I won twice in a row!" I said.

"Pretty sure your second "win" was a draw," He shot back.

"Come on, I totally won that one!" I grinned as we moved out of the sparring area.

"Sure you did," He replied with mock condescension.

Stepping out of the arena and through the hotel-esque interior of the lower portion of the mansion, Ghost and I step into the kitchen where Caramel Ice, a Pegasis man in his late twenties with cream hair and dark brown wings, along with Silver plate, an Earth-Pony man with dark blonde hair, were already preparing a late lunch. Sitting at the large kitchen island, Honey Bee hands me the day's newspaper which I open after thanking her.

It had been a little under two weeks since the Gala and the utter chaos that had ensued, the event had made headlines across the nation with more than a few nobles publically voicing how they felt about it. Princess Celestia, however, much to the surprise of everyone bar me and a few select others, had gone on to state that it was the most enjoyable Gala to date while Princess Luna stated that she couldn't have asked for a better Gala upon her return. This somehow dissuaded the nobles from doing anything like getting compensation but certainly not their complaints.

"Anything new?" Ghost asked as Caramel and Silver placed our lunches in front of us. "Thanks, mate."

"An art installation has been shut down due to several indecent acts and a fashion show was cancelled," I replied, reading a couple of the headlines.

"So nothing exciting then."

"Oh wait, here's something! How'd I miss this?" Mumbling the last part to myself, I flip to the major headline, having somehow missed it when receiving the paper. "Las Almas is making major headway in recovering from the attack and is also receiving relief effort officially from the Princesses themselves."

"What's it say?" Ghost asked, sipping at his soup.

"In the wake of the attack, the Princesses Celestia and Luna of Equestria have officially endorsed, funded and sent a large relief effort to Las Almas, the recovering Capital City of Rio de Muerte," I read, taking a sizable bite out of my BLT sandwich. "Princess Ayren Dayneq herself went on to thank the Princesses for their lasting support as well as the Heroes who played an integral role in saving, not only their home but their people, who have all voiced their immeasurable gratitude to the brave men and woman who, without hesitation, brought them back from the brink."

"Still weird to be seen as a hero to anyone, never mind a Princess and her nation," I shook my head.

"Well, get used to it, Sir. You're a Paladin, it's gonna happen whether you like it or not."

"You're telling me," I said quietly.

"So what's on the agenda today?" Ghost asked, wiping his mouth and lowering his mask once he finished his soup.

"Might go to the library and do some research. I swear, one of these days I'll wrap my head around how magic works," I replied. "Besides that, there's this cafe I've been meaning to try out."

"Oh, if it's the Venture across the street from the Bucking Bronco, I highly recommend it!" Sapphire said as she walked through the kitchen. "I suggest their panini's, they're to die for!"

"Good to know, thanks Sapphire!" I called out as she moved into the next room.

"There we go," I nodded as I stood, eating the last of my sandwich.

"With all due respect Sir, I can't help but feel we've just been biding our time," Ghost commented, standing as well.

"That's because we have been," I replied as we moved through the foyer and to the front door. "With no attacks and no information to act on, there's nothing else we can do but wait."

"Surely there's something we can do?" He said, following close by my side as we stepped down the stone pathway to the front gate.

"Unless you know where the demons happen to be hiding or where their leader is, who or whatever it is, then unfortunately we're kinda shit out of luck."

Just as we made it to the front gate, a bright flash of golden light popped in front of us as a tightly wound scroll fell into my hands that instinctively stretched out to catch it. Undoing the red ribbon tying it together, I unfurled the parchment and read what it had to say.

"Well?" Ghost asked.

"The Princesses are requesting we be at Canterlot," I tell him.

"How serious is it?"

"Doesn't seem very serious," Looking down at myself, I contemplated going back and getting changed but ultimately decided against it. If I needed anything, I could get it fairly easily. "But regardless, we shouldn't keep them waiting."

"Let's not waste any time then," He said, opening the gate and following beside me as we made our way to the train station.

~~

Nearing Canterlot's station, we disembarked, moving through the crowd of people walking off the train or looking to get on. Stepping out and into the Capital city streets, we had no trouble walking towards our destination as the nobles watched us walk past them.

In no time at all, we were at the front gates, the Guards guarding them saluting us as we entered the castle grounds. Letting my body move on autopilot, we bob and weave through the castle before eventually leading us to our destination.

I gave the large decorative door a few hard knocks, the sound echoing down the long hall for a second or two. Stepping back, I crossed my arms and glanced at Ghost. After a few moments of silence, the door was enveloped in a golden aura and quietly opened. Without a word, I stepped in with my companion not far behind.

The room was a simple yet extremely cosy study. Warm browns in various shades filled the space. To the right, a large fireplace crackled and popped as the wood burned, casting a warm orange glow across the room. In front of the fireplace, an oversized couch beckoned. To the left, an impressive bookshelf spanned the entire room. A thick, simple throw rug lay neatly on the floor. At the far back, a large dark brown wooden desk faced the entrance door of the study.

Celestia and Luna appeared to be in mid-conversation when I knocked as we entered, placing their cups of tea and coffee down on the table mats in front of them.

"Sorry if we interrupted, but you wanted to talk Chief?" I asked.

"Indeed. Please, come! Have a seat," She motioned at the empty chairs at the table.

"So, is this business or are you two getting lonely without me already?" I grinned.

"Though you jest, there is a matter we wished to discuss with you," Luna replied.

"It's nothing serious," Celestia added.

"If it's not serious, why the social call?"

"Well, since our duties today were slow and we assumed you had the time, we thought it would be best to bring the topic up face to face," Celestia said.

I shrugged. "Fair enough," I said. "So what's up?"

"Since you began training our Guards, we have seen a remarkable amount of progress and with them beginning to train new transfers as well as new recruits, we wanted to talk to you about transferring a few to Ponyville," Celestia stated.

"With how underprepared Ponyville was when the attack took place, we realized certain measures needed to happen to ensure the civilian's safety and we believe a group of the Guards you personally trained would prove to be a boon to the town, even if they only provide defensive and emergency procedures," Luna added. "And since you are technically the highest acting official of said town, you needed to be made aware."

"I...can't believe I hadn't of that yet," I say to myself quietly. "What about the Mayor?"

"Mayor Mare went on holiday yesterday to Fillydelfia to visit family. Her secretary will inform her when she returns, but until then, you were next on our list," Celestia replied.

"Alright," I said, leaning my elbows against the solid wooden table in front of me. "What's the plan here then?"

"The idea is still in the early stages, but we have a few personnel listed that we think would make for good additions to the Ponyville Guard," Luna replied, leaning forward as well. "But since you were the one that trained them, are there any that showed more promising results? Any that stand above the rest?"

Thinking about it, a few did come to mind who seemed to take the training on more so than their comrades and who showed more promise than others. "A few come to mind. Lieutenant Thunderlane for one. He showed remarkable combat prowess as well as very competent leadership skills. Sergeant Crimson Ice and Private Cold Fire also showed exceptional combat skills. I'd recommend adding them to the contingent."

"Duly noted," Luna nodded, writing down what I could only assume were the names I listed. "If any more come to mind, let us know."

"It'll take some time to iron out the details in regards to actually moving the Guards to Ponyville," Celestia continued. "There is a barracks there but it is only outfitted to hold a dozen, maybe a few more, so it will need refurbishment to be able to hold those we plan to move."

"Well, what are we waiting for?" I asked. "Let's get to the nitty-gritty."

Arcing my back, I groan loudly as relief washes over my body, several points in my spine popping and cracking just as loudly.

It took us a few hours to iron out all the details, just like the Princesses said it would. We talked about who would be sent, how many people would go, what changes needed to be made to the barracks, and how much money we needed to get things started. These plans would be fully finalized and approved by the Mayor upon her return. But for now, we've had to put everything on hold.

So, with the sun beginning to set, Ghost and I were on our way back to the train station, the streets now starting to empty out and the stores closing their shutters as a few kept their lights on, the night shift prepared to serve the populace.

As we moved through the darkening streets of Canterot with the off-white street lamps turning on to light the way, we talked among ourselves, we found ourselves idly talking to fill the otherwise quiet air and the uneventful time it would take for us to reach our destination. As we candidly spoke, I spotted something behind him move, just in the peripheral of shadow in a dark alley. I stop and look, Ghost following suit quickly after, shifting his gaze from me to behind him where I looked. Then, just as I thought I was seeing things, I saw a silhouette and, as it moved under a dull light, I saw who it was: Blueblood.

Glancing around him, he seems to miss us as we stand in a dark area between two street lamps. His horn ignites and a set of wooden boxes shift to reveal a door with a small eye-level shutter used for a peephole. He knocks on it in a specific way, the shutter opens, he flashes something and the door opens just long enough for him to enter while the boxes move back into place. Immediately, my mind is screaming at me that something is wrong, red flags start waving as my shadow seemingly has the same feelings.

"Sir?"

"Yeah, I saw it too Ghost," I said, not daring to let my eyes leave the spot where the Prince disappeared to.

"COA?"

"Keep watch, I'm gonna take a closer look."

Nodding, he steps back and disappears into the darkness.

I approach the stack of boxes and easily push them aside to reveal the door that Blueblood went through. I knock on the door and quickly move to the side, hoping to stay out of sight. Luckily, the shutter opens and then closes, and the door swings open with a man stepping out. Sneaking up behind him, I kick the back of his leg, making him drop to his knees. I quickly grab him in a chokehold and cover his mouth before he can make a sound.

After dumping his unconscious body in a nearby dumpster, I sneak into the building through the open door and quietly close it behind me. I tiptoe down a long, descending corridor, listening as the sounds of voices and commotion grow louder. At the end of the corridor, I find a set of double doors. I slowly push them open and slip inside, quickly Jumping up into the rafters just in time to avoid being spotted by two Guards. What I saw in the room made me sick to my stomach.

The room was huge and extravagantly decorated, clearly intended for a more upscale clientele. It was obvious that this room was meant for those who enjoyed watching others suffer in the horror of its purpose. Carefully, I crept along the rafters of the ceiling, trying to make as little noise as possible as I moved to get a better view. In the center of the room, there was a large sandy circular arena, where people dressed in nothing but rags with cuts covering their bodies were gathered. My face twisted in disgust as I scanned the room, noticing women serving drinks in barely-there clothes and others offering different services. Blueblood strolled around, greeting people as if he knew them personally, while two girls immediately approached him. They got down on their knees to offer him their services.

Instantly, I knew what this place was. I hub for a sick and twisted form of entertainment, using slaves to do the bidding of those who believed themselves higher than those around them. I fought for many things in my life and freedom was always at the forefront. Taking everything in and seeing the despicable things happening around me, I felt heat rise in my chest as something inside me began to slip. It continued as I watched in horror at the monstrous acts happening beneath me. A girl, no older than eighteen, tripped and spilt a tray of drinks, drenching one of the many goers of this disgusting establishment. A Guard approached, screaming and grabbing her before slamming his fist into the side of her face while she pleaded for him to stop. Shaking his as he continued his torrent of deprecating words, he stomped on her knee as a snap echoed through the room.

That's when I snapped.