The Accord

Chapters

"The Hornless Minotaur"
"The Exspansion"
"The Finer Details"
"Pitch"

"The Hornless Minotaur"

The festering sunken wound of Old Ponyville. A dark and starless night hands over the forsaken town, murky water pools around the dilapidated houses, ruined pieces casually drifting along, along with other aquatic wildlife lurking about the floods. It is a wonder anyone who wasn't desperate for some lost memories or treasures to live here. All but one light flickers in the distance north of Old Ponyville, this light reached out to any who brave the night's dangers, a safe haven for all ponies regardless of house. The Hornless Minotaur, a tavern strung together by parts of the township's buildings, how one would learn of this establishment was either by chance, or word of mouth. A place where one can forget their worries for the night, drink, eat and be merry without the horrid influences of the Cult looming. Inside the dark lit tavern there the sounds of a piano played upon by a robbed orange Unicorn, a merry ragtime echoed from the ivory keys, what looked like a widened grin was the only thing that peeked out of the robe's hood. A dark brown Earth Pony sat behind the bar cleaning out large mugs with a cloth, his mane a dark slick back red, a leather vest upon his chest. Sitting near the bar two ebony Earth Ponies, with brown manes, nearly identical to each other the only difference being one was a young colt, the other a foal. At their stools sat two swords, the older one's a broadsword, the colt's a scimitar. The two of them in conversation as they had their drinks, one cider, one a tall glass of orange juice, it didn't take a scientist to tell whose was whose drink.

The doors the tavern opened, revealing an older looking stallion that was either in his late thirties or early fourties with a tan coat and brown mane. He wore a tattered jacket that bore the symbol of House Stormwing, but on his head he wore a brown Fedora. He sat at the bar not to far away from the other two Earth Ponies, ordering a glass of cider himself

"A customer, well then, welcome to the Hornless Minotuar sir." The bartender spoke out still tending to his glass. "However before I pour you a drink I must insist you follow one simple rule while you are here. You are to conduct no fighting within my tavern. If you wouldn't mind, please place any and all weapons on your person upon the bartop."

The Stormwing would feel the eyes of the four ponies in the tavern stare at him awaiting his response.

The Stallion looked up for a moment, and then sighed. He followed the instructions; placing a survival knife on the bar, followed by short spear, a second knife, a bullwhip, and a small round sphere that looked like a cannonball with a fuse coming out of the top.

"That's all I've got," The Earth Pony said, sounding irritated. "Can I have my drink now?"

The barkeep calmly took all weapons up the bartop and placed them underneath. Turning around and fiddling with some nobs and a mug, a tall frothy mug of cider was placed before the Stormwing. "We haven't seen a Stormwing in a good long while, mostly it's been Earthborn troops lost in the Everfree who found themselves here." Everyone returned back to their actions before observing the Stormcloak. The barkeep continued. "What brings you here?"

"Hey Broadsword, when is Obelisk coming back anyway?" The little foal asked the colt next to him.

"It takes awhile for him to collect some valuable resources, you know that. Besides you don't need any more weapons, that scimitar he gave you is good enough. Besides, isn't that a weapon fit for a pirate lord?" The colt replied poking at the foal's stomach, the child let out a giggle trying to push away the colt's hoof.

"Just need some time out is all," The Stallion said. "You know how most Stormwing types are." He took a sip of the beverage, letting it slither down his throat. He spared a glace at the other two Earth ponies, but paid them no real heed.

"We get alot of different types, usually ones begging us to keep them safe for the night, or people who want to raid the town for supplies. Other times people come here looking for our services. By the by, that will be ten bits." The barkeep calmly spoke.

"Ya, well everypony always just looks at the uniform and makes assumptions anyway," The Earth pony said, handing over the money. "It gets even worse when they see I'm not a pegasus..."

"There are no houses here." The ebony colt said taking a squig of his drink, finishing his round of tickle fights with the smaller version of himself who took a swig of his orange juice.

The Stormwing soldier looked over at the Stallion.

"No matter where you go, you'll always be judged by your loyalties. Doesn't matter how 'neutral' an area is. Not that it's undeserved mind you."

"We have out ways of keeping things peaceful, if only just inside these walls, so never you mind that." The colt replied.

"Yeah, we can handle ourselves pretty damn well!" The foal chimed in proud as could be finishing up his round of orange juice.

"Hey why don't you go get things ready for Obelisk? I'm sure he may come back with something new for you to play with." The colt spoke to the child patting him on the shoulder. The boy's eyes beamed with the thought of this new toy to play with and ran off behind the counter and through the service door.

"So tell me, how did you find out about this place?" That question aimed at the Stormcloak, while the colt watched the young one dart off.

"Heard a couple of Merchants talking about it," The Stormwing soldier said, taking another swig of his drink. "I heard that it allowed anyone, and Stormwing taverns are a little tightly strung, so I decided to give it a look."

"Well then, welcome to the last bastion of neutrality this side of the Emerald Coast, where no one's your enemy, theirs music, food, and drink, and discuss all sorts of things with your fellow pony. Be it shady or just idle chat." The earth pony took another swig.

"So I finally get a chance to speak freely?" The soldier let out a small chuckle. "That's a refreshing change of pace!"

"Don’t over think about this place. I can get why loyalty plays a huge part in today's world, and I might be considered a crazy idiot for saying this....so keep your trap shut because if you spread this around my credibility may be cut from this...." Broadsword turns his head over his shoulder once, only to turn back and mutter just loud enough so the Stormwing could understand. “...But I feel morally obliged to give ponies the benefit of the doubt." He sat up and smirked rubbing his shout showing off the scars across his nose. "It's sort of how I got these, but I don't regret it all too much. Everypony has a reason for the things they do, and I understand desperate times call for desperate measures, so I don't hold grudges too often...unless I'm paid to anyway."

"Over thinking... heh, that's funny." Storm chuckled, a humorless noise. "That's really all you can do when you're in Moon and Star Inquisition prison. I wasn't there long, of course, those Unicorns seriously underestimate what an Earth Pony can do." He looks down, casting deep in memory. "I've been around a while, I saw what Equestria was like before the madness. But I had more than one run-in with the underworld at that time. The truth is this kind of evil existed long before the Princesses disappeared; it's just boiled over now. I've lost almost everything from every faction in this war. My home, my fortune, my family, my friends, my partner...." Storm shakes his head. "The truth is kid, I'm all out of forgiveness. Whoever I was before the war is buried in that last tomb I explored before joining the fight. It's just like everything else in there, dead and dust."

"Is that so..."

Broadsword unsheathed his blade inspecting the hilt with a emotionless gaze, tapping the small gemstone encrusted within the hilt, the sword gave off a slight hum as the blade gave a low light shimmer. Dropping the blade back into its holster Broadsword nodded himself, agreeing with a cockamamie idea that just popped into that skull of his.

"Well, it looks like I'm going to need to go shopping again. Maybe stop by Canterlot, pick up some milk, some eggs, some magical mcguffins for my sword, and maybe even a certain somepony's head who locked away a certain somepony, who I bet would like some well placed revenge if he gave me a name." A dastardly grin smeared across the ebony pony's mouth, his eyes looking up to Storm, almost giving him a visual sentence of "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Was he actually going to raid the Moon and Star House? From the looks of his weapon, some faint amount of magic pumps through it, and why would he go out of his way to assist Storm in acting justice upon those who wronged him? Ya know, just the usual everyday junk."

Storm put on a dark smile.

"If you're crazy enough, I've still got some loyal contacts that can get us in to do your ' shopping' without drawing too much attention. The unicorn's name is Fact Finder, a former friend of mine. When Moon and Star began setting up shop in Canterlot, I trusted him to help get me and my family out. But he had already become one of Sparkle's fanatics. He betrayed us and turned us over to the Inquisitors. My father, brother, and one of my sisters were all executed as Pegasus Spies for Stormwing, which they weren't. They tried to convince my unicorn family members, my mother and second sister, to join them. They killed my mother when she refused, but my sister disappeared, along with my partner. But it would be safe to assume that they died in the dungeons just the same." Storm took his hat off, a deadly serious look in his eye. "Be warned now, Fact is an Inquisitor, and a powerful one. If we go after him, we're going to have all of Moon and Star after us."

Broadsword scoffed at the mention of being hounded by Twilight's flunkies. "Well looks like we'll have to carve his tongue out before he hollers for back up. For accompanying me on this little stop at the magic flea market, we split the profits on loot sixty, forty. I'd go fifty-fifty, but I figured helping you get a shot at your good pal the Inquisitor, and having the honor of landing the killing blow balances out in the long run. However our secondary objective is to collect as many gemstones as we can."

Broadsword returned his weapon in view showing off the hilt and gemstone to his accomplice. "This is a dispel blade, I nicked it off a unicorn bandit years ago. Fun fact about this badboy, I can cut right through magic spells thrown at me like it was paper. The downside? It runs on gemstones. Gemstones only found in Canterlot, and my batteries are running on low, so if we run into any trouble with magic, we have an ace in the hole."

The blade returned back into its sheath with a rather skillful half circle motion performed by him. "So then, do we have an accord?" Extending a hoof with a genuine smile upon his face, a rather confident and reassure demeanor. "Way I see it, I get my sword kitted out, you get some closure, we get some extra loot, curbstomp some whispy wannabe wizard ass, call it a night and maybe even walk away friends?"

Storm smiled himself. "We have an agreement," He said, accepting the hoof-shake. "I'll need to ditch the Stormwing armor though, it could make things... interesting."

Moments passed at the two ponies prepared for the journey ahead of them, night fall would fade into dawn in within hours. Storm exited the restroom, now wearing a completely different outfit. His Stormwing armor had now been replaced with an old brown leather jacket. A fedora matching the jacket's color sat on his head.

"I haven't worn these since my Archaeologist days," he said. "The last time I wore them was the day I uped with Commander Dash in the battle of Silent ruins...."

Broadsword was off to the bar, speaking down to his foal brother, placing a hoof on his little brother's skull and ruffling his mane, the two wrestled for a brief moment, but before the playful romp went any farther, Broadsword poked the little foal in the stomach with the hilt of his blade breaking their distance. Shortsword's smile faded into a worried expression.

"Come back soon..." The foal weakly muttered.

"Don't sweat it Shortsword, just head up to bed and I'll be back within a day or two, you know what to do if I take any longer..."

The foal nodded and trotted himself to a stairway. Broadsword sighed shaking his head readjusting the hilt of his sword on the strap. With a turn of his head he noticed Storm in his civvies. "Oh, your ready huh?..."

Storm nodded, glancing in the direction the young colt had just departed.

"Is that your son? Nephew? Brother?"

"That's my little brother, he was only just born when I became a merc before the war started. He's a good kid, knows how to handle weapons, he learned from me pretty well..." Broadsword moved towards the door seeming to be in a haste to escape the conversation and exit the sanctuary of the Hornless Minotaur.

Storm followed suit, noting silently that his new comrade had somewhat dodged the question, but then remembered that there were plenty of things from his past that he didn't want brought up. He shifted himself up and then back down again, checking the weight of his saddlebags to make sure he had everything.

"Sneaking into Moon and Star Territory should be easy enough, but I'll need to contact a friend to get us into Canterlot. I doubt I need to warn you that we'll be watched for a good amount of time..."

Broadsword stared off into the distance, the water just peeking into his field of vision, the Hornless Minotaur sits just on the edge of the submerged streets of Old Ponyville. Even with the pitch vale of night one could see the castle of Canterlot nestled high upon its mountainside.

"How will we be able to do that?"

Broadsword begun his steps along the edge of the water, their trail leads them into the fields just to the east, they have to cover some good amount of distance before they can enter the realm of Canterlot...Though Broadsword felt like he had just answered his own question, turning his head back to Storm. "We're going to be entering Stormwing territory to do it aren’t we?"

"That's correct," Storm said, moving ahead. "But this isn't my first time sneaking in. I've led several skirmish units across the border to conduct small raids on Moon and Star Territory. We'll get through Stormwing no problem, and we should be able to get scout reports once I flash my Officer's identification. I'm more worried that the Inquisitors will realize something's up and pursue us before we get in range of Canterlot."

"So then you'll take the lead then, I'm counting on you to vouch for me on this. While I am ok with Stormwing's and I do some deals with them from time to time, I think some of them may be a tiny teeny bit mad at me. Let's just say it involved some money, a Whitegold siren, a very lonely general, and my lack of knowing how to be a wingman in an uncomfortable situation."

A grimace of the memory spread across Broadsword's face, the whole situation he spoke about sounded like an over exaggerated bar joke, but now by how sunken his face looked thinking about it.

"I'll, uh, take your word on that." Storm said, resisting a chuckle as he remembered the old days where he would find himself in similar wild times. "Even so, I would rather not get on a General's bad side myself, so we should probably conclude our business in friendly territory quickly." He could hardly believe what he just said, considering he would normally spend as much time as possible in friendly lands.

“But this is far from normal circumstances” Storm thought to himself.

"The Exspansion"

The two Earth ponies made their journey into the rim of the Northern Expansion, the looming city of Canterlot growing ever closer and ominous, if looked at from far away one can forget how dark and foreboding the once golden city can be. Broadsword would occasionally look skyward to the gray and moody atmosphere above them, though he doubted his companion has ever been to Cloudsdale due to his heritage, he more then likely knows of it's location better then Broadsword does. It was still something to ponder living up in the clouds away from most of the madness that looms over the earth below them, the ability to look down upon your foes like gods, or even the ability to be looking over them right now as they galloped to their destination. It was spine chilling...

"We've been on this trail for hours, not to sound whiney but do you know much further?"

Their current location hinges on an empty field and the expansion to the base of the Canterlot Mountains, even the sight of the roaring river that stems from Trottingham Lake flows in the distance. Broadsword found a lone flat boulder to sit upon, giving himself a breather from the road's travel.

"Not much longer," Storm said, observing his surroundings. "I'd say another half hour or so." He sat on the ground, glancing over at his companion who had been glancing at the sky.

"You won't find it," Storm said, a small smile on his face. "Few know it's location at any one time. But it's still a little overwhelming, the center of Stormwing power."

"Tell me something..." Broadsword pushed himself from his seated position staring into the clouds, his face less cheerful then before. "How truly honorable are your mares and colts Storm? I've been getting some really unsettling vibes sense we touched the expansion."

Before Storm would give his answer Broadsword clasped his teeth around the hilt of a blade and produced an honest to true broadsword, the blade just abit wider then his body, producing sparks as it escaped it's sheath. Some scrapes and scratches ran across the weapon, showing it's age and use, with end of the blade more jagged and serrated. For it to produce such sparks would mean that his sheath would be made of steal, and that it was. His other weapon the Dispel Blade remained inside the sheath. The sheath was large enough to hold two blades at once. His movements came off sluggish she he readied his weapon, it seems abit easier to dodge due to the size and weight of the weapon he wields, though it is safe to say to be caught on the receiving end of the weapon would have some catastrophic results. Broadsword's ears flicked about like radars, nearing Storm to keep a closer parameter to his companion, his gaze still afixed to the sky above.

Storm thought about the question for a moment, before Broadsword leaped to his feet.

Sadly holding a usually two handed weapon in your mouth impedes speech...

"Iph doph heer anptheing....UTT EYY SPHEE DOPHS!"

What the hell did he just say? Alittle too late to ponder upon it. Broadsword jammed his blade into the earth grabbing Storm by his tail and tucking him just behind the flat side of the blade. Broadsword held his weapon up, crouching behind it as well. Storm would hear multiple clangs of metal and feel the vibrations of the sword as something impacted upon it from the opposite side.

Peeking over the weapon Broadsword's expression grew stern and narrowed. "Maybe you want to tell these guys we're on their side..."

Stormwing soldiers littered the sky surrounding them armed with lances at the ready, standing upon grey clouds just above them. How long they have been following the two is unknown, but they have been using the blackened sky to their advantage to get the jump on them.

"STOP DENTING MY SWORD!" Broadsword screamed to their attackers, nullifying the idea that they were aiming for them and not their makeshift shield...

"STAND DOWN!" Storm shouted in his most official voice. A few hesitated, drilled by their superiors to heed such commands. Storm user the moment to dig out his ID.

"I'm First Lieutenant Storm Chaser, and I am ORDERING you to stand down!" He snarled, doing his best commanding voice.

"It's The Ghost!" One of them shouted. The rest halted their attack, but did not lower their weapons, obviously still weary of a trap.

"As you can see, I am a Soldier and Citizen of the House of Stormwing, on official business that YOU are currently disrupting! MOVE YOUR ASSES!"

They hesitated, obviously unsure what to do.

"How do we know you're the real Ghost?" One of them yelled.

"I don't know Sergeant," Storm barked. "How about next time I go raiding I'll take you with me, and let YOU clear the buildings with the Inquisitors yourself!" That possibility struck home, as the soldiers lowered their weapons, slowly.

"Sorry we doubted you sir," One said. "We didn't recognize you without your armor. And who's this?"

"My companion, he is assisting me on a mission into Moon and Star territory." Storm replied. "That should be sufficient. Now then, do you have updated scout reports along the border?"

Broadsword kept his mouth shut watching Storm take command and expertly on the Stormwings, showing signs of being colored impressed. Though that is quickly replaced with a smirk seeing how deshuffled and distraught Storm's men were as he screeched at them. Chuckling to himself once or twice.

"Sir, I'm actually not allowed to-"

"Allowed to what Sergeant? Give reports to your superior officers after you ATTACK them?! Who ordered you to attack us anyway?!"

"No one sir! I didn't- I didn't mean-"

"Good answer. 'I didn't mean too, I'm just INCOMPETENT!' Are you competent enough to get me those reports? Or do I need to alert your superiors about this blunder?!"

No sir! I'll get them now!" The flustered Sergeant said, speeding off to carry out the instructions. The other soldiers stood frozen, unsure of what to do next.

“What in Tatarus are you all looking at?" Storm barked. "Pull your heads out of your flanks and get back to your patrol!" The soldiers complied, making time to get away from the obviously peeved officer.

Broadsword decided this little debacle would end in their favor after the little display he just witnessed. "All we needed was some, popcorn, slapstick, and someone getting hit in the face with a pie, and we would have had ourselves a show." Picking his blade form the earth and dusting it with his hoof, Broadsword slid the blade back into it's iron bedding. Making a motion of opening and closing his mouth, he adjusted his jaw, it's safe to assume that he's popped it out multiple times swinging something like that around. It's a wonder he's not missing teeth.

"Not gonna lie, that was pretty boss. So I'm in the company of someone called "The Ghost" huh? Wanna squeal on how that come about? That cats atta the bag anyway." Broadsword gave a jovial snarky smirk, to egg his commanding friend into explaining the story of his title.

"The Ghost of Ruin," Storm said, shaking his head. "At least that's what it is now. It was 'Ghost of the Ruins' first. It's what the Earthborn forces called me when I first joined Stormwing. It happened when Stormwing and Earthborn units clashed near an Archaeological sight I was exploring at the time. When I threw my lot in with the Pegusi, I waged a one-stallion guerilla war from that place. Raiding their supplies, attacking their patrols, rescuing wounded soldiers, and then vanishing right back into the ruins. I knew that place like the back of my hoof, so whenever the Earthborns tried to give chase, they could never find me. Hence the nickname 'Ghost of the Ruins'."

"Well I guess that is one of the neat things about being in the houses, you can get yerself one of them fancy little nicknames to flash around. Unless your infamous, or in the realm of black market deals and mercenaries alot, the only thing your name is going to impress is bandits." Broadsword watched the last of the pegusi fly off into the clouds, before whistling out loud. "Man they got the drop on us good, thats the one thing I can respect about you Stormwings, you know how to play to your advantages. Though you guys might be abit too....eh...let call it "ridged" for my taste."

"That and all the horror stories I hear from getting out of line with your orders puts a sour taste in your mouth...I like to think I'm alittle to ambitious to deal with that."

"You thinks it's bad looking in from the outside, imagine actually being IN the inside." Storm said, sighing. "I hate that stupid title, and I hate screaming at soldiers like I just did even more. I've done things during this damn war that make it hard to sleep at night."

"Sounds about as fun as having to eat a moving Laughing Dead...." One would think that was a joke, but by the tone of his voice that sounded genuine. "...I have no idea why I just told you that-...Let's just forget that little tidbit." Broadsword averted his gaze back to the sky wishing for the scout to return so Storm would not have the chance to pry.

Storm froze, turning to face his companion, a deadly serious look in his eye.

"You've encountered the Cult."

"...Encountered is putting it lightly."

It wasn't a question. Storm had several ugly encounters with the Hellish cult of laughter, and they made the Archmagister look like a Saint.

"What happened?"

"After afew jobs in Whitegold they asked me to clean up a district of some Laughing Dead, at the time I was training my little brother, so I figured carving into some dead ponies would beefen him up into learning how to strike at a moving target. The job was going good, we almost finished wrapping it up, but then we started hearing a song in the distance. I watched my little brother start dancing about like he was on a sugar rush, meanwhile I was starting to black out...When I came to I was surrounded by cult members."

"I can't explain why I'd feel this way, but something about seeing them face to face, it felt good. I was happy to be amongst them, but I also know how nuts that was to even consider that, they somehow brainwashed us into being apart of the cult with some kind of freaky musicbox. As a means to celebrate our joining the cult, they presented us with the last laughing dead we were about to cut down."

Broadsword's gaze to the sky lowered, his voice alittle broken up. "They told us to eat up...."

"I was first, I ate a pony, and I loved how it tasted, but was screaming on the inside. They then presented it to my little brother...before he took a bite, I felt myself snap. I broke free of their hold...."

Broadsword stomped a hoof down into the earth and dug it in. "...and left none alive."

"By Celestia..." Storm said, shaking his head. "They get even worse every time I hear of them. They're not even original, still using those magical music boxes to brainwash ponies to joining them. The same thing happened when I ran into them." A thought occurred to him.

"What about your brother? Was he alright?"

"I told him it was a bad dream...and he believed it. Thank Celestia for his innocence, all I did was take him back to the Hornless Minotaur, read him his favorite bedtime story, and all was forgiven and forgotten."

"But that doesn't help me....A part of me feels a kinship to the Cult, whenever see one of them, I can hold sympathy and understanding to them. Whatever they did to me, I can never sake off. I hate them for it, but I also thank them in the back of my head...and its absolutely batshit insane."

"It's a side effect to the control," Storm explained. "You broke their hold, but you'll still feel attached to them. It may even be so far that you'll hear the Laughing Mare whispering to you in your head." Storm's time among the Cult had not been for nothing. He'd been given an opportunity to study the effects of the Cult's indoctrination methods first hand, and gained much valuable knowledge. "And if your brother was exposed to the same indoctrination..."

"Oh awesome, so we're ticking timebombs. Just with a very, very long fuse. But I've never heard voices in my head, I know I still would never go near their townships and that danger looms. I still have the mental capacity to know that anything that has to do with them is hazardous. I still have the knowledge and willpower to slice them down if they get out of hand with me or my brother...I just always thought that if I laughed genuinely and find the bright side of life, I can just keep it locked away."

"Hold on, I didn't say that." Storm said, trying to reassure his friend. "Your mind is still your own, but you'll just feel a sort of... kinship with The Crazies. You may hear the Laughing Mare's instructions, but that doesn't mean you have to follow them. I'm not saying it would be easy, but I would avoid the Cult at all costs, just to be safe." Even as he spoke the words, Storm wasn't completely sure he believed them himself, but it was the only chance.

'Except for the Idol...' He thought. 'If I can find it again, maybe it will fix everything....'

"What Ido-...no forget it, we're not here to worry about the cult. The main focus is getting those gemstones and taking down that inquisitor..." Broadsword turned his head to Storm with a playful smirk. "And ransacking the crap out of the joint that Rarity herself would be jealous!"

"Oh yes," Storm said, another dark smile coming to his face. "I've been looking for a way to rebuild my fortune, and I'm sure my good old pal Fact Finder would be more than happy to help me out in that category. After all, he won't be needing it anymore..."

And there was the ray of sunshine, as macabre as it was, back into Broadsword's demeanor. A thunk was heard to the side of them, as the Stormwing from before landed to the ground trotting his way to the two. "Nice of you too show up, you could have dropped in alittle bit sooner." A stupid laugh escaped his mouth, obviously a joke now only known between himself and Storm Chaser. Broadsword was actually happy with the idea of a potential comrade with the Stormwing officer.

The Stallion, obviously oblivious to the joke, trotted toward them

"You wished to have the Scout reports sir?" He asked.

"Yes. We'll be infiltrating enemy territory and we need an entrance point. What have you got?" The stallion pulled a map from his saddlebag

"It's pretty quiet along the border right now," The soldier reported. "But if you want to get in without being noticed, I would say you'd want to get in right....here."

"...How much do they pay you buddy?" Broadsword was given a sharp look at by the solider, most likely not willing to speak about that infront of his commanding officer. "What I mean is, I know of someone who can shadow in non Moon and Star ponies into the city's restricted areas. However he will only accept a hefty sum, and he's only friendly with ponies not affiliated with the houses. I know how we can find him, but we'll need to pool some cash together..."

"That and he may...or may not be...a cha-..g..ng" Broadsword's ears fell to the side of his head as he communicated that last bit giving a nervous grin looking back and forth between the two.

Storm closed his eyes, already feeling a Migraine coming on at the mere mention of the infiltration species.

"Uh... should I go now sir?" The soldier asks. "Before I hear something I might be held liable for?"

"That would probably be a good idea."

"Understood. Good luck sir," The soldier said, saluting before he departed.

"Please tell me you didn't just say Changeling..." Storm muttered

"Well...if you think about it, Pitch can be anything you want him to be...Uh heh heh...maybe it would have been a good idea if I brought this up sooner?...To be fair I didn't say the C word...in that....last...sentence. On the bright side...maybe Pitch can help us get some better equipment to blend inside the city while he's at it?"

"Oh Celestia.... why do I have a feeling I'm going to be spending much of what remains of my quickly dwindling fortune...."

"Because this wouldn't be the first time I've delt with Pitch before, so maybe since we're kinda buddies, maybe he'll give us a discount? Hell sometimes Pitch doesn't want money....which doesn't help out my arguments of Pitch being a good guy does it?"

"A good CHANGELING. A species that survives off the love of others, an emotion that is in low supply in Canterlot. Which begs the question, where does he get his food? You know what, never mind, I don't want to know." Storm shook his head. "Doesn't matter anyway, I'll pay whatever his price is to get a shot at Fact Finder."

"....Would it be bad to tell you I also know a dragon? Well whatever that’s neither here nor there, you get us to the easy sneaking checkpoint and I'll worry about getting Pitch to help us. Fair enough? So go on lead the way 'Commander'."

"Lieutenant..." Storm grumbled, leading the way. "Alright, this way. There's a broken part of the fence on the border, past that is a secret tunnel that will lead us to the side of a small lake. From there, we're going to contact my friend Desert Sun, one of my few contacts that can get us in to Canterlot."

"The Finer Details"

Following their scout's map the two reached the border to Canterlot, sure enough there was a unguarded sector of the border into the Canterlot Mountains, the two manage to sneak into the mountain side's woods undetected, though the area they trot through leaves them unsettled to say the least. Alot of objects in the woods have embering arcane runes strew about them. Through the designated tunnel lie the lake they spoke off. No time like the present to take a drink out of it for Broadsword.

"Ahhh, spring water. I can get use to this stuff very quickly. It's better then the rubble filled water in Old Ponyville."

"One perk of living in Stormwing Territory," Storm said, smirking. "Is that all your water is always fresh, and the weather is always perfect for crops." He looked at the lake with disgust. "Meanwhile, The Archmagister uses enslaved Pegusi to keep things fresh."

"Well then maybe you can do the Hornless Minotaur a favor and send some of your weather buddies over and give them some fresh water." Dunking his head completely in the water to wash his face, raising it back up and shaking the excess off.

"Right," Storm snorted. "Because Commander Dash is so generous when it comes to giving supplies to those outside of Stormwing, I'm sure she'd be happy to lend a helping hoof."

"I also bet Commander Dash doesn't give a single fuck about the Hornless Minotaur to care that someone helps it out. Besides we have a trade system and plenty of mercs to hire, so long as you follow the golden rule inside the place. No fighting inside. It's so simple even a bandit can figure it out, and them come as dumb as a sack of rusted bits."

"Indeed," Storm said, only half listening as he scanned the surroundings. "Alright, now we're in Moon and Star Territory, but now comes the hard part: Getting into Canterlot. I have a Unicorn friend who's pretty high up in society here; he can get us into the city. But once there, the Inquisitors will watch our every move. We'll have to be careful, because I really don't want to go back to the Inquisition prison."

"Once we get inside leave the next part to me, like I said it will all come together once we find Pitch. But for now this is your show. By the by, if we do get in a scrape, can I ask how you plan to defend yourself? You don't appear to have any weapons on you, unless your hiding one really well..."

"Of course," Storm reached in his Saddlebag, withdrawing a survival knife. "I'm a Skirmisher, so my weapons are usually light. However, I packed even lighter on the weapons this time around simply because we don't want to get bogged down in a stand-up fight with the inquisitors. We'll want to get in and out as fast as we can. So if for some reason we need to make a run for it, I brought a few toys." He withdraws a small red ball.

"Smoke bombs huh? Splendid. Well atleast we have a precautionary measure. I know my weapons are pretty hefty, but I'm more then certain my abilities of handling a sword will prove I'm more then capable of lobbing off a head or two from a robe wearing pansywaist." Broadsword patted his plate buckler with a smirk and readjusted his sheath. "Not to mention even if I'm out of weapons, the sheath is triple layer steel plating, it may not cut but it can sure cave in a skull."

"These were made by some of my contacts in the Everfree. It makes a cloud of smoke that brings tears to the eyes and makes it difficult to inhale. In unicorns, it messes with their concentration, making near impossible to cast spells. I also brought regular smoke bombs to cover escapes or act as distractions. And then there's this beauty," he takes out an object that looks like a cannonball, but smaller with a fuse attached. "This marvel was given to me by a friend in Earthborn. He called it the Bucking Bronko. Launch it by bucking it with your hind legs, and watch the fireworks when it goes off."

"...No. Fucking. Way. You have a Bronko?! I've only ever heard of these things, the only time I've ever seen these was duds, or used ones in battlefields!" Oh jeeze, Broadsword looked like he was a foal opening up a birthday present. Though it just occurred to him he was getting alittle to excited, he stiffened up hoping his outburst didn't attract any unwanted attention.....nothing seemed to occur, thus he looked back at Storm with a big child like glaze in his eyes. "That, is so, boss!" He mutters.

"Yes, yes it is." Storm replied, obviously bragging as he put the bomb back in his bag. "I had a lot of friends before the war that got to very prominent positions within the different Houses. So I get to test out all this new gear, and give Moon and Star a few nasty surprises every time I go on raids."

"I hope you know that if we don't end up using that thing, I'm going to steal it." Broadsword grinned recomposing himself to make sure they we're being watched; hopefully this friend of Storm's will show up soon enough so then they can find Pitch. That will be the hardest part, considering taking down an Inquisitor doesn’t strike Broadsword as the main issue.

"Alright, now we have to take a small hike through the woods. Desert has a house in this small forest that he likes to stay at when he's not in Canterlot. We'll most likely find him there. We'll be popping in kinda unannounced, but that shouldn't be a problem. He's a trusted Unicorn that the Inquisitors don't even bother really watching, which makes him the perfect Stallion to get us in."

Their travels through the mountainside woods would grant them access to a small cottage, just as Storm proclaimed it would be. They appeared to be at the south of the cottage, the back visible to them. Broadsword without hesitation readied his blade within his mouth. Nodding at Storm to take the lead, seeing a strange bandit looking pony approach your house may not be the best welcome to an ally of theirs.

Storm rolled his eyes, and approached the Cottage. He banged on the door with his front hoof.

"Desert! You up yet?"

A muffled groan could be heard from inside, followed by the trotting of hooves. The door opened, revealing a brown unicorn that with a black mane. The stallion looked tired, and was glaring.

"Storm, what an unpleasant surprise." He grumbled

"Now is that any way to greet an old friend Desert?" Storm asked, an innocent smile on his face.

Broadsword all the while watched their flank keeping a eye out for any uninvited guests to this little reunion. All seemed quiet, thus the blade returned into it's sheath, turning himself to finally take notice to the new face.

"An old friend who has a “Kill-Capture” order on his head from the Archmagister herself." Desert answered flatly. He eyed Broadsword. "Who's this?"

"This is Broadsword, my companion." Storm answered. "I'll explain more once we're out of the open."

"Right, you both should come inside." The unicorn waved them in. "Won't want an Inquisitor to stumble upon us."

"Mighty sporting of ya Dezz" Broadsword ushered himself inside between the two ponies with little hesitation."

"You always attract the most brutish company." Desert muttered.

"Look who's talking," Storm said, still smiling. Desert shut the door behind them, and Storm's demeanor became deadly serious. "I'm sorry for coming unannounced."

"It's no trouble," Desert said, giving a small smile. "It's actually good to see a friendly face. So, what brings to hell Storm?"

"We're going after Fact Finder."

"...By 'go after', do you mean...?"

"We're gonna buy em some nice flowers, take em on a stroll around Canterlot, maybe even siphon the stars from the sky so we can spell 'I Love You' to seal the deal. What do you think it means? Rip his heart out, show it to em, then eat it." Broadsword had an odd way of telling jokes.

"You know what I mean. I'm going to do what Commander Dash is always preaching. Eye for an eye. Tooth for a tooth."

Desert shot a glare at Broadsword, before looking back to Storm.

"Are you sure that's what you want? Fact was our friend once."

"I'm sure. I don't need you to agree with me or even for you to understand, I just need your help. Can you give it?"

Desert hesitated a moment, then reluctantly nodded.

"Alright, I'll help."

"Well alright! The accord continues!" Broadsword placed a hoof abruptly on Desert's shoulder with a smirk and a playful shake of the poor rigid unicorn. Though Broadsword 's ears peeked up as he remembered something else.

"Just remember Storm, that’s not all we're here for." Broadsword revealed the Dispel Blade from the sheath and presented it to Desert Sun. "I also need your help with something else, do you know what kind of gemstone this is? I need to get more, much more." Broadsword showed off the small pale gemstone in the center of the hilt, with a tap of it form his hoof.

"Well I'd certainly hope I know it, I am a scientist after all." Desert said, using his magic to bring the glasses sitting on the nearby table and place them on his eyes. He studied the stone for a moment, before saying. "Ah. Well, I've got good news gentlecolts, you can take out two birds with one stone."

"How so?" Storm asked.

"It just so happens our old friend has a large supply of these particular stones." Desert answered.

"Where would Fact get his hands on these kinda rocks?"

"You should know. He stole them from you."

"You mean THOSE stones?" Storm asked, brow furrowed. "The ones we never got to sell?"

"The very same."

"By Celestia, I thought they were worthless..."

"Do these particular stones have a name Storm?" Broadsword said retrieving the blade once again and drawing it within the studded iron. Returning a fix on Storm as the plot appears to thicken.

Storm had to think for a moment.

"I think... I think they're called Kokari Stones if I remember correctly. We got a bundle of them during the Archaeological dig we preformed before the Princesses disappeared

We thought they were nothing more than fancy rocks at the time."

"Fact seems to think they're more."

"Do you know what he's doing with them?"

"No, he doesn't speak to me much anymore..."

"Well don't worry because I can think of a more poetic way to use it. Shove it right through his grey matter." Broadsword said matter of factly.

Desert rolled his eyes "I assume this brute your traveling with has a use for the stones?"

"Correct. We have an agreement, he helps me take out Fact, and he gets the gems."

"I never knew you to be in the company of common thuggery."

"I thing you've been spending too much time in this place, you've built quite a superiority complex."

Broadsword threw and chummy arm around Desert and smirked in a very down to earth tone, having a real heart to heart talk with the persnickety and snippy snob unicorn. "Let me drop alittle bit of science on you my friend. You may think of me as a brute, but my little brain hatched an idea from this whole mess with these little gemstones of yours."

Broadsword released his captive; his grip on Desert was almost in the same style as a headlock to merely frazzle the pony. Broadsword turned to a nearby vase on a mantelpiece and trotted over to it and observes it while he spoke. "Consider the following. These gems have the power to completely negate magic if given the proper use. Fact discovered this and now has a whole warehouse full of the stuff. Seems mighty shady of you ask me. Who’s to say he wouldn't have the brass orbs to stockpile the stuff to snuff out some of Twilight's best men? What good can magic attack do, if it just fizzles out before it hits the target? He could slowly usurp the throne, and what resistance would be able to strike at him? The city would eat itself inside out with civil war. What we're doing might just be a huge charity run for your little wizard friends."

"Is... is that POSSIBLE?!" Storm stuttered, shocked at the theory. "Could Fact really be trying to overthrow the Archmagister?"

"Well... it's possible." Desert admitted, obviously still a bit peeved at Broadsword. "I never imagined that Fact even had the ambition to do such a thing. But your brute does have a point, it does seem suspicious that he's just sat on them all these years. He could be planning, preparing to set events in motion..."

"Now then I purpose we strike a deal here. I have an ally that Storm I know would just be dieing to meet..." Broadsword turned his head to him and gave a playful smirk. "When we find him he can help us find the stockpile, and even help us get a better shot at Fact. So how about we play this out as such. You..." Pointing a hoof to Desert. "Will get us inside and accompany us to finding my friend. Once we find him and strike a deal with him to get us closer to Fact, you will give us afew hours to do the deed. While me and Storm take care of Fact, you will alert the Inquisitors about a possible traitor set to strike against the throne. We grab a sizable amount of gemstones, flee the scene of the crime, Storm gets his revenge, I get some new batteries for my sword, we save Canterlot from a possible rebellion, head back to the Hornless Minotaur, have some pints and get shitfaced. Questions? Comments? Well come on children, raise your hooves."

"That would be a sound plan, but there's an issue. Just look at Storm to know what I mean." Desert pointed a hoof at the soldier, who was currently looking at the floor.

"I bet I can guess what you're thinking." Desert said."

"Really? And what's that?" Storm growled.

"You're thinking about what the end result a civil war within The House would do. You know it severely weaken their forces, so much so that Stormwing Forces could finish them off once and for all. Or maybe get Earthborn to do your dirty work for you. But you also know that if Fact wins, there's a large possibly that he might survive all of it. So you're asking yourself one question," Desert looked Storm straight in the eye. "Who do you hate more? House Moon and Star, or Fact Finder."

"May I remind you all, that my idea of civil war was an idea, we have no sound proof that Fact would pull it off, I mean Twilight's got the whole Astral Plane or whatever it is on her side, I doubt afew rocks are gonna debunk her magic." Broadsword interjected.

"But there's still a chance..." Storm said quietly. "Can we really afford to ignore it?"

Broadsword's expression turned stern, grasping his sheath ripping it off it's buckle he slammed the iron rod down into the earth mere inches infront of Storm's face, crafting a thunderous thud to spook some sense into him. "WAKE UP STORM! We're about to take action on the whole matter you dumbass, why do you think we came all this way? Either we do this now or walk away forgetting it happened."

"If you want to hear what I think," Desert said slowly. "Go home. Let events carry out the way they will. Revenge won't bring you anything but more pain."

"Revenge is a funny thing." Storm said quietly. "It won't bring the dead back, and it won't bring the dead happiness. It probably won't even bring me happiness. But it will gnaw away at me until I either feed it, or it destroys. And if it's between me or him, the way I see it, it might as well be him." Storm looked up, a new fire in his eye. "We're going after Fact."

"Atta boy!" Broadsword gave Storm a pat on the back with a hoof, returning the sheath back upon the buckle. "So then I guess the plan is still on, unless there are any other objections."

"I still think this is crazy," Desert said, shaking his head. "But If you insist, I'll still help."

"Good. Now what's our plan for getting in?" Storm asked. Desert considered.

"The easiest way would be for me to enter into the city, passing you two off as cheap bodyguards I hired to help me gather research. That should get you in without arising suspicion."

"Can do." Broadsword smirks. "Atleast I know I fit the bodyguard part nicely. Once we're inside and alittle deeper into the city, you leave finding Pitch to me."

Cody Davis 4/10/13 10:54 PM

"Agreed," Storm said. "I wouldn't even know where to begin looking for a Changeling."

"Wait, did you say changeling?"

"Long story, tell you on the way..."

Broadsword threw a hoof to his face shaking his head, his eyes clenched tightly. "You know you didn't have to announce the "C" word Storm....but let's just go." Broadsword alittle peeved that Storm threw that little bit of information out, even though they were looking for a changeling, telling everyone about it wasn't the brightest idea. With that Broadsword walked outside hoping they would keep questions about Pitch to themselves for as long as they possibly can.

"Desert is risking his life to help us with no reward his own." Storm said. "I'm not gonna have him walk into the frying pan with us without telling him what's going on. Besides, he won't talk."

"Who would I even tell?" Desert asked. "Better yet, who would even believe me? It's not like I could even prove it..."

"Alright alright, let's just get into the city first." Broadsword huffed out loud in a slightly aggravated tone.

The trio continued the short hike for a bit, the trip mostly dominated by silence, before they reached the gates of Canterlot. As expected, armed unicorn guards stood watch over every inch of the entrance.

"Identification." The lead guard said as they approached, eying the two Earth Ponies warily as he did so.

"Right here." Desert said, handing his ID over. The guard read it over, then smiled

"Ah, hello professor. I'm sorry I didn't recognize you earlier."

"It's no trouble, it's like this every time I come to the city."

"I hear that." The guard glanced over at Storm. "May I ask who these brutes are?"

"I was attacked several nights ago in the forest, I hired these two as my bodyguards for protection while I gather my research."

"Did you report the incident?"

"Of course. But the law enforcement cares little for what happens outside of Canterlot. Understanding, all things considered."

"No kidding. With both the Pegusi bastards and the Earth pony assholes both pushing on our borders, it's a wonder anything gets done." The guard eyed Broadsword. "Are they cheap?"

"Oh you know how these brutes are," Desert said, a dark smile on his face. "Just kick some tin their way and they're more than happy."

"Indeed. Just keep your dogs on a leash. We'll have to put them down if they become a problem."

"I understand."

"Alright, so long as you do. Enjoy your stay in Canterlot Professor." The guard waved the trio through.

Broadsword awaited for the three of them to be without of earshot from the guardsmen before biting the bottom of his lip and mumbling the following out through his lips. "I wish to have you two understand it took alot in me to not just ram my skull into that guardmen's forehead when he gave me that look..."

"I know exactly what you mean..." Storm Grumbled.

"Oh I don't think it was that bad."

"Shut up Desert..."

"That's 'shut up please my Lord' to you bottomfeeder!"

"If we weren't in Canterlot right now, I would feed you your own teeth..."

"Alright well listen up, walk us into the nearest alleyway, the darker and isolated the better..." Broadsword muttered under his breath.

"You got it," Desert said, complying with the instructions. "But if I actually do get mugged, you will actually have to act as my bodyguards..."

"That'll be debatable, but we'll cross that bridge if or when we get to it." Broadsword gave a sinister and childish chuckle at the idea.

"Storm, your friend is making me nervous." Desert said, turning into the alley.

"Should have been nicer..." Storm replied.

"Pitch"

Broadsword took the lead as they veered into the dark depths of an alleyway, looking back behind them to make positively sure there were not followed Broadsword looked twords the walls around them. Garbage littered the floors and no doors were visible that entered into the building walls that enclosed around them. Broadsword smiled and nodded. "You couldn't have picked a better spot." Broadsword placed his hooves upon a wall, which both hooves pierced into a line of shadow. Closing his eyes and speaking aloud.

"The veil is thin, and I pledge with sin, that I allow you to borrow my precious skin."

The air around the three grew thin, the alley losing it's temperature steadily and fast. A sinister feeling creped down the colt's spines as the very shade they walk in felt almost alive. Another voice rang out to them in whisper.

"If the viel isss indeed thin, I acknowledge your sssin, and I accept the gift of your preciousss ssskin."

Broadsword's hooves sank into the wall, in response the colt attached his hooves to something and yanked something from solid matter; he began to pull a shadowy figure from the wall. The shadow slowly grasping form as there were not two Broadswords standing before them. Only one of them had visible holes punched through his flesh.

"Ahh Broadssword, it hass been awhile ssssince you sssumoned me."

"Hello Pitch, you can cut the theatrics these two know what you are."

The one Broadsword dubbed Pitch nodded and began to warp into a new form, taking the visage of a changeling. Green soulless eyes ever polymorphing dark green skin, and dark gray mane that pulsated like embers, the very sight of this Pitch character was unnerving to just look at. Pitch turned to Storm ad Desert, holding a hoof to his chest and bowing his head slightly. "Gentlecoltsss..."

"Good to meet you pitch," Storm said, nodding in greeting. "I'm Storm Chaser, and this is my friend Desert Sun."

"You certainly know how to make an entrance."

"Well atleasst your new alliesss have mannersss Broadssword. Lasst I recall, the foolss you rode with had to be punisshed for their inssubordination."

"And last I recall, pretending to be the poor guy's wife and turning your head one hundred and eighty degrees wasn't the smartest way to end the ties with someone who was going to backstab us."

"Let us reminissssce later my friend. You have traveled far from your little abode in Old Ponyville Broadsssword, what isss the pleassure of this occassssion? You know my sservicess do not come cheaply."

"We're going after an Inquisitor," Storm said. "By the name of Fact Finder. Dark blue fur, black mane, Cutie mark of a detective's spy glass."

Pitch's head cracked, and sharply snapped in Storm's direction, the holes in his flesh writing open and closed more frequently and his mane danced within an intangible wind.

Broadsword cleared his throat to regain Pitch's attention "I know I have already swore an oath for you to use my body, and we have very little money, but please hear us out. We want to take down Fact Finder, and we need your help finding him and infiltrating whatever hole he's hiding in to kill him."

"Oohh myy. A rather daring quesst you undertake." Pitch licked his lips and cracked his head unnaturally to the side, his body sank into the broken cobblestone beneath them. "I must sssay I am intrigued by your new alliessss here." Pitch's voice rang from behind Storm and Desert, as he now stood right behind them. Blinking from view not giving Storm the chance to react, Pitch placed himself face to face with the Stormwing. Pitch grins devilishly, now disturbing every right Storm had to his boundaries of personal space. "What marvelousss bodiess you have...I believe I can help you, however the isssue of payment now comes to play. What are your termsss?" Pitch's tongue escaped from his mouth and flicked Storm on the nose like a serpent. "Ssspeak now and pray your offer pleassess me."

"My offer is this," Storm said, refusing to give the Changeling the satisfaction of a reaction. "Fact is a wealthy Inquisitor, and no small part of that is money that was stolen from me when he betrayed me to the Archmagister. I care nothing for it now. Help us, and all of what's left of my fortune will be yours." Storm knew what Pitch most likely wanted, but he hoped money would be satisfactory enough...

"...Your offer is null to me." Pitch hissed some still giving a Cheshire cat grin leaning his neck back his eyes closed. "However, I will ssstill agree to help you, two fold. I owe Broadsssword that much is certain, and secondly. When your tassssk isss complete, I will take Fact Finder'ssss place."

"Sounds legit to me." Broadsword replied compliantly.

"Fair enough." Storm said, inwardly thankful that his fears hadn't been founded.

"However that does blow a small hole in our plan, we we're going to pin a huge scam on the guy just in case we aren’t able to finish the job." Broadsword said looking to the street in a contemplative fashion.

"A plan you ssay?" Pitch decided he would not gain much reactions out of Storm, thus his sights now set on Desert, A sickening noise akin to bones breaking echoed in their ears as one wing sprouted from the Changeling's flank. Taking a step twords Desert, the one wing curled itself around Desert's side, the wing's feathers felt of fleshy tendrils that clung upon him, reeling him beside Pitch. "You three ssound asss though you have a very dasstardly sscheme afoot. Now that I will join your merry band of murder..." Pitch leaned his face beside Desert's. "Reveal everything won't you?" Pitch hissed.

"Of course..." Desert said, clenching his teeth in a failed attempt to suppress a shudder. "Anything for our new ally..."

He looked to Storm, a pleading look on his face

"Fact Finder is a murderer and a scoundrel," Storm said, stepping in to help his friend. "He's also in possession of stones that are valuable to us. That's all you need to know."

"SSStoness? Now now my friend you're going to be more sspecific then that." Pitch turned his attention to Storm, but that doesn’t mean he's going to keep his clutches off of Desert.

"Heard of a Dispell Blade Pitch?" Broadsword interjected. "Fact is sitting on a tower of the things."

"My my..." The changeling oozed into a liquid paste running off of poor Desert, who by this point is going to have lucid nightmares for the upcoming weeks. The puddle wriggled it's way to Broadsword's hooves, The slime stopped just short of the colt and rose back to form Pitch. "Anti magic stonesss, now I really wissh to obtain Fact Finder'sss place. I must admit Broadsssword you tend to put othersss in the oddesst of predicamentssss."

Broadsword took nerve patting the Changeling on the writhing shoulder with little hesitation or loss of fortitude. "Good to have you aboard Pitch. So you'll scout ahead then right?"

"Indeed, I ssshall return momentarily, in the meantime gentlecoltsss make yourssselvess comfortable at the nearessst tavern..." Pitch trotted himself to the wall where he was pulled from and began to ooze himself back into the solid matter like it was water. Before turning his head back to the three, though his head now that of Desert's visage, he even spoke perfectly in Desert's voice.

"It's not like you can hide from me if you wanted too anyway...." With a sinister chuckle the changeling escaped through the writhing wall.

"See what I tell ya? Pitch is a swell guy." Broadsword turned back to his companions with a smile.

"SWELL?!" Desert barked, clearly outraged. "That was among the most uncomfortable moments in my entire life! And there have been quite a few!! How dare he take on my persona without my consent!"

"He did need a disguise for the scouting." Storm said, trying to calm his livid friend.

"I hate working with Changelings..." Desert grumbled. "This Pitch is even more dreadful than that intolerable Cipher!"

Broadsword arched a brow at that last remark. "Are you implying you've done business with Changelings before?"

"Yes... once..." Desert said shuttering at the memory.

"His name was Cipher, he was a retriever working for a greedy private collector." Storm explained.

"Well I'll be dipped, and here I thought i was special when I started working alongside Pitch. Looks like those Changelings get around more often then I thought. Though I would get use to Pitch more often if I was you." Broadsword stated a warning to Desert. "Pitch operates in Canterlot, and now that he's got an idea of your body, he may pop up from time to time on you."

"Oh.... Splendid..." Desert looked like he was about to faint.

"And it still is pretty special to know a Changeling," Storm said. "We use to get around. A LOT. And we've only met one. So they're still pretty rare to see."

"Oh take it easy, like I said Pitch doesn't really do his work with house members. Maybe use your likeness for public appearances, but he only works with unaligned ponies. Though I'm sure that won't stop him from giving you a friendly spook every once and awhile."

Broadsword turned his gaze over to Storm. "That goes for you too so don't get cozy thinking this is all on him."

"It's my job to plan and execute surprise attacks, that includes how to AVOID being surprised," Storm said, shrugging. "If he can get the jump on me, I DESERVE the scare."

"Well then next time your at the Hornless Minotaur be sure to buckle your pants. Pitch is a common visitor. So now all we do it wait for Pitch to show back up. Either we can just stay here, or hit the bar. Though that's up to boss man over here." Broadsword sat his flank down to the ground pointing over to Desert with a stupid smirk. "I mean we're getting paid to watch his ass right?"

"After that experience, a drink sounds rather good at the moment." Desert said obviously still bitter. "Just remember to play the subservient bodyguard... bottom feeders." He added with a small smile.

"...We're in a dark alleyway and the only thing that would stop me from bucking you in the teeth is Storm. You have five seconds to rephrase that." Broadsword retorted. "Five...Four...Three..."

"Oh look we're going out into public!" Desert said, moving quickly and dragging Storm in a position of blocking Broadsword. "Where it is generally frowned upon for an Earth Pony to attack a highly respected Unicorn! So sorry old chap, we'll have to finish this conversation later!"

"...Wuss." Broadsword lurched himself form his sitting position following behind the two, taking one last gaze back into the alleyway as if Pitch would pop out at them.

"Now then," Desert continued. "Our friend told us to wait in a tavern correct? I know of one that is nearby that should suit us well. I will allow you to have a drink, but just one. Can't have you falling over drunk if I'm attacked, now can we?"

"Oh thank you sir," Storm said, sounding genuine but inwardly rolling his eyes. "You're very kind."

"I'll take a shot of Bashing Horseshoe Vodka." Broadsword jumped upon the call of drink, just incase their option of alcohol was up to them.

"Very well," Desert said, rolling his eyes and playing the part of taskmaster very well. So far, their ruse was working flawlessly. They received the occasional side-glance from Unicorns who were curious as to why there were Earth Ponies in Canterlot who were not slaves, but no one paid any real attention to them.

It was rather hard for Broadsword to not want to ravine off course and take a gander at some vendor shops along the street, so many magical dodads, the Minotaur could use...not to mention maybe afew magical toys for him and his little brother. They reached the tavern doors, Broadsword's face turned sour seeing how...posh the inside was, this didn't feel like a pub, it felt like a bunch of high class ponies drinking form floating wine glasses, all chuckling to each other and being all around smarmy pricks. "...Oh dear Celestia, I miss the Minotaur already..."

"Ah yes," Desert took in a deep breath. "Finally some class, I've spent to much time doing dirty work, it's good to finally see a building up to standards. Now, you two mind yourselves, and don't touch anything! Your filthy coats would dirty up this fine establishment!"

"Understood." Storm said, holding back a smile. Despite what others might have thought, Desert was more than capable of handling dirty environments, and sometimes even preferred them. Hence his home in the woods. His friend enjoyed class, but wasn't completely like the snobs that occupied most of Canterlot

"...Bite me" Broadsword muttered, keeping his head and ears down, his tail dragging along the floor. Storm could plainly see this was not Broadsword's element.

"Who are these two?" The Bartender asked Desert, looking at the Storm and Broadsword with distain. "Slaves aren't allowed in here."

"They're not slaves, they're savages I hired to assist me in menial tasks." Desert answered, waving a dismissive hoof. "I don't trust them not to get lost without me with them, you know how dim Earth Ponies can be, so I keep them with me."

"Of course Professor."

"...Pretty sure I want that vodka now." Broadsword grumbles.

Desert ordered the drinks, white wine for himself, hard cider for Storm, and the Vodka (albeit reluctantly) for Broadsword.

"Thank you lord." Broadsword's face sprung up at the sight of the shot, taking a seat he lifts the shot glass to his two comrades. "....What aren’t you guys gonna-....Oh right..." Broadsword lowered his glass and downed the shot with a single swig, no reeling of his face, but what do you expect from a mercenary? When alcohol often becomes your primary source of water. "Daahhh, haven't had a shot of this stuff in years."

"Where did you find him anyway?" Desert whispered, giving Storm a disappointed gaze.

"In....a bar...."

"Not surprising..."

Broadsword was oblivious to the two speaking about him in their hushed tones, his attention fixed on the band playing smooth and regal music. Broadsword gave a small huff. "I guess I could get use to these tunes, but nothing beats High Note's ragtimes and shanties. Even when Obelisk starts throwing furniture at the guy..." Obviously lost in thought to himself...

"High Note?" Storm asked. "Is that a band?"

"Oh no that's the cousin of the Minotaur's owner, Fine Print. He's alittle nutty and for some...good reasons...but he's a nice guy, he keeps everyone happy and entertained. The poor bastards who walk into that death trap of a town deserve all the joy they can get, and not the joy the cult offers. Real honest to Celestia happiness. That’s why me, Obelisk, Fine Print, Pitch, and High Note are long term residents...to make sure any soul who walks in feels safe for at least the night."

"They're lucky to have such guardians," Storm said. Out of the Corner of his eye, Storm could see Desert react slightly when the Cult was mentioned. "Safe havens are a rarity these days. No pun intended..."

"Especially when your little brother's cutie mark shows the tell tale signs of him wanting to be a pirate." Broadsword looked up with a smirk. "Skull and Crossbones. My little brother turned out to be the black sheep in the family. My family line were all proud warriors or knights, but not Shortsword. Which was also partly my fault. I read him a story one night about a pirate lord named Captain Redhooves. The little guy fell in love with that story so much that while reading story to him, he said he got his cutie mark. You could imagine the look on my face when I saw that pony skull on his flank." Broadsword gave a small laugh, a smile wiped across his face remembering the incident all too well.

"I know that feeling," Storm said with a small smile. "I am... I WAS the only Earth Pony in my family. Kinda stick out when all your siblings are Unicorns and Pegusi."

"That only means that you just have the horse power to break someone's face when they get out of line." Broadsword laughed out abit, trying to take another shot of the vodka, forgetting it was empty. "Oh yeah that’s right...Fine Print usually fills me up without me asking..." Broadsword shot the two ponies a dirty look and pointed at them. "Don't crack a joke at that or I'll hit you."

"You wound me by your accusations that I would dare stoop to your level!" Desert said, mocking insult. "At least, not while in public."

"You'll get no such promises from me." Storm said, taking another swig of cider.

A rather regal gentlemen walks up behind Desert while speaking to his companions. The stallion clears his throat to gain his attention. "Terribly sorry to pry you away from your...company...fine sir but I do have a message for you." The stallion reared his head down to hide his mouth while he spoke, an unsettling yet familiar voice escaped from lips. "I acknowledge your sssin, and I accept the gift of your preciousss sskin."

"Ah good," Desert said, doing his absolute best to prevent himself from reacting. "It sounds our friend found the information I was looking for." He looked over at the two Earth Ponies. "You know, the books full of big words that you can't read?"

"Oh you mean the ones with mare's flashing their good bits around?" Broadsword replied, snark in his tone of voice, looking to the stallion. The both of them giving a slight nod, reassuring Broadsword that this fellow was indeed Pitch.

The four ponies exited the tavern post haste, following the extravagantly posh looking Pitch back into the same alleyway as before. It took them afew minutes to return to the darkest end of the alley. Pitch entered the blackest shade and vanished from sight. Only to rise from the floor within the middle of the group of ponies. A toothy grin slapped across his face now taken his original form. "It would ssseem I have outdone myssself. Not only have I disscovered your Fact Finder'sss location. His stronghold is just within dissstance of my dark tunnelsss. At your ready gentlecoltsss, we may walk right into our friend'sss abode and take him by ssurprisse."

"I'm ready." Storm said confidently. "Let's put this devil in the ground and be done with it."

"Storm..." Desert didn't sound so confident.

"Don't even try Desert. I'm going to kill him."

"Alright, if you're sure, I'll stand by you."

"As so you're actually going to fight with us? Well then what can you bring to the table then? Weapon...erm...magic of choice?" Broadsword turned to Desert wondering how this fellow can benefit them in combat.

"I'll have you know I am not helpless," Desert huffed. "I've been in my fair share of scrapes. I don't know any lethal magic, but I can use stuns on opponents and heal my allies, along with giving them a burst of energy."

"Good then." Broadsword nodded his head in approval. "So then the plan has changed slightly. As part of the deal for Pitch's help, we sneak in, find Fact, slice him down before any of his flunkies show up, and let Pitch assume his form for easy access to the stones and to get out with no resistance."

"Fine, whatever, let's just get this done." Storm said, obviously distant.

Pitch placed his hoof upon the surface of the alley's wall, the holes in his flesh pulsated, angulations larger and smaller in rapid sets, the tempo of it all getting faster. The wall's red color melted away as a sea of black matter formed a portal. Broadsword wasted no time and raced into the vortex disappearing into it with a blink of an eye. "Thatsss one. Ssstorm, Dessert." Pitch hissed awaiting the other two to walk through the tunnel.

Storm nodded and the two entered the portal.