//------------------------------// // Chapter 14: Turn of Events // Story: One Shot, One Chance // by SpeederClaw //------------------------------// A shout of enraging pain echoed through the dense forest and out to the red sky. The leaves shook in the dawning atmosphere. More rustling creaked. Then, all was still. “Uh, what the hay was that?” Trixie said almost as a joke. “I’m trying to do what you told me to do!” Blitz said in breaths. “Look!” Blitz pointed clumsily at the tub of water. The stains from yesterday’s practice were still visible. Trixie’s caravan seeped incense out onto Blitz’s who was now exhausted more than ever. Cold sweat and gritted teeth gave Trixie the obvious message, which she ignored. She simply stood with a stone solid face drifting her eyes to the tub slowly. Her face lit up as she stared into the rippling water. “Oh my Celestia,” she started. Blitz anticipated praise, congratulations, even a short regard. He grew more eager as Trixie left him hanging. “Awful!” she spat. ’Of course, can’t even get a darn break!’ Blitz thought as negativity warmed up within him. “How can I make it any bigger if I can’t-“ At this point, Blitz was starting to break down. His voice cracked, he looked away sharply. “You know what? Fine, forget it! Trixie is...I’m done!” Trixie said raising a hoof to make her statement. “Wha-" “If you’re not going to be a good boy, then I can’t teach you anything!” Trixie turned promptly and faced away from Blitz. “How can I-“ Blitz stopped himself from repeating his previous statement. “What do you want from me?” “We leave tonight.” “Excuse-whaaa-wait.” Blitz actually spun around with tiny energy and protested. “Leaving? It’s the middle of the night! Where-" “I’m done with your complaining. Don’t even say anything. Just follow me and don’t say anything,” Trixie said sternly making sure to get her point across. “…no.” Blitz said almost crying out the word. Trixie rolled her eyes with her horn glowing. She brought a sparkling object in front of her and glared at Blitz. “What was that?” Blitz’s eyes grew wide and worried as he realized what Trixie had in her possession. “Why do you…I never mentioned anything about that! How did you know,” he demanded desperately. “I’m not stupid. Now, if you don’t want to work with me, expect this thing in pieces.” Trixie smiled devilishly similar to the time she had first met Blitz. ’No, anything but my snow globe,’ Blitz thought with critical concern. ’How the hay did she figure out?’ My whole childhood…’. Blitz took a long deep breath. “Okay…I’ll stay.” He proceeded to stare down and avoid all eye contact. “Excellent. Don’t think about wussying out. You’ve already gotten yourself into something you can’t get out of.” ~~~~~~~~~~ “Well, this is fun.” Vice poked at Clyde as the posse started their journey towards another estate. “Parties all day and night. I can get used to this. Minus the fact that I have to be a fancy ass.” “Please, Mister Vice. Don’t do anything hasty this time,” Clyde said carefully. “I’m not gonna be the one getting us kicked out this time. Maybe Enzo might do something crazy.” Vice chuckled while Enzo shook his head. The trio passed through the illuminated streets of Canterlot. Giant buildings coated with white glimmer surrounded the group as they moved through a linear path. The soft wind contrasted with the rock hard street. The night still felt lively. “I think this is it,” Clyde said pulling out a peach colored card. “So…is that Gray guy gonna open the door or something?” Vice said marveling the multi-windowed structure. “Looks like the other giant ass house we just went to.” “It’s called knocking, Vice,” Enzo responded back quietly. Clyde ignored the two and stepped up the door. An intricate handle was hanging off to the side to which Clyde used. Three loud thumps echoed in the distance and the door opened quickly. “Why hello there, gentlecolts,” a familiar voice said. “See, what’d I tell ya. He was gonna answer!” Vice said making sure everypony heard him being right. “Ahem, nice to meet you again, Mister Gray Patch.” “Likewise.” Gray Patch’s eye twitched slightly, but none of the group members noticed. “Please, call me Gray.” “Alrighty then, Mista Gray, what’s the party about. We gonna be blasting music or what?” Vice said eagerly. “Um, no. This is a formal party where ponies go around to socialize. It’s not really what you must be used to.” Vice kept a stone smiling face as he realized he was being insulted. “Right, gotta be fancy.” “Please, allow me to welcome you all.” Gray Patch led the group into the opulent building and very similar splendor entered the group’s eyes. Fancy carved tables holding vases, hanging chandeliers complementing the very high ceiling, and vibrant red rug dividing the checkered floor are what all sculpted the magnificent interior. “Say, how come you’re our guide? Isn’t the big rich guy supposed to chauffeur us?” “I thought it would be splendid to meet up with you gentlecolts again after yesterday.” Gray Patch left it at that. “Alrighty then. Well uh, Clyde. Why don’t you show Enzo around. I’ll make sure me and Mista Gray get to know all about each other. Real well.” Vice pushed Clyde and Enzo aside and stood extremely close to Gray Patch with the widest smirk on his face. “How ya doin’.” Gray Patch watched as Clyde gave a look of concern before brushing Enzo away. He turned solemnly back to Vice and coughed politely. “Swell. And you, my good sir?” “Plain sexy.” Gray Patch kept a still figure next to Vice. He seemed to be smiling, but Vice couldn’t tell under the thick mustache. “So, Mister Vice, how did you end up with those metal contraptions on your wings?” Gray Patch asked with his one red eye peering down on Vice. “Uh, is it necessary to bring it up? I mean come on that’s like asking about your arm there, bud.” Vice said apprehensively. “Kinda personal.” “Didn’t you want to know all about me? I’d like to know the pony before I reveal my secrets.” Gray Patch let the words slip out with a hint of mystery. “Uh huh. Well, uh, if you must know. I-my wings…they’re handicapped.” Vice said with an uncomfortable shift. “So I see. How did you get them? I mean, excuse me for asking. But, I simply must know.” “Uh, well, you see,” Vice said slowly. He avoided eye contact with Gray Patch’s blazing eye, yet he still kept a sly smirk on his face. He opened his mouth, but closed it quickly and rethought his response. Swishing his lips back and forth he finally answered confidently. “I came into this world with them.” Gray Patch seemed stunned by the reply. He stared at Vice for a solid amount of time before breaking his gaze and chuckling a bit. “You don’t say.” “It’s true. Born and raised!” “I believe you. It’s just peculiar how you worded it. The same could be said about me,” Gray Patch finished with the tilt of his head. “Born with a defect my entire life here.” Vice raised a hoof to speak, but lowered it and shut his mouth. “Fair enough. Are all fancy ponies like you?” he said out at the last second. “No, nopony really is like me.” Gray Patch tilted his head towards the bulky stage and returned his attention to Vice. “Now, if you’ll please excuse me, I have to tidy up. Can’t be looking dreary for when I meet the famed Prince Blueblood.” With that, Gray Patch left Vice and swiftly trotted towards an empty hallway. Vice shook his head comically. "What a weird ass dude,” he said laughing as he maneuvered himself towards Clyde and Enzo who weren’t far off. “…and that’s how I got my cutie mark,” Clyde said with his mustache held high. “Oh balls, did I really miss the grand tale of how the valiant white knight got his cutie mark?” Vice said with discomforting belief. “Don’t worry, Mister Vice. I’ll make it short for you. Basically I protected-" The lights darkened suddenly and quickly, hushing Clyde instantly. “And now, ladies and gentlecolts, prepare yourselves for the greatest stallion in all of Equestria!” A stereo voice rang from nearby curtains. Their purple essence shined behind a microphone wielding pony. “He’s the fabled prince of charm and magnificence. He’s got the looks, the charisma…and the mares.” The stallion kept rambling on, to Vice’s agitation. “Who’s this punk?” Vice asked painfully through the pony’s speech. “…so, give it up for the fabulous, wonderful Priiince Blueblood!” The purple curtains receded elegantly to reveal a tall, smiling stallion. A spotlight gleamed on him as he started to sparkle. He paraded forward with his blonde mane flowing gracefully and waved to the cheering audience which consisted mostly of mares. “Oh, dandy. Well boys, we can assume what type of a-hole this guy is,” Vice shouted over a group of cheering girls. “Disgusting.” Enzo gave a genuine laugh for Vice as Blueblood continued to bask in fame. “Don’t get any ideas, Mister Vice,” Clyde said playfully. He pointed towards the battalion of guards stationed near Blueblood. “Those stallions aren’t just there just for show.” Clyde ended with a hint of pride. “No way, man. There’s like twenty of ‘em. Even me and Enzo couldn’t take them,” Vice said. “Makes me wonder why that Gray guy wanted to meet this fool.” Blueblood gave air kisses to some of the screaming mares. One of them even fainted, to Vice’s growing dismay. “What a fa-" A high pitched squeal followed by a thundering crash halted Vice’s profanity. The group veered their attention towards a startling scene. A shattered sea of crystal glass lay strewn across the red carpet. A mare, pale in color with eyes the size of peas, stood motionless as the fallen ornament sat inches away from her. The spotlight teleported away from Prince Blueblood who didn’t even break his strutting state to notice the instant accident. Vice heard Blueblood protest inaudibly as he said, “Yo? What-is that a chandelier?” Before anypony could answer, a sharp pop snapped though the air. Vice, Clyde, and Enzo sifted through the dim atmosphere, trying to grasp at what was going on. Soon enough, smoke began to emit through the air. “Smoke?” Clyde coughed, holding his mustache firmly. “Where there’s-ack-smoke, there’s fire,” Vice said flailing his hooves through the gray cloud. Enzo stood still, not paying attention to either Vice or Clyde’s interpretation of what was happening. He felt a vibration to his left and turned to see a silhouette fall to the ground. As he squinted to figure out the scene, more shadows fell to the ground. One was picked up and thrown out of sight. Still seeing in colors of black and gray, Enzo spotted a bright red circle. It seemed to be staring him down before disappearing. Through the panic and confusion, Enzo finally came to his senses and shouted, “look!” The lights came on and another body fell. The smoke dissipated and everypony watched. Standing on the stage with the prince was a masked pony. Neither of the group could distinguish any features of the pony, other than that his or her face was covered with cloth. Several guards littered the area. No blood was visible, however. Silence replaced panic as everypony stood still. The masked pony grabbed the prince by the throat and threw him up against the wall. “Holy shit!” Vice shrieked. Ignoring the break in silence, the masked pony held Blueblood pinned against the wall. Inaudible whispering occurred between the two. Blueblood sputtered gibberish as he freaked out while the other pony kept calm. However, the calmness was removed once the masked pony shouted, “dead!” A blade somehow materialized in the pony’s hoof. The pony pointed it right at Blueblood’s face. The crowd screamed. “Alright, I’m takin’ this fool out!” Vice said as he made a sprint for the stage. “Vice, no!” Enzo called out. He looked for Clyde for reassurance, but couldn’t spot him anywhere. Vice reached the stage at blinding speeds. He thrashed straight for the unknown pony, neither wincing nor faltering with his metal wings. Blueblood was sent crashing headfirst into the wall while the pony faced Vice with smooth transition. Vice bounced onto the stage and instantly threw a wild punch. The masked pony sidestepped too fast, causing Vice to miss completely. Vice opened his metallic wings and tried to thrust them out. The other pony ducked with ease and prepared for a strike. Vice thought he would feel a piercing feeling, but instead felt cold, sharp pain as he was struck in the side of the head. He kept his eyes open to see shiny, gold encrusted hoof colliding with his face. Vice twirled around using the hit for momentum and prepped for an attack back, but was halted as the masked pony came upon him again. The metal hoof hit Vice square in the face, sending him reeling off the stage. As Vice hit the ground, a nearby door smashed open and Clyde stepped out. Accompanying him were several other guards. The only difference was that they were all armed. “Listen up, Mister!” Clyde said, pointing his shining silver spear at the masked pony. “I don’t know who you are. But, if you think you can assault the royal prince and get away with it without punishment, you’ve got another thing coming!” The masked pony dropped off the stage down next to a semi-conscious Vice. “How ya doin’, bastard,” Vice said dazed. Through a blurred vision, Vice had trouble pinpointing any noticeable features about the pony. All he could note was blackness all over the pony whether it be its coat or something else. Clyde gasped as the masked pony picked up Vice. Without fault, Vice was hurled at Clyde’s group. One of the guards held up his hooves in defense as Vice crashed into him. By the time Clyde had reacted, the masked pony was already dashing towards a nearby window. Right as the pony reached its destination a spear flew right by and penetrated the wall. The masked pony turned around and ducked in time to dodge a punch from Clyde. Still ducking, the masked pony turned towards the window. But, just as it smashed a hole, Clyde decked the pony with his body. The masked pony flew back and hit its head on the wooden part of the spear sticking out from the wall. Clyde stood over the fallen pony, but was surprised as the masked pony jerked. Clyde got swept off his feet as the pony slid and rolled under him, hitting each of his legs with its metal hoof. Clyde collapsed with his stomach hitting the ground and each leg lay outstretched as the pony hopped out the window. “Sir, are you okay?” One of the guards pulled up to Clyde and helped him up. Clyde grimaced in defeat. “Ugh, yes, thank you for that.” Clyde looked down at his newly ruined mustache and sighed. He watched as a dozen guards flew out the window in pursuit of the masked pony. He turned to see another dozen guards surrounding Blueblood as the prince sat in a sweating mess. Clyde noticed Enzo standing still as stone and hastily got up, the stinging pain from before within each leg had disappeared. “Are you alright, Mister Enzo,” Clyde said walking slowly up to the still pony. “Yes…it’s just-that happened so fast. I didn’t even-“ “It’s alright, son, you didn’t have to step in. I think it’s better that way, you could’ve gotten hurt like your friend over there,” Clyde said pointing to Vice who casually picked himself up off the stumbled guard. “I see you’re doing quite well, mister Vice.” “I think I broke my wings again-wait, nope they’re good.” Vice jumped up and left the guard sprawled on the ground. He retracted his wings and waltzed over towards the group. “Damn, Enzo, coulda used your help.” “Mister Vice, please,” Clyde said giving glance of support towards Enzo. “Nopony was prepared for this. Nopony saw it coming. I fear for not only the safety of the prince…but also for the safety of the Elements.” “Huh? I thought they were all back at, uh, Ponyville?” Vice said slightly perplexed. “Yes, but we’ve never seen a pony threaten somepony else like this before. It’s outrageous, the prince could have been…killed,” Clyde said with his tone getting darker and darker. “So you’re paranoid about the girls back home? I understand that,” Vice said with hints of humor. “Does that mean we’re leaving already?” “I’m afraid so. I’ll be darned if anything happens to them. I just have to make sure.” Clyde looked down at the ground. “Argh, hello?” a voice rang from afar. “What happened here?” Gray Patch came limping towards the group. He stopped before the posse and analyzed the several guards on the floor and paralyzed prince. “What did I miss?” he asked with worry. “Everything,” Vice said plainly.