Terry’s rubber soled boots pattered on the cold rooftops of Manehattan. His warm breath puffed in the chilly air as he ran. His midnight black suit almost made him invisible in the starry night sky if it weren’t for the large red bat symbol on his chest and the multiple rips on his suit. The dark knight glanced over his shoulder, making sure that his company was keeping up with his speed and agility.
Twilight was amazed at Terry’s speed, her magenta eyes locked on the dark knights agile form. He flipped over an elevated water pipe and landed gracefully on the stony floor with ease, something that she’s only seen a Pegasus do without breaking a sweat. Of course, there were other things about Terry that shocked Twilight. His figure was something she’s never seen before. When she heard about his arrival, she was surprised about how the police described him. And by seeing him in person weeks ago, she still couldn’t believe what she was looking at.
The first night after his arrival was all the confirmation she needed to know that it wasn’t a dream. That this ‘thing’ was real. And real it was. Its tall frame, easily as tall –if not taller- than an Alicorn. Its intimidating looks; white eyes that seem to have no emotion in them, five digits more than a dragon or Minotaur’s four, its oddly shaped hooves. Everything about this ‘creature’ was a mystery. A mystery in Twilight wanted to solve.
Terry jumped off the building they were on and fell to the next; rolling on the ground once he landed. This was another feat Twilight still didn’t understand. This creature could withstand falling from great heights, getting blasted by magic multiple times, and even get bucked in the chest by an earth pony. And yet, with the exceptions of the many red marks that were on its dark frame, it was literally unfazed. Though, it seemed to have lost its flight capability due to getting shot in the leg. Is that how this thing flew?
Twilight was shot out of her thoughts once Terry stopped at the edge of the building. He peered off the edge, his white eyes scanning the streets below. Twilight breathed heavily, her breath shallow. She’s never ran this much since the Running of the Leaves competition.
“Uhm, h-how are we supposed to find a changeling?” Twilight asked once she caught her breath.
“What do you mean, Miss Sparkle?” Terry glanced over his shoulder at the purple mare. “Are you saying you’ve never seen a changeling?” Twilight furrowed her brow.
“Of course I’ve seen a changeling before! I’ve seen a changeling queen as a matter of fact!”
“I know.” Terry gazed back at the streets. Twilight gave the dark knight a raspberry behind his back. She peered over the edge and sighed.
“Well, if you know so much then you know that changeling’s can change form!” Twilight crossed her hooves and gave the dark knight a sly gaze.
“You know, you’re actually right.” Terry frowned and looked at Twilight’s satisfied face. “I guess you’ve won Sprinkles. Oh wait, I almost forgot about the tracking device that I put on your friend a while ago.” Terry continues to scan the area, oblivious to the shocked face of a certain mare.
“You put a what?” Twilight blinked.
“You’re more surprised about that and not the fact I called you sprinkles? The things that seem to go straight over people.”
“Forget about that! What’s a tracking device?” Terry got up and glanced down the street. A mare was running down the decorated street, pushing past fillies and colts that were going door to door getting candy.
“Hold that thought.” Terry sprinted across the building, leaping over alleys as he chased the evading mare that galloped down the streets. His red and black wings shot out from his back as he leapt off the edge of the building, gliding across the street to the building across from where he once was. He missed flying, but gliding would do. He reached into his pocket and shot out a grapple at a tall building across from him as the mare galloped around the corner. He jumped off the edge and swung around, the cool air blowing in his face.
Terry glided in the cool air, looking around in confusion. He landed on top of a building and stood in silence. His audio receptors soon picked up the sound of hooves as Twilight finally made it to the dark knight. She huffed and puffed, her shallow breaths dissipating in the chilly air. She brushed a strand of her lavender mane out of her face as she walked over to the dark knight.
“Sheesh, could you slow down for once?” Twilight huffed. “I’m not as fast as you.”
“I know you aren’t. But I also know something else.” Twilight barely ducked as Terry foot swiped right over her head. “You’re not Sparkle.” Twilight’s horn began to glow a faint green as a blast of magic shot out from the tip. Terry flipped to the side, almost getting clipped on his foot. He quickly reached into his belt and tossed a batarang. The changeling’s body erupted into flames as it changed form. A talon shot out of the flames as a half bird, half lion beast stood on its hind legs, holding the batarang in its talons. The griffin looked at the batarang up close, its blade reflecting its menacing gaze.
“These are pretty nifty.” The griffin cooed. “I might keep these once I kill you.”
“Maybe after you thaw out.” The batarang exploded in a whitish light blue haze. The griffin screamed as the explosion froze the changeling’s talon and half its face. Before it could react, Terry’s knee connected with the frozen half of the griffins face, shattering the ice and creating a loud crack sound as bone hit bone. Terry grabbed the back of the griffin’s head and kneed it again, this time in the beak. Blood spilled from the griffin’s nostrils as half of its beak shattered on impact, revealing the insides of the creature’s mouth. It lurched back in pain, gripping its face in agony. Its green eyes glared at the dark knight.
The changeling roared and lunged at him, using its frozen hand as a club while the other as a blade. Terry dodged the creature’s talons, its sharp edges barely scratching the suit. He blocked the club with his forearm and countered with a punch in the chest, causing the creature to stumble backwards. Terry rushed at him and flipped in the air, delivering a downwards kick to the creature’s head. The griffin quickly caught Terry’s fist and whacked him in the head with the frozen talon, shattering the ice and freeing his hand. Its lion tail quickly wrapped around Terry’s leg and yanked hard. Terry screamed as he slipped and fell to the ground. The griffin pounced on top of him and began to slash at his face. Terry blocked two slashes before catching both of its claws. He smashed his head against the creature’s forehead and kneed it in the gut. The changeling coughed up some blood, its red and green liquid splashing onto Terry’s chest.
Terry kicked the changeling over him and flipped up onto his feet. The changeling shape shifted into a Minotaur in mid-air, its weight shaking the roof as it landed on the hard surface. The Minotaur snorted and rushed towards Terry, its black horns aimed at the dark knight’s chest. Terry grabbed the Minotaur’s horns and flipped right over the beast. He spun around in the air and kicked the beast right in the back of the head. The Minotaur roared in pain and crashed into a wall. The brick and stone wall crumbled over the massive beast, burying it. The dark knight slowly approached the destroyed wall, his right hand hovering over his belt. The sounds of hooves caused him to glance over his shoulder. Twilight sighed to herself when she finally saw the dark knight.
“What happened here?” she asked, catching her breath.
“A party,” Terry narrowed his eyes at the rubble. “A violent one at that. You missed the fun.”
“I don’t think beating up a changeling counts as fun.” Twilight said. “Then again, you’ve been beating up a lot of ponies lately.”
“Sorry about that, I didn’t know that those horns were actually part of the head.” Terry smirked. “Where I’m from, getting blasted by beams of energy mostly meant death.” Terry narrowed his eyes as a green light shone through the cracks of the rubble.
“It’s still alive!?” Twilight gasped, pointing her horn at the rubble.
“It’s a girl, Sparkle, not an ‘it’.” Terry aimed a batarang at the glowing rubble. The glow began to increase, green flames now erupting through the cracks. Terry’s eyes widened. “GET DOWN!”
The rubble exploded in a giant ball of green flames. Terry quickly tackled Twilight to the ground and shielded the mare as the fire from the blast engulfed his back. Half of the building’s rooftop was engulfed in the magical fire. Pieces of brick and stone flew off in all directions, some hitting the dark knight in the back. Terry continued to shield the mare as the fire soon began to disappear. He looked over his shoulder to see the previous pile of rubble now replaced with a large black spot. Anything that was near the blast was now covered in black ash. He groaned and got up, rubbing his back in pain. Twilight looked around in horror and amazement. She almost flinched when Terry stuck out his hand to help her up. She sheepishly blushed and reached out her hoof. Terry pulled her to her hooves and gazed around.
“Did she-“
“No, it was a flashbang.” Terry glanced around the roof.
“Flashbang?” Twilight repeated.
“Remember our first encounter?” Terry pressed a button on his cowl as he scanned the area. “That bright flash was a flashbang.” His head stopped as he looked in the distance. “She’s heading for the docks!”
“Wait a minute! If that white flash was a flashbang, then what was the smoke thingy?” Twilight glanced over to where Terry was standing just to see the dark knight swinging down the dark streets of Manehattan. “H-hey! Wait up!”
“Try to keep up, Twilight!” Terry called as he swung onto the top of a building. He sprinted to the edge and stuck out his arms. The retractable wings quickly shot out as he glided in the cool night.
<*/*\*>
Manhattan City Industrial District
23:01
The Manehatten industrial district was quiet. Most of the workers that would be loading up the ships were either enjoying the festivities or completely forgot. Bright lights shone down on the quiet alleys and large warehouses that sprawled in the district. The sheer silence in the area caused the sound of hoof steps to sound like elephant feet. A large stallion walked down the dimly lit road. His green eyes darted to each warehouse and alleyway he passed. The small flicker of lights almost made him jump. He groaned as it was just the streetlights playing tricks on him. With a sigh, he continued to walk.
Nightmare Night was known for its festivities. But it was also known for its pranksters. Teenage colts always broke into abandoned factories to scare their friends. Or whatever kids do today. Due to this, the mayor established that the industrial district was banned from being entered during Nightmare Night UNLESS you worked there. But even then, the teenagers still carried on with their pranks.
-Clang!-
The stallions brown ears shifted to the sound. He gazed to his right, his green eyes staring directly into a dark alley. His unicorn horn began to glow as he stared down the pitch black alley. He narrowed his eyes when something moved. On instinct, he began to walk to the alley, his horn illuminating the large walls. Although he tried to resist, his legs began to tremble in fear. His mind began to race at all the possible things it could be. Fear began to grip him in its cold embrace as he looked around. He shakily stopped once he reached the middle of the dark alley. A small mare leaned on the brick wall. Her cream fur was ragged and covered in dirt. Her red mane was frizzled up, making its original style unrecognizable. She gripped her right leg in pain as she breathed heavily. The stallion immediately rushed to her aid, worry in his eyes.
“M-Miss! Are you ok?” the stallion said. He tried to move her hoof but she backed away. The stallion looked at her arm and froze. Instead of the usual red blood, green goo oozed through her hoof and onto the floor. Her fur was slick black, blending in with the darkness. “M-Miss!?” a beam of green energy hit the stallion straight in the chest. The stallion flew backwards and fell to the ground. He groaned in pain before falling unconscious.
“I’m fine, thank you.” The changeling said with a smug grin. She winced as she placed pressure on her wounded leg. “Can’t even keep in disguise for a few minutes without my wound messing up my concentration.”
“Well then, that makes my job all the more easy.” The changeling spun around to see Terry standing atop one of the large buildings in the alley. Her eyes grew in size as she galloped away in fear. Terry grinned. “They always run.” Terry ran across the tall rooftop, never keeping his eyes off the galloping changeling.
The changeling skidded to a stop as it neared a warehouse. Her green eyes darted around, scanning the rooftops for any movements. With a sigh, the changeling kicked open the door to the warehouse, wincing once she put pressure on her leg. She hastily ran into the large warehouse, slamming the door behind her. Her black horn glowed as she levitated a couple crates in front of the door, barricading it for the time being. She slowly backed away from the door, keeping her horn pointed at it. A large shadow flew over her, causing her to glance up at the large window in the ceiling. The bright moon shone down in the dark and dusty warehouse, illuminating the stone floor. She narrowed her eyes, hoping that it was just her eyes playing tricks on her.
The small clatter of metal made her spin around in fear. Her eyes stopped at the calmly swaying metal chains that hung from the ceiling. She blasted a bolt of magic at the chains, engulfing them in flames. Three small black balls shot out from the shadows. The balls rolled on the stone floor and stopped in front of the mare. She shrieked as the balls exploded into smoke. The changeling began to fire bolts of magic around in a fit of blind rage and fear. A dark figure passed by her in a blink. She screamed and fired a large beam of flames at where she saw the shadow, hoping she hit something. The thick smoke began to clear, revealing large boxes and crates engulfed in fire. Her green eyes darted to each shadow, her legs shaking in fear.
“Why are you so afraid?” a voice called. She spun around, looking or the source. “You weren’t so afraid the last time we fought. Or the time before that. So why now?”
“Where are you!?” the changeling called. She blasted a bolt of magic at a group of boxes, engulfing those in flames.
“Is it because you’re wounded? Because you’re vulnerable?” the voice called. “Or is it because you’re scared?
“I’m not afraid of you!” the changeling yelled. “I’m a princess! I outrank you! If anything, you should be afraid of ME!”
“But I’m not.” Terry lunged from the shadows, the fire barely touching his suit. The changeling roared and blasted a bolt of magic at him, blasting him backwards into a burning crate. The changeling rushed at him, horn pointed at the large red bat symbol on his chest. Terry quickly caught the horn before it could even touch his chest. He quickly kneed her in the chest and pushed her off. Terry got to his feet and beckoned her to come.
“Let’s dance in the moonlight.” Terry grinned. “They say it’s romantic.”
“I’ll show you ROMANCE!” The changeling lunged at him, her form quickly changing into a griffin. Terry quickly ducked under an overhang slash and punched her hard in the gut. He lunged back, dodging another blow and spun into a hard kick to the side of the face. Blood and spit splashed onto the ground. The griffin roared and began to swipe in a flurry of blows. Terry quickly blocked as much as he could. The talons shredded his suits forearms, revealing its red interior. He grabbed both of her claws, struggling to pull them away. He grunted as he slammed his forehead into the griffin's head, stunning her momentarily. Terry reached into his belt and grabbed a batarang. He quickly tossed the bladed projectile right at the griffin.
Directly at the black horn that stuck out of its head.
-SHINK!-
The world grew silent as the blade embedded itself into the wall behind the griffin. The sound of the burning boxes and other assorted things in the warehouse was muted as the black horn that was once on the changeling fell to the ground. The black horn sparked before dying completely. The griffin’s eyes turned into pin pricks before they were completely enveloped in green. Its body erupted into flames, the center glowing brighter and brighter. Terry backed away, covering his eyes with his right arm. Suddenly, the burning changeling exploded, the blast knocking the dark knight right off the ground. Terry groaned as he slammed into a pole, the power of the blast bending the metal rod. The shockwave left a large fiery line vertically across his abdomen. He gripped his head in pain, glancing around the completely engulfed warehouse.
Terry held onto a crate and hoisted himself up. His chest hurt and his back was in pain. In the center of the burning warehouse was the changeling. But it was different. Its right forehoof was black and holed while its left was the claw of an eagle. Half of its mane was rainbowed while the other was the sickly swamp green color. One of its eyes was magenta while the other was completely white. Half of its face was black, its ear pointed upwards like the batsuit. The other half was cyan with patches of black. Its right back hoof was cyan while the left was brown with holes. The changeling glanced at itself, its eyes in horror.
“W-What have you done!?” the changeling said.
“That’s not a face you want to wake up to…” Terry said as he backed up in fear.
“I’LL KILL YOU!” the changeling slammed into Terry’s chest, knocking him to the ground. It repeatedly slammed its hoof on Terry face, the dark knight barely blocking each blow. Terry gasped as the griffin hand gripped onto his neck, strangling the life out of him. “You made me a freak! I’ll rip you from this life, and kill you in the next!” Terry grabbed the changeling’s arm, trying to pry its grip off.
“Not so fun when you’re on the brink of death HUH?” the changeling grinned, its teeth jagged and pointed. “Not so funny when you’re dying huh? I’ll kill you for what you did to my clan! I’LL RIP THAT CUTE HEAD OF YOURS AND MOUNT IT OVER MY FIREPLACE! AND I’LL USE YOUR LIMBS TO KEEP ME WARM FOR THE WINTER!”
-BZZZMMM!-
A large bolt of magic shot the twisted changeling right off of the dark knight. The changeling slid down the stone floor and groaned. Its body soon fell limp as it fell unconscious. Terry coughed and rubbed his neck. He glanced to where the magic bolt came from to see a purple mare rushing to his side. Twilight skidded to a stop as she looked at his neck to his forearms.
“A-Are you ok?” Twilight asked, coughing slightly at the amount of smoke.
“Yeah, just a little neck pain." Terry said. Twilight sheepishly helped him up, which was hard considering he was much larger than she was. “You didn’t-“
“Knock out spell.” Twilight smiled. Terry did the same and patted her on the head. Their get together was soon broken once a box in a corner of the room suddenly exploded. Terry quickly scanned the boxes. His white eyes went wide once he saw what was within.
Large cans of highly explosive liquids.
“WE NEED TO GO!” Terry yelled. He quickly ran over to the unconscious changeling and slung her over his shoulder. Before Twilight could say a thing, Terry grabbed her around the waist with his other arm and ran to the large garage like door. Boxes began to explode as he ran, sending charred pieces of wood flying. “HOLD ON!”
“LIKE I HAVE A CHOICE!” Twilight yelled over the explosions. She glanced at the closed door and blasted a hole in it. Terry sprinted to the hole and lunged through. The warehouse immediately exploded, launching them forward and crashing onto the large dock area. Terry shielded Twilight from the blast as the warehouse erupted into many explosions, creating a large ball of fire to rise into the air. Burning bricks and wood fell from the sky as smoke rose from the large blaze.
Terry glanced over his shoulder. He continued to shield the scarred mare as another blast went off. Twilight gazed over his shoulder and looked at the large burning warehouse. She looked around to see the unconscious changeling right under her. Terry slowly let go of the mare and sat on the cobblestone floor, gazing at the fire. The wind blew the warm heat onto them, making the cold seem like nothing.
“You… You saved me…” Twilight said, shocked at the large explosion.
“That’s what I do…” Terry said. Twilight turned her head at Terry. In the light, she could see the somewhat features on his face. Although with his slim form, his face looked brave and hardened.
“No… Even after we chased you… Even after we locked you up…” Twilight blinked. “You still saved me.”
“It doesn’t matter what you would’ve done to me.” Terry turned to face the lavender mare. “Saving people- err ponies is what I do.” He glanced at his torn forearms. “No matter what.” Terry sighed and got up.
“W-Where are you going?” Twilight got up and watched as the dark knight stretched his arms.
“The police and fire crew will be here momentarily.” Terry pointed at the changeling. “Make sure she wakes up in custody.”
Twilight looked back at the unconscious changeling. “Don’t worry, she will. Wait, why did you say-“ Twilight turned around to be met with nothing but air. “-That…” Twilights ears flickered as she heard the sound of sirens. She turned around to see the police coming. As well as the pegasi flying high in the sky, creating rain clouds to douse the fire.