“And that’s when I pointed out that the chalice was not fine crystal. The swindlers were properly arrested and through the court proceedings, I acquired the rights to their patent on that cider squeezing machine.”
The ponies surrounding Stellar Nightfeather joined him in his self-indulgent revelry and politely laughed along at his story. Nightfeather soaked in the admiration as he took a dainty sip from his chalice. A few of the surrounding mares cooed as he stroke his professionally coiffed mane.
He waved a hoof to a servant who stood attentively across the garden. The servant obediently waltzed his way past Nightfeather’s other guests on the dance floor and passed around a few h'orderves to his immediate admirers.
The low rumble of hundreds of well-to-do ponies blended with the lovely string quartet that filled the private gardens of the castle courtyard with a posh, but inviting atmosphere. The courtyard was illuminated by not only the lights strewn about the garden hedges, but by the natural light of Castle Luna itself, which had been enchanted by the Princess to give off an eternal glow that basked the entire city of Coltlumbia. Coltlumbia itself was built as a reflection of the eternal night sky above. The many houses and businesses of the city lit up the black streets like stars and several of the buildings were purposefully built so that their locations resembled constellations. In the center of the city was the glowing castle with its purple walls and yellow rounded domes that represented the full moon that constantly shined high above the New Lunar Republic.
Nightfeather strolled across the castle gardens away from his guffawing entourage with the exception of one who picked up his pace to stay by Nightfeather’s side.
“Ravishing, Captain Nightfeather! Simply ravishing!” applauded Old Pony Caddy, a retired groundskeeper whose name Nightfeather never bothered to remember. “Now tell me, whatever happened to that lovely friend of yours? Flitter or something I believe it was?”
“Who?” Nightfeather stopped in his tracks and, after a brief moment of silence, brightened his eyes in remembrance, “Ah, yes. Flitter. I’m afraid we had to part company. She went to follow her dreams, you see.” Nightfeather laughed fondly.
“Oh, that reminds me, Captain.” Caddy spoke up with a healthy vigor, “A new member of the culinary club is at the party tonight. He came all the way from Canterlot and was hoping to meet you.”
“Oh, how delightful! You know I always have time to make new friends. Where is he?”
“Oh, Mr. Mane! Mr. Mane, over here!”
Caddy called out to a rather broadly built Unicorn standing near the dessert cart. The Unicorn turned around, caught with a large bite of cake stuffed into his cheeks and frosting smeared around his mouth. He placed a plate of chocolate covered strawberries back onto the cart and used the white apron that was covering up his thick brown coat and white shirt to wipe off his messy hooves and face. His large round muzzle smiled ear to ear as he made his way over to join Nightfeather and Caddy. He levitated the messy apron off and crumpled it to the side of the cart.
“Oh, hello!” Mr. Mane said cheerfully with a gruff voice, “Sorry, I was enjoying myself at the sweets table. Say what you will about you fru-frus, you know how to make desserts!”
Con Mane stuck out a hoof which Nightfeather hesitantly, yet politely, shook. It was still sticky and so Nightfeather discreetly wiped it on the grass.
Caddy didn't seem to take notice of the awkward start and galloped right into the introductions. “Con Mane, this is Stellar Nightfeather, Captain of the Lunar Guard.”
“How do you do?” Nightfeather bowed.
“Right back at ya!” Con Mane jokingly punched Nightfeather in the shoulder. “Name’s Con Mane, donut baker.”
Nightfeather grimaced at his shoulder and then dusted it with his hoof. “From Canterlot I hear?”
“Yeah. Big fan of your work! Glad I finally get to meet the legend himself. Hey, have you tried those frilly little powder puff things? Damn, those are good!”
Nightfeather curled his muzzle and hastily turned away from Con Mane. “Yes, I’m sure they are. Now if you will excuse me, I am quite busy. Enjoy the party, Mr. Mane.”
Con Mane allowed Nightfeather to take only a few short steps away before he breathed into his hoof, wiped it on his coat and said, “You a gambling pony, Nightfeather?”
Nightfeather halted immediately. “Excuse me?”
“Oh, well it’s just I happened to notice an open croquet field across the garden. What do you say? Five bits a point?”
Nightfeather stood on his spot and pondered the proposition. After rolling his eyes in his head for a moment he responded, “Did you say five?” He smiled a brilliant, toothy grin and laughed from his stomach. “I think I will take you up on your offer, Mr. Mane.”
“Glad to hear it!” said Con Mane with excitement.
“I should have you know, I play with no bisque.” Nightfeather added with a touch of intimidation.
Con Mane continued to smile happily, “Well neither do I. I’ll take red and yellow?
“Black and blue are fine with me.”
Caddy could feel the spark in the air and the old pony bounced up and down in excitement. “I believe I’ll join you gentlecolts as well! Can’t play very well mind you, but I do enjoy watching good competition!”
Nighfeather laughed again. “Very well. I’ll have Larry setup the equipment.”
Con scratched his poorly combed mane in confusion. “Who’s Larry?”
Nightfeather smiled in amusement and then whistled sharply. Despite the warm air of the garden, a chilling wind culminated at Con’s hooves. The icy air swirled up in a small maelstrom. Caddy clung to his brown jacket. From the shadows at the far side of the garden, a smokey black storm cloud slithered across the grass. The black form pooled at the ponies’ hooves and billowed around their bodies before coming together into a solid mass. The strange form took an identifiable shape. First a torso, the arms and a head all floating in midair like a phantom. The black substance curled and twisted like a fog, but also bubbled and dripped like a liquid. When the floating black mass finished taking shape, parts of the foggy ink mutated into a more solid form. It coalesced into the static black fabric of a dinner jacket, a white collared shirt worn beneath and adorned with a pitch black tie. The mass flicked the smokey tendrils protruding from its sleeve that must have been its hand, and, with a puff of smoke, it materialized an old-fashioned fedora styled hat which it twirled onto its head. With its ensemble in place, the inky black smoke creature opened its tiny, glowing, yellow eyes.
Joe stood frozen in shock. Horrible memories flooded into his brain. A cold sweat dampened his fur as he realized that this well dressed monstrosity was the same creature he witnessed in his nightmare.
“This is my personal servant. Larry.” Nightfeather said formally and nonchalantly.
“Sweet Celestia,” Joe quivered, “what is that thing?”
To Joe’s side, Caddy was equally taken in by the grotesque creature. His dentures threatened to fall from his mouth from chattering. “Is that some sort of demon?” The smoke creature hissed like an angry serpent or a colony of bees protecting their nests.
“He’s a Nightling.” Nightfeather calmly explained, “A rare creature from a far off land. You must excuse him. He’s an admirable servant but dumb as a boulder I’m afraid.”
The creature, the Nightling rather, hissed in what may have been compliance.
“What’s with the fancy getup?” Joe asked. He focused on his breathing and fought to keep his head clear.
“A mere disguise that he can turn on and off as need be. It’s to give him some semblance of being civilized. Haute couture is not yet the highest of priorities for the Nightlings, eh?”
Nightfeather laughed heartily at his own joke and that seemed sufficient enough for Caddy to swallow his shock. But Joe just kept staring at the hissing black mass in front of him. Larry stared back at Joe with its piercing yellow eyes. The two stood there, locked in silent animosity.
The Earth Pony, The Pegasus, The Unicorn and the Nightling took their leave from the rabble of the garden party and passed under a pair of arced hedges that led to a small lawn surrounded by rose hedge. In a neat pile in the center of the lawn was the equipment: four mallets (only two of which would be needed), six small white-painted iron hoops, a wooden peg and four wooden balls-- one each of red, yellow, blue and black.
Larry glided forward and cradled the equipment in his inky black arms. Due to the small size of the lawn, only three hoops were implanted into the ground in a triangle formation equidistant to the peg planted in the center. It was agreed between the competitors that a circuit would require them to run each hoop twice with each ball before striking the peg. Thirteen points for a completed circuit for a total of twenty six points and a winning sum of one hundred thirty bits. Larry then distributed the ball pairs and mallets to the players.
“Now then, how about you go first, Mr Mane?” Nightfeather offered.
Joe placed his red ball on the lightly dewed, short shorn grass and clenched the mallet in his teeth. He struck the ball square and solid so that it ran the hoop cleanly. Joe had hoped that he had struck the ball hard enough to run a second hoop, but unfortunately he landed a mere hoof away.
Nightfeather’s turn with his black ball proved far more fruitful. He not only ran both hoops, but was able to give sufficient spin on the ball so that he was already straight in line to run the third.
Joe chose to play his yellow ball next. He ran the first hoop and smacked his red ball already in play. The force pushed the red ball into the hoop to make for up for the lost run and hitting a ball, a roquet, granted Joe an additional turn to hit the yellow ball while it touched the red. Joe made use of the extra turn by running the yellow’s second hoop, putting spin on the ball, running the next hoop, ricocheting off of the center peg and lining himself up near hooves away from the yellow’s fourth hoop.
Nightfeather smiled pleasantly at his worthy competitor.
And so the pleasant game of croquet played on; even after many of the garden guests chose to leave the party, partly due to their host’s sudden disinterest in the rest of the festivities. Only two of the four balls were left in play, as both Joe and Nightfeather had completed one circuit each. Nightfeather completed his circuit first with his black ball, followed shortly behind by Joe completing his yellow ball’s circuit. With only a few hoops to run for each payer, the game was almost over and just as tight.
“Your turn again, Mr. Mane.” Nightfeather invited Joe over.
Joe, unfortunately, hit the ball too hard so that it bounced along the grass. The bouncing ball hit the upper part of the hoop which killed its momentum just short of the iron archway.
Nightfeather sighed in dramatic pity, “Almost a run. Good hit though. You won’t mind if I go for roquet, I take it?”
Joe showcased his sportsmanship and lifted a hoof in allowance. Nightfeather’s blue ball struck Joe’s ball hard, knocking it a considerable distance away from Joe’s opportune position.
“You got me.” Joe lamented.
“Naturally.” Nightfeather gloated. Joe politely levitated his knocked ball so that it was right up against the blue ball and allowed Nightfeather to take his croquet shot. “Now then,” Nightfeather spoke through the mallet as he lined up his shot, “this meeting is not a coincidence, eh? What’s your game, Mr. Mane?”
“My game?”
“You didn't come to this party to challenge me to croquet.” he said irritably.
Joe dug his hoof into the pocket of his coat pocket and pulled out a small sapphire pendant linked by gold chain. The gem’s sparkle caught the night light and reflected into Nightfeather’s eyes.The captain tried to focus on his croquet shot, but his eyes couldn't help but to dart up to the shimmering sapphire. When he did hit the ball, it completely curved to the side and horribly missed the impossible to miss shot. Joe smiled and nodded his head in confidence.
“I believe you have been looking for this, Captain?”
“The Lucid Dream Jewel…” Nightfeather whispered as he admired the pendant. “Princess Luna told me it was stolen from the royal vault last night. How were you able to obtain it?”
Joe placed the jewel back into his pocket and Nightfeather’s lips smacked in protest. “Let’s just say I have an inside source. You know what kind of power this jewel has. It’d be a shame if such a valuable treasure was sold into the hooves of a… private collector?”
The implications of Joe’s words made Nightfeather’s eyes light up as bright as the jewel. He licked his salivating lips and smile with determination. “How interesting. You know, we still each have a circuit to complete.”
“And the score remains thirteen each.”
“Then I trust you have no objections to raising the stakes?”
“No,” Joe played dumb, “What do you have in mind?”
“The Lucid Dream Jewel, naturally!”
“It is a priceless royal treasure.”
“Nothing is priceless, Mr. Mane,” Nightfeather chuckled, “I’ll wager five thousand bits against it.”
“That’s fine by me.”
“Equestrian Association rules?”
“You got it!”
Both ponies’ eyes hardened and sparked at the reignited competition.
Nightfeather’s turn came around again. Joe ran another hoop and Nightfeather needed to adjust to the awkward debacle he placed himself in after his last shot. Joe knew Nightfeather wouldn't be able to curve his ball so tight as to run the hoop just inches in front of him. He would have to snake around later and so Nightfeather would then try to bank off of the center peg and come around the other side. The captain’s jaw was tight and his teeth dug into the polished wood of the mallet. There was a twitch in the tip of his wing. A building trigger excited Nightfeather’s very being. Joe was amused at the idea of the sight of the jeweled pendant still seared into the back of Nightfeather’s vision. Nightfeather’s eyes didn't know where to look and so Joe gave him a hoof. He stepped just within Nightfeather’s vision and stood in such a way as to emphasize his coat’s side pocket.
The twitch became more erratic and the impatience finally got the better of the captain. He whacked his blue ball with a clumsy swing. It sailed well past the peg, nowhere near any other hoop, and continued right along across the lawn and into the shadowy underbrush of the rose hedges that lines the courtyard.
Nightfeather spat out his mallet with a swear. Joe walked forward and could barely contain his smile. “Aw, that’s some rotten luck, ain't it?”
Nightfeather swore again and stamped his hooves together. Larry, who had been watching the game from above like a literal cloud of ill omen, heeded the call and swirled his vaporous body into the thorny bramble. Nightfeather searched underneath the hedge using his mallet to keep his skin well away from the thorns. Joe waved over Caddy from his seat and they too joined in the search if only for fun.
Joe sat firmly on his haunches in front of the hedge wall and used the light of his horn to search the nearby bushes, hoping that his levitation field would grab some small, round object. Caddy was beside him searching with Joe’s mallet when Joe felt the weight on his horn. He tugged the object out of the thicket and sure enough it was a croquet ball.
“Well ain't that a pity?” Joe mused, “Here it is.”
Joe placed the ball in his hooves, but when the emerald light of Joe’s magic dissipated, the ball’s true nature revealed itself. The ball was black.
“No it’s not.” Caddy pointed out, “Nightfeather already completed the circuit with the black ball. He’s looking for the blue.”
Joe rolled the black ball between his hooves and examined it as some sort of rare artifact. He glanced over at Nightfeather, who was still rummaging through the foliage several hedges away in growing frustration. A smile grew on Joe’s face as he tossed the ball slightly in the air and caught it. He slid the ball into his coat pocket opposite the one that held the jewel. He then continued to search through the hedge with his horn as before, still sitting in the same spot.
“Equestrian Association rules, Nightfeather!” he called out, “Your five minutes are almost up! A lost ball will send you back a run.”
Joe’s teasing were interrupted by an unpleasantly shrill hiss. Billows of inky smoke rose up from one of the bushes and reformed into the ghastly shape of Larry, complete with suit and hat. Larry opened up his cloudy paws and resting in the bubbling palm was a blue croquet ball.
“Ah, thank you, Larry!” said Nightfeather jovially, “I’m still training him, you know.”
“And pretty damn well by the looks of it.” Joe remarked only in earshot of Caddy.
Nightfeather trotted over the levitating cloud creature and examined the found ball. “The blue ball? Good!” Nightfeather smiled contently as he placed the blue ball back into the bounds of the playing field.
Caddy leaned in and whispered to Joe, “If that’s his original ball, then I’m Princess Luna.”
“It’s not.” said Joe.
“How d’you know?”
“Because I've been sitting on it this whole time.” Joe slowly stood up and beneath his rump sat another blue ball. Joe found it immediately after the search began.
Caddy wheezed in laughter.The old pony’s dentured smile was indicative of the fun he was having. “Why you crafty old--” As Caddy bent down to pick up the ball, Joe kicked it with his hind leg back into the brush and held out a front hoof to keep Caddy silent. Joe kept his gaze locked on Caddy to keep him from making any distracting motions and slyly lifted the black ball from his coat pocket. “The black ball you found, sir?”
Joe smiled deviously and wrapped his magic around the ball. He concentrated his thoughts on the ball and thought back to a Zebra friend of his that taught him a few tricks. The ball became blurry. The more Joe tried to concentrate on the ball, the more out of focus his vision became. That’s how he knew it was working. Caddy rubbed his straining eyes. When Joe finished casting the spell, the ball in his hoof was no longer black, but blue.
“You changed its color!” Caddy gasped in amazement.
“No, you only think its blue. Its a perception spell. Nothing but an illusion. What do you say we have some fun with Captain Nightfeather?” Joe put the enchanted ball back into his pocket and rejoined Nightfeather who took the liberty to retake his shot and expertly ran another hoop, furthering his lead against Joe. Nightfeather waved a hoof to Joe’s red ball. “Alright, Nightfeather. One more hoop to run and then the peg will be the clincher.”
Joe lined up his shot. His last remaining hoop was clear ahead of him, and Nightfeather’s blue ball-- the one procured for him by Larry-- was just on the other side. Joe hit the ball, aiming more for Nightfeather’s ball than the hoop. The ball sailed right through Joe’s final hoop and loudly cracked as it hit the blue ball. This ‘roquet’ would grant Joe another shot and, more importantly, the opportunity he needed. Joe cantered lazily towards the balls. When Joe approached, he ‘accidentally’ struck Nightfeather’s ball with his hoof and it rolled a few hooves away. Joe smiled sheepishly at Nightfeather for his clumsiness and Nightfeather smiled in forgiveness. Joe picked up the kicked ball and, after making sure that Nightfeather wasn't paying too much attention, Joe slipped the enchanted ball out of his pocket and placed it up against his own yellow ball. The real ball, Joe put in his pocket. The transaction was seamless and Nightfeather looked none the wiser.
Joe ‘forgot’ to take his extra croquet shot and walked over to Caddy’s company.
“Did you switch ‘em, sir?” Caddy asked with the excitement of a school colt.
“Yeah. Now he’s playing with a black ball that looks blue.”
“Then we got him!”
“So long as he doesn't see through the spell.”
Nightfeather trotted up to where the two balls in play sat and readied his mallet. Caddy was about to raise his foreleg in protest, but Joe stopped him.
“But Mr. Mane, It is still your turn!”
“Nah. It’s fine.” Joe watched the spectacle he had put in place with amusement.
Nightfeather was a field away from the final peg. With all of his hoops run, all he would have to do was strike the peg to win. Even still, Joe watched with calm patience. Nightfeather struck his ball and it rolled along the grass towards the peg. However, it slowed down and stopped just before striking it. Nightfeather smiled confidently.
“So close. But I’m only a few inches away from the peg. This is your last chance, Mr. Mane.”
Joe approached his ball and readied his mallet. “So I need to hit the peg now in order to win, huh?” Joe didn't bother lining up the shot. He hit it roughly and without precision. The shot was a natural mess and landed nowhere close to the peg. “Bleck! Alright, you win, Nightfeather.”
Joe left his ball where it was and graciously trotted over the meet Nightfeather, who was leaning on his mallet in lackadaisical victory. “It would seem I am too good for you.” Nightfeather gloated.
The two shook hooves and Joe offered to take Nightfeather’s mallet. “‘Spose it’s my job to gather the gear, then.”
Nightfeather walked away to revel in his victory with Caddy and Larry. While his back was turned, Joe turned his attention to the enchanted blue ball and removed the spell. Now there were two identical black balls next to the peg.
“Hey, that’s weird.” Joe called out, “Why is there an extra black ball?”
Nightfeather twirled around. His deep purple coat was growing pale. “What do you mean?”
“Well, both my red and yellow balls are here but we’re missing the blue one. You've been playing with the wrong ball. I guess neither of us noticed until now because of this blasted eternal night.”
Nightfeather hastened to the peg to examine the scene for himself. He stared at the two balls in shock, unable to comprehend what he was seeing. “But that’s impossible! How in Equestria could-- I could have sworn!”
Joe took one of the mallets and happily walked back over to his red ball where it sat after his last dismal shot. “Oh well. Since you technically haven’t won yet…” Joe hit his ball and it hit the center peg so hard that the peg bent in the grass. “I guess the game is mine!”
Nightfeather turned his head slowly towards the smiling Unicorn. His eyes burned like the remnant ashes of a raging fire. His lips hung in a tempered snarl. Joe could see his temples bulging with ire.
“Congratulations, Mr. Mane.” he hissed like an aging steam engine. He flashed a killer glance towards Larry, who floated in the air nearby, looking like a puppy that just wet the carpet. “I have some strict words for you, Larry!”
The Nightling collapse his inky blackness into himself and disappeared like the puff of smoke he was. Joe took the Lucid Dream Jewel out of his pocket and juggled it in his hoof before he strapped the gold chain around his neck and stuffed the pendant underneath his shirt.
“And of course that means the jewel is rightfully mine. I take it you won’t report its whereabouts to Princess Luna. Unless you want to explain where your five thousand bits went.”
Nightfeather approached Joe. His back was arched tall and his nostrils flared heavily. “I hope you make good use of that necklace, Mr. Mane.”
Nightfeather turned and sulked out of the garden and back to the courtyard with his wings blazoned wide.
“That was a blast, Nightfeather!” Joe called out, “Now I think I’ll enjoy the rest of your little party. There’s still some desserts left on the buffet.”
With the party dying down and the few remaining guests being escorted off of the premises by Lunar Guards under orders, Joe found himself loitering near the stables where finely dressed valet ponies presented the wealthy elite with their gaudy carriages.
One carriage in particular stood out among the rest. The large chariot was painted ebony and adorned with brightly polished, silver flourishes. Two ponies in ebony armor stood guard by the chariot. Their glowing eyes pierced the surrounding darkness, fangs protruded from their dark coated lips and bold leathery wings scratched at the sky. They were Batponies; once normal Pegasi that were transformed using a special magic invented by the NLR. Most Batponies were conscripted into the Lunar Guard and the vast majority of Lunar Guard conscripts were Batponies. Captain Nightfeather, however, was an exception. Even after achieving the highest rank of office allotted, he chose to remain an ordinary Pegasus. To be so decorated without having to rely on magical augmentation, Joe couldn't help but respect him.
Joe looked around the moonlit stables. No sign of Nightfeather or his Nightling servant. Joe approached the ebony chariot. The Batpony guards kept their glowing, yellow eyes on him but otherwise didn't make any advances. Joe figured they must have been used to onlookers admiring the top-of-the-line chariot.
The whole thing was gaudy, Joe thought to himself as he examined it more closely. The silver flourishes were carved to resemble typical Lunar symbology such as bat wings, crescent moons and constellations. The knob on which the reins were strapped was carved into the shape of a opossum, a favored animal of Princess Luna so it’s been told.
The inner furnishings of the chariot were just as unsightly. It was well upholstered with the very finest of satin, but the satin itself was a putrid plum color; as if a passenger spilled a gallon of grape juice on once brilliant red satin.
Joe rubbed his hoof against the black painted wood. Everfree Oak as far as he could tell. As he messaged the detail, he looked to see if he had stepped his boundaries with the guards. They were still watching but either thought they needn't interfere or they were ordered not too.
Joe bent down under the appearance of investigating the chariot’s wheels; which were comprised of chromed steel and hard, sturdy rubber. Joe reached into his pocket and took out the cigarette shaped box. Joe had never touched a cigarette in his life and quite honestly couldn't stand anypony who smoked. Not only was the smell abominable, cigarettes were the bane of all food as they ruined the taste of everything.
Joe made one final check of his surroundings and, assured that he was not under too much scrutiny, touched the cigarette case to the underside of the chariot. As told, the case stuck to the wood as if held in place by week old jelly. Joe took the watch he wore on his left wrist and clicked one of the buttons on the side. The watch display turned into a map of Coltlumbia created by the watch’s built in soliton radar system. In the center of the map, where Luna’s Castle sat, a small yellow light blinked in and out of existence.
Joe got back up to his hooves and turned off the radar just as he heard the sound of hooves approaching him from behind. “Admiring my custom designed chariot, Mr. Mane?”
Joe turned around and was muzzle to muzzle with Nightfeather. Larry levitated just behind him. Nightfeather was no longer ablaze in anger. He was smiling and spoke approachably.
“Yeah, I was, actually.” Joe said, “Beautiful craftsmanship.”
Nightfeather nodded his head as if he was enjoying a joke shared between him and Joe. “You’re a clever pony, Mr. Mane.”
“Thanks.” Joe returned the passive aggressiveness.
“Perhaps too clever. Twice now our paths have crossed. Let’s leave it at that. I would think our first meeting would have convinced you.”
Joe didn't allow his face to give away any advantage. “Oh, I get it. You want to have a rematch, right?”
Nightfeather’s smirk wavered under slight frustration. “Both of us know perfectly well what we are talking about, Mr. Mane. But I see that it is necessary to remind you.” Nightfeather trotted to the side. He held his head high as he spoke. “Many ponies have tried to involve themselves in my affairs. Unsuccessfully.”
Nightfeather turned to Larry and nodded at him. Larry’s inky cloud body erected in attention. Nightfeather subtly nodded his head to the side toward the statues that stood before the archway that led back to the castle gardens. They were statues of beautiful mares in ancient military regalia holding spears in their hooves.
Larry hissed slightly and casually removed the fedora that sat atop his billowing head. He held out the hat upside down in both hands. Joe was fascinated, if not confused. Just as Joe questioned the display, smoke rose from the cavity of the hat. The smoke was like the substance that Larry was composed of but even blacker. If not for the city’s magical illumination, Joe wasn't sure if he’d have been able to see it in the night sky. The dark smoke continued to swirl out of the hat and into the air like a small tornado. Joe put a hoof to his ear. A faint sound scratched at his drum. The sound grew louder and Joe knew it was coming from the stack of smoke. It was a sickening gurgle combined with harsh sizzling. When the sound grew its loudest, the smoke pillar broke off. Trails of black smoke soared through the air like phantoms. They danced and twisted and continued to make those awful noises. Joe clamped his hooves over both ears in an attempt to drown out those terrible moans.
The black phantoms moved towards one of the stone statues. They swirled and twisted and coalesced around it until the entire statue was completely enshrouded in a cloud of darkness. Only a few brief moments passed before the phantoms broke apart again. The creatures sped back towards the one that summoned them and they dashed back into the confines of the fedora. When all the smokey phantoms were back in the hat, Larry put it back on his head.
Joe looked to where the statue used to be. In its place there was now only a pile of thin dust.
Joe’s entire body was shaking. He could still hears the echoes of the phantoms in his inner ears. A cold sweat formed on his body. His mind raced back to memories of his nightmare and to poor Flitter.
“Ok,” Joe tried to hide his quivering mouse of a voice, “I gotta admit that’s pretty impressive. But what does the castle secretariat have to to say?”
“Oh, nothing, Mr. Mane.” Nightfeather smiled pleasantly while he wiped accumulated gunk from his eyes, “I own the castle gardens.” Nightfeather stood proudly before the stirring Joe. Satisfied with his demonstration, Nightfeather reached into his chariot and pulled out a small leather check book. “I suppose you would like the five thousand bits made out to cash?”
Joe struggled against his cloudy brain. He focused on his breathing to calm himself down. “Yeah. Yeah, that’s fine.”
Through a smile permanently plastered on his face, Nightfeather scribbled out a check, ripped it, and hoofed it to Joe. “Now if you’ll excuse me. Goodbye, Mr. Mane.”
Nightfeather barked out to the Batpony guards and they obediently strapped themselves into the reins of the chariot. Nightfeather closed his cabin door and Larry was about to enter on the other side. Joe stared intently at the fedora that sat just above those beady yellow eyes. A surge of fire seared at Joe’s heart. The very sight of the monster now burned his eyes.
“Hey, Larry!” Joe called out to the Nightling, “Before you go.”
Larry turned at stared at Joe. Due to its featureless face and emotionless eyes, Joe could not tell what the creature was thinking. Joe found that it made it somehow easier to stare it down. Fueled by his defiance, Joe reached into the pocket of his coat and removed a blue croquet ball.
“I think this belongs to you.” Joe said. He tossed the ball towards Larry who caught it with one hand. the inky cloud that comprised of Larry’s hand enlarged and surrounded the ball. After a moment, Larry receded his appendage and a thin powdered dust fell to the floor. Larry then slithered his vaporous form through the sides of the chariot without opening the door and sat next to his master.
The Batponies whinnied and galloped off. They spread their leathery wings and carried the chariot into the sky towards the full moon. Joe sat and watched as the chariot turned into a speck against the bright white sphere and then vanished.
Joe pushed a button on his watch and reopened the radar. The map of the screen zoomed out to show the surrounding territories belonging to the NLR. The yellow, beeping dot was moving away from Coltlumbia and the readings showed it was continuing to gain elevation. The dot was heading for the cloudscape that eventually led to the Pegasi city of Cloudsdale.