//------------------------------// // Chapter 10 - From bad to boned // Story: Essence of the Night Stalker // by Merc Scar //------------------------------// The world tilted itself again on Micheal as he flew through the portal, causing his stomach to lurch. Landing harshly on a groaning furry surface the air was knocked out of him, the collar striking his head a moment later. Looking up he saw Azmuun'thul smirking down at him as the tear in space began sealing up. Just before the portal finished closing a small paper parcel fell through landing just beside him and the pair of therestals. “You wouldn't mind...getting off of us now would you?” Raven mumbled. Grunting he heaved himself off and moved over to the parcel. The hell is this? He wondered. “That..felt wired.” Gale groaned. “What's that?” Micheal unwrapped the parcel revealing a pair of tickets and a map. “Train tickets to the Crystal Empire...and a map of the city?” Raven wondered aloud, inspecting the parcels contents. “They must be for you,” Micheal said. “From who?” Raven asked. “And why?” Gale asked “It would probably be better...and save many headaches...if you don't ask,” Micheal replied. “Alright,” both said in unison, their eyes dilating with a flash of orange. Micheal gave them a close look. The halo around their eyes had grown, becoming more noticeable. “What about you though? We came to join you...on wherever it was you were going,” Raven asked, snapping from her stupor. Choose your words carefully, they're not ours fully yet, Obsidian advised. They could still break away from us if you go against the grain too much. “Don't worry, we will be travelling together...I just can't be seen by the public right now...they're a little jumpy around me, being a strange carnivorous creature and all.” Micheal half-lied. “Just make your way to the train station and I'll meet up with you there. Then we can enjoy a nice ride and get to know each other a little better, yes? Both nodded their heads then looked around for an exit. “Uh, where are we?” Gale asked. “Looks rather nice,” Raven hummed. Realising this himself, Micheal looked around at his surroundings; noticing the familiar sculptured bushes, the exotic flowers and mystical statues. “Fuck.” Micheal muttered under his breath. “We've landed in the Royal Gardens of Canterlot. We should get out of here quickly...We should go our own ways for now." The pair nodded. Gale picked the parcel up as the pair made their way through the gardens. Micheal turned and trod to the fallen collar which now had a few specks of red on it. Cocking an eyebrow he rubbed a paw over his head, which came back with a few streaks of red. “Of course,” he muttered to himself. Just take my collar already and lets go, Obsidian demanded. I don't want to stay around here any longer than we need too. Wait, what'd you mean your collar? Micheal asked. A pair of orange glowing slits opened in Micheals shadow Have you really paid so little attention, Obsidian deadpanned. The rat took my remains and created some potion which made you one of us, then he gives you an enchanted collar specifically for a creature like us. I'll let you piece the rest together. Oh...right...forgot you weren't always like this, Micheal said sheepishly. Obsidian merely rolled her eyes. Micheal went to pick up the collar, but as his paw touched the cool metallic surface, a bolt ran up his foreleg and into his head. Collapsing on the ground he clutched his head as he was assaulted with images of a tall dark mare, clad in azure armor and with a mane flowing of the night. Stalker! The voice bellowed. Your queen is trapped! Seek me out and release me! All of a sudden Micheal was released from his visions and instead he saw the gardens on an angle, with Obsidian's shadow hovering over him. “What just happened?” Micheal groaned. “It appears Nightmare Moon still lives, and she still has enough strength to contact us through the collar,” Obsidian answered. “She can do that?” Micheal asked. “Well how else do you think she would communicate with us?” Obsidian said. “Writing letters and sending them out on some bird?” “Okay okay...” Micheal grunted, moving himself into sitting position. “I should really stop being surprised by these things.” “You should, it would do us all a world of good,” Obsidian snarked. “Why are you so cranky all of a sudden,” Micheal asked. Obsidian looked away and sighed. “I know it's not your fault, but the amount of desecration's the rat has performed is getting to me. First my remains, now the collar that my queen gave me herself. Throwing it around like some common trinket.” “Well...if it's any consolation, it is technically back in your possession; and I'll be sure to take care of it,” Micheal assured. They were quiet for a moment until Obsidian looked back at him. “Thank you,” she murmured. “Now enough wasting time, if Nightmare Moon was able to contact us, perhaps she is somewhere in this castle. We should have a quick look around.” “What about the train?” Micheal asked. “Surely we should get there before it leaves.” “We can afford a small detour,” Obsidian asserted. Micheal conceded with a sigh and brought the collar over his head. The cool metal band sat snugly around his neck. The gem buried in it began to softly glow orange, growing stronger and dimming as if it were breathing. A cool yet refreshing chill worked its way from his head to tail causing him to shiver. Micheal stretched himself like a cat, suddenly feeling full of energy. Turning he looked back at the castle he began moving towards it at a lazy trot, which soon became a hasty dash. Closing his eyes he allowed himself to relax and quickly the weightless feeling of shadowmelding washed over him. Micheal glided up to an open balcony which overlooked the gardens and made his way inside, his form returning to normal from the candle light coming from the corridor in front of him. He noticed off to one side sat a pair of cushions and a low table, on which sat a pair of cups; one was adorned with silver and a moon, the other gold and a sun. Steam was freshly rising from both cups. Either those are common and the staff have just wandered off, Micheal thought. Or we're about to walk into something very bad. Keep going, Obsidian pressed. I at least want to find the whereabouts of my queen. Sighing to himself he crept his way into the hallway and quickly reached an intersection. Peering around the corner he looked up and down the new set of halls, oddly not a soul could be seen. Having wandered through the castles interior during his stay he felt confident enough to take the left passage. This should take us to the Royal Quarters, Micheal thought. If there's anywhere anything of value would be kept, it would be there. After turning down a few different halls he finally came across another being. Standing stoically outside a pair of doors stood several guards clad in gold plate. Think you could distract them? Micheal asked. That will be easy, Obsidian said. Rising from his shadow like an oily mass her form quickly mirrored his own. Flaring her wings she made a dash down the hall past the guards faster than they could react. The guards quickly pulled themselves together and gave chase, skidding around a corner she charge off again allowing her shadow body to dissipate out from their sight. There, that should occupy them for a bit, Obsidian hummed. Micheal made his move towards the doors they were guarding, slowly he opened one and peered in. The room was dark bar one small candle next to a couple of beds. He closed the door silently behind once he entered, his sight quickly adjusted and reveal to him more details of the sterile smelling room. There were more beds lay uniformly along the walls of the room, small curtains were place up near the beds with nightstands on either side. A pair of cabinets sat next to the door he had just entered, the far wall had several large windows placed in it. This is the hospital wing, Obsidian deadpanned. Are you sure you know your way. Alright so I may have made a wrong turn, this place is like a maze, Micheal defended. Besides I'm now more interested in why those guards were posted outside this room. Indeed, have a look around, Obsidian said. Micheal stalked over to the beds with the candle between them to see their occupants. Immediately he recoiled. In the first bed sat the yellow pegasus he had tried to hunt a few nights ago; in the second lay the blue pegasus that had interrupted and pestered him. Both were covered in various sized bandages. Kill them now, Obsidian hissed. No, if we do that, we'll never make it out of here, Micheal countered. Think about it, if those first guards are already running around trying to find you, they'll surely check on these two, and if they find them dead I'm sure this place will go full lockdown. Obsidian sighed in frustration. Will the opportunity never present itself to be rid of these cursed ponies. Micheal stayed there silently for a while, watching the slow rise and fall of their chests as they slept peacefully. I've got an idea, Obsidian chirped. Poison them with your blood. Understanding what she was getting at Micheal shifted himself between the two bed. First he shifted Fluttershy's head gently up and opened her mouth, then he snaked his tail around and cut his paw. For a few moments he let his scarlet blood trickle into the sleeping pegasus' mouth. Micheal then repeated the procedure to Rainbow Dash. Satisfied he had them ingest enough of his corrupting blood he began to make his way to the door until he began hearing voices on the other side. "And while the castle is being searched I want patrols to fan out and search the city," Celestia said. "We can not afford to let him escape again." Recoiling from the door Micheal looked around the room for somewhere to hide. Groaning at his lack of options he dived under the nearest bed, hoping that the overhanging sheets would keep him safe. Micheal heard the door open followed by hoof steps clacking on a floor; shortly after he saw Celestia walk past the front of the bed, followed by several guards. Micheal pushed himself as far back as he could, his breath catching as one set of legs stopped at the end of his bed. Micheal listened as Celestia muttered softly to the sleeping ponies, then she spoke a littler louder. "Come, we need to find this demon before it's too late." The ponies turned and left, a dull clunk announcing their departure. Micheal released a shaky breath. I'm sorry Obsidian, but we have to get out of here now. No, wait, Obsidian said quickly. We need to find her. I can sense her, and you should be able to now with my collar. Try and feel for that same energy you felt when she spoke to you. Micheal sighed in exasperation and did as he was asked. Closing his eyes and clearing his mind he tried to focus on that same cold energy that had racked his body when Nightmare Moon spoke to him. Immediately his eyes shot open as he felt weak yet steady waves of the same energy coming from higher up. What the hell is this, Micheal demanded. Like I've said, the collars share a connection with Nightmare Moon, Obsidian said. The only reason I can feel magical signatures, Nightmare Moon's in particular, is because I've done it for so long. Sighing again Micheal got out from his hiding spot and began moving towards the door. "And where do you think your going buster," A voice croaked dryly behind him. Micheal turned his head to see Rainbow Dash pushing herself out of her bed, her movements sluggish and jerky. "I'm not letting you go anywhere," she growled. Taking a few steps forward she soon collapsed from exhaustion and tried to push herself up again. Micheal turned fully to face her. Seeing the pony that had just a few days ago try and engage him, now be reduced to this broken pathetic state made something throb in the back of Micheal's mind. Cautiously he took a few steps towards the angry pegasus until he stood in front of her. She stood defiantly to him, her eyes burning with anger, yet unable to hide the pain she felt. Micheal then knew what he was feeling for her, Pity. Gently he laid a paw on her shoulder. "Go back to bed, I'd rather not have to hurt you or anyone else more than I already have," he said sullenly. "You're a monster and a liar," Rainbow accused. "The moment you escape you'll start attacking ponies again." Micheal flinched and looked away, his head drooping. "A monster I may be, but I wasn't born one. I was made into one," Micheal mumbled. "I know I've done some horrible things in my time here, and I may never atone for them, but if I can at least mitigate my footprint I will." "Then why do any of this," Rainbow demanded. "Why not just turn yourself over." "Because if I do, then your princess will kill me," Micheal said. "And despite everything I will fight for my survival." The two stood silently staring at one another for what felt like an eternity. "I still can't let you leave," Rainbow resolved. "I know," Micheal said. "And I'm sorry for this." Swiftly he spun on the spot whipping his tail around, slamming the flat edge of the tail-blade into her head and knocking her unconscious. Micheal quickly recovered and caught her before she hit the ground. A muffled yelp caught Micheal's attention, looking at the other bed he saw the yellow pegasus looking him with wide fearful eyes. Gently Micheal place rainbow back in her bed, pulling the sheets up to neck. "I owe you an apology too," Micheal said while tucking in Rainbow Dash. "I'm sorry for nearly killing you and harming your pet. I know you most likely despise me and rightly so, but I just wanted you to know." With that Micheal made his way to the door again. "Where will you go," Fluttershy squeaked from behind him. Micheal turned his head and looked at her. "Somewhere far away," he replied. He then left through the door. _____________ What in the great star filled sky was that! Obsidian demanded. Stow it. I don't want to hear it, Micheal growled. Every time I think I'm starting to understand you, you pull something like this, Obsidian huffed. Micheal continued his climb along the castle walls; having decided instead it would be safer and quicker to shadowmeld along them. The cold radiance he was following was growing stronger as he he glided up the spire at the edge of the castle. As Micheal reached the balcony of the spire he looked back and around Canterlot. He saw patrols of pegasi flying around, some pulling chariots with unicorns. Well great, we're going to have a fun time trying to get out of here now, Micheal said sarcastically. Shaking his head he moved slowing inside the spire. The interior he noticed was richly decorated in cool colors and silver linings, small statues of moons sat on some cabinets, while a large mosaic of the constellations and moon covered one wall. I can guess where we are, both said in unison. Princess Luna's quarters. Both groaned. Why am I not surprised. Quickly, grab my queen's prison and lets go, Obsidian commanded. Micheal followed the pulsing - which was overwhelmingly powerful now - to the mosaic. He placed a paw on the moon and gave it a soft push, and with a light click the moon depressed into the wall. sliding away it revealed the same armor that was laying in the ruins where he first woke up. Her armor? Obsidian hummed. "So, here you are," Celestia said coldly behind Micheal. Painfully slow he turned around to face the princess of the sun. Terrified at the sight of her emotionless gaze Micheal backpedaled into the wall, claws scrapping on the smooth stone. "I let you go once," Celestia spat. "And in return you attack and murder my subjects." "WAITWAITWAIT!" Micheal panicked, waving his paws. Celestia's eyes narrowed as she lowered her head, horn glowing. I have an idea, Obsidian said quickly. I will charge her, you just get out. At that moment the door to the room creaked open. "Ah sister there you are," Luna said. "We have an unusual gue- what are you do- YOU!" Luna's attention fixated on him as she followed her sisters gaze. Immediately her wings flared and her horn lit up ready to strike. "Your hi-highness' I know I've done s-some distgusting things re-recently," Micheal stuttered. "A-and I want to a-atone for th-them." "THEN DIE!" Celestia shouted, releasing a golden bolt straight at him. Micheal barely ducked in time as the magic shot into the wall behind him. He leaped away as further bolts flew at him, both golden and cyan. Whatever you had planned, now would be a REALLY good time to do it! Micheal shouted. As he ran for the balcony he saw Obsidian's eyes open up in his shadow. Leaping out she flew straight for Celestia, catching her off guard she managed to rake her claws across her alabaster body. In response to this Celestia's horn grew ever brighter. Micheal looked back to see a great golden nova blast out from her slamming him over the edge of the balcony, he clung on with one of his paws. Looking down he saw how far a drop he was facing should he loose his grip. "Fuck fuck fuck FUCK," Micheal cursed. Let go! Obsidian shouted. And fall to my death! Micheal retorted. You've got wings feather brain Obsidian growled. And you can shadowmeld. Remembering this Micheal promptly released his death grip and allowed gravity to take him. Opening his wings the breeze quickly caught him and sent him flying straight into the castle. He threw his paws up in an attempt to shield himself as he smashed through a stained glass window. Tumbling he came to a halt slamming into a wall. Groaning he rose up, covered in fresh cuts and bruises he looked back up at the spire. A golden flash was all his warning as another bolt blasted into the castle wall. Taking the hint Micheal backed off and tried to figure out where he was now. Looking back he saw it wasn't a wall he had hit, but a marble column, more lined down the room. A velvet carpet ran the length of the room to a pedestal and throne with a small fountain built to the side, all made from richly ornate gold with etches ran along the surface like sun rays. The gold architecture ran high up and spread out with a large sun at its zenith, while a curved band of clouds and starry sky wove around the throne. "Well fuck," Micheal deadpanned. "I'm boned." You mean, we're, Obsidian huffed. I'm still here too you know. "A bit vulgar," a feminine voice spoke gently. Micheal spun round, greet with a sight that cause him to freeze. Before him was a creature stood ready, similar to him in every aspect except for a few details. The feathers themselves were a golden brown, while the eyes were an icy blue. "But you are correct," the same voice said in its soothing tone. "This ends here." The owner of the voice strode gracefully out from behind one of the pillars, revealing herself. A rat, dressed in a robe of browns adorned with charms and pelts, a gnarled wooden staff with a crystal headpiece in hand. A small leather pouch hung from her side. Her most distinguishing feature was a rack of horns which adorned her head, a total of eight. a pair of small ones sprouted on her head pointing back, four large ones from the back in a similar manner, while a pair had grown out to the side slightly before spinning around and back up again. The rat raised her clawed hand at him. "Kal'shir," She hissed. Then Micheal's doppelganger charged him.