//------------------------------// // Masked // Story: Seconds Late // by FerociousCreation //------------------------------// “Have a good rest of the evening!” Harp Hearts called, waving at Alto. “I'll tell you how cleanup goes tomorrow!” the stallion replied back. “And if you see High Brass, tell him he, you, and I need to talk!” “I doubt he will want to talk to me, considering how much he hates me!” Alto rounded the picket fence, seeing Harp Hearts’ father tower over her. Alto chuckled, remembering how her dad reacted to hearing what High Brass did to his daughter. The words Harp Hearts’ father had spoken were… far from kind. The stallion turned the corner of his friend’s block, and Harp Hearts was out of sight. But she was not out of mind, along with the evening Alto just had. From crying on stage, to making out with Spearmint, to confessing his love to Harp Hearts, Alto tried to grasp onto anything positive. The only good he could conjure up was how Harp Hearts broke up with High Brass. Too bad the good was overshadowed by negativity. Alto had always wanted to kiss Harp Hearts, but now it left a bitter taste on his lips. And gave him a headache. After their kissing was concluded, the two resumed their walk to Harp Hearts’ home. On the way, she asked Alto if he saw High Brass later this evening to tell him that he, Alto, and herself need to talk. It did make Alto squirm, knowing he will have some guilty pleasure in watching Harp Hearts scold him. The cold air whisked at the unicorn’s ear, tickling the hairs with a chilly nibble. Alto gave a shake of the head, his brain bouncing off the hollow space in his skull. He snorted, knowing High Brass was to blame for the obnoxious cramp. Alto wondered what the rich pony was up to. Probably crying to one of his marefriends; maybe even ran home. Harp Hearts’ rescuer rushed into Alto’s mind. The orange pegasus she described, coming in the nick of time. Maybe he beat High Brass up. If Alto did come to learn that such a fate would happen to the rich stallion, Alto would feel no sympathy. High Brass hurt him; he deserves pain as well. The lack of ponies in the Canterlot streets made Alto’s fur stand up. He was thankful for walking Harp Hearts home, the mare safe from any more harm. Not wanting to be more alone than he already is, the unicorn picked up the pace. Quiet minutes seemed like hours and Alto was hoping he wouldn't bump into anypony until he arrived at the high school. A loud whistle from afar tore through the air. Alto’s ear turned toward the noise, wondering who was trying to wake the entire kingdom. Something smashed against the ground, glass no doubt. Alto stopped in his tracks, knowing the sound came from the alley just ahead of him. The unicorn took no chance to cross the alley’s path directly and ran across the street. At least he can get a good look at what he hopes to be nothing more than a rat trying to steal a bottle of champagne. At a passing glance, Alto saw a body of ponies standing down the alley, all facing away from the streets. “Give him another kick,” a stallion ordered. From his view, Alto noticed a body lying on the cold cobblestone ground. Adrenaline took control of the pony and forced him to run. “Who’s that!?” somepony shouted. The unicorn’s heart pounded in his throat, knowing pursuers were on his tail. He tried to call for help, but his lungs were too busy with heavy breathing. A black streak darted past the stallion, and with a sudden halt, an orange pegasus stood before Alto with a hard stare. The stallion looked over the runner with red eyes, ready to set Alto on fire with his stare alone. “Well, isn't this a surprise.” Hooves knocked on the ground behind Alto. He didn't bother to look around; he was surrounded. Alto didn't try and hide the fact he was scared. The air grew more and more cold around him. “I-I… I don't mean to cause trouble…” he spoke through chattering teeth. “Hold on…” a stallion spoke from behind Alto. “Is that- Alto?” A white mask drifted into Alto’s peripheral. Cold fear ran through his body, seeing the facade frown at him. “Holy hay, it is!” “No way! Really?” “Well, isn't he in for a surprise.” “W-what surprise?” Alto asked. “And how do you know me?” Strength found its way into Alto’s muscles and he turned around to face the ponies around him. Three figures surrounded Alto, each one of them wore a black jumpsuit. Their mane, ears, and tail were tucked away inside their outfits. A drama mask covered their faces, hiding their identities from Alto’s eyes. That is, all but one. Alto faced the orange pegasus and asked, “Where is your mask?” “I don't need one…” the pegasus answered. The bright fur color made Alto mentally name him Orange. “To answer your other questions,” Orange continued, “it is a surprise that you of all ponies were to come stumbling onto this street, considering what we were doing.” Orange flashed a wicked smile, his teeth as sharp as his words. Alto wished the pegasus was wearing a mask, for he was frightened by the pegasus' expression alone. Alto thought about the pony he saw lying in the alleyway and wondered if he, too, was going to be accompanying their punching bag. “As for your second question,” the pony with the frowning mask spoke, “we know you because of the drama surrounding you.” Alto named him and the others based on their mask’s expression. “We are on your side,” Frown concluded. It didn't make Alto feel any less intimidated. The masked ponies knew him; and he knows they are not going to simply let him walk off, despite them being possible allies. “Did one of you say I would be in for a surprise?” Smile bounced, “Do we!” He spun around, gesturing Alto to follow. Orange shoved Alto from behind, answering from him. “Hey, there is no need to do that to him…” Neutral said. “He's gone through enough.” “You have no idea what type of night I had to go through,” Alto responded as the evening’s memories flooded his brain. But it quickly faded away, and Alto needed to focus on the present. “I assume you want to show me the pony you all have beating up.” Smile spun around, and pressed his mask against Alto’s nose. “Trust me, you will be glad to see him suffering.” “Who’s hi-” Alto’s eyes widened, “You don't mean…” He ran toward the alley, not wanting to believe it was who they were referring to. Two ponies stood in the alley, one wearing a mask with just a mouth, while the other’s mask only had eyes. Alto dubbed them Eyeless and Mouthless. How Eyeless managed to see, Alto couldn’t tell. Maybe to only listen to their victim’s moaning and not see the violence he and his group were committing. At their hooves, High Brass was lying still in a fetal position, trembling on the cobblestone ground.