//------------------------------// // The past will come to haunt you.... // Story: Ballad of The Shadow // by Crackshot //------------------------------// I looked around me. I was no longer in my house in ponyville. I was now back in the old, decaying apartment I had lived in back in Manehattan. I checked myself, finding both my daggers on my hip. Suddenly I heard a feminine voice from behind me as a hoof wrapped around my mouth. “Did you miss me babe?” she asked, as another hoof brought a dagger up to throat, pressing hard enough to begin to draw blood. “Because I wont miss you.” she whispered into my ear as she drew her blade to her right, slitting my throat. There was blood everywhere, I couldn’t breathe in, so I decided not to breathe out. She let go of my mouth, letting me drop to the floor. She turned me over so I could look into her eyes one last time. She was a dark purple unicorn mare with a pitch black mane and golden yellow eyes. Eyes filled with bloodlust at the moment. “Come now Nick, don’t look so surprised. You’re the one who’s always saying “trust nopony”, aren’t you?” I was dieing and I knew it, so I used what breath I had to ask her one… last… question… “Why? Why would you…” “Shhh, sh sh sh… Isn’t obvious my love? I want everything to myself. And there’s a pretty large sum on your head. All the money I need, and all the blow I can snort? Now most ponies in this city would simply kill for this opportunity.” she said with a chuckle, obviously amused by her little pun. I tried to reach for one of my daggers, but she caught me and pinned my hooves to the ground. “Oh? Trying to take me with you, are you? Well, I cant allow that. I must take my leave, as I have a mane and coat dyeing appointment to get to while you’re, well, dieing. Oh, and I guess I‘ll have to get my cutie mark covered up as well, pity. Oh well. Ta Ta!” she said as she got up and galloped out the door. As I watched the blood pool around my head, I wondered if she would ever be caught. ‘I guess it doesn’t really matter now, does it?’ I thought as I succumbed to my slow death. That’s when a woke up. I was sweating, panting, and completely freaked out. I was slightly consoled by the fact that Celestia‘s sun was up. That was the third time this week I’d had that dream. I wasn’t chasing her, but if I found her she was in for a world of shit. That had happened nine years ago, the only pony I ever trusted decided to try and kill me so she could have everything we had to herself. I should’ve seen it comein’ but, well, that’s why I avoid relationships now. I had this weird feeling that she was close. It made me even more paranoid. “Come on, you just gotta chill out. If she was here, she would’ve killed you last night while you slept.” I said to myself. I rubbed the scar on my throat. “But if she is here, she’s in for an ass whoopin’.” I realized I had fallen asleep in my clothes, so I went into the basement and threw my turtle neck in the washer. I’d get it later today. I wasn’t above showing the world my scars. I decided I should just leave my boots at home as well, if the shit hits the fan, I’d have a blade on me, so I wasn’t worried. I sheathed said blade, threw on my cloak to hide my cutie mark, and walked out the door, wondering what I should do. I had enough food for the next couple days, and I had enough coin to buy more when the need arises. I decided I should go into town and talk to Pinkie, apologize for being so harsh on her. When I got to town, however, I was stopped by Applejack. “Hold on there mister Pick. I was just at the hospital earlier today, got a letter that Rainbow Dash was in there with a broken knee. She wouldn‘t say anything, but last I saw her she was at yer place. Care to explain?” she said as she glared at me. I laughed, then proceeded to explain to her just what had happened, beginning to end. She was shocked, not sure what about, but I could see it on her face. “Well then, in that case maybe ah should go talk some common sense intah her, startin’ a fight with the newcomer, what’s wrong with her?” she said to nopony in particular as she walked away towards the hospital. I sighed and continued on my way. That’s when it hit me, I had no clue where Pinkie lived or worked. I asked the first pony that passed, a cream colored mare with a dark blue and pink mane, who pointed me to a place called sugercube corner. When I walked in the door, it was dark, and I could hear somepony sobbing. “Pinkie? That you?” I asked, kinda feeling bad. Stealing from ponies, I do for a living. Killing them, I can live with. Emotionally wrecking them? Not so much. “Y-Yeah. W-Why do you care, Mister meanie Mcmeaniepants?” she said, standing up from behind the counter. Her mane was now deflated and straight, and she just seemed to be a darker color of pink than she was before. I sighed. Apologizing isn’t something I do a lot. “Look, Pinkie, I’m…… Sorry, I shouldn’t have been so harsh on you, can you forgive me?” I asked, whether she did or she didn’t wasn’t important to me, if she did, great, if she didn’t, then why should I care? “No, you don’t have to be sorry, I do. I shouldn’t have gone through your stuff without asking, and I’m really really really really sorry.” she said, getting this….. This weird look on her face. Something about it just screamed “You can’t be mad at me forever!” “It’s alright, how about this, I forgive you for going through my stuff, and you forgive me for losing my cool. Deal?” I said, extending a hoof over the counter. She immediately looked happier, her mane inflating again, however the hell that works, and her usual smile coming back. She took my hoof and we shook. “Deal! So is there anything I can get you while you‘re here? Cupcake? Muffin? Anything?” “Not today, but thanks. I’ve got some stuff I gotta do, I’ll see you around.” I said as I walked out the door. I wondered what I should do now. I decided I should go find somepony with an ear to the ground, who could relieve me of some hot property. Suddenly, I bumped into a white unicorn with a purple mane. “Oh, shit, I’m sorry, I should’ve been paying more attention.” I said, and then I realized that I saw her at the party last night. “Oh, no dahling, it was me who should’ve been paying more attention. Oh! I don’t believe we’ve met, my name is Rarity. And you are?” she said, with an accent that immediately think she was a rich snob. But then again, she looked like just the kind of pony I needed as well. This was certainly gonna be an interesting conversation. “New in town, just moved here yesterday. Name’s Nick, Nick Pick. Nice to meet you.” I said extending a hoof to shake, which she accepted. “Likewise! You seem to be looking for something, anyway I can help?” “Actually I was looking for somepony who has an ear to the ground. Metaphorically of course. Hey, can I throw a hypothetical your way?” I asked, not wanting to seem to shady. Then again, a hypothetical’s shady as hell to begin with. “Why certainly! I love a good hypothetical!” “Alright then. Lets say somepony had something that…. Wasn’t exactly theirs, that they wanted to sell in town, who would they go to for such a sale?” I asked, hoping that she either would think I was making small talk, or that she knew why I was asking and knew who to go to. “Oooohhhhh, I see what you’re getting at now.” she said, her voice dropping to a whisper. “I do know somepony who deals with that sort of thing. I owe them a few favors, that’s the only reason I’m telling you this. Goes by the name “The Liberator” I’ll be sure to let them know you’re looking to make a sale.” she said. I was honestly kind of shocked. Rarity didn’t seem the kind to build up debts. But then again, looks can be deceiving, I should know this better then anypony. I thanked her then went on my way, looking for potential marks. There were a few stores that seemed to be doing well, especially a store called the Carousel Boutique. I figured I should stake it out before I decided to hit it. I looked up into the sky. Judging from the position of the sun, it was about noon. I still had a lot of time. “Hey there mister! Remember me?” said a small voice from of to my left. I looked over to see Applebloom and two other fillies running towards me. “Hey there Applebloom. Don’t you have school today or somethin?” I said. I really didn’t feel like dealing with kids at the moment. “No, silly, it’s Saturday! These are my friends, Scootalo…..” she said, gesturing to the orange pegasus filly to her left. “Sup.” “…..and Sweetie Belle….” She said, gesturing to the white unicorn on her right, who bore an uncanny resemblance to Rarity “Hey there!” “And we are….” I was starting to not like where this was going. “THE CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS!!” they all yelled at the same time. I could see where this conversation was gonna go, and I really didn’t like it. “Will you help us get our cutie marks?” Said Scootalo. Yep, I really didn’t like this. “Yeah! Tell us how you got your cutie mark! Uh, what is your cutie mark anyway?” said Sweetie Belle. I knew their families wouldn’t exactly appreciate me teaching them to be master thieves, so I told them some completely bullshit story about how my cutie mark was a boat, because I was a good sailor, but my flank was skinned a little bit during a storm, so they couldn‘t see it. They seemed downcast at my story, as there was no way they could go sailing. “Hey kids, don’t worry bout it. You’ll get yours eventually. You just gotta live your life, do what you can do, and eventually you’ll get it.” I said, trying to cheer them up. Apparently they had heard that before, because they still seemed downcast as they walked away. “Is that storm how you got most of those scars?” asked a voice from behind me. That seemed to be happening a lot. I whipped around, drawing my dagger in the process. “Woah there, threatening an officer? that’s a few months in the local pen.” said the mare I was currently looking at. She was an off white pegasus with a purple and pink mane. She was wearing a pair of black mirrored aviator shades, a brown vest and cloak, and was currently flashing her badge, which named her as Detective Sergeant Dawn Sundancer. “Sorry about that detective, I’m a bit jumpy.” I said, sheathing my blade. Now was not the time or place to get involved with the law. “Quick question though…. Aren’t Sergeant and detective two completely different ranks in the force?” I asked. I was seriously confused by that. “Yeah, they are smart ass. Sergeant is part of my name. Don’t ask. Now answer the question. I’m especially curious about that one on your throat. Not something most ponies survive, having their throat cut.” she said, putting her badge away. Well, now it was all or nothing. If I didn’t pull of this lie I was screwed. “Well actually, most of these are from bar fights I’ve been in when my crew and I stopped at a port. The one on my throat, however, I got during a mutiny. My first mate wanted the ship, and decided it was worth cutting me and throwing me overboard for. Was picked up by a passing ship after floating for… Celestia only knows how long. They said I was lucky to be alive, and I believe them.” I said. I figured a tidbit of truth never hurt nopony. “Huh, interesting story. Since I have no other info on you, I’ll have to take you at your word. But just know that I’m watching you. Don’t go causing any trouble, or I will bury you. Understand?” she said, tilting her shades down a bit. Not enough for me to see the color of her eyes, but enough for me to see that she was giving me a death glare. “Yeah, I got it officer. I didn’t plan on causing trouble.” ‘only stealing a few things.’ I thought to myself as she walked away. I continued looking around, occasionally walking pat the boutique every now and again to see if anypony was going in or coming out. Eventually I decided the best way to figure out is to go in. I needed some casual clothes anyway. I’m sure you can imagine my surprise when I walked in to see Rarity working the counter. “Hello and wel… why hello there dahling, what brings you here?” she said, her tone indicating that she thought I was about to hold her up. “Oh hey there Rarity, I didn’t know you worked here.” “Why I don’t just work here, I live here! This is my business. Now what can I do for you?” ‘well there went the plan of breaking into this place’ I thought to myself. “I need some casual clothes, preferably something plain and black. You got anything like that?” “Oh, I’m sorry, but I don’t have anything like that. Though, I could easily make it!” she said, obviously excited at the prospect of making clothes for somepony. “Now I’ll just need to take some measurements, find a color that goes with both your coat and your mane an-” “Black, Rarity. This is supposed to be something I can wear and no one will really notice. Also, it would be great if you could make it so that it covers my cutie mark. And my throat.” I said, getting her back on track. “Oh, yes of course dahling, of course. I should’ve taken into account your line of work. And that nasty scar, I didn‘t notice that earlier. I won‘t ask.” she said, obviously having forgotten our previous conversation, “Now you just wait right there, I’ll be back with a tape measure.” she said as she walked into the back of the store. I heard the door open behind me to see Twilight walking in, saddle bags on her back. “Hey, funny meeting you here huh?” I said, trying to make light conversation. “Oh, hey! What are you doing here?” she asked. “I’m just here to get some casual clothing. As I’m sure you can see, I’m not exactly the best example of a pony.” I said, gesturing to all my showing scars, making her wince slightly. “Those look like they were painful. What happened to you?” she asked, worry almost literally dripping from her voice. “Which one?” I said with a laugh. “Each one’s got a different story.” she pointed to the one that had been the source of attention all day. “How about that one? How does somepony survive a cut there?” she asked. Any other scar and I wouldn’t have cared much. “That’s the only one I don’t like to talk about.” I said, the mere thought of that night making my blood boil. Just then Rarity came back, levitating a tape measure. “Here we are. Oh! Twilight my dear, what brings you here this fine morning?” “Oh, I just needed my saddle bag’s repaired, the bottoms have been wearing down. If use them more without repairing them, I’m afraid they’ll give out, and then I’ll need to buy brand new saddle bags.” she explained. Honestly, why she didn’t stop after the first sentence, I’ll never know. “Oh, we don’t want that. As soon as I’m done taking care of Mister Pick here, I’ll get right on that! Now Nick, I’m just going to need you to step over here,” she said, gesturing to a nearby platform, “And stand still.” I complied to the best of my abilities. In my line of work, patience can make the difference between life and death, so I’m used to not moving for extended periods of time. “You never told me where you’re from, did you dahling?” she asked. “No, I didn’t. If you must know, I moved here from Canterlot.” no sooner were the words out of my mouth then she let out an audible gasp of joy. “Canterlot!? Why you must simply tell me all about where you lived! I’m sure you lived in a very large mansion. Did you ever get to meet the princesses? Oh, who am I kidding, of cor-” I cut her off before she could continue. “Not that part of Canterlot.” I said, causing her to adopt a more confused look. “What other part of Canterlot is there?” she asked. I looked over to Twilight, who had a worried expression on her face. I had heard her name before while on the job, and I knew she was Celestia’s favored student. “Well, I’m sure your friend Twilight knows exactly what I’m talking about don’t you?” I said, a sly grin crossing my face. I just loved making ponies squirm about information they were loathe to share. “Twilight, dahling, what is he talking about?” Rarity asked her, looking even more confused. “Well…. You see… there’s.. how do I put it…” she said, obviously not used to being asked about this. I’d had my fun, so I decided to explain it. “What she’s trying to say is that there are two parts to that place. The part everypony knows, and that part nopony likes to talk about. If you can’t afford to live in the former, you’re banished to latter. You see, Canterlot is not the paradise of rich snobs you think it is. Most ponies from what’s called the “Undercity” aren’t even allowed into the main city. Give you one guess where I’m from.” I said, much to the disgust of both unicorns. “How could they do something like that? Did Prince Blue Blood order it to be that way? Oh, if he did, I’ll march right up there an-” I cut her off again. “Actually no. The order for those who couldn’t afford housing to be moved to a lesser part of the city came from somepony else. I hear Twilight's her biggest fan to.” I said, pushing all attention to Twilight, who began to panic. “Oh.. Well I, uh, I should probably just come back later, bye!” she said as she bolted out the door. I laughed a little bit. I knew she didn’t actually know anything about it, but I still found it amusing that she panicked. “So, any way’s, tell me a bit about yourself Nick. I’m sure you’ve some… interesting stories to tell.” she said. “Ha! Interesting would be an understatement. Lets just say nothing really bothers me that much anymore and leave it at that, eh?” I said, to which Rarity simply nodded her head. She continued her work in silence, except whenever she would ask me to move, or hold something for her. “Alright then, all finished. I’ll have your garments mailed to your house as soon as they are done.” she said as she took the final measurements. I simply thanked her and walked out the door. That’s when I noticed I was sweating. It wasn’t that warm out though. In fact, it was slightly chilly, being mid autumn. Suddenly I tripped over nothing, almost falling to the ground. This caused me to immediately realize what it was. I began to check myself, but then I remembered my cloak didn’t have pockets. “Shit! I left them at home!” I swore loudly. “Left what at home?” asked detective Sundancer, who seemed to have been following me since our encounter earlier that day. I would’ve told her, but at this point my vision was blurry and I was hyperventilating, trying hard as I could not to throw up. Eventually, I stumbled and fell, the last thing I heard before I blacked out was the detective screaming. “somepony get an ambulance!”. And then everything went black.