//------------------------------// // Chapter 31 // Story: The Tome of Faust // by DungeonMiner //------------------------------// “Thank you, Mouse, for the company you gave me,” Luna said as she stood at the threshold of the castle gate. “It was my pleasure, my lady,” he answered, dressed in his cloak, and his bag fully packed. “I pray your journey back to void will be pleasant.” “It won’t be,” Luna said, before whispering to him. “Between you and me, I don’t want to leave.” “But it’s what you should do, right?” Mouse grunted. “Hush, child. You’ve had enough of that talk for one day.” He sighed. “You’re right, of course, still this whole thing stinks.” “I’m sure it does,” she answered with an amused smile. “My blessing goes with you, Mouse, use it wisely.” Mouse nodded, and took a step across the moat before he paused. “Speaking of the Lady of Fate, what’s happening to her?” “She’s going ahead of us,” Luna said. “She’s clearing the way back, out to the West, where we shall leave.” Mouse frowned. “I still think that you leaving is a bad idea.” “Perhaps, Mouse. Perhaps…” Luna said, glancing up at the sky. “Best of luck, Mouse.” “Best of luck to you,” he answered. He took a few more steps across the moat before Luna called to him. “Head east, it’s the fastest way out of the Forest.” Mouse nodded. “Many thanks, my Lady.” She watched him go, silently staring out of the castle gate, before she retreated back into the tall, grey stone walls. The trip out of the Dark Wood was much faster than the trip in. Within six hours, he was already out, staring at a great, almost idyllic field, with a slow, lazy river running through it. A few lone trees stood in the field, even a young oak that caught Mouse's eye. It'd be nice to shelter under if it were later in the evening. Moving forward, he meandered through the yet untapped countryside and mentally bemoaned the fact a place this pretty would be so close to the Wood. It'd take a mad pony to settle here. By the time he crossed the river, the sun was finally beginning to set, and he began looking for a place to camp in earnest. He scanned the horizon, checking for a good place to camp before he looked up to check the weather. He saw a pegasus. The one that was hunting him. “Not again,” he growled, before he turned to run. He galloped across the field, running away from the river as it'd only slow him down. He looked back for a second, checking to see if it'd shoot him down. The pegasus didn't even have his bow out. That was all he needed to see. Turning back ahead he doubled down on his sprint. The pegasus would have to slow to ready his bow and arrow, and that's be more than enough for him to get away. If the pegasus wanted to catch up and get into melee, well, Mouse would certainly oblige. “Hang on!” the pegasus yelled from behind. “Not likely,” Mouse thought with a smirk. “Sarding stop!” the pegasus yelled again as Mouse redoubled his efforts, hooves pounding across the field. Mouse looked up again, watching the pegasus as he began to climb. He moved higher, putting distance between them, and Mouse wasn’t sure why. What he did know was that this was the best time to hide. He snapped his head around, looking for cover, some copse of trees to duck under, an overhang, anything to force the pegasus to the ground to continue. Nothing caught his eye, though, all of the good trees were back in the Dark Wood, and the field offered very little in terms of rocky overhangs. The pegasus streaked down like a comet, diving in front of him, pulling up to land only inches from the ground as he slid to halt in front of the unicorn. Mouse slid in the grass, stopping himself even as he drew his knives. “Easy, buddy, easy!” the pegasus said. “Just want to talk this time.” “A little late for that, isn’t?” Mouse growled, daggers leveled. “Look, Brutus hogs the contracts, he doesn’t let anypony else touch them, he didn’t realize they wanted you alive and undamaged, and we nearly lost all our cash from trying.” “Right, and I’m Princess Silver.” “Look, I know trying to kill you isn’t the best introduction, but we just need you to come with us to Canterlot. After that, we won’t accept any jobs to come after you again, you’ll be free from us, full stop.” Mouse shrugged. “I’m used to running at this point.” “Look, we’ll pay you, alright? No strings attached, no hard feelings, we go our separate ways.” Mouse glared. “How much?” “We’re prepared to give you four hundred now, and another four hundred when we get there.” Mouse glared, before he lowered one knife. “Who sent you?” “A guard. Don’t know her name. She said she wanted you, didn’t say why. Course, if she wanted you arrested, she’d just send guards so I don’t think it’s to throw you jail.” Mouse frowned. “That doesn’t fill me with confidence.” “Look, I get it, but this is all just one nearly-fatal mistake. We’re trying to make it up to you, so all we want to do is get you there, and save our reputations.” Mouse glared a moment longer, before he slid his daggers into his bag. “Alright, I’ll come, on one condition.” “What?” “I want my pay to come out of Brutus’ share first.” The pegasus blinked, and smiled. “We can arrange that, trust me.” The trip to Canterlot was short, and Mouse found himself in the city in very little time. Despite how little time it took, Mouse felt exhausted by the end of it. He barely slept as they traveled, in case the hunters had laid the strangest, yet laziest trap he had seen. To that point he had barely spoken a word to his “captors,” either and very obviously meant to keep it that way, though he did learn a little about the three ponies, not that he cared much. Brutus was the earth pony with the greatsword, and though he did scowl at Mouse from across the camp, he said nothing, which served Mouse just fine. The unicorn, Galeflame, had tried once or twice to speak, but when Mouse didn’t answer after the third time, he gave up. Hunter, the pegasus, quickly realized that it would be useless to talk, and left him alone. Overall Mouse was pleased to see that he got his message across. The three kept to themselves, and he kept to himself, and everyone was happier for it. Canterlot was much as he remembered it, nestled at the foot of the mountain, growing outward thanks to a steady stream of immigrants, all trying to make their name in the new country of Equestria. As the trio escorted him into the city proper, the familiar sight of buildings built of fresh cut wood, and noble houses pretending to be grander than they are watched him pass silently by. It was oddly familiar,  and strangely comforting to Mouse, for reasons he didn't quite understand. He moved after his captors, smiling as he saw Opal's Emporium, the Keystone Inn, and the newly built Tavern that replaced Ole’ Punch's place. He needed to visit it on the way out. Meanwhile, the three hunters led Mouse up to the castle, where the guards let them pass with only a few questions. The castle stood, again much as he remembered, with only the fact that the courtyard was full of guard being the only difference between them. “I see they’re finally tightening security,” Mouse grunted, speaking his first words to Galefire since they met. “It only took what? A murder right under their noses?” The unicorn blinked, surprised that Mouse was actually talking to him before he answered. “Uh...well, in a manner of speaking. Hurricane dismantled the Canterlot guard fairly quickly, replaced almost everyone in it for some reason. The guard has been replaced with more military ponies or out-of-towners, I grant you, but the activity is not related to that.” Mouse gave him a glance. “Now, I don’t know if this is true or not, but I have heard that it’s actually because there’s been a few attacks on the castle.” “By who?” “I’ve heard it was the Horn.” “The Horn?” Galefire looked from side to side, checking for anyone who might hear. “The Horn of the Mystic Oath, Goldies, Unicornia old money, all kinds of supremacists. All nutjobs.” The image of the five-pointed star flashed in his head. “I see,” Mouse said, before he went quiet. The entourage led him down the hallways, past thick, heavy doors, before he finally came to the office of the last captain of the guard, Golden Spear. One of the guards knocked on the door, and called out. “Ma’am? The hunters are back!” The door opened, and Mouse immediately burst into laughter as he saw Golden Shield standing there. “Yeah, that’s the one,” she said with a sigh, before turning to the hunters. “Go get your pay, leave him with me.” Mouse laughed again, even as Golden Shield dragged him into her office. He laughed again as she closed the door and sat him in a chair, and he still laughed as she took her own seat on the opposite side of the desk. He laughed, and laughed, and laughed again. “Are you done?” she asked. “Nearly,” Mouse answered. “Well, I’m glad you find this so humorous.” “I’m supposed to think otherwise? You’ve called me for Luna knows what reason, and expect me to what? Why am I even here? Congratulations on the promotion, by the way.” “It’s not a promotion, I’ve been reassigned until the issue with the Canterlot Guard is taken care of,” she told him. “Don’t change the topic, this is important.” “Of course it is.” “It is,” she insisted. “A number of maniacs have tried killing the Princess.” “Again? Oh no, how terrible. You’ll actually have to do your job.” “Mouse, I swear.” “Look, Golden,” Mouse said, “I appreciate that you decided to call me for whatever job you had, but I’m not interested. I’ve spent enough time doing somepony else’s work, I’m done with it. I’m not doing this anymore. I’m done. No more favors, no more jobs. I’m retired.” She sighed, “It’s not that simple, Mouse. This is more serious than a simple chore.” “And I don’t care.” “Well you should, Mouse. Equestria is a stake.” “Little melodramatic, isn’t it?” “No, it’s not, and that’s the problem,” she said. “The Founders themselves are asking for this job, and it’s as serious as they come. I need you to understand that, Mouse, they think it’s that important.” Mouse rolled his eyes. “Great, and why should I care?” “Because it’ll destroy Equestria.” “And what has Equestria done for me?” he growled. “I tried to play by Equestria’s rules, and in return, I was thrown to the wolves. So why should I care?” “Because it’s still better there than anywhere else!” she said. “Earthonia’s corrupt, Unicornia’s up its own arse for nobility, and Pegasopolis is under complete Martial Law! Equestria’s the best chance for ponykind.” “And I don’t care,” Mouse said. “If you care that much, you can get someone else to do it.” “I could, but I called you, because you’re the best thief I know, Celestia damn you.” “She wishes she could,” Mouse replied. She glared at him. “Mouse, we’re willing to pay you.” “Don’t want your money.” “Land?” “No.” “A title?” “What good will that do me?” “Then what do you want?” “I want to be left alone.” “We need you!” “Find someone else.” “There is no one else! You’re it.” “Too bad!” he yelled back. “I’m not going, I’m not jumping through hoops, I’m done being led around like a dog. I am not the universe’s pack mule! I never asked to be the one that fate itself depends on, and I’m not going whatever stupid quest you have.” “The one Fate itself depends on?” Golden asked. “And you said I was overdramatic.” “I said you were melodramatic,” Mouse corrected. She sighed. “Fine. I don’t know why I bothered. Just go.” “Gladly.” “No, wait, I will escort you out, because are a dirty thief.” Mouse snorted. “Sure, fine.” Mouse slid out of his chair, and went quietly as Golden Shield led him out of the castle. Mouse grunted, annoyed that he’d been pulled here for this, when they came across an intersection, and the clank of armor could be heard approaching him. Golden Shield slowed, yielding the right of way as a trio of ponies walked by, A heavily armored pegasus stallion, an earth pony  with a large, ornate hat, and her… It was the Princess, in her perfectly white coat, and her platinum mane, walking past him, so close he could reach out and touch her. He caught a gasp in his throat, and realized a second too late that she heard it. Her amethyst eyes fell on him in a moment, and he never felt so exposed in all his life. “It’s you,” she said simply, and Mouse cursed the fact that she recognized him, because of course she did. She stepped closer, as the other founders paused. “You’re still alive,” she said, in more of a statement of fact than a question. Mouse didn’t answer her. His tongue felt swollen, and a terrible sense of guilt washed over him as he stared back into the Princess’ eyes. She glanced over at Golden Shield. “Oh, are you the one Officer Shield spoke of? Then perhaps there is hope for us after all.” Mouse swallowed. “Y-you remember me?” “Of course I do, Mouse,” she said. “After what Clover did for you, I couldn’t possibly forget.” Mouse opened his mouth, but felt the words die in his throat. He hadn’t been this close to the Princess since his escape, and seeing her like this brought a rush of memories back to his head. The strange, desperate insistence of Clover the Clever that “Mouse would save us all,” the hope in her eyes shining even as she lay bleeding on the sewer floor, and the strange weight that her life had on his waking mind. She knew. She knew that Fate picked him, she knew, and did everything in her power to make sure he’d make it. Clover died to save Equestria through him. “So have you come then, to save us as she foretold?” The Princess asked, her eyes mournful, and voice quivering. Damn you, Seyella. Damn you to Tartarus. “I have, My Lady, in memory of Clover, who gave me my life.” Golden Shield did a double take. Platinum smiled. “Thank you, Mouse. Finally, I can rest easy knowing that you will be there, as Clover said you would.” Mouse nodded, bowing as the Princess continued on her way. He stayed bowed for a moment or two, before Golden turned to him. “The Sarding Tartarus was that?!” Mouse sighed. “Just tell me what we’re doing.” “No, I’m not letting that go. There’s so many things going on there, and they all need explaining.” Mouse glared at her. “Do you want my help or not?” She grit her teeth. “Fine, but you owe me an explanation. If you follow me back to my office.” She led him back, and took her seat, and Mouse did the same as she sighed, and began. “Alright, so, the Horn of the Mystic Oath has been attacking the Castle on and off for the past few days. At first it was a few infiltrators that tried to assassinate the guards and the Founders, but it’s been escalating lately.” Mouse decided to keep quiet about his last visit to the Canterlot Castle. “A unicorn mage caused an explosion on one of the corner towers. It only managed to take three casualties, but it caught the attention of some of the new nobles. It spooked them, and some of them began to have some dissenting talks. Some about leaving, which hurts our claim to legitimacy. We’ve been able to convince most of the nobles it was an alchemical accident, but that’s not going to last long. “This leaves us with our mission. We need to destroy the Mystic Oath, and hopefully find out why they’re targeting Equestria.” “Alright, so what leads do you have?” Mouse asked. “Not many, unfortunately,” she admitted. “The Mystic Oath’s been striking like a snake, attacking without warning, and worse still, without an obvious origin point. I have no signs as to where to find them, and the worst part is, the longer we take, the more attacks hit Canterlot, the more attacks, the more dissent, the more dissent, the higher of a chance that Equestria crumbles.” “So you need someone who can track?” “Again, not that simple. If it were just tracking, then we’d hire a ranger or someone from the Darkwood Company, but the issue is that we know there are some nobles hiding them. The Mystic Oath has several very powerful friends, and that can’t be ignored.” “So you need an infiltrator.” “Yes, but they’re very talented at magic, and that makes things difficult yet again. In fact, I know that they have methods that block magic, as well as detect unicorn magic on top of the defense they have.” “I see.” “That’s why I figured you’d be a good choice. You have magic, and experience in breaking into ponies’ homes. You seemed like the perfect fit.” Mouse rolled his eyes. “Thanks. Unfortunately, I’m not going to be enough.” “I thought you said you were going to take the job,” Golden said. “Oh, I am, but we’re going to need more than just me. Luckily, I know a few ponies that can help us out if they will.” “So what? Are you suggesting we put together a team?” Mouse nodded. “As much as it pains me to say it, yes.” “Alright, so where do we start?” “In town, but you might have to get your hooves dirty.” She grimaced. “Great, but what did I expect working with a criminal.” “Don’t worry,” Mouse said, “only one of them’s a criminal, maybe two, and the other two will want to run me through.” She smirked. “Now that sounds more like my speed. Alright, let’s go get your team.” Mouse sat at his favorite stall, eating his red onion soup, waiting for his first pony to show. Golden was a few blocks down, waiting, grumpily down the way while Mouse did his best to set up a meeting. He’d never been to the Canterlot thieves guild, so the set up was going to be harder than he really wanted, but hopefully someone would bite on the lure he was putting out. He went through two bowls of soup before a voice whispered behind him. “You know you have a flock behind you right?” You have guards tailing you. “Not a flock, Cut, just one bird, but it’s complicated,” Mouse said, smiling as he turned to see Cut Purse behind him. “Now that sounds like a story,” Cut said, before he slapped Mouse on the back. “Good to see you again, Mouse. I was afraid you met Jack Ketch you went so quiet.” Thought maybe you’d been hanged. “No, not so bad, though I did take up some professional shoulder tapping.” No, though I did wind up an Assassin for a while. “And I thought you said the shadows weren’t for you.” Mouse shrugged. “The stuffing was good. Now, I’m very glad to see you, because we need your help.” “Me? Need hired help for your game? Need to get you out of the Guesthouse?” Need an accomplice for a job? Need someone to bail you out? “No, no. I need someone to help me play a new game. A game for the birds.” I need your help to steal for the guards. “For the birds?” Cut asked. “What kind of game are you playing?” “My shadow can tell you all about it,” Mouse replied, “but the gist is that they need a special kind of stuffing in order to keep things running here, and they need a special kind of gentleman to do it, so they hired me, and I’m offering you the chance to get your piece of the pie.” Cut shook his head. “You’re something Mouse,” he said, before putting some copper bits down and ordering a bowl of soup himself. “Alright, call your bird over, and let’s talk.” Mouse nodded, before waving Golden over, before he introduced his “independent gentleman of fortune” friend. The first member of the team was secured.