//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1 
// Story: Nightshade: The Adventure Begins 
// by JustPonyboy 
//------------------------------//

"So, you got all that or you need me to repeat that Ace?"


The gray pegasus snapped awake as the unicorn before him tapped the table, sitting up straight in his chair, and ran a hoof through his fancily curled jet-black mane. Giving a small stretch to his legs and wings. Through his sleepy haze he muttered back a small 'whatever' as he directed his glare elsewhere, this was not what he thought Celestia had in mind when she said a small vacation away from home. Why were they meeting in a bakery at the crack of dawn in a small town?


"What?" He really hadn't been listening but he pieced together the gist, "I don't need a foal sitter, especially not such a grumpy and old one."


Ace didn't notice as Nightshade nearly exploded at the younger pony, all he knew was that he was getting hungry just smelling all the baked goods. An incredulous look painted on Nightshade's face, Did this little shit call me old?


"Look you little brat, I hate this arrangement as much as you do if not more. But I owe Sun-butt. You just gotta stick around 'till your coronation. Whenever that may be." The charcoal unicorn pushed up his glasses before an irritated sigh left his muzzle. "You can call me Nightshade. I just wish she didn't drop you off first thing in the morning or on my vacation for that matter. Now get up, I go shopping to do and I'd rather not leave you alone where I live."


A tray of muffins was slid onto the table, much to the surprise of Nightshade, he raised an eyebrow, glancing inquisitively at the pink poofy-maned baker who seemed to have materialized out of thin air.


"Pinks we didn't order anything, we were about to leave- "


Pinkie silenced the unicorn with a boop to his nose and one of the brightest smiles he's ever seen, "It's on the house, silly! It's not often royalty pays a visit."


Nightshade face hoofed, he'd forgotten about her tendency to know things without a reasonable explanation.


The baker looked over to the gray pegasus who returned her uncomfortable smile with a nervous smirk, Nightshade watched as something seemed to wash over Pinkie the instant she made eye contact with Ace. 


The colt released a sigh and the air felt different, "Thanks, uh, Pinkie was it?"


The normally loud and all over the place earth pony suddenly found her hooves very interesting as she stammered out a quiet 'Yeah no problem', before tripping over herself as she walked back behind the counter. The confusion was all Nightshade could feel as he made a mental note of the odd behavior, either Ace didn't notice or didn't care as he dug into the food laid before him. 


Maybe it's some type of subtle passive magic field? Nightshade furrowed his brow in thought. Or maybe that's his talent... Great, another Speed, just what I need.


When the food was done they were off to a place just outside of town. It wasn't long before the familiar bar came into sight, while Nightshade light up Ace seemed to be falling asleep on his hooves. Nightshade was in disbelief, the colt's escort told him that the colt slept nearly the whole 48 hour trip from Las Pegasus. Then again, this was probably the most exercise that he'll get all year. The decently sized building had a neon sign hung on the outside that read, 'Lucky's. The unicorn sighed, he really was babysitting a grown stallion while Celestia was probably lazing about. He could worry about that later, right now he needs a drink. By the time they arrived at the bar at the edge of the Everfree, the sky faded into an orange purple mix. 


A smile rested on Nightshade's muzzle as he walked in, however it gave way to an annoyed glare as he realized Ace had stopped and sat outside. Nightshade really needed a drink about now and his patience was basically shot, he stepped back outside letting out an exasperated sigh. "Ace, what the hell are you doing?"


"Well, legally I'm not allowed in any establishment serving alcohol- "


Nightshade simply scowled at the colt and Ace wasted no time trotting inside.


Although the outside didn't look very welcoming, the inside was warm and welcoming. There was even a brick fireplace for the wintertime. Tonight, however, few ponies sat at the tables socializing. Most just want to have an alone drink. Lucky's bar wasn't the fanciest place in all of Equestria, but it was like home to the unicorn as well as a few other mares and stallions looking for a quiet place to drink. He had a history with the place and its owner. He was about to call out for said owner when he noticed Ace making his way towards the polished wood bar, Nightshade watched the soon-to-be royalty trotted over to one of the barstools in a way that could only be replicated by a young colt. The more he paid Ace attention the more questions he had. Both stallions took their seats and Nightshade peered over at the stallion next to him, Ace was absentmindedly tapping the counter and he seemed to fidget quite a bit.


"Nightshade," Ace's voice barely even registered to him. "Why am I really here? The princess said a vacation, but I think that's a lie."


"There are bad people- I mean- ponies who wish to do you harm or worse, and she decided I was the best course of action. I'm sorry I came off really bitchy, I'm supposed to be on vacation."


Ace nodded, "It was also a little early. I usually would have eaten by then. I normally have ponies wake me and feed me you know."


He had a bit of a better understanding of Ace now, they spoiled him and Celestia made sure of it. Why? He decided to pry a bit more, taking a quick peek at Ace's cutie mark. Four playing cards but only to top card can be seen, an ace of hearts.


"Do you know what your talent is?"


"Does being really good at blackjack count? I have no clue, I don't even remember getting the thing."


Nightshade raised an eyebrow. That's not possible. How does something like that just remove itself from your memory? He turned his head as a green earth pony with a shamrock cutie mark dragged some type of case out to the counter before stuffing it underneath, said pony placed a glass on the bar counter for him. The frothy golden liquid was a welcoming sight.


"Lucky, how'd you know?"


"Well ye know I got a great memory-," Lucky glanced over at Ace who had been watching the bartender intently. "Say, who's the wide-eyed colt?"


Ace remained silent as Nightshade pat the pegasus on his shoulder, "This is Ace. Some sheltered Prince from Las Pegasus that Celestia sent me to babysit. But it's an easy job I guess, so long as Classics is still out of town and Speed and Endie is still on that 'Girls Trip' with Struck and Krystal- "


He face hoofed as he heard the familiar metallic groaning.