//------------------------------// // Chapter Five: Friendly Neighborhood Monster // Story: SL-5: Love, Fluff, and Thunder // by RadBunny //------------------------------// The cozy atmosphere of the bar shifted as the night fell. While other establishments would become rowdy and obnoxious, this one changed to a more mellow tone. It was a place to get a few drinks, yes. But it was also known to those in the nightlife as the restaurant to snag delicious food, rain or shine, day or night. And tonight was, to many, a dreary one. A drizzle of rain fell outside, the streetlamps illuminating the droplets as they fell. Arcane loved it. The stallion relaxed in a secluded chair, the general disguise on his figure good enough for a casual glance. He wasn’t here for the booze or the food. Well, perhaps some of the latter at a later time. Instead, he just wanted to hear some conversations and see normal creatures. He didn’t usually venture out this late, so this would be interesting. Just a bit of creature-watching, as it were. A book on meditation was an additional distraction as well. He thanked the waitress, a young unicorn mare, as she refilled his water. Sure, he could have created a meal for himself or even cooked a different dish at home. But the point was to be out among creatures, and food created with magic didn’t taste the same. It was a simple pastime, and it helped him feel normal. Even if it was just for a moment. Nilli drew the cloak around her tighter, the tired gryphoness meandering into the restaurant. She wanted to sleep, but that wouldn’t come for many hours. A headache throbbed in her temples, and a slight shiver ran through her lithe frame. Waking up from a nap with a nameless, formless nightmare wasn’t on the gryphoness’s plans, nor was the dreary atmosphere that soaked her feathers. She had half a mind to stay indoors, but her stomach demanded hot, restaurant-quality food. This was the only place she could get the salmon seared the perfect way, after all. She meandered into the sparsely-populated restaurant with a huff, shaking her cloak off as Cream Jug, the unicorn bartender, waved to her. “Hey, Nilli! The usual?” the bartender asked. “Yep. And some of that hot chocolate. Load it up with whipped cream too.” “On it!” Cream was one of the few creatures that Nilli had found that recognized her from her career. But he hadn’t breathed a word to a single creature, the loyal stallion having completely understood her predicament. Of course, it also helped that Cream’s coltfriend was a total fan of Nilli’s work, and the protective Pegasus had nearly had blown a gasket when learning about her reasons for moving. She didn’t know the pair well, but they were nice enough to respect her desire to be incognito. And they were friendly despite her initially prickly demeanor. She had learned that was worth quite a bit nowadays. The gryphoness relaxed on the chair, leaning over the counter with an exhausted sigh. These days were becoming more common, insomnia digging into her emotional and mental reservoirs which were in drought conditions on a good day. “Long day?” a voice called out from behind her. The gryphoness let out a huff, too tired to turn around. The voice was from a booth that looked away from her. Unless the creature was turning around, they wouldn’t see her, and vice versa. Even if they did see her, the cloak covered almost the entire gryphoness. “You could say that,” she replied. “You?” the gryphoness half-expected it to be someone who recognized her even with the cloak. That was the last thing she needed; it was one of the reasons she moved around far outside of the Gryphon lands. Wouldn’t that fit my mood? I’ll throw them through a window if I have to. “Long-ish day. Not too bad myself. A pity the tension that’s everywhere can’t be bottled and sold as a soda. It’d probably be a hit.” As the creature talked, Nilliana couldn’t help but recognize the voice from somewhere. It was a male, as far as she could tell. It also seemed a bit distorted, but her magical senses didn’t pick up anything. There simply wasn’t anything magical about the creature behind her at the table. It was about as bland of a signature as could be. A unicorn perhaps? She didn’t mind. It was oddly nice to talk to someone without having to look at them. Just two nameless creatures in a bar. Her usual prickly barriers were muted; no reason to be antagonistic here. “Is the hot chocolate good here? I may snag some of that,” the creature mused, Nilli nodding. “I come here for the salmon and hot chocolate. So, I’d suggest it.” “Well, in that case, I’ll take an order!” The bartender waved in affirmative, Nilli shaking her head. “You’re quite the chatty one.” She could almost sense the physical wince from the creature. “Sorry. I’ve not had the chance to speak with creatures for a while. Still getting used to it. Talking, that is.” That’s a loaded sentence if I’ve ever heard one. “Fair enough. I’m too tired to care if I’m being honest. I doubt you come here for the conversation. Or is it the booze?” There was an audible “yuck” from the creature, animated enough to have a smile twitch at Nilli’s beak. “Neither. I find it a nice place to read and just get the general flow of the public. I’m not a drinker. Never will be. I’ve seen too many creatures do bad things when they get a few bottles in them.” There was an odd weight to the creature’s words as if they were forcing themselves to censor words unsaid. “Well, at least we can drink hot chocolate as a toast to that,” Nilli said, taking the steaming beverage and sipping at it. “I won’t touch the stuff. I’ve had to break quite a few gryphon’s beaks for not understanding what “back off,” means, and countless others decided to try and win me over after downing a few shots.” “Not a fan of drunken soliloquies?” That drew a snort from Nilli, along with the ghost of a smile. It had been a while since a stranger had said something that nearly made the gryphoness laugh. “Pretty sure a bunch of puckwudgies banging on a typewriter would produce better pick-up lines than those idiots. I moved away to get as far from that stuff as possible.” She hadn’t meant to say that out loud, but not sleeping for more than a few hours for a week had worn the gryphoness’s mental barriers to a hair. “Sounds frustrating,” the voice said. “I’m sorry to hear that, for whatever a stranger’s sympathy is worth.” “It’s worth more than some,” Nilli huffed, shaking her head. “I’d rather be a stranger to most, honestly. The attention is exhausting. And I don’t say that to brag.” “I can somewhat relate,” the voice said softly. “Not completely, but it’s why I come here. It’s nice to be just another face in the crowd.” “A celebrity? Or just another creature running?” the gryphoness mused. “Huh. Well, what are you running from then, fame?” she then waved a set of claws in the air. “Nah. Too personal. Sorry I asked.” The voice didn’t respond immediately, but Nilli’s sharp hearing picked up a shaky intake of breath, the creature letting it out slowly. “Some things always catch you. Doesn’t matter how far you run,” the voice said. “I don’t get to escape it. I have to learn how to deal with it. That involves learning how to talk to creatures again.” A mirthless chuckle left their mouth. “So, sorry if I talk your ears off. Feel free to tell me to shut it. I won’t mind.” “Nah. You’re good. I haven’t shot the breeze with someone in…” her voice drifted off, and Nilli’s ears flattened. “A long time. I can do with some mindless chatter, no offense.” “None taken.” The voice paused. “What do most creatures talk about in a bar? I haven’t spent enough time during other hours to know.” The innocent question made Nilli snort in amusement. Quite the sheltered creature, this one. She envied them. “Depends on the time of day. Booze, mates, sex, politics, money, basically anything that isn’t usually discussed at a family dinner,” the gryphoness said with a tired huff. “That sort of thing.” “That sounds interesting at least. Live entertainment if nothing else.” Nilliana chuckled, taking a bite of the seared salmon with a satisfied hum. Whoever this creature was, they provided the exact balance of conversation she didn’t mind. The type that didn’t require a lot of thinking, but wasn’t entirely mindless. Perfect for a sleep-deprived and headache-ridden gryphoness. She didn’t have to be on guard as much. “Oh, very interesting. Don’t get me started on creatures trying to pick up stallions, hens, mares, whoever. Sometimes it works, other times it’s free entertainment. It’s fun to watch until it’s you in the crosshairs.” Her tone was far more bitter than originally intended, the gryphoness then turning to her meal. To the other creature’s credit, he didn’t immediately respond. “Ah. Hence the moving? This is a big city, but a fairly new one at that.” “Your levels of perception are astounding,” Nilli replied with a bit more sarcastic of a snort than she intended. “But more or less. I’d like to think this is the place I can settle down, but we’ll see. Only been here a few months.” “Well, I can safely say there’s one creature who has no idea who you are,” the voice said with a chuckle. “Pony, kirin, gryphon, not a clue. And I suppose there’s a nice comfort in that. I don’t really care who someone is, as long as they’re kind.” A soft laugh echoed from behind the gryphoness. “Sounds so childish. But sometimes the simplest approach is the correct one.” “Well, aren’t you quite the philosopher,” Nilli said with a soft laugh. “Wouldn’t expect to find your type at a restaurant this late.” “Eh. I don’t have a normal sleep schedule,” the creature admitted. “Well, as an insomniac myself, welcome to the club.” An amused hum was the creature’s reply, the two of them delving into their various foods. The fact they ate salmon was a clue to Nilli- that meant not a pony. Or at least one who was far more adventurous than most. Judging from the lack of gagging, the stranger wasn’t a pony; they couldn’t have eaten an entire salmon meal straight-faced. Funny enough, she didn’t care who they were. Well, not at this moment. But for the future, she was curious indeed. “Alright, here’s a question for you, faceless stranger,” Nilli asked, having finished her meal. “What’s something you’d never say to a pony? Or a hippogriff? Or whatever society you grew up with?” The voice chuckled; it was a rather pleasant sound. It had a deep, genuine tone to it, but not to the point of being obnoxious. “An appropriate question between strangers I suppose. Alright. My answer fits the current setting, from what you described.” “Oh?” Another chuckle, a soft sigh echoing out. “Well, I’m far more at ease around predators such as gryphons, rather than creatures similar to myself,” the voice said softly. “That includes romantic interest and generally writes off almost all ponies. No offense, if applicable.” So. He’s a pony or a kirin then? Maybe hippogriffs, but they’re less predatory. “None taken. But that doesn’t seem like that big of a deal. Not with all the integration and travel back and forth nowadays. Plenty of creatures have preferred company.” Nilli mused, rather happy to discuss the topic as long as it wasn’t focused on her. It was a bit refreshing. “Oh, it isn’t that a big deal to many,” the creature admitted. “But I…scare creatures.” “Oh? Big, scary philosopher? Color me surprised.” Another chuckle, but this one had a darker undertone that abruptly made Nilli’s hackles prickle. And then it was gone. A definite tinge of sadness was in the air. “I don’t know you, and you certainly don’t know me. Maybe that’s for the best,” the voice said, its tone rather soft and melancholy. “It’s hard to relate to creatures like ponies when their worst fears are having a rain storm ruin their manes, or the power shutting off for a day and ruining a single meal. By and large, they know nothing of-” The creature stopped talking, and Nilli could have sworn she heard the gritting of teeth. “Sorry. That turned into a rant.” “Eh. A valid one I suppose,” Nilli mused. “Most creatures, ponies especially, are soft, but they can teach those of us who lack their friendship and life-is-good structure of living. Pleasant, but not in overwhelming doses.” She then let out a chuckle, draining her hot chocolate mug. “Eh. You don’t seem that bad. Besides, not like you’ve killed anyone.” The following pause was the definition of an awkward silence. She almost missed it, but her sensitive hearing picked up a very long, slow exhale of breath. “Ah,” Nilliana finally said calmly. Despite her casual tone, a dozen defensive spells began to creep along her frame. For a split second, she felt like prey, rather than the predator. Out late at night, alone. Of course. I should have seen the red flags. I was stupid for letting my guard down. I never can. I should have learned that by now. The bartender had a few emergency options, that much Nilli knew when he ran off a few drunken idiots every month with a metal baseball bat. Somehow, the gryphoness didn’t think that’d do much good. Her spells could bring down an airship, she knew that much. So, unless this guy was something the Elements of Harmony should be dealing with, she could handle him. All she had to do was- “And that’s the reason why I don’t usually talk to creatures. Something always slips out. You won’t need those spells. I’ll leave.” The soft voice abruptly cut off Nilliana’s frantic thoughts. It sounded almost like the creature was near tears; quivering and scared. “I can’t even pretend to be normal for long. I just don’t want to be feared,” the voice said, struggling to keep an even tone. “But I’m so tired of lies.” The creature got up, hugging the isle opposite Nilli. Whoever they were, they were making an active effort to stay as far away from the on-edge gryphoness as possible. She hadn’t even done anything yet other than have her spells on a hair-trigger. Detecting her efforts would require significant skill in mage-craft indeed. The creature neared the door, and a heavy sack of coins gently landed on the counter as the barkeep stared. “Sorry for ruining your evening. That’s the bill and a tip.” “Now wait just a-” Nilli began with a bit of a snarl, turning to look. They were gone. There wasn’t the sound or signature of a teleportation spell either. The creature may as well have never been there in the first place. “Ok, who in the world was that, Cream?” Nilli asked, rounding on the shocked unicorn. The barkeeper staring. “Uh, I have no idea.” “What, he’s never been here before?” “No, it’s the same guy. He’s just different every single time,” the waitress piped up, the mare sitting down with a conflicted expression. “Sometimes he’s a pony or a gryphon. Other times a kirin or hippogriff. But he always acts the same, so it’s easy to know it’s him. He’s always really nice though, if not a bit chatty. Just orders non-alcoholic drinks, and various meals. He sits in a corner booth and reads. Sometimes seems to be napping or just listening. His tips are beyond generous too. I didn’t think he was unhinged or anything.” Nilli let out a frustrated grunt, her head shaking. “Well, that doesn’t add up. A changeling perhaps? But there’s some crazy-powerful magic at work here. I should have been able to sense it. But there’s nothing, not even a spark.” “Do you want me to ban him from the place?” Cream asked cautiously. “No. That’s-he didn’t do anything. Just sounded like he was dealing with some stuff,” Nilli said. “He just sounded like he was dealing with some stuff. And quite frankly, I know you’ve entertained sketchier company than him.” “Fair.” The gryphoness ordered a dessert, her mind musing over what had just transpired. Who in the world was that?! The unicorn tottered on his hooves, his limbs trembling. Slumping down with a *thud* on the living room floor, Arcane tried futilely to wipe away the tears streaming from his eyes. Stupid. He couldn’t escape it. There was always something. A sentence, a mannerism, something always gave away his tortured past and inexperience with society. He could change his form, his voice, everything that creatures could see, smell, or touch. But he couldn’t change what was underneath. He couldn’t change him. It ate into the unicorn’s mind. The memories and horror eagerly pounced upon the weakness, threatening to overwhelm him. It was so hard to not monologue, to engage in small talk. Fluttershy was trying to help. But when nobody listened to you for fifteen years, it was an almost desperate, gripping fear that you’d never be heard again. And so, the words just ran out of his mouth. It was a difficult mindset to break. But, as in the past, when the memories and trauma were overwhelming, Arcane did the only thing he knew would help. Chaos. Give me someone to help. In his city, a spinning wheel rotated around franticly. Eventually, it settled on a random event, and a portal opened in front of Arcane. A single word guided him as he jumped in. “Save.” Jumping into an alleyway, Arcane looked around. It was a large city, darkness shrouding every nook and cranny off of the main street. A group of ten ponies stared at him in response; all stallions. A terrified squeak then made him turn, and Arcane saw two young mares cowering against the dead-end of the alley. They had been crying and running. Makeup ran down their face as they struggled to catch their breath. A young stallion was wheezing next to them, his face bloodied as he struggled to stay awake. “What the- who are you?” one of the stallions barked. “Take a hike!” Arcane saw them wearing matching bracelets and headbands; gang identification. A simple orange color, with some sort of markings on them. A few of the ponies were holding rope… And the leader had a teleportation crystal on them. It was pre-charged to take a large group to a warehouse in the city industrial area. They’re trying to take them. A simple spell confirmed the basest emotional intentions of the group. Lust. Greed. “Oi! Are you deaf? This doesn’t concern you! Last chance. Get lost!” Arcane snarled, his form convulsing as the concealment spell from the bar shattered. Arm-like tendrils sprouted from his back, the unicorn’s multicolored eyes erupting with a crimson glow. “And if I don’t?” Arcane growled, fangs showing as he stared down the group. Three of the stallions turned and ran, the rest of the group freezing. “It’s t-the chaos monster. Run!” a younger earth pony stammered, abruptly scampering away in terror. “Oh, that do-gooder. I’ve seen the news,” the leader huffed, “so, what? You’re here to ruin our fun and business? All this for these two? Is it really worth the effort for these two nobodies?” Shadowy streamers of magic abruptly yanked the stallion and his two closest lackeys off of their hooves, slamming the would-be assailants into a wall. Arcane’s form stretched to fill the alleyway, the rest of the group dashing away. “Nobodies?” Arcane growled, liquid flames dripping from his mouth as he stared down the stallion. “I’m just a nobody!” Anger was easy. This situation was simple. Black and white. Good and evil. There wasn’t room for memories. For pain. There was only a singular purpose. Send a message. Only once the ponies began to blubber in horror did Arcane let them go, the stallions slumping to the ground. A simple flare of magic created three recording crystals. The chaos unicorn affixed each one to the chests of the three terrified stallions. Monologues were silly and embarrassing in normal conversations. But with villains? Oh, how they worked. Equestria’s underworld practically ran on the stuff. Arcane was happy to oblige, especially to a rapt audience. He hadn’t been listened to for fifteen years. More than a decade of his cries and pleas had gone unanswered. Now, he could command the attention of creatures, of those who needed to hear him. He would demand it. “These will drop off once you meet with your boss. Whoever that is, they will then send them to every backwater group they know of,” Arcane growled. His two eyes were affixed on the recording crystals, but a third sprouted from his chest and stayed locked onto the mortified stallions. His magic lifted the heads of the terrified creatures. “I don’t know what group you are, but either you didn’t get the memo about who is watching for you types, or you don’t care. I hope it’s the former. I’ve visited every single province and every capital, but maybe my message hasn’t reached you yet. These lackeys of yours are being unharmed to deliver this message. And they’ll do so promptly. Isn’t that right?” A simple, terrified nod was their reply. “Very good. If you don’t believe me, then ask what happened to the creatures running a trafficking ring in Manehatten. They’ll tell you, if their teeth and bones have grown back by now. So, listen closely. I don’t report to anyone. I’m not some royal guard or police pony. Creatures need help, and I show up. I’m not a hero with some sacred code, and I’m certainly not the Elements of Harmony who will blast you with rainbows,” Arcane leaned closer, glaring at the crystal. His gaze then shifted to look at the ponies. “Do you know what that makes me? Yes, or no?” “N-no?” “Then let me explain to you, your boss, and every single trafficker or creature who preys on others. Because eventually, every one of you types will hear this message,” Arcane hissed, burning tears dripping from his eyes. “What it makes me, is the monster under your bed,” the chaos unicorn growled. “Everyone has those days. The times the closet door opens just a hair and you see something moving inside. The feeling that you didn’t lock the door, but you really should have. I’m that shadow in the mirror, the reason you hear a floorboard squeak. I’m that flicker of movement in the corner of your eye just before you turn the lights out. Whoever is listening to this message, I will make this very clear. If you make a living out of harming others, out of preying on the nobodies, I’ll find you. And when I do, I will break you.” The unicorn’s eyes bored into the terrified ponies, and then shifted to look at the crystal, and whoever would be watching. “You have until we meet to turn your lives around. When I find you, and I will, you’re going to have one chance to convince me that you’re mending your ways. And creatures like you are going to need all the time you can salvage. So, start running.” His fangs parted into a horrifying, eager smile. “Tick tock…” With a simple heave, the unicorn sent the ponies flying out of the alleyway and into the street. Bruised, but unharmed. Arcane’s form flickered, the unicorn taking a few deep breaths. Considering their intentions, he had gone easy on them. They deserved worse. I’ll wipe slavery out of every single city block by block if I have to! As an afterthought, he tapped into the crystals the three panicking lackeys were carrying. The new spell was simple. A temporary, shadow-induced hallucination for whoever was close by when they reached their destination. The entire criminal group would literally be seeing movement in the shadows for days, and no innocent creatures would be affected. Chaos magic was helpful like that. Targeting only who he wanted. Those who sought to put others in chains. It was a sore spot, for obvious reasons. Creatures who traffic others for sick goals. He wouldn’t kill them, not unless there was no other choice. But oh, how Arcane wanted to! Arcane knew what it felt like to be tied up and locked in a dark room. To be used. To be trapped. The rage began to bubble again. The memories. The fear. The mindless terror as- “S-sir?” Arcane’s thoughts flatlined, one of the mares carefully approaching him. “T-thank…” she stammered, abruptly leaning forward and hugging the stallion tightly as she bawled into his chest. He tentatively placed a hoof on her shoulder- nothing more. The other mare helped the wounded stallion up, Arcane’s magic sparking to life. Fractured bones. Bruising. Risky to heal. Arcane didn’t dare try to heal a living creature, not yet. He could, but it required a lot more focus than the stallion currently had available. A spell for the pain was simple enough, and the stallion let out a sigh of relief almost immediately. “Do you two have somewhere you can go?” he asked. “Your friend needs to get to a hospital.” The mare pulled back from his hug, nodding. “Our mom’s place is just down the street,” she said, looking up at him. “I k-knew she wasn’t lying. T-thank you.” The stallion managed to stand on his hooves, nursing a swollen face. “They jumped us,” he mumbled, swaying on his hooves. “Without you, they’d have…” a few tears trickled from his eyes. “You’re the chaos pony saving creatures, right?” he asked. “You saved our mom two months ago. That train derailment. I can’t thank- just-” words failed the stallion, the young colt trying to hold back more tears. “Thank you.” “You’re welcome,” Arcane managed to say, an odd, pleasant numbness in his chest. “This one’s on the house.” The stallion managed a weak chuckle as the trio trotted off, and the unicorn was left alone in the alleyway. Looking down at his form as light flickered across the walls, Arcane’s brown furrowed at seeing his usually black magic shining a bright golden. Huh. The numbness in his chest had spread into a comforting warmth. The golden tendrils spiraled around his body like spider threads floating on a breeze. It was beautiful. Gathering himself up into a crouch, the unicorn jumped. The cobblestones melted instantly, reforming back to normal as the pony tore through the sky, a golden trail marking his path. Sometimes, he didn’t feel like a monster. Maybe in time, Arcane could believe it.