The Bounty Catching, Freedom Dreaming, Winged Wolf Phenomenon
Chapter 16
~{WWP}~
“Ok, I’m listening, but what you are is still going to factor into this job.” I replied coolly, leaning back into my chair.
“OK, Mr. Zeta, listen closely. My...employer, shall we say, is a player in a very LONG game. And to make the next move work, she needs your help with a very tricky job. It won’t be easy...but it will be worth it. Not only the money, but to make a better world in the long run. You up for it, pup?”
“Don’t care too much about the ‘world a better place’ part, but if the money is decent compensation for the effort of a month long job, I’m in,” I answered, quickly adding with a growl “Also if you call me pup again, I’m biting your leg off.”
“No worries, Mr. Zeta I won’t call you ‘pup’ again....how does ‘Dog’ sound?” Letting off a light chuckle, the ‘pony’ continues. “But yes, while I won’t give you an exact number, it will be more than enough to fix up your home to your perfection, purchase anything you’ll need, and still have enough left to purchase your own bar! And then some!”
“You are really pushing your luck with the canine remarks bub,” I snarled out. I was really tempted to just smash the ‘pony’s’ face in and walk out, but a job with that much of a payout would be really useful, and I wouldn’t have to risk my life much more. After going over the pro’s and con’s a bit more in my head, I came to my conclusion. “I need details and not vague overviews before I’ll take the job. So what will I be doing?”
The ‘Pony’ became deathly serious, his smile vanishing in an instant. “You’ll help kidnap Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, help my queen work into the role of the Princess, alert the ponies of Canterlot of my queen’s invasion, and make sure Cadance remains happy and healthy in her imprisonment. Like I said, my queen plays a LONG chessgame...”
I just stared at the ‘pony’ for a while before I could even comprehend what he was asking me to do. Kidnapping Princess Cadenza would ensure I would be an enemy of the state to Equestria, but he also mentioned an invasion. If this army actually took control of the country, then I’d be wealthy and healthy, and probably on the good side of their queen, and even if they lost I’m getting paid to warn the ponies so I’d probably get a reward for that side too. And that is when it hit me, something was up with this.
“Okay, so let’s get some of the details a bit more ironed out. Who or what has an army that could possibly take over Canterlot and the Equestrian Army? Also, who is this queen and how will I help her fill in the role of a Princess?”
“The Changeling armada, as of right now, numbers in at 3,908,400. My queen will only bring her Royal Guard, as our goal isn’t to harm anypony, so roughly 3,000 of our finest soldiers. We are changelings, powerful shape shifters that feed upon love. We, rather literally, need it to survive. Times are tough, as it’s becoming harder to sneak in and snatch it safely, so to prevent a massive famine; my queen has decided to take it by force...temporarily. Win or lose, we’ll have enough stolen by force to last another year, as well as becoming known to the world as a whole, which, as you may know, it’s easier to beg forgiveness than to ask permission, hence wanting to keep Cadance alive and healthy. Keeping her happy is a demand of my own, which I will pay extra for separately. My queen, however, is known as ‘Chrysalis Glasswing’. She, like Celestia and Luna is an Ageless; an immortal entity. 40,000 years ago, she was amongst the most powerful warriors in the world, before the demon known as ‘Tirek’ tainted her, weakening her into the frail creature she has become, and warping her mind towards evil. You could say I’m her conscience, since she’d probably just kill everyone without someone to serve as a moral compass. And...wow I’ve been talking this whole time without taking a breath so I’ll shut up before I get too annoying...”
I just rolled my eyes at that last part, considering halfway through his long winded explanation I had already finished playing three games of Tic Tac Toe with myself in the tabletop. Now that I had the ability to counter his tirade, some things needed to be cleared up. “Ok, so pretty much your queen would want Cadance dead, but you’re going a back door deal to ensure she lives. Will that effect my payday if your queen finds out? Love based entities isn’t that farfetched, but why do you smell like an insect? Also where will I meet this queen to get the job done?”
“It won’t affect your payment, as she already knows. She trusts me because she knows she can’t think straight until the taint dies away, which even now, 40,000 years later, is still several months away. As for me smelling like an insect, that’s because, at least technically, I am. And as for meeting the Queen, she will be taking the form of a mare named ‘Twinkeshine’, an old friend of Cadence’s, in the city of Canterlot. You are to meet her near the park at dawn and she will explain the details of how the kidnapping will occur. Rest assured that everything will go according to plan. I have my sources.”
“Ok, just one final question. How the hell am I going to be taking care of Cadance and where am I imprisoning her?”
“You need only bring her food and water, basic comforts, and she will be imprisoned within the crystal mines beneath Canterlot Castle. An associate of mine will lead you to a discreet entrance and will light the way with special torches that shine with a light frequency only Cynogriffins and Changelings can see.”
I sat and pondered the arrangements for the job. Lots of rewards, and very little risk on my side made it too good to seem true. I figured something was suspicious was going on, but I wouldn’t be able to figure it out not doing anything. I extended my paw, “You got yourself a deal.”
The ‘changeling’ extends a hoof and smiles warmly. “A pleasure doing business with you, Mister Zeta And please do say hello to dear Scootaloo for me, I hear she and her friends are going to be my queen’s flower girls.”
The moment he said Scootaloo’s name, I gripped the hoof and instead of shaking it, I yanked it as hard as I could towards me and slammed the yellow bastard’s head into the table. I quickly slammed my claws into the wood right in front of his eyes. “You have three seconds to tell me how you know that name, or I’m going to start cutting away layers of skin to see how deep that disguise of yours is.”
“Time travel, Mister Zeta Like I said, my queen plays the long game. I’m actually from several years in the future and already know how the wedding will end, as well as that Scootaloo is your daughter. She’s actually a renowned dancer for a famous band AND has become a brave warrior in her own right, all before she reaches ten years old. I know far more than you think, Mister Zeta”
“....How the hell do you know how to do TIME TRAVEL!?”
“Why, elementary my dear cynogriffin. I got it from the Starswirl the Bearded wing, just like Twilight Sparkle did in the episode ‘It’s About Time’.” The changeling smiled innocently, even though he just referenced a cartoon show that...shouldn’t...exist...here....
My mind started racing at that point, but only one question needed to be answered first. “Who are you?”
“My dear mister Zeta, who I am isn’t important...but if you absolutely MUST have a name....call me Knightmare.”
“Fine, Knightmare, I’ll tell you this once then,” I began, placing one of my claws on his forehead, “If Scootaloo is harmed in anyway, if a single hair on her body is out of place because of you changelings, I will kill as many of you bugs as I can before I find you and your queen, and kill you and make her wish she wasn’t immortal.”
“Darn, I was hoping for a ‘Taken’ quote. But I assure you that no ponies will be harmed, not even temporarily, and ESPECIALLY not dear little Scootaloo. You have my word and honor as High-General.” The look on the changeling’s face made it clear he had not intended to say that last bit out loud... “...shit.”
“I’ll keep that in mind, High-General bugboy,” I replied coldly as I brought my claw across his forehead leaving a slight gash dripping blood on his forehead.
“So are you gonna let me up or should we start kissing?” Knightmare asked; his cheeky grin back on his face.
My answer was lifting his head up so it was right in front of my muzzle. As he began to pucker up I growled “Tell your Queen she has a deal” and proceeded to slam his skull as hard as I could through the table and towards the ground.
As I walked off I overheard him calling out “OK! See you at the wedding!” in a dazed tone. I just kept walking away, hoping to put as much distance as I could between the two of us as I could. I just felt nasty after speaking with that guy.
After I had left the bar, I bumped into three ponies, two larger than average draft ponies and a normal earth pony. That is what I thought until I took a sniff, and realized all three of them were more of those ‘changeling’ things, even though to two bigger ones smelt a bit differently. Regardless I was not in the mood for anymore shenanigans if these ones were anything like that Knightmare.
Before I could get a word in the smallest of the bunch began, “So you are Zeta. We are here to represent our”
“I know and I already have accepted your Queen’s job. Just tell her I’ll see her at dawn at the gates of Canterlot in a day’s time. You bugs just best keep your end of the bargain or you will learn why you don’t piss off a cynogriffin. Got it?” I just glared at the tiniest one. The other two just seemed like muscle brought to intimidate me, since they stepped forward on either side of the small one before me, flexing their legs.
The small bug eyes just got really big and nodded his head quickly. “Of course, as long as all aspects of the deal are carried out, our Queen shall pay you. No need to fret. She will be most overjoyed to hear you have agreed to help.” His sniveling voice just sorta grated on my nerves, so I shoved past him and the two bigger bugs. As I spread my wings to take off, he called out to me “How did you know what the agreement was though? Do you read minds?”
I just laughed and launched myself into the air, ignoring his last question. Though that did spark the thought in my head, “Who is Knightmare really working for?”
~{WWP}~