//------------------------------//
// Chapter 19 Darkness in North Bay 
// Story: True Black 
// by Leonofsweden 
//------------------------------//


True Black
Chapter 19
Darkness in North Bay


16 of April

Sharp Edge was trotting through the streets of North Bay, the harbor district to be more precise, covered almost completely head to tail by an exquisitely made dark blue cloak, walking between the rows of warehouses in the fading light of the day. She was moving boldly ahead, mostly because she was furious. She had had a bad day, losing one of her most promising young tale lifters yesterday, and truly realizing she had managed to escape her when they couldn't find the young mare anywhere in the city during the search. She wasn't the only one either; during the last few weeks, two of her most profitable mares and a young pleasure colt had mysteriously managed to vanish from the Officers Club. Something had to be done about this new threat towards her establishment. 

Sharp Edge heard a noise from behind and stopped.

“Well, well… what have we got here boys? I do believe it's a little mare walking all alone in a dangerous part of town… Why don't you just come with us, it is of course for your own protection, little girl?” Sharp Edge could hear a little chuckle as she started to turn around. As she locked eyes with the leader of the three, he paled considerably. His two underlings did not seem to comprehend who they were standing in front of. The youngest of them even started walking towards her, with clear arousal shining in his eyes, but he cried out suddenly when he was harshly jerked back by the lead stallion.

“Ahhhh! What gives? That hurt!!!” the young one complained loudly, and was then harshly shoved down behind the two others who had both recognized her.

“Shut up, you idiot! That's the boss’ wife!” the lead stallion shouted down at the youngling. Actually, she was their boss, but they didn't need to know that. They were part of the recruiting outfit prowling the streets of North Bay, looking for young gullible mares to bring back to the Officers Club for… training. She also had mares working for her in a similar fashion, although they were mostly looking for stallions, and on some occasions colts and fillies. The sordid taste of the nobles and wealthy in North Bay, and the rest of the Empire for that matter, were quite varied after all. And the Officers Club catered to each and every one of them.

“Very sorry about this Miss Sharp Edge! We didn't know it was you…” the lead stallion said, almost shaking where he stood Sharp Edge saw with satisfaction. She sneered back at them.

“Do you see my cape?” she wondered. The three stallions looked at it, a quite intricate shadow design in a marginally darker blue woven into the cape, which was only visible now at close range.

“Yeah… sure we do.” The lead stallion’s answer was a bit apprehensive.

“Does it look like anything your usual quarry can afford?” she asked in an annoyed voice. The three stallions looked at the cape again.

“Well ehhh… no… maybe not,” the stallion said.

“Of course not, you idiot! This is a high-quality Gryphon made cloak, imported from the Gryphon kingdoms. The three of you couldn't buy this even if you put together your entire measly life earnings. Had it not been me here, you would have been about to assault a noble mare. And for that, the three of you would have ended up at the bottom of the bay before the night was over!” Sharp Edge screamed back at them. Her horn lit up while she used the anger she had inside of her for a fire spell. Three cries of pain sounded through the evening. The stallions were all looking at their right shoulders where a vertical burn mark could now be seen. The lead stallion looked back at Sharp Edge with fear in his eyes while the two others clearly had no understanding of what that mark meant.

“I see this is your first transgression. Learn from this or by the time you get your third, you three will not be in need of learning anymore. Am I understood?” Sharp Edge asked with steel in her voice. The lead stallion nodded furiously. She gave a snort and continued towards her destination further down the street. Behind her, Sharp Edge heard the youngest stallion’s angry voice.

“What just happened?! Are we just going to let that bitc-” SMACK! The youngest stallion was cut off by a vicious blow across his muzzle.

“Shut up! Don't you get it! You get three strikes then you’re dead! So shut the fuck up or I will brand you a second time myself!” the lead stallion yelled at the semiconscious youngling now lying sprawled on the street.

Well, it seems he knows how to keep his underlings under control. That's at least something I guess, Sharp Edge thought while she neared her destination. It was quite a large rundown looking warehouse, some planks missing here and there across the face of the building and only inky blackness could be seen in the gaps. She moved up to the rickety looking door and knocked on it firmly five times. She could hear a chair scrape against the floor on the other side when some pony stood up. Whoever it was moved up to the door and open a little shutter so the pony inside could view whoever stood on the outside. Sharp Edge met two well-known blue eyes on the other side. They widened in recognition of her, and immediately the door swung open to let her enter. She pulled the hood back from her head the minute she was inside.

“Mistress Sharp Edge, it's a pleasure seeing you again! I must say you do look lovelier every time I see you,” the enormous Pegasus said as he gave a deep bow that would have satisfied even Celestia herself. Sharp Edge smiled fondly back at the Pegasus.

“It's a pleasure seeing you too, Killer Blow; it has truly been too long since last time. Unfortunately, I'm here on urgent business today and then I'm off again. Where is Iron Rod?” she asked while the well-muscled Pegasus stood up again. Killer Blow was something very rare in North Bay; a retired prizefighter. He had come to the arena looking for excitement, fame and money. The first two he had found in plenty, but he was not very good with money, throwing it around himself as if it would never end. So after a few years of retirement, he had come back and started working for Sharp Edge again. Not as a fighter this time, but as a trainer, bodyguard, and talent scout. Without Killer Blow working for her, the prize fights in North Bay wouldn't be half as brutal or drawn-out as they were now. He matched the fighters up perfectly to get as much entertainment out of them as possible. Therefore, Killer Blow was a highly valued member of her staff and received every possible benefit he could wish for.

“He's down in the arena… there's been a bit of trouble with the match-up. Jagged Knife got himself injured this morning so we've brought in some whelp of a pickpocket Iron Rod fetched from the dungeons two days ago as a replacement. That's why I'm heading out right now; we will most likely need another fight after this one to keep the crowds happy,” Killer Blow informed her, starting out through the door. Sharp Edge remembered something and called out to the disappearing Pegasus just as the door closed. It didn't even take a second before the enormous dark blue head popped into view again.

“Yes?” he wondered.

“The whelp, he was a pickpocket? If he was, then he’s the brother of the girl I got from Iron Rod at the same time,” Sharp Edge said. Killer Blow´s face scrunched up as he thought.

“Yes… I think their whelp mentioned something about a sister before I left. He thinks he's going to earn their release by fighting here. He doesn't realize he's already a dead pony. He might survive a month or two,” Killer Blow said with a grin. Sharp Edge shook her head a little disappointedly.

“Too bad… He was quite good-looking if I remember correctly; I was thinking about adding him to one of the exhibits in the lower levels of the officers’ club, we're a few stallions short at the moment,” she said with a sigh. Sharp Edge heard a gruff laugh from the doorway.

“Ha! Guess he was lucky ending up here than! I would take death before that fate any day of the week,” Killer Blow said with a crooked smile before he disappeared out the door again.

“Yeah… You're probably right,” Sharp Edge answered the now closed door before she turned around and made her way to one of the shabbiest looking doors at the backs of the run down warehouse office. She opened it to reveal the staircase, leading downwards in a spiral. The further down she went, the wider and better made the stairs became. Finally, she ended up in front of a large door; it was a very finely carved wooden door. She opened it with a spell only she knew. Everypony else who wanted access needed to have a special enchanted key which only she could create. 

The moment she stepped over the threshold, she was met by the sound of the roaring crowd and many laughing and hooting ponies. It was quite hard to believe that most of  the crowd in this room were nobles and the wealthy elite of North Bay. If you listened to them from a distance you would think they were hoodlums and ruffians watching some random street fight. 

Sharp Edge smiled when she took note of just how fully packed with spectators tonight's event was. The whole cavern was constructed like an underground Coliseum, with no expense being spared to ensure that the spectators were comfortable, sitting mostly on enormous silken cushions while young and beautiful mares were walking around serving drinks, food, and themselves if the spectator was so inclined. The wealthier onlookers were lounging about on the progressively higher and wider steps surrounding the sandpit ring where two stallions were currently fighting hoof to hoof. One of them Sharp Edge recognized as Steel Hooves; a true thoroughbred killer who loved what he was doing. Against him stood a young and, in comparison, scrawny looking stallion. Sharp Edge gave an annoyed grunt when she realized that he truly was a beautiful specimen, even with the black eye he currently had.

What a waste. He would have brought in a lot more profits in my service. Well, it's not too late… I'll see what Iron Rod thinks about me taking him after tonight... Not that he has a choice, Sharp Edge thought while she started to make her way towards the VIP balcony at the back of the arena. She could see her husband standing there studying the fighters. To her annoyance, she could also see someone else; young Lord Silver Pot. He had made another one of his special requests and she had not been able to come up with it so far, a fact he would no doubt be eager to point out. Hoping she would go unnoticed while the fight lasted, Sharp Edge came up beside her husband.

“Iron Rod we have to talk,” she said in a whisper. Iron Rod looked up at her and smiled broadly.

“Honey! Pleasure seeing you here with us this fine evening!” Iron Rod proclaimed loudly. Sharp Edge jaw muscles grew taught as bow strings when the whole bloody VIP section turned to look at them. And, of course, Silver Pot saw her and started to make his way over to them. Sharp Edge began to furiously grind her teeth together as she gave Iron Rod an angry stare, declaring that she was not happy.

“I was trying to keep a low profile you buffoon,” she hissed at him, making Iron Rod recoil, and then she showed a bright smile to Silver Pot, who had finally made his way over to them.

“Lord Silver Pot! How lovely to see you again. It's been too long,” she said, smiling brightly at him. Silver Pot chuckled and raised an eyebrow at her.

“I do believe I was at your establishment just two days prior,” he said with a smirk.

“I know… and we missed you terribly yesterday when you weren’t. The girls back at the club just can’t stop talking about you,” Sharp Edge said without even blinking. It was, after all, technically true; she would just not mention that it was because they were all singing with joy every night he didn't show up. There was no stallion in all of North Bay that was as feared, hated, and loathed amongst the mares of the Officers Club as young Lord Silver Pot. He gave a little approving chuckle.

“Yes, I have proven my virility on several occasions have I not?” Silver Pot stated with a smug look on his face.

Yes… you have permanently damaged and even killed quite a few of my finest mares over the years… Short Edge thought bitterly, not because of the indescribable pain and suffering he had caused or the tragedy of young girls dying beneath Silver Pot's hooves, but because of the constant hassle she had of replacing them before they were properly used up.

“That you have, my Lord. Now, I have some boring business to discuss with my husband, and I would not want to keep you from the fight. Please, do not let me keep you from partaking of the entertainment,” Sharp edge said, bowing politely.

“Speaking of business… How goes my special request?” Silver Pot asked before Sharp Edge could even raise her head.

By Nightmare’s wrath! Why did he have to see that damn bitch with the three star cutie mark on her flanks? Sharp Edge thought while she frowned down into the ground. The instant she looked up again, her radiant smile was back in place.

“We are looking… But a young mare with a star cutie mark is extremely rare. But don't worry; no matter where in the Empire one of my contacts may find one, we'll make sure she's brought to you,” she said, and made another curtsy. At hearing this, Silver Pot nodded.

“Good, and when it comes to the delivery… A little fire in the encounter wouldn't hurt, I think. Makes the whole act more exciting after all, don't you agree?” he said with a grin.

So you want the mare restrained just enough so she can resist you, but not fight you for real while you rape her… Sharp Edge thought. This would be quite a risky order to fulfill, and had it been any pony else she would probably had backed out already. But you don't say no to Silver Pot without there being dire consequences further down the road.

“So true, my Lord. We will make sure she's properly restrained, after your specifications,” she said, nodding in agreement.

“Excellent! Then I bid you a good evening Miss Sharp Edge,” Silver Pot said and moved away without sparing her a second thought. Her smile vanished the minute the young Lord turned away from her and her husband. The two of them retreated to the back of the VIP section so they could talk a bit more freely.

“They got another one…” Sharp Edge spat angrily. Iron Rod looked troubled at the news.

“That makes what? Three tale lifters gone from the Officers Club in just little over two weeks… This is getting out of hoof,” he answered.

“Then why haven't you done anything? It's your job to keep us out of the public awareness; ponies are very good at looking the other way when they don't want to see, but that only works if it isn't staring them in the face!” Sharp Edge hissed angrily. Iron Rod grunted in frustration while he was thinking.

“All I've managed to uncover is their name. They call themselves Bright Sky´s… Apparently, some sort of consortium made up of lower and middle-class ponies. There are definitely one or more merchants with them since they are so efficient at smuggling the girls out of the city without any of our ponies noticing how they do it,” Iron Rod stated.

“Wait… Bright Sky? Wasn't that the name of the Pegasus Silver Pot wanted a couple of weeks back?” Sharp Edge said, recognizing the name. Iron Rod just nodded.

“That mare´s execution has caused us nothing but grief… And before you say it, I'm keeping a close eye on all her known business associates and friends. Although, Bright Sky´s best friend was already one of your girls back at the club before she died. You remember Cherry Tree?” he continued. Sharp Edge nodded.

“I had my eyes on her daughter as well; at least, before your goons put a stop to those plans,” she said, feeling more and more annoyed at the string of bad luck she had had lately.

“What's done is done and there's nothing we can do about that now, and both those morons are dead now anyhow. But if I had put my hoof on it, I'd say that's where the trouble started,” Iron Rod said with a sigh. Just then, there was some sort of commotion at the front of the VIP balcony. Lord Silver Pot was glaring angrily at the young messenger colt belonging to the Silver Seas family´s staff. The young colt was cowering beneath Lord Silver Pot's fury.

“They expect me to just come running when they send their little dog to fetch me!” he yelled at the little colt.

“I'm… I'm… I'm sorry my Lord! But Lord Silver Sails was quite insistent on your presence at the family meeting tonight…” the little colt said, trembling on the floor. At the mention of his father's name, Silver Pot gave pass.

“My father will be present… that changes things,” Silver Pot said, although he was still quite visibly annoyed. Then, he shone up and removed a small purse from beneath his trademark silver cloak. He looked down into the pit at the two combatants, who were still dancing around each other trading blows, even though it was mostly the young stallion Quick Hooves who was landing blow after blow, using his superior speed to good advantage. Still, Steel Hooves didn't look particularly bothered by any of the bucks or punches he was receiving. He just trotted on, trying large, over-flamboyant moves that often failed but looked quite spectacular while he executed them.

“Steel! I have other business to attend to, could you skip to the ending of this? If you kill the boy within ten seconds the purse is yours!” Silver Pot called down to the two combatants on the sand floor. Steel looked up at the coin purse levitating beside the unicorn with a glint in his eye, while Quick Hooves did not seem to understand what was happening. This was his first fight in the arena, and he had been told it was an exhibition fight; first to get knocked out looses. He had fully expected to lose, although nothing more than that. 

Before Iron Rod could intervene, Steel Hooves shot forward and pinned Quick Hooves head against his own chest. He then used his whole bulk by heaving himself over the back of the smaller stallion. Quick Hooves didn't even have time to realize what was happening before a loud snap reverberated through the arena, like a dried twig had been split apart. As Steel Hooves landed on the other side of his opponent, still holding onto the head, Quick Hooves body collapsed to the ground. After a final twist, Steel let go to reveal his newest masterpiece. Quick Hooves was now on his stomach; his head had been twisted completely around and was now staring up at the roof with dead eyes.

“Bravo! Very nice! You have always been good at entertaining your betters,” Silver Pot said with somewhat of a manic smile across his face, while he enthusiastically clapped his hooves together. Around the arena, ponies were clapping along, albeit not very enthusiastically. Only some of the higher nobles in the audience dared to not clap along with Silver Pot.

“As agreed upon, here is your reward,” he continued, and smugly tossed the coin purse down into the arena. It landed some way from Steel, so he had to trot over to collect it. As he picked it up, he noticed it was considerably lighter than he had expected. Keeping a straight face, Steel look at what the life of the young stallion was worth. It was definitely not enough; more or less the same he would be receiving for the exhibition fight itself. Steel felt his whole body tense up against the underlying insult towards all fighters this measly sum represented. But he knew the game he now had to play. He tied the coin purse again, and then made a deep bow towards Silver Pot.

“Surely, I find it hard to accept such a sum for my small contribution to your pleasant evening; your generosity is truly boundless,” Steel said and stood up. No one else knew the sum what was actually in there, so he would make it seem that he had received a king's ransom. Not to help that bastard Silver Pot in anyway, but to protect the honor and value of the fighters in the arena. Steel then made a sharp turnabout and calmly walked out of the arena. 

Silver Pot followed the fighter as he exited. He had truly thought he would cause a scene when he saw the comparatively small amount of money in his purse, but there was apparently more to the brute than he originally thought. Giving a disappointed little sigh, about not being able to play more with the lives of the commoners today, he left to attend the meeting with his family. As soon as the door closed behind him Sharp Edge and Iron Rod looked at each other and sighed deeply.

“I truly hate that pony… The kid had already gathered quite a following amongst the noble mares, and some of the stallions, attending tonight. Many of them have asked for his services in the future. He would only have to become a half decent fighter before he could start bringing in some serious gold as a pleasure stallion at the Officers Club,” Iron Rod said. Sharp edge gave a approving nod.

“I see we have both been thinking along the same lines… Now, back to business. What do you intend to do about Bright Sky´s?” Sharp Edge wondered.

“I have put Iron Helm in charge of that. He's been following up on leads on anyone who knew Bright Sky,” Iron Rod informed her.

“That bleeding heart? Why would you put our good for nothing son in charge of such an important task? He couldn't even keep any of the mares in check back at the officers club,” she said with a sneer as she thought about her eldest son.

“How many times have I not wished that Iron Boot got that horn on top of his big brother’s head? Iron Boot would at least have the balls to use it properly. Even without magic he's still more of a help to Velvet Rope and me then his good for nothing big brother is, or ever will be,” Sharp Edge said with a sigh, as she thought about her failure at raising her eldest son. In the beginning, he had shown interest in the family business but suddenly, and without any reason she could understand, he had just plain refused to help her anymore.

“Don't sell him short honey; he's actually taken to being a city guard like fish take to water. Iron Helm has personally brought in quite a few troublemakers already. Whatever is keeping him from being rough with the girls at the club, it obviously doesn't apply to stallions and mares causing trouble throughout the city. And he is intelligent, not even you can say he's not,” Iron Rod said at the defense of his oldest son. Sharp Edge just scowled, but did reluctantly nod her head a little bit.

“Yes, he is smart, and I do love him. And that what's making it even harder when he will not use his potential to further the family business. If Iron Helm would just put his smarts to helping Velvet Rope, I don't think there's anything the two of them would not be able to achieve on the behalf of the family,” she said, hurt evident in her voice.

“He might not want to help out at the Officers Club, but we can still use him on the outside. And the fact that he can see the world outside the walls of the Officers Club will do him a lot of good. He can see that it isn't just puffy clouds and rainbows out here either,” he said confidently.

“Okay. He can continue the investigation, but make sure he doesn't get sidetracked, and for Nightmare Moon's sake, crush this infernal organization as fast as you can,” Sharp Edge said, stomping her hoof for extra emphasis. Iron Rod nodded and looked around himself, quickly noticing that several of the nobles and wealthy ponies of North Bay were starting to head for the exit. Quickly, he stepped up to the edge of the VIP balcony.

“Ladies and gentlestallions! If it pleases, you we have sent for two more fighters since the last match was a bit short. Until the match starts, you are all welcome to enjoy some free drinks and refreshments at the house’s expense,” Iron Rod proclaimed loudly to the audience. Many nobles immediately started waving down serving mares and began ordering the most expensive things they could think of. But a surprising amount of ponies were still heading towards the exit. Sharp Edge looked at them and quickly came to a conclusion of what they would want. She moved up next to her husband.

“Of course, this offer extends to the serving staff themselves; you are welcome to use them anyway you want until the match starts!” she proclaimed loudly, and heard a collective gasp from the many serving mares around the arena. This had the desired effect, and immediately the young serving mares were beginning to be ushered into the more private and darker parts of the Coliseum, often surrounded by multiple stallions and mares, all eager to partake in the generous and time-limited offer.

“You know… not all of the serving mares here tonight were tale lifters from the Officers Club,” Iron Rod said, as he watched one of the young mares being shoved in behind some pillars, for a small measure of privacy, by three excited looking stallions and an eager looking noble mare.

“Well, they will be after this night... Speaking of which, I have to head back to the club now,” Sharp Edge said, and started heading for the exit. All around her she could hear how low moans and grunts starting to emanate from many dark nooks and crannies around the arena. Sharp Edge smiled a bit ruefully when she realized that a full-blown orgy was probably in the making, and that the two fighters would most likely be fighting in front of half empty stands. But that was of little consequence, since the second the fight starts, every pony still engaged in the orgy would have to pay full price for it. The smile on her lips grew even wider. This little trip down to the main arena would most likely turn out to be quite profitable. With a happy bounce in her step, Sharp Edge pulled up the blue hoody of her exquisitely tailored cloak and started to head back to the Officers Club.


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Thanks to Syvvak for the Pre-read/Edit