//------------------------------// // New family & a Deadly Incounter // Story: Shadows of Cards: Equestria // by DarklightArk //------------------------------// Section one, aftermath of the dual "Whoa" Ace said, breaking the tension in the room. " This filly has skills." Neko walked over to her brother. Glancing at Flash Stock she said "Well I guess she was right, that was a fun dual. Oh and brother?" The siblings looked at each other, only to have a sharp crack echo through the room from where Neko had slammed her hoof into Ace's head. "That was for the commentary during the dual." Neko walked through the doorway with a smile on her face. Now I really want a rematch. Heh, its been years since I've had this feeling! Misaki shook herself off and walked over to the counter. "Umm, did I do good?" She asked shyly, not sure how her father or Flash Stock would react. "Good? Why my little filly, you did great!" Flash Stock grinned. "I dare say Silver, your daughter is gifted. Here ya go sweetie, you earned these." The older Pegasus swept her choices over to her. Silver Elegaunt just smiled, yes she was truly gifted. "Come on my little flower, lets go home." The night past like a blur to Misaki, when she had gotten home all their servants and her maid had whipped a party up as fast as Pinkie Pie, And the cake, dancing and presents made it a night to remember. Silver looked at his daughter curled up next to him on the couch where she had fallen asleep reading her favorite bedtime story. Slowly getting up so he wouldn't disturb her he called softly to their maid. Gentle Touch was a soft blue unicorn with a purple mane, she never thought she could love her job so much but caring for the filly had changed her mind. Walking slowly over to her employer she glanced at the sleeping filly, smiling. Misaki's green coat and red mane were almost trademark, like a fusion of soft spring, gentle summer and slow autumn. Gentle Touch knew if her eyes were open the would be like calm winter, a light blue with specks of white. "Can you carry her up to her bed? I need to get going, I have a flight in an hour." Silver spoke in a soft voice. "Of course sir, have a nice flight. When might you be back next?" "Perhaps I might get lucky with Hearth's Worming day this year." "Of course sir, good night." "Good night." ~~*~~ The next day at lunch Misaki was by herself when the next strangest thing happened, silence. Misaki loved silence, however this was the school cafeteria, not her room. She shivered and turned around stopping dead in her tracks as the colts from yesterday where standing right behind her. "Excuse me, Misaki?" She turned her head a little and saw the skittish colt from yesterday, as he seemed to be the spokestallion of the group, spokecolt? "My name sure Robin Arrow, and I on behalf of the gang would like to apologize for what happened with Zeo Card." Misaki bit her lip, not trusting herself to speak. "Listen, ponies don't mess with him. His dad is All Card, and the only reason they let a gang leader's son in here is because of that royal decree that 'no filly or colt is left behind' thing," He suddenly looked very sheepish. "Um, not that I'm making excuses for us not helping you or anything but uh..." With a quick shake of his head Robin arrow continued. "Listen if you need our help or anything, protection, homework excuses whatever the gang and I will help ya, is that alright?" Misaki who was looking at the floor, trying not to cry looked up in surprise. Late last night she had woken up to use the bathroom, when she fell asleep again she had a nightmare, she could remember it clearly, Zeo, bloodstained and demonic had killed her, over and over and she had no escape. However at Robin's question she looked up surprised. Looking at the other colts she notice most were looking at the floor, one was even sniffling a little. "I... guess you can. I mean..." "Thank you." Robin Arrow smiled and gave her a piece of paper. "Just write on this and everyone will get it, when the ink disappears." With that they all left her sitting there, a bewildered look across her face. ~~*~~ After school Misaki was walking home, she decided to try a short cut, by going through a few alleyways. Eventually she found herself behind stores and houses. If I remember correctly this is the Homelife district, where people live in their places of business. Misaki perked her ears at a strange sound, it was soft and not at all like the other sounds around like the vehicles and the... actually there were no sounds other then the birds and that strumming sound. When she looked at the watch app on her dual harness, it showed that it was early, many of the business's customers wouldn't have arrived yet. Continuing on she found herself at a tallish wooden fence, the pretty sounds right behind it. Misaki closed her eyes and stood there, as the musician ran through a bunch of songs, never singing once. When the pony finally stopped playing and went inside Misaki realized she had been standing in that back alley for hours! "Uh-oh!" With speed she rarely used she rushed back home. Later that night, when she went to bed however she could help but think of that music. It was sweet and calming, she absolutely loved it. I think... I think I'll go back and listen some more again. ~*~ Misaki walked up to the wooden fence, the same way she had been doing for the past three weeks, sat down and sighed, ready to listen to the beautiful music once again as she had everyday. "Why hello there, what'cha want to listen to today?" Misaki's eyes flew open as she hears the stallions voice up above her. Looking up she saw Ace looking over the top of the fence, grinning from ear to ear at her. "I-i umm... uhh..." "Hey, why don't you come in? We brought out an extra chair sometime last week when Neko noticed you listening." Ace flew down, opening a gate in the fence letting Misaki enter at her own will. Misaki meanwhile was having a crises, the same that every little filly or colt get when they get caught doing something they didn't think they should be doing, but ending up being allowed to do it anyway. I, wait, what? huh?! Ace takes one look and the confuzeled filly and laughs. "Hey now, come in. Neko should be done with the snacks." Silently fallowing the Pegasus as he went through the gate Misaki finally shook out of her self inflected shock. The backyard was just a padeo, a large square of perfectly time, vibrant green grass, and a table with a few beach chairs. Ace flew over to one, sitting down as he unslung his guitar and strummed it a few times. "Say, Misaki right?" The filly nodded her head. "What song do you want to hear?" "Umm" The filly looks around a little before quietly mumbling "The one you did a week ago... it went um." Misaki then sang a few notes before hopping up on one of the beach chairs and curling up. "Oh wait, you want to hear Red Roses, just give me a sec." About halfway through the song, Neko walked out with a basket of fresh rolls and sliced oranges, stopping when she noticed the filly curled up like a cat, and the music her brother was playing. "Why hello sis, enjoying the music?" Neko looks at Ace and rolls her eyes. "No Ace, I did not enjoy listening to the first song you ever made for me when we were foals." Misaki looked up eyes wide. "Really? He made that pretty song just for you?" "Well, yes he did. Plus, if you decide to keep coming over, he might write you one as well." Misaki glancing between the siblings smiled. "That would be wonderful!" ~*~ Misaki had continued going to the Stock residence everyday after school. After about a week Ace joked about her being like a stray cat or little sister, then again Neko agreed. Thus unofficially Misaki became part of the family, helping make snacks, cleaning up even helping Ace write a song or two. Everything was looking brighter, what could possibly go wrong? ~*~ Misaki was skipping down the alleyway to meat up with Ace and Neko humming the tune to the song Ace made for her. However when she gets near the home she notices a cloaked pony, just standing there. "Um, h-hello?" At the sound of her voice the pony turns to her, his hood seemingly empty except for shadows. Then the stallion rushes her. ~*~ Ace and Neko where waiting for Misaki to show up when they heard the filly's scream of terror. Ace was the first one to react, setting his guitar down as quickly as he could without damaging it, but Neko was the first one to dash over the fence. Ace and Neko quickly looked around. "There!" The cloaked pony was moving faster then should be possible, the terrified filly on it's back. "Neko! hurry around and cut him off! And tell Uncle Flash whats happening!" Neko flew as fast as she dared back over the fence, calling back "Okay! Hurry!" Neither sibling wanted to see their new little sister hurt. Ace flew as fast as he could, catching up to the ground bound pony. ~*~ Neko races through the building, nearly running into Flash Stock. "Uncle!" Flash Stock looks surprised at his jittery niece. "Whats wrong Neko?" "It's Misaki! somepony's kidnapping her, I have to go!" Flash stock turned around, looking at a picture of Ace and Neko playing in his backyard, taken fourteen years ago when they were still foals. "There is sompony here that you should talk to." Neko looks at Flash Stock in shock. "Bu-bu- but Uncle! there's no time for that the pony is getting away!" Hoof-steps were heard coming down the steps from their upstairs living area. "No Neko, I think you should talk to this pony." An identical cloaked pony to the one that took Misaki, a duel harness on and ready. "After all you won't be leaving until you duel her." ~*~ Ace finally caught up with the cloaked pony, cutting him off. "Put Misaki down, now!" The cloaked being slid Misaki to the ground laying her gently down. Ace sighs relieved. "Now just-" What ever demands Ace was about to say were cut of when the pony slammed a needle into Misaki's shoulder, the automatic plunger shoving a large amount of glowing blue liquid into her. ~*~ Both shadows, one female the other male say the same thing to their dueling opponents. "Defeat me, or she dies."