//------------------------------// // Con Dolore // Story: Ace of Hearts // by blowngasket //------------------------------// Chapter 6: Con Dolore 'Everything is so dark...where am I? Why do I feel so numb?' Catacomb opened his eyes and was staring upwards, into the eyes of a Twilight Sparkle. It was an odd look. Concern, fear, anger, happiness, confusion. People were always funny with how many emotions they could show at once. "Wh...Where am I?" Catacomb finally took the time to look around. The sky was darkened, and the air was still moist from a rainstorm. Putting together the events of what occurred, he quickly shot up, startling Twilight and causing her to jump back. "IS SPIKE ALRIGHT?! He quickly yelled, taking the time to notice that he was outside the hospital. Twilight's odd look changed to some sadness with a hint of anger now. "Spike will be fine...but what were you thinking?!" Twilight said bitterly. Catacomb flinched slightly at the scolding. "Well I certainly didn't think that they would get attacked if that's what yer implying. And now that I think...were you the one who electrocuted me?! Are ya crazy?!" Catacomb started to yell back, only proceeding to make Twilight angrier. "ME! CRAZY!!! You haven't seen crazy yet, pal. You knock me out, drag my little brother off on some Celestia forsaken adventure, and he almost dies! You're lucky I didn't go all out on you...YOU STUPID BUG!" Twilight finished her rant, and Catacomb just sat there silently for what could have been an eternity. Twilight gasped slightly, realizing what she had said. "Catacomb...I..." "Save it..." Catacomb got up and started to walk away. "Cata...please..." Twilight tried to follow him. He turned around quickly and glared at her, his eyes completely different, the completely frosted blue, the signature eyes of the changelings. "Only my friends can call me Cata!" He snapped at her. Twilight flinched backwards, almost in tears. Catacomb grabbed his face, taking a breath and returning his eyes to normal. He then continued to walk back into town. Twilight stood there, unsure of what to do at this point. ---------- ---------- ---------- Rarity sat in the waiting room, tapping her foot impatiently. Everything happened so fast. Twilight shocking Catacomb and telling her to hurry. She of course made haste inside to get him checked up on. The doctor's told them that by the looks of his injuries he should be fine, he would just need to rest for a few days. She was relieved but at the same time unsure of what happened with Twilight and Catacomb. She could have sworn she heard yelling. Her thoughts were soon answered when she saw Twilight enter crying. Rarity quickly got up and hugged her. "It is alright, Twilight. The doctors said Spike will be fine. She looked behind Twilight to see if Catacomb was there with her. "Did Catacomb go home?" This statement caused Twilight's crying to worsen. "Cata and I and he and I AND NOW HE HATES ME!!!" Twilights sentence was broken up, and Rarity couldn't make heads or tails about it. "Shhh...shhh. It is alright, Twilight. Now tell me slowly what happened." Rarity said to her friend, trying to quell her tears. Twilight took a few breaths, composing herself. "It is not alright. After he woke up, we got into an argument, and I said a horrible thing to him..." Twilight let Rarity go and sat down on one of the chairs, Rarity taking a seat next to her, placing a hand on Twilight's shoulder. "The look he gave me...I don't think he will ever forgive me." "I think you should just apologize to him." Rarity said plainly. "I am sure he would understand if you both were to talk without the stress." Rarity smiled slightly, trying to make Twilight feel better. "What happened tonight?" Twilight started. "I was playing with one of Catacomb's guns beforehand, and the next thing I know ...I woke up. it was dark, and Spike and Catacomb were nowhere to be found." "Well...um...to make a long story short, Spike might of asked me out on a date...I think." Rarity said to Twilight, looking away slightly. Twilights jaw practically hit the floor, completely blown away. "And you said no, right?" Twilight asked, still a bit perplexed at this. "I wanted to, but...he was so different. I never seen Spike with such confidence. It was almost overwhelming...though now that I think about your story and mine, you don't think..." "Catacomb asked you out instead? I don't know...if it was him, then Spike wouldn't be in the hospital now..." "Well since the only other person who knows the story is going to be out for a good amount of time, I suggest that you go make peace with Catacomb if you want to know what happened. I'll stay here, it's the least I can do for Spike." Twilight looked at Rarity funny. "He stepped forward and took on the man that attacked us. You only gave me enough time to tell you we were attacked, but I didn't have the chance to tell you what happened. Spike, even injured, held back that awful man long enough for Cata to come on by just in time to save us both. Spike wouldn't be hurt if he wasn't trying to keep me safe, so again, staying here until he wakes up is the least I can do." The more of the story Rarity told, the worse she felt about blowing up at Catacomb. No matter how it started, it ended with Spike protecting Rarity and then Catacomb protecting them both. "Thank you, Rarity. Where do you think I can find Cata?" Twilight asked. "You're asking the wrong person, Twilight. You should ask Perry. The two are staying together, are they not?" Rarity responded. Twilight nodded. "Thank you, Rarity." Twilight said, trying to give her friend a reassuring smile. "Everything will be fine Twilight. If there is a person who can repair a broken friendship, it is you." Rarity said. "Thank you again. I can only hope he is willing to listen." Twilight said, before leaving. --------- ---------- ---------- Twilight knew where she was going, but every step was more difficult as she approached the small house where the two stayed. Taking a deep breath, she knocked on the door a few times. She thought no one was there, but that thought was quickly dispelled by the shuffling of feet heading towards the door. Secretly, she hoped it wouldn't be Catacomb, not yet anyways. The door opened, revealing Perry dressed in his red and green polka dot pajama's and wearing a mask with a sleepy version of his normal one's face. Twilight stared slightly, having been the first time she had ever seen it. It was the first time she had ever been to the house period. Realizing she was just standing there staring for several seconds, she quickly started to speak. "Hi Perry, is Catacomb here?" She asked sheepishly. Perry sighed slightly and opened the door. "Come in, Twilight. Do you like tea or coffee?" Perry asked as he headed for the kitchen. "No thanks, I am just here too..." "Tea.....or coffee......" Perry's tone was somewhat demanding, causing Twilight to flinch slightly. "Tea please..." She responded quickly. Perry began preparing the drinks, while Twilight made her way into the kitchen. She stared slightly at the objects on the table. Two well kept rune guns laid there next to a leather case. She deducted that either Catacomb was here, or she just missed him. She sat down as Perry gave her a mug of hot tea, and sat down across from her. He stared in an almost awkward silence, as if waiting for her to make the first move. She was unsure of what to say, so she said the first thing that came to her head. "Are you actually Cata?" "Gravity Crush..." She jumped as the chair next to her suddenly cracked and sank into the ground. It was definitely Perry, and judging from his actions, he was definitely not happy. "...I take it Catacomb told you what happened..." Twilight said quietly, trying to avoid eye contact. "Catacomb has been my friend for many years now, and as much of a pain as he is, he is never mean or hurtful to the people he considers friends. If you are someone he likes or respects, he will jump through hoops to make sure you are happy. Twilight, do you know how awful what you said to him is?" Twilight looked down, ashamed. "Yes, I was stressed out, and I didn't know what I was saying." She responded truthfully. "As long as you know. I am not here to be a bad guy and make you feel bad. I am defending a friend who was hurt, and fairly badly. I am sure you know how I feel right now, if someone you considered a friend to insult another one of your friends." Twilight nodded. Perry slid a piece of paper her way. She looked down, seeing an address written on it. "Catacomb is most likely here, getting hammered. You might have to do some searching, though. He decided to change his appearance. He didn't want anyone finding him." "Perry...I really am..." She started to speak, but was silenced quickly by a finger on her lips. "No, you don't apologize to me. You're a good girl, Twilight. I have known you for some time. You're almost like a little sister to me. In that same regard, Catacomb is the rebellious younger brother who is secretly an emotional softie. I would like it if you two were able to stay friends. So do us both a favor and go find the little jerk for us, will you?" Perry's words were soft, yet strong. Twilight never knew how sagely he actually was. It must have came with him having to grow up too fast. "Thank you, Perry. I promise I will remember this the next time I feel like sending a storm cloud your way." She chuckled slightly, causing them both to laugh somewhat. "Good. Now hurry up, all this drama is keeping me from my beauty sleep. You don't retain such a perfect face otherwise." Twilight couldn't help but smile. Even in situations like this, he still found ways to make her laugh. ---------- ---------- ---------- Twilight stood at the entrance to the bar and sighed. She had never been in a place like this before, unsure what to expect. The books she had read described the bar as rowdy, a place where men will fight and the women are sleazy. She took a deep breath and walked in. The first thing she noticed was a group of men partying at a table. They all looked quite content with their lives, if not acting a bit louder than socially acceptable. For the most part, everyone else here was rather calm. Twilight looked around, trying to find who she was looking for, but Catacomb being a changeling, that could be anyone. She figured she would do the easiest approach to the situation, since a changeling detection spell would reveal him to the entire bar. "CATACOMB!" Twilight yelled. Everyone stared at her. Everyone but one man at the bar. 'Bingo' she thought to herself. Reverse psycology books weren't a bunch of useless techniques after all. Everyone going back to what they were doing, she sat down next to the man. He looked older, middle aged. He wore a long black coat, with a simple blue dress shirt underneath. He was swirling around his drink haphazardly, not bothering to look at Twilight. The bartender, Earl, approached her and smiled. "What can I get for you?" Twilight sat there, somewhat confused. "Umm...what is there to get?" She asked. Earl was the confused one now. "Alcohol is the usual for people who enter bars...are you even old enough to drink?" He asked. Twilight legitimately shrugged. "How about some fruit juice then..." "That will work! Apple juice please." Earl sighed and pulled out a glass, filling it up. He slid it over to her. She started to drink the glass, having been thirstier than she realized. "Two bits, please." Earl asked. Twilight nodded reaching for her coin purse. She started to panic slightly, looking down. Her purse was not there. "Ummm...I left my coin purse back at my home...I can run and go get it!" Twilight said quickly as she got up. "Hold it there, missy. I don't mind drunks and the rowdy, but I will not stand for a thief." She froze, panicking even more now. She was about to start crying when two bit coins started to roll towards her and Earl. She looked down, and then the direction where they came from. The man at the counter wasn't looking at her, but there was no where else they could have came from. Earl came to the same conclusion, taking the bits and putting them into the register. She moved back to her seat, looking at the man. "Thank you, Catacomb." She said slowly. "Don't mention it...ah damn it..." The man said, face planting himself into the bar. Twilight chuckled slightly at his actions. The man looked up at Twilight, an empty expression causing her laughter to die quickly as she remembered why she was here. She looked back down at the bar, avoiding his face. "Catacomb...I" "I am sorry Twilight." Catacomb said, interrupting her. Twilight was generally shocked by the responce. "It was my idea to have him go out that late, so I take full responsibility for what happened." Twilight didn't know what to say. Here she was, about to apologize, and he does so instead. She looked at him. Though it was a different face, the expression was Catacomb's. She could tell he was being sincere. "I accept, and I want to apologize to you as well. What I said was mean and hateful...and I didn't mean it. You're a good friend that I would hate to lose." Twilight smiled, causing Catacomb to smile as well. "Thanks. It does mean alot to me Twilight." Catacomb said. "Great, now quit acting like you're having a midlife crisis and come back to the Library with me. I want to talk about what happened today, and I don't think the present company should be listening." She looked around noticing a few stares from some of the patrons. "Rather not have people thinking Celestia's student is out with older men." "Being older just means I have more experience." Catacomb responded chuckling. "Alright, though. I guess it is only fair." He gathered up the bits he needed to pay for his drink, the only one he had and been staring at the entire time, and started to leave, Twilight following as well. Before they left however, he turned towards the people watching. "SHE IS MY NIECE YOU SICK PERVERTS!" They all turned quickly and went back to what they were doing. "Seriously, a pretty girl walks into a bar, and suddenly everyone is stupid." He grumbled as they left. As soon as they were clear, Catacomb went back to his usual form, stretching out happily. ---------- ---------- ---------- The walk back to the library was relatively uneventful, just a quiet walk. They decided to wait until they got inside to start talking, just to be safe. That and Twilight wanted to write everything down as notes for future referance. Arriving safely, they entered, Catacomb shutting and locking the door while Twilight went over to her writing desk. "Ok, first question. Why was I unconscious?" Twilight asked. "You shot a low level sleep spell at a dragon kin, next question." Catacomb said with a grin. Twilight smacked herself on the head, completely forgetting that subtle little fact. She was so excited to actually see a rune gun, that she forgot that magical rules still applied. "I was curious..." Twilight said slightly embarrassed. "Anyways, what happened after?" Catacomb began to explain the days events, starting from the card game and ending with him being electrocuted. "Sorry about that, by the way. I might of acted a bit crazy there." "It's fine. It is hard to keep me down." Catacomb responded. "But...wow. I can't believe you did all of that, to help out Spike. Why did you do it?" Twilight asked, writting down the last of the notes. "Because I wanted to." Catacomb said. Twilight looked at him with a puzzling look. "Really? That is it?" Catacomb nodded. "Why exactly?" "I didn't know I needed a reason to help others." Catacomb said, smirking slightly. "It is fine, just unexpected, especially from someone of your..." "Is it because I am a changeling?" Catacomb asked, staring slightly. "I was going to say you extensive criminal background." Twilight groaned, causing Catacomb to chuckle. "Even if the records did exist still, I deny everything." "You do know you're not on trial, you can say what you want." Twilight said, still writing her notes. "I don't trust people with quills. They scare me." Catacomb said jokingly. Twilight looked down at the feather quill in her hand, and at her notes. She was writing down everything said, causing her to blush slightly. She put the quill down and moved her chair closer to Catacomb. "I was curious, since I never actually met a friendly one. Could I see what you really look like?" Catacomb was slightly taken aback by the question. It wasn't the first time someone asked, but he was fairly reserved when it came to his actual form. He dealt with it in the only way he knew how. "Wanting me to take my clothes off? Isn't it a bit soon?" He laughed nervously. Twilight's expression was unchanging, though. Catacomb sighed. "You get one arm, that's it. And I swear to Celestia that if you start shoving things in my holes I am never talking to you again. Twilight looked at him with the most serious face he had ever seen on her. She looked right into his eyes and started to speak. "Isn't that what she said?" She grinned slightly. The joke hit Catacomb hard, causing him to fall over laughing. He couldn't believe he just heard that, from Twilight no less. Twilight couldn't contain herself anymore and started laughing as well. After a good five minutes, they finally managed to catch their breath, and Catacomb got of the floor. "Alright Twilight, after that one I can't say no. But seriously, I did not see that coming from ya. It was brilliant." Catacomb said holding his arm out towards Twilight. "Rainbow told me that one. She said, and I quote, 'When the time is right, say that and you will be rewarded.' I figured it was appropriate now, so I went for it." "And was the delivery perfect. You should consider poker. Your face could stir the calm of anyone. Just don't gamble against Reader, he is a dirty cheater." Catacomb said, frowning at all the bits he has lost to him. "You are talking about the one that can read minds, right?" Catacomb nodded. "Well its no surprise you lost to him. Seriously Cata, you're either the most clever man I have ever met, or the biggest idiot. I am still deciding. Anyways, your arm please?" She asked, looking down at the outstretched arm. "Alright...here I go..."