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// Friend's and Fade's Little Sceret 
// Story: Subject 27 
// by Phyrexian 
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						Chapter 14 - Friend and Fade’s Little Secret

        “Hmmm, Friend, Fade..... W-What happened last night?” I close my eyes traveling to the darkness inside my mind.

        “Oh? You don’t recall a thing lad? Well then, isn't this going to be fun.” Friend appears in front of me.

        “Subject 27... That was quite a show last night... I didn’t know you humans could move like that..” Fade manifest right  besides Friend, her hand is covering her mouth trying to hide her smile, her face slightly red.

        “So, you two saw everything last night?” I start to set down as a seat rapidly appears out of the darkness.

        I lean back in the chair made out of nothingness, I drag my hand across my face as I try to recall anything from the night before. Anything I try to do just brings back just a big dark blank spot from the events that occurred last night.

        “The human body never ceases to amaze me, so Subject 27 when were you going to let me ‘explore’ your body?” Fade gives me a wink as she lets out a small giggle.

        “Careful lass, I’ve seen our good boy here take out countless women who wanted to get ‘close’ to him just trying to catch him off guard.” Friend’s throne manifested behind him as he takes a seat.

        Fade quickly moves right behind me, almost like she was just gliding across the ground. The back of my seat disappears as I fall my back lands against Fade as she drapes her arms around my neck, catching me. She places her mouth next to my ear before she whispers her icy seductive words into my mind.

        “Aww Subject 27, why won’t you let me get close to you? All I just want is to play a little with you.” My ears start to burn a little as her chilly words nip at them.

        “What did I just say lass?! Are you deaf?!” Friend now has his skull cane in his right hand as he taps the ground with it.

        “I don’t want to assassinate Subject 27. No, I want to ‘explore’ this fascinating body of his.”

        “Careful lass, he might be a fine looking man but he still an assassin through and through.” He stops tapping his cane as he leans back in his throne.

        “Don’t worry Friend, I’ll make sure I treat Subject 27 right.” She starts to nibble on my ear.

- - -

I open my eyes as Cloud starts to stir. I lay there just watching Cloud moves about on my chest. Her soft coat rubs up against my chest as she stirs in her sleep; She nuzzles her head into my chest as she slowly starts to wake. She continues to nuzzle her head into my chest as she wakes up, letting out moans and a sigh as she stretches out.

“Oh Celestia, I haven't slept like that in ages.” She rolls over on her back, stretching out her legs and wings before rolling over to her other side.

I just lay there quiet, as I watch her move about on my chest. I place my hand on her mane and start to pet her, she looks up to me with a smile on her face.

“Good morning 27... I didn’t know you were awake yet.”

“Yeah, I’ve just been watching you sleep for only a few minutes.” I ran my fingers through her blue mane.

“Yeah? I love just laying here listening to your heart beat, the rhythmic beat is just soothing. Such a powerful heart you have, must be large to keep your body running.” She presses her ear closer to my chest as she listens to my heartbeat.

We just lay there in bed as the sun’s rays start to creep across the bed. The birds still chirped outside the window on a nearby tree. A warm breeze blows through the window filling the room with warmth and the fresh scent of flowers. I am still trying to find any shred of memories from last night, I’m too embarrassed to ask Cloud and I doubt Friend or Fade will give me an honest answer.

“I wish we could just lay in bed forever, I love the warmth of your body pressing against mine.” Cloud nuzzles her head into my neck as she lets out another sigh of joy.

The only thing I can do right now is play along and act like I know what happened last night until I can persuade Friend or Fade to tell me what happens, or something triggers a fragment of last night to come back. We lay there just enjoying each others company, I place both my arms around Cloud embracing her in a hug.

“Hey Cloud, I have an idea, how about you stay here in bed while I go fetch us some breakfast?” Looking down at Cloud, to see her with a bigger smile on her face.

“That’s a fantastic idea 27! Surprise me.” She looks up to me and gives me a kiss before wiggling out from my arms and trotting towards the bathroom.

With Cloud finally off my chest I can finally stretch out and pop my back, a loud crack rings out as I twist in bed; I quickly turn my neck cracking it as well before I get out of bed. I look around the room to try to find my clothes; They were scattered throughout the room, pants hanging off the dresser, my shirt on a lamp that was on the wall, my boots were by the door and my boxers were by the bed.

I quickly got dressed as I hear the shower turn on; I was about to put my boots on when I noticed my old tattered camo pants in the corner, I pick them up and folded them and took them with me, hoping I can find a tailor nearby to craft me a new pair. I stop and turned around before leaving to put my medallion on around my neck and grab a handful of coins before I go.

I left the room into the world outside. We were in a rather nice looking hotel and our room was on the ground level; I notice a staff pony walking past and I grab his attention and asked him where the closet tailor was and a good place to grab a bite to eat.

“Well, a good tailor is rather close by, you leave the main entrance and take a left, walk about one block and you should see her store called ‘Fancy Threads’ you can’t miss it. The hotel offers room service and its pretty good, just go to the front desk and place an order and you’ll be good to go.” The male earth pony explains before he continues on with his work.

I thank him for his help before I made my way towards the front desk, I reach the front desk with ease and ring the bell on the counter. A mare earth pony comes to the front desk and greets me with a warm welcome.

“Look who’s awake! You two made quite a bit of noise last night, you two have fun?” She smiles as she teases me.

“Yah, you can say that, may I place an order with you for room service?” I stand there trying my best just to play along.

“Oh yes, sorry about that. When you two came in last night looking for a room it looked like you two were having a rather good night. What might you like for breakfast, sir?” She grabs a quill and some parchment from out underneath the counter.

“Hmm, just give us what ever is popular, please and thank you.” She simply nods and gives me one more warm smile before I left.

I left the hotel and walked down the street towards the tailor’s shop, the sidewalks and streets were filled ponies of all shape and sizes; Each one well dressed as they tended to their own business and went on with their day. I’ve only been walking for a few minutes before I spot the sign for the tailor’s shop; I reach the shop and entered it, the bell above the door rang out as it easily swung open.

The tailor comes to the front of the store and the look on her face never gets old. Her eyes going wide as she sized me up while she tried her best to close her mouth before it hit the floor. She was simply at a loss for words before I made my way towards the counter.

“I’ve been recommended by an earth pony and he said you’re a rather skilled tailor. I have an odd request for you and I hope you can do it.” I place my tattered pair of old camo pants on the counter.

“I would like to know if you can craft me a new pair of pants, using the same kind of pattern as these. I’m willing to pay rather handsomely for your hard work.” I lean on the counter, the medallion around my neck slips out from my shirt, catching her attention.

“Oh! I’m sorry sir! I didn’t know you worked for the Princesses! Please forgive my rudeness!” She backs up from the counter in shock.

“Oh, it’s quite fine, just treat me like any normal customer. Now please, back to the matter at hand.” Her gaze now fixated on the pants.

“O-Okay sir, once again I’m sorry for my rudeness. Hmmm.... I think I do have this fabric in stock, but it will take me some time to dye it to match this. If I rushed it I could have it done in about a week.” She places her hoof on the pants as she looks it over.

“Oh no, please take your time! Just put this on the back burners for now, don’t let me interrupt your work. I’m about to leave on a quest for Princess Luna and I’ll be away for quite sometime. How much will this cost?” I take the handful of coins and start to count them.

“Oh free of charge of course! Just having you walk into my store is great for business!”

        “This is going to be a problem, it would be very bad for me if I drew too much attention to myself, it would be better for me if no one knew I was a Lunar Knight. I would greatly appreciate it if you kept this quiet and told no pony I was here.” I sighed before saying this, the tailor now has a depressed look on her face after hearing this.

        “Oh, okay... How long would you be away on your quest for the Princess?”

        “I don’t know, would 15 bits be enough for this?” I put the bits on the counter and the rest in my pocket.

        “Yes! 15 bits is more than enough to cover this!” She floats over a quill and parchment from underneath the counter and some measuring tape.

        She quickly took my measurements and wrote them down on the parchment, she looked me over once more before my boots caught her attention. They were covered in blood and mud, with many caked on layers of both.

        “If you like I could try my hoof at cleaning those... Things you have on your hooves.. Why do you wear such things?” She points at my rather dirty boots with her fore hoof.

        “There called boots, and I don’t have hooves like ponies do, I have feet and I wear these to protect them. If you wouldn't mind just washing them off then I would be grateful.” I take off my boots and she quickly enveloped them in a levitation field.

        The tailor quickly trots to the back with my boots in tow behind her. I looked around the shop and found a bench against a wall, I made my way and slowly sat down on it trying not to break it. I sat there with my head against the wall and I began to rub my eyes as I try to make any more sense from what happened.

        The only things I could recall was we were in the watering hole and we ordered a few drinks. After a short while I ordered a special drink called an Apple Bomb, I didn’t know it would have so much kick to it. I drank roughly.... I don’t know... Five, maybe six shots? Before the my memory goes dark. I sat there on the bench for roughly an half hour before I was brought out of my deep thought by the tailor.

        “There you go, good as new, kind of. I was able to clean them and repair most of the damage on them. The bits you already gave me will cover more than enough crafting for your pants and the minor repairs of your things...” She floats my boots in front of me.

        I grab my boots and the levitation field dissipates around them, I slip my boots on with ease, the feel and almost look good as new. I stand up and wiggle my toes in my repaired and cleaned boots, I look up and thank her for masterful craftsmanship and her confidentiality before I took my leave.

        I walk back down the sidewalk towards the hotel were Cloud and I stayed at. The sun’s rays licked at my face with warmth. I quickly return to the hotel and started to head towards our room, just a few ponies were outside doing work as I walked by. I make it to our room and open the door. I was greeted by a heartfelt greeting by Cloud as she just finished her breakfast.

        “Welcome back 27! What took you so long?” She stands up from the table and trots over to greet meet.

        “Just had to run a small errand before I came back, what did room service bring?” I place my hand on her head and pet her before I walked over towards the table.

        “Oh nothing too special, just a fresh summer salad and some orange juice.”

        I set down at the table and started to devour the salad. I finish the salad in just a few minutes and looked up to see Cloud laying back on the bed.

        “So Cloud, did you want to do anything special today? See some sites, go visit some friends, or just spend the day together doing nothing?” I get up from the table and started to head towards the bed.

        “Well... I wanted to talk to you about your quest from Princess Luna to the zebra nation.” She says with a hint of depression in her voice.

        “Okay, what did you wanted to know?” I sat down on the bed next to Cloud, placing my arm around her as she leans against me.

        “Well, I wanted to know if you had any idea where the zebra nation is at or what was on it?”

        “Nope, not a clue. But I would assume Luna would give me all information I need before I leave.” Trying my best to reassure her.

        “That’s what worries me 27, I don’t think any pony, not even the Princesses know anything about it, and I’ve never heard anything about anypony traveling to the zebra nation.” She looks up to me with her big blue eyes.

        “Don’t worry about me Cloud, you know I can’t be killed that easily. The only person that was able to come even close to killing me was Colt, I doubt the zebra nation can throw anything at me that could even put a scratch on me.” I let my back fall and drop onto the bed, my arms spread out across it.

        “W-Well I do worry about you 27. You keep on fighting and I don’t think your body can take as much abuse as you think it can... E-Every time you go into a fight you come out worse than the previous fight. What if the next fight you go into you don’t come out alive? I-I.... I just don’t know what I’ll do if anything happened to you.” Her eyes start to fill with tears before she laid down next to me.

        “Cloud, when have I ever not kept a promise to you?” I turn onto my side as Cloud starts to lay down.

        “Y-You always kept your promises that you made...” I wipe away the one tear that ran down her face.

        “I may not know every thing from my past, but the one thing I do know is this; I never go back on my word. Cloud I promise you this, I will come back alive from the zebra nation and the first thing I’ll do is find you wherever you may be.” 

        We lay on the bed for a little while longer just enjoying each other company, the warm air from outside blows through window bringing the sweet scent of flowers.

        “Hey 27... You could use a shower....” I take a sniff of the air and smell the masculine odor.

        “Yah... I could use one...” I get off from the bed and head towards the shower, taking off my shirt before entering the bathroom and tossing it at the bed.

        I finished undressing and stepped into the shower, I turned a nozzle at random hoping for hot water to pour out from the spout. Luckily hot water starts to spray out from the spout and begins to cascade down my body. I stand there in the shower just letting the hot water run down my back, before I was able to zone out a knock came from the door.

        “Coming!” Cloud yells out as she trots to the door.Cloud opens the door, before she could greet the visitor they walked into our room.

        “Subject 27! The Princess ordered us to come fetch you and bring you to the castle!” Two royal guards now stand outside the bathroom doorway.

        “Fine, give me a moment, I’m in the shower.” I turn the nozzle, turning the water off, cutting my shower short.

        I step out of the shower, and started to dry myself off: I put my pants and boots on after being fully dried off I walked out the bathroom only being greeted by two armed royal guards.

        “Subject 27! The Princess as required an audience with you! Come with us to the castle at once!.”

        “Give me a moment, mind waiting outside the room for me?” The guards simply turned and walked out the room.

        “Cloud, take the rest of the bits, use them as you wish, I have no need for currency. I will be back soon enough; remember the promise I made you.” I hug Cloud before I put on my shirt and my medallion before I left the room.

        I step outside the room, being greeted once more by the two guards. They turned around and started to walk towards the castle; I merely followed them both. The sun started to hang in the air as it was almost in the afternoon. As we make our way onto the main road I can see the castle; Its size still baffles me.

        “So boys, why did the Princess want to see me so urgently?”

        “Princess Luna wanted to speak with you about the matters regarding your quest, this is all the information she gave us.” The guards didn’t even turn their heads to say this.

        After walking for a short while we make it to the front gates of the castle, guards not paying any attention to me as we entered. We walked through the amazingly beautiful hallways once more, eventually reaching the royal hall. We the hall and I see Luna sitting on her throne as she greets me with a smile as I enter.

        “Sorry if We interrupt your day, Subject 27. We have urgent news involving your quest for the zebra nation known as ‘Unyasi’; Our scouts brought back some grim news from the mysterious continent.” She rises from her throne and starts to walk towards me.

        The guards kneel in front of her before they took their leave. I drop down to one knee and look down towards the floor as she approaches me; I still don’t know if this is a appropriate gesture or not.

        “What can you tell me about ‘Unyasi’, any information you can provide will help me greatly, my Princess.”

        Luna stops in front of me and places a hoof on my right shoulder, I look up to see a rather grim look upon her face.

        “You may rise my knight, and the information I have for you is very little... The only thing I can tell you right now is that there seems to be a civil war raging on in the small continent. My scouts were only able to collect very limited information before he was spotted and fled for his life. We have a small harbor on the northern side of Unyasi, I’ll inform the guards stationed there to allow you free passage to and from Unyasi.” I raise to my feet as I meet Luna’s eyes.

        “Is there a faster way getting to Unyasi then by boat? I would greatly preferred if I could get this done as soon as possible.” 

        “Well yes.... We could teleport you there but there is one problem though. We’ve never been to Unyasi before so our spell could backfire and send you to Talonpolis or somewhere evil.... such as Tartarus...” Luna’s eyes narrow after mentioning Tartarus.

        “So, since you’’ve never been to Unyasi before your teleportation spell won't be accurate. Makes sense. It would definitely be hard to imagine a place if you have no idea what it might look like. I’ll take my chances Princess Luna.” A small smile breaks out on my face after saying this; Knowing my luck I’ll either go where I need to be or be sent to the moon itself.

        “Very well my knight, while you are there we have a request for you. Would you act as an ambassador for us? Whichever side ends up being the victor of their civil war, We would greatly appreciate it if you try to win their favor and have us on good terms with them. After you finish Fade’s quest of course.”

        “As you command my Princess.” Bowing down before her after I accept her quest.

        “P-Please, call us Luna.” She says as a hint of embarrassment fills her voice.

        “Very well, Luna. Now let’s get on with this, shall we? Teleport me to Unyasi.”

        Luna’s horn quickly lights up a dark blue as she channels her spell. She looks at me and says one last thing before teleporting me.
.
        “Good luck my knight, may the darkness protect you and may you return safely to Us.” She lets loose her spell and my vision goes black as it takes effect.

Credits

Editor

frieD195