//------------------------------// // Chapter Thirteen // Story: Agent of Chaos // by Li_Time //------------------------------// Chapter Thirteen Edited by MrSpartan Discord Ah, my home of chaos. As much as I do enjoy my new life with friends in Ponyville, I can never let go of at least a little bit of chaos. It's in my nature. I can never get rid of that. But it's lonely, so I've found myself going to other realms. Realms other than Equestria. I've gone to realms that books only talk about. I've been to both the human and a realm called the Nevernever. Those were realms with laws against Outsiders, which is what I am. Good thing I can disguise my form. So, I go there when I can. I wasn't making plans to go there, but I found myself needing to. My brother escaped his prison and went to the realm of humans. I guess he could go to another realm too, but I was sure he went there. There was a power from there that he only got a taste of. He wants that power, I just know it. So I went to the human realm in search of my brother. I appeared in an alley, of a city called Chicago. Not Chicacolt, the pony equivalent, Chicago. There were many similarities. In fact, there was a lot of that between this world and Equestria that I've noticed. Some of the technology in Equestria was similar, but this realm thrived on it, more so than the magic that was here. This world did limit my abilities. I couldn't change the place right out like I could in Equestria. That wasn't my goal here. Besides, this place wasn't fun to cause chaos in, not the way I want to cause it. But this place, Chicago, was special. It was like the central hub of magic. Let me put it this way. The Tree of Harmony was the central power of magical harmony in Equestria. It protected the land, for the most part, and gave Fluttershy and her friends their power. Its roots ran deep into the land, spreading its protective power everywhere. Here, there was something like that, but there was no tree. Instead, the magic ran through the earth, the air, the raw energy of the humans that live here. Not everyone here could use the magic, but it was still there. If Chaogent was going to go anywhere, it would be here. I stepped out of the alley and looked around in my new form. Much like other creatures that come here, I disguised myself as a human. I took the form of a middle age man, not because I was a being that has lived for thousands of years, but because it worked better as a disguise. I had to get rid of my horns and wings, as well as the different animal parts. I also sported a suit, brown pinstripes with a yellow button down shirt and red tie. I also had a cane. It was a cane I had when I went to a Gala before in Canterlot. I long slender  brown cane with a gold end and a gold orb on the top. The orb had a black arrow design where eight arrows pointed out from the center, each pointing away from the center. As I walked, the cane clicked on the ground. My first stop was to get information. This was one of the riskier parts of my visit, and I still had to go to church. This place was the go-to for the magical community of this world. It was also the go-to for the beings from the parallel world that runs alongside this realm. Some people call it the Fairy Realm, others call it the Nevernever. I call it a place I shouldn't go to if I don't want every being in existence coming to kill me. I might be a powerful creature of chaos, but when you have billions of fairies and everything else coming at you...you wouldn't want to test your luck. McAnally is what everyone here knew him as, though Mac was more common a nickname for him. I knew him by another name, Watcher. He was good at what he did. He also could make a mean beer. Hey, when in Rome. I entered the pub and looked around at the place. I took no interest in anyone else that was there, nor the way it looked. I was just making sure nothing was there that would want to try and kill me. Just normal semimagical folks. However, one did get my interest, the man sitting at the bar talking with Watcher. I didn't know him as a person, but I knew him by reputation. I had to keep an eye on him. I looked to the owner, Watcher. "Mac," I said as I walked over. Even though I knew what he really was, that didn't mean I was going to go around advertising it. "It's been too long. You still make that ale that I so find delectable?" "You are not welcome here," Watcher said. He meant it literally, but he was someone I had established a connection with before. "Oh, come now, is that any way to treat an old friend?" I asked. I just hoped that he would still respond. "What do you want?" he asked. That was a good sign. At least he offered to listen. "I told you. One of your fine ales, and any information about the whereabouts of someone." "There's nothing here for you,” he told me. Not good. It seemed that nothing has reached his ears. This was probably my best bet to find out something about my brother if he was here. Then again, he hasn't been gone for long. I decided I'd try and find out if something else was in the works. "Yo," I heard the man who was sitting at the bar say. "If I were you, buddy, I would get lost." I knew the guy could be trouble, but he could at least let me finish. "Oh, I'm sorry," I said. "I didn't realize you were included in this conversation." "I wasn't, until I decided to see my way into it,” the man said, taking a pull from his beer. “If Mac doesn't want you here, than you best leave." Well, this guy just killed the mood. I could push back and try and get the info I needed from Watcher, but I knew him enough to get it a different way. Besides, I couldn't afford getting into a magical fist fight with this guy. Still, I wanted to test his bravery. I stared into his eyes. Eyes were the gateway to a person's soul. A soul is hard to explain. People say it's what makes them who they are. You could say that a pony's Cutie Mark is their version of a soul. But for a being like me, I don't really have a soul in the same sense as humans or ponies. In fact, I couldn't really tell you what a soul is. What I did know was that if a wizard looked into someone else's eyes, the two would get a peek into each other's souls. Apparently, they could do that with ponies, though ponies couldn't do it with each other. With that said, if a wizard looked into my eyes, he would see nothing. He wouldn't know that until he looked into them. He did look into my eyes. Oh, I felt so flattered now. I had to smirk at him, admiring his courage. Or maybe he knew. After all, this guy wasn't the Winter Knight for nothing. "Clever," I told him. "You figured out I wasn't human rather quickly. Either that or you're really dumb." I gave him a bow. "I will depart from here then. I can see when I'm not welcome. But..." I reached into my pocket. Paper money appeared as I pulled it out and handed it to Watcher. "I still would like that drink." It was my last attempt to get something from Mac. Even if it was a nice warm beer, my trip wouldn't be a total loss. I was glad that he took the money and gave me a bottle. I felt the subtle power on the label, enough for me to notice but not a servant to one of the Fairy Courts. I twirled the bottle, making it vanish. I'll have to look at it later. "For the road," I said, looking at the man. "I'll be seeing you around, Harry Dresden." As I said his name, I put a little power into it. I didn't know his full Name, but even if I did, I didn't need to control him. I just needed to make a mark on him. With that, I turned and left, trying to not seem in too much of a hurry to leave. But I didn't want to stay too long. The Winter Knight might decide he wanted to ask me a few questions. Once out of the pub, I quickly put some distance between the Winter Knight and myself. I waved down a cab at one point and told him to start driving. As I sat in the back seat, I made the bottle reappear. I pulled the at the label, which came off easily, and made the bottle disappear again. I looked at the label, turning it over to look at the back. "Saint Mary of the Angels," I read aloud. "I was going there anyway." This was perfect. I was just going to go there on a hunch, but if the Watcher was pointing me that way, that meant I'd find something there. So, it was time to go to church. The sky was orange from the sunset as I made my way to the front of the church. I had until sunrise to return to Equestria to give a report to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. If I didn't, they would send the others here. They cannot handle this world. Even with the plans and set ups I'd put into place in case they had to come, I rather they stay where they were. If they came here, they may not make it back. So, I had to work fast. With that in mind, I quicken my stride to the church and knocked on the door. It was only a few minutes before a man with black hair and beard with sprinkles of gray in it opened the door. He stood there with the help of a cane. Like the Winter Knight, I knew this man by reputation. He was a knight until he retired from an injury. Luckily, he didn't know me. "Is something troubling?" he asked me. "Oh, good Father," I said. "It isn't too late to hear a man's confession?" "I'm no Father, sir. I am a brother of the church. Most of the Fathers' have gone home, but I might be able to see if one could see you. Please, come in, Brother." He stepped aside to let me in. "Thank you, good sir," I said, walking in. I felt the curtains of power over the place shift around me. The first challenge has been won. I have to say, thresholds were a powerful thing. Now, I'm not a vampire or something that would normally be effected by a threshold, but a threshold around a church was different. It was a holy threshold. Whether you believed in a higher power or not, the belief that has humans coming to this place filled it with great holy power. It's that holy belief that could cripple me to the point that I would be crawling on the floor in my true form and be an easy target. However, someone from the church, like a former Knight of the Cross, invited me in. Like a vampire being invited into a home, I could walk in without losing any power. I still wasn't going to throw around my chaotic power, but I wasn't about to risk losing a trail over something like this. "Take a seat in the chapel,” the man told me. “I'll go find Father Forthill.” "Thank you, sir," I said and watched him walk down a hall. I went into the chapel and sat down on a bench. I looked around at the arches and the stain glass windows. It was impressive in its own order-filled way, built in a Cathedral style. It was a Roman Catholic church after all. It wasn't my style, however. The pub fit better with its random placement of columns, chairs, and fans. This was neat and organized. But I can't have my fun. I had work to do. The man returned and sat next to me. "Father Forthill will be here shortly," he said. "Thank you, sir." "May I ask what's troubling you?" "Family issues," I said. "My brother has not been the kindest of brothers. Though I haven't always been kind myself, but I've been trying to reform." "Well, God is a forgiving one. Whatever you may have done in your past, He will forgive you if you try. The same for your brother." "Do you have family?" I asked. "Yes. A wife and seven kids,” he replied. "That's nice. I wish I could have a wife and kids,” I told him, absentmindedly. "It is a blessing everyday to wake up and see them,” he told me. “Even though four have grown up and moved out now with another about to move out soon." "They grow up so fast,” I said. "Yes," he said with a soft smile. "I remember my oldest, Molly, when she was born. Now she is almost thirty years old." "I guess you're glad in a way," I said. "Is she married? Have kids?" He sighed with a soft chuckle. "No. She doesn't even have herself a boyfriend. Too busy with her work." "That's a shame,” I said. “A young woman shouldn't be so tied down with work. I was much the same. Now I'm too old." "If you think you're old, my son, you should look at me," said a man's voice. I looked up to see an older man in a priest robes. His eyes looked like they were filled with recent hurt, like he went through something dramatic not too long ago. "Father Forthill, I presume," I said, standing. "I am, my son. Has Michael been good company for you?" he asked. "He has." "I'll hear your confessions now," he said as he walked to the booth. It wasn't too often you saw a Father before they stepped into a confessional booth. But I had a feeling he did it on purpose. I stepped into my side of the booth and closed the door. "I assume you know I'm not here for a confession," I said softly, kneeling in front of the screen. "I had a feeling, my son,” Forthill said. "You still call me 'son' knowing I'm not human?" I asked, surprised. "If you were here for bad intentions, you wouldn't have made it passed the parking lot,” he pointed out. “And even a creature from the Nevernever can be saved." "I guess I should confess something then, Father. I'm not from the Nevernever either." I could feel him tense up. "Believe me when I say I'm not here to cause chaos. I'm here to prevent it." It was his turn to be surprised. "I've never heard of an Outsider with good intentions.” "I've been reformed," I said. "And could you please keep my true identity a secret? At least not until it needs to be known. But my brother might be here for something,” I said, getting back on topic. "What would your brother be looking for?" he asked me. "A coin." I heard him suck in a breath when I said that. "I hope you mean he's just looking for spare change,” he replied. "I'm afraid not, Father,” I said. "So, why come here?" he asked. "Chicago seems to have a giant magnet for these types of things,” I pointed out. "I'm afraid I would have to agree with that," he said with a sigh. "I thank you for your warning, my son. I'll have to talk with the Church to see if any more coins have disappeared." "I'll return later," I said. "I need to find my brother and stop him. Otherwise, your world and my own will be in great danger." "Back door first thing in the morning, I'll have something for you." "Afternoon," I said. "I must return to my world in the morning briefly. Otherwise, you might have some more visitors." "Afternoon then, and may God be with you." I wasn't sure why he felt he trusted me enough to send God to my side, but I accepted it. I thanked him again and left the church. I sighed as I looked up at the now darkened sky. As much as I would love to get an answer now, it would probably take some time before he could find out if a coin was taken. He may even send for the current Knights. I only knew of one active Knight at the moment, but there might be another by now. Then there was the former Knight, Michael Carpenter. I got some information from him that might be useful. It might not seem it, but I could pick up some subtle clues from his words. "Molly Carpenter," I said softly, pushing a very small amount of will into it. I had a feeling her 'job' might be important. Just a hunch. I got in the cab that I had paid to wait for me outside of the church. It was time for my next stop, the docks. It was going to be a quick stop. It was. I got out of the cab, paid the man to wait, and walked out onto one of the pairs. I looked out at the lake, to the horizon. There was a power out there, one that could be useful in case I couldn't make it back to Equestria. So, I sent a little bit of will out over the water. I waited until I knew my will had reached that power; then I got back in the cab. The cab driver was staring at me, probably wondering why some crazy old man just stood on one of the pairs and stared out at the water. He didn't say anything when I came, but he kept giving me a strange look in the rearview mirror. The black, turtle neck wearing driver kept glancing at me as I headed to my next stop. "Something bothering you?" I asked him after a while. "What was that stop about?" he asked in a deep voice. "It seemed you were focusing on something." "It's nothing," I lied. "Old memories." "Is that all?" he asked as he reached for something under the seat. "Or were you sending a message to your friends with your powers?" He came back up and threw what looked like the needle of a sea-urchin at me. Luckily, I was ready for it. Some creatures shouldn't say anything before attacking. I whipped my cane aside and hit the needle. The needle became a spaghetti noodle and bounced off my chest. I hit the seat with my cane and it became a pile of fluffy whip cream, making the driver fall through it and onto the floor. He swerved as he fell through, losing control of the cab. I quickly started tapping the cab around me with my cane, making belts and straps and padding appear around me. The cab crashed into a parked white hummer. The padding around me protected me. The whip cream went everywhere as the driver went through the windshield and into the car that we hit. So...the hummer was white. I frowned as I started to tap everything again with my cane to turn them back to normal. There was still some whip cream and missing chunks to the seat, but I didn't think anyone would go too far into trying to figure that out. So I opened the door of the cab and got out to see a man coming over. He was a young handsome man with dark hair and bluish gray eyes. "Crazy cab driver," I said. "I'm lucky to have had my seatbelt on." "Yes," he said. "But now I have to call my insurance." I had to say, I never felt so guilty before in my life. I've done some bad things in my lifetime. I've seen the errors of my ways before and felt bad that it happened. I had intentionally done them. This was an accident. It was exciting and chaotic, but I didn't mean for it to happen in the way it did. This guy, whoever he was, had nothing to do with this, and I just painted his car red. "I apologize, sir." "Oh, it's alright. I'll just get it cleaned and fixed up." I don't know what came over me. I felt the need to repay the guy. I reached into my pocket, made more money appear, and I withdrew it. It was a lot of hundreds folded over. "Here, I feel I should pay you at least. It was my cab after all." "I couldn't do that," he said, giving me a forced smile. It was clear he didn't blame me, but he was still upset about the whole thing. "I insist," I said. I pushed the money into his hand, and felt the power flowing through him. It wasn't like the Winter Knight, the former Knight of the Cross, or the Watcher. It was different, and I felt I knew what it was too. "I have to repay you sometime," he said as he pulled out a business card. "I'm Thomas Raith. You need anything, give me a call." I looked at the card as I recognized the name Raith. I wasn't sure how, but I've heard of Raith before. But he was nice enough and he could be useful. "Thomas Raith," I said. "I am Sam Singer. I will be sure to give you a call." I saw him nod as he looked back at his car. "You best go. I'll deal with this. And stay clear of black turtlenecks." I didn't get what he meant, but I was sure it had something to do with the dress choice of the driver. Was there a group of people running around attacking anyone with even the slightest magical abilities? I best be sure not to let my friends come here. To further complicate matters, now I didn't have a cab. So, I walked. I would much rather just appear where I needed to go, but using my powers wasn't very wise. Not only was I limited, but if I used too much, I would collapse and would be an easy target to capture. If I were caught, I would be sent to the Outer Gates where I would be cast out and be trapped outside. I wouldn't be able to return to Equestria, or even my realm that I created. I would have to sneak passed the Outer Gates into the Nevernever before I could return. So, I couldn't afford using up my power. After a long walk, I found myself outside a mansion. It was my last stop, I hoped. The man I was about to go see was a crime lord. Most of his work was mortal, but he had ears in the magical part of the world. It's just getting to chat with him that would be a problem. I pushed the buzzer at the front gate and waited for an answer. "Who is it?" came a man's voice. "An old friend looking to chat with Mr. Marcone," I said. "He's unavailable at this time." "This is an urgent matter. Johnny Marcone, I wish an audience with you under the protection of the Unseelie Accords. I will abide by them as such. I only wish to find information." There was a catch to what I said. The Unseelie Accords was an old tradition that fell over many beings of the supernatural world. The Pub was neutral territory under those accords. However, I was an Outsider. The Accords did not protein to me. Meaning I did not have to follow them. On the other hand, I could not be protected by it. Being welcomed in as a guest would normally mean that the host could not bring harm to me as long as I didn't start something first. Since I was not protected by the accords, I was playing a dangerous game of risk. They didn't need to know that. After a long wait, wondering if I had made the right choice, the gates started to open. I took a deep breath, even though I didn't really need to breath, and walked forward. About half ways down the lawn, I heard a gunshot and something of high speed hit the concrete in front of me. I stopped and looked at the mansion. "You can stay right there," said a woman as she walked towards me from the house. "What are you?" I frowned a bit. "Me? I'm a simple man." She tossed a small wooden square at me. Once it hit my chest, I felt power release from it. It felt like something ran into me and I fell back. "You are no man," she said. "You are not from the Nevernever. You are not a part of the accord." I growled as I stood up and faced her. "I am not here for a fight, Valkyrie," I said, realizing who she was. I was in a bad position now. I could easily take her out, but it would cause more trouble than it's worth. "What are you?" she repeated. I didn't have much choice in this. "I am Discord. I'm a draconequus. I'm just here to find some information." I saw her pull out another small wooden square. I started to speak again, but a light shined from a rune on the front of the square, making me put up a hand to block the light. It had been some time since I was last turned to stone, and here I was, turned into one again. In hindsight, I probably could have approached that a lot better.