//------------------------------// // Don't You Know it's not Safe to Wander the Streets at Night? // Story: A Hiss in the Dark // by Knight Breeze //------------------------------//         “Crap, sarge, how long do you think it’s been like that?” Private Snow asked uneasily.         Sergeant Fire just shook his head at that, his eyes locked onto the strange lizard that had found the hole in their security.  “There’s no way of telling.  However, it couldn’t have been too long, since the last time we checked those wards was two weeks ago.”         Private Snow nodded at that, but stopped when a thought occurred to him.  “Sir, you don’t think that the dragon had something to do with this, do you?” he whispered.         Sergeant Fire shook his head again.  “No.  I thought about it, but if he did, he wouldn’t have brought it to our attention like this,” he whispered back.         The two continued to watch the strange creature for quite some time, until finally the creature sighed as it let its arms slump to its sides.  “...I can’t,” it said as it slung its spear onto its back.         “Excuse me, sir?” Sergeant Fire asked wearily.         “I can’t wait.  I hate waiting, especially when I’m just waiting for someone to come kill me,” Ammon said, partially turning towards the two ponies.  “Listen, I’m going to scout this out, find out the enemy’s numbers and harass them a bit.  I’ll trust you to organize the defenses properly, okay?”         “But-” Private Snow started to say, but stopped when he felt his sergeant’s hoof on his shoulder.         “Knock four times in quick succession to let us know it’s you,” Sergeant Fire said as the lizard opened the hatch.         “Will do.  Please don’t let the place fall apart,” the lizard said as he jumped into the hole, closing the hatch behind him.         There was an awkward silence that followed the strange creature’s sudden disappearance, until finally Private Snow cleared his throat.  “Uh, sir, why did you just let it go?”         “Two reasons, private.  One: The Princesses told us to trust this thing.  Until he turns around and stabs us in the back, that’s just what I’m going to do.”         “And the second reason, sarge?”         “Are you honestly going to tell me to tell one of those things what to do without at least a company to back me up?” the sergeant asked pointedly.         The private thought about that for a second, just staring at the metal hatch, until finally nodding in agreement.  “Good point, sir.” *        *        *         I climbed my way to the bottom of the shaft, careful of where I put my claws, in case the entire wall decided to give out on me.  It was dark in here, but luckily for me, my body had a few things in it that didn’t come standard in your average chameleon.         Namely Darkvision.         I know that look, and I know what you’re going to say:  ‘Ammon, how on earth did you convince yourself that chameleons could see in the dark?’  Well, I didn’t.  The truth of the matter was that this body I had made when I was eight was something I had created with my brothers.  We had just gotten off of a binge of Saturday morning cartoons, and were so hyped up from a combination of sugar and watching heroes beat up bad guys, that we decided to make our own. I had decided on a super sneaky lizard thing, but my other brothers had gone with more direct approaches.  Gabriel, for example, had decided to go with the Cheetah, as well as a dual scimitar approach to weapons.  Yeah, you and I both know who he was trying to imitate. Wilson, on the other hand, had decided to go with the owl.  Not just any owl, either, but an owl mage.  There was this one time when we had decided to turn off the lights of the basement, and explore as if it were a dark cave.  I opted to scout ahead, and Wilson decided it would be best if he ‘enchanted’ me with the ability to see in the dark. And by ‘enchant,’ I mean he gave me a flashlight. I didn’t even think of it at the time that I jumped down here, but as the walls around me lost their color the instant the hatch closed, I remembered, and silently thanked, my older brother for having such excellent foresight. “Please, get light, I cannot see a thing down here,” the helmet at my waist complained. “That’s okay, I can see just fine.  Besides, the darkness will help us,” I reassured her. “...You have odd powers.  Why see in dark?  What is powers, anyway?” she asked me quietly. “I’ll tell you, but you gotta do something for me first,” I told her as I slowly crept forward through the winding tunnels. “What that?” “Tell me your name,” I whispered as I came out of a narrow tunnel and onto a ledge over a huge chasm on my left. To my right, on the other hand, was a large amount of rubble, evidence to an apparent cave in. The chasm itself went straight down, revealing nothing but inky blackness, as its depth exceeded the range of my darkvision.  I could distantly hear the echoes of a large body of… something, as well as the noisy groans of the undead.  They were still quite a ways off, though, so I felt there was no harm in having a whispered conversation here. “I am called The Knight of Dawn,” she answered stiffly. “Aw, come on, you can do better than that.  Give me something real.  I told you my name, the least you could do is tell me yours.” “No, you tell ponies your name.  Never tell me your name,” she said smugly. “Aw, you mean I have to guess?” I asked as I lowered myself over the edge of the cliff.  I couldn’t really find any handholds or footholds, but that wasn’t really a problem as my feet adhered themselves to the wall, allowing me to start my descent without any real difficulty.  In fact, I found that this mode of travel almost… relaxing, as if I were meeting with an old friend, rather than dangling over a bottomless pit. “Well… no, but just pointing out fact,” she said after a few seconds.  “By way, what doing?  movement feel weird, and gravity pulling at odd angles.” “Don’t worry about it,” I told her as I continued my downward descent, not really wanting to freak her out.  “Anyway, you were going to tell me your name?” “Izolda.” “Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Izolda.  Do you mind if I call you Izzy?” I said as I reached a particularly tricky part. “Yes!  All you Americans the same!  Calling me ‘Izzy’, even when I not want to!” I chuckled softly at that.  “I was kidding, just trying to keep my mind off of what I have to do next,” I told her. “Wait, what?” Without another word, I turned myself until I was climbing down the wall head first.  As soon as my head was level with the lip of the cave ceiling below, I reached out and attached my hands to the smooth surface.  For a brief second, I was suspended on the wall by nothing but my feet, but strangely, I was unafraid.  As soon as I had a good grip, I released my feet, swinging myself down to the floor below.  The whole process took no longer than a couple of seconds, but it completely disoriented me, causing me to fall to my rear as I lost my balance.  Other than that, I was fine. Izolda, on the other hand… “Please!  Stop screaming!” I said as I put my claw on her helm. “What… What was that?” she said after she had had a couple of seconds to calm down. “Just climbed down a cliff face, last bit was a bit tricky, but we’re fine,” I said calmly. “Wait, what?” she asked, completely mortified. “Like I said, it’s okay.  Though, at this point, it would probably be a good idea to find a place to hide,” I said as my eyes started to pick up a hint of color. “Why?” she asked. Her question was answered only seconds later, though, as a nearby tunnel began to glow, the sounds of a mass of bodies not far behind. *        *        *         Night always seemed like the best time to do some back alley deals.  At least, that’s what Gunter thought.  It seemed cliché, but it was true; Ponies were creatures of the day, needing candles, torches, and magic to make their way through the darkness.  Griffons like Gunter, with their extraordinary eyesight, had no problem seeing by moon and starlight. It was the only time Gunter could prove his superiority over ponykind.  Only those cursed darkwalker ponies could ever spot him as he skulked through the streets and alleys, but there were so few in Canterlot anymore, and most of them were too busy dealing with other matters to patrol the streets. He stopped just before he reached his destination:  A small alley near the corner of Star Road and Jewel Street.  It was here that he was to meet his new client. As quiet as a mouse, Gunter crept forward until he reached the corner, then carefully peeked around to see if the mysterious buyer was there yet.  To his relief, the alley was empty. That wasn’t too surprising. “You are early,” something whispered behind Gunter. The griffon called out in alarm at that, spinning to see what had been able to sneak up on him. The creature was tall, taller than a Minotaur in fact, though it was far thinner than any Minotaur he had ever seen.  It stood upright, with its arms dangling at its sides, but other than that, it bore no resemblance to those stubborn cow-folk.  The creature wore a long coat that went down nearly to its strange feet, its skin was pale as the moon, but what really set the creature apart was its face.  Or, rather, its lack of face. Gunter wasn’t really sure how it spoke, or even breathed, but the lack of a visible face was really unnerving. “I could say the same for you.” Gunter replied sharply.  It wasn’t the best way to respond to a new client, but he was a little upset.  He always arrived first.  It allowed him to watch clients arrive, giving him a chance to observe them, giving him an edge.  Now, he was at a disadvantage. “This arrangement takes top priority. Besides, with the city under siege, I have little else to do.” Gunter recognized a crap answer when he heard one, but it really didn’t matter in the grand scheme of things.  “You really know where they are, then?” he asked.  “I imagine a lot of ponies would be eager to shell out for that kind of information.” “Yes, but it is the information only. I am not delivering the elements, I am just revealing their location.” Gunter smiled at this. Retrieving them wouldn’t be a problem.  “So what’s your price?” he asked. The stranger cocked his head at this, almost as if he were puzzled at what Gunter had said.  “The price for knowledge, is knowledge.” “...Okay… what do you want to know?” “You claim to know about the thief, Ammon. You claim to know his weaknesses.” Gunter looked away from the stranger, somewhat surprised that he had found out that little tidbit.  “Well, not entirely.” Even though the stranger had no eyes, Gunter could feel his gaze boring into him.  “He’s promised to teach members of the guard how to defeat him should he ever become a threat!  Since we have someone in the upper echelon, we’ll be able to quickly pick up on everything that makes him tick.  With all that is going on around here, though, he hasn’t been able to make good on his promise.” Gunter threw in the last bit out of desperation. “Do not claim to have knowledge when it is beyond your grasp,” the creature said, his voice dripping with disappointment.  “My master wants knowledge of Ammon above all else. If you cannot get me what my master wants, than someone else will, and they will receive what you want.  I hope that is cle-” The stranger’s threat was cut short, however, as a large, dark shadow detached itself from the roof above, landing squarely on the faceless creature’s shoulders.  The creature didn’t even cry out as it collapsed under the weight, the sound of bones breaking filling the otherwise quiet night. Gunter recoiled in shock as the shadowed, cloaked figure stood from its crouch, a knife in one hand that dripped with the blood of the creature underneath it. Gunter was frozen in terror as he watched the figure in front of him.  It calmly bent down, and wiped the knife clean on the coat of the dead former client, then turned to look at Gunter.  For a brief moment, that’s all it did, its black hood revealing nothing of the face underneath. Gunter’s fight or flight response kicked in after taking its dear sweet time.  It was more flight than fight, as always, causing him to turn, his wings spread as he made an attempt to launch himself into the skies.  He was stopped, however, when a strong paw grabbed him by the neck and slammed him into the wall.  At this point, as Gunter was pinned against the wall, he could finally make out a few features of the face of the creature that was holding him. However, in his fear addled state, all he could really make out was fur, teeth, and a pair of piercing, golden eyes.  In fact, those eyes captivated him, forcing him to look into their glare.  Inside those eyes was the spark of intelligence, though it was clouded over by something else.  Something ferocious and feral. “Please!” he managed to squeak out.  “Whatever it is you want, I can help!  You can always use another informant!” The creature tilted its head. at these words.  “I work in the castle! I hear things, I have friends in places of power. I could help you.” The creature raised its other arm, the black knife it held glittering in the starlight.  “I can get you supplies!  money!  a safe house! Just tell me what you want!” A flash of movement, and a sharp pain in his head was the last thing Gunter perceived before darkness took him. *        *        * The Alpha crouched over his latest kill.  The thing was of this world, but reeked with the stench of an outsider. He lifted the eyes of his prey, his golden eyes regarding them with curiosity. “Ah, the eyes,” the beloved voice sounded in his head.  “They say that the eyes are the windows to the soul.  Is that why they taste so good?” Without a second thought, the Alpha consumed the orbs, relishing in the power that they gave him.  “That barely did anything! You must be getting exceptionally strong my pup. Griffons are supposed to have extraordinary eyesight.” “Now, my precious pup, this creature is the clue to the location of your next prey.  Find the outsider, and kill him with all the ferocity you can muster.  He is one of the most cunning creatures I have ever marked for you. Now, make mama proud!” The Alpha stood at these words.  It had the scents of both the outsider, and the griffon, and he had no doubts that the trail of the latter would lead to the trail of the former. The Alpha would hunt his prey with a single minded focus, and he would not stop until his quarry was dead. *        *        *         “You see?  That is what I’m talking about!” The Defiler shouted as he slammed his claws on the table.  “Her beasts are far too overpowered!  I mean, how could one level ten kill another in just one hit!”         The Huntress leaned forward, a mischievous smile plastered across her face.  “Well, you see, mortals have this unusual habit of dying when two hundred and fifty pounds of predator is applied to the neck.”         “She’s right,” Fate said with a thump of his stick.  “It was a fair move.  Not only that, but The Archivist’s pet’s strength lies in what he knows, and he didn’t really know about the Huntress’s move.”         “Fate speaks the truth,” The Dark Archivist said, his voice dead and emotionless.  “Not only was he unaware of the move, but as per the rules, I am unable to alert my piece of another piece’s actions.  In all honesty, I was expecting her to go after you first, Defiler.”         Defiler grunted in frustration at that.  “You and me both.”         The Dark Archivist stood up at that, his tentacles undulating as he gathered his various pieces together.  “Now that I am out, I no longer have any business here.  Savor this accidental victory, Lady.  Eventually, I will figure out your secret.  You cannot hide it from me forever.”         The Lady just raised an eyebrow at that, her smile becoming somewhat mocking.  “My, Archivist, if you wanted to ask me out on a date, you could have just asked.”         The Archivist didn’t show any emotion at that, choosing to instead turn and leave.  “I will continue monitoring this battle from elsewhere.  If I am needed, I will be found in the depths of my plane,” his voice echoed as he left the room.         Devourer gave a shudder at that.  “Boy, he’s cold.  As useful as he was, I’m kind of glad he’s gone.”         “Out of pure curiosity, why do you bait him like that?” The Storm of Storms asked.         “Oh, nothing, it’s just that he’s been hunting for my secret for so long, that it’s become a kind of game between us.”         Storm of Storms nodded in understanding at this, then looked back at the board.  “So, as it stands, the move in this quadrant is still yours.  Lady, what will you do?”         “Actually, it is my turn,” Fate said as he drew closer to the board.  “And I will move this piece… here.”         Devourer studied the move carefully, completely confused by it.  “Okay, I’ll bite.  What in Death’s name are you doing?  All you’ve done so far is have your servants do completely random things.”         “He moves as such because I have decreed it so,” Fate answered calmly.         “Yeah… that’s right, you’ve never played against Fate before.  Well, buddy, you’re in for a treat,” the Storm of Storms said with a laugh.         Devourer just shook his head at that.  “Well, whatever.  Now that Fate’s lame move is done, who’s next?”         “As has been stated, it’s my turn,” The Lady said as she picked up the dice.