//------------------------------// // Blacklist [Shining Armor] [Twilight Sparkle] [Mystery] [Dark] [Badass Shining Armor] // Story: Journeyman's Journal // by Journeyman //------------------------------// The Black Cat (No. 27) Ravenwing could only sigh in disgust. As captain of Princess Twilight Sparkle’s personal guard, there was plenty to hate: monster attacks due to the proximity of the Everfree Forest, the lovely dear constantly getting herself in some form of world-ending trouble, mass blue box sightings, the occasional eldritch abomination being summoned into the world, and—strangely—unscripted music numbers appearing out of the blue. What ranked on top of her personal hate list? All the damn paperwork. "She is nothing if not thorough...” Every single incident, from recruitment, to a complete documentation of Guard activities, went through the princess, and she demanded nothing less. And concerning what she wanted done, she gave as much as she could take. In her hooves was no less than four graphical representations, drafted by the princess herself of course, concerning suggestions for new troop and resource deployment. “Send it down the grapevine. See if the quartermaster and the other captains find it agreeable.” Knowing Her Majesty, her work would be impeccable. Captain Ravenwing returned the folder to her subordinate, Lieutenant Cloudkicker. The mare nodded, her eyes drooping slightly due to the late hour. It was already well past dusk and more than her needed a rest. Ravenwing could feel the fatigue eating at her mind as well. The siren song of her bed was calling. "Will do, Cap.” In her early years on the force the mare would have gone through a laundry list of punishments for the insubordination. Ravenwing rolled her eyes. “Aw, don’t give me that.” Cloudkicker thrust a wing into the captain’s abdomen. Her armor absorbed the blow well enough. "Just do it first thing in the mornining.” Cloudkicker unwillingly nodded. An irritated Princess Twilight was enough to send most guardponies running for the hills. Cloudkicker turned down one of the Rainbow Palace’s wide corridors. Her underling’s chambers were not far off from her own, and each was afforded the necessities for their post and the finest furnishing bits could buy. It wasn’t as if the palace wasn’t already decorated with one-of-a-kind crystal formations and priceless murals. The polished floors were shined to perfection every morning before dawn, and not a speck of dirt encrusted the darkest corner. The occasional patrol roamed the corridors, those passing by only taking a moment to salute before continuing. By now even the princess would be in bed, despite being a notorious insomniac. Soon enough, Ravenwing approached the double doors to her own private quarters. She could see herself in the reflection of the black oak door’s many encrusted gems and crystals. She was a little bigger than most mares. Not in terms of baby fat, as her husband constantly insisted, but of the muscle that came with many long years as a member of the military. Her own form-fitted gold and violet armor, specially crafted by Ponyville’s finest alchemists and enchanted by no less than Lady Rarity herself, hugged her alabaster curves. Despite being almost snow colored, her feathers started off as a light gray dapple until the tips were almost charcoal. The doors unlocked soundlessly. One of the princess’ many pet peeves, something the new recruits referred to as the “Sleep-B-Gone List”, was squeaky door hinges. Princess Luna was always thought of as the most militant and traditional of the four princesses. Being used to ruling in a time where her word was law, Princess Luna was known to be a stickler for protocol. Ravenwing snickered to herself; Luna had nothing on a neurotic, OCD neat freak. When Ravenwing started her first day on the job, she would have never called it either. Spartan, boring, and empty as they may be, her quarters were home. Her own house wedged in a vale on the outskirts of Fillydelphia was similar enough. Despite the more than generous pay, even the occasional instance from her Lady to be a little less frugal, things just weren’t... interesting. Even though there were no tapestries or paintings, there was still... did carpets count? Moving to her desk, she gave a quick scan of the topmost documents. Her office was still cluttered with paperwork. More reports on monster activity in the Everfree region, those reports on recruitment the princess desired... ugh. “It’s not due until next week, anyway.” Paperwork. She needed another clerk on staff. Her bed was calling anyway. Even if she did want to finish, she doubted she’d get very far. Her armor was the first thing that needed to go. Her equipment rack was in the adjacent room, her bedroom which doubled as her personal parlor. It was the only special perk she’d requested, given that the princess allowed her some leeway. She couldn’t stop herself from freezing. Something... didn’t feel quite right. Something in the air was wrong. That little itch that made her feel like she was being watched. Polished wood and oil, fresh linens and the scents of varying alcoholic beverages. It smelt like her room. Still... Was her door tampered with? Rewinding the past few moments in her head... no, the lock was fine. Cloudkicker? No, even she didn’t start scheming when she was tired. She backed up slowly. There were candles in her desk. There was never a breakin in the Rainbow Palace since... well, not since— "Oh, stop jumping at shadows.” Sulphur flooded the air as the crimson flame of a match burst to life and lit the candle by her bedside. Every inch of her body was tightened into coils, ready to pounce on the interloper. A good four meters separated them; there was plenty of time for a counterattack, but the lingering question hung in her mind: why did he announce his presence? He had the perfect opportunity to attack her. Instinct overrode her curiosity and her hoof tugged at the rope near her desk. She heard a slight chime in some other part of the castle. "Going to call for the cavalry now?” He was a unicorn, that was for sure. His own fur was as snowy as hers, but he was clearly several years her senior. Despite his mane bearing the signs of being a lush blue, most of it had taken on a steely gray hue. An opened bottle of Bourbon lay on the nightstand, and he was holding a single glass on the rocks in his magical touch. He was currently sitting in her chair set in her favorite spot next to the empty hearth, eyeing her from underneath the brim of a black fedora as he brushed a speck of lint off his pressed suit. Ravenwing felt all the blood drain from her face. She didn’t even know when her jaw had dropped into a stupid look of stunned surprise. “It cannot be..." The stallion smiled. That lantern-jawed chin, the blue mane... and the heater shield cutiemark... Her door burst open and a slew of guards rushed in. A few of them stopped, gawking at the intruder. "It’s good to be home." "It’s really him..." "It’s not possible." "How did he get in?" "Does the captain—" "He didn’t even resist." "Did she...?" ”Shut it!” Ravenwing shouted. She ripped the bag off his head and he gave a gasp of sweet relief. Did they ever wash those bags? No matter. As the brightness faded to more tolerable levels, the traitor blinked and examined his surroundings. The cap was firmly placed on his horn, cutting off his own access to magic. Chains bound him to the floor, driven into the stone surface by great iron spikes. The cubical cage surrounding his scant prison glowed blue with runic enchantments. On the outside were no less than a dozen magi. Each fed their collective strength into the cell, while another two dozen guards waited on alert. The bag floated through the bars and into the grasp of a waiting magi. "I was always a fan of a nice sherry myself. But bourbon? A little hard for a late night nip. Is that what passes for Captain activity now?” He shook his head, that same playful smile on his lips. “For shame, Ravenwing. For shame." The guards hissed quietly to themselves. Each one was decked out in full battle-ready armor, even the magi enforcing his cell. Typical baiting. He was just trying to get under her skin. She took front and center as a magi passed her a scroll. "Shining Armor, you are hereby charged with treason, espionage, selling state secrets, impersonating an officer of the Equestrian court, impersonating a jarl of the Griffon Empire, extortion, murder, kidnapping—" "I don’t mean to interrupt, captain, but I am aware of how lengthy Equestria’s misgivings are towards me. Can we dispel with the pleasantries?" "Some of us has have respect for our position, Mister Armor.” He nodded politely at her response and waited for her to finish, examining his manacles on occasion. Ravenwing returned to stating Shining’s charges. “These charges have been compiled by the Equestrian Court, cosigned by Princesses Celestia, Luna, Twilight, and Cadance,” Something flashed across his face, but she wasn’t sure which of the names caused it. Shining Armor clapped his hooves together, or at least tried to. Bound as he was, his hooves stopped short and he frowned. “Now that we got that out of the way, down to business." "You are in no position to bargain or order anything, Mister Armor." As if that line itself was something he was waiting for the entire time, a slight smirk grew across his aged face. She didn’t like it. Something wasn’t right. This entire situation reeked of a trap. The guard didn’t catch one of the most wanted criminals in the world by chance or a smooth operation, he walked in completely gift wrapped. "I believe I am entitled under law counsel of one pony of my choosing under title seven, chapter eleven, subchapter one, section four as long long as they are able and competent to carry out their duties, and not indisposed with prior engagement that would delay a speedy trial." She wanted to wipe that smug grin off his stupid, smiling face. She’d kept her voice neutral so far. No point in changing that now. Taking a deep breath, she said, “I assure you we will take every available step to take care of your legal needs." In a pig’s eye. "I want to see my sister." A chill went down her spine. No. No. She was captain of her liege’s guard and there was no way she’d let this little maggot find an open sore and crawl inside. "Princess Twilight Sparkle has already been made aware of the situation.” Time to turn the tables. Taking a sweet tone, she responded, “Given how well versed you are in law, you know a princess’ busy schedule might be problematic for a speedy trial. I am sure she will be made available when she available. Just hope it is before the trial." Shining met her gaze. Oh, he knew how this game was played. The doors banged open. "Speak of the alicorn, and she appears." Princess Twilight Sparkle in all her royal majesty strode into the polished room with purpose. All guards bowed and scraped as she passed, parting like water around a boulder. Despite never being one for regalia, her own silver and garnet crown rested atop her head. Her violet mane and tail tinged with a bloody red dawn rippled and danced around her like a ghost. Instinct made Ravenwing bow her head. Respect made her avoid looking at the look of complete and utter fury. "Out." Ravenwing nodded. The air crackled with the princess’ bottomless arcane might. Her breast pulsed as she struggled to retain control of her breathing. Sweet, little, innocent Twilight from the stories. Ravenwing remembered seeing pictures of Twilight in her youth. This wasn’t a scholar. This was an angry god. For a moment Ravenwing contemplated only dismissing the soldiers. The magi were needed to hold the prison. Better safe than sorry. A quick word dismissed the soldiers. “Shall I keep the magi? "No." She didn’t even look at her as she walked right up to her brother’s cage. Ravenwing dismissed the magi. The three of them were alone. Shining looked upon his sister. She was considerably taller than him now, and that was saying something given how broad-chested and burly the middle-aged stallion was. She was slim and lithe, with only the slightest bit of pudge left over from her sedentary lifestyle. He was grizzled with age and stripped bare of all assets he came in with. He smiled and chuckled slightly. “Heh heh. You know, I had a thousand things ready to say, Twily. For the life of me, I can’t think of a single—" "You do not get to call me that anymore." Ravenwing stepped back as the temperature in the room dropped. Twilight had calmed slightly. Now she possessed the regal authority and billowing mane known to symbolize Equestrian power. Shining nodded. “Very well, princess." "How did you get in my castle?" "My? Not ‘the’? A little possessive now, aren’t we?” Twilight was silent at Shining’s jab, but Ravenwing could see a muscle twitch in her cheek. Always studious, always learning. Ravenwing realized she had never seen her mistress in a position of complete, soul-rending rage. The room was quiet. So eerily quiet. The crystal made the chamber into an amphitheater with how noise carried. Shining shook his head as the princess remained quiet. “I know the place inside and out. I expected you to update security in light of this, and you did so most admirably, princess, but let’s face it...” His gaze moved to Ravenwing just slightly before returning to Twilight. “I know you and the guard too well." Twilight was again quiet for the longest time. ‘Easy, keep it cool,’ Ravenwing told herself. She fought the urge to fidget in place. "That’s not an answer." Shining laughed a deep, throaty laugh. “It’s not a question you want answered." "Stop playing games with me!" He sighed. “Say it, Twilight." Silence. "Neither of us is going to get anyway unless you’ll say it." Silence. "Get it off your chest. You’ll feel better." "Stop it! You’re not my brother!" The room itself shook with her roar. Ravenwing lost her footing. A guard knocked on the other side of the door but a bark from Ravenwing put them in their place. "Twenty years. Twenty years! Out of nowhere you pilfer the Royal Archives and abandon everyone! Cadance, Celestia, Luna, Flurry Heart, me! Do you know how I found out you turned traitor? Do you?!" Ravenwing appreciated that Shining Armor was, wisely, silent. "I was dragged into a conference by the joint chiefs and told that my brother, national hero and ruler of the north, was selling secrets to the highest bidder. I knew something was wrong the moment I saw Celestia there. The look on her face said everything. I fought... I fought—!" Twilight choked on the words. Ravenwing stepped forward and put a hoof on her liege’s should, but Twilight shook it off. "I... I stood up for you longer than everyone. Longer than Cadance. Even she had to put a price on your head when the secret got out and ponies started talking. I was there as she made the address herself. When it was over, I was there for two more hours as she cried herself to sleep." Twilight gasped for breath in a vain attempt to calm down. Twenty years of black, poisonous rage had bubbled to the surface. Tears streamed down her face and her bane billowed in a nonexistent wind. "A-and,” she hiccuped, “you know the worst part? I see you sitting there behind bars... and all I want to do is give you a hug and be told everything will be fine. Why can’t I hate you!?" At that, Twilight collapsed onto her haunches and cried. The howl of grief that dripped from her lips chilled Ravenwing to her core. Princesses were strong, irrevocable. They were the stone on which a nation was built. Here her mistresses cried in such despair, the captain froze. "Leave her." Ravenwing blinked and looked at the prisoner. What was he talking about? Little did she know, her own hoof and lifted once again to comfort Twilight. She dropped it. For once, she actually agreed with him. Both soldiers were quiet as Twilight’s sobs slowed and soon ceased. She wiped her eyes with a hoof. Ravenwing stepped back a half step as Twilight got her breathing under control. "You are even more radiant and beautiful than I remember, Twilight. You’ve truly grown into you role as royalty. I know I wasn’t there for you much as you grew up. Even now I can’t make up for not being there, or what you may think of me." Her mistress was quiet. "Regardless, it is good to see you again, Twily." "You know I have to tell Cadance you’re here." For the first time since meeting him in her room, Ravenwing saw a brief glimmer of sadness on the ex-captain. “You’ll do what you must,” he said. Again it was as if the whole world paused. "Did you have a worthy reason for leaving?” Both sets of eyes turned on Ravenwing. The most wanted criminal and the world’s strongest pony shared looks of surprise upon seeing her speak. Bitterness clung to Princess Twilight. Shining Armor was merely contemplative. He rubbed a hoof through his graying mane, sighed, and spoke as if it was Twilight that aggressed him. Arrogant buck. “None that will fix what’s been damaged. None that will change what you think of me." So then Ravenwing had to ask the million bit question. A traitor and a murderer appears in one of the most heavily guarded places in the world. Princess Twilight was still his sister, granted, but why come back after so long? "Why are you here?" Shining Armor almost looked like he was about to answer Ravenwing before he stopped. Soon he smiled. "Does it matter?" "Let’s face it, Mister Armor. One such as you coming here of your own free will? You wouldn’t be here unless it benefited you in some way." "Does a guilty conscience count for nothing?" Guilt belonged to the tired. Before she could retort, he began to speak. "Six years ago, Zevera reported that their Equestrian consulate was broken into before immediately retracting the claims after publishing a comprehensive report that nothing was taken. In Yoketo, an entire section of the power grid was shut down for reasons unknown as a distraction to break into Blueblood holdings. Even the griffons had a thorn in their side. Jarl Tinfeathers’ private estate was ransacked." What was he talking about? What did this have to do with anything? Princess Twilight seemed unwilling to add anything, so Ravenwing continued. "I have heard of no such thing,” she said. Most of his claims, if real at all, were below her raidar. Why not. He was imprisoned. Let him peacock in whatever spotlight he thought he had. “Tinfeathers is notorious for holding grudges. If his hold was attacked, he would have made a public blood feud until the thief was dead." "Of course the pompous chick would, if he could find anything whatsoever about the thief at all; it’s hard to find a ghost. That’s why I’m here: to help you catch a ghost,” he said as he looked back towards Twilight. "All of these break-ins were perpetrated by the same individual, a pony who goes by the moniker Black Cat. She is not a thief, but a breaking and entering specialist paid to either remove or extract items for the right price. She has never been photographed, no one has seen her face, and she only communicates with her clients via deaddrop. She’s been paid to break into the most secure places in the world time and time again. Whether the job is to plant blackmail or remove a VIP from a very bad place, the Black Cat is at the top of the list." "And what do you want us to do about this phantom?” Ravenwing asked. Shining blinked. “You? I never said anything about you. This is for you, sister mine." Twilight took a breath to cool the anger undoubtedly bubbling up. “You didn’t need to bring this to me." "Of course I did. Her next target is the Royal Canterlot Vault." "Impossible!” Ravenwing said. “The vault is utterly impregnable." "How do you know this?” Twilight asked. Shining ignored Ravenwing. “I know because she’s already in Canterlot. I helped smuggle her into the city.”