Rain thrummed down across the city; it was still afternoon, but there was no light save those in the windows. Lightning exploded in the sky over head lighting up the inky darkness briefly lighting up the city skyline. Seconds passed before a slow rumble of thunder boomed out.
David tugged his heavy raincoat tighter against his body, the heavy weight in his pocket reminding him of the meeting to come. His hand slid down into the pocket, feeling the cool metal, carefully checking the safety latch again, before returning to pacing.
There was a heavy 'knock, knock' at the door, followed by a brief pause, before a triple knock followed - the secret knock. It was slightly redundant; nobody would be in this deserted, ramshackle building by choice.
“It’s open,” David said, looking anxiously to the door. His heart started to quicken. He clenched and unclenched his fist, his hand returning to the heavy pocket.
“I came alone and I have it, “ a gruff voice replied. A thin man came into the room. It was the first time David had met him in person. Everything had been arranged over the internet before today.
David felt his mouth go dry as a little cold sweat broke out. He pointed to the table, where a thick brown envelope sat.
“It’s all there. $750, as we agreed, yes?” David looked directly at the man trying to get his reaction, only to find none at all. He hoped the extra money would prevent any questions.
“So it is worth more then you let on. Well I’d like to tell you how much trouble it was getting hold of it.” David felt a pulse of tension steadying himself against the table.
“You want more?” he tried to spit, but there was nothing there. The man shook his head.
“No, I feel bad taking this much from you. You can call me 'Shadow' if it helps.”
David blinked, not expecting that at all.
“Okay, Shadow, can I see it now?” David asked with shaking hands, as he sat at the table with his hand still in the heavy pocket, just in case. Had Shadow wanted to do something, he would have done it before now.
“Sure,” Shadow replied as he reached into his jacket and pulled out a large, cylindrical case. “Is there a lot of demand for magical horses just now, hm?” David simply smiled.
“Ponies, but that particular picture is by the creator of the show. She left pretty early on, so getting something that was done during the show was tough."
Shadow nodded and handed the case across, “I just didn’t think Rarity had wings.”
David’s heart skipped a beat. It was the last thing he’d expected to hear! He looked at Shadow again, peering so deeply and intently he was practically staring through the other man's skin.
“I used Google.” Shadow said as David ripped the case open, letting the paper inside spill out.
“I thought there was something wrong! With that much cash for a picture, there'd have to be,” Shadow explained. “When I got to the place, in and out like, heh, my name, I hit Google to see what it was I had - I think someone knew you were coming.”
David gasped, covering his mouth with a trembling hand, his teeth pressing firmly against his knuckle as he stared at the picture. It was a sketch for sure, and it was Rarity with wings. This was not what he needed!
“This was all there was?” David dropped the picture to the floor as he threw the envelope towards Shadow.
“Yes, place was empty, really deserted, “ said Shadow.
“Like here?” David said looking around the ruined building.
“Worse than this, fire of some sort, three safes only one had anything in it.” said Shadow, “Checked them all just in case.”
David shivered a little, “She did know.”
Shadow nodded, “I think so, you could have probably gotten this yourself.”
Shadow threw the envelope of money back to David, “No charge.”
“How do you feel about bodyguard, maybe some muscle work?” David asked looking to Shadow.
Shadow shrugged, “Could do, where?”
David sighed his hand rubbing across his chin hoping it would not come to this, “That’s, quite complex to explain. Best we just get there.”
“Okay, I got everything I need, but please, lose the gun I’m not comfortable around them.” Shadow said pointing to the jacket.
David blushed sliding the jacket off, “Wouldn’t be any use anyway, come this way.”
Shadow started to follow, looking to the door he’d come in earlier a little confused as David took out some chalk, but he had worked for crazier so he just watched, David drawing a archway carefully on the wall.
“Hmm. That should do, just make sure it’s dry was there something like this there?” David asked looking at his work.
Shadow thought back, he had not seen the archway there but the strange little symbols David had etched around it, those he recognised right away.
“Something like it, door with those on it.” Shadow pointed to the little glyphs.
“Door? What kind of handle?” David asked a little puzzled.
“Round, single locking mechanism, for privacy only no security.” Shadow replied.
“ Well can’t really say it any clearer.” David mused, “She knows and she doesn’t want to come back.”
Shadow didn’t really understand, but he knew to not ask too many questions when money was involved only he could feel a unpleasant tension building in the atmosphere.
“Ready?” David asked approaching the arch he had drawn.
“Yeah.” Shadow said watching David slightly nervous now, the man, the job, he was obviously very confused and troubled man, at least it wouldn’t be long before he could get out of here.
David raised his hand toward the arch as Shadow watched in growing awe, a glimmer of power starting to form at the archway, light starting to pour from it as David vanished into nothingness.
“Bugger, “ Said Shadow to nobody, the room now being empty, he looked around desperately trying to see where David had vanished too, no trap doors, no secret doors, he’d just vanished into a thick stone wall.
Shadow waited a few seconds looking around the deserted warehouse, the light from the archway cast no shadows inside the building it was only looking at it any light could be seen.
“Well isn’t this fancy.” Shadow said again to nobody. “Be a shame if someone were to use it.”
Lightning flashed again in the distance as Shadow waited counting, the thunder crack a few seconds later.
Shadow tapped his foot starting to get impatient, this was very wrong.
He knew from his own experience who to expect when things went this very wrong.
Only there were none of the familiar signs, no sirens, no explosions and in fact there was no sign of him.
He waited, rain dripping down the outside of the building still, pattering against the aged glass and rusting metal frames.
Still, there was nothing more, just the rain.
“Going to be one of those days, “ Said Shadow as he stepped up to the arch.
He could feel warmth from it, a tingling of static all over his skin, little pinpricks of power pressing against his fingers and his hand as he reached up.
Pressing his hand against the smooth wall, he shuffled back suddenly worried as there was nothing there to feel there was just a space where there should be a solid object.
It was already too late, he’d crossed the threshold.
Shadow looked around the dilapidated building fading around him, rolling green hills starting to come into being at the side of his vision and nearby, something knee high and white.
Shadow felt the cool building slipping away from him the soft warmth growing around him as there was a tingling all over his body he found his perspective shrinking, getting smaller his hands pulse with energy, the fingers swelling up into a soft flat hoof, threads of black starting to run up his wrists.
He struggled to start backing off but there was no where to back into, the arch and building he had started in was no longer there, it was just a open field with a small white pony in it.
“What …” Shadow said his voice sounding very different as he felt the ground under his hand, suddenly his perspective shifting again as his feet pulsed with the same energy his shoes and pants vanishing from his body, revealing the same soft blackness forming there.
“Ponies...” Shadow muttered. grumbling slightly twisting his head, it was now on an extended neck, his new mane full and right down it onto his back.
“Are you okay? Are you with me?” The white pony said, Shadow looked at her, she was wearing some large dark purple glasses and old style headphones and had a small horn on top of her head.
“David?” Shadow asked lifting his hoof and starting at it feeling a new connection in his brain forming as he felt a tail growing from his spine.
The white unicorn nodded, “DJ Pon3” she replied, Shadow could hear the number at the end of her name.
“You are a girl,” Shadow stated bluntly looking to the pony as she nodded.
“And a pony!” She added, “You get used to it after a while, you have to be a girl here if you want to get into the background really.”
“Right... So where, and I dread to use the phrase, on earth are we?” Shadow asked looking over himself, he was considerably taller than David now was, he could see he was stronger as well.
“Not on Earth, we shouldn’t really be here at all just now we stand a high chance of getting caught, “ David explained, “Shouldn’t be an issue for you, just say you are visiting, I’ll take the flack.”
Shadow nodded, worried who might be catching them, “Who are we looking for.”
“Lyra Heartstrings, not her real name either, she’s a magical unicorn too so she doesn’t look physically much of a challenge but if you aren’t paying attention.”
Shadow nodded and rolled his eyes, “Magical ponies, check. Anything else I need to pay attention for?”
David nodded, “Yeah, her little pony friend Bon Bon.”
“Another human?” Shadow asked mentally taking notes.
“I don’t think so, I’ve met Lyra on Earth for real, total bitch but Bon Bon, i’ve only ever seen here.” David explained.
“Right, two ponies, one magical.” Shadow shivered his hoof flexing slightly with stronger muscles then he was used to.
Shadow thought it shouldn’t be too hard, find two ponies, get picture, leave this crazy place, his thoughts were interrupted by a small pink pony bouncing along the ground towards them.
“Oh crap...” David said seeing the pony approach, “Say nothing.”
Shadow nodded as the pink pony drew closer, she had long cotton candy mane and giggled softly with every bounce.
“Why hellllllllllo!” Pinkie pie giggled stopping suddenly in front of Shadow and David, “And what brings a pair of ponies out on a nice day like today?”
David shivered softly, smiling as wide as he could, “Hey Pinkie, this here is Shadow.”
Pinkie Pie eyed the pony suspiciously, “Ooooh i’ve not seen you in Ponyville before, where are you from?”
Shadow gulped searching his memory, the google search from earlier, “Manehatton?” he said quietly hoping the pronunciation was right, given he’d left the ruined building in New York it wasn’t technically a lie.
Pinkie Pie rolled her eyes, “Yuh huh, you are from Earth as well, now DJ what did I tell you about bringing people here?”
David gulped trotting back slightly a magical shield of energy suddenly appearing around him, his horn glowing a bright deep purple.
“Oh you aren’t in trouble, but I am reallllllly mad with you.” Pinkie Pie said glaring at the white unicorn.
“You are from Earth too, “ Said Shadow suddenly as Pinkie Pie turned to look at him.
“Ooooh I like you, you are a clever one but no, I’m not.” Pinkie giggled.
Shadow smirked and shook his head, “Yes you are, I’ve met you before.”
Pinkie Pie frowned, glaring now at Shadow coming closer towards him looking at him very closely.
“I know you well, count.” Shadow said boldly taking a step towards Pinkie Pie, “I know you can’t be here either.”
Pinkie Pie squared up to the larger stallion, “Just because I shouldn’t be here, doesn’t mean I don’t have any power.”
Shadow backed off from Pinkie Pie bowing a little, “Oh I know you have power, I’m not here to fight.”
Pinkie Pie beamed brightly, “Oh I really like you now, are you staying?”
Shadow shook his head, “No, just on a job.”
Pinkie Pie looked over Shadow some more still confused peering at his flank checking out his cutie mark staring carefully at the inky blackness.
“Uh … Darkness? Inky splodge? Masky?” Pinkie suggested looking to Shadow still not recognising him, realisation suddenly dawning, “Shadowman!”
Shadow blushed nodding.
“Ooooooooooh the gentleman thief, well yeah ponies don’t really have anything to steal so … you must be after some more humans!” Pinkie pie exclaimed.
David nodded stepping forwards, “Lyra, again.”
“Oh you two really don’t get along do you, she stole your spot again.” Pinkie Pie asked grinning widely.
David scowled softly but nodded, “Y... yeah.”
Pinkie Pie patted David softly giving the small white unicorn a hug, “Well you just make sure you get it back, she is a total bitch and see if you can take that Derpy down a peg or two whilst you are at it.”
“But I like Derpy, he’s really nice.” David protested.
“Yeah … he totally is but he’s stronger than you realise, even with the damage Lyra did to him. If he ever wanted your spot …” Pinkie Pie said leaning against David.
“I know but, I don’t think he would.” David replied sighing slightly thinking about it.
“No he’s cool, he’d leave you to deal with it.” Pinkie grinned.
David nodded thinking about it as Pinkie Pie gave him a tender nuzzle, “Now you two play nice, this place is AWESOME and I don’t want to have to clean it.”
“Yes Pinkie Pie” David sighed feeling treated like a child.
“I’m serious DJ, this place is special, don’t ruin it.” Pinkie Pie warned glaring at David before she giggled and started to bounce off.
David turned to Shadow slightly agasp, “You … know Pinkie Pie?”
“Well I have met the count, I am surprised he hasn’t come to see you.” Shadow replied looking at the white unicorn sizing her up.
“Well I spend … quite a lot of time here, I only had to go back to Earth for that picture.” said David.
Shadow nodded, “I understand, you are where I was 5 years ago and I don’t think you quite realise what you are on the threshold of discovering.”
“How do you mean? You aren’t a brony I could tell, “ David said looking to Shadow.
“Did you ever wonder how you could do that? How you could just look at someone and know right away that person like ponies?” Shadow asked starting to walk towards town with David.
David blinked, “I … totally can do that.”
“Mmmyup, just like I could look at you and tell if you were armed, what you were carrying and if you have any chance of using it against me.” Shadow explained.
“You didn’t think it was odd, you found a way here, you became one of the characters from the show even?” Shadow stopped suddenly looking to David.
David’s mind raced as he froze in place thinking of all the weird things that had happened to him, “I … never thought they were connected.”
Shadow placed a hoof on the unicorn and resumed trotting, “You aren’t supposed to, not quite yet anyway. That was a push in the right direction.”
David shivered a little uneasily, not sure he liked that push.
“Uhhhhh Shadow! SHADOW!!” Pinkie Pie shouted doing a quick u-turn galloping back to her previous spot.
Shadow grinned, he’d not seen that before.
“What exactly do you think you are doing?” Pinkie Pie demanded starting right at Shadow.
Shadow took a deep breath, stepping towards Pinkie Pie with purpose.
“What I want to.” Shadow said rather more loudly than he had expected.
“Now you know the … “ Pinkie paused looking at Shadow her final word a quiet whimper.
“Rules, what rules? From what little I understand the rules here are set by a magical sun princess.” Shadow said feeling empowered.
“You must not. Please.” Pinkie begged, her eyes wide and pleading.
“Should I leave?” David asked nervously moving up to beside and behind Shadow.
“No.” Shadow said smirking a bit.
Suddenly from overhead there was an echoing boom of thunder heavy rain started to torrent down around them as Shadow stared glaring at Pinkie Pie as she shuddered frozen to the spot.
“Allow me to introduce myself again.” Shadow said quietly, tears starting to form in Pinkie Pie’s eyes.
“What are you doing man?” David shouted butting against Shadow a flash of bright light lighting up the sky the rain slowing appearing to stop falling for just a second.
The clouds started to melt away a bright sunny shine filling the sky again starting to already dry the three drenched ponies.
“My name is Shadow.” Shadow said covering David’s mouth suddenly with a hoof.
Pinkie Pie stood up looking dazed and confused.
“Shadow, I don’t think I ever heard of you where are you from?” Pinkie Pie asked starting to regain her focus.
“Just visiting my friend DJ here, i’m from Manehatton.” Shadow said flattly watching Pinkie’s every move.
“Ooh I know some people up there too! I uh … what are we doing here in a field.” Pinkie Pie looked around the small meadow area.
“You just threw us both a very quick welcome to ponyville DJ’s friend party, it had water balloons for some reason.”
“Right!” Pinkie Pie giggled happily, “Can’t have a welcome party without some water balloons, sometimes I guess.” She didn’t sound certain of her own words.
“Thank you Miss Pie, It was nice to meet you.” Shadow nodded softly forcing David to start to trot off as Pinkie waved, “I’ll see you both in Ponyville!”