Prologue (Night Jackal) - Castle of Glass
A magic aura echoed off the porcelain walls as I undid the towel wrapped around my waist, proceeding to wipe the steamed-up mirror with it and clear it up. My bright blue slit eyes greeted me as I let the towel fall to the floor, looking myself over one last time. Turning my head, I opened my mouth a bit and checked over my fanged teeth, for any leftover breakfast that didn’t quite make it into my stomach. Upon finding everything in order, I grabbed the towel again with my magic, quickly drying myself off before tossing it into the hamper behind me.
Having completed my morning routine, I floated my purple neckerchief over from the toilet and tied it around my neck. Upon leaving the bathroom, I gave a quick sigh and shook my head, putting on the best smile I possibly could.
Taking a few steps forward, the old Mr. Handy robot floated over to me. “You seem quite upbeat today, Mr. Jack. May I ask what the occasion is?”
I blinked at it a few times. “If you must know, I have a date with a mare I met the other night.” A wide grin spread across my face as the words left my muzzle.
“Well, I wish you a splendid time, sir!” The robot said before hovering off. Looking around, my gaze drifted over to the old grandfather clock down the hall. Shit! Only ten minutes before I was supposed to meet her by the theater! I snatched my saddlebags off of the coat rack by the door as I bolted past, throwing them on and galloping down the hallway. As I reached the end, I furiously tapped the elevator button. Oh why did this thing have to take so long?!
As soon as the elevator settled on my floor and the doors slid open, I darted inside, startling the ponies who were exiting it. As soon as they were clear of the doors, I slammed my hoof into the button labeled “Lobby”. I danced anxiously as the elevator descended at an agonizingly slow pace. When the elevator finally reached the lobby, I darted out like a bat-pony out of Tartarus, once again startling a few ponies as I did.
As I galloped down the sidewalk, I glanced up at the large clock tower looming overhead. Five minutes left! Princesses curse my need to take such long showers!
I skidded to a halt at the crosswalk and smashed the button furiously with my magic, glancing up at the ever looming reminder of bad time management every now and then. Damnit, I didn’t have time to wait! I bolted across the street, causing several cart-pulling ponies to skid to a halt as I blocked them. Thankfully, the movie theater wasn’t much farther.
As I approached the theater, I looked around. The mare I’d had promised to meet here was nowhere to be seen. Thinking she, herself, would be late as well, I sat back against the wall and waited.
My heart was pounding something fierce as I waited. This was the first date I’ve had since I joined the military - granted, fighting zebras didn’t leave much room for a personal life. My twin sister, Night Dream, managed to get me set up with a nice apartment overlooking North Street with her company connections. It was within range of several diners, and - obviously - a movie theater. Not having many bits to my name other than what I get from my veteran’s pension, I can’t exactly afford a cart of any kind, so being in close proximity to everything was nice.
Occasionally, I took a walk around the city at night, stopping at the occasional bar. It was during one of these walks, that I met her. Upward Draft. She was a pegasus with a coat and feathers as blue as the nearby lake. Her eyes were emerald green, and her mane was a soft gray with a pink stripe running through it. Just thinking of her made my face feel hot! She was here visiting her sister, and happened to stop at the same bar I was at.
Me being a Bat-pony Unicorn (minus the wings) makes it easy to imagine it’d be hard to get a date. Most mares told me it was the strange eyes I was cursed with. Others told me that my fangs were off-putting to them. However, this mare in particular didn’t seem to mind.
I sat and waited. Eventually, I started to worry. Had something happened to her? Chicacolt was notorious for it’s lack-luster police force... but usually this part of town was safe. Maybe she just got caught up with family matters. She’ll be here… right?
Hours began to pass by as I just sat in front of the theater. Some ponies even began to toss bits at me, thinking I was just another one of the local bums. It was at this point that my ears had begun to droop. I had been stood up by the one mare I thought would never do that...
I stood up and kicked the wall out of frustration, storming off down the street. My destination was a place I visit often when I’m down: Crème de la Crème. Yeah, I know. Sounds like a sweets shop. In most cases, you’d be right - however, this was a cabaret near the pier run by a mare, named Creme Brulee, that can be like a mother to her regulars... and scary if you pissed her off.
The cold air of the night and the sound of music and carts throughout the city were my only company as the sulked down the road. If I hadn’t wandered this area so many times, not looking where I was going could’ve put me in the hospital - or even in an early grave. However, I easily found my way to my destination despite not paying much attention.
As I entered the building, I was greeted with the smell of perfume and the gentle voice of a mare on stage. At this time of night there weren’t many patrons, so there was at least some peace and quiet to be had.
Sitting down at my usual booth near the back, a waitress pony dressed in attire that really brought attention to her hind legs and flank walked up and greeted me. “What can I get ya, hon?” She asked with a warm smile.
“Rum and Sparkle-Cola, please.” I replied in a depressed tone. I heard my stomach rumble and stopped the mare before she could leave “Some hay fries, too.”
The waitress nodded with a smile, and walked off to get my order. The mare on stage raised her voice “I can see a rainbow, in your tears as they fall on down...”
It didn’t take long for my food to arrive, and when it did- Creme herself brought it. “Howdy sugar, where’s that sister of yours?” She said, an apologetic smile on her face. She didn’t know what happened, but she always had a way of knowing when something was wrong.
“Probably still working on that Stable they’re putting in the middle of the lake…” I said gloomily.
Creme sat across from me as I munched on a fry. “Awh, what’s wrong hun?” She asked as she crossed her hooves on the table.
I sighed “Got stood up…thought things would be different with this mare, but turns out I was wrong…” I glanced over to the mare on stage. Half of her mane was blonde and the other half was black. “What’s her story?” I asked, trying to change the topic. Maybe hearing somepony else’s depressing tale would make mine seem less so.
Creme looked to the mare singing. “Oh, her? Her name’s Songbird Serenade. Poor gal tried her best, but never had her big break.
“Oh.” I said. Nope, still feel like shit. “At least she’s got a place to sing now. I hope you pay her well…”
“Don’ y’all worry about her none. Let’s focus on you.” Creme placed her hoof on mine. “Y’all find somepony, jus’ give it time, sugar.”
I looked at her. “Is that what you tell yourself?” A bit rude, yes, but I didn’t care.
Creme, to my surprise, simply chuckled. “Nah, ain’t no stallion or mare that can tame this mare.” That actually got a chuckle out of me.
“Heh, I guess that makes sense.” I said as I drank some of my rum and cola.
Creme stood up and patted my hoof once more. “Tell ya what, hun. That meal o’ yours and your drinks are all on th’ house tonight. Also...Honey Drop over there’s been eyein’ ya. She’s th’ one that took yer order.”
Sure enough, as I looked over to the waitress pony who seemed to now be on her break, she was looking right at me. As I looked back, she gave a slight wave, which I promptly returned. Free food and drinks, as well as me catching the eye of another mare? I guess things aren’t as bad as I thought…
----
I must’ve had too many drinks, because I couldn’t remember much of anything after that. I woke with a splitting headache in my bed, the morning light shining through a tiny crack in the curtains. As I tried to sit up, my hoof snagged on something, which I noticed was Honey Drops, the waitress from last night, laying next to me and still asleep. My jaw dropped and I mouthed the word “Wow…” With a soft smile, I gently pulled my hoof out from under her, feeling the tingling as blood started to flow throughout my limb once again. I just wished I remembered it all...damn. Ah well, at least I have a chance afterall.
I got up off the bed, making sure not to wake up my guest, and exited my room. Letting out a yawn, I shuffled over to the kitchen and started brewing a pot of coffee. Since this wasn’t my first hangover, I tended to keep my bottle of painkillers in the kitchen as this was usually part of my morning ritual. I popped two tablets into my mouth and drank some water from the sink. Didn’t help much, but it was better than nothing. As I was pouring two mugs of coffee, I heard a knock on the door. I sighed and set the pot back on the burner. Just then there was another knock. “I’m coming, I’m coming.”
I opened up the door and it was like looking in a mirror- only it was a mare...and a pegasus. Before I could say anything, I felt hooves wrap around my neck. “Creme Brulee just told me what happened! Are you alright, Jackie?”
Yep, that’s Night Dream alright. “Oof! Yeah, I’m alright sis- listen, I have company-”
I was immediately cut off as I heard a yawn and a shuffle of hooves behind me. “Nhh...is that coffee I smell? Oh, hey Night Dream.” It was Honey Drops.
My sister let go of me and looked between the two of us for a moment. “Oh, I guess things are alright then.” She gave a slight giggle before a certain trigger word finally stuck in her mind. “Coffee! Don’t mind if I do!” Just like that, she was trotting past me and making herself at home.
The three of us sat down in the living room area and sipped our coffee. Honey was the first to break the silence. “So, how’s the Stable coming along? We can hear the construction sounds all the way from the pier.”
Night Dream perked her ears up with a smile. “Oh! We just finished this morning. We’re all ready to accept ponies, should we need to! Actually, that’s the main reason I’m here. Jackie, you’ve got a space in the Stable thanks to you being my brother. Actually, I just told Creme, but everypony at the Creme De La Creme and their families have spots reserved for them.”
Honey nodded. “That’s good...I don’t think there’d ever actually be a full-on exchange of megaspells, but it’s good to know me and my family have a place...you are going to accept more ponies, right?”
I simply sat there as the two talked. Night Dream nodded “Yep! We’re still in the early stages of accepting applicants, but there should be enough room for at least a quarter of the city’s population. There are other Stables in the area, so those should take whoever we can’t...as long as they apply and can pay the fee, of course.” At that last bit, I noticed my sister’s ears droop a bit. She never did like the idea of charging ponies such a high amount for a place in something that was built to save lives, should this war take a turn for the worst, but she - and I - understood why. Stable-Tec did need funding to build these things all over the country, not to mention there was limited space to begin with.
“Well, I for one don’t think anyone on either side has what it takes to launch the first missile in anger - though, I’ve been surprised before…” I chimed in, lifting my leg and showing off a fresh scar. “A Stripe got me good while I was in the army. Managed to help my squad get out of there, but my soldiering days were done.”
Honey blinked at me. “Oh yeah! I remember Creme telling me you were in the army…”
I nodded and gave a weak smile. My sister was the one to speak up. “Yeah. He gave me his Purple Heart to hang on to. It’s actually hanging in my office in the Stable.”
Trying to change the topic from me, I shifted it back to my sister. “Night Dream used to be military too. Air force, actually.”
Honey blinked at my sister. “You were?”
Night Dream simply blushed. “Yeah. Wasn’t in it for long, as I was recruited by Stable-Tec to help design and run a Stable. My major in college was in engineering, but I’ve been told I have good leadership skills too. That remains to be seen, however…”
The three of us sat talking for a good hour or so before Night Dream had to leave. Honey then turned to me. “You and your sister are very interesting ponies! I’m glad I got the chance to get to know you both...yourself a bit more than her~” My eyes went wide and my cheeks flushed. Well, small grace was that Night Dream was already gone. Honey giggled “I’m gonna go take a shower. Want to join me?” she said as she turned around, and gave her rear a little wiggle. Like a mindless drone, I followed after...it was probably the best shower I’ve ever had in my life.
----
The rest of the morning went by quickly. Fully dressed, the two of us left my apartment and headed down to the pier. I figured since Honey and I seemed to be more than a one-night stand, I’d take her on a real date to see if it’d work out. Oh Celestia I wish it’d work out…
The pier was full of couples riding the rides, eating at one of the many food stands, or just sitting and enjoying each other’s company...maybe a little too much for what’s publicly acceptable. I gave a smile as Honey Drops danced on her hooves. “Oh I just don’t know what we should do first! Hmm…”
Looking around, I immediately knew what we would do first. Nudging Honey with a hoof, I pointed over to a duck shooting stand. “How about I show you what I’m capable of?” I gave a confident smirk.
Honey looked at me and nodded with a sly look. “Okay, soldier-boy.” While a simple nickname, it still made me blush. We trotted over to the booth and I noticed that, instead of ducks, the targets were zebras. My eyes went wide, and my mind flashed back to my time in the military. I shook my head in an attempt to clear it, and picked up the rifle. You’re on a date, remember, you’re on a date... As I sighted in the first target however, something inside me clicked, and my mind went blank. Each shot I fired hit home at the center of each target...though, it was probably because I was so close to the targets. Setting the rifle down, I snapped out of my trance and looked at Honey, her eyes wide and jaw hanging open.
Looking back at the booth, the pony attending it waved a hoof to the top shelf prizes, and I picked out the largest stuffed animal I could find; a stuffed white bunny. I immediately gave it over to Honey Drops, who looked ecstatic. “Oh, thank you!” As she didn’t have a horn, I simply sat it on her back as if it was riding her.
“An Angel Bunny for an angel.” I said awkwardly, my cheeks flushing once again. Honey simply giggled and gave me a kiss. Possibly the first one I’ve gotten from her that wasn’t in the middle of fun-time.
“Thank you, Jackie~” she said in possibly the cutest tone I’ve ever heard. I didn’t want this day to end...which is why what happened next came even more out of nowhere. Across the city and pier, sirens wailed out. At first, everypony was just startled by the noise.
On a radio nearby, I heard an announcer pony speak up. “We have confirmed reports that...that Cloudsdale has been hit and destroyed by a balefire bomb. Princesses help us all…” Just then, the signal went dead, a sharp hiss of static the only thing coming out of the speaker.
I froze in place. The day was doing perfectly. Why? Why did this have to happen? A ringing in my ears muffled every noise around me. It wasn’t until I felt somepony tugging at my jacket that I snapped back to reality. “Jackie, we need to get to the Stable!” Honey said, a look of terror on her face. That’s right… she was just as horrified as I was. I simply nodded and, remembering seeing a landing platform nearby where I saw Vertibucks taking off from and delivering supplies to the Stable, the two of us galloped off.
The landing pad was crowded with horrified ponies of all shapes and sizes. A stallion, wearing one of this jumpsuits I’ve occasionally seen my sister wearing, was directing ponies into each of the Vertibucks. “Stay calm, everypony! We’ll get to you all in due time!” Honey and I pushed our way to the front of the line, startling the stallion “Oh! Mister Jackal! Please, go first. Your sister’s already on board!” Well, that was easy… One of the perks of having a sister like I do I guess.
As we climbed aboard, I saw Night Dream already strapped into a seat. “Jackie! I can’t believe this is happening… I’m just glad you and Honey Drops made it…”
“I almost didn’t…” I said, thinking back to me freezing up only moments earlier. As soon as the Vertibuck was full, it took off. Glancing out over the water, I saw a few more Vertibucks in the air beside us, having taken off from other points in the city. However, as we were nearing the island that the stable was on, a sudden intense light and an immense blast came from somewhere above us. Next thing I knew, the engines had stopped, and we were plummeting toward the ground. I instinctively grabbed and held Honey close, her and my sister’s screams muffled only by the ringing in my ears. There was a loud crunch of metal and sharp, searing pain as we hit the ground. Then, nothing.