private Shadows of Equestria: Part Two

[nx9100 1,013]

OOC: https://mlpforums.com/topic/134648-shadows-of-equestria-closed-ooc/page-21#entry4401911

 

He watched as the rain fell against the office windows, as the dark clouds floated over the city rooftops below.  A flash of lightning momentarily reflected off the lenses of his black-rimmed glasses.  

 

A knock on the door broke his concentration.  "Come in," he answered, turning to face the newcomer.  Two stallions entered, escorting a mare between them.  She was tan colored, and wore a purple cape wrapped around her body, mane hidden under a grey hat.  "Ah, Miss Yearling!  Do come in.  May I offer you anything?"

 

She glared at him.  "No, thank you.  Why am I here?  What do you want?"

 

He moved to his desk, as the two goons 'guided' her to stand opposite of him.  "Please, Miss Yearling, you insult me.  I know who you really are."  He grinned at her over the top of his glasses.  "Did you think I would just forget about our little arrangement?"

 

She sighed.  "All right, you win.  Here."  Twisting her head around, she reached under her cape, and pulled a small package out of her hidden saddlebag.  Holding it in her teeth, she moved up to set it on his desk.  "There, safe and sound.  Happy now?"

 

"Yes, I am," he replied.  "This is exactly what I have been looking for."  His eyes locked onto her.  "Thank you for your efforts."

 

She cocked an eyebrow.  "Wait, that's it?"  

"Yes.  You have fulfilled you end of our contract, so now I will fulfill mine.  Your dept to the Canterlot Publishing Company will be cleared within the hour."  He smiled again.  "I always reward success.  It encourages more success in the future.  Which means..."

 

"If I find any more relics like that," she pointed to the package, "bring them to you first, right?"

"Exactly.  Enjoy your visit to Manehatten, Miss Yearling."  It was a clear dismissal, and with a nod, she turned to follow the two ponies back out of the office.  Once the doors closed, he reached over and opened the package.  "Yessss...." he muttered, as the wrappings fell away to reveal the small, ancient stone tablet.  Various markings covered it's surface, but one stood out from the rest.  A large, crescent moon....

 

--------------------

 

  Entering her small office, Sakuya sighed, and dropped herself down on the small sofa against the wall.  No offense kid, she thought, rubbing her swollen belly, but I'm going to be glad to get you outta me.  She stretched out her sore legs, taking a moment to rest.  

 

But such moments pass quickly.  "Miss Sakuya?" came a sweet voice from the door, where a greenish-blue pegasus mare was standing, her golden-colored mane draped over her shoulders.  "I have the latest order numbers."

 

"Not right now, Starshine," Sakuya replied.  "I need a few minutes."  She looked up at the other mare.  "Word of advice: do NOT get yourself pregnant."  

"Oh, I don't know," Starshine replied, "maybe one day."

"How are things with you and Random Action?" Sakuya asked, causing the pegasus to blush.

 

"Very good.  He's got so much energy, and really likes to have fun.  We're going to that popular club downtown tonight, the Scratch Shack."

 

Sakuya nodded.  "Nice place, you two will have fun."  She sighed again.  "Come back in ten minutes, would you?  And send Caliber in when he shows up please."  

"Yes ma'am," Starshine replied, before stepping back out of the office into the warehouse....

Edited April 26, 2016 by nx9100

[Unicorncob 5,779]

A masked, cloaked pegasus peeked up into the office window, using a window cleaning platform as leverage. Luckily, his cloak was waterproof.

 

He eyed up the stone tablet as its new owner unwrapped and marvelled at it with fondness. A smirk crossed his muzzle.

 

He had been watching Ennex, and the mare known as Sakuya, for the last couple of weeks, taking in their movements and practices.

 

Sakuya, though her real plans still a mystery, was definitely plotting a power play of her own. Perhaps to overthrow Ennex? He wasn't sure yet, but it would be interesting to see this play out.

 

Though, the big question remained; whose side will he take? Which side would be more profitable? The big time business mogul with plenty of money to burn but enough ponies on his side? Or the mare with not as much money to her name, but will pay as handsomely as she can for hired help?

 

As he leaped off the platform and spread his wings to glide to the rooftop across the busy road, the question still remained in his head.

 

Time to see what Little Miss Crime Boss is up to, I think, he thought as he travelled to the docks.

[P-Jay 1,987]

Caliber blinked, staring up at the sky, from the top of the warehouse, he was staying at. He'd been waiting for the 'challenge', but that was hardly the reason why he was still there, doing his job.

 

He expected this, but he had grown to like Sayuka, as a good friend. After all, she was fun. Good pay, and fun times. But...One thing remained troublesome.

 

It was obvious she was pregnant at this point. And to be blunt, he didn't agree. Bringing a foal into this world, into all these gangs, and crime lords? Where it would probably be used against her? It'll only make his job harder. He hadn't said anything, but in his eyes, it was a poor move on her part. Simple and clean, she made a weak point, for their operation, all because...He can't really say anything. He'll just have to protect the kid alongside Sayuka, now.

 

He sighed, and got up, bouncing off the roof, and onto the ground. His break was over, and the mare telling him that Sayuka had summoned him confirmed it.

 

He waltzed in, stretching a bit. Been on a rough sleep schedule...

 

"Yo."

Edited March 2, 2016 by P-Jay

[nx9100 1,013]

Sakuya sat up at the sound of hoofsteps.  "Morning Caliber," she greeted, sitting up and giving him a once-over.  "You look like you had a rough night.  Been out fighting again? Or.." She pointed out the office window at the random mares working in the warehouse beyond, "...have you been having fun with the... employees?  hehe...."

[Unicorncob 5,779]

The mystery pegasus soon arrived at the docks, eyeing up the warehouse he had been tracking for the past couple of weeks.

 

Sakuya's place of business.

 

He scanned the ground, and the containers and machinery strewn around the dockyard by the warehouse. He spent some time watching the ponies walking around, memorising their patrol routes, before getting to work.

 

He hopped down behind a container, waited for a pony to pass then leapt behind another box. He managed to sneak into the warehouse, and used the shadows to sneak around until he got within eavesdropping distance to the office.

 

He heard that Caliber pony's voice, and gritted his teeth. That pony was sharp, and was the closest anypony had come to catching him. He'd need to be extra careful.

[P-Jay 1,987]

Sakuya sat up at the sound of hoofsteps. "Morning Caliber," she greeted, sitting up and giving him a once-over. "You look like you had a rough night. Been out fighting again? Or.." She pointed out the office window at the random mares working in the warehouse beyond, "...have you been having fun with the... employees? hehe...."

"..." He grinned, and shrugged sheepishly, "hey, what's wrong with both? There's this cool underground fightclub a few blocks down...Lots of mares there, too."

 

"...Although, I didn't come in here to talk about my personal life. My breaks over, and I was told you needed me, so..."

 

He sat down on the couch, stretching a bit. "...What's the job?"

[Guest]

Second Sight's eyes shot open at precisely... he didn't know. He closed them again, feeling a small, irritating sensation from opening his eyes too fast. He wiped the crust off his eyes, and took a peak at the clock. Unfortunately, it was broken. Grunting in frustration, he turned to his room's curtained windows. He took a small telescope and peeked into a nearby apartment's clock through the window. It was hard to make the hand out through the rain, but he estimated that it was around... 8 o clock

 

Napped for 2 hours.

 

The docks were busy during the day. As such, maintenance work and upgrades were usually carried out through the night. Second Sight was commissioned to repair the various machines in the docks, as well as check on the generators: see what upgrades were possible.

 

15 minutes later, Second Sight left for the ports, carrying an umbrella ( This one is not Salleria's ).

 

15 more minutes later, Second Sight arrived at the ports. He didn't live far from them. 

 

He signed in at the administrative block, the pony working the counter not batting an eye at his arrival because she was well, sleeping. Second Sight took a clipboard with a checklist on it in a field of telekinesis and headed back out. He began to list off his duties.

 

First stop...  Magic generator A. Generates power to the warehouses. Reports of it... making weird honking noises? Chirps too? What the hell? It is physically impossible for it to- ah, nevermind.

 

Second Sight proceeded to the generator room next to the warehouse. As he walked in, the usual hum was heard. The ocasssional flash of light was normal, too. He sighed.

 

Those ponies need to clean their ears.... he muttered, going further in to perform his routine check.

 

*HONK*

 

Second Sight froze. 'What the actual fu-'

Edited March 3, 2016 by Guest

[nx9100 1,013]

Sakuya slowly got up on her hooves.  "Something I think you'll enjoy," she replied to Caliber with a grin.  "I started this little business operation to branch off from Ennex.  That you know."  She moved over to her desk, and pulled open a drawer.  "What you don't know, is why I wanted to branch off on my own."  Using her teeth, she pulled out a folder and dropped it onto the desk.  "It isn't just because I wanted my own business.  Ennex has.... changed."  She shivered.  "I noticed it slowly, not really paying attention.  It isn't just about making bits for him anymore.  There's something more.... something dangerous."  She nodded towards the file.  "That's the location of another warehouse across town.  He tried to keep it secret, but I snagged this before I split.  On the outside, it looks like a normal food shipping center.  But there are strange, unmarked crates moving through there, coming from exotic locations."  She looked him right in the eye.  "I want to you break in and find out what he's moving..."

 

@@P-Jay

Edited April 26, 2016 by nx9100

[Guest]

Second carefully guided the nest of geese out of the warehouse, some of them honking angrily in protest. "I know it's warm in there, but I believe in natural selection." He grunted.

 

"So that's done... What's next..." He retrieved the clipboard from his pocket. "...flickering light in the warehouse. Won't stop flickering even when the lightbulb was changed...."

 

@Unicorncob

 

As he read the details, he walked into the warehouse, his pass, which hung from a lanyard on his neck granting him access. The doors opened with an audible ( depending on the material, a metal grating sound or a wooden creak ), which probably announced his presence to every pony in the warehouse.

 

Hanging his cloak and hat on a nearby peg, he walked off to find the damaged light. He made no effort to silence his hoofsteps, the sound echoing throughout the warehouse. In his search, he started coming up really close to Dusk...

[Unicorncob 5,779]

Sakuya slowly got up on her hooves.  "Something I think you'll enjoy," she replied to Caliber with a grin.  "I started this little business operation to branch off from Ennex.  That you know."  She moved over to her desk, and pulled open a drawer.  "What you don't know, is why I wanted to branch off on my own."  Using her teeth, she pulled out a folder and dropped it onto the desk.  "It isn't just because I wanted my own business.  Ennex has.... changed."  She shivered.  "I noticed it slowly, not really paying attention.  It isn't just about making bits for him anymore.  There's something more.... something dangerous."  She nodded towards the file.  "That's the location of another warehouse across town.  He tried to keep it secret, but I snagged this before I split.  On the outside, it looks like a normal food shipping center.  But there are strange, unmarked crates moving through there, coming from exotic locations."  She looked him right in the eye.  "I want to you break in and find out what he's moving..."

 

Dusk kept his ears pricked as he listened in to the conversation. A smirk curled on his upper lip from intrigue.

 

Exotic cargo disguised as food shipping... classic. I might just follow this pony over--

 

 

As he read the details, he walked into the warehouse, his pass, which hung from a lanyard on his neck granting him access. The doors opened with an audible ( depending on the material, a metal grating sound or a wooden creak ), which probably announced his presence to every pony in the warehouse.

 

Hanging his cloak and hat on a nearby peg, he walked off to find the damaged light. He made no effort to silence his hoofsteps, the sound echoing throughout the warehouse. In his search, he started coming up really close to Dusk...

 

His ears flicked as he heard hoofsteps clumping into the warehouse, and internally cursed as a new stallion was nearing his position.

 

Scowling, he attempted to skirt around in the shadows provided by shipping crates, keeping his hoofsteps light and fleet.

[P-Jay 1,987]

Sakuya slowly got up on her hooves.  "Something I think you'll enjoy," she replied to Caliber with a grin.  "I started this little business operation to branch off from Ennex.  That you know."  She moved over to her desk, and pulled open a drawer.  "What you don't know, is why I wanted to branch off on my own."  Using her teeth, she pulled out a folder and dropped it onto the desk.  "It isn't just because I wanted my own business.  Ennex has.... changed."  She shivered.  "I noticed it slowly, not really paying attention.  It isn't just about making bits for him anymore.  There's something more.... something dangerous."  She nodded towards the file.  "That's the location of another warehouse across town.  He tried to keep it secret, but I snagged this before I split.  On the outside, it looks like a normal food shipping center.  But there are strange, unmarked crates moving through there, coming from exotic locations."  She looked him right in the eye.  "I want to you break in and find out what he's moving..."

 

He had taken to somewhat wandering around her office, observing the various pictures, and decorations. Although it seemed he wasn't listening, he was indeed. 

 

"A warehouse that he kept secret from you...That sounds promising." He commented, when she had finished, "I'll have it done by the end of the day. And I'll try to stay under the radar...Something tells me you wouldn't want Ennex to know that your branching off."

 

'So, this isn't some bodyguard gig anymore, huh? Looks like I'm part of something more...Malicious. Not really my style, but eh, I've been through some worse times.' 

[nx9100 1,013]

She nodded.  "That's right.  At least, not yet.  He knows about this new operation... heck, he helped me get it set up.  As long as I kick up 30% of my profits to him, I'm in the clear."  Her eyes narrowed.  "But once we're strong enough, we split completely.  No kick-backs."  She slid the file over to him.  "Feel free to take your time, and hit the place when you're ready.  I know this isn't your usual duty, but at the moment there isn't anypony else with your skills that I can trust..."

 

--------------------------

 

  He stepped out of the office, carrying the tablet under one foreleg, and approached the elevator.  "Ravage," he called out, "please follow."  As the elevator doors opened, a black-clad stallion stepped out of the shadows of the hallway and moved to join his master in the elevator.  "I want you to go to the warehouse," Ennex continued, flipping open the panel of buttons and hitting a hidden switch behind them.  "And make sure nothing interferes with the next delivery."  

 

Ravage nodded, as the elevator started down.  "Is that the next clue?" he asked, pointing at the tablet.

 

Ennex nodded.  "Yes, and a very important one, if my guess is correct."  The elevator reached the ground floor, but continued down.  "This holds the second half of a missing inscription that is crucial to my plans."  Finally, they came to a stop and the doors opened.  "And those shipments are the next part...."

[Guest]

Second turned to the left outside Sakuya's office, oblivious to Dusk's presence. He didn't feel the need to keep himself alert, since he had a reason to be here. Furrowing his brow, he turned up his head to inspect the flickering light. Raising his metallic forehoof towards it, he began unscrewing the lightbulb, trying to find the problem. 'The crew seems convinced that there's a ghost in this one.' He muttered.

[Unicorncob 5,779]

Second turned to the left outside Sakuya's office, oblivious to Dusk's presence. He didn't feel the need to keep himself alert, since he had a reason to be here. Furrowing his brow, he turned up his head to inspect the flickering light. Raising his metallic forehoof towards it, he began unscrewing the lightbulb, trying to find the problem. 'The crew seems convinced that there's a ghost in this one.' He muttered.

 

Dusk breathed a silent sigh of relief. Obviously this stallion wasn't a guard, or just not that alert.

 

 

He had taken to somewhat wandering around her office, observing the various pictures, and decorations. Although it seemed he wasn't listening, he was indeed. 

 

"A warehouse that he kept secret from you...That sounds promising." He commented, when she had finished, "I'll have it done by the end of the day. And I'll try to stay under the radar...Something tells me you wouldn't want Ennex to know that your branching off."

 

'So, this isn't some bodyguard gig anymore, huh? Looks like I'm part of something more...Malicious. Not really my style, but eh, I've been through some worse times.' 

 

She nodded.  "That's right.  At least, not yet.  He knows about this new operation... heck, he helped me get it set up.  As long as I kick up 30% of my profits to him, I'm in the clear."  Her eyes narrowed.  "But once we're strong enough, we split completely.  No kick-backs."  She slid the file over to him.  "Feel free to take your time, and hit the place when you're ready.  I know this isn't your usual duty, but at the moment there isn't anypony else with your skills that I can trust..."

 

His ears pricked up as he continued eavesdropping. It was starting to sound like a simple tail job - follow this Sakuya's bodyguard or whatever he was, and have a look for himself what this 'Ennex' was planning.

 

I'd better be careful where I tread. This pony's sharper than any other guard I've seen. He's obviously been properly trained.

[nx9100 1,013]

@@Watcher or Stalker?,@@P-Jay, @@Unicorncob,  

 

Hearing a noise outside the office, Sakuya stopped talking.  She stepped over to glance out the door, and noticed a light-grey Earth pony working on one of the light fixtures.  "Finally," she said, watching him, "my workers-" she pointed to the other mares moving about the warehouse "-kept bugging me about that light.  Like it was haunted or something..." she rolled her eyes. and looked back into the office.  "Crazy huh, Caliber..."

 

----

 

As the elevator doors closed behind him, Ravage followed his master into the darkened room.  This was a hidden level below the basement, that very few ponies had access to.  They stepped across the room, past several display cases, each filled with a different ancient-looking object.  Some were tablets, some figures, some broken stone ornaments.  But all had one thing in common...

 

...they each were marked with a crescent moon.

 

"Ah, here we are," Ennex said, stepping up to a small table.  Ravage noticed another stone tablet sitting there, similar to the one the adventurer pony had just delivered.  "Now, if I am right, the inscriptions on these two tablets will form a completed text, one that I have been seeking for some time now."  He laid the new tablet next to the other, sliding them together.  Suddenly, his body tensed.

 

"What is it?" asked Ravage.

 

Slowly, Ennex turned, his eyes on fire.  "IT IS WRONG!!!!"  he yelled, and hurled the tablet across the room, where is smashed against the far wall.  "WRONG WRONG WRONG!!!!"  Slamming a hoof against the table, while Ravage simply watched.  

 

After several minutes of silence, he spoke up.  "Should I retrieve Miss Yearling?"

 

Ennex sighed.  "No, the fault is not hers," he replied, visibly composing himself after the tantrum.  "Rather, it is mine.  I sent her after the wrong artifact, which was an error on my part.  My research indicated that the finished inscription was...."  He shrugged.  "No matter.  Have one of the unicorns teleport you directly to the warehouse, and make sure that next shipment arrives safely."

 

"Yes, sir...."

Edited May 5, 2016 by nx9100

[P-Jay 1,987]

Caliber shrugged, walking out alongside her, noting her words. "Crazy? Nah, I don't think so...After all, ghosts are real..." He muttered casually, walking towards the exit of the warehouse.

 

He vaguely wondered if this job was going to go smoothly, but for now, he'd just do as told, as he stepped out into the light, heading across town to the designated area, reading the file as he went. It was simple enough. Break in, find out what's going on, and leave, preferably without leaving any evidence he was there in the first place...

[Unicorncob 5,779]

Hearing a noise outside the office, Sakuya stopped talking.  She stepped over to glance out the door, and noticed a light-grey Earth pony working on one of the light fixtures.  "Finally," she said, watching him, "my workers-" she pointed to the other mares moving about the warehouse "-kept bugging me about that light.  Like it was haunted or something..." she rolled her eyes. and looked back into the office.  "Crazy huh, Caliber..."

 

Dust allowed himself to be temporarily distracted by the earth pony worker, fixing up the light bulb. A smirk crossed his masked muzzle as he overheard the idea of the warehouse being haunted.

 

 

Caliber shrugged, walking out alongside her, noting her words. "Crazy? Nah, I don't think so...After all, ghosts are real..." He muttered casually, walking towards the exit of the warehouse.

 

He vaguely wondered if this job was going to go smoothly, but for now, he'd just do as told, as he stepped out into the light, heading across town to the designated area, reading the file as he went. It was simple enough. Break in, find out what's going on, and leave, preferably without leaving any evidence he was there in the first place...

 

Hm, I would never picture him being superstitious.

 

Keeping to the shadows, he watched Sakuya's bodyguard - Caliber, if he heard right, exiting the warehouse, and slunk around the large shipping crates to make chase after him.

 

Just follow him and see what he's up to. Simple.

[nx9100 1,013]

The cloud of magic faded, leaving Ravage standing in the back of the warehouse.  I hate being teleported, he thought to himself.  ​Always leaves me sick to stomach.  But it beat walking all the way across the city.  He slowly trotted over to a pony standing in the middle of the room holding a clipboard.  "Has the shipment arrived?" Ravage asked, his (Russian accented) voice deep and commanding.

 

The manager pony jumped.  "Oh!  Uh, not yet, sir...." he replied, trying not to be nervous.  "But it should be here soon.  The last delivery is running a bit late today."

 

"Very well," Ravage sighed.  "I will wait...."

 

----------------------------

 

Sakuya watched Caliber leave on his errand, before returning to her work.  While she was trying to discover what her 'boss' was up too, she still had a legit business to run.  A movement in her belly caught her attention.  "I know, I know, too much work, not enough rest."  She rubbed a hoof over the swollen bump.  "But if you're to have any future, I have to find out what he's doing...."